2nd grade

5 days after we came home from the hospital, Boston had his FIRST day of SECOND grade.

Talk about jumping RIGHT into the swing of things.  It seemed like we hardly had anytime to breathe but it is what it is. 

Kent and Boston had gone to his meet the teacher and found out he also had switch teachers--2 other teachers, Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Marshall.  His homeroom teacher, Mrs. Boutwell, teaches math and science and Mrs. Holmes/Marshall teach language arts and social studies.  We will see how we feel about this as the year goes on. 

Boston was excited to start second grade and woke up to his favorite breakfast, mountain pancakes (aka German pancakes).  Kent and I took him to school while my mom stayed back with the younger boys (its times like this having extra help was very nice).  For whatever DUMB reason on the way to school Kent told Boston it's not cool to hold my hand any more.  I was quite furious ESPECIALLY when we got out of the car and as I was holding his hand, he pulled away once we reached the school building.  Thanks Kent for putting the idea in his head that kids would make fun of him for holding my hand.  He said he was just trying to save him from embarrassment and harassment.  I say, let the kid have good self confidence and not worry about it!  I'm still upset about it.  Regardless, we survived the drop off and it really hit me how much he's growing up.

  Boston has officially started SECOND grade and I can't get over that I have a second grader.  It's bizarre how fast time flies because I SWEAR he was just in preschool. 

Here's to a new school year that is already showing to be much busier and more involved than last year (I know that it is typical but I'm just trying to get used to it).

nolan's first week

We bailed on the hospital early.  I hate being in the hospital forever.  Nurses always bugging you, being away from the boys...I'm just ready to get home and try to get back into the swing of life. 

I think Nolan preferred being home too.

 He got his first bath which was a love/hate relationship.

 He did pretty well with his eating/sleeping schedule but of course just like all newborns, prefers to sleep more than be awake.

 His brothers are very concerned any time he starts to cry.  Whether its offering him his binky or trying to comfort him with stuff animals, they do what they can to get him to stop.

 Mimi of course is the lifesaver when the shock of another baby in the house hits.  We love her for all her help.

 He also went to the doctor for his one week a little earlier than the one week mark.  The doctors at the hospital were concerned about a little heart murmur they heard and wanted us to get him to our pedi 2 days after we left the hospital. 

One week stats:

Weight: 8 lbs 6 oz (72%)

Height: 20 inches (56%)

 

Dr. Rahman heard his heart and felt everything would close up on its own but wanted to take extra precaution and referred us to a pediatric cardiologist.  For whatever reason Kent and I weren't TOO worried.  I guess we felt strongly that the hole would close up on it's own.  After meeting with the cardiologist, having an echocardiogram and ultrasound done on his heart, they found 2 holes both of which the doctor isn't concerned about at ALL.  She told us to forget that we had even come and to not to worry about it one bit.  We will keep an eye on it but they should both close up on their own. We were grateful for that.

We survived our first week with three but mainly with the help of my mom.  We are so grateful to have this little man here and I'm even MORE grateful to NOT be pregnant any more.  It feels SO nice to sleep on my belly again!

baby #3

 I had been counting down the days for August 18th to arrive.  I had very mixed emotions about this day.  I remember that with Hudson, I had been watching TOO much Grey's Anatomy and freaking myself out about my C-section delivery.  This time I took my doctor's advice and didn't watch anything like that.  I told him at my last appointment that I was a tad nervous to which he said, "You should be.  You're having surgery.  That's normal.  But just know that I am VERY good at what I do!"  Thanks McGuirk for your confidence.  I love my doctor.

The night before we were supposed to go in, I started having some MAJOR pains.  At first I thought, "Is this what contractions feel like?"  Then after doing a bit of research, learned that it was just pains from the baby.  So, still 0-3 in feeling a contraction with my pregnancies... 

I wasn't scheduled to go in until 10:30 am.  We got checked in, prepped and ready and were anxiously awaiting my doctor....he came a little late.  Doctor's can never be reliable.

Once Dr. McGuirk arrived, talked to us and calmed my nerves, they wheeled me back into the FREEZING (even for a pregnant chick in August) operating room. 

My nurse was SO sweet as they prepped me for surgery.  The anesthesiologist was a gem and was awesome at taking care of me.  The spinal block went great AND she was on top of it all surgery.  I don't react well to anesthesia so I'm grateful for those doctors!  Dr. McGuirk seemed extra calm and sensitive.  He's usually very relaxed and funny (which he still was during it all) but he just seemed EXTRA caring.  I appreciated that.

 Kent and I sat holding hands and chatting away while we sat waiting for the little man's arrival.  I don't think Kent did too much watching this go around until it was time for the baby to make his debut.  It probably took about 15 minutes of very little pain.  I only felt tons of pressure when they were pulling the little man out.  After all the pressure, at 1:17 pm I heard the sweetest cry!  I always just wait for that cry...and then I cry.  Dr. McGuirk showed me this little man over the curtain and I was instantly in love!

