4 months of pregnancy behind me!

K Cat suggested I do a crazy face for my 4 month picture!  Last week I hit the four month mark of this pregnancy.  The first four months have been rocky with emotions and sickness but, aside from an occasional off day, I feel like I am finally pulling out of that phase and ready to move onto the fun part of pregnancy!  My workouts are back to being enjoyable.  I am now wearing only maternity clothes and have successfully finished that awkward stage of looking chubby instead of pregnant.  Thankfully my appetite has returned -- I can't stop eating!!!  However, I feel like I have mostly been able to return to the healthy diet I had before pregnancy of mainly fruits and vegetables.  I am feeling good and happy to have those first four months of this pregnancy behind me -- as I am sure the rest of my family are also glad to have their mommy and wife back again!!!

I have felt the baby move a couple times this week as I lay down at night.  It is a great feeling knowing there is a little person growing stronger inside of me each day.  The movements have been very faint and only come when the world is quiet and I am minutes from falling asleep.  In three weeks we find out the gender of this baby.  I can not wait!!!  I am so anxious to find out if we are having a boy or girl this time around.  Little Z and I think it's a boy, K Cat and Lou Who are convinced it's a girl, Sweet Pea and Dave have no idea.  We will see who is correct.  Three weeks can't come soon enough for me!

Mothers Day 2013

 Mother's Day is always a day I look forward to.  I love all the cute cards and drawings made for me by my little sweeties and Dave always seems to find some way to make me feel special.  This year was no different.  The girls were each so loving to me all day and Dave made us a great dinner.  I just love being a mother and love the fact we are given one day every year to celebrate that amazing opportunity.  I had no idea how much I would enjoy being a mama until I actually became a mother myself.  Less than 24 hours after my first baby was born I vividly remember sitting on my hospital bed watching the nurse bath my brand new blue eyed, dark brown haired baby on the counter next to me.  I still recall the immense feeling of love and pure joy that came over me in that moment.  I had become a mother and from then on my life was vastly different -- more fulfilling.  As I was able to experience more of motherhood I have felt a deeper love in my heart than I ever thought possible.  Being a mother is one of the most cherished gifts God has given me in my life!!! 

My heart hurts for the millions of orphans around the world who are not able to feel the security of a mother's protective arms and don't have a mother there to tell them how much they are loved by a Father in Heaven.  I lay awake at night thinking about the orphans in the world and wonder what I can to do help those children know they are loved!  Everyone deserves a loving mother in this life!     

 As part of the mother's day events, we sang Happy Birthday to Lou Who!  It was a great end to a perfect weekend!!!

Lou Who and My Birthday

 Lou Who and my birthday could not have been any more perfect this year!  Because our birthday fell on a Saturday, Lou Who celebrated it at school the day before.  She was so excited.  She brought treats to her class and used the excuse "Since I'm the birthday girl..." for the entire weekend.

 Saturday we all took a trip to the Pittsburgh zoo.  It was the perfect activity for Lou Who.  She loves animals and has been begging us to take her to the zoo since we moved here.  She held that map in her hand for the majority of the day and kept  track of where we were and which animal was up next on the map.

 Spencer and Ally came to visit for the weekend.  It was so fun to see the both of them and catch up on life.  The girls were super excited to have our visitors here.

 It was a perfect zoo day.  The weather was just the right temperature to have all the animals active and moving for us to see.  The girls all told me their favorite animal of the day were the penguins.  Sweet Pea loved watching the polar bear.  It would walk back and forth going towards and away from the glass.  Each time it came up to the glass it would rub its face against the glass where the girls were watching it. Sweet Pea would let  out a big scream of excitement each time it happened.

 Behind Lou Who is a giant petting exhibit of sting ray.  The aquarium area was cool.  My favorite part of the zoo was the shark exhibit.  It was creepy to be looking at a small amount of murky water with nothing in it and suddenly out of nowhere see a huge shark appear along the glass.  Every once in a while one of the sharks would swim close enough to the top of the water that its fin would stick out making it visible above the water... so creepy!  Yes, I am afraid of the ocean... and yes, it is mainly because that is where sharks live!

