Improvement!

So I wrote about Samuel's parent teacher conference a while back and how he was having a really hard time with his hand writing. I made him start writing in a journal, and let me tell you! He has improved so much! he now has the handwriting of a 6 year old, and not the chicken scratch of a 3 year old pretending to write!.

Week One 10/08/2009:
(Lots of help from mom)

(Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest. The scanner was not cooperating!)

This Week:
(no help from mom at all)
I just love how much better he is doing. Practice really does make perfect!

I Know I know!

I haven't been very good at keeping up on my blog. But its seems like I haven't had much time to sit and reflect on the day. Instead of doing mulitple posts I am going to do one post with a few mini updates.

October 16th...

The kids had two days off for Fall Break. I thought that it would be better to go out and do something fun, instead of being cooped up in the house. So I secretly planned a trip to the Zoo with Nannie! It was hard to keep it a secret from the kids, but way worth it. They were so thrilled that we were going. The weather was absolutely gorgeous!

Okay so I don't know if this is weird or not, but I have traditions about certain places you HAVE to take pictures at the zoo. We always did it as kids, and now I make sure that I get pictures of my kids in the same spots. The lion drinking fountain is one of them. (But now there is like 20 of them through out the park, instead of just one)

The zoo had a whole bunch of babies born this year,
here is the baby snow leopard

Love the fall foliage

Aidan was telling Betty to look at the camera haha.



Baby Zuri!
I am so glad we made it out to see her
I have been dying sicne she wa

This is another one of those places that I HAVE to have a picture of my kids

Everyone was getting a little cranky, so we took a quick snack break

Another tradition, everyone riding the train.
Betty and her Gamma

Brooklyn and Bai

Samuel and Aidan

Pauly and Me <3>

Too Cute

Another tradition is the turtle shells and eggs

You have to be really quick to get a chance for these.
So once we obtained an egg, we hurry and shot some pictures

Aidan posed like that himself the silly bean

Another Tradition the mole holes

I will have to see if I can find some pictures from when we use to go to the zoo when I was kid.
It has changed so much

Aidan was dying to see the rhino's and luckily they were right up against the glass

A baby Giraffe that we didn't even know about

I think the kids really had a blast, and I really want to go back. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the zoo. Probably even more than the kids haha

October 17th

My friend Brea got me a photography client. So I had some time by myself and got paid for doing what I love. It can't get much better than that. And the pictures turned out pretty darn cute If I do say so myself.
foto-shi

October 18th

We made it to church again! Go Us! It's so good for the kids. Samuel got to walk to primary with one of his friends from school. Betty went right into nursery no problems. (She was helping to clean up when we came back to get her a few hours later). Aidan on the other hand, is still having a somewhat hard time adjusting. So Paul stayed with him, which meant I had to go to class by myself, and I almost ditched. But I talked myself into going, and I am really glad I did. It was a great discssion on temple marriage and the blessing you receive from it. Here on earth and the after life.

October 19th

I went and volunteered at Samuel's school for a few hours. They are trying to get everything set in place for the "Take home books". So I went in and organized the Kindergarten's classes folders. It was a lot of tedious work, like putting names on folders and then alphabetizing them into their proper crates. But I am getting ahead of myself here, because Monday was such a great day. I dreamed about my little Jackson's birth (January 11 2010 ;] ) and he looked just like Samuel and Aidan. It was such a sweet dream. My day just was amazing. After volunteering, I left the school with such joy in my heart.

Quick little story: While I was there they were having an assembly with the BYU mascot. The kids were just cheering up a storm. and it hit me that this was Samuels first actual assembly and I just burst into tears. I just could see him having the time of his life. Don't you remember the excitement of lining up at the door to head over to the assembly and all the chairs lined up in the auditorium. It just made me happy to be in the place we are, and have him be in such a good school. I love that kid!

Any-who when I got home, I uploaded the pictures I had taken for that client. And they had just turned out so awesome, that my little "high on life" feeling grew. I don't remember what-else happened that day, but it was just a great day. (More like superfantastic!)

October 20th
My sister and I went grocery shopping and on a whim I got some dark hair dye. I've been thinking about going all one color for a few weeks now. That boredom with the pregnancy stage has really kicked in full force these past couple of weeks. Don't get me wrong. I love love being pregnant. Feeling Jackson move around in there is just amazing. But the aches and pains, and fatigue and fat suit... not so much.. So at this stage I usually being to look for a "Life Altering" change. And this just happen to be it. And I think I got exactly what I was hoping/looking for.

I feel like a whole new person Exciting, mysterious, camera wielding bad a$$ mama jamma haha

I also ran into an old friend while we were at the store. It was great seeing you Lacey! haha.

