Babies.

I am envious of all you pregnant ladies out there. Seriously. I wish I could be pregnant pretty much every day for the rest of my life. I never felt better than when I was pregnant. Even when I was HUGE and swollen I felt beautiful and I really miss that. ( I also miss the sweet little baby at the end of the pregnancy but that's a whole other topic for a later date.)

I have two sister-in-laws who are expecting babies later this year and I have to say that while I'm a little bit jealous I also know that now is definitely not the time for us to add to our family. I have mixed feelings about this because my female mommy hormones are screaming at me to jump on my husband and make a baby, but my brain is telling me not yet. I'm not a patient person and it's really hard for me to not get what I want, when I want it, regardless of consequences. I'm just that kind of person. I usually act on something before I think it through completely and that has gotten me in trouble a few times.

On a positive note: we do have a date set for when we will be trying to conceive again and I am just counting down the (hundreds of) days. No, I'm not going to tell you when, nice try though. :) I want Jackson to be my one and only "baby" for a while longer. He needs my undivided attention right now and I would prefer to have him potty trained before another baby comes along. I can't imagine having two little ones in diapers!

Jackson. He is growing up so much. I think every day he learns a new sign or word and actually uses it when he's supposed to. He talks to us more and when we ask what he needs, he can tell us. I love that he can do this. He has started running instead of just walking and is learning to climb up on our couches and get into more things. Here are his achievements so far:

Words:
Cracker
Ball
Mom, Mama, Mommy
Dad, Dadda, Daddy
Book
Cook
Dog
Grandma (Gama)
Grandpa (Ganpa)
Bottle (ba-ba)
Mmmmm (food)
Num-num (while eating food)
Banana (na-na)

Signs:
Cracker
Fish
Dog
Food
Please
Hurt
Baby
Juice
Banana
Milk

He will also point to his belly when you ask him where his belly is and he'll point to himself when you ask him "Where's Jackson?". He "stomps" and bonks his head on command which is super cute. I know I'm totally bragging about my kid, I can't help it, he's just so dang smart!

He fell asleep on the hard floor. Poor little guy was worn out!

Our little family is doing well. We can't wait for spring and summer and the new babies (that I get to snuggle, yay!) that are to come late summer. In the meantime, we are staying busy and always finding ways to count our blessings!

Jackson's First Year.wmv

Jackson's First Year

I have come to realize how much I neglect my blog. I know all of you are hanging on the edge of your seats, just waiting for me to post the next fascinating look into my life. (ha.ha.ha) As you know, I'm a mom, and my son always comes first. Jackson is walking now and getting into more mischief than ever, so I find myself constantly on my guard when I am the only one watching him (which is most of the time). I have a busy life, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

It is always this time of year that I look back and think about the previous year and all of the feelings I had and things that I did. I think it's hard for people who are not parents to understand just how incredible life is when they hold that little bundle that is their child in their arms for the very first time. I know before I had Jackson, how I imagined it would feel but it never compared to the actual thing. I feel like everything in my life has led up to the moment that I gave birth to that baby boy. Only when I held him and kissed him, was my life truly complete. I knew then that nothing else (except for welcoming another little one, or two, or three, into our family) would ever compare to my little 8 pound boy. No career goals or personal goals accomplished could ever outshine the miracle of giving life. I am just so happy that I am entrusted to be Jackson's mom and what a great blessing I have been given.

I remember that first month after we brought Jackson home from the hospital. THAT was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. The 23 hour no pain-med, natural labor sucked, but it couldn't compare to the sleepless nights and mastitis infections and recovering from a c-section that was my first month with my little boy. But you know what? I would do it all over again, a million times over, because it's worth it! The outcome - a healthy child is always worth any amount of pain I could ever go through.

I put together a little movie about Jackson's first year. The post above this one is the movie. This is a lot that we have done this year and all of the things that my little boy has accomplished in just 365 days. Enjoy!

Our Family

Here are a few of my favorites from our photo session with Whitney's Photography
(at www.whitneysphotography.com). We had them done in October and we had so much fun. :)

The whole family

Jackson and Jameson. They're cousins, can you tell?

He was so good for our pictures - it kind of took us by surprise. All he wanted to do was ham it up!

LOVE this one - my baby's sweet face!

