2 Months and Growing A LOT!

This is such an exciting time in mine and Adam's lives. We finally have Baby #3 on the way and we couldn't be more thrilled! Tanner's quite interested in this whole baby thing too... every day (and I mean every day!) he tells me, "Mom, your belly's getting bigger! Is that baby growing?" He's come up with countless names for the little boy or girl growing inside. Splinter... Lucy... things that get a little harder to pronounce like, Shanananay. We just love how involved he is! Troy on the other hand still enjoys being the baby and doesn't have a clue what's going on. 

Adam and I are so excited about our new addition but I think we're both feeling the pressure of what needs to be done! There's so much to buy! There's so much to plan! Are we really ready for this HUGE leap?! Ready or not here it comes, right?? There's not a moment that goes by that I don't think, "How in the world am I going to juggle all of this?!" Like today, for example, Adam and both boys have been so sick. Everybody's throwing up and complaining of horrible stomach aches... except me. Thank goodness. I was sitting in the rocker, reading a story to Troy when Tanner walks right in front of the chair, looks at me with this blank expression, and then throws up everywhere. I jumped up trying to usher him to the bathroom (in my jumping to his rescue, I ended up throwing Troy onto the floor causing more tears and loud shreeks than a sane person could handle). This whole time I kept thinking, "Thank heavens for those baby backpack thingys! (you know what I'm talking about) At least I'll be able to strap the baby in and carry him/her that way everywhere I go!!" I keep thinking how I'll never be able to go to the grocery store again! There's no way I'll be able to make it the entire trip without Adam by my side, right? Even now, I want to cry out loud when I have to take both boys with me shopping. They're a lot of work! 

However, even though my nerves are shot with all the thoughts racing through my head, every time I look in the mirror at this growing belly I feel so much better! I LOVE  that I'm showing! I love how my clothes fit (for now) and I thoroughly enjoy how much better ALL food and beverage tastes now! Thankfully though, I haven't seen a big increase in my appetite... you couldn't tell from that belly though! I keep telling Adam, "Look at the size of this belly. You do realize that as of right now, our baby is only the size of a sesame seed, right?!" It's crazy, but we both love it.

So, here are the FIRST pregnancy pictures for Baby #3!! We'll get to listen to the heartbeat on Monday (well, I'm hoping they'll let me video record it, because Adam will be at work) and meet our new doctor!! 

This is obviously my Eeek! Face. That's a big belly for a little seed!!!

See, Stephanie and Mikel! I TOLD you! :)

SURPRISE!

We think this picture speaks for itself...














and WE'RE SO EXCITED!!!

More Snow Than We Know What To Do With

Today was a fun snow day for us! The boys and I got into our snow gear and headed out into the freezing weather to build ourselves a snowman! The snow was perfect! However, it's been awhile since I've made a snowman, so you can tell from how mine turned out, I need some practice!! Tanner loved it though. We dressed up S.M. with my scarf, a carrot nose, forgot the hat, and then the tennis balls that we were going to use for his eyes wouldn't stay put, so in the end, our snowman looks very plain... but happy! 

Doesn't this little guy just look so much older?!

 My little Tan Man was so excited we finally got the chance to build a snowman. He wanted it taller than him, but my hands were getting cold!!

 We made a cozy little hole in all the snow for Goose, but I don't think she really liked it all that much.

Tanner then wanted to get into the snow hole and have me bury him. He thought that that was pretty darn cool! I can't wait until we get the chance to take them sledding!! I can't imagine how much fun he's going to have then!

All the snow....

Check out our Little Girl!

Meet Troy-ina! She's a beauty!

I'm sorry we waited so long to introduce her to the world... I know, I know, 21 months is a LONG time...

She wears a dress so nicely but also has a strong masculine side... she gets that from her Daddy!

Then again, she's also very delicate and likes to get all dolled up, like her Mommy.

By the way, she wore this dress ALL day Sunday!!! Daddy loved that! :)

The MAN Fort

Adam built this awesome fort for our two boys this evening. It was pretty awesome and the boys loved it! I wanted to draw some flowers and add some "decor" to it, but none of them would let me. The boys got to play in their new fort for maybe 30 minutes before it got put up and Troy was banned from it for the rest of the evening. He's a wild one, that child of ours!

These boys complete each other!

I think Daddy was playing the giant!

