Ethan

Ethan has been standing with support for a while, and without support for about a month. He is getting really good at standing without support, he just needs something to help him stand and he's good for a couple minutes. The last few days he has been trying to walk. He can now walk with help, so he walks along the length of the couch and anywhere there is help.
Over the last day or two he has attempted walking without support, and each time he takes a step he topples over. Today he took one step and didn't fall and went to take a second step and fell over! I was so proud of my little man, I can't believe he's almost walking.

My brother Ty gave Ethan this toy for Christmas. It converts into a little car that he can scoot around on as well, but I showed him how to use it and walk today and he thought it was great. He would walk across the living room (a little shaky I might add) and then he would ram into the wall or tv and get stuck until we turned him back around. He was so cute and thought that toy was the best.

Christmas

There is a lot of pictures, so I won't tell too much about them. :) I'm pretty sure they are just like everybody else's Christmas pictures.
This year Martin and I decided to make each other one gift, we didn't have a lot of money this year and that's what we decided to do instead.

This next one Ethan had opened his present all by himself, no help at all!

This is what Ethan gave Martin for Christmas

Ethan really loved the box and left over paper

This is what I made Martin for Christmas unfinished. (It's finished now though!) I was up until 6am Christmas morning working on it, and I just couldn't stay up any longer to finish. I finished the next day instead. It's a quilt made out of all his band t-shirts from concerts he's been too or just t-shirts he had. It also has some patches with lyrics to our songs on them.

This is what Martin had made for me for Christmas. It's my very own granite picture frame, and I can change out the picture whenever I want.

This is how excited my dogs were about it being Christmas

When we came home Christmas night, this is what we came home to. My front door has three steps to get to it, well they were even with the lawn. I couldn't tell where the steps started at all.

And this is my favorite tree at my house. It looks a little cold to me.

Well that was Christmas in a nutshell. I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and a safe holiday.

R.I.P.

At church today I found out that my home teacher was in a terrible car accident early Friday morning and passed away. He was one of the nicest people I've met in my ward and I'm really upset to see this happen to him and his family. He left behind his sweet wife and their four children. This happened before the huge snow storm hit, they said the roads were relatively dry. They are guessing the person who hit his truck had dosed off and drifted right into him. Please please be very careful driving this winter season and keep this sweet family in your prayers.



An automobile collision claimed the life of a Richmond man whose pickup was struck head-on by an SUV that drifted out its lane early Friday morning on U.S. Highway 91 north of Smithfield.James Wade Mortensen, 45, died Friday after being hospitalized following the collision near mile post 36, about one mile north of Smithfield.The 22-year-old driver of the SUV suffered significant injuries and was undergoing surgery Friday afternoon, a Utah Highway Patrol official said. The man’s northbound Honda Passport went left of center and collided head-on in the southbound inside lane with Mortensen’s southbound Chevrolet pickup, UHP Sgt. Tony Hutson said.Both drivers were wearing seatbelts when their vehicles collided. Neither automobile had any passengers.

“There was another driver — a friend of Mr. Mortensen — who was driving behind him. He had to swerve to miss the collision and he went off the road to the right,” Hutson added.He suffered only minor injuries.Mortensen and the third driver often carpooled to work but were driving separate vehicles Friday morning, Hutson added.Traffic was routed around the accident from 6:45 to 9 a.m. The southbound lanes were completely closed during the crash investigation.Investigators say weather was not a significant factor in the incident.“This was before the storm started,” said Hutson. “The wind was blowing but the road was essentially dry.”The driver of the SUV told medics he did not remember why his vehicle drifted out of its lane.“He doesn’t remember anything except that he was on his way to work and the moment paramedics were trying to get him out the vehicle,” Hutson said.Officials have ruled out the use of alcohol or other substances.“That leaves us with either drowsy driving or distracted driving. We don’t have too much evidence besides that,” said Hutson. “That’s something for everybody to think about. It seems to be a large contributor to accidents in the state — particularly drowsy driving.”Neighbor Christie Spackman told The Herald Journal on Friday that Wade Mortensen spent much of his time serving others, acting as a father figure for kids in the neighborhood without a dad.“He’s a wonderful man; they’re the greatest neighbors you could ever have,” she said. “His wife, Stephanie, is a very strong person and her concern right now is taking care of her four children.”Mortensen lived in Richmond with his wife and four kids.He worked as a service technician for YESCO Electronics in Logan, traveling around the country as a consultant for large LED message panels often seen in sports stadiums and arenas.Co-worker Rod Wardle says Mortensen was an extremely confidant and reliable employee — one of the first the company hired at its new location.“He was a very first-class individual and he’ll certainly be missed,” he said.

