I am jealous of myself...

I have to admit, there are times in my life when I've been a little jealous. Like the time I went to play at a friend's house and she already had a playdate. OR, as a little girl on nights when I would lay in bed upstairs listening to the "clink" of the ice cream scoop, knowing my parents were having dessert when they told me I couldn't have any. (My weight issues have been going a long time!) OR when I was at a stake Halloween dance and, while dancing, Katie (who was dressed as a cowgirl- what else would she be? Her dad owned a western wear store!) took off her cowboy hat and put it on Billy. Yes, that's MY BILLY... I won, ha ha. Once again, I am jealous, but I am jealous of ME!!! I'm so lucky.

Some of you may remember THIS post, written at 35 weeks pregnant with Bauer, our 5th child. I was D.O.N.E. And, I have to say, that while I am super uncomfortable, big as a house, tired, worn out, and ready to have this baby... I am enjoying these last 7 weeks (talk to me in a month). With this being our LAST baby-- mark my words, hold me to it, I am trying to capture the moments and remember how much I love this calling of motherhood. You know, like Hannah says, I "birth alot."

You see, my absolute favorite part of having a baby is the last week or two BEFORE I have the baby. I look at pregnant women who are close to going into labor and I get jealous. I want to be there-- even when I'm not pregnant. Just the anticipation of when? how? where (hopefully not in the car)? how long will labor last? is completely exciting to me. These are some things I want to remember, and some I am looking forward to:

Baby kicking- this is one of my most favorite things. Even though towards the end, it gets painful, it is still so magical. I love feeling little feet, seeing them run across my stomach, pushing the little guy's bum back down when he sticks it up, and even the hiccups. I feel like I already know him through our interactions.

Firm, round, belly- after this, it's all downhill. No more sticking my belly out cuz I can. Back to the world of "sucking it in." Back to the world of my stretch marks looking like a shriveled raisin and having a dunlop belly, and no, we're not talking about golf clubs or tires.

Zerberts on my belly- sounds gross, but is actually really funny when Bauer does it. Funny kid.

Hearing the heartbeat- I love going into my OBGYN and having her listen for his heartbeat. I love even better when she finds it and says, "he's happy in there!" I know all too well what it's like not to be able to hear it. Worry...

Looking forward to:
Contractions- I KNOW! Call me crazy, but I am looking forward to timing them and getting ready for birth. This signals the beginning of the excitement!

Packing my hospital bag- I love getting everything ready and packing the baby's clothes, blankets, onesies... and smelling the cleanness of baby detergent... mmm!

Driving to the hospital- here we go!

Dilating and progressing- we're getting closer to meeting our sweet boy.

Pushing, Delivering- The plan is to do the same (or more) for this delivery... once Bauer's head was out, I reached down and pulled him out, the doctor never touched him after she suctioned his mouth. I delivered him right up onto my chest, all warm and slimy. For a wanna-be-nurse, it was the coolest thing ever. I really really loved it. Y'all may be thinking, "GROSS" or "WEIRD," but it was just plain awesome.

Nursing- I love breastfeeding my babies. Especially within minutes of being born. It is just so comforting and fulfilling.

Staying in the hospital- Those 2-3 days I get alone with my baby are wonderful. Bill tries to spend as much time as he can, but he's usually holding down the fort at home. (The more kids we have, the less time he gets to spend...:( But I love someone else taking care of ME. I enjoy friend's visits and sleeping whenever I want with that warm baby in my arms. It is a favorite time for me.

Post hospital care- Having my mom come when my babies are born is so great. I am so lucky to have both an amazing mom and mother-in-law to help me out so much. My mom stayed for 8 days when I had Bauer and they were truly 8 days of Heaven. If she's not taking care of me, she's taking care of baby and I know the world will be alright. Oh, the comforts of mom. I am so looking forward to that again... almost makes me want to-- NEVERMIND. This is our last baby.

Dec. 8th cannot come soon enough, and maybe baby __________ (still haven't decided!) will decide to make his appearance earlier... but until then--- I am trying to sit back and enjoy. Remember these days, let our little guy have the time to get his last minute instructions from Heaven, and prepare to come to this crazy family of our's. It's going to be an adventure for sure! So until then, I'll keep peeing when I sneeze, being awake at 4 am for no good reason (except to feel baby say hello!... he's just preparing me!), wobbling like a duck, and rubbing this belly for good luck. I'm going to need it!

H-H-H-Help!!!

We need some help. 8 weeks to go and this baby still doesn't have a name. All of our boys have a modern day LDS prophet's name somewhere in their name, so that's gotta be in there somewhere. For example:

Hunter is named after Howard W. Hunter, 14th president of our church.

Brock's middle name is McKay, after David O. McKay, 9th prophet.

