It's A....

Boy! Yep, we found out today that Jackson will be getting a little brother. I was actually thinking it was a girl but secretly hoping for a boy. While in the waiting room Mark confessed that girls really scare him and was hoping for another strapping lad. Maybe it is all his previous experience with his neurotic wife, I would be praying for all boys too.

The doc says everything looks great and his head is even measuring a little small, yeah! Jackson's has always been off the charts which made delivery a little tricky and getting shirts over the ginormous noggin almost impossible. I'm sure he had to relive the birthing process every time I got him dressed.

I have all the stuff ready for a new little boys room, which might make you think I was overly confident but no....I have all the stuff for a girl's room too. Hardly any food storage but if you need a baby room, either gender, I am your woman. That is definitely one of my favorite parts of pregnancy is getting the room ready. Our office will be reduced to a lowly laptop but it is worth it.

We have a couple of names in mind but if anyone has some gems tucked away that they don't want to use feel free to share.

Isn't he a handsome fella.

Cabin Fever

This past weekend my family rented a cabin in Heber City and had a blast. We went four-wheeling, communed with nature, sat in the hot tub (soaked my feet anyway), sang karaoke, played games into the wee hours of the morning, and ate non stop.
When we found out that the cabin came equipped with Karaoke Mark's first question was, "Any Brittany?" You betcha. For some reason his voice goes up about 5 octaves when hit me baby one more time comes around.
Jackson was in heaven with the full attention of 9 adults to entertain him all weekend. I think his presumed celebrity status went to his head.


A lot of the shops were having winter clearance sales so we tried some "moon boots" on the kids. Jackson looked so cute and the half off price tag almost swayed me towards purchase. Too bad it was half off of 300 dollars! That is almost a full tank of gas for crying out loud. The whole Fam, minus Em. Missed ya Emma. While there we persuaded my mom to go on the Alpine Coaster. We told her that if you put your brakes on the workers got really mad at you so it was better to just achieve top speed and stay there. She yelled, "I hate you all!" mixed with other expletives, all the way down but never put on the brake.

On an unrelated note: I went to transfer my pictures from the trip and much to my surprise found these rare beauties. This is what happens when you leave your husband and child unattended in the car while you run an errand.
Jackson is shirtless because he just got his hair cut, we usually are not this white trash.

Girls Trip

This past week some girlies from the neighborhood and I headed down to St. George for a much needed get away. We layed by the pool and read a healthy mix of trash magazines and novels, ate a not so healthy mix of junk food, stayed up late, slept in, shopped, went to plays, went to the temple, and had an all around fantastic time.

We saw Sound of Music and Les Mis at Tuacahn theater. I had never been and it was amazing. Really hot but amazing.

Went to the St George temple.

Even the most OCD among us was able to let the condo go to pot and relax with a comfy pool toy.

When I got home my dad had been watching Jackson and this is the state that I found him in. Fed, clean, overall well cared for, but wearing the worst floods you have ever seen. He was wearing 6-12 month jeans! 1. It is 100 degrees outside. 2. Those haven't fit him in over a year. 3. The flash flood warning was not effective in our area. 4. A kid will get beat up for leaving the house in such atrocities. Love ya dad.

Happy Birthday Mark

Mark turned the big 28 today. This year he decided that he is a golfer so he needed golf clubs to complete the new persona. He got them a day early because I am horrible at keeping a secret. Here he is sporting the new accessories.

In honor of his 28th birthday here are 28 things about Mark.

