Quick weekend update....

I am feeling better, but Talia has the stomach flu. Is there anything worse?! I knew it was coming, but hoped it would skip our family. She is feeling better tonight. I am supposed to watch a friend's children while she house hunts in Colorado. Don't worry Emily, if my kids are throwing up Melody is going to keep your girls! =)

Wyatt and I went to church today. He is my little buddy. It was ward conference, and Lincoln stayed home. I had too many things going on in primary so I couldn't miss. Primary went well...and the kids were wild but really reverent too! I was so happy!

On the way to church Wyatt was freezing. He only had on a sweater when we ran out the door. I told him next time he needed to wear his coat too, as he waited for the heater to warm up. He said, "just because you look handsome, doesn't mean you'll be warm!" I laughed so hard.

I had to stay after for a 15 minute meeting with the Stake Primary Presidency, it lasted about 50 minutes. I am not complaining, because it was a great meeting. Wyatt hung out in the room with us, did dot to dots, and ate a few M&M's. He never complained, and I was so proud of him. He did come over once to tell me he was starving......that is where the M&M's came in.

Here are a few funny things the kids have said in the last little while.....

Wyatt was acting dead. His tongue was hanging out of his mouth. I said, "Why does your tongue have to hang out when you die?"

Wyatt- "That is what your tongue does when you die."

"Why would you think that?"

Wyatt- (in the sassiest voice) "Ummm...Jabba the Hut!!!"

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I was brushing Talia's hair out her face while I was tucking her in. My fingers got stuck in her hair. "Oh, I have too many rectangles," she said in a frustrated voice.

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Talia and I painted our toes together. I only had a bottle of red polish, so that is what we both got. The next day she came up to me and said "RED.......is a loser!!" (sounded more like woser.)

"What?"

She lifted up her foot, pointed to her big toe and said ,"See! Red is a LOSER!"

"No, no, red is cute!" (Trying to save myself from repainting!)

"No, Red is a LOSER"

"What color isn't a loser?"

"I need SPARKLES."

Lol! crazy thing....she is entertaining.

Sick of being sick.

The day after we got home I got a head cold. Today is the first time I have taken something (had anything available) to help me breathe. I have a session tomorrow and I am trying to figure out if I will have to cancel. Being sick and pregnant is a horrible thing.

Just a picture of a flower and a water drop...What's a post without a picture.

I had a sono on Monday, to check on the little Avacado. She is doing just fine. 50% for everything which is very unlike my other two. The technician could even see HAIR on her little noggin! That will be a first for us, a tiny Tidwell with hair! We shall see. She was also poking her tongue out at us, and I hope that isn't a sign of things to come!

I have told just about everyone what we plan to name her. I am going to blog about it so the few that live far away can know as well.

The #1 name is Simone. It means "God is listening", and I love it. When she moves this is the first name that pops into my head, and I picture it on Christmas cards......Love, The Tidwells- Lincoln, Jeri, Wyatt, Natalia, and Simone. I also picture it in a girly bedroom shared by my two girls, "Natalia" written above one bed, and "Simone" written above the other.

The #2 name is Clara. This is my Great Grandmothers name. I have to admit that I also love it because of Clara in the Nutcracker too. If this isn't her first name, it may be her middle name.

We have a few other back up names. I just have to see this little face, and decide. She looked like she had round little cheeks, and STRAIGHT pinkies in the ultrasound. (My other two have very crooked pinkies, just like their Grandma Connie.) I can't wait to see her, and hold her. Less than 9 weeks left.

New York City

We are home, and we had the most wonderful time!

One bad thing....as soon as we got to the train station I realized I forgot my camera. I left it at home in the charger! I was so sad. That part in the post below about me posting lots of pictures is making me more sad. =(

Friday- We got to our hotel, and then Lincoln took me to get a slice of the BEST pizza in New York. One day he walked from Central Park back to Times Square (that is where the Marriott is). He would stop at every pizza place and get a slice of pizza, to see who REALLY made the best pizza in New York. I think he got nine or ten total, but didn't eat every bite. The winning pizza was across the street from his hotel! It was very good.

