A Weekend in "Mo-Mopolis"

Just thought I would keep on my "blogging high" and report our weekend happenings... While, seemingly, everyone else in the world is off in some exotic location like Lovell or Casper, we are staying right here in Laramie for "Spring Break," though it doesn't really count if you aren't in or associated with school, does it? So, for the weekend, we decided to take off with my parents for Thermopolis, one of their favorite destinations and a place Ben and I haven't been since high school. We've been talking it up to Ike for several weeks: slides, pools, splashing Grandpa and a dinosaur museum (mu-zeh-zum in Ike-ease)... So, he has been talking about this "Mo-Mopolis" nonstop for a week! Well, thank you Thermopolis for delivering on all accounts! We had a great trip and swam at the mineral pools all day on Saturday (by swimming, I really mean taking Isaac up and down the slides over and over)! The weather was great, so we were able to be inside and outside too. We also went to the Wyoming Dinosaur Museum (another destination I'm sure we'll be hearing about for YEARS to come) and we went to the oldest A & W restaurant I have ever seen (with a bowling alley attached)! It was quite the experience and help us cure our "non- spring breaking blues!"
Beyond that, I want to thank our friends and family who have painstakingly typed up some names for us:) We are, of course, still deliberating, but so grateful for the help!! I do love the true surprise factor in not knowing if our child is a boy or a girl, but am still having a bit of a panic attack that it is coming so soon! I think with Isaac I was SO READY for him to come 2 months early and this time, I would actually bargain for two months later (not really, but in theory...) just to "catch up!" It'll be great though and we are so blessed to have this special little one on the way:) Good luck to all of our friends and family due before us- you keep the hope alive for us that we'll make it that far!!

What are we going to do??

Seven Falls- outside of CO Springs, CO Feb 28th. What a funny looking baby bump:)

My Mom, Ikie, My dad, and Ben at Seven Falls

We climbed 255 steps (I think) to the top of the falls-- and then had to go back down... Not for the faint of heart, though Ike seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself!!

Ike and Macy (deja vu!) on the train playing like best friends Feb 2009

Last night as Ben and I were chatting, he informed me that I am in my THIRD TRIMESTER!! I don't know why that hadn't occurred to me yet, my math skills must be on the fritz! I must admit that my excitement of a new baby has quickly been overrun by the actual thought of bringing home a new little *fuss bucket* I mean bundle of joy!! I guess there are just so so many things for me to accomplish in the 82 days I have left with just Ike that I am getting a little panic-y. I was thinking I would complete Isaac's scrapbooking catastrophe, pack all of our non essentials, deep clean everything around me and organize until my brain fell out... hopefully 82 days will be long enough!

On that same note, we only have 82 days to think of a name for this poor bugger! Remember, we do not know if it is a boy or girl and really don't have much intuition either way... Any suggestions would be much appreciated, as thus far, we have absolutely nothing we can agree on with any amount of excitement. Isaac insists that our baby will be named Baby Lucy after his littlest baby cousin. I'm thinking this is a great name, but already taken:) If any of you saw my posting on facebook a few weeks ago regarding baby names, you will see why it is such an interesting chore for picking a name... I am highly opinionated on the subject for my own children. Anyway, we are open to suggestion at this point:) Please help!!

Well, this month has flown by and much has taken place. I am no longer a long-term employee of the Open School (I help out here and there, but mostly don't)! You would think this has led to an explosion of free time, but instead, I'm making up for lost time with working part time from home, cooking, last minute projects, and playing/running around with Isaac... Not to mention enjoying every free minute I can with Jen and the kids during the day now that they are here in town. I think Jenny Wren put it best when she told her mommy that "Ikie is her new best friend in Laramie." He feels the same way, of that I'm sure!

Isaac has learned the art of comic relief and joking with everything. He turned to me last night as if he were crying and said "Mama, I love you" (pained look on his face and tear rolling down his cheek) I'll have to get it on video because it is the funniest thing I have ever seen! He immediately started laughing and so did we! We get to laugh constantly and are trying our best to enjoy every minute with this precious little boy! Isaac has also learned to sing every song I can currently think of... among his favorites this week are "Book of Mornin Stories" and "Down by the Station." He learned while we were in Kansas that he can win over any heart and "one up" his cousin Macy, by whipping out a song to sing. What a character!

