A big warm welcome to COLESON JACOB RICH

Here we are...ready to have this baby!  I was scheduled for a 12:00pm C-Section.  This is the last picture before I get to meet this cute little boy that sits on my bladder and kicks me in the ribs constantly!

Here I am all prepped and ready.  I had a little anxiety as the put the blue curtain up.  I told Coby that I didn't want to even hold our baby when he was born.  I think the drugs were making me tired and I was NOT looking forward to all the pulling and tugging and the aweful pain that comes with having a C-Section.  Coby held my hand, smile so sweetly and reminded me that it was going to be okay and that I don't usually like them for a couple days!  NICE...!  I think he was kidding...but I can't be too sure!

And THERE he is!!  Mister Coleson Jacob Rich!!

He was born at 12:38pm.  He weighed 7lbs 12 oz and was 20.5 inches long.

Here's our first kiss!  Coby was wrong I DID love him instantly!  And I did want to hold and love him after he was born!  As they took him out, they held him up and he screamed...and then promptly tried to pee on me!  I told our Pediatrician and he told me that Cole was just trying to mark his territory!  :)  BOYS!!

Here's Coby holding this beautiful little bundle straight from Heaven.  He even smelled like heaven...after he was cleaned up of course!

Here are Dr. Thackaray and Dr. Barton finishing up.  They did such an awesome job!  From start to finish I was in an out of that operating room in 40 mins and back in our room, 10 lbs lighter with an extra little boy to add to our mix!  :)

Later that day, my mom brought Corb and Jaden to meet their new little brother.  (Who didn't get his official name until the next day)  We just couldn't completely agree!  Once Jim and Joanne got there, Joanne wrote all of our name choices on the white board.  The list included the following:  Coulson, Coleson, Jacob Cole, Jace, Dillon, Nolan, Heff-ta-lump-tus (Winne the Pooh and the Hephalumps) (Jaden's name of choice), and Edwin or Eddie (Joanne's name of choice).

Jaden couldn't wait to get his little hands on his new little brother.  He felt like such a big boy!

Here are Honey and Poppy getting a glimpse of their newest little addition and grandchild number 13! 

Well, here he is in all of his fresh from heaven glory.  I can't say enough about this little boy.  I am so happy that he's here.  I am so grateful that he's safe and healthy.  I feel so blessed to have yet another little boy join our family.  I'm sure Jack was there to escort him here. I wonder who else of our family came down to send him off?  I felt my Grandma Burton in the room tonight as I slept alone in my room.  I have loved being able to spend time with Coleson in the early hours of the morning.  I'm so exhausted and quite sore from the surgery, but when I hold this little boy in my arms, I know that I'm right where I am supposed to be.  I love being a mommy to 4 beautiful little boys.  It's the thing I'm most proud to say that I am.  I love this feeling.  I don't ever want it to change. I hope that years from now when our life is a different kind of hectic and all of our children are here, that I be able to read this and remember just how blessed I am right now.

I love everything about him.  I love his big beautiful lips and soft baby skin.  I love the little squeaks that he makes.  I love that he sleeps so nicely on my chest and that he's already a PRO at nursing.  I think he's going to be a snacker like his brothers! He so cute when he opens his little eyes and tries looking around.  He wrinkles up his little forehead.  He sleeps with his mouth open like Coby.  He hates being cold like me and does NOT like taking baths because of it so far. I hope he will be a good sleeper.  

My mom has been such a trooper in taking care of our boys.  I don't know what we'd do without her.  I sure do love her!  I've had so many awesome friends and family come to visit me here and I feel so grateful and blessed.  

Here's to new beginnings!

