Sometimes it's so hard to know what to write and what not to write...

Today was my fist day without the little girl I babysit. I was planning on keeping her up until I had the baby but her Grandma was able to come into town for the next month and take over. This is a huge relief because I was thinking I may start back after about a week after having the baby but now I know I am covered for the month of September. So for the first day off I envisioned Crate and I going to the library, going out to lunch as a date together and then ending up at the school seeing how we could help out in his brothers classrooms. That plan quickly changed when at 3:30 this morning, as Buster is lying next to me in bed, I hear MOM! and then feel something wet on me. Holy cow it was nasty...he puked on the bed and on the side of my body. Poor guy didn't feel good. Pops didn't know he had climbed in our bed and he slept through the puking episode so needless to say when I woke him up telling him I need to change the sheets he wasn't to thrilled. But he was a good sport to Buster and helped me put clean sheets on the bed. Thus Buster stayed home from school today and Crate and I hung around here all day.

Because of being sick Buster missed his first Pack meeting and was quite sad. I felt bad for him but his little body needs to rest and be healthy before he meets his new brother.

All day today I felt more like I was 4 weeks pregnant instead of 40 weeks. I lost my appetite, felt nauseous all day, had no energy and felt just plainly lazy and unmotivated. I am really hoping I'm not getting the bug Buster has. That would not be good.

I finally feel prepared for this birth experience. I've felt physically prepared for a long time now but not necessarily emotionally or mentally prepared. That has all changed thanks to Ashlee. I feel empowered and I know that myself and my baby are in good hands.

I am okay with people asking me "when are you going to have this baby?" or "how soon will your doctor induce you?" or "have you had the baby yet?" or "any news?" things of the sorts. I know they are just concerned and excited for this little guy. I am excited also but I'm also okay with him taking his time to come to earth. If he needs to be prepared more and spend a few more days with his Heavenly Father who am I to rush it? He's good, I'm good and it gives me more time to prepare for him also.

I'm not sure what will be more expensive this month...our A/C bill or the hospital bill. I seriously can't cool off and I think all the sweating I do each day is what is keeping me from swelling big time like I usually do. I guess that is one perk to being now 10 months pregnant during the hottest August on record. :)

On another note...Boss still LOVES kindergarten and comes home with a new song that he's learned each day. It's really sweet. I love the experiences he's having and I love that he's catching on so quickly. He's now 3/4 of the way through on his site words that are supposed to take him 3 quarters of the year to learn. He's excited to be ahead and can't wait for his teacher to give him the first grade words like she said. Yesterday he told me that at the end of class for a few minutes before the parents come they have a sharing time. He said he was raising his hand but she didn't have time to pick on him. I asked what he was going to share with the class and he said "the gospel." He had a big smile on his face and I asked him what about the gospel was he going to share and his reply was "the whole thing, I wanted to share the whole gospel with everyone." My heart melted. I hope his enthusiasm keeps up. On the other had when we are talking about who was absent from school that day he always uses the word "abstinence" for "absent." It's hilarious.

It looks like Buster will be home one more day tomorrow. It's sad to see him sick but he's so sweet and appreciative of what I do for him when he's sick...I like seeing this side of him. Maybe this side of him will come out more often and not have to involve puke.

The last few weekends have been pretty busy with Pops and he hasn't been around much so I'm looking forward to spending some family time together this weekend pending I'm not in labor. Although I think it would be pretty ironic to be in labor on labor day. :)

Now off to slumber land. I feel so grateful that I can still sleep well each night and can get up and exercise in the morning...albeit, I'm really getting VERY slow when I exercise.

Because I don't want to forget...

I know as soon as this baby comes (which I hope is REALLY soon) little Crate will seem SOOO much bigger. There are some things about him that I enjoy so much right now and if I don't record them I'll forget them.

I love the way he says some words...
Pillow is said "pig-a-bow"
Papi is "potty" however Crate usually still will say "papa"
Helicopter is said "heli-pig-a-coco"
Love you is "of you"
Uncle Casey is "Uncle Chi-chi"


He tries so hard to make a scary sound like a lion or tiger but he's always smiling when he does it so it comes out sounding really sweet.

I love that fact that he'll randomly come up to me and point to my stomach and say "baby" then he'll insist on giving my belly a kiss. I can't help but think that he knows who's coming and has been patiently waiting.

His hair is so red and sometimes so crazy...it just fits him and I love it.

