What a fool

Yes I haven't posted in over two months.  Life has been crazy but it's time for catch up.  So there I was thinking that soon after that last blog post I would be having a baby.  What a fool. Instead of coming a week early like Jack and Char, baby Holden (Surprise, It's a boy!) took his time and didn't come until a week after my due date.  So I was pretty cranky for a couple weeks just waiting around for him to come  I tried to distract myself with as many activities as possible.  Logan and I had a few more dates.  We went down town and splurged on a restaurant called Bang.  Expensive but the firecracker shrimp was well worth it.  Logan played in a law football tournament and we took endless rides on the bus.  

Just calculating some physics.

A late night run to the doctor for an ear infection with Char.  She was in good spirits though as we waited in CVS for her drugs and she grabbed everything pink/cats she could see to play with.  

Eating at Bang.  Yum!

Still pregnant.

Logan with his team taking a break.  It rained on and off all day.

They won their first game.  Mario, Nate Quist, Jack Shirley, Logan, Kayle Buchanan, Brett Bylund, and Brett Mellor.

Still pregnant.

The Charlotte's playing.

They won the tournament! Two years in a row.  Kayle left but Steve Guynn came.

We had the our game night buddies over.  Basically everyone without kids because we can actually hang out with them in the evenings.  The Bylunds, Guynns, and Bunkers.

Some Wii action.

Steve and Brett.

Bus rides.  Pure joy.

Almost done

I am 38 weeks pregnant... so close.  Jack and Charlotte came a week early so crossing my fingers we will have a baby this time next week.  Which is exciting but also a tad terrifying.  A little bit about this pregnancy.  I feel like this baby is doing its own thing.  My first two pregnancies were very similar with a few differences.  But this one is different.  For the most part it's been a great pregnancy.  I have miraculously only gained 25 lbs compared to by other two which I gained 40 lbs.  I haven't done anything different, my usual exercise and trying to eat good but this time it actually worked.  I haven't gotten my giant club swollen feet (at least not yet).  Also this baby is so squirmy and SO strong.  My internals are definitely bruised.  It goes crazy each evening and man does it hurt.  I make Logan feel and he is even a little freaked out. 

Last week my amazing friends took me to Short Pump near Richmond for a girls day out to celebrate the baby.  It was such a fun day and they spoiled me.  Everyone pitched in and bought me a mani/pedi, $100 gift card to shop with, and movies tickets for Divergent and treats to go with it.  Seriously, so nice.  And Logan (along with the other dads) watched the kids all day so we could go.  I will reflect on this day when I feel miserable and am trying to manage three kids and pack my house at the same time...  

Manicures and Pedicures.  I am new to this so the girls showed me the way.

Me, Vanessa, Jenni and Jan.

Jenni Guynn, Jan Quist, Candice Buchanan, Lauren Bell, Whitney Mellor, me, Kaylee Larsen, Rachael Harding, Vanessa Bunker, Sarah Bylund, Erin Watts, Cami Camp.  I will miss them all so much.

Watching Divergent.

33 weeks

37 weeks.  Woot, full term!

Charlotte's two year pictures

I have been waiting for a day of sunshine to take Charlotte's two year pictures. Saturday was finally the day and although it wasn't as warm as I had hoped, it worked.  This weeks forecast is rain and snow.  Ugh.  This winter is dragging on.  The locals say it hasn't been this cold in over ten years.  And the grade schools have closed so much they may have to start going to school 20 minutes early each day to catch up.  This must stop.  Anyway, enough of my rant.  We went to Keswick Hall near Monticello to take her pictures.  Logan is always such a sport to be my go to guy and help make the kids laugh or carry my gear around.  It's a family effort really.  And yes puppy made it into almost every picture.  I tried taking him away a few times but that didn't last.  Char is such a little ray of sunshine and has so much personality.  I was running to the grocery store the other day and told her bye.  She yelled, "WAIT! I need a hug."  I gave her a hug.  Then she yelled, "WAIT! I need a kiss."  So I gave her a kiss.  So sweet.

I don't know what it is about this picture but it ended up being one of my favorites.

Playing peek-a-boo

She got really upset here because her shoes got dirty. 

I think she looks so much like our niece Gracy C. right here.

Jack was feeling left out that he wasn't getting his picture taken so I humored him and took one right at the end.  Not only is he in his pajamas still (I only have the energy to make one child look proper at a time), he has his hat and boots he insisted on wearing.  On top of that it's also a terrible picture, blurry, bad lighting, etc. and he has a rash on his face.  Haha.  It made us both laugh as we were flipping through the pictures later.  Poor kid, looks homeless. 

Char's Pink Party

I decided to have people over for cake and ice cream to celebrate Char turning two.  Then the snow storm hit and I got stuck inside for days and slowly my "cake and ice cream" event turned into a small party of sorts with decorations and a photo booth.  It was a pink party of course and she loved it.  We weren't sure how she would react and what she would do with the attention (sometimes she just cries when put on the spot and is clingy) but she was loving it and was cute and happy as can be.  It was a milk and cookies party.  The house was pretty packed but we managed to get everyone in, eat some sugar, sing happy birthday and open a few presents.  

Her pink milk and cookies party.

Her cake.  Looks impressive but was super easy.  I made the cake stand too which I thought for sure would topple at any minute.

This is my favorite picture.  It was so funny watching her try to blow out the candles.   It was mostly a lot of theatrical gesturing but no real blowing or air.

The photo booth.

Steve and Jenni Guynn.

Lauren and Layton Bell.

Lincoln Mellor, Char, Noah Watts, Charlotte Buchanan, Jack, Liam Watts, Elin Quist.

Liam and Jack.  BFFs.

Kayle and Charlotte Buchanan.

Brett and Sarah Bylund.

Whitney and Brett Mellor.

Nate, Jan, and Elin Quist.

Derek and Vanessa Bunker.