On pins and Needles

So new little Pack is due January 24th HOWEVER I am dilated to 3 1/2 cm already! So WHO KNOWS. I think that is for sure the hardest thing. We really now have NO clue when she will get here. Kaylee came at 36 wks and 5 days and I am 36 wks and 2 days. So.........We'll keep you posted!

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed

I must say as I sit down to write this post that I am completely exhausted! Although the day did not start off super early, 8:00 am does come pretty quickly when you don't sleep. But even with the sleepless, super pregnant, stuffy nose kind of sleepless night I experienced I was so excited to have Christmas with Kaylee. She was pretty clueless to what was about to happen, but Shane and I were like little kids just so excited to watch her open her presents. I set up everything the night before, just like my parents use to, with her presents from Santa and her stocking all together! It was so cute.


We had to wait for Shane's Brother and his wife due to some weather issues so we were watching Kaylee like a hawk making sure she didn't wander off into the present room! Well of course a few minutes before they got there we all slacked and the next thing we hear is a high pitch squeal of excitement. We rush in and she is pushing around the little princess baby stroller we had got her. Honestly she would have been just fine with that present alone, however that was certainly no the case this year. Sean and Alexa soon arrived and the festivities began.We all soon realized we had gone INSANE as far as Kaylee was concerned and it was hard to keep her focused as we would open one present and all she wanted to do was play with it and we are telling her "no wait Kay there's MORE." It was pretty funny and the poor little girl was pretty popped at the end of it all. Needless to say she SCORED big time! I think she got every Mermaid thing you can imagine.

It was a great morning and we were lucky enough to spend the day with family, good food and entertainment. It was so fun to watch little Kaylee enjoy her first real Christmas, apart from last year when she was more interested in eating the paper! We were all sad to be away from our Shepherd family, but felt their love.

What a wonderful Holiday to be together and focus on the joy of others. I still can't believe Christmas is over. It went by so quickly this year, but I hope the Christmas Spirit will continue into the winter months ahead. We love you all and hope everyone had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

PS I had to add this because it was so funny. Kaylee loved to play with my mother-in-laws nativity and this is how we found it one night! hahaha

Kaylee's version of the Nativity!

WHITE Christmas

So it really hasn't snowed at all this winter, but Mother Nature is sure making up for lost time. I woke up to go to a doctor's appointment and saw this!

AND it just keeps on dumping on us! So bring on the White Christmas!!! YEA!!!

My Sister is getting HITCHED!!

Yes I used the word hitched...must be because of that darn mermaid movie that plays all day :)
Anywho Katie is engaged!!!! YEAH! We are all SO excited. She is getting married to the wonderful Michael Harmon of Wyoming that she met while on tour with BYU Folk Dancers in Poland. (He was serving a mission there and she only just thought he was cute, there was no funny business folks. He was a missionary so she just viewed from afar) Well then thanks to the powers that be (and FACEBOOK) they started talking when he came home, hung out once and the rest as they say is history!
They are the cutest couple and we are thrilled to get Mikey as a new Brother! (Yes even Shane the great likes him, which is saying A LOT if you know Shane :) Kaylee is practically obsessed with Mikey, or in her words "Muckey." Whenever she is on the phone its with "Muckey" and she loves when Katie and Mikey are together. She just stares and cheeses (little goof ball!)

Mikey proposed December 10th...I'll post a video soon of them telling how he did it! Oh and the ring is GORGEOUS. The happy couple are looking to get married sometime in March.
Shane and I, Kaylee too, are SO happy for them and wish them all the best.

I love you Penguin! I am SO happy for you!

Christmas is almost here!!!

Is it just me that is freaking out that Christmas Eve is in a week! Time has flown by. I guess it just hasn't really felt like Christmas time to me this year. We made Gingerbread houses and the house has been in all its Christmas wonder since November so why the weird mood. Maybe its because I haven't been listening to Amy Grant like we always do, or that I've been stuck inside watching "mer-mee" all day :), OR that we won't be going home to Sac this year at all WAHHH!!! Whatever it is I am sad the Holidays are upon us and I don't feel as jolly as I have in years past.

I was put in as my church's choir director recently and just finished our Christmas Program this past Sunday. It was very lovely and my choir did a fantastic job. I was so proud. We really focused though on the reason for the Christmas season and how we can keep Christ in Christmas this year. Its easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this time, but to really focus on the spirit of the holidays...giving, service, love...that might be why it hasn't felt like Christmas to me. I've been so focused on the glitz and glamor aspect that I've forgotten the important stuff!

Well I guess I still have a week to get out of this funk and make this a Christmas to remember. Maybe this year instead of stressing over how to get everyone and their dog a present with no money we'll focus on how we can serve and really enjoy the true meaning of the holiday.

Progress?!?

I'm thinking she doesn't totally get it yet......we're working on it!

