Chicago

Mike was awarded a very prestigious award at work and was flown to Discover Card headquarters in Chicago (along with the other winners) to receive it. He went there on a Tuesday, had fun with his co-workers and doing things at headquarters (sitting at the CEO's desk, having fancy dinners, etc.) then I joined him on Thursday and we had fun for the weekend! I'm not gonna lie, it was my first time leaving Jake overnight and I was very anxious about it (he was with my parents and was totally fine)! It was a great trip, our first time to Chicago...we really liked it there.

We were able to do tons of things there: the Science and Industry Museum, Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago Art Institute, a Cubs game (vs. the Yankees!), went to the top of the Willis (aka Sears) Tower and John Hancock Tower, had some delicious deep-dish pizza, a river/lake boat tour, and were able to walk through many of the parks! The weather was great and the city was cool, hopefully we will get to go back again some day!

In front of Buckingham Fountain - it is huge!

This is called "The Bean" in Millennium Park

One of the many famous pictures we saw at the Art Institute

Navy Pier

The river, Trump tower is in the background

Update..

Well I have been terrible at the blog for the last year or so (I blame facebook)! Here is a quick update...I will try to be more on top of things in the future! Jake is now 12 months old...he is becoming more like a toddler every day...it is kind of sad, but also so much fun. I love seeing him learn new things. He is walking and talking (a lot of things are a car, or as he says "cah"). His current loves are: bananas ("nana"), puppies, bubbles ("bubah"), balloons ("noon"), balls, my dad (papa), and cars. Some of his skills include: telling animal sounds (lion, puppy, bee, horse, cow, snake); pointing to body parts (ears, mouth, belly button, toes, fingers, hair, other people's eyes); signing "more", "milk", and "all gone"; and telling/showing you how old he is ("none"). We think he is brilliant :) We took a little vacation to California in February. Jake went on his first plane trip and did very well. We went to Disneyland and San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. We weren't sure how Jake would do in general, but once he got used to sleeping in the stroller and we figured out to take snacks with us in the lines :) everything was so much fun! Jake liked the carousel, it's a small world, and seeing balloons.

I love Jake's reaction to the birds!

We are still in the process of selling our townhouse...it seems like it has been forever. (I sometimes forget that we are even trying to move!) Hopefully by the end of summer we will be in a new house though.

My private practice has been growing like crazy!! I have decided not to go back to my school next school year so I can focus on by business and my family. I am a bit nervous about this change, but I am also very excited, a good thing I think...a new adventure for sure!

Long time, no see!

Well, I have been slacking on the blog this summer! I guess because I've been having such a good time with Jake everyday! But, school started again today, so it's back to the grindstone! I'm working 2.5 days a week, which is just enough!

Jake is 5 months old now (pictures to come soon!) - he's a chatterbox, he's starting to sit on his own, rolling over occasionally, eating rice cereal, and just being totally cute! I can't believe how quickly he's changing and growing.

One other exciting thing in our family is that we have decided to put our townhome up for sale...we need more room!! Hopefully we'll get a good buyer soon so that we can find a great new place for us!

Pictures

Jake's blessing day

All bundled up and ready for bed.

Showing off in his new hat!

Chillin in St. Geroge

Loving the water!

Welcome summer!

The last 6 weeks have been busy since I had to go back to work. But, now I have 2.5 months off to just enjoy being a mommy...I'm sooo excited! (I will be going back to work in the fall, but only part time - not too shabby!)

Jake is growing so fast - he'll be 3 months old in 2 days!! At his 2 month check-up he weighed 11 lbs. 2 oz. and was 23 inches long. He's smiling, cooing, laughing, squealing, sucking on his fingers, trying to grab things, sleeping much longer at night now (thank heavens!), basically growing and learning new things. (We think he's brilliant!) It's fun to see him change :-)

One Month Old

It's hard to believe that it's already been a month since Jake was born - and yet it seems like he's always been here! He's a good boy - he just cries for the big 3: food, sleep, and messy diapers. He is starting to smile and coo now and then, and when he's awake he is so attentive and just seems to be taking everything in. We're adjusting to the lack of sleep but are loving every minute with our son.

Our Little Man

First night home, chillin with dad.

