It's A...

When it comes to the second child, finding out the sex of the baby is even more suspenseful than the first. We wondered if Jack would have a brother to teach all of his tricks to, or a sister to pick on... and though it's a win-win for either, we couldn't help but want a girl this time around.

For me, having a girl means having more than just a few short years until I hand them to their spouse... just as the saying goes: "A son is a son until he gets a wife, and a daughter's a daughter for the rest of your life." And while I know that I can be close with my sons as they grow older, there's something about having a girl that I yearn for.

Having had dreams for a couple of months leading up to my ultrasound (and sometimes still) that this little nudger was a girl, I was prepared to hear what I wanted to. Most of it was me getting my hopes up, and the rest of it was what I thought was my "motherly instict," as they say. Not to mention the fact that everyone was talking to the "girl" in my belly already.

What I wasn't expecting was the first thing up on the screen to be the shot in between the baby's legs. He had no shame in hiding it (just like his older sibling)... it was definitely a brother.

I didn't cry. For selfish reasons, I might have teared up a little... and the first thing that came to my mind was, "will I ever have a girl?" which only lasted about two seconds - because I couldn't help but see visions of my two little buddies running around and causing mischief together, which could only make me smile. Not to mention the fact that he was totally healthy, which is always a miracle in itself, and the fact that he had a nose identical to Jack's ultrasound picture. Who wouldn't want another Jack to play with? I walked out of that appointment excited and happy that I could start calling him by his name. We couldn't be happier - regardless of whether or not it was a girl. And, Chris, having grown up with four brothers of his own, was beyond excited.

Unlike with Jack, when we were more than ecstatic to call everyone we knew the minute after our ultrasound appointment, we had decided beforehand to wait to announce what we were having. It was fun to keep everyone in suspense... and while that may sound dramatic, it kind of was for me. My family isn't the kind to hold things in for very long.

We decided to announce it that weekend while were all together for the night at my Uncle Brian's house. During dinner, I asked everyone to put their names in a hat, out of which Jack picked one. He happened to pick my nephew Robby's name, which I was hoping for. I think he was excited to be a part of it, and to open the envelope I handed him which held the gender inside.

Jack was just as excited... even though he knew what it was, having come to the ultrasound appointment with us (and having given his attention to the entire thing, as is his nature).

Time to celebrate! Yes, Chris looks very happy here...?

Jack was more than happy to get in on the celebration... as it had to do with candy.

It was a fun way to announce it. Later, we announced it to Chris's family by putting numbers on "Nana's Scoreboard" we had made for her. The girls are still winning, at three to two - thanks to Geoff marrying Aubrey with two girls already. :)

As for me, I am getting ready for this little guy to join us - and trying not to think about how busy Jack already is. Who knows... maybe this one will be more chill? We'll find out!

Dubb Days

At the end of September we had a fun visit with the Douberley's - it's always fun, yet bitter sweet to have them here. We love the time we have together, but know it's not long enough before they're on their way back home to Florida. Hopefully we can make it out there again sometime in the somewhat near future.

The grandkids have a blast together, as always...

Here are the big kids playing on the trampoline at Grandma and Grandpa's.

And the little kids taking their turn. Apparently Jack hurt little Ty and was kissing him better here...

Here they are goofing around... Cessna pouring water on Robby as payback, while he is crying because even though it's fair, he's sad about it. And Bree, playing with Jack's face. He loved it.

Here's little Ty - I call him my "squishy boy" because he is so soft and squishy. And adorable.

We had a giant sleepover at our Uncle Brian's house, and enjoyed good food, each other, and of course, swimming.

Jack is "pushing" Taylor into the water here. He got a kick out of how dramatic he was about it.

I'm happy to say my sisters are my best friends... I couldn't live without them.

It's always wonderful to have our family together. I love these people more than anything.

Five Years

As we (both) had forgotten our 4th anniversary altogether, we decided to head to Vegas for our 5th year. It was our first trip away from Jack... it was nice, yet strange. We missed the little guy. But we ate some great food, saw some sweet stuff, and just enjoyed spending time together.

We did a lot of walking - which wasn't as fun for me being 6 months pregnant, but seeing all the cool stuff made up for it. I mean, who doesn't like to walk into a lobby full of draped crystals everywhere you look?

The Cosmopolitan hotel = amazing.

In addition to the crystals, they have incredible shops with such unique stuff - this lightbulb chandelier, and a window lined with old-fashioned sewing machines, for example. So cool.

The new City Center on the strip is incredible, too. They have buildings that stick out in all different directions and look as if they are about to fall directly on you.

And it is a total 180 degree turn from the opposite side of the street. Very cool.

Chris decided take a 855 feet plummet to the ground, doing the SkyJump at the Stratosphere for the first time.

He had a blast, and it was fun... yet a little terrifying... to see him do it.

We ate at one of our favorite restaurants there, Stripburger (named for its location on the strip, contrary to what the "strip" part of the name would have you assume).

