39 weeks

Here I am at 39 weeks pregnant with our sweet little girl. I was the "smallest", if you can call 40lbs heavier than I usually am small, than I have been with the boys. They think she was breech and her head resided somewhere up in my ribs the whole time. This was a great pregnancy and I felt really good right to the end. I had trouble sleeping and my feet and hands got a little swollen and I had to take my ring off. I enjoyed feeling her move even until a few minutes before she was born. I feel so blessed to be able to have had this experience five times in my life. I am so glad my body worked how it needed to and that she got to "cook" until she was done. We love our doctor and are grateful for all the skilled doctors and nurses that helped us have the wonderful family that we have.

33 weeks with baby girl Jones.

Easter Sunday

We had a pretty low key Easter. Unlike other years, we didn't host dinner at my house for tons of people and there were no coordinating outfits. I love that this is the Easter picture for our family. Daddy slept in and the boys followed clues to find their basket full of goodies in their sister's crib. With two days till baby, Mom was kind of tired and Henry had a bit of a cold. We ate dinner with Grandma and Papa Tosczak and finished off the day with an egg hunt at Uncle Darrell and Aunt Aubrey's house with cousins. It was a wonderful day with our crew and a peaceful way to remember the significance of this special Sabbath. The boys are starting to understand the concept of the Resurrection a little more each year and were so happy with their treats and being with each other. Life is so good and we are very blessed and happy.

Last weeks as the baby!

Whenever we bring a new baby home from the hospital, the last little one always seems so big to me. I spent the last few weeks before the baby came soaking up every bit of Baby Henry that I could. He is about the cutest little thing right now and I am amazed with all that he can say. He loves to sing songs and his nursery teachers always tell me how much of a participator he is. I attribute a lot of his speech abilities to hanging out with his sister/cousin Olivia. The two of them are constantly babbling and are very polite tiny humans. They both love to be in the water, whether it is the pool or the bath. I think a large part has to do with being naked. What baby doesn't love being naked?!

No one can get messier faster than H. 

Having fun at the park with our friends. Three weeks ago we were wearing coats. Today it is 104 outside!

Love this awesomeness.

Payche loves to read and read and read. He will sit with anyone willing to tell him a story or read him a book. "Dinosaurs Love Underpants" and the Elmo counting book are favorites. Henry also loves anything green, even if it is his sister's hairbows, loves cheese and candy and is starting to pottytrain.

He was very interested in the baby coming and would stuff her swing with stories, blankets and stuffed animals. He continues to be a big helper, and is very independent, insisting on doing everything themselves.

Riding his scooter, wearing underwear and a helmet. Love this little man!!

Henry loves his grandmas. Grandma Jones is always willing to read to him and he will bring her story after story. I have loved having Henry as my baby for the last two and a half years. He is very ready to be a big brother and is growing up so fast. He loves to cuddle with me and I love it too! He is always ready with a hug and kiss, please and thank you and a love you. I'm glad that even though he no longer looks like a baby, those things haven't changed. We love you Henry boy.

Spring break

We had so much fun just hanging out this spring break. The boys were happy to have each other to play with everyday and we had a few outings to stay busy and enjoy the wonderful Arizona spring weather. We started the two weeks with a lazy morning, park day and lunch. We were home in time for nap time and relaxed. That week was Benjamin's birthday and Brian took the day off to play with the boys. Then on Thursday we ventured to the Zoo. We had a wonderful time with friends and the boys loved it! We always take a picture by the monkey exhibit to show how big our monkeys are this visit.

We love these two families and love to hang out with Daddy's buddy's kiddos. Kim, Alyssa and I are all expecting and it is fun to hang around with my friends for a day in a kid-friendly place. I am so happy that Brian's friends married such great girls.

These boys had a lot of fun just being brothers for two weeks. They ate outside, played video games, built forts, constructed cities out of Legos and train tracks and jumped on the trampoline. The older boys were great with Henry and let me sleep in most mornings. It was a joy having them all home and a lot more relaxing than I had originally thought. Not having to pack lunches and letting Henry finish his nap everyday made it Spring Break for Mom too!

Ben wanted my camera at the zoo and suprise, suprise, he loved taking pictures of all things creepy and crawly!

