Easter Weekend: Day 2

I think we must of worn the boys out last night because they actually let us sleep in today! Once we got up though we headed outside to see what the Easter Bunny left us.

 

 Kyler first got to find eggs that were basketball and football themed and were hidden through out our lawns.

He loved finding them and did really well finding them on his own... Once he saw his Lightening McQueen Basket finding the eggs were over!

They both loved their baskets!

Xander going threw his basket he even tried eating the paper grass!

Kyler finding all his treasures in his basket!

 

We then headed off to church and then to Grandma and Grandpa Harris' for lunch. I forgot to get a picture of the boys in their Easter Outfits. We spent a couple hours at the Harris' and then headed over to the Abplanalp's for dinner. When the boys got cranky we headed home, we then just played outside for a while and just enjoyed the sunshine.

 

It was a fun day spent with family and remembering that even though for the kids the Easter Bunny is fun...but there is a greater reason for this holiday! I am so very grateful to my Savior for the sacrifice he made for me and that he gave us all the Atonement. I know he has felt every emotion I have had and that if I ever need anything he is there for me and to help me through it. I love my Savior and Heavenly Father so much and I know even though I am not perfect they love me and want the best for me. I am so thankful to have been brought up in the gospel and to have the knowledge that I have and that I can now make sure my boys learn the things I have!

 

That was day 2 of our Easter Weekend. Tomorrow we will finish up!

Easter Weekend Day 1

To start we were suppose to be headed to California this week, but a few weeks ago they told JJ they were going to be working it so he decided to save up more vacation time and we will go in a couple months. However last week when he went in they said they were given them the weekend off, needless to say I wasn't very happy with this since we could be on vacation at the moment...Oh well I guess.

 

I still wanted to make this weekend fun for the boys though and thus our Easter Weekend will be posted in 3 different post.

 

Saturday we decided to take the boys to an Easter Egg Hunt...my friend text me that morning saying the one in Tremonton had started earlier than we though so we decided to drive out to Bothwell and go to the one there...and I honestly liked it much better!!

First they had a little petting zoo with a calf, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and bunnies. Kyler liked the bunnies but wasn't sure about any of the rest of the animals.
They then had the egg hunt. Kyler looked like he should have been in the 5-6 year old group with how tall he is. But he did pretty good and got some candy which he didn't waist anytime in opening.

They then got to see the Easter Bunny! They were to busy looking around at everyone and everything else to actually get a good picture.

After the Egg Hunt we headed to Walmart to pick a few things up for the yard. Once we got home we got the boys changed and headed down to Salt Lake....

We decided we wanted to take Kyler to a Jazz game but the only one we could make it to before the season ended was last night. So off we went!

We first stopped at City Creek and hit a couple stores, we also ate dinner while we were there.
Then we walked around Temple Square for a brief moment. Kyler had to go see the Temple when he saw it and wasn't going to let us walk by it. Once we pulled him away from the Temple we got on Trax and headed down to the Arena.  The boys did alright during the game. Xander got tired and slept through most of the 2nd quarter and halftime. Once Kyler stopped trying to climb over the seats and actually got into the game it was really nice. He really enjoyed it all and loved waving the foam finger we got him. Xander enjoyed it to once he woke up. Both boys would clap when the crowd would which was so cute! It will be something we do at least once a season now.

 

They looked so cute in their jersey's...which Kyler won't take off now!

One Trax on the way back upto the car.

 

A cute little story about Kyler really quick...when we were headed to our seats their were a group of people from RcWilley and they had two guys standing out in front of their booth. One had a basketball hoop that was one his face and the other one had a basketball hoop hooked to his back that he could raise up to be about 9 feet. The boys in front of us who were about 8 or 9 tried the hoop that raised up and both missed. The kids around Kyler's age all went for the lower one on the guys face, Kyler decided he was going to show them all up and go for the high one, he got the ball and shot it and actually made it!! Everyone around goes "WHOA!" and the 2 older kids actually came over and game him a high five. The RcWilley people gave him a pair of Sunglasses and a ball for making it! All that practicing is paying off!!
I can't believe how grown up he is getting...Looking at some of these pictures and the ones from today just make me wanna cry because he looks so big and grown up. We had to buy his jersey in the Kid's section, he is still growing so fast. I just can't believe he is almost 3!!

