I MUST be growing...

I don't know what it is about this week, but I think our baby has grown about 10 lbs. since Monday. Sabrina was playing with her blocks the other day, particularly with the block that has wheels so that you can turn it into a vehicle. She kept saying "up the hill" and "down the hill" as she rolled it over my protruding belly over and over again. Very flattering sweetheart!

Happy Father's Day (yesterday).

Lucky number 3! It's PJ's third Father's Day, and I thought that I should write the top ten reasons we're very glad that he's the dad of our family:

10. When I tell him he can either give Sabrina her bath after dinner or do the dishes; he does one or the other happily with no complaints (He picks the bath 95% of the time, which I don't mind at all!).
9. He has the hardest work ethic of anyone I know.
8. Loves to cuddle (just ask Noelle).
7. Will jump, run and play with Sabrina when his pregnant wife just can't muster up the energy.
6. NEVER has complained about his wife's cooking (and trust me there have been times when he should have).
5. Let's me have the remote about 60% of the time (hey it's better than 50%).
4. Can make Sabrina laugh harder than anyone.
3. Throws the best dance party of anyone in our household.
2. Never yells...Seriously NEVER.
1. Loves his girls 100%.

Happy Father's Day PJ! We adore you!

What do you do when it's 102 degrees outside?

Sabrina and I go swimming! (This is where a cute picture of Sabrina at our pool should be! See last post!). She is feeling better, and I am so glad that we have a pool because there is literally nothing else to do outside when it gets as warm as it has been. It's been so hot, I don't even care who sees me in the "Mrs. Roper" maternity swimsuit. That's their problem. Today was cooler; we're hoping it doesn't end.

Sabrina is getting so funny lately. She has the funniest little accent and elfish voice. She also does nothing slowly or quietly. Her tiny self is very busy. She has separated her blocks into two categories..."big guys" and "little guys." She ADORES her dad and really turns on the charm when he's home. She knows both verses to "I Love To See The Temple" and "Love is Spoken Here." Although she saves these performances for mom and dad ONLY, which of course, we don't mind. The park has become one of our favorite places. I think she made me push her on the swing for about 45 minutes today. She likes the slide quite a bit too.

As for Paul and me (sorry for the long "This is My Journal" post!), we are both doing well. Paul is still enjoying work. The legal stuff is interesting to him, the "summarize this article" stuff is not! He is playing in a 3 on 3 basketball tournament this weekend and has high hopes for his squad. I'm sure I'll post about this later. I am feeling pretty good, but it is amazing how when life slows down, I realize how pregnant I am becoming. I am still adjusting quite a bit to being home again and have filled my days with playing, parks, cleaning, trips to the store, and other endeavors. I am SO glad we came to a place I know with people I know. I have enjoyed talking to old friends at playgroup and walking group and making a few new ones too. I really don't know how people make it in new places without the church!

Wow! If you're still reading, hats off to you!

No Pictures!!

Yes, my friends, things are about to get pretty boring on this blog. Paul informs me that his computer has no spot for a memory card, and we didn't bring the cord to our camera. I'm just going to have to add some later. (Do you think this would have ever happened with a Mac? I don't. Paul and I have an eternal struggle over this very topic!).

May your day be better than mine!!

We've had a tough couple of days. Wednesday morning we went in to get Sabrina and noticed that she was unusually warm; so I sent Paul to the store to get a thermometer and some Tylenol. She seemed to be acting alright on Wednesday (maybe a little cranky) throughout the day. By evening time, she sounded to me like she was starting to lose her voice. Then at about 12:30 that night, I heard a terrible coughing/wail and awoke from my slumber. I went in her room to find her wheezing, coughing, breathing heavily and with a fever. We gave her more Tylenol and Paul gave her a blessing. She seemed to catch her breath and fell back asleep, and we both felt good about just letting her sleep a little. But just to be safe, I put her in our bed with us. After a few round-house kicks to the head in the night, Sabrina decided to wake her tired mother up at 5:00 AM!! Her dedicated and loving father headed to the store for some Benadryl at 5:00 also. Later in the day, we headed to my old doctor's office to see what was wrong. Turns out she has CROUP! I know little to nothing about diseases/anatomy/medicine, but I could have sworn that we have an immunization for croup. They gave her a steroid shot in the leg and sent us home. Well, today the word CRANKY doesn't even cut it. While her breathing is getting better, her attitude is worse. We went to the store earlier and there was a little boy (probably around 1) who was politely standing by his mother doing nothing at all. Sabrina (from the cart) yelled, "no no No NO!" (Each no getting louder!) and thrust her arms in a pushing motion toward him several times. Then she screamed, "No BABIES! NO!" Could it be true that steroids really do alter your mood. What's next? Facial hair? She's also been screaming for aunt Shelley. Shelley, just be glad you're more than 2000 miles away from this right now!

We're Here!

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are here, "settled" (How settled can you get for only living in a place two months?), and enjoying it! The England's house is so CUTE! (Erica, you put me to shame!) Or at least it was cute until I had to move stuff so that my 2 year-old didn't tornado it all. They must have known we were coming too... Paul was thrilled to find Batman fruit snacks in the cupboard (Have I mentioned that he eats like a 4 year-old? We owe you guys a fresh box upon your return!)and Sabrina's favorite song was in the CD player.

It is so so so great being back together! Sabrina just laughed when she saw Paul at the airport, then they ran around baggage claim a few times, and ran up and down the hallway when we got to our place. Back to their usual playful selves.

As for me, I have been so busy this past week, that I FORGOT how many weeks pregnant I was!!! Unbelievable!! This would have never happened when I was pregnant with Sabrina. (I figured it out...23). It hasn't helped my memory that this has been the easiest and quickest pregnancy ever. The only time I even remember I'm pregnant is when I bend over or look in the mirror, of course. This baby isn't very active either...just flutters a bit when I'm sitting or laying down.

Paul is enjoying work. I can't wait to meet him at the park when he gets off the metro today. Oh the life of a stay-at-home mom! I forgot how many fun things we used to do. We have all enjoyed being around the DC Sampsons again too. It's birthday season for them, so we are really excited for all the get-togethers!

On another note...I remember why no one out here does their hair! Humidity. You should see the afro I'm sporting today! Embarrassing.

Oh and another thing...Paul swears that he saw Donovan McNabb (sp?) at the Giant the other night. Celebrity look-alike. That's what I say!

Hmm...

Something tells me the Washington Post may have an anti-Mormon bias. This makes two offensively lame articles in 8 days.