Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

Darin said we need MORE pictures soooooo Nasher boy and I had little photo shoot today! He is such a stud....

ONLY 13 MORE DAYS UNTIL DARIN COMES HOME!!!! YEAH!!!! ....but whose counting!

Thanks Darin!

Darin's blog was a nice birthday surprise! Although I think we could have done without the pictures...now you all know what he has to look at everyday on the webcam!

I can't believe I am 27 years old...only 3 more years and I am 30!!! CRAZY! Yesterday was a fun day, I am glad that I got to spend my birthday with my family. I wish Darin could have been there too. I started the day bright and early by attending the temple. (thanks mom for tending Nash) I was lucky enough to ride over to Monticello with Michelle, Jay and George Jones. They were so nice, the minute I stepped into the car (at 5am) they started singing happy birthday, and presented me with brownies and breakfast! What great friends! I haven't been to the temple since before I was pregnant....TOO LONG! It was nice to sit in the temple and look around and see so many familiar faces. I love living in a small town! Too bad everyone in the room was asleep because it was a 6 am session.

I think I seriously ate all day long yesterday. After the temple, I went to breakfast with my parents, some friends from Arizona and my Grandma and Grandpa Cosby. Later we went out for dinner with my brother Kedrick, my parents and friends. Needless to say I LOVE to eat so it was a great day. For this purpose I am so grateful for Michelle for running every night with me!

Yesterday was a big day for Nash too...he turned 3 months old! I think he gave me and himself the best birthday present ever...he has finally learned how to fall asleep with out screaming or being rocked. I give the credit for this accomplishment to the advice of my friend Stacy as well as the aide of the book "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer." I have read several other books, but this one seemed to fit my mothering style. I have decided that knowledge really is power. Let's face it I have no clue what I am doing as a mother and it is a blessing to have some help from others. My family continues to make fun of me for reading a book to learn how to be a mother. But hey if it will help build my confidence I am all for it!

Thanks to all the comments, emails and phone calls to wish me a happy birthday! I love you all...especially you Darin you made my day! Keep up the hard work, it will all pay off in the end!

Happy Birthday Christina

Well It's official. After all the poking and prodding, I broke down and will add to the family blog. Christina's not one to toot her own horn, and I think now is a good time to toot it for her. It's her birthday!!! She has been such a support to me while I am away and such a wonderful mother. It has been hard being away from her and Nash. He'll be driving when I see him next. I'm really glad we have the web cam though. Itss not much, but better than just the phone. I feel terrible for not being around when we lost our little Bug. I loved that dog so much. I hope that the sacrifice of being away pays off in the end. In talking to those involved in the selection of residents at the last two programs I've been at, almost all of the residents they selected have been from those that rotated with them, making the away rotations a necessary evil of being away from family.

I feel terrible I can't celebrate Christina's Birthday with her, so I celebrated it the best way possible last night, alone with a staple bag of Costco trail mix, oreos, and my only movie on hand Nacho Libre. I've come to notice quite well that life just isn't much without being with the ones you love. I visited Nauvoo and Kirtland along with the floods in Iowa on my trip out here. It was interesting, but it is always better when you're sharing it. I'm not totally alone though. The house I'm in now has seven students in it. My room mate is LDS which is nice, although I don't see him much. He leaves when I'm awake and I arrive when he's asleep. I see him a few times in the ER when he comes down for Ortho patients. Three of my roommates are married also with kids, which is the first I've been others in the same situation.

Unfortunately I don't have the talent with pictures like Christina does, and I left my digital camera at home. I am adding some of my favorites now, but I have to run off to work so I'll add more later. Enjoy

Love you Sweet Heart.

Darin

THANK-YOU!

YEAH for Briana! Thanks for the help in getting my background back!

In July Briana, Addison and I had some fun taking pictures. They both are such beautiful people...it was so much fun! Here are a few that I love!

BLOG LAYOUT HELP!

Last night I was trying to change my blog background and some how deleted the "Page Elements" place on my layout screen. Does anyone know how to get that back? So if I wanted to put in a new background, I do not have a place to paste it because that link is gone. The only thing left is the "Gadget" link thing. HELP! If anyone knows how to fix it please HELP!

