Catch up

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End of November:

November was kept busy with school and family.  

Elli participated in the reflections program for her school and won! She wrote a poem about how people are all different.  Her poem went on to the next level and she was thrilled to get a medal!

We went to our first BYU game with the kids.  They didn’t enjoy it very much, besides the foot long maple bars (cougar claws) and hot chocolate!  Surprisingly we stayed plenty warm and made it until half time at least!  

I spent the month beginning my student teaching in a first grade class at a school in my neighborhood.  It was really nice to not have to commute to Orem every day.  UVU has us do a month of student teaching in November and then our 3 months are from January through March in the same class.  It is actually really nice to get used to the schedule, the teacher’s routine, and the students. 

For Thanksgiving dinner we enjoyed going to Grandma Smiths. The kids slept over there and Neisha and I went up to Park City to work with Steve on Black Friday.  We actually really enjoyed it. Our mistake was shopping for a while before beginning to work, that made our feet really tired by the end of the morning.  

More catch up...

-->December:

I was happy to finish out the semester after a good month of student teaching and some intense tests and presentations.  Christmas break was wonderful to say the least!  Neisha came and spent a few days with us and then Steve’s mom and dad came for a week for Christmas and Zachary’s baby blessing.  It was fun to spend time together as we don’t get to see them very often. 

We played the m&m game. As you can tell, Carter is pouting, as he does every time he is losing.

Making treats for the elves, Mrs. Claus, and Santa.

Christmas Eve PJ's and socks from Grandmas and Grandpas.

Our family on Christmas morning.

Santa brought the kids new bikes and helmets.

Elli and Bailey also got skateboards from Grandma Shellee and Grandpa. It was hilarious watching them try them.  You will also notice the Seahawk shirts they are wearing. Carter got one too, as well as unborn baby boy.  I think it was Steve's favorite part of the day.

*I am really not biased to my girls. Carter just hates pictures taken and the girls love it.  Thus, the overload of girly pictures!

Bed head, Bad attitude, and other random Boy stuff

Carter is in great need of a haircut but he doesn't want to cut it.  He wants to grow it out he says.  Problem is, he doesn't have the hair type to have longer hair. It is too thin and grows straight forward. Now that its hanging over his ears, I may have to come up with something creative to cure this situation.

The other day, Steve brought up the idea that it is time to start threatening/bribing/reminding kids with the 'Santa Card'.  He tried it with Carter a few minutes later and his response was, "I don't really care if I am bad cause I want coal anyways."  It wasn't even a response with attitude.  He was dead serious and then even started his Christmas list with 'coal' written at the top.  So much for that idea.  Great...

Carter got 2 behavior slips at school this week.  At least he is open about telling me.  I am having behavior problems with him at home too so I don't doubt school is no different. He is always mad, whining, yelling, crying, about something. Its hard to look at it from a teacher and parent perspective now because although I can see the problems taking place both places, I don't have a clue what to do about it.  It is making me crazy! 

I have always said that Carter has only 2 sides- angel and devil.  It still stands true.  Nothing beats his snuggles and hugs and sweet "I love you mommy", and yet, more times than not lately, its the other side that prevails, screaming, kicking, "I hate you", and threats.  I sure wish we could figure it out :(

Meeting Zachary

We want to welcome sweet little baby Zachary into the Robinson family. Its amazing how small they can be and still fit perfectly into a family. He is a perfect blend of Dave and Kate and I can definitely see Natalie in him.  What a cute little family!  We were so happy to meet him and can't wait for our little guy to arrive. I bet they will be good little cousin buddies.  There is nothing like holding a newborn straight from heaven. Congrats Dave and Kate!

Wax Museum

Bailey had her 5th grade wax museum this week.  She chose to represent Elizabeth Blackwell- the first female doctor.  We went down to see her. She was very excited about it. I wasn't feeling well and didn't get any video of her script, but at least we made it to support her.

