What's up?

After my sister-in-law told me about Instagram, I was hooked. I love being able to take a picture snapshot of life at different moments and also look at other people's pictures. A picture says so much without saying anything. It's also a nice way to find stuff to blog about. It's so much better than facebook, in my opinion. I just wish I had more friends on it. Here is what we have been up to in the last week or so in Instagram pics.

I have been making a lot of buffalo grilled cheese sandwiches lately. Try it. Your mouth will thank you.

This is the only way I can get some sort of exercise in during the day.

Robie got me a gift certificate to an Aveda Spa in Salt Lake City for Christmas. I put it to good use with a one hour aromatherapy massage and a foot relief pedicure.

Jaxon has officially joined the forward facing car seat club. Driving is a whole new experience now, and he loves looking at all the trucks and things on the road. I really wanted to make it to 18 months, but his long legs were so cramped and it was so hard getting him in his seat rear-facing.

Last, but not least... I thought it would be fun to take Jax to feed the ducks by our house today. A flock of bully geese didn't like that we were enjoying our time with the ducks, so they decided to ambush us. I fed them a little here and there, but then they started being really aggressive. Then they surrounded us, got all puffed up, flapped their wings, and squawked at us to give up the bread. I was so scared, so I just threw the whole bag at them and ran off carrying Jaxon and screaming. The worst part is when I finally got away from them, there were a bunch of guys in a truck that saw the whole thing and were laughing at me. Oh well. Now I know to not go to that creek anymore.

Ear Candy

I haven't listened to a song this much since Adelle came out with "Rolling in the Deep".  This is such an awesome band and I'm pretty much in love with this song.  I think at least 1,000 of their YouTube hits are just from me watching their amazing music video over and over again.  It's pretty fabulous.  So press play and let your ears enjoy the delicious melody.

random musical thoughts

It's been a while since I have talked about one of my favorite singers here on the bliggity blog (no complaints from Robie). So, just to bring a little Archuleta spirit back, here's his new music video release of "Wait"



It's actually the first time I have even heard this song. I'm not sure what to think. I never realized how big his nostrils are. The slow motion was really slow and a little Matrix like, but the song is kind of catchy. I can see myself saying (or singing), "wait, wait, wait...don't go" in the future to someone as they walk away...and then laughing at myself since I will be the only person who knows what the heck I am referring to. That will be an awesome day.

In other music related news, my favorite band, SNOW PATROL, is coming to concert April 28! Snow Patrol holds a special place in my heart since it's the first band Robie and I had in common the first night we met, and we danced to their song, "Run" at our wedding. I guess you could call them our band. We have been to 2 of their concerts so far, so it would be a cool early 5th year anniversary gift to go this year (hint, hint). I guess we shall see...

I am always on the look out for new bands, singers, songs to add to my ipod, especially ones that are upbeat and keep me motivated to work out. What is your favorite song or a recent hit you can't get out of your head?

simplifying things

I already posted about Jaxon's birthday celebration in Texas, but this post is about his party when we got home.  I started planning out details for Jaxon's birthday party when he was born.  I started a folder on my computer, and filled it with cute party themes and ideas from the internet.  I even spent weeks on Pinterest pinning picture perfect scenarios of how I wanted his party to look.  I wanted to pull off the cutest birthday party ever.  I wanted to do a cookies and milk bar, filled with every cookie imaginable.  I wanted to buy big glass jars to put the cookies in, and I wanted to label each jar with a cute ribbon and identification card.  I wanted to have a cute birthday background behind the table, so when I took pictures you couldn't see the clutter in my kitchen.  I wanted to have vintage milk jars with red and white stripped straws for people to sip their flavored milk in. I wanted to make personalized party hats and transform my house into a spotless wonderland.  About a month before his party, I started getting really stressed thinking about all the money and time I would need to spend for this perfect scenario I had in my head.  It was all getting out of control, and then I read this quote on a friend's facebook page:

“We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are.” Marjorie Hinckley

Was planning the perfect party important?  No.  Would Jaxon care about the fancy details?  No.  Was I being totally immature in trying to prove something?  Yes.  So, I took a step back, re-evaluated my priorities, and decided to simplify things.  Instead of buying glass jars, I put the cookies on plates.  Instead of fancy milk glasses and straws, I bought plastic cups at Wal-Mart.  We had soup, Capri Sun drinks for the kids, and bought a few balloons.  It was simple, and it was fabulous.

