Temple Square

Last Saturday was the first day that we got to enjoy some Christmas festivities as a family. Tyler has been wrapping things up at the house to make it livable, and move-in day is Saturday. Woo hoo!! It won't be completely finished, but Tyler will be able to finish things while we live there. And after walking all around the Gateway and Temple Square, still no labor. So, it looks like Sunday will be the day! I guess Mya wasn't as anxious as we thought!

Cheese!

True Words of Wisdom

So we got this little quote at an inservice we had today in church. It was fastened to a sponge and it read:

Children are like sponges.
They absorb your knowledge
they sap your strength
they soak up your resources
and drain your energy-
but with one big squeeze
they give it all back.

I thought, how true! Emma has been going through a little bit of a naughty phase where she talks back and throws major tantrums. It has been really hard, partly because I feel responsible. She is going through so many changes, and big changes at that. How could she not act out? I think the whole bed rest thing was just as hard for her if not harder than it was for me. The hardest part for me was actually seeing Emma suffer in her own way, and knowing I was the cause of it, even if it wasn't my fault. But amidst all the tantrums, the yelling, and the naughtiness, there are times when she will come give me a hug or a kiss for no reason and without me asking her for one. Or she will tell me she loves me with no prompting at all. Then there was the time that I was discouraged to tears, and she went into the bathroom, grabbed a "wash" (toilet paper), and came over to me and wiped my tears away. Its times like these that make me forget how naughty she can be. Its times like these that make all the heartaches of being a mother totally worth it.

It really is real!

It has slowly become a reality. Our very own house! The outside is completely finished, and the finish work inside is well under way. If all goes as planned, it will be finished in a couple of weeks. Tyler has done such an amazing job. He has worked so hard! I look forward to spending my evenings with him again, just as much as I look forward to our new home. New home, new baby. So much is going on, I feel slightly overwhelmed!

We've decided to go green....literally! We wanted to be a little different and not do a tan or a brown stucco, so we thought we would do a subtle green. Well it turned out to be not so subtle. And we got what we wanted- no other house in the whole neighborhood looks like ours! Even if it is a little more bold than we had planned, I still really like it!

Hooray!

I really need to get some pictures up, this blog is getting a little boring. Anyway. I went to the doctor today and what she said was music to my ears-"You can resume all normal activity." I'm dilated to a 2 and about 70% effaced. Ideally they would like me to make it to 36 weeks, but I don't think they would be too alarmed if she came before then. And if by chance I made it to 38 weeks, she told me they would just induce me at that point. So either way you look at it, this baby is coming before Christmas! Yay! I think this was music to my mom's ears as well since she's been doing all my laundry, and taking care of Emma. I never thought I would be excited to do my own laundry, but what do you know? Now its a waiting game!

Update

I went to the doctor yesterday, and the outlook is positive. My cervix hasn't changed since last week, which is good. I am dilated to a 1 and about 60% effaced. But from what I understand you can be that way for weeks. So, I still have to really limit my activity, but I can at least go out occasionally, which is so nice. Once I hit 36 weeks I can do whatever I want. No more bed rest at all. So at least there is an end in sight, granted I make it that far. Thank you all for your words of encouragement. And those of you who have offered to help with Emma, you better be careful, because I may just take you up on that! She's probably about as stir crazy as I am! And thank you to my mom who has been so wonderful and selfless! Its times like these when you realize how wonderful family is. All of our family has been so supportive and thoughtful. All I know is I've learned not to take the simple things for granted. What I wouldn't give to be able to pick my daughter up, or to give her a bath, or to dance with her to "Honey, Honey". It will all be worth it in the end. As slow as time seems to be going, I know that before I know it this will all be over. Until then I will bear this burden with patience and try to look on the bright side- I'm getting a ton of projects done!

I'm not ready!

