Go Dodgers!

We had a great week with Mark and Nat. They came up from Utah for their Spring Break. This is such a great spring break spot because of Baseball Spring Training. We did it last year with my parents, now this year was my little bro's turn. We new Kade would be a Dodger fan from day one because I started labor the night I went to the Dodger game last year. I also got to watch the Dodgers play during delivery because they had a double header...Kade was born in the 9th inning! I was so happy to take little Kade to his first Dodger game. Hopefully it will just be the first of many.

So maybe Natalie and I were checking out some of the players...can you blame us?? Andre Either is so cute!

Kade LOVED getting to pick at the grass and be around all the people. It was a little hot, and the game was pretty long so he hasn't quite learned to go the whole 9 without a nap :)

We had a baby sitter for this game on St. Patrick's Day. It was fun to be able to just relax more, but we really missed our little mascot!

The best thing about Mark and Nat is they are always up for a good time. We crammed in as many things as we could during the week and had such a blast with them.

One of my favorite parts of the week is Mark got to play in 2 of my soccer games with me! These pics of our outdoor league. And then he got to play in my indoor game too. Nat was the good babysitter. I loved getting to play with him and it brought me back to the times when I would live at home during the summer during college days. Mark and I would stay up all night watching games, and playing under a light in our yard. I can't get enough of playing with him. The only downside, is that I am washed up and just play twice a week. Mark is better than he's ever been and playing in college. He did amazing and scored in both games. He really did a great job and we had a blast being on the same team. If you look closely you'll notice my nasty soccer wings. Yes, I said wings. They are the weird pieces of hair that poke out right above my ears. I try so hard to spray them back and they tend to poke out every single game. I wish they would help me run faster cause I need all the help I can get!

Of course we can't have anyone come down without dragging them to the lake with us for some fishing. Kade was sporting his Bass Pro Shop outfit that we bought for him as soon as we found out we were having a boy. Don't ask what Nate has on his head. I wasn't the best sport on this trip. I offered to stay on shore because there wasn't enough room for all of us on the boat. Me and Kade had a fine time for the first few hours...but after 4 1/2 hours being alone on shore with my little man...no pack n play for a nap, and no shade, we both weren't too happy with Dad when they came back :). We did enjoy being at the Lake though, it's always nice to have some fresh air.

Thanks guys for the visit! If anyone wants to come to AZ we have a twin bed and floor for ya!!!! (sorry Mark that the floor was yours all week)

Perfectly Stated

I am obsessed with reading, and will read most anything I can get my hands on. I had already read Nicholas Sparks', The Wedding, once before but I decided to read it again cause it had been a while and I didn't have anything else to read. I got to a part in the book that had a WHOLE new meaning for me. It is kind of long, but it almost states my feelings perfectly so I want to record it. It seems that motherhood for some people is just a natural talent. I feel like the biggest strug in the world sometimes. Just when I think I am getting a hang of things, then a new trial comes up. I start to feel lame because I don't have a baby with any major health issues, I have support of a wonderful husband and family....but man sometimes it is just hard for me! Kade isn't sleeping through the night anymore. It lasted about 3 weeks and then I don't know what happened. One day I want to just not second guess myself on all my decisions and just feel like I am doing it all just right :)....hmmm, I am not sure that will happen ever. But I can always dream!

SERIOUSLY, this is SO worth reading. Is it considered copy write? Opps...It may sound negative at the beginning...just keep reading to the end :)