He's usually a very kind boy and sometimes gets his feelings hurt easily. It breaks my heart to see him so sad.

He LOVES his older brothers and gets so excited each day when we drive to the school to pick them up.

I hope he adjusts well to the good changes that will be coming to the family.

It's been a really hot month. And I'm ready to have this little baby in my arms. The boys are excited and now we're just playing the waiting game. I think this is the hardest part of pregnancy.

I've been envisioning my birth experience and pray it's one of calmness and love. I'll also throw out there that I would appreciate any prayers on my behalf during this birth...there is power in prayer.

If I only knew how happy a detailed car would make me I would have done it years ago. We've had this van for almost five years and even though I've given it some really good cleanings I can't remember ever detailing it. When I got it back today I smiled the whole way home. It was like driving a brand new car. I'm so thankful it got cleaned before the baby came. Hopefully he'll think more highly of me now that he'll be brought home in a clean car...cause I know he'll be looking. :)

OK...I think everything is ready.

Can you say nesting? Hello...
My kitchen cabinets are all reorganized. I now have three empty cabinets and four empty kitchen drawers. (I'm thankful for a big kitchen) Game closet is reorganized and all games with missing parts/pieces are now out of the house. Food storage is organized. Laundry room is de-junked and organized. Playroom is de-junked and clean. Coat closet is reorganized and only proper sizes are hanging up ready for winter. Boys room is reorganized and clean. Baby clothes are washed and put away. Baby blankets are clean. Crib is painted and set up. (Free crib thanks to Becky!) Car seat is washed and ready to go. Bathrooms are clean, floor is clean, furniture is dusted. ALL laundry is washed folded and put away (a miracle of itself). Swing is cleaned and set up. Van is currently being cleaned as I write.

On a side note regarding the van...I take it to the detail guy this morning. He quotes me that it'll take about two hours. I say great. Open the sliding doors to get the kiddos out and he takes one look and says "wow, that is bad you better plan on four hours." I wanted to say to him that he didn't need to point out the obvious, I know the van is dirty that's why I'm hear. I'm excited to have it all clean for the baby.

Grocery shopping is done. Bills are paid (for the time being) My two projects I wanted to finish are done...I love the way they turned out that I think I'll post pictures sometime of them. Two of the four tires on the van which had screws in them are now fixed. And my stomach is huge. I'm ready for the baby and I hope he's ready for us. I think we might be much noisier than heaven.

It's been a busy few weeks, but it also feels so good to be organized and ready to go. Can't wait to meet him!

38 weeks and counting

Well...today brought another lovely check up. Now that school is back in session this means I take not one but two one-year-olds along. Pops came today and he was about as helpful as a monkey. Once I needed to be dressed immodestly from the waist down and could no longer chase the wild banshees around the room I gave him "the look" and the business on the electronic device stopped and he suddenly become a helpful man. Not sure if it was the look I gave him or the fact that if he wasn't careful I would be the one running out of the room down the hall half naked telling the wild banshees to return to our 12X12 hiding spot until the doc comes in. That would have been embarrassing for the both of us.

Everything looks good...I'm dilated to a whopping 1 cm. Blah. No biggie. I opted to not have the membranes stripped today...the crib has yet to be set up.

One thing I realized today while at the docs...The sense of touch is an amazing thing and I am grateful for it..most of the time. Except times like today; today I had to do the urine test as normal, comes with each appointment. But my belly is to big to be able to use my eyes and make sure every last drop gets put correctly in the little paper cup. So today I relied on my hand being in the exact right position...except this time it wasn't. Gross huh. Thank goodness for hand soap and I'm thankful I was at least able to get enough in there to see all looks good. T.M.I.? Sorry.

I love my kids. I really do. No one would have known it this morning. I got up extra early to exercise so I could come home and make pancakes for the boys before school. They were not excited for the pancakes and the oldest even refused to try a bite. I over-reacted, probably because I was tired, my body is tired and I felt unappreciated. I even said "don't be surprised if I'm gone when you get home." Then everyone cried. Now it's been several hours since I have seen them and I can't wait to say "I'm sorry" and give them big hugs. I'm thankful for repentance. I'm thankful to be forgiven for the small mistakes and the very big ones. I know Heavenly Father forgives and loves us just the same as if a mistake had never happened. I'm thankful to see a glimpse of that now that I'm a parent and can forgive my children for their mistakes and love them no less. I hope they will forgive me this afternoon. I would never leave them. I love them too much.

