Awesome Weekend

So this weekend has been a great weekend! Friday my wonderful neighbor Jana watched my kids so I could clean my house! I know this doesn't sound very exciting, but I didn't get to go through my nesting stage while I was pregnant so I guess its hitting me now! I've been going crazy! My house has been driving me nuts so I told Darren that when his school money came in, we were getting our carpets cleaned for sure! So the carpets were to be cleaned Friday night, and I really wanted the house super clean beforehand. Its truly amazing what you can get accomplished when you're not chasing your kids around! So my house was super clean and then Darren treated me to a day at the spa! I got my hair cut, a massage, and a pedicure! Totally needed and completely fantastic! I feel like a new woman ;) I have such a wonderful husband! We woke up today and I really wasn't feeling like going to church, I told Darren I wanted to sleep all day! But we went and I am so glad we did. We were late as usual, but President Eyring was sitting on the stand next to our Bishop. He spoke after our scheduled speakers, which were wonderful as well. He spoke about how we need to lose ourselves in service. That if we are constantly serving those around us, the things we are going through won't feel so bad, and we will be blessed emmensly. It was definitely something I needed to hear. I feel like I've been so wrapped up in my own crazy life that I sometimes feel overwhelmed and get down on myself. I'm pretty sure if I worked more to help those in need around me, I'd feel better about myself... I know I would. Selfishly I feel he was there just for me, to tell me to be a better person, and I'm glad I got up and went to church to hear him. Off my soapbox now, I had a great weekend. I am so very lucky!

So Lucky!

I feel like I'm the luckiest mom in the world :) I have two of the cutest kids ever! Harley is getting so big and shows me how big she is getting every day! It cracks me up the things she picks up on and does and the words she says. Grandma Marge insisted that she needed a doll stroller and after watching her fight with the neigbor girl Olivia over hers, Darren went and got her one and she is hilarious! She puts her doll or bear in it, grabs her purse and keys and walks to the door and says 'buh bye' and waves. I ask her where she is going and she waves again and says 'buh-bye'. She thinks she needs to ride in the front seat of the car now when we go anywhere and is definitely strongwilled about everything! I know, I know, wonder where she gets it huh! And Paxton is so very cute! He is getting to be quite the chunky monkey! He loves to eat and thinks if he's awake that's what he should be doing. He has become pretty fussy, but hopefully it's just a stage :) I love watching Harley run to put his binkey in his mouth when he's fussing or when he's in his swing she almost lays on him and gives him kisses- it's very sweet! Can't complain- they are my pride and joy!

Fabulous Family Time!

So my fabulous sister Ricci knew I needed some family time longer than a quick weekend and helped me and the kids get up north for the 24th of July. We were able to stay and bless Paxton on August 1st and see Taelor get blessed on the 2nd. It was a much needed get away! We were able to hang out with all my siblings and their kids and do some fun activities! I was so very happy to be able to go to Sally's annual 24th of July bbq- I was so sad when Darren and I talked about it and decided we wouldn't be able to make it up there for it since we were planning Paxton's baby blessing on the 1st, so that was such a treat! It has been so blasted hot in St. George that I have felt so bad for Harley who gets so bored of our house, but I'm too big of a wuss to take her and the baby outside in the heat! So I really wanted to make this trip a good one for Harley and I think we succeeded! She loved playing with the kids and in the ice pool that the drinks were in at the 24th bbq. I was thrilled to be outside and not feel like it was too hot for my kids! We spent the weekend hanging out with everyone and holding eachother's babies! I finally got to meet my new nieces Taelor Jeanne Stewart and Madison Whyte and see my neice Peyton Maxine Hale that I haven't seen since she was born in March! I loved it! So many babies and so many more to come!
Our first outing was to the Treehouse in Ogden with Steph and the kids. This place was amazing! So much fun for the kids and I'm pretty sure Harley was in heaven with everything she could play with! She loved the tea party room and the baby dolls the best but was so busy going from room to room! It was so fun to watch her be able to be busy and do whatever she wanted!
We then went to Chucky Cheese with Shelby and the kids and they had a blast! Harley was dillusionally tired but was so enthralled with all the fun things that she was able to play with! And the pizza wasn't half bad either :)
We also were able to go to the Hogle Zoo! I have been telling Darren for months that I wanted to take Harley to the Zoo and we were finally able to go! Grandma Sandy was wonderful and watched Paxton so I could spend some one on one time with Harley and it was awesome! I loved watching her eyes get big when she would see the animals! She loved the monkeys and the Penguins the best I think! I knew she was going to love it and I don't think I have been to the Hogle Zoo since I was little! We were so lucky to be able to go with Amy, Taelor, Steph, Noah and Cameron. So much fun!
Darren came up with his brother on the 31st and blessed Paxton Dar Nicol on the 1st of August. It was such a wonderful blessing. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband! Thank you honey for being so strong and a wonderful husband and father! I want to thank everyone for coming and supporting us and helping us out! We are so blessed to have such amazing family and friends and I don't know what I would do without them! I'm just glad we don't live further away than we already do I think I'd go a bit crazy! And then we had Taelors blessing on the 2nd and it was wonderful too! So great to be able to do it together! Thanks Amy and Phil for sharing the wonderful weekend with us!
Sorry about the long post! Just so much to share!

