Pregnancy

Since this will probably be my only post on this topic I might as well start from the beginning. When we found out we were going to have #3 it was a little bit of a surprise. We'll put it this way: It was a surprise but not a shock.
Brad made the comment, before we were expecting this baby, that "things are so perfect right now, with the two we have" translating into: we finally got the hang of this with 2! In a way I totally had to agree, but after praying about it I had the feeling we should go for it. We decided we would have another, we just hadn't decided when. Well this decides it for us right? That is how I look at it. Although we were a little nervous realizing that this puts us in the market for a new car, more furniture and some added expenses all in the middle of finishing our basement, which has now become that much more important to complete - it is also true that the kids are all about 2 1/2 years apart which I think is good for us, we can start eliminating some of the baby stuff we've been holding onto, and I will have 3 kids by the age of 30. (Wow those sound kind of selfish huh! I'll get to that in a minute.) A friend also pointed out that this way it eliminates the emotional stress of trying for a long time to have another baby. True.

I was a bit nervous in the beginning. I mean 1 to 2 was a rougher transition than I expected. I figure this time I at least can be prepared by telling myself that I am not prepared and therefore just plan on things being a little crazy around here for the next year or so.

Now getting to the selfish part of me . . . gees I sort of hate to admit it, but lets be honest, shall I? I haven't been super excited this time around - that is NOT to say that I am not excited about this baby. It just isn't the same kind of excitement this time. I don't know if it is because this is my 3rd and so the 'newness' of pregnancy has worn off or because it wasn't planned, or what it is. I wonder if anyone else has felt this way ??? But it makes me feel a little guilty - but hey that is what motherhood does to me a lot of the time anyway right?

The other thing that makes me feel a little guilty is how upset I am over my pregnant body. Complaining isn't always a very attractive feature. I am aware of that. I know there are many people who would go through anything to have a baby, I am one of them too. But since this is pretty much a journal entry and it's my body and my blog then I am going to go ahead and have it out! Try to take it with a grain of salt and a little humor that is what I am trying to do anyway.

A couple of things that I have learned this time around:
* do not fill the tub too full of water! it may cause a tidal wave in your bathroom when you get in.
*3rd time is NOT a charm I am still not one of those supermodel pregnant women with a cute little belly bump while the rest of her body remains as ever before.

Now I would love to say that my last couple of pregnancies went by with me gaining a breezy and normal amount of weight to the tune of 30 lbs. and that I just don't understand it! But alas, no I gained 50 with Garrett and 45 with Embrie so why am I so upset that I seem to be on the same track this time? I don't know! Ha! Maybe I am just getting cranky in my old age?

I know I am sounding dramatic, I don't care. I am not saying this for one more person to try and make me feel better by saying "oh you look cute" or "you haven't gained that much". I am 5'2" and I know what 50 extra lbs looks like on my body ok! No patronizing! BUT that being said the weight is only part of it.

Lets talk about why I look like I've been hit several times with a baseball bat. When I was pregnant with Garrett is was pretty easy. I didn't have much to complain about besides swollen ankles. With Embrie I didn't get swollen ankles because she was born in the winter. But I did get something else and they are permanent souvenirs. Bruises . . . permanent ones . . . vein bruises. In my 3rd trimester with Embrie I got varicose veins on the right side of my body from the hip down. I panicked at first but when I asked the doctor he said this happens sometimes and that they usually go away after you give birth. Phew! That is good because they hurt! After she was born the veins did go away but I was left with two big bruises on the back of my right thigh. They are just there.
The more often you're pregnant the more easily your body transitions into the mode right? At least I think that is so for most people. Well mine has a good memory. These veins just popped right back as soon as my 1st trimester was coming to a close. Once again, feeling pain and reaching back to the feel the back of my leg I freaked out when I felt some huge lumpy bumps. Only to remember about an hour later that this has happened before. And so they all quickly popped back out of hiding again. I didn't let it scare me this time. I guess you just put up with the pain and swelling and itching (yes the bruises itch sometimes its weird). It's been worse this time. I have 2 more bruises possibly forming: one on my calf, one near my knee and I have one for sure that is already there accompanying the other two already on my thigh. Sure I know people who have legs that look like mine, but they are all over the age of 50!!!!! I started this at 27!
So what can I do about it? The doctor told me to start saving my money for an appointment with the vein institute. Ha ha! So I will. Ok Ok I am done complaining. Now for something better.


There are a lot of things I don't know but one thing I do know is that I (we) will love this baby just as much as we love and adore the other two we have. Sometimes parents have that feeling of "how can my heart hold that much love for another child" (which they later find out is totally possible). I have never had that feeling, it's something that I know I have room for. And I definitely have room for this little girl! The closer it gets the more excited I get.

