Olivia and Makell got haircuts!

BEFORE........

......AND AFTER............

Since she was a baby, this is the first time Olivia has had short(er) hair. Makell has had short hair for a while because I think it looks DARLING on her face and also because it's much easier to brush. I think they both look like angels with their new haircuts.

I just took them to Fantastic Sams in Draper. They couldn't wait for Aaron to come home so they could show their daddy. "Do you think Daddy will like it?" they kept asking me. "He's gonna LOVE it!" I said, and I was right. They run around the house flipping it around. It's so cute. 

Need some advice...

So far about the only name we agree on is/was Brock. We both really liked the name until we realized that people might assume we named our son after Barack. I'm sure Barack is a nice guy, but I'm definitely not naming my son after him! What would YOU do?

We're leaning towards Jacob now but I still really like Brock. Help!

Sugar Goal.

I figured I should come clean and let you know that I put the sugar-free goal on pause while I was on vacation. I'm adding 10 more days onto the end to make up for it though. Let me tell you, it's harder starting it the second time! I can't wait to be done with it to tell you the truth. It's seemed extra hard this year but I will see it through.

I went in for my 30 week check up a couple of days ago. So far I've gained almost 30 lbs!! Ouch, I've still got 10 weeks to go. I'm gonna look like one of those whales we saw in Mexico by the end of this pregnancy! :) So the sugar-free thing definitely hasn't helped with that. I'm sure the baby and I are healthier though and that's good. 

29 weeks and our vacation to Mexico.

I've been slacking on my blog lately. Too busy moving (again) and homeschooling and just being pregnant (that's an excuse all on it's own). Aaron and I also took a vacation to Mexico. We have a timeshare we bought when we got married and if we didn't use it then we'd lose it so we saved our pennies for airfare and decided to do this one last fun thing before the baby is born. Since the timeshare was paid for it ended up being pretty cheap too. It was a much needed trip for our sanity. We've both been so stressed lately that it was so nice to relax for a bit. My wonderful mother-in-law watched the girls for us so I didn't worry one bit about them. Thanks again mom!

There's nothing that compares to the ocean. I love it! We snorkeled a bunch and saw some really pretty fish, turtles and coral. Aaron unfortunately got stung by a jellyfish too. Ouch! 

We got a discount on a sunset cruise for going to listen to a timeshare presentation. We got to see some beautiful whales really close up. The dinner was wonderful and then they had some mexican dancers for entertainment. It was so fun! I wish I could cook like this!

Here are a few pictures of the whales. I've never seen them this close before. I was blown away by how massive they are. I got some good pictures of the display they were putting on for us but unfortunately missed the best one. They both jumped straight up out of the water at the same time right in front of the boat. It was spectacular. It was the highlight of the entire vacation. We were so lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

Here's my 29th week of pregnancy to keep up with my updates. Don't be blinded by my whiteness. I wore SPF 50 sunscreen the whole time, so I'm still pastey white. Aaron however has the nicest skin from his mom's side and is nicely tanned. (That makes him sound like a hide! Ha, ha)

This picture was taken on the Pacific Ocean side of the famous arch. You aren't allowed to swim here because of the undertow, rip-tides and dangerous currents. This side is also called "Divorce Beach" while the other calm side is called "Lover's Beach". Allow me to explain...

Although you can't tell by the looks of this picture, the waves here are MASSIVE. Aaron wanted a picture in front of a big wave so we went down for the pose. He kept coaxing me to move further to the water. I was paranoid (for good reason) and kept saying, "that's far enough." He moved us closer. We took our eyes off the ocean for a second and suddenly a big wave came up and took Aaron's feet out from under him. We were holding hands and he pulled me down too. Hence, divorce beach. :)

It was pretty funny actually and everyone was so worried about the "pregnant girl". We had sand everywhere, head to toe. Now it's just a silly memory but I'm glad nothing bad happened.
Aaron caught us a Mahi-Mahi or also name a Dorado. We grilled it up and ate it the whole trip. It was excellent, probably my favorite type of fish I've ever had. Yummy!

Here's the famous Cabo Arch. 

Aaron will hate this picture if he ever sees it but I think it's great! We went parasailing and this is the harness we had to wear.
This is Aaron out all the way. The rope is 600 ft long. So they said approximately 300 ft out and 300 ft up. Look how high that is!
Normally I'm not scared of heights at all, but being up that high with only a little rope to connect you to the boat was a bit freaky for me. It was a little hard to just relax and enjoy it while I kept thinking of falling 300 ft into the shark infested ocean. They say it's like hitting cement you know. Anyway, I'm glad I did it now. I don't think I would've been able to do this in the States being 6 1/2 mo. pregnant, but hey it was Mexico, anything goes there!

Here we are on our last full day there after we went snorkeling. What a beautiful place! 

The Sugar Goal.

I'm still going strong on my no-sugar goal, are you? Aaron officially lasted a week. He came home with ice cream and it was over for him. I know of a couple of others who have started drinking their 'devil-water' (diet coke) again too. Oh look at the little pansies! :) Come on ladies, if you're gonna give up at least drink coke and not DIET coke. Yuck! You're drinking all that cancer-causing sweetener. You know I have to raz ya! I love you guys, even if you're not physically or mentally strong enough to keep up. Ha, ha, ha.  :)

I've been craving juice the most but haven't taken a sip. The valentine's candies are also calling my name but I won't cave! I've started reading my scriptures daily and even walking on my treadmill. I've decided I can't get on the computer until I'm done with both of those things. Hotmail, Facebook and blogs are my 'dirty little secrets' so I reward myself if I get my reading and walking done. We'll see how long it lasts. I'm hoping I can be strong with it. 

So we found out yesterday that the bank accepted the offer on this house. We've got until Feb. 23rd to find a new place to live. There's a house we're looking to rent in Highland or a guy in Heber offered to let us live in a house he just bought (for 6 months) if Aaron finishes the basement. We're trying to stay in Utah County until the baby is born and then who knows where we'll go after that. Life is definitely crazy right now but I hope we can look back on these days and these experiences someday with fondness and be able to laugh about it all. Some people say that financial burdens can hurt a marriage but I don't agree. If anything it has made me look at Aaron in a different light and love and appreciate him even more (I didn't think THAT was even possible). It has brought out his best qualities of hard work, dedication and perseverance. He works so hard to provide for us and I've been able to stand back and see the hand of the Lord in our lives. I'm in awe at the opportunities that have been opened up to us for work. We have grown together and have learned how we both cope with difficulties. We have learned to rely on Heavenly Father and have not been disappointed. It has been hard but I'm so grateful for the experience to live through it and the empathy I've gained for others. I'm so grateful to Aaron for being willing to wake up early in the morning to go to work and come home late at night, sweaty from a hard day's work. I know a lot of men would give up but he is so driven. I can see on his face and the proof in his sweat the love that he has for his family. How blessed we are to have him in our lives! I love and appreciate him so much and I don't think another man exists that's greater than him! He's truly one of my greatest heros! 

Well, this post got a little more personal than I had intended when I started. I only meant to talk about the sugar-free stuff and somehow it turned into that. I get a little emotional when I'm pregnant and just wanted to say how much I really do love and respect Aaron, he's my superman. I'm glad I get to walk through this life with him by my side.

23 Weeks

I'm not taking pictures every week because the change is so slight that it's barely noticeable right now. If it's possible I think my belly actually looks smaller than 2 weeks ago. Trust me that's not the case. I feel huge already. I can't see my feet and I can't eat a lot without having a tough time breathing (but I eat a lot anyway and deal with it). lol. I feel him kicking all the time now but it doesn't hurt yet. The first time Aaron felt him kick he was asleep with his head on my lap. The baby kicked him right in the head. He woke up and said, "Was that the baby?!" It was pretty funny. 

