More Christmas

We'll I promised my parents more pictures from Christmas because we didn't get to be with them (or anyone for that matter). But it was a good day for us, we opened presents, had dinner and relaxed most of the day.

Here's Porter with his new tool box (it sings lots of fun songs) and here he is with both his basketball hoop and tool box and what do you know he starts playing with the rug (we have a video of that, but I'm not going to post it)

Here he is with all his bath toys from my parents and his aunt.

And here's the puppets he got for his dad to share with him (see video below)



Porter got books and he got lots of pj's (not shown):

and dad got welding gloves to use when he cooks in his dutch ovens

(he forgot what they were for and used them to strangle Porter

Dad and Porter playing with their new puppets:

We can't help but laugh everytime we watch this one so we thought we would share:

That's it for now, we had a good Christmas and are grateful for all the things we got (even those not shown or mentioned on this blog, which are a lot of things), but more than that we are grateful for what time we got to spend with family and for our Savior which is the real reason for the season.

Weekend at Grandpa and Grandma Cox's

Porter in his Christmas PJs from mom and dad... he really looks so cute in them even though they are a little snug and a little too warm for Mesa. And here he is with his new train.

Porter in his new sunday clothes! and A Quick Family Photo

Christmas PJs from Grandma Cox... and a picture with almost all the cousins!

Sadie got to play with her brother and mom this weekend at grandma and grandpa's house. They were very cute together and played non stop! At first her brother beat her up pretty good, but once she figured out how to fight back she wouldn't leave him alone!

Sadie was pretty tired and lonely when we got home.

Porter got to see snow for the first time, here's a little clip:

We also got to go to Jay and Raelynn's wedding and spend some time with Danny and Rachel. So much fun. Its so good to see everyone so happy!

It was a very busy weekend, but we had so much fun and got to see so many of our friends and family which is what this time of year is all about. Merry Christmas!!!

I cannot believe another week has passed... it's crazy really. Not too much going on, just getting ready for Christmas and enjoying some cooler weather. We actually got to hang out all four of us a little more this week. On Tuesday I went and bought our Christmas PJs... I became the crazy lady who asks the sales person to please take the last pair in my size off the mannequin because I must have them, really. (I tried to get them online but they were out too). Anyway Bryce finished up a little early and I had picked up some movies from the library, it was raining outside and the next thing you know we are in our Christmas PJs with the futon on the floor and Papa Johns coming thru the front door. It was fun to hang out and enjoy the weather... sad because I couldn't really see straight I was so tired, and so I fell asleep during the second movie, but fun just the same.
That kind of says our attitude towards saving things for Christmas this year too... I've gotten Porter a few things, but I can't bring myself to wrap them. It isn't going to make a difference to him, he's just excited for the box that the truck or whatever came in. We are both already wearing our Christmas PJs and we opened the box of stuff from my sister for Porter... which is the only reason Porter hasn't worn his Christmas PJs because he got some cute new ones from her. Lots of fun stuff. We have saved a few things, and its killing Bryce and me not to just tell each other what we got for one another... I've almost caved a few times.












Other than that we've just been working or hanging out. I've tried some Christmas baking without a ton of success... something has happened since I got married... I can't bake as well anymore. Its really sad and VERY irritating. I haven't given up yet... today I messed up peanut brittle... well not really messed up it just wasnt brittle... luckily my mother in law had a solution to save the day... and while it wasnt as pretty a color at least it was edible (but not fabulous)... maybe next year!

Cute Bath Photos

While I was looking for pictures I came across a video we took... and no we don't usually video tape our child crying, but if we could only show you moments before it would make more sense. Porter has become a little more adventurous with grabbing and reaching for things... if he wants something he goes for it and he's spoiled so he usually gets it (like the big bite he took right out of my cookie) anyway we do tell him 'no' sometimes but up until now he didn't really understand it. So before this video he is trying to 'help' Bryce wrap some presents and this is his response to being told 'no.' Its adorable his reaction when he realizes that I am taping his rant he just looks back and forth like 'you have got to be kidding me!'

