a perfect end to 2011

Isn't it crazy how quickly Christmas seems to come each year? And even crazier how quickly it all goes by. I can't say if there was a specific reason, but this year felt extra special. I had been looking forward to the break away from school and schedules and to have some down-time. And down-time we have had. We have had SO much fun being with our families.
Christmas eve and day were a very good type of busy, with non-stop family parties. I love being surrounded by people I love, and I know love and care about us just as much- it's such a reassuring feeling. Trey had such a great time playing with cousins and aunties and opening his new toy's from everyone. He's really soaking up all the "only grandchild" attention while he can from my family.
Brock and I went on our first trip without Trey {my first night(s)away from him!} I won't lie, pretty much everything we did we talked about what Trey would think about it: hotel pool- he'd love, dinner and a movie- not his style.
I was so sad to leave him, but my sisters texted us pictures of {almost} everything he was up to, so I didn't feel too far away. On another note, it was so, so, so great to have a few days of Brock all to myself. He is always doing everything he can to make me happy {even if it means 2+ hours in IKEA and a foot-rub afterwards}. I love him very, very much- he's just the most handsome, funny, and sweetest guy I know :) The highlight of the trip though was seeing how excited Trey was to see us again!
I give this Christmas holiday an 11 out of 10.
And now to prepare for a new year's eve night of "just dance 3" on the Wii until I beat all my sister's high scores. We take it pretty seriously around here :) and this baby belly has some good moves!
Happy New Year... 2012, I can't wait to meet you!

Christmas

I love Christmas. I am sure you do too. Each year I look forward to being with family, my favorite traditions, visiting friends and, of course, all of the yummy food! It is so fun to shop for gifts, and to watch the little kids excitement as the advent calenders move closer and closer to the end. But in the weeks leading up to Christmas this year I felt like I wasn't feeling that feeling I look forward to feeling...Does that make sense? So much has been going on in our families lately. Too many people we love have been sick and in the hospital and going through difficult challenges. And I know our family is no exception. It seemed like everywhere there was just so much tragedy and sadness. I was feeling discouraged. Brock and I have had many conversations about it all. Is this just a part of getting older? Or are hardships really coming at a more frequent and intense pace?

My Grandma's {mom's mom} family was asked to be the actors in their stake's live nativity this year, and Trey and I went to watch the performance Saturday night. Sitting there in the dark watching my parents, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins act out this sacred night was so special. My four year old cousin was such a reverent little shepard, and I couldn't hold back my tears any longer when at the end they were all bowing down to the baby in the manger.

I realized I didn't have to feel like Christmas was "ruined" by everything I had been worrying about, but rather it was a blessing to have Christmas during this time. That this is why that tiny baby was born. He can take away all of our worries and sorrow and pain. I felt it so strongly at that moment. I know that is His gift to us, and I am so thankful to have this time of year to remind us, and to give us the oppurtunity to worship Him more. I needed to have Nativity pagents to go to, Christmas music on the radio, friends to give goodies to, Christmas concerts to attend and time to be with our families. I needed Christmas.

I am so grateful for the gifts I have been given. To know I am a child of God. To know He loves and watches over me. For my health. For a loving husband and little boy, and for a baby on the way. I really couldn't ask for more.

I hope everyone can enjoy the feelings of peace, joy and love that this time of year bring. Merry Christmas!

just another manic...Thursday?

This morning Trey woke up at 8:13 and I thought darn, no sleeping in today {he usually sleeps until 9:00. I know, I'm spoiled} I rolled out of bed and caught a glimpse of my awesome bed-head hair on my way to bathroom. Then I had that feeling that no one likes... I yelled to Brock, "IS IT THURSDAY!?" to which of course he responded, "yes."

I had a doctor's appointment in 10 minutes.

Thankfully we only live a few minutes away from the clinic, and thankfully the sun doesn't rise until 9:00, so no one even saw my "hairstyle," well except for the nurse and doctor, but they've seen me in much worse conditions.

I had a "to-do" list a mile long today- and I think my adrenaline rush from this morning carried me through it. Trey and I spent our morning delivering Christmas goodies, getting gas, an oil change and cleaning the car. Then while the little man slept I cleaned and did laundry and now we are all packed and ready to go to Alberta tomorrow :) {Brock will be joining us on Tuesday}

I am SO excited to see our families and start partying! 

Did you know there is only 10 days until Christmas?! WaHoooooo!

