Love Love Love My Boys!.. LOVE THEM!

We've been here in Milwaukee for almost 2 months now and are starting to feel pretty settled in. We are really loving our little apartment and feel so blessed to have all the furnishings we need and then some. Jordan is doing well in school and really likes the change in scenery from BYU-Idaho. There are definitely things we miss about Idaho, namely our dear friends and family out there, and I really miss the sunsets. Here in Milwaukee there is so much more to do, and we really enjoy the diversity of the city.

We survived the crazy blizzard a few weeks ago and enjoyed Jordan's snow day off of school; all of us cooped up in the house just hanging out for the day.

Axel is getting so big! Yes, he looks (and is..) pretty chunky, but the boy is SOLID! We finally got our insurance figured out and I was able to get him into a long over-due Doctor's appointment today. I LOVE our new clinic. Everyone is really nice, and I don't mean to brag (but I'm going to..) they all LOVED Axel! He charms the pants of women with those gorgeous baby blues of his. He is 26 inches long and weighs 20lbs! His new doctor is really nice and answered all of my pending questions, and after a thorough examination he exclaimed (no, he didn't exclaim..) that Axel is a big strong healthy boy...who is overdue for his shots! The one thing I didn't like so much about this new place is that the nurse took her sweet old time administering the shots into my babies legs. The first time he got his shots it was over in a few seconds, but this lady made it last over a minute! Axel cried, of course but quickly calmed down and showed his Mama what a big brave boy he is! After we left the Doctor, it was almost time for Jordan's shift to end at Noodles. So Axel and I had a little lunch date there and waited for Daddy. He is so cute sitting in high chairs. He loves feeling all grown up!




Yesterday was Valentines day and we really didn't have anything planned. I just wanted to go out to eat somewhere in the city and try something new. That's one thing about being here and being so busy.. there are soooo many awesome restaurants I want to try, but we never have time. Most evenings when Jordan eventually gets home I am ready to fall asleep. Anyways, so I didn't see him all day on Valentines Day, and when he did get home Axel and I presented him with his present that took me like 2 weeks to finish! I made him a big subway art collage with all my favorite memories we've had since we started dating. It turned out pretty cool!

My gift from Jordan was the sweetest, cutest, funniest little poem. It made me laugh, and cry and I'm going to frame it. He kept it in first draft form, so it still has all his little changes and scribbles and to me, that makes it even more special. I would share it, but sometimes Jordan's humor can be a little too much for people.. so I'll keep it to myself haha..

For dinner, we went to this little a la cart Persian restaurant close to our place, called Shiraz. It was soooo good! I really loved that Jordan chose this place because when we met, he had a very simple palate, and now he's really getting into more eastern foods and different tastes.. which is great for me! We can branch out from the usual meat and potatoes meals and try new and interesting things!


I don't remember what I said to him to make him smile in this photo, but I LOVE when he makes that face. Melts my little heart, it does!

Oh yes, and I am now a brunette! It went a little more red than I wanted, but I'll deal with it. Blonde hair is great, and I loved being blonde.. but for now it is just too much maintenance and I needed a change. So for now, I'm back to my roots.. or pretty close to them.


Lately Axel has become SO VOCAL! It's hilarious most times, but in the middle of the night when he decides he wants to shout and play... errrmm.. not so hilarious. I love that he is trying to communicate with us though! He really comes alive around his daddy. He loves his momma, but he worships Jordan! He will just stare and stare and he'll squeal when Jordan comes home at night. It's so touching to watch the love between them! Axel is such a determined little guy. He's on his way to crawling, and is sitting up on his own. We've had a few topples, but he's usually on to the next thing before he can even get too scared.

Axel vs. Mango's

Last night, I decided to give it a go on the road to solid foods. Here's what happened...


Hmm.. This is different..


Let's try this again...





...He likes it!


This is fun!


I think I'm getting the hang of this!


All gone!


What?! All gone??


Who doesn't like to lick the spoon?


Mango's are yummy!!!!

Jamie's Baby Shower

Yesterday I had the honor of throwing a baby shower for one of my best friends ever, Jamie Orr! She is almost 38 weeks pregnant with her second child, a baby boy who she will name Benny. We are so excited to meet him any day now!

When I was pregnant with Axel, Jamie went all out and gave me lots of cute baby items. As if that wasn't enough, she then threw me a baby shower (with my Mom) and showered me with attention, and even more baby items! I am one lucky girl to have such a generous and thoughtful best friend. I love you Jamie! Right before we left Rexburg, I decided to return the love and throw Jamie a shower for baby B! After scouring the web in search of some inspiration, I decided on a circus/carnival theme! I have to say, the invitations were one of my favorite things..



