Wish me luck

Well, its 4 am.  I'm awake as I have been the past 3 nights/mornings.  Pain (in my hip and ligaments) and anxiety are my constant companions.

In just an hour and a half I will be going to the hospital to have this baby.  I'm nervous.  I could really use some faith and prayers.

An update

Its been awhile since I've done an update on each member of our family, so I figured today was a good day to do just that.

Bolton:  This little guy is such a crack up!  He says funny things all the time and has adopted phrases from his brothers and sister.  My personal favorite is when he says something is "awesome!"  This is is spot on the couch.  If anyone else sits there he will tell them all about how it is his spot!  It really needs a good deep cleaning too, its almost like he's marked his territory.

He is a momma's boy.  I really wonder how he's going to be affected by baby's arrival.  Every night all the other kids fight over who gets to get carried up to bed by Dad first, but Bolton always calls over and over, "I call Mom! I call Mom!" while trying to climb on my back.  Most nights I can handle giving him a ride up, but others I just can't and he gets really upset. He has the best pouty face imaginable.  It is hilarious!

Bolton loves to play outside, no matter what the weather.  He just loves to be outside as much as possible.  Of course, he also loves to watch TV.  Each morning he comes to find me and asks if he can watch TV.  I think his favorite show is Dinosaur Train on PBS.  His favorite color is yellow.  He loves race cars (really loves them) I've never had a boy who loves cars and trains much, but he sure does.  The only way I can get him to bed without a fight is to bribe him with books.  The boy loves to be read too.  He has his favorite books and we read them several times a day, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Baby Mickey, and the 5 Little Monkeys (playing hide and seek).  He is such a fun kid!  A joy to be around (most the time) :)

Eliza is getting so grown up.  She is always wanting to help me with whatever I'm doing, cooking, crafting, even cleaning.  She is a little mother and treats Bolton like her own personal baby. If he cries, she comes rushing over to him and rubs his arm saying something like, "Its OK Bolton, it will be alright."  

She adores her brothers and always prays for them and her dad every morning.  She and Bolton are best friends and they sing and dance, "Best Friends Forever" all day long.  She'll ask him repeatedly, "Am I still your best friend?" They have "playdates" in their bed room with all the stuffed dogs in the house (there are quite a few) and I find dogs in the funniest places throughout the day.  

She's getting pretty good at writing her letters and drawing pictures.  She definitely more interested in all that than the boys ever were.  She'll actually ask if she can color some days!  I don't know how she came to be such a girly girl, but she is all about pink and purple and princesses.  It kind of drives me crazy.  We were making a fall craft to give away recently and I asked her to pick out a button for me to use but specified that it needed to be red or yellow... she was saddened that she couldn't choose pink or purple.  And kept asking just to make sure.  

She has become quite a whiner, unfortunately.  And we have to remind her to ask for things nicely without whining.  Its just her first response to any negative situation to start whimpering and whining.  All that aside, we sure find her delightful!

Levi is still the emotional roller coaster that he always has been.  We have super good days and we have rotten days.  I don't know what sets him off on those bad days, but I wish we could figure out how to avoid the depths of his frustration.  Actually the good days have outweighed the bad significantly the past month.  And school does seem to be going a lot better for him lately!  Hallelujah!  He told me this morning that he thinks he's the smartest in his class.  And I wouldn't doubt it.  He breezes through everything he brings home.  

Did you know that Kentucky leads the nation in toothlessness?  (At least according to my friends and doctor here).  Well, I guess all we had to do was move here, the boys have been losing teeth like crazy! Levi is proudly the youngest member of the family to have lost teeth. He was the youngest to get teeth too, I wonder if there is a correlation.  

He is really excited for the baby to come and is the only one of the kids who comes up to my belly at least every day and says something to the baby.  He always checks to make sure that he's right that the baby can hear him.  He hugs my belly and tells the baby, "You're going to be born soon" and that he loves him.  Its super sweet.  

Levi continues to play exceptionally well with Bryant and with Jonas, but not together.  He seems to just do well with one on one play at this point.  He loves to play with Legos and he is very good at pretend.  Every day he can, he watches his favorite show on PBS, Wild Kratts.  He loves animals and recently earned some money and when he went to spend it came home with two goldfish, Jack and Eric.  Sadly, Eric didn't make it. But Jack is thriving.  He really wants a "real" pet and I think it would be so good for him, but I'm not ready to commit to that yet.