Nice shot

Yes this is my blog. These pictures are of my kids. And they are holding guns. Real ones. Not toys. I know it is weird.  I HATE guns. They scare me to death.  Somehow though, some of my siblings and my dad have recently acquired an interest in shooting.  There was no talking Carter out of going shooting with them.  Surprisingly Elli even wanted to try it out.  My mom and I didn't choose to go along. Surprise. I was happy when they arrived back safe and sound. This isn't going to be happening regularly, but I guess I had better get over my fear of guns!

 

Pumpkin Carving

While in St. George we were able to carve pumpkins. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it. Carter picked a green pumpkin and was more interested in using the tools to carve his than what it would actually look like when done.  Elli, being as perfectionist as she is had a few meldowns during the process as she wanted hers to be fancy and precise.  Good thing she has patient aunts and grandparents, cause I wasn't!  The best part is that I don't have to do them at home now! ; )

Little one

Can't wait to meet this new little one!

Carter is one happy boy!

But the best news is that the baby is healthy and the previous problems are healing nicely.  Such a blessing!  One more Ultrasound in a month and we should be good!  Yay!  

OUR Halloween time

Since the kids will be with their other families for Halloween this year, this is about all we got.  Luckily for the ward party the kids were able to dress up for a night so we could enjoy it at least. Although I didn't get to go, I got the best part still- seeing my kids dressed up and excited!  I love Halloween so I wouldn't want to miss it all.  I will take what I can get.  They sure look cute!

Gothic Bride, Pirate, Halloween Fairy

Digging to China

 

Carter and his friends, were playing in the backyard. I went out to check on them and Carter says, "Hi Mom, we're digging to China."  I said, "China? But I will miss you. That is far away."  He responds with, "Don't worry, I won't be gone long." Then runs and gives me a hug and kiss.  They had it down to a science, each with a different job.  Looks to me like Carter's job was the easiest!  But then again, he had double duty- holding the dust pan, and running in for Popsicles every 10 min. 

They worked on their tunnel to China for several hours a few days in a row. Then gave up.  

Side note: I wrote this post back in August, but never published it for some reason...No it is not that warm still.

You are my sunshine

When most people hear the word "sweet", they probably think of a cute little girl.  Not that little girls aren't sweet, but when I hear the word I think of my sweet little boy.  Okay, I know he is 5, but he is still little to me.  He loves to snuggle and play with my eyebrows, just like he did when he was smaller.  He isn't embarrassed to say, "Bye Mom I love you" in front of his whole Kindergarten class when they are lined up to go into the room in the morning.  He still believes that mommy's kiss will heal any scratch or scrape.  He still insists I sing to him every night when putting him to bed.  He still wants help warming up after getting out of the bath.  He still has to have a kiss and hug before leaving the house.  He still runs to find me when he gets home from school.  He is still proud to show me his school work and sing me the songs he learned at school.  And he still loves to do things for me.

Yesterday after school he insisted on packing me a lunch in his Transformers lunch box for me to eat in bed.  He did it himself.  It included: an applesauce, a small box of cereal, mandarin oranges, a fruit roll up, and a packaged chocolate chip cookie.  He brought it to me with a huge grin on his face and sat on the bed waiting for me to eat it.  I guess when he was packing it, he pulled out the chocolate chip cookie and just looked at if for a minute. Then he turned to Steve and said, "Dad, can you have sugar when your pregnant?"  I thought that was so cute. 

A few days ago he wanted to make a picture using stickers.  We got him out some paper and box of stickers.  I walked away and came back a little later and he said, "Don't look Mom."  Then, "Mom, you are going to pass out when you see how much I love you."  He brought the paper to me in bed and it had stickers covering every inch.  He was so proud. I pretended to pass out.  He said, "I told you that I loved you that much!"