There is only one other worry we've had. Will this baby be on oxygen at birth too? Will we be having another long hospital stay? Will we be coming home with wires and machines and oxygen tanks this time? There is no way to know because there has never been a definitive answer as to why it has happened the last two times. We'll just have to wait and see. If it happens again then, we're pro's at it right? Sort of. There is no way to not feel stressed over the health of your child just because you've survived before and although both Garrett and Embrie's issues were very similar they were not completely the same. We've both laughed about what we would do if this baby is totally fine. It would be kind of weird and I am afraid I will spend a lot of time worrying and second guessing and thinking they or we have missed something.
So we'll hope for the best and see what happens! Either way I am 29 week and can now start the count down instead of the count up. I have 11 weeks until my due date! Yeehaw!
Now if we can settle on a name . . . .

School is Out

Garrett officially graduated from preschool on May 26th 2011.

He has learned so much in the last two years and he is ready for kindergarten.

He and his classmates put on a very cute program for parents and grandparents. Papa and G.G. were able to come to watch.

Garrett was presented with a book of school memories: pictures, completed homework assignments, art projects and other fun stuff. Also a graduation monkey, a candy bar and most important- a hug from his teacher.

Garrett is really going to miss his Teacher Miss Bre. She has been so great!

We are so proud of him!


Each kid memorized a part for the program. Garrett was first and although we could still hear him he covered his mouth with his hands, a nervous habit.

Never Thought It Would Happen To Me

Ok so everyone knows its going to happen someday. You just don't ever picture it actually happening, right?

So a couple of days ago . . . drum roll please . . . . I . . . turned . . .

30


ahhh!

and I lived to tell the tale :) . It is just kinda funny cause deep down in the back of mind I knew I would turn 30, but there was that part of me in denial that says "What? I never thought this day would actually come!" Not that I had any morbid thoughts of death before 30, I just thought I would be in my 20's forever (obviously in denial there).

And although I can feel the difference maybe a little I think I am going to survive this age thing.

I saw a fantastic greeting card that I adopted as my new birthday moto:


"Being 1 day older only matters if you're a banana"

amen to that right? I mean I don't have any age spots yet! varicose veins and permanent bruises aside. (yes that part is true, but thats another story coming soon to a post near view!)


So I was taken out to lunch with some of my family. It was very much enjoyed and I had a nice sunshine day and was able to relax through it.

Now I can sit back and watch the years roll by without dreading another birthday until I turn 40.

Big 70th Bash

I can't believe that my Grandma Judy is 70 years old!
here is why:

well look at her! isn't she beautiful?! she doesn't look 70.
She has more energy than I do half the time (or at least she fakes it better than me)
And finally, time simply isn't supposed to go that fast.

We celebrated her birthday along with her brother my uncle Mont who turned 75!
It was a great party and so much fun to celebrate two wonderful members of our family!

Grandma with her two kids, my uncle Bret and mom Sheri
(grandpa Clyde was sick that day and was sad to have to stay home, we all missed him!)

the kids had a blast playing like crazy and getting filthy

I think this was Embrie's first trampoline experience. Needless to say she loved it. I rarely got her off the thing.

And Grandma Judy even jumped on the tramp, man! I have to admit I was a little scared that she might break something, but I guess I had nothing to worry about!

We love you Grandma Judy (aka G.G.)

Child of God

Twinkle Little Star

Day to Day

It's funny how your children can remember something you said or did forever ago and still forget the things you tell them every single day like: "don't jump on the bed"

So Garrett brings in these "air planes" that he has in made out of blocks and tells me "look at this plane mom. It's an American one. And President Obama is inside!"

Embrie wearing daddy's glasses, what a little cabbage patch!

They may look pretty sad here, but really they were just watching a movie. I thought it was cute that they were sitting so contently by each other.
(and no worries, Embrie is not completely naked, just in her underwear)

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

It is a hard thing to thank the mother's in your life. This is because there is no way to do it properly. I think I always fall short of doing it justice. I picked up some quotes that help me express the feelings that I have about the women in my life who have inspired me so much!


My mom Sheri . . . .

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." ~Honoré de Balzac

I admit it. I am not the perfect child (shocking right?). But no matter what I have done or said in the past I know there are at least 3 people who have forgiven me unconditionally. My Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, and my Mother. And to be honest I don't know how she does it sometimes.

"If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?" ~Milton Berle

She has to be and always has been one of the busiest people I know. She never turns down anyone who needs help. In fact she is one of 3 people who have taught me the most by example how to serve others.

