Bye Bye Blanket- Jade's "precious"

This week we officially said goodbye to Jade's most favourite possession..her blanket. Of course her blanket choice was the most atrocious blanket available in her whole collection. It's not soft, cute, warm or clean..and hasn't been almost since the day we bought it. Yet, Jade created a special spot in her heart for the maroon, dirt collecting, raggy blanket. She didn't care that it was ugly, dirty and that most would find it repulsive and undesirable. She loved that blanket with every fiber of her cute little being. We like to think it's a sign that she is non-judgemental and loyal through and through. It's funny, she even had a certain way she rubbed the blanket in between certain fingers, almost like Gollum and his precious ring, or like she was rubbing her own personal magic genie lamp. Her infatuation with it never really bothered Alex or I until recently. Recently it has become more of a problem than a solution and with all my nesting going on lately, I couldn't help but add getting rid of her blanket to the list. We are sad in some ways to say goodbye to the blanket. It has made many appearances in photos, videos, cuddling sessions, naps, potty training successes, choo choo train rides and given comfort to our precious daughter for a lot of her little life so far. Lately her blanket was the cause of many meltdowns. She started wanting to take her blanket more places than just around the house. This was a red flag for Alex and I..we both agreed that this new baby could be her new favourite possession. She can even take him out of the house, cuddle him, celebrate potty successes with him, play with him, and unlike her blanket, we promise to never get rid of him :)

It is day 3 without her blanket and Alex and I are both surprised with how she reacted. I took her blanket from her while she was sleeping like a theif in the night. She woke up the next morning and Alex and I could hear her from her room..."Blanket?..blanket?". We got her up for breakfast and when she asked for her blanket, we simply told her no more blanket. She never had a melt down and only has asked about it a few times since. I guess our big sister Jade was ready to grow up! I also think the out of sight, out of mind trick played a factor haha but we are very proud of her. Her behaviour has even improved, she still is successful on the potty and I no longer have to time washing the blanket in between nap and bedtime! Now for some reminiscing of times spent with Jade and her blanket..

My heros..otherwise known as my parents!

My parents are pure gold in my opinion. They can do no wrong. They always follow the spirit and know just when to come to the rescue. This pregnancy has been hard. Being sick, having a husband in his first year of law school and being there for Jade all at once has been difficult. My parents both sacrificed so much this past week by sending my Mom down to visit me. My poor Dad had to stay home and work and couldn't come join the fun. My parents hate being a part and don't do it very often, so I know how much they love me by separating for a week. My Mom has been worried about my health with these pregnancies and volunteered to come down to help me prepare and relax before the arrival of our second child and ease Alex's work load around the house so he could focus on studying for his finals. She didn't waste anytime and got straight to work..poor thing. 

She woke Jade up with a "healthy and balanced" breakfast in bed! :)

She made over 50...yes 50 freezer meals for us!

She cleaned and organized every square inch of our house!

Helped me set up the nursery that I have just been to ill to consider finishing.

She even found time to spend quality time with Jade, eating burgers, making easter cookies, playing with toys, chasing each other, playing outside and cuddling.

She babysat and sent Alex and I off on a date for my birthday! When we got home, there was my all time favourite dessert glistening on the counter. I spent the rest of the week replacing meals with pieces of cake :)..but not just any cake..German Chocolate Inside Out Torte!!! 

My parents have way more to prepare for right now than me but always end up putting us kids first and trusting the Lord will prepare the way.  Thank you so much Mom and Dad for leading by example through service, sacrifice, love, charity and support! Words could never fully capture just how much you mean to me.