Barrett is Barrett Kimball, named after the prophet of my childhood, Spencer W. Kimball

and Bauer's middle name is Joseph, after Joseph Smith, the first president of our church.

Plus, we have decided to go with an "H" name for the first name. So, this is where the H-H-H-Help comes in!! The middle name will likely be Benson, after Ezra Taft Benson, another great modern day prophet. (unless the first name is a prophet's name... which none of the choices we've thought of are so far!) So here's our list of possible "H" names-- feel free to tell me which ones are your favorites, least favorite, and suggest more if you've heard of some good ones! I won't be offended... as long as you aren't when we name the kid your least favorite! ha ha...

Here we go:

Henry

Harley

Hatcher

Hyrum

Hampton

Hadyn

Heath

Houston

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHelp!

***************POST EDIT:****************

Here are a few more cute names mentioned on the blog and in person--- Still trying to decide!

Holt

Harrison

Hudson

Hale

Holden

Harper

And here's the problem with some of the names, as mentioned by someone in our family-- not going to mention WHO!! But one of us is pickier than the other!!

1. Hudson-- can't stand the nickname "hud" don't you know what that stands for?

2. Harrison-- don't like the shortened "Harry" (Sorry Pres. Marco!)

3. Hyrum-- too "mormon-y," too traditional sounding

4. Hampton-- Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton... too hotel-y

5. Hale-- darling name, but you should hear how Hannah says it... like a true Texan: "Haaaayle!"

6. Heath-- Bill doesn't like how he says Heath, kinda sounds like he's barfing.

7. Harley-- Harley Sivley, a little much...vroom vroom!

8. Houston-- Bill thinks it's a hole. He'd go for Dallas first, but sadly, it's not an H.

9. Harper-- sounds a little whale-ish.

10. Holden-- it's our next door neighbor's last name.

So, like I said there's a few problems-- although I really like a majority of the H names mentioned. My favorites right now are:

Holden

Hadyn

Hatcher

and

Henry

But I am still up for more suggestions!! Keep them coming!!! Thanks!

"Bauer, open your mouf"

This was the phrase I heard a few times before I turned around to see what exactly Barrett was offering his little brother...

MMM... love that little buzzzzzzzzzzzzz taste. Bauer was sticking out his tongue willingly and then dancing around and waving his arms after he got the "shock of the 9V." I am seriously scared for another one to arrive and be tortured by the Bear.

It's a mess, but I am edified...

This weekend has been one of my favorite weekends of the year. It's our church's semi-annual General Conference. We get the rare opportunity to hear the voice of our prophet, apostles, and general authorities of our church speak to us. Many times their messages seem so personal to our situations. It is always an uplifting weekend. I love our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.

The Mormon Tabernacle choir sang many beautiful songs-- but the best was "Oh Divine Redeemer..." it was amazing and a favorite of many.

This is Barrett's drawing (head drawn to scale, I might add) of him watching conference. I thought it was so cute.

A few quotes heard while watching conference today:

While Henry B. Eyring was speaking and reciting some of the commandments, one word caught Barrett's ear: "Kill? Did he just say kill? We can't kill?" No - Barrett, we can't steal or lie either. "WHAT?!"

President Monson quoted New Testament Matthew and I quized the kids afterwards-- "I was hungered and ye gave me-- Food? Nourishment? Bill (from the other room) Drink?" How about meat?
I was thirsty and ye gave me... "WINE?" Nice one Brock. "Well, they didn't really drink water back then did they?"

Brock- "mom you forgot Naked and ye clothed me!"

Hunter- "of course you would love that one Brock."

I was in prison-- Hunter- "When was President Monson in Prison?!"

Barrett- every time he heard Jesus Christ, he said, "Amen."

Hannah- matching the apostles names w/ pictures... "Mom, who is COTA L. COOK?" That's Quentin. Hmmm... baby Quentin? A rare name for sure.

While the organist was playing the prelude to "Oh Divine Redeemer" (President Monson & my dad's favorite... btw), Barrett said, "Sounds like Star Wars Mom." I have to admit, it does have some cool instrumental.

Every conference, I print out activity packets (that some other creative soul has compiled) for the kids. It keeps them pretty occupied and paying attention.


It is usually a food fest as well- we had a nice big breakfast (sorry, no pics), and a delicious homemade beef stew and wheat bread dinner. It was YUMMY!

The house is a mess. Our kids' attention span is SPENT---early bedtime tonight?

But we are edified. We are filled with the Spirit and so thankful for the words we have heard today. My favorite talk was by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland... it was an inspiring, chill-producing, amazing testimony of the Book of Mormon. I'll link it when the text comes out. Until April (when it will likely be even more crazy with 6 kids making noise), we will live by the words spoken today.