"It's the most wonderful time of the year . . . "

We had such a perfect and lovely Christmas. The only thing I regret is that we didn't have MORE time to be with family. Since I have quite a large family with lots of Grandparents still alive, Brennan is accustomed to driving all over the valley with me to see my family, for which I am grateful! Christmas Eve found us at Smoot's House, then my Gma Swilor's house, then my Gpa Swilor's house, then my Gma Johnson's house.

Uncle Gary, Brennan, Geddy's oldest cousin Josh (18), and Geddy

Geddy's 2nd Cousin Traeson- 4 months older than Geddy. He's such doll!

Geddy's Great Grandma Swilor

Christmas day started off with us being as excited as ever to show Geddy his toy car which Brennan put together the night before. The car was actually from Great Gma Swilor. As you can see from the pictures, he was a happy guy his his new little car!

Then we headed off to my Mom's for some yummy crepes and fun with Aunt Halee and Aunt Jerica.

"My cell phone Mama!"

(Geddy attacking Aunt Jerica)

Later in the afternoon on Christmas we went to my Dad's house and ate Lila's Southern Gumbo Soup, which I couldn't get Brennan to stop eating because he was in "heaven."

Geddy and Reagan (Lila's niece)

Do I look good in this fluffy hat Mom?

Geddy and Grandpa

What a wonderful time of year and a wonderful Christmas!!!

Happy Birthday Buddy, Little Man, Mr. Turtle, Bambino!!!

The first year . . A very personal post

Forgive this entry. I have been keeping a journal for a year of all of Geddy's many "firsts" and also my feelings as the days and months passed. Of course as Geddy is turning one I felt it appropriate to write the "final" entry. I know close friends and family will appreciate reading it, so I decided to share. . .

December 8, 2008 Reflections on the first year
Such a flood of emotions come over me when I ponder everything that this first year has brought us and everything that has transpired. All day as I would think of thoughts I wanted to get down on paper, my eyes would start to well up. First thing I thought of is how perfect and good everything has been this first year. I thought, “there is hardly a negative thing to mention.” Then I remembered the first month and the struggles with breastfeeding. I have to say that breastfeeding is probably my only NEGATIVE thing to mention in this whole experience. I can’t believe how hard it was, how emotional it was, and how Geddy and I just couldn’t “do it!” So . . .the pumping began. I remember how emotional and taxing that was as well. Clogged milk ducts made for a very unhappy mommy about once every week (they usually occurred on the weekends it seemed). Luckily the clogged ducts really died down by about April, and I only had a few in the month of May. After June, I was completely clog free basically – which was such a relief. Pumping for what has been now OVER ONE YEAR has been a huge accomplishment for me; a goal that I could not fathom accomplishing when I was back at 2 months! I could barely dream of the days when I could say to someone, anyone, “yes, I breastfed my baby for year, it wasn’t the traditional way, nor the path of least resistance, but I did it!” Dear Geddy and any man that reads this, it’s hard to understand the intense desire that women feel to breastfeed their child. I wanted to give you the very best, and I wanted to have a bond with you. Now I am nearing the end of pumping and close to no longer giving Geddy my milk, “quitting” is not as hard to think about as it has been all these months. Even just a few months ago, the thought of no longer giving Geddy my milk made me extremely sad. I wonder if it’s because it’s a symbol of a new stage and for moving on, which has been hard for me. I just don’t want my baby to grow up so fast!

This first year has been the most amazing year of my life. I never knew that I could find such joy and happiness in taking care of another human being. I never knew that I could feel such love and adoration for this little bambino. I miss him after he’s been asleep for a few hours and I can’t wait to wake up to see his smiling, shining face. We have been blessed with a very good tempered and funny boy. He’s got a great personality. We always hear people say that they have never seen a more “interactive” baby. He’s so curious about the world around him, and is easily content in new settings, as long as mama or papa is close by. I have been very touched to see Brennan grow in love and closeness to his son. I can tell by the way he looks at him that he is truly his greatest pride and joy. I think I speak for us both when I say that our lives were not complete before he came into this world and now it almost feels as if we could be content with just this little one because he’s so perfect (but of course I do hope the Lord will see fit to bless us with another one someday). It’s a joy and a wonder to see Geddy grow and develop. It makes me feel extremely grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing Geddy with good health, strength and development. I often feel that we are too blessed and have it too easy, but I am immensely thankful. The only thing that I am sad about it how fast time is slipping away before me. I remember clearly the years of never thinking I would be pregnant, of never being able to imagine having a child one day. I remember clearly the positive pregnancy test, then the day that he came into this world. It all seems like an amazing wonderful dream . . .come true!!!

