Three Weeks Left!

There's been differences with my three pregnancies, obviously there three different children so why wouldn't they, right? But just for my own future reference, I'll write them down while I still remember them.

Carson was a roller. When he was in utero, he would just roll back and forth, not so much a kicker/jabber. He preferred the left side so I was constantly lop-sided and I ended up with more stretch marks on that side, awesome! In the mornings, I would wake up and he would be more on the left side and there were two large bumps where his head and bum were sticking out. Sounds weird, I know, but come to find out, that's how he liked to sleep. And sometimes we still find him sleeping like that with his bum in the air!

Reese was a puncher and kicker. Ryan kept telling me that he was going to be really strong because of how hard he kicked. I thought that he was normal and I had just forgotten but Ryan was right. Reese is not only tough, but too strong for his own good. But what really gets him into trouble is the whole "no fear" attitude. Last time we went to the Eastside Marketplace he figured out how to pull himself over the tunnel to stand on the bear, Carson just figured out how to do that a couple of months ago! And of course the thing to do after you climb up is to jump off. Which he tried to do by himself but Ryan kept catching him and Reese kept yelling at him to let him do it by himself. Sometimes, we have to save Reese from himself!

This little lady is more like Reese and Ryan thinks that she's going to be wiry and strong like Reese. I think Ryan is probably right. When she kicks, it's a good kick, but mostly she's just constantly moving and fluttering. She really likes to stretch and it's weird to have my belly all of the sudden poke out. I'm surprised people haven't noticed, maybe they have and just haven't said anything, but she'll stretch her little leg or arm out a good three inches! And yes, it can hurt! Sometimes she'll just keep it stretched and I'll have to push her little appendage back in. It's totally freaky and totally amazing all at the same time!

When I was pregnant with Carson I don't think I could really comprehend what it would be like to be a mom. I was mostly concerned with what was happening right then and I don't think I even realized that I was going to be taking an infant home from the hospital. Carson was a pretty easy baby. He slept and ate well and the first hard thing was weaning him. He didn't really give us any grief until later on. Then Reese came along and threw any theories or opinions I had about parenting out the window! Reese was really difficult mostly because he was colic and while he's the sweetest thing alive, I've had to parent him completely different. I now feel completely inadequate to give anyone any parenting advice and I've become a lot less judgmental towards other's parenting styles.  So I guess the Lord gave me Reese to humble me... and it worked! :) So for this third one, I have pretty much no expectations on when she should be sleeping through the night, how much she should weigh, or when she should be sitting up/rolling over/crawling ect. I'm just so excited for her to come! Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty much freaking out that I'm going to have to three kids but I'm just not going to put any pressure on myself and just let things fall into place on their own. I can't wait for Carson and Reese to have a little sister! I can't wait to see what she looks like! I can't wait to see Ryan hold her! And I can't wait to snuggle her! 

And now if you could kindly direct your attention to our side bar and give us your two cents on what to name her. We started off with a long list but we've narrowed it down to two. They're both two completely different names that give two completely different impressions on what kind of girl she'll be. It's a toss up for Ryan and I but Carson is sticking with "Lucy." And just as a disclaimer, which ever name is most popular with the voting doesn't necessarily mean that's what we're going to name her. So don't get your feelings hurt, this is just a vote for curiosity's sake. At this point, we're thinking that we're just going to have to meet her to find out who she really is and it could be another name completely but we'd still like your input. Thanks for the help!

Carson Quote of the Day

Carson and I went out on a date tonight to Baskin Robbins. On the way home this is what was our conversation:

Mommy, you know what I love?

What do you love?

The perfect woman.

Who's the perfect woman? (thinking that it might be his crush, Hollie Davis, his friend's mom)

You are!

I have to admit, it's pretty darn awesome knowing that you're the perfect woman!

Easter

We headed home from Utah Saturday afternoon so we could celebrate Easter at the Crandall's house. I'm so glad that we got to enjoy the sunshine! It was such a perfect Easter day!

