Little Baby Boy!!!!!..........sort of.......

Well, after much anticipation, Ali pushed out a healthy little baby boy today at 2:46pm. The only problem is he wasn't very little. He was 10 lbs. 1 oz, and 22 inches long. We really appreciate all the love and support we have felt over the course of Ali's pregnancy.

I will post in the next day for so with pictures.

Rick

My Deacon & The Incredible Hulk

Okay...the title was really just because I couldn't think of anything else. They don't go hand in hand AT ALL but we did have a very special event this past Sunday. Our oldest son Taylor is now 12 and has been found worthy to hold the Priesthood. Rick ordained him a Deacon on Sunday and it was great to see the support Taylor had from so many family members all worthy to stand in that circle and bestow upon him such an important and amazing authority. It doesn't seem like our little guy is old enough to have such a responsibility but I know that he is ready and will always honor it the way our Heavenly Father would want him to. I am so grateful to my husband for being a worthy Priesthood holder and for making sure that we have it in our home. We are so very proud of you Tay and the wonderful decisions you have made!

In regards to our other son...the one that is supposed to be born tomorrow according to that little Lilypie ticker I have at the top of our blog (what is going to happen to that thing anyway - guess we will see on Wednesday); he has decided that Mom's belly is much more comfortable than the outside world and that he would like to stay in a little longer. We went to the Dr. today expecting at least to set an induction date and needless to say I just left in a lot of pain and bewilderment. I go to a practice that rotates 5 Dr.'s. and for the past 6-8 weeks I have had them all measure me and tell me that I am having a good size healthy baby. I finally got enough courage to ask the Dr. today what exactly "good size" is and he told me probably at least 9 lbs. +. There is a reason Rick doesn't normally go to the Dr. with me...I had just been put through a very uncomfortable (code for painful) appointment already, and then they tell me exactly how big my chunky monkey is going to be and my husband just started laughing!! If only it were on the flip side and he was the one who had to deliver. Oh well, if we have a healthy happy baby we are very blessed but I am a little nervous to deliver the Incredible Hulk I must be honest. Hopefully we can get things moving and set a date for next week. If all goes well, the next post should be by Rick showing off our newest addition!

Overwhelmed...

Sometimes life can seem to be a bit overwhelming to us all. It seems the more we wish we could just sit back and enjoy the ride, everything around us goes faster than we can keep up with. Here I sit at 4:45 am, so uncomfortable (heartburn, feet in my ribcage, swollen feet, etc.) that I cannot sleep; wishing to just enjoy my last few moments of rest before I will never sleep again, and I can't seem to do it. I am so excited for our little one to arrive; mostly because I am excited to see him and make sure that all is well, but partly for selfish reasons that any woman who is 37 (38 on Tuesday) weeks pregnant would understand. I think my poor family that is dealing with "Mrs. Irritable" will all be happy once the hormones are a little more evened out again. My husband, sister and brother in-law got to witness me crying over chicken at Ruby River the other night...seriously, who cries over chicken?

As I near the end of my pregnancy, I want to let you all know how much I appreciate all that has been done for me and my family. I am thankful to have a job, and more so to have an employer that is so willing to work around my families needs while we adjust to these life changes. I am thankful Rick and I both have supportive families, (close and far away) that are so willing to help out with whatever they can. I am so thankful for my mom and all of the many things she has done for me these past 9 months; we always tease her for running errands constantly but I must admit that it has come in handy when I need her to pick up a gallon of milk because I just can't bring myself to put shoes on these puffy feet, or to exchange onesies because the Dr's think I am going to deliver the Incredible Hulk. I am thankful for my sister who is always willing to be the middle man and kindly remind my husband or mother that the reason I am incredibly rude or sad at times is simply because I am one big ball of raging hormones. Thank you all for the baby items that have been provided, and for the emotional support or phone calls just to check and and see how things are progressing. It has been such a fun amazing experience; it is bittersweet to begin a new chapter.

Most of all I want to express my love for my cute kids and husband. They are so good to me. Bennett has gotten over the fact that it is not a girl and now thinks that she needs me to wake her up in the middle of the night to help out with changing diapers, etc. I don't really see myself doing that but I am so thankful for her willingness to help out and the excitement that she shows in becoming a big sister. Taylor is looking forward to the boys outnumbering the girls; I hope that our little guy will be as good a kid as Taylor is when he gets to be his age. He always has the desire to do what is right. He will be a great example and is excited to teach the baby how to play sports and video games even though that is a little ways away.

Words cannot express how grateful I am to my husband. I am so proud to have him as the father of my children. I know he is nervous to start school again and to be "Mr. Mom" at the same time, but I couldn't have more confidence in him. Thank you for putting up with the many many mood swings, cravings, and sleepless nights. Thanks for always getting me my vitamins, or a water when I forget to get one myself, or for telling me that I am beautiful even with a basketball attached to the front of me. Thanks for being willing to do this all over again so to speak so that I am able to have the opportunity to raise a child from birth. I know you think they go unnoticed at times, but I am so thankful for the many sacrifices you make for us all. I couldn't feel more blessed to have found you and I look forward to the new journey we are about to begin.

Though I am somewhat overwhelmed at the idea of becoming a mother and just at the thought of what a crazy year the husband and I are approaching, I know that everything will work out and I am excited to welcome our new addition to the family.
**Just as a little update as to when the arrival may or may not take place, at the last appointment on Wednesday the Dr. said my body isn't doing anything for now. The longest he will make we wait is for the 41 week mark which is January 27th - we will see!!

Here is a pic from the beginning of December - I don't have anything more recent to share with you all so the bloated pics will have to wait for now.