The Zoo

While we had a nice break in the weather a few weeks back we took a trip to the Hogle Zoo. The kids loved it and it was a great day. My camera wasn't charged up so I was limited on the pictures I took but we got there early enough so the animals were still up and eating. We got to see lots of monkeys, giraffes, birds, a rhino, a few tigers, and a new gorilla. That was the coolest thing I saw....he was brand new to the zoo and was up walking around looking around at all of us onlookers. I think Julia enjoyed the monkey's a little to much because she was making monkey noises constantly. We got to see the new baby elephant and its mama...so cute. Julia sat on the BIG elephant and was covering her ears because it was playing music and then would squirt water out the trunk.

I think the BEST thing we did all day was ride the new carousel. All the kids took a relaxing ride on a zoo animal. Julia loved it and would wave each time she saw me!

Poppy Fields

Earlier in June we took up a little ride up in Alpine to see the wild poppy field. Not all of them were quite out yet but it was pretty neat to see. We got some cute pictures.

Up's and Down's

I haven't blogged since May...over a month and a lot has gone on. We ended up moving to Cedar Hills Memorial weekend and got all settled. Its a basement apartment, big and spacious and a little smaller than our Condo but we all fit and that's all we need at the moment! Celebrated my 35th birthday that Monday and had a good day. I was actually feel pretty good and Layne and I went to eat and went to a movie. Had cake and presents at my parents since our house was a mess from moving. Wow 1/2 way to 40?!?! Kinda scary.

My days with this pregnancy have been good and bad. Went to the doctor and my 12 week appointment and finally have a due date....December 23rd...Merry Christmas!! But I am having another planned C-section so I can have the baby probably as early as the 16th if it doesn't come early again. The doctor said the plan to prevent that again is to have a shot each week of H-17 starting at 16 weeks until the end. Not fun for me but if it will help I'm all for it. Not looking forward to those shots but I've been through worse things, I guess!

I had a bad weekend that I ended up going to the hospital to get fluids and then the whole week after I just couldn't keep anything down. It was awful and thought I would never make it through! But it passed and that has been the worst of it. I am 14 weeks and I think I am finally coming out of the sickness. I feel pretty good in the mornings but get feeling nauseated and worn down at night. I am still not over the nausea but its getting a whole lot better. This pregnancy I am able to eat more sooner than I did with Julia. I still have food aversions like anything with a tomato base, salsa, pizza or pasta sauce Most meats are out of the question, except chicken on occasion. No real cravings but I do eat a lot of cereal and pop tarts. Hopefully in the next week or so this nausea will be done completely! I'm soooo done with it and feeling crappy!! I want to be able to go and enjoy this summer a little bit before I get to uncomfortable.

I will be posting some more updates but wanted to let you all know that I'm still alive!!

Spring Time

Its been a very cold spring here but the trees in front of my condo are finally in bloom and they have the prettiest pink flowers on them. Last year I got a picture of Julia up in the tree and tried to do the same this year. These are my favorites ! ♥♥♥♥

Transition!

WOW.....just a lot of things going on and happening all at once. But all good things....and its amazing how they all kinda coincide and all work out. Well, at the end March I quit my job we didn't want to have to but it kinda just worked out that way. So then the pressure of finances hits and what to do? We knew we would have to move, to a smaller, cheaper place. So we began the search. We are not 100% finalized on the deal but we think we have a place in Alpine, living above my sister and brother-in-law in an older little 4-plex.

So with us finding a place we have to find someone to fill our place? No pressure. So we let the landlord know and within 2 days we have had a few people interested so we know we have to move by the end of May. Moving is never fun but its always a new adventure. It will be less space but It will be a blessing.

And finally, probably the best news after all the change that is taking place is that we are FINALLY expecting in December! Its been a long road to get us here but we are thankful and excited! I go in for my 8th week check on Monday to see how things are going! I will have to see a "special" obgyn up at the U of U Hospital ( what else is new) because of my Chron's and high risk with that and my age, I guess. And I am already so grateful I no longer work because the morning, afternoon and night sickness with our 2nd baby on the way is killing me! I didn't do well with Julia and the morning sickness and I'm afraid I'm in for another 8 weeks of it. Not fun, but I know it will eventually pass. And hopefully moving closer to family will be able to give me some relief. Having family around to help with Julia will certainly help, instead of a 30 min drive its about 5! We truly appreciate all the love and support we have received from our families, near and far! We truly can't express the joy you all bring to our lives!

Princess Tea Party

Julia has had a hard time going poo-poo on the potty lately. So my sister told Julia that if she went poo-poo 3 times in a row with no accidents they would have a Big Girl Party! She was really excited and did a really good job at going on the potty. Well it didn't take Julia long to get her 3 times done and we had a Princess Tea Party for the reward! Julia and her cousin Kate got all dressed up in their princess attire and then went to the party!

Milk was used for the tea and Julia was obsessed with it. All she wanted to do was pour the

"tea" and mix it with her spoon and drink it. Over and over and over again. I don't even think she ate any of the food we had. After "tea" they put the princess puzzle together and read a Princess manners book. Julia also got a prize for doing so well at going potty. She got an Aurora doll to swim with her in the bath to go with all the other ones she has! They had a good time and wanted to play dress up the rest of the day! Hopefully this will keep Julia motivated to want to "go" on the potty more often than she is. Thanks Kristy for the motivation and the great party!

The Iron Rod

The whole family gathered on Sunday at grandma's and grandpa's house to have a Family Home Evening. Kasey had the lesson and talked about Lehi's Dream and the Iron Rod. She read the story to us and then had the kids go outside and do a little obstacle course to try and make it to the Tree of Life and get the Fruit. The kids had a good time and really grasped the concept of holding onto the rod for help to get safely to the tree. Julia kept trying to peek from underneath her blindfold but got use to it after awhile.



It was cute to see Layne out there helping all the kids along the way....just like Heavenly Father gives us helps along the way! At the end they finally reached the tree and got to partake of the fruit. Ever since Sunday Julia has been saying " I eat the fruit mommy, it makes me happy."

"Hold to the rod, the iron rod; Tis strong and bright and true.

The iron rod is the word of God; Twill safely guide us through."