Today McKenzie and I decided it would be fun to have a picnic. Somehow we coerced Grandma Jodi, Grandpa Ken and Uncle Bob to go with us. We swung by Subway to order sandwiches (hey, it was an impromptu trip, okay!) and headed up South Willow Canyon. The leaves were absolutely gorgeous! It was so nice to enjoy the perfect fall air and take in the beautiful scenery. We threw rocks in the creek (and Bob fell in while showing off), picked leaves of every color from the trees, and even saw some wild turkeys.

Unfortunately, my planning was lacking and I didn't bring a camera along for the ride. (sigh) The leaves are turning quickly this year, so I'm hoping to have time this week to get McKenzie back in the canyons for some fun fall snapshots.

Days like today make me thankful for where we live. I love having mountains and canyons so close by. I love being able to enjoy four distinct seasons, and I'm also so thankful to have my family close by, and (usually) willing to tag along on my little adventures. What a perfect afternoon.

Funny things McKenzie said today:

"Mommy, I can't go shopping. I not have any money! I need to go work in Grandpa Kens shop and get a dollar! Hurry!"

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"No, mommy! Daddy is MY husband! Not yours!"

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Backgroud info: Cris' parents are democrats, he is not. They are always arguing about politics and trying to annoy one another.

Grandma Terri (holding up a musical birthday card with Hillary Clinton on it): Who is this, McKenzie?

McKenzie: Hillary Clinton!

Cris: Thanks for teaching her, mom.

McKenzie: I like Hillary, daddy!

Cris: No, she eats babies!

McKenzie: NO! No she not, daddy! (then she ran across the room and slugged him in the shoulder)

Pregnancy Stuff

I've been having strong contractions all afternoon. They aren't regular enough to signal labor, just annoying and tiring. Ugh. It makes thinking about possibily waiting 3 more weeks for this baby seem unbearable. But, maybe thats just because I'm not one to handle surprises or the unplanned well. I want to know when and where and have a plan and everything organized just so. I know, dream on, it wont happen that way.

I've also been very busy this last week running here and there. In the back of my mind repeats my worst fear "what if my water breaks now?" I am scared to death that could happen. I can see it now, in the middle of the grocery store, my cart overfull with groceries and gush! Not something I want to experience. Yes, because of the embarassment factor, but also because when I had McKenzie they broke my water and as soon as they did I went from being dialated to a 6 to complete and ready to push in a matter of just a few short minutes. If I my water breaks while Cris is at work, I'm worried I may not have enough time to wait for his 1 hour drive home and our 1 hour trip into the hospital. Of course, labor never goes as fast as you worry and I'll probably have hours and hours to spare. But, that doesnt stop the nagging worry in the back of my mind.

So, to all of you mommies out there, did your waters ever break outside of the hospital? Any embarassing stories? Something to show me life goes on and labor pains quickly make you forget to be worried about silly things like the puddle you left in aisle 8? Please share!

37 Weeks: My Disco Ball Tummy

Yesterday my friends at work pointed out that my shirt would be much cooler if it had sequins on it, because then it would look much more like a disco ball. Cris got a kick out of it when I told him about what they said, and now the name has kind of stuck! LOL!

Big Water

So, I've have a friend who's children were constantly overflowing the toilet. After it would spill onto the floor they'd run out of the bathroom screaming "BIG WATER! BIG WATER!" I always had a good laugh at it, partly because we've been lucky enough to never have to experience one ourselves.


Until today.


McKenzie can handle pottying by herself, and I don't really have to worry about her. But, today, I heard her in the bathroom. She flushed the toilet, and a few minutes later I heard it flush again. Then an "Uh oh!" I ran in to check on her and saw the water approaching the rim. Now the washer is full of a load of towels, my bathroom smells strongly of Lysol, and I learned where Cris keeps the plunger.


All I can say is thank goodness we put tile floors in our bathroom!

