Series of Photos

I think all the pictures in this post were taken within the same hour.  They make me laugh and capture what my life is like most days, so I thought I'd share.

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Segment 1: I was in the bedroom setting up the port-a-crib for the new baby when I heard a loud bang.  The kids had knocked over the swing I had just carried in from the garage and were 'exploring'.

I can just hear Sadie saying to Jax, "No, no Jaxy - don't touch that" as she is touching it.

Jax: "Hmmm, what's this?"

Jax: "Cool, a binki.  Kindof tastes old and yucky but I could get use to this."

Jax: "Yup, I'm definitely putting this in a secret hiding place and saving it for later."

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Segment 2: I was trying to make dinner and was loading a few dishes when I turned around to find a little helper.

Jax: "What Mom?!?  It just looked so inviting."

Jax: "Alright, I'll get out."

Jax: "Steady now, don't fall and hit your head like last time."

Jax: "I wish mom would just leave me naked.  These shorts are limiting my range of motion here!"

Jax: "Where are you floor?"

Jax: "Ahh, back on solid ground."

Jax: "Yup, sure thing Mom, I'll close this right up."

Jax: "See, I'm closing it and I won't do it again."

Jax: "Oh cool, I think this is the button I push that makes it make funny swishy sounds.  Score!"

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Segment 3: Ben arrived home while Jax and I were reading books in his room and while dinner was in the oven and Sadie was watching Mickey Mouse club.

Jax: "Now I just want to sit in this chair and read my book."

Jax: "Wait, where'd I put that book?"

Jax: "I know it's around here somewhere!"

Jax: "Oh ya, there it is.  This isn't quite what I had in mind though."

Jax: "Mom will you read me this book?"

Ben arrives home.  His face ALWAYS lights up when he sees Ben!  

I was asking Ben to make him laugh so I could get a few good pictures of him.

After that Jax enjoyed having his dad read to him while I went on my merry way to finish dinner.

The Day That Wouldn't End

The date was 7.20.2011.  It was a hot, humid and sunny July day.  Sadie was 3.5 years of age, weighing in at 28 pounds. Jax was 13 months, weighing in at 25 pounds.  I was exactly 1 week from my due date, weighing in at....well, nevermind that part.

We had a big day ahead of us.  The items of business included pick up item from friend's house, swim lessons, fire station play date, go to Mimi's house, get kids down for nap, Alicia go to doctor's appointment, make dinner, go to Rays game.  That's a lot for a 9 month pregnant woman who has to care for and carry two heavy children around.

Well, I went to leave for our first errand and guess what....dead car battery.  Our precious little Sadie had played in the car while I carried groceries in the day before and left the lights on.  This is probably the 5th time that's happened in the last two years.  You would think my learning curve would be a little better.  Well, I knocked on the neighbor's door but they weren't home.  So I called Stephanie Cricchio, a great friend who lives close by, to see if she could jump the car.  Luckily she was leaving for swim lessons (they go right before us) and said she'd swing by and help.  Well, my car was in the garage and it was so dead that we couldn't even get it to turn on to put it in neutral to back it out of the garage.  So, instead, we had to take everything out of the other side of the garage (lawn mower, trash can, stroller, pressure washer, saw, 40 lb. bag of fertilizer, etc) and squeeze her car in.  Well, the fit was so tight that she had to crawl in and out of her car window.  Did I mention she's 7 months pregnant yet?  No, I haven't.  She's 7 months pregnant.  Did I mention it was 95 degrees outside and 100% humidity and we're both extremely pregnant?  It was hot!  Anyways, luckily I didn't have to crawl in and out of the window but I did have to crawl in and our of the driver's side door.  It wasn't pretty.  Well, after much sweat and agony we got the car up and running.  I was so thankful to Cricchio!  

So, we went to swimming lessons.  Those are outside, too = more heat!  Sadie loved it though and did fabulous.  She's really starting to get good now.  Jax, however, really wanted to swim too which meant I kept having to stand up (not easy), walk (painful!), run after (almost impossible!!!), pick up (ouchie), and carry (exhausting) a hot, sweaty baby (did I mention it was like the hottest day of the year?) back to the shade and try to keep him from running off again.  Anyways, we all survived and Sadie loved it.

