Goodbye Glimpse Into Our Future

Since it has been a few weeks since I last updated, I was hoping to write a nice long blog tonight; however, the computer had other plans and it took forever to get the phone to sync with the computer in order for me to upload my photos. 

So, instead I'll just quickly leave this here:

Maddix 

Is a genius, and when left quarantined in his room for days on end he becomes an evil genius and creates funny things to entertain himself. 

He is so clever and cute. 

Aaron

Is an endlessness of cute. 

His main goal in life is to make people laugh; this can become aggravating when you're asking him to do something and his way of being funny is through sarcasm and disobedience... 

I asked him the other day, "Why on earth are you so cute?!" He replied, "Adeline gave me cute lessons." 

Case and point. 

Adeline

She could simply be classified as "World's Best Baby." 

Seriously, I love her. I can't get enough of her. I always wanted just boys, but 

she is the doll I've always wanted and never want to put down. 

Lacey

I start my classes tomorrow; it's my last semester and I'm so excited for the semester, but I'm even more TERRIFIED at the idea of trying to fit this semester in to our already jam packed days now that I don't have energy to wake up and do homework early (even though I do have the world's best baby)

Travis

Well he is as happy as a clam. He's had a month of elective rotation so he's been home most days by 4pm, many days by 1:30, and hasn't worked a single weekend. This month has been a serious glimpse into what our future is going to look like, and IT. LOOKS. GOOD. 

Oh.... then there's the little fact that he picked up a little something something that he has been dreaming about. 

And he is so happy:)

The beginning of not feeling well= snuggles for me

Aaron was upset with Me and Travis for not playing his game
right, so he banned us and let only Maddix and Nala in

How we all feel about winter months

They adore her

Even Nala does some occasional tummy time
with the baby

Entering the world of tutus!!! 

Completely out of control and goofing
around with their dad

Football in the kitchen

He built a choir of snowmen. When I came out moments
later he was conducting them and singing in a deep
and growly voice! HA HA

Maddix's fans at his Basketball game

"Those snows are huge!"

"OOH! Snow Day! No school?!" 

these were the smiles following a very large blow out; she was quite please
with herself. 

Then while Maddix has been sick, he's had the i-pad and I found over 200 photos he'd taken to entertain himself, plus songs he'd composed in the Garage Band app :D So these are a few of what it's been like to be Maddix the past few days:

Poor Kid!!! Hehehehehe!!!!!

~Basketball and a belated baby update~

Maddix has started his first season of basketball and we absolutely love it. As many may know, I've expressed that sometimes watching him play sports can be a bit, well, painful. He tends to look at butterflies, pull out his kung foo moves, or start conversations with all the players (on either team). However, unlike football and baseball where there is a lot of down time in between plays, basketball if fast moving; it requires lots of coordination and thought towards what you're doing, so there is little time for him to lose focus... We loved watching his first game. Way to go Maddix! 

Aaron completed a science experiment this week where we discussed the difference between melting and dissolving and just thought he was the absolute coolest! 

Travis has been enjoying dreaming, googling, and electronically building a dream truck with the boys and they all can't wait for the day they can all cruise in one together; with the dog in the bed, of course. 

I finished my second book of the year, The Help (the first was When Breath Becomes Air). I made it back to the swimming pool and increased my yards, and I did my first insanity workout in... ages. Could I do all the sets? No. Did I continually stop? yes. And did I have to do the modified low impact version? You betcha' but HEY! I completed the whole video! 

Did I mention that Maddix started piano lessons
this month? Wha? When did he get so old?!

Adeline's 2 month Update:

Weight: 12lbs. 2.5oz. (started at 7lbs)

Height: 23inches (started at 19inches)

Sleep: During the day she does naps anywhere from 2-4hrs long; or an occasional 1hr nap. All day long she will nap easily, even putting herself to sleep w/ minimal whining. At night though she seems hard wired to be awake between the hours of 6pm-12am. She will doze for 20-30mins at a time and then shoot back awake and cry and fuss and sometimes scream until she is forced back to sleep. Trav is typically the only one who can get her back to sleep at the end of the night! It gets a little rough; however, once she's asleep, she stays asleep until the morning!! Lately I've been waking her up at 7:30am so I can feed her. For a few nights we were finally getting her to sleep at 8:30pm and then she would just wake up once in the night to feed and then go right back to sleep until 7:30ish am.

