Some Recent Pics

Six Happy Years

This last Sunday was our SIX YEAR ANNIVERSARY ! Can't believe we've been married that long. That day was the happiest day of my life. Seriously, I always tell Heath I want to do that day over again. One quote we love is, "you never see the hard days in a photo album but those are the ones that get you from one happy snapshot to the next." This is so true for these last six years and I'm sure for the future as well. We've had our share of ups and downs but those trials have strengthened us individually and as a couple. I'm thankful for the times that have been hard. These last couple weeks have been really hard with Heath gone all day and all night and I sometimes ask myself, why we are doing grad school. But, I know that this, like, all the other trials, will bring blessings in the long run, increase my faith and make us stronger. There are so many things I LOVE about Heath 1) His sense of humor 2) His smile 3) His way with Jace and now Camden 4) For always saying he's sorry first 5) His passion for learning 6) His testimony 7) Buying me flowers just because 8) Patience with my craziness 9) hardworking 10) Always making time for family first 11) His sometimes overly optimistic view of things - almost every time he tells me about a plan he has for something, I think it's unrealistic and then it HAPPENS and shapes our lives and our choices and our future. 12) His constant hope in the future 13) His compassion and love for his family and his sweet grandmas 14) His endearing fondness of trains, Christmas lights, maps, landscaping, eggnog, reading the paper, Mexican food, sports, city politics. Guess I could keep going. I'll stop there. I love you.

Jace never wants to leave Camden's side


Wanted to go and get pictures taken but opted to take some at home so I didn't have to take him to the mall full of lots of kids and sick little people. He sure looks cute in his turkey outfit :)

Happy Thanksgiving

Jace standing next to his Thankful Tree. My mom cut out this tree for him and brought all the leaves when she came. Jace put up a couple leaves a day before turkey day. Among some of the things he's thankful for: bread, his kitchen, family, temple, baseball, etc.

On Turkey Day, Jace and I made this turkey from his hand prints. He mostly had fun putting on the googly eyes and playing with the glue.

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 Weeks Today

I can hardly believe it's been two weeks! Camden is growing well and such a cutie! I forgot what it's like to have a rough night of sleep but still wake up to the most adorable face and all your feelings of frustration from the night before melt away. Last night was hard as he wanted to stay up for 2 hours at 3p.m. Otherwise, he's a great sleeper. He's nursing like a champ and his weight proves it. He now weighs 6 lbs 15 oz. Good boy!!!

The delivery experience was quite different than my first. It was so weird going into the hospital knowing I'd have a baby in my arms a few hours later. I HATED the spinal epidural. I think I was less aware of all the pain the first time because I had already been in labor for 18 hours. So...this time I was wide awake and alert during the procedure. It was still amazing to see him the first time. I can never get over the miracle of a child. He cried the second they took him out and I heard my doctor say, "We've got a baldy." I laughed and cried. It's been a while so I forgot mostly everything that happens after the csection-difficulty breathing, walking, sneazing, coughing, laughing...moving for that matter. I seriously had the BEST nurses ever (Linda and Kristi). I feel really blessed to have had such a great hospital experience. It really makes a difference when you can't do much of anything. With Jace, I had 12 different nurses. This recovery has seemed much easier though and I feel like I've been up on my feet a lot earlier. It helps that I have NO stairs to climb anymore :)

When I got home, I was welcomed with that cute sign and it just made all the difference. I also received a beautiful flower arrangement from my best friend and it made my day! The first couple days were pretty hard because I felt emotionally ready to care for this sweet baby but physically, my body couldn't do much. Everything seems to be going well. I should be able to start driving again in 2 weeks. Thanks for all your love and prayers and support. I felt them.

Jace has been doing amazing with baby Camden! I love watching them interact. He talks to him, kisses his head, hugs him, bought him a toy (kitchen stuff...imagine that). He's done better than I thought he would. It's really helped to have his gmas and gpas spoiling him. Hope he continues to be so sweet after everyone leaves. Everytime Camden cries, he comes running and wants to help. Can't wait till Camden can interact back. He likes just watching Jace these days and smiling.

Thank You Mom

So, my baby is asleep for the moment and everyone else headed off to church. So...here I am writing when I probably should be resting. However, since it's only 9 in the morning, I'm not exhausted...yet.

I just want to THANK my wonderful mother for coming out and helping with Jace and Camden for the last week or so. She was SO helpful. Everytime I turned my head she was either doing another load of laundry, cleaning up Jace's room, doing a fun craft with Jace, making food for our family, letting me take much needed naps, bringing me my water, loving on Camden and holding him during his fussy times, helping me figure out my diet again with breastfeading, and overall....just being my mom. I LOVED having her here. It was so hard to let her go but easier knowing I'll see her again in a short few weeks for Christmas. I feel so blessed to have such a great mother. Eventhough I'm old enough to know she probably doesn't, I still think she knows everything. I guess that's something as a child you never really let go of. I think its a form of security. Jace had a GREAT time with grandma! I was so happy knowing that she was with him while I was away and I knew he would be perfectly fine. I was so happy to see him interact so well with her and she helped me really lay down the law sometimes, which has helped me stick to my guns so much more. Jace is def. persistent when he wants something and it was so reassuring to have someone there to help enforce the rules. :)

Heath has been so busy with school that I've been the enforcer. What a blessing for her to come during this time too. I've never, in our 6 years of marriage, seen Heath work as hard and as dilligent and as long as he has for the last couple weeks. We've been counting down the days till the end of the semester....then he can breathe again. I can tell you, though, that I know that if you're doing what's right the Lord will bless you. One night when I was in the hospital, Heath was gone at school all day and came back to stay with me around midnight. He proceeded to write a paper that night in the room and got it back yesterday...he got an A. I was shocked and so was he. Then the other night, he had stayed up really late studying and of course helping with the baby in the wee hours of the night, when morning came, he was about spent. He called me later that day from class and said he had energy and a clear mind and felt like he could work on his project till late that night. At first I wasn't sure where that came from but then I thought of the scripture "run and not be weary, walk and not faint" I know the Lord is watching over him and our little family. I have so much to be grateful for. Sorry for the long post. I still have to tell you all about Camden and our baby #2 experience. more to come later.

As for us now, we have Heath's parents here for the week! Wahoo!!! It's been so great having so much help. :0) Happy Thanksgiving.