Maternity pics

Maternity Pics at Utah lake, courtesy of Suzie Ahlman. 8 months prego. It was chilly and beautiful. I was her guinea pig for her photography session and grateful that she asked me to do them. My round curves often make me feel insecure and large, but as I step back and look how beautiful my belly looks, makes me grateful that I can carry yet another child.

prep for baby

Nesting never happened with baby Rex. I am too busy just maintaining to stop and try and "nest" a new nursery set, or repaint furniture, organize my closet space, etc. I keep thinking of all the things I want to do once he is OUT of me and I don't have to cramp up just bending down to fold his little laundry or huff upstairs from taking food downstairs. I feel huge, I look huge and I am feeling quite anxious about when this baby will make his appearance. I have gained 50 lbs, and the Dr tells me to "stay off the sweets." It's always a bit discouraging when I am off the charts for weight gain. I have done a few things to prep for baby: a quilt with Sarah Tanner, got the 5 kids their yearly Dr check ups, indulged in Cafe Rio without guilt and taken a few scary belly shots.  Between grocery shopping a few times a week, dinner group, working out despite awkward physical limitations, running boys to and from sports, Relief Society meetings and supporting a very busy MPA student... the baby thing is definitely on the back burner this time around! I have anxiety of how I am going to manage another child, I have shed tears over the stress I feel...but, he is coming soon ready or not.

City Center Temple open house

Living a block away from the City Center Provo temple has been wonderful. I really enjoy seeing the thousands of people constantly parking, crossing the street, taking pics and experiencing the temple just across the street from us. How we are all loving this new building and what is represents! Jared and I went with the two little ones the first week it opened, then we went together as a family, and then the boys took Abu (as good little gentleman) early before school started. The 7am tour was early to get to, especially with my very prego belly waddling around and up those stairs, but we did it! The history of this once burned down tabernacle, to a gorgeous new temple is amazing. The victorian decor and details of the furniture and stained glass windows is just beautiful. We are so excited to be living so close to this temple!

Isaac's 7th bday

My sweet boy Isaac is now 7 years old!  After Jared's and Wes' birthday, comes Isaac (then Ruby and then Rex!) all within weeks of Christmas. It's a busy time for our family. We keep the Happy Birthday sign up for weeks. The bros did a great job with their homemade cards, which Isaac can appreciate now that he is into drawing too. He got the traditional waffles/strawberry/whipped cream breakfast, and b/c it landed on a Saturday, we had his bday party too. We played games with his friends; Pie Face, Hide and Seek, Googly Eyes Pictionary and a Treasure Hunt. He loves to stuff the bday cake with his hands into his face, silly boy, making his friends laugh all over. He then begged to go to Hangtime for his family celebration. So, we loaded up the kids and headed over there on a busy Saturday night. The boys loved it! I stayed back with a very prego belly and helped Ruby jump a little bit in the toddler section. The boys are still talking about going back (using their own money), and even convinced Stetson to take them one time! A great activity evidently and filled with germs (Levi got a nasty cough the night he came back!) Happy bday my handsome and strong boy.