Jeeping at 5 Mile Pass

As per the trend this summer, we are marking off our list of things to do before baby gets here.  One of those things was to take M jeeping, real jeeping, like an all day excursion.  So we drove out to 5 Mile Pass which was close enough and low key enough in case Myer didn't like it or if all the bouncing around put me into labor. (ha!)  Myer LOVED it.  He would get too impatient if we had to reverse or take obstacles slow.  He would yell, "This way!' pointing forward.  And he loved getting dirty, exploring the hillside, watching all the jeeps climb the rocks, and his bag of chips that never left his hand.  I, on the other hand, was a stupid pregnant person.  My back feels broken.  Not to mention I forgot to factor in all the bouncing around and a baby on my bladder...silly me.  But Jake was pumped to break in his jeep and I wanted to see how she would do too, and naturally our little family had a blast.  As a Morse, I'm destined for these kinds of adventures so I might as well like them, pregnant or not.

Guest Post: Heather Von St. James

I am 44 and a mother to a quirky little 7 year old, Lily. She is my only child, and my whole world. When Lily was just 3 1/2 months old, I was diagnosed with Mesothelioma; a type of cancer that kills 90-95% of those who have it. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, and I was unknowingly exposed from my dads work clothes when I was just 9 years old. As I’m sure you can imagine, the first thing that came to mind when I was diagnosed was my baby girl and how I wasn’t going to be able to watch her grow up.

 

After intense treatment and recovery, I’m still here 7 years later and cancer free! My journey with cancer was a terrifying one and I'd like to turn my pain into purpose and become someone that other people can look to for guidance, inspiration, and hope in situations like my own. I’m trying to raise awareness of this horrible little known cancer that is such a deadly killer (and sadly, 100% preventable).  

 

For more information or to read more about my story please click here.

Thanks Heather for sharing your story with us.  We admire your courage and strength.  We wish you well on your journey in finding treatment and a cure for others.

P.S. isn't her hair fantastic?!  

30 weeks

This pregnancy has been so different than Myer's.  She is so low.  Myer was always up in my rib cage and pushing against them with his feet.  I hardly ever feel her up there.  She likes to hang out on my lower left side.  At night, when I lay down to sleep on my side, she has a tap performance or a kick boxing match against the mattress.  Because she is so low, my back hurts all the time.  I can't sit or stand in one place for very long.  Sometimes at night I wake up gasping for breath if I accidentally roll to my back.  This kind of stuff didn't happen until the last few weeks with Myer...so I'm just loving that it's already started.

I'm still craving anything lemon.  And everything has to be cold.  Ice has been my best friend this summer.  I love ice! Also, t-shirts and jersey knit skirts all the way. 

But as we are only 2 months away, I'm getting anxious, excited, and nervous for her arrival.  All I really want is for her to be healthy and for labor to go just a little more smooth this time.  I'm not going to lie, I'm scared.  My dreams make it worse, but I know what I could be in for this time so I'm going in with full awareness.  I'm getting a baby out of this so that's the best motivation I need.  I just want to meet her.  And I can't wait to be a family of 4.  We're so close, 10 more weeks!

the outdoor movie

Now that we are AFer's we took part in Steel Days.  Only one event, however, as it's hotter than ever so Friday night we hung out in the shade of the trees at the Amphitheater and played simple free carnival games. Myer's favorite was the cow train at the Chick-fil-a booth.  As soon as he was done, he would get right back in line.  The lady running the booth at first knew him as the "cute little red head" and then she knew his name by the end of the night.

Then, once it got dark, we sprawled out on our blankets and got ready for the outdoor big screen movie.  We watched "Wreck It Ralph" and we actually lasted through the whole thing.  Myer set up all his cars in a row right next to him and just sat contentedly.  He was such a good boy even if it was 3 hours past his bedtime.  Maybe we can start doing some more adventurous things...

We didn't see the parade or the fireworks, but that can be added to next summer's list.  We're just so excited to be a part of another city and it's week of celebration.  Feeling more like home already.

the weekend run down

*played the free games at the Ampitheater for AF Steel Days
*died in this heat
*let Myer stay up past his bedtime for his first movie
*attended a baby shower for a little Hopi Princess
*got my first taste of Lemon San Pellegrino and fell in love
*Myer helped Jake rotate the Jeep tires
*sprayed weed killer on our poor little lawn for the 3rd time
*made home-made rootbeer floats
*treated myself to organizing our first ever file cabinet as a married couple
*thought we rented The Dark Knight Rises, but actually brought home the Batman cartoon...
*bought our double stroller

Although hot, it was busy weekend.  I'm going to need a lot more of those Lemon San Pellegrinos to keep myself cool.  Hello Monday!

thacker family reunion

On Saturday we had our big annual Thacker Family Reunion (my side of the family).  We toured Salt Lake City's Welfare Square and then colored the packing boxes that food would be delivered in to families in need.  Myer got a lesson from my dad and my Grandpa Thacker how to trace your hand, and well, that's all he wanted to do.  Then we finished off the day with ever so entertaining Talent Show then a BBQ at a park.

Myer rarely sees my extended family since they live in Bountiful, and some out of state, so I didn't know how the day would go.  I really should put more trust in my chatter-box of a social kid because he loved everybody.  He always found Grandpa Thacker (his Great Grandpa but let's not confuse him) and thought my little cousins were his.  I'll let him claim them all.  Every one was so sweet to help the pregnant lady out and just dived in with Myer.  I mean, he is their second cousin, but they all treated him like close family.  Love you all Thackers!  What a great day!