Santa Clause

Today we took Ethan to see Santa Clause for the first time. Martin had a fear that Ethan would grab Santa's beard and yank really hard and pull his beard off and scar all the other children in line for the rest of their life. He said while we were standing in line that he was so afraid of it happening he was starting to get sick to his stomach. Well, we got to the front of the line and it was Ethan's turn. He sat down and he was such a good baby! He kept looking at Santa like "who are you?" but Santa was so sweet, he just kept talking to him and smiling and Ethan did start to twist his fingers into Santa's beard looking like he just might pull, but Santa was prepared and held onto it.
We made it through with not a single tear, no sad faces and most of all, Santa's beard stayed on his face!

On our way home from Logan after spending time together, we hit some snow and we were talking about how gloomy the sky was and how our dogs would probably be pretty wet by the time we got home from being outside in the snow. Well we hit a certain spot inbetween Smithfield and Richmond and the snow just stopped and the sky was suddenly blue. I looked over at the mountains and was amazed at how distinct the line was in the weather on the mountain. You could tell where the line was from snow to no snow. I had to take a picture. It was so crazy!

Well less than a week to go until Christmas. So crazy! I hope everyone had a safe weekend on the last Saturday before Christmas. It was crazy everywhere we went.

Slumber Party

Yesterday Ethan had his first sleepover with his cousins. My brother went to a concert in Salt Lake last night and I got to have my nephews over for a sleepover. They are so cute and I love hanging out with them. They used to come sleep at my house more often, but haven't since I had Ethan. We stayed up late, really late...and watched movies and had popcorn, and they had a bath and got bubbles and water all over my bathroom, I cooked them a huge dinner and they played with my animals. Before they all three decided to pass out for the night, I got some pictures of Ethan, Garrett and Jordan in the pj's. Sweet boys, I love all three of them!

