Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog

When I told Samson we were heading to a Provo High Graduation because Aunt Lola was graduating, his response was...

"Whaaaaaaat? I dunno...did she really pull it off?"

Lo had informed us all weeks before graduation that she wasn't sure she'd be graduating. "Pssssshhhhaaawww" is what we all said. No way would she let this get away from her. And of course she didn't! Pretty sure she was just pulling our leg the whole time...

In it for the long haul...

Proof! She did it! And no, I'm not wearing Tevas.

The proud parents

Minus Meggie. No worries, she's getting her fill of Lola now that she's relocated to Sparks to live with Megan and Mark!

Attention span...going, going, gone.

Celebration at family favorite restaurant, Mi Ranchito, complete with a roast and toast to Lauren.

Congrats, little Lo, so proud of you! Now all six of us chix are Provo High Bulldog graduates!

In the Meantime...

...while I'm trying to narrow down Sammy's bday pics somewhere under 300, here's a little something to hold you over. My messy, dirty, curious, goofy TODDLER. But if it's ok with you, I think I'll continue calling him my baby. Cool?

Time Warp

A picture every Wednesday for the first 26 weeks of Samson's life.

It's 6:05

Ashley, please don't get mad that I swiped these before you edited them!

Exactly one year ago from this time we were welcoming our baby boy into our little family. So many emotions were coursing through me. Exhaustion, relief, fear, anticipation, excitement, etc. I had no idea if I'd be able to pull this mother thing off, and what to expect from this little monster. But I was ready for it. All in. As soon as I laid eyes on my baby boy I knew Tadd and I could do this, and we'd figure it out. I wanted that more than anything.

Truthfully, when Samson was handed to me there wasn't the instant overwhelming love and I'd-die-for-you-connection, but there was a very real connection. I did love this little boy, and I knew that love would immensly grow as I came to know him and motherhood.

Never could I have imagined how much that love could've grown. Is it possible for one's heart to swell this much? I now understand the I'd-die-for-you-connection, and whole-heartedly believe every cliche statement I ever heard when I was pregnant and miserable. Yes, every bit of pregnancy was absolutely worth it. Yes, everything I've dealt with in my post partum state has been worth it (yes, even ALL that hair loss). Yes, all those sleepless nights were worth it. (If nothing else, the nighttime feedings just gave us an excuse for extra snuggling.) And I wouldn't trade any of it.

I love you, little Sam. Happy 1st Birthday!

Baby Turned Toddler

Happy Birthday baby Handsome!

Mary's B-Day Night

Mary Kate treats her birthday like the greatest holiday in all the land, and we celebrate it in style!

Carrie, Mary, Moi and Ali

First stop...Milagro's for some yummy food (I sorta hate the word yummy), and ridiculous picture taking. Ever taken horse face pictures? Mary and Ali's are supreme. Unfortunately, I don't have proof.

Next stop...Nickel City! Yes, we are basically 12 years old.

We all dominated this game. It took some serious skill. You gotta shove those nickels in just right...pssshhhaaaaw

Can I not make a single normal face?

We scored some sweet prizes!

Last stop...Target. Sorta a tradition with our girl's nights.

Ole!

Stumblin' Along

The little dude is walking-ish. He knows how, but obviously crawling is faster, so it's his preferred method of mobility.

Blasted microwave popcorn bag hapharzadly tossed on the floor (he's got a basket of kid safe stuff to play with in the kitchen, popcorn included).

Girls Getaway

Location: Las Vegas

Visited Venues: Tuscany Suites Pool, Club Lavo @ The Venetian, The Original Pancake House, Zara, Forum Shops, Cheesecake Factory, and Winchells

Girlies: Myself, Natalie and Meagan

Glorious pool we chilled at for about an hour until it started raining. No worries, we had a delicious dinner to be to.

Club Lavo. Famous for their deep fried oreos (which we all agreed afterward we could've each eaten a dozen of and ditched the rest of our food).

Seriously. YUM!

Obligatory posey pictures in front of the waterfall. Notice the fool in the bottom middle picture. Note to selves: when asking a passerby to take your picture, avoid asking the nearest group when they look like D-Bags.

Best picture of the trip. Had to be there.

May not look as appetizing as it was, but the German Pancake at the OPH was unreal. Stuffed myself silly.

Pictures I received from Shaley as she watched Samster while Tadd was at his softball game. I love the bottle time pic!

