Corbin Max Thompson

Our little man finally decided to come. Much faster than we all expected. From start to finish it was only 4 1/2 hours! That was quite an improvement over Ashlyn's 22 hour ordeal! He came Wednesday, February 6th at 11:16pm. He was 6 lbs. 14 oz. and 18 inches long. So happy birthday to Colleen and Cami!

Is it really so

Here is an updated picture of the little guy we are yet to meet. You would think it couldn't get any bigger than this, but somehow it has.

I would like to thank all of those who voted and gave me new, great ideas for names. However, I am disappointed that my name got out voted. My first pick is Camden, and then maybe Gavin. But then we were thinking we could name him Corbin Bleu Thompson. Any High School Musical Fans with us??

The counter is down to only three days, however he can't come tomorrow because Dylan has clearly let us know he would like to keep his birthday to himself. I think we were ready last week for this kid to come. I had cleaned the house, done my laundry and even done my own shaving! I learned from my sister-in-law that really the toe nail painting and leg shaving is customly done by the husband- great idea considering I had to hold my breath just to clip my toe nails!

As some of you might have guessed the above picture is not really me, it is Connor with one of Dylan's birthday balloons stuffed in his shirt. Here is the real thing:

And still I think this doesn't quite do justice, seriously, I am unnaturally huge! As you can see I am also sporting my everyday outfit- sweats. I live in them because everything else is so breezy now-a-days. My maternity clothes have actually gotten too small and they don't meet in the middle! And boy can it get cold here! Maybe that is why this kid hasn't come- he can feel how cold it can get and he likes to stay where it is always warm.

Put us in your prayers for this week. This kid had better come or I will go insane. I think Dylan and Ashlyn no longer believe that this kid is ever really going to come because of the many anticipatory comments we have made to them. We are constantly telling them, to tell Him to come out and play. Ashlyn thinks it is all just a big game and Dylan doesn't remember the last time I actually played "the real" games with him (wrestling, running and tackling him.)

Sleepless

No, this is not in regards to the birth of our third child. I wish I could say that it was. Too bad we are all sleep deprived before the big bang actually begins! It is 11pm and I am of course sitting here writing a post on our blog listening to Dylan scream his head off. At this moment I am wishing he was 8 months old again- knowing that he really COULD cry himself to sleep. However, now that he is almost 4, it doesn't work that way. Crying actually does the opposite, it gets him all worked up and hysterical. He has already lost so many privileges for tomorrow that I already dread waking up. He is just going to cry all day about the choices HE MADE! It is so hard to discipline!!!! I really do hate it. But will he ever learn? I keep telling him he can just turn on his light and play or read to his hearts content- but my little Dylan can only spends 2% of his day alone in the quiet.


So this all stems from a few things- one of which you all know is all due to the fact that he needs very little sleep. And, yesterday we took a trip down to the Columbus Temple. We are the furthest we have ever been from a temple so it has been an adjustment. It takes us close to three hours from our door the the temple doors. So the whole kids things is pretty tricky too, let alone the long drive. Luckily, we have some very generous friends from Boston that live right near the temple and volunteered their day to help us out. However, we woke up at 4 am (well I did) to get to the 9 0'clock session. So you can only imagine how this might have thrown off our normal routine. We are still paying for it as you can see. So I knew Dylan needed a nap today (his behavior a lone was a flashing light). Either I let him sleep too long, or he is still recovering?!?!?! My question is when do I get to recover? I have to get caught up before I am behind again. Or maybe I might as well embrace it all and get a little practice in.

A second, unrelated note- We had a name picked out for this little guy. However, Connor let me know a week or so ago that he was no longer "feel'in it." So here is yet another, fun contest for all of you: A special prize (knowing that you helped us out a whole lot and you get to take all the credit) will be awarded to the one who can help us find the perfect name! There are a few guidelines it has to keep:

1. It has to be uncommon enough for me to enjoy and appreciate
2. Yet traditional enough for Connnor to even think it is a name
3. Not too long to go with the last name of Thompson
and of course
4. A name I like- worthly of my 9 months and labor!!!!


On the side bar I have posted just a few names from our list for you to vote on, hopefully you will pick my favorite (to somehow convince Connor that the name I like is the coolest name!) I am just hoping you can help us find a name not our our list that we can magically BOTH like. Maybe that is what this kids is waiting on- a name!

A drum roll please!

And the winner of the undie guessing is...

Well there is a tie. Morgan and Jenny both guessed 7. However, that still isn't the right answer, just the closest. Ashlyn is really wearing 8 pairs of Dylan's underwear, and all at the same time! The funniest part was when she turned around and started walking- her now "big butt" waddled very well. I couldn't help but laugh. And just FYI This is not all the underwear Dylan owns, I just had to stop her before she cut off her circulation. For those who haven't potty trained yet- I suggest only getting underwear with a picture pattern all around or solid colors. Dylan has a few with one big picture on the bum. However, he insists that the picture has to be worn on the front. So some days I feel like he is wearing a thong.

