Christmas Mack or No Christmas Mack?

Hmm.... So, will Mack stay in the oven until the 26th? As of yesterday, we are now 85% effaced and dilated to a four. Contractions will be VERY steady for an hour or so at about four minutes apart and then space out and be inconsistent. The Doctor doesn't think there is anyway he will stay in much longer. But in GREAT news, he made in to week 37!!!! If he came on Christmas that would be the best Christmas gift ever, but it would kinda stink for him to have to share his Birthday!
We will keep you posted!

A Christmas What?

So yesterday was a roller coaster day for the Larsen fam. Once or twice a week I go into the hospital to have an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid around Mack and to monitor his heartbeat for about an hour or so. I can't even tell you how different the ultrasound looks from week seventeen! His little hand takes up the whole screen and I could see muscles and bones! Technology is amazing! I actually had a harder time seeing things on this ultrasound though. So, the fluid level looked okay, but his little heart beat was going SO fast, so that was a concern. I was fine until they said that I might have to go down to Labor and Delivery that day. That was a little scary for me, if he came now he would be okay, but if he wait even just one more week, then his development would be that much better. Thankfully his little heart chilled out and he calmed down.
So they let me go and sent me up to my doctor's office for a checkup. I was thinking that the roller coaster part of the day was over, but not really. I went back to meet with the Doctor, and I guess I have lost weight, which normally is a great thing that I celebrate but he was concerned about that one. (I don't know how this could happen. Really I made Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies the night before and ate my weight in dough.) So we talked about that for a minute and the weight of Mack (which is probably barely reaching five pounds) and then he checked to see if I was dialated. He was surprised and measured me at a 3. What? A 3? I was still so shocked about the 3 thing that I can't remember how effaced I am, but I remember him saying that I was "quite" effaced and that we might get a baby for Christmas and that it was doubtful that I would make it past December. So Mack and I are on limited bed rest, hoping to get one more week out of him. And plus, for his sake I don't want him to share his B-day with Christmas.
I am really glad I went in yesterday, Eric and I are now preparing ourselves for an early arrival and we won't be taken by surprise! We would really like him to stay in the oven til due date, but we just want him to be healthy. If you are bored, give me a call, daytime TV is the WORST!

Randomness

We had such a great week last week. It all started with two amazing chicas in my ward who threw me and Mack and rockin' shower. Thank you so much to Ashley and Bri, you two are the best! It was really fun and thank you to all that came.It was fun to get that group together and Ashley and Bri went to SO much work. Thank you again!
The next Monday my Aunt and Suzy threw another shower for the fam and random friends, yet again another rockin' good time! It was so great to see so many people that I haven't seen in such a long time. I also know how much work this one was because my Aunt is still on crutches. They even had an ice sculpture made for the shower!

The ice sculpture stayed alive on our porch for five days. At one o'clock in the morning on Friday night it fell over on the porch table, broke in two, and crashed to the ground. I thought for sure it was a bomb. (Eric's parents slept over that night and every Larsen slept through the crash).
Speaking of Eric's parents, they came down on Friday night and took us to the MoTab's Christmas Concert, it was amazing! Really it was awesome and I am so glad that we were able to go. Thank you so much for inviting us! My favorite part was by far, the story and the musical number "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". If you have not read the history behind the song, google it. It was a great night and wonderful to have Mom and Dad Larsen here with us!

No... No I Have Not

Another great Prenatal Class story. Last week was a long week in class. The room was like a furnace and neither Eric or I were having too much fun. Boy did that change. I don't think that I have told you about this other couple that we have dubbed the "Mad Russians". So they are obviously Russian and they are not crazy, but the guy has read every pregnancy book and he is constantly asking the teacher if she is sure of something. After she answers yes he will say, "Really, because in this book I read....."" And so on and so on. So it gets a little annoying. last week we were talking about the price of breast pumps and he raises his hand and says that he is not sure if they want to buy a pump if they don't know if she can breastfeed yet. The instructor answers and says that there really should not be a problem at all. The only thing that might be a problem is if she has had an augmentation. So then she just comes out and asks, "Have you had an augmentation?". The Mad Russian MAN doesn't even skip and beat and responds with, "No... No I have not." (Note: it is much funnier if you can read that last line with a Russian accent). Of course I lost it. I mean tears running down the face, the silent laugh making my whole body shake, I couldn't take it. Eric took one look at me to which I told him to look the other was quickly. I knew if we made eye contact we were going to really loose it. Last week's class was by far our favorite.

The Crooner

So I am not sure why, but I have been in a blogging slump lately. It might be the craziness of Christmas and baby, but I just haven't had the time lately to blog. So here are a few posts to catch you up.

Our friend Meredith put on this completely awesome 40's themed Christmas dinner for the Relief Society. Part of the dinner was a radio show from the 40's complete with actual commercials and guest performers. Everyone was also asked to dress up. She called and asked Eric if he would be the radio host and sing White Christmas as Bing Crosby. So we both dress up and we go to the church for his debut. Keep in mind one thing, both of us really like being around and helping older people. So when we moved into the ward the older ladies kinda started to flirt with Eric, and I got the older men. We love it and we are so glad that they are comfortable around us. So Eric does an outstanding job hosting and singing. So outstanding that he is now known as the Crooner. The Ladies were all over Big E. He now has a fan club. Here are a few pictures of the night.

