Lots of Cuddles

Over the course of two weeks the only time Ethnie was set down was for dinner and when she slept in her crib at night. That isn't exaggerating either. She was very well loved and got plenty of cuddle time with everyone.

All fresh and clean after a bath. That is my favorite time to cuddle with her. She smells soooo good and she just nestles into your neck. So precious.

I adore this photo of my Dad. It makes me smile every time!

Savoring a few kisses from Daddy. Jakob was exceptionally busy the two weeks may parents were here and by the time he got home most nights peanut was all ready for bed. He sure missed his little girl and would soak up as much time as he could with her since everyone else wanted to be holding her.

Ethnie smiles a lot now and she has no problem sharing them! It's hard not to simply stare at her.

Little baby feet. So darling. Oma was sure to give those little toes lots of kisses.

I think Mom is studying to become a Chiropractor. Not actually, this is what happens when we're fighting over who gets to hold peanut next ;) It is such a miracle watching my family with my daughter. She brings such joy into our lives and I can't imagine not having her. It's amazing how much you can love someone.

The Daddy Do List

Since Jakob is at work and school all of the time he's hardly ever home. The last thing I want to make him do on his day off is trivial things that I can live with around the house or on my car (ie. fixing my radio). So I figured since my father was going to be here for an extended period of time, I should make a little to do list for him. My father is such a handy man. I swear he can fix almost anything and he's very thorough. He pulled out the appliances and cleaned behind them, "fixed" my track lighting (which wasn't lighting at all), hung pictures on the wall and did a makeover on my car!

I needed a few things fixed on my car #1 being my radio. He did a wonderful job. My silly radio is better but something is seriously wrong with it. Thanks for trying Daddy!!! You were such a wonderful help! Both Jakob and I are very thankful!! Love you!!

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Ever since my family has arrived our house has decided to just fall apart. Major buzz kill.

• First we realize there is a leak that goes from our guest shower through our ceiling in the living room. It was obviously a problem before because I took pictures of it when we moved in, I just didn't realize how serious it was.
• The next day my mother is getting out of our master bath shower and feels water all over the floor. Thinking someone must have missed the toilet she yelled downstairs chastising us and began to clean it up (what a saint). When she stuck her foot behind the toilet she felt it drip. One of the bolts had rusted away and was now leaking. We placed a towel down and called once again to have them fix it. Upon returning to the bathroom a few hours later I discovered that the entire floor was soaked, which lifted the flooring making and other project. The poor plumber came to fix the toilet only and he came downstairs announcing he was leaving to get a new toilet tank. We asked him if it had cracked he looked at us clearly frustrated and said "It is now!" Poor guy.
• Our dryer wasn't heating up very hot. It took 3 cycles to cry a load of whites. The technician came and said our ducts were seriously clogged. Fire hazard!!! Yikes!

There are other odds and ends that the maintenance man is coming to repair after a 2 week wait! Good gravy!!! Hopefully that is the end of our unfortunate events for quite some time!!

General Conference

By a show of hands may I please see who loves conference weekend? Me too!! I must admit I just LOVE conference weekend. It doesn't get much better than cuddling up on the couch in your P.J's eating delicious Mom Tobler breakfast while listening to the words of our prophet.

This conference was a little different however, since my family was here we skipped the sleepover and P.J's and came over for a full day of fantastic food which included Mom Tobler cinnamon rolls, breakfast casserole, and fruit for breakfast. Soooo good!

Sharing is caring.

The master chef and helper. Golly I love them.

And so it begins <3

There was plenty of cuddle time while we watched and visited. Ethnie's got Opa in a double finger grab.

What a precious girl!

Our little star fish got a little bit sleepy and conked out.

It looks like she wasn't the only sleepy one. :)

We topped off the evening with grilled hamburgers and cheesecake. Yum yum! It was a wonderful conference. I can hardly believe it's already over! Thank you to Mom and Dad Tobler for letting us crash at your place!

Charming Charlies

Have you been to Charming Charlie in Tivoli Square? I would highly recommend you stopping in for a quick peak! Momma and I went twice in two weeks!! It was wonderful!

Charming Charlie is an accessory store organized by colors. They have purses, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, scarves, shoes, and hats just to name a few. It is all very reasonably priced and there is something for everyone!! (Can you tell I'm in love??) I would recommended leaving the credit card at home so you don't over indulge! ;)

Yeah these hats are outrageous I know but golly they're fun!