October 22nd

My sister was at the mall and picked up the rest of Betty's lady bug costume for us. When I put them on her, I couldn't help but take her out and do some pictures. So we trekked across the street to this great little grassy area. And she was just absolutely ADORABLE!



This is my most favorite one out of the bunch
It looks like she is flying.PS. You cannot tell Betty how to pose. You just have to let her go at it her own way. And let me tell you. Those are the ones that always turn out the best. and If you tell her "Betty let me take a picture" she automatically pops her hip out. Its so cute!

speaking of pictures. My sister-in-law Mel started a weekly photo assignment. I am really taking this as a chance to get more in touch with my artsy side. I am trying to take more artsy photographs and just those kindof photos that you get lost in. You can check out (or even join in on the fun!) at Snap Pop Flash

Thanks Mel!

OB Appointment

Had my OB appointment today. Beside having some office drama, it went pretty well. The drama was apparently they do not allow children into the office as of October 1st. We of course did know this, seeing as how we haven't been to the office since my ultrasound last month. So we brought Aidan, Betty and Bailey with us. And after a few rude comments (from another patients husband, which probably wasn't that rude, but it pist me off.) and then them trying to make the kids wear masks. I finally just told Paul to take the kids out to the truck. So I sat there feeling guilty that he didn't get to hear little mans heartbeat.

After all that, I got back to see the doctor. Everything is looking great, good blood pressure, and no protein in my urine. He measure me, and I was measuring at 26weeks. Found babies heartbeat and it sounded really strong and loud. I had a few questions for the doctor this time.

*When will I be delivered? How many people in the room?

They take their c-section patients a week early, and only one person allowed in the OR per the hospital regulations.

*How often should I be doing kick counts?

He said that as long as I am feeling baby move through out the day, the laying down and doing actually kick count is more of a comforting thing. If I do notice a decrease in movement, I can lay down and should feel 6-10 kicks within a two hour period. If I do not, I can go into Labor and Delivery and have them check on him.

*Am I okay to travel for Thanksgiving?

Perfectly okay to travel around that time. =]
ARIZONA HERE I COME!!!


So as usual nothing really to report. Another splendid non eventful pregnancy =]

My Children Are A Good Influence

We've been struggling to make it to church since moving into our new ward. For many reason, like its at 9am! and I am just a shy person, I do not like being in new situations with new people and feeling like the focus is on me (especially in my current condition)

This Sunday started out like the rest of them, we went to bed early, determined we were going to church. When I woke up for my usual potty time, I slept walk to the bathroom and was already in the frame of mind of I was going back to sleep and we would just try again next week. When I crawled back in bed and tried to go back to sleep, I was wrestling with myself, because I had no real excuse to not go, other then being tired (which I wasn't even that tired). The kids were already up and in great moods, all their clothes were already laid out and ready to go. I just couldn't stay home and feel good about it. Still wrestling with that little voice in my head, a little blond cherub popped up on my side of the bed, and so innocently and sweetly asked

"I go Chuuuch?"

So I ask you now... How do you say no to that!? So I forced myself to get up out of bed, told the boys to get dressed expecting a fight. No fight, they got dressed quickly and were ready to go. I got myself and Betty ready, and we were out the door and we were ON TIME! The kids did great in sacrament. Betty needed to go potty, so I took her, then she "needed" to go potty every 2 seconds after that. I don't know if this is a newly potty trained kid thing or what, but Betty will need to go the bathroom as soon as we walk into a store or any new place. It can get very annoying haha.

After figuring out where everyone went, we settled into our class. (What a nice little break from the kids, and pretty good way to spend couple time if I do say so myself) The introduction wasn't as bad as I thought, we sat next two a couple of really nice ladies (their names? I have no clue haha I am surprised I remember my name most days!). Who helped me find the relief society room after class. I was sitting off by myself, when the lady who helped me get to relief society scolded me for sitting off by myself and made me come sit by her and some other sisters. It was really nice, and I felt very welcomed. There was no awkwardness and I actually felt as if I had been going to this ward for years. There are a bunch of kids from Samuel's class in our ward. And Betty loved nursery, she was really upset when we came to get her. Aidan says that he cried for Paul, but I don't think he really did. He is just a little confused and still adjusting to not being in nursery. But I think they all had a good time, Samuel was talking a million miles per minute when we were walking to the car. We had to tell him to calm down quite a few times and take a deep breath haha.

I am determined that we will make it more often, It makes for such a great week starter. Especially in a ward like ours where the testimonies are so strong and the spirit is so defined.

I think our little family is going to do just fine in our new ward.

A new begining... maybe haha

I've been neglectful of this little blog. so I am going to make more of an effort to post at least every other day.

