Today was supposed to be Zeb's day- unfortunately it didn't all work out as planned. Fortunately Zeb doesn't know any better. We wanted to go to "two toots"- a fun little place where your meal is brought out on a train! too bad the place closed down and we didn't know until we drove up. Luckily Zeb was just as entertained at the library playing with puzzles and running around.









He's been obsessed with wearing diapers on his head lately. Even Kent wore one with him today. He thinks it is sooo funny. He runs up and down the halls and dances around with it on. I love it.

Today is a good day. My tooth is fixed. Kent's test is over. Now we just need a nice uneventful weekend to enjoy our threeness while it lasts.

Does my header now appear the color of poo to the rest of you- or is it just our computer?!? I have no idea what happened there. Maybe it has something to do with the poll.

What does everybody think that we are having?



Despite the greatness of making it through Kent's test and a fixed tooth- there was one thing that made my day a bit of a bummer. I got some bad news via e-mail. I wrote the Cap'n Crunch people asking about their continuation of my favorite cereal. Here was the reply I received;

Leisy:

We're sorry to tell you we're no longer making Cap'n Crunch "Oops! All Berries" cereal. While we cannot predict if this variety of Cap'n Crunch will be available again in the future, we'll be sure to let our product development and marketing teams know how much you enjoyed it and that you'd like to see it back on the shelves.

Thanks for your loyalty to Cap'n Crunch.

Cathy
Quaker Consumer Relations
Ref# 026745560A

It was really nice of them to respond at least.

only one more dang appointment to go. AHHHHHHHHH.

I cannot explain how relieved I am to have that over. Unfortunately it was all a little more dramatic than I would have liked. I arrived a few minutes before my appointment, signed in, and took a seat. They called me up- verified that I was Anneliese- and had me take my seat again. 64 minutes later a dental assistant came out and informed me that they were not going to be able to do the root canal today. WHAT?!?! Then she asked "is that going to be a problem?". I nearly went hysterical on her. I'm sure my lip was trembling as I explained to her that I was having a baby sometime in the next four days and I had passed up an earlier induction JUST so I could get this dental work done. Apparently they had made an error and thought they'd already called me in to do the root canal- and now it was lunch and they were all leaving!??! are you joking? how did they freaking miss me? I was sitting DIRECTLY in front of the receptionist! not to mention I am NINE MONTHS pregnant and I was the ONLY white person in the waiting room. The dentist was kind enough to stay through his lunch (and pick up his sick son late from school) just so he could do the root canal. I must have thanked him a zillion times.

The actual procedure was NOTHING like I thought it would be. It wasn't bad at all. The shot to the roof of my mouth on the other hand was killer. An epidural shot doesn't hurt that bad.
The worst part of the entire experience was being pregnant. Sitting on my back- at that awkward downward angle- was insanely uncomfortable. My back was aching and the fetus was FREAKING.
It was worth the discomfort however. I just feel so much better knowing that it is almost over! Only one more appointment to fill the gap. I still have a temporary filling and as you can see my gums are a little tender after everything- but right now the numbness has mostly worn off and I feel great- no real pain yet (I did take a few tylenol when I got home).

Just 24 more hours to go and we are set to go! although I am still planning for the fourth.

What do I post about?! Kent is at school studying like a mad man all day -we're snowed in (nine inches of snow in the past twelve hours) and Zeb is being an angel. He's been napping for three and a half hours now and I've been able to read, catch up on some missed tv shows, and just relax.

I'm sure you are all checking to see if fetus miller has made its debut and become rugrat miller #2- but like I said- I've got to get this tooth fixed (only 19.5 hours away) and Kent has got to get his test taken (48 hours to go).

Many of you are asking for a belly shot- and I'm pretty much opposed to showing it off- but here's what I am willing to show. Nobody needs to see the associated body part growth that seems to pop out along with my belly (unless of course you are lucky enough to live in toledo and see it regularly in person) so here's just the belly along with rugrat zeb. I feel great still- and happily I haven't gained a pound in the last three weeks.

He loves to blubber with his tongue- and I love it too. He was the perfect kid today- completely redeeming himself from our day of hell yesterday. Why do people ever want more than one!?!? and check out his cute coat- we got it on clearance at Old navy for 4.99!!!!!! I got one in 2t, 3t, and 4t :)

I am so grateful for our health!!

