Wife and A Life at 30 (+)!: These Moments.

Geesh... It seems like so long since I have made a blog post and when I looked back it's been less than a month. I feel like so much has happened since the last post.

My Mama loves to photograph me because I sit still and
she likes to think she is a professional

Ziah turned 3 months on December 14th. She is quickly growing, remains in 0-3 month clothing, her favorite things to do are eat, sleep, and smile. She is such a smiley little girl. She is so happy and so sweet. For the most part she is a really good sleeper, maybe waking up once during the night but not always... I will take it, and I completely don't mind getting up with her in the middle of the night for late night snuggles. But, I think it will be often that you will hear Andy and I say how sweet and smiley she is. She also loves to continue to look at her brother and sister like "What the heck is wrong with you two?"

I am 3 months old today!

Zayne had surgery on December 17th. He had ear tubes placed. We did it in Billings as we felt more comfortable being there where there is a ICU if needed and a pediatric anesthesiologist. We for the most part felt good about the surgery and how well Zayne would do. I mean, it's Zayne right? and of-course, he did great. He was a bit crabby after the surgery but he slept the whole way home from Billings (which took more like 3 hours as the roads were awful) and when he woke up in his carseat he had a smile on his face and was signing "more." Overall we were impressed with how well the surgery went. They did not intubate him and they didn't even have to put a IV in him. I also was impressed with the anesthesiologist as he showed great concern for Zayne and his lungs which is what we wanted. He had read over Zayne's chart well as he was well aware of all that Zayne had been through.

The kiddos stayed in a hotel for the first time the night prior to surgery. They loved it. We went swimming, Zoe loved the pool (she always does), Zayne not so much. He is not a fan of being cold. Zoe and Dad went off the big water slide and Zoe went fully under water coming up with a smile on her face. Andy and I were sure Zayne was not going to sleep this night as he was literally zipping all over the hotel room, he loved the big open space. We had all the lights off, Andy laying with Zoe, me with Ziah, and all you would see is a streak of red zipping through the room (he eventually wore himself out and went to bed).

So, since Zayne's surgery things have been fairly good. Prior to his surgery it was awful as he was not sleeping through the night. And as we all know "it's Zayne's way." So, when he wakes up in the middle of the night and doesn't want to go back to sleep in his crib, he's not. So there were a lot of couch sleeping nights for Andy ( I can only get up so many times in the middle of the night). Now, he is still waking up but he will go right back to sleep (usually). He has a follow up on Monday so we will see how things are looking.

I feel like December has been so hectic and so busy. I did many crafts with the kiddos and made almost all of our Christmas gifts. I made 9 hats (somehow), and I am not even sure the number of ornaments that we made. I am proud that I was able to get it all accomplished. Although sometimes it really bugs me the amount of stress and expectations that are put on holidays, especially Christmas. It really makes for the true meaning to be lost. That's why Andy and I have chose to stay here for Christmas in our own little home and enjoy the little things with each other and our little family.. making memories.

Christmas was great. Although I am just as guilty of putting unnecessary expectations on myself for what we should be doing on Christmas. I need to tell myself that "yes it is okay if we just sit around and do nothing." The kiddos don't quite understand Christmas yet or Santa. We didn't/haven't even taken them to see Santa yet as Andy says that Santa is too "germy," so we will not be going to see him. I was bummed out but... I got a Santa suit mailed to us and although Andy did not want to dress as Santa this year, He will be next year and if not him then I will do it. (I took the following pictures all prior to Christmas on random days... It these little captured moments that make me say there is not a paycheck out there that is worth missing out on all of this... We will make the sacrifices necessary).

Zayne and his wonderment of the tree.

Again blurry but there is a smile.

Blurry. I will get better at this.

Melt my heart.

Hey Zayne, Let's open Ziah's gift.

So stinking cute. Ziah is not having it.

I love little feet and these shoes are my favorite.

