Little Cheeks

My friend is opening a Children's Boutique on Main Street in PG. They going to have tons of cute clothes and accessories for girls AND BOYS:) She could use any and all support by spreading the word and putting this advertisement on your page, she will give you 25% off any item! Tell your blogging friends. Anyone and everyone who puts this on their blog please leave a comment here with your blog address and name. If your not comfortable with that you can send her an email with the info at choleyphotography@ymail.com. Come in opening week to receive your discount. She will be keeping a list. Also, watch for your Savvy Shoppers guide in the mail. You can use the coupons in their ad also:)

Sleeping Wizard Baby!

 So Ryder has presented me with a conundrum.  Ever since we brought him home from the hospital, he has needed to be swaddled up tight in his blanket to be able to sleep.  I have tried putting him down without being swaddled, and that was a disaster.  I have tried leaving one arm out of the swaddle, and still no luck.  It wasn't a problem when he still liked being swaddled, but he grew out of that in like 2 seconds.  So every night is a battle trying to swaddle him for bed.  He screams in protest, but yet CAN'T sleep without it!  It's inevitable that he breaks out of the swaddle at some point during the night and then wakes himself up.  On top of this, he has eczema and always scratches and rubs his face to the point where he'll bleed!  So swaddling helps keep his hands away from his face.  Anyways, i have been trying to find a way to ease him out of needing to be swaddled because the situation really is getting ridiculous at night.  I found this website that sells these... "sleepers"  from New Zealand.  It's called Peke Moe and essentially, it's a little sleeping bag/sleep sack.  Ever heard of it? It's supposed to help with transitioning your baby out of swaddling.  I guess because they still feel nice and cozy, but also have the freedom to move around. Anyway, tons of people swear by it, but we don't have the funds to buy one, so i decided to make one.  It didn't look that complicated.  Pretty much like an over sized pillowcase with a neck hole and a zipper along the bottom.  So i made one out of some soft jersey material.  The whole time i was sewing it i couldn't stop laughing thinking about putting it on Ryder because it looked so dumb!  I tried it out last night and yep, he looked so funny in it.  Kevin said he looks like a wizard hahaha. Guess what though, as goofy as it looks, it worked!  I seriously had my doubts.  We did our normal bedtime routine and then i laid him down in his crib.  He played around for a while because he wasn't swaddled and therefore didn't think it was bedtime.  After playing, he started crying.  He cried on and off for about 45 min.  I would go in every few minutes to check on him and comfort him.  He finally settled down and went to sleep!  He woke up once during the night and cried for about 5 minutes and then went back to sleep.  UN SWADDLED!  That's unheard of for this kid.  So looks like they are on to something in New Zealand after all.  Hopefully it works again tonight, cross your fingers.



the wizard sleeper!

Not minding it



He could even still suck his thumb through it haha!



Ryder LOVES exploring his voice lately and all the noises it can make.  He goes through phases.  First was blowing raspberries.  He loved to do that and would get his mouth and chin covered in spit from blowing them constantly!  Next he discovered grunts/growls.  He would be growling all day long, it was so cute!  He still growls a lot when he is just about to fall asleep, it's his way of winding himself down haha.  He has now figured out how to suck the air in instead of out to make a noise almost like the little kid on the Grudge, a little creepy, i know!  When he does it though it mostly just sounds like a squeal of delight.  I have been trying to capture it on video, but he always gets so shy when i pull the camera out.  This video is the best i have gotten, but it's just a quick one, usually he draws the sound out much longer.  I also shows a little of his grunting skills.  This is probably such boring stuff to every other person in the world except maybe grandparents, but oh well!  I love watching him figure out all the new things he can do with his voice and then "talking" to each other all day long to practice them out :)





Something On My Mind- President Boyd K. Packer's Recent Talk

In general conference this past weekend, President Boyd K. Packer gave an awesome, straightforward talk reiterating the LDS church's stance on a couple subjects, namely same sex marriage. There wasn't anything new being said; in the LDS church we have always believed this way. However, it's like a bomb was dropped. I have been disgusted and saddened in the days following conference to hear so many negative, hateful, and downright ignorant comments in reference to President Packer's talk. There is a huge misconception about the LDS church- that we hate homosexuals/lesbians/bisexuals and believe God does too. This couldn't be more wrong! It is quite the opposite. We love everyone no matter what kind of life they have lived. Heavenly Father has no boundaries on his love for all. He wants us all to be happy, and true, eternal happiness comes from following Him. "Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness." -Alma 41:10.

