Happy Birthday Kaya

Kaya turned 1 sometime in December. I am too lazy to look through her papers to find out her exact birthday.

Basically she has gone from this:



To this:



The past 10 months with her have been amazing. Even though I do have a list of little annoyances that I will share later, for now I will tell you why I think she is pretty close to the perfect pup:

• She is very easy going. Never territorial or vicious. Toby can tackle her while she is eating her food or climb into her kennel while she is sleeping and she doesn't even care.
• She was SO easy to house break. She bumps her nose on the back door blinds when she needs to go out. It is beyond adorable.
• She learns new tricks really easily. Right now she can sit, shake, lay down, wait-til-we-snap-our-fingers-to-grab-a-treat trick, and play hide-and-seek.

• She is extremely affectionate. Loves to nuzzle her nose under your hand when you are watching TV or just sprawl out on your lap like she is saying "notice me, please!"
• She is a great lap dog. I love to cradle her in my arms and rub her belly.
• I love taking her to PetSmart or to get groomed because people just fall in love with her. Every time I come back to get her, they say "She is such a sweetheart! I just want to keep her." Yes, I know. But you can't. She is all mine.
• Although she is pretty much full grown, she is a lot smaller than the average corgi. Many people mistake her for being a new puppy. I love my mini-corgi though - even if her head never caught up with the rest of her body (she has an unusually small head and a LARGE behind).

Now for the annoying stuff:

• I think she is out of this phase, but for a while every time the front door would pop open she would make a dead run for freedom. Sometimes it would take a good 30 minutes before I could coax her back inside with lots of treats and neighbors helping me. Very annoying.
• She sheds. Oh does she ever shed.

• She has to have something to chew on all day. We go through bones like water. If we run out, she will find an alternative like Christmas tree decorations or some of Toby's baby toys (that I was actually wanting to save for the next baby. ARGH!). But as long as I keep a good supply of bones in the closet, she basically leaves the rest of the house alone. Stinker.
• She gives little, soft barks when I am home alone because she thinks she hears someone or something outside. It's usually the wind blowing something against the door or some neighbor kids running by. It's not an irritating, LOUD, bark. It's mostly just distracting when I am writing up a grocery list or whatever. And really, I am glad she is so protective - even if she does resemble a giant twinkie with legs more than an intimidating watch dog.
  

My favorite way to hold her.

So that is my Kaya. I am so grateful Nick decided to splurge a little last Valentines Day and get her for me. I can't even imagine life with out her now.

Mr. Krueger's Christmas

Along with It's a Wonderful Life, this is another classic Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie I have enjoyed watching since I was a little girl. Although you can watch the entire movie on YouTube (25 min.), this is one of my favorite scenes.
Merry Christmas!

New do and killing time

Nick has wanted to chop Toby's hair for a while now. He doesn't like the pilgrim look, but I think he looks adorable. So yesterday Nick grabbed the clippers and hacked away.

Toby went from shaggy...

(Toby loves to carry around Nicks staple gun - along with any other tool he can get his hands on. Don't worry, I took the staples out)

...to Mr. Clean Cut.

I think he definitely looks older with short hair, but I miss the long locks.

And since its colder outside, my busy little man gets cabin fever with staying indoors most of the day. Hence, we brought in the bike.

I'm still amazed at how well he does on it.

And I had to throw in a random Kaya picture just because she is so darn cute (and the paint roller is another item Toby likes to carry around the house).

It's a girl! (at least we are "pretty sure")

Yes, today was the day we found out what whether Toby would have a little brother or sister. But before I get into that I want to tell you about the interesting morning I had. You know how in my last post I said I've been feeling like I am having another boy? Well when I checked my email this morning, I was caught off guard by an email from a business which was called one of the girl names Nick and I like (we're still not 100% sold on it so I'm not going to reveal it just yet). Interesting coincidence though right? Then as we were driving to our appointment, I saw a sign on the side of the road with the same girl name on it. And lets just say it's not a real common name, so that really threw me off. At this point a trickle of doubt crept into my mind about my maternal instincts and I wondered if deep down I just wanted a boy because that is most familiar and comfortable to me.

Now for the actual appointment. The doc said everything - all the organs, the measurements, etc. - looked perfect and normal. He actually described the heart as "beautiful." And just knowing the baby is healthy and thriving, is wonderful news by itself.

When he got to the sex of the baby, he immediately said "girl." But then after a few seconds back-peddled and mused, "Well, I'm pretty sure it's a girl. The legs are very close together which is making me wonder a bit." It's making me wonder a bit too, I thought anxiously. When he looked from a different angle he noticed the umbilical cord in between the legs which continued his guessing game. But then he went back to the original between-the-legs view and kept reiterating that he was "pretty sure" it was a girl. When I looked over at Nick, he was beaming and immediately said, "I knew it. I knew all along" (he has wanted a girl so bad). I just sat there speechless. Before the appointment, I was honestly indifferent about the sex of the baby. Just happy for whatever and excited to finally know one way or another. Now the doctor was just teasing me with all this "pretty sure it's a girl" talk. I suddenly wanted a 100%, hands down, no question it is a girl (or boy) answer. The doc then told me to remind them at my next visit to do a quick check ultrasound just to be certain of the sex. Oh I'll remind them alright. I left the office feeling a bit deflated and irritated.