A Sad Goodbye to Bugonia Hancock Willardson...

Today was a VERY hard day for our family. We had to say goodbye to our sweet little Bug Bug. She always thought she was bigger than her 2 pound body really was and today it caused a horrifying accident and I had to make the decision to put her to sleep.

Bugonia joined our family in October 2007. We had just received Lindy from our friends the Knechts when we heard my cousin Kara was trying to find Bug a home. The minute we saw her we knew she was ours. She instantly became our little Princess and Lindy's little sidekick. She had so much energy and was constantly licking something (drove me nuts!). For such a small dog she was pretty smart and she learned how to fetch and wanted to play continuously. Darin would throw her toy in the hardest places and laughed as she tried to get it... she always did.

My favorite past time with BugBug was to take her to the beloved dog park. She was my little celebrity... people always wanted to know more about Bugonia...how old she was...how much did she weigh...etc. She was the little boss of the park, and the other dogs either had crushes on her (Elliot) or they tried to figure out if she was a dog or a rat. She thought she was BIG and always wanted to play with the big dogs. I had to watch her closely or I would soon find her in the big dog area stirring up some kind of mischief.

I always enjoyed watching Bug and Lindy play, Bug for the most part held her own by biting Lindy's cheeks or sitting on her head, and Lindy was gentle with her. At the park Lindy would run and run, Bug would be right at her heels until she would hit a bump which would send her rolling. However she would get right back up and run again...such determination!

Occasionally Darin and I would take both dogs running with us and I always assigned Bug to him...which he hated because Bug would try to attack every person and dog that passed...not to mention how funny Darin looked running with such a small dog. After I had Nash when I took the dogs running, Bug preferred riding in the stroller...such a PRINCESS! She had a hard time when Nash came along, she was no longer the center of attention and tried very hard to be.

I couldn't feed Nash without her wanting to curl up around his head, or I would often find her getting into his bassinet to sleep next to him. She thought everyone loved her...even baby Nash! She became more clingy and it didn't matter what I was doing she had to be sitting on my lap.

We loved Bug so much as well as many others around us. There is a huge hole in our hearts now without our little Princess BugBug, and we miss her so much already! Lindy is still searching the house for her little companion. Our home will not be the same with out her!

I am sorry for the tribute to our dog but it is helping me grieve our loss. If any of you know my family, you would know that our dogs are special members of our family. I have heard people say that if they are to be reincarnated they want to come back as my dad's dog. We love our furry friends. We will all miss our little BugBug!

Grandad's Cowboy Hats!

My nephew Koen was riding around the house today on his stick horse and felt that he, Sadie and Nash needed to be cowboys. So he climbed on top of my dad's desk and got down 3 cowboy hats. They all looked so cute!

Nash was already sooooo cranky! (lack of nap taking!) He tolerated the dress-up long enough to snap some pictures. My personal favorite is the one where he is screaming...he must get that from his father! hehe

Those of you interested in an update on Darin he arrived back in Michigan last night and will begin his last rotation there tomorrow! YEAH...only a few more weeks and he will be home for a month! (then back to Pennsylvania) He took the COMLEX exam last week and felt okay about it. Darin always feels "okay" about things and then he does amazing! We are very proud of his hard work! Thanks for everything Darin!

Trip to Colorado!

Nash and I were able to join my parents on a little day trip to Colorado to fix one of my dads trucks. Darin's brother lives there so we were able to have more Willardson cousin time. It was so fun visiting with their little family...thanks for letting us drop by!

Koen and Sadie!

My nephew Koen celebrated his 4th birthday this past week! It seems every time I come to visit Blanding it is around the time of Koen's birthday. He is so much fun and loves to be the center of attention (a lot like his father..in looks and actions!). I remember when he was born we all were so excited. He was the first grandchild. His Aunt Lindsay and I were roommates in Orem and we rushed down to Monticello to see him!

This year I had so much fun snapping pictures of Koen and Sadie while they ran around blowing bubbles, beating up uncle Cody and hot rodding on Koen's wheeler (his present from his 3rd b-day!). Sadie has grown up so much and loves to do everything that Koen does. It will be fun when Nash can run and play with his cousins.

I hope Ashley and Kedrick do not mind me posting these fun pictures and bragging about how beautiful my nephew and niece are! (I am sure Ked will!)

