We were just saying we needed a change...

Huh. That's what I have to say about that.

Matt and I were recently talking about how the Lord does things with a purpose and we get challenges when we need to be humbled. Matt concluded that we were humble enough and didn't need any challenges. (I moved so the lightning bolt wouldn't hit me).

We did agree that our life was stagnant and we needed "something".

Scene change.

Enter one adorable newborn, a 4 year old who loves to throw tantrums, and a very curious, mostly disobedient, 18 month old. Then, add a new calling for Matt: he's on the high council now...He's only 30, mind you).

I would have to say that we now have the change we needed, the motivation to better ourselves and our family, and a definite refocus on the gospel and our priorities. I sure do love how our Father in Heaven works.

My boys

Dylan is a cutie!

I'm never going to get them to all look at the camera at the same time.

At least they have fun together (most of the time)

Oh brother!

Welcome, Riley Gus Fox

Welcome to the world, Riley Gus Fox. The first day was rocky, but it only gets better from here on out...

Riley was born Aug 25, 2009 at 7:09am. He was 7lbs 9ozs, 20 inches long.

Grandpa's here!

Dylan running from Grandpa. It took Dylan a little while (like an hour) to warm up to Grandpa Fox. Once he figured out that Grandpa plays with him though, he was just fine. Matt's dad is out here for this first week to help watch children, bond with Matt, meet his newest grandson, and spend quality time with our family. We are very happy to have him here!

Meanwhile, I am going to hang out in a hospital, enjoy caring for only 1 child, having meals brought to me, and reading at my leisure. Aaahh!! I so look forward to that. Who cares about all the bleeding and pain that goes along with it? I'll have a cute little baby to gaze at while I lie there in a hospital bed.

Less than 24 hours

I need a nap more than I need to fix the red eye in my photos, so just ignore that.
At 4am tomorrow we will be on our way to the hospital for a c section. This morning I was dilated to 2 (Wheee!) and 20% effaced. They told me to come back if my water breaks and just hold out until my scheduled c section. I got NO sleep last night. Oh well. It's preparing me for being mommy to 3 cute boys (who all like to wake up at night).

Good times ahead!

The cute boy I hang out with all day.

Oh the things boys learn... After having failed to clean off the table this morning after breakfast, Dylan and I went to the grocery store (where he ate a bagel and fruit snacks). As I was putting away groceries he climbed up into Levi's chair and finished Levi's breakfast and milk. I asked him to smile while I took his picture... instead he wanted to show you what he was eating. (Matt taught him that).

This is Dylan with his monkey (okay, it's a gorilla) and bagel. Doesn't he look so content??

Oooh Oooooh Aaaah Aaahh.... one of the few animal sounds he can make.

Dylan

Dylan loves stuffed animals. He sleeps with a bunch of them. He also likes to throw them all out of his crib, get out, and throw them all back in. His dresser is next to the crib and when I found him yesterday, he had his animals all sitting on the dresser and he was talking to them. He's a cutie!

10 days to go!

Well, the countdown is on (actually it's been going for some time now...) 10 days to go. It's like waiting for Christmas. I weigh 166 pounds and feel it!! (my back and left hip hurts... I think it's from the weight). The worst part about pregnancy is trying to lose the weight afterwards. Ugh!
We'll let you all know when the 3rd little boy joins the family!

How to entertain the boys.

Levi has an amazing attention span, and Dylan... well, not so much. Tonight's choice of entertainment is in the popular form of television. Levi chose Monster Jam. Dylan will only sit through two shows: Blue's Clues and Monster Jam. I know that is very diverse, but whatever works. Here are pictures of them as they are engaged in their t.v. program. Levi gives me a running narrative, and Dylan points and grunts. It's most amusing.

Camping

Yes, you've all been camping before and these pictures look strangely like yours. Enjoy them anyhow. I am so proud of myself for going... I dug my own hole and everything. It was THAT kind of camping.

Collecting Firewood.

Levi dancing on a large, fallen down tree.

NO, I am not glamorous at all... I am 9 months pregnant!!

Everyone was filthy.

Our tent. (it's cool).

Absolute Cuteness

This is Mandorallyn. She is my niece (Abigail's 3 year old). I absolutely love her outfit and think she is so darn cute, that I wanted to share with all who read my blog. Abby emailed me requesting hair bows for Disneyland... Ya, they turned out cute, but may I mention that Abigail MADE the adorable outfit that Maddie is wearing!!!!! I think she did a fantastic job!!
That (Minnie and Maddie) should be part of a Disney commercial (in my professional "Shannon" opinion).

This whole outfit is the reason I want a daughter. Just to make her so freaking cute!! (Bad reason to have a girl). I will live vicariously through Abby. I love my boys.

Maddie, you are a just darling!!!

Note to self...

Don't wear a black dress while you are pregnant and have small children. It will make everything they wipe (and I spill) all over me show.

For the sake of updating this...

I'll just say "Hi" to you all. Hi.
Matt's been gone for a week with our Stake Pioneer Trek (see his picture on the side bar). The boys and I have been bonding, reading lots of books, and swimming. I've taken naps and they've been wonderful! I have a wiggly baby inside of me. He'll come out soon... who knows when.

I can't wait to see Matt tomorrow.

I love that Dylan learned how to call out "Mama!" when he wakes up, and Levi has been full of interesting questions about Jesus Christ, knees, how the baby will get out, his stomach, why his, mine, and Dylan's eyes are blue, bullies (based off a book we read), scary movies (another book) and a variety of other random things; it's been most entertaining!