It's a Girl!

Isabella Jane Billings was born at 11:08 p.m. last night! She was 7 lbs exactly, and 20 inches long. She is beautiful! We posted a lot of pictures because grandmas and grandpas are far away. We had a little bit of a scare with heart rates--Becky's and Isabella's kept dropping--so we're grateful we didn't have to have a c-section. Things went well, and we were SO delighted to see a little girl! We sure were wrong on our guess as a boy! We're so happy!

Sharing Daddy

Probably the toughest thing for Ian will be sharing his daddy. Daddy and Ian are really close. We'll see how it affects both of them.

Tomorrow is the big day! We're inducing the baby at 7:30 in the morning. We have a plethora of names picked out for boys and girls. I guess we'll know hopefully this time tomorrow what the baby is and what its name will be. We'll keep you posted.

Papa

We had quite a scare a couple of weekends ago when my dad nearly had a heart attack. Thanks to modern technology, he's doing great. So glad you're still with us, Papa. We sure love you!

Due in a Week

Ummm . . . could I get any bigger? Come on, Baby, time to come.

President Hinckley

How strange and sad that he is gone. We're so glad he is with his dear wife now, but how we'll miss him! We're so grateful we have prophets on the earth again.

For those of you who do not know who President Hinckley was, visit http://www.lds.org/. For more information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or the "mormon" religion), visit http://www.mormon.org/, or--of course--ask me! :)

Super Women

Talking and emailing friends lately and reading their blogs has reminded me how amazing the women I know truly are. So many of you are struggling with various things--health problems, kid problems, loss . . . Many of you are moms. Some of you are single moms. Some of you are new moms. Some of you want to be moms. Some of you are pregnant. Some of you are sick. Some of you are pregnant and sick. Some of you have lost children. Some of you have sick children or hard children or not enough money or not enough time (especially for yourself). Some of you are going through divorces.

Many of you deal with a lot of the above all at once. And these are just things I can see or pick up on. I'm sure there are so many hidden things that never come to my, or anyone else's, attention. You all deal with these things so beautifully. Yes, you do.

I'm lucky to know you.

New Year's

Seth and Keeli and the kids came for New Year's. We had a great time playing in the snow. Seth and Keeli went to see the ball drop in New York City--a long, but once-in-a-lifetime experience. Adam, the kids, and I made yummy New Year's dishes, watched movies, and played. The kids went to bed at 7:30, and Adam and I watched movies--my kind of New Year's. We loved having them here. They're all so adorable.

Christmas

Shelly, Kendall and the kids came over Christmas day. We had a wonderful dinner and a great time being lazy.

Cute kids, eh?

Baby coming soon

Not long before our little king has to make room on his throne for a littler sibling. Feb. 10 is coming up fast!

Our Friends in Rhode Island

In just 6 months in Rhode Island, we met some of the most wonderful people. We wanted to tell you all how much we love and miss you. We'll be back to visit after the baby's born so we can show him/her off. Thank you for being such wonderful, giving, welcoming friends! We miss you!

My hubby

My husband, Adam, is amazing. He is all of the things he should be: giving, fun, self-sacrificing, spiritual, hard-working, loyal, honest, loving . . . and so much more. He is a wonderful husband and a fabulous father. He cooks and cleans and works so hard for Ian and me. I know he'll be a wonderful father to the new one that's almost here.

He's really sick today, and I hate seeing him so tired and wasted. He's usually got so much energy. Anyway, I thought I'd tell the world how much I love him. He's my best friend, and I think I'm just about the luckiest girl in the world.

Much Warmer!

Once again, we waited too long for haircuts. This time we purchased the dang clippers instead of paying someone to cut the boys' hair. I've been reluctant to do this because last time I tried cutting Adam's hair, I failed miserably--and the time before that; oh, and when I cut Ian's hair, I failed at that one, too. But I actually think I did an okay job this time. I let Adam cut Ian's hair, and I cut Adam's. He guided me through it, and we did the best we could together.

Don't you love those frustrating moments in life that bond you and your spouse? "It feels wrong on this side . . . " "Then why are you having ME do it?! I hate this!" "Here--lemme see those . . . why does it feel all fuzzy in this area?!" "I hate this. I hate this. I hate this . . . "

Ian had a great time watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory while we got hair all over ourselves and expressed words of love. Actually, we didn't get nearly as angry with each other this time as we did last time--probably because the haircut turned out better. I guess each attempt will improve. We hope.

These pictures illustrate the beautiful haircuts done Saturday night. They also illustrate the fun Sunday we had decorating the Christmas tree. We decided to make sugar cookies and popcorn strings. Since church was cancelled due to the weather, we had lots of time to make our tree yummy. Ian sure loves the idea of a cookie tree. Each morning it's as if he's forgotton that we have a tree with cookies on it, and he says, "OOOH cookie!" and runs straight for ornaments. The bottom ornaments have his little finger marks in the frosting. Daddy's smiley face at the bottom of the tree now has no nose and smudged eyes and mouth. Hey, it gives the tree character, right? Actually, I think popcorn strings and sugar cookie ornaments scream, "We have no money for ornaments and tinsel!", giving the tree plenty of character already. But who cares? We think it's beautiful.

Not prepared for the weather

We've had LOTS of snow lately--which I guess is pretty common where we live. I guess we'll have to get used to it.

