Made it through December

There I was in my third trimester of pregnancy with back aches, two kids, lots of cooking, tons of work deadlines, a few parties, and my dad who was in and out of the hospital. Things weren't looking good for the waddling woman- Would her and her family have a merry season or one full of tears and great nashing of teeth....???? I'm happy to say we made it. We made it through December, with only one major temper tantrum at 1 am in the morning... That is pretty good for me (he he- you thought I was talking about Ben - I wasn't :)  We had a Christmas brunch at our place that day and I finished my "work shift" and looked around the house to find it in complete disarry I FREAKED! Will barely survived the meltdown but he buckled down and started working. We cleaned until 2 am and I went to sleep more prepared for the morning. Besides that I kept my cool the rest of the month.

December actually was pretty magical as it turns out. I'm starting to get the whole "the magic of Christmas is Children" thing. Ben was so alive! Everything was fun for him the snowmen, the Christmas lights, the Christmas tree, the gifts under the tree, and the list go on... We spent some time at city creek and lots of time with Ben's cousins. December is also Will's Birthday and our anniversary-- both of which where perfect! We saw Hunger Games on his birthday at my request ;) and our Anniversary in a bed and breakfast at the Armstrong Mansion- a home built in 1893. It was goregous! Will also got to try Rodizios Grill for the first time and he ate chicken heart- I wasn't brave enough.

As for the other two Ben started Primary today-- I have never been so nervous in my whole life! My little baby! I told Will all morning that Ben and I were not emotionally prepared to go to church today but Will was unyeilding he made us dress to the tens and make our way to our fateful transition. Ben only shed one tear and then the rest of the time he was perfect! I'm still tramatized over the whole situation though. What other story can I tell you about Ben. He says the cutest things right now-- "I'm not a person I'm a big boy" or "I don't need to go potty" - only moments before he goes potty or "James wants some water" then I hand ben the water - and he is obliged :) Ben is doing much better with potty training - to which Will and I are THRILLED!

James is adorable right now- he laughs whenever he balances on two feet and he and Ben love to wrestle and play in blankets. James is  a great sleeper and is starting to turn into a toddler already. He has to touch everything and moans for help whenever he wants something. I think I have told you before he is a scooter like Ben was. His little gorilla crawl makes everyone smile and his babbling is constant. He talks much more than Ben - or I guess makes much more noise than Ben ever did at his age.

Madison had her first baby shower. She got lots of pink clothes and ruffly skirts. She loves her daddy- I know because much of the time when he talks she is moving. Finally, she is giving my back a run for it's money- my back aches are unbearable half the day- I don't know if it is my age or picking up Ben or James every few minutes but this pregnancy is quite challenging -- relatively I guess. I know lots of other women who really have problems so I better not complain tooo loud!

Well You're probably tired of reading and I think I covered this last month pretty well- Here is to a great 2014!

Love,

Summer

Holidays a coming

Your going to get me twice this month- generally it's too much effort to lift the lid of my husband's imac and pluck out a couple of posts a month- becuase by the time I get to Sunday night I'm beat! With being pregnant- chasing after the boys and working til 1 am most nights Sundays are my day to SLEEP! But here I am awake so I better say something before I lose my second wind.

First of all I'm surrounded. And it's getting closer. My sisters had the flu bug and I was around them minutes before and after it happened. Somehow the sly little infection made it's way to Will and now he is cuddled up next to me in bed trying to hold his dinner down. I hope it doesn't end up in my lap ;) If I do have to go down that road I hope it hits me before Thanksgiving on Thursday so I don't miss out on the festivities.

As for Benny Boy-- why that little rascal will have a few great days without potty accidents and then pull a few slip ups and then repeats the process again, and again. ARgggh. Benji got his first bunk bed the other week and refuses to sleep "in cave" so up top is where he sleeps- I have no idea where he comes up with some of these terms but it is soo cute! He also is so excited about Christmas this year... he found his christmas presents under the bed and was playing with him while I napped yesterday and today--- the little stinker! I'll have to actually start being more sneaky about my strategic present placement. He is growing up!

