My Two Students

John's mom, "Grandma CeCe" bought Makenna this cute little backpack/suitcase that she loves to wear and pull around. On Thursday when John got back from his jumpstart classes with his backpack, Makenna immediately went and found her backpack and put it on. She and John then marched around the coffee table singing a made-up song about going back to school. Luckily she doesn't start school for awhile...I don't think I'm ready for that.


In other news, I love Bloomington so far! Last week Makenna and I (sometimes joined by John) went to 3 different parks, to The Wonderlab (Bloomington's equivalent of a Children's Museum), to a BBQ hosted by the MBA partner's club, went swimming, to the Farmer's Market, and to an ice cream social. We also spent Friday evening outside in our neighborhood cul-du-sac talking with 8 other LDS couples who live in our community while our 20 or so children rode their bikes, trikes, and scooters around. I know that things are going to get harder once John officially starts his classes, and is gone a lot more often, or is stressed out with studying, so I'm trying not to get too excited, but am also trying to enjoy the fun, stress-free days while they last.

Our Townhouse

Here are some pictures of our townhouse, which we are renting, but will be calling home for the next two years. Right now we seem to have plenty of space (that may change when the baby comes). I also love our little community. There are at least 10 LDS families that live here.

The Entry: There was a big empty space when you first walked in the door, and we didn't really have anything else to put there besides our desk.


Our Living Room: Notice how we blocked the fireplace with our couch and end table. The entertainment center is half-way covering up a window, and is facing the loveseat instead of the couch...as I said awkward!


The Kitchen: The eating area is on the other side of the counter.


John's Upstairs Office: John wanted to have a place he could study behind closed doors, but we didn't want to buy another desk, so ended up buying a folding table. Our 3rd bedroom is now the 2nd office/craft/toy/guest room.


Our Bedroom:


Our "Walk-In" Closet: There is maybe about 10 inches between John and my hangers.


Makenna's Room:


John started his Jumpstart classes today, and we are officially on a student budget. I am currently working on turning an old white sheet into a window panel for the long skinny window next to our door. This would have been an easy project with a sewing machine, but since I don't have one, and don't have the money to go buy one, I am hand-stiching the hem all the way up the side and on the top. It took me two hours to hand-stich the side hem...oh how fun to not have any money!

The Move

We finally have internet...hooray!! (It is amazing how much I have missed having the internet.) Here is what has happened since my last post:

John and I left Omaha on Friday the 31st of July for our move to Bloomington, Indiana. We loaded the truck up Thursday night, and then stayed at my mom and dad's house before heading out in the morning. John drove the moving truck, and pulled the Alero. I drove the Pilot, and luckily had my mother-in-law come along to entertain Makenna on the drive. We drove 3/4 of the way on Friday, and then finished the drive on Saturday. Makenna did great in the car, thanks mostly to Grandma CeCe!

John's Mom, Makenna, and my mom on Friday morning:


What I got to drive behind for 2 days:


We have spent this week unpacking, cleaning, shopping, and organizing. Moving has been a lot of work, but we are finally starting to feel settled.

Here is what our living room area looked like on Saturday evening:


We are now living in a 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath townhouse with a garage. Now that we are almost done packing (we still have 1 more box of misc. stuff) I am really starting to enjoy our new home. There are some awkward things about it (the living room layout for instance), but overall, it is a big improvement from our 2 bedroom apartment. I haven't taken pictures of the "finished product" yet, but will post some soon. John starts his jumpstart classes on Monday, so I am sure that I will have more than enough time to blog next week, and for the next 2 years!

Makenna has done great with the move. She is still on her Omaha sleep schedule, which means that she isn't going to bed until 10:00 here, but other than that she has really enjoyed having more places to play, and especially being able to go play outside so easily (our previous apartment was on the 3rd floor). On Sunday when I took her to nursery, I was planning on staying with her since she didn't know any of the leaders or children, but she just walked right in, and turned and waved to me and said "bye bye ma ma"! She also went potty on her toilet for the first time yesterday, and then again tonight before bed. I am not planning on embarking on potty training yet, but we bought a little potty a month ago just to introduce her to it. I guess it is working...John and I are so proud :)!

More Distractions

Our move is in about a week and a half, and although I should be busy packing, I keep getting distracted. My parents were going to Utah this past weekend (my dad for work, and my mom to visit my sister Amanda) and they invited me and Makenna to come along. Although I still have SO much to do before we move, I decided that it was worth it to go while Makenna can still fly free, and before the baby comes. We left early Thursday morning, and got back late late last night. Makenna absolutly LOVED being around and playing with her cousin Kate. I also had a great time spending time with my mom and Amanda, and working on lots of fun sewing projects.

Here are some pictures of Makenna and Kate playing with the hose and in the baby pool on Saturday. It was 100 degrees outside, so we sought refuge in the shade of the garage while the girls played for several hours.





Here are some pictures of the sewing projects we did:
(I have to thank my mom and sister for helping me with all of these projects, which never would have gotten done without them!)

I turned a pair of regular capris that had a broken zipper into a pair of maternity capris.

I also took a pair of hand-me-down maternity jeans that were a little too short for me into a pair of shorts and an adorable little skirt for Makenna.

We made bibs for Makenna and Kate out of dish towels.

And finally, made cute little felt purses for the girls.


I had such a fun time in Utah, and am so glad that we took the opportunity to go. Thanks Amanda for letting us come and invade your house.

Also, here is a picture of my 5 1/2 month pregnant belly for those who have requested to see it.

Pack...or go to the Lake?

With only about 3 weeks left before we move, I feel like I should be working on getting everything packed, but the lake just keeps calling my name. Makenna loves to be in the water, and since my parents live right on a lake, it is just too hard to pass up.

We spent the 4th of July out at my parent's house, and then were back out there again Tuesday night. We had to take care of some other things today, but will be there tomorrow at 10:00am. The packing can wait till later right?

Here are some pictures from our recent trips to the lake:







Makenna is saying "cheese" in this last picture. (Sometimes she gets a little carried away.)

The Wait is Over!

I had my ultrasound appointment this morning, and am so excited to say that John and I are going to have a baby BOY!! We are both so excited for Makenna to have a baby brother. Everything looks great with the baby, for which we are grateful. However, I have decided that I just need to come to terms with the fact that I am probably going to have a big baby...he is already measuring over a week big!(Makenna was measuring a week small at her ultrasound and ended up being 8lbs 8oz!)

Neither John nor I had a "feeling" beforehand if the baby was a boy or girl, but I would have guessed girl simply because we already have a girl. Having a boy means that I won't get to use all of Makenna's clothes which would have been the perfect season, but I am also excited to have an excuse to go shopping! Luckily most of our big-ticket items (crib bedding, car seat, stroller, etc) are neutral colors, so I won't have to buy any of those.

I have to admit that I feel a little more nervous about having this baby knowing that it is a boy. Is that weird? Is having a boy totally different than having a girl? My sister-in-law assures me that all of the basics are the same, but somehow I feel a little less prepared. On the other hand, I am thrilled that we are having a boy, and that we will now have one of each. So bring on the trucks, dirt, and bugs I'm ready! (I think)

What do you think?

I'm curious...do you think that our baby is a boy or a girl? Cast your vote before Monday morning!