Not a week for the weak!

Updates on Clifton -
New words - crane and teeth

This week for FHE we made a ginger bread train.  Now don't go thinking I am creative or anything I bought the kit and we assembled it:)

 Clifton helped a little but mostly enjoys looking at it and showing it off to people who come to visit.

This is how it turned out.  Very cute!

Tuesday morning we went to our friends house for play group.  She made little gingerbread houses for the kids to decorate.  Clifton enjoyed the activity but mostly enjoyed eating his gingerbread house after he decorated it.

My Grandma Shill passed away Tuesday night.  It was unexpected and real quick.  I have always had fond memories of my Grandma and have always enjoyed her.  She will be greatly missed on this earth but know she will be welcomed by many who love her in heaven.  Her daughter Tami being one of them.  I sat wondering what my favorite moment or time with Grandma was and I could not think of one particular event.  Every time I got together with my Grandma she enlightened me with her stories and memories.  She always had the best memory!

It was hard not being able to go down to the funeral/burial:(  Especially because my mother's whole family came which I cannot tell you the last time my mother's whole family has gotten together (probably the last time was when I was a baby).  It would have been nice to visit with family and to celebrate the life that my Grandma lived.

Wednesday I finally talked Alex into going to the doctors.  He was sick Sunday and then a bump appeared on his arm that was real painful.  Wednesday it hurt so bad he could not move his arm and there was a huge red area around the bump.  Well it turned out he should have listened to his wife (which is always the case).  He has a staph infection that was caused by an ingrown hair on his arm.  They had to cut his arm open and get all the infection out.  But at this point it had become hardened.  So it took three days of going back in and scrapping the infection out.  My poor Alex was put on Vicodin to help with the pain.  But he got real sick on the Vicodin so it made him feel worse.  Finally by Friday they were able to get the last of the infection out.  He is still in pain and on medication to clear it up, but it is on its way to healing.  I have not gotten the guts to look at his arm and I think I will not look. Thank goodness baby has not come yet because that was a tough few days.  The hardest part was keeping Clifton away from and off of Alex.  Clifton did not understand why his daddy was home but would not play with him.  But we all survived.

Since Alex was feeling better I thought we should try the zoo lights Saturday.  Bad idea:(  Well it was a lot of fun but crazy busy.  It took us like an hour and a half to get there because of all the traffic.  Then it was so crowded Clifton could not really get out and look around.  Which he really wanted to do.  Alex's arm started hurting a lot as well.  Then come to find out Clifton was sick.  He threw up in the car and all that night with a fever:(

However there were parts that made it worth it.  The Tiger was asleep right next to the glass and Clifton got to go right up to it.  He loved it!  Everyone that walked up to it Clifton would point and tell them "Roar" (He was letting them know it was a Tiger).  He also loved the shark tank, but not because of the sharks.  He was amazed at the little fish.  (What a silly boy we have).

The rest of the week was spent try to get Clifton feeling better.  Luckily it seems to have only been a 24 hour bug and he is doing better:)

39 weeks!  Well I was ready to have baby this week, but it is a good thing baby decided to wait.  With all the sickness and my mother not being able to come down it would have been tough.  But I think we are all done with the sickness and my mother can come down this week after all the funeral stuff so I am ready now.  Now if baby would just be ready!
Doctors appointment went well this week.  Everything is still looking good.  Blood pressure staying at a good level:)  However I talked to the doctor about possibly inducing.  I do not really want to be induced but the end of the year is approaching and we have already paid our deductible and out of pocket cost for 2011.  But the Doc said the soonest they would do it is the 31st and that is a holiday so they would not be scheduling anybody:(  He said I could ask for it and they would have to see how far along I am.  If I am dilated and effaced to a certain level they will do it but I run the risk of getting bumped off the schedule if there was an emergency induction.  So I am just hoping and praying baby comes no later then the 28th.  So we can call it safe and get out of the hospital before 2012.

Taking it easy...

Updates on Clifton -
New words - Horsey and Santa
He is continuing to do well in his big boy bed!  Some days better then others but a lot better then I was expecting. Clifton's new obsession is Cars the movie. Anything that has to do with McQueen or Mater he goes crazy. He also begs to watch Cars all day long. He has also started to like The Lion King. Which is okay with us; we like both of those:)

This week for FHE we decorated little figurines that Alex's sister got us.  Clifton loves them and loves to play with them.