Random Updates

I think I am losing some of my nesting ability. Sure, I still have the overwhelming desire. But, I'm feeling a little too much like a beached whale to accomplish much. The baby has dropped lower (all on Sunday night. Ouch!), giving me the wonderful waddle and things are becoming harder to do. It's a conflicting situation, feeling this need to run around and prepare, but being too tired and sore to get much of it done. I think I am ready - come on baby!

On Tuesday night I was making myself nuts, so we decided to go for a drive. We went up middle canyon after dinner, and I am really kicking myself for not taking the camera. The leaves were just beginning to turn colors and looked so beautiful! McKenzie had fun spotting deer and pointing out wild turkeys. Cris took us to the top of the mountain and we looked into the copper pit. It was a gorgeous drive and a perfect little family outing. I'm so excited for fall!

Yesterday I had a doctors appointment. After feeling so uncomfortable this week, I had started to pack my hospital bag just in case. I went in to the appointment hoping the doctor would tell me that magically I was already in labor and the baby would be born that night. Of course I knew different, but a girl can hope right? When the doctor came into my room, he mentioned that he could tell the baby had dropped and said that he was ready to deliver tonight and "get this show on the road". But, I was disappointed to learn that I was only dialated to a 1.5. (Sigh) I really dont have room to complain, considering I am still only 36 weeks along, but as most of you know patience is not my strong suit. I am proud of myself, though, for not begging for pitocin! LOL!

Until little missy decides to make her debut, I'll be waddling around the house, working on one small project at a time and resting in between. McKenzie is loving it though, because when I stop for a minute I can't resist her request to read books. We're getting close to 30 in per day! Whew! I'm also planning on going to the scrapbook expo tomorrow with Terri and Ashli, so that should be lots of fun. I'll post the details later.

Birthday Fun

I am lucky to have such a wonderful family who makes me feel so special! Last night, the entire Madsen clan got together to celebrate mine and my brothers birthday. Originally, it was going to be just Bob, Malory and I going out for lunch at the Olive Garden, but it quickly grew into a family dinner. I was actually surprised because Devin and Cris don't like the OG, and my father refused to try it. But, everyone ended up going and having a really great time - and we didn't have to beg dad at all. In fact, he kind of invited himself along! The food was great! (Minus my father gagging down his steak which was still frozen in the middle. Not a good first time OG experience) It was nice because we had a big enough group, they gave us our own private room. We took our time and had so much fun together. And thanks to Sharons recommendation years ago, I am still addicted to the black tie chocolate mousse cake. I was too full to eat it there, but you better believe I took a slice home with me! Yum!

Today, during my pedicure (which you can read about below) Cris took McKenzie shopping for my birthday. He'd already bought me a Wii Fit (YAY!) but wanted something McKenzie could give me all by herself. He took her to the dollar store and let her pick out anything she wanted. She came home SO proud and excited! It was fun to watch her help me unwrap everything and explain to me what it was. Here's what she picked: a set of bath loofas, Care Bear playing cards, Tropical Lily hand lotion, a hair brush, and set of three fish bath toys. The fish toys and loofas did make me laugh - she had told me just this morning that my bath tub was sad because it didn't have any toys. Here's a picture of her and I after we opened up her gift.

Then, if that wasn't enough, my in-laws took us out to dinner. We had great Chinese food and then went to their house for gifts and ice cream cake. What a perfect birthday! Thank you to my wonderful family for spoiling me so much!

Careful, You'll Smudge My Polish!

I absolutely love having my feet rubbed. However, my hubby is completely grossed out by feet. Not just mine, but the mere thought of toes makes him shiver a bit. On a few rare occasions I have managed to appear pitiful enough to garner a massage, however some of the relaxing effect is lost when he begins to gag. I give him credit, he does try, though.

Anyway, today he sent me to get a pedicure for my birthday. (I could tease him and say it was a selfish measure designed to help him avoid the task, but we going with the 'aww, he's so thoughtful' route today!)

I melted into the massage chair while the woman began the treatments and I tried to relax. But, I had a hard time turning my brain off. Here's a few of the things that were running through my brain:

A. Why do the employees have to speak in Vietnamese? And constantly giggle amongst themselves. I can't help but feel self-conscious!

