Visit to Utah

We went on a quick weekend trip to Utah the first weekend in March. Brian and Chelsie were blessing little Grayson, so we decided to head down. I was so indecisive about going. I wanted to go, but wasn't really looking forward to a 6 hour car ride. Lately my hips have hurt more from sitting in one place too long. And then I have "worst case scenario" syndrome when it comes to this pregnancy. I was so worried that something would happen while traveling down or when we were down there and I would have this baby early. But I decided to have a little faith and took my blood pressure cuff with me just in case!

Here's the little guy...

The drive actually turned out okay...as far as my discomfort went and Tess did great. It was a really long drive for other reasons (multiple stops) and we got down there super late, but at least we made it. Saturday morning was nice and lazy. Dave went for a long run and Tess and I hung out with Grandma while Grandpa was working. 

That afternoon, we went and took some pictures of Tess. That was one thing that I have had on my TO DO list for a while and I wanted to be sure to capture Tess's 2 year photos. We went to the same place we went at Christmas time hoping that we could get a few more pics than last time. We had stopped to get some balloons and brought a chair for a prop. Tess was not in the best of moods, but would smile for a fruit snack. Later, Chelsie came over and got a few more pics of Tess smiling using her smarties method...much more effective than fruit snacks! She managed to actually snap some smiles out of that girl and got a few of us as a family. They turned out great! I was relieved! And big thanks to Chelsie! I'll do a separate post with the pics since there are a few...but here is a cute one of Tess for now.

That night we had a big family dinner with Grandpa and Grandma, Beth, Brian, Chelsie and their two kiddos. It was fun to be together and watch Tess and Avery interact. Tess is still quite shy around other kids, but hopefully that will go away as she gets older. She couldn't get enough of Grayson though. She just sat there and stared at him pointing. I am hoping that this is a good sign for us and that she is going to love her new baby sister.

 {sweetest shot of Grandpa reading to his two girls}

Sunday morning was the blessing. Brian gave a beautiful blessing to little Grayson. We headed home after a quick brunch hoping that the drive would be faster than the drive down. We had left Provo just after noon and by the time we hit the point of the mountain in Draper, Dave and I were both wiped out tired. Surprise surprise. Tess was out, so we decided that this would be a perfect time to pull over and get a quick catnap while she was sleeping. I know...we are pathetic! We will never be one of those golden oldie couples that trade their house in for an RV and roadtrip around the states. We would be stopping every 15 minutes to sleep! But that catnap was perfect and we were on the road again 45 minutes later much more rested and happy!

We stopped in Snowville to get gas and eat our lunch. While I was in the bathroom (Dave was outside with Tess), I ran into my aunt. They had been in Jerome for the weekend visiting her mother. So we sat and chatted right there in the bathroom. I didn't think anything of it because I thought it would just be quick since they were on the road and we were too, but we ended up talking in there for over a half hour. Don't ask me why we didn't move the conversation outside...we were just so into talking that we couldn't stop. I'm sure all the ladies that came and went thought we were crazy. 

I finally told Robin I would see her out in the store. I thought Jerry was waiting in the car for her, but she said that he was out in the store probably talking to Dave. When I went out, there they were talking and laughing and wondering where in the heck their wives were! In fact, Dave had asked a woman who had just come out if there was some crazy long line in the bathroom. She said "no, but there are two women in there talking having the conversation of their lives!" Both Dave and Jerry laughed saying "those ladies are our wives." Dave almost sent the lady back in to get us as I was walking out. What can I say? You get two ladies together who haven't seen each other for a long time...they are bound to talk and catch up, even if it is in the bathroom of the gas station.

We hurried and ate our lunch and got on our way...another hour detour. We were SO grateful to pull into Boise after a long day of driving. It was a fun weekend and we were glad that we were able to make it down to see family and celebrate with them!

The Golden Arches...a first!

Dave and Tess had passed on their cold and sinus infections onto me and after two weeks, I was done and decided drugs were the only answer to get rid of this junk, so I headed to the doctor. I was starving afterwards and had zero gumption to make lunch. Just after passing McDonalds, I found myself turning around and into the drive thru. I never go to McDonalds...I can't even remember the last time I went there voluntarily. But it sounded so good (I blame that on pregnancy and cravings), so I picked lunch up for the family. Dave was "delighted" with my lunch choice (note the sarcasm).

