Milestones: 10 Months Old

How can I say no to that face?!

My dearest Austin, today you are 10 months old and I am struggling to not lock you up in your room and keep you there for the rest of the day. Keep in mind, it is only 9:00 am! You are teething again (right now you have 4) and have been soooooo grumpy in the mornings (and up all night) this past week! I have been trying to keep up with the Tylenol/Motrin and numbing gel for your mouth but you are still hurting and that leads to extreme clinginess, lots of whining, and you have started throwing your first temper tantrums! You literally yell at me in your own little alien language and all I can do is laugh at you because it sounds so funny :).

This is how Mom keeps her sanity while you are taking a nap.

Two days ago you attempted to walk for the first time! Your Daddy was sitting on the floor and you were standing/holding onto the couch across from him when suddenly you decided to let go and take a step towards him! We both got so excited and spent the rest of the night trying to get you to do it again and again and again. We were all laughing so hard, including you! Every time you took a few steps and fell into our arms you would giggle and give loves. I'm sure you will be walking any day now.

You've experienced daycare for the first time this past month at the gym while Mom gets a workout in. You have done really well and seem to only cry when another baby gets too close to you. I guess that is a sign that I need to get you around other kids more often....

You like to bite and it hurts! We have been trying to tell you no and be stern with you because the child that bites doesn't get invited to play-dates, and usually gets kicked out of daycare. You only go to the gym daycare a couple hours a week, but that is one luxury I am not willing to part with! So you better play your cards well son or you are going to have one grumpy Mama....

You are constantly talking and screaming all day long. The screaming is out of happiness and it is really cute, except when we are in the car and you are threatening to burst our eardrums. I can't say enough about how cute your voice is when you do your super fast alien talk. I wish I could capture it on video but you always stop before I get the chance.

You like it when we sit on the floor and read to you. You like to listen and then grab the book and mimic us. It makes me so excited to see you learn that way! If we whisper, you whisper. If we speak strong and commandingly, you do the same! Dad has fun with this by getting you to whisper "Dada, Dada, Dada" and it literally sounds like you are chanting. You then go around the house chanting and your dad tells me he can't wait to have more little worshipers ;).

You love to go outside for walks and play in the pool. It is time to give you your first haircut but you are incapable of sitting still so I am putting it off for as long as possible because I can just imagine what the haircut is going to end up looking like. So for now we are enjoying your fuzzy hair that stands up all over the place and everywhere we go people feel the need to pet you like a bunny :).

You are getting heavier but won't sit still on the scale long enough to find out the actual number. You fit somewhere in between 9month-12month clothes so I figure you are just the right size. You are a picky eater and don't like to try new things but are also getting tired of the cheerios and yogurt you are constantly eating so I'm not sure what to do about that.

You are a huge fan of your Dad and follow him around the house everywhere. Yesterday he went upstairs and I wasn't paying close attention. Before we knew it you were up the stairs too, holding out your arms for him to pick you up! If you know he is in the house you constantly say Dada and are always looking around for him, and don't get me started on how cute it is when he walks in the door and you go racing across the floor as fast as you can crawl to hug him!

 

Fun moments over the past month:

Smiles

You always have crazy hair!

Crazy hair after bath time, I can't get enough of it!

 

You love looking out the window, especially when Dad is outside grilling. You get so excited to watch him and pound on the window and wave to him :).

Always trying to get attention...



Helping Mom hang up our new picture

Little stud in your jersey

Howdy partner!

heading to the gym for some daycare fun!

You LOVE finding my purse and dumping it out!

Always getting kisses, whether you like it or not ;)

The morning after you slept through the entire night for the very first time! Definitely a moment to celebrate! Sadly it only happened once :(.

Story time with Dada

Attacking Mom with those chompers!

Watching Baby Einstein and munching on pretzels

Making messes, your favorite thing to do!

Standing independently!

You learned how to open the toy chest and had fun pulling everything out of it.

 

Now we just need to get you to stop chewing on it...

Reading your books

 

Splashing with Dad

Getting some sunscreen on with Mom

So fun!

 

Getting all warm and dry

 

Hanging out

Taking a walk up to Starbucks with Mom. I love your cheesy smile!

I love your face! You look so astonished haha.

 

Giddy'up Dad!

I Have This Friend

 

I have this friend;

she is very special to me.

Not just because of what she does,

but because of who she is.

 

Her eyes are the pale blue color of the sky when there is a hint of rain.

