tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77217271862393076212024-02-20T08:51:27.775-08:00Our Happily Ever AfterEst. 7.6.12Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-19202605092201580912017-03-15T15:09:00.005-07:002017-03-15T15:09:42.095-07:00Clara Evelyn PondOur sweet baby girl is here (as of two months ago)! I really had such an easy pregnancy with no complications...right up until the very end anyway. When I went to the doctor for my 36 week check-up, my blood pressure was a little elevated, but we chalked it up to not eating well over the holidays. My doctor said we'd keep an eye on it, but that it wasn't a big concern. Same at my 37 week appointment. However, when I went in for my 38 week appointment, it was crazy high. My doctor asked me if we were ready and if I'd be mad if he said we were having a baby that day. I'd had a feeling my entire pregnancy that this baby was going to come early, so it wasn't a huge shock. I was sitting there going over all the things I'd planned to do that week (clean my house, do laundry, install the car seat, finish putting together the nursery, plus I was going to go get groceries on my way home.) But my only concern was getting baby here safely, and keeping myself safe as well. My doctor had me to go the hospital for some lab work and to be put on the monitors for a while before he decided for sure he was going to induce me, but I left the office knowing that there was a 99% chance I'd have a baby very soon. I was kind of bummed because I really didn't want to go the induction route again, but since it was what was best for baby I willingly accepted it. I got in my car and texted Jeff at work, letting him know that he should probably get ready to leave work, Then I called my mom who was watching Jackson to see if she'd need the car seat at all that day. She didn't, so I headed to the hospital. I felt weird checking into labor and delivery by myself because I'd pictured having Jeff right there with me when we went to have a baby, but he was still trying to finish up a few things at work and get the paperwork for his FMLA. Then he wanted to go home and change into something more comfortable...and I needed him to get my bag, and take a few things to my mom's for Jackson. In hindsight, I probably could have gone to get my bag and take the things to Jackson so I could have at least said goodbye instead of abandoning him. Plus, I should have eaten lunch. A bowl of Cheerios eaten at 8:00 in the morning don't carry a person very far...especially when they're in labor. But I was obviously not thinking clearly.<br />
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My labor wasn't awful, as good as it can go with no pain meds anyway. That was my choice, and given the option, that's the route I'll probably go again. They started pitocin around noon. Things were progressing, but I wasn't feeling anything beyond mild discomfort until my doctor came and broke my water around 6. Around 9:30 the nurse checked me and said that I was fully dilated so she called my doctor...but when he got there I was really only about a 6. After that I was not a happy camper and felt quite a bit of pain, but I think it was more psychological because I'd thought that we were ready to have a baby and still had so long to go. However, it only took me another hour to be fully dilated for real. My doctor came in and three pushes later Clara Evelyn Pond was born at 10:47 PM on January 10. She weighed 5 lbs. 15 oz. and was 19 inches long. My first thought was how incredibly tiny she was. She is such a sweetheart and we love her so much. She is such a good baby, sleeping 5-6 hours straight most nights. She is a great nurser. She is so happy. She loves to be cuddled, and absolutely loathes her car seat. Jackson adores her and always asks to "carry sister." It did take him a while to warm up to her, but once he did he thinks she is the greatest. He looks for her first thing every morning and smothers her with kisses. He loves to do tummy time with her.<br />
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Clara was two months old last Friday. I took her for her check up yesterday and the doctor said that she is perfect. She now weighs 10 lbs. 6 oz and is 22.5 inches long. (In comparison, she was born 15 days earlier than Jackson (10 days early vs. 5 days late) and at his 2 month check up he weighed 10 lbs. 4 oz. and was 24.5 inches long) I love her chubby cheeks and fat rolls on her legs. I never got to enjoy the baby rolls with Jackson because he was so long and skinny. We had her blessed on March 5. It was nice to have all of the family here to celebrate Clara with us.<br />
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We feel so blessed to have this sweet baby in our family. Her name, Clara Evelyn, came from two great grandmothers, Jeff's Dad's mom whose middle name was Clara and my mom's mom whose middle name was Evelyn, though that was what everyone knew her by. It is special to have part of both of our families honored in her name. Though she'll never know her great-grandmothers in this life, she will always carry that bit of heritage with her.<br />
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<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-53227972764537971902016-11-15T18:51:00.000-08:002016-11-15T18:51:15.017-08:00Baby UpdateIt has been a while since I posted. I was going to update the blog as soon as we found out if this baby is a boy or a girl...and then I couldn't get my phone to cooperate with the video of Jackson making our announcement. We have now known for almost 2 1/2 months. For anyone who reads this who didn't see, Here is Jackson's big announcement.<br />
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We are so excited for Baby Sister to join our family. Only 9 1/2 more weeks to go until she is here! It is crazy how fast the time has gone. It feels like we waited forever for the news that another baby was on it's way to our family, but this pregnancy has flown by. For the most part I feel pretty good, other than being exhausted because I cannot for the life of me get comfortable to sleep at night. I've also dealt with sciatic pain with this pregnancy that I didn't have with Jackson. I regularly ask myself how I made it the whole 9 months working 8-10 hours a day with him. I sleep in 2-3 hours later than I ever could, plus usually take a nap, or at least lay down to rest. </div>
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Baby Sister is healthy. For a while my doctor was worried about her head because it looked funny on the ultrasounds, so he sent me to a high risk doctor, but at my appointment with him last week, everything looked completely normal. It was kind of angled at the temples, but as of last week it was mostly rounded out as it should be. He thinks it's probably just because she's breech, and has been the whole time. That has made it so her head hasn't been properly molded by my pelvis as a baby with who is head-down would be. We are crossing our fingers that in the next 9 weeks she flips over so we don't have to have a C-section. </div>
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She is very active, which I love...most of the time. We have fun watching my belly change shape as she rolls around. She doesn't like her bubble being invaded. Whenever Jackson sits on my lap she kicks him to try to get him to move, and she always moves out of the way of the ultrasound and heart rate dopplers. Makes things a little tricky for the doctors. She also always hides her face during ultrasounds. At my last one she hid her face completely behind a hand and a foot. Out of all the ultrasounds I've had (five to this point), we only have one or two clear pictures of her face because she's always hiding it. We can't wait to see that beautiful little face when she is born.</div>
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As for getting things ready for her here, we have the crib set up in her room, but I still need to finish cleaning it out because we were using it as our catch-all/ storage room for the last 15 months. There's things I want to do in her room to decorate it, but we do have to decide on a name first for some of it. I also need to reorganize our room for the bassinet. And I have a couple sewing projects to do for her too.</div>
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Jackson is so cute, kissing my belly and saying "I love you, Baby 'ister" nightly as we're putting him to bed. We'll see if that love continues when Baby Sister actually gets here. Lol. He is still very much a momma's boy and I have to be the one to rock him to sleep at night. The rocking chair will soon be moved into Baby Sister's room because it will be more useful there than in Jackson's room. Probably this weekend when we put up our Christmas decorations because we have to take one of our arm chairs upstairs to fit the tree in, so we'll stash that in Jackson's room to try to start getting him used to not cuddle-rocking every night. Don't get me wrong, I love cuddling with my little boy, and I'll try to have their bedtimes different so I can still cuddle him as often as possible, but Baby Sister will probably rock his world regardless. </div>
Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-90748074037516334772016-08-10T13:04:00.001-07:002016-08-10T13:04:47.118-07:00Answered PrayersThe update I posted last month may not have been a complete update on our family last month when I updated our blog. It has been an emotional almost 18 months with our miscarriage and then trying to get all of my hormones regulated as I was dealing with the depression and trying to get pregnant again. We have spent a lot of time on our knees, trying to make sense of what happened and why, but also asking for the opportunity to expand our family.<br />
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In my last post, I said I was doing much better. Really, I am. Mentally and emotionally I haven't been better in a long time. And physically I am starting to feel better too. You see, we've been keeping a little secret for the past three months. We found out in May, after several months of tears and struggles, that I am pregnant, now 16 1/2 weeks along, due January 20, 2017.<br />
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The week we found out, we were working at getting our garden ready to plant. We had to dig out a lot of grass to do so. I did a lot of the work during the day while Jeff was at work. One day I was out working and I just felt off. I wondered if I was getting sick. My cycle wasn't late yet, so it was a completely logical thought. I had no reason to believe I was pregnant. But I had the nagging thought, "But what if I am?" The next morning, I was still feeling a little off and still had that thought, so I pulled a pregnancy test out of my drawer completely believing that there was no way it would be positive, even if by some miracle I was pregnant because I was still early. So I went about getting ready for the day while I waited. When I looked back down at the test, I was shocked. There was a faint line! Very faint, but there. I didn't believe it. I pulled out a different brand of test...it was also positive. And then, because I still didn't believe it, I pulled out a third brand of test (yes, I was one of THOSE. It probably has something to do with trying for so long.) That third test was also positive. I couldn't deny it after that. I was so happy, and couldn't wait for Jeff to get home. I wanted to tell him so bad, but that just isn't the kind of news you share over text. I was so grateful, and so excited.<br />
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But, I was also scared. I knew what could happen. I prayed so hard that day that everything would be okay with this baby and pregnancy. I was teaching piano lessons when Jeff got home. He went upstairs to change and turned on the TV. When I finished, I went upstairs and sat down next to him on the bed. I grabbed his hand, and whispered (because that's all the voice I could get out) as I put his hand on my tummy that I was pregnant. He was also excited to find out, though just as scared as I was. I had him give me a blessing, and I did feel that everything would go okay.<br />
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My morning sickness started the last week of May. I had never been so grateful to be sick in my life. never got to that point with the baby we lost. I wasn't looking forward to months of being sick, but knew that it was a blessing and helped me to breathe a little easier. I was able to mostly control it, as long as I stayed laying down. I had two miserable days of work, but two days were all that I had left of the school year when it started, so I was grateful for that. With Jackson, I was sick the entire school year.<br />
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I hadn't been nervous, at all, until I went to my first doctor's appointment. Where it was at the doctor I found out about our miscarriage, I really started freaking out that morning. I made Jeff take the day off work to go with me...because I was NOT going to be alone again. But, we were able to see a little heart beating in the ultrasound. I was so relieved, knowing that we had made it past that crucial point. I've had two appointments since that first one, and have been able to hear a good, strong heartbeat at each of them. Next month, we will find out if Jackson will get a little brother or sister in January.<br />
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I still worry on a daily basis, and pray for the health of this baby and myself. But I am so grateful. I'm grateful for the weeks of sickness I had. I'm grateful that now I'm functioning like a normal human being again, if with a bit less energy. Lol. I'm grateful that Jackson has been so good and is perfectly content to just play while I lay on the couch to rest, or even nap on occasion. I'm grateful that I have a good husband who never once complained (out loud anyway!) when he left for work in the morning with a messy kitchen/ house and came home do an even messier one, and just cleaned it up for me. My worry is lessening now, as I am starting to feel little flutters of movement. I wasn't wanting to let myself believe that's what it was until after I went to the doctor this week and heard the heart again.<br />
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I know that Heavenly Father always hears and answers prayers. It isn't always in our desired time frame, but He does when it is right for us. I am grateful that I am able to be a Mommy, and that we will be able to bring home another precious blessing in just a few more months.Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-56224839653125811272016-07-15T13:19:00.000-07:002016-07-15T13:19:09.674-07:00Our UpdatesI have been MIA here on the blog for almost 8 months. I have been dealing with some personal issues. After we lost our baby last year, I sunk into depression. It took me months to admit it. Actually, it took a friend lovingly telling me to get help before I did. Admitting that I needed help was really hard, but I am so grateful every single day to my friend for encouraging me to go and ask for help. I am doing so much better. I can function as a wife and a mom again. I'm sleeping at night, and I can find joy in life. Things in my life still aren't perfect, but I can see the good instead of focusing just on the bad like I had for so long.<br />
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In April, Jeff was offered a job at NRF...a job we have been praying for him to get for months. This job will allow me to be a full-time stay at home mom. There is an average 6-9 month waiting period for him to get a security clearance (since he'll be working for the Federal Government) before he'll be able to start. We are hoping that he will be able to start by the end of the year, but we'll see. We know it's coming, and that in and of itself is a blessing. Right now we are waiting for his background check to come through before we can start the clearance paperwork, but he heard today that he should be able to start that next week. That starts and things will really be rolling. Keep your fingers crossed for us!<br />
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Jackson just turned 3. He is a clown, and he knows it. He is always making us laugh. He loves playing with cars and trains, and he loves to be outside. That little boy brings us so much joy. He talks our ears off. We still can't understand a lot of what he says, but it is getting easier each day. One of my favorite things he says is "Mommy, I need some cocowat (chocolate) milk in this cup." We make at least one glass of chocolate milk a day. His favorite things to eat are pizza, mac n cheese, and cereal. He loves going to nursery each week and practically runs down the hall to class after Sacrament Meeting. He still needs to be rocked to sleep each night, which I love. I love it so much. We cuddle rock for a good half hour a night, and during the day for naps...when he takes them.<br />
