Alexander Growing into a Toddler

It happens all the time, they start off as a newborn, and before you know it, they're walking and talking. Ok, he's not so much talking, but the point it, he's going up so fast. I love the mornings when he wakes up and I go and get him out of his crib, Shayna and I peek in the door and see his adorable smile, with his dimples. Then he will hug me too, I just live it up. Here are a couple videos of our little guy walking and just being Alexander.

Don't Know How To Top Birthday #3!

Shayna's Birthday was this last Tuesday the 27th of July. She is now 3 years old, and just spunky as can be, and very much a little girl.

She woke up and got to open up her present from us. She's at that prime age where everything is princesses, bows, pink, and cute. All the stuff girls are made of. Mostly everything wrapped in Disney princess wrapping paper, but we got her a Disney princess scooter, a Disney hopscotch rug, a Snow White dress, a Belle dress with matching slippers, a Zhu Zhu hamster (mechanical toy hamster) with a couple tracks, and a couple of books. I thought if we gave her our presents in the morning this would keep her busy until her party that evening, but it backfired cause she then just wanted me to play with her. But I couldn't, I had to get everything ready for the party. I promise as the years go by I will get better at taking pictures. I realized I didn't get any pictures of her in the dresses. I will get some later when she dresses up in them.

Then that evening we invited a few of her little friends over for a party. Of course it was a princess themed party. So the boys got a crown and a sword, and the girls got a little tiara comb, and a wand. But I have to say the highlight was the bouncy castle. Fun for all ages, even my mother. The pictures will speak for themselves. I can only say that Angie will never forget the correct way to get into one, and Mike will never forget the correct way to get out of one. But to have any sort of family get-together, family party, birthday party without a bouncy house, castle, or blowup house of some kind will just not cut it anymore.

Our First Family Vacation

We wanted to take the kids somewhere close, that we could drive to. We came up with Yellowstone.

We headed out on a Tuesday about 10am in good spirits. We had set up the portable DVD player for the kids, and don't know what we would have done without it. The ride up was great, mainly I mean because the kids were happy.

We went into the park that night and saw some buffalo right off the road, as well as a bald eagle. Shayna was pretty excited. She had an even better time that night at the hotel pool, and water slide.


That night we went to settle in, and Steve and I have some quirks about hotels anyways, but Shayna starts talking about bed bugs, out of now where. She says, "they're small, you can't see them, they climb on you, and tickle you." What, who, how, why? Alex had a hard time falling asleep, and then woke up around 4am, and I couldn't get him to go back to sleep until 5am. Needless to say, not a good night.

We headed into the park about 11am towards Old Faithful. It's not that far, but when you can only drive 35mph, it's a longer drive. We got there and the kids were not happy, we went to find out when the next erruption was, not for 25 minutes. So we went to grab something to eat. When Shayna was done eating Steve went to pick her up out of her chair and she had peed through everything. So he took her to the car to change her while I stayed with Alex to finish our lunch. Then Alex started to get cranky as we were meeting back up with Steve, so we had had enough. Needless to say we didn't even see Old Faithful errupt, and it was Steve's first time visiting.

The thought of another night away from home wasn't reassuring, so we drove home. So Wednesday night about 10pm we arrived back home. A short trip, and one we will remember. There was some good, but it was a learning experience. A reminder to myself from this trip: never let one of my children have any sort of souvenier that is a pen, even if you think they won't know how to get it open.

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

This was one of the best Mother's Days ever. Granted I haven't had too many, and it was a little bitter-sweet since my dad and step-mom just left for their mission to Peru yesterday. But I have a wonderful husband, and 2 beautiful children with whom I got to spend a great day with today.

So Saturday, yesterday, my husband, and the kids went and did a little shopping, I got to buy a few things for myself that I've been eyeing, and was left in peace as I shopped with my companion Alexander (he's such an easygoing little guy). I was happy enough with that being my Mother's Day. But, then I woke up this morning to flowers, and a card from Steve and then one that Shayna picked out. Super cute! Then this evening Shayna and I planted our garden. It's nothing big, and I don't know that we'll eat much of anything we'll grow, but it's fun, and it's just the two of ours.

Catching Up

Let's see. So I finished my 6 week boot camp. Not weighing a lot less, but I did drop a few inches here and there. My major accomplishment was just exercising 4 times a week. But I decided I needed to really try, so I signed up for another 6 weeks, and am currently on week 2. So we'll see how this round goes. But I've got tons of support from family and friends, and no matter what, it's more then I've done, or been doing for the past probably 5 years. So at least it's a step in the right direction.