Sleepy boy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

All tuckered out.

Welcome Jacob

Hard to believe that almost 2 weeks ago my precious son was born! Jacob Michael was born March 11th at 4:04 pm, he weighed 6 lbs 14 oz and was 21.7 inches long.

We got to the hospital at around 4:30 that morning (my contractions started around 1 am) and things were progressing nicely until around 9. I'd been given the epidural and they had started me on pitocin but as they increased the medication Jake's heartbeat kept dropping...it dropped so low that they almost did an emergency c-section! They stopped the pitocin and his heartbeat became more steady, but after that it was slow going. I was dialated to 6 for about 5 hours, and only made it to a 7. Since I wasn't progressing and because I have a narrow pelvis, my doctor thought it would be best to do a c-section. By that point I was ready for the little guy to be born, so I agreed! It was amazing to hear his first little cry (I couldn't stop crying) and my first memory of him will be all swaddled up with a HUGE frown on his sweet face!

Jake had a little bit of jaundice, so he had to be trapped on a bili bed for a day (not fun). But he's doing much better now. We were in the hospital until the 14th...it was nice to go home...hospitals aren't very restful. I've felt really well, considering I had major surgery. We've been lucky to have help from our family and ward members. It's safe to say that we're in love with our son and couldn't be happier to have him in our family!

More pictures to come...the little man calls for his dinner :-)

Groundhog Day Through the Eyes of a 1st Grader

Conversation I had with 1st grade student this morning:

Me: You look sad, what's wrong? (She was almost in tears.)
Student: My birthday's in Spring.
Me: Well, that's coming really soon.
Student: But the GROUNDHOG saw it's SHADOW!!!

We then had a little discussion about how Spring will still come at the same time, and her birthday won't be farther away...it just means that it will be colder for longer. She seemed to feel better after that which made me glad because she was really upset about groundhog Phil :-)

In the words of my Grandma Laycock, "Oh to be six again!"

Happy Groundhog Day!

The "Nursery"

Last weekend Mike and I went and bought a crib and dresser for the baby. Mike got the crib put together last Saturday and put the dresser together yesterday - YAY!! It's still sort of a work-in-progress, but you get the general idea. It was fun putting some of the blankets, burpcloths, and clothes in the dresser...it just makes everything more real.

Hard to believe that he's due in 8 weeks!!

You may be wondering about the title, the other half of the room is our office - we've got a huge desk and bookshelf that we have no where else to put! So, for now we have a nursery/office :-)

(I love this crib because it converts into a super cute toddler bed!)

The Home Stretch!

Here's a picture of the ever-growing baby bump, for all of you who wanted to see. Just started the 3rd trimester...it's so crazy, he's gonna be here before we know it!!

He's doing well - he wiggles around like crazy when I'm trying to go to sleep (naughty)! I'm still feeling pretty good, so hopefully we'll finish strong and be ready to meet our little boy :-)

Say "AAHH"

Funny story:

I was working with my cute 5-year-old client yesterday and at the end of the session he started grabbing my face and trying to open my mouth with his hands. He was practically sitting in my lap, nose to nose with me. (Maybe we should work on understanding personal space?!) I told him that if he wanted to look in my mouth, he just needed to ask me...which he did...which I reinforced by opening up my mouth. He peered in for a few seconds and then backed off. I asked him what he was looking at. He told me (very seriously), "I was just tryin to see the baby."
HILARIOUS!! I told him (as seriously as I could) that he can't see the baby yet, only see my belly growing. I am amazed at the stuff kids think of sometimes!

So, hopefully this little anecdote made you smile :-)

Giving Thanks

Well, I took my camera to our Thanksgiving get-together, but I forgot to take any pictures :-( I've got to start remembering!! Mike and I were with his family this year, and we had a great time. Dinner was delicious and it was just fun being with each other. Tomorrow my parents are doing a turkey dinner too, so I'm excited about that as well.

Let me share with you what I'm thankful for this year - a year that's been so difficult for so many people has been full of blessings for us.

