Bad day

Skyler has been out of town all week! He just got in tonight--so Ethan and I have been chillin, really enjoying each other. We had a pretty good week...but it all went downhill starting last night. I had about 250 pictures on my camera memory card that I wanted to get developed, so I headed to Smith's to use their little digital camera printer thing. It's pretty neat how you can really customize each picture by zooming and cropping, adding borders or text, etc. Well, I was there for about an hour (Ethan behaved like such a big boy!) and the guy working told me that they would be ready first thing in the morning. Today, I woke up and got ready for a Dr visit....on the way to the appointment, the photo manager of Smith's called and said that for whatever reason, the guy working the night before forgot to enter some sort of code that allows the pictures to be saved and printed. Great....so she was letting me know that I would have to redo the pictures (all 250 of them). I had tons of things to do still, but I had to fit in time for the pictures because I wanted them to be up and scrapbooks done by the time Sky got home. I get in to see the Dr and he told me I have what's called an umbilical hernia (a hole on the inside of my stomach right by the belly button that allows my intestines to come out-gross, I know)--and that if I didn't get it fixed it could cause major problems. We don't want that. So we scheduled a surgery date--October 3! I'm a little nervous because I have NEVER been put under. I still have my wisdom teeth!!! Also, the half marathon that I was planning on running Oct. 21 is out of the question...not to mention the fact that after surgery I am not supposed to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 2 whole weeks (a tad ridiculous if you ask me). Poor Ethan! But, on the bright side, my good husband will take 2 weeks off to stay home and take care of me! Yay. I wonder what else I could get surgery on......anyway, back to the "bad day"--we haven't gotten there yet, it was still a relatively good day at this point. After the Dr I went to Smith's hoping to spend no more than 45 min there, but unfortunately half way through, the computer thing failed and all my info was lost again! They moved me to a different one and I finished about 1 hour and 15 minutes later! There were SOOO many problems! It's a good thing I came equipped for Ethan with a bottle, peach puffs, and strawberry wagon wheels. That contained him for most of the time, but towards the end I think we were both getting VERY frustrated. Finally I finished and the lady said the pictures would be done in 30 minutes. I had to run to Target which is down the road, so it was perfect timing. Ethan fell asleep the second I put him in the car seat and by the time we got to Target he was out. I parked next to one of the cart return spots (Ethan is getting WAY too heavy to carry in) and put him in the back of the cart along with my purse. I have an automatic door lock thing on my keychain but decided not to use it because it makes the car honk twice, and I didn't want anything to wake up Ethan because we still had some errands to run. Instead I manually locked the car by reaching in the driver's side door, and apparently I'm a little rusty at that because as I hit the lock button with my right hand, my left hand closed the door and my poor little thumb got smashed! After the initial shock and pain I tried to open the door to get my thumb out, but of course, the door is locked! My thumb is absolutely throbbing at this point and my keys were in my purse...which was in the back of the cart--not in arms reach!!! I thought I was going to pass out. Seriously. There was nobody around, so if you can imagine, I had to stretch out my leg and with my toe, pull the cart to me. Slowly but surely. I finally was able to get my thumb removed, but the damage was done. It was purple and blue the second I got it out of the door, and the throbbing was unbearable!!! 5 minutes later, I'm walking around Target and my thumb had tripled in size. I called Skyler and told him that I thought I broke my thumb! He told me to go to the hospital or quick care to get it looked at, but after putting Ethan through everything at Smith's I didn't want to sit and wait at the hospital (because we all know you don't get right in--emergency room--yeah right). I got some ice from the Pizza Hut in Target and that made it feel much better. After getting the things I needed I headed back to Smith's. And believe me, at this time, I was in NO mood to deal with anymore crap. Sure enough, I walk up and the lady is like, "Uh, bad news....the 3x5's you ordered wouldn't print..." You should have seen my face. I was NOT going to redo ANYTHING! But I guess it all ended well, because she gave me all the pictures for free! I saved like 50 bucks! Yes! Now that $50 can go towards fixing my thumb. I still don't know if it is broken or not. It is still swollen, and it has taken me twice as long to type this because I can't use my thumb...but I can bend it--so I don't think it's broken. It's crazy the body parts you take for granted when you no longer have the ability to use them. I had to put my keys in the ignition with my left hand! And changing Ethan's diaper was another story. Oh well, I spose it will heal in due time. After I told my mom the story and complained about the pain, she simply said "Kellie, you would never have made it as a pioneer." Well said. And she's right too!!

