Being Needed&&Jeff's 29th.

When I had my son Nixon, he pretty much came out a Daddy's Boy.  They spent his first night together, and have been very close ever since. I am very glad that they have that connection, but at times it was hard for me because I wanted to be the one he ran to when he needed us. I would get it when Jeff was not there, but miss it when Jeff was there. Although I generally joke that it is nice because at night time Nixon still wants Jeff, and yay for me, because I love my sleep! I love that my husband is an awesome Dad, and never would I want to hurt that bond between the two of them. But now its my turn!

Since I have been staying home, I have seen the effects on my children. Oakley needs me. ALWAYS. If I put her down, she is so sad, she generally lowers her head to the floor and cries for a few minutes before being distracted. When she falls (and that is a lot lately as she is trying to figure out how to walk) she always needs me. No one else, just me. At first I was over whelmed. I thought I must be doing something wrong because I cannot have a moment to myself. Nope. Its just called being a Mom.

I saw this on Facebook, and it is totally my reality with Oakley. I kind of love it, but it has its moments where I think noooo I just need a break!

Some days I think I get nothing accomplished. I go from task to task cleaning, calming, and helping my babies cope.  I feel like my husband walks in the door after school/work and thinks I must not have done anything because it looks the same as when he left. Basically my job is to keep things in order. I have 2 kids, meal times are messy. I make the meals, feed the kids, then clean it all up. I make sure everything goes back to square one.  I love it though! I love being there when my kids need me. I love being the one they need, and especially with Oakley, I love being the only one to calm them and get them back to square one. 

This past week was an unusual one since we had company. Jeff's parents came out to our house for a bit. We also had Jeff's 29th Birthday, and since we had babysitters, we went out and had a little fun!

If any of you are coming to Vegas and want to see a show, I STRONGLY recommend the Cirque du soleil Las Vegas shows! We have seen 2 of them now, and we just saw "O" for Jeffrey's Birthday and it was awesome sauce!!! We also have a pretty sweet go-kart track that we go to where the carts go like 40mph, Jeff absolutely loves it, I prefer just watching him on these ones.... Another thing we did on Jeff's birthday was go to the restaurant "Dicks; Last Resort".  It is located in the Excalibur Hotel, and Jeff has been there before and RAVED about the burger for months. When we went this time, they had turned into a franchise or something, so the menu and a lot of things had changed.... Jeff was disappointed, but I still thought that the burger was awesome! If you are not familiar with this restaurant it is fun restaurant, where they are super sarcastic, and a funny rude, they put paper hats on your head and write funny (usually vulgar) things on them. Jeff and I did not get hats.... I feel like we did not get the full experience... but oh well!

Here is us at O.

Jeff waiting in Line to go-kart. Its like a wife, stop taking my picture moment! haha

 Jeff on the track, he is awesome, and kept lapping people.

Terry and Sandy with Nixon at Elephant Bar. Its a good restaurant we found here!

Nixon and Oakley love going to the park, we almost go daily.

Nixon loves to chase pigeons...

Little Miss Oakley so happy just hanging out, as long as she can see or touch me!

-K.

Teeth

Little Miss Oakley has 2 teeth!

I will be honest, these past few weeks have been rough. I am so lucky to have the luxury of being home to take care of these awesome little kiddos, and I can see how much our relationships have changed since we have had so much time together, but some days just cannot end soon enough!

When Nixon was little, he really did not react much when he was getting teeth. Oakley.... completely different story! Naps went from hours to 15 minutes. Bedtime was just another time of day. I was exhausted, and I also had to go to a training for work (that I will start soon enough).  I felt so bad leaving them in a day home, and when I  pulled up on the driveway to pick them up, I opened my door and could hear Oakley screaming. I felt horrible, I am her Mom so I am like programmed to put up with her grumpy screaming crying phase, but when J the day home owner opened the door, she was happy and smiling and leaning to come to me. Nixon also had a blast and J the babysitter was also happy and patient with the both of them.  Nixon did not even want to leave, she had a super great time! I am so glad I went with my instincts and took them where I did, and will continue to use her for the future!

