The Big 17

Our "son" is now 17 years old; can you believe it?!

For his birthday, Hyrum requested (at my insistence that he pick something) homemade pizza for dinner, and a cookie cake and ice cream for dessert.

 We also regaled him with gifts (haha)--lots of new socks (I couldn't handle the old ones with all the holes!) and a stability ball for exercising. Here we are teaching Hyrum how to do "heavy heavy hang over," a Dunford family tradition where you hold the gift over the giver's head and say, "Heavy heavy hang over thy pour head, what do you wish this person with a bump (and then bump the gift down on the person's head) on the head?" Then the recipient has to wish the giver something good out loud. Hyrum wished Michael that he'd hit under 90 on a par 18 course this year. Michael liked that wish a lot.

 Hyrum's seminary teacher makes gourmet cupcakes and she made him a dozen (some are missing here--I might have snuck one) for his birthday. Amazing.

 The whole family--note Hyrum's height and precarious position. We literally took this pic on timer probably five times because it was argued that the driveway slanted slightly and either Michael or Hyrum were on their tippy toes, trying to prove who is taller. For the record, Michael is still slightly taller than Hyrum.

I am swallowing my pride in showing this picture, I'll have you know.

Clara gave him a kiss and a hug and continually said, "Happy birthday Hyrum!" or "It's your birthday celebration, Hyrum!"

Of late

For those who haven't heard via Facebook or texting, we are having a boy! He was definitely not shy about it.

Clara handled the news better than expected (after saying "Grrrr!!!!" she then immediately followed it with "I'm having a baby brother!"). I have been trying to prep her a little about what it's going to be like, but quite frankly, I think it's impossible and even I don't know exactly how it will be...except that I am not going to be sleeping and will have to fill my house with baby stuff again.

I confess I am not looking forward to the clutter. You get used to things being a certain way, and seven and a half years is a long time.

But I am looking forward to my hip not hurting so much. And being able to sleep on my back. And hopefully a gradual reduction in comments about how big I am. And of course to baby smiles and laughter and running around and trains and balls and fun boy behavior. I like boys and always have--I told Michael before we got married that I just wanted to have boys. But I wouldn't trade Clara for any other kid in the world.



Moving on again.

So in the "nesting" mode, I am trying to start and finish a project I've wanted to do for a long time--create a cookbook. I dream of having one place that contains all my favorite recipes so I don't have to browse through so many books, a fat binder, etc.

It's a lot of work, and I realize that creating a book about food when I'm not often in the mood to cook is not the best idea. It has made me want to go try new recipes because I feel discontented with my own collection. I hope I can get it done. We will see.

One of my photo attempts. Taking pictures of food is hard when you don't know what you're doing and have a point-and-shoot camera that is over seven years old.

Here are a few random pictures of late--Clara has wanted me to take some shots of her since I have the camera out more often in the kitchen lately.

 Showing off her muscles.

 If reading were a fever, this girl would be aflame.

Planting a "truffula" seed she got from school.

Here's to hoping that the next four months fly by!

The past two weeks

The weather has been very mild and unpredictable here this winter. It's been nice, but it does make me fear an unpleasant summer.

So, we were happy when we got about a half-inch of snow last Monday, even though it didn't last through the day.

I was thrilled to use the excuse to put on our snow pants (I could barely zip mine up) and snow boots.

It was fun trying to peg Hyrum--too bad my aim is less than stellar. I made a large snowball and put it in the shade, and Hyrum and I predicted when it would be melt. Hyrum totally won.

At the end of the week, the day was blustery. Michael came home early from work on Saturday to spend some family time, and we decided to fly kites. At first we thought, "Let's make a kite!" After looking at patterns online, we said, "Let's go to Target and buy a kite!" Best decision ever, especially for a $2.50 Barbie kite.

 Clara enjoyed running with the kite, although the wind was playing tricks on us and jerking that kite this way and that, sometimes plummeting it straight into the dirt.

 After we grew tired of the kite, we enjoyed throwing Michael's purchase: a large styrofoam plane. I was concerned it would break (especially when I threw it), but fortunately it was designed so the wings just fall off and can be easily reaffixed. Genius.

 Michael got this baby to go about a hundred feet. Very cool.

