She's Here!!!!

She's finally here. Brynley Anne Rasmussen was born at three o'clock on december 15, 2008. She weighs 8 lbs and 7 oz and measures 20 inches long. This is Brent and I'm not much of a typer so this will be shorter than most of erikas posts I'll give the general facts and Erika can fill in the details later. here are some pictures of our beautiful new addition. Enjoy!

Baby News...

Pregnant with Mariska at 39 weeks...Pregnant with Brynley 39 weeks...

Brent's co-workers surprised us this week with a whole bunch of presents!! Technically I can't say they gave Brent a "baby shower" since he's a man and all... but we got a ton! Thank you!

In other news... I'm dilated to a 3!!! We are admitting me to the hospital for inducing at 5:30 in the morning on Monday!! So her birthday, hopefully, will be December 15th!!! Only pregnant for 2 more days!! YAY!

Mariska's birthday!!

Mariska is 3!!! We are so excited for her! She loves the idea of birthdays and her face showed PURE joy when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her with her cake. Thanks to those who came to her party. We really appreciated it! Mariska had a bug party and had a great time. They played "pin the spot on the ladybug". She did fairly well, I was impressed! It was also a little chilly out, so they had an indoor picnic. Brent spent hours and hours the night before cutting this grass for the kitchen. I cut out the bugs and taped them into the grass. It was so cute! And I am so proud of the cake!! Sure the concept of how to do the cake was Brent's idea and he cut out all the stuff, but I did the frosting and stuck it all together, and I'm proud of it!! Mariska is so proud to be 3! Mariska, for some reason keeps closing her eyes when we tell her to "smile"... So we tell her to open her eyes, and these are the kinds of pictures we get! So cute!

This is a horse Mariska picked out at the store, courtesy Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Ken! Thank you!This is a Rudolph snow globe from Grandma and Grandpa Eldridge. Thank you! Can you tell we're telling her to open her eyes?These are Curious George pajamas that we gave her, and we fight to get her out of them! "Open your eyes!" I guess that could mean mouth too. She also got a beautiful sweater and some great books from Great Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen, but I spaced getting pictures of that, sorry! Thank you!! She loves Goldylocks! Happy birthday!!

Santa

This last Thursday Brent played Santa at a PTA meeting. He was pretty discouraged by the HUGE Santa suit... but before the meeting he and a co-working figured out how to make it look okay, instead of like this...
I'm glad they got it to look alright, I had a pretty good laugh in the mean time!

Today

I had my 38 week appointment today. NOTHING to report. Nothing is moving along at all. So we're home now and getting everything ready for Mariska's party tomorrow! She's so excited!! We are too, although I know when it's over time will come to a complete stand still because I'll have nothing else to focus on but Brynley coming out! I'll post pictures of her party next Thursday after my 39 week appointment, hopefully by then I'll have something to report!

Thanksgiving and Random pictures

Brent went all out for Thanksgiving... although our turkey fell apart while he was putting it on the tray for presentation. So we couldn't get a picture of how perfect it looked. He even pulled out our fancy silverware we got for our wedding and have never used. Mariska is so talented.

4th picture tag

My sister tagged me to put up the fourth picture in the fourth file of our pictures. It was taken in August of 2002 while Brent and I were dating. We were married in June 2003, so it's about a year before we were married...

recent thoughts

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! Our week was full of projects, mostly for Brent. He made some great compost bins for the garden, put plywood down through the attic, organized the garage and set up the Christmas tree and put lights up on the house. I spent most of the week resting. I also got some things done in preparation for Brynley's arrival. Her room is all set up and ready to go. Thanksgiving was nice, Brent did everything. He made his great apple pie, a pumpkin pie and the whole dinner. Our turkey was really good, they always turn out good when he makes them.
I'm not sure why, but I really had my hopes up that Brynley would be born this last weekend after Thanksgiving. Maybe just because I hit 37 weeks and am now deemed "full term", my brain just expected "okay she can come out now"... so obviously that didn't happen. And now I'm more irritated then before. I know it sounds so stupid! I'm just so eager to not be pregnant! I'm so excited to lay on my stomach and not have to sit to put my pants on or have Brent tie my shoes! I also just can't wait to see what she looks like!
So now I'm all conflicted between wanting her to come out already and NOT wanting her to come out so that we don't have to postpone Mariska's birthday party this Saturday. I'd hate to push that back a week, mainly because Mariska is so excited for it, but I also want it over with. That sounds terrible, I know. It's going to be a short party.
That's about it for here. My next appointment is Friday (12/5) and then Mariska's party is Saturday. I'll post some pictures on Friday after my appointment.

