Mom or Dad?

It has been fun discovering who Ty is more like physically and with his personality. I have secretly been keeping score and although Jake was winning with everyone commenting on how much he looks like Jake, which is a big one and worth a lot of points I am happy to say I won the hair, and the shape of the head (2 for me).  This past week more and more of his personality has come out and I am thrilled to say (in the voice of Courtney from the Bachelor) "WINNING".   Here is a picture I took of Ty sleeping in his bouncer

See how his feet out of his blanket? I cannot keep his feet covered to save my life he always kicks them out from under his blanket. It took me a good while to realize that I hate having my feet covered and sleep just like this. (1 more point for me). Then today I was giving Ty tummy time and less than 2 minutes on his stomach he did this...

  This happens almost all the time, I place him on his tummy and he falls asleep.  This has been one of the things I love most about not being prego anymore. Even through throughout my pregnancy I tried and still sleep on my stomach up until the day he was born its not as comfortable as it is now.  It is so fun to watch more of his personality develop and to see if he is more like me or Jake or if he is going to come out of nowhere lol.  Its funny how being a parent all the sudden I find joy and excitement in the simplest things. 

Family Vaca

We had an amazing, fun weekend in St. George celebrating Jakes dads birthday. It was the first family vacation I had been on with Jakes whole family. It was incredibly fun and relaxing and I was more than a little sad to leave the warm flip flop weather.

We left Thursday after Jake was done with class. Thursday was a big day for us because Ty was now 2 months old so we had a couple of different dr appointments including the dreaded shots one. It was bad...I think the only reason I didn't cry was because we had been to the hospital with him just a couple of weeks ago. But it is never a fun experience to watch him scream and be so angry with us. However the screams only lasted a couple of minutes and he feel asleep and now he's vaccinated! When we took Ty for his 1 month check up we found out he was in the 90th percentile for height and 25th for weight (poor child has 2 parents who were both freakishly tall and skinny as children which means he has no hope). Luckily though when he went for 2 months his weight is now in the 50th percentile (11.10) and his height is still the 85th percentile. At least the weight is normal now.

On our way to get shots...

Ty literally loves his carseat. Sometimes when he is being fussy because he's so tired and he won't sleep I just put him in his carseat and he falls asleep for hours. So driving with him is always easy...knock on wood it continues! So the drive down to St. George was easy and fast. We got to Jakes parents house about 8:30 and just went to bed. Since having Ty we are complete party animals, can you tell from the time we go to bed?

T's ready for our family walk

Ty is on a new fun schedule of waking up between 7:15 and 7:30 because apparently 8 is not early enough for him to get going. So I have been trying to make the most of the fact that Ty is ready to go first thing in the morning. So Friday morning we went on a family walk around the neighborhood. It was the first time we had gone on a walk all together, since I'm a wimp and need warm weather to walk outside. After we got back we all carpooled down to Vegas to go to Randy's favorite restaurant Margaritaville. This was a special trip because it was Ty's first time meeting his Uncle Joseph. He has some special touch because literally all babies LOVE him. After lunch we all drove back to St. George and had a really fun party for Randy's 60th birthday.

It was impossible to capture the view we woke up to each morning

Saturday was a nice chill day. We went on another family walk, then all of Jakes siblings and their spouses went to lunch together. It was to just sit down and talk with everyone. Overall it was a great weekend. I think growing up in the church you always learn about the importance of families and how special they are. Since having Ty I know that Jake and I have a new sense of the importance of family. We want Ty to grow up surrounded by family as we both did. I want him to know how special both families are and how loved he is. He has great examples to look too and I hope he takes advantage of that. I absolutely love my immediate family and being away from them is hard but luckily Jakes family is so close. I feel so grateful Jake has 2 wonderful grandparents who do so much for the people around them. Jake and I are constantly talking about how grateful we are for both our parents and how special they are to us. I hope Ty grows up loving his grandparents as much as I love mine. Having a baby has turned me into a complete sap and a person who is crazy about celebrating special events. Oh well at least I'm realizing this now so I can prepare for the fact that my children and Jake will forever be annoyed with me. I guess it always could be worse!

