Fishing

Taking Everett fishing for the first time was a very special day. He had been begging to go for a while now. We bought him his very own pole and found the cutest pond just 15 minutes away. Waldron Pond is a privately owned pond in Farmville. Kids can fish for free and adults pay only $5.

Getting outside as a family and fishing for just a couple hours was the best time I have had in the last five weeks being home quarantined. Seeing the excitement the boys have doing things as a family is always so rewarding as a parent. Everett loved that we caught two sun fish. Dad caught the first one and Nathan actually caught the second one. He was holding the pole when it got caught and helped ring it in. Everett was a little disappointed the fish weren't big enough to take home and eat. We told him next time we could come really early in the morning and hopefully catch something bigger. 

This quarantine time of life has not been easy in any way. We have adjusted to our new normal but it hasn't made it any easier. I thrive on the routine I create for my family. I hurt so much knowing that Everett won't be able to finish his last year of preschool. Every day that he asks if it's a preschool day and I tell him no he just assumes it is the weekend still. I finally told him it is over for good and that he won't be going back but that he hopefully has kindergarten to look forward to in the fall. 

He asked if he could still go to kindergarten and ride the school buss. It breaks my heart to only be able to tell him I hope so. 

 My heart breaks for our family vacations we had planned and day trips we had planned for the year that are now all canceled. I don't like not being able to see friends or family anymore or have any play dates for the boys. I hate not being able to take the boys to the playground. I am really struggling not being able to get the much needed breaks I need from my sweet little boys. 

My heart hurts for everyone suffering right now. 

I feel blessed and refreshed to have had an incredible morning fishing with my family at the pond doing something we would normally have done without the quarantine and virus going on. It was such a peaceful feeling to know some normalcy can still exist in this unnatural way of life right now.

Easter

Easter was a very nice relaxing day. Easter baskets showed up after nap and resting time. Everett loved talking about every little thing the Easter bunny had brought him. During the egg hunt in the backyard Everett was running so fast to get all of the eggs. Once Nathan discovered things were inside of the eggs he had no interest in finding anymore, he just wanted to see what was inside the ones he already had. Everett helped Nathan find at least one more though. Again like the baskets, Everett talked about each thing that was left behind in the eggs he found. He was very excited to have more fruit snacks for resting time. 

During our at home Easter church service we showed Everett a video about the Savior and Easter. He actually seemed to pay attention and it was very special.

First Trimester

January 9th four weeks: 

I have known you needed to be part of our family the moment sweet Nathan came into our lives. We have been loving our lives with two perfect little boys knowing that when the time was right you would be joining and completing our little family. I found out I was pregnant two days ago but I think I knew before even that. I just had that feeling and am so happy we are expecting you this year!

February 1st 7 weeks:

I am feeling nauseous all of the time now. Thankfully not throwing up but feeling awful. I am eating a lot of egg sandwiches. By the end of the day every night I feel so bloated and look three to four months pregnant. My energy is depleting more every day.

February 22nd 10 weeks:

Feeling sicker than ever. Stephen and I went on our cruise and that has made me feel even more sick from all of the constant rocking on the ship. I am not feeling quite as tired but definitely not up to my normal pace.

Your heartbeat was 170 bpm at my ten week checkup! Listening to your heartbeat is so amazing.

I am craving big macs more than anything else. They are one of the few things that calm my nausea. I've been getting one or two a week.

Finding out we were pregnant again was so exciting. We were a little surprised it happened so quickly since Nathan took a year of trying. I guess you were meant to come right away.

Everett: Winter

January
Over Christmas break you learned how to write Peirce.
After fixing something that had broke you said "That's what boys do."
You say the sweetest things sometimes like when I said here comes Everett and you responded by saying "with surprise of love" as you gave me a big hug.
I said thank you for cleaning the toy room and you said "Yep! That's what big boys do."
As you are getting older I so badly want to teach you to always be kind to everyone, to be everyone's friend. It hurts so much to see kids playing alone. I pray that you will not be one of those lonely kids but even more I pray you will be one of the kids that shows kindness and love to everyone.
One day you wanted to create the puppet show from one of your favorite books, if you give a moose a muffin. We made sock puppets and the backdrop from the book to go with them.
You and dad playing in the fort in the front room hiding from aliens.
You ask almost every day when it is going to snow.
You ask all the time to have nana and papa come and take you to cracker barrel and to have grandma and grandpa come and plant a garden in the yard.
One night I asked you to go brush your teeth for bedtime and to my amazement I came in a few minutes later and you were finishing your teeth and getting ready for bed. I was very proud you listened.

February
You gave your first talk in primary at church. You weren't nervous and did such a good job.
You love sending letters in the mail to family. You always include a flower and picture you've drawn.
As you gave me a big hug one day you said "I love you! Always do what I want you to do." It was funny and kind of a sweet thing to say.
It is the sweetest when you walk Nathan to nursery all on your own on Sundays and then take yourself to primary.
I asked what you were looking at outside the kitchen window. Your reply "That tree. It is the biggest of life!"
Lately getting you to smile for pictures is the biggest challenge.
We finally had a snow day and you were so happy. Nana and papa were here to play with you and built the cutest snowman with you.
You wore your pajamas inside out one night because you thought it might help it snow.
You love waking up in the mornings and doing art.
I love when you draw a picture for Nathan and put it outside his bedroom door while he is napping.
I don't know where you learned it but the repeat everything I say game is one of your favorites. You especially like to do it when I'm upset at you.

March
Depending on who tucks you in bed each night you want either mom or dad to come in after and give you another hug and kiss. One night you asked dad to come in and kiss you goodnight after he was done putting Nathan to sleep. I said you'll probably already be asleep by the time he comes in but I'll have him come in anyway. Sure enough within a couple minutes you were already sound asleep. What Stephen said to me when he came back out of your room really stuck with me. He said when you have no worries there is no reason not to fall asleep right away. I don't know if that's why you fall asleep so quickly every night but I like to think that could be a big reason why. I hope you continue having no worries as long as possible.
One day you came up to me and said "I'm gonna go get fancy!" Then you put socks on your hands and underwear on your head. It was pretty hilarious.
"Happy Mrs kisses day." The first thing you said to me one morning when you woke up and came into my room.
Your latest obsession is dinosaurs. I was surprised when you suddenly found a love for them because you have never shown any interest at all in them before now. Watching dino Dan and dinosaur train has taught you the name and facts about so many dinosaurs. It is pretty incredible how much you learned about dinosaurs in such a small amount of time. I have loved this little obsession of yours.
You had the cutest little voice for a few days when you had a cold.
Going to the dentist was an awful experience. Hopefully next time will be a little better.
I love watching you change and grow and become so creative with everything you do. I love watching what you draw and how you create and build different things with your legos. You are such a smart little boy with a loving heart.