And finally, Michael took this shot of us yesterday after I had climbed under the covers with Clara to snuggle for a few minutes before we began the morning school prep rush. I secretly love turning Clara's light on, seeing her slightly smile through her sleepy, closed eyes, and turn over, telling me she wants to stay in bed all day and "Can I just have three more minutes, Mama?" And when she wears this white nightgown, she is just about as cute as she can get. Minus the killer morning breath.

Not a waste

We took Clara roller skating for the first time at a church-sponsored activity. (My friend, Emily, and I decided that the skating rink is maybe one step up from the bowling alley.)

I shamefully confess I was bracing myself for another bowling-type experience, but to our pleasure, Clara really loved it.

 They had these little scooter things that the kids could use, and that helped enormously.  It also helped that there were lots of little kids there, familiar faces, and nice music.

Michael graciously went around with her, while I happily sat on the side. Pregnancy was my perfect excuse, but quite frankly I have terrible balance and probably wouldn't have wanted to skate even if I hadn't been.

 She even went solo for a little while.

This girl did not want to leave when it was time to go. In her prayer that night, as I was helping her pray, I said, "Thank Thee that we could go bowling," which she repeated but then added to it, "even though I did not do well." I asked her after the prayer why she felt like she hadn't done well, and she commented that another girl didn't need a scooter thing to hold on to.

Well, perhaps it will be something to work toward for another time.

Off to the Caribbean

My parents have planned on serving a mission together for years, and last Monday they entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Their assignment is to be public affairs missionaries in the Caribbean, a mission which covers thirteen countries.

I am excited for them and proud of their dedication to the Lord. They have sacrificed a lot to get to this point, selling most of their household goods, renting their house out, selling their truck, etc., not to mention leaving their children and grandchildren. Their service is already a blessing to their posterity, an added bonus to the hundreds of people they will bless during their 23-month mission in the Caribbean.

Here they are in the MTC, taking the classic map picture as they point to where they are headed.

We will miss them, but we are excited for their new adventure.

A waste

Clara was sad that I wasn't going to let her have a birthday party this year, but I told her we could do something fun as a family, like going bowling. She was very excited about that.

I wish I had said something like, "We'll rent a kid movie and snuggle together with popcorn!" That would have been a whole lot more fun, not to mention cheaper.

First of all, we had less than an hour to bowl because we had to get Hyrum to a stake youth committee meeting.

 Secondly, it was crazy expensive.

Thirdly, Clara did not want to roll her ball down the lane. She got very upset and started crying. This kind of situation is tricky because on the one hand, we know that Clara has a hard time with new places, transitions, loud noises, etc., and we want to be understanding. But on the other hand, there are times when a firm, no-nonsense attitude is required. Michael told her to stop crying, or--I can't remember what the consequence was--oh, I think it was something like, "Clara, if this is how you're going to act when we try to go bowling, then I don't think we want to take you to Disney World next year." (Clara has been wanting to go and we are hoping we can go next year some time. Another lesson learned: Don't tell your kid about things too far in advance.)

Apparently that was enough motivation because she did stop crying and did try to push the ball down the lane a couple of times. Then I asked one of the employees if we could use one of those ramp thingies, which he--very reluctantly--went and got out of the closet.

 That helped a lot, but even still, Clara wasn't interested in bowling after about six frames.

I realized that a pregnant person probably should not be bowling, so I only did it a few times before I felt like I should stop.

So it ended up that Hyrum and Michael bowled for me and Clara as well as for themselves. Hyrum trounced us all, then we hurried to the car and grabbed food on the way to his ride's house.

 Good thing I got this pic to make me remember something positive about this experience.

Michael told me afterwards (or maybe during), "We are never going bowling again."

And I totally agreed.

Life

These days I don't really feel like I have much to write about. I am still pregnant, and it still feels pretty surreal. My burgeoning belly is helping things sink in a little at a time. A while ago Clara told me, "Your bottom is getting bigger!" Thank you, dear.

We are now business owners as well as commercial real estate owners. Michael and I went on a walk yesterday morning, and I was expressing my concerns (aka worries). He smiled and said, "You really don't do well with uncertainty, do you?" Nope. Unless it's fun uncertainty, like choosing what to have for breakfast.

