7 Months

Time goes by way too fast. We can't believe little Nix has been in our family for almost 7 months! It almost doesn't seem fair that they change so much in such a short amount of time. Don't get me wrong, I live for the fun new things he does every day, but it's sad that he'll never be as little that day as he was the day before. Stop growing!
We have enjoyed him so much. He does so many fun things and has such a great desire of independence (just like his Dad). He loves to try and feed himself with his bottle. He loves bath time, peek a boo, being tickled, the "popcorn popping" song, playing with his dad, spitting, bouncing in his Johnny Jumper, chewing on EVERYTHING, and anything that lights up or moves. He is so much fun and is already such a little boy. I'm honestly terrified for when he gets more mobile. I swear I need duct tape to hold him down during diaper changes and putting on clothes. This kid loves to be naked!
I'm not too worried that crawling will come too soon. He HATES being on his tummy. He also hates being taken out of his carseat. He can't stand peas, green beans, or being distracted by any other food while he's trying to play.
He's a crazy little man, but we love him! This past month we were blessed to go visit my family in Michigan.  Jason surprised me the day before my birthday and I got to surprise my parents on my birthday. It was so fun!  My Mom just finished radiation treatment for breast cancer so it was amazing to see her doing so well after completing her treatment.

He did SO GREAT on the plane!  We got so many compliments on what a good little baby he was for the 3 1/2 hour plane ride.  

Mimi's first love from Nix since he was born

Hangin with Papa

Love this kid!

Cool new shades from Mimi

He wanted to play in the middle of the night...

Andrew Cousins

Auntie Momo and Uncle Kbaugh

Nix and Papa

BEST CHEESER!

After we got back from Michigan, we made a trip up to Idaho for Easter.  We had so much fun seeing all of Jason's siblings.  I feel so lucky to have such a wonder in-law family.  They are all so great!  We got to see our oldest niece, Ellie, get baptized.  Later that day we had the honor of hearing Breanne sing in her senior recital.  Wow, that girl is talented!  Nix was so enthralled the whole time, I was so glad he loved it so I could enjoy every second too.

Nix enjoyed his first easter.  Unfortunately, I'm a terrible Mom and didn't take any pictures of him and his Easter basket.  There's always next year, I guess...

Bunch of weirdies 

Love love love

My cousin, Xan, went in to the MTC shortly after we got back from Idaho.  I was so lucky to have her stay with me and have the opportunity to drop her off at the MTC.  Watch out, Philippines, Sister Marcucci is the bomb!  I love this girl so much.  She is going to be the best missionary!

Gorgeous girl

We've just been having so much fun with our families and our little man!  We are so excited to go up to Cardston for 8 weeks and then to San Jose for 8 weeks for Jason's internship with Ernst and Young.  We are looking forward to lots of adventures! I recently had a septoplasty and sinus surgery on my nose.  After that, I'm really looking forward to some vacationing!  I'm so grateful my Mom was able to make it out here to take care of Nixon while I recovered.  She is the best and Nix sure does love his Mimi.  

Out for a walk lookin' awesome

New glasses!

6 month check-up.  18 lbs!

One last thing....

I'm dying to get some family pictures taken.  I stumbled accross a Cardston photographer who is doing a mothers day giveaway.  I'm REALLY hoping to win so we can finally get some family pictures taken this summer.  Wish me luck!

http://www.kinseyholt.com/2013/04/17/the-great-big-mothers-day-giveaway-2/

Is it Spring yet?

Is anyone else SICK of this cold, snowy winter?  I am so tired of having to put on a coat to go outside.  I think the reason I am most excited for it to warm up is so I can take Nix outside and show him everything!  I can't wait for summer when we can play outside together.

Nixon is just the cutest baby. We absolutely adore that little kid.  My Mom always told me that it's a whole different kind of love with kids.  Once again, Mom, you were right.  We love that little boy so much.  He changes every single day and learns new things so fast. 