That was our first day of our Fun Easter Weekend!

4 years

I can't believe it's been 4 years since we got married. Most the time it seems like it just happened, but then to look and see everything that's happened since that day in our lives it almost feels like it should be longer.

I never imagined we would have been blessed in so many ways in just 4 years. I thought we may have one kid but we now have 2 handsome boys who we both just love so much. At this point it's uncertain if our family will actually grow more but to have Kyler and Xander is something I am truly grateful and humble about.

I am truly blessed with such a wonderful husband! He is an amazing father to our boys, and you can tell because they love him so much. He makes certain we are always taken care of and would do anything for us. He works a lot, and we often joke I'm a "Work Widow" but I know he is just trying to make sure we have the money to pay everything and also that we can have some extra to have some fun every so often. I am so thankful that he is a priesthood holder and for the way he upholds it. He is a great example for our boys to look upto and I love him for that, amongst all the other reasons I love him.

I am very thankful to have been married in the temple and the blessings that has brought us. To know I can be with my family for eternity is such an amazing blessing. I have a lot of improving and repenting to do but I know with the Lords help I'll be with my family forever!

Now to actually talk about what we did on our anniversary....

We went down to Salt Lake and spent the night at the Anniversary Inn these are a few pictures of our room.

After we checked in we went and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was delicious! WE then went to a Jazz game, we haven't been one for a couple years so it was fun to get to go. We also decided we need to take Kyler to a game so we will probably be doing that within the next couple of weeks.

After the game we walked our way to Temple Square and  walked around for a few minutes.

These beautiful things were waiting for me when we got home this afternoon.

It was a great day and we had a great time out without the kids, we did miss them terribly though.

Here is to another wonderful year!



Random Pictures

These are just a couple pictures from my phone from this week.

He had to wear daddy's shirt to bed one night.

Xander decided he wanted to drink from the Mickey sippy, poor guy couldn't figure it out though.

These were left over from our play date, Kyler never made his. I had went to the doctor one morning and came home and these were hanging up. Daddy and Kyler had made them while I was gone.

When we went shopping the other night Kyler saw this cart and had to have it... We now prefer it to the others because we can strap him into, instead of him trying to climb out of the cart or trying to find him since he'll hide in the clothes now.

Xander sits all the way up in his chair now, almost to the point of falling out. He is such a cutie!!

Feeling Of Content

This week hasn't been to eventful for us, but that's ok since we have had a few busy weeks.

 

But today I just feel so content! Which to be honest its been a long time since I have felt that way. I don't really know why today I have felt this way but I just haven't been able to wipe a smile off my face all day.

 

 Some of it I guess is because I finally got some answers on my health issues which should be helping me feel lots better! When I went to the doctor this week and they ran my blood they found that I needed to be on the name brand thyroid drug and also that my vitamin-d level was extremely low...the nurse said,"I don't know how you are even awake! Your level is the worst I have seen in years." So now that my blood condition is under control, my thyroid and vitamin-d level should be getting better, I should finally be able to start feeling like myself again!!

 

Some of the reason for feeling so content maybe the sunshine too! Its been so nice to be able to enjoy being outside. Going for walks and having my walking buddy back is definitely a plus. Watching Kyler play outside and seeing all the new things he is able to do all the time. Seeing Xander's face when he notices something new when we are out. Trying to revive our yard and again realizing how nice it is to have our own house and yard! These are just a few of the things I love about this weather.

 

Maybe some of it is just having great conversations with some good friends and realizing what amazing and wonderful friends I have been blessed with.

 

There was something I got to do last night that everytime I think about it just makes me smile. Parts of it were things I have done before and others were new to me. It was a lot of fun even though I can't really talk about it without getting into trouble..hehehe

 

The biggest reason I think I feel like I do is just being blessed with the family I have. I have a great husband. My kids are the most amazing things, and are the best things I have ever done! They make me so happy and are always making me smile. I just love them to pieces!!

 

There are a number of things that are on my plate that could bring me down right now, but today I just haven't really thought about any of them. I guess I just didn't want to. It was nice to just think of today and just not worry about everything else. The past few days I had been worrying over every little thing and I think I just knew I needed a break and to realize how truly blessed I am.

