Happy January

You are all probably wondering why I am wishing you a Happy January when the month is almost over. Well, that's because two very important events hadn't happened yet at the beginning of the month: Wyatt's birth and Austin's birthday. I had this idea long before Wyatt came to make Austin a picture calendar for his desk at work for his birthday from the boys, but of course we needed Wyatt to arrive in order to do that. By the time I felt up to staging 12 pictures for the calendar representing each month, I had two days to execute the plan. What I thought would be a fun, easy task, ended up being a little bit of a headache. I wanted to have both boys in each picture for each month, but my little lovely Dax was very much opposed to many of the "props" I had planned. It ended up that Wyatt was in the pictures with the most props because he was so cooperative (i.e a sleepy head) and Dax was in the pictures with the "cooler" props (i.e the ones he could destroy afterwards...you'll see what I mean). In the end I was very happy with the way the calendar turned out. I printed all the pictures in black and white, but you get the colored version. Austin loved it and it proudly sits on his desk. Anyway, I decided that I would start each month with the picture we took for Austin's calendar and send my birthday and anniversary wishes to our family for that month as well. Remember, we have a BIG family, so try not to get bored....it's more for my benefit! And, it might just help out some forgetful family members as well! Happy January!

Staying warm through the WINTER!

* 7th: Happy Birthday Wyatt

* 16th: Happy Birthday Ryan & Austin

*18th: Happy Birthday Todd

* 25th: Happy Anniversary Scott & Lani

* 29th: Happy Birthday Hannah

Showered with Love

I can't even begin to express to our sweet friends, and especially our families, how well we've been taken care of these past few weeks since Wyatt has arrived!! So many people have dropped by to see this cutie and have been bearing such sweet little gifts...way more than we deserve. We have been seriously overwhelmed with all the love and can't even begin to tell them all how appreciated it is. Well, the fun didn't stop last night. I'm a total plan ruiner and the week I had Wyatt my mom and sisters had planned a fun little night out with just the girls to go to dinner and have some girl time before Wyatt arrived. With his sudden arrival the date was cancelled and I was VERY bummed. I love spending time with my mom and sister and although we live so close to each other, it's only on rare occasions that we all 5 get together. So, when my mom offered to re-plan the date to last night and bring dinner to me, I was so excited! Austin had class late and all my sisters recruited their husbands to be home so they could come over and visit us. I know that alone was a huge sacrifice to get the husbands all home on the same night! We had a scrumptious dinner, great visit, and then, to be spoiled even more, presents! You'd think between cute outfits, frames, stuffed animals, and diapers they had done way too much, but the kicker, and my favorite part, was when I opened the combo gift initiated by my favorite twin (who obviously was dearly missed from the night) and pulled out a new sling! I'd seen these around and always thought the moms sporting them were way cool, but when I put it on and tried it out, I instantly knew why they are such a big hit. It is the most comfortable thing ever and Wyatt fit in it perfectly and slept so sound! I feel in love! I have already been planning out my adventures to where I can wear it---the zoo, the supermarket, to the park with Dax, sightseeing in Seattle?? Then I realized, WAIT! I can wear it to vacuum, do dishes and work! Brilliant! I've been intimidated to go out with the two boys, but this little sling is going to be my life-saver! Every new mom should have one! Thank you girls for spoiling us and making us look super hip all at the same time! I love you all!

Birthday Boy!

Today is Austin's birthday and Dax, Wyatt and I wanted to give him some birthday wishes from the three people that love him most! He turns 29 so the three of us came up with the top 29 things we love most about having Austin as our friend, husband and dad!

What we love most....

1. Bryn: How selfless you are

2. Dax: Getting to ride next to you on my scooter while you skateboard

3. Wyatt: Rocking me to sleep

4. Bryn: Your dedication to work, school, church and your family

5. Dax: Playing soccer with you in the backyard

6. Wyatt: Giving the best baths

7. Bryn: The way you always make me laugh...something I look forward to for years down the road

8. Dax: Your yummy pancakes on Sunday morning

9: Wyatt: Changing my stinky pants in the middle of the night

10: Bryn: How thoughtful you are to other people

11. Dax: Watching movies with you

12. Wyatt: Singing to me

13. Bryn: For taking the responsibility to always clean the toilets

14. Dax: Riding on your back to go to bed

15. Wyatt: Letting me pee and poop on you

16. Bryn: Putting up with my purse fetish

17. Dax: Teaching me how to hit off a tee

18. Wyatt: Watching Sports Center with you late at night while mom sleeps

19. Bryn: Secretly loving, or pretending to love, to watch Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, What Not to Wear and other girly shows with me (sorry to out you!)

20. Dax: Hanging out in the garage with you while you work on projects

21. Wyatt: For laughing at the silly faces I make

22. Bryn: Being such a huge support as a husband and encouraging me by always having a compliment

23. Dax: Blowing the biggest bubbles in the bath

24. Wyatt: Listening to my "stories"

25. Bryn: Always letting me buy the gossip magazines when we go on road trips and letting me read them to you, and pretending you are interested

26. Dax: Hiding from you when you get home from work behind the pillows

27. Wyatt: Washing my hair

28. Bryn: Being my best friend

29. All: For loving us with all your heart!!

We love you! Happy Birthday!!

Brotherly Love

It was a little after 6 this morning when Dax climbed into bed with me. Austin had left for work about 20 minutes earlier and I was feeding Wyatt. Dax didn't even make it all the way across my lap before he was back asleep, his legs still lingering across my lap. I successfully finished feeding Wyatt and rotated Dax to his own side of the bed and drifted off to sleep. Next thing I knew Dax was hugging me and it was a little after 8. We were hugging and cuddling when Wyatt made a small grunt.