But the reality of being self-employed is that there is a risk. I realized, however, after our conversation that there is a risk inherent in everything, even being employed by someone else. Life is not about being in control and making everything neat and tidy, a statement I know to be true but consistently try to disprove.

Michael loves what he does (and is quite good at it), which makes it all worth it. And being on a team with the Lord and my husband, how can we possibly lose?

(Confession: I totally took this pic by myself on timer just so I could show you guys what my office looked like and sport my semi-straight hair that lasted less than 48 hours.)

I have also started working at the practice--just 5-10 hours a week--and I do enjoy it, although it is intimidating. I do the books, which is basically like keeping track of your own household finances (which I enjoy as well) but on a larger scale.

I have also been keeping busy as our pack cubmaster. I have to say, these boys are hilarious and I love interacting with them, even though I get stressed out about it every Wednesday.

 

 
We held our first pinewood derby two weeks ago. The boys were so excited and just about jumping off the walls. Good times.

Hyrum has been busy with basketball games and practice, but yesterday evening we went to a benefit dinner and auction together as a family for a friend of ours who is battling cancer.

I'd never actually been to an auction before where the guy is talking a million miles a minute. Michael bid on this cake:

It looked pretty amazing and was quite moist (ooh, hate that word!), but I was disappointed that the frosting was almond-flavored. I like raw almonds but can't stand almond flavoring. Not sure why.

Guess I had more to say than I thought. Happy February!

Birthday festivities

 Birthday cake-making.

Birthday breakfast in bed (her choice of cereal).

 Birthday lunch.

Birthday cake.

Birthday fun.

Seven years ago . . .

. . . we brought a bundle home from the hospital.

I was a bit emotional that day.

Seven seems so much older than six. Seven is only one year before eight. Yikes!

 We loved her before she was even born.

 She is a bookworm like her mama.

 She loves playing with her daddy.

 Her smile is one of the best on earth.

 Sometimes she is serious, but most of the time she is happy.

She has her own sense of style and loves to be pretty but especially wants to feel comfortable. (No tags, too-tight elastics, jeans, or funky seams, please.)

Yesterday she told me, "Tomorrow I am turning seven! And I am going to sleep in for-ev-er." (Poor kid has to get up about 6:30 to get ready for the bus.)

What a joy she is. How proud we are of her. During her IEP meeting yesterday, the assistant principal, commented, "Clara is a very special girl. She knows everybody and everybody [the teachers, especially] know her."

Other things I love about her:

1. She says hi to teachers when she see walks down the hall at school.
2. She is very creative--she informed me this week that she wanted to be a compass rose for Halloween this year.
3. She loves her stuffed animals and dollies. (We recently had to make a "two-animal only" rule for bed because she was putting 7 or so in with her each night, in addition to an extra blanket and a particular toy or two.)
4. She wants to make good choices and makes them everyday.
5. She gives good squeeze hugs and loves to be held, even still.
6. Her laugh is so infectious it makes you laugh. She sometimes laughs so hard she pees her pants.

We wouldn't trade her for any other kid in the whole world.

How to expect when you're not expecting it

{Thanks so much for all the kind words. When you've been trying to have a baby for so long, the new arrival somehow becomes everyone's baby when you know you've been prayed for by so many.}


"Advice" for women who (1) haven't given birth yet, or (2) haven't given birth in a really long time:

1. Recognize that even something that has been prayed for, fasted for, hoped for, and dreamed for still might make you nervous and almost wish it hadn't happened, at least at first while you're leaning over the toilet . . . or the bowl . . . or the sink . . . or the potato chip bag.

2. The puking does end . . . at least I haven't puked since Sunday. Those who puke all nine months get an extra star on their chart and extra blessings for having more than one child.

3. Your family won't die if they eat junk and fast food for three months. Your food budget might suffer, though, and you just might develop some bad habits. (Thanks for the Chick-fil-A at lunch, honey!)

