kim, ryan & sam

Aliens

2011-07-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

Do not be alarmed, but sometime in the last couple of weeks aliens have taken our son and replaced him with better version of himself. I don't know if this is some kind of experiment they are working, but here's what I do know:

1) He now goes to bed with a binkie and a blankie. No cuddling, no bottle, no crying (well at least no crying for more than 10 seconds).
2) Instead of running in the opposite direction when you tell him he needs a diaper change, he runs to his room, lays on the ground and rolls over for you.
3) He no longer uses a bottle. He has switched completely to sippy cups, although he still calls them his "baba."
4) He puts things away when asked. Things such as toys, books, tools, etc.
5) He loves to help Daddy with his various projects around the apartment and Mommy with the laundry...and he is actually helpful.
6) He no longer runs in the opposite direction or up the closest stairs when on walks and listens to the instructions he is given.
7) He says he is sorry if he hurts you, is always concerned if someone has a booboo and is ready to kiss it better when necessary.
8) He responds with "I buv mm" when you tell him you love him.
9) He allowed Ryan and I to enjoy dinner at a restaurant on Friday night. He drew with crayons, ate a lot of his food, and sat in his highchair for the majority of the time.
10) He made it through AN HOUR in Sacrament today without many snacks and without running away. This is UNHEARD of.
11) He is speaking in short sentences. For example:
      "All done Momma"
      "Hi Daddy"
      "I love you, Daddy"
      "I want that"
      "I don't want that"
      "I love you too"
      "No, stop"
There are more, but I can't think of them. He also surprises us everyday with words we didn't know he knew. The other day I got him cereal and he pointed the the drawer and said "poon." He also points to the pool and says "poo" every time we walk by it at the apartment complex. Again, there are so many more examples of this I can't think of right now. It is incredible how fast he is learning.

We are a little worried that this experiment won't last long, but we are enjoying it for now. He is a little more mellow (he still has plenty of moments) and is just fun to be around. We love him to death.

This is just a moment I posted on facebook the other day. My mom said I should post it somewhere other than facebook so here it is:
Oh.my.gosh. I just witnessed a miracle. I laid Sam in his bed where he stayed and then said "buh bye." I said "goodnight sweetheart, I love you." And he said "buh mm (love you)." I left and that was it. NEVER in my life did I think that kid could go to bed so easily. I sure hope this lasts!!

Finally...I know.

2011-06-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

I know I have owed everyone a post for a long time. Since Sam just had his 18 month appointment I figured I could update, not feel so behind and then start blogging more regularly. We will see if that ever happens...

So my BABY is almost 1 1/2 years old. I can't believe it! He is bigger, smarter and faster every day. He has the most fun little personality and makes us laugh all the time. The doctor didn't say anything new other than we should get rid of the bottle...yeah, easier said than done, but we are actually doing much better. I think it helps that he sees the kids at daycare drinking out of their big boy cups. He is still average height and weight with a ginormous head. I sure do love that ginormous head though and we will miss it when he grows into it.

Did I mention he has no fear?

Sam has become quite the talker recently. His words include: nice, buh bye (we are really good at this one), hi, OUTSIDE, rain, mama, dada/daddy, grandpa (more like gr-pa), cheese, fishies, pretzel, thank you, doggie (dog-EYE), baba, no, yes, help, mine, night night, inside, go, tickle,
More recently he has added; sorry, uh oh spaghettios (sah-e-o), tree, basketball, ball
He also has quite a bit to say that I am too old to understand. I'm sure it makes perfect sense to him, but I can't quite grasp it!

He can also sign: please, out, rain, drink, basketball, help

Giraffe Sam-First trip to the zoo

He loves: all forms of water, seeing his friends at daycare, driving toy cars of all shapes and varieties, being outside (which I'm pretty sure is his FAVORITE thing), saying "hi" to complete strangers, going for walks, playing at the park, making a mess while mommy is trying to clean up, pushing around the broom and swiffer, flushing the toilet (which really grosses poor OCD ryan out), eating snacks, drinking juice (which rarely happens), TOMATOES, fruit, dip of any kind, all of his grandparents, his mommy and daddy, reading books, playing in his crib, cuddling, giving big kisses (which he has become very good at lately), helping daddy with his tools

He dislikes: going to take a nap or going to bed, not having the attention focused on him, not being outside, getting his hands dirty, not getting his way, getting in his carseat, when someone else has the nerve to go outside and not take him

Typical Sam-socks on, no pants and playing outside

Kissing Mommy

Helping Daddy

Overall, Sam is a very happy and VERY active child. He drives us to exhaustion, but one look at that cute little face and it's hard to be mad (especially now that he says sorry). He loves everyone and everyone loves him. He especially loves all his grandparents very much and had a great time seeing the Merrell side of the family in May for uncle Preston and Aunt Sam's wedding. Most days he loves going to daycare which always makes my day at work (more to come on that in another post) a lot easier. He loves to cuddle both his mommy and daddy, but he doesn't like to share. He will tolerate a kiss between his parents on occasion, but most of the time he prefers to be the one doing the kissing. He has also become quite bossy in the last month or so. He will take my hand and take me where he thinks I should be or he will point to where he wants me. He has been sleeping a lot better recently and Ryan and I try to enjoy every minute of that. He is a big helper too. He helps with the dishes and the laundry. He always gets me things when I ask him too. He likes to purposely spill milk on the coffee table, run to his room and get a wipe, and clean it up for us. He is so sweet and thoughtful!!

We love our little (BIG) peanut and we are so happy to have him as part of our family. He really brings a lot of joy to everyone around him. Mmmm I just want to kiss that dirty little face!!

New Year Resolutions

2011-01-25T19:48:00.000-08:00

I know it's the end of January, but I have been adding to my list. I am writing them here so you can all hold me accountable this year. I have made good progress on some and haven't started the others. Here are the original four:

1) Spend more time with and love my husband more
2) Get back into shape
3) Take Sam for more walks
4) Learn to sew

And those added so far:
5) Read more
6) Research about and become more competent at my job

I am working on #1. It is the most important, but sometimes it is the hardest with the little booger around. I love Ryan a lot though and I hope he knows that.

I am also happy to report that I have been running almost regularly for the last two weeks. I am trying to get the energy to push the stroller after work so that I can get in shape and run a half marathon with my friend Emilia in July. So far so good. Sam and I have also enjoyed the nice weather recently. There is a park close to our apartments and we like to walk there (Sam in his wagon) and play/run at the park. I love how happy it makes him and I love getting him outside!

I am half way through a book too! This is big for me. I don't like to read. I am not in school anymore though and I feel like I am getting dumber. Hence #5 and #6. I haven't started #4 or #6 but I plan to very soon.

Okay everyone, keep me on track!!

1 Year Update!

2011-01-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

My baby is 1!! I can't believe a year has gone by. We have learned so much and loved every minute of it. We have such a special little boy, with an amazing little personality.

I am going to have to brag a little bit. We went to the doctor for his one year check up last week and she was so impressed with everything he was doing. He can walk, run, he talks constantly, he can clap, point, wave bye and so much more! She started asking me if he had reached any milestones for 15-18month olds. She said normally she wouldn't even ask if he could identify body parts or follow commands for another couple of months, but he was doing so much already that she asked anyway. I am proud to report that he pretty much knows where his belly button is and knows how to go get his bottle or my cell phone if asked. He is so smart! The staff at the doctor's office loved him. He ran around the whole place in his diaper, followed the doctor back to her office, and barely cried when they gave him his shots. He was a trooper.

So here are the stats and tricks at one year:

Weight: 23lbs 9oz (59th percentile-50% up from birth!!)
Height: 2' 6.25" (62nd percentile)
Head Circumference: 49cm (97th percentile-I told you he was smart, he needs room for all those brains!)

Words: Mom, Dad, Hi (and he will say it to anyone who will listen), Oh wow, Woah, Bye, Out, All done, yeah.
Hand motions: he throws both hands up for touch done, turns his hands upside down for all done, waves for bye-bye, and claps for everything, he also gives fist bumps and high fives if he is in the mood.
Tricks: he walks with almost perfect balance, he can get up without the help of a wall unless he is wearing his shoes, he runs, he talks all the time (most of it doesn't make sense, but it's darn cute), he has four whole teeth and some more coming in (I know, that's not really a trick), he throws all his toys, he claps, every song makes him stop and dance, he hides in the laundry basket, when he gets really weird he just spins in circles, he can find anything you try to hide from him in a matter of seconds, he will be more technology smart than his parents by the time he is 3, oh there are so many more that I can't think of!!

Likes: bath time, eating (especially vegetables and fruit), reading, brushing his teeth, making a mess, banging on the computer, playing with cell phones, walking or running, playing in the garbage or toilet, HIS BOTTLE, drinking beverages of any kind, climbing up and down, playing with toys, being outside, getting lots of attention from family, running around butt naked, when daddy kisses mommy, clapping for himself, dancing, long hallways, kissing other babies at church(they are usually not amused), being social

Dislikes: daycare, bed time, getting his diaper changed, getting dressed, sweets (sometimes he likes them, especially if they come in drink form, but most of the time he isn't interested), cleanliness, wearing hats, his carseat, not being allowed or able to walk or run, the vacuum...that's pretty much it, he is a really happy kid!

