A Much Needed Update

Hello from the blustery dang cold Wyoming prairies! We have solidly landed in the middle of winter here and I don't like it. But I'm learning to deal with it.

Since my last post about Jayden's birthday, lots has happened!

There's been a couple of haircuts, which have proven to be Jayden's least favorite thing in the world,

Lots of playtime and discovery of new favorite playgrounds,

Successful, and not so successful, nap times (this was after a particularly active nap time apparently),

A baby turned ferocious dinosaur,

A successful first trick-or-treating experience (as you can see he wasn't the only ferocious dinosaur),

If you count, there are a total of 3 dinosaurs, 3 ladybugs, 1 Alice (in Wonderland), 1 lion, 1 Ironman, 1 Peter Pan and 1 airplane.

We've also traveled to Arizona, just Jayden and I, which was the first time I have traveled by myself with Jayden. It was a success but I wouldn't want to take any flights longer than what we did (2 or less hours). It is hard keeping an active toddler busy in a small space!

We have attended many football games. I'm happy to say that, of the home games, we've only missed one! That's a big improvement from last year when I think I only attended one. Jayden usually takes naps midway through the game and I wear him in my wrap the whole time. It's worked out really well for us this year. Unfortunately we will probably miss this weekend's game because it is going to be COLD and snowy so, no thank you. I'll watch the game indoors. But the Cowboys are having a winning season and bowl talk has begun. So proud of our Pokes!

We've had many many visitors. I don't think a month has gone by where we haven't had at least 2 weekends busy with people visiting. It's been great and I'm so glad we live closer to our family now. Grandma and Grandpa Martinez will be arriving today as a matter of fact!

As for Jayden...

• He's a full-fledged walker and has been for a good two months now. He started walking soon after his first birthday and hasn't stopped since. I'm convinced he'll be running by Christmas!
• He says "Hot", "Uh uh" (uh oh), "mama", "dah" (daddy), and I'm sure there are others but I haven't deciphered them yet. He's always making noises and I'm convinced there are times when he is singing. I really think he's got a knack for music but we'll see as he gets older.
• Speaking of music, his favorite show is "Sing-off" and he loves to dance during the performances. Pretty much anytime music comes on though, he is bouncing his little legs.
• He's forward facing in his car seat now which was by necessity rather than my choice. I was hoping to keep him rear facing for another year but traveling backwards is torture for him apparently which means its also torture for me. We turned him around on a road trip in October and ever since he's been facing forward because I just couldn't bear to turn him around. He loves to watch the road and I love to see his face.
• He is a good little eater and will eat, or at least try, anything you put in front of him.
• He still doesn't like milk but he's getting better.
• He's started at day care. No more nanny, so we've been transitioning him to day care the past couple of weeks and he's been doing so fantastic. I'm so proud of him!
• Still nursing but starting the weaning process because...

• He's going to be a big brother!

And that's the last of the news! Baby Martinez #2 will be arriving sometime around May 21. We're very excited. I've been feeling much better as compared to my pregnancy with Jayden and I can't help but think maybe that means this one will be a girl?? We'll find out sometime around Christmas/New Years. Yes, we will be finding out and I wouldn't have it any other way. I've gotta plan for these things! I'll talk more about the new baby later though.

As for the immediate future, I am so excited the Holidays are here!! This is my favorite time of year and my second trimester is starting next week, just in time for Thanksgiving! I already feel more energy coming back and less nausea (which is usually the extent of my morning sickness when I'm pregnant) so I'm very ready for the weeks to come. I just need to start my Christmas shopping now.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Birthday Boy!

Jayden's birthday fell on a Friday this year but since there was a football game on Saturday, we had to wait until Sunday to celebrate. My parents came into town on Friday though and we took big boy Jayden out to dinner to a Mexican restaurant. DJ was able to meet up with us for a little bit so at least we didn't have to completely skip Jayden's actual birthday day.

On Sunday my inlaws, grandparents and brother all got into town for the party. They all live in Rapid City so the drive wasn't too bad and I was so glad that they were willing to make that drive to celebrate Jayden with us. They all made the day sooo special and I will remember it forever.

Before the actual party, my mom, mother-in-law and grandma helped me finish up the food prep. Surprisingly I still had a TON to do even though I had been preparing for weeks prior to the party. Next time I will definitely choose more foods that can be prepared ahead of time and frozen. I had done some of that but not near enough! Thank goodness for all the help!

