The Patxi and Jessica Waite family

Valin's Third Birthday!!

2012-02-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

Valin wanted a "Mater" cake for his birthday...so I tried my best!

He loved his cake and showed it to everyone who entered the house. He loved all of his gifts, especially the candy canes from Grandma Wheeler. She also made him a Toy Story/ Cars fleece tie blanket, which he loves.

We got him a piggy bank, some movies he wanted, and some puzzles. It was a great time and thanks to everyone who helped and came!

November at a glance

2011-12-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I feel free to deck the hall and am so excited about it. I can’t wait for Christmas!

But first I need to start the newsletter with Halloween. I was was excited for it because Valin was getting old enough to really enjoy it, which is also a reason why I’m way excited for Christmas. If you remember for the last newsletter, we went to the hospital the Saturday before Halloween and found out that Bosto had ear infections in both ears. Valin was also getting a cough, but we carried on and went to our ward’s trunk and treat anyway. Valin was “Woody” and Boston was the cutest bumble bee ever seen. Since Halloween was on a Monday, our ward was torn between sticking to the Church handbook where it tells us not to plan church activities that would interfere with family home evening, and keeping the trunk and treat tradition. So what we ended up doing was joining the chili feed and trunk and treat of the other ward we share the building with. We all had fun and Valin just loved running around with all the other kids. Then we were a little late getting our car into the right parking lot, so the trick or treators didn’t even make a dent into our candy bowl. Valin did great asking for candy and he was such a sweetie and made sure that Boston would get some too. He is such a wonderful older brother because he really does take care of her. Once I was sharing my food with Boston and he asked me if I was being a good big brother. He loves her so much.

Next this month we had my friend Jessica Baum take some family pictures. I’ve wanted some for a while since we didn’t take any last because Patxi was in Iraq. I had planned it earlier, but it rained and Boston woke up with a fever. And then we were to get snow later that week, so it was then or never. It was such cold day and to top it off, both Valin and Boston had runny noses. But we did it anyway, and dressed the kids in four different layers of clothing, and had kleenex to wipe their noses between poses. Besides the cold wind, it was a beautiful day. Boston was done about halfway through and Valin wouldn’t sit through much of anything (which is way we only got two good pictures of him). So by the end, I was doubtful that we got good pictures. But then Jessica put them online and on facebook and I think they turned out really well.

Then, the next day Patxi was tickled pink to finally be able to buy some cows. The was more unexpected paper work then from county program supplying the grant to up which was slowing up the process. But this month he bought them, put them on Uncle Reed’s property, and came home smelling like them. The smile on his face and the twinkle in his eye more than made up for the smell and tracked dirt into my house. This whole week of Thanksgiving, Patxi has been feeding them since Uncle Reed was out of town and a few times he has brought the kids. They loved the experience and Boston even almost said, “cows.”

Next was stinking Daylight savings time. When I was in high school, I thought it was great because I got to sleep in. But with kids, it’s a totally different story. On facebook, one of my friends put a picture of a man passed out on a cough with a captions of: “Day light Saving, a week of not getting enough sleep because kids and pets can’t read clocks.” So for a week, Patxi and I were close to zombies. Plus, who really like the fact that it gets dark at four o’clock? We were going to my parents for dinner one day and Valin commented that it was dark outside. And then, with a yawn, he said, “I need to go to bed.” And it was 4:30 in the afternoon!

During the following week we had a Relief Society dinner which I helped plan since I was on the Relief Society board. I’m over the lesson portion of our meetings and I had an idea to hand out a “Gratitude Journal” to everyone. I told the sisters that gratitude can greatly increase our happiness and is a commandment from the Lord. I share with them some personal experience and insight about gratitude I learn since Patxi was home. When he came home, we were both totally blissed-out, absolutely beyond happy, and I think one of the main reason was because we both felt appreciated by the other. I wanted to keep that feeling so I determined to keep that gratitude for him. So when he would track dirt into the house I would say to myself, “Well, at least he’s here. At least he’s not in Iraq.” And it would put things into perspective and my frustration would melt away as gratitude filled my heart. After I shared this experience with the sister, I instructed them to write every night in the gratitude journals something that happen that day which they are grateful for. I’ve been doing okay keeping the journal because i get pretty busy. But when I have written, an amazing peace fills my soul and I am filled with appreciation for the wonderful things I have.

That weekend, we watched William Shakespeare's “Richard III” that my father directed at the college. He placed it in contemporary big business. So instead of being about the throne and kingdoms, it was about being Richard trying to be CEO of a large company. It was very interesting. And then we went to Jacob Mitchell reception in Pilot Rock. It was so beautifully decorated and they looked so happy.

Then the next week we started potty training Valin. It went so different then last time. It’s amazing what eight months and a Lighting McQueen training toilet will make. It took him wetting he’s pants twice and then he got it. He even remembers to do it at his grandparents house. He only now has trouble now get to the toilet for a BM. I don’t know what to do to help him but to keep trying. Any trick or advise to help, I am all ears!

Then next weekend we went to pilot rock for a visit, Patxi’s National Guard yellow ribbon, and so Peni and Dennis could babysit while we went to the temple. I was little nervous because Valin had just a few days of potty training, but he was doing so well. Anyway, everything went really well. I decided not to go the yellow ribbon, which turned out to be a good thing because there was nothing for me to do.

Next was thanksgiving week. My mother’s father came up from California which was a great achievement for my mother because he hates snow and well, we live in north eastern Oregon. But he came anyway and he got to see both of my sisters and meet Boston for the first time. She won him over in just a few minutes. It was a great visit. He took the kids to the store and bought their future Christmas and birthday presents. He was very impressed at how quite and well behaved the kids were at the store. I mostly think that’s because they are awesome kids and I’ve giving them lots of practice, because this last year, I had to take them to the store. They got pretty excited about their gifts, and I was too. He wanted to get us something for Christmas too, and I really didn’t know what to ask at first. Then my vacuum decided to suck, or really stop sucking, so I asked him if he get us a vacuum and he did. The rest of the week was filled with laughter and way too much food. Patxi was stress for most of it because he had a 10 paged paper due the following Monday. Which turned pretty stressful on Saturday because Patxi needed a full, undisturbed day to write his paper and my sisters and mother had planned a girl’s day in Boise so I needed to be with the kids. So we scrambled around for an alternative option. I stayed home and we went out to dinner as our girl’s night. It worked out pretty good because I got to have dinner with Seren and her best friend Hannah. It was so fun to see them.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-08T19:01:00.000-08:00

This year, Thanksgiving was at the Wheelers and we all had a wonderful time!!!!

Food,

And more FOOD!

My Grandpa Lemmond (mother's father) visited us from California. It was so great to see him. He had never seen Boston, so I was so happy for his visit. With Grandpa here, Patxi had someone to watch football with. :)

It was so fun to be with family!

We all had a great time!!!!

Potty Training adventures

2011-11-15T15:07:00.000-08:00

So here I am, sitting on a couch cushion outside of Valin's bedroom while he naps. It's day one on our potty training adventure and all is going well. I changed him into his underwear and showed him his special "McQueen"toilet that I was bragging about for a few days now. He was way excited about it, especially when he pushed down the handle and a revving engine sounded.

The first two releases never made it to the toilet, but the next two started in the underwear but finished in the toilet! I was excited about the progress. Then, while we were having lunch I was marching back to the table while Valin followed me and he totally made the connection between feeling the need to go and then going to the bathroom because he asked to go to the bathroom! He only went a little bit in his underwear, which showed that he realized the need to hold it until he gets to the toilet. I was so impressed, shocked, and so happy. Then the next time, he was playing so, he released first in his underwear and got the rest on the toilet. I know that it's going to be tough for Valin to make the potty connection while playing. Valin has always been blindly focused on playing and has a hard time doing anything else. But then he went a few times on the toilet as we got ready for his nap. While I was in there wanting for him to go, he asked me to say "Vroom, vroom" while he pushed down the lever to sound the engine and whenever I did he would then release in his toilet. I guess "Vroom, Vroom" are his magic peeing words.

So now I'm here, sitting at his bedroom door, listening for any movement to indicate that he needs to go to the bathroom so I can help him realized it's okay to wake up and go. I'm a little worried because he is a pretty hard sleeper. But I guess we'll see what happens when he gets up.

Wish us luck! and please keep us in your prayers.

I need your help to choose which one is best!

2011-11-10T10:39:00.000-08:00

So I need to pick one image that's the best of the family. Which one is better:

Family Portraits

2011-11-09T15:08:00.000-08:00

So here are some more from our photo shoot:

Now tell me, which one is the best of Boston? This one:

or this one?

Which is the best of Patxi and me? This one:

or this one?

Family pictures!

2011-11-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday, the last day before snow fell on the Grande Ronde Valley, we decided to brave the cold weather and take family pictures. I asked Jessica Baum to take them for us and I think they turned out so well. We still need to decided on the ones we want to buy, but Jessica put these on Facebook and I wanted to share them because they were so great!

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-07T20:39:00.000-08:00

I was excited for Halloween this year because my kids were getting closer to the age where it's fun for them, plus Patxi was here. It was going to be great. Valin decided that he wanted to be "Woody" from Toy Story (probably with a little coercion from mom because I had no idea how to make a "Lighten McQueen" costume). So I went to D&B planning on getting a great cowboy outfit with the same colors as "Woody" and I was sadly disappointed. So I finally bought a tan hat from D&B, a yellow plaid shirt from Bugs and Butterflies, borrowed a red bandana from my mom, and used the boots from last year -luckily they still fit. I bought a sherif badge, by I forgot to put it on. Other then that, everything this was pretty good, especially since he probably won't remember it.

Then, for Boston, my mom found the cutest bumble bee costume. She looked soooo cute! Especially since she's starting to walk now. It's still kind of a "Frankenstein" walk, so it made everything so much cuter.

Pictures of them together. I couldn't get them to look at the camera at the same time, the little stinkers!

There was a chili feed and then a trunk and treat for our ward and the other ward we share the building with. This is Boston enjoying her chili.

It was a pretty fun night, even though we had just started to treat Boston's ear infection and Valin had a cough. But that didn't even seem to phase them. Valin was such a sweet brother because at every trunk, he would make sure Boston got some candy too. It was so cold that I had to bundle the kids up with almost anything I could find. I think they had about three to five layers on by the end. We also bought way too much candy and had tons left over. I got so sick if it, because I would eat it even if I didn't want it because it was there. So I put the candy in bags and hid them in the car so we could give them away.

And Happy Birthday to my older sister, Jen and Grandpa Lemmond!

October at a glance

2011-11-07T20:08:00.000-08:00

This month started with a whole lot of stress. Buying a new car isn’t easy. We did a little research and then thought that we should go test drive so we could decide what we like. The first day, we just planned on driving to the Tri-cities and finding some dealerships to test drive vans we thought were good to look at. We could have used our time much better, even though we actually ended up test driving and placing a bid on the van we eventually got. We even got sucked up into committing to a van we had never test drove so that they could bring it there. We didn’t like it that much, but kept our word and came later to test drive it and make our final decision. That Friday we went back and decided that that van wasn’t what we wanted and kept looking. But after that experience, we decided that we better put forth more effort and do more research. We finally decided on what exactly we wanted, and first called around to see if the dealership had what we wanted and only then would be visit them. So our third visit to Tri-cities went very well, we found two that we wanted and finally made a prayerful decision to get a 2007 Kia Sedona with 63k miles. We did the bartering game and paid about what we thought we could. As apart of the deal, they promised to fix the sticky lock on one of the sliding doors, so we paid for it and left it there so the service department could fix it. Well, it took about a week and a half before we could take it home because the part was on back-order. So now it’s the end of the month, and we’ve used it twice. It’s really a great van and we hope it’ll serve our needs for a long time.

The other big thing that happened this month was smashing my pinky finger on my left hand in the car door. We had just arrived at Walmart and I got Boston out of her car seat. I was holding her in my right arm and I guess I was a little slow at moving my hand away in time. At first I only realized that something happened because my hand was stuck as I turned to walk away. Then I felt it! I had to put Boston down so I could open the door and release my finger. It felt like I had ice crawling from my finger tip up my arm and then my fingernail turned purple. There was a few times were I felt like I was going to faint, however there was nothing to do but get what I needed at the store and then go home. It took about a good week before it stopped hurting and now I’m just waiting for the nail to fall off.

Yesterday Boston woke up from her nap with a fever and a nasty cough. Today I took her to the hospital when her fever continued and found that she had ear infections in both her ears. It was a little bit of a shock because she didn’t have a runny nose or pulled on her ears. Valin never pulled his ears either, but I was banking on some sort of the outward signs. I’m glad I took her in when I did. Luckily the hospital gave us some antibiotics so that we didn’t have to wait until the pharmacies opened on Monday. I hope she gets better soon.

Since we have wood floors in our house, we lined the path we walk on with every extra rug we had so that Boston would have a better walking surface. She really took to walking this month. She even stands for all of her bath because she’s seen the advantage of being able to walk around and discover things around her. She’s still a little shaky on her feet, but she is a walker now. This month she also started to do this thing where she verbally enjoys her meals. I have to admit, I love to hear her loudly say, “Mmmm!” as she eats the food I’ve prepared and put so much effort into.

Valin seem to have turned into a parrot this month. I often here him say things he’s heard us say or heard from a movie. One time, as Patxi was getting ready to leave for school, Patxi told Valin after he ask where he was, “I’m in the bed room.” Valin says, “I’m in the bedroom?” Patxi says, “No, daddy’s in the bedroom and Valin’s at the table.” Valin replies, “No I’m daddy.” Patxi said, “are you named daddy? Is your name Patxi?” Valin said, “yes.” We all laugh and Patxi says, “Oh, you’re name is Patxi and not Valin?” and Valin replies, “Of course, silly daddy, I’m Patxi!” It was quite cute. Then at dinner the other day he randomly says, “Are you my conscious?” It took me a little while to realize that he was quoting from the movie “Finding Nemo.” It’s interesting what things kids remember.

He can sing all the words to “I am a child of God,” “Popcorn Popping,” and “Steppin’ time” from “Mary Poppins.” He loves to act like animals and reminds us how a lion sounds and eats. The other night before bed he and Patxi were pretending that they were cats and so I wasn’t surprise that he was still pretending when it came time to say his prayers. We were kneeling down and amongst his moewing, I asked him to start saying his prayers. He said, “mom, I’m a cat!” and I said, “Not right now, sweetie, it’s time for prayer.” So then I ask, as I do every time I help him say his prayers, “How do we start?” And then Valin said, “Meow, meow, meow meow” in the same tone of voice as his usual prayers. “No, Valin, say ‘Dear Heavenly Father.’” He replies, “Meow meow meow meow.” Which I’m sure is cat language for “Dear Heavenly Father.” After suppressing a laugh, I told him to be a boy and said his prayers. Then today while I was trying to get Valin to finish his lunch, he grabs my smashed finger. I told him to be careful because I had an “owey.” He looked at my finger and asked if I wanted him to kiss it better. After he did, he then got a sad look on his face and started to pat my face and ask if I feeling better. When I realized that he was doing what I’ve done for him when he get “owies,” I smiled. I have such a sweet boy.

Here's a few pictures from this month:

He is such a handsome boy!

He went a little wild with the stickers Grandma Wheeler gave him. He put them all on one side of his face, even covering his eye. Silly boy!

Boston woke up with crazy bed head!

We tried spaghetti squash for the first time.

And we loved it!

Wahoo!

