Tonight's the Night!

Here we go again!  Induction Day (Night) is here!  I'm nearly a week overdue (this picture was taken last Wednesday, on my due date).  I'm still feeling great--amazing, I know!  Went to my last Zumba class this morning and tore it up!  But, the time has come for this little girl to just.come.OUT!  (My doctor doesn't like to let anyone go over 41 weeks--especially since my babies tend to be rather large!)  So, they'll start me out with some meds tonight to get the labor process going and, if all goes to plan (as it has with the other three) we'll get to meet our sweet little Juliana tomorrow! 

Happy May Day!!!

Father-Son Time

Christian really enjoys the weekend.  Why?  Quality bonding time with his "old man."  And what do these boys like to do once the work of the day is done?

Mario on the Wii!  Christian LIVES to play Mario with his Daddy.  This is especially helpful when we need to ensure some good behavior from him!  (Oh, and as a side note to this picture, Cubby's not really asleep while playing, he just didn't want the camera's flash to blind him :-).)

And, after a little Mario-time, they follow up by...

Watching the Three Stooges!  (Soooo cute to listen to Christian giggling while watching!)

(Christian snapped this picture--apparently, he wanted to capture the moment.)

Preschool Zoo Trip

 Last week I went with Christian and his preschool class on a field trip to the zoo!  It was a GORGEOUS day.  Kari came along too and we had a fun time seeing the big cats, orangutans, the newly renovated aquarium and the jungle.  The kids all did very well--and they have a fantastic teacher, Mr. Joey.  Christian really likes Mr. Joey and the rest of the kids seem to as well.  If a couple of the kids were starting to run off, he didn't have to yell or even speak sharply.  He'd just firmly call them back and they listened!  Amazing feat to accomplish with 10 active four and five year olds!

It was a short trip (as preschool only lasts from 9-11:30),  but by the time it was time to head back at 11:00, both Kari and Christian were tired out and ready for a rest!  (I even think that was the day Kari took an almost 4 hr nap!)

Again, it was great to be able to spend a little extra time with my big boy!  I had been hopeful that walking around the zoo would jump start my labor, but hey, if Zumba doesn't do it, I wasn't terribly surprised that it didn't :-).

Zumba Therapy

This pregnancy brought about the need for a new form of exercise.  It started to get cold in October and that's about the time that it got too uncomfortable for me to keep running (plus the fatigue of running at 6 a.m. was wearing on me!).  So, I tried out out local YMCA's Zumba class.  Talk about a good decision!

For anyone not yet brave enough to try it out, please find a good instructor (it makes ALL the difference in the world) and go to a couple of classes!  (I say a couple b/c it sometimes takes a few times before you start to "get" the moves and it stops being mentally hard and starts being more physically challenging...and a LOT of fun!)

So, since October I've been going to Zumba class 3-4 times per week.  It helps that class is held while the kids are in school and Kari can go to either Toddler Art or Tottercise classes that she really enjoys (or early Saturday morning before anything gets going at home).  There are quite a few gals from my ward, neighbors, and other friends in the class and we all enjoy shaking what our Mama's gave us!

Our instructor, Jennifer (black pants, blue jacket), is amazing.  She is also expecting and it has been great to Zumba together while our bellies (and other parts of our bodies) expand!  Jennifer also teaches Body Pump (which, up until last week, I did once a week).  Let me just say that to be able to teach/talk through both BP and Zumba (back to back on Saturday mornings) while pregnant is no easy task and she continues to amaze me!  Her craziness, intensity, and fun music packs the class and makes everyone want to come back for more!  To say that I'm saddened by the fact that she's moving this summer (just after having her baby!) is an understatement.  We'll all miss Jennifer!

I'll finish up by saying that Zumba has not only kept me physically active throughout this pregnancy, it gives me such a mental release as well.  The days I get to go to class seem to go smoother and I know I'm a happier mommy when I'm done!  As of today, I've got two classes left before my induction Monday night.  Needless to say, I'll be thrilled not to be pregnant anymore (yes, I've reached that point!), but missing "my" class for the next 6 weeks will be tough!  Am I slightly ridiculous or what?!  Ha!

Egg Hunt w/the Neighbors

Over Spring Break, we had a fun evening BBQing with some of our wonderful neighbors. The food was yummy and the company was even better! We also had a little egg hunt for the kiddos--it was Kari's first hunt and she LOVED it. It was so cute to watch all of the kids running like crazy to find the 12 dozen eggs that my friend, Bridget, had put together for everyone! (Yes, 12 dozen. Bridget rocks.) Here are a couple of shots from "the hunt" itself :-).

Emily and Christian were very focused.

Ballgame with Daddy

The Saturday before Easter, Cubby and Emily got to go out to a ballgame together! Emily had read and reviewed a certain number of books through school which earned her a free ticket to a Stormchaser's game. She was up for a Daddy-daughter date and the rest is history! They had a great time together and got to hang out with our friends, Ella and Brooklynn, and their Dad too.

We've really enjoyed having the new ball park so close by and hope to be able to take the rest of the family this summer!

Sibling Rivalry

So, remember how Emily recently learned how to ride her bike (see here)? Well, about two weeks later, Christian decides he doesn't want to be left behind, and asks Daddy to take his training wheels off. One week later, he's riding it. He is very proud of himself; "I'm so excited I can ride a two-wheeler!!!"






Go Christian!!!