Check out my Slide Show!

Wow, it has been a month since my last post; so much for thinking I needed the Internet. Although I think I have spent less time posting on my blog because I've been busy reading other people's blogs!
Here is the scoop on October... I've created a slide-show to outline the month but I noticed I didn't put any pictures of what I consider Andrew's and Ella's actual costumes. Our memory card so full for our trip to Boo at the Zoo and the famous Stevens' Halloween Party. I will have to get some pictures from the family. Drew was a dragon/dinosaur and Ella was a pumpkin. They were warm costumes so we didn't take them to Texas.
Anyway, last week we were in Texas visiting the Mabey Clan. Drew and Matthew were "best friends" and crazy partners in crime...jumping on the couch, pulling Megan's hair, splashing in the tub. It was fun (and tiring) to see them having so much fun together. That was certainly a highlight in the month!
We also had a blast at the Halloween Party. Karen goes all out and everyone dresses up. I think the kids really enjoyed the gooey eyes you throw at the wall and they roll down...perfect for Halloween!
Another highlight was the long weekend Jeff had. The MBA students had two days off from school for interviews (it was actually supposed to be the same time as the NSHMBA conference he went to, however, the dates of the conference changed but the school didn't change the break...) At any rate we were lucky enough to have Jeff around for a couple days. We didn't do anything overly exciting...just enjoyed some extra time together.
I don't know if I consider this a highpoint in the month, but I also celebrated my 26th birthday...I'm getting old! It was actually a fun birthday, low key, but I am certainly happy with all I've accomplished thus far in my life. Drew had quite the tantrums that week (he is phasing out naps, not on my orders) and didn't quite understand it was my birthday so he was supposed to be good :) He was a little sweety the next day though and even took a nap.
It is strange how I didn't realize how much I've changed until I started reading my journal from when I was a freshman....that is in part why I updated my profile. I used to love to dance and travel and sing, but it has been forever since I danced (and looked good doing it). I am still happy though...happier actually.
All in all it has been a great month for us.
Side Note: One of my favorite things is hearing Drew mimic my voice when he talks to Ella. "Hellooo Princess", "Good Morning Sweetheart".... I'll have to try and find some way of recording it, because he raises his voice... it is so funny. Although it makes me a lot more self conscious when I talk to Ella because I realize how ridiculous I must sound!

Well we FINALLY have the Internet, and we've finally moved to Provo!
I feel like we are trying to catch-up on everything (including sleep ;) ) but we are making progress. Almost all the boxes are unpacked which is good considering the fact that we will probably be packing them up again in April for an internship. Jeff is working hard on that. He just returned from a conference in Houston and is as busy as ever; midterms are coming up. But we are still alive and loving life (most of the time) and I am SO happy to finally have the Internet! HURRAY!
These are some pictures of our trip up Provo Canyon; one of Jeff's assignments was to go see the leaves with his family...stop and smell the roses mentality and thank goodness for that!

After getting Ella's picture taken the other day I borrowed my dad's camera and snapped a few amateur shots. I told Jeff I want a new camera for my birthday...it's amazing how much of a difference it makes. I'm no pro, but it is so fun to take pictures of my cuties and you can never have too many pictures of your own kids right?! Plus Ella is getting big so fast. She was 7 lbs 8 oz when she was born and at her two week appointment she was 8 lbs 12 oz! She is getting nice and chubby; I can only image how much she weighs now! They get big way too fast...