Satan has an evil counterfeit for all things righteous. Do we hate homosexuals, NO. Is practicing homosexuality wrong, YES. It always has been, always will be. Nothing will change that. It takes a great amount of humility and strength to know and admit when you are wrong, and even more to change your ways and repent. It can be done however. It is never too late. Heavenly Father will ALWAYS be waiting with open arms to welcome us back when we have made mistakes, no matter how big they may be. I know this is true from personal experience.

I thought of a scripture when i was listening to President Packer's talk. It is 1 Nephi 16:1-4,
"1. And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold they said unto me: Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear.
2. And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.
3. And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.
4. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren, with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lord."

It is so true! Another scripture that fits, Moroni 9: 4,
"Behold, I am laboring with them continually; and when I speak the word of God with sharpness they tremble and anger against me; and when I use no sharpness they harden their hearts against it; wherefore, I fear lest the Spirit of the Lord hath ceased striving with them."

I know many people that are homosexual. They are GOOD people. I love them. The Church loves them. Heavenly Father loves them! That does not mean we agree with their lifestyle though. I'm not writing this to offend anyone, but just as those opposing President Packer's talk have every right to voice their opinions and beliefs, I am expressing mine. Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ..."

I really like what one person said about the situation,
"It is becoming increasingly clear to me that we can no longer afford to be fence-sitters when it comes to the things of righteousness. We can’t afford to have one foot in Babylon and the other foot in the Kingdom of God. The gap between “the world” and God’s standards of morality is widening. We must choose whose side we are on – the Lord’s side or on Lucifer’s side. We can choose to follow God’s prophets or not. It is becoming increasingly black and white to me."

How true that is in these last days! I am proud and blessed beyond words to have the true and restored gospel in my life. I know President Monson is a prophet called by God in these latter days to lead and guide us. I know the apostles are called by God and that they teach the truth with compassion and love. I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I have been blessed beyond measure from being a member of this, the true church. I cannot even begin to express my love for my Savior, Jesus Chrtist. He has always been there for me, no matter how disobedient, rebellious, or how far off the path I have been. He is there for each and every one of us, and always will be, NO MATTER WHAT. We live in troubling times, and I am so thankful for the truth that i have to guide me through the "dark mists" on my path back to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

*I don't know if anyone will even read this. If you read some of this, or maybe even the entire thing, WOW, thank you! I just really needed to express my thoughts. I know not everyone may like what i have written, but please, no hateful comments!*

**To listen to Boyd K. Packer's talk, click here, scroll down to the Sunday Morning Session and there you will find his name and the mp3 link. You can also learn more about our church and beliefs by going here or here**

Girls Night Out

Last night was a girls night out since the guys were at the priesthood session of general conference. Me and Ryder met up with my Mom, Chantelle, and the girls down in Provo. We went to Red Robin and ate outside. It felt so great. It was fun to just relax and hang out. We missed having Rashell with us, but she had to work :(

Payton

Riley

Riley and Ryder

Ryder

Me, Payton, Chantelle, Mom, and Riley

Mom and the grandkids

Ryder with Aunt Chantelle

Me and my bud

After priesthood meeting was over, we came home and Ryder was in such a good mood! Kevin and i were having so much fun playing with him. He seriously is the best little baby. He is so sweet and fun. I can't imagine any thing better than this!

Ryder and Kevin


Kisses for mommy

Laughing on my lap

Playing!


Smiling at Kevin

I'm so in love with this smile!

I feel so lucky to be Ryder's mommy. Everyday i fall for him more and more. I think back to before we had him, and i get an kind of homesick feeling. Although i didn't quite feel it at the time, it's like something was missing. I'm sure i will feel that after having our other kids too.

Ryder is such a loving baby and constantly wants to be held. I definitely don't mind, i mean, you don't have to twist my arm to hold this sweet little guy! Sometimes it's hard to get anything done all day since he gets so sad and cries when i have to put him down very long. Some days, if i can even get dressed, it's a productive day haha. However, i don't want to miss a single moment of him growing up, it's already going by too fast! He's getting so big and changing all the time, and sometimes i get so excited for all the fun things to come i can hardly wait, but i also just want to enjoy him as much as i can right now. Someday, i doubt i will look back and think, "boy i wish i would have done more laundry/dishes/vacuuming when Ryder was a baby..." I do know i will miss the quiet times snuggling and playing together though. So for now, if things are a little messy, oh well :)

Sock Bouquet

Today the little sunbeams class that Kevin and I used to teach at church came by with a gift for me to say congrats on having Ryder. It was a bouquet of flowers and baby socks in a watering can. I thought it was such a cute idea! They had each made a card to say that they missed me and Kevin. They loved looking at Ryder and making him smile by making faces. They were so cute! I miss my sweet little class!

