Little Boy Botox

Carson hit pavement, mouth first for the third time in like three weeks. It's no secret he loves to be outside. He's just in more of a hurry and anxious to get places than his little legs can take him. He ends up tripping, and smacking his top lip and teeth. Poor guy, this time seemed like the worst casualty. His upper lip looked like he just endured botox.

Fortunately, the swellings gone down and he doesn't look so damaged but if this is a small taste of what it's going to be in the years to come being the mom of a boy, I've established... I can't panic. My clothes are just going to have to endure blood stains. I need plenty of capri suns on hand for comfort and Ibuprofen to subdue the pain.

I just hope he doesn't loose his baby teeth sooner than expected. Luckily, he was a happy little camper after a few minutes and was back to work helping in the yard.

Vroom.. Vroom.

I remember when I was younger, my dad always piddling with things in the garage. He could never just sit - he always has to be doing something. So on any given night after work, or Saturday afternoon you could most often find him in the garage or backyard working on something. He's pretty handy though. He's super dad, and with the invention of craigslist, internet wholesale buying and youtube videos - he's pretty much capable of figuring out great and marvelous things.

I went to pick up Carson the other day and felt totally shafted. For the first time, he didn't want to leave. He was helping my dad fix something on his dirtbike and of course, how could we leave that?!

And once the dirtbike was fixed, we still couldn't go until he got to ride all around the yard.

Quarter Century

I don't feel twenty-five, but I am. Jordan took me out to dinner (without Carson) and going anywhere without him is always a special treat. I'm a proud new owner of an iPhone which I really enjoy. So now Jordan and I have officially somewhat caught up to the rest of the technology world.

Therefore, in celebration of reaching such a milestone... bahaha. I'm going to attempt and think of 25 things about myself:

1. My hairstyle of choice is almost always a ponytail (oddly enough, it's down in this picture. Go figure.)
2. I prefer to drive an SUV over a car.
3. My favorite fast food is Panda Express.
4. If I can afford to buy it, I will over making it. I'm just not crafty.
5. I love to learn and research topics but I hate school, with a passion.
6. I would say I'm a very optimistic person.
7. I wear a tank top under everything. It's like a comfort thing.
8. I sleep on my stomach.
9. My favorite tv show (at the moment) is The Good Wife. I'm also a huge Big Brother fan during the summer season.
10. I only wash my hair once or twice a week, it's healthier that way.
11. I'm a big fan of cardigan sweaters.
12. I always order shirley temples at restaurants.

13. I have an opinion about everything but feel like as I'm getting older I'm more easy going and don't care as much, if that makes sense.

14. The household chore I least dislike is dishes.
15. My favorite drink is a capri sun.
16. I like to get a 7-11 hotdogs and a slurpee for lunch sometimes.
17. I enjoy taking hot baths.
18. I'm turning into more of a saver than a spender (who would have thought, Jordan's rubbing off on me).
19. I'm always cold, hence why 90% of the time I'm wearing a sweater.
20. I hate folding and putting away laundry (by far my biggest flaw).
21. I can't sleep without some type of covers or blanket on top of me.
22. I love driving by myself with the music turned up louder than it probably should be.
23. I wear Clinique make up.
24. I make lists for everything.
25. My favorite color is green. But not regular green, more like sage, teal or sea green.

I'm so exciting, I know.

Growing Independant Boy

Carson loves to eat... luckily almost anything. He's a pretty particular little boy and has to have his own fork, along with anything anyone else had. If we have ketchup, ranch, salt, pepper... Carson wants some too.

Usually, after eating always follows with a bath, his second favorite thing next to basketball. He'll sit and play in the water with his bath toys until he's wrinkled like a prune.

I told Carson I wanted a picture one morning and he ran over next to his basketball hoop, and posed with the cheesiest grin. Don't you love my headband on his head that looks like a sweatband on him! 