B. Nothing makes me feel more attractive and feminine than watching a gorgeous, petite, woman hunk off chunks of my heel skin with a razor. Yummy.

C. I sure hope they clean those razors between uses.

D. I also hope I'll be able to walk when this is over - that's one huge, nasty pile of skin there! UGH!

Before I knew it, the massage was over, my skin was again baby soft, and my toenails were slathered in 4 layers of a gorgeous purple paint. I thought I was done, but the woman said that all pregnant women needed extra attention to their feet (At least I think that's what she said. She spoke so quietly and with such a strong accent, I can't be too certain). She began another massage. I'm thinking YAY! THIS IS STINKING AWESOME! But then, it happened - I felt up an Asian pedicurist with my feet!

I tried to move my toes, but there was no avoiding it. She was leaning in to massage my calves, and I couldn't escape. I tried subtly shifting, but that didn't work. And there is no way I can bend my toes up to touch my shin, or I would have! It was bad enough I could tell she was wearing a lacy bra! I thought about saying something, but what? "Excuse me, your breasts are on my feet?" That hardly seemed appropriate. "Careful, you may smudge the nail polish?" I don't think so.

Cris and McKenzie are running errands now, so I haven't relayed my experience with him yet. I'm curious to see what he says about the birthday gift when I tell him. It should make excellent dinner time conversation when we go out to eat tonight with his parents (from whom he inherited his foot phobia) Heaven help them survive this night! LOL!

Funny Girl

Yesterday we had grilled cheese and soup for lunch. McKenzie was eating her sandwhich well, but she kept staring intently at it and making pouty faces. I asked her, "How's your sandwhich, bud?" She took a big bite, started thinking really hard, and flashed me a smile showcasing the cheese all over her teeth. She said "Cheesy, mom! My sandwhich is cheesy! Ha ha!" And she continued to laugh for 5 minutes.

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Another day I was encouraging her to finish her dinner by telling her she had to eat it to grow up big and strong. She stopped, looked and me and said, "I not want my tummy big like you mom!"

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Baby Shower

Cris' Grandma Betty, his mother, and his sister wanted to get the family together for a baby shower last Sunday. I resisted the party at first because I felt like I would seem greedy with it being our second baby, but I'm so glad we did it. We kept it small and invited only immediate family, and they planned such a nice afternoon in Randy and Terris backyard. It was so nice to get to see the family together - especially since we dont see a lot of them except at weddings and parties like these. Here's a few snapshots from the party:

McKenzie helping to unwrap the gifts

Grandma Betty didnt want McKenzie to feel left out, so she bought her this adorable chefs outfit. She had so much fun helping to serve drinks in it. Too cute!

She was also very interested in the cake. She always wants cake, but rarely eats more than a bite or two. She must take after he dad and his avoidance of desserts.

She did steal a little frosting though!

Thank you, Betty, Terri, Ashli and Randy for planning such a nice get-together! And thank you to everyone who came!

Nesting

I've been a little slack with my blogging lately. Truth be told, I've thought about posting. But, I dont have much to say right now considering my time has been occupied with the overwhelming compulsion to nest. Yesterday I mucked out and organized the linnen closet and the hall coat closet. The rest of the house was made spotless too. I LOVE IT! Today my chores are done. The kitchen is clean. I have that itching feeling to tackle another project, but the ones that appeal to me would get me in trouble with my husband. (I can see it now: "YOU MOVED ALL OF THE LIVING ROOM FURNITURE BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T RESIST WIPING DOWN THE BASEBOARDS?!? And you wonder why you're not feeling so hot right now?" Somehow I dont think that would go over well) I feel like going shopping, but there's really nothing I need. So, I'm antsy, wanting to to do something, but lacking direction. Cris should be home at 2, so I am looking forward to that. Until then, if you need me, I'll be rummaging the house looking for something that needs to be ironed. LOL!