Belly Pic!

Here's a belly shot at 31 weeks- I am now almost 36 weeks- and I'm HUGE (I LOVE food this pregnancy- SO different than Hailyns pregnancy! Maybe Silas will be a great eater!) also I will be shocked if I make it to March 20 or beyond- I feel like this baby is going to fall out! Hoping I make it til march 2 (when I stop working!) Fingers crossed for me! Although saying that I will probably be late like I was with Hailyn. Sigh, whenever he comes. This was at my baby shower my sweet friend Kristi threw for me (cus she's AWESOME!) So here ya go (I look about like I'm ready to pop already! lol!)

Baby update...

I'm still having issues uploading pics to my blog- this is most frustrating!! AHHH! Anyhow, sorry I have been MIA- yes I am still alive and yes, I WILL post pregnancy pics- my poor friends have been asking. I guess I just haven't gotten around to it- sad and lame. Especially when I expect others to update their blogs regularly!

This pregnancy is FLYING by... in fact... I forget I am pregnant sometimes... I KNOW! I mean I know I am, but I'll miscalcualte a doorway and my belly gets in the way or I reach for something and my belly is there- ahh!!! I am grateful this pregnancy is much easier than Hailyn's- but yes I was still sick this time but maybe half as bad- I'll take it! haha! As for work and rest there is none:) I am grateful I can keep working (til March 2!! Fingers crossed for me!) and that's going well I have the smartest students ever! I'm gonna miss them, I feel strange ending early,even if it is to give birth, which is a good excuse:)

Dr thinks baby is big, the other dr says he's measuring perfectly. I think he is good to go I'm not worried. Ryan and I were ten pounders *nearly and H was close to nine (that's being INDUCED too:) and we are healthy average sized adults and were healthy (even shrimpy) kiddos. I just pray I am not induced and have a 32 hour long hospital labor again... so wish me luck there. I will say I feel this baby more and dr says I am likely dialted to a one after an 'episode' I had last week. Again, praying I make it to march:)

Crib and room is all set up. I am slightly sad I didn't get the ADORABLE Dr. Seuss bedding Ryan and I both loved. Sadly the clearance bedding fit our budget better (sigh) /but it's still cute! and Silas won't care (yep that's his name!) but still... I'm sad I have to move end of may...

speaking of which STRESS ugh!! I'm not working next year and I am freaking out about finances ect ESPECIALLY since we are SO CLOSE to buying a house (we aren't settling this time) After 2011, I am really ready to feel settled and at peace and well I'm not there yet. I am just trusting in God's plan. But trust doesn't come easily to me... so yeah it's been fun for me. Moving in May... where? good question. Beating my head against a wall now. JUST as I was getting settled here- organizing, cleaning, purging, NOT my forte and yet I am plunging forward. HUGE sigh...

I can't pick anything up off the floor- makes having a three year old awesome. She is learning responsibility. Hahahaa. I am trying to get her to put my laundry away... not going so well she does put hers away. Oh and don't want to jinx it but I think she will be an INCREDIBLE big sister. She already says 'this is for baby Silas' and she asks when is he coming? and kisses my belly. I am basically obsessed with her. I am going to miss just us time. Me and Hailyn, the girls. She is my mini clone and frankly she's awesome. I am excited to have this baby boy (I hear they love thier mamas) but Hailyn and I love watching Say Yes to the Dress... a boy may cramp our style:)

So there's a small update... five weeks and counting... hopefully I have some cute pics to show you soon!!

Out with the old...

Blogger and I are not getting along- I have about seven thousand (SLIGHT exaggeration) pictures to upload- Hailyn's birthday, halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas... and no luck. So instead, hi blogger world I am alive!!!

I am SO done with 2011. It was the hardest year of my life. No joke. But there were some amazing highlights that have made this the most roller coaster drama year i've ever had. We got to take a family trip to Florida and live it up at Disney World (which was awesome!) and then I turned another yar older and possibly 20 years wiser (HA!!!!) and then found out I was expecting (SURPRISE!!!) baby boy in March!! Hailyn hit her head (low point) but was fine (yay!) and then Ryan and I took a second honeymoon to london and paris. School started again. We spoke in church where SURPRISE stake presidency was there hence we spoke in Stake Conference a month later and it was an amazing experience for us.The holiday routine we always do (Flagstaff, Polar Express train, and Enchanted Forest) I have to say this holiday season was by far my favorite ever. So 2011, ended on a happier note.

