Happy Halloween!

Ellie's first Halloween was a success, and a very fun night! We spent it with Josh's brother Jason and Amy's families. Ellie loved seeing all the kids in their costumes. The trick-or-treating was the best. Everyone loved how cute she was. Josh pushed her in her stroller and helped her pick out candy from the candy bowls. Some handed out sodas, which Ellie loved. We let her play with it and she didn't want to let it go. Ellie got her first taste of chocolate, she bit through the wrapper of a Crunch bar she was playing with. We ended the night at Jason's house with a Chuck marathon and snacked on goodies and the candy Ellie had gotten.

Josh got the opportunity to set up shop in the Weight No More booth and the What Women Want Expo. Josh was busy the whole time and everyone loved his massages. Thank you to Amber, Jason and Katie for helping Josh while Ellie and I were supporting Rokelle. (She got hitched!) I am so proud of Josh, he has worked so hard and he is doing so good! After the expo we hit up Cafe Rio for a good dinner and let Ellie sit in a high chair. It is so weird, but really convenient to have Ellie sitting there at the table with us!

Our bean, and all her cuteness and joy she brings to our lives!

     

Another One

Okay one more, Ellie "chewing" her bananas!

Who loves Mickey Moues

Mickey Mouse Club House, that is. Ellie loves this show, as you can see!

Joshua Hesch, LMT, NCTM

It has been a long time, looking for the right place for Josh to begin his massage career. He had applied at many locations and looked at many rooms for rent. Turns out there are a lot of unprofessional businesses out there, shame on you. Every day, Josh was getting more and more down on him self. All those TV commercials about how massage therapists have a job waiting for them wasn't the case for him mostly as a male therapist. He has been very patient and believed that Heavenly Father had a plan for him, it just wasn't time yet. Well, I do believe our prayers have been answered! We have finally found the location! Everything was has just gone perfectly. The location, price, timing, the people. We are both overwhelmed with excitement. This is the beginning of a long journey. Hopefully the ending is with Josh less stressed and overworked and doing massage full time! 

Joshua Hesch, LMT, NCTM!!!

---

Since everything fell together so easily Josh is able to start right away. I used my Photoshop skills and made this flyer to go to Dixie College. $25 for college students ALWAYS! Josh really believes that massages are for healing the body not just to relax. Getting massages regularly helps with blood circulation, stress, and tension. Massages should be affordable to get regularly! That is why for a $60 minuted Swedish Massage for everyone else is only $40! Josh also offers Cranial Sacral, Hand and Foot Reflexology, Stone Massage and Thai Massage. All are offered at low and affordable prices! He is amazing!

---

Josh is also sponsoring Drayton Woods MMA Cage Fighter! (Middle Front) Josh worked with him just before the fight here in Saint George on the 25th of September. Drayton was complaining of some really bad back pain that had been plaguing him for some time.  Drayton said the pain was gone after the FIRST session with Josh! They met again for a pre fight massage where, Josh basically warms up the muscles and gets the blood circulating. After Drayton WON his fight, he thanked Josh in front of everyone. Josh was in heaven! He was so excited and proud that he could say he helped Drayton prepare for that fight! 

Oh, How They Grow!

Mae (1 year), Chloe (9 Months), Ellie (6 Months)

Okay, so I rounded up. They are all just about a two weeks from being such ages. Where has the time gone? I love it when Misty comes to visit. You hear that Misty?! LOVE IT! Ellie enjoyed seeing her cousins. Ellie and I don't get out much and she needs as much social interaction as she can get. I look back at that little nugget on the end and just say, Man, my bean is cute!

---

A few weeks ago I let Ellie play in the grass for the first time. I have let her feet touch the grass a few times before, but I have been weary of letting her sit in it. I think it is mostly that I don't like the way the grass feels on my legs so I just figure she wont like it either. Well, Ellie loves the grass! She sat there and grabbed handful after handful of grass. Ripping it out by it's roots!

 One of Ellie's faces she pulls. She looks mad, but she isn't, just making faces. And to add to that this month she has started sitting up on her own. She loves to sit up and I am glad she can finally do it on her own. She loves my good morning song I sing to her every morning. And to tell you the truth I love to watch her face when I sing to her. The smiles are to die for!

