"This was the best birthday ever!" -Raegan

We celebrated Raegan's 3rd birthday last weekend, since her real birthday coincides with Easter this year. We did an Easter theme, egg hunt and all. With my limited physical capacity, I wasn't sure we could pull it off, but with some help from family we made it happen! First, we had pizza delivered (brilliant!) and Shari made the fruit salad while Meg made the vegetable salad. I managed to make the cupcakes by sitting on a stool in the kitchen, and taking lots of breaks! Jasen did all of the house preparation, and put together Raegan's play structure that was a gift from the Trutter family, and mommy and daddy.

Raegan enjoyed every minute of the party, and she had lunch with her cousins while sitting on her new picnic table courtesy of the Smith family! Even though chocolate tends to keep her up at night, I allowed chocolate cupcakes for her birthday because she insisted that chocolate is her FAVORITE! She loved all of her presents, especially a fire truck from Jeff and Vicki, a bug catcher from Carlee, a dragon from Lindsey, and a flashlight from her cousins. Meg bought her a new movie and lots of coloring papers! She wore a cute little butterfly dress that she picked out herself, and she had me put her hair into braids (her favorite way to wear her hair)! Who knew she would have so many preferences at just 3! :)

I can't believe it has been 3 years. She is more fun everyday and I love having my little shadow with me as she likes to do just about anything and go anywhere! She is still a go go girl! Her language surprises me often, as she enters the "kids say the darnedest things" phase. We love her to the moon and back!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Raegan's last day of pre-school

Raegan completed one year of pre-school, and now she will be home with me for what I plan to be the next 6 months! I'm sure that she will miss it to some extent, but I'm happy to have her home with me (and especially away from all of those germs!). I'm hoping for an illness free house for quite some time. I think it benefited her to have the socialization piece, and the teachers there informed me that she is a very eager learner. They also said she is very patient.....that trait I have yet to see! ;) I am working on some plans for things to do to keep her busy and social while I am off work. Right now, she is very happy to be home with mommy!

The week of her last day was called Week of the Young Child. It is a celebration of early childhood education, and they ended it with a lady bug release and ice cream social. They released hundreds of lady bugs, and all of the kids wore the shirts that they made during the week. So, I went with Raegan to the festivities on Friday....she wasn't too sure about the bugs or all of the people, but she certainly enjoyed the ice cream!

Also, here is her pre-school picture taken in March. They dressed up all of the kids for their pictures, and I think hers turned out super cute. :)

35 weeks and 4 days

Here is a pic taken April 8. The day before this I was officially taken out of work on maternity leave due to early contractions. I'm basically a handicap person at this point, in that I'm limited to light house work, and minimal walking. To say I am uncomfortable is an understatement! It hurts to go from sitting to standing, it hurts to stand, it hurts to sit for too long, it hurts to walk up stairs, it hurts to get dressed.....I could go on, but I think you get the point. The contractions are still coming and going with various intensity. Sometimes they keep my up half the night, and other nights I sleep pretty well. At my appointment last week, the midwife said she doesn't think that the baby will end up coming soon, but also says that second labors can go very quickly and there is no telling when that could happen! All I know, is that I am ready to be done!! I feel like I'm the size of a barn, and the last time I ventured into public, it was not pretty. One lady I ran into in the restroom even said to me, "You look like you're about to pop! I hope you're not here alone!" She's lucky I was too tired to punch her in the face. :) So, I'm home with Raegan and we hang out at the house all day unless I can run an errand that doesn't involve getting out of the car, lol. Yesterday we drove a package to the post office to drop in the blue mail box (drive up), and then grabbed burgers at In n Out (drive through). I love America.

Prepping for Easter, Meg & Crystal's visit, Mommy's work babyshower

Here are just a few misc pictures that were recently taken!

Sweet 16!

Matt turned 16! We can hardly believe it! Jasen planned a very fun bowling outing, and then we hosted a big barbecue with family and friends. It was a great turn out. As with most 16 year olds, second to wanting a car, Matt wanted some cool clothes. So he received some great new summer clothes. He still has a ways to go before he will be eligible for a drivers license, but maybe he will be have it by June. Watch out world! ;) Actually, I can't imagine learning to drive with all of this traffic. I remember learning to drive in Grandma T's car on country roads where the worst thing you could hit is an occasional mail box or squirrel.

Per Matt's usual request, I baked him a home made chocolate reeses peanut butter cup cake (all home made except the peanut butter cups). It wasn't gluten free, so I couldn't try it but I was told it was delicious! I hope so....homemade cakes are a lot of work! ;)

Happy 16th Matty Matt!