Chloe Dances to Elmo's World

This is a little video of Chloe dancing to "Elmo's World" theme music. I don't know what it is about those little puppets (Elmo in particular) that kids love, but the Sesame Street creators really nailed it--these characters captivate kids!

It has been a LONG time.

So I think we have all found out and determined that I am really bad at this whole blog thing. Let's try again. So since the last time I wrote Chloe had her first Birthday and both grandparents were able to attend over skype. Chloe is not much of a talker but loves to read her books, play outside--she can go down the slide all by herself--, and go on walks with Peanut. She absolutely adores her Dad!

Brian is busy with super block and studying for the GRE. We are anxious to start applying for Ortho programs. It will be interesting to see where life takes us next.

I am busy with work and taking care of little Chloers--and Peanut takes care of me. :)

Chloe Meets Santa

Chloe met Santa for the first time at our Ward Christmas Party on Saturday. I was so excited for her to meet Santa to see what her reaction would be. She really has no stranger anxiety so I thought she might do ok. When we set her down in his lap she was fine at first and then she looked up at him and just started screaming and crying. I guess she doesn't like Santa afterall.
It was hilarious! I didn't like Santa when I was little either, so there you have it.

Conference Weekend

Joan, My Mother-in-law, came into town for conference weekend. It was so much fun to have her out and have Chloe spend some time with her Grandma. We were able to go to the temple and Apple orchard. We were also able to go on a shopping spree for Chloe. Grandma Joan really spoiled her with the cutest outfits. Chloe is our little model. Isn't that hat to die for?!

Chloe had her first experience on a swing and absolutely loved it. It made we want a yard with a swingset so badly. She is wearing the cute hat that Aunt 80 got her for christmas last year.

My Daughter?

Chloe had her 6 month check up yesterday--even though today is her 7 month Birthday. Things got a little delayed due to us being in Utah all summer. As I was saying, Chloe had her check up and everything is great! In fact, she is sprouting like a bean. Last time she had a perfect growth curve and was at 50% in everything. She is now in the 25% for weight--no surprise there. The 66% for head circumference, and get this, 90% for Heigth!!! I had to ask them, "are you sure, my child?!" Well, she certainly does not get it from me. It sounds like she is not going to be short like her Mom. I thought I would share because I was quite surprised.

Chloe is now crawling and pulling herself up to things. This kid is a go-getter. She will be walking in no time. She loves to have you hold her hands and walk her everywhere. I will post some video of her crawling here soon enough, since I know Grandparents and Aunts are eager to see.

Brian Rocks the Boards!!

I am so proud of Brian! He just got his score back for part 1 of the dental bard exam. He got a rockin' 95!!! He knew he needed to get around a 90 to have a good chance of specializing. All that summer studying really paid off. We are so very excited! Thanks to my family and Brian's for entertaining me while he studied this summer and for supporting Brian in his studies. Hurray!

Chloe has two teeth

Big Eyes like her Dad always had when he was little!


So I can't believe how much Chloe is changing right now.  She discovers new things everyday and it is so much fun.  We had her 4 month appt.  and she is now 13 pounds and I can't remember how many inches.  She is exactly 50%  in everything.  The day after her appointment I found two little teeth coming in!  She has also discovered her feet and loves to put her toes in her mouth. Yuck!  I try to keep her from doing that. :)  She also LOVES Peanut, our dog.  Peanut really likes her, especially when she spits up.  Peanut runs over to her every time she spits up and licks her.  Nasty huh!   I try to keep her away, but sometimes I am not successful.  Chloe pays her back by latching onto her hair with a death grip so Peanut can't get away.  It is so cute because Peanut doesn't know what to do.  She knows she is not supposed to bite her so she just sits there and tries to lick her hands away or yelps to us like, "please, Help me!"  They are going to be great friends.  

Baby Birds

So a few weeks ago I wanted to grill some hamburgers out on the grill.  It was a nice summer day and seemed like a fun thing to do.  Well, I went outside to get the grill going and found it filled to the top with twigs and branches.  A bird was trying to build a nest in our barbeque!  I got a big plastic sac and cleaned it all out and we were able to grill that night.  

The VERY NEXT DAY I was out on our balcony just enjoying the warm weather and saw aome sticks sticking out of the barbecue.  "I thought oh no, that bird has started again, I had better stop him before he gets too far."  When I opened the grill I was surprised to find it filled to the top once again with twigs and sticks.  I was shocked!  It was Brian's turn to clean it out this time.  Well, with Brian being so busy he didn't get to it for a few days.  I wanted to grill and sent him out to clean it out and he found 6 little eggs.  We knew that we had missed our chance and couldn't do anything now beacause if you tousch them the momther will abandon them. 

