Month 8

Dear Luke,

Another month has come and gone. You are such a big boy. You are into everything and scooting/crawling EVERYWHERE. You taste everything in sight. Whether it's just a lick or sticking it all in your mouth. You started licking floors, which is soo gross. You are fascinated with light switches, and would flip it on and off all day if I would let you. And sometimes, I'm tempted to stand in front of a light switch and let you do it for an hour just to keep you content. You STILL don't have any teeth, and you're a teething monster...I'm beginning to think you will be teething your whole life without the result of getting anything. You are still a great sleeper. Sometimes you wake up a half hour early for your bottle, which results in waking up a half hour early for the day. But thats okay. We both still get plenty of sleep. It's been a slow month compared to the last couple, but it's been good for both of us. I might be going back to work soon, and it was good to have a whole month off with you. Here are some things that happened this month:

Firsts/things we did:

-You scoot everywhere, but I call it crawling because you prefer to scoot. You can crawl, you just would rather scoot...

-You know how to clap. It's the cutest thing ever...

-I started singing Itsy Bitsy Spider, and you started doing the hand motions all by yourself! Only after a couple times of hearing/doing it with me.

-You have become much more interested in things other than your toys. You LOVE shoes, chords, cups, phones, remote controls, anything besides baby toys pretty much.

-You still eat like a champ. Keep it up.

-You were watched by your Grandma Deb and by your aunt Leesha and uncle Jared for whole days at a time. I missed you so much!

-You jabber all day. You can say "dada" "mama" and "baba" and seem to know what they mean, though you usually stick to one specific sound per day. :)

-You could watch Baby Einstein videos all day. I don't let you, though.

Likes:

-Bath time. Always. I'm sure you always will.

-Bottles and all other food.

-Diaper changes.

-Reading stories.

-Singing.

-Your "apple" toy and balls.

-Watching other little kids/playing with others.

-Going out, anywhere, with mommy and daddy.

Dislikes:

-Having toys taken from you.

-Eating your food all gone.

-Your schedule getting "off."

-Teething. (haha)

I may discontinue the likes and dislikes after this month. You are pretty consistent at this point, little man.

You light up my life Luke. I am a better person because I'm your mom, and my life has more meaning than ever. Your daddy and I find so much joy in watching you develop and learn. You are so fun right now. Can't believe how fast your life has gone thus far, and I know it will just stay the same if not go faster. Remember how much I love you as we make the decision for me to go back to work or not. Though we may have to spend a couple hours apart, I will be thinking of you always. You're my rock little buddy. Love you more than ever.

Love, Mom

At the Bellagio water show :) Didn't know what to think...

First time on the strip as a family. (Not that it is going to be a regular occurrence.)

Another shot...cute boy.

Watching Baby Einstein on mom's lap with your soccer ball :)

Dad thinks if he covers your crib you sleep longer cause it's dark...here is how we found you the other day :)

All your toys! But you still insist on finding "grown up" toys.

Your "walk and ride" dino...can't really do either yet, but you like to sit on him :)

Silly face:)

Another silly face...

How you spend most your days...chewing on things. :)Y

Your new big boy high chair. It was CHEAP.

Dieting

Everyone hates it. It's not fun. It's hard. It's a slow process. It takes patience. It takes practice. It's a lifetime struggle for lots of people. For those of you who don't struggle with it, UGHHHH! Not fair. It's just not fair. Why can some girls eat anything they want, and work out very little to never, and still be skin and bones and look amazing? And might i add, why can they do this even after A BABY or TWO. I'm frustrated, to say the least.

Obviously, I am dieting. And the specific diet I chose to embark on, is HARD. I struggle with not being able to eat certain things when in a normal person's diet, they would be considered healthy choices. (i.e. carbs, certain veggies, certain soups, certain dairy..) Sometimes, I just want to eat something yummy, but healthy, and not feel guilty. I want to go to Sweet Tomatoes with my hubby and eat a reasonably sized salad, a little pasta, and some frozen yogurt and call it a good meal. Sadly, I can't do that. Atleast not for a while.

Someone just needs to invent something that makes everyone healthy. I know, I know. It's called "a healthy diet and exercise." So since nobody is going to invent something better than that to get people healthy, invent something that makes everyone happy with the way they look. To be honest, I kinda feel like if I KNEW that everyone around me wasn't thinking "she is getting big," or "she could lose some weight," then I think I would be happy with myself. Is that bad? Probably.