So Christmas.....it was fun. I really mean it. About a month or so before, I was having Shayna practice opening presents. I was having her unwrap the outer cover from toilet paper rolls. She got pretty good at it. The first present she opened was a tutu, after putting it on, she pouted. It seemed we weren't off to a good start. But then she got into it. Daddy, was helping her, but she got disinterested about 5 present in. We actually ended up getting her to open her last present about 10pm Christmas Day. I was worried we didn't get her enough. HA!

Shayna is such a little girl. She does like to play with trucks, cars, and trains, but she is turning into a princess, literally. She now wears either a pink or blue dress around the house with her Cinderella glass slippers. Then she will act out the part when Cinderella goes to the ball. Steve or I will have to dance with her, then she will go running, take off one shoe, and then keep running. It is the funniest, cutest thing. She loves to wear my shoes, she'll go in my closet and go straight for my red high heels.

Alexander is just growing up so, too, fast. He had his 9 month appointment, and he can already fit in a convertible car seat cause he's so dang tall. He's in the 90% for his age in length. He's already wearing and growing out of 12month clothes. I just can't keep up with the boy. He's now sitting up by himself, and his first tooth broke through on Christmas Eve. Then his second one just started coming in on the bottom too. He will be 1 in April, I just can't believe it. I just want him to be my baby forever. But then he just keeps getting cuter and cuter.

Finding Time for it All

Sorry for not updating my blog, I really don't have too much to catch up on. I'll at least try to keep some current pictures on here.

If you haven't heard on my facebook updates, I started a boot camp last week. I only made it 3 out of the 4 days last week. I was so sore, I could barely move, and it honestly made me a little mental. But I am super excited to start my next week. It's something new, uncomfortable, and difficult for me, so it's an amazing accomplishment for me every day I go. I just want to take this time to first, thank my super-supportive husband who is my best-friend and rock, and all the family that helps watch my kids so I can go to my boot camp.

My dad and step-mom just received a mission call to serve in Lima, Peru, they leave May 3, 2010. We are all so excited for them. It will be an interesting venture to see my father learn, and hear him speak Spanish. But there is so much faith there, that anything is possible.

Shayna is an amazing little girl. She forms new sentences and says something new each day, I love it. She is so funny too. She'll laugh at things she says, but I don't know if she really knows what she's saying is funny. Lately, she's been filling in the big-sister roll, she'll give Alex hugs if he's getting upset, or share some toys. She rubs his head and says, "oh, cute baby." He just watches, smiles, and seams to adore her. I finally got her to start watching a princess movie, so Cinderella and Tinkerbell I kind of pushed on her. Now we have to watch one or both every day. It hasn't got old......yet. But anyone wearing a headband is a princess, and castles and temples are the same.

Alexander, I love him. So, let's just say he's a little fluffy, but it just makes him all the more cuter. He's smiles all the time, laughs, talks well screams, he is just one happy little boy. No teeth yet, but he's only 8 months. He's eating solids, and pooping a lot. Did I mention pooping?

We are so excited for Christmas this year. Can't wait. I'll post more after that big eventful day. Love you all.

Shayna's Birthday, 2 Years Old

Shayna is now 2 years old, and I can't believe it. She got to have 2 birthday parties because some members of the family were out of town. But she wasn't complaining. She still didn't understand exactly what was going on, but she enjoyed opening her presents, and playing with all her stuff. Man she is one spoiled child.

To a point, I have loved watching her grow into the beautiful little girl she is. The bad part is she's just going to keep growing. But I am looking forward to at least one of my kids being out of diapers. I definitely get my exercise everyday with the amount of trips we make upstairs to change diapers. (By the way a handy tip for mothers, I love the Diaper Genie Elite. I haven't got any pee or poo on myself disposing of a diaper since purchasing it. It's awesome.)

Sooner or later it had to happen, but Shayna is into boys, well there isn't much of a choice in my neighborhood that's all that seems to be. Our neighbors have a 3 year old boy, and a 1 year old boy, that she plays with almost everyday. We were over there a few weeks ago, and I looked over at her, she was twirling her finger through the older boys hair. She's already a flirt, I guess it just runs in the family. The boys mom and I were joking about them getting married and he said "no mom, her and Landon (the 1 year old) can get married." Shayna and Landon give each other hugs, and sometimes walk around holding hands, it's super cute.

