Chatter

Jocelynn woke up in such a chatter-box mood this morning that I couldn't resist trying once again to get it on film.  I don't know how many videos I tried to take but as soon as she'd see the camera she'd stop.  That always seems to be our battle.  So, in my attempt to share the cute and funny sounds she's been making, here's the best video of the day.  I think by this point she was kind of annoyed at having the camera in her face cuz her voice isn't as sweet as it is most of the time, but at least she was still chatting for all to hear!  Literally, I think she had the attention of the bull moose outside our fence :)

Enjoy!

1 Month!

Today marked the one month anniversary of when Justin, Jocelynn and I moved up to Anchorage!  Justin says, "1 month down, 35 to go!"

We laugh about that and our plan is to be here for 3-5 years, but we aren't counting down like it sounds.  Though we're far from family we're really enjoying ourselves.  Here's a few things we've learned in our first month in Alaska:

• Mountains in Alaska are HUGE and ENDLESS
• Alaska winter weather really is a lot like Idaho
• God's works are mighty and beautiful
• Moose are still wild animals, even when we want them to be creatures of habit so we can name them and have them as pets
• I'm VERY grateful for technology!
• The church is an incredible network and helps provide great friends
• It's easy to sleep in when it doesn't get light until 11:00 (though that's getting earlier every day)
• Float planes are like spare cars, parked in the back when not in use
• Home is where your family is but having your stuff and pictures on the walls really adds to the "homey" feel
• You can be happy wherever you are and in whatever weather, if you choose to be

Plans and Moves Part 1

Please recognize that this is a journal of sorts as well as a means to update family and friends of our goings on. That being said, bear with me and thanks for reading and your support! Jocelynn's due date was the 16th of October but she was born on the 14th. This wasn't because she was coming on her own, at first anyway, but because of some big things going on with Justin..  You see, he was in his final semester at BYU-Idaho and, though his plan was to immediately go on to grad school, the appeal of working in Alaska was strong.  How could it not be? It's Alaska! We both met with the men from Mikunda, Cottrell & Co. last year. They remembered him, interviewed him again and then invited for a final interview to take place in Alaska...two days after my due date. Needless to say, I didn't want to deliver without my husband there so we were scheduled to be induced on the 13th. Without making this longer than it needs to be (I'll write about Joce's birth later), the induction didn't happen when we planned so we did everything we could to induce labor and she was born 2 days before she was due.

With a 4 day old baby and a wife trying to recover, adjust and an emotional wreck, he flew off to enjoy Alaska and prove he was someone they wanted. Joce and I were well taken care of while he was gone and he was whined and dined in Anchorage. They said they were looking for people to not just be able to do the job but who had good personalities and were good communicators. With that as their criteria, naturally he did well. (: He loved his visit too and was ready to move as soon as he got back. They made an offer the next day and after discussing things with each other, family and in prayer we agreed there was a need for us in Alaska.

So, still with many things to adjust to as new parents, Justin finishing up his schooling and an audit at my work, we started planning a move 3000 miles away. There were many stressful times during the next few months but I'll just say this, the Lord wanted us to be in Alaska and during those stressful times it was only through Him that things worked out. We sold Pearl and Mustang, my car and Justin's truck and bought a Yukon (yet to be named). Justin is still so sad to not have his dream truck but now we have room for us, the baby and Desoto, which is quite the feat considering how big Desoto is now. We also sold most of our furniture and rented out our town home. The day before Jocelynn's 2 month birthday we loaded the trailer with our belongings and car. The next day Justin graduated from college (and was my brother's birthday). Then the day after that Justin and his dad headed to Seattle to put our things on a barge to Alaska. It was an extra busy week but we are so grateful for all the help from everyone, even just to come hold the babe while we packed (: 

 We were so blessed to live around family, especially during that time of such great need. Though we had always wanted to be on our own for a few years, everything that comes with having a baby and moving really made us even more grateful to be close to family. Thanks for the meals, advice, assistance, late night treats and shows, and all the laughs. Even and especially for the times were able to just sit around and talk. ...we love and miss it all, especially the people behind it (:

First Things First

Now, I know my blog is in major need of updating because of all that has changed in our lives the past six months, but as the title says, first things first.....

