34 Weeks Pregnant

The Friday after getting my results of failing my one hour glucose test I went back to the lab in the hospital and sat there for the three hour test. I wasn't looking forward to this test but kind of had an idea what was happening since I had to do this test with Andie too. I got up bright and early to do the test first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, so much for a sleep in day.

After checking in and getting my blood drawn I took the yummy drink (totally being sarcastic) and every hour on the dot I got my blood drawn again. I am not a fan of blood draws and especially after drinking on an empty stomach sugar syrup I wasn't feeling the best. No way I was going to let that make me to sick because I would have to repeat that test, NEVER!

I went on the 16th to my 34 week doctors appointment. I passed my glucose test, YES! Everything is looking good so far with my blood pressure holding steady and weight gain rising (not fun). Brooklyn's heart rate is perfect, this pregnancy is going great besides for my constant pain which won't go away until delivery. My next appointment is in two weeks and we will do an ultrasound to determine Brooklyn's size before a final decision is made on a VBAC or scheduled section. Why is this choice so hard for me?

I'm getting so excited to meet my second princess and love on her just like my other two blessings I have been given :) I love you Brooklyn Riley!

Jake 1 Year 7 Months

Jake Oliver the months are flying by and you keep on growing, why can't you slow down? You have brought so much joy to your Mom, Dad and sister with your sweet smile and crazy personality. Jake you are my little ball of energy that tests your mothers patience daily but I would have you no other way. You are perfect my son! At 1 year 7 months...

1. Jake loves Baymax. Jake has found his favorite movie "Big Hero 6" and could watch it over and over again. Jake has parts memorized so he knows when to laugh, smile or clap. It is so cute to watch Jake interact with his favorite movie characters, now if only they had more Big Hero 6 toys life would be good :)

2. Jake is such a great napper. Jake is finally on a perfect routine as long as Mom can stick to it. When I get off work and bring the kiddos home we will then put Jake down for a nap from 2-5pm. It's been nice for Jake to be on this nap routine, I love it!

3. Jake spent his first night away from Mom and Dad, he did so good. Jake spent the night at Grandpa and Grandma Redd's house and it was such a good thing to be able to give him a prep night before Brooklyn comes along next month.

4. Jake is a jealous little guy. I didn't realize until this past month if Mom or Dad hold someone else, besides Andie, Jake will get mad. It makes me a little nervous to see how he will handle his little sister but Jake loves babies so hopefully things will go well.

5. Jake did so good in Conference. Imagine a little crazy energetic boy watching 10 hours of church, sounds horrid right? Nope! Jake did so good with watching conference, I am one proud mother :)

6. Jake is our little climber. If any chairs, steps or stools are left out Jake will climb up onto whatever he can get to. This climbing stage has resulted into lots of broken glass as nothing is safe from little man.

7. Jake loves to dance. Jake has the cutest little dance who will bounce back and forth from leg to leg really fast, like running in place super fast. It is so cute watching little man dance along to any music he hears, he has always been a music lover.

8. Jake was sick this past month. Soon after Jake got his flu shot he got a runny nose and a cough. He is doing better except at night he will have coughing fits. It is so sad watching Jake as he has those coughing fits, poor little guy! Jake handles everything so well!

9. Jake repeat talks after everything. Jake is our little copy cat when it comes to trying to talk and it is so cute listening to him as he learns new words. I love this stage when Jake can start to communicate with us more often. Some of his favorite words are still "Juice, Watch and a new one Baby".

I love my little man Jake Oliver and all he does to bring that smile to my face. Jake is my pride and joy for sure as I learn from him his joy in life. Nothing can seem to get this boy down, except for his short patience but we can handle that. I love you my Jake keep growing into this wonderful young man I know you are!

Canadian Thanksgiving

Do you know what the best part is about being from Canada and the States is? Yup, two thanksgivings. Zachary is still getting used to the idea of Thanksgiving in October and November but it's a good thing not a bad thing to get used to eh?

I didn't take like any pictures this Thanksgiving oops. Why did I not think of that? It was also my little brothers birthday so we had some delicious cake with our pie.

I love getting together with my family and catching up on the craziness we call life. I am so grateful for the family I have both the one I was born into and the one I am growing with Zachary. I am so thankful for all I have been given, I feel so blessed!

Parenthood

With two children and a third on the way in the next month, this commercial basically sums up how I feel about parenthood :)

Andie 3 Years 4 Months

Andie Noelle your three years four months old, are you as shocked as your mother is? Each day with you brings such joy to me. You make me laugh, you try my patience, and you bring endless smiles to all around you. If I ever thought of who my first child would of been, you have far outweighed my wildest dreams. Your my perfect little girl and growing so quickly! At 3 years 4 months....

1. Andie loves cooking. I have mentioned this it seems every month since you were at least 3 years old. You are my little chef constantly wanting to get on the steps and help cook anything, even small things such as making some juice. You have a love for cooking that expounds your mothers ;)

2. Andie is so excited for Brooklyn, her little sister. Ever since you joined Mom in going to a doctors appointment and you hear Brooklyn's heartbeat it was like it finally hit you. Brooklyn is coming to join the family and you are ready more then anyone :) You are so excited to dress your little sister and put headbands on her. I already know your such a great big sister so I know you will handle Brooklyn joining our lives quite well.

