Then and Now

Today I decided to finally organize my file cabinet.  I have to say I have been putting it off and just throwing my papers down in a huge pile.  But I needed to look for something and decided today was the day.  I hardly ever look in the kids files unless I need an important document but for some reason today I just flipped through and found their newborn pictures from the hospital.  I never actually bought any....just because they want to charge new parents a fortune, but I kept the proofs.  I just started missing my kids as babies.  Now that Hailey is getting older I no longer have a baby/toddler.  I thought I would show you the then and now's of my kids.  It was so much fun for me.

 

First off is Logan....now the hospital in Phoenix did not take a newborn picture of him.  Or if they did I didn't get to take home a proof.  I do have newborn pictures in an album packed away in a mountain of boxes.  So this is the earliest I could find in his actual file.  He is 18 months in this picture so not a newborn but oh so chubby and cute.

 

I know he will hate me one day for these angel pictures.  I thought they were a great idea at the time.

 

 Logan now...too cool for a picture.

 

Gabber is next.  I swear when he was born he looked like a little old man instead of a baby.  He was such an ornery baby, and nothing much has changed in these past 9 years.

 Gabe was just too busy with his computer game to give me a real smile.  So this is what I got....we both got a good laugh after I uploaded.

 

Lexie was my first girl, and I was so excited to have her.  She was my NICU baby and although she was full term and not as sick as most of the babies in there it still rattled me.  Nothing is wrong with her now, and I had such a great time dressing her up. 

 

Isn't she gorgeous?  She can be so loving and tries so hard to help out. 

 

Oh Hailey, she was such a chubby cheeks from the start.  I think her face gets the award for the fattest.  She was by far the fastest birth for me and the easiest.  She has brought so much fun into our family. 

 

 

 

She really is funny, I laugh all day at what she says and it makes perfect sense.  I just can't believe she is getting old enough to have these grown up conversations with me.

 Gabe HAD to take a picture so we did a girl picture.  Me with all my girls including Danni.

 

 

As I was looking at all these pictures it made me realize just how happy I am to have another one.  It has taken me almost 30 weeks to realize that.  I wasn't sure how I was feeling about another baby, but once again I think it was a great way for Heavenly Father to help me feel that love with your baby.  We are so excited to have another person to add to our love.

28 weeks

 

Happy 3rd Trimester!!!  I just had to start out with that.  I have to admit this pregnancy has gone by way too fast for me.  I wish it would slow down just a little bit.  I don't know if I am ready yet, but nothing I can do about that.  I have really been thinking about my kids here lately.  Don't know if the fact I am adding another cute one to my brood, but I just have realized how different each one is from the others.  It makes life very interesting in our house.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  The other night the kids were getting along so well.  This doesn't happen a lot so I thought I should probably document it.

 

The boys seem to get along the best.  They pal around everywhere together.  Gabe won't even let Logan sleep alone in his little twin bed.  I feel bad for Logan but Logan is such a soft hearted person he has a hard time telling Gabe no.  They are such great friends and I love this about them.  So glad I had them close together.

 

The girls are not as close, but since Hailey is getting older they do play more together.  Which Hailey loves, she follows Lexie around like crazy wanting to play dogs (Sally will appreciate that) and other pretend games.  Once in a full moon all 4 will play together until Lexie gets hurt by mostly Gabe and then comes screaming to us for help.  On this night Lexie was reading to Hailey and she just pooped out right on her shoulder.  It was the cutest thing ever.

Had my Dr. appointment and Sugar test done in one day.  It was nice because I went to the lab and choked down the orange soda mix and then was able to run up to my check up right above it.  Made for that hour of just sitting there more bearable.  I keep telling Corey when they weigh me I will close my eyes but I just can't seem to do it.  I again gained above the recommended amount for a month and I was a little sad about it.  When my Dr. came in he asked what the problem was and when I told him I thought I was gaining too much weight he just kinda laughed and said, "yeah cause you are huge Kory."  It was not the reaction I was expecting.  He then went into how much fluid and blood and placenta I was carrying around and the fact I was planning on breastfeeding.  He just said the weight will probably fall off after delivery.  I know I stress too much about weight gain but I always feel like my body is a sponge when I am pregnant.  It likes to retain everything.  But Danni sounded great.  Strong heartbeat.  She moves a lot, usually at night of course.

