Moving Forward

Well it has been an insane last few weeks with me finishing up school and juggling everything else going on.  I am up finishing burning slideshow DVDs for my little first graders as a end of year present.  I must say - I am quite proud of how it's turned out.  Movie Maker is a GREAT program.  Since Ross is fed and asleep for the night and I have to stay up to finish these, I figured - what better to do than blog!  I've come to be a bit of a blog stalker.  I love to look up and see what everyone else is up to - and it's so much nicer than facebook.  Anyway - my last few weeks have been surprisingly smooth teaching.  Don't get me wrong - I really don't wish being a working mother on anyone.  I understand if you have to do it, but it is SO tricky and sleep depriving.  It helped Ross and I get on a schedule however which has been heaven.  I didn't find it funny, though, when he would be so cute and smiley in the morning and I had to leave him.  Steve has been quite the Mr. Mom for this temporary time.  He has informed me many tidbits of advice in how to take care of Ross.  My burping techniques have been corrected many a time and how Ross likes to be held has also been shown to me.  It has been so nice having Steve be with Ross and my lifesaving in-laws taking care of him a few times a week while Steve went to work.  I'm so grateful family has been able to take care of him while I've been gone.  I have loved teaching first grade and have not quite come to the reality of tomorrow being my last day of teaching ever.  I am so thrilled to be a mom at home, but I do have melancholy feelings about not having my little ducklings following me around and hearing all their hilarious stories and helping them learn how to add, tell time, and - my favorite - read.  Being a teacher has prepared me in so many ways to be a better parent and also feel satisfaction with the education I have gained.  It has been an awesome phase of my life that I will always cherish.  I've made some great friendships among teachers and parents of my students and have adored watching my students grow.  The adventures ahead will be wonderful I'm sure, but I'm glad to have made the memories I have now of a chapter that's ending.     
On an updated Ross note - he is getting bigger by the minute.  Steve and I are definitely getting our arm workouts constantly with this little tubber boy.  He was 12 lbs. 3 oz. last week and growing.  He has gotten much more smiley which melts my heart every time he tosses out that toothless grin.  I didn't know I could feel so loved by such a little person.  He is doing much better holding up his head by himself though he still has some bobbling going on.  Four nights ago he slept for 8 hours for the first time and I felt like a new woman.  It is so encouraging knowing that it just gets better and better with kids.  He did a 2AM sneak attack on us last night, but I have high hopes he'll sleep all the way through tonight again.  He is truly a great baby and so fun to have in our little family.  Steve is the greatest dad that ever lived I believe.  I cannot believe how involved he is with everything.  I'm so glad to have such a supportive husband.  He really is my best friend in every way.  
Here are some pictures with what's been going on lately:     

Ross enjoying the sling - I'm still so proud I made it!

My cute smiley boy!  I love the tongue sticking out!

He really is the cutest thing that ever lived.  He enjoys talking with people now and showing how he can hold his own head up (mostly).

When he gets really happy he kicks his legs a ton which then causes his head to do this!  So it's a nice up-the-nose shot. :)

Totally precious

Steve found another use for my Boppy pillow...Queen Amidala all the way.

Don't you just want to kiss that face?!!

My baby sister just graduated - boy I am old!  She is a great sister and is going to do some wonderful things with her life.  Congrats Rach!

We have had "Vacation Week" for the last week of school and went to Hawaii.  My mother and brother-in-law came to teach the Maori stick game to the first grade.  So fun!

Of course I have to have a picture of my cute first graders.  This was our Olympic Party - quite legendary.  I'm going to miss them!

Week of Events

Well there have been tons of things happening.  I will say having to go back to work (even though it's only for 3 1/2 weeks) is NOT fun after you've had a baby.  Steve is wonderful with Ross, don't get me wrong, but it is heart wrenching to have to kiss my little baby good-bye, especially when he's started to get more smiley in the mornings.  He, of course, has no clue what's going on, but I miss him so much! 

We have been up to a TON of things lately with family and friends.  

We were hanging out with our friends the Dille's who are now "Homeowners" which is their new title that follows their name.  We had given this gorgeous bird feeder to Jordan for his birthday (a well saved up wedding gift that needed to be re-gifted to the right person.  When we showed up for dinner in their new home - guess what was the center piece?!  Haha!

It was my dad's birthday and we celebrated at Brick Oven - yum.  We then came back to our apartment where I had made his homemade birthday cake from the recipe found in the luxurious bridal edition of Betty Crocker!  I was quite pleased with myself.  My dad's the one waving in the back. :)

Grandma Staheli with Ross

Steve's 25th birthday!  Another bridal edition Betty Crocker creation!

I had to include this.  Steve's sister Meghan had to take care of this baby doll for her class through the weekend.  It was so creepy!  It would cry or poop all the time.  She tied a handkerchief around its head to keep it from "breaking its neck".  Haha!

Family hanging out

Steve graduated with his bachelors degree in Exercise Science!  Wahoo Steve!

Ross was blessed on May 1st.  His baby blessing outfit was actually Steve's blessing outfit when he was born!  And the gorgeous blanket he is laying on was made by my dear friend Pam's mother.  It is so beautiful!

Ross's baby blessing was beautiful.  He of course was grunting through half of it.  Later Steve told me he felt Ross starting to get fussy and he opened one eye to peek at him and saw this hand come in and poke his binky back into his mouth.  Steve's dad was the heroic hand!  The blessing was amazing - I'm so grateful for the Priesthood.

Having a snuggle with Grandpa White