Blinked and It's Now APRIL 2020

(family pics from Nov 2019)

No posts for 2019 so why not get at least one in for 2020?!  Life has been crazy busy with four kids!  Being a SAHM for almost 2 years now and while it's the hardest job in the world, it really is the most rewarding.  It tests your patience on a whole new level!  It brings you to your knees and strengthens your faith.  I couldn't do it alone (hats off to all the single parents out there).  I am eternally grateful for my husband who works so hard and is so supportive.  There's no one else I'd rather be on this journey with.  He is my partner in raising these four little people (that we prayed so hard for) and they adore him as much as I do!

The whole world is currently dealing with Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and it certainly is a different world that we live in.  A changing world.  But we find comfort in a loving Heavenly Father and His son,  Jesus Christ. We can find peace during these times by turning to the Lord and trusting in His eternal plan. There is always JOY to be found!

Stay healthy and happy!

Another Year and Only One Post for 2018

Here we are at the end of 2018 and I'm literally squeeezing in ONE post before ringing in 2019! 

What a year it has been!  Two of the major things that happened this year are:

- First, I quit my job in June to be a stay at home mom!  It was a tough decision, but after careful prayer, we decided it was time.  And it's been six months and being a SAHM is the HARDEST job ever!!  It is also the most important and rewarding job.  We have truly been blessed.  

- Second, we welcomed our FOURTH baby into the world in September!  What a blessing and joy he has been. We are exhausted, but our hearts and home are full!

Life is busy with four little ones so there is not much time for blogging or anything else. My Instagram has been my "memory keeper" nowadays (it's quick and easy and thank goodness for hashtags)! Once the blogger app was disabled a few years ago, blogging just became harder to keep up with.  Maybe some day I can blog more consistently, but for now, it'll be once in a while (aka once a year?).  Here's to many more blessings in 2019!  Happy New Year!

(If you want to follow me on IG, you can find me as 'hnwhitcomb' (before I switch it back to private).  

It's Been A Year....

I can't believe it's been a year since I last posted.  Life has been quite busy with three little ones!  I will slowly post updates as time permits (darn blogger app doesn't work!).

In the meantime, let me introduce you to my sweet Eliza (10 Months old).  She is a bundle of JOY!



Thanksgiving Day 2016

Thanksgiving day was spent with Steve's family.  His mom cooked up a feast and we all stuffed our bellies.  The kids had fun with cousins and of course, grandma and grandpa too! 

We are grateful and blessed with so many things. We try to count our blessings everyday, not just on Thanksgiving.  My heart is full because I have my faith and my family. 

Thanksgiving Pilgrim 2016

Sunday pics taken Thanksgiving Sunday.

Little Miss Kate likes to lift up her dress when it's time to take pictures.  We have a few pictures of her doing it.  Hoping she will grow out of that phase. 

Family pictures on Sundays. It's a struggle to get her to look at the camera.  Oh well.

I had the pleasure of helping at Matthew's school with their thanksgiving feast.  How cute is my little pilgrim??!!  He just makes me so happy! 

25 Weeks - Baby No 3

25 Weeks and my belly looks like the size of a basketball!?! Ha!

With the first pregnancy, there were weekly pics and updates, the second one was less frequent and now the third pregnancy has been zero updates!  So, I figured I should document something so I can look back on it and have some kind of memory. 

This pregnancy has been going great.  I'm managing my Gestational Diabetes (and know when I can have my sweet treat - ha!).  No other major issues.  I've been seeing the High Risk doctors, along with a new OB practice. I am grateful that this pregnancy has been issue free so far.  I pray every day that things continue to go well.

I am tired, but it comes with the territory.  I LOVE feeling every kick and roll from baby.  We don't have a name picked yet.  It's been really hard to come up with a name we can both agree on!  I have NO idea on how to decorate the nursery. Waiting for the 'nesting' phase to kick in?!  There's just so much to do and not a lot of time to do anything with two little ones.

Matthew is excited for a new baby sister.  I don't think Kate fully understands how much her little world will change.  I ask her where's the baby and she will point to herself and say 'me!' and sometimes she will point to my belly.

What an amazing journey it has been so far.  There's not a day that goes by where I don't worry about the baby, but with every little kick she gives me, she's reassuring me that all is well.  I am blessed. 

Minnie and Batman - Halloween 2016

Their Sunday best (Halloween edition).

My smiling Batman before the Trunk or Treat activity.

Look at that face and pose.  Batman takes his job seriously.

Meanwhile, a Minnie Mouse who refused to put her costume on for the activity, is enjoying her first horse ride.  She loved it. 

And on Halloween night, I wasn't sure if she would actually put her costume on, but she did!  And I was trying to get Batman to smile, to which he responded, 'Batman doesn't smile". 

The kids had a great time trick or treating.  Kate loves carrying her bucket around the house, which surprisingly still has candy in it, and declaring "mine!"

