Introducing......

Holister Timothy He, like all our kiddos, is named after family and in this case a very dear friend. As many of you know Josh lost a close friend about 3 months ago, it was a terrible tragedy. Quieten was a new friend, we only knew him a couple of months but I know we would have been close friends for a life time. Quienten's middle name was Hollis. We called the baby Hollis for a couple of months because we just knew it was a boy:)! Last week we morphed it into Holister, which we LOVE.
We are know that there is a Holister clothing line, and are at peace with that. At least one of our children will have ready made personalized items:). HA! Timothy is after my uncle who was killed by a drunk driver over 20 years ago. He was an amazing husband, father, son, and uncle. We are so excited to be naming our little one after these two remarkable men!

I have to add, I FLIPPED out when I checked Kelly's Korner! She is due 2 or 3 days after me and is naming her daughter Hollis. What are the chances?!?!? I text Erica to call me 911 then made calls to Jessica and Lindsay and several other people. I finally got my Mom to answer! I just couldn't believe it! Now several days later I have calmed down and chalk that melt down to pregnancy hormones, or most of it anyway:). I do want the record to show that we had the name Holister loonnnngggg before Kelly:)! I am also glad we changed it to Holister after reading all her comments on the name, I didn't realize it was such a girl name. And yes IF we would have had a girl she would have been named Hollis! The day before Kelly found out I was on the phone with Erica and she asked me what I thought Kelly was having. I said I want it to be a girl so she will announce the name. Be careful what you ask for:)!

Only 20 Weeks (or so) to go until we meet Mr. Holister Timothy Anderson!

20 Weeks!!

Halfway there if he decides to be on time that is:)! Very exciting! The reality that we are going to have FOUR kiddos is sinking in. Four young kids all still in 5 point restraint car seats, it will take us forever to get anywhere:)! I am feeling amazing! A bit tired and still somewhat sick but so very thankful to be able to experience pregnancy for a fourth time! I feel movement often and it seems stronger every day. I always laugh when people ask me when I am due. I know they are going to be shocked. Most everyone guesses that I am within a month from my due date, no where close:)! I have an appointment this week so I will update with more info on our newest then!
belly, BeLlY, BELLY:)!!!

Parent Teacher Conference!

Josh and I experienced our first of many parent teacher conferences. It went wonderful, Mrs. Lyle talked about how wonderful Emery Jai is in class. Who doesn't like to hear how fabulous their child is:)? Emery Jai is a natural leader in the class, is ahead of schedule academically, makes friends easily, follows directions, and is a JOY to have in class! We are SO proud of her! EJ is already working on learning to read. Mrs. Lyle is starting with her on sight words and I am working with her at home. There is a girl in her class who can read. It drives my ultra competitive, overachieving, must be the best, daughter crazy that someone can do something she can't! I am glad she has a love of learning and pray it continues a life time. Our preschool journey has been reasonably enjoyable. We did have one bump in the road. We pulled EJ out for about 3 days while the situation with the paraprofessional was sorted out. As much as I would love to homeschool I, at this point, have to accept that EJ is flourishing in public school and LOVES going. There hasn't been a single day which she has asked to stay home from school. I miss her terribly during the day! Having her gone for 8 hours a day has been a huge adjustment for me. EJ made the transition much easier! HA!
We are so thankful that she is excelling in school, that she loves it, and most importantly that she is letting her light shine for Jesus! Every single time we drop her off we ask her about who her light shines for:).

Goooooo Bearcats!!

Our Little Politician!

I took the kiddos to watch our local high school football team, a ball was had by all:)! I made the girls matching tutu's using team colors:)! Guice could not get enough of it! His Daddy is hoping for a football player, I am thinking more along the lines of chess. EJ was all about the Cheerleaders and the band! During the half time show EJ stood and mimicked the drum major. Evergrace loved watching all the people and being passed around from person to person, they all called her a little politician:)! We will be attending many more games for sure!

Lovin it!!

Just So You Know...

