Christmas -- Part 1

We just got back from Utah a few hours ago. It's been a somewhat sad day. We had way too much fun while we were there. It's going to take a few blog posts to get it all in.

On December 23rd, I decided to start the new tradition of "Kingston Eve". It consists of lighting a candle for every Christmas he has been gone and leaving out his stocking to see what the Kingston Santa will bring.

Scarlet, as you can tell, was super excited to dig into Kingston's stocking to see all the treats. She found our 2011 ornament (a blue snowflake), candy canes, and some hot chocolate.

We then proceeded to take all the goods to the cemetery where we got to spend some time with our sweet Kingston. It was a day just for him. I'm so glad we did this too. We made up the hot chocolate, which ended up being the best idea ever since it was FREEZING in Utah that day (Christmas Eve).

I think Scarlet enjoyed spending time with her brother and also eating the candy canes found in his stocking. We tried to share them with Kingston, but she would just pick them up and eat them.

Just when we were about to leave, my mom picked up this blob from the ground and said, "Is this something?" I took one look and started laughing hysterically. Um yeah, it's totally his birthday cupcake! I have no idea how in the world it was still by his headstone after all these months, lawn mows, and spinklings from the sprinklers, but there it was!

Scarlet Appleseed

Scarlet, probably like every other child loves to play with our pots and pans. She will take them all out of the cupboard and carry them around the house. On this particular day, she left them on the floor while we went to the neighbor's for dinner. By the time we got home, she was having a full-on meltdown. At this point, she walked to the bathroom and proceeded to fall down and then backwards, with her head landing directly in the pot. It literally paralyzed her. She wouldn't move for anything and wouldn't make a peep. Ryan and I just sat there and laughed at her. We're good parents like that. We figured it would make a good photo op, so here it is!

Giggle Goose

Scarlet was so tired this day we went to Disneyland. She thought the most simple game of Peek-A-Boo was beyond hilarious. About 30 seconds after I stopped filming this, we heard somebody screaming, "call 911, call 911!!! We need a medic!" I grabbed Scarlet from Ryan and made him jump over the lines of people to go help. Some lady was having a seizure and thankfully Ryan and his friend, Jeff, were there to save the day. They kept her stable until the paramedics arrived and took her to the hospital. Just one more reason I am grateful to be married to a wonderful nurse.... he saves lives.

Dear Scarlet -- 16 months, 3 days

Dear Scarlet,

Oh my, my. Where has time gone? It's been a while since I last wrote to you. You have changed by leaps and bounds over the last few months. On 11/11/11, you started walking! It has been so fun to watch you explore and learn about the world around you now that you can wander on your own.

Your vocabulary is growing every single day. You now say: Baby, light, on, thank you, what is it?, uh oh.... and I'm sure there are more that I am missing. It's adorable to hear you talking. I can't believe you learn so quickly and seem so eager to learn new things each day. Oh, you also know that the kitty says, "meow", and the goat says, "bahhhhhh". The goat sound always comes out as a yell though. We're working on it.

I still can't believe you're going to be a big sister! What a shock that has been. We are slowly adjusting to the idea of having another little mouth to feed and baby to love. We are thrilled beyond belief for this new little sibling for you. I always felt like you got robbed a little by having your twin taken away. I wish I could have changed the situation. However, I still believe he is close to you and always will be. You two have an amazing bond, I'm sure of it!

I'm SO excited to watch you this Christmas. I can't wait for you to see what Santa brings. I know you're going to love Christmas this year. I am also excited for you to show off your new skills to all of our family back in Utah who just don't get to see you that often. We get to leave for Utah in just ONE WEEK!! Daddy and I are so excited to go home.

You also popped out two more teeth. You have been a drooly mess lately because of it. You also don't sleep so great at night because I think your little mouth hurts. Sorry sweetheart!

Well, little twinkle toes, you are such a joy! We just love you to pieces and pieces.

Loves,

Mom

Pregnancy Update

Hopefully I can do this every couple of weeks at least. Like I said before, I really want to document this pregnancy better than I did last time.

How far along? 13 weeks
Weight gain/loss: Negative 1 pound
Maternity clothes? Nope, not yet. I'm holding out as long as possible. Oh wait, I will occasionally wear my Heidi Klum maternity pants. Love them! Thanks Dari for convincing me that I needed them.
Stretch marks? None. Knock on wood.
Sleep? Naps yes, bedtime, difficult
Best moment this week? Finding out our baby does not have a chromosomal abnormality!
Food cravings: Salty foods and HOT peppers. Oh yummm..... now I want a pepper.
Gender: I think it's a boy. Ryan is hoping for a girl.
Belly button in or out? In
Movement? I keep thinking that I feel little movements, but I'm still not 100% sure. It seems kind of early to me. Either way, I'm excited to feel this baby wiggle!
What I miss? Being able to walk to the mailbox and back without getting winded. This goes for going up the stairs as well. Boo to lower lung capacity and a husband who makes fun of me when I can't breathe.
What I'm looking forward to: Feeling Tiny Todd wiggle!

Quick Update on Baby #3

I think most of you know what a trial my last pregnancy was. It was also a blessing. After having gone through something so traumatic, I have to admit that when I saw a positive pregnancy test this time around, I was scared to death. I was literally shaking as I looked at it. Why so scared? Well, because once you experience what we did, you're just never the same.Our naivety was robbed from us and we're (I'm) now paranoid. I was so afraid of this baby not being healthy. My very first doctor's visit, which should have been nice and easy, was filled with major anxiety. I'm so glad I have a doctor who I think could sense this and was on top of it. She has done multiple blood tests and today I went to see perinatology. Again, as you can imagine, I was a nervous wreck. Last time I was with a perinatologist, I got the worst news of my life. Thankfully this time around was a bit different. We did a quick ultrasound for the nuchal translucency test. This was to find out if our baby, Tiny Todd, had Down syndrome. They also did some other measurements for trisomy 18. I am thrilled to report and our little Tiny Todd was kicking up a storm and sucking on his/her fist. It was adorable! I'm also double thrilled to report that Tiny Todd is a healthy baby! No Down syndrome and NO, I repeat, NOOOOOO trisomy 18! It was great news.