fourth fun

The 4th of July is a little different ball game down here in Phoenix! I'm used to parades, outdoor barbeques, swimming (ok we still did that), morning 5Ks, city festivals, and breezy nights on a blanket watching fireworks.

HERE was a little different story. The 4th just doesn't feel "fourthy" when it's too hot to enjoy outside (being pregnant doesn't help). We still had fun, but my heart was aching for good ol' Provo that day. No one does the 4th like Provo, am I right?!

We went swimming during the day to cool off and played a friendly little game of pool basketball. Then later that evening we went over to our new friends, Josh and Aubrey's, for a "barbeque". Fortunately the food was smoked outdoors but we got to eat in the air-conditioned comforts of home. Arizona style summer barbeque :)

After dinner we headed out to a local fireworks show, and it was still about 100 degrees! We stopped and got slurpies on our way over, which may have been the kids favorite part (ok and mine!)

kickin his feet back

 But mostly Emmett just enjoyed shining this little flashlight in everyones faces

And of course after the party comes the after-party (yeah). So we headed back to the Edwards for a little fireworks of our own.

And Emmett had his first experience with a sparkler... priceless.

It was our first holiday since the move, and I think we were both missing our families a bit. However we are grateful for new friends (and grateful it has cooled down since then!) And of course, it wouldn't be right to discuss the 4th without touching on our gratitude for our freedom and all those who have fought for it. God Bless the USA :)

prayer works!!

Ok last post for the night!! Just wanted to take a quick minute to give a pregnancy update. My last post I wasn't doing so good, but I have miraculously taken a turn for the better! My blood pressures have actually gone DOWN a little bit. And I FEEL better :)

I am so, so blessed. It never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for the many thoughts and prayers, it's working!  And on another positive note, I asked the Doctor on my appt Monday what NICU time would look like from here on out. She said if I ended up delivering NOW, he would probably stay about six weeks (still longer than I want but SO much better than 3 months!! Plus I'm not going to deliver now, I can feel it).

Then she said if I can make it to 33-34 weeks, SOME babies can go home!!! Some stay a short time just getting the whole eating thing down. (I can do it! I can do it!!) That's only a few weeks away! I left with such a greater sense of hope. This is going to work out...everything is going to be okay.

I try not to stress too much, cause one of my biggest fears is having to be in the hospital a long time and not being able to take care of Emmett. Just the thought of it kills me!! So every day farther I get, I look at it as less chance of that happening, and I am so extremely grateful. You guys, prayer is real. I feel it deep down in my bones. We are heard and looked after :) That is my greatest sense of peace.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite scriptures, John 14:27.


27 ^aPeace I leave with you, my ^bpeace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be ^ctroubled, neither let it be afraid.

our first visitors!

Okay I'm way behind on my blogging... but who are kidding?? I'm 30 weeks pregnant. I can't even keep up with my house. More truthfully, I can't even keep up with my KITCHEN. Or my toddler for that matter.

BUT I don't think it's going to get any easier in the coming weeks so I better catch up! We were so lucky to have my Mom and little brother Caysen visit for a week and check out our new home. Emmett LOOOOVES his Uncle Caysen and was in seventh heaven every day.

It was already heating up outside so it was hard to do a lot, but we managed to squeeze in some fun things!

We went and saw the temple (which Caysen wasn't thrilled about haha). "Its VACATION, isn't there something better to do than the TEMPLE?" Gotta love kids minds! He was a trooper and braved the 108 degree heat to check it out though.

 I also got to paint the dark red wall in our place that bothered me everytime I looked at it! What started out looking out like this...

Went through a transformation to this

The rest of our walls are kind of an apricot shade, and I painted the accent wall a light blue-grey shade. Now it has a much lighter, airy-er, coastal feel. I've already painted a large frame for the wall white, and I plan to eventually give the desk a fresh coat of white paint as well. Someday I'll update a complete picture of the office/loft.

They tried to catch fish in the lake by our house. Unsuccessful... maybe we need some fishing poles??

