Week 38...

Still no baby....uughhh! It's getting old isn't it? I know, we would like to post newborn pictures here rather than prenatal updates, but this little guy must be pretty comfy in there. BUT HIS MOM SURE ISN'T! I've walked 6 miles in the last 24 hours in hopes that something will happen.. and I'm beginning to think I'm nuts because I actually WANT contractions to start. Who would wish that upon themselves? Only a 9-month pregnant lady living in an AZ summer chasing around a near 2-year old, right? Well, after a whole week of antics I am STILL a 2.5 and now effaced 80%. Yippee. So, I asked the Dr. to strip my membranes today and he did. So, hopefully now we'll see some real progress. (Cross your fingers!) In the meantime we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our new little bundle of joy and trying to enjoy these last few days as a family of 3. It will be fun to watch Corbin emerge as the older sibling, the "big brother", but at the same time it's a little bitter sweet to see my baby boy become so big over night. Oh... the pregnancy emotions and joys of growing a family. Here's to hoping for contractions! :)

Baby Bump

This is just a sampling of our fun photo shoot over the weekend with Tami Webb. Corbin was so cute with his "brother" in mommy's tummy. Hopefully he'll actually get to hold him soon.

A "Q" for Quinton?He's laughing because he felt the baby kick him. Such a happy little boy.

Week 37 Update

Well, there's progress, but not much. After today's check-up I am still 75% effaced and now dilated to a "good 2.5". The doctor said I'm "not quite a 3, but close". Here I was thinking I would definitely be 100% and a 5 and I've only moved 1 cm. Discouraging. But, progress is progress and it's better than none, so I'll take it anyway it comes. Of course I am going to be much more ambitious in my activity this week... swimming, walking, stairs, etc. Problem is, we sold our single stroller and our double stroller hasn't arrived yet so I'll have to walk someplace with a shopping cart for Corbin. Guess this means I'll be shopping! :) Thanks to the suggestion from my sister-in-law, Haley, for the pedicure--- there is a pressure point on the foot that helps to induce labor-- so I went and got one this morning and I'm already feeling better. Now I have cute toes to look at too! :) The following pictures are a small documentary of my prego belly. Sorry, nothing more recent, we had a photo shoot over the weekend and they'll be posted ASAP. Enjoy!December 2007

January 2008February 2008

Week 36 Update

OK, I know some of you may be completely uninterested in this weekly feature, but I know many of you who are dying to know so.... After today's Doctor check-up I am 75% effaced and dilated to a 1.5! That's better than nothing, but I'm trying not to get too excited about it because I was 100% effaced and dilated to a 3 with Corbin for 3 WEEKS and he didn't come until a day before his due date. I have heard that baby #2 typically comes early and faster, so here's to hoping for typical circumstances. I'll post pictures of the prego belly and update you all again next week! :)

My Boys & Motherhood

As I sat in church on Sunday (Mother's Day) and listened to all of the wonderful talks on womanhood and motherhood and the divine role of a mother in shaping society through rearing and nurturing her own children in the home.... it dawned on me that this beautiful "position" I now hold as a mother could never have happened with out my 2 favorite boys: Jeff and Corbin. As parents, Jeff and I created the positions we now hold as Father and Mother and Corbin was the child who "taught" me all about motherhood and why and how I could love mothering him so much. Essentially I could not have had the privilege and learning experience of motherhood without these 2 individuals in my life...together, they made me a mother! So, on this Mother's Day I wish to acknowledge and thank them for their unconditional love in my life.

I also want to thank my boys for installing this new fountain for me in our yard as a Mother's Day gift. Some type of symbolism found in this beautiful gift. Of course, Corbin is Jeff's side-kick and always has to help daddy do anything that requires tools.

It was a gift in itself to watch them work together to install it. Both of them broke a sweat!

No, we didn't plan the matching outfits, but that is pretty cute.

That is the fountain completely installed behind me and Corbin's gift and card to me: iRemember digital scrapbooking software for our iMac! Now I can enhance my blogging abilities as well! Be warned!

So full of love and affection for mommy. I can hardly bend over my other little boy in my belly to get a kiss! 3 weeks to go.Yet another boy in my life that made mother's day special this year... my missionary brother! Jeff captured us during our long-awaited phone call from Elder Larson in Brandon, MS. We all circled round the speaker phone before dinner to talk to him and he sounded so good! We miss him.Corbin had been practicing his portion of the conversation for weeks. He can say "Uncle Jesse, Miss-ippi, teach Jesus, riding bikes, miss you!" Then, unprompted he started to count to 10 for Jesse and told him "Ready not here come!"... like he was playing hide and seek with him long distance. SO STINKIN' CUTE! It was a perfect day surrounded by my boys! :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to our Mothers:Grandma "Tee-Tee", Christie, Jeff's Mom

