The Stevenson Story

(I'm not going to lie, I still can't read ultrasound pictures very well.) It felt like Christmas to me and Eric when we went to the doctor's office to get our ultrasound done this morning. Except Eric said- Christmas where you X-ray what's inside and find out what it is, but then you have to wait a few more months to play with it. :) I like that analogy. I seriously had no feelings either way boy or girl, and neither did Eric. The ultrasound tech went through all the standard head, kidney, stomach, leg, etc measurements and all the other things she checks to make sure the baby is healthy first- which the baby is doing great and is right on track for December 8th still! And then at the very end said well.... it looks like you're going to have a GIRL!!! We are absolutely thrilled! I will be able to buy the cute girl clothes now! And Jack will learn how to be a gentleman to his little sister, which Eric is happy about. And if she's anything like me, I am de...

We have been working like mad men and have done TONS of work on our yard. Those of you that know me know I rarely take before and after pictures, so the contrast of what it looked like before and what it looked like after is probably much smaller since you'll just see the after pictures, but just envision a whole tree cut down and how messy that makes everything- and you can envision it's now ALL cleaned up! And I have been a consistent weeder and waterer of my garden and side yard, and so we have a pretty awesome garden going on. (Besides the raspberry bushes- sorry Leslie! We planted them right away and watered them lots, but it looks like our efforts weren't enough.) Here's a walk through of our now not as ghetto looking yard. :) Happy house front also fixed. It has been crumbling for awhile, but we got the stucco redone and so hopefully it will stay that way! Here's the new garden box Eric built on Saturday. We don't know what to plant in it. It ge...

Jack has cute curly hair. It finally has grown to where he has needed a haircut! I don't have before pictures, but believe me he was starting to grow a mullet in the back of his head- and now he looks like a clean cut guy! I did it myself- and I have to say curly hair is very forgiving- but I don't think I did too bad a job! I just saw what they do in the salons and tried to copy it, and it worked I guess! Here's some of the curls we cut off- I know- it could go in a ponytail probably!

Saturday morning we headed out of our house at 6 AM to start our trek west. That sounds like we were in a handcart, but we were actually in a nice air conditioned van provided by Eric's parents- thanks! We stopped and picked my brother and sister in law up and nephew up at my parent's house and then continued on our way. Our 14 hour drive went far more smoothly than I even thought possible with two toddlers so that was great, and we only stopped a few times. Once at a really nice condo area that had a great playground in the middle of it. It didn't look like it got played with very much, so I'm sure the playground was happy to be played with. :) Pictures from "illegal" playground Pretty much Jack is the cutest kid EVER! (Check out the curly wisps of hair in the back, that will help you when you look at his hair cut pictures.) Scott- posing for the camera All Jack wanted to do at the playground was pick up the ground tires and drop them, or put them in his mo...

We had two birthday parties for Jack. One with family and one with neighbor friends. I got a really cute video of Jack eating his cake- (a pumpkin apple harvest cake- pretty much DELISH!) but I can't find the cable right now to upload it, so maybe I'll get around to posting it later because it's darling. Everyone and Jack right before his cake and right before this camera ran out of batteries. Just loving life. Jack "helping" his dad frost the pumpkin harvest cake. Free Albertsons birthday cake And like I mentioned before our camera died before we could get anymore outside pictures, and I didn't take the camera out for our family party of course, so if I get any of those I'll post them later. Thanks for all that came and made Jack feel so loved! And thanks for the presents- Jack LOVES his blocks, books, and new clothes and I love his new Diaper Champ!

Jack had his birthday this weekend- and it was so much fun! I have been going through some old pictures of him and am enjoying remembering him at different stages in his life. It's hard to believe I had him over a year ago! I am LOVING this stage though. He is exploring and getting into everything he can, and it's fun to see his thought process as he tries to get to something he wants and something is in his way. He's doing great with walking- improving everyday. And he loves to be around other kids. If he's hungry or tired and gets around any other children- he automatically forgets what he was upset about, it's like magic! I love his schedule, and he's happy to be on one- that helps me stay sane, and I love him so much and am so glad he's a part of my family! Happy Fathers Day to you Eric! As this is your first "official" fathers day since Jack wasn't quite born last year when fathers day rolled around- it's good to have you finall...

Today was the first day in my life that I brought a car in to get the safety and emissions done and it passed without having to fix anything on the car!!!! This is a milestone I think. O.k. so I shouldn't say we didn't do anything. We had our water pump replaced about a month ago and some CO2 filter or something that runs into it we had to get fixed and/or replaced three days ago. HOWEVER, I was worried they would find something else, but they didn't! Happiness. Lucky you if you don't have to worry about safety and emissions- like if you live in Idaho- but I will still revel in my happiness for a few days despite you. But don't worry I'm not bitter. :)