Thanksgiving and a birthday

There are several reasons why I enjoy being a teacher, but there's one why I particularly enjoy my district: they give us the Wednesday of Thanksgiving off! I had FIVE blissful days to spend at home with my baby boy and four days with my hubby.

Wednesday was spent meeting up with my former guard student, Whitney. She hadn't met Evan since his birth and it was about time they had a proper introduction! We met up at Starbucks and Evan had a blast playing with her. I think I've found a new sitter!

Thanksgiving day was spent at my mother-in-law's home with a traditional dinner, including some delicious candied sweet potatoes (my favorite). We played Apples to Apples with the family too.

The next day, we headed to my parent's house in Maricopa for chiles rellenos and posole. SO GOOD!!! Evan had a blast playing with my parents...as always. My sister and brother-in-law were in Hawaii for the week and we missed having them there.

Saturday was another day at home for me while Paul went to a friend's house to watch the ASU/UofA game. Our nephew, Benjamin, had his first birthday on Sunday. We went to Paul's sister's home to celebrate with family and friends. Benjamin really enjoyed his birthday cake and presents while his sister, Mara, loved the bounce house. Happy 1st birthday, Benjamin!

Blowing out the candles with Mom.

Meghan, Ben, Evan, and Paul

Ben thought it would be great to wipe his hands on Meghan's face.

Mara bouncing around.Evan "driving" around in Ben's birthday present. Look at that red hair!

family photo shoot

This year is the first one in which Paul and I will be sending out photo Christmas cards. We had my sister take some informal pictures for us this past Saturday. Here are a few of my favorites.

Jaxon Ryan

My friends, Danielle and Bryan, celebrated the birth of their baby boy, Jaxon, on November 22. Danielle went in to the hospital on Thursday due to pre-eclampsia. The doctors induced her Sunday morning and ended up having a Cesarean that evening.



Jaxon was born at 34 weeks weighing 4 lbs, 15 oz and is 48 cm long. He's staying in the NICU for a bit and Mommy is trying to rest and heal quickly. I can't wait to meet him! I'll be heading to the hospital tomorrow to visit with Danielle.

The Greenburg Wedding

My friend and former coworker, Michelle, was married to her husband, Eric, last night. I have never been to a Jewish wedding before. It is quite an experience full of tradition and family. I loved seeing that the family and bridal party standing right beside the bride and groom, supporting them in their marriage. I'm always amazed walking into a situation where I'm the "outsider"; hearing prayers that I don't know, in a language that I don't know, with recorded music that I don't know. Of all the things, it was the recorded music that stuck me the most fascinating. Going to a Catholic church, I've always hear live music!



Anyhow, the wedding started after sunset on Saturday night (5:30pm). The ceremony lasted until about 6:15 and then we headed off to the reception at Ashley Manor. We had cocktails and drinks outside and then were escorted into the venue. The DJ came by to tell us where our escort cards would be found. After he spoke to us, I turned to Paul and my friend (and one of my bridesmaids), Kate, and said that he was the DJ at OUR WEDDING! We asked him if his name was Chris, to which he responded "yes". Paul and I spoke to him for several minutes before he returned to his duties. (In our conversation, I mentioned to him that he salsa danced with my friend at our wedding. He said that tonight he was going to be playing a more "conservative" range of music. Bummer.)


We found our table inside and the dinner service began at around 8:00 pm. The food was yummy - macadamia nut crusted chicken with a light mango salsa. They even passed around lemon and raspberry sorbet to "cleanse our palettes".

Michelle and Eric had a beautiful looking cake! We were unable to have some since Paul and I left before the cake cutting. (Three reasons why: #1-because we're parents now and we were tired. #2-we had to let our babysitters go home. #3-it was 10:00 and the dancing had just begun.)


They also had a candy station! I noticed it when we had reached our table and I told Paul that there was a candy bar. He took it to mean that there were whole candy bars that he could eat. Sorry hunny, I meant to say "candy station". Either way, Paul and I loaded up on candy!


As with Jewish tradition, Michelle and Eric were lifted up on chairs. Evan their mothers got into the action!





We had a great time at the Greenburg wedding and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness! Congrats, Michelle and Eric!

Five months!

Today is Evan's five month birthday and what an exciting day it was! After work, I drove home to pick Evan up and take him with me to get my seasonal flu shot at Fry's. Evan fell asleep on the car ride there, but once we got to the store he woke up. I left Fry's around 5:15pm and we arrived home around 6:30pm. What took so long you ask? Well...

