Nothing like counting down to have the baby.  I can’t complain (much).  This has been a great pregnancy.  My only problem is sleeping now.  I think the good Lord knew what he was doing when he keeps expecting moms up a good 2 months before they deliver.  I was up two nights ago with contractions.  Too bad it stopped the next day.  Meredith and Parker and getting really excited.  Every morning they come in and kiss my stomach and say, “Good morning baby.”  I think they will love having a little one in the house.  But I do think Parker will have a harder time.

In other news yesterday was kindergarten registration.  I am really sad Meredith is going to school.  I need to keep reminding myself that it’s the same amount of time as preschool, just 3 more days a week.  She is really excited.  I keep asking her is she is really going to school.  She replies, “Mom, I will come home!”  Sad, sad for me.

I guess my next post will be when the babe is born!  Until then!!!

Scott and I have been struggling on finding a name for Baby X.  Ok, really it’s just me.  I have a name that I love, but Scott thinks it sounds like a soap opera name.  Every name Scott asks about, I deny.  I think of someone that I know with  that name and just can’t bring myself to say ok.  We have been asking the kids for several weeks what we think we should name the baby.  First they like Tad.  No go for me and Scott.  Today Parker came up with the funniest of them all.  He and I were driving in the car running errands when he said, “Mom I have the perfect name for the baby.”  I asked what it was.  He replied, “Turd.  I really like that name.”  I just about got into an accident from laughing so hard.  We had to call Scott right away and tell him about it.  It was so funny and so innocent.  So I guess we will have a baby Turd running around our house it Parker has anything to do with it!  I love that kid!

We have had so much going on lately.  We have been trying to finish our basement.  Scott, my dad and my brother Jeffrey have been down there almost every Saturday since winter started.  I think I see the end of the tunnel.   Friday I spent the day priming the walls, Saturday my mom and I spent the day painting and then Monday my mother in law and I painted.  Guess what?  I’m still not done!  Wow!  Never thought it was that much work for 2 bedrooms, a staircase and a little hall.  I’ve learned a lot about building.  I have tried to spend a lot of time with the kids since I neglected them 3 days.  Now I try to paint when Scott is home and on Saturdays after the guys are done with their work.  I can’t wait for this big project to be done!

We have a lot of doctor visits come our way also.  I figure in 1 months time we spent $225 on copays alone.  Crazy!  Both kids have ear infections.  I spent a night up with Parker because he couldn’t sleep.  It was a very LONG night.  We went to the first appointment we could get in.  The doctor said it was a race again time.  Either his eardrum would burst or the medicine would hurry and start doing it’s job.  Luckily, the meds worked great.  We had to go into another doctor with Parker yesterday.  He had a procedure done and that won’t be healed for about 3 weeks.  Poor little guy has had a rough patch, but hopefully life will get better for him soon!

The kids are looking forward to spring and playing outside.  Everyday they ask if they can go out.  Yesterday I finally said yes and looked outside and it was raining.  Sorry guys!  Today they got to play for about 1/2 hour!  Now it’s getting ready to rain. I am also looking forward to spring.  I bought my seeds for the garden and I am excited because I found some great garden boxes.  I’m hoping to get the garden out of my flower beds!  The kids are happy we bought more pumpkin seeds.  It’s their highlight of fall when they get to pick them!

I still can’t figure why I can’t post pictures but I will need to have Scott check it out.  Until then…

Parker turned 3 on Jan. 29th.  I can’t believe how fast time goes.  It seems like last year we had him and now he is 3.  I am so thankful he came into our family.  He has such a sweet temperament and is so loving to everyone.  I love that during family prayers he leans over and gives me kisses throughout the prayer.  What a sweet boy!  He and Meredith play so well together and I hardly ever need to tell them to quit fighting.  (I hope that keeps up!)  For Parkers birthday he got a couple of new action figures from Meredith.  He loves playing with little hand toys!  Scott and I gave him a new night stand.  He also received a cd player from Grandpa and Grandma and a new lamp to go on his nightstand.  We went to Artic Circle that night and the kids played on the playground.  We also watched “The Emperors New Groove,”  which the kids had never seen.