Where we've been all summer

At Seven Peaks of course!  Our summer has consisted of the wave pool, beach towels, and sunscreen.  We leave the house at 9 to get a close (free) parking spot at 9:30, play for a few hours, and then when the park gets too crowded, we pack up and leave by noon all in time to eat lunch in the car and then home for a nap.  Both of our naps. 

Did you know that my mom did this with my sisters and me when we were little?  We got Cherry Hill passes every summer.  And almost everyday we played at the water park at Cherry Hill.  Those are some of my favorite childhood memories.  So I'd to think I'm doing the same with Myer.  And I'm trying to get in as much Mom and Myer time before baby gets here.  It's been so fun.  I'm sure there's lots to be done around our new little place, but the heck with it.  We are playing this summer!  Just me and my boy.  Some good memories are being made.  Thanks Mom for the inspiration.

time with family

Oh man, where do I even start?  The last two weeks will be probably be the last time we'll all be together as a family for a while.  As I mentioned before, both of my sisters are moving back east so we made the last 14 days count.  We ate, we swam, we played, we snuggled, and we took lots of pictures.  This family is so important to me.  And I know that each of them mean something to Myer.  It'll be hard having aunts, uncles, and cousins far away but goodness that's what skype is for, right?  And I've always wanted to visit the Mall of America and I've always wanted to play on the Carolina beaches so we'll get out there.  One way or another.  Because these two sisters of mine, the ones closest in age to me, are my best friends and role models.  I hope I can be as strong and beautiful as they both are.  And if baby girl decides to take after these two, she'd be ahead of the game.

I'm so glad we have families.  And I'm so glad this is my family.  People say we have a certain "Thacker look" and it makes me proud.  I love the Thackers!  Good luck Jamie and Jessie with your new adventures.  I know you'll be a force of good over there.  Love you both to pieces.

-B

the mom-to-be's shower

My best friend, Anna, is expecting her first!  A little girl!  So we threw her a baby shower over the weekend to shower this girl and her little one with love.  Not to mention we showed that love with loads of yummy brushetta.  We tried to bring a little Italy flavor into the party.  The friends and family that showed up was truly telling--Anna you have a lot of people in your life who love you and cannot wait to meet this little mermaid.  Including me!

P.S. we are two months apart both with girls.  It's going to be a party.

our 4th of July at Yuba Lake

I love birthdays and I love celebrating America's birthday!  We celebrated all day at the lake on the beach and in the tubes. Don't let Myer's smile fool you, he was terrified of the water.  I'm clueless as to why because he loved the beach in California.  He was only happy if he was on some kind of flotation device, in someone's arms, or far far away from the beach. So we just didn't touch the water.  Easier said than done when you're at a lake but we made do with jumping from the tubes all the way to the pavilion of food back to tubes. He even, along with his grandparents and cousins, rode on the tubes while the boat pulled them (slowly) around.  At least he stayed out of the water doing that.  What a day.

Later that night we did fireworks.  We started out on the curb, then moved to the garage, then inside to watch through the window.  I learned so much about my sensitive son that day-- fear of the lake and noisy fireworks.  He sure slept good though.  All that panic wore him out.  We are going to have to take Pioneer Day a little easier this year.  Cheers.

a day late...but

love,

the red and white clan.

Guest Post: Enjoying the warm weather with your new baby

Rachael McAdams is new to the SAHM world. (Stay at Home Mom) When she's not chasing around her twin girls you can find her whipping up healthy meals in the kitchen, jogging around NYC, spending time with her husband, and well of course.. writing! Rachael is in the process of setting up her own blog but for now you can find her on Twitter at @livealittlenyc.

When my girls were just born, I so enjoyed the summer with them! We would go out and enjoy the warm weather and they just loved looking at everything and reaching out and inspecting all the new items around them. I loved taking them for walks in the park – it was the perfect backdrop for photos and fun days out.

I always made sure to have hats on hand to the girls. I wanted to make sure they were well protected from the sun. I just loved the reversible sun bucket hats from Patagonia I picked up for the girls. It’s very important to remember to keep your newborn well protected from the sun and use baby-safe sun screen only in small amounts if your baby is younger than six months old.

I always kept my camera with me when we would head outside. I just loved to watch them explore all that was new in their little world! Their reactions and expressions when they discovered something new were just awesome! I would also make sure to bring a blanket with us when we would go in the park. I would take them out of the stroller and put them on the blanket for a change of scenery and to get really nice shots of them in such a natural background. Before they were born, I picked up a Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 digital camera. I tried really hard to not just get take photos, but really capture who they were they were as newborns, so I could show how they changed as they age. If you haven’t been able to get out your baby’s birth announcement, this is a perfect time to take photos for it! I had the girls sitting on a blanket in the park with their hats and sunglasses on and used the headline “The Beauty Contest was a Tie!” It was adorable! I used TinyPrints.com to upload the photo and write up the girl’s birth announcement. Everyone loved it! Everyone told me they loved seeing the photos of the girls in the park! I take photos with them in the park every time we go for a walk. I think the girls started to enjoy our outings just as much as I did!

To the new parents that might be reading this, my advice to you is this – make sure to enjoy this special time in your baby’s life. Everything is new to them and they are naturally curious. Spend as much time with them as you can. You will never forget it!

Thanks Rachael!