2 + 2 = 4

We had our 18 week ultrasound today and I was DYING to find out the sex of our baby. I was really hoping for a girl since we have one girl and 2 boys but I was really thinking it would be a boy so I was prepping myself. Chris was hoping for a girl too but would have been fine with a boy. He's got a strange thing for even numbers, when he eats candy he has to have 2 of each color. We only have 3 bedrooms so I was a little worried how we'd fit 3 boys in a room (my parents did it but it was crazy). You'd think with my 4th baby I wouldn't be so anxious to find out but it was driving me crazy. We went in for the appt. and when the tech was showing us the sex she said, "Here's the legs and look between the legs..." The way she worded it I was looking for a little boy part and at that point thought "ok, it's a boy" but then she said, "Look you have a little girl!" I was so excited and shocked at the same time. We have a lot to do before the baby comes in January but at least I can plan better now and start making room for baby in Maddie's pink room.

Soccer's back in full swing!

Soccer practice officially started this week. I've never had two kids playing at the same time so this should be interesting! 4 different practices a week and 2 games on Saturdays, it's gonna be crazy! Games don't start until Sept. 19 but the kids are already practicing and having a great time. This is Carter's first year and he's been very excited about playing after watching Maddie play last year. I volunteered to be the team mom for Carter's team so it should be fun. I love being a Soccer Mom!

Chris' Birthday

Chris' birthday was on Tuesday and we decided to go to Disneyland to get his free ticket and apply it to an annual pass so we can all go to Disneyland together now! We knew it would be VERY crowded since its still Summer and this is the first week on non-blackout days for Southern California Passholders. We only went for a few hours and went on a few rides. We met Chris' cousin Robert there who also shares his birthday. Grandma Debbie picked Maddie up from school and kept her until we got home. Maddie was a good sport about not being able to go and since we are going again in a week she was okay with it. That night we went out to Dinner at Chris' favorite restaurant, Lucille's (Thanks for the gift card Mom and Dad!) and had 31 flavors ice cream cake at home after (in honor of his 31st birthday).

Happy Bithday Honey! I'm glad I got to share it with you!

The Potty Diaries- Final Chapter

After several attempts at potty training over the past 9 months I decided it was time and Sawyer was ready. We had taken Summer off with the kids being home and I kept telling Sawyer that we would start again as soon as the kids went back to school. He was excited when we would talk about it, that he would soon be wearing underwear just like Maddie and Carter. So last Thursday, the day came when I had a small window of days where I didn't have to be anywhere and I could just focus on him. In the morning we woke up and I told him today was the day (we'd been building it up the past few weeks). He insisted he wasn't ready and that he wanted to wait. I made a little picture of a train and had stickers for him. We packed up all the diapers and put them in ziplock bags and saved them for the baby. This was a big deal that he was giving his diapers to the baby and now he was a big boy.

So the first two times he went in his pants, I was frustrated and ready to give up. I even got a little mad when he peed his pants right in front of the toilet. I gave myself a little pep talk and put my game face on. This had to be done, after all he was turning 3 in a few weeks and not only that, I have never been without a kid in diapers since Maddie was born almost 8 years ago. That thought alone helped me push through my frustrations. Suddenly Sawyer started catching on and went on the potty several more times. I couldn't believe it could this be it? After Carter got home we decided to venture out to Target. I thought if we took him to buy some new undies he would be even more excited. He picked out some cute boxer/briefs and we walked through the diaper aisle and picked out some newborn diapers for the baby. We also bought him a whole box of fruit snacks and I told him, each time he went potty he would get one. (I know a lot of sugar but it worked!)

It just kept getting better from there and that night we decided to let him sleep in his underwear since he knew all his diapers were gone. He did not have any desire to go back to diapers, it was like they were evil! He woke up dry! The next day he had only one accident and even started going on his own without my help, he even preferred that. From then on he has had no accidents, and has not seen another diaper! After a couple of days I thought, "could this be a fluke, is my son really potty trained?" After training Maddie and Carter this was a totally new experience for me and I couldn't believe how fast and easily he caught on. He's actually younger than both of them were when they finally mastered the skill.

A week has past and he is completely trained. He goes on his own and doesn't even want help! In fact when I ask if he needs to go he refuses, it has to be his idea. We even went to Disneyland and didn't even bring a spare pare of undies, I know I'm crazy but that's how well he was doing.

This has been such a huge relief and a blessing but I think I deserve it after he went through his fascination with poop stage.

First day of Kindergarten and Third Grade

Yesterday was a very big day for Carter and Maddie. It was the first day of school. I know, it's early. Our school district along with several others decided to start the school year on Aug. 10 and end May 25. We're not year round we just start earlier and get out earlier. For the high schools there is a nice advantage to starting earlier but for us it just feels like the we're still in the middle of Summer so it's a little hard to get used to. It will be nice to get out before memorial day!

