California winters

We've decided to repair my computer instead of buying a new one (for now anyway). It's in the middle of some clean outs and fixes, so I'll probably be phone blogging or not blogging or 5-in-one-day blogging for a bit longer. 

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When the whole country was having snow, freezing rain and record low temps, California was too, apparently. If low 50's in December is cold, then yes, we were suffering right along with the rest of you. We even had rain one day. See?

But aside from the occasional dip into the 50's, it's been more like this. 

We go on walks. We shop at the weekly farmers market. We play in the leaves. (That are finally looking fallish and I love it!) 

And sometimes it's almost cool enough for jackets or a hat, and some hot chocolate. (Or we pretend it is.) Last Friday it was 66 degrees and a farmers market vendor asked with a concerned voice, "where are their jackets!?" It's funny watching some of the locals be overly dramatic about "season changes" here. Scarves and boots come out if it drops from 73 to 65. But I miss the sweater/scarf clothes too, so I guess they just like to jump at any chance they

get to be comfy and cozy. 

I gotta be honest though, this Utah girl missed the bright fall colors (although I'm learning that once the leaves finally change here, they probably last longer than Utah ones do) but I do not miss the snow, cold and ice. At all. Sure, I hope the kids get to play in some snow next week, but it's nothing I'm missing! 

Knott's "Merry" Farm

Paul had last Wednesday off because he worked the weekend. We wanted to do something fun, but hadn't decided what yet. But the car repair place and the dentist decided for us. We got our van paid off just in time for a $700 repair bill. (And a big scratch along the bottom of the back passenger door, but we won't talk about that. And no, that's not what the repair bill was for.) And Paul had to have a cavity filled that morning. I'll never complain about Paul's dentist bills because this was maybe the third he's had in his life and I'd just had a MUCH more expensive dentist visit the week before. Between dentists, doctors, prescriptions, and car repairs, December has cost us about $1500 more than we'd  planned. But we've survived! (So far.) 

Anyway, our family fun day needed to be free, or close to it. So we decided to use our Knott's passes, for probably the last

time before they expire. It was so Christmasy, warm and fun! One of the funnest times we've had there. 

The kids get more brave and more excited each time we go. There were no crowds and they went on everything they wanted to at least once. There's a free three hour lot that we never have to move from because a couple hours is usually enough, but this day we moved the car and stayed for almost six hours. 

The train conductor gave Garrett a ticket to be punched and Garrett was amazed. I think it was extra cool because he'd just seen The Polar Express for the first time a few days before. 

The kids fell asleep as soon as we got in the car. We could still see the Knott's sign in the back ground. It was a good day!

I love this boy. He's into collecting rocks and sticks right now. He fell asleep holding a stick. 

Festival of trees

We went to a little (really little) food and toy drive a couple of weeks ago. They had Santa, a train ride, food, drinks, games and a festival of trees. I use the term "festival" and "trees" loosely because I've been to the one in Salt Lake. And it was a stretch to call this by the same name. I didn't take any pictures of the trees because we'd made it through them all before I really realized it had begun. Maybe 10 trees, and they were pretty sad, but they tried and it was for a good cause. 

We got our Santa picture (for free). Had some hot chocolate, and went on a train ride. The train we started on had a loose wheel so we got to sit and breathe in exhaust for a few minutes before they had us get off and wait for the next train. But the kids loved it, and they loved the playground as we were leaving so we called it a win. 

Sorry about your head, Paul. But this was the only non-blurry one. 

Baby #3 coming in March (Probably April)

I'm pregnant!

Paul and I found out at the end of July that there's another little White on the way. Unlike the other two, (but still a surprise to most) this one was planned. By "planned" I mean, we talked about it on our anniversary trip to Vegas at the end of June, (Paul was more convinced than I was that we were capable of handling three) and a couple weeks later, I was pregnant. We've joked a lot about how easy this process is for us and made comments like, "if Paul sneezes, I better go buy a pregnancy test." And based on the timing of this one, we've joked that I was in St. George during my peak time, so I likely got pregnant during our one FaceTime conversation. All joking aside, we know how very fortunate we are that this has always been an easy process for us. And the older and wiser I get, the more aware I've become of what a heartbreaking struggle this is for so many, and we feel truly blessed. 

The baby is due March 29th, but my money is on April 1st. We found out on November 11th that it's a GIRL! This was the shock of a lifetime for me. My biggest fear of another pregnancy was being as sick as I was with Addie. I convinced myself that hard pregnancies meant it was a girl and I prayed for a boy, (probably not prayed, but really hoped) simply because I knew I couldn't be that sick again with two toddlers at home. I had the typical pregnancy with Garrett. First trimester nausea. Worried and wondered about every little thing. Happy and full of energy during the second trimester. And uncomfortable, tired, and nervous during the end of it. With Addie, I got sick at about 5 weeks and threw up almost daily/several times a day till 39 weeks. Brushing my teeth made me throw up. Changing Garrett's diaper made me throw up. Taking vitamins made me throw up. Being awake made me throw up. This pregnancy has been the easiest so far, as far as sickness goes. I've thrown up once. And I had bad headaches for a couple of weeks near the end of the first trimester. But other than being REALLY tired, (which I blame more and G and A) those are the only symptoms I've had. I just KNEW it was a boy. We had a boy name. I'd purchased boy sheets. I'd purchased a charm for my necklace with the first letter of his name. Since we found out on Paul's birthday we decided to do a gender reveal birthday cake for his little work lunch. I honestly felt kinda funny about doing it because I knew I'd have to pretend to be surprised when I saw that it was blue. We bought chocolate cigars in both colors and I even tried to convince Paul to just get blue so we didn't have to spend twice as much. It was ridiculous how sure I was. 