Fun Email Forwards

These email "surveys" were sent to me from my sister in law. I just wanted to put them up because I thought they were fun...

Christmas With Friends And Family:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? home made wrapping paper
2. Real tree or artificial? artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving
4.When do you take the tree down? About Dec 29th
5. Do you like eggnog? No, but I try it again each year, just for tradition's sake
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Anything used to play "house"
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, but we don't use it, too much temptation for babies
8. Hardest person to buy for? Mother and Father in law...
9. Easiest person to buy for? Mariska
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't think of one
11. Email or Christmas cards? Christmas cards (our's will probably be late this year)
12. Favorite Christmas Movie(s)? The Muppets Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? While Brent's off work for Thanksgiving
14.Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not sure if it was a Christmas gift specifically
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Queen Anne Chocolate Covered Cherries, almond rocca and hot chocolate
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colors, whites on most of the house
17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night
18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? I'd love to travel, fundage is the issue
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Most of them
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star, though we still haven't found one we like
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The "Saying 'Merry Christmas' is offensive" debate... and that it doesn't snow down here
23. What I love most about Christmas? Just the warm fuzzies with people I love

In One Word:

1. Where is your cell phone? Heaven
2. Your job? Caregiver
3. Your hair ? fuzzy
4. Your mother? Thoughtful
5. Your father? Quiet
6. Your favorite thing? Family
7. Your dream last night? Forgotten
8. Favorite season? Fall
9. Your dream/goal? Fit
10. The room you're in ? Den
11. Your hobby? unsure
12. Your fear? tragedies
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? college
14. Where were you last night? Home
15. What you're not? slender!
16. Muffin? chocolate
17. One of your wish list items? Car!
18. Where you grew up? varies
19. The last thing you did? ate
20. What are you wearing? pajamas
21. Your TV? abundant
22. Your pet? someday
23. Your computer? portable
24.Your life? Good
25. Your mood? Tired
26. Missing someone? yes
27. Your Truck? none
28. Something you're not wearing? watch
29. Favorite store? target
30. Your summer? Hot
31. Love someone? yeah
32. Your favorite color? maroons
33. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
34. Last time you cried? Yesterday

LONG Day... and post

Today started out like any normal day of taking Brent to work. Mariska wasn't too excited about having to get dressed and out to door by 7 but had her sippy cup of orange juice and baggie of fish crackers with her in her car seat. I dropped Brent off and ran to get some gas. Of course the pump stops half way only allowing me to get half a tank. Okay, annoying but I can let it go. So then I head toward the freeway to get on down to Midlothian for Mariska's 3 year well child check up. As I'm on the road she suddenly starts whining loudly. I look back at her through the mirror to let her know that I didn't know what was wrong with her, unless she used her words... she simply responded by throwing up ALL over herself. I'm about a half hour from home and didn't have time to go home, get her cleaned up and still make it to the doctor on time. SO, we pull into the doctor's office parking lot. I take her out, covered in orange vomit, wet, cold and crying. I try my best to wipe her car seat down, take her in and ask for a garbage bag and get her cleaned up. So now she's naked, but acting just fine.

So now we get back in our smelly car and get home. After hanging out for a bit we head to the store to look for birthday supplies. NOTHING at the dollar store having anything to do with bugs. We leave there and head for walmart. We get there and go to pick up her 2 prescriptions and there is a huge line forming behind me. They ring up her medicines... $45.00!!! For 2! Obviously not generics. I nearly pass out, but being sick myself, tired from NO sleep, really having to go to the bathroom and feeling the pressure from the line behind me, I pay the money and take the medicine. We go through and get the rest of what we need... except birthday supplies. The only thing I found were some cute blank cards with butterflies on the front that I can use for invitations.

