My Happy Birthday!

Mike, a couple of days before my birthday, told me that he had a surprise for me. I'm horrible with surprises!  I wanted to know what it was (he knew that and was eating it up that I wanted to know so bad).  He would give me hints and with each clue I was completely clueless.  For a while I thought we were going to the Play Mill, then I switched to Bar J Wranglers...because he said it came with a dinner.  That was the only thing I knew where dinner was included.  I also guessed Mountain River Ranch for that reason too.  For a while I thought the Teton Slide and then Zip Lining (I had a friend help me think of these two).   I didn't even know Heise had a zip line until she had mentioned it.  It sure wasn't there when I was growing up.

The morning of he told me what it was; zip lining.  I was so nervous but also so excited.  I have never zip lined.  At Lovell's Ranch they have a little homemade zip line and I have always been too chicken to go on that.  All day I was trying to gain the courage to go.

At 4:00 Mike told me to be ready to go.  Honestly, it was kind of hard to leave Kayzley for that long.  I'd be gone for at least 6 hours.  I had mentally prepared and wasn't going to let Mike down.  He had worked so hard to make this night happen and to make arrangements for our kids.  He tried so hard to make a surprise for me and to make my birthday special.

They helped us into our gear and then made us watch a video.  It was all of the things that you shouldn't do because you could end up with a broken arm or no fingers, etc.  I thought that the video was a little discouraging for some so chicken like me.

This was our sweet ride up the mountain.  They claim this is the most dangerous part of the whole experience.  Looking back on it now I think they're right.  It was kind of scary and not very sturdy.  It sounded like it had such a hard time going up.  The guides stood on the sides.  We had 8 in our group and 3 guides.

I was the last one to go on the first zip.  It was good that this one was the first.  It was pretty level with the mountain to start out and then gradually declined.  No one...not even one person screamed or even made a peek.  It took me a few minutes to decide that I would go but decided it couldn't be that bad judging by the reactions from everyone else.  I turned backwards and just let myself fall.  The driver of the four wheeler explained how we needed to hold on so that it wouldn't hurt our hands.  I know I would want to tense up.  So, I barely even hung on to the rope.  Going backwards was a good move.  I was nervous for the second zip as well.  The third one I actually enjoyed.  The fourth I was going to go forward but Mike wanted to record me.  Just in case it was scary or I did something embarrassing, I thought I would save it for the next zip.  It wasn't until the fifth that I finally went forward.  It was fun!  The whole experience was quite a bit different than I had imagined.  I expected more of an adrenaline rush.

See this petite girl?  This is the girl that stopped...let me rephrase it...that tried to stop Mike.  He ran into one of the guides full force.  It was better the guide then the pole behind him.  I almost wish I was recording that time.  It wasn't funny by any means.  It would be a good memory because we could look back and laugh.  Mike was a little nervous afterward.

This is the guy Mike had run in to.  They tell you that they will do all the work...to not worry, etc.  At first Mike would put his feet down and then they called him Fred Flinstone the rest of the time.  He was the heaviest one there so he would zip at Mach speeds.  Since he went before me I didn't understand until I saw it for myself when I finally went ahead of him and watched how he came in.  He said it hurt to run into him.  Hopefully, after this time they'll change things around and have someone a little bit bigger do the braking.

This guy did the best job.  He seemed like he knew what he was doing.  Then I learned that the person with the most experience has only been there for a week.  That was real comforting!  The one guy was in training.  Yikes!

I was confident with zip lining until we got to the towers.  We had to climb some stairs to the platforms to get there.  It was a little breezy.  The petite guide and a 10 yr. old boy doubled up because neither could make it my themselves.  It was a long zip.  They got to the other side and said for the guides sending us off to use their best judgment.  Everyone doubled up but I didn't want to double with Mike.  I knew how fast he went by himself.  I was comfortable with the speed I normally went.  I didn't want to go faster especially on one that was so long and so high.  Mike claimed that he was trying to help me out.  So he said, she can make it.  She's heavier than these other girls.  She weighs more than the girl and the boy that went first.  I was like, I know I just had a baby but I do not weigh more than them.  I know I'm not exactly small either.  I'd guess she was 115 lbs. and he was at least 85 lbs.  That's 200 lbs.  I don't weigh that.  I was a little offended.  I didn't have time to confront him since he zipped before me.  Well, it worked.  They let me go alone.  At the end, one of the guides, had to run with me going in and bring me in the rest of the way.  That made me feel better.  Without his help I wouldn't have been able to make it.  Mike said he knew he had said something wrong and accidently called me fat.  I'm glad he mentioned it before I could ask him about it.