We went to MACY's and a few other stores. I found these red boots on sale, that I totally wanted. They couldn't find the other boot! I was so mad. Who took it?!! I was buying shoes to wear to the Broadway shows, and I ended up wearing my Nikes! Which really was fine, they don't look like "gym" shoes, and I am preggo. Then we stood in line to get tickets at TKTS. I wanted to see Wicked, Spamalot, or Chorus Line. The only one available was Spamalot, so we went to see that. It was a super funny show. Clay Aiken (from American Idol) was in the cast, and it was fun to see him. I don't know that I could recommend Spamalot to anyone, unless they were a Monte Python fan. I think if you didn't know what you were in for, you might be shocked! =)

We left the theater, and went to ROXY's deli, and shared the worlds largest ruben sandwich.

Saturday- I love sleeping in! We had a slow morning, and didn't leave the hotel until 10:30 or so. Then we took a taxi to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We had the most amazing time, and could have stayed for weeks. I was so sore though! I didn't plan on hurting so badly....and was thankful for my Nikes. (I have been having leg cramps at night, so my calves hurt. My hips also were a nightmare. Ouch.)

We both enjoyed the New Greek and Roman Galleries.

Lincoln loved arms and armor.

As I am looking for links to the museum's site, I am so sad to get a reminder of all that we missed. There was so much to see, we could have spent a month there.

We were going to go shopping, but changed our minds and took a carriage ride around Central Park. Jimmy (the horse) pulled us around, and we throughly enjoyed the ride. I think this may have been my favorite part of the trip.

We ate an early dinner at Plataforma Churrascaria a Brazilian restaurant, and headed back to the hotel for a small nap before the evening. We went to see The Lion King. It was so amazing. I truly loved it, it made me teary eyed. I have a soft spot in my heart for the Lion King. I did a wonderful dance to the "Circle of Life" in my last year at the Tueller School of Dance. On the last note the theater went black, and I was glad because then no one could see me bawling! It was such a good show. The costumes were out of this world! Oh, and the dancers.....AMAZING! I chose to cast myself as the dancer with the fireflies. (Even though she only comes on the stage with those little bugs once. Lincoln said I would look funny as the only pregnant dancer. ha ha =)

Then we went to a divine restaurant called Max Brenner. (Thanks Cassandra!) It is a CHOCOLATE restaurant. My goodness, everything on the menu sounded heavenly. We weren't really hungry though.....I got the chocolate soup, and Lincoln got mexican hot chocolate. I want to eat there everyday.

Today was a laid back day. We slept in. We missed breakfast. We ate lunch at Chevy's and sat at a window seat. We watched hundreds and hundreds of Kosovar people parade with flags and cheer from their cars in the streets. Today Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. They celebrated for hours. It made the streets crazy, but made them such a happy place to be. I told Lincoln if we were home, we wouldn't have even known it had happened!

Now we are home. It feels good to be back. Christie had our kids in bed, but I heard Wyatt walking upstairs a little while later. I ran up to say a quick hello. He said, "I missed you more than anything!" Awwww. I missed him too. I am so grateful to you Christie for watching them! We have talked about this trip for a few years, and it was nice to take it before the baby arrives.

Lincoln said "I am taking you on this trip so you never forget that you turned thirty.......................Wait that came out wrong."

It was too late, we were both laughing so hard. Who knows, I may actually forget that I turned thirty!

Thank you for a wonderful trip Sweetie! You are the light of my life, and I love you so much!

Happy Valentines Day!

I am having too much fun with my macro lens. I had to set a timer so I would stop!

I hope you all had a very happy Valentines Day. I will post lots of pictures when I get back from New York! =)

Surprise, Surprise!

Well, I was really dreading this birthday. Who wants to be thirty? The week prior I was in such a rotten mood, but today was such a good day. I had better start with Saturday though....

Lincoln took me out for my birthday on Saturday night. He had to leave Sunday at 4:30 in the morning, so we needed to celebrate early. He took me to a resturant called Captain James in Baltimore. (James is my maiden name.) After our delicious salads arrived he pulled out a large black envelope, and told me to read the blue card first. It was a cute card with a sweet message. Then I pulled out the pink envelope, and inside was a homemade (you have to see it, it was so well done!) brochure for a trip to New York City.....for THIS weekend! I was SO surprised, and I am so excited to go. He worked really hard organizing it all. I get to go shopping, and go to TWO Broadway shows of my choice. Basically, I get to do whatever I want! =) He is too good to me. Then we went to Barnes and Noble and I got some more books.


