Good morning.

Dear Blog-

I just sort of miss you. That's all.

What's happened:

-I am almost in my third trimester and I am feeling Large Marge-ish, but I don't ever remember feeling this non-sick with my other two. Ps. This is our last baby. It seems that with each child my sickness gets more and more concentrated to the first trimester and if I had another I would probably just die at about 14 weeks.

-Miles is awesome. He is seriously the smartest kid I know. Sometimes it worries me. His teacher in pre-school said this about him, "Miles is just a little man. A little silly man."

-Faye is incredibly adorable. She is super smart too. She just turned three and can count to 30, knows about 10 Christmas songs, looks like Little Cindy Lou Who, and is sort of nasally when she talks. I like it.

My kids are growing up. Coming this Sunday- they will both be in primary. It makes me want to cry.

This baby is due in April and I am planning to cut her/him/it out of my belly. That means I will have had 1 induced baby, 1 natural baby, and 1 C-sectioned baby. I feel like I should write a book. The babe is super active and prefers to spend it's time on the right side of my body. I think it wants to snuggle me.

-I found a lump in my boob in October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and although the tumor doesn't look cancerous- they don't know what it is and would like to take it out. Only, I'm pregnant. So... We are waiting until probably 1 year post baby before we cut into it. Fingers crossed, eh?

-Dave becomes a doctor in about 5 months. I can't believe it. Have I told you how much I love him? Cause I seriously do. I will follow him anywhere- even to Lubbock, Texas if necessary. Residency starts this summer and we have a few options... I'm hoping for Cleveland myself, but Iowa and Columbus are high on my list as well. But as I said, I would do anything for love. -Meatloaf.

-Christmas week was awesome. Our anniversary was the 20th, Faye's birthday was the 22nd, Christmas was spent opening presesents and playing all day, then the 26th was spent cleaning the house (another Christmas present) to host my parents and Celeste's entrance to Cleveland. We still have some of Faye's birthday presents to open and the house seems literally filled with toys. It's wonderful.

-The fish died this week. All of them. I'm trying to figure out if this is a Christmas Miracle or if it is a Christmas disaster, but the kids dont' seem to mind. So... I'm good.

-I love our friends, schools, and ward here. I am grateful everyday for all that we have. And I'm grateful for you Blog, even though I neglect you.

-All in all, I love what is happening here in the Cain home.

Loves.
-Cicely

100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 27

Acticity 27: Rainbow Babies- University Hospital System

Poor little Faye had to have a minor surgery and we are so blessed to live in a place with one of the top children's medical centers in the nation. I heart Rainbow Babies. I was sooooo nervous and they were so kind and loving and helpful and they made Faye, Dave and I all feel a little more comfortable about the whole process.

So, this Cleveland activity is one that I pray you don't have to venture to, but if you do- I hope you feel good about taking your baby there. I did.

Faye checks out her new threads.


Look at the smile on that nurse! So awesome!


This was post surgery. It scared me to death to see her like this.


Just waking up.


It was like she didn't even know it happened.


Thanks Rainbow team!
Love, the Cains.

Are you asking for a challenge?!

If you don't know what I'm talking about, click here.

Miles loves to "battle." I'm not into it. Apparently Dave is- and I'm okay with that.
Just look at how much fun my kids are having:

100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 25

Activity 25: Country Lights at Lake Metroparks Farmpark

Ok. This is seriously one of my favorite things we have done since we moved here. Lake Farm Park transforms into Santa's Workshop and the kids LOVED it. Here, let me show you.

Here we are waiting to enter Santa's Workshop. Often Faye gets compared to Little Cindy Lou Who. So it was really exciting to see the two of them together. At least it was exciting for me- not so much Faye.





Once inside, the kids got to pick out the toy they wanted to make in the workshop. Miles picked a jet plane and Faye picked a rocking horse. They got to sand, hammer and glue their projects. It was so fun for them.





And right in the middle of working on the toys- Miles' elf excused herself, put on a microphone, climbed some scaffolding and lead everyone in the shop in a funky fresh dance. Watching Miles' confused, but enjoyable dancing in this video is worth your time.



Then it was time to paint. Both of the kids went to work. They felt so good about their toys after they built and painted them all by themselves. We were pretty proud of them too.





Once the toys were completed, we got to take a horse drawn sleigh(ish) to see millions of twinkling lights in all shapes and colors. So fun. I couldn't waste my time taking pictures, so i just captured Miles as we were going through a rainbow tunnel.



And last (and probably least) we met Santa. Faye wasn't into it. I'm amazed that Miles sat next to him. Santas that aren't cartoons creep me out. But, alas, here we are.



I had to put this in. Even with all the other amazing things we did- this was truly one of the highlights of the evening for Dave and I.



Loves for Christmas in May.
-Cicely

West Virgina continued. Class of 2001.

This part of the story wasn't nearly as entertaining as the West Vrigina Zoo. Well, at least not to the outside spectator. It turns out that being with one of my best friends of all time is so enjoyable that we usually spend most of our time laughing until my throat hurts or crying tears of joy when we are doing things like this:







Or this:

Watch this.

Now onto The Virgina of West.

These may have actually been at the zoo. But, the kids had so much fun- I had to post them.




