Hippity-Hoppity Easter's Here

 

This year we went to Grandma Young’s for Easter.  The Saturday before, Grandma invited us over to die eggs with Grandpa, Brands, and her.  Zach had to work, so it was just Stetzen and me.  I was excited to see what Stetzen would think about the whole ordeal, but he seemed to care less about all the hoopla.  Grandma gave him some eggs to die, but he just wanted to play with them and eat them.  Later that night, we died eggs with Zach.  I think he was the most excited out of all of us to die those eggs, lol.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday morning, Stetzen and I both checked out the goodies the Easter Bunny left us, and to my surprise Zach had left us a wonderful little note that made my day.  The Easter Bunny got Stetzen the On the Farm animal book, Happy Easter Little Critter book, and some new binkies.  To my surprise, that crazy bunny got both Zach and me .22 rifles and candy to last months!

 

 

Later that morning we went to church and then to Grandma’s for an Easter dinner and egg hunt.  Jennifer and her family came down to enjoy the day with us, and it was a lot of fun.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of kids so ecstatic to go on an egg hunt as hers were.  Each kid had their own color of eggs they had to find, and Stetzen had BLUE. 

 

 

 

 

Uncle Brands was kind enough to help him figure out the whole thing and made a fashion statement while doing it. Despite his best efforts, I captured his unique style.

 

 

 

At the end of the day when Zach got off work, we all played games at Grandma’s and made homemade ice cream.  Nothing can compare to that!  I think Zach has become the ice cream master since I got one for his birthday.  I can’t complain about that because it’s one of my all-time favorite treats!

7 Months Down, 100 Years to Go

Today Stetzen turned 7 Months!  This little guy is turning out to be one active man.  He has the cutest way of getting around.  He'll arch his back and push with his feet so his head rubs against the carpet as he scoots.  This doesn't really help the bald patch of hair he's got on the back of his head.  And, if this doesn't seem to get him where he wants to go fast enough, he'll roll like a mad man.  I can set him down and in literally two seconds he's across the room playing with something he shouldn't.  I'm getting nervous for when he figures out the crawling thing because I don't think I'll be able to contain the little monster, lol.

Growth Stats:
Weight:  17 pounds
Height:  27 1/2 inches

As you can see, Stetzen has an emense love (which is highly understated!) for baths.  He can be the crankiest boy you ever saw, but if you stick him in the tub he's happy as can be.  It's actually quite nice.  The odd thing about it, is you don't even have to put water in it for him to love it.  Crazy kid!  He's gotten to the point now, where all he wants to do is splash the water, and if you lay him down to wash his hair or take him out, he gets really feisty!  I guess he should have been born with fins!  His dad calls him his little fish.

In April, my sister-in-law Rachel was hosting the monthly scrapbooking party so we went down a night early and stayed in a hotel.  When I booked the place online, it looked pretty good and was priced fairly low.  I now know to just stick with the pricier places, cuz I thought we might get mugged or something down there.  It was sketchy at best.  The pool wasn't the best, which was a bummer because that was the main reason we got a hotel.  I figured since Baby Ted LOVES baths, he'd absolutely love swimming.  Well, the whole affair was a little disappointing because he was a little indifferent to it.  I thought he'd have a lot more fun, but I think he was held back by all the distractions of everyone else swimming there.  But, it's hard to say either way.  We'll have to see what he thinks next time we go. 

Here's his official 7 Month photo!

Renos...Love Em But Hate Em

You'll be amazed what you can get your husband to do for you when you ask him to do a simple home reno.  When we moved to McKinnon, we had to buy a new front door.  In all the time we've been here, it's never been cased right, so I asked Zach to finish up that little project during his long change.  While we were at Home Depot getting the framing and a new threshold, Zach decided the whole kitchen needed fixed.  I couldn't argue with that, so we ended up buying wood for cabinet doors, paint, trim, and new finishings.  I dont' know about you, but I have to say it's about a 100% upgrade! 

The worst part of the whole ordeal is actually doing the work, which is why some of it isn't quite finished yet.  But, we went from hideous wood laminate cabinents to sleek white and from my oh so favorite floral paneling to Mozart blue.  The only thing we have left to do is the pantry cupboard, cupboard drawers by the sink, and the trim. 

