Details of Pregnancy #4

As I sit here 6 days away from getting induced with my fourth baby, I thought I would write all the things that have been happening this pregnancy. This will probably be boring for all of you, and there will be a lot of complaining, but I want to write it down so I remember and don't lose all the details in the "newborn baby fog". haha  First of all this has seemed like it has been the LONGEST pregnancy ever!!! I don't feel like any of part of it has "flown by" like with the other kids. Even these last few weeks have seemed to just crawl along. Probably because it is almost 100 degrees and I am totally swollen. I have never had a summer baby before so I haven't had to experience the swelling before. It's funny when I look down I don't even recognize my legs. I most of the time have no ankle bones, it's pretty funny. He is a pretty good little mover but has only really kicked me hard 2 or 3 times. He sits up high in my ribs just like my other kids, which makes breathing pretty uncomfortable. That is what I have felt for about the last 3 months...uncomfortable. No matter what way I sit, stand, or sleep, I feel like I am never really comfortable. It is frustrating! I have to sleep with a body pillow to keep the circulation in my legs (I always have pretty terrible circulation when I am pregnant) but this baby has thrown a wrench in the works and when I lay on my ear to sleep and have my arm up, I lose all the blood to my ear which leads to a massive earache. At first I thought that it was an ear infection, but then realized when I would turn over to my other side, it would go away. So I have to make sure both of my arms are by my side and not tucked under my body at all. Try doing that when you are used to sleeping with your arm above your head under your pillow. I wake up usually once or twice a night with an earache. I can't wait for that to go away that is for sure. It has been very hard to sleep. The sad part is I don't even have to wake up to go the bathroom! Annoying. And oh, the contractions. I haven't had them really in the past before I would go to get induced. I mean, I guess I would have maybe 1 or 2, but this baby wanted me to know what they really feel like outside of labor. I went out to lunch and shopping with my sisters for Melanie's birthday and that night I got home and was having super hard contractions for a little over an hour. Ouch. They have been off and on ever since and if I ever do more then just lay around, there they are! I went to my last doctor's appointment on Thursday and was dilated to a 2, which I was glad to hear since sometimes it feels like he is just going to fall out!   I know, I am a complainer, but I  just want to remember all that I went through to get this little guy here! Pregnancy is not my favorite part of this whole process but the reward is worth every minute of it.
Since I didn't go in to my first appointment until I was 14 weeks I am not sure exactly how much weight I have gained. But going from my 14 week weight I have gained 38 pounds. So probably around 40-45 pounds after all is said and done, which is pretty normal for me. My biggest cravings have been chick-fil-a chicken sandwiches or chicken nuggets, Dr. Pepper, chocolate milk, powdered donuts, m&ms, and salt and vinegar chips. So pretty much everything not good for me! Usually I crave red sauce while I am pregnant but not this time. Another fun pregnancy symptom that I haven't experienced until this pregnancy is acid reflux. I didn't have it until the last few weeks, but I think that since the baby is getting bigger there is no room. I was up the other night most of the night with my throat just burning. I guess this baby wanted me to experience it all! I was very nauseous all the time at the beginning of my pregnancy and that finally started to subside about 15-16 weeks. With Claire I had some bouts of nausea but not non-stop like this pregnancy. I would wake up in the morning hoping to not feel sick and would sit up and the feeling would come rushing back. I'm glad that is over! Another big difference in this pregnancy is how hormonal I have been. Especially in the past few weeks. In my mind I know I am being ridiculous but I can't help it! I have had a lot going on lately so I guess it's understandable, but still different.
The craziest part of this whole experience is that James has been training for an ironman the entire time! After his St. George ironman he was bored and was still in training mode even though he didn't have a race to train for. Meanwhile, we had thrown out a bunch of different baby names but none of them I was in love with. Brady was what we finally had settled on but I would casually throw other names out just to see James' reaction. Well about 2 weeks after the ironman, I remembered a name I had heard at a friend's Christmas party in December. There was a little 3 month old little boy there with the name and I thought it was so cute and hadn't heard it before. I brushed it off thinking James would never go for it (which he didn't). Well that name came back to me and I just really loved it and wanted to use it for our baby. James said absolutely not.   I talked to my sister Melanie later that day telling her about the name (she had been at the party with me) and we ended up going to dinner with them that night. Melanie is a master negotiator and can talk  people into  doing things...believe me I am her younger sister and she has talked me into many things I didn't want to do!! haha She mentioned to James, Hey what if Heather lets you do another ironman if you let her name the baby? James of course said no way, but after we went and he had time to mull it over, he agreed. I was shocked! Then it was in my court if I really wanted the name that bad to have to deal with all of this ironman business again. Well the race he wanted to sign up for was half price and would only be half price for the next day or two. I was forced to make a decision and quick! I called my sister and mom and got their advice and both said to go for it. So here we are! I have definitely had a few meltdowns in the last few weeks from him being gone to train but overall it hasn't been horrible so far. So that is the story of the baby's name. Stay tuned to see what it is! :)
Other things that have been happening lately...
We are finishing our basement to have more space after the baby comes. We are about halfway there and I can't wait for the extra space. I feel like the walls are closing in on me! We had to move our guest room furniture out for the baby to be in that room but had nowhere to put it because our basement has to be completely clear for the workers. So it has been moved into James office/toy room. Poor guy! It is jam packed with stuff. It will be so nice to send the boys down there with their friends to play the wii, or watch a show so I don't have to hear it! Plus we can move all of their toys down there so they won't be scattered all over the house (hopefully). I am having a big walk in closet built down there that can fit all of this stuff plus dvds, books, blankets, etc. We will have a work out room for James, and a guest room and bathroom. It will be nice for guests to have their own area downstairs with a bathroom right next door. We will start electrical work after the baby comes and go from there. We already have framing, plumbing, and heating and air done. It is so fun to see it even just framed. It looks totally different. It was good for us to clean it all out and get rid of stuff! It was starting to look like the show Hoarders down there!
We also just finished swim lessons for Carter and Preston. It was 10 days of straight lessons Mon-Fri and it was a good experience. Carter got a lot more out of it than Preston, but both benefited a lot from them. Carter is now a little fish and is much more confident in the water. He is doing the freestyle, backstroke, diving, and can float. He looks so happy in the water and it makes me happy to see him excel so much. He loves it!  Preston can also float, learned diving, and was starting to get his head positioning to learn the freestyle. He loves to be stubborn and not do things unless he decides he wants to, so he took a bit longer. That's Preston for you! He is only 5, so he has a few years to get it.
I also haven't written about the end of school and all the fun things the boys did. I will have to upload the pictures in the next few days if I get a chance. I just figured that could wait but my thoughts on this pregnancy couldn't! :) Well that is a pretty much all, if you made it through this post, I am impressed!

