December 2009

A slideshow was easier than a billion posts.  So enjoy..or don't...whatever;)

Big Girl?

Ok, so she isn't that big, but she does love to sit up. If she gets any cuter I think I am going to bust!

Taylor's Baby Blessing

Last Sunday Daniel got the pleasure of blessing our sweet Taylor.

  She has been a special gift to our family!

When Grandma Rodgers came to visit in September she made this dress.  I really have to thank her for putting up with me because I was really a pain in the butt about it.  I didn't like this...I didn't like that....this...that....this...that...poor mom.  She always indulges me by letting me design a dress and then being picky until she makes it just right.  

Oh, and then the headband...it had to be just right also...I even beaded it...LOL
We had lots of family join us for Thanksgiving and her blessing.  We were honored to have them at our house for the extended weekend.
Our cute little family.  We were all supposed to be in pink.  I never got my skirt made. (should have had mom do it.)  I also never got Carter's tie made.  Maybe another day!

Football FEVER!

Like I said  in a post a few weeks back...we have football fever at this house.  It has gotten worse though.  First Carter's team was killing everyone.  Then they made it to the playoffs.  Now, we are headed to the State Championship on Saturday! We could not be more excited and nervous for his team.  I say we because Coach dad is nervous but confident.  I am going out of my mind with anticipation.  Chase and Taylor LOVE going to football games and practices.   (Taylor gets spoiled at practices and games by the parents.)  Carter can't wait to be a champion!  The team they are playing is good.  Daniel has watched their game film numerous times already, and feels like he has a good game plan to win.  Here is where the fever comes in.  I just don't want my son to lose.  I am so nervous!  I can't stop thinking about it.  I almost don't want to go to the game because if they lose I think I will cry, and heaven forbid I cry because my 6 year old lost a football game! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!  Seriously, how important is this game in his life... probably not that big, but I can't help but wanting them to win SO MUCH.  

So don't call unless you want to talk football!  

Don't come by unless you want to make football posters!

  Don't send me a letter unless it is a super secret football play.

  Don't text me unless you are sending a shout out like, 

"GO KINGS SMASH THE RHINOS!"  

Don't email me unless it is to ask when the game is.  

We are quarantined to FOOTBALL this week!

The next post I have for you will hopefully be a gigantic trophy 

and a super smily Cater with his dad.  

Until then...

Carter as team captain.  He is #3.

Chase and Taylor hanging out!

(Taylor has spent all but 2 Saturday's of her life at the football fields)

Beautiful

My daughter is beautiful!

Trunk or Treat

I know this post is late.  I had to steal the pictures again!  I rally should bring my own camera. Oh, well, stealing works for me.  Angel took these beauties for me

Our family went to the trunk or treat for our ward.  It was great.  We had chili, cute costumes, and good company.  I really should have taken my camera because we had a couple of characters worth blogging about.

Our little halloween beauty and her mommy. 

(Yeah, I know, she looks nothing like mommy)

Our halloween superheros!

(Yes, they are both Optimus Prime)

I went to target last year the day after halloween and gobbles these costumes up for $3 each.  I had the boys with me and they both chose the same costume.  I have tried all year to talk chase into being bumble bee.  As you can see, he won!  I think they are cute twiners.

stolen pictures

I stole these pictures right off of Aubrey's blog.  I wanted them too, but didn't get them emailed to me.  Over the break we were able to go to St. George for Daniel to run the marathon.  I gotta say that waiting for him to finish was not the most fun thing.  

To sum it up

3 women...

4 kids...

3 babies...

1000 other people crammed into us...

one really rude family behind us...

boys finishing a bit later than expected...

out of my mind...

4 strollers... 

3 women...

7 young ones...

not enough sleep...

whining Chase...

We had some really great parts too

The Mayor's walk
We are going to do this every year someone is running the marathon.  It was great!  Next year I hope to run with Aubrey though.  (Aubrey, far right)

Another great moment.  Both Jo Jo and Taylor asleep in the stroller.  So cute!  This is the only time I got to see Jo Jo on our trip.  