Then we went to the fire station.  Sadie is obsessed with fire trucks right now and we have a great friend in the ward who is a fireman, but their family is about to move to Utah so we thought we should go to the fire station and see the fire trucks before they leave.  Well, when we got to the fire station Sadie flipped out!  She was petrified and just wanted to leave.  I guess fire trucks are fun on TV and in books and as toys, but NOT in real life to her.  I should have just aborted mission but I knew once we got in there she would love it.  So, I put Jax in the stroller and called for Sadie but she would not get out of the car.  I talked to her reasonably, but she just wouldn't budge.  So, I ended up pushing the stroller with one hand and carrying her on my hip into the fire station.  Again, 9 months pregnant + hot, blazing heat + heavy, crying child = very difficult!  Well, after 5 or 10 minutes she did, in fact, warm up and ended up loving the experience.  She climbed the ladder, sat in the driver's seat, explored the ambulance, and toured the fire station.  Also, 'Dave the Fireman' happens to love babies and held Jax for me most of the time.  It was a kindness I will forever be grateful for!  

This is my hero Cricchio and Andrew spraying the hose

Dave holding his little buddy, Jax.

Sadie sitting in the back of the ambulance.

Jax thinking, "Um, where am I?"

After the fire station we went to my mom's house because I had a scheduled doctor's appointment.  I hadn't planned to, but I had a spare set of clothes in the car, so I took a quick shower to freshen up from my sweaty morning.  I had 45 minutes to shower, feed the kids, change the kids, and get the kids down for a nap.  Well, my mom ended up doing the feeding and getting Sadie down for a nap and I ran off to my appointment.

At my appointment I was informed I was 3 cm dilated, 80% effaced and a -1 station.  That was a boost to my spirits because I was worried I hadn't changed any from last week.  Last week I was 2 cm, 50% effaced and a -2 station.  My midwife said, "Most people are in labor with stats like that."  It gave me hope that the end is near.

After my appointment I headed back to the homestead.  Sadie was asleep for her nap so my mom suggested that I take a nap.  I took her up on the offer and I slept for 1.25 wonderful, beautiful hours.  When I woke up I felt so refreshed.  That may have been the best and most needed nap of my life!

Mom and I made pizzas for dinner and chocolate chip cookies - I'm not proud of the nutritional value of the food but it sure tasted good!

Ben came to my parent's house after work and he and Sadie went to the Rays game.  I told Sadie it was a special date night just for her and daddy.  She was thrilled.  I think she was most excited to get to ride in his car.  At least someone in the family thinks that car is special :)  She's convinced it's the coolest car in the world!  She was absolute BEAMING when her and Ben drove off!  Ben said she smiled the whole drive to the game and hundreds of people told him how adorable she was.  She really did look cute in her little Ray's shirt.  

Daddy daughter date night.

We were practicing her "Go Rays" cheer while Ben moved the car seat to his car.

She was so excited to ride in this beauty of a vehicle!

Jax and I relaxed with my mom for another hour before we headed home.  Jax loved being an only child and having our undivided attention.  He has a bit of a crush on my mom and really loves to play with her!

These two are the best of friends!

Jax and I arrived home around 9:30.  He went to bed easily and I had lots of energy, thanks to my afternoon nap, so I cleaned and packed bags and whatnot until Ben and Sadie arrived home around 11:30.  Sadie was still on a high from her night and she didn't get to sleep until past 12!  Ben and I layed down around 12:30.  Ben was asleep by 12:31 and at about 12:32 I had a contraction that knocked my socks off.  I spent the next almost two hours laying in bed thinking I was in labor.  I was having pretty strong contractions every 5 - 7 minutes apart.  I wanted to let Ben get a good nap and I wanted to be sure I was in labor before I woke him up.  I got out of bed around 2 and watched a TV show to get my mind off of the contractions.  Well, the contractions slowed down after I got up.  So, around 2:30 I decided to lay down again.  At 4AM I was awoken by more, very strong contractions and cramping.  They were very regular and around 5AM I finally woke Ben up.  Once I woke him up they started not being as strong, although, they were regular at every 3 - 4 minutes apart.  After 30 minutes they stopped, so I told him to go back to sleep.  I tried to fall asleep and did successfully sleep but woke up after 30 minutes with strong contractions again.  By this point it was 6:30AM and I was tired of laying in bed so I just got up.  I went on a walk and the contractions completely stopped.  So disappointing!  How disappointing - you just cannot imagine. It was just devastating.

