Catch Up

Thought I'd do a quick update since my last post-

Thanksgiving was a ton of fun- I had my grandma (mom's mom) from California come down, which was fun since she has only seen Alexa a few times, and this was her first time meeting Preston... the first great-grandson she has seen (Tristan is the first great-grandson, but she has yet to meet him in person). We also had the missionaries eat Thanksgiving meal with us, which was fun. They always have something spiritual to share...(of course they would, they're missionaries!!)

Just before the Thanksgiving feast

My 25th Birthday- I just celebrated my 25th birthday one week ago (today). I kind of took the day before as my lazy day and just hung around in the house with the kiddos. Then on my birthday my parents were able to watch the kids while Pat and I went to Saltgrass Steakhouse....SOO YUMMY!! Oh I loved it so much! I also got some beautiful flowers from Pat's family! We ended up having my family party a week early so that my grandma could join us, so that was fun! Oh and I just received Pat's present to me the other day...a ZUMBA dvd!! I was looking for something like this forever and couldnt find what I was looking for, but luckily Pat found it and I actually have yet to try it but I am so excited!!! :o)

Pat and I at my birthday dinner at Saltgrass

Preston is now 5 months old! That's so crazy to me! He is growing up way too fast for me! He learned just a couple weeks ago to roll over both ways, and man he is fast! I put him down on his back, I turn around for a second, he is half way across his blanket, rolled onto his stomach! Oh and he also started eating yummy vegetables! He likes (well more so tolerates) carrots and green beans which is a good start! He is getting cuter and cuter everyday!

LOL This is his "I've had enough mush for one day, mom" face Happy lil Preston boy at 5 months!!

Oh and this is Alexa TODAY (December 14th) going swimming in our pool! Crazy girl...It's not THAT hot here!! (and yes she jumped in right after this picture!)

(This was taken a few weeks ago but I thought it was sooo cute of Lexi!! I just had to put it up!)

3 months old!

Preston is now 3 months old! It seems like it took forever for Alexa to turn 3 months, but I guess time flies when you're having fun with 2 kids! Preston is such a loving little boy and we are so thankful that he is in our family!!

He ALMOST rolled over from his stomach! He just needed one little push from his little leg, but he didn't quite make it... but no worries- He has got plenty of time to practice!

12 Weeks Old

My little Preston boy is 12 weeks old already! He is just growing way too fast!! Even though I want him to stay little forever, I love seeing my children grow! Preston loves to smile and laugh, and is a Very happy boy, until his hunger alarm kicks in and then he is NOT a happy camper, other than that though, very happy :o) He is also a Very social little boy... he has to have someone holding him or looking at him much of the day, which is a little hard when I have to tend to Alexa, but I love that he loves cuddling all day if I'd let him! Lexi still loves being a big sister and is a very big help!

Preston's first time in his exersaucer- he liked it for a few minutes then wanted out

Big sister Lex changing her brother's diap :o)

Alexa

I wanted to make a little post about Alexa and how wonderful she is since a lot of our attention is now going to our little Preston boy, I thought I'd take a little time to talk about our little Lexi :o) Well first off, Alexa is such a girlie girl! She loves wearing high heels around the house, loves to take care of her baby dolls, (taking them shopping, changing their stinky diapers, burping them after she feeds them, and making sure it is quiet in the house when her dollies are sleeping, oh and she will even give them a time out if they do something bad like hitting or spitting). She loves to put on make-up whenever mommy or Nana is putting on make-up, and loves changing into different outfits, multiple times a day. Alexa is also very motherly and is such a sweet girl who loves her little brother! She is also a TALKER (to say the least!) It's not stop talking All Day Long!!! Sometimes we have to ask her to not talk for a few minutes during the day so our ears can get a little break! lol She is just so curious, she asks the infamous "why" question all day long... she also loves being the center of attention! Today she even said, "I'm in charge".... what's it going to be like when she's a teener??? :o/ She loves to sing, mostly primary songs like "I am a Child of God" "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" and "I Love to See the Temple" which is super cute! She is currently obsessed with rockets and wants a pink one to ride in! She has told me multiple times recently that when she grows up she wants to be an "engineer to drive rocket ships!" Oh and lastly, Alexa is such a WONDERFUL eater! I have never seen or heard of a child that eats as many things as Alexa does out of their own free will. She loves salad (she has even asked to have it for breakfast!!), red peppers, broccoli, edamame beans, hardy wheat bread, almonds and practically anything we ask her to try. I couldn't ask for a better eater! She honestly eats better than I do!!!
Anyway, Alexa is such a sweet little girl that is growing so fast! She brings us so much joy and excitment in our lives and I am so thankful she is in a our little family!