Another cute thing about Carter right now is that he is totally obsessed with my pregnancy.  He is always asking to read about it and see pictures. He wants to know how big the baby is now and what it can do.  He can't wait to feel it kick.  I get a weekly email about how the pregnancy changes and he loves reading it with me.  My only concern is that he REALLY wants a little brother.  He is convinced it is a little brother.  So if its a girl, it might be a bit of an issue.  I told him we dont get to pick and he said, "Heavenly Father will pick a boy for me."  When I told him that it might be a girl that needs to come to our family and if it is you will still love it, he said, "At first I will throw a fit. And then I will be okay with it."  I told him he would have to protect his little sister or brother. He liked that idea. I think I will stick with that one for now...

I just adore this little guy of mine.  I know some things will change as he continues to grow up, but I believe the sweetness will stick.  I call him my sunshine for a reason- he lights up my day and warms my heart. 

Carter and cousin Makai

Being tricky

Two weeks of trial and blessings

I have been on bed rest for almost two weeks now.  Anyone who is or ever has been on bed rest before, you know have my complete respect.  It SUCKS!  Of course I will do whatever it takes to protect myself and baby, but it has been rough.

Monday-I was at the dentist office in Draper with the kids.  I was feeling pretty good.  We were just about done when I felt something leaking.  I didn't really think much of it until I stood up and felt more than a leak, it was a gush.  I ran to the bathroom and sure enough, LOTS of blood.  I grabbed the kids and went to the closest ER, which luckily, was only about 3 minutes up the road.  I was in full on hysterics.  I called Steve, who just happened to be off work that day, and I was bawling and screaming so much he had no idea what I was even saying.  I finally got it out and he met me as quickly as he could at the ER.  When I got there, no one else was in the waiting room.  No one was even at the front desk.  I was yelling for anyone to help me.  The receptionist came out and was so very nice.  I was frantic about the bleeding, the baby, and not sure what to do about my kids until Steve could get there.  She calmed me down and assured me she would watch them.  Two nurses immediately came and took me away.  My poor kids.  They were so scared and trying so hard to be tough.  They hadn't ever seen me in that kind of hysterics before. Heck, I don't think I had seen myself in that kind of hysterics before!

Turns out, the nice receptionist put them on a movie and gave them Rootbeer and snacks, coloring pages, and puzzles.  (Obviously I wasn't the first hysterical mom to bring kids to the ER alone!)  I was very grateful to her to say the least.  It only took Steve 20 minutes to get there but it seemed hours.
They put me in a gown, started an IV, took my blood pressure which was really low, hooked me up to monitors, and then just left me there to wait for the doctor.  I was bleeding a lot still and being alone scared me to death.  I couldn't stop bawling. I thought I had lost the baby for sure.  I couldn't even look at the blood.

The doctor came in shortly after Steve arrived and they took me to do an ultrasound.  Amazingly, the baby was there.  Kicking, heart beating, and measuring perfectly.  I still couldn't make myself look at the screen.  I guess I felt like I would get more attached to the baby and at that point, was still convinced there was no way it was staying in there with how much blood I had lost.  I was shaky and weak, but felt no pain, which was surprising to the doctors.  We had to wait a lot longer for another doctor to look at the ultrasound, and then get an internal exam.  There was so much blood they couldn't even tell where it was coming from or what was causing it.  Didn't leave me with any piece of mind.
We waited until the bleeding slowed down before we went home.  Still with no explanation except that I needed to stay in bed, and see my regular doctor as soon as possible. 

The bleeding lightened even more but the cramps started that night.  They told me that would happen.  Being so weak and upset, I slept most of the next day, as my doctor wasn't in until Wednesday.

Wednesday- Early in my pregnancy I had a subchorionic hematoma.  It caused cramping but I never bled like they usually do.  The found it during an ultrasound and the doctor said they usually just go away on there own.  That was at about 5 weeks.  He checked it again at 8 weeks and said it was gone and had likely just dissolved.   I thought that was the end of it.
While at my doctors, he did an ultrasound and could finally tell where the bleeding was coming from. He said it was likely caused from that earlier hematoma and it had caused some damage to the wall of the uterus.  He couldn't tell at this point the extent of the damage.  It was near where the placenta attached, but on the outside.  He said sometimes that damage can cause somewhat of a tear in the uterine lining and the placenta has a harder time attaching.  But that this can heal itself pretty easily this early in pregnancy. He put me on bedrest and said to come back to have it checked in two weeks. 
Bed rest when I am in school full time, is not what you want to hear.  Especially when I am in my last year and desperately want to finish.  I know it will only get harder to do so later.  So I did what any emotionally unstable pregnant woman would do- cried all day and called my mom. 

