Its a GIRL!!!

I am continuing to have quite a bit of anxiety with this pregnancy. I have spent some time thinking about my feelings and what I can do to correct this. I came to the conclusion that I am in some ways am angry. Angry that I can't just enjoy this pregnancy much like I did with both girls because of the miscarriage. I find that I have been quite reserved with my emotions about having another baby for fear that I will once again have my heart broken. Although I am thankful to be carrying this healthy and beautiful baby. This week(15 weeks) we went to the dr and for the 1st time looked to see the gender of the baby. I am thrilled to announce that we will be having another little girl!! I am thrilled but so surprised. When I was in the hospital with both Hallie and Gracie I felt like we would have 4 kids and that we would have 2 girls, then a boy, then a girl to bring up the rear. With this finding Im slightly confused and over thinking things for sure. I don't know if we now will only have 3 kids and our 1 angel in heaven to raise in the eternities? Or if I just thought of it wrong and they will come in a different order. Either way I am getting more excited all the time. I honestly can say I didn't care what the gender of this baby was I just want it to be healthy. But I am excited for more bows and girly stuff.  I am feeling better which makes it much more enjoyable and I am also finding that she is getting more and more active which eases my fears. I am finding that now that this baby has an identity it feel much more real.

I know that Matt was excited for a boy but I think he is just excited for another princess. I love watching him with the girls and can't wait to add another one to that. I think it takes a special guy to love little girls with patience and gentleness. I know not all guys have this and feel very blessed to be married to one of the men that have what it takes to love all of his girls. Can't wait for May there are so many changes coming our way...I hope we are ready!!

Getting our Wiggles Out

Some times we get a little wound up and have to find constructive ways to get out our wiggles. With the weather getting colder its not as easy to go for a walk or play in the backyard so we get creative. So we have started to doing "drills" we run in place, do jumping jacks, push ups, jump in place, or whatever else sounds fun usually by the time we are done the girls are laughing so hard they can't do the activity anymore. It has worked quite well although we have had to teach the kids how to do a few of the drills. It has been a fun way for us to get our wiggles out and Im sure we will use this several times as winter comes.

A Fall Trip to the Zoo

If you would have asked me a couple months ago I would have thought that our warm days for trips to the zoo were over but this fall seems to just keep going and going minus a few days here and there when it attempts to be winter but then quickly returns to mild fall weather. Last Friday was one of those such days so I called Nic and we got ready and headed for Salt Lake. Before heading to the zoo we stopped at Gardner Village to get supplies to make the girls necklaces for Chris and Krissy's Wedding. They are going to be so cute I can hardly stand it. Then we loaded up and headed back to the zoo on the way we grabbed some lunch and the kids could hardly wait to get there. When we got there we were thrilled to see it was slow and not many people there. So we left the strollers in the car and let the kids enjoy the day and run to their hearts content. We made a quick stop to the potties the kids were fascinated with hand dryers..lol

 Then we were off and running. Most of the animals were out and active which makes it so much more fun. All the elephants were together eating. The kids thought it was funny that they were eating "dirt"

We made a long stop to the play ground. The kids ran up and down and back and forth while Nic and I visited and sat on a near by bench. I love when the zoo isn't busy and we can just let them run around without to much worrying. Then we headed to my favorite part of the zoo, rocky shores. The seals and sea lions didn't disappoint.

 Our Silly Selfie

 Gracie was fascinated with them I couldn't get her to turn around for a picture so this is what we got 

By the time we finished Rocky Shores we were all getting tired so we decided to check out the tigers and gorillas and then call it a day. We headed for home so we could help Nic get ready for a baby shower before we ourselves headed for home to call it a day. That night Matt and I went on the 1st date night we have been on in a LONG time! We went to my work party at the hospital that they had catered. It was a great time spent with some great people I love working with. Its nice to introduce Matt to my coworkers so he can get an idea as to why I love my job. It was a busy but fun day enjoying the mild weather. Im grateful for sisters that no matter how busy they are make the time to spend time with us. I know when I call I will always find a listening and loving ear on the other end. I couldn't ask for better.

My New Ring

Hallie and Grace were doing some art projects the other day and this is what Hallie came up with. She frequently asks about my ring and wants to try it on. I have explained to her that Matt and I's rings are a reminder of how much we love each other. When she gave it to me she said it was a reminder of how much she loves me and so I will never forget she made me this ring. 