September at a glance

2011-10-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

This is a taken form our newsletter we write each month about our month:

(Patxi started writing it) I’ll start with my trip home starting in August. The unit replacing us is a Guard unit from Kentucky and they started arriving at the very end of July so that they were all there by about the 5^th of august. We had one mission which was my last up to Habur Gate, this was also the destination of the very first mission I did back in December. Their truck commanders came on the trip with us so they could see how we did everything and they saw pretty much everything from break downs of each group we escort, KBR trucks, Green trucks TCN’s trucks and even our own. We had to also stay an extra day at Habur Gate because of our own breakdowns so they were able to see how to handle Battalion when they get mad at us for things we can’t control. The only thing they didn’t see fortunately was and IED. For the last month and a half there I was probably averaging about four hours of sleep a day mostly because they changed our mission leave times to two and three in the morning and because we had to get everything accounted for and signed over to the next unit. By the 16^th of august we were done with our hand over and were living in tents waiting to leave. This was a very boring hot time because about half of the time the air conditioning and or internet didn’t work. There was a not very good gym without AC that I went to and to help pass the time I would take the 45 minute bus ride over to the main D-FAC to eat instead of going to the close one. On the 29^th we loaded up our gear and flew in a C130 down to Kuwait where we stayed a couple days and then flew to Shannon, Ireland to Bangor, Main, to Joint Base Fort Lewis McCord outside of Tacoma, Washington. From landing they said it would be less than 14 days probably six to get done with demobilization paper work and medical checkups. On my sixth day I was getting ready to sign my final paper so I could go home the next day when they came in and said that there were problems with about half of the soldiers’ medical paper work so for the next couple days we went and waited in line hoping they would figure it out and let us go which happened on our 11^th day and I rode the bus home to La Grande calling Jess on the porch to surprise her and ask if she would help bring in the bags.

If it’s okay with Patxi, I’d like to into a little more detail because I think it’s a hilarious story that I want my kids to remember. So like Patxi said I was first told on Monday night that everything was set and ready to him to leave on Wednesday morning. All He had to do was sign that ridiculous DD214 form taking him off active duty. So then I get a call Tuesday evening telling me that his paper work didn’t get into the system. I felt like my insides had shattered into small pecies. It was bad enough finding out that the moment that I had look forward to wasn’t happening, but also no knew when I would get my husband back. So I did what I could to put myself back together, prayed, got Papa Murphy’s, and watched “Mary Poppins.” There’s nothing like greasy pizza and the song, “Stepin‘ Time” that can raise the spirits. So then Wednesday passes without anything progression and then finally Thursday Patxi texts me and tells me that he signed the pivotal form and hopes to come home the next, if they find transportation. I tld me that he would finally find out wehn he was coming home at his formation, Friday at 1:00 ing the afternoon. I felt that they wouldn’t be sending them home so late in the day since it take about seven hours to get here. My feelings were confirmed when Patxi texts me friday afternoon, “Well, I have good news, looks like I’ll be seeing you Saturday.” Now what would you conclude from this. I totally thought that they couldn’t get a bus from them until Saturday. And to tell you the truth, I was livid! Usually I don’t boil over and lose my temper, but I did. I was so furstrated at the people who got Patxi’s paper work wrong and could find a bus to send my husband home. I pretty much lost it when I thought another day was going to go by without Patxi being home. It’s hilarious now, considering that Patxi was receiving my abusive texts as he was exactly on his way home. Anyway, so Patxi got my parents in on his surprise and they delivered a car to the armory, while I was having a girl’s night. I finished cleaning up, putting the kids to bed, and changed over the laundry, when I sat down ready to talk with my friend Shanel and my phone rang. I got up to answer it didn’t know what to think when I heard Patxi say from my phone and the front steps, “Can you help me with my bag?!” I was so surprised! I was unbelievably happy but didn’t know what to think about not being told about something so crucial like him coming home. I felt ashamed for losing my temper earlier and a little crushed because my plans for his home coming were ruined. But those feeling quickly melted away when I realized that I had my husband, the father of my children, and the love of my life back with me. Valin hadn’t fallen to sleep yet, so we got him up and he was so happy to see his daddy again. We accidentally woke up Boston so she wasn’t as excited to see Patxi but the next day she was. It’s an extreme understatement to say that we love having Patxi back home, but I don’t know how else to say it.

Anyway, back to Patxi...

From then on it has been getting more hectic every day. I decided to go to school for a term at EOU while I put in an application for the paramedic program at Chemeketa that starts in the spring. I hadn’t signed up yet so I applied for winter term and talked to them hoping to get in this fall which took some explaining and fortunately they let me in, so then I had to figure out the classes I would take. First I was waiting for an assigned counselor. When I didn’t have one by the Friday before classes started so I called Kenn, my father-in-law who teaches theatre at EOU and he helped me sign up for History 201, Applied Anatomy 311 and Intro to theatre because it was the only one that would work time wise with the others. For some dumb reason it seemed 80% of the classes offered are at 9:00 in the morning. The application packet is 20 some pages of paper work showing I meet all of the prerequisites to get in which has to be done a certain way and turned in by the 12^th of October. We hope and pray that I can get into the spring class, if I don’t then we will move to Salem and I will start on the fire program as soon as I can and then do the other. During this time I have been trying to buy cows using the small business grant offered to Union County. This is taking longer than expected because they haven’t answered my e-mails so I don’t know what to do next. We are also looking for an affordable reliable minivan as well as a good, working pickup. Adam Kerns also called and lets me work for him whenever I can, helping put sprinkler pivots together.

It is great to be home and with family and hopefully I will see you all sooner rather than later. It is fun going on walks around the block and to the park with Valin and Boston. By the end of the walk Valin will be carrying two hand fulls of sticks because he can’t pass one by. Boston wants to walk only holding on to one hand which is slower so it is like herding cats trying to keep Valin somewhat close. He has learned to stop at the end of a block and wait for us to cross the street. Boston has been taking three or four step by herself here and there for the last week now. She loves to do things by herself like eating and playing. Jess does a great job of teaching and caring for them and it is wonderful to see their love and trust for her.

(Jessica) This last weekend we traveled down to Slat Lake because my parent got tickets to watch General Conference at the conference center for Sunday morning and my sister’s hadn’t seen Patxi since he left last September. I was way excited because it had been about 10 years since I’ve seen it at the conference center and Patxi had never been. Well, come Sunday morning and we ended up leaving way too late. We got to the Center right when they let the stand-byes into the empty seats. So, needless to say, we didn’t get seats but ended up watching it in a little theater off on the side. But during the intermediate hymn we decided to go and enjoy the beautiful weather on Temple square while listening to Conference on the loud speakers. It was a great way to listen to it and would have been better if we had brought a picnic with us. Even though we were disappointed, we still really enjoyed ourselves.

goal adaptation

2011-07-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

Since I just found out that Patxi will probably come home in the beginning of September instead of the middle or end, I decided to change my weigh lost goal to weighing 102 lbs. by then time Patxi gets home. I still want to reach 110 lbs, but that just won't be healthily attainable in the time frame I have now. Sorry if I disappoint anyone, but after I made the decision, it just felt right. So now it's back to the grind stone.

A day in the life of a stay-at-home mom...with a deployed husband

2011-06-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

Not that I'm trying to be narcissistic or anything, but some people wonder what it means to be a stay home mom, especially with younger children and a deployed husband. My sister-in-law published a post like this a while back and it seemed like fun. So here is a play-by-play of my day as a mom.

4:00 am -I hear Boston crying on the baby monitor. Now this is an estimated time because I didn't have my glasses on, but I do know that it wasn't light yet. I wait a second to see if she'll go back to sleep or find her pacifier herself. She doesn't so I rush in the kids room hoping to get there before she wakes up Valin. I put her pacifier back in, and she still cries. So I get her up, make a bottle, change her diaper, wrap her back up, burp her, and put her back to bed. Don't know what time it is, but I hoped that this night mean she'll sleep in a little longer.

7:30 am -She did. I hear them wake up on the monitor. I recognize Valin crying, so I scramble to get dress and say my prayers. I walk in to see Boston smiling and very proud of herself for pulling herself up on the side of her crib. I go to Valin to see what's wrong and find that his diaper spilled over a little bit. I get him out of bed, then Boston, and quickly change Valin diaper and pjs. After that I grab Boston and head to the kitchen to make her a bottle, while Valin is crying to have me hold him too, "Hold you me!" I grab him and walk to the living room and set him on the couch. I make Boston's bottle and set her, while eating it, on the couch as well. I quickly sign into Skype so Patxi knows we're up and can call at anytime. I set Valin on my lap, because he is still crying, and ask what he needs. I guessed that he just needs food and feeling crummy since he's still getting over his cold. I say "we can watch a movie after breakfast" to his request, and that produces more sobbing. Just then Patxi calls us on Skype and I sadly tell him that we better get breakfast first. He said that that was fine because he can go to dinner himself.

8:00 -I take the sobbing Valin into the kitchen to help me make breakfast, which is mostly him just siting on the counter, asking for things he shouldn't have. I get my new favorite cereal (Original Fiber One -15g of fiber and 0g of sugar), Valin gets oatmeal and a breakfast fruit bar, Boston gets her Cheerios, and we all get bananas. I round everyone up, put them in their chairs and ask Valin to give the blessing. He can't because he is still sobbing and insists that he sits on my lap. So I say the prayer and we dig in. Valin doesn't look twice at his fruit bar but slowly comes around to the oatmeal. It's funny, but he really like oatmeal. Anyway, Boston is doing great and only screams when she see the Banana that I haven't given her yet, which I quickly give her. When I finished, I read the last half of 1 Nephi 18 of the Book of Mormon out loud to the kids for our family scripture reading. I finished the chapter and try to explain what we should have learn from the storm and journey to the promised land. Then finally we finish, I wipe down the kids and their chairs and we go back to the living room to talk to daddy and watch a movie.

9:00 -I call Patxi and we talk. From the couch Boston sees Patxi and I could swears says, "Da Da." She is all smiles for that man. We talk about each other's day and both wish he was coming home sooner.

10:00 -We say our good byes and I go to put Boston down for her first nap. Since she didn't eat very much before, I fed her two ounces of formula and put her down. Well, a half hour later, she is still fussing, she I go in to put her pacifier in and burp her again. She had a burp. When are they able to burp by themselves, again? Anyway, I put her down and then go outside to play with Valin

10:30 -Valin and I go outside and water our little garden (one tomato plant, two rows of bean, and few spurts of lettuce and spinach). We then play with two big bouncy balls and large sticks we found in the yard. I take them away after several warnings and then him hitting me in the face. We go inside after he starts to attack the plants our neighbors have planted. "If you can't play outside by the rules, then you can't play outside." It was good timing, since it was time for lunch anyway.

11:00 -Valin helps me, well until he loses interest, reheat leftover enchiladas from last night. I cut strawberries for him and make a spinach salad for myself. We say a blessing on the food just in time for Boston to get up. I was a tittle miffed that she only slept for barely an hour, but got her up and made her lunch too.

12:00 -After force feeding Valin his enchiladas, which he totally loved last night, I clean them up, put Boston in the living and start helping Valin unwind for his nap with a book and then singing a lullaby.

12:30 -I leave Valin sleeping, or somewhere near there, in his room and plop down on the couch. I'm not surprise that I fell sleep quickly since I almost rocked myself to sleep while rocking Valin. Boston is happily playing with the toys she can have free reign with.

1:00 -I wake up to Boston trying to pull herself up on the couch and then I go to make her a bottle so I can put her down for her second nap at 1:30. We lay together while she eats and then play around afterwards while I burp her -not wanting a repeat of this morning.

1:30 -Nap time. By now it's around 79 degrees outside and 75 inside, so I don't know what to do about warping Boston up like I usually do. She's been in her oneies all day. I decide to wrap her up like usually, but place a fan on low facing her crib. I burp her tons, sing, rock her, and leave to let her fall asleep.

2:00- I go back in there to see why Boston is crying at the top of her lungs. I burp her again, since she has her pacifier. Nothing. I check her diaper. Nothing. Since she is starting to get the cold Valin is just getting over, I clear out her nose with a "brain sucker." Nothing. So I just wrap her up, rock, sing, and put her back to bed.

2:30 -Boston is finally quite in her pack-and-play which I place in my room. So I turn on my P90x workout video, "Cardio X." It's a 50 minute combination of Yoga, Kenpo (karate), Plyometrics (jump training), and Core Synergistic. I sweated tons and had a blast.

3:30 I quickly jumped onto the treadmill and ran for 30 minutes. It should have been longer, but I had to still shower and dress for an ariun I needed to run by 5:00. If I went any later, they would have been closed. Since one of my kids is usually napping at that time, I ask my dad yesterday to come over so I could just quickly go.

4:00 Boston gets up. A little sad that the combination time of her two nap today came to a little over 2 and 1/2 hours. I barricade Boston in the living room so I can jump in the shower and get ready.

4:30 My dad gets here and Valin is still sleeping so I quickly go and come back by 5:00

5:00 Valin wakes up, and I play with him a little bit in his room while Boston comes to join us. We play together until I realize the time and move to the kitchen to get dinner going. Since it's around 80 degrees inside, I only wanted to use the microwave and not the oven. So I had a sandwich and yogurt, Valin had hot dogs, Boston had beans and Cheerios, and we all had mixed vegetables. It took some time because I was interrupted a few times with cries from the living room.

5:30 We sit down to eat and it got quite for a few minutes while everyone chews. Valin and Boston showed little interest in their vegetables, but I surprisingly had to help Valin eat bites from his hot dog, the one thing he requested. Boston finished her baby food and screams for a taste of Valin's hot dog. Are they safe to feed a 10 month old? I then totaled my calorie intake for the day in my food journal and did a touch-down dance. 1576. Just under my goal of 1600 a day. Anyway, we finally finished and I sent them to the living room so I could clean up. I really don't want ants this summer.

6:30 I finish just in time to give Boston her night-time bottle and send her to bed. Normally I would put the kids to bed at the same time, but since Boston got up early and Valin late, I was going to put Boston down first in my room and then move her over to the kids room when I went to bed myself. She finished her bottle, I vigorously burped her, sang, rocked, turn the fan on, and put her to bed.

7:00 Boston is still fussy, so I go in to burp her and/or put her pacifier back in. Since I can't find anything wrong with her, I re-wrap her and put her down. She cries when I leave. Valin and I go into the kitchen to do the dishes, which is him mostly playing with the water. He did push the On button on the dishwasher. though.

7:30 I brush Valin's teeth and decided to go ahead and get Boston and put her to sleep with Valin like I do every other night. I burp Boston (yes, she had a burp), change Valin's diaper, say our prayers, and I read them a book; Boston wrapped up in her blanket on half of my lap and Valin with his blanket on the other. After we finish, "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom," I turn the lights off and start to sing my lullaby I sing every night, which is "I am a Child of God" changed into the second-person tense (so it's like, "You are a child of God, and he has sent you here..."). Boston falls asleep and I put her in her crib, and then continue to sing and rock Valin, like I do every night. After a while Boston fusses, so I get her and rock them both again. I then put them both down in bed, with much protest.

8:00 I leave the kid's room and sweep and vacuum the floors.

8:30 Boston is crying at the top of her lungs and I go to see what's wrong. Of course Valin is up and wants me to rock him too. I burp Boston again, wondering what in-the-heck is wrong with her that's stopping her from going to sleep. I guess that since she is so hot, she unwraps herself, but then can't sleep because she is use to being wrapped up. I also miffed to find that Valin is bare-buttomed since he threw his diaper on the floor. After I put a new diaper on him, I place Valin and Boston back in their beds, determined that they fall asleep.