Dear Sam,
I will keep this short. There is not much to say, except we love you soooooo much. This last year has been a whirlwind. Your father and I have learned more and loved more than we ever had before. It was not an easy year for us and yet at the end of the day we couldn't help but smile and your cute face. We complain all the time about how you aren't the best sleeper, but in reality you are such a happy baby. You are social, loving (we get kissed ALL the time), and you bring so much joy to us everyday. You aren't afraid of anything (well, except the vacuum) or anyone. Everyone who meets you loves you instantly. You have no fear of strangers. It always makes me smile when you go straight for your Grandma and your Aunt Madi no matter how long it has been since you saw them last. You know they love you and that makes you love them. You are so busy. You never stop and you always want to play. Sometimes it is hard to keep up with you, but we love every minute of trying. Your sweet smile and your open mouth kisses are the highlights of our days. I hope you never change...although it wouldn't hurt to sleep all the way through the night more often!

We love you,
Mom and Dad

Disneyland, Turning One and a New Year

2011-01-15T19:23:00.003-08:00

This last week was a big one. On the 29th we headed down to spend Sam's birthday and the new year at Disneyland. We knew it would be packed and we knew that there wasn't going to be much for Sam to be excited about but we were determined to have a good time. Ryan's mom, sister and one of his brothers (and his girlfriend) were able to join us, my parents, and my sister and her husband.

The 30th was Sam's birthday so we dressed in our "Birthday Boy" shirt and we headed out first thing in the morning to Disneyland. We stopped at Town Hall and got our "1st Visit" and "Happy Birthday" buttons and went out to brave the lines. We did "It's a Small World" which Sam thought was interesting, "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" which he was not too happy about, "Winnie the Pooh" which was a lot scarier than it should have been, "Pirates of the Carribean" which has large drops that Sam did not like and we saw some Disneyland characters. Cinderella and Snowwhite were definitely his favorite!

Happy New Year Everyone!! 2010 wasn't our best year, but it ended better than it started and we are positive that this year will be much better!

At about 5 we headed to the Rainforest Cafe for Sam's birthday dinner. We ate good food and then they brought out a cake that we had had made for him. We had a regular cake and a smash cake just for him. He was tired and not impressed with the smash cake. I tried to get him to go for it by putting his whole fist in it, but that just made him really mad. Can we say OCD? So, he wasn't that impressed...oh well. Besides getting extremely messy (me and him) we had a really good time and got some good presents! He spent the rest of the night being a ham for the family. We had adjoining rooms with Ryan's mom and he loved to run back and forth between the rooms and have all the attention focused on him. It was a good first birthday!!

On the 31st we went to Disneyland early again. We heard it would be full and they wouldn't let anyone else in after a while because of the holiday so we made sure to be there early (None of that really turned out to be true though). We went on "Dumbo" which Sam didn't like (I think it was too cold) and then we waited in line for 2 HOURS!! to see Mickey. Sam was tired and cried for most of the waiting and by the time we got to the front he was asleep and we did not wake him up for the picture. After that we did "Buzz Light Year' and then went back to the hotel for a nap. My parents came to watch Sam and Ryan and I went back for a little while. We did the carousel, the Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones and Captain EO. We also watched the fireworks. It was a good show. I was too exhausted to make it to midnight though so we went back to the hotel and went to bed before midnight. Lame, I know!

Overall, Sam was not a fan of Disneyland. All he wants to do is walk and run and he did not appreciate having to be held all day at the park. He was so squirmy and upset that I woke up really sore each morning from holding him. His favorite part of Disneyland was coming back to the hotel and running around. He is such a cutie!

First Christmas!

2011-01-15T19:23:00.002-08:00

Christmas was really fun this year! Ryan's whole family was able to come out and spend the holiday with us. We had Grandma, Uncle Chad and Aunt Kayla, Uncle Preston, Uncle Taylor and Aunt Madi along with everyone on the other side.

Christmas Eve we picked up everyone from the airport (except Preston who was already here) and hung out for most of the day. We did wait in line for an hour and a half to see Santa at the mall. Sam thought he was interesting, but unfortunately the photographer wasn't very good and didn't get a cute shot. Oh well, there is always next year! At night we went to San Ramon to look at Christmas lights and then headed to my Grandma's house in Mountain View for dessert. There were a ton of people in a tiny space, but we had a lot of fun. Sam got some really fun toys and he got to play with his cousin Grace (my cousin's daughter). They had a lot of fun climbing up and down the stairs. I didn't think Sam cared too much about Christmas, but when we got home I opened some of his toys and the excitement on his face was priceless!! We spent the rest of the night playing Santa.

We spent Christmas morning with Ryan's side of the family. We had a delicious breakfast (thanks Gail!), opened stockings and then presents. Sam got a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, some sippy cups, an awesome wagon, a toy box and many other things. His favorite gift was the toothbrush in his stocking. He held onto that thing the whole morning. He also loves his car and wagon though, he loves anything that will get him outside!

After that we headed over to my parents to spend Christmas with my Dad's side of the family. We got more presents! and ate more good food! I got lots of clothes which is all I wanted and Ryan got some clothes and a drill. He has been wanting manly tools for a while so he was happy. The rest of the day we spent hanging out and playing. It was relaxing and so much fun. It was great to have both sides of the family there to hang out with Sam. He LOVED the attention.

New Tricks...

2011-01-15T19:23:00.001-08:00

Sam has learned some new tricks recently. First, he learned how to knock on things. Then, he learned how to give a fist bump (he's really good with his fists). You can ask him to give you a fist bump from across the room and he will ball up his little fist and stick his arm out as he walks over to you. It always looks like his fist is pulling him toward you. He's so cute!

Then, he learned how to clap, but it was a long road. He started beating his fist into his palm like he was going to beat someone up. I was a little worried that I was raising a bully. Finally, we were playing with his basketball hoop and when he pressed the button the song came on and he did his little beat down thing. I realized then that he was trying to clap. We worked on it a little after that and he finally got the hang of it. Gommie even taught him how to do patty cake.

He also tries to say "out" and "all done." They pretty much sound the same, but as his Mom, I can tell the difference. Lastly, he knows how to say please...kind of. When he wants to drink what you are drinking he will say "Ahh" really loud and really angrily. If you ask him to say please, he will say "Ah" much quieter and nicer. I'm still not sure if we are raising a polite young man or a monstrous little bully. Either way he is adorable and we plan on keeping him around for a while!

Thanksgiving

2011-01-15T19:23:00.000-08:00

We spent Thanksgiving with my Mom's side of the family at my Uncle's house. There was a lot of good food. Mmm I am partial to Turkey, stuffing, yams, and my Aunt's really good jello. Did I say mmm? Sam had fun running around and playing with his toys. There were some appetizers on the coffee table including cheese and crackers and that was pretty much Sam's Thanksgiving dinner. They were right at his height. He basically ate all the crackers and a couple of olives. By the time it was time for dinner, he didn't want anything. It was really good though and the pies were AMAZING!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. We are really grateful for the things we have. We know there are many less fortunate than us and although it's been a tough year, Thanksgiving is a good time to remember how blessed we are.

Halloween

2010-12-17T20:36:00.008-08:00

Time to play catch up!

Halloween was low key. Friday night we had my family over to carve pumpkins. They all turned out awesome!

Sunday, we had my family over again. Sam dressed up like a bat. He was super cute. We went trick-or-treating at a couple of apartments just to say we did and to get pictures. Not many people were in to Halloween around here. We had one trick-or-treater...kinda lame, but it was all good.

Sam chose this weekend to take off. He has been walking for a little while, but he really got the hang of it. He wanted to walk anywhere and everywhere. He couldn't get enough which made getting pictures tough. He was definitely the cutest walking bat I have ever seen!!

Jobs

2010-11-01T21:32:00.002-07:00

So here is the story of my job situation. It has been an interesting road. Here it goes.
A couple of months ago I found myself shadowing a plastic surgeon as part of the interview process. I was told by the nurse that they liked me on the first day. I was excited, but for some reason I never felt super great about the job. The hours were great and it would be good experience, but something didn't feel right. Anyway a week or two later they gave me the job and although I struggled with the decision, I decided to take it. New grad nursing jobs are hard to find these days and there was someone finally willing to take me on. Secretly, though, I hoped that Washington Hospital would hire me and I could leave after only a month or two (that never happened).
I started the job right away and soon figured out why I had that bad feeling. I was the only nurse and basically left alone to figure things out. I was told that the doctor was famous for training, but I didn't receive much training. Mostly, I would try to figure things out on my own and when I did something wrong I was yelled at. I felt very low. I would come home and go over and over my mistakes in my mind. I'm not going to lie, I was depressed. I hated my job. The doctor and his OR tech didn't do much talking so I basically sat in silence all day trying not to kill the patient. I did not think it was very fair that I was learning by trial and error at the patient's expense. I felt uncomfortable with the whole situation, but I wanted experience. Also, I was told that I would be working Mon-Wed and I was getting one day a week if I was lucky. We needed more money. More depression.
They were giving me a 90 day trial. At the end of 90 days they could walk away from me or I from them with no problems. After that they wanted a 2 year commitment...a commitment I prayed I would not have to make. I kept looking for jobs on craigslist and on hospital websites. I sent my resume to a lot of random places and never really expected to hear back from anyone.
Luckily, about 2 weeks before my 90 days was up, I received a phone call from a plastic surgery center in Pleasanton. They wanted to interview me the next day. I didn't expect much and I didn't really want to go. I didn't know much about it, but it's not like my nursing goals have focused on plastic surgery. I went. I met with the office administrator (who was really nice) and one of the doctors. I was offered a job on the spot. They had some nurses leaving and they were excited for "new blood." After the interview, I still didn't know much about the job but I talked with Ryan and we decided that I would like ANYTHING more than the job I already had.
I gave my 2 weeks notice the next Monday for my job in Fremont. The doctor said he understood that I needed more hours (that's pretty much all I told him), but his wife (who hired me) was not so happy. She tried to guilt trip me into staying because Nov-Dec are their busiest months. I held strong and decided not to work even on an as needed basis. There is something about them that I just don't feel comfortable being around.
I started my new job the next day and worked both jobs for the next two weeks. After the first day at the new job I knew I would like it A LOT more. There are other nurses to teach me. People socialize. The doctors are doctors but they are nice. I get paid slightly better. I get a few more hours. But most importantly, I am much happier. I don't spend my days off depressed. I can get more done (although I still take two naps with Sam-mmm naps are nice). I have finally started exercising again. I am my old self.
I still want to progress in my nursing career. I want to work at a hospital. I want to be in labor and delivery. But this job will get me in without making me miserable. I am grateful for the experience at the first job. It taught me some very important life lessons, gave me some nursing skills, and without the experience there, they would not have hired me at the new place. There is some good in everything. I am just glad that experience has passed! And if you need plastic surgery, I know some good surgeons!!

9 months!

2010-10-05T21:32:00.014-07:00

I could of had another baby by now! Okay, maybe not. But we sure love the one we have. He is getting bigger and smarter every day and we love watching him. Here is the 9 month update:

Weight: 20 lbs 6 oz (52nd percentile)
Height: 28.5 in (65th percentile)
Head Circ: 47.5 cm (96th percentile)

Likes: Pulling up on everything, eating mommy and daddy's food, getting into drawers/cupboards/closets/etc., his daddy, drinking out of a cup, cheerios, bath time, being outside, looking at the wild turkeys that walk through our apartment complex, HIS BOTTLE (apparently he gets that from his mother), pulling the nightlight out of the outlet, chewing/sucking on cords, THE TV REMOTE, cell phones, kissing, banging on tables with his hands, his mommy, putting random things such as plastic/carpet/leaves in his mouth, banging on everything with the rockband drumsticks, peek-a-boo, going to the doctor, attempting to walk, pulling all the toilet paper off the roll, THE DISHWASHER, reading and ripping books

Dislikes: diaper changes, putting clothes on, going to sleep, being in his carseat, falling and hitting his head on the coffee table 100 times everyday, teething, playing with his toys, his high chair, being left alone

New Events:
He has his first tooth coming in on the bottom
He can say "Mom"(usually when he isn't happy), "Dada", "hi" and maybe "bye bye"
He can wave bye bye
He can stand by himself
The dishwasher and the bath are the only things he comes running for (okay, crawling really fast)
He kissed a girl on her first birthday at church
First trip to Mommy and Daddy's favorite spot, Pacific Grove

Sam,
You just keep getting bigger and smarter everyday. I don't know where my little peanut went, although I still catch a glimpse of him when you fall asleep in my arms. I hope you know how much we love you. We can't believe how smart you are. You surprise us everyday. We love how excited you get when the dishwasher is open, when you hear the bath water and when your daddy comes home. We love how you open your mouth and let out an "AW" when you want us to feed you what we are eating. We love how proud you look every time we clap for you. We love your head full of hair, you chubby feet and your little fingers. We love how we can see our brain work as you try to figure out how to get into trouble. We love how you are addicted to the remote control and our cell phones. We love how your first words were "mom" and "dada". Well, let's be honest, there isn't much we don't love about you. We want you to know how much we love you. You make us smile no matter what you do. We love having you as part of our family and even though we miss our little newborn peanut, we love watching you through every new stage of your life. Muah!
Love,
Mom & Dad

Oh man...

2010-09-30T11:23:00.010-07:00

You know how you get behind on blogging and then catching up seems like the most daunting task ever...yeah, well, that's where I am. I am going to try to catch you up briefly so that we can get to Sam's 9 month update.

First, we went to Arizona in August (I know, who would do that?). Ryan's brother Preston came home from his mission in the Dominican Republic. Sam got to meet his Uncle for the first time. It was fun to see them together. We had a good time with friends and family and even got to go out on a date night!

Sam was also kind enough to save some tricks for his Grandma. While we were there he started pulling himself up on everything and sitting up on his own. What a booger!

Right before we left I got a job as an RN at a cosmetic surgery center. Ryan refers to it as my "boob job." We do a lot of nose jobs, some boob jobs, face lifts, tummy tucks, liposuction...you know, cosmetic surgery stuff. It is not my ideal job. I really would love to work in a hospital, but since the jobs for nurses are few and far between right now it's something. It is Mon-Wed, no weekends or holidays which is also nice. However, I have learned recently that I only work when there is work and unfortunately there isn't much right now. We need the money and so the job hunt continues...

In the past couple of months Sam finally learned how to crawl normal. And not just that, he has learned how to crawl fast. It is hard to keep up with him!

About a month ago Ryan and I (and Sam) got our own apartment in Dublin. It has two bedrooms and two baths. The area is beautiful and we have great neighbors. We have just about finished getting everything moved in and in the right place. I am so excited to meet people in the ward as well. It is a new beginning for us and we are sooo excited!

Another major event for Sam: his first haricut! His hair was hanging over his ears and he almost had a little rat tail in the back so we felt like it was time to get it cut. He loved wearing the penquin drape and getting his hair wet. He was really good and of course, super cute. It's only been about a month and he already needs it cut again. He is one hairy boy!

Other than that we are just trying to enjoy our new place as a family and get use to a new schedule. It's been exhausting, but fun!

6 months!

2010-07-17T21:28:00.006-07:00

I can't believe my baby is 6 months old. I know we are a little late, but Ryan has been working on a video for your (and mostly our) enjoyment. Here are the 6 month stats:

Height: 27" (60th percentile)
Weight: 17lbs 6oz (48th percentile)
Head Circ: 17 3/4in (75th percentile)

He has hit all his milestones and the Dr. says he is perfect!

Likes: Wiggling, holding his own bottle, high pitched screaming, being tickled, army crawling, playing with toys, smiling at everyone, eating carrots, pooping while in interesting places, eye glasses, long hair, swimming, taking baths, drinking water with a sippy cup, car rides (sometimes), flying, hiding under blankets and behind pillows, peek-a-boo, getting milk all over his face, the bed (and Mom), spitting.

Dislikes: going to sleep...ever, sitting still, nurses who give shots slowly, deep voices, bibs, loud songs, peaches, being hot.

Sam, we love you. You have learned to do so much in the last couple of months and are becoming quite the independent big boy. We are so glad that you can hold your own bottle. It helps us get more done! We have also enjoyed watching you figure out how to get places. First, you rolled from place to place and now you have mastered the army crawl. We are both excited and a little nervous for you to really get going though. We will be grateful for the exercise, but please stay away from the pool and any cleaning products that may be around. We love when you talk to us, smile, and the way you have to hold both of our fingers when you are falling asleep. We love your endless energy, athough we would appreciate a nap every now and then! We love that wind or water in your face takes your breath away and that you can make anyone smile back at you. Mom loves how happy you get at the end of the day when your Dad finally gets home and Dad loves how you can sleep forever in your Mom's arms. It is amazing how fast you are growing up. You learn something new everyday and we are happy to be with you as you experience the world for the first time. Seeing everything through your eyes makes life so simple. Always remember to take joy in the simple things and don't grow up too fast!!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Ryan's First Father's Day

2010-06-29T10:47:00.002-07:00

Father's Day was really fun. I had a good time surprising Ryan with presents and spending the day celebrating what an awesome father he is.

My Mom and I made french toast, sausage and eggs for my Dad and Ryan in the morning. Then, we opened presents. I had taken Sam to a picture place in the mall to get shots of him wearing a "My daddy is the best civil engineer in the whole world" shirt. I bought a bunch of them and put one in a frame for Ryan's office. He had no idea and he loved it. I also got him some cologne that he had been asking for.

Then, we had some family and friends over for a BBQ and swimming. We took Sam in the water for the first time (minus his baths) and he loved it. I definitely think he is a California water baby!! We even dunked him under water. I don't think he would have minded so much except that by the time we did it, he was tired and cranky. He made the saddest face when Ryan brought him back up. Poor little guy.

