ugh....

I thought this time would be different. I thought maybe, just maybe it won't happen this time. I hoped I could get away with it. Maybe I can sneak through without it happening again. I mean why does this have to happen? I will stop being cryptic and annoying and just come out with it.

Its started... the morning sickness.....

I felt good in the beginning- tired, but not sick. Then yesterday it hit me, and again today. At least it's not haunting me all day - yet....

If this pregnancy is anything like my other two, it will only get worse. I am determined not to let it get as bad as before though. As you may recall, I was so sick I couldn't hold down water. Even chewing gum would cause me to dry heave (too much info... sorry). With both pregnancies I had to go to the Instacare and get an IV to rehydrate me. While pregnant with Chloe I found a miracle cure.

Unisom.

Its an over the counter sleep aid that for some reason helps with nausea. I would take half a pill at night, and would wake up feeling fine in the morning. However, if I missed a day... look out! I actually went to Salt Lake to see Chelsey and forgot my Unisom. I had to run to Wal-mart and buy some just to make it through the trip.

At least this time around I know what to watch for and how to prevent it. I just wish I was one of those lucky girls that gets away with being pregnant and not being sick. Hmph... (pouty face....)

New 'do

Well, lately I have been hating my hair. Hating that it was knotted and hurt to brush it when it was wet. Hated to do it because it had gotten so long that it took forever to do. Hated that I had to sweep my bathroom nearly daily because of how much hair would fall out when I was getting ready. I hated my hair so much I broke down and chopped it off. 6 and 1/4 inches. I love it. My friend Lenzi did it for me and she's amazing. She was not timid about chopping that much hair off which made me feel so much better. Hopefully this will make my early morning much quicker!

Ooops!

Well, I know you know this already Megan, but I thought I better blog it so it's official, and so I made sure Tennille knew.....

I'm pregnant! Hahaha, this was definately not expected or planned, but we are very excited. Bentley is starting to grasp the concept a little bit and with how well he adjusted when we had Chloe I am not too worried about him. Chloe on the other hand.... she is a bit more high strung. We will have to wait and see how that goes....

Anyway, here's the blurry picture of the pregnancy test

Our estimated due date is September 8th, so yes, I will be huge fat and pregnant ALL SUMMER LONG! I give Megan kudos for not finding out what she was having but I honestly think I would have anxiety attacks if I did that so we will be finding out the sex as soon as possible. I would also like to try a 3-D ultrasound this time around and see if there's a difference. Probably not but it would be fun. Anyway, I will keep you posted on the pregnancy and I am hoping to post monthly pics of my growing belly so watch for that!

The Hidden Ducks

Today Bentley woke up and immediately asked to go to the duckies. At first I was totally confused. I had no idea what he was talking about. Then it hit me. Over Christmas Bentley's grandpa (Jesus' dad) had taken them to a nearby pond to feed ducks. I didn't realize just how nearby it was. I called Jesus to ask him how to get to this pond and he told me just to walk across the empty lot across the street. I followed his directions and hidden behind the house across the street was this.......

I was amazed. All this time hiding literately in front of my face was a beautiful duck pond. We took some "oldish" (if that's a real word) rolls, and the heels of a loaf of bread (who eats that stuff anyway?) and let Bentley throw them to the duckies.. Bentley had a good time. As soon as we got there he plopped himself down and began to toss. Then he waited patiently for the ducks to come in and eat it. Every once a while they would spook themselves and fly off quacking all the way and he would bust out laughing and say "they scared me!". It was adorable.

Chloe had a enjoyed it too, she kept trying to get closer and closer. Ahhh - she is my adventurous girl. Bentley has always been content to sit by the side and observe, but not Chloe! She was in no way entertained just watching She wanted to feel the feathers, and taste the water for herself. She would have literately jumped in the water if I hadn't grabbed her. I finally sat her next to Bentley and she was content enough to watch what he was doing long enough for the rolls to be eaten. I couldn't resist snapping this of the two of them. We had a blast and this definately wont be the last time those ducks see us!

our new best friend

No, we didn't buy a dog as the title of this post would imply, but we did get a trampoline. It was one of the new treasures Santa brought us this year. Bentley and Chloe have been loving it. I practically have to drag those two outta there. So today, as I stood shivering outside watching them, I decided to bust out the camera phone and take some pictures of how much fun they were having.
Chloe couldn't manage to stay standing up while Bentley was jumping, but she loved it anyway.