My children look nothing like my husband:)! I hear all the time how much they look like Josh, well I have proof they don't! I will give him the blue eyes...those are all his.
These are pics of my brother Jody, cousin Erica, and yours truly!Jessica Elisabeth

As much as I hate to admit it Boo looks so much like Jody in this pic! Also, notice how much E looks just like MEEEEEEE:)!

This is Joshua....I see ZERO resemblance...just sayin'!

Zoe...

To be completely honest I can not stand this dog! In short it is ugly and stupid. However, my kids LOVE it! They play together for hours on end. Zoe is so good with them & they are not good at all with her:). G loves to wrestle her to the ground, she just lets him!
A boy who LOVES his dog!

Sweet Cousins!!

Ayden & Ethan came to town, the kiddos had a blast! Ethan is such a cuddle bug! I only snapped shots of the oldest three, poor Ethan & Evergrace:)! Things are just a bit hectic with 5 monkeys! Next time I will be sure to get some pics of all the little ones!

Peek-A-Boo!!

Girl, Boy, Girl.....

BOY!!!! We found out for sure we are having a son! It was not a complete surprise thanks to my rocking intuition and intelligender:)! The tech was the coolest EVER! She was super nice and oohed & awed right along with us, like she doesn't see 20 week babies all day every day:). We took the monkeys and I am so very glad we did! They had a blast and thought it was amazing, which it was! I hope to never forget their faces when they heard the baby's heartbeat! PRICELESS! Also, EJ & G watched the screen like hawks. Honestly, I watched their faces more than the scan. Melissa asked them what they wanted, they began to chant! Too funny! She went to get a gender shot and did not have to look for long! Guice & Emery Jai (even if she will not admit it:) were so happy! As were Josh and I! Evergrace wasn't impressed with the whole fiasco:). I am so glad we took the kids and they got to experience it with us. We are going to have two sons!! Very cool!! Everyone has a brother and everyone has a sister! Perfect!
Our newest checked out great! He is a little chubbers he is 1 lb! He is measuring over a week ahead, surprise surprise..not really! HA! He checked out 100% healthy and we couldn't be happier!
He does have a name....but we are tweaking it a bit! As you know, we always change the name so I want to be sure this time:)! Last night I was looking back over my blog at previous ultrasound pics of Maryalyce & Finley:)!!
I do have super cute pics that I will get posted soon!! Until then you will just have to trust me, he is just as insanely gorgeous as his THREE older siblings and I am positive he is as brilliant!
We are overjoyed and in awe with our brand new boy!! Of course, we are so thankful to GOD for giving us yet another gift! What a blessing!!

Big Sister To Be..

Guice..

Putting together Boo's page for his senior yearbook is going to be too easy:)!!

This about sums it up...

How we spent our weekend! It was super loooonnnnggg! We hung around the house, rested, watched movies, and rested a bit more! By Sunday night the kiddos were going crazy. We are always on the go so this was a big change for us! We have all recouped from the strep and are on the mend! Wooohooo! I never took my antibiotics because they were not completely safe for breastfeeding or expectant moms, and I happen to be both:). I had planned on calling my O.B. for safer drugs but I am completely symptom free. I am hoping that is our last run in with sickness for a very long time!

Dr. Anderson!

Emery Jai's preschool is having career week! She is having a blast. So far they have been visited by a policeman, fireman, doctor, and a veterinarian. She has brought home some fun little prizes. She was very excited about the doctor and now that is what she wants to be when she grows up. I asked her what his name was and she told me "you know mom, it was a lady! Girls can be doctors too!" Ha! I quickly backtracked and whole heartily agreed!

Streptococcus....

Strep Throat has struck the Anderson household. Guice, Evergrace, and yours truly are infected. I hope EJ & Josh can stay in the clear! EJ because I can't stand seeing my kiddo's sick and Josh because he is the BIGGEST baby ever when he doesn't feel well. Just keepin' it real! We have been blessed it isn't super terrible. Guice and Evergrace are being super good considering. We took Guice in this morning and received his diagnoses. E and I fell sick a short 5 hours later. The pharmacist laughed when we came in for our antibiotics. I am glad she found humor in the situation:). So Evergrace and Guice are on their first rounds of antibiotics ever. I am a bit sad that E is taking them this early but so grateful for modern medicine at the same time! Guice didn't want to take his because it is pink! The pharmacist told him it was boy pink that did the trick! He is fine with it now! Being concerned with taking pink meds coming from a boy with painted nails is a bit funny:)! Guice and Evergrace are improving greatly with just a couple doses of medication, very very thankful!

