Maternity Babble

I am sitting at work thinking about baby boy as he wiggles in my belly. The end of a pregnancy is a strange feeling. It is a mix of emotions for me. I am certainly anxious, a little nervous, excited, unsure... The top thing I am thinking is I wish I knew when this sweet babe will grace us with his presence. I cannot wait to see what he looks like. Smell that sweet, new-baby smell. Enjoy feeling close to my Father in Heaven as I consider that the new little life before me just left his loving presence.I am due in 5 days, but I am hoping we will see this baby 2 or 3. Fingers crossed!

I also am thinking about the change that is coming to my dear family. In thinking back to when we had Stratton, details are foggy. It was strange that we brought home a new baby as we would a new pet, but it seemed like he always fit. Life went on very seamlessly. I hope that is how it works this go-around too. I am wondering how Stratton will do with little brother? My guess is that he will love him all too much. Stratton loves to be big and help. Hopefully the novelty of little brother wears off quickly and Stratton will go back to playing with toys rather than being interested in the little guy. We will find out soon.

One thing I am certain of is that I am thankful for families. I am thankful for the love and support that my family offers Bryce and I. I am grateful for Stratton who livens up our home and our lives with his fun, adventurous spirit. I am humbled that my Heavenly Father trusts me to be Stratton's mom, and that he saw fit to bless us with another little one in our home. Above all, I am thankful to know that my family can be together forever. We have highs and lows just like everyone, but I can always rely on the comfort of my testimony of families. We are living for something much greater than this life. I am glad I know it, and appreciate that I can live it freely.

{39 weeks}

 

Holy October!

I realized today that I have not blogged since July. What on earth happened to August and September! Life is moving forward like crazy. Each time I write the date I think about what a weird thing time is. My grandma has always said the older you get the faster time goes - I am here to say she is correct!

Life is going well for our little family. Here are the updates:

Bryce

Bryce is a cattleman. Come to think of it, that is where most of our time has been going the past few months (or it seems). Bryce bought two beef calves this year in hopes that he will be able to buy a few more each year and slowly work up to having a cattle business. I have to tell you, I have been impressed! He sold, like, all of his personal belongings to get some money to get things going. I am talking fishing poles, fishing reals, fishing packs, his bow and all the bow "stuff," and other random treasure he had laying around that were getting little use. He was determined to get some cows! Good for you, honey! He bought a nice (relative term, there) little horse trailer, one Holstein calf, and one Angus calf. He was in heaven! I cannot believe how much work the little things were at first (bottle feedings twice a day!!!), but Bryce enjoyed every minute. Now the calves (homer and little black) are living at my parents house. Welcome to the family, guys!

{Taken end of July at Summers Ranch in Paradise}

This spring Bryce started working for Summers Cattle Company in Paradise, UT. He moved piped for another rancher as well, and has been playing cowboy ever since. Again - he is in heaven! This fall he has been rounding up cattle that have been in forest ground all summer and he is really enjoying himself.

I think it is safe to say Bryce is also enjoying school this semester. He only has two classes that meet each week, and one is a horse class. He is learning ALL about horses. We are thinking he will be done with his degree this spring. Keep up the good work, Bryce! I am proud of you!

{Fishing and campfire up Blacksmith's Fork}

Stratton

Stratton is twenty-eight months. Everyday we are baffled by something cute that comes out of his smart little mouth. He really is so smart! He loves to watch movies and can quote them after watching them only a few times. Right now he likes to watch Hercules, Brother Bear, Land Before Time, and Lion King. There are others, because he just loves all movies in general, but these are the ones he asks to watch most often. He will randomly say something, or sing something, we will have to think about it for a minute, and then we realize it is from a movie. It's pretty cute!

When we are home Stratton loves to catch bugs and put them in his blue bucket. Worms and grasshoppers are his specialty. Sometimes he will wiggle and squirm when they tickle him the right way, and he will need a small break from them, but he always comes back to them. He is his fathers son in this aspect!! Stratton also loves to play with Finn. They run around and chase each other. Cute little buddies.

{Strat LOVED the wet weather!}

Over Labor Day we took a huge leap and potty trained Stratton. It was a crazy process...in fact it is still ongoing. We used the Three Day Potty Training Method. Pretty much just keep a constant eye on him, rewarded for success, and encouraged going in the potty for failures. The three days went well. On day six he was completely dry! I thought we were done and that Bryce and I were SO good at potty training. We then had a few days of pure frustration when Stratton would pee everywhere but the toilet. I was ready to give up but Bryce held out strong. I am glad! Stratton very rarely has accidents when he is with us. Daycare is hit or miss, but they are super great to be patient and help him learn. We love not changing diapers! Good job, buddy!!