James is starting to balance on two feet without the help of a support, and everytime he does he laughs himself to the ground because he thinks it's so funny. He is just the sweetest thing since apple pie. He also got his wish of two front teeth for Christmas they are starting to drill their way down and out.

Madison- I'm approaching third trimester in a month but she has decided to toss me a few back aches here and there prematurely. I can't wait to hold my little girl in my arms. Just knowing that she is well and safe - I am so excited!

Well I better tend to my ailing husband. I hope alls well in the world. Til next time! Love,

Summer

The Adventures of the Blackhursts

I'm dropping in today for a quick Hello. So I'll get right to the meat of it. My belly is expanding and my energy is depleting. We're still walking around on cloud nine over the news of our baby girl and our house is buzzing with the preparations for our little angel. First we've moved in a bunk bed and kicked out the toddler bed. Next we've started our van savings account, Will's putting in extra hours so we can afford this addition. Finally, I've offically become the wimpiest mom on the planet- I have so much to complain about. "Honey will you pick that up, Honey you carry James- I'm already carrying a baby, Honey" - you get the picture. Poor Will is going to deserve the husband award of the century by the time I'm done with this pregnancy.

Next- Benny boy. He's started a new habit. Sucking his finger and touching his little private part. As a responsible mother I have begun the reprimands. "Ben we don't touch our private parts." This morning he retorted with "But it's my favorite part." He is such a cute kid. Besides this news the only thing you should know about him is he is coming along in his potty training. A few more years of this and he'll be potty trained by Junior High... Yeah for me!

James is becoming quite the character. He loves to tease. He is twice as silly as Ben was at his age. James will take off with a toy if he knows you want it and laugh everytime you come bounding his way in search for a stolen pen or whatever it might be.

Madison, is kickin it on the inside, and yesterday she kicked it on the outside. Will actually felt his first kick. It is always so fun when the tiny inside movements become public demonstrations of bumps and bends on my belly's surface.

Well I think I've covered the latest and greatest. Will is good and I am good. I continue to see great things in Will and am amazed that he seems to progress all of the time, even though it has been five years since his stroke. Someday I'll write a book, but for now this blog will have to do. Take care all!

Cowboy Ben and Ninja James

 Ben took a side picture of me. Thought it would be good for Maddy to see herself before she was born. 

Our little toddler is growing!

It's a girl!!!!

We are having a baby girl and we can't be more thrilled!! Currently our little angel is about a pound and close to 20 weeks old. Because of multiple slip ups, on my part, we've decided to release her name: Madison Elaine Blackhurst. I didn't know how excited I would be about having a girl, but if you take my excitement and multiply it a few times- you'll get Will. I'm talking perma grin!!! It is so cute to see him so happy about his little princess. And daddy isn't the only boy in this house pleased as a pickle about the announcement. Ben insisted on packing her clothes into her new dresser and then he ran outside to find her… "Where is daddy with Maddy??"  It was sooo cute. We had to explain to him that she was still cooking and that he'll have to wait a little longer. Here is a picture of her flashing the ultrasound camera a peace sign….

Speaking of Ben- we are in the throws of potty training and it is the worst!!!! Today I had to fish out of the bath logs of poop. GROSS!!! I don't know if I am going to survive the next however many months (and I hope not years!). As for his social development it is coming along quite nicely. Ben's primary teacher said he is talking more than she has ever heard him talk. Generally Ben is a very quiet and decisive child. He knows what he wants and goes after it-- without a word to anyone on where he might be headed.

