Pregnanting

So, I'm in my last-mester of pregnancy. And I'm about to be really real up in this blog so, if you don't want to hear about the truths of pregnancy- just click away.

Swiss Army Knife. I'm pretty sure this little person has somehow fashioned a Swiss Army Knife out of amniotic fluid and is using it to dig its way through my right lowest rib. Remember that "Rescue Me" scene in Paul Shore's epic In the Army Now. (Don't pretend like you haven't seen it.) Yep, it's just like that. Also, occasionally the babe uses it to shove into one of my ovaries just to remind me that we are done having kids. Take that tiny eggs!

Ug sauce. I am feeling so incredibly ugly. I swear in the last 6 months I have aged 15 years. I used to be able to get away with chap stick and bronzer. Now if I don't get ready in the morning I look like this: click here. Not cool.

Neepers. When Dave and I first got married we had a dog named Barkley. He was a pug. He was unmanageable and he snorted and he was wall eyed. I loved him. I have some new pets that are just as free spirited and they are my sitting atop my belly. They are my boobs. And they are everywhere.

Peek-a-boo. I'm big and getting bigger. I recently got to the point where I can't see past my belly. As far as I know, my body goes- head, boobs, top of belly, toes. And that's all. I am not comfortable with not knowing how everything is holding up on the parts I can't see...

Pee-a-boo. ...Infact, if I didn't have to pee every hour I may have forgotten that I still have specials down there. My favorite is when I pee, wash my hands, the baby moves, and I am back on the toilet. And when I say my favorite- I mean the opposite of that. Speaking of which, if you'll excuse me for a sec...

Serious Condition. I am not lying in the least little bit when I say that I am pretty sure my baby has seizures. This kid is already practicing his krumping, no doubt, but at least 3 times a day it also shakes and spazzes uncontrollably like it's had too much coffee. It makes me nervous.

Harold and the Purple Crayon. When we got it's 1/2 way ultrasound and saw it's profile- he looked exactly like this. I truly believe the ultrasounds are telling. Miles did something hilarious during his and he is honestly the funniest kid I know. Faye's picture looked exactly like my sister, Celeste, and she still does. Newbie's profile screams Harold. And I can't wait.

My heart on my sleeve. I would like to think I would be a pretty good actress if given the opportunity, but I might be wrong. Lately people have been saying things like, "Are you okay?" "You seem a little down," and "Everything alright?" I have been a little sick lately, but I didn't know that I was also depressed until people kept telling me. So, someone tell me how happy I am. Right now and I mean it!

Professor Actual Factual. The truth is, as much as I love complaining about the woes of pregnancy- I am actually really excited to have this baby. And so are my kids.

Faye says: If it's a girl I am going to name it Tiger. And if it's a boy I'm going to name it Tiger.

Miles will leave little pictures of hearts or submarines for me and the baby all over the house. Sometimes the baby will get a special hug and kiss from one of the kids and every once in a while I can get Dave to feel the baby during one of it's dance sessions.

Dave says: Yep. There's a baby in there.

I can't wait to meet her. I can't wait to hold him in my arms. I can't wait to see her little tiny hand wrap around one of my fingers. I can't wait to watch him stretch his little arms out and not be able to reach the top of his head. I can't wait to see how Faye will love on him and how Miles will protect her. I can't wait to watch Dave look at her with love in his eyes.

I can't wait to meet you, little one. Come soon, but not too soon- keep working on those ribs until D-day.

Love you.

-Cicely

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

Faye's Birthday!!!

We had such a fun time at Faye's 2nd birthday party. Of course, it was in December of 2010, but still... it was pretty amazing.

We had a baking themed birthday for Faye. First we had the kids decorate their own little cakes.







Then they each made their own little pizzas and put them in the oven.





I think Faye did a pretty freaking awesome job on her pizza.



Here is Dave handing me an invisible tray.



Then it was cupcake-inata* time.





It must have been dance party time. That is one of Faye's awesome shoulder dance moves.



Present time!!!







Hugs for Andersen!



And then- Faye's dreams came true...







I think it was pretty successful. Thanks to all of Faye's special little friends!



See you in 6 months!

*My niece and nephew at Cinco De Mayo.

I like....

I like...

Miles' face in this picture.


And this dude's face in this one.


I like easy Halloween. Miles and Faye getting ready to trick or treat. Faye wasn't feeling well so she went as an adorable 1 year old.


I like Henry and Faye playing robots. Don't call CPS, I took the plastic bag off Faye's head just after taking this photo.


See. I told you.


I like it when Miles takes pitures.


I like it when Faye does too.


And I especially like when Faye dresses herself.


And I like you.

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.

The Best and Worst Days of my Life.

Dearest friends-

I am just completely overwhelmed by the outpour of love, kindness, and prayers that we have received from you. I truly believe in the miracles of the gospel and am so grateful for your help and concern for my husband.

