Happy Holidays!

I can't believe 2010 is almost over! It is unreal. I still remember celebrating the 2010 New Year's, and I can't believe it's been another year. Although, I welcome the new year with open arms! Ringing in 2011 just makes graduation even more real -- class of 2011!
We had a wonderful but very hectic Thanksgiving this year. It was a joy to see both sides of the family for the holiday, but I don't think we will stretch ourselves that thin again next year!
Wyatt is growing big and strong, leveling off a little bit from his chunky ways, but still a big boy. He is still about 20lbs, and based on Stuart's tape measuring skills, he is about 28" long. He turned 5 months old today! He is well aware of the world around him and loves to grab everything.. and immediately insert it into his mouth. He has figured out that the bottle means food, so if he sees it at any time, he is instantly "hungry". He is also eating solids now, which has been an adventure. Teaching him how to "chew" and swallow rather than just sucking down a bottle has been more humorous than I ever could have imagined. He is finally figuring it out, thanks to some direction for me from other mom friends. We are both learning how all this works! He kicks ALL the time, and if it makes any sort of noise, he is content for 30 minutes to an hour, just banging and kicking and causing a racket. So far, we don't mind. He's in 9-12 month clothes now, and his Auntie Ashley bought him a Rasheed Wallace jersey (complete shorts/tank ones with 4 technical fouls included) and even a Santa suit! She took quite a few really great photos the weekend that she was here. She took the ones in this post. plus about 100 more!

Stuart is still working hard at all three jobs. Things have finally slowed down at one job, due to the break from OSU, so he's down to about 45 hours per week for the time being. This will be a very nice change of pace for everyone. He deserves a break!
I complete my LAST fall term at OSU on Friday, knocking out 18 credits with a 3.25 (yes, I'm bragging.) I worked hard for those grades, and I love to share my excitement over my success in school! Only two terms left, which much lighter credit loads, and I am home free. It's hard to believe the end is near!
I applied for work in Vancouver, WA, working with the USDA, but was offered a position in Richmond, VA (still with the USDA). Well, no way I'm moving there! So I turned it down, and they are supposed to contact me if anything opens up closer to home! Portland would be nice!
I will start working with Clackamas County Health Communities come January. We will do data collection and analyzing on the health of the community, then develop policies to improve it. It's great experience, and I'm really looking forward to it! Unfortunately, I have to drive to Clackamas County for the data collection, but we are reimbursed on gas, so I guess I can't complain!
As of December 1st, Stuart and I are engaged! I walked in the front door after class to balloons covering the ceiling, a rose petal walkway lit by tea candles, displays of tons of our photographs together and with Wyatt, our song playing in the background, and Stuart with Wyatt down on his knee at the end of the rose petal path. It took my breath away! We are planning a small, intimate wedding for August 2011.
Hmm.. what else? We will have our first family Christmas this year and look forward to waking up together Christmas day with no work, school, or responsibilities -- for just one day! We plan to have a very slow-paced day with no obligations, and let me tell you, we are looking forward to it!
Well, I think that's all I have for now! We love you all!
Until next time...

I'm thankful for..