3. Andie was sick this past month. Andie got a little cold this past month with a nasty cough and runny nose. Of course you handled the sickness like a champ with lots of movies, juice and medicine.  This resulted in some low iron when you weren't eating much and now will be getting blood tested in the next month to verify your health. Poor girl! You also got your first mist flu shot (water up the nose as you called it) and were so brave in doing that!

4. Andie is our little troublemaker. Mom has no patience this pregnancy and you like to test that to the fullest. Getting pretty (doing makeup) or doing your nails is what your constantly trying to do behind our back, you love all things girly. You are very independent and love to show it with climbing up on cupboards, trying to pour your own juice, and doing anything and everything possible on your own. Your so fun to be able to watch as you discover everything you can do on your own to become more independent and have your personality grow.

5. Andie loves Jesus (I don't know how else to word this one). Andie did so good watching Conference, 10 hours worth, watching the prophets speak. You told us after each prophet how Jesus was speaking to us, how do you have so much knowledge for a 3 year old? You love reading family scriptures and learning more about Jesus, sometimes having us read 3-4 chapters a night as you excitedly watch him. You are such an example to me and I will always cherish that!

6. Andie spent her 2nd night away from Mom and Dad. Over our Anniversary weekend Andie spent the night at Grandpa and Grandma Redd's house and she did so good. The only other time Andie has ever been away from us was when I was in the hospital with Jake. Andie had so much fun playing with her Uncles and being away from Mom and Dad, just one night though ;)

7. Andie loves to be our helper. Andie is getting to the age of being more dependent which also means getting to the age to be such a big help to Mom and Dad. Scrubbing dishes or laundry, organizing clothes, building Brooklyn's crib (which you love to sleep in), watching Jake and checking on him when needed, picking up toys (when she is in the mood). There is multiple different things Andie loves to help us with, definitely a little Mommy in the making!

Watching you grow and learn, Andie, is one of my favorite things. You really do bring such joy to my life and our friendship we have and I hope it will continue to grow for years and years. Having you as my little girl is a dream come true and I feel like the luckiest person alive to be able to love you everyday of my life! I love you my princess, always and forever.

General Conference 2015

General Conference happens to be two of my favorite weekends of the year. I love listening to our prophets words as they council the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Making goals for the next six months on how to improve ourselves and become more Christlike brings such joy and happiness to me. I love being able to improve myself so I can be the best wife and mother to my family possible. This year we took two main subjects that stood out to Zachary and I from each session of Conference then we made a list of what we can improve on as a couple. Doing this together makes much more of an impact on keeping our goals these next six months.

1. Go to all church meetings and keep the sabbath day holy.

2. Attend the temple (at least every other month).

3. Pray to our Heavenly Father, personal & family prayers.

4. Pursue an education (Zachary is applying for the radiology program and Andie is doing school time at home with Mom).

5. Use the Priesthood power more often, when needed.

6. Pay full tithing.

7. Fast (once a month).

8. Keep the commandments (this was pushed so much at Conference).

9. Read the Book of Mormon.

10. Save money (don't give in to cravings instead put that money in savings).

11. Ponderize a weekly scripture verse.

If you never had a chance to watch Conference this October click here and watch the words of our prophets for yourselves to be inspired to better your lives. I look forward to getting the Conference Ensign to mark that book up with more council and guidance we have been given. If you have not made your goals to work on the next six months I highly suggest to pick at least two things to focus on to help you live in today's world becoming a better you!

Five Year

Zachary and I have been married five years, WHAT? At this rate we will be to our ten or even twenty year anniversary before we know it. Zachary and I knew that we wanted to get away for a night from the kiddos before having a 3rd child added to our family so my parents were so kind to watch Andie and Jake. I'm getting ahead of myself...

We woke up on the 25th and started our day with taking Jake to his 18 month appointment. Jake is getting to be quite the big boy and did so good at his appointment. While we were there we decided to get the flu shots for the kiddos  and they did so good. Andie got the choice of the mist which she gladly took water up her nose over a shot (she picked).

After the appointment we took the kids to Toys R Us to pick out their toys from the doctor for doing so good. Andie chose a microwave to go with her play kitchen and Jake chose a little Baymax (loves Big Hero 6). We then went home for lunch, nap time and to pack all our bags.

Three o'clock rolled around and Zachary and I headed out to Hotel Transylvania 2, FANTASTIC SHOW! I can't wait to watch that one again, so what if we enjoy our animated movies ;)

Chow time was our next stop as we were ready for a big dinner before heading to our hotel to relax.

The hotel was so fun to be able to get away from our lives for one night and just watch game shows all night while eating popcorn and treats. Yes we are that exciting but what can you expect from a 31 week pregnant lady celebrating her five year.

It was so fun to be able to spend this one on one time with my husband as that time is very rare with 2 kids running around already. I am so happy with our five years we have spent together as husband and wife and can't wait to spend eternity together. I love you my husband always and forever!

Nathan's 16th

Littlest brother number two turned sixteen years old on the 21st. How are you 16 years old already? Remember how exciting your sixteenth birthday is, LICENSE BABY! Oh the excitement of being able to drive on your own. I hope your birthday was grand and you enjoy the extra little dough from us. We love you bud, Happy Birthday :)