Baby Day Part 1

My due date was August 27th.  Because I had had a c-section with Ryan, I can no longer be induced.  That day came and went... and went and went.  I scheduled a c-section for September 4th - just in case I never went into labor, but hoping I would.  But despite all my hoping and praying and walking and sitting on a birthing ball... I never did. So, September 4th it was.  This was the big day.  I was so nervous to be walking into surgery, but more excited that we were going to meet our little Jace.

The last picture as a family of 4.  Right before I left for the hospital.

Walking into the hospital.  

Last belly shot.  I didn't realize how big I actually was until I saw this picture.  I was HUGE!  

Prepped and ready to go.  I wasn't sure if I should be smiling or crying at this point.  Luckily, the smile won out.

Walking myself to the OR.  With a pee bag in hand.  

Minutes away from meeting out baby.  I was so glad to have Brett at my side!

Summer Rewind

A few more pictures of our fun summer vacation... looking back on these pictures was so fun!  We had such a great time in UT with all of our family.  I also look at some of these pictures of our sweet boys ( husband included) and they just take my breath away.  I am so grateful they are mine forever.

Ryan with all of the Murphy cousins. This is the youngest half of MY cousins.  Ryan sure loved being with them!

On rides in Park City.  

Luke's "cold face".  A favorite of my brothers!

The captain of the boat and his first mate.

Ryan didn't really like being in the water

Luke loved it!

We got to spend a week with my family up in Heber.  It was such a wonderful trip.  These pictures are from my favorite day on the lake.  We rented a big pontoon boat. We swam and took turns on the tube.  Even 35 week pregnant me took a turn on the tube.  My mom went with me, thinking it was a safe bet; but, we got tossed before anyone else because we were going too slow.  It was funny!  All went on the tube, except Ryan.  He would not budge.  Luckily, he was happy as could be watching the rest of us.  

I am so lucky to have a wonderful fun family and that my kids have amazing grandparents and aunts and uncles!

Thanks for the pictures Staley!

"Whatever you do..."

A couple weeks ago, the boys and I were driving home from somewhere.  Out of the blue, Ryan said,

 " Mom, whatever you do, don't go in the office." 

Of course that made me curious, so I asked why.  The thing that I love about 4 year olds... they just have to be honest.  It is hilarious.  So, Ryan proceeded to tell me that I couldn't go in there because he cut the cord to the iron. He just wanted to see if he could. 

 I wasn't quite sure how to handle the situation.  I was a little angry and frustrated,  but the silliness of his statement outweighed all of that that and I just laughed and laughed. I had to compose myself so I could teach him that we really should NOT cut electrical cords. We talked about why that was not a good idea and he had to give me a dollar out of his bank to help buy a new iron.... so hopefully he forgot how funny I thought it was and learned a lesson.  Taking a picture probably didn't help.  But, that is motherhood.  I love it.

Brett's Birthday

Brett's 33rd birthday was last month.  It was a Friday and he was working.   I pulled the pregnant card and told him that we would just be going to dinner and to a movie because I was too tired to come up with anything else.  But then I started feeling guilty.  I love birthdays and I love celebrating... so the night of his birthday, I was on the computer and happened to come across tickets for us to ride a chairlift to the top of Mt. Baldy to have dinner.  It was perfect!  We had a wonderful ride up and down the mountain.  The food... not so good - we ended up at a great burger place later that night though.  We had such a fun time.  I am so glad that Brett was born.  He is a wonderful friend, husband and father.   

Soccer Shots

Ryan is in a little soccer group called Soccer Shots.  It is a soccer skills class that meets once a week.  He absolutely loves it.  He has really learned a lot and has come to love soccer.  He played Pee Wee through the city last year but didn't like the chaos of three year old " beehive ball".  He wanted to play " real soccer".  So, Soccer Shots was the perfect thing for him.  And his coach has a British accent.  How perfect is that?  Luke loves it too and likes to join in the fun.  I love watching them cheer at the end. That is my favorite part!  Go, Soccer Shots!

San Diego

We wanted to take the boys on a special little trip.  We surprised them and drove down to San Diego for the weekend.  The first stop was Sea World!  They loved it! The weather was a perfect 70 degrees and we were able to hit all the shows.  Brett's phone was being weird, so all of the pictures are blurry, but at least they will help us remember some things!

 Day two of our trip consisted of bike riding around Coronado Island and swimming at the hotel.  It was so fun to be with our sweet boys.  Ryan is ready to move to San Diego now because he loved it so much.  I wouldn't protest that at all!

Getaway

Brett and I got the chance to go on a pre-baby getaway in June.  It was so fun and a wonderful chance to spend some quality time together.  We went down to Dana Point.  Highlights included: relaxing, massages, a fun-filled surrey ride, walks and lots of eating! Thanks to mom and dad and Christie for taking on the boys for a few days!

On the surrey:

The best or most embarrassing part of riding in this thing was all of the looks we got from people driving in their cars.  I don't know how many couples without kids ride surreys... There weren't many places to ride, so we decided to go to 7-11 to get some drinks.  We parked our surrey right outside and had to cross a busy intersection to get there.  It was pretty funny.

Heading out to dinner

The following pictures are from my new favorite restaurant - ever.  Yes, ever.  Even out of all of our favorite NYC places. It was on a small, quiet street in historic San Juan Capistrano.  The setting was so cute, quaint and funky at the same time. The food was beautiful and so delicious.  I have never said " this is one of the best things I have ever eaten" nor have I had the desire to snap some pictures of my food until this place.  I am finding it funny that I am writing more about this place than the whole trip combined, but #1, I am pregnant and #2, it was a really great place.  Ramos House Cafe.  Only brunch is served on the weekends.  I recommend it!

 We had such a great weekend together. It was sure wonderful  to have some time just the two of us, but we missed our boys and found ourselves saying how they would have enjoyed some of the things we did.  I am so grateful for our marriage and the deep friendship and love we have for each other.  

Luke's Birthday Day

On Luke's actual birthday, Brett was gone so we spent the day down at the beach with my parents. Luke got a fun, new car from my parents, which he loved.  It was a fun way to celebrate a fun little boy!

The little two year old charmer

Ryan "surfing" on his board he got for Christmas. He was very serious about this.

Being silly on the ride home