{Undies!}

We are pretty sure that Stratton has no idea what is coming to him in five weeks. He talks about being a big brother, but I don't think he really understands that his time as the only child is coming to an end. He has been telling everyone that he wants to name his little brother Baby Wormy. Not happening, but he is sure sticking with it :)

Kaylee

I am doing well. I feel like life is the same old. I love my job on campus. My students are good. We are all just trying to gear up for the leave that I will be taking soon. Baby boy is due in five weeks. I am not sure how it is going to go, but I am planning on taking a twelve-week maternity leave. The timing is horrid - registration and the beginning of a new semester - but a baby only comes once, and I am looking forward to spending time with both of my little buddies. Working 30 hours a week is glorious. I have Fridays off this semester. It has been great to spend that time with Stratton! We go on walks, read books, run errands, and just play like best friends. I LOVE being his mom!

Baby boy still has no name. There are a few that we have in mind, but nothing is shouting "Yes, that's the one!" to us. I am feeling good still, but ready to love my baby on the outside, rather then the inside. My belly has been measuring small at my last two appointments, so we will have an ultrasound next week. Hopefully we find that baby is doing well, and things are on track. I don't feel too worried.

So you can see that life is good for us. We are constantly seeing blessing after blessing. There are a lot of fun things coming up for our growing family, and we are thankful each day for all the love we have in our home! 

{Ogden Temple Open House}

 

Adding Another!

I don't think that Stratton has any idea what it means when people talk to him about being a brother. He still does not get it. I am not sure he will until we bring the new little one home with us. At least when you ask him where our new baby is, he will say in mom's belly (or sometimes his own), which is progress in the right direction. I know he is going to be the sweetest big brother! He loves babies. He will always ask to see them and usually gives them a soft kiss. Hopefully it remains that way, and the soft kisses don't turn into anything more physical :) We think he will be great! Either way, new baby is on the way, and we cannot wait for him to make his debut!

{Cannot believe what a big boy Stratton is!}

 

Two Years Old

I will say it again and again - I cannot believe that we have a two-year old child! It just blows my mind! Stratton is growing and learning so fast. He is curious and independent, which sometimes gets him into to trouble, but he is also sweet and caring. He has tender feelings and tries to do what is right. Some of the things he is doing right now that this mom really thinks are great:

- He will ask if he can do something in THE sweetest little voice. "Can I hold that?" "Can I make a mess?" Mommy, can I get down please?" "Can I play with my toys?" The list goes on. I am not sure how it started, but I love the sweet voice he uses when he is asking for something.
- When he tries to say something loud, his voice gets really gruff. Not ever really louder, just scarier. Kinda funny!
- Stratton loves to play with animals. His toys of choice are little plastic animals that don't do a think but get carried around by him. He will line them up, push them in his truck, give them drinks, etc. He just loves animals!
- Stratton loves to read books. When I get him in the morning he will usually ask me to read him a book. This whole summer, I have been late to work almost everyday. When he gets out of bed and asks me to read to him, how can I possibly tell him no?! Sitting together in his red chair is some of my favorite time with this little guy.
- Stratton LOVES movies. If Bryce gets him out of bed, he will generally ask to watch a show. His latest thing is to quote the movies. Jungle Book and Brother Bear are the movies of choice. It is really funny to see his little brain work as he watches "shows." He smiles when it is funny, asks questions about what is happening, and is sad when there is tragedy. He is so smart!
- Stratton is so smart! He knows SO many words and speaks in complete sentences most of the time, all of the colors (purple and orange sometimes give him trouble), how to count to 12, and out whits his mom and dad frequently. He certainly keeps us on our toes!

We have not gone to the doctor yet for his two year check up, but I am thinking he is about average on things. He used to be a heavy weight, but he is so busy growing and being wild now days that he is slimming right up.

On Stratton's birthday (June 22) we had a little BBQ with grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousin Sawyer. Stratton is sure loved by everyone! He got spoiled, as usual. It was a fun night!

{Sawyer wanted Bryce to hold him. So sweet.}

{Showing tricks on the slide}

{Bubbles from Chelsea}

{Mr. Potato Head from Ty and Trevor}

{We said look in the bag - so he did!}

{Stratton specifically said white cake with blue frosting}

{I think he liked it!}

{Pinata from Chelsea}

 

Life Moves Forward

I blogged last in the first bit of April and here it is mid-July. My, oh my, how time flies!! Bryce and Stratton are both a year older, I graduated from graduate school, our family is growing by one, we have had many great trips and outings... I have a lot of catching up to do! Here are a few words and photos to attempt.

April

April was a busy month. Bryce had a birthday on April 13th. Happy twenty-sixth to him! We had cake and ice cream with the fam. Not really a huge deal, but fun to celebrate Bryce!

