Jack is 1!

Last Mother's Day I got a wonderful gift, the birth of my 4th child, Jack Brent.  Not only did I get out of making dinner, I got meals brought to me, and special one-on-one time with my brand new baby.  It was the end of another great pregnancy, and very slick delivery.  It still amazes me to think that I went in to the hospital to be induced at 10:00 a.m., and he was born at 2:00 p.m., when at the time it felt like it was taking forever.  Then after delivery, we realized that his face was bruised and a moment of panic and concern for all of us.  The nurses reassured that it was just from his positioning in the womb, and we were able to relax.  We still hadn't confirmed his name, but my mom, Chad and I decided that it should be Jack.  I will never forget later on that afternoon when my family arrived, and Chad told my dad that his middle name is Brent after him, the surprised/happy look on his face.  It was priceless.

I love this first picture.  It is the first moment that I got to hold him, and look at his face.  I also love that my mom is in the picture as well.  She was there for the deliveries of each of my 3 boys.  (Emmi came too fast in the early morning for her to arrive, but she was on her way).  I have never regretted asking her to be there with us.  Each time I didn't feel like I was really ready to have the baby until she arrived.  It also makes me sad to think that these experiences are over for me.  They have been the best days of my life, and ones that I will always cherish.  I think it is very fitting that he was born on Mother's Day weekend, because moments like these, are what it is all about.

As is tradition, I am following this with pictures representing Jack's growth this past year...

One Month Old

Two Months Old

Three Months Old

Four Months Old

Five Months Old

Six Months Old

Seven Months Old

Eight Months Old

Nine Months Old

Ten Months Old

Eleven Months Old

Twelve Months Old

Jack now has 6 teeth, only a little skiff of hair, and still big blue eyes.  He is an expert crawler and stander, and can take a few steps if he wants to.  He LOVES his brothers and sister, and is almost constantly being toted around by one of them.  He hates it when they all go outside to play and sits crying by the door until they come back.  He also loves his Mama, and loves to give me lots of squeezes, but he also gets a big smile on his face when his Papa gets home from work too.  He is a noisy little guy, and is constantly making some type of hum or sound, which does make it easy to know where he is at.  How we love our little "baby bear."  

Happy Birthday Jack!

Emmi's 4th Birthday

Yesterday, Emmi was the birthday girl.  Chad and I had spent the night before up in Midway celebrating our anniversary, but we hurried home so we had enough time to make the day special for her.  Funnily enough, she wanted to go to Chuck-A-Rama for dinner, because the boy's got a free meal coupon from school and heard it was a buffet, so they convinced Emmi that that is where she wanted to go.  She went thinking they would have watermelon,which is her favorite, and sadly they didn't, but she took it okay. In fact, all of the kids ate and ate and ate, and I don't think it will be the last time they ask to go there.

Since it was such a nice day, we also took to the kids to a fun park, and it was the first day our snow shack opened for the summer, so even as full as we all were, the kids demanded we stop and get one on the way home.

I can't tell you how grateful I am to have my Emmi.  How much I look forward to the years ahead, and hopefully having as good as a relationship with her that I have been fortunate to have with my own mom.  She is our little princess through and through.  If I was to describe her personality, I would say she is a tiny little ball of sweetness, with a huge helping of feisty.  But, she has to be feisty to survive in a house full of 3 brothers.  We love our little sister mouse. 

It is also my niece, Lauren's birthday on Wednesday, and she is 1 year older than Emmi.  The girls got to exchange gifts tonight.  Aren't they cute?  They are such good friends, and me and Abby love it. 

Happy Birthday cute girls!

The Last 10 Years

Yesterday, was our 10 year wedding anniversary.  You better believe that I won't let that day go without some kind of post.  I decided to have a picture for each of the 10 years, to represent what we have done, how we have gotten older, and our journey so far.  

This is a picture of Chad and I at his parent's house before when we were just dating.  We were still in school at Ricks College, and would come down for the weekend to visit both our families.  This was the Sunday that I went with him and his family to his home ward. Doesn't Chad look so handsome?

2001:  Here we are engaged, and at a bridal shower that my Aunt Sandi put together for us, just a about a month before our wedding.  We got married on May 4, 2001 in the Bountiful Temple, and were sealed for all time and eternity by my grandfather, Horton D. Hess Jr.  It was a beautiful day, and was everything I had hoped it would be.

2002:  We had such a fun time living in Cedar City, and going to school at SUU.  We were working part-time, Chad at Wal-Mart and me at Winger's, but we looked forward to the weekends, when we would head down south to St. George to go to the temple, go to Costco, and visit my grandparents.