I love this one!!

FUNNY FACES

By the way, this is my 7th post this month and including the pictures above, there's already 59 pictures for you all to see! See Papa, you never have to worry about not seeing updated pictures of your grandchildren!!!

Our Night on the Town

Adam's work had their annual Holiday Dinner last night (our first time getting to experience the MegaDiamond way!!). It was a lot of fun. We didn't socialize with anyone though... not because we didn't want to, but because there were probably 400 people there, making it very difficult for Adam to find anyone he really knew. He hasn't worked there for too long and only sees a handful of people that come in and out of the shipping office. So, we sat at this huge table, all by our lonesomes, but we were totally fine with that. It was so fun to just sit and visit. The food was amazing and overall it was a great night out together! Did I mention that we were home by 9pm???? Yeah, we're not night-owls.... that's for sure! We were sooooo ready for bed!

Come to think of it.... this may be the first photo of just the two of us that I've posted!

We clean up nice!!!

My super cute hair barrette that I made to go with my dress! I love it!!

Picture Day!

This morning (before Tanner was supposed to be at school) the boys and I were feeling very photogenic! I pulled out the camera and Tanner was the one who wanted to take all the pictures this time! He did a great job! Troy was really excited that it was Tanner taking his picture this time and not mom.

Of course, when I told Troy to say "Cheese" and smile he wouldn't...

...and then I'm caught mid-blink..

There we go! We're both on the same page!

Troy became very sad and upset when I wouldn't let him get behind the camera.

Very upset :(

I finally caved and this was Troy's one and ONLY attempt at photography. His chubby finger got in the way, but he centered Goose perfectly!

Goose looks so pretty, oh so pretty, in her new Christmas outfit. 

Thanks to Papa and Nana for keeping her fashionable!

Me and my boys (minus one)

Check out Tanner's awesome pose! 

I absolutely love Troy in this jacket!! All thanks to Gpa Kenny and Gma Judy

He wanted to show us his cookie! Very tasty!!

Papa and Nana sent us the famous Gingerbread House AND Train, so as soon as Tanner is out of school, we'll be hard at work! I think Tanner said we'll be working on the train tonight and then save the house for this weekend to let Dad help us out! Stay tuned for those pictures to come!!

ONLY 15 MORE DAYS UNTIL WE'RE IN PUEBLO, CO!!!!!!

