Happy Halloween

So today is Halloween, and I am not the biggest fan of Halloween when it comes to the dressing up part. I love the candy and chocolate. But I hadn't really planned on dressing Porter up. But as the morning wore on I felt bad about it... so I put him in a outfit someone gave him that was pirate -ish. Then his dad put a bandana on him tonight.
Porter loves to help me... so sitting up is the best trick he has learned yet. Today I made his baby food while he took a nap and then he helped me make these yummy pumpkin rolls for the ladies I visit teach (it is the 31st after all and I was feeling guilty). Did you know that on the last day of the month lds.org has the next months visiting teaching message instead of the current month... I had to search for October's... ridiculous that I know that, but hey I did it and we got to visit with people from our ward who were having a Halloween block party so it worked out just fine. On top of that I got to bake and I didn't have to eat it all... it took me back to college days when my roommates and I would have desert night after ward prayer (er ward stare) at our house. Back when I would experiment and try new things, hey it got the boys to come and visit... this was something I saw on a blog and had to try... it's very rich, but very delicious! Porter knew exactly what to do with those beaters... he HAS to taste everything mom and dad has. And he's such a good boy, he just sits on the counter next to me and watches and reaches over to help every now and then.

We had the cutest little 'devil' tricker treater... the Moss's stopped by. Corbin was SO cute!

Another #1 and a #2

So like I said in the previous post from just yesterday (Saturday), we had tickets to the ASU vs. Cal game. So we packed up our little family, met up with Bryce's friend Adrian and headed to the game. Wow, what a crazy experience. It was so much more crowded and louder than any football game I've ever been to (but what do I really know). By the time it started Porter was finished being cute and got cranky, so from the 11th row I went all the way up to calm and feed my tired child, he fought it and then out he went and he stayed this way through the 1st quarter and into the second despite a LOUD crowd. But once he woke up he was back to himself trying to pull the girls in front of us's hair and winning the hearts of everyone around us. We ended up leaving at the half because there wasn't much action on our end of the field that we could see... or should I say that I could see. I can never see anything once people stand up and since Porter couldn't really see anything unless his dad held him he was starting to get cranky. Plus at this point ASU was losing, not that we were routing for either team, but still a fun night. The best part of the night... I actually stayed up till 11pm and I wasn't working... Bryce and I were still awake (not a big deal for him, but huge feat for me lately!).



Anyway so that was Porter's #1, his first live college football game. Onto #2, so its Sunday morning we slept in, but I am still tired cause I stayed up till 11pm the night before pretending like I was in college again and that was completely normal to stay up late (not anymore! I'm old!), we eventually get to the point in our routine where its Porter's time to take a bath... I'm relieved because he loves his baths... so I fill the tub, plop him in, and sit down next to the bath tub. I have to stay right by the tub these days cause I was letting him sit up... he can do it, but like I have said before if he doesn't focus or gets too excited he tumbles over and that's dangerous in the bath. So he tips over a few times and so I lower the water level and lay him down... which he doesn't mind cause he's still in the bath... splash, splash, splash. This also means that mom can zone out a bit. I'm just sitting there thinking to myself you know Porter has never gone #2 in the tub, I am so lucky, I have heard so many stories of this happening. I swear my son can read my thoughts cause no sooner than I think this he starts his grunting noises and little bubbles start heading to the surface... luckily I had the presence of mind to grab him and I got him over the toilet for a majority of it... amazing my 6 month old baby has just pooped in the toilet. So as I hold Porter over the toilet I yell for Bryce who fishes out what didn't make it in the toilet. It seems like he should be done, so I let him take a longer bath, and who would of thought this kid could actually have MORE poop... this time there was no making it to the toilet and I declare bath time to be officially over! The moral of this story... your children may be able to read your mind, so don't start thinking of the lovely things they haven't done to you yet.... otherwise you might just get your wish. yuck!!! (I have the best husband in the world, who cleaned up after this fiasco while I got our son dressed for church, he said 'no big deal, i got it' ... he's worked in manholes before, but still SO gross... he was my hero today for sure!)