One of my favorite little outfits

She loves her sis.

So cute

Ziah's stocking complete's the mantel.

Eek, So stinking cute.

Thanks for cooperating Ziah

Love this.

Next to her stocking from Great Grandma Z.

They would stand and take pictures all day long provided they get to touch the tree.

We had crab legs and lobster on Christmas Eve and then opened gifts with the kiddos. Zoe loved to open the gifts and Zayne loved to play with the paper and boxes. Christmas day we had a ham. We took the kiddos sledding. They each went down the hill twice and then Zayne was cold and ready too go home, Zoe she would of kept going. We then drove around and look at some Christmas lights and then came home and opened a few more presents.

We did not buy the kiddos much for gifts. They have so much and we knew a lot more was coming. But, I will say they gift that was the biggest hit was their tent that has a tunnel.

This is what happens when you have to get all the kiddos down for a nap by yourself...
Eventually one will just tip over.

This handsome man of mine.

Not having posing for the camera

Classic Family photo.

So handsome and so proud.

Best.gift.ever. True story.

Mama and her babies.

Love this photo.

Shortly after Christmas my Dad, Barb, and my niece Mya came out to visit. It was a great visit. It was so fun to have Mya here and open gifts with her and I know my Dad enjoyed being with all his grandkids, and Barb had never met any of the kiddos. We love to have visitors although I always feel bad as I would love to go do more things and show people Montana but loading everyone into the suburban and going to do something is like getting the circus in town. And anyone that knows us knows how much we love going and doing anything, so it does get hard to just sit here and hang out. And it's hard for me when people drive all the way here and we sit here.

But, it was a great trip with my family. We had a prime rib dinner which was amazing, we opened gifts, and afterwards Mya bought everyone the Beanboozled game which was hilarious. I laughed so hard. I even have it on video. For those who don't know beanboozled it's the jelly bean game, and you risk having to eat jelly beans that taste "exactly" like moldy cheese, stinky socks, lawn clippings, dog food, barf, and skunk spray. THEY.ARE.AWFUL. And the funniest part is Grandpa Scooter only got two good jelly beans. I laughed so hard.

Mya and I got out for a day and went to USwirl (her favorite) and got sparkles put in our hair. We later took all the kids (minus Ziah) to the hot springs which was a hit.

It's always hard having family come visit. When they leave they always take and leave a bit your heart and a bit of their heart. You always wonder if you are doing the right thing, should you move closer...etc. But, for now this is where we plan to stay...well if not here then SLC. But, I won't lie and say that it is one of the hardest things.

New years was quite interesting this year. Last year Andy and I sat up by our selves drinking wine. I posted a New Years Pic on Instagram that said Bring.It.On.2015 and boy did it ever. 3 weeks later I was calling Andy to somehow tell him "I am pregnant." This year we sat in the garage (our new living room and yes, we love it) and played sorry with Mya. It was fun. We talked a lot about our New Year Resolutions. For me I am going with the choose one word and mine is "Health." Yes. I know (just like Andy said) this is everyone's. But, I have many reasons for this and good reasons too back this up. After the past 2 years I deserve to be in the best health I can be in. And I want to do this for my family. I spent 10 weeks on bedrest inpatient, 8 at home, we spent 164 days in the NBICU (approximately 8 months total at the University of Utah hospital) and the last 16,5 months out of 24 pregnant. And I can't even count the number of Doctors appointments and PT, OT appts we have had (I should count I am sure it's well over 100). So yes...2016 is about health and wellness for me. We have many other resolutions on our list but we will keep those too ourselves for now.

2016... We are looking forward to this year. A year being home, being together under one roof, watching many first, new beginnings. A year of being together as a family making memories.

I will post this blog now as it will make me feel better but I will need to update it with more pics as this dang computer is not cooperating with me. Plus... I have so many pics...how do I narrow it all down.

Life is good.

"Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book, write a good one." (indeed we will).