1942.81 Miles Later......

That isn't the exact amount of miles traveled in a week, but it is pretty darn close. We decided it would be fun to go to California to my cousin Amy's wedding. My Mom and Kelly went in my Mom's car and C.J., Jackson and me in ours. We left on Thursday March 24 and drove to my sister Jodi's house in Vegas. Jackson slept all the way to Cedar City before we needed to stop and feed him. He was sooo good! We ate dinner while I fed him at Cafe Rio and then we continued our way to my sisters house to spend the night. We were able to hang out with them for a little bit before heading off to bed. We got up and Jodi joined our caravan. We stopped in Barstow to feed Jackson and then continued on our way to our hotel. Jackson once again slept the entire time and we had to wake him up to feed him.

My Cute Cousin Amy and I
Here is Amy and Chris coming out of the Newport Temple. I was able to go to the sealing while C.J. stayed with Jackson outside. It was an amazing sealing. The sealer did a wonderful job. It is a blessing to be able to go to sealings to be reminded of the importance of going to the temple and the blessings we can receive.

This is my cousin Emily's daughter Heidi and Jackson

We took pictures while we waited for Amy and Chris to come out


The reception was beautiful and the food was delicious! It was so fun seeing all the cousins on my Mom's side. We don't get together nearly enough. We always have so much fun. We are a loud bunch when we are together. We kept getting in trouble in the waiting room at the temple because we were too loud.
Amy and Chris doing their first dance
My cousin Kallen's daughter London. Everyone says that we look alike. I have to say we are pretty darn cute!

We were able to go to Downtown Disney while we were there. It was a lot of fun and I was so sad that we didn't get to go into the park. Next time for sure! Here are a couple pictures of us in the Lego Store.

Phew...... Stinky

Our wonderful friends Spenny and Nellie came and hung out with C.J. while I was in the temple. After taking pictures at the temple we were able to go to lunch with them. We miss them so much. Whenever we go visit California we miss it and wonder why we moved.
Logan, Jackson and Nellie
Nellie and Jackson
Logan and Jackson

Saturday night we stayed at my Aunt Renee's house. C.J. and I headed off to bed while everyone stayed up and had fun. Having a baby makes you tired... I feel old. Sunday we got up and had to go to our favorite restaurant before we headed home. We went to Los Golondrinas and I had an amazing carnitas burrito. Really people, if you are ever in Laguna Niguel please go there. You will never be the same. After stuffing ourselves, we headed back to Jodi's. We only had to stop in Baker so Jackson could eat. It was nice to have plenty of time to relax on Sunday with the cute Yates Family. I haven't seen them for so long and it was fun to spend time with them. And they were so excited to meet Little Jackson for the first time!
Brock, Jodi, Madison, Morgan and Doug
Sydnee and Payden
Brock and Luci
Morgan, Haley, My Mom and Jackson

We got home Monday from California and while we were gone my Dad's brother Dennis died from very poor health. So on Tuesday I headed to Star Valley, Wyoming with my Mom, Kelly and Tim to go to the funeral. I fed Jackson at Tim's house and then he made it the whole way without needing to be fed. I seriously have the best baby ever. Wednesday morning we went to the viewing and the funeral. My cousin Shane talked, he is the Sheriff of Star Valley and has gotten to know Uncle Dennis well since living there. He gave a great talk and I learned a lot of things about my Uncle. My cousin Annette gave the his life history. My Uncle scared my when I was younger. He seemed so mean and ornery. But as I got older, I wasn't scared of him anymore and I would go talk to him and give him a hug. I learned that throughout his life he was an extremely generous man and was always thinking of others. He loved his family very much and was a very sweet man despite the rough edges on the outside.

They have about 10 feet of snow still up there and it was freezing!! When we went to the cemetery, we were lucky enough to park right next to the plot so I left Jackson in the car and stood right outside it so I could hear my Dad give the dedication prayer and watch the Army do their salute.
After the Graveside Dedication, we went back to the church and had lunch. Here is a couple pictures of my cute Cousins. I just love them all. It was so fun to spend time with my family on both sides in one week.
Kelly, Tricia Tate, LaRae Schreiber, Annette Cassity, Jamie Hudson, Liz Hall

Me, Misty Sanderson, Holly, Becky Taylor
Randy Tate, Brandon Southwick, Kirk Johnson, Blake Johnson, Scott Johnson, Shane Johnson

We headed home after the lunch and once again Jackson was perfect. He made it all the way to my mom's house. I fed him and finished the drive home. I have been so blessed with such a good baby. He was perfect this week and especially for being in his car seat for so many hours. He made the two trips so much better and more enjoyable for me.