Jonas seems to be going through a difficult time right now.  You know how kids just kind of cycle through good times and less good?  I think he misses being outside.  Of all the kids, he's been the most determined to play outside as much as possible, but the weather has been kind of cold and he's been cooped up.  Its not good for the soul.  

He, too, has lost a bunch of teeth since we moved here.  Its strange to see my kids getting their awkward grown up teeth... they really are growing up!

What he's been struggling with, school and chores.  So, really, he's just a normal kid, but it sure makes things challenging.  He has great grades, but getting him to do work is such a challenge!  He has such a different way of thinking through things than I do, it makes it really hard for me to relate to him.  For instance, when he does math, if you ask him what 12-9 is he takes forever to come to an answer, but if you ask him how many years until Bryant is 12 (because Bryant is 9 right now) he can answer you with out even thinking about it.  I think he psychs himself out with homework, makes it harder than it needs to be.  Just because he's not "as good as Bryant" (his words) at reading, he won't even try to get better.  Wish I could help him.  Any ideas?

Chores are a huge ordeal.  He just doesn't want to do anything!  I think it comes down to him seeing things differently, he sees the whole big picture, but can't break it down into smaller jobs to seem doable.  I don't know how to help him figure it out, but hopefully he'll figure it out in time for his wife.  We tell our kids "It will be better when you're married" I guess I should keep that in mind for myself as well. :)  

As much as he doesn't like to help with chores he LOVES to help with cooking!  He is the best helper in the kitchen!  I'm so thankful for the help he gave me on Thanksgiving.  He was so quick to respond to my request too I was shocked.  But it was awesome, he did a great job helping making our Banana Cream Pie (from scratch) and rolling our rolls into shape.  

Bryant has been busy with school and auditioned for choir.  He made it and has been really enjoying it!  He is getting to be a better singer and is quite dedicated to it.  They rehearse on Tuesdays after school.  He is doing really well in school and I think he really likes it here.  He is tops in his class and has received some nice feedback from his teachers and even the principal.  Here is his choir singing at the Grand Opening of a new grocery store in town.  

He's also still very helpful.  The other day he told me that Bolton came into his room and he didn't have a diaper on. Bolton wanted to get on Bryant's bed, but Bryant wouldn't let him until he had a diaper on, so he went and got one and put it on him.  Of course, it wasn't until later that I found the diaper Bolton had taken off, it was a poopy one!  I asked Bryant if he had wiped him, he said he'd tried, but wasn't able to get him all clean.  I told him that I appreciated his help, but it would have been OK to come get me in that case.  Luckily, there wasn't a mess, Bolton just needed a bath to get cleaned up after being in the dried on poop.  

Bryant helps with the cleaning a lot too.  Thank goodness! I need all the help I can get at this point.  However, he is definitely the instigator in a lot of the physicalness that happens round these parts.  He kind of drives me crazy the way he gets everyone wound up and then tattles if they hurt him or do something they aren't supposed to.  Everyone does fine at being mellow until he starts winding everyone up.  But I guess it could be a good quality, he'll be like the Andre Kirelinko of whatever group he's in.  (if you aren't familiar with Andre, he used to play on the Utah Jazz and was the best at coming in off the bench and getting everyone fired up)

Bryant was also chosen as one of fourteen kids from his choir to participate in the district choir festival. Ethan and I were able to go down to his concert and they did a great job.  There were two choirs performing separately, then they had two songs to sing together.  

During the first of the songs they were singing together, the fire alarm went off!  We had to evacuate the building.  Finding our kids was kind of tricky. I'm pretty sure every girl I saw that had been in the choir was in tears.  Bryant didn't seem too affected by it.  I told Ethan I think it was a first for me, despite all the concerts I've attended.  Made for a fun memory. :)

I am doing well.  Today is the official due date.  I went to the Dr today and there has been a little progress, so maybe I'll go into labor on my own... only time will tell.  Since my mom is coming to town next week, I opted to schedule an induction if baby doesn't come on his own by Wednesday Dec. 5 that will be the day.

I've been busy trying to get everything ready for baby's arrival and for Christmas.  I just don't know what I will be able to accomplish with a newborn, so my project list has been quite full.  I'll try to share pictures at some point.  Several are gifts, so they will have to wait.

My ward friends had a baby shower for me.  It was really nice. We went to Applebee's and ate and chatted and then I opened presents.  They were all so generous.  It was a great night.  We've been so blessed to live in fabulous wards everywhere we've been! 