"For my wife and I, the most challenging years were those that followed the births of our children. There seems to be a misconception that the first year of a child's life resembles a Hallmark commercial, complete with cooing babies and smiling, calm parents. In contrast, y wife still refers to that period as "the hateful years." By "hateful", what Jane meant was this: There were moments when she hated practically everything. She hated how she looked and how she felt. She hated women whose breasts didn't ache and women who still fit into their clothes. She hated how oily her skin became and hated the pimples that appeared for the first time since adolescence. But it was the lack of sleep that raised her ire most of all, and consequently, nothing irritated her more than hearing stories of other mothers whose infants slept through the night within weeks of leaving the hospital. In fact, she hated everyone who had thee opportunity to sleep more than three hours at a stretch, and there were times, it seemed, that she even hated me for my role in all this. After all, I couldn't breast-feed, and because of my long hours at the law firm, I had no choice but to sleep in the guest room occasionally so I could function at the office the next day. Though I'm certain that she understood this intellectually, it often didn't seem that way. "Good Morning," I might say when I saw her staggering into the kitchen, "How did the baby sleep?" Instead of answering, she would sigh impatiently as she moved toward the coffeepot. "Up a lot?" I'd ask tentatively. "You wouldn't last a week" On cue, the baby would start to cry. Jane would grit her teeth, slam her coffee cup down, and looks as if she wondered why it was the God seemed to hate her so. In time, I learned that it was wiser not to say anything. Then, of course, there is the fact that having a child transforms the basic marriage relationship. No longer are you simply husband and wife, you are mother and father as well, and all spontaneity vanishes immediately. Going out to dinner? Have to find out whether her parents can watch the baby. New movie? Haven't seen one these in over a year. Weekend getaways? Couldn't even conceive of them. This is not to say that the first year was entirely miserable. When people ask me what it's like to be a parent. I say it's among the hardest things you'll ever do, but in exchange, it teachers you the meaning of unconditional love. Everything a baby does strikes a parent as the most magical thing he or she has ever seen. I'll always remember the day each of my children first smiled at me; I remember clapping and watching the tears spill down Jane's face as they took their first steps; and there is nothing quite as peaceful as holding a sleeping child in the comfort of your arms and wondering how it's possible to care so deeply. Those are the moments that I find myself remembering the vivid detail now. the challenges--though I can speak of them dispassionately---are nothing but distant and foggy images, more akin to a dream than reality. No, there's no experience quite like having children, and despite the challenges we once faced, I've considered myself blessed because of the family we created. As I said, however, I've just learned to be prepared for surprises....."


Almost to the T my own thoughts. The non sleeping; Nate having to sleep during the days so he can function for work. Which leaves me all alone during the night.... and basically alone during the day too so he can sleep; Nate and I haven't been on a real date in ages. We tried so hard to arrange for his mom to take Kade. We picked out a matinee movie to see so that we could be back in time to pick up Kade, bring him home, and get him in bed a good time. Well, Kade had a bad afternoon. He wouldn't go down for a nap until right before we were going to leave. By the time I got done with him our movie was almost going to start, and I hadn't had time for myself to get ready and I really wanted to get dressed up a little and try to look cute for once. I was really disappointed that we couldn't go to the movies together. Later that evening we were sitting at the dinner table chatting. I felt a little pat pat on my leg. I look down and Kade had crawled under the table and was giving me the biggest smile. That little stinker just melted my heart and I can't imagine what my life would be like without him. It is so crazy that this spirit who is sometimes my biggest stress in life...is also always my greatest pride and joy.

Mover

Saturday ended up being such a great day. We didn't do anything big, I just really enjoyed our time as a family working around the house. Nate taught me how to mow and edge the lawn. Yes, I know it's pathetic that I've never mowed a lawn before. We basically had boy jobs, and girl jobs at my house growing up. Since I was the only girl I didn't ever mow the lawn or take out the trash. I ended up LOVING mowing our lawn. Outside chores are always more fun when it's a nice day. We pulled weeds and pruned some bushes. I didn't have any loud music playing like I usually do when we pull weeds. It was just really relaxing to have some quiet time. It may sound cliche' or cheesy...but I liked hearing the dogs barking, birds chirping, and the kids playing next door. I am so grateful that our Father in Heaven created this beautiful world for us to experience. One of our lessons in church today was about how we can take care of, and beautify, the things God has blessed us with. I hope it motivates me to get out and take care of our weeds and house work more often. Kade was just happy he's not big enough to pull weeds yet. He had a fun time playing with his toys on his blanket while we worked :)