Dax: "Whoa! Whas that? Whas that?"

Me: "It's Wyatt"

Dax: Leaning over me to look inside the cradle at the edge of the bed laughing with a huge smile on his face. "Ohhhh!! Baby Why-de!"

I knew it was going to be a good day!!! Dax is totally in the stage where he adds a "y" to every word. So even though he knows how to say Wyatt, he constantly calls him Why-dy and it sounds just like Whitey. Either way, we're glad he's saying it with a smile on his face!

Today was a true test of what was to come for me. Austin went back to work and no one was coming over until later in the afternoon. I was anxious to see how these two brothers were going to interact, and what that meant for me, being out numbered. Luckily, the morning went along great and I was so relieved at the way Dax treated Wyatt. There sure is a brotherly love there that I am so excited to see grow and grow!

All within the morning hours, we had a small little photo shoot, but more importantly, the boys "played" together. First Dax wanted to share his waffles. I had to explain that right now Wyatt only drinks milk. That was a little nerve-wrecking considering we're trying to cut down on Dax's massive milk intake...but there was no melt down there so hooray!!! Dax tickled Wyatt's belly as I changed his diaper. He placed a mini Lightening McQueen on Wyatt's blanket with no probing from me. That is a major accomplishment in and of itself...sharing his most prized "vroomie". Dax played "Where'd Dax go, Why-de" for a few minutes and didn't seem to mind that Wyatt wasn't even really paying attention let alone opening his eyes. Then the fun really began when Wyatt got the hiccups as Dax was giving him a hug. Dax thought this was the funniest thing ever. Dax leaned in for a hug, Wyatt would hiccup, then Dax would fall backwards to the floor like he'd been shot...cracking up the entire time. That was a good solid 5-7 minutes of entertainment right there!

I was so happy to see Dax "playing" with Wyatt. I know the bond my sisters and I share, so I can't wait to see what these two make of their relationship and closeness. I hope Dax takes his role as a big brother seriously and will always look after and protect Wyatt and be a good example to him. It's so unreal to imagine these two in their teenage years, but I really hope they are the best of friends and always stay close. I love my two boys!!

We've GROWN by 1!!!

Wyatt David MacGillivray January 7, 2008 7lbs. 4 oz.

He came---our long anticipated little Wyatt arrived on Monday! He surprised us all wanting to come a few weeks early, but I am so glad he was so anxious to meet us because we were just as anxious to meet him. I had been feeling for weeks extremely ready to have this baby, but my last Dr.'s appointment didn't give me much hope when my Dr. told me that I was measuring 2.5 cm under and he sent an order for me to get an ultra-sound to better determine what my actual due date was. We had been thinking Jan. 20th which would have put me at 38 weeks, but I was only measuring 35 1/2 weeks. This was not great news to me as you can imagine. I'm glad Wyatt thought the same thing. Before we could even make it to my ultra sound appointment Monday morning, my water broke Sunday night after a fun night at dinner with some neighbor friends.

We came home and put Dax to bed and lo and behold, just a few hours later we were off to the hospital. I definitely knew my water had broke, kinda a humiliating experience if you ask me. I was so thankfully to be at home when mother nature decided to take over! :) We were so shocked it was happening we still had a lot of little things to take care of. We hurried and cleaned the house, I packed my bags, we called our parents to tell them the news and we kissed Dax goodbye for the last time as an only child. I couldn't help but think about him the most as we headed to the hospital to await his new brother and try and fathom what an adventure this baby would be not only for us, but for him.

We admitted right away and had a really great night's sleep. The morning came fast and with my mom (my dad was sick) and Austin's parents in the room helping us pass the time, I knew this baby was going to come a lot faster than Dax had. My Dr. made rounds in the morning and promised the baby wouldn't be as big as Dax (thank goodness...no 8lbs. 15 oz. babies for me anymore!), and guessed maybe 7lbs. 4 oz. We still didn't really know how early or on-time I was considering I never made it to my ultra sound appointment. The nurse called the Dr. at 12:45 pm and he said he would be there in 10 minutes. He actually didn't arrive until about 20 minutes later and my mom witnessed him run through the waiting room (He later admitted he didn't think I would go so fast). He got into the room at about 1:10 and Wyatt was born at 1:16pm. I pushed a total of 1 contraction! He cried right away and they laid him on my chest as they cleaned him off and Austin cut the umbilical cord. It was such a thrill to hear him cry and count his finger and toes and see a perfect little baby that I had been trusted to love and give a home. It is hard to put into words everything you feel at that moment when you see a little innocent baby that you have carried around for 9 months, but even a greater feeling knowing that Wyatt came to our family specifically and that he was sent to us for a reason and that our family would be together forever.

A few minutes after he was born, my Dr. asked for a weight. The nurse turned the scale on, and what did it say? 7 lbs. 4 oz. As she read that I looked at the Dr. and said "Didn't someone say that?" He had the biggest smile on his face and you could tell he was so proud of himself. He said he hasn't been dead on like that in a long time and that we had made his day. I told him he made ours too so we were even! He said I had made delivery look pretty easily and I told him it was easy. The nurse joked that I should teach classes at the hospital on how to give birth. I don't know how it happened, but delivering Wyatt was probably the easiest thing I had to do these past few weeks! I'm sure Austin could attest to my constant complaining about getting in and out of the car, having to pull laundry out of the dryer or unload the dishwasher or pull something out of the over. Or what a chore it had become to put on my boots for Church on Sunday or lotion on my legs. The list goes on. And delivering Wyatt was definitely easier than all those things!