Here is my little monkey one year ago today- checked in to Toledo Children's Hospital with rsv. Right now I'd have to say that we are all in perfect health (minus the six or seven pound parasite growing in me) and I am the happiest girl in the world.
Zeb's health has been spectacular. I have had the easiest pregnancy known to man and Kent has gained more weight (most of it muscle I might add!) the past nine months than I have!!!! In fact- he still outweighs me by a good little margin. Zeb's pregnancy was not so good to me in that respect (or perhaps it is more truthful to say that I was not so good to myself during that pregnancy).
Tomorrow I have my second to last dr's appt and this week begins the countdown of when I CANNOT have this rugrat. Thursday I have my dentist appointment to do my root canal. I have GOT to get this hole fixed before I have a baby- and kent has got to get his test taken on Friday. After that we are ready to go- but really I'd prefer the fourth (I'm due the second and went over two days with zeb). I'm still debating on what I should do about working out this week. I really don't want to just sit around- but I have no desire to break my water (laney's broke during kick boxing) or cause any premature labor. We'll have to just wait and see how I feel.

look how stinking cute my rugrat is

My neighbor took this picture while zeb was out playing in the snow with his pal. I think that it's the cutest picture ever. This one is pretty cute too.

thank heavens for ohioan ya-yas!

We got a package today and it could not have come at a better time. I've not been able to satisfy my craving for m&ms since we can't go to the grocery store (until MONDAY!!- grrrrrrrrrr). Good thing we have family in Ohio who could send some to me before the week ended :). Thanks for the package Starkeys!!! I opened up the m&ms and ate them (not all) immediately. I am such a happy girl (as is illustrated by the photo). Zeb was even happier to see a few surprises for him!!! Here he is very energetically explaining to me that he sees Toby and Thomas (with a few m&ms in his mouth). Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you!!

He has been such a little pill lately. Lucky for him he's so dang funny.

Zeb will always be my favorite. I'll deny that I said it- I'll delete this post if I have to- but I know that Zeb will always be my favorite rugrat. I think that all parents love their first child more than the rest- even if they never admit it. I'm sure my parents love me more than my sisters :)

Here's the rugrat playing his favorite game. "on-off". He'd stand on the chair all day if I let him.

boring rugrat, fetus, and food storage updates.

I thought for sure I'd have the baby last night. I don't remember the contractions hurting that bad with Zeb. In fact, until I actually went into labor I didn't have any contractions at all. Last night I had three hours of crazy crazy pain- I thought that I was going to throw up. This morning my doctor told me I should have just gone in- that they would have kept me. I AM NOT READY. I had nothing packed- the camera and camcorder were totally uncharged- and Zeb was asleep in bed. This morning at my appointment I had dilated another centimeter (I was a 2 last week, this week a three) but my effacement (50%) remains the same. I was progressing like this with Zeb and STILL went over two days. That's the plan with this one too.
I was still in some pain this morning - but after a good session of tae-bo with some friends I felt SO much better. Really- working out takes away any pregnancy symptoms that I have. I think it probably does the opposite for most people- but it's a lifesaver to me.

Here's my little rugrat after his accident today. He dropped his blanket as I was getting him out of the car and tried to bend down to get it (while in my arms) and banged into the corner of the door. It was TERRIBLE. It looked AND sounded super painful. Nothing is worse than hitting yourself on/around the nose. He was cringing and writhing and crying in pain! I almost started crying (blame it on the hormones). I think it's his first real "bleeder". We've had good luck with this kid and injuries! Too bad we can't say the same thing for sickness.

And lastly- Awhile back a friend gave me her old bread machine and I figured this week (being our food storage challenge) would be a great week to finally find out how to work it. We fed the missionaries tonight and I thought warm bread would be a great contribution to the meal. It was INSANELY easy. Why have I not been using this thing regularly?!?! I don't love white bread- but I found a good wheat bread recipe to try out -along with a few other good ones like cinnamon and sweet breads.

here's to our food storage.

Today at church our Bishop gave us a challenge. This week we are to live off of our food storage. No trips to the grocery store. No stops by Monnettes (our favorite corner market). Nothing.

We definitely have enough food to live off of- and with relative ease. I don't even think we'll have to actually delve into our real food storage. I had my menu planned out for the week (pretty much anyway) and we have plenty of the basics like flour, sugar, butter etc (thanks mom and dad for bringing the food storage tubs and gamma lids this past summer!). The problem is my comfort. The first thing I thought of when he challenged us was "how much ice cream do we have in the freezer?!?" and "why didn't I buy any m&ms at the grocery store this past week?!". Kent's first thought was "How am I going to not lose weight this week?!". No thoughts as to the welfare of our poor picky eater rugrat Zeb! What kind of parents are we?!

