I am officailly crafty.

I just want to brag on myself because I can. I used to not feel very crafty or cute and I decided to stop telling myself I am not this or that, and just do. My dining room chairs were really bothering me because they are fabric covered and very hard to clean. With a 2 year old and another baby soon to walk and make messes too, I wanted to do something about it. They had red sidewalk chalk on it, spilled root beer, and who knows what else. (I did try to clean the chairs, but to no avail. I am not that dirty people!) Well I bought some fabric and some grandma sofa vinyl covering and redid them. They are fabulous if I may say so myself. I even have some extra fabric and I am making pillows to match! I am unstoppable!

I love free stuff.

This is for all our fans and followers. If you follow our blog or watch Oprah, then you will know that through the Oprah.com website you can get a free photobook (a $30 value) for the next 24 or 48 hours. Go and do! It's awesome to make a little memory book for your kids, to document holidays, give as a gift to mom or grandma..... the opportunities are endless! Have fun friends. Oh and a Container Store 20% off coupon. (They never do that). What can I say, I love a deal!

It's Fall

Considering it is Fall now, I have decided to do what I said I was going to do and document what our family has been doing this past summer. I guess I will start at the beginning.

JULY

We went to the Brian & Rhonda Metcalf family reunion at the end of July. It was fun for Cory to see all of his siblings, for Hali to meet all of her cousins and for everyone to meet Emery who was 2 months old at the time. We played games and visited and watched all the grandchildren play. Hali loved jumping and swinging with her cousin Calista and playing games with Daddy.






After the reunion in Malad, Utah we drove on to Rexburg and Driggs, Idaho where Miriam, Charlotte and Caitlin live. It was a very good time and we loved seeing the newly built Rexburg temple and visiting even more cousins!


In Driggs, we played with Miriam Nate and Jarrett. We rode horses and 4 wheelers and Hali got to pet a brand new colt! She was really excited about that. (After we got back home to Texas she would not stop saying, "Baby horsey, baby horsey!".)

They also took us to Jackson Hole Wyoming. We had lunch at the park, went to the hot springs, and saw mooses! :)

Emery's Blessing

Cory blessed Emery at Charlotte and Thomas' ward because her cousin Claire was just born a few weeks after Emery. We thought it would be special to do it on the same day.

One of my worst fears realized and survived.

I just had to write this down before I forgot, and also to remind Hali later in life. Last week I was doing dishes in the kitchen when I heard Emery coughing in her chair. Had I been a new mother I would have hopped over there and seen what was the matter. But knowing now that babies just cough sometimes, I didn't think anything of it. Mistake #1. Then, Hali comes around the corner and tells me (in her own unabridged words) "Mommy, she eating! She eating!" Very proud of herself. Putting two and two together very quickly, I run to Emery's bouncer chair to then see her face bright red/ purple. I scoop her out, turn her over and start baby Heimlich when a mouthful of Sun Chips fly out of her mouth. Hali must have gotten down out of her booster chair while mom was in her own dish world and shoved them in her mouth. Mistake #2. Just to remind those Moms and Moms-to-Be out there, babies have that tongue thrust reflex when something is placed in their mouth. Hali had to have pushed it back there for her to choke on it. Yikes. That was one of my worst fears as a mom and I realize now that things like that will happen with an almost 2 year old and a 4 moth old! Hopefully they are few and far between!!
I am happy that Hali loves the heck out of this sister of hers. I have to keep her from hugging her too tight and kissing her so long that Emery can't breathe! I love that she loves her sister. Every morning she gets up and says, "Where's sister? Oh, sister's sleeping! Shhhh!". I love it. I love my girls and I am so blessed to have 2 amazing, happy, healthy, beautiful, sweet girls.

Infant Potty Training

I just found out about this thing called infant potty training. It is exactly as it sounds. In America it is called EC or Elimination Communication. It it a little bit of a controversy here in the states but most other countries do this rather than let their babies poop and pee on themselves and then 2 or 3 years later tell them its yucky to do that and make them go somewhere else. I think it makes a lot of sense and I am all for using less diapers! I am gonna try is and see what happens. Thanks for the tip Lisa!

Finally!