18 Weeks!

Time is flying by or at least not dragging like the first 13 weeks. Those seemed to last forever! We received our quad screen results and they were normal! Praise GOD! After everything we dealt with during our last pregnancy we were very anxious to hear the results. That was for sure the highlight of the past week. I am feeling much more movement but still not anywhere near regular kicks. They are getting much stronger. I notice them while standing or walking unlike the first weeks I felt tiny bumps. I think what I am enjoying most right now is Emery Jai and Guice's commentary regarding the pregnancy and their new sibling. They are very involved and ask unprovoked questions about the baby who we call him or by our boy name:)! I know, I know, I know, it could very well be a girl. If so G will flip out! EJ did make it very clear that she is to be the only one in the family with red hair and if the baby is born with red hair we will sell it. Ha! Guice wants to be in the room when "the doctor gets the baby out" his words! I told him that it isn't very much fun in that room and he would be having a blast playing with Pop and NeNa. I made it clear that as soon as the baby was here he could come and see the baby. He would not even entertain that idea. He said he wanted to help me and he wanted the baby to see him first. I didn't have the heart to tell him that wasn't even a remote possibility. I would see him and the other monkeys an hour or so later after I moved rooms showered and relaxed a bit:)! Guice asked when is the baby will be here constantly, so does EJ. If they overhear anything about me going to the doctor they ask "are you getting the baby out yet." I am so glad they are so excited. Now the dragon will be a different story for sure:)! She will pat and kiss my belly and say baby baby, but of course is clueless, she is a smart for 15 months but come on:)! E loves babies! Anytime we are around one, which is quite often two of my close friends gave birth in September and we see them a couple times a week, she screams and yells to HOLD them! I guess she thinks they are baby dolls. She loves and carries and holds and plays with dolls all day, well who am I kidding...for about 15 min. a day. That is a lot of time for her:)! I am praying that she has a quick and easy adjustment to her sibling. Through God all things are possible!!

You Are My....

I am your parent you are my child
I am your quiet place, you are my wild
I am your calm face, you are my giggle
I am your wait, you are my wiggle
I am your audience, you are my clown
I am your London Bridge, you are my falling down
I am your carrot sticks, you are my licorice
I am your dandelion, you are my first wish
I am your water wings, you are my deep
I am your open arms, you are my running leap
I am your way home, you are my new path
I am your dry towel, you are my wet bath
I am your dinner, you are my chocolate cake
I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake
I am your finish line, you are my race
I am your praying hands, you are my saving grace
I am your favorite book, you are my new lines
I am your nightlight, you are my sunshine
I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo
I am your kiss goodnight, you are my I love you.
written by Maryann K Cusimano

Times are a changin'!!

I am entering the work force!! A whooping 12 hours a week I will be spending my time in a psych ward, it is going to be a walk in the park compared to being home with 3 little ones 24/7:). I will be doing groups and such, I am looking forward to it! I think it is just perfect for me! I am home with the kiddos almost all the time and then one or two days a week I get out and about. I am a bit nervous about working, honestly I have a serious case of mommy brain:). I wasn't looking for a job at all. I had turned in my application two years ago and they called me two weeks ago out of the blue! I told them that I wasn't really looking, thanks but no thanks. She insisted that I come in and have a chat. I went in with a list of stipulations and she agreed to all of them, resulting in me having a JOB. I honestly have mixed feelings, I am excited to go to work use my degree that still gives me nightmares (no joke). I am also a bit sad about having other obligations other than my hubby, babies, and home. I know it is not many hours at all but as it stands my days are wide open and I really like it and am super accustomed to it. I pray it will work out! Time will tell! I got super excited and a bit carried away last night while ordering scrubs. I have a confession, when my bff Andi and I were in our Sr. year of college we desperately wanted a job where we could wear scrubs! Ha! Seriously! I heart scrubs! They do scare me a bit because I under no uncertain terms want to be mistaken for someone who is in the direct care field. I don't touch people, it is a rule of mine. So stay tuned for updates about my job, of course I will abide by any and all HIPPA regulations! Ha!!