 

I just need to remember what happens will happens, and that my Heavenly Father will help me through whatever is out in front of me. Even though I may not make the best choices I know he still loves me and looks after me and I am so thankful for that!!

Xander at 8 Months

I can't believe in 4 months this guy will be 1! Time is just going by way to fast.

Xander At 8 Months:

 

Is 29.5 inches tall.

 

Weighs 19lbs. 5 oz.

 

Wears 12-18 month clothing.

 

Has  4 Teeth now, with 2 more trying to make there debut.

 

Reaches out for you when he wants to be picked up.

 

Is finally grasping things and will hold on and play with toys.

(He looked like such a tough guy in this photo it just made me laugh!)

Hates being on his belly.

 

Wants to be on the move, he will try to jump from your lap because he wants to go play with Kyler.

 

Loves watching Disney movies and cartoons.

 

(Look at those puppy dog eyes!)

 No longer is in the infant carrier carseat, we moved him to the bigger one still rear facing though. But loves to be able to look out the windows.

 

Sits in the carts at the stores now!

 

Loves being outside and going for walks in the stroller.

His eyes change color daily! Some days they look really blue, others they look grey, and sometimes they look brown, just depends on what he is wearing.

 

Has figured out how to fake cry and whine to get your attention.

 

He is still just a sweet little guy though!

 

I just love his little face so much!

 

 

My other guy had to get his picture taken too!! He wouldn't wear the bow tie until he saw Xander wearing it and now he won't take it off!!

Such a cute boy!!

I love his little face too!

Basketball...Basketball....Basketball

Like I have mentioned before Kyler is obsessed with Basketball!

I was in shock earlier though. Before our playdate I let him go outside and shoot hoops, which kept him entertained for an hour!! After our playdate we ran to Brigham to do some grocery shopping and when we got home he once again was out shooting hoops for about 40 minutes before JJ had to go to work. Then after we took JJ to work he kept on playing for another hour or so! I couldn't believe it kept him entertained for that long!!

He was just using his little ball but he make a basket about every five times he shot. He was so proud of himself when he would make it and say "Yay!" He also would get frustrated though if he didn't make it after a few times and would grab his head and shake it.

He is just so fun to watch!!

And growing up way to fast!! He'll be 3 in just one short month!!

St.Patrick's Day/ Mostly Easter Playdate



Before Hand:

The boys in their Green shirts...they sure do love each other!

 

The Setup:

Ky just had to be in the picture.

 

The Guest:

 

The Activities:

For our first activity we made Easter Bunnies!

Then we hunted for eggs! The kids had a blast!

Then we colored and decorated eggs!!

 

It was a lot of fun! I think their favorite part was the Egg Hunt. Ava was so excited everytime she would find one. She also loved the bunnies they made. Kyler of course was more interested in the food and when we went outside all he wanted to do was play basketball. He did get in to the egg hunt once he saw what Ava was doing.

The little ones just sat and watched for the most part, with a few cry's or growl's every so often.

Us moms just watched and chatted as the kids did their things.

 

 

Finally A Day At The Park

It was such a nice day out today! I could get use to this weather!! Since we didn't have much going on today we decided to take the boys to the park that's just around the block. They both loved it! 

It was Xander's first at a park and actually swinging and going down the slides. His face was so much fun to watch! He also just loved being in the stroller and looking at everything outside. 

Kyler is such a daredevil lately! You have to climb your way upto the big slide and he would just do it without any fear. He loved having Xander there and was showing him everything and trying to take Xander from us to take on the slides. 

I think we will be having may more days out at the park now that the weather is warming up!

Here are some pics from today...

Can you push a car with just your feet when it has run out of gas?.....Thyroid Post

Since a few of you have asked about my thyroid condition and how I'm doing with it I thought I'd explain it all here. 

I also have to apologize in advance if there are parts that are worded funny or that don't make since. One of the many symptoms of this condition is brain foggy-ness and it has hit hard!

Hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland, which supplies hormones to keep the metabolism in working order, is not functioning properly. This results in lower-than-required levels of essential hormones that are distributed to the rest of the body - undermining the body's ability to function efficiently.

When I first thought that I may have something wrong with my thyroid I thought it was something you could fix easily. You just take a pill and you'll feel better and start to lose weight. Boy was I wrong!!!

