Mom & Randy Visit

 My parents came to visit for an afternoon a few weeks after Tatum was born.  I am very glad because my mom got some really great shots of the baby. 

 Poor Randy can't ever get away from Morgan.  She clings to him like nothing else and it is adorable to watch.

He sat and told her story after story and she was a very captive listener.

 It is so fun to watch my mom with babies.  She has a special way with them.

 Little beautiful Tatum.  I felt so bad doing these shots because you could see the chills on his little naked body.

We can never seem to get a normal shot these days, but I am okay with that.  I want to look back and remember how the kids looked when they were goofing off.

My Treasures

 Cole Michael is a handful, but this little boy possesses such compassion and love (when he wants to show it) that it amazes me. He has been my right hand kid since Tatum has been born.  It it wonderful to watch him care for one of his siblings.  He can be found playing school with Carson and Morgan or sucked into an intense game of Poptropica, or buried in a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book.

 Carson Joseph is my little helper who is a hard worker, and extremely loving.  He is my go to kid when I really need something done.  He also is the one who will give spontaneous compliments and kisses...he does my heart good!   He does have a fierce tantrum that I wouldn't wish on anyone. This little one can often be found riding his scooter outside or trying to boss Morgan around.

 Morgan Ann is my little baby girl whose eyes can completely change my heart just by looking at them.  She is my little princess, and I swore I would never use that word,but it fits her perfectly!  I love her stories and I love watching how animated she gets.  Today she is rock star girl.  She can often be found playing in her room with her toys keeping herself entertained for a long periods of time.

 My baby Tatum is amazing.  I have never had a more smiley kid.  He is so happy and so willing to show you that you make him happy by his little smile.  I love him so much already.  I am getting up with him once a night and hoping to get him down consistently at 8pm sometime soon.

Here is just another adorable baby picture.  Isn't he wonderful?  So little.  This was when  he was 3 weeks old. He is now 7 weeks tomorrow!!  This one can be found in anyone of the kid's arms or in dads.  Mike was the first one to really get some great smiles out of him.

Tatum Jacob Pressley

 

 Here is our beautiful little addition.  This little cutie came out at 6 pounds and 12 ounces and super adorable!   (I am so thankful he was smaller!)

 The labor and delivery went well.  He decided to surprise us and come a day earlier than planned.  I had him on March 8th, 2012 at 1:45 pm. 

 The kids were so excited to come and see him.  It was fun to watch their reaction to him and answer all of their questions about him. 

 The kids have been so good to get me what I need and to tell me when Tatum is getting fussy.  Its cute to watch how concerned they get when he cries.

 Cole who tried to pretend that he didn't care about him was the most excited to hold him and change diapers....yes, he helps me change his diapers!  And little Carson and Morgan constantly want to kiss him all the time.

 Carson is so sweet and helpful.  He is really developing into just an amazing little kid.  Watching him talk baby talk to his new little brother just melts me...being a mom has some amazing perks!!

 Here Tatum is loaded up and ready to go home from the hospital. He looks so mature for a newborn..I think, and at the same time so teeny, tiny in that big car seat.

 After a bath.

 This little munchkin is so funny to watch and listen to talk to Tatum.  She is always saying how adorable he is and showering him (to death) with kisses and hugs.

Here my baby is with my oldest baby.  It is wonderful having another little man in the house again.  We all love baby Tatum so much and so glad Heavenly Father sent him to us!

Homestretch

At my 37 week apoiontment I let the Dr. know I had had my cold for 7 weeks and I was totally over it.  I think he felt bad because he said that he could induce after 39 weeks if I wanted.  So the next week I went in and we schedulded it for this Thursday evening!  (At that visit I was dialated to a one and was not very soft but he said we could still do it. )

So to my pure joy and delight there is an end date in sight.  I will go in at 8 pm this Thursday and we will start the long process of getting this little baby out!   I could not be more thrilled and anxious. 

I want to document all of our feelings about the HUGE change that will be taking place in our family this week so I asked this question to all;       How do you feel about the baby coming?  And what follows are the answers.


Mike:  "Excited to have one more boy to carry on our family name, go hunting with and camping."

Cylee:  "I can't wait to hold a new baby again and watch his sweet little faces, and smell his sweet little new born smell.  I can't wait to snuggle him and see what kind of baby he will grow up to be. I really can't wait to see how he will look.  Will he be another mini Mike or will he look more like me?  I can't wait to dress him in his cute little newborn clothes and watch how the kids will react to having a baby in the house.  I feel a little nervous about Morgan losing her baby postition and how she will react to that...I am nervous that this little guy might be fussy and how will I handle that.  I have tons of feelings about this little guy coming into our life.  But over all I CAN NOT WAIT!!! 

Cole:  "Not excited because I will have to take care of one thousand kids.  I will have to change diapers....disgusting!  I am a little happy about the baby coming home because Morgan will be more focused on the baby instead of me and Carson.  Maybe the baby will like to play school and will be less wild than Carson and Morgan." 

Carson:  "I feel good because I can take good care of him and excited that Kylie is coming over to babysit us.  I'm excited to hold him, and I like to feel little babies hands."

Morgan:  "Good because I love the baby.  I want to rock a bye him in the crib.  Change the babies diapers."