4. Celebrate the little things:
       - sleeping in and not working out means you get to wake up when your kid does
       - watching your family down a salad like they haven't seen one in weeks (because they probably haven't) is enjoyable
       - taking a shower and putting on make-up every day is a huge accomplishment
       - dusting and mopping is a luxury for the whole and healthy and you will survive if you don't do it for a while
       - ditto on the shower

5. If you want to have a baby, you apparently really do have to get rid of nearly all your baby stuff (did in summer 2011) as well as adopt. Thanks for joining our family, Hyrum!
 

Unexpected doesn't mean unwelcome. We are very grateful and feel incredibly blessed. But frankly, we felt blessed before this pregnancy, too. We have continually felt the Lord's love, even when we didn't understand the plan.

Now we just need to get used to the idea of being a family of four. And now that I'm becoming human again with the first trimester on the outs, I'm starting to get excited about that.

No beating around the bush

I am pregnant again, apparently this time for real. Due 7 July 2011. I'll be fifteen weeks this weekend. My children will be nearly seven and a half years apart.

After 5+ years, which included such niceties as oodles of blood vials, genetic testing, fertility treatment, three miscarriages, doubt, despair, guilt, and apathy, we had come to a good place . . . a place of peace where we recognized that the Lord loved us and wasn't withholding a child from me because I wasn't a good mom to Clara or I couldn't handle another or I was unworthy or whatever other illogical reasons my brain was trying to come up with.

We had decided to save for in vitro in the next year or two. The nearest clinic is in Charlottesville, which is an hour away--I wasn't relishing the idea, but I was mentally gearing up for it. We had gotten used to having one child and I had almost stopped feeling bad whenever people said, "Do you just have the one?" I had even come to the point where the idea of only having Clara was fine.

And then out of the blue, not only did we get pregnant again, but it actually stuck.

Lots more thoughts to come, but meanwhile, we are doing well and are surprised but thankful.

Christmas 2011

Hooray--I found my camera! I had no less than two dreams about my camera but then awoke without remembering where I had dreamt it was. I'm so glad I found it anyway.

Christmas was a little bit crazy this year and we didn't get to spend enough time with our families. Still, that always seems to be the way it is when we travel down to Atlanta.

This Christmas was full of Clara's anticipation and excitement. She couldn't wait to go to Atlanta to see Grandma and Grandpa and Nana and Bapa. Singing Christmas songs, decorating the house, the tree, etc., brought great joy.

She even managed to smuggle the baby Jesus from our nativity set to school one day. Apparently He even helped her make good choices in class.

Christmas Eve was the Joseph and Mary dinner at the Weilers. Here the grandkids (sans Clara?) are eating on the floor, ancient style (ie they're supposed to be reclining). We were very impressed that no grape juice was spilled.

I am KICKING myself that I didn't get more pictures with the Weilers. Aaargggghhh.

 I had big plans to make ornaments with the grandkids and took pics of them and then didn't print them out. What a great aunt I am.

We were treated to a visit from the Grinch, an old family friend who retells the Grinch story famously. I remember this from my own childhood and our kids were enchanted.

  So were the adults.

Clara got reindeer dust from school (steel-cut oats and glitter), so she and her cousins, Anna and Charlotte, sprinkled it on the front steps so that the reindeer could find their way to our house. 

I am sure my parents were thrilled when they discovered I forgot to sweep it up the next morning and they had to do it for me. So sorry...

 It was pretty magical, I have to say.

Christmas morning! We open stockings first. I love bedhead pictures (of other people), don't you?

 Lining up to go in to open presents . . . gee, these kids looked thrilled.

 I got what I wanted: new slippers!

I love this pic of my brother Ben and his new son, William. Cute cute cute.

Clara was sad when we came home to Harrisonburg and took down our Christmas decorations. But I reminded her that Christmas will come again this year and we get to put them all up again. That was a comforting thought.

Lost but hopefully found soon

Hey folks--please forgive my long hiatus...

I can't find my camera after coming home from Atlanta for Christmas and don't love my posts without pics. I took some (hopefully) good pictures, and I will be devastated if I have permanently misplaced it. I will keep hunting for it.

In other news, I introduced Clara to the musical "Singin' in the Rain" over the holiday, and I was so happy that she liked it so much.

I always find it interesting watching movies as an adult that I enjoyed when I was younger. Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking, but I confess that in this case I am still wooed by Gene Kelly's athletic dancing and terrific smile.