Family Night

I love family night. Especially when Mikey is in school with a busy schedule. 

I look forward to it every week and even more so in the summer when we can spend it outside.

This week we went to Nature Park to feed the ducks.

I had been saving moldy bread for a few weeks and was so excited to see the ducks go crazy over it. 

But I was disappointed. 

They wanted nothing to do with my bread. 

I think it's because they were a little distracted with "finding their companion and starting their own families" if you catch my drift.

 There will be lots of little ducklings in a few weeks. 

(Which I'm actually really excited about so I forgive them for not gobbling up my bread).

We had a good time. 

Mabin slept.

Mikey and I enjoyed our time talking and flirting.

The evening was prefect, it was hot outside with a thunder and lightening storm a brewin'. 

Love this time of year!

Baby Anika

Kirty (Mikey's sister) had her baby girl and we were able to make a quick trip to Orem to meet Baby Anika and to spend time with their family. 

It was also the first time for Glenda (Mikey's Mom) to see Mabin.

Dallin

On Saturday  Dallin and I played soccer. At least that's what it started out as. 

By the time the game was over there were 7 different levels, a million ways to get penalties and just as many was to get bonuses. We also had to wave our hands in a wand-twirling fashion and do a little dance if we wanted to change how many points we got. 

It was very entertaining. 

 I think we both won?

Ezra

Ezra watched us play soccer and joined in when he felt the need.

It got quite comical as I tried to block Dallin from scoring a goal and at the same time return a kicked ball to Ezra. 

Mabes, Anika and Kirty

Sunday best

Anika and Mabin

Isn't she pretty?

We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family. 

going ons

personal massage chair

3 1/2 weeks

3 months

Burkley, Mabin and Zayd

This is how Daddy puts me to sleep. 

Mikey took this adorable photo. 

Can't get enough of this boy.

I'm 3 months old!

3 months

11.5 lbs

23.5 in

(This M&M was Mikey's when he was young.

We missed photos with it the first two months but better late than never.)

I sleep through the night (most the time) which Mommy really appreciates. 

I love my morning baths and smiling whenever anyone is talking.

My favorite mornings are when Daddy gets up with me and we play.

I'm getting used to napping in my cradle instead of my car seat. It hasn't been a fun adjustment. 

I had to get shots at my last appointment which I was not prepared for but handled very bravely.

I like to be out in the sun and can't wait until the Idaho weather warms up.

I've discovered my hands and love to suck on my fists.

I've been kicking my legs lots so that I can be a runner like Daddy.

April 12, 2012

We celebrated our one year anniversary this past week. 

Can't believe it's been a whole year!

Things I love about Mikey:

His sense of humor.

How hard he works for our family.

How much fun he has with Mabin.

How he can't wait until Mabin is old enough to: play video games, shoot hoops, go on runs, be fishing buddies....

His support in anything I want to do.

That he always tells me he appreciates me cooking dinner for him.

His incredible gift of picking out perfect gifts for me.

That, even though he works until 2am, he will still get up with Mabin so I can sleep in.

And, even though he works until 2am, he will wake up early on Saturdays to help serve people in our ward.

That he can always make me feel better on sad days. 

That he likes my sassy attitude when most don't. 

This list goes on and on. 

I thank Heavenly Father every day for guiding me to such a wonderful man.

We were able to watch a matinee showing of "Hunger Games" (we were the only ones in the theater ;) thanks to our dear friend, Hannah Moore. She babysat Mabin for us. I'm embarrassed to admit that it was really hard for me to leave him for so long. I never thought I would be that kind of mother. Not that I didn't trust Hannah!

Mikey had to keep assuring me that he was fine so I wouldn't call Hannah every 5 minutes. 

After the movie Mikey made a delicious steak and shrimp dinner. 

I made chocolate fondue for dessert. 

It was a perfect day.

spring break

Mikey has been going to school year round so that he can get done quicker. Spring break was much needed in our house this year. The first couple of days were so beautiful. 

We spent as much time outside as we could. 

This is a little trail by Kelly Canyon. We brought lunch and had a picnic at the top. 

