best year of my life.

If I could live one year over and over, it would be 2011. Hands down.

I loved being pregnant. Every second. The big belly, dressing the big belly, eating whatever I wanted, sleeping all the time, beautiful hair and nails, feeling my son move and squirm, anticipating being a mom. Oh I loved it.

In terms of our marriage, I think this was a super smooth year. We had fun, we hardly fought, we laughed, we traveled, we became parents. I love my husband so much. I am so thankful for him.

We met our son. Best experience of my life.

This little boy is my joy. I am living my dream staying at home raising him.

This was a year of dreams come true. I love my family.

Christmas 2011

We had a great Christmas this year. It was so fun having a lil baby around :)

Of course we were very busy- Chris' dad, my dad/grandparents, my mom, Chris' mom, and trying to start our own traditions somewhere in that mix.

Everett and his cousins at PawPaws (Chris' dad)


Opening his gifts (us kids decided to wear jammies- we should've gotten a picture!)


PawPaw dressed up as Santa, it was too cute!



Christmas Eve (afternoon) with my dad and grandparents. I made lunch and we opened gifts.





Christmas Eve (evening), after church and a quick dinner at Chilis, we opened our Christmas jammies and tried to get a photo. This was when Ev was being super clingy to me- as you can see in these pictures!




Before church Chris and I exchanged gifts. He always spoils me. I got new pots and pans, "no sweat" tumblers, new Toms, perfume, a sweater and Sees Candy. I never do as well for him!

Christmas morning we went to my moms for brunch and more gifts.











I gave Everett some new food at my moms and he got a rash. I think he's allergic to strawberries! poor guy.

Then we went to Chris' moms for dinner. And more gifts! We are so spoiled! Especially Everett!!


(his cousins ADORE him! and he adores them!)





phew what a holiday! it was a great one!

California Trip

We had a great 4 days in Northern California with my family. Leaving was so stressful- our flight left at 8am, and we were running so late. I even sent my mom a text saying we weren't going to make it, we were THAT late. I couldn't find my car keys, we were all super stressed, but decided at 6:30ish to try and make our flight. Well, surprise we rush and rush to our gate and our flight is delayed an hour. We had a good laugh.

Everett was so good on the plane. He is so squirmy right now, but thankfully he was interested in looking out the window and eating puffs. He nursed and then slept the rest of the time. Once he fussed and some lady across the aisle told me i needed to give him a pacifier because his ears probably hurt. Uh, thanks lady. I had no idea. When we landed she proceeded to tell me, "I am so proud of you for breastfeeding". Why do people have to make things so weird!?!

We landed, rented a car (best decision ever!) and went to my grandpas. The main reason for us wanting to go visit was for Everett to meet his great grandpa Bill. Here he is with my grandpa and grandma!

Later that day we went to my Aunt Tricia and Uncle Jacks "ranch". They have cows, horses, baby horses, donkeys, and kittens. I love their house and property, I have a lot of memories there. It was fun to see my niece and nephew and Everett enjoy their place as well!

My Uncle Jack showed Everett and Aidan the train around the tree. I love the sound of a train going around the Christmas tree! It is so magical.

Sunday was spent helping my grandma get the Christmas party ready. All my aunts, uncles, cousins, and cousins' kids try to come out for this Christmas party. I hadn't been since I was 17. It had been a while! It was so good seeing everyone!

My Grandpa Bill and Grandma Wy with all the stockings for the great-grandkids. There are 32 now! My cousin had her baby girl the morning after this picture was taken. I was so glad I got to meet her!



Chris playing with the little kids

Monday was spent with my grandparents again, and Tuesday we went to visit my cousin and her family. It was a great trip!