This was by far one of the best trips to St. George.  Only, It could have been longer.  We really enjoyed ourselves.  I was a little out of my mind and disoriented at times due to lack of sleep, hormones, and who knows what else.  Thanks for putting up with me!

Another Cute Chase Moment

It was a little chilly for the skinny man last night.  Her seat was warm, and she wasn't using it.  

I can't believe how big you really are little guy.

One Month Already!

Our sweet little girl is already one month old.  She has been a pleasure to have in our home!  We all love her so much.  Thus far she has smiled numerous times.  She has smiled so much we are positive she is really smiling at us!  She has a grown so much already.  I find myself upset that my little Taylor has almost grown into her 0-3 month clothes.  Taylor has been an absolute pleasure to have in our family.  

While we were in St. George we went to Ladies Night at Boulevard Home Furnishings and a photographer was there taking free pictures.   She was really hungry and feeling neglected, and we left right after this picture to go home. 

Manhood

A few months ago my 6 year old was begging to play tackle football.  You could say I was a little reluctant.  For the next few weeks I heard begging from dad and child, and finally I gave in...which is what usually happens...I'm a softy.   I think I wouldn't even have put up a fight if I had known the out come of my decision.  

I get to see

And if you look really closely you will see my son lined up fearlessly at QB.  

I also get to see this.  Ok, blow the picture up.  Yes, the hot guy out there coaching those boys is my good looking husband.  The best part about having your husband coach is not having to go to EVERY practice and game because he can't put it off on me!

And, lastly, I got to take my really cute daughter's picture with this really big guy.  He is the organizational leader for the football team.  When I stand next to him I feel really small, but only in size because he is a pretty nice guy.

Most of the time when it is football season I ball my fists, throw myself on the floor, and throw a full on fit in my adult way.  I dread this time of year due to endless hours of sports center, college football, and the NFL....ugh.  It is not to say that I don't like football.  I like it, but um....not soooooooooo much of it.  This year has been a little better.  Watching my sons team be undefeated is something to enjoy and appreciate.  I can almost say I love football.  This morning I was screaming like a mad woman, couldn't sit in my chair, almost lost my voice.  GO, KINGS, Go.  OFFENSE, DEFENSE.  LET'S GO KINGS, LET'S GO!  WAHOOO  I caught the football fever.  

One of my friends offered to take newborn pictures of Taylor for me. They are so precious. It was relaxing to sit back and just enjoy her for a few hours. It amazes me that my friend was able to use her creativeness to capture the very essence of my love for this new daughter of mine. I am touched by all of the pictures! Even the pictures that nobody else would love have special meaning to me. Thanks Liz!

Two weeks already!

I can't believe she is two weeks old already!  It is too crazy.  Since the last picture posted of her was awful I decided to post a little update.

Yes, my baby smiles when you talk to her at 2 weeks old.
She is a really sweet and content baby.  Her family can't get enough of her.  The boys already spoil her with attention.  She doesn't cry too much.  She only wakes up once at night, but I don't think that will last long.  She is a hungry girl.  There is NOTHING wrong with her digestive system.  Taylor had been the perfect addition to our family!

Yeah!

I think this video is too funny!

Seriously Chase...could you get any CUTER?

Daddy's Lucky Charm

We had the pleasure of having cowboy grandma and grandpa come and visit this weekend.  Both helped cook, clean, and entertain the boys!  It was also fun to have them here for the BYU vs. OU game.  Daniel comes from a die hard BYU fan family!  So spirits here are really high with a win for BYU today.  Daniel had the cutest little good luck charm hanging out!  

It just so happens that I grew up a few miles from the OU stadium, and I belong to a family ticked off OU fans.  I am still an OU fan, but I have loyalties to both teams...so today I couldn't loose. Go BYU!  OU, I hope this doesn't hurt you too much ;(

Worth the Wait: Warning it is really long and unedited!

You see all of those silly onsies that say worth the wait, and our little girls was sure worth the wait!  She is a sweet spirit in our home.  I am too tired to edit this.  Some parts may be a little much...skip over what you don't want to read or read it all.  

