Sunday we blessed baby Ross.  Thank you to everyone who came and we missed those of you who couldn't.  We really had a fun weekend.  We went swimming, to the horse pulls and all of the 4th celebration things.  Busy but lots of fun.

Ross looks so cute in this outfit that he was blessed in it was just something that I already had but I thought it was just fine.  He looks really big.

I love this picture with the hat but Jared said I need some serious help with shaping hats so he doesn't look so nerdy.  How could that cute face be nerdy?

Baby Ross is getting big so fast.  He is a happy baby when we are home.  He doesn't like to go places especially any kind of store.  Boys really are so different right from the start.  He likes his bed and doesn't like to be cuddled to sleep you just have to lay him down and as long as he can get his fist in his mouth he goes right to sleep.  Molly loves to hold him and he really likes her.  

Erika really likes to pick his clothes and dress him and at first he was kind of annoyed with everybody but now he loves every one of his sisters.

He had a couple of cross eyed moments.

Not really amused being dressed up so cute for church.

These are just a few of the things that have happened in the last two months.  Man the summer is going by fast. Izzy broke her arm the day before I was due to have the baby I guess it was good to go over.  She broke it on the slide at the park and it was a pretty bad break for such a small fall.  She had to have surgery to get it set and have two pins put in it.  Six weeks later when they went in to take the pins out one had worked its way up too far and she had to be put out again a week later to get that out.  She was really bummed she had to have a cast for 8 weeks instead of six but she is back to monkey bars and riding her bike like a maniac now.  Jared and I were wondering if the surgery would scare her enough to chill out a little.  As we were leaving the hospital she said "that was kind of fun"  I guess no such luck.  I am sure it is only a matter of time until the next emergency room visit.  We got the garden planted in between the rain storms.  Jared and Abby did most of the work.  I was in and out with the baby.  The other girls thought it would be fun in their swimming suits the next day with their bad sunburn they weren't so sure.  I never get my pictures in the right order but last is our moth that we noticed in our jar one morning.  Izzy and her friends found a caterpillar and put it in the jar and we kind of forgot about it until someone noticed it had turned into this pretty moth.  Izzy refused to let it go and it was a bout dead when Erika finally set it free.  

He's finally here!!!

Ross Jacob Ray finally decided it was time to come exactly one week overdue he was born Saturday May 9th at 1:09 p.m.  Everyone was starting to think that I was crazy for not getting started but I have had such long labors being started with the girls that I wanted to see if going into labor on my own would go any better.  I am glad I waited.  I woke up at 3:30 in the morning and I woke Jared up at 6:30 to go to the hospital.  We got there at 8:00 a.m. and he was born at 1:09 that afternoon.  Only 5 hours at the hospital Jared and I were both in shock. Weighing in at 9lb. 14 oz. he is cute as can be and a very good baby.  Thank you to all of my family helped with the girls and to Jared's parents for helping for a couple of days since we have been home.

Can you believe my first baby is 11 years old.  Abby is just all around good.  She just radiates goodness.  She is such a great helper and is always worried about someone else and boy does she worry.  I have never been much of a worrier so I guess Abby got the mom share of that, she worries enough for both of us.  I think it makes her a great big sister.  She takes good care of all of us.  

Abby got a new bike and clothes and of course a book that she has been wanting.  She loves to read and gets a new book for every occasion.  Abby was a good sport about no birthday party this year since being nine months pregnant doesn't really put you in the birthday party mood.  She just wanted to make daddy's pizza and watch movies so that is what we did.  Jared always takes the girls on a daddy daughter date for their birthday.  They went to a movie and then to one of their favorite places, the book store.

Baby Update

7 days left until the due date.  Although I have been preparing myself for the fact that the baby decides the due date.  After being started 2 weeks early with all four of the girls this is a whole new ball game.  I had a ultrasound at 38 week and they said then that he weigh a little over 8 lbs then so by 40 or possibly 41 weeks he is going to be a monster child.  I have never been pregnant this long and now I understand what everyone has been saying about those last 2 weeks.  It is a good thing my doctor visits are in the morning because by evening I would be begging to get started.  Why is it that your belly feels 4 times bigger by 6:00 pm?  Really I feel pretty good other that being huge.  It is to the point that I hate going anywhere for all of the comments like the one I got at a funeral I went to it went like this

Her:  When are you due?

Me:  In a couple of weeks.

Her:  It looks like yesterday.

People are so kind.  Anyway we can't wait for this boy (still without a name) to get here!  I bought this baby sling that you wrap up and tie the baby to you so hopefully I can get him in that and everyone won't be able to take him from me.  With all of these girls (little mothers) I am a little afraid that I will never get to hold him.  Hopefully the next post will be baby arrival news.