This little chunk weighed in at 8 lbs 13 oz and 20.5 inches long. 

My babies keep getting bigger.

This was the first time they have actually let me HOLD my baby on the operating table. 

 I took him all in! 

Shortly after, they whisked him away with daddy. 

This is probably one of my favorite pictures of him holding Kent's finger.

After I was all stitched up, they took me into recovering which was MUCH better than last time.  I didn't throw up a single time and didn't even get the chills!  I was amazed and grateful because for whatever reason I was SO not looking forward to that part.  All went well until they were taking me to my room...then the nausea came.  I survived it and was just anxiously waiting for Kent to get to the room with the baby. 

I look a little drugged because I was.....

It took us 24 hours to name this little man.

 But finally decided on little

NOLAN DEE HOOPER

His middle name is my mom's father's middle name

The boy's LOVED him at first sight.  They were obsessing over him instantly and are so thrilled to have another brother.

 Mimi got to meet her 6th grandson.

 We are officially a family of FIVE!

 

I'm not sure what brings you closer to your spouse then bringing a baby into this world.  I love Kent so much and I love him as a father even more!  He loves our boys.  Like, he really has a VERY tender spot in his heart for little kids.  He's always so wonderful and supportive during the WHOLE process of pregnancy, birth and life with a new baby.  He's the best and I'm so happy that he's mine and my kids' father!

Welcome to the world baby Nolan!

We are SO grateful you're here.

dallas trip

My boys were pretty upset that they didn't get to see the Withers cousins over the 4th of July like they usually do (they had a reunion out in Idaho they had to be at instead).  We didn't know if we were going to be able to make it happen BUT we did.  I told Kent I was tired of being at home and that trips help pass the time with this pregnancy.  To my surprise he decided he wanted to come with me so we headed to Dallas for a week. 

 

 There's nothing these kids like more than getting to hang with their best friends!

We did a lot during the week most of which I failed to take pictures of.  I'm pretty sure I'm just so tired and pregnant that I've just been lazy. 

We did take all the kids to see Planes Fire and Rescue which was cuter than the first I thought but that isn't saying much.  For some reason, they just didn't make it funny enough. 

We also brought the kids to the trampoline park.  Boston declared it better than ours in Houston and probably could have played dodge ball ALL DAY LONG.

 Boston's FAVORITE baseball team is the Texas Rangers.  Not quite sure how that one came about but for whatever reason, it is.  He's been DYING to go to a game so his dream became a reality when we got lucky that they happened to be playing in town the same time we were there. 

If you look closely at this picture you will notice this massive fat lip Hudson is sporting.  All we know is that he fell and hit it somehow on the kids table.  It stayed swollen for a few days so it must have been a pretty hard hit.

And no, Kent is not choking my child.  He was trying to get him to quite being stubborn and look at the camera!

 

 The kids got spoiled and each got their OWN cotton candy.  Talk about SUGAR high.

 

 These kids made this game so much fun.  They were up dancing and cheering.  They were pretty entertaining I must admit.

 In the meantime, my feet were HUGE.  Nothing completely new but it definitely look a few days for the swelling to go down (which never goes down ALL the way).  It is what it is.  Soon there will be no more of this.

We also got to go see Kari's new  house that they were supposed to move into that weekend but the closing day got pushed out until the next week.  They built the cutest house and I'm SO excited for them!

Kiersten met up with us one day for lunch at Fuzzy's (my fav) and then we took all the kids to the jump house to burn off some energy.  How I got zero pictures of them all together....again I guess I'll just blame on this pregnancy. 

On multiple mornings, we would wake up to this

The boys got to have a slumber party every night with Charlie and Landry's new bunk beds.  Somehow they all ended up awake about the same time every morning.  They would come downstairs and sneak on the electronics.  Sneaky boys.

We had a blast and my kids were completely sad to leave.  I'm pretty sure we could have stayed a whole other week but since Kristin had JUST gotten back in town and Kari's in-laws had just come to town, we decided to let them breath and have a small break. 

We cherish all that cousin time they get to share!

35 weeks

35 weeks.

I'm finally rounding the corner of the END of this pregnancy. 

I know I've always been thrilled for pregnancy to be over but I don't think I've ever been THIS thrilled (thrilled yet nervous).  We didn't ever EXPECT to have an August baby (we wanted it before or after actually) but the way things go with us, we can't ever plan it like we would like.  I'm just hoping to avoid this next time. 

 It is HOT. 

I've never been so swollen CONSISTENTLY ever.  This body can not grow any larger it seems (although yes, it is still growing).  Kent and I laugh at how difficult it is for me to stand up from the couch or the bed or the ground.  It can be quite comical.  I've outgrown MAJORITY of my maternity shirts.  I remember this happening with Hudson but that was like 2 weeks before he was coming not FOUR. 

This little boy is ACTIVE.  Like BEYOND active.  I feel him kicking and pushing and spinning ALL DAY EVERY day.  Even when I wake up in the middle of the night, he's moving.  I'm hoping this won't determine his personality but we will see. 

