A new life, a new challenge, and coming up on a new year!

Well, as you can tell I have been terrible about updating everyone on our life! I quit my job at Lennox Industries back in September to be a stay at home mom. I have loved taking care of Boston full time. It was definitely the right decision, and I'm so happy! It's amazing to me how fast the days fly by. Before I quit I thought. "Okay, so I stay home and I get a bunch of the things done that I've been meaning to do, and I take care of Boston, but then what?". "What is life going to be like months from now, or a year from now?" Although, it hasn't been a year (obviously) I easily see myself at home a year from now. I no longer think "What am I going to do with myself?" Being a mom at home takes up SO MUCH time, and it is very rewarding. It's not easy, but it is definitely worth it.  I miss my friends at work sometimes, but they still let me drop by to say hi :) All in all life at home is great.

2 weeks ago Boston was laying down for a nap on our huge chase/couch and I thought he was asleep when I went in and started making dinner. Ian came home and went to the bathroom. I got on the phone with our doctor about a bill, then minutes later I hear Boston hit the floor I immediately dropped the phone and ran to him in panic. He was crying, but Ian and I thought he was okay. He fell less than a foot and a half, and I thought it just scared him more than anything, but then we noticed when he went to crawl he couldn't put pressure on his right arm. Ian and I thought he might have sprained it somehow in the fall, so I hurry and called the doctor as we were loading him in his carseat. We rushed into the pediatrician just before they closed that night and had them take xrays. Sadly, it was broken. He had fractured both bones in his right arm just below the wrist. I felt terrible. I started crying right there in the doctor's office. "How could I have let this happen?" I thought to myself. I kept kicking myself for worrying about a stupid bill when I should have been checking on my son to make sure he was asleep. "Why did I let him sleep on the chase/couch at all? This was all my fault." It was a tremendous amount of guilt I felt, and I suddenly had a very small understanding of what it might be like for other parents who go through traumatic events much worse than this. That thought broke my heart. It took me a long while to get past those feelings, even still when people see my son in a cast and ask me "Oh no, what happened to his arm?" it is not easy. I've gotten over most of the guilt and beating myself up about it now. I realize now, accidents are going to happen. Life is precious, and I'm just grateful that's all that happened. I've connected with other parents that have gone through similar events, and some that have gone through worse. It has given me a greater understanding and appreciation for forgiveness. Mistakes are going to happen, but the most important thing is that we allow ourselves to work through them and come out with a greater understanding of ourselves, our capacity, and of others.

I have to say, Boston was so tough through the whole process! Even though the examination and xrays were painful for him, he still smiled and reached out for the Medical Assistants and Doctor after it was all done. I love that sweet boy!

Here is my boy sporting his splint and his cast.

This was Boston's FIRST Christmas. We were so excited to be able to celebrate with him. Even though he has no clue what is going on, it was lots of fun! He was showered with gifts from Mom, Dad, Grandmas, Grandpa, and Great-Grandparents!! This boy got lots of stuff and it was so much fun. He did meet Santa this year, although I do not have any official photos of it.

We were visiting Dad at work while he painted the Wells Fargo building. There was a Christmas party going on one of the floors below us and somehow Santa knew Boston was there. Santa made a special visit just to see him! There was no waiting in line, and it was completely by surprise! At first he was excited, until Mom wasnt' holding him anymore. He didn't cry, but he was close. He wasn't sure what to think of the big jolly man. We did get a short video on Ian's phone, but that's it. I'm happy he got to meet him though!

This was Christmas morning at our house. Boston got a wagon full of blocks, and the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Home. He loves them.

His Grandparents surprised him with his first four wheeler.

and a "car" that is a ride/walker (as well as other toys and books!)

His Aunt Ratt gave him this HUGE sock monkey, that is now his cuddle buddy during story time.

Now that Christmas is over, we are excited and looking forward to ringing in a New Year! 2012 sure had a LOT of changes and firsts for us. Who knows what this next year will bring.

9 Month Photos

I'm really late posting these. We got pictures taken at Wheeler Farm of him at 9 months. He was so much fun this day. This was the first time he had seen and been able to touch the fall leaves. He couldn't get enough! He had to be holding a leaf at all times. It was so funny!

Six Months. Already?!

Wow! SIX MONTHS?!

Where has the time gone? I can't believe my little newborn has turned into this squealing, jabbering, rolling, sitting up, cute stinker I have now. This boy is such a joy. It is so fun having a six month old. He LOVES playing, he smiles ALL the time, he giggles, he "talks", he rolls, plays on his tummy, he is just SOO much fun.

I LOVE THIS LITTLE STINKER!

sitting up all on his own!

His daddy's FAVORITE picure

We were trying to get a picture of him with his head up while laying on his tummy, but since he was so tired this was as good as we got :) I kinda like it! ha ha.

He LOVES this spoon. It's meant for 12-24 month olds so they can feed themselves, but Boston loves it as a teether. LOL. It has a flexible top and he chews this thing ALL DAY LONG. So naturally we decided we needed a picture of him with it.

We got his 6 months pictures done at Foto Fly in Draper. He hadn't napped most the day, and our pictures were scheduled after I got off work, so it was late. He ended up falling asleep on the ride over, and it took a lot to wake him up :( I felt bad, because he hadn't napped much and really needed it, but I didn't feel like I could cancel either...Luckily, he woke up and was pretty happy for us. He didn't smile much but he gave us plenty of fun pictures.

Boating with our Sunday School Class

Last year Ian and I were put into Sunday School to teach the 16-17 year olds. At the end of the summer last year our kids found out we had a boat, and from then on they have been asking us to take them boating.