He loves baby einstein, snuggles, playing with his Dad, bathtime, eating, and playing with his toys.  He also loves Taylor Swift.  Last week he had a few fussy days and sometimes the only thing that would calm him down was dancing to music.  The only song I had downloaded on to my phone was Taylor Swifts new song, "Trouble".  He loved it.  And ever since then, if he needs to be calmed down, we just need to play that song.  Jason also loves to make him dance.  Here's a video of his sweet dance moves.  I accidentally covered the microphone...

This summer we're going to Canada and San Jose, California.  We're really excited for the opportunity to spend time with family and to go on some adventures in California.  It's crazy that we only have one year left in Provo!  We're excited to move forward as a family outside of Utah. 

Next month I'm turning 25....yikes!  I'm super excited for my birthday.  Mostly because Jason said he's planned the greatest birthday ever.  He's so excited I'm afraid he's going to ruin the surprise.  The last 2 birthdays, he's gotten so excited to give me my present that he ended up telling me at least a week before my actual birthday.  He's hilarious.  This birthday he's determined to keep it a secret!  Bless his heart, he is making me so anxious now!

Here's a few more pictures from the past few months, since I'm so terrible at updating.

Aaaand one more video :)

Nixon Paul

I was recently reprimanded for not blogging in a really long time.  But lets be honest... it's been a REALLY really long time.  In fact, it's been so long that I've had a child!  Who would have thought?

We've thoroughly enjoyed having little Nixon in our family.  He's the best little baby!  Not only is he an easy baby, he was super easy to get in to this world!  My water broke at around 11 am on September 28.  I had tried just about everything to get him to come on time (due 9/30).  A combination of eggplant parmesan, long walks, curb running, and bouncing on a yoga ball may have contributed to that.  That morning I had gone on a 3 mile walk and bounced for a few hours on my yoga ball.  I was so frustrated because I hadn't felt any contractions during my walk.  Every day before, I had felt at least a few contractions.  I thought he was never going to come!  I was so uncomfortable and felt so huge.

For those of you who have never experienced water breaking... it's the weirdest feeling ever.  Like you're wetting your pants over and over again and you have no control over it.  Totally gross!  I went and picked up Jason and we got to the hospital around noon.  It took forever to get us checked in.  Apparently everyone was having babies that day.  I started feeling contractions and got my epidural not too long after.  Thank heavens for epidurals.  My contractions weren't even that bad yet and I was so grateful for the pain relief!

Things progressed super fast.  At 4 I was dilated to a 7.  At 5 I asked the nurse why my epidural didn't seem to be working.  I was feeling so much pressure.  She checked me and told me I was a 10 and she was going to go call my Dr to come deliver the baby.  Dr. Cloward arrived at around 5:45.  My nurse, who had been with me all afternoon, was off at 6.  She walked in and told me that she wanted to see the baby, so I'd have to push the baby out in 10 minutes.  Okay!  I started pushing before the Dr was even in the room.  It took about 6 sets of 3 pushes, or about 10 minutes or pushing, to get little Nixon out.

I'm not going to lie... it was a piece of cake.  Everything went so smoothly and it was so perfect.  We couldn't have been more excited to have Nixon here.  We have enjoyed every minute with him.  He's already smiling!  My favorite part of the day is walking in to his room in the morning and catching that first smile when I tell him, "Good Morning".  Today we were SO excited because he has almost figured out laughing!  He's super ticklish under his arms.  Hopefully I'll be able to catch it on video soon.

We are really looking forward to Christmas this year.  We are heading up to Canada to be with Jason's family.  Most of his siblings will be up there and we can't wait to see everyone!

Until the next update (sooner, rather than later.  I promise!), here is a picture dump of the past few months (sorry, they're definitely out of order...)

Jason's first time holding Nix

My Mom got there later that night.  So glad she could come!

Tiny little feet!

Thanks, Monica!

First Family Picture!