I took these pictures because I am 30 weeks along, and 30 years old on the same day! (Yes, these are the same pajamas you will see in a few of the pictures below! =)


I was in the middle of my "photo session" when Lincoln called. So -- this is a lovely maternity photograph of the two of us. I actually like this image even with its flaws. I think this photograph tells a small part of a long story.....we are apart too often. How I love when he calls!

Today, was a little busy. First, I got Wyatt off to school, and then I lay in bed until 10:30 reading. I was boycotting cleaning, and my kitchen was a disaster. I didn't care. I wanted to have a lazy day.
I realized I forgot to put Wyatt's lunch in his backpack! I felt so horrible. I held in the tears while I phoned the school, but as soon as I hung up I just cried and cried. The school fed him a hot lunch though. Then Talia and I got ready for a lunch date at Chuck E Cheese. Everyone should celebrate their 30th birthday at Chuck E Cheese!! Christie and I sat and talked, and the girls ran and played. They spent 100 tokens so quickly. I did play a few rounds of skee ball, but that game is meant for non-pregnant people. Too much bending over. =) Then we came home, Talia had a nap, I got Wyatt off the bus, and then we just hung out. I took them to dinner at Panera bread, and my kids ate every bit.

My kids don't say "Cheese".....they eat it. =)

It was so yummy. I had to buy milk, so we ran to Costco. Then it was home for a birthday treat for the kids and bedtime. I was so happy and sat down to blog about the day when I heard a familiar knock at my door. Christie's knock.......

I was in my pajamas and I ran up stairs to grab my robe. When I opened my front door I saw TONS of my friends holding balloons. I was so surprised, but the only thing I could think of is that I didn't have a bra on! (TMI) I said that out loud (oops!) and they all laughed. I think there were 14 people. They came in and set up a wonderful party, and I was embarrassed that I had boycotted cleaning!! Oh well. We had a great time. I felt so special, and I got a few of the sweetest birthday cards that said the kindest things. They sang Happy Birthday to me, and it made me want to cry.....it was so beautiful!! Thank you, Thank you so much for a wonderful party!

How can I complain about being thirty now? I can't! It was just a simply perfect birthday.

Look at everything they brought!!! Yum!!

Cute friends in a beige room! =)

Yes, that is Natalia....she couldn't stay in bed. Christie went up and tucked her so I could enjoy my party! What a sweetie.

More Friends!!

Proud

Lincoln was gone from Sunday to Thursday at midnight this past week. The week went well without him, but I am so So so glad to have him home. I wanted to blog about something that happened to him in Texas, since this blog is usually about me and kids.

This trip was a training for all the sales and pre-sales engineers for HP. Lots of learning. They had an awards night, where they recognized a few men who did exceptionally well in the last year. They had to be nominated, and then "HP" decided who they would give the award to. Out of 500 men they awarded FIVE people. LINCOLN was one of them, and he got $250. He was shocked when he heard his name, and all the federal guys went nuts for him. He was told time and time again that it was "very well deserved" by his coworkers.

I am so proud of him. He works so hard! I can easily overlook the fact that our Christmas lights and decorations are still hanging outside. =) (They are coming down today!)

Bag Tagged!

Annie bag tagged me, and I thought this looked like fun.


So here's what you need to do.........

1. take a picture of your bag
2. show a picture of ALL the contents in your bag
NO CLEANING OUT FIRST!!!!
3. "Bag Tag" five people



Here is my bag....raspberry ALDO purse.

Click on the picture to see my notes.

Now I will tag....
Christie, Emily, Stephanie, Kayelynn, and Christina.

The Red Dress

Grandma Tidwell gave Talia this red dress for Christmas. I have never seen her so in love with anything. We lay out our Sunday clothes each Saturday night, and she always (very enthusiastically) requests "my red dress". She will not take it off after church, and she asked if she could sleep in it tonight. She isn't sleeping in it, just in case you wondered.

She is now a sunbeam, and she LOVES going to class. She has two teachers, and if one of them isn't there she talks about it for a whole week. She tells me everything they do in class. One week they sang "Goin' on a bear hunt", and they didn't do it the following week. She was so upset in the car on the way home. "Mom, we forgot to do the BEAR HUNT!" I love Sunday nights, she always says "Let's talk about our day." She tells me every detail, and sometimes she'll sing. Love her!