9:00 Start this new blog post and noticed that it soon got quite. *sigh*

10:00 Now here I am still writing this post and realizing that for such an uneventful day, it's a pretty long post. After this I will get ready for bed and hit the sack, ready to do this all over again tomorrow. I hope it was interesting for you to read, if you can get through it of course. There's really nothing special, but now you know what it's like to be a stay-home mom of young kids and a deployed husband.

I caught It!

2011-05-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to get Boston's laugh caught on camera for a while now and I finally did it. It is the cutest thing to hear. Enjoy!

Patxi's home for his Mid-term leave! Part 2

2011-05-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

After the museum, it was nap time and they both actually took them, something I didn’t expect. So Patxi and I took that opportunity to go shopping. It was so fun because Patxi is such a crack up! I don’t think I laughed that much in quite some time. At one point I was literally bending over in laughter because Patxi had picked out a princess gift bag to put Petra and Mikey’s present in. After I said that I didn’t think Petra was into Disney Princesses anymore, Patxi said, “No, this is for Mikey. Who wouldn’t want a bag with five hotties on it.” Man, I’m still laughing about it.

We all went to the family dinner to meet Mikey’s family next. They were so wonderful and open to us and the food was great. After that, we drove to the church in Rexburg so Patxi could help set things up for the reception. To my absolute horror, I was going to have to put the kids to bed by myself, something I vowed I would not do during Patxi’s visit. I had had enough of that and I wanted to get my rightly earned break. But Sara’s need was so much greater. Things got pretty stressful, I hear, and Patxi didn’t get home until midnight.

As soon as we could the next morning, we went back to the church to help with more reception needs. There, I burnt my hand on the iron and watched how completely Valin’s candy detector worked. I walked into the gym to see Valin grabbing something from the food table. I saw that Sara had placed the bags of candy there. So I asked, “Valin, are you eating candy?” seeing that he is trailing wrappers. He exuberantly nodded he’s head and said, “ah, huh!” At least he didn’t lie about it, but we did have a quick lesson about taking things that weren’t ours. Once everything was beautiful, we left to get ourselves ready. I’m sad to say that we were almost late. But we did make it in time to see Dieter and Bridget leaving because their recommends were expired. I felt so bad for them, having just gotten there after driving all night.

The sealing was amazing and yet hilarious. The sealer, with his broken english, was very funny. Words cannot explain how happy I was to have Patxi there with me, to be reminded of the covenants we made together more than five years ago. I was so blessed to have that happen! It was beyond incredible to be there with him. It was great to be in the temple, celebrating Mikey and Petra’s love for each other and the hope of their new life together. Then, we witnessed a miracle because the sun came out for the pictures.

We all went to the reception to help with the finishing touches next. We stopped by my grandparent’s house first to grab a few things, stopped at subway, and then went to the stake center. By the time we parked, Valin had astoundingly fallen asleep and Patxi volunteered to stay in the car with him so I could go help. Later, when I got Boston to fall asleep and it grew close to the reception hour, I went out to get them and the car was empty. I thought that maybe Valin was awake and they went on a walk together. So I walked all over the church grounds only to find out that Tevye had forgotten to tell me that Patxi took Valin to the mother’s lounge to finish his nap (or so they both could nap). So then for a good hour I didn’t really know what to do because everyone I was responsible for was sleeping, and Sara’s flawless planning made me job less. Of, course, I stuffed my face with amazing cheesecake, pineapple, and candy. I wish my family had been awake because we missed taking pictures with Petra and Mikey. But they did make it to the cake cutting where Petra begged Mikey not to get her dress dirty. It turned out to be a very quiet exchange, mostly due to Petra’s death threats. Soon after that, the speedy take-down was on. What took days, week, and months to plan and produce had to be taken down in an hour. When we were done, everyone started to gather up their families. Bridget and Valin were in the hallway and Bridget said something about trying to find Leo. The next thing I see was Valin, bursting into the gym, yelling, “Leo! Leo!” at the top of his lungs. And when he spotted him, he ran straight to him and said, while pointing, “I found him!” It was pretty cute, I have to admit.

We took the opportunity to snag a family photo since were were all together and well dressed. These were the best we could get.

Next, we said our good-byes and headed to my grandparent’s to clean up after our quick morning and afternoon. They didn’t get home from their 14 hour drive from Arizona until 9:30. But since it was our only night to visit with them, we decided to play pinochle anyway. I won the first hand, and then, finally, Patxi won by quite a large margin. We left as soon as we could the next morning and we made it home for bedtimes. It was a great trip and we were happy to be there and see family.

These are pictures of Valin playing with Grandma's marti-gra beads.

The rest of Patxi’s visit was more informal. We did go up to Pilot Rock to watch Tice’s baseball game and have a family BBQ. Because of that, Patxi got to see everyone member of his family (since Dmitri and Nicki couldn’t make it to the wedding), which I know made him so happy. As always, we had so much fun. We left Sunday morning so that we could still go to our home ward for church. There are many people there who still thought that I was husband-less, plus I wanted to experience going to church in our ward as a complete family. I felt so good. Everyone was so happy to see him, and I’m sure I couldn’t hind my joyful glow either.

The days following were of us being a family at home. It was greatly needed because the kids and I got nasty colds (so yucky that’s I’m still getting over it). It was wonderful to have Patxi there to get up with the kids too or watch them while I slept in. I appreciate his help so much more since I’ve had to live without it. But the dreaded day of daddy’s departure did arrive. Because he had to be at the airport by five in the morning we decided to get a hotel room for that night.

Theses were at Olive Garden.

These are of Valin playing with Boston"s pants. What a funny boy!

We went out to eat, swam in the pool, and kind of had a “last hurrah.” I didn’t want Patxi to leave in secret or in the dark of the night because I thought Valin would handle it better if he knew what was happening. I’m sad to say that it didn’t really work out that way, and for days afterward Valin still asked where his dad was. Sometimes when the house would creak or when he would heard voices from the outside he would ask if it was Daddy. It was tough to keep the tears back, but each time I explained that he had gone back to Iraq and that he loved him here, there and everywhere. I miss him so much too.

it's been a little under a month since he left and it's gotten easier. Once I got s handle on things and got motivated, and humbled myself to ask for help from the Lord, everything seemed to get better. Hey we only have about 4 months left. I can handle that right?

Patxi's home for his Mid-term leave!

2011-04-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

Daddy's home! We were all very excited for Patxi's two weeks home.
It started with him flying into Pasco, WA around 6 Tuesday April 5th. My parents took the kids while I went to go pick him up. We stayed the night in a hotel and got back to La Grande just in time for the start of Valin's nap. We also hit snow on our way which totally tickled Patxi. He was so happy to see snow and later play in it; it was kind of funny.

Yup, he tried twice to hit me with a snow ball, and was unsuccessful. He he!

Boston was up and she got some uninterrupted time with her daddy.

It took Valin a little bit to wake up and realized that his daddy was home, but once they started to play like old times, it was as if no time had passed. It melted my heart and filled me with so much joy, I almost burst. Then we went home where Mom and Valin's "Welcome home!" sign was waiting for Patxi. The smile on his face was great. I gave him the tour and I started on our first dinner in 6 months where we've been a complete family. It was great and I had so much peace. But really I felt it that night when we all knelt together as a family for family prayer. It was so wonderful and the spirit came into my heart to testify that this was good and what God's Plan is all about. I felt so complete and beyond joyful.

Next was Patxi's birthday. He, of course, didn't care to do anything, but I wanted to something since he was here. So I baked him a Jello cake and we went out to eat with my parents, who later kicked our behinds at pinochle. It was a great evening.

Then, we got really to travel to Idaho for Patxi sister, Petra's wedding. I was looking forward to it for many reasons. First, Patxi and I would have the drive to talk about things that we really needed to discuss, like re-enlisting, financial plans for the future, and everything we planned on doing when he got back in September. the first half of the drive, we did get to talk, but Valin needed my attention for the rest.

The other thing I was looking forward to was seeing my family that lives in Rexburg. I hadn't seen them since Patxi left. But it turned out that only one of my Uncles and his family was in town, my Uncle Jared, his wife Camille, and their children, Colin, Maddie, Kate, and Gavin. We did go out to dinner with them, which was great. They have such a sweet family and I love spending time with them. Plus Gavin is just 6 months older than Valin so it was cute to watch them take over the restaurant together.

Next, we spent Sunday with Patxi's family, which I was also looking forward to. They are all just so much fun! Valin was too keyed up to take a nap, which made things a little more difficult and forced us to call it a night earlier. Monday we also spent with everyone, including Springe and her family who we hadn't seen since Valin was a month old. We went to see the exhibit of plasticized bodies at the Museum of Idaho, which was really interesting. Valin's attention only lasted for the first floor so I took Valin up to the kid room and then Patxi relieved me so I could see the rest of the exhibit. He's so thoughtful, isn't he.

Valin's turned two!!! Party time!

2011-02-08T16:22:00.000-08:00

The kiddos are napping and I've already finished my P90X workout, so it's time to do some blogging!

Over the course of about 6 months, Valin has literally falling in love with to movies, "Cars" and "Toy Story" (1-3) from disney and pixar. He has Woody, Buzz, and Lighting McQeen pjs, shirts, toys, bedding, and he asks to watch the movies almost everyday. So for his birthday, I decided that I would attempt to make a Lighting McQeen cake, since it would be the easier than Woody or Buzz. I had been planning and working it out in my head for about a month before, so it all took mostly and afternoon to do. And I think it turned out pretty good. I goal was for it to be good enough so that Valin would recognized it and scream "Queen!" like he does every time he sees him.

Since I used oreos for the wheels, I still had an almost full bag left over and there was no way I was going to keep it in my cupboards because I would eat them all. So I decided to crush them, pour melted butter over them, and surround McQeen so that it would be as if he was driving on asphalt. I thought it was pretty creative, if I do say so myself.

Here's Valin seeing it for the first time:
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One of the coolest thing was that Patxi got on Skype so he was able to "be with us" when Valin blew out the candles and opened his presents. Patxi had to get up pretty early to do so. It meant so much to me and I'm sure to Valin as well. I love my husband so much!

And here is Valin opening he's presents:
(it's pretty long, but the kids were hilarious! )

I think Valin totally enjoyed himself and I love to see him so happy! It was a great success!

P90X

2011-02-07T21:01:00.000-08:00

Since my knowledge of fitness is somewhat limited, I decided to buy P90X to get me pass this spot weight that I can't seem to get over. I am way excited to finally have the ability to get where I want to go! I can do it!

The first day went okay. I slipped up twice. Yesterday my car decided it needed a new full pump and today, wonderful men from my ward fixed it for me. To thank them, I got cookies, but some were broken and didn't fit on the plate so...you can guess the rest. Then I went to pick up my car an missed the window I need to cook a good dinner, so it was a fast one that didn't quite fit within the P90X nutrition plan. But it wasn't that bad. Anyway, I actually feel like I can follow it pretty well, that and I can do the workouts as well. Sure there was times when I didn't have great form, but I did better then I thought. So overall, I think I can do this! I feel as if my fitness dreams are in sight and on the horizon. I can do it! and will do it!

I'll try to give updates, but I'll be busy actually working out, cleaning the house, and taking care of my children, and sleeping which is all I seem to fit with 24 hours. But I will post my beginning stats for historic purposes.

I think I can, I think I can. I know I can, I know I can.

Patxi's Christmas present

2011-01-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

For Patxi this year I decided that since we couldn't physically be with him for Christmas, we could symbolically. So I got nice framed pictures of us to take with him wherever he may be.

I bought three black frames and sent three different pictures for each so he could rotate them when he got bored.
So here is what I put in Boston's picture frame:

These are what I placed in Valin's frame:

These are the pictures I chose for my frame:

Major thanks to my dad for taking the pictures. It took us like two minutes to get good ones of Boston, but it took an hour to get Valin's pictures. That little boy would not sit still.

Patxi got the package on our wedding anniversary (December 29th) and I talked to him on Skype the next day. I was happy to see that he had hung the pictures up on the wall over the head of is bed. He told me that he really liked them, and the smile that came acrosss his face proved that it was the best gift to give him.

Some cute pictures of my amazing kids

2010-12-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

I just uploaded pictures from my camera, so now it's time to put them on the web. Since my house is getting closer to being in order, I can spend some time with my computer. Duplex pictures are to come soon.

My little stud-muffin watching a movie.

Boston loves to play with her feet. This is her at bath time.

Valin playing with the curtains at our new place.

And he static hair that follows.

Sometimes he reminds me just how small he is.

He's intensely watching a movie, with his fingers in his mouth.

Here Valin is singing "Popcorn Popping." Well, I'm mostly singing it while he does then hand motions.

Here is the one of the first times Boston actually laughs, which isn't like her normal giggle.

Snow!!!!

2010-12-02T20:23:00.000-08:00

Our weather is making up for the mild winter last year, inch by inch of snow.
Usually I am all for it. But now that I have kids who get cold easily, I hate to take them out in it. So I'm pretty much stuck in the house all day. If I do take Valin out to play, what do I do with Boston? It's be better in our new house because we'll have a real backyard.
But the worst thing is that I'm planning on moving this Saturday and guess what the weather plans on doing then?! Snowing!!! Ugh!

Halloween

2010-11-16T21:29:00.000-08:00

We went up to Pilot Rock for Halloween because it was a Saturday and we had made plans before we moved. Valin was a Knight and I tried to put together a kind of flower costume for Boston.

We went to the primary trunk-or-treat. Valin had a mixture of confusion and utter joy as we went from trunk to trunk in the rain. It was as if he would say, "I have no idea why you are placing candy in my pumpkin, but I am loving it!" I had Boston in my front pack, one hand holding the bottle to feed her, and the other one on Valin's keeping him in line. It was one of the many times I was glad that Boston was bottle feeding because it would have been hard for me to bring Valin around the indoor carnival while nursing her. So it was fun.

Four generations

2010-11-16T20:48:00.000-08:00

Here is Valin with his stickers. He loves to place them all over his face and hands. It's the cutiest thing!

My Grandfather (Dad's dad) came up for a visit during the first of November. We had to get a Four Generation picture. We didn't get one with Boston because she was sleeping through most of it.

But at the last minute, she woke up and Dennys got to feed her.

A crazy quick trip to visit the love of my life!

2010-11-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

To kind of set up the story, about a month ago Patxi called me to ask if I was planning on coming down for a 4 day pass he was granted for the beginning of November. At the time, we had just moved to La Grande and I was dealing with that stress and the apartment mess. Plus, I was stick and my kids looked like they were getting it to, so the idea of me traveling alone with my two kids under the age of two made me cringe. Plus, he said, if I were to go, he wouldn't buy my earlier argument about not wanting to drag my young kids all over Europe. (For Patxi's mid tour leave he wanted to spend those two weeks in Europe) So, needless to say, I said no, we wouldn't go down, even though I wanted to be with Patxi more than anything, I hated to imagine him alone in his barracks while everyone else was with their families. He reassured me that it was okay because they were planning on taking trips with others whose families wouldn't be coming. So I didn't feel too bad.

