Weston and Lucy

When Weston was younger he was lactose intolerant.  We worried about that because Mike is HIGHLY lactose intolerant.  When he has just the smallest amount he gets SO sick!  When Weston was only a couple months old, we discovered his intolerance.  We switched to soy formula.  He tolerated that SO much better.  At about 6 months we tried milk based formula again to see if he outgrew it and well, he didn't.  We tried again at about a year and he seemed to tolerate it better, but still not very well.  We figured we would try it again later on.  Most babies that are lactose intolerant will outgrow it eventually.  Well, about a month ago we decided to give him Cheez-Its.  He did GREAT and LOVED them!  I was so excited.  A couple days later we gave him regular cheese and then yogurt and then regular milk.  He tolerated everything SO well and now he is officially eating dairy and lots of it. HAHA His favorites are cheddar cheese, grilled cheese and mac and cheese (homemade of course).  He is not a huge yogurt fan.  Mike and I are just SO happy he can have dairy now.  All I could think about was when he is older and goes to birthday parties and friends houses, he wouldn't be able to eat anything.  Most bread (buns, bread, rolls etc) contain milk.  A lot of seasonings have milk also.  It would be so hard for him.  We are hoping Lucy tolerates dairy/lactose ok too.  Here are a couple pictures of Weston that make me smile and laugh:

He loves watching the big kids play outside.  Usually we are out with them, but it was too cold and windy that day. 

Ok, now on to Lucy girl.  I had my 30 week check up on Wednesday.  It went really well.  She is growing so fast and I am getting so anxious to meet her.  Mike and I feel so blessed to have been blessed with such an incredible son and now an amazing little girl. 

Lucy, I love you so much already.  I know you will bless our lives so much by being a part of our family.  Thank you so much for choosing us to raise you.  I love you Lucy girl and I can't wait to meet you in about 9 or 10 weeks.

A visit from the parentals

I love having some of my family closer to me.  After 6 years of being in Utah without family, it is about time they are here. With them being only 3 1/2 hours away I get to see my parents quite a bit.  I wish I could see Tori and the kids more often, but we still see them more than we did and I am VERY grateful for that.  My parents would usually stay for about 5-7 days, but since they started their mission 6 months ago their visits are short, but more frequent.  They serve in St. George at the LDS employment office.  I am so happy for them.  They are doing an 18 month part time mission, so they work M-W and have the rest of the week off.   This last week they came to visit Weston...and us...yes Weston is the main reason they come..haha jk, but not really.  I don't mind though, he is definitely worth it.  I love when they visit.  We don't usually do anything exciting but just being able to visit and talk is wonderful.  Weston LOVES his Papa.  The day after they left, he was walking around aimlessly and searching and whining...I had NO idea what his deal was!  Then I realized WHO he was looking for.  He was so confused why Papa and Grandma were here and then all of a sudden were gone.  I called my dad so Weston could talk to him and that calmed him down a bit.  I am so grateful for my parents and the amazing people they are.  I love you mom and dad.  As you can see, Weston LOVES Papa to put his hand on his face.  Seriously, everytime he does he falls asleep.  The picture of my parents and I was taken while we were visiting Wes.  Weston was tired and fussy and it was freezing so Mike stayed with him in the car. 