He insisted on sitting in his blocks dump truck to watch his morning cartoons. Carson's become quite the creature of habit lately. If he does something once, then he has to do it e.v.e.r.y. single time. It's crazy how much of a sponge he is, and what he remembers. I like the stage he's at in life. He's becoming so independant and big to me, but still lets me cuddle him at night. I'm just hoping as we approach the 'terrible two's' his smart, funny personality outweighs his stubborn self-sufficient side.

#1 Spatula & Cookie Dough Eater

Carson loves to help bake. One night he helped me make brownies, and was in charge of licking the spatula and bowl when we were done mixing.

Grandma's been baking up a storm and making lots of cookies lately. Carson's become her new best friend in the kitchen. If he see's her getting out her Bosch, it doesn't matter what we're doing, he runs over, climbs himself up the stool and wants to help every step of the way.

He even decided that he needed an apron like Grandma too. I guess we'll have to look into getting one a little more boy-ish. He looks like he's wearing a dress. I was tempted to throw a headband with a bow on top of his head but I'm not so sure Jordan would appreciate that.

Two Thousand Twelve.

We rang in the New Year at the cabin. It was warmer than usual with only a little bit of snow but we still managed to find enough for a little sled run for Carson. I splurged the week before and bought him Lightening McQueen snow boots just in case, and boy was I glad I did. He just couldn't stand to be inside. He had to be out and about running around with the girls all day. He looked like the michelen man all bundled in snow gear, haha - but cuter right?!

Hafen Farm

Jordan's grandparents are originally from Mesquite and inherited a farm-house, and land with cows and horses and lots of fun farm-sy type things. Being the wonderful grandson that he is :), Jordan stops by and feeds the cows since he's in town already for work.

When we were driving through on our way to the cabin, we stopped to feed them. Carson loved it and I couldn't believe he could actually carry hay, it's turning into our little boy.

Merry Christmas

As you can see, Carson wasn't interested in Santa, we'll try again next year.

We had a lovely Christmas spent with family. We were able to spend Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas day with Jordan's, including talking to our missionaries Zack [for the last time] from Africa (bright and early at 6am) and Skype with Sam in Spokane later in the afternoon. It was so nice to go to sacrament meeting, and enjoy the spirit that was felt through music. I love Christmas music!

Carson was spoiled by all and it was really fun to experience the joy of Christmas with a little one. He was excited about unwrapping and playing, too bad he wanted to play with every toy after it was unwrapped before opening another ;).

I didn't take too many pictures, but managed to steal a few of Carson and his new truck, that he absolutely loves.

I went back and forth about sending out a Christmas card letter. I really wanted too, but by the time I actually had time to think about it (December was a busy month, especially with moving and then being put in charge of our new wards Christmas Party...) I just didn't get around to it, so I'll just include it on here:

2011 has brought many changes for our family and we're so excited for the new adventures in the coming year.

Jordan graduated from UNLV in Dec. 2010 with a BA in Communications. We were so proud of all his hard work, and glad that chapter for him is over. He still works in Mesquite for his dad's stucco company and really enjoys it, although this year's been slow. He also decided he wanted to open a little side business and started Legacy Home Inspections, doing property inspections for home buyers. Being small business owners has been a new thing for us, but so far it's going well. He loves serving in his church callings and is currently the Teacher's Quorum advisor.

Jenn quit her job at the law firm in September after six years to have more flexible hours and be home with Carson more. She started substitute teaching for the school district and enjoys the ability to plan out her own schedule. Now that Jordan's done with school, she's headed back to UNLV to finish her bachelor's in Criminal Justice. She enjoyed her time this year serving as the secretary in Young Women's and will miss it so much. For the new year, she was called to teach the 16-18 year old Sunday School class so she's anxiously nervous for that.

Carson turned 1 in March, and he's growing like a weed. He loves basketball, swimming in the pool, and anything to do with being outdoors. He loves spending time with the Grandmas' while Jenn is subbing. We were so excited to send him off to nursery at church in September, and are grateful he loves it as much as we do.