Oh well. Heres to low calories and yucky food. :( Haha, what a negative post. But I just wanted to vent because if I didn't vent, I would go to the kitchen and cheat....I figure a negative blog post is better than blowing my diet. :)

Third time's the charm...

I have been on an emotional roller coaster for the past year of my life. You can probably see that by reading my blog. In the past year, I have had some major life changes. To mention just a few: I was pregnant for the first time, gave birth for the first time (duh), became a mom for the first time (another duh, but some people don't have to give birth to do this so thought I would mention it...), have made mistakes as a mother and am still learning every day how to be a good one, moved for the first time out of Utah, bought a house for the first time, and lived in a city for the first time. This may seem like a lot to most people, and it is. But believe me, this is just the "big stuff." There are so many more small things that happened, or are happening, that have made me stop and think lately. There are things that have made me sad or discouraged. There are things that made me unbelievably happy and excited. Though, like most normal people, I tend to focus on the negative. I always think "what if" or "remember when" or "it was so great when we." I told Drew just the other day, when I don't have something to look forward to, it's hard for me to be excited and happy. I need a holiday or family get togethers or a fun date to keep me motivated. This shouldn't be the case, and I have forgotten to live in the moment! Well, it only took three reminders to kick me in the butt and remind me to live in the moment.

One, from a family member who said, "Do you know how lucky you are? Remember how good life is right now. These are the moments." I need to think about this when I think those "remember when" thoughts. Though I do miss the stress-free days of dating and college, I wouldn't change what Drew and I have now for ANYTHING. So why can't I remember this every day? I will try harder!

The second reminder came when reading two different blogs. One said something to the effect of enjoying the time while you have it. When you look back you'll realize how fast time goes. Isn't it true. I've already seen this with Luke being 7 months old. It seems like he was a newbie newborn last week! I need to start cherishing every moment, cause soon he'll be 18!! The other blog talked about a friend's baby who passed away at only 7 months old. I can't imagine having to go through the loss of a child. I pray I wont ever have to, but because I haven't, I need to especially cherish every moment. Not just because time goes fast. But because I have the time in the first place.

The third, and I hope final reminder, (because after this I hope to change my attitude) was today. I was driving to meet Drew for a quick dinner before he had to leave for one of his "first year teacher" seminar class things. This might be cheesy but it was a reminder, nonetheless. Our song came on the radio, and Luke was "singing along" in the back seat. Now of course Luke doesn't know the words, or even the tune. But it was such a happy moment to me. I have such a great life with the two loves of my life. It was a simple reminder, but it left a mark :)

So, I have been reminded to: Remember how lucky I am and these are the moments. Cherish each moment because I can, and because time goes too quickly. And always remember the simple things are the best things. I will look forward to tomorrow, even if nothing important is happening besides Drew and I watching one of our favorite shows while playing with Luke and his toys. That truly is something to look forward to. I'm excited for tomorrow. :)

To be, or not to be...

This is going to be a huge rant but I need advice!

As many of you know, I have finished my pre-reqs and am getting ready to apply to the Medical Sonography program at CSN starting this summer. If I get in, it's a two year (six semester) full-time program. I was under the impression, (from talking to past students of the program) that the reason CSN's program was great, was because you got to choose your schedule. Unlike most medical programs, where there is a set schedule and you have to attend at certain times. I was also told that because you're only required to take 13 credits per semester, having a job, (or being a mom in my case) is totally do-able. Well, I guess I was stupid to listen to someone who went through the program 5 years ago, because now, IT IS NOT THE CASE. Heres what I learned today.

1-Starting in June, my schedule would be class/clinicals every day from 8-2. This isn't so bad. But here is number 2.

2-Starting in August, my schedule would be every day, 8-5.

I realize this is what happens when you get into a medical program. Believe me, I know people do it every day. However, for me and my case, I didn't know entering the program would also mean gaining a full time job. I would love to be a sonographer. TOTALLY would. But, I also don't want to have a "full time job" away from my baby boy for 2 years. And lets be honest, two years is a long time, and who is to say I won't have another baby on the way or here by the time the program is over. (Obviously, that wouldn't happen if I was IN the program..)

So heres the catch. I think I was destined to realize this all along. I have been doing my 40 hours of observation (required for entry to the program) this week at a perinatal sonography clinic. I absolutely love the environment there and told Drew that that is the place I would love to work at someday. Yesterday morning, I get a text from the clinic manager offering me a part time MA position. (I had told Drew that if I didn't get in to the sonography program, I would want to find a part time MA position in an OB or pediatric clinic.) So...the only thing is, she didn't want to offer me the position if I was just going to quit in June to go to school. Understandable. This is what lead me to call the program director and ask her about school hours throughout the program. Thus, leading me to my current thoughts of:

1-"Do I REALLY want to go to school full time for two years just to say I got a degree."

