New porch and of course more of Annie

Because of this guy we now have a freshly painted back porch that looks 20 years newer and so much nicer!!

I couldn't resist posting these pictures. I love them!

Annie hit one week yesterday and I just can't believe it. Time needs to slow way down so I can enjoy my little newborn just a little longer.  We are just loving her to pieces.  I for one cannot get enough of her. I just want to hold her all day long and I'm not going to lie, I pretty much do! It's funny how it's so different than my other two. Carly was my first, your always kind of in a fog with your first baby. You love and cuddle them whenever you want but your so concerned and stressed if your doing everything right that you, or at least I, wasn't able to just relax and enjoy her like I should. Sam surprised us and came so quickly I don't remember much of when he was so little (Thank heaven's for video cameras) and I look at Carly and Sam now and see how old they are getting and how fast it went. I want to cherish every second of every day with Annie while she is so new. 

We just love her!

Birth Day and Birthday and Mother's Day!

May 10

I was so excited for this day and had been looking forward to it for a very long time! Luckily we were able to get into the hospital pretty early to get things rolling.  I had to get one more belly picture before it was no longer there.

The delivery couldn't have gone any better. I had everything hooked up close to 9:00 am and Miss Annie was born at 3:01 p.m.  All morning things were progressing pretty slow and I was afraid we were in for a long day but I was checked again around 2:00 and she was pretty much ready to go. At that point everything turns into a blur.  I do however remember her being placed in my arms. I still couldn't believe she was here and was mine. It's amazing how with each child you love them the instant you see them! At that time we came to the conclusion that her name would be Annie.

She was 8lbs. 5 oz. (she was by far my fattest baby, LOVE it!)

20 inches long

Lots of dark hair

I loved everything about that day. Because it was such an easy delivery I felt awesome and I was able to enjoy every second of the day.

Sharise and Craig were awesome enough to watch Carly and Sam the whole day (such a HUGE stress relief for me to not have to worry about that)  They got the the hospital around 5:00.  Carly walked in scanning the room zoning in on Annie. She was so excited, she came prepared to take her own pictures with her camera. Sam just sort of took everything in. They both were interested in seeing my belly.

I must say out of all my deliveries this one was the most relaxed. I felt so good after that I was able to enjoy every second I had of me and Annie time. The hospital I delivered at doesn't really have a nursery so they never take the baby away. They do everything right in the room, which I loved! They did offer to take Annie at night (and bring her back to eat) so I could get some rest.  I loved all my one on one time and snuggle time with my baby.  I was kind of sad for the babymoon to end.

First day at home

We got home Friday evening. The kids were so excited and couldn't wait to hold their sister.  Sam kept saying "she's just so cute!"

Carly wanted to smother her with kisses (and still does)

Me and my girls

Carly is obviously going through a funny face stage right now.

More pictures from her first days at home. We just can't get enough of her!

May 12

Sam's Birthday!

So with just having a baby I was worried Sam's birthday would be kind of a bummer but I really think he enjoyed the day just how it was.  Chad and Craig blew up some balloons the night before.  Chad and Sam went to the store that morning to pick out his own birthday cake (no cake baking for me this time) He loved his cake and his presents. I'm pretty sure he had a good birthday.  

I still can't believe he is 4! He is getting way to smart and way too independent for my liking.

Mother's day

This was by far my most favorite mother's day (so far) Nothing extravagant happened. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with my little family. I opened little gifts that Carly got for me. Chad cooked me dinner and I spent most the day lounging on the couch with my baby. Maybe it was because I'm on a baby high but I just loved everything about that day!

sweet reminders

Every night I check on the kids before I got to bed. Last night I was reminded of how sweet and loving our little Carly really is.  During the day she is crazy and outgoing and loud and talks non stop. I love her to pieces but she can be a tad overwhelming at times. I am so grateful for these sweet reminders at night, reminders that she is just a little girl who is excited for a little baby in the house. She is a daughter of God who was born with the ability to nurture and care for those around her. (even if it's just a little doll)  After crazy days I love to be reminded of how much I am blessed with such sweet little kids.

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*Seeing Carly last night reminded me of a picture I took of her when she was 14 months old. I LOVE it!*

38 1/2 Weeks

I just wanted to jot some things down because time is flying and before I know it, this baby will be in my arms.

*My last two pregnancies I was induced 12 days before my due dates.  I am now 10 (almost 9 days) before my due date and I'm feeling so so so ready!

*I have mixed emotions about this pregnancy coming to an end.  It felt like an eternity before I got pregnant this time around and it has flown by.  For the most part I don't mind being pregnant. (minus the first weeks of sickness) I remember with Sam I couldn't wait to have him.  I was not ready to be pregnant so soon after Carly and so I didn't enjoy being pregnant.  This time around I have tried to focus on the good.  It truly is a miracle and I am so grateful and feel so blessed that we were able to get pregnant this third time around.  I feel sad that it is coming to an end, and yet relieved it is coming to an end because the next step will be holding my new little gal. Maybe I'm also a little afraid as to what will happen the next time around?? Was it a fluke that it took so long to get pregnant, will it be difficult the next time as well?? (Obviously those are questions I don't need to worry about right now)

I just feel like I really can appreciate and understand how special the whole process is now verses the way I felt being pregnant before.

* I am due the 14th, Sam's birthday is on the 12th and they set up an induction date for the 10th.  I originally planned to not be induced this time around since there was really no need for it.  My doctor mentioned to me that she would be willing to as long as I wanted to.  The closer to the end that is got the more enticing the induction sounded. So, that is the plan so far.  I could be holding my baby girl by next Thursday! (plus, I am really thinking that I would go into labor on Sam's birthday, which obviously wouldn't be the end of the world but I'm already dealing with three kids' birthdays in one month. I really didn't want to have to deal with double birthdays on the same day. I know, I'm spoiled that I even have the option to choose)

*This past week I've had time where it felt like I had morning sickness again. I've also been so tired.  I fight to stay awake during the day and yet when bed time rolls around I have a hard time falling asleep. I don't get it.

