This Old House

In a couple of months it will be two years since we bought our first house.  It was built in 1979, so it is a little on the old side.  For a house, not a person!!  ; )  And it has not been updated since it was built.  I wasn't very excited about updating a house.  I wanted to move into a pretty, new house.  But, I caved and we bought this old house.  We can't afford to do much updating, but we have done a bit of painting, put in great carpet, removed popcorn ceilings, put in a couple of new ceiling fans and finally this week painted the outside, had a new garage door put in and a new roof.  The outside of the house looks AMAZING!!  We think so, at least.  We just need to something about the yard.
Before:

After:

We also updated the downstairs bathroom not too long after we moved in.  I don't have a before picture.  But, it was really ugly.  We put in a granite vanity and some decorations.  I love it!

We also did a little to our "formal" living room.  I still need to decorate.  I'm so cheap and horrible at decorating.

Before:

After:

We still have a TON of updating to do.  The one I cannot wait for is the kitchen.  It is awful!!  Maybe with this year's tax return....

Two Weeks

Riley is a little over two weeks old.  It seems like it has been months since he was born.  : ) 
He has been doing this a lot...

This boy sure does love his sleep. 
In his first two weeks he has: gotten circumcised (ouch), gained weight (8 lbs 8 oz), been on many outings, church and has seen/slept on family and friends. 
His Grandpa Kevin came over and brought us dinner.

He is awake sometimes.  Just long enough to eat and then back to sleep.

I sure love this little guy and am so glad he is a part of our family!!

He's Here!!

We have another sweet baby boy!  Riley Jasper Reed was born January 27, 2011 at 11:43 p.m.  He weighed 8 lbs and was 22 inches long.  I was able to have a VBAC.  I am so thankful that he arrived safely.
The story: 
I was having lots of contractions and decided if I was still having them when Shaun got home from work, we would head to the hospital.  We got there at 4:30 and I was still only dilated to 1 1/2.  I told the nurse that I did not want to leave empty handed.  :)  She kept me on the monitor and told me that the baby was not moving and that he was not having as many heart accelerations as they like to see.  They moved me up to labor and delivery at 9:50 p.m.  I was now at a 3.  The doctor broke my water and that made me a 5.  I was having horrible contractions and back labor.  They gave me an epidural.  By then I was 7.  I dilated too fast for the dang epidural to work all the way.  I felt every contraction and every back pain until he was out.  I spent less than 2 hours in the delivery room and our little Riley had arrived!!  I pushed for 10 minutes and out he came.  And SHAUN got to tell me that we had a BOY!!!

Riley is such a sweetheart.  He is a good sleeper and loves to be held and swaddled.  He has the cutest high pitched squeal when he cries.  Shaun says he sounds like a little piggy.  :)  It's so amazing how much love you have for your child right away.  I am so in love with my new little guy! 

Emma. of course, loves him and wants to hold him all the time.  Spencer hasn't really had too much interest in him yet.  I can't wait until they are all playing together.

3 Weeks and Counting.....

So, I am 3 weeks away from my due date.  At my last appointment I was dilated to one centimeter and 50% effaced.  I cannot wait until this baby is born!!  I want to know if  I am carrying a little boy or girl soooo bad!  We went for an ultrasound on Friday, just to check on the weight.  Since, my babies tend to be a bit on the larger side.  They estimated the weight to be at 7 lbs and 1 oz.  They told me at the doctor's office that the baby can gain about 8 ounces a week.  So, I could still be having a 8 1/2-9 lb baby, if I stay pregnant for another 3 weeks.  I guess we will find out soon enough.  The lady who did my ultrasound was awesome!  It's so nice to see someone enjoy their job so much.  The baby had it's hand across it's face and this was unacceptable to her!  :)  She poked my belly, rolled me on my side, made me cough... until the baby moved it's arm.  We didn't get to see the whole face, but most of it.  He/she has some huge cheeks!!

Frowning when the lady poked my belly  :)

And a sweet smile

HUGE cheeks!!!

A Birthday Party For Spencer

We had Spencer's birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza this year.  The theme, of course, was Toy Story.  He had a good time playing and running around.  He did NOT want to sit down for pizza.  He did really well opening gifts and was so excited each time he opened one.  He loved his cake.  He was willing to sit down and eat that, of course!

The next day we went to cousin Jane's 3rd birthday party.  I didn't do much picture taking.  But, I got a picture of Emma sitting with Grandpa and Spencer riding a horse.

Two Years Old and Other Stuff

 My sweet little Spencer boy turned two years old today!! His birthday party will be next Saturday. So, today we didn't do too much. We told him Happy Birthday when he woke up and went to church. We made him brownies and sang to him. He was able to blow out one of his candles. Emma took care of the other one. : )  He hasn't been feeling too well today, but he was still happy.  Snotty nose, watery eyes and two 2nd year molars halfway through.
Spencer was born 1/02/09 at 12:29 a.m.  He was 7lbs 12oz and 20 1/2 in long.   He was such an easy, happy baby.  He is growing up so fast.  He is so sweet and loves to give hugs and kisses.  He loves to play with cars, balls, golf clubs, guns.....He is OBSESSED with Toy Story.  I sure love him and am glad he came to our family!!

Yesterday, we took the kids to Jump Street.  It has a bunch of trampolines and for the smaller kids those big, inflatable jump houses.  They had so much fun!  And it is really cheap!!  $4 a kid for the whole day. 

Shaun and I actually left our house for New Year's Eve this year!!  Something we have not done in the almost 6 years we have been married!  My mom watched the kids for us overnight. (thanks Mom and Kayla)  We went to dinner with our good friends Shauna and Jared.  And then watched the guys shoot off tons and tons of fireworks!  And of course talked until it was way too late.

Baby #3 is getting closer and closer to arriving.  I'm now 35 weeks along.  I feel huge!!  I think we finally decided on names.  Well, at least first names.  For a girl we like either Mollie Marie Reed or Mollie Ella Reed.  And for a boy we like Riley, but can't decide on a middle name.  Middle names are hard!  At my last appointment the baby was head down, hopefully it stays that way.  And I am pretty sure I'm trying for a  VBAC.  Below is the 35 week belly.  YIKES!!  : ) 

Christmas Day

The kids had yet another great Christmas.  Filled with way too many gifts and time with family.  Shaun and I decided that we would only get them a few gifts and fill their stockings.  We don't want them to think that Christmas should only be about how many gifts you get, but about our Savior and family.  Here they are opening gifts from "Santa."

We went to my mom's house first.  The kids got tons of gifts.  Since it was Spencer's nap time, he slept most of the time.  Eventually he woke up and opened his gifts.

Then we went to Shaun's Aunt Erin's house.  For some reason I didn't take any pictures.  Except for one of Shaun's cousin Shay and I.  We are due in the same month.  I am due Feb 5th and she is due Feb. 27th.  Man, am I a beast compared to her!!