38 Weeks

Ok so about a week ago I started getting uncomfortable. I don't sleep great anymore, my muscles hurt all over, and I have to pee all the time. Today I went to go see Dr. Boheen Im dilated to a 3+ and she said she would probably see me in the next couple days...I hate when she says stuff like that. But we did set an induction date for the 5th since the 4th was full. I asked why she couldn't induce me on the 30th since I would be 39 weeks on the 1st and she said that according to my due date of Dec 11th I couldn't be induced until the 4th. I was completely surprised they had told me all along that I was due the 8th and now suddenly its the 11th but at this point I didn't think it would do me any good to argue. I asked her about it and she said she would look into it that it could have been a paperwork error. On the way home from gymnastics my contractions started about 6 minutes apart. When I got home Matt was outside putting Christmas lights up. As it was snowing the girls were dying to play in it so we got them dressed and I headed out to help Matt with lights. While we were outside my contractions were more like 4 minutes apart. Matt could tell and asked if we needed to go to the hospital. I was so hesitant because I didn't want them to send me home but after 2 hours of contractions 4-6 minutes apart we decided we better go to the hospital and get checked. I called Amy to come stay with the girls. We got them bathed and in bed before we left. The roads were terrible but we made it safely to the hospital. We got all checked in and into a triage room. The nurse checked me and I was a 4 and 70% effaced. She called Dr Boheen and they decided to keep us for an hour and then see if I had progressed. We walked the halls, did squats, and drank a bunch of water. My contractions stayed consistent 3-4 minutes apart but after an hour I was still a 4 they kept us for another hour and I was only a 4+ so they decided to send us home. I wasn't surprised but at this point it was 12:30 am and I was tired and just wanted to go home. I text Amy and we got home about 1 am and went right to bed. I was bummed but who wants to be up all night having a baby...lol I have now done the walk of shame but if nothing else I would be induced next week

Painted Plank

I think Matt's parents have caught the bug about how much more fun it is to share time together vs just giving a gift. Joy gifted each of us a trip to the painted plank for Christmas last year and we were finally able to get everyone together to do it. It really was a fun thing and I think everyone's signs turned out right.

Thanksgiving, A Vasectomy,& The Weekend

This year we spent Thanksgiving with the Brower's at Kerry & Joy's house. I was more than slightly disappointing when this baby didn't decide to join us for the holiday but I guess he will be here soon enough. Kerry & Joy added an addition to the back of their house last summer but it still was really tight with almost 30 of us. Matt and I ended up sitting at the bar with our kids which was disappointing that we didn't get to sit with the rest of the adults but Matt and I enjoyed each others company. My mom called almost hysterical this morning that the night before Maddi had attempted to kill herself by drinking cold medicine and taking a couple handfuls of IB Profen. They of coarse took her to the ER to have her looked at luckily she was fine and they kept her on a 72 hr psych hold. I really think it was just a cry for attention that there were problems that needed to be addressed. Matt also had his vasectomy the day before so we left the house moving pretty slow but when we arrived Joy had some fun string art for the kids to do. We had decided not to say anything because of the history with Braydon but when I saw Krissy I kinda just lost in and we went to a back bedroom to talk. It was nice to be able to tell someone and work thru my emotions. He was feeling better than I expected but said it was only mildly sore. The girls worked on their string art and we said hello to everyone. Joy had asked each of us to bring a dessert and then the other sisters did relish trays and snacks. There was plenty of dessert as you can see.

Austin & Kya were the life of the party and all the kids wanted to be with them so they settled for a pile on the floor.

This family and their apple cider. Our family doesn't like the stuff but everyone else thinks its awesome. I think 10 bottles were consumed this day!

Chris & Krissy had a big announcement this day as well. It was a big surprise to everyone but so exciting. Where it had taken so long getting pregnant before and so help from science they decided they better start trying early and wouldn't you know that the lord had different plans and they will be welcoming #2 next summer. They will be 18 months apart! 

This is as about as good as it gets for a family picture these days

With their addition complete Joy decided to turn the basement into a play room complete with a stage. She has boxes and boxes of dress ups and its a great space for the kids imagination to run wild. 

