Thanksgiving in Utah

This is the first year since we've been in Pittsburgh that we've gone home for Thanksgiving.  It was so fun spending the holiday with family but I'm still a little sad we missed out on the last Thanksgiving here in Pittsburgh.  Especially since we've grown so close with so many great friends here.  I'm sure going to miss this place.

We decided since we couldn't make it home for Christmas this year, (due to unborn fetus) we would go home for Thanksgiving instead.  I'm so glad we did.  I think this will be the last time we go home before we move.  (I'm trying not to think about that.)  Trey is at such a fun age right now.  He did so great on this trip and had so much fun with all of his cousins.  I am sad every time we have to leave because I can see how much fun Trey has with both of our families.  Hopefully someday we will be closer to home. {sigh.}

My friends and I got together a couple of times while I was there, and like always, shared some good laughs, good food, and did lots of catching up.  I sure do love these girls.

We stayed up way too late like usual, I think it took me a few days to catch up on sleep!

Trey has really started loving books.  I just love watching him read to himself.

I love this pic.

We ate Thanksgiving dinner with Jeff's family and then spent the evening over at my Grandmas with my family.

These two had a good time together.

Trey went down for a nap right before dinner.  It was nice being able to enjoy the food.  :)

Some of you might find this picture a little odd... but I quite enjoyed myself.  :)  I'm getting a back and foot massage from two of my brother-in-laws while my husband sits across the way texting.  I guess pregnancy has its perks!  (And my husband will probably never give me another massage after I may have mentioned that he hasn't given me very many this pregnancy.)  I guess my bro-in-laws felt bad for me.  Hey, I won't complain!

Random pics throughout the week....

 My dad's side of the family had an early Christmas Party that we were able to make it to.  My Grandma pays for everyone to bowl and then orders pizza and cookies for us all.  We took up 10 lanes between all of our families (and that probably wasn't even half of my Dad's family!)

This was Trey's first time bowling and he loved it!

 

Trey is OBSESSED with trucks lately.  Well, pretty much any vehicle on the road that is larger than a car.  Buses and garbage trucks included.  So you can imagine how excited he was to drive in Grandpa's truck.  It was a joke trying to get him out.

 Trey and Lydia playing together again.

 Lydia was trying to help Trey put on his shoes.  Too cute!

Lunch with Papa Tony and Grandma Kathie.

Trey has also gotten into coloring lately.  Another thing I love.

The night before we left we went over to my Grandma's and had pizza.

Well believe it or not, there were plenty more pictures I wish I would have taken.  We played games with Ang and Shane a couple of times, visited Benji and Anne and their new baby girl in Bountiful, ate a big dinner and played games over at my Aunt Lori's, basically played games with everyone... Tony and Kathie, Ash and John, Cort and Steph, Andy and Missy.... you name it.  We like to play games!

Trey really was great the whole trip, he slept great, traveled great, and enjoyed every minute of playing with his cousins.  I'm glad we were able to get one more trip in before this baby girl comes.  Time is flying!!  I'm going to be a mom of 2 in no time!  Ahhh!!!

Happy Halloween!!

We had quite the party weekend with all of the Halloween festivities we attended.  By the time Halloween was actually here, we were party poopers and spent the evening inside.  Trey's too young to really care anyway.  I'm sad to say that we didn't get even ONE measly trick-or-treater.  I don't think anyone wants to climb our steps to come to the door.  Lazy kids!!

On Friday, I took Trey to the annual Halloween Parade at Jeff's school.  All the teachers and faculty love seeing all the little kids dressed up.  I'm sad this is the last year we got to attend.

Despite my efforts, Trey had no interest in standing by the rest of the kids to get his picture taken.

This was probably only half of the kids that were there.

Following the Parade, we headed over to our friends house where they were hosting a Halloween Party... The food was great and the kids were thoroughly entertained by each other.

They even had a "spooky basement" for the kids who were old enough.  Some came up the stairs crying, others who exclaimed, "that was AWESOME!", and some who were literally shaking in their boots.

It was a hit.  Although, I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, the kids or the husbands who were doing the scaring.

