Magic

The other day I was thinking about babies and just how magical they are. Even when Chase is up at two in the morning I love just holding him. And when he's in his Exer Saucer and playing with his toys, it's truly magical watching him learn and figuring things out. After having this thought the other day, I then had a little conversation with myself about the magic of babies and wondered when the magic fades. Does it disappear when they hit the terrible twos? When they go to school? When they become teenagers? And then an amazing thought occurred to me. Perhaps it NEVER fades. Maybe your children seem magical forever. Because they're always learning and growing and I'm sure they're just as exciting when they're 30 as when they're babies. And that was kind of a cool concept, 'cuz it made me think that maybe my mom and dad still feel that way about me. And if they feel that way about me...just think how Heavenly Father feels about each of us! I bet he gets so excited seeing us learn and grow and develop. And if he feels a smidgen for me the way I feel about my little man, then he loves me a lot! And that makes me feel all warm and tingly inside.

Vaccines

Is there anyone out there who doesn't vaccinate their children? I've been researching this for the last couple of years and I just can't bring myself to do it. It seems like he's more likely to be harmed from the vaccine than he is to get whatever the vaccine protects against. And have you read the ingredients in these vaccines? Formaldehyde, Mercury, Polysorbate 80...half of the ingredients have been linked to cancer, improper brain development, neurological disorders, etc. What is a mom to do?

It's not like I think he's going to have some major issue...the chances are small. But if it's a 1 in 200 chance that he suffers an adverse reaction from the vaccine and a 1 in 500 chance that he actually gets Hepatitis, Polio, etc., it just doesn't make sense to play the odds. Especially because vaccine reactions can be just as bad as the diseases themselves.

What are your thoughts? Has anyone done research on the subject?

Hooded Towel

A couple weeks ago I turned this....

In to this....

Okay, so the people are added, but two towels became one cute hooded towel for Chase. Isn't he a cute little elephant head?

3 Months

Um...where did the last three months go? Did they seem to disappear as quickly for everyone else as they did for me? In a strange way it seems like we've had Chase forever. But yet at the same time it feels like we just embarked on this latest adventure just yesterday.

It's amazing to me how quickly he develops. The first week he's zoning out, then he briefly stares, then he gazes, then he smiles, then he shrieks with delight. And today...he laughed. Like REALLY laughed. It was the cutest thing I've ever heard. I was kissin' him behind the ears and "gettin' him" and he started laughing. So of course I had to do it a half a dozen more times 'cuz I wanted to hear it over and over again. It seems like each week he progresses and it's so fun to see what will be next.

He's such a fun little boy and am lovin' how much joy (and craziness) he brings to our lives. I started work this past week and it's been quite the adjustment trying to figure out this new routine. It breaks my heart when I come home and he's grumpy...only because I know how many happy wonderful moments I missed throughout the day. Being home with him all day I really got to know him...how he likes to be handled, what helps him fall asleep. Now I find myself going back to how I felt the first few weeks...second guessing myself and not knowing if I'm reading him right or knowing what he needs. I think that's the most difficult part. I want to know everything about him so that I can provide the best possible life for him. I'm lucky that Rhett wants the same thing and is so attentive. He's such a great daddy.

Anywhoo...Chase turned 3 (months, that is) yesterday, so I took a few pictures. He was such a great sport about the whole thing. He didn't fuss throughout all the posing and position changes. He even looked at the camera for most of the shots. He's so curious. You could just see it in his eyes that he was trying to figure out what mommy was doing. Hopefully he appreciates all the bazillion photos he'll have to look back on when he's older.

Momma's Surfer Dude

Last week Chase and I spent a few days at a friends cabin up in Utah. It was so nice to get away and do something different. And Chase was a perfect little angel the whole time. Maybe he's like his mom and likes to travel and see new places. 'Cuz he seemed so happy up there. Not that he's not happy at home, but there was a marked difference.

My friend's dad went fishing every day and we ate fish at just about every meal. And oh my was it good. Not only could he catch it, but he could fry it up like a pro as well. Every time I'm at their cabin it makes me want one. Vegas gets so hot in the summer. How awesome would it be to have a cabin in the mountains just a couple of hours away? I've gotta come up with some great business idea to make lots of money so I can get me one. And while I'm at it, I might as well get a beach house too. Okay, so I'm a total dreamer, but a girl has gotta have goals, right?

