The Ballard Bunch

Home from the hospital. Contractions are 2-3 minutes apart, but I'm not progressing enough to "check in". This sucks. :)

Proof that we're finally getting it.



The potty chart is full of stickers and Tatum got a new baby doll today. The original deal was to get a toy at the dollar store every time she filled up a line, but she had her eyes set on a baby doll so we opted for a total "blackout" of the chart to get that. She's been very persistent the last week or so and we're so excited!

Fingers crossed that it lasts this time. :)

The rules of the game are posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

#1 What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was a “couch mate” at King Henry, I was an accomplice in a hair “salon” farce gone terribly wrong (or right – depending on who you ask), I was wrapping my roommates personal belongings to give as birthday gifts to her, I was contributing to the AMAZING “Wall of Fame”. Such photos included: Ricky Schroeder and Richard Simmons. Does anyone have a picture of this? I might – I’ll have to look through my boxes, I was dating a boy that was entirely wrong for me. Thank goodness it all worked out the way it did. And, to add to the irony, as I was dating said boy, my husband was a high school junior – haha. But most importantly, I was having so much fun!

#2 Things on my To-Do List Today
Pack overnight bags for the hospital and one for the girls when we have the baby (close enough that I’ve got to do it now), clean the house, laundry, figure out something miraculous for dinner (I don’t want to go to the store at all), go to work (tonight).

#3 What would I do if I were suddenly became a Billionaire?
I’d first make sure that we and all of our family is taken care of financially (pay off houses, debt, etc.), invest lots for us and for the kids, play a little (travel, etc.) – I’m sure I could think of lots more if given the real opportunity!

#4 3 Bad Habits:
I bite my nails, I have a hard time saying “no” when asked to do something, I rarely get out of my pajamas during the day (unless I have to).

#5 Places I have lived:
Thousand Oaks, California; Red Bluff, California; Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Provo, Utah; West Jordan, Utah

#6 Jobs I have had:
Subway (through high school and a little after), Sam’s Club, Preschool Teacher, Nu Skin (various positions – Marketing/PR), Event Planner, Project Coordinator, Customer Service (yippee) and mamma.

#7 5 Things people don't know about me:
I can’t handle dog hair on anything (which proves a challenge when you have an indoor dog w/ black hair – ugh!), I could nap anytime anywhere, I cannot stomach any kind of vomit clean up (another hard one – I have two kids and one on the way), I’m pretty crafty but most of my ideas are copying someone else’s that I’m too cheap to pay for, I have a really hard time going to bed with any kind of mess in the kitchen or living room.

Tag to all my blogging ladies! :)

I just read this on Julie's blog and thought it looked fun. Enjoy!

