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

Ode to a Loyal Pair of Shoes

 

Born in 2001 and semi-retired in 2011

The New Rookies

My mother bought me these shoes when I was a junior in high school and I thought they were weird shoes that I would never wear.  I found them in my closet some time later and decided to just try them out since I couldn't find my tennis shoes that day...thus began a love that has never died.  These shoes had everything a tennis shoe should have but they had one extra trait that made all the difference - the slip on element.  I have never loved a shoe so much in my life!  They have been everywhere from my being a summer camp counselor in Maine to my semester in Nauvoo to my mission in England to all through my pregnancy being the only shoe that my swollen feet would feel comfortable in.  They are beaten and ugly, but the comfort and sweet memories cannot let me ever throw them away.  My mother and sister have attempted to sway my affections for another pair of shoes that slip on...which, I must say, they are a sweet pair of shoes, but I don't know if I can ever let the old ones go.  So this is my ode to them in their semi-retirement.  Cheers to the shoes of a decade!

Housewifing

Ross in his cute pajamas his grandma got him - he's a candycane!

Haha - can't resist the bug eyes.  He's got the nickname Bugsy.  Love those cheeks!

Cute boy - getting over a little baby acne.  He's taking it like a champ though!

I broke out my new sewing machine and made a baby sling! 

Ross seems to find it suitable. :)

Our little Ross is a whole month old now!  I can't believe how the time is flying.  Of course it does with a newborn - the days all just blend into each other.  If you catch a few hours of sleep in between you're lucky.  I wish I were more used to only having a few hours of sleep - it never seems to get any easier!  Ross sure is growing.  He is 9lbs. 9 oz. now and chubbing up.  I just love chubby babies so I can't wait for the rolls to come.  He's already got some cute ones on his legs.  His cheeks are puffing up too.  He is more of a talker - even in his sleep!  We've caught him laughing and talking a little more too.  I even got my own smile finally today!  Steve is finishing up his finals and our fingers are crossed that he doesn't need to do any more classes this summer so we can just enjoy our little family.  It's always better having Steve home - he brings out the humor in everything which I need! 
I've been attempting to be a housewife and I'm finding I am so not as good at it as I thought I would be.  Our house is usually a wreck with laundry half done, dishes half done, cleaning half done, and me half dressed!  So...I think I'm a half-housewife right now.  I'll be working on becoming a whole one someday.  It's funny how you picture yourself in situations, and then find how unprepared you are when you're actually in them.  That's the fun in it though right?  Fun, fun, fun!  
I've broken in my new sewing machine and made a baby sling.  I tried Ross out in it and he immediately fell asleep - genius!  I did happen to make it too big though and had to improvise to shorten it.  Oh well.  When I went into the sewing shop to buy some material and a pattern (note - it's been about a million years since I've really been sewing) I felt like I stepped into a Japanese speaking country.  I've forgotten all the lingo and terminology for sewing - so I looked like a total dorkface asking obvious questions.  I even took my sewing machine back in saying there were tension problems when I just was threading it wrong.  At least I'm not afraid to admit I'm a total beginner! 
Steve will be graduating tomorrow which is SO exciting.  He can't wait to be done.  I can't wait for him to be done.  It's been a long semester that needs to end.  Hooray for him graduating!  We'll be celebrating all weekend! 

Life as Parents

Sleeping on the job of burping - the both of them!

Okay - I might have been sleeping too.

So I have never thought being a parent could make you feel so exhausted, thrilled, worn out, heart melting, helpless, worried, peaceful, softened, incompetent...hmmm - there are about a billion more words to describe it.  No wonder it ends up being so rewarding in the end - you put so much into being a good parent, you can't help but feel intensely about your children.  I'm starting to get somewhat used to getting up multiple times in the night, smelling like spit up, doing things one handed, and having a few weeping sessions a week when exhaustion seems to roll over me like a giant wave.  I can't believe the support we've gotten though as well.  I've been so grateful to have my family close by.  I do believe my mother and mother-in-law have been my personal lifesavers over these few weeks.  Much needed naps have been allowed, dishes washed, dinner brought - the works.  
On Saturday Steve and I went on our first official date since having Ross.  I had the realization that I will never have a completely worry free date again.  I was wondering how Ross was doing the entire time!  He was happy as a clam at my in-laws being coddled by his aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  He seems to be a complete attention seeker (not surprising!).  Steve was romantic and brought me flowers before we left (not roses, because he has to be unique) :)  We went to see The King's Speech which was phenomenal and then Steve took me to Magleby's.  It was a nice break.  Ross even slept really well that night.  Wahoo!
Steve should be done with school next week which neither of us can wait for.  I can't wait to have him home with me not worrying about assignments or tests.  I really don't want to go back to work.  I know those 4 weeks are going to be really tricky.  Hopefully Ross will be on a bit of a schedule by then.  Being a teacher - I'm very schedule oriented - it's been a rude awakening having such an unpredictable baby.  I'm learning though - that's what being a parent is all about right??  Summer will be a lot of fun - Steve and I will be able to focus most of it just on Ross and us before we move to Oregon.  It's crazy how quickly things change.  Ready or not though - we're in the midst of it!
 

Cute little Ross asleep.  I crocheted this blanket a few weeks after we found out Ross was coming.

Having a snuggle.

I fell in love with this cute sweater that my brother's girlfriend gave us.  I just had to dress him in it and take some pictures.

Cutest baby shoes ever!

Our BYU fan when we watched the last BYU basketball game of the season.

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This is our little green jellybean.  He likes being swaddled in it.  I like to call it his straight jacket.  It keeps his hands from scratching his face!

Ross's hair can go somewhat wavy after his bath.  I was trying to get a good picture of it.

Haha - this one is hilarious! 

Grandpa Stan who can't get enough of his little grandson.  Ross seems to know he has him wrapped around his little finger.  They just get along like peas and carrots.

A snuggle with Granny Joanney.  (She hates that title - we love it!)

Some weirdos messin' around with hats after some cleaning and moving.

The gorgeous flowers Steve got for me just before our first official date after having little Ross.

Isn't he a heartbreaker?! :)

2 Weeks Old!

Wow - I now have a two week old baby...and I have never felt so clueless in my life about how to take care of him.  Give me 6 month olds, give me first graders, I'm good to go...give me a newborn and I am all thumbs!  I've heard of all of this exhaustion throughout my whole pregnancy, but there really is no way to describe it when you get it.  I will say breastfeeding is not only physically draining but emotionally too when you're starting out.  I had no idea how to go about it.  Thankfully, my friend recommended the book Babywise which gives you a clue on how to start with your baby.  I wish I would have read it before I had my little guy so he wouldn't have the bad habits I've already instilled in him!  We're in training though...it's rough, but let's hope it ends up being worth it.  I didn't think I would be one of those moms who's heart breaks whenever her little baby cries out....I totally am.  I can be as hard as nails with other people's kids, but I've become mush with my own son!  

Wouldn't it be great if men could breastfeed too?  Haha - I think that all the time in the middle of the night when I am the one getting up.  

I must say though - there is nothing like realizing this beautiful little baby came from you and is so tiny and dependent on you.  Ross is the most beautiful baby.  He and I have been having some serious getting to know each other time and he's a fun little guy to get to know - just his facial expressions alone get me!  Wahoo for being a mom and openly admitting I have no idea what I'm doing.  Hopefully he'll turn out!

 

So he kind of looks like the Gerber baby with his big eyes.  Adorable!

There's nothing like baby feet!

This is a better family picture.  We love little Ross.