Babe Ruth

Kaleb likes to play fetch. My mom wanted to see this video, so I thought you all might enjoy it too!

Christmas Letter

Because I'm kinda a tree hugger (or just cheap), I decided to blog my christmas letter! Hope you all don't mind. I've never done one, so bear with me!

This year has been a whirlwind of change! I feel like we're different people from last January! Just to name a few major differences: we're no longer Utah residents, but Washingtonians! We're no longer poor college students, but poor house owners :) We're no longer childless, but w/ child. Wait, that sounds wrong. Anyway, we have a cute little 10 month old boy! We're no longer jobless, but professionals. (That's right, I'm a professional mommy). We're no longer one car people, but TWO! Hallelujah for that. And finally, although I'm sure there's more, we're bloggers! Ha, ha. Moving to a new state, buying our first home, having our first baby, and getting our degrees, all in a few months, was crazy and stressful, but somehow life stays busy still. But that's good or we'd be bored!

We've made some good friends here and Braydan is happy with his work as a geotechnical engineer. Thank goodness for those friends or I'd grumble about his long hours (i guess I still do sometimes). We both got called into the YW and YM, so it's fun being a part of activites and planning --makes us feel young again. Wait...we're not that old.

Kaleb is my life and light! He's what I dream about, obsess over and love to death. I'm in awe of everything he does, every little smile, funny gesture, attempts at talking, or even when he's dead asleep. Sometimes when I rock him, I hold him closer and feel terror that he's growing up too fast! I can't imagine my life without him!

I agreed in September to watch a 4 year old girl, Tori, during the days. She keeps me on my toes and makes me laugh. She's the only girl in her family, and the youngest, so I think she's struggled accepting Kaleb and sharing attention with him. It's getting better and she actually asked to hold him the other day! He didn't really like it, but I was all for it.

Well, I think that's it. I hope you're all enjoying this Christmas season and remember to come visit us sometime next year!
Love Jessica, Braydan and Kaleb

Curious George....

I asked Braydan to watch Kaleb for 5 min. while I went to take a shower. Well, I barely got in before I hear a knock on the door. I ended up skipping the shower and giving kaleb one to wash his blue body. Braydan got distracted and Kaleb took advantage of that, finding a beautiful blue stamp to suck on. What a mess!













He also likes everything about the Christmas Tree--pulling off the lights, decorations, tree needles, unwrapping presents, eating pinecones, etc. The other picture is him in my "keep-sake" chest. Once again, I wasn't watching him close enough and the next thing I knew, he had opened it, CLIMBED INSIDE, and proceeded to pull everything out. (He's holding my old graduation hat).

Wet n' Wild Washington Weather

We had a crazy storm hit this past week that made national news! People have been asking me about it, so I thought pictures would tell it all.



It snowed last Fri/Sat and we even had a snowball fight with our neighbors and Braydan built a huge snowman! But then Mon. it warmed up A LOT and poured all day and night. The snow not only melted here, but up in the mountains and over-filled the rivers! What a mess! We're grateful our house is fine and that Braydan made it home safe from work! It took him 3 hours because they closed down the major roads. The picture of the kayaker was taken on I-5, the major freeway running from Seattle to Portland. My favorite is of the motor home on I-5. Crazy!!

Christmas Tree Delivery

This might be a dumb post, but we're finally the proud owners of TWO vehicles!!! We needed a way to get our Christmas tree home so Braydan bought a truck! Just kiddn' (although it did come in handy for that) For anyone that's had to share ONE vehicle, you know what I'm talking about. It's hard!! It was fine in the summer when I could walk to the store or just walk outside! But when it's raining and snowing and I'm stuck inside all day, I was done being patient. So...it's nothing fancy. Just a good ol' ford ranger. (he insisted on a truck for work). I get the good ol' buick. But hey, I couldn't be happier! The buick is like a Lamborghini to me:)

Over the River and Through the Woods......