Well, it's almost Thanksgiving, and things are pretty crazy on the Gardner-Smith homefront! Stuart is working almost an additional 15 hours this week because of Black Friday, but fortunately, we all have Thanksgiving day off, so we get to spend it together, with family! We're going to my mom's side of the family for lunch-time, and we will see my dad's side of the family for dinner-time.. only to rush home, so Stuart can get some sleep before his 1:00am shift at Target on Friday! Yikes! Then back up to see Stuart's family Saturday. Like I said, kinda crazy!
My best friend from Santa Barbara will be here Wednesday morning until Saturday. I'm so excited to spend the week with her. It's been over a year since I saw her last! And she's never met Wyatt, so that will be great too! She's coming with us to all the family Thanksgiving meals, so everyone will have a chance to meet her! And feed her! haha
Wyatt is growing big and strong, fast! He puts everything in his mouth, which is no surprise! He's wisely chosen his favorite teething toy -- a blue and green fish with rubber ridges. It is almost permanently in his mouth if it's in his hand. He also has a few favorite toys.. A brightly colored BUG (I think it's a dragonfly? But we aren't sure, so it's just a bug.) and a baseball rattle. He is very playful and finally laughing in a way that is undoubtedly a chuckle. He smiles all the time, and he's started yelling/screaming, not even crying but just to make noise. I think he just likes to hear himself! He's exploring Rossi from time to time, petting her and tugging her fur. She doesn't seem to mind. We are pretty sure she just likes the attention! He's rolled over a time or two, but it's nothing consistent yet. He just enjoys laying on his side, with his fist in his mouth. He hasn't actually figured out how to get his arm out of the way so he can roll all the way over. I think the other times were just by chance!
The babysitter has been going really well! She is great with him, and he is always a happy boy when I pick him up. This term is winding down (2 and a half weeks left), and I'm looking forward to just spending my time with the little man again. Also, I just can't wait to be done with school!
This has been another stressful term and hopefully my last stressful one.. Only two more to go! I am too excited for words! My next two terms, I have a lot fewer credits, finally. (I've been taking 18 credits, and it's proven to be a bigger load than I expected!) But, I'm conquering it, and I'm glad I did it, because I am guaranteed to graduate this year, and I am getting to choose the classes I want due to my number of credits (rather than just having to take what's open). I am actually getting really involved in school activities and enjoying it. I am one of five Public Health students who have founded the OSU Public Health Club. I am currently Interim President of the club until we do elections in April (which I am not eligible for, being a graduating senior.) We have over 180 members, and last week I met with the President of the Public Health Department and got $1500 in funding for the club! It's been very exciting and very encouraging to be so successful. I will also be a OSU Peer Health Advocate next term, working on campus and in the community to promote healthy habits and lifestyles. These are the kinds of things I enjoy filling my time with. I hope that my career after graduation can be similar!
Stuart is still trucking along, working an average of 60 hours per week (75 hours this week!). We are very proud of him for working so hard. We're hoping he gets on permanently at Target, so he can quit at TJ Maxx after the holiday season and just work 40 hours a week! That would be very nice for us! Right now, we eat together Monday nights, Thursday nights, and Sunday evenings. That is about the only time we are ever home at the same time!
Scentsy is going very well for me. It is probably one of my better decisions. I have worked my way up to Lead Consultant (that's two promotions from where I started,) which comes with a 10% commission bonus! I currently have no more parties booked, but I do have a booth at a holiday bazaar the first weekend of December.
Yes, during Civil War. I was so set on going for my senior year, but after how the Beavers have been playing, and how the Ducks have been playing, I have decided to sell my stubs and work instead! I sold them on craigslist yesterday. I'm just not so sure it's worth waiting in line to get the tickets, then standing in the freezing cold and (probably) the rain to watch the game. I apologize, but my faith in my school against the #1 team in the nation has just faded fast the past several weeks! Don't get me wrong, I still love my Beavs! But, I'm moving on from football to basketball a little earlier than usual this season. :)
If anyone wanted an update on Rossi, she is wonderful! She's still working on adjusting to not being the center of attention, but I think she's getting there. If she can just make it another 6 months or so, Wyatt will actually be able to give her attention rather than only be stealing attention! She spends most of her days sleeping, chewing on her rawhide, and running laps around the living room when we walk in the front door.
Speaking of living room, our house is a disaster. We can't seem to keep anything organized for longer than a week. We have blankets, Wyatt's things, Scentsy, school books, and other papers strewn about our couches and coffee tables. I've given up until finals are over. There is just too much to do and not enough time to do it! (Although, I have found time to write this blog, but of course, it's much more important than a clean house.) Wyatt is on my lap playing with his blue fish, so I couldn't possibly leave him to clean :)
I think that's all for now! Our family is doing very well, and we welcome the holiday vacation -- even if it is only one day! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Until next time...

Johnny Jump-Up!

He is finding his thumb... uh oh

Definitely loves grabbing his feet!

Happy boy :)

Photos --

Just wanted to post the latest photos for those of you awaiting them. We caved and got Wyatt a Halloween costume ON Halloween day. These are photos from our busy weekend -- seeing all 4 grandparents, all 3 uncles, and one set of great grandparents. Here's some of the better snapshots!

Uncle Spencer (Stuart's youngest brother)

Grandma Smith

Grandpa Smith

Uncle Taylor (Stuart's middle brother)

First football -- from Great Grandma & Grandpa Gardner

 First at bat -- with Grandpa Mike!

First baseball bat - "EASTON" brand - from Great G&G Gardner

 

 

Wyatt with Great Grandma & Grandpa Gardner

Dad: Where's Waldo; Mom: Bunny Rabbit; Wyatt: Monkey!

Drooly Monkey

Well, the peak of midterm season is over for me, so I will post now before round 2 begins on Tuesday!

