Ever Had That Dream?

Ever had that dream when your teeth all fall out?  I had that dream last night.  I was pregnant in the dream and I couldn't remember who the father of the baby was.  So, I was searching and searching, in the dream, for my husband (who I kept thinking was that guy from Lie To Me.  That is what I get for watching that show right before bed time).  While in my travels, all my teeth fell out and were replaced by brand new teeth. 

I have had the teeth falling out dream many many times.  I've always wondered what it means because I often remember my dreams when I dream about the teeth falling out.  So, today I looked it up.  Apparently, it can mean all sorts of things! 

I'm choosing to believe it means this one...

Dreaming of teeth falling out may represent insecurity. These dreams often occur at a time of transition between one phase of life and another. When we lost our milk teeth, we also gradually lost our childhood innocence. Loosing your teeth therefore show that today you have similar feelings of uncertainty and self-consciousness as you did in childhood.

This next phase in my life is the having two children phase.  I imagine that it is very different from having just the one.  I know that I feel a little nervous about baby number two, but Matt and I are both very grateful for this upcoming baby boy.

So, stop haunting me 'teeth falling out dreams!'  I get it!

Thanksgiving Success!

Well, we survived our large Thanksgiving!  We set up two extra tables in the house and cooked a 24lb turkey, made two kinds of stuffing and a whole pot of gravy and our job was done!

I think I might have been a little too efficient at doling out jobs because, in the end, we didn't hardly have to do much at all.  All the rest of the food was taken care of by the guests and we just had to do the turkey.  Which is a big job, but compared to making multiple pies, it is a breeze. 

We had a really enjoyable Thanksgiving.  It was fun to have everyone there and it didn't get too crazy.  Though the kids had a hard time with no where to play, they were still really good.  Plus, I convinced people to play games with me, which is always a good time. 

I wish I had taken pictures, but I was busy playing hostess, so I mostly forgot.  Plus, I was having pregnancy pains from doing so much standing, so I had to be a permanent sitter by the end of the night.  (Oh and I am now at 20 weeks, so yay half way done!)

Friday Matt and I braved the crowds for Black Friday shopping.  We hit Target and Kohls and got the majority of our Christmas shopping done at great deals.  I love being done with Chrismas shopping early.  It feels relieving.  I still have a couple things to pick up for Matt, but everyone else is done!

Mamma Kimball was nice enough to watch Nicole for us on Friday night so that we could go on a date.  We haven't been on a date in a long while, so it was really enjoyable to get out and feel like a couple again and not just Mommy and Daddy all the time.  We went to our favorite restaurant, Carrabbas, and then we went and saw the Harry Potter movie.  Even Matt enjoyed the movie, which is surprising because he did not care for the other Harry Potter movies (he has not read the books).

Saturday, Matt went skiing with his family and Nicole and I went to Marie's to watch the big game.  I root for Utah because Matt roots for Utah and I have been converted.  I know I graduated from BYU, but I never really followed the sports while I was there and I just don't have school loyalty I guess.  BYU played an awesome game and dominated almost the whole time, but the Utes pulled it off in the end.  Go Utes!

Sunday was our relaxy day, or it would have been if Matt hadn't woken up looking like the elephant man.  He has been having allergy problems lately and he woke up with a swollen face on Sunday.  We got some antihistamines into him and the swelling went down a bit, but then he was loopy husband and still a little swollen face.  I can't wait for whatever is causing this allergic reaction to go away!

The whole weekend was really great.  I loved spending the time with my husband an little girl.  Now it is back to work and reality.  I miss them already.

The Kimball Elves

Some may say that the Kimball's can't dance.  But, I think that this video proves otherwise.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/F4psHeld2vL0FaX1

Nicoleyisms

Deanne's post has inspired me to record some of my favorite Nicole things.  I don't want to forget all the super cute things that she does right now and I know that I will if I don't write them down.

Kisses:

• When we put Nicole in time out on the stairs, she immediately tries to give us kisses.
• If I start to cry (as I often do while pregnant) Nicoley immediately starts crying too (real tears and all) and tries to climb up me to give me kisses.  She will not stop crying until I do.
• Nicole likes to give kisses with her pacifier in her mouth.  She just makes the "mmmaaa" sound and presses the pacifier to our lips.
• Nicole loves to give her cousin Olivia (2 months) kisses.  Unfortunately, she thinks that they have to be on the lips and she tries to force Olivia's face over until she can hit the lips.  Luckily, Anne is a patient and understanding mommy.