I don't even really know what to say. We have been blessed with such a beautiful girl inside and out. Observant and thoughtful taking the time to make others around her feel special. I wouldn't change a thing about her.

Tree House Field Trip

Last week Hallie went on a field trip to Tree House Museum and Gracie and I tagged a long. When we got there we were placed in the auditorium for some songs and a short play put on by the kids called the Gingerbread Man. Hallie was chosen to play the the Gingerbread Man and was pretty excited about it. When they asked her if she would be willing to play the part they also asked if she was afraid of being eaten to which she replied,"Yes very much." But after a short explanation she understood the plan and was really excited. While she got dressed up Gracie and I took some selfie pictures what a sweet and loving girl she is.

 Getting ready to play her part

 Baking in the oven

 She had a great time running from each of the characters. I could hear her laughing from my seat.

 At times she ran too fast and caught the rest of the group the narrator said a couple times he wasn't sure who was chasing whom

 After we finished we went to play and do some exploring. Most of the group headed up stairs and the girls and I decided to take our time and see and do what we wanted to do. We had a pass when Hallie was little and the horses then and now are still a favorite. Gracie also found them quite entertaining. We rode horses probably 5 times over the coarse of our couple hours playing.

 Gracie much like at home loved the little people farm set and would have played there the entire time if Hallie wasn't enticing her to come try some different things.

 The train tables also captivated quite a bit of our time they have added several new tables since the last time we were there so it gave the kids more space to play.

 Gracie loves to pretend so no surprise that the kitchen was a hit

After a couple hours we loaded up and headed to grab some lunch before doing some grocery shopping. We stopped at Arby's per Hallie's request. That is her favorite place to eat she likes a roast beef sandwich and a rootbeer for both her and Gracie to share while Gracie like the turkey and cheese. These silly girls squeal every time we pull into an Arby's its pretty cute. It was a fun day to spend with my girls. It has been hard with me feeling yucky all the time but I think I am now over that worst of it and looking forward to getting out and about with the kids more frequently doing fun things and making memories. 

A Girl Trip to Tremonton

Nic and I have found ourselves alone with our kids frequently with our hubbies working long hours. Although this is a sucky situation we have tried to make the best of it by spending our time together. We frequently visit the zoo, hang out at one or the others house, or do some shopping. This time of year the zoo is getting a little cold. But when we found out about the craft fair in Garland we decided to load up the kids and take a trip for the day. Anytime we go to Tremonton we have to plan eating stops to our favorite spots. On our way up the kids watched a movie while Nic and I visited. It was nice that they were hooked down in their car seats so we can visit disruption free thanks to the movie. Our 1st stop was the pie dump for hot rolls. The weather was yucky, rainy, and cold so the rolls were perfect. The kids ate their doughnut holes while Nic and I enjoyed our rolls. 

 mmm...doughnuts

 Then we headed to the craft fair. When we were little I remember going to the craft fair with my mom. We always got to pick a treat or something fun. We saw quite a few people we knew from Deweyville and that was really fun. Ultimately I ended up buying Hallie some bubble necklaces for Christmas and calling it a day. We loaded up and and called Pizza Plus to order some bread sticks to eat on the way home. This place also holds many memories Matt and I both worked here in high school and it was a lot of fun. The bread sticks are just as good as I remembered. It has been a very long time since I had one and luckily I didn't pay for it too badly. 

It doesn't sound like much but it was a great way to spend the cold, snowy day with adult conversation and great company. I love my sisters and the built in best friends they have become.

Time for a Reward

Matt and I decided as an incentive that when Hallie finished each set of reading books at school that she would get to choose a place to eat. She decided she wanted to have a chinese "picnic" and we also rented Planes Fire & Rescue. We had a great time I only wished that Matt had been in town and had the time to join us....maybe next time. We are so proud of Hallie and how she is continuing to learn and grow!

Raking Leaves

This time of year we have no shortage on leaves that need to be raked. A few things worked in our favor we cut down 3 trees this summer and had our remaining trees trimmed which cut down on the amount we had to rake. And my favorite thing is that Nic has always been so sweet to offer to come help me. I was especially grateful this year since Matt has been gone so much and I have felt so yucky. We let the kids run the leave vacuum while Nic and I visited and raked. I love this picture it looks like Rigs is making sure Hallie stays on task. The weather was great and the work went pretty quickly. This day was one of the 1st days I started to feel better so it was a welcomed break to visit with Nic and feel better.