Wyatt is growing wonderfully and doing really well. He has always hated tummy time, but we are able to spend 5-10 minutes at a time on his tummy, which is a huge improvement! He's kicking side-to-side still, and if I help him at his shoulders, he'll kick over. I think he's still a little ways away from rolling over though! He just seems so content laying on his back, playing with one of the zillions of toys he has!
Stuart and I's schedules have become much more regular now, so Wyatt is going to the babysitter regularly as well. He spends Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings with her. She is great with him, and I enjoy knowing that she is playing with him and helping him develop, rather than paying little attention to him. He is grabbing and throwing things, making banging sounds with his hands, and Stuart says he is laughing, although I've yet to hear a true laugh or giggle! Just noises while he's smiling real big. We took our first trip to the pumpkin patch with my close friend Shannon and her almost 7-month old daughter Hayden. They were a bit too young to really appreciate being at the pumpkin patch, but they liked the brightly colored orange pumpkins! Fortunately, we got a break in the pouring rain just long enough to wander the fields and snap some photos..

Note the string of drool, if you can see it!

The kids were not very interested in the picture being taken!

Wyatt is drooling like a maniac and eating like a champ. We think he's going through a growth spurt because he has been waking up in the middle of the night to feast! He is such a good eater, he needs to get mobile to start putting those calories to good use! :) His drooling has gotten out of control, and we have to keep a bib on him at all times, although he doesn't seem to mind. He is a very happy boy about 95% of the time, which is just wonderful for Stuart and I! We love hanging out with him and hanging out as a family.
We try to spend Saturday mornings down at the Corvallis Saturday Market, but the weather has been dreadful, and Stuart has been working Saturday mornings recently. Every Sunday we have dinner as a familly -- Soup Sunday! We make home made soup and eat at the dining room table together. Last week we had Chicken Tortilla Soup, and this week Stuart has pick Broccoli Cheddar. I just love soup sunday! Wyatt is not quite stable enough for his high chair, so we usually have him in his swing at a place at the table, but Shannon just gave us their Bumbo that Hayden grew out of. It's like a little chair with extra support for the little one who hasn't quite figured out their balance yet. I think we're going to try that this weekend!
The Beavers and the Huskers play this weekend, so Wyatt will be sporting both orange & black AND red & black. The Blazers are off to a good start, but we don't have any Blazers gear for him yet! We just put him in his red, black and white Nike sneakers and call it good.
He's truly a precious baby, growing up so fast. Stuart and I were just talking last night about how much we love watching him figure things out. It's an amazing thing!
I will try to keep up on my posts. We have an exciting weekend ahead -- my mom is coming to visit Saturday, then I'm heading to the OSU Beaver football game. Sunday we are headed to my grandparents house with Brian and meeting my dad their to spend the afternoon together. We are hoping Stuart can get his shift switched so we can also go see his parents while we're up there, but we'll see if anyone at his work is willing!
As you can see, not a lot has changed on the homefront. We are staying home on Halloween to pass out candy, watch movies, and eat soup! Wyatt doesn't have a costume -- just a cute little Halloween shirt that one of Stuart's friends bought for him. Looking forward to Thanksgiving with our families and my best friend from California visiting for the holiday. After that, I have dead week and finals week at school, then I'm off for the break!
Hope everyone is doing well and has a wonderful Halloween weekend! Praying that the rain will let up, at least for all of the little trick or treaters!
Until next time...

Well, Wyatt is 3 months old! It has been an amazing 3 months, and I never thought I would be so enthralled watching him grow and learn. To watch him for from newborn to 3 months has been an amazing experience. He is grabbing and swatting his toys, cooing in conversation, smiling, sleeping through the night, and very obviously conscious of the world around him. Lately while laying on his back, he has been using his legs to push off of the ground and sort of rock back and forth. I think these are some early stages for him to start rolling over! As exciting as it is, I'm also very nervous that he will now be mobile, ha ha. He is also still growing steadily and such a big boy! He's wearing 3-6 month clothes, for the most part, and his feet are already into size 3, although we don't put shoes on him much at this point.
I am back in school full time, working 8 hours a week at an internship, and selling Scentsy independently. Stuart is working three jobs at Togo's, Target, and TJ Maxx. We are all working very hard, but we are doing really well! Stuart and I are both very happy and very proud of ourselves for how well everything has been going!
Wyatt goes to a babysitter for a few hours on Fridays and occasionally Tuesdays and Thursdays. He has been doing great with her! I miss him like crazy the time I'm away from him, but I'm adjusting. It just makes me appreciate my time with him even more. I love playing with him! He is SO much fun. He is exploring everything, and I just love watching as he figures out the world!
Until next time! :)

Cheesin'

Flyin' w/ Daddy!

