Aaron the... Dancer

Aaron's got rhythm ... he only shows it when there's music on though.

Eric was playing the drums the other day and got up saying he was done and I begged him to play the last song one more time - I needed to get a video of Aaron dancing.  I have only ever seen him do this to music...

The Playpen

My sister-in-law gave me a playpen this past week. She asked if she should leave it at my mother-in-law's house since that's probably where I would use it the most and I said no, I would take it home with me...

It has been great! It is nice to be able to go use the bathroom without hearing a terrible crash followed by a scream...

Well, Aaron has been pretty sick this week - I think the most sleep I have gotten without interruption is 3 hours... He generally wakes up every hour. Sometimes I can simply rock him and soothe him back to sleep and other times he is either too distraught or he is ready to play.  Last night was no exception - luckily it was the weekend though so Eric was able to help during the night. This morning, when Aaron woke up ready to go, Eric and I weren't ready to go... So I laid him in the playpen, set him up with some toys, and created a youtube playlist consisting of videos of himself and music videos that he has watched with me throughout the week.

I didn't go back to sleep, but I was able to rest... it was, in a word, heaven.

The Bookshelf Massacre

 aron used to be so good at picking one book and reading it then leaving it on the floor and moving on to something else ... but not anymore. Luckily he doesn't do this with my books... 

p.s. He did pull himself up to the third shelf, but my batteries died before he did it...

My Little Drummer Boy

When Eric and I first started dating we were apart for the next few weeks, starting the following day... I decided that I missed my Little Drummer Boy. He wrote on a Christmas gift for me that he was my Little Drummer Boy before I called him that... neither of us knowing that the other had thought the same thing at the time of the thought conception.

Well, it seems now that I have another Little Drummer Boy! 

The Little Drummer Boy Version 2.0 sings while he drums! 

(and drools, but who's counting all of the updates?)

A Few More Videos

Sorry if I am overloading you - I'd rather show you more than less... because that way if you don't want to watch the videos, you don't have to. But at least you have the option. ;}

We had just finished dinner and Aaron started showing us his awkward stand...

Doesn't that look difficult and uncomfortable?

Aaron has learned to pull himself up

No explanation necessary

I thought Aaron was going to climb on the lower shelf of the coffee table...
instead, he did this. I have never seen him do this before.

Video Updates

I decided to not post a video of Aaron crawling because all the ones I have are a week old and he crawls so much better now! I'll have to get a new video to show you.

Eric showed me how to upload videos directly to the youtube site... the downside is that when I used Picasa, I was able to edit the starting and stopping points of the video - I guess now they are more "real" because you get the whole video; when I turned the camera on and when I turned it off!

This video is old, but it shows you how much he loves that shelf. Now-a-days, he can pull himself entirely on the shelf and run away from me when I try to get him down.

There is a picture of Aaron and Eli together above Aaron's bed - 

so, Aaron knows Eli's face and got SO excited when he saw him when we moved to Oregon.

Aaron was a little over zealous in playing with Eli...

Eric played the drums and then Aaron wanted to play too.

You have to listen pretty close for the sound because Aaron doesn't hit the drums very hard - 

I'm sure the neighbors prefer when Aaron plays to when Eric plays... ;}

Aaron's Amazing Achievements

So ... I've been waiting to do this post because I wanted to include several videos but ... back in Utah I used Picasa to upload videos to youtube but I can't seem to get it to even give me the option now, so I'll have to look for an alternative source for video uploadage - if anyone knows of a way to do it, let me know!!!

So, some things that Aaron has gotten really good at:

·        Eating - Aaron loves to eat. He'll take 8 oz of formula at a time and if we ever sit down at the table to eat and we don't feed him, he gets very upset. He has chosen his favorites and he has chosen his least favorites. He does not like vegetables ... sometimes he'll be good and eat them anyway -- other times he clamps down his mouth so tight that it is virtually impossible to get the spoon in; and when I do manage to get the spoon in, it is not uncommon for him to gag himself on the vegetable and throw it all back up. The first time I fought with this, I cheated and got out the hot fudge and gave him a bite of hot fudge and then a bite of peas... now I use pears or bananas. He doesn't spit much out anymore, unless he doesn't like it. In this picture, his face is messy only because he wouldn't hold still for me to get the bite in his mouth. Poor kid had lots of carrots up his nose. He’s also working on figuring out the wonders of Cheerios.

