So Cal Day #1

Last Tuesday, we took off for Southern California. We try to go to Disneyland once a year. We wanted to go before the baby comes and before the weather heats up and Disneyland gets too busy! We'd been once before at this time of year and really enjoyed it.

Of course, I had my list of places we "had" to eat at. We stopped in Bakersfield on the way there to eat at Schlotzskys. I've been craving it this whole pregnancy, but haven't quite found it in me to drive the 85 miles just for a sandwich! Thank goodness Mike is good at obliging to my food requests and didn't make the pit stop.

We got to our hotel and rested for a bit. Every single time I make that drive, I promise myself I'll never do it again! I can never understand how there can be that much traffic every hour of the day!

After we were rested, we headed to eat dinner at destination number two, Cafe Rio. About a month ago, I had read that they opened up a Cafe Rio down there and there was no way I was going to miss it! Mike likes it just as much as I do, so we were both really excited. That place never disappoints! You can't go wrong with their pork salad! A major bonus for me was that they had crushed ice, so I asked for extra water cups to fill up with ice :) Ice is a major craving for me during pregnancy, not a good thing for my poor teeth.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to swim. The kids were so excited. They had a spa and then the pool was heated. I was actually really sad I hadn't brought anything to swim in for myself because the water felt really good! Lyric jumped right in and Paxton was cautious as usual. He was content sitting at the edge of the spa with his feet in. Mike convinced him to let him hold him in the pool for a few minutes.

After swimming and baths, we put the kids down. As fun as it was, it made me very grateful that we don't all share one room at home! I would go crazy if I had to do that every night!

Tie Breaker

So, today I am officially half way done with this pregnancy! But, I know that the longest stretch in the whole world is in front of me.

Yesterday we were able to go get our little baby checked out. It was amazing to see such detailed parts of the body. The little feet measured 3.3cm! How tiny! The ultrasound lady gave us tons of pictures. My mom, dad, Mike, Lyric, and Paxton were all able to come. It definitely made everything feel so much more real seeing that little person so clearly in front of us.

Well, it looks like Mr. Pacman will be outnumbered once more! Thank goodness he's got no problem showing his aggressive manly side! He's going to need it with two sisters, not two mention all his girl cousins! Coming from the history our family has, my mom told Mike he's lucky he got one boy! They just don't come very easy for some reason.

This whole pregnancy, I've just known it was a boy. The thought of a girl never crossed my mind, for whatever reason. I was convinced that "Gavin" would be joining our family in June. My first thought of the possibility of a girl was at my appointment two weeks ago. My doctor has an ultrasound machine, so I asked if he'd check to see if he could tell the gender. It's not the most clear machine, so he said, "well, I don't see boy parts but I'm not going to promise a girl." I told myself I wasn't going to let that get into my head, but I did!

Then, the next week, my best friend, Tiffani, told me she was having a boy. She is exactly one week ahead of me. Our first two kids are the opposite sex of each other. So, when she told me she was having a boy I told her that I was for sure having a girl then cause we always have the opposite! We have just increased our chances of at least having one of our kids marry each other's. It's been a dream of ours since we were little to be related. Now we have that much more of a probability :)

I didn't tell Mike, but last week I had also secretly bought a few girl things, knowing I'd just return them if it was a boy. Being that Lyric will be almost six and was born in the complete opposite season of this baby, I will need to get some girl clothes. I absolutely love finding insane deals, and that's what these things were, so I just had to get them. I wasn't letting myself buy any boy stuff because it would have been the exact same season as Paxton and I didn't need one thing!

Just as obvious as Paxton's ultrasound showed a boy, this one showed a girl! I didn't even need the ultrasound tech to tell me. It was the very first thing we saw. She got a very clear picture of it! I love the ultrasound picture I posted. Her whole little profile, hands, feet, and all! I love how you can also see the nose and lips. So incredible. She was measuring 13oz, so if she's going to compete with her brother, she's got over nine more pounds to gain! We've decided on Kylee, but are still unsure on a middle name. Sometimes the names Mike likes kind of make me want to run to the toilet :) Just kidding, we'll find one we both like!

Grandpa, Paxton, and Lyric waiting for me to be called back

Random

I'd never done this before, so I gave it a shot. It actually made me laugh out loud. Dakota Fanning? I can't really say I think any of them are a match, but it was fun to see what it chose.

Belly Update

19wks 3days

I have been so bad at taking belly pictures this pregnancy. I was very diligent with my other two. I know I'll regret it when I'm done! It just seems these days that I'm living in what I like to call survival mode. I can definitely say that I am not one of those women who feel their best when they are pregnant, but that'd be nice! This third one has really been an experience I'd like to never have to go through for the rest of my life. I know the end result will be so wonderfully worth it.

