Tuesday, April 6, 2010

As Requested

I thought I'd post a little bit about this pregnancy, and show you what I look like at 7 months. A couple of weeks ago at enrichment, someone told me that I still don't look pregnant. I get this a lot- especially when I have on a coat or jacket. I'm never sure how to take these comments because...really?? Do I really look like this when I'm not pregnant???

In these pictures I'm wearing a tighter shirt so it should be obvious!










And yes, this baby is a BOY! We are so excited! I can never remember what I've said on Facebook and what I've said on the blog but it isn't a secret. I have been going through all of JJ's tiny little baby clothes and can't wait to use them again. There is nothing better than a new little baby. I think it is my favorite phase and it goes away so quickly. I know that this baby will eventually be getting into everything, throwing tantrums, and running all over the place- they all do! This just makes me enjoy the tiny baby days even more- even with all the sleepless nights. It is just a sweet, special time.

We have a name picked out, but James likes to keep it a secret until the baby is born.

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday. We stayed home all day and watched conference, had a lot of good food, let the kids eat WAY too much Easter candy, did puzzles, and just enjoyed being together. I don't remember the last time the four of us were all home for the whole day together. I'm feeling a lot better about things. Sometimes you just need a day off! 10 more days to go!!!

I hope that everything is going well for all of my friends and family in the blogosphere!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

An Update

I have neglected my blog for a long time! So I thought I'd give an update.

Marianne:

Lately I've been incredibly stressed out about having enough time for all of the obligations and projects that I am in the middle of. I am scanning and organizing all of the Brown family photos clear back from 1970, I've been called as the 2nd counselor in the primary presidency, and then there's always the bills, cooking, cleaning, teaching JJ's joy school, etc. It just never ends. There are so many things that I can only do once the kids are in bed which leaves me with very little free time. James is almost never able to help me with anything at home or with the kids because of tax season. And once tax season is over, I'll be probably be nesting like a maniac and then I'll have a new little baby to take care of. I have missed going to the ward book group, I feel guilty that I can't attend all the meetings that I'm supposed to for my calling, and I feel just plain isolated. When your husband is a tax accountant, that is just a part of your life and you have to get used to doing everything by yourself. I know that I am lucky to have a husband who has a good job that he generally enjoys doing. And I know that there are women who really are single moms- That has got to be the hardest job ever. So I know that I really don't have it that bad. I'm trying to remember that at this time of year.

I spent most of this last week in St. George visiting my Dad and Jane. For three nights in a row I didn't have to make dinner which pretty much qualifies as the best vacation ever! My Dad went shopping with me at the outlets and helped to wrangle the kids so that I could shop, and the next day Jane watched them for a couple hours so that I could get out for a while on my own. It was a MUCH needed break!

My pregnancy is going well and I'm generally feeling great. Of course there is always the heartburn, tired feet, inability to bend over, etc. But as soon as I feel a little knobby elbow or knee moving across my stomach, or feel those tiny hiccoughs, I am reminded of what a miracle pregnancy is. I never want to take it for granted. I know how lucky I am and wish that every woman could have this experience.

James:

James has been working 12 hour days and is seriously burned out. When he comes home from work he changes, eats, and then studies for the CPA exam. He is such a hard worker and I love him so much for this. He is a wonderful provider for our family. We're all looking forward to April 15th, but once it comes he has warned me that he will still be staying late and going in on Saturdays to study. He will take the last section of the CPA exam in May and then will go out of town on an audit for a week three days later. We hope that things will calm down in June so that we can get ready for the arrival of our baby.

JJ:

JJ has gotten over a bad illness from a couple of weeks ago and had a great time in St. George. He got to play outside in the nice weather, make fires with grandpa, play with toys, catch ants in the driveway, blow bubbles, flew airplanes with grandpa, make forts with grandma, and eat LOTS of junk food! A four year old's dream come true! As we came home and pulled into the garage, he asked if we could go back to grandpa's house. He is a cute boy, and we love him. (And he has just informed me that conference makes him feel boring- we'll get out the play doh.)

He is growing and maturing and getting better at so many things. I am so happy to say that we no longer need to buy pull-ups for him. I was totally planning on buying three sets of diapers this June, but am thrilled that this won't be the case.(Although I'm still holding on to a bit of cautious disbelief.) He has done a lot of hard work, and I'm proud of him.

McKenna:

McKenna is also feeling better from her ear infection/cough/fever thing from a couple weeks ago. And she also had a great time in St. George. She loved running outside by herself and sitting on the patio furniture and running across the rocks in the backyard. She always wants to be independent and do her own thing, and since we could see her from the windows, we let her go in and out all she wanted. She was in heaven!

She is talking more and more, and we are having a fun time trying to figure out what she is saying, and repeating her mispronunciations. It is just a really cute age. We have found that when she is around men (except for daddy) she becomes totally mute. In nursery she doesn't say anything. Ever. This is so funny, because at home she talks a blue streak.

I hope to update more often, but won't make any promises!