6 months!

Last Friday I hit the six month mark. The doctor said that the baby had a major growth spurt the past few weeks (which really helped me deal with my MAJOR weight gain this month!) I was not happy when I got on that scale but as long as she is healthy, then I can deal with it. :) 

24 weeks down, 16 more to go!

Official Cub Scout and Open House!

It's finally official! I have had a calling in Cub Scouts for as long as we have lived in Northern California (roughly 8 months) and Brandon has been coming with me and participating the entire time. However, when it came to actually earning any awards or recognition, he had to wait until he turned 8. He was SO proud at this last pack meeting when he finally got patches, belt loops and beads. Way to go Brandon!

He got to "pin" me. 

 Brandon had a blast at Open House showing John and I some of the things he has done this year. We have been SO blessed to have him in such an amazing school, with an amazing and very loving teacher! 

I LOVE this self portrait of him. The spikes have become his trademark. So funny, and cute.:)

  

 The wonderful Mrs. Machado and Brandon

 Principal Egan and Brandon

More Birthday Fun!

Brandon's birthday fun continued on Saturday when we invited three of his buddies to join us at

  Sky High Jump. We just love that place! 

 Wish I would have taken some flipping action shots. :(

 They got to play video games after their jump time was over. 

 Then we took them to McDonald's for a treat. 

They were more interested in playing hide-and-go-seek on the play structure than eating their goodies. ;) 

Brandon opened his gifts and LOVED what his friends picked for him. He has such good buds. 

More celebrating to come when he gets baptized in two weeks! He can't wait for that special day.

Brandon Turns 8!

At 4:30am yesterday morning I woke up to Brandon excitedly saying "I'm eight mom!" I have to admit that at that hour I really was not very excited for him. Ha! Much to my dismay, he did NOT go back to sleep so we started our celebration very early!

He was ecstatic to find balloons all over his bedroom floor and "it's great to be 8" signs on his walls.

 (This is a tradition started by Wendy and I stole it from her. Thank you for being so creative Wendy!) 

He was super excited when he walked into the kitchen to find this...

I love surprising him. ;)

He opened a couple of gifts...this was a favorite. He just loves those "Ugly Dolls." So funny!

Luckily his Nana and Papa Yost sent him a new outfit to wear on his big day, 

because I forgot to get him anything to wear! They are the BEST!

He really wanted "bone" cupcakes for his classmates, a "dog" cupcake for himself and a "paw print" cupcake for his teacher! This is exactly what he wanted last year! 

I made these little cupcake bites too. :) 

For lunch he wanted me to take him to Subway. All his favorites on his special day. 

After school we went to Baskin Robbins for a free ice cream! He picked his usual, Rainbow Sherbet. 

This singing balloon was fun until about the 30th time Brandon played the song! Ah! ;)

For dinner he chose Sweet Tomatoes, his absolute favorite! John and I think that it is because it's a self- serve place and Brandon loves getting his own food. We brought a candle and sang to him at our table.

For the rest of the evening my two guys played the Wii. What a great day! 

Brandon you are SO loved! We can't believe you are 8! 

Happy 8th Birthday Brandon!

I made this video for Brandon's special day.
There is music too so turn it up!
Eight years sure does fly by! 

Mother's Day

 This mother's day was extra special...I think it's because I will soon be the mother of two. That sounds so weird and so wonderful. ;) Everyday I have to remind myself that it's real. That soon a little girl will be adding even more love to our home. Brandon can't wait, John can't wait, I can't wait, and really I think she can't wait either! The way she kicks me non-stop makes me think she wants out! Ha! John so sweetly surprised me on Saturday morning with beautiful roses and a card. I read my card and drank my one little can of diet coke that I'm allowed a day...it was a great morning. 

 On Sunday I woke up to little hands rubbing my feet. As I slowly woke up Brandon said "Happy Mother's Day mom." His foot rubs are the best, even if they only last 30 seconds. Brandon encouraged me to stay in bed and relax (while John made yummy blueberry pancakes and eggs.) 

My guys are so sneaky! ;)

 We made some cookies for a few awesome moms in our ward. 

 I am excited to see what next Mother's Day brings! 

5 months!

I can't believe that this pregnancy is half over already! It is going super fast...I hope it stays that way! Last Friday I was 20 weeks exactly. This little girl is SO active! She does not stop moving and kicking. When the doctor was listening to her heartbeat at our last appointment, she kicked really hard. The doctor said "Wow! That is an active baby. " Not sure what we are in for when she arrives! Ha!

Our little family loves her a ton already. John is adorable when he talks to her in this sweet, daddy voice, and a day does not go by that Brandon isn't rubbing my belling saying hi to his sister. What a tremendous blessing she is.