Las Vegas

It was our first night away from Atlas and his first sleepover at Grandma Gardner's house. (Do I say enough how blessed we are to live so close to Weston's family?!) My friend Kim invited us to her wedding in Las Vegas. Her and Joe have been together for 10 years and decided to celebrate by finally tying the knot. I couldn't have been more happy for her! Atlas must have been excited for his weekend away from us because he was wide awake at 4:00 am, so we got ready and took him to Weston's parent's house around 5:00 and embarked on our road trip. Our favorite thing to do on road trips is listen to a book on tape. This time we listened to Allegiant, the third in a series we've read. It keeps us entertained and I'm glad we both enjoy the same books.  

We got to Vegas a little earlier than we expected and stopped at Smash Burger for lunch at 10:30. I felt justified eating a burger that early because my breakfast was at 4:00 am. 

Luckily there happened to be outlets right there so we had to stop. We hadn't planned on doing any shopping but Weston found a great deal on some fitted dress shirts and I found a couple pairs of sunglasses that I love, which is rare for me. A success for both of us! 

The wedding was going to take place at The Venetian and I planned to be there around 1:00 to hang out with Kim beforehand, since I was a bridesmaid. Since we weren't going to check into our hotel until after the wedding, Weston got ready in the parking garage and I threw my dress on in the hotel. Tell me my man doesn't look good. Mmmm. 

Kim and I have been friends since before I can remember. Our families lived in the same apartment complex near USU when we were babies and then both happened to move right around the corner from each other on the island in Logan after that. They moved to AZ when we were in 4th grade but we kept writing letters and calling each other long distance (yep, I'm old) and visited each other every summer. It seems crazy to think we kept in touch since we were that little and it wasn't so easy to keep in touch back then before the internet and cell phones. It was fun to see her family again and meet the friends that she made after moving away. 

As it always goes with a wedding day, everyone was rushing to get ready and to the ceremony on time. Kim practically ran out of the hotel room with all of us bridesmaids chasing after her. But she pulled it all together in time and looked stunning. 

They planned a gondola ceremony in The Venetian and a dinner following at a delicious Mexican restaurant nearby.

Dinner was a-mazing. We had chips and salsa, then they brought out pork empanadas, then a taco sampler plate, then the salad, then the main dish, and then the dessert! Now that is a meal! 

Doesn't she look beautiful?! And check out that gorgeous dress! I love her so much and I'm glad we've kept in touch all this time. There's no going back now, we're gonna be friends for life! 

Yep, he looks good. 

We don't do it very often, but I love a chance to dress up with my love. 

The only thing I really love about Vegas is the fountains at the Bellagio. I've always told Weston how much I love them and was so excited to finally show him. Even though we were exhausted from the long drive and he'd been up since 4, he still went out on the town with me. Now that's love. 

We also stopped by the M&M's world. No, we're not scared of m&ms, we're just scared of decision making. How were we supposed to pick?!

Of course he looks good and I look ridiculous. But at least we have fun together. 

Seriously, just look at this room. It's definitely the nicest place I've stayed. We had a friend hook us up with a deal on this room at the Paris hotel and absolutely loved it. Especially when you compare this to the last hotel we stayed at (I'm ashamed to say it was Whiskey Pete's. Yuck!).  Apart from the sweet decor, the best part was the fact that I didn't have to wake up five times a night to a crying baby.  We went to bed at 11:00 pm and I didn't move a muscle until 7:00 am. It was glorious.

Goodbye Paris... I mean, Vegas. 

Atlas: 7 months old

Atlas has grown up SO much in the last three months! He still looks so much like a little baby but he's acting like such a big kid. He is definitely a boy on the move. This kid does not like to cuddle or be held tight. He wants to be lifted up to see the world and then get down and explore it. If I'm sitting on the ground while he's playing, he will crawl over to me and climb up me until he's as high as he can get and then I usually lift him up even higher. He loves it! With dad he loves to be turned upside down. He also giggles when dad scratches his feet with his face when he hasn't shaved in a few days.



At his 6 month checkup he was in the 15th percentile for height and weight, but I think his size is just perfect. We had to get a few more shots and he handled them like a champ. 

It seemed like six months was the magic number when Atlas decided he was done being a baby. Within a week he was full on crawling, his two bottom teeth came in, and then soon after that he started climbing on things and trying to pull himself up to stand.









