It's a Boy

I had my 14 week appointment and it's a boy! I am really excited to be having another little prince. I can't believe that I am going to be surrounded by boys!! But, as my sister-in-law pointed out, I grew up that way! I have 3 older brothers- no sisters. I can handle it. I'm so excited for this baby to come. Time is flying by. Can't wait to meet this little guy- too bad I have to wait 25 more weeks!

13 weeks and counting

Morning sickness has been having it's way with me. Since week 5 in this pregnancy I have been down and out. It's not the same morning sickness that I experienced with Harrison. This time around, I am nauseated all day and can't even manage to get anything done. With Harrison, morning sickness didn't start until week 8. I would have some morning problems, but then I would manage and push through it. But this time, constant nausea since week 5! That's two months of laying on the couch most of the day.
My poor little guy is suffering the most. Mom can't play, cook good dinners and give him the attention that he needs. I know that it's also been rough for Brian. He works a full day, then comes home to a messy house, a pile of dirty laundry, a little boy who wants to play and one sick and needy wife.
But something miraculous happened on Thursday. I hit the 13 week mark and had the best day! I'm afraid of writing all this, I may jinx a good thing! Since that wonderful day I have been feeling pretty good. I've had a few moments here and there, but for the most part, I am feeling tons better. I've even managed to start cleaning the house and getting more done. Don't get me wrong, I'm still exhausted a lot of the time. But, I know as I get into my second trimester, I'll have more energy.
I know that when I look into my sweet baby's face, it will all be worth it.

A Fabulous New Year

2012 is out and 2013 is so in!!
This year is proving to be wonderful for my little family. Here are a few things happening:
#1- Harrison is now a Sunbeam in Primary. I was a little worried about him adjusting to a new class, but he did amazing. I sat with him the first week in Opening Exercises. He tried to sing along to songs he doesn't know, led the music from his chair and he just loved it when the kids gave talks. I was one proud mama. I can't believe he is officially in primary. I love that little guy.

#2- Brian got a new job! He is now the Business Development Manager at Marketstar here in Ogden. He has only been there a couple of weeks and he is loving it. Last week he travelled to Las Vegas for the annual CES show. This job came at just the right time for us. I know Heavenly Father guided us to this job. So grateful for blessings.
#3- Our family will be a family of 4 this Summer! I am almost 12 weeks pregnant and due on August 1! We are so excited to bring another little child of God into our family. No one is more excited than Harrison. He is constantly looking at the ultrasound picture and wanting to watch the DVD of the ultrasound. His favorite part is hearing baby's heartbeat.

I am so excited for all the wonderful changes that lie in store for our family this year. I know that trials will come, but we'll get through them together. We've been through a lot of rough times in our 6 years together, it's nice to be able to relax... even if it is only for a little bit. I hope that your 2013 looks bright. 

Happy 2013!!!

The Art of Marriage

"The Art Of Marriage" by Wilferd A. Peterson  Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In the art of marriage the little things are the big things... It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude
of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humour. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.

Beautiful words that are a good reminder that marriage is work and a work of art. So grateful to have a wonderful husband who is also my best friend! 

Potty Training

Potty training- my biggest parental fear.
I had been putting it off because my little one is very strong willed. Would I say he is a typical 3 year old? Yes, but with a little bit more spirit. On the other hand, I am a laid back parent. I know what you're thinking - he must walk all over me. He doesn't. I pick my battles carefully with him. Potty training was one battle I was putting off. But one day I decided that I was just going to get the job done!
My sweet friend sent me an ebook called, "The Three Day Potty Training Method." I read it and got freaked out! It sounded like a lot more work than I was ever wanting to do. (I just sounded super lazy just then, didn't I?) But, it had to be done. If you're not familiar with the method, here it is in a nutshell. Your little one wears nothing but undies. You are focused on him at all times, just waiting to catch him having an accident. No doing housework, "me" time or anything. You are attached at the hip to your child. When they do have an accident, you rush him to the potty. They eventually get the idea.
So on Monday, I began! Things were a little rocky at the beginning. Harrison did not want to put on the big boy undies. I had to show him that Spongebob wears tighty whities. That really sold him. I finally got him in them. Then we put all his animal friends in some.  There were accidents, but he was getting the idea. When Brian got home, he put some goldfish crackers in the potty. Harrison learned to pee standing up! He just needed his dad to teach him. Since then, things have been easy breezy.
He has done so good! I am amazed at how it has gone for him. I am so proud of my little guy. I sometimes still think of him as a baby. But I need to remember that he is 3 now and can do it! He hasn't had an accident since day 2! I also need to remember that I am pretty strong willed myself! I can do this. Heavenly Father has given us moms the patience, strength and love we need to raise our little ones. We practically have superpowers, am I right? Yes, yes, I am.
I am so thankful I get to be the mommy to this wonderful little person. He lights up my life. I look forward to all of the lessons we'll teach one another in the years to come.

Here he is with all his friends, in big boy undies!

My little shutterbug

Fact: Kids love to take pictures.

I was constantly wasting film in my parents' camera when I was a little girl. Luckily today we have digital cameras. No harm done.
Anytime chance he gets, Harrison takes as many pictures as he possibly can.
Here is some of his work. I call this collection, "Impressions of the dog".

And finally a self portrait of the photographer

It's been a while....

I can't believe that it's been such a long time since I posted! I'd like to tell you that I have been super busy doing fantastic, exciting things... but I would be lying. We've been up to the same old stuff. Truth is, I haven't posted because I didn't think anyone really paid attention to my little blog. But I decided that it's more important for me to post for myself. It's about recording memories of my little family. Life is about the journey. I need to make sure that I remember it.