Pregnancy Surprises

Well, with a little less than six weeks to go, I was thinking about all the things that have surprised me about pregnancy. So here is my list:
1. I am stupid. Really dumber than a doornail. Words come out jumbled and incoherent, that is if I can think of them in the first place. I forget everything. I don't pay attention to details until it is too late... like going all day with my pants on backward!
2. I know pregos go to the bathroom more than they usually do, but before I was pregnant the bladder was incredibly small and I love water! My average nightly trips to the bathroom after we are in bed average four times! By the way, going back to number one, if I can't find my keys they are definitely in the bathroom.
3. Clumsiness. I am not naturally graceful, in fact my Mom thought about naming me Grace and then decided with her genes that would be cruel and unusual punishment. With the large belly my balance is totally thrown off. Tripping is just another part of my day, thankfully I haven't gone down yet. In fact I tripped and arched my foot so badly that I tore some ligaments or something and broke some blood vessels on the top of my foot. I really don't trust myself to chew gum and walk at the same time anymore.
4. The hind quarters. For those of you that know me, you know I have a booty that ethnically belongs to another race. In the beginning of pregnancy, it looked normal...huge. But as I come closer to the end I swear it is shrinking. Of course I know that the front has just gotten bigger, but take for instance what happened last night. Eric parked the Pilot pretty close to the side of the garage, so I kinds had to squish myself between the open door and the car to get out. I actually had to go on my tip toes to get the smallest part of me through the opening. And lo and behold, the smallest part was my booty. That has NEVER happened.
5. The cravings. I never really got the cravings except for one week when I ate an artichoke everyday. I kind of thought that I would be one of those that loved eating food while prego. Not the case, which I am happy for, I don't want to blimp out anymore you know.
6. The never ending exhaustion. Wow the tiredness, I was not ready for this one. The second trimester was not bad but oh the first and the third. I am shocked at the places I have dozed off at.
7. I don't mind the belly grabbing. Really I don't. It is a little odd when the bagger at the grocery store grabs the belly, but I really don't care. The only time when it is uncomfortable is when the person grabs the belly with both hands and shakes it. Yes this has happened. And really the only reason it bugs me is because it stretches my skin. I can simultaneously feel another stretch mark rearing its ugly head.
8. I am so thankful for my parents and Eric's parents as well. I have gotten a deeper appreciation for them and have been able to understand the amount of love that they have for their children so much better. I am thankful we were both raised my such remarkable people, and I hope we can become the kind of parents they are. I can't wait for Mack to have rockin' Grandparents!
9. I love this baby. I can't believe how much I love him and I can't believe how much I will miss his little (or sometimes rib crunching painful) kicks. I am so excited for him!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was good to the Larsen's this year. Really it was a great weekend and we had SO much fun! We were really bummed that we missed the Larsen Thanksgiving, but due to Mack being so close and some complications we were told to stay in Salt Lake. Since we missed that, we sent up a butter sculptured turkey and a poem up with Christie. By the way, to the Larsen siblings: I have been shocked about how much my brain function has gone down during pregnancy! I know that Mack will be number six, not five!!
We went to my family's house for Thanksgiving, which was so nice because we all had not been together for Thanksgiving for a few years. Eric and I were in charge of pies, so after much deliberation we decided to make an apple, pumpkin and chocolate pie. After I was told to stay off my feet more and chill out, Eric had to do a lot on the pies. But alas they were AMAZING! It was a lot of fun to have all seventeen of us at the same table chatting and eating away. The heartburn was pretty brutal that night, but dinner was SO good! It was a day full of relaxing and eating.
On Friday, we decided to go wild and put up all of our Christmas stuff. The house looks so great! I love that Eric loves Christmas as much as I do. Since I am kind limited on what I can do I assigned Eric to the garland above the sliding glass door. The first thing he had to do was loop ribbon in it, followed by hanging the ornaments on and from the garland. I totally thought that he would do it, I would live with it all weekend and then when he went to work on Monday I would "fix it". Holy smokes! I can't even tell you how impressed I was with the hubby! Amazing eye for detail, the garland looks amazing! I was shocked and to be honest a little turned on!
Saturday we went down to Temple Square to see the lights with friends and came back to have chocolate fondue and watch Christmas Vacation. Eric and I both had a VERY disturbing revelation while watching the movie. We are turning into Clark and Ellen Griswold. I even call Eric Sparky. This came to light at the very beginning of the movie when they are going to cut down the tree and are singing together with the kids in the back rolling their eyes, we are in trouble!
All in all it was a great weekend, way too much for Mack and his momma, but I am doing a lot better at taking it easy! Doctor's appointment is tomorrow so we will see how things are going.
And of course, we have so much to be thankful for! These posts are always a little cheesy to me, but I feel like we have been incredibly blessed this year! I am thankful of course to Eric, what a wonderful man! I couldn't ask for a better spouse or a better friend! We are both thankful for Mack and can't wait for him to come, and I am especially thankful that after warnings from Doctors about the back, my body has done so well carrying him. We have so much to be grateful for!

Suprise Party Continued

Okay, I was supposed to post this blog two weeks ago, but since I am a little technologically challenged I couldn't figure out the stupid slide show thing. So this is a good as it gets, I couldn't figure out how to zoom out of the pictures either.... but on to the party!!
It was such a success! Thank you so much to everyone who came, we were overwhelmed with the amount of people that came, and we can't thank you enough! There were actually 47 of you in that house at one time.
I had been planning the party for weeks, and I was so proud of myself and my pregnant mind that I didn't let it slip! My mom (who is going to be my partner in our party planning business) and I started planning the party as a smaller affair, and of course it grew bigger and bigger with the more ideas that we came up with. Our theme was a Surprise Tailgating party, since I am the only thing Eric loves more than sports (actually I am sure Toby comes before sports too). My parents were so great to let me use their house, there was no way that all of you could fit into our condo! The tablecloth was made out of AstroTurf with tape and stenciled letters, thanks mom and dad. The football cake was supposed to resemble a trophy, both my mom and I really wanted to have an ice sculpture Heisman Trophy but we had to draw the line somewhere.
Thank you so much to everyone that helped me, I couldn't have done it without you! Thanks to Mama J, my partner in crime for EVERYTHING! Dad for cutting out those little stencil numbers and cleaning the house, Merisa for the yummy hot dog wraps that people inhaled, Suzy for the football sugar cookies, Bri for the legendary brownies, muddy buddies and chex mix, Grandma for the toffee and fudge, Annie Swan for the queso and Kennedy for helping us set up! I am sure I left someone out, but really thank you all so much for coming!
As for Big E, (aka: the Toxic Avenger, Man-o-Man, Babe, Baber, Lars, Little Larsen, Erk, E-licious) it was so great to do this for you! I wanted to do something extra special that you would enjoy because I feel incredibly lucky and blessed that I get to be with you! You take such good care of me, and you will be the best Dad to Mack. I appreciate so many things about you. But I don't want our blog readers to puke because of the cheesiness factor. I love you and you are the BEST! I hope your Birthday was everything that you wanted it to be!

Eric's 30th SURPRISE PARTY

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Crazy Happenings!

Okay, I know I have NOT been the best blogger lately! Life has been hectic (I will post more on the main source of hecticness in just a minute). For this post I have decided to do more of my random rantings.

#1 Kamikaze Toby: Oh how I love the Beag! I love how excited he gets to do ANYTHING, really going outside, in the car, eating (well that especially), snuggling, frolicking in the snow and so on. So Eric and I were just get ready to go up to my parents house and every time we go we usually take Toby with us. So of course we tell him we are going and he freaks out, doing the tail wag, jumping all around, you know extreme dog happiness stuff. Well, he charges down the stairs and is waiting at the Pilot's bag end so he can jump in the back. I open the hatch and he is so excited that he doesn't wait. I kid you not, the dog leaped right into the tailgate.... hard. I was expecting to find a beagle head imprinted in the metal. This really didn't help me defend the dog's intelligence to Eric. Toby has recovered.