The Sun is Shining and We Love Each Other

This morning I woke with the most wonderful warm feeling inside me. I was thinking of my family. As I heard Troy starting to squirm in his bed and the start of his crying for mom or dad, or anyone for that matter, to hear him and help him out of his crib, I thought "I sure do love that sound in the morning." Now, this isn't usually true. Most mornings I usually feel so drained and exhausted that the thought of him waking us all at 6:00a is completely dreadful (and I must be honest.. Adam is usually the one who gets up with the boys while I catch a few more Zs), but this morning his crying was music to my ears. I walked out of the bedroom with Troy in my arms, his bottom soaking wet (yet another morning of his diaper not quite holding as much as I would like it to), and Tanner groggily following us out. Goose ran to the door and started her usual whining to be let outside. It's 6:15a and already I feel a bit overwhelmed. The house is trashed. Toys, blankets, pillows, books, movies, etc. are strung all over the living room and kitchen floor. Not to mention, I didn't do the dishes last night or pick up my mess of craft items so the kitchen table, counters and sink are a disaster as well. Most mornings, when I wake to this, I feel myself bursting with annoyance asking myself, "Why am I always the one doing the cleaning?" and "How hard is it to take out a toy and then put it away when you're done?" or even, "Am I the only one who knows where the laundry basket is located?" Not more than 3 seconds after I sat down in the recliner with Troy did Tanner ask me, "Mom, I'm hungry. Can you get me some oatmeal?" It never fails. The kids have this impecable timing. As soon as I find the moment to sit and relax they're asking something of me. It's exhausting and frustrating. However, this morning I have a totally different feeling running through me. I'm normally a very emotional person. I've always been the type to wear my emotions on my sleeve, but today it's a little to the extreme. I feel I could burst into tears at the drop of a hat. It's not a sad feeling that I have. Or an angry one. It's a feeling of complete happiness. I was looking at Tanner thinking, "This child tests me daily. He talks back, he'll be rude, he's pure drama at times, he bosses his brother, he bosses me, he loves to argue, yada yada yada." Trust me, I could go on and on. But then I was looking at him and thought, "He is me. He has so many of my traits and he's the smaller version of his father. He's the kindest person you'll ever meet, when he chooses to be. He's the best big brother (again, of course, when he wants to be); he's bound to become an instructor/teacher/professor when he's older with as much as he likes to instruct others in what is right. He is my eldest child and I love him so much." I looked at Troy and thought, "He is watching everything we do and learning from that. He looks up to his Daddy and brother and admires them so much. He loves to cuddle and blow kisses and I love that he loves food as much as I do. Sure, he can be ornery and drive me crazy (like his brother and all little kids will do at some point or another) but he's sweet and kind and has the best smile ever." I started thinking of my husband and what all he has done for me. We've been together for six years (married for four) and yes, we've had our ups and downs, but at the end of the day I don't think either one of us would have had our time together any other way. It's been because of our hardships that we've grown so close and found a deeper love for one another. Together we have made two of the most beautiful children on Earth and together we'll make two (I say three) more. At times, yes, I feel down about our situation. I wish we had our own place to call home. I never feel like there's enough money in our bank account to pay everything that needs to be paid. I feel at times that because of how Tanner and Troy act out, I'm not doing a good enough job at being a mother. I get frustrated with my own frustration and anger that I feel at some point almost on a daily basis. I wish I had this and that. I hate that I'll play the "what if" game inside my head. I don't understand, at times, why this or that isn't easier, or why it all seems so hard for me and comes so easily for others. Adam reminds me all the time that "We can't be waiting to be happy. We need to be happy with what we currently have and not be looking forward to what we'll one day have." Of course, at the time of him telling me this, I usually get totally frustrated with him and his "inspirational talks", but he's right. And I love him for this. Adam has said many times to be happy because "The sun is shining and we love each other" that's all that matters. I woke this morning looking at my messy house and my whiny kids and thought, "I love this." Plain and simple. Yes, our situation isn't ideal at times, but the sun is shining, we have two healthy children, a roof over our heads, enough food in our house to fill our bellies, enough money in the bank to get us through until next paycheck, a working phone to keep us in touch with our family who can't be closer to us, and we love each other. I couldn't ask for it any other way. So, I know this post is pretty deep and personal, but with this overwhelming feeling of happiness I'm experiencing, I had to share it. I will do my best to wake with this feeling every morning and have more patience throughout the day to be a better mother to my children and a better wife to my wonderful husband. I love them so much.

Rock Star Cohen came to visit!!!

I got the BEST package in our mailbox today!!! Inside this package was a cd with the cutest pictures of us with little Cohen and Auntie Tawnya! I've been waiting for these pictures so I could display them for everyone to see!!

I know little Cohen usually goes by Cohen Monster, but I think Rock Star Cohen is much more fitting. Just check out that Rock Star hair!!! I love it! He's such a little cutie. I just wish he lived much closer so I could squeeze him and babysit him all the time! Seriously, Scott and Tawnya, I'm telling you.. you could live the "dating life" again, because I would even consider being your guys' live-in babysitter! I would totally do it!

Anyways, here are the cute pictures!

Troy really, really, REALLY loves his little cousin. 

He wanted to touch him constantly and rub his hair!

I think I'm pretty spot on, when I say that in this picture, 

Cohen was saying in his head, "This kid is making me super nervous! 

I'm not sure this was a good idea!"

and... "Yep, I'm a goner for sure!"

"I would make such a good big brother!"

"But, it would be hard to share all the attention!"

Uncle Adam looked pretty good holding that baby! 

Little Cohen slept so peacefully in his arms!

I really like this picture! It makes me happy :)

Troy thought the Wee Wee Tee Pees were pretty neat.

I love this picture! And I love Cohen's little double chin!!

See, here he's saying, "I can't contain my excitement!!!!! 

I love my Auntie Tera so DARN MUCH!!!" Really... he told me!

Troy being goofy!

Tanner took a quick picture and then he was good on the baby holding :)

Auntie Tawnya and Troy

I love this picture!!

Troy didn't mind sharing his toys with Cohen.

Isn't that the sweetest baby ever?!! 

Cohen, come visit us! We miss you and from the pictures we've seen, you're changing and growing so fast! We love you, your mommy, and your daddy bunches!