Tate arrived Thursday, weighing in at 6 lbs. 4 oz. and measuring 20 inches long. The four of us (especially the girls) couldn't be more thrilled to have her in our home. She is a quiet, curious little soul. The week was, of course, not without drama of Phil getting the flu really bad while I was in the hospital but we all survived thanks to my wonderful family who helped with the girls (especially Austin).
For any of you who know our Charlie she is ALL girl. The way she walks, talks, and acts is so girly. HOWEVER, there are a few exceptions. For example, last week she and Brit were playing in our backyard and she ran in asking for a bag to catch a bug with. She usually catches potato or lady bugs so I didn't think anything of it. A few minutes later Charlie reenters with a huge, ugly, brown praying mantis. Phil was good to make him a cage outside and Charlie spent much time talking to the thing, showing him her loot from Halloween, tucking him in (which also was the end of Sarah Cara-she named it) and so on. She would daily catch bugs to feed it and really was very sweet about her "pet". She can't wait until spring when "Jesus makes more praying mantis" so she can get another pet. (I know its slightly pathetic that my daughter has resulted to insects for pets, but what can you do?)
A few days ago the girls were watching Bambi. This inspired many questions about hunting from Charlie. I decided that I would give her the facts, gently, but factually. Why people hunt, what they do with the animals, etc. As I was bracing for tears and a very unsettled girl at the thought of dead animals, Charlie says, "I want to go hunting. I want to shoot two animals for Dad." This sentiment has carried throughout the days and at this point I don't know that Phil can get away with going hunting to some extent without his daughter. He just chuckles at the thought but I'm pretty sure deep down inside he's as giddy as a school girl.
The girls got more candy then they will EVER need. All Charlie has said all day is "The baby is coming! The baby is coming!" We gave her the time frame of after Halloween and before Christmas so hopefully she can be patient for a little while longer.
90 plus degree weather, tired children and pregnancy aside, we had a great trip to Disneyland. The highlight of the trip for all of us was spending time with Natalie and her kids (we even got a little of Tony's time). Charlie's favorite ride was Splash Mountain while Brit would have rode the carousel all day if we'd have let her. Phil kept begging to go back to the new Toy Story ride in California Adventure so I think everyone was well taken care of and catered to. Breakfast with the princesses was a HUGE hit as well.
I am a HUGE fan of Challenger schools. In the three weeks (at half a day, three days a week) Charlie has learned SOOOOO much. She can now write her name at a legible level and knows which letters are vowels and so much more! They even teach a lot of patriotic things including songs. She was thrilled that it was her turn this week to hold the flag while they said the Pledge of Allegiance. If you're near one, sign your kids up! Its so worth it!!! Way to go Charlie!!!!
Tickets to ride the carousel: $6
Tip for the balloon making clown: $3
Going home: Priceless
With gas prices on the rise (yes, they are dropping now) we decided to find a more "economical" mode of transportation for Phil. Not to worry we still have a HUGE truck parked in the garage because it is necessary for Phil to take out on property but check out our fun "commuter car"! It is really fun to drive...just like a glorified go-cart and we are loving it. (And Phil fits really very comfortably inside for all who just said, "does he even fit in there?" We get that every time someone sees it.)
Charlie started her first day of her last year of preschool today. They built a really nice Challenger school just a block away. She has been so excited and it was a hit according to the report. Brit whined for a few minutes after dropping her off because she wanted to go with her (apparently I'm not THAT big of a party).
I laughed for a good few minutes when I saw this picture and thought it would maybe brighten someone else's day too! I would really like to thank whoever it was that took this picture for "capturing the moment."
Phil and I had a WONDERFUL trip to Hawaii. We went on a seven day cruise through the islands with Phil's partners and their spouses (lucky for Mark that Russ is a good stand-in when his wife couldn't make it). Thanks to Mom, Dad and Austy and Graeme & Challae who watched the girls for us (I'm pretty certain our children did NOT miss us at all). I have been informed by Graeme that ALL of Brit's injuries where obtained at Granna's house previous to he and Challae taking over. Its just a fracture from falling off her bike and she is quite thrilled with the fact that Granna took her to the doctor's (she tells me four/five times a day).
