The latest

I've been meaning to blog for a couple of days now... you know the drill. Anyhow, here's the latest news around here.

Hunter took his exam last week! Yipeee!!! The exam consisted of three separate tests, and we don't know how many of those he actually passed, but right now, we really don't care. We're very happy that he's done studying... at least for a couple of months. We won't find out the results until three months from now, and then he'll have to sign uo to retake the one(s) he did not pass. Who knows? Maybe he won't even have to take one! (Which would be nice since the next time these tests are offered is a week before baby number two is due!).

So no more studying for the P.E. at night... now it's just preparing classes for Seminary. Hunter tells me that this kind of studying is more enjoyable, and I totally agree. At least he gets his scripture reading in everyday! So, while he's prepping classes, I'm working on my little projects.

I just finished one project... not so little, but cute nonetheless.

(Quilt is folded in half here... to big to fit in the picture!)

This is a 65x65 inch quilt made of flannel. It was meant to be a lap size quilt (so it should have been more like 65x75), but did not have enough material and was too cheap to buy some. Regardless, it is very cute and comfy. The most difficult part was to piece together the batting and do the math just right to get back right. I'm just glad it's done! I don't do well with unfinished projects... They're always haunting me! It's been three years since last time I made a quilt this big, and it might just be another couple of years till I make another one.

Now on to bibs and a BABY quilt for Camilla.

On a more "spooky" note, we went to our ward's Trunk or Treat last weekend. It was fun. Camilla was dressed as a fairy, I was a cat, and Hunter was an engineer (Go figure!). He had just finished his tests a couple of hours before, so I'm just glad he was willing to go! Camilla had fun eating tons of candy, and playing with all the other little ones.

Some good friends from the ward. My mouth was still full with chili when Hunter took this picture... that's why I look funny!

To My Girl

Whenever I'm writing on a birthday card, I find myself listing all the nice qualities the birthday person has. Well, giving Camilla a birthday card may not work too well. She'd probably break it in less than a minute... and then I'd be forced to tape it all together. So instead I decided to write those qualities here, since I know that at some point this blog will be printed and bound.

So this one is to my girl.

Happy Birthday beautiful baby! I guess you're not a baby anymore. Your dad keeps telling me to stop calling you a baby, but it's hard. I'm sure that as your brother or sister arrives, the transition will be easier.

Here a few of the things I like the best about you:

You are sweet: Camilla, you are the first to give out kisses and hugs, and to share with those that need some comfort. You are always wanting to help, and although mommy sometimes doesn't appreciate it, I want you to know I love the fact you try to help as much as you can.

You have spirit in you: You are one of the most active kids I have ever seen. When you started walking, you moved on to running within days... and you've been running ever since. And although at times I wish you slowed down, you kee0 me on my toes, and I love it.

You are persistent: I guess you could also call it being stubborn. Whatever you call it, it's a trait you'll need in this world. You'll have to fight for what you want, and being persistent will help you in life.

Finally, my sweet girl, you are my friend: You've seen me cry and you've cried with me. You've seen me laugh, sometimes for no reason, and you've laughed with me. You came at a time when you dad and I did not even know if we could afford having a baby with us. We had faith it would work out, and so it did. You are the little angel I had longed for so long, and I am so grateful to have you in my life. I love spending my day with you, and although I also want some "me" time, I cherish the time we spend together.

Happy Birthday to you, my beautiful girl.

Camilla's Birthday Celebration

This past Sunday we had a family dinner here in our home to celebrate Camilla's birthday. Aunt Jennifer Daily and her family came up to spend time with us. We all loved seeing them and being able to catch up. And Camilla loved the attention and playing with her cousins.

I made her a very SIMPLE cake (the typical yellow cake and chocolate frosting... a staple in our house) and put some Elmo toys on top of it for decoration. By the way, we also decorated the living room with red streamers, red balloons, Elmo decor, and the usual Happy Birthday sign. It looked like Elmo town! We even had Elmo birthday cake plates :)

Here's Camilla blowing out her candle (and she actually blew the thing out... I was impressed).

And, I must admit, this little one was spoiled. Grandma and Grandpa Young got her this cute toy organizer, which she loves. And Hunter and I got her a play kitchen, which she plays with ALL day long. Her imagination is growing by leaps and bounds.

And, since every two year old needs pretty clothes, Ito and Ita Rojas bought clothes for the little one. So now she can dress in style.

A Whole Lotta Pumpkins!