Thursday- Pulled myself together a bit, contacted all my professors, worked out a time with mom, Neisha, and Steve so that someone was almost always here with me to help with the kids.  Friends kicked in with dinners and I got to stay in bed.  Sounds nice right?  Ya, for about an hour its nice. Then I was ready to be done with the whole ordeal.  Luckily with all the support I have, it has made the past, almost two weeks, bearable.  My instructors have been amazingly supportive and I have been able to do much of my work from home.  Student teaching starts in November, so I am just praying I am able to complete that well.  My friends at school have helped by sending notes, recording class, and including me in groups over the phone.  They have brought freezer meals and ward and friends have as well.  Mom came up for several days, Neisha took over after that. Dave and Kate filled in the in between time when I had no one.  Steve was able to take some time off.  I feel very blessed and grateful for all the people that have pitched in to help us.  The kids have been very well behaved.  We haven't had hardly any issues with them.

So, after that long story, I am down to just 2 more days in bed and am feeling quite a bit better. No bleeding or cramping now.  I have a bad head cold and my body hurts, but that is nothing I can't handle.  It is times like this that it really becomes evident how blessed I am.  Not that I ever doubt it, but sometimes these big reminders really help to humble and realign priorities.  I am so thankful for all the people who have made these last two weeks bearable.  I am thankful that my body is healing and that this sweet little spirit is thriving.  I am thankful to have such a strong testimony to carry me through times of trial, fear, and doubt.  I am thankful to have the ability to hope, to see past today, and to believe in an all knowing God that knows far more than I do about myself.  I am thankful that my future is in His hands, because I am very aware that without Him, I am nothing. 

Simply the Best

I know it probably seems ironic that the day I get around to blogging about my wonderful husband is our anniversary, but it is really simply a coincidence.  With my bedrest and sickness during this pregnancy, Steve has been amazing.  He takes such good care of me and the kids.  He has sacrificed so much sleep staying up with me, rubbing my shoulders, and doing everything he can think of to allow me to relax enough to sleep.  The other night was particularly bad.  I knew he had to get up early for work and got in bed late after he closed and then came home to a grumpy, sick wife.  But still, he was up most of the night with me, without hesitation or complaint. 
He has taken over my every role in this house. Not that he ever leaves everything to me, he is always helpful, but now he does it all- cleaning, shopping, driving kids, you name it.  I don't even ask- he just does it.  I honestly don't know how I would live without this wonderful man by my side.
Maybe it is times like this when you truly notice how lucky we are. But I can honesty say, since I met Steve, I have felt a continuous streak of good luck.  No one happens upon this kind of guy on accident however.  Heavenly Father truly knew the perfect one for me. I am so thankful daily for that blessing.

Today is our one year anniversary.  I can hardly believe it.  In a way it seems like yesterday, and in a way it seems I had no existence before him.  All I know is that I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now.  I love my little family, and the little one on the way.  I love the struggles we have been through and the fun that we have.  I love having a husband that can make me laugh like no one else can.  I love the feeling of security I have in my relationship.  I love the way we work together to cover all our needs.  I love seeing our children change and grow. I love having a husband who never walks through the door after work without giving me a hug first thing.  I love that we will be able to go to the temple to be sealed soon.  I love how my life has worked out and how everything I have experienced seems to make perfect sense, because now, I am exactly where the Lord wants me to be.

Speak Now

If any of you know my sister Neisha, you know that she is obsessed with Taylor Swift.  It was probably a year ago she found out she was coming to Salt Lake on tour this September.  No doubt she was one of the first ones online to buy tickets the day they were on sale.  

