Christmas in Wyoming!

We celebrated Christmas in Wyoming and it was magical. We had my mom and two sisters come and help/visit for a little while and it was wonderful! Sadly Michael had his tonsils out the Monday before Christmas so it was not so exciting for him.

I kept hoping for a Christmas baby or that he would just come anytime, I was huge, tired and hurting from him sitting on my hips. But all in all it was awesome and William enjoyed the extra attention and was sad when they had to leave, and so was I!

We didnt have room in our apartment to put up a tree so my sister brought her little one and we set it up for the week and it worked perfect!

We went to the parade downtown Laramie and it was little chilly but fun!

When your aunts are here there is always room in the bed

Falling asleep but had to have the pillow behind his head lol

Mommy Son Road Trip!!

Well William and I had our first road trip . . .just the two of us. It went well and we enjoyed it. We left Laramie about 2PM on Thursday and arrived in Salt Lake City about 7PM. We only made one stop and William was a trooper.

Heading out of town.

He slept the first hour, then read books, danced to music, ate some snacks, then we stopped for a diaper change and walked around for a couple minutes. Then it was back on the road, more books, music, and cars.

At one point I looked back and the apple he had for a snack was on his head. And he left it there for awhile haha he cracks me up!

We flew through Wyoming, I mean really who doesn't when it is freeway and mostly 80 mph? I knew when we hit Utah because the traffic appeared and timed slowed down. William then got to notice all the animals and tell me what noise they make. It helped a lot to keep him happy. Then with about 30 minutes left the cries began. Luckily they were stopped quickly with some music and hearing daddy on the phone. All in all we made it safe and sound :)

We enjoyed the evening with Michael's parents and sisters. William was SOO excited to see them all. He just giggled and laughed the night away. The sleeping did not go as well so we got about 3 hrs and then a long day.

Maddie (Jordan's fiancé) went through the Salt Lake City temple Friday morning. Let me just tell you how stunning, amazing, peaceful, bright, uplifting, gospel filled that experience was for me! That was my first time in the Salt lake Temple and I LOVED IT! I am already planning a trip back with Michael so he can see it! 

I also saw some family from Delaware! What are the odds we end up in the same session?! But really where else is a better place to see family than in the temple. I loved talking with them! Families are FOREVER! 

After the temple we had a luncheon, did some shopping and hanging out some more. Then William and I hit the road again headed up to Logan UT, to see more family! 

Let me just say I love times when I get to see a LOT of family! 

We got to my brothers house about 7:30PM and had some yummy pizza my sister-in-law made. I even got the recipe, now I just have to be brave enough to try it. lol. William was excited to see some cousins. They played a little and then bed time. This time he went down without a sound. He slept all night and was ready to play again in the morning.  
 

Aurora showing him that the car makes noises.

Uncle Ryan showing William how to drive the car fast.

We played for a little while, ate breakfast and then watched the first session of General Conference. After that it was time to go to the Utah State University Homecoming Parade.  The kids had fun collecting the candy and dancing with all the music that came by. It was so fun to see William having fun with his cousins.

We then went back to the house, had some lunch watched part of the second Session of General Conference and then it was time for William and I to hit the road. We didnt want to leave but it was time to get back to Michael, who was busy with school and homework.

We drove straight through this time since William fell asleep for the last 3/4 of the drive.  We arrived home to helpful and happy husband/daddy. William didnt want Michael to put him down, he just loved his daddy. 

I enjoyed the drive both ways. The fall colors, changes and beauty reminded me of how much I am blessed to live in a place where I can travel. My son can play and enjoy life with no worries. Family is never too far, blessings are in the simple things, like a temple session, seeing family after months, being reunited with siblings and picking up right where you left off, coming home to a safe place, listening and watching our Prophet and Apostles council and teach while I feel of the things I am doing right and the things I need to improve on. Simple joys in life make everyday better. 

Tomorrow William and I are embarking on another solo trip. This time an air plane, William as a lap child and me 28 weeks prego, one stroller, three bags (1 checked), one car seat . . . but I just checked in for my flight and got spot A1. . . simple joys :) 

Love, 
Wyoming Way Momma

Because. . . I am the MOM

Let me start by saying that I love my mom and all she has, does and will do for me. Which is a lot, I mean come on who can remember a recipe when you have your mom on speed dial!

I also have to thank Michaels mom, without her and her example and teachings to him, I would not have HIM! 

I have dreamed of being a mom since I was tiny (not that I have really grown but you know, I have gotten older). I have loved babies, children, kids, they are so fun! I became a teacher, hello!

It was not until April 3, 2014 at 5:59PM that I understood the true meaning of a "Mom". That was the exact moment my son was laid on my chest, no longer safe in my tummy, but out in this world, breathing the same air, seeing the same things, and doing exactly what I was. . . crying! I would like to think he was crying because he was as happy to see me as I was to see him.

