Annie 14 months

I already posted some of these on facebook but for memories sake I thought I'd write down a few things about Annie at this age. (Man, I wish I would've done this for Carly and Sam)

*She has mastered walking and is now running everywhere.

*She loves to pull my kitchen rags off the stove and walk around with them on her head or over her face. She has run into walls but that doesn't seem to stop her from doing it.

*She will not keep bows on her head. Drives me crazy!
*She sleeps like a champ. Goes to bed around 7:30 or 8:00pm, wakes up around 7:30 or 8:00am

*She LOVES to be outside. She will constantly go to the door and try to open it. She will even go and find our shoes and bring them to us.

*If she hears the train go by she runs to the door saying "choo choo"

*We try to keep Carly and Sam's bedroom doors closed (because of legos) if she sees them open that's where she'll go.

*She just recently realized we have Oscar and loves to play with him.

*She was such a good baby at DisneyWorld. Hardly ever fussed. Took short naps all three days. I was amazed!

*When she wants our attention she'll come to us saying "uh uh uh uh" and then run to whatever it is she wants.

*She is very attached to her binky. I know we need to start breaking her of it but I think it's harder for me than for her.

*She has learned there are lots of fun things in the kitchen cupboards.

*So far, the words we can understand are "binky" "kitty" "choo choo" "Daddy" She will say "mommy" but not directly to me.

Half way!

I am officially half-way through this pregnancy. In a way it feels like it's taken forever to get to this point but then I think the next half will probably (hopefully) fly by!

*I haven't been to great at taking belly pictures but I guess that 's what happens with a 4th child. Plus, I feel like I was just at this stage (oh wait, I was with Annie!)

* I am feeling pretty great these days! The sickness and yuckiness it officially behind me. It feels so nice to get up in the morning and have an appetite or the desire to actually do something with my day!

*We just got back from our trip to Florida. 3 days in Disney World almost did me in!

*I have been feeling baby move for a couple weeks now but it is definitely getting stronger every day.

*We'll find out the gender this coming Monday (the 8th) 

* Haven't had any food craving lately other than the fact that I can eat most food and not feel sick about it! Hooray!

*The nights are starting to get restless. I'm not sleeping very well but that is just the name of the game.

*I have no clue what we'll name this baby whether it's a boy or a girl. I'm out of ideas.

*Not feeling huge yet but bending over is getting a little difficult.

*I think Carly and Sam forget that I'm even pregnant sometimes.

*I'm not looking forward to the heat of the summer (who does really) I've never been pregnant in August, we'll see how it turns out :)

start of the summer

The Summer has begun! I must say I was quite excited. Slow summer mornings take me back to the days before school was even in the picture. Mornings were slow and easy, Sam and Carly stayed in their pj's half the morning.  I love it!  

I admit though, I was a little nervous about having all three kids at home again.  Last summer was not so fun (yes, I had just had a baby) This summer is turning out to be quite different. 

Carly and Sam are actually getting along (knock on wood) Annie is loving the entertainment they bring. 

In a couple days we'll be headed off to Florida-Disneyworld-the beach. It's an exciting time!

I had to post this picture of Annie and her cute little lips. I love sleeping babies!

The other day Annie was swinging and Sam dropped the kitten in Annie's lap. She immediately went in for loves and kisses. It was so cute!

Yesterday I was home all day and figured I'd get out all three of our sources for water entertainment around here. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves.

My growing belly. I hate to imagine how big it's going to be in November!!

some updates

Just wanted to do a little updating before I forget

I got to fly up to SLC last week for a couple days to visit with family. It was just Annie and I so it was somewhat of a mini vacation for me (or so I thought, Annie was a little stinker most the time and would freak out if I left her sight, but aside from that it was relaxing)  Earlier the month of may we found out my Grandpa (known as Grandpa Great to my kids) found out he has a form of Leukemia.  Totally unexpected (who really expects that though)  At first they gave him 2 months so I Immediately searched for the cheapest tickets I could find (which weren't very cheap) Luckily after his first round of chemo they realized he may just last a little longer than what the doctors thought. Such a blessing! So, I probably didn't have to rush up there but I'm so glad I did. 

I also go to visit with my Grandma Holt and finally get a picture of her and Annie together. Surprisingly Annie leaned in to give her a couple kisses. 

I stayed at my sister's house so I got to spend time with her while she recovered from her own surgery and also with my nieces and nephew and my mom who drove up from St. George. 

My dad and another sister made a short trip as well so It was nice to spend time with them. 

It was a quick trip but so worth it! (the weather was especially welcoming!)

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I'm 16 weeks pregnant today. 

*Still too lazy to take a picture and half the time I haven't showered so I'll probably be lucky to get a picture before 20 weeks.

*The sickness has subsided quite a bit which is a nice relief. Instead of all day it tends to hit maybe once a day and then leave shortly.

*I think I've been feeling some movement but still not quite sure if it's baby or just gas (tmi?)

*I really haven't gained any weight which could be from the lack of appetite I've had. I'm slowly getting an appetite but only for certain things.

