Pregnancy Update

We are slowly making our way to the end of this pregnancy - this Wednesday marks 35 weeks - yay! I had a rough few weeks but this past week was pretty good. I am still pretty tired and have to take things pretty easy but I am feeling like I can make it to the end! I had Cole take some pictures of me this evening so here I am!

These are some other lovely shots that Jeff took 3 weeks ago. I didn't think I had gotten much bigger since then but I guess I have a little.

This Wednesday I get to go down to Temple for another ultrasound/growth check. I am excited to see how much the babies have grown. 6 weeks ago, they measured 3 lbs. 1 oz. and 3 lbs. 7 oz. I'm guessing they'll be somewhere between 5 and 6 lbs. this time - at least I feel like I've got 10-12 lbs. of baby in there!

We are still working on names for these little ones - it is much harder than I thought it would be. I don't want them to be matchy matchy names but I want them to be the same type of names, ie. old-fashioned & old-fashioned together, not old-fashioned & trendy...does that make sense? Our top choices are: Sarah & Eliza, and Kimber & Jolee. We plan on using our moms' names for their middle names so that part is easy. I would like to have another set to choose from before they are born but we'll see.

So...the countdown begins - 5 weeks!!!!

First Day of Preschool 2010

In September, Cadeson started a little preschool that we do with some other friends of ours. He goes every Tuesday for 2 hours and he is really loving it. On the first day of preschool, he took his dinosaur for show 'n' tell and this is him modeling it:)

We had to get a shot of Lane - doesn't he look so grown-up?

These two boys have gotten to be pretty good friends since they get to hang out together all day every day. I love watching them together!

And here's the big preschool boy posing for the camera!

Cade is doing such a good job with preschool. He is very intellectual and interested in academics, which is somewhat surprising since he is also so athletic and physical. He is constantly practicing his writing. He is extremely good at writing his numbers and is working on his alphabet. He really likes to count things and is often lining things up according to size and shape. He likes to ask me questions and teach me what he knows, it's hilarious! Cade is such a sweet boy and I love watching him learn & grow!

First Day of School 2010

Do parents ever think that their children aren't growing up quickly enough? I know I don't. I really can not believe that my little man is already 5 and off to his first day of Kindergarten today. And it is all-day K too - from 8am to 3:20pm - what a long day! He was pretty excited about going, even though his excitement is not evident from this shot:) Isn't he so handsome though? Reminds me a little of someone else I know!

Cole is in Mrs. Brewer's class and she seems very nice so we're glad about that. When I went to drop him off this morning, there were a bunch of parents & children all hovering around her classroom door and Cole told me, "Mom...I changed my mind. I don't want to go." He literally dug in his heels and would not go in the classroom. So we opted to take Maddie upstairs to her class first. By the time we got back to Cole's room, kids were sitting in their seats and all the parents were gone so it must not have been so intimidating to him because he just walked right in. I sure hope he is having a fun day!!

These two are best friends and play so well together - I love watching them! Madlyn has been such a mentor to Cole and has been teaching him all about what he can expect at school. I hope they get to see each other at some point during the day.

And of course, Madlyn had to do a cute pose for her picture! Madlyn is in Mrs. Posey's 2nd grade class and is a professional student at this point. When we dropped her off, her room was empty and the teacher wasn't there yet so Madlyn was going to wait outside with one other girl who was already there. When I asked her if she wanted me to wait with her, she seemed almost disgusted that I would even ask:) Before we found out which class she would be in, Madlyn was a little worried because "sometimes the 2nd grade teachers yell at their classes". I am already very impressed with Mrs. Posey though and I don't think Madlyn will have any problems at all:)

The two little guys & I have enjoyed our day so far. We have done a little laundry, taken an elderly lady in our ward shopping, played with some trucks & tools, eaten some Cheetos (our special lunch snack), and now Cade is sitting next to me watching some Diego while Lane rests. Now if only I had a little more energy...

Speaking of my lack of energy, here is the reason why:

Yep, those little girls just keep growing and growing! I am now 3 months from my due date (and trust me, I will probably go that long). I almost felt like announcing that I was pregnant with TWINS in Relief Society yesterday because apparently there are many people who do not know and I have to constantly explain why I am so big with my due date not being until the end of November. Here's just a sampling of the comments I got yesterday:

(whispered to her seat neighbor) "She looks like she's 9 months pregnant"

"So WHEN are you due?"

"Do you always get this big with your pregnancies?"

"Wow, you are PREGNANT!"

"Hey, you could at least try sucking it in!"

Oh, and just so you know...the last two comments were from some jokesters in our ward and of course, they were being funny. The others though...completely innocent!!

My favorite is the look I get when I tell people my due date (without mentioning the twins thing). It really is hilarious! It's like you can see the wheels in their heads turning and then they try to be polite and not make any rude comments. Of course, I tell them after that.

Well, that is what is happening here. I will post some pictures from Cole's birthday and our AZ trip (I only have a few that I stole from my sisters-in-law) soon. I'm hoping to do a better job in the blog department. Maybe just having two kids at home will help that!

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!!

Happy Mothers' Day!!!

How grateful I am for the wonderful mothers in my life. There are many women who have influenced me for good, and I love you all! In particular, here's some of my favorites things about the mother of my husband, and my very own mother:

Top 5 about Mom L.:

1. she is always supportive of me as a wife and mother; she is never critical
2. she helps me make things pretty
3. she is a good grandma and loves my children
4. she is a good example of righteous living
5. she raised a wonderful man just for me:)

Top 5 about Mom D.:

1. she taught me how to be a homemaker
2. she taught me how to serve and love without judgment
3. she is the most unselfish wife and mother
4. she is a good grandma and loves my children
5. she taught me that the Gospel and family are the most important things in life

Jeff & I are so grateful for our mothers - we love you! Also, I am very humbled and grateful to be a mother. I was spoiled today and loved it! Jeff got me a corsage to wear to church and then he stayed home with Lane who was sick (which made things a little easier to handle at church). I got to sleep for a couple of hours this afternoon and woke up for a delicious dinner of lasagna and corn on the cob and a yummy cookies 'n' cream pie for dessert. I hardly lifted a finger all day and I really appreciate his sacrifice. I was thinking that for me to get spoiled on Mother's Day, Jeff has to take over all of my usual roles in the home, such as preparing meals, cleaning, taking care of children, etc. For me to spoil him, I just have to do my jobs just a little better:) I think he makes a bigger sacrifice and I love him for it!

On a final note, I wanted to post something that Maddie did at school:

The Top 10 things I Love About My Mom by Madlyn

1. You cook the best pie.
2. You make me happy.
3. You let me help cook.
4. You read to me.
5. You are the first mom I ever saw.
6. You make sure I'm loved.
7. You are good at reading.
8. You are good at teatching.
9. You help me clean my room.
10. Mom I love you so much.

Hope y'all had a great Mothers' Day!!