Tess was truly thrilled with her Happy Meal. This was her first and she couldn't have been more excited about her chicken nuggets. These have become a very favorite of hers. She wasn't so much into the fries...she doesn't know what she is missing since McDonald's fries are one of my biggest weaknesses and I could eat them all day long. I guess it's okay that she isn't addicted to them like me.

Another happy customer!

Tumble Time

Today was Tess's first day of Tumble Time. I'm not sure if the "tumble" refers to her or to me because I felt like as her "assistant" I was ready to "tumble" myself...I was exhausted after we got through!

Tess gets to take part in this program through the Early Intervention program. We have been so blessed to have had such great therapists through this program. Her class had 3 other little kids in it who have been coming regularly for a while now. Tess did awesome for her first class. She was a little hesitant at first, but sure loved the bars and hanging upside down (Olympic gymnast in training) and loved walking all over the gym. They had lots of squishy mats so Tess was a little "drunk" as she toddled around. But this will be so good for developing her balance and coordination more. Hopefully it will help her increase her confidence level as well as her desire to try new things even if they look scary. She really was brave in trying everything. And they did not have her doing easy things! The therapist and I basically had to "place" her arms and legs on every apparatus as she hung from the bars, balanced on the beam and crawled up the wall mat backwards. Eventually she will be able to do it by herself. I was proud of her for trying.

I was hoping to get more pictures and videos, but really had no chance as they kept us very busy. I did get a couple though. 

{ball pit during free time}

And a little vid of Tess and the ball pit...

32 Weeks!

Another milestone for this family...32 weeks pregnant! We always said we would be so relieved if we were able to get this far. And we did! Super excited that this pregnancy is SO DIFFERENT than our first. We feel extremely blessed and are grateful this little nugget is growing like a champ.

More birthday fun

Tess has gotten some fun birthday packages in the mail from her aunts, uncles and cousins...

:: new pots and pans to go with her kitchen ::

:: a ball popper :: 

Thanks again for all the toys and cards in the mail!

Happy 2nd Birthday

It's crazy to think our little girl is the big TWO! It just boggles my mind. I thought the first year went fast. Geez...I'm going to be a basket case if the time continues to speed by like this. Tess will be in college before I know it and I will be bawling like a baby as she goes out on her own. I have to remember this each day so that I truly take the time to savor every moment of her little life...even in the tantrums (they are beginning....)

I will never forget two years ago when this little girl was in such a hurry to get here. She came blazing into the world and into our hearts. And she has stayed there ever since. I look back on her life and pictures and remember each hurdle she has overcome and every milestone she has reached to be where she is today. I don't know if there is a day that goes by without me and Dave making some comment to each other about how amazing she is. I remember back to the first few weeks of her life wondering if I would ever get to see her become a toddler. It seemed eons away...totally out of our reach. And yet here we are. She has come so far and since those first few days, weeks and months of her life, she has continued to teach me to press on, never give up, and enjoy each and every moment of our lives together. I'm forever grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with this sweet spirit in my life and in our home. 

So...onto the celebration. I decided to be "low-key" this year. Both sets of grandparents were going to come up for the weekend to celebrate with us, so I thought it would be fun to just have a little celebration with them rather than have a billion people over...honestly, I am just a little too tuckered out. And really, Tess is only 2. She doesn't need a big hullabaloo. But even though it wasn't going to be a "full on" party, I still had to make a few little party preparations...hats, decorations, cake.

The week before I spent doing all of that plus getting the house cleaned up in between tending to the "sickies" and coming down with a cold myself. It was fantastic. But I did manage to get it all done. 

 {Tess refused to wear hers}

We celebrated on Saturday, February 16...Sunday was her birthday, but grandparents were leaving that day. We tried to take a few pics before the celebration...as you can see, we worked with what we could. I don't even think we got a pic with Grandpa and Grandma Nielsen. And the picture of us, well it's not the best, but it works. Tess was not in the mood...

