Skinny Legs & SNOW!

Colin is 1 week old today- time sure flies when you're... sleep deprived! Hahaha- no really, this past week has been pretty great. The kids LOVE Colin and are so willing to help. Colin is a fantastic nurser and with all I'm feeding him, I'm sure he's growing, although it's not very apparent yet! He has the skinniest legs! And the tiniest little feet! They're so cute. So far, I'd have to say that going from 2 to 3 kids is a lot easier than going from 1 to 2. Granted, it's only been a week, but Thomas and Hailey play so well together, when Colin is sleeping (which is all the time!) I find I have a lot of time to rest, clean up the house, etc. It's surprising to me since I felt like a complete mess for at least a couple weeks after Hailey came!! Colin just seems to fit right in to our family. And, in celebration of Colin's first week, we all decided it should SNOW! Ha! As if we have a say in that! This is what we woke up to this morning. Since we're somewhat close to the Great Salt Lake, we get a lot of lake effect snow. We decided we should add 2" to whatever the weatherman says we're going to get! The kids and I love it... Adrian, well, not so much! At least it didn't stick to the pavement- no shoveling this morning! My poor garden though- zuchinni plants do not like snow! We tried to cover up the peppers, we'll see if they make it.

COLIN IS HERE!!!!

We'd like to introduce our newest member of the family to you all- Colin Keoki Williams arrived early Sunday morning weighing in at 5 lbs 14 oz and 19.5" long. Another tiny baby- I guess we just don't make linebackers!

I had false labor the night before, so when contractions started late Saturday evening, I was convinced it wasn't the real thing. An hour later (around midnight), although still sporadic, the contractions had gotten VERY intense. I hopped in the tub- which felt much better...but the contractions were still very intense. At 1am, I called my midwife. She advised that I wait another 15-20 minutes, then come in. Knowing we had a 15 minute drive, we decided to get ready and go!

Kory came over to stay with the kids and we got in the car at about 1:30am. At this point, contractions were about 8-9 minutes apart. The next contraction came 6 minutes later...then the next 5 minutes later...then 3 minutes later...thank heavens we arrived at the hospital then! We didn't even park- we just pulled right up to the door and left the car there. I requested a room with a tub as I was planning on going all natural and it had helped so much at home. So we had to walk around Labor & Delivery a few minutes before finding one with a tub. Finally got to my room at 1:47am. Immediately had to go to the bathroom...and when I did my water broke...and I felt the most insane urge to push...so I did! I couldn't help it! At that point the room flooded with nurses and 2 scooped me up and brought me to the bed. I pushed once more and Colin crowned. The midwife came running in just in time- I pushed again and Colin was born! He arrived at 1:51 am- less than 10 minutes after we arrived at the hospital and only 4 minutes after we got to our room!! It was an incredible experience- Adrian and I still can't believe how it all happened. I am so happy I got my natural childbirth experience...although I would have had one regardless being as I didn't have time to put on a hospital gown, much less get medication!
We came home today and are doing great. Colin is a fantastic nurser and the kids are so in love with him! Here are some pics...

39 weeks- only 7 days until my due date!

Wow- can you believe I made it this far?! I can't! Having never made it past 38 weeks, I thought I'd feel incredibly anxious and pretty frustrated by now...but I don't! I think having 2 kids at home really takes your mind off things. We've just been going about the usual weekly business and every so often, throughout the day, I stop and remember- I could have a baby at any moment- YIKES! I'm pleased to have made it to October- now all our kids have different birth months. All things aside- I'm doing pretty well. The last few days I've had lots of contractions and cramping- and I did find out this morning that I'm now dilated to a 2- so I guess that's progress from last week! Baby Colin is doing great- obviously very cozy in there! The midwife said he still feels small, so even though the ultrasound from 2 weeks ago said 6 lbs 14 oz...I seriously doubt this baby will break 7 lbs!

So the waiting continues! We do have a cold front moving in on Friday, so maybe that will put me into labor?!

Here's my belly...I'm measuring small...but feel big!

And now 38 weeks pregnant!

OK, this is officially my LONGEST pregnancy EVER! Crazy! I had a gut feeling it would be, but was truly hoping I was wrong, especially since this little guy will most likely also be my biggest baby! But nope- trust me, I'm still pregnant. I think I'd be a bit less anxious if I didn't feel so lousy. For whatever reason, it appears my morning sickness that I had until well past 20 weeks has again decided to resurface. It's done this several times throughout this pregnancy- 26 weeks, 32 weeks, and now apparently, 38 weeks. Sigh. So I'm trying to be patient while also trying to hold my breakfast in, as well as deal with all the other "joys" of pregnancy. Ahhh- but looking on the bright side- baby #3 and no stretch marks! Oh gosh, I hope I didn't just jinx myself!