My baby boy turns 7 months tomorrow. I can't even believe it. I am tearing up just thinking about how much joy he has brought to my life. I love him more than I ever even knew was possible. Kade seems to have grown up so fast just this week. He learned to crawl on Wednesday! We sit around and watch him inch across the floor and just laugh and laugh! Kade also cut two teeth on Thursday. I haven't experience any biting yet and I hope that it doesn't happen. Does anyone know what to do if it does? He has been quite the stubborn nurser this past few weeks. He won't really take a bottle either. I have had to start feeding him in a dark room so there is no other distractions. He kept trying to dive off my lap. The doctor says he needs the majority of his nutrition from breast milk or formula and all Kade wanted was baby food from a spoon. I was getting really frustrated with it all and was having to pump to keep up my supply. It now seems that since his teeth finally came in he is eating better. I wonder if it was just painful on his gums? Those darn teeth!

Trying to feed himself the little puffs.

With the crawling comes a trouble maker. He loves to explore everywhere and has already knocked down 2 garbage cans. I think I am going to be in for it.

Bloggers....

So I am trying to update my friends and family blog list because I have other blogs I look at and forget to copy and paste them into my list. Could you help me out??? Can you look to see if I have you in my blog list??? If not, then will you leave a comment so I can link to your blog. Most likely if you are looking at mine, I am looking at yours.....or I wish I was!!! THANKS!

Little campers

Nate has such a funny schedule because he works a lot of weekends, and then has time off during the week. Well JJ had a week off of Medical School so we planned a camping trip during the week. It was so much fun! We love the Annie and JJ live in AZ. There 2 boys were so much fun and Kade loved them. Little Cole and Logan had the biggest vocabularies I have ever seen in such young kids. They cracked me up the whole time. There was an awesome park close at our campsite so it entertained the boys while Annie and I could chat. I am so glad that they could come with us.

We met the funniest/craziest old guy while we were camping. Of course his name was Bill. He didn't even remember how long he'd been camping at the Lake for! He was all by him self and loving every second of it. He had a sweet bass boat and took Nate and JJ out with him. I swear he is Nate's new hero. He fishes tournaments all over, he is a hunting guide, teaches fly fishing lessons, had crafts antler lamps and chandeliers. I got a glimpse of what Nate will be like in 30 years.

Nate was a bit of a strug on this trip. I really thinking I am wearing off on him....that isn't so good cause you have to have one person in the house that actually has a brain! Annie and I were having a hard time trying to get the dutch oven dinners ready while doing the kids too. It was getting dark and we needed some boy scouts to get the fire going. I called the men and "kindly" urged them to hurry and come back to camp. Nate accidentally left his boats trolling motor next to his truck because he was in a hurry...yep, it was gone the next day! :( So day 2 of camping the boys had to paddle in the boat. Nate's fishing pole got caught on a under water tree and while he was tugging it snapped right in half! Oh joy! Just what I was hoping we'd spend our tax return money on....new fishing stuff.

Kade LOVED the dirt! I would set him on a blanket and he would scoot over to the side so he could pat the dirt and pick up rocks. I was so proud! Now that he likes to rub dirt all over him and get it under his fingernails...he is a real man! Camping is a lot more difficult now with a little nugget. I am worrying the whole night if he is cold, making sure he doesn't get sun burned in the day, always checking if he is too close to the fire, and making sure the surrounding campers don't hear him waking up at his usual 3 a.m. scream. Plus, our stinkin air mattress had a slow leak so after an hour of laying on it it was totally flat. Sleeping on hard groud just isn't what it used to be. We already have 2 more camping trips planned in March. Yikes, I am thinking one a month is all I may be able to handle now!