Fall Fail

You know how going to an orchard to pick pumpkins and other produce always sounds like a magical adventure? At least it does for me. I always picture spending the day on the farm, searching for the perfect pumpkins, laughing with the kids, pulling the wagon..etc. Very fun and full of memory making opportunities. 

Yesterday was the last day we would have the chance to get pumpkins as a family before baby is born. And let me say, it was anything but magical. It was fun for about the first 7 minutes and then it was all downhill from there. 

Mistake #1-Thinking Vegas could do one part of Fall right. The weather was hot and miserable and the minute we stepped out of the car onto the barren farm I was instantly sweating. 

Mistake #2-Not taking a stroller. We knew the kids would want to walk, so we thought a stroller would be more of an inconvenience. However, they were out of rental wagons and we ended up hauling 5 pumpkins, 2 kids and 1 hugely pregnant wife about 1/2 a mile back to the dumb car.

Mistake #3-Forging through the pumpkin patch in shorts. It was crazy hot, so I wore shorts. Bad idea. After walking through all the pumpkins I was itching like crazy. My legs broke out in hives and I could barely stand walking because the itch was so bad. 

So, it was less than awesome. The minute we got there I was ready to leave. It was hot, sweaty, itchy and my pregnant body was shaking from the heat and hunger. We had no way to carry all five pumpkins other than Scotts brute strength and had one stubborn toddler who refused to hold hands as we walked, while the oldest kept repeating how hot he was and needed a drink. It was a disaster and anything but magical. We did get a few fun pictures though.

 My poor allergy stricken boy refusing to smile. Doesn't he look so old in this picture?

 This picture cracks me up. The boys pick one toy for most car rides. Beckett picked a blanket on this particular morning. I looked back to check on him and found him like this. Ah, he is so funny.

 Brotherly love.

 All my handsomes.

Beckett picking up his pumpkin.

Was it worth it? Honestly, no. It probably would have been better in a few weeks and had we been more prepared. Oh well, we live we learn.

At least they'll look good sitting outside the front door!

Quiet quiet

All quiet and nothing to report from the Packard house. I went to the doctor Monday. Baby Cache looks good and is really low. Low enough that my doctor isn't sure I am going to make it to my induction date. He'll check me next week to check for dilation and we'll have a better idea. But with as low as he is and my constant braxton hicks pushing him lower and lower, he said at this point anything could happen. I am just trying to take an easy as my BH are worse when I'm active. Again, this is proving to be a challenge because Scott is working the late shift the next two weeks (6:50am-8:30pm), so resting is kind of an impossibility. I really hope he holds off for his grand appearance until my set induction on the 12th. We have everything planned around that, so anything prior could be chaotic. Luckily, we have great friends that will step in at a moments notice.

Speaking of great friends...they might be splitting our ward! They are redoing ward boundaries and our ward is in question. There are only two neighborhoods in our ward and I am the only one of my tight group of friends that lives in Rhoades Ranch. It looks like a strong possibility that all my friends will go elsewhere. If this happens, I know it won't be the end of the world. My friends have vowed they wouldn't shun me, (haha)-- but it will be sad. I know it won't change anything for Scott and I as far as friendships, but it will make a huge impact on my kids. They love their nursery friends and are so comfortable around their teachers and the kids in their class. Beckett is finally staying without crying the whole time and I am afraid we'll have to start over. Yuck.

Fall has arrived. At least inside my home. I got all the decorations out and have been burning my candle nonstop. It's helped alot with my trunky attitude and has given me sort of a fresh new prospective. If only outside would cooperate, I would be in heaven. It's only been in the mid 90's lately though, so we have been able to get out of the house alot more. Fresh air is so good for the soul and that too is doing wonders for my cabin fever. 

Tayden is doing great at bedtime. He has stopped napping, for the most part. He has taken about a hour nap a few days in the last 2 weeks or so-- but doesn't nap on a daily basis anymore. I'm hoping I can get him back into the habit of taking just a short nap. An hour does miracles for this kid and his lone mama. But back to bedtime, he is doing great. I am so close to being able to leave him in his room without having to go check on him. Most nights, I sing him a few songs and leave his room for good, but there are still a few he needs a little reassurance. Which I'm fine with since its way easier then camping out in his room for hours until he falls asleep. Its freed up my evening and allowed me to have some alone time and get the nightly chores done before Scott gets home. Then, when the hubs arrives, we get to sit an hang out for an hour or so before bed. Its blissful.

Beckett is totally ready to be potty trained. The other day he took off his diaper and jumped in the tub and peed. He always pees when he gets in the tub, so I guess that's where he thought he needed to go. He came and told me and laid down for me to put on his diaper. I kind of feel like we are cheating him by not potty training him, but with the timing of the baby, I just don't think it's going to work in our favor. I'm scared he'll regress and I don't want to set him up for failure. So, we have decided on Thanksgiving for the official start of potty training. Scott will be home for a few days and hopefully the baby won't be as new and exciting anymore and it will play better in our favor. I'm really hoping we are making the right decision.

Things have been fairly quiet and uneventful this week. I guess I should be enjoying the quiet days since they are surely coming to and end! 

Baby Beckett

Where do I even start? Do I begin and tell you just how much I love my Beckett boy or exactly how worried I am for him. This little boy brings our family so much joy and love. In exactly(ish) 3 weeks, his world is going to be turned upside down.

