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Insta-Update

What the heck? It’s almost the end of November and I’ve barely blogged at all! I feel like I’m constantly playing catchup on here now that Finn has joined our family. Life is busy, folks. And I don’t even know what we’re busy doing, but I do know I wish we had like six more hours each day (preferably after the kids are asleep) to get things done. But there’s not, and I’m sure I’ll start to juggle things better as the months go by. But for now, this is the best I can do.

Life with two kids is still great (overall). We’ve had some bumps with Eva, but are trying some new discipline techniques (such as a listening chart, which has been great) and that’s helped us through. And Finn seems to be a little colicky each night… which sometimes makes me think I NEVER want to have another baby ever, EVER again, but then he’ll fall asleep and be so sweet and cuddly in my arms, so I think I’ll want a hundred more babies. Motherhood is truly an emotional roller-coaster, changing minute to minute!

Let’s see, what else has been going on? This month has been kind of quiet compared to October’s Halloween Festivities. So, we have filled our days with play dates, library trips, Grandma visits, baking, crafts (Eva has been making little bead candy cane ornaments), and Christmas shopping. Eva really likes the play area at the Provo Town Center mall (which is kind of far, but worth the drive for a fun and free activity) so we’ve gone there a couple of times too. We’re just racking our heads for fun activities inside now that the weather has been cold (and sometimes snowy!). Have any ideas?

We are heading to Arizona this week to visit my brother and his wife, along with my parents who are flying in. I can’t wait for our little getaway, we need a little something to break up the mundane life right now.

Well, that’s all for now… here are some instagrams from this month!

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We took some family photos over the weekend and I told Eva she could take photos in her princess dress if she wore what I wanted her to wear first. She posed like this by herself… so adorable and passionate! Haha!

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Whenever it’s snowing, Eva puts on some snow clothes crazy fast (why can’t she put on her clothes that fast everyday?) and then plays on the balcony! This was on the first snow of the season and her excitement was so precious, I nearly cried. Something so simple like a little bit of snow was just magical to her.

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On Tuesdays at the Megaplex, all movies are $5 and popcorn is $1. So, we took the kids to see a matinee of Peanuts. It was really simple but very cute. I don’t know if the kids liked it as much as we did, but just going to the movie theater is exciting as kid so everyone enjoyed it.
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We bought a Christmas tree (thank you, Big Lots, for a tremendous deal!) and set it up last week. We aren’t decorating it until after Thanksgiving, but I have already loved sitting and watching it each night. I’m so excited for this Christmas season!

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I finally put up some pictures in our bedroom! I also set up a little Christmas tree next to our bed. Our room finally has a little charm.

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Park Days

We hit the park a couple times last week. The first was Glen Park in Highland which has a nice little walking trail and lots of ducks to feed. We found ourselves in this little hidden place in the woods, so the little girls wanted to put a show on for us. Without any direction or suggestions from us, they just started to sing “I am a Child of God” together. It was so incredibly sweet.

Then on Thursday, I took Eva to the park after we had had a long day of whining and crying at the house. It took me forever to get out of the house, but once we did, the little sunshine and time outside really made a difference! I’m so in love with this Fall weather and am trying to really soak up every bit!

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In Two Weeks Time

I’m not quite ready to write Finn’s birth story. I’m sure I’ll be emotional recounting it all so let me just fill you in about the last two weeks.

Simply put, it’s been great. One night last week I went to bed and thought how I was so excited to wake up and be a mommy to Finn and Eva all over again. Before I had Finn, I was so worried about having another baby in my life. Wondering if I could possibly love another kid as much as Eva. But I do. I am obsessed. He is such a sweetheart. My mom asked me on the phone one afternoon how we were doing with everything and I started crying-she probably thought I was going to vent about everything to her (which I’m sure I will one of these days) but I just told her how I love having Finn here so much and how it’s been so wonderful. There’s just something about having a newborn in your home that is very special.

But just because it’s been great, it doesn’t mean it hasn’t had its challenges. With Eva sleeping through the night for years now, we are not used to having to wake up in the night over and over again. So the no sleep thing is really killing me. He had some good nights in there, but the past few nights has had a lot of gas or something making it hard for him to fall asleep. I forgot about all of this newborn stuff, but we’re getting used to it.

I’m trying to create some sort of routine, which is still very loose since he’s so little and things change day to day. But I think the structure has been vital for Eva since so much has changed in such a quick time. Eva is almost four, so it’s not terribly hard with her and the newborn, she plays well by herself and does have school three times a week. I also have made sure she’s had lots of grandma and cousin time since those moments make her the happiest. But I have noticed she’s been more emotional-had a couple tantrums and such. Today I was so tired and did not find her three-ness as cute as usual but realized at the end of the day, I need to be extra sensitive to her because she’s learning with all of this just like I am.

That’s about it. Little Finn is changing every day which breaks my heart but also gets me so excited for all the fun adventures we will have together. Look at that sweetie…

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Eva constantly wants to look/kiss/hug her brother.
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One week old here

 

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Baby Day!

Turns out I’m being induced today! (I’m writing this on Tuesday, so unless I go into labor early and can’t change the date this post publishes, this should be true.) I was supposed to have my doctor’s appointment on Thursday, but the weekend before I started having some nausea and back cramps so I changed the appointment to Monday. I kept telling myself there would be no news, the doctor even agreed. But he threw me a curveball and asked if I wanted to be induced this week because there was actually some progress down there! I thought about it for about fifteen seconds, considered waiting until the next week, but selfishly decided I wanted this baby out… I’m not getting any smaller, and neither is that baby! Ha! So, there you have it. It’s baby day!