Her face shows the trace of childhood freckles; a reminder of her innocent heart.

I used to love watching the curls of her hair blow in the wind,

and would inhale deeply the scent of her sweet-smelling shampoo.

 

My friend doesn't know she is beautiful,

for the mirror of Narcissus ne'er has she reached.

She has always been unique in that way.

Compliments don't have the same meaning to her as to the rest of us

because of the demons she battles inside.

It is tragic.

 

My friend never lost her childlike mind.

It is her most pure and singular attribute.

When she plays on the floor with my son,

they are like two compatriots bonded together by their own irreproachable land.

She helped me build a tepee once,

and told me I was Pocahontas in the old world.

Everything was a game back then,

and she was the best game-maker.

 

My friend is the greatest listener

but rarely feels safe enough to talk about herself.

I feel sad when I think about her past

and how its steely threads have dictated the way she regards her own identity.

She doesn't know this.

 

My friend is the most beautiful in the color orange.

Its uplifting hues radiate her warm and inviting spirit.
Her cheerful demeanor is always a comfort,
and her advice is always loving and inspiring. 

My friend was blessed with the Christ-like quality of charity.
She often gives without a second thought.
Growing up I always took advantage of this,
for I knew no matter how much I took
she would just keep giving.

My friend is famous for taking in orphans
no matter what form they come in.
She has helped raise dozens of children and random animals
who were simply in need of the kind of sympathetic love only she could give.
She reminds me of Pollyanna.

My friend and I are so different.
Oh how many battles there have been!
But no matter the hurt I inflicted upon her,
I always knew she loved me.
How often do we get so lucky?

My friend is the sole owner of my existence.
Through her struggle to bring me life,
her strength and bravery never waned.
She is my hero.

God gave me the greatest blessing the day he paired us together,
because my friend is not just my friend.
She is my Mother.


-Ashly Nicol



HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOMMA! May this day be as beautiful as you are.

 

 

 

My First True Mother's Day

I can't tell you how lucky I feel to be the Mom of this little family

I celebrated last Mother's Day as a pregnant mother with my first baby and I thought that was fun and rewarding. However, celebrating this year with my first born in my arms was something new and special all in itself. Plus, Josh spoiled the heck out of me (as always) and made me feel like a beloved queen. Thank you baby, you are amazing :).

My special weekend started on Friday with Josh bringing home beautiful roses, chocolate, and an energy drink.

He knows me so well!!

On Saturday morning I headed out to the spa for some serious pampering! Josh had bought me a gift certificate for a full spa day that included a 60 minute massage, 60 minute facial, and a pedicure. LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM!!! I left there feeling so relaxed and extremely happy :).

Waiting for my facial and eating chocolate truffles :)

It was my first experience with a male masseuse and at first I was really nervous but it ended up being the best massage I've ever had! 

pretty toes :)

Sunday (actual Mother's Day) started early with a happy baby who doesn't like to sleep and a trip to IHOP for breakfast. My mom had sent a gift card and we made good use of it. Thanks Mom! The food was yummy and the waiter was sweet and brought me a carnation. Austin was even good the whole time and didn't cause a scene! I felt like I'd hit the jackpot!

Showing Austin my flower. We are still working on the whole smelling flowers and not tearing them to pieces thing.

Austin loves water but hasn't figured out how to suck it out of a straw yet so this is how we do it. Those cheeks! I just want to squeeze them!

Then we went home and tried taking a nap before church. I am not a nap person. I have the hardest time turning off my brain when I know it is day time and I should be doing something. So basically I laid there cuddled up to my hubby and thought about things. I thought about life and how grateful I am for my two boys. And yes, I consider them both boys. I thought about how much we have gone through together over the past few years and how each year has been so different. Not better, not worse, just different. This is our first year as parents and it has been such an amazing journey so far. Although he makes even the most simple things complicated, I can't imagine my life without my sweet baby. I can't imagine going a day without being able to pick him up out of his crib and squeezing him, or chewing on those chubby cheeks that I just can't get enough of. I can't imagine a whole day of not hearing Mama Mama Mama, or a day of not hearing his excited squeals. He is my world and I hope he knows how much he is loved.

Pretty soon it was time to get ready for church. I never get to go to relief society because it always interferes with Austin's nap time so we took two cars this time and Josh took him home after Sunday school so I could enjoy my day with the women. Austin surprised us with how well he did both hours and church was actually enjoyable this time :). During sacrament all the men got up and sang a song to the women. It was beautiful and it even made me tear up a little as I watched those big strong men, some holding sleeping babies, showing their soft side in front of everyone for their wives. The spirit was so strong and I felt so loved by my family, my ward family, and by God.