Carter is going to school for the very first time. He was so excited and has been anticipating this day all Summer long. We even made a paper chain and he removed a link every day. Well the big day finally arrived.

We got up bright and early, put the kids in their favorite new school outfit, ate waffles for breakfast, and drove over to the school.


It was crowded and we had to park really far away, I think every single child was accompanied by his/her parents. We dropped Maddie off first. She is now a BIG third grader. She is so excited to be in such a big grade. Her teacher is Ms. Chiever.


She walked right in and smiled and made herself right at home. She was happy to find a good friend of hers sitting right next to her desk. We said goodbye and headed to the Kindergarten room.

It was filled with parents and confused but excited little 5 year olds. They had the kids go outside to play while they had an orientation for the parents and then we all went outside and watched the kids play. I was able to snap a picture with his teacher Ms. Maloney.

(Sawyer made me pack him a lunch to bring with him too!)

After a few minutes it was time for the kids to go in the classroom and the parents to say their goodbyes. I was getting a little emotional but I tried to hold back the tears. Carter gave me a hug and assured me he'd be okay riding the school bus home (deep down I wanted him to say, "Mommy I want you to come pick me up!") He smiled and waved one last time.


Sawyer was not a happy boy, he cried and threw a little tantrum. He said, "I want my brother, I want my Carter!" We had been talking about this all Summer how he'd get to stay home with Mommy all by himself while Carter would go to school with Maddie. No matter how much we prepared him for the big day, he wasn't ready to give up his time with his buddy.


As we walked back through the office and to the car I was in tears. My baby boy is all grown up now. This is the beginning of him becoming his own person, someday he'll leave me and go off to college, then he'll leave me and go an a mission and eventually he'll be some lucky girl's husband. I know I sound ridiculous, but I'm pregnant so I have a good excuse. How am I going to be when my last one goes to Kindergarten?

Chris took us to get some breakfast to make me feel better. As we drove back home I insisted on driving by the school to see if we could catch a glimpse of Carter playing outside. Sure enough, he was riding a little scooter and looked so happy and cute. I was glad that he didn't see us, and it made me happy to see him one more time. When 12 o'clock came Sawyer and I decided to go to 7-11 to get a slurpee and get one for Carter to give him when he gets off the bus. We went up to the bus stop (right in front of our condo) and the bus pulled up. I was so happy to have my little guy home!

Carter was happy to see his little buddy too!

An hour or so later we drove over to the school to get Maddie. She was beaming and had a wonderful day. She looked so happy and went on and on about how much she loves her teacher! She can't wait to get some homework. We'll see how long that lasts!

Last night when I tucked Carter in bed he said, "Mommy are you glad I'm in Kindergarten?" I assured him, "Of course I am". Then he said, "I don't want you to be sad, I'll always be your baby." It just made my heart melt.

This morning was a much easier send off!

Back to School Fashion Show

Last year we started a fun tradition and had Maddie do a fashion show and model all of her new school clothes for Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa. It was so much fun we decided we should do it every year and this year Carter got to join in on the action! Here's the slide show of our fun fashion show!

Berry Pickin' at Riley's Farm

Last Friday, being the official last weekday of our kids Summer break, I really wanted to get out and take them somewhere fun. A couple of years ago we went to Riley's farm to pick raspberries so I thought it would be fun to do it again. So we packed up the kids, along with the Herrera cousins, and Aunt Amanda and headed to Riley's farm in Oak Glen. The weather has been amazing lately and it was even more beautiful up there. It was in the mid 70's with a nice breeze in the air. We had a great time in the fresh mountain air and there was no other pickers while we were out there! The kids loved it and it helps remind them that food doesn't only come from the grocery store. The raspberries were sweet and delicious, we couldn't help but eat as we picked. What a treat! I came home and made a batch of raspberry jam that will hopefully last us a few weeks.

Beach Day!

We've luckily made it out to the beach a few times this Summer. We've had so much fun having our cousins, The Herrera's, here from Texas. A few days after they got here we drove down to Newport and met Kristy, Brady and Coleman. We had a great time! The kids loved playing in the water, finding sea shell and building sand castles.

Carter is loving his cousin Davis, he idolizes him and wants to do everything he does.

Its been fun seeing these 3 little guys interact. They are all 3 months apart and having lots of fun together.

Sawyer loves the beach!

Carter playing in the waves.

The kids were absolutely wiped out on the way home. We stopped in Balboa to get a hippo cookie and a frozen banana but kept the kids in the car since they were so tired.