2003:  We finally got our first addition, Keaton Chad, and boy was he a good natured little guy.  He came only a day early, and at 7 lbs 2 oz.  Chad and I were new graduates from college, and I got to spend my days taking care of Keaton, while Chad worked full-time for Bach.  It was fun to tote the baby around, and take him places.  We were able to take him up to Mccall, Idaho to Chad's grandparent's cabin that year for a little vacation and give him his first boat ride. 

2004:  In the Spring, we moved back up closer to family, first living at my Grandma and Grandpa Hess' condo while they were away on a mission, then to an apartment in Bountiful when they came home.  It was good to be closer to family.  Keaton and I were able to have lots of play dates with my sister Abby and her son Tanner to fill up our day's, and I was working at the Church History Museum at night.  We also found out that summer that we were expecting our 2nd child, and were excited to share the big news.

2005:  Early in the year we moved down to Provo, since Chad started working at Vancon in Springville.  I was put on best rest the next few months, as Sam was coming too soon.  He ended up being  born just 2-1/2 weeks early, and at a whopping 8 pounds.  Samuel Hess was a full of noise and energy from the very beginning, and our family was never the same.:)  That year we also bought a lot in Payson, and built our first home, moving in the day before Halloween.  Chad was the general contractor, overseeing all the construction, and we did some work ourselves. 

2006: I spent my days chasing after my 2 crazy boys, and getting to know my new home and neighbors.  It was our first experience at Payson's Onion Days carnival, and it wasn't a good one for the boys.  One of them was in tears on each of the rides, (but now they love them and we look forward to it).  We were loving our new home.  We also found out that our third baby was on the way... 

 

2007: Emmi Elizabeth arrived 2 weeks early and very suddenly in the middle of the night early in May.  She was barely 7 pounds, and just beautiful.  We were so delighted to finally get our little princess.  Just before I got pregnant with Emmi, Chad and I were working every Friday night at the Provo Temple, down in the baptistry.  We met the sweetest people, and it drew us closer as a couple and as a family.  I had to stop going after Emmi came, and it has been on and off for us ever since.  We are hoping to start going back to work regularly soon. 

2008: We were able to say goodbye to the "dirts" and finish the backyard, hooray!  The boys were loving life as Dad brought home all kinds of fun construction equipment to get the job done. 

2009: The kids were growing up! Both of the boys were in school, Keaton in first grade, and Sam in Preschool. Chad was still working at Vancon, getting better at his job every year, and still enjoying it.  After trying a year or so to add yet another addition to our family with nothing happening, we decided that maybe this was the end of our brood.  Then, the next month we found out that indeed we have one more still to come, and we were excited.

2010:  We welcomed our 4th and last edition, Jack Brent in May.  I was induced just a couple days early, and the day after Emmi turned 3.  He was bigger than we had expected, just shy of 8 pounds.  He had the worst go of all the kids and ended up coming out bruised all over from where he was sitting in the womb, and then had to be under the lights for a pretty bad case of jaundice.  He was beautiful to me nonetheless, and such a good mixture of all of the kids. In preparing for his arrival, we knew that we needed more bedrooms, and were lucky and able to get our basement finished just weeks before he came.  Finally, our home was completely finished of all major projects.  That summer I also graduated from an online school becoming a certified Medical Transcriptionist, and started working part-time. 

2011:  Much of this year is still left to be written, but the highlights so far would be our first trip as a family to Disneyland, and Keaton's baptism. We are looking forward to Jack turning 1, summer fun, and football games later on in the year.  

Looking back, we sure have been blessed these past 10 years. I know that I am so happy with my decision to marry Chad, all those many years ago.  He has given me a very happy and fulfilling life thus far.  Happy Anniversary Chaddy.  I love you.

Healthy

I have decided to get healthy, and there are many reasons why.  First, I just turned 30, and I realize that my daily diet of chocolate and sugary snacks will be catching up to me in the new few years.  Second, I want to set a better example for my kids.  Third, because I weighed myself a couple weeks ago for the first time since I got pregnant with Jack and was shocked to learn that I am not at the weight that I thought I was.  And lastly, because my sweetheart really wants to lose a lot of weight, and I figure that if I do it with him, he might have more motivation.    

My big sister Abby is a good example to me of what it means to be healthy.  No one works harder on health than she does.  Exercising is her passion, she never skips a day, and she eats only what she should.  She is currently in a weight loss competition, and after looking at what the "rules" of the contest are, Chad and I decided that even though we are not in the competition, they are great guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, and we are trying to do as many as we can.