2008 Tag

2008 TAG

1. Where​ did you begin​ 2008?​ Honestly I was probably asleep. I was very pregnant and sick at that point in time.
2. What was your statu​s by Valen​tine'​s Day? Married and a brand new mom
3. Were you in school anytime this year?​ Not this year
4. Did you have to go to the hospital?​ That I did, at the very beginning of the year I had my baby and spent 3-4 days there.
5. Did you have any encounters​with the police?​ Not that I can recall.
6. Where did you go on vacat​ion?​ I went to Southern Utah for a family reunion in July.
7. What did you purchase that was over $​100?​ Probably a handful of things. Martin bought me new pans for my birthday that were over $100 (and well worth it!)
8. Did you know anybody who got married?​ Yes I did. Lots of people are getting married
9. Did you know anybody who passed away?​ Unfortunately yes. My uncle in August and my Great Grandpa just passed away last week.
10. Did you move anywhere?​ Nope, I still live in my house in Richmond
11. What sporting events did you attend?​ Zero
12. What concerts/shows did you go to? I don't think I went to any, but Martin went to some
13. Describe your birthday: It was on Thanksgiving this year, bah humbug. :)
14. What is the one thing​ you thoug​ht you would​ not do, but did, in 2008?​ Good question. I have no idea...
15. What has been your favorite moments? Having my baby and falling more and more in love with him everyday and watching him grow up, and being with my husband
16. Any new additions to your family: Ethan!
17. What was your best month​?​ Honestly I would have to say January, because then I wasn't pregnant anymore!
18. Who has been your best buddy​? Martin, Ethan, my dogs and Traves
19. Made new friends? Nope, just kept my old ones. :)
20. Favorite Nights out? The nights that I get with Martin. And when I get to leave with just Martin for a few hours and leave Ethan with somebody else (which is VERY rare!)
22. Have you lost any frien​ds this year?​ Not that I am aware of. :)
23.Chang​e your hairs​tyle?​ If I went a whole year without changing my hair, that would be something to blog about. :)
24...Have any car accid​ents?​ Nope
25. How old did you turn this year?​ 24
26. Do you have a New Years​ resol​ution​? Nope. I couldn't think of anything at that time except getting that baby out of me.
27. Do anything embarrassing?​ I'm sure I did
28. Buy anyth​ing new from eBay?​ I can't remember. I usually do, but who knows?
30. Get arrested?​ Nope
31. Go snowboarding? Nope. I'm not a snow girl at all.
32. Did you get sick this year?​ Oh yes. I'm always sick.
33. Are you happy​ to see 2008 go? I guess so, I'm excited for Ethan to turn 1.
34. Been naugh​ty or nice?​ I think you'd have to ask Martin that one. :)

I TAG whoever wants to fill this out.
Happy New Year (next week!)

Christmas already?

So we finally put up our Christmas tree for the year! Usually we set it up around Thanksgiving, but this year we have hesitated putting it up for a couple reasons. First, we have a really small living room and finding a spot for a big tree isn't always easy, and second ... if we put up our big fake tree, we just knew that Ethan would tip the whole thing over. We had to come up with an alternative to normal tree. We have an end table in the corner behind our sofa and loveseat which Ethan can't get to unless he's standing on the couch. We decided we were going to buy a small live tree and just set it on the table in the corner so it looked big and then Ethan couldn't get to it. I love live trees and haven't had one for a really really long time. I set it up yesterday and my house smells amazing. My favorite thing about Christmas is turning the lights off and just laying on my couch under the lights of the Christmas tree and either watching a movie, or just relaxing or hanging out. It probably makes my list of top 10 favorite things. So, here it is... here is my really small, but big looking LIVE Christmas tree:

The year Martin and I were married we didn't have anything to decorate our tree with, so I looked online to find something that wasn't just boring glass balls and saw instructions to make mosaic glass balls. I liked them enough that I've used them every year since.

I like unique pretty trees and got the idea one year to put fruit all over my tree instead of really traditional ornaments, so I have sugar coated grapes and apples all over my tree to go with my mosaic glass balls. I actually really like the fruit on my tree, it's one of my favorite things.

I also mentioned once that I probably have a small case of OCD, well that goes for my tree and decorating my house as well. My tree has to match. I bought maroon and gold ribbon because I thought those would be pretty colors for my tree, well now my entire tree is based around those colors. :) Last year I even bought gold wrapping paper so the presents would match. (It only took Martin a few days to notice this...) Crazy I know... Anyway, my last favorite thing about my tree is my star. Most tree toppers I've seen are really similar and honestly not my favorite. I found a really pretty gold star ornament and just took the string off and shoved it on my tree and made it my tree topper.

Well that's it. I'm glad it's up and I'm glad my house smells amazing!

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe it's already December...

I seriously cannot believe that it is already December. Usually by this times I have my Christmas tree up and am nearly ready for Christmas. This year, there is no snow yet (which I like but don't at the same time) which is really odd, so that makes it feel even less like Christmas. I don't have my tree up yet for two reasons. 1. We don't have a ladder and can't get to our decorations so we have to borrow one and 2. Ethan is going to tear our tree to shreds when it is up so we've been trying to think how to do it so he can't get to it. Our living room is really small and there really is no place for a tree in the first place, we just have to cram it in there usually. We are going to buy a small live tree (which I am so excited about! I love love love live trees, they smell amazing!) and put it on our small table in between the couches and wedged up against the wall. That way it'll look big still but Ethan won't be able to reach it.