Then, Sunday the 7th- the first day of his pass, during our usual phone conversation, Patxi tells me that his trips had been cancelled because there wasn't enough people. I could tell he was bummed. And that picture of him reading a book in an empty barracks entered my mind again. That picture and the desire to be with Patxi ate at me for the rest of the day until I found myself looking online for plane tickets. I was still torn between the wanting to go and knowing that it was going to be a huge hassle. Finally after a phone call from my sister, Jen, I pushed the "book tickets" button, and went crazy with the preparation. My mom came over and we stay up til 2 getting everything ready. With the help of my friend, Jamie Law, I felt pretty confident about the plane rides, but not about Patxi's reaction. If you know Patxi then you know that he shuns hassle like the plague and doesn't appreciate anything spontaneous or expensive. And as you can imagine, this decision was a huge hassle, rash, and pulling from our savings. But I was bringing his kids to him, right? He was sure to forgive me. Late into the night, after I swear I was getting an ulcer, I continued to repeat to myself, "The tickets are non-refundable, there's nothing I can do now but choose to make the most of it." I texted that to Patxi and hope he would do that too.

So soon, I find myself, numb from only 3 hours of sleep, driving to the Pasco, WA airport, not knowing the way because the printed directions fell out of my pocket. I franticly call my dad and find it. We race to check in, then back to the car because i forgot Valin's car-seat, and then through security (which was a huge ordeal, even with the help of three different officers). I had just enough time to text my mom that we made it before they started to board the plane. The ride was nice because Valin was quiet and observant since it was a new experience.

We landed in Salt Lake were Jen was meeting us. It turned out that we barley had enough time and I would have missed my connection if a pilot hadn't helped me to the gate. We landed in Menphis and by then Valin was so tired that as we were walking to our next connection, he triped and wouldn't get back up. There I was with a 3 month old in a front pack, with a huge backpack, and holding on to the leash/backpack that was on the back of an almost 2 year old who would only crawl. Finally a personnel came over with a wheelchair and Valin got to be pushed to out next gate; there was no way that I could have held him.

After a shot of sugar, Valin was his normal self and he would have crashed if his dad wasn't at the other end of the terminal when we landed in Mississippi. I really can't describe how wonderful it was to see Patxi's brilliant smile, to be hugged and kissed by him, and see the smile he brought to our children. We were all so happy to be together, that we stay up til 1 that night. The next day, we mostly stayed in the hotel, napping and trying to get a rental car. We had dinner at Red Lobbter which was fun.

Then the next day we decided to go the the gulf coast which was about an hour from Hattiesburg (town

we were staying at just outside Camp Shelby).

These are pictures of us on while on the road. Once we got to Gulfport, Valin had fallen asleep, so we decided to drive to Alabama for lunch which was about an hour from there. Then from there we thought, "well, why not, let's go to Louisiana." On our way back we stopped to wade in the ocean. The weather was amazing and the beach was great except for the garbage. On our rode trip, we saw these small restaurants called, Waffle House, about every 8 minutes. They were more abundant than Mc Donald and Walmart! The people of the south must love their waffles.

Then we got so hungry that we stopped at the first restaurant we found. It was the saddest mexican restaurant we've every visited. But as we changed our direction and got back on the interstate, we saw tons of wonderful places we should have eaten at. As we drove back to Camp Shelby to drop Patxi off, we heard the song, "I'm Already There" by Lonstar and it touched me so much that I cried on Patxi's arm. I missed him already. We sadly said our good-byes and drove back to our hotel.

It was a long trip home. We got back to Pasco at 10:30 pm and I still had 2 hours to drive. During that drive I got to thinking. I felt, deeply, almost to the over-powering of my body, that I loved Patxi. I realized that I had gone on autopilot with my married, and wasn't striving to deeply love my husband like I should or had in the past. But after this reflection, I truly felt that I deeply, passionately loved him. Since I went though "emotional" fire so that he could see his children and so I could be with him, I was able to realized how much I really loved him and was willing to sacrifice anything for him. Was it worth all of the hassle just to say good-bye again...? Heck yes! I would never take back those long, expensive, and wonderful four days. Thanks to everyone who helped. But I'm most grateful for my Heavenly Father who had blessed me with the ability to make this trip and the reflection I had afterward.

So...here is a short update on this month

2010-10-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of the saying, "When it rains, it pours," because the author must of had me in mind when that phrase was created. First off, my husband's deployed, so that leaves me as a single parent with two children under the age of two. Then during the first weekend of the October, I decided that the best thing for me was to move from my in-laws, to a place of my own. So in comes the stress from moving. After about three days of living in the apartment I found in La Grande, I realize that it's not going to work. Valin's bedroom is separated from the rest of the apartment and there's something in here that I'm allergic to because I have to use my inhaler more often. So I stopped unpacking and started looking for another place. Then this weekend, while my grandparents were up for a visit, my cold turns nasty and travels down to my lungs. I was having a heck of a time breathing, even while using my inhaler. After talking to my family physician, he deemed it something like bronchitis. Then, to tip it off, my milk supply, for nursing my two month old, started to dry up. I'd try to nurse her but she couldn't get enough to satisfy her hunger, and what I do get out, is from an hour of much effort. So I decide to bottle feed her, after a huge inter struggle with myself. Of course, she doesn't like the taste of formula (who does? especially if it taste anything like it smells), but I force it down her throat, all the while wondering if I made the right decision.

So here I sit, wondering when things were going to calm down.

i've never been stessed like this before

2010-10-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

So, a lot has happened. We moved to La Grande. My in-laws were awesome, but it was time to have my own space with my own things. We looked in La grande because Patxi wants to live there when we get back. Anyway, we found a great 2 bedroom apartment. it has a fenced yard with a swing, great and safe neighborhood, all utilites are included in the rent which also includes laundry and internet. But it's not perfect. The one thing that's turning out to be a huge thorn in my side is the fact that its not self-contained. Meaning that Valin's room is separated from the rest of our apartment. I'll try to illistrate. The outside door opens out to a large room, i call the "common breeze-way." From there, there are four doors (not including storage closets). Starting from the right, the first door opens to my apartment: living room, bedroom, dinning room, kitchen, and bathroom. Next is the laundry room. Then a little bit down the hall is a studio apartment currently un-rented. Then, on the left side of the outside door, there is Valin's room. Do you see the problem? The reason why I accepted the problem and took the apartment was because we are hardly ever in Valin's room and the postives of the apartment, in my mind, would out way that negitive. Now that we are living here, it's become more of a problem and uncomfortable situation. Luckily, I sign a month-to-month lease, so if I find something better, we can move at the end of the month. The stressful thing is that I've stopped unpacking so my house is a mess, I'm still trying to find something better, all the while trying to meet the needs of myself an my two children under the age of two. Crazy!!

Project: Fit within 1 year

2010-09-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have a goal to lose all of my weight during the year Patxi is gone and will be blogging my progress. Here is the address: http://fitwithinoneyear.blogspot.com/ Feel free to visit it, the more people I have to be accountiable to, the more successful I'll be. So please visit. Thanks

7 weeks old!

2010-09-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

We are all doing fine. It's been a week since Patxi left, and I am taking things a day at a time. So far things are managable and I'm not insane yet. Valin had a little bit of a meltdown toady because he missed his daddy, but besides that he's been doing great. Boston is great. As soon as I stopped stressing about breastfeeding, it started to going much better. Whenever anyone comments on how small she is, i really hear, "Aren't you feeding her enough?" And I need to get over that. It's just a genetic thing and has no fault with me, right? Right. Anyway, here are some updated pictures of Boston. I tried to get ones of her smiling, but this is all I got.

We're still alive!

2010-09-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I haven't posted much. I've realized that breastfeeding a newborn and caring for a very active toddler is a full time job. So when I do have some time, I usually try to nap, shower, make dinner, or try to fit in the mounting landry. But next week Patxi will be here for a short visit before he is depolyed, so I hope to have some time then.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Please welcome...Boston Claire Waite!!!

2010-08-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

So, to start off the story of Boston's arrival into our family, I have to say that my induction date finally arrived, though I was both excited and nervous. We checked in at the hospital at 6:00 am and quickly got settled into a labor/delivery room in St. Anthony's family birth center. I took to the bed with an IV and hospital gown while Patxi settled into the comfy couch. Then we waited. The Pitocin was put on a low dose to begin with, but not much happened. Then my doctor broke my water at 8:20 and I started to feel some regular contractions. So we decided to get unhooked and walk the halls. After about 20 minutes, they stopped. I was so disappointed.

Then, around 10:30 I got hooked up again, with the same level of pitocin, and my contractions came back. Then, they increased, so much so that by 12:30 I was almost a 5 and getting my epidural. I got labor shakes then, which is my body shaking as if it had the chills as a way to deal with the drastic changes in labor. Anyway, it took some time to dull the pain, but then after a while I noticed that my lower left side was still hurting. The nurses tried to move me around so that the medicine would flow to that area, with no success. Soon the contractions were getting stronger and closer together and my lower left side was feeling all of it. I asked for different pain medication, but couldn't get some because I already had an epidural. The anesthesiologist couldn't come to give me more, or fix it because he was in surgery. So I was stuck with feeling the pain. Oh man, it sucked.

Finally at 1:40, my anesthesiologist gets there and pumps me so full of meds, it only takes a few minutes to feel the affects. Seconds after that, my nurse checks me and announces that she can't feel my cervix anymore and rushes to get the doctor in time. The room gets very busy as I concentrate on not pushing until the doctor gets there. Finally, we are ready and her head is already starting to come through. After about three pushes with contractions and a little cut from the doctor, Boston is out and laying on my chest. She surprised me because she hardly made a sound, and she was smaller than I expected.

So Boston Claire Waite was born August 11, 2010 at 1:58 pm, weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces, measuring 19 inches in length.

The stomach flu, bladder infection, and "You're like a two"

2010-08-02T20:45:00.000-07:00

To begin the story correctly, I have to start with Saturday night. Patxi, Valin, and I ate at a local diner to mix things up a bit. But later that night Patxi started to feel sick, which was strange because he never does. But I thought that it might have been the prime rib he ate that night and prayed that a good-night's rest would set him right. Well, 8:30 comes around Sunday morning (church is at 9:00) and he is still in bed stating that he still feels sick to his stomach. So I quickly get Valin ready and off to church we go, hands full with my 18 month old and my primary things because I was teaching a new song that day. Then halfway through sacrament meeting, I started to feel a little queasy.  Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew I was going to get sick. So I said a little prayer that I'd get through Singing Time. Miraculously, I didn't feel sick while I was teaching, in between those times, yes I did, but not during. I was totally blessed.  I pretty much raced home and got Valin some lunch, just in time for me to re-encounter my breakfast in the bathroom toilet.

Well, of course after that I felt better and knew that I should at least try to eat something, for the baby's sake.  It didn't take long for the few pretzels and nectarine I ate to rebel being in my stomach and escape through my mouth.  The only good news was the fact that I was getting contractions, even though the thought of going into labor was the farthest from my mind at that point.  I did occur to me that this might be how Heavenly Father was going to help me progress to a 2 of a 3 cm. Interesting how he works, isn't it. Anyway, my next goal was to keep from getting dehydrated, so I sipped as much water as I thought was safe.  At 5:00 that evening, I threw that up too. Man, I couldn't even keep water down.  However, I was determined to stay hydrated, so I tried eating saltines and chewing on ice next. It worked. Plus Nicki, my sister-in-law, offered to go to the store and buy me some 7up to help settle my stomach.  Since the "ox was in the Myer" I said, "heck yes!" It totally worked. I still had stomach cramps and contractions, but at least I wasn't throwing up anymore.

So today I woke up hoping, praying, and worried about my doctor's appointment. This was the one that would determined if I progressed enough for him to safely inducement me on the 4th or if we would keep the 11th.  Well, I woke up to a bladder infection brought on from the severe lack of liquids of the day before.  I usually throw back 96 oz of water a day and yesterday I was lucky if I keep down 16. So, I was not feeling good at all as I walk into the doctor's office.  He did inform me that I had progressed to a 2, which was good news. But, since I was feeling so sick (and Patxi too), he decided to stick with the 11th so I had time to get over this flu and infection before I would have to tax my body with labor. Though I was some what disappointed, he was right, I didn't feel like going into to labor, especially since Patxi felt so crummy too. But I was a 2, and that means when we do feel better and will try things that give contractions, I am more likely to progress into labor.  So, I'm not distrot, I just have a strong hope that I'll go on my own this week ,as soon as we feel better.

So, that's it for this crazy -long story. Hope you enjoyed this novel of an update. Hopefully the next post I'll do is of our daugther's birth!

"You're like a one"

2010-07-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

So I just had my doctor's appointment. He checked my cervix today to determine how close I was to going into labor so we could then decided when it would be best to schedule my induction. Since I'm "like a 1" (1 centimeter in dilation of my cervix -10 is full dilation) and therefore far from labor, he said that it won't be a good idea to induce on the 4th, which is what I was hoping for. But he said that he'll check me again on Monday (the 2nd) and if I've progressed to a 3 or 4 then he will strip my membranes and "sneak" me in on the 4th. He has a problem with the 4th since I'm not close to labor because it's just a little too early (my due date is the 13th). The next day that he can induce me is the 11th, which I have reserved now. So if it comes to being induced, Patxi will have 5 days with his daughter before he leaves. Sad story. But at least he'll be there for the birth and to bless her in the 15th. But please, please, please pray for me to go into labor before then!

Two more weeks...well two/ three -ish

2010-07-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

(Let me explain the post tittle: Since my doctor agreed to a week early inducement, I have two weeks left. But I have three if we're counting to my actually due date. From here on out, I'm going to be counting down to my inducement date. Sorry for the possible confusion. Anyway...)
Sorry that I didn't post last Friday like I promised, but here is goes:

So, for an update, everything is going great. She's moving around like normal and her heart beat sounds good. On the 30th, my doctor will check my cervix and schedule my induction (or is it inducement?). But since I'm 37 weeks now, I'm trying to get into labor on my own. I went walking this morning, 2 miles in 33 minutes with wrist and ankle weights on. I've been having contractions off and on all day today, so hopefully something will happen. But every contraction, I know, will help ripen my cervix, so it's not a waste if I don't go immediately. Patxi and I have been having a lot of "honeymoon" time, which has been giving me contractions as well. But if there is anything else we could do that might finally kick my body into labor, please share! We want Patxi to have as much time with his daughter as possible. I've heard of raspberry tea and Castro oil, but I think the oil will be a last resort.

My baby shower, that my mom threw for me last Friday, went very well. I had a great time and got everything I wanted/needed and a few needed laughs. Thanks to all who went. I felt so special and loved. Thanks!

Valin's communication skills have greatly improved. He will actually say, "yes" and "no" and actually mean it. His "yes" is cute because he lifts his eyesbrows, nods his head, and says, "ah, ha." Then he can say, "och," "hot," and "ah, oh" meaning the actual things. He can identifies cars, dogs, chickens, cats, peaches, juice, fishes, applesauce, pretzels, crackers and much more all by name. He says, "mor" when he wants more. And though he doesn't pronounce the "ll" of "balloon" (he calls them "boons") he knows and points to them in his books. He is still the smiling boy we've been blessed with, but parenting has been becoming more of a challenge since he is getting older. Along with this communication skills, his will and determination to use his agency is increasing as well. The age of blind obedience is gone. He also has a problem with hitting, not knowing that it hurts and the difference between hitting things verses people. I know that it'll just take time and consistency, but this is the frustrating part of parenting. But everything else is going great, so I have no complaints.

Hope everyone is staying cool and having a great summer!

Valin's fun on the swing

2010-07-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

Grandma Waite has a great swing in their yard. He loves it! So I thought I'll get some pictures of him.

Isn't he such a cutie!

4 more weeks to go...or maybe less! Yeah!!!!!