Mommy and Jaden time

I sure do love this little boy of mine!  I feel so large lately!  I feel like I don't have much room to even fit into our recliner.  But, today Jaden crawled up on my lap and snuggled with me until we both fell asleep.  I have to admit...I don't want this to change.  He can be a handful, but he's my little buddy!  We go everywhere together.  He's my little friend.  We spend so much time that the thought of having this new little one makes me a little sad.  Not sad because I don't want another one, but sad because it means that my one on one time with Jaden will be different.  I'm sure going to miss this.  I don't like change and I'm nervous that this sweet little boy will feel like he's lost in the shuffle once baby number 4 arrives.  I hope this isn't the case.  But for now, I want to remember this feeling today.  I love this little boy so much and feel so blessed to have had so much one on one time with him these past few years.  I remember being pregnant with Jack and being worried that I wouldn't be able to love Jack as much as loved Corbin.  I worried that my heart wouldn't be large enough to love them equally.  I even BEGGED the Lord to let me love this new baby (Jack) as much as I loved Corbin.  I couldn't understand, but as soon as Jack was born (maybe 4 days after) I grew so absolutely IN LOVE with Jack that I wondered how I could have ever lived without him.  (In hind sight...I still don't know how I'm living without him)  I love my boys!  I love them all the same, and all completely different too.  

Thanksgiving with the Rich's

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This year we were on with the Rich's.  We were all there minus the cute Bob and Sara Rich's that now live in Cali.  We sure did miss them!

Here's our sweet Poppy and Honey

Going around the table saying what we were most thankful for

This year has been a hard one to say the least in light of Jim.  This man is a rock.  He has been dealing with this HORRENDOUS disease (ALS) since last August when his symptoms first started.  And through it all not a word of complaint ever comes out of his mouth.  He continues to draw closer and closer to the Lord without promise of any sort of healing from Him.  I look at him and can't seem to get a handle on my emotions because of the great man he IS and continues to be every.single.day.   Despite the amount of pain he suffers with on a daily basis, he remains positive and optimistic and truly an example of Christ.  I have grown to love this man and respect him more and more.  I love him so much.

It has been extremely difficult to watch his once strong body go down hill so fast.  I can't even let myself prepare for what could happen in the next year or so.  I want to prepare but I can't.  I want to help Corbin understand that Poppy isn't just sick and will get better.  I want to make all the grand kids, especially mine, sit with him and talk to him and make as many memories as possible.  We try to go over a few times a week and what a blessing it has been to spend extra time with him.  We are trying to live each moment to the fullest with him as often as we can.  We aren't looking at him as if he is going to die, but rather enjoying, really enjoying every minute we're lucky enough to be in his presence. I refuse to look at him like he's broken because even though his body isn't working the way it should, he's NOT broken.  I hated when people looked at Coby and I like that after Jack died.  Our hearts were broken and even though we really DID feel broken...it felt far worse when people treated as such.

This year I have MUCH to be thankful for.  I am so grateful for my little family.  I love my sweet husband more than I could ever say.  He is the BEST thing that ever happened to me and I thank my Heavenly Father every single day that He loved me enough to bless me with Coby.  He is my rock.  He is my everything.  He is by far the most amazing man I have ever known.  I am grateful for my boys: Corbin, Jackson, Jaden and for this new little one on the way.  I remember being pregnant with Jack and worrying that I wouldn't be able to love him as much as I loved Corbin.  It's amazing just how much the Lord blesses your heart to grow and love each of your children so much that it could explode.    These boys are the reason I am able to get out of bed every day.  I am grateful for the gospel.  I am grateful for the Atonement.  I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation and for the knowledge that we are an eternal family and that Jack is and will forever be a part of us for eternity.  I am grateful for a healthy body.  I am grateful for a warm home and the means necessary to live there.  I am grateful to live in the time that we do with so many luxuries at our fingertips.  I have much to be grateful for and pray that my Heavenly Father knows that I give Him all credit for all of them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving with the Burton's

This year for Thanksgiving Day we were on with Coby's family and so we had our Thanksgiving dinner with mine at Chuck-A-Rama the day before.  (Grandpa Burton's idea)

  

It was just as I expected it....very buffet-y.  I couldn't find much that I liked, so I got like 3 plates of salad and maybe 3 more of scones!  They have GREAT scones and cinnamon honey butter!