On Feb 3, Meredith turned 5.  She can’t be 5!  Maybe she could be 2, but 5?  She is so excited to go to school and she loves learning.  She and I are best friends!  She loves doing my hair and putting makeup on me!  I love that she loves doing girlie things with me!  I love that she comes into my bed to snuggle and likes reading books.  She is such a smart girl!  She asked for a chicken and rice dinner and we went to Leatherbys for dessert.  That day we had her pictures taken and she got her fingers and toes painted.  She has do much fun and had a hard time going to sleep that night!  I was able to make her a wedding dress for her Barbie–since Santa couldn’t find one.  I also made her a table cloth and a apron, we bought her a tea set to have tea parties with.  (She loves doing that!)  Scott finally had to get a little mad for her to lay down and go to sleep!  Super cute!

I have been working on a lot of things myself.  I have been figuring out how to make the wedding dress, table cloth and the apron.  It’s been a lot of sewing!  I have also been learning how to make flower for Merediths hair.  It’s been quite the learning process, but I am grateful for all I have learned.  Scott is pleased I am getting use out of my sewing machine!  I am even passing around the idea of starting to sell stuff on Etsy.  We will see!

I’m still horrible at blogging.  Time flies, but today with nothing to do I thought I would do a little catching up to do.  We have had a lot happening around out little house lately.

In September we went to Disneyland.  It was so fun and the kids still talk about it all the time.  Meredith is looking forward to going back, even though Scott said it will be 5 years.  (I’m sure it really won’t be that long!)  Scott and I had a lot of fun seeing Disneyland through the eyes of our children.  It was a new experience for both of us!  Meredith really liked the beach and making sand angels.  Parker loved the tea cups-I really think he liked them because I hate them!  They make me so dizzy and sick!  Scott was a trooper and went on it with the kids every time they wanted to go, which was about every other ride!

We found about a month ago we are expecting a little boy!  We are so excited.  We thought for sure it was another girl, but Parker will get a little buddy instead.  We don’t have any idea what we are going to name him, but we still have 4 months, right?!

Also, this winter Scott and my family have been working in our basement.  We are trying to get a couple of bedrooms done before the baby comes.  We have no space for a crib right now, so the idea is to get the toys out of the rooms and down in the almost done room.  The other room will serve as our workout room and I can FINALLY get the treadmill and bike out of our bedroom.  I’m hoping in the fall we can start working on the family room.  It’s coming along slowly, but they only work on it on Saturdays for a few hours.  We are at the sheet rocking point…

Scott has been sick this week and found out today he has strep throat.  (We are hoping it’s strep)  The doctor said if he isn’t feeling better in about a week he has mono.  We are praying it’s not that!  I wonder…I don’t have mono, but he does…Who has he been kissing?  I’ll have to ask when he gets home!

We were so blessed last year and are so thankful for the New Year to re-resolve ourselves to becoming better people.  I personally have a few things I would like to work on this year-as I am sure 99.9% of people do.  This year will bring big changes in our lives and the lives of our children, with the new baby, Parker starting preschool and Meredith starting kindergarten.   (I could start crying just thinking about her going to school!)  We are hoping to make 2010 a great year and hope everyone else has a great year too!

We are happy to let everyone know we are expecting our 3rd little chicken.  I am officially 12 1/2 weeks along and hopefully the morning sickness is gone!!  My official due date is May 7th.  We are so excited!  Meredith and Parker are hoping for  a little sister, but I don’t really think Parker understands what’s happening!  Meredith is coming up with a list of names for us.  so far they are Princess Meredith and Princess Natalie, which of course won’t work!  It’s really cute to see how excited Meredith is.  When we told the kids, Meredith asked if she could pet my baby.  Parker came over to look at my stomach and then started vrooming his cars again.   Pretty much, whatever mom. 

The kids and I have also received our H1N1 shots.  I got Parkers on Wednesday and Meredith and I went on Saturday.  Our good friend went at 3 in the morning to stand in line and Scott relieved him at 5.  What great hubbies!  Even though we got there so early we were still 98, 99 and 100.  It was so crazy!  The line wrapped through 2 shopping centers and down a neighborhood.  Luckily we were so close we were in and out within a half hour.  I was silly and kept dreaming about it leading up to Friday night.  I went and picked up the forms on Thursday and had mine and Meredith’s filled out and gave one to my friend who was going with us!  Hopefully Scott will get a shot as soon as there is enough to cover the high risk groups. 