AZ State Fair

Last night if you went before 5 it was $5 to get into the state fair AND Montgomery Gentry was playing who is one of our favorites, so even though I hadn't slept and we have a busy weekend I convinced Bryce that we should go (there's no way we are making it to a concert this year anyway). So we went early and since we have a kid now its easier to kill time and not spend money by looking at all the "cool" stuff.

we saw sheep..... we rode lions.... and we did NOT ride a ride called 'up,up, and away' =)

Then we went to see the concert (I stole this picture cause we forgot to take one). We stayed for just a little bit because we didn't remember that it would be way to loud for the little guy. He let us plug his ears at first, but then he wouldn't let us so we had to leave. But what we were there for was AMAZING. They are such a good group... wish we could have stayed. Next time... we are bringing ear plugs for the little guy cause we don't want his hearing to be like his dad's when he gets older =)

So instead we went to watch the figure 8 races... which I hadn't seen before... so its race cars and they race in a figure 8 pretty basic sounding, but pretty fun to watch... a dirt track and LOTS of wrecking. I dont know what my problem was but I forgot to take a picture of this too!

After that we went to get a cow pie (they called it a mooo with oreo) and to go home, and we saw this adorable little ice cream cone, which Porter would be REALLY adorable in... he was a little tired at this point but he REALLY didn't like it. We tried and tried and he did not want to be cute for this one... so we went home and he crashed and mom crashed and dad got up early to go paint balling at 6am (crazy!!!), while Porter and I slept in because we are off to the ASU vs. Cal game tonight, someone gave us tickets (we have been SO lucky lately). Fun weekend!!!

6 Months Old Already!

I cannot believe that he has been with us for 1/2 a year, time sure flies and he changes so much every day. He is getting SO big these days. He had his 6 month dr. appointment so here are his latest stats:

19lbs 6oz - 80 percentile

27 in long- 75 percentile

and the noggin is 17 3/4 in.- 85%

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So he's still growing, but not at the rate he first started at up in the 90s... which I am totally okay with cause he's a big kid. The other day I pulled out all his 6-9 mo old clothes and the things I NEVER thought he would be wearing are now fitting... but he is super cute and has so many cute clothes that people have given him in this size... I honestly haven't needed to buy him much, which is nice and sad at the same time.

Anyway, he is sitting up these days which is such a blessing... he still topples over and knocks his head every now and then when he looses focus or gets to excited about something, but now he can help with so many things (like making the bed and cleaning the house) and be a little more independent playing by himself on the floor, its a little sad sometimes cause we don't have to carry him with us everywhere these days but it gives me a few moments here and there to get things done that I used to have to sneak in while he napped. Speaking of naps he is getting so much better... he's averaging hour long naps and is settling into 3-4 naps a day instead of so many super short unpredictable naps. The other thing he has started to do is reach out for me when he wants to be picked up... super cute... except that he wants me too often sometimes, I didn't think the whole separation anxiety and neediness started this early. Oh well I should just be grateful he loves me and likes me after spending all day with me.

Here are a few pictures I still can't believe how small they start and how big they get. I've started watching my friends 5 week old baby for a few hours a week and its crazy that Porter once was that small. I mean we have pictures he really was, but I can't remember him being so tiny. craziness!!!

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THEN when newborn clothes were too big:

To NOW the chunk of a boy that he is now:

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PS- My parents are safe and sound in San Diego, they didn't have to evacuate, but their lives were interupted for sure and know lots of people who have been affected. A blessing for sure!

As most people have heard by now there are horrible fires in San Diego, and lots of people are being evacuated... my parents have not had to leave yet (at least not yet), part of their stake was evacuated, but not where they are, so we are keeping out fingers crossed. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. thanks!

Bryce figured out that our son is afraid of the simple phrase "up, up and away"... the other morning he read it off of his pajama's you'll see what happens almost every time since then.

(sorry its so dark... its not like this on my computer =( )

(in this video he doesn't actually cry, but he usually does... its the strangest thing!)