Adam and Ian took advantage of it the other day (Daddy got to come home early from school because of the snow). These are the before, during, and after pictures.

At Grandma's request, we've now replaced the snow-filled sweatpants with a snowsuit, the tennis shoes with boots, and the doubled up socks & plastic wrap with nice winter gloves. Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa! If you can't tell, Ian was freezing. My favorite are the balls of snow that collected in the bottom of the sweatpants (below). We're horrible parents.

Nor Easter

Yesterday we were given a break from snow. It began raining early in the morning, and by the time I woke up, the snow and ice had all melted. It was so nice not to have to worry about slipping (esp. since being pregnant, slipping has been an issue!). It stayed snow/iceless until this morning when it began snowing around 7:30. This picture of our front yard was taken less than an hour later. We have what people call a "Nor-Easter" (North Easterly)--basically a very cold storm we get in the east. Rhode Islanders told me all about it when I lived there. Apparently we get it here, too. I think Ian and I will be staying inside most of today. Got any ideas of how we can stay busy?

I've been tagged

#1. I was tagged by Shelly.

#2. 7 Random facts about myself:
1. I really like to cook--but I can't seem to keep things simple. I always have to have 2 or 3 vegetables at a meal, and I've been adding fruit now, too. I guess I like variety. Oh, and I love foodnetwork.com.
2. I detest mushrooms and creamed corn.
3. I know some American Sign Language. I can communicate the basics, I guess.
4. I make lists almost every day. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I've done things like, "Call the bank." I'm weird.
5. I love shoes, but right now I have a serious shortage. My next purchase: boots.
6. I used to love to write. Now it stresses me out. It's a love/hate relationship. I'm trying again--once in awhile.
7. I have a little problem with keeping my clothes nice. I've noticed Ian is this way, too (oh wait, he's 2 . . .). I do keep some of them nice--I guess I just wear the same ones over and over. And I don't own enough aprons. That must be it. Yes.

#3 I tag:

Aimee http://mikeandaimeesizemore.blogspot.com/

Andrea http://henich.blogspot.com/

Corrine http://www.4kidsnodog.blogspot.com/

Heidi http://elsasserfam.blogspot.com/

Katherine http://beginningtobegin.blogspot.com/

Kristy http://www.dkjohnson.blogspot.com/

Rachel http://www.randyrachel.blogspot.com/

Break me off a piece of that . . . Chrysler car? Football cream?

"Ain't no party like a Scranton party, 'cause a Scranton party don't stop! "
-Michael Scott, The Office

Yep, we've moved to Scranton, PA, known only for its supposed setting of "The Office." It's actually a really pretty place--well, downtown Scranton isn't (besides a few old, beautiful buildings)--it's quite ugly and industrial--but up where we live (Clarks Summit--about 10 minutes from Scranton) is quite lovely: lots of trees, mountains (nothing like Utah mountains--but covered in trees), and more trees. A few weeks ago they were all yellow and red, and now they’re bare and covered in snow.

Adam is working at the Scranton State School for the Deaf as a math teacher and is really liking it. He has some interesting conversations with both deaf and hearing, and he has some interesting kids, too. Right now they're learning algebra and life math skills. I've always hated math so much, I couldn't believe it when Adam wanted to teach it. I loved teaching English (though the grading was all-consuming), so it's just funny that I married a math teacher. Adam and I are very different, which I guess is why it works so well.

I stay at home with Ian, and we have fun running around like mad all day looking for things to do. Okay, I don’t run around like mad—just Ian. I've begun writing a little--again--and we'll see how that goes. I’ve also begun my very first book group. We’ll see how that goes, too. I’ve always loved being in them, but I’ve never started one. Playgroups, library, store, cooking, cleaning, reading, playing with trains, watching Ian play with trains and run around the house like mad, and getting excited for another baby keep us very busy. Lots still to do to get ready for the next little one. It's fun. Life is different as a mother . . . slow and hectic at the same time. I'm sure things will get a lot busier with two come February.

I found a funny website called Feminist Mormon Housewives. I have yet to read enough about it to say I recommend it, but part of what I have read, I can relate to. I am not necessarily a feminist, but I do sometimes feel like I am cooped up with nothing to occupy me but household chores and children—not that these things are bad—they’re wonderful! (okay, the children are)—but they can wear you down once in awhile (but also buoy you up!) Am I alone in this? Reading helps, for sure. I’ll be posting a list of my favorite books soon, I hope. I hope you’ll let me know some of yours.

Chopsticks

This is one I've wanted to post for awhile but kept forgetting. We went to a Japanese hibachi grill in Rhode Island a couple of months ago with some friends, and Ian had a great time. His favorite part was watching the onion being lit on fire. "WHOOOAAAAA!" He looks like a pro with the chopsticks, doesn't he?

Flattering Pregnancy Pictures

I think this is one of the only pictures of me this pregnancy . . . I guess I'm usually the one with the camera . This was actually right after Shelly's baby, Audrey, was born (those are her little legs and feet hanging down like bells--so cute). We went to Sweet Berry Farm and picked apples. It was really fun, but we got really hot and tired (or was that just me?).

Since this picture was taken, Audrey and my stomach are bigger, and Shelly is smaller.

Pregnancy isn't too flattering, but thankfully it turns out pretty wonderful results!