She made it!  Our little gem, Jocelynn we call her, was born into our world to change it forever on October 14, 2012.

Weighing in at 7 lbs 13 ounces and measuring 21 inches long!

Within 2 weeks she had grown 2 inches but hadn't put on a pound, following in the family footsteps of being tall and more on the slender side.

She has been so bright-eyed from day one.  I can't get enough of those dark, piercing eyes.

She also has had quite the pair of lungs from the moment she was born.  Though she's a good baby, when she cries, she's crying.  Often there's no warm-up fussing to get to the real cry, it just bursts seemingly out of nowhere but you know she is not happy right away!  She is happy most of the time and is smiling and practically giddy, which keeps me laughing all day. 

She loves her hands, which are typically pretty close to her face if she's sleeping.  We even have ultrasound pictures of her with her hands next to her face.  She has never really liked pacifiers, though will suck on them occasionally when held to her face by someone.  Typically though when we put a pacifier in her mouth she gets this look on her face as if to say, "what is this nasty thing you're making me eat!"  As she's growing she is figuring out her hands more and more, especially how to put them in her mouth!  I'm still hoping not to have the problem of breaking her of sucking her thumb, but it's not looking good (though it is her whole fist, not the thumb, that she's working on getting in her mouth!)

Though this is my first blog about her, Joce is now 3 months old!  She's growing like crazy and changing every day.  Her new thing is sitting up (though her body is still supported her head doesn't need to be most of the time).  She loves to sit up on the couch or in our laps watching things go on around her, or sit on our knees facing us and just chats away.

Jocelynn is definitely a daddy's girl, which is no surprise, but is adorable!  While she'll turn at my voice more often and will chatter with me and smile away, she is instantly in smiles and chatter as soon as she sees her dad.  It's so fun to watch!  Yesterday while is church he practically had her laughing she was so happy!  And in return, as she has him wrapped around her little finger, he was practically in tears he was so excited to hear her laugh.  Justin was nervous to hold a newborn and change her diaper, much less be the father and do so much more, but from the instant she was born he just came into his own.  He is a natural and the ease of their relationship is priceless.

This is our little one, the center of our lives.  She has changed not only our day to day lives but us as people, and will continue to do so.  We are so grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity to be parents to such a precious soul.

Kids Really Do Know Their Fathers

Four of the last four work days have been....let's just say less than a walk in the park.  With my job there are always ups and downs, bad behaviors and awesome growth. Throughout each day there is typically a good share of everything but enough of the good to carry through the bad, except the last few days.  I don't want to be a complainer, that's not the point of my post (which I will get to, I promise) but it doesn't bring me pride and joy to restrain a violent child so they don't hurt themselves, me or anyone or anything.  Restraints aren't necessary too often but each of the last four days has required them.  Especially now that I am expecting I'm a lot more cautious when it comes to physical kids and restraints but there have been a few moments each day where it got quite physical.  

Yesterday in particular had me worried about the health of my baby.  I had been hit in the stomach a few times and an official "non-violent physical restraint" had been needed on another child for a good while where I tried to keep the kid away from my stomach but was not successful all of the time.  My baby has been a lot more active the past week or so and it has been so fun to feel her and have the assurance that she's okay.  Well, after the physical aggression had been diffused I couldn't feel my baby.  I started feeling some pain in my stomach.  Three hours later my baby still hadn't moved and my stomach still hurt.  Now, I didn't think that anything that had happened was severe enough to really cause any damage to her, but I was getting worried. 

I called my Dr. brother-in-law to get his opinion but he'd started residency that day so was busy being a resident and I didn't want to bother my local Dr. so I just went home ready to take things as they came.  Justin and I sat down for dinner a little while later with me still feeling pain and no movement from the baby in over 4 hours (extremely unusual at this point in my pregnancy).  