I realized today that Martin and I haven't had pictures taken of just the two of us since Ethan was born, so today I tried to take a couple with the tripod before church, and they are nothing special but something I guess. This week we are going to take all of Martin's siblings because we are all together, which doesn't happen often as Kacean lives in Portland, and go get pictures taken with all of us. My friend is going to take them, so I'm going to have him take some of just Martin and I as well. I'm excited. I love pictures! My house is covered with them.

So Ethan is going to be 11 months old this month and I can't believe it. I can't believe that 1 year ago I was so sick and so ready to pop and anxiously waiting our new arrival. And now he's here, standing by himself next to the couch, clapping, pointing his finger at me, giggling, smiling and being the light of our lives and is almost 1! I've had a baby for 11 months and sometimes I still find it hard to believe that I have a baby and that I am a mom. I love it though, he's so sweet and I'm excited to celebrate his first Christmas and the rest of the holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So today was Ethan's first thanksgiving. He was all geared up and ready to help me cook lunch.




I decided this year that I wanted to make a turkey and my favorite thanksgiving side dishes just for my house for leftovers so we could have them whenever we wanted. I got to work planning exactly how I wanted to cook the turkey. In the end, I had a handful of people decide that they wanted to come over for lunch so I ended up buying two small turkeys instead of just one small turkey for Martin. I brined the first turkey in salt, rosemary, peppercorns and garlic and then had it smoked. I roasted the second turkey with an herb butter rubbed under the skin and all over the skin with spices all over and fresh herbs in the cavity to make it more aromatic. I have to say, I am really proud of my first turkey ever! Martin said it was pretty good too, I wouldn't know. I don't eat meat. :)




So Ethan had a rather big lunch, a little herb turkey, sour cream and chive mashed potatos, green beans, a roll, some stuffing and then played until he just couldn't play anymore. I went in to check on him about a half hour later and this is what I found.

Poor baby was so worn out, and he had learned the after-effects of thanksgiving turkey. He was really funny... after I took pictures we said his name and woke him up and as soon as his eyes opened he started jumping around like crazy as though he hadn't fallen asleep at all. He was really funny, it made us all laugh.

Ethan has also discovered another joy of being little ...

He, like all little kids, LOVES boxes!

He was so sweet today and I'm so thankful to have him in my life this year. I am also thankful for Martin, for everything he does for Ethan and me, and for the home we have to live in. We are so blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Happy Birthday!

Well today marks the last November birthday in my family (besides myself), it is the 8th one. What a crazy month! Lili, happy birthday. I am so glad that you are in my life, and I miss seeing you as much as I used to. I know you are happy being back in New Mexico, I just wish we could both visit more often. I hope that you have a fantastic birthday, I'll be thinking of you. (Be glad yours isn't on Thanksgiving this year ... you know as well as I do that having it that day is no fun). I hope you have a great day! I love you.

New tricks

I guess I better start with my weekly November shout out, and say Happy birthday to Ber! Thanks for all your help over the last couple weeks, I really appreciated you taking the time to come and watch Ethan while I worked. I know he loved it and I loved that you got to know him better. Also, thanks for taking us seriously and coming around more. We weren't lying when we told you to drop by anytime. :) Well anyway, Happy birthday again!




So Ethan has discovered the joys of watching movies. I turned one on for him the other day for noise and what I hoped would be a little entertainment while I got some things done. I went to check on him and he was sitting in the middle of the room staring at the TV. I think he is starting to like movies more. It was funny to see him just sitting there.

He also has learned how to pull himself up on the couch and let go and stand all by himself! I can't believe how big he's getting. I love watching him learn new things. He started out standing for less than a second and now depending on how distracted he is, he can stand for probably a good 10 seconds.

