April Showers

It's been more rainy here lately. We've enjoyed the rain and all the green and flowers by spending a lot of time jumping in puddles. Thomas thoroughly soaked his shoes and feet the first time. Since then we make sure to have his boots on.

I've been trying to prepare for conference this week by listening to an old conference talk every morning when Thomas and I go for our walks. He sits extremely content in his stroller and it's made my exercise attempts much easier and more enjoyable. These two have been my favorites this week. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/10/an-high-priest-of-good-things-to-come?lang=eng#watch=video

Jeffery R Holland 

As things with JTs job could be changing very soon and we are once again looking at the possibility of moving and a new job, after only three short months, this talk gave me comfort that I can't put into words. The story he tells near the end of his young family had me extremely emotional-and maybe crying a little on our walk. I probably looked a little crazy. 

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/11/stand-strong-against-the-wiles-of-the-world

Gordon B Hinkley will always be a favorite prophet of mine. This talk is SO wonderful and touching for any woman to listen to. It's pretty long but worth the time! This was one of my favorite quotes: "It is the home which produces the nursery stock of new generations. I hope that you mothers will realize that when all is said and done, you have no more compelling responsibility, nor any laden with greater rewards, than the nurture you give your children in an environment of security, peace, companionship, love, and motivation to grow and do well." 

It's easy to forget how important the role of motherhood is. Days are repetitive, your whole life is run by tiny people with big attitudes, and finding time to shower and do anything for yourself is hard. Being away from our family and friends has made it even harder. I've learned more about being unselfish in the past year and a half then ever before in my life.   But there is nothing better than being a mom, getting hugs and kisses out of the blue, cuddles, tiny hands and feet, being with them for every first thing they do, and watching them learn and grow and soak in all the things you teach them. I am responsible for teaching my kids literally everything.  It's a daunting task. But nothing could compare to, or prepare me for, all of the big feelings I feel on a daily basis as a mom. 

These guys live at the end of our street. They are so stinky and kind of gross-but Thomas carries those carrots and runs to them as soon as we say lets go feed the cows. I had no idea their tongues were so long. 

Rainy day activities (thanks Amanda for the Pom Pom one!) also this train from my parents is quickly becoming his favorite toy!

No longer can I feed him or prevent the mess of his own utensil using. He is Mr. Independent all the way. See his booster there on our kitchen chair? Not long after he finished his yogurt, he decided to push back on the table with his feet and fall. All the way backwards. I've never seen a bigger scared face on him before. I wish I had a picture but taking one would have been mean. It was so sad, and very dramatic. The only thing that made it okay was some chocolate milk. Also-I'm pretty positive he is a lefty. Red hair and left handed, who would have thought. 

Finally some sunshine-and getting wiggles out at the park. He will be 18 months on Easter, next Sunday he will go to nursery, and in July he will be a big brother. I love my Thomas. 

Daddy's away

JT left for Las Vegas super early this morning. Thomas and I are on our own until Sunday afternoon. I'm trying to get out of the house a lot so that we don't miss him too much. I'm happy it's a quick trip. 

We went to the zoo this morning for a few hours. It was cloudy and the perfect temperature. Thomas walked himself most of the time which helped because pushing him in the stroller on all the hills with my belly is way harder then it should be. Also we got there right when it opened so we basically had the place to ourselves!!

I finally bought some clothes for new baby. With Thomas we went so overboard on clothes. The amount of money we must have spent makes me mad to think about, since they grow so quickly! So I'm hoping to find most of baby girls clothes used or on some good sales. However. Girl clothes are SO CUTE. so we will see if my plan happens or not. 

Thomas loves doing laundry and playing with clothes. He kept trying to put them over his head, and then decided to eat some. 

He woke up extra happy this morning. Since daylight savings he usually wakes up between 730-8 and it has been heavenly. 

I love happy morning babies.

21 weeks!

Yesterday I had my official anatomy ultrasound finally. Switching insurance and finding a doctor out here took longer then anticipated so everything was a little delayed. But it is still a girl and the doctor said she's beautiful. Everything seems to be growing as it should and she's on track to come end of July still. 

Her nose is looking just like Thomas's to me. I just can't wait to find out if she will be a red head too!!! And if she will be a huge 9 pounder like her brother. 

It took the tech awhile to get all the images she needed. She was kicking and rolling and being so so stubborn! We watched her little legs literally wind up and explode out in huge kicks. 