{It didn't scan very well- but here's this years Christmas card!} 

"the choice to be grateful"

I always look forward to reading the First Presidency Message in the Ensign. {read this month's here!} I feel, as I am sure many others do, that they are often exactly what I needed support and encouragement with. I love the message this month! December is such a special month, it really is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"- the Christmas season seems to bring out the best in people! With our thoughts turned to the Savior and His birth, it seems everyone is trying just a little harder to be more like Him- it is amazing. As we have helped out with different service projects at church I kept being reminded of how truly blessed we are. I loved the "challenge" at the end of the message. So here is what I am "choosing to be grateful for"

10 physical abilities
*being able to walk and run- ever since my grandpa had his leg amputated when I was 7 I have never taken my ability to move for for granted, he was always my inspiration in sports and my love of running. And watching Brock's mom and his sister struggle with Muscular Dystrophy has really enforced my gratitude for this blessing.
*the ability to have children
*good eyesight {even though I have glasses I still don't wear them!}
*my voice- I love to sing!
*I can read and write
*being able to carry Trey and my groceries up the 3 flights of stairs to our apartment
*I have a full set of healthy teeth- working as a dental assistant really made me appreciate this!
*I love to cook
*I know how to sew
*I can get a good night's sleep
10 material possessions
*our apartment
*a full fridge and storage room
*a reliable car
*pictures of our families
*our beds
*fridge and stove
*books
*phones
*computer and SKYPE
*winter coats
10 living people
*Brock
*Trey
*our baby girl!
*my parents
*Brock's Dad
*my 3 grandparents
*Brock's 3 grandparents
*our sisters and brothers-in-law
*nieces and nephews
*the Prophet
10 deceased people
*my beautiful mother-in-law
*my grandpa
*Brock's grandpa
*my great aunt Della
*my great aunt Carol
*my great uncle Marlin
*my Nana
*my great grandma and grandpa Wood
*President Hinckley
*Joseph Smith
10 things about nature
*the changing seasons
*thunder and lightning
*sunsets and sunrises
*the mountains
*watching everything bloom in the spring
*the smell after rain
*a tree covered with frost
*the sound of birds
*the feeling of jumping in the lake on a hot day
*all of the colors
10 things about today
*being woken up in the middle of the night from little kicks inside my stomach
*waking up in a warm safe bed
*bringing Trey into our bed when he woke up, and listening to him babble away
*it's Saturday
*eating breakfast with my two boys
*only 2 weeks until Christmas eve!
*tomorrow is Sunday- so Trey and I get Brock all to ourselves :)
*the smell of cookies baking- oh wait, that's my Scentsy
*all the books and blocks and cars on the floor
*that I can write all of this while Trey naps
10 places on earth
*our apartment in Saskatoon
*my parents house
*Brock's parents house {happy his Dad still owns it!}
*Temples
*my Grandma's house
*the cabins in Waterton and Lake Five
*my hometown of Claresholm
*my Grandpa's park in Barnwell
*the Zoo {all of them- we love the Zoo!}
*time shares in Arizona
10 modern inventions
*all medical inventions- especially "club foot" treatment
*cell phones
*the interenet
*cameras and video cameras
*ultrasound machines :)
*cars
*airplanes
*i-pods {will my kids even understand what a CD is?!}
*tv and radio
*flushable toilets {is that considered modern anymore?}
10 foods
*pickles
*cheese
*milk
*eggs
*lasagna
*steak
*potatoes
*carrots
*yogurt
*my grandma's jam
{yes, that is my pregnancy craving list}
10 things about the Gospel 
*Jesus Christ, His Atonement and the Sacrament
*my relationship with Heavenly Father
*the power of Prayer
*repentance and forgiveness
*the temple and the blessing of an eternal family
*the power of the Priesthood
*the scriptures
*a living Prophet and the Apostles
*the hymns
*my understanding of my purpose on the Earth and what will happen to my spirit when I die

I need to do lists like this more often! It's hard to narrow it down to just 10 for each category- I am so grateful I have so much to be grateful for!

 {I found Trey here yesterday. He's grateful he can climb, and that we have food too.}

a picture says a thousand words.

especially when that "picture" is your little baby squirming and swimming around on a fuzzy, black and white monitor.
I was so anxious for my ultrasound today. Anxious that I might pee my pants {I hate having to "fill my bladder"} Anxious that it was at 1pm and Brock had to be writing a final at 2pm {he made it, with 5 minutes to spare} and just plain anxious to find out what it was.
I have been telling everyone I felt like it was another boy. I have felt the exact same this time around, and I think when you just have one it's hard to imagine another baby could LOOK any different, let alone be another gender!
I picked Brock up from the school for this "study break" and we got there with plenty of time to spare. The three of us sat with the other 3 or 4 "moms-to-be" and waited, as Trey "oooo'd and awwww'd" at the Christmas decorations.
He was so good during the ultrasound. Just sat and watched while he ate "fishy crackers"
The tech did all the measuring. I love seeing that little heart pumping away! And it's so fun to see and feel the baby moving at the same time! She asked if we wanted to know the gender, we said yes, so she tried to find the right "angle" but this little baby was curled up nice and cozy. She had me "empty my bladder" {THANK YOU!} and said she would try again after that. After I was done the emptying process I proceeded to jump and wiggle and shake to try and get this baby to move around for us....please, please, please!
She started scanning again and said, "well you two will have your hands full, it looks like a GIRL!"
I think I may have responded, "WHAT!?" a little too loudly. Brock just smiled at me because he has been saying all along he thinks it's a girl.
She zoomed in a bit so I could see the "three lines" or "hamburger" {if you don't know this lingo, Google it."} I was/am totally shocked!
A girl...a daughter?!
I never {never, never, never} thought it would be. I think the part of me that wanted a girl got put on the "back-burner" because I was certain it was a boy. I am so So SO excited!
Of course they can never be 100% sure, which is why I came home and booked a 3D ultrasound for Wednesday- if "she" was hiding a "little something" down there they'll find it.
And for now, I'm happy I don't have to stop calling Trey my best boy :)

on my mind...