Test your RESOLVE.

Every year I go on a sweet, treat, soda pop, sugary snack break for 1-2 months. I always invite friends, family and blog stalkers to join me. So here's your formal invite. Join me and see if you have the resolve to do it for two months. Last year Aaron lasted 3 days. He's going to try again this year. I don't do this necessarily to lose weight (especially not while I'm pregnant) but that is always a benefit and natural consequence. I figure I might as well reverse all the effects of the crap I eat during the holidays. 

Although I'm not Catholic, this is like my 'LENT'. I think they've got something there, those Catholics. From what I've researched, once a year they have lent. It lasts about a month and ends on Easter I believe. Anywho, they give up a vice for a month and some of them replace that vice with something good. Like, oh I don't know, going to church, reading your scriptures EVERY DAY, keeping the house clean, not raising your voice, writing in a journal, exercising, not watching t.v., whatever it may be. I've never replaced my sugar with anything good so maybe I'll try that this year. Perhaps I'll grow sprouts and eat them instead or read the BOM faithfully everyday or keep my voice down, I don't know yet. I've heard it takes 30 days to start a good habit, so by the end of 2 months it should be well established for sure.  

So if you're not a pansy then do this with me. It's really hard at first. It's amazing how addicted to sugar we all are and you will go through withdrawals in the beginning. But after it's over, the first time you drink some pop or have some sugar it will be so strong and way sugary. Our bodies don't need as much as we eat. I personally don't eat that many sweets and hardly ever drink soda pop but it's still a fun thing to do every year and I know it's beneficial as well so it's win-win. Test yourself and see if you can do this with me. I always lose 10 lbs when I do it, but like I said, being pregnant that's not my goal. In the next 2 months I'll have gained at least that much but my body and baby with thank me for giving up junk food for awhile. 

I'm starting this on February 1st and ending on on April 1st. Don't be a wuss and do it with me! :)

Makell turns 5 today!

My sweet Makell! You have been so fun to have in our family. This year has been especially fun because we've been able to watch you grow and learn. You've been going to The little Redd School House where you've been learning how to read. I've loved being a part of that and seeing the confidence on your face when you read to me. This is the year you learned how to kneeboard too. You flip the handle of the ski rope around and around as you go, it's your own little trick you made up. Makell is flitty and flighty, always dancing around, playing with sisters, friends or by herself. She's got quite an imagination when she plays and is constantly singing little songs she's made up. Makell is tedious and likes to get things just right, she doesn't ever hurry. Sometimes that tries my patience but I see how meticulous you are and love you for it too. You are always fun to be around, always giving hugs and kisses. You are very smart and it's been such a joy to watch you bloom this year. You are beautiful with your big brown eyes and your sweet models-would-die-for big lips. Happy birthday Makell, we love you and can't wait to see what you'll do during this new year!

Makell's 4th birthday.

The next 4 pictures are all in the same year. 2006. You were about 2 1/2 years old.

Daddy used to do your hair every sunday morning.

Flower girl at aunt Mandi's wedding.
In the playhouse Daddy built for you...that was too big to get out the driveway so we had to leave it Ogden. So sad. It was the cutest little house.
5 1/2 Months at Lake Powell. Getting in the spirit of the 4th of July. 
Makell on her blessing day. Olivia got a little overzealous on the kiss! Looks like CPR to me. :) She sure was in love with her little sister!

Our brand new little Makell...

21 weeks belly shots

I've never documented any of my pregnancies but I saw my sister-in-law Mandi do it and she inspired me. Now the world wide web can watch me grow and grow and grow.  Here I'm about 21 weeks along so, roughly halfway. This is nothing folks. As you will see my butt likes to play catch-up with my belly, and they both get very, uh voluptuous. Ha, ha, ha.  I think it's helps me to not fall over frontwards! :) Enjoy the freak show over the next 19 weeks...and then enjoy the transformation back to myself, assuming I've got the stamina to lose 35 lbs for the 5th time!