I can't believe it has already been almost three weeks since Ella was born! It has flown by; mainly because we have been so busy. All of my immediate family have come home to visit (living under the same roof) in large part because of an extended family reunion we had in Park City. Jeff and I made a few trips to Park City to see everyone but didn't stay there with the rest of the family. It was actually really fun to see everyone that could make it and Ella has been a really good baby so far so there wasn't a lot of stress involved. Although Drew did cut his chin open while the girls were at the swimming pool and the guys were out golfing. My uncle is a doctor and was willing to stitch Drew up; it was terribly traumatic though - especially for me. I, along with my aunt and mom, had to hold him down while he yelled for me and looked frantically around to see where I was. Although a little scared of the doctor now/again, he probably won't be scarred for life (at least psychologically). When I was carrying him back to our condo, he asked me why I was crying and I told him it was because I didn't like to see him get hurt. He held me even tighter and patted me on the back a couple times trying to make me feel better. What a little sweetie. He also seemed fine later that night when he was tackling his uncles.
The trip to Park City also gave Jeff and I some time to finish the final Harry Potter. We had to hurry before someone told us everything :)
We've all loved having the Mabeys around and Drew has especially loved being able to play with his cousins all day. It was fun to see Matthew and Andrew play together...I don't know for sure, but I think they are going to get into plenty of mischief together as they get older. Megan loved holding Ella and was super good about washing her hands. She told me she washed them three times once. Laura also held Ella for a long time before they left since she hadn't the whole time; and did it like a pro. Betsy is going to have some great help when her little guy comes in January. Too bad Texas is so far away...
Since we've had all my family in town and Jeff's family all willing to lend a hand Drew has been spoiled doing fun things since we had Ella. He has gone with different families to the zoo, the frog exhibit at the Museum of Natural History at the U of U, the Discovery Gateway, out for lunch and breakfast to name a few things...which means I've been spoiled as well! It really has been so nice to have so much help! Jeff also took Drew to the ReAL games since we figured Ella was probably still too little to go :)
I haven't missed out on all the fun though. I did go to Liberty Park. Drew had a blast playing on the playground and in the little streams. His favorite though, seemed to be the rides. He actually gathered everyone up to go over to "those toys" so that he could ride them. This next week is going to seem really dull (at least for Drew) after all we have had going on. Hopefully he won't mind a little down time :)
We also got a new car this last week. We finally decided to buy another car, well actually it's a SUV I guess, but it gives us a little more space and will hopefully be a little safer for carting around our little family.
I can't believe how quickly the time has gone, but Ella has already grown a bunch. She weighed 8lbs 12 oz at her doctor appointment on Friday. Her little cheeks are getting nice and chubby :)
I've got to slow done just a bit to take in this time that she is still my tiny baby...they grow way too fast...

We're Home!

Just wanted to share a few pics of the new arrival. Ella Marie Stevens was born on 7/17/07 at 11:44 pm and weighed in at 7 lb 8 oz and 20 1/4 inches. Mother and baby are both doing well, and father and brother are both thrilled as can be. More to follow...(pictures and info, not kids).

This has been an exciting week because Drew has been using the potty and wearing training pants(he calls them that)/pull-ups! HURRAY! Jeff has really been encouraging him to do it and since he idolizes his daddy he seemed to do it to please him. He has been really good about it too; just kind of decided now was the time use the potty and he is doing it. I know it can't be this easy... so we'll see how this next week goes... I must say I am pleased he is doing so well though, with such little effort on my part :)
We also had a fun time celebrating the 4th. Drew keeps asking if we are going to see another parade. He really liked running for the candy. And speaking of running, Jeff ran in the Centerville 5k along with Grant. Drew ran later in the 6 and under 1/4 mile. It was a little long for him, but he seemed to like having everyone cheer for him when he ran across the finish line. Ever since being captivated by Chariots of Fire (he watched about 45 minutes of the show just mesmorized and he doesn't sit still for any Disney movie) he loves running and racing so we thought we might as well let him try it. It is kind of funny because he likes to get down in the running stance to start...I think he is more of a sprinter still ;)
We completely wore the poor kid out though, races in the morning, parade, carnival (he really liked the dunking booth and actually hit the target when he played), swimming with his cousins, a nap for everyone and then the ReAL game and fireworks after. He actually threw up on our way to the ReAL game (fore site I think) and has been a little sick the rest of the week. We have tried to take it easy this weekend.
I'm about ready to have this baby and was a little disappointed she didn't come yesterday for the 7/7/07. Oh well, the hospital was probably packed with new babies anyway :) Any day though, at least that is what I keep hoping. I always try to remember the advice someone gave me, "Babies are always easier to take care of inside of you than they are once their out!"