Please, I would like to hear your teething tips. I tried Infants Tylenol, and teething tablets, the teething rings...nothing was making things better. What do you do?

Random humerus side note, another exciting moment Nixon had just last night, he had a sleeping buddy!
Jeff's parents are here, and I am excited to spend some time with them. This left the only spot left in a bed to sleep in was in Nixons bed, and my brother Brock stayed here last night for a quick Hi on his way to Utah. Anyways, when Brock decided to go to bed, Nixon was still awake. Brock climbed into bed and Nixon got the biggest smile on his face and started petting Uncle Brocks face! Brock said they were going to share the bed, but they had to be quiet and sleep, Nixon was just so excited to have a buddy that he went to sleep.  Brock said Nixon was a bed hog, so future sleepers beware! Nixon thought it was the best thing ever, and was sad when Uncle Brock left.  When I put him down for his nap he asked when Brock would be back to share his bed with him, he likes sharing his bed with Uncle Brock!

Here is a picture of Uncle Brock and of course his favorite niece and nephew ;)

These faces totally fit my kids hahahaha

That's all for today!

-K.

Working Mom

Since we moved to Nevada, I have been very fortunate to stay home with the children.  However, since we are not making any money, and I need to do and internship to complete my bachelors degree, I am getting prepared to go back to work. Some of you may not know, but in Idaho when I worked, I was able to have Oakley with me when Jeff was in class or something.  My boss was very nice and understanding, I was spoiled there. Unfortunately, I will never find a job like that again. :(

I go to a training for work tomorrow. I am really nervous for my kids.

When I went to my interview for the position, I had a good friend watch out kids because I was only going to be gone an hour or so.  This time, I did not want to push my kids on her for 6-7 hours, even though I trust her the most.
I also did not want to burden her with a very cranky baby, even if I was going to pay her. Oakley has been super super cranky, and I just figured it out right now, as I FINALLY felt a tooth come through! She loves to suck, so it has been very hard to investigate if she has been teething or not.

I feel bad for the lady going to be watching her though, she has been such a crab.  I just hope I get some sleep tonight so that I am not a crab too. Oakley is also VERY attached to me. Since she was born I have not been away from her for maybe more than 5 hours, maybe less time.... and since we have moved here, probably max time away from her would be 3 hours. So yea, we are pretty tight, and she has very much attached herself to me.

Most importantly, I feel bad for my kids. I am so sad to be going back to work. I always thought I was the working type... but being home with my kids these past two months has shown me how much I have been missing out on. Honestly some days I would prefer to be at work over being home and arguing and fighting with my kids. However, there are some moments, that I know I am so glad I was there to experience it with my kids, and I always want to be there for them just in case. I also worry a lot about what goes on while someone else is watching them.

I have been researching day homes and day cares.  One in Las Vegas just this week has been charged with child abuse.  They were found strapping children in chairs for 6 plus hours, and with holding food from them. AHHHHH How are people this insane to do that?!!!!

This of course made me more worried about my decision, but it came down to the fact that I don't really have a choice.... Thankfully I found a good paying job where I can also do my internship at, where I will be working more with kids after school.  I will be starting with Basic needs training, and moving up to psycho-social rehabilitation (which really is what I want to do).

All in all, I want my kids to be safe and happy. I want to give them the best life that I can.  By choosing this job, I chose the hours. I get to choose which people I work with, and therefore pick my days and my hours. I look forward to the journey, but am just having a really hard time even thinking about being away from my kids. Usually they will only be babysat a few hours a week due to me and Jeff's schedule, but tomorrow is going to be a long hard day for them, but I really hope its not. I tried to find them the best day home I could, with a women I somewhat know...

However, all of this makes me remember how much greatness I have in my life and how much to be thankful for.  These kids are my whole world, and I am so blessed to be their Mom and get to be on this journey with them!

So I think we will go out and really enjoy today.

-K

Sick Kids

It is so hard to tell when your kids are getting sick. Well, at least it is for me.  I swear Nixon has more mood swing than a teenage girl!