My sweetie pie

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted. My how time flies by when you're taking care of a newborn! And let's face it, when I get an hour of spare time, I'm usually trying to stuff my face, take a nap, or de-stinkify myself with a shower. Blogging isn't really at the top of the priority list.

Here are a few pictures I've taken over the last month:

Chase cuddling up with his daddy. This was just last night. Aren't they adorable?

This was taken last night as well. Chase was playing with his daddy and just staring at him. He loves when Rhett gets home.

Most baby showers I go to I make a hooded towel. I haven't even made Chase one. In fact, until yesterday I hadn't made him anything. I thought I'd have time after he was born, so I didn't worry about it while I was pregnant. Ya, I didn't realize that breast feeding, diaper changing, getting something to eat for myself, trying to get him to sleep, and entertaining him was going to take 18 hours a day. That leaves about 6 hours for me to sleep, shower, blog, take pictures, clean the house, etc. Thank goodness the last couple of days he's been so mellow. I could actually put him in the bouncer and he could entertain himself for once. Anyways, yesterday I made him a matching receiving blanket and burp cloth. They're cute little turtles. They turned out pretty good for my first ones...not that they're difficult to make, but I was happy about finally getting something done.

Someone's a little sleepy.

I love this picture. Is it messed up that I reach for my camera (rather than my baby) when he's giving me this perturbed face? Of course I love the smiles and the chill moments, but he makes the cutest sad faces too.

We went to Zion National Park for the fourth of July and took these two pictures down at the river. It was gorgeous out and Chase was so good all day...except when daddy dipped his toes in the freezing cold water. He wasn't a big fan of that. I love the piercing eyes...just staring up at dad.

Rhett is such a good daddy. He loves his little man and his little man loves him. I think Chase gets sick of me by the end of the day, 'cuz when daddy gets home he seems to want to be with him. And that's perfectly fine with me. I love seeing the two of them together. Makes me love them even more.

So...a few things I've learned about Chase over the last six weeks (yep, he's six weeks old today):

1. He sleeps a million times better when he's swaddled.

2. He loves taking a bath (and pees within a minute of getting in the tub).

3. He has awesome head control. I don't know how, but he's had great head control from the very beginning.

4. He can sleep thru just about anything. We made sure to keep it noisy when he sleeps so he wouldn't be a light sleeper.

5. He's not a super huge fan of the car seat. He hasn't been in it too many times, but half the time he screams.

6. He loves his pacifier. We only give him one if he's inconsolable, but when he's screaming bloody murder and we give him his binky, he's a little angel. It's been nice to have that to fall back on.

7. When he wears a onesie with a crab on it...he's crabby all day long. It's true. The last two times he's worn an outfit with a crab on it he is super fussy cranky pants. I think I'm going to burn them all!

8. He LOVES sugar. When he was circumcised he was given a finger of sugar to suck on while they did the procedure. The doc said the only time he cried is when they took the finger out of his mouth. How crazy is that? I tried breastfeeding him afterwards and he didn't want anything to do with it. He is SO not getting sugar for a very long time.

9. He started smiling in response to other's smiling at him yesterday. It was so exciting. He doesn't do it all the time, but he did it quite a few times yesterday and today. I've yet to capture it with my camera though.

10. Babies can projectile poop...when you're in the middle of changing their diaper...all over the wall and floor! Unfortunately I had to find this out the hard way.

Chase Andrew

It's amazing how adding a mere 8 pounds can completely change your outlook on life. I always strive to better myself and be thankful for my many blessings...but it's on an entirely different level now. I am in complete awe of all the mothers out there, not fully realizing the sacrifices they have been through for their children until now. And I know there is so much more to come that I can't possibly foresee.

Not only has my heart grown to love everything about this new little life, but my love for my husband has expanded in ways I couldn't imagine. Seeing him holding Chase, smiling, cooing, and loving him beyond measure just melts my heart. He is so eager to be near him, even if it's just to change a diaper. The first day or two in the hospital, I was pretty much out of commission. It took me five minutes just to get out of bed. And I couldn't get back in without Rhett picking up my legs and lifting them up on to the bed. He not only took care of me, but changed all but a couple of diapers and soothed Chase when he got fussy. He totally stepped up to the challenge and I will forever be grateful for that. He truly is the love of my life and I can't imagine going through this experience without him.

