SUPER party

{The invites}
{The set-up}
{The best reaction I've ever seen of a little boy so happy to see his cake Mommy and Auntie Aubrey made, pure excitement and satisfaction}
{Good times were had by all in the Spidey bounce house, worth every penny}

{Luckily we got so many smiles, even though there was pretty much a wrestle fest in the bounce house with all the boys}
{Even Daddy got in on the wrestling action}
{Everyone sat so nicely to enjoy their freezer pop break, it was cute}
{Dallen LOVES the pinata and has a pretty wicked swing if you ask me}
{I love this picture of Dallen sharing with his friends waiting in line. But don't be deceived he asked for a turn after almost every other person!!}
{Everyone was SO into the present opening, so much excitement all around the room, especially from the birthday boy}
{Dallen loved being sung happy birthday to, he made me sing it at least 3 more times after his friends left}
{My birthday boy and me}
{So thankful Auntie Aubrey could come celebrate with us!!}
{Happy family of 3 celebrating Dallen's big 3!!}

THREE

I feel so blessed to have spent nearly every single day with my sweet son for the last 3 years!! They have been the best of my life and have flown by in the blink of an eye.

The little handsome chubster from years ago is doing such big grown up boy things: playing soccer, going to preschool, choosing his wardrobe, saying his own prayers, sleeping in a big boy room, helping out pregnant Mommy and preparing for baby sister! Dallen has the greatest little Dallen-isms that are just his personality all wrapped up in cuteness. He picks up on things that his Mommy and Daddy say and sometimes uses them in a totally different context. He says things like "I'm so serious" and "that doesn't make sense". My favorite is what he says when his pants are falling down "my bum is cracking"!!! Hahaha. Dallen always asks to do things "five times". There are so many things that I always want to remember about Dallen at this age. He is such a sweetheart and always telling me he loves me. He loves to cuddle at night in his big boy bed, and I am so happy to oblige. I just soak up every tender moment with that growing boy. He is such a perfectionist, almost OCD and loves to do things his way. Dallen talks in his sleep and its hilarious, except for when he's had a bad dream, he is scared of bears in his room ;) He is so independent and very opinionated. He tells me "say THIS Mom, ok?" and tells me how to cheer for him at sports and reminds to tell him "good job" and reminds Dad with things like "say thank you to Mom for dinner". He is a charmer and loves the ladies!! He has the most adorable swagger when he walks. He is so athletic and loves sports!! I love this age, it is so fun!! I just love this little boy and all that personality packed into a little 3 year old :)
Dearest Dallen, I hope you always know how much you are loved!! I hope you always stay as sweet and special as you are right now. I am so grateful that you were sent to me straight from heaven 3 years ago! You have forever changed my life for the better and I love you more than you will ever know!! Happy birthday son :) Love- Mommy

Flying By

In less than 2 weeks my little boy will no longer be a 2 year old!! I can't believe I am about to have a 3 year old on my hands. We've been busy having fun together and I, watching this little boy grow up before my very eyes.

Dallen started a little indoor sports class. The first 2 weeks were soccer and he was so excited to play!! One of the favorite activites of this endless little ball of energy is BOUNCING. We've gotten to go to a couple bounce places for free over the last couple months, thanks to some friends :)
Dallen is becoming obsessed with superheroes!! He was SO excited when Mimi and Grandpa brought him this little treasure when they came to visit:Dallen has been so patient with his Momma who is moving slower and slower these days!! Sometimes I have really hard days and lucky Dallen gets to put up with dinner at Baskin Robbins, pizza lunches at malls and hitting up drive thrus, you know he's happy to oblige:

Dallen and I have been having so much fun just the two of us, making great memories! Soaking up the days that are flying by!!

Pregnancy Progression

{24 weeks}
{25 weeks}
{26 weeks} This pregnancy is so different from the first one, 3 long years ago. It has brought with it so many blessings and a few unique challenges. Some of the greatest challenges this time around are trying to keep up with Dallen. Luckily he has been so great at learning to self entertain, tack that one up in the blessings list!!

One unique challenge that I'm sure would be comical to anyone else watching has been fitting into a bathroom stall with potty-trained Dallen. It is ridiculous how close the toilet is to the door that swings inward, especially at church where Dallen always needs to go at least 3 times!! There is NOT room for Dallen, me and my belly in there!!

