Fun in the Hood

The much anticipated opening of the park behind our complex took place tonight. The city went all out. Free food, games, music, etc... Veda had her first hotdog and first Jolly Jump experience. She stood at the door staring longingly at all the kids going bonkers. Finally I let her go in and she lasted about 30 seconds before she decided she wanted nothing to do with it. As always Kathy was there to help me carry the weight... Veda's weight;)

Aunt Jean

My "Aunt" Jean from Iowa City was in Thousand Oaks for a visit with her sister Elizabeth. They stopped by yesterday afternoon and Veda put on her best acting job yet. She burried her face in my chest most of the visit... occasionally peeking up to see if anyone was looking at her. This is the best I could do with a group photo.

Wanna Be

I took this photo with my camera phone. After school when all the kids are out and about I always let Veda out to "play" with them. They are all quite fond of her and talk to her like she can understand them. She just follows the pack and they play around her. The two little girls in the picture are always petting Veda and sheparding her around.

Let it Rain!

Headed to Scottsdale this weekend for Kel's baby shower. I'm so excited to help her celebrate. I'm a little nervous about travelling but it's only a one hour flight. As you might recall I had a little scare with my last pregancy and passed out on my way to the airport in the early morning. I continue to have the same sensation with this pregnancy when I sit upright in the same position for any period of time which the Dr. says is totally normal. Anyway - Mom - you will be happy to know that Kathy (my nieghbor) is riding to the airport with me because she has a flight around the same time. I know now to get up and move around before I lose consciousness;) I'll also note that Veda is staying home with Todd. What a treat to travel by myself, drink a latte and read a book. Heaven.

Baby Center Report

I get these weekly emails every Thursday telling me how my pregnancy is progressing. If you are expecting and haven't done so I recommend you go to babycenter.com and sign up. I still get weekly emails for Veda too telling me about Toddler development. I'm always getting some great pointers. Here's this weeks report... and yes I am having shortness of breath and heartburn. Tums are now one of my 6 food groups;))

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.
To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

Veda's Best Friends

ABC's

Every night when Dad gets home, Veda likes to show him all of her toys...lately, they've been practicing their ABC's on the refrigerator, songs and all. 

Cabin Fever

It's been raining for over a week and we've been pretty couped up...At the first glance of sunshine, Veda had to get out and run off some steam (while dad got to try out the new camera).

American Idol Fanatic

Kathy & I were watching one of our favorites indulgences, American Idol. As they were showcasing some of the "not so good" singers, they highlighted a guy who was showing off some of his sweet dance moves. He attempted the mid air splits, while singing, with a not so smooth landing. During the process, he split his pants and was not able to continue (guess you had to see it). For whatever reason, Veda couldn't get enough of this and kept laughing hysterically everytime we re-wound it. This is what they made video cameras for. Enjoy!

Thank You!!!

Yesterday afternoon I started to feel bad and by bedtime I was rolling in pain. I was up most of the night with the flu and Todd took over Veda duty. Veda has been fighting a cold so she was also up on and off during the night - she hasn't figured out that she can't suck her thumb with a stuffy nose. I wasn't a bit better by morning and I didn't want to send Veda to the babysitters with snot running all over the place so Todd stayed home from work to take care of both of us.

At one point I was laying on the couch unable to move watching a rerun of Desperate Housewives. Todd was doing dishes and feeding Veda dinner. He brought in a fresh batch of laundry from the dryer and plopped it down at my feet and asked me to turn down the TV because it was hurting his ears. He was half mimmicking me but it was a complete role reversal. Thanks for all your help today - don't know how I would have survived without you!

Yes Dear

So... I confess... I have absolutely NOTHING to do with the new blog look. Other than the fact that I strongly objected to a half dozen designs before Todd picked this one. He spent a couple of hours working on this today. Even the little delivery day countdown is his work. Todd - "Isn't it great" - Me - "Yes Dear;)"

Blue Ribbon Recipe

I'm nearing the end of my second pregnancy (ok well I have another eight weeks) and I'm having the cravings. This is a peanut butter (chunky) and jelly (cherry from the farmers market) and Cheetos sandwich. Uh - hello - YUM. I think this would be equally as yummy with Ruffles. I'll make a note to pick those up next time I'm at the store. In the past week I've also made a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough which I froze and have been picking at with a spoon. I bought a big bag of peanut m&m's, a bag of Jelly Belly's, and mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches. I also just took a homemade carrot cake out of the oven. My name is Kathy and I have a problem. (Note that the ice cream in the shopping cart below was not MY purchase - that is Todd's - although I might have to try it:).