Awe my little Chinese-eyed baby, yup he is mine :)

Then a few minutes later they took him off of me and across the room . . . . Now I was crying because he was away from me, nine months of constant contact and then like that he was gone. . . that was hard, it hit me that now he was shareable, other people could share him, hold him, play with him, love him, etc.

Since then I have had my "mom fails" and my "mom wins." When I was pregnant I received a lot of advice. And I LOVED it all! I am not one of the first-time moms that is convinced "nothing like your story will happen to me", "I will be better than that", "I would never make that mistake", "I know what I am doing"

Nope I was an absorbent sponge for any and all advice. Do you know why? I never had a baby before, I didn't know what kind of baby I would have colic,  fussy, gassy, happy, screamer, crier, etc. I had no idea if there would be tantrums, blowouts, breakdowns, etc. Any really what if something didn't work, isn't it better to have back-ups than to freak out at the fact that the one thing you try isn't working? So I welcomed it all! And let me say, it has been great! Not only have I used some of that advice, I now have mom friends that I can ask questions, get more advice and have someone to talk to.

So here is some advice I received that was super helpful and helped this first-time mom: (in no particular order)

1: Vaseline in your Hospital Bag:  My sister-in-law told me this a little before William was due. If you use it on the babies bum for the first few diaper changes the meconium will wipe off their bum so easily and wont feel like sandpaper. TOTALLY worth it!

2: Parenthood is not PERFECTION: I have learned this throughout my life and it was an easy realization for me. I was NOT going to be the perfect mom, I was going to make mistakes, I was going to have breakdowns, I was going to fail. But I was also going laugh hard, love more, live in the moments, and enjoy memories with my children. I accepted this before William was born and it has really helped. When I do make a mistake (and I make enough for probably 10 moms) I know that it will be okay. I know that William loves me through my mistakes, Michael loves me through them and they both make me better.

3: You don't have to have a name when you leave the hospital: We did not find out what we were having with William, and I LOVED that. We had some names, but really I have to see and hold my baby before I will know the name. An aunt told us we could leave without a name, there is no timeline, they will not keep your baby, YOU are the parents, YOU make the choice. We took 3 days after he was born to decide on a name. Yes they hounded us, delayed our release from the hospital, and made plenty of suggestions. But in the end we took our time, named our son and it was perfect. With this one we do know its a boy, but really do you think I have a name for him?!? Not even close!

4: Teach baby to sleep through things EARLY: My parents always told me that when baby is asleep you do the dishes, vacuum, laundry, movies, etc. You have noise, not silence. It is so much easier when your baby can sleep anywhere. We took William to his first movie, Captain America: Winter Soldier when he was a few days old. He slept through it, he still sleeps through movies. Its a BLESSING! When he was a baby I would let him sleep in the living room with the TV on, dishes going, etc. There was never peace for him and it has worked, he sleeps.

5: Schedules save lives. but they can be flexible: We worked to be William on a schedule and he is much happier when he follows it. However, we are not so strict that we don't do things because of it. We still hangout with friends, go to movies late, play at the park longer, and sometimes we miss a nap, sometimes we stay up late to play with daddy after school.  But you know what, Life goes on! We are flexible in this house.

6: Enjoy the little moments:  I think we all know this, but sometimes it is really hard to remember that in the moment. Like when you are in the middle of dishes, making dinner and your son wants you to read a book to him. So you stop everything and read a book in the middle of the kitchen floor. These are the moments I love, after all I am a wife and mom, before a house keeper and cook.

7: Laugh it off: This has pretty much been my life motto. I have had my share of injuries and laughing just helps to lighten the mood. So learn to laugh it off. So what if you and the kids are in your pj's all day and your husband asks why, who needs to get dressed when you are in the house playing all day. When your son makes a mess after you clean a room, its his job lol. You have to wash the clothes twice because you forgot and let them sit wet overnight, you didn't put soap in the dishwasher, you didn't turn the oven off, etc. Things happen, getting angry doesn't help, laughing makes it easier :)

8: Love: Love the baby, love your spouse, love your family, love your fiends, but most of all LOVE YOURSELF!! Trust me post baby is not perfect, (I had a wedding to attend just weeks after) but you know what is PERFECT that sweet baby you just carried and gave birth to. The fact that YOU were able to do that with YOUR body, LOVE IT! Begin negative never helped any one. Positivity will get you far, and some great support is always a must!

All in all enjoy the seconds because they become minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days, days to weeks, weeks to months, months to years and years to memories. Time is skipping by and I say if you are not enjoying it, no one will, because it is gone. We are all human, we love, we cry, we laugh, we make memories. Don't you want yours to be happy ones?

I DO. . . .so since I am the mom, we will have a sugary breakfast here and there, we will stay up late watching a movie, we will read a book in the middle of cooking dinner, I will make mistakes, I will have victories, I will love and enjoy life to the fullest because it is gone all too soon.

Love, Wyoming Way Momma

Those eyes, can you tell he is mine!

