Maternity Shoot

And we finally found time to do a maternity shoot. This is proof why most people don't take maternity pictures at 39 weeks, but Holli is so talented that they turned out beautiful anyway. I am fully in love with the beautiful fall leaves, so we decided to capture the season at the cemetery near our house (they have the best leaves). Kind of "circle of life", but also a little Halloween themed right? Whatever at least we got it done xo.

Baby boy is doing great. He has decided to stay right where he is for another week. I'm 39 weeks and one day and off to the doctor again for another check up this afternoon. She decided not to strip my membranes last week because she felt it was not good care. In other words she delivered one baby monday, two tuesday, and one that morning and she didn't want another one that night. Well, kind of.

He was only 38 and 0, plus he is a little white boy so its a good idea to give his lungs a little more time to develop. It's ok though because we wanted to wait for Mimi anyway. But lets be honest here, the last few weeks of pregnancy are not luxurious. They are awful and I am so ready to be done. I can't wait to run again. I know that is kind of weird, but I would give anything to feel exhausted from working my legs, the blood pumping through my chest, and the breathless sting in my lungs. Maybe thats why Im considering going natural for this boy boy. We will see how that turns out because I'm kind of a baby and I don't have anything to prove I just honestly want to try it.

Ellie also got a few shots in. Ok, the majority of the pics are of the princess. But with a face like that it's hard for the camera to catch anything else. She has had so much fun the past few weeks. We have tried to keep busy and enjoy the New England sunshine before it's gone. She has been to multiple birthday parties, had play dates at the park, got to feed the duckies on the river, and go on hay rides. We love Boston in the fall but are already looking forward to Christmas in California ;) I think she is finally ready for her brother. She asked me the other day when the baby was coming out of my tummy and if it would come out in the tub. Um probably not baby girl lol at least I hope not. She loves babies still and I have no doubt she will be a great big sister.

Ward Halloween Party

First and foremost: yes, I'm still pregnant. The worst part is that contractions have basically stopped and boy boy has decided he is just fine right there in my uterus. Really little boy? You are going to put me through pain for the past six weeks and make me worry that you will be too early and then when it is time for you to make your appearance you are all of the sudden fine? Boys are so fickle...just like Daddy lol.  So, I guess he is just waiting for Mimi's arrival and inevitably so am I.

Second, our ward Halloween party was last night. This year we decided to channel our inner cougar. Not too hard since our family bleeds blue. I remember when I was seven I had a BYU cheerleader costume and went trick or treating as a dead cheerleader. Gross, right? Well, my child is not the scary type so we just went with a cute BYU cheerleader. Dad was a football player and I was the referee (baby boy would have been the football, but he has not made his arrival quite yet). It was quite the ordeal to get Elle ready for the party. All she wanted to do was to put on a minnie mouse costume. Duh, right? I should have seen that one coming. But since when did my baby get big enough to choose what she wants to be for halloween? After much coaxing and bribing (which included letting her paint Daddy's face), she finally gave in. I was so excited to be able to get her all ready. I had this image in my head of her sitting in the sink while I did her make-up and painted her face...why do things never work out as planned? All she wanted to do was play monster with Daddy. 

Ellie "Dad zoo be monster and I be little girl"

Dad "raaaaaar!"

Ellie "Ahhhhhhh!" runs away screaming and flinging her arms.

Ellie "Dad, I be monster and zoo be little girl"

I love when Leon comes home from school at a decent hour, but he gets this little girl jumping off the walls. She CANNOT get enough of her Daddy. I love how much they love each other.

Anyways, with Daddy's help we made it out the door and joined the Belmont first ward Halloween festivities. We ate hot dogs, salad, and cupcakes. I kind of miss the chili tradition of my home ward but what do you do? We played games, colored, read stories, and bounced in the jump house. Then we headed home safe and sound. Are we ready for the big night on Oct 31? Yes. Has Ellie been begging for candy and saying "Trick or Treat Mom"? Of course. Will this baby get out of my belly so we can finally have our little football? Only time will tell.

Get Out and VOTE!!!

Don't judge me.

But it is true, this will be the first time I vote in a national election.

I never could figure out or took the time to figure out how to vote in college since I was always out of state. I have no idea why because I am extremely politically motivated. I guess I was a bad American haha.

But I am registered and my ballot has arrived in the mail. I realize that I am still registered in California and my vote will count just as much as it would here in the deep blue Massachusetts, but this is the MOST important election in my lifetime. 

The results of this election will not only effect my own life but the lives of my children. I look at little Ellie and can't imagine wanting anything but the best for her. It is so sad for me to think about the selfishness that this nation has resorted to. Often voters only care about what can be given to them or what can be done for them and they don't think about what those things do to their children or grandchildren. What happened to the country that was full of people who would give their life for freedom? Freedom isn't free. Don't people realize that free food, free medical care, free housing just makes these people rely on the government? Don't they realize that if they rely on the government that  they are giving up their freedom. That same freedom that cost the lives of so many great men and women.

