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. 

4 a.m.

4 in the morning is my most dreaded hour lately. I swear every night I wake up at 4:00 and am awake for at least an hour if not longer. With Thomas I had the worst insomnia too so I didn't really expect that to be different this time, but I was hopeful! I've tried everything but nothing seems to work. Oh well, 17 weeks left! Other then insomnia, I have just been getting terrible heartburn but that's about it. I truly cannot complain about my pregnancies. I have it pretty easy and I am so thankful for that. Baby girl has been getting more and more active lately-especially when I eat any kind of sugar, which is too often probably.  JT has been able to feel her for a few weeks now. It's getting more real that we will soon be parents of two. 

Yesterday we needed out of the house bad. We took Thomas to a fish hatchery not far from our house. It was free to walk around and there were so many fish. While I was getting ready to go, I made the mistake of telling Thomas we were going outside. Literally as soon as he hears outside, he runs to the door and expects it to happen right away no matter what. If it doesn't-it's not good. So JT handled that drama and I got ready in record time. Off topic-but we are working on learning how to best handle tantrums and disciplining a toddler. Let me just say that it is so hard to know the best way to handle different situations. They are so good at pushing buttons and testing their limits, so JT and I have had a lot of talks lately about what we want to do in terms of handling it. Suggestions are welcome!!!

This was after JT used his stern voice with him. JT can say one thing and Thomas will instantly stop and get so sad. I on the other hand am apparently not intimidating enough because I usually get laughed at. Whatever. 

Anyways. We left to go, thomas was happy, and it was great to be out of the house. 

Here's a few pictures from our last week:

See his head?? He fell so hard in the shower while JT was gone last weekend. Poor babe. 

Church by ourselves and we were even early. 

We went out for pizza one night this week. His new thing is to need his hands wiped after every bite. He would eat a piece of pizza and hold his hands out to us until we wiped his hands clean. He's a princess. We are working on mastering a fork but he's not quite there yet.

All hot wheels cars are phones. Especially this little truck. He jabbers and laughs and has his own conversations while pacing around. It's my favorite. 

Doesn't he look so old? 

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! 

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. 

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.