Let Freedom Ring

Our Fourth of July was full of fun, parades, candy, fireworks, four wheeler rides, and family. Doesn't get much better than that!

Grateful for this wonderful country that allows us the freedoms we have. 

Good News

We have good news! Two pieces of good news.

#1-I had a doctor appointment. It wasn't horrible. First of all, I had to take my boys-and we actually made it. I would have walked out of the office happy about that alone. But, the doctor had some other news that I wasn't expecting to hear. He had my results back from my latest blood work. I had to get a torch test to see if there was any infection affecting the baby and causing the echogenic bowel. I came back positive for a virus that I didn't even know existed. It is a really bad strain of flu. If you get this particular strain while pregnant it can affect the size and growth of baby. Problem is, the test doesn't tell how long ago you had the virus. I few months back, when I was very first pregnant, I was super sick. We all had the flu, but I had it particularly bad. I thought it was because I was with child, but it could very well have been this nasty strain. If that is the case, we may have found the reason for his 'glowing bowel'. When I go back to my specialist for my routine ultrasound they will check the size and growth rate of the baby. If everything looks good and his bowel is clearing up, my doctor said there was a very good chance that I could be removed from the high risk pregnancy team and see him exclusively. If things are still a little sketchy, I'll likely remain high risk. But there is a chance I could get off. And that is good news.

#2-I am in Idaho! Woo hoo! My month long vacation started yesterday. Last night was a rough start. Tayden got sick and threw up quite a bit. We are blaming the early morning, hardly any nap, 9 hour car ride, motion sickness and lack of water as the culprit. He's feeling better today, which I am grateful for. Either way. We are here and it is great to be surrounded by family. This makes me happy most of all.

Hooray for a little good news!

Tayden (&) Scott

Since Scott has started working, he and Tayden have sort of hit a rough patch. It was full of the two of them arguing, fighting, crying, tantrums...etc. It was bad. It was ugly. And it was causing major heartache for everyone. It was hard watching their relationship deteriorate and I had to figure out what was going on. I had an idea what happening and after talking to my mom, she confirmed my notions. He missed Scott horribly and was just begging for attention. As my mom put it, bad attention is better than no attention. So, he was acting out. Tayden needed more Dad time.

And he got just that.

Scott and Tayden spent most of Monday together. They went to Dads store, aka- Home Depot, then out to lunch. See how happy the boy is to be with Dad.

The fun didn't stop there. We went on a family walk to feed the ducks and stopped at the neighbors house to water his plants. (Our new responsibility since we moved in.) Scott was watering and Tayden was running around getting the last few of his wiggles out. I told Tayden to run under the hose thinking he'd get a drop or two water on him. Nope. Scott sprayed him straight in the face. Turned into an all out water war. Tayden got drenched. And he loved it.

I love seeing this boy so happy.

It's been a night and day difference. This little boy loves his dad more than anything in the world and to see them back on the same page warms my heart. They really are best friends.

Saturday Night BBQ

We had some friends over last night for a BBQ. We are so lucky, and I mean SO lucky, to have the amazing friends down here that we do. All the husbands, wives and kids (for the most part) get along. The men have guy nights, wives have Bachelorette night and the kids have play dates. These are the people that make living in Las Vegas not just bearable, but actually enjoyable. 

Last night we had everyone over. Well, almost everyone. Some of the besties are out of town. It was a great night full of laughing, good conversation, yummy food and wild kids. Couldn't ask for anything better, really. Well, maybe except for a less wild 3 year old boy. 

Thanks for the pictures Melissa!! 

The boys enjoying some patio conversation.

Melissa was trying to get the boys together for a pose. Apparently Tayden volunteered. 

The husbands. From left to right: Craig, Adam, Scott, Shawn and Matt.

The lovely ladies. Left to Right. Chelsea, Melissa, Me (proof of pregnancy), Sheena and Cori.

Sheena and Cori are 2 of my 4 other friends that are pregnant. The others were out of town this weekend. There are 5 of us due to have babies within 6 weeks of each other! No, Melissa- you did not miss an awesome winter party. Haha! Seriously though, I am so excited to be having babies with these fabulous ladies!  

I adore these ladies. 

Minus the fact that nobody seemed to care that I was enduring stage one of chip choking. 

I love my Las Vegas Family. 

You Make Me Happy

Day 5 of 30: List 5 That Make You Happy Now.

(I know, I know. It's going to take a year to get through this list if I keep going at the rate. But mark my words, I will complete the list.)