Anyways, that was my never ending day.  And this is the never ending blog post.  I could go on about how the next day went, but really, is anyone even still reading?  

Although it was a hard day it could have been so much harder!  There were so many people that helped to ease my load.  Cricchio who climbed in and out of her car window 4 times, in the heat, and being 7 months pregnant to jump my car.  Dave and Leslie Ballard who held Jax for me the whole time at the fire station. My mom who watched my kids and let me take a much needed nap.  My dad who provided us with free tickets to the Rays game. And Ben who had Sadie all evening which allowed me to relax and get a lot of important things done.  I'm so thankful I know Heavenly Father is aware of me and my struggles and sends people to help me in my moments of need.  

I know 27 is not that old,

...I just can't believe I'm that old!

Can you guess what I wished for?  

Yup, I had another birthday. It's so strange to age because I still mentally feel about 21 or 22.  Oh well!

My birthday was on a Sunday this year which is usually my most stressful day of the week.  However, Ben took Jax all of 2nd and 3rd hour of church and had someone cover tithing and post-church meetings so he could come home with us.  It was so, so, so nice!!

The family (including Julie's parents) came over in the afternoon for Thai food - panang, spring rolls, and mangoes and sticky rice for dessert.   The toddlers (Ethan, Joseph, and Sadie) were majorly disappointed that there wasn't a cake at my birthday party so I gave them some ice cream instead of mangoes. They appreciated that - a lot!

These were the leftovers spring rolls.  We made a few too many.

It's become tradition to let all the little kids have a turn at blowing out the candles.

The First of Thousands

Jax looks on as Sadie attends her swim lesson.

Sadie started swim lessons last week.  I had the thought as I was driving to her first swim lesson, "This is the first of thousands."  It was the first time I've ever taken a child to any type of lesson, class, practice, etc.  I figure in my lifetime I'll probably end up driving kids to and attending a lot (hopefully not thousands, though) baseball practices, piano lessons, soccer games, dance recitals, and the like.

That's all.  I just wanted to remember the very first one :)  Surely one day I'll dread being the chauffeur and running kids all over town, but as for right now, I think it's pretty swell to sit back and watch her being taught and light up with excitement at learning new things.  She does absolutely love them, by the way.

Here are a few other pictures of us at the pool lately.  We were at the beach/pool five times in four days this past week.  The kids and I are a little waterlogged.  But they love it and I love it because I can hold them all I want without it hurting my back.  Oh, also, they take really good, long naps after we swim.  I really like that!!

See what I mean about the nice, deep naps?
I brought him in from the car, changed him, and took pictures of him -
he never moved a muscle.  

Will you pray for me?

....to go into labor?  

I'm 37 weeks today, aka, 'full term'.  I've pretty much been pregnant two years straight.  Well, I've been pregnant 18 of the past 21 months.  It's time for me to have my abdomen back for myself, don't you think?

With my last two pregnancies I was a week late and induced both times.  I desperately don't want to be induced again!  And, I really desperately don't want to have swollen feet, an achy back, sore hips, and non-restful sleep for another month.  

So, if you could remember me in your prayers I would really appreciate it.  But, don't forget, specifics are important when praying.  These are the items to mention 1) healthy baby (of course, the most important item) 2) safe delivery and 3) a child that nurses easily.  

Yes, I realize I should be asking you to pray for me to have an added measure of patience and strength.  But, really, I've been pretty patient, wouldn't you say?  I just want to hug and cuddle this baby and be me again.  Please, please, please pray for me to go into labor!  Much thanks :)

A Happy Fourth

My little beach bums!

A boy and his dad - they are so alike!

We call him Captain Jax Sparrow because of this hat and his clumsy walking.

These are two of the sweetest little boys God ever put on this earth.  I'm so happy they're family!

We tried for some pictures in the afternoon.  I didn't capture anything spectacular but these are a few to show Jax walking and the kids' cute personalities.  They are both so much fun right now!

He still walks with his hands up and flailing.

I really have my hands full lately!

Our attempt at a family picture.

I just love Sadie's expression here.
She was trying to get Jax to laugh and kept cracking herself up.

We watched the fireworks from the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
Jax slept through them and Sadie just wanted to play with her doll.
Ben and I enjoyed them, though.