And for his final new trick of the week, he has learned how to clap! It is so cute, he gets a huge grin on his face and just starts clapping away. He also really likes (now that he's better at standing) to stand by himself and clap at the same time.

Before I know it, he'll be cruising all over the house and I won't be able to do anything anymore. But until then, I love watching him learn new things and become very excited about them. He's so sweet and the best baby I've ever been around. I have a theory on that though ... I tell people that God gave me the best baby now because if he would have given me a really difficult baby at first, I would have never had another one. :)

Poor Baby

Monday morning when Ethan woke up and I was changing him, I noticed his body had a handful of red spots covering his skin. I thought for sure he had gotten the chicken pox somehow. As the day went on, the spots started to spread, and they spread really fast. By the end of the day, the poor kid was completely covered with red spots. We were worried that he would start scratching them so we rubbed calamine lotion all over where we could. Poor boy was all pink.





Tuesday after he woke up his spots were turning really splotchy and getting awfully big making me think they weren't the chicken pox after all. He had gotten something like this once before but not nearly as bad as this time. It went from small spots to splotchy big marks and then a few days later they went away completely. Poor baby was completely covered.


Today when we woke up the spots were giant! It looked like he had been hit in the face about 50 times with a golf ball. His eye was starting to swell up as well. I started to get really worried because if he got an infection around his eye, he wouldn't be able to fight it off. I gave in and took him to instacare.


(Click to see this picture better)

Well it turns out that it's not roseola, chicken pox, or a heat rash ... my poor baby has hives. This is his second time with the same exact thing, only worse this time and we can't figure out what he's allergic to so we can prevent it next time. The good news is, after two doses of benadryl, his face looks so much better. It's not nearly as noticeable and he doesn't look like someone beat him up. I am glad I know what these are now so if it happens again, I know it's hives and to just give him benedryl and to figure out what was different about that day.

I'm sure by tomorrow his face and body will be mostly cleared up and my heart won't break everytime I look at him.

Martin

I have this weird thing where I can't clean during the day (unless I have to). I have to clean at night while everyone is asleep and out of my way. I put my headphones on and get to work. Everytime I scrub down my kitchen I always always always admire my countertops. I know that is a funny thing to do, but I really do. Martin works at a granite shop and fabricates counters for a living. He loves his job so much. He had to switch jobs a few months ago from a granite shop to a shop that did some of everything, but mostly quartz. He didn't like the switch because all the stone looks the same in quartz because it is man made (stone glued together instead of cut straight out of the mountain) so every job looked identical. Well he was laid off from that job and moved back to a granite shop. He loves granite more than anybody I've ever met. He admires every piece of granite he ever comes across, he even has a stone subscription magazine. (What a nerd, I know. =D) Well he did my kitchen counters for me, and I pretty much gave him free reign on what he wanted to do. He did the counters along with three custom shelves (which I love!) He did my counters one color and my island and splash a different color. Having your island a different color from your main counters is not that uncommon anymore, but he had never done splash a different color before.

I seriously love my kitchen and I love the splash the same color as the island. I think it makes the rest of my kitchen counters pop. I just wanted to show you some of the awesome work he does!

While he was working on my kitchen, he also ripped up the carpet and tile in my living room and entry and put new floors in my living room and a custom granite tile job in my entry. I thought this was awesome too, so I thought I would show this off as well. (The colors are the same as my kitchen ... they match. :] )

I guess that is my bragging for the night. You do awesome work Martin, keep it up!

Picture

I was just looking through my many many pictures looking for a picture of George to post for his birthday and ran across this one of Ethan. This picture made me laugh to myself thinking of the day we took this. He was playing all day and he must have worn himself out and we look over to his play thing he was in, and he had fallen asleep while playing. Poor baby.

I thought it was funny, maybe it'll bring a smile to you as well.

Have a great Sunday!