Dancing in the Rain

I started to get so used to the sunshine here that when it started to rain...I wasn't sure what to do with myself (and with Eden) all day long.

...Who said that you can't play outside when its raining?

And...er...umm....then....yeah

The reason for the title of this post? Let's just say...be prepared for a lot of randomness while reading this post. There have been things to happen off and on and not a ton of picture taking....especially of little Eden. But I was getting sick of looking at that last post and I figured I'd at least put up a new post....

Random Happening #1:
Tyson and I went on a date last night. We got free movie passes to a new theater at Zona Rosa that serves you food while watching the movie. It was awesome! A friend of ours agreed to watch Eden...and she loved every minute. They went to the park, watched Finding Nemo, and made cookies. I'd venture to say those are her top 3 favorite things.
Random Happening #2:
I can't believe that I've only got 7 1/2 weeks left! My size is increasing. Besides the belly...I can tell because I FEEL it. I'm now having to walk around and say to myself "Don't waddle...Just because you're pregnant doesn't make it OK for you to walk like a cowboy who just got back from a LONG horseback ride through the country."
Random Happening #3:
I've been sewing little projects here and there. Tyson came home the other day and was like "Who are you? You've become this little, sewing, crafty girl all of a sudden!" Here's the bag I made and gave to my secret sister at church. And below that is a nursing cover I made for myself...I actually made two, but this one is better.

And these are the only pictures I've taken of Eden since last I posted pictures of her...

Believe it or not...behind this little worried face of hers she is actually saying, "cheese." I think it was much more her thinking, "Please may I play with your camera?"
Of course I got ONE picture of her smiling...but it was fuzzy. Oh well. And look at my little girl's mullet. I've been dying to get it cut...but I don't dare do it and don't really want to pay an arm and a leg to get it done. So, it'll have to wait until we get back to Utah where I know someone who can do it...cheaper.

Randomness about Eden:

• Her birthday is next month. (I can't believe she'll be 2!)
• She loves to be a "baby" and not a "big girl"
• She's very dramatic and says things like "I'm tired and starving!"
  
• Even if she didn't tell you everything she's thinking (which she does) you could probably tell what she was thinking by looking at her facial expressions (especially her eyebrows)
• Careful of what you say around her....the girl's a parrot.
• She's doing really good at going to nursery (cross fingers).
• You know she's been hanging out with dad because she starts saying things like, "My kidneys are on my back."
• She's pretty good at saying bigger words like "sanitizer" and "exercising".
• She loves animals, especially animals that live in the water.
• She loves drawing and coloring, especially with markers.
• She doesn't like bugs, spiders, or dinosaurs.
• She always tries to put her shoes and clothes on herself.
  

Curses...

Yesterday I went to a friend's house for a BBQ. Both the women are pregnant...so of course we had a chat about pregnancy....and of course complaints...

I said something to the fact of...

"I feel bad complaining because I really haven't had too much to complain about this pregnancy."

So, word to the wise...after saying those kinds of statements...knock on wood.

I'm not sure what happened during the night...but it was something.

Something such as...I think my hips are spreading, my belly increased in size, my back is aching, my feet are swelling, and I can't seem to walk any longer without waddling with my hands on my back and a cringe on my face.

Dang it.

(I sure hope this is a phase and not a "until I have the baby" sort of thing.)

Dear Readers,

I come seeking advice...

Lately I've had several people talking about and asking about potty training. The kids are the same age as Eden and are going through the potty training process.

Me? I've been avoiding it. Quite frankly, I'm OK with changing diapers and Eden doesn't really mind it either.

So, when should I potty train?

I always figured that I'd just be able to tell by the way she acted. But I do think she has the mental and verbal capacity to be potty trained (with the LARGE exception that she's having a hard time wanting to grow up and wants to be called and treated like a "baby" and not a "big girl"). The question is...PHYSICAL capacity?

Here's my physical obstacles that come to mind when I think of potty training...