Here's a recent pic for all those curious to see what a normally very thin woman like myself looks like at 38 weeks pregnant...

37 weeks...

Baby looks great- even though his head is measuring a full 2 weeks ahead! Ouchie! This morning's ultrasound said he should be about 6 lbs 14 oz right now...we'll see how accurate that is! I'm dilated 1 cm and am 60% effaced...making progress- yay!

I'm getting really excited!

One month to go!

Suddenly October 8th doesn't seem so far away! Yikes! I have just under 4 weeks left to go and am really starting to wonder how far I'll go this time. I think in the last week this baby has DROPPED. I thought he was low before! Thank you so much Nellie for letting me borrow your exercise ball- sitting on that makes me feel like my hips ARE still attached!

In the past week, I'm very happy to say we've gotten a lot accomplished in regards to preparing for Colin's arrival. I still haven't packed my hospital bag, but I've been productive in other ways- cleaning out the garage, cleaning the van, organizing the kid's clothes for Fall, etc. Funny to think this is all in preparation for Colin, but I know, once we come home with a newborn, normal life as we know it will go out the window for a while! I really, really need another week to do stuff, so at this point, Colin can come anytime after the 22nd. I'll let you all know how that goes...

So here's to being 36 weeks! The countdown is ON!

Ode to Washable Crayons

Sigh.

To all those moms out there who think little girls are "sugar and spice and everything nice" I say to you- YEAH RIGHT. I have to admit- I was a teeny, tiny bit scared when I was pregnant for the first time and we found out it was a boy. I had all sisters growing up- what could I expect from a boy?! Well, I have come to learn everything I was SUPPOSED to learn from being a mom to Thomas, I am learning from being a mom to Hailey.

So when I turned the corner into the living room this afternoon and found a myriad of colors spanning the ENTIRE length of my sage green wall, I just sighed. Yes, for about .5 seconds I did have a minor heart attack before I repeated to myself, "THIS is the reason I buy washable crayons." Whew!

Thankfully, washable crayons are indeed, washable. And Hailey repeated after me the entire time I washed the wall, "We only color on PAPER." Ha.

Thank heavens we're having another boy.

Why Dads are just cooler...

Here's the after pic of her hair...

Happy Birthday from SPIDERMAN!

This past Saturday Adrian and I threw Thomas a 5th Birthday celebration that just so happened to include a special appearance from SPIDERMAN! It was a huge hit! (Thanks BUBBA!) Some of the kids were a bit apprehensive at first, but most warmed up to him and by the end were chasing him around the yard and having a great time. He came and helped play games, smash the pinata, apply tattoos, and open presents! It was a lot of fun. The weather was gorgeous, which hasn't happened a whole lot for Thomas' birthday in the past, so we were thrilled. Here are some neat pics...

Here's Thomas saying HI to Spiderman! I announced that he would be arriving shortly, then a few minutes later, Thomas decided to go check for himself...and just happened to see him coming through the gate. It was so cute- he ran back around to the party shouting "HE'S HERE!!"

The older kids posed with Spiderman before we started the pinata.

Here's the pinata Adrian & I MADE. Totally worth it, but took much longer than either he or I planned! We were up until midnight the night before gluing on all the little red pieces of tissue paper!

Thomas and cousin Matt pose with some of the gifts. Cool gifts. His favorite by far is the Spiderman watch Matt gave him. Thanks Auntie Tiffany!!

Brooklyn & Thomas showing off the tattoos Spiderman helped apply.

I made Thomas' cake this year. It wasn't anything spectacular as I tend to lack energy and creativity at 35 weeks pregnant, but it was fun and he loved it.

Overall, GREAT party! I hope everyone who came had a fun time!!

Thomas' BIG day!

No I'm not talking about an episode of Thomas the Train...I'm talking about OUR Thomas!! Today was not only his 5th birthday, but his first day of pre-school! Wahoo!! We had a fun day.