1. Typically what time do you wake up? Totally depends on the girls. It used to be closer to 7:00 or so, but lately they’ve been sleeping later – around 8:00. I’ve been watching Shanna’s kids for her every day while she’s in training for work, so latest I get to sleep in is 8:30 (when they’re dropped off).
2. On a good night what time are your kids in bed? This is where I’m terrible. Hayden will usually be down by 9-9:30, but Tate’s a late night girl. We try and try, but she won’t go to actual sleep until at least 10. But, if she misses her afternoon nap, it’s earlier. We’re trying to find a happy medium.
3. How long have you been a mommy? 3 years on March 25th
4. How old were you when you became a mommy? 27
5. What is your favorite kids tv show? My favorite? Not having to watch any of them! But the shows we watch most – Dora, Max & Ruby, Nihao Kai-lan, Little Bill.
6. What is your least favorite kids tv show? Caillu. He’s sooooooooooo whiny – it drives me nuts.
7. What is your favorite chore? Lately it’s the bathroom. Something about getting on my hands and knees to clean is totally unappealing to me in my 9th month of pregnancy.
8. What is your favorite meal to cook? Anything in my crock-pot. Just put all the ingredients in and let it cook all day. Can’t beat that.
9. What is the meal you cook most often? Probably grilled chicken w/ something. We love it and the girls love it.
10. What is your kids favorite meal? My girls both love broccoli. Weird, I know, but it’s awesome. Tatum will even ask for it for lunch.
11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids? I love watching them play together. The girls (especially Hayden right now) are beside themselves when dad gets home. It’s very cute.
12. What are 5 things that make you smile when you're being a mom? Coming home from work to find the girls asleep in our bed with Beau (I think he’s so tired at the end of the day, that sometimes that’s just easier), Tatum’s need lately to have a ton of kisses and hugs and goodbyes from Beau and I if we’re leaving the house, Watching my girls play NICELY together and comforting each other, Tatum finally pooing on the potty and getting so excited to put stickers on her chart (it’s almost full!), nap time. J
13. If you could take your kids anywhere where would it be? On a family vacation anywhere. We’re long overdue.
14. When was the last time you went out without your kids? Honestly? My doctor’s appointment last Wednesday and (if I can find a sitter) my doctor’s appointment this afternoon. Beau has promised me a date before the baby arrives, though. Hopefully this weekend.
15. What is your favorite past time/activity to do with your kids? Swimming – they love it!
16. Name 1 thing you said you'd never do as a mom: Over-explain things. Really, though, it’s necessary. “Tatum, do you know why you were in time out?” that kind of thing.
17. Name 1 thing you do that your own mom did: Don’t overreact to in injury – if you freak, they freak.
18. What is your favorite quality that your mom has? My mom is a great listener – even more so now that I’m a mom!
19. What is your favorite kids book? If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Tatum laughs reading this one every time)
20. What is your advice for new moms? Don’t totally adjust to your baby’s schedule – allow them to adjust to yours a bit. Otherwise, you’ll end up very overwhelmed and feeling a bit frustrated.
21. What is the scariest or most heartbreaking moment as a mom? Seeing your child sad. Tatum just misses the cutoff for Sunbeams at church and for the first few weeks she would just cry because she’s “a big girl, mommy. I want to go with my friends!” Doing better now, but it’s so sad!
22. What is your most joyful moment of being a mom? The hugs and I love you’s.
23. When was the last time you were told 'I Love You' by one of your kids? About 5 minutes ago by Tatum
24. When was the last time you told one of your kids 'I Love You'? About 5 minutes ago to Tatum. J

I've been a blog slacker, I know. But really, with good excuse(s):

1) 8 months pregnant (need I say more?)
2) Constantly chasing Tatum and Hayden around despite above mentioned condition
3) Getting ready for baby (sewing, decorating, moving the girls, etc.)
4) Watching my sister-in-law's kids during the day while she's training for her new job. 40 hours a week. We're on week 4 of 7 now.
5) Nothing much to report. Given all of the items listed above, we really haven't been out to do much. Never fear, though, as soon as this baby arrives, I'm sure I'll have loads to blog about. :)

In the meantime, here are some pictures of the kids that I found especially blog-worthy. Enjoy!

Here are the best pictures I could get of the girls before church a few weeks ago. I got them these dresses for Christmas and, paired w/ the darling cowboy boots from my mom and matching hairstyles, they were too cute for words. We tried snapping a picture of them together, but you know how that goes.




Hayden and Kehl watching "Blues Clues" on the beanbags in the living room. Honestly, I try not to be a super TV mom, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do to keep your mind right. Thanks Blue.



Here's Kehl after being around lots of little girls for too long. Shantell and Tatum dressed him up in Hayden's clothes and he didn't complain one bit. Despite the mess made in the process, I had to laugh - he looked so funny! I just have fast-forward thoughts of our little boy being "taken care of" by his older sisters. Heaven help us!



And, lastly, here are the girls taking a "swim" in the bathtub. We've had a TON of snow lately and they really wanted to pretend warm. So, we put on their suits and let them at it. Hayden didn't really understand why her swimming suit was on in the tub, but she went with it. Great time killer.