Baby Bump

I've never had Maternity pictures taken. Since this little angel might be our last I figured I should probably get some done. Ron lucked out and was on a Scout camp out when I scheduled the photo shoot. I'm not gonna lie it was a little awkward, I'm not the greatest with pictures. (I love taking them just not so much a fan of being the center of attention in pictures). But I'm glad I had them done. The kids were pretty good especially Callie.

This picture of Callie captures her everyday almost all day long. She is constantly hugging and kissing my belly. I adore her for it and will admit I'm going to miss that immensely.

A couple weeks ago Ron lovingly rubbed my belly and informed me I wasn't really round anymore  I had turned more into a torpedo shape. LOL I think he's right.

My fingers are starting to swell so I don't wear my wedding ring very often. I'm glad I actually remembered to wear it.

Our house is just all abuzz with excitement anticipating the newest member of our family. Kids are starting to debate when she will make her debut. Callie is adamant she will be coming in 3 days. I'm getting really baby hungry too. I really enjoyed the General Women's conference last night I got to snuggle and hold my sister Maryann's baby Kendalyn and that only made me want Baby April to come that much sooner. I can't wait to hold her and smother her with kisses. Not sure what it is but babies are just so kissable I can't stand it! I feel ready even though I know my house isn't quite set up for her. I'm definitely prepared for the lack of sleep. I might as well have a little companion during the middle of the night when I can't get comfortable or sleep.
I had my first "invasive" Doctor appt this week. I've gained almost 40 lbs. (which sadly is not as much as I usually gain) I'm sad to report NOTHING is happening. I was hoping for a little dilating or SOMETHING. But I guess baby April is just comfortable where she's at and wants to stay. I'm guessing this will probably be my first pregnancy where I go full-term or even over my due date. Not sure how I feel about that. But as long as she's healthy I guess I can hang in there and remind myself that she's worth it!

Callie is 4!

I can't believe my baby girl is 4 years old! Time just flies. She is still just as much of a firecracker as ever, very independent and stubborn. She still LOVES baby dolls and probably has too many! She has even graduated to the occasional dressing up Goofy. Poor dog. Not sure why he puts up with her. Well actually I think I know why. I've caught her more than once sneaking him food under the table. So I guess he's pretty smart to put up with her antics if it gets him some good food.

 

 Happy Birthday Callie!

It's crazy to my how girlie-girl she can be with 2 big brothers always hounding her. But she can also hold her own and play with the boys. She's not my greatest sleeper and still comes into our bed EVERY night. I would like to point out that she strategically comes into our bed on RON'S side of the bed. Poor man is so exhausted from working so hard for us he really doesn't know what hit him until it's 3am and he's sandwiched between 2 girls with only about 1/4 of the bed to himself. Seriously. Between my huge body pillow and big belly and then Callie sleeping practically horizontal he doesn't get much of the bed. And of course she is still just as much of a Daddy's girl as EVER!

Mason's 1st Pinewood Derby

Mason had his first Pinewood Derby this last weekend. Such a fun but also stressful event. Mason was so excited to race his car AKA "Syver" (Silver with out the "L") Not sure where that name came from? Poor Ron had a few technical difficulties with this car. All I have to say is wood glue is some pretty amazing stuff! The actual race day we even had some issues at weigh in and putting the wheels on. I just wanted his car to be able to race. I didn't care about it winning. I just wanted the wheels to stay on and the car to stay in one piece. Pregnancy hormones definitely kicked in as I stressed he wouldn't be able to race. Mason was confident and never even batted an eye, such a cool kid (I'm glad he inherited the "non-stress" attitude gene from Ron).

Miraculously, Mason's car finished and weighed in great! He even won the Pinewood Derby! Crazy! He was so excited and so proud, he didn't even lose one race. I'm thankful that Ron is such a great Dad and cares about his kids and even silly little pinewood Derby events despite his busy work schedule and church calling.

 "Most Aerodynamic Car" Award

 I still can't believe he got 1st place

Middle of the night Math sheet

Noah cracks me up. Last night Ron went in to check on the boys after we put them to bed and he caught Noah by the night light with a pencil and paper in hand doing his Math fact sheet. Earlier that evening he didn't want to go on the Family walk because he was working on his "homework". The same Math fact sheet. He didn't actually have homework yesterday because of his school field trip and Track and Field Day the following morning. So I guess he decided to give himself homework?!?! Silly kid. I don't know why I'm surprised. He's a lot like Ron so why shouldn't he be good and enjoy Math? Mason calls Noah an "early learner" LOL I think it's a very true statement. All my kids have their own strengths and talents. One of Noah's gifts is his quick and alert mind.