High School Friends!

Today I was able to join some old friends for a park play date. I am amazed at how many kids there were at the park just from the 5 of us. Each one of these girls has two or three kids! I am just a little behind in the kid department! It was fun catching up on each others lives. My mouth hurt so bad from smiling and laughing so much!

Ginger, Nicole and Michelle live in Blanding, Liz lives in South Carolina and is visiting for the week. I am glad we were all able to get together. It was fun seeing all of you and your kids!

So I know these pictures are basically all the same, but I thought they were all cute and couldn't decide which one to post.

L to R: Me, Ginger, Liz, Nicole, and Michelle

10 weeks old!

Nash is now 10 weeks old! I thought Darin would like to see all the fun pictures we took on Saturday.

So does anyone else think I have way too much time on my hands right now in Blanding! I think I do a blog every day! Life really does change when you have a baby!

By the way many of my friends in California suggested some baby books to read, but I can't remember any of them...could you guys please send me a comment or an email reminding me what they were! I have plenty of time to read them now!

I figure I better get some books and learn how to be a mother... do any of you mothers out there ever feel like you are ruining your children? Motherhood is one of the most rewarding jobs but also the hardest! I am so glad I am a mother but I wish there was an instruction manual or an easy button to help me along the way. I believe being a Special Ed teacher was a much easier job! I think my insecurities get the best of me and I doubt my abilities too much! I can't wait until Darin gets home to help with the baby decision making...being a single mom is hard work...I admire and respect all you single moms out there. (Bree you're amazing!) However I am grateful for Darin, even though he is so many miles away he is always there to listen to me, and tries to fix whatever I am complaining about.

The other day my mom was at the grocery store and there was a women holding a baby. The cashier asked her how old her baby was. The woman replied "less then 24 hours." In amazement my mom asked her what she was doing at the store and if she was tired. The woman replied"YES! But somebody has to do the grocery shopping!" WOW! I am so grateful for supportive family members. I bet that woman was soooo tired! I have never been too excited about the Visiting Teaching or the Relief Society program (I get that from my mother!) but I really can appreciate those programs after having a baby and being far from our families. There were so many people in California who were willing to help! I felt and feel so blessed to be apart of a wonderful church. Thanks to all!

Who Let the Dogs Out!

So my parents house is SERIOUSLY a mad DOG HOUSE!! I thought living with 2 dogs and a new baby was crazy. Try 5 dogs, 5 adults and a new baby!!! The craziest part is 4 of them are either full or part chihuahua...to many divas in the house...I think I just might go nuts...When the doorbell rings it is like a dog pound with all the howling! HELP!

Check out those ears!

So this bottom picture is my parents bed...look at all those dogs...that is just crazy! Thank goodness Cody moves out on Wednesday and then there will be 4...haha! I feel so bad that we have bombarded my parents house. But I am thankful our dogs are welcome in their home.

Something Smells Fishy!

This morning Nash and I were greeted by my brother Cody with a fish in a jar that he had caught for my mom's backyard pond. He was very excited about it and then showed us the other fish he had caught. However this afternoon I came up the stairs to see my mom and Cody both getting after Lindy-girl. The accusation was she had reached into the jar, caught the fish and then ate it. Which I really did believe happened because Lindy has not been eating her dog food but rather begging anyone and everyone for food....(mainly my father because he will give it to her!) After searching the house to make sure the fish wasn't left anywhere to suffer a long painful death we all decided Lindy was the culprit! Well 10 minutes later we heard "AHHHH GROSS!!" come from Cody's room. He had reached into his gummy bear bag and guess what he found...haha...THE FISH! YUCK!!! That fish had jumped out of the jar and landed inside his gummy bear bag! POOR LINDY-GIRL! No wonder she had a "I didn't do it!" face when I took that picture.

The moral of the story don't accuse poor innocent dogs of crimes committed by gummy bears.....or just look before you grab a handful of gummy bears.

Grandma Willardson's Garden

Travis and Sasha's family came over to play at grandma W's house the last day Nash and I were there. It was so fun seeing all the cousins. Nash loved little Taeya and she was having a great time making him laugh. I love the picture of Alex holding Nash...the oldest grandson(#2) to the current youngest grandson (#19). This is a sweet family and I know Darin will be so happy to see that Nash was able to meet his cousins.