What a wonderful two weeks with my boys before their sister is born. With Ben's birthday, baptism and Brian's birthday we were busy every weekend too! The two weeks flew by and I can't believe we only have two more before we are a family of seven. I love these little men and how fun they are getting to be around as they get older. Now back to schedules and work to finish the school year. It's going to be a challenging eight weeks with a new baby, but I'm sure with the help of family and friends we will make it. Take a deep breath..here we go!

It's Great To Be Eight

Brian baptized Benjamin Saturday, March 17th at our stake center. Ben's uncle Randall was the presiding member of the Stake Presidency. Grandma Jones gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, Grandma Tosczak said the closing prayer, Aunt Colene led the music and Avery sang "I Know My Savoir Loves Me". Uncle Darrell and Uncle Justin were the witnesses and Brian performed the confirmation with Ben's uncles and Grandpa Jones in the circle.

Aunt Aubrey was thoughtful and remembered to get pictures for us. I love this one! It was such a simple, special day. Daddy and Ben talked about the ordinance, and practiced so Ben knew just what to expect. Benjamin was very excited and calm about the day. He is such a sweet little man and a wonderful example to his younger brothers, and soon to be sister. When Brian and Ben got back from getting changed, Henry asked: "You baptized now, Ben?".

Ben got a suit for the occasion. In true Ben style, he plays it cool, but I think he felt pretty special going up to shake the bishop's hand when he got welcomed into the ward.

I can't believe how big and grown up my tiny baby Benjamin has become. I love this boy with all my heart and I'm so glad he came to our family as our oldest son. It is an honor to be his mom.

Daddy's Thoughts:

Saturday was a big day for our Benjamin. The night before, we spent time practicing how to get baptized. You did great and were prepared when the time came. You had several friends that attended including Hallie Walker, Weston Thomas, Britton Platt, and Hyrum Hendrickson. Benjamin your mother and I have always considered it to be a privilege to be your parents. You set a great example as an older brother and are a good friend to others. Baptism is the first of many covenants that you will make with your Heavenly Father. I challenge you to live your life in a way so that you are prepared to make further covenants with Him at the times you are supposed to during your life. We love you very much and are glad you are in our family.

Celebrating Benjamin Peter

Benjamin's 8th birthday was a great day for him, his brothers and Daddy! (Mommy got to lounge at home 35 weeks pregnant with Henry too) The boys started off the day with a trek up Camelback mountain. Luke wasn't about to be left behind this time and was a trooper, making it to the top with his brothers. After the hike they went to Barro's for pizza before going to a Diamondbacks spring training game. They came back with tales of getting their own soda and the huge slices. Brian brought Jefferson and Lukey home and then left again to go to the Phoenix Suns basketball game with Ben to finish the days festivities.

Henry got dressed in his D-backs shirt, found his baseball and was completely devastated when the boys left without him. He cried for a while, only to be consoled by an episode of Dora and clung to the baseball for close to an hour! It won't be long before he will be hiking right along side his brothers.

The Sunday before Ben's big day, we had both the Jones and Tosczak families over to celebrate the March birthdays. The kids had fun jumping and playing in the gorgeous weather and being with cousins. Grandma Jones made a train cake for Sean and Benjamin.

It was a very special night at Ben's first NBA basketball game. We have a friend that works for the team and in addition to the tickets, he sent the Gorilla, the team mascot up to Ben's seat with a backpack stuffed full of gear to help him celebrate his birthday. Brian enjoyed being able to share his love of basketball with Ben and it was a treat for both of them. After the game, Ben got to go shoot a free-throw on the court. Pretty great day all-in all!! Ben still talks about his best birthday ever.

Ben is a great big brother. What a fun way to spend your birthday. We love you Benjamin Peter. Happy 8th Birthday Sweet Boy.

Tooth fairy visits Jeffey

Back in October Jefferson lost his first tooth, followed shortly by the second one. Ben also lost one that month and the tooth fairy was quickly out of dollars! Poor Jefferson promptly lost the first tooth after it fell out and we had to write a note explaining the situation to the Tooth Fairy. It all worked out, he got hooked up with some dollars and was a happy boy in the morning. He was very excited to join the "big boy" ranks of his brother Ben.