Left to right...Halle, Alivia, Cooper, Kaylee, & Mayci

The audience

On Friday Matt was given tickets to the BYU vs Uof U football game. It was rainy/snowy and freezing so I was so glad that Chris was able to go with him. Im not that dedicated for sure

Aside from that it was a pretty quiet weekend. Im so done being preggo but hanging in there to meet this little guy

Gracie's Thanksgiving Program

Gracie and her first grade class put on such a cute Thanksgiving program. They sang some cute songs that Grace has been singing for weeks at home. She is on the end in the pink polka dot outfit. She was super excited that we were all there to watch her as well. She did a great job

Nachos for Breakfast

This sweet girl right here is my partner in crime. She wants to be a part of everything Im doing and is super helpful. I wanted to document her love for nachos and not only that she has decided they are a breakfast food. I figured they can't be any worse than sugary cereal. May nights when I tuck her in she she asks if when the suns awake if she can have nachos and watch a show. I think its the sweetest thing. I love our morning cuddles 

She has decided she doesn't need naps anymore and does pretty well with that until evening comes and then she can be so cranky or wild because she is so tired. Occasionally she will slow down next to me long enough to give in and fall asleep. I love her sweet little face and spunky self. She wants to be so independent and grown up just like her sisters. It makes me sad she is growing up but its so fun to see your kids figure life out and how they are each so different but also so much the same. I love being a mom. Its hard, don't get me wrong, but oh so worth it. Im doing my best to soak up everyday 

Baby Prep

Chris and Krissy bought a new house and Matt went today to help them move. While he was gone the girls and I worked on a few projects. I have heard people rave about padcicles so we took a few minutes and made some in anticipation of the baby coming. The girls thought it was pretty fun.

I bought some arrows to put in the baby's room with the intention of letting the girls paint them and so we finally got them done. Each of the girls got to pick one of his room colors and painted an arrow. They did a great job and they turned out so cute.

Top Golf Date Night

The Top Golf date night was something I looked forward to all year. With some of the early labor I was having I wasn't sure we were going to make it but we did. I had contractions 5 minutes apart all the way down to the event and Matt and I teased that we may need to pit stop at the hospital on the way home but after a couple hours they stopped. I love date nights with Matt. He is 100% my person...always has been and always will be. He just loves me for me and brings out the best in me.

Ryan and Nat joined us this year and it was super fun. Nat and I just visited while the boys did most of the golfing. They served BBQ, sides, and cookies. Since we didn't really know anyone we just stayed in our little slip and enjoyed dinner and good conversation.

This is me attempting to golf. After hitting about a dozen balls it started to hurt so thats when I decided I would be a better spectator than a participant. I look forward to going again next year and getting to be more fully involved and maybe a little competitive with Matt.

Until next year Top Golf 

36 Week

I'm doing pretty well. Matt is part of the bell choir in our ward this year for the Christmas program. They practice every Sunday shortly after church which means we rush home and eat and then he heads to practice. He seems to really be enjoying it and it certainly is right down his ally. Anyways this week when he went to bells practice the girls and I decided to make cookies and banana bread. One of my favorite things is to turn the music up and just bake...I really love that about our new kitchen. Anyways I had the Christmas music going and a couple songs came on that really touched me. I had a dream years ago about nursing a baby in front of the Christmas tree. When we miscarried our November baby I thought it must have been the baby in my dream but then this baby came along and is due in December I couldn't stop thinking about that dream. So as the music played I thought of the dream and how long our little family has waited for him. I became really emotional. I have kept myself pretty guarded this pregnancy I have been afraid to get to excited for fear something would happen. As I stood in the kitchen the tears came easily running down my face faster than I could catch them I realized just how excited and scared I am to have this little guy. For so many reasons. This little guy marks the end of us growing our family, it's our first boy(do I know what to do with a boy?), my health, and so many worries about if we were going to be lucky enough to get all healthy kids. It was definitely one of those moments that helps grow my testimony that God is aware of me, he loves me, and cares about my concerns. I really do love the feeling at Christmas time and preparing to welcome a baby during it makes the feelings even more.