 Love this picture above.  Dave with his girls!  The entire park is surrounded by all these beautiful green trees.  I love that about the east coast.  The warm rainstorms and green surroundings will be missed after residency.

 And of course, it would not be a zoo trip without a ride on the merry go round.

 Sweet Pea

 the birthday girl with Spencer and Ally

 I love this picture.  Sweet Pea has the look of pure joy on her face and in the background you can see her big sister with a big smile on her face.  I was lucky I didn't pass out on the ride.  Almost as soon as it started I began feeling nauseous and dizzy -- really really really dizzy, wishing Dave was the one who got on the ride instead.  At one point in the ride I even debated yelling out "stop the ride" -- instead I said a silent prayer to please, please, please help me make it through without fainting!  It ended well and I was beyond happy that I didn't have to make an embarrassing scene.  I feel so blessed with the opportunity I had in life to have most of my babies in my twenties!  I love being a mother and absolutely adore each baby that comes to our home.  I am grateful for the four I have and feel so blessed to be given one more.  I had no idea how much harder pregnancy would get with age... I am grateful for the promptings of the Spirit very early on in our marriage (after just 3 months) to begin our family.  Now I can see why.

 K Cat on her pony

 Little Z

 After the zoo we stopped at Red Robin for dinner.  Lou Who was so excited for her ice cream sundae.  Every time the waitress walked by Lou Who had to ask her if her ice cream was ready yet.

 When  we got home it was time to open gifts.  Our neighbor  Judy, brought Lou Who a ton of dress up stuff and a princess tent.

 The other favorite gifts where a mermaid barbie, a watch with a bug cage on the top, and sidewalk paint.

 She also got her ears pierced for her birthday!  We went to the doctor to do it.  They applied some numbing cream and pierced both at the same time.  It could not have gone any smoother.  Right after it happened Lou Who said "That didn't even hurt!".  She has been pretty happy about showing off her pretty new earring to everyone she has seen since.

 The new wigs were a hit for all the girls

 By the end of the day we were all too stuffed to have cake and sing happy birthday.  The party ended up carrying over to the next day.

Lou Who is a gift to have in our family.  I am continually being told by people how much they adore my Lou Who.  She has the sweetest personality.  She is constantly drawing pictures for her teacher and school friends.  She will pick a dandelion on the way to the bus every afternoon to give to her bus driver, and is certain to give the 80 year old receptionist at dance class a hug each week before leaving.  She has such a loving spirit and truly has a passion for life.  I love this little sweetie.  I feel blessed to be her mama!

... and how did I like my birthday you might ask?  I got to spend the day hanging out with my family.  Each of my girls were happy the entire day.  I think I told Dave at least four or five times "Our girls are so adorable!!!" -- it was a great birthday :)

The Princess Ball

 Because of my new calling, I was able to be involved in the princess ball!  It was fun and stressful all at the same time.  I loved that I was able to attend the night and witness the excitement of my girls with their handsome escort.  The theme was "Rapunzel" -- the devotional was centered on the idea that we are daughters of Royal Birth.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to return home to him after this life.  While here on earth we need to remember who we are and strive daily do the things that will bring us back to our loving Father at the end of this mortal life.  After the devotional we split into classes depending on age.  I taught the 9-11 year old class.  In the class they were taught how to act like a princess then given a crown and called one by one into the royal ball.  As they came in they would curtsy and proceed into the dance on a red carpet.  I missed the entrance of each of my little ones.  Dave said it was pretty cute to see then each do a curtsy and proceed down the red carpet.  It felt weird sending each of my girls out the door without a hair bow but, I new early into the night they would be getting a crown for the evening.  These pictures were taken in a rush before we left.