From there we head to my appointment. I'm 15 minutes early, but of course I'm not called back for my ultrasound until 10 minutes AFTER my appointment because of stupid late people holding everyone else up. The ultrasound was great though! Mariska sat in her chair, very nicely earning her sucker. (yeah, yeah, sugar is bad for the immune system, but when you've had my day and stuck on a table in a room with a lot of medical supplies an almost 3 year old would LOVE to play with, the rules go out the window) Anyway, the ultrasound confirmed she's still a girl, which is nice. And I got to see her face really clearly a few times. Even though it looked like she was pressed up against a window, I think she'll look a lot like Mariska!! Obviously I can't tell anything about her hair color and such, but I think her face will look pretty similar.

Done with the ultrasound we go back into the waiting room and wait almost an hour before seeing the doctor. I hate afternoon appointments. Then we find out that my measuring big must have been caused by her being in a strange position, because now everything looks normal. A little disappointed and relieved we head out to get Brent, half an hour late.

So my measuring big was a big fat false alarm. We've got another 4 weeks until my due date still but we're anxious to get a lot done before then. Sorry for the long post, but I have to do something besides watch tv while Brent's at scouts for over 2 hours tonight!

Nesting

I've noticed that I've certainly had a major increase in my desire to get the house clean and ready. Of course it's difficult for me to "hop to" after not sleeping through the nights and through the belly/back pain.... but I WANT to get things ready more then ever. I have all the baby clothes organized and arranged in her room, but I have yet to get out all the blankets, bottles, and other baby "supplies". A lot of that has to do with the continual fight I know it will bring with Mariska to "Stay out!" of all the stuff. At the same time, while I know she's going to want to play with things, she hasn't made a huge mess of Brynley's clothes I've done and I'd kind of like to pull everything out and get it ready so that it's not such a huge transition for her when the baby does come. I'd like to get her used to having baby stuff around, just to help the change not be all at once.

Today I've had a big urge to pack my bags for the hospital, which I think is jumping the gun a bit. I think I'm going to wait until after my appointment on Wed to do that. I have an ultra sound this wed the 19th because at my last appointment I was measuring 2 cmm too big. At my 32 week appointment I was normal at 33cm... then 2 weeks later I jumped to 37 cm. Which, as I understand things, you should only grow about 1 cm a week... So they are going to measure the amniotic fluid and get a weight estimate on Brynley. I've had a very hard time not getting my hopes up and fantasizing about having to deliver early for some reason or another! I know this won't happen but it's hard for me to not daydream about the doctor coming in and saying, "Well the ultrasound showed this (insert any reason) and so I'd like to go ahead and induce".... I would mostly love this so I won't be pregnant anymore, but also because Brent has the whole week of Thanksgiving off and I'd love for him to be home that long after she's born.

Anyway, those are my thoughts for the week. I have a big list now of things I need to get done before she's here, but mostly I need to clean my nasty house. I better get going and I guess Mariska needs to eat at some point today!

"We can't have nice things"

Does anyone else have a child that feels the need to bend, tear, rip, dent, scratch, crush and/or completely destroy anything they can get their hands on? Brent and I are at the end of our rope when it comes to trying to teach Mariska to take care of all our things. She can't have any fun books with flaps or pop-ups. She rips up anything with a label. We certainly don't replace things that she destroys, but she just doesn't care.

The best way I can describe how she treats all of her things (and ours), is to use Dwight from The Office as a comparison. She treats everything she gets her hands on with the same attitude that he "tested" Jan's stroller with. If she could, she would perform "the bumper test" on all her belongings. I'd love advice and ideas on how to teach her the value of her things, but mainly I'm looking to not feel so alone in this!! Anyone?

Our Halloween

Halloween was so much fun! First we carved a pumpkin, although Mariska didn't have the greatest time, refusing to touch the insides. Then she went trick or treating and was so cute!! Here are some pictures and things, don't make fun of her monkey costume, it was made with love!Mariska being a ghost...

