Happy 6th Birthday Hannah!

My neice, Hannah, turns 6 on March 31st, but they celebrated her birthday this Sunday afternoon. Our family got Hannah a My Little Pony that comes with a hair brush, barettes, and hair dryer. We also got her a Polly Pocket house.

First, Hannah started the party by opening her presents. She got lots of shirts and pants, TONS of My Little Pony toys, Justin Bieber shirt and poster,
and the big gift was a brand new bike!!



Her birthday cake was a dirt cake, which is crushed oreo cookies, pudding, and whipped cream with gummy worms on top.


Alden had a cold, but he went and celebrated with Hannah! Papa held him on his lap while Hannah opened her presents.


Then, of course, he was passed around the room to different people.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!!! We Love You SO VERY MUCH!!! :)

Elmos World

I have told myself I don't want to be the parent who uses TV as a babysitter. I don't want to stick my kids in front of the TV for hours and hours during the day, so I don't have to interact with them. I want my family to be able to get out of the house, go to the park, play board games together, etc. Just enjoy each others company.

However, Alden has found his new favorite show. I realize he is only 3 months old, but whenever the fun songs and bright colors of Sesame Street come on, he stares at the screen. He smiles every time Elmo is on and starts to talk. I try to watch the show while sitting next him so we can enjoy it together. It is just adorable to watch him interact with the characters on the show.

We watch about 20 minutes of it. I make sure he is able to watch Elmo's World. That is his favorite part.

Seeing The End Of The Tunnel

I think this bug is almost out of our house. First, Lyndon had it, then Alden got it, now I have it. We seem to slowly be getting better and back to normal. Alden still has a little cough, but that is it. I have a stuffy nose and an occasional headache, but nothing a little tylenol can't help.

This weekend we just relaxed, napped a lot, and tried to feel better. Alden has been sleeping in our room because of his nasty cough. I want him to be right there so I can hear every little noise he makes. It looks like tonight he will be venturing back into his own room.

I am very ready for spring and for the cold and flu season to be over!!

Going On Day 4 Of Sickness

Alden is STILL sick! I feel like it will never end. He doesn't have a fever which I am very happy for. I was trying to take his temperature with a normal thermometer under his armpit. I was getting inaccurate readings at 96 and 97 degrees. I knew that was wrong.

A few weeks ago, my sister showed me this thermometer that she bought at Wal-Mart for $10.

Instead of taking his temperature under the arm or rectally, you place it on his temple for 6 seconds and it gives you and accurate reading. She saved me this morning by bringing over. The highest his temperature has been is 99.1, so he just has a nasty cold.

I was told that I couldn't give him anything for his congestion because he is too young for any of those medications. I've been boiling water on the stove to add humidity in the air and I've also been using our humidifier.

We have this running a lot of the time anyway because Idaho air is so dry, we need moisture in our houses. This has been running 24 hours a day and I fill it up twice a day. it is THAT dry in our house. This seems to be breaking up his sinuses.

I've also been giving him Triaminic for pain relief.

You can tell his head is killing him, so once in the mid-morning and once right before bed I've been giving him the medicine. It also helps him sleep.

Every 10-30 minutes day and night I have to suck out his nose. This has been our best friend lately.

He absolutely hates it, but it helps him breathe.


Oh the joys of motherhood. I knew he would get a cold before winter was over, I just was hoping he would be a little bit older.



Hopefully he will be getting better sometime soon. I'm ready for some rest myself.

Sick Boy

A few weeks ago, Lyndon got sick. He has been coughing and has had a runny nose ever since. I bet you can guess who has the bug now. Yep, My precious 2 1/2 month old.

At 3 AM yesterday morning, Alden was in his bedroom in his crib sleeping. I woke up because I could hear him coughing. He coughs sometimes in his sleep and will drift back off. I layed there for 30 seconds listening to the monitor. He kept coughing. I nudged Lyndon and woke him up and said that Alden was coughing more than normal. 15 seconds after that he made a horrible gagging noise. Lyndon and I both jumped out of bed and ran into his room. I pulled him out of his crib while he was still gagging and Lyndon grabbed the nose sucker that they gave us at the hospital. I started hitting his back and Lyndon tried sucking out his mouth. A few seconds later, he threw it all up. It was mucus and formula. We sucked out his nose and mouth and I brought him into our bedroom. I told Lyndon I wasn't comfortable leaving him in his room the rest of the night so we set up the bassinet by our bed. I was up all night checking on him.

