Merry Christmas!!!

I found this video on Youtube and I love it. Many of you have seen "The Nativity" and heard the song by Amy Grant "Breath of Heaven". It is my FAVORITE Christmas song. Well on Youtube a member of the church put the music to the video and it is AMAZING. If you are or aren't familiar with both please watch. It's lovely! (Yes, I'm bringing that word back!) Check it out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icilgwdHiZg

PS- Someone needs to teach me how to download the straight video.

New Phase

So Graham started a new phase where he must try to put everything on his head. This is a tupperware he found. Luckily, I did not get a picture of him trying to put my bra on his head!!! So he was making the funniest face with this bowl on his head. He's such a cheeser sometimes!!! I'm sorry but they were all too cute so I had to put them all on.

HALLOWEEEEEN!!!

So Graham was Superman for Halloween. I thought it would be fun if we all stuck to the theme so I dressed as Lois Lane and Jon was Lex Luther. I went to DI and found a nice pant suit, but then everyone assumed I was Sarah Palin. At our Trunk-or-Treat a man from the ward dressed as John McCain. He thought I was Sarah Palin on purpose so we decided to snap a pic for the campaign!!! Luckily I had a backup name tag so I became either at the flip of the paper. It was a really fun Halloween and the ward party was super fun!!! This other picture is us going around the mall.

Alex Boye

This summer as I got to attend Youth Conference we had a special guest speaker. It may have been the best thing I had ever heard at a church function. His name was Alex Boye. He is a singer, originally from England. He used to be in a boyband that was pretty popular back there called "Awesome". He told us all about his story of becoming a member. We are now blessed to have him in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He said he is the only person that didn't have to audition, which is apparently a 9 month process. As I was cruising blogs I found this video on my friend's page.

I have never felt the Spirit in my home more than I did after watch and listening to this video where he sings "I Know My Redeemer Lives". JUST WATCH IT. I know most people may skip over this, but just watch it and listen once. There's worse things you've wasted 6 minutes on!!!!
I love this man!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nvslgRx2sE

(Sorry I am too retarded to stream the video)

Mommy's Little Helper

Graham is FINALLY pullin' his weight around here! he is so smart!!! And yes I know I am biased!

All these posts are for you crazy bored people who keeping buggin me to update my blog!!!!

So we bought this jacket before Graham was born and it's been my favorite piece of wardrobe. It "almost" fits. It's 12-18 months, Graham is 14, yes he is a half-pint.

He was trying to put Jon's sock on so I helped him out. Then he could barely walk straight with it on, like it was curving him to the right. It was funny.

Jon wanted Graham to know how Mama felt having a big belly "with child". Too bad you couldn't see him try to bend over. It was probably just as entertaining as watching me when my belly was that big.

*I love the volleyball in the background of two of those pictures. It's like Where's Waldo. Graham ventured down to the basement and brought it upstairs with him.

Diaper Rashes SUCK!

So Graham's "B.M.s" have not been so lovely lately and he developed the worst diaper rash. Well thanks to my awesome sister-in-law with the best advice EVER, I thought I would share them. When it comes to awful diaper rash I made these homemade wipes on the right. Cut a paper towel roll in half and take out the core. Shove it in a tupperware. Mix 2 cups of water with 2 T. baby oil and 2 T. baby wash and pour it inside. Flip upside down and PRESTO!!! Super inexpensive, hyper sensitive baby wipes. It worked so well. His rash was TONS better within 24 hours. As for these questionable shot drinks- it's like a little yogurt drink and that whole pkg is like 88 cents. Graham loves them. Beware of your children biting them though cuz the plastic seperated and pinched Graham's mouth.

My little piglet!

This is out our backyard window. I love the colors that come this time of year. These neon colors of yellow and my favorite are these trees and bushes that turn this crazy magenta color. Pictures don't do them justice, but I promise you'll never see anything like this nature in Vegas (not assisted by lightbulbs).

80 has never looked so beautiful!!!

My Grandma Short turned 80 today. We had a party down in SLC at Little America for her. It was a good time. She is so beautiful and I'm glad I have her genes for my 80 year old looks!!! LOVE YOU GRANDMA!!!