I know many people have been waiting to hear her birth story so I am going to attempt to tell it.  It was such crazy experience I am not sure I can put it to words.  I also know that because I went against the norm and had a home birth without any intervention it is interesting to others.  Some think I am a little crazy, but for those of us that haven't experienced what was in our head as an ideal birth it is hard to explain the desire for one.  For me, I just really wanted to know what my body was experiencing during birth.  I wanted to feel it all, and I wanted to be in the comfort of my own home.  I wanted to go into labor without being induced, and I didn't want someone telling me what to do the entire time.  I wanted my body to set its own agenda and for us all to follow along, AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I GOT!

Let me first explain the midwife.  Many people were completely baffled by the midwife concept. Were they braided armpits, vegetarian, anti-immunization, free spirit, free love, broom skirt, all natural?  No not really.  They were women who say a different model of care for their clients.  They didn't want each of their mommies (as we were called) to be just another statistic.  I was extremely well taken care of.  During my pregnancy I made ALL of the decisions about my care.  I did not have ANY genetic testing, and I opted out of the glucose testing.  I was given an hour appointment, but didn't have to use all of the time.  Plus, in the beginning when we thought I may miscarry I was able to go in as often as I wanted without feeling bad and have her heart rate checked.  midwives don't just treat you as a patient, but they treat you like a friend.

Ok, so I'll get on with it. For about a week I had been having contractions throughout the day and at night.  They were not intense, but they were enough to get me excited and thinking maybe this is "it."  Being overdue really wasn't that bad, I didn't even really mind the billion comments I always got everywhere I went.  I just wanted my little girl, and Daniel was so excited he was driving me crazy!  So on Monday night when my contractions were about 5 minutes apart and not stopping when I changed position or moved around I knew I had to be on my way.  They were not really painful, but they were enough to keep me awake with anticipation.  Then at about midnight I texted the midwives to let them know this could be it.  (Little did I know they had 3 women in labor that night)  I just went about my night on the computer playing the ever addicting facebook games trying to keep my mind focused on something else.  lol.  I didn't even wake Daniel up.  Then at about one they texted me to see how I was doing, and to ask if I wanted to be checked.  Now, being checked during labor is not mandatory, but they know I like to have a sense of where I am at.  They came about an hour later and I was a 5-6, but it was still pretty easy going.  The midwife then left to get some sleep while Daniel and I watched a movie.  During that movie however, the tune changed.  All of a sudden during contractions I couldn't sit still.  They hurt!  By 4:30 I knew that my contractions were irreversible and I was going to have a baby, naturally (by this time there was  little panic about that), at home.  What was I thinking?  Um, this is what I wanted. So I called the midwife back.  From this point on I was just trying to manage by emotions and the intensity without totally freaking out.  I didn't want to be touched. I just wanted to do my own thing.  I wasn't sure what to do though.  So, I just let my body do what it did.  I also was not checked again for the rest of my labor!  I never thought I would be that girl, but hey whatever.  At about 6:00 Daniel filled up the bath with water and I got in and stayed there for the next 45 minutes.  This is when this surreal, out of body, labor minded, not quite sure what was going on experience started. No, I wasn't quiet.  Yes, it hurt.  Yes, I cried...LOL.... Yes, Daniel cried while I was in pain also.  Then, just when I had decided I couldn't do it anymore, my knuckles hurt from crushing the side of the bathtub,  I had lost all control, and I was not sure what was even happening anymore (other than I was dying) my body began to push.  I didn't even know that was what I was doing.  My midwife made me look her in the eyes through the next 3 contractions.  On the first my water broke, on the second her head came out, and on the third she was here!  Daniel got to catch her! It was amazing!  

So, my overall impression of home birth.  Being at home was AWESOME.  I loved not having to deal with the hospital, and my help came to me.  I was able to do whatever I wanted when I wanted.  I LOVED being at home.  Having a baby naturally is a whole other story.  I am extremely glad I have experienced what my body can do, and in some way I feel like superwoman.  Would I have another baby naturally again?  I think that desire is gone to be honest.  It would be perfect if I could have some pain relief at home... too bad that doesn't exist. But, right now I am not even promising to have another baby.