After a thorough check of our fridge, freezer, and cupboards- we decided that Kent and I may be using powdered milk at the week's end if we don't ration our current supply and that it would be helpful to have a hen around to lay some extra eggs. Luckily we have powdered/dehydrated eggs in food storage that we can use if necessary. Other than that I think we're set.

I'm excited to see how the week goes. Kent is set on making a big pot of rice and beans to eat throughout the week and I want to try out some new bread recipes. It should be a lot of fun. A week is definitely not that much of a stretch- but I'm afraid that I am pretty dependent on my weekly grocery store trips! I told Kent that I still may go to meijer just to walk around. I really like Meijer.

It's 22 degrees- and warmer then it's been in DAYS! I finally can go into my bedroom without seeing my breath and Zeb doesn't have to wear three layers of pj's to stay alive at night (our back bedrooms seem to have invisible holes in the walls that let in the arctic wind)! I really really love the cold- but not when it seeps into my home. I am finally able sit at the computer without losing feeling in my digits!

In other exciting Toledo news- Zeb has finally decided to quit his all liquid diet. The dang kid wouldn't eat for quite some time- but the past few days he's been ravenous. Really and truly he has eaten 3/4 of a large box of multi-grain cheerios in the past twenty four hours. He's also had 22 wheat rolls in the last week. Hooray for the eating monster. Too bad the current food trends seem to be wreaking havoc on his pooing schedule. What is it with toddlers and their eating habits? am I the only one with a child who goes through these ridiculous phases? It makes me CRAZY.

It's so hard to blog right now. It's FREEZING and our computer is right by the sliding glass door which seems to leak cold air when it gets this cold. I can feel a little breeze. brrrrrrrrrrrr.

RIGHT NOW:
-15°	Feels like -33F Partly cloudy
Winds: SW at 9 mph

We are so abusive. The past few days have been INSANE. I feel like I've been so busy that I can't get anything done (does that even make sense?!?!). We had another crazy blizzard super freeze today and my plans all changed from what I thought they'd be. Finally at 7:00 (right in the midst of the storm) we made it to the store (we have no food in our fridge). Zeb didn't nap today (for whatever reason) and was obviously extremely exhausted. We passed the pillows and zeb said to Kent "dad, get it!.... thank-you" Kent handed over the pillow and he promptly lay down to sleep. He even made an exasperated sleep sound. Good thing I had my camera, huh? :)

My little rugaboo was not himself this morning! After a little Motrin and a good nap- he bounced right back (I hope!). He slept on his bed and came out afterwards with BOTH blankets and his bink. You know when you have those days? You just need both of your blankets and your bink to make you happy.
He's done lots better tonight and I'm hoping it was just a fluke or little bug or something.
Perhaps it was his protest to going outside in the cold. He knew if he acted all sick that I wouldn't make him run errands all day with me. It worked.

I checked the weather this evening to see if there might be any school delays or cancellations tomorrow morning (so I can be prepared to sleep in if seminary is canceled) and this is what I found:

***COLDEST WEATHER IN YEARS EXPECTED THIS WEEK***



Nice, huh? It's going to be -13 on Thursday- and that doesn't include the wind chill! And if I am reading correctly, it also appears that the high on Friday is -1 !?!?!? starting tomorrow night our county is on a wind chill advisory. Winds may get up to 40 mph. I can only imagine what it will feel like. I even checked Buffalo's weather for the week- and they've got nothing on us. Their low isn't even below zero.

I do love the cold- but when it gets this bitter cold it makes going outside a chore (especially with Z). I can't figure out how we survived the cold Russian winters being outside everyday!

Of all the things that Zeb does- this has got to be one of my favorites. I have no idea why Kent and I like it so much but it makes me giggle every time. Today during sacrament meeting he kept doing it to his nursery leaders. And doesn't he look so grown up here? I love when he wears his little ties.

level 2 snow emergency

We spent the day snowed in! It was supposed to calm down later this afternoon/evening but apparently the snow didn't get the memo and so I didn't get to go shoe shopping. Kent was at the library for much of the day and I didn't think that he was going to make it home! after a few tries into our parking lot and many spins into a parking spot, he made it safely. Unfortunately the drivers on the road were being crazy and people were sliding all over so we opted against going anywhere for the evening. We stayed in and made pizza instead.We did at least make it outside of the apartment for a little while. Zeb had some fun adventures with the neighbors! He went out sledding down our hill and enjoyed himself immensely (for the most part). He got this lovely snowsuit from some of our friends here and while it's a little big and he looks a lot like a multi-colored marshmallow, it's PERFECT for sledding and playing out in the snow. We got 11 inches in the past 24 hours! I love it!!

pixie pal

Here is little sis Daysa wearing the pixie pal present that I made her for Christmas! It's been an ongoing "discussion" as to who is cuter- Zeb or Hank. I decided the only way to really find out was to ask people who didn't know us and were not related. She wore it to school today (with the promise of a package from me). We haven't heard the results yet. I tried to make it as fair as possible (by choosing the best picture of both that I could find) but obviously Zeb is much cuter so it can't be that fair.