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Life in the Pond house is good. We are happy with where our life is going. We feel so blessed.Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-60689697817576652112015-11-25T07:37:00.001-08:002015-11-25T07:37:55.329-08:00Missing You Always<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Seven months ago today seemed so far away. Seven months ago I lost my precious baby. She should have been born today. (Or next week if she was anything like her big brother.) But regardless, we should have her room all ready for her to come join our family any time. My belly should be huge and uncomfortable. We should have gifts for her waiting to be wrapped alongside those we have for Jackson. But we don't. Sure, life has gone on. But that doesn't mean that I don't think about Elizabeth Every. Single. Day. </span></div><div><br></div><div>When we started trying again I was so sure that I would be pregnant again by her due date. Why wouldn't I be? With Jackson and Elizabeth, we got pregnant our first cycle trying. Why should this time around be any different? (I realize that I was extremely lucky and in the minority there. And I will never boast about that, especially not now that I know the struggle it can be waiting to have a baby that you want so desperately.) Well, fast forward 6 months from when we started trying again and we're still trying. But we're not just trying to have another baby. We're trying to get my cycles regulated so we can even try to try for a baby. It's been frustrating. It's been lonely. I know more about my body than I ever wanted to know. I have spent so much time on my knees, pleading for understanding. But I don't feel that it has come. Not yet anyway. And that is hard. I know that I need to move forward in faith, but sometimes it's really hard to have faith. Sometimes it is really hard to move past this. I know that having another baby will never fully heal the pain that losing Elizabeth has brought, but it will help.</div><div><br></div><div>There have been so many times when I have considered deleting my social media accounts because seeing pregnancy announcements is painful. But I don't. I just hide those people from my feed so I don't see any more. It's not because I'm not happy for them. It's that I hurt for me. </div><div><br></div><div>One thing I do know. Losing Elizabeth has opened my eyes to a different world. It's made me consider how I will do things in the future, because I know how it is to be on the other side of things. And it's not a place anyone deserves to be in. </div><div><br></div><div>I do have a lot to be grateful for, however. Losing Elizabeth has opened my eyes to the beauty and blessing of my temple sealing. Without that, I wouldn't see her again. But I know that I will, and that gives me something to work toward every day. I am grateful for Jackson and his sweet spirit. Yes, he's 2 and won't let us forget it, but he is the most amazing little boy. He is so smart and learns things so quickly. I'm grateful for his health--which should drastically improve now that he's had his tonsils removed. I'm grateful for modern medicine that allowed us to be able to do that for him to improve his quality of life. I'm grateful for our home and the comforts we have here. I'm grateful for our neighbors and friends. We haven't been in our neighborhood or ward long, but we fit in. We feel comfortable. People know us and love us. I'm grateful for our jobs that allow us to have the things that we do. We don't have a lot of wiggle room in our budget, but we have heat, food, shelter, clothing. That's what really matters. I'm grateful for the scriptures and the time that I am able to spend in them daily, learning from the teachings of prophets. I'm grateful that I can read. This year my goal was to read the entire standard works, and I'm almost there. I'll easily have it done by the end of the year. Next year I plan to do my scripture study in Spanish, and I'm excited to see what I can learn from that. I'm grateful that we have music in our home. I love being able to sit down at my piano and play. I'm grateful that that also can bring in a little extra money as I teach lessons. I'm grateful for the family I grew up in and the way my family shaped me into who I am. I'm grateful for Jeff's family and the person they helped him become. I'm grateful for the sweet (and the not so sweet too) children I get to see at work every week as I teach music. I'm Im grateful that I am able to work just part time and for the fun that I have <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">doing so.I am grateful for my good husband who works hard for us and tries every day to be better. He has been a great strength to me. I'm grateful for the Atonement that allows me to be forgiven of my wrongdoings and become perfect again. And I grateful that it's not a one-and-done deal, but that I can use it every day if I need to. I am grateful for temples. With our temple closed right now, it takes a little extra planning to go to the temple, but even then, we only have to drive 30 minutes, unlike so many people in the world. I am grateful for the peace I feel when I go to the temple and for the blessing it is to have in my life. I am grateful for the sacrament that allows me to renew all of the covenants I have made with my Father in Heaven each week and become clean from my sins. I'm grateful that I was able to serve a mission and for the love I have for the people I met while serving. I'm grateful for the way that they all influenced my life. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Yes, this year has been difficult. But I have leaned some important lessons along the way. The biggest of which being to be grateful for the day to day. Be grateful for the gifts we receive from Heavenly Father. Because you never know when it might be taken away. I wish every day that Elizabeth had been allowed to stay. But I have to remind myself that there is a reason that she wasn't. Heavenly Father needed her. She taught me all she needed to in the few short weeks we had her...but at the same time continues to teach me daily. I'll never stop missing her or wondering what she would have been like. But I will also never stop being grateful for the things she has taught me...which I feel is so much more than she could have taught me being here with us.</span></div>Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-57489121704649434992015-10-15T16:07:00.000-07:002015-10-15T16:12:14.943-07:00Pregnancy and Infant Loss AwarenessBefore this year I never even knew that this day existed. October 15 was always just another day. But 6 months ago...almost to the day...Something happened that changed my world. I was so excited to be pregnant again, and just starting to feel sick. I went in for a routine doctor's appointment, with the only question in mind being, "What can I do to help with morning (all day) sickness" as I had a very busy almost-two-year-old I had to chase around, and had to work two days a week. I went in for my dating ultrasound, and the tech asked if I was sure of my dates. If I'd had any cramping or bleeding. My heart sunk. By the time I actually got to see my doctor, I was in shock. And all alone. As we hadn't had any problems at all with Jackson, we had no worries, so Jeff went to work that day. If I'd had any inkling at all of what was going to happen, I would have insisted he go with me. I found out I had lost my baby. I was heartbroken. As it has been six months, things have gotten easier, but I still think of my baby every day. I feel in my heart it was a girl. I would have been so happy to have another boy, to give Jackson a brother to play with. But I longed for a girl, and feeling that it was going to be a girl, I think that almost makes things harder. Anyway, I think of my sweet angel multiple times a day, and she is always the last thing I think about before I fall asleep at night. I should be just 6 weeks away from meeting her. She was due the day before Thanksgiving, and oh how grateful I was...for that month that I knew. We had told both of our families, and they were all excited too.<br />
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From now on, October 15 will have a completely different meaning for me. Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. And it has been a hard day. I didn't think it would be, but it has been. Maybe it's been posts I've seen on different forums. Maybe it's all in my head. Maybe it's that her due date is getting closer. Maybe it's because there are so many people on facebook and in my ward who are pregnant or have new babies. I can change settings on facebook to control what I see, but I'm not going to stop going to church, no matter now painful it is--and there are days that all I do is cry my way through meetings. If I avoid you, or don't respond to things you post, please don't take it personally. I just don't know how to deal with things myself right now. I seem to have been having more hard days lately, and I wonder if that's why. Maybe it's that I got pregnant with Jackson and Elizabeth so easily, and now I'm not even having normal cycles to be able to try. I don't know. It's been a hard day. I haven't had much motivation to do things. It's been an "Eeyore" kind of a day.<br />
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I am eternally grateful for my eternal marriage and the knowledge I have that I will one day get to hold my baby. But Oh how I wish that day were sooner than it is going to be. I know that my baby must have been special to have been called Home before she even got the chance to grow up. She must have had a lot more knowledge than her Mommy and fewer things to learn. There have been so many times that I have felt her close. But that hasn't lessened the pain of our family's loss.<br />
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I am so grateful for those of my friends who have opened up about their losses as well. For me, talking about losing Elizabeth has been helpful in healing. I know that for so many people miscarriage is a Taboo subject. I don't want it to be that way. My baby lived, even if it was just a short time. I don't want her to be forgotten. And she never will by me. And the pain of losing her will always be there. Another baby--though so desperately wanted--will never replace her or completely fill the hole in my heart.<br />
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And so, to those who may be silently struggling through the loss of a baby and feeling alone--I know I felt so very alone the first few weeks before people opened up--know that you are not alone. Don't be afraid to talk to others or share your feelings. It may help. I know it has for me.<br />
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I am breaking the silence. Elizabeth Hope Pond lived, and still lives on in my heart and in her Heavenly Home, where I will one day get a chance to hold her in my arms.Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-75189558577675679812015-08-16T13:46:00.001-07:002015-08-16T13:53:16.682-07:00Home Sweet Home<br />
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As I mentioned in my last post, (like two months ago now) we bought a house! We have been in it for six weeks and still love it. There are very few things that we don't like. It has been so much fun decorating our home and making it ours. We haven't been to our ward very many weeks because we've been out of town, (and today I'm home with a sick little boy) but it is a good ward. It is in the same stake we were in, so I know several people either because they are friends with my parents, parents of friends I had in high school, or were in my ward growing up before boundaries were changed. Kids who I used to babysit are now of babysitting age themselves, and I will probably be calling them from time to time.</div>
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I didn't take any before pictures of our yard. When we moved in there were lots of weeds (there still are, but we're getting them under control. That is what happens when your house is built on an old hay field.) The grass was in pretty sad shape too, but it is looking so much better now. The few patches that haven't resurrected will be turned into garden or flower beds next year. Jackson has had lots of fun helping Daddy work in the yard. He'll go outside and dig or rake several times a week.</div>
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We live in a town house. This is our side of the house. If you're coming to visit, it's the house with the planter filled with flowers (currently pink petunias) on the mail box post and the wreath on the front door. We love that it is an end unit, which has a bigger lot and thus a bigger yard. And there's a gate to get into the back yard.</div>
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This picture was taken standing at the front door. Just to the right are the stairs. We love the space that we have in our living room. Our furniture actually fits comfortably here, and there's really room to spare! I also love that it is an open floor plan to the dining room and kitchen.</div>
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When we were looking at houses, I saw this wall and instantly knew that's where my piano would go! Isn't that such a perfect "piano wall?" Now that we are settled in one place for long-term, I'm going to start teaching piano lessons. I have a few students lined up, and I'm looking forward to it.</div>
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Another shot of our back yard, with the grass looking so much better than it did in that first picture. We have a decent sized patio as well, which will be perfect for barbecuing, just as soon as we get a propane tank for our grill. I am in love with the view out our back windows too. Just to the left is a wonderful view of the sunset every day because it is just a wheat field off that way, and there's an empty field with a wheat field across the street behind us. And it's almost a straight shot to the end of the airport runway, which is heaven for my plane-loving little dude! Whenever he hears a plane coming, he'll stop what he's doing and run to the back door or front window to watch the plane fly overhead. And that is usually accompanied by a very excited "Wow!"</div>
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This is our dining room. I love that there is actually space to expand our table, and move all the way around it too! In our first apartment, we couldn't even have all of our chairs, and in our next apartment, we had all the chairs, but there wasn't room to put the leaves in or walk around it. </div>
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I am in love with my kitchen! It is huge in comparison to what we've had...and yet every cupboard and drawer is full. Wherever did I put things before?! The wood is exactly what I've dreamed of having in my home, so that is perfect. There is tons of light. I have a flat-top stove, which is second best to my true desire of a gas stove (that's not even an option here though since we don't have gas.) I also love that our microwave is built in which saves so much counter space. It is nice not having to use my table as work space while I'm cooking. The counter tops are actually identical to my mom's. Our house was built the same year they remodeled theirs, so it must have been a popular choice that year. Good thing I like her counters! Lol. And it is a gorgeous tile floor. I may not like it quite so much in the winter because it will be colder, but it looks so good in that space. It's the same tile in the front entry and the bathroom upstairs. </div>
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I even have a pantry! It is under the stairs, so not super huge, but gives us so much extra storage! I bought these can organizers to save shelf space, but still have lots of cans sitting on the selves. I want Jeff to add a couple more shelves to give me more space, and I want him to build me a vertical can organizer for more food storage space. A re-done pantry will be my Christmas present this year.</div>