On Monday morning when Nixon got up, we were changing his clothes to get ready for our morning walk. When I pulled up his shirt there were little red bumps EVERYWHERE. Very confused because there has been nothing new in his diet for weeks, I contemplated other issues such as chicken pox or something.

I feel as a mother, if you aren't prepared for the worst, then your probably just not prepared.

As the day progressed, he got more and more of them. They up under his arm pits, and slowly down his arms and legs. I tried allergy medicine, and that did not seem to make any difference... I was reading online the difference between chicken pox and a rash from something like an allergy.  Chicken pox usually look  more like a ready to pop zit, and rashes always clear up after 24 hours, even if new ones are still appearing.

Well... Tuesday morning I skipped out on my Zumba to avoid contact with any other kids, just in case.

By 11am, they were all gone!

Now I just gotta figure out what his allergy was..... I am going to guess its something outside and in this climate, or something from nursery in church!

One of them did kind of bubble on his back and look a little like a blister, but does not look comparable to Google images to anything I have looked up, so I am thinking it is no big deal. I feel like you have to use google and find the not so ridiculous posts, otherwise your child and you could potentially have everything, or nothing because everyone is so DRAMATIC. After his bumps left, I felt a little dramatic about the situation, but my mom says to keep him away from other kids just in case. I think she's a smart lady, so I will try and listen.

Except, yesterday I had to run out and get the kids social security cards. It was a 3 hour trip before we were headed back home. Ugh. American government and making everything SO RIDICULOUS!

However, we need them, and I needed to get them done for taxes, and eventually they will need them, so it was for a good cause, but holy I had 2 very grumpy GRUMPY kids yesterday. The only problem is... its continuing with Oakley, so now I am thinking, is she getting sick? The cycle just goes round and round doesn't it...

Love Day Disaster

On Valentines Day I had a plan to go and "heart attack" Jeffrey's car while he was at work. Nixon and I had planned it for days, and had the hearts and everything all ready! You have no idea how hard it is to keep a 3 year old quiet, especially mine, he talks all. the. time.

Well Friday came along, and I had some errands to do beforehand, which I did not expect to take so long. (Visiting teaching, always longer than you think, right?!) I headed quickly over to Jeff's school, but on my way Nixon had an emergency and HAD to pee. NOW.

Well.
My phone rings......
Its Jeff.
Jeff - Where are you?
Me- Oh just taking Nixon to the potty, why are you almost done at the school?
Jeff - I will still be an hour or so, but I should be home soon.

I knew I did not have much time, but I still thought I had time!

After Nixon was done, we headed to the school, I drove around the parking lot, and there was no sign of our car.  I knew Jeff was pulling one over me and I was ticked! He always gets me, and I never have a chance to get him.  But now I knew he was getting me so HA!

I called him back.
Me- YOUR not at school!!!
Jeff - Why, where are you?
Me - I am so onto you, I can't believe you lied and said you were at school!
Jeff was basically - sorry not sorry. haha

By now he knows I was up to something, and he knows hes been caught so he said he would be home soon.

I was so disappointed that I could not surprise him.  We had tons of hearts and chocolates made into cute saying for him, and he was not around to receive it.

He still got to surprise me with flowers, a singing mylar balloon, and a trip to the spa the next day.

I did get to make him chocolate covered strawberries though! Yumm! But we ate them all Thursday night because they were so good.

All in all it was an awesome Valentines Day, but from my side to him, it was a total fail.  I did heart attack our room for him, but that is so not as cool! I would have done more of our house, but we had people coming over to visit that day, and did not want to make it messy.

I enjoyed seeing on Facebook that so many people enjoyed their Valentines Days, I am so glad that I have friends and family that are having fun in their lives and being taken care of.

One other thing that happened this weekend, Oakley is officially 6 months old!
She is also very grumpy. I cannot see or feel teeth coming in, but I can see bags under my eyes from lack of sleep, and feel my achy, tired body as I try and make it through the day.  Good thing she is cute.

We also hit up the Stratosphere, and the Chocolate Factory since it was the long weekend, and the Sam's town casino which has a forest in the middle of the casino, with dancing animals. Nixon loved it!