Claire is 2!

My baby girl is 2, I can hardly believe it! It really seems like I just brought her home from the hospital...except that I am 8 months pregnant with another baby. I will be doing it all over again soon, so crazy! I had a ton of pictures on my phone that I wanted to upload so excuse the photo dump but they were all too cute not to remember. Claire is sick with a fever so we are home from church together.  I figured this was a good way to spend my time documenting about our family, right? Things have been pretty busy around here with school almost out and traveling, ironman races, and 3 kids, we usually are doing something.   Last week Claire and I got the stomach flu so we were bed ridden for a day or two. She fell asleep in my bed watching Dora (her favorite). Still sucking her thumb and grabbing her hair, I love it.

We both got better right before her birthday and I managed to even get her a personalized Dora birthday cake. We asked her what cake she wanted for her birthday and with no hesistation it was Dora. She then kept adding characters that she wanted on top so we got lucky that Macey's had some characters that came with the cake. It seems that the homemade cakes might be over for us. It's just too much work! She loved this cake and saved James and I both some sanity!

Her bday was on Monday so we celebrated at Grammy's house on Sunday with all of her cousins. I forgot my camera so my phone was the only pictures I got. Not great, but you get the point.

She even blew out her own candles! Everyone was pretty impressed. None of my other kids have been able to do that...maybe we are odd or don't have very strong lungs!

Grammy and Grandad Tenney got her a cute little Dora outfit and Dora sunglasses. She loves glasses or "gwa-gwes" as she calls them.

That night getting ready for bed after a bath she and James were at the top of the stairs just hanging out. She is such a Daddy's girl right now and always wants to know where James is. I love it and I know James loves it even more.

On Monday, her actual birthday I had the genius idea of going to the Thanksgiving Point animal farm. Claire is obsessed with animals (probably my biggest animal lover) and we haven't taken her there yet. It was the perfect choice! She got a pony ride, wagon ride, and got to see all the cute new baby horses and cows. She was honestly giggling the entire time we were there. It was the cutest thing ever. I know this is blurry but she got to pet a cute, new baby horse.

I tried countless times to get a picture of all 3 kids at once but Claire was way too excited to see everything so we only ended up with the 2 boys. They are so cute.

Claire, James and Carter enjoying the wagon ride.