Beautifully Quoted

“I have often wondered what would happen if the method of introducing a father to his newborn child were different. Instead of a doctor coming out and saying, ‘It’s another girl,’ or ‘It’s another boy,’ how would we react if each time a child was born our Father in Heaven made this kind of introduction to the parents:

“‘Thank you for preparing this little body for the spirit I have created. Now, I present her to you for a season to care for. Please teach her of me and of my Son. I so much want her back with me some day. … Remember this: She is loving. She will respond to teaching. She wants to learn. Please treat her with respect. The road will not be easy. Some of the time it will be most difficult. I want to help you raise her. Please call on me often for advice and counsel. Together we can help her fulfill her purpose in the earth.’” ~ Elder H. Burke Peterson (Ensign, Jan. 1973, p. 115.)

Top Shot

Saturday was a full man day. In the morning the boys went shooting, followed by some nerding at the comic book store, topped off with game night with the gentlemen. They had a lot of fun especially Dad and Chris since they don't get to do this sort of thing up north.

James was on the ball. He was hitting everything with the the shot gun. (Yes I realize that is not a shot gun pictured above.) He was throwing soda cans in the air and hitting them no problem. Needless to say the boys were impressed!

Chuck giving Dad a quick tutorial on how to shoot.

They then decided that it would be fun to throw clay pigeons in the air and try to shoot them with hand guns. They weren't very successful. :)

They had a lot of fun and so did the girls while the boys were away but that's another blog post :).

Opa & Oma's First Day

At long last my family from Canada has arrived! I was so excited to be able to show off our little bundle of joy and for her to meet her Opa, Oma & Uncle Chris. (We miss you Uncle Jared and Aunt Katlynn!!)

Chris arrived the night before my parents. I didn't think we'd be able to fit 4 adults, a baby and everyone's luggage in my car so I had Chris babysit. Not that I don't trust my brother but he has ZERO experience with babies. I mean none at all. I knew he would keep her alive but still I was nervous. Nevertheless after asking him at least 7 times if "He was sure he didn't want me to take her" I left to go pick up my parents.

I obviously wanted to capture the first time Momma and Daddy got to hold Ethnie so I told them wait outside while I got my camera. I called to Chris to bring the baby and all I heard was this nervous "HELP" come from upstairs. Chris was changing his first diaper. Poor Chris, mid diaper change Ethers decided she wasn't exactly finished filling her diaper. There was crap everywhere!! So I finished getting her all cleaned up and took her downstairs to meet Oma and Opa.

It was so wonderful having my parents finally meet her in person. Skype just simply doesn't do her justice! My mother wouldn't let her go and cried all day. She wouldn't even let me feed her so I pumped so she could bottle feed her. Who can blame Mom? Ethnie is enchanting.

The first of many kisses from Oma.

She was passed around an offal lot. Opa only had a few precious seconds while Oma washed her hands. Poor peanut was hungry.

Of course my mother brought down (in her words) a "few" treasures for Ethnie. Our interpretations of a "few" are slightly different. She seriously got more clothes than I did at my baby shower. One of my favorite items however (besides all of the exquisite dresses) were these pink jeans! I also LOVED the book from my G-ma Heyden. It had her voice recorded on it so she could read a book to Ethnie without having to be there! So precious!

Ethnie wasn't the only spoiled one! I got some mint Areo chocolate lambs. (The lamb shape is because of Easter.) I love mint Areo's! If you're patient enough you're supposed to let the bubbles melt on your tongue. Most of the time I just chew them. SOOOO GOOD!

Nap time!

Thursday nights we have Bears. Since Jakob was working on a big project at work he didn't get home in time for Bears. (He actually didn't get home until 1:30 in the morning but that's beside the point.) For Bears we made brownies, yummy! I was so thankful to have my family here!! They saved my butt! I had to nurse peanut so my Mom and Chris took care of Jayden.

My mother teaches Home Economics (cooking and sewing) to grades 7 - 9 in Canada so Jayden got a very thorough lesson. Bears ran a little later than usual and we didn't get Jayden home until 8:45 at night (a hour and 45 minutes later than usual.)

Ethnie decided to have her first freak out episode. She screamed for an hour. I simply couldn't handle it, she bawled and I bawled. It just reminded me of her helpless cries in the hospital and how I couldn't help her. This was almost as bad, if not worse, at least in the hospital I knew she was crying because someone was poking her with a needle, this time I had no idea what was wrong or how to sooth her. Oma took her and cuddled her up in bed and fell asleep holding her hand. Poor little girl!

I'm so glad to have my family here! We are getting a lot done and having a ball!!