Addison

I can't believe my Addybug is 3!! She is growing up so fast! She's such a sweetheart, so affectionate, yet at the same time she's independent and headstrong. We love her so much and are so grateful for the opportunity to be her parents. She's the best big sister we could ever hope for, for Mason and McKinley. She can't wait for her little sister to come, and reads books to her everyday and gives her kisses on my belly. My Mom and I did our best to spoil her on her birthday, and she'll have more of that when Daddy comes home this weekend.

We started out the day with some smaller presents and french toast with blueberries. Yes, her pj's are mis-matched, but that's how she rolls when she dresses herself for bed.

She's always trying to play the flute like Dora with straws and random toys..so luckily they had some for $1 at WalMart and she plays it non-stop.
We've been telling her for a couple months now, that when she turns 3 - she can't wear diapers anymore. We tell her 3 year olds go in the potty and don't wear diapers. It's been such a battle with her, no rewards or prizes or any of the million tactics for potty training out there work with her. So this was our last resort..and it has worked so far! We got her the panties that she wanted for her birthday and started today (the day after her birthday) and there have been no accidents so far.

All dressed and ready for the day. She's been pulling this pose lately when I ask her to smile for a picture. She's trying to show me her bum..no idea where she got that.
We headed to Blast-Off for a couple hours..they have SO much fun there! But it's always more fun when Daddy is there to crawl through all the tunnels with her and chase her around.

Then after naps, we went to the library, picked up dinner at Burger King, and came home to eat, have cake, and open her big present. She LOVED her own mini Dora cake.

Her big girl bike! For some reason, the back tire doesn't touch the ground..so when she pedals it's like she's on a stationary bike at the gym. We'll have it fixed soon..but her and Mason have both had fun playing with it anyway.

Addy, you make us so happy everyday. We couldn't have asked for more in a daughter - you're growing up to be such a beautiful, smart, sweet girl and I hope you always know how much you're loved. Happy Birthday!

Sprinklers and Pregnancy

Yesterday was another water day, except with friends that we miss living by! Mason still hasn't caught on to how much fun playing in the sprinklers can be..so he just sits and gets tan.

I love her face when she found out she can control the hose and spray everyone. She didn't use to be such a water lover, but she does now!!

And, I need a moment to vent. My due date is technically the 12th, but we've planned an induction for the 6th so that we don't risk Chris not being there. I'm also going to have acupuncture done on the 1st - so were crossing fingers that works. So it could be next weekend or 2 weeks away, but I've been having contractions everyday for a couple weeks now. I'm to the point where I ache and cramp in my lower back and stomach all day. I feel like a bowling ball is just sitting there waiting to come out. I'm exhausted and can't sleep..and going up and down stairs, doing housework and trying to play with the kids is just sending me over my limit. I got uncomfortable with the other two at this point, but was never having contractions that stop me in my tracks. I'm just praying that they are meaning something and she's getting ready to come early.

I absolutely LOVE being a mother..there is just nothing like hearing, "I love you Mommy" ten times a day from Addy and getting cuddles and kisses from Mason. I love watching them grow and learn new things each day. I love all the silly things that come out of their mouths and rocking them at night. But, I'm not ready to have Mason not be my baby. He still is a baby..he's only just turning 14 months and I'm not ready for him to have to be a big brother already. I'm so scared of him feeling left out and having to monitor my attention with all 3. But, the amazing thing about kids is they adapt so well. Addy LOVES being the big sister and can't wait for McKinley to come. I love knowing that a few years down the road they are all going to have so much fun together. I love knowing I get to experience the sacred process of giving birth soon and holding that little spirit that just came from heaven. There's nothing like it. I know it will all work out, but I'm still nervous and scared and I know it will be that way for the next few months. I just keep praying this internship gets cut short and we can get the job and move and have Chris back and be a family again. K, I'm done venting:)

Father's Day

There's just really not any words that can adequately express what an AMAZING Father Chris is. I always knew he would be great, but he has surpassed all my expectations. Addison, Mason and McKinley are SO lucky to have him for their Daddy. They love and adore him. He's always worked hard each and every day, going to school and work to meet all their needs..and still would come home and play with them until bedtime when he'd read books and sing songs with them. Thank You Chris, for being the man that you are...for taking care of us and making us happier than we ever knew was possible. We LOVE you and MISS you so much!!