"A mom reads you like a book, and wherever she goes, people read you like a glowing book review." ~Robert Brault,

My mom has a habit of thinking the very best of me no matter if I deserve it or not.
(on a side note: isn't she such a fun Grandma?!)

"I cannot forget my mother. She is my bridge. When I needed to get across, she steadied herself long enough for me to run across safely." ~Renita Weems

I know the some of times she has sacrificed her own needs for mine or my brothers. But I know I don't know all of them!

My Grandma Judy . . .

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." ~Tenneva Jordan

This quote instantly brought my grandma Judy to mind. She does for others all the time without giving thought to herself or what she wants. In fact, she'll read this right now and say "Oh that's not true." But I tell you it is!
(This is another one of the 3 who have taught me the most about service.)

"A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled." ~Emily Dickinson

She has always been there for me when I needed to talk about anything. I have gotten some of the best advice from her.

"Now, as always, the most automated appliance in a household is the mother."~Beverly Jones

I am amazed at how much energy she has! With 4 great grandchildren she never shows to them how tired she is as they are asking her to play.

She always has your favorite drink in the house for those times when you stop by. Since she has two children and 5 grand children plus other people she knows, loves and takes care of, it's a good thing she has more than one fridge.

My Grandma Watson . . .

"There is an instinct in a woman to love most her own child - and an instinct to make any child who needs her love, her own." ~Robert Brault

My grandma Hila passed away shortly after Garrett was born. And so I cherish this last picture that I have of her holding him.
(Last but not least in the trio of people who have taught me most about service.) She always welcomed all as her own.

"Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together." ~Pearl S. Buck

She would let you know if you were out of line, even if you didn't want to hear it. But she also gave you praise and love whenever you needed it.

"There's nothing like a mama-hug." ~Terri Guillemets
She gave the best hugs, put on some great parties, was a great cook, had lots of life stories to tell and did more genealogy work than anyone I know!

My mother-in-law Peggy . . .

"Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials." ~Meryl Streep

My mother in law is another one of those mom's who takes little thought for herself. She has been known to send us home with extra groceries even after she has spent the week feeding everyone in the family.

"Mother - that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries." ~T. DeWitt Talmage

I am so glad that she raised my husband. She has helped make him the wonderful man that he is today.

"It's not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it." ~From the television show The Golden Girls

My kids love her. She is always thinking of her grandchildren and picks up something special for each of them.

What about my mother-hood? Well I have a lot to learn still. Another thing that I don't do well enough is appreciate every precious moment with my children. They are the most amazing little people in my world.
I can only hope to take away a piece of each of the lovely women in my life! To make me a little bit like each of them would help me be closer to the mom I want to be.

Here are some quotes I liked and a few pictures of good mommy moments.

The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman

me and Garrett

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895

I used to think that I didn't want to be like my mother. It might surprise her to hear . . . I take that back.

"A mom forgives us all our faults, not to mention one or two we don't even have."~Robert Brault

I keep finding that just when I think my kids have done something wrong, it usually stems back to something I have done, not them.

"A man's work is from sun to sun, but a mother's work is never done." ~Author Unknown

I love these kids and the one on the way soooo much! They give me more purpose in life, and more reason to improve than anything else!

And an extra shout out to all the women in my life, friends and family. I have been blessed to be surrounded by the very best of women in the world!

Tractors and Cupcakes

Who says that your birthday only comes once a year?

Since some of the kid's birthdays happen after the school year ends his teacher picked a day this month for each of them to celebrate their birthday.

Today was Garrett's "school birthday-day".
He was very excited to take cupcakes and drinks to school to share with his classmates. He got to wear a cool Cat in the Hat -hat and be the special teacher's helper!
This year's birthday theme ? Tractors :) He is so random, or original, take your pick. But definitely 100% cute.

*he wanted me to take a picture of him making a few different faces so . . . we did*

happy

surprised

mad

Dance Class

Embrie had her first dance class today!
Of course, when getting dressed this morning she said she needed a skirt. That seems to be a requirement in her mind for dancing.

These tiny girls all gathered around teacher Susie to stretch and learn their first dance moves!

they each got to pick out a small beanie baby to hold (props to help them with the stretches). Embrie had a red bird. She is pretty instant that this red bird is now her sole property for dance class. She loved it.

Learning how to point your toes, a task that is more difficult than you'd think
. . . for a 2 year old :)

and doing kicks across the floor

Yay! She had so much fun, I wish I would have gotten some pictures of her doing her ballerina hands and twirling, but I am pretty sure those photo opportunities will come up again. Can't wait to keep going!

(and yes teacher Susie is pregnant and fabulous! not to mention a good friend of mine.)