we {heart} the lake

Yesterday we went to the lake! 

We woke up, drove down to saguaro lake, met my in laws, had an amazing time and then drove back home! All the driving was well worth it to see how happy Branden was to be back at the lake! Jaxon enjoyed himself as well. He was so dang cute in his little swim suit and not so little life jacket! Jax is definitely a boat baby. He cried a little bit when we put the life vest on him, but after that he was totally content. It was so nice to go out and wakeboard and just do something normal. Boy am I feeling it today, but it's a good kind of sore. Oh and watching our adorable niece Denim swim around with Branden and just have the time of her life was the best.
Our annual Lake Powell trip is coming up in about a week and we cannot wait! It will be so much fun! I love being at Lake Powell and this year both our families are going at the same time! I love vacationing with family and I am so happy we have our little Jax with us. I look forward to watching him grow and come to love this tradition as much as Branden and I have.

 Goodness I love that face.

-xo Taylor

Goodbye Queen Creek, Hello Show Low

So we have been moved in for about three weeks now. It was a long time coming, but it also happened pretty fast! When I first found out I was pregnant with Jaxon we started looking into moving up here to Show Low to be closer to Branden's job. We found this amazing piece of land with two homes on it. We couldn't pass it up, but we also couldn't afford it. Luckily my in laws were looking to move up here as well. Branden and his dad have the same job. We figured out a way to split the cost and since there were two houses (well a house and a double wide) it worked out perfectly! We were originally suppose to close and move in on February 20th, but due to difficulties with our loan agency and other things we didn't end up closing until April 6th. We received a baby and a home on the same day! It was a long and stressful journey, but it has all been worth it!

We moved into the double wide, it is a very nice place and we love it. Love all the space! We do plan on building a home in a few years on the back part of our property. First I want to finish getting settled in here before I even think of building a home. 

Well after I had Jax we planned on me staying in Queen Creek for about a month and then moving up here. Well when Branden had to go back to work it was a lot harder then we thought it would be. I had a lot of help and was surrounded by family and I am oh so grateful for it and I definitely needed it, but sometimes you just need your husband. So three weeks ago we just packed up our entire house and move! It was very fast and last minute decision, but I am glad we did it. Branden doesn't have to be as stressed because we are far from work and it has been so nice to have him home almost every night instead of going a few days in between seeing each other. 

It is beautiful up here, the scenery, the weather, and the people. Don't get me wrong there are some weird and strange humans here, but everyone is so nice. They aren't in a hurry. The cashier checking me out at walmart today took her time and talked to me and asked me how I was doing and it felt like she really genuinely wanted to know. Sometimes I feel like down in the valley everyone is in a hurry and they don't take the time to appreciate the people and other lives around them. I am very guilty of that.

I love being here with my little family and this is our home. It feels like home. I mean there are still some things that I am getting use to. I miss my family, but we are only three hours away. I am so grateful for all that we have. I am so grateful for Branden and how hard he works so that we are able to have our home and so that I don't have to work and am able to stay home with Jax. We are very fortunate. I need to be a little more positive sometimes and not complain as much as I do. But hey, I still have the 'I just had a baby excuse' so maybe I can use that one a little longer. ha ha 

Anyway I am just typing nonsense now. I hope to meet some new people and make some friends up here soon. In the meantime I will just have to get myself aquatinted with this little town! 

-xo Taylor 

{Jaxon}: One Month

Little Jaxon is a month! Well he was officially one month old on May 6th, which also happened to be my birthday! I cannot believe how fast the last month has flown by. We are in heaven with this little boy. He is a very loved little boy. Not only by his parents, but by his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all our friends. He is always being kissed and cuddled! I'll be sad when he can refuse my loves, but for now I am going to take advantage of it. 

W E I G H T

His one month check up isn't until Friday, but I did weigh myself while holding him and it came to a whopping 12 pounds! So if that scale is accurate we have a little chunk on our hands! I don't mind though, I love his chubby cheeks.

L E N G T H

Again because we have not gone to an appointment yet, I am not sure. I could measure him, but due to our move I have no idea where our measuring tape is! Next months post I will be more prepared! 

H A I R & E Y E S

He still doesn't have much hair on the top of his head, but in the back is a different story! He has some dark hair growing in. Maybe that is something he will get from me.

I think his eyes are definitely going to be blue like his daddy's. They are still a bit dark, but have been lightening up. 

D I A P E R S & C L O T H E S

He had grown out of newborn diapers and was in size ones by the time he was two weeks old. Most his newborn clothes didn't ever fit him! He's been a big boy since day one. He wears 0-3 month clothing and fits into some 3 month clothing. My baby cannot be growing this fast!

L O V E S

Baths
His swing
Sleeping
Eating
His bink
Laying with his daddy
Riding in the car

H A T E S

Being hungry
Being cold
Getting dressed

E A T I N G

He is being 100% breastfed. He eats every 2-3 hours during the day and 4-5 hours at night. He is an amazing eater, has been since the beginning. It has been wonderful and we have definitely lucked out. I also have lots milk, so that helps a lot. No wonder he is so chunky! There is no schedule, I just feed him on demand. He eats from 5-10 minutes, he is a very fast eater. He will also always take a bottle if I pump one for him. So that is very nice as well!