Since we live in such a small town with a small hospital the lab results came back the same day.  The nurse called and said my iron was low, so I needed to eat more iron in my diet like dark greens and beans.  I have no problem with that.  Just throw a dark salad in with my lunches.  And she also said my sugar was low so I needed to eat more frequent meals.  I was a little perplexed considering I am having no problem gaining weight, yet they want me to eat more.  Corey likes to throw in, yeah more good food not crap.  I tend to reach for the chocolate and brownie's when I get hungry instead of something substantial.  So I will just have to do that.  And speaking of throwing in more food, I made my grandma's bread again today and there is nothing better for a mid-day snack then the end off a hot fresh loaf of bread with homemade triple berry jam on it.

Election Thoughts

Aww here we go.  A place to really write my thoughts down and get them off my chest.  Yesterday I knew before going to vote what the outcome would be.  I could just feel it in the air.  Facebook didn't help either.  But I went anyway and voted.  I knew living in Wyoming my personal vote probably wouldn't account for much besides knowing I did my duty to America the best I could.  If we elected by popular vote I might be more motivated to get out there, but as is it depresses me immensely.

I had a hard time watching the results as key state after key state was tinted blue, and I know I get worked up over little things that I shouldn't.  I can't even say I was mad or yelling at the T.V.  I was just melancholy and just felt this deep sense of loss and felt alone.  Now being pregnant I am sure doesn't help.  My moods are magnified by 100 so what normally would have been something just upsetting turned into slumped over depression for me.  I tried to think positive and yes even now just thinking on how I felt bring tears to my eyes.  But I did the only thing I knew how to do that would bring some sort of peace.  I took hold of my scriptures and just started reading.  I finished the Book of Mormon a couple of days ago and thought I would start in on the New Testament.  So I started in Matthew.  I got to the Sermon on the Mount and I found some great verses that helped me realize I needed to leave things up to God.  And I needed to pray for my enemies.  Now Obama is not really my enemy per say, but I felt like he wasn't going to fix some things that needed to be fixed.  So after reading I got down on my knees and just prayed.  Prayed for comfort, prayed for understanding and I even prayed that Obama would listen to that light of Christ and do what was best for the whole country and not just personal gain or agenda.  I have to admit I slept like a baby last night and I felt at peace.

Then this morning on Facebook was like a boxing match that was trying to get my dander up again.  I was starting to feel myself slumping again reading all the negatives.  Then I came across a post from the First Presidency (here) and once again I felt at peace.  These men are inspired leaders of God and as long as we follow them and heed them we will be fine.  They ask us to do what I did last night, pray for our leaders.  So I encourage everyone, whether you won or not to please pray for our leaders.  It will not only help them, but will help you find peace.

Halloween

Happy Halloween!!  I still can't believe that it was here and now it is gone.  I love the fall season and all the fun family holidays that are part of that.  It makes me a little sad that things are going so fast already.  This year I got pictures of the girls and I even got into the spirit this year.  Unfortunately when the kids got home from school it was mass chaos.  So I didn't get pictures of the boys.  But just know it was basically just blood and gore that they wanted.  Not anything really put together.  Made it pretty easy on me though.

 

Here in Douglas they do a Downtown Trick or Treat.  It started at 2 so I took little Hailey down and we walked the businesses.  It was great.  She thought she was so awesome and was candy fixated.  She kept asking if it was still trick or treat time.  Our ward had a trunk or treat/party that night.  We went and had dinner and let the kids play for a little bit.  We left early so the kids could trick or treat in our neighborhood for awhile.  This was the first year that I let the 3 oldest go alone and stay in our neighborhood.  We are pretty secluded where we live and it is a nice little place.  They got so much candy for the little bit of time they were gone.  I kid you not when I say we have a trash bag full of candy on top of our fridge.

 

I told her to look sad...she did a great job.

This actually freaked out all the little kids the most.

 

 

 She made such a beautiful angel.

 

The weekend before Halloween we went to my niece's baby blessing in Idaho and on the way there as the sun was setting the scenery was breathtaking.  There are moments when Wyoming can seem so timeless.  This was one of those.  The picture really doesn't do it justice.  But I love how untamed it seems.