Little leprechaun

Even though Jordy has been pretty fussy lately and has just had a hard time being comfortable in any position (we actually went to the doctor today and are trying out an antacid medicine to see if that will help with possible reflux) -- this little man can still make it all worth it with his smile! :)

And this kid is hilarious. Good advice for any "new" person...so listen up, Jordy! Ü 

"Laughing's the best!" 

A few BIG lessons from a little person

Some fun Jordy moments! (I hope someone enjoys these...I just spent over an hour trying to figure out how to upload these because the videos were too big at first. Grrr...but it was still more fun than doing my reading, or research, or the dishes, or... ☺)

This is one of the few moments when Jordy let me put him in his bouncer. He's wearing his favorite: the bunny dress! (I can't tell you how many times I get "wapped" in the face with those stupid bunnies while he's sleeping!) He's trying to figure out what those toys are doing in front of him...

Jordy: Talking at 1 o'clock in the morning! 

Smiling with Dad! 

The other day when I was trying to change Jordy with lightning-speed as he was screaming at me, (even though I wasn't the one that made poop go all the way up his back- in fact, I was the one HELPING him!) I had this little realization:

I've had my own "traumatic" diaper-changing moments in my life.

And then, the more I thought about it- the more I realized there are MANY valuable life lessons that Jordy is teaching me.

Here are a few so far:
1. Life is like a diaper change. Maybe not literally. (I still like thinking life is more like a box of chocolates than a diaper...) But I realized this: Jordy screams and gets so upset when he's getting changed, not realizing that what's happening is really GOOD for him. No matter how many times he's been through it before, he always seems to forget that it lasts a short time and that he feels so much better when it's over. How many times do I get so upset in the moment- even when I know that whatever discomfort I may be going through is only temporary, and that I'll feel better after?
2. Jordy is so "quick to forgive": One minute he can be so upset and red in the face, and then, (hopefully) within a few minutes, he's snuggling into me or even giving me smiles. It's made me think- would I be that happy if I would just not hold grudges against people?
3. Simplicity is key: All Jordy really asks for is a clean diaper, some food every couple of hours, a little attention now and then, and a nice comfortable place to sleep. Wow. I feel so high-maintenance and selfish and greedy compared to him. For example: I have so many clothes that I don't even end up wearing- yet, I don't like what I have and always am looking for others --> Jordy wouldn't care if he wore the same 3 outfits every day. He just cares about the ESSENTIALS. The other day I had to watch a movie about repairing cleft palates in India and other third-world countries for one of my classes. There I was watching it on my big TV, sitting on my couch, in a comfortable home- watching a little 8-year-old walk barefoot for hours to get to the city so she could get her cleft lip fixed. Talk about feeling humbled. Sometimes I feel frustrated as I'm running from one place to another, juggling an upset Jordy in my arms and I've thought, "why is this so hard?" Ha. Because I MAKE it hard! I really should be thinking about how blessed I've been to have so many opportunities.

Another twist on the simplicity theme: The few times I've been able to put Jordy down for a couple minutes- I always feel like I have to try getting a million things done (as I've realized there is a limit to what can really get done one-handed) Yet, seeing as I only have 10-15 min. or so...I've had to prioritize what is most important and what REALLY needs to get done first. If the dishes sit in the dishwasher for another day...oh well! Jordy "helps" take the mystery out of knowing what are the most important things to do and has helped redefine what daily "successes" are (ie: getting dressed, getting something for dinner, etc!)
4. Independence is a blessing. As much as I enjoy being at Jordy's every "beck and call" (quite literally)- it's made me think how different my life would be if I depended on someone else for EVERYTHING- getting dressed, eating, changing, etc. (I know that I still do rely on so many--I don't think I will ever be entirely independent!) But at least I don't have to wear a diaper anymore...
5. It's kind of a given with what I'm studying and all-- but I've again seen how important COMMUNICATION is! (Remind me of this when Jordy is a teenager and I wonder why I ever taught him to speak!)
6. We have a quote in our kitchen/dining room that says: "We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." Jordy is living proof of this! Ü There have been times that I just don't think I can do another day of screaming and crying...and then he'll smile at me and I think that Jordy couldn't be more perfect! I seem to forget about all those frustrating moments with that big cheesy grin of his! He really can brighten my day!
7. Trusting others. Something I have a VERY hard time doing- yet- Jordy does this every day, all day long. He has to trust that someone will feed him, and keep him safe. What if I trusted others that much?
8. The other day in my primary class the lesson was supposed to highlight how Jesus had started as a baby and then grew up choosing the right-- so I asked those 4 year-olds if they thought a baby could do different things right away, and they said no. I told them they were right, babies have to be taught things. Then one little girl blurted out "just like a dog! You have to teach a dog to do stuff." Although that wasn't exactly the point I was hoping to get across- it did make me realize she had a point. It is up to me/us to teach Jordy pretty much everything initially (somehow he's got crying down and I know I didn't teach him that!) That hit me hard: YIKES! I'M responsible for teaching him something! What on earth can I teach him?! But I think more than any facts I can pass along to him- he's going to learn by example-I know I learned so much from the excellent examples of my parents and others around me- A reminder to me to be the kind of person I want Jordy to see and learn from.