Stuck in jail! Carter was trying to keep a straight face.

Another attempt to get all 3 kids in the same picture. I managed to get Claire's head as she ran away. Silly girl! Carter brought his own money to buy Claire a birthday present at the farm where they have a little toy area that they sell stuff. He had many extravagent ideas, but we finally had him settle on a little plastic pig and a peacock feather. She has been tickling us with the feather ever since!

Here's her Dora outfit from Grammy. This is also her new face when I tell her to smile. She closes her eyes and scrunches up her nose.

Yesterday James was working on Preston learning how to ride a bike. Claire was trying to follow them so James told Carter to bring her back. I was on the porch watching the whole thing. Carter is so cute and loving with his sister, it melts my heart. He really is a protective big brother and always is trying to help her or play with her.

He then bent down to give her a kiss. SO darling!! I love their relationship.

I love this age! Claire is talking away and saying little sentences. She is still so tiny but has a ton of hair that people comment on all the time! Some other little things that she is doing at this age:
*She has to sleep with about 25 stuffed animals in her bed. She knows them all and has us go through each one before we lay her down each night. She then has to have her Peppa Pig blanket on top of her. It's quite the process!
*She could eat her weight in chicken nuggets. I have never seen a kid eat as many as she can! She also loves ketchup or "bee-cha" as she calls it. After taking a bite she always says "Mmmm gooo(good)".
*She loves Eeyore and Winnie the Pooh. She calls Eeyore on her pretend phone all the time to say hello. She also loves me to sing the Winnie the Pooh song to her when I change her diaper.
*I love how she pushes her hair out of her face. It makes me laugh, I don't know why.
*She loves the shower instead of the bath now. When we try to get her out, she lays on the shower floor and will flail around.
*She knows she can get anything she wants from Daddy so she will always go to him first. M&ms, not going to bed, Dora cereal at the store, you name it, he has gotten it for her!
*Coloring is her favorite and she gets pretty intense sometimes concentrating. Mainly it is tiny little circles over and over. She just got an easel with a white board for her birthday from her grandparents in England and she has been using it non stop. We have outlawed markers around here since she loves to color on walls, so she is in heaven with the dry erase ones that she gets to use for the white board.
*How she calls Preston, Presty. We have never called him that, she just started using it and it is their little thing.
*When we went to St. George for the ironman, we took the kids swimming. She loved it and every time we were by the pool she would yell WATER! over and over.  I'm excited for the summer.

I love that little girl so much. Having a girl has been so much different than a boy. She is girly but also will pretend to be a dinosaur and find some kind of pretend gun out of something. Her brothers love it! So grateful she came to our family. I couldn't imagine life without her!

Getting to my Ironman

For once I, James, will actually be writing a post on our blog.  I just completed my first ever Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 run).  I want to give a little background as to why I wanted to do this before giving you my race report.
Where to begin with this story.  5 years ago I did my first Sprint Triathlon with my Brother in Law Carl.  I was 215 lbs and completely out of shape.  I progressed over the years and did a half Ironman 2 years ago, I struggled through with no idea what I was really doing.  I had watched the Ironman Championships in Kona on television every year thinking how great it would be to finish that distance.  After hurting my knee playing indoor football (soccer) last year I did not have a single race planned.  I was invited to compete on a team for a mud run called the Dirty Dash just as I was starting to run again.  On that team was James Lawrence, the Iron Cowboy, who is working on setting a world record for most Ironman races in one season  http://www.facebook.com/Ironcowboy?ref=ts#!/Ironcowboy.  I got talking to James and he said "you should do one with us".  That put it into my mind and after lots of persuading, Heather agreed.

After a year off I got started early and did as a lot of people do and downloaded a basic training plan and started working.  After a few months of this and talking with James he agreed to coach me and help me train and prepare for the St George Ironman.  I would have been completely lost without his tuition, guidance, encouragement and wealth of knowledge.  I remember sending him the info on what I thought was an energy drink, lets just say it had about as much energy in it as a dead battery.  He also invited me to train on the course with a group, I am so glad I was able to go to learn the intricacies of the course.

So training for one of these races is no joke, early mornings, late nights, weekends taken up for swims, bikes and runs.  Not only is it time on my part but it is time away from my family.  Heather has been great, I can remember numerous times that she would come back early from a friends house so that I could go train.  I remember the times that she would run kids around while I had to complete long rides.  We knew that to get to the finish line it would be a team effort.

