Matix is a WALKING boy!

That's right. Last week Matix started taking his first steps! Right now (sadly) my camera is broken, but I am hoping to borrow someone's to catch him while he is still so stumbley! :) He first took about 4 steps to me, but we weren't sure that counted as his first steps, but then he did it again and again, adding a few steps each time. He walked 7 steps to Paul yesterday without falling. And today he has been experimenting with walking around while playing, rather than walking to someone who is ready to catch him. We were so hoping that he would walk before we left, because we didn't want Grandma and Grandpa to miss it (since they have been such a big part of his life so far). We are so happy and impressed with our little guy. He makes being a parent so much fun.

As soon as I get a camera (either my new one, or a borrowed one) I will put up a video so you can see. :) In the mean time, vote on Paul's Poll on the right side, please. :)

Thanks, where thanks are due

So, we have been packing and packing and packing... YUCK. Luckily we have awesome families that are helping us with the whole move.

Here is a small list of thanks for the HUGE amount of generosity we have been shown.

1. Thanks Taun and Leah (Paul's cousins) for letting us live in your spare house rent free for the summer. It is a great house and such an amazing gift to us these past few months.

2. Thanks Kim (Jessie's Mom) for the kids clothes for when Matix gets bigger. We really appreciate it and can hardly wait to see him in all of them.

3. Thanks Colleen (Paul's sister) for watching Matix so many times during the summer and working your magic on him when you could have been sleeping, reading or hanging out with your friends instead. We have never been able to sing him to sleep like you did.

4. Thanks Lee and Stacy (Paul's parents) for helping us be bill free this summer. No utilities, grocery bills, gas for our car (most of the time), trips to the pool, waterparks, etc, etc, etc.... You have no idea how much your help has taken a burden off of us.

5. Thanks Jolie (Jessie's sister) for the maternity clothes and for some of Bradley's clothes. Matix and the new baby would be happy to rock any of Bradley's too small clothes.

6. Thanks Steph (Paul's aunt) for giving us so many of Aidan's too small clothes and shoes. Who knew Aidan had SO many clothes.

7. Thanks Taun and Leah (again) for letting us store our stuff in your house while we are gone. That is so amazing of you to offer that to us.

8. Thanks Stacy (Paul's mom) for EVERYTHING. For cooking meals for us, for loving Matix the way you do, for the amazing example you set for us as a parent, for being such a good sport with all the chaos this summer, for offering to come back down to Dominica with us after we have the new baby to get us settled... Really, you have been so great to us. Thank you.

Thanks also to the family that have helped us in other ways. The emotional support, advice, financial help, etc. We really could not have done this on our own, and we feel so grateful for all that has been done for us. Everyone did all of these things and MANY more without wanting or expecting thanks. They did it because they are good people and we pray in thanks for our families every day.

Thanks again everyone. We love you.

Advice...

So, a few weeks ago we went out to eat with Paul's cousins Krystal and Kipp (that's them in the picture on the right). They have two kids who are 15 months apart and since our little boys will be almost 15 months apart, we had lots of questions for them...

Of course Krystal is a rock star mom and I don't really expect to live up to her standards... but I would like to be close. :) For those who don't know her let me give you a couple of examples:

1. Her son was crawling at 5 months and walking at 8 months. Not just stumbling around, but really walking!

2. Her daughter walked at 9 months.

3. Krystal has already potty trained her son, it only took her a couple of days and he was only two when she did it.

4. Her kids LOVE each other! They play so nicely together, none of the terrible two's crap either.

There are many more examples, but needless to say, when we had the chance I wanted to get some advice from her... Was it hard having them so close together? What did you hope someone told you about? How did/do naps work? Food? Etc. etc. etc....

Paul and I are VERY excited, but I want to know if there is anything I should be prepared for... :) Lots, I know, but maybe if any of you had some less than obvious advice or stories or wisdom to pass along, it would be appreciated, especially from those who have kids really close together like our guys will be... Thanks!

New Poll

Okay, so I put up a new poll on the right side of the blog. :) It is about Paul and his awesome history of making and NOT making his flights. I just want to see what others think will happen. :) I love you hubby!
-Jessie

Berg Olympics

I know, it sounds silly, but you're just jealous you didn't get to be in the olympics! :) Paul's brother Dale came up with the idea to have the 1st annual "Berg Olympics". We did lots of games like the three legged race, pie eating contest, doughnut on a string game, egg on a spoon race, and lots more. Everyone had a great time and we even had an award ceremony at the end with medals! :) Colleen's friend Ariel came and videotaped the whole thing.... but that is on Dale's camera, so hopefully he will put it on youtube or something when he gets back to Texas. So, here are some pictures from it.

We did this on the 3rd of July... It has just taken me a long time to post it. Sorry. :) Oh, and sorry about the cheesy music, I have limited choices on my computer.

It's a....

BOY!!!

We are so happy. On Monday we found out that baby #2 is a boy. He was moving all over the place so we didn't get any really clear ultrasound pictures, but Dr. Bruce says he looks good. One day Paul will get his girl. :) but he is still way excited to have another boy. I can't believe my baby is going to be a big brother in a few more months! Crazy how fast this went.

Sunsplash

So we started our 4th of July with a breakfast of french toast and sausage (for the adults) and LOTS of watermelon for Matix (see the picture below) :) Later that day we went to Sunsplash (a water park in Mesa). Stacey, Steve and Morgan came down from Utah for the weekend. Morgan is getting ready to turn in his papers to go on his mission so it was really nice to be able to spend some time with him before he leaves. He is awesome and will be a great missionary. Krystal, Kipp, Kyson and Taylee came down too. They had a baby blessing to go to, but we all met up on the 4th for the water park.

This is MY Grandma!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!

Grandma Kim Visits

Jessie's Mom came to visit two weeks ago... She could only stay for a few days, but we had lots of fun. Here are some pictures from the trip. I will add more as I get them from her camera, and from Stacy's.

This is a cowboy hat Grandma Kim made for Matix. She made him lots when he was a baby, but has since outgrown most of them. So when she came she brought more. He is riding on a bouncy horse at Grandma Stacy's house which he LOVES!

My Mom wanted to take all the Dad's (and everyone else too) out to celebrate Father's Day. Paul had giant beef ribs. They were very big and it was all you can eat.

And here he is after eating two plates full. :)

This was also the first time we took Matix out to eat with us... I know, he is 9 months old and lots of people take their kids out before now, but here is the thing... We are poor and besides that, we like to eat at home and really enjoy each others company. :)

Here is everyone: Vanessa, Lee, Gavin, Dale, Paul, Jessie, Kim, Matix, and Stacy. Colleen was supposed to go, but when it was time to leave she was nowhere to be found. :) Good old Colleen. Notice Matix sees more food on the table and is giving Stacy a hard time... He loves to eat, as you can tell by the sheer size of him!

We went to the pool a couple of times too. Matix had fun and my Mom tried to get a tan (since she is from Wisconsin and it was in the 50's the day she came here) although, I don't know if she got a tan or not... :)

On the last day of the trip we went to the temple before going to the airport. It is so beautiful and peaceful there. I love it.

We walked around and my Mom took some family pictures of us. I thought it was important that we had some of when our family is just the three of us before we get our fourth. :) I think they turned out pretty well, and after some editing, well, LOTS of editing... these are my favorite three.

It is always nice to see family and friends, especially ones we live so far away from... hint hint. :) visitors are always welcome! We leave in the beginning of August for Dominica, and will be gone until December of 2010. Thanks for coming to see us Mom, I love you.