·        Crawling - He is so fast. I literally can not turn my head with out him being somewhere else the second I turn back. There have been times where I let him play on the floor in his room and run to put something away; by the time I get back, I can't find him... why? Cause he has managed to wiggle his way into the closet! I'll have to post a video sometime.

·        Sitting up - I wish I could show you the video of how he sits up. At first, he had to go from a crawling position  to laying on his side, then work his way around so his head was by his feet and then use his stomach muscles to sit the rest of   the way up - inefficient, but effective (not to mention hysterical the first time I watched him do it!

·        Playing the Drums – again, another one that I’ll have to post a video of sometime. We had to put away Eric’s drums before Aaron was born to make room for all the things we would need for the baby. One factor in selecting an apartment was that it would be big enough to fit Eric’s drum set. We waited until we had taken cookies to the neighbors and provided them with our cell number incase we were too loud before any drum playing actually took place. Eric played for the first time a few nights ago and Aaron simply sat in my lap and watched, entranced. When Eric was done playing, I handed him Aaron and Eric gave Aaron the sticks. He hit a few things with the sticks, but I think he’s more of a hand drummer… he preferred to not use the sticks. It was quite entertaining.

·        Getting mixed up where he shouldn’t – I’ve already mentioned how Aaron loves to take off to places like the closet… well, I also have to keep the door to the bathroom shut too! Aaron loves to take baths so if the door is open he’ll go straight for the tub. He loves to hang out on the lower shelf of the coffee table, even if there is nothing up there for him to play with and he managed to get himself caught on top of one of his toys. (yet another video to show you) He pulled himself up and then his hands and feet couldn’t reach the ground in order for him to get back down!

·        Pulling himself to a standing position – Aaron is too strong for his own good. He has found a technique where in the crib, he grabs ahold of the bumper, pulls himself higher to grab the top of the crib and pulls himself into a semi-standing position. His feet are too far away to be actually standing, but he slowly walks them in toward the side of the crib. He has yet to keep his balance long enough to get them all the way in – he falls over before he reaches that point. He doesn’t just do it in the crib, he’ll grab a door frame and do the same. Sadly, he doesn’t always fall to the side – sometimes his little hands slip and he falls toward the object he is holding onto and hits his head. He’s getting good at not crying though. He’s a resilient little bugger. Another video I’ll have to show you.

·        Being ahead of the game – Aaron has 2 teeth that have broken through his gums… he is no longer allowed to put my fingers in his mouth! One day, when he holds still long enough for me to get a good picture, I’ll show you.

Extremely Bizzare Blogger Quiz

I saw this on my cousin's blog and got a kick out of it so I thought I'd share it too! Seems like a good way to start the year - tell you all sorts of random things about me. :}

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? 
My first name is from a great aunt (or something) named Jessie and my middle name is from the movie Willow - the baby's name is Elora but my parents thought it was Alora so that's what they went with.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? 
The last time I legit cried with the whole sobbing so hard that you have trouble breathing? Yesterday, everything was falling apart on me ... and last Thursday, I got really lost ... and when we were moving ... and when we lost all of our pictures. Don't worry, I'm actually quite a cheerful person :}

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? 
NO -- Ugh It's terrible! Even when I take my time for things like Aaron's baby book, it still looks awful. I ought to hand it over to one of my sister-in-laws to fill out instead...

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
I think I'll have to go with Turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 
Kids? No, I don't think I do ... I gave birth to a monkey named Aaron who likes to try and climb on everything, but no - no kids.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? 
Now or in high school/freshman year in the dorms... Back then, definitely not. I would have found myself to be a guy hog and an obnoxious flirt ... now? Sure. I'd like to think that I have matured and now that I'm married, I don't need to worry about the competition stealing my man ;)

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? 
Not as much since I met Eric. In his life, if someone used sarcasm, there was always an underlying insult. In my life, it was used to make a witty comment that would play off of something someone said with no insult behind it... That being said, I have done my best to leave it behind unless I am bantering with my immediate family because I now understand that many people can be hurt by it even when no hurt was intended.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? 
Yup!

