What was 2 - now is 3!

Meet the newest member of the Grimes Household!!

CARTER STONE GRIMES

Born Jan.22nd, 5:48pm

6lbs, 11oz  20 inches long

He's perfect in every way. 

Getting Ready to go home...

Our Frustrations

In our efforts to prepare for the upcoming arrival of our little man, we packed our bags and prepped the car  - - - in doing so, we realized that we were LIED TO.

Toyota.  GRRRRRrrr!  (yes, that was me growling.)

A little over a year and a half ago, Matt and I purchased an FJ Cruiser.  It is an awesome vehicle.  It had almost EVERYTHING we wanted (missing the heated seats) in a car.  It is rugged.  It is 4x4.  It is completely washable inside and out.  It is a blast to drive.  It has 4 doors (back 2 are "suicide doors"), power stuff, an awesome stereo, luggage rack, tow package... we installed cargo nets on the back door, arm rests, side visors,  - and most recently due to the new law, a hands free phone system that played my calls through the car stereo speakers.

We were TOLD when we purchased the FJ that it would hold 2 carseats.  TWO.  Us, being the novice parents that we were at the time, believed the sales guy, the book of features, and the little "car seat" picture-dots adhering to the back seats.

Little did we know, THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE in "car seats."   YES, it will hold two FRONT facing toddler seats - but it doesn't hold (with any sort of comfort) even ONE REAR FACING INFANT car seat!  

Because the infant seats hang so far over the seat, into the leg room zone, it SHOVES the front passenger seat into the dashboard - or the driver.  

Either option really doesn't work!  

Imagine our faces as we figured this out - 4 weeks til my due date.  

I felt ripped off. 

I felt mad.

I felt cheated.

I LOVED MY FJ.

Matt tried to make me feel better by saying "this time, we could get heated seats too!"

It was the only thing that made me want to start working with sales people again.

So, off we went.  EVERY free moment we've had together - and separately in the past 2 weeks, we searched, we test drove, we price checked...

We wanted something that would last  - AT LEAST the next 7ish years.

Our wants:

ACTUAL ROOM FOR A CAR SEAT

2nd row bench seat

heated seats

back up sensors

SUV

AUX port

Leather seats

Storage space in the back for luggage

Preferably 3rd row seating

Our Options:

Toyota Sequoia

Toyota 4 Runner

Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan Armanda

Yukon

Tahoe

Ford Explorer

Ford Expedition

Lincoln Navigator

We figured out that the vehicles we like are around 50-55 THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!

Yeah, that wasn't going to work for us.

Used.  "PreOwned." Previously Adored Vehicles - was our newest avenue for searching.

There aren't very many out there right now.  People aren't selling.  People aren't buying.  

WE GOT SO LUCKY YESTERDAY!  

Matt found a 2007 Expedition EL that is immaculate!  It has it all - including low miles and a warranty.  

It's QUITE a bit larger than the FJ - but it's going to last!  That's the Expedition behind the FJ!  

Christmas in Coarsegold

Xmas Party 2008

Growth Competition

After a Thanksgiving feast... Who was bigger?  Me at 32 weeks or my cousin Bryan - at 32 years?!!  I think I loose!

An Unusual Grouping

Yes, that's Denver Broncos Fans - 

"Boo-ing" the Raiderette Cheerleaders - 

at the Condors Hockey Game.

Thanksgiving and Hockey - Quite a Pair!

What I'm thankful for -

The Teddy-Bear Toss at the Condors Game...

All the stuffed animals are being donated to needy children at Christmastime.  

SO awesome.

The best goal of the year!

How I'd like to spend my day off...

My animals would TOTALLY go along with this!

Matt wouldn't.

62 days left

So that makes me at... 7 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days?  I think.

Apparently, (according to numerous books) he's sleeping this week, trying to gain  a whole pound.  I don't know where he's going to fit - cause I'm stretched to the max!

Today, I locked myself out of the house - stuck in the backyard.  I had two choices.  Jump the fence or climb through our elevated doggie door.  The fences were all wet from the rain and looked like an accident waiting to happen.  Amazingly enough, I still fit through the dog door!!  It wasn't the most graceful entry to a home - but it worked!

I think that'll be my sign.  

I'm done being pregnant when I don't fit through the dog's door.