Motherhood- the best job!

Being a mom is one of the most trying and rewarding things ever. There are those days that you think you've messed up so much that your child will need therapy for the rest of his life. You wonder if what you're doing is really worth while. Then there are those wonderful days you get to spend together when everything just goes perfect. Fun in the sun, no tantrums. But most days are somewhere in between. You deal with tantrums, but there are those moments that just make it all worth while. I heard this quote and it summed it up perfectly. 

So thankful to be my little guy's mom. He brings me so much joy. He lights up my life. Here are a few of his new "things"-

• Bringing me flowers he picks. Most of them are dandelions, but I love them just as much as a rose. 
• He is always telling me he loves me. "Mom, I huv you." I get to hear those sweet words probably 20 times a day and it never gets old. 
• He loves to give hugs. He especially likes to hug his little brother inside my tummy. He wraps his arms around my belly and gives it a kiss. 
• He cannot wait to meet this baby. He tells me all the things he's going to do to help me once the baby comes. He'll feed him, hold him, give him his binkie and even change dirty diapers. Quite a list, isn't it? 
• Harrison is really into the human body. He looks at a body atlas we have and has a million questions. His favorite is the heart. He listens to our hearts beat and thinks it's the coolest thing in the world. He even tells me that his heart pumps blood in his body. Smartie Pants. 
• He is really into cooking. He loves watching cooking shows. "Mom, want to watch the cooking show." He loves to help cook dinner, which mostly means he stirs things. 

Mothers Day 2013

Making a wish

24 weeks along

Why does pregnancy have to be so long? I guess I can't complain. Elephants are pregnant for almost 2 years! Poor elephant mamas! This pregnancy has been challenging. I've been more sick and for much longer than with my first. I am just barely starting to get over morning sickness. At 13 weeks, I had a break from it but then it came back with a vengeance! My doctor gave me some meds to help with my nausea but that came with it's own set of side effects that I won't get into. My energy levels are still first trimester low, but I am trying to get a little more done each day. I'm also struggling with body image. The first time around, I remember being really excited at seeing a little tummy. It was so cute to have a little bump (that eventually turned into one gigantic mountain). But this time, all I can see is a gut. I think I am just really worried about not being able to lose baby weight after he comes. Brian tries to remind me that I don't have a gut- it's a little person in there. Logically, I know that he is right. Emotionally, all I see is a lump of goo. Just another thing to work on.
But the best part of being pregnant are those little glimmers of light. Last week my doctor snapped this little beauty during the ultrasound.

Getting to see my little boy's face makes all the sickness, exhaustion and backaches worth it. It puts everything into perspective. This little miracle is growing inside of me. He relies on me to live each day and make it the best that I can, despite the challenges.

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!