Disneyland 2013: Isaac's First Trip

We left for Disneyland when Isaac was just 7 weeks old.

I was SO nervous to go on vacation with a newborn and I debated and debated whether or not to stay home while Jeff took the older kids.

I decided to go but after last year's Disney incident (you can read about that here) I wasn't too sure about things.  I sat on a park bench the entire first day while everyone else rode the rides.

I had zero expectations for this trip.  A fussy newborn who doesn't like to sleep in new places can sure ruin a vacation.

But....

Isaac turned out to be a traveling rockstar!

He slept the entire drive.  We only had to stop about every 3 hours so I could feed him and change his diaper.

He slept great at night (4-5 hour stretch, eat, 2-3 more hours).

We discovered he LOVES his stroller and he happily napped in the stroller all day long.  I got over my anxiety after the first day and rode some rides with my older kids.  

Another reason I love Disney:

They have a baby station in each park where I could go every 2-3 hours and quietly feed Isaac.  They even provide rocking chairs!  How amazing is that?!  I would go in there, sit and rock, put my feet up, close my eyes, and just relax while I fed Isaac.  It was heaven!

A few more of my favorite photos from the trip.

I can't tell you how many people tell me they think Jake looks like Justin Bieber.

Haha!  What do you think? 

I'll tell you what Jake thinks.  He hates it.

Lucy goose waiting for her brothers.

Mickey

This was fake vomiting.

Isaac's first character encounter.  He slept right through it.

Party of Seven (!!!) for Mickey's fun wheel.

One of Isaac's first and only rides.  It's a long ride and as soon as we got on....

...he blew out his diaper.

This took a good hour to clean up and I just threw the clothes away.  (His first time wearing them, btw)

The view from our hotel.

Bieber sighting?

Disneyland 2013 was a smashing success!!

Can't wait to experience it several more times through the eyes of my sweet little Isaac as he grows up.

Things That Make Me Happy - September 2012

I'm in the final 10 weeks of my pregnancy and let's face it, it's not the most fun thing right now.

I'm huge.  I'm uncomfortable.  I can't sleep.  I'm STILL nauseous.

(Going to go to the pharmacy today to find an anti-nausea bracelet to see if that helps.)

BUT, I'm determined to stay positive through to the end.  Make no mistake, I wanted this, I planned it, and ultimately I'm thrilled and can't wait to hold my babe.

So,

I've decided to start posting about the little things that make me happy

(even though I cry almost every day--hormones!).

I'll be doing this once a month--my happy post.  :)

#1

Getting out some of my Halloween/Fall decor.

I'm simplifying this year and not going overboard and getting everything out.

Too much work.

I'll be lucky to have my Christmas tree out by Christmastime.

A few pumpkins, ghosts, and orange lights cheers me up and makes me happy.

#2

These two adorable faces.

They are best cousin friends.

Sam and Sophie

#3

 I know it's silly, but I'm ridiculously giddy over my ultra clean bathroom.

The cleaners were here yesterday (hey, I can no longer hunch over a shower and tub and scrub, nor do I have the time or energy),

and they are soooooo good!

I went up in the bathroom yesterday and just sat and basked.

#4

Hubs cleaned out and organized the garage this last Saturday.

We bought some shelves and "hired" my 14-year-old to build them.

Aaaaah, I love driving into my garage, you know, 12-14 times a day, since I practically live in my car.

#5

A chandelier for Lucy's room.

#6

A dinosaur bed for Sam--no more toddler bed.

(I caught him kneeling by the toddler bed, sobbing, and saying goodbye to it.  I knelt down and cried right along with him.)

#7

Jacob was chosen as the first Student of the Month at his school.

#8

Another silly one.

I bought these lunch bags online.

They fold up and store nicely in the freezer.

There is so much more I can pack in the kids' lunches now that the food stays cold for up to 10 hours.

I've made pasta salad, 7-layer bean dip, and ham and cheese sandwiches WITH mayo for them.

