Utah Trip for Twins Blessing

James and I headed for Utah this past weekend to visit The Hathaway's and see the twins get blessed. Haws wasn't able to come and we missed him a ton! I will never fly 8 months pregnant with a 18 month old again. My lap just isn't big enough for my baby and a "lap child". James was so good though. On both flights people were telling me how good he was. He got a little antsy, but I was able to keep him entertained for the most part. My parents, John and Brooke, the kids and my Grandma all traveled up for the event. We were able to stay at Dana's newly built, beautiful home with Johnny and his family. There was a house full of kids and non-stop action. I was pretty worn out by the end of each day and got to enjoy a few relaxing soaks in Dana's big bath tub. It was so fun though. We had a full day of snow on Sat and we took the kids to the children's museum in Salt Lake. The rest of the weekend was actually nice. I loved being in the cold weather which seemed more appropriate for January than the 80 degrees we have been having here at home.

The 3 baby boy cousins:

Tate, Hunter and Porter

 The Hathaway Clan. 

 They blessed the twins at home because their ward is so big and there is not time for it! I thought having the blessing in the home was so special and it was neat to hear what was said for each individual boy. They are both so special.

 Sweet Hunter. He is the best baby.

Hunter was casting a spell on us while he was sleeping.

He always manages to find these cars where ever he goes. Playing at Discovery Childrens Museum.

 Grubbing after the blessing. There was so much food!

 Piggy back time. These two had a blast together and I know James misses his cousins now that we are home. Caroline did teach him a new word.... "mine!". Thanks Caroline :)

 Little buddies.

Christmas Day

Christmas was so fun with James this year! Santa brought him a firetruck, a tool bench and a stocking full of goodies. He was so excited and loved his truck! He also wanted to spend the morning playing on his new slide that his cousins gave him.  

The slinky was a big hit too.

Traditional German Pancakes for breakfast. This year he got to enjoy them!

And so did dad :)

Christmas aftermath.

This was the only picture I got over at the Hexberg's for Christmas dinner. It was taken with my new iPhone that Haws got me!

Davis Family Christmas

Since it was our off year for Christmas with my family, we did an early Christmas celebration with the Davis clan. We missed Dana, Chase and the boys, but they headed down to New Mexico and couldn't do 2 trips with the boys.

We had dinner at my parents and Jeff. Tayna and Marcus joined us to eat. Here is the our attempt of getting picture of all the kids before we opened presents. I love how Joshua is holding James. He is such a good "oldest" cousin.

 The kids table.

 And the high chair group. Caroline wanted to be a part of both.

I love this picture of my dad with some of the grand-kids. Everyone is so happy! (I think I was doing something in the background to make them laugh. Looks like it worked)

The after-opening shot. It was total madness opening presents. It was so chaotic and fun! Nana and Bop were way too generous! We were all so tired when we got home, but "the elfs" had work to do.

James: 18.5 months

We had James' 18 month check up today and he seems to be right on track! I was a little worried that his speech was delayed, but I guess animal sounds count as words! Who knew?? He is doing a ton of gibber-jabber these days... I know it won't be long before he is telling me like it is. I guess that can wait ;) 

Here are his stats at 18.5 months

Height: 34 inches (90%)

Weight: 23.5 lbs (10%-25%)

Head: 49 cm (75%)

We are finally starting to break away from the 10% for weight, but he is still a long and lean boy.

James is so much fun and I just love him to death! He has quite the personality and is still pretty strong willed. I hear more whining than I would like to and he knows how to turn the tears on and off pretty quickly. But this boy can laugh. I love his little giggle and the strangest things get him going. He likes to hide in things like my dresser, my closet, behind the couch or shut himself into the bathroom. He can open the door handles at my parents house. Luckily we have the kind you have to twist so it will be a while before he can escape into any room in the house. He loves his trains, trucks, books, sippy and balls. We dropped his bottle completely last month and he didn't seem to care one bit. It was a lot easier than I had anticipated. He loves being outside. Sometimes he will go into our little back patio and just hang out. Walking around trying to see if he can find planes flying by. He is obsessed with the trash! I am sure I have mentioned it before, but it seems like his obsession is growing. He wants to see the trash truck when it comes to pick up the trash, he loves throwing things away... especially his diapers.  Luckily he is not pulling things out of the trash as often anymore... but if he can carry the can around he will. Someone gave us a book all about a garbage truck called "I stink" and he is in love with it. He wants to read it about 5 or more times a day. Here are some pictures that catch him in action.