In other news Porter has been more himself as far as napping goes... I am grateful he is just taking them for the most part. Thanks for all the kind notes people sent with words of encouragement. We have good days and bad days and when I wrote that it hadn't been one of the better few days in a row. Today he set a record by taking a nap for an hour and a half this morning, I kept checking on him I couldn't believe it! (must be all those kind prayers and thoughts we have recieved!)

Porter almost lost one of his best friends at the bishops storehouse yesterday... luckily mom noticed he was missing before we drove off so we ran back inside and found him on the floor... car rides wouldn't have been the same without him! (Bryce wants a clarification for all those who may become concerned... I was picking up an order for a family in our ward, not for our family, we are still managing)

This little guy doesn't really need the toys we buy him now and then, he is more entertained by every day items and doing every day things. crazy kid. can you believe he used to bath in these sinks... all of him fit and he laid down...he has gotten SO big. He loves to play in the water, good thing he isnt strong enough yet.

Another favorite, but I can't find the picture is kitchen spoons... he plays with those and straws after every meal!

This is the longest post ever... just like its been a really long day for Bryce. He didn't have a lot of work today so he was home around 1pm. So we went to walmart to buy a crate for the puppy and since Bryce is bored he was projecting that boredom onto Porter. So our spoiled little boy got a Johnny Jump Up, he could use a little exercise anyway. Porter thinks this is the best thing ever he really likes it! (The only thing that stinks is that this boy weighs too much... he is pretty close to the limits... 24lbs or 1yr old... so close to the weight and half way to the age... he's a big boy for his age! Sometimes we wonder if people think that he is older than he is but developmentally behind, since he's the size of some 1yr olds.

So today I spent some time in the kitchen, making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, with the easiest recipe ever. They are yummy and remind me of what it should be outside (not the 85-90 degrees it is, but more fall like temperatures). It should be getting cold and time for sweaters and coats, but I guess I'll settle for being able to wear pants and not hearing the air conditioner kick on as often. But I've been trying to make Porter's food from scratch instead of spending so much on the packaged foods (well at least on the vegetables, I still buy the fruit), plus its better for him and I hope it makes the transition to real foods easier since they will taste the same. It sounds like I'm Martha Stewart, but I am far from it. (This is the funny part) I went to buy squash from the store and I had no idea there were so many different kinds... so I stood there, tried calling my mother in law (she didn't answer). So I just bought a spaghetti squash (it had the most 'normal' shape). So later on the the day my mother in law calls back and I ask her what she thinks and she says she isn't really sure but she wouldn't use.... you guessed it, spaghetti squash. Go figure! I was a little discouraged, but after a few days I decided what could it hurt to try and make it anyway. So I made it while Porter had his longest nap ever this morning and it looked gross and tasted bland (yes I tasted it, I couldn't give it to him without trying it myself). It just wasn't that smooth. Well Porter woke up before I got it separated into containers so I had him give it a try... he loves it. I gave him a few bites, then started separating it into the containers I saved from his fruits and he started crying for more. Cute kid... I am lucky he really will eat anything... the only thing he grimaces at is real green beans by itself.

So I will finally post this and add nothing more! Good Night! (or day)

I cant belive the things that Porter is fitting into already... like this adorable outfit that my Aunt Joleen sent him from Australia ... the pants are cute, but you can't really see them. He was giggling and laughing and then the camera came out and he got all serious. We need to work on this!



So today I come in the living room and put Porter on the floor and before you know it he's turned watching the football game on tv... not just glancing in the general direction, but its like trying to talk to your husband during a game (impossible!!!)... he's glued. you pan across the room the where his dad is sitting and he's reading a book... Porter watches football more intently than dad these days!

In other news Porter has offically rolled over for the first time on his own... I've been making him work on because he has a dr's appointment at the end of the week and as much as I know it doesn't matter, I want to answer 'yes my son can roll over.' He's been close for so long, but not interested. Plus I think a huge barrier for him has been those thighs of his... for those of you who don't know my son has the biggest little legs you've ever seen, but he's adorable. So his 'big brother' Jay and his fiance were here staying with us and dad wasn't home so he decided to show off and perform for a crowd. Atta boy!