And another little tidbit, Josh and I got our hair cut. I tried to talk Josh into doing something different with his hair, but he wouldn't have it. He has only had two hair styles in his life! For my hair I told my sister-in-law that I wanted it short, but I really didn't want a "mom" hair cut! haha. I know I have the hips of a mom but I can't have the hair of one too! Brittany did so good on my hair I love it! Now to just learn how to do it on my own. One of the downsides of being a tom boy and always having your hair in a pony tale, it is hard to learn to do it another way. So if anyone needs a hair cut out there. My sister-in-law is AMAZING!

Gerber Photo Search

I NEED YOUR HELP! I have sumbitted Ellie's photo into the Gerber Generation Photo Search. Voting for her photo is open for the rest of the month and we need more votes! If you could take a second and  VOTE FOR ELLIE HERE. (ID Number: 88489) You are given one vote per day, per computer/ per email address. Please vote as much as you can! Thank you so much! Feel free to pass it along!

Spoon On The Nose

Ellie playing before dinner time!

She eats so good for Josh.

She eats, like, all of it.

She refuses to eat when I try feed her.

Good thing Dad likes to feed her the cereal!

Rise and Shine...

We woke up and went for a walk this morning. I guess since sleeping in to 10 AM is out of the question. Our nights with Ellie go: bed at 9 PM, feeding at 2 AM, feeding at 5 AM, up at 8 AM. JOY. The good thing is we still have a short morning nap, a long noon nap and a short evening  nap. So after we got back from our walk, Ellie cuddled up in her new favorite spot, my lap, and fell asleep.

In other news:
Ellie found her feet. I really didn't think it was possible for her to bend past her big belly!

We are almost done with our classes to be licensed to host foster children. We missed one class, so we have to retake it. It was very nice having my mom watch Ellie for us while we were in the 4 hour classes. Last night my mom couldn't come up and we took Ellie with us... It was a LONG 4 hours. Ellie only had a 30 minute nap all day and was in much need of more sleep time. But being in a different place, she refused. She would start to cave and then she would sit straight up, open her eyes wide and start talking. Oh, Bean.

Ellie has started rice cereal earlier in the month. She loves it!

Ellie loves her bath again! Hooray! She plays with her blue rubber ducky and kicks in the water. Finally, smiles all the time!

Josh is about ready to start doing massage out of the house or making home visit (in the Utah area). He is so excited to get back to doing what he loves!

I have begun crocheting a second backpack... it might be awhile!
.

Second Tooth

Ellie's second tooth came in Thursday night. 

Came in faster than I anticipated it would.

That is Good!

Maybe she wont be cranky any more.

I am secretly hoping that she will get NO MORE teeth! 

But I guess that would look weird. 

Where Has The Time Gone?

Geez it has been a long time since I have written anything. I have laid in bed at night and thought "hum, I need to write a blog. I know! I will write ALL the time and then I will never get behind again!" That doesn't happen, or will it?

A lot has been going on first off, obviously lets up date on Ellie. She was blessed on June 6th. I was so happy to have all of our family there. And even better both Josh's and my family sat all together. What a blessing it is to have such good family in our lives! Josh was really nervous to get up in front of everyone, but he got right up there and did it, beautifully I might add. I cried. When he and Ellie came back he leaned over and said that he was nervous but he watched Ellie whiling he was giving the blessing and she was smiling in her sleep and he knew everything was going to be okay. She is perfect. Sorry, all of her 2 month photos are on another hard drive!

Ellie is 4 months old and has finally rolled over. Back to front, only rolling to her left. She never has liked being on the ground much. I am proud of her though. The belly to back is still going to be a while, I think. I don't see much interest in it. Although I didn't think she was going to roll back to front either and then she just did it, so we will have to see about that.

Ellie also got her first tooth in in these last few days. She has a second one that is just under the gums and I am expecting it to come in sometime in the next week. Teething has not been fun. There has been a real change in our routine, I really don't know what to expect from her now, will she take a nap, will she let me put  her down, will I be able to get anything done. (I usually don't ever get anything done. I try I swear I do!) Poor girl is just hurting and just wants her mama!