Our little family walking in Old Town Pocatello

Father and son

I haven't done an update on Jackson in a while so here goes: Jackson is 10 months old, 28" tall and weighs 21 pounds. He took his first steps on September 11 and he has just been getting better at walking every day. We encourage him to try crawling but he doesn't like it much. Now, he'll crawl until he gets to something he can stand up with and then he's off walking around furniture, toys and even his parents. It's gotten to the point that if I leave the room for a minute, he is on the opposite side of the room and getting into things by the time I get back in there. He loves our DVD shelves and every time I put the DVDs back up, he walks over there and starts screaming happy screams because he gets to pull them all off again. He loves to help me sweep the floor and his favorite TV shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Special Agent Oso, Blue's Clues and Go Diego Go. He is so curious about our candle warmer with a huge Yankee candle on it. He has pulled it down twice . Both times it has almost fallen on his head. So needless to say, the candle warmer has been moved far out of his reach ... for now. Jackson was a turtle for Halloween - his costume was super cute and not too expensive.
He gives big wet kisses and is a good cuddler. Lately, he's become a major mama's boy and freaks out whenever I have to leave him alone. It has been so bad, sometimes, that I can't even take a shower without him crying until I let him in the shower with me. I love that he loves me so much and needs his mommy. But sometimes mommy needs some "me" time, even if it is only a ten minute shower.

I am still plugging along with online college, working, church stuff and taking care of my family. Davy has talked about wanting to move, but we can't do that for 2 more years because of our house. I have mixed feelings about moving away from the only town I've ever known. I don't know if I could take Jackson away from all of the family that he has here. On the other hand, there are so many other opportunities out there, maybe we should give them a try.

I am seriously considering changing my major ... AGAIN. I have wanted to go to culinary school for such a long time, but things have really gotten in the way of that. So, my major now is elementary/special education. I know that I could be an amazing teacher and it is something I would enjoy doing, but my heart just isn't fully in it. I think I'd be better suited in a culinary pastry program where I can use my creativity to make new and delicious desserts. I would even consider regular culinary school to become not only a pastry chef, but an executive or sous chef.
So many decisions to make and yet so much adventure and fun to come.

This is the month of "Thanks". I just want to take a minute to count my blessings and realize how much I really do have:

My sweet, patient, hard-working husband
My handsome baby boy
My parents
My siblings
My in-laws
My funny nephew Jameson
My grandparents
Davy's grandparents
Chocolate
Baking recipes
My talent at cooking and baking
Babies
A few of my co-workers
The other YW leaders at church
The young women that I have the opportunity to teach and learn from
My house
Running water, hot water heater
Heat and A.C.
Food in our cupboards, freezer and fridge
Mine and Davy's jobs
The gospel
Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost
Prayer
Scriptures
Scrapbooking
Pictures
Books
School

Some of those things I listed are basic necessities that some people don't have in their lives. Food, water, a roof over their heads. That is why I listed those things. Sometimes it's easy to get so caught up in all that we don't have, that we forget all that we do have. We take for granted the fact that dinner is on our table every night when some families (maybe in our own neighborhood) have only one meal every few days. I love to count my blessings and I love that doing so can always brighten my day. "Count your blessings - name them one by one - count your many blessings - see what God has done ..."

Books, Novels and Stories, Oh My!

I have a confession to make.

I am a book worm. I can't help it, I've always loved books and I can never seem to get enough of them. My family thought I was adopted for a long time because I preferred to stay in the house all day reading instead of going outside, hanging out with neighbor kids, eating and especially sleeping. To this day, I still cannot put a good novel down just because it's three in the morning and I occasionally lose consciousness, only to be jolted awake by the book falling heavily on my face.
My husband, being the good man that he is, lets me indulge in my reading and does his best not to be put out by my lack of interest in anything else, except for Jackson. He is a very good little man and is quite happy with playing on the floor or in his exersaucer or walker, but he's just so cute in his everyday playfulness that most of the time I drop everything I'm doing and play with him. It's just so fun! :)
Anyway, at the end of June, Davy took our ancient cell phones to T-Mobile and traded up for the amazing phone I have now. I never really wanted a "smart" phone because all I ever did on the other phone was make and recieve calls and text with the occasional ringtone download. It wasn't until mid-July when I discovered a BOOK READER ON MY PHONE. I was amazed that I didn't have to go buy an expensive Kindle just to quench my thirst for more books. Not to mention, this particular application is FREE with FREE book downloads. However, I'm not sure of the legalities of this application. Sometimes I feel guilty about not compensating the wonderful authors of the books in some way. I wish it wasn't so easy for technology to make the written and printed word seem so expensive and unnecessary. Maybe I'll have to look up copyright laws and decide whether or not to keep my book reader. For now, it seems that I can't do without it.

