Thanksgiving weekend

Below are some pictures from Thanksgiving. Somehow we missed getting a picture of Zoe on her first Thanksgiving. Opps, I just didn't think about it because she was sleeping.

Tyler and Maeley

Derek's favorite picture

I love this picture. Maeley trying to pull Chase out of the water. If you look closely Maeley has a red mustache from drinking to much Hawaiian punch.

Wednesday night my brother Tyler came down and stayed with us until this morning. It's always nice having him come and spend some time with us. We all enjoy the company. I think Maeley likes having someone else to play with.

Thursday we watched part of the Macy's Day parade before heading to my Aunt Cherri's house only about 10 minutes from our house. My family has Thanksgiving every other year there, and the other is at my parents house. It was really nice not having to travel this weekend. All my mom's siblings were there but my Aunt Diane from Utah. My grandpa was also there and some cousins. Derek and I had a great time but I think Maeley and Chase had an even better time. They have a really cool water fall feature in the backyard. It's actually two with a little stream connecting them. I made the mistake of showing Maeley that one of the fish had died. She ended up taking almost all the adults one by one by the hand to show them the dead fish. It was really cute. Anytime we took our eyes off Chase he was headed straight for the water. It made me nervous the whole time. Zoe pretty much slept the entire day. She normally doesn't sleep that much.

Friday we did a little shopping. Then in the afternoon we finally put the Christmas tree up. Last Sunday Derek got out the Christmas decorations and it took awhile to decide where we were going to put the huge tree in our small house. The dining room is where it ended up. Not normal I know, but there really wasn't any other place. This weekend has gone way too fast.

Derek's photography

Derek has enjoyed taking pictures lately and has taken some really great pictures of the kids. Here are some of them.

Life with 3 kids...3 and under

I feel like I haven't blogged in awhile, but I think it's really because so much has happened since the last post. Maeley and Chase came home Sunday afternoon after a week in Gilbert. We missed them like crazy, it's so good to be together again. My mom stayed and just left earlier today. (Thanks mom for all your help!) Maeley is really good with Zoe and when she cries gives me an explanation as to why she thinks she's crying. Chase is so sweet and always needs to know where she's at. He also rubs her head a lot. My dad thinks it's because everyone rubs his shaved head. Chase hasn't been giving anybody hugs and kisses the past few days. He must be saving them all for Zoe because she gets plenty from him. Maeley gives Zoe tons of hugs and kiss too. Chase is having a harder time adjusting to the change, just as I suspected. After all he's only 16 months. He is more emotional than usual and pouts more. Chase seems huge to us now. I know its simply because we are comparing him to Zoe, but he is rock solid. Maeley doesn't seem bigger to us, just older. She's a great little mommy.

I'm doing great after my c-section. I honestly don't feel like it happened a week and a half ago. I just have to restrain myself from my regular duties. They told me I can't sweep, mop or vacuum for 6 weeks. That is going to drive me crazy! I normally vacuum 3 times a week. The house just seems cleaner when its vacuumed. And of course they tell you not to pick up anything heavier than your new baby. What about my other baby? Chase still needs help getting into his booster chair so that restriction has already been thrown out.

Zoe has been doing really well. Her doctor at her 1 week checkup was pleased that she already past her birth weight. I've just got to get her onto a schedule. I live by schedules with my kids. I always start by setting a bedtime and it has worked itself out from there. Maybe we will be lucky and by 2 weeks she'll start sleeping 8 hours at night just like Chase did. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed.) She honestly doesn't cry much. Wahoo! She also will look around the room for awhile and not fuss one bit. We truly feel blessed to have such a sweet, good baby. There is a feeling of peace about her. We love her so much!

Our two girls

Maeley "feeding" Zoe
Zoe is actually in Maeley's lap as she pretends to feed Zoe just like mom

Maeley and Chase holding Zoe right when they came home

Our Little Pumpkin

I just had to dress Zoe up for her first Halloween. What a cute little pumpkin she was.

I don't have any pictures of Maeley or Chase all dressed up as they are still in Gilbert with our parents. They come back today finally! I miss those kiddos like crazy. Apparently Chase wanted nothing to do with his Mickey Mouse costume. Last week when we tried it on him he looked pretty darn cute. I wish I had taken a picture then. Maeley was Tinker Bell. That was the costume from last year that she wanted nothing to do with and she ended up being Lady from Lady and the Tramp. Man, I've got a couple of stubburn kids. Oh well, I love them anyways.

