Surprise!!!! It's A......

Yep! That's right, we are going to have another baby!
I wanted to keep it semi-quiet for a couple of reasons, and because of that,
this will be a long post about all my feelings so far & a journal entry for me
about how I feel being pregnant, etc. ;) But first Boy or Girl? :)
If you look close at the picture (I even labeled the parts so you can tell what it is easier)
Yay! We're having a Little Boy! He should be here December 15th!

So this all started back in February when I stopped nursing Hallie. I felt strongly that I shouldn't go back on birth control, but didn't know why because we were not ready to have another one yet and wanted Hallie to be at least 2 1/2 -3 before our next one came. In April I was late (which never happens) & I told Brian. He was cute & wondered how this happened. :) I quickly told him how the birds and the bees work. ;) ha ha ha I said that it would be nice to have a good tax refund next year, and I LOVE the look Brian gave me. He said, "Wait? When is this baby due?" I told him December 15th, and he smiled and said, "Holy Crap!" :) So we will have kids born in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009. Not what we had planned, but we are so excited. Especially that Hallie and the baby will be close and 22 months apart. Anyway, there were a lot of things going on in both of our families that, we felt that by telling everyone we were pregnant, it would just add to everything else, so we decided to wait which also included NOT telling the kids. We had Morgan's birthday party & Jackson decided to tell EVERYONE there that I was going to have a baby. Everyone looked at me as though I had big news to share. Brian & I just played it off & laughed about it saying that Jackson's friend Whitney had just had a baby brother. Then a couple of days later, right after sacrament meeting, Jackson went up to Whitney and her parents and said, "My mom is going to have a baby!" They looked at me again as if I had big news to share, to which I just played it off. ;) I thought maybe Jackson had some special intuition about his little brother coming. We decided to tell our families on Father's Day. Actually Karen (Brian's mom) found out through the cable guy. Yes it's true... here's the story. Brian was helping his mom set up some things and the cable guy happened to be there. He and Brian started making small talk and Brian told him that we had 3 kids and one on the way. Well Brian never thought he or his mom would see the cable guy again, so he figured he was okay in telling him this. There was a problem with the cable, so the guy had to come back the next day when Karen was there. He was looking at the big family picture and Karen started telling him about her family. She mentioned that Brian was the one he had met the previous night and the cable guy said, "Now he has 4 kids?" Karen said, "No, he has 3" the cable guy, "But she's pregnant right?" Karen, "Oh, I didn't know that. " I think the cable guy was kind of embarrassed. Karen called Brian & we all laughed about it. So as for everyone else, they found out on Father's Day. The kids are so excited. For a while they have said that we need a baby boy because we already have a baby girl. One day I heard them talking and Jackson said, "We should name the baby Bob!" Morgan then said, "Oh, I like that name. It's cute!" Last week when I was hugging Jackson goodnight, he said, " Mom, when the baby comes I want to hold it for a long time, and I want you to take a movie of us, and then we will say, "What should we name the baby?" And we should say, "Spiderman....or Batman....or Superman.... or Huffman"" I said okay Jackson, we can call the baby Spiderman, to which he gave me a huge grin. :) The other night Jackson had a dream that we had the baby. I went to the hospital, they used scissors and cut my tummy open, & took the baby out which happened to be a girl. When Jackson came out of his room in the morning he said to me as he looked all around the room, "Where's the baby?" He then told me his dream. I asked him if there was any blood and he said no. Wouldn't that be a nice and simple process. :) All the kids really understand at this point is that Daddy helps put the baby in, and Daddy helps take the baby out. ;) Yesterday when we told the kids we were going to have a boy and we showed them the Ultrasound pictures, Jackson looked kind of disappointed because he thought we were having a girl because of his dream. I said "It's okay Jackson. Now we can name the baby Spiderman!" I have never seen a kid so excited! He got a HUGE bright look in his eyes and grinned. I think he's accepted the fact now. :)