For your viewing pleasure!

Taylor Jane Rae

6 pounds 14 ounces and 20 inches long! 

Taylor was born this morning at 6:43 am.  Everything went as smoothly as possible.  Both Taylor and I are perfectly healthy and doing great.  

Not Yet

Today is my due date.  It is the first time I have ever made it this far.  With Chase and Carter I already had may little bundle in my arms.  I am not one for suspense or anticipation, so this is a little hard for me...wondering if she is ever going to come out.  I am still feeling really good though.  I know she is a lot easier in than out so I am trying to be patient, but I can't lie....it is time to have a baby.  As soon as she is here we will post pictures.

Dunk Tank

Carter had his opening ceremonies for ACYFL football this weekend.  After they finished their two scrimmages they got to go to a fun zone.  Kenny, the org leader, gave the boys braceletts for unlimited play.  It was so hot outside.  The boys found the perfect solution!

They got dunked in the dunk tank.  Chase was a little scared.  The guy running the booth was really great to just stand there and hold his hand, and since Chase is so small he would just pick him up after he fell.  Carter got dunked also, but I don't have any pictures of him.  While they were enjoying a nasty bath....(Can you see how dirty that water is?  I can't believe I let them  get in that!)  I was in the only 2 ft circle of shade in the entire area getting sunburned.  I love this heat!

Carter and Bananas

Carter's behavior in school this year has been awesome.  All first graders have  a behavior sheet that is sent home everyday.  If you get a four you have gone above and beyond just being good.  If you get a 3 you did a great job, but maybe you needed a reminder.  If you get a 2 you were pretty disruptive, and if you get a one your in big trouble.  Carter has only gotten 3's and 4's!  It is hard to get a 4, so Carter is always extra happy when he comes home with a 4.  Last week Carter came home with 4's ALL WEEK!!!!!!!  He got a reward from his teacher.  He got to bring home Bananas.  Bananas is a classroom stuffed animal.  You take bananas on your weekend adventures and then scrapbook the weekend for Bananas book.  I am so proud of Carter for working so hard at school!

A mother of Boys

Oh what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is hot?  Do you fish in a stream, or lazily dream on the banks as the clouds go by? Is that what you do?  NO WAY!

We would be hot, sweaty, and dehydrated!

The boys and I have been working on getting a video of the nights going to battle powered by baby Taylor.  This is the best we have been able to get.  She will actually knock one off, but I can't seem to get it on video.  I love having boys to be silly with!

Beginnings of a Nursery

Part of the fun of having a baby for me is the nursery!  This nursery isn't even close to done, but I don't know how much more I will be doing in the next month.  We have a queen size bed in the room that takes up pretty much the whole thing.  This is her corner.  Babies don't need an entire room.  Plus, I am thinking having an actual bed in her room may be handy!


This bedding is compliments of Grandma and Grandpa Rodgers.  They haven't had a granddaughter since Madison was born in 2000, and their last grandson was Chase over 4 years ago.  They are almost as excited as we are!
I wish I was more talented when it comes to taking pictures.  I love to make these letters.  They are so easy and look great.  I may need to rehang these but whatever.  You get the point.  I need another girl to come and help me.  Any takers?
This little beauty  is also hidden by my lack of camera skills.  Grandma Rae and Aunt Emily gave Taylor and I a baby shower while we were St. George this summer.  Emily made Taylor this really cute diaper cake.  All of the flowers are made as clips for her hair!  I am not even sure how many of them are on there.  You can find more of Emily's creation by clicking here. They are so cute.  Aunt Jenn also bought Taylor some headbands to attach the flowers to.  Now, we just need a baby!

I have to say that all of our friends and family have just been amazing.  They have showered this little girl with so many girly and sweet things.  I have not had to buy anything but diapers, wipes, and part of a stroller.  (some of the stroller was a gift also)  It is amazing to me that my daughter already has clothes up to 6 months, and others till 2t!  It is such a blessing.