After swimming, the 3 of us were exhausted so we caught a quick nap before dinner. Dinner was delicious! We had steak, shrimp, salad and potatoes. Then, we finished the night off with some Beatles Rock Band.

All in all I think it was a great first Father's Day for Ryan.

I would also like to say thank you to my amazing father. He taught me what being a good father was all about and is the reason I was able to pick such a wonderful husband and father for myself and my baby. I love you Dad!!

Chad and Kayla's Wedding

2010-06-29T10:32:00.005-07:00

Considering this was over a month ago, I am a little behind. In May we were able to fly out to Arizona for Ryan's brother's wedding. It was a fun a totally exhausting weekend.

We flew out Thursday afternoon. Sam was once again an angel on the flight. He slept the whole way. In fact, the flight was full and so naturally people were trying to avoid us and our baby. Too bad he didn't make a sound the whole flight and the guy behind us rambled on and on about how great he was. Anyway we made it to Arizona and checked into out hotel. That night we picked up Ryan's Dad and brother and went to see Madi play softball. She is awesome! My parent's flew in that night as well.

Friday was the wedding at the Mesa temple. It was a really nice ceremony and it was fun to see them so happy. However, they got married at 4pm and it was beyond hot when it was time for pictures. Because of this Sam didn't last very long. We did get in a few family shots though. After the ceremony we went to a family dinner. There was a nice program where parents and siblings shared the things they love about Chad and Kayla. By then it had cooled down, so it was very enjoyable.

Saturday was the reception. It was beautiful. They had a lemon tree theme and the colors were coral, lemon yellow and green. It turned out great. There was lots of candy, icecream, cookies and any other junk food you can think of. Sam wore his tux and got to be in a lot of the photos. The tux was definitely a hit! It was really fun to celebrate a new family by talking to family and friends, eating delicious food, and enjoying your typical wedding activities (first dance, cake cutting, flower toss, garter toss, etc.).

Sunday morning we had breakfast with our friends the Groves at our hotel and then headed back to the airport to go home. I had such a non alcoholic hangover from the weekend. We had a great time and are so happy to welcome Kayla into the Merrell family. It's always good to have more girls! Congratulations Chad and Kayla!!

Are those mine?

2010-05-24T15:38:00.004-07:00

About a month ago Sam discovered his toes. He would lift them up, spread out his toes and stare at them forever and ever. Well on Thursday, May 20, 2010 he finally got them. Now he won't let go. He tries to get them in his mouth, but so far no luck.

Mmmm...that's some good eatin!

2010-05-24T15:35:00.004-07:00

May 15, 2010
Sam started solid food today. The doctor said to start around 5 months, but I started him on rice cereal a little early with the hope that he would sleep better through the night. I haven't decided if that worked yet. I think he really likes the idea of eating with a spoon, but I don't think he likes the taste of rice cereal.

Madness

2010-05-24T15:23:00.002-07:00

So may is a fun time. We have my birthday, Mother's day, our anniversary and Nurse's week all within like 5 days. It was a good time for me and a very stressful time for Ryan.
For my birthday Ryan bought me a sewing machine which was awesome. I really want to learn how to use it and I am hoping to have time in the near future. Ryan and I got to go on a date and decided to see Iron Man 2. We were a little disappointed...it was cheesy, but we had fun nonetheless. The we went out to eat at a Mexican Bistro and bought cheesecake from the Cheesecake factory. The food was okay and the cheesecake was delicious. It was a very relaxing birthday and I loved every minute.
The next day was Mother's Day. My Dad made me a birthday/Mother's day breakfast (which was yummy) and then we went to church. Then, we went to Channing House (where my Grannie lives) and had a big lunch/dinner. They brought me cupcakes in the shape of an ice cream cone too. Mmmm...I also got a cute little heart keychain from my mom and a picture frame from Ryan. Another good day!
Our anniversary was on a Tuesday so Ryan had to work. When he came home we got take-out from Olive Garden and enjoyed it in front of the t.v. It was nice for a weekday. We planned to treat ourselves later in Arizona. I will say that I love my husband and it has been a wonderful 3 years. Adding a baby to the family has been exhausting, but it is the greatest thing either of us has ever done. Ryan is a great father and an even better husband. He loves us both and would do anything for us. I couldn't ask for anything more!!
Maybe next year I will celebrate Nurse's Week at a job...

Rollin...rollin....rollin

2010-05-24T15:21:00.004-07:00

May 10, 2010

I kept telling Sam that all I wanted for Mother's Day was for him to roll over. He tried so hard, but just couldn't do it. However, the day after Mother's Day he was successful. The first time he did it we thought it was a fluke and then he did it 3 more times. It is amazing to see our little peanut do new things. We love him to death!

4 Month Update!

2010-05-07T12:37:00.004-07:00

When we went to have Sam checked again on Monday, he was doing so much better that they did his well baby check up. He again screamed himself to sleep because he was in pain... Anyway, here are the facts.

Height: 25 in, 50th percentile
Weight: 14lb 4oz, 25-50th percentile
Head Circumference: 42 1/2 cm, 25-50th percentile

Likes: Sucking on his fingers and fists, eating, fighting with his burp rag or blanket, playing with his ball, grabbing hair and everything else he can, going outside, being held, standing up, smiling at everyone, being handsome, looking at his Dad, flying and bouncing, being naked, splashing during bath time, his cloth diapers, watching his toes.

Dislikes: sleeping through the night, the doctor, nebulizers, the sun shining in his eyes, being sick, tummy time (unless spongebob is involved), shots.

He has grown so much in the last 4 months. It's incredible. I love watching him grow and learn new things. I love his smile and his happy little personality.

Sam, your Mom and Dad love you so much. It has been a crazy four months with you in our lives but we have loved every minute of it. You have taught us patience in every way, shape and form. We love your smile and the way you make us laugh with every new thing you do. Please don't stop!

bronchiolitis...

2010-05-07T12:22:00.003-07:00

I know there haven't been many posts lately. That is because we made it through our first cold and it was intense. Here is the recap.

Monday: We noticed Sam had a pretty nasty cold. He had a bad cough and was stuffed up. We weren't too concerned but called the doctor because he was supposed to have his 4 month shots on Friday. Because of the shots the doctor had us come in. Just what we thought, a cold. He screamed himself to sleep which was unusual, but we weren't too worried because he was a little sick.

Tuesday: I noticed Sam was really congested and was purring like a cat/snorting like a pig. It just wasn't normal. So me, being the recently graduated nurse, took out my stethoscope and his lungs sounded like crap (yes, that is the technical term). I called the nurse at the Doctor's office and she said he would be fine. Just put saline drops in his nose and keep him elevated. I wasn't convinced, but I know I am paranoid so I took her advice. Later that night, the congestion and wheezing got worse and Sam was again screaming. It was too late to take him to the doctor and I didn't think it was quite bad enough for the ER AND none of the urgent care facilities were open anymore so we called the on-call nurse...again. She said to put him in the bathroom and fill it with steam, put saline drops in his nose, give him a warm bath, let him drink some warm liquids and that if he was wheezing he should be seen the next day. We tried most of that and he finally fell asleep.

Wednesday: We brought him to the doctor early because I was super paranoid. Everything you learn in nursing school emphasizes how important breathing is. The doctor heard the wheezing (I wasn't crazy) and decided to give him albuterol via a nebulizer. He screamed the whole time we were at the doctor and I was wondering where oh where did my happy baby go? The treatment did not make all the wheezing go away so we got our very own nebulizer (yay! more crap) to take home so we could do treatments every 4 hours.

Thursday: They wanted to check him again. He was still wheezing so they said to continue the albuterol and come back on Monday.

Monday: The wheezing was barely there and Sam was already a much happier baby.
It was a tough week and Sam was kind enough to share his cold with Mom and Dad. I am very glad we made it through alive and that I have my happy baby back who does not scream himself to sleep every night. That and the breathing issues were the worst part. I must say, it's hard being a parent.

Going green...

2010-03-30T15:48:00.005-07:00

Anybody who knows me knows that I have an obsession with going green. If I could afford it I would own a prius, have a totally green house and never use plastic bottles again. Since I found out I was pregnant, my obsession has resulted in endless research of cloth diapers. The thought of saving money has also helped me with this decision. Right before we left for Arizona I found the cloth diaper system that I liked and convinced Ryan to let me buy all the necessary accessories so we could cloth diaper exclusively (I think he, along with the rest of my family, was just sick of hearing me talk about it). I was so excited when we came back and I had everything I needed. I started cloth diapering the next day!

I am using the flip diaper system which I love. I don't need as many diaper covers with this system which makes the whole process cheaper and yet it is still super easy. I also have cloth wipes and a little home made solution that I put on them to make them wet and slightly soapy. I have a small garbage pail lined with a wet bag in our room to keep the dirty diapers in and so far I don't smell anything unless I open it. I have enough diapers to last about 4 days, but wash diapers every 3.

