Carving Pumpkins..

Oh good old pumpkin carving. It seriously is alot of work isn't it. I love it, and am glad we can give Carson the fun memories. But it is kinda a pain and it sure does make a mess. We usually do ours with the rest of Thiago's family, but they all had so much going on with the wedding that it didn't happen this year. We were just going to do it ourselves, but at the last minute we decided to hook up with the Phongsavath's.


I get really into my pumpkin carving. It seems to take me twice as long as everyone else. I don't know if I am trying to hard or what. I was the last one finished this year, but in my defense I had to carve two pumpkins. One for me and one for Carson, although Thiago did the hard part of scooping out all the insides. Soooo...guess I am just kinda slow.


Carson spent all his time, going from person to person trying to help. Although he doesn't really like to get dirty, so he wouldn't stick his hands in. He just kind of sat there talking, and getting in our way. I wasn't complaining though, I love his company and love to listen to his little voice ramble on and on about whatever.


Thiago with his arm around my pumpkin...I asked him to help me finish the mouth cause my arm was getting so tired. Big mistake..he broke my pumpkins other tooth off. Made me mad, I even warned him to be careful, so that wouldn't happen. Oh well, still looks cute!


My pumpkin is on the left, then Carson's, then Thiago's. Thiago's is pretty stupid looking, I am sure you all agree. He and Souli thought it was hilarious, not sure why.


Happy little pumpkin family...didn't carve Lincoln's. His was too tiny, so it just gets to sit there looking cute. Thanks Ash for having us over and for dealing with the huge mess. We had lots of fun and next year you guys can come on over to our house.

Start of a busy week..

Oh goodness..I have a crazy week coming up here. Lots of fun stuff, but it is all happening at the same time so I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. With Halloween going on we have lots of little activities planned, I am also getting all my finishing touches done on baby Lincoln projects, not to mention my brother in law is getting married this Saturday. You put all that together, and it makes me tired just thinking about it. I will feel better when I have this week behind me. We started it all off with Gus and Shalae's endowment session at the Bountiful temple Saturday night. I worked that afternoon, so I hurried home, got changed, dropped Carson off at my sisters and we were off. The session was really nice, it was fun to be there with Thiago's parents and my brother and new sister-in-law. I go with my family alot, but not the Cano's very often. It was nice. One problem. My dear husband and I are a little retarded when it comes to making sure we have a full gas tank. I don't know if you guys remember my running out of gas on the freeway story a few months ago. I didn't think Thiago was ever going to let me live that one down...well I have payback now. Our tank was low, the light was on and everything. Thiago was in such a hurry to get up to the temple, he swore we had enough to make it up there and get gas after. Wrong! We made it up there alright, but guess who's car wouldn't start when we went to get back in. The session didn't get over until 8:00 and we still had to go to a wedding dinner for the happy couple. We got to sit there in our car for 40 minutes waiting for Thiago's dad to bring us a few gallons of gas. We were both soooo ornery. Thiago was mad and embarrassed that he had let that happen...and me, well I was tired, hungry, my back and legs were hurting. Basically we were both no fun to be around. Oh well, we got gas and made it to the dinner just as it was being served. So thats that, I guarantee you all, I will never put another running out of gas story on my blog. I think both of us have learned our lesson.


Gus and Shalae...the bride and groom to be!


Gus, Shalae, Regie, Maria, Thiago and me

Countdown Begins...

Aaaahhh....getting so close. I seriously can't believe it. I went for my 35 week doctor appointment earlier this week. I am now going weekly and will up until I deliver. You may notice my baby counter took a week jump, I changed it. We have scheduled me to be started on Nov 18th which is 3 weeks from Tuesday. Unless of course this little guy decides to make an early appearance on his own. Everything still looks great, which is such a relief. My doctor told me awhile ago that I have a 2 vessel umbilical cord rather than the standard 3 vessel. In most cases this means nothing, the other 2 vessels just work harder to compensate for the missing third. They have just been watching his growth and fluid levels...if either of those are low that could mean the baby isn't getting the nutrients and blood flow it needs. Lincoln is doing great with both of these...he weighs 5 pounds 1 ounce so far. Right on schedule. I am also dialated to a 2 and 70-80% effaced. So who knows what will end up happening. I could be on my way to an early delivery, or I could just walk around for the next 3 weeks at a 2. I am so anxious for him to come, but I still feel like there is so much to do before he makes his debut. So hopefully he hangs out for a little while longer.

Sitting there in my doctors office, talking about dilating and scheduling my induction....well it all kind of seemed surreal. I remember those first few weeks sitting in there, scared to death. Wondering if I would make it to this point. The whole way home yesterday I just cried...poor Thiago and his emotional wife. I just feel so blessed to have made it to this point, it is really starting to sink in that I will be bringing this baby home. That he is not just a dream to me anymore, he is about to become a reality. I have wanted him, and prayed for him for so long. I am so grateful to almost have him here in my arms. Anyways...thats us for now. I will keep posting each week to let you all know of any changes. For now lets all plan on the 18th.