I feel like I have a baZillion things going through my head lately.
Not really bad, or good, just a lot.
I write a lot about Trey {who, by the way, has started going into his room when he's tired, grabbing his blanket out of his crib and saying "sh sh sh"- so cute!}
And I feel like I do a pretty good job of keeping up with our family's comings and goings. You're welcome future posterity- because that is one of my main reasons for blogging.
But sometimes I forget to just write about me.
So if you care to know more about Amy Wilde- read on.

{here's a few of things taking up my brain space...and keeping me up at night}

I am so happy I am a mother. Being married teaches me a lot about being more selfless and putting Brock's needs above my own- but, being a mom not only teaches, but sometimes forces me into learning lessons about sacrificing and the meaning of unconditional love. The simplest way to say it is, I absolutely love being a mom. Love, love, love it. I am beyond excited for my ultrasound tomorrow. I already love this little kicking baby so much, I can't wait to see him/her again and I really, really, really want to find out if it is a him or her.

I am so grateful for our little apartment, that we have a car, and that we have groceries in the fridge. Such simple things, but things that so many people don't have. I feel so blessed that I can be at home with Trey, and that Brock can go to school. We were laying in bed the other night, making plans for Christmas holidays which led us to talking about next semester and eventually talking about all the different places we could be in the next 5 years. It is fun {and crazy} to think about all the options. I'm excited for the future. I love Brock so much. He works so hard in school. I was going to say I don't know how he maintains a 4.0, but I do know how: he is so obedient, and I know he wouldn't say he is, but he is amazing at prioritizing  He is our ward mission leader, it keeps him busy, but he never complains. He has to sacrifice study time a lot in order for me to fulfill my callings and he makes being with Trey and I a very important part of his busy day. He has often times gotten up in the wee hours of a Monday morning to study for a test, so that Sunday remains a sacred and special day. I bug him all the time, that there is no way he is getting the marks he has on his own- we laugh, but it is true. How did I get so lucky to have him for my husband?!

I was called as the Relief Society secretary in May {I think?} and I have loved it. I love the ladies I serve with- I really, truly do. I feel like I have been able to become more confident in getting to know new people. I have learned to listen more to the promptings about who and how to serve. And being pushed out of my comfort zone has given me so many great experiences- visiting women I wouldn't have otherwise, and really talking about their lives has confirmed to me over and over, that we really are all the same. We all have fears and trials, and we all have goals and dreams, and most importantly we are all children of God.
And I am sllllowly conquering my fear of calling people. Yay for me!

In October {when it started getting cold} I was getting really tired of going to the grocery store like every other day for something that I needed to make dinner. So I made a meal plan for 3 months- yes, I may have gone a little crazy. I planned up to the 20th of December which is when we head to Alberta for Christmas. I will never go back to no meals plans! I picked all the different recipes I wanted to make, listed all the ingredients for each, then I divided that into "perishable" and "non-perishable" and then made my shopping lists. I did one HUGE trip to Costco and then every other Monday Trey and I do a small trip to Superstore for the "perishable items" it has been so wonderful to not have to think about what to make everyday, I just look at the calender.

I want a dog so bad. Brock and I both love dogs. And Trey seems to have inherited that trait. When he is upset a sure way to cheer him up is to "google" pictures of dogs. He sits and squeals while we scroll through all the pictures, saying "dog, dog, dog" over and over. I wish we could have pet's in our building! One day it will happen, and maybe by then Trey will be big enough to clean up after it!

I am addicted to pickles. I hate how cliche it is- but there is no denying that this pregnant girl is a little bit crazy for them. I ate a whole jar in two days. Between them and Christmas oranges I have had a permanent canker in my mouth since September.

I am excited/nervous/sad/worried about our first trip away from Trey. It doesn't seem crazy, except when I say it out loud- I have never spent more that 6 hours away from Trey at once {5 out of those he was sleeping}. Is that weird? Mom's give me some feed back here. Brock and I are going away for a few days over Christmas for our first "mom and dad only" vacation. We figured we better get one in before baby #2 shows up :) I know he will be more than fine, {he is staying at my parents, and with 4 aunties around I know he will be nothing but smothered} but I am already sad thinking about leaving him. Extra cuddles before and after our trip will have to fill the void from the 3 days apart. Okay I have to stop thinking about it, I'm starting to cry.

and on that note, I think that's enough for one night.

{everyone cross their fingers and toes that this baby decides to "reveal" themselves tomorrow!}

20 weeks!

time is fllllllying!

and now that I am halfway though this pregancy

the countDOWN is officially on!

