Life With Our Little Man of the House: Part Two

Things settled down a bit as we got into the groove of the whole “parent thing”(of course there is always more to adjust to) and with being a family of three. Jayden sleeping through the night was also a huge plus and blessing. I am praying that all our children are that good, although I am definitely not planning on it. We were pretty lucky. We were having fun enjoying watching him grow and develop, as he started to make little sounds and movements, followed by a quick and accomplished grin. We were enjoying many firsts like his first full bath (other than just a sponge bath), his first time sleeping through the night, and my personal favorite-his first smile. Life felt so perfect and Ben and I found ourselves wondering how our life ever had meaning without him. I am sure we will feel the same way as we welcome other children into our family, home, and life. We were very excited to celebrate his first holidays with him (and I will post those soon starting with his first Halloween), and I am happy to say that they all created some great memories. Life was good, but what can I say? Babies have a way of making your life so much happier and more meaningful.

We stayed the night at my parent’s, and went to their ward’s church meetings the following day. I am pleased to announce that Jayden got all of his fussiness out before church and was a gem for the entire three hour block.

Ben and I wanted to enjoy a walk, so we took Jayden to the mall just down the street for an evening stroll and of course to get some See’s Candies.

Jayden discovered what the T.V. was, and it was pretty obvious he was pretty amazed by it.

Matt and DeNeige came to dinner one night, and although he loved DeNeige ( he even put the moves on her right in front of Matt), but he peed all over Matt…TWICE! Ha ha! It was so hilarious! If you know our history, it is even funnier.

Dinner at Chuck-A-Rama with my parents and grandparents.

One Sunday during Jayden’s nap, Ben and I snuck in a candle-lit roast beef Sunday dinner. It was nice.

Jayden loved to be in his swing and look at this view out the window. When the wind would blow the leaves, he would get very excited and pump his legs, clench his fists, and go very wide-eyed.

Just look at that strong neck! We were so proud!

It had been a long day with Jayden and I both being sick, and when Ben came home he found us like this and took a picture.

Cami came for another visit, and was sweet and watched Jayden while Ben and I went on a date that night when Ben got off work.

We went to the Cheesecake Factory with the gift card our realtor gave us congratulating us on Jayden’s arrival.

Tummy time with friends!

Making Ben lunch on his lunch break. He did not come home often, but when he did, Jayden and I LOVED it!

1st full bath! He actually liked it, and now he begs for them.

Lexi came over often to visit and hang out. Jayden and I enjoyed the company. Jayden especially!

The kids always loved it when we Jayden came to visit.

We stopped by on the way home to see Grandma and Grandpa, and Great Grandma Durfee even got Jayden’s first smile! It was SO cute, even if I was a bit jealous, but I was just glad I was there to see it. She had a very hard time with his cleft lip, having had two brothers with it, and I think this was his way of letting her know he was okay.

Homemaking Project: My Main Floor’s Teal Makeover!

I am super excited about the new look for my kitchen, living room and entry way. I was able to get a whole new look with just a 97 cent bottle of teal paint. It made it so fun and new and I love how the teal compliments the red and green I already had throughout my main floor, while taking it to a whole other level. I can’t wait for Ben to get home from work and see it! I only wish I had thought to take before and after pictures, but I got a little bit excited about letting my creative energy flow. I started out just wanting to paint a few things on the ledge above my cupboards, and well one thing led to another and I sort made all of the following items pictured below part of the makeover. I LOVE it! And talk about decorating on a dime!

The roof to the bird house used to be solid forest green, but I painted the top teal and left the bottom forest green. The “Pasta” painted on the glass container used to be forest green, so I painted over it with teal. Last, but not least on the ledge are my lanterns I got at Ikea. They used to be sponged a brick red, but I like the solid teal much better.

I added teal to the trim of this sign and I love how it makes it pop now!

I made these signs for a Relief Society Homemaking night back in mine and Ben’s first ward since being married. They used to be solid antiqued cream. I was nervous about adding the teal, but I think it they turned out great!

The frame holding this picture of Christ used to be all forest green, but I love the added teal. This picture of Ben and I was actually given to me by my sister Cami, and is from a lady in Ecuador who creates art by burning it into wood. How cool is that? Ben and I love it, and I must say, I really like the teal edge since it is too thick to frame.

I got these daisy wall hangings from Ross a few years back, and the background squares behind the flowers used to be a dark tan, but boy does the teal really make those flowers pop!

For these last two items, I found a before picture in some of my old pictures. Here is the before and after of our wedding picture and the wall hanging in our entry-way.

Sorry the first pic is a bit fuzzy (I cropped it out of a bigger picture), but I got this at Ross and it used to be all green and brown. Don’t you just love the touch of teal? And last, but most importantly, the rug that inspired it all! This rug runs down the hallway between my entry-way and great room. I have always loved these colors together and now this color scheme floods my entire main floor, and it only took 4 hours and 97 cents! Not bad for a fun, little homemaking project.