#2 Comatose Eric: Okay, if you ask Eric to tell you this story, it will definitely be different than my version. But I figure if he wants to be heard he can blog too! So we go to Prenatal Class, which is great and totally worth the money! Anyway, at the end of the class, the nurse goes over breathing for the last fifteen minutes or so. So we get in position, Eric sitting up with his back against the wall and me leaning against him, holding hands on my amazingly enormous tummy. This week she decides to have the men do the relaxing and breathing with the women so they will know what it feels like. Soothing music and a voice comes on and we are lulled into relaxation. The voice is telling us to relax every bone in our body from our toes all the way up to our necks. All of the sudden Eric goes limp... totally relaxed... hands fall to the floor.... neck goes slack and leans against my head.... breathing is incredibly deep. He will argue that there is no way he fell asleep, obviously I disagree. At least when Eric goes into labor he will be totally relaxed!!!

#3 Coke: Okay I have done such a great job laying off the coke since I got pregnant. This really has not been easy, oh the burn down the throat all the way into my tummy. But it makes me a little ill now and Mack gets way hyped up. So anyway, like I said I have been great at resisting. But for the love, there is one place where I have such a hard time resisting the Coca-Cola goodness. I was at Nordstrom at one of my favorite places the MAC counter. (No, I am not so disturbed and obsessed with my makeup that I would name my first born after it. Gimme a break people. Mack is a family name!) All of the sudden I spot it, the Nordstrom cafe see-through soda container, with a brown syrupy coke in it. These Nordstrom people are a genius. The fill the clear cups with the coke and from fifty feet away you can see the carbonation bubbles rising to the top! They even use the yummy small square ice, you coke drinkers know of the ice that I speak of. Oh how I wanted to run up the escalator and order one ASAP. You all should be impressed, I didn't break!!

Halloween and Yummy Nummy Goodness

So Eric and I LOVE dressing up for Halloween! This year Eric looked great as a vampire (no to all you ladies out there, he DID NOT get the inspiration from Twilight!!) Anyway, he looked great and whoever did his makeup and costume were amazing. Thanks Momma J! I went as a prego gypsy. I wore this outfit about four years ago with a little corset type thing and looked awesome!! Oh the waist that is now gone. I put on the costume without the corset and was the size of a barge (you know like Gaston). So anyway, we waddled to a few parties, special thanks to Pat and Annalisa, the party was great!!

I was reading on a Eric's cousin Marissa's blog about how she loves pumpkin, I am quite the pumpkin lover myself so I decided to put this amazing recipe up on the blog. Be careful though because the batter is the BEST I have ever had and every time I have made it I have eaten way too much and gotten ill.

Pumpkin Cream Trifle
1 (18.25 oz) spice cake mix

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding

2 c cold milk
1 c pumpkin puree

2 (3.4 oz) cheesecake instant pudding and pie filling
½ c water

½ c vegetable oil

2 c whipped topping
3 eggs

1 package English toffee bits

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, combine the cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin,
water, oil, eggs, and pie spice in mixing bowl and pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
Cook cake for 40-45 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature and cut cake into 1-inch
cubes. Whisk together the milk and the cheesecake pudding mix. Allow to set for two
minutes. Fold the whipped topping into the pudding mixture. Layer 1/3 of the cake cubes
into the bottom of a large bowl; top with 1/3 of the cream mixture and sprinkle 1/3 of the
bag of English toffee. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used. Refrigerate 1 hour
before serving. I have also used a can of sweetened condensed milk mixed with 1 cup of cold water and then added vanilla pudding mix, let it set and stir in into a small container of Cool Whip. AMAZING!

Mack is doing very well and moving all the time, most of the time into his mom's ribs or bladder. I got some limb in the bladder today as I was teaching Gospel Doctrine and almost had to make a beeline for the bathroom. We are getting so excited that he is so close, and we are amazed that we can love him so much already! The Nursery is still in transformation mode, but it is coming along nicely! Sorry I haven't been the best at blogging lately, I WILL be better!

The Great Catch Up

1. So yesterday was a great day! All of the women on my mom's side of the family got together to celebrate my Grandma's Birthday. I LOVE my Grandma! Really there are just so many great things about her, and she always makes me laugh and smile. We had not been together for a long time and it was so fun to see everyone and laugh! I come from great women. For dessert I made the BEST soft sugar cookies and promised that I would post the recipe. I wish that I could take the credit, but my sister-in-law Suzy shared the recipe with me. So ladies here it is:

Soft Sugar Cookies
* In Small bowl mix together:
1 c sour cream 1 tsp baking soda
set aside

Mix dry ingredients:
5 c flour 3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt 1 ½ c sugar

Make a hole in dry ingredients and add:
1 c softened butter 3 eggs
Sour cream mixture 3 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon or almond extract

Chill if needed. Roll and Cut. Bake at 375 for 4-6 minutes. Frost with icing of choice

As far as the icing goes, I just kinda made it up with 4 oz of cream cheese, 1/3 cup butter, milk and powdered sugar.

2. I survived! I am SO glad Eric is home! He was in Houston for six days and man did I miss him! Thankfully, no one broke into my house in the middle of the night and I made in through the week alive. Since I am such a wimp, Momma J and I had a slumber party the whole week. Thanks Mom! Having Eric gone just reminded me how much I love him and how lucky I am to have him. I am so thankful that we are best friends and that we love being together so much! Thank you so much to those of you that called, kept me company, had me to dinner and made sure I was not too lonely!

3. After my massive post about DWTS, a lot of people have been asking me what I think so far. Here it goes. I can't get hooked for some reason, I watch it but I don't get excited. I really think Brooke adopted her baby, there is no way her stomach can look that good! I really like Warren Sapp, how his three hundred pound body is so light on his feet is beyond me. Cheryl still needs a new haircut. I am sick of Lance and Lacey pushing the envelope, enough with the chains on your costumes. Cloris is entertaining, but it is way time to go.

4. Presidential Elections: So I watched the debate this week, I am not impressed with either one. I am still up in the air about who will be my final choice. I have decided however that I think it should be mandatory that the nominee announce their cabinet choices before the elections. Who are they going to surround themselves with? You know who I would vote for..... that's right Tom Selleck!