I can also pack cheese snacks, yogurt, and milk without worrying about spoilage.

#9

Still picking tomatoes from my garden

#10

Beginning the countdown to our annual Disneyland trip

Only 4 months!!!

(I've never taken a 2-month old baby before but I am NOT missing out this year.)

Jeff and I and the three oldest kids were able to attend the dedication of the Brigham City temple this last Sunday.  I almost didn't go because it hurts (so much!) these days to sit on those hard chairs and someone needed to stay home with Sam.

When we went to get our temple dedication recommends I told the Bishop that I didn't need one because I wouldn't be going.  He was inspired to give me one anyway, "just in case," he said.

I decided one hour prior to get ready and go.  

We dropped Sam off at my brother's house.

I'm so glad I went.

When we entered the chapel (which they say is an extension of the temple during the dedication), I immediately felt an overwhelming presence of the Spirit.  

I couldn't stop crying.  We all had such a great experience, and I made it almost all the way through on my chair--I had to stand for the last talk.

#11

Found this old, favorite picture of Lulu at 2 years old.

#12

Stacey, Chris and baby Franklin have moved home to Utah.

They live right here in our neighborhood.

Our baby boys are only going to be three months apart.

They will be best of friends.

#13

And the last thing that has made me so happy this month:

(sorry, no picture)

At my 20 week ultrasound, they thought I would have to have a C-section because of the location of my placenta.

This last week, they did a re-check and everything looks picture perfect and fabulous.

No C-section!

They also ran several blood tests to see if I had the same issues I had with the last pregnancy.

Nothing!

This pregnancy could not be more ideal.  My blood pressure, iron, thyroid, all of it, are perfect.

So, so thankful and HAPPY!!!!!

Summer 2012 Wrap-Up

Ugh.  I just can't make myself blog anymore.

I'm to that point in pregnancy.

The point where I'm uncomfortable all. the. time.

I just want to sit on the couch all day and read. 

(Speaking of reading, I could use some book recommendations.  I'm going through at least one book a week.)

I still have three months left and the baby will triple (or quadruple) in size!!!

Yikers!

It's all good.  I can't wait to meet baby boy.

Here's how the rest of our summer played out.

We took a trip to Southern California just for the heck of it.

Jeff's dream is to live in Orange County someday.  We absolutely love the warm weather, the beach, Disneyland, all of it.

Our first day in CA we met up with the Mitchell's.

His boss owns the Splash Kingdom water park and we had our own private cabana with all the free food we could eat.  The kids were in heaven.

We spent 4 days at the beach where all the kids, even Sam, boogie boarded to their little hearts' content.

Me?  I sat on a chair all four days and barely got my toes wet.

The beach (and traveling) just isn't as much fun when you're pregnant.

We took a day trip down to the Mormon Battalion.

Panning for gold.

Sam was so worn out from swimming all day. This happened every time he got in the car.

Of course, we HAD to go to Disneyland a couple times and check out the new Cars Land.

We had our four-week summer ballet session in July and August.

This my cute Lucy's class.

Cheesecake Factory with the fam.

Sam talked and talked about cheesecake for two weeks before we went.  I tried to describe what it was and he was very curious but very skeptical.

I think it's safe to say he was not disappointed in his chocolate cheesecake slice.

After Cheesecake Factory, I took the three older kids to see Wicked with Nana.

I bought these tickets almost two years ago and it was soooo worth the wait.

It's my fourth time seeing it and it never gets old.

We had awesome seats.  Fifth row. Center. Amazing!

The kids LOVED it.  Jake laughed through the whole thing.

I know I'm ridiculous, but I seriously choked up when the music started playing and the curtain went up.  It's THAT good.

And good-bye Summer.

Usually I'm sad to see it go, but I just want time to go faster so I can get to December and have my baby.

It's time to get down to business and get working on the nursery.

Last trimester:  Bring it on!