1. Is very picky about his clothes and loves to go shopping. Lucky me.
2. Is the most mellow, easy going person you will ever meet until he steps on a sports field, then let the yelling and swearing begin.
3. His life long dream is to be a rock star. He said that nothing would be cooler than to have thousands of people sing your song back to you.
4. When I asked him if he could have any career he said, "I'd want to own storage sheds." Wow, dream big hun.
5. Is good at almost any sport he wants to do and doesn't have to train. This drives me crazy.
6. Knows every word to every song on the radio.
7. Sings along at he top of his lungs to his ipod when he mows the lawn. He knows the neighbors make fun of him and still does it.
8. Loves to play board games and card games and is trying to become a 'good sport'.
9. Is such a pack rat but claims that it doesn't matter as long as everything is in nice, neat piles.
10. Wishes he could have long, nappy hair but alas, nature and age does not permit it.
11. Is a die hard Seattle Seahawks fan and loves football season.
12. Hardly ever spends money but is not a cheap skate, just low maintenance.
13. Is a hard worker and never complains about his job and having to go to work.
14. Still has a six pack and hasn't done a single sit-up since high school.
15. Tries to know a little bit about everything so he can talk to anyone about their interests.
16. Is not ashamed to drive a Geo but buys outrageously expensive shoes.
17. Can fall asleep in literally 10 seconds.
18. Is not afraid of his feminine side and even made me a quilt for Valentines Day once.
19. Is the most genuinely good person I have ever known and doesn't work at it.
20. Is a really good gift giver and prides himself on getting the perfect gifts.
21. Is a good dancer, especially his 'boy band' moves.
22. Is an eternal optimist and never worries or overreacts.
23. Is never in a hurry which can be so aggravating or calming depending on the situation.
24. Never feels sorry for himself and wants to make sure everyone else is taken care of.
25. Laughs easily, especially at his own jokes.
26. Thinks he is a really good driver and would love to drive in Nascar.
27. Is the easieast person to be married to and makes me laugh every day.
28. Loves being a dad and always talks about how much he loves 'his boy'.

Play Room

This past weekend I started a project and had some goals in mind.
GOALS: Create a gender neutral, fun, colorful, creativity inspiring, imagination stimulating, playroom.
I know that is a lot to ask of one room but nothing but the best for my kids.

OUTCOME: Over stimulating, psychedelic, retina burning, scary funhouse , playroom.

Actually I think it turned out ok, just a little brighter than planned. Ok, a lot brighter. If you don't look directly at the yellow wall it should remain a safe place to play.

17 Weeks!

I thought I would give a brief synopsis of the pregnancy so far. I am seventeen weeks along (about 4 months) and no I don't know what I am having. We find out the end of the month though. I really have no inclination either way. Last time I was positive it was girl. I thought, "I am the mom and I know." I even bought nonreturnable girl bedding. Well, obviously that didn't go so well.
I am due December 25th. You heard me right Christmas Day. No we are not considering Noel, Mary, Beth-laham, Kris, Nicholas,or Santa as possible name choices. My doctor has assured me that he will start me a week early so we should all be home for Christmas.
I am feeling great. The second trimester is a breeze. No more down-and-out fatigue and just all around blah feeling and I am not hugely uncomfortable yet.
I never lost my appetite and honestly it has only increased exponentially. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see on the ultrasound, one fetus and one thriving tapeworm living in harmony. I am not exaggerating, I am eating the house down. I have always been "a good eater" but things have really spiraled out of control sense little fetus moved in. I literally have to eat like every two hours and not just a snack will suffice, I am talking a full meal. Last Sunday after dinner at my moms the family took a vote and I won for the biggest eater, beating out both my brothers and brother-in-law. Earlier I about bit Mark's head off when he tried to clear my plate before I was finished (everyone else had been done long before). I haven't found any references to parasitic relationships or subsequent harmful effects on the baby in my maternity books so I won't worry about it and just keep shoveling it in.

17 week belly

The 4th

In my fam the 4th of July is a close second behind Christmas in terms of the amount of family and celebration involved. It starts with the Riverdale 5K, parade, festivities at the park, BBQ at my moms, and the much anticipated chubby bunny and water games. After naps and hopefully for most a shower, we reconvene at my moms for pizza, pyramids, kick lines, and fireworks.

Water balloon toss of championsChubby Bunny. I didn't participate this year and still almost had to make a run to the garbage can just watching.

Mark has 18 mallows in there!!
Not much going on here, just my cute boy.

The day wouldn't be complete without the girls making fools of themselves and handing off the cameras to the boys to capture the moment.