We get to see "it" again on Friday and 

{hopefully} find out what "it" is.

With Trey I was SO sure it was a boy- I just knew.

And this time I feel the same way. 

I ALmost bought some matching little shirts...but I decided to wait and see if my "maternal instincts" can go 2 for 2.

{what I am really wanting to find out is if we have another member of the "clubfoot club" on the way!?}

blanket

When bedtime comes he burrows right into it's soft, snuggly folds, and holds it against his chubby cheek. He will still let me wrap him up in it, and cuddle and squeeze him- this little guy fills out a hug just perfectly.

Trey loves this blanket.

{And I love him a little bit more because of it.}

 

bad. and good.

bad: spilling mustard on my shirt at 10am.
good: I was showered and dressed before 10am, AND it landed right on a yellow part of the pattern of the shirt. No, I didn't change all day.

bad: the oven sparking and starting on fire.
good: a friend bringing a DElicious supper to us!

bad: realizing I had not done laundry for...let's just say a long time.
good: finding that shirt I had been searching for.

bad: not being able to button up my jeans this morning.
good: my little baby is growing!

bad: Brock's entering "finals time"
good: Christmas is coming soon!

{this one's all good: I found Trey like this- this boy's learned how to lounge}

{the best} little boy

Trey amazes me with how patient he is. 

We have so much fun watching him discover things- and especially his little srunched-up face when he is figuring out how something works.

And for only being one-year old (plus 2 months) I think he gets an award for how patient he is.  

{like every other toddler} He is fascinated by the garbage can, or as we refer to it now, "the cave of wonders." He flips the lid up and just stares into it. When he first made this discovery, it was "grab as much as I can reach before Mom stops me!" But now he has learned the meaning of "YUCK!" He still opens it, but now he just looks. And our new favorite game is to put some garbage on the floor {like a wrapper or paper towel, no banana peels or used kleenex, we're not THAT gross} and watch him as he picks it up and carries it over to the garbage and throws it away.

Another daily battle with his self-restraint is the Christmas tree. Trey LOVES balls, so I felt bad putting up all the ornaments. It only a took a few days, but now he just stands in front of it, and points his little pointer finger and "oooooooo's"

I think my favorite is how patient he is when he wakes up. I love to listen to him talk and babble away. Trey loves his beauty, I mean handsome{?} sleep...but even after a good nights rest, he just lays there {because of his boots and bar, he has no other choice...see, he really is patient!} and practices his vocabulary until we go in and get him {it's not like hours later, only like 10 or 20 minutes, maaaybe 30 if it's the morning...he's nice to his pregnant mommy} and EVERY time, as soon as his door is opened he says. "dada!?" I guess I know who his favorite is...

We love our walking, {kinda}talking, dancing, happy, patient little Trey.

 

 {one more thing I don't want to forget- Trey loves to lay down on piles of pillows or blankets. He takes all the pillows off the the couches and throws his little body into the heap. It is SO. cute. I love to lay beside him, nose to nose. He just laughs. It's funny to lay on the floor I guess} 

if you're reading this...

...then you HAVE to comment. {and I have one of those "traffic feed" things on here, so don't try anything sneaky}

This morning I changed my Christmas countdown blocks to 26! YAY!!!

I am getting so So SO excited! Our Christmas cards have arrived, Brock is done classes on Friday, we're going to a Christmas party on Saturday and sometime soon we're going to take Trey to see Santa! All wonderful things....the only thing I am stressing about is the fact I haven't bought ANY Christmas presents! I need ideas.

I have sat down and tried to have a few "brainstorming" sessions...aaaaand- nothing. I blame pregnancy brain.

I need some ideas for Brock, and my parents. And our family's "Christmas name exchanges" gave us: my 16 year old sister, my 13 year old sister, Brock's younger sister and her husband, my sister's husband and my parents. 

I haven't ever been one to get all my gift's together before December 1st because I am usually pretty good with coming up with things- but I guess I should have started sooner this year...I do have some DIY ideas, but I maybe should have started those a couple months ago- darn.

Please share any {and all} ideas you come up with :)

HELP MEEEEEEEE!

our {great} weekend

Our little family had one jam-packed weekend.

We went with another couple {who also have a little one-year-old boy} to the temple bright dark and early Saturday morning. I will admit when the alarm went off at 4:30am I was not jumping out of bed to get going- but there is something so peaceful about driving when the rest of the world seems to still be sleeping. Sitting in the warm, white, beautiful temple was wonderful. So calming and beautiful. I love the temple.

That evening was our ward Christmas party. It's hard to put into words how much the friends we have made here have helped us to feel "at home" in our new home over the past year. It just felt like one big family dinner. 

And after a great day at church on Sunday there was a Christmas concert. Aren't choirs awesome- especially when they're singing Christmas music? I watched most of it from the back with the other moms with babies, who were up past their bedtimes. Trey loved the music and was dancing {waving his hands in the air} away.

And waking up this morning, to the warm weather and a smiley boy, just makes everything 1000x better.