All I Want For Christmas is My First Front Tooth

This week was a big week for little Porter... every time I turned around he was doing something new. Monday night my in laws stayed with us and Joyce was kind enough to take Porter shopping with her so I could take a nap when I got home from work. (weirdest time ever being alone for awhile, I didn't know what to do with myself when I woke up!) While they were shopping she noticed that he had cut a tooth the night before and it was peeking up from his gums... which explains why he was so clingy and crabby the night before. He wouldn't let me put him down and didn't really want anyone else to hold him either. He's a momma's boy, but not to that extreme. She has a good eye I don't know that I would have noticed it! The tooth isn't all the way in yet, but peeks up a little more everyday. Tonight it was really bugging him... poor kid. It stinks when there isn't really anything you can do to help.
The next little thing of the week is adding the sounds 'da' and 'ga' to the babbling... I have already come to terms with the fact that my little boy will probably say dada before he gets even close to mama. and at the rate he's going the he'll say gama first =) Its okay really its adorable to hear him babbling on like he's really saying something. Along with these sounds he's added an extreme head tilt to the left that he does for added effect. Bryce says its like puppies do... maybe thats where he learned it. He just smiles big like I am so cute smile at me. Like 'mommy pleeeaasse can I have that!!! I'm cute remember?'
The last thing he did out of the blue today was sitting up... granted it was on the bed and he didn't quite make it up, but it was very close. That would be pretty exciting... dang he's growing up to fast! He isn't crawling yet, but he actually gets frustrated and rolls around with more confidence so its only a matter of time!
In other news little Sadie is 26lbs now (according to the bathroom scale). I can't believe how big she is... she pushes me around already! Even when she's been in trouble and i've been yelling and she has made me absolutely crazy she is still right there by my side trying to be in on everything I am doing. She's a handful, but there is never a dull moment when she is loose. I am going to be in trouble when she's full grown and Porter and her are tearing through the house. They are already best friends... Porter wipes food from his mouth and puts his hand down for Sadie to lick already. Porter teases her a lot and reaches out for her and often pulls her tail and ears... and she just licks him (for the most part, with an accidental chew here and there). He really takes a lot of licking from Sadie. Its funny how unafraid he is of her with her size and tendancy to be clumsy/overbearing and knock him over, but our friends little pup Yoda who is 2lbs seemed to scared him. 2lbs vs 26lbs... crazy kid!
Anyway your not going to believe this but I have no new pictures... its been a weird week and I just forgot. Lots of cute stuff just no documentation so you'll just have to believe me. Sorry! Have a good week!
PS- I got tired of the dark blog and I am working on changing it so be prepared for it to look unfamilar till I figure out what I want or I may just settle on this who knows!

I realized today that another week has passed and I hadn't posted anything yet. It's been quite a tough week for our little family, but I won't go into details because I am not sure who reads this and I am sure my feelings may soften over time. It has helped us remember where our blessings come from and has humbled us as we remember all the little core things that we need to be more obedient at doing every day. Time to repent!


On black Friday we got a really good deal on a Christmas tree from Lowe's (fake and pre- lit... what more could we ask for)! So while his grandpa and auntie watched the BYU game Porter helped decorate the tree. It really has helped it feel more like Christmas, since the weather hasn't. (well up until this weekend when it rained and rained and rained... our back yard is a big mud puddle... Sadie loves it... and I love the mud all over my house!- not so much). We also put up our nativity's on my new bookshelves (Santa came early!) I am so glad the bookshelves provided the perfect place... we weren't sure where they would be safe with a puppy and the possibly soon to crawl baby. And I love how nice the bookshelves look! (not shown in the pictures, maybe next time) Sometimes its good to bring Bryce along... I will look and not buy, but think about it for awhile... if he sees it likes it and its what we want he just gets it on the spot. Sometimes scary... other times helpful cause I've been thinking about it for months and probably would have for many more, but now I have them. yay!

Porter has changed so much lately... he really has been making progress towards crawling. He is pretty determined when he wants something, he will throw his whole body into it... even when it puts him in some awkward positions. He has also become a lot better with his hands... I let go of my need for cleanness and let him have a go at Cheerios on his own... at first he just grabbed handfuls and shoved them in his mouth, but every day he gets better at it (more in his mouth and less on the floor). The other day his dad needed a part at a job out in Chandler, so Porter and I went out there and while we were there we went to McDonald's with dad. We gave Porter a french frie (he was sitting on my lap) he loves to suck on them. I open my chicken nuggets and Porter decided he wanted one... instead of whining for it he reached over grabbed one and shoved it in his mouth. Like I said one little determined young man. It was so smooth how quickly and gracefully he did it. (wish we could have got that on video)

Tonight we had two of Bryce' s siblings, their families and his parents over for dinner and then we all went to see the lights at the temple. It is so nice to have our little home so that people can come over! (I am so grateful that it worked out and we were able to get into it with the help of family) Afterwards I had some hot chocolate and Porter as usual wanted a taste. His reaction was so cute. So here's a peek:

