Daxton 18 Months Old

              Yep, Daxton is definitely 18 months old.  He is running, jumping, giggling, yelling, hitting, throwing some fits, and wanting to be independent with every little thing he does.  He is the cutest little thing, and the most frustrating thing all at the same time.  This age is hard for me.  I love that he is learning every single day.  I love that he is starting to communicate with me more and more every day.  I love seeing his little personality come together.  However, I am exhausted.  I am constantly cleaning messes.  I am chasing him around daily.  I am trying out different methods of discipline to see what works for him.  Did I mention I am exhausted?  It probably doesn't help that the third bun is in the oven and cooking quickly.  Sigh.  Isn't motherhood grand?

          We took Dax to his 18 month well check a week ago, and everything looks swell.  The second the nurse walked in with his shot (the last one until Kindergarten....yippee!) he immediately starting crying and yelling, "owies!"  Poor kid.  The sucker made it all better though, and I didn't notice he got a shot at all.  He was even tempered, he didn't sleep a ton, he wasn't even extra whiney.  Overall, it was a great visit.

Length: 33" -- 75%

Weight: 25 lb. 12 oz. -- 50%

Head: 46 1/8cm -- 12%

           Still has a little head.  He got Devin's genes on that one (and every other gene Devin has).

             Daxton gets sad when Makayla goes to school, and then becomes overly joyed when we pick her up.  He loves his kitties, although he thinks they are both Bean Bean.  He was put into a toddler bed a few weeks ago, and it has been the easiest transition any child has ever had.  Seriously, he spoils me BIG time when it comes to sleep.  He takes one nap a day, and then sleeps 12-13 hours a night, and he basically never wakes up.  Ever.  He likes Mickey Mouse and does the cutest hot dog dance anyone has ever seen.  He is starting to put together three and four word sentences.  His favorite toy is still the ball.  Any ball.  If he sees a basketball or a hoop he will continue to say "baketball" or "bakbakaball" over and over and over....

         Life just wouldn't be complete without Daxton.  He makes me smile every day of my life.

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas!

I am definitely late writing this post, but I am pregnant and therefore I am forgetful.  We had a lovely Christmas together this year.  It feels like all the magic comes back when you have kids in the home.

 On Christmas Eve we took the kids to see the lights at Layton City Park, and then we went to eat at Denny's.  This is something the Hubbard family does, but since people were sick we were flying as a solo family this year.  The kids loved the lights.  When we got home the kiddos got to unwrap one present, and I bet you can't guess what it was.  Yep, they got some new jammies!  Matching penguin jammers to be exact.  However, in the night Daxton peed all over his, and Makayla didn't want to wear them anymore.  What can you do?

 Makayla started asking for a Doc McStuffins Doctor Kit back in October.  That is the one and only thing she wanted Santa to bring her.  Luckily, Santa found it on sale online and had it shipped to the North Pole.

She was THRILLED when she saw it on the couch.  It did take some convincing to get her into the living room though.  We went in her room about 7:30 and woke her up.  We told her Santa had come, but she didn't believe us.  I told her I had already gone into the living room and I had already seen what he had left for her.  Devin finally told her to get out of bed before we took away all the presents.  She threw her covers off and with an annoyed tone said, "Alright, alright.  I'm coming."  Once she was out of bed she was all smiles.

Daxton got this new ride from Mr. Claus.  He calls it his beep beep.  He loves riding around the house in it, and the kids often take turns pushing each other around the house in it.

 Makayla was a bit too excited with her new doctor kit to even realize what Daxton got, but when she did her face lit up.  I do have to remind her from time to time that Santa brought it to Daxton, and not to her so she needs to share.

 This has been a fun toy, but it has also been the source of much anger when friends and cousins visit our home.  I basically have to hide it if anyone comes to visit.  Kids don't mess around.  The car belongs to them no matter how long they have played with it.  Sigh.  Is it summer yet so we can keep it in the backyard?

 Daxton helping Daddy open his gifts.  I think we had a good year.  Money was a little tight, so Devin and I kept it simple.  I think I will keep it simple every year.  Our kids still got plenty of stuff, and they had a great day.  After all, the day is all about Christ coming, not about toys and goodies.  We spent the rest of the morning with the Rounds family, and the afternoon with the Hubbards.  We announce that we are expecting number three, and both grandmas were excited.

We are a truly blessed family.  Cheers to another great Christmas!

Here We Go Again...

In May of 2013 Devin and I decided it was time to begin the process of bringing another child into our home.  We have endured many, many months and even years in our combined process of trying to have children, so I was a bit reluctant to meet with my doctor yet again to begin the long process of pills, shots, procedures, and months of waiting, but I knew I wanted another baby, and I knew we were meant to have more.

First and foremost, I am grateful for my children.  I am sincerely grateful that through the miracles of modern medicine my body has been able to successfully carry and deliver two healthy babies.  Sometimes it is difficult to keep my head held high when I am taking medicine that makes me emotional and mentally off, but I am incredibly thankful for the end result.

After beginning the process in May, four months and a chunk of money (ouch!) had gone by without any success.  This is always right around the time that I start to get frustrated with life.  I tend to ask God why I can't just get pregnant on my own for once, but then I am always reminded of the two beautiful children that I have already been blessed with.  Patience is a virtue--even if it is pure torture learning how to be patient.  When September rolled around, and our saved funds were basically diminished, I was again becoming very agitated.  We had attended the temple together, and while I was sitting in the Celestial Room, I had the distinct feeling that another baby was coming. I told Devin I wanted to try to do an Artificial Insemination.  Devin is the best when it comes to things like this.  He is just so calm and understanding, and all the while I am an absolute wreck!  Stupid pills.