A Christmas memory

Merry Christmas everyone! Everett had a great first Christmas. He is so spoiled and loved, which means his parents are as well. His personality is really starting to shine, and this fun age also bring attachment issues.
He is getting pretty attached to momma. We've been seeing signs of it, but tonights escapades tops it all.
We were home, he was in bed, sound asleep when he awoke screaming. I calmed him down, put him back to bed just for him to cry some more. Chris went in there to try, and he just got more and more upset. He took him out to the recliner in the living room where I was and he just kept screaming. Finally I took him, and he immediately laid his head down (which is rare he's not a cuddlier), and glared at Chris. I stood there while we both laughed. It was so funny how he gave Chris the stinks eye!

.

I made Chris snap a photo because he's been doing this to Chris a lot lately. He is so territorial over me, and sometimes he acts like he doesn't understand why Chris is around (other than for laughs and giggles and kisses). We find it funny.

I don't mind being this boys buddy! He is just the best blessing, laughing/crying/ or screaming! Love him.

First tooth!

While we were in California, Everett got his first tooth!!

It started popping through a few days prior:

and then, there it is!

CA trip (according to phone pics)

We just got back late last night from a 4 day trip to the Sacramento area visiting my family.

I have many photos to go through, but for now heres a little recap!

(meeting Grandpa Billy!)

(exploring the train and tree and my Aunt and Uncles house)

(lots of sleeping)

(his many moods on the airport shuttle)

(what he did most of the plane ride, there and back! yes!)

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Oh this boy loves the tree. Actually, I think he likes the presents, or just the paper that the presents are wrapped in. This Christmas season has been one of the bests yet, thanks to that little mischievous miracle.

7 months

You are 7 months old! This age is so fun but also a lot of work.

You are crawling everywhere. It is more like an army crawl, but you often get up on all fours. You are so so fast. It seems like I put you down and you race right to the Christmas tree. You love to pull at the ribbons and paper that are on the gifts. You even unwrapped one of my gifts yesterday! You are just too funny.

You also go from crawling to a reclined position, and often when I am changing your diaper you pull yourself up into a sitting position (using the side of the dresser). Changing you and getting you dressed is such a challenge! You squirm and turn over, but thats not a surprise because you don't like to sit still for much. You are often hanging out on the floor. It makes me feel bad, but you are so happy roaming around exploring the house or on the floor with your toys. Speaking of toys, you don't really love your baby toys, you prefer cords, remotes, paper, cell phones, tags, and the wii remote. Of course we don't let you play with those things but you sure try!

You are still not too interested in solid foods. You tried some new things over Thanksgiving and even since then, but still not loving it. I have started cutting up sweet potatoes and green beans and giving you those, but still not much is consumed. Thats ok, I am sure you'll get there when you're ready.

This month you had a double ear infection. It was so sad I hate seeing you in pain. I think I can finally tell your symptoms of an ear infection. You had been sleeping so great, 12 hours in a row, but not since you've been sick. Lately you still get up once, sometimes twice in the night. Most of the time I am grateful for those night feedings, since during the day you are so distracted I wonder how much you are really eating.

We have a pretty good schedule down. It looks something like this:

6:30/7:00 am- wake up, nurse

8:00am- "eat" breakfast

8:30/9- nap

10:30/11am- up, nurse

1:00pm- nap

3:00pm, up nurse

5:00pm- "eat" dinner

6/6:30- nurse, bed

You eat more often than listed, if you're hungry I feed you. This routine works for us and I am so glad we have it down!

Your personality is blooming! You are so happy and friendly. You smile at everyone. You are a little flirt with those big blue eyes. You reach your little hand out and touch people faces. You are the sweetest little boy. You are very vocal. You babble a lot, saying "da da da" and "ba ba ba". You also love to squeal and yell. You also do this cute thing where you scrunch up your nose and take short, quick breaths through it like you are so excited. We do that back and forth to each other.\

Things I don't want to forget:

how you squeal with joy when I walk into your room to get you from your crib

Your non stop giggles.

your cold small hands this time of year

your soft fuzzy head growing full of strawberry blonde hair

your gummy grins! how you press your top and bottom gums together

your little baby kisses

Everett we adore you! You've been in our lives a short 7 months and I couldnt imagine life any other way. You have made our little family better, happier, whole. We love you.