Virginia is For Lovers

Well... you're looking at the newest residents of Alexandria, Virginia!  So far we love it here.  We are about a 20 minute drive from DC, and only 10 minutes from Old Town and the cutest view of the Potomac.  We were laughing because I was so excited to learn that Walmart, Mcdonald's (gotta have that DC), Target, Home Goods, TJ Maxx and Costco are all within 10 minutes of our condo!  Gangs all here guys, gangs all here haha.  

Luckily my sweet mom flew with Tally and I to make the trip out here a million times easier.  Someone prayed for us because we had a whole row to ourselves.  Tally was pretty busy during the flight but would settle down to watch movies for a bit and finally fell asleep about 10 minutes before landing haha.  I'm so glad I had her extra hands to help with him, she is so good with Tally.  

While my mom was here we visited the Botanical Gardens, made trips to Costco, Walmart and TJ maxx, and spent time just being with each other.  My mom was an angel- she did my laundry, cleaned our kitchen, played with Tally, bought all of our groceries, and babysat so we could go on a date night just the two of us- it could be our last one for a while!  I only used a babysitter that was non-family once since Tally was born so we will see how long it takes me to leave him now that we are away from family-eek!  

I am also so grateful for my mom's homemaking skills.  She's taught me how to turn a house into a home and how to take care of a family.  I call her all the time with the silliest questions about recipes or how to clean something and she always has an answer!  She made us a batch of homemade jam and left us with homemade chocolate chip cookie dough so that we would, "have a treat ready to bake for family home evening".  

My boys on the way to the Botanical Gardens with the Capitol in the background.  

I can't get over how BIG this kid is looking! Makes me wanna cry!

Tally slept basically the whole time we were at the gardens- he literally woke up on our way out.  I was bummed because they have a cute area for kids to play and they can plant their own flower.  Luckily we have plenty of time to come back! 

Our first date in our new home we celebrated by driving to Old Town and eating dinner at Blackwall Hitch overlooking the Potomac.  I loved watching the sailboats and told Braedon that's what I wanna do for our anniversary one of these years haha.  Crossing my fingers and toes! 

What's better than watching your baby sleep??

Tally at Costco just having a BALL trying all of the samples.  That milk mustache is killer.  

Another classic picture of Tally.  We took my mom out to dinner the last night she was here and fed the ducks on the Potomac.  My mom asked us if we felt like we were at home or if we were just on vacation- she said Old Town felt a lot like Park City especially since we were just walking around enjoying the shops and stopping for ice cream.  I feel incredibly lucky that we get to experience such an amazing place!  

We are still getting things put away and adjusting to living in a new state but Braedon and I were surprised to already feel at home here so quickly.  No doubt it was due to my mom's help.  We definitely miss having her staying with us!  She added her touch and I even own my very first plant now, a gardenia....lets hope I can keep it alive!!  

Summer 2016 So Far

I love that goober more than he'll ever know!  

What's better than a popsicle and sprinklers at Grammy's house??  

Tally gets the biggest smile every time we put sunglasses on him, it's so funny!  Obviously he doesn't keep them on for long though...

I love these boys with all my heart.  This was just before our Murdock going away party.  Tally fell asleep in the car ride on the way to the pool so Braedon and Tally got a little snuggle/ snooze on the lounge chair before everyone showed up.  There is not a lot of things better than napping with your baby.  

Wow, it's been quite the summer already and it barely started!!  All of our belongings are officially on their way to D.C. as we speak.  Tally has been loving staying at Grammy's with me until we fly out in a few days.  We both miss Braedon a lot and Tally often looks at me and says, "Daa--eeee??" For "daddy".  He has been loving all of the time with his Grammy and Grandpa though.  We've LOVED having a yard and are outside playing in the sprinklers, eating popsicles and swinging basically every day.  

It's a pretty surreal feeling moving across the country.  It doesn't quite feel real yet.  I am finally feeling ready to just be there- to start "nesting" and putting our place together, and just getting settled.  I'm nervous and excited for this adventure! 

I stopped working about a month ago and it has been SO amazing just being at home with Tally and really focusing on that role.  On the other hand I LOVED my job and sometimes the "break" was just good for me.  After lots of praying and trips to the temple Braedon and I both feel like I need to be home right now, and we're planning on me staying at home with Tally once we move as well.  Neither of us are really sure how everything will work, but we do know that we have been continually blessed as we've followed promptings and commandments from Heavenly Father.  I think it'll be challenging, but so very WORTH it!   We had a unique situation with Braedon's job here in Utah where he was able to stay at home with Tally while I worked.  I'm so glad they got that time together!!  It's hard to know how much free-time Braedon will have once the craziness of med school begins.  For now Tally and I are enjoying our last few days here in Utah, and soaking up time with family and friends!  

