Wednesday, January 09, 2008

My first real post for 2008

So, I have been MIA for quite some time in the blogging arena. I decided it would be a good place to keep track of our busy life and hopefully be more faithful in keeping a record of our family. I feel like I am getting behind technologically and need to brush up on my computer skills.

We now live in Gilbert, Arizona and are enjoying the beautiful weather and plenty of sunshine. I think the sun is out 98% of the year. We bought a condo unit and have filled it to capacity.

We had a great Christmas even though both of our boys were sick.Here are the boys Christmas Eve before putting them to bed. Tim actually threw up shortly after taking this picture. Having sick children is not pleasant!Nathan couldn't believe his eyes on Christmas morning. I think we went a little overboard on the presents and will have to do better next year! So, I have a question for you all, does Santa wrap or does he not wrap? We saw The Polar Express at the IMAX and it clearly shows that the presents are wrapped. Santa must have been lazy this year or at least the presents he left for our boys because not much was wrapped! We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my family in Gilbert.

A cute little Santa Claus even visited us Christmas morning. Tim just barely learned to walk before Christmas. It is amazing how quickly they take off once they learn a new skill.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Mommy tag

1. How long have you been a Mom?
For 3.5 years

2. How many kids call you mommy?
Two super sweet boys.

3. When you were pregnant did you know what you were having?
Yes. We found out by ultrasound but before that we pretty much knew we were going to have boys. Plus I have a "source" that can foretell the gender of her children and grandchildren. I believe her record is 23 correct and one not so correct! For the record she says I am having a girl, which is what I believe also. We find out on Feb 4, 2008.

4. How old were you when you became a mom?
24

5. How long were you in labor?
With Nathan, I was in labor for 5 hours. My "water broke" and then I pushed through three contractions and there he was, a huge 9lb 4oz, 22" red headed baby boy! On Timothy, I was induced and I think my labor was around 10 hours, pushed for maybe 15 minutes. You can read all about on a prior post.

6. What’s your favorite thing about being a mom?
I LOVE bedtime! There is something about giving them a bath, putting on the pjs, reading books, hugs and kisses and then to experience the peace and quiet that comes after a full day of "fun"! Another thing I love is being the absolute favorite person in the whole world to my kids. Nobody ranks higher than their dear old Momma (I try to soak it up because it only lasts so long)!l

7. What’s your least favorite thing?
The whining and lack of sleep.

8. Do you want more kids?
Yes, but we'll take them one at a time and see how many we can handle!

9. Have you ever taken your kid(s) on a trip?
Yes. They have been on flights with us to visit family and we drove from Georgia to Arizona last summer with both of them in our packed Honda Accord. Staying at hotels with kids is not fun!

10. How many times have you been peed on?
Not too many, thank goodness!

11. How many times have you been vomited on?
Nathan unloaded on me during our Ream family reunion luncheon. Yeah, I'm sure we spoiled lunch for quite a few that day. I was glad they were my family and not strangers! I think it has happened since but nothing can quite compare to the first time it happens.

12. Are your kids named after someone?
Nathan Thomas is named after brothers on both sides of the family and other ancestors. Timothy David is named after Dave's uncle who died of cancer at age 35(?) and ancestors on both sides of our family. His middle name after his daddy, especially since he was born on his birthday.

13. When is the last time you had a sitter?
Two days ago. I cannot be more grateful to have girls in our church who are willing to babysit our kids. We LOVE having so many options and to have them live so close!

14. When your kid gets in trouble, who is the bad guy?
Usually me, Dave works most of the time they are awake. Although on weekends he might get the title.

15. What is the longest you have been away from your kid(s)?
Two weeks in Eastern Europe. This was a huge step for me and we made the most of it. We visited Dave's parents in Ukraine and spent one night in Munich, Germany.

16. Are your toes painted?
Yes, but really need to see some polish remover.

17. Last movie you saw in theater?
The very last one was The Polar Express at the IMAX, Arizona Mills, but we had the kids so needless to say I didn't really "see" the movie. I did see the new National Treasure last week though.

18. One thing you will not give up just because you’re a mom:
I don't know how to answer this question. I'm drawing a blank, does that mean I've given up everything? Perhaps date night is something I'll never give up.

19. One thing you did give up now that you’re a mom?
I liked Lindsey's answer, freedom! Most couples without kids don't have a clue.