James is of course still that little light in our house that scoots around smiling at anyone who will make eye contact with him. His thing is cars. He loves to push cars everywhere. It seems like he likes the feel of the wheels on the ground. He naps and sleeps like a charm. Even this last week when I think he may have had an ear infection he slept soundly only waking once to let me know he had a fever. I gave him tylenol and put him back down and he was out the rest of the night. He still eats twice what his brother eats. We know right when he is done, because his meal ends up on the ground once he is finished. His daddy keeps asking him to grow a few top teeth- so far he has three (and a fourth on the way) on the bottom. His little asian looking eyes have still kept their blue hue- and I just love the unique style. He makes everyone melt by just glancing their direction.

Will and I are good. I can't complain. People are starting to ask questions like… how long are you going to live in your little apartment. My answer is Who knows!!! But I'll let you know when we know :) We are looking forward to the holidays - they are more real to us this year because Ben is so excited about them-- he talks about Halloween and Christmas all they time.

I'll end with some pictures and a note to those who still read. You're great! Thanks for keeping up with us and know we love you!

Birthdays and San Diego

Ben. And I quote. "I can't go to sleep the eagles are going to get my hair." This is the reason he is sitting by my side right now instead of asleep in bed. Those Eagles ruin everything. Where he came up with the bit about Eagles and his hair we will never know... Lately Ben wants to know everyone's name. He'll point to people and say "What's their name?" And I'll say something like I don't know - what do you think - he will say his name is "Gordon" - come to find out everybody's name is Gordon. And every toy's name is Gordon too.  Next on the list of top ten cute things Ben does everyday is he takes pictures with our phone all the time. I think he likes the sound of the click more than the actual picture taking. Will and I's phones are chuck full of pictures of Ben's pant leg.  Finally, we celebrated Ben's birthday this last week. It took him the first half of day to tell people he was 3 and not 2 years old. We had a good day. I actually realized after all of the celebrations Ben is much more like his dad than his mom- if I get a present or go to a fun trampoline park I giggle and squeal and say how excited I am. Ben just keeps that same mellow look and smiles with his eyes while he plays with his new toys.

Now onto James. He had a birthday this month too - unlike Ben who barely touched his cake on his first birthday - James devoured his tasty delight. We spent his birthday in San Diego - so his Aunt Sarah made him a cupcake and got him some balloons. Speaking of San Diego- Traveling with little people makes for a lot longer road trips. James wanted to be held about every two hours, so we found ourselves in some of the crazyiest towns- one where there was only one gas station and a lot of abandoned buildings. Our 8 hour trip took about 15 hours instead. I have to admit spending that time in the car with my kids was great (and terrible when they were mad), but mostly they are sooo cute! James just smiled and laughed everytime we talked to him. And Ben kept asking for snakes aka red vines.  I don't remember if I mentioned it last time so sorry for the repeat if I did but James is scooting. I can't believe I've genetically engineered two scooters- what happend to Will's and my crawling gene??? James' third word is nanna aka banana. His first word was da da and second was ma ma. My little James is my everything I love him so much he is a breath of fresh air- always smiley and only grumpy when he is hungry or just barely waking up. Speaking of hunger - the kid eats like a horse. Most days he out eats his three year old brother and sometimes he out eats me!  I don't know how long this will last but I"m afraid he'll chunck up if it lasts too long. For now he is still very thin and tall. 

As for baby bean - aka child number three. We'll find out if it is a boy or a girl in a couple of weeks. People keep asking me what I want- and really what they are saying is _ I bet you want a girl. But come to find out I just want a baby. The Lord will bless us with who needs us and who we need :) I would love a girl but I would also love another boy- so stay tuned for the annoucnment. As for second trimester woes I am more tired with this little person than my other two pregnancies... I sleep allllll the time! Ben and James are getting really good at playing on or around me while I snooze.

Will and I are still trying to figure out our lives. Sometimes I feel so tired of trying to "figure" out Will's life and career that I just take a break from it all. I don't know the answers - and I pray that they will come. That is as good as I can give you right now ;) I'm still working and Will has been a little more busy with writing than he has been- so we are hoping that he can keep even busier as the time goes on. I love being pregnant- I love having a baby inside. Everyday I thank my Heavenly Father for our two precious children and can't wait to meet our third!