I can't even express in words how I feel about my new little man. It's nothing I've ever felt before. A totally different kind of love. I have so many hopes and dreams for him. There are so many things that I'm already scared about. There's already such a tremendous weight on me to make sure I do all that I can for him. It has brought me so much closer to my Heavenly Father, knowing that I can't figure all this out by myself. I know that it is only with His guidance that Chase will grow and develop and turn out as he is meant to. Maybe that's why it took us so many years to get him here. I needed to learn that I can't do everything on my own. I need to rely on the Lord.

Chase Andrew Richins

Friday, June 4, 2010 (born on his actual due date)

8 pounds 3 ounces

20/21 inches (hospital/pediatrician measurement)

Nursery

Yaaaaayyyyy! We FINALLY finished the nursery today. Not only was the nursery finished, but the 8 loads of baby laundry were finished and folded up and put away. And I finally finished packing my bag to the hospital last night. Now all we need is for baby to come!

38 Weeks

I thought I'd be one of those pregnant ladies who took pictures of her belly every week, but that so didn't happen. Mainly because I'm the picture TAKER of the family...not the person in the picture. I've thought of doing it a few times, but of course my hair would be a mess or I didn't like what I was wearing or blah, blah, blah. You know how it goes. So I decided tonight that I just needed to get at least one picture of how I looked before he decided to make his journey in to this world...regardless of how I think I look. So here I am with only two weeks to go.

Are you totally diggin' the couch in the background? I thought so. With the recent room changes we've found that there just isn't room for this sofa and matching love seat any longer. We're planning to sell them at a future garage sale, SO, if you're heart is beating rapidly and you don't think you can live without them, let me know and I can reserve them for you!

Conner's Blessing

So I went to Conner's blessing last Sunday and somehow didn't wind up with a single picture of him. The only time I even saw him was in Sacrament when Matt brought him to me. And I couldn't really whip out my camera then. With all of the Martins and the Whipples there must have been 50 or 60 people at the luncheon afterwards trying to get their hands on the little guy. But I did get a few cute pictures of Olivia and my dad in a staring contest.

I think Rhett is a little stressed about the blessing of our baby. He doesn't like to talk or pray in church, so blessing a baby is causing a bit of anxiety. Luckily we've had 5 babies blessed in our ward since I've been pregnant, so he at least gets to hear them and kind of plan on what he wants to say.

Baby Shower

Last weekend my mom and I made a real quick trip up to Utah to visit friends and family. My cousin threw me a great little shower that turned out marvelously. Great food, great decorations, and great company. I don't get to see my Utah friends and family all too often, so it's always a treat when I get up there. I wish I could have stayed longer, but for only being there one full day, I was able to see a lot of people.

I'm so glad that Hollie and Heather made it. After the shower we were able to bum around Gardner Village for awhile. I love that place. They need to build one closer to home.

For those of you asking to see the baby bump...these are probably the best two pictures that I have. I thought I would take more...but it just never seems to happen.

Chad and Julia's Reception

Last weekend was CRAZY! Friday night we had a dinner in Vegas to help set up my brother-in-law's reception. Of course there were hurricane strength winds, so we couldn't get a lot done. Then Saturday morning we drove in to Vegas early to help set up the baby shower. Then the baby shower then we helped set up the rest of the reception, then the reception all night. And of course I was the one taking pictures, so you guessed it, I was on my feet all night long. I took off my shoes and felt just fine as I was doing it. But afterwards, yowzer...did my feet have some issues. Sometimes I forget that I'm carrying an extra 20+ pounds and that my body doesn't quite respond like it normally does. Here are a few pictures from the evening:

The happy couple: Julia and Chad

Rhett's mom and Elaina.

Julia getting a bit carried away smashing the cake in Chad's face.

Alison with her newest aunt.

The tossing of the bouquet.

Alison having fun dancing around.

Wendy and Kyle

The wedding cake with the groom's cake in the background.

Chad is officially the last one in both of our families to get married. We're excited for them and hope all the best.

Conner Eli

I have the cutest new nephew. He is so precious and adorable. He came in to the world February 26, 2010 weighing just an ounce shy of 8 pounds and was 20.5 inches long.

I was sitting in the hospital chair holding him and realizing that I have the very same thing developing in me right now. I've had this thought quite a few times...but to be holding a newborn and seeing how big he is and knowing that he has to fit inside my belly was a visual of this realization. I can't wait to meet my little guy!

When I got there he was in the middle of a hearing test. It was so cute. It looked like he had headphones on and was rocking out.