This guy was the one in training.  Zipping took so long.  We got there at 4:45 and started at 5:00 or just after.  We didn't finish until 8:00.  Since I had left Kayzley I needed a place to pump.  While I was doing that Mike went down to the pizza parlor and redeemed our coupons.  We had some good pizza and a salad with a drink.  Then we went to the warm pools.  We thought the slide would be closed but it wasn't.  Mike went down the slides several times until he got annoyed with the kids trying to catch up to him.  They figured out a way to go faster so they would catch up to him quickly.  I thought it was too cold so I went straight to the hot pools.  Mike showed up not long after.

It was a good birthday and Mike did a super good job at making it different and special.  I love him so much for all he does and for always thinking of me.  He's so wonderful!  Being with him was the best part about my birthday!

Pregnancy Woes

This is what I currently look like pregnant.  This was taken on 1/22/2014 so the next day would mark being pregnant for 27 weeks.  I thought I was carrying a lot smaller.  It took me forever to show (not complaining).  I all of a sudden just popped and feel huge!  I think I am just average now...but probably smaller than when I was carrying the boys.  I go to the doctor on Wednesday for a check-up.

I really can't complain.  I haven't had any problems with this pregnancy.  I'm starting to swell a bit in my feet and hands.  It's very minute.  I can tell my body is doing it's thing.  I have been so sore and have had a lot of ligament pain.  I guess that's a good way to describe it.  I'm glad for it.  I had a little with Paxton and none with Quinn.  This time my doctor said that he would give me the choice to do c-section or v-bac.  If my body is showing the signs to do v-bac I'll do it but if not I won't.  There still is a risk since I've had two C-sections.  My uterus could rupture.  He also said if I choose v-bac I have to go all on my own.  I can't be induced since that increases my chance of my uterus rupturing.  If I end up going a week over they will break my water and hope that my body takes over the rest.

I'm kind of nervous since this will be my first time doing v-bac.  My first experience was horrible and ended in an emergency C-section.  I'm afraid my body just won't/can't do it.  It would sure be nice to have a shorter recovery and not wait for 6 weeks to be able to hold my boys.  There are a lot of benefits to v-bac.

Hm Hm (warning...could be a little tmi)

Yep, it's true.  I'm expecting another baby...a baby GIRL!  I'm due April 24, 2014.

 

I found out I was pregnant on September 29, 2013.  I would have known a whole lot sooner if I didn't get this creative idea to try to skip my period.  The first time I tried to do that it didn't work.  I thought I'd give it another whirl.  I was surprised at how well it worked.  I didn't think much of it until the next month when my period should have arrived and it didn't.  I thought that since I skipped the previous month my body was just out of whack.  So, I waited 10 whole days before I tested.

 

I didn't know what to think.  It was a lot to bring in.  I was afraid Mike was going to be mad.  I couldn't help myself.  I went right into our room and just showed him.  He was getting ready for work.  He just said, "Well, what does that mean?" Me: "Um, I'm pregnant." 

 

He took the news rather well.  I asked if he was mad and if he thought I sabotaged it or not.  He just simply replied whether you did or not doesn't matter because it is so.  We can't change it.  Then he said this; we get the wonderful opportunity to welcome another spirit into our home.  Why not embrace it?

 

For the record though, I didn't sabotage it.

 

I waited to go to the doctor until 10 weeks from September 19th.  That was when I was supposed to have my period that never came.  Wouldn't that be the worst if I assumed I was farther along and really wasn't?  I didn't want to get too excited.  I thought I'd play it safe and just count from that date.  Also, I wasn't all that big or showing yet.  I didn't think I was feeling any movement.  I didn't think there was any way that I could be farther than that anyways.

 

When I went to the doctor they asked how far along they thought I was.  I told them 10 weeks; that's why I'm here.  They go to do the vaginal ultrasound and realized that the baby was huge...I was actually farther along than I had claimed.  They had to go over the top and finish the ultrasound.