2 months old

Today Preston turned 2 months old! It is so true that time flies when you have kids! I took him to the doctor today to get measured and get some shots :o( Well he weighs 13 lbs and 13 oz (91%) is 23 1/2" long (71%) and head circumference was 16 1/2" (also in the 90%). What can I say...we grow 'em big! lol Preston really is getting to be so big!! He smiles now and even lets out a few of the cutest chuckles!! He can wear up to 6 month clothing now! He is also a huge snuggler, which I love! He sleeps very well- he wakes up only once to feed but we both end up falling asleep in bed shortly after or during the feeding so I'm not too bothered by getting up that once. On another note, Preston's Great Grandma Charlotte sent him some money for his "birth-day" and we went on a fun shopping spree and got him some super fun toys and new outfits :o) THANKS SO MUCH Gma!!! Ill see if I can get some pictures of him with the things we bought. Oh and Alexa also got some new toys from Gma Charlotte as well... a dollie crib and some dollie clothes and she absoultely LOVES these!! Every night Alexa has made sure her baby is sleeping within her reach inside the dollie crib, and she uses the new clothes for both night and day! We also bought Tangled for Lexi and of course she loves that too!!

Here are some pictures of Preston boy at 2 months

First Day of Preschool and 6 week old Preston

I cant believe it but my little baby girl is starting preschool on Monday morning, August 22nd! I am so happy that she gets to go and she is absolutely stoked about going as well!! Her preschool is everyday (Monday-Friday) from 8am-11am which is a lot more than I thought it was going to be, but I know she will have so much fun. Her school is in our neighborhood so it's like 5 minutes away which is nice! I could even walk, but not in this crazy Texas heat we are having (*YuCk*) maybe in the "winter" it will be nice enough to walk without over heating little Preston boy ;o) There are only 8 kids in her class but I know that will help her have more one on one attention fom her teachers. Here are some pictures of Lexi's first day of preschool!!

(Cute smile but she never wants to look at the camera!)

Showing off her new Princess backpack

Daddy dropping Lexi off in her new class

Also, one of Preston's big milestones is coming up on Tuesday, August 23rd... He will be 6 weeks old already!! I cant believe it! He is getting to be such a big boy! He is in 0-3 month clothes but those are getting a little snug...so we might have to move him up pretty soon! Oh AND... he gave me his first smile yesterday!! It was so cute! I was tickling his cheek and talking to him and he first cracked a half smile then it turned into a full blown smile! :o) I was so happy!!! I will also post pics of him too asap!!

Graduation Day- FINALLY

July 22nd, 2011 I FINALLY graduated from BYU-IDAHO! I can't believe I am DONE!! This past semester was by far the craziest since Pat was gone the entire time, but it has been a long and crazy road from the beginning. Even though both Lexi and I missed Pat terribly, I think I did okay- dealing with taking Lexi to her babysitters, going to classes, doing homework, and being in my third trimester of pregnancy. It was all kind of a rush since I had Preston 2 weeks before the semester ended, so graduation day came way too fast! I wish I could have had a little more time to really have graduation sink in and attend more of the graduation events, but it was okay, my baby boy was way more important :o) Commencement was so awesome and convocation was even better! And I was the very first one to receive my diploma (well it was just trhe diploma cover, but still cool!) in my entire college (Education and Human Development)!! So that was pretty cool. Here are some pictures of this wonderful day