This one with Jeff & Oakley was form the Cactus garden which is just outside of the chocolate factory.

This was from our trip to the stratosphere, Oakley isn't the best yet at eating her mum mums.

I sent Jeff on all of the rides, this is a horrible picture, but this was him on the Insanity ride, which he thought was probably his favorite, but he thought they were all great.

We had a great love day weekend, and we hope you did too! We are having way too much fun here!

-K

Making the Move

We have learned a lot since being here in Nevada.  We love it, and the climate is so far amazing, but we know in the summer it will be super hot. However, in Canada we hid inside from the cold most days, and here it will be opposite, we will hide inside from the heat.  This answers the ultimate question, hot or cold? We obviously chose hot!

Some things about our new home:

- The traffic lights are FOREVER long
- The people are very friendly
- Always lock your doors, always.
- Watch your car at the gas station, as that is the main stealing grounds
- Parkades are safe and full of bait cars
- Everyone loves locals, so we get great discounts!! $$
- Family will finally visit us, apparently Idaho had no hype....
- We do not need heat on in the winter, so our gas bill is amazingly low!
- Almost 40 million people visit Las Vegas yearly, so our airplanes are non stop over our house.  It is a big hit with the kids.
- We can suntan in February
- The paint the roads, so light colored carpet is HORRIBLE! We have to mop often, and don't you dare wear your shoes in my house because the black gets EVERYWHERE.
- February through May are a big travel/spenders season here due to tax returns

There are so many fun things to do around here, I am so excited what this chapter of our lives brings to us.

-K

MR. Nix Turns 3!

I have a 3 year old.

Wow.

I think I am officially old.

Since we just moved here to Nevada, we do not have too many friends we would call up and invite to Nixon's party, we do however have a great family who is our friends and so they came out to Chuck E Cheese with us this past Saturday to have some fun.  Chuck E Cheese is the best. Anyone who has young kids and has not gone, go. Today, tonight, no seriously, go!!!!

Seriously Chuck E Cheese is awesome. I have only been to newer ones, so I guess they could get dirty pretty quickly as it is a kids fun house galore! All games are only one token, and so we get coupons offline and head on over there, and Nixon goes and plays everything. They also have free play areas like you would see at McDonald's or a fast food place with a play house. I say its best to sit by those, because then your child will use it more, and spend less of your money.

Nixon had so much fun, and we make some blue cupcakes for him, which he could have eaten them all in one sitting!

Blow out the candle! 

On his actual Birthday (Jan. 29th) we tried to hit up Circus circus to play some games and put Nixon on some rides. When we got there it was close to closing since it was a weekday, and they were filming for a show called "Freakshow."  They were freaky, its true there was a girl, she looked Amish from behind in the way she dressed, but from the front she had a beard...... and weird I wanna say feather eyelashes?? They also had Americas tallest man who is 7' 10", I wouldn't say hes a "freak" he was the most normal one there!  They asked us if Nixon could go on a ride with them to show families went to the park, it was free and we had to sign a release, we let Nixon do it, I was glad  Nixon did not have to sit by them because they were quite obnoxious for the cameras...

up - part of the Freakshow crew

up - signing the waiver

down - we played a little round of bowling on Route 66 

Opening Presents!

I would say that Nixon is fully potty trained now. He can do everything on his own and does whenever he feel he needs to go. I am so excited!! I feel like that was my first real mom test and I was glad my Mom was there for help when we started.

He is such a big boy, and boy are we glad he is ours, he brings so much laughter and joy into our lives, he is always trying to crack jokes and be the funny guy.  He is very stubborn and independent, and absolutely LOVES to sing and anything to do with music. My Mom says he is just like me when I was little. We love our little man, and I am glad/scared/excited/nervous about him growing up!


Here is a little update on Oakley.

She is getting super close to crawling, she army crawls and rolls everywhere. She is so alert and bright eyed everyday!...... and exhausting.... but when I see her so happy, it is all worth it!

Someone wants out of her crib!

She is getting so big.

We.simply.love.her.

-K