Ty meeting his Uncle Joseph for the 1st time

All of Jakes siblings

Tears

I don't know if it is because I still have a little bit of pregnancy hormones in my body or if it is just a new thing I can come to expect since having a baby but I tear up and cry at practically EVERYTHING.  No joke I have been watching Ellen everyday for 2 weeks and I cry every episode that I watch. 

Watching her give away things to deserving people always gets the water-works flowing.  As I was driving home I was stopped at a light next to a man who was holding a sign that said "Laid off dad of 3 anything will help".  I immediately got a little teary-eyes (apparently its not just Ellen) as I started thinking about that situation and how common it tends to be these days.  As I reflected on his situation I realized that odds are Jake and I will never be faced with a situation like that.  Don't get me wrong we are poorer than dirt on the road right now but I also know that we can only go up.  I just received my diploma today and Jake will get his in April.  Regardless of the fact that we will both have a college degree I also know that if things were to get to the lowest of low where Jake would have to go out to the streets we have family who could and would step in.  I know that we are extremely blessed to be from families who have the ability to help us.  I hope that wherever Jake and I end up that we can be in a position to help people out.  I know that we will never be able to help out people like Ellen but I would love to be able to be a secret Santa for deserving families in our ward, to take someone on the side of the road and help them out, just having the ability to help at any time is someone that I deeply hope can and will happen soon...

But if you have the chance I suggest watching Ellen, it is nice to spend an hour a day watching someone do amazing things for deserving people.  For now I will continue to watch Ellen while I pack for our trip this weekend to Vegas and St George for my FIL's birthday.   

Reflections

Yesterday was one of the best birthdays I ever had! Not only did Ty slept 5 hours in between feedings which means that I was able to get a lot of sleep, but he fell asleep fast after each feeding and didn't get the hiccups!  Around 8:30 Ty woke up for good in the morning and Jake surprised me with breakfast from my favorite place Kneaders.  It was a very nice and completely unexpected surprise.  I realized that one of the really great things about putting a baby on a schedule is that it allows for nice unexpected surprises like yesterday.  Needless to say it was a wonderful morning!  

Then I was able to hang out with Ty all day while Jake was in school. Since I have dropped off Jake for school Ty and I just walked around different stores looking at things and wishing I had an unlimited amount of money to do a bunch of crafts. However that thought process only lasted about 5 minutes before I realized that even if I had all the money in the world to craft I wouldn't because I'm not crafty.  I have come to terms with the fact that I sometimes wish I could do things that I actually never want to do.  Apart from that random tangent I loved shopping with T.  Last week while Jake and my dad were shooting zombie terrorists (no joke) and bows and arrows my mom took me and my sisters shopping for my birthday.  Well I thought that, that was the extent of my birthday presents from my parents...a day where Jake is utterly entertained shooting guns and bows and arrows as well as some new clothes for me.  I received an email around 3 letting me know that wasn't the case.  I am so excited to go pick it up next week from best buy.   

After we picked Jake up from school Jake's parents took us to my favorite restaurant the Cheesecake Factory.  I seriously LOVE that place and have decided that restaurants and the only food that I like in those restaurants is the reason that I can only button 2 pairs of pants (thanks goodness I bought a belly band in the beginning of my pregnancy).  Then we came home and Jake and I watched The Help while Ty cuddled with us.  

It is crazy to me to think that last year was the last birthday I had before becoming a mom.  I kept thinking all day about when Ty was born and how just 23 years ago my parents were experiencing those same feelings with me.  Being a mom has opened my eyes to what I feel like is a whole new world.  I have a new profound appreciation for my parents and all that they do for me and my family.  I have found a new joy in celebrating holidays and dressing up Ty for different events where I know we'll take pictures.  It was a wonderful birthday and I loved spending time with Jake and Ty.  Now that I am 23 (feels so weird) I am working on 23 days of activities and pictures.       

 On a side note for Christmas my mom gave Ty this rattle that looks like a dumbbell.  On the cover of the toy it says "Never be embarrassed by baby fat again!" The whole cover and toy are extremely funny and Ty loves it!  He hangs on tight and moves it around all the time, he get this funny look on his fact because he can't figure out where the sound is coming from.  He is my ultimate entertainment, I love watching him grow and become more alert.  