Firehouse Rock!!

The two littlest monkeys and I spend our Mondays at our local library enjoying story time! This is our second year, we just love it! This weeks letter was F! We went on a special little outing to the firehouse. G was over the moon excited! He LOVES firetrucks! He was a bit confused because he thought they were going to throw candy at him, like at a parade:)! Guice has decided he is going to be a fireman when he grows up and live at the firehouse. He came home and asked Josh if he would be a fireman too:). I think that made his Daddy's day! E loved the stroller ride down town to the station. She is finally not screaming when riding in it. I know it would be an adjustment transitioning to being carried everywhere and all the time in the wrap or sling to riding in a stroller but this preggo momma couldn't hang with the wrap a second longer:)!
E sitting at the table with the big kids...for about 10 sec. Then she is down to yank books off the shelves!
E & G looking GROWN!

FIRE TRUCK!!!

Boo was so excited he kept covering his mouth:)!

Getting to sit IN it! Still covering his mouth:)!

Wearing a fireman's hat! G asked if he could have it instead of the plastic play hat they handed out! He tried, to no avail, to trade with the fireman.

Hayden, Gloria, Austin, Sam, Bree, Madalyn, Guice, Isabelle, & Finleigh with the Fireman! We have the cutest bunch of little ones:)!

Next week I have the letter G....There is noway I am going to be able to top this week:)! Any suggestions for G???? Anyone???

17 weeks & 3 Days!

I am just 15 days from finding out boy or girl!! I am sooo exited to put not only a gender but a name with the new little monkey! Honestly, we refer to the baby as a him and also call him by his name. If it's a girl we are going to be in for a shock for sure! I should add we do not care either way! God has picked the perfect little one for our family and that is an awesome concept! However, Guice doesn't share in our line of thinking he insists it is a boy and will not even discuss the possibility of another sister! For this reason we are not taking him, or any of the kiddos, to the scan. I am honestly afraid if they said girl he would freak smooth out.
I am feeling okay, still very very tired. I am a very busy momma to 3 little ones 4 and under so I am trying to let the small things go and rest! Also, one is a booby monster! Evergrace is not having any part of weaning or even slowing down. She still has the nursing patterns of a 3 month old. EXHAUSTING! On a positive note, I haven't thrown up in about a week! That is a huge praise report! I have been feeling movement for about 2 weeks! Love LoVe LOVE it! Josh hasn't been able to feel yet but I am sure it is right around the corner. I am craving all kinds of food! Unfortunately, I live in the smallest town in America! That might be a slight exaggeration but there isn't a lot of food choices! I am thankful I have started craving subway and we do have one of those! Woooohoooo! I had three chicken breast sandwiches in a four day period! HA! I am planning on a trip to central Arkansas and it evolves around all the places I want to eat!
Baby & Me!

Yep, my hair is waaayyy different! It is growing on me! Like the cut but I think it needs highlights....what do you think:)?

just another sunday in the south....

We had an amazing and blessed day, as the majority of Sundays in our house are. We went to church to worship and praise our Lord! The service was awesome and as always our kiddos couldn't wait to get there. I love that they enjoy going and are being raised in church. I have to add that we also have God in our home! They love being with us during praise and worship, especially our music man boo! After song service they go to their class, they are in the same one, for a bible lesson. As soon as we pick them up it is a race to see which one can recite all they learned first! After that we head out to eat, like all good Christians (it's a joke, lighten up:)). We usually meet a couple other families for lunch. Today we had a party of 15, I believe we had 6 adults the rest were kids! It was a great, albeit hectic time, of fellowship. Josh and I headed home to put our monkeys down for a nap and be lazy the rest of the afternoon. Joshua headed off about 6ish to play basketball at the church. The kiddos and I grabbed some subway and called it a night! Just wanted a recorded of my favorite day of the week! Um, Yep, that was the point of the whole post:)!