Lazy Day

So this morning we ran a few errands in town today, but came back home and just chilled before Darren went to work. He took a nap with Paxton while Harley took a nap and I just relaxed.

Then Harley woke up from her nap and Darren had to go to work. After dad left, Harley and I heard the Ice Cream Man and decided to go see what he had for a dollar and we shared a Orange Dreamsicle :) It totally reminded me of when I was little running out to see the ice cream man every time he drove through our neighborhood. I think Harley enjoyed our little lazy day ice cream break as well! We had some great girl time!!

Paxton Dar Nicol

Well he is finally here!!! Paxton Dar Nicol was born on June 20, 2009 at 11:23 a.m. He was 7 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long. He is doing really well! He has jaundice and is on a bili-light bed for a few days but other than that is wonderful! He is a really calm baby so far which is so wierd for Darren and me because Harley was born high maintenance! Sandy was wonderful and came down to help us with Harley for a few days so thanks so much Grandma Sandy!! Harley absolutely adores Grandma Sandy! (It can't be that she spoils her at all can it ;) We've also had so much help from our friends, neighbors and ward members so thank you all for all your help, love and prayers! We couldn't have done it without any of you!

Boredom

So no pics of cute little miss Harley Jeanne this time- I've been a bit preoccupied... on bedrest for the last 3 weeks. I've done relatively well as far as boredom and such, but today it really got to me- not really the boredom part, its the part where my daughter hates me.No really, she screams when I try to comfort her or if I try to hold her (even when I know I'm not supposed to). She's turned into quite the daddy's girl which is way cute, but frustrating too because she really wants nothing to do with me. I can't really blame her considering I can't give her the attention she wants and deserves and that there's no way of her understanding why mom is laying on the couch or in bed and is there, but not really there for her. Today it really broke my heart, and I know that pregnancy hormones doesn't help, but I thought I was being strong about it and really understanding about why she's acting the way she is, but I can't help but feel hurt and angry today that there is absolutely nothing I can do to help her in any way. I really hope she comes to forgive me when this is all said and done, although the adjustment of a new baby brother isn't going to help much either. Only five more weeks to go unless Paxton decides he's had enough (I know I have ;)) and comes sometime soon. Don't mean to have an annoying post, just needed to vent :) I'll let you all know how everything goes!

Photo Shoot with Harley and Baylee

So we decided to take mothers day pictures and they turned out way cute! Nikki made them look very professional by using piknik (I think that's how you spell it!) and even the lady at Walmart asked who the photographer was to make sure we weren't stealing rights to pictures!! It was great! Enjoy!~

New Play Place

So Harley has found a new play place :) She's been pulling the tupperware out of our corner cupboard in our kitchen for a while now, but she has decided she wants to be able to get to the stuff she hasn't been able to reach. The cupboard itself isn't the easiest to get stuff in and out of in the first place, but somehow she wriggles herself right inside! She's such an adamant little thing!

Bath Time with Baylee!

Harley and Baylee are so very fun! They play so well together and get so excited every time they see eachother! Every now and then, they get to have bath time together and they love it! The splashing gets bigger and better each time too! I love watching these two play together! I love them both so much! Its so much fun and we are so lucky to have such good friends across the street! And yeah I know, my poor pasty white daughter compared to Baylee! I'm afraid she was blessed beyond belief with her mommas whitey white skin! Oh well! She doesn't seem to mind quite yet!

Day At The Park With Dad

She wasn't so sure about touching the playground!

She loves the slide, even though you can't tell by the look on her face! But she loves just climbing around and walking around the playground.

Sometimes it scares me because she's kinda fearless! I once had her try to push off my lap to go down the slide because apparently I was taking too long! I think I'm in trouble!

Who can resist this beautiful little face! And yes, I'm talking about Harleys;) Even though Darren is pretty hot himself!

We love having dad home! We wish spring break happened every week! Oh yeah, and for all you up north, it was 70+ degrees today and was beautiful!

Harley Jeanne's 1st Birthday

Nicol Family Birthday Party Smith Family Birthday Party

Party at home with Gramma Sink and Dad







Harley turned 1 on March 5! Harley and I were able to head up to Salt Lake with Darren's cousin Krystal and were able to have two birthday parties (one with Dar's fam and one with mine that was a shared birthday party with her cousin Jake:). It was a lot of fun! Harley loves cake now so she definitely shares her moms and dads sweet tooth! She didn't get much of a nap before the party at Stacy's so she screamed a lot until we got her cake out, then she had a hay-day. It was so funny to see her dig in! When we got home Sunday, we had another little party so Darren could see her dig into a cake as well and had my Grandma and Aunt Sis come over. Nikki, Josh and Baylee came over a bit later to celebrate as well. So for a birthday that lasted 4 days, she was definitely spoiled by everyone! Thanks everyone for all the love and gifts! I can't believe how fast the year has gone by and she just gets cuter and cuter every day! And how lucky she is to be able to share her birthday time with 2 cousins! Jake turned 5 on March 6th and Shelby had her baby girl Peyton on March 6th as well! Congrats Shelby and Ryan she is so beautiful!