2010-07-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

I'm 36 weeks today and started my weekly appointments. So I talked to my doctor about how close my due date was to the date of Patxi leaving and he was totally up for an inducement! I am so excited! I can hardly believe it! So we talked and he said that I can be induced anywhere from August 4th to the 11th because those are the days he is "on call." We technically can't schedule it until I'm 38 weeks (July 30), but the 4-11 is the window we have to choose from. I am so happy to have the weight of the possibility of Patxi not being there for the birth and blessing of our daughter off my shoulders. One worry down and taken care of! Oh, it feels soooo great.

That also means that the baby blessing is on the 15th of August at 9:00 am for sure. So make your plans!

I'm been feeling...well pregnant. My feet start to swell if I sit from more than ten minutes without putting them up. But that's how it was with Valin during the last month, so I totally expected it. She's getting bigger which means her movement is getting quite uncomfortable. I have the usual aches and pains that comes from housing a 6 pound baby between my hips. But other than that I'm doing great. I'm going to start exercising again on the 26th, so I'm excited about that. I've been so lazy -with good reason of course, but still.

Which reminds me, Patxi and I are in the market for a treadmill. It'll be my birthday/Christmas/Anniversary present for this year (a good idea because Patxi won't be here for any of them) I've wanted one for a while, but I had a gym at the school and mild weather in Salem. Now that I'll have two kids, I need to do my exercising at home. I love to run, and it's a great workout, plus I don't mind running on a treadmill at all. Anyway, I have a goal on getting fit while Patxi's gone and a treadmill in our house would be the best and most likely way to meet this goal. It's going to be an investment because I want to use it forever. I want to run until I physically can't anymore. So If anyone would like to share information they may have on buying a treadmill (what are the good brands ,etc.), I would love to hear! Or if you know anyone who is getting rid of theirs, please tell me!

Since no post is complete without pictures, here are some of Valin at the water park in Pendleton. We had so much fun that I think I'll buy a pass next year.

They have this cute kid slid that Valin went down literally a thousand times

He loved it!

It looks like so much fun, doesn't it!

I'm getting a little antsy, so...

2010-07-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

...there goes my hair!

(it's not the best picture, but what I could get with no one else around)

This is how long it was before. (I'm in the pink and at Shanel's wedding)

It's nothing drastic like Britney's beautiful hair cut, but it's short for me. We were talking about hair cuts on Sunday and it got me thinking that I might need a trim. But once I sat in that chair, decided that I wanted a bigger change. The best thing about it is that I got it cut in the Waite's Kitchen Salon and it cost me nothing. Peni trimmed everything so it was all one length, and then I stood in front of the mirror downstairs and added the layers. It was the second time I've done it, and I must confess, I'm pretty impressed with myself.

(this is even a worst picture, but it shows the layers a little bit more)

So what do you think?

My wish/need list for baby girl

2010-07-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

In case anyone was wondering what I still need, with all the wonderful hand-offs I've gotten from amazing people it's was hard to know for sure. Plus it's good for me to make a list so I can get things in order.

1. Bassinet

or something like this. I had planned on placing her in our portable crib in our room until she gets on the same night sleep schedule as Valin, but I just don't think there will be enough room. It could be with a mobile or not. Valin's never had one so I don't really know of a need for it, but it might be good.

2. Clothes, but mostly accessories like hair bows, socks, and shoes
3. Receiving Blankets -they worked so well for burp clothes and swadling blankets in the summer. We've just have boy ones and I haven't decided if it matters or not.
4. Oneies -you always need those
5. Hooded bath towel

This is a picture of Valin's. It's a frog and he's pretty darn cute, so something like that, but girly.

6. Moving/rocking baby swing

or something like this. I know that Valin will need most of my attention, so I was thinking of something to put her in that will entertain her while I'm dealing with her brother.

7. Diapers and Wipes -of course!
8. Changing table -It's really not that needed since we've changed Valin on the floor for all of his life, but it would still be nice to have one.
I think that's it. I'll add more if I find that I've forgot something.

5 weeks to go!

2010-07-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

Well, actually since were "planning" on having her two weeks early (keep your fingers crossed and prayers said!), I really only have three weeks. Huh, wow...that's really not that much time. Good! I'm ready. All I need is my nursing covers I ordered yesterday and I'm pretty much prepared. I already laundered her clothes (the cute and copious amount from Brittney) and placed them into her drawers. We have the car seat, crib, other clothes, nursing pads, some diapers...we might need blankets (girly ones for her)-but really with this hot 97 degree weather, i don't know if we'll be swaddling her. Then again, it might be good to be prepared and have that option. I really don't remember what else I needed with Valin, we were so blessed my others who bought most of our stuff that I don't think we had to do mad rushes to the store. Oh, I will need to get some "Lansinoh Lanolin," the nursing cream. I think I'll make a list of things to get. I don't know if anyone is throwing a baby shower. I haven't heard of anything yet, but I do still have some time or it could happen after she comes too.

Anyway, please excuse the above chatter of my ramblings. This week went a lot smoother, mostly because Patxi was here, so I had my sunshine with me. Plus, Valin's ear infection is getting better -almost totally cleared up (besides that sinkin liquid that doesn't seemed to ever leave), which meant that he was much more patient and playful. The only downside to this week was the hot weather, 90s and above! This is the first time I've really had to battle with my hands and feet swelling to an almost painful degree. The last month with Valin was terrible, and this is close to it. At night, I put a fan on just my feet. But I am totally blessed in the fact that this is the first hot spell we've had all summer -we're already halfway through July. It's been rainy and cold until the last two weeks, so I've been really lucky. Plus, we have a basement here. I hind out during Valin's nap, which is in the hottest part of the day, so I beat the heat pretty well. So, all in all, I'm really blessed. So I'm really just waiting, and trying to prep for a new baby as much as possible while keeping cool. I hope everyone is doing great and beating the heat as well.

Oh, and case anyone is wondering, we haven't decided on a name yet. With Valin it took forever for us to even decided on possible canidates. And then we didn't even choose until he arrived. So we'll probably pick out a few that we like and then decided when we meet her. Oh, and I think we'll plan on having her baby blessing in Pilot Rock, the Sunday before Patxi leaves for his three week training, so that's the 15th of August (sacrament meeting starts at 9:00 am). Unless she hasn't arrived by then, of course. We hope she will, so plan on that for now.

6 more weeks!!

2010-07-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

Wow, the time is flying by. Just six weeks. And, yet it feels like it's dragging on forever. Well, at least with pregnancy, you'll know it has to end some time. I've just been feeling so tired lately. It's be more of a task to keep up with Valin and actively play with him. I can't wait to get this baby out of me so I can move around like I used to. I mean, who's idea was it to carry 20-30 extra pounds between the hips and on the waist? The back or shoulders would have been ten times easier! Who knew that bending down, tieing your shoes, and getting up from any sitting position could be such hard tasks. Plus, her feet have been in my ribs for the last month and a half, so I get soccer punched in the lungs if I slough or relax my posture. I just can't get comfortable anymore!  Sitting, laying, standing! Ah, I'm done!! Stinkin six more weeks!

Deep breath

Please excuse the rant. Patxi hasn't been here, so I have no one to vent to. Yup, Patxi's been gone this last week (and the three weeks before that), which really doesn't help any of this.  Out of the six weeks I have left with him, he's going to try and be gone for three of them. (The two last weeks, I hope to have and be with our new baby.) He teaches medic classes the 12th -16th (that can't be helped), he plans to work at his sister's in Colorado the 26th -31st (I'm thinking about putting my foot down because it's cutting pretty close to the due date), and he will probably work for his brother next week as well camping and taking out fences (the 5th -10th). And to tell you the truth, I'm about to have a nervous brake down! I don't know if I can take him being gone like this before he absolutely has to be. This last week has been pretty stressful because Valin hasn't been feeling well, again, which means unchanging and unexplainable winniness which rubs the nerves raw. Combind this with the end-of-pregnancy slumminess, plus my emotional anxiety of Patxi's deployment right when I have our second child, mixed with the fact that I just plain miss him and the emotional support he can give me -and you get me bawling randomly this morning. I don't know if I can take this. Can I just call a time out or something?  Freeze time where Valin is napping and I'm laying in Patxi's arms. Ah! I feel like pulling my hair out, or just crying again!

Deep breath

There I go again. Sorry. But it does feel better to let some steam out. Thanks for giving me the outlet. I'll try to be less doom and gloom next post. But thanks for the therapy, because it looks like I need it!

Something that I needed to hear

2010-07-01T12:50:00.000-07:00

I was preparing to teach July's new song in primary and I was browsing the helpful website, http://www.sugardoddle.net/ and there was a post that linked me to this video by Jeffery R. Holland. (if the screen isn't wide enough, like half it cut off, you can click on the video and it will bring you to the orginal youtude page)

I couldn't make it through without crying. The women seemed to be portraying my life, and I recognized how hard it is being a mother. But I really didn't start bawling until Elder Holland said that we are doing the Lord's work, especially when it's hard. The spirit bore testimony to me, that what he said was right. I felt so comforted, especially since Patxi's deployment has been weighing heavier on my mind, especially since we're getting a daugther in less than 7 weeks. Every now and then you need to hear that what you are stressing, worrying, and working yourself out for is worth it. And not only that, but that Heavenly Father wants to help. That had been on my mind as well, and I know that his help is there, if I'm just humble enough to take it.

So thank you to whoever made this video and to Elder Holland! This was something that I really needed to hear. I hope that it will help you too.

7 more weeks!

2010-06-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry about not posting yesterday. Patxi surprised me by coming home from his week long medic training a day early so all of my plans of blogging last night went out the window.

Everything with baby is going great. It was a pretty demanding week, so I had a few contractions here or there, but nothing as exstendsive as last fridays (see post enlittled: "8 more weeks"). My pevic bone are shifting like crazy which has been killing my lower back and turned my walk into a woddle. I don't remember Valin starting to desend this early! Thurdays night was pretty bad and I had to lay my top half on the coffee table to get some pressure off my back. After a night's rest, though, I was feel fine again. That's just something I've slowly come to grips with, the fact that my body needs to take rests every now and then. I'm use to a go, go, go scheduale with my toddler and Valin's naptime is my busiest time. But over the past few weeks, my body has been crying out for breaks during the day, and I just have to be sensitive enough to take them. Being pregnant is not easy, especially with a 17 month old!

While, I'm posting, here are some cute pictures of Valin to update you with:

Here my little twinkle toes in action:

My son, the Davey Crockett wanna-be. He just looked so cute in his coon hat.

Here's a little smile. I think he looks a lot like Patxi in this one.

Yup, that's a 4 & 1/2 year old cake

2010-06-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

My mom, for some reason, decided to stick true to that tradition of freezing a piece of the wedding cake so that the couple can eat it on their first anniversary. The idea totally disgusted Patxi, so we never got around to it. Every now and then my mother would remind us of what was in her freezer, but somehow, the four plus years passed. Finally, this last memorial day weekend, my mother put her foot down. So, as the good pacifist that I am, I decided to eat it and finally be done with it.

here is the proof:

I really don't know what the fuss was about, it actually tasted just like cake. I didn't even get a tummy ache or anything. Silly Patxi.

Another freakin ear infection, big surpirse

2010-06-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

I knew it was coming. If his faucet of a nose and crankiness over the pass few days didn't give it away, then his fever tonight did. When the doctor checked his last one, and it "hadn't totally cleared up," she just gave me a prescription knowing that it was just a matter of time. Don't worry, Valin has an appointment with a Nose, Ear, and Throat specialist here in town. But it's just frustrating waiting in the mean time. Luckily Valin is pretty good with them now, but I still feel horrible that he gets them on an average of once every other month. Poor kid! Well, please keep him in your prayers. Thanks!

Seren's graduation

2010-06-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

I just uploaded the pictures from my camera, so here come all of my posts. sorry that it's either feast or famine here.

Here's pictures from Seren's Graduation and grad BBQ on June 5th. We also went canoeing that day too.

At the beginning of the ceremony, all of the graduates gave roses to their parents or loved ones. Peni got the prettiest pink rose.

Valin is usually all smiles, but it's hard to request one from him.

It's official, Seren Graduated from High School, she has the diploma and everything.

Seren and her best friend, Lacy, had a combination Graduation BBQ. Here they are posing with the hats that came on their cake.

Next to Pilot Rock, there is a reservoir that damns the MacKay creek and that is where we took the canoes.

It was a little bit cold, so Valin wasn't in the best spirits.

Dennis and Peni had to take their turn on the reservoir too!

Shelbey dunked Stefka in and everyone joined them, until it got too cold.

It was great fun seeing Stefka, Petra, and Mikey who came down especially. A celebration at the Waites is always tons of fun and loaded with food! Congradulation Seren!

Shanel's wedding

2010-06-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

On June 10, one of my closest friends was sealed in the Portland Temple and I was fortunate enough to witness and share in the blessed event. It was great and I was so very happy for her! The best part was seeing Joe's face when he saw her for the first time in her wedding dress. It was so precious, I teared up. Joe has so much love for her, it makes me so happy to think about it. Sadly, though, Patxi wasn't able to come with me because we was drilling with his National Guard company in the deserts south of Boise. So it was a happy but sad event for me (though happiness from Shanel's happiness totally outweighed the sad). But here are some of my favorite photos from the wedding. Shanel was stunning!

I carpooled with another one of my closest friends, Britney, who is on the right of Shanel. We had a blast, we always do :)

8 more weeks

2010-06-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

So I am officially 32 weeks along and the strangest thing happened this morning. I was finishing my bowl of cereal (when I mean "I," I'm really mean Valin and I) when all of a sudden I started to get sharp pains from the general area of my lower abs. I first thought that I could be gas, fighting its way out, but then it didn't let up and started to cover my whole stomach. They were sharp enough, that I had to remind myself to breathe. So, I decided to lay down on the couch and see if they (thinking that they might be contractions) would go away. They had a wave effect, like real contractions do, but they were very sporadic, with no recognizable pattern at all. After about 15 minutes (from the first pain) they slowed down and stopped. I stayed on the couch for an hour and when I got up, though my stomach was a little tired, I felt fine. I walk around with Valin outside, and did the normal things a stay-home mother does and felt okay. Then Patxi and I thought it would be fun to walk to Dmitri's house with Valin in his stroller. After a while the sharp pains came back, especially while we walked up the hill. So when we got to his house, Patxi sat me inside a wheelbarrow and I rested. It seems as soon as I would sit down, the pains went away. So after 20 minutes, we went a shorter way home and up hill again. I sat down and fed Valin his lunch without any pain and I haven't felt it since.

So from this I've concluded that I'm just experiencing Bracken Hicks and should take the time to sit down whenever they come. I didn't really get them until I was 39 weeks with Valin so that's why it took me a while to figure it out. The crazy thing was that I was sitting, eating breakfast when they first came, I wasn't doing anything stressful or demanding on my body. Well, I guess that's just Bracken Hicks, coming solely for the purpose of prepping your body. I just might have to take things a little slower for at least the next 4 weeks. We would like to have her early, because Patxi is leaving 3 days after my due date, but not too early that she might not be healthy and fully developed. But I feel that if I just take it easy for a while, everything will be fine. I have an OB appointment on Tuesday and will talk to my doctor about his opinion then. But I feel fine what everything. If the pains get anywhere close to consistent, I plan to go to the hospital, but I'll just take it easy until then.

9 More weeks!!!!!

2010-06-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

So, not much happened this week in my prego world beside some silly things.  I'm usually a human heater when I fall a sleep, but lately I've been waking up sweaty, no matter the outside atmosphere. Is that normal? Or even is it that a pregnancy thing?