So before we get into race day I want to share why this was such a desire of mine.  As a kid I was bigger and thicker than other kids, I played multiple sports but was bullied for being "fat.  I was built like a sprinter and that is what I did, I ran events up to the 400 meters.  In my later teenage years that bullying and image that I had of myself manifested itself into Anorexia.  I went days without eating, over exercising, in the hope that one day I would fit in.  After lots of counseling, support from my Family I started to win the fight and beat it when I met Heather, who appreciated me for me and not for what I looked like.  So why do I tell you this?  No matter how much you think that you have "beaten Anorexia" there is a lingering demon at the back of your mind, the voices of the bullies resonating as clear as day.  I wanted to beat them all, I wanted to prove that no matter what I look like, what my body shape was, that I could do something extraordinary.  Something in a setting where, when you cross a line that you become something only a few will ever be able to do, to show my kids that no matter what people say about you or where you are supposed to fit in that you push yourself to achieve things that some thought would be impossible for you to do.

The triathlon community is awesome, I have made some great new friends over the last year and it is amazing to have people building you up.  To be in a race and run with complete strangers because you both have the same goal, the finish line.  There is no judging on what you are wearing, what you look like, there is just unique spirit that you want everybody to achieve their goal.

St George Ironman Race Day

We headed to St George on Thursday to sign in for the race and so that I could attend the Athletes Dinner and Pre-race meeting.  Athletes were the only ones allowed in the check in area in the Dixie Convention Center so there was a little station to make signs.  The kids were in heaven that they could decorate signs for Daddy, especially after 4 hours in the car.  Here we are after check in, we got some fun swag like the backpack.

Friday was the day to check in my bike and bike gear at Sand Hollow Reservoir, do a quick swim, drop off my run gear bag at the St George Tabernacle and then head back to the condo we were renting to swim with the kids. Heathers parents also drove down on Friday to add their support to both me and Heather.   This was right after my swim on Friday.

After a Texas Roadhouse dinner on Friday night I finished my race day prep and went to check the weather before bed.  The weather was forecast to be in the low 80s, sunny and a light 8 mph wind.  I woke up at 3:30 and we were out the door by 4:15am.  Heather dropped me off near the Tabernacle so that I could catch the bus to the swim.

Once out at the Reservoir, I had time to get my liquid nutrition on my bike, pump up my tires and get ready for my swim.  It was great to be able to see James and his wife Sunny in the transition area along with some other friends.  Friendly faces really help to calm my nerves.  At 6:45 the pro's started their swim.  We got in the water and started at 7.  Open water starts are always crazy, expecially with over 1000 people.  There is very little open water at the start but I managed to find some and get into a rhythm.  I was cruising along fairly well, coming close to the first turn bouy it felt as if one of the boats had sped by us and we were surfing in its wake.  As we made the 90 degree turn it was evident that the once placid water now resembed a raging ocean with white cap waves from 3-5 feet battering us with 40 mph wind gusts.  Once we turned to head back towards the transition it was clear that this would be tough.  The wind and water were pushing against us, waves slamming me and chocking me, let along not being able to see the markers in the water to know where to go.  I have to say it was incredibly scary, I remebered hearing that surfers would say waves came in patterns so I got into a rhythm of freestyle for a number of strokes then breastroke through the big waves then back to freestyle.  I had a goal in mind of 1:15 for my swim, it turned out to be 1:47, I was happy to be alive and to have been ahead of the cut off.   Here is a pic of our start taken by Craig Stevenson, one of the vounteers and then a pic of what the water was like for us.

Once out of the water it was time to hop on the bike.  I sent Heather a text to let her know that I was on my way so that they could find a spot to watch me.  I enjoy the bike, to be able to go fast, pump my legs to go up a hill and all the other fun of riding a bike.  The wind once again made the bike tough, climbing towards Gunlock and out of it were tough.  However, to turn the corner to climb the Veyo wall and feel that tail wind push you was a welcome blessing.  I saw many people walking up hills but I was determined not to.  I made sure to watch my heart rate, keep on top of my nutrition and remember all the other things that James had taught me.  I am often to competitive and go out strong trying to catch and pass people, forgetting that I need to pace myself.  Aside from battling the winds everything went great, no flats or major issues and I made it around the 2 loops.  It was great to see my cheering seciton at the 30 mile mark in Ivins, as you can see the boys had fun trying to bury Preston in the red sand.

The fun of waiting for Daddy to come by.  Here I am at mile 30 feeling great.

Off the bike I ran into the tent to put my run gear on0, it was fun to chat with some of the athletes around me, share ibuprofen, suncreeen etc and wish each other luck.  As I came out of the tent the chearing squad were on hand to see me off.

