Zoe Paige!

Baby Zoe is here finally! I am a little tired (though not nearly as much as Melanie) so I will keep my typing brief and just get some pictures up. (For some reason this posted up in reverse order of what I had selected). Zoe Paige Jones was born at 10:04 am, weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce officially and is 19 1/4" long. She has hardly cried at all (at least today) and has taken to feeding very well (thank goodness). She likes to look around and snuggle up to sleep. And her big sister Maeley really enjoyed seeing her and had to sit with her and give her hugs and kisses. I think Chase was too tired to realize what was going on. Melanie is doing well and hopefully she can leave Thursday and earlier. Thanks again to our parents for watching Maeley and Chase for the next week.

What have I created?

Earlier this week in the mail we got the Toys R Us 'Our Biggest Toy Book Ever' catalog. I knew Maeley would love to look through it. Boy was I right. She even took it to my doctor appointment Thursday. I can't tell you how many times she has flipped through page by page slowly looking at each item. It amazes me what she remembers. She would point to a toy and say "that's at Target" (my favorite store) or "I saw that on TV". Seriously Derek and I are in big trouble with this girl. I admit she does get this from me. I love getting catalogs in the mail. Growing up I looked forward to the Sunday paper just to look at the weekly ads. When Maeley was really young I think she would get sick of being at home. She could be a cranky as could be and as soon as we left the house she was pleasant again. I remember on several occasions we would just stroll the Super Target near us, sometimes roaming for an hour not even needing anything. She has always been such a good little shopping buddy.

Maeley looking through the catalog.

Maeley's 3rd birthday party

This past Saturday we had some of Derek's side of the family over for Maeley's birthday party. Those who were able to make it were: Grandad and Grandma (as Maeley calls them Papa and Tama), Great Grandma Clawson, Aunt Kari, Aunt Stephanie, and cousins Parker and Braden. Maeley is so funny because she's been so excited for her party and for family to come visit but as soon as everyone showed up she was a little shy. She quickly snapped out of it and had a great time.

Maeley being shy as we sang "Happy Birthday" to her

Blowing out the candle. This is the best shot I took of the finished cake. This is the second time I've made this cake and both times I don't have a decent picture of it.

Chase riding Papa, Maeley riding Tama, and Parker riding Aunt Kari

Maeley opening another present as Chase and Parker watch closely

Maeley and her Princess Aurora doll

The kiddos playing "Let's go fishin"
Thanks Parker & Braden, Maeley and Chase love it!

"I got her!"

Wednesday afternoon while Chase was napping Maeley and I were just hanging out. She loves to give my big prego belly hugs and kisses. This time the baby was moving quite a bit and Maeley was getting pretty excited. When the baby would move Maeley would grab at my stomach and "catch" the baby and say, "I got her!" Similar to playing 'I got your nose'. She has continued doing this over the past couple days and it still cracks me up. Maeley is such a cutie, I love her! She is so excited for her baby sister to come. Only 10 more days! Wahoo!

Doctor appointments

So today I had the pleasure of taking both Maeley and Chase to the doctor for well check-ups. Not such a big deal right? Well I should know better. Maeley was really excited to go to the doctor until the nurse asked for me to take her shoes off and lie her on the table to be measured and then to sit her on the scale. Such a simple task had to be a difficult one to accomplish. Chase did far better than Maeley at those things but doesn't like staying in the examination room while we wait for the doctor, he cries at the door. Then while Maeley was being examined a nurse had to come and get Chase because he was crying and I needed to hold down Maeley. It completely makes me feel like I'm incompetent for handling my own kids. Then when it came time to the kids getting shots I knew Maeley had to be given hers first or else there would be no way she'd let us. Again more reinforcement came to help. One nurse held down Maeley while the other gave the shot and I held Chase, then I held Maeley to comfort her while Chase was held by a nurse while the other gave him the shots. Seriously it's not fun having two screaming kids. When we got home it was time for lunch, while eating Maeley was talking to me how the doctor and the nurses were really nice. I asked her why she was rude to them by being a naughty girl. She just gave me a dirty look (similar to those she was giving the doctor & nurses).