On Saturday we went to our ward's Trunk-or-Treat and chili cook-off.  We came home with WAY too much candy, mostly left over from what we didn't hand out.

Two little buddies.  Little Monkey and little Dinosaur. (or dragon as most people called him)

And one last attempt at some pictures.

He really HATES to get his picture taken lately so it took A LOT of tries.

This was the best one I could get.

He makes a darn cute little Dinosaur if I do say so myself.

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!!!

Girls Weekend and Witches Night

Girls Night

Last weekend a bunch of the 4th year wives got together for a girls weekend.  It was definitely a much needed girls trip.  I think I speak for everyone when I say, we had a GREAT time!

We drove to a small little city about an hour away and stayed in a way nice hotel. (Thanks to Carlee)  We got pizza for dinner, ate lots of junk food, sat in the hot tub, and stayed up until 3:30 chatting.  It was a fabulous night.

(The 8 of us that slept over)

The next day we slept in until 9, ate a quick breakfast and then hit the outlets.

(A couple more girls met up with us the next morning.)

Let's just say we all made quite the hall.  (As you can see, the majority of our purchases were for our children)  I guess that's the way it goes now...

We then ate an early dinner at Texas Roadhouse.

Afterwards, about half the girls went home while the rest of us went to the movie Moneyball.  It was so fun getting to spend the weekend with all of these lovely ladies!!  I'm really going to miss them when we leave.  :(

Witches Night 

Most of the girls who attended...

Jamie and I are a week apart.  She is due the 20th and I am due the 13th.  Trey and her little girl Brooke are also a week apart.  We're pretty good at planning it that way.  :)

We ate lots of yummy food, played games, and chatted once again until late into the night.

Thanks Helena for such a fun night!

Nursery!!

Trey is finally in nursery!  Today was the first time we actually left him there by himself and the nursery leaders said he did great.  Who knows if they are telling the truth, but I'd like to think he did.  Here's to a few months of enjoying the last two hours of church.... baby free.  I will enjoy every last minute.  As will Jeff since he's been on babysitting duty during Priesthood for the past year while I teach.

 Trey being Daddy's little helper...

And... Trey discovered a new toy today.

He especially liked using them to talk into.

Who'd have thought they'd have multiple uses!?

He also loves wearing my headbands.  Could he pass for a girl??  :)

Sure do love this boy.

Baby Girl Update

I have yet to post a pregnancy picture this time around because let's be honest.... I feel like a blimp... because well, I am one.  But I posted so many with my last pregnancy that I'm starting to feel guilty.  So in an effort not to totally neglect our baby girl, here are a few not-so-flattering pics.

18 weeks

22 weeks

27 weeks

Trust me when I say my belly is much bigger at this point than it was with Trey.  Ugh!

This pregnancy has been different than with Trey.  With him I was nauseous to the point of having to hover over a garbage can or a toilet much of the time.  With this one it was more like a constant, annoying nauseous but not quite to the point of throwing up.  I was definitely sick during most of the first trimester and well into my second like with Trey, but thank goodness it was a little more bearable.  I'm definitely more tired with this one.  I don't know whether that's because I worked through my whole first pregnancy and didn't have the choice of sleeping in or taking naps, but I seem to notice a difference.  Plus I'm sure it doesn't help having a toddler to chase after all of the time.  That's exhausting even when you're not pregnant.

My body is taking this pregnancy much harder.  My hips and tailbone hurt and I am way more uncomfortable sleeping.  I really don't remember having much of a problem sleeping last time.  I suppose with each pregnancy it gets a little more wearing.  I'm trying hard not to complain too much because I really am so grateful for this baby girl growing inside me.  Every time I feel her move it gets me more and more excited to finally meet her.  I can't wait to snuggle her and kiss her chubby little cheeks. (Because if she's anything like Trey, she's gonna be a chunk.)  Only 13 more weeks to go!  I can't believe it!