Now to be a little more serious, I have felt the whole time that this would be a boy. I wondered when we first found out that I was pregnant, why we were having a baby now. I know that Heavenly Father sends us these children when they need to come, but I was having a hard time with the fact of having 4 kids now, when I feel they are so young, and I'm trying so hard to be a good mom now with just 3. As I was kind of struggling with this, Brian gave me a priesthood blessing (which I am so thankful for) & in it he said, that I would know that this baby was coming for a reason now, and that I would develop a close bond with the baby while I carried it. I felt so strongly it was a boy. When we went to the first dr. appointment & heard the heartbeat, once again, I knew it was a boy. I feel that this year has really been a hard year for Brian & I. There have been so many changes that we have had to adjust to & accept & that have really made us think more about life, each other, our family, the gospel, and what true happiness really is, which all seems to center around the family & our relationships with each other & the Savior. This year has been more of a struggle for Brian, and as I try to be supportive & helpful to him as he personally deals with changes around him, I have felt that this baby is coming to bring peace. I feel that this baby is coming to help lift our spirits out of sorrow & pain & take part in the joy & peace that life, especially new life has to offer. Brian said yesterday as he looked at the baby on the Ultrasound, "I just want to hold him & cuddle with him now!" I know that as Brian said in my blessing, that this baby is coming for a reason, and I strongly believe that reason is to bring peace to us all. I think of how neat it will be to have this new baby in December that will bring peace, and then to think of how we celebrate Christ in December who is the Prince of Peace and for all the peace that He brings. I am so grateful & excited to have a baby now, especially a boy. I know that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us so much & is aware of our needs & desires. I am so grateful for Him & our Savior.

Now you get to see some fun pictures of me. ;) I DO NOT like taking pictures of myself, especially when I'm pregnant,but one of my dear friends has taught me that we should not take pregnancy for granted. That we should be grateful to be able to carry these children of God, and find enjoyment in pregnancy. With that in mind, I decided that I need to be more grateful that my pregnancys are good and that I'm able to carry them & be healthy too. I LOVE hearing the heartbeat. I LOVE going to the Ultrasound. I feel like it is the first time on earth that Brian, the baby, and I all connect. I LOVE being able to feel the baby move, and I LOVE the gift of life.
My girls pregnancys have been so easy, & calm, and I don't get sick. I figured this was a boy, because I was sick all day long the first 3 months. Not throwing up, thank goodness, but just feeling sick all day. However, this baby does not like Roast Beef or carrots. I'll leave it there. :) With the girls I have craved Mexican Food & chocolate. With the boys I just want to eat everything. :) This time though I have really enjoyed Ice Cream sandwiches & the Golden Oreos. Very Healthy huh! :) I feel really good right now other then just being tired & a little emotional. Brian is so sweet & when tears come (for no reason at all) he just gives me a hug & smiles. I love him! So we are sooooo excited to have this little guy come. The time is going so fast & we are excited to meet him in December. :)

Here I am officially half way!

New Shoes!

Yesterday Brian & I went to get the kids some new shoes for school. They were a great price and when Jackson saw them he said, "Wow! Now I can run really fast!" We put them on and he ran as fast as he could around our house. It was so funny watching him! I think he would have slept in the shoes if we let him.
Here she is posing again. She loves to pose her little hands on her nice and turn her head just slightly. What a cutie. She is so excited to start school and we register her today. Yay!
They did this pose and when I took the picture they switched arms and said, "ka-chow" Funny kids. I'm not quite sure where they learn this from. :)

Cute & Funny Kids

The other day I came into the room and all 3 kids were sitting at the piano and playing a beautiful song. :) It was loud and some parts sounded more like pounding, but they were all working & playing together. It was so cute so I took a picture. My 2 girls that love to pose turned around and both said cheese. Funny girls! Don't you love the hair? :)
I was trying to get a picture of all 3 of them looking at the piano, but Hallie turned around at the last second.
CHeeeeeeeessse..... Hallie's new favorite word.

Cute kids & Pictures

I've started taking the kids pictures around their birthdays. Jackson was so excited to take his 4 year old pictures. He kept asking me if we were going to take his pictures today, & when are we going to take them. :) Hopefully they won't mind taking pictures for too long. I love the pictures we got of the kids. Jackson is such a handsome little guy & looks like such a stud! I can't believe he is 4! He loves being with Daddy & does everything that boys do.
I wanted to take some pictures of Morgan for school (this is one of my favorites that we'll use as her school picture this year). She was so funny. Before we left the house she went and chose 3 different outfits she wanted to wear. While I was taking pictures of Jackson or Hallie, Morgan would say, "Mom, take a picture of me!" I would look over and she would be sitting, naturally posed, and ready for the picture. Brian says I have trained her well. :) She is growing up so fast.