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I love my laundry room! There is a cupboard up above where I can keep my cleaners and detergent, and there is a clothes-rod above the dryer, so when I do laundry, I bring our empty hangers down with me and hang the clothes up as soon as I take them out of the dryer which saves me so much ironing time! I don't mind ironing, but if I don't have to, I am a happy girl. I love the window which gives us natural light too. Rarely do we turn on lights during the day, anywhere!</div>
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This is our half-bath downstairs. It's not even one of those itty-bitty claustrophobic half-baths like you usually see. There is actually room to move around just not quite enough to have added a shower. Jackson had fun helping me demonstrate how the built-in stool works. Is that not a genius idea?! All he has to do is pull it out and he can *almost* reach to wash his hands. He needs help stretching his arms far enough to reach the water, but give him another couple months and it will be perfect.</div>
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This is Jackson's room. He loves to stand up on his bed and look out that window to see the planes flying over. It took him some time to adjust to the new house, but he loves his room now, and usually sleeps through the night and takes great naps every day. His room has a good-sized closet, with nice built-ins for lots of storage.</div>
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This is our spare-room. I need to get a folding table so I can turn it into a craft room. I am so far behind on my scrapbooks, and I have a couple other sewing and craft projects in mind (shh...don't tell Jeff. That requires a trip to Hobby Lobby...and he says that place is forbidden.) This closet also has nice built-ins. Currently the shelves are being used to store books until I get another bookshelf and our extra towels and sheets.</div>
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Here's our main bath. I love the mirror that goes the whole length of the counter! There is lots of storage in the vanity. </div>
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This is our room. I love our room! Those prints hanging above the bed are some Jeff brought back from France. I snuck them away and had them matted and framed for him for a wedding gift so we could display them instead of leaving them in a drawer as he had done for nearly 10 years. They are beautiful! My grandpa made the sconce on the wall. I love how all the bedrooms have ceiling fans too. That really helps with air circulation to keep the temperature of our house down.</div>
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My grandpa also made the shelf and helped my dad make my cedar chest. That space is perfect for my cedar chest. I love having it out of the walkway where I am prone to crashing into it in the middle of the night. That little cubby in the wall will one day hold a TV. Yes, that's what it was meant for. There is a cable-jack in the wall! That's just not at the top of our priority list of things to get. Jeff is saving up points at work to get one that way. </div>
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We have a good sized walk-in closet, again with lots of nice built ins. This is the first time that we've really had enough closet space for what we need. We actually have lots of books in our closet too, at least until we get another bookcase...or four (I could almost have a private library!) </div>
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This is the top of the stairs outside all the bedrooms and bathroom.</div>
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We are so happy here in our home. It has been fun making it ours. We definitely prayed about the decision to purchase a home, and we feel that we were definitely led to make the right choice for our family. We will be very happy here for several years. We are excited to welcome our friends and family into our home to visit, so if you're in the area, please stop by!</div>
<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-2396587556418519232015-06-24T15:30:00.001-07:002015-06-24T15:30:35.557-07:00Moving OnTwo months have passed since the nightmare of losing our baby. I have felt so much peace through the Gospel. I know that everything will be okay. I have still had some rough days, days where I've just needed to cry. And it has been hard knowing that I would have been almost far enough along in the pregnancy to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. When I got pregnant, I figured we would find out around my birthday or our anniversary--now next week or the week after. But many times I have felt the presence of my sweet baby. They are okay. They are happy. And that makes me happy. I also feel that, when the time is right and we are ready again, more babies will come to our family. I don't know when that will be. That isn't important right now. This whole experience has taught me to trust in the Lord and His perfect timing.<br />
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As of late, I have been trying to focus on being a better Mommy to Jackson. He is so much fun, and has quite the little personality. Another post is in the works all about Jackson--he just turned two, after all, and that is big news!<br />
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Jeff and I have also bought a house! I think that has helped too, giving me something to really look forward to. We close next week and then will move in. We are ready for this new adventure. After we get moved in and have things organized, I'll post some pictures and share our home with all of you. We're also looking forward to the "Christmas" we're going to have as we open all of the boxes that have been in storage for almost a year and finding things we forgot we had :)<br />
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All in all, our life is very good. We are happy. We are blessed. And we are so grateful for the peace the Gospel brings.Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-1352772602856954532015-05-18T13:46:00.000-07:002015-05-18T15:01:34.217-07:00Heartbreak and HealingDisclaimer: This post is extremely long. I won't be offended if you don't read it. It is more for me than anything, but I hope that it is one day able to help someone who is going through a similar situation.<br />
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Let me start off by saying that I'm not looking for sympathy. What happened, happened for a reason. What that reason is I have yet to figure out. I just know that it is something I want to share for one so I remember, but for another to maybe someday down the line, be able to help and lift another who is struggling. I have been editing this post for a while, trying to find the best way to put into words how I am feeling, and sharing it in a way that is best. I'm posting it now because I feel that I am at a place where I feel emotionally ready, but it has taken some time to get there. There have been times through this when I have felt so very alone, and I want to share because I know that I'm not the only one struggling and I want others going through the same thing to have something to look at to know what what they are feeling is normal, though not always easy. Part of the reason I've felt alone is because often times, women going through this are often silent. I want to end that silence and be a strength to others.<br />
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April 25, 2015<br />
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One month ago today, on March 25 we found out that I was pregnant. I was due around the end of November or the first of December. I was beyond excited. I was ready to be a Mommy again, to have another sweet baby to snuggle. Being pregnant is hard, but I was looking forward to feeling my sweet baby move inside me. I was crossing my fingers for a little girl, but would have been equally as happy to have another little boy to give Jackson a little brother to play with. We told our families using a sign I made for Jackson to hold that said "Every Superhero needs a sidekick and I get mine in November." They were excited too. Both grandmas told me I needed to have a girl to even things out, granddaughter #5 for the Ponds and #1 for the Goods. Of course, they would have been happy with a little boy too.<br />
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I went to the doctor on April 6, and when I had my ultrasound, everything looked good, it was just too early to see a heartbeat, so they scheduled me to go back in for another appointment two weeks later. That appointment was this past Monday, April 20. Jeff was at work and I left Jackson home with Mom and headed out. They called me into the ultrasound and started, and as I looked at the screen and the ultrasound tech got silent, I knew something was wrong. She asked if I'd had any spotting. No, of course I haven't. I'm very pregnant. My morning sickness is getting worse. I can't wear any of my regular pants and just went to the storage unit for my maternity clothes on Saturday. But as the ultrasound continued and I didn't see much at all on the screen, my heart started to fall. I didn't give up hope though. I couldn't. I went back out into the waiting room to wait for the doctor. But when I saw the look on the nurse's face when she called me back, I knew that it wasn't good news. I sat down in the room, and saw it written across the top of the paper. "Fetal demise." My heart was broken. What had happened? When had my sweet baby died? Why hadn't I had any symptoms of miscarriage? The doctor came in and offered condolences. He told me that it wasn't because of anything I'd done. These miscarriages are usually caused by chromosomal abnormalities that doesn't allow a baby to develop. He told me that we could wait to see what would happen, he could give me medicine to allow my body to start the process, or we could do surgery. I immediately said that I wanted to let my body do it on it's own. My mind was blank, and I didn't have any questions for him...at the time. He asked where my husband was. Still being fairly new at his job, he doesn't have time to take off to make it to every single appointment with me. It was so hard for me to be alone when I received that news though. I longed for him to be there holding my hand. He told me that if Jeff had been there, he would have told him that it will be harder on me that it will be on him, and to be patient with me.<br />
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I left the office, and called Mom to let her know that I was going to drive out to Melaleuca. It was Jeff's lunch, and I needed to be with him. I needed to tell him in person. I sobbed the entire way across town. Why did I have to be alone? When I pulled into the parking lot, Jeff ran out to the car. I told him that I'd miscarried, and we cried together. He held my hand as tears flowed down my face. At the end of his lunch, I left and drove home. Mom held me as I cried some more. I went and rocked my sweet little boy to put him down for his nap as I poured out my heart to Heavenly Father, pleading for comfort.<br />
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That afternoon, I got a call from my doctor. He had reviewed the ultrasound, and gotten the opinion of the radiologist as well, and he said that he wasn't 100% positive that it was a miscarriage, he wanted me to go have my blood drawn to check my hcg levels, and to go back on Wednesday for another test to see if they were going up or down. That gave me a little bit of hope. I got back in the car and drove back across town to have my blood drawn.<br />
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Monday night Jeff held me in his arms as I sobbed. I wanted this little baby so bad. I wanted it to be okay. I wanted this to be a bad dream. He gave me a blessing that brought me a bit of comfort, but my heart was still breaking. I took a sleeping pill to help me sleep through the night. I got up on Tuesday and went to work, but my mind wasn't there. I sat in my classroom through my lunch hour and planned out sub lessons in case my situation warranted taking next week off.<br />
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They called on Tuesday afternoon to give me the number. Around 48,000. My doctor called me that night to see how I was doing. I told him that I was hanging in there. He told me to come back in the next day to see what my levels were and we'd take it from there.<br />
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Tuesday night I again broke down in tears in Jeff's arms, thinking about and longing for all of the experiences I wouldn't have with my baby. I wouldn't feel it's movements inside of me. I wouldn't know if it was a boy or a girl. I wouldn't ever kiss it's sweet face, or smell it's new baby smell, or count it's fingers or toes. Jeff told me that we didn't know for sure that we'd lost the baby and not to give up yet. It was just so hard for me to even have the thought in my mind that I had likely lost my sweet baby. Once again, I took a sleeping pill so I could sleep.<br />
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Again on Wednesday, I was at work, but my heart wasn't. Neither was my mind. I drove numbly to the doctor's office for another blood draw after I got off. I was trying to hold out hope, but I think I knew deep down that my sweet baby was gone.<br />
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Thursday was such a long day. It had been such a long week already. I was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. I went visiting teaching, when I saw my sweet companion, I told her what was going on. She said that she's been there too, and asked me to let her know when I found out. We went to the grocery store. Still no call. Waiting was so nerve-wracking. I think I knew when I hadn't heard anything that morning that it wasn't going to be good news, because my doctor had told me that he should have the results first thing in the morning, though I also knew that he was scheduled in surgery all day. Finally, about 3:00 I couldn't take it any more and I called the office. My level had dropped to around 43,000. The nurse put me on the schedule to see the doctor at 8:30 Friday morning so we could discuss my questions and go over what path I wanted to take. I hung up the phone, and sobbed harder than I think I've ever sobbed in my life. There it was in black and white. My sweet baby who I was so excited to meet, was gone. I never would have any of those experiences that I was looking forward to.<br />
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Jeff arranged to go into work late on Friday so he could go with my to visit the doctor. I knelt in prayer before we left asking for strength, telling my Father that I was done waiting, and asked Him what would be the best option for me, whether to take the medication and have the miscarriage at home or surgery. I felt that either option would be okay, that it was my choice. I told Jeff on our way out that I was done waiting. Emotionally, I couldn't take it any more. As the doctor discussed things with us, Jeff stepped up and said that we would go ahead with the surgery. I was scared, because I would be all alone. Having surgery is scary anyway, but the situation made it so much worse. But almost immediately I felt calm. I knew that it would be the best path for us. We scheduled the surgery for 3:00 pm (because I'd eaten breakfast and it needed to be 8 hours after I'd eaten anything) and came home to wait until we needed to leave to be to the hospital to check in 2 hours before my surgery. The day crawled on. I was nervous, but calm at the same time, if that makes sense. Probably not. I think I was just glad to know that my nightmare was almost over.<br />
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When we got to the hospital, I got all checked in and put in a room to wait. I read my scriptures and the Ensign while I waited while Jeff sat by my side and held my hand while he played on his phone. I had nurses coming in to take my vitals, and blood. And the anesthesiologist came in to talk to me about the anesthesia. I signed what I needed to, but really, everything went in one ear and out the other. We were both nervous, and really weren't looking forward to it. Finally I was wheeled back into pre-op and prepared for the surgery. When it was go time, I kissed Jeff goodbye and they took me back into the OR. They had me transfer onto the operating table, and covered me with some more warm blankets because I was freezing. They put the anesthesia into my IV, and the next thing I knew I was starting to hyper-ventilate because I was waking up and realized that my baby was gone. The nurse told me to breathe and at that moment I felt peace wash over me. Through the rest of the day I felt great peace. When they brought Jeff into the recovery room to see me, I told him what I'd felt. We sat and talked until they were ready to release me to come home. I felt so much peace. I can honestly say that I felt the sweet spirit of my little baby with me, letting me know that they were okay. That was such a comfort to me.<br />
