Anxiously Waiting...

We've officially made it to the due date!  For the past couple of weeks I've felt like a human ticking bomb, ready to go off at any moment.  Unfortunately, we've made very little progress. If our little one doesn't get here by next Monday we plan to induce.  Fortunately the baby's growth slowed down the past couple of weeks.  The doctor was concerned a month ago I'd be delivering a 9-10lb baby, but baby's growth slowed enough that they're guessing around 8lbs.

We all can't wait to meet you little one!

New Perspective on Christmas and Mary

When I realized I'd be giving birth close to Christmas time I realized this would be a special Christmas for me. I've tried to think about Mary throughout my pregnancy and how she must have felt as she approached the birth of Christ.  With Christmas only a week away, and my baby coming any day now I wanted to write a few of my thoughts from the past couple months.

First,  +/- 90 miles or 4-6 days journey on a donkey...bless that woman.  I cannot imagine her discomfort.  Every time I have gotten out of car during the past month I have thought of the discomfort Mary must have experienced, and I'm SO grateful for the luxuries in my life.

Second, as Mary realized she would be giving birth in a stable, I wonder what emotions and thoughts must have crossed her mind.  I like to think that she was a spiritual giant and she thought the bible times equivalent of "bring-it-on!"  But I have to admit I've been more emotional towards the end of my pregnancy and if it had been me I probably would have burst into tears.  I feel so grateful to know I'm literally minutes from a wonderful hospital full of people to help me bring my little one into the world.  I wonder, did Mary even have a midwife or did she do it all on her own?  Either way, I am filled with respect for Mary and the circumstances in which she gave birth.

Finally, as I think about my little baby I am overwhelmed with love for him.  I can't imagine the peace, love and joy Mary must have felt caring the son of God.  Truly this pregnancy has brought me a new understanding and respect for the Christmas story.

Thanksgiving Weekend Fun

We visiting family in Utah this Thanksgiving.  The boys had a blast at Opa and Oma's house.

Playing Hungry Hungry Hippo with Daddy:

We went to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point with some of the boys cousins.  It was a boys dream, the loved it!!

Playing with dinosaurs in sand and water:

The boys and Opa

Oma and our adorable nephew!

The boys were pretty worn out by the end.  The cousins were still full of smiles.

Aaron loves dinosaurs and enjoyed learning more about them:

The exhibits were really cool:

Ultrasound #3

Our doctor was concerned because I have been measuring large.  He had us do another ultrasound today.  Apparently Lil'Ross isn't so little.  He's measuring 1 1/2 lbs larger than normal.  We'll speak with the doctor again next week, but it sounds like our little bundle of joy will be arriving before Christmas!

Profile:

Profile:

We've decided he has Clint's nose and eyebrows and my chin:

In this picture Lil'Ross looks so much like Clint as a baby:

Do you see the resemblance? this was Clint as a baby:

 

Clint at two months:

 

He kept putting his hands in his mouth.  Don't you love those pudgy little fingers!

Smiling for the camera:

Halloween 2011

Clint dressed up as a devil, I dressed up as an egg, and the boys were both deviled-eggs.  We had fun at Trunk-or-Treat.

Aaron gutted his pumpkin by himself this year.

Aaron wanted a ghost on his pumpkin

Who's bigger, me or the pumpkin?  I think I won :)

Aaron's Halloween spoils

Like Mommy

The boys came running upstairs today looking "like Mommy"   It gave us a good laugh :)

Craters of the Moon

We took a mini-vacation to Craters of the Moon.  I was really impressed by the caves.  The boys had a great time exploring the caves.

Nana and Clint

Aaron trying hard not to get blown off the hill by the wind:

The caves were amazing. 

Pickin' Pumpkins

We had fun picking pumpkins this year.  We went to a local farm where they let you go out in the field and cut your pumpkin right off the vine.  The boys loved the wagon ride.

Nana and Pa picking out the perfect pumpkin:

Aaron's Temple Sealing!

We had the opportunity to go to the Bountiful Temple and be sealed for time and eternity to our adopted son Aaron.  The ceremony was beautiful.  Aaron was full of smiles.  We feel so blessed to have Aaron in our eternal family.

Here are some pictures from after the ceremony:

Clint's parents were able to fly in from North Carolina.  We were so happy they could be with us.

Heidi's parent:

Opa and Oma with Aaron:

Mommy and Aaron:

Daddy and Aaron:

Nana and Pa with Aaron:

The beautiful Bountiful Temple:

You can learn more about lds temples and our beliefs at: http://mormon.org/faq/#Temples|question=/faq/use-of-temples/ or http://lds.org/church/temples/why-mormons-build-temples?lang=eng

Gettin ready for baby

We recently bought baby's crib. I was in meetings all day today, and when I got home Clint had surprised me by assembling the crib! For some reason having the crib set up makes it all feel more real. In just a few short months baby will be here.  We can't wait!!!

Playdough...gone wrong!

So I decided to attempt making play-dough from scratch.  I thought it would be fun to let the boys help me color the dough.  I didn't have any cream of tarter, so I found a recipe online that didn't require cream of tarter.  It was a bad recipe!!  The dough didn't set up enough and it was a mess.  Plus our 3yr foster son had dry hands and I didn't realize it.  Within a minute of playing he started complaining that his hands hurt from the salt!!  Needless to say, play-dough time was quickly over.  What a fun little mess!

Turning 30

I recently turned 30, yikes!  It's definitely bittersweet.  I'm so grateful to be where I am in life.  I am truly blessed.  It was hard to leave my 20s behind though.  I have admit there were a few tears shed.  Fortunately, I have such a beautiful family of boys, it's impossible to stay upset long.  It was a wonderful birthday!

Lego Fun

Aaron's just getting to that fun age where he loves Legos! It's amazing what his imagination comes up with: