Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! What a wonderful day to show our gratitude for the men and women who have served and serve for our freedoms. I am so grateful for our country!!!

This weekend has been so great having Jared home. Poor guy is probably exhausted after all of his hard work--putting together a dresser, running errands, putting in a sprinkler system for our garden, planting the garden, mowing the lawn and taking over a LOT with the kids. The weather was beautiful and we got a lot of backyard time in.

The kids helping Jared prep the garden while I pointed to the place to put the seeds and plants and then sat down in the sun to read a book.

The club that I work at (although not right now) has a really fun Memorial Day pool party. We took the kids over to join in on the fun and get some swimming in. They do a coin toss where they have the kids jump in and dive for coins. Next year Grey will be old enough to go in the big pool instead of the kiddie pool.

Grey is finally over his water fears!

Diving!

Holding her one penny she found and was thrilled about

 Amaiya helping Grey look for more coins

30 weeks

I am a little behind on blogging... Now I am just about 32 weeks, but I haven't posted a recent belly shot lately. I am still on major restrictions--luckily not complete bed rest. But I can't do a whole lot and it is getting pretty depressing! 8 weeks feels like FOREVER away when I think about not being able to clean, grocery shop, take the kids anywhere I have to walk much, etc. etc... I am trying to focus on one day at a time instead of feeling anxious and overwhelmed by the meaningless day ahead of me.

I went in for another baby check and he is growing perfectly! He is measuring a week ahead in the 75th%. YAY! And they still can't find any obvious problem, so that is hopefully good news... And hopefully he won't make me wait the whole 8 weeks.

And more baby face pics. It is hard to tell what everything is--he had his hand, a knee, a foot and the cord in front of his face and wouldn't move.

Baby Boy

I am still dealing with a few pregnancy issues. This baby sure likes to stress me out! I had to go to my doctor's office today to do a couple ultrasounds after another little scare. Luckily they can't find any source of the problem and everything looks good--but it is a little frustrating. I hate not having an answer and worrying about what it could be since they can't really see everything. I go in again Friday and the plan now is to continue keeping a close eye on me and this baby. And I just have to be extra, extra careful. I am sure missing my active life and workouts. But I am glad this baby is healthy and growing bigger and fatter every week!

Good news is that I got to watch this sweet boy in the ultrasound moving around, sticking his tongue out, opening and closing his eyes and pretty much being adorable. She switched it to 3D for a few minutes too--so that was fun to see his cute little face. And he definitely has the full Gogarty lips like my other kiddos. She also saw some hair growing on his head. Gets me so excited to snuggle this little guy!

Baby's profile

Baby's face

More face shots--he was all smashed up against the side

Bronze

8 years ago I married my sweetheart. The longer I am married, the more I realize the weight of that decision. Not that I took it lightly at the time, but with age comes more wisdom. In our few years together, I've learned that he is my constant in this world full of change. I will do anything to fill him with joy and happiness and vice versa. He has become a part of every aspect in my life. That kind of relationship is unbelievably fulfilling--and a little bit terrifying. Not that we haven't had our battles--but those tough times have somehow made us stronger--if for no other reason than being committed to each other and our ultimate purpose.

Above all, I am grateful today that at 22 years old I was somehow wise enough to say yes to Jared and that everything came together at the right time for him to be ready to marry me.

Apparently we should be celebrating our 8 years of marriage with bronze. Instead we toasted to ourselves with sparkling apple cider and shared chocolate-covered strawberries with the kids. And we have a yummy Mataam Fez evening coming up.

Cheers to EIGHT years lover! And to forever...

Happy Anni-VEGAS-ry!!!

Anyone else obsessed with Friends? Inside joke...

Anyways, Jared I took off to Vegas for a heavenly, long weekend in Vegas all. by. ourselves! Partly a pre-baby 3 trip and partly a celebration of our anniversary. It was the perfect weekend--exactly what we wanted. A break from life and parenthood! We talked about anything and everything without interruptions, held hands instead of pushing a stroller, read and watched shows without having to stop or pause and really enjoyed just being the two of us. I am still supposed to be "on rest" so we kept walking to the absolute minimum--meaning a ton of time in our room. Which was just fine with me.

The room was unbelievable. I have never been so spoiled. Everything was digital/automatic-including the maid service sign and the blackout curtains. The bathroom was stocked with thick robes (which we wore all weekend), HUGE towels and Aveda products. There were two massive flat-screen TVs and the bed was unbelievably comfortable. I am counting down until we can go back again!

A semi-quick tour of our hotel (for you P!) since that is where we spent almost all our time--I want my master bedroom someday to look just like the room:

Friday:

Pool Time. Aaaah.