They got to watch one of Emmett's Pee Wee PE classes (so funny!)

and of course we spent lots of time at the pool!

We also went to the Phoenix Zoo which was really cool! I got season passes so I'm excited to go back again and again. It's so big there are whole areas we didn't even make it to (and we even did a little tram tour).

Okay, this animal (which I don't remember the name of... something from Africa) can supposedly detect movement with their peripheral vision up to 3 miles away. 3 MILES!! How crazy it that?! I can't even SEE for three miles, let alone tell you if something is moving. That's basically super power status.

We petted AND fed the stringrays! Not going to lie, it was a little bit scary! They had these little sardines frozen and chopped and half, and you had to hold them deep down in the water UNDER the stingray (their mouths are on the bottom). Then it swam up to you and sucked it up like a vacuum!

And here's me in all my pregnant glory posing with the giraffes.... I DO exist! Even though I spend most of my time hiding behind the camera these days.

I was so sad the day my mom and Caysen left! There really is nothing like family. It breaks my heart when Emmett tells me he wants to go over to their house (which is like every other day).
 Thank goodness this baby is coming soon so we'll be getting lots more visitors!!! Next on the roster Kaity and Kirsten are coming out (in a couple weeks) and are going to throw me my first official baby shower! Woot woot! (Fingers crossed!)

Thanks for coming out guys, we love you so much and miss you!!

bon anniversaire a mon ami

A couple weeks ago we celebrated Jared's 27th birthday. I know such a baby, right? I always love to remind him I'm SO much older (a full 8 months) ;) We had only been down in Arizona for a couple weeks, so we didn't really know many people to celebrate with, but we still made sure to party!

I baked a Vanilla Tres Leches cake for his big day which ended up being a little more involved than I anticipated, but turned out soo good! Emmett and I surprised him with it when he got home from work, and I'm not sure who was actually more excited - Jared or Emmett!

See that gorgeous watch he's sporting? That was his birthday present from Emmett and I!

Emmett had been patiently waiting all day to eat the cake we slaved over.  And was just as excited as could be to help blow out the candles.

Project Tres Leche (Pronounced in a Puss in Boots accent) was a success! 

A couple friends informed us off all the restaurants around us that provide FREE dinner on your birthday! So we MAY have hit up not one, but TWO of them! (Next day's work lunch for Jared!!) haha. We're all about free things!

I'm so grateful for Jared and all he does for our family. I feel lucky to embark on all life's adventures with my best friend :) 

we like our beans fully cooked, thank you

I don't have it in me for a lengthy post but I'll at least get out the basics to keep everyone updated on the "beans" situation:

-29 weeks today

- Swelling has been on the rise for the past month, but is reaching an all-time high (this pregnancy at least). I gave up my real wedding ring long ago and have since grown out of my larger fake ring, AND yet an even BIGGER fake. I have given up on the ring situation. And my feet are resigned to flip flops 1.5 sizes too big :(

-My blood pressure is on the rise. 2 weeks ago it had been slightly elevated at 130/80, by last week it was 135/85, at yesterday's appt it had jumped to 145/95, and today I've been hovering around 150/100.

....so things aren't looking great at this point.  Luckily no sign of protein in my urine as of yesterdays appointment.

Doctors are keeping a close eye on me, and rest assured I'm watching myself even closer! Please keep us in your prayers and hope my blood pressure stabilizes and hangs out where it is awhile rather than continuing to increase! Love you all and will try to keep you as updated as possible!

the best things in life are free

I did a little research online and found out that every first friday of the month is free at the Phoenix Children's Museum (Thanks Target!). So we picked Jared up from work, braved the heat and the crowds, and ventured downtown!

It was certainly an adventure. It was 110 that day and we had to wait outside for about 35 mins before getting let in. I've never appreciated the shade as much I have living here! In Utah, shade was more or less just about getting the sun out of your eyes - but the temperature didn't really change that much. HERE it's a stark contrast if you can step into a shady spot. All the sudden that intense heat baking down on you is gone!  It was funny to see everyone huddled together in the shadow line from a tree, and even people sitting in shadows from the road signs.

