4-some

Today was our last Sunday as a "4-some". For the next two Sunday's Spencer will be gone interviewing and then out comes the baby! I'm going to miss being pregnant--well, for the most part. People at church are always so funny about my belly. They said I should have dressed up as a basketball hoop for Halloween because my belly looks like a big basketball. People have been very kind to me during this pregnancy--they have made me feel special. I have to give a lot of credit to my sister and sister-in-laws for providing me with a cute wardrobe. I never got comments about looking cute with Reece and Benson (seriously! I don't EVER remember feeling cute either), but this pregnancy hasn't been to bad. I appreciate my sistas for sharing with me!! It's made a big difference in how I have felt during these MASSIVE belly months!

I had a doctors appointment on Friday and I am dialated to a 1 1/2 and am 60% effaced. I'm not due until the 23rd, but he's going to induce me on the 18th. Spencer and my Mom are worried I'm going to have this baby early--but I'm not. This is why they are concerned:

Spencer's interviewing schedule:

Nov. 6th: flies to Charlottesville, Virginia

Nov. 7th: University of Virginia

Nov. 9th: Ohio State

Nov. 10th: Indiana

Nov. 11th North Carolina or University of Nebraska (we have to make that decision tonight).

Nov. 14th: University of Arizona-Tucson

Nov. 15th: University of Utah

Nov. 16th: University of Washington.

And then he FINALLY flies home on the night of the 16th.

He will rest for a day...

and then we'll have the baby on the 18th.

CRAZINESS is what I call this. There is NO ROOM for the baby to come early.

Let's hope we are all on the same schedule.

He still has 7 interviews after the baby comes but they aren't until December. We will have atleast 2 weeks with Spencer home before he has to leave again. We packed in the interviews on purpose so he wouldn't have to be gone as much once the baby comes. I think it will work out just fine--but I really hope the baby doesn't come early--it could put a real damper on things.

Oh, and this baby has been getting on my NERVES this weekend--literally!! hehehe. He keeps pinching a nerve that makes things very unpleasant. I hope he stops doing that because the only way to get him to stop is by putting my feet up--and who has time for that?

Nesting

My nesting has set in...well, it's just continued really. Before we left for Seattle I went crazy throwing away as much stuff as I could to try and de-clutter & organize my house. Ever since we got home I have been on a project rampage (in Spencer's terms). Last week Spencer got home from work and I said, "Guess what? I am finally done with all my projects. I am ready for this baby" (Spencer laughed in disbelief but I reassured him I was SERIOUS).

Spencer went to play basketball with his buddies and I went to bed. Just before I fell asleep I checked my Groupon deals and realized my Picaboo deal expires NOVEMBER 30th!!! Are you kidding me? I paid $25 and got $100 worth of Picaboo stuff and I HAVE to take advantage of my good deal. So, now I'm working on a baby book for both Reece and Benson. It will be one of their Christmas presents!

Here are some pictures of a couple of my projects...

Reversible Hooder Hidder!

Reversible Car Seat coverBinky holders. I still have to find some cute footballs or

something to put on the boy binky holders.

My friend made me the "Tanner" blocks...I just put them on the wall with some cute ribbon!

Pumpkin Carving FHE

My Dad decided to grow pumpkins this year and so the boys went to the Dunkley Patch to pick their Halloween pumpkins for FHE! My Dad has always had a HUGE garden and everything he grows seem to be delicious and massive--his pumpkins were no different. They were beautiful!

The boys paint their pumpkins, Dad carves his, and Mom takes pictures!! It's tradition!
I LOVE this picture of Reece! He's so dang handsome.

They are so cute!

I turned around and found both the boys on top of my Mom helping her carve her pumpkin.

Dad was proud of his spider. I would say it's pure talent--but lets be honest--the $5 dollar Walmart kit deserves half the credit!