First Mini Road Trip

Tyler has been staying pretty busy these last few months. He's been juggling being on "Jordy duty" when he gets home from work (which has switched to a different lean-manufacturing system- so he has a different title now: Operations Analyst Manager- which means he has new responsibilities there) with his new calling of Ward Clerk (so he has to go to Sunday Bishopric meetings and mid-week interviews) with also studying for the GMAT test that he has to take to apply for business schools! For the last month and a half he was staying up in Salt Lake on Tuesday and Thursdays from 6-9:15pm taking a prep class. This meant he didn't get home until after 11pm because he had to wait for the next train which wasn't until 10:11 :( He studied hard and took multiple practice tests these last few months. On Saturday, he took the dreaded test in Bountiful (starting at 8am). Jordy and I met him at his work on Friday and we all stayed in a hotel in Salt Lake so Tyler wouldn't have to drive so far that morning. I am so proud of Tyler for his hard work and dedication, studying and doing practice problems on the train and on the weekends. Those tests are long and frustrating- but Jordy and I are so proud of him for taking it! 

When Tyler finished the test, we decided to walk around Temple Square for a little bit because it was such a gorgeous day with a clear blue sky! What a great way to relax after a stressful test! I had a mission companion that always was so eager to just see the temple...she said it brought instant peace and comfort to her just looking at it. I agree! 

I'm still not sure what's in our future...but I sure am grateful for our Eternal Family! 

Happy "Un-birthday"

Jordy turned 2 months old on February 30th...oh wait, there is no February 30th!! Thus, he had an "un-birthday" moment! I can say "he's getting so big" with proof: the outfit he's wearing in these 2 month pictures is a size 3-6 month! (It's a little big, but not by much!)

These past 2 months have been a steep learning curve- but they've also been the best we could have asked for!

A little about Jordy:

- He weighs 13 lbs and is almost 24 inches! (The pediatrician said 66th percentile for weight and 80-something for height...but I think he may have switched those numbers! He is wearing mostly 3-6 month clothes now)
-He has blue eyes (for now!) Almost everyone that meets him for the first time comments about his eyes :)
-He's starting to get some hair...in some light it has a reddish tint, in others it looks more blonde/light brown
-Has long eyelashes
-Can hold his head up and ALMOST control it
-He is finding "tummy-time" more tolerable...more so when he's on our chests. But he is looking around a lot and often becomes fixated on things
-Is smiling a lot more (mostly intentional) Ü
-Hates being dressed/undressed
-Doesn't really like being in his carseat
-Likes being "Mommy's little helper": meaning he needs to be held constantly...if he's in a really good mood he might let me put him in his swing or bouncer chair for 15 min. max
-Is eating every 3-4 hours on average and has cut the time down from almost an hour to about 15-20 min!
-Likes being in the water for baths
-Sleeps on average 6.5- 7 hours at night (I'm usually the one waking him up to take Tyler to the train in the morning)
-Hates sleeping on his back or sleeping alone :(
-Is a kicker! When he's sitting on our laps he can't keep his legs still!
-Is "coo-ing" and "oo-ing" more and more
-Has figured out that HE controls his hand and therefore, it is his new favorite thing to suck on (however, he still really likes his pacifier and gets upset- even while sleeping- if he notices it's not in his mouth...one of the cutest things he does is "air suck"...or make the motions of sucking on his pacifier even when it has fallen out)
-TMI, but I can't help it: Another thing that I find super cute- maybe just because I'm his mom- and just for this stage in his life- but he'll be stirring in his sleep and stretch and then he lets out little toots!

