Our week

I am in such a good mood. It's been a long time since I can say that while being in Denmark (I think the last time was on May 16th when I found out I was pregnant with Jude).
Yesterday we went to an American BBQ! It was awesome. There were 6 different American families, with a ton of kids. It was funny because I had to keep reminding Paige and Blake that the kids spoke English and that they could go and talk to them. It was so fun sharing stories, using sarcasm (and people actually getting it), eating American food, talking about the things we like and dislike about Denmark, giving eachother ideas about things to do, laughing at the things we bring from home (some people bring catfood and detergent back), planning playdates, and so much more. We are hosting the next gathering and a part of me can't wait. I have missed entertaining and being the hostess. It was such a huge part of our lives when we lived in Orange. It just made me feel at home. It was an amazing day!

Paige will be (only) 5 soon but low and behold yesterday at the party she tells me her tooth is loose! I didn't think so but it sure is. I can't believe she has a loose tooth. My girl is growing up. As much as I am excited about this event, I am so not looking forward to the pics with the teeth missing. UGH! Anyone have any ideas about how much money the tooth fairy leaves? Oh, and this is off topic but Paige asked her friend if Santa Claus is real? I was shocked.... waited for the girl to answer (who said yes) and I confirmed it with an absolutely. I love being Santa and spoiling my kids.

You can all start laughing now - So, according to Paige, Blake is small, she is medium, I am large and Danny is X large. Well, the other day she decided I should be X Large instead. Funny right? Well, we then go and visit some old friends in Aalborg and she tells them I am X large now, bigger than Daddy, really, really big. Kids just say the dardest things and make you feel so good. I wish I was 5 and could say whatever I wanted - oh wait, I still do sometimes :)

Mr. Blake - Our new observation with this child is that he loves to cook. He wants to help with everything - french toast, eggs, lemonade, rice krispies, shake N bake, his pb&j, etc.. If you're in the kitchen, he wants to be right with you. He loves pretty much all food too which Danny is very much enjoying. His favorite at the moment is french toast for breakfast, pb&J for lunch, and sushi for dinner. I am out numbered when it comes to ordering pizza... I'm so sad.

Speaking of Blake - I don't how it's possible but this kid poops everytime he goes to the bathroom. I'm not joking either. Well, Danny has been trying to get him to stand up and "be a man". Today he did but when I walked in he was using a towel and cleaning up the floor. I looked at him and said what happened? His cute, how can I get mad answer - I was just trying to be a man, and I missed. I'm sorry mommy. I give him a hug and then look around... it's worse than someone who is drunk. It's everywhere - on the wall, on the floor, on the trash can, all over the seat, everywhere. The joys of boys! And, I have another one coming.

So, I finally went to the doctor today. Well, if you could call it that. They spent about 4 mins doing an ultrasound to confirm how far along I am. All she did was measure the head - 25 weeks 6 days - he is growing exactly to the day! I asked if she could see the gender. Basically told me they don't waste their time on that. If I wanted it I could go to a private hospital and pay. (I wanted to argue and yell and say I am paying - almost $15K dollars a month comes out of my husbands paycheck. What the hell am I paying for then?) She printed a few pics and as I was leaving I asked for them. She looked at me and said, that too, you have to pay for. I jokingly said, I'm sure you don't pay for my parking then do you? No, that too is not our responsibilty. I'm just glad he is growing and at the correct rate... don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. Oh, and I think I have a hernia on top of it. Might require surgery but we can't do anything until after I deliver. Mr. Jude better like pizza and be a sleeper like me - Please God, please!!!

Danny - what can I say about Danny?? He is doing OK - His team lost tonight. He is not liking having a yard to mow every week but a gardner is just not an option. We finally visited an indoor pool which he and the kids very much enjoyed. I'm making him happy by not having so many projects for him. He's hoping to get called in with the USMNT next month. If he doesn't, we are planning a trip to Paris with the kids. I don't know which one I am rooting for more. He can't believe the economy and is depressed about our stocks but excited that we will be able to buy low - anyone have any good leads you can tell us about?

So, that's our week.... may not be exciting for you but it was a fun one for us! Don't take the CA life for granted.... the smallest things make us happy.