37+ weeks and 9 days until induction

Last month was BRUTAL here in the Stevens's home. There was so much to do with so little time. Alex was writing and preparing a paper that was worth 45% of his grade. Then after he finished that, he was forced to prepare for a "moot court" at the end of the week, which is essentially pretend court. They are given a case and a side to defend and they duke it out in fake court against their other classmates. A "judge" decides who wins and you are given feedback on your performance. I can't imagine doing this as I hate public speaking. Poor guy, but he got his feedback with no suggestions of improvement. He even passed with distinction! It's an award that only a few receive in his entire class. My man is court ready :) We also decided to take on a project that turned into a time warp. We were given a kitchen table by a dear sister in our ward. It needed a little tlc but the material itself was solid and I was excited for it's potential. We have had a two person table since being married and let's just say I have been loathing it for quite some time. You could hardly fit two plates on it and when the missionaries came over for supper, we were bringing out lawn chairs and bumping elbows. We knew we outgrew the table and were just too cheap and busy to figure out the solution. But this table came out of nowhere and seemed too perfect with 4 chairs and two extra leafs for expansion. Alex helped a lot for a while on the refinishing but as it got closer and closer to his moot court he could only provide company while I sanded and painted and painted...and painted. Sanding is the complete worst, am I right people? My pregnant back was so mad at me. We are proud to say we have a new family supper table! We even like the way it looks, thank goodness because it was a lot of work! Family dinner is important and with a new addition coming in just 9 days and a brand new two year old, we can no longer get away with couch eating haha. Earlier in the month I went into false labour. Alex was finishing his big paper that day and I was too terrified to mess him up by telling him I was having painful contractions, so I waited until he stepped in the door that night to deliver that news. Alex walked in the door to see me doubled over in pain. I had been trying to calculate how far apart the contractions were but it was difficult because a lot of the contractions were in my back and were not what I was used to. All I knew was that they were happening frequently, they hurt real bad and I could hardly stand or move. We called my doctor who was at the hospital and she told me to come in. I left to the hospital by myself because Jade was sleeping and we couldn't just leave her. I was sure the baby wasn't coming that night but that they probably just needed to stop the contractions. I don't know why I knew, I just did. So in between contractions I drove to the hospital. lol. They hooked me up and confirmed I was having legitimate contractions. I was dilated to a two and they wanted to see if I would keep dilating. I didn't. Therefore, false labour. They hooked me up with pain medication and sent me on my way. The pain stopped and I have had a couple more instances like this since but I just take the medication they prescribed, take a bath and shortly after, it all stops. I think the table project pushed my body too far...kinda pathetic but true. They are also monitoring baby boy twice a week via non stress test and ultrasound because his abdomen is smaller as well as he is just smaller in general. They were waiting for two consecutive weeks in a row that he didn't grow and now are taking him out 8 days early on April 14th! Jade was small too and they watched her closely as well. She turned out perfect so we aren't too concerned until they tell us we need to be. We are just letting them monitor him and we will worry when and if we need to. I'm loving all the extra sneak peeks at his cute face though. Insomnia is in full force right now unfortunately. I can't stop thinking. And baby cannot stop moving!

Alex's sister Kelly got her mission call last week!!! It was so fun to all video in to hear her find out where she is going. She got called to serve in Guam, Micronesia starting August 12th of this year! She will do amazing things, this I know for sure!

One of my friends here in Michigan threw me and baby boy a baby shower a couple weeks ago! It was the most sweet gesture and I can't thank her and those who came enough! She made cute banners, decor and food. It was fun to celebrate this new child that will soon grace us with his presence! He was spoiled and we can't wait to dress him up in all his new attire! I think we are getting close to being ready for this baby finally!

I wish I had a before an after shot of the table..but I only remembered to take a picture of the final product.

Oaklyn's 2nd Birthday

My little niece, Oaklyn turned 2 just 3 weeks after Jade did. We were so excited to be invited to come celebrate with her and their family for the occasion! It was fun to hang out with my equally pregnant sister and watch our kids play and make memories. My sister made a cute Ice cream themed party that didn't disappoint! The kidlets loved all the sugar, party hats and decor! We had a dance party, opened presents and had a great time! Jade LOVES her cousin Oaklie! They will be life long friends and I can't wait to see what each year brings to their cute little friendship. In this video, Jade is either really jealous that the party wasn't about her this time or scarred from her birthday song when she ate the flame on her cake instead of blowing it out and caught her pigtail on fire. Either way, it makes for a really funny video. Oaklyn is just too much cuteness to handle! Happy Birthday Oaklyn! We feel so blessed to live so close and to be able to celebrate these moments with you! Keep shining sweet girl!