I have a quote on my bathroom mirror that says, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."  Next to it is a picture of myself when I was 130 pounds and wearing a size 4.  I was hot.  I look at it everyday wishing I could be tiny again.  Today I took down that quote and replaced it with the one I posted by Marjorie Hinckley.  Instead of skinny hot, I am now a different kind of hot.  I have curvy hips and a few awesome purple battle wounds (stretch marks) from carrying and delivering a baby.  I am so honored and privileged to be a mom, and my mommy scars are worth every minute I get to raise my beautiful little boy.   No longer will I wish for something that once was, because the person I am now has so much more joy than the person I was then.  There is always room for improvement, but I want to learn to be content with what I am now.  I want to stop trying to prove something, and I want to simplify things and enjoy life one day at a time.  I can still strive to be my best self, but I don't have to become something I am not.  This doesn't mean I am going to be lazy and not care anymore.  I still want to challenge myself, work out, discover new things, make cool crafts, and learn new recipes, but "at a pace that is comfortable". I need to remember I can't do it all at once, and that is totally okay.

I don't have any perfect party pictures that belong on Pinterest for people to oooh and awww about, but I do have pictures, and they are worth 1,000 words and more.  Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us!  It was so much fun!

Cousin Ellie giving Jax some birthday advise

Robie helping the kids with their party poppers during Jax's bday song

Proof

Sometimes, Robie jokes Jaxon's real dad is the mail man. He thinks there is no way Jax could be his child since he has my eyes, nose, smile...well, he pretty much looks a lot like me. Well Robie, the mail man's got nothing on you. Don't believe me? Here's the proof:

There is no way to deny these two are related. I mean, come on! Who sleeps like that? I surely don't. I can only fall asleep on my stomach or in some variation of a stomach/side/balled up position with a specific pillow tucked under my chin. So babe, now you know the truth and you can stop giving the mail man dirty looks.

ONE

Yesterday, my baby boy turned one.  When I think back to the day he was born, I remember having so much love for him, and that love has multiplied every day since.  My heart swells when I think about how much I love him.  He brings so much joy to my life.  A part of me was worried when he was born not breathing with his umbilical cord around his neck. I figured he would have problems or there would be something wrong with him from such a lack of oxygen to his tiny little brain.  I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the miracle that everything turned out okay.  I am amazed daily at all the new things Jaxon learns.  He has grown up so much, and I can't wait for all the experiences we will get to share in the future.

Size comparison- Newborn vs 12 month

Since Jax is having a birthday party this Saturday, we decided to just hang out and relax for his special day.  We woke up and watched Price is Right together (as is tradition).

Then, I made him a special breakfast of his favorite foods - bananas and pancakes (with birthday sprinkles of course).

After breakfast, we watched Good Things Utah for Jaxon's TV debut.  (They do a baby's first birthday segment, and Jax was featured.)

After a nap, some playing, some lunch, and another nap, Daddy finally got home from work and Jax opened his present.

I think it's going to take a little while for him to figure out that the ball goes IN the basket.  For now, he just likes the ball.  Before bed time, we sang happy birthday to him with ice cream (instead of cake) and enjoyed every last bite.

Happy Birthday my sweet little baby Jax!  We love you!

And for the very last time, here is his final monthly progression pics.

• Wears size 4 diapers
• Wears size 12 month clothes
• Babbles constant nonsense everywhere he goes
• Drinks whole milk, and hates juice
• Loves pasta, eggs, bananas, mandarin oranges, and pancakes
• Gets into cupboards and pulls everything out
• Loves playing in the dishwasher

and lastly...

• He WALKS and wears size 4 shoes!

Here are some videos of his mad walking skills (and a little awkward crab crawling).  I call him a little pinball, because he walks from the front door, to the wall, the the chair, to the table, to whatever other landmark he can see, and back to the front door....all day long....all the time.  I love it and I love him.
 

 

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy

Today is Jaxon's 1st Birthday!  Words can not describe how much I love this little boy.  I am so glad I get the privilege of being his mom.  Happy Birthday Jax!  Your daddy and I love you oh SO very much!

(Longer bday post coming soon)