 

I learned almost immediately that I was actually 17 weeks 5 days.  Wow!  That also is a lot to take in.  Mike commented that we were pregnant before we thought we were pregnant?  You didn't sabotage it!  They told us that day that we were having a girl.  We didn't ask.  She just told us.  I was not expecting to know the gender that day.  The ultrasound technician told us to not take that as 100% sure but to wait for the 20 week ultrasound.  She did have a point so I didn't want to get too excited since it was still early.  I didn't want to let people know that they thought it was a girl.  Once it came up in conversation Mike just told people.  I don't blame him.  It's new and he's excited (even though he won't admit that he is...to others.)

 

Well, at the 20 week ultrasound they confirmed it was a girl.  Yay!  I would've been happy either way.  The ultrasound went well until she was looking at the heart.  The heartbeat was irregular and she kept studying it.  I asked if something was wrong or if that was normal.  She just said she was going to let the doctor answer that question.  That made me super nervous.  She was willing to answer all of our other questions.  Also, our baby girl had the hiccups and she didn't know if that played a factor in it or not.

 

The doctor ordered another ultrasound in 2 weeks to just look at the heart.  The doctor said to not to worry because everything structurally looked well.  I went in on Christmas Eve and everything looked fine.  She had a regular heartbeat.  No worries. Phew!  We had another confirmation of the gender.  So, three times I've been told I'm having a girl.

 

 Now, with only 3 months left I feel like I have so many things I need to get done.  I almost feel overwhelmed.  I made myself a list and told myself to take one at a time and one day at a time.  I have some time left.  It will be okay if I don't get everything done.

 

Some goals I have are; 1) Get Paxton into his own bed.  Well, he's been sleeping in Quinn's room for about a week.  I don't have to lay with anymore for him to fall asleep either.  We are making progress on this one. 

2) Take Paxton's binki away.  He loves his binki.  I think I'm going to have to cut it.

 

3) Have Paxton potty trained.  Okay, so I know he's kind of young.  I've heard of it being done before.  I don't want two babies in diapers.  He'll sit on his potty out of play.  He knows when he was gone because he'll come tell me when he needs a diaper change.  If he happens to not be wearing a diaper because he love to strip he loves to watch it come out.  He'll show me but he won't go in the potty.  I haven't actually tried potty training.  These are things he's doing on his own anyway.  I'd ideally like him trained but we'll see how it goes when I try.

 

4) I've been working with Quinn on his alphabet.  I'd like him to be able to tell me all 26 letters before this baby comes.  I've been trying to make it fun by letting him have chocolate chips for correct answers.  We'll play games, etc.  I just don't think I'll have a lot of time once she's here.  The weather will be warmer.  I'll be tempted to be outside and not want to work on things like this.

 

5) Every year I have to have 20 hours of CEU's.  I want to get this done before April or else it probably won't happen.  I'm afraid I'll forget to do it.

 

6) Of course, I have the obvious stuff like moving Paxton's things into Quinn's room and getting her stuff out and ready.  That alone will take a little bit of time.  The boys have bunk beds so that needs to be put together.  I need a dresser for her stuff, etc, etc, etc.

 

Well, this pregnancy has gone really fast.  She'll be here before I know it.

 

I also have anxieties about having 3 small kids.  They are all 2 years apart.  Their birthdays will be March, April, and May.  I fear that I'm going to feel overwhelmed.  I hear it's a rough transition.  I want to be able to enjoy the kids while they're young and not feel so weighed down.  Paxton was somewhat of a difficult baby because he was colicky.  It'd be hard to go through that again especially with two other little ones to worry about.  I'm thinking positive.

 

I'm so excited for this baby to come!  I'm way excited to meet her.  I wonder what she'll look like.  I know she'll just melt my heart.  I think about her personality.  I think about heaven...and how she's been waiting to come down.  Every time she moves I think about what a miracle it is to carry her and to have a developing baby inside.

 

I love my boys so much and I know she won't be any different.  I'll love her just as much!  It will be weird to think about when she wasn't a part of our family.

