Birthday trip to Utah

Thursday of last week, jt asked me where I wanted to go for my birthday dinner Friday night. I jokingly said mi ranchito, my favorite place in Utah that I crave on a weekly basis, and he just said okay. Good husband right? Which led to us looking up flights and deciding to take a spontaneous Utah trip. We left Friday afternoon and I get to stay ten whole days! JT went back Sunday evening but I'm just happy he could be here a few days with us. And have my birthday dinner at mi ranchito. So this trip has been my rather expensive birthday present which I am more then okay with! Thomas had never been on a plane before and I seriously was having anxiety about it the entire time waiting for our flights/on the flight. But he ended up doing great, even with a long layover and long flights and getting in so late. I just have to get him back to Utah alone....so anxiety is still going strong. I'm sure he will do great though. 

Our three hour layover in Phoenix. I was so swollen and sore from flying, JT occupied Thomas most of the time and let me just sit and be a prego whale and eat my pizza and diet coke. Thomas ran around the entire time I think. Literally. But it paid off because he crashed out for the entire flight into Salt Lake. We didn't get in until 11:30 so we were all tired but it was nice to have a sleeping baby for one of the flights. 

We spent the weekend at JTs moms house. Amber and Casey were staying there too, we saw JTs dad and Shelle, Ashlee and rod and the girls, and of course his mom and Troy and little sister. I took no pictures I can't even believe it! But it was great to see them, even though Thomas was a whiney clingy crib hating stink the entire time there. The last hour or so on Sunday he finally was a little happier and allowed grandmas and aunts to play with him. 

His new thing is to do something, clap for himself, and then stare down every person in the room until they start clapping for him too. It is so hilarious. 

Before JT left we went for a quick drive up AF canyon and let Thomas walk around a little bit. He loves the mountains just like we do. 

And apparently it wore him out because he fell asleep like this. 

We've had a great week so far but are definitely missing daddy. I'll post more in a few days about our trip. Allison and Guy get here tonight and I am so excited to see them!! Thomas will have so much fun with his cousins and I can't wait. 

First day of nursery and 25 weeks

15 weeks left of pregnancy. I cannot believe it. This is the best bump picture I have right now, from last night. JT was being dorky and taking weird angle pictures and Thomas was ready to go so it works right? Baby girl is growing and getting so much stronger every day! I have my glucose test this week and hopefully all goes well there. 

Thomas went to nursery today. We also got a brand new bishopbric in our ward. We've been here for a short amount of time but I was sad to see our bishop go. He was a good one. 

I've been so anxious about this day for Thomas for a few weeks! And excited at the same time. We went to drop him off and he sat in his little chair and did puzzles and didn't even look twice at us! That cued my tears, thinking what the heck my baby is a big kid and can handle all this like its no big deal. JT even got a little teary eyed about it, it was adorable. JT and I went outside so I could collect myself and make my eyes stop being red and puffy, then went back to check on him. And he was sobbing. Little red face and huge crocodile tears and the sobs that come with little hiccups. It was so sad. His leader said they would get us if needed whenever, so we went to Sunday school. And stayed about twenty minutes until they came for us. He was crying so hard and having a hard time breathing, poor kid. Apparently he hated transitioning from one activity to the next, so that's what set him off initially. So I sat with him the rest of church and he did great. I tried to stay in the corner and let him play, but it was obvious he was aware of my every move. If he couldn't see me at any point he would lose it all over again. But he laughed and played and danced and ran around like a crazy head (as long as I was in sight). It made me so happy to see him playing with lots of other kids his age. There aren't many in our ward, but enough to keep the nursery busy busy. So we will try again next week. I think it will be awhile before we can leave him there alone the whole time. 

I forgot to get a picture from today dang it. But this looks close to churchy clothes right? And it's just from Friday. 18 months flew right by us!

Camera Pictures:: Easter Morning

A few years ago for Christmas we got a nice Canon camera-sadly we are not very good at remembering to use it! I think we have used it twice since moving to Washington-so this post is just an upload of pictures from there.  Most are from the Tulip farm we went too a few weekends ago. This first one JT took randomly one day of Thomas...it might be one of my favorite pictures of him.  I just love him and his red hair and big blue eyes.

These next ones are from Easter morning.  We had a lazy Easter morning, with it being conference weekend (which was fabulous).  General Conference weekends are my favorite-I always feel so spiritually refreshed and renewed and like I can do anything!  We had a big yummy breakfast with cinnamon rolls and fruit and sausage bake and juice and relaxed most of the day.  Thomas was so curious about his trail of eggs leading to his basket, and he probably just stared at his little basket for a good minute or two before going to touch it...almost like he wasn't sure if he was allowed to or not.

Clearly we need to be much better about getting our camera out.  Something to work on!

And some phone randoms from the weekend too:

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.