4 months!!!

I can't believe my little man is 4 months old already!!! He was officially 4 months on Monday & we had his check-up on Tuesday. He is 17 lbs 2 oz & 26 1/2 inches long now! He was only 8 lbs 10 oz & 21 inches long when he was first born... He's growing too big too fast!

So every once in awhile, when we reach both significant and insignificant milestones, the mommy hormones kick in and I have a bit of a break down. For instance, the first time this happened to me was when Drake was about 2 weeks old and had grown out of the tiny, so cute, newborn diapers... :o( Sad day!

Well I had one of those break down this week... Due mostly to the fact that my little baby is starting "big boy food!" Haha Ridiculous, huh? (And as you can see, he LOVED it!:oD) I know it's good that he's growing and doing what a baby should do and I'm happy! But at the same time, it's going too fast... and I want him to stay little!!!:o)

So in honor of Mr. Drake turning 4 months, I thought I'd post pics of him before and after he was born up to this point...

12/9/07 -We're pregnant!!!

---> About 7 weeks along...

About 18 weeks<----

---> About 5-6 months along...

7 months. Getting uncomfortable!<---

--->Trying to hide from the camera!

32 weeks @ Brit & Daniel's wedding<---

---> 7/10/08- I was in labor in this pic. First run to the hopsital. 3 days later, dialated to a 4 & 90% effaced, labor finally stopped and we got sent home:o( 34 weeks was NOT long enough...

Ready w/ contractions every 3-5 mins<---

DRAKE ALAN HUNSAKER
08/08/08 @ 7:56 A.M. 8lbs, 10 oz & 21 inches long
...... ......

---> 2 weeks old, I think...He always LOVES bath time!

We love our Grampy!!!<---


---> 2 months old and already needing a haircut...


10/26/08- Blessing day! <---


---> My little Halloween tiger! RAWR!!!

Just chillin' like a big boy! <---

---> Swing baby... just like daddy was!

What a happy baby he is!


WE LOVE OUR LITTLE MAN!!!

Thanksgiving- Part 2

So for the past 2 weeks, I've gone along everyday making a mental list of all the things I am grateful for. For blogging purposes and for the fun of it, I'm going to try to make a smaller more condensed version of 10 things I'm thankful for. And it really is the smaller version...

I am most thankful for...

1. Shane- I don't know what I did to deserve him but I'm sure glad I did it!:o) He is more than I could have ever dreamt of in a best friend, eternal companion, and father of my child & future children!

2. Mr. Drake- I am sooo very thankful to have this beautiful, happy, fairly easy, baby boy in my life! He has brought more joy to us in the short 4 months he's been on this earth than we ever imagined...

3. Family- in general. For my parents, especially my amazing Mom who does so much for me & my little family. My siblings who always keep us entertained. For my in-laws who are a great support. For my Mamma, aunts, uncles, cousins... everyone! I love that family bond! And the best part about it is being sealed to them for time and all eternity.

4. Jesus Christ & His Gospel- This one is pretty loaded because there is so much I am grateful for. I am eternally thankful for my Savior; for His example and ultimate sacrifice. I am thankful I have the knowledge that can only be found through His gospel and the benefits of having it in my life. For temples, forever families, the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, the scriptures... soooo much more!

5. Friends- I am so grateful for the people who I can call my friends, who offer that love and support that can only come from a friend!

6. "For the beauty of the earth..." - I personally believe that the earth's beauty- from the gorgeous mountains & canyons, to turquoise blue water & white sandy beaches, and gorgeous sunsets like the one in the valley today- all testify of God's divinity. "I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me!":o)

7. My job- It sounds kinda silly but at this time in our economy, it's not something everyone can say, right?

8. To live in this day and time- I'm thankful to live at a time in the world where we have cars that can take us from one state to another in less than half of a day, for computers, for modern medicine, in door plumbing!!!:o) My Mamma told me they didn't have a bath tub in their house until she was 7 or 8 years old! So... You know how older people say this generation is spoiled? Well, in that sense, I agree!