Here's a shot of Ambie, Grandpa Burton, me and Lanae

Our crazy boys!!   (Austin, Corb (making a very attractive face), Jordon, Kaydin and his twin Jadesy.)

These little boys had fun time playing under the table

Me and little Little and bestie!  Don't know what I'd do without her!

It was so nice to be able to spend time with my family.  I love that we all live so close to each other now.  I certainly wish that my cute sister, Drew and their new little Ronan were here so we could all be together.  That's one thing that always thought I'd have...my Sommy close by.  I sure miss her.  It wasn't Thanksgiving without her.  But I'm so happy that Ambie is here.  My sisters are close and I feel so blessed to say that they are my best friends.  They both take the time to genuinely LOVE my boys.  They drop everything to make me feel happy.  I used to wish for brothers, but now I know just how blessed I was to get the best sisters!  Lanae is another one I consider to be a sister.  She has been there for me through thick and thin.  We've always been close and when I say always, I mean I knew I loved her before I could even say her name correctly!  She is truly one of the most beautiful people I know.  And her outer beauty is NOTHING compared to the beauty she is on the inside.  I sure do love that girl!

It was great to spend a little time with my cute Grandpa Burton.  He's such a trooper.  He's always coming down from Blackfoot to spend time with my parents and Uncle Kent and his wife.  He's the most generous, kind and compassionate person.  I'm sure that my sweet Grandma Burton is living in an ENORMOUS mansion in heaven based on the amount of service and kindness they showed to anyone and everyone that came their way.  I bet her misses her more than words could ever express.  Lanae and I used to spend our Thanksgivings with them when we were roommates in Provo.  Grandma Burton made the BEST pumpkin pies EVER!

I am grateful for such AMAZING parents.  I have the greatest parents EVER.  My mom beyond words one of the most humble, kind, giving and forgiving people I've ever been blessed to know.  She has taught me so much.  She bends over backwards to help me with just about EVERYTHING.  She puts the needs of my dad, sisters, grandchildren and myself and Coby before anything.  She never stops to think about herself and is always serving others.  I hope that one day I'll be half the woman she doesn't have to be!  Then there is my dad...I don't even know where to start with him.  We've always been close and continue to be so to this very day.  He is the most hardworking, loyal, kind and giving person.  Even when he doesn't have something, he'd give the shirt off his back to help.  He is always taking Corbin golfing and wrestling with both the boys.  They certainly love their Poochie and I love it!

One on One time with Corbi-Mac

Tonight Coby and I thought we'd spend some quality time with Corbin.  It was definitely over due and in much need.  Jaden went to my mom's for a sleepover and Coby and I took Corb out to dinner and for a little bowling.

Corbin hasn't exactly been the easiest to deal with these days.  He REFUSES to read...which is a problem almost every single day.  He threatens Coby and I (ie. "Well, fine...if you won't give me my allowance...I guess I just won't read."  OR "FINE...I will do (whatever we are asking him at the time) IF you let me..."(whatever he's wanting to do at the time).  He RELENTLESSLY teases Jaden.  He'll flat out tell us NO.  He loves making ninja stars and leaves his paper messes out constantly.  And then refuses to clean up his messes.  In a nutshell...Coby and I are REALLY losing our patience FREQUENTLY.

I have been called to teach Relief Society and last Sunday my lesson was on Kindness.  I had time to think about my lesson all week.  This week, for some reason I have been the MOST unkind.  I've been snapping at Coby and the boys, my mom and just about anyone that crosses me.  I'm easily irritated and find myself short tempered and constantly ROLLING my eyes for some reason or another.  So, teaching this lesson was definitely inspired!

