First Day of Preschool!

Will had his first day of preschool at Sunshine Square! He started on August 12th (a week after Vivi was born). His teacher is Miss Leslie. He gets to go to school with his cousin Gavin! They go twice a week. Will completely loves school! I can't believe he is old enough to go to preschool. My little boy is getting so big. Here are some pictures of him on his first day.




Will ready for school with his cool back pack!

Postpartum

I hate to say it, but again I have some sort of postpartum depression. I'm amazed I'm even mentioning it on my blog. I guess I don't want to pretend everything is perfect when it isn't. It's very easy to pretend everything is fine, but don't you hate thinking someone else is perfect? Well, now just in case anyone had any doubts- I am not anywhere near perfect. I've had this problem with each of my kids. With Claire it lasted the longest- I think because she had colic. Anyway, I'm not so bad I just feel sad a lot. It's the weirdest thing for me. I can remember feeling happy a few weeks ago, and now I'm sad. I try my hardest to be happy for my kids. I mean I have to get up and get them breakfast and Claire to school. I'm glad I am busier because then I don't focus on it, but it is so frustrating not to feel just happy on my own, when "normally" I am fine. It kind of hit me this time too. I felt fine for two days after Vivi was born and then the third day I woke up from a nap and I just felt completely opposite. Weird weird weird hormones. I don't think my kids know anything is wrong (I hope not). I'm glad to for all of the help I've gotten these past two weeks. All of the food has been wonderful and my mom has helped getting Claire to school and helped with house chores. I couldn't ask for a better mom. I just hope I can be a great mom too. I think my depression is partly anxiety based. I don't know when it happened, but I worry way too much about things. Anyway, I am technically fine, just trying to work through this and be the best I can be. It wouldn't hurt either if I could just fit back into my regular clothes- I hate my maternity clothes- but dang it I still look like I'm 3 or 4 months pregnant- ugh!

Vivian Laura Houston

At 2:58 pm on August 5th Vivian was born! She is named after two of her Great Grandmas Vivian and Laura. We are so excited to have her here! The labor and delivery were both fine with no complications. I was induced, which I hadn't experienced before. I think being induced might have been a little tougher on my body because I was in much more pain after than I was with Claire or Will. The nurses were surprised with how much pitocin they had to pump me full of to get any contractions to start. I thought my labor would be shorter too, but it was only an hour less than Will (6 hours). Vivi also had a knot in her cord. We are lucky that it wasn't tight and didn't cause any complications.
To actually see Vivi and to hold her was such a miracle! It always takes my breath away the first time I hold my babies. It was also wonderful to deliver here in Utah too. We've never had visitors at the hospital before, but this time we were able to have so much family come and see us it was great! We are glad to have Vivi home with us. Right now she has dark hair. It will be interesting to see if that changes. Claire loves her and Will loves her in his own way. I don't think he knows what he is supposed to do with her, but every once in awhile I see him pat her head, or hold one of her hands. Vivi is so sweet. She's a sleepy and cuddly little girl! Here are some pictures.

Big Brother!



Big Sister!



Mom with three kids now!


Proud Dad!



Going Home!



Now we are trying to get sleep when ever we can!

Strangers, Apricots and Horses

Last week I went shopping at Costco and got tempted by the yummy yet expensive apricots, so I put a crate in my cart and continued shopping. When I was almost done shopping an older couple introduced themselves to me (Mark and Judy) and told me that they have a huge apricot tree in their backyard and the would love it if someone would come over and pick some apricots, so they wouldn't all go to waste on their grass. They told me if we came over and picked them they would give them to us for free. They gave me their phone # and address (what nice trusting people). I put the Costco apricots back on the shelf with a look of disgust- I wanted free apricots-and so yesterday evening I called these nice strangers and we all went to their home to pick apricots. They live just down the street from us in South Jordan, but they have this beautiful big yard. Shawn and the kids picked apricots while I sat on the porch and talked to Judy and Mark. The kids LOVED picking apricots, and to top it off they took us over to meet their neighbors horse Luna after we were done. Claire was in heaven! Luna the horse was a character. Her mom had died after giving birth to her two years ago, so the neighborhood women pitched in and took turns feeding and caring for her. She was basically raised by humans, and you can tell. She was the funniest horse. She wanted attention, and if you didn't give it to her she would twist her head down to you and give you almost a little kiss with her lips to get your attention. When you patted her head she would turn into the pat like a dog. I can't really explain it, but she was a horse full of character. We really enjoyed meeting Mark and Judy, picking apricots, and meeting the silliest horse ever. Here are some pictures.