Love,

Summer

James's 1st Birthday 

While the cat is away the mice will play-- or at least my little mouse plays :)

Check it out the girls are already vying for Ben's attention

 Ben loves to take pictures and it just happend to be that he caught on camera his latest hobby of coloring all over himself. 

 Ben's 3rd birthday

 San Diego September 7-13, 2013

 China Town

 A Beach near Los Angeles

Story Time at the Farmington Library with cousins

 Ben's first day of preschool

 Ben at Kangaroo zoo on his birthday

Second half of the Summer

So much to catch you up on. I feel like years have passed since the last time I posted but really its only been a couple of months-  The biggest change; since then is a newer member of our family. Somewhere first of July I was plerplexed to find out I was gaining weight. My pants fit tighter and I started to worry. I began a weekly regimine at the gym about this time but it didn't seem to help. Then one day I felt nauseous.... next you know I test positive for pregnancy. We were very surprised and its taken me at least the last month to settle down to the idea that James isn't going to be the baby anymore. We're excited for a new surprise addition, but I have a feeling that three kids three and under is going to hit me like a frieght train. Wish me luck!!!

As for the boys they are ADORABLE!  Lets start with Ben. He had me running around the house this morning side stepping his tantrums before church. By the time we were on our way to church I was burnt out- until I hear this sweet little voice int he back seat singing "Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet....he knows the way.." He can make me so crazy and then be so cute all in the same 5 min period. I spend half my life chasing him into timeout and the other half laughing at all the cute things he has to say. Speaking of chasing. I've failed my second brave attempt at potty training. This time we had him going pee pretty good everytime in the toliet but the poop just was not his cup of tea. He missed everytime. After a month of that and me being in my first month of pregancy we threw in the towel again. Third times a charm right :)  One more interesting tidbit about our little Ben. He has a fear of the wind. Even if it is just barely going. If he can see it in the tree tops he wants to head for home. It's silly. We went camping this weekend and it was really windy so he spent the mornign in the car waiting for us to pack up and leave. Silly kid!

Lets move on to boy number #2. James is still the most social kid on the block. Today at church he crawled up to the front of sunday school and was trying to pull the microphone from the teacher. He is such the distraction at church the ladies love him! He also love water. Unlike his older brother James doesn't mind getting his face wet. Lately he screams everytime we take him out of the bathtub. He is a water baby! The best news for James is he is mobile!  And as goofy as it seems he is a scooter just like Ben.  I didn't think that was genetically possible. I'll have to call the Genius Book of world records and see if I have some contenders. Another unsual trait our skinny little boy has is eating. He does it a lot! And it seems like sometimes he can put down more than I can. It must all be going to his height because he was in the 90th percentile for height last time we took him in. He says "ma ma" and "da da" and the other day I swear I heard him say "Ben."

Finally, I have a new paragraph to insert here for baby #3! First of all if you are reading this, we love you if you are a girl or boy! And if you are a boy you better not make for too many WWF wrestling matches I don't know that I have the energy to break them up all the time ;)  As far as how you are treating me in utero- I'll give you a 6.5 - Which may be a sligthly higher score than your two brothers. I'm not nauseous and I'm not moody- these were the order of things for Ben and James. But I am EXHAUSTED with you! At one point I'd lay down for three hours then be up for an hour and then be back down for another hour. My poor house has been pretty messy lately. I can't wait to meet you sometime around March 11th. Our family will be more complete!

As for Will and I - our summer has been packed. Two cabin trips, lots of family. Swimming, birthday parties, a camping trip and lots of "how to be a better parent lessons." We are going on a vacation to San Diego in two weeks - so we are excited about that. Will is still working on getting more writing work under his belt and I'm trying to keep up with my writing work. Well I think I've covered enough. I've got some summer fun pics to post so bear with me :)

This last one is classic Ben. Linning up shoes instead of napping :)