Peterson Family Reunion

This is everyone's attempt to get Grandma Great's great grandkids together. Graham was just looking around at all the kids crying like- What's the big deal!? It was hilarious

We went to St. George for the Peterson Reunion. It was such a good time. There was like 65 people there. My family's reunions are nothing like that. The weather was beautiful and Grammy did a great job planning. These pictures are in the big blowup castle. It was so fun to get to know everyone better. Thanks Grammy and Grampy!!!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Graham's just workin' on his car. Haha. We got him this car for his birthday and he adores it so much the batteries already wore out. So after I got through changing them I stumbled upon this. Man I sure love this little boy!

The Night that Graham Decided to Walk...

So last night we were over at my sister's and I guess watching his 3 nieces running around inspired him to walk across the room to me at her house. Of course, Jon was at work so when he got home I was telling him how far he had walked and no more than 5 minutes later he walked further to me again. And that's where it started. First it was back and forth from me to Jon. Then he just started walking around the entire house, going to Jon but veering into the kitchen, turning around and coming back. This went on for an hour while Jon and I just laughed through tears. This went on for about an hour. He was sweating so bad. It was so funny. So here's a little look at our walking midget.

OH MY BABY'S ALL GROWN UP!!!

Oh, sometimes I wish he was this little again!

Oh wow! One year ago today our little angel entered our lives and changed them forever! It has been the greatest year of my life! I never would have thought this little being would bring so much happiness to me each and every day with the little wonderful things he does. I feel so blessed to be the mother of this gorgeous child and am grateful he has already survived one year of my motherhood! He is so fun to be around and I miss him terribly when we are apart. Everyday I find myself just watching him in awe and wonder and just soak in the precious moments of being his mother. I can't believe how much I love him!

He has got quite the personality and I thought I'd list some fun things he likes, etc.

LOVES:

Pushing or dragging things around, making spitting noises, playing in water, pineapple, sitting forward in the car, imitating you laughing, swinging at the park, to walk holding hands, watching cars or planes, Curious George, Yo Gabba Gabba, crawling super fast, helping with the dishes, giving Mom and Dad kisses and hugs (OK I love them!), pushing cars with wheels on any surface including Dad, getting tickled, funny noises, to scream and see if he gets in trouble, and playing with other kids.

HATES:

His ears under water, shut doors, Mommy's eyes closed, shouting "Hey", things that don't move when pushed, rocky cement (just crawls on his hands and toes, no knees), getting his diaper changed, being alone, tub water being shut off, and the list may go on.

He was born at 10:07 a.m. after 2 hours of pushing, and being suctioned out with a vacuum, twice. His head had too much hair so it popped off once. He weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20 inches long. Now at one year, he is in the 5th percentile at about 19 lbs. and 27 inches. (I think, we'll find out tomorrow).

We absolutely adore him and can't wait for another year of wonderful miracles.

My Graduation Present...

So for graduating college my Grandma Short planned a week in Cancun for me with her, my mom, and Graham. We stayed in this really nice resort called the Mayan palace. It had a TON of pools that had several spots shallow enough that Graham could just crawl around and he LOVED it. He loved playing in the sand and proves to live up to "being a boy" and accumulating the dirt and grunge necessary for that. Grandmas spoiled him with Oreos (picture). I love the little trail he made crawling in the sand. Then as we waited to check out Grandma toted him around on her bag and he loved it, the little Prince. He was so much fun and he was quite the entertainer everywhere we went. I sure love this little boy!

Another Adventure

So, apparently Graham is allergic to tomatoes. These new things we learn are always fun. In our backyard we are growing a few things and we have 2 different types of tomato plants. A week ago I gave him a bite of what was left from making a sandwich and he loved it. Then today I gave him a piece of another one left over and after a few minutes his face started getting these horrible blotches and rashes! It was crazy! He was breathing fine so I didn't feel the need to go to the doctor so I threw him in the tub to wash it all off. It was the strangest thing! Luckily the spots went away. He looked like he'd been in a fistfight. So the mystery may be that he is allergic to one of the types and not to the other that we have growing in the backyard. This will be fun through life, "Hello McDonald's does that salad have Big Beef Tomatoes or Big Boy? Because my son is allergic to just Big Beef." Oh! Good times.

My Sweet Lil Boy

My sweet little boy Zzzzing away
Look at that precious face!
And yes, he sleeps with his eyes a little bit cracked open.

The Best Bet EVER!!!

