Harper lately

She has a new boyfriend only a few days older than her and they were found laying on the couch together snuggling.


BUSTED!

"I wasn't touching her, I swear!"

And she laughs!!

Our night tonight

So Asher ate the corner of a magnetic Bakugon card tonight. (why? I don't know, but he did.) Hyrum and Isaac being the big brothers that they are told him he was going to die because of it. He came down into the living room sobbing. I asked what was wrong and he said he didn't want to die. Isaac came around the corner and said, "But if you die and go to Heaven, Jesus will be there and He will protect you." Asher said, "I don't want Jesus. I want you guys," then gushed with more tears. He kept repeating over and over that he wants to stay in Michigan, he wants to be with us, he doesn't want Jesus. It was heartbreaking! We held each other for a long time. He finally calmed down. Gosh, I love that kid.



And for the record, he did not get any of the magnetic part of the card down, just the paper cover. Never got to the bottom of why...

30 things about me for my 30th birthday

1.I grew up in Arlington, Texas.
2.I am the 3rd of 4 kids.
3.My favorite color is ORANGE!!!
4.I love road trips.
5.I have never had a passport.
6.I have traveled by car, train, and plane, but not ship.
7.I have put almost 100,000 miles on our car in the last 5 years, and we don’t drive that much around the city.
8.I used to be a model – but trying to figure out that line of what I was and wasn’t OK with was not worth it to me.
9.I had a baby for every odd year of my 20s – 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29.
10.Cadbury eggs are magical to me.
11.I have come close to dying twice – once as a teenager and once after childbirth.
12.I have been to 37 of the 50 states and Mexico.
13.My husband truly is my best friend.
14.I have changed over 12,000 diapers.
15.I have been cliff jumping.
16.I sell Mary Kay mainly for the discount for myself (because I don’t like being pushy).
17.I am still working toward my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, slowly, but surely.
18.I have moved 9 times since being married (9 years ago).
19.I sang karaoke “Endless Love” with my husband.
20.I love throwing parties/ dinners/ brunches.
21.I have 2 clothes dryers – makes laundry days sooo much easier and faster.
22.I used to be a good listener, now I’m a better talker. Still trying to find that middle ground.
23.There’s not much I wouldn’t do for some Taco Bell.
24.I have been parasailing.
25.I am good with numbers and remembering things like birthdays and phone numbers.
26.I always wanted to be a mom and thoroughly love it – almost always :) .
27.I have worked 120 hours in one week before (there are only 168 hours IN a week).
28.I have more Halloween decorations than Christmas decorations (or any other holiday for that matter)
29.I have tasted poop...not my own...in the last year :(.
30.I am a freakishly good budgeter.

Wow, having 5 is busy, busy, busy!!

It wouldn't be so bad if we all weren't so sick and we didn't plan so much so quickly!!

Samara was diagnosed with impetigo the week after Harper was born. This picture was taken before it got really bad. She has infected spots on each side of her mouth and then she has red bumps all over the lower half of her face, especially her chin. So we quarantined her.

Then all the family members arrived for Hyrum's baptism and Harper's blessing. Luckily we were all freakishly healthy while family was here. Hy was baptized and it was really great! Hyrum realized how many people love and support him from all over. We had family and friends from near and far who came to see him baptized. Every seat was filled and there were many people standing. It was a perfect day for him.

We blessed Harper the next day. Once again, lots of people. The blessing gown is the same one we used for Samara. My mom made it with fabric left over from when she made my wedding dress. It's absolutely gorgeous!!


Right after Harper was born, we noticed that there was a part of our kitchen ceiling that had some water damage. (We were lucky enough to not have to leave the house for the repairs.) Then our fridge broke and we had to get a new one. Then our bathroom sink backed up. Then they came and checked our furnace. Now our kitchen light is out. Seriously, we have had more maintenance in our house in the last month than the 2.5 years before.

The day the last family member left, while Brad was taking her to the airport, I fell down the stairs and bruised my tailbone. It's been 4 days now and it still hurts, but it's improving. The day after that, Asher started throwing up and continued to vomit all through the night. We went through 3 sets of sheets, 2 quilts, 8 towels, and a sleeping bag. One of the quilts was Samara's and it was on her at the time... (He leaned over the side of the top bunk and threw up. It landed on her bed below him.) The next day, I was diagnosed with cellulitis. It's a skin infection deep in the skin and it's not contagious. Not sure where I got it, but the antibiotics seem to be working, but they have wiped me out! And today, Samara started throwing up.

Having 5 kids is busy, but so amazing at the same time. I love it! Harper is a great baby. She is happy and content. She lets her siblings hold her and is patient with them if she gets a bit bobbled or bumped. She is a pretty good sleeper and consistently goes 6 hours at night without needing anything.

At 5 days with Isaac holding her 'so gently.'

At 2 weeks, 2 days with Samara watching closely.

At 2 weeks, 3 days looking at her daddy-o!

At 3 weeks.

It's a GIRL!!

Many of you were right about gender, but none of you guessed the right day! She was born at 5:26am on the 23rd. 7 lbs. 2 oz. 18.5" Perfect!!

P.S. Her name is Harper Zoe. (Thanks Mama Bear!)

Vote for when the baby will be born (and what it is)

Vote and leave a comment with what you voted. If you are correct, you will be entered into a drawing and win something. Not sure what yet, but somethin'! (I'm due the 22nd) Isaac was our earliest at 6 days early and Hyrum was our latest - induced 6 days late.

The Heaping Belly

This was at 35 weeks.