Ryder chewing/sucking his thumb

big eyes

My Little Four Month Old

Ryder turned four months old yesterday and today he had his four month checkup. The nurse was shocked at how chunky he looked. He is in the 60th percentile for both his length and head circumference and 25th percentile for his weight. He's our long skinny banana baby! The nurse said technically he's on the thin side, but she has a hard time saying that while looking at all the rolls and dimples on his legs haha. The doctor said he's thriving, meeting his milestones, and doing great. They said looking at him now, you would never know he was a NICU baby. Yay! That's what we like to hear :) He got more shots again today, which he definitely wasn't happy about, but he seems to be ok now. Anyways, just an update on how he's growing!

My little buddy asleep on my lap

Wearing his Dragon onesie and dragon footies.

His cute rear view :)

FUN!

Last night there was a free concert at the U of U and it just happened to be a band that Kevin and I love, called Fun. It really was so much fun, just like their name promises. We took Ryder with us. It was his first concert! He seemed to enjoy himself as long as whoever was holding him was standing and dancing. The show was outside and it was such a nice night. It felt great! It was on a big grassy area with trees so we just found a nice bench towards the back so it wasn't too loud for Ryder's little ears. It was nice to get out and do something different. I hadn't been to a concert since Kevin and I first got married!

Kevin and Ryder walking to the concert

Hanging out at the show

Fun!

Ryder dancing with Kevin

Towards the end, Ryder was ready to leave

Like Father Like Son

Kevin has an outfit that he wore in his 6 month old pictures and yesterday i decided to try it on Ryder to see how it looked. It was pretty tight length wise so at 3 and a half months Ryder is bigger than Kevin was at 6 months! After comparing pictures of all of us, i decided Ryder is a pretty good mix. He definitely has my cheeks (and overall chubbiness) and my smile. He got Kevin's ears and lips (can't tell in these pictures) andhis eyes just depend on his expression. No matter who he looks like, he's perfect!

Kevin at 6 months

Ryder at 3.5 months

Amy at 6 months

Ryder's Blessing Day

Today we blessed Ryder at church. It was a great day! Ryder did really well during the blessing (no screaming, yay!) Kevin did a beautiful job! I'm so lucky to be married to such a stud! I really have to almost stop and pinch myself sometimes to think that this is my life, Kevin and I are parents to the sweetest little boy. I'm so blessed! Ryder looked so adorable in his little white blessing outfit. It was a mini white tuxedo! Afterwards, we had a luncheon at our house with lots of friends and family. It was really nice. Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out, you all made our special day even better! We really do have the BEST family :)

I love the guys in my life!

Our little family

A sweet picture of Grandma Nelson with all her grandchildren, Payton, Ryder, and Riley.

Teething?!

I'm pretty sure Ryder is starting to teethe. Just this past week or so he has been WAY more cranky and he is drooling a TON (we finally broke out the bib). He is chomping on anything he can get in his mouth, mostly his fingers. When you have to take his fingers away from his mouth for any reason, he usually freaks out and immediately stuffs them back in and chomps on them. His gums feel a bit swollen but i think the actual tooth still has a while to go before it pops out. Another thing that has not been fun is he is starting to wake up during the night again... He has been sleeping through the night consistently for about a month now, but i guess he is uncomfortable enough that it's waking him up. Poor kid! Ithought he was too young to start teething, but both my nieces got their first tooth at 4 months, so i guess you never know.

Other than that life is pretty good. Kevin started school up at the University of Utah. He's taking a full load! He had to quit his job because they wouldn't work around his school schedule. So he's looking for something part time. Hopefully he can find something soon, we'll see. We are blessing Ryder this Sunday. I'm excited! He has a cute little blessing outfit which he HATES, haha! So, i just hope he doesn't scream the whole time he's in it!

Lots of chomping on fingers lately

This is what he does when you take his fingers out of his mouth

From this face, I guess Mommy only brings a little comfort!

Grandpa's little allstar

Hanging out with Grandpa Nelson


Ryder and Kevin with their hoodies on


Me and Ryder

Ryder in his Bumbo

Playing