When I got pregnant, I knew I'd start feeling yucky at six weeks. I figured I'd just push through and live my day to day life and get through it. Well, don't we all love to plan, and then see what reality has in mind for us! I didn't know that it was humanly possible to feel so emotionally, physically, and mentally tried. I've never lived in such a moment by moment type of time. I woke up each morning looking forward to bedtime, not that that brought much relief, at least I was able to sort of sleep through some of the misery.

I had to learn to rely heavily on family. Mike was in his last semester of his MBA program, therefore he was gone lots. My parents and Jamie and Tucker were actual life savers. My kids were taken care of, my house was taken care of, my laundry was taken care of. All I had to do was worry about myself, and even that felt too hard. I cannot even fathom having my kids around full time during that process. Making them chocolate milk in the mornings was about enough to make me run to the bathroom. I actually felt mean for making it cause I couldn't imagine a human being thinking that it sounded good!

I feel more than grateful to be over that hump. I have to remind myself on days that I feel extra gross, that it's nothing compared to what it was! We get to find out Wednesday what we are having. I finally feel excited to know. This pregnancy has just felt so different in a million different ways. I think for the first while it was really hard for me to connect that I was feeling the way I was because a human being was growing inside of me! Now that I can feel the movement and can, for the most part, eat food pretty normal, I feel excited to know who is inside of me!

These Two

He likes watching her play PBS Kids on the computer
At Chili's waiting to be seated

I have really been enjoying watching Lyric and Paxton's relationship lately. They are becoming good friends. Lyric does a great job at assuming the role as the big sister. Most often, Paxton is okay with that, other times he'll let her know his thoughts with a nice whack to the back of her head with his toy hammer. With the good has to come the bad!

They love watching "Fresh Beat Band" together and singing and dancing to every song. They love to play baby and mommy together. And if we ever have a hard time understanding what Paxton is saying, chances are Lyric can translate for us!

Sneaky Skates

Lyric got a pair of skates for her birthday, and Paxton has insisted that they are his! He walks around saying, "my skates," knowing that it'll get the reaction he's looking for out of his sister. It works like a charm every time :) She is very nice and often obliges when he asks to wear them.

I've also had it weighing heavily on my mind to have him potty trained by the time the baby gets here. He understands the concept, it's just that he actually finds pleasure peeing in spots he's not supposed to. The walls, shoes, the carpet, and most recently called me into their room to show me he had peed in Lyric's empty toy box. I need to push through and just get it done. He loves wearing underwear, and I have to say I think his little butt looks so cute in them!

Christmas Sunday

Dec. 20:

We had to do our traditional pictures with the kids in their cute matching outfits after church. They looked so cute this year, as they do every year! My mom always does such a perfect job getting all of their outfits put together so meticulously! They are always so excited to wear their new Christmas outfits, I can't just say dresses cause there is one little boy in the mix!

Ward Party

Dec. 11:

I took the kids to our ward's Christmas party. They had lots of fun. The primary sang a few cute songs. The kids were also able to sit on Santa's lap. Lyric was all for, and Paxton wasn't so sure. He wasn't scared, just a little weirded out I think! Of course when asked what he wanted, his response was candy! Lyric named off her list of barbies, doll houses, and everything else!

First Haircut!

Dec. 11:

At almost 2 1/2, we finally decided to get Paxton's hair trimmed. I say trim, cause we probably only took like an inch off! It just needed some of the baby hair ends taken off. When we wash his hair it goes at least half way down his back! It's obviously not that long when it's dry. I took him in to get it done, because there was no way I was attempting that one on my own!

He was a little hesitant at first, but did pretty good. By the end he was very excited that he had just gotten a hair cut. I am just not ready to part with his curls yet. They make him who he is! I cannot imagine him with short hair. Who knows, maybe his curls will go away one of these days, but until then, I'm keeping them! It's funny because whenever I see an older teenage boy with curly hair, I want to ask him his feelings on having curly hair. Does he hate it, does he love it, did he get made fun of for it? I feel this extra little connection because of Paxton. I love his curly reddish hair, but I'm sure mean kids will find a way to tease him!

My 5 Year Old!

Dec. 13:

Sunday afternoon, we celebrated Lyric's fifth birthday as a family at Jamie's house. She had been telling Jamie that she wanted a Hello Kitty cake, so that's what she got! My mom was nice enough to find lots of fun Hello Kitty decorations to put up. We made hogie sandwiches, per Lyric's request. Her initial request was Quiznos, but we settled on making our own :)

We sang Happy Birthday and then she got to open her fun presents. She was so excited to see what she got.

Dec. 14:

Monday was her actual birthday. She had the privilege of being VIP at preschool. When they are VIP they are in charge of snack, bringing something to share from home, and other fun things at school. I decided since it was on her birthday to do cupcakes. She couldn't wait to take them and share! She also brought her new Hello Kitty book to share with the kids that she got for her birthday.