Singing:

• One of Nicole's favorite things to do is sing.  She currently sings (on her own and usually in the car) Old McDonald (she picks chicken almost every time), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Alphabet song, The Wheels on the Bus (she only knows the baby verse), and 5 little Monkeys Swinging in the Tree.  She is so stinkin cute when she sings.  She always gets the tune, but not always all the words.  If we interupt her in the middle of the song or try to prompt her on the words, she gets very mad at us.  She can sing it herself!
• Nicole LOVES to make up songs.  She is always making up songs for herself.  She had a Night Night song that she made up that she sings a lot and we just love it.  But, she makes up songs about everything: Mee Mee's House, Mamma, Meow Meow Kitty, Daddy Home, Chicken, just whatever is on her mind.  She makes up her own tunes and everything.  Too cute!

Phone:

• Nicole has a recent interest in talking on the phone.  She picks up her play phone and says, "Hi Gragrah!  Love you.  Bye Gragrah" (Gragrah is grandma Kimball)  She will also say hello to Papa (grandpa Kimball), Daddy, Mommy, Coley, and Mee Mee.
• If Matt or I are talking on the phone and Nicole notices, she immediately starts crying.  She does not like it when we talk on the phone.  Perhaps because we are talking and she is not, or maybe she just doesn't want us to pay attention to anyone but her.  I have tried to let her talk on the phone during these times to say hello and she always says "Bye" and shuts my phone, hanging up on the person.

I love my little Nicole and I try to savor the nights that we have time to play together.  I miss her so much during the day, but Matt always tells me all the cute things that she has done during the day and I know her daddy takes good care of her.  Nicole is now 25.5 pounds (yay, she gained 2.5 pounds in the last month!).  She is getting a little heavy for me to carry while I am pregnant, but it is difficult for me to tell my precious girl that I can't pick her up.

Nursery

We have been trying to get Nicole to go to nursery on her own for a few weeks now.  She has been allowed to go since September 30th.  But, she has not been able to stay for more than 30 minutes before they brought her back to us, her in tears.  This week, she was super tired and complainy and I thought for sure we would see her within 15 minutes of leaving her at the nursery, but then we didn't!  After an hour, I went over to peek at her to make sure she was okay and she was fine.  She was playing and having fun and not crying.  Yay!  She stayed the whole time without incident.

Well, we did send her with a pacifier, which was an oversite on my part.  This was probably why she was okay, she was able to soothe herself.  But, we were asked not to send the pacifier again as children kept trying to steal it from her for themselves.  So, we shall see how she does next week.  *crosses fingers*

Thanksgiving Stress

So this year I offered to host Thanksgiving for the Kimballs. With my family and the Kimball family our numbers come to 13 people.  I figured if we put an extra table in my front room, we would have enough space for everyone for Thanksgiving dinner.

But, somehow I forgot that when you host Thanksgiving, people tend to flock to group dinners.  First I invited Sarah and Mark so that they had a place to go this year. 15 people, still doable.  Then, Kristy asks if Omar's parents can come... 17 people... okay, I can make that work.  Then, Momma Kimball asks to invite another couple who are the children of neighbors from Washington. 19 people, now I'm nervous.  Then, DJ asks if he can bring a roommate.  20 people, crap.  How am I going to fit 20 people in my little 1400 square foot house?

Matt is Mr. Cool and of reassures me that with two extra table we will all fit and be fine.  I, on the other hand, feel nervous.  If I have three long tables, with 6 people to a table, I still only get 18 people seated.  So, either I have to squish people, eat in shifts, or more likely, Matt and I will be standing in the kitchen eating.  Plus, then I have people eating in my living room and family room and hopefully they don't spill on my carpet (especially the kids).  And if there are tables in my living room and family room.  Where will I send the kids to play?

Maybe it is just the pregnancy talking and I just need to chill out.  But, it is my first Thanksgiving that I am hosting and I want it to go well and smoothly and I want people to like my food and my house and it makes me nervous.  I just need to chill I suppose and hope that everything goes fine.

When I Knew

Four years ago when Matt and I were dating, he took me up to Salt Lake for the Greek festival.  I had never been before (and I haven't been since), but I liked that he was introducing me to something new.