Lately, the boys have been wandering into our bedroom late at night or early early in the morning.  Coby and I still have a queen sized bed.  Lately this is the routine.  I sleep on the left and am HUGE with growing a little human in my belly (so we count as 2) .  Coby sleeps on the right (3).  In the middle of the night Jaden nuzzles his way into the middle (making that 4).  Then Pup finds her spot at the foot of the bed (Holy freaking 5). The other night after all 5 of us were trying NOT to fall out of the tiny bed...Corbin thought he needed to join the party.  We told him No that there wasn't enough room, but he didn't seem to care and decided to attempt to make his way into any space he could.  He pushed Jaden out of the way and Jaden whined EVER SO LOUD.  At this point in the story, you must know that I'm already in a SUPER bad mood due to the pregnancy and the uncomfortableness and Corb was the final straw.  I had HAD it!  I yelled at him to GET OUT and to just go back to bed in his own room.  He got right up and said, "Fine...I will." Then I heard him shut his bedroom door.  

I instantly felt kind of guilty for yelling at him so UNKINDLY.  Then Coby said, "You know...you really need to be nicer to him.  You were really mean just now."  Then I REALLY felt bad.  I got up out of bed and waddled over to find Corb in his bedroom with the light on and leaning up against the door.  I forced my way in and there he was, crying the saddest tears I'd ever seen.  I was instantly humbled and felt like the worst mom on the face of the planet because I knew...I DID that!  I caused that little boy that only wanted to be near the rest of the entire family to hurt.  I felt worse than horrible.  I'm often quietly reminded that Corb is sweet and that my constant yelling is robbing him of that sensitive and sweet boy that ever KIND and always forgiving attitude.  He let me in and even let me hug him.  I apologized and told him just how sorry I was that I wanted to see if I could snuggle with him in his bed.  He seemed a little taken back and welcomed me happily.  His whole attitude had changed and once again I was humbled at the unconditional love that he has for me.  We watch a few Curious George episodes together and I the next morning we woke up and made pancakes (his favorite) together before school.

I LOVE Corbin so much.  He is kind.  He is good.  He may be a handful at times but overall I think I am pretty luck to have such an amazing little boy as a son.  I hope that I will be more mindful of this especially with the new baby that he needs attention too.  That he needs to feel that he's not just another one of our kids, but that he genuinely matters.  I hope that I never make him feel like that again.   

10 days and Counting

Well, here we are 10 days away from welcoming another bouncing baby BOY into the mix.  I'm so excited to meet him soon.  We are still undecided on names thus far.  We still like Greyson Jacob.  But last night Coby said he really liked the name Cole.  I have been telling him that I liked the name Coulson for months.  Coulson is a Rich Family name coming from Charles Coulson Rich.  I'm not entirely sure how much we love the spelling.  I think Coby likes Coleson best...and truth be told so do I.

I am having TONS of Braxton Hicks contractions.  Some are so strong that they can bring me to my knees in pain.  But they are so sparatic that I can't count them as "real" contractions.  And this baby LOVES to live inside my ribs.  I keep trying to push him down...but there is literally NO ROOM!  He's still very active and tries to move around alot.  It always makes me happy to feel his little life growing inside my every growing larger belly.   Jaden and Corb are pretty cute with my belly.   They both come up to me and kiss it.  Jaden asks me everyday if the baby in my tummy will wear diapers and then follows it up with the question:  What do I wear?  UNDERS!!!  He's a funny little nugget!

Speaking of every expanding bellies, I think I have gained the second most weight with this one.  Almost 40lbs as of my last Dr.'s appt.  I tipped the scales at exactly 150lbs.  YIKES!  Oh well, what can I do about it at this point??!!  NOTHING!  So, I"m not going to stress about it.  I worked out nearly 5 times a week during this pregnancy...and I can only hope that it will help the recovery process once I have this little critter.  I'll be happy when my legs can fit back into my boots.  I LOVE wearing tall boots in the winter.  It's sad however, that I have to petition my boys and Coby to help me put them on!  It is a challenge to say the least!

 I've had Heartburn like crazy this pregnancy.  I wonder if this kid will have loads of hair??!!  I'll be happy to NOT have to hold my breath when bending down to do anything!

Only 10 more days and I have SO much to do!  I can't believe that it's almost time!!!