I couldn't wait for Dax to come see us. I was hoping he would love Wyatt as much as we did. We had been doing our best to explain to him about the baby and include the baby as much as possible without him even being here as we could to a 2 year old. Not an easy thing to do, but we kinda felt like Dax did grasp the concept a little bit. He had been helping us wash his clothes, put the cradle together and we'd been hanging out in the nursery a lot too. Dax looked adorable as he came running through the hospital door. He was so proudly wearing a shirt that said I'm the big brother and brought the cutest little onesie for Wyatt proudly stating that he was the little brother. I promise to take pictures of those guys when they wear them the same day. He instantly wanted to hold him and kiss him and you could easily tell he loved Wyatt as much as we did.

Now, we're home and doing great. Wyatt is such a precious little baby and is doing so well. We couldn't be more happy to open our homes to another little guy. I feel so beyond blessed to be his mother. He has the sweetest countenance and the most precious little face. He looks like a blonder, smaller version of Dax. Not as much hair, and definitely not as dark as Dax's was, but their faces are a smitten images of each other. He does feel a lot smaller than Dax did as a baby, but all of a sudden Dax looks a lot bigger than a 2 year old. I am so blessed! I love having one small bum to change and one big bum. I love having one soft, red cheek to kiss and one puckered fish-y lips to kiss. I love having one small soft, blond hair to comb and one brown, coarse hair to comb. I love hearing the small breathes of one and the deep breathes of another. I love seeing Dax stroke Wyatt's cheek with his hand that all of a sudden looks so big. I love when Dax announces that Wyatt is awake for the half a second his eyes stay open. I love that Dax describes his brother as a mouse when he squeaks and squawks and even laughs about it when a indescribable smells comes from Wyatt's diaper. I know this list is just going to get bigger and bigger! So far, things couldn't be much better!!
Thank you for all your love and prayers! We came home to a spotless house thanks to my sister-in-law and her two girls, messages from neighbors, family and friends to bring dinner and have Dax over for play dates, and countless calls to congratulate us. We truly are so blessed. I promise more pictures are coming!!

Flashback Friday!

A few of the blogs I visit have this fun day called "Flashback Friday" where they reminisce over old days and fun times...so I am stealing the idea! I'm not promising every Friday will be a Flashback Friday, but I will try!! Hopefully I'll figure out my scanner so I can run some really old pictures, those are the best to look at, but in the meantime, I couldn't help but flashback just a few short months ago, before I was in the blogging world, of when we announced to everyone that we were pregnant and that Dax was going to be a big brother! It was such a fun day to run around to all our family's houses, instead of calling over the phone, to say we were expecting baby number TWO, and for Dax to be the bearer of great news! I can't believe how young he looks in these pictures! He sure has grown in anticipation of this baby! He did a great job breaking the happy news! The message was stuck on with little stickers, and by the last house, the message was a little altered, but everyone got the idea! Now we're just hoping the original message rings true when the baby arrives!!!

Okay, it's January 2008---where are you Wyatt???

Happy 2008

Happy New Year! Guess who even stayed awake to welcome in the New Year in about three years...me!! Of course Austin would make it to midnight, that's no problem, but our little Dax had no problem staying awake either. We went to a friends house with another family and played ping pong, Wii, board games, ate and rang in the New Year! Dax was enthralled with some tortoises that the family had gotten for Christmas and played Barbies with their little three year old. Whatever makes him happy right?? How could we leave to put him to bed when he was being so nice and having so much fun? The boys slept until 11:30 the next day, but this pregnant mama was up at 8:30 and out the door to JoAnn's to get some supplies for a few projects I am working on for the babies room. If they turn out good I'll post them here for you to see...but no guarantees! The rest of the day was filled with watching football, eating, more games and again we were so lucky to spend the day with both of our families.
I couldn't help but look at some of our pictures the past year and reflect on how blessed I really was in 2007. What a crazy year with Austin moving to AZ in January and leaving me and Dax to sell the house in Utah and pack up our things. We made it to our new home in March and finally could be a family again! Then the news that a new guy was on the way was such the highlight! How thankful I am for the "men" in my life. I am so glad to be outnumbered by these guys and I'm so excited to be adding another one to our family. Of course it will be a great way to start the new year with another little boy. How could it not when the year was filled with "boy" moments like this! Thank Heaven for Little Boys and Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas

We just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We are so blessed to be able to spend the next few days with all of our family. We know we can't be with everyone, so we also wanted to wish those that aren't here with us to have the best Christmas and know that we are thinking about you and you are truly missed! We love this time of year and the opportunity we have to remember the true meaning of Christmas! Dax may be absorbed with "Santa" but Austin and I have enjoyed reading and reflecting on the birth of our Savior. It's crazy to think little Wyatt will be joining our family in just a few short weeks and that his birth will result in a miracle of our own. I am a total slacker and didn't send Christmas cards this year, but I figure with birth announcements next month I had a pretty good excuse. In an attempt to be good spirited, here is a make shift version of a family holiday picture (not a look I love, but oh well) that is soon to be happily outdated! Merry Christmas!