We had our ultrasound and we looked away at "that part." She sealed the gender in an envelope and we took it to the bakery. We picked up the cake a bit later, and took it to the office. As soon as we cut it open, I looked at Paul and said "it's NOT a girl!" Everyone was laughing at me. I made Paul go get the envelope that the doctor had given us to give the bakery, and I told everyone to not get excited until I checked the envelope because I knew there was a mistake. Sure enough the paper revealed, "it's a girl!" I think I've mostly convinced myself that it's a girl. But at my last regular doctors appointment, I told the doctor that I was still in shock about it. She looked at the paper work at who the ultrasound tech was and also the doctor that had confirmed the gender and she said, "if this is the doctor that said it's a girl, I would be pretty confident that it's a girl." I said, "ok." But in my mind I was thinking, "yeah... conversations like this will make for an even better story when it comes out a boy…" 

Garrett was with us at the doctor and his first comment when looking at the screen was, "it looks like a whale." 

I guess we didn't need the blue cigars...

The doc took time to print a picture for each kid and typed on them "Hello to my big brother." And "hello to my big sister." The kids thought it was so cool to get messages from the baby. 

Happy birthday to Paul. I think my confidence had him pretty convinced that it was a boy, too. 

More pictures of the reveal and my shock.

Right before we cut it, someone asked Garrett what he thought it was. He said, "I think it's just a mushroom."

So there you have it. Baby Girl, coming in March. (Or if you ask me: Baby Boy, coming in April. Just kidding.)

Project 365: 341-347

December 7- They like talking about Santa more than they like sitting on his lap.

December 8- Great-grandpa Garrett talked to Addie today and learned all about face time. Oh the technology our children will grow/are growing up with!

December 9- We went to the little prince kids café again today and have the whole place to ourselves. Garrett could have played with this ball popper blowy thing all day. We love this place!

December 10- Today made it on my top 10 worst stay-at-home mom days. So the kids were in bed before 730. And it's a good thing because the four of us are celebrating Christmas on Sunday, and Santa's got a lot of work to do to be ready.

December 11- Just found out that we get to spend $700 this afternoon to get our van road trip ready. So this morning we needed something fun and free. Knott's "Merry" farm it is!

December 12- I started homemade gifts for both kids a while ago. Then I changed my mind. And a couple days ago I changed back. The inner child in me came out today and I've been making/painting little dollhouse to core, and loving it! Final product coming soon. I hope.

December 13- Whittier host Lions Club Christmas party tonight. Paul's still the youngest guy in the club, but he's recruited some new ones who don't look like they soon maybe clients of his, so I'm feeling a little less out of place. (For those of you who don't know/remember, Paul is a funeral director.) That makes my joke more funny. All joking aside, these events are a lot of fun, full of many 'young at heart' guys.

Project 365: 330-340

November 27- Addie's jealous of my sparkly toes and fingernails so after her nap I gave her a mani/pedi.

November 28- Happy Thanksgiving! Garrett wanted to go in the house after a couple of bites because it was too sunny outside. I may never get used to winters in California.

November 29- What I've learned about holiday shopping living in California: The rush starts on Black Friday. Then every store, every day, any hour of the day, stays busy until Christmas day. Glad that (With the exception of a couple stocking stuffers) I accomplished my goal of being done Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving. 

November 30- We thought the kids would enjoy this kind of activity. They didn't. But that's okay because I love doing it. My favorite part is the tiny gingerbread men on lifesaver tubes.

December 1- We hosted a Christmas party tonight with Paul's best friends from high school. Six guys, six wives, six kids, and two on the way. I didn't get a shot of the whole group on my phone unfortunately, but this is a cute one of three of the kids running to show their dads the crafts they made.

December 2- Waiting in line at a verrrry slow check out. Garrett asked if I'd buy him some jellybeans. I told him no. He responded with, "then will you take a picture of me with them??" Sure dude. I wish I was as satisfied with just a picture of myself by all the stuff I want.

December 3- My cookie making helper while Garrett naps. Addie, who is that? "Umm… Baby Jesus, Mary, and Joe-sauce!"

December 4- It's candlelight service night at the funeral home.

December 5- Candlelight service two of two. I finally got these two out of their pajamas around 6 PM so they could say hi to Bapa and see the candles.

December 6- I asked the kids what they wanted for dinner. Garrett said, "pancakes!" Addie said, "eggs, hashbrowns, ketchup." And because I rarely make breakfast for breakfast, I for sure don't make it for dinner. So IHOP one for these stir crazy sickies.