• My husband - he's a great example to me and I'm thankful to have him in my life.
• My healthy pregnancy (so far) and the chance I'm going to have to be a mom.
• My family - parents, siblings, in-laws, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. They are great!
• My home, neighbors, and ward. I love where we live.
• My job, and the laughter it brings to my life
• Mike's job.
• My country and the people who give their lives to protect it.
• My testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
• My Heavenly Father and Savior, who have given me all of these things and so much more.

I could keep going, but that might get boring to read. I feel very blessed and am thankful for so much this year.

It's a BOY!!

We had the ultrasound yesterday afternoon. (It was so amazing!) The part everyone wants to know is the gender - which I've already explained in the title :-) And here's the proof:
At first he was being modest and not showing us the goods. The radiologist said she thought it was a girl which he apparently didn't like because a few minutes later we got this picture, and there's no denying he is a HE!! I honestly wasn't really hoping for one or the other, just as long as it was healthy and developing normally. Looks like, I've got another man in my life now! I love being able to say a gender - we can say HE now and not IT. I have a feeling that it might take awhile to pick a name, so when we do I'll be sure to share...for now he's just my little guy!

It was amazing being able to see all his body parts so clearly and being able to watch him wiggle around. His hands were up by his face for most of the ultrasound and at one time he gave us a thumbs up! I already love his little feet and profile - can't wait to see him in real life. I'm sure he will come faster than I can imagine - we're already half way there - crazy!

So, it was an exciting day yesterday. I'm so thankful for this little miracle and that all is well.

Oh and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Disney World Vacation

Mike and I (as well as the Parker family) took a little trip to Disney World at the end of September. It was my first time there, and Mike's second. We had a really great time...even if it was hot and humid! We went to each of the 4 parks for at least a whole day, and went to one of the 2 water parks (Typhoon Lagoon) on one day too.
I can't really pick a favorite thing, I liked pretty much all of it. Some of the highlights included:
1. Swimming with sharks at Typhoon Lagoon
2. Seeing Mike and Steve participate (i.e. get soaked) at the Hollywood Studios Backlot Tour
3. Eating Yorkshire fish and chips at Epcot's UK (they were quite authentic)
4. Watching Mike buy a 6 month (green) Mickey Mouse shirt for the baby (totally his idea)
5. Spending time with my wonderful husband, who made sure I was eating properly, not getting dehydrated, and wearing my (SPF 70!) sunscreen!

We had a great time and it made me so excited to experience the magic of Disneyland through the eyes of my child one day!

Vacation Photos

Gotta love it

I was working with a group of 5th graders (who are in a self-contained special ed. class) this morning and one of them asked if I was married. I told them I was and of course the follow-up question was if I had kids. I told them not yet, but that I was going to have one soon. It was so fun to see their reactions! (They are the first students that I've told.) One student said, "Well I knew you were because when I first met you, you were more skinny." (Which is awesome because I've worked with her for 2 years AND I haven't gained any pregnancy weight yet!) Another reaction was, "Oh, you're gonna be bigger!" But the sweetest response was from a student who can be a big pain the the rear but was in a good mood at the time: he gave me a "side hug" and said, "Mrs. Terry, I hope you have good luck when your baby gets bigger." He was so sincere and truly meant what he said. This is why I do what I do - how can you not love that?

Wonderful News

I've been so excited to make this post - and now I feel like it's time to tell the world that Mike and I are expecting our first baby in March!!! I am 12.5 weeks along now and am feeling fabulous. (I'm one of the lucky ones who doesn't have to battle morning sickness.) It took more time (15 months - which I know isn't very long for some couples) and more money (4 artificial inseminations at $300 a piece) than we ever expected it to - so we are very thankful for this little squirt. It still seems unreal to me, but I couldn't be more happy.

Those 15 months were the hardest of my life, but I learned a lot and definitely learned to rely on the Lord. I know that life is one of the greatest gifts Heavenly Father gives to us, and I'm so thankful that he is willing to send one of his precious spirits to us.

So, stay tuned for more updates!

Summer is OVER!

Well, my summer vacation is officially over :-( When I was little summer seemed to last forever - why does time go by so fast now that I'm old?! I love working in the schools because I've got an awesome schedule with lots of holidays and vacations...but it's hard to go back to work after those times. So, here's to a new school year - let's hope it's a good one!

Some Wedding Pictures