Christmas morning with the Forster's

Merry Christmas!!

 I'm ready to open gifts...

 Yep, still waiting... but this water sure is good.

Do you like my pigtails?

 Yes, finally!

 Yeah!  A baby! 

 and it's MY baby!

 What's this dad?  What, your big king size quilt fit inside this tiny little box?  Mom sure did a good job vacuum packing it.

 "Diego!" said Isabela. "Go, Diego, Go!"

Our stockings, all hung in a row.

Kim printed and framed this picture for everyone.  I love it! Izzy can name everybody in it.

We are only missing Uncle Bill.

Chantland Christmas Party

The cry baby who was scared of Santa, and wanted absolutely nothing to do with Mrs. Claus.

 Oh, wow!  For me?

 Squishy bathtub toys that squirt water!  Yeah!

Nope, I still don't want to see them... 

I lost the battle...

 Over Thanksgiving, Isabela got really sick.  We came home that weekend and I put her into the tub.  Lambie was sitting on the floor and she insisted on having it.  She was bawling and screaming, and looked absolutely awful.  She had a high fever, cough, and ear infection.  I just couldn't say no...

 Looks like the bath worked wonders.  Both Isabela and Lambie look to be in better health.

A couple of days later, Isabela and I got home from running errands.  I sat her on the couch and asked if she was hungry.  She straightened really tall, her eyes popped open, and she said, "Yeah!"

In that same instant, she plopped over dead asleep.  I've never seen a kid with excited energy fall over out could like that.  I had to take a picture.  I tried to wake her up for a minute to get her to bed, but she never even opened an eye.

Natural Birth

I have a question for moms out there...  I have decided that I am going to have a natural birth with my second baby.  I realize that a lot of people think that I am crazy.  However, let me tell you essentially how everything went with the delivery of Isabela.  My doctor started me about 8am.  I was fine, walking around, until about noon.  Then I decided to get into bed, when it really hurt. I couldn't talk or concentrate on anything during contractions, but the pain was definitely still bearable. 


Just before 1pm the doctor asked if I wanted an epidural.  It was a Saturday and the anesthesiologist was on call, so it would be about 45min before he could arrive and give me one.  I was in a lot of pain by that time, but it was definitely still bearable.  (Even considering people always tell me that with pitocin, the pain is SO much worse.)  So I said yes.  Just so happens, the anesthesiologist had already been called in by somebody else, so I got my epidural within about 15min.  I still don't think I was quite ready for it - I wanted to see how much my body could handle.  That probably just before 1:30pm when he actually got the epidural in.  Isabela was born just under two hours later.  My delivery was painless and perfect, but I always have wondered how that last little bit would have been had I not had the epidural.

So, now my question...  any advice on natural births?  which techniques/methods did you use?  what was the most/least beneficial?  I am researching a little, just evaluating my options.  What should I know or be able to tell my doctor/nurses when I am delivering?  My doctor told me to at least look into hypnobirthing.  So far, I think it looks interesting and beneficial (I just don't know if I can come up with the extra money at this point to take classes for this one).  Whether or not I completely go that route or not, I have definitely benefited from it already.  The Bradley Method is also another option, which my sister used, but I haven't had quite as much information on that yet.  It mostly deals with how to cope with pain and having your husband/partner help you through it, as far as I can tell so far.  This is essential, since I believe Brandon should have just as big a role/responsibility during this time as I do. : D

So, any good advice?

A mixalota

 I asked Isabela where the baby was the other day... she pointed to my tummy.  Then I put her doll under my shirt.  She laughed and laughed.  Then, of course, she had to have the baby in her tummy...  Her expression is about how I feel sometimes :D

 The little Mona (Monkey).  Good thing she still didn't care to go out and get candy.  The little bit we did get made me sick.

 The monkey with Grandma.

Go BRONCOS! Too bad we're having such a crappy year.  Good thing this little fan stays loyal!

...you are fat!

So yesterday at work, we crossed paths with the of the ladies I used to work with. She is an older Japanese woman. She glanced inside of the truck where I was sitting, then looked at me kind of funny. She hesitated..., "Are you...?" Then before I could answer, she said, "Well, I guess if you're not, I'm telling you that you are fat." Completely monotone. Completely serious. No joke whatsoever. I started laughing so hard! I said, "Yes, I am pregnant." But she was just so matter-of-fact. I guess if you're not pregnant, you are fat. I am not that big. We joked about it all night and everyone kept calling me fat no matter what I did. Good thing I am pregnant! :D













Oh, yeah, and it's a BOY!!!!

Cooking Potatoes!

I am really excited for Isabela to get a lot older.
So get this... every time I put anything on the stove, get out a knife, or do anything that involves food, Isabela wants to be there helping. (Of course, I am sure this is some stage that all children go through.)

Her favorite thing to do is watch things cook on the stove. Maybe I am a bad parent, but I let her. So far she hasn't gotten burned. I usually hold her, but sometimes she stands on a chair next to me. I put her hand close one time so she could feel the heat, and she has never tried to touch it again. Thank heavens for at least one child not having to learn from experience.... for now.