This is how they turned out.  Alex did the Santa (we only had two colors so Santa now has a black suit, but after a while of trying to color him all in Alex gave up), I am the snowman (or snow woman), and Clifton picked stickers out for the reindeer.  It was a fun activity!

The rest of the week was really laid back.  I have been pretty tired and swollen so nothing special.  Alex's mom came up for a few days and helped.  Which was so nice to have someone to keep the boys entertained and to have company.  She was a lot of help and I greatly appreciate her.

Saturday we did get out.  Our ward had a little kids Christmas party.

I was blown away with Clifton.  He actually sat on Santa's lap!!!!!!!!!  Santa had a "treat" so that could have helped but I could not believe he was not scared or the fact that he sat still long enough for us to take pictures.

 

After visiting with Santa Clifton and Daddy decorated a cookie!  It was a fun ward activity.

38 weeks pregnant!  Oh just a little longer and we can find out whether Baby Peterson is a boy or a girl!  I am ready to not be pregnant anymore.  Not sure if I am ready for a newborn, but ready to claim my body back:)  At this weeks doctors visit my blood pressure went down to its normal range so it is looking pretty good. 

Cookie Exchange

Updates on Clifton
New words - run and peas
Clifton is sleeping in his big boy bed.  He was the one who decided he was ready for the transition.  We were not expecting to change until after baby.  He started refusing to sleep in his crib and the only place we could get him to sleep was his bed.  Some nights are better then others but he is doing really well.  After a week of doing well in his bed we moved the crib into the baby's room and the train table into his bedroom.  His room looks like a big boy room and I cannot believe he is getting so big and will be a big brother soon.

 Clifton helping Daddy take his crib down to move it into the baby's room.

 What a cute little helper!

This week for FHE we decorated the house/tree for Christmas.  I loved it!  We played Christmas music and enjoyed each other while decorating.

 Here is our tree!

Clifton really enjoyed hanging ornaments.  And he actually leaves them alone, it is our cat that tries to play with them.

The rest of the week was pretty casual.  I have been taking it a lot slower.

I did attempt to do a little craft thing I found on Pinterest.  I am not in love with it and it does not look nearly as good as the one on Pinterest but it turned out okay.  It is a Christmas tree made out of a tomato cage and lights.

Saturday I put together a cookie exchange party.  I had a lot of fun getting together talking and eating cookies!

 

Here is one of the beautiful platters I made with the cookies from the exchange.

That day Port Orchard was having their Christmas celebration.  We missed out on the afternoon activities but got out that night and enjoyed a hay ride and a stroll down Bay street. 

 On the hay ride.  Clifton loved seeing the TRACTOR!

 Alex's sister and her family came down for the cookie exchange and spent a little time with us afterwards. 

 An old fashion fire truck!

By the huge Port Orchard Christmas tree.

Sunday we had only an hour of church because they had a nativity thing going on.  We thought we would go look around at the nativities Sunday afternoon.  It was fun seeing all the different kinds of nativities.  They had a little kids room full of nativities that they could look at and not break.  So we spent more time in there:)

 I really want to get a magnet nativity to put on our refrigerator.  I thought it was cute and so did Clifton!

 Clifton wanted to put together the nativity puzzle.

Clifton and I in front of a beautiful Christmas tree they had decorated.  It was my favorite tree.

Later that night we heard sirens and of course we were curious as to what it was.  It was right on our corner so we went out to make sure everything was okay.  Come to find out Santa had come to visit and hand out candy canes!  Clifton loved that Santa came on fire TRUCKS!!!!  It was a nice way to end the evening.  I love our town:)

Alex started working his over time.  It has been hard for both of us but it is real good for us as well.  I am real tired and Alex feels bad for not being able to help as much.  But we are both surviving.  I am so proud of Alex and all the hard work he puts into his career.  He has been doing a lot of overtime and working like crazy.  The best part is that his company recognizes him for it.  This last we week Alex got a bonus!  Perfect timing (Christmas and soon baby's arrival). 

37 weeks.  Hospital bags are packed and we are ready for baby's arrival any day now!  So the waiting game.  Things are still going well.  My blood pressure is going up but still at a comfortable level that they are not too worried.  As long as it does not get too high I will wait to go into labor to have the baby.  I am ready to not be pregnant but also know that it is not any easier after baby arrives.  But we are excited to welcome our new little addition and to find out if it is a boy or a girl! 