This morning he sounded more like a normal child when he informed me that finishing his math fact sheet "earned time" on the Wii. I'm such a mean mom. I don't just let them play video games they have to earn it by practicing the piano, working on math facts, phonograms... etc. We have a whole list of options. (He even graded his own paper. haha)

Grateful Tears

Last Thursday I went to Walmart before work with one goal in mind. I was desperate and needed a body pillow. I have been having issues sleeping at night. Between Sciatic nerve issues and just simply being pregnant, I've never experienced it this bad before. Noah and Callie were good sports at the store as I made a return and then headed for the pillow aisle. I walked up and down that aisle looking for a body pillow. They had King size pillows, decorative pillows, the works but NO body pillow to be seen. I was feeling discouraged and needed to head home to drop my kids off with the sitter and go to work. As I started leaving the store I saw a Walmart employee and asked them if there was any other pillow sections. He started walking me right back where I came from and we bumped into a woman shopping. Hanging out of her cart was a large body pillow!!! I was so excited. I asked her where she got it. She replied with apologetic eyes "Over there, but it was the last one". My heart sank and think she saw the sadness in my eyes as I lead Callie back down the aisle towards the Walmart employee. She yelled after me "Here you take it!". I turned and adamantly refused. I wasn't about to steal a pillow out of her cart. We then proceeded to have the most awkward "polite argument" in public I'm sure that Walmart has ever witnessed.
"No REALLY! You need this more than me!"
"No thank you! That's really sweet but I'm not going to take your pillow"
"No you have kids. I can go to Target today"
"No really it's fine. I'll just stop by Target on my way home from work."
... back and forth...
I think the Walmart employee was chuckling to himself and rolling his eyes at the same time. Finally, She insisted, handed the large pillow to Noah, and started walking off. I thanked her and rushed to the check out. I was walking out of Walmart and just overcome with gratitude for this complete stranger doing such a kind service. Even now journaling this silly experience I'm getting choked up and crying (I blame the raging pregnancy hormones inside me). I actually slept pretty good that night and I think as silly as it sounds that pillow was an answer to my prayers. I really do wish I could find that kind-hearted woman and thank her properly. But for now my heart is just overflowing with gratitude and I'm still thanking my Father in Heaven for her.

3rd Trimester

I think Mason has a career ahead of him! On Sunday after church he took some pics of me. I'm pretty impressed with how good he did. I'm officially in my 3rd trimester now. Let the panic attacks begin!!!! SO much to do!!!

This Pregnancy has been a pretty great, some odd cravings and symptoms but I've really enjoyed it. I LOVE Lemon burst Yoplait yogurt (I know its the junk food of yogurt but it's soooooo good, they don't always carry it at the store so yesterday I bought EVERY single one off the shelf to stock up) I'm back to wanting sugar all day long EVERY day. I try really hard not to have any sugar at my house but you would be impressed at how creative I get with the chocolate I find (yes find. I hide candy in my house) and get my sugar fix! My friend Jenessa says she's going to call my baby "Sugar". I still REALLY enjoy working out when I have energy. Energy being the key word. It's crazy. One day I get an email telling me I'm in my 3rd trimester and all the sudden my energy is OUT the window, I'm super tired a lot, and sleeping is a joke. I think a lot of it is mental so I'm trying to snap out of it. I'm not really running anymore. Mostly because I don't have a "belly band" (basically a bra for your belly). But I do lots of cardio and weights at the gym about 3-4 times a week (when I'm not too exhausted). It makes me have a better day and I just feel like a happier mom. As a family we are enjoying lots of bike rides outside (I am LOVING my new bike- thank you Ron!) and just soaking up this fabulous 70 degree weather.

Family Movie Night

We watched the movie Bolt last night for a family movie night. I can't stop laughing at how the plot of the movie emotionally effected and possibly traumatized Callie. The story line of the movie is basically a dog getting separated from his owner (an adorable little girl). The whole movie is him trying to make it back to her. It's a really cute and funny movie, the dog thinks he has super powers because he is a TV show actor but he doesn't know it. Callie was genuinely upset for most of the movie. She even cried over it at one point. I think she inherited my family genes for asking questions during movies. A characteristic that I'm sure is annoying to other people. She kept asking "Is the white dog going to find the little girl?...How is he going to find her?!..." The questions escalated to tears when she said "He's NEVER going to find her... He can't find her!" It was really sweet to watch but sad that she was so upset.

And yes I don't have any furniture in my front room. We sold the pool table and I'm trying to figure out how to furnish it. I'm no good at decorating so what do I do?... nothing. Someday I will have a fully furnished house.