Miss Bonnie Lady

A few weeks ago, Kash studied the letter "H" and learned about horses.  Now this whole "lesson plan" thing is very often a flop.  If I don't incorporate the right activities or we don't get a book that interests him he won't remember anything I teach him.  But apparently everything lined up that week because when Blaine came home Monday from work and asked Kash what he learned about Kash was able to tell him what letter horse started with and that their feet were called hooves and their noses were called muzzles.  I couldn't believe, usually it takes him till Wednesday or Thursday to remember those kind of facts.

Since he was taking such an interest I figured we should capitalize on this learning experience and take him to see some real life horses!  The only problem was I didn't know of any.  Thank you Google.  I found a ranch about 30 minutes away that was willing to give us a free tour.

Once we got there this crazy lady named Star walked us around and right away pulled out a little pony for Kash to ride.  RIDE???  Awesome, I figured we would just see most of the horses from a far and if we were lucky maybe be able to pet one.  Kash was VERY excited at the thought of riding this little pony, Bonnie.  He could hardly stand the anticipation as Star saddled her up.  And Blaine and I could hardly stand Star!  She was a character, to say the least.  She sometimes spoke in a British accent and would walk around saying things like, "Ooohhh excuse me Miss Bonnie Lady.  Ohhh THANK YOU Miss Bonnie Lady (Bonnie hadn't done anything worth thanking)."  Just picture Mrs. Doubtfire on the farm, it was entertaining.  Our family, including Kash, can't stop immitating Star.  I'll be driving and Kash will say, "Ohhh thank you Miss Bonnie Lady" haha!

A million minutes later Kash finally got take the reins for a little stroll.  HE. LOVED. IT.  Star was actually asked us if he had ever been around horses or rode on one before because he was loving it so much and he said most kids his age are scared (his Uncle Jason would have been proud!).  She was also impressed that he knew what the different body parts were and how well behaved Kash was.  Yes, way to save your melt downs for another day and make us look like good parents Kash!

It was a really cool experience and everyone that was there told us we need to get him out on the farm more because he was loving all of the animals around.  Well for now he's going to stay a "city" boy but it will be fun to visit the ranch from time to time. 

Star and Miss Bonnie

First horse ride!!!

getting some more practice inside

23 weeks

(Ahhh please bless I get a new camera for my birthday!)  Big brother thought my self timer shots were hilarious and wanted in on the action! 

News flash I'm pregnant!  Ok, I guess this isn't news but this week I officially feel pregnant!  I'm so freakin' tired, my back feels like a truck ran over it every night, I'm getting leg cramps in the middle of the night, I'm HOT, I feel full when I eat half a sandwich, and this baby is starting to kick harder than I think he should.

But other than that all is well! ha  Really though, like I said before, I can't complain too much because this pregnancy has been so easy up to this point.  But it is getting harder to get motivated to get up at Kash's wake up call of 6:00am or earlier when I hardly slept the night before due to all of the above.  

In more fun news Blaine felt the baby kick!  It actually surprised me how hard the little guy was kicking.  And he's kicking me a lot higher than I remember Kash kicking me at 23 weeks.  I'm pretty sure this week alone the baby has grown at least a few inches and is definitely putting on the ounces!  I tried to get Kash to feel the baby but his little toddler hands wouldn't hold still long enough

We are starting to get the room ready.  I'm making a lot of the stuff going into the nursery so I hope I find the energy, time and creativeness to do it all before September.  But by getting the nursery ready I think it's really clicked for Kash that there will be an actual baby in that room someday.  Anytime he sees a baby he talks about how we will have one at our house or that I have a baby in my tummy.  And lately he's taken a lot more interest in babies and helping them out, fingers crossed this behavior continues when his little brother arrives!

Pregnant with Kash at 23 weeks. 

mothers

Per the usual I'm super behind on all the things that I want to blog about.  But I saw this video about Mother's Day and couldn't help but share it.

Yeah it made me cry.



I love being a mom more than...
watermelon
reality tv
crafting
graphic design
shopping
sleeping
friends
the internet
...and I really do love all of those things with all of my heart (especially the sleeping).