"1st Time Mom" lesson learned

We have been bribing Dax to go and see Santa if he sleeps in his new bed. It hasn't been working so well and he hasn't really got the concept of staying in bed, but he can't get it out of his head to "See Santa" because I talk to him about 5 trillion times a day. Even after telling him we can't go see Santa unless he sleeps in his big boy bed, which hasn't happened a full night through yet, what else do we do the first chance we get? Take him to go see Santa. So, my 1st time mommy lesson learned (related to bribing; we all know this isn't the 1st lesson learned) is never to bribe your kids with something you really do want them to have/experience. Make it something you really could care less about taking away, okay? (I'm reminding myself of the rules!)

Alright, enough Life Lessons for now....On to the meet and greet with Santa. I was picturing Disneyland all over again, but surprisingly it went pretty well.

Here is the order of events:

* We wait in line

* Dax is super excited as we approached the front

* Austin puts Dax down to run onto Santa's lap when it's his turn

* Dax cries for Austin to hold him

* Dax not looking at Santa

* Santa mentions a train for Christmas and that grabs Dax's attention enough for a glance at Jolly Ol' St. Nick

*Austin puts Dax right onto Santa's lap for the photo op

* Dax not loving being on Santa's lap... *...but, at the same time, Dax not hating being on his lap either

*Camera Elf gets a semi non-crying picture of Dax and Santa. But really, what kind of picture of Santa is there with a two year old that doesn't have a little tear shed??

*Wait for our picture to print. Dax thinks him and Santa are BFF's now that he is back in Austin's arms and waves and says "Bye Santa" with a big huge grin

*Dax happy to be back in his stroller with his chocolate covered popcorn (thanks Carter) and new book from Santa.

Overall, not bad!! I just need to work on my bribing technique!

Christmas Party x 2

'Tis the season!! I love Christmas time, and this weekend is a little reason why. We had holiday fun all weekend long with friends, work, family and of course food! Friday we headed off to an adult Christmas party with Austin's work. It was a great chance to leave Dax with Grandma and Grandpa Mac for a few hours and have some fun. The physical therapy office Austin works at is a small, tight-knit group that has been together for 5 years. Austin just joined them in July and they have taken him in like one of the family. There are basically only 4 other employees and they really are like a family. They always do such fun things in his office and I was really looking forward to seeing the spouses again. We started off at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner---yum! Then we went to his boss's house (which is absolutely beautiful) and had a gift exchange and played games to win some prizes. To make a long, super fun night short, I walked off with a brand new smoothie maker/blender/(& my favorite part) FOOD PROCESSOR! I really felt like I won the ultimate prize, even though they gave away the new 80gig video iPod. I am such a kitchen accessories lover, but I never buy any of that fun stuff. So it was really fun for us to take this home. It looks so pretty in my kitchen! Thank you Marc and Michelle!

On Saturday we went to Austin's parents for their annual family Christmas party that we've only ever been able to get to once before. The party is usually in CA, but now that his parents live out here, we can make it ever year from now on! So, I was really looking forward to it. I was asked to bring a broccoli cheese soup and I finally found a recipe that turned out super yummy! I thought it tasted great, but then again maybe I was just overly excited because i chopped the onion in my new food processor?! Either way, there were great soups and great desserts. The most anticipated activity of the night is the gift exchange, because with Austin's family, you never quite know how that is going to go. This year there was a kid game and an adult game. For the kid game they kids choose a number corresponding with a numbered present and they went youngest to oldest, making Dax the second one to get a gift. Here's a little preview of how it all happened...

"Here I am waiting with all the kids for my turn to open my much anticipated present! What will it be?"

"Yes! I scored! A new basketball!! I'm having so much fun!"

"What? They didn't tell me this?" At the end of the game all the kids had the option of exchanging gifts and my big cousin Chandler decides to exchange my basketball for his lame DVD about 150 cartoons from decades ago. "I was so not happy about that!"

So, fast forward to the adult game. Dax is still upset he lost his basketball, and even though I okayed the exchange from his big cousin ('cause who really needs ANOTHER ball in the house?) I was feeling pretty crappy Dax was so hurt by it. I mean look at his face! So, the adult game went a little differently. We all choose a number 1 to 21 and started at 21. The person had to pick a wrapped gift or an opened gift to steal. The gift could only be stolen once during each round. I was number 11 and choose a pretty box full of Dentyne Ice! Awesome!! Considering some of the gifts were pretty ridiculous, I was feeling like I really scored. That is until the final round when crap hit the fan. Austin's family is pretty ruthless and no feelings are spared. You have to be tough! My big bad brother-in-law comes and swipes my gum, for no reason at all. Now it's my turn to steal from someone else. My poor sister-in-law got a hideous hydraulic raising, reindeer singing, grandma riding car that plays "Grandma got Ran Over by a Reindeer" and who has been camped out by her side all night long playing with the stupid thing?? Just my son! He loved it. I decide to "steal" it from her. She gets to choose and new gift (some nice slippers), Dax is ecstatic he gets to take "grandma" home, and I'm shaking my head at the stupid things you do as a mom sometimes. But really, it made Dax so happy, isn't that what being a mom is all about it?!? I was just trying to spread Christmas cheer...who knew 48 hours later I would be ready to throw the thing out with the trash if I heard that song one more time!!!

Merry Christmas to all!!

Happy Birthday Daxton!!

Dax turned 2 on Saturday! I can't believe it was two years ago that he joined our family. He has filled our lives with so much joy and brought so much to our family. He is such a good boy and makes me laugh everyday! The past week leading up to the party was a little stressful, with him deciding to no longer wanting to sleep in a crib, having a cold, and having a minor mouth trauma. But overall, the party was a great success!!!

