Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Our Little Family Picture Update


She is becoming a very social little girl. 

She loves the park because she loves to eat dirt. 


Playing at our park

We call her "Bucket Head" because she is constantly putting buckets and baskets on her head

Paige's first splash pad adventure. She LOVED it!





Weekly buggie ride with dad and the cousins, this was Oliver's first time on a ride

Tries to climb on everything, our couch is currently turned around so no one can sit on it because this little dare devil is so speedy at climbing on it but she doesn't know how to safely get down yet.

A visit from her self-proclaimed godmother, Conger :)

That's the grandma that Paige is named after :) we go visit her and Paige "plays" the piano for her


My parent's have a big pig and she can't figure out what he is.

Her first chocolate chip cookie she made with mom!

Always reading :)

Paige and I took a roadtrip up to Flagstaff to visit my sister while Colton went to a concert with his friend. It was a last minute trip (like I decided at 4:00p to go and we were in the car half an hour later driving up there)

Dinner stop in the car on the way to Flagstaff

This girl LOVES to share with her dad. She also loves pita bread and hummus.

The Girl Who Loves Pictures,
Erica

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend

Thursday, April 2 - Colton and I had the opportunity to go to the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple on Thursday night and leave Paige at home with a babysitter. We didn't get to go last year because Paige was so little and we were so tired so it was such a blessing to be able to go again! We got ice cream sandwiches at Slickables on Main and then saw the pageant. Colton's favorite part of the pageant is when the little boy on crutches is healed and runs to Jesus. I don't have a specific favorite part but if I had to pick one it would probably be the loud thunder and silence in the audience just after Jesus dies on the cross.

Friday, April 3 - Friday morning, Colton and I went to the Gilbert temple for a session with my brother Cam and his wife Sherese. I try to go to the temple twice a month and I always go the first Friday or Saturday of the month whether by myself or with my sister in law Sherese. That way I know for sure I at least made it to the temple once a month. I have an inside joke with Colton that I now appreciate the temple so much more that I have a kid because it's one of the few places parents can go where kids aren't crying or making noise. I can just sit and feel the spirit and think. Attending church and listening to the lessons and talks almost becomes impossible when you have a mobile baby! So I'm thankful I live 15 minutes from two different temples.

Saturday, April 4 - Saturday morning Colton and I woke up early, woke the baby up and headed to my family picnic. It's always such a fun time to be with all my extended family! I've been in charge of the Easter egg hunt for probably 8 years now. That means filling and hiding 300 eggs at Papago Park. This year was my favorite one yet because I had my own little girl who got to participate in the hunt. I got home from the picnic and had a plan to watch conference but ended up taking a nap that was almost like a full night's sleep.. Whoops! haha! But don't worry, I've used the amazing resources the church has and have watched every single talk from all sessions.. including Women's and Priesthood session. That night we went to my brother's house with all my siblings that have kids and their spouses. While the men watched/listened to conference, us moms watched the kids run around and play. I'm grateful for a husband who so diligently watches conference and attends the Priesthood session and takes notes. He's kind of the best! :)

Sunday, April 5 - Paige woke up to her first Easter basket filled with her favorite baby cookies, a new book about Jesus, bubbles and chalk. We went to my parent's farm for our family traditional Conference Sunday "Day". We have breakfast (normally my mom makes delicious cinnamon rolls but she wasn't here this year), watch conference, play outside in between conference and then have lunch before the second session starts. I used to look forward to this day because I could be super lazy and just sit around and be fed delicious food... NOT ANYMORE! My child wants to be outside 24/7 and she's not old enough to just be let loose. She puts everything in her mouth! Gross warning... yes, even chicken poop. Being pregnant and chasing a busy 1 year old all day is definitely HARD! I basically sleep when she sleeps. Colton laughs at me because when Paige goes to bed at night (around 7:30p-8) I'm right behind her and sleep until she wakes up.

Listening to conference changes when you have a baby/toddler who is mobile. Last year for the April and October conferences, Paige wasn't so mobile so it was easier to listen and contain her. I heard bits and pieces here and there both days this time between chasing, playing and searching for Paige. I have since gone and listened to all 6 sessions of conference while she naps so I can hear every word. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE all the leaders of our church... that being said, Jeffrey R Holland is definitely my "favorite"! He gives such powerful and emotional talks that always hit home.