We've learned the heat isn't quite as bad as we feared. The mornings and evenings aren't bad at all - its worst from about noon to 7pm. It's definitely uncomfortable when it's THAT hot, but even Jared has agreed it's more manageable than being in the cold. It's uncomfortable but not painful the way freezing temps are. Different ends of the spectrum! And we've lived in both extremes - pretty funny!

When we finally made it in, it was luckily not too crowded since they were monitoring how many people were let in at one time. Emmett immediately saw the tricycle car wash station and he was off!

(These two were taken with my ancient phone, so no judgment!)

He found a couple friends - one to drive and one to ride in the caboose with - and was in heaven!

Next we played at the mail station

and in the tree fort

This air tunnel shot little koosh-type balls through and then out. It was one of Emmett's favorite things.

He got to meet the Utility guys - Electricity and Water (we sure love our water!)

Then he played some more, cooked some "Mac and Cheese" in the kitchen, and put in a little time at the ice cream stand. Gotta make a living!

Lastly came the room we spent majority of our time in: the car room.

Even I have to admit this room was pretty sweet. I understand why Emmett was so enamored. The top left picture is a tower you could climb to race cars down a looping track. Driving the motorcycle and filling up the gas were also favorite past times. 

I love the anticipation on his face as he sends his racecar out out of the gate!

All in all the museum was a success. And for free?! Even better! I'm sure we will return soon :)

some like it hot

Lucky for me, I'm one of those people - because we sure got HOT! And I've actually been loving it so far. We're just coming up on the real scorch season, so it hasn't been too bad yet. Though I do say my prayers daily neither my car or my air conditioner goes out! Haha.

We've been settling into our new home in Gilbert, AZ well and are beginning to feel more like its "home". Especially now that I've located the basics - Target, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Trader Joes, the community pools (even though we have our own!), the library etc etc etc. And the best part is everything I could want is within 5-10 minutes! (Besides Nordstrom Last Chance, which is AMAZING - its about 30). It's crazy how many amenities/activities are here.

Here's a brief look at our cute little neighborhood. The house is still a work in progress, so you only get to see the outside for now!

There's little lakes all throughout our subdivision where you can feed ducks, fish, or float if you have a pontoon boat. Here's the one right across from us.

and a little glimpse of the neighborhood. Greener than you pictured Arizona, huh?

Emmett loves walking to the lake and just hanging around. Im having a bit of a difficult time convincing him we don't need jackets and boots anymore... Guess this little guy isn't very used to summer! Despite the heat he'll still sometimes insist on leaving the house with a jacket or his Hunter boots!

Our first weekend here we hit up a local Peach Festival which was tons of fun! There was a little farmers market, U-Pick Peaches, every type of peach delicacy you could imagine (From peach chipotle, peach syrup, peach salsa and grilling sauces, even peach gummy bears!), Pony Rides, and even their own bakery.

At the bakery you could buy baked peach goods and homemade peach ice cream. We tried a peachy cinnamon roll which was sooooo goood. It was like peach cobbler and a cinnamon roll had a delicious baby. Our friends, Terry and Whitney, tried the ice cream and said it was amazing as well.

Of course we had to ride the wagon out to the farm to pick some peaches!

Emmett turned out the be best little worker of all! He sure put in a hard days work under the sun ;)

These peaches were incredible - quite possibly the best I've ever eaten. So big and soft and juicy! Here's our peach train.

After a strenous twenty minutes out in the fields, a tired red-faced litte guy rode back on the wagon with a bagful of fresh goods!

(No, he's not sunburnt just hot - partly due to the big rubber boots he insisted on wearing!) 

We had so much fun and will definitely be returning next year!! Although next year I'm planning ahead and going with more money to spend! I'm still kicking myself for not buying the peach syrup for my Sunday morning pancakes! 

This post is getting really long so I think I'm going to end it here, but be expecting more AZ adventures soon!