I know that was way too much information, but I know some people are interested. So far, I am in love with cloth diapers and I think everyone should use them. They are better for the environment, your baby's butt and your wallet!

Be sure to turn up the volume:

ARIZONA

2010-03-30T15:20:00.006-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, Ryan and I got got sick and tired of waiting around for people to call about jobs. We were both checking email 100 times a day and jumping every time the phone rang. We kept waiting and waiting and nothing ever happened, so we decided at the last minute to got to Arizona. Ryan's Mom and sister were off for Spring break so we figured it would be a good time to visit.

The first day we drove to LA and stayed with my sister for a night. Jillian and Kevin were really nice to let us crash on their floor for a night. It was also nice to see them. We ate food and watched TV. For some reason though Sam wasn't really in the mood to sleep (most likely because he slept the whole car ride) so we got up early, ate at Denny's and headed to Arizona. It was a boring drive, but again Sam slept pretty much the entire ride so we made it pretty quickly.

We got to Arizona late Friday afternoon and just hung out with Ryan's Mom and sister because we were exhausted. Oh, I guess the highlight of Friday was that Sam got to met his Uncle Chad for the first time. Because Chad is getting married soon everyone has been looking at old pictures. Right now Sam looks just like Chad when he was a baby. It is really funny to see.

On Saturday we were fortunate to hang out with our favorite friends. We had lunch at Paradise (my favorite) with Anne and Steve and then dinner with Danny and Karen. We got to see both of their new houses and had a really good time catching up and showing off our cute little boy. Sunday we planned on going to church, but Sam's schedule was all messed up and we were too tired. Instead we just hung out and relaxed. Sam got to hang out with Madi while Ryan and I took a nap. Thanks Aunt Madi!

Monday we went to visit Gail at the library so she could show off her Grandbaby. Then, Madi took us to a really yummy frozen yogurt place. I had chocolate yogurt with gummy bears and blueberries. Mmm I know it sounds weird, but it was sooo good. Later that night we went and watched Madi play softball. She is an amazing pitcher and I think the final score was 10-0. We had a good time watching and cheering her on.

Tuesday...we drove back. It was a short trip, but Ryan was anxious to get back to the job hunt. Despite the long drive and short trip it was just what we needed to get our minds off the job market for a few days. Plus, Sam got to hang out with the Merrell's which he thoroughly enjoyed. We can't wait to go back for Chad and Kayla's wedding in May! Hopefully, we will be able to fly though!!

First Trip to the Ocean

2010-03-13T20:58:00.008-08:00

I have been doing nothing but sitting around taking care of Sam while Ryan has been looking for jobs. I have been really bored and whiney. Anyway, because of this Ryan and I decided to do something exciting this weekend. We planned to go to Santa Cruz for the day, but that didn't happen. I wasn't feeling well and Sam has a cold. The poor kid has been snorting and coughing and is a little crankier than usual. However, later in the day I was feeling a little better so we decided to get out for a while. We drove to Half Moon Bay so that Sam could see the ocean for the first time. Since I am very paranoid about RSV and other such diseases Sam was bundled up excessively. Even if Ryan and I weren't warm, Sam sure was.

We took him down to the sand (which was quite adventurous) and then went for a walk along the beach. Usually we are met with heavy fog when we go to Half Moon Bay so we were pleasantly surprised when it was really sunny and beautiful today. As the sun went down we splurged a little bit and had dinner outside at a restaurant with a front row view to the water and the amazing sunset. It was a great last minute trip and Sam loved the water. He may have been born in Utah, but he is definitely a California boy!

Long Overdue

2010-03-07T20:04:00.013-08:00

I know, I know. This post is looong overdue as usual. A lot of things have been going on and now I have to catch everyone up. My goal is to write more often. We will see if that's possible.

Well a month after Sam was born Ryan and I packed up all our stuff and moved to California. I was really nervous about going on the plane by myself with Sam but he did great. I had heard that it is good to feed babies while you take off and land to help their ears pop. So I force fed him on the way up while he was falling asleep and then he slept the entire time. He didn't wake up until we got to my parent's house. It was awesome! Then Ryan drove out the next day with his friend and now here we are, in California! The hills are green and the weather is nice!

Ryan is working hard to find a job. Unfortunately, the job market is crappy right now. No one is hiring at the moment. Everyone is waiting to get more work in the Spring. Everyone is hopeful so we are trying to be as well. He has a couple connections and a couple leads so maybe something will come of it. Other than hunting for jobs he is trying to take care of all our hospital bills and insurance problems. Nothing is ever easy! He also spends time taking care of me and Sam which I greatly appreciate. He is a wonderful husband and father and we love him a lot!!

I have been busy being a mom. It's hard to stay on top of everything, but I am learning. I have also been busy studying for the nursing boards. I was so nervous about taking them that I didn't tell many people that I had scheduled a date. I took it this last week and passed! I even got an official RN license card. It feels really good! The screen went blank after the minimum number of questions (75) and the lady told me that I had taken it faster than anyone she had ever seen. Both of those things made me sure that I was the first one at BYU to fail in 75 questions. I guess I got a good education at BYU because they prepared me well. All my hard work in school has paid off....well maybe when I get a job. That is the next step. Soon I plan on looking for work so that we can make money and buy ah house one day.

Sam is doing great. He is getting so big and we love every minute we spend with him. He has already changed so much. He was born skinny because of a lack of nutrition in the womb. Now he has a beer belly and eats like a little piggy. He is smiling and even sleeping through the night...well at least for 4-7.5 hours at a time. He also loves to talk to us when he is happy. We are trying to get it on camera, but for the most part when we get the it out he stares at the light and stops talking. He has been on his first airplane ride, goes to church, had his first shots and loves to run errands with his Mom and Dad. He also loves baths now which is a big change from when he was first born. He used to scream when we would undress him and put him in the tub. Now he can't get enough. It seems like he could stay in the water forever. He tries to drink the water and has just started to splash us. He poops, burps and farts like a champ and is preparing me for a life with boys! Those are all of the highlights I can think of right now. Like I said I am going to try to blog more because I would like to document the fun things that go on with our cute little baby. We will see!

Anyway we need jobs so if you know anyone who is a nurse or a civil engineer, hook us up! Other than that life is good. We love being parents. We are exhausted and our clothes are soaked in spit-up but we love every minute and are so blessed to have this beautiful boy in our lives. I am also very blessed to have parents that are basically supporting us while we look for jobs in this crappy market. Thanks Mom and Dad!!

Samuel Ryan Merrell

2010-01-03T10:23:00.009-08:00

The Birth Story!!

Here is the story that I know you have all been waiting for. On Tuesday afternoon Ryan and I went into the midwives office for our weekly checkup. The baby's stress test was great and I had plenty of amniotic fluid, but his growth percentile fell below 10 percent. (For those of you who don't know, we have been monitoring his growth since 36 weeks when they found he was not growing properly and had a small abdomen, for the last few weeks we have been waiting for a bad test or for my cervix to be ripe, either would warrent an induction) Anyway the ultrasonographer told us he was in the 9th percentile so we waited to see what the midwife would say. When she walked into the room she told us that we had won ourselves an induction that night. Sooo Ryan and I went home, called our families, cleaned and did laundry and headed to the hospital around 7:30pm.

They got us all checked in, asked me a million questions and started me on cytotec to "soften" my cervix. I was slightly dilated (2) and effaced (70%) but they wanted me further along before they induced. I was grateful for that because I did not want a c-section! They gave me 4 doses of the drug throughout the night and I started contracting. The night was terrible. I couldn't sleep because the bed was uncomfortable and my back was killing (I had been having really bad back problems all week) but by the morning I was a 3 and 80% effaced so they started the induction.

Although my plan was to go natural, things changed quickly when the pitocin was started. The contractions were not spacing out so I was constantly cramping. The main source of my pain was coming from my back though and I couldn't get up and walk around. I decided not to suffer and asked for an epidural. Getting the epidural was not fun, but my legs went numb and I stopped feeling the contractions. I could still feel my back so after they gave the epidural adequate time to work, they re-dosed me. The anesthesiologist was amazing and finally I was able to get some rest. About that time my family showed up. They took the first flight out in the morning after they found out about the induction. It was so nice to have them there!! Anyway after that we just waited. Finally I started to change every hour. Then I got to a 5.5 and the next hour I was at a 9. It was awesome!! After another hour I was ready to push.

This is when the fun started. I started pushing and everything was great for a little while. Then, surprise, surprise my back started hurting again. At first it was just a little irritating, but soon it was too painful to take. I couldn't push anymore. Another anesthesiologist came in and gave me half a dose of something. It didn't work...so he gave me the other half...it still didn't work. I was writhing in pain and they suggested that I either get a spinal or that we use forceps to yank Sam out. I didn't want either because if forceps don't work, a c-section is the only option and the idea of a spianl scared me. Luckily, the first anesthesiologist came from home and was able to relieve my pain. He really was a life saver. Ryan helped me through it all as well by staying by my side and being prepared with ice! I started pushing again....more pain...again unbearable...had to stop pushing. Another re-dose of the epidural medication. The midwife called the doctor and we had him discuss the risks of forceps. I gave in. Three pushes and a pair of forceps later and SAM WAS HERE!!

