Halloween '09

Okay, this is WAY after the fact but I just wanted to post a few pictures to remember it. Our boys love to dress up and they pick their costumes throughout the year, but it changes all the time. Once they decide and I make/buy it then it is locked in. Poor Adam was sick on Halloween. We found out he had pneumonia on Halloween. He'd been sick for awhile and I finally decided it was time for him to go to the dr. and then we found out how sick he really was. He still wanted to go trick-or-treating but he was tired much fast than he normally would have been, which was probably good news for Billy. We did miss out on the Trunk or Treat festivities but that's the way it goes I guess. Billy and I even went to a Halloween party. We had fun dressing up. Last minute I decided Brody also needed a costume so I whipped one up real quick.

Oh and in case you were wondering...Brody was Bam Bam from the Flintstones.

First Smiles

Brody has started smiling a little here and there. Sometimes he'll look right at you with a big grin and other times he's smiling at something he sees and thinks is cool. I love his cute, little smile. He is sleeping better at night which I will not complain about. Too bad I fall asleep in the chair in his room after I feed him, sometimes 2-3 hours at a time. I am always waiting to get his burps out and then I just fall asleep--oh well.

I took a picture of him and suprisingly he smiled.

Logan's 3rd Birthday

Logan had his 3rd birthday this month. I can't believe he is already 3. We invited a couple families from the ward over to have cake with us. I was not up for having a party for him with a 5 week old baby. It seems like all year long the boys are already deciding what cake they will have for their birthdays, so we knew for months he wanted a "Diego" cake. I wouldn't say it turned out great, but I tried. I told Billy I was going to tell everyone he made it or that Logan helped, but unfortunately I had to take credit for it. After his friends left he said, "that was fun, having ALL my friends over to eat cake with me." I thought that was very cute and was glad he had fun because he is definitely the shyer one between him and Adam.

these are some pictures that we found on the camera. Apparently Adam and Logan had a little photoshoot of their own.
We love our little Logan. He can be such a sweetheart when he isn't throwing a tantrum. He loves his brothers and his mom. He is always telling me he loves me and that I am pretty. That is always nice to hear as a mom. We are so glad he is part of our family.

Blessing and New Pictures

My in-laws came to visit and my mother in law and I attempted to take some pictures of the kids. We didn't realize taking pictures of kids--especially babies would be SO challenging. We wanted to take some cute pics of Brody--and some where he had no clothes on. Well, taking pictures of a 4 week old is tough. First he peed and then spit up and then I found poop on my pants from him! Then he woke up and was eating his hand in the pictures. Once I got him back to sleep he had to have his pacifier. I'm not sure when I will attempt to take more pictures again, it was exhausting.

It was nice having family here. It was a great help. I was able to nap and relax and had so much help with the kids and the baby. They did laundry, dishes, baths...it was so nice. I think I need someone to come visit us one week a month...that would be great!

Here are the pictures!

This one he is doing a faceplant

The boys have been really into dressing up...these hats were from grandma and grandpa

the day of the blessing

Brody is here!

Brody was born August 28th at 12:37 PM. He was 7 lbs 5 oz and 2o inches. Brody because Billy liked the name and he thought it was a good sports name. John is his middle name after Billy's great grandfather on his dad's side who came over here from Greece.

Too bad I didn't have my sister or mom there to fix my hair before the pics, I didn't realize this until the pics were already taken!


So far he is a pretty good baby. Hoping he doesn't get acid reflux like his brothers, but time will tell. The dr. said I needed on to go on the no dairy diet like I did with my other 2 eventhough he hasn't shown signs yet. Kind of frustrating. I wasn't planning to, but she made me feel so guilty and like the worst mom for not doing it from the start. The gastroenterologist in AZ told me I'd need to do it for all my kids back when I found out Adam had it. I don't mind if that's what needs to be done, it's just it is hard, especially if I don't really need to. The boys are adjusting well, Adam LOVES his brother and Logan still has yet to hold him, but he will touch him and look at him. He tells me he loves him and prays for him every night. I'm just trying to get thru all the "fun" parts after you have a baby and hopefully will be feeling like myself here pretty soon. I have a lot of exercising ahead of me to lose all this baby weight!