Keep praying for May to come fast!

I am horrible at this blogging thing. But have had a fun filled summer and look forward to a few more weekends of sun to play in. This summer we spent a lot of time with our families and loved every minute of it! We went to the zoo, boating and to the cabins a couple of times. We had BBQ’s, went to parades and had swimming parties. The most exciting part of our summer months was many additions to our families. First Scott’s sister Ali and hubby Travis had baby Luke on June 3rd. (What better day could they have had him on?) I tried to talk them into naming him Roxanne, but since he was a boy they just couldn’t do it! Also on June 20th, Tony (Scott’s brother) got married. We love Tony, but now Tony is even better with Betty by his side! The kids LOVE her so much and we are excited to have her in our family too! In August Michael (my brother) and his lovely wife Christy had a baby girl, Natalie. She a beautiful and is growing like a weed! We are so excited to have each of them in our family! We have a busy fall coming up–I am looking forward to cooler weather and the “seasons.” Meredith started her dance class yesterday. She will be performing in two shows. The winter show she will be dancing to “Winter Wonderland” and the second I think it’s called, “The Hoedown Throwdown?” by Hannah Montana. (We aren’t quite into her yet) Meredith will start school in a few weeks. She has been sad because her BFF Abby won’t be in her dance class or her school class this year. Also, her friend Zoe is going to Kindergarten. I can’t believe my baby girl starts kindergarten next year Guess we will need to make this coming year one to remember! (I’ll post pictures later when Scott can figure why it’s not working!)

I haven’t been doing very well with keeping up on our blog….Can’t promise I will do any better any time soon!  Life has gotten a little crazy in the last week and a half.  I just wanted to share what happened to our little family on Sunday.  Scott was released! Ya HOO!  He has been amazing in his calling for 4 1/2 years, and has really enjoyed it.  He loves serving where he is needed.  I am also grateful for his time he was able to serve.  I am SO excited he will be able to sit with us at church now!  (Well, most of the time!  He will be gone maybe once a month doing high council stuff) But after 4 1/2 year of no husband or daddy, we are ready to break him in!  I wonder if he will enjoy taking Parker to the restroom 3 x’s during sacrament or his little screaming fits…..Sunday here we come!

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Walmart!  I go to Walmart at least once a week, but many times it ends up being at least two!  I think this picture explains why I like it so much!  It’s like going to a FREE movie, but this movie is guaranteed entertainment!  Plus the treats are so much cheaper!  Click on the picture to enlarge.  Sadly you will see all of these on one trip to the great kingdom of Walmart!  Good times!

I haven’t written for a while, but a lot has been happening around our house. First, I decided I wanted to put a backsplash up in our kitchen. After a little stress it’s up and looking amazing. I love it! Thanks to Jeffrey for doing it and Dad and Michael for helping when they could.

Next, Meredith had her first dance performance. It was so cute! The song was to the music, “My boyfriends back.” She was darling and did a wonderful job. After it was over, she asked if she could do it again. I actually got a little nervous as she went on stage, but couldn’t have done a better job! Is that normal for a mom to get nervous?

Also, Meredith has learned to ride a two wheel bike. Scott and I have worked with her a little. She’s been a little nervous but last night she took off! Now she is riding all over our circle like a pro! Way to go sweetie!

Last night Parker got a new tricycle. He is learning how to peddle. He will inherit the red bike when Meredith grows into the princess bike. He looks so cute on it!

Last but not least today the kids and I went to the Zoo. Meredith and I haven’t been since I was pregnant with Parker. This means Parker has never been. They loved seeing all the animals, but Meredith tells me her favorite was the zebras with the black stripes! Thanks Keri and Maddie for the fun morning.

Also, loves and a big happy birthday to my Maddie girl who is turning one year old on Thursday. We love you!

I have clumped all the pictures together to make up for lost time!