 

 

Anniversary

 We went to Utah for a Jazz game as a feeble attempt to celebrate our anniversary.  I was so excited because Mike and I usually don't really do anything big for our anniversary.  We usually have dinner and call it good.  I wanted to do something different this year.  I wasn't sure what there was to do in Utah.  We thought that this would be something that we could both enjoy.  I was so excited to stay the night and to be away...even if it wasn't for long.  I'll take any break I can get!  I loved that I could have Mike all to myself.

 

 Mike wanted to do some research on mattresses.  He didn't want to do it here in Idaho Falls since everyone knows him and knows he works for Mattress Firm.  So, guess what?!?  Our first stop was Denver Mattress.  How romantic!  Once his research was finished the real fun began...well kind of...

 

We went to check-in to our hotel because honestly we didn't think we had time for anything else before we were headed off to dinner.  We were trying to take pictures but for some reason I couldn't get my camera to work.  I happened to ask Mike if he could figure it out.  We were in the bathroom area so that is where these pictures were taken.

Mike wanted to try Tuscanos because he's heard how good it was.  It a Brazilian place where they come around with meat on big skewer looking things and cut off a piece for you to try.  There were so many different kind of meats.  Mike was so excited to eat there.  Once he had it and knew what it was, he actually wasn't that impressed with it.  I think I enjoyed it more than him.  I went because he was excited.  I think we should have tried a different place.  It was fun and good to try something new and different. 

Back in December, my sisters and I went to Utah for a surprise getaway for my Mother's birthday.  Marlise told us of Barbara Walter's theory that if you open your mouth while taking a picture it looks like you're having extreme fun.  I told Mike about it so we thought that we would try it.  I don't think it worked very well for us.

 

Now off to the big game!!!  It took us forever to figure out where will call was to get our tickets.  It felt like we were walking in circles...I guess because we were.  We finally found our seats.  So, when I purchased our tickets, on the website there a picture of what your view will look like.  I showed Mike and we didn't think that it would be that bad.  We did it.  What we didn't know was that they were the most further up seats you could go...talk about nose bleed.  We were on the very top; the very last row.  Mike explains it as that he was able to put his hand behind him and eat off the plate of those behind him.  We waited for the game to start and marched downward to find better seats.  There was this guy on seat patrol so we had to sneak around him.  We moved at a very good time.  Since we moved right away, it looked like we belonged there.  If we would have waited, it would have seemed more fishy.

 

Well, a group walked in and you guessed it...we were in their seats.  We hopped seats up a row.  I was so paranoid I kept watching people come in looking for their seats.  I was sure we would have to move again but luckily we didn't.

This is the first view from our top row nose bleed seats.

Notice the wall behind us?  Told ya, that was as far up as you could go!

Mike shooting a basket...

This is our much improved view.  We were still pretty far away.  Half of the time I was watching the little men on the floor and the other half I was watching the big screen TV.

On our way home, there was a bad snow storm.  We couldn't see a thing.  It wasn't so bad at first but we decided to stop at Temple Square.  The original plan was to go to the temple but we realized that Mike's recommend was expired.  Once we left Temple Square we couldn't see a thing.  We didn't think it was wise to travel in that kind of weather.

 

Mike heard of another place called Smash Burger.  He was interested in trying it so we stopped to kill time.  It's similar to Five Guys but Five Guys is so much better.  Once again, Mike wasn't all that impressed.  The guy that worked there learned that we were from out of town so he was telling us about all of these different places we needed to try.  He mentioned a place called Moochies and how good it was.  I can't remember the guy's name right now but Mike could tell you, but he visited the place.  That peaked quite an interest with Mike so we went there too.  We shared a meal so we didn't have a lot to eat.

 

Moochies is a place of sub sandwiches.  I don't really like those kind of things.  Mike couldn't decide between the Meatball Sub or the Philly Cheese Steak.  He chose the Meatball Sub.  He couldn't eat a whole lot of it but he said it was good for a Meatball Sub.  He wants to try something else from there next time.

 

There's another place called The Pie that serves pizza.  We'll have to stop there next time we are down.

 

Obviously, we made it home safely after many stops on the road.  I'm sure it wasn't fun traveling with a pregnant woman but Mike was so good about it.  Our boys missed us and they were excited when we got home.  It was good to see them too.

Christmas Morning/Day

Grandma and Grandpa Rockwood came over for Christmas morning. They're all ready for the day and as for us; well obviously am not.