He was born at 9:33 pm on December 30th. He weighed 6 lbs and 5 oz and was 19.5 inches. Although everything else looked good, he had a little trouble breathing so they took him to the nursery right away. That was hard for me because I barely got to look at him. They brought him back about an hour later and I finally got to hold my baby!! I had been waiting my whole life for this moment and it was amazing. I am still in shock that he is mine.

We had a lot of minor problems while in the hospital, but the Lord was watching out for us and everything resolved. We are finally home and working on eating. I love my adorable new baby and the wonderful man I married. He could not be more helpful and is the most amazing father. Yay for family.

Puzzle!!

2009-12-27T20:18:00.005-08:00

Now that school is over, Ryan and I don't have anything to do. Last week we went into overdrive and got everything ready for the baby so now we are really bored. I broke down on Christmas and cried of boredom (I think it had to do with missing family as well). Anyway in an attempt to keep me happy, we went out on Saturday and bought some puzzles. Ryan made this video for your (actually, mostly our) enjoyment. The song is Carol of the Bells by August Burns Red.
If you're lucky, the next post will be about the baby, but for now this is our entertainment!!

Baby Shower and the Aftermath!

2009-11-22T13:56:00.008-08:00

Last weekend my friend Emilia had a baby shower for me in California. It was tons of fun and a lot of people came. It was good to be back in Fremont and to see all my friends and family. We had amazing food, played fun games and of course opened a million presents. Everyone we know is very generous and we are extremely grateful.
This weekend Ryan and I decided to avoid homework and get ready for the baby. We have been planning to get things ready over Thanksgiving before we are overwhelmed with finals, but of course, we did all the exciting stuff on the first day of vacation (actually it's only vacation for me, ryan still has 2 more days of school). We were lucky to have a $100 gift card to IKEA that Ryan's boss gave him after his internship this summer. With the card we were able to buy a little dresser and a cute turtle clothes hamper. We came home and I washed all the baby clothes while Ryan put the dresser together. Then we organized and took pictures. I think we had way too much fun! We can't wait to meet the little guy and we are trying to be as prepared as possible. We hope you enjoy the pictures!!

Quick Update...

2009-09-30T19:05:00.002-07:00

I know..I am super lame at blogging. I just hate writing so much. Anyway I just thought I would leave all you blog stalkers with a short update of our lives.
Ryan: Ryan is working hard in school so he can finally graduate in Civil Engineering. For the most part he loves his classes and thank goodness for that because he spends all day, everyday on campus going to class and doing homework. Other than that he is applying for jobs and preparing for the big engineering test he has to take at the end of October. Oh and he is anxiously awaiting the arrival of "his" son!
Kim: I am also working my butt off so I can graduate in Nursing. I have every minute of every day scheduled down to the minute until December 10th. I have classes all day Thursday and work at the hospital in labor and delivery (which I love) 2-3 times a week. I also have to complete 40 hours of a project for a community class and am still nannying when I can. It's been really busy but I love it and I am learning a lot. Every day in the hospital I get a taste of what I will be going through in January and have even been able to work with some of the midwives that will be delivering our baby. It's been a great experience.
Baby: The baby is growing. According to the babycenter website he is about 14 inches long and almost 2 pounds! He is also a lot more active. He beats me up from the inside around the clock, although I feel him the most at night when I am trying to sleep. Ryan has also felt him a couple times, but usually as soon as Ryan comes near me, the baby stops moving. He is already messing with his father.
Well that is our lives right now. I am very grateful that September is over and am counting down the days until graduation, Christmas and the baby!!!

Happy Birthday Jillian!

2009-08-23T17:45:00.004-07:00

Friday was my sister's 27th birthday!! and I just want to wish her a Happy Birthday on our blog. My sister has been through a lot in the last couple of years and I don't know how she does it. She is really strong and I admire her for that. I hope she knows how much we love her and are grateful for her. She is going to make one awesome aunt to our baby boy!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER! I LOVE YOU!!

It's a......BOY!!!!

2009-08-23T17:36:00.006-07:00

Okay so I know that most of you already know that we are having a boy, but I am still super excited so I thought I would post about it. Last week we were lucky enough to have both my parents, and Ryan's mother out to Utah for our big Ultrasound. My sister was supposed to come too, but couldn't due to some medical issues. However, by the miracle of technology she was able to be there via webcam which was awesome. I am so glad she didn't miss out.

My Mom and Dad came out Wednesday night and my Mom and I spent all of Thursday shopping for maternity clothes. They are still a little big on me, but they are a whole lot more comfortable than my regular clothes. Friday morning Ryan picked his mom up from the airport and we all went to Zupas for lunch. We had to stay there for over an hour because we were early for our appointment.

Anyway, FINALLY it was time to see our little baby. I have only been waiting for this moment my whole life!! We set up the webcam for Jillian and then all crowded around the screen to watch the little guy. We got to see all his major organs and even a profile shot (he was covering his ears, I guess we were a little too loud for him). We also caught him sucking his thumb!! He will never live that one down. Then she showed us his little boy parts. I could not believe it. I think I would have been in shock either way, but it was really surreal. We are so excited to welcome a baby boy in January. We really couldn't be happier.

After the ultrasound we went out and bought the baby some presents. He is already well loved!!

Some thoughts...

2009-07-25T18:49:00.003-07:00

This weekend I had a thought (which is a rare occurence since this whole pregnancy thing started). Anyway here it goes..
---The mother may carry the child for nine months, but it's the father that carries the mother---
Okay so I know it's super cheesy, but I really am grateful for my husband. For the first couple months of this pregnancy Ryan basically had to take over all the cleaning and a lot of the cooking. Now I have the energy to do those things but he is still helping me through this. He let's me sleep when I need to, he gives me back rubs when I am sore and he gets me food when I absolutely can't live without it. I could go on and on, but I will spare you the details and just say that I love my husband! (which is good, cause we're having a baby!!!)

So I have been thinking about the sex of my baby non-stop. I can't wait to find out what it is. I have been taking all sorts of crazy tests online and most of them say that I will have a girl...I'm still not convinced. Anyway I came across one method that only works if you have more than one child. So for those of you who do, I want to know if it holds true for you (mostly just because I am curious).
This comes off someone else's blog: "If this is your second child, look at the back of the neck of your first born. Does the hairline across the back of the neck go straight across, or come to a point? If the hairline goes straight across, your baby will be the same gender that your first born is. So, if your first born is a boy, you'll be having another boy. If the hairline goes to a point, your baby will be the opposite gender of what your firstborn is. So, if your first born is a boy, you'll be having a girl!"
Seriously let me know if this works in your house. It obviously won't work for me at the moment, but I think it is interesting.

Heartbeats!!

2009-06-13T15:42:00.006-07:00

Okay so we got our doppler and spent all day yesterday trying to find the baby's heartbeat. But no luck! Then, today we tried again and got lucky. The baby's heartbeat is a little quiet, but you can still tell how much faster it is. We recorded both of ours so that you can tell the difference.

Get Your Own Free Hypster.com Playlist.
We also made a quiz for everyone to take regarding general information about the baby. We know it's a little early, but we are first time parents. We are excited! We want a lot of people to take it so tell everyone you know (who knows us). And be sure to answer ALL the questions. Enjoy!!
Click Here to take survey

1st Prenatal Appointment!

2009-06-11T18:13:00.002-07:00

So Ryan and I had our first prenatal appointment this week. For the most part we answered and asked a lot of questions. However, we did get to hear our baby's heartbeat (170bpm). The midwife found my heartbeat 3 times before she found the baby's and I think both of hearts skipped a beat everytime we heard something. Finally, on the 4th try the beat was faster and definitely not mine anymore. It was the most reassuring sound. I have never heard anything so beautiful. Poor Ryan had no idea they were going to try to find the heartbeat but was so excited that they did. We even came home and ordered our own fetal doppler so that we can listen to our baby everyday! For me, the sound was more of a relief. There really is a baby in there and so far it is healthy!

Happy Birthday, Mother's Day and Anniversary!!!

2009-05-12T10:55:00.015-07:00

Ryan and I have had a busy couple of weeks. We are both working and taking one class this Spring and it has been pretty crazy. However, this last weekend took the cake when it comes to crazy!! Friday was my birthday and I spent 12 hours in the Pediatric ICU at Primary Children's Medical Center. Although it was sad to see these little children in the hospital, it made me appreciate my health.

Ryan picked me up from the hospital around 7 and we drove to Park City for our Anniversary weekend. I was looking forward to a really wonderful and relaxing weekend with my amazing husband, but I didn't know just how awesome it was going to be. Little did I know when we got there, that Ryan had already been there and was ready for me. I was so tired when I walked into our upgraded suite at the Marriott that I barely noticed all the things he did for me. Sitting on the table at the end of the hallway were birthday presents, a chocolate cake and beautiful red roses. AND there were rose petals scattered on the floor and the bed. I love my husband!! We opened presents (I got a waffle maker, a book about spices which I desperately need, bath salts, and some toe rings and ankelets) and ordered room service.