5. Baby Mack is doing very well. He is quite the mover and shaker. Now when he kicks we can see my tummy move with him. I was amazed at this and so was Eric. He then asked me if I remembered that scene in Ailens and Spaceballs. I really missed Eric!

I am a FF Fanatic!

I don't know what happened to me over the weekend, something has been rewired in my brain. So on Sunday morning I get this frantic call from the Hubby in Houston asking me to look at his fantasy football lineup for the games that day. I locate the lineup only to find out that our (see I am even saying "our" instead of "his team") wide receiver is injured and is probably not going to be playing. I also look to see that we are playing another team who is favored to beat us, I must act quickly! I have never been into the whole fantasy geek football thing before so it took me a long time to figure it out, and my deadline was fast approaching. At exactly three minutes before the lineup was closed for trading out the teams bench I finally figured it out! I was a proud peacock, knowing how grateful Eric would be.

But then during church, my mind started wandering.... How is the team? How are our players? Has anyone been injured? Was it wise to take Braylon Edwards off the bench? I then looked at our opponent this week silently sitting in church and started to wonder if he was obsessed as I was. Then I was hoping that he would lose badly.

So I came home and checked and our team was looking okay. It was 86 to 89 and we had one more player to play Monday night..... Braylon Edwards our bench warmer. Oh no, would my trade work? Where was Eric when I needed the reassurance that our team was okay? Sure enough, our team ROCKED! 112-89 baby! Braylon was amazing and now might be my favorite player! I called to tell Eric the good news and we celebrated via cell phone. I am the BEST assistant manager/coach ever and I am completely perplexed as to why I care so much!

Tylenol Toby.... I Swear He Has Hidden Thumbs

So I have decided that I have waited long enough to blog about The T-dog. I just didn't want to appear like the obsessive people who live for their pets (even though sometimes I am one of them). But no, don't worry I don't wear T-shirts with the Tob's picture on it and I don't do the whole baby talk thing to him either, he is way too intelligent for such talk!

So, T-Dizzle has had a very stressful week. Today I left for a doctor's appointment to come home to find a Ziploc bag full of Tylenol (that I keep in my CLOSED nightstand drawer) on the floor in the front room. The bag had been chewed open and Tylenol was scattered everywhere. So I called the vet, and of course they recognized me as the owner of the dog that will eat anything. (Some of the things on T's wrap sheet include: a bottle of Tums that, were also in a closed drawer, snail bait, Benedryl that had the child cap on and pure vegetable oil. The beag has iron gut.) Well, Toby was really excited until we pulled up to the Vet's office where he promptly put on the brakes. I walked in and they greeted me with, "There is Tylenol Toby". So they take him back to make him throw up the Tylenol and I sit down to wait in the waiting room. Some busy body in the waiting room then asks how in the world my dog got an unspecified number of Tylenol. I felt like a neglectful mother. Needless to say, the Beagle Boy is recovering fine, a little stoned because of the medication and a little clingy because of the trauma but I don't blame him. I called to report to Eric and we decided that if we can't keep our dog out of trouble, maybe we aren't quite ready for Mack. But I am sure we will do fine!

A Few Frustrations

Okay, I am really not in a huge negative mood..... but it's time to vent. Lately I am really trying not to say a few words in prep for when baby comes and one of them is "hate". So this is my list of things that I am really disliking lately.

1. Insurance Customer Service: So a few days ago we get this bill in the mail from our old insurance carrier. After talking it over with Eric, we decided that we had met the deductible with that insurance and we really should not have to pay. And let's be honest the bill was over $200, so it wasn't like it was a $6 lab bill or something. So I get on the phone, keep in mind that I know next to nothing about insurance except that I am grateful to have it. So I explain the situation, and before I know what is going on, the lady is explaining ALL of the claims that we have had since we were married. And then she says, "Well with your accident in March of last year we have been paying out to your Accidental Supplemental Plan." Umm... what accident in March, and Accident what plan? I am completely confused and attempt to explain that there was no accident in March. Oh dear. So then she explains that they have processed every claim wrong including back surgery appointments, the hospital stay, the surgeon, physical therapy everything, so they will have to process everything again and that we really owe them about $1,000 for the whole Accidental Supplemental Plan. I panicked. A lot. She told me she would talk to her supervisor and call me back. Lots of prayers were said during that 15 minutes. So she calls back and I lost it. I mean I kinda fell apart. The tears were flowing and I was explaining that I didn't know anything about insurance lingo, that we weren't even on their plan anymore, that my memory stinks, and that I was pregnant and not sure if I could handle this. She listened through my sub subs, said "oh dear" and told me she would call me back again. She called back and said that after talking to her supervisor, that this seemed like such a unique situation. She said she felt sorry for me and instead of processing everything again and possibly having to pay the 1k, that if I wanted to I could just pay the $200 and be done. Sure thing I replied, signed, sealed and delivered.

2. Rocky Mountain Power: Okay, I know it's just like the insurance thing, I am incredibly thankful to have both insurance and power. So Salt Lake had the hottest summer ever, so as a result I had the air conditioning on a lot. If I got too hot, it was pass out city. So we get our bill in July. HUGE amount. What? Our condo is not small, but by all means it is not as big as a house! I am in total shock over the amount and I could tell Eric was as well, but didn't want to say anything. Eric is sweet, but not all husbands are so understanding about there wives heating and cooling issues. I am sure the Rocky Mountain is the root of a many divorce. So, I vow to try to improve. Thankfully August came and it had dropped $75 (keep in mind not to $75 but dropped by $75, that should give you some idea about how bad it was. And I am still sure that there was some sort of mistake.) So it is better now, but it still bugs me so I am hoping this little vent might cure me of my animosity.

3. Ghetto Smiths: So the Smith's by our house is totally Ghetto Smiths. It's not very clean, they are ALWAYS short staffed and there are always men out in the parking lot asking for money or trying to sell you something. But prices are pretty good and it is close. So a couple of nights ago, Eric and I struck up the deal that if I went grocery shopping, he would clean the kitchen while I was gone. Great! I really like shopping at night and I got a lot done this night. My cart was pretty full so I go to checkout. Not one checkstand is open. Huh? Only the four self checkouts were open with a line from Salt Lake to Tahiti. I look at the time just because I was curious how long this would take me. And of course the people in line behind me were less than thrilled when they saw how full my basket was. But honestly I couldn't let everyone behind me with a few items go because the line was SO long. So I finally get to my checkout, the scanner won't scan anything! I complain to the girl and she has to scan them at the main desk and then acts like I am slow and can't handle it by myself! AHHH!! It's not my fault there is an angry mob behind me armed with milk and eggs, and your scanner is on meltdown. So I finally get done. How long did it take me from when I got in line to when I got in the car to drive away? THIRTY-FIVE minutes!

