induction

Cali and I both got our inductions scheduled today. We will be having them back to back her on the 12th me on the 13th. Poor girl means she will have to be on bed rest two more weeks (our doctor is out of town next week so he can't induce her any earlier). But lucky for us we will be in the hospital at the same time. (if everything goes according to plan...which it has the last 5 times we have had babies) I told her excitedly today...we will get to eat the same hospital food. hahaaa.

Now I can just relax until this baby comes.

dr.

Cali and I went to the doctor yesterday. Poor Cali...her blood pressure is starting to rise (this happens to her but it doesn't usually happen this early). She was sent over to the hospital to be monitored. Afterwards she was put on bed rest. BED REST. poor girl. I am sure she will have this baby within the next week. I am not jealous of the bed rest but jealous that she is going to have the baby probably 2 weeks before me. Poor lady.

sunday

Today was a nice Sunday. We got together with Cameron and Leah after church. The kids were dying the whole day wondering when they were coming.

Just a cool picture Cort took of Oliver. He fell on the tramp a couple of days ago and got a tramp burn on his cheek bone. He looks like he has been beat up by someone.

A picture of me after church. 36 weeks pregnant. I had to put it in black and white because I didn't have one picture I thought I looked good in...some how black and white helps. Nicole...do you recognize the dress you gave me??? It was pretty tight. I probably won't fit it next week. hahaa. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and if all goes according to plan I should be induced in three weeks. Yahoo.

I decided we would have breakfast for dinner. We had an egg and hashbrown casserole, sausage, cantaloupe, and peach filled crepes. Hmmmm....the food was so good. Not to toot my own horn. Just what I was wanting. Oh and Orange juice. Juice is so good to me right now. Oh and we ate outside. The weather was perfect. I love this time of year.

After dinner everyone played outside. My kids love Cameron. Rob kept saying all day "I can't wait to fight cameron when he gets here".

Here is Cam bouncing Rob...yeah...luckily I was inside at this point. That is not something a mom needs to seen.

That is a fun uncle huh? I sure wouldn't be jumping on the tramp with anyone's kids.

No, this is what I was doing while they were playing outside. I ate so much and my back hurt so bad from standing up while I was preparing the food that the only cure was to lay down in my bed.

ultrasound

I had my ultrasound yesterday. Everything looked good. They said the baby is in the 26th percentile (modern day technology is pretty amazing) which is maybe smaller then my other babies but still fine.

Having an ultrasound so late in your pregnancy is weird. The baby was so squished...poor thing. You couldn't really see anything because of how snug it was in there. I did get a good view of his face, with his foot pressed right up to it. He looks I think like robbie...round cheeks and nose.

I can't wait.

I bought baby diapers, wipes, nursing stuff (yup...I think I am nursing...my RA doctor says I should be able to and be medicated....we will see how it goes...mostly I am worried about infections since my medications are immune suppressants), pacifiers, gas drops (for the baby hahaha), and baby soap. All stuff I haven't had to have around for 4 years. I hope I can get back into the hang of things.

emperor of evil

Rob is dead set on being the "emperor of evil" for halloween. How does this happen? One year they are a cute bumblebee and the next thing you know they want this costume. He keeps saying that "this will scare gigi so bad". Poor grace he lives for scaring her. I don't know how to get him to change his mind. I almost had him talked into a candy corn costume (how he loves food)...but no such luck. I tried to show him the costumes on disney.com and he said they were all for babies. How do I tell him he is a baby. We will see what I end up working out with him. (I think I can get him to wear the ghost costume he wore last year if I let him have blood on his face.)

Oh by the way...tonight was the scripture dinner for Mutual and it turned out so awesome. I worked my fingers to the bone all day and it all paid off...I love it when that happens.

boring

Nothing has been going on at all and we have taken no pictures.

I am down to weekly appointments at the doctor. This week I had one on Monday...I guess I am measuring small so I get to have an ultrasound on Thursday to make sure everything is okay. I am sure everything is just fine, but it bites to have to wait 4 days to make sure. The good news is I get to see the baby again...which is always exciting. I have never had an ultrasound this close to delivery...it will be good to see how things are going. I don't think it is a big deal...and even the doctor said that the baby's head was so low already that that is probably why I am measuring small...he said he felt less worried once he checked me (eeeck) amd felt how low the baby was. Ohhh and yay for weekly appointments...that means I am almost there.