Justin said the prayer on our food and as soon as he started speaking my stomach started jumping.  In his short blessing on the food and us our little girl all of a sudden let me know she was alright probably 10 times by moving all around.  It had been a scary day and she just needed her Dad.  Through his prayer the priesthood he holds blessed us.  She recognized his voice.  She was strengthened by the power of the Lord and the faith of her dad.  She just needed her Dad.  

Little ones know their fathers, and they know them always.  

A few days earlier, when he was trying to talk to her she was moving all over the place in my stomach almost seeming like she was playing a game with him.  She'd move to one spot and as soon as he'd try to talk to her there she was in another spot, and then another and another, like hide-n-go-seek.  

Whether in fun or scary times, little ones need their dads.  They know when they're around that they can have fun but above all that they will be safe.  

With my own Dad and father-in-law our little family is so blessed.  We are safe with them around and have a  good time too.  My Father in Heaven is another Father who is always there for me, who I have always known.  Such strength, comfort and joy comes when I listen for His voice and let His power bless me, whether in scary times or not.    

We won't hold our little one in our arms for another 17 weeks or so, but she already knows her Dad and is finding comfort in him.  He is my hero and protector and I need him as well.  There sure is a reason life is supposed to be lived with an eternal companion.  

How incredibly blessed I am to know these special fathers!

REAL BABY #1!!!

Most of you probably didn't notice the caption for the last photo of Desoto on the last post, the one saying he was 17 weeks.  I don't know about you, but most people don't track their dogs' age by how many weeks they are and I'm not just being weird. :) You see, we picked up Desoto after a week or so of thinking we were expecting, but didn't take a test until a week or so AFTER we picked him up because of all the hype with him.  Eventually I figured out that Desoto, my dog baby, is probably within a week or so of how far along my actual baby is, hence the 17 weeks.  

Baby at 12 weeks

It's true! I'm 17 weeks along tomorrow!! It's a very surreal feeling and completely crazy that Justin and I are actually going to be parents!  I'm terrified and excited all at the same time, but it's going to be amazing and is something that we have always been looking forward to and preparing for.

Not a fan of the baby bump pictures when I'm looking more chubby than anything, but there you have it...starting to show a bit at 15 weeks. 

 Similar to when Justin proposed, I've written down thoughts here and there about the baby and since this is the first time I'm even posting anything about it on here, I hope you don't mind me sharing some of those thoughts. 

Written March 26, at 10 weeks pregnant (I thought):

"I had taken the pocket watch back from Justin, since wearing something that said “Dad” on it wasn’t so applicable anymore (since my miscarriage at 4 weeks in October).  So, I put the watch on the counter of the bathroom for him to find.  I don’t think he believed me when he saw it.  I don’t think he believed me days later when he asked if I’d taken more than that one pregnancy test.  I took another one and it was positive too!  I don’t blame him for not believing me, last time the miscarriage had come so soon, even though we’d gotten so excited.  And this time, though I knew things were different because I could feel my body changing, he couldn’t tell what was different about it.  Finally, when he could tell my body and my overall health was being affected, and because I was always talking about it, looking things up, calculating my due date and stuff, I think it finally started to sink in a little bit. 

"There’s still such a high chance of miscarriage that I think we’re still being very hesitant in our planning and excitement.  Even in the last 2 weeks I know 2 women who have miscarried who were further along than I was at the time.  It’s scary and such a sad thought, but we’ve both been promised in our patriarchal blessings that if we keep our covenants then we will be blessed with children, and mine says I’ll bear and raise them.  I know patriarchal blessings can talk about promises that happen throughout the eternities, but I’m really excited and hope they happen while Justin and I are here on earth together.  We’re trying our best to keep our covenants, love each other, and be better people so that we can create an even better home than we have now for our baby coming in October and more on the way after that.  This I do know, the more I watch and know Justin, the more excited I am to see him with his own child.  I’m so blessed!

"Now this is what our house looks like:  Pretty typical and not much change except for a huge kennel in the kitchen where Desoto sleeps, his chew toys all over the living room, and a crib and changing table in an upstairs bedroom.  There are a lot more changes to come in the coming months, but in the last one, there’s been two major ones- a dog who is going to be HUGE and a baby on the way!"