(For those concerned don't worry this has never been used.
The brushes are ok, I repeat the brushes are ok)

PROOF

I do not consider myself a bad parent although I do let my child watch Little Mermaid up to three times in one day....what can I do? She smiles so big at me and says "Peeasse mom, mer-mee." I'm a softie. So here is the Queen of the world in her "Mermaid trance" as we call it. Enjoy!

Kaylee's Obsession

So lately Kaylee has been in Love with "mer-mee." I put it on a while back just to see if she would be interested....bad idea. I think we've watched it literally 30 times since. WOW! Its funny the things you notice too. Kaylee was scared of the shark and when Ursula came on she kept saying, "Nice, Nice" in a worried voice. It was really cute. She also apparently hates when its raining. She gets all concerned and says "rain-neen."
So Parents beware the movies you put on to entertain your child. You might end up having to watch them 800 times :)

Thanks Be Given

We were fortunate enough to come home to Sacramento for the Thanksgiving holiday. Shane has started a new job which unfortunately didn't allow him to come with us, BUT being the bomb husband he is he let Kaylee and I come anyways. What a nice guy. Sadly I think people here are starting to doubt I even have a husband. So let the record show I do!! I promise :)

So even though we missed Shane very much, Kay and I had a great Thanksgiving. My family and I headed down to the bay area and spent the turkey day with my Aunt and her family and my grandparents. It was a great day full of naps, WAY GOOD food and a reflection of the things that are important in our lives. Every year we try to go around the table and say what we are thankful for. This year was especially wonderful to be around loved ones and truly express our gratitude for all we have. I have decided to publicly share mine.

I am Truly Thankful for...

My Hubby. He is a great guy who takes good care of us! He works super hard and still has time to be a terrific dad and husband. We love you Shane-y poo!


My Bab(ies). YES that is plural!!! Crazy! Although Pack number 2 is not here yet I still have a love for her. Of course for now Kaylee is number one and I don't know what we would do without her. She has stolen our hearts and fills each day with such excitement and joy! We probably would get more love from our families if Kaylee wasn't around, but Shane and I are totally fine being complete second to our little girl!

My Savior.
In the past years I have come to really understand the importance of the gospel in my life. It isn't just something I do, but truly has become something I strive to become. I love knowing that if I do my part that I can live with my family forever. Its an amazing thing.

My Family. Shane and I are very blessed to have wonderful family. We have certainly had our ups and downs along the way, but feel so lucky to have such a great group of people to call our own.

My Friends. I don't know what anyone would ever do without good friends. I think Shane and I both would agree we have been blessed in this area of our lives as well. We have great friends both past and present who have enriched our lives and made the days even better. Thanks you guys!

My Health.
I have one beautiful little girl and another on the way. I have a healthy body and mind. Its something I think we take for granted sometimes the little things we can do, but it is a blessing.

My Freedoms.
The world is indeed a scary place, but how lucky are we to live in a country where we are free to choose. I know I take it for granted especially when you watch the news and get overwhelmed by evil and terrible things, but it could be so much worse. Sadly its taken a few good movies to really wake me up to what really happens outside the US.

ECT.
I could probably go on forever if you really sat down and thought about everything, but I won't. Hopefully this coming year we will be able to really look at our lives with more gratitude. To see what we have been given versus what we lack.

Growing up SO fast

It seems we didn't get the memo that Kaylee was no longer a baby, but a little girl. Her actions however have let us know loud and clear. Today was her first Sunday in Nursery at church. Nursery is basically like church daycare for 18 month and older kids. Although it was a little sad seeing my baby go off without even looking back at her dad and I the rest of the meetings were heaven! The picture below is her big Nursery girl outfit. How cute huh! (Got to love Ross)


Now her stats prove otherwise. At her checkup this past week we were informed that Kaylee, all 19 lbs 10 oz of her, was in the 0%! HAHAHA! So yes she is a big girl but a very petite girl. That's the word our sweet Doctor uses to make us feel better. I guess we shouldn't be too surprised considering it was never in the stars for us to have giants so we are more than happy with our little petite one.

Kaylee has decided to create her own language, fake cry (hands over her eyes and everything), learn about 30 more words and try to use the potty. Yes the potty. We bought her one the other day and she acted like we gave her a handful of candy. She just would look at it and squeal, "POTTY!" We have yet to have any success on it yet, but we really haven't given it a solid effort.

So yes we indeed missed the memo about our little baby becoming this little person right in front of our eyes. A little person with a HUGE personality, as dramatic as can be and sweet as ever. We did miss the memo, but we love this new little person and are having a blast seeing her literally change so much every day!

She climbs up on the couch on her own and this is what I find
So big lounging watching Mickey Mouse

Reading Magazines with Mommy

An excuse to post some pictures

New things are happening in the Pack Family, but in all honesty I just wanted to put some pictures up :) Who can ever have enough pictures of their child...wait WE CAN and we do. Sadly one day our children will ask, "Mommy I want to see pictures of you and Daddy from when I was little" and I will say "Too bad we only have 5!" hahaha but really Shane and I do need to be a little better about taking pictures (and video) of ourselves once in a while at least for our posterity's sake :)
*Oh we did get a home phone though so if you want the number message me and I will give it to you. The cell phones are no more people :(

I said Cheese mom now can we go for a walk!