Because of conference and reading terrifying personal stories online, I have decided to no longer post pictures of my little girl on Instagram or Facebook. I actually went back and deleted all pictures and post about her. I'll still post them here on my blog since this is basically my journal. I know some of you are probably thinking i'm being "that crazy mom" but I want to do everything to protect my children and if a simple change can be made, I'll do it.

I am grateful for conference and the guidance and love I was given and felt because I was diligent and listened. I think of those who missed out listening or have not yet heard the words and I feel sorry those people. There is something for EVERYONE in the talks given at conference. I love my Savior and am so thankful for his sacrifice so many years ago so that I may return to His presence with my family for all eternity.

The Girl Who LOVES Easter For So Many Reasons,
Erica


















Monday, April 6, 2015

Walker Family Update

We've been having so much fun as a family since our last post. Our little girl gets more fun and adventurous every day. She's about as independent as they come! But she also is incredibly lovey. She gives me at least 20 kisses and hugs a day. Colton asks me every day when he gets home from work "what was your favorite part of the day?" and my answer usually involves a kiss or hug Paige gave me. It's funny how before you have children you don't know how much love and happiness your family and life is missing. I LOVE being a mom and wouldn't trade the diapers, vomit and tantrums for anything! 

She's always making us laugh by putting stuff on her head and walking around bumping into stuff

She is fearless! Climbs in and on anything and everything

She only sleeps on dad at church :)

PHX Zoo

PHX Zoo

PHX Zoo

PHX Zoo with her cousins Brylee, Noel and Brycen


She loves the dog park!

She loves watching Care Bears with dad

I pull her around on things all day. Great workout for me!

Playing with her princess cousins Ember and Allyson

My Costco partner

Yes, she still loves to read! But not she doesn't want us to read to her, she wants to do it herself.

First movie (or 30 minutes of a movie haha!) Lilo and Stitch 

She's ready to watch the NCAA Championship game tonight. She LOVES basketball! She obviously can walk but she still likes getting in her walker because she can sit and take a rest. haha!

She is becoming a social little girl. 

The Girl Who Loves Our Independent Girl,

Erica

Monday, March 16, 2015

Paige's 1 Year Doctor Check


12 Month Check Up:
Monday, March 16, 2015 - 12 months, 6 days old
Weight: 23lbs 6oz (80%)
Height: 31 inches (95%)

Favorite Foods:
Spaghetti 
Any meat (literally, ANY!)
Pancakes
Strawberries
Cottage cheese

Least Favorite:
She literally eats EVERYTHING!

Mobile Status:
Walking 24/7 now! She's as fast as I am walking and I've got some long legs to keep up with and she definitely does.

Teeth:
Paige has 4 teeth! Two front top teeth and two bottom teeth. Her doctor said he can see she's trying to cut molars and 6 other teeth so hopefully those come in soon.


Today, we are going to start transitioning Paige to whole milk instead of formula. She already had her first bottle with a couple ounces of whole milk mixed in and she downed it! Once she is completely on whole milk hopefully in a few days, it will be bye bye to her bottles and hello sippy cup all the time. I think this has been the hardest thing for me to wrap my head around. My baby is going to be off formula/nursing and bottles any day now and will be walking around with a sippy. My how things change in just a year!

Her 5 current "loves":
1. She LOVES to kiss babies! Mostly her boy cousins who are a few months younger than her. I feel bad for them because she literally throat grabs them and pulls them in for a nice open-mouth kiss. 

2. She LOVES her dad! Paige has started realizing that when the front door opens at the end of the day, it's "dadada" so she runs to the front door and hugs him. Every day! 

3. She LOVES to give "mamama" hugs! I probably get at least 50 hugs a day and I am not complaining one bit. 

4. She LOVES bath time! She will literally stay in the bath for hours if we let her. Meanwhile we have to fend off our 5 month old chocolate lab from jumping in and joining her.

5. She LOVES baby dolls! She got one for her birthday and let me tell you, that thing have made going to church 10 times easier! 

The Girl Who LOVES her little girl,
Erica 

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

PAIGE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!!