1. My children. Specifically watching them grow and learn new skills. Today Beckett went poo on the potty for the first time. It was so exciting. Tayden and I cheered and clapped and made a huge deal of it-- all the while Beckett sat beaming in pride. Tayden is developing quite the sense of humor. He has always been silly, but is now doing it on purpose. As we drove home from the store I asked him what he wanted to eat for lunch. He started naming all the things he saw outside and made them into a sandwich. Example: A mountain sandwich. Or, much to my dismay, uses "poopy diaper" in many of his jokes. What should we name the baby? Poopy Diaper Shark Boy. What do you want to eat? Poopy Diaper Sandwich.  Whats in your hand? Poopy Diaper money. Drives me nuts, but he thinks he is hilarious. I love watching them grow and develop through each stage. They are getting so big. 

2. Feeling Baby Boy 3 move. With all the stress of this pregnancy, it is so great to feel this little miracle. I love to sit still on the couch or lay in bed, put my hand on my belly and just breath in this little boy. It reminds me that there is a plan and purpose in all things. 

3. My sense of accomplishment as of late. Scott has started working long, long hours. He leaves about 15 minutes before the boys wake up and gets home about an hour after they go to bed. So I literally have them by myself the whole day for the whole work week. We knew this day of lots of work was coming, so I have been preparing for it for a while. Dreading also, but preparing. Now that it is here and I find myself actually being able to handle it, I have a great sense of pride in myself. In a single day I find myself feeding them, changing diapers, playing on the floor, cleaning the house, doing laundry, breaking up fights, cooking dinner, doing our extracurricular activities, running and chasing with them, and so on and so forth. Then bedtime rolls around and we do prayers and scriptures and off to bed. I am exhausted at the end of the day, but am happy with myself. This has been the hardest I have ever worked in my life and while I would trade it for my husband any day--I still feel pride.

4. My husband. Just having him sit on the couch across from me makes me happy. His presence in the house is unmatched. I love listening to him play with my kids and laugh. I love watching him make a sandwich for lunch. After having him gone so much--its a pure pleasure having him near me.

5. My sparkling toes. My mom and I got a pedicure when she was here. I love having freshly painted toes and I can't help but smile when they shine in the sun. 

Fathers Day

We had a great time celebrating Fathers Day this year. Scott told me on Saturday he wanted to go out and look for shorts and a new shirt. Well since I had already bought him some for Fathers Day he received his gift a day early. Tayden thought it was so fun to watch Scott open gifts, that he want to give him more. He got the gift bag I had given Scott, ran to his toy room and filled it up with toys. A few minutes later he came down and yelled, "Happy Fathers Day!". Scott opened his first bag of toys and Tayden refilled it about 17 more times. 

On Sunday I tried to give Scott the best day that I could. Even though it was full of crying and cranky kids--I cooked dinner and tried to let him relax as much I could. I even baked him a golf cake. He snapped a picture of it with his phone. But since he's not home right now (or ever since he started working) I don't have access to it. I'll show my inspiration.

I am so grateful for Scott and the great man that he is. He has the best work ethic of anyone I know. He puts in four 14 hour days a week and still manages to take care of his pregnant wife and play with his children. I love him for everything he is and am so blessed to be a part of his life. We love you Scott. Always, forever and no matter what.

Mennears to the Rescue

As I mentioned before, my parents came down for a few days this past week. They came strictly to help with the kids while we were dealing with the doctor and to give me moral support over the past few days of chaos. Even though the whole reason they came was to help, I feel bad that we weren't very entertaining. We went out to dinner one night and went to take the kids to the Bellagio fountains. My mom and dad got a little shopping in as well, but other than that--we mostly stayed home. 

Between the 3 camera phones, we documented a little of their trip.

Beckett loves his chocolate ice cream. Funny story. He was screaming in his chair he was done until he saw my mom busting out the camera. He immediately stopped and smiled. What a ham.

Mom and Dad at the big B.

I love this picture. It totally sums up my mom and I's relationship.

 She is my best friend. She is always by my side talking me through things and offering support. She (and my dad) seriously picked everything up and drove 10+ hours just to be there for me. The trip was quick, but they will never know how much it meant to me. Just to know how much they love me and my family brings tears to my eyes. I love them so much. 

Yep, here he is again. Master of disaster. Enjoying some dinner at one of my favorite spots, Bucca di Bepos. He insisted on using the big serving spoon as his utensil. His shirt was such a mess when he was done eating, I had to turn it inside out for the rest of the evening.

Thanks again Mom and Dad. You guys are truly amazing and we appreciate your kindness so much. You lifted a huge weight off our shoulders this weekend and we can never thank you enough. 

Love you!