Our cute Hallie belle was not very cooperative, but who would be if your almost a year and a half and there are ducks, water, trees, birds, & rocks to play with. She wouldn't pose very well for us so we had to take action shots. I love how sweet she looks.



















Yay! A successful day of pictures & we even got one of all 3 of them looking cute! Hallie loved the water and would have swam in it if we let her. Brian was such a trooper and came along to help because it's his favorite thing too. :) (not really) I am so thankful for these 3. They mean so much to me & I can't imagine life without them. They are growing up so fast, and I am trying to document as much as I can now to help them remember life as a little kid later. My little sweethearts!

She's Got a Lot to Say

I have been behind in my blog posts, so these next couple of ones are from the past week. Thankfully the kids have been watcing a movei the whole time I have been catching up.

This movie of Hallie was taken after Jackson's birthday party. She is so funny! She is talking all the time & loves to talk to anyone on the phone, although no one knows what she is saying. :) She has started saying "Cackah" (cracker) "Sorey" (Sorry) "Bye Bye" "Blllooon" (Balloon) "Cooke" (Cookie) and of course "No" we're still trying to work on "yes" :) She is so much fun. Enjoy the movie!

The Children's Parade

This year I was not very excited to walk with the kids and all of the primary kids in the children's parade. The kids loved it though & it was fun watching them, especially when Jackson started waving to all the people as though he was Miss America with his hand curved perfectly too. ;) Brian came before the parade started to help the kids get their scooters ready. They loved having him there to help & it's a fun memory that Brian has from when he was a kid.

Bikini Babe

The other night we went out to dinner with some friends while their daughter watched the kids. We came home & Hallie was in bed just talking. We brought her onto our bed to play with her and I noticed her diaper was falling off. I took off her pants and Brian and I just started laughing. Somehow the babysitter had opened the wrong drawer & pulled out a newborn diaper for Hallie to wear. We were laughing so hard, especially as she started posing for us as I took pictures of her. She is so funny!
The back view...
The front view... with it barely holding anything in. :)
Me & my cute girl.

Jackson's Birthday Party

We had Jackson's swimming birthday party a week later this year because of family being in town during his birthday. He had such a good time eating popsicles and swimming with his friends. His friends were all so sweet to come & we such good little guests. They loved swimming and Jackson's favorites were the water balloons and when one of his friends gave him a slip'n'slide which all the kids couldn't wait to go on. It was so nice cooling off in the hot weather.
My sister had filled some water balloons and they looked like little rocks. Brian showed her how to properly fill a water balloon and then of course the kids had to help get Aunt Kaylie wet. :)
Jackson and his friend Riley showing off their muscles. (Jackson's new fascination) He shows off his muscles all the time. Lately when he eats he will say, "Mom! Watch!" I watch as he takes a huge bites while showing me how is muscle in his arm is growing fromt he food he just ate. Funny boy!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my little man! He is so mcuh fun & always makes me laugh and smile. He still loves to cuddle and comes and hugs me when he first wakes up. He is so sweet and I am so happy to have him in life.

Jackson's Day with Grandma Karen

Grandma Karen started a new tradition this year. After the kids birthday they get to go and spend a day with Grandma. This includes lunch at Chucky Cheese & shopping at Toys'R'Us (places they never go with us) Jackson had so much fun with Grandma & loved his one on one time with her. He picked out a ball of course, a tool set, walkie talkies, and of course Reeses Peanut Butter cups (one for Morgan as well). What would we do with out Grandmas?

Morgan's Cooking Class

A cute girl in our neighborhood was offering a cooking class for the summer for Morgan's age so we signed her up. It was the perfect activity for Morgan! She went Tues, Wed, and Thurs. for 2 weeks and each day learned how to make something new, read a book, & learned about rules in the kitchen while cooking. She LOVES to cook anything now, and is always telling me that she can crack the egg or stir because she is really good at it. :)

The Oquirrah Mountain Temple

Yesterday we had the privelage of being able to go to another temple open house. The Oquirrah Mountain Temple. It was beautiful! My favorite part was sealing room. There were a lot of people there and towards the end of the tour they had a group of us come into the sealing room and closed the door. The room was so quiet and peaceful. A sweet couple talked to all of us about how families can be together forever by being sealed for time & all eternity. They shared their own experience & testimonies with us of the importance of being together forever. I am so grateful I can be with my sweet little family forever. I can't imagine life without them. As we were in the sealing room, I asked Jackson how he felt. I asked him if he felt like it was cold and scary in the room, and he said, "No, it's warm" I explained that it was warm because the Holy Ghost was here because it is Heavenly Father's house and they are happy we are here. It was so neat sitting with him and our little family in the sealing room & feeling of the sweet spirit.