"It’s so easy in life for us to receive blessings, many of them almost uncounted, and have things happen in our lives that can help change our lives, improve our lives, and bring the Spirit into our lives. But we sometimes take them for granted. How grateful we should be for the blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings into our hearts and souls. I would remind all of you that if we’re ever going to show gratitude properly to our Heavenly Father, we should do it with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—because it was He who gave us life and breath"

David B. Haight, "Were There Not Ten Cleansed?" 

I am grateful, that even when days seem a bit crazy, it only takes a moment to realize it is because of the countless blessing we have in our life.

{Trey "feeding" himself some yogurt}

{pregnancy} brain

If you've ever been pregnant, you know that "pregnancy brain" is absolutely a real thing. 

{don't believe me? read this.}

In the last few days I have had a few too many "moments" that I hope are the result of my decreased brain power.

I forgot what my phone number was when I was booking an appointment. Totally forgot. I had to call them back about 15 minutes later when I finally remembered. The other day I got myself a bowl of cereal, and then turned around to find an identical, slightly more soggy, bowl on the other counter- oops. Multiple times a day a walk to go get something I need and by the time I get there {we live in an apartment, so it's usually about 5 steps} I have COMPLETELY forgotten what I needed- grrrrrr! Good thing Trey has started pointing to things he wants or he might be starving right now.

Besides being really, really ditzy, being pregnant makes me pretty emotional {that's the nice way of saying it. Some most days I feel like a crazy person!} Those who know me, know that I cry very {very, very, very} easily...when I'm NOT pregnant. I'll just say this, one morning I started crying while I was putting mascara on- that was the end of my make-up days. Don't feel bad for me, it's not that my days are filled with so much sadness that I am just spilling over constantly- it's things like, dirty floors, weird smells, having to call someone, or discovering we're out of mustard- completely irrational, I know, but don't tell me that or I will start crying.

It's all a little more bearable {for me, and for Brock} the second time around. When I can honestly say I know "it's just because I'm pregnant" {over, and over again}

And I'm not the only one....right?!

a true mother

You would think that after 18 weeks {of being sick, doctor's appointments, hearing the little heartbeat a few times, an ultrasound and even feeling it move around in there} I would be convinced I am pregnant...but it still feels like a dream. When we decided to start trying to get pregnant again I would look at Trey and think, "we can make another one?!"  It's hard to imagine another little guy (or girl, maybe) around. Yesterday at church there was a newborn baby sleeping in her carseat on the bench in front of us, ALL Trey wanted to do was lean over at look at her, he just put his little hand on her blanket and whispered "ba ba" {baby} over and over. Yes, my heart was in a puddle on the floor.
I am so excited to have two little people to love, to love me, and to love each other.
Trey was eating lunch the other day and I went to get his milk out of the fridge, I looked at the ultrasound pictures hanging there and back at Trey. I felt so blessed. Blessed to be a wife and  mother. To be able to sit and play with Trey while I feel baby #2 swimming around- what a great feeling! Life couldn't be sweeter.
I read this quote a couple weeks ago and it has been on my mind a lot. The power that motherhood holds and the responsibility I have to teach and protect our children. I am striving each day to become "a true mother"

"The true mother, the mother who has the fear of God and the love of truth in her soul, would never hide from danger or evil and leave her child exposed to it. But as natural as it is for the sparks to fly upward, as natural as it is to breathe the breath of life, if there were danger coming to her child, she would step between the child and that danger; she would defend her child to the uttermost. Her life would be nothing in the balance, in comparison with the life of her child. That is the love of true motherhood—for children. … I have learned to place a high estimate upon the love of mother. I have often said, and will repeat it, that the love of a true mother comes nearer being like the love of God than any other kind of love." -President Joseph F. Smith 

a fun visit!

Last week and weekend Chelsie {Brock's sister} and her girls came for a visit. "Big deal." you may be thinking, but these were our FIRST VISITORS EVER {to this apartment, and since Trey was born...which feels like FOREVER!} I was so So SO excited! It was so fun to have someone, who is an adult, to spend time with in the day, and Trey had fun playing with the girls {we think} and Brock and I got a some good laughs from them- best quotes of the weekend:

Olivia- "Look! (pointing to a nutcracker on our Christmas Tree) it's a Cutnacker!" 

Olivia, after walking around the apartment for a while, "I just thought you had a pantry. You don't have wots of food."

Brigette's nightmare? at 4am "I want an appoooooole (apple)"

Brigette trying to say tortilla "co-co-atia"

Brigette after we had been watching the Lion at the Zoo for about 5 minutes, "Is that real?" me "yes" Brigette "OOOOOOOOOO!"

And a lot more. 

We went to the Zoo {it's free now that it's winter!} went out to eat, shopped, watched Christmas movies, and Chelsie aka Mrs. Handy-woman, discovered a way that we can get FREE! TV! She is so smart.

We LOVED having some company!