We need someone who can bring America back to its roots. Someone who would make George Washington proud and put F.D.R. back in his place. We need someone like Mitt Romney. Ellie needs someone like Mitt Romney. She deserves her best chance and I will do everything in my power to give that to her.

38 weeks

So, when I was exactly 38 weeks pregnant with Ellie Callait I had a doctors appointment. The doctor did a little mushing on my cervix and at 4 am the next morning I went into labor. Well, I am exactly 38 weeks pregnant today and guess what?! I have a doctors appointment. Will history repeat itself?

 Last week I was 3 cm and 80% so it is safe to say that "go" time is approaching. 

I want my body back to myself so badly, but I am so scared about having more than one child. 

I want to meet my beautiful son, but I am so nervous about having a boy.

I want all the aches and pains to go away, but I am frightened of the pains of labor haha.

I want him to be here for Halloween, but I want to spend the holiday with my bestie (Ellie).

So, I guess we will leave it in the Lord's hand and pray for a safe and speedy arrival.

Haunted Hayride

Yay its Friday!! Do you know what that means? It means we get to have the weekend with Daddy! Leon has been gone a lot this semester and I always look forward to weekends because honestly I just miss him. It is so fun to see Ellie run down the hall whenever she hears the door open and run into her Daddy's arms. They have gotten so close lately I love to watch them interact. It really makes me love my husband so much more when I see how much he loves our daughter. Can't wait to watch him love our son.

 So today we decided to have some family fun and head over to Wilson Farm. They give an awesome haunted hayride that is perfect for the kids. Ellie loved seeing the spider car and hay giant. And she couldn't get enough of her fresh apple that she got after the ride. I love spending time with my little family and can not wait to add to the bunch. (So little boy you can come whenever you like now..wink, wink)

East Coast Beach Day

 

The past couple of weeks have flown by.  I'm so lucky to now have my sister just down the street, I feel like I always have a friend to do whatever it is I want. So, we decided since the sunny days are limited here in Boston, that we needed to head to the beach. The weather was nice and the kids had a great time running in and out of the shallow water. I love, love, love that Ellie has her cousins here to play with. It has really helped her start getting used to sharing the attention and learning to play well with others. She is still does her own thing a lot of the time, but she loves to play games with Carder and basically follows the kid around like a groupie. But hey, you have to admit he is hard to resist.

So we got to the beach in the late afternoon and being nine months pregnant, I was content just sitting on the blanket watching the kids play in the water. I loved listening to the sound of crashing waves and am sure that there will be beaches in heaven. It was so peaceful I couldn't help but wish for a moment that I would go into labor right then and there. But I was glad after that moment slipped, and I had a little girl needing me to climb rocks, make sand castles, and spin her around in the water, that I still had a little more time.

Wingaersheek is my favorite beach out here for little ones. The reef is really long and it is in a kind of bay that makes it perfect for little kiddos to play. There are also lots of rock to climb and tide pools to explore. Ellie was fearless and was climbing the rocks and jumping in the tide pools like a boss. She has gotten into saying constantly, "Mom, I have a show zoo someping" or "follow me Mom". It is too cute to ever say no to so, I just end up going. Maybe not the best idea this time since she was leading me up rocks and down slippery slopes. It was quite the sight to see this big belly of mine following her every move. But she is my little buddy and I am just so grateful that I have the privilege to play with her everyday. I'm so excited for this little boy, I can't wait to see how much Ellie will love him. In fact, I'm getting a little baby hungry myself and can't wait to love him.

Speaking of the boy, quick update: I am now 37 2/7 and had an appointment yesterday. She said I was 80% effaced and 3 cm dilated. Basically, boy can come anytime now! Kind of crazy right? I still don't feel comfortable with having my boy at less than 38 weeks just because I have seen babies, especially boys who don't do as well without that extra couple weeks. So, I am hoping we can make it a few more weeks. But lets be honest my children own me and do what they want lol. I will be happy to have him whenever he decides he is ready to make his way into this world.

Oh yeah, did i tell you I met Mitt Romney? Well I did. And it was Ah-mazing!! We volunteered at a fancy schmancy fundraiser and were able to get a photo op. He was so kind, he thanked us for being there and asked about the baby. I am so sad I did not get to say more to him. I wanted so bad to thank him for what he is doing for our country and for my kids, but I just was too star struck. I am so proud to be a Romney/Ryan supporter.

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Sterling, MA

 Mary had a little lamb...

And it might have been against the rules but she decided to ride it.

She also decided to take a walk in front of the house she was born in, but thought that the cider she was drinking in the car sounded more appetizing.

She showed her happy girl face as she pushed the stroller at the orchard that her grandparents owned because she knew she was getting some yummy cider.

She also gave lamb-y a kiss and a cuddle because she thought her lamb-y was cute.

Then She, Carder, and Brenn spent some much needed time at the playground building things and riding on boats, cars, and wagons. Kids gotta get that energy out. Talk about a good time besides the bees swarming our cider.

She had such a good time and is now fast asleep on Daddy's chest.

Boy do I love my little Mary.