Happy Easters!

Happy Easters everyone!!

Here we are just before church, showing off Alexa's new Easter dress. She was so excited to put it on and didn't mind posing for the camera at all!

Alexa and Mommy...two peas in a pod! She thought it fun that we matched today, both wearing pink. She's all about matching lately!

Alexa and her Daddy! As you can tell, she kinda likes him!! He'd just gotten home from church and she was so excited to see him before she went down for her nap!

This is another picture from before church and I had to include it because she was so adamant that her lovey be in the picture too!

Since Kevin leaves so early on Sunday mornings for meetings, the Easter Bunny didn't visit out house until nap time (hence the crazy hair - Alexa insists on her piggy's being taken out for her naps). But she was so excited to find what the Easter Bunny had left her!

The biggest hit was the bubbles. She didn't want to put them down for the rest of the afternoon! I'm sure that's what we'll spend the majority of tomorrow doing!

Anyways, we had a great Easter Sunday. It was nice to be at church today and to focus on the sacrifice our Savior made for us and on His Resurrection. We are so grateful for the knowledge we have and for this time of year.

Nesting???

So I'm not sure if I've actually hit a "nesting" stage or not in this pregnancy...I HAVE gotten quite a bit of organizing done the last few days. But last night, I made these burp cloths for Payton. And I think they turned out pretty cute! So I thought I'd show off a little of my domestic side. I actually made some exact ones like these for my sister-in-law who had a little girl in March and liked them so much, I knew I wanted some for Payton too. And her nursery colors are going to be brown and pink so it was perfect!!

Anyways, I've still got quite a bit to do in order to feel "ready" for this baby to come but I'm really not going to stress about it. My mom will be here in 2 1/2 weeks and so anything I don't get done...I'll just put her to work while she's here!!! :-)

Days like these...

...remind me why I love being a mom. We went to the park this morning with a bunch of other friends to have an Easter egg hunt. Alexa had a blast hunting eggs, eating "chocket" and playing on the jungle gyms and swings.

After the park, we met up with Alexa's best buddy, Nathan, at "Donald's" for lunch. And she actually had so much fun this time. Usually she gets scared at the top of the play area and doesn't want to come back down the way she climbed up and doesn't want to go down the slide either. But today, a couple older girls took her under their wings and helped encourage her to actually go down the slide. And then I lost track of how many times she went down...she was having a blast!

On the way home, we rocked out to some fun tunes which made me laugh as I'd glance at Alexa boppin' and dancin' in her carseat. She just has a way of making me smile. And now she's down for a nap - good times, good times!! It's just been a good day so far!

A good end to a long day...

Well, it started out as a long night last night actually. Alexa decided she "no like this one" in regards to her big girl bed and proceeded to wake up 7 times last night in protest. Needless to say, I was exhausted this morning and had very little patience. So we stayed at home, it was cold outside anyways, and had a really lazy day. Thankfully, she had no trouble with her bed for her nap this afternoon and even slept for 2.5 hours!!! However, the rest of the time she was awake, she was very whiny or crying the entire time so I was VERY happy when Kevin got home from school this afternoon. And having daddy home seemed to make all the difference...she was finally in a very happy, singing type of mood. Here are a couple clips for your viewing enjoyment:

I'd have to say that seeing Alexa like this brought a smile to my face after feeling so NOT in the mood to smile all day long!

(oh, Alexa had to go put on her basketball shorts and shirt in order to sing Bear Down in the second video!!!)

And to make the day end on an even brighter note...I went and got a MUCH needed pedicure for my tired, swollen, sausage-like appendages - formerly known as feet. Now I have cute toes (despite the frightening similarity to Vienna sausages) that are ready for baby to come!! Thanks Waveney for treating me to some pampering!

THANK YOU!!!

I need to send a big thank you to my fabulous friend, Amanda, for helping me with my blog. I have photoshop on my computer, but it's a newer version than I previously had and I just haven't been able to figure out how to do the fun things that can be done. And with this second baby due to arrive in just a few weeks, I really didn't have the energy to learn so Amanda graciously offered to help me out. And it turned out great! I really wanted something that I didn't have to change for a long time and I think she did a wonderful job.