After we finished we had some lunch and then called it an afternoon so we could still get naps in. It was a great way to spend one of the last warm days of fall before the cold set in the following day bringing wind and snow.

Parent Day-Kindergarten 2015

 Hallie was excited for her 1st parent day. The kids and herself in the class had been working hard to make sure they had it all just right. They each recited a poem, wrote a word on the board, and the class sang some songs to show they had learned the days of the week and how to count to 20. Then Ms. Hansen her teacher gave each of the kids an award. Hallie got hers for being a good helper that helped Ms. Hansen remember to get everything done she had told the kids they would do in the day. Hallie was really excited about the medal and then we got to do an art project with them. It was a lot of fun. Hallie is on the 2nd set of reading books and has already met and surpassed most of the requirements she has to have to advance to 1st grade. This girls loves to learn and is so smart! She says some of the funniest things and acts well beyond her age. She is a huge help to me both in how responsible she is and how eager she is to help me with just about everything. Gracie has a great example to look up to. Last week I was having a hard time, I felt like the girls weren't listening and I didn't have much patience. Matt was out of town which made it that much more stressful. I lost my patience, yelled, and put the kids to bed early. After I got them tucked in I felt guilty and apologized to both girls. The next morning before they were awake I was reading parenting articles about how to get your kids to listen without yelling. Hallie came in and asked what I was doing. I explained to her what I was reading and her reply was, "Those will be really good for you." I couldn't help but laugh...oh the honesty of children.

Baby #3

On Sept 9th I was a nervous anxious mess this is the day I was supposed to start my period. When I didn't I wasn't sure how to feel excited....scared. Having miss carried less than 6 months earlier I now had a tainted view of what should be one of the happiest times in my life. I wanted so badly to be pregnant but was worried I would once again have to go through the heart break of loosing a child. I talked to Matt who suggested I waited for a week! There was no way I would go crazy so the following morning I took a test and it showed up positive faster than I remember any test I had taken before. Once again the flood of mixed emotions. My ob had suggested calling and getting on progesterone to help establish a healthy pregnancy as soon as I got a positive result. I called them as soon as they opened and within a couple hours we were on our way to the pharmacy.  

For the following weeks every time I felt funny I was sure I was miscarrying. I was driving myself crazy! I finally decided to take it to the Lord to ask for help and my prayers were answered. I finally got to the point that I realizes that all I could do was to take care of myself to ensure a safe and healthy place for this little sweet baby to grow. I felt the reassurance of my Father in Heaven's love for me and feel like this pregnancy will result in us being allowed to raise this little person in our earthly home in our eternal family. Although that doesn't keep me from worrying I try to remember the small whisperings of comfort I have had and cling to them on my rough days. Having had a miscarriage with my last pregnancy it totally changed my perspective on when we would announce we were pregnant. Within days of finding out I had told both my sisters and my parents. I felt like last time I needed support and no one knew I was pregnant so I was dropping a big bomb shell when I told them. Matt and I also chose to tell a few close friends that have been very helpful the times I have been sick or needed a break in some way but mostly just to have someone to share my fears and hopes with.  I for the most part had been feeling pretty good until 6 weeks hit. This happened to be the week I also had Nic's kids. I was concerned to say the least so once again I turned to my Heavenly Father and asked for help I was able to make it through the entire week feel well and having the energy I needed to take care of each of the kids. But once Jill came to pick them up the deal was over and I was back to feeling not so good. As strange as it sounds I was relieved that I was sick....often sickness is the sign of a healthy pregnancy and if that's what it takes to get a healthy sweet baby to us I can handle being sick. Symptom wise so far I am so tired like more tired than I ever was with either of the girls, I am also starving...like all the time starving. I eat at least every 2 hours! I crave so many things so randomly its crazy. One day its Mexican, the next Italian. Matt has been amazing as my delivery guy picking me up what sounds good on his way from one place to another. I went through a couple weeks that only french fries sounded good and I ate at least one order a day...lol glad thats over at least for now.  I drink a lot of sprite mixed with lemon lime Gatorade as well as coke they both do a pretty good job at settling my stomach. I also have to pee quite frequently and get nauseous pretty easily. Week 7 was hard...really heard I got the stomach flu on top of everything else and it made for a long week and weekend in Vegas and traveling alone with the girls. This week I hit my 8 week mark and got to go to the Dr for the 1st time. Once again I was a nervous wreck but everything went really well. I love my Dr and her bedside manner is prefect for me. I asked a ton of questions and wanted her to explain everything on the ultrasound. The baby is actually measuring a couple days ahead of my estimated due date which I say is May 19th but Dr. Boheen is thinking the 20th either way it wont matter since this baby will probably be here before then anyways. Dr. Boheen thinks it is a boy...how she knows that I have no clue but I'm ok with that. Really at this point I will take either boy or girl I just want it to be healthy and fully intact. Because of my Ulcerlative Colitis I am considered high risk. For the remainder of my 1st trimester I will go every 2 weeks and if at that point everything still looks good they may extend them to a month until I get further along. Dr Boheen knows what a worrier I am and said if I need to come in before that to call and she will get me in just to make sure everything is good. Here is our little friends at 8 weeks measuring 8wks and 2 days.

