Friday, December 20, 2013

The festivities have begun!
Here is what we have been up to...
Everett is a total cheesers (as you can tell from the pictures below), but he can also be totally shy.
It's pretty easy to get him to be a cheeser though.

 We had our ward Christmas party and after an hour we headed to the Esquire Jazz Orchestra concert.
My mom sings in the Esquire Quartet. 
I took multiple videos, but I won't post them without her permission. 
Let's just say she and the quartet and the orchestra did amazing!
 Dani and Jefferson
 Me, my dad and Dani
 Me and Mr. Handsome Face
 We were a little late in getting our Christmas decorations up, but we finally did it.
This year we bought a fake tree. It took us less than an hour to to put up and decorate. Bonus!
 Santa came early to our house and delivered this little guy.
Meet Chewy!
He's half mini Schnauzer - half terrier. Apparently this mixture of breeds is hypoallergenic? All I know is that he doesn't shed much which makes this girl happy. He is another child of mine, but for being a puppy he is pretty well behaved. We all adore him (including Everett). 

Monday, December 9, 2013

GoBbLe

Just a few pictures from November





For Turkey Day we stayed in town and headed over to Craig (Nic's brother) and Molly Phair's house. Nic's sister and rents also came into town for the festivities. Lucky for us, grandma and grandpa Phair stayed at our house for a few days. :) 
Dinner was held at the Phair house (other Phair house). We enjoyed delicious food and ate until we were stuffed. Friday we went shooting. I do love this Phair tradition. There are no pictures to prove it, but I did shoot. I may or may not like shooting guns. I stink but I do like it. Everett stayed at home with grandma. 
Me and Molly 
 The Phair kids setting up targets
 Grandpa Phair sportin' some ear plugs
 She makes those ear plugs look good
 The Phair kids
 Don't mess with Craig
 Serious concentration
 Krew shooting a BB gun
 That's my man - he's hard core
 Kole rockin' it
 You can see the little puff of smoke - that's a clay pigeon exploding after Nic hit it
We also saw Frozen that night. YOU NEED TO SEE THIS MOVIE. I loved it. Who doesn't like a good wholesome movie with constant singing?! 

Monday, November 25, 2013

My SIL designed Everett's 1 year announcement for us:


Didn't it turn out so cute?! We loved it.
Can't believe my boy is 1 year old! 

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

So I have found a new fav drink combination of mine. Are you ready for it?
.................................................................
Diet Mt Dew + Orange Juice = Deliciousness in my mouth
I know it sounds weird, but it is so good.
Taco Bell has this drink available, but they don't do it with DIET. 
Next time you have an inkling for a delicious drink - give it a try. Yummy in my tummy.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

HaPpY bIrThDaY


I can't believe our little monkey is 1. This past year has flown by. I never thought this day would come.It is still hard for me to believe that I'm a mother. It has been hard and not what I expected, but I wouldn't have it any other way. This never would have been possible without Everett's birth parents. What amazing people they are. They fully understand the meaning of sacrifice, courage and love. They will always hold a special place in my heart and every time Everett sees their picture, he smiles. Melt my heart. He knows who they are and why they're so important.

Before Nic and I adopted, I bought a journal to track the progress of the adoption process. Since Everett was born, I always wrote an entry for each month. I want him to know the journey we took to follow the red thread and the beginnings of his life. I would like to share Everett's birth story:

"I got a text message for K (Everett's birth mom) November 4 around 10:20 PM. She was checked into the hospital and dilated to a 5. I was praying for K when I got that text. Nic and I were at Gramzee and Grandpa Stewart's house for dinner earlier that night...I do love them and they love you! Anyways, K and her sister K2 texted me all night with updates. You entered this world November 4 around 2:44 AM - 6 lbs 10 oz, 19.5 in long. K2: 'Your beautiful baby just entered the world.' How sweet! She sent us a picture. Your dad and I looked at you and didn't know if you'd be Nolan or Everett. Everett wasn't one of our original names. I had asked your dad about it and his response was 'eh, it's not my favorite.' It started growing on him as he paired it with Jay. We wanted to see you in person before we decided. K told us to come up to Bend on Monday and 'try to get some rest.' Monday morning brought a mad dash of finishing/buying last minute things. Luckily the diaper bag was packed. I went out with Gramzee while dad went to work. We loaded up the car and drove to Bend.