We have this chef hat that he likes to pull over his face and try to walk around in.

Playing with his Thomas the trains on the door ledge.

He lines his trucks up like his trains. He sometimes gets mad because they don't stay connected like his trains do.

Loves the pantry and pulling things out and putting them away. He could spend hours in my moms pantry since it is like a little room.

Sometimes dad lets him watch the hockey highlights on the computer with him.

Our little pianist.

Attempting to jump on the little trampoline at his buddy Jay's house.

Riding the scooter. (more like standing on it)

Aunt Brooke gave him his first real hair cut. She did a great job and he was good as long as he had cookies to eat and lots of cousins to entertain him.

31 weeks

This baby is getting big! I was looking at old pictures from when I was pregnant with James and I think I was this big when I was 37 weeks! I still have almost 8 weeks to go and I am trying to imagine how big I will be at the end. As long as I can still walk around, I can handle it :)

I feel like it is time little (or big) "DQ" got a post all to himself. I am starting to feel a real connection to him despite being distracted and busy with everything else going on. He is a mover and I think it is his way of reminding me that he is here. I feel like he has a certain presence and is going to be sweet and full of energy, just like his big brother. But I guess we will see once he is actually here. For now I want to take note of the things I know for sure. He likes to kick or punch my bladder. Luckily, I had a c-section so I still have pretty good pelvic floor muscles to hold back any accidents... but it is still uncomfortable! I don't know if it is all of his moving around or if it is just because he is #2, but I am a lot more achy than I was with James. My pelvis and pubic bones sometimes hurt so bad that walking hurts. I just got a belly support band and I am hoping that will alleviate some of the pain. My belly button is poking out this time, but I don't have that line that runs down the center of my belly yet. I had it with James, but can't remember when it appeared. I guess there is still time. I had a weird infection in my right eye that I didn't even know about until I had my eyes check. About 5 appointments later... it was fine. I have been pretty healthy lately and I am grateful for that! That is about it as far as a physical update goes.

When I went into the doctor last week, we scheduled the c-section. Looks like DQ will be joining our family on March 15th. I am scheduled for 1030am, which seems perfect. I am glad we will be able to spend some time with James in the morning before we go to the hospital. I hope everything goes as planned and DQ doesn't decide to come earlier than that. It is weird to think I am just going to walk into the hospital, check in and then lay down on a table and have a baby with out even going into labor! Things are so different this time around. I am sure there will be some anticipation the night before the c-section... but it is nothing like the unknown factor of a normal birth. Since I am a planner, I guess I kind of like the idea of having it planned out.

The next couple of weeks I am going to be busy traveling to Utah to see the twins, Vegas for work and hopefully and little get away with Haws before we are home bound for a while. Those weeks are just going to fly by! Then I will be on maternity leave and getting things organized with both the baby and James. We are going to try transferring James into his new bed and I am hoping he can be adjusted before Davis is here. I know his world is about to be rocked and I just don't want it to all happen at the same time. I am sure I will be writing about how that whole thing goes. I guess that is it for now. We have an ultra sound in a couple of weeks and are excited to see if we can tell what he is going to look like! 

Hamburger Noodle Bake

I'm back! New Year resolution #1... try to post a recipe once every other week. I was going to do once a week, but who am I kidding... I want to be able to stick with this! Tonight we were in the mood for a good, comfort food type of meal. So I turned to the family cookbook and decided on this one. It was yummy and even James ate a good sized portion. The only thing I would do different next time is add a little spice. Maybe some chili powder would do the trick.

