Swimming

Our new place has a big swim and tennis club that we are THRILLED to be a part of. They have a pool area with 3 pools; 2 kid pools that is 1 1/2 feet, a children's pool that is 3 feet, and a lap pool that is 5 feet. It has been perfect for Jackson and get this... he begs us to take him swimming! Yes, he begs! Right after I had Clara, Scott would take him to the pool almost every night when he would get home from work. A couple weeks ago, I started to join in on the fun and just this last week I started to take him by myself during the day. I thought having him and Clara by myself at the pool would be a disaster but it was actually amazing! We go during Clara's nap, so she sleeps the whole time we are there. Jack plays with the other kids or by himself and I layout on the side... mmm.... I relax... get a suntan, Clara is asleep, and Jack is entertained... what more could I ask for?!?

I love this picture of Jack. He loves to jump onto his tummy. It looks like he is on top of the water. And really, I think he has quite good form... are we looking at a future diver?No, I am not trying to get my 5 week old a sun tan! How could I resist putting her in this little swimsuit? She is always completely covered up and in the shade when we go out - but she has to be dressed for the occasion! Come on - she is a girl!

First Boat Ride

What kind of mom would I be if I didn't document about Clara's first boat ride?

We went out Saturday night with my family. The water was a little choppy and as the sun went down it got pretty cold. By the end we were all wrapped up in sweatshirts and blankets and had the heaters on.

We had Jack wrapped up in one of my moms hoodies. Me being the scatter brained mom that I am these days, forgot to pack his sweatshirt. Nice. Jack loves his aunt Cami.

Still in the sun - my mom, Jack, Me and Clara. From what I could tell Clara loved her first boat ride. But what newborn doesn't love the sound of the engine and movement of the boat? All I can say is - she was born into our house - she better be born a boater!
That night we slept over at my parents house and spent Sunday with the family. We had a big dinner with some friends of ours, ate too much food, and relaxed and had a great Sunday afternoon.

Adam, AJ, Clara and me. Can you believe how much AJ looks like his dad? I love when little boys look just like their dad!

How do babies sleep in the most uncomfortable positions?
This is Grandma Rose and Clara. This is who I named her middle name after. We love you Grandma Rose!

Shout-Out to the Nana's

I have to make a shout-out to my amazing mom and mother-in-law! Both of them came to my rescue after I had little Clara and helped me out soooo much!

My mom was there at our house right after I had the baby and was wonderful! She helped me cook and clean! Hoo-ray for having a clean house, food in the pantry and dinner to serve at night! She played with Jackson and introduced him to Caliou... these movies have saved me. Lisa came up to Utah and spent a week with us. She woke up every morning and took care of Jack while I slept in... sleep, glorious sleep! She got me out on that first hike... it felt so good to get out of the house and do something. And she helped me figure out Clara's scheduling; she gets hungrier in the evenings. She eats about every 2 hours rather than 3... I would have just assumed she was just fussy - thank you for saving me from her screaming tantrums :).
Check out our cross-eyed baby... so cute.

Digging for Gold...

You see that boy with his finger straight up his nose?

He is mine. All mine.

Battle Creek Hike

Scotts mom Lisa is in town for the week. She came to help out with little Clara and Jack, and of course, I could use all the help I can get with these two kids! Saturday we decided to venture out into the beautiful mountains and take a fun little hike with the kids.

I am not sure if I am just crazy or really feeling good - but even though I just had a baby 2 1/2 weeks ago - I decided to join the crowd and get some fresh air. It felt great to get out and walk like a normal person, no more waddling. Jack loved it. He loved his hiking shoes (thank you melissa and henry for passing on all your old clothes). He walked some of it, but was pretty slow so Scott carried him on his shoulders most the way. The waterfall was beautiful. The mist coming off felt so good and refreshing.
Our first family picture. Not so great - but hopefully better ones to come someday...

TWACIEE GETS MARRIED...

