Daddy-Daughter-Date

Uncle James took C.C. and Dan took Tess downtown to see Disney On Ice! The girls had a fun filled day of eating lots of treats, seeing all their favorite princesses and disney characters, but most important-- they had their daddy's undivided attention!!

Tess is such an expressive communicator, I loved hearing/seeing her tell me all about it. She loved every minute of it, well except when her forehead colided with C.C.'s teeth.

 On the Metro

Thanks Uncle James!

While Tess and Dan were gone Jacob, Abby and I headed to Michaels where Jake got to pick out a craft to do with his cousin. We picked up Benjamin and brought him back to our house for the day. The boys each painted and built a sail boat. They played so well together for 5 hours! I do have to mention that after feeding them a big lunch, I spent the afternoon giving them one snack after the next. These growing boys are always hungry!

Abby enjoyed playing with the boys all day too.

"Oh, COME ON!!!!!"

The best parts of this pregnancy so far has been Jacob, Tess, and Abby. I love to see the excitement on their faces when we talk about the baby. I love when Abby talks to the baby in a high pitched voice, or when Jake's face lights up with so much expression when he puts his hand on my belly and has felt the baby move. Or Tessie's prayers that end with "please bless that the baby will be a boy for Jake, even though I don't really want one". So, Dan and I talked it over and decided we wanted Jacob and Tess to be with us at the in-depth ultrasound when we found out if it is a boy or a girl.

Yesterday Jacob and Tess made a paper chain to count down the days to when we go to UTAH for Aunt Lizzie's wedding. Jacob then came up with the great idea of a paper chain marking down the hours to when we go to the doctor for the ultrasound. Yes, we have all been so very excited!

On our way up to Frederick I talked to the kids about what all they would see on the monitor. We talked about how the doctor would be checking to make sure the baby is forming properly. The kids have been so good about praying for the baby to be healthy, or to "cooperate" as Tess puts it so often.  Before getting out of the car Jacob informed me that it would be okay with him if it was a girl, but MAN did he want it to be a boy.

Tess was all smiles and cheerful noises while we waited in the room for Dr. Martin to come in. Jake and Tess's eyes lit up when they could see the baby on the screen. Dan was good about showing them what the images were as the doctor took down all the measurements. When it was time to check the gender  the adults could tell what the gender was but Dr. Martin paused to see what the kids thought.  They both had no clue.  When Dan said, "Guys, it's a girl" Jake immediately responded with "Oh COME ON!"  to which Dr. Martin chuckled! Jake kept a smile on his face the entire time. So, no tears were shed though I know how disappointed Jake was. (We expected Tess to be excited that it was a girl instead of a boy, but she actually did have her heart set on a boy... just for Jake.)  Dan and I are so grateful that this baby is healthy and strong. Everything is developing the way it should.

We picked up Abby from the McKinstry's and headed to Chic-fil-a where the kids ate, played and played, ate some ice cream, and played some more. It was a good HAPPY day!

Outside the doctors office, after the "Oh, COME ON!!!!" moment.

Little Gymnast

When given the choice to dance or do gymnastics Tess chose gymnastics. We signed her up at Hill's Gymnastics to be in the same class as her friend Cole. The first two weeks Tess had a hard time during class. She would get upset because she didn't understand or know what to do. Cole was such a sweet heart and hugged and encouraged her. Tess and I went to Hill's this past week for an open gym hour so I could help her (since parents are banished behind the big windows). I wanted her to just go and have fun. Mission accomplished-- WE had a blast together. We stretched, walked on the balance beams, jumped on the trampolines, jumped on the bouncy floors and spring boards, flipped on the bars, and played in the styrofoam pit. Today's class went sooo much better (she fought back tears once but did great the rest of the time).  

Cole hugging on Tess as they walked together 

Right before leaving the house this morning I found my old competition leotard from when I was a gymnast. Much to my surprise it fit Tess!  Here is Tess giving coach Edward a high five after doing some tricks on the tramp!

She stayed in my leotard all day today!

Funny Abby

As part of our Family Home Evening every Monday we work with the kids on memorizing an Article of Faith. Abby has been working on the first one. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. In the past every time we got to Jesus Christ Abby would quickly say AMEN, like she was finishing a prayer. Last night for the first time she got past saying Jesus Christ and proudly ended with " and in the HOLY GOAT!" Dan and I got a good laugh out of that!