Now when he doesn't want to take a nap he will grab onto the crib bars and kneel there and cry. He hasn't quite figured out how to stand up all the way and he hasn't figured out how to get down either. It makes nap time an adventure.

We started feeding him solid (aka pureed) foods at six months. He ate really well and really fast. He enjoyed the sweet potatoes and carrots, wasn't too sure about avocado at first, and not a fan of green beans. I cooked and pureed all his foods so he would get the best nutrition. It's easy to do a big batch and freeze into ice cube trays. When I'm in a rush and don't have anything out of the freezer, I'll use rice cereal as a backup and he likes that too. A couple weeks after he started eating though, he got a fever for a couple days and stopped eating solids for a while. But he's getting better at eating again. At least he's never denied the milk.
I should probably document what a typical week looks like for Atlas. Sunday mornings are pretty chill since we have church at 11:00. It gives us plenty of time for him to play and take a nap before getting ready for church. However, church is not always our favorite since he doesn't sleep again until we get home at 2:30. He's usually great during sacrament meeting and then I feed him when that ends and he's good for the second class, but by the third hour he's just done and ready to go home and sleep (aren't we all). After church we all go home, eat lunch, and take naps. We love our family nap time. :) Once or twice a month we'll go over to Weston's family's house for dinner so they can love on Atlas. Mondays I work from home so I try to keep Atlas entertained while I get enough work done to feel productive. Tuesday through Friday, Atlas is typically being watched by Grandma Gardner 2-3 times, depending on Weston's work schedule. He'll drop him off in the morning between 8:30-9:30 and I'll pick him up around 3:30 when I get home. I'm so glad that he's either with mom, dad, or grandma. It is the best possible outcome while I have to be working. Saturdays are the best because I get to spend all day with my boy. Weston usually works some portion of the day and I count down the hours until our family is all together. I love my little family!

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I had a coupon for $20 off a Shutterfly book and procrastinated until the last day before it expired. So this book was put together in a haste as I stayed up until midnight so I wouldn't lose the deal. I hope I don't regret losing sleep if I decide I hate the final product later! 

Atlas: 4 months old

I can't get enough of this boy even after four months. He just gets cuter and more fun every day! It's fascinating to watch his progress in all the little things, like trying to grab a toy, hold his head up, or roll over. He's doing so great at all those developmental things and he's so much fun! It doesn't take much to make him smile or laugh and both are quite contagious. It's a good thing he's so adorable because it totally makes up for the fact that he is hard to put to sleep and often wakes me up 3-4 times a night to feed him. I just remind myself those baby snuggles won't last forever so I better enjoy them while I can!

 

Back to work

The dream had to end sometime- 12 weeks after Atlas was born, to be exact. It was time to go back to work full time.
I wish there was another way, but unfortunately, life is expensive. And kids actually make it more expensive. Go figure!
It was sort of like starting a new job though because right when I went out on leave we moved into a new building. And then my boss told me when I was coming back that my role would be changing to more analyst work and less admin tasks (which will be a good thing). The move to a new building was both good and bad. It's a nicer building, but at the old building I had my own office and now I'm stuck in a cubicle. When I got back I found that my nice chair and mouse had both been taken. I have suspicions that they switched my computer as well. So I ordered a new chair, a new mouse, and started decorating my cube the best I could. If I'm going to be there for 40 hours a week I might as well make it appealing. It's a work in progress, as I'm sure I'll redecorate every so often. I found some bright pictures from Ikea to cover the window to the cube on the other side and I got fresh flowers from the farmers market to brighten my day.

 One of my least favorite things about going back to work is the fact that I have to pump three times a day. This is when I wish I still had my office and could just close and lock my door instead of having to pack up all my stuff and go to the lactation room. It's annoying to bring a giant bag with the machine, bottles, and cooler to work every day and it's also awkward to wash out the parts in the break room. I try not to do it when there are guys in there and when there are women in there they always make some comment about how they remember those days or ask about my baby. But I guess this is the price I'm willing to pay to give my baby the good stuff even when I can't be with him. I used to think breastfeeding was a lot of work but now I gladly take that over pumping! Whenever I sit down to start pumping I look at pictures and videos of Atlas to get my milk going. No matter how many times I watch those videos they always make me smile. I'm crazy about that boy! There's one video that always works like a charm- his hungry noise. Atlas makes this noise every time he's hungry and it just gets more insistent the closer he gets to the goods.