While I'm posting video I might as well post this one too... Porter loves to drink that bath water, usually it is thru the wash cloth, but lately that isn't enough so he has a new method. He has also become a little 'ham' for the camera so he decided he wanted to show you how much he loves to splash. (please ignore the nasty grout...we still need to replace it... maybe I'll get to that soon. Like I finally cleaned under the fridge and stove and cut up my hands this week (right across the middle of all my fingers on both hands, ouch!)... don't ask I am just really talented, but I am grateful its finally done. I've wanted to since we moved in but I was 9 months pregnant and not able to move the fridge, then I forgot and was lazy... now nothing is off limits, I get in trouble sometimes!) Here's the bath video:

Enjoy! That's it for now... The End.

Yesterday we had a wonderful time spending Thanksgiving with long time friends of my family, the Shedlocks, down in Tucson. (my parents and sisters met us down there) It's been fun to see them more often now that we live in Mesa and are closer... and we have a cute little seudo 'grandson' to visit. Dinner was wonderful and we had a really good time. We are so grateful they welcomed us and our 'kids' into their home (they can make quite the mess at times and be a handful).

Of course we had a short photo shoot on their rocking horse... I remember it from when their boys were growing up... Porter was pretty cute on it... he would grip with his toes and try to not ride two handed, what a little dare devil =)

Here's a short peek... sorry its so dark hopefully you can see it:

And here's the little pup who gets bigger every day!!!

Till next time!!!

So normally a function like auto save would be something that I am grateful for, but at the moment I hate it with every fiber of my being... I spent around a half hour/forty-five minutes writing this cute little post and it was a pretty good one I might add. Then I thought oh I'll change the font color... so I highlighted the whole post and what happened I must have hit the space bar on my laptop and zap its gone... quick quick close the window so it will revert to the auto saved copy from a few minutes ago... what happens as soon as my post left the screen that lovely little feature auto saved my white as snow screen!!! So I am not happy about it, but I am a pretty stubborn girl and I don't have much else going on at the moment (I'm at work and everyone is sound asleep) so why not do it all over again I love repeating myself (hun, babe!).
Here goes the reconstruction (not nearly as good, but it will have to due cause there isnt anything else I can do):

Amidst feeling so tired and old (happy birthday to me today, I'm 27 now, crazy!), having a sick baby, a crazy hyper puppy, incidents at work, etc. there has been a lot to laugh and giggle about lately. So I have been making mental notes to get on here and write about them, but I have been M.I.A so hopefully I can remember all those little moments and help share the laughter a bit: (pictures always make it easier)

This first picture is sadly enough from the day after Porter got really sick. When in the bath this boy drinks a ton of bathwater (gross I know but what can you do!) So most of the time in his bath he sucks water out of the wash cloth and chews on a toothbrush. We also play this game where I get the wash cloth wet and then put it on his head. This accomplishes several things... he gets all wet and begins to get clean, it keeps him warmer, and it makes him giggle and he pulls it off his head (and nearly tips himself over sometimes). Well after throwing up so much last night he would NOT eat or drink anything this morning, not even his usual dose of bathwater. So when I put it on his head he just left it there and gave me this cute look, a little smirk and a little 'mom I don't feel good'-pathetic look. Cute as can be!

The second picture, was from a few weeks back. Porter was being oh so helpful while I was on the laptop so I set him on the floor with some toys which happened to also be near Bryce's feet. Next thing you know he is sucking on Bryce's big toe! (gross) It totally surprised Bryce who was watching TV and he kept doing it over and over... guess he likes the taste of toes. On that same story line, the other day I get home from work and I try to get Porter to nurse, what can I say I needed him too. So he's nursing and after a few minutes he stops and I look down and he is sucking on his toes... crazy kid! It was pretty funny, it definitely made me and Bryce laugh. He did it again later in the day. Now we have a strange kid who loves to suck toes!

The third picture was from a few days ago, since Porter has been sick he has totally lost his appetite... this kid is NOT a picky eater, he always wants to eat anything and everything. Well not this week or this time. This bite landed on his face after he 'helped' it not go in his mouth. Cute, but I hope it doesn't continue... I feel like I spend half my day trying to get him to eat or drink something these days. Not Fun.

In addition to these fun things Porter is always making us laugh... by laughing himself or babbling or kicking his feet all over the place or buzzing his lips. He's adorable and we are so grateful for the smiles he brings into our lives.