 I've finally hit the point where I can stomach eating hamburgers again.  Seems like that took longer with this baby.  I'm all about crunching down on some ice and I love me a PBJ.  

Car seat and stroller have been ordered and I've added a few little outfits to the wardrobe.  I need to purchase some of the "necessity" items like diapers and such (I can't believe I'm about to have a kid in diapers again). 

I feel the need to be very prepared for the month of August because between ALL the birthdays, our anniversary, school starting, football starting, church calling and baby coming at times I feel a tad overwhelmed (I'm sure part of that is pregnancy hormones...my poor husband). Let's hope I can get all that taken care of. 

 I kept thinking that maybe this go around I would actually start having Braxton hicks or contractions but so far not a thing has happened and I still have no idea how that feels.  I have plenty of other pains but nothing like that. 

4 more weeks left.  This baby will be making his debut on August 18 at 12:30!!!!  I'm pretty sure I'm more nervous than ever for this delivery.  Something about knowing how everything goes down and not being so naive about it brings the nerves on more.

The count down continues.

louisiana

After our trip to Arizona, we met up with the boys in Louisiana and stayed for another week or so.  The boys LOVE spending time with grandparents and cousins and probably could have stayed longer had we let them.

 One day we took the kids to Celebration Station mainly to ride go carts.  They have a few kiddie rides but I can't say the kids loved them too much.  They were pretty bored on this train that went like 2 mph and had the smallest track ever.

 

 Boston wasn't quite tall enough to drive the BIG go carts on his own so Kent took both the boys (and acted like a kid himself....not surprised....bumping and spinning out all the other cars).  Boston got to drive the kiddie go carts by himself and he thought he was a pretty amazing driver.

 Boston got to work on his batting skills for his first time in the batting cage. 

 There's never a lack of cousin love.

 And of course, we had plenty of time to play in Mimi and Papa's swimming pool.  As entertained as it keeps the kids, I desperately need one when we move into a house.  During Texas summers, it is a necessity. 

We love our traditional Louisiana visits every summer.  They never get old and we're always doing something to keep the kids busy.  That's exactly what I need as I am anxiously watching this clock waiting for this baby boy to arrive.

the big 10

On August 27, Kent and I will celebrate TEN years. 

Seriously can't believe it.

We had always planned on a big trip for our ten year.  Initially, when they announced the Rome temple, it was supposed to have fallen PERFECTLY for us to go just in time at our ten year mark.  Well....Rome is slow....I got pregnant....so that will have to wait.

Our plan B was to go to Puerto Rico.  After my doc VETOED that, we had to search for a plan C. 

We decided to go somewhere we hadn't been together--someplace different, some place with a baseball stadium, someplace we could just relax and wasn't going to cost us an arm and a leg during the summer (we got Italy coming up people). 

We heard Scottsdale, AZ had some really nice resorts so we checked it out and booked our trip.

When we made it into Phoenix, it was just past lunch and all I cared about was finding the nearest Café Rio for my pulled pork salad fix. 

Oh, why won't you come to Texas Café Rio??

 We did some relaxing by the pool which is what I cared about most.

 We ate EXTREMELY well on this trip.  When I say that I loved EVERY restaurant we went to, I mean I'm still craving to go back.  I so wish our little Cypress, TX had so fun, hip, delicious restaurants like Scottsdale.

We drove out to the newest temple in Arizona---the Gilbert temple.  It really was a VERY beautiful temple with all the detailed work they did on the outside.  I didn't realize that once all the temples are complete, Arizona will have FIVE temples.  We had no idea.

 Of course, if there's an In-n-Out near, it's a must stop place. 

We did a little off roading adventure into the Sonoran desert.  Kent and I were actually both very impressed with how it's a different kind of beauty.  We also learned a TON about how the Indians lived off the land and all of their healing mechanisms they used (and could be used to help us today).  We also saw some HUGE cacti which we learned only grows there. 

 We found some actual GREEN and WATER flow. 

 We went out to an Old Western town.

 And went down into an old gold mine.  I found myself praying that it didn't collapse in on us or that I didn't randomly go into labor. 

 We also hit up a Diamondbacks game.  I must say even though the Diamondbacks aren't supposed to be a very good team, it was a very fun game!  They were hitting TONS of homeruns which made it so much more exciting to watch.  Kent is now a collector of hats....he says he wants a hat from every sports stadium we visit.  Hence, his new hat...he kept saying it's his coolest one yet.  It's the little things for that man...

Between relaxing at the pool, shopping, EATING, and sight seeing, I really did fall in love with the area.  The people were friendly and even though AZ is desert, hot and SO not green, I could definitely see why people love it there and if I HAD to one day, I could live there (although, that will probably never happen)

I LOVE traveling with Kent.  We have so much fun and it's just nice to get away and spend time together. 

I love this man. 

He's my best friend who's always positive, funny and makes me feel good about myself.

A decade down....eternity to go!