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

That's not an "Ah" like oh so great... it's an "Ah" like I'm going to rip my hair out. Veda is testing me and it's taking everything I have to be "kind but firm" like my parenting books suggest. I'm screaming inside but not at her and my head is going to explode. Trips to the grocery store - or really anywhere for that matter - have become a physical struggle. Here's a pic of Veda IN the shopping cart. She REFUSES to sit in the seat so now I just let her play with the groceries. My books also tell me I should create opportunities for her to learn and explore... well there you go.

It also occured to me that it might just be another tooth which is why she has been whining and clinging to my leg for the last week. I hope she's in pain because then at least there would be a good reason for the madness. Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Big Event

It's a big deal when Dad comes home from work. We have to pick up every toy and book within range and bring it over for him to inspect. I look forward to the sound of the garage door every night... this is just about the time I'm ready to lose my mind.

Reach Out

I flipped to Foxnews.com to look at coverage from yesterday's tragic earthquake in Haiti. 100,000 feared dead. There is a picture on the front page of a man holding his infant daughter who was pulled from the rubble. I just lost it and went right to redcross.org and made a donation to the International relief fund. My sadness is compounded by the poverty in Haiti. If you are able - I encourage you to make a donation. I know it made me feel a little less helpless.

Gary's Bday Bash - One to Remember!

Gary forgot that he was turning 58 and not 18. He and a large group of friends took a road trip to the Iowa State game on Sat and stopped at a bar or two or three... on the way there and back. He is now laid up with the flu... which is unheard of for him... connection? I think maybe. Kel had the great idea to buy the first round of drinks as a birthday surprise. So when they got to the Tip Top bar in Ames there was a round of beers waiting for them.

Long Beach Aquarium

Big day at the Long Beach Aquarium with our friends Jonathan, Christina and their twins, Jacob and Alex. Veda got to pet the baby sharks and look at manta rays. All in all it was a pretty big day (even though we only last about 2.5 hrs at the aquarium before we decided to grab some lunch). Afterwards, we let Veda and the twins play in the park....the last pic is the closest we could get to taking a picture of them all playing together (it's not forced at all : ) It was literally like herding cats...after 20 min, we were all completely exhausted from chasing them around the park and decided to head home.

Happy 58th Birthday Gary!

Thanks for the sled rides! Love Veda, Kathy & Todd

Kissing Buddha

Recently Veda has taken quite a liking to Todd's Buddha statue that sits on our front porch. It actually has a pretty funny story behind it...not exactly of the religious type that most people might think, but it actually dates back to when Todd studied in London. Todd and a couple buddies took it hostage from a neighbor bar that they frequented almost every night (after they finished studying of course). Well, it made it's way back to the states after the summer of '98 and has stuck with him through every move since, even though it literally weighs 70 lbs and actually has a core of lead inside of it...yeah they found that out as it went through the airport Xray machine...pretty sure that wouldn't pass security now days.

Here's a couple pics where Veda discovered Buddha's belly and another one "kissing" the pudgy little fellow....

Baby Ehlers Hit Gold

Kel and Chris are having a baby boy - due May 22nd. We are so thrilled that they will be joining the ranks of parenthood and that there will finally be a boy for us to spoil. I for one am particularly excited because this has given new purpose to my Saturday mornings. You all know how much I love to shop garage sales - which is a year round sport here in California. These are just a few of the MANY sweet deals I picked up this morning for 50 cents a piece!!!

Pass the sun tan lotion...

I have to say... and yes I am bragging... I love that it is 70 and sunny here in January. It's like being on a vacation all year round! Everyone back in the midwest is freezing and facing another winter storm... we are saving $$ on our heating bill... the only thing we are saving $$ on out here;)

March 16th!

