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. 

19 weeks and the cutest church babe

Yesterday marked 19 weeks pregnant! Hallelujah. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have children easily, but being pregnant is not my favorite. I am grouchy and exhausted 24/7. Most days I barely get ready, have crazy Albert Einstein hair, no makeup, I'm lucky if I brush my teeth before noon!! So Sunday's give me a reason to actually get up and ready at a decent hour. 

There isn't much now that I can wear that doesn't fully show my belly. I'm wearing only maternity pants, but not really any tops or dresses yet. With Thomas I got so huge by the end. I'll have to dig up some old pictures because I die when I see them now! I'm so excited to be almost halfway there. 

Yesterday we were so on time for church which never happens when we go at 9. We were ready with time to spare, and Thomas even got his hair styled all handsome. Usually we are flying out the door trying to make it on time. 

We even got there to sit on a bench and not in the back, which was awesome for keeping Thomas contained in sacrament meeting. The nursery leaders gave us his welcome to nursery sheet yesterday so it's coming fast. Hopefully he adjusts to it okay. Every time I go to relief society in our new ward, I am bombarded with people being so nice and welcoming. I usually end up getting all teary eyed and emotional, because one I am pregnant, two it's nice to feel so welcome, and three it just makes me so homesick for our friends and family in Utah! We like it just fine here but we often talk about moving back in a heartbeat if given the opportunity. I never thought I would become so attached to Utah in just a few short years. 

The rest of the day was full of laziness and making lasagna for dinner, which Thomas devoured. He has been much better at eating most things again which makes me happy. 

He loved it. And that chunk just stayed on his face for a good 5 or so minutes. 

Just another Thomas post

I'm not in the mood to write a ton so I'll just put up a bunch of pictures from the past few days! Sunday afternoon we went down to the Columbia River to a trail there, it was kind of drizzling and wet out but Thomas loved it. 

Until he face dived into the water. I didn't see it happen but JT said his head was totally under water. And it was so cold! Surprisingly he didn't cry, just made a really sad face. He was just shocked I think. And extremely soaking wet. 

Of course we had no extra clothes so it cut our exploring short. We went to this trail again though and it's gorgeous! I love that it's so close. 

Valentine's surprise package from my mom. She's the best, and we miss her so much!

We made valentine cupcakes and Thomas demolished his. He loved it all. A lot more then his first birthday cake. 

Playing at Dizzy Castle on a rainy day. 

These condos are along our favorite trail. They are sooo pretty, I would love to have that view everyday!

Walks are our favorite. 

Today it was like 65 degrees and so sunny and gorgeous out. We went to the park by JTs work today and got lunch with daddy. A pair of missionaries walked in to eat at the little pizza place we went too. I have always wanted to secretly pay for their meals somewhere but it was so common in Utah we never did! I got really  excited to do it today, so we didn't say anything to them and just added their check to ours when we paid. It left me feeling so happy, I wish I could have seen their faces. JT said it was rare to have that happen on your mission, especially places where members aren't as common. I hope we made their day a little bit better and brighter. It definitely made my day. 

The "everyone is scary" phase :: and a haircut

Thomas got a haircut last night. I love his hair long more then short, but it was getting a little ridiculous. 

The back of his head has all this wave and texture, the rest is just straight. Sorry bud you got hair like mom! Except yours is beautiful and red. 

JT just used his clippers and did it the longest he could, an 8 I think. His first cut we gave him he literally went bald almost and it was so sad. 

He sat the whole time so still. I was ready with an iPad show for him to watch but he didn't even really need it! I think he liked how it felt on his head. 

Side note: these mr potato head pieces are his favorite. He loves to pile them into the bottom shoe part. Twice yesterday we said "let's go thomas" as we were ready to head out the door, and he would just start whining and getting mad because he just wanted to stay and play with them. SO not like him, going is his favorite thing!

At the end he kept grabbing at his mouth because there was hair everywhere. I think he ate some. Here's how it looked right after!

Then he went straight to the tub

Church today was interesting. He is usually just fine with other people, especially just seeing them and walking by. Not today. We spent most of our time in the hall, not surprising, but anytime he would see anyone or have to walk by them he would turn around, start crying, and run to me as fast as he could. Separation anxiety maybe? Who knows. It's like he thought they were going to eat him or something!

Sitting in the lobby, the elders walked by and sat down the hall. He kept going to peer around the corner at them and then run away so fast. 

Two more months until nursery!