Mountain's Edge Park

So today we took Ethan to the park. Sundays are perfect days to just spend time with each other. I said in an earlier post that Ethan loves the swings. I think that is in understatement. Words cannot describe how much Ethan loves having the wind blow in his face as he goes back and forth back and forth...when we tried to take him out of the swing--he started crying! Daddy took him on the rope jungle too. He also enjoys the little water play area. Every time water would sprout up I would stick his little hands or feet into the water. He finds that rather amusing (although, I don't think it takes much)! We're home now, and the park trip really tuckered him out--so he's down for a nap. I think I'll do the same..............

Can I just say...

...that I LOVE, LOVE Saturdays! It used to be that Skyler and I would stay up late watching movies and playing nintendo and then we'd sleep till noon. Those are a thing of the past though. Well, let's be honest, we still stay up late watching movies and playing nintendo, but now we wake up at 7. Today Ethan woke up at 7:30 (he slept for about 12 hours!) and daddy went in to get him (he always does, that's his job) :-) Then he brings him back into bed so I can feed him and then we just play! While the 3 of us were in bed I just thought to myself, "this is MUCH better than sleeping till noon." And it's true. Having a baby is very rewarding even though you have to give up other things. Saturdays are also Gymboree days!! Whoo hoo! We take Ethan to gym and music class every Saturday at 11 and they sing songs, play baby soccer, go down slides and through tunnels--and Ethan just absolutely LOVES it! I highly recommend Gymboree to every mother! Ethan is in the 6-10 month group and I think he is the youngest baby there. He has learned SOOO much from the other babies. For example, Ethan had just barely started the army crawl when we took him to gym class...most of the other babies were crawling around and I think Ethan didn't want to be embarrassed at the next class and that week he started crawlilng!!! He sure showed them.... :-) Plus, it's a blast to watch Ethan try to interact with the other little babies. I think he's gonna be quite the ladies man though (I'm not sure if that's a good thing...) because he is always paying attention to the other little girl babies. He is NEVER looking at the teacher. So anyway, Saturdays are wonderful! Life is good! Ok, I'm off to the gym.........

Motherhood Part 2

I don't know why I am feeling so emotional. Maybe because Ethan is getting so big and I'm realizing that he does in fact have to grow up! I don't think I ever really thought about that while I was pregnant. All I could think about was holding a tiny little baby in my arms all day long. I truly never thought about what it was going to be like to have an "older" baby. With Ethan now being able to pull himself up to a standing position, I know it won't be long before he is walking! *GASP* MY little boy WALKING?! No! I just want him to stay young forever so I can hold him and protect him! But I guess that's what motherhood is all about. Protecting them and teaching them so that they can grow up and hold their own. I can hardly fight tears when I think about Ethan growing up. I just pray that I will be able to teach Ethan the things he needs to know--it's a big, scary world out there...but I know that with faith and prayers things will be just how they should. Here's another little poem that I thought was just beautiful! Tear-yankingly beautiful! Read it and tell me you didn't cry.......

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."
Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"Who will protect me?"
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
God said, "You will simply call her, "Mama."

Motherhood

Everyday that Ethan grows and develops continues to amaze me. I feel so blessed to have such a sweet little baby in my home. It is an honor and privilege to be his mother, and I can't help but feel overwhelmed sometimes with the enormous responsibility of raising a righteous and good man. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband to stand by my side and help instill good morals and values in our children--Ethan is equally lucky to have such a great example of a righteous priesthood holder. Some of you may not know, but I am able to stay home with my little man and really watch him "learn." It's been quite fun lately because he has started to eat "big boy food" and really loves to try new things. Today, however, was somewhat of a challenge...I'll start at the beginning. Skyler didn't have to be into work till later this morning, so I was able to get up early (courtesy of Ethan) and head to the gym. Now, I don't mind going to the gym, to be honest I quite enjoy working out--maybe because it's my little bit of "alone time" and I rather enjoy that. Until I decided to train for a half marathon...who knew running 13.1 miles could be such a chore!??! I was barely able to run 6 miles before I started feeling tired and defeated--so I headed home. Ethan was ready for breakfast. 1 bowl of oatmeal cereal and tub of peaches later, he was ready for a nap. So I thought. Ethan thought differently. After battling it out I gave in and played with him for a while before he was clearly tired and ready for a nap. 2 hours to myself right? Think again. It was time to start the first of many loads of laundry, dusting, dishes, etc (I HATE to have a messy house)! Ethan woke up and was ready to go. Off to the park we went. After swinging for about 10 minutes he just wasn't feeling it anymore so we did a few laps around the block (he LOVES his stroller rides). We get home, I put Ethan in his walker and began cleaning the kitchen. I get just about done before I realize Ethan has thrown his strawberry banana puffs all over the floor and proceeded to walk all over them crunching them up into dust. Out came the dust buster and mop. No more puffs for Ethan. It's lunch time. Garden vegetables and applesauce with a few carrot wagon wheels, yum huh? After cleaning his high chair I realize that the dryer is done. Now it's time to do the consuming part of the laundry. Folding. Yuck! I began folding the clothes and Ethan of course crawled over to the laundry basket and was trying mercilessly to pull himself up--he finally accomplished that goal--standing up looking over the basket at the crisp clean clothes. Not more than 2 seconds later do I hear a burp and blehhhh--up comes Ethan's lunch!!! All over the clean clothes!! Time for another load. He fought again to stay up for his second nap of the day, but I'm happy to say that I prevailed (because I'm the mom and I said so, right?) Ethan woke up a happy, curious little boy (as he always does) and at the end of the day, no matter what occurred through out the day, I am ALWAYS so happy to be Ethan's mama. After Ethan was born, I truly understood the meaning of love at first sight...I found this cute poem that I thought was VERY appropriate. Enjoy!