Hangin' with Family

Every third Sunday my family gets together for dinner at my mom's house. Here are some pictures of us hanging out!

Sweet Little Jackson and Bailey. Born just one week apart.

My sister Holly, Bailey, Jackson and my brother Scott
We love getting together and having fun! I have the best family ever!

Mothers

When we got home from the hospital on 2/9, my mom was there five minutes after we got home. My sister had called her and told her to come over and I am so glad she did. I had been fine all day long, even from the day we had Jackson I was....lets say emotionally stable. It wasn't until that night that I started bawling and I didn't know why. Was it the sudden fear of taking care of this little guy? This baby who was 100% dependent on me? I had never taken care of a baby before. I had never spent all day and all night nursing, nurturing, comforting a tiny human being before. Was I going to be able to handle all of this? My mom seeing that I was distraught, said she would stay the night with us if I wanted her too and I jumped at that opportunity and said yes! My crying ceased a while later...

There is something about having your own baby that brings to light the wonderful truth that is sometimes hidden about Mothers. My mom and I had always gotten along. We have had our differences of course. I was a smart alec growing up, disrespectful sometimes. Probably most of the time, but my mom has always been supportive and loved me for the pain that I was. I now understand why. There is a bond that comes with having a child. Not only have I bonded with my baby and will continue to do so throughout the coming years, but a new bond has started with my mom. I don't know what it was, but I had this overwhelming need to have her with me while I adjusted to motherhood. I now understand that when my mom told me no or gave advice that wasn't wanted, it was only because she wanted the best for me and it was because she cared so much about me. I understand this unconditional love that grows for your child. How you would do anything to see them happy. It kills you inside to see them upset for whatever matter. When I would cry, my mom would feel terrible that I was having such a hard time adjusting to this new routine and would tell me it was going to be okay. That I could handle this and that this is the greatest blessing in the world to have a child of God in your home.

My mom slept in the spare bedroom with Jackson in the pack n' play. When he would wake up to eat, she would bring him to me and stay up with me while I fed Jackson. She would in turn send me back to bed when I was finished, she would burp him and stay up with him until he fell back asleep. She thoroughly enjoyed those awakenings in the middle of the night. She would laugh at the faces Jackson would make and tell him how cute he was. "I just love him!" I would sit there half asleep, frustrated that he wasn't eating or he wasn't burping between sides. Not understanding how in the world she could possibly be so chipper in the middle of the night! She would go to work in the morning and come back in the afternoon. She made sure I was eating enough to provide for my little guy. She would make me breakfast every morning and make dinner every night. She would make me take naps. She would hold Jackson when he was fussy and I was getting overwhelmed. She spent three weeks with us total and I couldn't have asked for anything more. It was comforting to know that I have a mom who is there for me whenever I need her and is so willing to help.

Mothers don't get the recognition they deserve nearly enough. Mothers are patient, kind, loving, understanding and so much more. I am so grateful for my Mom who raised me the way she did and for being there to help me when I needed it the most. I love you Mom!

One Month Old!

I can't believe that our Little Guy is already 1 month! It is crazy to think how fast the time as gone by already. He has changed so much since he was born. We didn't post his stats from his doctor's appointments so here they are:

Two Weeks

8 lbs. 1 oz.

21 inches

One Month

9 lbs. 12 oz.

21 inches

Jackson has been eating great and getting chunky!! I love kissing his cheeks now. They are filling out and he is getting bigger legs too. I had told CJ that I want a fat baby and it looks like I will be getting one as long as he continues to eat great! Yeah for fatness!

During the night he does pretty well. We usually feed him between 10-11 pm, between 1-2 and between 4-5. Last night he went for 4 hours. It was lovely! We love Little Jackson and are so glad that he joined our family. This is the beginning to an exciting, new adventure.

Love those cheeks!

Doing tummy time with Daddy. He didn't even cry!

For Christmas, my sister-in-law July gave us a certificate to get Jackson's pictures done at our neighbors house who started up her own photography business. Here are some of the pictures that we took.

Jackson got upset while we were taking pictures so I was trying to calm him down and my neighbor took some of me holding him. Awe......

I love this picture. Jackson always has his little legs crossed. It is just the cutest thing.