Birth Story

(I know people post birth stories all the time, so you dont have to read this, but I'm sure my out of state family and friends would like to know how everything went down this time around :o)
Tuesday morning July 12th, at 11am I was scheduled to be induced. Pat and I arrived a little early to get the needed papers in and signed. We were then put in the labor and delivery room and just hung out for about 2 hours, which was fine because I was totally dreading the whole process since last time it was an absolute night mare! Anyway, the doctor finally came in to break my water around 1:30pm to start the labor process. I had told the nurses that I didnt want to do pitocin if possible and they were totally for that, but the doctor didnt like that idea and was kind of pushy and wanted me to do the pitocin, so I agreed, but only if they started it out at a MINIMAL dose, (unlike last time where it was cranked so high right off the bat I could hardly catch my breath between contractions). So the contractions did start off very slow at first and the nurses said that I could get the epidural anytime since I was already at 3 cm almost 4cm. *last time they made me wait until I was 4cm before receiving the epidural, but this time they said I didnt have to wait? Not sure why there was a difference...? So once the contractions started to get a little intense and I had to cringe through them and ask Pat when they were over, I decided to get the epidural. Ironically, it was the same nurse anesthetist that did my epidural last time, so I was pretty skeptical, but he took his time, since it was during the middle of the day (3pm) and he was chatting away and was very friendly. He put the needle in but I told him I could only feel it on my right side, so he kept attempting to put it in the "middle" where I could feel it on both sides, and when I told him that I could feel it on both sides, he said the needle was pretty much all the way over to the left. Then he told me that even though he isnt certain since he has not seen an x-ray, but he thinks I might have some scoliosis in my lower back, which MAY explain why last time it didnt work right, which is semi-good news since now there is a possible explanation! Anyway, the epidural went WONDERFULLY!! I slept through the next 2 hours or so. Pat kept asking me as soon as he saw a contraction end, if I felt that, and I said nope! Oh it was wonderful! :o) Then about 2 ish hours later I started to feel very, very intense pressure and it was getting really, really painful! The nurse then thought to check ho dialated I was and said I was already at 9cm and almost ready to push! I was shocked that it went by that fast!! It was the end of her shift and the beginning of the next so by the time they switched nurses, about 20 minutes later, they checked me again and I was 10cm and said I could start pushing! Ahhh! I was so nervous! But when I pushed, it felt sooo much better than just taking the intense pressure down there! Since the epidural was still working, I was calmly talking to Pat and the nurse during my pushing asking if he was getting close or whatever. The doc came in to check on me and he had arrived in his basketball clothes so wasnt quite ready to delivery the baby LOL! I guess Preston got stuck on my pubic bone for awhile but once I push him past that part he was starting to come out so fast the doctor told me to stop pushing so he could get clothed! As soon as he did I pushed just a couple more times and out came screaming baby Preston even before Pat cut the cord! I guess he did not want to come out because he was super comfy! ;o)I didnt even have to push the placenta out this time and before I brought my attention back to the doctor, he said, "you're all done"! So my placenta came out and he stitched a few stitches before I even noticed! Sweet! :o) But overall, I would say that this labor was a dream!! If only all labor and deliveries were like this!!! So my little boy, Preston Keith Carney was born at 7:09pm on July 12th, 2011. About an hour after delivery Pat went home to get Alexa, my sister Karena and her two kids, Tristan and Amberly. Alexa came in with her "I am a big sister" shirt and she was soo excited to meet her bew baby brother. So is such a big help and is always asking if she can hold her baby brother! So is so sweet!! I absolutely love my kids!!!

Welcome Baby Preston!

Preston Keith Carney was born July 12, 2011 at 7:09pm. He was a good 8lbs 1oz and 20" long. Everything went extremely well and exceeded my expectations! :o) I will post more about how things went later, but for now here are some pictures of the little guy

Baby time!!

So here it is the night before my induction, and I am getting really excited to be able to meet this little boy, but also scared poopless about the labor part. Alexa's labor and delivery was an absolute nightmare and I do not want to go through that again! Also, I saw the doctor today for one last visit and I am only 2 cm dialated and 75% effaced...so I am moving along, but not quite as much as I or the doctor prefers. I just hope everything goes well tomorrow. I was told that my chances of having a c-section is now 50-50% which isnt bad, but still a little nerve racking...however, if thats the worst that can happen, I'm fine with that. Women get c-sections all the time, but the recovery time is a little longer than a normal vaginal delivery. But I am optimistic and I know that things will go according to Heavenly Father's plan. Wish me luck!!!

