4 1/2 years and it is complete.

 The day after our ultrasound in May and the day that we decided to move to Oregon--family started arriving in town for graduation. Phew! It was quite the week. 

First to arrive was Grandma Shields and Uncle Dallin (my youngest brother), who also happen to arrive on his birthday. So after opening the best gift in the world announcing that he would be an uncle again, we celebrated the rest of the day, perfectly planned by Brycen. Basically he wanted to re-live his birthday that he celebrated just the week before. Because it was awesome. We had Mary Lou donuts and went to Chuck E Cheese to use up the rest of the 125 tokens that we had purchased with a coupon for Brycen's birthday. 

Grandma and I went to do some birthday shopping while the boys played and when we came back, the "older" boys (Bryce and Dallin) insisted on Grandma and I doing one of the games. "The boys tickets depended on it" blah blah. It basically vibrates to great degrees and you have to hold on. We did. For 6 lousy tickets.6?!! Not. worth. it. The older boys loved every minute.

Dinner at Texas Roadhouse never disappoints.

Then we changed it a tad and hit up Jump It, since after all, it was a rainy (cold!) day.

We have a bittersweet relationship with Jump it. No parents are allowed on the slides (they used to be, it was awesome). Brycen does great. He is tall enough that he can do it all, but just small enough, not to be able to provide much assistance to Cian. Cian, on the other hand, wants to do it all but is not quite big or brave enough to be able to do by himself. Even though Dallin was technically too old to be on it, they allowed an exception since it was his birthday. It was the best two hours for Mommy, Daddy, Brycen, and Cian. ^ Look at Cian's face!

Brycen LOVES this place. And requests to be in charge of planning everyone's birthday.

 

A very tiring few hours for the birthday boy.

For the next day, my Mom had given me the gift of Dream Dinners for my birthday. Ever heard of it? It's basically, you go to their shop and put together meals (or in my case, freezer meals). They provide all the ingredients, recipes, bowls, and clean up. You give them money and walk away with complete meals that can be saved for a few months and cooked up within 15-30 minutes whenever you want! So Bryce and I went to do that. We loved it and are still enjoying it. I have been using one of the meals once a week (she gave me 6). It is so nice to have them all assembled, with instructions, and be a complete meal that is different from the 'usual'.

That same day, my mom and Dallin watched the boys so Bryce and I could drive to Chicago to attend the temple and then pick up my dad and Bryce's graduation present from the airport (his parents!). I nearly gave it all away while we were sitting in the temple, but alas, it all worked out!

The rest of the weekend and visitor stay went something like this:

Campus exploring.

Grandma tried to the use, "fine. I want a frown!" to get them to smile. It worked like a charm.

Graduation was on Sunday and I was impressed. They had a prayer and an all men's choir that sang hymns and it was outstanding. I also loved that everyone in our party was able to attend. There were a few scares that we would only be given 3 tickets (I was freaking out. Bryce had no idea his parents were coming.) But a miracle happened and we were able to get 6 and then Bryce's co-worker gave us her extra.

Classic. The boys really did well. It was about an hour and a half, just perfect. ^ Cian is still going strong with the whole Crocs and socks idea.

Grandpa tickles.

There he is!

So, I was following the program and the 2 people before Bryce were no-shows so I ended up being completely unprepared!

And that is about all I got...

Cian is going to do just fine in Oregon. He hates the bright sun. And Brycen somehow escaped out of the house with his slippers on. Oh, my boys!

My baby bump has proven to be the perfect ledge for Cian to perch upon.

The weather was perfect.

What a great day.

Trip to the local zoo. The last time we took the Walker Grandparents, it inspired them to raise chickens (and now, they do!).

Can you spot the Joey?

Dallin was taking a drawing class at school and has really loved it!

Triple XXX treat from Grandma and Grandpa (as featured on the Food Network!). They do have some amazing root beer.

Grandma tickles.

Okay, one of the best stories of the week. Grandma Shields arrived with PJs for the boys. After Brycen opened his, I read what it said on it, "'Beach Bum'". Brycen: "Mom! Bum is a naughty word!" (Grandma and Dallin roll on the floor laughing). Cian then opens his and I read, "Little Dude". Brycen: "How come his says little dude and mine says little bum?" Mom: "It's beach bum and it's because Grandma gave you the shirt with the naughty word". We had some good laughs and now, Brycen wears it all the time and he will gladly tell you what it says. Repeatedly.

 

Grandpa must've missed the blue memo.

After all the visitors were gone, minion art became the new thing.

How To: Grow up way too fast.

And properly turn 5 (planned and re-planned these past 7 months):

Experience the thrill of the tornado exhibit at the local Children's museum with two different shoes on.

Yup, not for 2 year olds.

Go to your last day of preschool the day before your birthday and have your "half birthday party" since it has been declared a summer birthday according to them. Side note: Brycen has been saying that he is 5 for so long that now a day can't go by without him asking when he will be 6. It is going to be a long year....

The birthday breakfast donut from the one and only, Mary Lou's can not be skipped

Nor the moment it's shared because that's what Mommies make older brothers do.

Go to the free! local zoo. We love this place.

His, "no way am I touching that thing".

And experience the train ride for the first time.

Choose the front row so Mom gets to breathe in fumes the whole way.

Walk to the historic 1900s ice cream shop and boat house for Mommy, and then be chased away by angry geese.

Be super brave and ask to do this.