A while ago, I was reading a blog and I want to copy her idea. This is also inspired from the MTV show "If You Really Knew Me":

9 Things Most People Don't Know About Me

1: I was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 8. I was in third grade and I was terrified of what the other kids would think about my hideous back brace and the clothing I had to wear to conceal it. Mostly, I was treated with respect and sometimes pity. I actually had quite a few friends who would have stood up for me if I had been put down at all. In between 7th and 8th grade, after wearing a brace for almost five years, I had to have spine surgery. I did and I am now a mother, something that would have never been possible without that surgery. I am thankful everyday for my parents and Shriners Hospital.
2: I cringe whenever I hear paper sliding on other paper. Even thinking about it is setting my teeth on edge. Ugh. If I hear this noise, I imagine putting the paper in my mouth and the texture of it on my teeth makes me sick. Not that I ever put paper in my mouth, but I can't help imagining it. I know, I am so weird.
3: I didn't want to get married until I finished college and after I was married I didn't want kids for a long time. Obviously, that didn't happen, but I am so happy it didn't. I cannot imagine being anything but a wife and mommy.
4:You know that strange paper thing I mentioned before? Well, I have that same problem with ice. I get the chills even thinking about putting an ice cube in my mouth. Is this normal? I've never asked anyone else if they have ever felt this before, so I don't know, haha.
5: I don't particularly like camping, hunting or going for scenic drives. I would much rather read a book while traveling than see the "views". And if I'm outside on a nice day (which is rare) I have to have a book with me to keep me occupied. We have lived in our house almost a year and I don't think I've even spent even an hour in our yard. I just don't like being outside. My poor husband is the opposite of me in all of these things: he hates reading, he loves scenic drives, and hunting and camping.
6: The 24, 29, 30 and 31 of every month are always my favorite. Here's why: Davy asked me to be his girlfriend December 24, 2005 and I said "Yes". October 30, 2007 he proposed and I said "YES"! May 29, 2008 we were sealed for time an all eternity in the SLC temple and once again I said "Yes". May 31st, 2008 we celebrated at our reception with all of the friends and family members that couldn't make it to our wedding, what a great day! On December 29th, 2009, after a particularly forceful kicking, elbowing and jabbing from the little boy in my tummy, my water broke. Finally, on December 30, 2009 our baby boy was born after a hard, 23 hour labor. He is the best thing that I have ever been blessed with.
7: Having had a boy already, I can't imagine having a girl now. It's been this way ever since the ultrasound where we found out we were having a boy. When Davy and I talk about having another baby (not in the near future, don't worry) we can only think about a boy and what his name will be. I want a baby girl, but a baby boy just seems so much more tangible because I already have one.
8: The President of the United States of America almost made me late getting to my wedding. He was in Salt Lake City visiting with the Prophet of our church and there were government vehicles and agents all over temple square. I was so upset about him being there and making me late that I actually threatened to assassinate him if I missed my wedding because his stupid government cars were clogging up the road. Davy hastily told me to be quiet because I was saying this as we were crossing the road to get to the temple and there were secret service agents looking at me suspiciously. I am glad, however, that the President was there so that I have a unique story to tell my children and family.
9: I was a tom-boy all through elementary school and even before that. *Gasp* I know, it's hard to believe, right? My favorite color now is pink and I hate the outdoors and mud and bugs. But growing up in a neighborhood full of boys and with a little brother, I had to make myself more like them in order to have friends. At school I had girl friends and during recess we would all go and sit and talk. But as soon as I got home and those boys came over to our house, I was all about ninja turtles, dirt, mud, bugs, snakes, frogs, superheroes and bad guys, cowboys and indians and dinosaurs.