Breaking Dawn Part 2

For the past few years, Camille, Tiana and I have been going to see the midnight showing of Stephanie Myers "Twilight".  It's totally a cheesy, ooey gooey love movie but I've always had the BEST time going with them to see them.

This year Camille was able to find us tickets a little earlier (10pm) and we all met at the theater a little early, found a table and got to catch up.

Camille tried out the crepes.  They were so good, I think that Nutella may have to become a permanent staple at our house.  It was SO yummy! 

Tiana got some snickers gelato.

Then she told me that story of the "shovel" spoon.  The spoon kind of resembles a shovel...but since it's a very small shovel, women (who we assume any and all ice cream from the beginning of time was created for) wouldn't feel so bad about eating with a shovel due to it's teeny tiny size!  Tiana, is seriously a RIOT.  I wish she didn't move away, but it's always fun to get together and play.

The movie was surprisingly pretty good!  It had a little twist in the end and I kept leaning over to Cam and Ti and asking them, "Do you remember this happening in the book..."  I was VERY concerned because it took me so far off guard!  It all worked out and I was finally able to breathe when it was all said and done.  

After the movie was done I wished the day wasn't over, because I was so wired from the movie, the amazing company and quite possibly the giant mug full of diet Dr. pepper...that going home to bed didn't seem very fun!  So, after Cam and I said goodbye to our dear friend Tiana (who had to drive home to Lehi) we sat in the my driveway and chatted for another couple hours.  I thought it was ridiculous when Coby said to me before I left that night, "So, I can expect you home about 2:30 this morning..." He was right...as usual!  I don't know what it is about talking to Camille, but I can talk to that girl for hours on end and still come up with things to talk about it!  Usually in the beginning of friendships there are SO many things to say...and then after a while you've said most of them....Not with Camille!  It's always a conversation blast!  :)

Thanks babe for letting me have yet ANOTHER girls night this month before our snugly (hopefully) little monkey gets here!  YOU are the best!  :)

Spending time with Poppy

We have been trying to spend as much time with our sweet Poppy as we can.  We typically go hang out after school once a week and then a couple nights during the week as well.

 Today we went over after school.  Corb needed to do a little reading and Poppy found a GREAT mystery book for him to read.  I absolutely LOVE this shot of Corb reading to his beloved Poppy.  I think Poppy was enjoying it as well.  They really do have such a special bond.  I don't ever want to think that it will be cut short. 

Jaden, on the other hand, is a different story.  He's always doing "something"!  Today, Honey accidentally spilled some water on him.  DRAMA....!!!  Poppy and I have agreed that if I never get a little girl, this little boy has the drama of 6 little girls in one!  At any rate, Jadesy INSISTED that we dry his clothes.  Here he is peeking in the drying to see if they are done!  And it was such a cute little bum that I had to post it!  I'm sure that years from now, when we're looking back on our memories he may want to kill me!  But for now...I think it's funny and just too cute NOT to post!

A little "Sprinkle"

My cute cousin, Lanae aka Little and my sweet friend Camille threw me a little "Sprinkle" tonight.  What's a SPRINKLE you ask?  Well, it's in the words of Camille, " Tiffany didn't want everyone to 'shower' her with gifts so we are just having a little Sprinkle."  I thought it was pretty clever!

We invited just a few girls and had a GLORIOUS Girls Night Out at Cafe Rio!  LOVE their salads!  Camille was sneaky and quickly made sure she paid for my dinner!  LOVE her, but I will return the favor when she least expects it!  :)  YES Camille, that is totally a threat!  Thanks girl! 

Here's a shot of me and my cute sister Amber!  LOVE her! 

And a shot of me holding a basket of goodies from my Little!

I feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life.  I am constantly surrounded by such kind, compassionate and caring friends.  I am overwhelmed with the amount of love I am shown by so many.  I am definitely unworthy of such blessings, but am forever grateful!  My cup truly runneth over! 