Wander the Miracle Mile (including a stop at H&M)

A nice, long nap

Dinner at my favorite place -- Harley Davidson Cafe

Watching a few Bellagio Fountain shows--my other favorite thing in Vegas

Asleep by 10:30 after checking out our night view

Saturday:

Think we are really sleeping in--look at the clock and laugh out loud--7AM

Read for an hour

Fall back asleep until 10AM or so

I take a bath in the huge soaker tub while Jared tests out the gym

Finally leave the hotel at 2:30 for lunch

Quick nap again

Go to the Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil

(and the only picture of me-haha)

Sunday:

Sleep in -- we are getting better at it

Attempt the pool at 10 but it is too windy, back to the room

Head out for lunch at 2:30

Back to the room

Sit in the bed to read, eat, sleep, snack, watch movies, play games

Monday:

Wake up to this view from our bed for the last morning

(Bellagio, Paris, Flamingo, etc)

Do absolutely nothing

Cry a little about having to leave the amazing hotel

Go to the theaters to see Thor

Goodbye to Vegas and the most perfect weekend!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is not quite the relaxing, day of rest like I had always hoped. It started off wonderfully with a dozen, GORGEOUS, red roses and candy from J. Then it pretty much went downhill for quite some time. Jared is gone all morning with meetings so I get the kids ready for church. For some reason, they sensed that I really wanted a relaxing day, so they filled in with tons of fighting, whining and crying. I taught Relief Society which was fine, but a little stressful. Sacrament is last for us and the kids were extra difficult. Elise was hitting Grey in the head with her water bottle, smacking, crying, having a dirty diaper. Grey was crying, whining and begging to go home. I should have just left!

Luckily, my mom, step-dad, brother and his girlfriend came to dinner at our house which was wonderful. I love, love, love my mama! She has been such an example and source of strength to me throughout my life and I wanted to honor her in some small way.

When do kids start being really sweet to their moms and making them breakfast in bed?

30th Redux

After my little melt-down on Friday, I was ready to get showered, dressed and go out with my honey! And he sure spoiled me above and beyond what I ever expected! My mom and step-dad came out to watch the kids while Jared surprised me with a juicy steak dinner at Outback. We came back home to take the kids for ice cream sundaes. I walked in the front door and my house was full of awesome decorations (thanks to my step-dad), a massive chocolate-cream cake and so many people I love singing "Happy Birthday."  I was so surprised and so touched that of course I started crying. I can blame pregnancy, right??? I am so impressed that Jared planned a surprise party! It was awesome to have my birthday cake & ice cream with so many friends and family members. It sure made me feel extra special!

(Pictures to come soon--hopefully will get some from family soon.)

Quinoa and Black Beans

One of our new dinner favorites. The kids even love it as long as I leave out the cilantro. They are a little crazy about feta--as am I. I love that this meal is vegetarian, lowfat and full of protein and veggies. We ate it on a hot day with just a side of fresh, chopped veggies and it filled us all up perfectly

I can't remember where I found the original recipe, but I changed a lot of things--so I'll call it mine. :) Next time I am going to double it to have extra leftovers. They make a delicious, healthy, quick lunch. Enjoy!

Quinoa & Black Beans

1 tsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

3/4 cup uncooked quinoa

1 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth

1 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

salt & pepper to taste

1 cup frozen corn kernels

1 zucchini, diced

1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

feta cheese

handful chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.

Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.

Stir frozen corn and zucchini into the saucepan and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans. Top with feta and cilantro.

Etc.

This is going to be the longest post ever, but so much has happened and it is just kind of hilarious the kind of week it was. After my latest post, I spent the night at the hospital and wasn't able to be discharged until evening the next day. It was a long, lonely day just waiting to get in for an ultrasound so they would discharge me. There was nothing that showed up in the ultrasound, so they sent me home to meet with my doctor again the next day. It was such a relief, especially with Grey still running a very high fever.

The excitement did not end yet.... Friday morning at 6am I woke up abruptly to Grey coughing like he does before he throws up. I ran into the kitchen, grabbed a bowl and rushed it into his room to catch it. Unfortunately it wasn't vomit--He started coughing up BLOOD! And it was no tiny amount. I started yelling for Jared and freaking out. I ran back to our bedroom so I could panic without scaring Grey and call the doctor. It was forever waiting for the doctor to call back. Luckily it only happened the one time so they had me wait and take him in when the doctor's office opened. It had been a stressful and emotional week and this incident pushed me over the edge. I am sure Jared thought I completely lost it--I could not stop sobbing for a couple hours. Just the feeling of complete loss of control and not being able to take care of Grey or this little baby. Jared had a early meeting, so luckily his mom came to be with me. I could not handle being alone... and she took good excellent care of me!

Fast forward to anxiously waiting for Grey's appointment. Good news finally! I guess this happens in single incidences occasionally in kids. As long as it is only once it is most likely irritated tissue in the throat from the swollen glands/sore throat. So grateful and so strange.