This was Paxton's favorite toy.  It was one of the first opened.  He was not interested in opening anything else.  That was okay since Quinn was so eager to open everything and everyone else's gifts too.

 

Every time we went somewhere and they had these, Quinn would want to take them home.  He would throw a fit, cry, and whine.  As time went on he got better about it but was still disappointed that he didn't have any of his own.  This is one of the many things he chooses to sleep with, play with, to take to church or places, etc.  He had asked for these from Santa.  It looks like his request was granted.





 This is also something that he had asked from Santa; a helicopter transformer car.  Even though this is technically what he wanted and was happy to receive; it is one of his least favorite toys.  What?!?  After all this dreaming and hoping?  Whatever!  He always gives this one to Paxton to play with.  Silly boy!  What he really likes is the bumblebee car.  He also got Optimus Prime Semi-Truck that is only Semi-cool.



Look at how long my hair is getting!!!



I hope your morning was better than this!



I was trying to get Quinn and Paxton to model their new pajamas and bath robes. Despite what the picture depicts; they actually really loved them. Quinn would run all around the house saying, "Turbo Power." He thought he was the coolest ever. Since Quinn was doing it, Paxton had to do it too. These were a good choice!  This is the only picture I have of him in it; of him crying.  Oh well! 

Quinn got an electric train.  He thought it was cool but was disappointed that we didn't have a bigger spot to put it. We couldn't use all of the track because we ran out of room.  We went to the train show in October and he fell in love with an electric train similar to this one. 

Paxton would just sit there and watch it.  At first he was sitting closer but he would keep snatching the train as it passed.  Quinn would get mad.  When I moved him back he was still content and didn't really care.

 

After we opened presents we had a breakfast with Gma and Gpa.  They brought over a griddle and Gene made pancakes and sausage for us while I made eggs.  For some reason it seemed like there was more food but I can't think of what it is.  It doesn't matter.

 

We hung around the house and put the kids down at nap time.  I wanted happy kids on Christmas Day.  It was a long night so we were all tired.

 

After nap we went to Gma and Gpa Jenkins.  It was so weird to not have anyone there.  Usually the place is hopping.  We were the only family there.  We watched Ephraim's Courage (or something like that...it's the new church show that has recently come out).   I didn't get a lot out of it since I was helping Quinn with his puzzles and trying to keep them somewhat quiet so the parents could somewhat enjoy the show.

 

Overall, it was a good Christmas Day.

 

What I've learned; Quinn already thinks Christmas is about Santa and not about Christ.  I don't know if that is our fault or the world's.  I do know that it is my responsibility to teach him and I will have to do better next year.  Next year, he'll be a little older and will be able to understand more.

 

I think it will help if I put more emphasis on Christ.  That is a goal I have for this next coming Christmas season.

Getting Ready for Christmas and Other Activities to Pass the Time

 This is the only picture I got of the boys together in front of the Christmas tree.  Notice how the tree is leaning against the wall?  Paxton kept going behind it and knocking it over.  I got sick of picking it up.  All of the ornaments are off since they love to play with them.  A lot of them are broken.  Putting them on the top of the tree didn't work either since it would often be on the ground.

 There are a couple of ornaments here.  They didn't last long.

 I had the boys paint ornaments for Grandma for Christmas.  It looks like they painted more of the paper and themselves than the ornament.

 They played with a lot of play dough.  They would sit at the table for hours just playing.  It was a great time for me to get things done...like the dishes and other housework.  It sure is messy so I had to save the dining room for last.

 I brought my body pillows out from storage.  The boys thought they were great for making beds anywhere and everywhere around the house.  I, of course, had claim on one and Mike and Quinn fought over the red one at night.  I didn't realize they would be so popular and probably should have brought them out of storage sooner.

 I had to refill my flour jar and stupid me left the bag of flour on the floor.  This is the result.  He had so much fun!

 Quinn decided that he wanted to paint something else for Grandma for Christmas.  We are so bad that it is still at our house.  Maybe we can give it to her for her birthday or Mother's Day?

 We had a FHE where we made graham cracker houses...a HUGE SUCCESS!!!  I was kind of nervous since they were so young.  I hot glued the houses first while they were napping.  Then, later, let them decorate it with candies.  It worked out great!