I wish I had a prize to give the both of you, but since I am not near either of you, my fond memories of you both will have to do.

My Sanity

First we will start with Ashlyn. She has been very anxious to wear underwear. She is constantly trying to steal Dylan's. Here is a picture of here with MOST of Dylan's underwear on. She is fairly good at letting me know when she needs to "poo", but as for "pee" -not much luck. The hard part is when she drags me off to the potty because she is adamant that she needs to go. So I take off her shoes (that she has to wear all day- changing them every few hours) and then off with her pants, unbutton her undershirt and finally take off her diaper. Many times, she sits for 10 seconds and exclaims that she is "done." No matter how hard I try to persuade her to stay and wait it out, it is useless. She is determined that Dylan is off doing something with out her. If I am lucky she will actually stay in the bathroom for 10 minutes, constantly getting up and down from the potty. Sometimes having success and sometimes not. So then I have to reattach her diaper (usually as she is running out of the bathroom) and if I am lucky I will get clothes back on- but if not I am in for more trouble. Dylan has figured out a way to get around my "no shorts and t-shirts in the winter" rule that had to be enforced because of all the trouble he was giving me. When he sees Ashlyn run around with no clothes on, he feels it is fair game. He strips down to his underwear and refuses to put his clothes back on. Our company has commented on our "strange practices." So I am often playing with naked kids!

So here is a little game: to see who can guess the right number of underwear Ashlyn is simultaneously wearing in this picture! Use your comments to guess, and I will post the winner. Happy guessing!

On the other hand my little Dyl has somehow received the "no need for sleep" gene from his grandfather, Poger. He wakes up at 7 am with exactly NO exceptions. The "big game" was this last Monday and so he was up until midnight. Any normal human being would sleep in at least a little, or catch up somewhere along the road. But my fella just keeps on rolling. If he by chance gets even the slightest nap during the day, our 9pm bedtime (isn't that late enough) is a joke. He is constantly telling us each night that he is "not tired." So maybe around 11 he will finally fall asleep. One night, as I was home alone, I heard little creeping footsteps coming down the stairs. I, in a panic, had to pretend to get ready for bed (I have told him that we go to bed as well, so there is no use in staying up.) However, this is the only time during my day without children hanging at my knees- which usually means I juice it for all it is worth. He just looks at me with a sly smile as though he has accomplished a great feat. Sending him back upstairs only leads to another trail of sneaky feet. Does anyone have any ideas to make this kid NEED sleep? I envy those friends of mine who complain about having to "wake their kids up." Our alarms are covered in years of dust.

And for my last topic, my last hurrah, is that Football season is soon to be over. Make no mistake, I love to watch football, even better is playing. Having HD cable leaves all excuses for ALL the football games to be on or watched. I never knew Connor was a fan of so many teams!!! Each of course lasting AT LEAST three hours. Conveniently for some, there always seems to be a game on! I would love to sit and watch too, however the kids don't find it particularly entertaining and I could find a million things I could do in that time. At least the college bowls have finally concluded and the super bowl is coming up. Lucky for me, Connor finds the pro games the least entertaining. So count your blessings for cable huh??

Happy sleeping, potty training, super bowl watching and guessing!

No where to go but out

Here is just a glimpse of my 8th month, for all of
those that hounded me for pictures. Dylan, again, is my photographer. These are just a few of the silly comments I get (maybe you can relate):

1. Are you over due?
2. Is that real or is it just a basketball?
3. Wow, you are really big!
4. You look so... um...beautiful (I mean what else would they say to a pregnant lady, but do they really mean it?)
or
5. They talk about that "pregnancy glow" that you have all over you- which is just bull, cause we all know we don't glow!!

I have now arrived at the "very ready to have my body back stage", however, not quite ready for the all nighters! But it is way too late to turn back now!

One last and final note: Dylan is such an amazing photographer that he can make anything look better than it really does. So to say the least, the basketball is really bigger than it looks! Even Connor is constantly amazed at how big I am, and he just laughs. At least I can give someone a good laugh!

Christmas Vacation

We had a wonderful Holiday and we hope you all did to. Here is just an overview of some of the fun things we did.

Dylan loved riding the snowmobiles at the Thompson cabin. There was plenty of snow and we had a few big storms while we were there as well. Connor drove the snowmobile as fast as it could go and Dylan still wanted to go faster (the need for speed gene). And even after a few hours of riding, Dylan wasn't ready to get off (Connor did not have a hard time giving into this demand). Ashlyn, on the other hand, did not enjoy the snowmobile. Instead, she loved being pulled around in a sled. Connor helped build a giant sled run, however I didn't quite get to the top to try it out.

The moment we walked in the our door from our trip, Dylan said he wanted to go back to the cabin. He must have enjoyed sharing the play space with his 23 cousins! They all performed a live nativity on Christmas Eve for the adults. We also had a very enjoyable "dance party" where we got to see Dylan's break dancing moves and Ashlyn's groove.