The morning of the shower was a near disaster as Jordan and I didn't leave Milwaukee until about an hour before the shower was to begin, and our gps said it would take us 2 hours to get to Oshkosh (where the shower was held, at Jamie's home). I was freaking out in a big way. Then, as we were hitting the freeway, Jordan hesitantly said that he had forgotten to take the main part of the meal out of our freezer! WE WERE WITHOUT FOOD! All I had with us was junk food. This wasn't going to be the perfect shower I had so happily planned, without the main food! So... I cried. I cried really hard. Jordan felt terrible and rubbed my back and told me it would be okay so I stopped crying. Then I started again... even harder than the first time. This lasted about a half hour. I calmed down, dabbed my eyes, and reminded myself that Beverly Hills Real Housewife Lisa, would never behave in such a way, and decided to woman up and solve the problem. Jamie's mother in law could make a stop on her way to the shower and pick up what we needed.

Everything turned out! The display looked great, and my cake was a hit! (This was my first fondant cake, and I was pretty nervous to serve it in honor of my friend who is a pro at making them..) The theme carried out well, and Jordan was such a big help! We all had a wonderful time!



For the food I tried to copy as many carnival/circus foods as I could, without it having a cheap feel. The table was covered in bazooka bubble gum, cotton candy in mini muffin cups, popcorn, apples dipped in caramel, mini corn dogs, pretzels, potato salad with blue cheese and bacon (only we forgot to take it out of the fridge at Jamie's haha..) and moon pies!

All Moved In! ...mostly.

Finally, I feel like we are at home. We've been in our new apartment for about a week and a half now and as we continue to add our personal touches and decorative items it is really starting to feel like our place. Axel really seems to love it here, which is always a good feeling for me.

When we got here we had nothing as far as furnishings go, but in the last week we've somehow stumbled upon some INCREDIBLE deals. We have been seriously blessed in finding really nice furnishings for our place for prices that you would never expect! We are really happy with the way our living room has turned out, and we filled it up for about 75% less than it should have cost! We are very lucky!

Here are some photo's of our new place (minus the bedrooms as we do not have a dresser yet so our clothes are EVERYWHERE!)

The entrance to our apartment comes into the kitchen..




From the kitchen, there is a door to Axel's room, a door to the bathroom, and you can walk into the living room..



I LOVE our bathroom! It's pretty lacking on cabinet space, but I love the colors and the whole ambiance of the room. There is a door in the bathroom that also goes into the master bedroom (but like I said, you don't get to see that room yet..)

Our living room is a great size for the three of us, and fits our furniture perfectly. I've never really looked at red couches, but we got a fabulous deal on these, and I think they look nice in this room. We've also had our eye on cowhide rugs for quite awhile. We were thinking of saving up for one to buy in Jackson Hole, WY but they were still pretty expensive. While we were at IKEA we found one that was used as the display rug, so it was REALLY inexpensive! Yay for us! We live in what seems to be a pretty progressive neighborhood though, so I don't know if we'll be able to invite our neighbors over without them thinking we are animal haters haha. We're not!



So there you have it for now.. once we get the rest of the place in better shape, I'll post more pics :)

Lately Axel has been astounding us with his developments and growth! He is getting so strong and determined to do his own thing! Nothing gets past this little guy! He's still trying to get those teeth through his sore little gums, but he has been a trooper through this painful teething phase, and it looks like a couple of them should be poking through any day now.

He loves to try to sit up on his own. If he is leaning on one of us he will do anything he can to try to sit up! He's almost got it down on his own, but needs a little bit more balance before we let him do it without close watch. He is also well on his way to crawling! He loves being on his tummy and if he could only get his arms moving with his legs.. he'd be moving all over the place! Right now he has the concept of pushing his legs to get him going, but he doesn't really know what to do with his arms yet, so he can't quite get where he wants to go. He's almost there!
I feel so blessed to have a flexible job that allows me to be home with Axel so much! It is so much fun watching him grow and make connections. He is such a sweet boy with so much energy! He LOVES to talk. It's so funny to listen to him just jabber away to Jordan and I.




I have a few more photos I want to post, but something is up with my browser and it's not letting me click on the link to upload, so I'll post more later.

Anyways, it's great to have a "home" and start getting to know our new city!

Oy...

Wow, what a crazy month December has been for us! My goodness, I don't even know where to begin! I am currently sitting on the computer at my in-laws home in Randolph Wisconsin. Today, Axel had his baby blessing FINALLY! I wish I had a picture to post, but Grandma Stanley has all of those so I will post later. The wait was definitely worth it! Jordan gave the most beautiful blessing and we were so lucky to have such dear friends participate in it! It was wonderful to have my entire immediate family in attendance (minus my brother PJ who was feeling sick), and our dear friends, The Birkrems who drove all the way from Deerfield just to attend, and then quickly get to the airport to drop Bryana off. Thanks you guys!

The last 2 weeks have been such a blur as we've been trying to get around to all of our loved ones so we can visit them, and they can visit with Axel. He has been the main show at everyone's home and I think he thinks he's a celebrity. He is such a little charmer! He is still gabbing away and flashing his gorgeous smile at everyone who gives him a long enough stare. Especially girls, he loooooves the ladies!