2-"I LOVE being an MA and could do it, extremely happily for the rest of my life."

3-"A part time job in an OB clinic is exactly what I want, and I can still be a mom."

So, what are your thoughts? Do I apply to the program, see if I get in, and then address the issue? Do I just not apply and take the MA position? My theory is: I decided to do sonography, needed the 40 hours, found this awesome clinic, and was offered an MA position. ALL because that was supposed to happen. Nothing else. I dunno, am I crazy?? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated :)

Month 7

Dear Luke,

Baby boy. I can't believe how big you are. Seriously, I say it every month. (And I say THAT every month too.) But you are such a little man now. You jabber and jabber and screech all day long. Your new thing is to screech/scream in the highest pitch possible. To others it may be annoying, but to me its adorable. Just like everything else you do. This month we had a lot of time with family and friends and you got so much attention that I am afraid it will be a wake up call to you when in a few days everything winds down and it's just you and I again. We are going back to being baby-sitters in a few days so we can make some extra money, and this time around there will be a smaller baby than you there. I just hope you know by now that you are my one and only (right now) and that NO baby will take your place. :) You are a great sleeper now, and of course a great eater still. I just can't believe you are closer to being 1 than you are to when you were born. Over the half way mark. So crazy. My life has just flown by since you entered into it. Here are some likes/dislikes and events from this month.

Firsts/things we did:

-You are ALMOST ready to crawl. You could if you wanted.

-You eat 3 meals a day (most days) and will eat pretty much anything.

-You still love your snacks.

-We have been in our new house for a month now, and you don't even realize anything new. :)

-You had your first Christmas and visit from Santa. It was fun to start our own traditions.

-You say "baba" and seem to know what it means.

-We took our first car ride to Heber City to visit Grandpa and Grandma Jones, and you were pretty good! It took us 8 1/2 hours instead of 6 1/2 because of snow, but you were such a good boy. Thank you!

-You saw snow for the first time and LOVED it. Mommy's boy.

-You discovered your tongue and you stick it out/twist it constantly.

-You had your first full day without mommy (8-5) but luckily, daddy was with you so I think you were okay. (Unlike your mom, I missed you so much!)

-You found a spot "under the couch" where you like to watch your shows. You always find your way there no matter how we block it off. It's precious :)

Likes:

-Your "baba"

-Your mommy and daddy (duh)

-Nap time and bed time. (Whether you admit it or not :)

-Avacados, gerber snacks, and fruit.

-Rolling around, "standing up"

-Jumperoo and turning table (still, love it.)

-Car rides (FINALLY)

-Playing games and reading books.

Dislikes:

-Too many people in one place. You really hate noise.

-Lemons...haha. (We only tried it once, your face was priceless.)

-Teething. Obviously.

-Getting dressed.

-Not "being able to crawl" JUST DO IT!

I know, the lists seem to be getting shorter. They probably aren't, but really, there is just so much you do that I forget through out the day. Now that you are getting more and more personality, you are becoming so fun. You have always been fun, but the joy you bring to my life now is so great. I could play with you and watch you roll around all day and not get bored. You bring something to my life that nobody else could even touch. Your toothless smile, and funny giggles make me feel better on a bad day. You truly have become such a good baby now that you have grown out of your acid reflux and colic/gas problems. You will smile no matter what kind of mood you're in. This coming month will be busy, and I know it will go by fast, but please just don't grow TOO fast. I will cherish every moment with you this month. Before I know it, it will be time to say Happy 1st Birthday. Your daddy loves you too and you are his best little buddy. I love seeing you two together. Slow down little man. You are amazing, and daddy and I wouldn't trade you in for ANYTHING. Love you so much. More and more each minute.

Love, Mom.

This is your spot under the couch. You LOVE it.

Opening your stocking.

Our little fam on Christmas morning at Grandma and Grandpa Gatter's house.

In Heber during a snow storm. You're cross eyed looking at the snow :)

There is the infamous tongue.

Looking out the window at the snow. You did this for atleast 15 minutes.

You and me at "Ethel M's Chocolate Factory" lights. Daddy was there too, we just don't have a great picture of the three of us handy.