Segway into 2012, I am stronger than I thought humanly possible, expecting a baby in March, done teaching in March (I'm actually pretty sad about it. I don't want to leave early). I am no longer in Primary (I miss it) and Hailyn is a sunbeam. SO much has changed in one year it's unreal. We may be moving in may (ahhhhhh) but are hoping to stay close and just have a cheaper plac to rent (can't stay here if I don't work). SIIIIIGH!!! BUT we have food, clothing, and shelter. A beautiful baby girl and the GOSPEL!! I am SO grateful for the gospel in my life I have no clue where I would be without it. So 2012, I am ready for you. I'm hoping it is a smoother year. We are excited for our baby boy in march:) excited for the opportunities that will come our way and excited to learn and grow another year as an indiivdual and a family.

2012...be good to us:)

Spotlight on my soon to be sunbeam...

My baby girl is turning three on Sunday and with me being pregnant and hormonal I am feeling extremely nostalgic- and WISHING my baby would stay little forever. Alas, it isn't happening. With her birthday being on a Sunday, and me being pregnant and working and tired, well, it's going to be a mellow affair- but with a LOT of love! Smashburger and then a taco dinner sunday.

Since I have been a slacker, Hailyn has not had her three year pics yet- we are thinking the monday after her birthday- when she is officially three. Yes, I am so behind on everything it seems. But since this is a form of journaling for me... I wanted to SPOTLIGHT my soon to be sunbeam (oh don't get me started- I'm going to cry my eyes out when she is a sunbeam- I cannot even process it right now) and sadly I have no pics for this post...maybe when I blog about her birthday in november! haha! Some fun things about my cutie pie!

Favorite foods: pizza, cheeseburgers, cheese (straight up grated cheese so funny!) and yogurt oh and apples and fries and DONUTS (anything sweet is called a donut- besides cookies) Dad's scrambled eggs (it sounds like she eats a lot I assure you I jump for joy when she eats ANYTHING!)

Favorite color: purple- hands down

Movies: Despicable Me and Rio- and the Gruffalo movie (she also likes the Disney movies but Rapunzel has taught her to use her plastic frying pan as a weapon and Ariel taught her how to use a fork as a dinglehopper so those are used sparingly)

Books: The Gruffalo (ADORABLE bookwe got her in London with a puppet she LOVES it!) and Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton

Shows: LITTLE EINSTEINS is ALL this girl will watch- she calls it her 'mission show!' and shouts 'going on a mission!' yeah mommy is trying out other shows but this is a winner for sure

Activities: she loves to make mommy pictures and take baths and go on the slide at the park and ride the 'horsies' at the mall (the carousal)

Songs: she loves I am a child of God and Popcorn popping on the Apricot Tree- working on Jesus wants me For a Sunbeam right now

Special things about Hailyn: This HILARIOUS girl always has a smile on her face. She is pure sunshine. I do not know what I did right to deserve such an incredible, loving, smart, spunky little girl- I am so blessed! She is super independant and I cannot help her get dressed (or choose her clothes) she hates getting her teeth brushed, and she will leave her hair in after I fix it for exactly 2.5 seconds. She LOVES getting manicures and pedicures (and often brings me clippers as a HINT to give her a mani and pedi:) she LOVES shoes and LOVES to go shopping (oh boy!) and she loves sunglasses and purses and has to take a purse (or two or three) everywhere we go. She is my little trooper- super easy going. I love the way she says 'thank you' 'please' and 'your welcome' she seriously says them so cute! She says milk like 'muck' working on that:) cute though! She LOVES little babies (hope that sticks) and I never have to remind her to be careful or gentle. She is such a good little mama to her babies at home and takes good care of them tucking them in bed, pushing them in strollers. She screams 'DADDY' when Ryan gets home and he gets the biggest hug ever from his baby girl. She is scared of the dark (she is so my kid! lol) and she has the KINDEST heart! I hope she always does. If a kid bites her or hits her she just looks sad and doesn't retaliate. Yet she is spunky and can hold her own. I hope she has a good balance of softness and strength. I think she will. She is always asking if a friend gets hurt if they are ok. She is a giant sweetheart and I truly LOVE spending time with my little buddy. She has her moments, but oh my I am going to miss the time of it being just her and I. We are buds. Hailyn, happy birthday... I love you like crazy cakes!

