Dejavu?

Just in case anyone was wondering who Addison looks like, I put together this collage.

Jackson and Addison are quite the pals. Jackson loves to sing to his little sis to get her to go to sleep.

Addison's Special Day!

We had the wonderful opportunity to bless Addison on Father's Day. Eric gave such a wonderful blessing. I am so thankful to be married to a worthy priesthood holder. He is such a great father to our kids and the boys look up to him so much.

I took care of a cute little man about 4 years ago. At the time, I was pregnant with Dawson, but didn't know if I was having a boy or girl. His wife, was so kind and made this beautiful blessing dress. She told me to hold onto it if I didn't have a girl, because I would get to use it someday. I am so glad that someday came!!

We had a brunch following the meeting at our house, with all our family. It was great to have their support and spend time with them...although, I am SO glad to have it over and done with. It is so much work, probably because we make it that way, but it's the OCD tendencies coming out!

Addison is starting to smile and babble, anytime someone pays attention to her. The boys think this is great and just when I thought they couldn't get any cuter with her, they surprise me!

The three of them watching TV.

Our Babies Are Growing Up!

I know I say it all the time, but it is amazing how fast time seems to fly by. I have no idea where May went...I am still trying to find it! I wish I could slow things down and cherish my kids as long as possible, but they seem to be growing up faster than I would like!

Addison is now 6 weeks old and still the sweetest little girl! She is such a good sleeper and so content when she is awake...other than when we try to take her pictures! It took several photo shoots to get a handful of newborn pictures, but I am thrilled with the ones that did turn out.

Sometimes I still can't believe we have a little girl....she is so loved!

Just because a newborn wasn't enough excitement for us, we also welcomed a litter of puppies on May 17th. It turned into a 17 hour process to get them all here. Poor Macey, she had a longer labor and delivery than I did!

4 Females

3 Males

We had to have 2 puppy funerals, as we lost a male and a female, but the boys handled it better than I thought they would. I thought babies grew fast, but holy cow, puppies grow at amazing speed! Everyday, I swear they double in size. They are just starting to walk and open their eyes. The boys have to check on them first thing every morning and say good night to them each night.

Finally, Jackson graduated from preschool last week. This is the conversation he had with Grandma Jack:

Grandma: "How was preschool graduation, Jackson?"

Jackson: "Oh, it was a huge success!"

I guess in his mind, this was the biggest thing to happen since Columbus discovered America! I am really proud of him, and how much he has grown and learned in the past year. He is definitely ready for kindergarten, even though his mom is not!

Miss Lindsay & Jackson

(She is an awesome teacher and friend!)

I think Jackson was most excited about the cupcakes!

The Graduating Class!

From Left to Right: Jackson, (with Dawson hiding behind), Boston, Claire, Rylie, and Ryal.

Welcome Baby Addison!

Bright and early on the morning of April 22nd, Eric and I headed to the hospital for our scheduled c-section. It was definitely a very odd feeling, to walk into the labor and delivery unit, get checked in, and hooked up to all the monitors and IV's, all the while not having a single contraction and knowing that in a little less than 2 hours, your new little baby will be in your arms!!

I walked into the operating room at 7:32 AM and baby Addison was born at 7:58 AM. She was 7# 14 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. Dr. Fowers and the others in the operating room, couldn't believe all her hair - - but Eric and I would have been more surprised if she didn't have a lot of hair!! It was a lot of fun not knowing if we were having a boy or girl, and Eric was so excited when he realized it was a girl, that I enjoyed just watching his reaction!

Mom meeting her sweet baby girl for the first time! (My arms are pretty numb from the anesthesia, so I am terrified of dropping her!)

The proud parents!

The boys were excited to meet their new sister, but unsure at the same time. We tried to get a picture with Addison's arms down, but she loves her hands up around her face!

Miss Addi all ready for her trip home!

I love this picture of Jackson and Addison. I wish I knew what she was thinking!

Dawson has been such a great little helper! He loves to hold his baby sister, sing her songs, give her kisses, and put her pacifier in her mouth any time he can!

