February

February. Still stressed. Still making it. Garrett and I were trading off between school all day and he was working at night. We were counting down the days to graduation with excitement but also sadness. We were terrified to move away from our Watkins family. But time kept marching on.

Xander asleep at Chelsey's when I got home from school. 6 months old now!

He went through a phase where he had to hold onto my hair to be able to fall asleep. It lasted for about a month.

Ross was blessed the first of the month and family came up to visit! Always exciting! We went and saw Reindeer. They were big, and the kids thought it was great. It snowed on us the whole time and we all got soaked!

Bekah and Garrett went sledding several times this winter.

Garrett took us to see the Great Salt Lake for some family time. It was really nice just to have an unrushed trip where we just spent time together. And it was really beautiful. Bekah was amazed at the buffalo.

We did a small hike to an overlook and Xander fell asleep in my arms. Sometimes people offer to take my children for me, but I almost always decline because the weight of them in my arms is one of the best feelings in this world!

Chelsey had one of the best birthdays ever. We all went to Dynelle's house and did a party for Chelsey, Ally, and Jacob. Chelsey got silly string and we decided to play the game where you think of something then go around the room and the person to guess correctly becomes "it". Well, she waited and waited till finally she got to Garrett. I don't think he got the answer right, but he sure got covered in silly string. Look at the joy on her face! (And the displeasure brewing just under the surface of Garrett's face.)

Sometimes I cuddle both my kids at the same time. And Bekah loves to pretend she's a baby. Holding both my children close makes my heart feel content!

January

January was very intimidating. I was in denial about it for a while, but it came anyway. I started going to school for  5 hours a day, which was more than I'd done since high school. I usually did online and a night class or two. Now I was gone before my kids woke up and got home in time to feed them lunch and put them to bed for naps. It was kind of rough starting out. I felt super overwhelmed and struggled with what roles I needed to focus on the most. I just felt like I was never doing my best at anything. But it kind of helped me to find more joy in my children when I did take the time to be with them.

Bekah, still very into dressing up

Xander, 5 months already!

Garrett sent me this picture while I was at school one day. It warmed and broke my heart at the same time. I wanted to be there nursing my baby but was so grateful that there are so many people at home to give him and Bekah love. Thank you Garrett, Cody, and Chelsey!

Look at that charm!

Headed to school at 5:30 am because I was lead-teaching (in charge of the whole classroom--set-up and curriculum-- for the week)

Feeling relieved to be headed to school at 7:30 am again! One month down!

We bought matching shirts for our boys that were all born withing 13 months of each other. Baer is looking for an escape, Timothy is cheesing out for the cameras, Xander is feeling abandoned, and Ross is squished and probably going deaf from Xander.

Learning to self-sooth when mom has to take care of Bekah

Taking care of her baby like mommy does

Giving her baby a ride like daddy does to her

Practicing her kissy face. This girl loves posing for the camera!

December

In December we traveled a lot. First we went to Dynelle's house for Timothy's birthday. Garrett and Kirk went snowshoeing the next day. They really enjoyed it. We spent the rest of the weekend having a relaxing time and helping decorate their house for Christmas. 

He can already tell he's funny

Audrey got Bekah dressed for Church

We bought a gingerbread train kit and made our train while the Watkins made their gingerbread house. Tons of fun! Xander hung out on his play mat while Ross slept on the couch. Bekah just kept eating the candy instead of putting it on the train.

Xander and Bekah ready for our walk in the cold!

First haircut! Lookin handsome!

 Dynelle and Audrey came to stay with Chelsey. Bekah was thrilled to have a buddy! They played dress-up a lot!

Ross and Xander, Future best buddies

Garrett went hiking again. 

 I can never get enough pictures of my baby sleeping!

Tons of snow on our way to Montana for Christmas

All the kids got pajamas from Santa on Christmas Eve

Bekah and Liana got along well and had so much fun!

I spent Christmas morning with a sleepy buddy on my chest

Everyone went on a hike in the snow, but it was really windy, so Xander and I hung out in the car for an hour. Good think Crystal gave me an awesome book for Christmas!

After spending a week in Montana, we headed down to Vernal to visit the rest of our family. We are so blessed to be able to visit family for holidays and enjoy their love and companionship!