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When we got home, Dad handed me a bouquet of flowers that my visiting teaching companion had brought over while I was gone. It was nice to feel that I wasn't so alone, that people were thinking of me. I was glad that I'd shared what I was going through with her. I didn't have any pain and felt good. I knew that I had made the right choice to have the surgery and that I would be able to start moving forward.<br />
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April 28, 2015<br />
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It's been a few days now. I've had some good days and some bad days.<br />
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Saturday started out okay. I was still feeling peace from Friday. Jeff's parents sent me a bouquet of white and yellow daisies that helped me to feel loved. However, as they day went on and I was doing my best to take care of Jackson as everyone else was working outside or getting dinner ready, I did a little too much and pulled something in my abdomen. I'd been told to take it easy, and I guess dragging a screaming toddler into his room to change a messy diaper doesn't qualify as "taking it easy." Up to that point, I hadn't had any physical pain, but as it set in and everyone else was still occupied with other things, I lost it. I had also been reading a book recommended to me by a friend, and in that book it stated that sometimes it helps grieving parents who have lost babies to be able to name their babies. That hurt my heart as well, because it was too soon to even know if we were expecting a boy or a girl, so I can't even give my baby a name. I wish I could, so I could refer to them with a name instead of just "the baby" or "my baby." That was the last straw for me. I had a break down. It was hard-core, ugly sobs. I physically didn't have strength to even stand up. I tried and I collapsed onto the chair just sobbing. Eventually, Jeff was able to help me up, but he practically had to carry me downstairs so we could be alone and talk and work through what I was feeling. It took me so long to calm down. I was crying so hard that I couldn't breathe. And I wonder if I was starting to go into a type of shock because my entire body was shaking and I was shivering even though I wasn't cold. Finally I was able to find the words to ask him for a blessing and that helped calm me down.<br />
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Looking back on that event now, a few days later, I can see that I just needed to let myself grieve. I needed to mourn what I'd lost. Losing a child is not an easy thing, no matter when they were lost. I was only about seven weeks pregnant, but that doesn't make my pain less. I had already grown to love that sweet baby growing inside me. I was looking forward to so many things with that baby, and it felt like it had all been ripped away from me in an instant. I had a difficult time sleeping on Saturday night.<br />
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I woke up on Sunday and got ready for church. Dad said that he would go help Jeff teach our Sunbeams because I knew I didn't have the energy to go and teach those active three and four year-olds. I wasn't sure I even wanted to stay for all three hours of meetings. I knew, however, that I needed to take the sacrament. My mind wasn't very present in the meeting, except for during the musical number, <i>I Believe in Christ</i>. I do believe in Christ. Through Christ I will be able to hold my sweet little baby again, just not in this life as I had planned and wanted. The last talk also really spoke to me. It was about trusting in the Lord and His timing. That isn't necessarily an easy thing right now, as I wanted that baby so badly and couldn't understand why I wasn't given the opportunity to meet my baby. I laid my head on Jeff's shoulder and let my tears flow through the meeting. I did end up going to Sunday School and Relief Society, mostly because I didn't know if I could stand to be alone for two hours until the rest of the family got home. The mom of one of my Sunbeams sat next to me and asked if I was taking a Sabbatical from Sunbeams, so I told her why I was there. That afternoon, she had her daughter bring me a couple flowers they'd picked in their garden, some cookies, and a picture she'd drawn for me.<br />
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I was able to take a nap after church, and that helped to clear my mind. I needed that so much, especially since I hadn't slept much all week long. I felt a little better after I woke up. Jeff and I kept Jackson downstairs with us that evening and played with him. It was nice to be able to talk and communicate. We watched a movie as a family, which had a few spots that made me tear up, but it was nice to spend the time together. As he was playing, Jackson dug into his toy bucket and pulled out one of his baby teethers and brought it to us, grinning. He loved chewing on those little butterfly teethers when his teeth were coming in.That set me off. All of his baby toys would have been cleaned for our new baby. Of course Jackson didn't understand. He was just showing us one of his favorite toys he'd found. Jeff just held me as I cried.<br />
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During the night on Sunday, I woke up with horrible cramps. I had been sleeping, and woke up crying out in pain. I couldn't even move. Jeff got out of bed and got my ibuprofen and some crackers and water, then held me until the pain had dissipated enough for me to be able to move, then he laid and rubbed my back helping me relax to be able to fall back asleep. I am so grateful for him. That incident was the worst my physical pain has been.<br />
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Yesterday was a good day. I'm pretty well just taking it easy, because I know if I do too much I start to hurt, so I've let Jackson have way too much TV time, but I need to allow myself to fully recover so I can be a good Mommy again. I did a lot of indexing. The needed projects right now are obituaries, and I was able to handle that just fine. I can't do much, but that is one way that I can serve right now. I received another flower delivery yesterday, some beautiful purple roses and a yellow daisy. The card was unsigned, other than my favorite quite from President Hinckley, "Don't get discouraged. Things will work out." I had that quote written inside the front cover of my scriptures that I had on my mission. It was a reminder that I needed. Things will work out. It's hard right now. But it will all be okay.<br />
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I'm taking this week off work, to allow myself time to physically recover, but start healing emotionally as well. Granted, now that I would have had one of my days of work finished already I really don't think I would have had physical energy to go today. Yesterday I was exhausted after simply taking a shower. Today I made it as far as taking a walk and helping get dinner in the crock-pot before I crashed. But I crashed hard this afternoon. If I'd been in my bed instead of on the couch I would have probably slept for a few hours. I'll just go to bed early tonight. And I am still in physical pain as well. I can control it with ibuprofen and it is very manageable. It is a hard reminder for me, however, of the sweet baby that I lost.<br />
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I'm working through the grieving process. The Gospel is helping me and bringing me strength. I can't imagine going through this loss without the knowledge that I will be able to hold my sweet baby someday. And, as I have given it lots of thought over the past days, I have realized that I am so blessed that Heavenly Father chose me to bring that sweet spirit to earth. All that sweet baby needed was a body. They didn't actually need to live on the earth. My sweet baby was a choice spirit. Heavenly Father has an important work for them to do on the other side. I know that I have been inspired to be more faithful. I've always known that I wanted to return to the Celestial Kingdom after I pass from this life, but now... I <i>have</i> to. My baby is there, and I know they are, because they lived a perfect life. And they are so blessed. My baby will never know pain. Never know sorrow. Never know anger, or hate, or any of the tragedies that come along with life. My baby will only know happiness and love, because that is all I felt as I carried my sweet baby for those few weeks that I knew I was. My baby sent to teach me faith, and perseverance, and I'm sure many other lessons that I have yet to learn.<br />
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I will get through this. Last week was hell. There is no other way to put it. Knowing that I was carrying a dead baby...I've never felt anything worse. I've never felt lower, or weaker. The peace I felt on Friday was relieving. That was short lived as I broke down again on Saturday and Sunday. But yesterday and today have been good days. I realize that I will probably still have bad days as well. There will be things that touch a tender string in my heart and set me off again. This morning I was watching a show and a commercial put me in tears.<br />
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I have a wonderful husband by my side, and a handsome little boy who is always so happy. Jackson doesn't understand why Mommy is sad, but someday this will help us better teach our children about the Plan of Salvation. Jeff has been wonderful for me. He has been patient and understanding and supportive. He's held me as I've cried. He's rubbed my back and my feet to help me relax. He's given me numerous blessings. I am so grateful for my parents as well for the help they've given us this past week. My mom has tended to Jackson's needs much more than I have this week. Though I'm starting to feel more human now, I still need to heal and still need help, and I'm grateful that I have constant help. I have also felt prayers offered up by many people. That has brought a lot of strength as well.<br />
<br />
Later<br />
<br />
More time has passed. It has now been four weeks since I got the devastating news that I had miscarried. I am physically healing. My pain now is gone. There is nothing to physically indicate that I was even pregnant. Immediately after surgery I was able to wear my regular pants again. The bleeding has stopped. Most people I know will never know about my sweet baby. That does break my heart, but I will never forget. I have been able to get down on the floor and play with Jackson again and take him for walks which he loves. My energy is back and I am able to do everything I need to.<br />
<br />
More importantly, however, is the fact that I am emotionally healing. Finding out that I had lost a baby was hands down the hardest thing that I have ever gone through in my life. It took me quite a while to find myself again. I was simply existing, methodically going through each day. I would get out of bed when Jackson woke up, and take care of him all day, as much as I could from the couch anyway. When Jeff got home, I would turn responsibility of Jackson back over to him. Most days I would take a nap, because I just didn't have energy to make it through the day otherwise. Knowing that I have struggled with depression in the past, usually when emotionally difficult things have come my way, I was worried. Really worried. I didn't want to go down that road again, because I know how hard it is to come back. But now, I can honestly say that I don't think I'm at risk of going there. I credit a loving husband and lots of prayer. I have had a very good support system, and that has helped me a lot. Of course there have still been times when I have felt so alone. I've had some really rough days. But I've started having some good days as well.<br />
<br />
I can honestly say that I have felt joy again. At first, I didn't know it would be possible. It seemed my world had ended. But last Saturday, spending the day with my little family at the zoo, I felt joy. Jeff and Jackson are my life. They are what truly bring me joy. I laughed for the first time in two weeks that day, and it felt good.<br />
<br />
My faith has been tested and tried through this, and it has been strengthened. I <i>know</i> it has. I am so grateful for a temple marriage that gives me that assurance that as I live my life in accordance with the Gospel, I will be able to return Home again and be able to hold my little baby in my arms. I am grateful for personal revelation that has allowed me to know without a doubt that my baby is okay.<br />
<br />
I have learned a lot about myself the past few weeks. And I am grateful for what I have learned. The way in which I had to learn these things have been hard. I wish it could have been learned in a different way. But it couldn't. Right now I don't understand why, but someday I will. I have a loving Heavenly Father who can see the big picture of things, and He knows why everything fits into our lives in the way that it does.<br />
<br />
I have still had bad days. Some days, I just need to let myself cry. I am trying to be strong, and I'm trying to put on a happy face, but there are days that are hard. Mother's Day was really hard for me, because I should have been far enough along to be able to announce that I was going to be a Mommy again, and that really hurt. I snapped as we were on our way out the door to church, and had a rough time through the whole block of meetings. I came home and wrote out my feelings in my journal and took a nap and felt better. I have found that expressing all of my feelings really helps me. I can't keep things bottled up inside. It is hard for Jeff to see me still hurting, but I am so grateful for the patience he has shown me through all of this.<br />
<br />
Physically, I am fine. I feel like I am back to my normal self. However, it will take me time to completely heal emotionally. I have had some special experiences that have brought me a lot of peace and comfort. The past week has been really good. The last time I needed to cry was on Mother's Day. Instead of putting on a happy face, I have felt happier. I know I'm not 100% healed yet, because I do still feel some sadness when I think about losing my baby, and I don't know if I ever will. But what I do know is that I can live with it, and that I am stronger because of it.<br />
<br />
Jeff and I are went to the temple on Friday. That brought a lot of very needed peace. We hadn't been to the temple since before we found out I was expecting because the Idaho Falls Temple is closed for some remodeling, so it had been about two months, which is way too long. I left feeling rejuvenated. On Saturday we went to the Second Chance Prom and I was able to really let down my guard and just have fun. That was liberating.<br />
<br />
As I sat in church yesterday, I knew that I was ready to finish this post and put it out there. The closing hymn was "More Holiness Give Me."<br />
<br />
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<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 34.4375px 20px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 327.265625px;"><div class="line" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1. More holiness give me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More strivings within,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More patience in suff'ring,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More sorrow for sin,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More faith in my Savior,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More sense of his care,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More joy in his service,</span></div>