When people ask how it is to be back at work I don't really know how to respond because its such a mix of emotions. I'll be honest, sometimes it's nice to have a reason to get ready and leave the house every day. But yes, it is dang hard to work full time and then come home and be a mom. Atlas still eats at least 2-3 times during the night so I'm not getting much sleep, then I get up at 5:30 to get ready for work. I miss the time when Atlas is most happy, which is morning/mid-day and I come home when he's tired and grumpy. I have to try to make dinner, clean the house, and get him to sleep after working all day. It's exhausting.
But then I think of how blessed I am that I had a job to leave in the first place- so I could get maternity leave pay while I was out (that's the dream- being paid to be a stay at home mom!), I'm blessed that I have a job to go back to, and most of all I'm blessed that Atlas is in good hands while I'm away. Weston's schedule is such that he usually gets to be home with Atlas two or three days a week. The other days Atlas gets to spend with his Grandma Gardner. And of course she knows what she's doing, she raised 7 amazing kids! So while I may dislike pumping and being at that cube 8 hours a day, and definitely miss my baby, I don't have to worry about him being well taken care of. Yes, I'd love to be a stay at home mom and hopefully that might happen for future kids, but for now I'm very grateful for the way things are.

Atlas: 3 Months Old

Week 9: We're trying to get Atlas on a 3 hour schedule (without much luck).
He got his 2 month checkup at the doctor- weighs 11 lbs, 6 oz. and is 23". His head is still in the 90th percentile and his weight is in the 30th percentile. He also got shots- break my heart! The first vaccination they gave him was a liquid that he drank. I thought it would be an easy start to the process, but the first taste he got in his mouth he started crying. Once he got over the initial taste he drank the rest without crying. Then came the really bad part. I had to hold his little legs down while the nurse gave him five shots. Five! I didn't even look at his face while she was giving them to him because I was watching her give the shots in his leg. The needles were so long I thought they were going to go right through his leg. She did it super fast- one leg then the other and kept rotating between legs until all five were done. My poor baby had no idea why he was being tortured so. After she put on his bugs bunny bandaids I quickly picked him up and cuddled him. He calmed down quicker than I expected and was actually good while I put him in the carseat to go home. He didn't even cry on the way home and went right to sleep. A little while after he woke up from his nap and ate he started fussing. Then came the tears. He cried more than I've ever heard him cry in his entire little life. Since my Atlas isn't really a crier I knew he had to be hurting so I gave him a little bit of baby tylenol. It didn't work as quick as I wished so I had to rock him and bounce him on the yoga ball for what seemed like an eternity. He cried for maybe an hour before I could get him to sleep. Remember, he's never cried more than 5 minutes before now so this was a lot for me to take. Needless to say, I don't like shots and I'm not looking forward to him getting the second round at 4 months old. He was still fussy later on in the night but back to my happy boy the next day. It did make me grateful that he's not a crier. I don't think I could handle that!

Week 10: If the binx (pacifier) isn't in his mouth he makes bubbles and drools all over. But its a great excuse to put him in the cute scarves I made for him.
We went to a baby shower for my friend Lynette but Atlas was not very happy. There were about 10 toddlers running around the house making lots of noise and he wasn't a big fan of that when it was around his bedtime and he wanted to eat and sleep in peace.
The next day we went to lunch with my friends Alexa and Erin, who used to work with me at Rady's. Atlas was the charmer and they loved him up!
He slept 7 hours one night!
When we put him in bed and sing him his lullaby he give us the biggest grin. Melts my heart every time!
We finally put him in size 1 diapers after a few too many poops up the back of the diaper.

He's starting to grab at his blankets.
We had a craft day with Stephanie and her baby Cora.  I made him a tag blanket (actually four- I got carried away) that he's slowing learning to love more and more as he gets better at grabbing.














Week 11: He's hugging his blankets and toys.
He wants to laugh but it comes out like a tiny cough.
He finally found his hands and holds them together.
Lots of Easter fun was had- see previous post.















