Hard Day's Night

Today was one of the rougher days I've had in a while.  I knew when he was already screaming and just not happy after only being up for 15 minutes that it was going to be a long one.  My ears still have some ringing from all the high and loud falsettos.  I hope our neighbors really can't hear, like they say.

Thoughtful pose

Well since the trip, but not on the trip, Dexter went to waking up in the night.  I was enjoying the sleeping through.  So far its once or twice, and no pacifier would calm him.  He wanted to eat.  This is a lot harder on me then before he was doing this because he's changing his nap and sleeping habits.  Its been a little frustrating because he'll be up for like 1.5 hours then get super cranky.  Finally takes a nap...for 20-30 minutes.  Then wakes up bright eyed, but gets cranky again fast and stays awake for 2 hours.  Finally takes a nap, maybe gets it to be 45 minutes.  Maybe.  How do moms with more than one kid get any of that extra sleep thats needed?  Oy.   With him I can at least try and take a small one when he takes his short ones too, but I still feel exhausted.

Happy Dad's carrying him...and drooling all over his shoulder too

School is going well for Kyle.  He only goes to campus on Tuesday and Thursdays.  I take little Dex on a walk to go pick Kyle up from the train every time so far.  I love the trains.  I even love living so close to them hearing the horn, feeling the rumble (especially when you're upstairs), and seeing them speed by out our windows.  The rest of the days though Kyle's been keeping busy doing lots of homework.  He didn't even get to go one day of school without being assigned projects.  And with 4 grad classes he's putting in 40+ hours a week now.  It's kind of nice to have someone to talk to every now and then through the day, but then again when he's home even after "work hours" he's doing homework and projects.  This is only week 2...I have a feeling he'll be a hermit soon.

His newest Sunday onesie I made

Friday morning I accidentally tortured us all.  We've both have decided to be healthier so I thought it'd be fun to get outdoors a little and even jog.  It'll be a slow process to actually get to jogging as I was never good at it and am COMPLETELY out of shape.  We went down a trail between the industrial park.  It goes next to canals, and trees, at other parts.  This was just the closest one.  It turned out to be a 4+ mile walk, in 90+ degrees, with no shade.  Yeah.  It stunk...royally.

So many toys to have fun with

We also both chose a movie to watch for our date nights...and they ended up both being really weird ones.  Hopefully our next choices will be better.  On base was showing the movie Thor.  We were super stoked because of everyone talking it up.  We were even going to go with Dexter because it's free and informal.  When we got there...it was cancelled.  Instead we checked out books from the library.  I cruised through 3 in 3 days.  Dexter for a few days was loving being read to.  One night he even fell asleep on my lap reading a story about pirates.  That was such a precious moment.  I wish Kyle could have taken a picture...but he was upstairs doing homework.

Oh for my birthday I mainly got money cause I am kind of hard to shop for.  So with some of it I purchased a gluten free cookbook.  I want to start eating some good tasting stuff...that doesn't cost too much.  But I also got me some green courdory Toms shoes.  They're so comfortable and awesome.

They're more green and cuter in person.

Hopefully he'll start sleeping through the night again and get on a better nap schedule.  And even on those rough days, there are definitely times when he has some cute moments.  As for me...there are so many projects that are going through my head.  Things to make for Dexter.  Things to organize my kitchen.  Things to make for my living room.  Then I read about or see new projects and my mind goes crazy.  To bad I don't have all the time and money in the world.  My house would look awesome.  Anyways, I hope to finish a few projects soon though.

I bought these fabrics...plan to make some changes to my living room with some of them

I Hear the Train A Comin'

There was a long drive on Thursday.  But when we got home we had a visitor!  Trevor (Kyle's brother) had been staying at our house since Sunday.  He was doing some PT observations at the VA hospital near U of U.  It was still a drive from our place, but used it to avoid the construction in Utah county.

Friday Kyle had his first graduate school thing.  It was a mandatory orientation.  So he was gone all day at his new school.  That evening we just rented a movie and watched the Adjustment Bureau.  It was a different kind of chick flick...but from the previews wouldn't have known it was one.

Uncle Trevor playing with Dexter

Saturday was filled with trying to clean/pick up the house.  Get errands run and get ready for the night.  We were hosting the cousin game night this time.  Kyle's birthday was the next day so we had a meal chosen by him, and invited my cousin Mariah to come over early and eat it with us.  I actually didn't finish getting it all ready before the time of the game night was to start...but it ended up only being Mariah, Kyle, Dak, Trevor, and I so that was fine.  We played some YamSlam, Scrabble Slam, and Monopoly Deal. We even partied with some fruit, lemon lime cake and strawberry ice cream.