The next day we slept in, enjoyed and free breakfast and went to the outlet malls. We found Ryan a pair of Lucky jeans for 1/2 off !!! and a couple shirts for work. After that we laid around the hotel room until it was time for dinner. Ryan made reservations at a fancy restaurant (Chez Betty) which had the best banana dessert ever. Have I mentioned that I love my husband?! After dinner I made Ryan take me to the exercise room so I could use the elliptical and then we jumped into the pool. It was a very nice and relaxing day!

Mother's Day was a big day. Ryan and I had planned to surprise our families with the news that we are pregnant. We took a picture of the positive pregnancy test and wrote the due date under it with the computer. Then we put the picture in grandma frames we found. We also sent them grandma/grandpa/aunt/uncle onesies and bibs, and chocolates (for the shock). Right on schedule around 8 am Ryan's mom called screaming because she was soooo excited. Then we waited ALL day for my parents who didn't open theirs until 8pm. I think they were in shock, but excited nonetheless. Other than that Ryan and I spent Mother's Day lying around the hotel watching movies. I love hotels!!

Monday was our Anniversary. We worked all day and then I made an easy dinner. It was pretty lame but I can't complain too much after the wonderful weekend we had together!

We are excited to announce that we are expecting our first baby on January 3rd, 2010. By then we should be done with school and ready to move out of Utah. It's going to be busy but great!!

Rex Lee Run 2009

2009-03-14T20:03:00.007-07:00

Almost done!!

McKenzie, Whitney, Me

I found Rachel too!!

A couple weeks ago I was messing around on the BYU website and I saw that the Rex Lee Run was scheduled for today. Since races are so much more exciting than running on the treadmill, I decided to do the 10k (6.2 miles). I also love running for a good cause and all the money for this race goes toward cancer research. I talked to some people about running with me and found one taker, Whitney (she's in the nursing program with me). Whitney also found a friend from home at the beginning of the race (McKenzie) who wanted to run with us, but she ended up kicking our butts. The race started at 9 and it was FREEZING!! When I started running my legs were numb and they felt like dead weights..and after about a mile I was sure that I would have to stop at the medic tent because my hands had frostbite. Anyway the sun finally came out and the rest of the race was rather pleasant. I finished in about 58 minutes and 27 seconds which is about a 9.25 minute mile! (That's fast for me). I definitely think that a 10k is more my speed, a marathon was a bit much. Anyway, Ryan had an intramural basketball game at 9 and missed the beginning of the race, but because he is such a good husband he left his game in time to take pictures of us finishing. I love him! Anyway it was a good day and Ryan and I finished it off with a little shopping and dinner at Happy Sumo! Mmmm..

2009-02-16T20:21:00.005-08:00

IT'S HERE!! The long awaited blog post is finally here. I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post, we have been busy with school and all kinds of other things. Since it has been so long let me just update everyone on what has been going on in our lives.

First, the cat. When Ryan and I got back from Winter break a stray cat made himself at home in our apartment after following Ryan in from the dumpster. Even though we are not cat people, I have always had a soft heart for cute little animals so we fed him and tried to call the animal shelter but it was closed. Since we are both allergic we had to kick the little kittie out. That night he came back and we fell in love with him. He was jumping all over our furniture, cuddling up with ryan, and almost fell asleep right on our couch. It was late but we tried everyone we knew to see if we could find him a home. To our disappointment we had to kick him out again because we couldn't find anyone and we were both getting itchy and having a hard time breathing. It was so cold that we worried about him all night. We found out that another couple in our ward had found him and given him a home. However, we are not allowed to have pets where we live so we posted him online and finally found him a good home!!

Superbowl Sunday: This year we were really excited that the Cardinals made it to the superbowl. Ryan made cardinal cookies for our Sunday school class (even though it was fast sunday, but don't worry we made them to be taken home). He also made an incredible cake for our superbowl party. We had most of our good friends over and I made tons of food. We had a lot of fun despite their disappointing loss in the fourth quarter.

As far as school goes, I am in my fourth semester of nursing school which includes clinicals in both ICU and psych. I was not excited for either one, but have come to like each. ICU seems to be where everything comes together and illness throughout the body seems to make sense. Also, I was convinced that I would hate psych but I tried to be positive about it. Although my first day WAS horrible, the second day was amazing. I think I have a special place in my heart for psych patients. Things like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders are all incredibly hard things that people have to live with every day. I love to talk to them, hear their stories and watch how they make the best of things. It really is incredible. And inspiring. Ryan is still working on becoming a civil engineer. To his horror, he is taking microbiology this semester. It is one of the requirements of his program even though it doesn't have a whole lot to do with what he is studying. He hates it, but he's working hard at it. He is also taking a math class, judaism and the gospel, steel design and environmental engineering. Unfortunately, his really good job had to let him go at the beginning of the semester but we are hopeful he will find another one soon. He is also trying to find a job for after he graduates. We are hoping to move to California or Arizona to be close to our families.

Valentine's Day: We had a great Valentine's Day. Ryan bought me flowers, balloons, Sees chocolate, and massage oils. My parents, who have made Valentine's day special since boys were icky, sent us a gift card to Happy Sumo and chocolate covered strawberries. I got Ryan a nice basketball...it sounds lame but he loves it! Ryan and I went out early because trying to go to a restaurant on Valentine's Night in Provo is ridiculously stupid. Anyway we had an amazing lunch at Carraba's and then went and saw Confessions of a Shopaholic (yes, Ryan really does love me!).
After that we went home and enjoyed the rest of our night. We ate tons of chocolatey things and watched the NBA All Star game. This may not sound like every woman's dream, to watch the NBA all stars on Valentine's day, but for me it definitly was. You see I am not so secretly in love with Dwayne Wade and Dwight Howard.

From here on out, I promise I will try to be better at this posting things, but for now, enjoy!!

-this one's for you Rach-

Seattle Marathon

2008-12-07T22:34:00.013-08:00

A couple of months ago I decided to run a marathon. I'm not sure why because apparently running is not in my genes and I have never been much of a runner. Nonetheless I found a four month training program and a marathon that happened to be over Thanksgiving break. Training sucked, but the up side is that I can eat anything I want and not gain a pound. Anyway so last weekend Ryan and I, along with my parents, went to Seattle so I could run my first marathon. I have never been to Seattle so it was quite an adventure. The night before the big event, we went to the Westin hotel to pick up my bib, number, shirt and goodie bag. It was a little overwhelming with all the people there, but I was excited for the next morning. The night before I didn't sleep at all and to make matters worse, a drunk guy tried to break into our hotel room at about 4 in the morning!!

The race started at 8:15 am and the traffic was a little worse than we had expected so we parked and followed the mobs of people to the starting line. The race started and I was off. I ran the first 10 miles with no problem. We ran through the streets of dowtown Seattle and then across the floating bridge. Besides the thick fog that made it impossible to see past 5 feet in front of you, it was rather warm and perfect for running. After the 10th mile I stopped to eat my mid-race snack and made it to the half way mark. After that things got a little crappy. Apparently I did not bring the right thing to eat because I was nautious for the next 6 miles or so. However, some wonderfully amazing woman was passing out gummy bears at mile 20 and she saved my life. After that I got my second wind and ran to the end. Seeing the mile 26 marker was like the greatest gift I could ask for and even better was having my wonderful husband and my awesome parents at the finish line waiting for me. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of support and love they showed me even though I know they think I'm crazy. Because of all the walking in the middle I made it in about 5 hours and 47 minutes which isn't the best time, but now I know what to expect and I plan to run another one soon!! AND I can feel my legs again!!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-26T19:20:00.006-07:00

Happy Halloween!! Almost. This weekend we got to get ready for Halloween. Because I refused to buy pumpkins from the store, Ryan took me to the pumpkin patch where we picked the perfect pumpkins. I made him walk around until we made sure they were the right ones. That is the art of pumpkin picking. Anyway then Danny and Karen came over and we carved our pumpkins. We bought cool little outlines so that we could make really awesome pumpkins. I picked an easy one (a bat) with as little detail as possible and Ryan picked a spider complete with a spider web (which took him forever). Danny and Karen carved a skull on theirs and all three turned out awesome. After we proudly displayed our pumpkins outside we watched "the strangers." I will admit that the movie was pretty scary but don't let the false pretences deceive you. At the beginning it says that it is based on a true story, but in reality it is LOOSELY based on a true story which makes it less scary over all. However, if you are looking for a good Halloween movie I recommend it. I love holiday festivities and we had a lot of fun so if you haven’t carved your pumpkins yet, there is still time!! Once again, HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!

Back to School

2008-09-15T18:20:00.002-07:00

As we start school again this semester I have been reflecting on all the people who have helped us make it this far. We are, after all, poor newly married college students and sometimes it amazes me how we make it from month to month. I would just like to thank a few people who are really important to our college education (and I know there are many more of you who I will probably forget so just don't hate me):

Mom and Dad: Not only do you pay for my tuition and books, but you are always there pushing us along. You are our great moral support and have been a great example to us as we struggle to make it through our classes each semester. We really don't know how we would make it without you.

