A costume weekend.

It has been a good weekend. On Friday we went to a Vet school BBQ. They were having a dress your dog in costume day. We brought Daisy and dressed her in a cute bumblebee costume. Poor Zoe had to stay at home because she is not a social dog, but she enjoyed a big bone later for not being able to go. There were around 20 dogs running around as elvis, lobster, skunks, supermans, and cows. There was also a Harry Potter dog. Daisy loved being around all dogs except when they were near food then she became territorial. They also had a costume contest for the dogs. Daisy did not win, but everyone thought she was so cute and well behaved for a Beagle. We also took Tyler and dressed him up as a dog. He was a hit and he kept trying to eat his bone.

On Saturday we had a Trunk or Treat at church. Eric dressed up as a Vet Student. I dressed up as a nurse. Very original. We were really tired and Eric was in the middle of studying for his midterm so we were not really into it, but we have a child now and we must be social and participate in activities. Tyler was so good and was smiling at everyone that looked at him.

The best part of the weekend was on Saturday night when Tyler slept straight from 10 pm to 5:30 am. It was great! I hope he does it again tonight.

Daisy was not the only bumblebee.

Zoe was not at the party, but she was still cute with her blanky.

Ty's first virus.

Yesterday I woke up with a sore throat and a sinus headache. I was late getting to Nate's house( my brother) to babysit Stella. On the way there, I realized that Tyler was sick too. He had a runny nose, cough, and was sneezing a lot. Later on that day he had a fever. OH, NO! Poor Bubba! He was still in a pretty good mood and it seemed that he was not phased by it. He took a longer nap, but he was not unusually fussy. Even though he was sick, he still managed to be a superboy and he rolled from his tummy to his back for the first time. TWICE! Then around 7pm he started to tell me that he was not feeling well. He was fussy all through the night. It seemed like the night went on forever and then the sun came up. Now I realize that last night was nothing compared to this morning. Poor Tyler did not know what to do with himself. He was crying and cooing at the same time. It was funny, but sad. He would smile one second and then the smile turned into a puckered bottom lip. After about 5 hours he finally went down for a nap, but not without a fight.
Our pediatrician wants us to take rectal temps on Ty and it has been my fear that if I stick something in his bottom, he will return the favor and give me something back. I did pretty good the first couple of times, but I knew my luck would not hold on. To my horror it happened. I will spare the details, but I am glad there was a bathroom nearby. Ty just smiled and cooed afterwards. He loves to give me presents!
So, Ty has his first virus and it's not being very nice to him.

Parents.

Tyler turned 12 weeks on Saturday. I can't believe how big he has grown. He is now over 13 pounds, in 3-6 month clothing and his feet are the size of a 6 month old. I am 6 feet tall and I really hope that this means that he will be a tall also. He is growing like a weed.

Being a parent, I feel like I have entered into this new club. I associate more with other parents and talk about setting up play dates in the future. I am the one who is walking my child in the back of the room at church to try to get him to fall asleep. I am doing things that other parents do. CRAZY! It sometimes feels like an out of body experience. I am so amazed that I have entered into this phase of my life. I love it! We talked about being a mother and a parent in Relief Society today and I trully feel that it is the most important thing that we are to do in this life. Some who are not able to have children can still be parents or play a parental role in children's lives. It is really a wonderful experience and makes my life feel more fulfilled. I am thankful for adoption so that those who can not bear children physically can still experience being a parent. Okay, thats enought of my preaching.

Here are some pictures of Tyler's room that I have been meaning to post. I love going into his room and playing with him. His closet is filled with clothes and it is so much fun to dress him in all the cute outfits. I try to let him lay in his crib a little everyday so that he will get use to it and hopefully sleep in his crib at night. He seems to love his new mobile.

A woof weekend.

This weekend was fun and rough at the same time. On Saturday morning Tyler was a little fussy so he ended up sleeping with us in bed the entire night. I have been trying to put him back into his bed after feeding him, but I get so tired that I give up. He has been spoiled in our bed with the pillowtop mattress. Who would want to go back to a hard bed after sleeping on a cloud! When I woke up in the morning, it was so cute to see Eric and Tyler sleeping so sound and in the same position.

Eric's parents were coming for a visit so I decided to go to the store for food. When I came back to my surprise Eric had put Tyler down for a nap. He was so excited that he was actually able to put him down and on his back. He had to take a picture of it. Eric is working really hard at learning to take care of Tyler and he is doing an awesome job. Tyler just adores him.

We had a really fun time with the grandparents and Tyler put on his cute face for them, but he had not taken any long naps so he was fussy at times and sleeping on and off. They seemed to still enjoy him. I also bought Tyler another Halloween outfit. It can be really addicting to buy things for your child. I just love all the cute baby outfits and toys that are out there, but it sure is expensive. I love this puppy outfit because he can play dress up with it when he gets a little bigger and he looks so cute in it.

Tyler kept trying to gnaw on his paws and the bone.

It was a really great weekend and I wish that Tyler could see his grandparents on both sides more often because he is growing so fast.

A day at home.

