Preggers and other things

These next few months are going to be bitter-sweet for me, mostly because I have the best little 2 year old a mom could ask for and spending time with him has been such a joy for me. Just the two of us, while daddy is at work, and then when daddy comes home, we have even more fun. It's really starting to feel like a family unit. I keep feeling like I'll be a little sad to add another addition to the mix. I feel like the family dynamic will change. Ethan's roll will change from being the only child, and sole receiver of all attention, to being big brother. He's already so helpful, he wants to do everything he can to gain more independence, so I know he'll be a big help. It's just going to be difficult for me not to look at him as my little baby boy anymore! I'm sure I'll immediately snap out of it when the new baby comes because of the joy and love I'll feel with both. I'm sure I won't be able to picture my life any other way. So I really can't wait for that day. :) I'm so happy to finally feel less sick these last few weeks! Besides a little bout of the flu I had this week, things are getting back to normal! It's such a blessing that the things of pain in the life are for but a moment when you look back on them.

In the meantime, we've had lots to do and time marches on!

Joe has been spending lots of one on one time with Ethan lately since I've been laying around the house with nausea. He took him to a Dbacks game recently and Ethan had such a fun time dancing to the music and watching the game.

Joe and Ethan had a blast at father and sons together. Funny story, the two of them were sleeping in the tent together and of a sudden Joe gets woken up by Ethan saying, 'Daddy, stop making the trimmer noise!" Joe realizes he's been snoring and Ethan thought it sounded like a trimmer so that's the only way he could describe it! They did all of the fin camping things like roast marshmellows and throw rocks in the river. Too fun! Oh I failed to mention I had a fun girl's night that evening!

We spent some time at Lehi Days with the Allen family after a LONG dry spell of missing them. They are so fun and so easy going to be with. Crew and Ethan enjoyed each other's company too! I'm always sad when the Allen's leave town because I know it will be a long time until we see eachother again!

The greatest performer!

Well I'm very sad know that Michael Jackson passed away this past Thursday. What an amazing man and performer. I remember watching this superbowl performance when I was 10 years old. There's never been a better half-time show since! I think this is the way I want to always remember him. :)

Baby on the way...

Sadly, I've said goodbye to my Michael Jackson blog facelift. ::sheds a tear:: But on to bigger and better things! We have been blessed recently to find out we're expecting again! I would do a happy dance but then the nausea would kick in stronger and make me do things I don't want to do. Despite the all of the fun pregnancy symtoms (nausea, heightened sense of smell, weird cravings, sleepiness, lazyness, gas??) we are all very happy! Ethan can't wait for a little brother or sister. I would love to find out the baby is a girl, but I know I'll be happy either way! I've got plenty of other things to share, but seeing as how sitting at the computer makes me feel sick, we'll see how well I do at posting over the next few weeks.

If I had to...

If I had to choose one artist that I could only listen to their music for the rest of my life, it would be easy for me! The King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. I used to go to my room, close the door, flip on 'They don't care about us' and rock out! Last night, American Idol had 'Michael Jackson' night and it seemed to stir up all my memories of dancing in the living room to 'Thriller' and 'Man in the Mirror' with my sisters. You can say what you want about his personal life, but when it comes to performing, he's number one! Dance, song beat, energy, he has it all! He always does something crazy when he performs live on stage. One of my favs was when he came together with Britney Spears in '02 for 'the way you make me feel'. Two of my favorite artists! And who can forget Captain EO the 3d movie at disney land for all those years! So awesome! I hope he never stops making music and performing. I would die to go to one of his live concerts! Anyone hear about one coming anywhere near AZ, you must inform me! Thanks MJ!

I hear wedding bells!

Yay! My little brother just got back from his mission is Novemember and his sweet peach girlfriend Brittany waited for him. When he came home, they started off right where they left off, and now they're getting married in March. Jordan and Brit are such a perfect couple. You can't be in the same room with them without feelin' the love! She's amazing and we'll be so happy to call her sister!

Yay!

So I recently designed some ads for one of my favorite clients. Lora Jenson, little did I know, she's a genius, so here's what one of the ads looks like:

Well I designed the ads, and chose the slogan "Easy, fun, you're done." and went about my daily life again putting Ethan in diapers just fine. Well then Lora so graceously sent me the Ebook. So I thought I would try it! WOW! A week later Ethan has gone a whole day without having any accidents! Was it easy or fun? No! Did it happen in just three days? No! But am I done potty training Ethan, YES! I am so happy that I did it. And I'm so grateful for my husband who didn't let me quit when I tried like 10 times! He just kept telling me it would be worth it. And the relief I feel right now is amazing!

I'm a busy mom, like most, and I think in the beginning I did not put as much focus into my child as he needed in order to complete the task in 3 days. Now I know for my next child what needs to be done. I wish I could send the Ebook to all of you out there, but I need to give credit where credit is due, so go to here site and purchase the Ebook: http://www.3daypottytraining.com/. You'll be happy you did!

On a side note, Joe and I played twister last sunday while Joe's brother Jeff called out the next move for us, I think he had it in for us, however because look at this horrendous pose we were forced in to:

We laughed until we cried, and then fell down. (I love how one of Ethan's cars is in any photo I take inside my house anymore, they're everywhere!)

Christmas Through your eyes

I had fun designing this year's Christmas Card. Here's the final front.

Inside Spread.

Back. The paper was a glossy cardstock. So cute! This year, Joe and I decided to take the lights off of our old pre-lit tree so we could put new ones on. Hours and several severs to the hands later, we vowed never to do that again. I think we'll try a 'real' tree next year. It was a great bonding experience though. :)

We did the luminaries down our street and through part of the neighborhood this year. It's such a fun activity for Christmas eve! All of the neighborhood kids look forward to helping me fold the sacks and put the sand and candle in.

This is the beautiful Christmas lights Joe put on the house this year. I just love them! Ethan took one look at Daddy's Christmas light extravaganza and said, "It's so beautiful!" He could have stared at them all day long.

This is our Christmas lights on drugs! Much cooler! Ethan on Christmas morning! When we went to visit Santa at the mall, he told him he wanted toys for Christmas, but I don't think he really expected to wake up one random morning and see all sorts of fun toys and gifts. I woke up Chistmas morning feeling SO SICK! So I got to be the photographer. :)

Ethan and his Christmas spoil of sorts!Barbie apparently has something against Santa Claus.

What's left of Santa!!