 No new Easter outfits this year. We're saving everything we can so we can get into a house asap! Kinda sucks though. Ryan keeps having to remind me of the bigger picture. :)

Ryder and Jory looking very GQ

BYU Graduation

The drive down to Provo was actually not too bad. The boys were absolutely a.maz.ing! Jeff, Julie, and Adam all crammed into our van and I think it helped the boys having everyone there. I know Ryan really appreciated the help driving! I had debated whether or not to make the trek for about 3 or 4 months. I really wanted to walk and I thought it was important for the boys to see but I really didn't want to drive that far 8 months pregnant. But like I said, it turned out to be a great trip! Richard G. Scott spoke at Commencement on Thursday and then we went out with the Crandalls to dinner at Tucanos. Friday was Convocation and afterward we went out to dinner with the Clawsons to Carabbas (Ryan worked there for a while when we lived in Provo).

This was the first time we had been back in Provo since we moved and it was a weird feeling, kinda like deja vu. We didn't even go and see our old house! We were just too busy but we'll be down there in June again when Ryan's sister gets married.

I felt like I didn't look as pregnant wearing the gown, but the pictures have proven me totally wrong. I looked humongous! At least the gown fit, right!?

Both boys feel asleep during Convocation. Can't blame them though. Wish I could've!

You don't really have to look to hard to see the gigantic pregnant woman walking across the stage.

 It was a lot of waiting and standing and walking and sitting but totally worth it. Carson and Reese did awesome sitting through all of the meetings and cheering me on. Carson said that once I got my diploma then I would win! My mom bought my a flower lei and Carson kept telling me how beautiful I looked and how I would be so much more beautiful if I would take off the silly hat. And you wouldn't believe that it actually looked like spring down there! Everything was blossoming and green, I had almost forgot what spring was supposed to look like. But every time we drove somewhere Carson would point out all the popcorn trees. And of course, Reese is always happy and adorable. The first time he tried on my cap he said, "I look like a girl!"

I don't know if you're into the Jimmer craze but he just graduated too and we saw him twice. He walked by while we were eating at Tucanos and then he sat right behind us when we were having lunch at Zupas. So that's our claim to fame. :)

The drive home was even better than the drive down, which almost never happens. It went by fast and I didn't get as sore and swollen. It gave me some hope for the drive down in June, but then again, we'll have three kids by then!

26!

It's been a really busy last couple of days and the next few months are going to keep up that pace! Tuesday was my birthday so we headed up to Cd'A to celebrate with the Crandalls. We toured a couple of homes with our realtor but they weren't really anything promising. And then Julie made Bombay House Chicken Tikki Masala with Indian Rice and Naan and Mango Lassi for dinner. So much work but oh so worth it! Followed it up with some chocolate mousse cake.

Ryan surprised me with a little getaway to Spokane for the two of us this Friday! A little quality time before I don't see him for three weeks because he'll be studying for his last final exams!

After the birthday festivities, we dyed some Easter eggs.

Reese loved throwing the eggs in the dye!

After that, we prepared for a twelve hour drive down to Provo...

Reese Recited

I had a doctor's appointment today and took the boys along. They love when they take my blood pressure for some reason. And I don't really get it but Reese is always trying to put his feet in the stirrups, calling himself Harry Potter. Anyway, when the nurse was checking the baby's heart rate, Reese was standing on a chair next to me so he was up by my head. After the nurse was done he snuggled my head, gave me a  kiss and asked,

All better, Mommy? You're such a good boy!

Reese also thinks that there is a baby growing in his belly and he even showed the doctor by lifting up his shirt and exclaiming,

 My belly is getting bigger and bigger!

Carson Quote of the Day

Ryan asked Carson, what's Mommy up to? Carson replied,

I don't know. Just kickin' butts.

(You know, the usual!)

Teddy Bear Clinic

One thing that I'm really going to miss about Moscow is the Teddy Bear Clinic. The Gritman Medical Center puts on this clinic for kids and families every other year and last time they had it we went with our good friends, Rob and Janette Wood. It makes going to the hospital not so scary for little ones because they explain what happens if you ever have to go the hospital and you get to tour around a little bit. The last time we went, Reese was about two months old. Crazy to think that much time has past already and here I am about to have another!

First greeted by Charlie the bear, Carson didn't want to touch him, just show him his Buzz Lightyear

The first room we went into talked about babies conveniently. Each kid got a diaper and a wrist band to put on their teddy bear. Then they got to weigh their bears.