We had a great Pirate birthday party with family, friends, and neighbors and even though we had to switch locations from the park to our house at the last minute due to rain, we had a great day!! The kids played in the bounce house, had a bean bag toss, ate a yummy cupcake cake, and went on a treasure hunt complete with "walking the plank". It seemed like everyone had a great time, parents included, and there was a great turn out to help Dax celebrate turning 2. Just as the kids discovered the treasure chest, it started to rain, so we all moved inside and helped Dax open presents. He received so many fun gifts from everyone! We could get away without giving him one thing for Christmas and I don't even think he would notice. Thanks everyone for being a part of Dax's special day!!

Dax waiting for all his friends

Walking the plank

Dax handing out swords to everyone after they walked across the plank The buried treasure

Singing "Happy Birthday"
Funny story: When everyone gathered around to sing Dax happy birthday, I put him on the table behind his cake and we lit the candles. Everyone was in the room and we all started singing. Dax sat there, like a statue and didn't move. He didn't smile, he didn't laugh, he didn't cry. He just sat there stone cold. I don't think he knew what to think with all those people looking at him and everyone singing "Happy Birthday". He knew exactly what to do with the burning candles because he had been playing with them earlier in the day, but when it was time to blow them out, he froze! He looked like he was about to fall asleep. With a little coaxing, and some help from me, we finally blew them out!

Opening presents

I couldn't help reminiscing a little bit. This is probably more for my benefit than yours, but here's a look back at Dax the day he was born and last year turning one!!

What does Santa say?

Dax loves to plug in the Christmas tree lights. Last night he took a particular interest in the ornaments on the tree. So I sat down while he took the ornaments on and off the bottom branches and rearranged them. Good, pretty safe, quality entertainment, which means some down time for me. I was telling him Christmas stories and this and that, and told him Santa says "Ho! Ho! Ho!" He obviously wasn't hearing me right. This is his interpretation of what Santa says...

HO!

HO!

HA!

And while we're on the topic of Christmas... it's totally ruined! Dax quickly went from sleeping like a baby in his crib to climbing out non stop. We made an emergency trip to buy him a new bed on Monday. As I went to return my sisters Expedition, Austin busily moved the crib to make room for the new bed. I was half way to my sisters when I remembered just a few days before moving ALL of Austin's Christmas presents from the spare bedroom thinking he might find them to where else? Under Dax's crib! AHHHH! I called him as fast as I could but it was too late. Christmas was ruined! He saw everything! I was so sad. I'm going to have to come up with a few surprises for him on Christmas morning, but in the meantime help me figure out some sure places his presents won't be discovered!!! Where do you hide yours??

The Long Lost Sister

This past week my wonderful twin Jamie came to AZ with her adorable little girls. Sadly, she is the only one of us 5 girls that doesn't live within the 5 mile radius. We were so so glad to have her for a week! She is the best twin anyone could ask for and I miss her so much! Can you believe she left without us even getting one picture together? What is wrong with us? These are very precious moments that we have together and not one of us, all my other sisters included, managed to get a picture of us all together. We should know better when this happens only but twice a year.

But, we did have a lot of fun and spent some wonderful time together. Shopping is always involved, but we went to the Tempe Art Festival, out to eat a few times, took a tamale cooking class and had a very fun night with the family doing a progressive dinner. Here's how the fun night went, and will hopefully become a tradition!!!

My mom thought it would be fun to have a progressive dinner with Jamie here to visit all our houses and see them decorated and just to enjoy each other's company. Even with 4 of the 5 girls and my parents living so close, it's not too often that we get together as an entire family, so this was a great way to start off the Holiday season. We started at my house where I served up the appetizers. I made yummy meatballs, a dip, and a new recipe I tried called chicken taco cups. I'm always nervous to serve something new, even if it is just for my family, but everyone enjoyed everything and wanted all the recipes so I count that as a success! I had so much fun getting my house ready and playing hostess. I kinda love being a "party planner" so it is always fun for me to let my creative juices flow. We also decided to give little gifts at each house as a thank you for coming. I sent everyone home with a new cookie sheet and some sugar cookies to make.

Next we were off to my sister Shanen's house. She has a great new house that looked so nice decorated and she served the good ol' yummy green salad. If you know any of us girls in my family, a green salad with ranch dressing is always a staple. No matter what time of day or year, a green salad is always super appreciated! For her gift she gave all of us a magnet recipe holder with a recipe for chocolate dipped double stuffed Oreos! Now if that doesn't make your mouth water I don't know what does!! And the best part...she made them for us too! I have to tell you, these are the yummiest little things ever. Austin loves Oreo's and I knew he would think these were the greatest thing since sliced bread, but being the pregnant heifer that I am, I hid them in the back of the fridge so he wouldn't discover them so I could enjoy them quietly by myself when he is gone at school. Hee Hee!! And by the time he reads this, they will be all gone! :)

After Shanen's house we stopped for the main course at my parents. They served us excellent enchiladas complete with rice and guacamole. I always love being at my parents at the holidays. The house is so much fun. My dad has a train set that he has had since he was a kid and he just found out that it is close to 60 years old. The kids LOVED it and my dad was so calm letting all of them stand over the track to be a tunnel. With 6 of the 11 grand kids being under 3, this was a mini heart attack waiting to happen but my dad was a great conductor as everyone took their turn! We had a great time and my mom sent the girls home with a wonderful jar full of ornaments, books, Christmas stories and goodies.