Come BaaaaaAACKkkkk! {said in my Best Dori whale voice}

{ I wasn't the best at taking pictures while they were here, but here's a few from the Zoo!}

{our home-made digital antenna, I know what your thinking....we were shocked it actually worked too! Plus we found a place for it where we get great reception, it's out of site, and out of Trey's reach- bonus! And did I mention FREE?!}

winter is here

When we woke up to snow Sunday morning I was so excited! The first snowfall of the season is purely magical! But as we start to slowly add more layers each time we go outside, I am remembering what winter means here. COLD! Today it's about -6 and it feels freeezing, I need to prepare myself for the

-46 tempuratures!

On another note, I've also been remembering some perks of living in an apartment in the winter time.

No shoveling! No chipping away at the endless crust of ice covering the sidewalk, or trying to push the {what feels like} 100lbs of snow out of your way. We wake up each morning to a nice clear path to the car- perfect!

Another awesome apartment advantage, we don't pay for the water in our building. You can probably guess where this is going- looooong HOT showers {guilt free}. Enough said. 

The clean freak in me also likes the fact that, even though we walk up 3 flights of stairs to get to our little home, by that time the mud, and snow, and yuck on our shoes has
melted off, equaling cleaner floors {that might seem lame, but I truthfully appreciate it}

We've turned up the heat, put up the Christmas decorations and brought out the Cocoa Latte' {I can't

live without this in the winter- BUY ONE}.

Mr. Winter, we're ready for you!

butterflies

sometimes butterflies in your tummy is a wonderful,
wonderful thing.I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going- I guess that's what happens when you already have a little one with you all day :) We are SO excited to see this next little bundle-I am positive it will be a boy {that of course looks just like Trey} I thought the second time around I would be used to everything, but when I'm reading about all the changes happening to our little babe {currently the size of an avocado} I am so amazed that all of that is happening inside my body- AGAIN!
We can't wait to meet our little"spring chicken"! {e.t.a. April 22nd}

{I didn't take a picture of my belly until I was
28 weeks with Trey...so here's my sad attempt to do better this time}

Baby Wilde #2- 16 weeks 

my {mini} man

I don't know if it is pregnancy hormones or if Trey is just that sweet...but lately everything this little man has been doing is just melting my heart!

He's getting to be so grown up.
And I am loving all this little-boy-goodness.

I need to write them down before I forget them- because I know that is because of pregnancy hormones!

He's figured out how to point at things, and by things I mean everything. Who would have thought I could love a little pointer finger so much?!

He got a little train to ride on for his birthday and he sits on it and watches "Thomas and friends"

He loves to dance, {this song is our favorite lately} he sways back and forth and claps his hands, and thinks Brock and I are the best dancers around :)
Trey's started to WALK! eek! He's record is five steps, and everytime it happens I squeal with excitement- which cause Trey to squeal and then we both get really excited and he tries to run- which doesn't end so happily. He's got a few bumps and bruises, but still trying!

We've discovered the best way to have a successful "grocery shopping trip"- The carts at Safeway with the kiddie cars attatched to the front of them?...they are a workout to steer around the aisle's, but he sits perfectly still in there with one little chubby hand holding onto the steering wheel...I think he thinks he's really driving.

We started giving him a spoon to use at supper, the first few times, he would look at the spoon, then at us and just giggle, like he was thinking "you're letting ME do it??!"

I feel like his little face shape is changing into more of a "big boy" and when he does his big
cheesey grin you can see the dimple in his chin.
When we ask him where is mama or where is dadda, he points to us and says,
"my mama" or "my dadda"- it's so sweet, I cry everytime.

His favorite game is "catch" and for some reason he has chosen the 2lbs medicine ball as his favorite ball, he has to lift the ball over his head each time before his throws it, and sometimes it totally over-balances him-hehe!
{is it mean to think that's funny?} 

Every mother knows the indescribable feelings of love you feel for your child, and for those who don't, it's so, so, so, SO much! When I see this face my heart literally is bursting with joy! :)

hair.

I never would have thought that in having a BOY I would have to think or fret over HAIR! Trey's hair has been out of control from the minute he was born

{first bath- 3 days old}
{wondering about the cast- click here}

forEVER it would only stick straight up, NO matter what we tried!

 and it just kept getter longer...and taller

 We gave Trey his first {little} haircut when he was 7 months- just a trim in the back and around the ears.

And since then we have had to cut his hair about once a month, and lately I've been trimming it a couple times a month. It's starting to feel like a barber shop around here. 

 This boy has got his Dad's appetite and his Dad's FULL head of hair.

Don't get me wrong- I love combing it and playing with it {I have put ponytails in it, but I'll save him the future shame and not post them} But a full on buzz may be in order soon!

{if we ever have a girl she'll probably be one of those babies that's bald until they're 2!}

 {that's one cute mop!}

ordinary days

Today is an ordinary day.

But sitting here thinking about my ordinary days I'm realizing how truly extraordinary they are.

I love waking up and feeling the sun on my pillow,

having my husband next to me

and hearing our little boy just babble away in his crib.

I love my Grandma's jam on toast.