We ended the night with a nice spiritual discussion about The Plan of Salvation. I haven't said anything to Reece about my friend passing away because it's his friends Mom; but his buddy was over at our house today while they were doing the interment and during our lunch prayer he said, "say something to my mom". He then told Reece that his mom was in heaven. It was heartbreaking to hear him talk about it. He's a tough and special kid. So, I decided it was time to tell Reece what happened. We told him tonight and then talked about the Plan of Salvation and how my friend was married in the temple and so they will be able to live together as a family for eternity. Spencer did a good job explaining things. I was impressed how much Reece & Benson already knew--but it was a good time to discuss some of the more important things in life.

Whitney--a wonderful friend.

My friend Whitney passed away on Sunday and I wanted to share her obituary and some thoughts I have had about her and her passing. She was a brave a courageous person. She was a fighter--always beating the odds and never giving up. She reached out to everyone, even when she was super sick. She had a special spirit about her--she was a very peaceful person. I have thought alot about why she had to pass away. She has two beautiful young children and was a wonderful Mother and Wife. It just didn't make sense that someone so good had to leave this earth.

As I have thought about it I have been reminded of all the Young Women's lessons I have taught this year about how the Lord knows everything and can see the whole picture, while we can only see a small portion of it. We know that heaven is close and that when we die it is only a physical death and that our spirit is the same only it dwells in heaven not in our physical bodies. I can't tell you why Whitney had to pass away--it doesn't make sense to me--but I know that there was a reason and that Heavenly Father knows what is best for us and our families and loves us and cares for us enough to do what is best for us and his plan. I know Whitney did everything she needed to accomplish here on earth--she lived a righteous life, received the ordinances she needed to live with our Heavenly Father, & married her best friend in the Temple which created an eternal family. She will be able to live with her family again because of her Temple marriage which sealed them for time and all eternity. I am thankful for the knowledge I have of the Gospel. Knowing why we are here on earth, what our purpose is, and having an eternal view is one of the most precious gifts given to me. Learn more here: http://mormon.org/plan-of-happiness/

Obituary
Whitney Noel Fuller Dow 1983 ~ 2011 Whitney Noel Fuller Dow was born on December 27, 1983 in Boise, Idaho, to Stanley and Debbie Fuller. She graduated from Borah High School in 2002. She married her best friend and Navy man, Ryan Dustin Dow, on May 2, 2003 in Jamaica and was sealed for time and all eternity on May 1, 2004 in the Boise Idaho Temple. They have two beautiful children; Trevor Morris, 5, and Rylie Marie, 4. Whitney passed away peacefully at home after a three year battle with colon cancer on October 16, 2011. The highlight of Whitney's life was her husband and children. She was the most genuine, loving, and kindhearted woman; an inspiration and a fighter. She taught us so much about living. She was always smiling and laughing -- a true peacemaker and peacekeeper. Whitney was a strong courageous woman of God who never stopped fighting. She was a breath of fresh air, a light in the eyes of many, and will be missed for her incredible way of turning everything negative into a positive. Her warm spirit touched many and changed hearts and minds and will continue to do so here on earth. Her short time here inspired so many. Her beautiful smile will be remembered forever.

Reece's Halloween party

Last Saturday we were at the table talking about Halloween and Reece remembered how we always make Halloween spiders and thought we should have a big Halloween party with his friends and make them. He then started making plans. He got me a piece of paper and pen and told me to write everything down he said. I obeyed. He said we would make spiders, ghosts out of marshmallows, and bats. He then came up with a friend list and had me write invites for them. It was SUPER ADORABLE to see him put this together. He was very organized and I LOVED the fact that he wanted me to make so many lists. I guess that means he has learned SOMETHING from his mother! We ended up having THREE Halloween parts to accommodate all this friends. I only took pictures of the first one--but we did the same thing for the other two.

Making bats They got super creative with their marshmallow ghosts!



Spiders and Ghosts We ate LOTS of candy!

Snowbirds

My Grandma and Grandpa Lloyd go to Arizona every year for the winter while we suffer in the cold weather here in Boise. They live in a super fun retirement community and party like they are teenagers--seriously. Every time I call them they are having a party with their friends or doing something super fun. I wanted to get a picture with them and the boys and this is what we came up with. They boys weren't cooperating--but it's still cute.