1. Eden still sleeps in a pack n play at night...although she naps in a bed.
2. Even with all the naps in her bed...she still hasn't realized AFTER napping she can get out of her bed....she just sits there and yells for me to come get her when she's awake and then gets out of bed once I'm there.
   
3. She sleeps with the door closed and can't open it by herself.
4. She's not a very good climber/step-taker. I don't really want to use a little potty on the ground that needs to be washed every time we use it.

A friend of mine wrote a blog about a book she bought, followed, and had success with. With what she wrote...I think that its a good method to follow...at least the basics of it from what I've read.

And I wouldn't be in a rush except I'm afraid that after I have the new baby it will be hard to follow this method and give the potty training the full attention needed (like the yelling "I need help going to the bathroom" cries while in the middle of feedings and diaper changes with baby)

Alright, as for reader advice....3 questions:

1. Would Eden not have an interest and motivation considering that she doesn't want to be a "big girl"? Should I wait until she mentally wants to "grow up" a big?
2. Should I first work on getting her in her toddler bed, climbing on a stool, and leaving the door open for her at night?
3. Should I just patiently wait until acts more "ready" (even though I think she could be ready now) or will it be extra hard to potty train and take care of a newborn at the same time?

I keep procrastinating even THINKING about potty training. But I decided that I should at least consider it and humbly ask for advice.

Sewing, Gardening, and Playing

Its been a fun week for the Finlinson family...

I made a goal a while back to sew 2 dresses by the time the new baby was born...one for the new baby and one for Eden. Thanks to Tyson having finals and always gone studying, I have finished them.

(This was quite exciting for me because the only sewing I've ever done has been with LOTS of instruction and supervision from others...)

The new baby's dress:
This is Eden's dress:
(I'm very proud of the back of these dresses because I put in zippers...which I had never attempted before).
Today Tyson started up a garden in our backyard. He bought all the stuff, put together a raised box, and dug up the grass (with help from our friendly neighbors). We still need to get the dirt and start planting...but thanks to Eliza and Chuck we've got a start at being able to grow some onions! Thanks!
Eden's talents don't seem to include gardening. She seems a little mixed up on how to wear and use gardening gloves. haha.
But Eden does know how to play! Eden's been playing outside every minute she can. We bought her some $1 sidewalk chalk.
Eden is so cute...unfortunately she refuses to smile when she sees a camera nearby...
Our neighbors let us borrow their slide that they let their grand kids use when they come over. She's a regular monkey when it comes to climbing up the slide part. She loves to play on it.
Eden was also having a jolly good time playing with leftover piping from gardening. She would use it as a musical instrument and sing. I had a video and tried to upload it (knowing that it probably wouldn't work since none of my other attempts to put a video on has worked).
Its been lots of fun around here. We're happy.

Wanna Hear Something Kinda Sad?

I didn't realize today was going to be Easter...until yesterday.

Yesterday I didn't have a car until late.

By the time I thought, "I should do something fun and cute for Eden for Easter" it was Eden's bedtime and she hadn't eaten dinner...and was therefore really cranky.

When I finally got to a store to get something I was not in the mood to spend money and hadn't the slightest what to get anyway....

So, Happy Easter Eden. Enjoy your Peeps and chocolate filled egg.

I didn't even put it in a basket...

No Easter egg hunts, no coloring eggs....

Hmm....well, she doesn't seem to be complaining.

Next time I'll do better.

(On the up side: She got some Easter packages from loving grandparents and conference was great.)

One Happy Camper

I know one person that has been loving the weather!!!

OK, I admit that I've been loving it too...me and this little one go outside all the time. Swing on swings, sing songs, run around, pick up sticks and rocks, etc. Its been FABULOUS! We go outside whenever we can!

p.s. Please ignore her runny nose....I know, gross...

p.s.s. I'm usually against putting kids in little sleeveless things without an undershirt (I dunno, just a personal thing of mine...just makes the kid seem so naked or something...just an odd thing about me) but I just had to have Eden try on her new little dress from Grandma Sakamoto. Thanks grandma! We love it!