Take a look at the before's and after's...

Before

After

Before

After

 Before

After

After

After

(I didn't get a before shot of the door...but it had blinds and we went with curtains)

My, My, Half a Year Gone By!

It's amazing how fast six months have gone by!  It seems like we've barely had Stetzen around for a month!  I'm not sure I like how fast this is going, but I do enjoy every moment with him! (Ok, most every moment because it's hard to enjoy it when he's screaming and crankie.) 

Growth Stats:

Weight:  16 pounds 8 ounces

Height:  27 inches

Milestones:  Sits up on his own

I think this is one of my favorite  random photos of Stetzen!  We got him Bullseye for Christmas, but he hasn't been big enough, or old enough to sit on it without help.  When he could finally sit up on his own, I decided it was time to whip out the trusty steed and give him a ride.  He gave him a run for his money, but it was a BIG success!  He loved it and I think I might have loved it equally as much.  My boy is just too cute!

As a parent, it seems like every move, character trait, and accomplishment is the most amazing and entertaining thing we see.  I can absolutely say this is true for Zach and me when it comes to Ted.  I can't help but get a chuckle how he likes to sleep.  I would like to call it the "stink bug."  I think it's pretty fitting considering this is the way I find him every morning and after his naps.

And...here's the official 6 month photo! 

Kickin it in the New Year

In January, Stetzen turned 5 months old! 

His growth stats:

Weight:  15 pounds 8 ounces

Height:  26.25 inches

Milestones:  Slept through the night (My absolute favorite!!)

                     Rolled Over Front to Back

                     Rolled Over Back to Front

                     Started Solids

A couple of days before he actually rolled all the way over I stored my camera next to the couch, ready to capture his first move.  The night before I was ready to capture it all at any sign of movement.  The day of, Zach and I were watching a movie while Stetzen played on the floor.  I'd given up on the fact he was going to roll over that day and put my camera away.  MISTAKE!!  As the movie went to commercial, I looked down to check on Ted, and to my surprise, he'd rolled over!  I missed the whole thing.  I was a little upset I missed it, but thought he'd do it for me later that night.  Well, he was stubborn and didn't budge a muscle.  Ugh!  That Sunday, he rolled over for his dad and Brands at church, and I'd yet to see it.  By this time I was getting angry!  Everyone other than me had seen my boy conquer the roll!  It was a whopping two weeks before he'd do it for me.  Needless to say, it made his daddy proud.

This is a photo of some of his first attempts at eating rice cereal.  It was a battle, but I think I managed to get a tablespoon in there amid all the spillage and grabbing.  He really didn't like it at first, but after he figured out how to eat it, he became a porker!

Another cute tidbit...while most babies prefer to suck a thumb or finger, Stetzen decided the more the better.  Anytime he sticks his fingers in his mouth he tries to get as many as he can fit in there.  Gotta love nonconformity! 

Stetzen is definately a binkie boy!  He can't go to sleep without one.  I really tried to limit his binkie obsession because I don't want him attached to it when he's 5 years old.  This was a cute moment of him clinging onto his binkie after he fell asleep.  It's one of my favorites!

Last, but not least, here's Stetzen's 5 month photo.  I have to say it's my favorite so far!  I just love his chubby cheeks!

I'm 4 Months Baby!!

In December Stetzen turned 4 months old.  Above is the picture we took of him a little before the actual day.  At his 4 month appointment he weighed 14 pounds and was 25 1/2 inches long.  He also started to babble at 4 months and has never stopped!

Christmas Joy

This Christmas was a new adventure for us.  For the first time since we’ve been married we had a third and welcomed member in our family.  I have to say that Christmas is much more exciting when you have your own kids.  Don’t get me wrong, Christmas is always a fun time of year, but the excitement topped the charts with Stetzen around.  I am one of those people who love shopping for gifts for other people, and much to Zach’s dismay I splurged a little.  (Ok, probably a LOT when it came to Ted!) 

That morning we all got ready for church and enjoyed a wonderful program filled with musical numbers and the importance of the Christmas season, Christ!  I was asked to play the piano, so I played “The First Noel.”  It’s one of my favorite Christmas arrangements and touches my heart every time!  We only had sacrament meeting that day, so afterwards, we went home and ransacked the gifts Santa and others gave us.   

