Help Me Please!

This is what I'm hoping for...

This what I'm afraid I'll get...

Ok, so here's the deal. We're now only a few months away from the arrival of our new tiny bundle and I have a BIG predicament. Chase is extremely jealous of other children when either Kyle or I are giving any sort of attention to an unknown child. Normally Chase loves looking at other babies, he's very interested in them and really likes them. We just didn't realize that he only likes them when their own parents are holding them and not HIS parents. When we were in Colorado visiting my family in January, I could only hold my little 6 month old neice Brinley when Chase was napping or playing in a different room. If he happened to catch either Kyle or I holding my sweet little neice, he would cry hysterically and grab at my pants or shirt or anything he could until I would give her back to my sister and hold him. We had another situation like this last week in church. Kyle went to drop Chase off in nursery and there were no nursery leaders in there just other parents who were dropping off their children. Somehow we both got roped into helping out in nursery. Well the nursery coordinator was running back and forth in between the two rooms the whole time with her little maybe 5 month old baby and she left her in our room for a little while. Well, as soon as the little baby girl realized her mom was not around she started crying. I picked her up to console her and Chase immediately FREAKED OUT! That's when I thought to myself, "this is very very not good."


So, Monday I reserved some story books at the library that are meant to warm toddlers up to the idea of having a new baby around. I need more ideas though! I know many of you have already gone through this and some of you haven't, and I really don't care who the help comes from as long as I get it before I end up requiring some mental help! So bring on the tips and tricks!!!

Out numbered three to one!

*DiScLaImEr* these pictures were taken about a month before we closed on the house. I'll explain...

The house prior to front yard landscaping being complete and the garage being painted

Chase opening the door in his bathroom

The master bathroom before carpet installation

The front hallway and kitchen off to the left (not pictured) The cabinets they first installed weren't the right size so picture those cabinets but about a foot longer.

The kitchen sink and floor

I know what many of you are thinking right now. It's about time! I feel very guilty lately about not updating for almost two months! Time really has not been on my side for the past couple months but finally things are starting to slow down a bit to where I feel like I have a little more control over my life. So I thought I'd get my rear in gear and give you guys a little update!

We went in for our mid pregnancy ultrasound on December 3oth and the baby looks great and appears to be very heathy and doing well BUT was very uncooperative as far as gender prediction goes. Legs were crossed and there was a loop of umbilical cord right smack in between the legs, which makes for very difficult determining. When we left the ultrasound we were pretty disappointed that we weren't able to find out what we were having. The ultrasound tech said that she was leaning one way but she didn't want to disclose any information in case she was wrong. So our next ultrasound was scheduled for January 19th. We went in and thought the same thing was going to happen because she started the ultrasound stating the same thing, "legs crossed, loop of umbilical cord in between the legs." In the end though after much poking and prodding and twisting and turning she was able to make a pretty positive guess as to what we will be expecting come end of May beginning of June. Drum roll please.......It's A Boy! We're having another baby boy for those of you who didn't know already or didn't catch that from the title of this post. We're pretty sure they'll do yet another ultrasound sometime before his arrival but they're pretty sure that's what we can bet on. We are so excited for another little boy! We were hoping that we would have another boy this time because Chase and he will be so close in age and also for financial aspects. We won't have to buy anything new really, just recycle Chase's stuff!

So, that's the first update for our little family the second is that we are proud home owners!!! We absolutely LOVE our new house, it's made me a totally new person to finally own a beautiful home of my own. It's perfect for our little growing family and we just adore it. Kyle thinks I've fallen off my rocker with how much I clean everyday, but honestly I love cleaning my own house. I love it when the appliances sparkle and when the floors glow and when I see carpet lines from vaccuming and sparkling windows and mirrors. I love coming home to the smell of lemon and lavender scented cleaners throughout the house. I don't think it's weird but Kyle seems to think so. My family (especially my mom) would think that my behavior is not only perfectly normal but necessary. You be the judge. I know you guys have been waiting for pictures but I don't know where the hookup for our camera is to download some pics. I'll see what we have on here already and post those, but I'm afraid updated ones will have to wait. I will also try to be more consistent with updating now that I really don't have an excuse to not be more consistent, at least for 3 1/2 more months or so!

A riddle within an update!

In front of the house

Helping daddy put the star on the tree

The finished product!

Well a lot has happened recently, and I've been a HUGE slacker when it comes to updating our blog. So without further ado, here's an update!

Kyle and I had our four year anniversary on the 20th of November. I had just started a new job and couldn't request the day off to celebrate.So instead Chase and I came to Kyle's work and kidnapped him! We took him to Firebirds, one of our favorite restaurants and it was so delicious! We had a lobster spinach queso appetizer that was to DIE for, and then enjoyed two of the yummiest burgers in the world! We relaxed later that evening and reminisced about the last four years of marriage, and enjoyed dessert and a movie. All in all it was a wonderful day and a great anniversary.