I went with a Dr. Seuss theme which was so much fun to plan and decorate. I tried to plan a lot of the food around the Dr. Seuss books and the colors were largely based off the Cat in the Hat with the red and white stripes. The other main color was teal/turquoise.




Roast Beast Sandwiches from The Grinch


Pink Ink Lemonade from One Fish Two Fish


(Foreground) Green Deviled Eggs and Ham Pinwheels from Green Eggs and Ham
(Background) Cheese Trees and Crackers from Fox in Sox

For Jayden's cake, I didn't want to do a full sugar, white flour cake so I made a "healthy" carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting. I was pretty happy with how it turned out and Jayden seemed to enjoy it too!

















I was so glad he dug right in and had no fear of enjoying his cake while everyone watched and laughed and snapped pictures. We all enjoyed it just as much as he did!!

For everyone else I made full sugar, white flour cupcakes and they were oh so yummy too.



I asked everyone that came to the party to bring something to put in a time capsule that we will then let Jayden open up on his 18th birthday.


The basket was just to hold the items for the day. I'll actually keep the time capsule in a Rubbermaid container so it'll hold up for 17 years.

We tried to get everyone's picture with Jayden so I could finally put pictures in this little photo album book that Jayden has (Jayden already loves the book even with no pictures in it).


Nana and Poppa (My parents)

Grandma and Grandpa (DJ's parents)

Uncle Chace (My brother) - Not the best picture of Chace with Jayden but one of the only ones from Jayden's actual birthday weekend. We'll use a different one for the book!

Nicolette (Jayden's nanny)

Grampy (My grandpa) - this was taken the next morning after the party


Grammy (My grandma)

A couple of my friends whose husbands work with DJ also came over and brought their kids. I was glad to add some more kids to the mix because that kept things lively.







I made Jayden a special hat for his birthday. I personally loved it so I'm glad I didn't listen to others' opinions who may have been against the idea! I think it was perfect for a 1 year old's birthday. I probably won't get my 10 year old to wear such a hat!



I also finished Jayden's baby book up to his 1 year birthday and made a photobook on Shutterfly of his first year. I was so glad to have those done since I know I will treasure those so much in years to come.



After cake, we did presents. Holy moly, any child that has 6 grandparents will never ever want for anything.







Jayden didn't really know how to open the presents obviously so DJ helped him. I was really impressed with how the other kids were so good about helping Jayden and didn't insist on opening the presents themselves. They were very well-behaved for 2 and 3 year olds! Jayden received so many great toys although I will rotate them out so he doesn't get bored with them all at once (or overwhelmed!)

All in all it was a great day and such a fantastic way to celebrate Jayden's first birthday. Everyone ate a lot, laughed a lot, and most of all, enjoyed Jayden and all he does to entertain us!

Here are a few more pictures from that day...

Then and Now

I didn't get a chance to post this on Jayden's birthday day but I wanted to!

Then: 10 days old

From 2 weeks old

Now: 1 year old

From 1 Year Bday Weekend

What a long way he has come! And what a long way DJ and I have come! I knew next to nothing about raising a 1 year old a year ago. And now, well, I could tell ya a thing or two about it.

I hope to post some pictures of Jayden's birthday party in the next day or two. It was such a success and everyone, including the birthday boy, had a great time! 

Things have somewhat slowed down around here and I seriously need to update this blog! SO much I want to share about Jayden's first year and my first year as a mom!

Unlikely Toys

We've found a new toy that can keep Jayden occupied for several minutes and it even saved me from an otherwise horrible car trip back from Cheyenne yesterday...

The great invention of tissues in a box!



We just love watching Jayden figure out new things - his mind is always going!

Sweetest kisses in the world

I love how my boy gives us some lovin these days. He gives the best kisses with his bottom lip puckered out and his hand smashed to his face. Best kisses in the whole world!

Watch "Kisses" on YouTube

Sweet Dreams

DJ and I came up to bed and found this... Could anything be as adorable as a sleeping baby with a booty sticking straight up in the air???

I hope to post some updates on what's been happening around here soon! Stay tuned!

Family Photos

When we went our family vacation in July, I mentioned that we spent some time in Denver before we left for California in order to take some professional family photos. Well weeks later, because you know perfection takes time, we finally received our pictures back! I'm pretty happy with how they turned out so I thought I'd share them. If I didn't like them, you would have probably never heard about them again. Thankfully the photographer was able to work a little magic on a very hot day...