Lexi's 3rd Birthday

Lexi is now 3 years old! Crazy! We had her party at the Splash Park in Rexburg on her actual birthday (July 2nd) and had a lot of fun! She didnt really go in the water much because she was in love with her new toys, but thats okay it was her day to do whatever she wanted. I got her this pretty cool princess cake that was very yummy! Anyway, the day was so much fun!!

The Birthday Girl!!

Lexi opening her present

I'm 3!!!

2 MORE WEEKS TIL PAT COMES

2 more weeks until Pat comes to Rexburg!! YAY!!! But that does mean only 2 weeks and 3 days until Baby Boy comes (ahhhh!!) I'm not sure if I'm ready? But maybe I am?? Ive been so preoccupied with school, homework, moving plans, graduation and taking care of Alexa that these past few months have just flown by (in terms in baby preparation).

Lexi Loves Mulan

Recently, Lexi's favorite movie has been Mulan and has been quoting parts all the time. She loves the song they song when Mulan is getting ready to see the Match Maker, and Lexi likes to sing it when she is getting ready or bathing... and if you can't understand this it what she is trying to sing, here are the words- "we'll have you washed and dried, primped and polished till you glow with pride, trust my recipe for instant bride, you'll bring honor to us all"

Week 34

Updated Preggo picture.... 34 weeks! (only 36 days until my potential induction date!! :o)

My Awesome Husband

Wanna hear how awesome my husband is??... He is doing so well at his newly promoted computer sales commission job at Fry's Electronics, they want him to apply for a supervisor position so he doesn't take all the sales from the other commission guys!! He has only been in this position for a little over a month I think? And he is overall, like #4 in sales (approximately)! Anyway, thought I'd brag a little about his awesomeness! ;o)

Baby Name!!

So after MUCH, MUCH debate, I think Pat and I have FINALLY come up with a name for our little boy (with 7 weeks to spare!). We, or at least I, have been throwing out boy names here and there for the past couple years, since after Lexi was born, so it REALLY has taken us a LONG time to be able to come up with a name we both really like!! I'm not sure if I should wait to post his name until he is born, or before??! I'm a little torn...I want it to be a surprise but I know everyone keeps asking me if we've thought of any names and it will probably come out sooner or later ;o)

Preggo Pic- Month 8

I thought I'd take an updated pregnancy picture...So here is me at 31 (ish) weeks. I'm not exactly sure anymore how many weeks I am because I keep meauring about one week ahead. But he might just be a big baby? The doctor said that if I keep meauring ahead he wants to redo the ultrasound and see how big he is so they can make sure he isnt getting too big. But besides that, I will probably be induced a week early to make sure Pat will be able to attend the birth.

Rainy Day

It was pretty much raining the whole day today. I went to my classes while Alexa got to play with Annie, (my cousin's baby). Then later in the afternoon Alexa and I were home, and I was trying to think of something to do to pass the time. I started cleaning Alexa's room a bit and putting away the clothes and shoes that were too small, and Alexa found this bear bag with a ton of different outfits for this little stuffed bear. She has seen it before, but it was awhile ago so she thought it was pretty cool. Then she started to dress her bear up in her swimsuit and cute matching headband (with my help). She then packed two play purses full of who knows what, took her stoller and her bear and said, "we're going swimming, wanna come?" So I played along and said "yeah, let's go swimming, where's the pool?" (It was downstairs). She really wanted to go outside in the rain to "swim" but that wasn't going to happen. So we started to pretend to go swimming in our front room then the pool moved to the kitchen and back again to the front room. Alexa then got really into it and wanted to put her swimsuit and swim cover on. THEN, she told me to get my swimsuit on! I pretended to put on my swimsuit and go swimming again, but that wasn't good enough for her. She went upstairs and grabbed my actual swimsuit and told me to put it on. I tried to put it over my clothes, but oh no, that's not how you really wear swimsuits! Anyway, being the amazing mother I am ;o) I ended up really putting on my swimsuit and Lexi and I had a swimming party in our front room. Then we had a little picnic in the pool (dinner). Anyway, Lexi has quite the imagination and I love it! I do wish she could have another playmate/sibling her age to do these things with, but for now, while baby brother is still growing, growing, I'll take that place! :o) Lexi sure does know how to make a rainy day fun!!!
(Sorry no pictures this time...didn't think about it)