I am cautiously optimistic that all will go well. I am getting more excited all the time. I am excited for everyone to know so I can talk about it openly but we have decided to wait a little longer since we miscarried about 9 weeks last time. Also Tiff(Matt's sister) is coming into town this weekend and we don't want to ruin her weekend by announcing now. So for now it is still our little blessing of a secret.

Update:We are now 12 weeks!!! I am starting to feel better and more relaxed all the time. Im getting more excited but it will be easier to be excited when I don't feel sick all of the time!! My cravings have pretty much disappeared but I still feel just as sick if not worse. I take my progesterone for 2 more weeks and I'm wondering if I will feel better once I stop taking it...I guess we will see. We announced to Joy we were pregnant(see moving post) and the remainder of his family through a picture message on Halloween. It said "Its no trick that we will be adding a little treat to our family come May."

I have been having some chest pain the last couple days I went to the dr today when it hadn't resolved itself. They ran a bunch of labs and a new ekg with very little to report. They are thinking it is a viral plural effusion that should remedy itself and to just take it easy. This week has been really hard for me, I have had a bad attitude. I usually can find the silver lining in things but being sick, Matt always being gone, never getting a break, and this on top of it has made it really difficult. Im excited for winter. For the excuse to stay inside, watch movies, cuddle, and make cookies. I feel like I spend more quality time with my family in the winter. Im hoping things get better soon at this point this is going to be the longest pregnancy ever!

Halloween 2014

 For Halloween this year we spent the morning just hanging out, watching Halloween shows and pretty much taking it easy. I put Gracie down for an early nap and once she got up we headed to Sure Steel for their office trick or treating. They have such a fun bunch there. They did walking tacos, meat and cheese trays, and of coarse lots of treats. The girls walked around to all the offices trick or treating before we settled in the conference room to eat our food. Matt's boss was so cute with all of the kids he took turns trying on some of the kids head covers(hats, helmets, ect)

 Gracie looked so cute in her hat I just can't get over how perfectly it fits her personality

 And Hallie of coarse wanted Mark to wear her Elsa hat.....but it didn't quite fit

By the time we got done we had spent more time there than we had anticipated and only had 5 minutes til the ward trunk or treat started. So with all the candy the kids had gotten trick or treating on 2 different occasions we asked if it was ok if we ditched out on the trunk or treat and they were totally fine with it. So we ran some errands to get some things for packing and headed home to meet my dad to have dinner and hang out before he headed back to Nic's house to sleep over and go duck hunting. The girls had more fun passing out treats than I think they had trick or treating. All and all it was a pretty slow and quiet day. I will be so glad when I am feeling like myself again. Happy Halloween everyone!

Our 1st Moving Experience...Joy to the rescue!!!

So first I guess I should update what is going on in our lives. Let me start by saying this is seriously the most stressful time I think we have even had in our little family. So many changes and not nearly enough time. A couple months ago Matt and I were talking about how with the interest rates rising that we are no longer saving what we will end up paying in interest to build our house so we decided to look into selling the house. The original plan was to put it on the market in the spring and then break ground as soon as we sold but when Matt and I both thought and prayed about it we felt like we should put it up for sell now! So that upped our time line we called our real estate agent and set up a time to meet. Since having refinanced to a 15 yr mortgage 2 years ago we have paid down our mortgage much more than we had the previous years we had owned the home on a 30 yr. This gave us the flexibility to sell for what our house is worth and not have to bring cash to the table. But really it is time to get out of this house we aren't making equity like we thought we might with the market gaining ground so we took the leap and the house is now officially on the market. At the same time we had been looking at lots and found one we thought would work really well for us. We have a current offer in on it and found out last night they decided to pull it off the market for a time until they decide what to do with all of the excess dirt on the lot....first blow to what we were hoping would be a smooth transition. I'm funny right. So anyways when the real estate agent came through she did a bunch of staging with us. After we had met Matt and I decided we would have to have a storage unit for all of our stuff both while we rent and build and while we are selling. We decided it would be best to have out unit in Mountain Green/Morgan area so we would have access to it once we moved more easily. We also found the best rates there so it worked out well. We borrowed a neighbors trailer and loaded up the suburban and one evening we were off. Just as we got off the highway to the unit we blew a tire and of coarse had no spare. So I called the neighbor we had borrowed it from and they said they had a spare that we could come get it. It was 6 and now all the tire shops were closed so it was really our only option. Matt's mom happened to be headed to Salt Lake so I called her and she was great enough to pick up the tire and come rescue us. We got it switched without to much of a problem. By now it was getting dark so Joy stayed and hung out with the girls so we could have the light from her car so we could see what we were doing. 