We had the privilege this month of taking several more trips, thanks to Andy's senior year of college basketball. This month, we traveled to the far reaches of Nebraska and Colorado. Below are some pics from our adventures.

Ben also had some exciting news this month... He passed his pharmacy tech boards and is now a certified technician!! Woo Hoo!! We are very proud and glad to have daddy back at nights and not studying too hard (we'll get enough of that over the next 4 years)!

Anyway, I am sure this is sufficient for our post... I guess over this month it has been reiterated to me over and over that life is so precious, so easily taken advantage of, and so fragile. As we struggled with challenges and losses from our life and those around us this past month, we committed again to make the most of this special time in our lives.

Not So Little Pieper #2

Just as a follow-up, the ultrasound last Tuesday went very well. The Tech actually took a very significant amount of time and painstakingly (to me...) tried her best to get some good shots of the little tyke. Unfortunately, the little bugger did not want a 3D headshot taken, put his/her hand over the face... Oh well. The baby is developing perfectly, if a little on the larger side for my projected due date, but that is fine, so long as head and shoulders are not above average, I'm good! Isaac and this little one both have smaller than normal head sizes, so we'll keep our fingers crossed about that! We are not finding out the baby's sex this time either (I know, I know...) I just love that feeling of surprise and uncertainty. I guess we'll see around June 1st what we have! I really hope it's a girl, though Ikie having a little boy playmate would be great, and Ben really doesn't care either way. So, here's to a little suspense!
Our week was full of fun, warmer than usual days here in Laramie. We actually jogged to the park almost every day last week, which is a real treat for Laramie! On Friday it cooled off, so I finally got some things done... I made a hair pretty holder for Macy's 2nd birthday-- hopefully I can get Joni to take a picture of it b/c I think it's a fantastic idea for little girls. I am also, constantly, in the process of going through things and purging unnecessary items... Then, I tend to try to give them all to Joni so she can pass them on... Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but the sense of accomplishment makes me so happy!
So, this weekend we made the great trek to Pinedale for Macy's 2nd Birthday! What a fun time! Ike and Macy love each other so much and play together so well, it's quite the sin we don't live closer. I guess it makes for even sweeter reunions though! Macy had a very special fish birthday party. I think Isaac's favorite part was playing with a huge assortment of seashells and the new blocks Macy got for her birthday. He also became a little Elton John this weekend wearing a princess tiarra while he played Macy's pink piano and sang "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Book of Mornin Stories." It was really cute... He would come into the living room and say "Hey guys, don't you wanna come to sing on the piano?" It was too cute to pass up... Now I'm just regretting not taking video!

His other famous quotes from this week:
We told him to say "are you out of your mind?" to which he replied, "Are you out of MY MIND??"
He also overheard me say that grandma would freak out, so now he says"Gwahma is gonna fweek out!"
I told Isaac he was special. He said, "No mama, I not pecial, I'm Isaac!" -- SO cute!!

You should check out Joni's blog for some really cute birthday party moments www.clonikennington.blogspot.com