Crazy busy and loving it

We have been super busy the past few months.  It all started when I got my new calling in our ward.  After I was called to be the relief society secretary and was asked to make the sacrament program every week, Mike started talking about wanting to work in the temple.  We talked to our Bishop about it and we asked if we could serve in the temple.  He said if we have kids under 18 then I can't but Mike can.  So, Mike filled out his application and shortly after submitting it he was called to serve as an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple.  He was SOOO happy and so was I.  He had always dreamed about being a temple worker. (One of the MANY reasons I love him so much).  They asked him to work the evening shift every Wednesday.  He accepted, bought his temple clothes and was set apart and was supposed to start the following week.  I think it was later that week that Bishop asked us to meet with him.  They asked Mike if he would be willing to be the first counselor in the young men's presidency and a scout leader.  Of course he said yes.  Bishop said the young men meet every Wednesday night.  Mike told him about his temple calling and bishop said he really felt strongly he needed to be in young men's and to put working in the temple on hold for now.  He was so happy about his calling, but super bummed he couldn't work in the temple.  Oh, I forgot to mention after he was called to be a temple worker he was able to get every Wednesday off THEN he was called to young men's.  We went home after our meeting and discussed options.  I suggested for him to call the temple and see if he could do the morning shift on Wednesdays.  He said no because it would be taking away from family time.  After realizing we would still have the majority of the day together he decided to call the temple.  They were so happy he still was willing to serve.  Now on Wednesdays he wakes up at 5 goes to the temple, is home by noon.  On top of working full time, serving in the temple and teaching some Sundays and his Wednesday meetings he is going to school full time.  Have I mentioned how amazing this man is?  He started an online bachelors program March first.  In the first 2 weeks he finished his first class and is working on his second.  So I know I said we were busy, and I promise I am busy too, but not AS busy as Mike.  I stay busy with my calling, which I love! and with being a stay at home mom, which is the best job EVER!  I never thought I would want to or have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, but when it came time for me to go back to work I had no desire to.  I worked part time from the time Weston was about 6 months until he was a little over a year.  I only worked one day a week, sometimes more, but it never felt right.  I don't know if that makes sense, but I knew I had to be home with Weston.  For those 6 months of working I cried almost every time I went to work.  Mike asked if I wanted to stay home.  I said yes.  He told me he felt like I should too but didn't want to deprive me of getting out of the house and working if that is what I wanted to do.  We prayed about it and both knew the second we were done praying that I needed to be home with our children.  Ever since then it has been amazing.  We have seen wonderful blessings because of this decision.  I must say, I have been working since I was 14 and I have never worked as hard as I do being at home.  It is by far THE best job I have ever had.  It is so incredible how much the Lord blesses us when we follow his council and do the things we are asked to do.  I love my life.

Here is the cape I was telling you about.  No pants, no shoes, an awesome hat and cape. 

Where to begin...

I think it has been about 2 years since I have last posted.  Ridiculous I know...kind of hard to post when you don't have internet or a computer.  We are now a hi-tech fam with a computer AND internet AND a printer...reason being is Mike started school.  Before I get into that let me start with the beginning of the last 2 years.  I think my last post was when we went backpacking in the Uintas.  That was when I was 5 months pregnant with Weston.  BOY DOES TIME FLY!!!!  He is now an incredibly fun and crazy toddler.  He is almost 16 months old.  He is absolutely amazing.  I am so happy we were blessed with such a strong and sensitive spirit.  He is SO fun to teach.  He is learning sign language which is a HUGE help with his frustration with communication.  He knows how to sign, please, thank you, milk, poop, more, eat, mom, dad, love, again, thirsty and I think there are a few others and more we are working on.  He is now starting to say the words as he signs.  I love him!  He is definitely a toddler now and no longer a baby which makes me happy and sad at the same time.  Here are some of his favorites at almost 16 months old:

Food: Avocados, fish, cream of wheat, peanut butter, broccoli and onions...seriously this kid is obsessed with onions, especially green ones.

Toy: As of last week he LOVES the box the diapers came in.  I attached a belt to it and pull him around the house.  Sometimes he will put his big bear in it (another obsession) and he will pull the bear around.

Movie:  We don't have any sort of cable or TV but we do watch movies occasionally.  Weston has never sat down and watched a movie, which I am TOTALLY fine and actually happy about.  Well, starting about 2 weeks ago ALL he wants to watch is Nacho Libre.  He will sit and watch the entire movie.  We have watch it almost everyday since the obsession began.  A few days ago he handed me a blanket turned around, grabbed my arms and had me put the blanket around his neck like a cape. The blanket was a bit big so I got a pillow case and put it on him like a cape.  He wore it ALL day and refused to let me take it off.  He went into the living room and handed me to Nacho Libre case and asked to watch it. 

Favorite book: He has a few.  He loves the book Aunt Rachel and Uncle Andrew gave him for his birthday, the 1,2,3 book his Aunt Jeanette gave him and a mouse book I had when I was little. 

Favorite Drink: Milk and water.

Weston, you amaze me.  I love you so much and I think you are going to be an incredible big brother.  You have a very strong spirit and are very stubborn.  Sometimes it is hard to handle your stubborness, but I know it will benefit you when you are older.  You are so kind and sweet.  Anytime you see another baby or toddler you ALWAYS share whatever you are eating or playing with.  When you leave a room you have to hug everyone in the room, give knuckles and blow kisses.  You LOVE to hug, kiss and cuddle with mommy and daddy.  I love watching you learn and discover new things.  Like I said, you absolutely amaze me.  I love you Mister.

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