I'm at 28 and a half weeks. Ten weeks from tomorrow I'll be giving birth. Dr. Silverman scheduled the C section for March 16th at 12:30 in the afternoon. I'm beyond excited that I get to sleep in the day of the big event.

Xmas Gift to Ourselves

Instead of exchanging Xmas gifts this year Todd and I made a rather large purchase as a gift to ourselves. We used the Xmas money we were gifted to buy years and years of memories. Ryan's Xmas gift to us was a lens for our Nikon camera and LOTS of advice. I think it will come in the mail today and I can't wait to get started. Hopefully the new photo quality will add a little something to the blog.

Best Decision I've MAID in a Long Time

I hired the neighbor's housekeeper to clean our home once a month. She starts on Tuesday. I'm so excited. I can't wait to have clean blinds and baseboards. The stupid thing is that I've been running around the house trying to clean for the house cleaner. I want to get everything put away so she doesn't miss an inch of dust;)!

Hot Wheels

Veda scored her first set of wheels today. Teaguen (the three year old next door) brought this over with a big bow on it for Veda for Christmas. He had to clear out some of his toys to make room for all his Xmas presents. It is a BIG hit.

Happy New Year

We rang in the New Year in style. Todd was still recovering from the stomach virus and we were asleep well before the clock stuck Midnight. We cleaned under the couches and ordered Pizza Hut. It was perfect to this pregnant and increasingly uncomfortable lady. During half time of the Rose Bowl Todd took Veda outside to teach her some mad ball skills. She was more interested in hugging trees and playing with leaves.

Most Bizarre yet Thoughtful Xmas Gift

This one even tops the can of whale my Dad smuggeled back from Japan and gave to Todd last year for Xmas... My brother gave us two of these boxes. The Japanese use them to store the umbilical cords after they fall off. Needless to say Ryan was disappointed to learn that we had thrown Veda's away and asked if we were concerned that part of her soul was now in a landfill somewhere... hummmmm... nope, not concerned. We decided maybe the boxes could be used to save the soul of the girls' first haircuts instead.

Survivor Style Return

Well Monday was NOT an uneventful travel day... before we even left my parent's house Todd started to feel funny and by the time we hit our layover in Minneapolis he had the full blown stomach full. We pondered taking a bump on our flight for free airline credit and a chance for Todd to rest but thought it would be best if we got home as fast as possible. Turns out that was a good decision because sometime during the flight to LAX I too got the stomach flu. I didn't have the heart to tell Todd because he was so miserable so I struggled through until we pulled into our house late Monday night and then I just hit the floor. Good thing Uncle Ry was travelling with us and was in good form. Veda found a lot of humor in Todd's misery on the plane - mistaking his uncontrollable shakes for some type of game;)

We are all feeling better now. I drove Ryan to the airport late last night so that he could catch a red-eye back home to Japan. It's now back to reality... Veda is exploring all of her toys she hasn't seen for three weeks and I'm sure she will be bored with them by tomorrow. I'm enjoying the quiet time to catch up on work and Todd is taking the week off and laying low - it's nice to have him at home...

Side note... Nana Sayre also fell ill Monday night so whatever we all got was clearly contagious... if you spent time with us recently you might be in trouble!

Heading Home

We are headed back to California tomorrow and hoping and praying for an uneventful travel day. We had a great holiday with family. Veda got the hang of unwrapping presents, playing with them for 10 minutes, and then completely ignoring them for the remainder of the trip. I plan to take toys home and hide them and reintroduce them when I'm in need of a serious break.

Christmas Wrap-up

Here are some pics from Xmas Eve in Clear Lake. Veda and I spent some time in the nursery during the service at church but most of the time Veda was enjoying the "sing-a-long" and clapping enthusiastically for all the performances. She was especially excited about the open flame for "Silent Night". I can not hold a burning candle and a 16 month old at the same time.

We opened presents after the traditional duck and cornish hen feast (Chris got his own this year). The pic of Veda in the box was the result of her spinning herself dizzy in circles and losing her balance... a true Elf moment.