Anyway, on to less randomly akward things...yesterday I went to the sealing on one of my best friends, Shanel Olmstead -well Shanel Shaw now. It was so fun and just wonderful to see her so happy. She was amazingly beautiful! And as soon as I get it together, I'll post the pictures. Beside the fact that it rained and flatten my hair, I had a great time. I love you Shanel!

Patxi left on Wednesday to play in the desert south of Boise for gunnery training. He won't be home until the 17th and I'm missing him so much! Especially after being at Shanel's sealing.  I love him so much and I am so lucky to be his wife. How am I going to handle a whole year without him?! The Lord only has the answer.

I'm now in La Grande visiting Jillian and her man Standley while their up for as few days. It's been great fun but tough to fine good hangout time. Well we still have time this afternoon.  i wish my sisters didn't live so far away! I would hang with them all the time!

Um...well I think that does it.  Love you all!

10 more weeks!!!!

2010-06-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

So I've decided that I would kill two birds with one stone. I need to start a count down so I can stay sane as I wait for the last months of my pregnancy to end, but I also want to be more frequent in my blog posting. So now I'm going to blog my prego count down.

Hum... well. I have 10 more weeks and since I did an update the other day, I don't have much else to say. Alrightly then. Have a good day. :)

A quick little post

2010-06-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since I posted so I'll do a quick update. Everything in going great as I near my 30 week marker. I am way excited to have our baby girl join our family. I'm excited and sad at the same time because as soon as I hold her in my arms, it seems, Patxi will deploy. So I'm excited and yet dreading the blessed moment. But I have faith that the Lord must have known what he was doing, so...I'll leave it as that.

Anyway, the rest of May flew by and ended with a crazy weekend with my family. Jen and Nick came up from Utah which had us all excited. But then my mother check into the emergency room on Saturday because of stomach pain. After 12 hours, they finally decided that she had appendicitis and removed it in the morning. We were all very sad, but happy to know the cause of the pain. So we spent the rest of the weekend in and out of her hospital room. It was still a great weekend and she is on the mend. Keep her in your prayers, though.

Valin's got another ear infection. I think it was my fault because we washed the car together on a breezy day. So right now we are dealing with his sickness. He has also started to throw fits and literally squeals like a pig if he doesn't get his way. We have been saying "no" more often and now it's his automatic answer to every question. He is still all smiles with hilarious facial expression, but he is just moving into a different stage (I guess...I'm figuring this out as we go along). But I think the key is to be consistent, because it's hard to learn the outcome of an action if the outcome always changes. Plus, I need not be lazy. It's easier just to give him what he wants to stop the crying then it is to say no and remove him from the spot or show him what is right. It's easy to do my own thing and not spend the time to interact and give positive attention. It's hard to make him learn to be patient and not laugh at his silly fits. But I know that if I just stick to it, he'll learn and be the kind of person his Heavenly Father wants him to be. I think that it is easier to do things my own way, according to my own philosophy. But it is the best way to seek and receive inspiration from the One who loves him more then I do (hard to even imagine). For He knows truly what is best for him, not me. I just need to remember this. Not an easy thing to do.

Umm... yummy wheat germ.

2010-05-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

Though wheat germ doesn't sound that apealing, I've decided to start using it in my/ Valin's diet. I was looking on the internet for healthy (and toddler-friendly) snacks and meal ideas and I found some that use the ingredient, wheat germ. It seemed pretty easy to use. It sounded familar and I knew it was good for you, so of course I did some research. This is what I found (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-wheat-germ.htm, Written by Garry Crystal, Last Modified: 30 April 2010 ):

"Walk past any health food store and you will no doubt see advertisements for wheat germ. Wheat germ is one of the most nutritional products available. In fact, wheat germ contains 23 nutrients, and has more nutrients per ounce than any other vegetable or grain.
Wheat germ is a part of the wheat kernel. The germ is only a very small part of the kernel, approximately 2 ½ percent in total. The word germ does not have anything to do with bacteria; it simply refers to germination. The germ is the reproductive part that germinates and forms the wheat grass.
Wheat germ is very high in protein. It contains around 28 percent protein and has more protein than can be found in most meat products. The human body needs protein in order to repair tissue damage and to help minerals and nutrients reach our cells.
The amount of nutrients that are contained within wheat germ seems endless. It contains more potassium and iron than any other food source. Also found in great quantities are riboflavin, calcium, zinc magnesium and vitamins A, B1 and B3. Vitamins B1 and 3 are very important to maintain energy levels and maintain healthy muscles, organs, hair and skin.
Another important vitamin found in wheat germ is vitamin E. Vitamin E is a very important antioxidant. It is helpful in preventing the body's aging process and also to prevent heart disease. Vitamin E also helps to prevent blood clots and is needed to strengthen the body’s immune system.
Wheat germ has been found to be very beneficial in order to keep the body in tip top condition. It is used by athletes in their diet to improve cardiovascular function and improve endurance levels. Body builders will also add wheat germ to their diets in order to bulk up and maintain the nutritional levels they need to perform.
You can buy wheat germ from all good health stores and many supermarkets will carry it as well. It can either be purchased in toasted or fresh form. There are also many food products that already contain wheat germ. A number of cereals are made with it, as well as bread and flour.
If you make your own bread or cakes you can easily add wheat germ when baking by using it instead of a small amount of flour. You will find that it has a sweet, almost nutty flavor that is not too overpowering. It can also be added to meat dishes, eggs, vegetables and even yogurt."

I called my mom, asking what she knew about it and if I could find it at safeway or if she could pick it up for me at the health food store in La grande. She told me that as kids she would put it in the yogurt she would feed us every afternoon. And she said that it was the reason we never really got sick and had tons of energy as kids. Huh, I don't remember that. But then agian, maybe it was a good thing because it wasn't bad enough for me to remember.

So for my walk this morning, I spent the time thinking of different ways I can use it in my cooking. So, I have plans to bake it in some wheat bread I already planned to make today, put a pitch of it in the flour mixture I'll fry the pork steaks in, and then sprinkle it on Valin's snacks -like on his peanut butter and banana or something. I also want to make my own granola bars and I'll use some then. I'm so excited! I can't wait to try it.

Good news!

2010-05-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

I just got back from my OB appointment and I found out that I only gained 3 pounds this month, so that brings it to a total of 20 pounds for this pregnancy so for. I'm 28 weeks now and I'll be gaining the most within the next 12 weeks. But I know that if I watch what I eat and walk my two miles in (or around) 32 minutes everyday, I'll stay within the healthy weight goal (total of 25-35 pounds)! I know I can do this! I know I can, I know I can, I know I can.

Cute video of Valin

2010-05-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

This is a video we got of Valin dancing. Patxi first sang the song to go along with Valin playing with the toy horse in his hand. And at first, that's what he did. That horse galloped so fast on the couch. But then, it seems, Valin wanted to do the galloping as well... he was just so cute.

some updated pictures

2010-05-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

I know that you guys must be picture starved because it's been a while since I posted one. So, here: I guess it's either fest or famine on my blog :)

(sorry that it's a little out of focus)

One time, while Patxi had the dishes soaking in the sink, we decided to play with the bubbles.

The clump of bubbles stayed, miraclously, on for a long time.

Then here's Valin playing with my parent's dogs. (This one is named Jinkies)

This is the Jell-o cake I made for Patxi's birthday.

We had fijitas for his birthday and everyone loved them, especially Valin.

Valin's cousin, Elliot, and Valin were both watching Tice (their uncle) mow the lawn. We'll see how interesting mowing the lawn is when it's their turn.

That's pretty much it for now. I'll post more when I remember to take them.

"(f)ish," (p)each," "doen," and the newest today, "apple"

2010-05-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

Our little 15 month old is really starting to use some words. For months he's been copying the sounds we make, but he is now starting to use the words by himself. Like this morning, I asked if he wanted a piece of my apple, which he repeated wonderfully. Then, after he finished, he pointed and said, "awe-pel." I was so blown away and giddy, I almost did a touch down dance right there.

He knows what words mean. Like when I ask him if he is finished with his green beans and he shakes his head and grabs another green bean, but we're at the stage where he needs to figure out how to use his month to correctly make the sound and then remember the sound that goes with that object and use it. It's all very amazing to witness. I love to see him learn and grow and this is just a wonderful stage to be in. Oh, I am so lucky to be his mom!

finger painting with pudding

2010-05-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

I got this idea from Christanne Jones off of facebook so I decided to try it out today. The only pudding in the house was a little bit of villina so I divided it into three and put food coloring in them.

I idea behind doing pudding instead of regular finger paints is because, with toodlers and pre-toodlers, everything goes into their mouth.

He did really well.

Made some wonderful masterpieces.

And just had a great time.

The only bad thing was that I've fingerpainted with Valin before with real paint and had taught him not to eat it. But now, affter tasting the puddling, he will eat it. So I think I just offically confused my child. Opps! Well, we'll fingure it out.

It's getting better

2010-05-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

I haven't had an emotional rain cloud since that Thursday and I feel so much better. I couldn't even blamed it on the weather because it's not that bad, besides the fact that it feels like someone's let lost the big bad wolf and he's trying to blow the whole town down. It's so strong that even I get blown over when I exercise outside. But anyway, just in case someone was wondering, I'm feeling a lot better.

One of the reasons I think I feel better is because I making better eating choices. I think that blogging about it and telling my husband about my struggles really helped. His and your comments tell me that you really care as well as give me wonderful advice. But one of the most helpful things is including my Heavenly Father. I realized that I've moved away from His spirit lately and so I've consciously strived to keep it with me moment by momnet, as well as pour my heart out to him in prayer. If anyone is most willing and able to give me the specific help I need, it's him (and my Savior). And the best thing is that really I feel it. Like today, I first of all didn't get hungry until 5:00pm (on a normal day, it around 4:00)and then I had the power to say to myself, "wait until dinner" and actually do it. Before, I couldn't (and wouldn't) do it. And then, always after dinner I feel the need for desert. I don't know why, but I want something sweet. So today like usual, I go through the options in my head but, get this, I never did anything about it. I'm even sitting here with an uneaten apple next to me. I didn't even want the few calories in an apple so I could appease my sweet tooth. Isn't that great! I totally have the Lord and your help to thank for it. So...Thank you!

It totally made my day

2010-05-03T20:56:00.000-07:00

So it started with a message from my mother. This is not strange at all, but she called to know what I was doing today or tommorrow. So I of course called her back to tell her that I wasn't busy, thinking that she was planning for a visit to a local doctor and therefore wanted to see me. When I asked her about the doctor visit, she said that she didn't know if she would go or not. So I asked why she wanted to know my schedule, she said that she thought I was having a OB visit. "Huh" I thought, now she's normally not that interested, especailly when the interesting visits don't come for another two months or so. So I had a hunch that something was amuck. But since I absolutely love surprises, I decided to forget all about it.

And I did until Grace bond walked into my kicthen. Surprise! (For those who don't know, she's a great friend that I want to high school with) It turned out that she was leaving for Alaska Wednesday and wanted to see me before she left. I didn't even know she was back in La Grande. She drove for two hours here and back for a two hour conversation. It really meant a lot to me. I was so tickled pink to see her. And her surprise totally made my day. It was so fun to see her again.

Holy cow -emotional rollor coster or what!

2010-04-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

I don't remember being this emotional with Valin, but man, I just couldn't get over it today. I woke up after a terrible night's sleep (it was major windy and there was a tree outside our window sqeeking against it). So I guess I was in a bad mood to start with. Yesterda,y I eat ice cream when I knew I should have and still had hot chocolate this morning, so I was mentally betting myself up about it. Then it hit me when Patxi and I were having a dicussion about my asumptions and tears came to my eyes. All day I had to fight them back, knowing that they were irrational. And it was just little things, like my sister not calling me agian or Patxi teasing me. I was so impatient and even cringed at Patxi's closeness. It was like I had a terrible cloud over my head. Finally it got too much and I went to my room and snobbed my mascara away. It was terrible. It probably sounded more like I was grieving the lost of a loved one and not that I was just having a bad day. Maybe things just boiled over and I needed to have my cry out. But I did feel better once I finished and put on mascara for the second time today. It's not like I have things terribly either; I don't know what my problem was. I'm just extra emotional, I guess. Crazy, huh.

Crazy idea, tell if you think it'll work

2010-04-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

Ever since I found out that Patxi was going to deploy forthe Army National Gaurd, I was thinkning about using the extra time I'll have to excerise and losing (finally) the weigth I need to be healthy. I've still never reached my BMI of 110-130 pounds. And it is my goal to do so during the year Patxi is gone. But when I found out that I was pregnant and having her a month before he leaves, it made things a little bit more challenging. I really really really want to finally get fit and in shape. Sure, I'm better then I was before -30 pounds is better then 80 pounds over weight, but I'm just so close I can almost taste it! So here comes my idea: What if I blog about my experience. Yeah, kind of like "Julie and Julia." I need people to be accountable too, someone to state my goals to, and people to cheer me on, if I'm going to be successful. Plus, exercising and getting fit is something I like to do and I'll need an outlet for sharing my idea and experiences, especailly since Patxi will be gone. I just think that it'll be the extra support I need for this to work. But what do you think? Will you read and comment on it? Would it interest you that much? Or do you think that after day 248, I'll be blogging to myself. The purpose is to be accountable to someone. Will it work? Tell me what you think.

One nap or Two?

2010-04-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

We have been struggling with naps and crying/ screaming when he doesn’t get his way. Both, I think are signs of his age, but the naps have taken me by surprise. He’s not quiet 15 months, but he seems to only want to take one nap. It started around the time Petra and Mikey came up for a visit (which was so much fun, by the way). I would put him down after the usually time passed, he would go down great, but then sleep forever (3-4 hours). The first time, it freaked me out and I didn’t really know what to do. But I continued with setting him down for a second nap, which he would do fine, but play in his crib, never falling asleep even after the two hours. So I tried waking him up early from his first nap and giving a second, but he still wouldn’t fall asleep for the second. I tried this three times and cringed when I saw how tired he got before his usual bed time. Then, I tried giving him one nap, but after lunch, though he was clearly tired before, and the one nap didn't even last 2 hours. So I was at a lost for a while. Then, this week I gave in, so to speak. Yesterday, the day before, and today I put him down at a little bit later in the morning (around 10-11), and he would take one long (3-4 hour) nap. He seems to do fine as long as we stick to his usual bed time. He’s still sleeping 12 hours at night, so I hope that means he’s getting his full hours during the day and not getting too tried between sleeping times. Boy, being a mother is not easy –and there is a lot more trial and error than I expected.

Am I having twins? Jerk.

2010-04-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

Many people asked me this question while I was pregnant with Valin. I gained a total of 50 pounds (Valin was 20 of it so I could have two babies with that amount). Yes, I felt that since I was "eating for two" that it also meant eating whatever I wanted -mostly things fried and sugared. Since I didn't really see the effects of my choices until I couldn't hid behind the baby belly, it was hard to rein in my enthusiam for food. It seems like I either have to say no to all crappy food or eat it everyday. There's no such thing as my "one treat of the month" It starts to turn into my "one treat of the week" and then "of the day." Unitl it becomes a hard thing for me to only eat one treat a day. Ugh!!! I'm really having such a hard time, and I don't want to gain tons again! It was so hard to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight after Valin -which I did for like two seconds before I got pregnant agian. It's going to be even harder this time around because I'll have two kids and no husband. Ah!! I am doing better than last time, so far, but I'm teettering along the line of gaining too much. Stink! Do you have any suggestions? Any tips? More exercise is out because my bladder can't take running and last night I was feeling some contraction so I don't want to do anything too strainning. I need help!

