The Lucky 2-4

Today is my birthday. I turned 24 on the 24th! It was the best birthday. Its not even fair to call it a birthDAY, its was more of a birthWEEK.

It all started last Wednesday when my two wonderful sister in laws brought me dinner. They drove all the way to Lava and hand delivered some amazing Thai food to me. It was so good. I might be making a few more trips down south(ish) for some more of that! Thanks girls.

Then, on Friday, my AMAZING husband loaded up the car and took Tayden and I to Salt Lake City. It was thee most fun I have had in a long time. We went to the Zoo, ate at some great restaurants and stayed in a beautiful hotel. I am still having camera troubles, so all we have are pictures from our phone, but they work.

We got a few laughs from strangers as we were walking around the zoo. I looked at little mister to see what was going on and got a good laugh too.

This one is out of order, it was on the drive home. Tayden was all funned out. He put his sunglasses on and fell fast asleep.

Mom and Tayden on the brass lion. He must be getting his two year molars...he has been chewing on his fingers alot the past few days.

Dad and Tayden with the lions.

Tayden taking a little ride on the lion. He loved to roar at them.

Our attempt to take a family picture on the train. Yes, Tayden's shirt is soaking. He spilled his water.

Our hungry little boy thought he needed the whole loaf of bread at Macaroni Grill.

He sure did enjoy my birthday cake from the Packards!

It was so fun to just be with my boys. That was the best gift I could have ever asked for. We just hung out and enjoyed each other. It doesn't happen to often with our schedule, so it was simply bliss.

Sunday, oh Sunday. What a magnificent day. We had Stake Conference and it was just what I needed. It was all about motherhood, the importance of women and daughters of God. Being super emotional these days, I bawled pretty much the whole block. I have been struggling with this pregnancy and the joys it brings (chubbs, zits, crazy hair, etc.) and after the two hours of inspiration, I walked out a new person with a new perspective. It was amazing.

We got a surprise Monday...School was postponed until today. So, we had a one more whole day with Daddy. It was great. We we able to spend 4 days straight with Scott and that was the best gift of all. We went to Inkom that night and my in laws through me a little party. Cake, singing...the whole bit. They got me a beautiful Willow Tree statue of a m0m holding a toddler. I love it. It reminds me of a the true love of a mother and the pure innocence of a child. Sometimes, that is a much needed reminder.

Today, my actual birthday, was great. I spent the day shopping around with my sister. Who got me a gift certificate to the bead store and I made a super cute watch! It was fun to hang out with her and just be lazy. I got so many texts and facebook messages from friends. We had dinner with my parents and had the traditional banana cream pie. My mom and dad took us all to Sea World earlier this year for our birthdays, so I wasn't expecting anything...but it was great to have a little party. I talked to my brother on the phone for a few minutes...who was mad I missed the stripper -graham he sent! (He really didn't send me one, but it was a pretty funny joke.) And, Scott surprised me with the 3rd Glee CD. Man, how blessed am I.

The older I get the less exciting birthdays are. Well, maybe not less exciting, but I see things differently. This year, I was overwhelmed with the love I feel from the people around me. I am just so grateful. Everyday was a new sign of love. I can't get over how lucky I be loved so many people. So I guess it really was my lucky birthday.

Flashback

As I was catching up on some of my blog reading the other day, I ran across a flashback to the 1980-1990s. I had to share with my favorites with everyone. The following is a mix of her favorites and some of mine. To see her full list, click HERE.

Home Improvement. Particularly JTT...oh so dreamy!

Cats Cradle
Chinese Jump Rope

Tee Shirt Clips

Caboodle's

The Oregon Trail

Trolls

Skip-Its

Dark Wing Duck

The Never Ending Story

Pogs and Slammers

Rescue Rangers

Ring Watches

Slap Bracelets

Now, wasn't that totally awesome?
Did I miss anything?
What did you love about the 80-90's?
There's gotta be something.
Leave a comment and let me know.

If Phones Could Talk...

... they would say ...

Stirring pasta on Grandmas counter is fun!

Ketchup makes everything better. Even yams.

Elk are awesome!

It's fun to go on a walk when you see fun things like...

...the fire department burning down a building.

Red Cream Soda taste better in a white play shirt and when moms not looking.

Shirtless cowboys in pajama pants are all the rage!

My phone might not be able to talk, but it sure can tell a good story!

(not sure why almost all the pictures are of a disheveled little boy in pajamas and crazy hair...but I promise I take care of him!)

Today Was A Special Day

It was the first day Tayden ate meat.
(Besides hot dogs and chicken nuggets.)
Like, really ate it.
And swallowed it.

Ahh, sweet success!!!