I heart fall!

We are lovin' this weather! Almost daily we pick EJ up and head to one of the two parks in the area:). Our play date schedule is packed to the max with super fun playmates! It is sooo nice to be spending so much time out and about. We went close to crazy this summer with the insane heat! There is one inside play place in our quaint little town, lets just say it got old quick. We are welcoming fall with open arms! The kids love meeting their friends for an afternoon of running & sliding!
My pretty little E! Miss EJ striking a pose! Hollywood bound for sure!
G much more interested in playing than taking pics!
A bonus pic of Evergrace, she is the only one who is slow enough for me to get a pic of these days:)!

Homecoming!!!

While my many little ones were spending quality time with the Grands I went and watched my beautiful niece in homecoming! Cheyenne looked amazing! I haven't been to a high school football game in years! It was a lot of fun! The Bearcats are 5 and 0, very exciting game. G would be upset if he knew I snuck off without him:). The next home game I have full intentions of loading up the crew and taking them (yes, by myself:)) to a game....I will keep you posted!

Wiped out!

Poor Boo fell asleep sitting up with a shake dumped in his lap, yep he was tired!

16 Week Appt!

I have switched providers for this pregnancy so I had another check up today! I would go everyday to hear that sweet heart beat:). I almost ordered a doppler but then decided I would drive myself crazy with it, so I didn't or at least not yet:)! I really like my new OB so far, Dr. R, he is super nice. I know him from outside the office and was a bit hesitant to use him because of it. However, all our friends use him and love him. I can see why now! He is super professional and spends tons of time going over everything with you! Very very nice. I think I am going to very happy with the change! Our little one sounded great hear rate was 156. My blood pressure was 110/70. The biggest news is our anatomy scan is scheduled for the 26TH! We are looking forward to seeing if our $35 Internet investment was right or if we need to scrap our boys name and get started on a girl one:)!

Weekend at Pop & NeNa's!!

NeNa and Pop took the three monkeys to their house for two whole nights! They had a blast! They were super busy with pictures, the walk-a-thon, and getting a NEW PONY! EJ was upset that she couldn't stay longer. Preschool has put a damper on her travailing. E did fantastic away from me. She only wants or ask to nurse when I am around if I am out of sight she is 100% fine with not nursing! G loved the new pony who EJ named Frosty Pumpkin:)! Guice got to ride him! EJ, G, & E can't wait to go back for an extended visit hopefully soon!

Evergrace is ONE!

Okay so she is 14 months:)!! She is such a little doll! Super social, just like her older siblings! Smiles, waves, says hi to everyone she sees. As long as everything is going her way she is extremely happy, the second she hears no it's all over. Evergrace can throw one heck of a screaming fit for sure. She says a ton of words and jabbers all of the time. E loves to eat and isn't a picky eater. She can walk but doesn't very much, her preferred mode of transportation is being carried. Evergrace has a hat full of tricks she can point to her eyes, nose, and hair, act like she is washing her hair, fake cough, fake sneeze, among other tricks her brother and sister love it! Evergrace loves Guice and Emery Jai. G and E have become buds now that EJ is at school. E said Guice before she said Emery Jai, Guice won't let Emery Jai forget it either. She seems tiny to me but everyone says how tall she is and that she is chunky. She is nursing still. We are not sure how long she is going to continue. Evergrace is a serious booby baby, it is all she knows. She hasn't ever had a bottle or pacifier! Speaking of which she is super healthy! She has only been to the doctor for well child check ups her whole first year! Yes, you read that correctly NO sick appointments, not one. No antibiotics or anything! I totally credit exclusive breastfeeding for her health. If you haven't noticed I am a huge advocate for breastfeeding:)! Because it is breast cancer awareness month I will throw this in also, breastfeeding lowers your chance of breast cancer and also your daughters!
Evergrace seems to pick up a new word or trick daily! She is such a joy! I am looking forward to her reaction to becoming a big sister in a few months. I am sure she is going to do great! This first year has been wonderful and has gone much to fast....