Mabes enjoying the sun at Porter Park.

 I can't believe how big he's getting. 

My little sister graduated from college!!!

Mom and Dad were able to make a quick trip up for Stef's graduation. We love having them stay with us. There's always lots of food, games and laughing.

Our friend Chance Norquist drove up with them. They also picked up Christina, my sister-in-law, on the way. 

Christina, Mikey and Mabin, me, Stefka, Mom and Dad. 

I'm so proud of her. She has always been very dedicated to school. I'm pretty sure she's gotten A's in all of her classes since elementary school. 

this and that

"Team Grandpa" outfit from Grandma and Grandpa Waite

Going on a family walk

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bridal and surprise graduation parties! 

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Moccasins from Uncle James 

(Mikey's best friend from home.)

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Too

stinkin'

cute!

Blessings

Mabin's blessing was so sweet.

Grateful for a husband that can bless my babies and be a righteous example to them. 

the Waite side

our little family

Aunt Stefka

the Lucas side

some favorites...

I could put every single photo I've taken of Mabes on here but it would take years to upload. 

These are a few of my favorites. 

2 1/2 weeks
(February 2012)

2 1/2 weeks
(February 2012)

5 1/2 weeks
(February 2012)

6 weeks
(March 2012)

My sweet little boy is napping beside me. It is so crazy how intensely you can love a little tiny thing from the first moment you know your pregnant, to the first time you feel him kick and then how much more intensely you love him once he's in you arms and you can kiss him and cuddle him. Hearing him grunt, seeing him stretch and smile in his sleep. The growl and intensity he has when he's snuggling up to nurse. Staring at him when he's awake and staring back. His coos and smiles. The way he kicks and kicks when he's happy. Seeing him stare, fixated at Mikey's face when he's holding him. Life really doesn't get any better. He is so perfect. And I don't know how, but he gets cuter every single day. 

Mabin Call Lucas

January 21, 2012

12:39 pm

6 lbs 8 oz

19 in

This is the first time I remember holding/seeing Mabin. 

Well, I guess I have flashes of seeing him before but there are lots of things I don't remember because of the anesthesia from the C-section. 

Things I don't remember:

(Mikey filled me in on everything that happened while I was out of it, some of the memories I have I thought were dreams, other things he told me I don't have any recollection of). 

- Apparently one of our nurses was really nice and brought Mabes in from the NICU before she was supposed to so Mikey and I could be together with him. 

- Nursing him for the first time. I guess it was a little difficult for us because one of my nurses was so excited a few days later when he was nursing so well.

- Pumping milk for the first time. Mikey said Mabin wasn't nursing very well so they had me pump so the nurses could feed him. I thought Mikey was teasing me about that because I don't remember it at all.  

- I have flashes of Stefka visiting but Mikey said she stayed for most of the afternoon/evening and watched TV with him. 

- Mikey tricking me and telling me that Mabes had 11 toes, don't remember it, but he said I freaked out. 

Mikey said I kept saying over and over, "He's so perfect. Isn't he so perfect Babe?"

And isn't he?!

Aunt Seren

This might be too much information for some so be forewarned. 

Mabin grabbed his scrotum when I was changing him. I had to pry his fingers off even though he was hurting himself and screaming. He still has a scar from it. 

Poor boy. 

I slept a lot the first couple days. Recovering from Pre-Eclampsia is no picnic. 

Used this contraption to do breathing exercises. Had to make sure I wasn't getting fluid in my lungs.

And yes, I am fully aware of how terrible I look. 

I was puffy all over from the water weight.  

We love him so much. 

The most precious, perfect little boy.

Finally they let us go home!!!!

I was so frustrated and tired of all the tests they were running and from having to be in the hospital for so long. 

5 days total. 

But... I am so grateful for all the nurses that took such good care of us. 

I'm grateful that my Mom was able to come and be with me so that Mikey didn't have to miss any work or classes. 

I'm grateful for a husband that was able to give me multiple priesthood blessings and who stayed calm and collected when I was wanting to freak out. 

It wasn't what we planned for but it turned out just fine.