My Hot boys in Our Hot Car - and the Funny things Blake says

Danny let Blake drive home the other day home from the store. He thought he was so cool and wanted sunglasses just like Danny. Danny sure looks good in that station car. WOW!

Blake makes me laugh daily. He says some funny things and is quite the negotiator. I think he will make a great lawyer someday. It sometimes hard to get mad because he is so darn cute. 

Here are a few things that he has said lately: 

He was coloring with his crayons and it broke. I guess I say this a lot because he yelled "Son of a Gun"

He was using the toilet and I came into check on him. He told me he loved to play with his balls and that sometimes they go away from him. Hilarious - the joys of boys!

I was talking with Paige or on the phone and Blake sneezed. He asked me "How come you didn't say Bless you? I had to bless myself"

I just adore him. 

This and That about My Unborn Son & Me

Here are a few photos of me and the babies room, which is unorganized and stressing me out. BUT, this weekend we have big plans - paint, put together the crib, etc.. I'll post new pics once it's complete :)

Thanks to all of you for being concerned, asking how I am feeling, how the room is coming, etc.. Hope I do a good job of answering all your questions...

How am I feeling? Besides the terrible acne again, I am doing well. The kids are finally understanding that I need to rest, can't jump all day on the trampoline, and don't have as much energy as I used to. I keep reminding them it's not that comfortable having this huge belly in my way. And, that this is nothing.. I have a long way to go. They laugh and say, your belly is huge Mom, it's really going to get bigger? Boy are they in for it.

Did I find a doctor? Well, I finally saw my regular doctor this week. I was 24 weeks on Tuesday. I played dumb and said that I didn't know how far along I was. So, he asked the hospital to put a rush on my case. This means a mid wife should contact me in the next week for an ultrasound, exam, etc.. The doctor did listen to the heartbeat which is always fun. The kids were in the room and their faces were priceless. So fun experiencing things with them for the 1st time.

Is the baby moving? Yes, and finally! I am feeling him more throughout the day and have actually seen a hand or foot a time or two. Both kids and Danny have been able to feel him. Paige really enjoys it. Blake doesn't have the patience to wait for him to perform.

Do we have a name? I think we have a name - JUDE. Both Danny and the kids like it and so do I. This was not planned with Paige or Blake by any means but it's something I have seen while writing their names - 1 syllable, 5 letters, and ends in E. I just can't get over not naming this baby the same way... I know, I know, I am anal and I need to get over it. Trust me, I am trying. I guess 2 out 3 isn't bad.

How is the room coming along? The room is not coming along. I need to get a crib, bedding, paint, get a dresser, decorate, etc.. I do have my colors which I love - Black, White, and Sage Green! I brought some stuff back from the states that I'm really excited to use. It's my project the next few weeks. Just stinks cause I have to wait for Danny to be home and in the mood to put things together. I hate being dependent on someone.

Where am I going to have the baby? There is a 5% chance we will deliver in Denmark. I don't think it will happen but it is an option. Right now, my plan is to deliver on December 31st at 5am in CA. Dr. Linzey has scheduled me for an induction. I love being induced. Guess that's the planner in me.

Is someone giving me a shower? I know having a shower for the 3rd is not good etiquette but my mom talked about giving me something when I get back (Nov. 19th) - very low key. Obviously, I can't take a ton back but there are a few things I need that they don't have here. I've started a registry since I'm basically starting from scratch. Plus, my little man needs some love too.

Am I craving anything? Anything with sugar. I make Rice Krispie treats weekly. It's funny because I have the acne like with Paige but am craving the same things I did with Blake. I really miss Taco Bell.

Hope I've answered your questions... and not bored you too much.

Randers Rainforest

My life couldn't be any different than it is in California. In CA we are usually outside, hanging out with friends, visiting the park, having play dates, going to birthday parties, etc.. Well, in Denmark it's a lot more time with Mommy and we are having to come up with more things to do. We do a lot of art, play games, build, etc.. However, we also go to a lot of places to get out of the house.

We've visited this place before - Randers Rainforest, but it's been awhile. It's an indoor Rainforest (so humid in there) where the animals are out and about - literally right next to you, or running above you - monkeys, bats, birds. In the snake/butterfly area there were 27 snakes just crawling around us. The butterflies were also eating bananas - who knew? We came at the perfect time because they had just fed the large snake it's lunch - a whole rabbit! Luckily Paige and Blake love animals so they weren't the least bit fazed by this. I've had to explain the food chain several times and they finally are understanding that everything needs to eat.