Last weekend Abby and Erika had to play for the piano judges at the musical festival.  They played two duets and then they each played a solo for a different judge.  They both did GREAT!  Their duets were flawless.  It was closed judging but they let moms go in and I was so glad.  They both do really well under pressure.  When they played their solo's the judge was so impressed with each of them.  She said Abby was the first one to have her piece memorized and the first student to really show emotion and I think she was amazed Erika could play as well as she did for how young she is.  They only competed with their duets and they took 3rd place.  They were just scored on their solos and Abby took high score.  Since they placed they had to play for the awards recital that night. I was so proud of them. Things like that make listening to all the whining about practicing worth it.

EASTER

I can't believe Easter has already come and gone.  It was a great relaxing weekend.  Molly got this Dora hop on ball thing and she spent the entire day Saturday on it.  The Easter bunny had to come on Saturday because we have early church on Sunday.  Tammy and the boys came up for the weekend and we colored eggs and had our easter egg hunt with the golden egg with $5 in it actually grandma did two golden eggs and Erika found both of them.  Most of the eggs had money and candy in them so the other kids weren't too mad about it because everyone got money.  Saturday night Jared and grandpa took all of the kids to the movie and me and Tammy and mom stayed home and made cards.  It was fun and quiet.  Angie went to Devin's family party.  We missed you Ang.

The girls so cute in their new spring outfits.

Everyone loves coloring eggs.  Mikey too big of a stud muffin to color 

eggs but he would sit in for the photo. He's a cute kid. 

 It is fun to have some boy energy around. The egg hunt was about to 

start.  Grandpa gave Molly and Izzy a head start which really wasn't

necessary for Izzy.  Notice Molly's red cowgirl boots she looks like she is

from Idaho or something.

In between conference sessions I sent the girls outside to get some energy out.  They got spring fever and decided to shovel of the tramp then they roped Jared into helping.  By the time they got it done it was time to come back in to watch the second session so they didn't even get to jump much.  They had their shoes off they thought to was so warm. I think it was maybe 45 degrees. Molly had hers off for about 2 minutes and was back in for boots and a jacket. We are really ready for spring up here.  Yes these pictures were taken April 5th we really do still have that much snow.  Remind me why we live here.  When I post pictures about June or July you will see why.  I am trying to remember that.  Between the snow and 4 weeks left of pregnancy I really wish I could just go to sleep and wake up about May 1st.  I really try not to wish time away but I am not doing                                                                                                             very good at it right now.

We wanted to try this recipe from Aunt Robin out of the family cook book because the girls said she always made really good muffins.  They were so yummy we had to make a second batch before breakfast was over.  We made a couple of changes and they were divine. 

LIL' CITRUS MUFFINS

1 c. flour(we used Whole wheat)

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

 1/4 tsp. soda

1/4 c. butter softened (we didn't use this)

 2/3 c. sugar (we used agave I think                                                                                                             you could use honey)

1 egg

1/2 c. sour cream (we used low fat)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp lime zest

1 tsp lemon zest

Mix all ingredients, then mix in zest.  Put in mini muffin pan.  Bake at 375 for 12-13 min.  While still warm dip tops in butter, then roll in sugar.  We skipped this but Abby made a lemon glaze with lemon juice and powdered sugar to put on top.  Yum typing this makes me want to make these again.  I don't know why but this pregnancy I want anything lemon or lime.  Not chocolate. Weird.

We decided to start Molly skiing this year.  Jared was taking they girls skiing and Molly was going to stay home with me but she was so sad she really wanted to go.  So at 7:00 am we decided to let her start.  She was so excited and the other girls were really excited for her to go too.  Molly didn't really know what was going on at first but she kept saying "I'm so happy". 

We put Molly in a private lesson because our kids don't wine and cry with other people they just do what they are told and act tough. Besides all she wanted to do with Jared was have him hold her and go really fast.  She acted a little annoyed that she had to go by herself with this girl but she did really good and she was pooped out by the time the hour was over.

Don't all of my people look so cute?  We finally broke down and bought season passes this year they are good for the rest of this year and all of next and Molly is free.  I also found all of the kids skis and boots at the DI over the summer. I think the most I paid was $12.  It is so much easier with all of these kids to not have to go through the rental shop. 

I could have zoomed more on this picture but it is still fun.  It shows the order that they usually come down the hill youngest to oldest.  Izzy really does scare me.

This is the third season since we started the girls skiing.  We really have a lot of fun.  I have missed skiing a lot.  I thought that I could just go on the bunny hill a couple of times and Erika informed me that I couldn't because my coat would not zip up.  She is right I would look pretty ridiculous.  They however look great.  Erika and Izzy are dare devils and I beg them to wear helmets every time.  Apparently they aren't cool and they are annoying.  Abby is more like her mom.  She probably has more control than any of them but she really doesn't like to fall down.  I don't blame her.

