Baby Update

Here I am last Sunday @ 38 weeks.
Well, my c-section that was scheduled today was canceled, per my request. As much as I want this baby here, I'm really hoping that I won't have to have a c-section. Dr. Beck is willing to let me try for a vbac (a normal delivery). At my appointment on Thursday he said he wasn't too encouraged, seeing as how I was not dilated or effaced at all, but that anything can happen in a week. So here's to hoping (and praying) that something will start happening. My Dr. said he'd let me go a week over my due date before he'd insist on a c-section. But I don't know if I'll last a week over my due date! I vote for this weekend!

"Mom, you want some apple juice?"

Today was kind of a rough day. A two-year-old trying out the terrible twos, being overwhelmed with getting ready for a new baby, and pregnancy hormones raging about just became too much for me. I'll admit I had a small breakdown and shed a few tears. Admit it, you've done it too. Anyways, Tyler, being the sweet boy he is came over and gave me a hug and a kiss. Then he looked at me and said, "Mom, you want some apple juice?" Ha ha. Whenever Tyler's sad he always asks for apple juice or milk. Apparently in his mind it makes everything better. Oh I had a good laugh at that, and it sure helped me get over myself and cheer up. Thanks Tyler, my little buddy.

Macaroni & Cheese

Last night we went to Wal-Mart to get some groceries for Family Home Evening. Tyler loves macaroni and cheese (Great Value Thick & Creamy is the best- cheaper and better than Kraft) and was excited that I got a few boxes. We had already had dinner, but he kept saying in the car that he wanted to go home and make 'wacawoni and cheethe' (as he was grasping a box in his car seat). I finally convinced him that it was too late and that we would have some tomorrow for lunch.

Well this morning at 7 am Tyler woke up and yelled, "Mommy. I want my wacawoni and cheethe!" Boy that kid has got a memory like no other! Luckily I was able to distract him enough so we didn't have to have macaroni and cheese for breakfast. Oh this kid cracks me up.

Family Date Activities

Recently we've made a goal to have at least one family date night (or day) activity. It's been so satisfying to do special, planned things as a family. We're pretty frugal folks, so it's also been fun to budget out money specifically for some fun activities. Tyler has really enjoyed it and loves when he gets to spend time with the both of us. Whenever he's upset and I'm around he cries, "I want my daddy!" And when he's upset when he's with Jake he cries, "I want my mommy!" But when we're altogether, he gets confused and doesn't know what to say. I love it! Here are some pictures of some recent family activities:

Family date @ Golfland. We pass it on the way to Jake's parents house and everytime we do, Ty talks about the time we went golfing at the castle.




Tyler was so funny when it was his turn. He'd bring the ball within a few inches of the hole and then push it on in with his putter. He was so proud of himself and had a great time. He also thought it was hilarious when Jake purposely putt the ball into the water. He still talks about it. Here's a little clip of him putting.


Just had to throw this one in there. This was just a me & Jake date. His brother Nate gave us awesome tickets to a Suns game. Great seats and so much fun! Thanks Nate!

Family fishing trip @ Water Ranch on the windiest day of the year. It ended up raining and the wind was CRAZY, but we had a fun time.


Chuck E. Cheese. This was a lot of fun, but crazy packed with all those kids. And it was a little overwhelming for Ty with all of those games. But we still had a great time. Ty loved watching his daddy play basketball to try and get tickets. You know how Chuck E. Cheese is a sponsor for PBS kids? Well anytime it shows one of their little commercials Tyler gets so excited and says, "It's him! Like at the pizza store!" For some reason he won't call it Chuck E. Cheese, it's the pizza store.




We love our family date activities and look forward to many more. Got any fun ideas for us?

Princess Tyler

Ty's cousin, Shae, shared her princess high heels with him. He was, sadly, in heaven. Nothin like a tool shirt, athletic "swishy" pants, athletic socks, and high heels to make a boy's day! Ty threw the biggest fit when we had to take them off and head to the car. I guess that's what happens when you're the only boy cousin on one side of the family!
This picture had me a little worried. This pose just looks a little too natural!


But really, this kid is all boy. I love this mischievous face!

Look Who's Potty Trained

We've been working with Tyler on getting him potty trained. We got him a little potty right after his 2nd birthday. He liked sitting on it, but never did anything on it. So we bought some big boy Toy Story undies, some m&m's for bribery, and jumped right into it. I had a deadline because I wanted him potty trained before #2 arrives. After several accidents, setting the timer for reminders, and lots of cheering and encouragement, the boy is potty trained! The potty chair is now put away and he goes on the big boy potty! And despite the looks of the picture below, Tyler loves it and is pretty proud of himself. I love not having to change diapers, but that will change here pretty quickly with baby brother on his way. But I will happily change all of his little diapers to have him here!

Elder Merrell

Back in October my "little" brother received his mission call. We met at my sister Cindy's house and skyped with Blake who was still up at BYU Idaho. We were so excited to hear that he got called to the Charlotte, North Carolina mission! It was neat to see how excited and even emotional Blake got as he read his call. He has prepared so well to be a hardworking missionary and has such a strong testimony of the Gospel. I can't believe how quickly this time has come!

Blake left on January 26th, 2011. It was exciting, but of course hard to say goodbye, knowing that I won't see him for 2 whole years!


Tyler loves his Uncle Blake!

Blake and his BFF Devin, or as some of the grandkids call him "Uncle Friend".

Blake is the best kid I know. He is such a stalwart young man and has such an excitement for sharing the gospel. He has such a great sense of humor and we all really miss that. But there's no other place I'd rather have him be. I look up to him so much and love reading his letters and seeing how much he has grown and how he is helping to change other people's lives. God be with you til we meet again brother!