We started out with french toast for breakfast. Then, off to pre-school he went! He was very quick to tell me he didn't need me to walk him there, that he already knew where it was. LOL. It IS just next door, but I walked him anyways! Gosh he was beyond excited to go. Hailey enjoyed the first 20 minutes or so by herself, then whined like crazy- boy did she miss him!! His teacher told me when I picked him up that 1/2 hour before class was over, Thomas came up to her and said, "Is it ok if I go home now? I just live next door. Besides, it's my birthday today and I think my mom really misses me." ;) What a sweetheart! I did miss him, but am also beyond thrilled that he gets to have this experience.

Uncle Kory, Auntie Raz and Elise came over for dinner to help us celebrate. Thomas requested cheesy noodles (noodles with alfredo sauce), carrots and jello for dinner...so that's what we had! Afterwards he opened his presents and then we had dessert. We left the cake for Saturday (the day of his super cool Spiderman party!) and instead Thomas wanted ice cream with M&M's. the kids were having fun playing with his new toys and eating ice cream. What a day- I'm exhausted. ;)

Here's Thomas after he opened his present from Grammie & Grandpa (Adrian's parents.) Little did they know the theme of his first day of preschool was Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! So Thomas was very excited to see this book! Way to go Grammie! My mom sent a couple of these balloons. Thomas liked the cars she sent better but Hailey was enthralled with the balloons! Hailey liked trying on Thomas' new helmet.

Ahhh, here's my sweet little girl, eating her ice cream so daintily. Apparently the spoon just wasn't cutting it!

Williams Family "Mini" Reunion 2008

This last weekend the Williams' who live out in CA came to visit those of us in Utah! We haven't seen them in a while, so it was really great spending time with them. And so fun to see the grandkids all playing together! The Tracy's even joined us for some of it!

We did a lot of fun stuff- attended a wedding in the Logan temple, spent an afternoon at the Bountiful Rec Center, had a homemade sushi night and just hung out in the back yard.

I'm still trying to recover, as I'm sure everyone else is, but had to upload some pics and smile. We really do have a fun time together!

Here are Adrian & I with the Logan temple as a backdrop.

Hailey and Claire playing on the steps. These two are so alike in so many ways- size, mannerisms, etc. It was neat seeing them play together. I just wish Hailey wasn't always stealing Claire's toys. Ahhh...what can you do?!

Family pic on the temple grounds. I really like this one of all 4.75 of us.

All the women...except Raz. Maybe we should photoshop her in??

Adrian taking Hailey down the slide at the Bountiful Rec Center. She LOVED it. I was a bit nervous, but he lifted her up at the end so she didn't go under. Until the last time they went. Not sure what happened there, but all we saw of Hailey was her feet! She came up sputtering...but still wore a smile! That's our Hailey!

Funny pic of Adrian & Bubba being Adrian & Bubba.

The two from above later that evening making sushi!

Janet did such a great job hosting Sushi Night. It's a lot of work pulling that kind of a meal off- way to go Janet!!

Goodbye Gen & the Big Blue Bash

We had a fun weekend! Friday ended with a drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon as we went to "celebrate" my BFF, Genevieve leaving for graduate school in Virginia. I say "celebrate" because although I know it's a great opportunity for her...I'll miss her dearly! Most of you know her, but for those who don't, she and I have been super close since Freshman year in high school. She was the one who introduced me to the church and has just been a wonderful friend for the past 14 years. We had a fun time with her roasting hot dogs and s'mores and enjoying the outdoors.

So, just for fun, I thought I'd post a couple pics of Gen & I way back when...these are from 1996 (at an award ceremony) and 1997 (before Junior Prom.) Stop laughing! We were cute! And yes, I cropped out the boys that were in the pic with us for Prom! Hahaha- who needs them?!

And this is us this last weekend. Hmmm...I think we look a little different! Gen looks great! I look plump. ;)

Here are a coupe pics of our family enjoying the outdoors. Thomas had a great time playing with the other boys in the dirt. Hailey actually invented a game- she started sliding down this big rock. It caught on quickly and soon all the kids were doing it. My little trend setter.

And finally, the Big Blue Bash. Anyone know what that is? We didn't either, until a few weeks ago. Apparently, it's an event where all of us Die Hard BYU fans who live near SLC get together and declare our devotion to the Cougars. We dressed the kids up and headed downtown to be amongst fellow fans. It was a fun night- Adrian certainly had more fun than the rest of us but that's OK! We didn't get many pics at the event, but he did get Max Hall & Austin Collie's autographs. Cool!! Thomas also got a neat pic with Cosmo!

Go Cougars!