Friday date night...

...with this handsome dude.

Hugh had a BYU soccer game and Miss Ruby has been feeling sick almost the whole week, leaving the night wide open for Hank and me. Initially, I was pretty bummed about the way our night seemed to be shaping up. After having to cancel our fun filled day...easter egg dying with cousins, time with cousin Gwen, and a birthday party for one of Ruby's new "Pleasant Grove" friends as she would say, I felt like maybe we could make dinner with my Dad and sisters to celebrate McCall's birthday. Needless to say, after a long week, I have been looking forward to getting out of the house. But, as the night went on, it was clear that Roo wasn't feeling up for leaving. (I have now realized how selfish I was to be so bummed about the change of plans when Ruby is feeling so rotten.) After watching a few Disney shows, Ruby appeared to be snuggled up in bed for the night at 7pm.

After playing outside on our balcony for most the night, I persuaded Hank to come in for some pizza. So there we sat, just the two of us, enjoying a Costco frozen pizza. And suddenly, all my disappointment about the day and night disappeared and I felt so fortunate to be sitting at the table with my little Hank. The second I brought the camera out he said "cheese" with a mouthful of cheese pizza. So fitting, right?

I'm grateful to be a mom...mostly because of the important lessons it teaches me. Here are the take home messages for me from tonight:

1. Be less selfish and worried about my own needs/wants.

2. Enjoy my kids now, they won't be little forever. And a Friday night spent playing basketball on the balcony (even if Hank MAKES me stand-up the whole time) is time well spent.

3. Go with the flow....learn how to let go of my expectations and make the best of the situation at hand. Especially when things happen out of my control.

**And for memory's sake, Hank LOVES playing with his basketball hoop now that we put it outside. Almost as much as he likes kicking the ball. He would be out there all day if I let him. Today, he brought me his shoes asking to put them on so he could go outside. He is growing up fast. Talking a lot and making me smile a lot. 

Kicks.

As much as Hugh has enjoyed watching Hank kick the soccer ball around these days...I have enjoyed feeling the first tiny kicks from this little babe growing in my belly. The best part of being pregnant is feeling the baby move around. Last week I made an appointment for our 20 week ultrasound...such a pregnancy milestone. And since having Hughie, one I meet with some nervous energy and worry. But in the end, I find comfort in knowing that this little one is meant to be in our family. I am already getting a bit antsy to meet this 4th addition to our family. We love you little babe! Keep the kicks coming.

 Buddies.

I was wondering why they were so quiet while I was making dinner. Ruby set-up a "bow shop" under the desk with Hank as her handy helper. Reassured by this scene I left them to finish dinner. Only to come back to find Hank using a pen to draw all over the computer keyboard. 

Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while mom showers...our new morning ritual. One of the few shows that keeps Hank's interest the entire time. (as you can clearly see by his posture in this pic)

These two cute kids are becoming little buddies. Don't get me wrong, they still have their fair share of arguments, but overall they love each other. It is fun to watch Hank follow Ruby around and mimic all she does. Many a morning when he wakes up before her he asks, "Uby?

...

Ruby frequently asks me to tighten the ponytail in her hair throughout the day. She usually asks me while holding onto her pony. The other day Hank followed right after her, with his tiny hands holding the wisps of his hair, and looked up at me with asking eyes.

 I asked, "Do you want me to tighten your pony too?"

Hank replied, "Yea" 

And so I pulled his wisps of hair and sent him on his way, to follow his sis to her next adventure for the day. 

...

And on another funny note, the other night I was lamenting to Ruby how tired I was and how she needed to hurry up and get ready for bed. While putting toothpaste on her toothbrush, she nonchalantly started this conversation:

"Do you know what you need, Meg?"

"No, what?"

"Five hour energy. Then you won't be tired."

"Where did you hear about that?"

"On a commercial."

From the mouth of babes!

So glad to have these little buddies to keep me on my toes. 

 The little ones.

These pictures were taken around 7pm last Saturday night...and yes, that would be Hank eating his dinner in various parts of the house (we all had cereal that night, Hugh was gone at soccer practice). After enjoying some of the show with Ruby, Hank decided to rest his cute self in the play tent to fully enjoy his Kix. Could he be any cuter and funnier? Don't even get me started on his feet! I love them...especially the way he curls his chubby little toes on the ground to keep his balance. I love these little ones, and feel blessed to be adding two more little feet to our family in September! On this particular night, I did feel a bit overwhelmed about being in charge of these children of mine. Would they survive some nights of show watching and wandering dinner eating because mom couldn't quite pull it all together?

Hugh and I found out about our newest little one on Christmas Eve...such a great Christmas gift for both of us. I will always remember that night...getting Christmas ready for Ruby and Hank while thinking of this new little babe. It was very special. Ruby is also quite excited and keeping her fingers crossed for a sister. And Hank, well, he just runs around the house oblivious that he will no longer be the baby come September. I was thinking it was a good sign watching Hank hold Ruby's baby dolls and give them loves. Needless to say, those hopes were shattered as he proceeded to throw them across the room!

There is nothing like having these little ones rule my world. Welcome to our family, babe #4.

Family Trip to Zion.

This year we decided to head down to Zion over President's Weekend to spend time together as a family and celebrate our little Hughie's 3rd Birthday. Yes, I can hardly believe he would be three this year. Watching my kids get older makes me miss Hughie that much more. I can't help but think about Ruby not having her 3-year-old brother here to play with and boss around. Not to mention, Hank not having his big brother here to show him the ropes. But Hughie is a part of our lives all the same. I love how leading up to our trip Ruby kept talking about it as "our trip for Hughie's birthday". Ruby also talks regularly about his grave and can be heard at the store asking, "should be get this to put at Hughie's grave?" How wonderful it is to know he is and will always be a part of our family. 

Needless to say, we quite enjoyed our little trip to Zion. Hugh was glad we made it into the park all three days we were there. It was rejuvenating to be in the sunshine with clear skies and 60 degree weather. 

Ruby (Mary) enjoyed hiking, mostly the hikes where she had to "climb"...she thought the ones where we just walked got a bit boring. Ruby's hiking experience was especially enhanced by her pioneer outfit she wore pretty much the entire trip (the dress and bonnet was her Valentine gift). We do have a few photos to prove we did get her to wear something different one of the days. (Ruby continues to be on a Little House on the Prairie kick...and insists upon being called Mary.) We even made it to one of Gwen's soccer games...Ruby was pleased to get in some cousin time.

Hank enjoyed himself when he could walk on his own and throw rocks/dirt in the water. He would have been thrilled if we let him get in the water...he was pretty upset by our insistence that he stay dry. Some of the hikes were a bit scary to let him just run free, which led to many a fit from the Hankster on this trip. And man! Can he throw a fit! 

...until next time.