The boys trying to figure out a strategy to YamSlam

Mariah holding Dexter

Strawberry Fro-yo and lemon-lime jello cake

He hasn't learned his skills to bluff yet, we'll have to work on that

Over the weekend I also developed an earache.  Don't know if swimming when in Vegas caused it, but I didn't like it.  It hurt at night, but usually was just that achey/can't hear/constantly plugged/popping feeling.  It made playing with and taking care of Dexter a little hard.  I was happy Kyle was there to help out so much.  Because earache + Dexter squeals = really irritable and huge headaches.  Below is a video of some of his squealing.  This pretty much goes on all day randomly and as loud as he can.

Sunday morning backyard visitor...Bambi's Mom

As mentioned before, Sunday was Kyle's birthday.  I got him a headset to use for watching shows and playing games on his computer.  The computer he uses is in the bedroom next to Dexter which poses a problem sometimes.  He also got a candy bar, and the oreo fudge cremes in mint and peanut butter.  He loves these, and with the new diet I don't like to buy snacks like that. But I thought I'd let him get it cause it was his birthday.  He does know that once their gone...no more though.

Enjoying the new soft book, he does like books

Monday...Kyle got to stay home with me.  This was nice cause he helped take Dexter to his 4 month checkup and then run errands...all while carrying that heavy baby carrier.  It's heavy but an easy way to haul them around stores.  The trick is to find a cart that vibrates, but isn't squeaky.  Puts him right out when shopping.  So Dexter's stats are:

Weight: 14 lbs 4 oz - 34% ....he's a lightweight

Height: 25 inches - 51% ....just above average

Head: 16.25" - 23%

He also passed almost all the milestones.  The only one he doesn't do quite yet is rocks side to side.  I guess he'd rather just suck his thumb.  Trevor also left us on Monday, we liked having him here but he really wanted to see his wife again.

That night we were watching some phineas and ferb (awesome show!).  Dex was trying to look at the tv and he rolled over.   He did it of course just as I was putting something in the kitchen and looked away.  Kyle got to see it though, but we couldn't get him to repeat it.

Dex and I takin' a nap

Tuesday Kyle started school!!  His classes are only Tuesday and Thursday, so the other days we'll usually get him at home.  It was a pretty normal day, and I tried to take Dex's 4 month pictures.  Dak did roll twice, and I finally got to see one of them.  This means a lot more being careful where we set him and watch him closely.  Taking lots of naps was helpful because Dexter was a little irritable and had a hot forehead (he had shots at the doc's too) but not a fever.

Watching the train pull in

We also went and met Kyle at the train when he came home from school.  It went well.  Already had assignments and a group project.  It will be a busy 3 semesters for him.

The 4 month pictures will be on the other blog

Viva Las Vegas

   Sorry for the short post the other day, but life was busy on our trip and also I don't like to state when we're out of town.

My training on the LDS.org thing went okay.  Powerpoint demonstrations aren't easy to make interesting.  But I think they learned at least something.

   Friday was Kyle's last day of work for a while.  I was going on full speed in the morning.  Getting ready, taking care of dex, packing all the bags, cleaning the house, making cookies...it was crazy.

Being patient while I was getting ready, and to show that you get some funny shots before the  posed smile ones

So with a full car we headed down to Vegas.  We did make a stop off in Washington to see a friend of Kyle's.  It was late when we arrived at my parent's home and we were exhausted.

See...exhausted

   Saturday after going over the Hansens, the boys took on their normal activity.  Video games.

Newest idea...add another TV to play GoldenEye with 2 people here and with Trevor in Provo

Kyle did take a break for taking Dexter in the pool for his first swim.  He loves baths, and will just kick his feet.  So we hoped that this would be even more awesome.   The verdict...nope!  He screamed his head off.  But it was still cute and fun to do.

First cannonball of the summer

First dip

Telling us how he felt

Don't know why I have that face

Showing him how to float...and Audrey had Onyx as her kid

Nub Nub and Dexter

The classic kid on Dad's shoulders routine

Looks like it was torturous 

   I spent my day making new decorated Sunday onesies for Dak.  He's grown out of his 0-3 onesies.  The one that took the most time...was so worth it.  I love it.  I have a few others coming eventually, along with pictures.

