Speaking in Spanish/May Updates

Brian has been out of town a ton this month. We've seen him collectively just over a week out of the entire month. Luckily my mom and dad live so close that I can take the kids to go visit and have dinner with them. It's a welcome break when I do because the kids and I get sick of each other (can I say that without anyone thinking poorly of me?!?).

Anyway, last night we were up at the grandparents' house. Jackson was watching a little show with my sister Whitney that teaches Spanish words to kids (we don't have cable TV, so he thinks watching TV is a novelty). Whitney announced that Jackson had learned to say 'lightning' in Spanish. I thought, "cool! I don't even know that word in Spanish!" So I asked, "How do you say 'lightning' in Spanish, Jackson?" He said "Lightning....in Spanish!"

I hope that makes sense in the written word, because it was hilarious! We all laughed. He had no idea what was so funny.

As for our update for May, since I've only written one other time this month, here are some highlights:

I finished teaching my Spring Yoga class. It was a great class, and I have a whole new session starting next week with new students for the summer. I'm excited. I have also been asked to teach at Girls camp and for an Enrichment night. Luckily being pregnant doesn't get too much in the way! I am still able to run, lift weights, and continue my own personal yoga practice with this pregnancy. I feel as healthy as ever!

We had a really late snow fall on May 24th! We lost some branches on our rose bushes an other perennials around the yard, but our trees were spared. We got at least 2 inches! I couldn't believe it! Brian has the camera with him on his trip, otherwise I would've posted pictures, but our tree branches were touching the ground and most of our spring flowers and shrubs were flattened. It was a SAD day. Many neighbors lost trees which split down the middle from the weight of the snow, or lost large branches. There was damage seen everywhere. Luckily we haven't planted our garden yet! Our pool was supposed to open for the season that day, funny huh? Talk about global warming!

Friends and I hosted a baby shower for a high school friend of ours at my house on Tuesday. It was one of the best showers! The decorations were just exploding everywhere, the food was excellent, and the company and games were fun. It was exhausting, to be honest, but so fun.

Zoey caught the flu this week. She was quite sick, but is now on the mend. It was a rough couple of days and nights, and being a "single parent" while Brian is away makes it even more draining. Yesterday was her first day off medication and without a fever all week! Yeah!

Brian comes home today. We are looking forward to seeing him and hearing about his trip. He had some fun contacts out in DC and ended up eating at the capitol building with an ex-congressman/lobbyist for telecommunications and the senator from Nevada ~ wooo~ he's with the big guys now! I'll let him post about his trip because I actually think it was exciting as well as business.

That's been our month!

Ultrasound

We had our Ultrasound last week, and we are glad to share that the baby is growing healthy! All major body parts and organs are accounted for! That's a big sigh of relief. I love that the technology these days can tell us all that cool information. It was Brian's first time to accompany me to the doctor with this baby (I think it made this pregnancy more real to him being able to see the baby moving and kicking on the screen). We are so excited!!

We STILL don't know what we're having, just in case any of you are wondering. We wanted to keep it a total surprise, and a surprise it will be! In fact, we're not going to share the names we are thinking of until the baby is born! We want a total surprise for everyone. I am officially a little more than half way done with this pregnancy, also exciting news! The Doc said that my pregnancies are so easy that I don't have to see him monthly, nor take the nasty glucose test (yeah!)... so the next time I am scheduled to see him will be when I only have 10 weeks left to go!I think it will pass by quickly with summer coming. Zoey and Jackson are signed up for swim lessons, I organized a weekly playdate with some ward members, and we have a few holidays, parties, and vacations planned. It's all just around the corner!

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Jackson is 3!! I can't believe it. We are so lucky to have him in our family. He is getting over the tantrum phase (for the most part) and is learning to love his sister. They are beginning to be good playmates, hug each other often, and even share! This is a big accomplishment and makes me happy to see! His nursery leaders tell us often what a joy Jackson is, how polite and helpful he is in the nursery....and we know! We tell him all the time just how special he is!He is learning fast. Brian is teaching him the mountain names of the ones that surround our valley...he has cascade down really well! His letters are coming along great, he recognized the big letter 'M' on the McDonald's sign this week, and then asked, "Where's the D?"

This year, he was SO excited about his birthday. He knew something special was coming up just for him. Because he was so excited, I made a paper chain-link countdown. He loved tearing off a paper chain each morning and counting how many days were left. I don't know how he learned about birthday parties and what's included, but he wanted an ice cream cake, balloons, and a pinata. So that's what we did! We looked at cake pictures online and he loved one with a bulldozer, so we modified it a bit and ended up with this fun ice cream cake with a bulldozer topper.

We had a dump-truck pinata (he got the pinata idea out of a skippyjon jones book we read at bedtime), and of course...lots of balloons! He was a happy boy!