When I was packing up my things, I could hear Grandma W instructing the children in the yard...so I went out to see what was going on... they were all having fun replanting flowers. I loved hearing the dialogue between the children and Grandma W. They were learning all about soil, roots, energy, etc. It was a great learning activity for the kids and they seemed to be having a lot of fun. I love the Willardson family a lot, I am so grateful to be a part of them. I look forward to Nash's baby blessing when all 31 of us will be together. I will finally get to meet David's family...YEAH!

SISTERS: Nacho Libre & The Desperate Housewife!

My mom and her sister JoAnna...such drama queens!

By the way JoAnna... "you're so pretty you remind me of myself!" haha...(insider)
Seriously though I love your hair!

4 Generations and Mexican Food!

After visiting with my Grandparents we all met up with my Aunt JoAnna and ate some yummy Mexican food. Check out how cute my Aunt JoAnna's hair is! (more pictures to come on that subject)

After dinner we were able to take a 4 generation picture, Nash was asleep in the Moby Wrap (the only way I can eat with both hands) so you can't see his face...I am really glad we took this picture. It is a treasure in my eyes.

Great Hurst Grandparents!

When I was growing up some of my most favorite people were my great grandparents. My brothers and I didn't go a week or sometimes a day without seeing or hearing from my great Hurst grandparents. We loved sleeping at their house, playing at the farm, and going for motel drives (my grandparents liked to see which motels had no vacancy signs out...haha). I don't think I have very many memories of my childhood that do not include my great grandparents.

This past week in Orem I was so excited to introduce Nash to his Great Grandparents. It was a very needed visit for all of us and I am so grateful we made the effort to see each other.

Nash was entertained by Grandma Elaine and fell asleep on her shoulder. Grandpa Bruce educated my mom and I on genealogy...we verified the sad fact that Darin and I are related...AHHH!! (at least it is several generations down the line.) Thanks Grandpa Bruce and Grandma Elaine for letting us come visit! We love you guys very much!

Playing with Grandpa!

We love being at the Willardsons! It is so fun having Grandparents that love and care for Nash! Grandpa Willardson is fun to watch play with the Grand kids. Nash enjoyed the fun songs he sang to him as he rocked and played with him. I am grateful for such wonderful in laws. Thanks for making us feel so welcome in your home!

Reading the Newspaper!

Grandma Willardson has the magic touch with Nash. Since we have been in Utah he has been REALLY fussy!!! However when Grandma Willardson holds him he will relax. These pictures are so cute, it looks like he is really interested in what she is reading in the Newspaper. We are having so much fun spending time with Darin's family. Thanks for letting us visit!

Big Bath Time!

Nash has always taken a bath in a portable bath tub that Troy and Tanya so graciously gave us. Today, however he was able to take a bath in a BIG bath tub and he loved it! He had so much fun splashing his arms and legs. I don't know if we can go back to using the portable tub now!

Good Little Traveler!

My mom and I were able to travel to Orem on Friday. Nash was the best little traveler, he slept all the way to Mesquite. I had Nash ride in a convertible car seat and I think it was the best decision ever. His head was fully supported and the chair is nice and soft. This picture is a mirror I rigged up so I could see him from the front seat. It was fun to see his smiles as I was driving.

Owwwwwie 2 Month Shots!

Our little buddy received his 2 month shots today. I don't know who it was more traumatic for him or me. These are the days I really miss Darin...he obviously is better at the medical care stuff!

Nash is becoming a big boy! He now weighs 10 lbs 10 oz and is 21 1/2 inches long. YEAH he is growing!! He is in the 7th %ile in weight and 20th %ile in length. (When he was born his weight was in the -2 %ile...haha)

I have decided Nash needs a new Pediatrician, his doctor is nice but when Nash is screaming I can't understand a word she is saying, so my questions go unanswered...she is from Ciro.

These pictures are from the other night. Nash was in such a good mood, and my mom and I were taking full advantage of the smiles. I love how squished his face gets when I dress him. Such a sweet baby! Tomorrow we head for Utah to see the Willardsons. We are so excited to see all the family!