Superman turns 1

Alright so I have a few months of catching up to do for Joey so this post is all about him!

11months:

Alright my little blond hair blue eyed Cali boy is 11 months old as of July 27, 2013. We were on our California Trip when he turned 11 months. He is still very, very shy which is pretty adorable. People and friends can not stop talking about his blue eyes and long eye lashes. I had to give him another hair cut already because the fluff was getting out of control! haha. This kid just loves to eat! Avocado's are his favorite food and cheddar cheese. He really hates being confined in the car seat or the high chair so that's a fun battle for mommy and daddy. He has figured out how to put blocks together and stack them. He loves to just grab two pieces and keep putting them together then taking them apart then putting them together. Has started to stack things on top of each other like the stacker rings and just plain old blocks. In California he fell hit his head on cement stairs and got his first black eye. He also started saying "uh-oh" which is know his favorite word. He has mastered climbing down the stairs now, which gives mommy mini heart attacks but she got over it. His latest obsession has been ceiling fans and lights. That is the first thing he notices and points too when he comes into a room. Starting to feed himself with the spoon but mostly gets all over himself instead of his mouth. He has so much energy and is into EVERYTHING!! He is a huge climber, climbs on anything he can get those little hands and feet on.

 

On July 9th he finally had surgery and got his tubes in his ears. He couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight and he woke up at 4am just crying and wanting a bottle so bad, it broke my heart and I was up with him until we left at 6 for the hospital. We got there early in the morning and the nurses were wonderful, they all keep coming into the room and playing with him and saying how cute he was and yes Joey was being shy but loving all the attention. Alright I did not sleep the night before I was so stressed knowing that they were going to be putting him under plus he woke up hungry and I couldn't feed him. He looked pretty cute in his little hospital gown running through the rooms. They take him to the back and he immediately starting crying and oddly enough I didn't cry because I knew he was in good hands. I waited in the recovery room. The surgery was only like 30 mins and finally he was back in my arms but was having a really really hard time coming out of the anesthesia. He was just crying and flaying his arms and head everywhere, with his eyes closed. Doc said he still had fluid in his ears and the tubes will be a huge help and some thickness was starting to build up in the left ear so he was having a hard time earing and we had no clue!! I get him home and give him lots of snuggles and love. He actually was acting just fine, little fussy from the pain but all around was doing very well. That week he slept through the night every night and still is. His ears were giving him so much pain that was keeping him up at night. Getting those tubes was the best thing we have done for him and he still has not had a ear infection yet almost 3 months later!!

1 YEAR OLD:

I cannot believe my little gummy bear turned one already!! Where did this year go!! He has always been my little superman from day one! As most of you know my pregnancy was horrible and I am just so lucky to be here and have him here. He is a Superhero!! So for his one year pics I did a Clark Kent kind of deal and they turned out amazing!!!! Kristen Reynolds is truly a talented and affordable photographer!!

Here are his one year pics.

Some fun things this little monkey(literally) is doing!! He loves to share his food even though it is soggy and half eaten and tries shoving it in our mouths..lol. This kid just loves food in general. He is not picky at all and tries everything and pretty much begs like a dog whenever we are eating something till we give him a bite. He steals brothers food all the time too. He likes to drink from and cup and straw, he really won't drink unless it is from a straw now, he just loves them. Super easy transition from formula to milk and he never took a bottle after nursing he went straight to a sippy cup so no weaning from the breast or bottle, that was nice.

He is obsessed with his big brother, he follows him around like a little lost puppy dog and whatever brother is doing or playing with he has to be right there doing it too. Man does it drive Brayden crazy!! He loves to climb on the dining room chairs onto the kitchen table, I have to lay the chairs down in the front room because this kid is obsessed and has fallen many times already. Joey and Brayden love to chase each other around the house and tickle each other and of course wrestle, hit, climb over, sit on.. just being boys. He is loves to throw balls, any shape and size and cars. He loves hot wheels and big tractors he can push around. Loves to play peek a boo and you never see this kid with out a blanket, he puts it over his head and runs around like a little ghost and yes has run into a few walls, its really funny. Starting to do puzzles and play with my smart phone more. He gives the biggest wettest kisses right on the lips and goes mmmmmm with his lips all tight together after, it is really quite funny. He hate putting clothes and getting his diaper changed, its a freaking battle every time, but mom always ways, majority of the time he escapes half way through the change and runs off half naked giggling uncontroably... like he is saying catch me if you can mom I am so funny. He has taken his diaper off by himself a few times already, pray that doesn't become a habit.