After my parents we went to Nicole's where she and Jamie had a fun craft for all the kids. I wish I had a picture because they turned out sooo cute. They painted the kids thumbs with a red paint and then pressed them onto white mugs and made little reindeer's out of them. The mugs came with a cute story and food to sprinkle on our lawns so that the reindeer can find our house on Christmas Eve. They were so cute! Nicole and Jamie sent us off with a cute plate for us to put cookies on for Santa.

Lastly, we headed to Jennifer's house. She had great desserts and her house looked so festive. Each of her three children have their own small Christmas tree that they get to decorate with any of their ornaments and I loved seeing them clustered together. I thought it was such a cute tradition for the kids and may need to steal it from her for my own one day. She had great treats with brownies and a peppermint ice cream/Oreo dessert. They were all so good! She gave us all a fun Christmas picture frame.

All in all the night couldn't have been more fun! I was so glad to have a hearty appetite (what else is new?) and loved being at every one's house. I love that we have such a great family and relationship with each other and can do such nice things together. I think we should have a progressive dinner with each major holiday because it was a great way to spend some time as a family. At the beginning of the night we took the best pictures we could of the grnadkids! I can't believe that it will be out dated in just a few weeks when our little guy arrives!! From left to right: Taylor L., Cole L., Kylee H., Ally L., Kobi H., Gabriella C., Dylan B., Kruz H., Dax M., Gwyneth C., & Isaac B.

Where's Waldo??

You all know the book Where's Waldo, right? The one where there are two pages of a crazy picture, whether Waldo's at an airport, zoo or mall, and you have to find the little funny man in a red and white stripped shirt with jeans on in all the chaos? It was one of my favorite's growing up. I never knew that scenario would happen in my house...with my child! Maybe a pet hamster (if we even had one) or something like that, but not an actually human being, and not actually in my house. So here's what happened....

It was the day after Thanksgiving around 10:30 and I had just gotten back from shopping with all the crazies since around 3:30 in the morning. It had already been a long day and it wasn't even lunch, but it had already been a long week with the trip to the hospital, Thanksgiving, and family in town (I'm trying to paint a sob story picture so this won't be as embarrassing). So anyway, the house was a pig sty and I was trying to get things back in it's place. Dax was playing outside in the back, the washer and dryer were going and I was busy in the kitchen with a sink full of dishes.

I'm not sure if this is true for all first borns, but Dax does a really good job of playing by himself and keeping himself entertained, but always in the same room as me. If I wander into my bathroom, so does he, if I'm in the kitchen, that's where he is at, if I'm folding laundry in the living room, that's where he has all his trucks. He's always close by. It's a good thing. I never have to worry where he has run off too or what he's getting into because he's always in the vicinity.

With the way our kitchen is set up, my back is to the sliding door. I saw Dax out of the corner of my eye coming running in from outside headed to the living room. This is usual, he was probably just grabbing a ball or coming to get his cup. With the lack of sleep, and the noise of running water and the laundry I honestly forgot about him for a few minutes. Then I realized I didn't see him come running back through the kitchen. I turned off the sink water and started calling his name. I headed down the hall to the bed rooms and our office where our computers are (usually a sure spot to find him) with no luck. I ran past the living room to my bathroom where sometimes he plays in my closet...no luck. Then I remember the garage door was opened and I didn't have the chime on the door to know if he had gone outside. I kinda started panicking and I went back past the living room to look in the garage...no luck. I was almost in frantic mode even though it had probably been less than 3 minutes since this whole ordeal had taken place. That's when I spotted him, in the same room I had ran past at least 4 times during this whole episode. So, see if you can find him. Where's Dax??

It's probably so obvious to you, but he has never done this before and wasn't making a peep. I couldn't believe that I didn't see him all those times! I snuck up on him and he had the biggest grin on his face. I knew he thought he had pulled off the biggest prank and was so happy with himself. I think he thought of himself as the bestest little Houdini in town!

Note to self: Next time I lose my son in the house, check the couch behind the pillows!

Family Pictures

With the way last week started, I'm surprised we even made it to Thanksgiving, but I am so glad we did! We had a great weekend filled with lots of food, family and fun! We were lucky enough to eat great turkey dinners with both families! We are so blessed to live by both of our parents. Austin's entire family was in town from Utah and California and the last time everyone was together was probably for Austin and mine wedding 6 years ago (we also celebrated our anniversary this weekend---hooray!). With his family being so big, it's hard to get everyone together, and with all the additions that have come since the last 6 years, we were well overdue for some MacGillivray family photos. I was partially in charge of finding a location that would accommodate our every growing family of 38 kids and grandkids. What a chore! At last, we headed to a neighboring community and found a great little area on a golf course. Of course, there was a complaining Samaritan who called the little golf Marshall man on us and he came and gave us about 10 minutes to wrap up. I wish we would have had a lot more time, but I think overall, everyone got the shots they wanted and everyone looked great!! Here are a few of them minus the big group shot, well, because I was in it!

Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandkids. This is the best shot I took of the kids, but then I noticed that my guy was the one making a huge scene---check bottom left. Thanks Ryan for trying to control him!

The "true" MacGillivray family. From left to right--- Misti, Miki, Lani, Mel, mom & dad, Dustin, Monte & Austin. Aren't they such a good looking bunch?!

Our little family. Dax was working his "cheese" smile, but had a little difficulty actually working the camera! Gotta love two year olds!

I'm thankful for.....