Written April 11: 

"I had been stressing every day about miscarriage and even the fact of not being pregnant at all.  I had had dreams that the doctor was going to tell me I wasn’t pregnant.  Stressing, stressing… to say the least. Our first doctor appointment came and Dr. Meredith came in and talked and joked with us for quite a while, easing my nerves a lot.  Then he was ready for the ultrasound so it was the moment of truth.  As soon as the picture popped up on the screen all I could think was, “That’s a baby.”  (not to be confused with the beautiful people and “baby” jokes my family tells).  There was a definite baby on the screen, meaning IN me!  Crazy! Justin came to stand by me and hold my hand and I just teared up, my dreams were coming true!  It had happened and was happening…we were becoming parents!  Now, typically you go to the doctor for the first time between 8 and 10 weeks of being pregnant but here I was, 11 weeks and 1 day I thought, and barely getting to the doctor because of all the insurance stuff we had had to go through.  In addition to that, the doctor measured the baby as we watched its arms and legs move around, and said that the baby measured at 12 weeks.  So, it’s not just true that I am pregnant, I’m a week ahead of what I thought I was!  I’ll take it!

"My prayers at this point are that the baby survives, and continues to grow and develop as it should so we can bring it home healthy and strong.  I know there are always possibilities for otherwise, which the Lord will strengthen Justin and I to get through it if that’s in HIS plans, but I sure hope it isn’t.  I’m excited for our baby, to help and see it grow and develop, to get to know it’s personality, to help it pursue its’ goals and dreams, to love it and cuddle it and give it everything it needs and be the best mom I can be and that it deserves.  I hope I can live up to it all for the baby’s and Justin’s sakes :)

"That's a baby" moment

Written April 16:

"Little one, we love you.  I can’t wait to feel you move.  I can’t wait to see the changes in my body more, not that I want to get fat but because it’ll mean that you’re doing well and growing as you should.  I’m scared to death about labor and delivery but I can’t wait to hold you in my arms and then have us be wrapped by the big, strong, loving arms of your dad. I have no idea what your name will be but I can’t wait until your dad blesses you.  I can’t wait to see your relationship with your dad grow and hope you love life just as much as he does.  I’m so excited to get to know you and your personality and help you achieve your dreams and goals.  I’m going to be a stickler to a lot of rules so I know I won’t be the funnest at times, but know that I’m doing it because I love you and want you to succeed, and I’m always up for playing a bunch too. I’m excited to hear and see your testimony throughout your life, even in your precious eyes when you first cross that veil and come to me.  I know there are many hard times ahead of us, but I’ll always be here for you and so will your dad, I know it. 

Grow strong, little one.  I love you."

 

Baby #1

 Okay, so he's not really our baby...but kinda :)  Let me introduce to the blogging world......Desoto!
                                    
He joined our family on President's Day in February and was 6 weeks old at the time.  He is definitely his daddy's little one, haha, because Justin is in high heaven with his new found best friend.

Riding home, exhausted and could fit in my lap! Not anymore!

First time out in the big wide world, following his new dad

Proud Papa

Desoto is a purebred great dane.  As you can see he's all black but he has a little white spot on the back of each of his front feet.

Yes, carries his own leash anytime he can

 It surprises some people who know me that I was okay with getting a dog, especially this early in our marriage and for how HUGE he's going to be, but Justin had been working on me for a while, timing and prices fit, and he was such a cutie I couldn't pass him up!  

Taken 2 weeks ago and now even bigger

Now, I do have to admit that I have had my moments when he's driven me crazy, probably because I'm a control freak and want him to be completely trained and well behaved even though he's still a puppy, but for the most part he makes me laugh and smile.  If you've met him you know, he'll melt your heart.  

Play does get rough sometimes, always with dad

Always trying to crawl on your lap to sleep

Play on the eyes- he's really not this big, thank goodness!  But for some reason looks full grown already in this! 

Sorry if it's weird for a complete post to be about a dog, but he's a big part of our lives now and will be for at least the next 7 years. :)

Desoto (17 Weeks)