His words are uh-oh, aahh-dddaaa (all done) baaabaaa(bath) mama, dada, bubba(Brother) wwwaawww(wow) mmmeeee(milk) oowwwsssssiiii (outside) ba (ball) mmmooooeee(more) Hi, and Bye are hit and miss words with him.  He signs milk really well while he says it. He will not sign more no matter what we do, he just claps instead its pretty freaking cute cause he just gets so proud of himself :) He understands when we say outside, he will go running to the front door. If we say lets read a book, he knows that means nigh night and he climbs upstairs and points at the book bin and knows it's bedtime. He is a pretty bright little man and he just learns something new everyday.

AUGUST 27th 2013

So for his first birthday we didn't do anything too crazy. I had him wake up to some balloons in his room that morning and boy was he excited to hold the string and run around like a mad man with the balloon chasing him. I dressed him in his blue birthday shirt. He pretty played with the balloons all day and of course I took him and his brother outside and to the park across the street. Put a banner up and some balloons on his chair nothing crazy. When daddy got off of work, we had dinner which was pasta bbq chicken and avocado's and cheese just little favorites of Joey's. We went back outside for awhile then came in and sang and let him smash his cake. I made him a mickey mouse cake (whom he loves) and it didn't turn out as well as I would have liked it but oh well, I tend to be a perfectionist. He was not shy about the cake. He pinched a few pieces off at first then just went all in and was in the zone, nothing could distract that boy from eating that cake!! So we cleaned him up and had him open his presents!! We got him a few Hurley t-shirts (mommy's skate/board obsession) a fun little light up lab top, a bunch of hot wheel cars, and a big blue truck. This kid was in heaven and so was Brayden. So it was a little family party that I just love and turned out very nice and stress free.

I love this little spit ball of energy so much. He still is my gummy bear and I just love watching him grow, just wish it would slow down a bit. He looks so much like his dad with a pinch of me(mostly just the eye color) WE LOVE YOU JORDAN BRADFORD MORTON!!! Xxoxo

Warning overload of cuteness pictures!!

Heartbreak

On September 11, 2013 I got the biggest shock of my life. I have been having irregular cycles for the past few months. Bleeding heavily and every 2 weeks. I made an appointment with my GYN. I took both boys with me because I figured it would be quick trip and they were going to do birth control or something to regulate me. I did the standard peeing in a cup testing and blood work and normal stuff. I am sitting on the chair trying to wrangle up my boys from destroying the room and the nurse walks in and quietly says to the doctor, she is pregnant......

I barley over heard them and literally screamed WHAT!?! Those are words I NEVER thought I would hear again... I had my tubes tied when I had Joey. She sent me down the get a ultra sound immediately. I felt like I was in a dream, I was in shock. The nurses helped me get the boys down into the ultra sound room. I kept thinking what no way, not me, it's impossible. They proceeded with the ultrasound and found out the baby was already gone and I had already miscarried. The baby had no chance from the beginning, I was maybe 3-4 weeks along. That's when it finally hit me and I just started sobbing and bawling. This is very hard for me to write this post. I have been struggling since I had Jordan. I want another baby but my body can not handle another pregnancy again, it would kill me and my baby. I was finally coming to terms with myself that I made the right choice of getting my tubes tied. I was accepting that there was no chance of carrying another child. That we will adopt when the time was right. All those feelings just came rushing back to me. Then BAM 1 out of 2,000 people get pregnant after having their tubes tied. I kept staring at the screen and wishing their was a heartbeat.

This might sound weird but it was like my boys knew. During this whole time they were angels, Brayden was keeping Joey entertained and patting his back when he cried. They both were quiet and very well behaved and listened to me. Brayden was giving me kisses on the cheek and kept looking at me like he knew why I was hurting but telling me it was ok, without using his words. It was like they knew that mommy was hurting from loseing their sibling.

After the ultra sound I talked to the doc for a while and they said that I am miscarrying naturally and my body is cleaning it out very well but gave me some meds to help clean me out more. I had to come back in the next few days to get another ultrasound to make sure everything is going well and do some biopsys and stuff to make sure I don't have an infection.

We get to the car and I had to call Josh and tell him the news. I told him the story and kept saying I swear I am not kidding and just cried but couldn't keep him too long on the phone because he was at work. After I called him he said that he stayed in the parking lot for awhile in complete shock. The drive home I really don't remember. I just felt empty and sad. We got home and I was pretty distracted with the boys to really think about it. I am lucky that my boys kept me busy enough to get through the rest of the day. Josh came home and we held eachother. After the boys were finally in bed, we had a heart to heart of what happened. We know that It just wasn't meant to be but what a miracle it was just to have it happen. Our hearts ache for another baby, and this whole ordeal felt like a slap in the face. We just moved past that I can not get pregnant again and that we will take a baby into our home someday and love it like our own. Just having that little hope that I could get pregnant again just have put me into a whirlwind of emotions.