Cali w/ friends

You know those people that you meet that will forever change your life?  Well I was lucky to meet 5 of them my freshman year of college.  I never really "clicked" with a group of girls until I met these incredible, genuinely kind, hilarious, cry-with-you, laugh-at-you, share every secret with kind of girls.  When I made the decision to live in an apartment with 5 other girls I was so nervous.  But it was honestly such a blessing from Heavenly Father, and I know without a doubt that we were meant to be life-long friends.  It was quite a unique trip from our usual girls vaca- because we decided to make it a party and bring our husbands and our babies.  We could not stop talking about how crazy it was that we have kids.  Like we are moms?? I honestly still feel like I'm 19, I am not old enough or responsible enough to be a mom??  Anyways, we had such a great time this trip.  We ate ourselves sick, spent time on the beach, played card games, and the girls snuck away one night to see "Me Before You" and we all bawled.  It was such a fun trip!

I can't get over how TALL he looks here!  He isn't a baby anymore :(

Literally ALWAYS on the move.  He loved watching the cars drive by.

What's better that a naked baby bum on the beach?? Nothing.  I'll save the bare bum pics for myself though ;)

Just missing a couple of the girls in this pic.  I think we might be legit laughing and not fake laughing? Who knows.  

The second half of the trip we got to stay with my sister Missy in Carlsbad.  We loved visiting them and seeing their kids!  They were sweet enough to babysit Tally while Braedon and I snuck off for a date night.  Lexi took her babysitting duties VERY seriously.  Both Colton and Lexi woke up at 5 am because they wanted to give us hugs before we left.  So adorable! 

This was honestly PURE HEAVEN.  We got super lucky and Tally took naps on the beach every time we went.  We'd play for a couple hours, stick him in his stroller and he'd nap for an hour or two while Braedon and I laid out and body surfed (mostly Braedon).  This day he napped on me and I was LOVING the snuggles.  

How cute are these two?? I seriously LOVE watching them play.  Braedon can't sit still at the beach or the pool so I get to get my relaxing in while he wears Tally out.  The thing is, Braedon genuinely has fun playing with the kids.  I'm seriously so lucky to have him.  

Gangs all here!! We are just missing Whitney's husband David who couldn't come because he is in med school.  Six years, two missions, four weddings and three kids later and we still know how to party! 

ONE YEAR OLD

I'm about four months late but I figured I'd better write down the details of Tally's first birthday before I totally forget! We had such a fun day.  Braedon made him pancakes for breakfast and after he got in a good nap we took him to the museum of natural curiosity.  It was fun, but more of a "big kid" place.  He loved playing in the play-place with all of the balls!  He doesn't quite understand sharing yet and kept walking over and trying to take balls out of other kids hands!  Super funny to watch.  That night we had family over for dessert and Tally's cake smash.  He was kind of a pill during his cake smash, he could see his cousins playing with his new toys and I think he just did NOT want to be in his high chair-he wanted to play!  But we got a few great pictures and videos.

Size (Diapers, Onesies, Etc.): Still size 3 diapers, and in size 12-18 month clothing.  He was 19lbs (17%) and 31 inches (90%).  Just a string bean!


Eyes: Tally's intermittent exotropia has basically completely resolved which is pretty amazing.  We'll continue to watch it and see if it comes back.

Hair: Hair is strawberry blonde I guess? It's the exact same color as Braedon's was at his age! And I am obsessed with his curls.


Sleeping: Still sleeps through the night and takes two naps a day :)


Eating: He is starting to get a little pickier, and it has been a challenge.  He LOVES berries, especially raspberries.  He also loves yogurt, and tilapia.


Milestones:
-Walking!!
-Says Mama, Dada, Hi, Ball, Dog, Uh-Oh, What's that?, Pretty, Nose, and lots of gibberish
-Can point to where his nose, hair, eyes, and belly button are
-Knows what the "monkey says" and what the "dog says" haha
-Says "No!" ALL the time haha (apparently we use that word a lot)


Loves:
-Dogs, baths, swimming, books, eating, snuggling mama, being chased by dad, singing

Hates:
-Still hates getting cleaned up after he eats! He throws a fit every time I wipe his face.  And like I mentioned earlier meal-time is messy so I'm ready for him to just accept that his face has to be wiped after we eat! haha

I'm Back

Mother's Day 2016

^^ this boy gives the best snuggles and kisses ^^

My husband is so hot haha

It's been a while since I've blogged!  After having Tally and all of the craziness of becoming a mom I kind of felt like I lost my voice for a while, other than monthly updates about Tally.  While I know I'm pretty irrelevant in the blogging world I still love having a place to gather my thoughts and journal about our family.  I have lots of "private posts" that won't ever be posted but that I love to re-read and add to them.  I know I should probably hand-write them but typing is just so much faster!

