It's already felt like a busy summer for us! I am in summer school but it hasn't taken up too much of my time, not to mention I am only working a couple days a week so it leaves lots of time to hang with my boys. We (and by we I mean Alan and Henry's teachers at school) somehow managed to potty train HJ in about a week. We decided that since he was big enough to go potty on the toilet, we'd attempt a movie for the very first time. While the movie wasn't able to keep his attention the entire time, it was still a fun experience for Henry. And despite the mass amounts of fruit punch that he drank, we didn't have an accident!

I've also decided that being a mom in the summer time is so much fun because it seems like there are endless activities to keep the little one happy and not stuck in doors. I admit I was really nervous for our first summer in St. George, but it hasn't been anything we can't handle and it's true what they say.. you just go from the air conditioned car to the house.

 Henry, like his dad, have really sensitive eyes to the sun. I bought him a pair of Lightning McQueen sun glasses in hopes that he'd wear them. Little did I know he'd be obsessed and never want to take them off. Cracks me up every time.

  Another perk of living in St. George is how close we are to Las Vegas. While I don't really endorse taking your 3 year old out for a day of shopping, it was still fun nonetheless. It was also our first big outing without any diapers and I am happy to report there were zero accidents. Of course it meant several trips to the bathroom in a span of 2 hours, but it was worth it to me.

 

He will do just about anything for me and a picture. Love this boy.

 



 We were up in SLC this year for Mother's day, and we kept it pretty low key which is what I prefer. Started out the morning with donuts (hello cravings) and a magazine. This was then followed by an hour drive in search of where my very favorite coffee place was (turns out it was clear in Magna) then a little breakfast.

 After that I took a 2 hour nap with my little man, then we went on a little walk to some fountains to play in.

 

 I sure am grateful that I'm a mom to this little guy. There are a lot of days where he can frustrate me to no end, but all it takes is a little kiss and hug and it's all forgotten. 

 

Thank you Alan for making me feel special on my day. Another big thanks for giving me the gift of motherhood. I am so lucky to have you by my side.

So here I am in the 2nd trimester of the pregnancy, and I wanted to write down a little of what I was thinking. I am officially further along then when I lost the last baby, and my heart is full. I was really nervous about being down here in St. George, away from all of the wonderful doctors at the U of U and more importantly the NICU that saved Henry J's life. But I found a high risk doctor down here, who already has been proactive about keeping me pregnant. A week ago, I went into to have a cerclage (stitch my cervix close) and the peace of mind that has given me is priceless. Once I am 36 weeks pregnant, they will remove the stitches and my doctor said that most women deliver a week later, which he feels comfortable with. So that means we will have a baby early November. I will also start my weekly progesterone shots in 3 weeks, and that will ease my nerves that much more.

I've already seen the baby once (could see the little peanut kicking and squirming already) and heard the heart beat. Everytime the baby gets checked I have severe anxiety and get really emotional, which I'm sure is a result from my previous pregnancy. But I think within time I should be able to calm down a little and know that this little baby is strong and is going to make me big and pregnant all summer long.

Explaining to Henry that he is going to be a big brother has been a lot of fun. He already seems so concerned for the baby, and will pat my belly often and say that he loves him/her. I asked him if he thought he was getting a brother or sister and he told me it was a brother. I then asked him what his name would be and after giving it a little thought, he said, "Brother". At this point we don't really care what we have, as long as I can deliver a healthy, full term baby. 

Alan had to go to Chicago for work, so I decided since I was on my summer break I was going to hit the road with my main little dude and go visit some family. 

Our first stop was Koosharem, and that might be Henry's very favorite place in the world. Not only does Grandma Bagley give him push ups, but he can play with Aunt Jordyn whenever he wants. 

 

Whenever we are driving, Henry ALWAYS points out to me when he sees the "big lellow bus". Needless to say it was a big moment to sit in a bus with his Grandpa. 

 

 We were also able to watch Jordyn and Hannah's dance recital, and they both did really well! 

 

The real highlight for the week was when Henry got to ride in the "big tractor" and feed the cows. He is still talking about that to this day!

 

 

 

 After a couple fun days, we left the farm for the city to go see my best friend Lana and her adorable twin girls, Lucy and Lola. Henry has such a tender heart towards babies and always asked me to hold them. Although holding both girls at once kind of worried him and he was over it within seconds.

 I had such a great week with my little man, but we were definitely ready for our daddy to get home!

So the other night I sat down with Henry and told him I wanted to have a talk. I try to have conversations with him so we can practice talking, and he did so well this past time that I wanted to remember what he said. I have seen on other blogs how people ask their kids the same questions around their birthday every year, so I thought I'd give it a whirl and this is what I got. . It should also be noted that after being asked each question, he'd tap his chin with his index finger and say, "Hmmmm...".

What's your favorite color?                                    Lellow

What is your favorite thing to eat?                          Macaroni and Cheese     

What's your favorite animal?                                  Tiger

Who is your best friend?                                       Aiden  (his bff at daycare)

What is your favorite thing to do at school?            Color and ride bikes

What's your favorite drink?                                  Water  (although chocolate milk could be argued) 

    

Family Pictures 2012

 Around Henry's birthday, I figured it was probably time to get some updated family pictures done, so we found a fun photographer here in town and went to the Opera House. We got some fun shots despite Henry's best effort to not smile ONCE for the camera.

 

Oh yeah, there was a little something else we wanted to share with our family..

Due December 3rd!