The girls felt beautiful in their dresses.  About a week before the ball we took the girls to the store to pick out their own dress.  They were thrilled!!!  They each chose very sparkly dresses that they felt beautiful in.  I loved being at the dance with Dave and the girls.  Early on in the dance I was helping out in the kitchen when K Cat and the rest of the girls poked their head in the door.  K Cat was dancing and singing along to the music.  She then said "Mom, it's I love you like a love song baby!!!"  She was pretty excited to hear a lot of her favorites and be able to sing along.  As usual the food was also a hit among the girls.  They could not get enough of the fruit and angel food cake kabobs that were available.  A classic part of the night was when the girls One Direction song came on.  We have some "Just Dance" games for the Xbox   The One Direction song, You Don't Know Your Beautiful, is a crowd favorite among my girls.  Anyway, when the song came on, all four of my girls (even Sweet Pea) had to do their memorized, choreographed dance to the song.  It was sweet to see Dave with the girls.  He is such a great dad to these four little princesses.

One More Pumpkin

 That's right!  This October we are expecting baby number 5!  We can hardly wait.

 A week and a half ago I went in for my first ultrasound.  It was amazing.  The baby was so active -- kicking and wiggling the entire time.  The baby kept putting its hands up over its head -- I told my girls it was waving at me.  During that moment I felt a very distinct feeling of just how "right" this choice was to bring this baby to our home at this time.  This is a special little spirit coming to our family and what a privilege I have to witness this miracle of life grow and develop inside of me.  It was a tender moment.  I know, with a firm assurance that this baby is a special spirit specifically chosen to come to our home at this time.

This picture was taken last week marking the first day of my second trimester! Yay!  If I am looking a little puffy in this photo it's because I am.  At 13 weeks pregnant I have already gained 14 pounds!!!  Honestly this makes me cry.  I am still exercising, which has now turned into 50 minutes of pure torture.  The entire time I am running my mind is in a constant battle of thinking "Am I going to be okay?  Do I need to get off and go throw up or can I make it through the workout?  Will I make it to the bathroom in time if I try and finish my workout?"  The first trimester has been brutal to say the least.  I am looking forward to the second trimester and hoping I start feeling more like my happy, less puffy, self again soon.   

Happy 4th Birthday K Cat

 My baby turned 4 this week!  She has been looking forward to her birthday for weeks.  For the last week she has enjoyed checking the mail in hopes of another special letter being addressed to her.  K Cat was so excited when the big day finally arrived.  It started out bright and early with with her sisters and I carrying a few presents into her room while singing "Happy Birthday".  We got her a new Sunday dress to wear to church that day with a button that read "Birthday Girl!".  Doesn't she look adorable in her new dress :)  At church she felt special as everyone wished her a happy birthday.  In our ward primary they give the children a decorative block as a gift.  She had her eye on the light pink "I am a Child of God" birthday block and was lucky enough to get it -- as soon as we got to the church building Little Z found the Primary President and let her know it was K Cat's birthday and she wanted the light pink block.  I love it when my girls are looking out for each other.

 After Dad got home from church it was time for gifts!  In the picture above she is showing off all her gifts.

 The day before her two older sisters worked very hard to draw pictures and make sweet notes to attach to each of the gifts.

 Although I made the cake exactly how this birthday girl requested , chocolate cake with pink frosting -- she didn't try a bite!  She is a funny kid when it comes to food.  She knows what she likes, and for the time being, isn't willing to try anything else.  Her first request for her birthday dinner was cereal but, as the days went on we were able to talk her into homemade pizza.

The rest of the evening involved the girls all playing with all the new pony toys she got.  A few hours before going to bed our neighbor Judy came by with a giant bag full of more gifts for this little cutie.  This big pony was one of the things in the bag.  K Cat has named her Penelope and has been playing with her ever since.  

Her favorite gifts were this giant pony and her new dress up dress.  She feels like Merida from the movie "Brave" as she rides around on her horse in her new dress up.