For a while it honestly felt like life was swallowing me whole.  I was having a hard time getting used to my "postpartum" body, couldn't seem to keep my house clean, and was just in kind of a slump for a bit.  I made a goal at the beginning of the year to finally actually complete the Kayla Itsines guides and I'm proud to say I did it!!  I noticed that other parts of my life that needed improving started to change as well.  On days that I worked out I had more energy, and I was happier to get housework done.  I also found that I was growing spiritually- I was taking care of myself and felt like I had more time to read my scriptures and ponder.  I got into a good routine-workout in the morning, then read scriptures and have "me time" during Tally's morning nap.  It's still a habit that I have to work on EVERY day.  Some days I love working out, but most days it's an internal struggle haha.  I also have the biggest sweet tooth alive, and probably always will, but I'm kind of ok with it.  Like I've just come to terms with it now, you know?  I'm going to have my cake and eat it too.  Well mostly just the frosting.  I love frosting.

Ok! lots of rants going on.  Update on our family...

Braedon: Mr. Smarty pants graduated, on the deans' list, and has accepted an offer from George Washington University Medical School.  We will be making the big move to DC this summer!  I have lots of feelings about this, mostly excitement and nerves.  I've been trying to pack a few boxes in my spare time and have found that Tally is packing too-so far I've found a few legos, a binky, and a ball in one of my boxes ;) I also found a separate box that contained one of each of my shoes ;)

Me: Still working as a nurse at St. Mark's in the nursery,  but I only have a couple shifts left.  It's a bittersweet end- I love, LOVE, my job but I love being a mom more.  It'll be interesting to see where my nursing career takes me in DC. Right now I'm just focused on being a mom and a wife. I also just started my second round of Kayla and I'm trying not to think too hard about moving.  I've read about 5 books in the past month, it's been a good distraction!  I've LOVED The Nightingale and Me Before You.  I also enjoyed Big Little Lies, and the Hypnotists Love Story.

Tally:  Running EVERYWHERE, repeating words, and getting smarter by the minute.  He's got such a personality.  One minute he's doing something naughty and the next minute he's up in my face giving me kisses or snuggling me.  I can't help but laugh at everything he does.  He's super into "organizing" right now.  He'll grab random household items; lotion, legos, cars etc. and just line them up on my book shelf.  Then he moves them up and down on the shelves and just gets super concentrated.  It's so cute.  He loves playing with cars and balls, and "dances" to music.  He is honestly such a light in our lives,  I love him more than words. He has been teething the past few days and has basically had a fever the whole time and it just breaks my heart.  I love the extra snuggling but hate that he is in so much pain.

We are honestly just loving our simple life right now.  Yes, we have trials, but we try to just be grateful for them because they make us who we are.  We feel super close as our little family of three, and I'm so lucky to have such a patient and considerate husband.  We are doing our best to save money (I'm not super helpful, sorry babe) and just prepare for this next HUGE adventure. We have lots of great memories to make ;)

Noodle and Boo

^^This is Tally's face when his teeth hurt, his little lips all pursed! So sad.^^

^^ K side note, please excuse our disgusting grout!  I have seriously tried everything to get that to go away, I guess it's just one of the joys of apartment living.  Suggestions more than welcome. ^^

^^ Who could stay mad at that face?? ^^

Monday morning was such a "Monday".  I went to change Tally's diaper and low and behold he had his first big blowout for me (thanking my lucky stars we made it this far)!  You guys, it was up to his SHOULDERS!  I wanted to cry haha.  The worst part about it is Tally has gotten so busy and thinks it's hilarious to flip over and crawl away while I'm changing his diaper....SO not cool with poop all over his little bum!  haha!  Needless to say, we went straight for the bath.  I was especially annoyed because I had been feeling ambitious and I had us both all ready for the day before 10am and had planned to go to the grocery store!  However, one thing you learn to do as a mother is just roll with the punches!  I let Tally play in the bath for a bit, lathered him up with lotion, called up my girlfriends and we had an impromptu lunch date.  Much better than errand running!  Plus it ended up snowing so I was kind of super glad I wasn't hauling grocery bags out to my car.    

