To the man I love, Happy Birthday!!

Today was Mark's 25 Birthday!! He had to work, but I wanted to make the day as special as I could. I got up and made him breakfast, though he wasn't in bed by the time it was ready! Since I spent some time in the hospital this afternoon, I was able to go to lunch with him after. Which is always nice!! Then for dinner I made steaks, funeral spuds, and corn. In my efforts to become more domestic, I made him a turtle cheese cake. He is not a huge cake person, so I made sure that he got a "pie" tonight!

Grant was really funny... He tried blowing out the candle from across the room!! Then after I was done singing to Mark, Grant began singing, and he was really close to "Happy Birthday"!

I hope he had a good day. I hope that he knows how much I love and appreciate all that he does for our family. Mark is such an awesome husband and dad! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH SWEETHEART!! HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Ready or not... I'm counting on not!

I am not sure why, but this has been an extremely difficult pregnancy on my body. Each week I am grateful for having made it this far, and I can only hope to make it to October 23. I have now been to the hospital 3 times (1 was because I had vertigo) and the other two times were to be monitored.

This past Sunday I woke up with a horrible backache. I really thought it was because I worked really hard the day before and my body was just not use to it. But Monday came and the ache continued. It wasn't until Monday night that I knew something wasn't right. I woke up two or three times due to contractions. So today, of all days, I went to see the doctor to make sure everything was going smoothly. By the time I made the appointment, I could barely keep it together, and I was terrified that something was majorly wrong. She sent me to the hospital to have the FFN test, and to be monitored. The test came back negative, which was a huge sigh of relief. However, I did have 4 contractions while I was there. I had to laugh, because according to them, once I hit 6 contractions, then I needed to come back!! SO I guess I'm suppose to wait it out, and hope that I don't start having 6 contractions an hour... BUT what do I do for the pain until I have her?? I have been blessed with a wonderful family. Even better, I was blessed to have married into a great family too!! Two weeks ago Mark's cousin, Aunt Susie and Grandma Maroney threw me a baby shower. Honestly, it was really hard for me, only because I felt I shouldn't have one since I had one with Grant. But Kimberly persisted, and I am so glad that she did. I had an awesome time getting to know the Maroney girls. My mom, Megan and Macki were able to come too! Which made it all the much better!!

I am no where near ready for Cami JoAnn to come. She needs to bake a little longer too! Mark and I purchased the crib set above. I was so excited, because I went with hand me downs for Grant (which I am grateful for!!). I am just so excited for this little girl to make her grand entrance into this world... In 57 days!!!!

Fireworks in August

There is something about Grant that makes me laugh. He always seems to know when he "shouldn't" go to bed. He is usually really good about it, but once in a while he does not go down easily. For instance, last week I put him down and started to make cookies. 15 minutes after putting him down, he was ready to be up again. So I let him stay up for a few more minutes, while I finished baking (he is a lot like me, and loves cookie dough too... though he doesn't get it that often).

Last night was one of those night, where he didn't want to go down. I went into his bedroom and got him up. He helped me a little in Cami's room, and then I had the thought... While we were in Utah we bought some fireworks, and still had them!! We didn't go see the 4th of July fireworks this year, and so I asked Mark to grab a few. We headed outside for Grant's 1st experience with fireworks... His face above says it all!

He wouldn't touch the sparkler. He did, however, think that they were pretty cool. I guess I am ok with the fact that he isn't excited to touch or play with fire! It was fun, and right after he went to bed!! I am so glad to have these fun moments with my family!!

To my little guy!

Yesterday was Grant's 2nd Birthday!! From a 2 year olds point of view, he had a party ALL weekend! We went to Casa Grande for the weekend, and Uncle Crispin made him a cake. Then we had a cake with Grandma & Grandpa Bingham. Since his birthday fell on a Monday, both Mark and I had to work. But later that night we had some more cake! Did I mention that at daycare they celebrated Grant's birthday too?!?! To much cake for me, but he loved it!! Grant truly has been the biggest blessing in my life. I never knew the joys that could come from being a mom. Last night as I held him, I told him how much I loved him. How much I thought I loved him 2 years ago, but that it has grown so much from then. He is so happy, and brings joy into every one's life. It's hard to imagine loving him more, but I think I said that 2 years ago. I'll let you know in another few years!

This was the cake at Grandma & Grandpa Bingham's. You have to love the "candles"... Rather matches! He loved this cake, mainly because we didn't cut him a piece and he just ate whatever he wanted. Finally Grandma got smart and took it away!!

Daddy had brought home his birthday present, without wrapping it first. So Grant got a sneak peak, and he KNEW what was in the bag!! HE could NOT wait for the Maroney's to show up...

He had to have it... Right then, no exceptions!

He is such a cuddly little boy! He loves to give hugs and kisses.