I have made it my goal to volunteer as much as possible at Sam's school, since I do not have a job this time around. I have become his room mom and I volunteer in class every other Wednesday and whenever else his teacher needs me. I think it is going to be a very positive experience for Samuel as well as myself. It is already proving beneficial, since I am there for any questions the teacher or principal may have for me about his disability. We are in the process of getting and IEP in place, we signed the last of the permissions slips last Thursday at his parent teacher conference.

Which went awesome by the way! His teachers only complaints were that he has a little bit of a hard time paying attention (big shocker haha) and using his time wisely. But she absolutely loves him. She said he gets along with everyone, which really helps out because she can sit him by anyone and not have a problem. The only issues academically is with his penmanship, so with some help from Me and OT, we will be working on that. I've already started him on a nightly journal which I was thinking of posting, because what is cuter than a 6 year olds journal??

Today the nesting bug hit me again and we ended up rearranging our room to make space for Little Jack Jack. It's really hit me this week that we only have maybe 14 more weeks left to get things ready. Which may seem like a lot of time, but life happens. I want to get as much done now, so that the transition will go smoothly. We have our drs. appointment on Tuesday. I am so excited to hear his heartbeat. Our new nightly ritual is watching him kick and tumble around. I am however not looking forward to the glucose test, or getting my rhogam shot.

The kids new favorite pass time.

Please don't call the cops.

I don't want to have to end up on Dr.Phil like that poor lady who was playing with her son, by pulling him through the store with his monkey leash haha.

I just "la" my BuhbaGuhba <3

This little girl just brings so much joy to our family. She is a major crack up. And She has every person who walks through that front door (and even door greeters at walmart haha) wrapped around her little finger. Nothing melts your heart more than hearing "Mommy, I La You"

I just wanted to jot down some of the things that she says. She says a lot but some things are quite hilarious and some make you go "My two year old just said that?"

Her thing rightnow is when she is doing something wrong and you say "Betty" in that tone of voice, you know what one I am talking about. She will scream at you "I'M NOT BETTY!" which we follow up with "Who are you?" for a while she responded with "Bailey".. But her new things is "Paul Schow" It is so freaking hilarious, and if you have ever watched Monsters Inc. She sounds just like the little girl on that movie when shes is saying "Mike Wazowski" its too dang cute.

I was a little on the fence about postings this, but I want to remember it, so I am going to do it any ways. You can judge my parenting all ya want. So I have an issue with a swear word. I have brought myself under control with the others, but this one I just can't seem to kick. and its "Damn It" well a few weeks ago Betty dropped her sippy cup and blurts out "Hammm It!" that is exactly how she says it. Every now and then she will blurt this out. The reason I have a hard time getting mad at her about it. isn't because her articulation on the word is hilarious, but the WAY she says it. My mom had a trademark way of saying "Damn It" (As my beautiful Aunt Judy pointed out to us kids one year at Christmas party, and it has always just stuck with me) She would draw it out like "Ah Dammmmm It" and Betty says it JUST like her. Its just another one of those things that reaffirms to me that my mom sent Betty down just for me.

She refers to Samuel and Aidan as "My Boys" and when she is playing with a group of kids, she will refer to them as "The Guys"
She was playing with Aidan and Bailey one morning, and she had to go potty and she proceeded to say "GUYS! GUYS! I Have to go potty, I will be back in a minute" I was like HOLY CRAP! I really don't think two year olds are supposed to say that long of a sentence, or sound that clear when saying one haha.

(Speaking of Potty... She is completely there... I can't even remember the last time I changed a dirty diaper. Its NIIIIIICE. I know I only get a 3 months break, but hey its a break right haha. Plus I know if I would have gotten her potty trained before I got pregnant, I would have not had another kid haha)

Paul and I went out on a date. We were gone all day and most of the night. She was asleep by time we got home. Well the next day we took all the kids to the park to give my sister a break. Paul was pushing Betty on the swing and she started singing a song to him.

"I miss you, I love you, and my daddys truck, and my daddys shirt and my daddys pants, and my daddys hat, and my shirt and my pants and my hair"
in her little sing song voice.

It was so stinking cute, she still sings it to him every now and then and its always the same lyrics.

Well that is all I can really think of for now.

This is what you will find Betty wearing most days.

She will put it on over anything you put her in.
Then she will say "I'm a Pincess"
(I didn't miss spell the word that is how she says it)
Do this exact pose and then skip off

And this was just hilarious haha


You cannot go a day with out laughing when this kid is around.
And I miss her so immensely whenever I am not with her.
My Mom definitely sent her to me.

Oh and she does the cutest thing, when she is cold she will go get her blanket (Blank-Lee) and wrap it around herself. It is just something that is really cute. To see her all snuggled up in her big blanket walking around the house.