She truly is a joy to have in our family.  She loves gum and could honestly go through a pack a day!  K Cat could eat cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I would let her.  She doesn't have a clear favorite but, some of her most commonly picked choices are go lean (kashi), life, grape nuts, mini wheats, cracklin oat bran, and oatmeal squares.  Her greatest fear is being "snatched".  This causes her to be a bit quiet around strangers.  She changes her clothes a couple times a day (always a dress or skirt) and LOVES to shop!!!  She enjoys me laying in bed next to her at night.  Her most requested story of mine is "Rumpelstiltskin".  She is my mischievousness little angel.  The other day I was clearing off my bed.  When I went to remove a book from my sheets it was unusually sticky to the sheet... someone had successfully used a glue stick to glue a book to my sheets -- that same someone has clogged my bathroom sink twice in the last month with toilet paper, tried to sneak my essential oil from my drawer for a "special project" this week, intentionally let her baby sister and the dog (who is extremely hard to catch) out the front door while I was downstairs distracted, and colored all through a hymn book during sacrament meeting yesterday!  Did she get in trouble for any of that?... No, she is just too darn cute!  It's hard to punish her when she gives you a sweet smile, a kiss, an apologetic "I'm sorry!" followed by a quick "I love you" with a tight hug!  She loves to sing and dance.  It is so sweet to hear her sing the primary songs she is learning.  She really enjoys music and is often the first one in the car to ask me to turn on the music.  I enjoy her requests for songs -- she will usually sing them until I know the one she is asking for.  Yeah, this little one has me wrapped around her finger and I just can't get enough of her.

Easter 2013

 This year the Easter bunny brought water guns to each of the girls!  They were a big hit.  Here is Lou Who with her basket.

 Sweet Pea and her basket

 Little Z

 and K Cat

 I know this picture is really blurry but, I still love it.  Look how happy my baby's face is.  She just found her basket and is inspecting all the eggs.

 This was another favorite picture of mine from the weekend.  Look how happy one end of the picture is compared to the other end!  Ha ha!  I love my girls.  It doesn't matter how many pictures I take, there is always someone in the picture who doesn't want to be there.  This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it :)

 My girly girls felt beautiful in their new Easter dresses!  I love having a house full of girls around Easter.  One of my favorite things to do around this time of year is coordinate the perfect Easter dress for my ladies.

 These dresses had so much glitter on them.  The girls left a trial of glitter everywhere they went.  Our bench at church was covered in glitter, when I climbed into bed that night my sheets were full of glitter, and as I was talking to Dave that evening I noticed a couple patches of glitter across his forehead :)  Little Z is growing up so fast.  As we were leaving church on Sunday her teacher stopped me and complimented me on what a mature young lady she is and just how perfect she is in the classroom... this is the same report I often get from her school teacher.  I feel blessed God sent her to our home.  She comes right home from school and does her homework.  The other day she came running up from her room after we had all gone to bed in a panic because she forgot to do her homework.  She makes my job as a mama look easy! 

 Lou Who helped me pick out the dresses.  This is her favorite color.  She was so excited to find these dresses and would not let me leave the store without them.  She immediately came home and told her sisters all about them.  Lou Who gave a talk in Primary on Easter.  She did a nice job.  For my sake, I am so glad we practiced at home before leaving.  I remembered all her pictures but, left her talk at home.  Lou Who and I had to wing it! -- but, as her usual confident self, it didn't seem to phase her and she did awesome!

Sweet Pea thought her sweater needed to be buttoned the whole day.  I made the mistake of unbuttoning it once... a fit was thrown until I did the button back up.  She is watching her sisters close these days.  She enjoys getting her hair done,  She follows her sisters lead and will start to say "ouch" before I even begin brushing.  She will smile at herself in the mirror, hand me hair ties and not leave the bathroom until I have topped off the look with a bow.  she absolutely loves getting her fingernails and toenails painted... just like her sisters!  Girls are so much fun!  If your wondering where all these suckers came from.  My perfect neighbor brought each of the girls a basket full of chap stick, candy, fingernail polish, and rings.  I wish we could take our neighbor with us when we move.  She is wonderful!