Holiday Randomness

I'm a bit behind on the blogging, so this entry's sort of a smorgasbord of holiday happenings. =)

1. THE PREGNANCY- I'm fat. Just getting fatter by the minute. But I feel pretty good, other than the awful hip pains in the middle of the night. It could be worse. I think I'm holding up quite nicely. The only other news I've been given about my delivery is that my Doc's on jury duty that week, and may or may not be delivering me. Thanks Doc! He's been a real winner, this guy. Nice enough. Seems totally competent. But kind of a butt-head in other areas. Whatever. By Jan. 12th I'll be ready to be cut open by anyone at that point. Dr., nurse, janitor, I'm sure I won't care. But I've been promised I'll have someone who's excellent doing the c-section, even if it's not my Dr. . Better be. I already told my doc about my last horrific c-section, that breast pumps were thrown and names were called. I'm not a good patient if I'm stuck in the hospital for 2 weeks, so he better bring his A game!

2. THE TREE TRAIN- We took the Christmas train from Fillmore to Santa Paula with my sister and her boyfriend, along with my mom and step-dad. It's a fun little tradition started the year Tay was born. Santa comes on the train and passes out candy before you're dropped off in a Christmas tree lot to cut down your own tree. We had a great time and plan on doing it again next year.

3. THE BABY SHOWER- A few of my friends in our ward threw me a shower. It couldn't have been any nicer. We just chatted, ate great food (thanks to The Mitchell's), opened presents, and just enjoyed each other's company. I really never thought I'd have another shower, but I'm so glad we did. I left feeling more excited about the baby coming than I've felt this whole pregnancy. It kind of brought it home for me, like "O.k., I guess I'm actually having a baby." Sort of strange, I know. It just hit me recently after the shower that we'll have two!!! But I felt so much love from these women and just can't wait to bring Corinne into such a fantastic ward family, as well as my family who I've already been so blessed with. I was surprised anyone even showed up at all! It's the holiday season, so I know how crazy things can get. But everyone took time out of their schedules to come and celebrate with me. It meant so much!

4. QUOTE OF THE WEEK FROM TAY-

Tay: "Santa's ganna come to my house and play with me. That'd be fun."

Me: "What are you going to play."

Tay: (pausing to think this over seriously)...."Tea Potty!"

Love this kid.

My Norman Rockwell Weekend

This pregnancy got tough real quick, but I've been so spoiled by everyone lately that it's not as rough as it could be. I had a "Norman Rockwell" kind of weekend, as it turns out, starting on Friday when I did my one and only outing of the day to the mall to get Tay's pictures taken. She was a pro and we got some great shots for our Christmas cards. We treated ourselves to a chocolate shake, and strolled over to see Santa. To my shock, Taylor wasn't scared at all and was so excited to see him. And boy was this Santa a pro. He knew all the right things to say to a 2 year-old to make her light up like a Christmas tree. He mentioned Elmo and Dora and she was so excited. Wes was MIA because he was helping his dad clean carpets at the Marriott, or so I thought. On Saturday morning, Taylor and I met up with my Mom, Aunt Deb, and sister in Oxnard at my aunt's time share on the beach. The weather was GORGEOUS!!! My mom and I took Tay down to the beach where she ran, full speed into the water, screaming at the top of her lungs with Nana close behind. She must have been in there for 45 minutes, having the time of her life. Later on we did some Christmas shopping, and came home to a ham dinner that my aunt made. It was perfect. Sunday we went out to breakfast than said our goodbyes. I was so sad to leave such a great weekend with three of my favorite women on this earth.

I was a little grumpy about having to go home to a dirty house and a tired huband, but when we walked in the door the house was spotless, dinner was made, and my Grandma Millie's piano was in the living room with a big bow on it. Turns out the whole weekend was a set up. My wonderful husband and fantastic father in law drove down to Vegas and picked it up for me. Everyone apparently was in on it, and I couldn't have been more surprised. When my Grandma passed away, my Grandpa was kind enough to say I could have the piano. I thought with the baby coming that I'd never get to Vegas to get it, so Wes got it for me. What a wonderful early Christmas present. We were all in such a good mood that we went and got a Christmas tree to set beside the piano. We listened to Christmas music and put up decorations. The whole weekend was straight out of a Hallmark card. I went to sleep and woke up this morning still feeling totally blessed and happy. I'm one lucky gal to have such a great family. It was probably the best weekend I've had all year.

"Taylor and Landon, Sittin' in a Tree"

Not much to report in this here post. I'm fat and I'm feeling it. It's the home stretch and I've had more than one uncomfortable pregnancy symptom pop up lately, keeping me on my butt most of the day. But here are some pics from our most recent outing to the zoo. Probably the last time I'll see the zoo for months, seeing as how I can barely walk these days. Ugh. About 5 weeks left.

I'm also turning my blog of this year into a book using the blurb.com program. I'm almost done, but I have no title. Any suggestions?

Thanksgiving, Pollard Style

I know it's a week late to be doing this post, but I can't let it go unsaid that I made my first Thanksgiving turkey this year!!! It was actually edible, and delicious at that. Both Tay and Wes woke up from their naps that day saying, "Hmmm....What's that smell?" I was so proud. We spent Thanksgiving at my Mom's house this year with all of that side of the family and just enjoyed each other's company. Not to mention I ate my fair share of helpings that day. Wes and my cousin's daughter Lauren hit it off splendidly, and they had fun playing the Elefun game that Grandpa Bruce bought. Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. No stress really. No gifts to worry about. Just family doing the family thing.

The Elefun Game
Tending to my beautiful bird.

Barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen. What has my world come to?

Throwing it out there...

To My Loyal Readers,
Since the holidays are coming up, we're getting our carpets cleaned soon. Wes' parents own a carpet cleaning and restoration business so I thought I'd throw it out there in case anyone else is planning on getting their home ready for a Christmas party or what not. We all know how small businesses are taking a hit right now during this crappy economy. So if you ARE planning on getting your carpets or couches cleaned, give em a call!

Choose the Right Cleaning and Restoration
(805) 522-7915

And might I add, my mom owns a pool company, Sunrise Pools, so if you're in the market for a pool you might want to give her a call as well. What can I say? I'm just pulling for my family.=)

Sunrise Pools and Spas
(805) 522-3203