*I mostly crave mexican food. Mostly from Chipotle.  I also will eat most fruit.  I have now started feeling like eating salad.  The thought of pizza kind of grosses me out as well as buttered toast.  I also haven't been a fan of chicken this time around.  

*When the sickness subsided the sleepiness came.  I seriously need a nap everyday. Not that I always get one.  I could also go to bed by 8:30 every night.

*I have a gut feeling that it is another girl.

*This pregnancy seems to be crawling. November seems like so far away but then realizing that I'm almost halfway puts a smile on my face.

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One quick story I wish I had a video camera out for.

This morning Sam, Chad and I were talking in our bedroom. (Carly at school, Annie still sleeping)  We were asking Sam "What if the baby was a girl?" He was adamant in saying that "the baby is a boy"  We really couldn't convince him otherwise.  We then asked "Will you still like the baby if it's a girl?" He said yes.  We then decided to pull a twist and say "Well, ya know, if it's a boy you'll have to share Daddy with him." I wish I would've video taped Sam's reaction. The wheels in his head were turning and he had such a worried look on his face. Like, the thought of having to share his dad with another boy was the worst thing ever. That may or may not have changed his mind about wanting a baby brother. 

1st grade award

Carly had an awards ceremony today in her classroom.  I love being able to be a part of all these little class parties and celebrations. It's only going to double next year!

Carly got the "Life Saver Award" She finishes first and is always willing to help others.  Her teacher also mentioned that Carly is the top reader in their class. She is reading at 150 words per minute (She later told me that the next child down is reading at 90!)  Her teacher has always mentioned how smart and bright Carly is. I for one and proud of this little girl and as silly as it sounds I was almost brought to tears when she came up to receive her award. I can't believe she'll be heading to 2nd grade! When did that happen?!

Miss Carly turns 7!!

These pictures are completely out of order and there are a ton but after 7 years with this girl how could I narrow it down?  I seriously can't believe Carly is seven! I look at her baby pictures and it seems like a lifetime ago.  Makes me a little sad but also very happy at the little person she is growing up to be. 

*She is super sweet and honestly cares about people and how they feel.

*She is very independent and always has been. It's a quality I'm trying not to get aggravated with.

*She is super smart and the top reader in her class.  

*She loves school and everything about it!

*She never wants to miss out on anything.

*She will always try to get in on a conversation and needs to know every single detail about what is being said.

*She loves to do crafty things or anything dealing with making a mess.

*She is a tough little girl but every now and then you can see how much of a tender heart she has.

*She loves loves loves animals, bugs, and reptiles. She was meant to be a farm girl.

*She loves to stay up late at night in her bed coloring or reading.

*She loves to sing and has a really great voice. She gets nervous at the idea of singing in front of large groups though. (that was never the case when she was younger)

*She is getting really good at riding the dirt bike. I'm still not too thrilled about it but I married Chad so I guess I knew what I was getting into.

*She loves a plan or a schedule. She thrives on it actually.

*She is always writing cute little notes to me or Chad or her teacher. Some of them are pretty hilarious!

*She's still not too fond of pulling a loose tooth but it's getting better.

*She is a good big sister. She is still a little rough at times but I know she loves Annie so much! Sam on the other hand, those two are like oil and water. :)

I just can't imagine life without her. She brings a lot of craziness and loud into our family but I am so glad she is mine. She changed my life forever when she came into this world.

Sam is 5!!

I don't even know where to begin. I really can't believe my little Sam is 5 years old (and going to Kindergarten in the fall!) He is still so little to me.  

Some facts about Sam at 5:

*He is still very affectionate. He loves to give loves and kisses. 

*He loves to tease, especially his older sister.  He loves to play little games or tricks on people.

*He is such a daddy's boy. If Chad is home Sam is usually found right by his side.  He'll be out in the woods with Chad for hours "helping" his daddy work.

*He is so ready to go to school. I think he's just tired of being at home all day with Annie and I.

*He's not a big eater anymore. Unless it's Scholtsky's. Then he can down a whole sandwhich within a matter of minutes.

*He is a good big brother, although he thinks he can play rough with Annie who doesn't really appreciate is most of the time.

* He loves anything to do with fast cars (hmmmm...wonder where he got that from?)

*Whenever he sees a cool car he is sure to point it out to me.

*He still likes to follow Carly around when she gets home from school. 

*He is coming into the phase where when he gets angry or upset he turns to hitting or kicking. I suppose that is just a boy thing?? Hopefully it won't last (or am I just kidding myself?)

*We didn't really go through a terrible two or three phase with this kid.  It seems to be that we will get a frightening five stage?? hopefully not!

*He whistles in his sleep some nights.

*Every morning before he gets dressed he usually asks if it will be "hot or cold" and then sometimes he'll have to run outside to check.

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I kind of want to cry thinking of how fast time is going. Wasn't Carly just 5?? I couldn't decide which pictures to post so I just posted a ton. Enjoy Sam and all his cuteness! We sure love this kid, although he knows how to push buttons and makes us want to pull our hair out. I just can't imagine my life without this little boy of mine!