My husband! These last few days have been a little crazy to say the least. It all started Sunday night when Dax woke up crying at about 1 o'clock in the morning. He hasn't done this since we moved into the house and before that since he was about 3 months old. I thought he must have just gotten woken up by something and figured bringing him into bed with us wouldn't be a big deal and he'd be back asleep in no time. I was dead wrong! The child was up until sometime between 4 and 5 in the morning. He was wide awake and ready to play! I had no idea what was going on, but needless to say, no one got any sleep.

Well, when I officially woke up on Monday morning at 6:00 to start work I wasn't feeling great. Figuring it was a combination of being 31 weeks pregnant and getting little sleep I started work. Luckily for me working from home has a lot of perks, and my office just so happens to have a queen size bed right next to my desk. I decided to lay down. I wasn't feeling right but couldn't pinpoint what I was feeling. I decided to leave Dax home with me for the day figuring he'd be a beast with the amount of sleep he had gotten too. By about 9:00 I decided that the best way to describe what I was feeling was cramping. I had just had a Dr's appointment a week or so ago and I remember how the Dr. always asks if I have had any bleeding or cramping. So, I figured I better call the Dr. My Dr. wasn't in, but the Dr. that was said I better go to Labor and Delivery. When I heard that I started to second guess what I was really feeling and thought maybe it was just the exhaustion. When I found myself taking deep breaths through the shooting pain, I realized I was definitely having contractions. Everyone always said when I was pregnant with Dax that I would definitely know when I was having contractions. Since I don't think I ever really had any contractions with him until my water broke, it was hard to convince myself that this was really what was happening.

I called my mom hysterical. She said to get someone to come get Dax and she would drive me to the hospital. My father-in-law was over in less than 5 minutes (the joys of having family so close by) and my mom a few minutes later and we were off to the hospital. What was so ironic was Austin and I took a tour of the new hospital that opened in Sept. where I will be delivering at and pre-registered just this last Saturday. If we hadn't had gone, I would have had no idea where the hosiptal was or where Labor and Delivery was. When we got there I knew right where to go and I was back in a triage room so fast!! It's funny how listening to those promptings of doing things insignifcant can really benefit you even if you don't know the reason right then. The nurses got me all hooked and lo and behold I was having contractions. The great news was, the baby was fine, wasn't in distress at all and everything was exactly how it should be. They can't really tell you why contractions start, but just to stay hydrated and take it easy. I hadn't felt like I was doing anything out of the ordinary, but maybe I was and just didn't know. I guess it was a sublte, and really scary reminder, to slow down. They kept me hooked up for a few hours and my Dr. ordered a series of 3 shots to stop the contractions. Luckily it only took two. The medicine they gave me made my heart race, and feel really jittery, not to mention nauseated, but the pain almost all but went away. They discharged me with Dr. orders for two days of bed rest. YUCK! No doing dishes, laundry, cooking, heavy lifting (including picking Dax up) and no shopping (the nurse amde very sure she thre that in there with her list).

So, the reason I am thankful this holiday season for my husband is the way he has wore so many hats the last few days. He's worked 12 hours days, studied for tests, gone grocery shopping, taken care of Dax, fixed dinner, cleaned the house, done laundry, laid 1800 sq. feet of sod in our backyard (pictures will be coming), made beds, unloaded the dishwasher, cleaned bathrooms and hasn't even let me lift a finger. He's been the perfect "nurse" for this couch ridden patient and I am so thankful for him. In fact, our entire family has really been so great! Austin's family kept Dax all day for me yesterday despite trying to prepare for over 15 house guests and 48 for Thanksgiving dinner, my mom sat at the hospital with me despite her preparation for Thanksgiving dinner, plus brought me and Dax to her house this afternoon to help with him and get me out of my danger zone so I couldn't do any chores around the house, all of my sisters have checked on me numerous times throughout the day offering to come get Dax, and my sister Nicole brought us the yummiest dinner tonight so neither one of us would have to cook. I can easily say this Thanksgiving I am so thankful for my family!! We couldn't be more blessed to have them so near and for them to show their love to us in so many ways!!

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Have you ever had one of those moments you regret the second it happens??? I have. And it has to do with hair. In my entire life I have never cut any one's hair, not even my own when I was a little girl. Not bangs, not a straight trim across the back, nothing. Whatever possessed Austin to entrust me with clippers and let me near his head, I will never know. After we got married he bought himself a pair of clippers. This was the first time I had even seen a set of clippers. Usually he would cut everything the way he liked, then hand me the prepped clippers and I'd go over his head just to see if he missed any spots, hand them back, then he would take the clip off, hand them back to me, and I would trim around his ears and neck. This went flawlessly about two times. Then it happened. He was shaving his head in the bathroom a few weeks after Dax was born and asked for me to come do my famous finishing work. He handed me the clippers like he always had in the past and I started from the nape of his neck and did one smooth upper movement towards the top of his head, just to make sure he had gotten every spot. It was all over by the time I what had happened. Instead of the clippers with the clip on, he had already taken off the clip and was expecting me just to clean up his neck and ears. The man had a total bald strip through the back of his head. I have never, ever, been so scared in my life. He had a cow and I stood there crying not knowing what to do. I mean honestly, what could I do? There was no going back. You couldn't leave his head looking like it did. Everything had to go. He didn't say anything, took the clippers from me and proceeded to bic all of his hair. I was horrified. If you look back through our pictures, there aren't any of him with Dax for a good few weeks until his hair got back to a decent length. Luckily for us, his hair does grow fast and he has a nice shaped head. I'm so sorry honey! It still gives me chills to re-live that experience.