In the News

The breaking story for tonight: We finally broke down and bought Tayden a fish. His Aunt Sharlee has a beta that Mister T absolutely loves....like seriously loves loves loves. So, we took a family trip to Petco and walked out fish owners. I asked Scott on the way to the car, "Are we going to be that family that has 15 million pets because our kids love animals so much?". He ensured me we won't be. I, for one, am not so sure. What we do for our kids!

In BABY news:
I went to the doctor today. Everything with Baby P is great. Heart beat sounds good and strong. And the best part, I only gained 2 pounds! Which is surprising considering how I eat. All. The. Time. I guess it pays to have a toddler to chase all day.
We find out what we are having in 5 weeks. I can't wait. I really REALLY want a little girl. Almost too much I think. However, as I held one of my besties new baby, Emmett, and Scott held Tayden...I was content with the thought of two little boys. Either way, I love this little baby already.

In TODDLER news:
(Besides the fish) Tayden is growing up at an alarming rate. The other day as I watched him eat his lunch, off a plate rather than high chair tray, I couldn't help but tear up. Where has my little boy gone? I asked him if he wanted more plum and he shook his head and told me 'no'. Which, for those of you that are curious, the eating healthy this is going awesome! My little eater is back and I love it. Tayden has been a bit on the slow side for talking, so these new moments of actual communication have been priceless. He has always been really good at gesturing and showing me what he wants, but the new talking is awesome! He loves to dance, loves animals, and loves his trucks. And, hello, he is 18 months! He is officially closer to two years old than he is one. AH! His new favorite trick is to close his eyes and hide his head if you are asking him to do something he doesn't want to do. Example, changing his bum. He is seriously so much fun and the light of our lives.

In HUSBAND news:
Scott is great as ever. Did I mention he bought me a new computer? He did. He is the bomb dot com. He is working full time for a few more weeks and then school starts again. We are on the last leg and it is so exciting to think about the future. I don't think I tell him enough, but I am so PROUD and so GRATEFUL that he is going to school. It was a hard decision for him to give up such a good job, but it was the right one. And because of it, we are being blessed more than ever!

This has turned out to be much longer than I meant it to be....sorry. I'll post some pictures soon! Well, as soon as I can figure out how to unlock my SD card so I can actually take pictures. But that is a whole other frustration for a whole other post!

Reunion and Purging

This past weekend we went to our annual Karlson reunion. It was a blast, but this is the only picture I have to show for it. Lately, I am having a hard time carrying a camera and chasing a toddler. I need to work on that. Anyway, it was super fun. We camped, swam all day, and hung out with family. Tayden loved it, although it was interesting to see my normally extroverted child be so observant. There were a lot of people and new things going on and he just soaked it up. I love my family and look forward to this event all year. I will try to get some pictures from my parents and post soon.

Now, about the purging. I am super super super duper excited about it. My child has been not really eating. I know part is because it is so hot and its normal for his age, but I also know the other half is Scotts fault. Haha...okay mine too. I talked to my brilliant and inspiring cousin, Deverie, and she told me that she and her husband got rid of all the pop and candy in their house. So today, that is exactly what I did. I threw away all of our unhealthy junk food and dumped the pop. I have to admit though, I hid the 4th of July candy. I don't want to totally deny my child or myself a little candy here and there I realized Tayden is having too many sweets through out the day and it was curbing his appetite. Today was the first day without any sweets for Mister T and he did great! He ate all 3 of his meals, and only one package of fruit snacks. It was so encouraging. We went to the store and bought carrot sticks, plums, yams, squash, and loads of other healthy stuff. My husband is even on it!!! And for those of you that know him, know he loves candy. I am proud of him. Plus, with my new condition...I could really eat better myself. So here is the big question: Has anyone ever done this before? Do you have any tips or good ideas of fun and tasty snacks/food? What do your kids love to eat?

I have never been one to be super health conscious, but now that I have Tayden and a new one to take care of, things have changed. The kids take priority. I am so stoked about this new endeavor, I'll have to keep you updated on how it goes.

Happy Monday!

Reasons

There is a reason that...

...My blog has been lacking some serious content.
...I miss my brother and his family more than ever.

...My house looks like a natural disaster.
...I have been keeping my husband on his toes.
...My perspective has become more eternal.
...Tayden keeps getting bigger.
...My mind is racing.
...My eyes never quite crying.
...The anticipation for the future is unbearable.
...I want new clothes.
...My brain seems to be confused.
...My hormones are raging.
...I have zero energy.
...I am happier than ever.

And the reason is:
I AM PREGNANT!!!

I am just 3 days shy of being 12 weeks pregnant. I am due February 5th, only 11 days after Taydens second birthday! We weren't anticipating on getting pregnant quite so quickly, but are extremely happy to be blessed with another little babe.