S L E E P

We have no real schedule. He sleeps a ton during the day, but that is expected. I always say I want to put him to nap in his crib so that he will transition better, but I always end up cuddling him instead. At night he will usually only wake up once in the middle of the night. I'll feed him, change his diaper, swaddle him and hold him until he is almost asleep (if he isn't already asleep) and then he will go down in his bassinet without a problem.

My Sweet Jaxon,

You have been such a blessing in our lives. Thank you for being such a happy, calm and content baby. You hardly ever cry. When you are cold or hungry you fuss and let out a few little cries, but that is all. You have made the transition into parenthood so easy for your father and I. When you were first born you looked just like me, but a couple days later and now you are your dad's mini me. You are oh so handsome. We love listening to your little coos. You love to talk, especially to your dad. It is the cutest! You are starting to smile, especially in the mornings, I am pretty sure they are still unintentional. I do like to pretend  that they are intentional though. (: You are so loved Jaxon. You are going to be a little heart breaker, I just know it.

Love you so much sweet boy, quit growing up so fast. 

Mom and Dad 

Growing is hard work! 

April 6th, 2015

I am finally sitting down to write about the day our sweet Jaxon came to us. What a special day that was. First I have to thank my amazing mother for keeping track of the times and details. I love sharing our life with everyone, but this blog is mostly meant as a journal. To record the happenings and memories in our lives, the good and the bad. I apologize if I over share or bore you with the details, but I want to make sure that I have everything. 

I was scheduled to be induced on Tuesday, April 7th. A week after my due date. We were convinced he was not going to come any earlier. Easter Sunday, April 5th we went to bed thinking we had to wait just one more day before meeting our little boy. I woke up at five in the morning on April 6th to a strange feeling, it wasn't until I stood up that I realized that my water had broken! I went to the bathroom, cleaned myself up and went to wake up Branden. We were so excited, but we decided to take our time, we weren't in a huge hurry since contractions hadn't started yet. I took a shower, ate some breakfast, Branden and my father in law came over and gave me a blessing and then off to the hospital we went! *Side Note: I am so thankful for the priesthood and the comfort I was able to receive. We were so excited, but my nerves were through the roof. I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood and for my husband being worthy and holding those priesthood keys. 

We left the house around six o' clock. On the drive to the hospital contractions started. They were scattered and not very strong. Around 7-7:30 I was dilated to a one. I was moved to the labor and delivery room around 8 and they started me on pitocin (I think that is how you spell it?) 

10:30- my contractions started to become more intense, I was dilated to 1 1/2. At that point I decided to wait on getting an epidural and try to progress more. From 10:30-12 my contractions were very intense and close together at that point I asked for an epidural.

I give those who have done child birth naturally major props and a huge high five. You women are amazing, but epidurals are also amazing! 

12:30- dilated to a 4

2:30- dilated to a 6 

4:30- I was at a 10!

Time to push! 

I had the sweetest nurse, her name was Tiffany. She was my nurse when I got there and she was there all the way until I delivered. She told me she had a feeling that he was going to have a big head (just what I wanted to hear.) Every time I pushed she would say she could see the top of his head, but then he would go back. It was like I would push and take one step forward, but as soon as I stopped it was two steps back! Well finally two hours later with lots of pulling, stretching and pushing he was out. 

6:46- Our baby was finally here with us! 

I could not believe it, all that waiting and Jax was finally here! 

I could hardly believe that Branden and I had produced such a beautiful human being. I still have a hard time believing that he is ours. We get to keep him and raise him and love him. What a blessing he has been to our family. I always knew I wanted to be a mother and that I would love being a mom, but nothing compares to what it is really like until you have a child of your own. I wouldn't trade the sleepless nights, poopy diapers, sore boobs and constant worrying for anything. We love him more and more everyday and thank out Heavenly Father for sending us such a beautiful, sweet and healthy baby boy!
*Beware: many double chins will be featured in these next few photos

 All set and ready for Jaxon!

 My sweet friend Brianna came by with treats and did my hair, thank you! I am sad it got messed up before we got a picture!

 Baby Jax was born with a gnarly cone head! No worries it is all back to normal now.

Grandma

 TuTu

I could not have done it without this man by my side. Branden was the perfect person to have while in labor. He told me I could when I was saying I couldn't, he was quiet when I needed him to be, and held my hand through the entire thing. I love him more then anything and we had this baby together. Watching him become a father has been so amazing, he has transitioned into being a father so naturally. I couldn't have asked for a better dad for our son.

 Our cute nurse Tiffany, not only was she sweet, understanding and helpful, but he had the most beautiful hair!

 His KuKu whom Jaxon shares his birthday with!

 Grandpa and Uncle Max.
I cannot wait to watch these two grow up together, Maxwell is so excited to be an uncle!

 Jaxon and his cute cousins Denim, Gunner and Baby girl Roudabush (expected in Sept.)
Oh they are all going to have so much fun together

 Poor Branden was exhausted. Love hat alyssa got this picture!

 Getting ready to go home!

 Homeward bound!
Wish I could post all the pictures I have, but then this post would be never ending.
Thanks to everyone who came to visit! We loved sharing our happiness and little boy with everyone!
Also thanks to my Aunt Wendy for capturing the first moments with our boy. Love you!