My little "Mini Shane" and her very own popcorn bowl

She thinks its her seat...what can ya do, she's very proud of herself :)

The Little BYU fan with her Great Grandpa-They're twins!!

Trick or treating at the Mall

NO She is not hurt!!! She was playing with my makeup and got into my lipstick. When I looked at her she just said, "eye, eye." No kaylee its not for your eye!

Playing with Uncle Na-Nee

She LOVES cottage cheese (and eating it by herself)

A Happy Hallowwen

Here are some pictures from our ward Halloween party. It was a ton of fun! Shane and I dressed up like White trash if you couldn't tell :) We have such a wonderful ward and love it so much. I actually ate most of Kaylee's candy after the party (Shara) and on Halloween night when I gave Kay her EMPTY bucket on Halloween night she looked at it and yelled "Oh NO." hahaha so much for trying to fool her!
Kaylee also very much enjoyed trick or treating. We decided to tell her to just say please at the doors since her saying trick or treat sounded like a bunch or crazy words :) She had a blast and every day looks for her "buckey" of candy! Enjoy the pictures. More to come when we can.

*Also we are having a phone crisis so you will not be able to get a hold of us via telephone but feel free to email or blog us and we'll try to check it! Sorry :)

Good Times with Mom

Well my mother headed back to Sacramento this morning. She was here for a couple weeks to visit my sister, brother and I. It was so nice to have her here. We went to conference and played and just had a gay ol' time! We are all so sad to see Ba-Ba leave. We wish that the family lived closer. Get on that Shepherds!!!
Mom we love your guts and it was so nice to have you here. Kaylee misses you!
Here are a few pics we took while she was visiting!

Introducing Mom to J-Dawgs!

Johnny made us Mexican Sushi...SO GOOD!
(He had a little Japanese help from Shane :)

Katie & Mikey

(Kaylee loves Mikey-she can say his name perfectly and it always comes with a cheesy grin!)

One of Kaylee's MANY dramatic faces

Oh and here is the Belly!

Little Miss Chatterbox

Yes our little Kaylee is just a chatterbox! There are times when it is purely nonsense jabber (still SO cute) but she has quite the little vocabulary. It just kills Shane and I to here her go from saying nigh (for nice) and ba-ba (for baby) to NICE and BABY! I mean she speaks so clearly. We are so impressed with our little girl. Its not fair how much she grows so quickly!
We love asking her to say different words and besides the occasional what the heck was that she usually is dead on. We just love it.

No Place Like Home...or my Family!!

Once again I was able to go home for a week and see mi familia. It was really nice to be in Sacramento although it was really hot and I was thinking nice Fall weather...haha. Anyways it was just good to be able to spend time together and be with my family. I have to say I am very blessed with great family. Shane is a great husband and father and the Shepherds ROCK! (Much love to the Packs too!)
I guess I was just feeling lovey dovey :) Its just cool to have people in your family who are truly your best friends too. I love you guys!!!

Well enough of that :) here are some cute pics!!

She LOVES outside at Grandma's :)

Pictures at JCPenney's

(Interesting time, but we got some cute shots)

Just like daddy!

My belly at 24 weeks...and so it begins

NO KEYBOARD

Our lovely little daughter decided our blue tooth piece was a toy hence breaking it with her constant touching, hence leading to NO mouse and keyboard. Stupid wireless stuff!! Apparently these days its hard to get an old keyboard that isn't from the 80's so I have no way of writing on my own computer. I still look at all your lovely blogs but there have been no posts and comments due to the lack of a electronic writing device :)
AHHHH we're working on it. If anyone knows someone with an old keyboard WITH a usb connector that would be fantastic!
I am home visiting the family right now (Thanks Shane) so I will try to catch you up on our oh so exciting life! I know you can't wait so I will try not to keep you all waiting too long.... :)

GIRLS RULE, Boys Drool!

HAHA Yes we will be adding yet another Diva to the Pack family. We found out today we are having another little girl. What can we say, we know how to make em :) We are SO excited! The baby looks healthy and well and we are just counting down the days before our lives are even more crazy!! Bring it on!

Our big little little girl

So, I have this little girl named Kaylee. When I say little, please understand, she is 15 1/2 months old and dripping wet she does not weigh 20 lbs. She is a little little girl, but seriously, she is a genius. It is so nice that she can (most of the time) let us know what she wants. Kaylee has grown out of the "I'm just going to yell until you figure out what I want" stage, and has entered the "I'm just going to stand here and yell at you what I want" stage. We are working on her manners- which at this point is just putting "puh" on the end of whatever she wants. I'm sure the "lease" part will come, and I am also sure that I will be sad when it does. She is growing up so freaking fast that is almost makes me mad sometimes, but it is so fun to see her figure things out. Time seems to go too fast when we look back at our not so little baby, but we love every minute of it!

I say Cheese for the camera!

I color!

I try on my mom's clothes