Diaper Liberation Part 2

For the first time in over a month, our little family has nothing of life-altering significance to post on our blog! We truly are savoring the blessings of our family and the opportunity we have to be here in Laramie at this very minute. We have seen so many instances where we have learned the things we have learned because of the special and extraordinary moments of our lives. I am so glad that the Lord has these special plans for us.
On a lighter note, in an effort to encourage Ikie's diaper liberation, I have recently resorted to "new lows..." I know, my educational "expertise is in Child Psychology, but really... I'm feeling the desperation setting in! So, Isaac has been going on the potty for several months now, for me only, but over Christmas break he decided that was overrated (sometimes in the middle of the night, I wish I could wear a diaper too, don't get me wrong)! Anyway, so this week I decided to resort to Nerds candy (just a few...) So, it really has worked, actually, but along with is has come a game for the car, or any other seemingly boring moment in our day... Isaac will ask "Momma, what I get when I sit on da potty?" To which he will reply "A new toy? Nooo; A new truck? Nooo; New shoes? Nooo; Shrimpies (his very favorite food) Noooo." This can go on for an hour, as it did today in the car! Pretty funny, but in reality, he gets about 6 nerds or what he calls "special candy." Does this make me a bad mom? I would argue desperate and successful, but not "bad..." right??
Beyond the potty, Ikie has made some major breakthroughs in child psychology and dealing with his feelings in a productive, though not necessarily successful way. One of the boys he plays with in the mornings has come upon a "mean streak" of taking toys, grabbing faces and generally hurting kids feelings. One day this week when I went to pick up Ike, this little boy took the "froggy" Ike was playing with, to which my ever so vocally active child replied, "No (boy's name) I'm not done playing with that but, you can play with it in a minute" Then Isaac, who is a year older, took the toy back and the little boy looked at him, confused (he doesn't speak yet), and walked away. I'm sure he was thinking, whatever buddy! Then, that night as we were reading scriptures, Ikie kept replaying the whole scenario and repeating over and over what the little boy did and what Ikie said to him (for about 45 minutes)! He actually put himself to sleep in his bed talking over the scenario over and over. I was so proud! He's using his words for power, rather than screaming, physical violence, etc... Now Ben's new worry... will he get beat up?? Just kidding! This new little sibling (and his cousins) will help him out in the toughness department, we're sure! I tried to get it on video, but will try again. It really was precious!
We were also blessed this weekend with weather in the 50s and low 60s-- it was awesome! Ikie and I went jogging outside on Friday to two different parks, that's how excited we were to get the nice weather! I think I would've jogged all day, had the sun not started to go down--brr! Then on Saturday we "dug down" to our Cowboy roots and went to the National Western Stockshow in Denver. It was fun, and as my friend Jamie put it, "we've never seen such pretty cows in all our lives!" We also watched my brother play basketball and found a new, expensive addiction for Isaac-- shrimp, and lots of it! This kid really is a bottomless pit, which would be much better if so satisfied with bread or water:)
This week marks another week in pregnancy history. Though I haven't started wearing maternity clothes yet (except to a Board meeting for my school in which I wanted to gain sympathy-- it worked)! I am 21 weeks and will have my ultrasound this week. We're pretty excited or "estited" as Ikie says (at least he's not "fwustwated" anymore:) So, we'll keep you all posted... For some reason, I've been having this "panics" like what if there are twins or something and I just don't know yet-- b/c I'm starting to feel huge-- even though I know I've got a long way to go and that that's not the case:) Wish us luck!!

And Finally The Really Big News!!

Why you may ask is Isaac's nose all red? Because he insisted on looking like Rudolph for about 3 weeks before Christmas (off and on...) and Christmas day for sure! This year, his pride and joy was receiving a "baketball hoop" and tools from santa, and an awesome combine, though I'm sure he'll grow to love the clothes and electric toothbrush he received as well... Ha!

So Christmas is over and we're all feeling the post-holiday-partum blues, but never fear, we have saved the best news for last! We are going to add a new little Pieper to the world June 1st (or hopefully sooner!!) Yes, that makes me 20 weeks along, and no, you are not the last person on earth to find out, though I'm sure some of you are starting to feel that way! We actually decided to wait until Christmas so that we could tell Ben's family in person about the good news. Some of you may be thinking that we are insane to wait until we are 18 weeks to tell our immediate family, and you would be right. Though everyone is now excited, I am not sure excited was the word to describe everyone's initial emotion! Some were a little more than disappointed we had waited so long:) But, we had good reason, and it was actually kind of fun to be able to deliver such great news.

Isaac was able to tell both of our sets of parents and siblings with a t-shirt we had made for him. It says "Big Brother 09 Isaac" It's really cute, I should definitely take a picture of him with it. Then, the most observant person in the room got to find out first.

Other than that, our break was great. We really enjoyed being together and are starting to feel like all these big plans are actually taking place. It will be an interesting 6 months of preparation and extreme craziness, but we can't help but feel so blessed! Certainly everything happens under the Lord's timing and plan.

(new vibrating toothbrush... very exciting!)