The Maroney's got him a Thomas the Train set. I was amazed that he knew what a train says. "CHOO CHOO"!! He was so cute with it!

This is the cake I made for Grant. It was my first attempt at being "crafty" or creative! The eyes look off, but for the most part, it didn't look to bad... Just didn't take the best! I guess I have a lot of years ahead of me to get that part down!!

Overall Grant had a great birthday! Good thing I have a year before the next!!

Who's counting??

There is a girl at my work who is expecting a baby 2 weeks before me. We always stop and talk about Dr appointments, and how our pregnancies are going. Yesterday she stopped in my office to talk. I asked her how much longer she had. To my surprise, her response was, "I'm not exactly sure. Around 8 weeks." My jaw dropped and I rambled off everything I knew about what I had left, which is:

• 70 days, exactly today!
• 10 Weeks exactly!!!!
• I only have 9 more Mondays left to work
• 6 more Dr visits (hopefully)
• I only have to wear my work clothes for 10 more weeks (I hope they'll fit!)
• 5 more paydays
• In 17 days, officially, I will be able to say, "I'm having a baby next month"
• Mark & I only have 7 more Saturdays to get the bathroom and Cami's bedroom done (he works 1 Saturday a month)
• 43 days left of work, good thing I'm training someone!!

Ok, so I may be a little obsessed! I'm very excited. I can't wait to see what she'll look like... To start losing this weight, ugh... To finally share her with Mark... There is so much that still needs to be done, it's overwhelming. But I am glad that the c-section is scheduled and we know that she'll be here on Friday October 23, Mark and I will have been married exactly 9 months! Bet not a lot of people can say that!

Funny Eater!

Growing up my family always ate dinner together. I believe that the dinner table is one of the most important and memorable furniture items a family can own. This is one tradition I try to do every night for my own family.

I am not sure why I love to watch Grant eat, but I do!! This is a little boy who knows what he likes!! I have had to be come creative when cooking, because I want him to be healthy and not face weight issues (seems to be a big problem with kids these days!!) I borrowed my mom's wheat grinder and have found out that Grant will eat wheat pancakes just as much as he'll eat regular ones. I've learned about making different kinds of quick breads, and muffins with wheat. It's actually been fun, and I've enjoyed eating these treats too! If you look closely at this cookie, you'll notice that it's covered in frosting... Oh wait, it's all over his face! It's not healthy. At all. We tried decorating them, but he just wanted to eat the frosting. Mark kids that he is just like his mommy... What?? I like (ok LOVE) frosting! It makes the cake!

Grant loves pasta! I am always looking at new recipes everywhere online. I came across a buttermilk chicken and spaghetti squash recipe and decided to try it. It actually was pretty easy to make. Ta-dum, Grant LOVED it. And I think Mark was ok with it too!

At our house we only have swamp cooling (YUCK), and so I try and grill as much as I can. One night we had tin foil dinners out on the grill. Grant would NOT put down the tongs!! He even bathed with them!! I didn't mind, I thought it was pretty funny!

Recently, Grant has started to eat as much as possible, in as little time as possible. Ok, ok, he does get the big mouth from me. FYI, it was a 1/2 a banana!! GROSS!!

My little man!! I just love watching him eat. He just ends up doing the funniest things!! I am blessed to have such a healthy little guy... Hope you enjoyed a few moments of our dinner time!

My Meggie

I am not sure why I am so homesick today, but I am!! I'm homesick for my sister. I am not sure if it is because I only have 11 more Mondays left before Cami is here, or because I miss "fitting" in. We do NOT always get along... I'll admit, I can annoy the crap out her, but I am sure she'll admit, that no one can annoy her like I do! I miss Megan. I miss that she gets me, and I don't have to try and impress her. I miss that we can complain about everything in the WORLD. Before Mark came along, she was my bestest friend.

This was taken at Lake Powell. One night I was struggling in Utah, and called her up and asked her to meet me half way. She amazingly agreed and we met up at Lake Powell. It was so boring, but somehow we had a lot of fun. I'll never forget that it was here that she discovered how allergic she was to aspirin and broke out all over her face!! But we totally laughed about it. I miss the fact that she always makes me laugh!!We went to my first concert together... I was pretty old, I know! On our way up we decided that we wanted to stop and buy hot pickles... Only because they make us, I don't know, gassy... LOL. My little sister is never afraid to be herself. And she truly lives by the motto "If they don't like me, oh well." She has been able to help me so much with that!

I have so many wonderful memories of Megan. Growing up, I never thought we would be friends. I am so proud of the person she has become. She is a great mommy, wife and sister. I admire what she has done with her life. I long to live closer to my family. I miss my family. I miss fitting in, and having them to be around. But I probably miss having my little sister the most, especially right now! I LOVE YOU MEGAN!!