Then my doctor appointment was good news as well. She just wants me to take it extra-easy again (no exercise AGAIN argh! & have to take a leave from teaching my kid fitness classes) for at least a couple weeks and re-evaluate at my next appointment.

Friday night Jared & I were just hanging out before bed. He sneezed and had some crazy allergic  reaction where his throat and nose swelled shut. He started wheezing and couldn't hardly swallow. My first thought was that we were going to have to deal with doctors and hospitals AGAIN. My body cannot handle this stress! Luckily after I gave him my inhaler (I know--illegal!) he was able to at least breathe again.

Needless to say I was looking forward to my make-up birthday date with Jared on Saturday night!

Life Unexpected

I love birthdays. I look forward to them all year. I love having that one day a year just for me when I can have fun without feeling guilty about skipping out on my list.

My big, special birthday plans did not go as planned. at. all.

Might I begin this with the furnace breaking yesterday and then sitting around for 3 hours for an extremely, painfully expensive fix.

And onto today's events...

PLAN:
Yummy breakfast with a friend & a walk at the park

UNPLANNED:
2 sad, very needy, crying kids with super high fevers

PLAN:
Relaxing "me" day working out, shopping, eating and lounging on a blanket at the park

UNPLANNED:
See above. Stuck at home all day. Trying to keep them somewhat comfortable and happy. Nothing left for me-time.

PLAN:
A surprise date night with Jared in my little black dress

UNPLANNED:
A nervous trip to the hospital resulting in an overnight stay in a scuzzy hospital gown
(ps. Everything looks totally FINE--needed to keep monitoring sweet baby boy)

PLAN:
A delicious dinner at a yummy restaurant (that I still don't know where it was going to be)

UNPLANNED:
Eating Cafe Rio all by myself at 8:30 at night on a {most-likely} germ-infested tray table

PLAN:
Ending my night with a generous helping of birthday cake

UNPLANNED:
Scrounging up a box of Junior Mints to hold off my hunger from skipping dinner

I demand a make-up birthday! It really is a little humorous. At least I have Vegas to look forward too.... Then I can really go wild! hahaha....

The big 3-0

The big 3-0 has finally arrived and I am actually excited. 29 was a very, very tough one and just a rough year overall so 30 will be better!

20+second recap of my 20's:

*Began with lots of dating and fun living the college life

*Incredibly sick for months until an emergency gallbladder surgery

*Graduated with a BA in Communications and minor in French

*Traveled to Egypt, Germany, Switzerland, Prague (2x), Hungary, Italy, Mexico and various states

*Stopped trying to find myself and began creating myself

*Married the man of my dreams--BEST DECISION in my 20's and ever

*Learned how to really cook and love it

*Started my photo biz and grew it all by myself

*Moved into our first "together" house to prep for a family

*Tried to learn how to sew

*Made the scariest leap of my life and became a mother

*Immediately thought I made the biggest mistake of my life

*Until I fell in love with the second man (little guy) of my dreams

*Quickly learned my capacity for strength

*Got shingles

*Ran the Denver Half Marathon twice

*Blessed with a beautiful daughter after a miscarriage

*Fell in love again

*Got mono

*Closed my business to be a MOM

*Joyfully got pregnant with baby #3

*Today = not one thing I would change

There have been so many ups and downs, goods and bads and I am so grateful for every little bit of it. I am learning to love my flaws and have patience with the rest of me. I am excited for this next {adult} phase of my life and look forward to the new lessons and adventures coming my way...

Waterfalls & Dino Eggs

The Botanic Gardens has an awesome new children's garden complete with a dirt pit to dig with real shovels for dinosaur eggs and skulls and a river with a waterfall, huge sticks and pinecones. The kids had a blast and I got my first farmer's tan of the year.

Pieces of clothes slowly came off the more daring they got in the water until they were down to diapers and underwear. Grey & Brig were the manliest of men with their monster sticks and dancing in the waterfall.

Post Easter

I have no idea where the past week went. My body is getting slower and slower by the minute... Sorry P! I know you have been waiting for more pictures.

Easter Sunday started with the kids finding their baskets of goodies and fun cards from Grandpa then a little Easter Egg Hunt in the house. It was cold, cold, cold outside.

A couple lame videos of the two searching for the eggs:

After the little hunt, Jared rushed off to church meetings as I got the kiddos ready hoping the sugar didn't kick in too much at church. After church, we squeezed in a quick nap for Elise and quickly headed over to Jared's family. I was so glad my mom and stepdad were able to be there as well.

Notice the sugar-induced comas?? Bedtime was a disaster....

I absolutely love Easter. It is such a joyous celebration with an infinite amount to be thankful for. I am so grateful for a loving Savior who was completely faithful and a man of vision and perfect understanding.