Alexander, is a chunk, but a cute one. He loves to smile, and coo. I eat it up, it's one of the highlights of my day. Yesterday I was dropping him off at my sister-in-laws, and as I turned to put him and the car seat out, I tweaked my back. I ended up in the hospital, and needed shots. It will take me 4-6 weeks to fully recover. So it just goes to show you how big he really is, or how dumb I am at lifting.

I love being a mother everyday. I get frustrated sometimes, but then one of the kids do something unexpected, even as simple as Alex farting, and it brings a smile to my face. I am so lucky I have such a hands on, supportive husband. I don't know how people do it on their own.

April 12, 2009

April 12, 2009, I started having contractions. After going to the hospital they determined I was in active labor, so we were going to have our baby today. We got to the hospital about 3:00pm, and had little Alex about 6:00pm. He was a healthy 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was 19.2 inches long, with a full head of dark hair.

After his asssessment, they determined he was having some breathing problems, and would have to be hooked up to a c-pap machine to help him breath, nothing too serious. But it was heart breaking for his mom not to get to see him the first day. It gave me motivation to stand and walk soon after my c-section. Around 12am I felt good enough to stand, and even walk to the NICU. It's very hard to see an innocent child hooked up to iv's and tubes. I knew he would be ok, but it's still hard to see. Even harder was the fact that I couldn't even hold him yet. The next day, he was taken off the c-pap, and I did get to hold him. I was able to stay in the hospital for 5 days, which is what it took to get him healthy enough to finally come home, so it was awesome we got to come home together. It was amazing to see those beautiful eyes look at me so innocently, I can't even begin to describe the feeling of being a mother and looking into your childrens faces. I love being a mom.

Of course during all of this Steve, and especially Shayna were so sick. So Steve didn't make it out to the hospital as much as he wanted, and Shayna really only got to see her little brother the day we came home. Which she still doesn't understand, she just calls him baby, and will check up on him every once and awhile.

Alex has adjusted very well, the 2 days he's been home, he honestly wakes up every 3 hours to eat, then goes to sleep. It's got to be tough being a baby.

He shall be known as Alexander

After much deliberation, Steve and I have decided to name the newest little addition to our family Alexander Steven Moss. (Alex, or Xander for short) I am just so glad we have a name picked out before he's actually here.


I will be admitted to the American Fork Hospital on Friday, April 17, and am scheduled for a c-section. It's still scary to think about the whole surgery process, but I feel so much more comfortable with a date in sight, and already knowing what to expect. Steve has planned out work so he will be home for the first 2 weeks, and then close to home the 2 weeks after that. It's really great to have someone who is so loving and supportive through this whole process.


Shayna has no idea what's going on. She points at my belly and says either "ma ma, or da da." She's still trying to get that one down, so to expect her to understand there's a baby in there is a whole other obstacle. I think once she gets down the idea of being gentle with a baby, (she is sweet and kisses her baby dolls, but also throws them down or across the room) she'll fit into the big sister care giving roll.

Christmas has come and gone

It's amazing how quickly Christmas comes and goes. I'm not looking forward to putting all the decor away, but it will clear up some space in the house. I did end up getting a Wii, and Rock band 2. It's hard to find time to play, or think of excuses why I use most of my free time to play instead of my day to day duties, but I've managed.

Shayna seemed to have a great time. She still doesn't understand a lot, especially the opening of presents, she didn't even care to rip the paper. When she sees what's in the paper, she would get excited. But I think we have to wait another year to see her have some enthusiasm.

Steve has got to be one of the most difficult people to buy gifts for. Of course he didn't want anything, but that just can't happen. He got the "Dark Knight," a DVD set of all the old Christmas cartoon movies, and a couple of t-shirts. Nothing too exciting. We did decide as a present to each other to plan a trip to Las Vegas. So we are going in January, it will be fun.

Well it's late, and I'm not so spontaneous when it comes to writing much more, so I think I'll fit in some Rock band, and then hit the sack. Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas!!!!

Oh, and we're having a difficult time thinking of a boys name, so we are open to any suggestions.

Is it a clue?

As Christmas is coming closer, everyone waits in anticipation for their gifts. Steve and I have somewhat of a hard time keeping our presents a secret from each other, at least until Christmas. The last 3 years we've ended up opening our gifts to each other all on Christmas Eve, not being able to wait one more day. This year there are very few things I want, and or need, but we've been talking about getting a Wii for the family. So after contemplating if Steve would have purchased one for my gift, I had a thought.....Shayna has picked up a new word/sound. "Weeeeeeeee," is was she's been yelling. I think it might be a clue.

Stay tuned to see if she gave away the suprise! We will be waiting for Christmas Day before we open our gifts this year.