Pregnancy Pictures

It's pretty sad that after 3 pregnancies these are the only photos I have of my pregnant belly. Not something I love to have...me in all my fatness, but I thought I should at least get one, right? Billy is out of town so I did it myself in front of the mirror...on a day I actually got ready, those too, are few and far between. So...here they are. Not the greatest. Oh, and I'm 34 weeks in these, so hopefully 5 more weeks and then induction here I come!!!

My Cute Adam is 5!

Adam turned 5 today! He has been looking forward to his birthday for quite some time. It is such a milestone since it means you start school and various other things that I told him he'd be allowed to do like chew gum :) I wanted to write a few things about this sweet boy both for me and him to remember.

Adam is a great friend. He loves other kids and is always concerned about them and also about how nice they are being to him. He is a great helper--always wants to help in the kitchen, vacuum, pick up, carry in groceries, etc. Even helps when his little brother says he can't. Adam has the MOST energy of anyone I have ever met! He can go and go all day. He seems to have a natural knack for sports and when asked what sports he wants to play, he replies, "all sports". He LOVES his family and will never want to hurt anyone's feelings by saying he likes anyone better than another or that anyone is better at doing something than someone else. Adam enjoys coloring and drawing and writing words and names. He gets better with each day. He also loves to sing Primary songs and we hear him in his room singing them each night. Adam is very good, too good at asking questions--he is so curious about everything. He recently learned his dad's cell number and calls him about 10 times a day. He has a cute smile and eyes. And, if you ever need a boost, he is good at that, for example, everytime I get ready--do my makeup, my hair, and get dressed he tells me, "you look beautiful!" It is so cute that he notices when I do those things. And he loves to give hugs and kisses and you can't leave or come home without doing so. Adam has become a pretty obedient kid and he wants to do what's right (doesn't always do it) but I can tell he wants to. If he does something wrong he always apologizes and is sorry for doing it. He definitely has the faith of a child and is constantly saying prayers to ask for owies to get better or for anything, he just knows his prayer will be answered. Last week he was sick and had a blessing and I told him after he needed to get some sleep to get better. His reply, "Mom, I am better. I had a blessing." We love him so much and our home would not be the same without this sweet, caring little boy.

For his birthday we went to Chuck e. Cheese. I chose something that would be easy for a pregnant lady. He had a good time and I hope his friends did. He chose to have a baseball cake. I had fun making it, and Billy said he wanted that for his cake! :)

Adam on his bike in hi pjs--with him more is always better! (helmet and elbow and knee pads!)

Update time!

Adam finished preschool last month and I'm sad it's over because it was nice for both of us. He starts school this August and I know he's going to love it, being the little social guy that he is. He took swim lessons for the last 2 weeks, but unfortunately he had to miss today and yesterday since he came down with a fever on wednesday. He seems to be getting better now, but it has been a long 3 days stuck at home with both the boys and then Billy out of town.


This is also the week Logan finally gave in to being potty trained. I've tried off and on 3 other times and NEVER would he do it. I mean I got him to go pee a couple times but he never understood HOW to do it, so I'd always give up after 2-3 days of a zillion accidents. On Monday I had had it with changing his poopy diapers. He knows when he has to poop. Everytime he goes he would hide--either under the table, in another room, or upstairs. If I tried to catch him he just wouldn't go. So monday I told him no more of it. Billy took him potty and he went. He was scared of the potty--which I think is somewhat normal. Anway, ever since then he has used the potty and of course has had some accidents but he will now tell me when he has to go. And...will try to use the excuse to go potty to not go to bed:) It has definitely taught me that all children are different. My experience with Adam was different, however I started later with him. He was about the same age as Logan when I tried, so maybe that's the better age to start for my boys. I honestly feel that if I left it up to either of them they would've waited until they were 4 or older to want to go.