A busy month

This month has been busy for all of us.  Daniel is seeing more patients each week.  It is very exciting!  He is working hard letting people know he is out there.  He and I have volunteer MANY hours for sports physicals.  Daniel has volunteered even more than I have, and is doing another 2 hours on Saturday.  He has spoken at a coaches meeting and is going to speak at a run club.  He is also coaching tackle football right now!  It is a load!

Carter is happily back at school.  He is also playing tackle football.  He has had practice 5 nights a week for the last 2 weeks.  He comes home exhausted!  This his last week to practice 5 days and then he moves to twice a week. 

Chase is busy playing make believe.  I am not sure exactly what he is doing, but he either has a rope, guns, little people, cowboy boots, a baseball mit, or his super fast shoes on with just his undies.  The kid has his own personality.  If my blog was private I would consider posting pictures.

I am preparing for a baby, avoiding housework (please do NOT just drop by my house... it is not a pretty sight), and devoting way too much time to school.  Oh, yeah, and I am helping Daniel and raising two great boys.  

1st Grade!

Carter started first grade today.  He was pretty excited when he left the house this morning.  He didn't want me to drive him so he rode the bus.  Carter is such an independent kid.  He didn't even say goodbye!  

He is such a good kid.  We will miss him during the day.  He is extremely helpful!  Chase is already asking to go wait for Carter at the bus stop.  Sorry Chase you still have 5 1/2 hours. 

I know this picture stinks.  It  was taken in bad lighting with my cell phone.  I will get my camera back on the 7th of August.  

Uno

Carter has had an obsession with playing UNO lately.  He spent his tooth fairy money on his own pack of UNO cards.  It has been a great investment for him because we have played literally hours and hours of UNO.  When Garrett was here I am sure he got a little annoyed with all of the UNO.  Especially since Daniel, Carter and I play all of the time, so Carter has gotten pretty good.  Garrett actually got to the point where he would rather do about anything than play UNO.  That is why Daniel and I laughed forever when Carter told about his special UNO game with Garrett.  Garrett woke up first that morning and set up a game to play with Carter.  When Carter woke up he was pretty excited that Garrett actually wanted to play UNO with him.  So they sat down to play.  

This is a sample set of what Carter received in his had.  He was pretty excited to get a draw two.

This was Garrett's hand.  Wow buddy I don't want to play against you when you shuffle.

Dreams a reality?!?!

Meet my new Peg Perego Pliko P3 in Black and Pink

This post may be silly to some of you, but the stroller subject has been bugging me for a long time.  As I have spoken to lots of women I have come to find out many of them don't use their strollers very much.  I on the other hand use mine many times a day.  Having the right stroller makes my life so much easier.  So, I started researching this stroller when Martha, from my old ward, got one like 2-3 years ago.  I have decided it is the perfect stroller.  It folds up super small and has a small toddler stand on the back!  It is also pretty lightweight.  Plus, you don't have to have the matching car seat. ($249)  Did I mention this stroller is over $300.  There is NO WAY we could afford this stroller new, but I found it on craigslist for super cheap.  It is still in good shape, and I'm so excited to welcome it to the family.  Did I mention the people I got it from live a block away?  I love craigslist!

One Last Outing

We have had my nephew for the last two weeks, and today is his last day.  We have really enjoyed having him in our home and wanted to do something fun with him before he leaves today.  I had heard that the Phoenix Zoo opens at 6:00am for members, and sure enough it does!  So I broke up their slumber party last night so they could get some sleep.  Then I woke everyoe up at 5:30 in the morning to go see the animals before it got too hot.

Don't get me wrong, it was still hot at 6:00 am, but it was bearable.  When we got to the zoo we walked around and enjoyed the animals, but being so big and pregnant walking around the zo0 all day wasn't an option.  So we let the kids play in the splash pad for about an hour.  Yes, you can play in the cold water at 7:00 in the morning.  At 8:30 we rode the Safari Train around the zoo to see the animals.  I highly recommend this!  I didn't have to walk at all and we got to see plenty of animals!  The lions and rino's even stood up for us.  The best part about the zoo this morning was the lack of a crowd.  I bet only 20-30 people were there total.  We were able to enjoy time together as a family.