H&M, Cheesecake Factory, and a surprise run-in with our HS friend, Jackie!

Another obligatory Vegas pic.

We were parched!

After hours of shopping and walking around filthy Vegas. SICK!

I miss Winchell's! Walking in there brought back many memories of Saturday morning doughnuts and OJ as a kid, and the announcement my mom made to us when she found out Lauren was a girl. A box of pink frosted doughnuts with sprinkles!

We had such a good time! We picked up right where we left off from high school, only more mature (slightly), and married with children. It was loads of fun discussing life since we'd last had a few heart to hearts, and life with kid(s)! We can't wait to do this again next year!

Prepare yourselves now, husbands!

Two Weeks...

...from today and my baby turns one.

Time is a cruel thing.

I'm actually hating it right now.

Today especially, I'm having a hard time with the thought of losing my baby to toddlerdom (and please NO ONE tell me I can "just have another". It's not the same).

I know what an incredible and natural thing it is for Samson to be developing and growing, and I'm ever so grateful for it, but the thought of it is making me wax nostalgic, and I'm getting weepy. Go figure.

Mere hours old

PNTBCWYS (Secret Code)

Celina, the queen of internet surfing, found this craft, and one night while her Mr. was at work late we attempted it, and it was a success!

First run bracelet called for the cheapest hex nuts, and a can of gold spray paint. Second run, we definitely sprung for the brass nuts, pullin' out all the stops over here! (I'm a total child, and giggled everytime we said "nuts" without a "hex"prefix. A child.)

Already got the next one started, you know...since we've had one million requests. Celebs even. Provo's B-Money, himself (I'm a total liar).

Mid paint...

Even with a clear coat the gold has begun to wear off, so I'll need to make myself a new third grade friendship bracelet. Celina, you?

Super pissed Blogger deleted Celina's bracelet post, how will we ever remember all the memories!?

Also attempted this one, and failed miserably. Multiple flashbacks of boondoggling in a rainy pavillion at 5th grade camp, and later walking around with half finished boondoggles safety pinned to my jeans. My, we 5th graders were cool.

Baby Vi Vi

Violet girl turned one on May 9th, and Whitney had a little party for her the day before on Mother's Day. Kinda fitting, since Whitney spent last Mother's Day in the hospital with her little newborn flower.

Haley made Violet a violet tutu!

The birthday girl's throne.

Sam totally dug eating at the table with all the adults. Sandwiched between Jon and Whitney. And those fries...all over those babies.

And I have no idea what set him off...

A little discovery toy from Grandma.

You may think that Violet looks so excited over her new swimsuit, but if you enlarge the pic you'll see that she's yawning. She sooo has better things to do.

Like eat her cake!

Violet is such a loving, content, sweet little girl with a darling giggle and such pretty curls! So happy to have her in the family, and I LOVE that Samsy and Violy are so close in age. They'll be such good buddies!

Little Angel

Kris and Kecia are over in Eastern Europe right now meeting their new daughter! We are hoping and praying for a quick court date which will hopefully determine how long until she's back here at home with her family!

You NEED to watch this video of the first time they met Kareen (they've named her Mia Kareen). It is the sweetest thing ever!

We already love her so much already!

Bits of May

I love when his jimjams get too small and they turn into knickers!

Favorite time of the day for the little monster

Um what!? No fear from this kid.

King of the Mountain!

So proud of himself.

Guess who's painting my fingernails?

Aunt Mally watched Sam one day while I was at the salon, and discovered he needed a little UV protection.

Sam crawled around Haley's house minding his own business when we found he had thrown up all over and somehow had smeared it all over his face. While we were taking his picture, we discovered he'd slipped a giant ring on his finger. Too funny!

Outside our pediatrician's office there was the prettiest blossoming tree, that we just had to stop and take a picture.

Nora was blessed the beginning of the month, and she looked so beautiful! I loved her little knit dress! Lindey and Corbin had a waffle bar afterward that was deeelicious!

The Mercer family

My two vested boyfriends. Lovey-love them!

I SO wish I had a picture of this story...

Sam is obsessed with the tub, and lately likes to open up the curtain whether anyone is in it or not (he also loves to spit his binkis in there). The other night after Tadd got home from work and I had left to the salon, he was showering and Sam was busy opening up the curtain and playing with the water. Sam kept reaching for the faucet and eventually tipped over into the tub while the shower was running! I guess he just thought it was so funny! So sad I missed that one!