Bend, Here We Come!

12.20.08
Trey woke us up at about 6am, extremely excited to go to Bend!
This year we spent Christmas in Bend. It was the first long road trip for Tian and I was a little nervous. The roads were snowpacked, the weather was going to a little "iffy," and Trey was so excited to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house, I didn't think he would sit for the 6+hour trip! Thankfully, we made it safely, without any complaints! The strange picture of the box with ice on it is a little gift "Santa" asked us to take to Bend with us. On the way over, slushy snow turned to ice and covered the box!

Meridian Holiday Parade

12.6.08
While Justin hunted, we went to yet another parade. We saw basically the same floats as we did in the Boise parade but it was just as exciting to trey. Afterwards, we warmed up with some yummy steamers!


Trey at the beginning of the parade


EMT Elvis


mini racecars


Me and Tian


Trey


The jolly man and the mrs.

Warmin' up with a Steamer

Dress a Child Breakfast

12.6.08
Last year, my sister-in-law Tina and I volunteered for "Dress-a-Child." We had the opportunity last year to help a 15 year old girl buy clothes from JC Penny for Christmas. When the Salvation Army called me again this year to help out, I couldn't pass it up.
This year, Tina met at my home at 5:20am and we drove to JC Penny, waited in line for about a half hour, to find out that there were WAY too many volunteers to the amount of children. Eventually, they sent us away; thanking us for coming but that they had ran out of children. So, we invited Amy Baumgartner along and we headed to IHOP! After out yummy breakfast, we went back to JC Penny and checked out their perfume!

trimming the tree BATMAN

This wasn't the FIRST time Trey decorated our tree. He has taken off ornaments and put them back on the tree multiple times. This morning, still in his Batman pj's, he decorated our tree while I fed Tian his morning bottle.

**check out that bedhead!**

Tian @ 11 weeks WITH 1st shots

Yes, Tian should have gotten his shots 3 weeks ago, but I decided to put off his shots until now. Really, I had no reason for putting off his shots; other than the fact that he had had a HORRIBLE day at church the day before his 8 week appointment/shot appointment, and I didn't want him to have TWO horrible days in a row. Lame I know, but, when this little guy has rarely any horrible days, why make it two in a row?!

After his shots appointment, I realized that Tian and Trey are two VERY different boys. For one thing: Trey didn't cry very easily. If he was hungry or tired he would cry, but was easily consoled. After Trey's shots, he would cry for a minute or two, I could calm him down with a pacifier or a bottle and that would be the end of his tears. SO not Tian!

Tian cries if he is hungry or tired, but he ALSO cried, and cried, AND CRIED after his shots. He gave me the WORST look (if looks could KILL!)after the shots were given to him, and refused to look at me for a long time after his shots. He cried and cried; nothing calmed him down. I was afraid he would cried the whole half hour ride home, but he finally calmed down after we got him buckled in the carseat.

The whole ride home, I felt like a terrible mother and wanted to just cry but I stayed strong and knew that for Tian, his shots were a good thing. Trey couldn't understand why Tian was so sad, so I tried to tell Trey about shots and why he and Tian need them from time to time. I know not everyone feels the way I do, but we all do what we feel is best for our children; and for our family, shots are good!

After looking at these pictures, you would never guess he had had shots today. I have pictures of Trey sleeping, and sleeping, AND SLEEPING after his shots. He was out for the rest of the day following a round of shots. And that is the SECOND difference between Trey and Tian. I could always count on Trey sleeping for a long time after his shots. Tian wasn't the least bit tired after his shots. You would have thought after all of that crying he would have been wiped out; but no such luck.









owl socks-I couldn't help but take a picture of his socks. Owls are my new favorite fad (along with skulls and cross bones of course!) and when I saw these socks, I knew they would look PERFECT on Tian's chunky feet!

I thought the bandaids they gave Tian were so stinkin'cute. I think Trey was a bit jealous of them. They were Snoopy and Charlie Brown as Astronauts. The last bandaids Tian got were camo. This office has the coolest bandaids!

*lights*

This year Trey enjoyed helping Justin string the lights outside on our tree. Trey has been wanting to decorate our yard for days now!

Tian and Trey

Some fun videos of the boys interacting!