My first pregnancy brought with it this random giant football player neck!! Luckily this time it has yet to make an appearance, and I really hope it stays that way.

As for the acne, well I don't remember HOW bad it was the first time, but it is definitely bad this time around!!

One of the greatest blessings of this pregnancy have been my health food cravings. I just love that my body wants to each fresh produce and drink water!!

But one of my very favorite blessings of this pregnancy is that so many of my family and friends are preganant too and it is so fun to go through this together. And to know that our sweet baby girl will have so many cousins and friends her age to play, unlike Mr. Dallen man.

I am SO grateful to be pregnant and so content with the way life is right now. I remember thinking with Dallen that "I just can't wait til he gets here" and although I am so excited to see my daughters face, I am just happy with the way things are RIGHT NOW :) Today I am 27 weeks, my last til the final trimester begins!!

A Year in the Making

When we bought our house over a year ago, I never imagined it would take so long to get it closer to what I wanted it to be. Thanks to my parents who came out for the weekend, we were finally able to refinish the cabinets and completely transform my kitchen into my dream!! What a difference some paint and manual labor (and good taste if I say so myself) can make. Just look...

BEFORE
AFTER

BEFORE
AFTER

Other pictures of progress along the way:

{When we first moved in, the kitchen housed nearly everything we owned while we were replacing the carpets}
{For the majority of the time that we have lived here thus far, this is basically what the kitchen looked like}
{Beginning the transformation}
{Finally making some real progress}

Just in case you didn't get enough, THIS is my beautiful kitchen!!Thank you to all who have helped make my dreams come true!! A few more finishing touches, like hardware, a matching microwave, some shelves and a new light fixture and this baby will be perfection :)

Growing Up

Dallen started a preschool class last week through our local parks and rec. It's just a once a week, hour long class to give him something to do since some of his older friends started Kindergarten this year. He feels like such a grown up and loves being in school. I had so much fun watching him enjoy every minute of his first day of school and think it is going to be a super fun couple of months :)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

It is so hard to believe that we moved to the great state of Arizona more than 3 years ago. I still can't believe that my address, my drivers license, my car registration and license plates, and even my voters registration card read ARIZONA RESIDENT!! I miss California all the time, but one thing that has made living here easier are my AMAZING friends!! I could not survive here without the wonderful women who influence me as a mother and entertain me as a friend. We are so lucky that our children are all great friends, but we have so much fun together as GIRLS :)

{Back in June-Shayla was my date to The Mormon Bachelorette Season 3 kickoff party-so awkward yet so fun}
{Celebrating lots of birthdays)


{One of my favorite people ever Kimmie, who always includes me in our old ward's activities, threw an awesome, dress up tea party}


{Another thing that keeps me so happy in AZ, the family and the visitors-love these people}


If I can't be on the coast with my family, I'm so glad I have my friends!!!

Behold Your Children

“And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones” 3 Nephi 17:21–23
“Notice that [the Savior] didn’t say ‘glance at them’ or ‘casually observe them’ or ‘occasionally take a look in their general direction.’ He said to behold them. To me that means that we should embrace them with our eyes and with our hearts; we should see and appreciate them for who they really are: spirit children of our Heavenly Father, with divine attributes” -Elder M. Russell Ballard

For those who no longer get to behold their children here on earth my heart aches for them and inspires and encourages me to do better. My heart goes out to the Taylor family (from my old CA stake) who recently lost their sweet baby girl to liver disease. To see if you can help visit HERE and behold your children.

Lesson Learned

It is still hard to believe that I gained 68 pounds with Dallen!! I hope its true what they say about parents, you make all the mistakes the first time around cause I am bound and determined not to make that mistake twice!! (Don't worry Mom, my doctor says I'm healty, he even high-fived my weight gain numbers at my last appointment). Thank you baby girl for all the health food cravings this time around!!