To Grandma's house we went!!! We had a fun Thanksgiving in Hamilton, MT with my family, and of course, Grandma Blodgett. (I did another blog on her website so family knows what's going on w/ her.) We arrived in a wintery wonderland and some scary fallen branches. Luckily they missed her house, but braydan thinks more are rotting and doomed to fall. Everyone got there Wednesday evening and I made a HOTTT Thai chicken dinner. It was funny watching everyone gulping water and their eyes and noses running! I loved relaxing from kaleb and letting everyone else deal with his wildness. I think Zach and Alisha climbed the stairs with him at least 50 times each : )We also had a diaper wrestling contest. Alisha's best time was 4min 20 sec.

Thanksgiving day was also grandma's b-day, so we told her "put your feet up and relax", but yeah right! The turkey dinner was good, despite not having ham like we wanted, and it was special going around the table saying our blessings. It's always emotional for some reason. That night we played games till late and talked.





THe rest of the trip we hung out, celebrated Alisha's b-day, did a few things for Grandma, and ate lots of food!!! Nummy. Mom's pies were the best. Braydan and Zach walked down to the river and got some cool shots. Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! I LOVE YOU FAMILY!!!! AND WE MISSED YOU JOSHY!!!

Tired of being tired

Okay all you moms, I need some advice!! Kaleb is 9 months old and still not sleeping through the night!! I had one lucky night a month ago when he slept 8 hrs. straight, but that's it! He usually wakes up at 2 and then 4 and then between 6-7 on a good night. Here's the thing: His doctor just told me to keep feeding him at those times. She considers a 5 hour stretch "sleeping through the night" when they're still nursing. I kinda don't agree. He eats 4 meals in his highchair during the day, plus nursing. He should be stuffed for the night right? When he's not teething or sick, I let him cry. I hate it, but all the books say cry it out. Kaleb is very very active and on the low end for weight, so maybe he does burn calories fast, but what about my sleep??? Maybe I'm just selfish and should give up till he's a teenager :) I always look forward to Saturday when I can sleep in (cause braydan takes him), but he's gone at a youth conference :( Maybe next weekend.

Just a side note: THanks Amber for the fun girl's night (or old womens' night)last night. Your work paid off and I think everyone enjoyed and needed that. For anyone that needs a fun party game, try Hoopla. It was pretty entertaining.

Kaleb Growing UP!

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

I've never done these before, so I mixed up the slides. Whoops. Anybody know how to get the months in order??? It was fun "scrapbooking" without all the work! (plus it's free!!)

Hair Cut!!!

Yesterday my neighbor friend Emily chopped my hair! I was so tired of it. Anyone who's known me for a while knows that I've always had long, curly hair. But after having Kaleb, most of it fell out. Not kidding. Plus he's always pulling on it and I don't have time (or i'm too lazy) to do anything different.

So, I didn't tell Braydan--(i knew he would've talked me out of it) and surprised him when he came home. Fortunately he liked it--not that I really care. I love it!! Braydan kept looking at me funny and finally said I feel like I'm cheating on you with another women. Ha, ha. I don't look that different do I??? Thanks Emily for making my day--or week--or month even:) (Sorry Mom, for covering up your grandson in the pictures).

Standing Proof

So, my mom doesn't believe that Kaleb can stand by himself, but I finally have evidence! I raked the leaves on Saturday and put poor Kaleb in them. He didn't like it much, but we got some cute shots. (he's holding his favorite hammer)

Finished Projects!

I'm happy to say that we're finally finished with our dirt pile! When I first saw the dump truck unloading, I was kinda hoping they had the wrong house, but now (80 wheelbarrow trips later) my garden boxes are full! I didn't really work that hard. Braydan did however, so thank you dear! I did spend a lot of time raking it out and then planting lots of bulbs. Tori loved helping me and asks everyday, "Are those things we planted gonna grow to the sun?" I really hope so.

Braydan also finished our headboard last week. Yeah! He used our old one and cut it for a queen bed, sanded it, stained it, and it looks pretty. I love having a handy husband.