I love celebrating my mom, and Blaine's mom--both are amazing women/mothers in their own ways.  But now that I'm a mom Mother's Day is a reminder of how lucky I am to have the title of mom.  This video was a sweet reminder of all the things I love about being a mom.

And to my sweet, crazy, silly, handsome, sometimes sassy two year old and the sweet baby on his way: I'm so happy I get to be your mom!

Kash a few days old

I know I've posted this picture a million times.  But it's my. all. time. favorite. picture.  For me it sums up motherhood.  I don't even remember how we got in this position, or remember making the conscious decision to fall asleep (Kash has never officially slept in our bed) but I do remember being physically and emotionally exhausted but not wanting to leave my new baby's side even though my mom and Blaine would have gladly taken Kash so I could catch some much needed z's.

Happy Mother's Day

it's a boy

We saw his man parts even before the tech announced his sex...baby #2 is a boy!  He was pretty darn cute in the ultrasound grabbing his foot and waving it around and being very active.  I started to cry even before they told us what we were having.  It was just so sweet to see our little baby up there on the screen with his perfect little body.  The ultrasound tech kept complementing him on how he was allowing her to get the perfect shots and measurements.  Maybe this will mean we have an obedient little boy on our hands!? ha

All is well and he is a healthy boy!  He is a little bigger than he should be though, measuring in at 21 weeks instead of  20 weeks.  I felt a little validated when the tech said this.  Two reasons...1.) I told her she was a week off on my due date when we went in for our first appointment 2.) I felt like this made up for the fact that none of the doctors listened to me when I told them how big Kash was!

I feel very confident in the doctor's office we go to though and my doctor.  I know she will monitor this baby up until the end and listen to me.  But I have mentally prepared myself for another big boy!  Good thing we make them so cute and it's worth it, right!

It's fun to think about if this baby is going to look like his brother or take more after my coloring.  Either way I know he will be a great addition to our family and Kash will LOVE having a little brother to play with!

Doesn't it look like we just woke him up?  So cute!

taste of pinterest: crack potatoes

This little bun in the oven has got me craving potatoes (which is kind of fun because I didn't have any cravings with Kash)!!!  I've always been a big fan of the spud but these days I could eat them for every meal...mashed, scalloped, baked, fried, etc it doesn't matter what version they come in, I'm in love!  So when I saw a link for these "crack potatoes" on pinterest I didn't just pin it and forget, I ran to the store and bought the ingredients.

picture via.
I took my own picture but I really suck at photographing food so this is my best option.  And if you are anything like me I need a picture before I will make any new recipe!

I have to admit I had ulterior motives to make this dish.  You see, I'm really not so great at making Funeral Potatoes.  I know I'm surprised my Mormon membership hasn't been taken away from me (another secret I kinda suck at making jello too).  So I'm always on the hunt to find the perfect potato dish to replace the Funeral Potatoes.  Well, I may have just found it.  I still think I'm a little partial to the Funeral but that could just be nostalgia and the fact that I do like my religion and don't want to be kicked out :) but this dish is definitely up there.  And who knows put a little cheese and cornflakes on top and we might just have the modern Funeral!I actually did add cheese to the top of to mine and probably would have put some cornflakes on there too if I had them.  These were so easy and delish!  Although, I cut my recipe in half and I'm not sure if I half-ed the ingredients properly because it was a little salty, so next time I might not try as much of the ranch mix.While Pinterest has had some not-so-great recipes for me lately this one hit the spot and I highly recommend it!Whew...was that a long enough post about potatoes for you?  Here's the original link or the recipe if you are to lazy to click.

Crack Potatoes 

2 (16oz) containers sour cream

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

2 (3oz) bags real bacon bits

2 packages Ranch Dip mix

1 large (28 - 30oz) bag frozen hash brown potatoes - shredded kind

Combine first 4 ingredients, mix in hash browns.  Spread into a 9x13 pan.  Bake at 400 for 45-60 minutes.  