I was trying to play with my new lens and I'm having the darndest time. This is one of the very few that was actually in focus.

This guy loves his binky! If he didn't have his binky he was sucking on his fingers. Here he is all wrapped up ready to go home.

Welcome Conner! You're one cutie patootie!

Julia's Bridal Shower

So tomorrow I'm gaining a new sister. How cool is that? Chad (Rhett's youngest brother) is getting married in the Nauvoo temple tomorrow and he's the last one to get married. So I guess she'll be the last sister I gain.

Last week we had a bridal shower for her and despite her being constantly embarrassed by the games and lingerie...I think she enjoyed herself.

She's a huge fan of orange...try finding lingerie in orange...it's not easy! After three stores I found this buried beneath a heap of other little treats. It's seriously the only orange I found.

Here's Julia in her TP wedding dress:

And Allison getting attacked by the friendly dog.

Tres fun!

President's Day Weekend

For President's Day weekend we went to Dumont. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Seriously. Couldn't have been better. Which is good, 'cuz our heater broke and if it were any colder at night I couldn't have handled it. Luckily being preggo I like it much cooler. While Rhett slept with three blankets I had one, and put a second one on in the middle of the night.

Although the weather was perfect, the sand dunes were all tore up from the rain we had earlier in the week. That means I didn't go on a single ride. Not cool. But I was still surrounded by great friends and we chilled outside in the gorgeous weather.

Here's a picture of my friend Krista, who came out for a couple of days, holding Bolt.

Isn't he cute?

Rhett sportin' a purple balloon:

Caden with a sucker:

And my favorite...Dave makin' bubbles. I was taking pictures of the kids hitting the pinata and noticed half way through that Dave was over there making bubbles...for nobody but himself. It was the funniest thing. He was totally in his own little world.

Ha Ha Ha...he cracks me up.

Random Ramblings

There have been a few random thoughts floating around my head lately and I thought I'd get them out today:

Driving with your Headlights
I just wanted to write a quick memo and let all the drivers out there know that it's OK to turn your headlights on even if YOU can see okay. Just because you can see okay, doesn't mean that others can see you. I've noticed this a lot lately, mainly because it's been unusually rainy and overcast. I can see just fine and I don't need my lights on to see what is going on. But I still turn them on. I've noticed that the cars that don't have their headlights on start to blend in to the road and it's very difficult to see them. So...spread the word. At dusk and dawn and rainy conditions, TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON! Even if you can see just fine. You might as well be safe and make sure that everyone can see YOU just fine.

Life Lessons
Have you ever noticed that when life lessons are being shared, either at church or work or socially, the person who needs the life lesson the most doesn't get a thing from it and just identifies others who need it? And everyone around thinks, "Man, that was intended for them", but they're totally oblivious!? I noticed this at church on Sunday (kinda). We were having a great lesson in RS and I was thinking, "Man, Suzie Q over there needs to pay attention!" And then I realized, everyone always does that. And then nobody gets the lesson for themselves and they always try to make it about someone else. So I decided to start applying these lessons to me. After all, if we really truly start listening to others we would be so much better off.

Church
The last week or two I've been thinking about the reason behind going to church every week. I know, it sounds silly, but I actually think about these things. It all started with a comment I heard about someone in my ward and how they're like every other Mormon. They go to church every Sunday, but they live far from the gospel principles throughout the week. That kind of perturbed me. I know it's easy to judge others and think that they're not as good as they're trying to portray, but really, what is the purpose of church? Is it for a bunch of perfect people to sit around and preach to each other? Definitely not. I think it's a place we can get support from friends to inspire us to become better. If we hear a particularly moving lesson or talk and we feel the spirit and are motivated to better our behavior, then church has accomplished its purpose. So then that got me thinking about those who have been offended by someone at church and no longer go. And for the first time I actually understood that concept. If we go to church and feel contention and judging and hear people talking negatively about us, we're not accomplishing anything by going. At times in my life I have felt this and have had a difficult time attending. Luckily I didn't totally drop out and I got over it and now things are great. But it made me realize how each person at church is individual in their feelings and testimony and how fragile people can be. We can't treat everyone the same. I know, DUH! I knew that. I guess I just didn't realize how many different things people could be going through and you never know if the person you're walking right by without saying hi to HATES coming to church because nobody ever talks to her. You just don't know. I don't even know where I'm going with this. Just something I've been thinking about and know that I need to work on.