Family, Football and Memories

This past weekend we were blessed to have my mother-in-law (Nana) and Jordan come and visit for a few days. We were pretty excited to see some family and William was excited to have more block and book buddies.

We told William all week they were coming and he would get so excited every time. When they arrived and we opened the door I am not sure his smile could have been any bigger. He was the happiest kid on earth.

Friday we went to the Farmer's Market and Vedauwoo. The boys tried to climb to the top but decided since they have families they shouldn't risk it. THANK YOU! Mom, William and I talked and walked around and enjoy the beauty that our Heavenly Father has placed on this earth. 

We played and read LOTs of books. Nana loved the time with him. She has watched him almost every day from 4 months on to 14 months. He wouldn't let her leave his side. He would build blocks and she had to sit and build with him. When blocks were done it was books, or videos on her phone. He just loved the time he got to spend with her.

He also loved time with uncle Jojo. Jordan just got back from his mission in July and so he didn't get a lot of time with William before we left, but you would never know that. He would wrestle and play with him, read books, build blocks, and just do whatever uncle Jojo was doing. It was so fun, and I didnt get any pictures of the two of them, I am terrible!

On Saturday Wyoming had their first football game against North Dakota. Mom watched William while Michael, Jordan and I went to the game. It was fun, we will be getting different seats and using sunscreen next game, but still a fun time.

Sunday we went to church, enjoyed a meal and played games. Games are good way to talk and enjoy each others company with out technology getting in the way, call me old fashion but I do like to talk and enjoy others company.

They left early Monday morning and we were so thankful they came and stayed with us. I know William loved it and so did I. Michael also enjoyed it, even though he knew he had some readings to catch up on. We are blessed with a great supportive and loving family!

Love, The Wyoming Ways

Daddy's little Buddy

So I have been really blessed lately to watch my husband and my son just build their bond. These two have had a special relationship since William was born and grabbed his daddies finger, listened to his voice and calmed down. I thought it would be harder now that Michael is gone to school 10+ hours a day 6 days a week. But you know what has happened William loves him more everyday.

When William and I are reading books, which is pretty much all the time now :), he always finds the trucks or the bike and yells 'dada' because he knows that Daddy has a truck and a bike. He watches for Daddy to come home everyday out the window. When we go to have lunch with daddy at school he knows where to look and gets so excited it simply makes me want to cry tears of joy (now that may be from the prego hormones, but I don't think so.)

This little boy watched his Daddy like a hawk watches for food. The second he wakes up he runs around the house looking and calling for daddy. When I tell him daddy is at school he is sad but is happy to settle with mom for the day. When I tell him that daddy is on his way home he gets so excited and stays by the door to watch for him.

I know when he sees him because he gets SOOO excited (see the video below). 

When Daddy does get home, William becomes a shadow to him. 

Daddy takes his shoes off, William does (if he has some on). 

Daddy sits down, William sits down. 

Daddy makes a funny noise, William makes a funny noise. etc.  

Here are just a few of the moments I have captured of these two. 

Dad's first day of Law School

This is one of my favorites! Michael was making dinner and William DESPERATELY wanted to help. So we got him a stool and he stood there and watched. He helped with what he could and thought it was the coolest thing in the world. 

 How will Michael do it when we have TWO boys. 

I don't know yet but I am positive he will be okay with 

having two little buddies to shadow him! 

I love this little poem I found on pinterest.

 

We do have a long way to go with these boys. But I know we will be okay because they have a great daddy as an example. He is strong in his Priesthood, served an honorable mission, married me in the temple, supports us financially and spiritually, and sometimes physically, he is dedicated to earning an education, he has supported me to finish my education, he loves unconditionally, he serves those around him, and he is what I want my sons to be when they grow up and become husbands and dads.  

I am simply blessed, and I wouldnt change it for anything in the world!! 

Love, The Wyoming Way Momma

Law School - Day 1

Well it has officially begun, our new journey is in full swing!

Sunday night Michael had a hard time sleeping, something about starting a new adventure the next day must just make sleeping impossible. I felt that every year before school started.

William was helping dad find all his things and even the things he didn't need.  This would be the first day in about 3 weeks that William wouldn't get to spend all day with his daddy, he noticed. . .

He dragged this around following Michael wherever he went lol

 

Law School Day 1

William and Michael

These headbands are from the two Tough Mudders that Michael has run. William found them in his toys and did not want to take them off all day, except mom made him for his nap.

 This is how the rest of Williams day went:

 After I bathed him I left for a minute and came back to him reading on the rocking chair waiting for me to come back and read more books with him.

Michael got home about 4, did homework till about 10:30 and somewhere in there he did manage to eat some dinner. William and I stay busy wit ha walk to the park, bath and a little bit of Hercules.

I would say it was a successful first day.  William, Baby and I are all proud of Michael for continuing his education! We love and support you!

Hello Law School, See you in 4 years Michael!

Love, Wyoming Ways