Zeb.

Tonight Zeb was soooooooooooooooooooooo naughty. Wow. I almost got it on camera but I was too busy trying to figure out what happened and how to discipline. Zeb actually freaked out this evening - screamed at me- and then came up and HIT me. And I mean REALLY hit me- with complete malintent and full understanding of what he was doing. Then he screamed this scary nasty scream and literally threw himself around the living room. Last week's tantrum was NOTHING compared to this evening. Just in time for rugrat number two, huh? I think he senses that life as he knows it is about to end. If (when) it happens again I'll get it on video. It was INSANE. I giggled. Kent didn't like it (the giggling or the tantrum).

Today I realized that Zeb only has a few more days of stardom on our family blog. Poor little guy- doesn't even know what's about to hit him. I'll try to give him a few extra special posts coming up.

Luckily life has gotten back to normal and we have these few weeks to enjoy some quality time. Here is the Z man introducing his family of trains! he is so funny about them right now. He dreams about them and talks to them and sleeps with them. It's GREAT! I can't believe how long he can keep himself busy with them on his new train tracks (thanks gma and gpa miller!).


Our day today was back to busy and enjoyable! Zeb loves when I run on the treadmill because he knows he gets to watch his "dvd" (also his new favorite word) and gets his bink (the only out of bed time that it is allowed). It's the only way I can get him distracted so that he doesn't try and jump on the treadmill with me.

















Today we had playgroup and Zeb exhausted himself playing with giant bouncy balls and running into walls! and both Zeb and I were extra spoiled tonight when Kent took us to Bigby Coffee to use his giftcard and get some hot cocoa and caramel apple cider! Zeb was so excited to go out in the snow.


















Look at how cute this kid is.

This little man is so cool.

Tonight I told Kent that if all my rugrats could arrive at this age and were this much fun- I'd have lots lots more.

my first "real" layered cake

I had never attempted a layered cake before this week! Surprisingly mine turned out pretty good. I don't really like cake much at all but I tasted one not too long ago that I decided to try and recreate. It is super moist and really really easy to make!

Next time I think I'll add a layer of ganache UNDER the basic frosting while the cake is still hot and let it ooze into the cake and I'll leave out the chocolate chips (they kind of burned on the edges and tasted funny) or find a better chocolate chunk to substitute. Other than that I really liked the cake. I should have taken a picture of the inside.
The cake tastes MUCH bettter if left for at least four hours (best overnight) in the fridge. Everything gets nice and moist.

Best Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor (or vanilla) Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 1/2 cup oil
  
• 1/2 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just until moistened, scraping side of bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 2 min. or until well blended.
   
2. Bake 30 to 35 min. (I ONLY BAKED IT FOR 27 MINUTES and would do 25 next time) or until toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min. on wire rack. Loosen cakes from side of pans with spatula or knife. Invert cakes onto rack; gently remove pans. Cool completely on wire rack.

I made my favorite buttercream frosting (from eclair cake recipe) and spread it between layers and all around. The original recipe I tasted just used a ganache frosting. I'll do both next time :)

It's already time to get back to normal life?

I know, I know- we are lucky that we actually got all of this time off together. That is definitely one of the benefits of Kent being in school forever- we still get long holiday breaks. I am in denial that the time has come to start getting up before six AM again or that Kent is going to be gone for the next five months from seven AM till late late late (he's got boards coming up at the end of the semester) or that in four weeks another rugrat is coming.

It's taken the FULL past four days to try and readjust to Toledo life. I went running yesterday for the first time in twelve days and I am so sore today. I also have been reminded at just how emotional I get at the end of my pregnancies-really, it's been bad. I'll attribute it to the fact that I've been reminded by more than one person that I've gotten "really big" lately- wouldn't that make just about anybody emotional? Also, somehow Zeb came back a toddler instead of a baby. He is talking like CRAZY and can recognize and name all of his abc's. He definitely got spoiled over the break and is taking the return to real life at home the roughest. We've experienced his first full out leg kicking, arm flailing, head banging tantrums since being home.

Welcome back.

Oh, and here are some shots of zebby opening up the present that we didn't have room to take with us to utah. We got it on super clearance last year after christmas for six bucks! TMX (tickle me EXTREME) elmo. Zeb is AMAZED that it can fall over and get back up by itself. He just sits and watches with jaw dropped in amazement.