I have felt heartache and pain in my life, but nothing compares to how I have been feeling this past week. Yes I keep busy with my boys and life but every night when I finally calm down and try to sleep, I just cry and cry. It hurts so bad knowing that I lost my baby. I get mad at myself and my body that it can not carry a child again. I hurt because I see how much it hurts my husband and best friend. I feel empty and lost. If I didn't have my boys, I don't know how I would handle it. They are the reason I get out of bed every morning, they are the only things that make me smile and I love them unconditionally. I know that time heals all wounds, I am just taking things one day at a time. My baby was too perfect for this world and is looking down on our family from heaven. Our child was meant to be our Guardian Angel.

California Luv

Alright so I will posted to few blogs to catch up with what a crazy summer we have had! Again I will remind you that this blog is mostly a good journal source for me and for family and friends to catch up. Sorry if I bore you :) And if my grammar and spelling is horrible..get over it...lol

We were invited to two special weddings this summer back in good old California and lucky enough they were a week apart so we got to attend both of them while planning our much needed vacation of beach fun and friends and family in between. So after spending all week to pack up (yes it takes me forever to pack up ALL the boys stuff and mine) we hit the road at 8pm on Friday night... yup Josh got off work WAY later than we expected but being the awesome man he is, he wanted to get work done so he wouldn't have to do any while on vacation! So me being the super awesome wife packed up the car and everything while taking care of the boys, so we just had to hop in and hit the road. Luckily Joey fell asleep after the first hour and Brayden was entertained and content watching a movie. About an hour before we hit Cedar Joey woke up and was screaming, he hates the car. Brayden was hyper as can be!! We pull into Cedar about 1 am and the kids are so hyper to be out of the car, they did not want to go to sleep and me and Josh were sssooooo tired. Finally I said screw it around 2am and put them to bed and let them cry it out for awhile, feeding off each others cries.

The next morning we had an appointment with our wonderful photographer Kirsten Reynolds (whom I recommend to Everybody, she is AMAZING and super talented) which we were running late to because we slept in..oops. We got some super cute photos for Joeys 1 year pictures. I will post them on the 1 year blog. She took some nice ones of just me and Josh because since we have 2 kids, "ain't nobody got time for dat" Then we hit the road after than with only 7 more hours to go...blah. It was such a long drive. Brayden does extremely well traveling he loves the car and likes to watch movies and play games on my phone and just stare out the window, he did so so good. Joey....well.. that's a different story, he hates the car and being restrained in anyway. He would kind of nap but is a tummy sleeper so he just couldn't get comtreble. But we stopped only a few times for diaper changes and play pen time at McDonalds to get their energy out. Brayden would chase the girls and Joey would run around pointing at all the ceiling fans and lights which was the start of his light/ceiling fan obsession. We were about an hour and 15 mins away from Camarillo on the 210 when a bad accident happens and traffic is Stopped, horrible timing, after 15 mins of just sitting there not moving, Josh magically got us off the exit and took some back roads and the boys were so so done, especially Joey and I won't lie, I was beyond done too!! So I really don't miss Cali traffic at all.