 I have been on the medicine for about a month now and I haven't seen any difference with how I feel, and honestly somedays I feel worse. I thought the exhaustion you feel when you are pregnant was bad, but this is even worse and then the insomnia on top of it just makes it worse!

The hardest part of trying to treat this condition is finding the right dosage of the medicine your thyroid needs to make up for the hormone imbalance. This can take awhile to figure out and until you do you don't get much relief from your symptoms.

Some of the common symptoms are:

Weight gain, Bloated face, Dry, pallid, flaky skin, Hoarse voice, Amplified sensitivity to cold, Frail fingernails and hair (eyebrows may become thinned), Constipation, Foggy Brain, Memory loss, Muscle weakness, Irregular menstrual period/infertility, Insomnia, Swollen or stiff joints, Depression, Major Mood Swings, Muscle aches, Higher than usual blood cholesterol level.

I have experienced almost every one of these. 

The most frustrating is the weight gain! I have at least been able to maintain and maybe lose a pound here or there. It's just hard when 2 years ago I was able to watch my calories and exercise and the weight would come off consistently. I can do the same thing now and am very lucky if I don't see the number on the scale go up, it's very frustrating and makes it hard to stay motivated. I'm also taking a break from MFP for awhile since everything on there just annoys me right now. The title of the post however did come from there. Someone asked if you could just exercise more to rev up your metabolism to compensate, a ladies response was "When your car runs out of gas can you just keep pushing it with your feet?" Meaning you may be able to get it to the side of the road or to a gas station but you wouldn't be able to do that forever. And since your metabolism is what keeps your body energized, when you are living with a very decreased one there is only so much you can do before your body just wants to give out.

One of the other symptoms that just scares me is the Infertility...(this may be a little tmi)...but I haven't had a normal period since November. It either is extremely late or doesn't come at all. This is suppose to resolve it self with the medicine but no luck yet. There is also the risk factor if you get pregnant and it's not controlled passing it on to the baby, higher risk of miscarriage, and down syndrome. Which all has me very nervous and scared, but hoping we can get my hormones under control by the time we want to try for another.

The thinning hair has happened and made me super sad. I love my hair! I get so scared to do any type of styling to it or blow dry it or anything because I'm scared more of it will fall out or breaking off. 

The muscle aches and joint pain always hit at night or in the morning. My lower back gets so bad sometimes I can barely bend over. The last few nights it has been my legs they will just ache all night. And I am always freezing....to the point where I will be in sweats, sweater and three blankets on at night and still be cold.

I also find myself mad or annoyed by everything! Things just bug me and I get livid over things that I normally wouldn't. Or I will cry over the dumbest things, My poor husband!!

I really don't mean to complain these are just some of the things that I have experienced with this. I'm going on a higher dosage of the medicine next week, we are hoping I will start to get a little relief  from some of these symptoms then. If not I will then have to go to a specialist in Salt Lake to see if there is an under-lying reason causing the problems. 

On a positive note though my blood count has seemed to stabilize, I'm still considered anemic but my count and levels seem to be rising!

Anniversary Presents

When we got our tax return we had decided to get a new TV and laptop. Our old laptop had died around Christmas time and then the TV we got for Christmas crapped out on us by New Years. Anyways we had decided that the new TV and Laptop would be our Valentine's/Anniversary presents.

I however decided since JJ has been working so much over-time lately that I should get him something. We already have plans to go out on our anniversary but I wanted to surprise him with something. He has hinted at a few things he would like to have, so I started to look around for them. I found one of the things he wanted on an awesome deal and bought it.

So the UPS man came the other day but he had 2 boxes not just one. I always ship everything in my name so when the one was in JJ's I was a little surprised. I came in and handed his box to him and kept mine next to me. When I get things in the mail I usually rip and tear them open like its Christmas morning, yes even though I usually know what it is I get all excited to open it. Well when I wasn't opening the box JJ got suspicious and started asking questions. He has learned that he can get pretty much anything out of me if he wants to....such a charmer. I broke down and told him I had gotten him a present that I was going to give him on our anniversary since he has been working so hard, and I just wanted him to know how much I appreciated how hard he works for our family. He just started laughing and said, "Well this one is for you, just wanna exchange them now?" Knowing he is a snoop and that he would find out what it was before our anniversary I agreed.

