The Ultrasound Heard Around the World

5 little piggies

Thumbs up!

Sometimes kids just know things that us parents just don't! Even before I was pregnant, Kaleb would talk about our baby sister. At the time I thought it had more to do with our Incredible family missing a Violet, than him actually wanting a sister. After we found out we were expecting, we tried to explain that we don't get to pick, and we might be having another brother. Kaleb was sure it was a baby girl though...why would Heavenly Father send down another brother?!? It just didn't make any sense to his 4 year old mind...even though he's friends with the Barkers & Becksteads (both families with 4 boys strong)! So nobody was as thrilled as Kaleb, when we found out that we are having a precious baby girl join our family...(except possibly me, his Grandmas, & Gramma-Gramma)! The ultrasound showed us a perfect baby, which really is the most important detail of all, right on track for her expected arrival. Here's a sneak peak at our gorgeous baby girl!

Sissy

Pregnancy Firsts

This is my third real pregnancy and it's just like everybody says...each one is different for sure! Here's a list of firsts this time around:
*We were able to get pregnant without any "help".
*Even we were surprised when I figured out we were expecting & it really wasn't my imagination run wild!
*No complications or restrictions thus far (knock on wood).
*I've been able to exercise the entire time & ave. at least 3 times a week.
*People have made the most obnoxious comments to me (ranging in age from 8- 40+, so none of them are excused).
*I became so nauseated in the g. store that I didn't know what to do & really thought I was going to lose it right then & there!
*I lost a pound in between my first & second doctor's appt. Pretty sure I've more than made up for it now!
*I've really slowed down and take a nap or at least lay down almost every day.
*In the past I've known to the DAY how far along I am, and how many I have left. I lose track all the time with this one and am just trying to enjoy every minute of it!
Here's hoping for another first come Thursday!!!

Our Dad ROCKS! (according to Kaleb)

Paper weight K made for Dad. He also made one for his grandpas.
(Chrissy's great idea)

Father's Day 2009

* He snuggles & sings to us before bed
* Reads us books
* Gives good kisses & hugs
* We love it when he stays home & doesn't have to go to work
* He plays fun tickle games & we get to save each other
* He has a great tie & hat collection
* I might get his truck someday
* He's a good teacher
* He loves playing with us

Married to a Celebrity

Ben never knew he'd married someone almost famous! Thanks to my friend, neighbor, and reporter, Andreia Cox, my boys and I have made 85239 The Magazine. Delivered to each Maricopa mailbox, this quarterly magazine features an article she wrote "Shaping up for Summer and Swimsuits." I'm quoted in it along with one of my favorite contestants from The Biggest Loser, Sione. You'll have to ask Ben how it feels to be married to a celebrity! ;)

Above: Since it's hard to go to the gym with her children in tow, Maricopa mom Sara Murdock jogs while pushing her sons to get her exercise.

Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming!

Kaleb loved swimming lessons this summer with Miss Sonny & friends. He did such an awesome job, is really confident now, and is SWIMMING! His favorites are rockets, ka-booms, blowing bubbles, doing Superman arms, and jumping in. It's so amazing how much he's learned since last year, and his teacher was really great. We're proud of you, Kaleb, & can't wait to practice with you all summer long!

FAMILY PHOTOS

Since our last disastrous family photo shoot last year in which I had NONE printed, we hadn't bothered again. But being who I am, I wanted to have some with Dylan in them before our next baby came along, and before I turn into a whale. So I turned to Caitlyn, one of my girls from YW, who did a photo shoot for us. She's taking photography at school, has a great eye, and just loves it! We were her first family outside shoot and I think she did a great job...especially dealing with a tough crowd like us! Thanks so much, Caitlyn!

Piano Lovers

This will make your day...thanks for sharing, Mom M!

A Moment...

Last Sunday we were driving to the airport to pick up Ben after he'd been gone basically all week. It had been a long week and I was physically and emotionally drained, but also just excited to see Ben and have him home again. So emotional as usual...what else is new with this pregnancy? As we were driving, I put in the Primary CD of songs the children are learning this year. Kaleb LOVES primary and he often comes home singing some of the lyrics of the songs he's learning. When I put in the CD, he thought it was his primary singing...so cute! The first song is his favorite called "My Eternal Family." We listened to it together until it was over, and then he asked me to play it again. This time we sang the words we knew and it was just one of those moments. You know those rare but tender moments when you are filled with the love of the Savior and you know your child feels it, too. Of course tears of overwhelming gratitude and joy filled my eyes, and I told Kaleb how much I loved him and that this was my favorite part of the day. Here are the words of this precious song and a link if you want to listen to it:

My Eternal Family
by Annette Dickman

I am a builder working each day to build my family. And I will do the best I can to serve them lovingly. I am a builder growing so tall and learning every day, to speak with kindness in my home, to help at work and play.

My Heavenly Father sent me here and He knows I can be, strong and righteous as I build my eternal family.

I am a builder building a home; I seek the Lord in prayer. And as I try to live God's word I feel the Spirit there. I am a builder serving the Lord And following His plan, to help my family come back home, and live with Him again.

My Heavenly Father sent me here and He knows I can be, strong and righteous as I build my eternal family.

Love Letter

My friend, Chrissy, and I swap kiddos on a regular basis since they normally get along so well. A few nights ago I overheard Kaleb say, "After dessert, let's marry," to Natalie. Today in anticipation of a play date, Kaleb wrote his first love letter. He wrote it all by himself and then read it to me:

Me, Kaleb, I love Natalie really, really much.
He then drew a picture of them playing ball together.

Kaleb propped it up by our front window so she'd see it right away. She came and was really excited about his note and said she'd show it to her daddy when she got home. They played, they fought, he called her names, she spit at him, then broke his little heart when she left his note on our counter when it was time to go. He was persistent though and redelivered the note that evening at swim lessons. He was also thrilled to receive his own note from Natalie a week later and hung it on his bedroom wall all by himself! So it begins...

Squeaky Clean?

After watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 and learning that she supposedly mops her floors 3 times a day (I don't know if I truly believe this), I started thinking about my housecleaning habits...or lack thereof. As I was searching for how to remove crayon from upholstery (thank you very much, Dylan), I came across a weekly checklist for housecleaning. Acknowledging the fact that I am far from the best house keeper in the world, I do try to keep a clean house. Recently I have embraced my friend, Kristin's, philosophy "My house is clean enough to keep the health inspectors from coming, but not so clean that my children are neglected." That being said, please make me feel better & let me know you don't do each and every one of these each week. While some of these I do several times a day...dust or vaccuum refrigerator coils?!? Come on now!

____ Pick up things
____ Wipe down windowsills
____ Wash windows if necessary
____ Clean blinds
____ Vacuum curtains if necessary
____ Dust tops of doors
____ Dust fans
____ Dust furniture
____ Make beds.
____ Vacuum all carpeting
____ Vacuum out couches and chairs
____ Shake our rugs
____ Wash cupboards
____ Wash all dishes
____ Sweep floors
____ Mop floors
____ Clean refrigerator
____ Dust or vacuum refrigerator coils
____ Straighten out cupboards
____ Change kitchen towels and dish rags
____ Clean bathroom
____ Clean and disinfect toilet
____ Wash mirrors
____ Wash our tub/shower
____ Clean and disinfect sink
____ Clean lint trap on dryer
____ Throw out garbage
____ Clean cat litter area
____ Replace air fresheners
____ Straighten out entrance areas
____ Wash bathroom matts, toilet seat cover
____ Clean oven
____ Clean microwave
____ Put dishes away
____ Clean pet food and water bowls
____ Check off everything on your checklist for house cleaning