Zach

This year Zach wasn’t surprised by much that Santa, Stetzen, or I gave him.  Mostly because it was all purchased very early in the year and because I’m not sneaky enough to hide it all.  The most exciting things he received were a Ranch Hand gun (that he begged and pleaded for!!) and a dvd by Ken McNabb that teaches you how to get your horse to lie down.  He also got some clothes, bullets, an ice fishing pole, and the John Deere Farming game.

Stetzen

As I mentioned before, Stetzen got a whole slew of things from his parents, grandparents, and aunts/uncles.  Poor kid will know the meaning of being spoiled if this keeps up, lol!  While Christmas was an excitement for me, I think he was confused about the whole thing.  He wasn't sure what to think about it all.  He didn't grasp the unwrapping part, but loved the torn paper.  (Note to self, next year just stuff boxes full of paper and he'll love it!)  Of the many things he received, I do think his favorites are his "Beans", nighttime music projector, books, and walker.  He's used these countless times and I'm glad he has them, especially his projector.  He can't sleep without it now!  It makes life easy when he goes to bed at home, but when we're gone, it sure is hard to get him to fall asleep. 

Chillin in his new walker!

Oh my!  There's just too much!!

 Not digging the unwrapping part.

Grandma Bessire gave him this!  I thought it was a wonderful idea!

Grandma Bessire gave us all nitted beanies, but his was a tad bit small!

We called his beanie his yamica!

I also thought he looked especially cute in this winter hat!

The musical ball Skylie gave Ted.

The first of a large collection of John Deere Tractors I'm sure he'll have!

From Grandma Young

He really did not want anymore clothes, especially stuffy church ones, lol!

Enjoying Dad read his new book to him :)

Me

I think I got spoiled this Christmas too!  Zach surprised me with lots of fun stuff for my camera he got me last year...an external flash, tripod, and remote.  They will all come in handy for the future photographer I hope to become!  I also got a pair of pjs, book, robe, and cookbook.

After all the present opening, we went to Nancy's house to eat dinner.  Afterwards, we played games and made ice cream.  To end the evening, we had FHE and watched the new nativity movie and read the Christmas story in Luke.  Overall, it was a wonderful day, both for the spiritual aspects and for the time together as family!

A Night with Santa

This year’s Ward Christmas Party was a blast.  Not really, but it was better than last year.  Why may you ask?  (1) I wasn’t there by myself.  Nancy, Brands, Rachel and her kids, Jennifer and her kids were there.  (2) I didn’t have to participate in the program, which means no practicing! (3) Baby Teddy got to see Santa for the first time and loved it!  I also happened to show up 30 minutes late and forgot they were having dinner. 

Explanation:  Zach was working graves that night, so as usual I made him dinner and had it ready by 4:00 pm.  I ate with him, not thinking about the ward party dinner until we got there.  As for being late, the invitation said it started at 6:30.  I was planning on being there about 10 minutes early to get a good seat and have time to relax, but I ran a little late and got there at 6:35.  Well, I guess the Bishop announced that Sunday that the party was at 6:00 and apparently I wasn’t paying any attention to the change.  Oops!  So I missed out on a good dinner with potatoes and gravy and most of all dessert, but I was there for the program.  Yippee!!

 But, in the end we had a fun time and Skylar got his picture with Ted on Santa’s lap, so all was well! 

Christmas Lights!!

Again, I'm playing the game of catch up...(sigh!).  Since it snowed yesterday, why not talk about Christmas?  Genius idea, I know!

If I remember right, the week before Christmas we went down to Salt Lake to get some shopping done.  Sad to say, I don't think we bought one thing!  I was looking for a walker for Stetzen and a train to go under the tree.  I was surprised I couldn't find either of them, especially a train set.  I couldn't even find a place that sold them, Toys R Us included. 

While we were there, we caught up with Ben & Lacy and Rachel & Russ.  We went out to dinner at the Gateway and then headed down to Temple Square to check out the lights.  It was freezing, so we didn't stay long, but we were there long enough to get some pictures and nab a cup of hot chocolate! 

When we went to the parking garage to go home, I think we spent half an hour looking for our car!  I thought we looked like a bunch of senile fogies searching for our cars.  But alas, we found our cars and made it out of that crazy town in one piece.