Fun at "Big Caleb's" house...

We have some friends here who have a son Asher's age named Caleb. When we're together it's "Big Caleb" and "Little Caleb". Today we got to play with him out on his swing set.

Little Caleb was being hilarious trying to reach his soccer ball while on the swing. It usually ended with him flipping over the swing on his head with a cheesy smile on his face. Becca and I had a good laugh.
Asher had a pretty energetic push with his legs that sent him flying over the seat and onto the ground. His face was classic.

Thanks for the fun day Big Caleb!

When this is all a memory...

I'm not old now, but I'm old enough to know that life goes faster than you think it will. My family will be grown someday, and oh how I want to enjoy it while it lasts. Here are a few things that I hope I'm able to remember when this is all said and done.

1. We are having a really hard time picking a name for this baby.

2. Asher has lots of suggestions for us like Jujigaka, Eva, Wall-E, Wingnut, Shiny, Tasha, Child of God, Abby, Just Sister, and Caleb ("It's okay if we have two Caleb's, mom." he said).

3. I daydream about being able to read a book without falling asleep again someday.

4. I feel like I was guided to my doctor. Each time actually.

5. I'm so thankful that Justin and I are in this together.

6. Talking to a neighbor about her pregnancy experiences and realizing that pregnancy can be a true sacrifice sometimes (not like me being miss whiny pants...), and then seeing how compassionate she is with everyone and knowing that there is a connection between the two - Sacrifice and Compassion.

7. Sometimes when the boys are napping I set up my camera on a stack of books or blankets and with the remote take pictures of me and my pregnant self. (Hey, I'm trying to preserve the memory because I never get around to having belly pictures taken.)

8. Rather then laugh at me when Justin saw the pictures he said "I'm going to buy you a tripod".

9. That when I tell them I love them Asher says "But you're my best friend Mom. I love you too." and Caleb says "Oh, Thank you. Love you too."

10. Having my heart break a little each time I have to say "Mommy can't hold you right now".

11. That I've spoiled quite a bit of food because I put it in the pantry instead of the refrigerator because of my pregnancy forgetfulness.

12. It's hard for me to not be "my most efficient self" when I'm pregnant.

13. That the texture of my hair has changed each time I have been pregnant.

14. That Justin has made countless dinners after a long day of work when he's come home and I've got nothing. And washed the dishes too!

15. In the last 4 months I've seen some amazing examples of women who's families are grown that quietly serve young mothers. They just give up their time or being able to listen and concentrate to hold and snuggle the little babies so the young moms can have a break. This might not be my time for that right now, but I absolutely want to be like them someday.

I hope I don't forget when this is all a memory.

Little Artists...

A few weeks ago Asher was coloring and he drew his first person. It was the cutest thing I'd ever seen! He draws them all the time now and I just can't get enough.

Tonight we all drew pictures of our family. It was fun to see the boys concentrating so hard to draw each one of us. I especially love Justin's big head and my three wispy hairs in Asher's picture!

Justin's drawing was for sure the favorite of the night because he included Asher's Pooh Bear and Caleb's gray kitty (from Lily!) that they take everywhere with them.

Asher's looking pretty happy with hot chocolate all over his face at the end of a good evening!

Dear gigantic tummy...

Thank you for helping me grow my baby. I really do appreciate it, but I gotta say, I'm ready to move on. Unfortunately, my boys think you are a trampoline, and you must have forgotten that I'm only 5 foot 2 inches tall. But, don't I look happy in this picture? Nobody would know that only a few hours before it was taken I had had the worst foot/calf/hamstring cramp I'd ever had IN MY LIFE! Oh, the sobbing! I only get those when I'm pregnant, I hope you know. Then, for the rest of the day I waddled around like a really old waddling person because of my never-ending SI pain. My brain hardly works (I'm blaming that on you...), I run out of energy before I get out of bed in the morning, and I... ummm... oh yeah, I always forget what I am saying mid-sentance.

So, I guess what I mean is: "I love you, and I can't wait to meet my daughter!" I know I've been Little Miss Whiny Pants this time around. I hope my gratitude can somehow cancel out all the complaining. It's been hard, but I'm so thankful that it's possible, it's not worse, and most of all... that it's almost over.

All my love,

Abby.