I love my little apartment:

how cozy it feels with the colder days coming,

and the yummy smelling pumpkin candle burning.

I love phone calls from friends just to talk and laugh together.

I love playing catch with Trey,

and then watching his little fingers turn the pages of a book as I cook dinner.

I loved seeing this on a little, tiny, black and white monitor.

I would be just fine, if all my days were ordinary.

thank-you

I love these words.

I think there are few greater things then a truly heart-felt thank-you. 

This past weekend we were surrounded by friends and family. We went to my sister's {and her new husband's} wedding! Went to birthday parties and thanksgiving dinners! It was wonderful! 

As the weekend past my mind was filled with the "lists" of things I am grateful for- love of family, the gospel, our health, education, safety, smiles and laughter, our apartment....I could literally go on, and on, and on...

But as I reflected on all of these things, I realized what I was most grateful for was the feeling of a grateful heart. For the joy that gratitude gives me and how it helps me have an eternal perspective each day.

A scripture that has been in my thoughts a lot lately is Alma 26:37 , "Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen."

It is in those moments, when I am filled with gratitude that I feel closest to Heaven. I am so thankful for those moments, and each moment in my life.

big baby, turned little boy

Trey is one.

Thinking back to one year ago I was not ready for how much we would love our little boy. Watching him learn and grow has been the most rewarding, wonderful experience of my life and I am so glad I have been able to be there every. single. day. Thinking back to when it was "just the two of us" seems so strange now. People ask me if I every miss just being able to go out and do whatever, whenever we want? I guess maybe we do- are we supposed to? I don't feel like I gave up freedom to have a child, it's more like now, wherever we are, everything becomes a new adventure. It's nice to stop and play with a leaf or watch a train go by. Simply stated- I like it more then being able to "go out". This talk from conference describes perfectly how I feel- I am so grateful to be a mother.

"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps.

 It's not something you do if you can squeeze the time in,

it is what God gave you time for."

Trey we love you so much! Thank-you for being the sunshine in our lives!

{now for the 'baby book' part}
-24 lbs
-9 teeth (including a new molar!)
-waves bye bye
-loves to play outside and in water
-dances
-loves animals
-claps
-loves "Sesame Street"
-"sings" in church
-loves to crawl holding something in each hand
-stands on his own
-plays telephone
-loves to eat anything
-smiles for the camera...cheeeese
-is the best. sleeper. ever!
-holds his own sippy cup
-climbs stairs
-loves to play with anything with wheels and balls
-"says" momma, dada, truck, cup, buh bye, yes :)

marriage advice

my sister is getting married this weekend (YAY!) and we came across this song.

hilarious.

that's all I have to say.

for my love

of documentaries, that is...
I have always been fascinated by documentaries, I love feeling informed and viewing things in a way I hadn't thought of before.
We have "netflix" and for only $8 a month I can watch all the documentaires I want {that is when Trey is not around or else we are most definitely watching "backyardigans"} A few I have really enjoyed are "Tapped" {all about the bottled water industry} "Maxed out" {about america's reliance on credit} and one I could really relate to, "The Business of Being Born" {pretty self explanatory} This movie BLEW me away! It focuses on the comparison of natural births and births with interventions {pitocin, epidurals, c-sections...ect}. {I would say it is "girl only movie" -you can imagine there is a lot of birthing going on} It gives any mother, or soon-to-be mother, a lot to think about- at least it left my brain spinning. What I mainly took from it was the questions, why are women in most cultures around the world able to have gentle, comfortable, {quiet} births, when the women of the western world seem destined for pain filled deliveries? Why are american women made to think there is NO way they can deliver their baby without some sort of anesthetic or intervention?
After I watched this it made me glad for the birth experience I had with Trey- it was NOT in any way what I had planned, but it really was perfect for me, my personality, and perfect for my first baby. I'll spare you all the details of it, and just say this- I learned that I {and brock} can get through 2+ days of contractions and 1 hour of pushing out a baby and feel every part of him as he arrives. It might sound strange to some, but I actually enjoyed the pushing part- not in a "oh, this so so fun way!"- more like I felt like I was able to listen to my body and actually do something instead of just sitting {bending, bouncing, laying, squatting...} through contractions. I loved being able to feel as he was coming out and the rush and instant relief I felt the second he was born, I honestly felt like a million bucks- like I could do absolutely anything. I think that is such a big part of giving birth whatever way it happens- women learn how truly amazing our bodies are. Being pregnant and giving birth was a huge learning experience for me of how powerful I am and that I can do so much more then I expect I can.