Thanksgiving 2011

Updates on Clifton -
New words - salad and run
Well Clifton is going through a phase that I am not too found about.  He is real clingy.  He will not let anyone hold him except for Alex and I.  Even if he knows and is comfortable with them.  He hates going places, he acts scared of anywhere we go even if he has been to the place many times. Temper tantrums are full blown around here too.  Hopefully this phase will pass soon and we can get him into nursery.  The way he is acting reminds me off when he was getting his first year molars in so maybe he is getting his two year molars in early:(

For FHE this week we made potato turkeys.

 

I really liked how they turned out!

  

Besides that we spent most of the week preparing for and then celebrating Thanksgiving.

  This is Clifton being such a helpful little man and making cookies with me.  He even wanted to put on an apron like Mommy:)

We went down to Alex's parents for Thanksgiving (even though they were not there), but most of the family got together.

Alex's sister had a cute idea of making edible acorns.  You used doughnut holes and dipped the top in chocolate and then dipped that in health bar bits and add a pretzel in the top.  Super cute and fun.

 I got an idea to make rice krispie turkeys.  Mine did not turn out as cute as Alex's sisters:(  But it was messy which always means fun:)  Clifton really liked helping in this activity.  He helped roll the rice krispies and dip them in chocolate and of course eat the candy corn.

Grandma and Grandpa Peterson have a piano and Clifton really enjoyed playing it, especially with someone else.  He spent a lot of time at the piano.

After a little while he started warming up to everyone and enjoyed playing and being read to.

A wonderful week full of family and fun.  One thing I am really grateful for is Alex's family!  I sure do feel comfortable and loved when I am around them.

36 weeks pregnant.  Getting there.  I am doing well just real tired and getting pretty swollen.  Which is all new to me because I did not swell at all with Clifton.  We had an appointment with the doctor this week.  The baby is moving and seems to be doing well.  They are worried that I might have preclampsia.  So I had to do some delightful tests.  We got back the results and I do not have preclampsia!  I do not quite understand it but they are still worried I will get it so they are going to keep an eye on me and my blood pressure, weight, and pulse. So LOTS of visits to the doctors until baby decides to come.

Since baby's arrival is getting closer I have been getting more prepared.  This week I separated all the clothes out that are neutral and put them in the baby's dresser and moved Clifton's to his dresser now in his closet.  I also arranged all the boy clothes by age so if we have a boy again I am organized.  We have been extremely blessed with family that is willing to give us hand-me-downs.  No matter what this baby is we will have tons of clothes! 

Cookies and more cookies!

Updates on Clifton -
Clifton is starting to put words together.  He says my daddy, whats that, etc....  He is still jibber jabbering away these days but most of his conversations have something to do with a truck or tractor.
No luck on nursery this week and I think it is going to be a long process:(

For FHE we made fall sugar cookies.  I have to say that I was a little creative, because I went to look for a leaf cookie cutter and found nothing.  I however found a snowflake and turned that into a leaf.  Maybe a leaf that have to buy on the street corner, but hey it works!

Clifton enjoyed decorating the cookies and then eating his.

 

It is hard for me to admit but Alex is more creative and crafty then I am (he rather be called handy then crafty). He is showing off his mad cookie decorating skills!

So we gave most of the cookies away to friends.  We used almost all of Alex's cookies because I was a little embarrassed with my lack of decorating skills.  But it is a cute little fall cookie platter:)

It was a cold and rainy most of the week so I had to come up with some ideas to keep Clifton entertained inside.

I decided one day I would build a road/street for Clifton to drive all his cars and tractors on.  As you can see I also built little buildings/structures out of Legos.  I was a having a little fun myself:)  But after taking this picture Clifton destroyed my little buildings.  He enjoyed driving his cars around.  He would start following the road and then ended up going crazy.  He did not quite get the concept but we both had fun and that is all that matters.

So another friend of ours wanted to do a family photo swap.  Even though we already got great family photos we figured we could always use more.  We went to Harper Docks and took some more pictures.  Jen did a great job getting some cute pictures.