<div class="line" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More purpose in prayer.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 327.265625px;"><div class="line" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2. More gratitude give me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More trust in the Lord,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More pride in his glory,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More hope in his word,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More tears for his sorrows,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More pain at his grief,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More meekness in trial,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More praise for relief.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 34.4375px 20px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 327.265625px;"><div class="line" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3. More purity give me,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More strength to o'ercome,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More freedom from earth-stains,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More longing for home.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More fit for the kingdom,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More used would I be,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More blessed and holy--</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">More, Savior, like thee.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
These lyrics spoke to me right now. I've realized that this trial was given to me to help me be more like the Savior. I do feel stronger than I did four weeks ago. I've learned things about myself that I couldn't have learned any other way. And I am grateful for that. My Savior has suffered for me so that I am able to overcome this.<br />
<br />
The Gospel is true. Without it, I would be so lost right now. This experience has strengthened my faith in my Savior and my testimony of the Plan of Salvation. Without a doubt, I know it is true. One day, when my time on earth is finished (and I hope it won't be for many, many years) I will be able to take my baby into my arms and hold them. My choice is to, instead of longing for what could have been, focus on the many blessings I have been given, because there are so many. In Heavenly Father's due time I will be able to add to my family. But for right now, I have a wonderful little boy and amazing husband who love me and who I love more than life itself. We are an eternal family, with one child here and one sweet Angel looking down on us from above.<br />
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<br />
<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-43101804386868948592015-04-25T12:29:00.000-07:002015-04-25T12:29:59.658-07:00Recent HappeningsIt has been over six months since I last updated our blog. Life is good. Jackson is growing up so fast. Just 2 more months until he will be two. He is a wonderful little boy. He loves playing with trains and cars, and playing outside. Oh boy does he love playing outside. He would spend all day from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed outside if we'd let him. The Easter Bunny brought him a bubble lawn mower and garden tools. He loves bubbles. We could blow bubbles all day long. He is always so excited when we tell him to go get his shoes because he knows that means going outside. He says new words each week, and is constantly babbling. We can understand a lot of what he says. It is so fun watching him discover and learn new things every day. He has such a fun little personality.<br />
<br />
We transitioned, or rather ripped off like a band-aid, Jackson out of his crib around Thanksgiving. He was crying one night, and Jeff walked in to find him hanging headfirst over the side. We took the mattress out that night, and Jeff and Dad built him a toddler bed for Christmas. He loves his big boy bed. When we tell him it's time to go night night, he will usually run and jump on his bed. Of course, after we close the door for the night he usually gets up and plays for a while before getting in bed and falling asleep for good, but he is pretty good about going to bed. He still enjoys his snuggles from Mommy, which I love. We cuddle and rock every day before his nap, and usually for a while before bed.<br />
<br />
We are still living with Mom and Dad. It has been eight months now that we've been here. Yes, we miss having our own space, but we do appreciate the help we've received to allow us to save money. We hope to soon have enough saved up to be able to have enough saved for our own home. We do enjoy our ward though. Of course, this is the ward I grew up in so I know many of the people who live here, but Jeff has also been able to get to know some people. He was called to teach Sunbeams with me, so together we have 7-9 active Sunbeams each Sunday. It is sometimes a bit of a challenge, but we love the sweet spirit each child has.<br />
<br />
Jackson started nursery right after Christmas, and he is finally starting to like it. This past Sunday was our first Sunday without tears. Big progress right there folks! We have an appointment to take our little man to see a gastroenterologist at Primary Children's Hospital in a few weeks. He's never been a big eater, but was on antibiotics for an ear infection a couple months ago and actually ate well and asked for more for the first time in his life. But that only lasted for about a week and a half. Last year we had him in the doctor for what was thought to be a viral something or other in his gut, but it wasn't ever really resolved. Our pediatrician wants to be safe rather than sorry and feels that a second opinion is best, to see if maybe he has some sort of bacterial infection in his gut. It will be nice to have the peace of mind at the very least.<br />
<br />
Jeff still enjoys his job at Melaleuca. He has been there for about seven months now. It has been good for him to be able to use his mission French. That's been fun for him.<br />
<br />
I still enjoy teaching music at the elementary school too. I've only got another month left of the school year until I am done with that though. We'll see what happens next year whether or not I go back and teach again. I do miss teaching full-time, but I hate leaving Jackson on the days that I work. I've always wanted to be a stay at home Mommy. That is where I'm truly happy.<br />
<br />
Life is good. We are grateful for what we have and where we've come.Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-87258458880235394262014-10-09T20:47:00.003-07:002014-10-09T20:47:22.551-07:00Life ChangesWe have been in Idaho Falls for almost a month and a half, and life is good. We feel very blessed, and know that moving here was definitely the right decision for our family.<br />
<br />
Moving was mostly uneventful. I thought I'd lost the key to the lock for Jeff's barbeque grill, but I found it just before we closed up the truck and we were able to squeeze it in. The truck was packed to the brim, as was our van, Jeff's car, and his mom's car. Jeff's parents drove up with us to help us get both of our vehicles up there, as Jeff needed to drive the truck. We were very grateful for their help. We had a few friends, and Jeff's family help us load up the truck down there, and we were able to get it all done quickly and were on the road earlier than we planned. It was a good drive up. Mom and Dad had arranged for help for us to unload our truck here at the house and at the storage unit so we could store everything there's not room for here at the house. Of course, there are things that we stuck in storage that, in hindsight, probably shouldn't have been, but we've tried finding them and they are nowhere in sight, and likely at the bottom/ back of a huge pile of boxes (we've got a 10' x 15' unit filled). Oh well :)<br />
<br />
We have settled into life here. Jackson loves having a dog to <strike>torture</strike> play with every day. He loves feeding Bear and throwing balls to him (or at least in the general direction where he is). Often, he will walk around the house calling for "Beah" as he looks for the dog to play with.<br />
<br />
The week we moved, I went to training to be a substitute teacher, and then later that day, I was called and offered a position as a part-time music teacher because they were short a few. Jeff and I saw this as a blessing, as he was still looking for work and this would allow us to have some money coming in to cover our insurance, car payment, storage unit, and diapers for the little man. I am loving being back in a classroom again, and 2 days a week is perfect because it still lets me be a Mommy, which is what I have always wanted to do.<br />
<br />
I have also been called to teach the sunbeams. I'm enjoying that. Well...I should say I think I'm enjoying that. I've only taught like twice, and one of those times was before I was actually called because they needed a sub to fill in so they called and asked me. I was there for two weeks, then we were in Utah, then Kesha's homecoming so we left after Sacrament Meeting, then it was General Conference. I'll be there this week though, and apparently have a new child in the class. They are an active bunch, but we have fun.<br />
<br />
Jeff had several interviews in the first few weeks we were here. Two weeks after we moved in, Jeff got a call offering him a job at Melaleuca as a French-speaking call center representative. He is thrilled to be able to use his French again. He started a week later, and has been there for 3 weeks now. He is coming home from work so happy every day. He came home from his first day of work with the news that our insurance would be effective October 1. We had been under the impression that it wouldn't take effect until he'd been there for 3 months. Jeff came home today and said that he's completed his first phase of training. He's got another couple phases to go through, but they're going to move him out of the training location into the main call center for a week or so to let him really practice what he's learned so far.<br />
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We have had blessing after blessing come our way since making the decision to move. It was terrifying, moving without a job or knowing what would come our way. But we felt in our hearts that it was right, and we have had that manifest to us as the blessings have been pouring in.<br />
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Jackson is growing up so fast! He started walking the week before we moved, and now he is running all over the place! He can say so many words now too. There's the typical "mama" and "dada." And he can say "Bear." And what toddler <i>can't</i> say "no." He also says "yes" and "what's that?" and "up." We've been trying to get him to say "Mmm, dingy that's good" because that's what Grandpa Jack used to always say and we have to have him follow in the footsteps of his namesake, and the other day when I got home from work, Mom told me that he said "Mmm dood," and I've heard him say it a couple times. I don't remember what we were talking about, but last night at dinner we were saying "Duh" to LaKesha, and he followed suit with a great big "Duuh!" It was SO funny! We all about died laughing. Today after lunch, I reached over to tickle his feet while he was sitting in his high chair, and he said "Tickle!" He's a smart little guy!<br />
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He's finally starting to put on some weight too. We had him in the doctor after we moved up here because he was running a fever and not eating and we wanted to make sure he didn't have a nasty virus going around and he didn't even weigh 17 lbs (it was a clothed weight, but just barely 17 lbs) and at his 15 month check last week he was 18.5. Woo-hoo! Finally! He's just a skinny little bean-pole :)<br />
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Life is good. We are happy. We're going to continue living with my parents for the time being so we can save money and hopefully be able to get into a house within the next year or so. It's a full house, but we have fun, and we've got our own little oasis in our room with our TV set up so we can watch movies whenever we want to. It's a pretty good set up. We're pitching in a bit to help with groceries, which is more than fair!<br />
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<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-2596156481687549812014-08-24T14:45:00.004-07:002014-08-24T14:45:58.384-07:00We have a Walker!I wasn't going to post again until after we'd moved, but this is big news!<br />
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For weeks, Jackson has been able to stand unassisted. He's loved walking with help for months. We've seen him take a few steps, but they were usually when no one was looking (or so he thought!)<br />
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On Tuesday, I was sitting on the floor packing boxes (because where else can I be found these days), and Jackson was playing when he stood up in the middle of the room without holding onto anything. That was a first. Of course, I let him know that I was proud of him and continued on working.<br />
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Then on Wednesday, I was busy working on...something. I have no idea what. I looked up at Jackson and he was WALKING across the living room. He stopped halfway to catch his balance on a toy, then continued on his way for what he wanted. I was thrilled...(and terrified, because of everything I have to do) and started cheering for him. He got so excited and was bouncing up and down and fell down. He got back up and walked over to me. Yep. It's official. He can walk.<br />
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And he can climb. Thursday morning I was packing up a box while he was playing the piano, which is nothing out of the ordinary. He loves to play Mommy's piano. But this time when I looked over and he was STANDING on TOP of the piano bench. Usually, when he does monkey things like that I grab my phone to take a picture, but this time I was so terrified he was going to fall and crack open his head on one of the many toys he had strewn around the room I just jumped up and grabbed him, being very careful not to yell out and scare him, causing him to fall.<br />
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Good heavens, my life just got even more complicated.Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-45767572812907914122014-08-14T10:39:00.004-07:002014-08-14T10:39:47.009-07:00Crazy LifeThe past few weeks have been absolutely nuts. I don't have much time to write because I have a MILLION things I need to do, but I want to document this crazy time.<br />
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Jeff has been looking for a job for months. He has applied both in Idaho Falls and here in the Salt Lake Valley, so we can stay close to one of our families. He has applied for so many more jobs here in Salt Lake, but in comparison, the ration of interviews to applications has been SO much greater in Idaho Falls. We've just been hanging out, constantly filling out job applications and hoping for a job to come along soon. We still haven't had any luck, but we're hopeful.<br />
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Two weeks ago, we woke up to discover that Jeff's bike had been stolen overnight, then the next day we discovered that a neighbor had been stealing packages/ mail out of our mailbox. It was at that moment that we decided we need to move. After weighing our options and praying about it, we feel that we need to move to Idaho. We don't know where Jeff is going to find a job, but we have faith that it will work out. For the time being, we will be living in my parents' basement.<br />
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So, we have 2 weeks left here in Salt Lake. Our apartment is a crazy mess right now, with boxes and packing supplies and toys everywhere. We are working to get everything organized and ready to do. Most of our things will be in storage, so I'm sorting through things, deciding what we'll need (for an indefinite amount of time) and what will be fine sitting in a storage unit.<br />
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We really do have mixed feeling about leaving, because we have so many wonderful friends in our ward here who we will miss terribly. Jeff's family all live around here, and it has been fun getting together with them regularly and for Jackson to spend time with his cousins at all of the family get-togethers (he's got a cousin just 4 months older than he is and they like to <strike>steal toys from</strike> play with each other.) It will be sad to leave them, and we'll have to come visit lots (good thing it's only 3 hours...though even that can be too long for Jackson at times).<br />
