Four Years!

Today is the Four Year Anniversary of Olivia and I entering into the most important contract ever: Marriage. Its been a wild ride and we've has some crazy good times along with some rough stuff. The best is yet to come, I am sure.

Baby news

Before I get into the baby q & a, I just want to say a little something about McCord. Last night after a blessing and uncontrollable vomiting (TMI warning: I puked so hard it gave me a bloody nose. That's gotta be one for the books), I woke Mac up around 1:15 am and told him we need to go to the ER. It was happening again, and I couldn't stop. We got dressed, woke Harrison, and took off. After admission into the ER, the nurses took urine and blood samples. By this time it was about 2:30 and even the staff was looking a bit weary. The nurse told me that we had come just after they had three critical patients arrive around the same time, were stabilized, and released into another wing. This was a three hour process. She also said there were people waiting in line to be seen, but went home because they had waited for so long. I guess two in the morning wasn't so bad after all :)

Anyway, I again have a UTI but no other concerns. My fluids were stable and the baby is just fine. I'm taking antibiotics and a magical little pill to control nausea. All is well. And thank heavens for modern medicine. I can't imagine how women do without so much, how they survive without medicines. It is simply a miracle. I really thought if I monitored my food and water intake much closer that this would not happen. But I hope this is the last time I have to do that.

I just want to say how much I love McCord. I knew he was exhausted but still took care of me and the boy, even in the wee hours of the morning. We didn't get to bed until after four. Luckily, he had no appointments until the afternoon so he cared for us and ran to the store and pharmacy for me while I slept. It just really puts into perspective how blessed I am for finding such a wonderful man. Heavenly Father knew what we both needed and brought us together for the long haul. I love him so much, and I keep telling him how sorry I am for this. And I may even feel a little guilt for being so helpless. He usually gets upset and tells me to stop saying those things. But I really feel so much gratitude for his patience with me and willingness to care for me even when he's wicked tired. I love you muchos!

Ok, now on to the babe. I haven't seen anyone yet, but I'm due mid-September. That puts me around 11 weeks. The nurse searched for a heartbeat last night, but the darn thing kept moving around. I'm not too worried as this happened with H-bomb and he was perfectly healthy. So hopefully we will have some photos and more details to share in the next few weeks. We had to start telling family early because everyone was suspicious. The flu bug for four weeks and the prescriptions weren't helping? Yah, that didn't last for long. And of course, once one person figured it out, there was no secret any more.

I have been much sicker with this one than I remember with Harrison. Did anyone else get more sick the next time around? I keep telling myself it will all be fine and eventually I will feel healthy and energized again.

We are so excited to expand and bring another sweet spirit to the earth. I love being mommy to our funny little boy. I can't help but feel so much love for this one already, and really hope that I enjoy this journey more than I did before. I completely understand why some people choose to have so many children. They are truly the source of happiness and humility. My only worry is that one child may feel neglected over the other, and I won't notice. But of course that comes along with the usual stuff like, "Will I ever be able to shop again? Will I be able to have friends and a social life? There's noooo way these are gunna fit... Goodbye Nordstrom Rack clothes" and so on. I find confidence in watching other families, especially ones with small children. I really do love my family and the opportunity to be a mother. It is such a blessing to be able to bear and rear them, without too many health concerns :)

Harrison's big news...

Harrison Walbridge Larsen is pleased to announce that he is going to be a Big Brother! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

The Above Photo...

This post is to preemptively honor my wife for the four years she has put up with me. It is not hard to see the changes in our lives as we constantly grow together. I love you, dear.

Yes, it's true, I broke my resolution.

As you have already guessed, my new year's resolution went down the drain. But, I am not giving up hope that I can still continue and be successful. I've decided Sundays are not good days to update. We're tired, cranky, and hungry. So, I'm going to update sometime during the week. Maybe shorter but more frequent posts will be better? Let's give it a go.

Mac has been getting up way too early for court and I'm about ready to call them and tell them he's not allowed to have court before 10 am. He wakes early, hence I wake early. Not cool.

(Two headbands, one shoe, my iPhone, and smeared chocolate. This kids livin' the life.)

H-bomb has been throwing all sorts of tantrums and most times I don't know how to handle them. It's quite frightening as a mother when you can't figure out how to calm your child. Moms, give me some discipline tips. We've got to find something that doesn't make both of us start screaming and crying. And he still bangs his head when he's mad. How do I get rid of that?

Other than that, he's a pretty helpful guy. He has emptied three tubs of baby wipes in his efforts to be a big boy. While I generally appreciate his desire to contribute, I don't like buying all those extra wipes. And he loves to clean with our toothbrushes. Those get expensive, too.

Most mornings he asks to watch "howrse". What's that, you ask? It won't be anything you'd imagine relating to most equine shows. And the strange part of it all, he will sit and watch the rest of the show. He loves to dance to all the music, and scorn all the actors. And he generally gets upset if I stop the movie short, as if he really follows the story line. So, what is this captivating movie?

Why, it's BBC's Pride and Prejudice of course. I think he calls it howrse because of the opening scene, where Darcy and Bingley ride across the field to view Netherfield. That's the only reason I can think of. I even tried showing other horse themed movies, but he was not impressed.

I have been chasing the boy around. And also my sister. She plays high school BBall, and the season (thankfully) just ended. So in between games, school, and work she asks to practice driving. Again, thankfully, she just got her license. Which is great because Harrison LOVES his aunt Sara. Two weeks ago she baby sat him while we went to the movies (In case you were wondering, we saw True Grit; it's a good show). For the next week, he would ask about Sara all day, everyday. At breakfast, he'll point at the window, squint his eyes and say "sawah" in a sad and longing voice. In the middle of crashing his trucks, "sawah". It's died down a bit, but every so often he asks about her. What a punk.

I've also been practicing a bit more because I have been called as the primary pianist. It's actually a fairly easy job, especially if I've practiced. And it's repetitious, so even if I'm not familiar with the song, I will be by the end of singing time. The only thing that makes me nervous is the Sacrament Program, but it's too early to worry much about that.

There's also this stray kitty that won't stop meowing at our back door. I let her in once and now she won't give up! Last night she climbed up our screen door and pushed through a small hole in the screen to get into the house. She was successful. Now, it's a big hole. And McCord might have permission to shoot her. Might. She is generally sweet and affectionate, but more annoying than anything. I will give her one point because Harrison can kick, pull, strangle, and otherwise maul her and she's still nice to him. No claws, no hissing, no swatting. I'm sure she would make a great pet. Anybody want a cat? Cause we sure don't....