Week 12: He weighs 12 lbs 4 oz.
This was my last week as a stay at home mom. I wish it was my full time job, but I'm grateful I have a good job to go back to and I'm glad that Atlas will be in good hands with either his dad or grandma Gardner, depending on Weston's work schedule. I think Atlas tried to make the transition easier for me by easing out of his "easy baby" stage. He used to go to sleep so easy on his own and this week he started taking shorter naps and needing to be rocked to sleep all the time. Perhaps he senses things are about to change and wants all the attention he can get from me. Well, I gave it to him! I love this boy too much! I will miss him all day and love him all night when I go back to work.

Easter

 We had the best first Easter with Atlas, even though all he could do was be too cute for all the pictures we took. Just look at that face! Next year he'll be out finding the eggs! Cousin Koreen gave him a cute little first Easter basket with squishy things that we gave him to play with in the morning. Great Grandma Carpenter gave him a basket full of goodies later that day. He finally has some books now, and the softest stuffed rabbit thats only slightly bigger than him. :) Tell me he doesn't look so cute in that hoodie! I die!

I was feeling quite ambitious about making treats for this holiday, even though I wasn't ambitious enough to color eggs this year. We made chocolate rice krispie treats as peep nests for our primary girls. Then I made mini carrot cakes and avocado strawberry mixed salad for dinner with the family. Both delicious! 

 We had all the Easter festivities at Great Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter's house. The weather was perfect as we dined on their back patio (wishing I had a picture here- it was beautiful). It felt like a Thanksgiving feast with delicious turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and more. I especially loved relaxing on the new patio swing grandma bought. I couldn't have been happier surrounded by fun loving family and spending all afternoon in the beautiful San Diego weather. And there was lots of laughter as we sat around the table after eating. Is this seriously my life? Pinch me!

We had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard and found all but one egg... I'm sure the smell will eventually help Grandma find it! Luckily the eggs filled with treats from Great Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter were extra large so they couldn't be missed. They are too good to us all! 

I sure do love this family! I only wish all my other family could live here too! Happy Easter!

Group selfie! Good thing Weston has long arms!

Atlas: 2 months old

Week 5: We got brave and went to my friend's birthday party on a Saturday night, just mom and Atlas.
He not only peed during his bath, but pooped all over his towel right after.

Atlas is balding like an old man.

First week at church. We even stayed all three hours. He liked chillin on the floor in our primary class while Weston taught the lesson.

Week 6:  Atlas gives us about 5 minutes of personality and smiles in the mornings. He's starting to be a real boy!
We went on a walk four days in a row.
Weston was really sick with the flu for the week, I got a little sick for 2 days, and Atlas didn't really get sick at all. Thank you breast milk!

Week 7: Grandma Evette and Aunt Karrie came to visit Wednesday through Saturday; Karrie took some great pictures-

Atlas is starting to stick his tongue out a lot.
He makes lots and lots of cute noises, sometimes just opening and closing his mouth like he's trying to talk but without any noise.
He went a whole 5 hours between feedings one night.
Took Atlas on a walk around Lake Murray with Grandma Gardner.
He's starting to look up and focus on mobiles.

Week 8: Atlas is sucking on his fists to self soothe.
Weston and I went out together without Atlas for the first time while Grandma Gardner babysat. We went couch shopping and bought our first piece of new furniture!
Grandpa Hunt and Grandma Teri spent a couple days getting to know Atlas and were there for his blessing day. Some said Atlas looks like Grandpa Hunt.

Atlas was blessed on 3/30/14 by his dad, with Grandpa Hunt, Grandpa Gardner and Great Grandpa Carpenter in the circle. Handsome guys!

Other fun facts: My wrists are finally starting to heal. They were so sore from holding that tiny baby so much during his first month.
I definitely feel the "let down" of my milk. It feels like pins and needles!
Atlas sleeps the lightest from 4-5 in the morning. We call it "The grunting hour" because he just wriggles in his bed and grunts, pretty much the same time every morning.
Atlas has explosive sounding poops. Its really funny when I'm changing him in my bed in the middle of the night and the sound of him pooping so close to Weston's head startles him awake. Sometimes he poops mid diaper change and it makes us jump because poop is suddenly shooting towards us.
Lots of people comment on his great olive skin.
We've come to the conclusion that he has Hunt eyes, a Gardner smile, and a Carpenter face shape. That makes for one cute little
boy!