Random thoughts of a pregnant girl

Just a little info to document about pregnancy number two. It is so hard for me to compare this pregnancy with Dallen's because not only was it 3 years ago, but the gender is different and so is the pregnancy. At 21 weeks here are some random stats:
-8.5 pounds gained @ 21 weeks
-with most of my clothes starting to not fit, my favorite outfit now: my new maternity jeans from Forever 21!! Best $15 I ever spent :)
-I am carrying much lower than the first time so I can conceal the bump a little better, but the comfort is totally different
-cravings: fresh produce and healthy foods with the exception of pancakes!! With Dallen my only craving was IN-N-OUT, very different this time I want strawberries, apples, salad and health nut stuff (totally not my junk food self). And I can't get enough ICE water!!
-my belly button stretched out way faster this time around. Dallen loves to see my belly button stretching and say "your belly's getting bigger"
-my horomones are making me way crazier this time, it must be the female thing
-I'm pretty sure my skin is just as bad if not worse than it was with Dallen, so thankful for make-up!!
-preparation progress: the nesting instinct is kicking in strong!! I am cleaning all the time already and have plans to have all my house projects done by Dallen's 3rd birthday. My mother in law was so quick to get her quilt done and I am having way too much fun picking up outfits here and there on clearance and using coupons :) Check out the loot:I know these are just the ramblings of a pregnant woman, but I thought I should document them for myself. More belly pics coming soon.

My Teenage Toddler

Dallen is growing up WAY too fast!! He is constantly surprising me with the smart things he says like when choosing a toy for the pool or bath "Mom, this is definitely waterproof" or the other day after he swam across the pool came up and said "I was swimming awfully fast!!" How about tonight when he said, "Yea Dad, that's part of the plan" Where does he come up with this stuff?!?! It cracks me up how adorable it is and shocks me with how smart he sounds sometimes.

Dallen is such a little observer, and it is definitely how he learns. He watches people around him, and figures out how to do and say things based on what he sees other people doing. What scares me is that he is ALWAYS watching me and picking up on things I do. Luckily some of those things are good. We were at the book store one day when he was searching and searching for a book to buy. We asked him what he was looking for and he said "I'm looking for one that's on sale" :) His mother, the crazy couponer, has taught him well. When we go to the grocery store and he is looking to choose some fruit snacks he always asks, "which ones are on sale today?" or "do we have a coupon for this?" Such a smart shopper.
Dallen is SO independent. He loves to do things all by himself. Everyone was cracking up at book club watching Dallen insist on blowing his own balloon until he was cross-eyed and red in the face. It was a good 20 minutes until he gave in and let me blow it up.
A lot of Dallen's friends are starting Kindergarten this year and he is feeling so left out. So I signed him up for some toddlerschool classes with the local parks and rec and one of his classes is a soccer class. He is so excited and tells everyone that he is playing "kindergarten soccer" and asks me all the time if I will come cheer for him. Of course, he will someday be embarassed that I will be the loudest cheerleader in the stands!!

One of my favorite parts of Dallen's personality is his worker mode. I can tell he is going to be a hard worker like his Daddy when he grows up. He gets so serious and "fixes" things around the house or in the yard, and is always so proud of his accomplishments.

I am loving everything about this age and am having SO much fun enjoying these last few months of just me and my boy. Sometimes I get really sentimental when I think about how fast he is turning into a grown boy but I am so proud of him and all that he does. I am soaking up every moment he is this way before he really is my teenager!!

Halfway

At 20 weeks pregnant I have so many emotions. I am so excited that I am halfway to meeting my daughter, and I am so sad that it is already half over. Having wanted this pregnancy for so long, I am so grateful to be pregnant that I am loving every minute of it. Not that I think I am any more grateful than any other pregnant woman, I just have a different perspective. I am not as anxious to get it over and just living in the moment and loving every one.

It is hard to compare Dallen's pregnancy with this one because it has been more than 3 years and I am in a totally different place in my life. But the one thing I can compare are pictures:I think they look pretty much the same, but I still have 20 weeks to go so we shall see :)

First Graduation

We are so proud of our little swimming school graduate!! Dallen started swimming lessons in the beginning of June and was not so excited about it at first, if you remember the crying thumbs-up picture from this earlier post. After a few short weeks of crying through it, Dallen grew to love his swimming lessons and his teacher Larry. Within 8 weeks Dallen graduated his once a week swim class. Some other kids in his class had been in it for a year and a half, so it was kind of fun to be the proud Momma watching Dallen ring the graduation bell :) Dallen loves to swim every day, except Sundays, in our backyard. He swims across the pool, does cannon-balls off the side, dives to the bottom for leaves and goes down the slide all without floaties and without fear. He is such a little fish and I am so glad that I get to swim with him in our own backyard every day, we have so much fun together!!You can read all about the school and Dallen's gradution here.