20. Favorite Cartoon:
I really like the Backyardigans!

21. Favorite Snack:
Anything salty. I like salt and vinegar chips!

22. When the kid(s) are napping, you are:
Usually only one of them naps now, but I find myself doing laundry, fixing a meal, cleaning house or browsing the internet and hopefully soon I'll be scrapbooking on the computer (New Year's Resolution).

23. Where is/are your kid(s) now?
Right by their mommy, like always! They can't get enough of me!

24. If I could do it over, I’d do this differently:
Give up wanting to be in control of everything and just enjoy life more.

25. What is a lesson you’ve learned as a parent?
Repent and forgive! I cannot say enough about needing the Savior to help in the weak areas of my life. Don't try to take a nap it will only make you angrier because it is NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE with more than one child!

I thought this would be an easy way to make my first post of the new year and since I didn't post anything in 2007 (sorry about that).

I tag anyone that wants to do this! Lindsey Snow, thanks for your post.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Timothy David Andersen's Birth


Our second son was born early in the morning on Dave's Birthday, September 21, 2006. I chose to be induced on Wednesday, September 20th so I could get the required penicillin for GBS (8 hours on IV) and just so the labor would be controlled and planned. If you know my personality well, then you know I like to be in CONTROL! Our little boy Timothy was born at 1:52am. The nurse midwife also enjoyed the birthday celebration seeing it was her birthday too! The delivery took place at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

Timothy David weighed in at 8 lbs. 5 oz., his length was 21.5" long, and his head measured 14.5".

I have a Picasa Web Album with pictures of his birth. I continue to update this album with new pictures of our family. I will probably end up adding new albums and then posting the links on this blog.

Here is the link to the first web album.
http://picasaweb.google.com/tricia.andersen/TimothySArrivalAndComingHome

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

The Bulkhead Failed! And pictures of our new place.

Our ABF U-Pack trailer arrived on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 and when the driver opened up the doors we found the unthinkable... the bulkhead had slipped and all of our stuff had plummeted to the edge of the 28 ft trailer. Let me remind you that we only used 6 ft of the trailer. I was completely devastated and figured much of our belongings were broken.
Here are the pictures from the incident...


It turned out that only a plastic file container broke during the fall. Just another tender mercy
in our move to Atlanta. We couldn't believe it! I still cannot believe it! Like I said before, Dave did an excellent job in packing our stuff tight and I made sure that the boxes were packed full. The Elder's Quorum in our new ward helped us move in and we had fun getting to know some of them. It turns out that during the summer months they move people multiple times per week.

Here are some pictures of our new place. All of the dark furniture came from IKEA (www.ikea.com), which we painstakingly put together just a few days before our stuff arrived. We didn't realize how annoying it is to not have a kitchen table for mealtime. Our first priority was putting together that table!




More to follow...

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Our Move to Atlanta, GA

July 6-10th - Dave did an excellent job loading the ABF U-Pack truck. He actually loaded nearly 4 ft of our stuff only to unload it the next day because of water leaks. Again we were blessed to have a rain shower that showed us the terrible condition of the trailer. Our stuff would have been ruined if it drove across the country in a leaky trailer. We only used 6 linear feet for all of our stuff.
We were blessed to have Carlos around to help load and put up the bulkhead with Dave. We couldn't have done it without him. Thanks so much for all the extra help from our favorite newlywed brother!

July 10, 2006 - Nathan and I pose in front of the trailer before it was picked up. Nathan loved being in the trailer and having his very own "truck." I thought I would add that I am seven months (30 weeks) expecting in this picture.

We packed so well that Nathan wasn't too crowded in the back of our car. Which was another blessing in disguise because he had diahrea the entire first day of our trip, so we had to get him out multiple times to change his diaper and clothing. Okay I just said blessing and diarhea in the same sentence. I just call it like I see it! He was unbelievably well-mannered for us on this trip. Nathan and I did so well the first day that we drove from Orem, UT all the way to Lincoln, NE. For those who might not know that this is 915 mi (about 14 hours 52 mins). We actually made it in 12 hours which included those fun stops to clean up Nathan! The wide open plains are very nice when you want to get somewhere fast!


I took this picture of Nathan because he is just too darn CUTE!! We wrapped up many trucks and other toys and gave them to him throughout the trip so he always had something new and fun to play with. I still cannot believe how well we all did on this trip across the country.