Have a family fun outing to dinner at Chick Fil A and then Chuck E Cheese with Daddy who came straight from the airport to catch the last part of the special day.

Love the ticket counter and muncher.

Have your very first sleep over after opening presents, watching a move, and eating dessert.

Re-open this present for the 3rd year in a row (Grandma gave it to him years ago and we have tried every year to see if he would be old enough to do it) and ask both parents for their help to make things. Basically, hours of frustration and utter stubborness to get the job done on the parent's part but cool outcome in the end for the kid...... temporarily, before he declares that he wants to destroy it and "help" build the next one.  7+ years old??? Ha!

The secret life of Christi.

Things have been a bit insanely crazy.

Number 1: THE most surprising. Over the course of 5 days, the Cian Monster decided he would potty train. HE decided. And that was that! If you remember, we tried back a few months ago to potty train when it was so cold, that we basically had nothing better to do. And it went well. So well, that I concluded after one day of doing it, that diapers were the best invention and $7 that I would pay every week. I also told myself that we would try again at our next place when hopefully, we have less carpet.

Well fast forward to this past Monday and Cian was hating the newest diapers I bought him. They were a new brand. I had a coupon. So naturally, that's what I got. Cian calls them "ouchie diapers" so through his tears, I threw out my weekly question and asked him if he would rather wear underwear. He actually jumped on that idea, which was super surprising since every week we have asked him, he would simply declare, "No. Change my diaper!" But it still took a lot of further convincing that underwear meant that he had to use the potty. "Mommy wears underwear. Brycen wears underwear. Maggie wears underwear....Great Grandma, well, ....sometimes..." ;) We went through the list and I told him that Lighting McQueen (his underwear) wanted to stay happy and dry. It took three days of little accidents and my forgetfulness (and treats and shows and hours on the potty) but on the fourth day, he had it down. Since deciding that it was "fun" to keep his underwear happy, Cian has needed no treats, has had no accidents AND insists on wearing no diaper to bed. I wasn't completely sold on that concept yet but he insisted (most of been some really awesome diapers) and has woken up dry. Day and night potty trained in 5 days? Yes please.

What I learned:

Every child is SO different. What worked for Brycen, did not work for Cian. Brycen could go on demand, every 45 minutes when asked to try. He also worked for the promise of a single miniature marshmallow or sticker and day potty trained when he was 27 months. Cian could sit for 4 hours, after taking an hour to be convinced to sit; hop off, and have an accident 30 seconds later. I also can't (still can't) ask Cian if he needs to go potty. It will always be "no". But when he decides that he needs to go, 2 minutes later---after we already left the grocery store, we run back in and he successfully goes. Cian's treats also had to be a full donut, or cup full of jelly beans, marshmallows, m and ms, gummy bears, or chocolate chips. It could never be the same, he constantly needed to be enticed and it was expensive, not to mention, unhealthy. However, Brycen did take a year after being day potty trained to be night potty train. He just loved sleep too much. Cian did both in just days (the second time around), but at 32.5 months.

Oh, but with both experiences, how I LOVE the result. Their little bums in (dry!) undies and no diaper changing. For four complete months. It's a happy time.

I went to see "The Fault In Our Stars" Friday for a girls night. Oh goodness, bring the tissues.

2.

Bryce and I celebrated 6 years of marriage!!

3. I turned way too old and was asked, "Are you turning 29, again?"

I am 27... going on....40! Thanks for asking.

Bryce had to leave mid-day on my birthday for a job interview in New Mexico. Don't worry, I bought myself a steak for him to grill before he left. I also managed to be super late to my very own surprise party my dear friend held for me because ...we lost track of time at the Farmer's Market. It was a good day.

This  little man turned 5! It was quite the scheduled and perfectly Brycen planned day (more pictures to come).

 5. We found that we are having our 3rd baby boy (well, 80% sure)!

My siblings found out over the last week or so. My parents, the days after the ultrasound. Due October 8th (4 months from today!)

6. Bryce was able to tell his parents in person that he accepted a job at Intel in Portland, Oregon.



Yes, the job is huge (we decided the same day my parents were arriving in town, the day after the ultrasound, it was.crazy.) and I am incredibly proud of him and excited for our future. But for his graduation present, I, ahem, secretly worked (for months) to fly his parents out from Oregon, to attend his PhD graduation without.... Bryce knowing! He always figures out what I'm up to but...... I pulled. it. off. Finally. After 6 years and it was huge. He is still in awe that I accomplished such a thing. Hey, I'm a talker and between the two of us, I do most of it. :)

It also helped that my parents were flying in, to give some awesome airport excuses and explanation as to the need to clean the house, grocery shop, plan activities, etc. And, of course, those that did know, didn't tell him. I can basically hear the Hallelujah chorus.

Nevertheless, my brain still hasn't recovered. It hurt. I totally nearly blew it countless times. Fun but so hard.

The day was gorgeous, glorious, and perfect.

Our group. My parents and baby brother were also able to come. As well as Bryce's twin, since he is working in Indy for the summer. We feel honored for their support and loved having the company.

And now.... the ultimate goal is to get to Oregon. There's packing, cleaning, and moving, and house hunting (from a huge distance). And Elementary hunting (same mentioned distance). And road trips galore (for all the many things we wanted to while here....and didn't). And pregnancy and apparently, aging. And of course, enjoying the time we have left, with our friends here.

And hopefully....hopefully! more pictures posted from birthdays, graduation, and visitors. And not to mention, daily life.