Thanks for coming to visit Garrett.  We have really enjoyed having you.  I know you are looking forward to riding the airplane home all by yourself today.  I know you will be great for the flight attendants and really enjoy yourself! 

Sorry for the horrible picture.  It is from my cell phone because I left my camera at Garrett's house 2 weeks ago. 

Summer Lovin

I can hardly believe Carter only has 2 more weeks of summer vacation left.  The time went by so fast.  I haven't even thought about school, for him, since he left.  We have had a great summer though.  I have enjoyed having him home with me.  Chase has enjoyed him also because he has had a playmate  everyday.  Sometimes I can't believe how well my boys play together.  

 

This year we have enjoyed

Swimming

Summer Movie Fun

The Beach

Family in St. George

Having one of the kids favorite cousins here for a few weeks

Aquarium of the Pacific

Friends

Snuggling on the couch

Playing UNO

We haven't done anything spectacular this year, but it doesn't always take spectacular things to have a great time. 

On a side note.  Our daughter is going to be spoiled by her brothers.  They are so excited!  While we were in St. George my niece that is still 8 lbs was there.  Chase wanted to know if she could be out baby.  Sorry  son... she is cute, but she isn't ours.  He wanted to hold her binky for in for her, and when she started crying in the car both kids were freaked out that something was wrong.  Then Sunday at church a little girl walked in with her super frilly pink dress on.  Chase said, "Mom, we gotta buy that princess dress for my sister."  He has a fascination for beautiful things.  Carter loves feeling her move in my stomach.  He is constantly asking if she is awake.  Only a few more weeks boys, and mom will take you up on your offer to help.

BPA-free

Ok, so call me crazy, but I hadn't given  it much thought until today.  I was researching the MAM nanno pacifiers because I can't find them ANYWHERE.   They are sold out it stores, but you can get them on Amazon for 4 times the store price, (not going to happen).  Anyhow, all these websites kept saying they are not BPA free.  It got me thinking.  Are the products I use BPA free. They all are!  I researched it.  Yeah!  Plus, my MAM pacifiers say BPA free right on the package.  

There is so much to think about for a newborn!  How do people keep up?

Oh, and if any of you see girly MAM Nanno Pacifiers at a store for a normal price.  Pick me up a pack!

Vacation Thus Far

We started off our vacation by following Daniel to a seminar he had in Long Beach, CA.  Long Beach was very disappointing, but we made the best of the dirty city and hung out at the beach.  I forgotthe battery charger for my camera so my phone pictures will have to do. 

Chase loves to play in the sand.  He could play there all day.  Carter loves the water.   I loved wearing shorts and a t-shirt and not being hot.  I pretty much sat there all day and enjoyed the weather.
On Saturday we headed to the Aquarium of the Pacific.  It was pretty cool, but after living next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium it was a little less exciting.  Only for me though, the kids don't remember going to the Aquarium before.  It was also REALLY crowded.  I didn't enjoy sitting in line for 5 minutes to see a few tropical fish.  Every exhibit was like this.  We had to stand in line to see anything.  Outside was better that day though.  People didn't want to be out there because they said it was HOT... lol...it wasn't even 80.   
Carter loved petting the sharks and sting rays.  Chase would not even think about touching them.  Once I tried to coerce him into it and he screamed at the top of his lungs.  Days like this make my life worth living.  My kids were great, I wasn't moody, and we all had an awesome time!

We Are Here!

We arrived in Long Beach last night at 12:45am!  We are excited to be on vacation!  Well, the boys and I are.  Daniel will be in seminars all day.  It is so nice to be away from the heat though!  It is 65 degrees outside with a high of 73!  I am wearing pants! 

English 102 :(

I decided to return to school again.  It is a goal of mine to graduate with a degree that will help our family should anything happen to Daniel.  I am excited to be in school and learning, but I am not excited about the choice in classes I made.  About 9 years ago I took English 102.  I got a "c". This is a horrible grade for me and will not help me reach the goals I have set for myself.  I decided to retake the class.  I regret it!  I hate this class!  I have an English bound sister and a friend with her masters in English, and between the two of them they are trying to encourage me. Every time I sit at the computer to work on my class I want to cry.  Here are the reasons.