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I'd like to think I would ... it sounds fun but let's be honest, until a legit opportunity came about where I would be able to go I won't know for sure.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? 
I'm not the world's biggest fan of cereal... I don't usually eat breakfast. But later, if I want a snack I'll go for Honey-Nut Chex or Reese's Puffs (Healthy creature, aren't I?)

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? 
HAHAHA Of course not! I shop in the kids section - my shoes are Velcro! 

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? 
If the need arises - that goes for physical and emotional. I can be strong but if there is someone else willing to be strong, I'll admit that I often allow myself to succumb to weakness.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? 
Just 1???? Well, right now I am a big fan of the girl scout Thin Mint ice cream. :} But I also love Strawberry Cheese Cake, Pralines & Cream, good old Vanilla, and a whole slew of others.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? 
Uh ... that's a good question ... I don't actually know. I guess lately I've watched how people treat children and use that as a measuring stick when I size them up. Back when I was on the hunt I noticed things like humor first or facial features

15. RED OR PINK? 
I would absolutely love a pair of bright red pumps ... I like a soft pink for somethings, but I think typically I'd go red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? 
My inability to get up in the morning ... 

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? 
What a ridiculous question! I miss lots of people for different reasons! I miss Eric right now because I crave having him around. I miss my Mom's hugs. I miss watching my Dad play with Aaron. I miss Thomas' humor. I miss Mikayla's quiet strength and emotional depth. I miss Kestra saying, "I'll miss you," everytime I leave. I miss Anna turning everything into a party. I miss playing games with Laura. I miss sitting back and chatting with Lissa and Kenny.
18. WHAT IS THE PAUL MCKENNA TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
Wha...? Well, according to Wikipedia, Paul Mckenna is a Hypnotist and Self-Improvement Author. Since I don't want to actually read about this guy, I'll list his book titles and go from there:

• I Can Make You Confident
• I Can Make You Sleep
• I Can Make You Rich
• Quit Smoking Today Without Gaining Weight
• Instant Confidence
• I Can Make You Thin
• Change Your Life in Seven Days
• How to Mend Your Broken Heart
• The Power to Influence
• The Paranormal World of Paul McKenna
• Paul McKenna's Hypnotic Secrets
• The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna

So given my options, I think I would work on getting rich, influencing people, or hypnosis ... Hypnosis would be cool. (this guy seems a little full of it if you ask me)

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I just painted my toe nails - they have pretty flowers on them, so I am not wearing shoes

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
I had a baked potato for lunch with butter, bacon, onion, cheese, and sour cream. Yum! And some snicker-doodle cookies.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? 
I am listening to Aaron talk to me...

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Uh ... I'd say a pale green - mellow but happy

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Very Sexy for Men from Victoria Secret ... :)

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? 
Eric - I tried to direct him to the Walgreens in Beaverton and managed to get him lost ... oops

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
I'm going to say Beach House because though Mountain Hideaway with a nice fire is fun ... fire still indicates that it is cold outside and right now, I would love warm!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? 
hahahaha ... I really like to watch ESports... My favorite is StarCraft. Though if you go with "real people sports" I guess I'd say football

27. HAIR COLOR?
Lightish brown naturally but a lighter brown with blond in it right now
28. EYE COLOR? 
Green! Same as Eric

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? 
Nope

30. FAVORITE FOOD? 
er ... my favorite meal is homemade hamburgers with green pepper chip dip and sauted mushrooms and strawberries & bananas coated in stgar with ice cream for dessert. mmmmmm

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? 
Happy Endings of course!

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? 
Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Blue-ray Extended Edition, Part II

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? 
purple

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
... Both are nice, but give me a nice spring or fall any day!
35. HUGS OR KISSES? 
The candy? They are both good at different times - I guess same goes for the real thing. If I haven't seen Eric in a long time then all I want is to hug him! Kisses are good for other times.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
hmmm ... I like lemon bars and cheesecake, but sometimes, nothing beats ice cream

37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Why? Why must I work out?

38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?