For me, I am no longer eating the kids' sugary snacks, i.e. fruit snacks, granola bars.  I have replaced them with healthier things like almonds, yogurt and granola, whole wheat toast, apples and bananas.  My very favorite new snack is actually a protein shake, that I make in the afternoon with fruit, milk and sometimes a spoonful of peanut butter, and it keeps me full until dinner.  I also have cut down on my chocolate intake.  During the day I do not want a Coke, but chocolate.  That is what I indulge on when I have a rough day with the kids.  But, stopping is easier said than done, and I end up eating a few candy bars in the course of the afternoon.  I am allowing myself 1 piece per day to get my chocolate fix, and I do not feel bad, as I am eating better throughout the day than I had been. 

I am kicking up my water intake, by always keeping a huge ice cold glass of it by my side throughout the day, and especially as I work.  We used to buy chocolate milk, but we have stopped buying that as well.  Of course, no healthy lifestyle would be complete with exercise, and I have started to get my butt back into that too.  I like to go to the high school at night and take their classes, but I am embarrassed to say that I have not been back since I found out I was pregnant with Jack.  I have been going just a couple times a week, and already I have seen a big difference.  I believe in both doing weights, as well as cardio to see good results, and that's what I am doing.  And last, but not least, I have stopped eating after 8:00 p.m.  Like they say, 'Eat after 8, put on weight!"  I have found that it was more than a habit for me than anything else.  I used to really look forward to getting out my cookies and milk when the kids go to bed, and sit down and watch my recorded shows.  But, the more days that pass that I don't eat after 8, the easier it has become.  Abby gave me a good tip in that on nights she is really hungry and wants to snack, she goes to bed so she won't be tempted to eat.  I have had to do this a few times myself.

Chad has been snacking better, kicking up his water intake, and not eating past 8 as well.  To get him starting to exercise, we are planning on buying an awesome Sole Treadmill from my brother-in-law Rob, who works for Sole, and we are excited about that.  But even without the exercise, he has already lost 6 pounds as of last week! During that first week, I dropped 2 pounds.  It is not as good as Chad's, but it's a good start!

So tell me, what are your favorite healthy snacks/routines?

Keaton's Baptism Day

I can't tell you how in love I am with this picture of Keaton.  He is such a cute little guy, and I am so proud of him.  On April 9th, he was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by his daddy.  I wish I had video to show how excited and proud he was all day, and the smile he had coming out of the water.  We were lucky to have both of our families come down for the event and stay for a pizza party (at Keaton's request) afterwards.  Keaton's two grandpa's were the witnesses for the baptism, and they were joined by some of Keaton's uncles to stand in the circle and confirm him.  Keaton's Great Grandma Hess graciously played the piano for the service, and his Grandma "B" gave a beautiful talk on baptism. 

The other parts to the service were done by the other two families in the ward that shared the day with us.  Kya Hancock and Abby Woodland were also baptized that day.  Aren't they all so cute?  I am so glad that Keaton got to share the experience with friends. 

 Keaton and his daddy just before the start of the baptismal service.  I am sure they were both nervous but excited.  I was proud of Keaton for making the choice to be baptized, but also of Chad, for being worthy and happy to baptize and confirm Keaton.  He did a wonderful job.  It was a day that I know we will all remember.

Randomness...

A couple of weeks ago I got to go to see Bon Jovi in concert with my mom, sisters, auntie and cousin.  I love Bon Jovi's music, but wasn't expecting to leave the concert with a crush on him to go with my loss of hearing, and groupie tee-shirt, but I did.  If he comes back to Salt Lake I might have to get tickets...closer.:)

Me, my sistas and our rocker pose.  We decided Abby looks a bit tipsy.

Emmi astounded me again with her wardrobe choice to go outside and play in.

 

Dropped by Sam's Kindergarten class to pass out birthday treats and see him get sung too, reminding me how fun birthday's are when you are young and in school.

 Captured Jack's first falling asleep at "the table"... awww.

 Emmi loves her bath time with Jack.

And he obviously gets a kick out of her.

Now, at 11 months, Jack looks so big to me.  I am so happy that he seems to have a love of the camera and will automatically smile when you point it in his direction.  I could take pictures of him all day long. 

He is such a lovable little guy too.  Loves to be held, and gives hugs and kisses.  It is obvious that he is a mama's boy when he has the option of either Chad or I, but Chad is a very close second.

Just the other day I was trying to entertain Jack while I was on the phone with my Mom, so I gave him my old mascara tube since I knew he couldn't open it.  Well, when I wasn't looking Emmi came in and took it away from him.  She proceeded to open it and paint his head and face with it and I turned around and saw what was happening.  Poor kid, he looks like he is ready for war or to play football.

Going Private

I have decided to jump on the bandwagon and make my blog private.  If you want to get an invite, leave me your e-mail address.  By the end of the week I will make the switch.  Thanks.:)