Maeley's current stats at age 3:

weight: 27lbs 8oz---25th percentile

height: 36.5" ---between the 25-50th percentile

Chase's current stats at 15 months:

weight: 23lb 6 oz---between the 25-50 percentile

height: 31.25"--- 50th percentile

head: 45.5cm--- 10th percentile

Weekend events

For the past 2+ years Maeley has been attached to an old blanket of mine. I've had the blanket since I was 2 and used it even after getting married. Yes I know I am strange. It was just the right size to snuggle with and it became so comfortable over the years that I just couldn't part from it. Maeley attached herself to it all because of me. When she was really young and she was having a hard night I would put that blanket in her crib in hopes that it would settle her down. It worked and soon the blanket became hers. Now she has a new blanket.

Maeley with the Strawberry Shortcake blanket at 5 months.

Yesterday we went to St. David for Grant's baby blessing. That is my sister Marie's 2 month old. My mom made the 3 birthday girls each a blanket. Mayla turned 3 on Oct. 3rd, Maeley turns 3 on Oct. 28th, and Kyla turns 7 on Nov. 7th. Maeley got a Tinker Bell blanket as she requested and hasn't even asked for the old strawberry shortcake blanket. She's one happy kid.

We had a great time this weekend. My brother came down Saturday afternoon and stayed until this morning. He wanted some help from Derek to study for the math section for the ACT test he will be taking soon. Well all went to St. David yesterday and had a fun time. Maeley and Mayla even made a "chocolate cake". This cake was really dirt they piled on top of a picnic table. Chase loves his baby cousin Grant. It's amazing how gentle he is with him and gives him plenty of hugs. I can't wait until he's a little older so Chase has a buddy to play with.

Long days

It seems lately that the days are getting longer and longer. I'm finally coming to the end of my pregnancy and 24 days from now (Oct. 27th) just seems like it will ever come. Sleeping through the night has become something of the past and our cute little Chase has been waking up about 6 each morning. I think he just wants to see his dad before he leaves for work around 6:15.

This picture shows how well he can feed himself oatmeal. Recently he has decided he doesn't need help anymore. There's just some foods that are as easy as others.

I was planning on changing his nap schedule in hopes that he would sleep in later in the morning however he had a different idea today. He fell asleep on the floor about 9:30.

After only an hour nap he came running into my room where I was getting ready for the day. I decided to make the kids a fort to entertain them for awhile. It worked! They played with it until about noon when Maeley caused it to collapse.

They really did have a great time.
(Doesn't Chase have such a cute smile?)


Later in the afternoon I let Maeley "wash" her bike. I put the kids swimsuits on and let them play.

Chase enjoying getting wet.

Now Chase is taking another nap and I get to relax while Maeley watches a movie.

Chocolate Cake

This is a video I made from Chase's chocolate cake eating incident tonight. Make sure you have your volume on for the music.

I love my little family!

I just love this picture. Derek looks like such a happy dad. Sure Maeley is being difficult and Chase isn't smiling but to get that "perfect picture" it's nearly impossible. I love being a wife and mother. They bring me so much joy.

Welcome home Tyler

Last Tuesday my brother Tyler came home from his mission. After Derek worked on Friday we drove up to spend the weekend with my family. Tyler has changed a lot since he left, most noticeably in his appearance. It was so good to see him. Derek has been motivated by him and is now waking up early to go running. I hope he sticks with it so after I have this baby he will help me get back into shape. (4weeks and 6 days, but who's counting)

Updates

A little update on what we've been up to:

Derek has been exceptionally busy recently at work. Which is always a good thing. Plus for him the day goes by really fast. Last Friday night he went to play Rock Band with some of his co-workers who apparently were suprised how well he did for a first timer. They even thought he would be a good lead singer of their little Rock Band group. I'm not surprised, Derek enjoys playing his guitar and singing his own version to nursey songs and making up his own. Maeley and Chase love it.

Maeley is becoming more and more helpful and learning so much. She is so excited about her baby sister and will even sing to her in my belly. It's pretty cute. Her favorite song is "All I Want to Do" by Sugarland. She has been watching Santa Clause 2 and Transformers a lot lately and even sings a little song about Transformers. It goes, "I love Transformers, yes yes yes!". Tinker Bell and Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) are her favorite Disney characters. She rarely calls her Sleeping Beauty but at first when we taught her Sleeping Beauty it sounded like "Stinky Booty". We had many good laughs over that.