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But at the same time, my sister (who doesn't know we're moving up there, let alone moving in) gets home from her mission in 6 weeks, and she's never met Jackson, other than over Skype. It will be fun for her to be able to play with him and get to know him. We're looking forward to living in a place where we can take Jackson outside to play (the grass is too full of weeds here to do that, without going down to the park.)<br />
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All in all, we are looking forward to this new adventure, following what we feel is best in faith. We know that everything will work out exactly as it is supposed to and that we will be taken care of.<br />
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Now...back to packing :)Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-58949661553682130752014-06-24T11:54:00.003-07:002014-06-24T11:54:27.307-07:00Our Baby is One!Our crazy little Jackson Boy turned one yesterday. We can hardly believe how fast the year has gone! Jackson has progressed from being perfectly content to cuddle all day long to constantly moving! I swear that boy never stops! It wears me out just watching him!<br />
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He loves crawling. One of his favorite things to do is try and run away from us during church. Yesterday he almost escaped clear out the door of the Relief Society room before I could catch him! He laughs as he runs away from us when he knows we want him to come closer. He loves pushing anything around the room (paper, books, water bottles, you name it!) as if it's a car. He also loves walking, so long as he is holding onto our fingers or the furniture.</div>
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He absolutely loves playing with his toys. He had some favorites, but I think his birthday presents are gonna take the cake. Mommy and Daddy gave him clothes and books (BORING!!!) and a Little People school bus. He sat and played with that and pushed it around and pulled out the little people and bonked their heads and pushed buttons for a good 10 minutes today. And Grandpa made him a set of wooden blocks (just like I used to play with that my Grandpa had made my mom, that Jackson now plays with when we visit Grandma and Grandpa). When he saw those, he knew just what to do and immediately started trying to pull the blocks out to build with them. And Grandpa made him a wooden-block xylophone. He loves banging on that thing. Grandma and Grandpa also gave him one of those push-popper things, just to drive me crazy! Needless to say, I'm going to have a very noisy house now with all of these noise-maker toys. But I'm also going to have a happy little boy, so it is all worth it.<br />
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He loves to eat...so long as it isn't baby food. He'll eat anything of our food he can get his hands one. He LOVED his cake, and it was so fun to watch him dig in as soon as it was set down in front of him last night. He enjoys anything sweet...probably not the best thing to have him eating...but I have been told he needs to put on some weight...</div>
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The little stinker would not take a nap yesterday. Okay, that's not entirely true. He slept for an hour before I had to wake him up for church, and for 40 minutes on the way to my grandma's for his party. But that is NOT enough sleep for a little boy, and then he didn't fall asleep until after 10:00 as we were playing games. There was too much going on...and he was probably wired from his cake! (home-made fun-fetti cake with home-made buttercream frosting. Yeah...I'm sure it was a sugar high) He woke up several times last night too, which was a real bummer for me, because I didn't get to bed til 2, and he woke up just was I was getting there, then again at 4, and at 5 when I gave up and brought him to bed for the last couple hours I could sleep, because his one year checkup was this morning.<br />
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Anyway, his checkup went well. He's still too skinny... as in the zero, yes, zero, percentile. I'm not too worried. He's gained almost 2 pounds in the past 3 months and my brother was...is...super skinny. He's in the 74th percentile for height. Tall and skinny. That's how we roll. He got to try real milk yesterday for the first time, mostly because I was out of formula and I wanted to try to get him to sleep. He LOVES that stuff! I need to go buy him whole milk to fatten him up :). He got his shots today too and screamed, until I put his shoes on. He knows that he only gets his shoes on when we go outside, so that cheered him up. (We went to the zoo after the doctor today).<br />
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Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-56992742122618987512014-06-04T12:38:00.000-07:002014-06-04T12:38:10.119-07:00Slaving AwayManaging the apartments certainly has it's perks. I get to stay home with Jackson and just be a Mommy every day. Our rent is super cheap. Plus, we live in the BEST ward and have so many friends. But lately I've been seeing the downside of managing.<br />
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We've recently had 3 apartments vacated. They are disgusting. I honestly don't know how people can stand to live in such filth.<br />
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For example: One of the apartments had huge holes punched in the drywall. There was black mold all over the bathroom. There were black, black hand prints all over the walls. One of the apartments had burnt food crusted all over the oven--took me 2 hours to get it clean. I had to physically pick things up off the entire floor before I could vacuum. There was food left in the fridge. One of the apartments had meat that had leaked in the fridge and there was a thick layer of blood in the bottom. There was crayon, sharpie, cat hair, old gum, and boogers all over the walls. There were cobwebs everywhere. And it was infested with roaches.<br />
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As managers, we are the lucky ones who get to clean these apartments. Yes, we get paid extra for doing so. (Basically, our rent this month will be free). I have spent days on end for 3 weeks now cleaning these apartments. We are almost done. I really think we'll be done today. I hope we'll be done today. We have another project outside that we need to do--laying down new weed block fabric and covering it with bark--that we want to get done this weekend.<br />
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Can I just say that I am ready for a break? To have time to clean my own messes? To just be a mommy and play with my boy instead of trapping him in the playpen while we work, or locking him in the apartment with the monitor with us while he sleeps? Soon. Then I get to do it all over again at the first of next month when we have another tenant move out. Oh goody. :)Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-9658154104376032162014-05-31T15:47:00.000-07:002014-05-31T15:47:17.615-07:00Eleven MonthsJackson is growing so fast! Less than a month until he will be a year old. I can hardly believe how fast it's gone. He is a little ball of energy. Sometimes it wears me out just to watch him. He wakes up in the morning and is ready to play first thing. Some days he only takes one nap (but he is much more pleasant with two.)<br />
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He still loves walking with help. He has been able to balance himself on his feet by himself a couple times, once for over 10 seconds! It won't be long until he is walking. It is so cute when he wears his shoes and we help him walk. He picks his feet up super high and then stomps them back down. He has such a big grin as he walks along.<br />
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Jackson doesn't like the grass, typical of any little one. He loves watching us blow bubbles and trying to pop them. Any time we are outside he is happy. He loves going out on walks and being anywhere other than the house. We get out and about as much as we can. We've been to the zoo a lot too, thanks to Mom and Dad Pond's absolutely amazing gift of a season pass to the zoo.<br />
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Our little Mister loves finger foods. Some of his favorites are goldfish crackers, Ritz crackers, marshmallows, oyster crackers, Lucky Charms (marshmallows first), and graham crackers. He also enjoys Cheerios and other Gerber snacks (except the toddler cookies...he won't touch those with a 10-foot pole). Whenever we have cake and ice cream or cookies, he just HAS to have a bite. Or two. Or three. He also loves French Fries (and we were told by his pediatrician to give some to him to fatten the skinny little dude up!) He also loves to eat yogurt, pasta, and really whatever else we'll give him that's not in the form of baby food.<br />
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He's just barely grown into size 3 diapers, and 9-12 month clothes. He could eat all day long, but he is ALWAYS on the move. He was blessed with a high metabolism.<br />
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He loves to splash in the bath. Or the sink. When we take him to wash his hands he has to take time to splash in the sink. He's figured out how to flush the toilet and unroll the toilet paper from the roll. He is so mischevious and gets into everything.<br />
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He loves to make faces. He has a certain face that he pulls if he does something that he knows he isn't supposed to do, like "Oh...Mommy just busted me." He's also got a really cheesy grin, and he likes to scrunch his face up into a sour look. It is so funny to watch.<br />
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We love our little dude!<br />
<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-84758351099888947002014-05-05T12:45:00.001-07:002014-05-05T12:45:13.164-07:00We Did It!The day that we've been waiting for has come and gone. The past several months has been crazy, and a little stressful as Jeff has been going to school full time, and working around 15 hours a week. It is a blessing that I have been able to stay home with Jackson. We were very grateful that we had been able to put half of my teaching salary into savings, because that is ultimately what saved us through our very limited finances over the past 8 months since we stopped getting those paychecks.<br />
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Jeff has graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Communications from the University of Utah! Graduation stuff was Thursday and Friday. We were getting ready on Thursday to go to Commencement and Jeff walked into the bathroom in his cap and gown while I was putting on my makeup and I almost started bawling right there. I am so proud of him.<br />
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Thursday evening, Jeff's mom and I were there for Commencement, then his parents took us to dinner afterwards. On Friday, both of our parents and Jeff's sister and her family were all there with us for his Convocation. We went out for a late lunch/ early dinner afterwards. We also celebrated with his whole family last night at his parents' house.<br />
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Our plans now include enjoying more time as a family, getting out and doing things outside, and looking for a new job for Jeff that will allow him to put to use what he has learned in school.<br />
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We feel so blessed, and know that everything will work out for the best. We just have to keep the faith :)<br />
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Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-38645408267945706222014-04-27T14:43:00.000-07:002014-04-27T14:43:38.092-07:00Chasing Baby Jack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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10 months have passed since our sweet Baby Jack joined our family. So much has happened this month. He is crazy active and into absolutely EVERYTHING.<br />
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This month he has discovered how to do so many new things. He is so proud of himself when he accomplishes something new. It is evident in the way he looks at you and squeals.<br />
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Jackson got the okay when it comes to eating pretty much anything, except the typical things babies have to enjoy. His first meal was spaghetti. We stripped him down to his diaper and he went to town. He was still working at getting food from his tray to his mouth and half of it ended up in his high chair, but it was so fun watching him get it all over his face. He is so adorable when he eats. He is not picky, and eats almost anything we put in front of him.<br />
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He finally figured out how to crawl, and once he figured it out he was off! He started crawling one day and decided that it is so much more effective to get around on all fours instead of scooting everywhere, and stopped his army crawl almost immediately. If we don't want him to completely run away, we put one of our dining room chairs blocking the exit to the living room, and have a gate as a constant attachment in our hallway. He still finds everything he isn't supposed to have, and more, now that he can get around to places where he wasn't able before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qzsii-G_GPhbzKJdjduCL6bnVGZmhu5bH2eXxPd2calsXgGhgkv-wWmdTAANxIDxzMzY27Xk0Wl6T4q7FfLwYxOSA3g7SLkw2DCgV0ES-LM1c7Pc95nitIndycVrX5hJHP21DK4GXXcK/s1600/201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qzsii-G_GPhbzKJdjduCL6bnVGZmhu5bH2eXxPd2calsXgGhgkv-wWmdTAANxIDxzMzY27Xk0Wl6T4q7FfLwYxOSA3g7SLkw2DCgV0ES-LM1c7Pc95nitIndycVrX5hJHP21DK4GXXcK/s1600/201.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a>He also figured out how to pull himself up to standing. He loves to reach up and pound on my piano bench, and it didn't take him much longer to figure out that he can reach the keys on my piano and he loves to play me songs. He pulls himself up in his crib and greets me with a big smile in the mornings and after his naps (or a sad face with great big alligator tears, depending on the day). If he wants up he crawls over and pulls himself up by our legs.<br />
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Jackson recently figured out that he likes to walk, with help of course. He holds onto our fingers and goes goes goes. He is seriously like the Energizer Bunny! I think he likes the new vantage point he has being up a little higher.<br />
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The past couple of days he has figured out how to clap his hands. He loves the attention it brings. He also figured out how to growl. Yesterday Uncle Lance was holding him by just his legs, with his feet in the air, and bum down. He got a really frustrated look on his face, and let out a big frustrated growl. It was so funny :)<br />
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The Easter Bunny made a visit to Jackson last weekend. He brought him bubbles, a new suit, another shirt, a couple of books, and a big red ball. He loves chasing it around the room :). The Easter Bunny also visited Grandma and Grandpa Pond, and he got an outfit, bubbles, num-nums, and $4. Grandma and Grandpa Good also got him a book and a Mickey Mouse umbrella stroller so I don't have to lug out the big one every time I want to take a simple walk around the neighborhood. I can keep this one in the house and have it handy.<br />
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This month Jackson also got really sick for the first time. The first time, he was running a fever, and threw up once. Then a week later, he again ran a fever (this time it got high enough to scare me) and threw up a couple of times. The poor little boy felt so awful. He just wanted to cuddle--something he never wants to do anymore. He and I stayed home on Easter Sunday because he was so sick. We'd had him at the doctor Saturday night because of his fever. It was just a stomach bug that has been going around. He is still a little congested, but doing better. His appetite still needs some work though. He nurses all right, but doesn't want much in the way of food yet, where before he got sick he was so much more interested in real food than milk.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aB_4CuQBwRUgQzcuLsvpEeurGMkWq0JOiMr7EsdI-8CdSljfYgt1Fx9dLhiGJ9qZv5O-NzzsoLitwouNM0gObvJhyxiTgtRC6ZCzxFI7KhMofRJ1NKxhNYSJ_439oCOnqaqbLyNOVDSw/s1600/DSCN0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aB_4CuQBwRUgQzcuLsvpEeurGMkWq0JOiMr7EsdI-8CdSljfYgt1Fx9dLhiGJ9qZv5O-NzzsoLitwouNM0gObvJhyxiTgtRC6ZCzxFI7KhMofRJ1NKxhNYSJ_439oCOnqaqbLyNOVDSw/s1600/DSCN0879.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG7jlQEfVgSGOxdKXlcvNq0rzijX-PEHQ4trvPc5wf02vprW2D8Sem4ct0YUiPN3TEvmYCVZsNezJrf3DkR1lJSa8VugFDx8emLo0MO1uie85cWql-DeXwFVtJCg1pqg_KWjp92ExoQBu/s1600/DSCN0865+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG7jlQEfVgSGOxdKXlcvNq0rzijX-PEHQ4trvPc5wf02vprW2D8Sem4ct0YUiPN3TEvmYCVZsNezJrf3DkR1lJSa8VugFDx8emLo0MO1uie85cWql-DeXwFVtJCg1pqg_KWjp92ExoQBu/s1600/DSCN0865+-+Copy.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Jackson is the light of our life. He brings so much happiness. All of the late nights are totally worth it. He keeps me busy chasing after him, making sure he doesn't put anything in his mouth that he can choke on that I didn't see. He likes to explore his surroundings, and seems to learn new things each day.<br />