{This was all Stratton! I LOVED it!}

I mentioned above that we are adding to our family. That's right! Baby Roholt #2 is set to arrive in November. We confirmed this great news while Bryce and I were in Florida, but today is our first world announcement of the news. We could not be happier. We had a doctor appointment this month where we got to listen and see our baby for the first time. Always exciting!!

{Baby #2 - 12 weeks}

May

May is SUCH a fun month with USU graduation kicking it off. This year graduation was extra exciting because I graduated with my masters degree. That is right people!! I am proud to say that I did it, and happy to say that it is over. My time in the Professional School Counselor program at USU was wonderful. I met great people who are now great friends, had awesome experiences, grew professionally and personally, and enjoyed most everything. Having said that, I have since LOVED having my Tuesday nights back. It is great to just be a mom and a worker girl now. Graduation day was a blast. A quick thank you to all the family that supported my through the three years of grad school. Especially Bryce, who probably got the brunt of it. Love you!

{Program luncheon before the hooding ceremony}

{Stratton loving his mom - LOVE this!}

{Logan cohort - sure love these guys!}

{College of Education hood}

{Oh yeah! Photo credit to Bryce - good timing right!!}

Here is a quick shot of me with my aviation students that graduated this year. I love advising, and working with great students is icing on the cake. These young people have bright futures. It is a wonderful opportunity to be part of it. Good luck to you grads!!

My favorite graduation gift is a Canon Rebel from Bryce. We bought it months ago from a friend who upgraded, but it was a graduation present. I have enjoyed learning how to use it. Still not a lot of time for hobbies, but this is a fun one when we do find time. These pictures are a few we took at the Logan Temple in May. Stratton loves the fountain at the temple, and will randomly ask to see it. Kinda cute.

We spent Memorial day at Bear Lake. Bryce had to do some quick work at the fish trap (a blog in and of itself!) so we all went up. Bryce's family joined. It was fun to enjoy the day off with them. Bear Lake is usually freezing this time of year, but that did not stop Stratton from getting right in. He loves the water and LOVES Bear lake. It was a beautiful day.

{Stratton with Grandma and Grandpa Roholt}

June

I don't even know where to begin here. June was a FUN month for us. Whitney and Curtis came for a visit this month, and that was absolutely the highlight. Stratton was instant buddies with Whit when she showed up at our house. She watched him a few days while she was here and I am so glad he got the time with her. We miss them desperately! It was great to have them here!

{Dinners with the fam}

{Willow Park Zoo}

{Swimming with cousin Sawyer}

{So happy to have such a wonderful family!}

{Mommy-daughter-sister sing-a-long}

{Whit's great picture of Stratton}

Stratton turned two this month! I cannot even believe I can say I have a two-year old. Crazy! I will give Stratton his own post, but here I will say, we are blessed! He is such a happy boy! He has a mind of his own, and is learning to be independent, but for the most part, he is pleasant, mindful, and sweet. I love his sweet little voice and the funny things that he says. He is the light of our home, and the joy of my life. I am thankful to be his mommy!

July

So far, this month has been a great one. Over the fourth we went camping with the Bennington crew in Paris Canyon in Idaho. We enjoyed camp, threw {millions} of rocks in the stream, explore Minnetonka Cave, swam at Bear Lake, and had a wonderful time. It is easy with the Benningtons. We are blessed to have them so close and be able to enjoy their company so often.

{Ninja Turtle Yahtzee}

{Bath time! Best idea ever!!}

{Swimming at Bear Lake - probably Stratton's fav part!}

{Perfect rock throwing camp site!}

{Best buddies!}

{Moment of silence for America - Happy 4th!}

Last year we got my grandma and grandpa Bennington's trailer from them. It was a wonderful addition to our family. It leaked like a son of a gun, but it served its purpose. We took the trailer camping, had a blast, but decided on our drive home that we should sell it. We had put quite a bit of time and money into repairing it, but there were things that still needed tons of work (the floor was caving right inside the door - minor detail) and we figured we should get out of it while we could. We listed it at 10 pm and it was gone at 9 am the next morning. As it drove away, I felt pretty sad. I have so many fun memories of that good old trailer. Here is a tribute to you, old Layton trailer. You were good to us! Hopefully we find a newer, nicer trailer to start making memories in next summer!!

Lastly, we found out the gender of our new little one this month. ANOTHER BOY!!!! Hooray. A girl would obviously be novel and fun, but I was hoping for a little buddy for Stratton. Bring on the bunk beds!! Seriously cannot wait! I am measuring right on track, but I don't look very big for 24 weeks. I have been feeling good for the most part. I have not been sick at all this pregnancy, but I feel like I am uncomfortable a lot. We will see how I hold up as this belly of mine really starts to grow!!

Life is moving forward and things are good!