Baby Bump Selfie

Just as a record....Baby Bump at about 32 weeks.

Baby Boy's Arrival Date is coming....October 3rd

 What this baby boy likes to do: kick, wiggle, move around all the time, kick my ribs, kick anywhere, and experience the hiccups....oh and kick and move around some more. He is definitely the most active of all my pregnancies. The doctor couldn't help but laugh during my last appointment just watching him move here and there and seeing my stomach move along with him.

First Day

The baby girl who was due on the first day of school back in 2008 started her first day of school today in 2014. Kindergarten here we come.

 Outside of her school.

With her teachers.

Chillin'

"Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life" --Brian Andreas

Growing a Baby is Hard Work

We are thrilled & excited and wondering what life with 3 kids will be like...but oh so happy to find out come early October.

It has been hard work to get to this point.  This pregnancy has been especially difficult and I spent the first  16 1/2 weeks very sick. We've mentioned before that we are living in our dream house--but part of that is the location of being close to many good families.  We are just down the street from three other families in our church ward.  There were many afternoons that a phone call or a text was made by me and these good friends would show up, take the girls, and save them from either fending for themselves (Abigail perfected her skills in reaching for things in the pantry and working the Apple tv) or another macaroni and cheese dinner and an afternoon of t.v.  There were other times that dinner was brought by--just because. When Tyler traveled for work I don't think there was ever a trip that passed without someone bringing dinner to our family. Other friends came and literally cleaned my house and did ironing.  I spent most of the first 16 weeks in bed or on the couch and many others put in a lot of hard work to help keep our house running.  Tyler took over---well, almost everything-- cooking, cleaning, making lunches and dinner, doing all the grocery shopping, entertaining the girls, and taking care of me.  I was able to contribute here and there--but-- Tyler really stepped it up.  

So, growing a baby has been hard work--but not just by my body, but a wonderful husband and many many good friends.

Thankfully--20 weeks into this pregnancy I am feeling good and enjoying the kicks this little guy seems to love to share with me.

Discovering

The thing with moving into a new home last July is that we had no idea what was what when it came to the existing plants, what would come back, and what would be new. So this spring has been full of discovering. Discovering new bulbs, being delighted by plants that appear and plants that blossom that we had no idea would or if they would blossom.  This past fall and winter we kind of of just guessed what things needed cutting back and then hoped for the best. 

 We have no idea what kind of flower this is, but we're okay with that.  Just look at its beauty.

 When we took our daily "lets see what bloomed" walk I was thrilled to see yellow roses. My mom said it was definitely a sign that we picked the right house. I agree!

 More roses.

 Tyler counted and we have more than 10 azalea bushes in our front and back yard.

 Again, another mystery flower-- its a keeper.

A view of the back yard.

Easter Dresses

Easter 2014

Lucy 3&1/2 (the 1/2 part has become quite important these days) and Abigail 5& 3/4

Abigail turned 5....a while ago (August actually)

Abigail knew exactly what she wanted: a Fairy Queen Birthday Party. Fairy Queen you ask? Yes, Fairy Queen. What's a Fairy Queen party? Don't worry--Abigail explained every detail of how the day should go and so it turned out just how she dreamed.

 Fairy wings lined the mantle for each fairy princess as they arrived. 

Purpleicious...aka Lucy.

 Each fairy being sprinkled (aka sprayed) with gold sparkly fairy dust.

All of our party guests! Such wonderful friends to Abigail.

We were so blessed and lucky that Katerina, a young woman from church, could come be our resident artist. She is amazing!! She face painted each of the girls faces with whatever they wanted-- no request was too small or big. She was wonderful.

 This isn't a great picture--but Abigail had a crown painted on her forehead.

 Searching for their hidden fairies in our game of "Find the Fairy".

I forgot to take pictures, but soon after the girls arrived each girl got to decorate butterflies with jewels.

 Each girl got a turn being the Fairy Queen on the "throne"--watching the other girls dance and handing out compliments. As the girls took turns being the "Queen" a gold crown (thank you Pinterest inspiration) was placed upon their head. They loved it! There was dancing, dancing, and more dancing until they were all danced out.

 The Lunch Spread

 Fruit Fairy Wands.

 This was the only decision that we had a major influence on....the cake had to be chocolate. Abigail thought she wanted vanilla...but we knew it she really wanted chocolate. Thank you Costco.

And they all played happily ever after!