Valentines Day & 3rd Anniversary Adventures

Yep. I'm combining all the cheesy, ooey, gooey, love stuff into one post this year! I get why so many people hate "love" holidays; they can totally come off as superficial and forced and are sometimes just one more thing to add to the checklist. I, myself, have fallen victim to this mentality more than once before. [Fact: I don't need big love gestures to know that Brian loves me. He tells me everyday...literally, as in he says the words...but he also shows me in a million different ways. Like yesterday, Brian volunteered to watch Oliver so that I could go the temple with Amy. Such a small thing, but it was just what I needed. And not only did I come home to a freshly bathed, happy smiling baby, but Brian had also cleaned the house and completely rearranged and baby proofed our furniture while I was gone. (Amy - I think it's "London Ready" now.) True love is changing poopy diapers, jimmy rigging a hook on the bookshelf so that I have a place to hang my diaper bag, cleaning my car on a cold, sunny day, taking Oliver to church alone so that I can puke in solitude. That my friends is how I know Brian loves me! And I sincerely hope I do enough for him each day so that I he knows how much I love him back. I'm making a mental note right now to start stepping up my game.] Still, I've decided that I'm grateful for specific days that allow us to take a step back and outwardly celebrate our love for each other.

We spent Valentines Day in St. George this year. My sweet hubbie got up before the Sun to buy me flowers and make me breakfast in bed (bacon, orange rolls, toaster strudels, and simply orange with pulp!) He also surprised me to with everything I would need for a relaxing bubble bath (this man knows my heart,) chocolate, and a puzzle for us to work on together. My card, Reese's, and lottery love coupons for him paled in comparison. The other leading man in my life was as cute and as happy as could be, making for a wonderful first day of our vacation together.

And even though it was three months ago, I absolutely have to share about our adventures at the ATL Ritz Carlton for our 3rd anniversary! It was definitely our most memorable anniversary to date. Usually, we have kept our anniversary celebrations pretty low key as it is always around finals and just before Christmas, but this year to decided to spend our first night away from Oliver while my parents watched him and go all out with a special package at the Ritz Carlton.

 We don't really do hotels. And we don't ever do fancy hotels. Does anyone else ever feel like an impostor in these situations? We totally did, but playing pretend was a lot of fun. After valet parking, we checked in and entered our upper level, city view room only to find out that the previous tenants hadn't completely checked out and were still in the adjacent room! The other people complained; the head of housing keeping came to offer us a better room (we declined. It really wasn't a big deal. We liked the view.) and kept asking over and over what they could do for us (um...there is no toilet paper in the bathroom? I had no idea what to ask for. We screamed newbie, impostor alert! haha.) In the end, we were offered free champagne, which then became free desert room service (creme brulee, cheesecake, and chocolate ice cream) after we politely declined because we don't drink.

Our package came with hot chocolate and tickets to the new ferris wheel and to the ice skating rink in Centennial Olympic Park, so after settling in, we headed out to downtown. We really enjoyed the ferris wheel and were impressed with how long we were able to ride. I thought for sure it would be total rip off and we would get one, maybe two revolutions max. Ice skating was a different story. It was crowed, choppy, half melted, and Brian was really grossed out by the used skates. We didn't last very long before deciding just to go ahead and leave for dinner.

The Ritz loved us so much, they weren't ready to let us leave when our check out time rolled around at 12. So they made sure we got stuck in the elevator on the way down. That's right. We were almost at the lobby when we felt a bit of a jolt and the doors didn't open. After about 45 minutes, the firemen came to the rescue and caught us and our luggage as we shimmied through about a foot and a half clearance at the bottom of the elevator/ceiling of the lobby. I so, so wish I had taken pictures or video of the rescue! It was so surreal. And once again we were bombarded with staff asking what they could do for us. I hate that question. How are you supposed to answer that? We didn't really, but they assured us that our bill was comped and that they would be sending us a letter for an additional nights stay at there hotel. Best deal ever! Definitely worth getting stuck in an elevator. 

And to finish off our anniversary adventure, we went on saw Saving Mr. Banks at Phipps AMC in Lenox mall. I had been wanting to check out the theater since my family had posted pictures of them there seeing Catching Fire, and we barely made it to our showing thanks to the whole elevator debacle. It didn't disappoint. I have never been so comfortable watching a movie in my life. Hooray for three years of marriage down and infinity more to go!

Disconnecting, Catching Up, and Resolutions

This time a month ago, we were in Georgia. We spent a glorious 3 weeks at my parents and siblings houses relaxing, lounging, celebrating, gaming (the old school way,) eating, and maybe most importantly disconnecting. I decided as I was packing for our visit that I wasn't going to bring my laptop. This in and of its self isn't really a big deal (I still brought an ipad, ipod, and cell phone,) but it did in a small way represent the break I wanted to take from the digital world. And. It. Was. Fabulous!