So that is where we all stand right now.  Life is great and I am ready to welcome a new member of our family here this week. 

No Fun

Today marks one month of having a cold and I am SO over it!  It has been bad off an on but since Saturday it has been nearly unbearable.  I can't breath and trying to accomplish anything is impossible due to no sleep during the night. 

The good news is that I am 37 weeks and the doctor says if I am progressing he will induce at 39 weeks!  I will find out what is going on down there on Thursday!  That is what I need to focus on...NOT that I want to be shot and put out of my misery.  Michael gave me a blessing last night so I hope that will help.

I can't believe I am going to have another little baby in our home in a couple weeks!!!!!

Bunnies and Basment, 4-H and More!

 We love visitors!  My grandparents came with Harley again for a weekend and we had lots of fun.  Swimming, playing at McDonald's, running around the house, and lots of dress up was the action for the weekend. 

 They even stayed and went to church with us!  It is always so fun having them come and visit for awhile.

 Here is our 1st 4-H project of the year.  We made some ceramic cups.  The boys enjoyed it and I think we will have to do it again from start to finish now that we know what to expect.

 Here are the cups they made before they are glazed. I was hoping to have an after shot but they are not finished yet...I think we messed up a step.  I want to take Mike back there and us do this together one weekend. 

 On to Valentines day,(I feel like I am all over with these posts but between having a head cold for almost a month now and having just a few more weeks left with this pregnancy I am totally scattered) I was not full of energy like I wanted so I just made a few little craft things that I stole from other amazing sites and put together these for the kids and Mike.  It was really fun putting them together and the coupon books is where it is at.  Mike got coupons ranging from dinner to massages.  And the boys got coupons to redeem to, when they are being good, such as ice cream, a trip to the dollar store...just things like that.

 I have not yet posted on our basement progress!!! So a little history on this is in order.  When we moved in the basement was partial...meaning we only had access to 900 square feet.  The other 1100 is dug out but you have to go through a little trap door and you can't stand up all the way, its filled with dirt, needless to say, that project will come way down the road.  For now we are finishing the 900 part.

 The first year we moved in we had it framed and most of the electric put in and that is where it as stalled ever since.  Well when I went away to Idaho for the weekend Mike and the kids got to work and got all the way up to this point done!! 

 It will give us another family playroom and a office, which if needed, can be converted into a room.  We have two really good sized storage's down there too.  As of today we are painting and hoping that it can be done before the baby comes.  I am just so excited I can't stand it. 

 On to the rabbits.  This is what Mike surprised me and the kids with on Valentines day.  Some women want jewelry or flowers, I want the simple pleasures in life like rabbits for their poop. 

Yes, people this is what I want from these cute little guys......their poop!   It fits right in with our preparedness goals.  If you want to have a sustainable garden you need to have a good fertilizer and you don't get better than this...(Okay maybe bat or worms but this seems easier). 

I feel so blessed to have so much going on but also a little stressed with all the balls I feel we have in the air.  We have to make a pig structure because we are getting pigs in three weeks but also we could be having a baby in three weeks, we need to start some seeds indoors, I need to get the baby's room ready, and I need to clean up my house!!!!Ahhhhhh.  at least I can say I am caught up with this right?! 

My Glorious Getaway

 So once again I packed up only my belongings and took off for my annual "mommy only" vacation at my mommy's house.  I was really excited for this one.  I was 32 weeks along at this point and dieing for a little relaxation time, a time out, a tiny little break from my wonderful family.

I planned only a couple things, and of course, my mom and I did a little project while I was there.  Besides that I read and relaxed,and did only what I was in the mood for.  It was INCREDIBLE! 


 Here is my beautiful mom hard at work,  helping me out with my project.  I must say she was on her best behavior...not once did I have to say "give me back my project"! 

 Here is the final result.  I made 6 place mats that had inspiring sayings on them with a few little hot pads with the left over material.  This was such a fun project!  Thank you mom. 

 Of course with all that hard work going on we had to goof off a little with the camera.  (Don't be mad mom that I posted these...you look great, even with your mean face closing in on me!  What were you thinking by the way?) 

 I had better not post any more!  Needless to say, we got a little weird.  But I LOVE it because we laugh so hard.  I love you mom. 

 I hate how I look in the last few months but here I am.  If I just wouldn't swell in the face I would be okay, but o-well it is totally worth transforming a bit to get a beautiful baby at the end.  Woot! Woot!

 I was able to spend a great evening with Shana.  Thank you Shana Jean....love ya!

Here is my adorable little nephew .   He stays the weekends with my parents so I was able to get a little hang out time with him while I was there.  Cute little stinker.  He usually doesn't care whether I am around or not but this time he kinda liked me...it was cute. 

I was also able to have breakfast with my Grandparents and Harlee while there.  It was such a great trip.  Made something with my mom, hung out with family, read a book, ate well...it was great. 

It was also great coming home!  As much as I look forward to leaving for a trip by myself when its time to come home I get so excited.  I was ready to hug Mike and the kids again and by the reception I received when I got home I think they missed me too. 

Michael surprised me with getting a lot done in the basement that week.  Not only was he able to keep the kids alive, he cleaned the house, worked in the basement and made dinner for me.  He truly is a superman to me.