Hamburger Noodle Bake
~Barbara Davis


1 1/2 - 2 lbs Hamburger Meat ( I used 1 lb of extra lean ground beef)
4 TB butter (I omitted this all together. Didn't seem like it needed it)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp sugar ( I didn't add this either)
32 oz tomato sauce
10 oz egg noodles, cooked and drained
1 small onion, chopped
8 oz cream cheese
1 1/2 c. sour cream (I used light sour cream)
1 c. shredded cheese ( I used light cheddar)


Brown hamburger, drain. Add butter (if using), sugar, garlic and tomato sauce. Simmer 15 min. Combine noodles, onion, cream cheese and sour cream. In a 9x13 pan, layer half of the noodle mixture, half of the meat sauce, repeat and then top with cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

The past two months

Like everyone else, the past two months have been busy busy busy! I would like to use that as my excuse for not blogging, but I think the real reason is I have become the worst picture taker ever!!! We have done so many fun things and I have failed to document it. I either forget my camera, or if I bring it... I forget to take pictures! That is one reason I want a smart phone. I always have my phone, but it takes horrible pictures and wont send them to my email. I guess that is what you get with a "dumb"phone. 

So I am going to do my best to document the last couple of months. 

 I went to spend time with Dana, Chase and the twins at the beginning of Nov. Thanks to Haws, my mom and Kori for making it possible for me to leave behind my little James and go help Dana out for 5 whole days!

The twins are so cute and I loved being there. They are good little babies and Dana is such a good mommy. She has her hands full, but I think she is doing a great job! I am excited to go back in Jan for the blessing and take James with me this time. I missed him and Haws while I was gone.

James is so funny at this age. (17 months) He can make you laugh, cry (in the emotional kind of way) and then make you want to pull your hair out all in the same hour! I think being pregnant at this stage in his life has been a little rough on me. He requires more energy than I sometimes have to give. I am always happy when Haws comes home and spends quality time with him to rough house and play since it is getting harder for me to.

He will have little temper tantrums. Usually because he is frustrated about something or because he is not allowed to do something. But they are short lived for the most part. He is also more leery of strangers and still not that fond of strange men... especially those with facial hair. He seems to like Santa, but I don't dare take him for a picture with Santa. Maybe next year? I have been amazed out how well he has listened when it comes to Christmas decor. He has not pulled one ornament of the tree or ripped open one present and when I tell him only to look or soft touch, he actually listens! I wish he was like this in all areas, but I will take what I can get. He is learning :)

 One thing he is obsessed with is the trash! He loves to throw things away and now every time we change his diaper, he has to be the one to throw it away. I am sure this will come in handy when little brother arrives.  He is understanding so much more, even though he is not talking very much. He will get things for me and knows what things are. He will sign when he wants more or is all done with something. I am anxious for him to talk more. It will make it easier on all of us! He is a good napper most days and has blessed me with a 3 hour nap in the afternoon. Once in a while it is less, but the days he sleeps 3 hours I can get so much done!!!

This picture is the only one I have to document Thanksgiving. Haws played in the Ward Turkey Bowl and took a cleat to the mouth. An ER trip and 6 stitches later, he was ready to dig into Thanksgiving dinner. We spent Thanksgiving at my parents with my family (minus the Hathaways) and Peter and Debra. It was crazy as usual, but always a good time.

 Haws' boss is moving and gave us their old stand up piano. James has loved it! I am hoping to freshen up on my 20 year old piano skills and hope that someday my kids will really play. It is nice having one in the house. I was afraid we wouldn't have a place to put it, but it seems to fit nicely in the kitchen eating area.

This is how our living room looks at the end of the day. A total mess!

 Our little chef.

 And this is what it looks like when you let a 17 month old help you make a ginger bread man.

  And here is my belly at 27 weeks. Yes, I am always in work out clothes! At least in the first half of the day.

Some fun things I wish I took pictures of this Dec.

Going to the tree lighting at Fashion Island

My day at the Ellen Show

Walking around and seeing the lights in Naples and Fountain Valley

Girls night for my birthday

Benihana's with the Orvins for my birthday

Our last trip to Disneyland since my pass just expired

Our trip to the Grove with John and Brooke's kids (minus Hunter)

Davis cookie party

Visits to the hospital to see my new nephews:

Tate and Porter Hathaway

Hunter Davis

They are all so precious and I love them!

My New Years resolution is to take more pictures so I can blog more :)