I remember after coming home from my mission, I went on a cruise with my dad and my brother. My dad was excited that for the first time everywhere we went, we had internet access. Me, not so much. When I go on vacation, I like to go on vacation from everything. Sometimes you just need a break, right? I did occasionally check facebook/instagram/email etc. during my stay, but it wasn't daily, and I never felt like I was missing out on anything. In fact, I felt more connected than ever to the things and people surrounding me. Instead of posting memories and watching others make theirs, I was living in the moment and basking in the now. I think I need to do it more often.

There is of course a downside to not staying on top of my digital life. I now have so much that I need to catch up on here on the blog: Our anniversary, Christmas, New Years, Oliver in motion, etc. This blog mainly functions as my online scrapbook of sorts. So there lies my catch 22: wanting to enjoy making memories without obsessively recording them in real time and wanting to make this blog a glimpse into the major/minor moments of our lives. A balancing act that I plan to take on in 2014. And with that, here are some of my New Year's Resolutions:

1. Get online less, live more

2. Go to bed earlier

3. Be proactive about my health: nutrition and exercise

4. Brush up on Italian before our trip in June

5. Utilize the whole week to prepare my Sunday School lessons

The year of 2014 is definitely going to be a year of change for us with Brian graduating and new adventures on the horizon. I think we are up for the challenge!

Oliver 7/8 Month Update

Our sweet Oliver turned 8 months old on Tuesday! He is growing up so quickly that I hardly feel he even qualifies as my little baby anymore. The 7 to 8 month transition has been a little overwhelming for us; Oliver has just bulldozed through milestone after milestone, and Brian and I just look at each other with each new trick and wonder how we are going to keep up with this little man?!? He is all boy: curious, messy, mischievous,  such a FLIRT, and fascinated with all things that roll (balls, cars, trucks, bottles) and all things electronic (just like his Daddy.) 

Oliver's Passport Photo - 8 months

Fun Facts from 7/8 Months:

- wears 6-9 month clothes

- size 2 diapers

- smiles all the time, even when fussy or crying. It's confusing.

- went from backwards scooting to army man to regular crawling

- pulls himself to standing and tries to climb everything

 - favorite song and video is "Old MacDonald" 

- favorite foods: yogurt, yogurt, yogurt, puffs, cream of wheat, grown up food

- least favorite foods: formula, sweet potatoes, carrots

- could stay in the bath tub for hours if we'd let him

- has his first tooth starting to break through on the bottom

- no longer eats at all during the night but wakes up at least once to practice standing in his crib

- can open up the tv stand and get to the wii remotes

- still loves to bounce

- gets mistaken for a 5/6 month old all the time until people see him move

- takes 2 consistent naps a day

- can now kneel for nighttime (quick) prayers

- doesn't want any help holding his bottle or sippy cup

- loves cords, hair, shoe laces, and hoodie strings

- has no stranger anxiety at all

- can pull toys out of the toy bin by himself

- cuddles only when we sing lullaby's before naps and bedtime

 

and 

he just woke up! Until next time...

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

You know you are an adult when...you send out your own Christmas cards! Yep, I'm feeling pretty grown up over here. 

Thanksgiving 2013

Fall is Brian's favorite season. I'm usually more of a spring/summer girl, but I thoroughly enjoyed fall this year. Down in SLC, we were able to enjoy the changing leaves for longer than we ever were able to in Park City, and I happily embraced the warm colors, cooler weather, pie, and apple cider. Plus, I absolutely love the holiday season. It's the best excuse ever to be more happy, grateful, serving, generous, friendly, etc. And everything just becomes all the more magical when you're sharing it with your baby for the first time!

Yep...I made this!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving down in Highland with the Moote's this year. Oliver had just started solids, so it was fun to let him try some of the different foods. He especially liked the sweet potatoes and tasting the gravy. But the part Oliver really loved the best was getting to spend the weekend with his cousin Ethan. They are going to be best buds. 

6 month update

We took Oliver to his 6 month check up on Friday, and he did great! Oliver was happy and talkative the whole check up and then only let out one big scream after getting shots and was done. Seriously, easiest visit yet! Brian was able to make it to this one too, but the punk retreated to the corner of the room for shot time because and I quote he "didn't want Oliver to associate him with pain." haha So I was left to do all the distracting/comforting myself. :) Bottom line - We feel very grateful that Oliver is healthy and happy.

At 6 months, Oliver

-weighs 15.2 lbs /11th percentile (Yes. He is a small baby. But he does have cute, chubby thigh rolls, and I can promise you he is definitely eating!)

-is 26 inches tall/27th percentile

-wears size 2 diapers

-wears 6 month clothes

-sits up unassisted

-rolls as his preferred method of getting around

-pushes himself up into crawling position and rocks back and forth

-loves to drop things and pick them back up again.