Dax has that same fear of clippers. He can't stand to get his hair cut. With family pictures coming up, I couldn't put getting his hair cut any longer. I decided to take him to Snip-Its where at least they specialize in cutting kids' hair and when he did have his melt-down, which I knew he would, at least it would be in a kid friendly salon where it happens every day. We got to the salon and waited over a 1/2 hour and when Dax got called back the nice lady stuck Dax in his seat and asked "Will he try and climb out?" Uh, yeah. So we strapped him in just like you would in a shopping cart. It was torture from the very beginning. He kept staying "All done" "Ouie ouie ouie" "I stuck" over and over again. Bubbles weren't a distraction, the TV was no good, the Dum-Dum only sat in his hand and got hair stuck to it....miserable! But, the girl did a really good job and was super fast and I got out of there spending $10 thanks to a coupon and one handsome looking little guy!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

To make myself feel better for putting him through all that I decided I would stop by McDonald's on the way home and get him a happy meal. I guess he was just as dramatized from the whole experience as I was because when I pulled in, he was completely zonked out in the back seat. Poor little guy didn't even get to work his new 'do for all the little ladies in the play area!

Two is better than One!!

I had my last monthly visit with my Dr. today and I am already down to two-week visits! I'm 30 weeks! It's crazy! I'm in the home stretch and I can hardly believe it. We had a quick ultra sound to check on a few things that we weren't able to get a good look at when we found out it was a boy, and by quick I mean, I couldn't even recognize what we were looking at. The Dr. even asked what the baby was, so you know it was all business. We're still assuming it's a boy and we're still shooting for a January 20th due date.
I was so lucky when I was pregnant with Dax and Austin was able to make it to every single one of my appointments. This time around I haven't been so lucky, but he made it today. The Dr. was shocked when Austin told him that Dax was 8lbs. 15oz. and said he definitely wouldn't let me go over with this baby. To most pregnant women, that probably sounds like heaven bells, but for me, I have always felt better towards the end of my pregnancies than any other time. I kinda have this fear about being induced. I just want the little baby to come whenever they are ready and don't want to mess with mother nature. I guess we still have lots of time to think about that!! I am measuring a little on the small side, but between Thanksgiving and Christmas I think I can change that real easy---and I'm really excited to try!! Hence, two Thanksgiving dinners.
Okay, now that I'm done fooling everyone sounding cool and collected...I'm actually freaking out over here! In about 2 months there will be two! TWO! TWO kids! TWO boys!! I will totally be out numbered and Dax keeps me on my toes as it is! (By the way, the word of the week isn't NO anymore, it's "No Way!!") What the heck? How do I know who I load in the car first while leaving the other unattended?? Who do I go to first if they are both crying? How do I make sure Dax loves his brother and doesn't try to smoother him...literally?? How do I stay sane with no sleep and running after a two year old! How will Dax know that he hasn't been replaced? I know it's a little late to be worrying about these things, but any helpful hints would be super appreciated!
However, with all those fears, I couldn't be more thrilled to be adding another one to our little family. Dax has been the greatest joy in my life, and to know another little guy is going to come be with us makes me so happy. I love that I will have two boys to cuddle, to hold hands with, to dress in coordination (because "girls match and boys coordinate", right Jamie?), to watch them rough house, to play cars and trucks with, and everything else I love so much. I think who ever thought of the saying "Two is better than one" was definitely a mother of two boys because I couldn't agree more!!!

Three for the Bee Movie

Well, we finally did it. We took Dax to his first motion picture. I guess technically it's not his first, he was present for a few a couple Christmases back when he was just a little bitty guy, but this was his first children's animated motion picture. I was pretty sure he would be able to watch a full length movie because he can watch TV with the best of them. Austin had had a crazy long week, and I have been "nesting" I suppose so Dax and I had spent most of the week around the house cleaning, rearranging and organizing so I felt we all needed a treat on Friday since Austin gets through with work around 2 in the afternoon.
We woke Dax up from his nap at 3:45 because we were aiming for the 4:00 showing of The Bee Movie. We hurried and got to the theater, and to my surprise Dax was free. Children under three are free...YIPPEE! Something I'm sure all of you knew, but I didn't and was happy to pass the $5.50 on to a bag of yummy, oh so buttery, popcorn!! Double YUM!
We grabbed a booster seat on the way into the theater and we walked in just as the final preview was playing. It was dark, loud and the screen was looking huge as we tried to find a seat. Austin was holding Dax and his face was completely panicked. He looked back over his shoulder towards the door and told Austin, "Go"! I was sure we had made a huge mistake thinking he wouldn't be terrified and to have woken him up from his nap to boot. We grabbed a seat anyways towards the top of the theater and with Dax's death grip on Austin he wanted nothing to do with the booster seat. He panicked a little more as a few credits rolled through to start the movie and was whining for us to go. As the first clip came up of the bee, he suddenly became completely still and totally mesmerized. He basically stayed that way the entire show, eyes glued to the screen. He barely made a peep. Probably four words the entire movie. He didn't even noticed the popcorn I was chowing down on or the soda Austin was chugging (two of his favorite things).
As for the movie, Austin and I could have definitely gone without. Not one of the best, but we knew it was a success when Dax gave a standing ovation as the screen went black. MacGillivray family date night at the movies will definitely happen again!

NO! NO! NO!

Those are the first words I heard from my almost two year old from the moment he got up this morning to his last words he said when I laid him down for bed and said "I love you". And a good 3,146 times in between. All in all a pretty good day! How 'bout you? Maybe tomorrow I'll have something a little more adorable! :)