He wasn't anticipating gifts from people, he thought everyone was coming over to look at his bulldozer cake, so it was a surprise for him to be able to open presents just for him. He was so excited and couldn't decide what to play with first. He'd spend a few minutes playing with his new car wash, then move to the sit and spin, then hit a few balls on the baseball stand, work on his name puzzle, blow bubbles, and then do it all again (his sprinkler toy will have to wait until it gets warmer).

Thank you to all who came and shared the celebration with us!

Feeding Ducks

We went to the park yesterday to watch the ducks. It was a great sunny day. I didn't bring any bread this time because I thought they'd be fed full by the time we got there. But it turned out they were hungry. Jackson decided to collect pieces of mulch and rocks to try and feed them with. He soon found out the ducks were not interested in his "food" and complained by saying, "They're not eating it mom!" I told him they were smart ducks.
I noticed some pieces of dried crusty bread lying on the ground and I gave them to Jackson, and the ducks loved it. So we spent some time scavenging for food people dropped around the pond. A man noticed what we were doing and shared some pieces of bread with us and it made Jackson's day.

Zoey saying "Cheese!" She was running a fever and not feeling well in this picture, but she was hanging in there because of the exciting ducks. She has been sick quite a bit lately, I feel so bad for her. Her weak immune system picks up everything. She has been on an antibiotic for an earache, and while medicated, picked up a viral infection. Argh!
It's spring around the pond! We found two nests, and some ducks that were squatting amid the rocks that I'm sure were sitting on eggs. We'll come back in a few weeks to see the babies swimming....they are always fun to feed!

Easter

Easter was a bit crazy this year, getting mixed in with conference and all. We had the Gray side of the family all in town, and it was fun to see everyone, and the cousins play well together. We had an Easter egg hunt on Saturday and a nice dinner on Sunday, trying to catch pieces of conference in between and around activities and cousins playing together. I wish I had more pictures of our events to share, but this was what I was able to snap amid the chaos. I liked the Easter Conference messages, they really helped make the weekend special.... but I hope Easter and conference don't collide again for a while!

New Baby!

My last update, I promise! But I've saved the best for last. Christina had her baby early Tuesday morning. He is soooo cute! We took the kids to visit them at the hospital and they were in love with their new cousin right away( Zoey was squeeling with excitement, but she's not in the picture because she found some snacks and was eating....so Zoey). Another boy Cousin for Jackson, woo hooo!

They named him Gavin Paul Homolik. He was 7 lbs and 19 inches. Seventh Grandchild for Elmo and Judy! How exciting, the family is growing. It made me want to pass over months 4-9 and walk home with a baby in hand, wouldn't that be nice! ha ha.

We had another ultra sound and the baby has doubled in size! They even moved up my due date 4 days! I'm betting it's a boy....

Outside at Last!

When we start to get weather in the 50's we think it's warm enough to go play outside! And it is! After spending 4 long cold months indoors, the kids are aching to run around outside. We've been playing outside as much as possible. It just makes everyone happy!

On Saturday, we worked in the yard...starting our spring cleaning! Jackson wanted to dig holes while Zoey was content to watch (or walk on the plants just starting to peek through). This rain gutter was her favorite seat in the house! Out of the mud, yet right in the middle of it!

Still waiting for buds and blossoms, green grass and more sunshine! Only weeks away....

Weekend Getaway

Brian had the chance to take a weekend golf getaway in Hawaii with his friend Bob. I had told him a long time ago he could go, I just didn't think it would land right in the middle of my peak of morning sickness. Luckily, I felt just fine while he was away. I think I was being blessed!

Beautiful scenery, lovely weather and sun....just golfing and relaxing! ahhh, the life...so jealous! He owes me!

Sunday Best

I have to post a few pictures of the kids...they always look so good dressed up for church.

If only Zoey would leave her hairbow alone! It didn't even make it to church and I haven't found it since!

Baby #3!

Can you believe it?!?! Brian and I are expecting our third this year! I am roughly 10 weeks along. The due date is around October 4th. Some days I feel great, and other days I have a hard time functioning at all.

I took Zoey to the Doctor this morning because she had a really high fever that we couldn't kick. Turns out she has another earache...her second in two months. Just so happens that her Pediatrician is also my OB, so he did a voluntary ultrasounds for me while I was there. It was neat. I got to see the heartbeat, head (on the left of the ultrasound), hands and feet. A whopping 7 cm long! I am almost certain this time it will be a boy! By the way, we are not finding out the sex until the baby is born. I want it to be a surprise, since we have one of each already.

I was excited to see it alive and "kicking", now I know that this morning sickness isn't all for nothing and it gives me another boost to make it through this rough first trimester. I always forget what it's like, and I guess that's a good thing, otherwise we wouldn't be having our third! ha ha.