While we were there, we went into the Greek church to look around (there is beautiful architecture in there). While leaving the church a man stopped us and asked Matt about his shirt (he was wearing his Chino high shirt). We didn't know the man, but he was obviously a representative from the church. We got to talking and he asked us if he could pray for our relationship. Me, thinking that meant he would say a nice prayer for us at some point said, "Sure." Little did I know he meant right there with us... standing in the church... holding our hands... and asking us to repeat after him. It was all a little weird and uncomfortable and I could tell that Matt did NOT like it. But, it was a kind thing and he gave a nice blessing on our relationship.

Later, when we were driving home from Salt Lake and talking in the car, Matt said to me, "I'm not ever going to break up with you." And I was not scared by that response, in fact, it made me feel really good. And after a moment I said, "I really don't see myself ever breaking up with you either. I don't want to break up with you ever." After that we had a moment of silence and I realized, I knew, I could marry this man. I could be happy with this man the rest of my life.

It wasn't a really 'aha' moment, but it was more of a gradual realization that I loved Matt more than any one I had loved before and I didn't see an expiration date on my love (which I had with almost every person that I had dated before). So maybe, just maybe, that man's prayer for us in the Greek church worked its magic and that is why Matt and I are married today with 1.3 children.  Freaky.

Chinese Recipes

Here are the recipes from our Chinese Buffet night.

Beijing Beef

Ingredients:
1lb steak (sliced into thin strips)
6 tablespoons cornstarch (for dusting)
oil (for frying)
Marinade-
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons water
1  tablespoon cornstarch
Sauce-
4 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon ground fresh chili paste
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Vegetables-
1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
1 medium red bell pepper (diced)
1 medium green bell pepper (diced)
1 medium white onion (sliced)

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: Cut beef into thin strips . In a bowl of sealable bag combine all marinade ingredients and mix well. Add beef slices and marinate for 15 minutes.
Step 2: While beef in marinating mix all of the sauce ingredients together in a bowl and refrigerate.
Step 3: When the beef is done marinating coat the beef slices with 6 tablespoons of cornstarch. Remove any access cornstarch and deep fry (either in a deep fryer or wok) beef slices in batches until floating or golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Step 4: Add a couple tablespoons of oil to the wok and add minced garlic and stir fry for 10 seconds. Add red and green bell peppers and onions and stir fry for 2 minutes. Remove vegetables and set aside.
Step 5: Pour sauce into the wok and heat until boiling. In a serving dish add beef and vegetables and coat with the sauce.

Walnut Shrimp

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 4 egg whites
• 2/3 cup mochiko (glutinous rice flour)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon canned sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Stir together the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and add the walnuts. Boil for 2 minutes, then drain and place walnuts on a cookie sheet to dry.
2. Whip egg whites in a medium bowl until foamy. Stir in the mochiko until it has a pasty consistency. Heat the oil in a heavy deep skillet over medium-high heat. Dip shrimp into the mochiko batter, and then fry in the hot oil until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
3. In a medium serving bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, honey and sweetened condensed milk. Add shrimp and toss to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle the candied walnuts on top and serve.

Chinese Buffet!

Yesterday my Dad (Bill) turned 65.  So, my Mom planned this big dinner for him.  She called me for ideas on what to do for his birthday dinner.  I suggested Chinese because he really loves Chinese food and we rarely eat it at family gatherings.  But, because Mom does not really know any Chinese recipes, I offered for Matt and I to come and cook for dinner.

So, yesterday after church and a nap, we headed up to Eagle Mountain.  Matt has been experimenting with various Chinese recipes for me because I have been craving Chinese food, but going out to eat Chinese all the time is expensive.  So, we had a couple of good recipes in our back pockets that we knew were good.  We made Panda Expresses Bejing Beef and Asian Stars Walnut Shrimp.  We often will eat something at a restaurant and I like it, so Matt immediately looks up the recipe online when we get home.

We cooked for like 2 hours (we were cooking for a crowd of 30) and we finally finished a little after everyone arrived.  Nicole did not like the idea of us cooking without her.  She prefers to stand on a chair at the counter and watch us cook, but as we were cooking with oil, she was not allowed to do that and there was many a meltdown.

The buffet was successful and my siblings all brought awesome dishes (lettuce wraps, stir fry, fried rice, ect...) and I think that Dad really liked it.  I got Dad the new Wheel of Time book by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson and he seemed to like that too.  Now I just have to wait patiently for him to finish reading it so that I can steal it to read for myself.

17 Weeks

I am 17 weeks and all is well.  This pregnancy is a breeze compared to my last pregnancy.  No wonder so many women told me that I was over reacting with my last pregnancy.  If most women's pregnancies are like this one, of course they would think I was a crazy person for my first pregnancy.  If pregnancy was always this easy, tons of women would do it.  When I was pregnant with Nicole I was sick almost the whole time and I was in pain and just plum miserable.  This pregnancy is completely different!