Thanks Amanda, you're the best!

It's going great...

All I have to say is that I pretty much have an angel child! Sure, she has her moments and there is definitely drama in our house, which is sure to increase with the addition of another girl...however, in regards to Alexa making the transition to a big girl bed - she had done great!!! It's been two nights and one nap since we took down the crib and we haven't had any issues. She goes to bed and she doesn't get out until she wakes up and calls for mommy. She even stays IN the bed until I go and get her. What a good girl. And what a huge blessing that she took to it so well...I was seriously worried! Good Job Alexa...we're so proud of you and the changes you're making!

Baby Bump Update - 9 Months

36 Weeks!!

Wow, my belly has grown A LOT since my last baby bump update!!! Here we are at 36 weeks and I am sooooo ready to have this baby. I've still got a lot to do around the house, but physically, my body is done. I vacuumed the living room 2 days ago and my back has been killing me since. I feel like I can't accomplish anything without being put out of commission for a couple days and that frustrates me. I feel like I should be doing more and when I can't, I get upset. I know it's all pregnancy related and that I'll have a sweet baby to show for all the aches and pains, but really...she could come anytime!!

I wanted to record a few of the things I have loved this pregnancy...a nice juicy hamburger (mmmmm...and it's dinner time, I might have to do something about that!!), orange juice (so weird since I've never been an OJ drinker but just can't seem to get enough of it these days), candy (I've always had a sweet tooth but usually preferred chocolate and/or ice cream over candy...but give me some Swedish fish or sour patch kids and I'm good to go!!), yummy bread - just to name a few. Man, that's not a healthy list...why can't I be one of those women who craves fruit and veggies???? Guess that's why the belly has grown exponentially in the past few weeks!! :-)

Alexa has been such a big helper today. We got out the baby swing, the infant carseat and the bassinet and she wanted to "check it out". That's her new saying. She has to check everything out. She even put her baby doll in the swing to start practicing being the big sister. Here she is just being her cute self...oh and since I was taking a picture of my belly...she had to have one of her belly too!

We're getting ready to have a "no more crib - time for a big girl bed" party tonight, complete with cake and everything. We're taking down the crib and forcing Alexa to sleep in the toddler bed. Are we mean??? I just don't see any other way to get her to make the transition...the bed has been set up for 2 1/2 months now and she's shown NO interest in sleeping in it. She just loves her crib too much. But with Baby Payton ready to make an appearance in just a few short weeks...we really need to just cut her off so that she doesn't resent her little sister too much when we set it back up for the baby. I like to think of it more as tough love! She's a creature of habit and so I know it'll be rough for a few nights, but then she'll take to it like she did to potty training and life will be grand once again. Wish us luck!!

***Big Girl Bed update....it's now 9:10pm and Alexa has been in bed for almost an hour now without a peep!! She didn't even fight us taking down the crib...she just jumped right in, grabbing some of daddy's tools so she could "help". Then we had cake and made a BIG deal of her not needing the crib anymore. Once jammies were on and it was time to actually get IN bed, she resisted a little bit, but after a couple songs and mommy rubbing her belly for a few minutes, she was good to go and I haven't heard anything from her since!! Here's to hoping this is how the entire night goes.....!!!

Milestone...

...so I just noticed on my baby ticker countdown that I'm 35 weeks today with 35 DAYS left to go!! Woohoo....hopefully it'll be less, but I guess we'll see what this lil' girl has in mind! I'm so ready to be done being pregnant though. Stay tuned next week for a 36 week picture and update!

Birthday Week Update

Well, my birthday week is over :-(. This is always the saddest time of the year for me....one whole year until my next birthday! I really should start celebrating my 1/2 birthday in September to get me through until next March...hahahah, wouldn't Kevin just love that??!!!

Anyways, on Thursday, Kevin took Alexa and I to Wild Eggs for an early lunch. We've heard about it since moving here and finally decided to try it out. And it did not disappoint. When we got there just before 11:00, it was already packed and by the time we left...there was a line out the door. A popular place for sure.

