Belly Pics

I am like every other pregnant woman who does not really like to see pictures of themselves when pregnant....However, I took belly pics when I was pregnant with Ellie weekly, and I haven't been near as good with this little guy.  I do want to remember and have him see pictures from this time, so I am posting a few from the past few months:)  Enjoy!

June 30, 2012-31 Weeks

June 3, 2012-27 Weeks, 1 Day

 April 28, 2012-22 Weeks

April 22, 2012-21 Weeks, 1 Day

This pregnancy has been so much different than Ellie's.  I started our pretty sick, but so happy to be pregnant and having another baby. I am showing more than I was with Ellie also, which is normal for a second baby:)  This little guy is super active.  He is kicking or moving all the time and I love being able to know he is still doing okay in there.  He does however hurt more.  He stretches out so big that both sides of me by my hips just hurts.  He also will push and stay that way so you can see a foot or whatever sticking out my side or by my ribs.  It is very uncomfortable sometimes.  Ellie was also a big mover, but I don't remember it ever really hurting.  I have been getting tons of braxton hicks also this time.  None with Ellie.  The Dr says it is much more normal to be able to feel them a lot with second babies.  My sciatic nerve on my right side has been hurting like crazy too.  It hasn't made me crumple to the floor or anything, so we are good.  With Ellie I had nerve pain on my left side, but it stayed for only a week.  This one has lasted several weeks.  I am sure it is from hauling a 2 year old around:)  Even with being uncomfortable, I love being pregnant and the opportunity that I will get to have this little guy join our family.  We are getting so excited to meet him and all the changes that will come:)

St George Trip

This last weekend(June 22, 2012) we took a trip to St George with our friends, the Allen's (Dustin, Cassidy, Rylee and Miles).  Ellie loves to help pack.

And she found this great sombrero to occupy her while we packed:)

We headed out Friday afternoon.  It was great because we were able to fit all of us in the Allen's car.  It made it nice to be able to all be together and probably a much better trip for the kids to be able to ride by each other:)  When we got there we grabbed some dinner and headed to a park to get some energy out.  I was shocked because I really thought that Ellie would sleep most of the ride down, but she only slept maybe half an hour!  Cassidy has an Aunt with a place down there that we were able to stay at and it was perfect.  After getting the kids down for bed we just relaxed and watched the new Sherlock Holmes movie.

The next day, Cassidy, Rylee, Ellie and I headed over to the pool.  

I had quite the scare when Ellie decided to jump(walk down the steps and fall face first) into the pool.  It really scared me.  She is so independent and I am always keeping a close eye on her.  It freaked me out to see her like that.  She was fine and didn't even seem to be phased by it, but it really scared me!  We stayed and played for a while after and had a great time.  Ellie was a little more clingy to me, which was really good, and she even started really jumping off the edge into my arms after seeing Rylee do it.  

We picked up a Papa Murphy's pizza for lunch afterwards and the kids played around for a few minutes.  There was a room with bunk beds that Rylee and Ellie thought were great!  

 

 Then we headed out to Snow Canyon State Park for a little hike.  

We chose to hike Jenny's canyon, an easy trail, mostly for me...and the kids:)  It was beautiful and really a lot of fun.  The kids really enjoyed all of the dirt and fun little 'caves' they could play in.

King of the mountain!

The hike in and out of the canyon was sand...and it was HOT!  So the kids all got rides.  I am pretty sure I needed a ride too, but there just weren't enough arms:)

Then we headed over to the splash pad.  I had been hearing about how cool this splash pad was from a lot of people and was pretty excited to check it out.  It didn't disappoint!  It was the perfect set up for Ellie's age too.  She was able to explore and climb on everything.

They do have an actual splash pad part too and Ellie played a little in this.  It always takes her a while to warm up to the spraying water.  It was really fun to see her walk towards the middle and then when it was all spray out see her run as fast as she could away!

With a little convincing from Patrick she finally braved the waterfall.  I think she liked this the most.  She played for a long time in this area.  

We stopped and got a yummy snow cone after and then headed home to get the kids all cleaned up before dinner.  We had some Mexican food for dinner and then back to get the kiddos to bed before the musical.  Cassidy's brother was awesome to watch the kids for us and it worked out great because Ellie and Miles were both asleep by the time he came, so he only had to really worry about getting Rylee down.  

We went and saw the musical, Hairspray at the Tuacahn theater.  I really like this musical and was excited to see it at Tuacahn.  They did a great job and we had a really great time!  I would love to go and see more of the shows down there each year.

It was really convenient to have Cassidy's family from St George.  We were able to go to church with them and Ellie did great in nursery because Rylee was there.  Then they were kind enough to have us over for lunch/dinner before we headed home.  We had a really great time and it was nice to get away for a weekend and have some fun!

2 Year Pictures-Ellie

We had Ellie's 2 year pictures taken on June 7, 2012.  I got a birthday coupon from JC Penney and it made it so cheap, I couldn't resist.  I have to say we have had most of Ellie's pictures done by JC Penney and I feel like they do a pretty good job.  Plus, if they don't turn out, I don't feel like I've just spent a ton of money.  It is perfect.  These pictures were great!  I have to say that they did a really good job and captured Ellie perfectly!  Here are the ones that I picked up.