My loves

Thank you Austin for making me a Mommy

I came home from church to a "home cooked" meal of nachos and stir fry :). Josh was so excited to show me that he had cooked, even though it was a very interesting combination. I love that man. His boyish charm is always making me laugh. We finished off our night with a walk around the neighborhood as the sun was setting and I found myself thanking God for the beautiful life he has created for me. With all of the self reflection, love, and service that I have experienced, I honestly think Mother's Day might just be the greatest day of the year.

Happiness Is

 

Happiness is...

 

 

Watching a baby sleep



 

 

Going to the Library to find a good book to read, and then getting the stink-eye from your son when he sees that it is a love story ;).

 

 

 

Finding a Farmer's Market across the street from the Library!

 

 

 

Enjoying the sunshine and splitting a homemade pretzel roll with your little man at the Farmer's Market

 

 

 

Watching your baby enjoy the taste of fresh sugar-snap peas.

 

 

 

Heading home with a little bit of heaven: homemade hummus, a peach, nectarines, sugar-snap peas, a delicious pretzel roll, and some peanut brittle. Yummy :).

 

 

 

Putting the babes down for a nap and making chocolate Reese's peanut butter cookies to enjoy over Mother's Day weekend.

 

 

 

Knowing that it is Friday and in about two hours Daddy is coming home to be with us for the whole weekend! :) :) :) :)

 

 

 

 

 



Story of My Life

It seems like every time I try and start up a regular exercise routine, the universe turns against me! Last night was the perfect example. It was the perfect night! We took a family walk, gave Austin a bath, and had him to bed by 8:00pm. Then Josh and I got ready for bed and read out of the Ensign and had a nice little discussion about our readings. Josh had to be up abnormally early the next morning and I planned on going to the gym really early so we both were asleep by 9:00pm. Then, at exactly 10:30, Austin woke up screaming and the drama began. At first it was just me that got up with him since I am the one with the plumbing to get him to go back to sleep relatively fast. However, tonight those tricks weren't working. He was in pain. I'm pretty sure it was his stomach but I just couldn't tell with all the screaming and moving he was doing. He refused to nurse so I started wondering if it was his teeth? Or maybe he bit his lip? Or his tongue? It was all so confusing and so stressful and I was trying so hard to keep him quiet so Josh could get some sleep.

After an hour of that, it became apparent that there was nothing I could do and I put him back in his crib and figured he is probably just overly tired and needs to cry it out? Wrong again... After what felt like eternity of laying there listening to him scream, I got up again and went for round two. This lead to the same events as round one. So after a second struggle, back into his crib he went and this time I called for back up. Josh came in and gave Austin a blessing and held him which worked like a charm! He had stopped crying and was content to let his Daddy hold him and rub his back. Now the trick was getting him to fall asleep like that, which just wasn't going to happen. He was too worked up and now he was definitely overly tired. Then, out of nowhere, our teenage next door neighbor decided to add to the situation by opening her window and belting out a Kelly Clarkson song as loud as she possibly could! SERIOUSLY???!!!! I could have killed someone in that moment, I'm so not kidding.... So what did I do? I did what every unrested, stressed out Mom would have done. I opened up my son's bedroom window and yelled at her! I mean, seriously, out of all the stupid annoying songs she could have sung like a cracked out crazy person from her bedroom window, did it have to be BREAKAWAY?!!!  Go "spread your wings and learn how to fly" somewhere else you psycho!!

She stopped. It's a good thing too because I was in no mood to be messed with. We laid Austin down a few more times and even tried putting him in our bed with us but to no avail. It basically came to the point where he was just really needing sleep more than anything and by now it was past midnight. So we gave him some infant's Tylenol and put the poor guy to bed for a final time. He screamed for a while and then finally gave in to slumber!

The next thing I know, it is 5:30am and Josh is getting up for work. We are both exhausted. I feel so bad for him because I will have it rough at the gym, but he will have it rough trying to think at work. What a crazy night!

So now I have the decision of lounging around the house and recovering from last nights adventure, or getting my butt up, my caffeine on, and running those 5 miles I had in mind 24 hours ago. 

Don't worry, I made the right choice! We recently discovered the gym daycare and it has been a lifesaver! Now Mom can run out her frustrations and baby can make some new friends! Everybody wins :).