I wanted to write these "confessions" about myself because sometimes I think we forget or take for granted where we came from. We don't appreciate all that we have had in the past and all of the blessings that Heavenly Father gives us every day. I also think it is good, sometimes, to walk in others' shoes before you make a hasty judgment. You never know what another person has been through to make them the way that they are.

"I know that God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much". (Mother Teresa) I love that quote. Every day it is becoming more true to me. I have so many responsibilities with barely any time for myself. At the same time, I am so blessed with these things that they are so worth it.

"Come what may and love it" (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin) Recently, a few friends and family members of mine have gone through miscarriages and have been dealing with infertility. Every time I hear of someone else going through these losses I cry. It is so unfair that people who aren't ready financially or mentally get to pop out a baby every nine months when women who would be wonderful mothers in every aspect are infertile or have to suffer the loss of miscarriages. To those of you who are living with this, I wish that I could share my fertility and fantastic pregnancy. I love you and I know that Heavenly Father will let you be a mom someday.

This week has been really rough for me. Nothing particularly bad has happened to me or my family, but I have just been feeling really down. After talking with my sister and mulling things over in my head, I am feeling much better. I rely on Heavenly Father and my family to help me through anything and I am so glad to have them. Writing this blog has been really therapeutic because I can get some of my thoughts out of my head. I'm sorry for my rambling and if I have bored anyone :)

We had family pictures taken a few weeks ago so I am expecting them sometime soon and when I do I will be sure to post them on here to show off. Until then, "Come what may and love it".

Nicholya

Scrap Swap Pages!

Here are my page layouts ... finally! I'm sorry I took so long to get the first one on here. I hope you enjoy!

Happy 6 Months!

Happy 6 months to my little Jackson! Although he's not so little anymore! This past month, he has learned to roll from tummy to back and from back to tummy. His head control gets better every day and I'm kind of afraid that we'll have a crawler by next month! He's still learning to sit up on his own and Davy and I love teaching him all of these things.

Jackson has learned to say MAMA, DA-DA, DAD, DADDY and BA-BA. Did you notice how many variations of Dad he has in there? Someone sure loves his daddy. Da-da is also his most used word (probably because it's the easiest to scream, hehe).

He is eating baby food and LOVES it ... well, almost all of it. His list keeps growing of the foods that he loves and also foods that he doesn't like so much. He is not a fan of sweet potatoes and peaches. If you give him applesauce, squash or cantaloupe, he'll scream like a banshee if you take it away from him, especially cantaloupe.

He has such a little personality. He's just recently been acting "shy" around people and snuggles his face in your chest when a new person approaches and smiles at him. It's so cute and I love it because I'm usually the one holding him so I get all of the snuggles. Jackson also loves to kiss cheeks. He opens his mouth wide, grabs your face, finds your cheek and hunkers down for a juicy cheek kiss. I LOVE IT! Another habit of his is fake coughing. He's added a little chuckle to his fake cough ... hilarious! My little man is becoming such a character.

In other news: Davy's sister Allison and her husband Chris are traveling from Virginia to go to Davy's little sister, Chelsie's wedding on the 10th. We are so excited to be with them and for them to meet Jackson. With any luck, Jackson will behave at this wedding ... (Yes, I was the mommy with the screaming child at the last family wedding, but you can't expect him to be happy in a 100 degree chapel, can you? Especially when we were stuck in the middle of the aisle with no easy way out!)

We are making our way to Salmon for the 4th of July weekend. We're excited to see family and for more members of our family to meet my smiley Jackson. He'll also get to interact with his cousins and have some fun playtime.

I hardly ever mention Davy in my posts, so I'm going to take a minute to tell him just how much he means to me(becuase I know he reads this blog, haha)

Davy, you are the best husband a girl could ask for. I knew I was going to marry you after our very first date. You are a loyal and kind man and you truly make me a better person when I'm around you. I never thought I'd find my soul mate at such a young age, but when I'm with you I just know that you are my "forever". I am so happy that we chose to get sealed to each other in the temple because now that I have you, I can't imagine losing you at death. And this precious life that we brought into this world, our little Jackson, has been such a blessing for the both of us. He has brought us closer and turned our world upside down. Thank you for giving me the gift that you are, the blessing that our son is and the promise to be with me through good, bad and for all eternity. I love you.