This little mishap also gave us a great excuse to try out the bubble bath and hair/body-wash from Noodle & Boo.  When they reached out to me to review some of their products I may or may not have squealed! If I've ever talked to you about baby products then you probably know how much I LOVE their lotion.  It smells heavenly (seriously everyone tells me Tally smells so good), it doesn't dry out their skin, and it lasts FOREVER!  We use a different brand for the newborns at the hospital and I have to say it just doesn't cut it for me.  It makes my skin (and I think the baby's skin) super dry! I don't mind your typical baby wash for a day to day basis but after trying the bubble bath and hair/body-wash from Noodle & Boo I think I might be converted.  Especially as we move into winter.  I'm already noticing random dry spots on Tally and I think he needs a body wash that is more moisturizing and sensitive on his soft skin.   

I've also tried the reed diffuser and I love how subtle it is.  I keep it in the nursery and it just makes it smell fresh and I don't know... baby-ish??  You know what I mean.  Just that heavenly newborn scent.  Anyways, I was talking with my girlfriend and we both agreed that the Noodle & Boo lotion (or any other product for that matter) makes such a great baby shower gift.  It pairs so cute with one of those adorable animal hood newborn towels, or bath toys!  Or I mean...just buy it for yourself cause it is seriously THAT good.  

Noodle & Boo Super Soft Lotion

Noodle & Boo 2-in1 Hair & Body Wash

Noodle & Boo Reed Diffuser

Noodle & Boo Bubble Bath 

TALLY'S 11 MONTH UPDATE

Size (Diapers, Onesies, Etc.): Still size 3 diapers, and in size 12-18 month clothing.  We will see his pediatrician at 1 year to find out how muc he weighs, etc.  He seems like he is growing like a weed, he is SO tall to me!!



Eyes: Tally's intermittent exotropia has good days and bad days, the bad days are usually related to something else like teething, not enough sleep, etc.  We saw another specialist at Primary Children's and he felt like Talmage was handling it beautifully, that he definitely does NOT need glasses and that we just need to follow it closely. It's frustrating getting such different opinions, but for now we are just watching it closely and hoping it'll work itself out. 


Hair: Hmm...I guess I would describe his hair as dirty blonde right now?? Maybe with a little strawberry?  It's getting so long and he totally has a mullet, but he has a few curls in the back and I just can't bring myself to cut his hair just yet. 



Sleeping: Tally is officially sleeping through the night!!  Woo! Woo!!  Took him 10 months.  Sometimes I miss the late night nursing and snuggling, but mostly I'm just glad we are all getting some more sleep.  On a good night he goes to bed around 8 and gets up around 8 the next morning, then takes two 1-2 hr naps during the day. 



Eating: He eats everything we eat and prefers to feed himself-mealtime is MESSY.  His favorites include coconut greek yogurt, tilapia, raspberries and broccoli.  He also seems to be phasing out of bottles and it makes me kind of sad ;(



Milestones:
-Walking!!  He isn't full on walking all of the time, but he can go short distances.  It's the cutest little zombie walk I've ever seen. 
-Says Mama, Dada, Hi, Ball, Dog, Uh-Oh
-Whenever he sees himself in the mirror or a front facing camera he waves or claps and says "Hiiiii" haha
-Has four teeth on top, one bottom middle, and two molars!


Loves:
-Frozen (the movie), baths, swimming, books, eating, snuggling mama, and being chased by dad

Hates:
-Getting cleaned up after he eats! He throws a fit every time I wipe his face.  And like I mentioned earlier meal-time is messy so I'm ready for him to just accept that his face has to be wiped after we eat! haha



Tally is turning into a toddler right before my eyes and I can't decide if I love it or hate it.  He has an opinion and is starting to get mad when we take things away from him!  He also squeals, and can be the biggest ham during dinner time or when he can see that he's being filmed.  He claps his hands, makes an "oh" face, smiles this cheesy scrunchy grin, waves and says, "hiii".  If you follow me on snapchat you know what I'm talking about!! 


He has been walking around on the furniture for a while and took his first steps while Braedon was with him and I was at work- I was SO glad it was caught on video!  Ever since then he hasn't been afraid to walk, he just knows crawling is faster.  He loves how excited we get after each time he walks and gets this bashful grin when we cheer for him. 


He absolutely loves to snuggle, after each nap I get the cutest head butts.  He snuggles everything; his books, my lap, his toys, pillows, you name it.  He loves and has always loved Frozen.  If I'm in a pinch somewhere and he is getting antsy I can turn on "let it go" and he is in a trance!  Braedon keeps saying we need to find a more "manly" show haha.  I love that he loves the music! 


Tally giggles all the time and thinks Braedon is super hilarious.  He has also figured out how to make us laugh and can be super silly!  Braedon has taught him to laugh after every time he farts and sometimes he will cough over and over trying to squeeze a fart out to make us all laugh hahah the best part is, most of the time it works!!  (sorry if that is super gross or tmi to some of you). 


Seriously, this mom gig is the best, and I feel super grateful to watch Talmage grow up.