I have really been cracking down on my kids, I think I am just so worried about life being super out of control once the baby comes. So...if my kids aren't asleep in 30 minutes they get separated. They are never asleep that fast...and they are always goofing off. Once separated they are both asleep within 5 minutes. It is ridiculous. They have been sneaking into my room at night and sleeping on the floor. They are careful not to wake me because they know I won't let them stay. They bring their blankets and make a bed and I don't even notice until I step on them on the way to the bathroom. But I have been cracking down and I haven't had anyone in my room for one week. It is so much better. (I told them we would lock the door if they kept coming in...mean, I know but it worked) I was really worried that we would have four bedrooms but all five of us would be sleeping in my room once the baby came.

Also...I am in charge of a scripture dinner tomorrow for YW/YM combined. Stressful. I have been running around like crazy. Getting dinner ready for 50-70 people is a lot of work. I can't wait until it is over so I can go back to getting things ready. My next project is cleaning out all of my cabinets in the kitchen (along with the fridge and the oven)...the kitchen is the last room in my house to tackle. Next week.

i wish...

I wish I had a friend with Rheumatoid arthritis. Now I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy...but it would be nice to have someone to talk to. Someone that has been there, done that. Someone that can tell me what they did after they had a baby (medication wise). Someone that has some insight if I should nurse or not. Is that too much to ask? hahaa. I know people are in support groups online but I don't think I am interested in that.

Holy smokes...can this be real??

Yesterday all day I was trying not to get my hopes up to high. I didn't want to be too invested in the football game if I knew we were going to lose. I just wasn't feeling it. Yes I got up and got all of us dressed in BYU gear, but I didn't hang my flag and I didn't make my special game day cookies. And then this happened...

BYU wide receiver McKay Jacobson (6) reaches up for a touchdown pass as Oklahoma linebackers Ryan Reynolds (4) and Travis Lewis (28) look on in the second half

This moment was one of the best of the game. Wow...It was so awesome. Cortney and I watched the game at Cali's house with her. Joey was at the game...lucky guy.

BYU players celebrate by performing a haka following their NCAA college football game against Oklahoma.

I love when the players do the HAKA...it makes me teary eyed every time.

What a great game. I couldn't believe it. My dad called right after from Mexico. We were all freaking out.

falling

Every night I have to go the the bathroom a million times. Our bedroom is downstairs and our bathroom is upstairs. And for anyone that has been over to our house they know that the stairs in our house are so steep and short. Each stair barely fits my tinsy foot.

Anyways...I am so afraid of falling down that I am always VERY careful. Last night however I slipped and and fell I only had a couple of stairs left but I landed hard on my arm and bum. I was fine but just sitting on the ground trying to recover (i didn't even make a peep) and Cortney jumped out of bed and came running to me as fast as he could.

Cortney NEVER hears anything when he is sleeping...the kids could be bawling their brains out and he would sleep right through it. But he heard me slip and jumped up as fast as he could. I thought it was the cutest thing ever. I told him I was fine but he insisted he help me back to my side of the bed. What a good man right? (ick...I hate romantic posts....I guess this is as mushy as it gets for me)

33 weeks and 2 days

Yes the two days do make a difference.

I had an appointment on Monday. I have only gained 2 pounds in the last 6 weeks which is a MAJOR record for me. I usually am packing on the pounds at this point. For some reason this pregnancy I just don't feel like there is room in my tummy for food. I am either STUFFED or starving...and I can fluctuate between the two in a matter of minutes. If I eat even the tiniest thing my food is just sitting in my throat waiting to come out anytime I bend over (beautiful I know).
I haven't taken hardly any pictures of myself pregnant. I don't know why...could be I never put makeup on...or also because Cortney hasn't been taking pictures lately. (he is OBSESSED with hunting right now) But I thought I would snap one with my computer tonight for the record. My belly still looks huge even though I only gained two pounds. It is getting harder to walk, run (yeah right), go up the stairs...find my phone when it is ringing before it goes to voicemail.

I love that I am in the final countdown. All of my baby clothes are sorted washed and put away. Today I washed the carseat cover, and all of my baby blankets. I still feel the need to nest but...I am so tubby that I can't do things as fast as I would like to. (you all should have seen me making the bunkbeds today...it was a sight).

Oliver keeps begging me to walk him to school to which I responded today..."oliver I can't I am just too fat"...his reply was "what are you talking about you are so skinny." What a good boy he is. I know I shouldn't say that I am fat, I rephrased it for him after saying "yes, I know I am not fat but the baby is so heavy in my stomach right now."

He is already complaining that he doesn't want to go to school. arghhhhhh.