He, along with his sister and two best friends, got stuck with their snowmobiles and snowboards in the Uinta Mountains due to wind, snow and foggy conditions. We had no idea where they were. Through a small (or really big) miracle, we found their truck in Heber and sent Search & Rescue right away. They looked from about 12am-4am and had to pull their team off the mountain because the weather was too bad. I thought for sure that meant that I would never see David again. David and his friends built a snowcave to hide from the elements and made a fire from a lighter, a bandana, some alcohol wipes and a lot of tiring trips on foot to find dry wood to keep the fire going. The fire saved them. They were found by the Search & Rescue team at about 10:15 this morning. It was another miracle that no one had to lose any digits or have any severe conditions- just minor frostbite. The sheriff and the Patrol Caption just kept saying how "lucky" they were and told me, after the ordeal was over,- that they hadn't expected them to make it through the night.

I don't really know exactly how to react or to respond to what has happened, except to hug David every chance I get and to get on my knees and thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to be with him again.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all of your prayers.

Loves. Seriously.
-Cicely

Randoms

I've been thinking...

About babies. There are 14 (give or take) pregnant people in my ward alone. Faye seems older than a lot of those embryo's next oldest sibling. Am I being selfish for not wanting another baby right now?

Tampons. The other day I heard Faye making the sound of whirling (you know: whoa whoa whoa whoa) and when I opened the door she was swinging a tampon around and around like a cartoon nunchuck. It was awesome.

Neighbors. We share our house with a couple downstairs, but they haven't been home in over a week and they didn't tell us they were leaving. There are only two things that could have happened:

-1. One has killed the other, ran away, and there is a rotting corpse a floor away from us.

-or 2. They went on vacation and didn't tell us.

Either way- I'm upset about it.

Gushers. The commercial with the kid with a gusher instead of an eye makes me super uncomfortable.

Talking animals. Recently I have had a change of heart about my dislike for talking animals. That pig with the pin wheel and the "speak for yourself moron" dog on Billy Madison has made me a believer.

Brains. My kids are going to be smarter than me in like two years. I need to find a way to stay ahead of the pack. My plan is to watch more 30 Rock.

Television in general. I'm totally not opposed to it. And I don't believe it rots our children's brains. My 3 year old can read and my 21 month old isn't far off. Thanks Leapfrog and pbskids.

That last statement. Don't you judge me.

My love. David's next two rotations are about an hour away which means I won't be seeing him very often. I get sad when he isn't around. And a little scared. And with a dead body on the first floor- I may just have to move in with a friend for a few months. Any takers?

Transition. For some reason I feel like my life is in transition mode- only I have no idea what I am waiting to transition into.

Coolness. Are you born cool? Or is it a learned behavior?

The End.

My Kids' First Real Conversation:

Faye: Milesh, guess what.

Miles: What, Faye?

Faye: Fishies.

Miles: Fishies?

Faye: Yeah, fishies!

(hysterical laughter from both of them)

Faye: Milesh, guess what.

Miles: What?

Faye: Thomas.

Miles: You can say Thomas?

Faye: Yeah, Thoooomassss!

Miles: Is Thomas your best friend? Who is your best friend?

Faye: Feet!

Miles: You can say feet? Oh, yeah, you can say feet.

Faye: Yeah, Feet! Ew, stinky feet!

(Both of them laugh hysterically again).


By far the best minute of my week.

"Honey, whats new." -Best in Show

As previously mentioned, the Cain's have undergone many changes in the past few months... Let me tell you about it.

Did I mention that we moved?



We live, happily, in a sweet little suburb of Cleveland called Shaker Heights in the great state of Ohio. We love it here. It is wonderful and beautiful and there is so much to do. I plan to blog about all of our great adventures.

David can relax. (And so can I.)




I am proud to say that after 12+ hours of studying per day, Dave has finished his first two years of med school and has taken both the USMLE and the COMLEX board exams- both of which are fancy terms for great, big, fat, 8 hour long tests. He is now doing rounds, working on patients at the hospital, and looking all doctorish. He is a handsome fellow (or MSIII, I should say (That was really bad med school humor)).

And now he can actually spend time with us! It's so awesome! I seriously can't express how great it is to be with him. He has worked so hard and continues to work hard, but now he can work hard and play. It's superb. I love my husband.

What else?

-Miles started reading. I seriously can't tell you how proud I am of this kid. One day he sounded out and read a word. The next day, a small sentence. The next day, he read a book. Borderline genius.

-Faye started walking. Finally. We though Miles took a long time @ 15 months to walk, but Faye was well into her 16th month before she could take more than two steps on her own. Now she struts her stuff all over the place.

-Faye signs. She is starting to master the art of Baby Sign. She gets so excited to show off her awesome skills and to learn as many new ones as she can. I will try and get it on film for you later.

Miles graduated. Each day he gets a little bigger. He isn't my little toddler anymore- it is bittersweet. Here he is with his best friends at the graduation of his first year of preschool (he will have three of those- I didn't think things through very well...)



Faye is growing some hairs. Sort of. She was starting to look like Doc Brown- we had to do something. Now, she mostly just has a skullet.

I am happy. I really am. Miles took this picture.



