Performing my blogly duty

So, since it's apparently a blog sin to change your background and not add a post while you're at it (TIFFANY!!) I decided I'd better give a few updates-- assuming I can think of anything. Little Easto is as full of life as ever. His sleeping schedule has regulated and he now puts himself to sleep very easily. He's basically amazing. He's very talkative and has started to do this fake cough thing when he gets extra excited. I just can't wait for the giggles. His legs are kicking non-stop (I remember that from when I was pregnant) and I'm starting to think he'll be a better soccer player than a baseball player. (Actually, his movements remind me a little more of a broadway dancer, but we won't go there...) Sorry, Kade. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this already, but Kade and I are both looking into ways to bring a couple extra bucks in and pad our resumes as well. So, in a few weeks, Kade will start classes to get his real estate license. I'm considering undertaking Mary Kay. We'll see what happens. I love my job, but I'd love to stay at home with Easton too. Being a working mom is bittersweet for me. Well...here's hoping that spring actually comes and sticks around soon. The Gardner clan sure is ready....Oh, and I also want to wish my sweet Makenzy a Happy Birthday. She's turning 16... Oops..I mean 6.When Easton gets REALLY angry, he kicks like mad. This is what happens when babies are REALLY angry while wearing jammies that are a little too big.
Easton secretly wishes he could control his arms enough to suck his thumb. Here is a good picture of one of his better attempts (before I intervened and gave him a binky.)
He absolutely insists on sleeping on his side. Don't bother trying anything else.
Easton's favorite moments are the ones where I let him be alittle bit naked and free. He lights up.



This video is a little long-ish but it really shows all the personality our little guy has. Pay attention to how often he moves his little eyebrows.

Sleep, shots, and sickness

Little Easton is now two months old. It's fun to watch him become his own little person more and more each day. He has developed quite a sense of humor. I was dancinga bit last night to a song, completely unaware that I had an audience. I looked over at him and his binky was half out of his mouth and he had an enormous grin on his face like "Mom....seriously?" It was adorable. We've been working on sleep training, because we got into the bad habit of holding him while he slept. How could we help it? He's so sweet! But it was causing some trouble getting him to sleep on his own, so it had to stop. Now we only hold him until he's drowsy, then he does the rest himself. Except, he insists on being on his side if he's going to sleep. So now I have to wait until he's zonked out and turn him onto his back for fear of SIDS. This is fine, until it's 4:30 am and I'm trying to keep myself awake long enough to get him turned successfully. He also went to his 8 week well baby checkup this week. He now weighs 10 lbs 2 oz and is 22.5 inches long. He's growing well, but he's still so very small when it comes to weight. His height is right on the money, so perhaps he'll be a tall, skinny guy. Not to mention handsome as all get out. There is a nasty cold going around, and I'm afraid I caught it. I just hope that I don't pass it to the rest of my family. I don't like it when Easton is sick. He had immunizations last week and they made him absolutely miserable for about a day. He had a fever and was so unhappy. Also, we figured out that the formula I have makes him sick. He barfs all over for the whole day if i give it to him. There goes that. The pediatrician recommended a couple kinds that would be easier on his tummy, but I can't bring myself to spend the 25 bucks on a can of it when I have a freezer full of milk. I think I must have been a cow in another life.. Well..sorry this post was completely mundane and unthrilling, but it's all I got.

My beautiful family

Here are a few of the family photos my family had taken at the beginning of the month. They turned out wonderfully. Christy- You are a creative genius! Thanks so much! If anyone needs a photographer- Christy Bodily comes HIGHLY recommended. Check out her stuff at www.christymariephotography.blogspot.com. She does beautiful, quick, inexpensive work.

My wonderful parents

Our OH SO HANDSOME little boy

The Whole Fam

Makenzy- the cutest (and sassiest) 5 year old I know

The adorable D-bug.

I like this one, even though Easton is a wee bit upset with us.

Tiffany's beautiful little family unit

The Blessing

Today was Easton's baby blessing. I'm so thankful for all my family and friends for coming to support our family on this important day in Easton's life. Kade gave a beautiful blessing, and I think Easton is going to be off to a good start. In case you missed it, here are some of the blessings Easton was given.
-The blessing of a healthy life
-Strength and wisdom to fight the evils in the world
-Intelligence and the desire for higher education
-A desire to serve a mission and the ability to find those seeking the truth
-The blessing of a temple marriage
-The ability to love all people equally
-A love for and understanding of the scriptures
-Faith in the prophet and the ability to take the prophet's word as scripture
-The ability to listen to the spirit and not man
I'm sure there was more, but that's all I can remember right now. The blessing was absolutely perfect. I'm so grateful for my husband and for the fact that he holds the priesthood. I'm so glad that he was able to bless our son. The priesthood is such a powerful thing, and I can't wait to watch it work in our son's life. I feel so blessed to have the priesthood in my home. Thank you, Kade! I love you!
Here are some photos of Easton in his outfit. It's the same outfit Kade wore on his own blessing day, over 24 years ago! Easton looked so handsome. I think we might have a lady killer on our hands. Thanks also to all of you who came to the luncheon after church and for helping us to put it together. We also took some family photos today, so when I get them back I'll post them.

Our little comedian

We are just beginning to discover what very large personality our son has. He's become a real pro at smiling in the last week. Those of you who have met the little tyke know how expressive he is. Yesterday, he looked around the room with one eyebrow raised like we were all a bunch of goons. I can't even raise one eyebrow! What a talented little guy. Also, I've learned that he's very much a morning person. After his breakfast bottle, he'll just look around and grin. He's become a big fan of his mobile. He loves to stare at it for as long as I have the patience to keep winding it up. My very favorite is that he's begun to coo and chatter a lot. His favorite phrase is "Ahhh GOOO." I'm pretty sure that's Eastonese for "I love you." Kade and I fall more and more in love with our little boy each day. We'll be blessing him this Sunday, the first. If anyone would like to come, I'd be happy to get you the address and info. Here are some new pictures of our little guy hammin' it up.The one-eyebrow-raised stare...

Easton's first month

Tomorrow is Easton's one-month birthday. Boy, time flies. Here's a look at some of the moments we've shared:

Sleepy moments




Happy moments

Cuddly moments

Angry moments



Peaceful moments


And moments that are just plain funny


Happy First Month, Little Guy! We love you!

Another week bites the dust

We have almost reached the 3 week mark. Here is what is new in Easton's life.
- He now weighs 7 pounds 3 ounces. He has gained a whole pound since he was last weighed!
- He's measuring at 20 1/2 inces. Another whole inch! He's really growing!
- Poor baby is now having to take Zantac for reflux..you can blame daddy for that one little man.
- The smiles are rolling across his chubby face more and more often.
- He's sleeping 5 or 6 hours at a time at night. We are so LUCKY!
Those of you who have seen little Easton while he's awake will know that he sure is expressive. He's always making faces and letting you know just what he thinks of you with a look. I can't wait to see more of his personality. I'll post some pictures soon and maybe some videos of his cute little faces. Love you all!