Kevin enjoyed the Stuffed French Toast - Thick sliced sourdough, sweetened cream cheese, blueberries and strawberries, maple syrup, powdered sugar and cinnamon. And I enjoyed Kalamity Katie’s Border Benedict - Green chili cheddar corn cakes, topped with chorizo, two poached eggs and queso fundido, pico de gallo, sour cream, green onion and fresh avocado. Alexa was content to munch on a HUGE pancake and scrambled eggs. I wish I had taken my camera to take pictures, but you'll just have to trust me!

If you haven't been to Wild Eggs, we strongly recommend it!!

And then on Friday, Kevin took us to Graeter's for an ice cream treat! This is one place that we are going to GREATLY miss once moving back out west. It is the best ice cream we have ever tried.

Our favorite is Toffee Chip, we hardly ever deviate from it...and if we do, we always go back to it the next time we go! Again, if you haven't ever been to Graeter's...it's a must try, you'll be hooked!

It was a great birthday week, despite the cold that I'm STILL getting over! Kevin really spoiled me...he even cleaned the bathrooms for me on Saturday! What a guy! Thanks babe for yet another great birthday week. Can't wait for next year!! ;-)

Happy Birthday to Collette!

What a fun day I've had! I really lucked out this year with Kevin having his Spring Break the same week as my birthday. It's been so nice having him around all day, especially on my big day! I woke up this morning to Alexa saying "Happy Birday you, mom"! Soooo cute!! Then Kevin made us pancakes for breakfast. After that, we took a drive out to the Louisville Temple as Alexa has been asking for weeks to "go see temple". The weather was beautiful and we had such a nice time just wandering around the grounds and talking to her about the importance of families and temples.

After that, we came home so Alexa and Kevin could give me my presents. Alexa isn't very good at keeping secrets so she'd been telling me for a few days that "mommy present you - movie". When in fact, Kevin had her pick out a soundtrack to a movie for me that I've been wanting forever, but told her it was a movie to throw me off!! Very tricky!! And Alexa was so excited to give me my card...she even opened it for me...as it played music! Kevin also gave me some really nice cookie sheets that I've been wanting forever!

For dinner tonight, Kevin sent Alexa and I out so he could prepare it as a surprise. So we headed to the park to enjoy more of the beautiful weather and we came home to this...

I have been thoroughly enjoying a good Philly cheesesteak lately and had been craving one for quite some time. So Kevin surprised me and decided to make his own version at home. He did a fantastic job...they were so yummy. And he got me two of my favorite flavors of chips to go with it...salt & vinegar and dill pickle. What a great husband, especially seeing as he doesn't care for either flavor!

After dinner, we had cheesecake with fresh strawberries...again, I have the most wonderful husband who made me my most favorite dessert! He's earned some serious brownie points today!! :-)

(after seeing the above picture...I can't wait to be done being pregnant as I'm really starting to look bloated these days...yikes!!)

Anyways, it's been a wonderful day. I've had numerous phone calls, many emails and a fun visit from my fabulous friend Amanda! Not to mention spending all day with my two most favorite people in the world...Alexa & Kevin. I'm a pretty lucky birthday girl!

Birthday Week - Day 2

Kevin surprised me with a package of my favorite candy this morning - Smarties (or for my Canadian peeps - Rockets). Then we decided that since the weather was supposed to be really nice today, we'd take Alexa to the zoo. And we had a great time. We took the stroller but Alexa wanted to "walk myself" the entire time. She's so independent these days...not to mention pretty well potty-trained. She took to it like a duck to water! I don't remember the last day we had an accident and since we started just over 2 weeks ago, she's only had a couple of accidents! I rarely even have to ask her if she needs to go anymore, she just always tells me!! Yay for her!

This was the first time we took her to the petting zoo within the zoo and she loved it. They let her use a brush to give the goats a rubdown and she thought that was pretty fun!

Then my day ended with dessert at The Cheesecake Factory with 3 of my fabulous friends, Rachael, Waveney and Taffney. Thanks ladies for a fun evening out!

Birthday Week

Day 1 of my Birthday Week has been fun. Despite the cold I'm getting over, it's been a nice day. Kevin told me this morning that I needed to be ready for a hot date tonight, that he had reservations for dinner but wouldn't tell me where...I just had to be in dressy casual attire. Fun...I love surprises!! I admit that I'm a bit spoiled with my Birthday Week...but I don't feel bad about it. :-) The way I see it, since I love birthdays, why not stretch out the celebrating???!!!