Life is wonderful.

A new family addition

Among many things that have happened recently in the Cain's lives- this is one of the most shocking...

We got a minivan.

Like so many before us, we vowed that we would never get one. I was concerned that talk of purchasing such an item meant that our marriage was failing. What other vows were we prepared to break? How far down the shame spiral were we prepared to go?

Turns out that owning a minivan is everything we thought it was, but in the best possible way.

And now I am happy, nay proud, to say with conviction and love-

I LOVE MY MINIVAN!

It is true. I really do. I love everything about it and I will buy another one as soon as our budget permits. And you will too. I guarantee it or my name ain't Nathan Arizona.

And here it is:


I know we aren't as cool as these people, but we love our minivan just as much. And for those of you who own one- you ought to appreciate this clip...

Cha cha cha changes

Jan. 5, 2010
Dear Diary-

I quit.

Love,
-CM.



Jan. 6, 2010
Dear Diary-

Ok. I'll play for a few more rounds, but I want some wild cards.

Love,
-CM.

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown

It is Christmas Eve. Miles is asleep and Faye's eye lid's are getting heavy. I love Christmas Eve. I loved it as a kid when there was a little magic in the air and I love it as a mom- there is still magic in the air, but it is just a different brand of pixie dust.

We are spending the night at my parents house in SLC and although I do love my home in Erie- I am not missing it at all. I love being around my family and David's family: playing games (including but not limited to the Wii), eating fattening treats, reading Christmas stories and talking all about Santa and and his reindeer with the kids. Miles is learning about baby Jesus and Mary. His favorite Christmas song is Away in a Manger and my heart grows three sizes every time I hear him singing it.

It isn't Christmas yet, but I feel like I have already been showered with gifts and not in the tangible sense. Being here in Utah I have been learning so much about myself and my kids and life in general. I feel like we are all growing up a little bit. It makes me kind of sad and kind of happy at the same time.

It was Faye's birthday on Dec 22. She is one year old. I'm sure I will post a big birthday love for her soon. I can't believe it has been a year. Pretty soon she will be walking and toddling and she won't be my little baby anymore. I already miss her babyness, but I can't wait for her to start talking and skipping and playing with Miles...

Miles starts primary in a week and a half. It hurts me to think that he is old enough to be so independent. He is in preschool and soon he will be in primary. My heart just shrunk a little bit.

I am excited about life right now and the stages that my kids are in right now. I understand that pretty soon I will be blogging about Miles' first loose tooth or Faye's first bike ride or driver's licenses or graduation. I am certain I will be sad and happy again every year at this time and throughout the rest of the months that aren't December.

So Merry Christmas, Cicely from the future. Remember when Miles got his train set for Christmas and was so excited he didn't want to open any other presents? Remember when we brought Faye home from the hospital on Christmas Eve and she was only 2 days old? Remember when David was in med school and we got by on student loans and love? Those were the good ol' days, eh?

Merry Christmas and Love for the New Year.
-Cicely Suite Cain

Summer lovin, had me a fall.

Neglect. It's a problem.

Lets get back on track with a quick recap of The Cain's Adventures Sum/Fall 2009.


Last Beach Hurrah.
Oh how we love the Erie beaches. It has already snowed here and it felt like summer here for literally about one week. Lame. We may head down there again in our gloves and snow boots just to feel the total relaxating affect that Presque Isle has.







The Raviiiiinnnneeee Flyeeer- at Waldameer- you're gonna love it here!
-ps. That was Miles' version of he jingle. You should hear his Activia! commercial. It's awesome.

So we only went to the water park at Waldameer, but it was still super fun. We are so tan. ...oh, wait.







Mama Suite, my sister Sabrena and baby Holden came to visit! Super fun breast pumping extravaganza! More to come on my creamy sister later.




Port Farms is the key to happiness.
It's hard to know who has more fun at PFs- the kids or the adults. I'd say it's about even.














Probably the cutest picture ever taken. ever.


Move over Martha.

I am not a crafty person. I think the stuff people make is adorable, but I just don't think I have the patience to successfully finish a project. Also, I don't have the skill. So, you can imagine how proud of myself I was when I finished two projects in one day! I think Mod Podge is my new best friend. Also, I tried my hand (and debatably succeeded) at my first sewing attempt since I was about 10.

Wanna see? These are some mock growth chart examples I made for my ward's Super Saturday next month. What do you think? (You can click on the picture to see the image a little bigger and clearer.







Miles is Ffree!!
This one deserves it's own post, but I will post some quick pics of the happy occasion.


Can you guess what we are?









Not only did I craft, but I also attempted a Dinosaur Train cake for Miles. These are huge milestones for me. Good thing he is only three and he doesn't have a huge grasp on cake splendor yet. wink wink.

Move over, butter.

Oh, one more thing- David will be doing his 3rd and 4th year rotations in Cleveland, Ohio! It is about 2 hours away and although we will be very sad to leave Erie and the awesome people and fun here- we are excited for our new adventure!


That is all for now. Loves.