I love my first born child. Hali went number 1 on the potty today!!! Yay! I don't know if she knew what she was doing but she did it! I think I can start full force now..... it will be so nice not to be changing 2 bums all day........ I know it could be worse. I could be changing 6 at once, right?

Funniest thing I have heard in a long time!!!

My sister Charlotte sent me this link about a car accident. It's not the accident that's funny, it is the victims.......... click on ACCIDENT PHONE CALL.
I needed that laugh....... :)

Photoshoot

My friend Natalie Layton took pictures of our family yesterday and you can click on her name to see the pictures. I will post again when she finishes editing the rest. She is amazing!! Thanks again Natalie.

I've been naughty...

I haven't blogged lately. You know how it is 20 month old and a newborn..... :) But we have been doing a lot! Emery is so big; she is around 10.5 pounds. Hali is such a great helper and big sister. She loves baby Emmy! We went to Houston to visit my dad and step mom and sisters. Hali had a great time playing with them.

more pictures of Emery

Emery Nicole Metcalf!

She finally decided to come on Wednesday. All by herself! I'm sure that's indicative of an independent diva child #2! She was 8 lb 11 oz and came at 9:08am on 5/21/08. She is such a good baby and Hali is so in love with baby sister or "Emmy". We just love her!!

Inducement

Well, we've gotten tired of waiting for the baby to come so we are getting induced tomorrow morning (May 21st) at 7:00 am. I have been having lots of contractions all day today so Cory came home early from work just in case she decided to be funny and come the day before we induce! We are so excited to add to our family but we are definitely gonna wait to have a 3rd for a while. I know, I know, you will all believe it when you see it! I can't help if Cory and I were made for each other!! Hali is excited for baby sister to come also. She talks to me tummy and says, "Hi!" and then, "Bye bye" or "Night night" and puts my shirt down. She really does know sister is in there!

baby girl metcalf #2.... where are you?

My due date was yesterday, May 11th and she was a no show! I have never been more tempted with an inducement in my life!! She will come when I stop thinking/ complaining/ talking about it. :) Hali is getting bigger everyday and talking so much. Oh yeah... and tantruming!!! Can we say early terrible 2's?

Waiting......

She, (#2) hasn't come and I am getting very tired of being pregnant!! Hali is such a big girl now! :(
Here is some translations for you from 18 month old Hali Ryann.

Oh-e-oh= video (she's obsessed)
hi-ing=crying (she's usually talking about her babies)
ubble= bubble ( again, she's obsessed)
ow-side= outside ( she is definitely mine!)
pa-pa= grandpa Metcalf (her fav person)
meow= milk

Besides all that she is saying a lot of words pretty well! Poo poo, pee pee, bye bye, baby (hers and the one in mommy's tummy), shoes, socks, cracker, cookies, lots of food items :), hello, hi, bottle, and many many more!

More April

I haven't been keeping up but here is a summation of what's been going on in our house; Cory's birthday was on the 2nd this month and I made him a semi-romantic dinner. (how romantic can you get with a 1 1/2 year old watching baby Einstein in the next room?) :) Then his parents came over for cake and then he opened his present... Guitar Hero III. My bad. haha He loves it and is getting good. My mom came from California on the 22nd and she has been doing everything. Thank heaven! and we're still waiting for #2 to come. Yes, that is her name until we can think of a different one!

Easter!

These are some Easter pictures finally! Hali had a great time doing the hunt. It was so hot that day so she got pooped fast. We went to our friends the Ayres house for Easter dinner and Hali loved crawling in the dog kennel. Some peoples kids......... :)

Molly's belly, Cory's bike, & Hali is getting big!

Molly's belly is growing and the bun is still baking. My due date is April 26th but my doctor is trying to convince me it is May 17th. We will see who is right! :) We have a new addition to the family. (not a new baby) but Cory's motorcycle. He loves it. It's "just for cruising around the hill country" and "it gets good gas mileage".(Quotes from Cory) Like I'm that dumb. haha. Hali is becoming a big girl! She is very excited for baby sister to come. She kisses my belly and always hugs her and waves "hi". She will be a great helper to mom. She also asked to go on the potty today and told me she had to go #2. Better hurry to the store and get some pull ups and a potty chair! I almost want to keep her in diapers because shes just my baby! I said almost........... :)