However, she does see me take the lids off of pans and thinks she can do it, too. The other day I was frying potatoes. I just put them on so the stove wasn't hot yet. Isabela took the lid of the pan, set it on the burner next to it, waved and smiled at the potatoes, then lifted the lid and covered the potatoes again. She then proceeded to clap and shout, "Yeah! Yeah!" She repeated the process, removing, waving, replacing, clapping/shouting multiple times before I set her down. She cried. Poor girl. But it was so funny. I have never seen a little kid cheer like that before because she could wave at the food. Bonding with her food... what's next? Imaginary friends?

What's it going to be?

We're taking bets: boy or girl? (ultrasound Nov 5)
and date of birth? (Due Mar 27)
Person who is closest gets $5.

Must have bets placed by Nov 5.

Izzy Tricks

Becoming Healthy

Brandon and I have discussed our food intake a lot lately. We have always tried to eat healthy, but we are starting again new. We really want to live a healthier lifestyle. It is crazy what is fed to kids in school and all over. It is hard sometimes. Every time we go somewhere, somebody is giving Isabela candy. During sacrament I play the piano and Brandon is on the stand. Almost every Sunday when I come down to sit with her, she has a sucker in her mouth. She also is baby-sat by various people outside of our home, in which I cannot control her intake of food all the time. I am determined to make sure she has healthy snacks with her at all times. I am noticing that she really likes salty foods. We are even going to buy meat from some friends we know that go hunting frequently. This will reduce the amount of chemicals and hormones that are given to animals and added to our meat.

Thanks to everyone who is helping us with our goal! and the great support of others who are also working on living healthier lifestyles.

Along with eating healthy, I was greatly impressed during conference. During the first session, I felt there were three main things we as a family need to focus on:

Family Prayer
Family Scripture Study
Family Home Evening

I think it is NEVER too early to start reading scriptures to our children. Even if they don't understand everything, they DO feel the Spirit. They will also quickly pick up the basic principles. Izzy has a picture of Jesus by her bed and she points to him frequently. When I ask, "Where is Jesus?" she will walk over and find the picture. She also points him out in all of the paintings at church.

I feel our stake president is very inspired. One thing he has stressed in our stake is the importance of family dinner. Statistics show our children are less likely to be involved in drugs, promiscuity, and much more likely to serve missions and marry in the temple. Our relationships are strengthened. This also serves our goal of healthier eating. If we can slowly improve, I believe our lives as well as our children's lives will be greatly blessed.

Real Salt Lake Game

Last week Brandon and I went to the Real Salt Lake game (and for Renee, that means soccer haha). We were all rooting for RSL, but then we were playing the Colorado Rapids. Brandon was torn. He prayed for a tie. What luck! Within the last minutes of the game, the game was tied.
Brandon came home as happy has a hedgehog.

Steph & Brandon

"Coach" & Jared

Michael & Janae (& Ari Christensen

Corn on the Cob!

Mmmm! Mmm! Mm! Don't touch my corn now. I take it where I want, when I want, and there is nothin' you can do about it.

Isabela loves to cook with me. She loves to shuck the corn, put it in the pan, and then pulls me into the kitchen multiple times to check on it until it's done. She loves watching what is cooking on the stove. If it weren't so dangerous, I would put her on a chair and let her entertain herself.

Matilda

Just call me Matilda.

I'll have this memorized in no time!

What the...?

A couple of weeks ago, I was still laying in bed when Izzy came walking in to see me. Brandon had gotten up early with her and given her a bottle. She was walking really funny and tripping over things. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Then, I realized. I was laughing hysterically. I yelled for Brandon. and showed him Izzy's fat leg. He said, "What is that?" I gave him one guess. (He didn't get it.) Izzy's diaper had come all the way off inside of her zipped up jammies, and slid right down to the bottom of her leg. Poor girl. At least it was just a wet one...

Centrifugal Force

Grandma Becky is pulling me in the wagon!! Notice how I am facing her? Did you ever wonder about centrifugal force? when not all of the weight is centered at the fulcrum point? Yep, we got goin, and I tipped right over backwards.... whoops! Didn't stop me.

I just got up and turned around. Notice how I am faced away now? Keep your arms, hands, and legs inside the ride at all times...

Ciao!

Hats

I LOOOOOVE HOCKEY! What a daddy's girl!

Kathy in our branch made this for me. Don't you even think about taking this off my head...

The people have demanded more....pics of IZZY

So let's get up close and personal with Isabela Mae

Hey is that my long lost twin?

Don't be silly! Made you look


So Papi starting PG in 2024? Yeah! Gimme 5

Guys there is a puppy in here!

Hi puppy why are you all locked up?

GRRRRRRR!!!

messing around

Like YOU have never been bored on a long road trip, please.

Swimming in Vegas! Thanks for letting us stay Jorge

Hey this chair matches my outfit, thanks for the gift Aunt Kimmy

Train ride at Manassa Days parade YEAH

Brushing my teeth with my new hat on

Dad's new/old motorcycle

Eye Kiss for everyone!

The IZ!

Just thought everyone should see how "cool" my daughter thinks she is. She put these sunglasses on all by herself. (and, yes, quickly took them off again) but definitely loves sporting new looks.

Well, we are off to Spokane sometime this week. One more of life's adventures. Love you all!