Happy 17 Months Adalyn!

Today Jensen turned 2 weeks old and Adalyn turned 17 months old I will talk about Jensen in another post because I am sure you all want to see more pictures of the handsome man.  

But we will start with the oldest (but definitely not the easiest).  Oh Adalyn I have been praying a lot for patience on how to handle your energy level and neediness.  You are SO busy!  The past two weeks have been a huge adjustment for you and overall you have handled it really well.  You are *mostly* very sweet with Jensen and VERY attentive to his cries.  You know how to be soft with him and are sweet little mother to him.  BUT if you want mom's attention you will often hit him (softly) because you know that will get mom to pay attention to you (even if it involves time out).  Your days are filled with playing in your room, emptying drawers, "working" on the computer, watching you tube videos, crying at mom's feet while she nurses, and Sesame Street.  Oh Sesame Street I love you!  You have saved me countless times with I needed a break from the constant cries for attention.

Last week you started trying to repeat words that we would say, when before you would not even try.  I think you are going to finally start saying a few more words this month besides "uh oh". 

As for your schedule you are still doing one nap a day and once again you have been waking up in the middle of the night.  Most times we give you a snack and you go back to bed,  but sometimes you cry for a while.  Hopefully you grow out of this stage soon because mommy is tired. :)

As hard as this stage is for me, especially with a newborn, it is fun watching you learn and grow daily.  We love your personality when you are trying to be cute right before bed, hearing you say Jesus when we would point to his picture, learning to fold your arms at prayer, watching you dance and sing, and so much more.  Thank you Adalyn for bringing life and energy into our lives, we can't wait for your baby brother to grow up so that you have someone to play with.

She loves playing "downstairs" at our house which is basically just storage and cement, but she LOVES it. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes she decides that she is the "baby" too...

 Can't leave these two alone yet...

 

So Jensen spends much of his day in the cage/pack and play.  Much safer for him...

 

We love when daddy comes home!  Especially when he comes home early, like tonight because of bad weather.  :)  So he dressed Adalyn up like a turtle.  silly daddy

Afternoon snacks with mommy at the big table

 

 

"making" cookies (or just opening a package) that our friends brought to us

 

Oh what an adventure that life can be with a toddler...  Hope you are all having a great day! 

 

 

 

   

Christmas 2012

Well I know we are all out of "Christmas mode", but I still want to document it on here.  Christmas this year was a little unusual for us since we decided to stay in Idaho for the holiday.  Honestly I remember thinking on the Friday before Christmas that time was going to pass by SO slow, because honestly I just wanted Christmas to be over with so that I could have my baby.  But overall time went by fairly quickly and we enjoyed relaxing and spending time together as a family of three. 

On Saturday I got that lovely stomach bug that has been going around and spent the day in bed or in the bathroom throwing up.  I was actually grateful that I hadn't gone into labor yet because as bad as being sick and 9 months pregnant was I think it would have been worse if I was in labor or had just had a baby. 

Sunday was fun at church and my last time teaching my cute little sunbeams.  When I go back to church in a few weeks I will have a whole new class of fresh new sunbeams.  It is a busy calling, but I am enjoying using my teaching skills at least once a week.  :)

Monday (my actual due date) Christmas Eve we spent the morning at the doctors having my last appointment.  I had not made much progress at that point and was kind of discouraged, but honestly I didn't want to have him on Christmas so I was ok with it.  I also had lost 3 lbs that week (probably from being sick) so I decided that that meant I could eat whatever I wanted for Christmas and Christmas Eve... logical right?  The rest of that day we prepped the house for Christmas and for Santa to come.  That night we were invited over to McKay's aunt and Uncle's house for their traditional Christmas eve dinner.  They also invited his aunt's parents, her brothers family, and the missionaries.  We had a REALLY fun time eating TONS of delicious food and desserts followed by a fun little talent program.  Adalyn enjoyed playing with the other kids and dancing to the music. 

 

 

 

On Tuesday, Christmas day, we got up around 8:30 and opened presents.  Adalyn didn't really like opening the presents she just wanted us to open them so that she could play with the toys inside.  Her biggest gift that she got was her play kitchen with food and dishes.  



 





 

She also got a doll stroller, clothes, socks, movies, and books.  It was such a fun morning as parents to have her react to each gift that she got.  She had fun playing with each one. 

 

Such a sweet smile. :)

 

As for McKay he got Tennis Rackets, a new wallet, 12 months worth of dates planned by me :), Dominos, socks, and some tools. 

 

I got a new piano bench built by McKay, lamps for our bedroom, a pasta maker, movie, and a book.  Here is Adalyn and I trying out the piano bench...

Later that afternoon my family was nice enough to make the long drive from Utah on Christmas and come and visit us.  They were also dropping off my mom who would be staying until after the baby was born so that she could help watch Adalyn while we were in the hospital.  They spoiled us as usual and gave us lots of fun gifts.  Adalyn's favorite gift was her play puppy that makes noises.  She was SO in love with it. 

They also spoiled Jensen with clothes a new diaper bag (which I am in love with!) and a darling basketball quilt for his bedroom (also turned out perfect!)  After exchanging gifts we ate dinner, played games, and chatted. 

 

New jammies from Grandpa

 Later everyone headed back to Utah except for my mom.  It was SO fun having her here for a whole week and we miss her terribly already.  Christmas was great this year, it was a beautiful way to celebrate the birth of our savior.  We are so thankful for the joy and excitement that it brings each year and can't wait till next year.    I hope you all had a great Christmas too!  Have a great day!

 

 

 

 

Dear Sweet Baby Boy

 

Oh boy!  I am SO in love!  Jensen is such a darling baby.  As crazy as my hormones can be, and the extra stress of trying to adjust to having a new baby I still LOVE the newborn stage.  I could cuddle and love on him forever, and thanks to my sweet mother I have been able to do a lot of that this first week.  These sleepy newborn days go so quickly and I want to enjoy them to their fullest. 

 

Mommy loves you little man. :)

 

 

 

*Photos taken by my sweet Aunt Heather*

Jensen Anthony Pace is here!

I know I am a little bit behind on announcing this, but getting on the computer wasn't very high on my to do list this week.  But yes baby Jensen is here and healthy! 

Born:

December 27, 2012 (yes last year, I am SO behind ;)

At:

3:07 pm (no sleep the night before because of contractions so by the time he got here I was REALLY tired)

Weighed:

7 lbs 15 oz (which believe it or not is small to me so we are loving having such a "tiny" man)

Worst moment of labor:

His heart rate was really high for a while and we couldn't get it to go down.  They were worried about infection so they decided to do a C-section, but right as they brought me the papers to sign for the C-section his heart rate went down.  It stayed pretty high the rest of the time I was able to have him normally.  Thank Heavens!

Best moment overall:

Tons of these, but I am really loving that he is a good eater.  I was praying that I would have an easier time with nursing and he has been SO good so far.  Much more relaxing and enjoyable with a child who latches on.  Adalyn ate to live but Jensen lives to eat. :)

We have been home from the hospital since Saturday and are slowly adjusting.  My mom is super woman and has been taking really good care of all of us.  Adalyn is pretty high strung these days and has TONS of energy, but I am sure that she will mellow out as the excitement settles.  I am just grateful that there have been so many hands around here to help keep her entertained.  Next week should be interesting when it is just me, her, and Jensen. :)

And now enough talking here he is the newest, sweetest, and cuddliest member of the Pace household...

Ofcourse more to come... as soon as my brain catches up to me :)  Hope you are all having a happy new year!