My camera doesn't have a mic- so sadly, there is no sound. But- if you watch closely you can see Faye saying, "Baaaaa" which I think is he confusing a horse for a sheep, and also her stopping to admire the horse while saying, "Oh, so pretty." Also, there is a little footage of Abby's baby Cutie Chase. Her other child, Aspen, is pictured above riding with Miles.


Later, we went to this beautiful place called (insert name of place we went as soon as I remember what it is here) with a couple of Abby's WV friends and their kids.





The kids found a new way to enjoy the swing: the old "Dead Man's Curve." Or something.


And then the kids came as close as they will ever get as children to riding a motorcycle.

Love.







We had our family photos taken by Katie Blacker Photography and we LOVE them.

See some more by clicking here and here.

More conversations

Miles: "Faye!!!! Don't shut the door!"

The door shuts and Faye comes running out to me.

Me: "Go open the door for Miles."

Faye goes running back.

"Stuck!"

Miles thought the door: "Faye, you have to do a tummy wummy fight!"

Faye makes the sound of her body smashing into the door.

Miles: "Harder!!"

Faye makes a louder sound of her body smashing into the door. "Ugh."

Miles: "You can do this, Faye! Try again!"

Faye stops and I hear little feet coming my way.

Faye: "Mawee, can you help me pwease?"


Maybe you had to be there. But it was awesome.

Why am I not laughing?

I have been trying to figure out why I am not funny anymore. I think it may be because I haven't had anything to complain about for a while and that always makes for a good read. I'm starting to worry that I am turning into an old lady. One that isn't interesting. Or funny. I'm not happy about it.

I'm going to try and recharge my hilariousness and take a look at some of my favorite posts from blogs past:


I said my son has Blue Legs.

Best Ever

Maybe you didn't quite understand

Who's complaining?

This one isn't so much funny, but it is still one of my favorites:

The Best Christmas Present Ever

And my favorite Movie Review:

Twilight.

I hope this can get me back on track.

Here, I am going to say the first thing that pops into my head:


George Carlin's ponytail made me second guess bringing children into the world.


Well? How did I do? Is the funniness back?

100 Things to Do with kids in Cleveland and Beyond. #4-5

Activity #4: Cedar Point!

(So this one is a little drive from Cleveland, but if you are in or around Ohio- you must partake of the awesomeness of Cedar Point.)

Best Amusement Park in the World. Literally.

We had so much fun and can't wait to go again! The rides are phenomenal. I have never been on such amazing roller coasters in all my life! The kids also had a great time. We walked in and immediately went on the Merry-Go-Round.



Once we got organized (and potty breaked) we were off! My parents went to wait in line while we stayed and played at ONE of the kid's areas.

What's that you say?! When was it our turn for rides?! Get this: Parent Swap Pass (thanks, Abs). My parents waited in line, called us when they were close to the front of the line, gave our sweet pass to the workers there, and then when they were off the ride they would watch the kids for a few minutes while David and I went right on through the exit and got on the ride immediately. So, not on only did we not have to wait in line, but we also felt like rock stars! Well, I felt like a rock star. David felt like he was cheating the system.

How do you get this wonderful gift of amusement parks? Just go to the Customer Service Desk just inside the gates and pick one up. No charge. It's awesome.

Anyway, at first Faye just wanted to watch Miles ride the rides, so...









After some rides we ate lunch at Johnny Rockets and then Miles played in the fountain. Miles is one funny and entertaining kid. People walking by stopped to watch him play in the fountain.



Faye wasn't into getting wet, but she, too, enjoyed watching Miles have the time of his life.



When she decided it was safe to drive the "caa" (car), I couldn't keep her off the rides!






I think Faye did the cars about 25 times.


Miles moved on.


I wish I would've taken some pictures of the massive roller coasters. Or of my parents. I guess I was focused on the kids. My bad. Anyway, you can find more info about the park and it's award winning coasters here.

You won't be disappointed.


We will be going back ASAP. and I can't wait.

________________________________________

Activity #5: Lake Farm Park in Kirtland.

This was a fun little farm with all sorts of things to do!

Milking a cow.




When I asked Miles if he wanted to milk a cow he said, "I can't, Mom, I'm allergic to cow's milk." Good thing my son is brilliant, because for some reason it didn't occur to me that Miles milking a cow is like the worst idea in the history of the world.

Plus, I don't think he was into it. It may have had something to do with the fact that right after we sat down, the cow splattered poopsies all over the front row. It was really unfortunate- and really hard for me not to laugh.

Hay ride.


Miles wasn't actually grumpy in this picture. This is what he does when I tell him to smile.

Meet the animals.






I freaked Miles out with this one. I was holding the kids for a picture and got Miles way too close. He is already terrified of dogs and to him a horse is just a great big dog. He let out a blood chilling scream and started crying his eyes out. Sorry, dude.

Learn to Grind Wheat.





Miles stayed there for a while, but since my kids have ADD they both got up and found more interesting things to do, like take pictures of me diving into a bag of dried apples.



Activity room.




Miles thought he was being hilarious.

Trains.

After the festivities, we found a cute little train yard that I think the kids could've watched all day and been happy.



There was also pony rides, a little playground, and a pavilion that we had lunch in!

So, besides the fact that I almost killed Miles with the cow and scared him to death with the horse, we had a pretty good day.