Remembering

I love this picture of my grandparents!

Kate enjoyed putting the flowers by their headstone.

I've never actually visited graves of relatives on Memorial Day -- mostly because we didn't have any graves of relatives to visit in Nebraska (they're mostly in Idaho and Utah). I don't have any excuses since I've been living in Utah, though...which has been a long time now. I only recently realized how close my grandparents' gravesite is -- just up the road in American Fork. So Kate and I first went and visited graves with Andrew's grandparents for his side of the family, had a picnic in the park, then headed over to American Fork to visit my grandparents' grave.

Last week we ate watermelon for the first time this year, and I got it with black seeds --eww. Kate didn't like that, and I had to spend all my time picking them out for her. I told her about my Grandpa Ericksen who ate watermelon -- black seeds and all! That has made an impression on her and now she talks about it every time we eat watermelon. Tonight we had some, and she said, "White seeds are yummy for you and me; black seeds are yummy for your grandpa!"

My grandpa died when I was only seven, and my grandma died when I was five (but had been sick for years before that), but I've always felt a bond with him. I slept in his bed when we visited him after my grandma died and kicked him all night, to find him sleeping in a chair by morning.

There have been times when I've felt like he was watching over me (since his death), helping me somehow -- I can't say for sure if that's true or not, but I have felt that. I only wish I had known both of them better.

There was definitely a special spirit there when I took a few minutes to ponder their lives before we left. I think there is something more to remembering and honoring our ancestors than we fully realize/appreciate.

Kate and I had a nice time at the cemetery and will definitely be making a tradition of it.

'P' in the Potty

The other day, I asked Kate if she needed to go pee in the potty, to which she quickly responded (with a sly smile), "No, I go 'Q' in the potty." Heh, heh. She's been coming up with different letters every time now when I ask. Funny girl.

One month from today!!

Christian's due date is June 28th -- one month from today. It is hard to believe, but at the same time it's even harder to believe I still have four more weeks to go (if I'm lucky)!! I am HUGE. Walking, breathing, sleeping...pretty much everything right now is a chore. I know Kate is wondering what happened to her mom -- you know, the one who actually wanted to stand up every once in a while. Poor girl. I worry about her when so much will be going on next month, but then again, it might be a welcome change of pace for her. And, of course, she'll love having visitors.

It is hard to imagine our family any different than it is now, but I know Christian will fit right in. Kate loves to give my "B-I-G tummy" hugs and say hello to her little brother. She also loves to jump around and often lands hard on my big tummy (it's kind of in the way a lot). He's a tough little guy, that much is already clear. I remember my stomach moving around a lot when Kate was in there, but Christian's got moves that HURT. He's bouncing around like crazy most of the time. I'm kind of worried sleeping isn't his thing...

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and have made only minimal progress -- 25% effaced, and dilated to a 1.

I like the sound of the dishwasher. It makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something when I'm just sitting here. :) If only everything in life were automatic and made comforting swishing noises...

Grandpa and Grandma's Visit

My parents were in town for several days last week, and we were lucky enough to have them stay with us for one of those days. They'll be staying with us for a couple weeks when Christian is born, so they didn't want to overdo it now. Kate LOVES having grandparents visit, and she took to them right away. We see them every few months or so, so she remembers them now.

My dad is an artist (http://nericksenart.blogspot.com/), so I thought it'd be fun for them to paint together. I got Kate a little wooden butterfly for them to work on, and she had the time of her life. We love having Grandma Marge and Papa Nick come visit and can't wait for them to move out here next year!! When they come next month for Christian, it will be my dad's first time to go with my mom for a new grandbaby (Christian will be #9 for them) -- since he is now retired and free!! Wahoo!!

Temporary Euphoria

It was late when we got back from Utah Lake last night, and Kate wasn't in bed until 11:30 pm. She came out of her room around midnight, which she NEVER does. She never gets out of her bed -- ever. It's like she thinks it's physically impossible once she's in it. I love it, of course. Anyway, she came out (which was shocking enough), and then said she had to go poo poo. Whenever she says she needs to go poo, that means she's already gone poo. I grumbled something and took her to the bathroom, getting things ready to change the poopy pull-up. But, to my surprise, the diaper was clean. I stuck her on the potty telling her to try to go, then I left the room.

I was in the kitchen when I heard the "plop," followed by another "plop." I ran to the bathroom and looked in the potty. Sure enough, Kate had done it!! She seemed a little shocked herself. We all hurried to the kitchen to get Ariel down from the fridge. It was quite the celebration. She slept with the doll last night. I couldn't sleep, even though I had been so tired, because I was so excited about the possibilities of my new life.

I hate to end this post on a sour note, since I was REALLY happy last night when it happened. But today, she went poo again -- not in the potty. Might need some kind of reward for a while...or something. I was so sure I would be diaper free for at least a month!

A Romp in the Bog

Last night we decided to go to Utah Lake to see if Andrew could get some pictures. He didn't end up taking any, but it was a beautiful night nonetheless. We spent part of the night off the beaten path (through a barbed wire fence). Our shoes ended up soggy and smelly-- trying to jump over bogs...and not quite making it.

**Funny thing Kate said as I was typing this post, "I eat you up, and then you are in my tummy. Then I spit you out, and you're like a puzzle!"