For our homeschool group field trip for the end of March we went to the Eccles Ice Rink.  They got a little skating lesson and then got to skate for about an hour.  Jared being the good sport that he is, met us there and skated with the girls since I am not that graceful on dry land right now.  It was really a fun activity.  This homeschool group has been a lifesaver.  We have made so many great friends and I am thankful for it every time we get together.

This is Abby and her tall friend.  OK most of Abby's friends are taller than her. They are just into looking cool, skating around the circle chatting. I haven't really noticed the boys her age in our group but I am sure they have.

Molly had no fear. Jared was skating with her and I kept wondering why he kept leaving her.  I think that she kept leaving him.  She loved it.  She fell down quite a bit and she would just get up and keep going.  She looked so little out there on that big ice all alone.  It was after this that we decided she was ready to start skiing. 

Izzy skated around with this little walker but she didn't really need it she could just go faster with it and be more wild.  She also thought it was way to hot for a coat.  I thought it was freezing and I am normally hot.  She must have been working hard.

Erika and her friends from homeschool group.  They are really just into looking cute right now.

  

I got this recipe from Good Things Utah

It is so yummy!

HONEY LIME ENCHILADAS

1/3 CUP HONEY

1/4 CUP LIME JUICE

2 TSP. CHILI POWDER

1-2 CLOVES FRESH GARLIC

Mix this together and pour over 1 lb. cooked

and shredded chicken.  Let sit for 1 hour.

12 CORN TORTILLAS 

2 CUPS CHEESE

14 OZ. GREEN ENCHILADA SAUCE

1/2 CUP HEAVY CREAM

Mix enchilada sauce and cream together

pour a little in the bottom of 9x13 pan.

Heat corn tortillas and put spoon full of chicken

and a little cheese and roll up and put in pan.

Pour the rest of the sauce on top and top with cheese.

Bake 350 for 30-35 min.

This chicken is really great for chicken taco too.

Baby update

7 Weeks left!!!  We still don't have a name for this little boy.  I am feeling pretty good other than huge and uncomfortable.   I pretty much live in my sweats.  If I put something else on the girls all wonder where we are going.  I didn't really realize how much I was wearing them until I had to go to a meeting and Abby said "Can I pick you out something to where?'' I said " No, I am wearing this".  Then Izzy and Molly came in and said are you wearing that and I said yes, why?  Molly said "It doesn't look very meetish".  She is barely 4, I am going to be in trouble in a few years.  At least I probably won't go anywhere with the girls in my sweats.  Erika and I went to the grocery store and I was wearing one of Jared's t-shirts and she asked me if I would zip up my coat before we went in because it was embarrassing that I was wearing a boys shirt.  I said my coat will not zip up anymore my dear.  I have noticed a couple of moms that only have teenage daughters that are pretty well dressed and now I know why.

I am also getting pretty lazy.  I rarely go upstairs. Izzy came down and told me she was cleaning upstairs really good because someday maybe after I have the baby I will go up there again.

Needless to say as much as I really try to never wish time away.  I am wishing these next 7 weeks go quickly.  I think the rest of my family does too.  

Jared found this wood pecker stuck in the room behind the garage and brought it in to show the girls.  Yes it is still alive.  Jared is a great teacher, he is always finding fun things to show the girls.

Molly's 4!!!  The morning of her birthday she said "now I am almost 5".  She really wants to be as old as Izzy.  Molly got a Leapster, stuffed efelant, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and a bugbox for her birthday.  She really wanted a bug box to catch "boxys" (Box elder bugs that have somehow survived the winter). On her birthday Molly chose to go to the fun park and eat her favorite food, cheesy noodles.  She chose chocolate cake with white frosting and sprinkles.  Molly is always so happy and easy going.  She has been the princess in the family for quite a while and she has everyone wrapped around her little finger.  Everyone pretty much gives her what she wants.  She is sleeping in her own bed now.  Her and Abby share a room and she is really doing well.  She thinks she is so big to be upstairs with the big girls.  She loves her sisters more than anything in the world.  She loves each one of them but Izzy and her are BFFs.  

These are me new best friends.  I learned in my birthing class that if you are not sleeping or relaxing well then you are lacking Calcium and Magnesium.  Actually most people are.  These supplements were recommended because they are easily absorbed.  I went from waking up every hour to sleeping for 7 hours straight in about 3 days after starting these drinks twice a day.  That is good sleep for a 8 month prego lady.  I do remember vaguely trying to roll over a couple of times but not really waking up.  I also have been giving Izzy a half dose every night before bed because she is 6 and still was waking up at least once every night and after 2 nights she has not been waking up anymore.