Next little smile/giggle maker:

Little Sadie (who is growing up so fast (she's 10 weeks old)... no one told me she would get big this fast... kind of like Porter, nothing in this family is small these days!). She is full of energy and a pretty good little pup. She is pretty much potty trained after 2 weeks and is getting better every day on her walks. She makes me laugh (almost as much as she makes me yell some days), but its so fun to watch her be so curious and spunky. Out of the blue she will start chasing her own tail... not just once around, but she makes 5 or 6 revolutions before she sits down to chew on it. If I ever get it on tape I will share it cause it is hilarious. The funniest things are her general clumsiness because shes a pup with big old paws... our hardwood floors/tile don't help out with this. She is always sliding around and her paws slipping out from under her or her bones sliding across the room. She has learned to use it to her advantage though... she will get a running start and slide under the couch or if she is chasing a ball into the kitchen she will use my rugs as skid mats to keep from slamming to the wall. Its cute except I am constantly un-rumpling them all day long... I'll should duct tape them down! She is a lot of fun though. Another cute thing she does... when we go on walks she starts out holding the leash in her mouth so that I can't pull it tight... its looks like she is trying to walk herself, its pretty cute. One last cute Sadie thing then I'll move on. Tonight just before I needed to wake up to go to work I hear this little whine and a scratch scratch on the sheets. I open my eyes and there's little Sadie... she sleeps in a crate in the living room and is not allowed in the bedrooms where there is carpet, but how could I possibly get mad when she is so cute. It was just a foreshadowing of future little kids and puppies waking me up bedside in the middle of the night. Its surprising she came to my side of the bed though cause its the far side and Bryce is much more okay with her being in the bedroom/on the bed... I might be too when she isn't at the chewing and pooping/peeing all over stage., but for now it is off limits. Anyway it was a cute way to wake up even though its not great that she shimmied her way out of her crate (guess both latches need to be locked). I just hope she went back to sleep after I left and didn't keep Bryce up (he was up last night with the flu Porter had, sick boys are no fun!)

Anyway I am grateful for my little rays of sunshine amidst the fogginess in my head and the goop in my eyes. I am grateful for my big ray of sunshine too... Bryce makes me laugh plenty. They are all a lot of work but definitely worth it I guess. Its funny how over time your perspective changes. We have nothing planned for my birthday other than working and cooking the turkey we bought (we aren't having thanksgiving at our place, but who can beat the price on turkey so we are going to freeze it and I get to practice without guests) and I need to make a pumpkin carmel pecan cheesecake (I forgot last year and ruined everything! I won't get in the door without it this year!) But I am totally okay with not having big plans ... when it comes to me and birthdays its kind of tricky because I want bryce/family/friends to do something, but I hate suprises and I hate to be the center of attention (example: I was 20 minutes late to my own bridal shower cause I didn't want to go!), but if we don't do anything its disappointing, but I hate the anxiety of not knowing whats going to happen. Luckily Bryce and I have been pretty open about it this year and I don't really care what we do or what I get... I don't really need presents even (not that I won't accept them, but its not going to make or break the day). Bryce was sweet though, he got me a very practical gift that I would never have gotten myself... a laptop battery. My old one would only stay charged for 15 minutes max, so you couldn't unplug it. Now I can go hours without tying it down to the charger which is very nice.

Anyhow I am starting to ramble and can't remember what else I put in the original post so I will cut this off with a Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy! I am SO grateful for my little rays of sunshine that bring laughter into the repetitive/task oriented days of motherhood and for my many blessing that we continue to recieve on a daily basis (even if they don't always feel like blessings, we know they are and appreciate them)! Till next time!

entering phase two

thanks for all who have been concerned with little Porter... he seems to have made it thru phase one of the flu thats going around and just before bed he enter phase two... if your asking yourself what phase two could be... well just think the other end. I'm glad I made arrangements not to work tonight... that would not have been fun for Justin to deal with. Plus 1. I'm tired 2. he's still not himself and seems a little warm and at times and 3. I don't feel like staying up all night ... so instead I'll do that tomorrow and stay up too late tonight folding laundry and watching grey's anatomy. sometimes I drive myself crazy! 2 more days before relief arrives in the form of my husband =)

2 Years!!!

I've heard from several people that they were worried because I hadn't posted anything in a week.... I've gotten several phone calls... everythings good, just had other things going on and it didn't fall at the top of the list, sorry!

Happy Anniversary to us (it was on Monday Nov. 12th)!!!