Speaking of wanting her mama, Ellie has Stranger Danger really bad. It started over a month ago. She does not like other people to hold her besides Josh and I. She will smile at anyone, from a distance. But if they get too close or touch her, it is not a good thing!

At her 4 month appointment Ellie is 16 pounds and 25 inches tall! She has gotten so big! Remember she was 7 lbs 7 oz and 18.5 inches when she was born. She used to be so small!

Bath time has been hard. In the beginning she loved her bath. She would talk, coo and smile. Then she began to scream and cry. Turns out she want to sit up completely in the water. It took us a while to figure that out. Now we are back to her loving the water. That is how I like it.

Sitting up. Ellie LOVES to sit up. I can't get her to sit in her bouncy seat anymore because it lays her back to far. She loves her bumbo seat, even though she is now trying to get out of it! She loves her toys and EVERYTHING ends up in her mouth. Plus with her teething there is usually a grossly large amount of slobber on it.

We had a Peterson Reunion in Pine Valley the first of July. It was lots of fun. Ellie did so well, this was the most she has ever been out in the elements. She slept like a champ, it must have been the soothing sound of the stream right outside of our tent. My mom brought up 3D puzzles for the boys to do. I helped Josh with his. It took us 7 hours to finish it. Yes, it took FOREVER! But as my mom says "It is bonding time". It was great fun and it was nice to have the whole family together.

She is sleeping well. Some nights she will go to bed at 9 and not get up till 7! Those are awesome nights! But most nights it is 9 to 4, then back to bed till 8, then back to bed till 10:30. Yes, I try to keep Ellie in bed till 10, I am NOT a morning person!

Now to move on to us, the parents. Josh is still working really hard. We have decided to that he will convert the spare bedroom into a massage room and we will on building up his some clients. So please pass on the word that you know of a massage therapist looking for new clients who will be working for reasonable prices! I designed him a business card and bought 500 of them for $12 online. I am pretty happy about that.

I am with the bean all day, every day and I love it! I finished crocheting the backpack I start months ago when I was pregnant with Ellie. I even did some drawing and a watercolor picture(when the bean was napping, both sessions were cut short when she woke up)! It was really nice to have the creative juices flowing again!

A few randoms...

The bean helping mom do the laundry. The bean giving kisses! She gives the best kisses!

The bean giving kisses to Dad's forehead over and over and over again!

Ellie laughing!

Splash Pad

This last weekend we had family in town for Ellie's blessing. On Saturday we took the kids to the splash pad in the middle of town.

THIS was Ellie's first time in the water and she wasn't too happy about it!

In her defense she did just wake up from a nap.

Ellie liked the water better when only her feet was in it.

Lets get those hats off so we can see their faces!

Chloe and Ellie enjoying the water.

Daddy and the bean

Mama and Daddy hot, tired and ready to go home!

2 Month Appointment

13 lbs 3 oz (94%) and 22 1/2 inches (54%)!

We began our day is this cute little outfit. After a few hours in it I decided I better put her in something that leaves her legs exposed...

...So we changed into this little outfit. Still very cute.

Then we get called back, I lay her down to be weighed, I pick her up. My sister says to me, "Oh, so she had an accident, huh?" Confused I looked at her back.... a nice big poo stain. Well, time for a new outfit!
She did good for her appointment. I gave her some infant Tylenol before we left the house. She was upset to have her clothes changed, and my sister had her falling asleep... But she was rudely woken up when the Doctor came in and looked her over by poking and tapping her everywhere. After he was done, I cuddled her close and she was drifting off again AND... it was time for her shots. She cried but it wasn't anything too dramatic. I fed her a little bit and we headed out.

Now that we are home and it is getting later, it seems she might be a little bit sore. She burst out in a horrible cry for a few minutes. Josh took her and she burped. She was much better after that. She is really tired though. She is now sprawled out across my lap on the boppy. I keep moving and massaging her legs. I hope she sleeps good tonight!

...

Here are a few photos of our day yesterday.

A picture of me and Ellie. I have noticed I don't have many.