The Addams Family Musical

"Dun-na-na-na SNAP SNAP! Dun-na-na-na SNAP SNAP"

 

The musical was AWESOME!  The cast was spectacular!  I won't lie, I kept wondering if Mortisha's boobs were going to fall out of her dress...but she must have some magic tape, because they stayed in place all night!  :)  Wednesday Addams reminded me of Rose Hemmingway (She recently finished up as lead in the broadway musical "How to succeed in business without really trying").  She had a GREAT voice.

Here is Coby and I in front of the Addams family backdrop. 

Coby's parents were so sweet to let us take their Addams Family tickets tonight.  We had such a GREAT time!  Thanks Honey and Poppy and Aunt Ambie for watching our little nuggies!  :)

Building a snow fort

Let it snow let it! Let it snow! Let it snow!  It seriously has NOT stopped snowing for the last 3 days!  I think it's snowed more this weekend than it did all last year!  :) 

Last Christmas, Coby got the boys these little fort block shaper thingys.  Corbin went next door and got his "girlfriend" Avery to come over and they all built a super sweet fort in the front yard.

Jaden had a ball!  He's had so much fun this weekend in the snow that he actually lost his cute little sock monkey hat in it!  I hope it melts soon so that we can find it!

As you can see, this little boy had a GREAT time building a snow fort with his dad and big brother!

A tribute to Miss Billie Hollady

My cute friend Kellie and I share a LOVE of Jazz music!

She was able to find us tickets to see a tribute to the late Billie Hollady.

Her mom is also a fan. 

So we dressed up as "jazzy" as we could and settled in for a reproduction of Billie Holladay's last show. The setting was perfect!  They set the room up like an old jazzy bar.  It was very cozy and intimate and then got the performance of a lifetime.  I learned alot about Billie Holladay tonight.  She was more than just a woman with an amazing voice.  She had a pretty hard life and while she did much with her career, after all the drugs and poor choices...she died fairly young.  It made me a little sad for her.  I wished she could have really known her worth as talented woman.  She could have done so much more.  It's really a shame that she didn't stick around long enough show us.  She's in a better place now and I'm sure that she's probably up there singing with the Heavenly Choir.  I wonder if she ever gets a solo part??!!

Heads or Jesus

I seriously LOVE this little boy!

Today we needed to go grocery shopping.  Every time we go to Smiths I give him a quarter for the gum ball machine.

Today this is how our conversation went:

Jaden:  "Mom, do you want  Heads or JESUS?"

Mom:  "What?  What did you say?  Did you say Heads or JESUS?"

Jaden:  "Ya mom, DO.YOU.WANT.HEADS.OR.JESUS?!" (very slow and drawn out...just so that I understood what he was asking me.)   

He hands me the quarter and shows me "Jesus" 

I'm not exactly sure how he got Jesus out of this picture...but I thought it was pretty cute still the same!

  

 

GOOOOOOO Utes!

Today was our first Utah game of the season as a family.  And it couldn't have been a more beautiful day!

It was so cute to watch the boys.  Jaden ESPECIALLY got way into the clapping.  He'd stand up and start clapping his little hands as hard and as fast as he could!  It made me laugh every single time!

Jaden had a ball being next to Coby and cheering on the Utes.

So did Corbin!

The half-time show was pretty cool because they did a salute to our Nation's Armed Forces!  Then let a TON of red, white and balloons into the air.  The boys both got a pretty big kick out of it!.

Jaden doesn't usually wear hats, but felt like the Star Wars was the hat that seemed MOST appropriate!  I, on the other hand, could barely fit into my Utah shirt!  (Only a few more weeks.....)

The game was fun....and a totally blow out!  I think we left when the score was 42 to zero!  Corb was so cute, he'd keep listening for the announcer and would say, "YEsssssss" every time he heard that the U scored another goal.  He's so cute!  He loves football lately...I'm certain it's not from me!  And loves to talk about it with his dad! 

Jaden was enjoying the loooong walk back to the car on his daddy's neck.