This one is super blurry but I love the joy on her face. (Cell phones don't take very good action shots....)
She was contemplating her plan of attack, maybe it was payback for this......

Yes, he has a dirty face... no, I don't care.... haha it gives him charm and character.... :)

Its here!

Well, I officially have been a loser about blogging again. As I sit at work on Christmas Eve feeling guilty for not being home, I will try to redeem myself a bit by blogging some Christmas-y feelings. Yes, I am at work on Christmas Eve. Yes, Jesus is home with his family and our children waiting for me to join in on the festivities. Yes, I hate the fact that I am at work, but it was either that or Christmas Day, so I can't complain too much. When I go home (in about 30 minutes... but who's counting?) There will be a feast waiting for me, and anxious children ready to open presents (Jesus' family's tradition is to open the presents on Christmas Eve and then Santa will come and bring his presents in the middle of the night).
Today we baked christmas cookies to leave out for Santa (I picked my favorites...tee hee hee) and that just made it all seem real.
Tomorrow morning we will make the trek to Pine Valley (after we see what Santa left for us) to spend the day with the McKnight clan..... oops, sorry, had to do some work there for a second. Darn people, can't you see I am blogging here?
I have complained a bit about having company at our house but all in all it has been nice to have them here. Amidst all the chaos and messes, there was a feeling of Christmas excitement and cheer in my home this morning. The kids kept asking me periodically through the day "do we get to open presents tonight?" and then when they recieved the answer they were hoping for ("yes"), they would run away giggling looking for something to do to keep the excitement contained.
Yes, tomorrow is Christmas. Months of planning, stressing, budgeting, and all in all excitement will come to an end tomorrow. Hopefully we can keep the spirit of Christmas in our hearts and minds for the upcoming year. Love you all and hope you have a Merry Christmas!

One Whole Year

It's hard to believe that my "baby" is not a baby anymore. Yesterday was her first birthday. One whole year has gone by since we brought her into the world. From the beginning she has had her very own personality. She came into the world with her tongue out and hasn't put it away yet. She decided when she was ready to come meet the world and the doctor almost missed it because she came so fast.

I was in awe yesterday watching her attempt to walk. She's not completely on her own yet, but she will toddle around the coffee table and even attempt one or two steps before he plops onto her bum. She is a girl of few (real) words, but the ones she does know are very distinct. The moment Jesus walks in the door from work I hear plain as day "dad", over and over and over again until he scoops her off the floor and gives her loves. She is a daddys girl and has been from the start. She's an adventurous girl, climbing on everything she possibly can. The stairs we never an obstacle for her, they only deterred her for a day or so and now she has them mastered. She loves to laugh and loves to be tickled. She loves to torture her brother and take his toys, just to laugh and crawl away.
I loved being able to breastfeed. Bentley never really took to it, and that was hard for me. Chloe nursed like a pro from the beginning. I loved the time to ourselves when we could actually snuggle. Every once and a while she would reach her hand up and rub my cheek. Even though I knew Bentley was destroying the house while I took this time out for Chloe and I, it was all worth it.
It's amazing what change comes with having kids. Chloe has taught me perseverance (breastfeeding through thrush on both of us), patience (teething for about 8 months straight to finally cut two teeth at 10 months), and most of all unconditional love (big slobbery baby kisses that should gross me out, but somehow don't).
Being a mom has made me a better person. Having someone rely on you for every need in life makes you a lot less selfish. Your own needs are nothing in comparison.

When people found out I was having a girl they would always tell me "having a girl is so much fun, you can dress them up so cute and blah blah blah". But having a girl was exciting for me for other reasons as well. It would about passing on knowledge that only a mother can pass onto her daughter. It was an extension of me. As much as I do love to dress her up and buy her the cute clothes, I look forward to building the bond that a mother and daughter share. The bond I see between my grandma and her five daughters, and the bond I share with my mom and sisters.