Jordy's newborn socks that Aunt Rachel got him (on the right) which he's outgrown. More "proof" that he's growing so much! So now he's wearing the 0-6 month pair on the left...I think he's destined to have big feet!

My Sleepy Head! It's all about HIM being comfortable! 

His new favorite discovery: His FIST! :)

We got to see Uncle Ben play soccer with his co-ed intramural team. He did SO well...he made it all the way to the championship game!! We were so excited to watch him play and Jordy was proud to sport his soccer gear as well! (Even if he looks as round as the soccer ball himself!) 

Way to go Ben! :) 

Some of Jordy's fun faces!

Doing facetime with his grandparents! I don't think he knows what to think about people talking to him from a screen! :) 

Another favorite thing about being a mom:

I love spending hours of my day just holding him! I have held other babies, but there is something different about holding Jordy! YES- there are definitely times when I wish I could put him down to be able to shower or make dinner or just to give my arms a rest...but at the same time, it's kind of fun realizing I have a buddy with me all day long! And he's my SON! (I'm STILL trying to really wrap my head around that! Maybe I'll comprehend what that means before he's 18...) Yes, going anywhere takes longer with him and he often gets grumpy going on my little errands- so, as much as we can, we just chill at home. I have a growing list of "projects" that I might not get started on until Jordy is 10 or so at this rate, because I'm amazed how much time I can spend just talking to Jordy, trying to get him to smile! (Convincing him that he has a crazy lady for a mom!) I often don't get my reading done on time or scramble when it's time for my midterms or my sessions with my thesis client...but I wouldn't trade that 'Jordy time' for anything. That's what I call TIME WELL SPENT! I love my little guy- and I just need to remember this in those moments when my arm feels like it's going to fall off...

*Things I've figured out how to do one-handed: Unload the dishwasher, put on makeup, feed the fish and write emails!  

Because Jordy got "jipped" out of a 2 month birthdate...here's a 'BONUS': 

It's an indescribable feeling knowing that I am responsible for this little person! I hated taking him to the doctor and watching him get shots as part of my 'responsibility'- and I don't like not knowing how to make him stop crying all the time. I feel like I'm constantly googling "my baby does this..." or "is this a concern..." as I'm trying to learn things as we go and I'm definitely overwhelmed with feeling inadequate to be a parent. But there are enough moments when Jordy looks at me while eating and he stops to just smile at me and it melts my heart. There are some things that only I can do for him...and that's a different feeling knowing that I am at least useful to one person in some way! I wish I had all the answers for parenting- but for now- it's nice knowing that I can still do something for him.

We are in LOVE!

L is for the way he looks to us

O is for the only one we see

V is very very extraordianary

E is even more than anyone we adore and 

Love is all that we can give to him

Love is more than just a game for two

Three  in love can make it

Take my heart and please don't break it

Love was made for US!

Well, I guess it's no secret...we're in LOVE!!!

This little guy has "stolen" our hearts Ü

It's incredible how much he's grown- at 6 weeks Jordy is weighing in at almost 13.5 lbs (according to our scale) yet as much as he's growing, he's still as snuggly as ever! 

He's been toying with us these last few days giving fleeting smiles here and there- 

                             

And then I got this:

I know these smiles aren't because Jordy is just so happy to see me, but it still makes me smile and fall even more in love with him!

This is usually what it takes to convince Jordy to smile:

 As Valentine's Day is all about LOVE- I just have to say how much I love my family. I love Tyler and Jordy so much. I love how hard Tyler works to support his family and that he's working so hard to prepare to take the GMAT (in less than a month!) I love how patient he is with me and how he can make me so happy doing little things. I love how much Jordy has changed our lives and how, without even trying, he helps to remind us to keep things simple and enjoy the little things in life (like a good night's sleep!) 
But I also love my "other" family so much! It's about a month into the semester and it's been quite the juggling act, but my family is helping make the impossible possible. Jordy gets to spend time with Aunt Carly on Monday mornings and Uncle Ben on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. I know they are so busy with their own schedules, and I can't thank them enough for their willingness to help watch Jordy. And I'm so grateful for the love and encouragement and advice and "good deals notifications" from the others as well. I love ALL my family so much!

Groundhog's Day?! or Super Bowl? Or...Just BECAUSE!

Groundhog's Day= A random "holiday"...so why not a little bit of randomness from us?! 