Halloween Party

Our friends, Rodney and Sammy, had an awesome Halloween party Saturday night! These are just a few examples of the creative costumes in attendance. We debated ours forever and finally did something a little cheesy. As you can see, Braydan was a tree and I a "tree hugger." What you can't see is his little beaver hooked on his "trunk." You might be able to spot the squirrel peaking out of his pocket. Someone at the party was a Lumberjack and threatend to chop Braydan down a few times. Wes, the nerdy professor on the left, won the costume contest (I voted for him too). It helped that he acted like a nerd :) Or maybe that was natural?? jk. Kaleb had his first official babysitter that night and slept the whole time! I don't know why I worry so much. Thanks Bates for a fun night. Happy Halloween!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Braydan! I got to spoil him on Thursday (even though he had to work all day). He got a new snowboard, church pants, and work pants. I also made him a pumpkin cake, shrimp, cheesy potatoes, and cabbage salad (his favorites). I didn't want to get him the snowboard because that means he will be gone from home even more. ButI guess he deserves some fun once in a while. Happy 25 sweetums !!! You're old!!

Busted

Keleb loves toilet paper, the stairs, and pulling all the computer cords. He keeps me busy. I have nightmares about him sneaking to the top of the stairs and falling down. I need to put the gate up, but I don't want to hurdle over it every trip up the stairs. Kaleb stood up by himself (no support from furniture, etc.) yesterday for the first time. It didn't last long - only a couple of seconds. He's excited to be a lion for halloween - pictures to come.

What is a geotechnical engineer?

Even though Braydan explains what he does all the time, I still get lost. But, when he shows me pictures and talks in plain english, I get it. So...in case any of you were also wondering what a geotechnical engineer does, this will help (hopefully)

The pictures: This project is for a skyscraper in downtown Seattle. Braydan's about 100 feet down in the foundation. His company designs the foundation (he's only got to design one thing so far) and then an engineer has to be on the construction site to oversee the project. That's what he does. Anyway, then he writes reports on it and stuff. It's pretty dangerous, but I think he likes that part of it (plus all the big machinery).

Tori

This is 4 year-old Tori. After a lot of pondering, I decided or agreed to babysit her everyday (in the afternoons). I worried about kaleb and was hesitant to give up my free time (when he naps), but after the first day, I knew I made the right decision. Now I have someone to talk to (or someone to talk my ear off) and keep me active. She's pretty good with kaleb, except when he has a poopy diaper. She hates it and insists on leaving the room, or even house. "Gross!" She's also kinda weirded-out by the whole nursing thing. Yesterday she asked me, "How do you get it down?" I was a little confused, but then figured out she was talking about my you-know-what. I tried to explain about bras and garments, but didn't want to traumatize her more. All well. She also asked if we can do the thing we did at the fair grounds. I was like what? We never went to the fair. It took me a while, but she meant play ground. I think I'll get better at deciphering.

Little Buckaroo

So, we tried to do some "professional" pictures at home. It was difficult with him wiggling and crawling off the couch. The tooth picture is for Alisha: )

Life in Washington

So, at the request of my wonderful cousin Ashley, I'm gonna comment a little on life in washington. what can I say, it's fabulous! I really feel blessed with a nice home, good job, awesome neighbors, and a wild baby to take care of. We both got called into the YW/YM, (Me-secretary, and braydan the teacher advisor), so we're both trying to get to know the youth. It was fun last night going together to a combined activity at the park. We just haul kaleb with us.

Last weekend was braydan's company picnic in Redmond. It was fun playing volleyball and watching all the big bosses trying to play. They gave away tons of $50 gift cards to best buy, REI, barns&noble, etc...., but we didn't win a single one!!! ! No luck. All well. Braydan is averaging about 60 hrs. a week, and is working on a big project at the navy base in Everett. The nice thing is that it's only 20 min. commute. He's learning lots and loves to get dirty: grease, dirt, mud.... I don't know why i bought him new work clothes!

Braydan finished my garden boxes, and they look very nice. We just gotta order lots of dirt now. We're waiting till it cools down to plant our bulbs: garlic, tulips, etc. There's lots of projects with owning a house!! We need to paint our fence, stain the hot tub, .....

Anyway, life is good. Hope this clears up some questions, ashley : ) LOVE YOU

Funny pictures