Disneyland!

For those of you who don't know, Drew is a teacher at a technical high school. The school has different programs the student can choose. They focus on one area in addition to their general classes like English, Math and Science. At Drew's school they have programs like Medical, Culinary, Hospitality/Marketing, Auto, Education, etc. He is part of Hospitality and Marketing, and teaches Hospitality to Seniors. He is also an advisor for DECA, (if you are from Heber, it's like FBLA kind of where they compete in different aspects of business..). Due to him being the Hospitality teacher, he is able to take his students on a trip once a year to study "hospitality". We are EXTREMELY lucky to get to go on these trips with him. Last year it was the Bahamas, this year Hollywood, and next year another cruise! Also, DECA nationals was at Disneyland this year, and we were able to tag along! Awesome perks that come with the awesome job! ;)

It happened to be over my birthday so that was an additional bonus! It was my Golden birthday this year! (25 on the 25th!) Drew made a sweet book full of memories from 25 friends. Thanks for helping him if you are one of them! I loved it so much. 

Pictures speak 1000 words, so here are some pics of Disneyland :)

1 month

Dear Ali,

Already 1 month old! We spent what seemed like forever waiting and waiting for you, then you came and now time is FLYING. You are the sweetest baby. We can't get enough of the cuddles and kisses. You are starting to look more like your brother, but have your own look, too. You make the cutest little faces and are already so dynamic. You even mimic sounds sometimes! (Maybe, I might be dreaming that one...haha.) My favorite face you make, we call "Blue Steel" because you look like Zoolander. You are a great eater but not so much at scheduled eating. Starting today I am going to try and help you get on a schedule because it's hard for us all when you are so unpredictable. ;) It makes me stressed and worry that my milk supply is weird and you aren't getting enough at certain times. Hopefully we will figure it out together this week! Other than being a little fussy in the evenings, you really are an angel. I'm hoping you don't grow into having the same gas and tummy issues as your brother. You do seem to spit up a lot so I'm hoping acid reflux isn't something you have to deal with too!

You have already done so much this month!

-We have been to two movies, "Croods" and "Oz". I want to squeeze in a few more with you while we can!    It's such an easy date for us cause we can take you.

-We took a trip to Heber to visit Grandpa and Grandma Jones and lots more family and friends. It was a rough week because it was also the week your brother decided to get jealous and all "3 year old" on me. (His attitude and tantrums might be my biggest test of patience to date.) But we will be going back to Heber in a week to visit again after your baby blessing.

-We also went to DISNEYLAND. Most people thought I was crazy, and most people told me so, even strangers that asked how old you were. We had so much fun and you were easy as pie! We had lots of down time in the hotel room to rest and give you and your brother naps. It was a perfect vacation. We decided to get annual passes so we will be going back a lot this summer and year, I'm sure.

I need you to slow down just a little because I am DREADING going back to work :( I can't even think about it or I'll just be sad and stressed. Luckily, daddy gets off for the summer the same week I have to go back, so it won't be AS hard leaving you. Until then I am going to snuggle and kiss you so much you might actually get sick of me! ;)

Here you are as a newborn next to today, 1 month!

 We love you so much. You are so fun for me and I'm really enjoying being your mom. I think since you are my second baby I am a lot more laid back and less stressed than with Luke. Which helps me to soak you in and enjoy our time together. I get excited just thinking about you and all your fun outfits. I could stare in your eyes all day and I hope you feel how loved you are. Slow down in the growing department though, sweet girl!

Love you,

Mom

2 weeks vs. 35 months

Ali has now been here for 2.5 weeks and time is FLYING by. She has already done so much in her short life, including changing ours completely. :) I wrote a blog about the things I loved about Luke at his newborn stage, and wanted to do the same for Ali.

-She is SUCH a sweet baby. She only cries when she is hungry, and fusses a LITTLE if sleepy or wet/poopy.
-She makes the sweetest noises. When she eats, when she sleeps, when she is laying on the floor doing nothing. They are just little squeaky coos that you can't hear unless you are paying attention.
-Her eyes are amazing. I could stare at them all day. And I try to! It's like her eyes are trying to tell us a story.
-She loves her hands. In almost every ultrasound, her hands could be found up by her face. And she still loves them in the outside world. She even sucks her thumb and fingers every so often.
-She smacks her lips whenever she is done eating. She pulls off and smacks a few times letting me know she's had enough!
-She is so cuddly. She would love to be held all day, which is fine by me. I have a moby wrap that she loves (and I do too since it's technically cuddling and I can have both hands free to play with Luke or get things done around the house.)
-She makes the same faces as Luke did in his sleep when she is sleeping. (Every baby probably does.) The little grimaces where her whole face scrunches up.
-Whenever she is about to get upset she starts breathing really fast almost to warn us that she's about to freak out. Cutest.
-She pees EVERY time I change her diaper. Without fail. Half the time I end up wasting a diaper because I get a new one on and she fills it before I can even close it up.

She is such a blessing to us all. We are adjusting to a family of four, but not without difficulty. Luke loves her and hasn't really acted out in realtion to HER. But, he has thrown more tantrums in the past two weeks than his whole life combined, I think. It makes me feel so bad because I know he is just trying to figure out his new role in our family. I think it's just his age and his new little sis, both. He doesn't want to be told what to do, and if you do he yells, "Don't tell me that!!". The kids and I went to Heber for a few days last week and I had multiple crying sessions trying to deal with him on my own. He is not my sweet little baby anymore...and I'm trying to teach him that even though he isn't my baby anymore, he can still be sweet! ;) We will get there, but getting there is going to be hard. Wish me luck! Next time I post I will post lots of pics. :)