Geddy dear son, you are an amazing, wonderful perfect little boy. I love you more than you will ever know (until you have your own child). You fill my heart and life with happiness and joy. It’s an honor and privilege to be your mother. I pray that I can teach you correct principles and be a good example to you. I am afraid of ever disappointing you or making a mistake. I hope you will forgive me if, I mean WHEN, I do. I pray that you will learn about Heavenly Father and your Savior, Jesus Christ, and that you will let His gospel bring you as much joy as it has brought us. It would be our greatest accomplishment to rear you in this gospel and see you fulfill all your priesthood responsibilities to become a worthy man and husband yourself one day. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father’s plan for families; that Heavenly Father put us together in this family to love and cherish one another for the eternities. Geddy, you are a great miracle in our lives. You have reminded us that “man is that he might have joy.” Even if we could burn the words onto this page, they wouldn’t render the feelings in our hearts for you. We love you forever and eternally son. Happy Birthday!

A Kiss

Geddy loves to see us kiss or hug. I guess what they say is true about the importance of showing affection towards your spouse in front of your children. Click on the picture to see the way Geddy is looking at us, it's priceless!

Fall Photo Shoot

Happy 29th Birthday to ME!

Today I turned 29. I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed and told Brennan, "honey, you don't understand, I really don't feel 29, I feel like I am 21." He said, "I do understand, I feel the exact same way!" I don't think I am one who's afraid to turn 30 or anything like that, I just can't believe I have been on this earth for 29 years. I confirmed with my mom today that I WAS the cutest baby every born (ha ha ha). I was born at Cottonwood hospital at 3:01 am and weighed in at 6 lbs. 11 oz. Mom said she was in the hall in a makeshift "room," because there was no "room for her at the inn," and I was in the nursery until around 11 am. She said she was dying to get me and hold me, but all the babies had to stay in the nursery until there was an actual hospital room for us to be in with our moms. I do remember my mom telling me over the years that there was so much confusion and it was such a packed hospital, that she wasn't sure she even got the right baby!!! Ha ha ha, joking of course. Anyone that knows my mom, knows that I take on many of her physical traits, and even some of her personality traits as well!!! I love you Mom! Thanks for loving me more than "any baby has ever been loved," and thanks for bringing me into this world. I can't wait to see what the next 29 years will bring.

Geddy at 11 Months!

Geddy is 11 months old today. Wow! He is a joy and a wonder. He has multiplied our happiness by hundredfold - and we had our fair share of happiness before he was here!


Here's a summary of all the MANY things he can do...
Words: (in order of frequency)
Papa, Dada, Puppy, Diaper (sounds like it at least), Num Num, Gabba (sounds like grandpa), Bubble, Hi, Mama
Actions:
clapping, pointing, knocking, waving, crawling at lightning speeds, shaking his head "no," standing alone for a few seconds, and taking a few steps!
Foods:
Chocolate and sweets, applesauce, chicken and ground turkey, raw tomatoes, strawberries, peaches, spaghetti, rice, crackers, bread
Redeeming Qualities (according to the parents):
Very good sleeper, snuggler, doesn't mind getting his face wet and wiped off and doesn't mind water in his eyes, silly laugh and smile, happy and silly boy.

Happy Halloween!!!

Geddy was an octopus this year. I made the legs and applied the dots on the hood. I was so excited to put him in his costume. Halloween day I was trying to talk Brennan into going trick or treating at 4 pm, but he advised me that was too early. Even when we stepped out the door at 5:00 we didn't see another trick or treater in sight (for a good hour almost) and it was sunny and bright outside. We hit about 10 houses and talked to some of our good neighbor friends. A few of our neighbors went all out! One had a spook alley in their garage. I thought Geddy would cry, but he seemed intrigued. Another handed out cotton candy that they had just spun and had a real live photo booth where you got your picture taken. Geddy has a nasty cough and cold and therefore he wasn't our normal smiley boy like we like. I had so much fun, I felt like a kid again. I can see how/why people relive their childhood through their children, it's hard not to be a kid again!
I like how his octopus legs stick out of his stroller and he's holding his candy bag! He held on to it tight! And he likes candy, but of course I didn't let him suck on that sucker for more than a few minutes. I was getting a little freaked out by how much he liked it and would cry when I took it away!

Skeletor

We finally got out the Halloween decorations this morning and Geddy's favorite was Skeletor. I seemed to recall this was Roxi's favorite too (or maybe I just liked to chase her around the house and scare her with it!) It kind of has a creepy face - but we think it's pretty cool! I love this skeleton mom.
Yup, it's hand tastes pretty good too!
If you look closely at this one (click to enlarge) you can see that Geddy is getting his top teeth. His left tooth is just barely starting to poke through!
I like to poke his squishy eyes!
Oh no Mom, does Skeletor have to go night night?