Boy or Girl?

The past few days all I can think of is our appointment on Friday to find out if our little baby is going to be a boy or girl. I am very, very anxious and of course Andy is too. We are terrible with the waiting game. Annika and I think it's a girl. Andy has changed his mind and says he and Gavin now believe it is a boy. Our family is divided. This is where a little wager comes in. Andy's first idea was the one who wins gets to pick the baby's name. NO WAY!! I love my husband, but he can be influenced by others and I would be scared what he would come up with. A safer bet and the only thing I could come up with late at night was the one who wins gets to sleep in both Saturday and Sunday. I am thinking we need to add to it. Any suggestions? Any ideas of what the baby is going to be?

Thanks, Lisa, for the nomination!

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=OkQIJJsRNVkZyfGSrqm.rjEyOTkwNDg4&referred_by=16247472-XkwNgRx

(Sorry, I can't figure out how to make this a link. If you are interested in watching, you will have to copy/paste.)

Mother's Day Weekend

We were able to take advantage of a friend's condo at Crescent Bar this weekend.  Friday morning we left the cold, rainy Seattle weather and headed to warm, sunny Central Washington.  It was fabulous!  The first picture posted is the scenery from the condo balcony.  On the left side you see nothing but cliffs and water as well.  Beautiful!  We spent time at the lake where Gavin enjoyed eating the sand.  We spent time at the park where Annika swung like a monkey on the bars and jungle gym.  We spent LOTS of time at one of the condo's pools where the kids splashed and loved jumping off the "island".  We spent time eating our meals on the balcony soaking up the sun.  And we spent time at the putt-putt golf where Andy actually got Annika to complete 18 holes in the hot afternoon sun.  It was wonderful to have no phone, computer, or TV distractions.  Just us and we loved every minute of it ... well, except the last night where there were several loud alarms and noises outside to keep us up most of the time, and who can't forget the air-raid alarm at 5:10 a.m.  WHY?  Don't they realize every mother living in the area is trying to enjoy peaceful sleep?

We left Sunday morning to make it back in time for church so Annika could sing on the stage for Mother's Day.  She was so excited and practiced the songs all week and I have to say I was a little sad because all I saw was the top of her head on stage.  There were tall kids standing right in front of her.  But, I did get a personal concert all week so I shouldn't complain too much.  Mother's Day, or should I say weekend, was absolutely wonderful.  I loved getting away and being together as a family.  I think this should be a tradition for every Mother's Day.

The condo where we stayed was right up close to those cliffs you see in the background.

Annika kept saying, "Look at me!" and was excited to have climbed just 1 foot off the ground.  I guess to a 3 year old that is pretty high.  It's all about perspective.  She did eventually get to the top.

Don't you love that Buddha Belly?  And those cheeks?  I love it!  I think I need to buy him a new swim shirt.

I am a lucky Mommy.  What a blessing these kids are.

T-H-E Independent Reader

Annika is 3 years old and has been sounding out the alphabet letters for a long time now.  So as a mother, I have anxiously tried to get her to read.  HOWEVER, if you know Annika, you know that she is a girl who is very independent.  She has her own time-table and schedule for things.  (Hmmm.... I have no idea where she gets this from.  Do you, Mom?)  I promise not to go on a long tangent about this, but I swear my Mom is laughing right now and saying, "Just you wait when she is a teenager".  Maybe it is payback for all the attitude I gave my parents when growing up.  

Anyway, back to my story ... The past few days Annika has been very self-motivated to read.  It's been awesome.  She is sounding out the words of books, cereal boxes, outdoor signs, etc.  It's exciting to hear her try and I love that she gets excited about it.  "I-K-E-A.  Mom, that says, IKEA!"  Today she was sounding out "The Mother of all Atlases" (our Atlas book subtitle).  I was trying to explain to her the sound that T-H make when together (for the millionth time in the past few days).  Annika was refusing to listen.  I was getting annoyed as she repeated the sounds T-H separately.  And you can tell she was getting annoyed with me as I was lecturing her.  Andy just stayed silent, which is what I should have done in the first place.  "Annika, I am trying to teach you ... ," I finally say. She stood up facing me, clearly upset, "No!  You don't know what you are talking about! In school my teachers taught me this way!"  All I could do at this point was laugh inside.  Annika is more like me than I realize.  I immediately came to the conclusion that she will learn this rule better from someone else, like her teachers, not her mother.  So for now, she sounds out each letter, no exceptions.  I am not worried.  I know she will learn it when she is ready.  Do you have a child like this?  If you have any advice, let me know.  I am willing to listen.  

18 weeks!

This picture is more for my Mom and sisters -- 18 weeks and I am already wondering if it can be over soon.  However, reality immediately kicks in and I become grateful for another 22 weeks.  More time between the two babies.  We find out if it's a boy or girl on the 15th of May!  Any guesses?

Love Tulips in the Spring!

We went to the tulip festival this weekend in Northern Washington.  We knew Annika would LOVE it, and that she did, especially the rows and rows of pink ones.  Gavin loved eating the dirt and trying to grab the petals off the flowers.  The views were breathtaking!  The pictures don't do the scenery justice, especially the red tulips.  They were so vibrant.  It was a great afternoon to spend as a family.   

While there, we thought of my sister, Ruth, and Ben living in Holland right now.  I am envious that they can buy 50 tulips for less than $8.  I bought 6 tulips for $4.50 at the festival.  No fair!  Ruth, is there a way you can ship me some?  Oh, and Andy would like some syrup waffle cakes.  In exchange I can ship you some chocolate chips and licorice.  ha ha  

Gavin's First Birthday

We celebrated Gavin's First Birthday last Saturday.  I can't believe a year has already past.  Gavin is such an essential part of our family.  We are so blessed to have him.  If you know Gavin you would know he is the essence of pure joy.  He always has a smile on his face and is so easy-going.  You can't stop kissing those cheeks of his and making him laugh with tickles.  Gavin's favorite things to do are eating and playing with cars.  I think his favorite person is "Na-Na" (Annika).  Annika is proud to be called "Big Sister" (I think she prefers that name over her own name). 

Erik, Nekell, Analiese, Peter, and Grandparent Bjorns came to help us celebrate his birthday on Saturday.  I had to laugh at Gavin eating his cupcake.  Generally a 1-year old touches it and picks at the frosting, and then dives-in.  This kid immediately grabbed it and shoved the bottom end in his mouth.  The cake was gone within just a few minutes.  After the festivities, Gavin gave Andy a little gift to say thanks.  He had been sick all week and the carrot cupcake just didn't settle well with him.  Poor little guy.  Don't worry, Andy wasn't alone.  Aunt Nekell and I got to enjoy the clean-up.  What a way to end the night!