I knew that on the marathon there should be an aid station every mile, it was 3 loops of a course running up and down St George streets with a mix of gradients.  I wanted to run to each aid station, walk through to fuel up and run to the next one.  I was gradually warming up with James Lawrence caught up to me and let me run with him for a while, it really helped me pick up my pace.  I knew that I had 7 hrs from T2 to the finish line, baring any crazy things happening I was going to complete this race.  I wanted to enjoy it, every last step of it.  People wonder why I was smiling so much, between the joy of all the preparation coming together, the knowledge of the fact that I had conquered some demons, some deeply personal spiritual experiences I had, the wonderful volunteers and the great people out on the streets supporting us it was impossible not to be smiling.  As I pushed through each mile, talking to other runners, it was the best feeling in the world.  As I continued my goal of running between aid stations I knew all to well where my last one would be.  As I pushed out of the last station and headed towards the finish line I met another runner walking and encouraced him to run with me.  We ran down the hill, around the turn around and up the final stretch.  The feeling of turning the corner, high fiving complete strangers and seeing the finish line is indescribable.  All aches and pains disappeared and the energy carried me to the finish.  It was a truly incredible experience and one I hope to repeat someday (sorry Heather it was too good not to want to do again).

Just finished!

The Support crew/cheer squad

I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family who is willing to sacrifice for me and support me.  I am so grateful to the Lawrences for their friendship, support, instruction and encouragement.  I am thankful to Heathers parents for coming down to help Heather with the kids, I know that Heather was very grateful for the help.

Now what to do next?

Random photo catch all

James has had some fun buying a new (to him) kayak to use this summer. He has been begging for one for years so when he found one for the right price, it was a go.
James has his ironman race coming up in a few weeks and he definitely needed a new bike to help in that venture. His old bike was almost 8 years old which is a dinosaur in bike years. I am so proud of him for all the hard work he has put into this race, and can't wait to see him put all of his effort in on race day!
Claire is officially obsessed with Dora. She loves her just like my boys. Dora has a magical power over my children!
Carter just got enrolled in lacrosse and has been loving it! Other sports he played and enjoyed, but lacrosse gets him so excited. He is sad when its not a day for practice or a game. I'm happy to see him so excited about something.
Melanie gave me all of her son Chase's baby clothes and in one of the bags was this binky. Claire soon fell in love with it and carried it around and in her mouth all day. So funny. It was only for a day so no worries!
How cute are these little flip flops? I saw them at Target and had to get them for Claire! I just love having a girl. I can't help it!
But how can I not love these two little cuties just as much. Oh man, my kids are awesome. I am such a blessed mom.
Claire loves to play with my glasses and lipgloss. I also can't have gum in my purse or it will soon be gone. Little stinker!
One day while we were just having a lounging day at home, Preston got this costco box and made himself a bed for the day. He loved watching a movie in it.
James got the hookup again for BYU games, this time basketball so we have had lots of fun going to the games as a family or bringing my dad and other extended family. Go cougars!
For family night one night, we decided to do the recipe from the Friend magazine for these CTR (Choose the Right) pretzels. Lots of fun!
This last photo was taken on Monday at the new Neptune park in Saratoga Springs. So cool and lots of fun playing with their cousin Ryan. I love this weather!!

Easter 2012

I love Easter! I love the colors, candy, warmer weather, flowers, and the real reason we celebrate our Savior Jesus Christ. Usually we dye eggs the Monday before Easter, but I was in Denver visiting Kate and April so we did it a couple of weeks early. Claire loved it and was giggling the whole time. She kept saying WOW! Man I love that girl! Preston also put "bill" on his egg so everyone would know it was his. Classic.
We went to a big neighborhood Easter egg hunt and had some yummy bbq and candy for the kids.
I got to sit and chat with all of my friends which was a bonus! Me, Melissa, Kelsie, Jennica, Callie, Stephanie, Candice, Jill, and Heidi

Sunday morning we had the Easter bunny come visit us and the kids had a great time finding their baskets.

They were out on the deck this year which it was chilly in the morning so the boys went to grab their boots to get a better look outside!

Carter got Lego pirates of the Caribbean for his DS. He was so excited!

Preston was such a big helper to help Claire find her basket.

She got a Dora video and sidewalk chalk! So fun!

Preston got a fun dinosaur game for his DS. Wahoo!

All ready for church

We had such a great day and beautiful weather. After church we went over to my parent's house for another Easter egg hunt and yummy dinner. Saturday started spring break for the boys so we have had a nice weekend and week to play all of the fun new games they got in their baskets. Yay for spring!