PS These pictures are from the Gateway Museum and fountain. Drew wasn't too big on getting real wet. He mainly liked running around the fountains.

Summer time and the living is easy....
if you're a kid!
Well we all have had a fun week; actually, probably more-so Drew and I than Jeff though. After deciding on Monday that he is going to go to BYU's MBA day program this fall, he dedicated the rest of the week to completing two online course that had to be finished by Saturday. They are done and we are both happy :) This might be a sign of things to come...at least the MBA program is only two years (more like 18 months because he gets the summer off to do an internship). I'm sure it will be challenging and rewarding for both of us in different ways. I am just glad the decision has finally been made and we can move forward with it.
Drew and I have been trying to stay busy playing outside (a lot) and thus trying to keep cool by investing in a new swimming pool. We invited the cousins over and used Grandma and Grandpa Stevens' pool too. Our pool is the green one...we will see how long it lasts. The kids seemed to have a lot of fun hopping from pool to pool and dumping water on each other. It is funny to see how they all interact. Drew and I also went to a parade with the Stevens clan while Jeff studied. Drew seemed to have a lot of fun picking up the candy and waiving to the people; another highlight was seeing Leo, ReAL Salt Lake's mascot.
Jeff did take a break from his studying this week while I went to a shower the neighborhood girls threw for me. I felt a little silly about having a shower since this wasn't my first baby. I guess I don't want people to feel obligated to come give me a gift, but at the same time I don't want to offend people by not inviting them. I should probably write in to Dear Abby.... The shower was actually a lot of fun and I got some really cute gifts. It could be that I enjoyed getting together with friends and I also appreciate the cute stuff they gave me because I now know how little I'll be able to get after this baby is born :) For whatever reason, I had a really nice time. I feel lucky to have made some good friends while we have been living here and will miss them when we move. I'm sure there are nice people in Provo too...
P.S. Only 26 more days until my due date...unless she comes early...I'm still focusing all my positive energy on the Seventh :)

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!

We have been going to a lot of sports events the past little bit it seems like. I personally think Jeff is trying to expose Andrew to the world of sports as much as he can to downplay my dancing influence. Okay, not really...Jeff got some tickets to a couple Bees games. One night he took the Young Men and Drew (to give me a break - although I used the time to clean out the car as a Father's Day present) and another game we went with the Garners. I think baseball is one of those sports that is a whole lot less exciting to watch on TV; it is a lot more fun to be there. Although we did get sucked into watching the college women's softball finals on ESPN this last week... yeah...strange...Anyway, Drew had a great time at both games. He met the Bee and had his ball signed and caught a KFC bucket that ended up being a great toy and not so much of a prize (free $.99 menu item - in such a big bucket?!?) He also got to meet an over sized Oreo at one of the games and get free cookies. Afterward he talked about how he liked the Aireo and how good the cookies were and wanted Jeff to buy him some more....talk about effective marketing!

We also went to a disappointing, but still fun ReAL game. Drew had a good time even though ReAL lost (surprise, surprise). When he got in the car he told us, "that was fun! Thank you for the fun soccer!" Jeff and I just looked at each other like, "it's all worth it, isn't it." I think those are the moments you live for as a parent. I feel like I can put up with all the battles; fighting him to change his diaper, get in his carseat, eat two more bites of his dinner, let me brush his teeth...and sooo many other things, when he says something so sweet.