I remember feeling this way with Tayden when Beckett was about to be born. Tayden was a little older though, and I felt that he had a better grasp on the whole new baby concept. I think we worked better at preparing Tayden for it than we have Beckett. Beckett points to my belly and says baby, but I'm not sure if it has really sunk in. My mom had a good idea to get some books about new babies. And since B is such a book junkie, I'm hoping it helps him understand.

I know he'll be fine and adjust just as all kids do, but I it breaks my heart a little. Tayden fell into the big brother role so easily. I'm praying B will too. He loves babies--at least at the grocery store--so maybe he'll like having one around all the time. He is a super caring little boy. He is the first to rub Taydens back if he's upset or kiss an owie better. With any luck this will go for his little brother too!

 I know I'm rambling, but he means the world to me. I pray every night that I will be able to give all three boys the attention they need. I'm not worried as much about Tayden, he totally understands what is happening and couldn't be more excited. But I've heard the middle child is the hardest to please--and am terrified to let Beckett down. He is my best little buddy and I do not want that to change.

So with that--any words of advice on child number #3 and helping #2 cope?

If any little kid deserves an easy transition--its this one!

6 Years

Today marks 6 years of marriage for Scott and me. 

Its been awesome.

It's been hard.

But its totally been worth it.

He brings me more love than I knew was possible.

And makes me more than I knew I could be.

Happy Anniversary my dear. You are the love of my life!

Good Days

It's been a pretty good 48 hours. I had a doctor appointment yesterday. Scott and the boys were able to come and meet my new doc and see the baby on the quick little ultrasound. The baby looks fantastic and his bowel looked as though it is almost completely cleared up. In fact, he said that if this was my 20 week ultrasound, he wouldn't have ordered any blood work or second ultrasound. He's not even sure if I need to do anymore full 2nd level ultrasound (the long detailed one). Brain and fluid look perfect and he is growing nice and big. Everything is pointing in the direction of a healthy baby. Of course, we won't know until he is born and his blood work and other tests are done, but right now, we are taking the good information and running with it. Its sad its taken this long...but I am finally able to be excited about this pregnancy and am actually looking forward to having a baby. Its nice to not have to worry so much and be able to enjoy his not so little movements. Here is my nice big belly at 34 weeks.

Today proved to be just as fun. I got a phone call at 7:00 this morning from my husband telling me he had a weather day, which means he didn't have to go to work and he was on his way home. Not only did he get to come home, but he brought home a gallon of chocolate milk and a loaf of bread to make french toast. He cooked everyone breakfast and watched some cartoons with the kiddies. It was a great morning.

I was also able to meet my best friend from high school at the airport this morning. She was on her way home to Texas and had a long lay over in Las Vegas. It was so fun to able to catch up with her and see her kids. I didn't realize how much I missed her until I had to say goodbye. 

Then, this afternoon...more greatness. A good old Vegas flash flood. We just had a good storm a few weeks ago, but they never get old. 

This is coming out our community. It was so deep that there were cars stalling all over the place.

I stole this picture from my friend. She lives in the next neighborhood north of us, closer to the mountain, and they had a complete mudslide river running down their road. Thanks for the picture, Cori.

After the rain subsided the weather cooled down considerably. We took advantage of the mid 70's temps and went out to ride bikes. Or in Becketts case, body surfing. He would run, get some speed and then hop on and ride down the road. And yes, he had to wear the hat...just like that.

Tayden has to get off his bike to pose whenever I take a picture. It cracks me up. The bottom picture is from the other day, again--getting off his bike to pose. Silly kid.

I finally convinced him to stay on his bike.

Nothing beats hanging out with these three handsome boys.

Except maybe finally getting to hang up my fall wreath.

That's pretty great too.

Just icing on the cake to a fantastic two days.

Censored

As I was cleaning upstairs the other morning, Beckett was playing in my closet. After not hearing from him for a minute or two I called for him. He came marching in his room proud as ever. He had striped his clothes, pulled off his diaper and was marching around in Scotts yard work shoes. It was hilarious. 

Love my little streaker.

Slow Start

 After talking with Scott last week, we both decided that I should get back into couponing again. I used to coupon alot back in the Idaho days, but stopped the habit since moving to Nevada. Its just harder in Nevada. The deals aren't as good here and the coupons are harder to come by. I was concentrating more on get settled in, adjusting to Scotts new job and making new friends. Couponing took back seat. Now that things are settled down, we decided to start up and build up our food storage again.

Last night, I spent a good hour at the computer researching, printing coupons and writing lists. I dropped Tayden off at preschool this morning and took Beckett on our first Nevada couponing experience. It was more than frustrating and not near as successful as I had planned. I had an AWESOME list for Albertsons. Its round up week, which means all coupons round up to a dollar. That, teamed with some great catalina coupons and other deals-I was pumped. We were going to get some great stuff. I got to the store to find out they are one of the few that do not participate in round up week. My whole night was wasted and I didn't get a thing! I was so bummed.

I headed to the next store. It was a little more successful, but they were out of some of the stuff I really wanted.

 I ended up getting 2 boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snacks, 2 boxes of Motts fruit snacks and 4 boxes of Nature Valley chewy granola bars for 7.92, making each box less than a buck and 

saving over 20.00. I was happy about that, but really was wishing I was able to get some more deals.

I still have a few stores to map out for the week and am hopeful I'll find a few more deals. Looks like couponing in Nevada is going to be a little different. Its going to take a lot more of my own footwork and definitely more time than it did back home. Hopefully, I can get a good system down before the baby comes.

So fellow couponers--what are your favorite websites? What are some of your tricks? What is your favorite store in your region to shop? Any tips or pointers would be fantastic as I am trying to get back in the game.