After preschool, my parents took her out on her birthday date. She had been requesting to go to Chuck E. Cheese for quite some time, so that's where they went! Of course she loved it! One on one time with grandma and grandpa at Chuck E. Cheese, what more could you ask for!

After she got home, we had her birthday dinner at Quiznos. This girl loves that place more than the average kid!

She had a fun two day celebration of her special day. She is so excited to be five, especially since that means that kindergarten is around the corner! Everywhere we go, she loves telling people that she is five now.

Here is a cute little survey I did with her that I found on the blog of one of Jamie's friends.

• If you could have one super-power, what would it be? To be a water bender like Guitara
  
• What was the last chore you did? Cleaned the office
  
• What is your favorite song? I am a Child of God
  
• What's your favorite food? Turkey sandwich
  
• What's the nicest thing you've done for someone in your family lately? Give mommy a card
  
• What makes you mad? If someone takes away my birthday toy
  
• Where would you like to go on vacation next year? Seth’s house
  
• Who's the smartest person in your family? Mommy Why? Because you’re a mom
  
• How are you like your dad? We both like Castle Crashers
  
• How are you like your mom? We both stay home
  
• What's one thing that your dad had that you'd like to develop? He takes me shopping on my birthday
  
• What's one thing that you and Dad do together that you'll always remember? Playing games
  
• If you had a million dollars, what's the first thing you'd buy? Some food
  
• How do you know that I love you? Because you like me a lot
  
• What's your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms
  
• What's your favorite TV show? Phineas and Ferb
  
• What's your favorite vegetable? Corn
  
• What personal item that you would never give away? My birthday stuff
  
• What's your favorite game? My Princess Wii game
  
• What's your favorite book? The Elmo Book
  
• What food would you eat every day if you could? Oatmeal
  
• If you could choose a different name, what would it be? Lexi
  
• What's the scariest thing you've ever done? Go on Haunted Mansion at Disneyland
  
• If you could eat at any restaurant for the rest of your life, where would it be? Jeb’s (ice cream parlor)
  
• What's your favorite candy bar? Skittles
  
• What's the last thing that you did that you were proud of? Obey
  
• What's the best age to be? 11
  
• What's your favorite holiday? Christmas
  
• What's the best present you ever got? Dora Doll
  
• What's your greatest word of wisdom at age 5? Make a manger scene
  

Preschool Program

Dec. 6:

Lyric's preschool put on a cute little Christmas program. Jamie and her girls along with my mom and dad were able to attend. They practiced their songs at school for a few weeks.

Lyric was so excited to perform. She got up there with her class and sang her little heart out! She loves going to preschool and all the kids she gets to play with, especially now that cousin Peyton goes to preschool with her!

Decorating

Paxton was absolutely obsessed with the singing toys!

Nov. 30:

I'm so glad that Mike enjoys decorating the tree. I love a decorated tree, it's just not my favorite thing to actually do. I love decorating the rest of the house. The kids had a blast helping Mike. They love looking at all the fun ornaments we've collected in the past years.

I've always been against getting a fake tree, but this was the first year that it felt very tempting to do so! It's a lot of work getting the real ones up! But, Mike is still very much not with my same thinking on the fake thing, so we'll do real for now!

Getting Our Tree!

Don't mind how deathly I look, kind of a representation of how I felt :)

Nov. 28:

We have a yearly tradition of getting our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. I love the smell of it in the house. Mike and the kids love decorating it.We've had pretty good luck with getting healthy trees that make it through Christmas!

We ended up going on the Saturday after Thanksgiving this year. It was quite the stretch for me to be able to go, but I was able to push through. The kids loved looking at all the trees and picking one out.

Halloween

Oct. 28:

This year we went to our ward Halloween party. The kids had lots of fun. Unfortunately, that's when my "morning" sickness started coming on, so I wasn't feeling too great, but nothing like what it would turn into!

Lyric was a candy cane witch and Paxton was an FBI guy. On Halloween night, Mike took them out trick or treating to collect their loot.

Ready For the Ride.......

5w5d, ha, hardly pregnant!

Oct. 2009:

Well, ready or not, baby number three is on the way! We found out we were expecting October 16. It was planned, but happened a little faster then we expected :) I have felt so scared to jump onto this boat, but I felt like the timing was what I wanted. Paxton and this baby will be three years apart. For me personally, I didn't want much more than a three year gap, so I knew the window was small!

I had my first appointment on October 26 to confirm my pregnancy. My mom was able to come with me. My dad was nice enough to have both of my kids. Lyric was very brave to take a little swim in the chilly pool!

Little did I know what kind of a spin my life was going take!!!!!!!!!