"After buying K flowers we headed to the Family Birthing Center at the hospital. We first met with Meredith, hospital Social Worker. She let us know how K and her family were doing. K was doing well and wants to sign papers that night. Meredith brought us to her room. I was so nervous to see her. We talked a little bit and she told us to go meet you. We walked over to you and you were sleeping. I said hello to you and your eyes opened. I know you couldn't see anything, but I felt you knew we were there. You were so handsome and precious. I couldn't believe you were finally here. We held you and fed you before getting dinner. We wanted K to spend time with you too. When we got back we said goodbye to D (Everett's birth dad). Before he left, we discussed the name: Everett Jay. When dad and I first met you, we knew you were an Everett. They loved it! I don't think they were expecting us to use Jay as a middle name. They also liked the nickname Rev - this was dad's idea. We said goodbye to D and shared some tears. Jodi and Joseph (LDSFS social workers) arrived along with more K's friends. K signed papers and we spent more time together. K decided that she wanted you to spend the night with us. You did pretty well - more awake than I thought. We did well together. I didn't sleep very much because I woke up at every noise and move you made.

"Tuesday, November 6. We finished up the paperwork in K's room. She rested and you spent time with her. You and K were both discharged today. K wanted us all to walk out together. I couldn't stop crying. I was filled with so many emotions. I felt guilty because I could see the heartache in K's and her parent's eyes. I also felt joyous because you were finally here. Gratitude was so overwhelming. We all hugged and said our goodbyes. I felt like I hugged K so hard multiple times. It was bittersweet. Her parents reminded us that you were in the right place with the right family.

"You slept the whole way home and Gramzee was waiting for us when we got home. She couldn't wait to get her hands on you. Aunt Dani decorated the garage for your homecoming. She later came over with Beckett. Grandpa Paul also paid us a visit. What a whirlwind of emotions. You were finally here and our lives began."

I wanted to share this with you because this is a day I will never forget and the days leading up to his birth. We couldn't imagine our lives without him.

At 1 year Everett LIKES:
- Eating. He loves pears, peaches, dry cereal, ice cream.
- Barney
- Playing with daddy
- Playing the piano
- Looking out the front window
- Talking
- Dogs
- Crawling and standing
- Baths
- Phones, laptops, IPad, TV. He will do anything to see what you're doing on any device.
- Crawling around with a toy in his hand. Always.

At 1 year Everett DISLIKES:
- Being told "no"
- Getting in and out of his carseat. Sometimes.
- Diaper changes
- Peas
- Nose wiped or face wiped off (what kid likes this)

Happy Birthday Everett, Rev, Rev-a-lev, monkey, goober, little man, Rev-a-lev-a-ding-dong.

1st BiRtHdAy PaRtY

We had Everett's first birthday party on November 2.
Grandma and Grandpa Stewart, Grandma and Grandpa Phair, Aunt Dani and her family, and Uncle Craig and his family all came: 10 adults and 10 kids. Mad house! We had a great time eating food, opening presents and eating cake and ice cream.
The dessert table
 Proud parents of our little man


 Grandpa Paul and the birthday boy
 Daddy and his little monkey
 Opening presents - this little guy was spoiled!
 Time for cake!
 He would start fake laughing which would make everyone else laugh - he did it over and over. Goober.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY Everett!!! Mom and dad love you.

Monday, October 28, 2013

OcToBeR aGaIn

Here are more pictures from October...
We had a rough week or so because Everett got a lovely sinus infection.
After some antibiotics he's doing much better.

Why not a selfie of me?  

 Nakey baby!

 Look at those blue eyes

 Grandma and Grandpa Phair came to stay with us for a few days. It was great having the company and built-in entertainment for Everett. He loved climbing all over grandpa.


 Happy boy loves hitting anything



Monday, October 14, 2013

OcToBeR

October thus far has been pretty chill (no pun intended). 
I have been keeping busy with my calling and Nic has been staying busy with his calling and work.
We bought a new jogging stroller and Everett loved playing with the box.
 Uh, sticky tape.
 I don't know why, but when I see him sitting from behind it makes me giggle. 
I don't know what it is...
 He loves taking his toys out of the buckets - as you can tell from the blurry motion.
 Chaska has been staying out our house for a few weeks while my rents have been traveling around.
We all know how he feels about dogs, and this picture depicts it perfectly.

 The new "trick" he has discovered.