Happy B-day Old Man

October is the month of birthdays for us. We had my mom, and dad, and Rosemary (Thiago's little sister). We didn't get to see my dad on his actual B-day so we celebrated this last Sunday at my Grandma's house. Just wanted to let my dear old dad know how much we love him. It is so cute, cause Carson doesn't really get to see his grandpa a whole lot but he still loves him so much. He always asks about his Papa, and gets so excited to see him and give him a big hug and a kiss. Dad, I love you so much...you know this. I am so proud to call you mine and always will be. Thanks for always looking out for me and my family, I know I can always count on you for anything. The older you get you really start to realize how much your parents mean to you and all the sacrifices they have made in your behalf. So much of who I am I have got from my dad, we are so similar it is almost scary. But that is fine by me, cause he is a great guy and I respect so many things about him. Love you lots Dad and so does your little namesake Carson JEFFREY!!


Proud Papa and his 4 boys!!


Its no wonder they love you!!

Black Island Farm

Like just about everyone else we headed out to Black Island Farm Saturday afternoon. Sooo fun...kinda pricey if you ask me, but so absolutely worth it. Carson's cute little smile did not leave his face the entire afternoon. He loved it, every little activity he just thought was grand. We went with Jill and the sisters and Tam and kiddos...this is a little group shot. Well except for Tam, who was taking the picture. Not at all a flattering picture of me, but when can I say I am 4 weeks away from having a baby, what do I expect.


Carson checking out the baby cows...he loves animals. His new thing is "Oh my gosh", every time he sees something cool.


These cute little cousins are always friends, but it is not often you catch them holding hands. It was so sweet, I couldn't resist getting a picture.


Alright, I hated this thing. I totally tried to divert Carson, and not let him see it. But he eventually ran into it, and surprise it was his favorite. It was this little water pump type thing, that you put plastic ducks in. You line up three ducks and then pump water until they start to move. They race until someone wins. Anytime there is water you can guess where my kid will be. I really appreciated how wet and muddy he got for the rest of the afternoon.



Riding the cow train...guess what color was Carson's favorite. You got it...PINK!


We took the little hayride out to the pumpkin field, and everyone got to pick a pumpkin. Since we already have ours, I didn't get one and told Carson to just pick a small one. I didn't really want to pack a huge pumpkin back to our car.


Whose little pumpkin is bigger...ha-ha!! That was lame I know, but you would not believe how many comments me and Ash got about sticking pumpkins under our shirt and that kind of thing. People are very original.



Carson's other favorite...they had a big sandbox thing filled with dried corn. The kids loved it. It did feel kinda cool...however we got home that night and I washed Carson's clothes and shoes cause they got so dirty. I found about 20 little pieces of corn in my washer that must have fallen out of his pockets. Kind of a mess, but thats okay. It was a great night, I love when you do a fun activity that you know your kids just loved. He can't quit talking about how much fun he had. Thanks everyone for coming, we always have a few hectic moments with all those kids. A few tantrums, accidents, missing a backpack and a child every now and then. But hey, its all worth it in the end. Right??

Pickin' Punkins..

We went "punkin pickin" today...at least that is how Carson says it. We always just go to this little roadside stand about a mile or so from our house. It is called Days farm and we LOVE it. This is where I get all of my fresh veggies in the summer, and most importantly our corn on the cob. Delicious!! Now that summer is over, they get all of their pumpkins out as well as haystacks and cornstalks you can buy. I always get a cornstalk to set out by my front door to go with the rest of my decorations.


Carson was so funny..he kept picking the absolute ugliest pumpkins. He would walk over to us carrying one, and Thiago and I would just look at each other like "huh". Seriously, it was like he was trying to find the most mangled, demented, offcentered pumpkin he could find. We would say "oh yeah thats a good one" and then the minute he turned around we would put it back.


Me and my little punkin...Carson is holding the pumpkin we got for Lincoln. It is so cute, cause I have 4 steps leading up to my front porch. One for each of our pumpkins, going from biggest to smallest. It made me smile to see 4 pumpkins this year instead of just 3.


A little boy in a sea of pumpkins!!



Here is Carson guarding our pumpkins on the way out. He needed to sit right next to them with his little arm around them, just in case someone tried to snatch one of them. Too cute!

My nights...

Alright...time to get this baby out of me. This is a picture of my typical night past 8:00 now. I usually do not require much sleep, I can wake up pretty early and go until like 11:00-12:00 without really feeling tired. Well not lately. I am just getting so exhausted, it feels like everything I do now requires soooo much energy. Carson usually lays down in our bed to watch his Georgey at about 8:00, he watches a few episodes to wind down from his day and then falls asleep. I usually use this time to do whatever I want, watch a show, read, blog, whatever. Well the past couple of nights all I do is lay down by him and I am out after like 15 minutes. Thiago took this picture of us last night. A Friday night at 8:45 and this is what I am doing. Real party animal, aren't I??

My hero..my mom!