Addison is now ten days old and seems to change everyday! She is slowly getting settled into a routine, so her mom can get a little sleep here and there!

Apparently these three are all on the same sleep schedule as well!!

We feel so blessed to have Addison in our home, and that she arrived safe and healthy! She already has everyone wrapped around her little fingers and I know I am going to enjoy spoiling her!! I love the fact that she loves to snuggle with me, and I actually enjoy the moments at night, when the boys are asleep and the house is quite and the two of us can spend some time together.

I wanted to thank my mom, Eric's mom, and Kara for helping with our boys, so Eric could spend time with me at the hospital. That place gets really boring - FAST, and it was nice to have the company.

I love my little family and am thankful Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to raise these special little spirits!!!

Them Bones, Them Bones!!

What a crazy week!! Having a house full of boys, I knew the day would come that we had to deal with a broken bone. Well, that day finally came Monday night. I was cooking dinner and Eric was outside with the boys, grilling meat on the patio. Just as we were ready to sit down and eat, Dawson fell off his Little Tykes picnic table and onto the concrete. This fall wasn't witnessed by anyone, but I quickly knew what had happened. Especially when I saw how limp Dawson's left arm was. He is an extremely tough kid and usually doesn't cry for very long over any bump or bruise. This time was different. I held him until he cried himself to sleep.

Being the good parents that we are, we decided to see how he was come morning. Well, things weren't much different in the morning. If his arm even got bumped, he would scream out in pain. I called Dr. Brown's office as soon as they opened, and bless his heart, he told me to bring Dawson right in. It turned into a long morning, with waiting for x-rays and being squeezed into an already tight schedule, but it was confirmed there was a fracture right above his elbow. We had to put him in a plaster splint and sling for a few days, to allow for the swelling to go down. We were scheduled to see an orthopedist on Thursday and determine what the options were. All the doctors were concerned of the proximity of the fracture to the growth plates.

So, yesterday we saw the Doctor again. I was praying that we could get away with putting a cast on, instead of needing to operate. Thankfully, my prayers were answered! They took more x-rays, to make sure the bones hadn't shifted and that the alignment was still good. Then I got the unpleasant task of wrestling Dawson to hold still, while they put the cast on. We go back in two weeks, to have more x-rays done and make sure everything is still healing well. We chose a camo cast for him, and I actually think he looks pretty cute in it!

I am so proud of him! He was so brave through the whole ordeal, and has adapted to the circumstances without even complaining. It is interesting to sit back and watch him figure out how to do things with one hand. Very rarely has he had to ask for help. At first, he was a little

self-conscious of the cast, but he has since determined it is pretty cool and gets him a lot of attention! I am just waiting for the day he figures out he can use it as a weapon on his brother!!

Oh Baby!!!

So, it is official -- We are expecting Baby #3!!! We are super excited and the boys keep asking if the baby is doing okay in my belly. They are going to be great, big brothers! Barbara, our babysitter, is always telling me how thoughful and protective they are of the babies at her house, so hopefully they will feel the same about a baby who is here to stay in our home! If you ask Dawson, he will probably tell you I am having puppies, but rest assured there is only one bun in the oven!

We have until April to adjust to the idea of having three kids and sleepless nights again, but it is so worth it!!!

Thrilling Threes....

A few days back, we celebrated Dawson's 3rd birthday! I feel sorry for him, because by the time his birthday rolls around, we are so partied out from celebrating Eric's, Jackson's, and mine. I really have to put forth a good effort to make his day just as special.

I can hardly believe he is three already, yet at times, I think he is older than that, because he seems so grown up.

This was supposed to be an Elmo cake, but wouldn't you know it, I was out of red food coloring. So, we compromised and attempted a Cookie Monster cake. Thank goodness it passed Dawson's approval!

Do you like my wrapping job with the big one on the bottom? Surprisingly enough, he didn't even attempt to peek!

I had to throw this picture in to show how we ride a Big Wheel at our house!

And this is why we have Dawson ride with a helmet down his BMX hill!!