& Grandma Larson, Holly's Mom
We love you and we're grateful for all your sacrifices and love for us. Our own parenting experience has made us appreciate you even more this year. These thoughts are for you:

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.
A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.
~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

There's nothing like a mama-hug. ~Adabella Radici

The sweetest sounds to mortals given
Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.
~William Goldsmith Brown

Water fountain

On our family outing Friday night we ventured out to the Apple Store @ SanTan Village (Gilbert's new outdoor mall). It was my first time out there but Corbin and Jeff had stopped by before so we brought Corbin's swimsuit and towel in case he got in the water fountain, but of course we left them in the car. .. and we let him play anyway. He started out fully clothed because he looked seemingly uninterested.

After observing the other kids running through the water and screaming in sheer delight, he couldn't hold back, and he was eventually soaked....duh, mom! I should have guessed.

So, yes we are "those" kind of parents who let our almost 2 year old run around in his diaper in public. Oh well, 2 other kids were doing the same thing and Corbin won't care until he's a teenager and we show these pictures to his friends.

He tried pretty hard to plug up that water spout!

Then he gave just gave in to trying to drink from it, YUMMY! You know you live in Arizona when the outdoor malls provide water features such as this to help keep your kids cool while you shop!

Harley boy?

Every time Corbin hears or sees a motorcycle he says "Grandpa!" Jeff's step-dad, Grandpa Dick owns a Harley and 6 months ago Corbin rode on it for the first time. Well, last weekend Grandpa Dick came to AZ for a quick ride with his sister and some friends, and of course had to stop in and see us. His first encounter with the Harley really sparked his interest, but Corbin's obviously not ready to follow in Grandpa's footsteps just yet. This time around he was a little unsure of that loud bike and let us know it.

The bike wasn't even on yet and he was screaming to get off. Oh well, fine by me. I'm not ready to see any of my boys (Jeff or Corbin) riding around on one of these.

Art

Apparently we haven't been letting Corbin express his artistic side enough. Usually after finishing his meals he'll tell me he's all done or start throwing his food on the floor. Well, last week I was in the living room picking up his toys and realized how quiet he was so I looked over and saw him busily finger painting his face, chest, legs, and the table with his left over lasagna sauce.

I'm just glad I decided to take his clothes off before this meal. That sauce stains pretty good and his skin still had an orange tint to it after he was cleaned up. Guess its time to look into real finger painting and play-doh for a very curious little boy.

Hide & Seek

This has been Corbin's new favorite game for the past 2 weeks. EVERY morning he's anxious to play it with mommy- who can't really hide that well for the next few weeks... and as soon as dad gets home each day from work this is the first thing he wants to do.

Hmmmm...I wonder where Corbin went...can anyone see him?

Oh! There he is, under his bed!

Daddy's turn to hide.There he is... silly daddy in the shower!

Corbin's turn again...see his foot sticking out from under the sheets?Daddy found you!
The cutest thing about watching him play this game is that he actually counts to 10 (skipping 2 and 6) and then yells, "READY NOT HERE COME!" His concept of hiding is hilarious too because he usually tries to hide in the same place or he thinks that if he can't see us (his eyes) then we can't see him. One time I found him with only his head in the kitchen cabinet and one time Jeff found him on the living room floor with his hands over his eyes. He's so much fun to play with. His little brother is in for it. :)

Last Chance Getaway...

Last weekend, with less than 5 weeks to go before I become a busy mother of 2 BOYS I took advantage of a weekend road trip across the border into Mexico. Not to worry, I was only with my mom, dad, grandpa, sister, and cousin, on our way to Puerto Penasco... AKA: Rocky Point. The short 4 hours wasn't bad being 8 months pregnant and although I missed spending time with my mother and sister-in-law who were in town I relished my time relaxing by the sea for Mandy's last weekend before her big move to Washington. For those of you haven't been to Rocky Point lately it has changed into a little American resort town with about 17 new resort condo buildings owned mostly by native-Arizonans. We stayed in a nice 2-bedroom ocean view rental condo right on the beach and this was what we woke up to each morning...

After spending a hard day at the beach reading, sleeping, shopping, swimming, and visiting we ventured into downtown Rocky Point to enjoy the culture, food, and "night life". We had a great time at Flavio's eating our seafood, sipping our Pina Coladas and Strawberry Daiquiri's, and watching the sunset as we were serenaded by Mariachis.

Thanks to my mom for the invite and the hospitality and to my husband for letting me go alone, without Corbin to enjoy my last real peace of adult sanity for a time. I'll be back and next time I'll bring all 3 of my boys to play with! :) Until then, this will be but a serene memory I'll savor for many months until life turns "normal" again.