Emy's Preschool Thanksgiving Program

Emy was so excited to take her rolls to her Thanksgiving feast with all of her friends. She has been loving preschool. All the parents were invited to join them. We had ham(lunch meat), potatoes, yams, rolls, popcorn, fruit, salad, veggies, and crackers. They had made cute hats and set the table before we arrived. It was a fun way to spend the afternoon with Emy. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She thinks she is so big and wants to do everything by herself. She definitely isn't my baby anymore.

Primary Program

Matt's parents do a really great job of being supportive and trying to be present in all their kids and grandkids lives. The girls were so excited when they came to see their primary program. The girls both did a great job Hallie was asked to share an experience where she knew that God loved her and Gracie was given a part about how God helps in our lives everyday.  I'm so grateful for their love and support.

Date Night-Massages & Dinner

Matt and I have been trying to make the most of our date nights before this baby joins us. A couple weeks ago I found a groupon for a couple massage and we decided to give it a try. It was a good time but I missed being able to lay on my tummy and have my back rubbed but they did have some pillows to help me get comfy just different for sure. After we received foot soaks and rubs with apple cider and chocolates. I love that no matter how long Matt and I have been married I still love spending time with him. Im looking forward to getting this baby here and being able to feel like myself again and doing more fun things with not only Matt but also the whole family. Im grateful for JOy and her willingness to keep the kids for the afternoon so we could go and do this.

Date Night & Christmas Already

Matt was able to take Joy to see a play at the Hale Center Theater and to dinner after the baby shower. Im really glad Matt got to spend that time with his mom. They loved the play and said the food was pretty good.

After the shower I had mentioned to my sisters that it would be helpful if they would could help me put up my Christmas so it was one less thing I had to worry about before the baby came. My cousin Linnie even stuck around and helped us. My mom is not one to sit and visit so it was a good excuse to be productive and not have the awkward silence that sometimes happens with my mom around. They did such a beautiful job and Im so grateful for their help. 

Baby #4 Shower

When Joy had originally asked about throwing me a baby shower I was a little hesitant. This is our 4th baby and I'm the one who like to throw parties not be the guest of honor but after I talked to Matt we decided it would be fun. Thank heavens for Teann she graciously offered to host after asking if there was anything she could do. Krissy put together the invites. Brit, Joy, and Teann did the decor and the food. We had soup and dessert. I was so busy visiting with everyone I barely remembered to eat. It was so fun to see everyone and catch up. I really enjoyed it and was supper honored that everyone put so much time and effort in my behalf into it. We got mostly clothes and now we can figure out what we need to be all ready for this little guy.

My cousin Linnie came up from Saratoga Springs and after the shower came over to help us put up my Christmas stuff. It was so fun to just hang out. At times she has been more of a sister than a cousin especially since her family is crazy!

Matt had come over to bring us some more folding chairs and Emy wanted to stay and when we opened gifts she was like a little Vanna White holding up everything so people could see 

Shar is due 10 days before me but she always has her babies about 37 weeks so Im sure Ill be super jealous when she has her baby and Im still very much preggo but it has been so nice to have someone going thru the same thing as me this pregnancy. 

Teann has become such a great friend and someone I can count on when I need something or someone to talk to. She was a great host and I realized after the shower that I didn't get many pictures of the people in my ward that have become more like family. I told Matt I feel like this is the first baby we've ever had that I felt like the whole ward was invested in getting him here which I love but I also feel like when we decide to take him out we better be prepared to share him so we'll be staying home for the next several months.

Oh my gosh where to even start with these amazing sisters of mine. They are my best friends and I can talk to them about anything. They are always there for me and there aren't words to describe how much I love, admire, and cherish my relationship with them.

It was so fun to see some friends from high school. Somehow I missed a picture with Mindi. I felt so special that they would travel so far to be part of our special day

Oh Holly, like our 2nd mom

Part of the awesome group that put the food together