Dylan got a Leapster for Christmas, which he calls his "field journal," which goes in his "rescue pack" (Diego). A few of his cousins got either a DS or a leapster, so there were lots of "game time" where they all sat down together and played. It is has been fun to watch Dylan try to keep up with the "big boys."

We hope the New Year has great things in store for all of you!

I did it!

So I never thought I could say it, but I am all caught up with my stocking making for the year! Here is just a look at another one of my stockings (this one I would not recommend making) but it is fun!

Again, I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas, enjoyed with your families surrounded in the love of our Savior.

Here Comes Santa Clause!

Here is my latest project. I have been on a project frenzie since the completion of my test- my project freeze. Here is Ashlyn's finally finished stocking. Now I just need to work on my own. However, at this rate it might have to wait until next year. I have found that creating my own "pattern" is rewarding, yet time consuming (I am a pour pattern follower.)

Santa will be visiting our house this Saturday because he knows we will not be here on Christmas day. Dylan is very excited that the day has finally arrived, one he has been waiting for for three months. When he sat on Santa's lap he asked for a Mack (cars) and a bell (polar express.) So if there is anyone who wants to join us for Santa's first visit of the year, we would love to have you!!!

Happy Holidays!

Proud Parents

Here is just one of Dylan's many "funny faces." Dylan is transitioning from nursery to primary. So the "moonbeams" get to go to part of primary. The primary in our ward has been working hard on learing their articles of faith. Each week a few children, who want to, can go up to the microphone and "pass off" an article of faith of their choice. Last week Dylan really wanted to go up. I told him we needed to work on it. Within a few days Dylan was ready. Today we was so excited. He practically ran to the podium and sang his first article of faith with brilliance. He is the first moonbeam to pass one off. How proud we are of him! He now says he is ready to do the next one!

I received my certificate in the mail yesterday. I am now officially

Michal E. Thompson, CCLS

I also have been called as a nursery worker. Just when I thought I could finally listen for two of the three meetings! I should be more careful what I think about next time!

It's Official!!

I have spent the last three months living, breathing, and worrying about my Child Life Certification Exam. I traveled to SLC to take it at the beginning of this month. I felt prepared until I actually took the test. It was very difficult and I had talked myself into believing that I didn't pass. However, all my hours (and Connor's) and all the money I put into it finally paid off! I PASSED!!! So I am now a certified Child Life Specialist!!

Leaves, Leaves and more Leaves!!

This is for all my friends in Boston who wish they had a house (or even a yard), and also for my friends and family who live in the dry West who wish they had greener vegetation.


This picture represents what I did today- ALL day! This is 1 of 5 piles of leaves that I raked in the BACKYARD alone- and only two weeks worth of leaves. I promise that this pile is bigger than it looks in the picture (taken by Dylan who refused to come out and be in it- pretty good for a three year old)! But it didn't end at making huge piles. I then had to rake them onto a tarp and pull them to the front curb. I decided our curb isn't big enough. I also didn't realize how heavy leaves are! By the last few loads I also had a couple of kids on the tarp as well. I didn't know it would be so hard to juggle leaf raking and two kids in the cold! So nap time, and a little TV really helped. It didn't help that my Dylan, with his three year old curiosity (those with three year olds know what I mean) asked why we have to rake the leaves. It really made me rethink the worth of what I was doing.

Most of you are probably wondering why a 7 month pregnant woman is raking so many leaves. Today was one of a VERY FEW dry, and amazingly sunny, days here. I had to take advantage of being able to rake dry leaves, wet ones are even harder to rake! I also have a husband who gets home after dark and I wanted to spare him the hours in the dark. To top it off- our "leaf guy" comes any day now to suck up our leaves.

So to all of those who don't even own a rake- I envied you today!!

Moving Again!!

I know we just got to Cleveland. However, Connor's employer, Eaton, has already asked us to submit our request for next year. We were hoping we would be able to stick around for his second rotation, but the plant here in Cleveland is not included in the program. So we will be in Raleigh, NC next August. For all of those who need a break from the cold weather next winter, we welcome you all! We also wanted to get a taste for the entire country before settling down back in the West! So to add to our adventures of the Northeast, the Midwest, now we will see the South!

An adventure into Upholstery

Here is my latest project. I found a cute kids chair at a garage sale for $3. I was so excited about my find. But Connor was not too impressed. So I set out to recover the chair. Not bad for my first time huh? However, I think I should have sent Connor out to find the new fabric! Amazing how passionate a man can be in home decor!

My Sweet Little Girl!

I know this is the moment you have all been waiting for! We finally figured out our picture problem. We thought we had a virus on our computer and so after a lot of help we corrected the problem. So I have added some much needed pictures to our past blogs.

These are just a few of my favorite pictures of Ashlyn. I hope they make you laugh as much as they did me! She really loves to be like Dylan. So here she is in his underwear, in his pajamas, refusing to wear clothes like Dylan, but then also loving chocolate like her mom. She has even showed interest in the potty. It is still a work in progress but she does like to try to pee standing! I will let you all know how that goes!

I have also changed our blog background. However, On different computers it views different. Please let me know how it looks on your computer so I can make adjustments!