All kids love anything gummy. Let's be honest here, all people love anything gummy. Instead of reaching for the box of fruit roll ups why not try making your own at home? Extremely easy and even more tasty than those long "fruit" rolls. With only 4 ingredients (and one being water) you can give these to your kids when they are craving something sweet and feel good that they are getting a healthy alternative to that processed junk. 

36 Weeks! One Month Left!

Maybe next week I'll actually have a good picture instead of a bad phone one

How far along? 36 weeks

Our First Nephew!

This week Bryson, Logan and I made our way on a 12 hour drive to see our first ever nephew! (just a little side note if you happen to be 35 weeks pregnant split the drive into two days haha) We had such a fun time with Bryson's brother and sister and hanging out having lots of baby time. It definitely made the arrival of our little Foster that much more anticipated. Little Myles was born on June 20th at 7:00 PM, was 19 inches long and weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and he looks exactly like his daddy! I'm pretty sure Bryson was the most smitten uncle that there ever was because he couldn't have enough uncle/nephew time :)

While we were up in Wyoming we had a little mini lunch cook out and we hiked up to a waterfall :) 

Getting sticks for the fire

35 Weeks!

35 weeks! That's crazy! It does seem like time is starting to go slower when in the middle of the pregnancy when time flew by. I'm getting so anxious to meet my little man and I know daddy and sister feel the exact same way. Logan doesn't think he's ever going to come. I think he's going to come a lot sooner than she thinks! 5 weeks isn't long at all! and there's still so much to be done before the little guy gets here. Thankfully if he does make is debut early he at least has a crib and his hospital bag is packed :)

X Run

Today Bryson, Tegan, Paytn and Austin competed in a 5K, mud run, called the X Run. They had a blast and all did awesome overcoming the obstacles and pushing themselves. It looked like so much fun and I can't wait until I get to do it next year!

They all did awesome but Bryson finished it in 25 minutes, with that being said I could only keep up with him for so long so there's not to many pictures of him at the end just at the beginning :)

Feel free to copy any pictures if you see yourself/family members in them but please link them back here :) 

Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie

One Word: Delicious! 

This is L's and my favorite smoothie so far! 

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

L and I have been on a smoothie kick lately and these last couple we have tried have been DELICIOUS! We've been using them as a quick and healthy breakfast and L drinks it like crazy! She'll drink the whole thing before I even get started on mine and she hasn't even been asking for a snack before lunch (which is crazy because she loves her snacks!)

What to Pack in Your Baby's Hospital Bag

If you're here from The Bump, Welcome! I am so glad that you made it on over to my humble little blog! This is my #2 most read blog post with What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag as my most popular post and Birth Plan: To Have or Not to Have following up in third. If you have any questions or have found certain things that worked best for you feel free to comment and let me know! 

With only 3-6 weeks until our little man is here I figured it was time to get the last minute stuff and pack the bags! Since this is baby number two I know a bit of what I should pack. A couple things I have in this list are for me but they are going to be packed in my diaper bag normally so I included them in this post 

Fathers Day

I believe Fathers Day is an underplayed holiday, often pushed aside and second to Mothers Day. I think as a whole we forget just how important our fathers or father figures really are. As a wife and mom I can't help but think that I chose the truly incredible man I did because of the perfect examples of hard working, kind hearted, rock like gentlemen that I have been around my whole life and often take for granted. It's this time of year when I really realize just how vital all these men have been in helping sculpt me to who I am today. It's also when I realize just how thankful I am for each and every one of them that they are such a strong example to my daughter on how a man/husband/father/person should treat his wife and to my son on how a hardworking man/husband/father/person should lead, support and raise his family.

The most influential example of an amazing man is my dad. He not only loved and supported me throughout my life but has done the same with all three of my sisters. He has taken in countless other kids who are not biologically his and shown them an incredible man. I know I say this for not only me but all my sisters that whenever we get a "good job" or "I'm proud of you" from him it's better than any prize or praise from anyone else and gets documented in it's own little accomplishment bank haha 

Not only am I blessed with an amazing dad but many other father figures throughout my life that have shown me not only right and wrong but love and support through everything I have done. Blood related or not these are all men that have been there for me when no one else was and stood by me 100%

Not only do I have the incredible men in my life to thank for helping me with my husband but there are two awesome ones that helped mold the man that I chose to be the father and leader of my family. They have shown him not only how to be hardworking and loving but how to love kids that are not "theirs" with complete selflessness and without compromise 

And last but not least is the man that is the head of my house. He's my supporter and rock. He loves my daughter and me and is an incredible example to Logan and Foster. I could not have found a better daddy for my babies. I know he is always there for me and is my best friend.

