30th Birthday

I celebrated my 30th birthday in November.  Cole made sure it was one to remember!  I started the day off by sleeping in.  The kids came in to wake me up with Kneaders french toast.   They had a candle in it and sang me Happy Birthday.  It was so sweet and made me tear up.  Cole gave me a gift card he earned from work to Macy's.  I was touched he would sacrifice it for me. We went to Fashion Place to window shop and look at shoes and diaper bags.  Later we got a babysitter and Cole surprised me with a surprise party at LaJolla Gardens.  My parents, Jolene's famiy, Diane, Amanda, Neal, Noah, and Madison came. I have always wanted a surprise party and was so thrilled Cole did it for me.  He surprised me with a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag.  It was a big deal because it is expensive and something I've really wanted.  Cole had everyone at the party share a memory of me and then we had Smart Cookies for dessert.  It was so perfect. Everything I always wanted and all my favorite things rolled into one.  When we got home the kids were happy and had fun with their babysitter.  Neal stopped by to give me a gift and we visited with him.  Both kids snuggled up with me and fell asleep in my arms.  It was by far the best they could give me.  I love my husband and kids so much and it was such a great day!

Halloween

I love Halloween with kids.  They are so fun to dress up and watch.  Lexi was Minnie Mouse and Carter was a cowboy.  We all got to go to Grandpa's work a few days before Halloween and trick or treat around his office.  The kids did really well and got tons of candy.  Carter liked being a big kid.  On Halloween we stopped my the trick or treat on Main Street and Jolene's and then went to Grandma's.  Cole dressed up as a painter and I was an 8 ball.  We trick or treated a few houses in her neighborhood and then came home to do ours.  I love trick or treating in my neighborhood.  The kids had fun but by the end they were ready for their beds. 

Lexi's 5th Birthday

Lexi had a fun 5th birthday.  She got to go to pre-school on her birthday.  Later that night we celebrated as a family by going to Culver's and opening her gifts.  She got a bag pack with a lock and a new coat.  She loves her bag pack and the lock so she can keep Carter out.  The next day we had Makani, Emily, and Madi over for a princess party.  We made wands, necklaces, played don't eat the princess and pin the crown on the princess, did a pinata, and had cup cakes.  Lexi had fun.  The day after that we had Grandma, Grandpa, Jolene, John, and Diane over for filled cup cakes.  Lexi got a suit case, lala loopsie, boots, and Mickey Mouse innotablet game.  She loves all of it.  She got spoiled and enjoyed every minute of it.

Update

Fall has begun and I am so happy!  I am in my third trimester now and actually feel better than I did a few weeks ago.  I am antsy to get things ready for Christmas.  Cole has been working hard on the basement and we are getting the carpet installed this week!  We are so excited to have this extra space to play and hang out.  Between doing the basement and the backyard this year we are ready for the projects to be done for a while.  The kids are still making us laugh all the time. 

Carter has gotten easier and more compliant.  There is a big difference between a two year old and a two and a half year old.  I am glad I've been able to have my kids two and a half years apart.  My favorite things about Carter right now are the things he says.  He tells me he doesn't want to be "coldie" (cold).  The other day he asked if he could play with my hair and I said yes.  He proceeded to grab it and such his thumb but looked up at me with his sweet eyes and said, "I love you Mommy."  If he accidentally does something wrong  he is quick to say he's sorry.  He is really good to share his treats and food with Lexi.  He has a kind heart and notices when others feel sad.  He breaks my heart when he feels sad because he has the saddest face.  He always tells us that people hit him but usually no one has.  We're not sure why he says it.  He talks like he's an adult and uses appropriate social phrases.  He has the best singing voice and uses a lot of bravado.  He loves to dance but always has to wear a princess dress when he does it.

Lexi has changed and wants to be more independent and in charge lately.  We've been butting heads more because of this.  The other day I was telling her that this house and everything in it is mine.  It made her really mad and she said "Santa gave me some of the things so they are mine not yours."  It surprised me and made me worry what kind of come backs I'm in for when she's a teenager.  I am trying to figure out how to enforce what I say but also let her have a say.  She still loves pre-school and says her best friend is Hailey (and me).  She loves to pack things and faithfully takes a church bag each week.  Lately she's been into building clubs, forts, and stores with pillows and blankets.  She idolizes her cousin Megan and gets excited to do things that Megan does.  She likes to do projects and her creativity has blossomed a lot lately. 

Backyard

It has been so nice having the backyard done.  Whenever Cole gets home from work he takes the kids out to play and they love it.  It has been too hot to go out during the day much but in the evenings it's great.  We've also been able to have people over and I've been happy with the way we decided to lay it out.  The volleyball net fits perfectly on the end and the playground is a lot of fun for the kids.  I am proud of Cole for all his hard work.

Pregnancy update

The following pictures are of 13 weeks and almost 23 weeks.  This pregnancy has been hard.  I am so tired all the time.  I am very very emotional and cry a lot.  I have a lot of pains.  It feels like I have been pregnant forever.  Cole has had to do a lot more and I appreciate his willingness to help out.  I am excited to have this little boy in our family.  I think it will be so good for all of us.  I am nervous for when Lexi goes to Kindergarten and I am home all day with two little boys.  I don't know what I will do with them.  This little boy is active.  At the 20 week ultrasound he was very busy and the tech had to be quick to get the images she needed before he changed positions.  I love feeling him move.  That is my favorite part of being pregnant.  My placenta is up high above my belly button so I mostly feel his movements down low.  So far I like the names Trevor, Devan, and Levi.  I would like to use the middle name Ray but am also considering Dale and Bill.  Carter and Lexi love their new cousin Ellie and I think they will be obsessed with their little brother when he arrives. 

First day of Pre-k pre-school

Lexi started her first day of Pre-k pre-school this month.  She was very excited to go back to Ms. Stephanie's.  She was also excited that I was going to come assist once a week.  It was hard having her go back.  Me and Carter didn't know what to do while she was gone.  We always miss her when she is gone.  I have been able to go help and get to take Carter with me.  It's fun and I get to see what she is learning.  I got to do Lexi's test and she did so well.  I think she has a great capacity to learn and is quite smart.  Lexi is a really great girl and I am so glad I have a daughter!