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As for Jeff and I, we are doing well. We are happy, and feel so blessed.<br />
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While I miss teaching, I love being able to stay at home with Jackson. I was able to sub for 2 days a couple weeks ago, and I loved being back in the classroom and seeing all of my students from last year. And seeing the way that he clung to me when I picked him up after the second day, I know that it is definitely better for him that I stay home. It makes me so happy to be able to see him discover new things and be here to help him and teach him and comfort him, and get the few cuddles that he is willing to give. It makes me happy to be able to take care of the house (or try to, because chasing an active baby doesn't lend well to getting things done). I love being here when Jeff gets home each day, and having meals prepared for us to eat. Jackson and I enjoy going on walks when the weather is nice. I plan on spending lots of time at the park and zoo this summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrlCRz0TB7k-ukApiCM1-jM_EeW8Wo4QpB1QgBQGQiA7wxcIQ5Dj3Iay7_1Wp5u58SF1H0zUzcMYYNxF9rPg0wD0myIIK8jxbQfBeKS_hCBt0P_xwnwkXA4ktW6uU20BEgibMFu06DoQ9/s1600/DSCN0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrlCRz0TB7k-ukApiCM1-jM_EeW8Wo4QpB1QgBQGQiA7wxcIQ5Dj3Iay7_1Wp5u58SF1H0zUzcMYYNxF9rPg0wD0myIIK8jxbQfBeKS_hCBt0P_xwnwkXA4ktW6uU20BEgibMFu06DoQ9/s1600/DSCN0959.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>Jeff only has ONE more final left until he gets his Bachelor's degree in Communications from the U! We are so excited! Graduation is this coming weekend. He is in the process of interviewing for jobs now, so he can hopefully get something in his field. I am so proud of him. He has worked so hard for the past year, with school and work and an internship. He has been willing to sacrifice so I can stay home with our little boy. He also celebrated a birthday this past month and turned the big 3-0. He's getting to be an old man ;) I am so grateful to be his wife and that he always makes me feel so special.<br />
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<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-9199256704472934372014-03-18T14:37:00.003-07:002014-03-18T14:37:57.406-07:009 MonthsIt is hard to believe but our sweet little boy will be 9 months old on Saturday. The time has just flown! My days are filled with loves from my fun little boy.<br />
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He now scoots all over. Every once in a while, he will crawl a few steps...paces... uh...you know what I mean ;), but he always decides it is just faster and easier to army crawl/ scoot where he wants to go. And boy is he FAST! Especially when he sees something he's not supposed to get into (namely cords...computer chargers, ribbon, backpack straps, you name it, he'll get it.) Yesterday he discovered that the grate over our vent makes a fun noise when he strums it. And the day before he discovered that the drawer under our stove makes a fun noise when he bangs it. He likes to slap the floor too. He REALLY likes it when I sit him on my lap at the piano and just let him bang on the keys and play a "song." This morning I set up the gate at the end of the hall to keep him out of trouble while I showered, and peeked out at him to find him kneeling by it, hanging on, and bouncing up and down. He also enjoys to do a "Downward Facing Dog" yoga position. He gets up on his hands and feet and just hangs out. When he wakes up from his naps, and occasionally in the morning, he'll start talking to and playing with his stuffed animals in his crib. I crawl in there and play peek-a-boo, popping up over the side of the crib. He's now figured out that if he pushes the bumper down he can see me and bonk my nose. He loves that! This kid keeps me on my toes all day long!<br />
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Some of Jackson's favorite games are Pat-A-Cake, This Little Piggy, Eensie Weensie Spider, I'm a Little Teapot, Popcorn Popping, Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam, and, of course his Peek-A-Boo. If he is grumpy, we can almost always cheer him up with one of these games. He likes to grab onto my hair if it's not pulled back, so it's usually in a pony tail. He also likes to play with my nose while I nurse him (which I don't really appreciate, because he digs his nails into my nostrils and it really hurts), and to play with my teeth. Maybe he'll be a dentist?<br />
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Jackson has 4 teeth now...almost anyway. That 4th one is taking it's sweet time coming all the way in, and is greatly disturbing our sleep at night, because Jackson wakes up hurting, and I'm a softie and go in and cuddle him. Sometimes I just bring him back to bed with me, but I really need to stop doing that, because then neither of us...or I guess I should say none of the 3 of us sleep well when I do that. We go back to the doctor for his 9 month check up on Monday. I hope he's gained some weight...the little skinny guy was in the 5th percentile for weight at his 6 month check, down from like 17th 2 months before that. He eats really good, solids 3 times a day and nursing 3 or 4 times a day, and usually a bottle every day too. He's just constantly moving. We shall see. We just barely moved him to size 3 diapers...not because he'd outgrown size 2 though. We moved him up because I can get a bigger box of Luvs for about $10 cheaper than a box of Huggies, so as soon as he hit 16 pounds (or almost, since I don't know exactly what he weighs) we made the switch. All of his 6-9 month clothes fit him just fine length-wise, but are huge around him. As he scoots around the house, his pants usually come off and he just scoots around pant-less. I call him my pant-less wonder :) Some days I wonder why I even bother. Not to mention, he hates getting dressed, and sometimes the pants just don't make it back on after a diaper change before he runs away.<br />
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We've already been to the zoo twice this year. Mom and Dad Pond gave us a zoo membership for Christmas. Jackson loves to be outside, I love to get my exercise. We're going to spend lots of time at the zoo. I think Jackson will start enjoying it more as the summer goes on too and starts to realize the animals are fun to look at. Already he was more interested the second time we went than the first. That will be a fun activity all summer long.<br />
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I could go on, but Jackson and I are going to Mom and Dad's this weekend, and I have a gazillion things to do (I'm not stalling...updating the blog was on my to-do list!). Mom and I have tickets to Time Out For Women, and Jackson is going to play with Grandpa for 2 whole days and get into all sorts of trouble. We're going to take the shuttle up (which could be interesting...5 hours on a bus with a very active baby) because the next week is Lance's Spring Break, so they'll bring us back down and play for a few days here. I'll write about that, and his 9 month check when we get home. I'll also post pictures when I get home, because I need to figure out how to download them from my google account, and attach my phone to the computer to download those pictures to my computer too (long story short, my old phone went for a swim in the toilet--thank goodness all my pictures got backed up into my Google account--and now I've got an iPhone that I'm trying to figure out how to use still)Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-36431860033754663672014-02-10T20:42:00.002-08:002014-02-10T20:42:38.549-08:00It Is True!We had stake conference this weekend. The main focus was missionary work, and they put a focus on sharing the Gospel through social media and other online mediums. When I was on my mission, I was positive that I would come home and share my testimony and beliefs with everyone I know...but I didn't. Stake Conference today gave me a new resolution to go out and share my testimony. I have many Facebook friends who aren't members of the Church, and may not fully know what I believe. My blog is open to the public, and there could be someone who randomly clicks on my blog and wonders what I believe. Today I finished (apparently I started it when I got home from my mission, but never finished it) my mormon.org profile. And I created a Twitter account (@KiraPond if you're interested) so I can share my testimony there. ...not like I need any more social media to keep up with, but I do want to share my testimony.<br />
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Without a doubt, I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I feel the love of my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ each day. I know that they know me, that they care about me, that they help me. I have had many trials in my life, and have felt help getting through those times.<br />
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I know that my family is eternal. Jeff and I were sealed for time and all eternity by the holy priesthood authority restored on the earth in these days. That was one of the best days of my life, one of the happiest. To be in the temple, surrounded by our family and a few close friends being not just married, but sealed together FOREVER means more to me than anything else. I know that because of that sealing, I will always have my true love by my side, and that each of our children will also be with us forever. Because of that same sealing power, we are both with our parents and siblings forever as well.<br />
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Family is so important to me. Jeff and I make sure to have time to spend as a family each week. We have Family Home Evening, even though Jackson is young and doesn't know what is going on. We know it is important for him to hear us sing the simple Primary songs and gather as a family. I have many fond memories of my family being gathered together (don't get me wrong...I also have memories of the many times I begrudgingly left what I was doing to gather with the family for our FHE.) I want Jackson to grow up knowing how important that family time is, and to come to enjoy the time we have to spend together discussing Gospel topics.<br />
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I take time most every day to take a quiet moment during Jackson's nap to sit down and read the Book of Mormon and the Ensign, to get the words of ancient and modern prophets and bring that extra strength into my life. I'm not perfect, and it doesn't happen every day, but when it does I do feel a difference. The Book of Mormon is true. It was translated by a Prophet in these Latter Days. The Latter-day Prophets are inspired in the words they speak in General Conference and the words they write in the Ensign each month. It is a blessing to read them and apply them to my life and receive that added strength from them.<br />
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I have a strong testimony of prayer. I know that Heavenly Father hears them. And I know that He answers them. I can kneel down and pour out my heart to my Father and those prayers will be heard and answered. I have felt help and comfort and some of the most difficult times in my life. I have felt His guidance when I didn't know what to do. And I have felt peace knowing that decisions I made about my life was right. Prayer is an important part of my day, first thing I do when I wake up and last thing I do before I go to sleep. I am teaching my sweet baby the importance of prayer, ensuring that we pray before our meals and saying a prayer for him before we put him to bed at night.<br />
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Within the Church, there are many great opportunities. I have had the blessing to serve in several different capacities. Each calling is equally important in it's own way. Currently I am the organist. I play the prelude in Sacrament meeting each Sunday to bring the Spirit to the meeting, as well as playing for the congregation to sing the hymns during the meeting. I am also a visiting teacher, visiting a few sisters in the ward to take them a spiritual message each month and cultivate friendships. In my last ward I was a Ward Missionary. Before that I was the Ward Choir Director. I have also been Relief Society President, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, and several other callings. I am grateful for each calling and the chance it gives me to learn and grow and stretch myself. I am also grateful for each of the other leaders in the ward who help to lift and strengthen each ward member every week.<br />
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The Gospel is true. I can't imagine where I would be without it. I don't want to imagine where I would be without it. It brings me so much strength in everything I do. It brings me hope. It brings me peace. I know where I came from, why I'm here, and where I'm going. I love the Gospel, and I love the happiness it brings to my daily life and my family.<br />
<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-31320296561517392982014-01-28T11:38:00.001-08:002014-01-28T11:38:10.849-08:007 Sweet MonthsIt's hard to believe...I've been a Mommy for 7 months. Jackson is such a good baby...and FINALLY starting to sleep through the night. Like he slept 10 hours last night. I've been trying to get him to sleep through the night, and taking longer to go in and get him at night. I won't get out of bed unless he is screaming. And he's recently discovered that if he wakes up during the night and pops his thumb in his mouth he can fall back to sleep on his own. I have been sleeping so good lately! Which, consequently, means that I am so much more productive during the day because I actually have energy. I'd forgotten what it felt like to sleep in bed all night long, instead of spending at least part of the night sleeping in my rocking chair.<br />
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He has started to really love sucking his thumb. Half the time, I'm trying to feed him and he'll stop eating and stick his thumb in his mouth. Crazy kid :) He can get to any toy he wants...so long as it is within an arm's reach radius. He can scoot around in circles all day, but forget about going forward or backward. The kid is just too lazy to try to figure that out yet. (Granted, he doesn't have that big of a play area, so most of his toys are always in his reach anyway).<br />
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He loves sitting in his high chair and playing with his toys while I cook dinner or wash dishes (most of the time, anyway). There are a few toys that I keep with his high chair, so he only gets those when he's sitting there waiting, and he starts reaching for them before he is even buckled in. He also loves eating. He isn't a huge fan of green peas, but anything else he just scarfs down! We've started him on meats as well. He's now eating solids 3 times a day, and love gobbling up whatever we feed him. Last night after he ate his dinner, he got fussy sitting while Jeff and I ate, so I pulled him out and held him on my lap. He kept reaching for my dinner, so I gave him a few tiny bites of my potato, and let him drink water out of Mommy's cup. He thought that was pretty awesome.<br />
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We took Jackson's swing apart on Sunday. He hasn't used in in several weeks, and it was just taking up space. It is so nice having that extra space behind our door. We can move around when we come inside now! He has almost outgrown his infant car seat as well. We went shopping on Saturday so I could look at different seats. Now I just need to research which seat I want to buy for him, then we'll go get it and get his other seat out of our house too. Granted, it is convenient to be able to put him in his seat in the house, but it will be better for him too, because he loves being in the car.<br />