   Mama Hansen loved spending time with her favorite grandchild.  And I let her spend as much time with him as she wanted.

What's everyone looking at? Dexter.  He's in there somewhere.

Playing with him before bed.

Sleeping at bedtime with Dexter

Again

...and again.  Their favorite thing to do after a long day.

  It happened that Brent, my cousin, was giving his homecoming talk the same Sunday we were in town.  Again, the foyer was my home.  My mom did take him out for a little while too.  He was tired so he finally crashed right as my cousin spoke, but I didn't dare pick him up to take him back in.  Afterwards it was fun saying hi to everyone there.  Cousins, friends, and many other relatives.  In the afternoon we did head back over to the Hansens'.  Did a typical lazy sunday, but oh man later that night discovered a game called....HUGGERMUGGER!  I don't think the game is supposed to be funny, but we must have all been tired and of course crazy.  We were laughing and having some ridiculous fun with it.

Serious about the game starting

  Since most of Kyle's family works during the day, and my mom was at education week and my dad working.  We were left to chill however we wanted during these times.  We always slept in.  This evening was going to be a party, so I went shopping with Mama Hansen to Costco.  Picked up some, but not all of the items.  When we got home we started prepping and making the food for the party.  The party was just a small get together of our closest friends.  Two were my roommates, two were my high school friends, one was Kyle's high school friend, one was a previous neighbor, and then college/starcraft buddies and friends. We did the bbq and pool party.

Kyle's high school friend Mike and his baby Mason...Mason 8 weeks, Dexter 16 weeks.

They somewhat talked to each other

Jacob and Wendy...it was fun I promise

Let the pool party begin!

The Blazzards

  Usually on trips they're short so its hard to visit too many people.  This time thought we did take a whole afternoon to stop by a few people's houses.  First up was Kyle's friend Zack.  We were here for quite a bit, it was fun.

Zach, Olivia holding Dexter, and Boris

Next up we drove to my grandma's house.  I like to visit with her, and she loves to see us and her great grandchild.  It's crazy, but I'm one in twenty-four grandchildren.  And Dexter is one in sixty-six great-grandkids.  I'm pretty sure those are the right numbers, but I could be off by one or two.  She even keeps good track of most of us.  It was time to leave grandma and head over to the only other girl in most of my college major classes...Ms. Nancy Mayorga.  Due to only having each other in the classes, and sometimes not even that we became good friends.  I dropped off two textbooks (cause I'm definitely not using them) and we chatted.  She even was able to put Dexter into a nap.  After a long and exhausting afternoon we went back to, and Kyle played some video games with his brothers.

All the excitement and attention...he got exhausted quickly

  We had been wanting to visit a certain place for a while, but on trips never got around to it.  It'll always have a spot in my heart cause I worked on the project for over a year, but it's City Center.  After I had gotten laid off there, I never got to see the final product.  So we drove over to the strip (Dak's first time), strapped Dexter in our little carrier, and started walking around.  We checked out the Bellagio, took a tram to Crystals, walked around Crystals, Cosmopolitan, and Aria, then took a tram back.  Hardly any outside walking for us...score!  Dexter loved looking around and chewing on dad's fingers.  People would stare at our little guy or smile at him.  It was fun to point out where I remembered things while it was being constructed.  I had walked what seemed like everywhere while working for Perini on it.

Waiting for the Tram to Crystals, Vdara right behind us.  We didn't get to see the Death Ray from  the Tram though.

The Harmon...to be torn down soon.  I actually went in it while it was being built...that is before they deemed it unsafe-ish.

Looking cool as we wait to go back

Classic elevator and tourists in mirror picture

Enjoying the Bellagio's Atrium

  We also were looking forward to this day because Mama Hansen had promised to watch our little guy so we could go on a date!  I guess their our early birthday gifts, but I'll take them any way they'll come.  Lunch was our first stop, but Gardunos at the Fiesta was closed...so we did the best thing and went to Macayo's!!!  Love that place.  Since we have not seen a single movie in the theaters this summer, or in a while, we saw Captain America.  I loved it.  There's so many we have to catch up on.  After the movie we went and got some fro-yo from Golden Spoon.  All this time Mama Hansen was just enjoying time with Dexter, and he was being good for her.  We did the date in the afternoon so by the time people got home from work we'd be able to spend the last time with them.

Wish people could see him the moment right after he wakes up and eat.  These smiles just flow right out.

