Ryker's Birthday & Big Fish

We celebrated Ryker's birthday this weekend in Logan with Grandma and Grandpa. We had a great time - not so sure grandma and grandpa did. We definately invaded. Bringing in all the kids and all their things made for quite the mess that never was completly picked up. I'm sure they were glad they could keep a clean house once we left! Ryker is turning 4 - hard to believe. He's so excited for life! He told us the first night we were there that he wanted something (can't remember what) and when we told him that he couldn't have it - he told us "That's ridiculous." What a big word for a little boy to use!! He definately keeps things interesting. Baili ordered him a Thomas the train cake and he loved it! I think the thing he loved the most was balloons!!



Jared, Jaxon and Grandpa went fishing Saturday morning. They came home with this beauty. We wanted to take a picture of Cannon and the fish to show how tiny Cannon still is. The fish was about 9 pounds and 30 inches long. Cannon's probably about 9 pounds and 20 inches. It's a fun comparision!!

Big Boy Bath

Up to this point Cannon has been bathing in my little sink. It was time to move him into the big bathtub and I asked Jerrick and Ryker if they would help me. They were way too cute about helping, until Cannon starting crying. They were ready for him to get out and get dressed. Cannon doesn't like getting naked. He always lets us know that he isn't very happy - it usually stops right away as soon as he is dressed. After Cannon was all dressed, Ryker and Jerrick wanted more pictures. They were way too cute. Too bad it isn't always like this.

Back to Work

Well, maternity leave is over and it's back to work. Officially now for two days - they've been hard days. I love my job, but I hate leaving my baby. I know he is in capable hands, both when Jared is home and when he's at the babysitters. But, no one is better than mom and it's been hard. Perhaps it's the lack of sleep, I'm always grumpier without plenty of sleep - Cannon is sleeping between 5 and 6 hours each night, so I shouldn't be sleep deprived, that doesn't change how exhausted I feel. Maybe it's the cutting back on all the comfort food I've been eating. I gained too much weight and it's time to get rid of it. Too bad it's much more fun gaining than it is losing. Maybe it's the lack of time that I feel, all I've wanted to do since getting home is sit on the couch and hold my baby. If I do that - I just feel guilty because the other kids aren't getting their homework done, laundry isn't folding itself and the house chaos goes into overload (who knew so many things could mysteriously jump off shelves and onto the floor!).

I know that it'll get better, it always does. I'm just ready for it to happen today or tomorrow, not in a few weeks or months.

Happy Halloween & 1 Month Old

Well, I'm a little late in posting my Halloween pictures. I had a few things going on!! I ended up working quite a bit last week and I must say, I'm not sure I'm ready to go back - but, Christmas will be here before you know it and I'm never as prepared as I should be!!



The kids had a great time for Halloween - Baili and Gage were out and suprisingly, the kids had more fun handing out candy at our door than they did going trick-or-treating. We ended up without a lot of candy, which certainly helps my new commitment to Weight Watchers. Monica went as the step-mother from Snow White, Jaxon went as an army guy, Gunnar went as a Dementor, Jerrick went as Tigger, then changed half way through the night into the wolf costume (that's way too small), Ryker went as a lion and Cannon just hung out in his cute pumpkin outfit that Grandma Carter gave him.

It's hard to believe that Cannon is already one month old. He's already getting big and thankfully, sleeping more during the night. The last few nights he's slept for at least 5 hours. It's been wondeful! I forgot how much I love my sleep and how much I've been missing it! Although there is something magical about cuddling a baby in the middle of the night when all is quiet. Ryker is still loving him to death. He hasn't tried carrying him, but loves to snuggle with him. The other kids love to fight over who will hold him, and if they get to hold him, it's only for about 30 seconds before they say, "Okay, I'm done!" Monica and Jaxon are of course, the exception - but if he starts crying they're very eager to hand him back!