Ultrasounds are amazing. They were nice to show me a 3d version and it just made me all emotional. Seeing all of her tiny little face and body made me so grateful for the opportunity to be a mom again. And for modern medicine and technology that allow us to be so prepared and knowledgable. We love this baby so much already! 

Name options have been harder then I thought, but we are leaning towards Annabelle Grace. We would probably call her Annie most of the time. We have a few others we have talked about but we will see when the time comes!

Thomas's new thing is to line up all of his toys. His cars and trucks and his bath toys are his favorites. 

He wore shorts a few days ago! I can't wait for warm weather and summertime. 

For family night Monday we went to get ice cream treats. Thomas DEMOLISHED his ice cream cone. And did a pretty good job staying clean too. 

JT is headed to Vegas this weekend to see his friends and for March madness. I'm so happy he gets to go, his friends are great and I'm sure they will have way too much fun. Now thomas and I just need to find something to keep us busy! We are hoping to do a Utah trip of our own in April or May if we can. 

March picture randoms

Lots of random pictures going up today, truly our lives are not that exciting most days! Thomas had his first pediatrician appt last week out here, just his intake appointment. He ended up getting his 18 month vaccinations though so we went expecting a happy visit and it ended up being super dramatic. Poor little guy. Shots are awful! He did enjoy their coloring easel though while waiting for the doctor. He is 34" tall and 25 pounds! Hard to believe he is so big already. I also am mourning the loss of the many pediatricians in Utah county. We were so spoiled there. Hopefully we learn to love a doctor out here just as much. 

As long as he stays healthy we won't have to go back until he is TWO. I can't even wrap my head around that. I can't have a two year old so soon!! And by that point baby sister will be here...can time slow down please?

His puppy is the first thing he wants to see and say hi to when he wakes up in the morning or from his nap. He gives it a big hug and usually sits down in its lap to read a book there. If he's ever upset about something saying hi to his puppy usually stops the tears instantly. 

Our neighbors across the street have two huge dogs that are always out on their raised deck. Thomas could stand outside for hours just watching and pointing at them. His love for dogs is almost enough to make me consider getting another dog. Almost. JT has been pushing for one too but I won't even consider it until new baby is at least a year old. But it's hard to say no when they both want one so bad!!!

Fish face and noises. A new favorite thing. He also says "boo" for "moo" like a cow, makes monkey noises and snake noises and rawrs for lions. His reusable stickers I found for cheap at target are all different animals, and he will pick them up and make their sounds, all the time. It's especially fun when he rawrs really loud at church and shows the people around us the lion. 

We went to Salmon Creek park early this morning. I have been so awful at getting outside with him lately, and I have no excuse because it has been so nice here! He literally begged at the door for half an hour after JT went to work this morning. So we got ready quick and went on a walk and played for a good hour and a half. He loves chasing the ducks and scaring them from the grass, and he has no issues with sitting in the middle of the gravel trail to play in the rocks and dirt. He is such a boy. 

3 years!

3 years ago JT and I got married. It seems like we've been married FOREVER, in a good way obviously, but it also seems crazy that three years is already here. 

He is my best friend. I truly don't know what I would do without him in my life. He is my rock and the glue that holds our family together. He has a way of keeping me sane and also much more relaxed and easy going. We talk often about how uptight and stressed I was in our early dating days, certain little things would get under my skin and I would turn into this crazy person. Or every little thing would be something huge and dramatic and ridiculously hard to handle. I really can see a difference in myself since meeting him, and I know I have grown a lot but I truly do have him to thank for a lot of it. I feel so blessed to have him as my husband and dad for our kids. He knows exactly when I just need a hug, or a break, or some chocolate, or someone to tell me I look pretty. I love him so so much and I can't wait to see what the rest of our lives have in store for us! 

Since moving to Washington we have yet to leave Thomas with anyone. We haven't really found a babysitter and I have never left him with anyone other then family, so for awhile he gets to be our little date buddy! I decided we would celebrate today as not only our anniversary, but also our "family birth day" and start of our family! JT came home early with some flowers and the sweetest note, right when thomas went down for a nap. So we took a nice long long nap too, then woke up and went to an early dinner at a place called Saltys, right on the Columbia River. 