 Paxton, at first, was actually doing what he was supposed to do.  He would put the candies on the house.  After a while, he would eat them once they were placed.  Then, he got smart; he would skip that step and just eat them straight from the table.

 I don't know who had more fun decorating the graham cracker house; Mike or Quinn.  Mike and Quinn had one house and Paxton and I had the other.



This is Christmas Eve; setting the cookies out for Santa. I wanted to make cookies for him but we had so many things going on that we didn't have time.  He got some Oreos and apparently loved them since they were all gone the next morning.

 

We went swimming at the Aquatic Center during the day.  That was totally worth going since the boys loved it so much.  They didn't want to leave.

An Excited Little Boy!

Mike took Quinn to the dollar store to do some Christmas shopping.  He picked a few gifts out for me and then picked a couple out for himself.  At the dollar store, Mike said that he got down on one knee and explained to him to not tell me what my gifts were.  Quinn agreed and stated that he understood.

In the meantime, I took Paxton and went to Wal-Mart.  Mike and Quinn had arrived home first.  They decided to wrap the presents.  Then we met for lunch at Red Robin to use a gift card that was given to us.

Mike wanted to run an errand by himself so now I had both boys.  It was nap time but wanted to bring the groceries in first.  I was busy putting things away quickly when I hear in the other room a ripping sound.  I had to look to see what he was doing.  Sure enough, he was opening the gifts.  I asked what he was doing.  He stated, in a very proud voice, "See Mom, I didn't tell you but I show you instead."  How he said it made me laugh.  I couldn't be mad at him.  What a clever little boy!

He runs into his bedroom and by the time I got back there, he already had another present opened.  I didn't know there was more.  I told him to stop and he listened.  There is one present left that remains unopened.

I don't dare wrap any presents and put them under the tree.  If I do, I think that I'm just asking for it.

I told Mike this story and he thought it was super funny.

Halloween Party at the Church

We couldn't get Quinn to dress up again...no big surprise!  Instead, we just painted our faces.  Quinn wouldn't get his face painted without us getting it painted too.  I had a skeleton shirt already for them so I just had them wear that.  I think it turned out pretty well.

 Paxton was kind of dressed up as two things.  When he didn't have his jacket on he was a zombie skeleton like the rest of us.  When it was on he was a skunk. 

I was hoping his paint would like it was on purpose for the skunk.  Since trunk or treating was outside he was a skunk during that time.

Halloween Party at Grandma Karen's house

Quinn is really funny about Halloween.  He says he wants to be Spiderman or Thomas the Train but when it's time to actually get dressed into his costume he doesn't want to wear it.  In a way, it's kind of frustrating.  How am I supposed to help a child when he himself doesn't even know what he wants?

We had a Halloween Party over at Grandma Karen's.  The plan was to be Thomas the Train but at the last minute he changed his mind and wanted to be Spiderman.  I couldn't get him to put it on.  I wasn't about to fight him over it.  It just wasn't worth.  I just brought them with us.  He put it on for about 2 seconds.

Karen had lots of games planned for the kids.  They had a ball with all of them.  They played fishing, the doughnut hole game, and frosting cookies.  I think there were more games but my mind is failing me now.

You have to know that during this time the boys were super sick.  I took them to the doctor and they were diagnosed with walking pneumonia.  I was so glad to have a diagnosis because looking at them they didn't seem that sick.  They would just run around like there was nothing wrong.  They would work themselves up and then just cough and cough.  Night time was the worst.  I was worried to take them out.  I didn't want to expose them to anything else while there immune system was down.  Uncle Wyatt and his Kirsten came to visit during this week.  I figured our house and Grandma's house was okay.

This was the week that Mike also had to student teach.  It was a busy busy week.  The week before and the week after wasn't all that bad.  Mike wasn't supposed to student teach until the next week.  That would have worked better for us since Wyatt wouldn't have been in town.  Hopefully by then the boys would feel better too. 

I remember staying up late so Mike could bounce ideas off of me for his lessons or so that he could practice.  A lot of times we wouldn't get home until way late.  I wanted him to do the best that he could.  We really want this.

 This is basically how they treated Wyatt the whole time he was here; as their personal punching bag.  Wyatt was really patient with them and seemed to enjoy playing with them.  These little boys are so full of energy so it was so nice to have Wyatt there to help them get it out.