Ohhh another thing. Cortney hunts every single morning before work. Last night as he was getting all of his stuff ready I saw him with slippers on and over the slippers he had wool socks . I guess his camo boots have been too loud...and he thought the slippers and socks would be quieter. He also thought he would step on less branches with slippers because he would be able to feel them before he stepped down all the way. It was so funny to see him practicing walking quietly. He is so crazy. I love it.

square one

Rob wouldn't go to sunbeams today. I tried to take him in kicking and screaming and crying (AND PUNCHING) but man...that kid is stronger than me. He has new teachers...and he just wouldn't go. I don't know what to do. I threatened everything. And as we speak he is grounded from TV and TREATS today. Both of Rob's true loves. He doesn't quite understand what is going on.

This was not today...I am not sure when it was but Cortney took it with his iphone sometime at church (it was sometime since I got a big belly). But it is how today felt. Any suggestions on getting kids to obey.

The beginning of a new time of my life...

Kindergarten.

I can't believe the time has come for my baby to FINALLY enter the world of school. Yay. I can't even say just how excited I am for this day to finally be here. Of course, it was scary for me but also so wonderful. He definitely needs some entertaining.

As Cortney gave him a blessing this morning, I felt overwhelmed. It is scary to send your kids out into the world. I told him today that now it was his job to choose the right even without me there. He is a good boy.

His first day outfit of choice. I bought him probably 8 or 9 plain t shirts. School shopping for me this year was really cheap. Oh and yes, he got his hair cut (I had to pay him to do it...sheesh that kid). We looked through an Entertainment Weekly to see if he saw any hair cuts he liked. He picked a picture of Robert Pattinson...hahaaaa. This is the first time Oliver has really worn spiked hair. He was really looking in the mirror this morning as we got ready to go.

How handsome. I love being able to see his face again. That long hair was getting on my nerves.

Walking in.

My shy little boy. I know every mom feels the same feeling I felt...that they hope their kids will be able to make friends.

His teacher. She is so cute.

Name tag.

He walked in without so much as a glance backwards.

It felt like a long 3 hours. But it was so nice and quiet. Rob and I did a little grocery shopping and then I came home and got some work done. It was a nice afternoon.

After school I took the boys to Wiseguyz for a couple of slices of pizza. Oliver couldn't believe that there is no lunch during kindergarten. (I fed him before...honestly) We picnicked on the grass in front and talked about the day. Oliver said he was the best one in his class. I like that he thought that.

organization

Cortney and I took the weekend to start going through our storage room. AYE. What a pain and what a mess. Three days later and we are still living in pure chaos. Put we are throwing away tons and tons of stuff, I have nearly gotten all of my baby to 5 year old clothes organized by size, and we have come to find out that Cortney is quite the pack rat. In the whole entire storage room there is maybe one tupperware of my stuff. Everything else is Cortney's or Children's clothing. I love it.

I have always been someone that doesn't keep a lot of storage. Moving every 6 months for 7 years will do that to you. But we have been in this house for 3 years now (our record) and the storage room just got a little out of control. It will be so nice to have it done and one more thing off of my list of things to do before the baby comes.

Last night when we were saying prayers I asked rob "what are you thankful for??" to which he responded "storage, I am thankful for storage.".

How cute is that the little guy must have been listening to me tell Cortney how grateful I was for such a big storage room, earlier in the day. Haaa.

I have an update coming from the reunion as soon as I get this house all cleaned up. It should only take a couple of trips to DI and a couple of trips to the dump. Hallelujah.

Help

I have tons and tons of lemon cucumbers in my garden. More then anyone could ever eat. SO if you live around here come by and pick some...please.

the drive

So Cali and I just got back from what is probably the last road trip we will take together for a long time (boooo hoooo). We have loved so much being able to fit in one car. It really helps to have someone to talk to and someone to help with the kids and such when one is driving (Cali always drives). On the way down the kids were pretty great. They really are such good travelers. And it is NO easy feat driving 12 hours with someone right next to you bugging you all day long. It is a pretty jam packed van.

Here are a lot of car pictures. I just think they are funny.

Both on the way there and back the three front row kids fell asleep right after lunch and stayed that way for a while. It sure helps to have half of our kids asleep.

We always leave SUPER early (4:00 am) so we can get a lot of driving done before lunch. On the way home we didn't stop for lunch until LeGrand. That is like 9 hours into our trip. We had stopped once to pee before that but it was a fast stop. Our kids are road warriors.

On the way back Cali and I were the weakest links. We had to PEE a lot. I don't know I guess two pregnant women equal a lot of bathroom breaks. We love rest areas...I know gross. But...the kids get to run around and there are no treats for them to get distracted by.

Letting all of their wiggles out with a couple of laps around the building.