We got home and then hopped in the pool...and with Dexter again.  This time it was a different reaction.  Not happy, and not sad or crying.  And he finally kicked his feet while in it.  Mama Hansen held and cuddled with him when he got cold and tired.  He smiled after getting out of the pool.  After the night swimming I cooked some egg rolls for dinner...at 10 at night.  It was sad to say goodbye, but our trip had ended.

Stopped off to say hi to Aunt Melynn

We drove back all day yesterday.  The driving can seem so long.  I get squished in the back too with not a lot of moving space.  I dream of the one day that we'll get a bigger and awesome car.

In Summary

We are: tired, relaxed, happy, busy, loving life.

Dalmations!

Well I have hit writing 101 posts!  And yes I did notice it when I was writing the 100th, I just thought celebrating the 101st would be more fun.  And what does 101 remind me of...dalmations of course.

His cute way we found him sleeping.  Arms as pillows, feet crossed, and his big butt sticking in the air.

Well we had a weekend with extended family.  My cousin Lucas (Luke) was getting married.  On Friday night there was a family dinner and we were invited to go.  It was at their future (or current by now) home....an old dancing hall in a barn.  It's pretty cool.  I mean their living room is HUGE...cause it's the dance floor.  Anyways, I didn't take pictures of the night.  Of course Luke's family was there, my grandma and grandpa, and some cousins I don't see often were too.  This was the first time where not eating wheat tested me.  There were pastas, rolls, and many desserts.  All of these I skipped.  However, I was thankful that Jello is very common and abundant at places.  Instead of cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, and such, I just ate fruit and jello.

Saturday I cleaned the house while Kyle watched Dex for me.  It helped a bunch and I was able to clean a ton of things.  Exciting huh.  That evening though was the reception for Luke & Shaylee.  It was at her parents house...and I loved the yard.  So huge.  Soft grass.  Large trees.  The only problem to these types though is mowing them.  I can dream about it though.  It was really nice outside and I saw some different family members that I hadn't seen for a while.  Different ones than the previous night.

My cousin George and his son Hayden

Kyle, Dexter, Grandma LeBaron, Aunt Vickie, and Aunt Christine (my grandma's sisters)

Hayden and his grandpa.  He would lean and open his mouth if a cup would come his way.   He's super cute, and 2 months older than Dexter.

Shaylee & her brother, Luke & Aunt Linda

Sara and Uncle Phil

Posing for cutting the cake

After the last church outing I feel like I'll never see a sacrament or sunday school again.  Dexter wasn't even foyer quiet.  We had to wander outside and also tried to go into a classroom just to quiet down.  During Sunday School I had to make my copies and other things for my calling... and he was a bit bi-polar.  He was chill (cause he was so tired) at first, and then at the end just nothing would calm him.  I was super happy when Kyle took him for the last session.

Well I just get to spend my days playing with Dexter, and loves his good days and moments. Here's the progression of him in the bumbo, and these aren't that far apart time wise.

Contently playing with toys, very focused

Not happy with the toy selection or being in the chair?

Just not happy.

He's finally learning to play with things that are above him.  On his Pooh bouncer we had an activity bar but he was never interested in it until now.  I do have to prop it up with my foot, since it doesn't stay upright.  However, it keeps him happy and learning for a few minutes.

Loving the "new" toys.

And one of the nights he was so easy and cute to put to bed...doesn't always work out that way.

Little angel

Tonight I have to teach at a Relief Society activity.  I thought that as the secretary I didn't have to teach.  Hopefully my skills from teaching AutoCAD will kick in and that I'm not a nervous wreck.

Also...we get to visit Vegas soon.  Swimming, seeing family, seeing friends, hopefully going on another date, grandma spoiling Dexter, swimming, baking in the heat....so many more things.  It'll be different having to do the no wheat thing around them.  The Hansens usually have some sort of baked good, and tons of snacks lying around.  I'll have to be good, but maybe I won't gain weight this time, like I normally do.

Kyle is also super excited that his last days at work are drawing near.  Soon he'll start the Fall semester at the University of Utah.  In some ways I'll see him more, but certain days he'll be at the school all day and night so I won't see him much those times.  Then other days he'll be at home all day long.  It'll be an interesting next 1.5 years with him going to school during semesters and not working, working during breaks, and him having to commute to school, him doing homework and projects again.  Another weird thing is I won't be in school while he is.  I'm okay with that though...no homework, boring lectures, busywork, etc.