So this year, we organized it and finally did it! They had sooo much fun. Ian and I enjoyed ourselves too. I went on the tube with a couple of the girls and Ian did not hold back! He whipped us off so many times. We were flying off and catching air as we fell in the water. It really was SO much fun. I'm pretty sure we are going to need to go again next year ;)

Abbie & Brittney

Brittney, trying to keep the tube in...ha ha

Josie, showing everyone how it's done.

Brittney and Josie getting whipped off...I'm pretty sure this is the time they tried to tube while on their backs. Crazy girls.

Brittney and me :)

Playing outside the boat.

We tried to teach a couple of the girls how to wakeboard that had never been...Although by this time in the day the waves were getting a bit choppy. Maybe next time they will get it!

Getting flipped around.

SO MUCH FUN! We hope they had fun, and LOVE these kids so much! We will definately try to get everyone together to go out again next year! 

First Time Swimming!

We took Boston in a pool for the first time a couple of Saturdays ago. It was his 6 month mark EXACTLY, and it was my family's Family Reunion. Every summer they rent out a swimming pool in Tooele and we have the place all to ourselves for a few hours.

Everyone was so excited to see how Boston would do the first time in the water. My two brothers, my grandparents, my parents, my uncle, Ian, and I were all huddled around him waiting and watching his first reaction. (spoiled right? he has no clue how much his family loves him...)All I can say is he LOVED IT. It was so funny to watch him kick his feet around and get excited with everything.

I definately want to take him to a pool again. It was just as much (if not more) fun for me to watch him play in the water as it was for him.

Jackson Hole, WY

Ian & I wanted to go on a little summer vacation, and decided Jackson Hole would be a good choice. We figured it wouldn't be too long of a drive to take Boston on, and yet far enough away that it felt a ways from home. So after a long week of work, we took off on a Friday night and drove through the night till we got to Jaskson.

In the morning Boston woke up and we checked into our campground at the Jaskson KOA. This picture was taken as we were waiting in the parking lot to check in at the KOA.

 

He LOVED holding onto the wheel. I think it made him feel like a big boy :)

I'll be honest, camping with a 5 month old...it wasn't the easiest thing. There are things I'd do differently if I had to do it again, but mostly I just wouldn't camp in a tent with a baby again. It was hard to get him to fall asleep with all the noises and hard to keep him entertained while in the tent sometimes. There was even one night that we couldn't get him to sleep and it was 11PM and it was starting to rain, so we loaded him up in the car and drove the approx 10 miles into town, went into the only store open to look for dry clothes, and ended up pushing him in the cart till he fell asleep and drove all the way back to the campsite so that we could finally go to bed some time around 12:30AM. Sheesh. That was not a fun night.

Although, we had the best tent site in the whole KOA, it was right next to the river and we had our own little penninsula that we would walk out on and stick our hands and feet in the water. We would walk along the bank of the river and watch the rafters and waves. We went shopping and site seeing. We met lots of different people and on the very last night, everyone in the nearby campsites came over to our campsite while we roasted marshmallows, made smores, and shared lots of stories! That was a lot of fun.

All in all, I'm glad we went. We had a lot of fun times, and I had never been to Jackson Hole. There is SOOO much to do there! I can't wait to go back when Boston is much older so we can do everything!

We ended up checking out of the KOA earlier than we had originally planned, just because of the rough nights with Boss. We ended up checking into a hotel on the way home and spent one evening of our vacation catching up on our sleep and just enjoying the luxuries of a comfy bed, and a hot shower. Boston seemed to enjoy himself a lot better too ;)

Birthday Wishes

I am officially 25! Thanks to all that wished me a Happy Birthday today and to my family for fixing me a nice dinner and dessert. Yum.

This is my first Birthday as a mom, and I loved it. It's different having a kid, of course. My birthdays used to be all about me and I looked forward to them and kind of made them a big deal. This year, although I was excited for my birthday, I was more focused on Boston :) In fact even my gifts were partly for him! Spending time with him is my only wish. Which works out perfectly, because tomorrow I am taking a vacation day to spend just with my little boy! I can't wait :)

Here is my sweet boy on his Mother's Birthday. I think he looks so handsome dressed in his Sunday outfit. He even let mom take a picure of his smile finally!

Learning & Growing!

Boston is getting big! He is also learning a more and more each day it seems! This video was taken about a month ago...but I still love when he sticks out his tongue to me!

He now also recognizes his hands and grabs onto small toys, blankets, my shirt, etc. He does exceptionally well at keeping his head up these days. He will be three months in about another week. I can't believe how big he is getting! He is now out of size 1 diapers, which means he is over 14lbs! (14lbs 6oz to be exact). He's trying to talk more and makes lots of random noises in an effort to do this :) I am loving this little boy and just trying to savor every minute of my time with him!

Easter Sunday

Catching Up

My baby boy is now 8 weeks old and we finally got him sleeping well.  He goes to bed between 9:30-10:30 every night and wakes up around 3:00-4:00am to eat and then goes back to sleep till I have to go to work. It's been great to finally catch up on my sleep and he is fairly easy to get to bed.

I start bathing him around 8:00-8:30 then we lotion him up, read a story, and feed him. Then I sing a little song to him, lay him in his crib, turn on his mobile and seahorse and leave the room. He has gotten very good at putting himself to sleep after that.  He's usually out about 10-20 min later. It's great.

This is a picture of his first bath. He wasn't sure about it at first, but now he loves the warm water. He just hates getting out.

This is him with his seahorse. These things are amazing!

 

My handsome boy in his "rocker" outfit. He finally fits in it! He was so cute the morning I took this picture.

This is him exactly 8 weeks old. He's filling out his swing a lot more! What a little chunk ;)

He now weighs well over 11lbs! I can't believe how fast he is growing. I just love him so much!!