The ladies who came to my baby shower.

And from the other side of the table.

One of the ladies made this huge diaper cake.  I left it on the table that night so when the boys got up they were totally excited about it.

Ethan is ready for baby to come, I think.  If for no other reason than that he gets to take some time off work!  He's doing a low vision stint this quarter of his residency and it is proving to be a challenge.  But he's learning a lot.  I think he is really feeling like his work is more meaningful here than it was at the AF base.  Like he's making a difference for good in these people's lives.  

He is usually home by 7:30 these days, so we are thankful that we are seeing him more often than a few months ago.  Hopefully it will continue to get better. :)  The board meets next week to determine if he will make Major in the next 6 months.  It looks pretty good!  But pray for him anyway.  Things have changed a bit since we left the AF base, so our list of possible bases is in flux.  We are hoping to have it submitted soon and to know where we are headed next summer in January or February.

He has been so good at remaining mellow during my really grumpy evenings with the kids.  I'm thankful for his level head.  We balance each other out usually, if one of us is upset the other is level... but lately, I'm the only one who gets upset. :)  Here's hoping that changes soon!

The kids all miss their dad, but take full advantage of his time when he is around.  Levi reads to him every night and it makes a huge difference in his behavior.  Its amazing what a little dad time can fix!

Overall, I'd say things are going great for us!  We are all excited for the baby's arrival and for Christmas.  We hope you all are doing well too!

Baby Guesses

First of all, I wanted to let you know that I found the cord for the camera! Actually, Ethan did, thanks babe! I'll be updating in chronological order, so the new posts won't be at the top of the blog, but I will try to do one big update with links to all the others if anyone is interested...

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Now, its that time again.  I can hardly believe it, but here it is!  Time to make your guesses as to when the baby will make his appearance and how big he will be.  Just leave a comment with your guess for date and time and baby's weight.  I always find it so fun to hear what people guess.

Just a reminder of past experience:

• Bryant was born on his due date (induced) and weighed 8 lb 6 oz
• Jonas was born 2 days after his due date (induced) and weighed 9 lb 3 oz
• Levi was born 4 days after his due date (induced) and weighed 9 lb 8 oz
• Eliza was born 3-4 days before her due date (induced) and weighed 7 lb 13 oz
• Bolton was born 1 day after his due date (NOT induced!!!) and weighed 9 lb 6 oz

And info for this little guy:

• This baby boy is due November 30.  Apparently, there has been confusion about this, but this is the date on my chart!
• I'm not measuring quite as big as I have in the past, but still a little above average.  
• I've been contracting a lot, but only a few times have the contractions been regular and/or painful.  
• The doctor says he won't let me go more than a week past my due date, so no guesses for after Dec. 7.
• I'm really hoping to not be induced again this time!

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I will drop a gift card in my mail box for the winners! An early Christmas for someone!

Playing Catch Up

Hooray for the camera cord being found!  I have done a lot of catching up, so if you're interested in seeing what we've been up to the past 2 months... here's your chance.  Of course, you can always just click the links on the side bar as well...

Cross Country race at the Kentucky Horse Park  September 22, 2012

Going to a Cincinnati Reds Game September 22, 2012

General Conference October 7, 2012

Couples Costume Party October 19, 2012

Another Cross Country Race October 20, 2012

Fall pictures of Kentucky Countryside October 20, 2012

Halloween and Trunk or Treat October 27 & 31, 2012

October according to Evo

Thank goodness I have a phone that takes pictures... otherwise I would be in big trouble with the blog! Here is our October according to my phone:

Eliza decided to decorate everything she could find in her "beautiful" stickers.  She was kind of sad when they didn't quite come off everything very nicely.  I was a little sad (or, mad, you could say) when I found them all over her wall and bed.  So, today when we were at the craft store and she begged me to buy her stickers, she was quite devastated that then answer was a resounding "no!"

I got in the Halloween mood this year and made some fun decorations.  I ordered some really cute designer fabric online and made us a bunting and some spooky bats.  And, in case you're wondering, the quote was already on the wall.  It was the first thing I saw when I walked in (after we had already signed a contract, mind you) and I knew everything was going to be OK. :)

Ethan got a smart phone!  He giggled like a giddy school girl for days. :)  Not really, I just love his genuine smile/laugh and had to capture it and looking back at it now it makes me think of a giddy school girl. :)  Maybe because that's what he makes me feel like.