For Thanksgiving we went over to the Talbot's home and spent the day in great company and eating delectable food. It was such a relaxing day, and we had so much fun just talking and eating yummies all day long.

Last Friday we went to Kyle's work Christmas party and had a blast. It was at the Scottsdale Venue and there was dancing, fun, and plenty of delicious food and prizes. Ok I seriously wish I'd had a camera for what we ate so I could make all your mouths water. It was awesome!! They served huge tiger shrimp cocktail for an appetizer then we had a garden salad with creamy strawberry dressing. That wasn't even the best part though, the main course was mouth watering filet mignon, salmon, and chicken with a side of potatoes and green beans with a mushroom sauce and sliced almonds, mmmm so good. We loved getting all dressed up and going out for a special night on the town. Sorry no pictures though, I know that's boring.

A little update about the little guy now! Chase is growing at super speed both physically and developmentally. We are loving how much more interactive he is and how he's talking so much more and understanding us more everyday. He can count up to three understandably,"un, doo, reeeee, etc" after three though it get's a little fuzzy. He has a small list of words that he says and also signs which makes for pretty proud parents. He has started giving us kisses and blowing kisses also. He just melts our hearts he's so sweet and tender.

Our house is moving right along. They have dry walled and done all the stucco now it's time for paint and trim, then cabinets, countertops, and flooring! It's so fun to see Chase run around in our soon to be finished home, we can't wait until it's finished! We're expecting it to be finished on or around January 20th.

Chase looking out the window that will be in his bedroom

I recently started a new job at a plasma center as a phlebotomist, which most of you know was also what I did for work in Rexburg when we lived there. I thought when I finished at Bio Medics in Rexburg, I'd never work at another plasma center again, but the economy proved me wrong! Needless to say I feel right at home (as far as work and not co workers are concerned). It's been extremely difficult to not have as much sweet time with Chase but it makes me relish every second I do get to spend with him even more. Plus, it'll only be for another month and a half, that's what keeps me going!

In addition to all this we're taking the holiday season head on and surprisingly still enjoying every bit of holiday cheer we can manage to find. Our family is doing well and we can't complain. If you haven't guessed the riddle by now or couldn't stand reading through this whole novel to figure it out, then I'll just tell you! We're having another baby!!! I am 15 weeks along and we're so excited to find out what we're having in a few weeks. Any guesses? We'll let you all know when we find out!

The cost of a temple recommend

The following post is by Kyle:

I was relating the following experience with Nicki the other day and thought I would share it because it might bring a smile to your face.

So Jessica and I went in the other week to get our temple recommends renewed. We brought Chase with us because we figured while one of us was being interviewed the other could watch Chase. Once we got to the church they weren't busy and took us both in at the same time. I brought Chase with me and had him sit on my lap during the interview. Being a busy 15 month old he doesn't like sitting still for very long so I gave him my wallet to play with. During the interview Chase places my wallet on the table and slides it towards the counselor in the Stake Presidency. Without missing a beat the counselor says to Chase, "Sorry we don't take bribes." We both busted out laughing and Chase then began to laugh too because everyone else was. I guess it goes to say that the cost/value of a temple recommend truly is priceless.

Trick or Treat

Explaining to us why it is unacceptable for him to be wearing this costume

Holding Payton's hand for moral support

Begging daddy to take it off him (we had just put it on)

Happy now that he's enjoying the fruits of his earnings

Not thrilled.

This halloween year Chase dressed up as a "cuddly lion" although he would prefer to be neither cuddly nor a lion. We went to our ward trunk or treat last Saturday and tried the stume on for size and well...the result was a few tears (until we were outside) and zero smiles for as long as he donned his furry masquerade. We and everyone else in the ward that saw him thought he was very delectable in his little suit, too bad we were put on a smiles fast as punishment for making him wear it!

For halloween last night we really didn't do all that much. We ordered pizza and dressed Chase up in his costume to trick or treat at Nick and Brent's and the Talbot's house. Again no smiles and a lot more tears this time (I think he was still traumatized). We ended our night putting Chase to bed after his sugar high wore off. Then Kyle and I were then able to relax and watch "Enchanted" and eat brownie sundaes YUM! All in all we had a great halloween! Both Kyle and I have always been horrible at dressing up on halloween, but as Chase gets older, I'm thinking it will be a lot of fun to dress up in the future. So next year we'll have to think of something good! Through all the tears and commotion we managed to get some picture of our halloween adventures. Hope you all enjoy!