9. My ancestry & heritage- Along with being one of the spoiled generation, I am sooo thankful for those who came before me to make my future. For my pioneer ancestors who had the faith and determination to cross the plains and make a new life in the West. I'm proud of my pioneer heritage. And just as much of my Maori heritage! I'm thankful for my Nani-ma for the many things she sacrificed to be baptized a member of the church...


And lastly, 10. My LIFE- That may seem a bit vague so let me elaborate...

Within the last 2 weeks, 2 amazing woman who were friends to my family and I, passed away after strong fights with cancer...

Susan Mortenson Turley was only 3 years older than I am and had married the first week in January of 2008. Sis. Conway was a mother of 8, with a daughter who is my age. I was not extremely close to them both, but I knew them and they knew me. Sis. Conway was my couselor my last year of girls camp and I learned a lot about how dedicated she was to her calling as well as the Gospel. Susan's family was in my ward growing up and since I was young, I had looked up to Susan as one of "the older girls" that I wanted to be like. Ya know when you were just a little beehive girl, idolizing the Laurels because they were so cool? That what Susan was to me.
Sister Conway passed away the night before Thanksgiving and Susan just this last Friday, Dec. 5th. Since before their passing away, both of their families have been in so much of my thoughts and prayers, and I continue to pray for their peace & comfort. These woman have left behind great legacies and they will not be forgotten...

I am a pretty sensitive person so death is not something that I handle without a lot of emotion. Especially where people I know are concerned. So these past 2 weeks, I have been QUITE emotional! Their passing just got me thinking about a lot of things... Where is the level of my faith in the Lord's plans for each of us. What if this were my mom or sister. What if this were me.
I wondered if I have made an impact on people around me like these 2 have? Would those that I am close to really know how much I love them? Would my son grow up knowing how much I love him and see my life as an example of one worthy to follow so we could be together again after this earthly life? I can honestly say I've tried making some changes...

Since I had Drake, be it because of the hormones or lack of sleep or whatever, but I have been a little cranky and a tad inpatient with people. Especially my siblings & my poor, sweet husband. I would feel so bad and so guilty if the last thing I did was snap at one of them or was mad at them over something so silly and not even worth a second thought! I don't think I could ever forgive myself... So that is an example of one thing I'm trying to change.
I'm trying to show those around me and close to that I am so thankful to have them in my life. To know them and to experience what it is they have to offer me. I am stopping to notice the beautiful sunsets at the end of long days and saying a little prayer of appreciation for it. I'm trying to not "procrastinate the day of my repentance," better know my Savior, and live more righteously so that I may return to live with Him...

All these things I've pondered on and am thankful for have affected my life in one way or another. Which is why I am thankful for my life... The passing of Sis. Conway and Susan have made me realize how fragile life is and that our lives do not belong to us completely-but to our Heavenly Father. And when He says it's time to go, it's time.

To sum it up, I'll share my favorite quote as of recently. Kinda corny but I like it- deep and SO profound. It comes from Kung Fu Panda. The wise old turtle tells Po:
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow, a mystery. But today is a gift- that is why it is called the present."

I am grateful for every day of that gift that has passed, and even more for every day to come...

Thanksgiving- Part 1

Every other year, the "Fabulous Forbes Family" gets together for Thanksgiving... And boy do we do it right!:o) This year's gathering was most welcomed for Shane & I because we hadn't been further than the cabin since May! And we love Utah so we couldn't go wrong. My Mamma let us stay with her and it was just so nice to be there with her and the rest of the family! I missed everyone so much and I got to see my cousin, Scyler, for the first time since he returned from his mission in Samoa in July. And I also got to meet my new so cute cousin-in-law Kamree, since her and my cousin Stefen were married in July... we didn't get to go to that since I was on bed-rest with Mr. Drake... The food was amazing, as always, and we ate so much. The kids kept us active though so there was no weight gain... ;o) So yes, it was a fantastic trip!

Here are a few pics from our trip!

Sham getting covered during the leaf fight...

My smiley baby boy!:o)

Happy little family!

CrAzY family!

Drake loved the leafs!

Mommy & baby swinging on the swing mommy would swing on since she was little...