2 & a half months later...

Our little man is 2 & a half months old now (10 weeks yesterday), and he's doing great! Smiling and laughing, and he's started swatting at his toys above his head. He's not rolling over yet, and honestly is showing no signs of wanting to! So far, he is just content laying and playing. Hopefully he figures it out soon! He's still a big, growing boy. Our home measurements from my last post were a little off, I think, because according to the pediatrician 2 weeks ago, he was 16lbs and 25". He also got his first set of shots while we were there, and he was a champ! He cried for the shots, then just wanted mommy, and ended up sleeping through most of the fussiness. He's holding his head up better every day, and sleeps longer every night. I've had a few scattered nights of 8 hours straight! Those are special nights though; he usually sleeps about 6 hours or so for the first chunk, then two hours at a time after that. I had the flu last Saturday, and he actually slept for 9 consecutive hours! Wyatt knew that Momma needed some rest.
My mom and I went to Lincoln City with Wyatt week before last. It was Wyatt's first trip to the beach! He's a little young to really appreciate it, but I love the beach! And it was beautiful weather for my mom and I to enjoy. It was a really nice couple days away from reality. Here are some of the photos, which are also the most recent photos I have of Wyatt uploaded right now!

We had the baby shower/open house at Stuart's parents' house this last Sunday, where I got to meet all of Stuart's family friends. It was a really nice party! I was still recovering from my rough day of being sick, but I survived and had a pretty good time.
I go back to school on Tuesday, and Wyatt starts going to the babysitter -- a woman we know from church who is a stay at home mommy of a 4 year old little girl. It will be the first time we are apart for longer than 2 hours, and I am so nervous! I think it will be harder on me than it is for him ;) Having the flu dehydrated me like crazy, so I've been having trouble nursing him. We talked to the pediatrician and have some formula all lined up to supplement if I'm not able to nurse enough to fill his big belly! We gone through everything we had stored up in the freezer for when I went back to school, so I'm nervous for that too! I really didn't want to have to use formula, so I'm trying to avoid it! Darn flu bug!!
Well, I think that's all for now. He's still a very good baby, and he gets more fun every day. I just love my little man and being his mommy!

Time Flies

Well, folks, Wyatt has hit 15lbs and 25" long. He's huge for being 7 weeks old, but he's healthy as can be, which is all we can hope for! He had a great time with the Grandmas and Grandpas this weekend, complete with a visit to see Stuart's best friend, Uncle Drew. He was quite an angel most of the weekend but still hasn't figured out sleeping through the night, waking up once or twice usually. That's the one thing I'm most looking forward to!
Just as promised, I did finally capture a picture of a great big grin. He doesn't sit still much!

We did spend the rest of our Babies R Us gift card, and we are currently awaiting the arrival of our new Baby Bjorn!! I am so excited!! We also got him some teething toys. Yep, he's got two working their way in on the bottom. He's been a pretty good sport about it, actually! He usually chews on his pacifier or his fingers to help with the pain, and we just spread a little Baby Orajel on there to help him sleep at night. I hope it's this easy the whole time! (knock on wood)
My Grandpa and Dad found Stuart and I both bicycles are garage sales, so now we're shopping for a baby bicycle trailer. Anything to help us get outdoors as a family more would be amazing! Fortunately, Amazon has some great deals, so we should be able to get one fairly soon, we hope! We did just have to buy him a new car seat because our little man is like 5lbs away from growing out of his infant car seat! Hopefully he'll be able to hold himself up better by the time we have to swap them out, otherwise grocery shopping is going to be quite a task without a carrier!
Brandon and Deanna are home from their honeymoon, which is great news for Stuart and I! We have a couple we love to hang out with, and Deanna loves taking Wyatt off my hands. Glad to have a couple that Stuart and I both enjoy the company of! Plus, it helps that it's one of Stuart's closest friends and his wife, ha ha. I guess Stuart is just lucky that Deanna and I get along so well!
If the weather shapes up tomorrow night, Stuart and I are thinking of taking our first family camping trip. The forecast says 87 degrees, but it's Oregon, so we'll see! I'm really pulling for sun, though!
I have a long list of things to do today, and Wyatt just fell asleep so before my arm goes numb, it's time to put him down and try to get some stuff done (and make a pot of coffee!)
Until next time!