The Cutest and Crankiest Pumpkins

This year we ventured out to a new pumpkin patch, Wayside Farms.

It was super windy but that didn't stop the kids from having fun.

Animals, corn mazes, slides, and hay rides!

Family selfie on the hayride.

Soaking up the sun (and wind).

Giving sissy kisses on the hayride.

There were two corn mazes, an easy one and a hard one.

With two little ones, we opted for the easy way out. 

Redskins QB before the start of the maze.

(21 weeks pregnant)

We attempted to do the actual pumpkin patch last, which wasn't a good idea because the kids were so tired.  So, we didn't make it into the best part of the patch.  I forced them to take some pics (can't you tell how excited the are?) and then their patience with me and the pumpkins were done!

Crankiest Pumpkin in the patch!

Then she was all smiles when daddy picked her up!

After long naps that afternoon, we made caramel apples from the apples we picked last weekend.  They turned out so yummy! 

I love fun family weekends. 

Though exhausting, we are making memories with these little people. 

Apple Picking, again

Fall Traditions....it never gets old.

The kids always enjoy apple picking and it was fun to see how much Kate got into it this  year.  We picked two bag fulls so we will be making caramel apples, apple dip and maybe apple pie if we have time.

Next up on the Fall traditions, pumpkin patch and Fall foliage.

19 WEEKS

(First bump pic was taken on Saturday at 18.5 weeks)

Today marks 19 weeks!  Almost half way there!

This pregnancy has been good so far.  No major issues except the Gestational Diabetes, which was diagnosed way earlier in this pregnancy than the other two. I am on insulin and seeing the high risk doctor every two weeks and on weekly progesterone shots.

I haven't felt baby girl move yet, but hopefully soon I'll start feeling the flutters.  I just keep praying that she keeps growing and will be healthy and strong. 

This picture was taken on Sunday when we were at my in laws watching General Conference. These two little munchkins and their daddy are my world.  They make me want to be a better person.  It's amazing to think we will be a family of five soon.  I love them to the  moon and back! 

Adding an Addition!

What a pleasant surprise!

We are having another GIRL! (More bows and chunky necklaces).

After years of infertility and many IVF cycles, my body decided to 'work' on it's own.

We are excited and thrilled for this special addition to our family.  I am currently 18 weeks along.  We have told close family and friends, but this is our first 'public' posting.

 

We waited until I was at least 12 weeks along before we told the kids.  Matthew was very happy when we surprised him with the news.  We had been praying as a family for another baby.  He wanted another baby sister.  When asked why he wanted another sister instead of a baby brother, he responded, "because Kate's so cute, I want another cute sister like her."  Melted my heart.  He is such a sweet big brother!  Kate was oblivious to the news as she's 2 yrs old and doesn't comprehend it yet.  We've been pointing to mommy's belly and telling her baby is in there.  Now when I ask her 'where's the baby?', she points to my belly.  It'll be interesting to see how she will react when the baby comes.  She's currently in the 'mine' stage.  Everything is hers. She walks around and points at things and says, 'mine' over and over.  Her world will surely be rocked by a new baby.   

We found out the gender at our 16 week ultrasound.  I wanted to find a special way to tell the kids so we bought cupcakes and put pink frosting in the middle.  Matthew was excited when he bit into his cupcake and saw pink frosting.  Kate just wanted to eat her cupcake. 

 

We took pictures on Sunday with their pumpkins and of course the 'baby' pumpkin.  Whenever Kate walks outside now and sees the pumpkins, she points to the baby pumpkin and says 'baby'.  Then she points to her pumpkin and says 'mine'. 

What a blessing it is to be able to add this addition to our family come February.  We continue to pray that the baby will grow and be healthy and strong. My heart is full and I count my blessings every day. 

The Start of Apple Picking Season

The start of our apple picking season started a few weeks ago.  We picked Golden Delicious Apples and they were crisp and yummy!  I've been eating 2-3 apples a day.  We will be back in a few weeks to pick Fuji and Granny Smith apples (to make Caramel apples). 

One of the highlights of the Fall season!

Is this really my baby??  Where has the time gone?? 

She's such a big 2 yr old.

My kiddos are certainly the apples of my eyes!

Philadelphia Temple

We had the opportunity to tour the Philadelphia LDS temple a few weeks ago before it was dedicated.  I love being inside the temple.  It's a place of peace and love and where I feel the spirit. 

I was excited for the kids to see the inside of the temple.  Upon seeing the baptismal font, Kate says 'pool'.  Thankfully she didn't jump in.  Matthew's interest quickly faded too.  Oh well, they're 2 and 5, I didn't expect them to be engaging the whole time.  But I'm glad we still took them and I pray that later when they are much older and return to the temple, they will have a much more spiritual experience. 

Families are Forever.

We are grateful for family that lives close to the Philly temple so we can come back and visit more often.  The kids had fun with cousins who showered them with love. 

We took this after the tour and the kids were done and the hot weather didn't help.

I'm grateful for temples and for my family.