Just me and him...

Caleb almost always wakes up from afternoon naps before Asher does. He's always cuddly when he first wakes up and it's so nice to snuggle on the couch, just me and him. Today I asked him what he wanted to do and he said "Drink, then tricks." Sounded good to me. We got a drink then went into my room so Caleb could do tricks to his hearts content on my bed.

Here he is saying "I have the Power!" Watching He-Man with Justin has become a favorite Saturday morning (while Mom is still sleeping) activity.

Soon we are adding another precious life to the mix in our family. Alone time with Mom (and Dad) will get harder to come by. I'm thinking (like all you other moms of more than one kid, I'm sure) about how I will have enough time and energy for each one. I'm pretty sure the answer is to focus on the quality of time spent rather than feel guilty about the quantity or equal division of it. I'm already praying that they will know how much I like to be with them. How much I love to see them just being themselves, and how truly wonderful I know they are.

I'm so glad I get to try and show them that.

Bring back any memories (jeremy, peter, hannah)?...

So, Asher loves to do movie night with us. What could be better: eating popcorn, staying up (relatively) late, snuggling with mom and dad on the family room floor. Last time we had a movie night I let him choose what we should watch and he picked a new Care Bears movie. It brought back funny memories for me and both of the boys loved it. Since then we've watched 2 other Care Bears Movies.

Well, today the boys were playing and dumping out all the toy baskets into their little tent/tunnel thing. I guess I was being a little too grumpy about it because Asher stood up and told Caleb that "Mommy needs a Care Bear Stare!" And I got one...and it was hilarious.

Silly Faces for Breakfast...

Asher asked for a silly face for breakfast. I was happy to give him one. They make me laugh.

They had fun eating these and then when it was gone I gave them more raisins to play with. They made some cute "snowman faces". Asher was making the mouth and I heard him say under his breath "I'm not gonna make him sad, I'm not gonna make him sad... I MADE HIM HAPPY! I DID IT!"

For Hannah...

I was talking to my sister the other day while I was finishing a baby shower gift and she wanted to see pictures when I was done. So, here you go Hannah :)

I made these little man onesies for a friend here who just had her first boy.

I thought they turned out pretty fun and she really liked them. Our ward did a combined baby shower for us because she had her first boy and I am having my first girl. The ladies here have been so thoughtful and supportive!
I also made this "Sweet Pea" necklace that I had seen before for another friend who's baby shower was last week. She is having her third baby in a month so I thought 3 little peas would be just right.
At her shower another woman saw the necklace and told me afterwards that she "needed to have one please!" She has 4 grown kids so I made her one with 4 little sweet peas.

So, there you go, Hannah - My projects of late. Now, what have you been sewing? I'm dying to see more :)

Packages...

The boys were spoiled with a package from Grandma and Grandpa and a package from Honey and Papa this week! They feel so special when they see their names on the envelopes. Thanks for being so thoughtful. Hours of fun - that's what you sent!

Making their new airplanes from Honey and Papa fly! The sound effects that the boys can make are really quite impressive.

Trying out the punching balloons from Grandma and Grandpa.

"Humm, what else can we hit with these balloons?"

The boys were laughing really hard, and of course they thought my head was the only worthy target.

Thanks! We love you!

County Fair...

Justin took us all to the county fair after work yesterday. We had a lot of fun. The boys got to stay up extra late, eat treats, win a prize, ride the ferris wheel and carousel, and see lots of farm animals!

View from the top of the ferris wheel.

Asher and me pointing up because we wanted to go back up to the top!

Caleb riding the ferris wheel. He was in awe.

The animals were the boys favorite part for sure. Earlier in the day when I told them that we were going to go see some animals they started guessing what we would see. Asher thought we might see a tiger, elephant, and alligator. Caleb just wanted to see a cow. I think they were both happy with the sheep, pigs, cows, horses, bunnies, turkey, ducks, geese, and chickens that were there.

A blurry one of us as it was getting late...

...and as Asher was getting goofy!

Coloring with Caleb...

Caleb was really excited about the new box of crayons I just gave him.

I was super impressed with his circles. He kept saying "happy circle". The next Bob Ross?

He was having a lot of fun...

... but don't worry, he's very serious about his craft ;)