It's hard to believe that as of Monday we have been married for 2 years! At times it feels like we've been together forever and then other times it feels like it was just yesterday. We've been through quite a bit, but we have so much to be grateful for... our jobs, our home, our healthy adorable child, our mischievous/crazy puppy, our health, our wonderful extended family and friends and most of all each other! This time of year always gets me thinking because I get older next week as well... I was talking to my visiting teachers and then a friend about how I feel so old and at times it doesn't always feel like I have accomplished that much, but I do have a college degree, an amazing husband, a beautiful child, a cute puppy, a home, and so many blessings I couldn't count all of them if I tried... and I'm only 27. Oh well its just a number these days anyway... I have a hard time even remembering how old I am, its like once your 'off the market' it doesn't really matter =)... (I'm always younger than he is!!!)

I am always (or try to be) grateful for my husband, but he's gone this week until saturday (working in Tucson) and I am missing all the help he gives me with our son and the puppy (like Porter landing in bed next to me in the morning instead of me having to go get him)... plus the adult conversation. I wouldn't do well as a single mom, I would go crazy pretty fast. Its been a confidence builder that I can handle it all on my own, but I would definately rather not, I haven't been alone for this long since getting married, I haven't ever been alone with Porter for this long (like overnight... i'm with him alone all day)... I definately don't like it... how did I do it before, I get freaked out so easy these days! I've checked the door locks so many times and closed all the blinds, its pretty funny when I think about it. Too bad Sadie isn't much of a protector yet... unless you count peeing on peoples feet as protection!

In other news, our puppy is growing and learning so much, she really is a pretty good little pup when she wants to be. I was worried there for the first few days we were not friends because she kept Bryce up all night and had accidents and whined and whined. She's past that now and is a lot more fun. Its great to watch her interact with Porter and how Porter watches her every move... she's almost more exciting that tv these days! They are going to be the best of friends in no time. I don't have any new pictures of her so I'll work on that. I wanted to post pictures of Porter at the park, he loves the swing... but they are on Bryce's phone so it'll have to wait till he gets back. To make up for that here are some pictures taken at grandpa and grandma cox's a little ways back, this kid loves oreos (we are bad parents and let him have anything):

PS- as i was finshing this post after putting porter to bed i heard a very weird cry and found Porter very sick, he's been throwing up ever since.... so sad, its the saddest face i've EVER seen, he just doesn't understand or know what to do. it was tough for bryce to hear it over the phone ... almost as hard as for grandma bird to hear, since she's the second person i called (after bryce) this mom has no idea what to do when her infant starts throwing up like this! i'm kind of glad bryce isn't here to see this, he had a hard time watching me throw up when i was pregnant, the very few times i was sick, and this is ten billion times worse!

a puppy and a photo shoot

So Porter's Pup was old enough to come home with us this weekend so we drove up and picked her up from Grandpa and Grandma Cox. We named her Sadie (grandpa says thats an old ladies name, but we think its cute) and she's a smart little pup... within hours of being home with us she understood how the doggy door worked... but she is lonely and misses her 9 brothers and sisters and mom... she cried a lot the first evening/night and kept Bryce up a lot of the night... hopefully tomorrow gets better (i'm not sure bryce can do too many sleepless nights in a row and I work again tomorrow night). I hope she settles in quickly because its been like having another kid, but I don't know what to do with her to teach her... not that I know what to do with Porter, but it just seems to come a little more natural to raise my son than teach a puppy. Anyway Bryce had lots of work to do up in Lakeside this weekend, so I spent the day with Porter and we had to pick a puppy... there were two little girls we needed to pick from and I swear it felt like we were on the tv show 'the bachelor'... I would take one of them out for one on one time and then the other and then on 'group dates' and I liked them both and didn't know which one to pick. Everyone told me different stuff aboout each one and I kept changing my mind and it just got real confusing and hard to choose. And then in the end I just had to pick one... Sadie seemed a little more drawn to Porter and more interested in us... she would come sit on my lap and snuggle up to me, so in a sense she picked us and I went with it.

Along with picking a puppy and hanging out in the nice weather up in the mountains there were some fall leaves around and so of course it was time for a photo shoot... Porter just loves this (not so much), he cooperated a little, but mostly ate leaves and looked at me like I was crazy. I've been wanting some pictures but I really don't want to pay someone to take them because Porter isn't a fan and everyone knows how much I love pictures. I like to have good pictures but I hate having my picture taken. My camera battery started to die so it was hard to get him when he was smiling because it would get stopped up and would stall taking the picture... oh well I got a few and thats all that matters. Here's a couple... you can't beat free when it comes to cute pictures.

We are so lucky to get this little pup and we are so excited to have our little family grow. Sadie will bring so much joy into our lives (once we show her the ropes and she stops being so scared!)