Catching Up (it's a long one)

It's funny how much I've thought about posting, but haven't found the time to sit and do it... so much has happened that I don't even know where to start...  

Since the last post, I've had two family picture sessions, two infant sessions and a glamour session. It's kept me very busy and I love it!

I was due May 20, but as predicted I've gone past my due date (just like with Kalvin (I was 11 days late)) and am being induced tomorrow at 3PM. My sister, April, who was due the same day as me, was induced and had her little girl on May 24. She is just a doll with long dark hair. April and Blake were nice enough to let me go to their house today to take some pictures of her sweet pea. I'll be looking at them this afternoon and hopefully get time to post some here and on the photography blog. 

I've still got a laundry list of things to do before going to the hospital tomorrow afternoon, including packing for the hospital (can you say Procrastinator). 

Duane painted my fingernails last week and did an awesome job, except they started chipping the next day. I didn't get pictures of them till the french tip was gone, but you can still see the flowers (and my tummy). 

I've been wanting a few pictures of Kalvin and I before his little brother comes and daddy took a couple minutes to do this for us a few days ago.

So, last week was a little crazy! I was due Wed., Duane's birthday was Thursday and the poor guy had to work from 7 AM to 6PM, but we were able to go out to My Big Fat Greek Restaurant with his brother's family, David, Marisa, and Stratton. Friday was my birthday and Duane found a way to get off early so we could go to Joe's Real BBQ out in Gilbert. I hadn't had their baked potato before that day, but it was delicious! Duane left that night (10PM) with Kalvin for Show Low where his family had gone to have a huge paintball war. The next morning, talking to Duane, I found out that after they finally made it to the cabin at 3:30 AM, Kalvin wouldn't go back to sleep! So, Duane slept upstairs on a mattress and Kalvin roamed the house, including getting into the fireplace and making a mess at 5AM. Thankfully, Don (Duane's second oldest brother) was sleeping on the couch down there, and helped Kalvin wash his hands. From what I hear, they had a lot of fun up there and Kalvin came back with the scratches on his legs to prove the abundant amount of outside time he had. I woke up Saturday morning feeling free as a bird (and maybe a tad lonely without my two favorite boys) and made myself some smarn! For those of you who've never heard of it, (which should be anyone who's not in my immediate family) it is a German breakfast dish consisting of eggs, flour, sugar, milk, and vanilla. It may sound strange, but is delicious! Anyway, I though I must have put a little too much sugar in it because right after breakfast I crashed! I was so tired (even after my long nights rest) that I fell asleep for another 1.5 hours. I woke up and thought, what am I doing laying here?! There is so much to do while I have the time alone. I got up and started getting working on my to-do list, but was still so tired. My mom was throwing a birthday party for me that afternoon with all my siblings invited, but there were things around the house I needed to get done. I really didn't feel very good, but pushed through the sleepiness to finish some chores before heading out the door to my moms. 

Well, to make a long story a little shorter, I didn't eat the awesome taco meal my mom made by my request because I felt so bad and only got to watch as everyone else had fun in the pool. I was so weak and tired. I don't know what I would have done if Kalvin had stayed with me, instead of going with Dad, because I was so worn out! Well, that was Sat. and I didn't feel good enough to even drive home so I spent the night at my Mom and Dad's house. It was hard to sleep that night because my body just ached! I realized something that night... My family doesn't sleep at night! My brother, Dallin stayed up till almost 2AM and my mom was up by 4AM (though she had a good excuse, April was scheduled to be induced at 3AM and she was invited to be there)! So, every time I woke up, it was a struggle to get back to sleep because of the aching discomfort. Anyway, Sunday morning was a little better and I seemed to have my appetite back (at least enough to make myself some yummy waffles with strawberries). As the day progressed so did my energy appetite level. By the end of the day, I felt rejuvenated. 

Rachel came home with me Sunday night (after seeing April and her new baby in the hospital) and stayed to help me out Monday. I woke up Monday morning to contractions at 5:30 that stuck around for 30 min. and of course that got me so excited I couldn't go back to sleep (even after going to sleep at midnight).

I couldn't have asked for a better helper than Rachel, seriously! She was awesome and jumped right in to help me with anything I needed. In an attempt to make moving a little easier we are de-cluttering some of the house, so we have at least 35 items to sell on ebay. Rachel went with me to my in-laws where we packaged, labeled and weighed each item being sold. It took a good two hours! After running from store to store and errand to errand, we went to the hospital to see little Maycee Rae again and stayed a good hour (just long enough to get a brake). From there we went to my Mom's again, who was having a Memorial Day BBQ. Duane and Kalvin came from Show Low and we all swam!

Long story, and if you've made it this far in the post, I'm surprised! Little Maycee's pictures to-come very soon, but I took too long on this post and Kalvin's awake now, so Ill have to catch you later!