Yesterday afternoon, I called his pediaticians office because he was still really congested and snotty. I was sucking his nose out at least every 15 minutes and getting a ton every time. They said that I can't give him anything to relieve the congestion because he is too young.

All yesterday and today I have a humidifier going constantly in our living room and his mattress is propped up so he won't gag if he coughs or has drainage. Today, he is doing much better. I'm still sucking out lots of gunk from his nose, but he isn't choking as often.

I know he isn't feeling well, because he isn't a binky sucker and he has been fussy so I gave him the one he used the few weeks he was alive and he's been sucking on it all day.

Hopefully, he gets better and nothing else will happen. Cross our fingers.

Alden Loves Bathtime

They say you shouldn't bathe your child more than 2 to 3 times per week when they are really little. It dries out their skin. But, whoever wrote that... Did you have a child who loves bathtime?? There are some nights we put him in the bath just to relax him. Alden LOVES his baths.


The other night, I got his bath all ready, put his Johnson's Head to Toe baby wash in the water and got Alden undressed. While we were walking into the bathroom, nakey and all, he started kicking his legs and breathing hard. He was very ready for bath time. I set him in his baby tub and washed him up, washed his hair and rinsed him clean. We sat there for about 5 minutes more because I know he loves to be in there. 5 minutes is a really long time. The tub is in our bathtub. So, I sit on the side of the tub, roll my pants legs up, stick a leg on each side of the baby tub, put one hand under his tush to hold him up and soap him up with the other. This position isn't bad if it was wash him, get him out, off we go... But, my poor legs start to cramp up a little! But, it's worth it!

When bath time was over, I started to lift him out of the tub onto his towel. He started crying. Alden doesn't cry too often unless he is hungry or hurting. I thought something was wrong. I bundled him up in his towel and went to change him into his jams. He was so upset because I pulled him out of his tub! :(

I think I have a little water-bug on my hands.

Church Time

Last Sunday, we went to church as usual. Alden never makes it through the service without me taking him to the nursery. Whenever I take him, I stay with him and feed him and talk to whoever is in the nursery that day.

This last weekend I thought it was going to be another one of those days. 10 minutes into the service he had finished eating and burping. The music had stopped (His favorite part) and I saw the fussies beginning to come. The lip went out, his eyes started to squint, and I just looked at Lyndon like, here we go again. I can NEVER make it through a service.

Before he started fussing I wrapped his blanket around him, pulled him close to my chest so he could hear my heartbeat and rocked side to side. He instantly fell asleep. I was actually able to listen to the sermon for once. :)

We have been buying Alden some clothes at The Children's Place in Ontario for church. My favorite is his white button up shirt. He looks just like his daddy when he wears it. After we got home from church, Lyndon unbuttoned Alden's shirt and let him relax on daddy's lap. It was so cute, it looked like he was home from a long day at the office... What a little man.




His new thing is to open his eyes REALLY wide when I'm about to take a picture. He always looks like a deer in the headlights.

All Smiles

We are officially at the stage of smiles and giggles! I absolutely love hearing a baby laugh. He isn't at the stage yet of belly laughing, but every once in a while I can get a cute little giggle out of him. It makes my day.

The other afternoon, I had Alden propped up on my legs and we were having a mommy/Alden moment. :) I started talking to him and making him laugh. It was so adorable I HAD to get my camera and capture this adorable moment. He is the sweetest little boy! Alden is always so happy! I can't wait for my laughter and more moments like this.

Man Time

Alden's New Friend

A friend from high school, Kristin, had a baby boy a week and a half after I had Alden. She is also a stay-at-home mom so we get together every once in a while and chat. It is so cute to see the boys together. Right now, they just stare at each other.

Logan and Alden

Lyndon Preached

Last Sunday, Lyndon preached the sermon. He did an amazing job. He had lots of people from his family and mine come and support him. His grandma Donna was able to come also. It was so good to see her there! We went out to lunch afterwards and enjoyed everyone's company. Alden did amazing. He was passed around to everyone so I was able to enjoy my meal! :)


Here is Lyndon and Alden, Grandma Donna, Kem, Grandma Kay and me at church.

Out On The Farm

Lyndon's parents raise cattle. The weather was nice (Low 60's) so we bundled him up and took him outside to see the cows. He stared at them forever. He couldn't figure out what they were. It was hilarious. He had quite an adventure out of the farm.