 Our little haul stuck on the side of the road

While Matt put the jack away I tightened the lug nuts on the tire. When Matt came back he was talking with his mom and said, "Look at my wife 3 months pregnant and still doing hard stuff!" It only took a moment before Joy realized what Matt had said. They she started screaming about how excited she was and how that is the greatest way anyone had ever announced they were pregnant. The whole thing was pretty funny. It is always super fun to get a reaction like that when you announce you're pregnant. Then there were a few hugs and we all headed our separate way. 

About a mile down the road the same tire blew again!!! By now it was dark and Matt was beyond frustrated. What was supposed to take an hour was taking way longer. I find at times of high stress either Matt or I manage to hold it together mostly for the other one and this time it was my turn to keep it together and make a joke out of it. We decided to go unload the suburban and then come back and transfer the stuff from the trailer to the suburban until we had hauled all of it. I called our neighbors to let them know and to try to decide what to do with the trailer. It was a single axle and isn't registered so anyone could pick it up on the side of the road. Luckily we were just off the street of an office building so we slowly pulled the trailer into there where there wasn't lighting so people wouldn't be able to see it as well. Then we unhooked the trailer and headed for the storage unit. Then our neighbors called and said they had just realized that he had a car dolly from work that he had used for work that day that they would come and put the broken trailer on the dolly trailer and get everything take care of. Matt and I were both grateful and relieved. We unloaded and headed back to the trailer. We unloaded the trailer and tried to figure out what had happened to both tires. What we found made us both feel pretty stupid. One of the folding chairs had slide when we turned to get off the freeway, the tire had rubbed the plastic cover off the leg of the chair, and the metal leg had sliced the tire til it blew the tire out and TWICE this had happened and we didn't notice! 

Anyway then our neighbors arrived we loaded the remainder of our stuff on their new trailer and took it to the unit. By then Tyler had arrived to help us. I really did feel so blessed that we had help that night I don't know what we would have done alone. The boys all pushed the broken trailer on to the dolly and we were off. After a 5 hour ordeal we had officially moved our 1st load for moving and announced we were pregnant to Joy! So all in and all it wasn't a bad night I just hope from now on we can keep things more simple..lol. While we were moving things our neighbors said that things are easy when you never try to improve your life and when you are trying to do better and what you're supposed to do the adversary works against you. Having that said it makes me nervous for the rest of this little adventure we have embarked on but I can't wait to see the end result once its all completed.

Family Pictures Oct 2014

Last week Matt took a day off and we went and had family pictures done. We had them done at a place called Camera Shy. I really liked it they were reasonably priced, had helpers to get the kids to look and smile, a ton of back drops, and it is all inside so I didn't have to worry about the weather. It was probably one of the most stress free photo shoots we have ever done. And we are very happy with how they turned out

 These 2 hams are so fun and the light of our lives

 Our sweet Hallie is an amazing big sister, very loving/compassionate, and a super photogenic kid. There weren't many of her pictures that didn't turn out

 Our Gracie goose is full of life and energy. When she is around its hard not to have a smile on your face. Her vocabulary is amazing. She loves to read, play games, do anything Hallie is doing, and play outside. She is 33 months...I can't believe she is almost 3 

 This shows the true logistics of our house. Matt is always so fun and silly it creates a great balance for my logical and sometimes serious side.

 Oh how I love this man of mine!!! He is my everything!

Even though family pictures can be a lot of work they always seem to be worth it. I love to look back and see how much the kids have changed even in such a short time.