cousins

Check out this cutie:My sister and her family came to visit this past weekend. We pretty much spent the whole time passing babies around, changing diapers, feeding the babies, eating great food, and laughing at mason. We also went to my cousin Jeri's wedding reception on Saturday and passed around the babies some more and got to visit with more family. Back at home, we had a hard time getting all three of the cousins together for some photos because mason wasn't so into it. So...here are the little cuties...about three and a half weeks apart: jackson and emma.

love. love. love.

book love

Mason got a new set of books. They're small. And cute. And they have their own little box with a handle. And Elmo is in most of them. And mason is obsessed with them. We've spent many hours reading these little books. Because you can't read just one. If mason comes to you carrying his little box of books you better settle down for some serious reading. I don't know what's more fun....listening to mason "read" them on his own or watching him try to stack the books we've already read on his lap.

wordless wednesday

old meets new

When we added on to our house, we decided to put in an aspen ceiling. It turned out beautiful and I'm really glad we did it, even though it was a bit of a battle to hang. We also purchased enough wood to put the same ceiling in the existing part of the house, but we hadn't gotten to that yet.

Since we have a thing for starting major projects after our babies are born, it seemed only right that we tackle this project the first week that emma was home. You can see the beam towards the top of the picture where the new part of the house meets the old part. We had to move two of the light fixtures to make everything work a little better for the new furniture arrangement. As usual, mason was a big helper. He was so interested in what daddy was doing. He kept looking up, watching what was going on. And of course was running around, bringing daddy his tools. Here it is all finished! Ryan did such a nice job. Now we just have to add the trim and make two beams to cover the old beam in the middle and the pipes along one of the walls. And as if we didn't have enough projects going on...we have 26 baby chicks arriving next week and about 80 fruit bushes and trees arriving the following week. Wish us luck!

on the farm

One of our friends from church brought this farm set to mason when she brought us a meal last week. Mason plays with it all day long! It has been so fun to watch him play. He's starting to use his imagination, which is hilarious. He's not too interested in the farm people yet, but he is really into the tractors and the animals. He always makes the pig drive the green tractor and the horse drives the red tractor. Then he puts them in the pen and feeds them hay while he parks the tractors in the farmhouse. So cute. He talks the whole time too, and is starting to put words into sentences. There's a lot of animal noises thrown in there too.

So far it's been a good distraction for mason while I'm occupied with little emma, and it's entertaining for momma too:)

wordless wednesday

one week

Hi everyone!It's hard to believe our little girl is already a week old. This week flew by. We have had visitors every day since we've been home, which has probably contributed to the time passing so quickly. We've settled into somewhat of rhythm with two little ones. We've sure been having fun, if nothing else! I'm so thankful for this time with nowhere to be and nothing pressing to do. It's been great to just spend time with our newest family member!

emma marie

Welcome to our family, emma marie. Our sweet girl was born on Monday, March 28, 2011 at 4:18 am. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 20.5 inches long.

Big brother Proud daddy Mommy We are home now and getting settled in. We have had so many wonderful friends and family stopping by both at the hospital and at home. We have been blessed with meals, hugs, and great memories already.

my boy

Well, my due date has come and gone. I guess that's the way I do babies since the same thing happened with mason. Speaking of the cutie...we spent the day doing boy things. Well, after we went to the library and had lunch with some friends. Mason got to play with his friend Ella and mommy got out of the house to help pass the time while we wait to meet this little one.After his nap we pretty much spent the entire afternoon playing cars.
We lined them up and zoomed them down the ramp. Then we parked them in the garage. I love his little "zoom" and "vroom" sounds.

He kept trying to fit the bus up the ramp and it just wouldn't work. Everytime he would say "too big" but he wouldn't give up. Thanks my sweet boy for a fun day. Maybe little sister will be here soon to play with us. We have so many fun things to teach her.

cousins

When I was pregnant with mason way back in 2009 we took this picture with my cousins and my sister. It was easter time and I still had about two months to go. We decided that we needed another one this time around. Only my sister was home with her sweet little one and we tried to get mason in on the tummy shot. He was slightly interested. Maybe it was a little too close to his bedtime.

I love my cousins so much. We've been spoiled lately having them home for spring break...a whole three week process since they all have different school schedules. I'm thankful for the time they get to spend with mason and I know they are looking forward to meeting this little girl as much as we are:)

39 weeks

Here I am in between 39 weeks and 40 weeks. Only 3 more days of work. I guess I couldn't have timed that better. Our last day of school before spring break is Thursday and I'm due on Friday. I'm fully expecting to go past my due date if this little girl is anything like Mason. And if my past few doctor appointments mean anything.

We'll see what happens this week.

I'm feeling pretty good! Besides mason using my belly as his personal jungle gym, I can't complain. We finally packed our hospital bag. We've decided on three name possibilities. We have cousins on hand to watch the dogs. A couple meals are in the freezer. So, now we're just playing the waiting game.

from the window

Mason and I spent most of the morning yesterday before church looking out the window. When we woke up, the huge herd of elk that hangs out a couple months out of every year was right across the way. We kept counting them over and over. Then some started jumping over the fence and mason kept chanting "1, 2, 3...jump!"
When we weren't watching the elk, we kept looking for airplanes. And trains. He has a sudden obession with both. I love our mornings together, especially on the weekends. I know that is going to change soon, so we're just soaking up this time with our little man.

nephew

Our new little nephew is here! Jackson was born last weekend and we were able to go visit him. It's hard to believe he is already over a week old.

There was a little confusion when we arrived at the hospital to visit them. I walked in carrying mason and we made our way to the map, trying to figure out where maternity was without looking completely clueless. We couldn't find it on the map and this nice looking older lady at the information desk was watching us so we headed her way. She asked how she could help. We told her we were trying to find maternity. Then she started freaking out. "Oh my goodness! Are you ready to go up now??" she frantically asked me. I started cracking up and explained that we were actually here to visit someone. Yeah, I hope when I go to the hospital and am about to give birth that we just casually walk in, me carrying mason, smiling like we don't have a care in the world.

We finally made it to my sister's room. It was awesome to see their new little family. My little sister is a mom. And Jackson was just as precious as could be. A true blessing.Mason wasn't so sure about his new cousin. Especially when I was holding him. He kept saying "no baby, no baby." He really has no idea what's coming:) He did eventually warm up to him and gave the official inspection: pointing to all his facial features...nose, eyes, cheeks, ears, chin, and hair (which he has a ton of!). Uncle Ryan! When ryan wasn't distracting mason so I could hold the little bundle of joy, he was getting his baby time in. We both forgot how little and scrunchie they are.

Congratulations sister! You have a beautiful baby boy and we love our little nephew so much!

wordless wednesday

37 weeks

We spent the weekend traveling across the state visiting newborn babies and attending a birthday party. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures at my bf's little girl's party. She turned one this week and we were able to celebrate with her. Another friend had her baby and so did my sister! Yeah for a new nephew. I did take plenty of pictures of him, which I will post later. I'm pretty sure I should be staying close to home for the next few weeks though as my turn to do the whole labor and delivery thing will be here soon.