As for me I have about 11 more weeks until my due date. Things are definitely getting harder. I'm hot all the time and tired a lot! Last pregnancy I used to nap while Adam did so that helped a ton. Now I never get the naps since neither of the boys nap and try to steal a nap on the couch while they play. Oh, and we still don't have a name for this boy!

Billy is coming along after his surgery. He isn't so much in pain as his knee just gets very stiff if held in position too long. He continues to go the gym most everyday to work on his knee and workout. At his last appointment the dr. said he could start running in a month. Billy plans to wait longer than that but now he wants to train for a triathlon--if he could just find someone to do it with him. I'd do it but I'm a ways off from that right now:)


Oh, in April we went to this awesome Wildlife Park in San Antonio so I will post some pics of that.

We found out what we're having!

We went to our ultrasound this afternoon. About 10 minutes into it Billy asked the ultrasound tech if she knew what it was and she said yes. Right away I said, "it's a boy, huh?" She said yes. I knew from what she said b/c the boys are SO easy to spot. I guess we're just a boy family. He was so cute and sucking his thumb. I am excited and a little nervous for 3 boys, especially our boys, but it will be fun. Billy is overjoyed to have another boy and I know he is already planning everything they will do in his head. I think Logan will have a bit of a hard time when the baby is born, but he'll be okay, Adam did well. Now the hard part is coming up with a boy name I like. I am very picky. Billy likes lots of names but I admit I shoot them all down. I have girl names I like but that won't help!

Come Vote!

Vote what you think we're going to have. I get my ultrasound in 3 weeks and I have no feeling what it will be, other than I'm 2 for 2 on the boys so I'm just assuming it's another one.

Surgery and legos

To say things have been crazy around here lately is an understatement! Last thursday Billy went to play at a church basketball game and called me after telling me he had really hurt his knee. (I wish I could say this was the first time he got hurt at a church bball game, but he tore his retina years ago before we had any kids.) His buddies drove him home and helped him in the house and I went to the store at 11 pm to get him a brace while he iced it and rested it. The next morning we went to the orthopedic surgeon. He supspected it was an ACL tear=surgery (Billy's fear) and possibly a partial tear of the meniscus. He scheduled an MRI to find out exactly what he'd done to his knee.

Monday was the MRI, we didn't get to find out the results until thursday (yesterday). In the meantime he's been on double strength vicodin and just basically laying there all day. The medicine makes him loopy and he says he just can't think properly on it. Anyway, to the dr. yesterday. The nurse gave us the results of the MRI, dr. comes in and says you've heard the bad news. Turns out he has a complete tear of his ACL and a "bucket handle" tear of the medial meniscus. The 2nd one actually seems to be worse as he won't be able to walk on it for 4 weeks after the surgery. Bascially the dr. said that is one you cannot go without surgery, the ACL he could wait if he wanted, but why would you if you're already going under the knife? After hearing about the surgery and all they do Billy almost fainted. So...his surgery is scheduled for next wednesday. We figure why put it off any longer? Hopefully it all goes well and he recovers fast.

So after all that yesterday, while I was making dinner Adam was sitting at the table with this tiny diamond shaped lego, it is supposed to be the treasure inside of a treasure chest you build out of legos. Anyway, he stuck that up his nose. I called the after hours dr. to talk to a nurse and while I was holding Billy was able to get it out with tweezers--it wasn't up there too far. I was so scared it was going to get jammed in further, we were lucky! These legos were for ages 4-7 and after all that, turns out Adam is still not old enough for legos. Why do kids feel the need to stick things in their noses and ears?!

Things have been crazy and there are many more stories I could tell of these boys but I won't--it's making me tired just thinking about it!

Growing...