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Jeff was able to get an internship at KSL News Radio! He applied several months ago, so when he got a call asking him to go in for an interview we were very surprised. But he is loving it, and getting a bit of experience that will hopefully work to his benefit as he is beginning to look for a job. He has just 3 more months until graduation, and we're hoping he can quickly find a job working in Communications shortly thereafter.<br />
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I'm still hanging out at home, having fun with my sweet boy. I've been participating in KSL Studio 5's 10 Pound Challenge. It has gotten me up and exercising each morning. I don't know that I will be down the whole 10 pounds by the time it ends next week, but so far I am down 6 1/2 pounds and I am feeling so great. And regardless of whether or not I do achieve the goal of 10 pounds in a month, I am going strong at a new habit of daily exercise and eating better. If I can have all of my baby weight off by my birthday (a total of about 20 pounds) I will be feeling great, and I've got another 5 months for that. Easy peasy! It is also good for Jackson to see Mommy exercising every day so he can grow up seeing how important it is to stay fit. I can't wait for it to get nice outside so we can go outside and exercise every day. I think I'll try to get a jogging stroller this spring so we can go out for a jog with Jeff in the evenings too.<br />
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Life is good. We are happy.<br />
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Jackson playing with the caterpillar Grandpa made him for Christmas</div>
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<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-1680948717007452462013-12-19T12:36:00.004-08:002013-12-19T12:36:44.102-08:00Catching UpWell, I have been having too much fun playing with my baby to sit down and update my blog. He's down for a nap now and I decided I should probably sit down and do a bit of updating before we get into all of our Christmas celebrations and I just get even further behind.<br />
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Sweet Baby Jack will be SIX months old on Sunday--I can hardly believe it! The time has flown by, and we love having this sweet boy here with us. He is the light of our life.<br />
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Jackson's favorite things include:<br />
-Sitting in his high chair and eating new food--he has yet to not like a big boy food<br />
-Playing on his tummy<br />
-Playing with Mommy's face and "bonking" her nose<br />
-Learning how to sit up<br />
-Splashing in the tub<br />
-Babbling at us<br />
-Playing with his toys<br />
-Dancing while Mommy plays the piano<br />
-Trying to figure out how to move<br />
-Playing with his toes<br />
-Sucking his thumb--especially if it is covered with the sleeve of his shirt<br />
-Reading stories<br />
-Looking at the lights<br />
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Jeff just finished another semester at the U--only one more to go!! Graduation is just 4 1/2 months away! He is busy as the Ward Clerk. His favorite thing to do when he gets home from work/school is to head straight for his boy and get down and play with him.<br />
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I am loving life as a Mommy. Things don't always get done around the house, but I have a happy son, and in the end, that is what is really important. I am looking forward to hosting Christmas this year (We'll be with the Ponds on Christmas Eve and will visit on Christmas Day, but my family is coming here for Christmas Day so we can talk to my two missionary siblings!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took Jackson to get a picture with Santa, and Mommy and Daddy got to join in too</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just checking to make sure Mommy and Daddy are still here</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too sure about those sweet potatoes the first time he tried them</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busted snooping under the tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson the Red Nosed Reindeer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma and Grandpa have a jumper and Jackson loves it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Good made Jackson's stocking</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to sit up</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson won the wrestling match</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That avocado was yummy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the train--what a ham!</td></tr>
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<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-29688626789596998482013-10-27T19:50:00.002-07:002013-10-27T19:50:37.034-07:00Four MonthsSweet Baby Jack is now four months old. I can hardly believe it, the time is passing so quickly. He has such a fun little personality. He has found his voice and loves to babble and coo all day long. He has figured out how to grab things with his hands and holds onto his toys much better now. He will occasionally bring his toys to his mouth and chew on them. He has a blanket-monkey and blanket-bear that he absolutely loves! I would have to say that they are his favorite toys. He also has an elephant that sings "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" that he smiles each time he sees. And he goes to sleep either listening to a monkey that plays lullabies or Primary songs.<br />
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We have been taking advantage of the nice weather we still have to go on walks each day. Jackson absolutely loves to be outside. Even when it gets cold (which is supposed to happen this week), I will bundle him up and off we will go. It will keep us both sane, I think. He doesn't much care to be buckled in his stroller, but the second we start moving he starts happily kicking his legs.<br />
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Three weeks ago we were at church and I was visiting with the Relief Society President in the hall and Jackson started laughing. It was so funny! He just chuckled and giggled. My heart melted at the sound of his first laugh. That afternoon Jeff got him to laugh again. We try most days, but he his very selective with his laughter. :)<br />
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Jackson is a very easy baby. He only cries if he is exhausted or wants to be held. He generally stops crying the moment we pick him up. He fusses if he needs his diaper changed or if he is hungry. And most mornings I wake up to him talking to himself in his crib rather than crying. He loves to talk to his stuffed animals. When he is tired we can simply swaddle him tightly in a blanket and lay him in his crib and he will fall asleep. Occasionally he will cry for a bit, but he will fall asleep on his own 9 times out of 10. He usually only wakes up once during the night around 5 or 5:30 when he goes down around 9:00, then he will go back to sleep for another 2 or 3 hours. He takes 2 or 3 naps a day for about 2 hours each. And if I have things to do during the day when he is awake, he will happily lay on the floor and play with his toys. We feel so lucky to have him!<br />
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I substitute taught for the first time this past week. I had a difficult time preparing myself mentally to leave my sweet baby all day. But it was actually much easier than I thought it would be. It was good to be back in the classroom, but it did show me how terribly blessed I am that I am able to stay home with Jackson each day.<br />
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My days consist of playing with my sweet boy and trying to keep the house clean. I am also cross-stitching a Christmas stocking for Jeff (I have mine from when I was a child and my mom is making one for Jackson). I may be crazy for that project because I didn't order it until the end of September and I want to have it done by Thanksgiving so it will be done when we decorate our home for Christmas. I am also trying to get my Pampered Chef business going.<br />
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Jeff is staying busy with school and work. He is enjoying his classes. Right now he is in the process of searching for an internship for winter semester so he will be able to gain more experience. He graduates in May (only 6 more months!). He is in class all day 2 days a week and works the other 3. But he always makes sure to spend time with his boy. I love watching him interact with Jackson. On Sundays he takes Jackson for the 3 hours of church which is nice. I enjoy watching him with Jackson as I sit at the organ. He loves being a daddy.<br />
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Our little family is doing well. We are happy. We are healthy. And we are so very grateful for all that we have. We feel blessed to be where we are and to have the many opportunities we have been given here. We are excited to see what the upcoming months will bring to us and the new adventures we will have with our sweet little boy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Months Old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves his stuffed animals</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuckered out from playing with his toys</td></tr>
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Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-70393326316392550172013-09-17T14:42:00.004-07:002013-09-17T14:42:58.443-07:00Time FliesLittle baby Jackson will be 3 months old on Sunday. The time has flown so quickly! It has been so much fun watching him grow and develop. He is such a good little eater and is growing so quickly! He has completely grown out of of his 0-3 month onesies because he is so tall! When I took him to the doctor for his 2 month check (a month ago) he weighed 10.5 pounds and was 25.5 inches long. He does very good holding his head up (unless he's on his tummy...he still hasn't figured out how to pick it up from off the floor yet). He hates tummy time. When we put him on his tummy, he usually cries and cries until he falls asleep. He's tried to pick up his head, but just hasn't succeeded yet. His legs are very strong and he can support his weight if we are holding him in a standing position. He loves laying under his activity gym, especially since he has discovered that he can make the toys move when he hits them with his hands. He is starting to pick up his own toys and play with them. He loves cuddling with Mommy and Daddy. The past 3 nights he has slept 7 straight hours (though that ends around 5 or 5:30 in the morning...luckily he goes back to sleep for a couple hours after he eats). And his most recent development: Jackson has started rolling over! It surprised me the first time he did it. He'd been trying for a while, rolling onto his side and trying to pull/ kick himself over and I think it frustrated him when he couldn't get any further. Last Thursday night/ Friday morning I went in to feed him during the night because he was crying, and when I got into his room he was laying on his tummy screaming! (Remember he HATES tummy time). I was so shocked! I didn't think babies roll over this early! And again on Sunday night I put him in bed after he fell asleep while eating and went to get ready for bed myself. When I came out of the bathroom he was again on his tummy and crying. Just yesterday we were getting ready to go out and I laid him on the floor while I grabbed a couple more diapers for the diaper bag and as I walked back down the hall I watched him flip over! I was reading an e-mail about baby development yesterday and it said that most babies don't roll over until they are 4-5 months old...and that they roll from tummy to back first. Jackson isn't yet 3 months old and is rolling from back to tummy. Crazy kid!<br />
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Jackson is a happy baby. If he's grumpy we take him for a walk and he calms him right down. He loves being with Mom and Dad, but is so good with others as well. I love being able to spend my days with him. No, it's not necessarily easy having given up a career that I loved and staying home all day with him. But he is such a sweet little boy and it would just kill me to take him to daycare every day. I would much rather give up my job and make countless other sacrifices to be able to wake up to his smile each morning. To spend the day cuddling with him. To play peek-a-boo. To see how happy it makes him when I'm being a big goof. To see his Daddy come home excited to play with him and read to him. Being a mommy is all I have ever wanted and to finally have that in my life is so incredible. I am grateful for my sweet little family and for the joy that my two boys have brought into my life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blessing Day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peek-A-Boo with Daddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family pictures on Jackson's blessing day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedtime Stories</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love waking up to this face!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to roll over</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He did it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson watching for the bird show at the zoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Jack with Great-Grandpa Jack</td></tr>
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<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721727186239307621.post-87695759008414433172013-08-01T15:17:00.000-07:002013-08-01T15:17:16.824-07:00Baby JacksonLittle Jackson is 5 1/2 weeks old, closer to 6. That is hard to believe. The time is going so quickly. I've been a mommy for almost 6 weeks, and Jeff a daddy. It's been hard, but so fun. Jackson is really a pretty good baby. For the most part he sleeps pretty good at night. (Last week I was super excited because he would sleep 5-6 hours at a time at night, but this week it's back to his typical 3). He has given us a few little smiles. Today he was laying on the floor and grabbed hold of his rattle for about 2 seconds. He loves laying face down on your arm, but hates tummy time on the floor. He's an excellent eater. He enjoys going for walks and rides in the car. He's outgrown his newborn size clothes. He's almost outgrown his 0-3 month jammies because he is so long! I really love being able to stay at home with him. I left him with my brother Lance on Saturday so we could go to the temple with my parents and Devin. It about killed me to be apart from him, even for 3 short hours. I am so glad I'm able to stay home with him. (If I couldn't, I'd be back to work next week...there's no way I could do that.) Granted, me staying home and losing my income from teaching will be hard, but I'm going to sub for APA a few times a month just to keep my foot in the door and not lose my touch (plus it's hard to leave the classroom, so this will help keep that part of my heart satisfied). I also signed up to sell Pampered Chef. I decided to do that because I love cooking, and the products are amazing. And it will give me the chance to get out occasionally to make new friends. I'm so happy I have the opportunity to stay at home and be a full-time mommy to this sweet little boy. Enjoy some pictures of our cute boy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One month old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy trying to get him to stop crying</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Devin holding him his favorite way. Devin has the perfect arm for football holding :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out on his first walk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With mommy on his one month birthday. I chopped off my hair to make it easier and faster to do and donated it to Locks of Love, about 16 inches total</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church outfit</td></tr>
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<br />Kira and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16038972650377116124noreply@blogger.com1