* My stomach literally feels stretched to the max.  This baby really has no more wiggle room (although she still wiggles and moves like crazy!)

* I get winded so easily. I can't stand it!

* I mowed the lawn the other night on our ride on mower. I plan to do it again and again. Hopefully it'll start something??

* I still can't believe I'm about to have a baby.

Lake Time

We went to the lake over the weekend. It started off kind of rocky but it ended up to be a really fun day with pretty much perfect weather!  We invited some friends along for the fun.  The kids always have a blast but I think the grown ups enjoyed themselves too!  It was probably the last lake trip before our new little gal arrives.  I was hoping the bumpy boat ride would kick start something but no, nothing.  Maybe it won't be the last boat ride???

stuff going on :)

 37 weeks

*The end is approaching and I'm getting really anxious. Not only to not be pregnant but to hold this little babe in my arms. 

*It's getting harder and harder to sleep at night between the tossing and turning, constant bathroom trips and occasional hunger pains.

*The kids are getting excited and they can tell that it's getting close.

*Still haven't committed to a name yet but I have a couple in mind.

*My back is killing me.  

*I can't stand for long periods of time or else my legs feel like jello.

*I've only had one major leg cramp but I'm constantly feeling like there's  one about to come.

*Been having inconsistent contractions.  More painful than I remember them being in my past pregnancies.

*I've been given to option for an induction, still debating on whether or not to wait and go into natural labor or opt for the induction. I must say for someone who likes to plan things out the induction is sounding pretty nice.  But, on the other hand I'm curious as to how different it would be going into natural labor.

*Baby Girl still moves constantly (which is bittersweet)  She feels like she weighs 10 lbs already!

*Carly loves to tell the baby good-night and good-bye before she goes to school. Sam just follows along. 

 The outside of the house was finally finished yesterday.  I couldn't find a good before picture without the addition so these will have to do.  There are still things we want to do such as remove the power pole in front and landscaping so you can't see under the porch. (it's funny how after I moved to Texas I always said I would NEVER live in a Pier and Beam home.  Look at me now)

 I just had to post these because it's so cool.  Because we live in such an old home there are always surprises that we are finding.  They tore down the ceilings in the hallway (it was really nasty looking white, cardboard tile looking things.) This is what was found underneath.  We realized we have the same ceiling in our kitchen and bedroom. Hopefully one day I will have the ceiling in our room redone, sanded and stained. I think it would look awesome!  

 Carly and another Critter.  She started off with three and ended up with just this one.  She loved putting it on her face!

 Spring pictures at Carly's school.  

 The wild blackberries are here again! The kids LOVE to go pick blackberries and would do it everyday!  Last year we didn't get very much because of the drought but this year they have been amazing!

 Translation: " I see Dad. I see me. I see Mom. I see Sharise.  We are in the forest of no return. I see lots of faces in the forest."

Translation: " I see me and Sam. We are fighting. I see birds. I see insects. I see ........ We are having fun. Sam not you .......... (that's the best I could do in translating.)

House addition update

Sam and Grandpa Great

It's finally done! (Except for some minor small things like doorknobs) I took the above picture the day they were pouring the cement blocks. It was so cute to see that boys never change!

These are some pictures of everything done. If you've been to our house, it'll make sense where it is.

The before and after. The wall you see in the first picture was the kids closet. That obviously was cut open and made into a hallway to the new bedroom. Now, all that is needed is a new closet built in the old bedroom. We laid carpet down over the wood floors in the hallway.

This is a picture taken standing by our kitchen. You can see the old kids bedroom, looking down into the new hallway. The white tape will be replaced withe a trim piece once we sand the wood floors in that little area.

I have pictures of the outside still to put up but it's not quite finished on the outside. Still needs a little bit of paint in some areas.

The kids got to sleep in the new room last night and they were so excited! They have been waiting so patiently through all of this (although it only took two weeks, that's a lifetime in their eyes) I am mostly excited to have more space!

Have I mentioned I love my ward! A couple friends from church threw a combined baby shower for me and another friend of mine who is pregnant. I really didn't need much since I saved most everything from Carly but it was sure nice to get a head start supply of diapers and wipes and some cute outfits! It was an open house shower so we didn't open gifts there. I thought it would be fun to let Carly and Sam open the presents for the baby. I never knew they could get so excited over wipes, and Carly kept saying "oh, how cute!!" I am so grateful for good friends!

Easter

Easter was great this year, it was pretty low key which was just what this pregnant lady needed! I posted some similar pictures to facebook already so sorry for the double exposure. :)

This was after church, we had a little Easter Egg hunt for these two little bunnies. They love to go "Easter Egging"
In the morning I attempted making bunny pancakes, I think they turned out pretty good. Thank goodness for 11:30 church or this never would've happened! :)

The next few pictures were taken before church. My children love posing for the camera, that's for sure! I sure do love them and I'm grateful for their spunky personalities!



I love my family. I can't wait to meet our next little one! I still feel so blessed that I am even pregnant! I still can't believe it sometimes. Pregnancy is a miracle! I am so grateful to my heavenly father who allowed me another sweet (and most likely spunky) little one to come to our family!

Love this! Sharise caught this picture. We did not tell Sam to do this, that is just how they were standing. :)
Me and my kiddos. As hard as it is to be a mother, I wouldn't trade it for anything! I am so grateful for them and how much they have taught me. They are huge examples to me of patience and love because no matter how crazy I can get some days I know they still love me!!