Political Diversity - Happy Election Day!!

This post is to put my feelings out there and perhaps bring a different perspective to some of our friends and family.

With most of you being members of the LDS church, I'm sure you're familiar with the letter of political neutrality that the church sends out to each ward within the church. http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/first-presidency-issues-letter-on-political-participation
My favorite line from this letter is the one that states, "Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties." Honestly, if you were a non-member person attending church meetings, particularly ones close to an election, you would have no idea that this was the church's official stance.

I truly feel that the church releases this letter to try and reduce any feelings of contention there may be among church members. I think it is also to try and remind our church members to respect other opinions and view points, even if not agreed with.

Somewhere along the line, a huge majority of church members got the idea that democrats, or liberals (pardon my language), are evil and couldn't possibly be good standing, faithful members of the church. Comments and references criticizing any political party are totally inappropriate in our church gatherings, which is a big reason for the release of this letter. I can't count the number of times either Brent or I went home from church irritated because of comments another member says belittling or disrespecting our political views. I love many people who COMPLETELY disagree with me politically and I welcome their opinions and even their questioning mine... what I'm talking about are members in meetings saying things that may be considered rude, but say them in the assumption that because they are with other church members, they are automatically agreed with. What if a "liberal" was investigating the gospel and walked away completely offended?

A few good examples of what I believe this letter is intending to end is during the 2004 election Brent met with his home teaching companion to go home teach a newer family in our student ward. This family had a Kerry/Edwards sign in their front window. And assuming Brent was republican, as most members just do, his companion turned and said, "oh no, they're democrats"... how is this in anyway the Christian, loving, fellow shipping attitude that members are to have with one another? Simply because this family disagreed with him, Brent's companion prejudged them and invited feelings of resentment and contention. Not to mention felt pretty "sheepish" once Brent said, "yeah so am I".

It's also difficult to feel the spirit and embrace the uplifting nature of church meetings and lessons when political beliefs are used as examples of evil and disobedience. Such as one member in our meeting that referred to Lamen and Lemuel as "left".

A fantastic friend of mine emailed me this article from a Utah Newspaper... http://ldslivingonline.com/article.php?articleId=79643
It is titled "LDS Official Calls for More Political Diversity". If you don't read it, the main part I wanted to share was this: He says, "There is sort of a division along Mormon/non-Mormon, Republican/Democratic lines," says Elder Marlin Jensen, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. "We regret that more than anything -- that there would become a church party and a non-church party. That would be the last thing that we would want to have happen." He goes on to be more specific about why that is a bad thing and I hope people take the time to read it.

All that being said, I'm sure there isn't any real question as to where Brent and I stand politically! We hear all the time, obviously, the ideas that you can't be a good member of the church and a democrat. How can you be? Well, Brent and I are democrat because of our religious beliefs. We are because of our beliefs of charity, equality, being our "brother's keeper", and agency and choice.

At the same time, Brent and I aren't actually too excited at the idea of the democrats having complete control of the House and Senate AND white house... because we support the balance that different party control brings.

We are so excited for tonight and are making a lava cake just for the occasion! Sorry this was so long but I wanted to post this before the polls closed and the race was "called" because I think it's important to throw out there no matter who wins. But "Go Obama!"

Energy Star Rules!

I LOVE our "Energy Star" house!! The last few nights have gotten a bit chilly. We've gotten into the mid 40's outside, but our house keeps steady at 68! Then during the day it's been in the mid 70's, but we don't get over 71 inside!! I'm so excited for our next electric bill, I'm sure no one has ever said that before, but I can't wait to see how low we can get it, since we aren't using either our AC or our heater! The only thing that kinda stinks about not having to "bundle up", is that we have yet to have decent hot chocolate opportunities, you can't drink hot chocolate without a sweatshirt on, and that would make me too hot. We're really thinking October through December will be our favorite months down here! Thank you cellulose insulation!