So MAYBE Jon made a bet with me and MAYBE I did it. It was so worth it though. He bet me to dump this jar of Peaches baby food on my head and rub it into my hair and he would wake up with Graham for the next month. For those of you that know me...I LOVE SLEEP, so I did it and it was the best thing I ever did. But it ruined my tank top. Oh well...I'll just sleep it off!!!

Crazy Uncle Steve

So this is my Uncle Steve. We went to the Thoman Family Reunion at Bear Lake. This was the first time Uncle Steve ever met Graham. It was hilarious to me cuz this is man who might scare most with his hard-core Harley Davidson appearence and our sweet little boy wanted no one else. They were instant friends. Graham never wanted to leave his arms or side. It was nice for me too. Uncle Steve lovingly nicknamed him "Grahama-hamma!" The reunion was fun, but ended too soon for Jon and I having to return for work and YW meetings. Back to reality...

Angels Baseball Game

Our family in front of the stadium
So my dad disappeared with his only grandson for a while. Notice anything different? My dad is a HUGE sports guy so he bought Graham an Angels shirt that says "My first Angels Tee" and an Angels hat that says "A is for Angels". They both came back with these huge grins on their faces. Can you tell who was more excited?
Graham playing with Grandpa and Grandma Dawn
Hugs for Grandpa "Thanks for the gear!"
He just sat like this on my lap for the last 40 minutes of the game and just watched. He was my own little perfect angel at the game!

We were very sad to go home. We instantly missed the heated pool, homecooked meals, constant laughing, and the close love of family. Thanks Dad and Dawn for such a great and memorable family trip! We love you!

California

My whole family had a little reunion at my Dad's house in California. IT was so fun to hang out with my brothers and sister and their families and to kick back and relax with my Dad and Dawn, my stepmom. We had such a great time. Dawn made every single meal, minus our immediate arrival request of IN&OUT BURGER!!! It was so nice to have homemade food, be full for every meal, but not gaining 10 lbs in a week. All the grandkids had a super great time and even more so did the parents thanks to Dawn and Dad for taking the kids off our hands. While there we went to Sea World and an Angles baseball game. Everyday we were in some form of water, whether that was the beach, but mostly the 82 degree heated pool in the beautiful backyard. It was heaven. And the kids were so tuckered out by the end of the day that bedtimes weren't even a hassle. So here is some super duper fun photos.

Graham and I as Shamu comes
Graham, Grandpa, and cousin Lexie
Tess and Isa adoring their cousin and shoe
Isa going to second base with Graham.

We were dieing laughing.

It really wasn't this bad, but the camera caught a whole different perspective.

Papa with Graham in the backyard pool. Graham loves swimming!

Graham's First Visit to the ER

Yep, I am afraid so. Yesterday I was at a Mutual activity. I decided to take Graham even though Jon was home, since I'd have to get used to bringing him anyway. It was a combined activity playing sports at Willow Park. One of my girls was watching Graham on a picnic table under a Pavilion. He was sitting on the picnic table and leaned over the end and smacked head first on the concrete. Of course I frantically flipped out as any "first-time mom" does when their baby gets hurt. Luckily he was screaming and held consciousness. Jon just happened to show up right then and we rushed to the ER. I just held him crying, looking at his blue/pale face and was so scared. The whole longest drive ever!!! to the hospital he was really groggy and kept trying to fall asleep. I only knew enough to know I needed to keep him awake. We got to the hospital and were admitted, and by that time he was getting color back and starting to act like himself, playing with Papa. We were there for two hours. Mom and Lindsay came and two brethren from our ward came and gave Graham a blessing. He was so cute and sat so still and reverent the whole time. Then he got a head scan to make sure everything was ok. The tech expected me to have him hold still for 2 minutes so they could get the X-ray. I was like- DREAM ON! Yeah it was more than a struggle. The doctor checked him more and was shocked he didn't have a laceration and need stitches for how far he fell, which was softened by one of the YM's leaders trying to catch him as he fell (but missed) so he just has this nice big scrape on his head. The pictures make it not look as bad as it does. But anyway, everything checked out ok and Graham is back to his normal self. My gosh though it's like one of the worst things you fear come true. I was so glad to have Jon there with me who didn't even flinch through the whole ordeal. He's definately my rock. We had a huge blessing in that it's only a scrape. Now we are praying Graham doesn't take after his "accident-prone" father.