At the end of September I was pretty devastated to learn that the procedure had not worked, and I was not pregnant.  Sigh.  At this point I went to Devin and told him I wanted to take a break, and was nervous about spending more money on trying.  Devin was contemplating changing careers, and we were dealing with some big life decisions at the time, and I wasn't balancing life or handling my trials well.  However, Devin pushed me to try one more month regardless of my fears and frustrations.  I don't think the timing of it all could have been worse.  In the almost six years we have been married, I don't think I have ever felt quite so stressed.  The only thing that held me together was remembering the temple experience I had had, so I decided to have the procedure done, spend the money, and just wait for the end result.

Instead of praying for a baby like I normally had, I told God that I was feeling overwhelmed and needed a break from infertility.  I had decided to stop all visits to the doctor, and just focus on all the hundreds of other things going on in my life.  At the end of October, a few days before Halloween, I called Devin on the phone and told him how disappointed I was, but that I was certain that my period was starting.  I have never in my life been so convinced that Aunt Flow was minutes away.  However, about an hour later I was cleaning the bathroom and noticed a pregnancy test on the shelf.  At first I gave the test a dirty look (after all, it has been my enemy for the last five years!) but then I just had a simple feeling that I should take the test.  I did my thing, and walked away continuing to clean.  Minutes later, when I had gone back to the bathroom to put something away, I glanced at the test on my way out the door.  Pregnant.  The word on the test read pregnant.  With shaky hands, I picked up the test and held it close to my face.  I was certain that upon further examination I would see a big fat NOT in front of the pregnant.  Nope.  Pregnant was all I saw.  I couldn't believe it.  I immediately grabbed my phone and called Devin.  When he answered all I said was, "I am pregnant."  I think he probably thought I was crazy since I had been in tears just an hour before because I knew I wasn't pregnant.

I am incredibly blessed.  I had no morning sickness with this baby.  I have not had the usual side effects I have had in the past.  Everything has gone so well.  I am gladly 17 weeks right now, and couldn't be feeling better.  I am grateful for answered prayers, even if they aren't answered right when I get them.  I am grateful for the temple.  Without it I am sure I would not have tried one more time, and I wouldn't be expecting a baby boy the end of June.

Creepy Church

So, a few months back my brother Ryan, my parents, and I went to Redmond, Utah (don't know where that is?  No worries, neither did I--smack dab middle of the state).  We went to check out an old church to see if it could be turned into a cabin.  Let's just say the church was a bit creepy.  Okay, okay.  Not a bit.  A LOT creepy.  The power wasn't on, and since the place had a basement there were some scary passages and stairways that didn't sit too well with us.  We heard animals and other unsettling sounds.  It wasn't the kind of place I wouldn't want to be wandering around alone, that's for sure.  It gave us a nice adventure to talk about though.

 Going down the creepy stairs with just cell phone lights.  Good thing the camera had flash so we could actually see what was in the rooms.

 This gym would have been the greatest feature one could ever have in a cabin.  Too bad everything else in the joint was completely trashed.

 Again, wandering around in the dark.  The flash is deceiving.  The windows were boarded

 up, so it was dark.

And what cabin doesn't have a pulpit?  Come on, now.  Wouldn't that have been great?  Basically the church was just too creepy and run down to have made it into a cabin, but I am still hunting for a big property that will fit our whole family.  Maybe someday...

Lagoon

We got the chance to go to Lagoon this summer with family.  I wasn't pregnant (no baby this August!) so I was actually able to ride some of the rides with Makayla.  It is much more fun that just watching.

 Makayla seems to be fearless.  She went on any ride we suggested, but definitely

 loved the kiddie rides.

 On the Sky Ride.  Makayla loved looking down at all the people.  I loved sitting down.

Check out that great view.

Black Island Farms 2013

I am one of the luckiest girls in the world.  I get to stay home with my little beauties full time.  I know they are always taken care of, because I am the one who gets to care for them.  We recently went to Black Island Farms with some friends and with Makayla's preschool group.  My kids fell in love with the place.  We first got to take a tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch where the kids got to pick out some pumpkins.  What could be more fun for a kid?

The farmer let us pass around some vegetables that he picked from the farm, and for some strange reason Daxton fell in love with a head of cabbage.  He kept saying, "Ball.  Ball!"  He was quite disappointed when I took it from him to pass it to the other kids.  Poor little guy.  Guess I know what to get him for Christmas...

 Each of us got to pick a pumpkin from the patch, which basically means Makayla picked three.  She kept saying she wanted a scary pumpkin.  That one looks incredibly scary.

 Makayla with her cousin, Korbin.

 Love these kids.

 Makayla with her friend, Drew.  I think they have a crush on each other.

 Tara, Jessica, and their kiddos.

 Getting ready to watch the pigs race.

 And off they go!  Makayla cheered for the pig with the pink dots on its back.

 And what kid doesn't love a giant cow bounce house?

We spent many, many hours at the farm.  Worth every penny.

Two Peas In A Pod

My kidlets are like two peas in a pod.  They do everything together, and they rarely have issues.  I am hoping things can stay that way....forever.  Since Dax has been crawling and walking around everywhere, they have really liked playing together.  Makayla is good to him, and acts like a little mommy.  Dax is a peach and just takes it (even when she is playing doctor and needs to give him a shot).  I know I am going to look back and really miss these days.  I think their very favorite thing to do together is hang out in shopping carts while I get the shopping done.  They LOVE the car carts at Macey's and Smith's.  Whoever created those things should get a gold star.  Genius.