Fun-Packed Summer

We're trying to do lots of fun things for the first part of the summer before my 7 month mark of pregnancy hits, because I swear that's when I really turn into a hermit. It's a bummer because D has human anatomy this summer. It's such a challenge; having to memorize and study so much. I told him school has to come even before family this semester, so unfortunately he couldn't come to our 2 planned family outings... more on that later.

Crosby and I hitched a ride with Codi and Luce to Carver's Cove petting farm (Eden, UT) and we all enjoyed it SO much!



Croz and Luce were quite a pair for the car ride. Croz would talk some jibberish and Lucy would be in the background like, "What Crosby? What???" Then they were literally SCREAMING half the way back to Salt Lake, they were either really tired or really bored with Codi and me talking about cupcakes. I was surprised to find Croz has no fear in the feeding animals department.



Miss Fashion Plate (aka Lucy) had it just right with the red cowboy boots. I told her to do a little hop-step... she is like a mini Sarah Jessica Parker with all this fashion!



The animals were fun for the adults to look at too... this pig was even larger in person than the picture shows!



I was told that this poor creature on the left was pregnant and who knows how many days or weeks overdue. I was totally feelin' her! And it shows with that crazed look in her eye; didn't want to hang around her too long...



Crosby did enjoy the animals but most of the time while we were there he was trying to climb on tractors and carriages. He wanted to spend forever on the tractor pretending to drive it.



Cute tiny kittens were roaming around



Crosby loves bunnies



Then a horseback riding session too! He seemed so old up there! I had to "assist" because he's under 3.



The look on his face was like, "No sweat. No biggie, just riding a horse."



Or maybe it was putting him to sleep. It was SOOOO cute to see him riding a horse.



Friends



So... D was supposed to come to the lake with us Father's Day weekend but he had to attend study group and study for Monday's big test. I was SOOOOO sad he couldn't go. Pat can usually pull me out of a slump, though



My aunt Julie and uncle Bob are the ones with the boat and we LOVE going... my cousin Elese and crazy driver uncle Bob.



My beautiful cousins came along!



And... drumroll... we got my mom and dad on the boat!



I never fail to surprise myself when it comes to how very idealistic I can be. I went into this - no question - with the thought that I'd for sure be tubing and participating in all the water festivities. I guess I forgot I'm pregnant :(



All right, so it wasn't that major of a feat to get my parents on a boat. But to get them on the tube is another thing! Such a roof-raisin' occasion ;) AND... of all people, my DAD spent a few minutes and then said he couldn't take any more... what?!?! The man I inherited the HUGE adventurous gene from? And my MOM stayed in there forever; she loved it. I was thrilled to pieces... go, Mom!



The wind was RUTHLESS. Seriously... Bob and Julie were going to stay over a second night but had to pack up and leave. After sunscreen and sand, at the end of the day - Crosby was a walking piece of sandpaper. Too bad my camera battery died :( But check out Brooke's hair on this one! These three were going wild out there, I was soooo jealous!



Crosby was completely fried from playing with his trucks in the sand all day so by the time I got him on the boat, he fell asleep as we were going along.



The wind was whipping Becca's hair - so pretty.



So our other summer outing was going to be Panguitch. Last minute we decided to not go, and I was seriously SO SAD about it! Panguitch and Vee and family... we are there every year because it's tradition and it all holds a special place in our hearts. But reality took the reins this time; after not having a kitchen for 2 months and having dreams and fears that this baby might come early, I told D that he had to have that floor done. Not to mention we had 2 wedding receptions and a baby blessing...

Anyway, there's always next year! Lindsay's brother Stephen got married and so we were needed in the babysitting department. It was definitely a preview of what's to come in October! I broke out the Bjorn from storage and a baby swing. D was working so hard to get the floor done on Saturday I don't think we even spoke to each other all day until our Del Taco run at 10:30 pm that night. So... yeah I had to keep telling Crosby, "No! You CANNOT jump on the baby," and "No! Don't swing him so fast." and I'm ALWAYS telling him to lay off my belly. I am so beat up these days; Crosby is a kicker and a jumper and... well, a 2-year-old. I was getting myself ready for weddings, toting Milo in the Bjorn while washing Crosby up and getting him changed and dressed. Wow. Things is gon' be BUSY.



Milo's little wedding outfit - he cleans up nice!



Things were a whirlwind that day, so I am ashamed to say this is the only picture I got... and it's like half the bride or something. Stephen married Mahlet. They met in Ethiopia and it's quite a story. They are an amazing couple!