#1. The Fry's I went to was on Rural and Southern, about 15 miles from home.
#2. Evan started crying at 48th St. and Southern, about 12 miles from home. Pit stop number 1 for nursing in the back of the car at the McDonald's.
#3. Evan became fussy again at 24th St. and Southern, about 9 miles from home. Pit stop number 2 for nursing in the back of the car in some neighborhood. This time after nursing he was wide awake.
#4. Evan cried the whole way home. Not really just crying...SCREAMING. Was I a good mommy and stop? No. I drove safely, but quickly the rest of the way. Did I give him a pacifier to help calm him? No. I didn't have one. I did try to let him suck my pinky finger, but he didn't want it.

By the time we got home, I hurried into the back, pulled him out of his car seat leaving everything in the car, hugged him and cried right along with my poor baby. And yes, we were still in the garage. But what's really interesting is that amongst this crying we headed into the house where Evan spotted Layne and then started to laugh. Really??! Is that all it takes to get him to calm down? Our dog?! I'm thinking I need to take Layne with me everywhere I go.

Even though his afternoon/evening was rough, this past month has been wonderful. Evan is still working on getting himself to roll from his back to his stomach (he's getting close), but he's able to roll (here and there) from his stomach to his back. He seems to do better when he's on the bed.


Evan loves to play with his daddy and laugh! They still like to chase Layne around the house and even go outside to enjoy the backyard together. Evan also loves to laugh when Layne licks him.

We're *trying* to implement a nighttime routine. We find that it's difficult to time it out correctly, but we know that it's beneficial for Evan to know when it's bedtime. He really enjoys getting his bath in the evenings. There were a few nights last week where Evan was able to sleep the whole night: once from 7:15pm-6:25am and another from 7:30pm-4:00am. Paul and I are still waiting for that to become a nightly thing!

Evan is really enjoying his Bumbo chair! He loves to sit in it and chew on toys. Our son has always enjoyed being in the upright position, so this is great for him!



He is still very drooly and puts everything into his mouth. I've been keeping my eye out for teeth, but there's nothing showing yet. However, he has been "biting" me while nursing sometimes. It's painful and the little guy doesn't even have teeth yet!


Paul and I are so thankful for having Evan in our lives. We are looking forward to celebrating the upcoming holidays with our little man and having time off of work to spend it with him!

Evan wanted to eat his "5 months" sign.

First hosted baby shower

I had made baby shower invitations for a coworker/friend of mine previously, and this weekend was her shower.


This was the first baby shower that I had hosted. (I did have some help from friends...thanks Katie, Jen, and Marlene!) I was actually quite nervous about it as I wanted everything to go well.

Even though I'm not a talented pastry chef like my friend and former guard student, Alison, I'm pretty happy with how the cake turned out and it tasted even better. I decorated the kitchen island with a fish net and shells, too.



We played some games such as who knows mommy best, finish the nurser rhyme, and try to name the powders (one being formula and another baby powder). Even the food and punch were delicious!


Danielle received some great presents from everyone that came. It's so much fun to see all the cute baby stuff!




I was able to make some favors that had Swedish Fish inside.



In my opinion, I think it went great!

What's new?

Besides the fact that I became sick again, we're all doing well. Evan has been laughing up a storm. He's ticklish, but also goes into laughing fits when he's over tired. I just love watching him laugh and squeal; it makes my face hurt from laughing too! It's also great to see Paul playing with Evan and making him smile.


Evan has also discovered his feet this week! He'll pull up his legs and grab a hold of his right foot. The left one still doesn't get much attention.


On Sunday, we went to Paul's mom's for breakfast. While we were there, Paul's sister Meghan, gave us her Bumbo seat. Evan loves it! He would much rather be sitting up so it's perfect for him. The part that cracks me up every time he's in it is that he puts his hands on the sides as though he has to hold on.

Ride in the park

Our weekend

Well, for me, this weekend started off with a sore throat. Not the itchy kind, just sore and closed up. Paul was nice enough to watch Evan on Saturday morning so I could "sleep in"...till 8:00. We spent most of the day at home, but we did venture out to Cesar Chavez Park for a walk.


Evan enjoyed the stroller ride, but I think Layne enjoyed the park more than anyone. He had people to be excited about and ducks to chase.


One thing that we witnessed for the first time was the restocking of fish in the lake. The department of game and fish was there "dumping" them in. Poor little fish are nice a cozy in that dark, cramped space and then they're flung into the water.


During our walk, Paul notice that one of the trees in the park is carved into everywhere. He saw that one of the names on the tree is Tommy, the name of his best man.


Layne must have had a tiring time at the park. Once we were home he decided to take a nap...in our comforter. (As you can see, we aren't very good at making the bed!)