When Abby eats something she loves she tells me "Mmm Mommy Ga-licious" and then makes a licking sound.  She is such a funny girl, with so much personality!

15wks

I am starting to feel better. The reality of actually being pregnant is setting in, I'm not just sick. HURAY!  I still need to conquer other small issues but I am well on my way to doing more and taking care of my family again!  We are all soooo excited. Jake, Tess, and Abby can hardly wait for this baby to finally arrive. We've got a long while to go still. But we've got some fun things planned for the months ahead that will help make time fly by!

I want to share a couple of "personal moments" that will be a part of our Barnhurst blog books and not just my personal journal...

Dan is on a work trip this week. I can't take the second type of antinausea pill prescribed, the side effects only made matters worse. I feel miserable. Abby brought me my bowl this morning. James came to my rescue this morning and took Jake to school. Tess has been entertaining Abby all morning while I lay on the couch. Abby loves Tess! Today Abby wanted Tess to put her to bed at nap time. I heard Abby flip into her crib and then Tess read Five Little Monkey's to her and tucked her in. I am so grateful for my sweet big helper. I think life would be even more difficult right now if Tess was in school all day long and Abby left with only me to entertain her. Tonight Abby clung to Tess's leg and told me she wanted Tess to put her to bed again. I listened as Tess reads THREE books to Abby. Each time Tess would go to leave Abby would call her back in. I love my girls.   Almost 10 weeks...but whose counting. ME!



Children, even a two year old, can be so inspired! Let me explain. I've been so sick and everything in my house is suffering because of it. My house is a mess, my kids are often times sooo bored, and Dan is tired from doing both our jobs!
Dan is in Florida this week. Today I got up with Jake and Tess at 630 with my vomit bowl in hand and made a b-line to the medicine cabinet for some medicine. Tess asked what was wrong, I told her my head was pounding, she told me I could go back to bed--sweet girl. After getting all the kids dressed, breakfast done,  lunch packed, and Jake at school it was time to take Tess to preschool.  I took Tess to preschool looking as gross as I felt. I attempted to not be seen by ANYONE!  You know, head down and a quick in and out. Ha! I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in months who of course wanted to take some time to catch-up. She looked so gorgeous, like she always does. Cloths, hair, jewelry, shoes and perfume all perfect! As we talked I felt so completely embarrassed.  Why didn't I find the time to at least shower that morning!!? Then Abby and I headed to the store to buy more frozen dinners and some necessities. I held her in my arms as we crossed the parking lot. Out of the blue Abby says, "Mommy, you're a GREAT Momma!" and gives me a huge hug. How did my 2 year old know I needed to hear that! Inspiration from a loving Father in Heaven!  And yes, I cried walking into Walmart.

Together Forever

Today Tate was sealed to his parents in the Timpanogos Temple! I wish I could have been there, with the rest of my siblings, but I am so happy for Steve and Stephanie. Every time I thought about what was happening today I got goose-bumpbs.  Thanks Aimee for sending me this picture.

Number FOUR

I am pregnant!

I have never been so sick! (It hit really early this time, 5 weeks) I lost 15lbs. before I started to gain it back.  Dan and I decided we needed to tell the kids when I was about 8 weeks so they would understand why I couldn't do much and was missing church.  We told them we needed to keep this our secret for awhile. Dan and I fully expected that Tess wouldn't be able to keep this secret for long. It is just to exciting. I am proud to say, she kept our secret! Well in her own way...

The next day Tess came out of of preschool so proud of herself for keeping our secret. She explained, "Don't worry Mom, I told them you had something in your belly but I didn't tell them what it was!!!"

Tess's primary teacher came to me several weeks ago and told me this funny story... The lesson that week was on fasting. Candis, the teacher, explained that mommy's who are pregnant can't fast because they need to eat for the baby. At that Tess's arm shot up in the air, she was grinning from ear to ear. When Candis called on her Tess immediately turned bright red, her happy face changed to an AH-OH face, and she quickly responded "I Love my Mommy!" Candis put two and two together and congratulated me.

Tess prays every night that the baby will be a boy so Jake can have a brother- but she doesn't feel that way herself. Tonight in her prayers she asked that Heavenly Father send us a boy, "even though she doesn't want one". What a good girl!

I am 13 weeks. Just this week my belly has popped out, I look pregnant!
 Despite all the sickness, I am, WE are very excited!