Just yesterday I thought I would at least document this and get a few pictures of the eggs and then the birds as soon as they hatch amd found out I was too late.  I opend it up and there they were.  

They are so cute and must have just hatched because they have hardly any hair and there is still one egg.  Next to that egg there is also a little bird that just hatched.  

It will be fun to see them grow up...I just hope they don't ruin our barbeque.  

Chloe Turns Over

Chloe Laughs

More from the Photoshoot...I just can't get enough!

Here are more pictures from the photo shoot. The blanket that she is wrapped in is one that her Grandma Joan made her.

Chloe's Blessing

We went to Utah for Brian's Spring Break and had Chloe blessed there among family and friends! It was so nice to go home and see all of our friends and family. We were able to bless her at my parents home, so it was very nice and intimate. Brian gave a beautiful blessing. She was blessed in the same dress that I was blessed in. My mom and grandma made the dress all by hand.

These are some pictures that we had taken of her by the same girl in my ward that did the others. I don't know what I am going to do when she moves. I love having her take Chloes' pictures and she does a fabulous job. You will probably see one more photo shoot of Chloe before Jessica moves away in June.

Chloe's first Photoshoot at 6 weeks old

Brian and I had Chloe's pictures taken on Saturday by a girl in our ward. She is just starting up her own photography business and gave us a great deal. Here is a little preview. We absolutely love them and can't wait to get the disc with the rest of them.

Announcing Chloe Lynn Anderson

So, Monday morning I went into the doctor's office expecting to be induced (as we had scheduled) since I did not go into labor over the weekend. To our great surprise, my doctor had changed his mind and said he would not induce me. I was shocked and a little disappointed (I had been all geared up and looking forward to going into labor!). He checked me and I was dialted to a four; then, he stripped my membranes once more. He ordered me to walk around the mall and call him later on that day.

I left feeling very frustrated, but determined. I sent Brian off to school and told him I would call if I progressed at all, and my mom and I headed off to the mall. We walked and walked and walked and walked and then walked some more. I started to feel some contractions but nothing really regular or intense at all. We decided to head home and get something to eat. While my mom prepared lunch I ran the stairs for as long as I possibly could and then walked around some more. After lunch I did jumping jacks, squats, ran in place and even took Peanut on a walk. NOTHING! I was actually feeling more at the mall so we decided to head back there. When we arrived, Brian called to see if anything had happened and decided to meet us at the mall. By this time I was so tired and my legs were hurting so much more than the contractions that I thought I wouldn't even have the energy to go into labor if I did. After walking around for another hour and not feeling much-except for very aching legs and some minor contractions-I decided to call my doctor and see what I should do. I told him what was going on and he told me to call labor and delivery and let them know that I might be in labor and that he would meet me there. I reluctantly called and told them how I was feeling and they expressed that I could come in if I wanted but that they usually don't have you come in until you are breathing through contractions. I decided to go in with hopes that my doctor would just get me started.

When I arived at the hospital I was so distraught that my efforts had not produced results and was convinced they were just going to send me home. I was so tired of anticipating and anticipating and have no results that I just wanted to go home and just let things happen. So I undressed and got up on the table and had the belts strapped to my tummy and prepared to be sent home. As I sat there I started to pee. I told the nurse, "oh my godness, I think I just peed my pants!" And then it just kept coming and coming and coming, and it finally occurred to me that my water had just broke!! Hallelujah! I would not be sent home!!

After that I walked around the hospital some more to get myself to progress--much happier, I might add. I went into the hospital at about 5:00 pm (eventually gave birth to Chloe Lynn at 1:14 A.M). At about 9:00 pm I finally got the epideral when I was dialted to a six, and was very nervous. My anesthesiologist was not very nice, unfortunately, and so my experience wasn't the greatest. For some reason it did not numb all of my nerves and I was in quite a bit of pain when I hit transition. The doctors ordered for the anesthesiologist to come back in and give me more. He rudely and reluctantly did, but it did not work for quite some time. I finally started to feel some relief right before I began pushing. Pushing was the best part by far! I loved it. I could do that over and over. I pushed for about 20 minutes before Chloe was born.

It really was such an amazing experience! Brian and I are so grateful for our sweet little girl. She is so beautiful and sweet. She doesn't really cry much but has quite the raptor squeal :)--I think that she gets that from her mommy! We love her so much and are so happy!! Thank you to everyone for all the support and calls! We love and appreciate you all so much and are happy to share this wonderful event with all of you.