-can put himself to sleep after a bit of protesting (we keep several pacifiers in the crib at all times)

-sleeps from 8pm-8:30am, usually wakes up once around 4am to babble to himself or eat

-finally has consistent nap times at 10:30 and 2:30

-eats solids twice a day at breakfast and dinner

-does not like bananas

-still loves standing and bouncing best

-sits still through the whole entire "Old Macdonald" youtube video (best time to cut nails)

-loves to splash and lean back to put his ears in the water during bath time

-has zero teeth

I already posted my favorite two pics of Oliver from our diy 6 month photoshoot on instagram/facebook, but here are some of the rest from our photo session.

the first half birthday

Baby Ollie - Six months old today

Six months ago, my life was changed forever. I remember looking up at Brian, looking down at this tiny human just placed on my chest for the first time, and feeling...TIRED! But in that moment, I also felt this overwhelming sense of awe that I had just witnessed a miracle. Oliver was our miracle. Our family feels more whole with him now in it. Now six months later, Oliver still amazes me everyday. Sometimes he will just grab my face with his tiny hands and stare into my eyes with the biggest smile, and my heart feels like it is going to explode! It's been the craziest, happiest, most wonderful six months ever!

Halloween 2013

I'm counting Oliver's first Halloween as a success! :) I'm usually all about holidays, but the last couple Halloweens have been a little anti-climatic for Brian and me. Having Oliver around this year though put the spark back into the season (and I know it's just going to get better as he gets older and actually understands what's going on.) I even had our costumes picked out and ready all the way back in September! 

We didn't have the most exciting Halloween plans, but we sure did have a fun night.

Since Oliver can't say 'trick or treat' just yet (or eat candy,) we spent this Halloween at home watching scary movies and passing out candy to the cute trick or treaters in University Village. Halloween was made even better because Kim came over to hang out with us! Here are some pics of Oliver's first Halloween.

Picking out a pumpkin at the farm in Washington.

Oliver and his Winnie the Pooh pumpkin (I was really proud of myself :))

Eeyore, Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger too!

I love this little guy!

I'm pretty sure I've got the cutest "Pooh Bear/Jack-o-lantern" around! 

Quick Trip to Seattle

Last week, Oliver and I were able to head up to Seattle with my mom a long weekend visit to see my grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncle and cousins. It was a little last minute, but I was so excited to see my family and introduce them to Oliver. I haven't been to Seattle since before my mission when I still had flight benefits, so it has been at least 6 years since I had seen my Grandma and Grandpa Hurst. In fact, they have never even met Brian! Even though we were only there for 4 days, we were able to pack a lot in. Oliver loved meeting and playing with everyone and was a GREAT traveler. Really, I couldn't have asked to a happier, more flexible, content baby to travel with last week. He was on his best behavior for Great Grandma and Grandpa Hurst and was thrilled with all the attention he got...especially from Nana Jones. :) I took a ton of pictures of the memories we made. 

 Our first stop after landing was to Nielson's Pastries: home of "the potato." This is seriously my favorite bakery treat of all time. It is basically a giant pastry puff covered in marzipan and cocoa and filled with the most heavenly cream center. I love them so much that I had to share a small bit of cream with Oliver so that he could experience the awesomeness as well. I may or may not have had 3 1/2 potatoes over the course of the whole trip. 

 Then we headed over to Pike Place Market downtown. It was so foggy that you could barely see the ocean, but we had fun checking out the vendors, walking past the original Starbucks, the gum wall, and Dr. Sheldon Cooper, and selecting some beautiful flowers to bring to my grandparents. 

 Oliver loved hanging out with Great Grandma and Grandpa Hurst. I'm their first grandchild, and Oliver is their first great grandchild. It was such a treat to see four generations all together.

We were lucky enough to also get to see more family. My Aunt Melanie and cousin Brittany were gracious enough to let us stay with them. We also got to go visit my Aunt Dayleen and family on Friday. Garrett, Melina, and Breena basically changed Oliver's life forever by introducing him to the balloons Melina had received her surgery. He was so fascinated by them!

In the spirit of Halloween, we took Oliver to his first pumpkin patch. He almost slept through the whole things but luckily woke up in time to enjoy some of the farm. 

The next day, Brittany and I carved our pumpkins. I'm pretty proud of my Winnie the Pooh. It's the fanciest jack-o-lantern I've ever made. As you can see below, Oliver was pretty into it too. :)

Of course, you can't stick your baby in a pumpkin without getting a messy. So Oliver got to play in the sink too!

Even though it was a quick trip, we had so much fun. I love my family! Hopefully, we won't have to wait 6 plus years for the next visit. And we'll have to bring Brian along with us next time too! :)

How cute is my little flyer?!?!?

October Break in St. George

Every October, Brian gets a week off for Fall Break. We have never been able to go anywhere because I have always been working then, so this year was pretty exciting because we got to go down to St. George to see Grandpa and Nana Moote's new house and pool! Gorgeous House. Beautiful Pool.

The only pics I have of the whole trip are of the pool, but that is appropriate since that's where we spent most of our trip. We didn't stay all whole week, but we were down there long enough to relax, enjoy some downtime, and soak up some sun. I really enjoyed having family time with nothing on the to do list. It will be exciting to go down more often with family, especially as Oliver gets older. I can't wait for Oliver to be old enough to go down the slide! I have a feeling a lot of great memories are going to happen here. :)

Here is a video of Oliver playing in the hot tub.