Me and my man just before heading to dinner.

Since moving to Louisville, and especially since moving to the neighborhood we live in now, Kevin and I have enjoyed trying out the new and different restaurants near our home. Tonight, he took me to a place called Varanese on Frankfort Avenue and OH MY...I will be dreaming about my meal for a very long time!!!

Here it is...

(sorry, I didn't think to take the picture until I'd already made a dent in it!!)

It was a prosciutto wrapped chicken breast, stuffed with mozzarella cheese with creamy risotto and grilled vegies! The risotto was to die for! We love LOVE the Food Network and they are always talking about, making, etc. risotto but we had yet had the opportunity to try it. Our first taste did not disappoint in the least. It was so creamy and so yummy! And for a little more upscale place with a live jazz band, a tiled waterfall wall AND amazing food, the prices were very reasonable. We definitely recommend it to anyone!

Happy Birthday to me...I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!! :-)

Thanks babe for a fun evening!

For Grandma Jenny!

I received my birthday package from my mom today and, of course, couldn't wait until my birthday to open it...I'm way too impatient. Plus...I was pretty sure the new Anita Stansfield book was in there and I was dying to read it - so open the package I did!! Also, my mom mentioned that she'd put in a little something for Alexa - and it was this cute purple shirt that Alexa thoroughly enjoyed wearing today. She looked adorable! So these pictures are for you Grandma Jenny...thank you so much for the presents!!

Baby Bump Update - 8 Months!!

32 Weeks

Wow...am I already 8 months pregnant???!!! And yet, I feel like I still have an eternity to go. I've become so much more uncomfortable these past several weeks. I have to take it really easy otherwise my lower back and hips ache and I'm pretty much out of commission for a couple days if I've overdone it. I didn't have that with Alexa...then again, I also didn't have a 30 lb toddler that I was carrying around while pregnant with her! Anyways, other than that, things are going great. Payton is a very active little girl, keeping me up most nights with her gymnastic routines and martial art moves, not to mention that it's extremely difficult to find a comfortable position these days. Thank goodness for my pregnancy pillow otherwise I don't think I'd get any relief! But I LOVE to feel her move. As uncomfortable as life can be lately, I know I am in partnership with my Heavenly Father in creating life and that He has entrusted me to take care of Payton during her life here on earth...what a great honor that is. I truly feel blessed to be able to experience the miracle of childbirth.

Well, only 8 weeks more to go! I'm going to have another baby NEXT month, isn't that crazy??!!!

Girls' Overnighter!!

This past weekend I was lucky enough to be able to get a break from my wonderful mommy duties. It was just overnight, but it was so needed. I adore Alexa and absolutely love staying at home with her, but I haven't been apart from her since the day she was born and I was needing some ME time to rejuvenate...especially before Payton makes her arrival. So a group of fabulous ladies and I headed to the hills to this cute little cabin for some serious girl time. Thanks to Sarah's MIL for letting us use her cabin...it was wonderful!! The highlights of the trip...yummy food, great conversation, good laughs and the knowledge that I have truly been blessed with some friendships here in Kentucky that I will treasure always. Here are a few pics from our getaway...

On the way to the cabin. We travelled in two vehicles. Here are Amber, Erin and Emily.

And then Waveney and I.

(Sorry to Brinn, Sarah, Melissa and Janelle who were in the other car - no picture!)

LOVER'S LANDING...that was the name of Sarah's MIL's cabin before she bought it. I love it!

And here's the cute little cabin. What a fun place to head off to!

And who can resist a bacteria-infested hot tub??!!!! Of course, being pregnant I could not partake...but I did dip my feet in for awhile so as not to miss out on the fun times.

And here's the big group of us on Saturday morning before heading off for some hiking before heading home.

(Left to Right: Me, Emily R., Janelle R., Melissa T., Brinn K., Sarah R., Erin W.,

Waveney T. and Amber W.)

Thanks ladies for your friendship and for a fun getaway!