We miss them already and hope they enjoy their time in Arizona. My Grandma, Mom, and I have had a blast these past couple months hanging out together. We make a deadly combination when together--it's like 3 peas in a pod (and it's even more fun when you add in the sisters!).

Baby Shower

Thank you to everyone who came to my shower. It always feel good to be pampered and loved!!

This is my awesome friend ABBY who made it all happen. I kept telling her I didn't need a shower, but she insisted on throwing one for me. I'm glad I finally caved in because it was fun to be with the girls and have a little party for the little guy that's rolling around my belly.

One of the best parts of the shower was having my friend, Whitney Dow, there to celebrate with us. She has been fighting colon cancer for the past three years and just returned home to our Heavenly Father early this morning. I will post more about her, but wanted to let her know that she made the shower extra special and is such a rock star!! Love ya Whit!
My awesome sisters Nicole and Natty!

Fun with the camera

Dad got them all wired up and so I got the camera out and took funny pictures of them. They were standing on the piano bench making different animal poses. They were HILARIOUS and having a grand ole' time!

This is their classic penguin act.

Fun with Dad

Spencer has had a SWEET schedule these past couple weeks. He has been in his Emergency Medicine Rotation and has been able to spend lots of time at home with me and the boys. The boys have thoroughly enjoyed having a wrestling buddy around we have all enjoyed the extra family bike rides and fun outings we've been able to enjoy with him. Here are some pictures from one of their wrestling matches.

Reece and Dad have also enjoyed some one on one math time. They seriously are like two peas in a pod--they were both giddy about doing math problems together. Somewhere inside Reece is a little bit of his Mom--I'm still searching for it--but I know it's there!!

6 weeks...

It's actually in 5 weeks if you count when I will be induced!

Free ridin'!

We've been riding our bikes to Kindergarten a couple times a week and have noticed many young kids riding without training wheels. We brought that to Reece's attention and he said he was ready to learn how to ride a two-wheeler! We were stoked to hear his excitement and went straight to the church parking lot to give it a try. My job was easy--I sat and took pictures. Benson whizzed around like a crazy man almost giving me a heart attack with his sharp turns and crazy speeds. And Dad burned ALOT of calories chasing Reece around.

At first, Reece had a hard time balancing--he was always tilted to one side or the other. But the expression on his face was HILARIOUS!! He had this little smirk like "hahaha...Dad is doing all the work and I'm just sitting here having a free ride". I couldn't keep myself from laughing at him. But, right as we were ready to give up, he said "let go" and DID IT all by himself!! He did that twice before he called it quits. We were super excited for him.

Ready...Set...
LET GO!!

Go REECE!!! You're a rock star!

Thank goodness for birthdays!

Kristi turned 25 this week and so the only proper way to celebrate it would be to get pedicures!! So, my Mom took us to this fabulous place where their chairs gave us a massage while our toes turned pretty! Reece was in school, so we had Benson with us. He was entertained with my I-touch and a sucker! It was a heavenly event and my stomach hurt from laughing when we were all done.

And the belly grew...

Wish I would have done this from week one. I stole the idea from Clarissa's Pinterest board. I'm going to try and do it every week. A lady in my ward gave me the perfect description of my awkwardly shaped belly. She said, "you look like you've swallowed a watermelon". Yes, it's true, this baby goes straight out. You'd think he'd be more comfortable if he sat on my hips a little--but no, he's just a free fallin' in thin air. I LOVE the expression on Reece's face!
Benson has been so DARLING with this baby. He kisses it, hugs it, brings it blankets and toys ALL DAY long. He started doing this from the beginning of my pregnancy and I thought the whole baby thing would get old for him, but he has LOVED this baby everyday of it's life. We could be in public, church, at home--it doesn't matter where we are--he is loving my belly. I hope he still loves it when it comes out! He likes to call himself the big brother and tells me he's going to take care of him everyday! So cute!