Bring on the spuds!  

a 2 yr. old's version of a bestie

Anyone who has spent any time with Kash in the last few months has heard about his beloved friend, Elliot!  Over Easter weekend Kash kept saying, "Where's Elliot?" as if it was just a given that he would be at our family events!  It got to the point that Aunt Joy said she wished Kash loved her as much as he loved Elliot!  Don't we all...

During church a few weeks ago Elliot and his sister sat with us during sacrament due to both of his parents being in the choir that Sunday, well you would have thought someone had told Kash that he could eat all the Easter candy in the world, he was pretty excited.  During the closing prayer Kash said ever so lovingly, "I love you Elliot!" just the way he tells us he loves us!  Blaine and I weren't sure how to take that one.

Kash thinks and talks about Elliot ALLOFTHETIME! We'll be driving around and Kash will beg to go to Elliot's house or ask what he's doing and when he can see him next.  In fact last night through his baby monitor we heard Kash lying in bed talking about going to Elliot's house. (insert eye roll from parents.)

Kash has no qualms about letting the world know how much he loves Elliot either.  A few weeks ago we walked into church and Kash yelled ELLIOT!!! and jumped up and down when he saw his BFF as we walked in late to Stake Conference.  He also thinks every blonde boy under the age of 5 is Elliot, that always make for some awkward situations. 

And from what we hear, luckily, the love doesn't just go one way...Elliot is pretty fond of Kash as well.  Which is always a good thing because one-sided relationships kinda suck.

Not sure exactly what started Kash's love for his pal Elliot.  Despite seeing Elliot on average of 3 times a week due to nursery, play group, date group and the occasional hang out with his family, Kash wasn't really into any of the kids we saw on a regular. I think it was around the time he broke his leg and was cooped up in the house for almost a week that he started to talk about Elliot.  Distance makes the heart grow fonder?  Possibly.  But I will never forget going to one of Blaine's basketball games that Elliot was at and as soon as Kash saw him he hobbled from across the gym screaming Elliot's name and didn't leave his side the whole game.

I'm happy that Kash found a friend that he loves so much and for the most part (they are 2 year old boys) play really well together.  Because for awhile there I was afraid Kash would never make a friend.  He used to hate nursery, hate hanging out with other kids and was mean to kids at the park.  But it's pretty sweet to see how much these two boys enjoy each others company.  And if we can convince Elliot's parents (lucky for us we get along really well with his parents too) to live in Aurora, Colorado forever maybe these little blonde headed boys will be life long friends.

19 weeks

I promise I wasn't trying to be too cool for school in this picture and not smile, I actually think this is mid-smile which is even worse.  The problem is that last pregnancy, this one too I'm sure, all of my belly shots were done with a self timer.  So the results are always super awkward.  But like I said before I'm glad I have the pictures from my first pregnancy so I'm sure I'll be glad someday to look back on this (sadly the best of all my attempts before the neighbors came outside) gem and be glad I have it too.  

So 19 big whole weeks...only reason I'm doing a 19 week post is because I did it last time, not sure why 20 weeks didn't sound better to me back then.  I'm still feeling and doing great.  I am starting to feel more tired and I suppose that will only get worse but really other than that I'm really enjoying this pregnancy.  I haven't started swelling yet, I'm still under my pre-pregnancy weight (due to weight loss in the beginning of the pregnancy), the heartburn has been minimal, no leg cramps (yet-I got these horribly with Kash) and I can still wear my regular pants with the hair-tie trick.  The only thing I have noticed this go around is that my back has hurt a lot more.  It might be a safe bet to blame a little of this on the 2 year old we live with.

I'm feeling a lot bigger kicks now and I love it.  I think it will be fun when the baby gets stronger and Kash can feel the kicks too.  Fun because I have a feeling this might freak him out, and he'll have some awesome words to say about it! ha

We talk about the baby a lot with Kash, tell him where the baby's room will be, that he'll be a big brother and that the baby is "in mommy's tummy".  The other day Kash said, "Ooo baby in my tummy!" and grabbed his stomach.  Pretty cute. And as my stomach gets bigger I think he's starting to believe me.

One thing is for sure, this baby is already loved.  Not a day passes that we don't talk about the baby and anxiously await it's arrival...errr 20 weeks from now ha.

First time being 19 weeks prego