Okay, thank you I feel much better. Really quite a bit. I am thankful for the grocery store, power and insurance but it felt good to let it all out. One more thing where is Tom Selleck?

DWTS Thoughts

What's wrong with me this year? I am not glued to me TV, hosting girl's night watching Dancing with the Stars! I don't know why, but I am not quite loving it this season. But I did DVR it and watch all three episodes while Eric was sawing logs next to me at night. Here are my thoughts:

1. Where is Tom Selleck? For the love, where is Tom?

2. Lance: Okay, he can move and he can dance, but a little too feminine for me. ( Yes, I know he is gay) I guess when you expect Tom Selleck and you get Lance Bass there is sure to be a little (to a lot) of dissappointment. I don't love Lacey his partner either, she doesn't scream ball room to me and I can't figure out why every outfit has to have chains on it. But they will do well in the competition.

3. Rocco: He is cute and he cooks. I kind of like him. I don't think he is the best dancer, but hey I like him. Karina is too tan!

4. Misty: I was shocked with her performance! I was totally expecting her to be a lot more masculine but she wasn't. I really like Misty (and I really want her legs), but I never have liked the bad boy of the ballroom Maksim. Isn't that kind of an oxymoron, bad boy of ballroom? Get over yourself, you are not that hot and you use more product in your hair than any man should.

5. Maurice: I Love Maurice, that's right world's fastest man. That man can move! Talk about rhythm! He is fun and energetic and I was very impressed! Cheryl you need a new hair cut, get rid of the shag that you have had forever. Heck, I don't care put in some extensions! Something, really anything different!

6. Toni: Okay, I am biased (Suzy don't kill me) but I don't like Toni. I saw her on Broadway in my all time favorite musical Aida and she butchered it. Really she killed it.

7. Cody: I love little boys and I love this one. He is a cutie and I am impressed with his ability to focus when that cute Julianne is around. I think that they will do pretty well, but I don't think they will take it all. Was I the only one that thought Julianne looked like Christina Agulaira (ya... I know I can't spell) Monday night?

8. Cloris: Hmm.. Good for you that you are in your 80's and dancing, but really before the show stay out of the bottle. She seems way too tipsy to not be sloshed! She doesn't dance well at all, but she is semi-entertaining. But her antics are wearing on me already. Corky, well your name says it all!

9. Brooke: Yup you can move and you are hot. I secretly habor ill feelings towards you because you stomach looks like that after giving birth six months ago. Derek, I never know how to feel about you. You remind my of the drama nerds in High School. I kinds expect you to end up on the Maury Show titled "Confronting Your Bullies: Look at Where I am Today".

10. Susan: I LOVE that Cary Ann told you to put on the ol' lbs. You need to. You are too fragile looking. Tony, why are you always paired with the older ladies.

11. Jeff: Glad you are gone even though I really liked your sense of humor. I am quite certain that a many a husbands will now stop watching the show because Edyta is gone.

12. Ted: I liked you, in fact I liked you a lot. I am way bummed you are gone. You had the whole gentleman thing down really well and that was attractive! Brooklyn girl, you kinda bugged.

13. Warren: You are amazing and I was way impressed with you being so light on your feet. I hope you stay a long time. Kim, I like you but it kinda looks like you had a botched plastic surgery job over the summer.

14. Kim: Well, you are totally sleazy. But I have to be honest, having a "booty" myself it is nice to be represented. Mark, you are a cutie and I am hoping that one day you don't turn into Corky!

15. Where is Tom?

Guardsman's Pass and Acme

So last Monday Eric and I decided that we needed to take advantage of fall and go on a "Fall Drive". One of our favorite things to do together is to go on road trips, mini ones and not so mini ones. Don't ask me how this came to fruition, especially with my tendency to get motion sickness. But alas, we are drivers. So this is a picture of our drive up to Guardsman's Pass (the dirt road link between Big Cottonwood Canyon and Parley's Canyon), it was spectacular! We decided to drive through Midway and Heber instead of heading home through Park City. I think that this was for sure the best idea because the breathtaking scenery was after the PC exit.

In other news, we had a bunch of friends from the ward over last night to play games and do the chillin' thing. It was so much fun and thanks to all of you that came! We are trying to get to know other couples and it has been a lot of fun. Anyway, this was such a fun dynamic group and we can't wait to do it again. Special thanks and props go out to the hubby who cleaned all day in prep for said chillin' event. I attempted to help, but Eric really transformed into Mr. Clean (except that Eric has more hair)!

So the other night we are laying in bed and I stomp out of the bathroom frustrated at what pregnancy has done to my face. I am a loyal customer of Proactive, but really it hasn't been working through the pregnancy (see earlier posts about my "mountain range"). So anyway, I get into bed huffing and puffing waiting for Eric to ask me what is wrong. Wisely he picks up on this and asks. This is how our conversation went:

Eric: What's wrong Babe?

Me: (huffs and puffs) My face is breaking out AGAIN!

Eric: Oh stop I can't see anything.

Me: This....this huge cluster of zits! (Moving my bangs to display the cluster)

Eric: Oh honey, that is nothing! It doesn't even look like "Acme".

Then it occurred to me. Eric has had such perfect skin his whole life, so he doesn't even know that it is acne, not acme! I hope Mack gets his papa's skin!

Happy Birthday MJ (Momma J)!

Okay, I love my Momma! Any of you who know me, know that MJ and I are tight. Anyway, it is her birthday today and I wanted to wish her a Happy Happy! There is something so special about my mom, and I have always known that. She is compassionate, cheerful, dang funny, and such a support to both Eric and I! She will be the best Grandma to Mack and I so much appreciate how great she has been during those lovely "pregnant moments" when I have not quite been myself. Anyway Happy Birthday Mom, you are the best mom and the dearest friend anyone could ask for!

Whoops, I think I just let Baby's name slip! That's right we are naming him Merrick (Eric is still thinking of a middle name) Larsen, and calling him Mack for short. This is after Grandpa Blake who we both love and admire!