My boys on this pseudo-holiday: Super Bowl Sunday Ü
There are few things that Tyler loves more than his sports- especially big games...but he sure loves his little guy!
AND- he made me yummy crepes today with fruit and chocolate- so it wasn't JUST a day for the boys! 

I had seen someone else taking monthly pictures of their baby with the same stuffed animal to show how much they were growing and I thought that was a good idea. SO- here is our little guy with a full-size football at 1 month! I feel like he has grown so much already! 

And these are just for fun! He's still not smiling "on purpose" but Tyler caught this smile the other day- and it just makes me smile every time I see it! Ü

Jordy usually only falls asleep in 1 of 2 places: while someone is holding him or in our bed! Apparently HIS bed wasn't big enough for him- so he's taken over OUR bed! He's just lucky he's so cute! 

One other bit of randomness for today: 

The other day I was asked, "So what is your favorite thing about being a mom so far?" and I have to admit, I was kind of surprised by the question. The first thing I thought of was how exhausted I feel, or how I still don't fit into anything but sweatpants, or how I have a growing "to-do" list because I never feel like I get anything done during the day (ok-that's not true- I change more diapers than I can keep track of, change outfits multiple times (and not just Jordy's- the few times he's ever spit up have been on me) and have almost perfected the "mom dance": a slight bounce with a sway!) -- so not really "favorite" things. HOWEVER, I realized, it was actually a good question to consider. I don't want to only remember the dirty diapers or the long nights and days and more nights with no sleep, or... :) Jordy is a MIRACLE in my/our lives- and I hope that amid the dark circles under my eyes, others can still see how much joy he brings to me. So I made a goal to list at least one favorite thing at least every month when I give a "Jordy update." But as I missed his first update- here it is: My favorite thing about being a mom so far (I'm cheating, I have 2!)

1. Even though I'm supposed to be the mom now- I've never felt so grateful for MY own mom as I am now...she is amazing and every day I am amazed how it's just starting to sink in, after 26 years, just how much she sacrificed for me and how much love and patience she's had for and with me all these years. (As I've realized how little patience I have as I'm near my wits-end rocking Jordy at 2am...and she did this 7 times and STILL lets me tell her about my "troubles"!) So being a mom has made me more grateful for MY mom and realize how I love her more than ever before! 

2. I love holding Jordy in my arms and snuggling with him...knowing he is my little boy (ok- OUR little boy- but I feel very possessive of him!) Knowing the nature of boys and that he won't always want to be a "mama's boy"- but for now- he curls up on my chest and just snuggles into me so that I breathe nothing but baby! And as long as he has a dry diaper on- there isn't a sweeter smell to me! Ü I look at him and realize: My life has changed forever because of him- but it's such a good change- that I almost can't remember what it was like before he was here. Because he "fits" so well when I hold him close to me- I just feel a sense of completeness with him. 

3 Weeks and Counting

Jordy:

-likes to look at the Christmas lights that are up in the living room

-often gets hiccups

-loves to snuggle (has yet to fall asleep without being held)

-likes to be warm (hates getting changed/undressed)

-is a good little eater...and decides he's hungry in about 5 seconds flat! (he's made a lot of progress eating- he started out like a cat just licking the milk!)

-loves to suck on his pacifier

-calms down when he hears the rainstick (most of the time)

-was born with a really strong neck- he was holding himself up and looking around right when we got home from the hospital

-we can get him to look at our faces (sometimes his eyes still go a little cross-eyed, but not often)

-was born with really long fingernails (and we haven't really been able to cut them yet--leaving him with a few scratches on his face)

 -has shown a few little glimpses of a smile-in-the-making (may have been gas related...however, most of the time "those" things don't even phase him- he'll sleep right through his squirts!!) 

-not a big fan of his swing, bouncer chair or his play pen. He will sleep in the big bed though...figures! 

-outgrew newborn diapers at about a week and a half (not before going through 2 full packs! We knew it was probably time for the next size up when we went through more than 5 outfits in one day Ü) 

-was back up to his birth-weight (and passed it by 3 oz) at his 2 week doctor's appointment! That's our big, growing boy! 

**Thanks Uncle Ben for helping get Jordy's picture taken. I know, poor guy, not even a year off his mission and he's being mistaken for having a kid already! But he was a good sport and very helpful- that would have been awful trying to do that alone. THANKS BEN!