It's starting to look like our new addition is a little anxious to come just like her sister was. I've been participating in a pre-term labor study and went in for a routine exam on Thursday. They didn't like what they saw and I ended up spending the night in the hospital so they could monitor me and the baby. I don't know that I understand really well what's going on. I'm not dialated, but my cervix is about an inch shorter than it should be at 31 weeks, which I think is effacement. Maybe you delivery nurses could help me out! They gave me steroid shots in the case she does come early, and sent me home the next day with orders of bed rest for the next two weeks at least. They couldn't really give me any sort of time frame. So now its a waiting game. And I am so not ready! We are still finishing our house. Most of our baby stuff is in storage. I'm supposed to stay in bed, which is really very hard! Especially with an active 2 year old! I feel for all of you who have had to go through the same thing! I'm just grateful its only 2 weeks ! I hope I can at least make it to 34 weeks. Emma was born at 35 weeks and was fine even without any steroids. Wish me luck! We'll keep you updated!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We couldn't resist going out and playing in the first real snow of the year. We never really made it out much last year. Emma decided she really liked the snow. And it was the perfect snow to build a snowman!

4-4-4 tag

I got tagged by my friend Katie. This is an easy one. The 4th picture from the 4th file in your computer. Then you get to tag 4 people. This was actually not too long ago. Emma was helping Tyler put together her big girl bed. Emma is such a great helper! If any of you need help with your house work, she will spread your recently swept pile of dirt for you and take dishes out of the dishwasher as fast as you are trying to put them in. But you can't feel mad because in her mind she is helping you, and secretly you enjoy every minute of it!

Now I tag Christy, Amanda J, Katie L, and Amie

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was so much fun this year! Emma was a little bit older and more able to enjoy it. Plus she got quite the haul! We didn't even officially go trick or treating. We went to the zoo, where my sister in law, Candice, and her neighborhood friends get together to do their own Boo at the Zoo. Everyone brought candy to share. Then it was off to visit the grandparents, where she got spoiled rotten. But what do grandparents do best? And who could resist such a pretty little kitty?I don't usually like cats, but this one was so cute I decided to keep it for my very own!

I had to get the tail!

Emma with her cousins Aurora and Tinkerbell.

We neglected to take a picture with Grandma and Grandpa Tyson. What were we thinking? This was taken at their house. Its the best I can do.

Izzy stole the show with her little lamby costume. She is adorable!

Emma and Izzy with Aunt Tiffy.

Carving pumpkins

We finally did it! I've been wanting to carve pumpkins for years, and we have just never gotten around to it. This year I told myself we were going to do it for sure, and I'm so glad we did. It was so much fun! (Except for cleaning out the pumpkin guts. Not my favorite part. But Emma sure did enjoy it!)

I realize that this is not a very becoming picture of me. I almost cropped myself out of it. Just focus on the cuties next to me, okay?

Cupcake Party

Every year my sister does a little cupcake party around Halloween for the nieces who are old enough. This was Emma's first year to attend. I think she really had a blast! Thanks Tif and Cherice for such a fun time, and for giving Mom a little break!

Cornbelly's

Last Saturday we went down to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point. Emma loved it! There was so much to do! And we had fun just watching her have so much fun. We cherish our time with Tyler since he is working so hard these days.

Daddy's little girl.

Pumpkin princesses in the pumpkin carriage.

The cow train is always a hit.

There were so many slides. Emma was in heaven! She kept telling us " One more time" , which of coarse turned into at least 10 more times.

The Hay Ride

This little piggy.....

As we left, we made sure to pick out some pumpkins to carve. Emma's first choice was a little heavy.....

.... so we encouraged her to find one a little more her size.

Its Fall Y'all

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is go to Gardner Village and see the witches. So today for our friday lunch we went to eat at Archibald's so we could walk around and see all the fun witches. And of course we had to take advantage of a few photo ops with all the cute fall decorations. Have I mentioned I love this time of year?

All the cousins. Never mind trying to get them all to smile at the camera, its hard enough just getting them all to look at the camera.

Emma was only slightly more interested in eating her candy than in posing for this picture.