I met Santa. It cost Mommy $37.

$37!  WTF?  Since when did Santa have a monopoly?  Us parents are suckered into it.  But I suppose it's okay.  I justify it as a very hefty payment for the poor schmuck who has to sit in the chair holding stinky screaming kids all day long for an entire month with just one thirty minute break per day.  Hmm...that job description sounds a bit like a pediatric nurse?

Pic 1: Okay, this is fun.  This guy has a cool beard.  He smells like peppermint.

Pic 2: Okay, done with this (they are both thinking the same thing).

Just everyday stuff.

A few cute pics to share.

Pic 1: Playdate last week.  Lana with the piggies, August with his new haircut and Rynnie too busy playing with the mini computer to look up for even a second.

Pic 2: So excited for the Apple Cup!  It was a good game despite the Coug loss.  And P.S., for all of those wondering, Kevin is convinced Rynnie wearing Husky gear is bad luck so that is how I managed to dress her in beloved crimson.

Pic 3: Strolling with my Daddy after a yummy breakfast with friends.

Pic 4: Loving my new Oregon book that Aunt Lizzy bought me.  Hair is especially goofy after using my bananas as hair gel at breakfast.

Weeks away from a birthday!

Miss Rynnie is 11 months old!  Once again, she won't sit still with the month sign, but this will work. 

Pic 1: So excited!  Can't wait to start planning my birthday party!

Pic 2: Pic of my brother???  At least according to the ultrasound tech.  We also saw an unmistakable "appendage", though it's far to early to start shopping for everything blue.  We will let you know in January when we find out for sure!

We escaped the snow!

I must admit, I was not upset that I missed the "great Thanksgiving freeze of 2010".  We didn't exactly find the high temperatures we were seeking in  Palm Desert, but we did see constant sunshine and we were not stuck in our little apartment, and that made us happy.  It was so nice to see family, bake up a storm with my mom, and take a huge breath of fresh air.  Huge.  We celebrated the escape of all of our ailments and we celebrated Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately, Kevin could only join us for one day because he had his annual Dow conference in Houston followed by a Crown Plaza Thanksgiving buffet to oversee.  We sure missed him like crazy.

Pic 1: Cheese!  We had a clean flight (unlike our trip to Denver).

Pic 2: My new favorite toy, an old cell phone that actually still works.  Scary how she knows what to do.

Pic 3: It was so much fun going through all of Nana's cupboards!  Especially when I found a bottle of red wine to play destroy with.

Pic 4: LOVE my Nana.

Pic 5: LOVE my auntie Lynsey.

Pic 6: Lynsey and Brent tackling the ginormous Thanksgiving crossword puzzle.

Pic 7: "Okay Ginger, here's the plan.  You sit under my highchair, and I'll pass you the goods.  Got it?"

Pic 8: New skill.  Pointing.

Pic 9: The girls on Thanksgiving.

Pic 10: Mmmm.  Why can't every day be Thanksgiving?

Struck out.

We were hit hard.  After three calls to the pediatrician's office in just a month, they finally told us to come in and poor Rynnie was diagnosed with a sinus infection.  Good thing she actually enjoys the antibiotics she was prescribed (I think that's because Albertson's put delicious strawberry-lemonade flavoring in it).  So there was one strike against the Schjei family.  Strike two: After battling my own sinus infection for well over a month (and a failed round of antibiotics) I finally made a trip to Urgent Care and was diagnosed with pneumonia.  Let me tell you how much fun pneumonia is while ten weeks pregnant.  With a sick toddler.  It's a blast.  Strike three: Kevin has Bronchitis. Poor guy is up barking all night long, even while knocked out with codeine cough syrup. Needless to say, we are a MESS!  We are lucky I was able to take a few weeks off work to recover because night shift is not a therapeutic way to heal.  We are on the way to recovery now and I apologize for not composing any blog posts for a long time.  Even while sick, Camryn has been busy with her new "legs".  As you can see, "cabin fever" hasn't got us down.

Video 1: My Daddy is more fun than any toy in my toybox.

Video 2: New uses for my Lego table.  This kid is seriously FEARLESS.

Video 3: Who needs Disneyland when you have Daddy? Even more uses for my Lego table.

Pic 1: And when I'm all sleepy from fun games, I pass out with my tush in the air.

My first date.

This week little Ryn had a dinner date with handsome August.  They enjoyed salmon sticks and veggie dinosaurs.  They also watched Toy Story III and chased each other around the house.  August tried to make a move and his attempt at a kiss turned into a love bite; Camryn was NOT impressed.  Despite the abuse, I'm sure there will be more dates in the future.

Pic 1: Date night.

Pic 2: I just love attacking my Elmo every day.

Pic 3: I've got you Elmo!!!

Pic 4: Still rocking my Halloween costume.

Mark your calendars!

June 10th is baby Schjei #2's expected arrival.  And if he/she/it is anything like big sister (and if Mom repeats the castor oil concoction), it WILL be June 10th.  Something tells me we have a lot of votes for the second though...  Today we got to see the little alien blob moving!  It had arm and leg buds too.  Here he/she/it is at eight weeks, four days today.

Video: Sooo excited!!!