Last Semester at BYU-I

I've now completed one full week of my last semester of college at BYU-Idaho. I am Very excited about that!! However, I really do loving learning, so I will probably be a little sad when I can actually say I am done, but, at least I will be able to say that I finished my Bachelor's degree, which definitely has been a LONG time in the making!! I've gotten married, had a child, gone part-time, moved 5 times, and will have one more child by the time I will be done, so a lot has gone on, but alas, I can close this door and will be able to focus more on my family and raising my two wonderful children!!

So far I really enjoy my classes. I am taking a family nursing skills class which is 4 credits, and thought it would be my hardest class, but it seems like the teacher is pretty easy going and as long as I come to class and turn in my portfolio at the end of the semester, I have nothing to worry about. I love learning about health science anything and have loved everyone of my health sciences classes, and if time and money weren't an issue, I'd love to continue school to get a degree in nursing, or medicine of some sort, but who knows...maybe one day I will??

I also can't wait to reunite with my beautiful Alexa tomorrow (Wednesday)! She has been in Texas for the last 10 days while I came up to Idaho to get settled in and start school. I really do miss her sweet spirit and can't wait to see her smiling face!

Lastly, our baby boy, (still no name yet, but we are narrowing it down!) has been moving, as always, like crazy! I never have to worry if he is still doing okay because I am constantly feeling him wiggle around. Soon enough he wont have much wiggle room so hopefully it will settle down. Alexa also loves to kiss baby brudder, and is very concerned that he gets a pacifier and bottle so he can eat. She will even bring him a toy to share with him and just place it near my belly...I know she is going to be a WONDERFUL big sister!!

Four Years Together 4-7-11

April 7th was Pat and my 4 year anniversary. We both worked that day, so we just waited until the next day, Friday, to do our celebrating. So Friday, neither of us had to work so the morning was pretty chill, then around lunch time we took Alexa out to eat at Chick Fil A just cuz, then my mom took her home for a nap. Then we whisked away to Galveston Bay, about a 40 minute drive, where we waited for our dolphin watching boat ride, which was SOOO cool! We did see some dolphins swimming right next to another boat that passed us which was pretty cool. I couldnt get any pictures as they were too quick or too far to get a picture. Then Pat and I drove back to League City and ate at Cheddar's. So yummy! We got the monte cristo, and it was awesome! Then we went to stay at the Stay Bridge Hotel right behind Pat's work, and spent the night in a SUPER comfy KING size bed with no child to have to tend to, which was a really nice break for us! (Now that we've had the chance, we Love living close to family!!!) The next morning was nice to sleep in and take our time eating at the awesome breakfast buffet! I even had a Texas shaped waffle! :o) We had a really good anniversary and can't wait for next year's!!!

"WHY??"

Just about 3 or so weeks ago, Alexa has gone into the full blown "Why??" stage! Everything is "why?, why?, why?" I'm glad she loves to learn about things but man... a simple question like "where did the sun go?" (during sunset) is a five minute explanation! I hate saying it but sometimes I just have to say, "just because!" or "because I said so". But besides some of those lame parenting answers, I love that she loves to learn new things!! She is growing so fast and is learning something new everyday!! And here is a pretty recent picture of her wearing her "smart glasses" (or grandma's glasses ;o)

My bouncy little boy

I just had to blog about the fact that I think I have gymnast growing inside of me. This little boy of ours is way more active than I remember Lexi ever being! He is moving ALL THE TIME! He is going to get his umbilical cord in a knot with all this flipping and flopping! Or this kid already has A.D.D or something?! I am glad that he seems to be doing so well in this growing process, but man! Anyway, that's all... less than 19 weeks left to go!! :oD

Half Way!