So, last week the long awaited day finally came and Neisha, Mom, Kelsee, and a few of Neisha's friends came up, just for the concert.  We met up for dinner then headed to the show.  The girls were thrilled to go to their first concert.  Because ticket prices were so high, our seats were near the top, but they didn't seem to mind.  I kid you now, the noise level in that place was INSANE!  and it wasn't from the band, it was from the crowd.  I have never experienced anything like it.  The show was really neat. More of a show than a concert, which is really nice.  We all sang along to every song and the girls enjoyed putting their hands up in the shape of hearts and dancing to the music.  I think their favorite part would have to be the makeovers they got though.  Cover Girl sponsored the tour so they had booths set up all over for free makeovers. They even got to take their lipstick home!  Thrill of the day for them!  

Thanks Mom for taking us along. We had a great night!

I have so many pictures, hard to choose which ones to share!

Announcing...

 

We are so happy to announce that come 6 months, we will be welcome a new little one into our family!We can't wait to meet you baby noodle! (when we told the kids, the baby was the size of a macaroni noodle. So they started calling it baby noodle. It stuck. ) The kids are very excited and want to constantly see picture of the development and hear about the growth.  It is fun. Our baby is due the beginning of April, a week after student teaching is done and two weeks before graduation!  It will be a busy and interesting few months and we are thrilled about it all!

The Little Mermaid

In August we went to see The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn in St. George with my family.   

 Ready to go, mohawk and all! He insisted his hair be done this way.

Enjoying the show.  It was wonderful!  I love shows out at Tuacahn. They are always enjoyable, but I have to say this was definitely at the top of my list!
Carter even loved it. He was intrigued the whole time and didn't want to leave when it was over.
Thanks mom and dad!

2-wheeler

 

We have been working with Carter for a while on riding a 2-wheeler.  He would always get frustrated and give up.  I told him when he was ready, it would come.  Sure enough, the other day he hopped on and took off. Much to even his own surprise! Needless to say, he was thrilled!  He hardly gets off of it, only to sleep.  Its fun to watch him. Way to go buddy!

First Day's

 

Elli had her first day of 3rd grade last week.  She got the teacher she wanted and was very excited. Her biggest concern was deciding on an outfit for the first day! 

Carter started Kindergarten this week. He was excited but then got nervous once we got there.  There were a few tears and he didn't want us to leave, but once we picked him up he was happy. Day 2 was the same. By day 3 I had my friend take him and so we bypassed that drama!  

My kids have great teachers and a great school.  My complaint is that there are 36 kids in Elli's class!  That is just not right.  I guess I have an extra issue with this topic from my education.  It is very frustrating.  I am glad they are happy, close to home, and learning!

Zoey

For Those of you who know me know that having a dog, or any pet for that matter, is a big step for me.  I am not an animal person at all, but since I have a family of 4 others who are very much opposite of that, I was outvoted.  I gave in and agreed to this little bundle of chocolate lab puppy.  Awh....

Bailey picked her out of the puppies born to her dogs at her mom's house.  Steve brought her home and surprised Elli and Carter with her.  They were SO excited!

She is a very good dog and has enough energy to make up for my lack of it.  Everyone is loving our little puppy. You know she is officially part of our clan when she is given the privilege of wearing Seahawk paraphernalia.  

They are back!

 

Yay! I have my sweet kids back!  It was so good to see them and hold them and snuggle them after a whole month apart.  They did so well. Good and bad days of course, just like me, but that is life right!?  We had to entertain ourselves somehow on the long flight home, so naturally, pulled out photobooth.  I don't think they ever get sick of silly pictures. Their giggling turned heads all over the plane.  But hey, it wasn't tears, puke, or tantrums, so I will take it! When I asked what they missed the most, they said books and snuggles at night. Who knew such a simple routine would mean so much. I love these two kiddos so much and am thankful every day to be their mama!