Can't wait to post pics with you and McKinley in a couple weeks:) !

Fun in the Sun

What do we do when we finally get weather in the 70's, with not a lot of wind?? Since this was one of only a few days that we've like this, we busted out the sprinkler and put it under the tramp..and the kiddie pools and played! Addy LOVED the sprinkler under the tramp..it was the first time we've done it, but she kept saying, "I like this game!" Mason didn't really join in since the clouds were coming in and it started getting cold, but he liked crawling around and splashing his hand in the pool. He's such a little stud with his bright blue eyes, hair getting blonder and he's finally getting a tan:)

Part 2

Chris worked overtime this month, which we took the opportunity to use and have him come home again on Father's Day weekend. The thought of going a whole month without seeing each other was too overwhelming. His next trip home will be the first of July for the baby! We didn't get to celebrate Father's Day on Sunday with him since he had to leave in the morning to drive back, but we soaked up every minute with him Friday and Saturday. We had a Father's Day/June Birthday party with the Roses Saturday night..and during the day we took the kids to a carnival they've had set up in town. It was perfect, with lots of little rides for younger kids. The next couple weeks are going to be busy..which is bittersweet. It'll make the time go by quicker, but at the same time I'm still nervous to have 3 kids 3 and under, and the possibility of Chris being gone still for another month. But I am SOOOO ready to be done being pregnant for a LONG time. We have an Anderson reunion coming up this weekend. Addison turns 3 next week on the 28th! I can't believe it..but she's so excited! And then Chris will fly in the 1st!
Friday:

Poor Addy must have had an allergic reaction on Saturday to something..her right cheek got so red and puffy. And notice how everyone is bundled up and cold..it's the end of JUNE!! Get me out of here and down to Vegas!

presents!

Mason stole her bat and ball


we forgot a lighter, so they had to pretend to blow out the candles.

I never have pictures of me when I'm pregnant..especially at 38 weeks..but at the least the stroller is covering me:)

Addy LOVED every minute.

I want on!!!

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home...

First trip home, the first weekend in June:
I wish I had video of the kids when they saw Chris pull up in the parking lot on Friday morning. Mason almost jumped out of my arms, yelling "papa! papa!" and Addy squealed, Daddy's home!! and ran after him. It was the sweetest thing. He left Vegas around 8:30pm and drove through the night, stopping to rest a couple times. It's a long drive, not a lot of time here and costs a lot..but SO worth it. I wish I could say it gets easier..but everytime we have to say goodbye it just gets harder and harder for me. We made the most of it though and once again, I'm so grateful for such a hardworking husband that is willing to make this sacrifice to get a good job for us. I just keep praying that we'll get offered a job before this internship is up, so we don't have to do this the whole 12 weeks.

the past few days..

So obviously I didn't stick with the updating everyday thing. For many reasons, but mainly..1: I talk to Chris everyday, so I didn't need to put that on the blog everyday. 2: it made time go slower. So, I prefer the weekly update with pics and the highlights of what we did that week. These pics are mainly from this past weekend.
There's 3 weeks left till baby McKinley comes..I am sooooo ready to be done being pregnant..but scared to death to have 3. I'm progressing right along, so hopefully everything will work out and she'll either come early or my induction on the 6th will go smoothly when Chris is here.

Anything he can push, he uses as a walker.

There's a couple 8 yr old girls in our ward that love to play with Addy. So they were over last night to jump on the tramp with her.

Cheese!

Picking flowers

Pushing Addy in the car

From day 1, he loves to burrow in blankets and anything soft. So when we lay out the blanket on the grass, he's rolling around in it for 10-15 mins.