The next room was if someone had to go in for surgery and they had the giant bear on a breathing machine so it looked like it was really breathing. 

Then we headed over to the Physical Therapy building (where Carson goes for speech, he kept asking for Jody, his speech therapist) and they taught them to wash their hands properly and play on some physical therapy equipment.

Outside they had an ambulance and fire truck. But this time Carson had no hesitations about checking them out. I think it was because Ryan was there.

 

 

A few days after the clinic, Reese found his teddy bear that still had the diaper on. He said that it was time to change the bear's poopy bum, then he took of the diaper and said that the bear needed to go potty on the big boy toilet. So he went upstairs and helped him go. Reese even added the "pssss" sounds indicating when the bear was going and then completed the routine by flushing the toilet. Maybe we have another tactic for the next time we try potty training Reese!

Carson Quote of the Day

After Reese elbowed Ryan right in the crotch Carson said

Dad, you have googily eyes!

Carson Quote of the Day

After beating me 3 times in a row at Candyland:

I guess this is just my luck day!

I don't know what it is with this kid and Candyland but he wins every stinkin time! He always gets Princess Frostine! There was one time when I was way ahead of him, thinking that I was finally going to win a game, then I got Gingerbread Man and had to go clear back to almost the beginning. Then of course I lost. Maybe he's a prodigy? Should we be exploiting this "talent"?...

Reese Recited

Baby is changing colors!

What color is she?

Blue! 

 

Cruel and Unsual?

Like I mentioned, Reese learned how to climb out of his crib for the first time last night. To be honest, I'm surprised it took him this long to figure it out. Of course it turned into a big party upstairs for the boys and they were running around laughing and screaming and teasing each other. And of course every time Ryan or I went upstairs to tame the hooligans, we would put Reese back in his crib and that would last about 2.3 seconds before the party was back on. So Ryan had the idea for something dramatic to keep Reese in his crib (dun, dun, duuunnnn....).

Ryan turned off the lights for the hundredth time and waited around the corner on the stairs. With some coaxing from Carson, "Reese go over by the stairs" (he didn't know Ryan was waiting for him, he just wanted to see Reese get in trouble again), Reese climbed out of his crib and obediently followed Carson's command. Ryan timed if perfectly and turned on the lights and screamed "BOO!" Reese just about had a heart attack! He jumped sky-high and then got this heart-melting sob face and started to cry. Ryan felt horrible meanwhile I was trying my hardest not to bust a gut! Reese was a little hesitant to get out of his crib after that, but alas, he did... again and again. He didn't give up and go to bed until 11:00.

Ryan was worried that he had scarred him for life and that his relationship with Reese would forever be ruined. I don't even think Reese remembered this morning when he came bounding down the stairs with pride written all over his face.

Reese Recited

I'm beginning to wonder if Reese has a phobia of spiders. The other day he had a gun shooting at the wall and when I asked what he was shooting, he said a spider. Sure enough, there was a spider on the wall. Then last night he figured out how to climb out of his crib (more on that later...) so I told him that there was a spider in the hallway. His eyes got all big and he ran back in him room and said:

Kill that spider with a light saber!

Carson as Dash

Carson has discovered his love for The Incredibles. He loves to play the role of Dash and will run around the house saying that he's faster than Dash. While watching the movie, he'll switch off roles and play the part of whoever has the most action. It's hilarious and this movie doesn't do it justice!

Emergency Preparedness Fair

A week or two ago there was an emergency preparedness fair at the church. It was so cool! I was really surprised. We pulled into the parking lot and saw a fire truck, ambulance, and a helicopter! The boys, especially Reese, was in heaven! They let you sit in the seats and take a tour of the different emergency vehicles. Reese hopped right in every one but I couldn't bribe Carson to step foot into any of them.

Fire Truck

 Ambulance- surprisingly spacious

 

Police motorcycle

And that was just on the outside... inside there was a bunch of booths set up from everything to food storage and gardening, to fire safety and car seat installation. The boys spent a bunch of time at the physical exercise booth because they had some exercise toys to play with (and I think they had a little crush on the girl in charge of the booth). And even Smoky the Bear paid a visit! I wasn't planing on bringing my camera but I'm sure glad I had my point and shoot in my purse! This was definitely a picture-worthy event!