Happy Fathers Day to all you dads out there! We love you all so much and you all are so important to us :)


Logan's Fathers Day Present :) I love how she talks about him

34 Weeks!

Omigosh! Are there really only 3-6 weeks left in this pregnancy?! Time has flown by and I have nothing done! How's the nursery looking you ask? Oh you know, just covered in baby stuff. But the crib's up, right? What is this 'crib' you speak of and do we really need one? Well, at least if you go into labor your bags are all packed. Bags? Oh, you mean the ones you bring to the hospital when you have the baby! Try no, not even close.

We are in desperate need of a Target shopping trip and a kick in the rear! I just have felt like there is so much time left and in reality we're getting down to the nitty gritty here! 

Quick Checklist of Everything...I don't have done:

Nursery Done

Bags Packed

Crib Skirt Made

Valance Made 

Pillows Made

Chair Up

Comforter Made

House Ready

{Add everything else I don't have done here}

It's ok :) Knowing us we'll get it done last minute

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: -5lbs
Maternity clothes? Jeans- always. Everything else it just depends on the day
Stretch marks? Nope.
Best moment this week: I had an amazing Baby Shower yesterday! It was awesome getting to see everyone together. It was just perfect

Miss anything: MOTIVATION! Really though, where did it go?
Movement: Tons and tons. He get's the hiccups daily and he has regular squirm sessions
Food cravings: No, just hungrier 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: Definitely 

  Gender: Boy! 
Labor Signs: None

  Belly Button in or out? Out!
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy. I've had a lot of alone time this week so Foster and I have had a ton of little bonding sessions. It's amazing how much I already love this little man and just laying down getting in sync with my body is really an amazing feeling 
Looking forward to: Dr. Appt tuesday! I find out if I'm dilated at all and see if I'll get cleared for travel. Either WY or Portalas. He'll probably say no but I really hope he give me the 100% safe go ahead because I really want to see my new nephew or go see my aunt! 

Had to make a quick trip to the hospital this week (not my idea) I was having a hard time keeping anything down for a week, including water, and was starting to get horrible consistent stomach aches and headaches. I originally called my Dr. to see if I could get some nausea medicine but when I explained what was going on he had to go to the hospital immediately to have tests run and baby monitored. It turns out it was probably a good thing I went in because by the end of it my blood pressure was 99/51 and my blood sugar was low. I got two bags of sugar basically and was sent home. Since then I wasn't sick one time and felt 100 times better the next day. 

Now it's time to get ready for a Fathers Day dinner! I haven't seen my husband in 6 days and he goes to work tomorrow. I can't wait to see him tonight! 

That's about it! Thanks for stopping by everyone! 

Baby Shower: F-town Edition

Today I was so blessed to be able to spend the day with family and friends celebrating this precious little life inside me. Before I even get started on the details I just want to say how truly amazing and humbling it is to have so many loving people surround me. 

This morning I had an incredible shower hosted by my lovely sisters and mom for my in town family. We had a delicious brunch on my parents back yard and the weather was perfect! 

Foster Brady Ballard

Yummy quiches made by my mom, Gram and Mema 

My little brother Gavin! 

Jeter! 

Cupcakes that looked delicious but that I never got around to trying. I was waiting for Logan to lick off the frosting and bring me the rest but I think she was to busy playing to eat one either! 

Name tag/thank you card station- We mustache you to write your address on thank you cards...

Baking more quiches! They were seriously delicious, I'm going to need the recipes! Or maybe not because I might sit down and eat a whole one myself! 

This little stinker was not in a picture mood! 

Tegan tried to sneak some pictures of Logan for me :) 

No one else but her was drinking out of the mustache straws right (according to none other than her) 

I can't even handle the coolness of this kid...

Guess who got spoiled again? 

My mom telling a very animated story

Foster's going to look just like his daddy! 

Another precious handmade quilt from Grandma Pat! 

Instagram session! 

It's perfect! 

Another adorable handmade blanket from Aunt Vanita! This baby is spoiled rotten already! 

Tyne and Tegan informed me I have a very serious face when reading cards. I informed them I was blind and having a hard time reading them! 

I'm the biggest creep...

Logan loved the By-Your-Side-Sleeper because then she still gets to use the crib mattress in our room because Foster won't need it

Another Instagram session

And yes, this is yet another instagram session 

Seriously though, for all of you that know Bryson, Foster is going to be dressed EXACTLY like his daddy! 

Just for Tyne, this is me saying "onsie" in the biggest baby voice possible 

Thank you Mema. How did you know that exactly what we needed was yet ANOTHER microphone in the house?

My lovely hostesses and I

Let's play Spot The Girl Who Doesn't Want To Take Pictures

Let's start a tradition where we all take pictures at the beginning of the day rather than the end so we don't look exhausted haha 

Again I just want to say thank you to everyone not only for coming and the amazing gifts (SLC family also) but for being so loving and supporting through this whole amazing experience. We really couldn't have done it without every single one of you.