Guess What!

2010-03-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

We just had an ultrasound today and guess what....

We're having a girl!!!!!

(it's a view from the bottom up. Her bum is to the left of the legs with nothing in between. The tech said she was 95% sure but from all other angles throughout the ultrasound, none of us could see a body part between her legs)

We are totally excited. We would be "totally excited" if it was a boy, but, to be completely honest, I was leaning toward a girl. A new experience, dresses, plus I know girls a little better, having only sisters. Anyway, we are stoked!!!!

Just thought everyone would like to know. Everything is going great! Love you all!
Here are some other ultrasound pictures:

Jabberwocky

2010-03-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

My cute little one year old with his quick dimpled smile has suddenly turned into this jabbering Jabberwocky. We all know he's talking but we just don't know what he is saying. At lunch the other day he was just playing around with his tongue, moving it around in his mouth, when all of a sudden he giggles at himself. He repeats the last sound he made and giggles again. He then rapidly repeats that sound and I giggle with him. He was so proud at himself for making that cool new sound, it was hilarious. I use to put shoes on him so I could hear where he was in the house, but now I can hear him jabbering.

The different sounds are cute in themselves, but it's his inflection that cracks me up. This morning I went in to get him up and he said something in such a way that it sounded like, "Mom, where were you? I've been waiting." I've got a little sassy frass on my hands.

He also giggles whenever he gets what he wants. Whether it is fun, a treat, or chance to pet the dog. It really is the cutiest thing and really help with communtication. I always know if guess right.

Valin is also turning into a little pig. Finally. For those who haven't met him, he is my little light-weight. He will win the girls with his smile and fun personality and not his height. To put it differently, Patxi and I are breeding jockies or very short super-models. Anyway, I think he is going through a growth spurt or something because he will finish he own full peanut butter and jelly sandwich (without the crust of course), green beans, and peaches and still want bites of whatever I'm eating. I'm actually glad because maybe we'll be able to buy him a forward-facing car seat. Yup, he hasn't hit the 20 pound mark. All well, I'm just not destined to have a chubby baby. Life will go on.

Here are some cute picture of my Jabberwocky:

In Grandma's lion costume he brought to me.

He was helping with Dad and Grandpa build the tree house.

My Jabberwocky in action. He was calling down to me from the tree house.

It's spring so we had to be outside. Playing with some hoes

Playing with Grandma's dog Poppy.

Grandma and Grandpa have this barn set that miractiously Valin climbed into.

Hope everyone enjoyed this update on Valin as much as I did. Everything else is great here! The weather is geeting better and I'm getting excited about having our second child. We're having an ultrasound tuesday the 30th where we'll find out the baby's gender. I'm getting very excited.

Another cute video

2010-03-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

Just him in the oats agian.

Valin's habit of copying

2010-03-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

Valin was playing in the Hen house with their food and tt was so cute, I had to get it on video. Toward the end of the video Valin hears a rooster and tries to copy the sound. I think he does really well. It's pretty funny.

Valin's cutiness

2010-03-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

I love this stage Valin is in. He is doing things that make me laugh and places a warm spot in my heart. Anything from a quirky look he gives me to dancing with his box of rasins in Walmart. But the thing he did which made me just burst out laughing happend about a week ago. I was in the kicthen cleaning up after dinner and Valin was playing with Grandma's pots in the dinning room. I heard him wine from the other room and slowly come to investigate thinking he must have got the pot suck or something. But the next thing I see, is Valin with his bottom suck inside the pot.

Oh, it was the funniest thing. Luckily, Valin loves to be in on the joke, and laughed along with us while we grabed out cameras. It was one of those moments you turly cherish. Hilarious!

He is also starting to give hugs. I don't know if he decided to do it after he saw his cousin, Summer, do it. But on our car trip to southern Idaho last weekend, he loved to give Seren and me hugs. And I love to get them from him. I think our reaction does play a role in this decision. I also think he is a lot smarter then we some times give him credit for.

Patxi also tested Valin's navigation and memory skills today. Valin is, it sadly seems, addicted to sweets, and Grandma had M&Ms on the counter this morning. Of course he zero-in on them. But then Patxi took him down stairs and Valin, through grunts and pointing, would lead him back to the bowl of candy, time and time again -even from different spots in the house. We moved the bowl once, and though it throw him off, as soon as he spotted them again, he would lead whoever was holding him back to the bowl and give a triumpt laugh. My son is so smart! I just wish it was something like brocilli instead of candy. All well, my parents had to fight the same battle with me, so I guess it serves me right. He still is so cute!

We're sick, again

2010-02-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

Well, just Valin really, but I've been suffering from stinking hayfever (or being allergic to the world) so it feels like I have a cold. It's one thing for me not being able to take anything to releave my symptoms (all I can take is Benodryol which knocks me out and I can't take care of Valin so I opt not to take anything), but I have to watch and listen to Valin coughing and feeling terrible and I can't do anything about it. I did move the humidifier to the place where he's playing so he gets some relief all day, not just in his room when he naps. I'm going to be so happy for this flu/cold season to be over with. It seems like kids spread sickness as easily as smiles. I guess, what gets me is that I really can't do anything about it! It must be one of those life-lessons I'm going to have to learn. I can't always be in control of everything. Huh, dang, that is too bad.

But anyway, I hope everyone is dealing with the cold season better than I am. Best wishes!

First Doctor's appointment

2010-02-17T15:03:00.001-08:00

I just went to my first OB appointment with my doctor, Dr. Brunsmen in Pendleton. He seems very nice and really knows his stuff -from what I can gather. Anyway, everything went great -minus the pap smear, which went fine but it's just uncomfortable. I thought that I was done for a while with all the poking and prodding. All, well. Anyway, I also got blood work done and an ultrasound to pin-point the due date. So it was a very busy day for me. After I told Dr. Brunsmen how irregular I was, he really wanted the ultrasound, and of course I was very happy about it. I'm due August 13th, so I was a day off. I got some ultrasound pictures, but I'll have to put them up later.

Everything is great here! Love you all!

Some News!

2010-02-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm not much into beating around the brush, mainly because I don't have the talent of flattery. Anyway, I'm pregnant. Yup, crazy huh. Yeah, that's right Valin just turned one. Ah huh, one! According to my last period, I'm due August 14th. But I'm not totally satified with that estimate so I'm going to wait for my ultrasound before I get a date planted in my head. So, I've just started my second trimester and the neusea has almost subsided. But to my wonderful family on Patxi's side, yes, this means that we probably won't go to the reunion in California (an for sure not Disney Land, sorry Sara). We are beyond bummed. But at lest it's for something awesome, you know, like the birth of our second child instead of something silly like a job ;).

If I must be truthful, I was hesitent at first (that to put it lightly). Having kids so close wasn't my idea (very far from it actually). But since I really wasn't ovalation on my own (I took colmid to get pregnant with Valin) Heavenly Father must have thought that his plan was what I needed more. It's truly a miracle that I'm pregnant, so it must he His plan, right. After I realized this, and I got over my desire to finally get into shape (there's always later to do that, right), I finally got excited about it. So, my new doctor's appointment is coming up and I'll make sure to keep everyone updated.

Birthdays all around!

2010-02-08T11:24:00.001-08:00

Last week we celebrated Summer's first birthday:

She was so cute, but the day was a little over shadowed by the fact that many were sick and not able to come. I personally ate way too much chocolate ice cream and am thinking about becoming gulten-intolerant after tasting Niki's gulten-free cake. Oh it was wonderful!

Then, on the 6th we had three birthdays: Kres, Niki, and Valin. So Kres' family celebrated it on Thurdsday and we celebrated Valin and Niki's on Sunday. I had planned to make Valin's favorite, spagetti, salad, and french bread, and of course have birthday cake. Since we had two gulten-intolerant people in our family (and two diabetics), I thought to buy special noodles, but couldn't find any. This is where Niki's celebration comes in. She brought her own noddles, cake, and ice cream -for her birthday. Oh it was great because everyone was happy.

I made Jell-o cake, of course, which is a cake baked from a box, poke holes in it with a knife or fork, make jell-o from a box but in instead of placing it into the fridge, you pour it over the cooled cake -then you place it all in the fridge. It tasted so good, and Patxi spagetti sause was amazing!

Valin started to cry when everyone sang to him, I think it's because it was pretty loud. Valin really didn't know what to do about the candle, so I did the honnors. Then he sharfted down the small piece of cake I gave him and demanded another -he tried to swipe Roen's piece from his plate.

Then we got the ice cream out and he didn't really know what to think, but got the hang of it after a while. He would quickly hold it in his hand, put it in his mouth, and quickly spit it out again when it got too cold. It was cute to watch.

Then we opened presents.

He got clothes from his Grandma and Grandpa Wheeler and a truck and a book from us. He absolutly loved his truck and he was so cute playing with it and making his car noise for it.

Then, he went to bed and we cleaned up. I think Valin really loved his birthday because he got to eat cake, play with his cousins, and got a new toy truck. And his happiness make me happy.

For church on Sunday he also got to wear his new suit. He was so cute in it!

Anyway, I think it was a success. At least I had fun!

"Hogan's Heroes" and "Love and Liquids"

2010-02-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

I have a little time because Valin's asleep and I'm waiting for my bread to raise.
Speaking of bread, the last time I tried making french from my Betty Crocker recipe, it was a disaster! It called for the bread to raise three times and it only did it once. I cooked it anyway and it was terribly dense and very crunchy (I sprayed five different times) So today, not wanting to be a quiter, Peni (Patxi's mom) and I tackled the recipe agian. We totally changed it and so far it's working. Plus, she has a Bosch. It was like making bread on a whole different planet. I loved it. So much easier! I swear we skipped over 4 steps in my recipe. It was awesome. Now, I guess I can't say how wonderful it is because we haven't eaten them yet, but I can smell them, and I have faith that everything will go wonderfully.

Living with Patxi's parents is going great. We live in a separate part of the house so we still have our won privacy, but I still have wonderful company. That's something I didn't realized I missed when we were in Salem. I love being home in the morning and having people home in the afternoon. I absolutly love the company. Plus, they have all seasons to "Hogan's Heroes" an old comedy TV show about a POW camp in Germany. Patxi and I are totally addicted to it. They also have and exercise mechine that they let me use, which it totally convinant.

the only sad thing is that I've just got everyone sick. I thought I got it from Valin, but whoever I got it from, everyone has terrible shore throats and stuffed up sinuses. I guess it'a just that season. But yesterday night, after Valin woke himself up from coughing, I decided that I needed to do something to make it easier for him. we've been praying to know how we should help Valin and I just couldn't get back to sleep. So I did what years of schooling trained my to do, I went to the internet to research. Let me share some of the information I found, you might not have known, I certianly didn't. Since the early fall of 2007, the FDA deemed that children under 2 years of age should not take cover-the-counter cold and flu medicne. They plainly don't work and could be dangerous. Fever control medicine should still be used, but when asked what should be used to help children with their cold, they said, "Love and liquids." I also found out that the testing of children for children's medicine is almost non-exisited, so they don't even have the proof to say that it works. The motivation for the FDA to investigate was the fact that the medicine companies took their infant medicine off the shoves themselves.

So, now that I couldn't give him some relief through medicine, what was I going to do? Shelbey gave me a hint a few days earlier and it was a suggestion giving by a few Dr. articles I read: a humidifier. It made me remember when I was young and I realized that the humidifier my mom used for me totally helped me not cough. So the first thing in the morning I did was go into town to buy one. I also read articles saying that I could get rid of Valin's runny nose, so I was totally stoked. Then I spent over 40 minutes reading labels, trying to decided which one to buy. I got a warm mist Vick one that didn't need a filter and could, but didn't have to, work with Vicks vapor stuff. I had it on during his two naps, but he still was coughing. So I asked Shelbey and she said I need to get a cool mist one instead. So I returned it and got what I needed. And guess what, Valin slept through the night and didn't even cough. I was so happy!!!

He still has a runny nose and cough, but you can tell that a good night's sleep totally helped him.

I know that January is almost over, but...

2010-01-22T20:47:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the pictures and videos from Christmas. I'm not quite a month late, right? I just happened to have some time own my hands (everyone is at the game and I'm home with Valin -yes, I'm alone in the house and of course I'm freak dancing to the awesome music blarring form the computer speakers, but I digress)

This is Christmas morning and a great shot of Santa's hard work.

Christmas was awesome and so much fun. The only sad part was the Valin was sick to the point that some times when he would cough, we would throw up the formula he just drank. (I guess I would too it I had to eat that stuff) But other than that it was great. Exerceising with my sisters-in-law was one of the highlights for me. Exercising is great but if you add doing it with fun people I love, it's even better, even though the actual exercising took second prioity. I had so much fun. Plus this was the first year I got to be Santa. Oh, I loved it. A whole new joy of the season came to me this year because if it. I love Christmas!

Valin knows a new trick!

2010-01-20T14:19:00.000-08:00

Oh, that title makes him sound like a dog. Well, anyway. This morning, during breakfast -while I waited for him to finish eating- I taught him to clap. I knew it was coming because yesterday he would grab my hands and clap them together. So the next step was to teach him how to do it himself. And it's the cutiest thing because he gets so happy with himself, which is only increased when he saw our reaction. We laughed and clapped along with him.

Then, he did it again when I put him down for his morning nap. He would lay on my chest, like always, then I would hear giggling, he would push off so he could see me, and then clap. I would give him an encouraging reaction but then gently put him back down so he could fall asleep. He did it two more times, until I finally layed him down and he fell asleep.

And then at lunch he loved to fling food onto the floor as he clapped for me. He smile and laugh made me giggle too, despite the dirty floor. And then agian when I was rocking and singing him to sleep, he would push off my chest (with a giggle) and clap, then immediantly would lay back down. I decided that he must have loved my singing preformance so much. Either that, or he wanted it to end.

Anyway, it was turly one of the cutiest things he has done yet. The coolest thing is that he loved something I taught him. I loved to see that. And another great thing is that things like this are going to be happening more often now that he is nearing the toddler stage. I'm so excited. Oh, and I forget to tell, Valin is walking now. He still looks like a drunken sailor, but he'll slowly get the hang of it. Crazy how time just flies! And just 17 more days until he is one year old!! Wow! I love my life!

We are here!

2010-01-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

So it's been a crazy, exhasting, and yet fun weekend. Saturday started eairly and busy. we really had time to get breakfast and finished packing , when our help arrived. Patxi had been gone for a while, having our brakes checked, so it was just me there leading the packing and cleaning. It turned out that we needed to have our brakes replaced so Patxi didn't get back until the truck was loaded. So neither of us was where and how they were placing things into the truck. They did wonderfully, ture testrus masters, but it was hard after we got to Pilot Rock to know the places of the things we needed. So yesterday, besides organizing everything, was switching things out of the storage unit and putting some back in. It was crazy, but things are a little more organized now, which puts my mind at easy.

The hardest thing was not to organized on Sunday. Next time we move, it'll be on Friday, or sometime where I'll be able to go ahead and organize my house. But everyting is great now. I so happy that we have a bedroom and that Valin has onw too. I never really like our sudio apartment because there was a lack of privacy or the bedroom. I am going to have to let go of my love of total privacy, but I think the Lord wants me to learn patience, which is about time to finaly gain that virtue.