We are so grateful for the holiday season, and the time to reflect the blessings and hand the Savior has had in our lives this year. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Our Turkey Feast

With most holidays we spend some time at both parents houses, but this year my parents and siblings were all celebrating elsewhere, so we were able to spend the whole day and night with Jordan's extended family. The feast was at his parents house, and it turned out so cute with name tags and even a kids table that Carson loved.







The Hafen Family, minus a few (or actually alot)... I love getting together at holidays with Jordan's extended family. Their growing leaps and bounds but I have so much fun chatting with his aunts & uncles, cousins and playing games. I really lucked out with his family all the way around.

The Shields Family (minus our missionaries, Zack & Sam)

Trisha, Garrett, Ian, Carson, Jordan, Jenn

Pete & Terri

 I'm so grateful for my little family. I love Jordan so much. Last week was our 4th anniversary. It's hard to believe we've been married four years already and he still makes me the happiest girl in the world. He's the best dad to Carson. He loves to play with him and teach him to be his little helper. I couldn't have lucked out with a better parenting partner! This little boy keeps us laughing and smiling and always on our toes. I couldn't imagine life without him.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Eighty Years Young.

My Grandpa turned {80} so to celebrate, my aunt threw him a birthday bash at a local park. I'm so sad that I didn't take a picture with him.

Here's my twin sister Bekah, who was visiting from Boston with my Grandpa Marx.

 To say that Carson loved the bounce house would be a HUGE understatement. We could absolutely not get him out of there. Jordan and I, were so exhausted from carrying him up the stairs and sending him down. He loved it. I'm glad we got there early enough that Carson could enjoy it without having the bigger kids trample him over.

Happy Birthday Grandpa.. we sure LOVE you lots and lots!!

Scotty + Ashley

My little brother Scotty was married to his sweetheart Ashley on the magical day 11.11.11. The wedding was really sweet, the luncheon my mom prepared was amazing, and the reception was to die for. So. Cute. As you can imagine, Jordan and I were busy chasing Carson around and I didn't take many pictures, but Ashley's mom did a cute recap post here.

 Congrats lovebirds.

We're excited to officially have Ashley Noel a part of the family.

 Now, doesn't Carson look so handsome in his 'big boy' outfit. I'm loving the tie - I think I'm going to buy more for church.

Disneyland

My parents planned a fun family vacation at Disneyland. We went with my parents, and my brother Matt's family. It was so much fun and the kids were great. The weather was perfect. It sprinkled a little hear and there, which was great because it kept the crowds away. We walked onto pretty much every ride or only waited a max 15 minutes, and with anxious kids and squirmy babies -- that is ideal. We rode every ride at least once, mostly twice and some favorites even more. Buzz, Autotopia, and Fanatasyland rides were all major hits.

Carson only had one major meltdown. But the reason for the meltdown is what makes me chuckle. We'd been on buzzlighter quite a few times. It was like the go-to ride when the babies couldn't go on the rides that Drew and Charlie could. Until this particular time we could just walk right into the entrance room and Carson could see the walls and the talking buzz, but this time the line was a little longer. It went passed the entrance door and curved around and came back. Carson saw the entrance, then realized we werent going in as we passed and went into complete meltdown mode. Kicking and screaming, arching the back, pointing. I would but him down to take a break from wrestling and he would B-line it for the door. It was 15 minutes of torture. The guests in line were probably thinking I was crazy for keeping him in line and not taking him out, but I knew what he wanted... he wanted to go inside and see buzz. So as soon as we walking into the door it was like turning off the faucet of tears. He started clapping and screaming and getting all excited about the ride. The smile on his face was ear-to-ear and the guests next to us in line that had endured the nightmare along with me were amazed that a kid so small actually knew what he wanted. And once on the ride, he gets his own guns and shoots it. We're creating a monster. 



 

Mom & Dad



It was a great time, and I'm glad to got to spend some time with part of my family at Disneyland.