Milestones: She has been flashing adorable little smiles. They mostly come after she eats, but she'll also flash some in the mornings when we get her out of bed. She sat in the bumbo chair a few times this week... she isn't sold on it; it tires her out quickly to have to support that big head for too long! She tracks things real well and tries to mimic us when we stick our tongue out. She has started cooing and making cute little noises. She is gaining strength in her arms and now it feels like she's giving you a little hug when she's leaning up against my shoulder. My favorite!

Likes: She loves shadows/lights. She LOVES showers and enjoys bath time. She thinks it's funny when Travis does this "Beep-Boop-Boop-Beep" noise while poking her cheeks and nose. She lights up anytime I walk in the room. She has loved the Christmas tree/lights. She loves to kick around her little legs; however, unlike the boys she will sit calmly in my arms and not squirrel around like the boys did. She seems to enjoy people watching. She likes her brother but gets overwhelmed by all their love.

Dislikes: She doesn't particularly enjoy the carseat. Hates the booger picker. Doesn't like getting her nails cut. And REALLY didn't enjoy getting her shots! She was a wreck the rest of the day and seems so sad at the whole world! She dislikes tummy time. Not fond of the bouncy seat. She does not enjoy her pinkie unless it's a special occasion, or you really force her to take it. She doesn't enjoy when her brothers hold her, at all.

Anything Else: I love dressing you up like a doll! You've made a name for yourself at Daddy's work; at each appointment you've had a massive blowout all over the floors and tables. You've made the same name for yourself in Sunday Clothes (but thankfully you wait until we're home). Our friends say you are the most beautiful baby "And not because we have to say it, but because she really is." 

Your Family: We just love you and the boys wish they could eat you up. They would also do anything for you and already do. They are sad you seem to sleep all the time. If you're crying they rush to you to try and cheer you up. :) They continually request that you lay on a blanket next to them while they play, or snuggle on the couch with them during a movie. They LOVE to pull gently down on your mouth and speak in a high pitched voice, pretending they are speaking for you :D

You rarely throw up. You're such a girl! You choke a lot when you're eating; I don't like that. You haven't had any constipation (thank heavens). You're our biggest baby (64th percentile). 

Mostly you're still a bit of a blank slate that seems to be figuring us out more than we can figure you out! We love each day you look at us more, smile more... and I truly love you for sleeping so well! 

We love you little Adeline Ainsley! 

"Grandma Donna, do I really have to be a
lady bug?? I'm not sold."

Best I could do

Smiles!!

Little miss bright eyes 

I love being her mommy. 

~Happy New Year~

First Week of the New Year's

Moments to Remember

Travis

Started his elective rotation and has easier hours, which he loves

He got to go to basketball for the first time since July (before he broke his foot)

Finally went swimming to rehab his foot

Lacey

Had a girl's night out to see The Greatest Showman

Love reading time to Adeline

I chopped off my hair! 

Maddix

Built a ton of awesome legos

Started his first season of basketball!

Enjoyed watching the Iowa State vs. Oklahoma basketball game with our neighbor, Susan.

Aaron

Also loved the legos. 

Built puzzles with our neighbor, Glenn:) 

Loves every day he gets to go to school!! 

Adeline

Smiling more.

Cooing more. 

Sleeping... MORE!!

Holding her head up better. 

Sitting better

Eating better. 

One of the best babies most hours of the day except between the hours of 6pm-12:00am when she seems hardwired to be awake and crabby! But she's even getting better about that. 

Also, this week our beloved Prophet and President of the church, President Monson returned home to his heavenly father, dear wife, and wonderful parents. The world lost a wonderful man, but we feel so much joy over his heavenly reunion!

It was a pleasant enough week. The nicest thing is each week seems to be getting slightly easier and returning to more of a normalcy. 

... also it's been soooOOOoooo cold... like the whole week was between -18 and 4 degrees. Today was 19 degrees and it felt amazing! Like, leave your coat at home type warm! 