Thomas was an angel, surprising after his rough morning, and now we are home watching the Voice. We seriously love this show-I think JT asks a few times a week when the next episode is on. It was a perfect day, or I should say afternoon, little stinker-and I am so grateful for my eternal marriage and family! 

Tiny rain boots are the cutest

We invested in some rain boots since we are living in Washington and it rains more then anything else. Except not lately! We walked to get the mail in them today and Thomas definitely needs some practice, but aren't they just the cutest? 

And the backs have little orange dinosaur spikes. I love them. 

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was on Saturday this year and we had such a fun family day together! I got up with thomas at about 630 and we made breakfast burritos for JT, who got to sleep in a little bit. He wakes up early with Thomas 90% of the time, and I am so grateful to him for it! We ate our breakfast and thomas played with his new play kitchen I found for cheap and on sale too! I brought him upstairs when he woke up and as soon as he saw it he almost fell over from trying to run to it so fast. He was so excited. I've been wanting to get one for him for awhile now, kitchen stuff is his favorite thing to play with and has been for a long time now. The little stove burners light up and make noise, and he loves to open the stove and fridge and all that. It's adorable. 

The oregon zoo had a free day so we got ready and left at about 915 to go! It didn't open until 10 but I figured it would get really crowded quickly, and it did, so we went early. JT and I went to this zoo on our honeymoon one day randomly, but we didn't stay long or see hardly any of it.  It is such a great zoo!! Sooo much better then the utah one. Thomas loved it and would laugh and point at all the different animals. We stayed about two hours and still didn't see it all. But Thomas got tired and the zoo got seriously so crowded so it was a good time to leave. 

The four lion cubs were our favorite. They reminded me of Thomas a little bit with all their wild energy and playing. 

Thomas fell asleep instantly in the car on our drive back and ended up taking a FOUR hour nap. Yes. Four!!! It was much needed. 

We found a cheap little grill at lowes Friday night that we bought as our valentines present, and the weather was so nice that we grilled burgers and made our favorite pasta salad and the best fruit dip and had a dinner that made it feel like summer time. It was the first day since moving out here where I really felt happy and content with where we are. Slowly but surely I'm learning to love Washigton and I am so so thankful for my two valentines! Three including baby #2!

Today.

I can't believe that it's February already. Time seems to flying by this pregnancy, I will be 16 weeks tomorrow! Days seem long but looking back its gone by so fast. It scares me and makes me excited all at once. Having kids 21 months apart will definitely keep my hands full!

Today we went up to the Adidas employee store. Thomas has needed some new shoes and they had such awesome cute ones there for way cheap. We got two pairs for $30! One for now and one in a bigger size. I really love them. Nothing is cuter then little baby shoes. 

 JT bought a golf glove and I didn't get anything, I have a hard time buying clothes when I know I will be huge very soon.

Behind these monster shoes a bunch of people were playing soccer. Thomas wanted in on that game and would have gone right on the field if I hadn't dragged him away. 

Afterwards we went to Beaverton to a place called Papas Pizza Parlor, or something like that. It had a huge kids play area so we let Thomas get some energy out. It was packed with like a million birthday parties so he was a little hesitant, but it wore him out! A lot of parties were huge family groups, and JT and I talked about how alone we really are out here. Seeing all the families made us both realize that. It made us a little homesick! We've both always lived by all of our families, it's hard but we are slowly getting used to it. 

Thomas also ate SO much pizza. Like almost three pieces. 

We all came home and took long long naps, it rained most of the day, we went to Target for some random things, and we are for the most part finally over all the sickness in our house! 

JT can't resist putting any hat he sees in a store on Thomas. 

And some random pictures from our week:

His favorite tickle spots. Bottom of his legs and his face. He goes completely still and just lays there. It's hilarious 

Helping clean the floor is a new favorite thing. 

We bought this on sale at toys r us. He LOVES it. 

Rainy walk before bed 

Also. This is my proud moment of the week. All of this from Carter's for less then $50! We've reached the point of no more hand me downs sadly so I've been searching for good deals. He's just about in 2T shirts because he is so tall!

This is so fitting (literally) for my life right now. It's been one hundred million times harder moving here then I ever expected. The constant rain and getting dark at 4:00 makes me lazy and grumpy, and it's especially hard trying to adjust to life knowing you have to make all new friends. I'm so grateful we moved to a great area with a wonderful ward. I know it will take time to feel comfortable, but for now I just need to remember all of the good things we have been blessed with.