No, the header is not a typo.
My good friend, Tracie Frei got married this past weekend! She had a beautiful dinner and Scott and I were lucky enough to attend (thank you Nana Lisa for watching the kids). Her dinner was held at the Red Butte Gardens. I had never been there before and I have to say, it was gorgeous. And of course, all the decorations were beautiful, I loved her colors, the cake not only looked amazing but tasted it as well (yummy), it was all incredible.
Tracie married a guy that seems to be her PERFECT match. And for those of you that know little Tracie Frei, she needs her perfect match in order to survive (we all love you)!
I was able to see a cuople of my high school friends while I was there. It was so fun to catch up, not that we don't do that through blogging, but it's even better in person!
Congratulations Tracie! We are so excited for you.
*I will never forget our famous party! Thanks for offering your home (ha ha) to the 20 schools that we invited. The furniture on the front lawn, your stollen dog, the refrigerator in the middle of the kitchen, the clothes (and everything else that was in the upstairs closets) being tossed out over the balcony, and a few broken and stolen items in the end... it was all worth it! You are the best party hostess high school kids could ask for.

Baby Boutique!!!!

I have to spread the word about a baby boutique going on this weekend! They have the most adorable things for babies... blankets, burb cloths, bibs, hooded towels, braclets, pacifier clips, nursery decor; they have it all. But the best part about it... it is sooooo affordable!

I posted this picture of Clara in her blanket that I bought her. Yes, it is minky on both sides - and can you believe how cute that print is? They have the most unique and fun prints that I have never seen anywhere else. This blanket that I bought for Clara was only.... are you ready... $38.00 !!! Most minky blankets that you see in stores are around $80.00 - so this is half the price, and in my opinion so much cuter because of the print. They have so many adorable things, and like I said before so so so affordable! For those of you with babies or stocking up for a baby or just buying (who can resist cute baby things for the future or gifts?) you have got to check out this boutique!

It is at my sister-in-laws house. You can e-mail their business website for her address or you can e-mail or call or text me...

Baby Laundry e-mail:
baby.laundry@hotmail.com

*They will be doing more boutiques in the future, but I recommend at least going and checking everything out. You can also place special orders for blankets - so if you have something in mind - I am sure they could put it together for you.

Life with 2 kids...

I remember when I had Jackson I thought it was pretty easy. When my ward set up a couple days to bring meals I thought it was pointless. I was showered and dress, my house was spotless, and I sat and waited while somebody else worked to make my dinner.

But I have to say, life with two kids is a little different. I feel as though I am sleep walking through my days - doing everything on auto pilot. I wake up (not that I wasn't just awake all night long, but I guess I get in a few hours of sleep...), get Jack breakfast, change diapers, feed Clara, change diapers, put on kid shows for Jack, crash on the couch, feed Clara, change diapers, get the kids dressed, clean the house, feed Jack lunch, change diapers, feed Clara, put Jack down for a nap, clean the house, hopefully get a little cat nap in for myself, feed Clara, Jack wakes up, change diapers, start dinner, feed Clara, change diapers.... ugh... around this time I am counting down the seconds until Scott comes walking in the door so that Jackson can get a little bit of attention from somebody for the day!

As you can see, my days are filled with alot of the same things over and over and over again. So, needless to say... when my mom cooked for us, or the ward brought us meals, or my Jaime made us dinner I was very very very thankful!

I know things will calm down. I am starting to work Clara into a routine which will really help - especially with all the sleep deprivation going on a night... let's just hope that she is a fast learner!

Now for the good things... Jackson is doing great with his little sister! He loves to help give her baths, he is always offering endless amounts of kisses and hugs, he loves holding her on his lap, and holding her hand while she sleeps. He is so patient with me its amazing. Sometimes I wonder if he is really just a 2 yr old. When I am stuck on the couch feeding her and he wants something, I explain to him that I am feeding Clara and I will help him when I am done. He simply says, "Okay Mommy", and goes back to playing with his toys. It is amazing!

Clara is also doing great. She has her good days and bad days, good nights and bad nights, but she is calming down more and more each day. Less crying and more contentment. In the beginning I was really worried that I was going to be hearing alot of crying for the next few months - but I am starting to think that it was just the newborn in her. She seems to be a happy baby and I think things only get better from here on out.

Both Scott and I already feel so different with a girl than we did with Jackson. Scott says that with Jackson he wanted to toss him around and play with him, but with Clara he feels much more protective and feels the need to be more gentle.

I am really enjoying the second time around so much more. With Jack I was so anxious for him to do the next thing... smile, crawl, walk, talk, ect... but with Clara I really want to savor every moment, every expression, every little thing she does I want to last forever. I am much more comfortable with her - I know what I am doing - and I know what to expect next.