Happy to be at Mamma's!!!

4 generations... Mamma, Nani, Mommy, & Baby

Finally...

So I finally started our family blog... YAY! Still a little plain but it's work in progress. And I tell ya, I had a heck of a time figuring things out but I've come a long way with it. There's still a lot left I'm needing to figure out... So any help or suggestions would be much appreciated!:o)

Hmmm... Well life has been slightly uneventful in the Hunsaker house in the recent past. With a few exceptions. We just got back on Monday from our trip to Utah for Thanksgiving. (I'll post another blog with the details and pictures from that later...) That was our first BIG road trip since May and it was a very overdue vacation!:o) As you can tell from the page set-up, we're super excited for Christmas!!! But other than that, it's just work and school for us.

Drake will be 4 months old next week... CRAZY! Time is absolutely flying for us! He has developed quite the little personality. Shane & I agree that he kind of has a temper like mine... Bipolar!:o) He can be perfectly content, smiling and playing one second... Then BAM! Full blown fit! He's fun though. He loves me:oD I love it, especially when he first wakes up in the morning and is still a little out of it. I'll tell him "Good morning handsome!" and he gets the biggest smile on his face. He makes my day...
I'm a little upset though cuz I think my mom is brainwashing him! Haha... She watches him for us while I'm at work and he just loves her! Almost too much... :oD For instance, she wants the grandkids to call her "Nani-Ma" and as of late, Drake has started saying "Nan-nan-nan" when he's doing his whiny cry! I'm sure he doesn't know what he's saying....... but if he does, all I can do is say "No no no... it's 'Mom-mom-mom'" in hopes of getting him to really say my name instead! Haha my mom says I'm gonna be regretting that later when that's all he says... Oh well! I love being a mom and when that time comes that I get sick of hearing my name, then I will just have to try to remember this time in our lives!

Shane is doing good, or so he says:o) I'm pretty sure he is. He's glad to have his brother, Kyle, home from his mission now so he has a workout buddy and a motivator!:o) He is such a great husband and Daddy too! I love him sooo much!!! And he is definitely in love with his little boy... For a little while when we first brought baby home, the first thing he'd do when he got home from work is kiss and hold baby........... Yeah, that lasted about 2 days before I said something, HAHA!:o) Hey! You gotta give the mom some lovin' first, especially in that fragile emotional state, right?
Anyway, he just started working for a new branch with Wells Fargo. With that move he got a promotion and bumped up to full-time now that I'm only part-time... It's good AND bad. Between work and school, I feel like I never see him:o( Typical life of poor married students, right? BUT we are so blessed and are surviving! So I can't complain too much.

As for me, I'm working in the podiatry office of a doctor in my parents' ward so that is working out nicely. I have the hours I need so I can be a mommy too and I enjoy the people I work with. I love it... I'm still doing hair, kind of. On the side for friends and family... No, there's no chance I will ever willingly go back to a salon.
I'm still kind of recovering from having Mr. Drake. Apparently the big 8 lb 10 oz guy did more damage to me than I thought... :o\ When I first went to the doctor for it back in October, I was scared cuz they did about every test possible to see if I was pregnant again!:oS When the nurse suggested that, I wanted to cry and told her that if the good Lord loves me, he wouldn't do that to me... Haha or would He??? I was freaking out cuz then when I thought of it, my symptoms were very similar to those I experienced in my first trimester with Drake, except for the pain. I'm not pregnant though (Phew!) I definitely could NOT handle 2 babies that would be less than a year apart!!!:oS *Shutter* Can you even imagine that?!?!
Sooooo... we still don't know exactly what's wrong yet but are definitely working on it. I just had a CT scan last week so we're waiting to hear the results at my next appointment. But I tell ya, as soon as we figure out what's wrong and fix it, I AM losing 20 lbs and then saving up for a cute clothes shopping spree!!!:oD I wanna be one Hott Mama! Haha...

Really though, I can't say enough how blessed we've been. Yeah, we've been thrown a few curve balls in the last year or so but that's life. And we are livin' it and lovin' it!:o) I think that's about it for now... I'll post the pics later!