Short and freshly colored.
Just the change I needed.

My crew; how am I so lucky??

An attempt at documenting her sitting
by herself... but I failed.

~2017 In a Nutshell~

I thought about making up a Christmas card this year and mailing it out; however, I didn't. 

Blame it on just having a baby, or the fact that I've just never made one, but 

here is where I'll update everyone and record some of our many

highlights from our 2017! 

And THANK YOU to everyone who sent us a Christmas card! I LOVE finding them in the mailbox and hope you'll continually send them to us!! 

Without further ado!

~2017 In a Nutshell~

January

Aaron was enjoying his Kid Fit and Messy classes, Preschool at Miss Jodi's, reading time at the library, and some daycare time at the Next Level Fitness Gym.

We experienced our coldest Iowa weather to date: -22 degrees, felt like -44 with the windchill and ended up cancelling church. 

February

Travis and I made it on a getaway to Minneapolis for my birthday

Maddix and I took our first date of the year: Trolls in the library at his school.

March

Found out we were pregnant!!

Threw a Moana Party
Had a girls Night out with like 30... girls to
see the opening of Beauty and the Beast

His face when I showed him the pregnancy
test

April

Soccer season started for Maddix

Overall just a HORRIBLE month and loved when it was over!

May

Told boys that we'd be having a baby! 

Took the boys to the school walk-a-thon
Aaron graduated Miss Jodi's Pre-k
Lightning struck our tree
Bought our House! 

BASEBALL!!!!! Both boys played their first season of baseball :D

June

Maddix finished Kindergarten

The boys took out a "business loan" to buy Lemonade to sell at our neighbor's yard sale.

My family visited: We visited Nauvoo and Minneapolis 

My Step sister, Tessa came to visit

Aaron celebrated his 4th birthday- Paw Patrol Style

Finished Intern year with a Residency Dinner!! 

Drove to Utah by myself!!!

July

UTAH!!! 

Boys loved their swim lessons, taught by U. Garett and U. Bryce

Travis stayed in Iowa to work and renovate our bathroom.

Found out we were having a girl!!

August

Carlsbad Family Reunion... Travis broke his food first day :(

Celebrated our 9th anniversary: I got my hair done and then we fell asleep on the couch ha ha.

Travis and I went on a "scootering date"

Maddix started 1st Grade

September

Visited the Day the Music Died crash site

Went to the Minnesota State Fair

Aaron started Preschool at Maddix's school!

Maddix's football season started

Made a quick 3 day trip (driving 18hrs each way) to Utah for Gma Juliene's funeral

Celebrated our 3rd Annual Apple Day

October

Travis's first year home for Conference!

Travis worked nights, and on-calls, and... his schedule SUCKED.

Maddix celebrated his 7th bday- Cotton Candy Themed. He also received his chess set which he loves!!! 

Halloween celebrating

Celebrated a horrible month coming to a close!!!!

November

Finished Adeline's room... one day before

Adeline was born (2 1/2 weeks early)

Addie broke my tailbone

Received TONS of blessings through dinners, sitters, rides, cleaners, etc. after Addie was born and before my in-laws arrived. 

In-laws came for a fun two weeks of helping around the house, playing with the boys, and celebrating Thanksgiving. Also the boys and Gma all went and met Santa at the Mall of America and were filmed in a Pillsbury commercial

December

Took my mother-in-law, Lori Christmas at Clear Lake 

Celebrated Travis's 32nd bday with a dinner date to the 1910 Grill, and his favorite (Made by his mom) Double frosted Chocolate cake. 

Endless Christmas celebrating

Travis was given a few hours to come home and open presents on Christmas; however, that meant the boys had to wait until 1:00pm before getting to open presents! 

Maddix made a "Santa Trap" that included a container of cookies under his bed and a note to Santa. 

Both Maddix and Aaron began riding the bus and LOVE IT!! 

Had a game night with friends, then home for homemade cafe rio, games, and dancing.... and Aaron and I falling asleep at 10:30 to reign in the new year :) 

~Happy New Year~

One of my favorite take-aways from 2017

"Life is made up of LONG days and SHORT years"