So... I Have Been Slackin'

So I don't know what has been wrong with me, I have been in a blog blah. I am not sure how this could happen, I am kinda a blog stalker. Well not really, but I love reading other people's blogs and then I am totally disappointed and I think, "What slackers!" when they don't blog for weeks. I am taking advantage of this time to catch up while Eric is obsessively watching the Cowboys Monday Night Football, watching Tony Romo (dating Jessica Simpson, for those of you that are not sports minded) rack up points so he can win this week's edition of Fantasy Football - *Note from Eric: I'm NOT cheering for the Cowboys. I want the Eagles, I just needed Romo to get some points and he's done that, so here's to hoping the Eagles finish this final drive for the win! Now back to Annie.

Not too much is going on with the Larsen fam. I will get the whole profile belly picture up on the blog, due to requests. But honestly from the side, my bum looks just as pregnant as my tummy so I am a little weary of publishing said photo. Things are going really well with the pregnancy, a few complications but really what woman doesn't have them? We have decided on the name..... but no unveil yet!

If you haven't seen the SNL skit with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, you must! Hysterical! Eric and I could not stop laughing and Tina Fey looks EXACTLY like Sarah Palin. Way too funny!

Eric is supposed to go to Houston next week for a convention, but with Hurricane Ike it is looking doubtful. I am kinda, okay really excited that he might not have to go. I hate sleeping alone at the condo. In preparation for him leaving, I took Dateline off my TIVO list and have tried to cut WAY down on the crime-thriller-give-me-nightmare-books that I read. Here is the funny thing about me being scared at night though. Any of you who know Eric well, knows that he sleeps like the dead. But he is always super sweet and tells me that if I have a nightmare to wake him up. So occasionally I do, okay maybe more than occasionally. But anyway, I then send him on a sweep of the condo, including all closets and pantries to check for anything suspicious. We were talking about this a couple of weeks ago, when I apologized for making him get up in the middle of the night. He didn't even remember. In fact I am not sure he is even awake. I then realized that the midnight sweeps don't do anything more then calm my mind. I am not too sure that if an intruder was sitting at the dining room table eating Lucky Charms if he would even notice. So, my rational side decided that I should stop being pathetic and let him sleep. But the emotional side of me had him do it two nights later. What a good hubby I have!

I LOVE candy corn! Really I look forward to fall for many reasons, but one of the most important is good ol' waxy candy corn. Just this year I have discovered that they have totally revolutionized candy corn. Are you aware that you can buy Hershey Kiss candy corn? I also have tried Candy Apple candy corn, oh my waxy goodness!

By the Way... the bangs have grown back and are looking okay!

Just a Few Random Things

1. Everyone needs a Grandpa Jones! My dad loves babies, and babies LOVE my dad. We were so excited to tell him that we were prego because we knew he would be so excited. It wasn't that long after we told him that the baby was a boy that we received the traditional Cabella's box. I knew what it was before I opened it and I must say, it is pretty dang cute! I don't think that we will dress the baby in all of the camo at once, I mean what if we can't find him (and I can't be too redneck) but really the shoes and the cargo pants are darling! Like I said, everyone needs a Grandpa Jones!

2. I love that through blogging we are getting in touch with people! A special thanks goes out to Marissa for giving me the "in" for the Kara truffles at the Foothill Dans! I plan to make an emergency run as soon as possible! I am still trying to find the time to figure out how to put music, the baby timer countdown, and links to other blogs, so if I don't have your blog address would you leave it for me in the comment thingy?

3. I love Eric's new job, and thankfully so does he! I especially love that busy season is no longer four months of complete isolation but is only five days during the year of twelve hour days. Let us all take a moment of silence for the blessing of private CPA stuff!

4. DO NOT ever cut your own bangs after taking lots of medication for some crappy sinus infection/cough crap! I usually tolerate drugs pretty well, especially after the whole back surgery thing. But for some reason this concoction of who knows what in the prescription cough syrup makes me really loopy. I for sure should have not picked up the scissors that day! I am willing them to grow back FAST!

5. Speaking of hair, I have discovered something quite disturbing. I have a patch of white hair. Not like really blond hair but like old man hair, wiry and everything. I can't figure it out. So I have toyed with the idea of going back to dyeing it, but my hair grows so friggin' fast, the money really adds up. So I am wondering if I should just embrace my elderlyness.

6. I love Dancing with the Stars. Huge fan. But I am a little disappointed this season, I had heard rumors that my man Tom Selleck was going to be on it. The contestants were unveiled on Monday and no Tom. I was so excited, I mean I love Tom Selleck. There is nothing like the Magnum P.I. reruns and those cute short shorts. Quigley Down Under was one of my favorite movies. The man just has the look. But alas, no Tom on Dancing. Speaking of reality TV, were Eric and I the only ones surprised about Craig being the Mole this season?

7. The face has cleared up. Thank Heavens I no longer look like a mountain range! I think the sun and no makeup for Flaming Gorge really helped and I am mucho grateful!

Flaming Gorge

It must be known that I love Flaming Gorge! I mean it is really one of my favorite places on earth. If I were to get cremated, I would want to be spread at the Gorge. It is the perfect temperature and it is not busy at all. So this past weekend we headed up with the Swans and the Jones fam to Mustang Ridge. We had such a great time and Eric for sure got his "wake board" on. The only thing that really really stunk it up was a nasty ol' sinus infection. I am sorry but the timing was awful, my all time favorite place and I have a sinus infection for the very first time! So while Eric was out soaking up the glorious rays of sun, I was in a hoodie parked in a camping chair. But honestly, I would so much rather be sick at Flaming Gorge then at home and the company was amazing as always. Good memories at the Gorge!

Yippee!

Since I'm not sure how to spell the title that my wife used and I'm too lazy to look it up, I'll stick with more elementary exclamations.

But either way, it is true that we're now the owners of a sweet new - OK, new about 4 years ago. Well, technically 5 years since the new model year of any car is introduced in the middle of the year before. Why is that anyway? I mean how can you have a "2009 car" right now? but clearly I've digressed a bit - 2004 Honda Pilot. I have to say, I never thought I would own one of these things. It does seem a bit "fancy schmancy" for this simpleton. You can just look at its roots to know that it comes from good stock.