Few pics of the session, more on his 1 year post

During our stay in Camarillo, our dear friends, the Susans or the Moms (we like to call them) were kind enough to let us stay at their place because we no longer had a place to stay since Josh's parents moved to Joshua Tree. It worked out just perfect! Even though I was freaking out because my boys are crazy and I was terrified the were going to break something!! (which they didn't, thank god) So we settled in and get the boys down for bed and spend the rest of the evening with Ryan, catching up and relaxing. The next morning we just hung out with the boys and got ready for the wedding of Nicole Lundgren and Elliott Brown. Brayden was asked to be the ring bearer and we felt so honored that they had us part of their special day! Again I was super nervous, Brayden is well...crazy and uncontainable in public situations a lot of the time. He did sssooo good. We got to hang out in the bridals room while they got the beautiful bride ready with all the bridesmaids. I tried to spike his hair but would not cooperate so he ended up with a Mohawk which turned out adorable and he just played his game on my phone while we all gushed over him in his suit and tie. Like 10 minutes before we were getting ready to have him walk down the aisle, he started acting out, he was bored and wanted to play, so I did everything I could to distract him until it was his turn. Finally I put him down and the Flower girls held his hands and he pulled them down the aile, like come on girls keep up! And Everyone got a kick out of him and he ran straight to Dad while I ran around to avoid being seen. He was perfect!! I can't wait to see pictures :) It was a beautiful and fun wedding, they had a little play area for kids which worked perfect for us, the boys had a blast on the slides and tire swing. During the reception and speeches, Brayden was running everywhere, and racing his cars on the dance floor and just hamming it up with the photographer(whom he loved fyi) This kid did not stop running the whole 4 hours we were there. And Joey was everywhere too but was so shy if anyone looked at him he would run back to me or Josh crying. I also made Brayden and black shirt that said Ring Security on the back that he wore for the reception (because what 2 year old will keep a tie on!?!) Everyone got a kick out of it. It was so nice seeing all our friends again, even though it would have been nicer if we weren't chasing around two toddlers all night :) But we had a blast and loved seeing old friends and seeing one of my good friends walk down the aisle to her dream guy!! That night the kids and myself were exhausted!!

Some misc Wedding Photos

The next morning we take our time loading up and head out to Zuma Beach (where Josh proposed fyi) to take the boys for their first trip to play in the sand and waves!! It was actually a perfect day and honestly felt a little chilly but was not windy for once! Brayden could not get enough of the sand and running around chasing the seagulls and of course chasing the waves. They were pretty strong and this kid had no fear what so ever so we had to hold his hand cause if he got knocked down the waves would have dragged him out. He loved being pushed around by the waves and letting it splash over his feet then pull towards the ocean. He is fearless and it freaks me out but he did very well holding our hands and playing in the sand. He also found and hole so we started burying him and he just loved the feeling and sensory of the sand on his legs. He buried his cars next to him (of course) Jordan loved sitting with the little shovel and just dig,digging away and of course trying to eat it. He loved looking at the waves and hearing them but was pretty afraid of them but we eventually got him to put his feet in, then he was hooked!

Beach pics overload!!

After a couple hours the boys were done and ready for naps, so we heading out for our 3 hour drive to Joshua Tree to visit Karen and Richard for a few days. Again, Joey hates the car, finally took a hour nap and woke up the the huge windmills, that both boys were pointing and so excited to look at, they both were amazed by them, it was pretty cute. Made it to in in-laws and had and yummy rib dinner and just unpacked (again..blah) and enjoyed our evening. Lucky us they have a pool to hang out in. So a few evenings we put the boys in and they enjoyed it. Brayden was hit and miss, the pool was to deep for him to touch so we had to hold him and be with, so he was pretty bugged about it but still loves the water and floating around in brothers turtle which Joey hated and wanted to be held. My boys are so opposite it is ridiculous sometimes. They have a cute dog named Gracie which Brayden could not get enough of. They chased each other around, played tug a war, and got lots of kisses!

The first night there, I somehow threw out my back and was in so much pain I didn't sleep and couldn't move.  It was horrible so I spent the next day on the couch while josh and Papa had boy duty. We took them to a near by park and swam, and just relaxed it was pretty nice having a few extra hands! I went into the Chiropractor the next day and got adjusted and felt better, sore but at least I could move again. So Thursday we packed up and heading back to Camarillo. Hit traffic again!?! So Joey just broke down and beyond done again and I was losing my mind again. I swear traffic has gotten so much worse since we left and its like a million times worse when you have young children who hates the car. We spent some time with Josh's brother Jon and his Girlfriend Kim and our nephews!! The boys had so much fun playing with their cousins at the park and we had yummy Chinese food! The 3 older boys are all pretty close in age. Tyler is 8 months older than Brayden and Ben is 4 months younger than him. Lots of fun seeing the boys interact and catching up with Jon and Kim again, I wish we lived closer again so we see our nephews more and hang out!! That night we were back at the Susans :) Bathed the kids watched some movies and sent them to bed so Josh and I could watch some TV together for once.

Friday rolls around and we take our time and head out to a different more closer beach. It was a pretty windy day and overcast but that did not stop the boys from having a blast digging and throwing and chasing the ball around in the sand! I think the wind was bothering Joeys very sensitive ears cause he kept putting his towel over his head and keeping it there, it was the funniest thing! We get back to the Susans and get ready for a small get together with some of our friends whom we haven't seen since we moved to Utah over 2 years ago. Everyone started showing up and it was fun! Boys got to say hi for a bit but then they were ready for bed, so we had some adult time and boy did we need it. Sat in the hot tub and talked, drank, and laughed like the good ol days!! I miss California for the people there, not the state, but our good good friends that we just have a special bond with and can always pick up where we left off!