Here’s a photo of me when I was induced with Eva and her birth story… can’t believe I’m doing this again! Keep us in your prayers!

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Come Out, Baby Boy

Today is your due date and as much as I’ve enjoyed watching you move inside my belly (even though sometimes it hurts like crazy), I would really like watching you move in my arms instead. We are getting VERY eager over here!

Here is a post I wrote on Eva’s due date! Keep me away from a hair salon this time! I’m so glad I don’t have that anxiety like last time!

 

 

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Sunday Drive

Our church has been emphasizing the importance of keeping the Sabbath Day holy. I have to say, it has been a really good reminder for me. It gets easy to slack off a little on Sundays. When we moved out here, we felt like we were in limbo for a bit since we weren’t in our own Ward or home so we made some excuses on why we could bend the rules a bit. But now we’re back on track and trying harder to go to all of our meetings, get to church on time, and keeping the rest of the day holy and different than the other days of the week. It’s actually been a positive experience and I’ve enjoyed noticing the difference it makes in our home on Sunday.

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That being said, this past Sunday we drove through the Alpine Loop and walked around Sundance for a bit. The weather was perfect-it was about 65 degrees up in the canyon and it got me so excited for Fall to come! So, if you’re looking for an activity on Sunday to get out of the house-go on a scenic drive!

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I just had to add this funny photo… we laughed so hard about it. For whatever reason, TJ was holding Eva so strangely, it’s like he had never held her before. And the lady taking the picture said, “Uhhhh are you guys sure you’re camera ready?” We didn’t realize what she was talking about until after we saw the photo! Haha too funny!

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Baby Boy Celebrations

In August, my sister-in-law threw me the sweetest shower and holy cow, she made the most delicious treats and brunch goodies. We stuffed ourselves, shared baby stories, learned crazy facts about animals when they’re pregnant (yikes!), and laughed about baby name ideas. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos! I’m so bummed! But I I still wanted to write about it because it was so kind and thoughtful of everyone! We received so many nice gifts and it’s made the prep for this new baby so easy!

Two of my good friends also wanted to celebrate the arrival of baby boy so we had lunch together one afternoon while Eva was in school. I can’t believe we three used to be single girls in the office at the library at BYU and now we all have babies! Time flies but I’m grateful for lifelong friends!

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I may not have gotten a picture of the shower but look at all those shoes! I’ve only bought one pair of shoes and maybe three outfits for this kid but he has already been spoiled by so many people!

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39 Weeks

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(Taken at 38 Weeks)

ONE WEEK UNTIL MY DUE DATE?! Ah! I feel so many emotions, but most of all just excitement. I’m not as nervous about the delivery anymore (I can do it!) and I’m just excited to meet this little (well, maybe massive) guy. Mostly, I’m thrilled to be done with pregnancy. It hasn’t been terrible or anything. I’m just done. I want my body back, I want to stop being in pain from this kid kicking me day and night (guys, I feel like Bella in Twilight sometimes), and I want to sleep normal again.

I was supposed to have my appointment today but on Tuesday my doctor’s office called and said I could come in that morning and get checked just in case I had any progress and needed/wanted to get induced later in the week since he is doing his inducings on Friday. I was in the office within the hour but kept telling myself not to get my hopes up because probably nothing was going on! Sure enough… I was right. Not dilated, not effaced. But that’s okay. My health is good so there’s no need to get this baby here right now anyway just because I am uncomfortable. Oh, but funny thing. Eva came to my appointment with me and as I was getting undressed from waist down, she was SO confused and couldn’t stop asking me what I was doing. I wish I had her reaction on video, it really made me laugh so hard.

Back when I was pregnant with Eva, she had to be induced a week after my due date and when I went to the hospital, there was nothing going on down there so they really thought she’d be a c-section. The medicine did work though, no c-section was needed, so this time I’m not nervous to be induced since I know my body can do it! If history repeats itself (which my doctor thinks it will), I’ll be induced again a week after my due date. Anyway, it’ll happen when it’s supposed to and as much as I want this kid here, we are just trying to have a lot of fun and enjoy these last few weeks as a family of three.

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The Baby Boy’s Room

I still have pictures to put in frames and a couple odds and ends things in this room, but overall, I’m pleased with how his room looks especially because I barely spent anything. And did you see that NY painting over his crib? TJ painted it… I love it so much! I think I’ll end up having that in the middle and then put two newborn pics on each side. Now we just need the baby!

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TJ’s New Job

TJ has been working at his new job now for three months and really has enjoyed it. It’s been a great company to work for with so many great benefits and perks. Plus, we both love that the commute time is just a short five minute walk since we only have car. Last week his team went on a trip to San Francisco and then to Portland. It looks like they had a good time. I was pretty jealous that he got to go on this trip but I have traveled a lot without him, so I guess it was okay . Don’t you love this photobombing couple behind TJ? Makes me laugh so much!

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Here are some other work-related photos:

His team has done a couple hikes this summer, including Mt. Timp which is where this photo was taken.

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They have a cafeteria at his office with really good food, so we have come to eat with TJ a couple times this summer.

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