1. What is something mom always says to you? not to do something naughty
2. What makes mom happy? Love
3. What makes mom sad?
when I do something to fight for toys
4. How does your mom make you laugh? Tickle
5. What was your mom like as a child? She likes to play toys with each other
6. How old is your mom? five
7. How tall is your mom? like this (demonstration with hands)
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Hide 'n' seek and play chase
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? put me in time out
10.If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? because of her sister (that's going to go to Nat's head)
11. What is your mom really good at? putting pictures up
12. What is your mom not very good at? not getting the popsicles out
13. What does your mom do for her job? go to the gym
14. What is your mom's favorite food? rice
15. What makes you proud of your mom? playing with each other
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? cinderella
17. What do you and your mom do together? Ring around the rosie and chase
18. How are you and your mom the same? we're both girls
19. How are you and your mom different? we don't have the same hair
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because we're both girls, we love each other and we play with each other
Here's my analysis number 16 is a tell tale sign of my role in the house (ha ha ha), Charlie thinks I work at the gym (probably my smokin' hot totally toned body gives that away) and the only time I'm really away from her is when she's in time out...at least I'm dependable!). And Charlie is really not that naughty. She's pretty well behaved and spends little time in time out (this week has been a crazy exception but I think we've all been off).
We tag Ava May and Luke!
The last two days one of our fire alarms has been going off randomly or just beeping. It happened again early this morning (like 2 a.m.). After we got everything settled back down (this would mean Brit, new batteries in the alarm, etc.) I decided I should check on Charlie since we hadn't heard anything from her the entire time. I found her dead asleep in her bed with her hands over her ears. Its good to know that in case of a real fire we need to go wake her up.
We would like to publicly apologize for our monstrous, out-of-control garden. Our community has put together (thanks Rob!) a vegetable garden area where we each have our own little piece of land to grow what we would like. Being first time gardeners we had NO idea how crazy ours would get and it is starting to take over neighboring gardens. As you can see from the picture our garden should only go straight back from the corn and not overflow on the sides...its out of control. But check out how big our first zuchinis were!!! We've been enjoying the fresh produce but hope we're not making enemies in the process (sorry Cara!).
We've had a fun last week with three trips up to Pineview. Graeme, Challae, Austin, and Dad have all been so good to take the girls for rides on the jet ski and just flat out entertaining their every desire. We also got to go up with some friends and play on their tube. Charlie is all about the speed and the bouncing!
For any of you who know how we can all get caught up in the "charmed" life aspect of blogging check out www.seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com. It is hilarious! This girl writes this blog as a satire of the "Married Mormon" blog. Its good for a chuckle as long as you don't take it personal.
Charlie:
"Why do you take the baby to the gym with you?"
"Mom, when I'm a mom and you're a mom and you're not dead I can have a baby and you can have baby and we'll both have babies!" (love the girl but no, thank you)
After a little boy hit her with a small metal flag I tried to explain that that's how boys play is they tease like that and she got near tears and said, "but they can't do that, it will make Jesus and Heavenly Father very sad."
"Can the baby smell that?"
Brit:
me:Why are you crying? Brit:There's a baby in my tummy!
Multiple times a day, "There's a baby in Mommy's tummy" (they're both really excited)
We had a blast this fourth of July. We started the day with the Kaysville City parade and thanks to Challae and her family we had awesome spots and the girls caught a TON of candy (thanks to the help of the crew-Mom, Dad, Austin, Graeme & Challae). After naps (more necessary for the adults than kids) everyone came over to our clubhouse for swimming and then we headed for fireworks. Charlie has been asking about fireworks since the last fourth of July so Phil went all out (as you can see from the picture of Charlie and Austin behind the remains of all the fireworks-we lined them up from our neighbors to the south to our neighbors to the north). We had to wait until Saturday to set off the majority of them so we could catch the "big" display at Davis High. We also spent Saturday at Cherry Hill with my family. The girls got treated like royalty for two days straight with so many people to play with them and cater to their every need.
We've actually kept farely busy this summer. As Pregnant Superwoman (I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that calls me that...wonder why?) I tend to get into project mode and my dear, sweet husband puts up with it for a bit until he starts to see the steam coming out of my ears and then forewarns that something's going to blow and it will probably be me. So I've been told to lay off. Meanwhile, we keep pretty busy playing with our girls. We've hit Pottery Barn kids (fun for all!!! need I say more?), This is the Place Park, countless trips to Cherry Hill for swimming and the zoo(that is a rhino behind the girls not family).
Because of the ugliness that is trek there will not be any photos of Ma and Pa Cox. Lucky for us our stake made a DVD capturing the entire experience so there is actual proof that we did it (no one will ever see it if I have anything to do with it).
A little about trek, we went to Deseret Land and Livestock just outside of Evanston for our hot, windy and filthy experience. Temperatures were hot during the day but the minute the sun went down it got into the twenties. We had nine kids assigned to us who were the best kids. They complained little, helped tons and were just all around great kids. Lucky for us we were all so tired every night we didn't really worry about anyone being out too late (I believe the latest they were out was shortly before midnight and that was the day we didn't walk).