Rhetorical Essay-  Okay seriously, my brain doesn't function like that.  you want me to read that word the author wrote and find meaning in the word, not the article.  Right now I can't force my brain to do it.  It take too much thought! 

Character Analysis Essay-  Are you kidding me?  I have to use my brain again!  It doesn't work like it should.  In the stage of life I am in...or pregnancy... I am one emotional, hormonal mess and you want me to try and find sense in a fictional book right now.

Research Paper-  I was given 4 topics to choose from.  All the topic suck.  I can not feel passion for any of them.  How am I supposed to spend the next few months I have left with just my boys dedicated to researching a topic that I have no interest in.  It is a complete waste of my time!  I want to enjoy the last few months I have with just my boys before they get set on the side burner while I try to take care of an infant.  I have a friend that just had her third baby and when I read her blog it makes me want to just hold my boys close and let them know how much I love them.

I did make on good decision though.  I took Sociology!  Yeah!  Read the book, learn the material, and answer the questions.  That is my kind of class for this semester.  Too bad it is too late to back out of that English class.  I am sure that if my life circumstances were different I could actually enjoy stretching myself like that.

Now I have a first grader!

last Wednesday marked Carter's last day of kindergarten.  His class celebrated by having ice cream sundays.  Carter was excited because both mom and dad were able to attend!  Carter really is the most sensitive, sweet child.  His emotions are so close to the surface.  When he is talking about things he really cares about, like his family, he will blink his eyes rapidly to keep himself from crying.   

Kindergarten this year was awesome.  Carter really did get the best Kindergarten teacher.  We were honored to have her teach him.  We are also trying to secure her for Chase in another year.  Carter learning so much this year!  He is reading.  He is also much more mature now.  He went from my toddler boy to a full blown boy.  

Oh, My Heart!

I have a new love in my life.  These bad boys are helping me to sleep at night, and I can stand the taste!  It all started about a week ago.  This nasty pain that decided to keep me awake each night.  The pain was coming from every which direction.  GAS!  HEARTBURN! INDIGESTION!  Geez, where did these come from?  I haven't every really experienced these during pregnancy.  With Carter I was just sick, Chase less sick but uncomfortable, and with by baby girl I am even less sick, more uncomfortable, crazy hormones, and a whole slew of other crazy things.  It is okay though!  I have my new love named Tums. (that I take sparingly)  

Oh Tums I haven't needed you much before, but I LOVE you now.

Chase's new trick

Chase has never been slow at anything except gaining weight.  (He tips the scale at 27 pounds!) He rolled over when he was weeks old, walked at 10 months, talked circles around his peers, potty trained before 3 years old, and now he is riding his bike without training wheels!

Daniel took his training wheels off this afternoon.  After an extremely short lesson on starting and stopping, Chase took off.  We went for our family walk with no problems.  He fell down a few times trying to get off his bike after he was stopped.  He just jumped up and said, "I am a tough guy."  

It seems like just yesterday we took Carter's training wheels off.  I remember how I couldn't stop thinking about how much he had grown up.  Now, Chase is all grown up on two wheels. Good thing we have another one on the way to teach later!

Tough Guy

Daniel is jealous.  He says he always wanted a black eye.  Carter succeeded.  This picture was taken a week later.  It was much worse.  While playing at a ward party Carter ran into a chair. Daniel told Carter to tell people his mom hit him.  I am so glad Carter didn't listen.  I can only imagine how CPS would have reacted!  Especially since he is missing his two bottom teeth also.  

I'm 4

Chase had a birthday party with a few friends on Monday.  We went to the local pool...VERY COOL.  Then he had friends come to the house for pizza, cake, and ice cream.  

Chase loves to swim, but he is so skinny that he doesn't last long in the pool.  He gets too cold.

Walmart provided his cake for us... I was just too lazy to do it myself. (Excuse the belly, ponytail, and lack of makeup.   I don't know how to get ready at all anymore.)

Chase gets to be a real cowboy now, just like Grandpa.  He has his own guns.  They are cap guns, and we bought lots of caps.