Ty is working off some baby fat

Jake and Ty were not as in to The Help as I was

On the way to Cheesecake Factory

Best (pre) Birthday Present Ever

During pregnancy they always talk about how they prefer to have you sleep on your left side because it is the best for blood flow. When I was prego anytime I rolled or tried to sleep on my left side Ty would kick like crazy until I rolled onto my right, then he would instantly stop. As soon as he was born I figured out why. He loves to roll onto his right side whether he is sleeping or cuddling. This picture of him is completely typical and an everyday experience. Although I love cuddling with him during the day, nights are another matter. Well last night T surprised me by giving me a heart attack when he sleep through the night. I never would have thought 6 hours straight of sleep would make me panic. But now that I realized he was sleeping and not dead I can say I am so excited to start getting at least 6 hours straight of sleep! Needless to say it was the best pre bday preset ever!

True Love

My mom always likes to tell this story about me when I was 4 or 5. It was Halloween and it was on a Sunday. My mom had forgotten to buy candy and since it was Sunday she didn't go out to buy some. So she turned off all the lights and pretended we weren't home. Suddenly she hears me yelling through the window to 4 large families "go away, we are very very poor and have no candy". I don't remember this but clearly I was unsatisfied with pretending we weren't home.

This is my 3 Valentines Day with Jake. Each year he has gotten me a dozen roses and mixed in a pink, yellow and orange gerber daisy because those were the flowers in my bouquet for our wedding. This fine my words are ringing true. Since we are about to completely pay off the bills from 4 hospital visits...jake and I are very very poor and have no money for Valentines day. So Jake let me know weeks ago I wouldn't be getting my normal flowers. For me that is completely fine because I said we could celebrate Valentines day during my bday dinner this weekend. Because to be honest id rather eat than have flowers. Even though we're the poorest we've ever been its been one of the best Valentines Days and one I'll always remember. We just got some ice cream and watched a movie as a little family. It was great having 2 Valentines this year! It goes to show that true love is about spending time with the people you love. Material things cant be taken with you in the next life but amazing memories can. Who would've thought the year where we have literally no money to spare, we would make some of my favorite memories. Hope everyone else had a wonderful day celebrating the ones they loved!

Ty's Blessing

Sunday was a special day for this little family as we blessed Ty.  We were fortunate enough to do the blessing at Jake's parents house.  It was nice being able to decide what time worked best for all our family as opposed to having to do it the first weekend of the month at 9 am.  It is also nice to have a small and intimate atmosphere as opposed to sacrament with everyone.  When Jake and I were doing a quick count of everyone we were inviting we realized that we were inviting 59 family members to his blessing.  At first I was shocked with the number and then the more I though about it I was overwhelmed with how what a blessing it was to have that many family members a part of this special day. 

It was an amazing sight to see so many family members standing in the circle giving T a blessing.  One of my favorite things about being a member is the emphasis placed on families and the vital role they play in our lives.  From the second T was born my heart broke for all those children who are not born to situations like he was, he is so surrounded by people who love him.  It makes me sad to think that not every child is welcomed into a home where there are not only two parents who love and adore them, but grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  I am so grateful that Ty will always be surrounded by a countless number of people who love and care about him.

It was a little bittersweet getting Ty dressed for his blessing because it hit me how fast he is growing up.  Before I know it he will be all grown up and having a family of his own.  But luckily for now I get to stay home and just cuddle with him all day.  I am so grateful for all my family members and friends who made the effort to come to his blessing and to celebrate in this special day.  It is a day that I will never forget and one that I will always cherish.  As a mom nothing breaks your heart more than someone being rude to your child and flip is also true where nothing in the world makes you happier than people loving and recognizing what a special child you have.  I look forward to all the special memories that are just waiting to happen and I love Ty more than I ever thought I could.  Jake and I always talk about how that first night we all spent together in the hospital, looking at T I finally understood how my parents felt about me.  Words cannot describe the feelings that come over me when I hold him or when he looks up at me and smiles.      

I'll stop being a crazy, sappy mom and finish this post with some of my favorite pictures from that day.