NOTE* I'm going into some car stuff for the next little bit so if that doesn't suit you, feel free to skip ahead. Anyway, the Pilot is based on the Acura MDX platform, meaning it's based on a luxury SUV (we'll just skip over the fact that said MDX's lineage can be traced to Honda's minivan; The Odyssey) and boy does it feel like it. No, we don't have leather, a DVD system, or Heated Seats (poor, poor Annie), but it's certainly got a few things we haven't had before. Can you say climate control? No more fiddling with the A/C and the heater to get the temp just right. Also, I love having the car stereo controls mounted on the steering wheel. It comes with a pair of "keyless entry" remotes, has more compartments than you can shake a stick at, and plenty of #@&! cupholders (that's for you, dad). Then there's the space. It's got seating for 8, though the back 3 seats are more to the liking of the vertically challenged. But the front seats and the second row are quite comfy. And then there's the space back there. Both the 3rd and 2nd row of seats fold down easily, and a sheet of 4X8 plywood can lie flat with ease. We actually made a run to the DI on Saturday, along with a trip to the recycle bins thanks to the copious amounts of cardboard after Annie's killer find on baby furniture a little while ago.

OK, I'm done with the specs. Long story short, we love it. I think we got a great deal since demand for anything with more than 4 cylinders is kind of low right now. And with any luck we won't need to buy a car for 10 years - wishful thinking probably, but who knows?.

Hallelujah!

Can it be? Is it true, the Larsen fam is no longer a one car family? YES! Oh the excitement of not being stranded at home all day anymore. We finally decided on the Pilot that I mentioned in the earlier post. (I am going to let Eric give you all of the specs because let's be honest, I am a woman he is a man. He is much more equipped to tell about the car.) I do love it though and I still feel like I am driving a tank, but I am positive that it is the right car for us!

I am so excited that there will not be anymore, "What is it going to take for us to get you in this vehicle today?" or "Help yourself to free (amazingly flat) soda and (stale) popcorn. I mean after all it's all on Larry (Larry H. Miller)." No more hitting twenty dealerships in one day, and test drives where I wonder if a dead body has been in the vehicle. In commemoration of this GLORIOUS event, I have decided to share my favorite dealership/test drive story.

My mom was coming to pick me up and shuttle me off to all of my errands (Thanks Momma J, I would have gone crazy without you) when Eric called and said that he saw this Pilot at a super great price. In our search for the perfect vehicle, we have learned that if you see a deal, you must act on it ASAP! So I asked Mom if she would mind taking me to test drive this car. So, we head on down to State Street, now I realize that State is not all total trash but we were headed to Ghetto State. But, I tried for the life of me to keep an open mind. We finally found the dealership, if you could call it that and turn in. Mom starts laughing.... hysterically. I guess I should have picked up that something was amiss when not only were there many vehicles on blocks, but I guess the "dealer" was also had a soft spot for Pawn Shops. That's right the Pawn Shop and the Dealership were one business. I kept on repeating the mantra in my head that I am open minded and totally non-judgemental. We found the Pilot in the parking lot, and I am not kidding it was SO nice. I mean not even a scratch or blemish on the outside. We ran into get the keys to test drive and found this secretary at the front desk (who keep in mind that I called earlier asking if the vehicle was clean and in good running condition). She came and pulled out the car and then gave me ten bucks to fill up at the gas station next door. Okay, whatever so it was low on gas. I fill up the tank while mom waits in the car. I hear the door locks and then buzzing. Huh, cars aren't supposed to buzz. I look inside and once again mom is laughing hysterically. She has locked the doors and can't unlock them to get out! Once again I repeat my mantra, so maybe we would have to buy a motor for the locks, big deal. I get back in the car and notice that even though I put in the ten for gas, the gas light is still on and the little lever thingy has not moved. Great know the lady is going to think that I am a thief and pocketed the ten. We pull out of the gas station for the drive. Not only do the doors unlock, the radio doesn't work, power windows are dead, mirrors... take a guess not moving. What? The body was is such great condition. So I try to call Eric, and he doesn't answer so I put in a call to Pappa Jones. He immediately says to take the car back and don't look back, definitely a flood car. We pull over and get out to take a closer look. Well sure enough the body was in great condition but, then we started noticing rust. Inside the wheel wells, under the trunk. So of course, what do we do but laugh. Except my imagination starts to run wild. I start to think that maybe someone got murdered in the car and then the murderer drove the car and the body into the bay. I DON"T want to get back in the car! Thankfully mom was there to drive the car while I was having major heebie jeebies in the passenger side. So we get back to Pawn Shop, I mean Dealership and I go return the keys to be attackedd with a thousand questions. "Didn't we love the car?", "Isn't the body in great shape?", "When was I bringing my husband back?" I told her that there were a few problems with all of the electrical stuff, like everything. I then told her that I filled up the tank but nothing happened, and then she replied with, "Ya, that doesn't surprise me that much." What? When I called earlier the car was perfectly clean and working completely soundly. I guess that is what you get for going to a Pawn Shop for a car. I just know that some poor old sap is going to buy that car. I am just glad that the sap isn't me!

Updates

Eric is a sweetie! I read his post (by the way, I didn't have to force him to write one AND he was the one who kept bugging me to blog) and I just laughed. He will be such a great Dad. I have seen him with so many babies and kids and I have no doubt that he will be the best Dad. But he was right about one thing: We will have the cutest little baby boy in the world!

Car Update: I am still hating life without Honnie, I don't think that it would be so bad if I had a replacement car.... but to no avail. In the middle of the "perfect CRV" search we had a realization: We could get a Honda Pilot for about the same amount of money with LESS mileage. Bless my amazingly brilliant husband/accountant for figuring out that per year, the gas would not be that much more then the CRV. So alas, we started a new search. AHH!!! More car salesmen, more test drives, and more time out in the scalding heat. We think that we maybe have found the one, but who knows. So, if there are any Pilot owners out there, let me know what you think. Both of us really like them. I however feel like I am driving a massive tank, I mean really, going from a Honda Civic Coupe to a 8-passenger seating Pilot? It does drive so well and it is pretty darn cute though. I do look in the back seat and see six empty spaces and I can't fathom EVER filling them up (Other parts of my body can't fathom it right now either)! So I put down the very back seat and saw a huge space for Toby and a little baby boy in a carseat. (This was a much easier visual for me then six screaming Larsens on a road trip to Wally World.)

Truffle Update: I think that I have a grasp on the whole truffle craving, I haven't been to Provo in over a week and I ran out a few days ago. I think I might have found a pseudo-replacement. If I mix the original Mike and Ike's with plain chocolate M&M's, I am satisfied. Don't get me wrong though, not nearly as satisfied as the truffles. The MMM (M&M, Mike & Ike mix) keeps my taste buds at bay for a little while, one truffle could satisfy me for a day.