Clifton loved running up and down the dock!  It is a beautiful sight from the docks.  You can see Seattle (the space needle) and the ferries coming and going.  We would have spent more time out there but it was freezing!  So this summer we will have to take advantage of the dock.

Saturday was National Family PJ Night.  So we all hung out in our PJ's and watched Lion King.  After the movie we decided to test a new cookie recipe.  They are delicious and I am using them for the cookie exchange coming up!

 Clifton was helping to unwrap the Rolo's.  He did well for a while but then ended up putting one in his mouth wrapper and all.  We got it out before he swallowed it.

Clifton was being very helpful in covering the Rolo's in cookie dough.

Sunday morning we decided to try cinnamon roll waffles for breakfast!  YUM!!!!!!  I totally recommend them.  We also tried refrigerator biscuit waffles.  Alex liked those best.

A great week!

Alex had a great week at work.  He has been working lots of over time to build a web site for his company and they LOVED it.  Now the government wants him to do one for them.  Which means tons of overtime (which is great because the extra money but hard because I am almost due).  I am extremely proud of him and all the hard work he does.  It is always a great feeling to be recognized for his hard work and I am glad he is feeling good about what he does.  We are very blessed for Alex to have a good job and for him to enjoy what he does everyday.

35 weeks pregnant!  Things are continuing to get harder to do.  The last little bit is always the hardest for me.  I am swelling but other then that I am doing well and so is baby.  It is hard to believe that we will be having another little baby soon.

Fall is here

Updates on Clifton - 
New words - hot dog, cat, hat, and shirt.
Well, nursery did not go well this week.  He screamed and screamed till he was gagging.  I am not sure how to go about this and how to help him feel comfortable in nursery but hopefully he will get there.  I would love suggestions of what worked for other moms out there with children who are like Clifton.

For FHE we made a blessing tree (got the idea from Pinterest - which is my new addiction).  

 

Alex and I sat down with Clifton and explained gratitude/being thankful.  We are sure he did not understand but it does not hurt to try.  We asked him what he is thankful for.  He answered tractor, grandma, grandpa, and Evan (his friend).  I am sure he was just spouting out words he knew but they worked.  So we made some leaves for Clifton and then Alex and I filled in the rest.  We plan to add more til Thanksgiving.  We sure are blessed and it is great to see our tree get fuller and fuller.

 Clifton and I went for a walk earlier that day to find some sticks to use for our tree.  He found this huge stick!

When I asked to find sticks he kept pointing to the trees and saying trees.  Silly boy - there are sticks on trees.  So I guess I get what I asked for.

Clifton and I have enjoyed the nice sunny fall days we had this last week.  We took advantage of the nice days and spent time outside before it starts getting too cold and rainy.  He sure loves the freedom of being outside!


I love love love doing art activities with Clifton.  I try and plan something each week.  This week we made pine cone wreath and decor.  

 First we went for a walk and took our wagon to pick up pine cones.  After showing Clifton a pine cone he would pick them up with out guidance and knew what they were.  Clifton was having fun picking them up and throwing them in the wagon.

This is Clifton running ahead with the wagon and looking back like "come on mom!"  He is too fast for me to keep up with him these days.  

Funny story about picking up pine cones -  After we found enough and started heading back to the house Clifton wanted to sit in the wagon.  I put him in and starting heading home.  After about a minute or so I turned around to look at Clifton to see him throwing out a pine cone and then noticed a long trail of pine cones behind us.  We had to go back and pick them up again.  He really is a silly boy. 

 So after we found the pine cones we got some paint out and started painting them fall colors.  We started with a foam brush but ended up just rolling them in paint.

This is my messy boy after painting.  Not too bad:)

This is how they turned out.  I love them.  Simple but tons of fun making them!


This weekend we went down to the Marina with another family and swapped taking turns doing family photos.  Amy did an awesome job taking our family photos.  Clifton was not really having it but she managed to get a few good pictures.  Hopefully we got some good ones for her too.

 I look a little weird because he was hard to lift after a while but still a cute family picture.

 Love this one!

 Our favorite!

I have the best boys in the world!


One thing we are blessed with is the beautiful place we live.  We seriously are blown away by the beauty of Port Orchard and surrounding areas!


34 weeks!  Still hanging in there.  Things are getting harder and believe it or not I am getting even slower.  But I am getting there!