Chase lately has been a little on the whinny side. I think there are a couple reasons. One, I think he is teething...again. He only has 7 teeth so theres a lot more to come still. Second, I think he senses something is going to change around our house. He moved into Maeley's room and now sleeps in a big kids bed. And his old room has been changed to get ready for his baby sister. He also has become more attached to me lately which is strange because up til now he has always been more attached to Derek. He is trying to say some works like "ball" and "apple". He does say "dada" and on occasion will say "mom".

Me- I'm about 34 weeks pregnant and I'm definitely ready for this baby to come out already. I swear this pregnancy has gone so slow! Last week I had another ultra sound and the lady said that she has chubby cheeks. I went to the doctor this morning and scheduled for my c-section. As of now its set for October 27th (the day before Maeley's 3rd birthday). This week has been exceptionally hard. The kids have been more needy recently and I'm exhausted trying to keep up with them. Oh well, I can only hope next week will be better.

Bunk Bed

Well it has come to that point in our lives when we found the need to buy a bunk bed of our kiddos. With a baby soon to come and only a 3 bedroom house Maeley and Chase have no choice but to share a room. Because the room in rather small it only made sense to buy a bunk bed. On Labor Day when Derek's parents came down to visit they brought the new bed and helped set it up. The first night Chase wanted nothing to do with it, but the next day he did fine sleeping in it. Maeley was so excited to get a bunk bed and get the top bunk because her Trejo cousins have bunk beds too (that's my sister Marie's kids). Over the first few days we found Chase on the floor, he kept falling off. With the purchase of a body pillow he now stays on the bed. You would think with a full size bed he would have plenty of room but this little one moves around so much in his sleep.

Yes, her shorts are on backwards.

Luckily I was able to find some cute bedding that coordinated. It was harder than I thought it was going to be.

Chase sometimes will try to climb the ladder, but we quickly stop him.

Flowers?

Derek brought home flowers for me tonight! Wahoo! The reason why you ask, 7 years ago we meet for the first time.

The story of how we met.

September 5th, 2001 I was online and received a request on my AOL IM to talk to someone I didn't know. I went ahead and agreed and he quickly introduced himself and that he was friends with Tyler Vowles (my friend Shannon's boyfriend at the time, now husband). We chatted and then the following Saturday the 8th we wanted to meet. It was in the afternoon and Shannon and I were shopping at Superstition Springs mall when I got a call from Derek. I was super excited. Without confirming with Shannon I had arranged for us to meet him at Subway where Tyler worked right away. I figured Shannon wouldn't be too upset to drop shopping when she would be seeing her boyfriend. I was wearing an orange polo from the Gap, Abercrombie jeans, and Dr. Marten sandals which was the norm for me at the time. Derek on the other hand was wearing old cutoff green corduroy shorts, a shirt with the Statue of Liberty on it that read "Made in America (with Italian parts)", old Vans, black argyle socks and a recently shaved head. I thought to myself 'we are very different, this should be interesting.' I didn't hold anything back, I was as natural as could be and being goofy like any 18 year old is. Derek was pretty quiet for the most part. Once we left I found myself wanting to meet up with him again that evening but didn't want to seem too eager. Luckily for me he called later and wanted to meet up and hang out with Tyler & Shannon. We ended up going to play laser tag and had a good time. As Shannon and I drove home I realized that there was just something about him, I was already falling for him.

We ended up dating for nearly 7 months before he left on his mission. I waited for him and he proposed 3 days after coming home. Then about 4 1/2 months later we married.

It's a good thing that I was able to look past those silly clothes he was wearing.

Dress up

Last night Maeley insisted on wearing her swimsuit, which isn't out of the norm as she often changes her clothes multiple times during the day. Below are some silly pictures of her.

Mt Lemmon Trip

So for Labor Day we decided we better start checking out things around here, in and around Tucson. Along with my parents who came down for the day, we decided to go up to Mt Lemmon. It is just northeast of Tucson and within an hour we ventured up to 8000 feet in elevation (starting from somewhere below 4000). Quite the quick transition in landscape. And temperature as well. When we returned in the afternoon it was in the 80's after leaving a cool 55 degrees at the top. On Mt Lemmon we visited Summerhaven (the town at the top) and the ski lift as well as driving down a few roads that end at trailheads. We also enjoyed a nice quiet picnic, which by the time we were finished, our tranquil picnic spot became very busy with other people. So, here are a few pictures from our adventure on Mt Lemmon (including some attempts to be artistic in my photography). Enjoy.