I put a little ethnic twist on Crosby's wedding garb. I found this gem of an outfit that he received as a gift from D's cousin in Bangladesh. I love him in this, though I didn't get the best shot.



The next day Suman blessed his sweet son Milo at a small gathering at Chatwin's. It was so wonderful. He mentioned in the blessing for Milo to always remember and be aware of the sacrifices made to get him here.



Sabita and new baby grandson



This is the BEST picture of Sabita and her 3 grandkids; when Crosby's done he's done



Have to document. Although I look at this picture and it gives me a good laugh. Is it just me or is my hand on Suman's leg instead of my husband's?



And... ahhhh... our new kitchen floor! I'm so happy! I love it!

June Update

The "Day Out With Thomas" we had planned for Crosby turned out to be a hit!



He was completely and utterly taken with the real trains. We got there an hour early, so snuck into the trainyard



We had someone follow us around with a fan for this candid



I was "one of those moms" - yep! Sooooo excited to see his reaction to all things Thomas.



Then we got kicked out to go wait at the fence until we could officially be released into the crowd. Crosby was hilarious. He stood at the gate looking at Thomas, yelling, "I RIDE YOU, THOMAS!!! I RIDE YOU, THOMAS!!! I COMING, THOMAS!!!" So glad I got a little on video.



So close! But yet so far away.



He chose the Thomas tattoo



Then we hung out in the TV tent to get away from the wind for a bit



Then... the mistake of all time... let him play with the train sets. Of course it was worth it to see how engrossed and in love he was with each new bridge and tunnel, but when it was time to leave that tent... wow, I hope his tantrums don't get any worse with time! D had him in lockdown headed outta there-



The real train ride... he was starting to break down at that point-



The balloon maker worked as fast as he could because Croz was done after a couple of hours



Then to the famous Granny's for lunch (first time for us!), and they lived up to everything the rumors promised. I would venture to guess anything you eat from there is sinfully great, especially the cookie dough-fudge shake, wow! The guy behind the counter kept bringing Crosby cups of gummy bears, probably to keep him quiet. He was so, so done-



... needless to say D and I were in our glory having such a fun day planned for Crosby and loved every second with him. We wanted it to be his day and it was so fantastic to sit back and enjoy him enjoying what he loves so much! He is truly infatuated with trains and D asked me the other day if it's too early for him to decide what he wants to be. D really thinks he's going to be a train engineer, but I think it's on to some other infatuation after a year or so... we'll see :) I have to write down before I forget the show we get from the library, the real one about trains, with REAL engineers, etc... it has become an addiction. He LOOOOVES to watch it. But I don't believe any of us will ever find out what he's been calling it. He says, "I watch Donna Macey's Trains," don-na-maceys-trains. I wish I knew what he was saying, it is so funny.

Well that same Thomas Day was when our ultrasound was scheduled. Not until the very hour before the ultrasound did I become a nervous wreck. I am a natural happy-go-lucky, so maybe it was all of the water my bladder was unwillingly holding that gave me the jitters or that we were a little late or the excitement about knowing the sex, but... I think most of my anxiety was based on: Is this a healthy baby - Is he/she going to have all their parts - Is their brain... normal??? Growing on schedule?Something very spooky to me is that nothing is very concrete when you undergo a pregnancy. No one nows "for sure" anything. And it irks me... I am so grateful for our modern day tools, but at the same time I feel like until that baby is in my arms no one has a clue. But. As far as we know, we have a healthy one again, thank you thank you.

We didn't get a profile shot like with Crosby's where I remember thinking, "Wow he has a cute profile!", rather this one is lookin' RIGHT at us! D and I think he's going to be some kind of ruffian. Ha, we are so excited.



I don't recall Crosby being a kicker in the womb. He was a gentle, slow mover. Like little waves going across. This guy is either really mad at me already or... ??? Put up your dukes.



The anticipation of meeting our new guy is already starting to consume us, so don't ask me how we are going to be able to wait 'til October. Crosby is going to be one happy camper to have a bro! For some reason or another, Crosby started calling him Lenny. If I mention that he's getting a brother soon, he yells, "WENNY. WENNNNNY!!!!!!" We'll see about that.