Checking out the cows








This is Mabel (Alden's cow) that was purchased for him a few weeks ago. Every calf that she has that is sold, the money earned from that will go into a savings account for him for college!! :) So, here she is! The one with the pink ear tag to the left of them, right side of the picture




This is the bull they have, named Super Duty. Yes, after the truck. Look at the size difference of Alden and him. WOW!




Grandma Kay and Grandma Donna stopped by to see Alden.




Then we went into the barn and looked at the cows that were eating. Alden thought it was pretty cool. He got right up next to them.






Then he got on the tractor with Lyndon. Looks like he will be a future cowboy!! :)





What an exciting day for a little boy!!! He enjoyed every minute of it!

Daddy and Alden Watch The Ceiling Fan

Alden's new favorite hobby: Ceiling fan watching.

He will sit for about 1/2 hour and watch it go round and round. Lyndon got down with him and watched it too. :)

Alden's New Stroller

Lyndon and I never got a stroller for Alden. Which, for now, isn't a big deal since it is still winter and cold outside. But, the weather has been getting into the mid-fifties, so we thought it was time to go get one so we can start taking him on walks. We found a jogger stroller at Target that we love. Lyndon and I want to take him out while we exercise so we thought it would be the best bet.

He enjoyed sitting in it and going in circles inside.

2 Months Old

Alden is 2 months old. Can you believe it? Time flies!!!
Here are some updates on our little man! He is growing and changing so quickly!

GROWTH: Alden is a little over 12 pounds and is 22 1/2 inches long. He has little rolls on his arms and legs and has the cute double chin. His cheeks have filled out and he is growing growing growing!

SKILLS: He is now able to lift his head up when he is laying flat on his stomach. He holds it up for about 10 seconds and then goes back down. He isn't a fan of being on his stomach, so we don't do that too often. He is reaching for toys and if you place a rattle or toy ring in his hand he will hold on to it. Once it's in his hand it goes straight into his mouth. His arms and legs are constantly moving and kicking.

BABY ITEMS: Alden is loving his swing. This is where he takes his naps during the day. He loves waking up and being able to look around. He loves his Baby Einstein play mat with all the colors, toys, and lights. He still doesn't like the bouncer. He will sit in it for a few minutes if I'm cooking dinner but he prefers the swing. We are still using the bassinet for nights and changing diapers. I also use it when I take my shower. I wheel him into the bathroom with me and he hangs out while I shower.

SLEEP: He is doing amazing with his sleep habits. He will go down around 9:30-10 PM and will get up one or two times a night. Once at midnight (Only sometimes) and around 3:30 AM for a feeding. He sleeps until about 8:30- 9 AM. He is taking less naps each day. He naps from about 11:30 AM until 1 PM and then will take a short nap around 5-6. He is still in our room in a bassinet. This weekend, we are going to put him in his room to sleep.

CLOTHING: Alden is wearing 0-3 month clothes. He has grown out of all of his newborn clothing and some of his 0-3 month.

DIAPERS: He is in size 1 diapers. We were using Huggies diapers, which I prefer, but we haven't bought a package of diapers yet because we are still using the ones that are gifts. So, he is currently in Luvs and after those are gone, it will be Parents Choice. Then, I will go back to Huggies.


FEEDINGS: Alden is on formula completely. We had him on Gentle Formula for gassiness to find out that he actually needed to be put on soy formula. I was on soy when I was a baby also. He is eating 3-4 ounces at a feeding and eats every 3-4 hours.

ACTIVITIES: Alden has been many places this month. He had his first shopping trip to Boise this month. He has also been to church every week where he gets passed around everywhere. He has been to lots of restaurants. He went to his first birthday party for his cousin Emma. He had his first sleepover at Grams and Papas. He has also been going to my dance classes every week! He is one busy, social little guy!

MOMMY UPDATE: I have been doing good since he was born. I am down to 136 pounds. Which is almost 30 pounds in 8 weeks. Of course, my stomach still isn't back to normal. I am able to exercise regularly again and I did a cartwheel and handstand while teaching tumbling. I have been getting more sleep now that he is sleeping more. Things are going good!


Here are some updated pictures:


Here is Alden in his favorite swing the other day. He loves it!! He is always so relaxed in it and will be there for hours.




Here he is after his bath. He LOVES his baths!!! He's going to be a little water bug!




Hannah and Alden before Hannah's dance class. She loves holding him!!! After this picture was taken, she started bouncing him on her knee. It was the cutest thing. She's a little mommy!