As we drove home I vented my frustration: "That was a bit anti-climatic don't you think? Now I really don't know what to think. Are we really any more informed than before the appointment?" Nick was patient and reminded me that we now know that we have a healthy baby, and that is what's most important. True. Very true. But I was still a bit unsettled. Especially with being 21 weeks along, I thought the doc should be able to say "for sure" whether it's a boy or girl. But what can you do if the little one wants be "shy" (that is how the doctor put it)?

When we got back home, Nick and I studied the ultrasound picture some more. We talked about my experience this morning with the email and seeing the sign with one of the girl names we liked. Nick just kept saying "It's a girl, Deb. I just know it." For the first time, I let myself get excited and smiled at the thought of holding a little baby girl in my arms.

So the general vibe in our home is "girl." And I really hope we are right because I seriously can't get that girl name out of my head now. :)

Then and Now

So this is me 21 weeks pregnant with Toby...

And this is me 21 weeks pregnant with baby #2 (man will I be glad to finally be able to say his or her name)...

And sorry it's out of focus. All the other pictures I had a weird smile.

I realized two things when I looked at these pictures: 1) I really like my hair darker and I'm glad my bangs have finally grown out. 2) I think I am definitely bigger this time around - although I still get lots of comments on the smallness of my tummy. It's the extra long torso people (which makes it really hard to find maternity shirts that don't resemble a tent). With Toby, tons of people would tell me he was going to be a 5 or 6 lb. baby because of my little bump of a tummy. He was 8 lbs.

Monday is the day, the moment of truth! I feel like I am having another boy, but this definitely has been a much different pregnancy. I honestly have no preference and will be excited either way. Can't wait!

And I just found out yesterday my brother Tim and his wife are expecting their 4th child and it will be their 3rd girl! The funny thing is, Jodi's due date is the same as mine: April 18th! I've always wanted to be pregnant at the same time as somebody in my family, but never thought I would have the exact same due date. How cool is that?

Ramblings and Exciting News

So I have some catching up to do. A few things have gone down in the Sibert abode. I will warn you though: most of it is just random thoughts and ramblings. The last part is actually pretty significant so try to endure to the end (or just scroll down to the bottom).

1 - We celebrated my dad's, mine, and my sister Mikel's birthday in November. My dad is 63, my sister is 31, and I am 28. Nick likes to tease me about being so close to 30 - yet he's been 30 since last May so I'm unsure how he gets any satisfaction out of it. My birthday was on a Thursday and on those days Nick is gone from 7 am - until 10 pm because of school and work. So I was expecting it to be a pretty normal, long-day-with-Toby kind of day. I was pleasantly surprised when my dad took me out to lunch (and Toby was SO good and actually ate restaurant food instead of making me chase him everywhere. That was a huge birthday present!) After lunch, I arrived home to another surprise. My friend, Burgandy, had brought me two of the most delectable, scrumptious cupcakes I have ever had in my life! Holy delicious goodness. Friday, Nick took the day off - which was a big present by itself. We just lounged around the house most of the day. Actually, I have to admit - I did most of the lounging. Nick cleaned all the bathrooms, vacuumed, did all the dishes and laundry, raked all the leaves, and gave me a much needed nap and break from the T-man. It was a great day.

2 - I am going to bed around 10:30 or 11 every night - which is way early for me. I am still waiting for the extra energy that is promised in the 2nd trimester. Every morning I feel like I've been hit by a freight train no matter how much sleep I get. I don't remember feeling this tired with Toby. But then again, the first time around I didn't have a two-year old who literally does not stop running around until his head hits the pillow at night. OK now the chronic fatigue is making sense.

3- Toby is really into vacuuming all of a sudden. He feels the need to vacuum the basement at least twice a day and he does a pretty good job too. And since I require him to clean up his toys before he can vacuum, I get the added bonus of a spotless basement along with extra clean carpets! And just so you know I'm not a slave driver mom and I am not OCD about keeping a clean house. He's just a busy little boy. I only hope I can continue to benefit from his "busyness" when the baby comes! :)

4- So now for the major stuff. Nick has a new job! He will be working for IMFT (aka Micron) starting December 13th. I can't even begin to tell you how huge of a blessing this is. Nick has applied to work at Micron for over 3 years (pretty much since he started school) and we never hear a thing from them. Rumor has it they were undergoing some hiring freezes and were only hiring internally for a while. So when I applied for him in October, I was expecting the usual silence from them. Then Nick got a call a couple weeks ago and they wanted to interview him for 3 different positions! What?!?! We were extremely excited but scared of getting our hopes up. After a few interviews, he was offered a position as a Maintenance Technician.

So there are a few reasons why Micron is a big deal to us: 1) We've heard it is pretty easy to move up in the company and that they take really good care of their employees (good benefits, good pay, bonuses, etc.). 2) Nick will finally be working in a job that is related to his schooling. He will be putting to practice all the book smarts. 3) He will be getting paid more! 4) And the schedule, oh the schedule!! In case you didn't know, Nick has been working 2 - 10 pm everyday and going to school in the morning for the past 3 years. We are both very ready for him to have a job where he will not only be home in the evenings, but will work 3-4 days a week and then have 3-4 days off (it's a rotating schedule). How will he finish his last two semesters at UVU? Mostly through online classes and an occasional evening class. The downside? He will be working every Sunday. :( But that will most likely change eventually.

For now, I am just ecstatic and so incredibly grateful for this long awaited change and blessing in our life. Congrats to you Nick! I am so very proud of you and all the hard work and sacrifices it took to get here. Love you so much.