We did have the opportunity to travel to Pinedale to spend some time with Joni and Clay in the frozen tundra- brrr! And then on to Rexburg for more coldness:) I never thought I would refer to Laramie as a "warm location," but at times it's seeming more like that! It was really great to spend a week in Idaho and really have a chance to be with the family.

Now, this week has been our wake up call back to reality! We are working on finding a sense of normalcy and I'm sure we will soon, but getting back in the groove is tough. Anyway, we'll keep you posted on what "normal" is going to mean for us this spring, but so far, it just means really busy!

So, may each of you enjoy the new year and find some peace (oh, and when you find it, help us get there too!!)

And Finally The Big News!!!

A little poster Isaac and I made to help our neighbors find out about our good news... We have had so much help in getting to this point. So many prayers, fasting, etc. that we wanted everyone to know:)

It occurred to me that in all of our ecstatic rejoicing, we have failed to mention that Ben was accepted to Dental School!! He was accepted to Arizona on Dec. 1st, first thing in the morning. I think both of us were crying and laughing. It's definitely a funny feeling, I'm sure everyone can relate, but we had been praying and hoping and putting our trust and faith in the Lord for so so long- with this matter in particular- that to finally have that prayer answered and to be supported in our decision to pursue the course was really overwhelming. It's like praying for something for 3 years and wanting it so badly and knowing the whole time that that is absolutely the path for you, but being "shot down" for years in a row, regardless of your hard work, etc. We are so grateful for the opportunity to go now and know that the timing is finally right and the place will be right too. We trust and have felt that the Lord needed us here for the past 3 years. We have seen so much growth in our personal lives, our spiritual experiences, and Ben's professional development that we know we needed Laramie. We also know that we have been able to experience things and experience a trust and faith so strong in the Lord and His plan that we may never have had to do otherwise. So, though it was trying at the time, we know that it turned out exactly the way it needed to and we are, once again, so grateful for the journey and the Lord's plan.

So, from here the plan will be interesting. We are thinking we will be moving somewhere outside of Phoenix (around Glendale, where Ben will be going to school) around July. Should be interesting, as always, but this cold spell has made us love the thought of Phoenix, that's for sure!!

Ben also finished his immunology class last week. To his astonishment, and thanks to lots of hardwork and the help of the Lord, he was able to pull of the highest grade in the class! It was definitely one of the most difficult classes he has had to take and along with another 4 credit course, and 40 hours of work each week, he has definitely felt the load! This spring semester, Ben doesn't have to take any classes, so we are going to really enjoy the calm before the storm!!

As for us, Ikie has been battling little colds and I actually found out that I had strep throat, though I didn't know it and had no symptoms-- lucky me, a day off work! Anyway, it has given us a couple of chances to be home together and relax a little... Something that doesn't happen too often! We are in the midst of a wonderful Christmas season. I love this time of year and the special spirit we can feel when we stop and take a minute. We are also taking great joy in making gifts for lots of friends and family (beware!!) and teaching Ike the same. So, while we make it through this last week of school and work, we will remember these special times and look forward for a great break and an opportunity to catch up with many of you. May this week be blessed for you all!

"It looks like guacamole!"

***Disclaimer: May be a little graphic for the faint of heart***

If ever you hear these words uttered from your two year old's mouth while sitting in the bathtub, "It looks like guacamole!" Know that you have a catastrophe at hand! Apparently, Isaac has a stellar imagination already, though I'm not sure I appreciate the link between a little poo and guacamole. I think it'll be awhile before I can eat chips and guac again! It does make for a great story to tell his girlfriends when he gets older!

This week has been great. Though Ben and I both feel like we are being pushed to our limits and staying busier than we ever want, we know that we are headed in a good direction and that the things we are doing are worthy causes. Ben is about to finish his two classes (8 credit hours)! Whoa! All the time he is working full time. We are so looking forward to this week with some friends and family and the opportunity to watch my little brother (who is much taller than me) play basketball for Regis University. (http://www.regisrangers.com/) It promises to be a great week of eating and basketball (and maybe a little black friday shopping...) So, here's to another great week in what we like to call paradise! May we all take a minute to give thanks and to realize the truly wonderful things in our lives.