We love spending time together. It was a fun, quick getaway, the last we'll get in a while with a new baby around. Happy anniversary, honey. It's been an incredible five years. I love you.

Pumpkins!

At the current moment, Jack's obsession is pumpkins. Whenever a pumpkin is spotted wherever we go, he practically yells, "puh-puh-puh" until I acknowledge what he was saying. He LOVES them.

So, we decided to take him to a pumpkin patch, which he also LOVED, especially touching all the pumpkins he wanted, and riding in the wheelbarrow with the pumpkins. We picked a few out, including a small one just for him, which he loved to carry around - and is the first thing he points out in the morning.

Playing on the tractors and trucks

He loved running amok in the corn maze, falling down quite a bit in the process.

Our handsome boy

He did not, however, enjoy the feeling of the insides of the "puh-puh" when carving it. He was happy to look at it, but was quickly dry-heaving (literally) when any of the guts touched any part of his body. Not a fan.

He enjoyed looking at the finished product, though.

Well done, dad!

Tracy Aviary

We decided a couple of months ago to take a trip to see the birds at Tracy Aviary, most of which Jack was afraid of. But he had a good time walking around like he owned the place, and not listening to us... as is the norm these days.

Most of the time, while around the birds, he was clinging to Chris to stay safe.

Or, had a perma-worried look as if the birds weren't going to stay behind their cages.
He did like pushing the buttons on the educational stands available for visitors. There was no listening involved, however. He may have broken the button, having pushed it so many times.

He loved feeding the birds, though...

And actually quite enjoyed watching the ducks.

He thought sticking his face into the holes here was so funny.

I think he mostly had fun because he was outside and roam-free.
I love my cute boys!

Belly Shots

My goal after having Jack was to document my next pregnancy more than I did with him. Unfortunately, once again, that goal has hardly been a priority - and it's slipped from my mind somehow. it's a shame, because I feel like I'm much larger at 24 weeks with this one than I was with Jack - and I don't have many pictures to compare. I guess if we survive this two kid thing, it'll be a goal for the third. Perhaps setting a weekly reminder on my phone would help?

Here are the shots I have thus far.

16 Weeks

18 Weeks

22 Weeks

24 Weeks

As my belly has gotten larger, Jack has noticed more and more that something is different, and isn't ashamed to poke my stomach now and again. And though he doesn't understand that big change is coming, he's happy to give the baby a kiss when we ask. He's such a sweet little boy... let's hope that doesn't change when this baby turns his world upside down. Ha.

Utah State Fair

Ahhh, the State Fair. Nothing like it... literally. We wanted to take Jack to enjoy "people watching" (which is always a top reason to attend), music, rides, and of course - fried food.

When walking toward the entrance, a man asked us if we had tickets. When we informed him that we did not, he handed us two and said he worked at the ticket booth and was leaving for the night. Upon telling him that he was sweet, he told me to call his wife and tell her that. I told him I'd be happy to - and I would have, if he wasn't kidding. Anyone that saves us twenty bucks is a friend of mine.

When we ventured our way into the park, Jack was in awe. He was in his stroller, contained, but I think he was content that way - there was so much to look at that he didn't need to run everywhere. There was enough in a ten-foot radius. Realizing I had forgotten my camera in the car, I was unable to get any good pictures of his face, but it was priceless the way his expressions changed as he watched and pointed at everything.

We made our way toward the animals as a start, and I quickly made a note that on the way back, we MUST pick up one of these bad boys (don't judge me, I'm pregnant. Though I can't say I wouldn't get one anyway):

Yep.
They looked even better than this picture, and I was salivating already.

We made our way to the goats, and Jack liked this little fella... until we spent five bucks to get his picture taken with him.

He pretty much fell apart. Poor kid.
Later, when we decided we were ready for our deep fried meal (which included a foot-long corn dog... so good), we headed to get the bucket-o-fries....

Only to find out that they had run out of buckets a few minutes before. I was forced to buy a small four dollar basket of fries (which was about 1/4 or less the size of the bucket, which was only eight dollars), and enjoy what I had...

And, I did. They were magical.

After dinner, Jack took a few runs down the giant slide with Chris, and loved the bounce house - both of which he kept returning to. Chris spent a dollar to see a lady with a snake body... oh, the things you can see at the fair. As for me, I was satisfied with my delicious, yet small, portion of fries.

We ended the night with some deep-fried oreos, which are much better than I imagined they would be. As are all deep-fried things, right?

So - until next year... where the bucket-o-fries will be waiting for me. I will be sure not to delay my visit to pay eight dollars for one thousand times that in calories.

BYU's Newest Fan

Chris came home with a BYU hat for Jack one day... ...and he's been glued to it (as much as a toddler can be) since, wearing it whenever he sees it and in various places.

In front of the TV

Whenever we go outside

And he keeps it on in the car, which is quite amazing.

Jack isn't to the point yet where he will watch even a second of a football game, or any sports, on TV - but he sure loves his hat. Just look at those blue eyes!