We're home!

Last night we finally left the hospital. It's so nice being home, although I did miss my sleep last night. Zoe was up most the night eating. There is something about breastfeeding that puts me to sleep. I can be wide awake before I start but I'm nodding off by the time she's done. I don't remember feeling this way with Maeley. Zoe is just so darn cute! I can't wait until Maeley and Chase come home so they can enjoy their little sister. She doesn't cry much and loves to snuggle. As much as I love to snuggle with her I'm trying to restrain myself a little so she doesn't get used to being held all day. Chase was like that and it was difficult to get anything done.

Pretty in pink

oh so cute

One proud daddy

Zoe Paige!

Baby Zoe is here finally! I am a little tired (though not nearly as much as Melanie) so I will keep my typing brief and just get some pictures up. (For some reason this posted up in reverse order of what I had selected). Zoe Paige Jones was born at 10:04 am, weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce officially and is 19 1/4" long. She has hardly cried at all (at least today) and has taken to feeding very well (thank goodness). She likes to look around and snuggle up to sleep. And her big sister Maeley really enjoyed seeing her and had to sit with her and give her hugs and kisses. I think Chase was too tired to realize what was going on. Melanie is doing well and hopefully she can leave Thursday and earlier. Thanks again to our parents for watching Maeley and Chase for the next week.

What have I created?

Earlier this week in the mail we got the Toys R Us 'Our Biggest Toy Book Ever' catalog. I knew Maeley would love to look through it. Boy was I right. She even took it to my doctor appointment Thursday. I can't tell you how many times she has flipped through page by page slowly looking at each item. It amazes me what she remembers. She would point to a toy and say "that's at Target" (my favorite store) or "I saw that on TV". Seriously Derek and I are in big trouble with this girl. I admit she does get this from me. I love getting catalogs in the mail. Growing up I looked forward to the Sunday paper just to look at the weekly ads. When Maeley was really young I think she would get sick of being at home. She could be a cranky as could be and as soon as we left the house she was pleasant again. I remember on several occasions we would just stroll the Super Target near us, sometimes roaming for an hour not even needing anything. She has always been such a good little shopping buddy.

Maeley looking through the catalog.

Maeley's 3rd birthday party

This past Saturday we had some of Derek's side of the family over for Maeley's birthday party. Those who were able to make it were: Grandad and Grandma (as Maeley calls them Papa and Tama), Great Grandma Clawson, Aunt Kari, Aunt Stephanie, and cousins Parker and Braden. Maeley is so funny because she's been so excited for her party and for family to come visit but as soon as everyone showed up she was a little shy. She quickly snapped out of it and had a great time.

Maeley being shy as we sang "Happy Birthday" to her

Blowing out the candle. This is the best shot I took of the finished cake. This is the second time I've made this cake and both times I don't have a decent picture of it.

Chase riding Papa, Maeley riding Tama, and Parker riding Aunt Kari

Maeley opening another present as Chase and Parker watch closely

Maeley and her Princess Aurora doll

The kiddos playing "Let's go fishin"
Thanks Parker & Braden, Maeley and Chase love it!

"I got her!"

Wednesday afternoon while Chase was napping Maeley and I were just hanging out. She loves to give my big prego belly hugs and kisses. This time the baby was moving quite a bit and Maeley was getting pretty excited. When the baby would move Maeley would grab at my stomach and "catch" the baby and say, "I got her!" Similar to playing 'I got your nose'. She has continued doing this over the past couple days and it still cracks me up. Maeley is such a cutie, I love her! She is so excited for her baby sister to come. Only 10 more days! Wahoo!