Well, I stay busy day in day out with my responsibilities as a mother and ALL that goes along with that as well as being exhausted and pregnant and cursed with many a pregnancy symptom. My husband however seems to be busier than I've ever known. I wish I could help him. Maybe I opened my mouth too wide. After talking to his bro in Omaha, we hear word that they are coming to help us. Yikes! Because they are not busy at all. So Suman and Lindsay trucked themselves all the way over from The Breadbasket with Eden and brand new little Milo (only 2 months). Quite the feat. Thanks again you guys for coming to help out. It helped out to have Suman take care of Sabita's needs for a bit... beneficial hopefully for both of them. And what's amazing is they are coming back in a week already for Lindsay's bro's wedding and to bless their Milo. We love you guys and it'll be fun for us to have a double dose!

We joke that we are having "each other's" kids. Suman the curly-headed has 2 straight-haired kids. Eden is as dark as D. Then we have Crosby who is extra light with the curly hair. Go figure!



Eden celebrated her 6th bday here, and she got to pick out this new outfit



It was so fun to have some bonding time with my new little nephew Miles (call him Milo)



Eden and Crosby were joined at the hip for a lot of the time-









Cute Liberty Park kids



Glad when we can spend time with family



My cousin Elese had her baby boy Dawson in April



She is living here now instead of Wisconsin and we are stoked!



At Dawson's blessing celebration at the park I couldn't chase Crosby around because I was hurtin' so those who did chase him (including my mom) said he ran about 4 miles.



This is my cousin Nick on the left and his boyfriend Rob on the right. And my belly looking quite large in the middle.



Crosby and I try to get over to Sabita's to check on her as often as we can. Do laundry, garbages, tidy, odds & ends. Crosby is getting accustomed to chocolate pudding every time. She is not necessarily improving, but we don't see things getting worse. She needs company and visiting the most so we try to spend time.



Croz could jump on his cousins' tramp ALL DAY. They had so much fun on Sunday! Cam and Audrey made these tasty corn tortilla chicken tacos and cornbread and then Cam made a decadent shortbread-type dessert with a thick layer of melted chocolate on top. Yowsa, loved it.



Speaking of chocolate, I didn't want a thing to do with it during my first months of pregnancy. Now that would be silly to think I was changed for good. Not a chance! Appetite comes back around with a vengeance. D and I have been trying to find dinner here at home as much as we can, so you know how that makes you do more of a thorough cupboard search and what did we find?



A little something to put in our pancakes. Now that's what I call dinner. I completely forgot how amazing chocolate chip pancakes taste.

A Happy Father's Day weekend to all!

Numero Uno, my dad - I LOVE YOU DAD! You have always been good at devoting so much patience (towards us and towards ALL that you do). I know I learned a lot about it from you. Thanks for being you, thanks for being a good dad and a good grandpa, we all love you more than words can say.



And to D, I never doubted you would be a wonderful dad but I never could have imagined it was possible just how wonderful of a father you are. You continue to impress me and fascinate me. Your son and wife adore you to pieces.








PS

Had to document this little story since I might forget... a month ago when D and I had about a week-long obsession with KSL, D found a 7-string for an A-MAZ-ING price. D does not chase after anything unless he REALLY needs or wants it. Well he said, "I'm calling the guy tonight. I'm going tomorrow to go get it. How do you feel about that?"

Ha! Wasn't in the mood one bit... I told him to forget it. With his human anatomy class, kitchen floor to be tiled, full time work, mother to care for each day after work, us... he has time to drive to South Weber and go get a 7-string he doesn't need?

Well I totally burst his bubble and he was SO tolerant. He sighed and said, "Okay I'll drop it. I don't need it anyway." And went straight to bed.

The next morning I woke up feeling SOOOO bad. I realized I would be crazy to pass this up. I contacted the seller and he said he still had it, lowballed him, got an even better deal, drove to South Weber with Croz, and came home with his 7-string. I was going to give it to him for Father's Day. Ha! Let's just say D and surprises don't mix. He almost bought another one on KSL so I had to stop him. I ended up telling him I got the Ibanez, so the surprise was ruined but he was in shock that I got it and has been playing it for a couple weeks now. Love ya D.

All Boy is Right

I must have had a premonition because we just found out we are having ANOTHER BOY! Time to gear up, toughen up, get lots of sleep, and enjoy the ride :)

PS Never go running when you are 5 months pregnant. I went twice over the weekend and pulled my round ligaments. Any of you who have been pregnant understand the round ligament pain... yeah, I've been ice skating around the house. OUch!

PPS If anyone is still blogging out there, let's hear some name recommendations! I convinced myself this one was a girl so EVERY single one of my name ideas was girl. Help! I love to know what people are thinking.