The last couple of nights have been hard for Tyler and me. He has been waking up every hour and being gassy while nursing so it can be a very painful experience. This morning I was so exhausted that we slept in until 11:00am. I couldn't believe it! It was raining so I knew that I was not going anywhere today. Tyler stayed awake for the rest of the day until he went down for the night. Some of the little things that happened was that Tyler laughed like a real giggle. He usually sounds like a sqeaker toy when he laughs. It's cute, but it was so sweet to hear him giggle. He also fell asleep in his swing for the first time. A BIG Accomplishment. He likes to be held and I have been trying to put him in the swing a little more everyday. He does not like it to swing, but will stay in it and look at his toys. Today he did not mind that it was swinging and with a pacifier in him mouth ( He has not been very fond of the pacifier either.) he closed his eyes and was off to lala land. My arms were a little more free and not so sore. Not a lot happening, but the little things count.

Photography practice.

Here are some of the pictures I have been taking.

My precious Bubba asleep.

Miss Daisy.

This one is a little blurry, but Bubba is so cute.

This one is my favorite. He looks so innocent and perfect.

Learning new hobbies.

So lately I have been really wanting to learn more about photography. It probably has something to do with having a baby. Eric is a really a good photographer and we have all these cameras and lenses. I want to be able to take beautiful and artistic pictures, but I am finding out that there is a lot more to it then just turning the camera on and pushing the button. There is ampeture (Don't know if the spelling is right) and shutter speed and flashes. I am finding it a little more frustrating. Sometimes I wish that I could gain the knowledge through osmosis, but I am practing and trying to ask Eric questions. Tyler is a good model for me most of the time. I am finding that I really like black and white photos the best.

Daisy having to get in the spotlight with Tyler. She is my other photogenic model.

Unfortunately while playing with the settings on the camera, I did some of my best shots in a setting that is not easy to download, but I will be working on them and hopefully post them soon.

Oh, what a wonderful day!

Yesterday, we went to the Impossible Acres Pumpkin patch with other Vet students and their families. It was a nice sunny day with a petting zoo, hay rides, haybail maze and lots of pumpkins. We decided that this would be a good place to take some pictures of Tyler. We wanted to put him next to a really big pumpkin, but they did not have any. We had a lot of fun and we were able to talk to other students about how they handle family and school. It was also a great time for me to talk to spouses about dealing with our spouses who are so involved in school. Can't wait for the next activity we plan.
Tyler and Mommy surrounded by pumpkins.

Tyler and Daddy playing with the pumpkins.

Trying to get Tyler to pose was not very easy, especially when he cannot sit up by himself yet. He's so cute!

Vet Students with their kids.

So this is what Tyler is going to be for Halloween..A Lion...Raaaaah!

...If I can get the costume to fit better.

Well, later on that night we left Tyler for the first time with Nate and Aja and went on a date to BJ's resturant to celebrate our anniversary. I cried while leaving their house. It's not that I don't trust them to take care of him; I do. It's just hard to leave your little baby for the first time. I am going to be a mess when I go back to work. We had a good time and Tyler was a great baby for Nate and Aja. This was a really great day, especially spending it with Eric and Tyler.

Flashback Friday

Today I had the opportunity to babysit my brother's kids, Caden and Stella, and it made me realize how much I love my family and Eric's family. We have 21 nieces and nephew with one on the way. I love being an aunt. They are all over the world and I really wish they could be closer. I am very glad that I am able to care for Stella every week. She is 6 months old and just the sweetest baby. Her esophagus has not closed so she vomits and spits up A LOT, but while all this is happening and while she constantly has to have her clothes changed, she is smiling, cooing, bouncing around, and trying to crawl like all other 6 month old babies. She is a very special little girl and her parents are so great with her.

Stella in Daddy's arms.

Stella and Grandma Mahaffey at the State Fair.

On Special occasions, Eric's step brother and his family come to his parents house for the weekend and we have fun with their family.

Grandma Dorny, Cienna holding Tyler, and John Hartman. They all really enjoyed holding Tyler.

Julia holding Tyler. He looks so big in her arms.

Little Christopher wrestling the alligator.

I just love my family and I am so grateful every time I see them. I was so blessed to be married to a man whose family is so loving and fun to be around and I am loving having my brother and his family so close now that I can see them every week and so Tyler will have cousins to play with. I know that I am probably being sappy, but I feel like my life right now is the best it has ever been and I just needed to express that.

Happy Anniversary!

What a great Daddy!

Today is our 3rd year anniversary and it has been a great experience. I love Eric more everyday and now that Tyler has joined our family, I feel even more blessed. Its hard having a normal relationship with a newborn, but it is also a different type of relationship now. I feel even more committed to Eric and a more deeper feeling towards him has been developed. It is has also been 8 years since we started dating. That number sounds like a long time, but it seemed like yesterday that I met him at a YSA fireside. I look forward to the coming years and many more children with him. Happy Anniversary! Love, Kelly

Loving Life.

It has been 10 weeks since Tyler came into our lives and I love being a mother. I stand in amazement everyday that this is my child and he looks at me as his mother. It is a hard and rewarding experience all at once. Tyler is finding his voice and loves to talk in his cute ways. He is also smiling more everyday and I melt everytime he smiles at me. He is sooo cute. In three weeks I will return back to work and help others bring their babies into this world. I dread when that day finally comes. I will cherish every moment I have with Tyler before going back to work, but I know I will be a wreck when I am away from him. The challenges we face in life will hopefully bring us happiness later. Eric has been very busy lately with Vet school and midterms and is realizing just how hard it is to balance being a student, husband, and father. He is doing a great job. Tyler and I cherish every moment we have with him even if it is only for a short time on a certain day.