Before I Was A Mom I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone. Before I was a Mom I slept as late as I wanted. And never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday. I never wondered if I would be able to shower. Before I was a Mom I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies. Before I was a Mom I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, peed on, or pinched by tiny fingers. Before I was a Mom I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, my body and all my feelings. I slept all night. Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important. Before I was a Mom I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure he was OK. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much......I never understood how much my mom loves me......Before I was a Mom

Ethan's crawling!

Well, Ethan's pediatrician told us that we could expect Ethan to start crawling around 8-9 months but that he would probably start scooting much earlier. So of course, Ethan starts scooting all over the place and about 3 days after he mastered the army crawl--he was up on all fours, slowly but surely making his way across the room (daddy was coaxing him with an apple)...but he made it! One hand after the next and one knee at a time! At 7 months too! We know lots of babies older than Ethan who still won't crawl! Yaaay for Ethan!

New House

I know this may be hard to believe because I've spent the last few hours working on this new site, but I am rather busy! We just moved into our first house! We absolutely love having 2 stories (after living in 2 seemingly cramped apartments). I don't know if I fully understood what I was signing up for when we took on this bigger place, because vacuuming and housework is quite time consuming!! Yeah, yeah, I know I need some cheese with that whine...but in all seriousness picking up after TWO boys can be quite the task. Not to mention the fact that we have to deal with pest control on our own. With the apartment complexes taking care of that, I was beginning to wonder if Las Vegas even had bugs. I found my answer the first day we moved in when I came across a cock roach (gasp) yes, a cock roach. All I could imagine was that sucker crawling into Ethan's crib....and I was on the phone with Orkin before the roach could even make a run for its life. I'm happy to say that I haven't had an unpleasant experience since.

So with a new house comes... decorating!!!! I absolutely love doing that type of stuff, so I've been busy painting, hanging pictures and mirrors, and buying new furniture! My latest accomplishment is Ethan's nursery. I'm hoping to raise an athlete so he will probably have this sports bedding till he's 18. :)

Las Vegas

Ok, so like I said, here I am in Vegas. We've been here for a little more than a year and a half, and yes, I've gotten use to the heat! We're great at running from the air conditioned house to the air conditioned car to the air conditioned stores...(having a baby has slowed me down just a bit!) So other than paying an arm and a leg for air conditioning-Las Vegas has it's perks. I still have to find them though... :) Really though, Las Vegas has been good to us. My husband has a wonderful job--he just passed all of his CPA exams--so now he can really bring home the bacon. Woot Woot! And having nice weather pretty much year round is rather refreshing. I have also made some of the best friends I could ever ask for!! The only thing that makes me want to get outta here is when I see Ethan's little red cheeks after a car ride...it's impossible to get the air conditioning back to him when he's in a rear-facing car seat! Other moms...you can relate I'm sure. It just breaks my heart though, but luckily, he's a trooper!

I've done it

Ok, so I never thought I'd do this, but here I am, blogging away. I've fallen victim to the world of internet blogging. Ahhhh who would have thought?! But I have to agree that this is probably the best way to keep people informed and up-to-date on my busy life. Especially after having a little one, it's a great way to "show him off."