Saturday was our chill day of starting to pack and cleaning up from the party. Took the boys to the Park and Davey and Jon meet us there. Brayden just clings to his Uncle Davey he LOVEs him, I think its because he is so tall and is like a teddy bear :) Brayden totally ate it off the slide and had a huge sand rash right in the middle of his forehead, people probably think I beat my children with all the bruises these two rack up. He loved to swing on Uncle Daveys lap and actually said his name which is the first time he has EVER said any ones name besides ma and daddy. We got back to the Susans and relaxed then heading over to our friend Andrews house for dinner and drinks with some other friends. We brought the boys sleeping stuff so we could put them to bed after dinner. Joey fought it for a bit but then was fine. Brayden did not want to go to sleep, I had to bribe him with my phone while daddy hung out with him for a bit and we just talked and hung out in the hot tub. It was nice spending some one on one with one of my besties Lauren. The night ended and we took the asleep boys back to the Susans and BAM they woke up and did not want to go back to sleep!! We were up with them until about 2 am then finally I just put them to bed and let them cry it out but felt horrible because they were right in the middle of the bedrooms which people were sleeping. They didn't cry too long but still felt horrible.
On a side note.. our car starting acting funny and making noises and the check engine light came on and through the night got worse...blah

Sunday rolls around and Josh gets up first thing to try and take the car in to get it fixed. Luckily there was a place open on a Sunday. So I had the boys to myself that morning and Brayden was OUT OF CONTROL, I think the vacation finally caught up with him and he was done. He would not stop crying and freaking out for no reason. Everyone in the house was still asleep I felt so bad and tried everything to stop him. I took him outside and he just screamed and screamed. I thought the neighbors were going to call the cops on me because he made it sound like I was killing him!! He finally calmed down and went down for a nap but Joey was into everything and teething and screaming too!! Then Josh calls and tells us the damage of 1200 to get our car fixed to get us home that night...ugh But what do you do, things like this happens but why does it happen when your on freaking vacation!!! Well we had a enjoyable breakfast with the Susans, Kristina, and McKayla, and I started packing yet again because after the wedding that night we were going to drive to Vegas while the boys slept. I can not thank the Susan's enough for letting us invade their house and let the boys turn it upside down!! We could not have made this trip happen if it wasn't for them. Some the sweetest ladies I know and freaking love them!!

We get to the wedding and Brayden is already acting out and right when the Ceremony begins I have to take him up the hill because he is freaking out because he wants to run to the front like he did the last wedding but I wouldn't let him..sadly I missed the ceremony but heard it was lovely and very sweet!! The Bride looked amazing :) We get into the reception for cocktail hour and the boys are already running around on the dance floor but we had some extra help from our friends again! So Brayden yet again made the dance floor his race track and Joey got a kick out of climbing up the stairs and waiting for us to chase him while he goes for the projector screen.. lol so we took them outside to run some laps and Joey falls and hits his forehead/nose on the corner of the concrete stairs and gets a black eye. So the boys had pretty much matching head wounds. GREAT!! We had a good time dancing and talking with more friends, dinner was yummy, they even made Brayden some chicken nuggets and fries!! Super sweet :) We were having so much fun.. we left way way later than we wanted.It so so hard leaving such good friends, we really don't have too many friends out here and just miss them so much! We left at 10:30 instead of 8:00 and still had to drive to Vegas but we knew we couldn't make that far, so we headed to Joshua Tree because it was only 3 hours away. We took turns driving but both boys slept the whole time and it was the best drive of the whole trip..haha. Made it about 1:30 am

Monday Morning, we hit the road as early as we could. The drive home seemed to take FOREVER!!10 hours in the car in one day is too much for me, I can't even imagine how the boys felt. Joey took a few naps here and there but like I said before hates the car. Josh was tired so I drove for a bit while he climbed to the back to hang out with boys and they all fell asleep and it was so cute.. like father like son moment.. sleeping the same. We made a few stops at Parks and gas stations to let the boys get their wiggles out. We made it home around 9pm and they boys were so so happy they just played and played with their toys and went running around like all night. I was up pretty late with them again but this time I didn't care because we were home!!

I love California and Vacations but...damn it is hard with kids... I need a vacation from my vacation...alone :) Thank you to all the friends we saw and letting us be part of their specials days and for putting up with my crazy boys. We miss you all so much xoxo