Growing Boy!

Little Wyatt doesn't seem so little anymore! He feels HUUUGE to me! Everyone said they'd grow up fast, but I didn't expect it to be THIS fast! He's already almost grown out of his 0-3 month clothes, and his size 1-2 diapers are getting snug. I can't believe it! He is holding his head up pretty well now, and he's finally smiling when he sees Mom and Dad. I haven't been able to capture a picture of a real smile yet, but soon enough, I'll get one. He only woke up once last night, which was great for me! It felt like a full night's sleep for me, and it was probably great for Stuart too, considering he works at 8:30am.
We are heading to Portland this weekend to see the grandparents, and I'm so excited. I love trips home! Hopefully we'll get to spend more of our Babies R Us gift card too :) I love that store! He's almost too big for his infant car seat, so we're on the look out for a convertible car seat for our big boy. I'm guessing he's broken the 13lb mark, but I'd love to know how long he is now. His feet are about to the edge of his infant car seat, and we had to take out the infant insert because he outgrew it! I definitely didn't expect him to be here already at only 6 weeks old, but I guess Stuart isn't exactly a little guy either! ;)
We got some family photos done about two weeks ago, and I know she is working feverishly to get them finished and ready for viewing, so I will post those as soon as she gets them to me. She's also working an a baby announcement! I can't wait to see them. She did give us a taste though. Here are the two she's finished with!

Stuart and I finished "decorating" our bedroom, finally. We are looking forward to putting up more family photos over the next few months. I am awful at remembering to take pictures of all of us. (Although I'm certainly not lacking on taking pictures of Wyatt, ha ha!)

Normally, I probably wouldn't be posting this much (at least, I like to think I have better things to do ha ha,) but it's soo hot out that I don't want to take Wyatt in the heat for too long, and I don't want to melt in the heat either! I also don't know what to do with myself not having work or school, so I'm spending a fair amount of time at home! I do love the friends who have been visiting me! (Thanks, guys!) Looking forward to having Will (one of Stuart's best friends who lives up at Whistler in Canada) who is visiting this week, if he ever gets down to Corvallis!!
I'm actually enjoying this whole blogging thing more than I thought I would! Hopefully, I'll do lots of updating, and I love that I'm able to keep family and friends that we never see in the loop of our lives! You may have to remind me to keep this up once school starts, but I'll do a really good job until then! :)

Settling In

Newborn Wyatt

As most everyone has heard, Stuart and I had a baby boy on July 13th. He weighed in at a health 8lbs 4oz and 21.5' long. He has not stopped growing since! My labor was quick and easy, and I managed to pull off the birth without any drugs. We are very proud parents! Our little man is growing faster than we ever imagined, weighing in over 13lbs at almost 6 weeks old. He's a great baby. He isn't overly fussy and is getting closer to sleeping through the night, only waking up 2-3 times a night. He is a grunter and such a momma's boy. Of course, he has some characteristics we've pick up on, like a bottom lip quiver and legs that kick kick kiiick! Even with lack of sleep, changing poopy diapers every day, and clothes smelling like spit up, we couldn't be happier!
Rossi is adapting to having a baby around the house and not being the center of attention. We try to love on her as much as possible, and I think she's slowly adjusting. She will love him once he's old enough to play with her and love her himself!
Stuart works about 25-30 hours a week, and I spend my days home with Wyatt. We try to adventure out into town as much as possible, but we love couch potato time too, of course! Stuart has helped with keeping up the house, fortunately. I gave up on trying to be super mom pretty quickly! Breastfeeding makes if difficult for Dad to do a whole lot, so he makes up for it by taking care of the house. I'm okay with that deal!!
So far, it feels like we've been jet setting constantly. We take Wyatt to see his grandparents as often as we can, which has been about every other weekend, if not more often. They can't get enough of him! And we love sharing. We even got to go on a real date for our anniversary a few weeks ago -- two whole hours to ourselves!!
Wyatt took his first road trip this last weekend for Brandon and Deanna's wedding in Grants Pass. He was a great sport! He didn't make a peep during the rehearsal or the ceremony or any of the toasts at the reception! I couldn't have asked for better behavior!

Wyatt Today!

Normally, I wouldn't be a blogger. I am awful with technology and with journaling, so this isn't a great combo! But, I wanted to document as much as a could about little Wyatt's early days, and this is a great way! It's bed time now, but my goal is one update per week :) I'll include pictures from time to time, too!