Crazy Busy Wonderful

Since we moved two years ago and Ryan started his dram job, our lives have sort of taken a new routine. From end of August til January life is on fast forward. We have the start of school, then Hailyn's birthday, family and Hailyn's photos we try and get at least once a year- (that's it once a year sad huh? We take candids all the time- sigh) Halloween, Thanksgiving (a trip to see family!) and then Christmas time! That of course is ringed with secretly shopping, wrapping gifts, setting up the house, going to Magical Forest and of course Christmas! Amazingly EVERY year on New Years we take it pretty easy. We're talking pizza or Chinese food, a Harry Potter marathon and passing out on the couch by ten. After all the craziness I think it's the perfect way to ring in the new year! Then there is usually a break from Jan til (aside from showering my hubby with lots of love and chocolate for Valentines day) April (Anniversary) then things get nutty until New Years again. Still, I love this routine. This year there will be no break as I anticipate March to be pretty crazy. What lead me to this madness is the fact that darling daughter's birthday is in less than a month I havent got a clue as to what to do or plan. And pictures for her 3rd birthday. Sigh. Better get on it. Let the crazy wonderfulness begin!

My soapbox...on gender...

Ok, so call me a feminist. Call me a hormonal pregnant lady. Whatever. I never really talk about anything controversial on here (politics, religion ect) but one area that rally irks me sometimes is on gender.

Since I've been pregnant people ask "do you want a boy or a girl next?" and I genuinely answer "Whatever God thinks, we'll be thrilled!" I TRULY feel that way. I know Hailyn was 'custom made' in a way for our little family. She just fits. I can't explain it. Other parents I'm sure understand what I'm talking about. This spunky, funny, sassy, smart, witty little girl just FITS! She is just a mix of Ryan and I that is pure awesomeness.

So when people tell me 'I hope you have a boy for the 'drama' sake, so you don't have so much drama in your house. Or what REALLY gets me is when they say 'boys are just better' WHAT?! You are saying this to a FEMALE- not just that but a STRONG female! So yes, maybe I am a feminist, if being a feminist means I believe men and women are both equally important and have divine and different COMPLIMENTARY roles in this life. And a STEP further, how about each little spirit is unique and divine in their own roles? Male or female? My little Hailyn LOVES to play with dolls, nurture her babies, make food, and then she loves to play in the dirt, with dump trucks, and can run faster than any boy I've ever seen. I've seen boys afraid of getting dirty. My niece is one of the best fisherman I know! She is quite adept in the outdoors! So I am told this 'drama' quote and then the fact that 'boys are better' (whatever that means!) and I get LIVID! RIGHT after these comments, I notice my nephew throwing his arms in a fit and pouting worse than ANY girl I have ever seen. Remember I am a preschool teacher and have had hundreds of students over the years. boys can be JUST as much drama as girls. And the whole 'boys carrying on the family name?' GARBAGE! Having a boy does not guarantee that that boy will produce offspring. I'm JUST saying people get EDUCATED!

Now this does not mean I hate boys or anything like that. I will be THRILLED if God blesses us with a baby boy- OR another baby girl! I simply TRUST GOD to find the little spirit that is going to just FIT with us- simple! I just don't think girls should be put down ANYMORE! think Ryan would love a boy if nothing else to help with 'gross yard work' and trash ect. But I grew up doing those chores and it made me a more adept and stronger woman. So if Hailyn grows up mowing the lawn, I'm ok with that.

This whole attitude that girls are drama and princesses and boys are 'easy', LIES! All children are uniquely divine and have special and important roles. Maybe this means I'll have an army of girls, to help raise STRONG women that can stand on their own and not have to have someone take care of them their whole lives. Is it 1770? SERIOUSLY people, even then WOMEN WERE STRONG! Sheesh! I can work and balance a checkbook and cook dinner and do it with a baby in tow, so yeah. I don't want my daughter EVER to feel 'not as important' because she's not a boy- she is a girl and a WONDERFUL AND AMAZING girl! I want her to be proud of it!

Next baby, BOY OR GIRL- we'll be thrilled for you!

so blessed!

So...my baby girl is good. We've had to take her to the doctors a few times, she has a few more followups but she is healing AMAZINGLY well and AMAZINGLY fast! We are SO blessed!! thank you all for prayers and support and love- you are wonderful little blogosphere world!

SPEAKING of being blessed...around the craziness of Hailyn's head injury... we found out NUMBER 2 IS ON THE WAY!!!

Yes siree we are pregnant! we are super excited! Many of you probably already know, but just in case- PREGNANT! Due march 21 2012.

So I have a LOT to catch up on...including pics from London and Paris... but they are on Ryan's computer so I'll get to them later. It was a blast!

Also school starts next week- I'm excited to be teaching again! I will end in March when baby is due. Happy first day back to school!

and happy last few days of summer! I know we are trying to soak in as much as we can before monday!