Anyway, everyting is great and I'm very excited to be back with family!!

We're Moving!

2010-01-11T13:40:00.001-08:00

Patxi finally found a job! The other part, is that it's in Eastern Oregon, so we're moving to Pilot Rock on Saturday the 16th. Crazy how fast it all happens and how it seems to come at you all at once. Anyway, we'll be living with Patxi's parents to save money, so that sould be fun. But the best part is that we'll be closer to family. Oh and we'll have income, I'm very excited about that! The sad part is that we love our Salem ward and will be very sad to leave them. We've made so many friends in the short 1 1/2 years we've been here. But I hope (and think very strongly) that we'll be back after Patxi's deployment. So we're only saying good-bye for a short time.

All in all, it's a good thing that we're moving, just not without sacrifices. So thanks to everyone!

Christmas at the Armory

2010-01-05T10:19:00.000-08:00

For the last day of drill in December, there is always a Christmas party. This year was a little more fun because we actually had a kid. So we got to participate more and enjoy. Valin also got to see Santa for the first time. Valin's reaction was more like "whatever" then of horror like the other kids infront of him.

I was quick and fun, perfect for Patxi and my liking.

I'm back!

2010-01-05T10:07:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the break from technology. Though, it was kind of nice, I really missed being seprarate from the outside world. Anyway, I have some catching up to do. First I'll like to share a few cute faces the Valin has been making in the pass few days.

Isn't the cutest thing!

Computer Troubles

2009-12-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

Hi, everyone! This is Denise, Jessica's Mom. She's having major computer problems. So she is unable to write on her blog. She feels really bad, because many of you check the comings and goings of the Waite family daily.She's getting her computer worked on as we speak. So, hopefully it won't be long before we get the Waite family highlights again!

Healthy Body Calculator® - Ask the Dietitian®

2009-12-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

I did this calulator thing on the interent that gives me, not only my healhly weight range, but also a way to achieve it. So here is my goal, roughly speaking (I will prably change things a little as I wrestle with reality and my situation in life) It's got me very excited at what the future holds for me. I can do this! I can be at a heathly weight. I know that I've lost alot already (60 lbs. before I got married and 30 lbs. since I had Valin), but I really need to get to a normal -meaning if I didn't have terrible eating and non-activity habbits- weight. I'm not trying to be athlete perfection with a bmi of 8% body fat (will not yet anyway, he he), but I'm sick of having a muffin top, arms that still swing after I've stopped, and not really having to own a swim suit because I wear a t-shirt and shorts anyway. I'm sick of it!!! No more! I'm done! I will control exccess eating!! I will be more active! It's time! it's my time!!! I can do it!!! Yes!!! Agh!!!! Hear me roar!!!

Boy, I love a pepp talk.

Healthy Body Calculator® - Ask the Dietitian®

A day in the adventures of Valin Kade: The sequal

2009-12-09T15:49:00.000-08:00

So today, I think he's starting to growl, like play growl now. He really only does it when he's on all fours and so are we. I don't know if we did it first and he just copied, but today I was watching Patxi play with him as if you were dog and Valin growled. It was so cute.

He just jabbered up a storm today when I put him down for his second nap. He talked for more then 30 minutes. So un-boy like.

He tooked two different steps today. One from Dad to me and then one back to Dad. Valin really likes to hold onto our fingers and walk, which is what we do when trying to get him to walk on his own. The trouble is he feels us letting go and he sits down as a reflex. So when I tried to send him back to his Dad, I placed my hands under his armpits and slowly removed them. He took a step forward by himself with great confidence and then took a step back because he was losing his balance and then sat down. So I hope this new palcement of our hands will stop his handicap or realizing we not holding him so that he will try.

Today Valin tried Spegetti sause for the first time and devored as much as he could. It was torwards the end of dinner and he was fixated on what I was eating so I let him try some on bread. Well, he absolutely loved it! So I continued to give it to him on peices of bread. After a while I realized that he would suck off the sause and then spit the bread out. It was so funny. But I hope it's okay for him to have some. I stopped after a while just to makes sure he wouldnt get a tummy ache.

Oh and then after dinner I was dusting with this long purple duster and as soon as I entered the room, Valin's eyes were on me and the duster. He continued until I left which is when he winned to tell Patxi to put him down so he could follow me. He loves that duster, probably because he grabbed it once and I took it away from him. He wants what he can't have.

That's really the only interesting things I can think of (maybe even the last one isn't that interesting). It was a pretty slow day, so I luckily had time on my hands to post again. But as it seems, when you have the time, nothing really interesting happens. Sorry if I bored you to death! Valin is still the cutest thing in the world, and I still love to talk about him.

A day in the adventures of Valin Kade

2009-12-08T19:33:00.001-08:00

I thought that at the close of each day I should share something that Valin did, discovered, or learned durning that day. It'll help me remember and cherish each moment and somewhat document the milstones. Plus I can talk forever about Valin -my little bundle of energy and joy. So here I go!

Valin is starting to do this thing where he has to talk himself to sleep. I usually rock and sing to him a little and put him in his crib before he falls asleep. He use to cry a little -trying to persuade he that he wasn't tried- and then would fall a sleep shortly after. Well now I put him down and close his door and he just jabbers away. After about 10-15 minutes he's out, but it think it's so funny.

His is also going through a phase where he would rather eat food with his fingers ten times more than by a spoon feeding. I think he just wants to mush it in his fingers, show me, and then pass it through his hair. We have bathtime almost after every meal. But he has also gotten more picky than he's every been. I had to open three different baby cereal boxes this morning before I found the one he wouldn't spit out.

Then today after dinner, I gave him a bath -it was kind of a hetic dinner so I let him have half a banana to himself, which he ate the entire thing and got it all over himself, of course. I placed Valin in his baby tub -he still slips so much in the regular one- and turned around to get his towel and the next thing I know he had discovered the fun of splashing the water with his hands. I wish I could have taken a picture of the look of pure glee on his face. After I smiled, from his look and not my wet bathroom, he never stopped. I had to refill the tub twice more after that. Then, after I started to scrub him with soap, he found out how fun it was to splash the bubbles, which of course lead to eating the bubbles. I tried to stop him, but that poor kid probably drank more water (and soap) during this bath than he has his entire life. Oh, he makes me laugh!

That's it for today, I guess. If I remember anything else, I'll add it to tomorrow's post. I might have other things to do, but I'll try my hardest to write something everyday.

Playing with Valin

2009-12-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

we all love to play with him!

Valin's love of vaccuums

2009-12-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

He still doesn't know what to do with them, but is to curious to leave them alone.
He is so cute!

Fun with cousins

2009-12-07T11:08:00.000-08:00

We spent the weekend before Thanksgiving in Pilot Rock and Valin got to play with his cousins.

This is his cousin Summer who is only two weeks older than him.

Thanksgiving! Sorry it's so late

2009-12-07T10:38:00.001-08:00

All that food!

My Mom always makes a stunning place setting!

Everyone except the real body of Jillian (and Mom, she's taking the picture)

The coolest thing about this Thanksgiving (besides the fun we had with Jill's picture -see two earlier posts) is that My Grandma Georgia and Bill came up to surprise us. It was so great to see them! Together we all went to see the production of "Into the Woods" my parents were in. It was great and really added to the visit. We had so much fun! Even though we missed Jill, it was a great Thanksgiving! Thanks Grandma!

For many different reasons I decided to make an Oreo Cheesecake, a surgar-free pumpkin pie, and (of course) a blackberry pie. The table spread just isn't the same without them, right? We actually didn't even get to them until hours after dinner, but I think they still were delicious!

The story behind this pie is somewhat embarassing. I like to do pretty and creative things with the air holes of my pies. So I thought that I could free-hand "Happy Thanksgiving." "Happy" went on without a hitch. Then I started "Thanksgiving" with the middle letter to make sure of my spacing. Well, after I finished the first "i" I realized that I would have to finish the word by putting "ing" underneth, which I did, and it looked fine. Then I started the "Thank" and barely squized it in. Then I notice (with a great cry) that I forgot the "h." So I placed it underneth with an editor's arrow pointing it to its place. But it turned out that when it was read, it said, "Happy Tanksgiv hing" Opps! All well, we had a nice laugh over it.

He must be mine

2009-12-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

I found this picture of me and instintly saw Valin. Huh, He must me my kid
(he he). I wanted to find a picture of Patxi when he was Valin's age and then ask which of us does Valin look the most like. The troble is that all of Patxi's baby picture are in storage. I think it's time we get our stuff out of Patxi's parents attic. Huh. I guess when we do get the stuff I'll post it again, or something. Anyway, here it is:

Valin:

Me:

Jill wasn't able to make it :(

2009-12-01T19:17:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was awesome except for the fact that everyone was there except for my little sister Jillian. But we still tried to include her.

We went to see the movie "New Moon" -just us sisters.

The movie was good, but the ten minutes before were hilarious. It was the most fun we had with Jillian, without her being there. Love ya, girl!

Something to make you laugh!

2009-11-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

I actually stole it from my hilarious friend, Jeanne. Here it is:

Black November

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop,
My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop.

Then he sat me down, and he spoke real slow,
And he told me there was something that I had to know.

His look and his tone I will always remember,
When he told me of the horrors of . . . Black November.

"Come about August, now listen to me,
Each day you'll get six meals instead of just three.

And soon you'll be thick, where once you were thin,
And you'll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin.

And then one morning when you're warm in your bed,
In'll burst the farmer's wife, and hack off your head.

Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald'n pink,
And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin' in the sink.

"And then comes the worst part" he said not bluffing,
"She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing".

Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,
I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat,

And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,
I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked.

I began a new diet of nuts and granola,
High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola.

And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,
I stayed in my room doing Richard Simmonds tapes.

I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,
And tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed,

But 'twas I who was laughing, when under my breath,
As they chomped and they chewed, ever closer to death.

And sure enough when Black November rolled around,
I was the last turkey left in the entire compound.

So now I'm a pet in the farmer's wife's lap,
I haven't a worry, so I eat and I nap.

She held me today, while sewing and humming,
And smiled at me and said, "Christmas is coming . . ."

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Valin took his first step!!!!!

2009-11-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

We were in the kitchen making dinner and Valin was standing next to fridge, playing with the magnets. Patxi offered Valin his pointer finger and pinkie (something he does so he can pull him up when Valin grabs them) which he did farther away to see if he would walk to them. And he did! Well, just one step -and a very wobbly one at that. But it's still his first step! His is doing well while holding onto our fingers and walking. He gets less and less wobbly with every passing day. Man, his is growing up so fast. I wish I had gotten a picture, but it totally hit us by surprise. So, I'll bet, he'll be taking more steps, and I'll be sure to take a video of that. I don't know what to say, but: Yeah! Hooray! Crazy!

Help! we need some ideas!

2009-11-04T14:35:00.000-08:00

Now that Valin is getting older, we need to do activities together as a family. There are tons of things to do with older childern, but what can I do with a 9 month old who won't walk for a few more months? He also goes to bed at 7:00 am and usually naps form 10:00-12:00 and 2:30-4:30 so we have to be home at those times. Plus it's getting colder. I guess, I really, really want to get out of the house and do something fun with my family.

And, while you are giving suggestions, what are some fun things Patxi and I can do together at home, after Valin's 7:00 pm bedtime? We are bored with Skipbo, phrase-10, Cribage, Settlers, hand and foot, and uno because we've played the life out of them. All we do now is watch TV. TV is okay, especially when watching a gripping episode of NCIS, but it's all we do now. What else could we do for the two hours between Valin going to bed and when we do? The catch is that we have to stay home. Please help, I've ran out of ideas!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

And also Happy Birthday to my beautiful older sister Jen.

I just took these of Valin in his Halloween costume. Since we are all so sick (Patxi just has a cough, Valin has a sore thoat and a cough, and I got a fever this morning) we decided not to go to the trunk-or-treat. So I just put Valin in his costume and took pictures and we hope that tons of people will come to our house to use up the tons of candy we bought.

Here is our cute tiger:

Happy Halloween!

Starting good habits

2009-10-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

I think that it's a good thing to have fun with a vacuum, so that later, when I ask him to vacuum as a chore, there will be even greater motivation to obey. Plus, for some reason, Valin can't get enough of them.

On the other hand, this really isn't what I want him to do with them. All well, it's good for a laugh.

Valin's experiment with walkers

2009-10-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is his first experience with a walker. He's 6 months, and the one screaming at the top of his lungs is Valin.

Now his is eight months and will only go backwards. huh. But without it, he is showing an interest in walking, so it might not be long until he is.

Raking Leaves

2009-10-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year! We have three trees that are sheding their dead leaves and Valin came out to help us.

Bath time fun!

2009-10-31T17:19:00.001-07:00

I usually let him play with the mirror while we wait for the bath water to fill. And then he just plays in the water with his toys while I scrub him. He is so cute!

He just loves he's rubber ducky!

Then, after all that time in the water, he becomes wet green frog -the cutiest one I've ever seen.

I hate the flu!

2009-10-30T21:23:00.000-07:00

Patxi came home Tuesday afternoon with a high fever and all of the sympthoms that came with it. I kind of knew it was coming so I started taking Vitaim C and Echinacia. (Of course Patxi wouldn't take them) But all I could do for Valin, beside making sure to wash our hands and things, was to make sure he got tons of sleep. But like I said Patxi got it tuesday and the fever broke that night. Then Valin woke up thruday morning (1:00am) with a fever and it broke late Thurday night. Now I feel like my head is going to expload and my nose has become a fuaccet, but so far I haven't had a fever. But the worst part is watching Valin be sick. All I can do for him is hold him and give tynol or mortrin evey 4-6 hours. If his throat hurt, he will cough until he gages and then throws up. I can't tell him to calm down and drink water instead of coughing. I can't even put a tissue to his nose and ask him to blow. I have to wait until it's running down his face. But you know what makes it worst, he is also teething on the top -from what I hear, it's that worst. My poor, sweet, sick little Valin. The good thing about it is that as Patxi was starting to get over it, I was coming down with it, so Valin has had the attention he's needed. Please keep Valin in your payers.

Valin with Grandpa Waite

2009-10-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

We were at a football game and Valin could get enough of Grandpa's bread.

Cutiest thing on the planet

2009-10-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

I just uploaded two month's worth of pictures, so it's posting time.
Here are just a few of Valin's cutiness which didn't fit into a particular post.

He has three more since I took that picture. One to the right of them, one of his two top-front teeth, and one to the far left on top.

My little climber!

2009-10-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Valin can't even walk yet but that doens't stop him from climbing anything he can. It first started with the two steps we have. Then when we went to Grandma and Grandpa's, he mastered a whole stair case. And just now I caught him trying to climb that shelves in the refridgerator. I guess I'll have a lot on my hands once he does learn to crawl, huh!

Valin's crazy cow-licks

2009-10-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of things about Valin that make me laugh, like his giggle, for instance. But just looking at his hair makes smile. Ever since he was born, he had two twin cow-licks on the top of his head. We've kept his hair short so that they would be less noticable, but lately I'm letting it grow out to see if we could do something with its craziness. I took a few pictures just to make sure that you can see it from every possible angle.

Whether or not moe-hawks are in, it seems like Valin will always have one. Hum... If anyone has any hints as to how I can make it look presentable, please share. But crazy cow-licks or not, he is still the cutiest thing on this planet.

Oregon Coast Videos

2009-09-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

I tried to stop him form eating it at least.

He wasn't quiet into the water thing after he actually felt how cold it was. But he loved "discovering" everything about the coast by putting it in his mouth.