Little Laugh

This last week a big topic in our house has been the concept of when we eat things they go down into our bellies... yesterday during sacrament Mariska made me laugh pretty good. She turns to me and tells me about Brynley being in my belly. Then she gets this perplexed look on her face and asks, "Did you eat Brynley?!" It was really hard to not laugh out loud during the meeting!

STIR CRAZY!

Okay, I'm a big whiner. But I am GOING CRAZY still being pregnant! I still have 8 weeks left!! I am more then ready to be done! Time is going so slowly. I'm so sick of the aches, pains, heartburn, headaches, nose bleeds, being out of breath, constant need to pee and most of all, the freakin fatigue! I am so drained. I remember being this tired when I was pregnant with Mariska, but I didn't have an almost 3 year old I should be entertaining. I feel like such a terrible mom because I just don't have ANY energy to play. Not to mention being all hormonal and exhausted makes me irritable and prone to over reacting. Just ask Brent.
I am so eager to not be pregnant anymore and to feel at least partially normal again. Sure I'll be tired from 3 AM feedings, but I'm up at 3 AM to pee anyway already, even without an infant. And no, I don't just go right back to sleep because I'm so uncomfortable. And I wake up several times in the night, not only to pee but because it hurts my muscles to even turn over and that wakes me up!
We are trying to induce on December 15th (4 days early) but it all depends on dilation and such... I could try for the 12th, but NO, Brent has an ALL DAY field trip he can't miss! UGH!
So anyway, sorry to whine and complain but I just can't wait to NOT be pregnant anymore!

Grandparents!!!

Over the last few weeks we've had visits from both our parents!! My parents were passing through over a weekend and there are a couple pictures with them. But Brent's parents came for almost a week! Of course both sets of parents got much better pictures, which I left on our computer at home... maybe I'll add them next time.Brent enjoyed a day with them at the JFK museum and then went to the BYU/TCU football game, where BYU was regrettably crushed. But they crashed a great tailgating party and got some great food out of it.

Then on Friday we spent the day at the Dallas Arboretum. They had some great gardens and Mariska loved the "splash fountains" and the hay maze.

On Saturday we went to a neat Midlothian (nearby town) Fall Festival. We got some free cotton candy, a bunch of advertisements and Mariska had a great time riding a train! She didn't have as much fun of riding the ponies as we would have liked to have gotten out of the 4 bucks it cost... but she had so much fun on the train I literally started crying! Lame huh? Then we headed to Fort Worth and walked around the Stockyards. We accidentally missed the cows being moved, again... but had fun in all the little shops. Mariska has such a great memory, as we're walking down the road she asks, "Where's Ryan?"... the last/only time we went there, Brent's brother Ryan was with us, isn't that amazing!?

Sunday was no biggie... church and then they took a drive around Waxahachie while I napped.

Monday they helped Brent plant a couple things in our garden and then spent the day in Dallas before their flight.

We had a great time with both sets of parents and really look forward to our next visits, whenever those might be!

In other news, things are moving along with the pregnancy. I am SO ready to be done! I have 8 weeks left and I'm so eager to see Brynley! Mariska is going to be such a great big sister. We can't go anywhere there might be a baby without having to stop to see it. If we're in the store and a baby cries 4 isles down, she says, "Baby is crying, I need to help. I better check" And I have to explain about how it's mother can take care of it.

Brent is doing well at work. This year, so far, hasn't been nearly as exhausting as last year! He's eager to get some things out of the garden before actual winter hits.

That's about it for us... I'll blog soon about our Halloween!

Awesome Party!!

Mariska's friend Maya had a great 3rd birthday party! (Thanks Amanda) They had a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and a pinata! She was petting the guinea pigs most of the time. This goat was pretty resourceful, "can't reach the leaves, use the turtle as a stepping stool."

I HELD all 3 little piggies... I'm so proud!

I was waiting for her to start sneezing, since Brent and I both are allergic to cats, but she was fine!

She looked terrified the whole time, but LOVED it!
This cake was really good!!
She had the greatest time!! She CRASHED on the way home!! The only way we could get her to wake up was to break into her goodie bag and open the candy!! She was up in a flash!!