Life With Our Little Man of the House

Our life-quite literally-revolved around our little Jayden that first little while, honestly, it still very much does. I wish I could go back in time to when Jayden was so little and new and fun, even with the sleepless nights, messy house, and me rarely getting in the shower for the day, let alone ready for the day. Every new movement and sound, and watching him grow and develop, has all been such a miraculous and wonderful blessing in mine and Ben’s life and we love sharing those moments with our loved ones. Jayden is such a smart and fun-loving boy and looking back, and enjoying looking through these pictures reminds me of how he always has been so bright and fun. He is the biggest blessing in our life thus far, and I can hardly wait to continue growing our family and getting to enjoy many more moments like these with our sweet little ones.

Mary stayed with us for a week, and it was so fun to get to know her better. It was so nice to have a little extra help and company.

Messy room, messy hair, messy house, make-up less face, and yet I could not picture a more perfect and happy moment.

About to head out to Jayden’s 2 week doctor’s appointment.

Boy how I wished he would sleep like this at night those first couple weeks. We tried and tried to keep him awake during the day (other than his scheduled nap time), to try to get him on the same schedule as us, but boy could that boy sleep through anything-note the photos below.

My parents came for dinner one night while Mary was staying with us, and although it was a nice evening spent together, I was having a really hard time. It was the day of his two week check-up. Despite my best efforts to help Jayden nurse, he would just try and try only to end up crying until he fell asleep, and he was not gaining the weight he desperately needed to. The most stressful thing about adjusting was eating. This particular day not only were Jayden and I told we were just being lazy about breastfeeding by his pediatrician (too lazy to try when you are starving and are trying for hours? Give me a break!), but I was told that his weight loss was getting dangerous as far as him staying healthy and alive for that matter. All my emotions came out that night as I tried once again to get him to eat. We tried everything-breastfeeding, pumping and using the cleft bottle, and even a medicine dropper at one point in time. Feeding times became the hardest parts of the day because of the stress that came with it, and seeing how hard of a time my sweet little Jayden was having. That night, my dad and Ben gave Jayden a blessing. I am so very grateful for the priesthood! The blessing reassured us that Jayden would be okay, and would grow up to be healthy and strong. I tell you, I did not know what worry or emotions really were until becoming a mother. The blessing also said that we would figure out how to feed him and the next day, Ben’s mother Mary did just that. After saying a personal prayer herself, she felt guided to use a specific cleft bottle, and to hold that bottle a certain way, and viola! Jayden went crazy and ate a ton! He gained back all the weight he had lost and then some just a week later. The nurses said they had never seen a baby his age gain so much weight in just a week, and we were finally in the good zone as far as health and worry are concerned (enter my huge sigh of relief with many tears of gratitude here). I am so grateful to have a Heavenly Father who is not only mindful of my needs, but my child’s as well, who can guide me and those around me with the Spirit to know how to best care for my little one.

Cami came to visit often, and I loved having an adult around to talk to and enjoy Jayden with, while Ben was at work.

Snuggles with Mommy!

Ryan and Hilary stopped by one night for a double-date movie night and of course, to see Jayden. If you ever are lonely and want company just have a baby! :) I think my parents came over twice the year and a half that we had lived there before Jayden, and then it was multiple times a week once he was born. It was pretty funny.

My.whole.world.

Jayden’s first appointment with his cleft surgeon, Dr. Warnock. We love this doctor and so does Jayden. He is so incredibly cute with him, and so nice and supportive with us. We always enjoy our visits here. I have not gotten a picture of Jayden with him yet since Ben and I have been so engulfed in these important and sometimes emotional visits, but I stole a couple off of Google so you can at least know what he looks like.

Andrea and Lindsay stayed with us for a bit while my Dad had a doctor’s visit just before he got Lasik for his eyes. They begged to come down with my parents so they could be dropped off to see Jayden. I think they might like him a little bit. ;)

Grocery shopping for snacks for our first official movie and pizza party (a tradition of Ben’s and mine) as a family of three!

Going to Daddy’s work and meeting everyone for the first time at about a month old. Don’t worry, the big spider in the background is dead. Creepy still though-trust me-I know! I actually worked in this office for the last few months of my pregnancy to help out with the busy season and help us bring in a little extra money, and some of the things in there spooked the living day lights out of me!

Ben treated me to a date night at Maddox while my family watched Jayden. My brothers Jared and Ryan worked there, as well as Ryan’s wife Hilary, so we got to see Jared and Hilary this night (Ryan was too busy in the kitchen so we waved hello through the window as we left). Ryan and Hilary even gave us a gift card for our meal that night. Can’t beat that! I have awesome siblings and an equally awesome sibling-in-law!:)

It was fun to have a little us time. We were going to hit up a movie to, but got missing Jayden too much, so we skipped it and went and played with Jayden and my family instead. Best.decision.ever.

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Durfee. I love looking at these first pictures of them together. Especially, knowing how much he loves them and how close he is to them now. Like with me, these two are probably his best friends. Every time he can see we are driving to their house he gets all excited, and when we get to their house, he excitedly runs around looking for them while calling out their names. He LOVES being at their house, playing in their backyard, going for long river walks with his Great Grandpa, and enjoying making goodies in the kitchen with Grandma.