Healthy & Happy

Jeff, Madlyn, & I headed down to Temple today to see a specialist for our 18-wk. ultrasound for the babies. We were so happy & relieved to see that both babies' growth is right on track and that they are healthy. I didn't know what they were looking at most of the time but the doctor said that he didn't see anything abnormal or out-of-the-ordinary so we are extremely grateful.

To Madlyn's excitement, we found out that we are having two little girls! We can't believe our family numbers are evening up after so long but we couldn't be more excited for our little "wiggly" girls!

Father's Day

We had a fun day today celebrating our dad - I hope that he felt loved and pampered! Unfortunately, he woke up to a crying wife due to some printer malfunctioning that I had been working on for 2 hours (since 5:45 am) that I really needed to figure out for church. But he saved the day and got his yogurt w/blueberries and homemade granola & toast for breakfast. And no early-morning church meetings meant Jeff got to ride with us to church:) After church, we had a quick lunch and then Jeff was sent to his bed for some R&R. I accidentally fell asleep next to him for a while so our dinner/dessert wasn't done quite as early as I had planned but it was still yummy! We had chicken cordon bleu w/baked potatoes & corn, with Oreo truffle balls for dessert. Yumm-o! Jeff spent the afternoon working on YM stuff and relaxing. We gave him a new book by Mark Levine called "Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto" so he spent a few minutes getting into that. Madlyn & Cole both made him some cards and loved trying to spoil him:) I really hope that he felt the love that we all have for him. Speaking of love, there is no doubt how his youngest son feels about him - he can not get enough of his daddy - it is so adorable! We love Jeff so much and the kids are glad that I picked him to be their daddy!

Jeff & I both have great fathers and we love them! We got to talk to them a little bit tonight and hope they had a great day as well! We are especially excited because we get to see both of them within the next week and can't wait! Just a few of my favorites about my father-in-law and dad!

Dad L:
1) can always make me laugh
2) is so dedicated in his church service and righteous living
3) is a good grandpa
4) is so organized and self-motivated
5) has always made me feel welcome in his family

Dad D:
1) is my namesake and looksake (don't think that's a word)
2) has one of the best hearts of anyone I know
3) is very righteous and service-oriented
4) is a good grandpa
5) has some of the best original sayings
6) and for good measure, he taught me by word & deed how to be honest and fair

We love you, Dads!!!

OK, so I've been getting some requests for some belly shots and a pregnancy update. This first shot is at 14 weeks 1 day, which was just a little over 3 weeks ago. I know it doesn't look like much but it is definitely bigger than this same point in my other pregnancies.

This picture is from tonight, at 17 weeks 4 days. I think it's safe to say I'm growing, don't you?

Funny thing is that we were looking at some old pictures and found some of when I was just a little over 6 months along with Cole. My belly in those pictures is pretty comparable to what it looks like now. Scary:) I have been feeling the babies move quite a bit lately, although every time I put mine or Jeff's hand on my belly, they stop. I think it's funny - it's like 'Uh-oh. Dad's here. We better stop moving!' The movements are still pretty timid and I can't distinguish between Baby A and Baby B but I'm sure that will change soon enough. We have our 18-week ultrasound down in Temple with a specialist on Wednesday so if all legs stay uncrossed:) we should have a gender announcement soon! We are very excited but also very anxious to know how they are developing and hope that they both look good and healthy. We are so appreciative of all of your prayers and expressions of love & concern for us - we have felt them all! And thankfully, I have been feeling much better these days, if only I could avoid the nonstop heartburn:( We love you all & can't wait to see some of our AZ (& UT & VA) folks soon!

Time to get the tacky cut-off graphic off the top of my blog:)

So so it's been a while. I know, the blog just gets neglected sometimes. Not that it isn't important to me but I've got at least 5 other things (people) that come first. And that doesn't include the two that are beginning to take up large amounts of space inside of me:)

I've been wanting to post the latest ultrasound picture of our little babies but sweet Maddie stashed it in her room somewhere and for the life of us, we can't find it. I have another appointment on Friday though, so we will get another shot and I vow not to let her get at it before I can post it:)

With Cole out of school since the 20th of May and Madlyn getting out last Thursday, summer is officially here! We are loving the lack of schedules and rushing to get anywhere. Once I go out and purchase a maternity swimming suit though, we will be hitting up the pool at the Y at least a couple of times a week - we're so excited!

After months of being a horrible, no-good mother/wife/housekeeper, I am starting to feel better and get back into my groove. Today was wonderful! We had planned to go to the park for the library's summer reading kick-off but it poured rain for most of the day. We opted to stay inside instead. We did chores, read books, worked on schoolwork, played Scripture Charades, worked on being more consistent with discipline, watched some shows, washed/folded/put away about 8 loads of laundry, played a little Super Mario Bros. (the original - awesome), some of us got to take naps, and I even got to sneak in some phone time with my SIL. I am so happy. Thankfully for me, when my dear husband came home starving from work and I was still on the phone with his sister and there was no sign of dinner, he didn't complain but just grabbed something quick and easy to go. He really is the coooolest.

Life is good. Jeff is busy at work, with his calling (speaking of - will he EVER get home from mutual?) and being the best dad & husband in the world! I am getting bigger every day and have finally overcome my aversion to the best chocolate chip cookies in the world (my own). Madlyn keeps busy helping me, playing with her brothers, and basically being the best big sister in the world. Cole is learning to read (he surprised me today with how well he did) and is learning to be more responsible & do chores, and is about the best little Wii player in the world! Cade likes to pretend to be Pablo, Tyrone, or Austin from "The Backyardigans", is learning to do chores, and is about the best little ball player in the world! Lane is learning how to talk a ton, keeps getting ear infections (poor guy), and in spite of it all, is about the cutest and happiest little boy in the world!

That's about it - Happy June y'all!!