We really have had a fun week. We roasted marshmallows and hot dogs up at Mueller Park with all the Stevens Family one night and went swimming with the Garner girls another day. We went to our usually ward playgroup at the park as well as library storytime, and another day we went to a different park with some other friends. I think things are going to have to slow down a little as I get closer to having this baby, but for now we are enjoying the summer and Drew is loving being able to play outside so much! I am also going to have to slow down a little more because the other day I took Drew with me to get the mail and told him to hold on to the bouncy ball he was taking with him. I don't think he threw it, maybe dropped it, but needless to say it slipped out of his hands and started rolling down our street...he immediately started crying for his ball so I instinctively dashed into a full-out sprint down the street, yelling at Andrew to stay out of the street. I ran a few yards watching the ball bounce from one side of the road to the other picking up momentum before remembering I was pregnant and wearing two inch flip-flops and this probably wasn't the best idea. After watching the ball disappear down the street Drew and I proceeded to walk/hobble down to look for it. Fortunately my mom was turning up the street at the bottom and while we didn't find the ball, I didn't have to walk back up the street! I really don't recommend chasing after $.25 bouncy balls when 8 months pregnant; I am still feeling the ramifications! Poor Drew was so sad to loose his ball though...I'm sure this whole scenario is going to be repeated again sooner rather than later...

It really is so fun to be a mom and while I worry about how I am going to manage taking care of two, I really love taking care of the one I've got now!

HOwdy Partner! & Happy Father's Day!

This Saturday we had a ward cowboy BBQ. They had a pinata, horse rides, snow cones and a spontaneous soccer game...Drew loved it. Even though all any kids were a lot older, he had a fun time playing with them. (And they were nice enough to include him.) I have to say that one of my favorite parts of the evening was watching the kids play soccer and telling Jeff I was about ready to go home. He seemed to be listening while eating a snowcone and watching the game; he turned to me, handed me the snowcone and said, "I'm going to play." I think we were there for about another hour! He just can't pass up soccer...I wonder why Drew's the way he is...

PS Don't you just love the shorts with the cowboy boots? It was way too hot for jeans!

Grandma and Grandpa Farnsworth have been taking a lot of trips lately and Drew has been feeling a little left out. So this weekend we decided to do a little camping (Grandpa, Grandma and Grant went down to Havasupai Falls (Grand Canyon) this weekend) in the backyard. Drew was super excited to sleep in the tent, although he when he woke up in the night he wasn't really sure he still wanted to be in it. There was a full moon so it was pretty light outside and I think it made it tough for him to sleep. I think I actually slept the best of everyone...mainly because I stole all covers from Jeff (unintentionally). Drew also woke up around 6:30 and told us, "It's time to get up and change our clothes so we can go play!" We took him inside and fortunately convinced him to go back to sleep for a little longer. After we woke up for good and changed our clothes to play we went to a little place in Farmington called S&S Shortline Railroad. They have a mini-train you can ride and some other train stuff to look at. It was pretty neat and since Drew thinks trains are great he really liked it. He did get scared when he was walking up to look at one of the trains and the whistle blew...he wasn't expecting that! After the trains we went to the Farmington Pool to cool off. So we may not be going on exotic vacations, but we have found some pretty fun things to do around here. Although, Drew still tells me that when he gets big he is going to go on a trip on an airplane...too bad he doesn't remember when we took him to Hawaii :)

I forgot... Jeff also took Drew with him to some of the Jazz game

(I think game 2 of the 2nd series) while I shopped at the Gateway :)

GO JAZZ!!!

I always ask Jeff if he feels like he is talking to a younger version of himself... they look so much alike to me!

Last weekend we went to This is the Place Heritage Park for their opening weekend and to see the baby animals. Drew had a lot of fun petting, riding and watching the animals. He was a little scared of the pigs because they kept rubbing their noses in the dirt and he found it a little disturbing. I think his favorite animals were the chicks because he kept wanting to go see them. It was a fun way to spend the afternoon together; they had tons of activities going on and free goodies for the kids. I think we'll have to do it again next year. When we left Drew told one of the people that worked there, "The animals were so fun! Thank you!" It was pretty darn cute :)

We were lucky enough to be able to take a vacation down to St. George this last weekend courteousy of the Mitchells. We had a lot of fun shopping, eating out, doing some hiking and enjoying the great company! Drew seemed to especially love being able to see cousins every day. He also really liked floating on his back all by himself (with life jacket) and jumping in the pool. He was getting pretty good at his side dive and jumping in backwards...I think it helped that he practiced those on our hotel bed - getting pretty good air :)

Graduation...FINALLY!