Well as we opened our presents we started to laugh even more because they were pretty much the samethings!!

 

NEW IPADS! and cases

I just got him the Mini because that's the one he kept talking about. He got me the regular sized one, I was completely shocked he got me one! (I kinda think it was just because he wanted one and that way we had one.)   I love when I am able to surprise him with things and the smile he gets on his face! He didn't put it down the whole day.

They are very nice to have though! We recently got rid of our cable service, but with the Disney apps Kyler still gets to watch his favorite shows and he likes some of the games too.

 

I do like my IPad a lot, but I would have been happy with just being able to go out like we have planned. I can't believe its been 4 years already, and yet it feels like its been a long time since our wedding. We have had so much happen since then and our lives have changed so much over the four years we've been married. But I guess I will actually post more on that when its actually our anniversary!

My Somewhat Talking Boy

He has been trying so hard to talk lately. Most the time we can figure out what he is trying to say though, and he is getting a lot better!

 

I think I have figured out the biggest problem is that he doesn't move his mouth and sometimes his tongue when he speaks. So we are trying to work with him on that and making sure when he watches us talk we show him that we are using our tongues and moving our mouths'.

 

He also says alot more when we aren't home or around other people. Not sure why.

 

Anyways here are a few stories of things he has been saying...

 

Two weeks ago in Sacrament Meeting when my brother got done blessing the Sacrament he came by and sat right next to Kyler, since my brother still needs treats my mom handed his a Starburst. Well Kyler thought Rhett was un-wrapping it for him, and when Rhett popped it in his mouth Kyler looked at my mom and said as clear as day, "He ate it!" We all were surprised and then very quietly laughed to ourselves.

 

I was changing his diaper the other day and he started to push as I was wiping his bum(sorry tmi). Anyways I said, " Don't. No More Poo Poo." His response was, "Nom no more ooo."(Mom no more poo.) And kept saying it over and over.

 

I can't remember what it was but we found something he broke and I looked at him and said,"You Broke It" his response, "No daddy broke it!" followed by "Eeer (Xander) broke it." And then he went over and spanked JJ!!

 

We were saying something about his birthday and he turned to my mom and goes, "Yep My Irthday, YAY!"

 

Another Poo one....I always tell him "Ewww Stinky" or "Gross" and the other day he goes over and handed his dirty diaper to JJ and said, "Eww Daddy Stinky." I lost it!

 

When we were over at my parents for dinner one night we were all sitting down and he was having a hard time getting on the chair and he looks at us and goes, "Hello, I ant oo it own oo." (I want to sit down too)

 

If he is grouchy, anytime I try to look at him or touch him he will say "Stop it" or "Ouch"

 

He sure does have an attitude!

 

A few other words/phrases he says:

aset-all...Basketball, I swear I hear it about 100 times or more a day!

Emele...Temple

Urrsh...Church

Eesus...Jesus

I on't ow...I don't know

Izza...Pizza

Amurger....Hamburger

ookie...Cookie

uce...Juice

mil...Milk

Daddy...he has it nailed down and is always wanting daddy or pointing out things that are daddy's

Ore....Store

Aanie.....Candy

ing ween....Lightning Mcqueen

Icky....Mickey

Night Night

Igh ere...Right There

Ere it is...There it is

Et Oo...Let's Go

 

There's more but I think this post is long enough. I'm absolutely loving that he is talking more. It makes life a little easier knowing what he wants. He is growing so fast, I think this is the only thing that makes me feel like he is still little. We have our bad days but when he is happy and lovey-dove it makes those times seem like nothing. It doesn't seem like he should be turning 3 next month...even if he is the size of a 5 year old! I just love him so much and don't want him to grow up, but I know he has to. I just hope it won't past by to quickly!



Someone Finally Has Teeth!!!

Xander's top two front teeth popped through finally!! And boy are we both happy about it. He is still trying to get the bottom ones in. I was surprised his top ones came in before his bottom, but we won't complain! Its so fun to see him cheesing it with those little teeth now. He wouldn't give me one of those big smiles tonight though, he was ready for bed. You can see them a little in the top picture though.

I just can't believe he will be 8 months in two weeks! Seems like I just had him, and yet here he is getting so big already.