So since I am so tired and I'm going to be up all night (at work) I am going to complain for a brief moment, so just bare with me. Most things are good, but I need to complain about a few so I can feel sorry for myself and then just get over it!
1. when am I going to get to sleep... I did it to myself partially... I picked up a shift out of sympathy this last week and so I worked wednesday and thursday night... then friday night we went to bed a little later than usual and Porter woke me up at 3:30am and wanted to practice talking, then saturday night he woke up at 12, 1, 3:30, 4:30 and then at 5 or so I finally got him back into his bed and he slept awhile. (normally we would let him cry some, but we had guests) So pretty much I haven't really slept in a week (more that like 2-3hrs a night) and I'm feeling it!
2. I have come to terms with the fact that my son doesn't nap like other kids his age... he has an internal clock set for 40 minute naps... I have recieved so much advice on how to get him to sleep longer that I want to puke (I appreciate the help, but I've read all about letting them cry... it doesnt work he gets upset and red and then he throws up, if he doesnt throw up then he is so mad that he doesnt sleep just screams and gets real sad and i have a headache and hear phantom crying all day- similar to having ringing in your ear; what can I say I must be doing it all wrong) BUT now not only does he not sleep long the last couple of days he's gone from easy to put down (we would brag at how simple it was when he was tired and ready) for these short naps to clingy or down right refusal till he falls asleep sitting up or I rock and rock and rock. I am going to venture a guess that he's teething, but he doesn't seem better with a little tylenol and I can feel nothing different on his lower gums. who knows, but I sure hope he 'grows' out of this stage fast cause I want to love being with him all the time and this makes it harder on this exhausted mom (who just wants to nap too) to handle his grumpiness. Any suggestions are welcome, I just don't know what to do, but grin and bear it with patience
3. when is my hair going to stop falling out. seriously... i didn't have that much hair before I got pregnant and I know this has to do with all those fun hormonal changes... I am sick of my hair being everywhere! I am a pretty good house keeper but it is impossible to keep up with my shedding and I wonder when will it stop??? I hope the answer isnt 'when it all falls out!' At the rate its going I'm going to be in the market for a wig! its crazy. I won't even complain about the last 20lbs I can't shed as long as my hair would slow down to their pace. grrrr.
4. I want to go to relief society/church once and not come home feeling like I want to scream (or cry and I'm not a crier). It seems like every sunday someone says something that just strikes a nerve in me and it usually ends up being about the way 'young couples these days' raise their children or just a lesson that makes me feel like i'll never be able to do it all or do it the right way to be the best parent or wife or daughter of god. I know its my perspective and I need to take things with a grain of salt, but I shouldn't wonder as I am going to church if by the end of it I am going to want to cry. I should want to go to church... its a good thing Bryce and I have strong enough testimonies... I even told him today, it wouldn't be that hard to go inactive right now, except I would miss the wonderful blessings of obedience.
OKAY I'm done. I think I may feel a little better and now I just hope everyone doesn't think less of me for complaining! Thanks for reading and have a GREAT week!

My First Baseball Game

So today Bryce's brother Eric called and offered us some tickets to the Diamond Backs playoff game tonight (they were tickets his mother in law got for the wrong date). So we couldn't pass up the chance to take the little guy to a game... we rarely do things like this lately cause we work too hard and play too little.

(THANK YOU DOTTIE, CAROLINE AND ERIC

FOR THINKING OF US !!!):

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PS- Porter's bedtime came before the controversial call was made and the game was suspended while angry fans threw trash on the field. We missed that excitment, plus the final score ended up being the same as when we left. It was a lot of fun and Porter completed another 1st... he's growing up so fast!

