Valentine's Date

So because of our schedules, Jack and I hadn't planned on doing anything for Valentine's Day until Wednesday.
Wednesday we both have the day off and it just made sense to avoid the horrible restaurant wait times and go the next day.
It worked out that Jack woke up much earlier than normal on Tuesday so we decided to start our Valentine's plans early by visiting the Museum of Natural History in Mesa.
Jack loves Dinosaurs and all things dealing with space so it was the perfect place to go.

Mack, despite getting a bit tired by the end, seemed to enjoy himself.










The mountain inside the museum was Mack's favorite. He loved the big dinosaurs and running water.

we decided to let him out of his stroller for a minute....he took off running. Thank goodness Jack was there to chase him. I just stood back and laughed.







Jack has a fascination for gold mining and was very excited for the panning for gold exhibit. I thought it was fun for about 2 minutes and then proceeded to wander around while Jack spent another 15 carefully searching for gold.



The man has waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy more patience then I do.


It was a good day and I loved having a husband during the day.

The next day Jack and I were able to go and do sealings at the Arizona Temple for our official Valentine's date.
It was so nice...even though I almost fainted halfway through one of the ordinances.
I'm always surprised when pregnancy stops me from doing things.
I just assume I can do everything.
It was a great day and I love having Wednesdays to spend together!



On another note, Jack applied for Chandler PD last night.
We are hoping he gets called in for the written test.

Grandma Fefe and Mack

Growing up the only person besides my mom's best friend that I can ever remember her leaving with was my Grandma Fefe.
She was a part of almost all of my favorite childhood memories and I love that I got to know her and spend so much time with her when I was young.
She now has Alzheimers and is not the same as she was when I was young, but I still love that I can take Mack to visit her.
I know that Mack might not remember these early visits he has with her, but she loves them.
She lights up whenever he is around and I love to see that.
Whenever we go and visit we can always count on seeing a few neighbors, all of which remember me when I was little, so it is always nice to visit.
Another plus side of visiting Grandma Fefe and Grandpa Buddy is we usually get to visit my parents also.







I love my grandparents and am so glad to live close to them.

Birthday boy!

Mack turns 1 today!
I can't believe he is already one and at the same time I can't believe it was only a year ago that I was sitting in that hospital wishing he would stop taking his time.
To celebrate Jack and I had our own little birthday party for Mack last night considering Jack has zero time on Sundays for anything other than sleep and church.
Mack didn't get a super good afternoon nap, so he was not quite his happy self (I am also partly blaming his one year old molars that are starting to appear).
He did pretty good with the presents until....



we pulled out the toy cell phone.


He was attached.
I tried to get him to look at the super cool city rug for his favorite cars...he tried.


But really he just wanted to play with this phone.

If we tried taking it away from him he threw an awesome tantrum.


I kind of love his tantrums and laugh every time he throws one.
(I know I'm a horrible mother)



He was not even interested in his strawberry, homemade whipped cream, and sponge cake dessert.




Jack and I ended up sharing his portion.




I love this kid and I can't imagine my life without him.
He makes me laugh every day and his smile makes me smile.
I love that he has so much of Jack's energy and curiosity.
Having him in our family has truly changed my life and I could not be more happy.
Happy birthday buddy!

Personalities

Ingram baby #2 is a girl!!!
We could not be more excited.
Everywhere I go I look at the sweet little baby outfits and it is all I can do to keep from snatching them all up.
I am loving the neon colors that have come out as the new colors for baby girls...you better believe I will have a a few neon pink outfits for this baby girl.
We were both fairly certain it was a girl, but the heart rate was slower which usually means a boy...so I was glad to have the ultrasound with confirmed everything.
Baby girl's heart rate was only 135 and Mack's was always about 142...I just assume it's because Mack was running a marathon....at.all.times.



I know I shouldn't, but I compare every single thing about this pregnancy to my pregnancy with Mack.
I have been amazed at how different they have been.
Not just the symptoms, but the things the little baby does as well.
From the minute I first felt Mack move, he didn't stop until he was out and still hasn't stopped.
This little baby seems much calmer....even has a slower heart rate.
I feel like she is going to be a calm sweet baby and I can't wait to meet her.
21 weeks to go!
I know a lot of people think have babies 17 months apart is a horrible thing to face, but I can't wait for all the craziness and all the fun that is going to come.
I'm nervous...but so excited.

So there you have it.
We are having a girl...in 21 weeks.
That sounds much farther away than I want it to.

I can handle six more weeks of this

I am sure most of the country groaned when Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his home to be greeted by his shadow.
I jumped for joy.
Anyone that has been in the valley for the past two weeks probably understands my reaction.
60-70 degrees, beautiful sunshine, and cool mornings and evenings.
My idea of perfect.
Because of the beautiful weather I cannot stand to be inside every afternoon.
Mack and I have been spending our afternoons at the park, or chasing the soccer ball around the back yard, or walking around the outdoor malls.







Did I mention he is gonna be a soccer player. Already working on his side tackle skills....

I'm loving it!
I can handle 6 more weeks of this!

DIY

Growing up I was always fascinated with stories about people living in the wilderness and figuring out how to live off nature.


I loved the Disney movies Swiss Family Robinson and the tree house that they were able to build using what they found on the island and scraps from the shipwrecked boat.
I loved that they used what they had and were quite happy.



I was fascinated by the book my side of the mountain.
I hardly remember the book now, except that the boy was living on his own in a tree that he hollowed out and finding his own food, with the help of his trained falcon.



I shared my dream of living in a place where I would have to live off the land with Jack the other day.
He was a little surprised that I would say that(he knows I love me some mall therapy) and I don't think he believed I could handle such a lifestyle for one second.
He is probably right.
But sometimes I wish we could do everything on our own without relying on grocery stores, malls, and Home depots.
People did it once upon a time so I know it can be done.

My goal this year is to do more on my own.
Make things instead of buy them.
Go without instead of thinking I NEED everything.

Thank you Hallmark for playing Swiss Family Robinson on repeat today to remind me of a simpler time.

He's gonna be a soccer player

I knew from the time he was in the womb that Mack was gonna be a good kicker.
Today we put my predictions to the test.




Turns out I was right...he likes to kick things.

Happy Wednesday!