Because Tess LOVES pizza, we went out that night to Flatbread Pizza. Last time we were there, she ate 3 1/2 pizzas by herself. Well, it didn't go exactly as planned out in my little head. Tess had pretty much refused a nap that day...too much fun with her Grandpas and Grandmas. She finally pooped out in the car on the way to the restaurant and rested on Daddy's shoulder while waiting to be seated. Looking back, it wasn't a bad thing...we had to wait close to 30 minutes to be seated. So rather than trying to keep a hungry child entertained, it was better she was catching some zzzz's. 

After we stuffed ourselves with yummy pizza, we headed home to open presents. Tess was spoiled! We should have kept some presents for Christmas! We got her a pink little easy chair...her very own to climb in. She loved it. She also got a baby doll from Grandpa and Grandma Johnson...they even fixed up my old cradle to give to her. And she got a tent and a tunnel from Grandpa and Grandma Nielsen. I would say those were her favorite toys of all. She couldn't get enough of that baby, chair, and tent/tunnel. She also got a bunch of other toys too that she loves to play with. It's good to have some new toys for her. Thank you everyone!

She LOVED opening every present. She would sit in her chair and Daddy would ask her if she wanted to open a present. She would say "yah" and then fold her hands together all proper. It was so funny. We were all getting such a kick out of her. And she knew she was entertaining us all too. It's so much fun to see her grow and develop and do "big kid" things.

We had cake and ice cream after the presents and finally put our birthday girl to bed at 10:00! Way too late. She was exhausted but boy, did she have a good time.

{again...not the best quality pic}

We love our little Peanut and are happy she is ours forever!

Happy LOVE Day!

Valentine's Day was a big day for us! Yes, we like to celebrate being in love and such, but this year was extra special because Tess decided to really walk once and for all! Her first walking was on January 29, but after therapy and her afternoon nap, she refused to walk anymore. She would walk here and there, but always wanted our finger or just would flat out refuse. You can imagine our frustration...we knew she totally could do it on her own, but she was displaying her stubbornness once again and reminding us that she would do what she wanted and on her own time. 

Maureen, Tess's therapist came later in the morning and we started out playing the little "game" that Tess likes with her green sippy cup and pink stuffed bear. We would throw them both back and forth while we were sitting on the ground and make Tess walk for them. Fortunately, she likes this little "game" and thinks it is quite hilarious. Pretty soon she was walking across the room. Maureen switched places with Dave so that it could become our little family "game." Maureen hid behind the island...Tess would continue walking between me and Dave but would be looking for Maureen at the same time. She couldn't quite figure out where she had gone.

After a very successful therapy session, I fed Tess lunch and put her down for a nap crossing my fingers that afterwards she would still walk. When she woke up, Dave and I played our little "game" with her and she was awesome at walking and still wanted to. 

HOORAY!

We now have a full on walker and are so excited! It's awesome to see her toddle around the house and explore. So grateful to have reached this milestone...and just before her 2nd birthday.

Way to go Tessie! We know you have worked extra hard to get here!

Oh...and we did celebrate Valentine's Day with our traditional Valentine's breakfast and gourmet Valentine's dinner made by Dave. He is a much better cook than me and I'm always so curious to see what he is going to whip up. And this year did not disappoint. We love this Vietnamese restaurant downtown called Pho. Dave "recreated" one of their salads....delish!!! We had a fun LOVE day!

 {breakfast}

{dinner}

The little "Cupid" found us and brought us a few little things for Valentine's. This is Tess's stash...

 {reading the card with Daddy}

 {loving opening her presents}

 {loving her pink Valentine doggy}

And Dave gave me some running socks (is that a hint for after this pregnancy???) and a little gel nail kit...I'm going to have some glam nails. I gave him cologne...Acqua di Gio...mmm...smells so good. I was a nervous wreck buying it. My nose was on overdrive smelling all the different scents. I wasn't sure if he was going to like it...I did (and really, it's for me, right?) and luckily he did too. He told me that he used to have some of it long long ago...

Oh, and Dave got me some flowers too...they were beautiful and I was spoiled!