Classic cheesy smile.  I had to think of other ways to make her smile besides just saying cheese.

She did the best most natural smile when she was laughing!  Love it!!

The one I picked for my wall

 I love this one, but wish they would have gotten a little more of the top of her head.  She looks so innocent!

 I like how this one shows her whole outfit and a perfect little smile!

 Another of the whole outfit.  Can you tell we were almost done by then?  She was very ready to go!

 Ellie did really good and much better than I was expecting at holding still and smiling for the camera.  It really helped that they have to be on the little red light to get a picture.  I thought this would make it worse, but it helped her stay focused long enough to get a picture.  I am very glad with how they turned out and would recommend JC Penney, especially for the price!

Big Girl Bed!

We set up Ellie's toddler bed on the day of her birthday party.  I have been fretting for a while now about this.  First, I don't want her to keep growing up so fast!!! But second, because we have had a spare queen size bed in her room ever since she was born and although it is extremely old...I haven't wanted to get rid of it.  She LOVES the bed.  She plays on it every day and jumps on it every night.  I thought for sure she would have a hard time with it being gone and be really upset....once again, I was wrong about something...she didn't even say one word about the big bed being gone.  Patrick and his dad and brother moved the bed all out(it went to a good home, his sister and brother in law's).  Then they cleaned her room and set up her bed during her nap.  We showed Ellie her new bed and she didn't really get excited, but she wen over to it.  We got her to get on the bed and test it out at least, but I think she was a little apprehensive because there were so many people in her room.

That night she did great.  She had picked out her bedding, princesses, and she got some princess jammies that match perfect for her birthday.  We had our little routine and tucked her in and she went right to sleep.  

The next morning she even yelled for us when she woke up.  She didn't play or even get out of her bed all night!  Amazing.  I wondered how nap time would be and once again she did great.  Ellie has always been a really good sleeper, and changing to a big girl bed hasn't hindered that at all.  I wondered how often she would fall out because she is such a crazy sleeper.  

She has fallen out one night, June 18th, but we just heard her yell, "Daddy, help me!"  When Patrick went in, she was half on half off the bed and a little disoriented.  He tucked her back in and she went right back to sleep.  After a few mornings, she still yells to us when she's awake, but will slowly get out and come into our room:)  She is so funny and looks so grown up in her new little bed.  I'm glad she likes it.

Ellie's 2 Year Minnie Mouse Birthday Party

We had Ellie's 2 Year birthday party on June 16, 2012.  We have a great family that was willing to all come up and spend the day with us to make it even more special for Ellie!
Ellie has loved Minnie Mouse for a long time.  I found a lot of cute ideas for a little Minnie Mouse birthday party online and it turned out great.  We had it at Bridger Park, by our apt.  It was a really good day for it because there was a little breeze so it made it not too hot.

 I bought an iron on transfer to make Ellie's shirt.  It was really cheap and turned out super cute.

We had a yummy lunch, sandwiches, fruit, vegi's and chips.

 Grandpa snuck Ellie a cupcake before we did anything, she were very excited about it and dug right in.

  Then it was time for presents!!!  We have been talking to Ellie about having her party and she would always get really excited and say we were going to eat cake and have presents.

 Ellie got some fun new books.  Mickey Mouse clubhouse set from Great grandma Miller.

A princess look and find from Patrick and I, and an Elmo potty book from Grandma Judy and Grandpa Cassity.

A fun cow bubble popper from Grandpa Cassity

Minnie Mouse dress up doll from Grandma Brown

Moon Dough from Grandma and Grandpa Brown-this is really cool dough that is pretty clean and says it never dries out!

Bubbles from Grandma and Grandpa Brown

An awesome bowling set from Uncle Eric

Really cute Minnie Mouse outfit from Grandma and Grandpa Brown.  She also got some fun new princess jammies from Grandma Judy and Grandpa Cassity.  They match her new sheets and blankie perfectly!

A little gold set from Grandpa Brown-Ellie loves hitting the balls all around our house

A huge playdoh set from Grandma Judy and Grandpa Cassity

Minnie and Daisy car set-This has gone everywhere with us!  She loves it!

A cute new swimsuit from Grandma and Grandpa Brown

A Mr Potato Head from Grandma and Grandpa Brown

Ellie also got a fun pool and glow wand from Aunt Kati and Uncle Mike, a swim life jacket from Grandma Judy and glow sticks from Uncle Derrick.  She made a hall, as usual! After opening a few, Ellie was getting tired and said she didn't want to open more:(  She did make it through though.  Patrick and I got her a new bike/trike.  I thought she may not get too excited because it was the last present.  I was wrong!!  She loved it and instantly took off riding.  She can't quite reach the peddles yet, but does great and actually goes pretty fast.

 Then it was time for cake and ice cream.  I saw these cute cupcakes and had to give it a try.  They turned out really cute!

  Ellie did awesome and blowing out the candles and even sang the birthday song after:)

 Of course she needed to play in the sand!  And she got a cool sand set from Uncle Derrick.

 The family playing a little soccer.

 We all had a great time and Ellie especially enjoyed herself.  Thanks for coming up and spending the day with us for Ellie's birthday!