After the tour they have a visitors area where they give you a cookie & water while you look around at all of the pictures & visit with missionaries. I love this picture with the Savior. I can truly feel Him in our lives and as a part of our family.
Here is our family trying to get a good picture outside of the temple. :) Karen (Brian's mom) was so sweet to come with us. We had such a nice time being in the temple with Grandma.
The kids loved the temple. Morgan kept posing with the temple brochure and asking me if she could keep all the pitures. Jackson just doing one of his usual boy poses. Hallie would walk on the stairs and then sit down and say "Cheese" over and over again. The temple was beautiful inside and out & I am so thankful we could go.

Do Not... I repeat... Do Not...

Let your toddler play with a blue marker! Hallie pulled the cap off of the marker so I took it away from her and put it back on the counter. She was so sweet and looked up at me with these sweet blue eyes and said, "Beeze" (Please) so of course I couldn't resist, and obviously my mind was focused on other things and I wanted something to entertain her... so I gave her the marker... thinking she wouldn't open it again... yep...no thinking on my part. I looked over a minute later, and this is what I found. She had pulled off the cap and then decided to eat the tip of the marker. She is crying here because I had just cleaned out the tip of the marker out of her mouth. Cute silly girl. :) I think I'll keep the markers away from her now. ;)

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Jackson just turned 4 this past Friday. I can't believe that 4 years have gone by. He is no longer a baby or toddler, but is turning into a boy. He is such a fun kid, & we love his personality more than anything. He is constantly bringing laughter into our home & is so easy going. He is such a cuddly boy & I love how he likes to cuddle for a little bit in the morning. He loves Curious George & watches it any time he can get. He is really smart & loves to show off his big muscles. We are so happy to have him in our lives. He is such a little sweetheart & brings joy to my life each day. Happy Birthday Jackson!
For the past 3 years (since Jackson could talk) he has ALWAYS asked for a BALL but not just any ball, a BLUE ball! For Christmas, Birthdays, Easter, anything at the store, it is always a blue ball. For the past 3 years we will ask him. "Jackson, What do you want for your birthday?" and it is always a blue ball! So of course he got his blue ball for his birthday. :)
Morgan got an umbrella from Grandma Karen for her birthday and ever since then Jackson has wanted an umbrella. I found this really cute cars one and he was so excited about it.
Morgan and her friend play dress up all the time and Jackson never has anything to wear, so he goes and puts on his Sunday clothes. I tried finding this last year but couldn't find it anywhere. Thank goodness for Walmart. Jackson had it on most of the day and looked so cute running around in it. I loved seeing these beedy little eyes in the spider man costume.
On Jackson's birthday we went to the store and got some groceries and a balloon for each of the kids. Then when Daddy came home Jackson opened presents and then Daddy took him golfing (putting) at the Golf Course and then my family all came over and we went to a fun swimming pool/park and swam for a while. Jackson LOVES the water. At the top of the slide though, the 2nd time Brian and Jackson were going down, the life guard told him that Jackson needed to be almost 4 feet tall in order to ride down the slide. So Brian told him they could go and jump off the diving board. We all went to the big pool and they told Brian that Jackson needed to be able to swim by himself half way across the pool in order to jump in. Needless to say he was very disappointed. We talked up all the other areas though and he soon forgot about the slide and diving board. Jackson's favorite part was the "Silly River" (lazy river) because he could touch the ground and run in it while being chased by me. (Sadly I took my camera to the park with no memory card, so we don't have any fun pictures) We had such a fun time though & it was a great place for kids.
After the pool we came back and had pizza & cake & icecream. Cameron & Rachelle brought Jackson some water guns that he absolutly loves! Somehow that ended up in a big water fight with the older kids (Brian & my sister Kaylie). It was great entertainment. :)