Trey got an Ouchie

Trey had a little bit of an accident the other day.  He was running around our living room playing with Jeff and he tripped on my shoe and landed face first into the edge of our couch.  His poor nose and mouth were bleeding and he was very upset until we actually gave him some tylenol.  Poor little guy.  His face is looking much better now, but for a while there he was pretty banged up.

Here are his battle wounds.  

This was a few hours after it happened.

And this was a couple days later.  It seemed to keep getting darker the more it scabbed up.

Don't worry, C will hug him all better.

Aside from the fall, we've been battling some major cold germs over here for what feels like weeks!  If this is any sign of what's to come in the following months, I'm definitely not looking forward to it!  I HATE flu season!!!

Trey snuggling up with Daddy.

Poor little guy's had a rough couple of weeks, but he sure loves his Dad.

18 Months

Trey is now more like 18 going on 19 months.  I'm a little behind...

Trey is getting quite the personality and is such a joy to have around!  We just love him to death!
 The silly boy still hasn't figure out how to talk much yet.  Instead he's learned to communicate using different grunts and noises.  Despite our many efforts, he refuses to use words.  He often says Dad and usually only says mom when he's sad or upset.  It goes a little something like this, "Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma" (in a sad and whiny voice).  You'd think with his obsession of balls that he would have figured out how to say ball by now.  But no, nothing even remotely close.  Hmph.  Maybe one day he'll surprise us all and start talking, but for now we'll just have to settle for his sign language and distinct grunting responses.

Trey is still super helpful when I ask him to do something for me.  Despite his lack of speaking, he is one smart cookie and seems to understand most things I ask him to do.  It often surprises me how much he picks up on.  He loves to help me clean and copy everything I do.  Sometimes it's a little counter-productive but at least he is TRYING to be helpful.  :)  Every time he thinks we are going somewhere he gets Jeff and I our shoes and then brings me my purse and the keys.  We can't fool him.

Trey loves to go outside.  If I even mention the word he is at the door trying to open it.  He LOVES walks.  I don't know what I'm going to do all winter!  I think I'm in trouble.  {Any fun indoor activities with an almost-2-year-old would be much appreciated!}  He still loves to watch Barney.  That is pretty much the only show that he will actually sit through the entire thing.  Otherwise his attention span isn't very long.  He loves it when we read books to him.  Lately he's been a little obsessed with reading books about airplanes, cars, trains, boats, motorcycles, basically anything that runs.

Lately, Trey has been a great little sleeper.  I hesitate to say that for fear of jinxing myself but it'll be nice to compare when my next little one comes along.  He sleeps on average 11-13 hours each night and usually takes a 2-3 hour nap.  I'm trying to soak it all in now because my days of getting a full nights sleep are limited.  I'm not quite ready to embrace the newborn stage yet.  It's sneaking up on me quick.

 {Our car is in the shop so we've had the carseat in the house for a few days.  It's been a nice little seat for him to watch TV.}

I took Trey to his 18 month appt and let's just say it was a bit of a nightmare.  The second we got in the room and the door was closed, Trey was hysterical.  He was pulling on me with all of his might towards the door.  I felt so bad.  In between the times that the doctor and nurses come in and out, I had to take him out in the hall just to get him to calm down.  I'm certainly not looking forward to any future appointments.  He's never loved the doctor but he's never been quite that bad.  When I had to lay him down on the table to get his shots he clung to me with all of his might.  Thank goodness that was the last of his shots until he is 5.

His Stats at 18 months:
Weight:  28 pounds 6 oz.  (75%)
Height:  32.5 in.  (50%)
Head:  20 in.  (95%)

He's definitely slowed down in his height and weight.  He's been in the same size clothes since the beginning of the year.  I don't think he lasted more than 2 months in each size the first year of his life.  It was crazy!

Trey really has fun when he has other little friends to play with.  He's been so cute with little babies lately and loves to give them their binky and bring them a toy.  I'm hoping he'll still be that way when his little sister comes.  I'm getting nervous about having another little baby around to steal all the attention that has previously been on Trey.

We are so in love with this little guy it's hard to imagine having that much love for someone else.  I can't wait to welcome a baby girl into our home.  It's going to change things around here for sure but I know it will be for the better.