I watch my tv shows on the computer. hehe

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

I'm actually not ... I've started a lot of books recently but I haven't finished any.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

I'm using Eric's gaming mouse pad so it's plain black

42. FAVORITE SOUND?

Aaron's squeals

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

I ... uh ... haven't actually sat down and listened to either of them

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Home is a relative term ... but Utah was my home and I've gone a thousand miles from there to my new home, Oregon Edit: My Dad read this and reminded me that Mexico is further from Utah than Oregon ... and definitely further from Oregon than Utah is :)

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
As of late, I seem to have a knack for getting myself (and others) lost ... I also have a ton of bruises because I have a talent for running into things.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Provo, Utah - the same hospital as my son

47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Oregon

48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Our apartment is cream with a red door :) The inside ... isn't set in stone yet.

49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
One is blue/Green (depends on who you ask) the other is Black

50. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 50 QUESTIONS?
Actually, I got a kick out of it... did you like reading it? Did you read them ALL???

Crazy Crazy Crazy

Sorry it has been so long since I posted and sorry if the fact that the past posts were written today but show up as having been written weeks ago...  I plan to print my blog as a scrapbook/journal for last year so the posts belonging in last year needed to show up with those dates.

Things have been crazy here! Not just moving in and organizing but Aaron crawls now ... none of this scooting stuff, he legitimately crawls and that makes it much harder to get anything done. He goes everywhere he shouldn't and never stays where he I put him. Right now he's chilling on my lap (he sits up on his own now too) talking and angry that I won't let him have the keyboard ... he still loves technology, always and forever.

We've been moved in for almost 2 weeks now ... here are some pictures from since we've moved in.

 Aaron's started sucking on his lower lip ... still won't take a binky though!

 Aaron likes the gifts from my mom - even the paper bowls!

After my niece, Jessica's, baptism, all the children wanted to play with Aaron.

When it was mentioned, one of the little boys (a son of Eric's co-worker), Bridger, said,

"It's cause he's the cutest boy ever!"

We went on a walk down the path beside our apartment

The lower shelf of the coffee table is Aaron's current favorite place.

No joke, he crawls to it, pulls himself up on it and plays with the things I have on the shelf...

I have a video of it, I just need to get it to upload.

Some of my favorite things about our new apartment are:

• Our large living room - there is room for Aaron to crawl around and play now!
• Our bathroom tub - 1. it is a tub! 2. it has bowed out curtains so it is even bigger 3. Aaron loves baths. Courtesy of my mom, Aaron has a bath seat and he'll sit and play in there for 30-45 minutes if I let him!
• Our bathroom layout - though the shelves/drawers are skinny but deep, I like where they are placed. In our old house, the shelves were above/behind the toilet... I had a terrible habit of accidentally knocking things into the toilet.
• Our bathroom is warm - at our old house, the bathroom was an average temperature of 48 so it was freezing and the wall would collect condensation making our toilet paper moist ... I love having dry toilet paper and a warm toilet seat.
• Our bedroom has space! - no longer are we confined to a "full" bed, unable to close the bedroom door because of our night stand ... we have a queen size bed that is in the middle of a wall with a nightstand on either side! We have an entertainment center, a rocking chair, and a closet that runs the length of the room!!!
• Aaron has his own room - it is nice to lay him down, shut the door, and no longer feel the need to whisper while Aaron is sleeping. And if people come over, they don't have to immediately drop their voices because Aaron's room is no longer in the entry way!
• Our dining area has more than enough room for our table - Aaron's high chair also fits and each of the table chairs is super wide and has wheels but no maneuvering is necessary to get around

I'd also like to thank the following people for their contributions to our new home:

• David and Emily Bass for gifting us a mattress
• Ken and Alicia (the EQP and wife in our new ward) for gifting us a bookshelf
• Jon and Amanda Hornibrook for gifting us an entertainment center, rug, over-sized chair, and dressers
• Michael and Heather Hornibrook for gifting us a kitchen table and chairs
• Mark and Ane Hornibrook for gifting us a loveseat, lamp, cookie sheets, broom, television, dressers, a bookshelf, a file cabinet, bedding, pillows, for all of their help in building our furniture and for driving out to help us drive back
• Michael and Tricia Wilkinson for taking care of us while our house was crazy and for sending us a package a day every day for a week! It was so fun to get all those little gifts! We got a bath seat for Aaron, laffy taffy, paper plates, bowls, and cups, Snickers, socks, bottles, nipples for the bottles, nipples for the bottles I already have, and socks for Aaron! We also got a package of diapers and baby-wipe refills