Gail: Thanks for raising a great son with a good head on his shoulders. He is determined to be someone great and works hard to accomplish his goal. He is also the best husband a girl could ask for.

All our brothers and sisters (literally, not in the religious way): We love hearing from you. Your wonderful stories and jokes put a smile on our faces.

The Haas Family: You guys are awesome. Your paychecks are a big part of why we are still making it. I really appreciate the flexibility of the job and the concern you have for me. Thanks for inviting me into your home and trusting me with your children.

Clyde Companies (especially Brian and Tony): Thanks for giving Ryan a job and trusting him with lots of work. We love the paychecks and the free stuff too!!

All of our friends: Thanks for supporting us and making our lives a little easier. We couldn't do it without you either.

Back to School Trip

2008-08-28T21:00:00.002-07:00

I know that this blog has been neglected and that this explanation is a little late so for that I apologize. Anyway before school started we took one more trip to California and Ryan's brother Taylor flew out from Arizona to hang out with us too. We had so much fun, once again it was hard to leave. We went to the Santa Cruz beach Boardwalk where we went on fun rides, ate nasty food and bought lots of candy including fudge (which was my favorite part). Then we drove up highway 1 along the ocean. It was beautiful. I really can't wait to move back. Other than that we went school shopping and just hung out. Oh and the boys drove the audi of course. Thanks mom and dad for another fun trip!!

Half Moon Bay, Sausalito, and San Francisco

2008-07-01T21:05:00.012-07:00

Mom and I at Grandpas grave

Ryan and I at Half Moon Bay

Ryan in Sausalito

Tea time at the Rtiz Carlton in San Francisco

The fattest man ever to live

Ripley's beleive it or not

Ryan and I had a lot of fun in California, which I think I have mentioned several times now. Anyway we went out to Half Moon Bay and stopped by my grandpas grave on the way. He has an awesome view of the ocean. Too bad we couldn't see it because of the fog and the fire smoke. My mom brought pretty roses for him and Ryan and I decided that we will be buried there as well. It is a beutiful place! Then we went and had lunch at an old people restaurant right on the ocean. (I call it an old people restaurant because right at noon all the old people rush the door to be first in line). Two days later we hit up Sausalito and San Francisco. It was a really nice day minus the fire smoke and we had a great time. We bought Christmas ornaments and walked down the cute streets in Sausalito. Then we went across the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco where we had tea at the Ritz Carlton. Some of you might think we are crazy for spending that much money, but hey you have to be fancy sometimes. The tea was yummy and the little sandwiches and desserts were amazing. I suggest that everyone have tea in the city at least once in their lives. Even Ryan loved it!! Then we went to Ripley's Beleive it or Not museum just cause we thought it would be cool. It was pretty neat. Ryan tried beat the fattest man alive with his post marriage weight and I happen to be 1 of the 1 in 100 people who can touch their nose with their tongue. There was some pretty interesting stuff in there and we had a blast. California rocks!!

Happy Birthday!!!

2008-07-01T21:01:00.011-07:00

Ryan and the car

Ryan, Me, my cousin Casey, my other cousin's girlfriend Kelsey, my aunt and my grannie

The old man with his "I've fallen and I can't get up" whistle

mmmm...pie

Me and the birthday boy

"I came to the party with no date"

Last week we went back to California for my dad's 50th birthday and to spend the week there. We had a really good time. My mom worked really hard to make my dad's birthday awesome and I think everyone had fun. All of my cousins were there which was great because I don't see them very often. We all spent the entire day helping my mom get ready for the party. However, my dad disappeared for half the day and came back with a brand new audi S5. It is now the love of his life...and ryan's for that matter. As you can see we even had to buy a bow for it and park it all slanted on the driveway to show it off at the party. We had lots of good food and fantastic pie!! AND all my california friends came to visit me. I had a blast!!

Entering the MTC

2008-07-01T21:00:00.010-07:00

Ryan and I had the opportunity to take Preston (Ryan's brother) to the MTC. He will be serving in the Dominican Republic. He is the third Merrell boy to go on a spanish speaking mission. It was a great experience. We sat in the MTC chapel while all the new missionaries and their families sang Called to Serve and then we listened to the mission president and his wife speak. We had to bring the kids I nanny for, but luckily I got the baby to sleep right before it started. He slept through the whole thing and woke up right as it ended. Whew lucky break! Anyway we are really proud of Preston and we can't wait for the blessings a missionary brings his family.

Happy Graduation!!!

2008-07-01T20:56:00.009-07:00

In June we flew out to California for the weekend to go to my mom's graduation. She finally got her masters in Psychology. Now she can psycho-analyze people all she wants. It was supposed to be a surprise, but she saw the American Express bill so no such luck. Anyway it was pretty awesome to see all her hard work pay off. If anything she has taught me that you are never too old to go back to school (not that she's old). Although all the festivities were exhausting we had a great time and didn't want to leave. Lucky for us we were going back the next weekend. Congratulations Mom!!

2008-06-10T20:19:00.013-07:00

Ryan and I with the soon-to-be missionary..

Mean brothers + paintballing= large welts on Taylor

Madi and I in the pool

Bryce, Ryan's cousin, he has a crush on me so I love him

Ryan stuffing Taylor in pool basketball ...

Madi and Brandon on the Blibbit

Family support at Preston's farewell talk

Last Friday Ryan and I drove 10 hours to Arizona to be there for Preston's farewell talk. Driving was exhausting, but we had a great time. Friday night Ryan's aunt and uncle took us out to PF Chengs, then we rented Martian Child and stayed up way to late watching it. I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open, but I had to see the end. Anyway Saturday morning it was so bright outside that Ryan and I woke up thinking we were late for something..it was really only 4:30 in the morning..stupid Arizona sun. Ryan woke up a couple of hours later to play basketball and then went paintballing with two of his brothers. Although he came back without a scratch on him, Chad had a couple of welts and poor Taylor was covered in them. I guess it pays when you have a father-in-law who buys you a nice gun! Then we all went over to Doug and Amy's to go swimming. Our friends Anne and Steve came which was awesome even though we are lame and have no pictures with them. We all had a fun time. The cool water was the perfect escape from the Arizona sun and I love Ryan's little cousins. There are four little boys and one giggly little girl. They are like acrobats in the water, every where you look there is a little boy doing some jump or dive into the pool. We went to Paradise (my favorite sandiwch place) with Anne and Steve and then went to see Brandon and Shanna's twins, who by the way are adorable. Sunday morning we went to church to listen to Preston's talk on service. He did great! Then, as usual we spent an hour taking pictures for Ryan's mom. For some crazy reason we decided to take off after that and spent the next 10 hours in the car on the way back to Utah. I miss Arizona already and if it wasn't for Ryan's mom we wouldn't have any pictures but I am going to do better on our next trip...that's a promise.

guitar hero

2008-06-01T22:03:00.004-07:00

A little bit of guitar hero, a little bit of risky business...enough said.

Eating our wedding cake... for the first time... one year later

2008-05-12T00:14:00.002-07:00

I think I have commented enough about our Anniversary so I will just say that we saved the top of our cake for our 1 year. We had a hard time cutting into it because there were toothpicks holding the flowers in (sneaky). It didn't taste too bad for being a year old.

1 year anniversary

2008-05-11T21:58:00.003-07:00

May 11th. We made it one year!! Last year Ryan and I were married in the Oakland Temple for time and all eternity. It was definitly the best decision I have ever made. Ryan is the best husband a girl could ask for. He treats me so well. I had no idea that a guy could have it in him. We had a hard year, but we loved every minute of being together. I can't wait for all the years to come and the big decisions we will have to make together. My parents were even kind enough to fly us out so we could spend our anniversary at the very place we got engaged. There is no place we love in this world more than the ocean. Although our anniversary was on Mother's Day, my parents still made it special. We are looking forward to many more anniversaries like this one!

2008-05-11T21:47:00.008-07:00

We thought we would try out this blog thing so welcome to our blog! For Mother's Day and our anniversary we went out to Pacific Grove, California for a short vacation. For those of you who know us, this place holds a special place in our hearts and we were able to make some more wonderful memories this trip. We arrived on May 8th, that's right my birthday, and drove to the beautiful bed and breakfast we were staying at with my parents, my sister and soon to be brother-in-law. Unfortuntely right as we got there I came down with the stomach flu and spent the rest of the day hovering over the garbage can. Anyway by Saturday (two days later) I was feeling better and Ryan and I decided to go kayaking with the rest of my family. It was awesome. We saw sea otters, sea lions and lots of kelp! On the way back from our kayaking destination the stomach flu caught up with Ryan and we had to high tail it back to land..we didn't make it quite soon enough.. It was a rough weekend, but we still had fun. Our room had a full view of the ocean and it was beautiful. We can't wait to get out of Utah and live in California.