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Thursday morning I came home from work and Porter was in a really really cute mood. He was doing his latest little noise he does... he's learned how to 'buzz' his lips and sometimes he gets his tongue in there... its pretty cute. Sometimes it turns into spitting, but as usual the camera comes out and he gets shy, so be patient and he'll show you a mild version (to hear the noise he makes you'll have to pause the player on the right):

7 Quirks/Habits

So forever ago we were tagged to list our 7 quirks/habits and I didnt want to do it myself so I've been waiting on Bryce. Well he came through so here it goes:

Mine (Anna):
1. I thoroughly wash the dishes before I put them in the dishwasher... it makes them sanitary and then I'm sure they are REALLY clean
2. When I buy clothes or other items (but mostly clothes) I buy the same thing in multiple colors, I also sort/hang clothes by color in my closet, and all shirts must be hanging with the front going to the left (I never really noticed until Bryce did it wrong once and it bugged me)
3. I love blankets... I have a ton of them (as does Porter). Most of my blanket collection started when I lived in Utah where it was cold, but it has continued to get use even in Arizona. I almost always have a blanket when I am watching tv and must have one when I sleep... I get really cold. Not that anyone wants to glimpse into our bedroom, but at night I have a sheet, a thin blanket and then my down blanket, while Bryce's side of the bed has a sheet and there is a fan blowing to keep him cool. (I have given up on ever having a down comforter on my bed again, as long as we live in mesa) Another funny note with blankets, when Porter was born I was SO excited to take a blanket to church with us... for him of course (not! he was warm and mom used the blanket)
4. Another order/color thing I do. I eat candy by color... even if it doesn't matter. Like with skittles I want the same flavor all at once... not all mixed up (like Bryce does it). It really makes me a little crazy to see him throw a handful in his mouth. But if I'm not holding Porter who would grab it, I even eat M&Ms by color... it shouldn't matter, but it DOES!
5. This is a quirk Bryce pointed out... I don't always finish my thoughts... I'll be telling him a story and go off on a tangent or I will think that I finished a thought so he can follow what I'm saying and I never did. Or I will start to say something, realize its not what I mean, stop that thought and immediately start another. He says its adorable, but I would be frustrated listening to me!
6. Ever since I worked in residential treatment (mostly) I have to keep the knives that are in their little holding thing underneath the edge of the counter... this prevents the larger knives from being 'pulled' on me. No incidents or anything ever happened, the knives and scissors were locked up in treatment, but its just something I guess I'm afraid will happen. And while we are on the subject of knives, Bryce teases me to no end because we got a pretty nice set of knives for our wedding and I use and old dull knife or a steak knive to cut everything. He on the other hand grabs the biggest, sharpest knive to cut the littlest things.
7. I'm not sure when this started, but I think its worse now that I am married. I will NOT answer the door or my phone unless I know who it is. (except at 2am when I'm 9mos. pregnant... thats another story) I'm not sure what I'm afraid of or why, but I just won't
here's a bonus:
Bryce owns several (by several I mean 7 or 8 or more) guns. I to this day have not shot one of them. When we were dating he took me on a suprise date to a shooting range and when we got in there someone had a really really loud gun and since then I just can't bring myself to do it. I don't want to... I will go with him to Porter Mtn. when we are in Lakeside, but I still just haven't done it. I will move them (ie put them away in the drawer), but shoot them... not a chance.

Okay so now that you know how weird I am here's Bryce's list:
1. He chews on straws. This is an art form... he will take the straw from a fountain drink fold it up and cut it to precisely the right length and chew it
2. He drives with his windows down and the a/c blasting. Along with this he doesnt like 'still' air, especially when he's sleeping. The other day I realized that we always have our ceiling fans on and other fans blowing constantly... we do live where its hot, but even when its cooler they still are on.
3. He always has a weapon within reach... he always has a knife on him and often a gun somewhere close... on trips there is always one with us. etc. etc.
4. He puts hot sauce on EVERYTHING. No joke... I'll present him a nice dinner and the next thing you know he is pouring hot sauce on it... now if you let him cook you have to watch him and remind him to take it easy... he will put way too many spices or flavors in things. I love that he does cause I don't use spices too much, but he will overdo it in a heartbeat
5. He wears the same 3 or 4 pairs of shorts all the time... when we got married I got tired of them being on the floor so we put up hooks for him the hang them on.... randomly I have to steal them to get them washed or he would continue to wear them over and over and over again.
6. I won't detail this one too much, but he reads on the toilet like many people do, but he will stay there to finish a chapter! Often if I can't find him in the house I know just where to look!
7. He will purposely break something that is brand new if he thinks he can make it work better... no joke he is always altering and changing things to 'fix' them when they aren't broken (but its cute and he's handy, and often it does make things better or easier)