Okay mommy dear I am a little late getting your birthday post out but here it is. You know how my Tuesdays are...crazy, crazy!! Anyways it is my mom's B-day today, I didn't get a chance to see her but we saw her on Sunday and celebrated then. Ash made us the most greatest little meal and made my mom a cake and everything. Mom I hope you had a great day and as I always do I am going to post the top 5 reasons I love my mom.
1. She has taught me how to be a mom. That might sound kind of funny, but seriously what better role model could I ask for. Every thing I do on a daily basis in my home for my children or husband I have learned from my mom. She has taught me how to clean, cook, decorate, laundry, everything. But most importantly she has taught me the qualities that it really takes to be a mom. Patience, understanding, kindness, selflessness and most of all an unconditional love. I pray every day that I can give my children the kind of childhood and life my mother has given me. I am eternally grateful for her example.

2. She is the toughest person you will ever meet. My mom has seriously gotten dealt a whole lot of crap in her life. She has had more trials than anyone I know. Yet I never see her falter. She knows how to just pick her self up and keep going. You never even see her skip a beat. Those first few years after my dad left, I know were so hard for her. She tells me now that there were nights she would cry herself to sleep in her closet after us girls were asleep. I never saw that, not for one second. She was always so strong and did what she had to do to get her girls raised. I admire that quality, something I need to work on.

3. She is my cure for everything. What is it about moms that just automatically make us feel better. They have a special mom medicine or something I don't know. No matter what my troubles are, whether I am sick, sad or worried about something. Just seeing my moms face and feeling her arms around me...somehow it cures everything. I just don't think that is something you ever outgrow...every girl needs her mom.

4. She is my biggest support. No matter what I do in this life, it is so reassuring to know that your mom is always behind you. No matter what, even when I have been stupid and made dumb mistakes. She has still always been there, she loves me no matter what. She knows every horrible detail about me, and still thinks I am perfect. I tell you, only a mothers love!!

5. She is my best friend. Well next to Thiago of course. I am so excited to have my two boys, but I would like a daughter someday just for that reason. She was my mom growing up...a mentor, supervisor, caregiver, you know that kind of thing. But the older I get the more she has turned into my absolute best friend. There is no one else I would rather talk to ...whether it is small day to day stuff or the big stuff in life. Whatever. She makes a great shopping partner, lunch date, movie goer...all of it. What would I do without her.

Well thats it. For all of you who know my mom, I know you will agree with all of this. She is one in a million, I thank my father in heaven for her every single day. I don't know who I would be without her. Everything that is good or admirable in me I owe to my mom. I love you so much mommmy-dear, you truly are my hero. The one person I admire above all others. You are who I am striving to become. Love you lots lady, hope you had a great day!!

Little Batman

I went and got Carson's picture taken today in his Halloween costume. My cute little Batman!! He loves it, in past years he has just kind of tolerated his costumes. He has been big animals with hoods and everything. This year he just gets the biggest kick out of it, he loves to tell people what he is being and wear it every chance he gets. We even found that little trick or treat bucket sitting next to him, which is Batman's head. I do not like dressing up myself at all, I really never have. Carson keeps asking me what I am going to be, and I just tell him "Batmans mom". He kind of just gives me a weird look and shrugs his shoulders. Thiago hates dressing up too, at least Carson enjoys it!!

Shalae's Shower..

I don't think I have really mentioned that my brother in law Gus (Thiago's little brother) is getting married in a few weeks. It all happened really fast, they have only known each other since June but I guess if you know its right then why wait. They were originally going to get married next spring, then they changed it to January....then November. At first, I was kinda bugged just because they chose the 8th which is like a week before my due date. I tend to be a rather selfish person, and all I could think about was that I am going to be huge and fat in all of the pictures. Plus, for all they knew I could be in the hospital having a baby. Well they then changed it to the 1st of November, so that at least gives me a few weeks. I have since settled down, and am starting to get so excited for them. Shalae is as sweet as they come and really makes a good match for Gus. We wondered if he would ever get married, so the fact that he is and to someone that we all love so much really makes us happy. We had a bridal shower for her on Saturday, didn't get a ton of pictures cause I was kinda running around helping with everything. Here are just a couple...


Cano girls....me, Shalae, Maria and Rosemary

Welcome to the family Shalae!!

Carson's new room!

Okay...all finished with project #2. What do you all think of Carson's new room. I just love how it turned out. Carson loves it too...he is so funny. He has such a great appreciation for cute, nice, pleasant things. He is seriously so much like a little me sometimes. While we were getting it all ready, hanging his shelf and pictures and that kind of thing..he was just sooo excited. Every new decoration I would carry in, he would just jump up and down and say "Oh mommy, me yuv (love) it, me yuv it". The next day I was in my room getting ready and I hadn't heard him in awhile so I went to investigate. He was standing there in his room with his back to me, so he didn't see me watching him. He stood there almost reverently with this happy little smile on his face. He turned from his bookcase to his nightstand to his desk just smiling. He finally saw me watching him and turned and said "me just yuv it momma, thank-you!" Oh so cute...makes it all worth it.

Here he is one of the first nights sound asleep...he never makes it all through the night though. He always ends up in our bed, which I know is terrible. Thiago and I are so bad, we just don't have the heart to send him away. I figure he has the rest of his life to be big and brave out in that mean old world...if sleeping between his mom and dad gives him a little extra comfort while he is young, than so be it. I know how wrong this thinking is, but I don't really care!!