The Bean on the floor for tummy time. Not happy as you can see.

Just missed a half smile!

Ellie sitting up like a big girl next to daddy.

There is a pretty smile!

Ellie and Daddy

I love you, Bean.

So pretty, Bean.

Ellie being the cutie she is.

Ellie's Blessing Date

Ellie will be blessed on Sunday, June 6th. I hope everyone can come!

TWO Months Old

Boy how time flies! We have had Ellie in our lives for two amazing months. That last month of pregnancy seemed to never end then all of a sudden time flies! A lot has happened so I tell a few stories starting from the beginning: (Warning it is a long one!)

What waited at home to welcome us.

(from Grandma, Aunt Jenny and Alex)

We laid her in her crib for the first time! Something I had been waiting to do for a VERY long time!

Ellie had jaundice and needed to be under lights when we got home. It was the bili paddle the first night. (notice the glow under the blanket)

But the levels were higher yet again the next day and the bili lights were brought in.

For the next 4 days or so she lay here. We could only get her out to feed her and change her diaper. It was torture to watch and not be able to hold her.

We would lay her in the middle on her back. She would then roll to her side, and scoot herself up so her head was touching the top. Every time. Then she would do the cute little things like holding the edge with her hand or with her little feet.

My plan was to wait 3 weeks before giving her a binky to lessen the chance of nipple confusion. But she would get a little whinny when we first put her in and the binky helped her fall asleep. As you can see she would even hold it in her mouth! After she had fallen asleep, it would fall out and she would not need it again. But after she was out of the lights she didn't get it again until just before she was three weeks old. We never had any confusion.

Ellie got her first bath at home. So cute and little. Momma gave her her first bath in the tub when the the last of the umbilical cord fell off around 3-4 weeks old. Ellie loves the water! She makes the best faces when we give her a bath. I have come up with a routine that works for us and we make it through bath time with no accidents and no crying till the very end when it is all over. I also have a blue rubber ducky (Ducky) that takes a bath with her now.

At first she didn't not like her swing. She screamed shortly after being put in it.

But she finally grew into it!

Ellie met her cousins

Mabel (6 months) Chloe (4 months) Ellie (1 month)

Dad gave her her first bottle.

She wasn't sure of it at first. But it didn't take her long to get the hang of it.

And pumping... turns out I am a pro! I can get 3 oz out in 15 minutes!

As for breastfeeding, Ellie and I are one of the lucky ones. We knew what we were doing right from the beginning and it never has hurt, like everyone had told me it would. The only down side is how long it takes! And Every two hours?!! (that is Ellie's schedule... STILL!) Breastfeeding in public is still a struggle for me, but I think I am getting better and learning different ways to hold her and get "situated".

Ellie is so strong! Even from birth she was holding her head up! It is so exciting to watching her grow every day! (Ellie holds her head up good when on her belly at one month.)

Ellie has smiled from the beginning. Here she is 4 days old. Smiling as Dad gives her kisses.

Around Mother's Day Ellie started BIG smiles!

And they just kept coming!

So far I have been able to eat anything I want. Nothing gives Ellie an upset stomach, any gas she has been able to pass. That has been great! I really didn't want to give up my chocolate!

At 7 weeks and we just had our first early morning crying episode. A giant gas bubble, and she was happy again.

(Give a little Toot-toot it's okay!)

The many faces of our BEAUTIFUL BEAN!

Ellie's first car ride home from the hospital.

A trip to the Doctor (jaundice)

And again...

And again...

And again...

By the end of it she slept through the heel prick. Everyone said we had such a good baby!

Sporting a very cute outfit!

Trying to eat her hat

Just staring off...

What a poser! Always with her hand by/under her chin!

And again

Hanging out with mom.

Taking pictures...

Talking in her bouncer

Wearing a pretty dress

Blowing spit bubbles

A look of... concern?!

Sleeping... Always sleeping.

Ellie naps with momma

She naps with daddy

She naps with her binks (binky)

Ellie naps with momma, daddy and her binks!

We love this kid! These past two months have been completely crazy! Full of changes, hardships, loves, kisses, laughs, and tears. We are on an adventure and we are loving it!