The scouts borrowed our trailer for their High Adventure, which meant the kids had access to all the stuff with the kayak, let's just say they've been having a lot of fun with it!

We had a couple Halloween party.  It was fun.  Ethan's costume rocked... I'll just leave you with this sneak peek.  Maybe you can figure it out... the pictures of the actual costume are on the camera.

Sadly, Ethan had to leave us for a week to go to Academy.  When we left him at the airport I snapped these pics of the kids... I told them, "Trust me, I feel the same way!"

Jonas got me excited about Halloween with his costume choice, can you guess what/who he is?

Eliza really wanted to be a princess.  When I was talking to my mom about it, she suggested she could make her a dress and send it to us.  So, here is our little (medium) princess.  Fun little side note, all the fabric on this dress was used  for me in one way or another.  The dark purple on top (I know it doesn't really look purple...) was from one of my very favorite dresses my mom made for me for Prom my senior year.  The light purple on bottom was what some of the bridesmaids wore at my wedding.  The sheer overlay/sleeves is from a Cinderella dress I wore when I sang "On the Steps of the Palace" for the Miss Cherry Days Pageant way back in the day.

Our very own "Mad Eye Moody" looked great!  It was a lot of fun to make.  I don't think he ended up liking it as much as he expected though.  None of his friends were really familiar with who it was making it a lot less impressive.  He could have worn it to school on Halloween, but chose not to. I was kind of bummed.  I'll be less likely to make him a flippin' awesome costume in the future. :)

My two (boring) ninjas.  Seriously, I wanted to make rockin' costumes for everyone, but they chose to be ninjas?  I was less than excited to work on these and you can tell. But they ended up being happy with them. Go figure.

Again, I have pictures from actual Halloween, but they are on the camera!  Sorry no pictures of Bolton as our recycled Cheetah.  But, rest assured, he was adorable!!!

Oh, I got bigger this month.  I think I was 35 1/2 weeks here.  I'm wondering if this baby will be smaller than the other boys.  I don't think I'm quite as huge as I was before.

We told the kids if they finished the season of Cross Country and did their best, we would take them to Golden Corral for dinner.  They finished the season strong (after a brief hiatus, Levi was back on board and excited!) and so we took them to dinner the Tuesday night we were getting hit with the remnants of Sandy.  It was the perfect time for our clan to be there, it was dead!  The kids loved it, of course.  But it seems Bolton is the only one I snapped a picture of.  I think he enjoyed that cotton candy (that was as big as his head) about as much as he's enjoyed anything.

October had lots of fun for us (and some drama)... hard to believe we're in for so much more fun in the upcoming weeks!

Halloween 2012

We had our Trunk or Treat on Oct 27.  Its a good thing I got pictures here because I didn't take any on Halloween before they got back from trick or treating! 

The lovely princess.

The speedy cheetah... see, he's blurry he's so fast. :)

The vampire ninja.

Mad Eye Moody lost the privilege to get candy at the trunk or treat, so he didn't wear his eye for most of the night.

A man in our ward owns a doughnut shop, we really, really like his doughnuts.

Bolton was so cute going from car to car.  Its a good thing I ran out of candy early on so I could take him around.  He was so funny.  I cropped this photo closer to him, but the original shows that at least 4 people were stopped in their tracks smiling at how cute he is.

Halloween night Mad Eye made sure to do his chores so he could get his haul.

It was a really cold night, and Ethan took all the kids by himself, so they didn't last too long.  I was glad for that.  The less candy the better!  We have a strict no sucker policy in this family.  So that is the only sorting that gets done right away. Then the kids can sell their candy to me for $0.05 a piece.  They each made over a dollar that night.  They were really excited about what they could buy with that dollar+ the next day at school.

Something I want to remember about our time in Kentucky... there were a TON of people going around our neighborhood, but for some reason most of them don't come to the door!  I bought a ton of candy (our neighbor told us a lot of kids come out) and didn't want to get stuck with it, so I had to sit outside to get people to come take my candy!  Does that happen where you live?  Its a first for me! I didn't like it one bit!

Fall

One of the saddest parts of living where we did in Texas is that we didn't have much (if any) Fall season.  No sweater weather, no changing leaves, and all the good that comes with fall, the smells, the baking, the soups... anyhow, when we drove down to the kids' race in Woodford county I was in LOVE with the beauty of fall in Kentucky!  So here are some snapshots of that beauty.  If for no one else, but me.