On the way home the kids weren't as good for some reason. They were still good but, they were all very hyper. After lunch we got a couple of red boxes and that settled them right down. At one point right before we stopped for lunch they were all crying and freaking out. So I sneaked this video clip. Yes they are all buckled and in car seats...it just doesn't appear that way. Tyson was the only one that realized I was taking a video.

We had a great time but are so glad to be back. It was a bittersweet last ride...we are really going to miss our long car trips.

I guess this goes without saying but in case it doesn't...No more road trips because come October Cali and I will have 8 kids between the two of us...we'd have to have a huge old van.

things that make you go mmmmm....

I am heading back tomorrow, we had a wonderful reunion. I will do a longer post when I get back but here is a picture of my Grandma, Aunts, girl cousins and nieces. What a great bunch of women. I am so grateful for the strong women examples I have had in my life. I love all of these ladies. (were not to hard on the eyes either....hahahaaa)

Moses Lake or bust...

Cali and I are on our way to Moses Lake tomorrow. I can't believe how crowded it is with all 6 of the kids and two pregnant women. We will definitely be making memories that is for sure. The kids are so excited. So who knows....I probably won't be posting for a while.

oh my gosh....I am having a baby.

Now I know this is not news to any of you...but tonight it is to me. Cali called me from the store where they were having some sales and asked if I wanted them to get me some baby clothes. My immediate reaction was "yick" I don't know why...but that is what came out of my mouth. Up until now it just hasn't hit me. Then tonight when I saw what they had picked up. It HIT ME...oh my gosh I am having a baby. I little baby boy. It has been FOUR long years since I have had a little one. I can't even imagine it.


Here are the lovely things they got for me. I just stare and stare at them and think...what are these for?? How crazy. (although I got an email from a pregnancy site saying I have 74 days left...that is forever) 10 weeks. I know it will fly by though because Oliver is starting school, and I have a bunch of family things going on. (yay I head to Moses Lake on Saturday...can't wait to be back home)

In other boicefamily happenings Rob has been saying "holy Crap" the last two days. I don't know where he got it...it isn't one of mine that is for sure. I keep telling him not to say that to which he says "mom it's not a bad word"...I have been trying to explain that it isn't a "nice word" that it is rude. He doesn't quite get it.

you all must be crazy

Yesterday we went to the park. It was horribly hot. I just kept thinking...I don't know how other mom's do this...how they do "stuff" all the time. I would way rather lie in my bed snoozing. It sure looks fun though.

I think all of the grandkids except Dougie were there.

I was dying in the heat...I really was. Then out of no where an ANGEL appeared. Okay it was just my dad but he had a HUGE box of creamie popsicles from costco and it was a lifesaver.

Gg sure thought so.

Not only did we have popsicles but all of the kids went and sat under the shade of a different tree so the adults got a little quiet ice cream time.

Our sad attempt at a group shot. Mom and dad haven't mastered the art of "just look your best at the camera and don't worry what the kids are doing". Amateurs. I took this picture and by the time my camera was ready to take another shot they were all gone.

Oh...and you can see the shorts I made Oliver wear that started his breakdown yesterday. This picture was mid tantrum for him...but you can't even tell. That is how deceiving pictures can be.

difficult `

i know I have mentioned Oliver's obsession with clothing before but in the last couple of months he has taken it to an all time high. I don't know what to do. HE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. Honestly it will be nice to have a little baby around because the two kids I do have don't seem to care about minding me at all. It will be nice to have someone that doesn't sass back.

Anyways...the new problem with Oliver's clothes is that every day...regardless he wears a plain shirt, baggy jeans, socks and shoes...oh and a hat...of course I can't forget the hat. Now I know this doesn't sound like a problem but it is 100 degrees here. Every morning when I get out of bed he is already dressed (shoes and all). Today we went to the park and I had to threaten him to wear some shorts. (FORGET ABOUT FLIP FLOPS...he won't even budge in that arena) Then when we were leaving the park he freaked out crying and rolling on the grass because I told him he couldn't go home and change into jeans before we went to Cali's house. He decided that he would rather go home and not play then wear shorts. We have now been home like 5 hours and I won't let him wear his jeans. He right away changed into pajama pants (he won't even wear pajama shorts)...and he has been crying non stop for me to let him be ungrounded from his jeans. I am going crazy, there is no parenting book that tells you what to do when your 6 year old won't dress appropriately for the weather. I cannot wait for school to start so I can tell him it is school rules.

Oye...every day I pray for the strength to be patient. I could have never imagined a kid would be this difficult about JEANS.