Advice, help, questions

I usually just post pictures but today I wanted to share a few things I have been thinking about lately.

Paige keeps asking where the baby comes from - I keep telling her I go to the hospital and the doctor takes it out... end of discussion! Well, Danny gets a Big Brother book for Blake and it talks about the birth canal... Danny tells her where it comes out of. Is she too young, will it scare her, what do I do? She has not brought it up to me (happened last night) and I don't know what to say when she does. Any advice?

Do I expect too much of my kids? Paige is almost 5 and Blake is 3 (acts older than Paige sometimes, I will add). I expect them to chew with their mouth closed, use their utencils at the table, say please and thank you, help set and clear the table, clean up their toys, respect the things we have, treat people as they want to be treated, share with others, and be nice to eachother. Is that too much??

If you owe someone money, do you make it a priority? I certainly do. I don't know how people can borrow money from somebody because they don't have any but yet, you hear about them going on a trip or going to the movies, or going to the OC Fair, or going out to eat, etc... If you can do all of these things shouldn't you pay back your debt first? For me, I judge. I try not to, but I do. It's hard because you feel like you are being taken for granted. Why am I less important than say a credit card bill or a cell phone bill? Priorities and responsibilities - lessons I hope to teach my kids early on.

Nightmares - Do I ask what it was about, have them talk about it to me in the middle of the night? Or, do I just comfort them and tell them Mommy's here and put them back to bed? Help!

Money - if one of your best friends makes a little bit of money and your other best friend makes a lot more, do you treat them different? If Paige became a teacher and Blake became a doctor does that mean at Christmas I should treat them differently in regards to buying gifts for them or their family? Danny and I make more than the average family but should we be punished because we have saved, invested well, bought real estate at the right time, worked hard for it, given up the sunny life in California, gone without a new car, etc..? I just feel like sometimes we are looked upon differently or treated differently because of money. I love learning about money, helping people with questions, giving ideas, etc.. but can't stand that money defines someone so much. What do you think?

Donations - if someone sends you something that they are involved in with fundraising, do you have to donate? We have our charities we regularly donate too and an amount we like to give each year, but does the person judge you because you did not donate to that charity or help them get their credit they need? Then, if you only give a little, does that make you look cheap?? I've been torn on this for a few years now and never know what to do...

Breaking a Habit - Paige has this terrible habit of wiping her mouth with her sleeves. It is so frustrating... she is not setting a good example for Blake (although he has yet to do this) but more so it ruins her clothes. I have chocolate stains, ketchup stains, etc.. on her sleeves that I cannot get out (they do not have good cleaners here). We have told her over and over and over to use her napkin... and she doesn't. So, tonight we took away the rest of her brownie after she wiped her mouth on her dress sleeve again. I feel so mean but it's frustrating. Any tips on what to do??

Books - I need some new ideas. I've been reading a lot and will soon be done with my stash - time to think about re-filling it for next year. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any help you might have.

We love rides!

Tivoli is a famous amusement park here in Denmark. The original is in Copenhagen and is where Walt Disney got his idea. Disneyland is no comparison but the Tivoli in Aarhus was a lot of fun. I like it because the kids can go on pretty much everything by themselves. It's not too crowded and has some great play areas as well. Paige amazes me and is so athletic. She has great balance, coordination, and strength. She did the monkey bars like 5 times and didn't fall once. Blake had fun too, mainly collecting Haycorns like Winnie the Pooh. He enjoyed the Banana ride the best, along with the Kangaroo ride. Gigi and Gpa Stan went along too and had fun watching the kids. It was a great day! (5 more days and Danny is home. Yippee!)

Trip to Aalborg

We visited some friends in Aalborg last week. Of course, we made a trip to Jumboland. The kids miss it, and to be honest, so do I. The owners are great, the place is safe, and I can rest while the kids have fun. It's also the perfect place to go when it's raining cats and dogs - like it did last week. The twins are Paige's friends from her old school. Blake's little Denmark girlfriend, Mia, is half Danish and half American. (don't worry Makena, he said that you are his California girlfriend). Blake's not happy on the bobsled ride because Mia left.