This week I am now 20 weeks along...HALF WAY! It feels like this first half went by so slowly, but I remember that with Alexa, the last half went by super fast! We still haven't found any names for our baby boy, but in time we will have the best boy name (we can think of! ;o) I haven't gained much weight this pregnancy, which is weird. Last time I went to the doctor, I had only gained about 5 lbs. Some explainations are that I lost about 5 lbs in the beginning due to ALL day sickness, then with my hospital visit at the end of Jan. I was put on a clear liquid diet for three days!! This consisted of chicken broth for breakfast, lunch and dinner and I think some juice. My super cool nurse would slip me some crackers here and there because I was STARVING!!! But other than that, that is pretty much all I had for those three days. But even after I got home from the hospital, I still didnt eat much probably because my stomach had shrank! And so anyway, that could explain the minimal 5lb weight gain as of now. I know with Alexa I never lost any weight and by this time I had gained at least 10-15lbs. But I really shouldnt be too worried because our baby boy was measuring 10 oz last time which was more than a usual 18 week old fetus. So obviously he is getting nutrients some how! Oh and I will try to post of picture of me asap!

It's a BOY!!!

The title of this post might give it away but Lexi is going to have a baby brother or "brubber" ;o) I honestly thought it was going to be a girl and Lexi has been calling it a girl for the longest time, but today we had the ultrasound and he is DEFINITELY a boy!! lol I am excited- but was sad to hear Lexi's remarks at the doctor. The ultrasound tech showed us his little "shmeckle" and said, "that right there is a boy!" Then Lexi said, "I don't want a boy, I want a little girl..." :o( aw, that made me so sad! I knew that if it was a boy then she would probably say something like that bc she wanted a little sister so bad, but maybe next time ;o) We are trying to tell her that it is a boy and that she is going to have a little brother, but she is still convinced it's a girl.... *sigh* ...

NOW...the hard part is thinking of a boy name!!! Any suggestions are welcome bc we've got NOTHIN!

(It's a BOY!!!)

(Here is a picture of me today at 18 1/2 weeks.)

(Baby is measuring one week ahead of schedule and weighs 10 oz already!)

Hospital Update

Today I am way more with it than yesterday so here is my update...I ended up having my gall bladder removed yesterday and the doctors did the laparoscopy procedure where i had some incisions in my abdomen and with the aid of a tiny camera they were able to removed the gall bladder that is a lot less invasive to both baby and myself that just cutting me open, more or less. But I was out for the whole thing which was great! I am still recovering from that today, pretty sore though, but I will also have another procedure in a couple of hours to put a stint in where the gall stones are stuck. Anyway, I will get that part removed after baby is born so it wont be damaging to the baby. I will hopefully get released from the hospital tomorrow. Your prayers are still greatly appreciated!!

ER Visit

Once again Pat took me to the ER...well twice. The first one was on Sunday- I had stomach cramps, back pain and non pregnancy vomiting...I had to make sure the baby was doing okay. Then they discharged me late that night, and then I had to come back again Tuesday evening because of chest pain and some breathing problems. Well to make a long story short, I'm sitting here in the hospital bed after about 24 hours. This time I was Finally admitted (not that it's a good thing but I have gone so many times to the ER in the past and they never found anything so they would just sent me home). Anyway, after many, many tests such as xrays, ultrasounds, a ct scan, and a MRI, they determined that I am having problems with my gall bladder and I have some gall stones that seem to have passed already, but will probably happen again. The doctor's suggest that I get my gall bladder removed but if my blood tests aren't too bad tomorrow morning, they want to wait until after I have our baby in July. If it's bad enough they want to do it tomorrow :o/ Ive never had any type of surgery before so I am REALLy nervous about what they will say. I also just started a new job at a Primrose School (being a teacher assistant in a private kindergarten class) and already had to "call in sick", but at least it was for a good reason. That's all I know for now but will find out shortly... :o/ Please keep me in your prayers!!!

Check Up

Today I had my second check up on our baby and sounds like he or she is doing just fine :o) I am 14 weeks along and feeling much better than I have been, which is great! I'm so excited to say that we get to find out the sex two days after Valentine's day....so will it be pink again, or will we move on to blue??? (Here's also an updated pic of the belly)