Changing

A lot of things have been changing for our family. Cory has finished all but one class for his undergrad degree. Because he has finished school he has also entered the working world. Calli, of course, was born (and seriously hates bottles.) And, due to all of this, I have turned in my letter of resignation to my job that I have had for the last 4 years.

I would be lying if I did not admit that I have thought about being a stay at home mom at times in the last 2, almost 3 years since I had Jocelyn. Yet, I was not sure how I felt when I told my boss. I cried when I typed up my letter of resignation and I cried as I handed it in. When my final day was determined (December 21) my stomach dropped.

Then I have days like yesterday. The sitter's son was sick and I had to go to a meeting. I sent out a desperate text to several neighbors and last minute, coordinated things for the girls and went to work. With a little back and forth and juggling and the help of AMAZING friends and neighbors, it worked. I would be lying if I said I would miss this aspect of working. I am excited to be home with my girls, to know I will be there for them and not be worrying about how they are doing, who will be with them and stressing about rushing through work to be home.

Thanksgiving Part 2

The trip to "The Farm" this Thanksgiving made me really sentimental this year. Who knows why, crazy "new baby" hormones? Sharing loved things and moments with family? Or maybe it is because I know my Grandma will not be around forever and I want to cherish every moment with her? Or maybe all of the above? Either way, these pictures and moments mean so much more to me than I could ever put into words. 

 This is my Grandma's recipe for Monkey Bread. Apparently she learned it on her mission with my Grandpa in the Philippines. I am pretty sure it is everyone's favorite. Once my Grandpa passed away, my Grandma would not, or maybe, could not bring herself to make it anymore. I know it will never be the same, but hopefully the grandkids can make some feeble attempt at making it. 

 I posted this in the previous post. But this means a lot to me. I am sure my parents have similar pictures of me in front of this house and  swing set. I grew up here. Spent hours. That house...belonged to my Great Grandpa. I longed for the view of this house every minute we were away from it. I hope it is around forever...

 My Grandpa had a horse named Prince. He also had a dog named Sport and the three of them were a little trio. But that is a story for another time. Every time we went to visit I begged my Grandpa to let me ride Prince. He would saddle him and tell me if I rode the horse all day I would get to take him home with me. So I rode Prince, all day. And never got to take him home. I blamed my parents. But I loved riding the horse. I even considered myself an expert, though I was far from it.

My Grandpa also liked to scare us into not doing stupid things. Once I insisted I was big enough to lead my little brother around on the horse. ( pretty sure I was probably only 8 or younger.) He told me not to get stepped on or he would give me a lickin'. Sure enough the horse stepped on my toe. I made sure i was all the way in the house, far away from Grandpa before I burst into tears and told my mom. Once he found out he laughed and gave me a huge hug. 

 It took a lot to coax Grandma out of her house and to the park. Sometimes she is silly like that. But we sure enjoyed having her there with us.I am grateful for the time I have with her.

 Jocelyn LOVES her Great Grandma. I think that sometimes Grandma is the most alive when she is with her great grandchildren. Maybe it is because she cannot rely on them to take care of her. She knows they need her energy. Or maybe they give her energy? Either way, I love watching her with them. 

Really, I could go on forever. This Thanksgiving made me truly grateful for my amazing family. My wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, siblings and of course my grandparents. Best. People. Ever. 

Thanksgiving 2012 Pt. 1

This Thanksgiving we decided it would be best to stay around home instead of making two 10+ hour drives three weeks apart. Last minute, we decided it would be fun to go to "The Farm" where my Grandma and Aunt live in Idaho. Some of my favorite memories were made here during Thanksgiving when I was little. I love making more with my family now. 

Jocelyn loved making new friends, coloring, building with legos and playing in the wide open spaces. 

 Cousin Derek is going to Paul Mitchell and did a family hair cut night. Jocelyn loved it. 

 I played on that exact swing set when I was growing up. It makes me nostalgic and I love it. 

 Jocelyn and Danika spent hours coloring and playing. Danni said we need to schedule a play date. Hopefully we can make it to Denver in the future to do that! 

 Jocelyn LOVES cousin Justin. I think the feelings are mutual. 

Calli also received a lot of love and cuddles. Which was good since she had an ear infection the whole weekend. 

 Great Grandma is still pro at calming sad babies.

Uncle Sam and Aunt Marilyn sure enjoyed baby Calli. She seemed to like them quite a bit as well. 

Cory had a blast as well, hiking, hunting, exploring and shooting. He would move there and become a farm boy in a heartbeat if I would let him.

2 Months

Calli is 2 months now. It is amazing to think of how different she is from her sister. Jocelyn struggled with eating, which showed as she was just a skinny little thing until about 10 months. Calli, definitely has Jocelyn beat on the chub and weight gain. At first Calli really looked like Jocelyn, but now she is really getting her own "look"

Jocelyn at two months

Calli at two months

Calli stats as of 11/27/12

Weight: 10 lbs 9 oz (50%)

Length: 24 in. ( 95%)

Head 14.5 in  (10%)

So far, our children are following the trend of being tall.

I cannot believe how fast she is growing, and I cannot believe I am saying that. I swore I did not enjoy infants, but I am already missing her cute little newborn self. Though I absolutely love the smiley two month old we have now as well. She is growing so fast!

Calli two days old, almost 6 lbs

 Calli two months old 10 lbs.

I cannot say enough about how much we love having Calli. She is such a good baby! She eats well, sleeps....mostly well and is just so much fun. We love our Calli Joy.

Sisterly love.

Jocelyn spent most of my pregnancy very excited about the baby in my tummy. She wanted to go to dr. appointments, feel baby move and talked non stop about babies in tummies. Then the day arrived, Calli was born, and she was going to meet her baby sister. Cory brought her in and sat her next to me on the hospital bed and I showed her Calli. And, as would be expected of a toddler who just had a very strange last day and a half, she was hesitant. She did not jump at the chance to hold Calli as she had with any other baby she saw at any moment before. Instead she wanted to do this: 

But, by the next day she was smitten. Since then, she has been smothering her sister with all sorts of big sister love. She reads her stories, plays with her and, sometimes even shares. I, as you may tell by the small selection of pictures on here, love it. I really hope that they will both get along, for the most part, when they are older.

She is always concerned that her sister does not have enough toys and things to make her happy. Here she let her sister use her blankey, rawrie (favorite animal) and a toy she found in her toy box. Calli, of course, is  thrilled.

If I ever set Calli on the floor for anything, Jocelyn must join in. One of her animals or baby dolls usually does so as well.

Four Generations

We had a handful of visitors once Calli was born. Some of which were some family from Idaho. We all had a great time with Great Grandma Williams, Aunt Nancy and Justin, especially Jocelyn.

Jocelyn was there too.

Though she could not take pictures with Calli, Jocelyn was able to take some pictures with other family members while I fed Calli. When I look at these, I am overwhelmed by how grown up she is. She really is a "big girl" now. She is not our baby. Oh how I love her.

Newborn photo shoot

When Calli was born we were and still have been blessed to have many wonderful friends and family bring gifts, make meals and offer to help. One such offer was from a good friend, to take newborn pictures of Calli. She did a wonderful job and captured the adorable newness of her perfectly. Jocelyn had croup so the sister pictures will be taken later. Below is an abundance of pictures of our little Calli. Thank you Brittany!