My Face Update: I think the big whopper has subsided..... maybe. But man they keep coming, I have enough peaks to be a mountain range. I still have a little hope though, proactive is a three step cleanser and I have been out of step #3 for a week. Bad news only using two steps when there are really three. So I have been anxiously awaiting the mailman's knock at my door with my trusty proactive in hand. He came today. I think that I may have had another prego moment. I greeted him with a hearty hello and scores of thanks. I closed the door and then got all teary because I was so thankful he came. Yeah, that had to be a prego moment.

Daddy-to-be

As Annie was kind enough to inform me , "You know, you can blog too." I feebly attempted to inform her that I didn't know how. She then pointed out the fancy little LOGIN button on the top right. Thus the reason you're now getting the mindless ramblings of a father-in-training.

I say father-in-training but that's not entirely accurate. I'm still very much a husband-in-training. The idea of being a dad is both exhilarating and terrifying. It reminds me of something my dad would say to us periodically when we were kids. It was something to the effect of, "You seem to think that when you were born, they gave us the instruction manual on how to be parents." There's definitely some truth there, but that wasn't so much it as I just assumed that they'd always been old. No offense, but as a kid that's how you function. The world revolves around you, and everyone - particularly mom and dad - is there to have the joyous opportunity of participating in your life.

Sure I saw pictures of them and heard stories of them when they were young, but it almost seemed like that was an entirely different life. And indeed it was. Life without children vs. life with them. We're now moving from being DINKs (Dual Income No Kids) to parents. I'm not sure where I first heard the following quote, but I very much intend to remind my kids of it from time to time; "Remember, your parents WERE cool until you were born."

Getting back to the beginning of my last paragraph, I can't even begin to tell you how bizarre it is to think that I was 5 years old when my dad was how old I am RIGHT NOW. I mean, I don't have a perfect memory of being 5 (makes me wonder what I was involved in that would cause my parents to erase most of my memory at such a tender age) but I do have memories from that far back. And all I knew was that anybody older than me was pretty old, and my parents had been around when dinosaurs were hunted for food.

The point is, I can't believe that my parents were so young and seemed to have such a firm grasp on parenthood. I find myself trying to think of everything they did and how I can copy it. I'm also attempting to make sure I'm perfect. Somehow I always thought I'd have that down by the time kids started coming into the picture. Believe it or not, I'm beginning to have some doubts. But when I look at how many billions of people have had kids and seemed to do all right, I figure it must be possible. The biggest relief is knowing that I have a wife who will be more than capable of making up for my shortcomings. Any of you that know Annie (and let's be honest, you'd have to if you're reading this since I still haven't put this blog link in my emails and I don't exactly have a rockin' myspace page to get you here either) know that I speak the truth. She'll be great. I'll be serviceable. And we're gonna have the cutest darn kid you've ever seen.

It's a.....BOY!

Today was a GREAT day! The baby is a BOY! It is so exciting to finally see baby as a boy or a girl. It was a remarkable, unbelievable day and both of us feel incredibly blessed. Baby suddenly becomes very real when you can see him kicking and moving inside of you. So far his measurements look great, and wow he was not shy at all about showing us that he was a boy! Technology is amazing, we both actually knew what we were looking at. We couldn't believe that we could see toes, chambers of the heart, the different arm and leg bones and oh the cutest little bum ever! He was very active making it a little more difficult to get the pictures and the measurements, but that was great because we just got to look at him longer. Our ultrasound technician was great and so sweet. The only really uncomfortable part was having to down the 32 oz. of water and hour before the ultrasound and not getting to go to the bathroom! Really we can't get over how amazing it is to see our little boy! To be completely honest, we both wanted a little boy SO badly but didn't want to say anything in case we jinxed it. What a day, all last night I dreamt about today and then woke up at five because I was so excited to find out! So, I think I might go crash until the cute new dad comes home! I do however have car and breakout updates that will be coming shortly!

Two Causes of Concern

Pregnancy has been different for me. I am doing things that I never before have done. First things first, I am looking for ANY reason to head on south down to Utah County, nay even Provo. WHAT? Provo has never been my place, I am a Ute through and through. But there is this draw.....I have an ENORMOUS craving that I can only satisfy at the stupid University Mall. (Which as far as malls go, I have to admit it rocks!) Eric and I went down to the GAP Maternity store (only one in Utah, at least they know where all the breeding is) and my super sensitive smeller picked up the most delightful smell. Chocolate truffles. For those of you who know me well I am a salt girl, I can eat chocolate but unlike Eric I don't need it to survive. So moving on, it was then that we discovered the Kara Chocolate store. Holy smokes! Mint truffles unlike any I have ever laid my lips on. This is fine chocolate we are talking about folks. Not the waxy hard kind but the delightfully smooth and creamy type. In fact I close my eyes to shut off that sense so I can focus more on the yumminess floating down into my tummy. So after that episode I have managed to make it to Provo A LOT. The reasons just keep coming: baby furniture, car shopping, really anything that I can think of. I must have my truffles! Which leads me to my next "issue".

Is it possible that this new fixation and need for truffles has caused the most noteworthy and massive breakout on my face? Oh my goodness, so the other day I walk into the bathroom and lo and behold I have a pimple the size of the Lone Star state on my chin! Immediately I run to Eric carefully watching where his eyes roam. Amazingly he did not notice. But my theory is that he did notice before I went into the bathroom because for the life of him, the kid would not break eye contact. Anyway, I am exasperated! Many of you know that I am a complete fan of Proactive. In fact if given the opportunity I would be advertising with Jessica Simpson and Puff Daddy (or P. Diddy, Sean Puffy Combs, whatever his name is!). Where is my proactive now? Is it the truffles that are causing me to look like I have a third eye on my chin? Bless my hubby for listening to me complain about it and then sleeping next to a mud faced me for nights in a row!

The End of an Era

Well, it was a sad day for the Larsen's last Thursday. We had thrown around the idea of selling Honnie before the baby came, so we just decided to list her on KSL to see what would happen. We listed her at 11:00 pm on Tuesday night and she was gone by 5:00 pm on Thursday night. Both of us had no idea that she would go SO quickly. I loved that car, she was my coming of age car...... so many good memories in that car: the wrong way in the one way street in San Fran, countless road trips, long conversations, drives to the canyon with the windows down and music blaring. I think it was probably all of the prego hormones that made me cry, but I was so sad to see her go. I know she will be taken care of though. Todd, her new owner brought down wheel shine and headlight cleaner to put on before he showed his friends.

So now the Larsens have the horrible task of finding a new car! Yuck. Last Saturday we were out all day, like literally ALL day. We are pretty sure that we want a Honda CRV, but who knows maybe that will change. All that I know is that I want more then two doors!