Tuesday January 27th at 1:14 AM
6lbs 13 oz
20 inches

We are READY!!

This morning I went into the doctor and had my membranes stripped and found out I am dilated between a 3.5-4. I am really hoping that I go into labor sometime this weekend, but I still have not experienced any contractions. If I don't go into labor this weekend my doctor agreed to induce me on Monday, since he will be leaving out of town on my original due date, Wednesday. Here are some recent pictures of the basketball in my tummy! I have also included pictures of her room! It really turned out so cute.









My Grandma and Mom were really a big help in getting everything done and made for her room. My mom and I made all the little animals that you see and the lamp. My Grandma and Mom made the curtains and bench seat--without a pattern, I might add. They are genius! I helped my Mom make the dust ruffle and bumper pads. The Caterpillar was my mom's idea that we put together. (I am also going to do her name in those same bright colors above her crib once we make a final decision on a name.) And last, the giraffe picture is my colored pencil project from advanced art in high school. So there you have it. We are set...we just need this baby to come out now. Hopefully my next post will be pictures of our new little girl!!

Prego

I know I have not done well with keeping up on my blog. Here is a picture at my progression. This is at about 25 weeks!

IT'S A GIRL!!

Here is a picture from the ultrasound that we got today. As you can see already a drama queen. That is her hand right across her face. It was so amazing! I can't believe how much you can really see. She seems to be very healthy and right on track. She weighs as much as a pop can and is about 10 inches long. We got a lot more wonderful pictures but we thought this one was appropriate.

I have seen pictures before of the ultrasounsd of my friends and sisters but it is so amazing when it is your own. It's awesome to see and know that there really is a little life in there. We are so excited!! So a girl it is!! The last tally was 6 votes for boy and 5 for girl. So I guess that as a whole we were wrong as well. Well, that makes me feel a little better about having no insight. We couldn't be happier though. Now the planning!!

Cast your Vote!

So Brian and I want to see where the votes lie. Who thinks we are going to have a boy, and who think we are going to have a girl? Brian and I really have not had any premonition, so we want to see what all of you think.

I feel kind-of jipped at this point. I hear about all of these expecting mothers having dreams about what they are going to have. I have had ZERO! I have not had any dreams at all. Well, I guess I have had one pregnancy dream except my younger and unmarried sister was the expecting mother. I was so happy for her in the dream but I kept trying to resolve the fact that she had fornicated and that was not a good thing. So, Shae...anything we need to talk about? :)

Brian and I find out on Sept. 5th what we are having!!! So look for a post to see who has better insight than the parents.

Our Family Keeps Expanding!

Yes! I am pregnant! Brian and I were planning on getting pregnant this year and originally decided we would start trying in June. Well, we got a little ansy and one night just thought let's just do it! So here we are 17 weeks later....very happy and pregnant! I am still in awe and keep wondering "Am i really pregnant or am I just making this up?"
I really have been very fortunate, I have not really been that sick. I get nauseated, but happy to say, I have not thrown up. I feel like all I do is Eat! If I eat every 2-3 hours it helps with the nausea but nothing really ever sounds good and I don't really feel like eating but I know that I need to and that it will make me feel better. I seriously feel like all I do is eat!

I know that I really don't have room to complain. So many people have it far worse than I have. Brian and I were able to hear the baby's heartbeat today! The doctor said it was right where it should be so that is comforting. I have also started to feel the baby mave this last week! It is really light and just feels like little taps right now, but it is so exciting to feel that there really is a baby in there! I am also starting to show quite a bit (to me at least) Everyone I see keeps saying "oh my gosh! You aren't even showing yet." I can no longer fit in my clothes though so I know I am not making it up. Well, I will try to do better with updating my blog now that I have something fun to blog about.

My new little companion!

Brian and I just got a new little puppy, Memorial weekend. WE went to look at the cats and ended up getting a dog! She is a little nine-week-old Shiranian (a cross between a shitzu and a pomeranian). Right now, she's about three pounds, and they say she should only get to be about 7-10 pounds.
She is a lot of fun, but a lot of work too. Right now we wake up twice a night to take her out to go potty. She wears a diaper while in the house to reduce the amount of accidents. We had no idea what to name her so my little neice, Avalee, did the honors. I told her we were thinking about getting a puppy and asked her what we should name her. She said "Peanut" and well, it stuck. Both Brian and I really liked it and it really fit her well. So Peanut is the newest addition to our family!