Doctor appointments

So today I had the pleasure of taking both Maeley and Chase to the doctor for well check-ups. Not such a big deal right? Well I should know better. Maeley was really excited to go to the doctor until the nurse asked for me to take her shoes off and lie her on the table to be measured and then to sit her on the scale. Such a simple task had to be a difficult one to accomplish. Chase did far better than Maeley at those things but doesn't like staying in the examination room while we wait for the doctor, he cries at the door. Then while Maeley was being examined a nurse had to come and get Chase because he was crying and I needed to hold down Maeley. It completely makes me feel like I'm incompetent for handling my own kids. Then when it came time to the kids getting shots I knew Maeley had to be given hers first or else there would be no way she'd let us. Again more reinforcement came to help. One nurse held down Maeley while the other gave the shot and I held Chase, then I held Maeley to comfort her while Chase was held by a nurse while the other gave him the shots. Seriously it's not fun having two screaming kids. When we got home it was time for lunch, while eating Maeley was talking to me how the doctor and the nurses were really nice. I asked her why she was rude to them by being a naughty girl. She just gave me a dirty look (similar to those she was giving the doctor & nurses).

Maeley's current stats at age 3:

weight: 27lbs 8oz---25th percentile

height: 36.5" ---between the 25-50th percentile

Chase's current stats at 15 months:

weight: 23lb 6 oz---between the 25-50 percentile

height: 31.25"--- 50th percentile

head: 45.5cm--- 10th percentile

Weekend events

For the past 2+ years Maeley has been attached to an old blanket of mine. I've had the blanket since I was 2 and used it even after getting married. Yes I know I am strange. It was just the right size to snuggle with and it became so comfortable over the years that I just couldn't part from it. Maeley attached herself to it all because of me. When she was really young and she was having a hard night I would put that blanket in her crib in hopes that it would settle her down. It worked and soon the blanket became hers. Now she has a new blanket.

Maeley with the Strawberry Shortcake blanket at 5 months.

Yesterday we went to St. David for Grant's baby blessing. That is my sister Marie's 2 month old. My mom made the 3 birthday girls each a blanket. Mayla turned 3 on Oct. 3rd, Maeley turns 3 on Oct. 28th, and Kyla turns 7 on Nov. 7th. Maeley got a Tinker Bell blanket as she requested and hasn't even asked for the old strawberry shortcake blanket. She's one happy kid.

We had a great time this weekend. My brother came down Saturday afternoon and stayed until this morning. He wanted some help from Derek to study for the math section for the ACT test he will be taking soon. Well all went to St. David yesterday and had a fun time. Maeley and Mayla even made a "chocolate cake". This cake was really dirt they piled on top of a picnic table. Chase loves his baby cousin Grant. It's amazing how gentle he is with him and gives him plenty of hugs. I can't wait until he's a little older so Chase has a buddy to play with.

Long days

It seems lately that the days are getting longer and longer. I'm finally coming to the end of my pregnancy and 24 days from now (Oct. 27th) just seems like it will ever come. Sleeping through the night has become something of the past and our cute little Chase has been waking up about 6 each morning. I think he just wants to see his dad before he leaves for work around 6:15.

This picture shows how well he can feed himself oatmeal. Recently he has decided he doesn't need help anymore. There's just some foods that are as easy as others.

I was planning on changing his nap schedule in hopes that he would sleep in later in the morning however he had a different idea today. He fell asleep on the floor about 9:30.

After only an hour nap he came running into my room where I was getting ready for the day. I decided to make the kids a fort to entertain them for awhile. It worked! They played with it until about noon when Maeley caused it to collapse.

They really did have a great time.
(Doesn't Chase have such a cute smile?)


Later in the afternoon I let Maeley "wash" her bike. I put the kids swimsuits on and let them play.

Chase enjoying getting wet.

Now Chase is taking another nap and I get to relax while Maeley watches a movie.

Chocolate Cake

This is a video I made from Chase's chocolate cake eating incident tonight. Make sure you have your volume on for the music.

I love my little family!

I just love this picture. Derek looks like such a happy dad. Sure Maeley is being difficult and Chase isn't smiling but to get that "perfect picture" it's nearly impossible. I love being a wife and mother. They bring me so much joy.

Welcome home Tyler

Last Tuesday my brother Tyler came home from his mission. After Derek worked on Friday we drove up to spend the weekend with my family. Tyler has changed a lot since he left, most noticeably in his appearance. It was so good to see him. Derek has been motivated by him and is now waking up early to go running. I hope he sticks with it so after I have this baby he will help me get back into shape. (4weeks and 6 days, but who's counting)