Today we went to the Clayton Valley Pumpkin Patch. It's a family owned farm that's been around for years. So we drove out to Clayton (the next town over) to check it out and had a great time! They had several different activities for the little ones, and Camilla even agreed to go into the hay maze with me (she was scared at first). After taking pictures and having fun, we went to pick a couple of small pumpkins. It was fun to see Camilla get excited being surrounded by so many pumpkins! I think she likes this season, which is so cute since she was born around this time!

We'll definetely be going back next year!

PS - (Hunter writing this part) After paying $4 for two very small pumpkins, we left the pumpkin patch and went straight to the grocery store where we bought two BIG pumpkins for $3 each. Okay, I'm cheap but these are just pumpkins we're talking about. Maybe when Camilla is older I'll fork over the big bucks for a normal size pumpkin!

To Have or Not to Have... a Dog?

This is Marcona. We've been dog-sitting for the last couple of days, and it's been interesting (and nice I might add) to have a puppy around. She's 18 months old, and weighs about 30 lbs. She's a very calm dog, and usually (I repeat, usually), does not bark and just follows you around. Or mainly Camilla. Those two have been BFFs the last couple of days. Camilla has never ever been so excited to go home (we say the word "doggie" and she runs for the car so she can get back to see her).

Hunter and I (more me than Hunter) have been wanting to see how Camilla would do with a dog around. Would she get bored after a few hours? Would she be scared if the dog jumped at her? Would she drive the dog nuts? (Ok, that was one of MY concerns). And after a couple of days we have realized that:

No, Camilla would not get bored with the dog. Unless there's something else going on (like food... which she insisted on sharing with Marcona), or TV, her attention was on the dog.

No, she does not get scared. But then again, only few animals seem to scare her.

No, she did not create any permanent damage on the dog (at least that we can tell). The dog even seems bored, not relieved, when Camilla is not around.

Long story short... altough we have both agreed that Camilla enjoys having the dog around, and we (again, maybe more me) like the company, there are other cons that have made us realize we'll have a dog when Camilla is older (mainly when we are done with babies who take a nap during the day, who wake up if the dog barks). But it's been fun to see Camilla and Marcona together.

Like I said, Best Friends Forever :)

Update

I've been meaning to blog lately but just haven't gotten around to it... till today. You know how it goes: life happens. Here's the latest adventures in our lives:

Hunter: Hunter is doing great. Lately he's been a bit light on work, but we're hoping some new projects open up. He will be taking his exam in a little over two weeks. So now it's crunch time. I think we'll both be EXTREMELY happy when he takes the test. He'll feel like he has his life back, and I'll feel like I have a husband again! :) He enjoys teaching Seminary, and is very grateful for the fact he's team teaching with someone else. Overall, he's doing well, just pushing along as we all are.

Camilla: The little one is... well... a handful at times! But she's such a joy to have. I can't believe she'll be two in two weeks. Here are some of her latest "tricks":

• Whenever I'm scolding her for something, she'll come to me and give me big kiss. And if I don't take it, she'll get even madder than before. She's not even 2 and already knows how to work the system!


• She loves to read books. I'll start worrying because of how quiet the house is (usually that means she's getting into something) only to find her sitting on the floor looking at her picture books. She loves her "Poopy book"... That's what she calls it. Its real name is "Diapers are not forever." I guess she's getting into potty training mode :)


• Her imagination is growing by leaps and bounds. We'll find her talking to her stuffed animals or playing with the Little People. Or I'll hear her "singing" the itsy bitsy spider.
  
• And she loves babies. She takes her baby dolls for walks... and covers them with blankets. It's so cute to watch.

Me: I'm doing terrific. 11 weeks and counting. I had a bit of spotting right after our first ultrasound, so that was a big scare... but everything seems to be ok now. It was scary mainly because everything was so easy while pregnant with Camilla. I pretty much got pregnant, then got big, and then had a baby. I did have some of the oh-so-wonderful pregnancy symptoms, but nothing bad enough to force me to get to the doctor. All in all, though, I am very happy and well. Time seems to be flying by, and no complaints about that! I still read whenever I can, and I'm still working on that lap size quilt... I think my new goal is to finish it before the end of the year! I enjoy teaching the YW in the ward: It brings back sooo many memories. I love it!

Well, that's about it for the "written" stuff.

Here's the only family pose we got when we went to have our picture taken (thanks to the little stinker). I'm actually amazed we even got one!

And I just love this one of me and Camilla.

That's it for now! To come: Our visit to the Pumpkin Patch and Camilla's B-day :)