Schools back in session...

The first day of school has come and went. And it was a total success! I was a little nervous for Boss...considering things with him are either great or horrible. He's not a go-with-the-flow type of kid. He LOVED it and can't wait to return this next week. He asked if I could ask his teacher to have school on the weekend so he doesn't miss anything. I can't be more grateful to have a school close by where my kids are safe, educated and enjoying each day of it. They both had a great week. Not to mention I love to see them in their uniforms.








Buster would only allow one picture in the class room...I guess he's getting to cool for his parents.


Boss was trying to act too cool like his older brother but he was so excited he couldn't stop smiling.





Crate was so excited to see his long-lost friend. Once school started that meant I started babysitting again. Once again it's like having twins for 8 hours a day. Over the last week I've gotten some really odd looks and interesting comments when I take the two one-year-old's out in public and have a huge belly as I walk through different stores. Some people show empathy and some people are down right rude. It's kind of funny to mess with the rude ones. After they make their comments I stay stuff like "...it's another set of twins and I can't be more excited!" or "triplets this time!" I get the strangest looks.

Six seconds of silence

The other day I was in the kitchen and I realized it had been completely quite for six seconds. Wondering what was going on I walked to the playroom to find...nothing. I headed to the boys room and found...nothing. I headed to Crates room and found...nothing. I then called Crates name and heard giggling coming from the laundry room. And this is what I found...





Crate and the dryer have become new best friends. I guess it's a better place to play than where I found him earlier today. I literally left for 90 seconds to take care of personal business in the restroom. (I do that a lot lately) and upon walking out of the resting place Crate was climbing in the second shelf of the upper cabinets to get the children's gummy vitamins. You know the cabinet above the counter that hangs from the wall. I wanted to grab my camera for posterity sake but I for saw a massive mess and possibly a call from CPS if I waited any longer.

I'm afraid this kid is going to have a hay-day when I'm nursing and immovable for several minutes at a time... That's a scary thought.

Summer Va-cay pics.

You know it's been a good vacation when after six days you're asking yourself...does it really have to end?"

Some good 'ol pics of our family get-a-way!



We happened to set up for a day at the beach right next to this big whole that had been dug in the sand. Who would have known that it would have kept my boys and their cousins entertained for eight straight hours. (p.s. I LOVED being at the beach for 8 hours...I could do that several times a week. It's probably for the best we don't live any closer to one.)




Boss loved lying in the sand...he must take after his mom.



Once Monday came we decided to skip Legoland as originally planned and head to the beach again. Along with their cousin Ashlynn, the boys had another super fun day. The water seemed to be a bit warmer and Pops got himself a swim shirt so with the combo of those two things and a couple of boogie boards they were set for the day. I never knew Pops was the type to stay out in the water with a boogie board but he did. He probably was out in the water for a few hours combined. I will admit I was a little envious to not be out there with them. I tried to do it once but my belly made me tip over and it wasn't a cute site.






Enjoying our picnic lunch on the beach.


Tuesday was our last and final day. We decided to head to Sea Port Village before heading home. The cousins joined us and we ended up spending a few hours together enjoying the weather, scenery and company. The boys always have a blast when they get together with their cousins.




The boys found this gigantic statue awesome...it might have been the fact that their cousin found it hilarious to pretend to be looking up the girls skirt. They all found that quite funny. I thought it was gross. Boys...



Crate kept trying to give this man a hug...he couldn't understand why he wouldn't open his arms any wider.


The best thing about having these older nieces is the fact that they LOVE Crate and totally take over with him when they're around. It's like having a free awesome babysitter. Crate was in heaven not having to be in the stroller the whole time and I loved the fact that I could rest my eight-in-a-half month pregnant body on a bench and just watch them have a grand old time together.


It was a great trip and we hope to make it back soon...this time it'll be with four boys in tow. That's a scary thought.

Oh my silly, silly Crate...

Crate has something he has to do every time I change his diaper. As soon as I get done wiping him down he proceeds to squeeze his manhood and while doing so he says in the cutest little voice..."honk, honk, beep, beep."

It's utterly disgusting yet absolutely adorable at the same time.

Today the boys went on my walk with me. We only went two miles. I had one child in particular that thought I was the MEANEST mom because his legs were tired and I wouldn't let me turn around. It was a good reminder of why I go by myself. I love my children but I also love exercising by myself.