To recap, the first day we walked for ten hours putting in roughly 18 miles (yes, our handcart was full with buckets, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets and coats). The second day Phil wouldn't let me walk and to make sure I didn't refuse he talked to the stake about it before discussing it with me. So the other pregnant ma and I rode in the trucks. This was a blessing as the first 1.5 miles was a steep hill and at the top they had to take six people directly to camp for medical treatment due to heat exhaustion (including a few I.V.'s). They clocked another eight miles that day. Friday was a day of rest including firesides, games, cooking and relaxing. Then Saturday came with another roughly six miles (it was supposed to be 4-5 but we got lost). Pretty well there was lots of medical trauma the entire way (shocking).
I have to say it was a unique experience that lends itself to a different kind of spiritual experience but for the most part we were exhausted the entire time. A few things I now love and appreciate even more (pioneers aside) flushing toilets, a standing building I call home, my car, electricity, to mention a few.
Another thing I figured out on this adventure: The reason we get called to do such things is all Phil's fault. By the second day he always ends up with a following of five to ten boys who hang on every word of profound wisdom he may throw out. No one is waiting to hear what I have to say (gratefully). I'm am grateful for a great husband who relates well (at times too well) to the youth and explains things on their level so they understand. He was great the entire trek and was so good and helpful and I truly do appreciate him even more.
We are expecting our THIRD girl in December!!! Poor Phil is really starting to get out numbered. He couldn't be happier to be having another girl though. And fortunately for Charlie who does NOT really care for boys and was a little mortified by the possibility that she could be getting a brother she will be getting a sister. However, she will be crushed to find out that we will very most likely not be naming the child Kara (her favorite name for some reason). My due date is December 11th. To all who I have bold faced lied to about being pregnant I am very very sorry, it really was nothing personal.
Charlie has her final dance recital for the year tonight! Here's a preview from her dress rehearsal.
We have an AWESOME branch activities committee. (Yes, we are in a branch of over 300 people). They put on a luau last weekend and went all out. At risk of death this is highly entertaining footage. (Sorry for the shaking camera, I didn't think I would be laughing so hard.)
A few months ago we were "invited" to join the youth of our stake on a Pioneer Trek. It actually sounded fun, exciting and a great opportunity to strengthen our own testimonies. We are just shy of three weeks from our departure date and I received an email yesterday from the guy in charge telling us to plan on cold weather since "they still can’t get onto the ranch because the snow is TOO HIGH." I am no longer as excited as I ought to be or as I was...SHOCKING. I'd be a TERRIBLE pioneer.
In an attempt to recapture my youth I forced Austy to show me how to use his Ripstick. I did actually get up and stay on for awhile but then Graeme came over and learned and showed me how lame and slow learning I actually am. So not much form but proof that I AM still cool.
You would think we would splurge and buy one more lawn chair but the girls really enjoy sharing this one. Charlie is holding one of her favorite spring things...a jar of potato bugs. Thanks to Austin and Graeme for helping find them (I think they're still alive).
Charlie graduated from preschool last week, she will be entering PRESCHOOl again next year. I survived my first year of school!!! She loved her teacher!
Brit has fallen in LOVE with her sunglasses. She won't go to nursery or BED without them. Pretty much everywhere we go they go. We took this picture at 11:30 one night.
This post is specifically for my cousin Tia who went private some time ago and who "forgot" (hopefully not too conveniently) to include me in her visitors list. I can't get in!!! Leave me a line...I miss reading your blog!
A little explanation on the slide show below...We had a BLAST in Jamaica. We were lucky enough to have my mom, dad, and two brothers and sister-in-law come along with us. It made it SOOO relaxing. We stayed at a Beaches resort-its a must if you ever get a chance!!! If you notice, our children are rarely with us. They prefer other people if possible. Poor Challae even started having dreams that Brit was hers-she never really did leave her side. We stayed for a week and it wasn't near long enough! The weather was great and the water beautiful. Charlie and Brit both became as big of fans of the ice cream machine as all the boys (including Phil). Sorry about the pics that are sideways on the slide show. Not quite sure how to fix that but oh well!
Brit LOVED her birthday party with more presents than she could handle she was quite happy. Phil also had a great birthday party with BYU season tickets (yes, I AM an incredible wife) and an air soft gun from my parents he was really pleased and decided birthdays aren't really all that bad (at least this year).
For any of you who know about the great "Baby Animal Days" at American West Heritage Center in Logan (Wellsville) it was a blast. The kids loved playing with the animals and we were lucky enough to have my sister and her kids and another friend's family with us. Highly recommend it if you live in the area!