All that being said, I believe that birthing is deeply personal for every women. There is such a huge variety of circumstances and situations- obviously there is not a one-size-fits-all birthing method. But that in itself is empowering, every woman gets to decide what's best for her and her baby- that day, and forever after that.

the little things

When you spend a lot of time with a little person you start to really notice the little things. My most recent favorite thing to do it just to lay on the floor with Trey and play. Play usually meaning watching him get into anything and everything he can get his hands on- and I have surprised myself by really not caring about the mess that follows. Up to this chapter in my life I have always liked things to be "just so." I like everything to have a place {a clean place} and truly believe that cleanliness is next to Godliness. But, with that being said, I am learning that I am willing, and eager, for other things take presidence over a perfectly placed living room. I sit in amazement as I watch his little fingers and hands grab, drop, pull, throw each object that he is inspecting. He loves to climb and he'll go up on his tip toes to reach things- adorable. He loves to hold things right in front of his eyes, look at them, and then slowly scratch it with one little finger- so cute! I love to wonder what he is thinking as he explores the world around him, and I love the pure look of delight when he see's or does something new. I feel like each day I am able to witness these small little miracles as we sit and learn together.
I have been thinking a lot lately about one of my favorite books- "Glimpses" by Marjorie Pay Hinckley. I have read and re- read this book many times. She is so funny and witty and positive. One chapter I have learned a lot from is the one entitled "Mothering."

She says "It has become a challenge to let children be children. It has never been so important that children have a home that is a place of refuge, a place of peace, a place of unconditional love- even when the report card may not be what you hoped for... I tried hard to never to say "no" if I could possibly say "yes." I think that worked well because it gave my children the feeling that I trusted them and they were responsible to do the best that could...The trick is to enjoy it. Don't wish away your days of caring for young children. This is your great day. Sometimes we get so caught up in the physical work and trivia that we forget the big picture. We forget whose children they really are. When the house is filled with children, noise and teasing and laughter, you get the feeling this is forever. Before you know it they will be gone...The rewards of mothering are not immediate...We have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove anything, to be what we are...Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your husband. Have joy in your children. Be grateful for the journey."

I promise that wasn't the whole chapter, there is just so many wonderful things to think about.

a happy anniversary

Anyone can be passionate,

but it takes real lovers to be silly. ~Rose Franken

Oh, how I love this quote, and,

Oh me oh my, how I love my husband!

I am sure every married person feels the same way- but it's hard to remember what it was like BEFORE we were a "we."

Looking back on my life it almost seems like a movie- all the highs and lows, the moves and the jobs that brought me to that night {I was with a friend on our way to meet some more friends at a movie when  it was suggested we stop by Brock Wilde's house- who had JUST come home from his mission- and see if he wanted to come, 

he did...boy, am ever glad we stopped!}

In our (not very) long time together we have encountered many changes- some welcome and happy ones: moving 6 times (..okay maybe not that welcome) coming to Saskatoon, and our little baby Trey! But also, some hard ones, most of all Brock's Mom passing away.Sometimes I feel like our little family is being stretched to it's limits- then I see how much our faith in the Atonement has grown and how much we

 have grown closer together, and I am grateful. 

I love the everyday hugs and kisses,the goals and planning, the tears, the smiles, the late night talks, and of course the silliness!

I am beginning to realize that life is just a big ball of change, it's unavoidable,

BUT that it's a good thing, and that the only way to get through it all is to have an UNchangable knowledge of who you are and what you truly value most. And when you and your husband value and believe the same things, life's bumps are much more manageable- I am so grateful we both value our temple marriage (that it is sacred and that it is fun!), and that we both value our role as parents.This anniversary is an important one to me. Because, as anyone with children will understand, bringing a new itty bitty life into this world with your spouse is a most miraculous, beautiful, life-changing thing. I feel like now I really know Brock- I look at him in a  new way. He is simply wonderful at being Dad - and watching it brings me happiness I cannot describe. And makes me excited for forever together. 

Thank you Brock for loving me so much,

and for loving Trey- we're both quite smitten.



dear MCAT

the MCAT has taken over our life!
I am so proud of Brock and the stamina (I don't know where he finds it) he has had over these past few months- I know it is hard locking himself in a room for hours and hours (right now were at about 12 a day) while Trey and I go do things, but 'normal' school life is just around the corner and a few hours of studying a day is sounding really good right now! He writes on Saturday, and both of us are prrrretty excited for it to be done!
(plus I have convinced him to write the DAT in November- he learned you only need to know about 1/4 of the things for that that he has studied for the MCAT- so why not right?! and maybe my dream of being his dental assistant one day will come true...haha!)

only 2 more days....

one more month (+3 days)

When I say I cannot believe how fast time has gone- I mean every. single. word.
A year is suuuuuch a long time when you are little- or pregnant...and I feel like someone is playing a trick on me and really it has only been about 5 or 6 months since Trey was born...right??
Trey has been sleeping A LOT lately- like 13 hours at night and a couple naps in the day, and I swear he is doing some crazy growing in that little bed of his! I feel like everytime I go to get him out of there he is turning more and more into a little (very, very cute) BOY!
case in point: He climbs anything he can, he says "buh bye" and waves at everyone, he drops (or throws) everything in his hands and then says "uh uh", he jabbers at us all day, and most little boyish of all he is trying to WALK- ahhhhh!
It is so fun to watch him become such a little personality, I spend most of my day watching and laughing at all the funny things he does, and it's hard to even remember that this is that same little, limp bundle we brought home almost one year ago!