My baby turns ONE today! We celebrated this weekend by having a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" themed birthday party with family at the park.

My baby officially turns one at 7:24pm today. I can remember the day she was born SO clearly! Almost like it just happened yesterday. I remember looking at her and holding her for the first time and there really aren't words to describe how special of a moment that is. Look how little she was :)



Paige is really big into reading books right now, she loves giving kisses, she loves to eat anything and everything, she got 2 baby dolls from family for her birthday and she walks around all day kissing them.







The Girl With a One Year Old Now,
Erica

Monday, March 2, 2015

Baby Number 2

In case you missed it.... Baby Walker #2 is on the way!

I'll go ahead and start by answering the question I get asked the most.... No, we definitely weren't planning to have a second baby at this time but that doesn't mean we aren't excited.

I found out I was pregnant on Jan. 5. I hadn't even told Colton I was going to take a test because I thought it was all in my head. The weekend before my sister blessed her baby in Flagstaff and I went up alone for a quick 24-hour trip. I almost didn't go because I thought I was starting to get the flu. I went anyways and good thing I did because I would've missed his blessing over what I would later find out was just the start of morning sickness. Once I got home, my sister text me asking if I was pregnant and when I would find out. I started to psych myself out. So the next day after Colton got home from work, I just ran to get dollar store tests to ease my mind. No way was I pregnant. WRONG! I took 2 tests and both were positive right away. 

I wrapped up the tests and went and gave them to Colton as a "last minute present". He opened them and the look on his face was priceless. He was, and still is, beyond excited! I however was still in shock. We weren't planning this, I never planned to have kids so close together, I wasn't ready to give up my one-on-one time with Paige.. So much would change and I wasn't ready yet. 

Since I had fertility issues with my last two pregnancies, I am forever a patient at Bloom Reproductive Institute. They are AMAZING by the way! I called them right when I found out because I hadn't been taking any progesterone and I was nervous I was going to miscarry. With Paige, I barely made any progesterone and was on a million pills, creams and shots. Turns out, after having her my system kind of "reset" itself and I now make progesterone. My levels all looked good and they monitored me closely just in case. That meant lots of needles and lots of blood giving.

Around 5 weeks, I started having heavy bleeding. I pretty much would never have known I was pregnant if I didn't take the tests. I called Bloom and they told me to be on bedrest the next week. Ok, lets be real, I have an 11 month old, we hadn't told anyone but my sister I was pregnant and so bedrest wasn't really an option. I tried my best but things got real bad on Wednesday. I got to the point I convinced myself and Colton I had a miscarriage. I called Bloom and they told me I definitely needed to stay in bed the next day and then Friday I could come in for an ultrasound. Luckily, Colton was able to take time off Thursday and I laid in bed in all day. Props to you mamas who are/have ever been on bed rest because after 1 day I thought I was going nuts. 

Friday, January 23rd we saw our baby for the first time and heard its very strong heartbeat! Turns out the bleeding was from a different part of my uterus that they could see on the ultrasound but it was healing up nicely. I would just have to take it easy until the bleeding stopped. I think I was more shocked that there was a healthy baby then when I found out I was pregnant. I had even convinced the ultrasound tech she wasn't going to find a baby and that I was ready to hear the news so not to be nervous to tell me. We then saw our baby each week for 3 more weeks on the ultrasound and everything always looked "as healthy as it can possibly be!"

We decided with this one to keep it quiet for awhile. We didn't end up telling family until after I knew there was a healthy baby. I think I only told like 1 friend before I announced it to everyone. I will admit, it took me a little while to get truly happy about having another baby this close to Paige but I can honestly say, I am beyond happy! Having two kids 18 months apart will probably be the most difficult thing I've done but I've had some pretty difficult stuff in my life so I got this. 

Baby number 2 coming this September!

The Girl With Two Babies Now,
Erica 

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

A Picture Update

We've been busy and had a lot going on the last two months but I thought it would be good to have a picture update! Paige is almost 1 year old. I can't believe my baby is so grown up. Anyways, here is what we've been doing:


She loves to eat :)


We went goofy golfing for my niece's birthday


First time putting shoes on


She LOVES our chocolate lab puppy!

The Girl Who Loves Picture Updates,
Erica