From left to right: this is a picture of the D ring that Jake wore when he was blessed, Ty with G&G Dallin, Ty with both my Grandparents, Ty with his buddy Eric, Ty with Nana and Papa Foutz

Ty in his outfit on his blessing blanket my gma made, our little family, Ty with both his grandparents, Jake putting the Dallin ring on Ty, Jake holding him right after blessing him,  Ty with his 3 single Aunts.

One of my all time favorite pictures from that day

Another favorite picture, Jake is wearing the same tie he wore when I went to the temple to receive my endowments as well as the day we got married. 

Personality

Little T isn't feeling too great today so we have spent all day in bed doing this

It seems that the only thing that makes Ty feel better is to have me hold him.  It would make things hard if I had things to do but luckily I completed all the laundry yesterday so today is a lay in bed and make Ty feel better day.  On a side note I absolutely love this second picture.  Ty always has his right hand up on his face when he sleeps.  When we went to get our 20 week ultrasound picture more than 1/2 of all our pictures have his hand up by his face just like this picture.  It is funny to think about how he had already developed his personality before being born.  It makes me look forward to what other little personality traits he will show us.  Hope your day is as cozy as mine is. 

Changes

Before Ty was born I hated being stuck in the house.  Some of my earliest memories are feeling the constant need to either play with someone or to be out going somewhere.  I hate feeling trapped and bored, which leads to random drives around town and wandering pointlessly through Target and Walmart. 

Well every since Ty was born I have become essentially cured of this problem.  I dont know if it is because of the fact that I am just now starting to sleep for 5 hour periods or the fact that I now live in pjs... I have come to learn that it is pointless to get dressed in cute, normal clothes when I spend all day alone with T and due to the fact that breastfeeding requires its own unique wardrobe.  Regardless of the reason, I just love being at home with him which is a little weird for me but fun at the same time.      

During his early morning feeding he conveniently falls asleep and sleeps best if in our bed 

But its hard to be annoyed that he wants to cuddle in our bed when he has this face

 

So for now I am one happy stay at home mommy who is counting down the hours till my family comes!!! The big day happens tomorrow at 9:30 pm ish.  I am so excited that they are coming out here this weekend for T's blessing.  Its been almost 4 weeks since I have seen my family and I can't wait! 

I have always missed living near my family but I was always happier to live in Utah than Hemet, and was grateful for my little bit of independence.  However all that was shot when Ty was born.  Since having him I truly miss spending a TON of time with my family.  It is so nice to see them interact with him and to just be together as a family.  Although I dont know if I will ever live close to my family I am grateful to be done with school so that whenever I want I can take the opportunity to go down and visit them. 

Needless to say this weekend will be much needed.  Plus if I have to guess I think T is sick of my telling him every diaper change and feeding about how many days left he sees his grandparents and aunts.  Oh well I'm sure I have plenty of days left ahead of me where he will be sick of my telling him things.  For now I'll wait and see what other changes are in store for me and this new adventure of life.

Infomercials

Ty has never been a baby who ate quickly. I don't know if it is because he is a boy or just likes to take his time eating but feedings always take like 30 min. So this week I wised up and left the tv on mute when I went to bed. This way when T wakes up to eat at 1 and 3 and 5:30 I have sometime to watch besides staring at the wall. After last nights feeding I have decided that late at night I am a sucker for infomercials. I watched 4 different ones and every one of them had me convinced to pull out my card and call. Then the working part of my brain let me know that I don't actually need to pay 120 dollars for hair conditioner when my hair is in great shape. But I did convince myself to go to best buy (jakes other love beside me and ty) to see if I could find a fun Zumba DVD. Why Zumba? Because Monday I decided it was time to start working out. Let me tell you that was the most pathetic I have ever felt trying to run. It was a sad day and I have yet to try again. So last night watching a Zumba infomercial I decided that, that is the key to making me fit in my pants again. So fingers crossed I can find something to make me drop the remaining pounds hopefully before Ts blessing where I'll be taking lots of pictures. I am a little excited to see what's going to be on tonight...

Valentines Day

I always love the month of February. Maybe it is because we always had a nice long break or because it means that spring and summer are right around the corner. But in honor of the first day of the month I snapped this little pic of my valentine this year. I have a feeling this will be a great holiday