Porter- he's is all around quirky and his habits are those of most babies so I will not elaborate on them since you read about him ALL the time!
As far as tagging 7 people, most of the people I know already have done this, and those that havent rarely post anything (Justin, Stacy, Kim, Austin...) so if you are reading this and havent done this and you want to you should =)

The last few days my sister in law Becky and her kids have been staying with us... which has been so much fun. This morning I watched the two youngest ones Sam (almost 4) and Sariah. While Sariah took a nap and I was getting ready Sam was playing with Porter and it was just too cute to hear him sing itsy bitsy spider the way that Bryce does with the words changed. There's never a dull moment when Sam is around!

Goodbye Single Car, Hello Family Vehicle

This last weekend we went to Lakeside for Bryce's 10yr. High School Reunion... he's been talking about trading in our cars.... i've been avoiding the whole idea, but we 'stopped' by the Horne dealership where a friend works just to see what he might have to offer us... we were in a pretty bad car situation and our car needs have changed lately so we looked. And the next thing you know we are leaving the dealership with a new family car for me and a better 'work' truck for Bryce. Goodbye cute single girl car, my little jetta, so sad to see her go, we've had some fun times together! She worked for just me and Porter, but when Bryce needed to come along he was scrunched, so I gave in and let it happen and now I drive a bigger 'familyish' car. I know this is just something I will have to get used to because if my son and his future siblings are anything like their father I will need a larger car for awhile, but I will miss my little car. I'm really not that bugged about it. The Nissan Xterra isn't too big and it fits our needs. My only beef right now is finding a way to keep the car seat from tipping over. Yes you are reading right. We are driving home from Lakeside. I have never driven this curvy mountain road, this is a larger car than I am used to and we are going along the curves (I'm by myself with Porter cause Bryce is driving his new work truck home behind me). Porter starts fussing and I'm thinking little boy I can't help you and drive this so please stop whining... but he just keeps whining his little 'mom, mom, mom' whine. So I reach back while watching the road and try and help him without killing both of us and all I feel is plastic.. I glance back and his car seat is tipped over! Yeah crazy... so the seat belt locks up and slowly tips him over and this has happened several times. I think its cute that Porter didn't scream (and hasn't the times this has happened) he just called to me and was like 'uh, mom i don't think this arrangement is going to work, help me). Anyway I'm sure there is an easy solution... it just kind of funny. (for all those who've been concerned we have fixed this problem and his carseat is VERY secure now... no more roller coaster rides for this little boy, not yet anyway)

Anyway I will add a picture of Bryce's new work truck soon, but its pretty basic white long bed chevy and a work in progress as he adds some work boxes and decals and stuff. I'm a little sad not to have a 4-door chevy, he gave up his first big truck shortly after we got married, and now this one had to go too. Maybe someday we'll have one again!


Bryce's class reunion was fun... he loved seeing old friends. Some peoples situations are a little sad as they have made less that ideal life choices, but several of his friends have adorable little families. I finally met his friend Clay and his cute family after hearing stories about him for so long. Its really too bad they live all the way in Oklahoma... we would have so much fun hanging out with them! I didn't take any pictures at the reunion activities... I'm not sure how I forgot, but oh well.

Here are a few of us just hanging out in the hammock (all of us wearing some camo... we got Porter these adorable pants... so mom had to get something camo (bryce thought it was about time), you can't see but my tank top underneath is camo).