Is it just me or does the first picture make it look like Zeb is hydrocephalic? Zoom in and look at how long his head stretches back- creepy.

happy happy birthday metta moo!

my baby sister is twenty today!! I am so sad that we couldn't have stayed long enough to help her celebrate her birthday. Metta is the sweetest, most generous, and loving sister in the world!

We miss and love you mett spaghet!

Our big adventure

We decided to take the short trek up to Idaho Falls to visit my grandparents over the holidays and it turned into the not so short trek. The 3.5 hour drive quickly morphed into a six hour drive due to treacherous weather and near death tire blowouts.

The roads were pretty nasty but my dad was driving the beast and we had plenty of weight in the car (all eight seats were taken) to create traction. We had to drive 30 mph for a large stretch of road and just before the summit of Malad pass we had a tire explode. My sis and I have the worst luck when it comes to tires/driving/snowy Idaho roads, etc. Luckily my dad was driving this time and we made it safely to the RIGHT shoulder without shutting down I-15 or attracting seven highway patrolmen (another story for another post). Our biggest concerns this time included the ginormous snow banks we pulled into, the frigid winds on the pass, and the semi truck blown slush that pelted us every sixty seconds or so.

Since the car was filled to capacity (by people and luggage)- getting the tire and all needed gear ended up causing quite the ruckus. Zeb FREAKED when all the doors and trunk had to be opened and he had to be thrown around the car. The roads were SOPPING wet and the wind and slush was FREEZING. The car was on a crazy angle in the snow so properly placing the jack was near impossible. I stood a few feet behind the car on the watch for semis and large vehicles unable to switch lanes in time (we were at the top of the pass on a bend) while taylor had to fenagle the spare out from under the car (he was the only one with long enough limbs to get it without having to lie down in the river of sleet and dirt). Kent and my dad worked on removing the blown tire, Laney tended to banshee baby Zeb and her Hank, and Daysa hung out up front listening to her IPOD and playing with her new Blackberry.

Here's a shot of everybody thinking "why in the trash is she taking a picture right now?"

Finally after at least an hour of unpacking and fixing and repacking the car we exited the freeway onto the frontage road to back track to the nearest gas station so that we could fill up the attached spare with more air. We were all so dirty and wet and cold at this point. Laney even claims to have been hit in the side of the head (while sitting IN the car) by an insanely fast flying rock from a semi whizzing by. She says she's lucky to still be alive- or at least have her vision.

Once we made it into Idaho Falls at my grandparent's house everything calmed down. It was GREAT to see all the cousins and aunts and uncles and my grandparents! The adventures on the road were well worth the trip up.

Like usual I didn't get any pictures with all the family- but here's a cute one of Zeb sleeping in the hotel. This kid slept better on vacation than he has at home in quite some time. Ridiculous!!!

Christmas 2008

Christmas eve morning I woke up with a not so happy early present. My blasted temporary filling from the gaping hole in the back of my mouth fell out (no, I haven't had the work done yet because I am waiting on the insurance approval) and was causing me MUCH pain. Just breathing in cold air made me cringe. My mom called all the dentists she could think of and got me in to see a guy down the street who just happened to be in his office doing some emergency work on another patient. He gave me another temporary filling and then sent me on my way FREE OF CHARGE! yet another Christmas miracle! I would NOT have survived the rest of our trip without a fix.

Christmas Eve is probably my favorite part of the Christmas season. We spent the first part of it with the Millers in Spanish Fork and enjoyed a delicious dinner and program. I didn't get a single picture!! Zeb loved playing with his cousins and listening to all of the piano playing and singing.

At my parent's house we had our traditional pixie pal evening. The presentation of our homemade gifts is always a momentous and climatic occasion. Of course, I got NO PICS. Daysa- you must post a picture on facebook of you in your t-shirt, please!

Christmas morning we woke up to lots more freshly fallen snow and a continuous flurry of flakes all day!! Zeb loved playing outside in it.

The morning was so fun with Zeb this year! He had quite the train Christmas and could barely contain his excitement most of the day. Kent and I also got a lot of great stuff (thanks a zillion moms, dads, sisters, etc) as well.





Kent even got me the coolest thing EVER. I got the ped egg. Some of these tv advertised products just reel me in. I've wanted it for ages and absolutely love it.




The day was so nice and relaxing. We had a another great dinner and had a lot of fun playing the highly inappropriate new wii fit game- "Raymond's Raving Rabbids". Being in Utah was so nice! I'm afraid it isn't going to last much longer- but I'm really glad we ended up making it back this year.