It just goes to show that not only is every woman's pregnancy different, but every pregnancy is different.  I am rarely nauseated any more.  I only get nauseous when I wait too long to eat.  I am no longer ravenous for food all the time.  I can go like 4 hours without eating or vomiting.  Yay!  I don't even get daily heartburn like I did a few weeks ago.  I only get it if I eat greasy food, so I just stay away from that and I am fine.

Right now my worst symptoms include:

Feeling uncomfortable and front heavy.
Being unbalanced and uncoordinated.
Emotional at times, but nothing compared to the craziness of my Nicole pregnancy.
Various food aversions (some food items taste like non food to me)
Varying between hot and cold during the day.
And ligament pain.

Other than that, I am doing okay.  Which really makes me a happy preggo lady.  Now that I know that boy pregnancies are this easy, I think I might just want all boys from now on.

Our October

This is a picture dump because I have a bunch of random pics from October.

At breakfast, Nicole has a melt down if she doesn't have her blanket with her.  But, we don't want her dipping it in the yogurt, so we put it on her head and she is happy.

Nicole loves to try on Daddy's Utes hat.  She is a fan already!

Nicole's new (and slightly annoying) thing is to wear a bib all around the house.  I don't know why.

This is us on the Halloween cruise.  Nicole was not a fan of her life jacket.

After church the other day, we put her in her high chair to eat lunch and she fell asleep half way through her meal.  Too stinking cute!

The Giraffe Says Moo!

For Halloween this year, Miranda was nice enough to pass on the giraffe costume that her kids have been using for years, so Nicole was a giraffe.

She looked so cute in her little giraffe costume, but of course, she did not want to pose for pictures, so I don't currently have any really good ones.  I will have to raid Momma Kimball's camera to see if she got any better ones.

On Tuesday, we had our ward party.  Matt and I are on the activities committee, so I went to show my support and try to help out.  Which always proves difficult when I have Nicole in tow.  Marie and Damon came to keep my company (since Matt was at school) and to help watch Nicole so that I could help set up.

Friday, my work had a trick or treat in my office, so Matt brought Nicole over and she trick or treated.  She didn't understand the concept at first because I didn't practice with her before hand.  She was afraid to take candy from people she didn't know.  But, after realizing that she was getting candy, she started to just walk up to desks and take the candy without saying, "wick o' wee."  She really banked on candy at my office.

On Friday, Marie and Anthon's family and mine went on the Halloween Cruise again.  We went last year and really liked it, so we went again this year.  It probably would have been more fun if Nicole would have settled down.  She was wild on the boat!  She didn't want to sit down and hated that she had to wear a life jacket and was a ruckus.  Maybe we will wait until she is older and more mature before we try that adventure again.

After the cruise, we went back to our house for pumpkin carving.  Miranda and the kids came and Sarah and Mark came too.  It was a lot of fun!  Mostly because I recruited Hailey and Camille to help me with my pumpkin, so they did all the hard work and I got to stand back and praise them.

The kids were all really well behaved and seemed to have a lot of fun too.  Nicole loved playing with her cousins!

On Saturday, we went to Mom and Dad Kimballs to show off Nicole's costume and to go trick or treating.  Since it was raining pretty hard, we only went to three houses, but Nicole seemed to really enjoy it.  She got a ton of candy at my work, so she is definitely not lacking in candy.  Plus, we bought her special candy that is peanut free so that we could switch out her peanut infested candy for some she could actually eat.

It was an enjoyable Halloween!  I'll probably post more pictures when I actually get the ones from my camera.  These were all stolen from Marie.

Oh yeah, Nicole thinks that the giraffe says, "Moo."  Maybe it is because the giraffe has spots like a cow?  I'm not really sure where she got it from, but it was just too stinkin cute to correct her.  She went around mooing at people all weekend.

It's a Boy!

Went in to get my ultrasound on Saturday and we are happy to announce that our baby on the way is a boy!  Congrats to all of you who got it correct.

We are very excited!  We will have one of each!  Now I just have to figure out what I am going to do with a boy.  If this boy is anything like Matt when he was a child... I'm nervous.  Matt and I are very happy, (we would have been happy with a girl too), and Nicole still doesn't understand what I am talking about when I tell her that I have a baby in my tummy.