So I thought I'd finally announce it on here, although so many people already know. It's hard for me to keep it a secret when I have been so terribly sick. So, yes, I am pregnant with our third and it was a surprise! I'd like to say that I have felt great and not complain, but truthfully this has been my hardest pregnancy yet. That's not to say my others were a piece of cake, I've been sick everytime, but this time I have spent a lot of time in front of the toilet throwing up. It's not fun and I think it's one of the most vile things you can do. Anyway, I am feeling a little better these days, I still throw up about once a day, but the nausea is not all day long and I can eat more things which is so nice--not to be eating toast and cereal. We are excited and hopefully if it's a boy I can handle all 3!

Heart Attacked!

Last night after getting the kids bathed and ready for bed, the doorbell rang. I looked out the window and we had been "heart attacked." The activity days girls came and heart attacked me and my whole primary presidency. It was really cute and sweet. The kids loved it! I wanted to get a picture but the kids had all the hearts cleaned up with seconds of walking outside. Then they came inside and counted all of them and played with them for the rest of the night. Billy was out of town and I have been sick so it made my night. Thanks girls and leaders!

My helper

Some more funny stories about Adam:

On saturday Adam cleaned up the entire playroom and then helped Billy clean the upstairs. When Billy told him thanks for helping he said, "Cleaning is just a good thing to do!" I thought that was so cute. When I asked him about it today he said that cleaning was fun! I wish he felt like that all the time when I ask him to clean up his messes. I also gave him the assignment to vacuum the kitchen (we had a swiffer vac). I said from now on that is your job everyday. He replied, "everyday?" When I said yes he said "yeah!" Here's to hoping he's like his dad and likes to clean and organize.

Then today Logan wanted to take a bath after me, so he came upstairs with just a diaper on and then ripped that off. Adam ran him about an inch of water and asked me if that was enough. Logan got in and he told him to come to him and he would soap him. It was so funny! Then he got him out and dried him off. I may not have any girls but Adam does a pretty good job helping. He is a ball of energy but also a really good boy.

Adam is so funny!

I would say almost everyday Adam says something that's funny. Whether it's how dramatic he is, "you never call me sweetheart!" He told me he wanted me to always call him sweetheart. He uses never like this with me for almost anything. He makes me laugh. Now Logan follows suit and tells me I never let him do things just like his brother.

Today he and Logan were playing baseball out in the backyard. I have to say he has quite the swing for a 4 year old. We have got to get him in baseball! Anyway, they came inside and Logan somehow slammed Adam's finger with the door, not in it, it just hit it I guess. Anyway, I had to clean it and get it a bandaid (the all fixer). There was a flap of skin hanging off it. After I fixed it up he said, "Logan ruined my nice white skin!" It was so funny. He always has a way of saying things. Alisa told me I had to blog it so I can always remember it.

Here's a cute pic of the boys from Kelli's wedding while they waited outside the temple

Christmas

Well, one of my new year's resolutions should be to be a better blogger--we'll see.

Here is a little update of our Christmas: We drove to AZ for Billy's little sister Kelli's wedding. We drove all night, and the boys did very well! Totally different from our experience driving to Utah. We did all the wedding stuff on saturday and then we hung out until Christmas and spent it with all of Billy's immediate family. It was nice to spend Christmas with family, it has been awhile since we've had it with anyone but us. Also, just a shout out to my parents, you guys need to come and visit!

While in AZ we were able to go to see the temple lights, look at Christmas lights, and get together with my friend from WA (Lachelle) who now lives in Arizona and of course spend lots of time with cousins. We had a good time and the boys were so sad to leave, Adam keeps asking if we can go back.

Here are some pictures.

these are actually at home the sunday before Christmas, as you can see they've destroyed my tree

Riding G&G's truck--they loved it!

the world's biggest snowman right in Mesa, complete with a visit from Santa every night for a couple hours

At the AZ youth museum

At the mall Christmas Eve day

Christmas morning