Happy Birthday Cole!

Cole is 2 years old today.  I cannot believe how fast time goes.  He still seems like such a baby to me, yet we're going to have another newborn in only two months.  He definetly has his own little personality and lets you know what he wants... and boy is he getting into that terrible two stage!  We sure love him though!  Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

And a few of Brooke because she is such a cheeser and can't be left out of pictures :)

Master

I don't know why I didn't post this sooner, but better late than never :).

Matt officially graduated with his MAC (Master's of Accounting) at the beginning of August.  We are so proud of all his hard work and dedication!  There have been lots of early mornings, late nights, commuting, studying, tests, presentations, etc.  and not once have I heard a complaint out of Matt's mouth.  He is so dedicated and hard working and I'm so grateful to have a husband that works so hard for our family.

Tomorrow is his first day at his "official" grown up job.  He was worked at the school district since 2002, with the exception of his mission, so it will be a BIG change and I'm sure something he will miss.  But... this is what he has worked so hard for the last couple of years and I couldn't be more excited for him!  Out of all the accounting students in Utah, he was one of only three total and the only one from Utah State chosen for an internship .  He worked hard at his internship and he has earned a position with a (hopefully) great company! 

Now on to the CPA exam...

28 Weeks

I went to the Dr. today for my 28 week appt.  Finally made it to the 3rd trimester!  Only one more to go!  This is the last time I will see Dr. Wood before she has her baby.  She is hoping to be back around Thanksgiving so hopefully she'll be there to deliver baby.

Everything looks good except I'm measuring on the small side... surprise surprise.  This is one of the bad things about having to change doctors.  I LOVED Dr. Horsely and he's been through enough with me that he knew I'm just small and its not a cause to worry.  But... driving all the way to Logan just to have a baby didn't seem worth it.  Dr. Wood had me do an ultrasound just to make sure everything is still ok.  It is and actually by ultrasound measurments baby is right on schedule and weighs about 3 lbs.  I tried to tell Dr. Wood that.  I just never get very big, but oh well I got to see baby again :)  She is still laying sideways so hopefully in the next few weeks she'll turn head down.  I just might lose it if I have a breech baby.

I've started my countdown, I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing, it will probably make me more miserable in the end, but hey at least it gives me something to do.  I start going every 2 weeks now so that means only about 6 more appointments!  In the mean time, I try really hard to be nice and not ornery but I have a feeling it is only going to get worse as the weeks go by.  I apologize to my family in advance.

First Day of Preschool

Brooke's first day of preschool was today.  She was super excited and kept asking from the time she got up if it was time to go yet and if she could go put her backpack on and get her lunch.  Her teacher's name is Mrs. Lisa and so far she loves it!

*I didn't have a camera here so I took these with my phone, that's why they aren't the greatest quality.

Old Ephraim's Grave

Matt, Mike, Karen, and the kids rode the 4-wheelers up to Old Ephraim's grave on Labor Day.  The kids were super excited and had a blast.  Brookelyn was afraid there might be a real bear and it took a lot of coaxing to get her off the 4-wheeler.  Once she got off then she was fine.  I would have loved to go... but riding on a bumpy road when you are 6 1/2 months pregnant doesn't exactly sound fun.

Cousins

Erin took these pictures at our Labor Day Barbeque.  She did a great job!  What cute kids!

25 Weeks

This is a little outdated, but these pictures were both taken at 25 weeks.

Things I Want To Remember:

• Weight gained as of Aug. 23 - 9 lbs.
• I am starting to need maternity clothes.  Few, if any of my pants fit anymore.  I must carry my girls differently than Cole because I needed them with Brooke but not at all with Cole.  I haven't gained any more weight this time than I did with him.
• I'm still running 5-8 miles most days
• She's very active
• "She" still doesn't have a name - I like Jillian but Matt still isn't sure.  We both like Berklie but it is too close to Brookie.  It has to be a name that I can shorten... like Brookelyn to Brooke, Jillian to Jill, etc.
• Sleeping is a pain!  My low back and hips hurt all the time.  I sleep with about four pillows and still wake up multiple times a night.
• People are finally starting to notice that I'm pregnant... I've had 3 people ask me in the last week when I'm due.  Thats a first.

Update:
As of today, I am almost 27 weeks... next week I will officially start my 3rd trimester.  I think my belly has almost doubled size in the last couple weeks.  December can't come soon enough! 

Big Boy Bed

We moved Cole into a big bed at the beginning of August.  At first he was adamant that he wasn't going to sleep there, but he's done great.  We usually have to lay by him for a few minutes but then off he goes to sleep.  My baby is growing up!

I Need a Love

The Woes of a Running Mom

Just this morning when I was on the treadmill I was texting a running buddy and good friend of mine complaining about how much running sucks when you are pregnant and how I don't know how I'm going to make it three more months.  We ran a lot together during our last pregnancies and she is the one person I knew would understand what I'm going through.  I don't feel bad about whining to her because I know she's not thinking "well just stop running then you idiot!"  She really understands how it feels to have to run.  Literally I mean that... I HAVE to run.  EVERYDAY. 

She pointed out to me that being pregnant is a mind game.  I think this must be why I hate being pregnant.  Don't take that the wrong way, I love my kids more than anything, they are worth every bit of misery and I know there are people who would give anything to experience being pregnant, its just not something I could ever say I love.  And, I SUCK at it because it really is a mind game.  I hate not being in control and I hate all the changes, and I hate the fact that I am not the only person I am responsible for right now.  I cannot do whatever I want to my body because it is not my body right now... it belongs to someone else.  Selfish as that may sound, it's how I feel. 

Fast forward to tonight... I'm up at my mom's and the new Runner's World magazine just came.  I look forward to reading this every month, but you'll never guess what was in it this month.  A whole ten pages on pregnant runners!  To say I was thrilled is an understatement.  I have an extremely hard time slowing my pace or cutting out miles, even if my body and the baby are telling me otherwise.  Somehow reading about moms who are crazy enough to run the entire nine months just like I do motivated me and reminded me that I can do it!  Hearing how they have to slow miles by 2-3 minutes, cut way back on intensity, and even cut miles on days they just aren't feeling it made me feel so much better.  Apparently I'm not the only one!  Not only that but there was an article about some pro-marathoners that are both having babies in September and then run on a 0-gravity treadmill so they can set their body weight to whatever they want!  How awesome would that be!!  I have to carry my extra 10 pounds of baby.

Running while I was pregnant with Cole was hard on my body.  I am adamant that it made my pregnancy, labor, and recovery MUCH easier, but I've had hip problems ever since.  I think a lot of that came from pushing too hard and too long.  I'm not complaining because I love my running, but I promised myself I would take it easier this time around.  Even though there are days I can hardly walk because my back hurts so bad, I still feel so much better if I get in my run!  I know there are people that will never understand the runner's "high", but it is something I live for and one of the only things that makes my pregnancy bearable.  Without it, I'm not sure how I'd survive!