1st Day Back at Work

12.19.08
I had been dreading this day for the last 3 months but it finally came.
I woke up at 5am and got ready by 6am.
Trey woke up a little after 6am and was happy as ever; excited to see his friends at Miss Michelle.
Tian woke up at 5am, went back to bed but was woken up to be changed and go. He too woke up so pleasant.
I was so blessed; Justin helped so much and the boys were so happy at such an early time!
Leaving the boys was such a different feeling, but I felt at peace once I left Miss Michelle's home. She is such a caring friend and is so perfect for my boys. If I had to leave my boys with someone (other than their grandmothers or aunts!), it would be Miss Michelle in a heartbeat. I am so blessed to have her care for my boys; their lives are so blessed by her!


6:45am and look how sweet and happy they both are!



My first day at work was wonderful; it truly was. I am working for the same company but at a completely new facility to me; and I think I am going to really learn to love it. I am imaging ER patients as well as walk-in patients. I also get to perform invasive procedures which I haven't done steadily for 6 years! (I have worked for IMI for 7 years, and the first year I was performing invasive procedures until I switched over to mammography.) I was a bit rusty at first, and getting to know how to drive a gurney and situate IV poles and leads is very different; but I will get it soon!

My co-workers are all new to me as well. They are so friendly, caring, and kind; I truly am blessed. I will only be working one day a week until February when I will be working one Saturday a month; performing mammograms. I am grateful to work for a company that will take be back just one day a week!

Andrienne

12.18.08
Our friend and Miss Michelle's sister Stephanie had her little daughter Andrienne 4 weeks early! What a strong little girl she is! I got the opportunity to see Andrienne when she was just 7 days old and weighing 4 pounds 5 ounces. She was so small, we put her in Stephanie's stocking to take some pictures. I have never held an infant that small in my life, (I have only seen them in the NICU years ago at work!) but what a miracle life truly is!

Thanks Stephanie for letting me come and bask in your beautiful daughters light!

My two little boys

12.18.08
One day before I return back to work. I will miss these two little men!

Boutonnier

12.1.08
Trey couldn't get enough of the boutonnier Abbey made him. He insisted on wearing it the day after Tian's blessing!

Tian's Blessing

11.30.08
The day had come, Tian was blessed in our ward at 11:00am. We were so blessed to be joined by many family and friends for this special event; thanks to all who made the day wonderful!

Justin gave a beautiful blessing. I was told by so many people after the blessing what a fabulous job he did and how beautiful Tian's blessing was. Tian was so quiet during his blessing, he didn't make a peep! (completely different then Trey. I think Justin had to cut Trey's blessing short because he was crying so loudly!) I am so blessed to have a husband who is able to give our children blessings. Our family is richly blessed!

We had some special, sentimental additives to this day.
#1. Tian wore a white knit hat during his blessing that Grandma GiGi made for him.
#2. My friend Abbey made a boutonnier for both Tian and Trey to wear. Trey LOVED it!
#3. My brother Derek wore a light lilac dress shirt that was worn by my brother Robert on my wedding day to Tian's blessing. (Purple was my wedding color!)


Our family who traveled from 3 different states to join us for this special event!



Trey's boutonnier Abbey made. I have had my eye on this suit for Trey since I found out I was pregnant. I kept imagining Trey in it on his siblings blessing day.








Tian with his Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa




It was so nice to have two of my friends, Annabelle and Amy come. I have been visit teaching partners with the two of them in the past and I just love them. Amy was so sweet; she brought Trey a blanket which he just loves. When the luncheon began, I was able to hand over Tian, and a bottle to Annabelle while I got everything set up. I am so blessed with wonderful friends!





Chelsea Ann not only came to Tian's blessing and luncheon, she also outfitted me with the cutest bowls and platters! Thank you Chelsea for all of your help. She has been there for me since the beginning of time, it seems, thank you!


Chelsea Ann with her sisters!


During the luncheon, Trey and 10 or so of his friends and cousins managed to pack into his room. Each had a weapon of some sort. Trey kept not only his boutonnier on, but also his suit.









Thanks to all who came to Tian's blessing and luncheon. It was so nice to celebrate such a special event with family and friends.