We are almost all moved in to our new home in Milwaukee. It's actually weird being in a big city again, and it will take some time to get used to it. As much as I hate to say that it is true! I have missed diversity and culture so much, being in tiny little Mormon-filled Rexburg, but we live right between "the hood" and the eclectic homes surrounding UWM's campus, so I guess will adjust quickly. Our apartment is modest and cute, and was just remodeled! It has a gorgeous bathroom and brand new kitchen! The bedrooms are on the smaller side, so I guess I'll have to wait on that king-sized bed I've been lusting after.

We sold all of our furniture before we left Rexburg (the cost of a moving truck was ridiculous) so we are on the hunt for a couch, a bed, and all the little extra's. The couch and the bed are the main priorities though. Hopefully we will find those soon!

Jordan is on the hunt for a job that he can start soon, and I am begging him to take the job with DELTA that he interviewed for! I should probably be more sensitive as to whether or not he would even enjoy the job, but hello... isn't pretty much anything worth FLIGHT PERKS?!? Hello! Germany for under $100.00? YES PLEASE!!

At the end of January I have to attend the annual sales meeting for Image, down in West Palm Beach Florida, and as Axel is still pretty young, he gets to come with... and so does Jordan! I am so excited! Image covers everything except for Jordan's flight, so we got really lucky there. I will be in meetings all day, but we will have the evenings to hang out and Axel and Daddy can go have adventures on the beach! By the end of his 5th month, Axel will have seen the Atlantic and Pacific oceans! Not that he will have any recollection of any of these little vacations, but I didn't see the ocean until I was 15! So I am excited for Axel!

Anyways, that is basically the short version of what we've been up to and once we get all settled I will update with photos and more news!

Happy New Year dear friends! Thank you for being a part of our lives. I am so grateful for your friendships, love, and support!

Hmmm.. How can I put off packing? I know! I'll update my blog!

There's a great excuse huh? I thought so too! Well, we have less than a week left here in good ol' Rexburg and I can't exactly say I've been counting down the days! Warning! This post will feature some venting. Leave now if you don't want to hear it!

Aside from the agonizing chore of packing, I have been feeling a lot of pressure from people over the past month. It's as if everything I do offends someone in some way and it is exhausting. Those who I thought knew me well have begun to assume outrageously and it is just insulting. The other night I was so wound up my head hurt, my neck hurt, my shoulders hurt.. I almost felt like I was going to be sick. It's hard to blow things off and give people the benefit of the doubt before you start to feel like a door mat, or worry that you are going to scream at them the next time you see them. Okay, my rant is finished. Thank you for your patience :)

Anyway, Axel continues to grow and amaze us! He is about 3 months and 2 weeks old now and his developments are so far pretty by-the-book. He loves to stand (not on his own of course) and sit up. We are working on his balance while sitting but he's not quite ready to do it on his own yet. He loves bath time more than anything (except his Mommy of course)! For awhile we were taking baths together because he outgrew his baby bath, and I LOVED taking baths with him, but it became a bit time consuming drying both of us off and getting both of us dressed every time. Now, I fill up the bath about 3 inches and he lays on his back and splashes away! He is also old enough to "play" with all his little baby toys. This has been really fun for me to watch. He'll sit in my lap and I will hold a toy up for him, or shake it or do whatever with it that it is supposed to do and Axel will bat at the toy and try to grip it, and as of today try to put it in his mouth! Yes, the everything-in-the-mouth phase has begun!




CAPTAIN DROOLY PANTS!

Thanksgiving, Fingers & Toes

Wow. What a fantastic Thanksgiving break we had! I think this one was extra special because the three of us had so much time to hang out together! As I've mentioned before, Jordan stays pretty busy with school, so having him all to ourselves for an entire week was quite a treat for Axel and I!

Our holiday vacation started with a drive to Boise. When we first arrived, we went to see our dear friend Sarah Nokleby sing in "Hymns of Thanksgiving". About 10 minutes into the program, Axel must have decided he wanted to be involved too because he started screaming at the top of his lungs and we had to leave.



We spent the next couple of days visiting friends from Jordans mission and running errands. I also had to teach two classes at one of the beauty schools in Boise while we were there, so that took up pretty much an entire day for us. On Wednesday morning we woke up early, piled into the van (yes, in case you didn't know.. we drive a minivan.. and I LOVE it... never say never folks..).. and headed to San Francisco! Last year Jordan and I went to San Fran for Thanksgiving and we wanted to do it again this year since we most likely wont be able to go there as easy when we're living in Wisconsin. The drive took up the rest of the day, but we had a nice time just being together. Axel did so well in the car! He really amazes me every day! He seems to be over his fussiness and is like a normal baby now! He only cries when he needs something or is tired. It makes my life so much easier, and his too! When we arrived in San Francisco we checked into our hotel, and to stretch our legs from the ride decided to walk around downtown. Axel got a lot of attention, and I loved every bit of it! There are so many babies here in Rexburg it's never really a big deal to anyone, but the people of San Francisco seemed very excited to see one and we were happy to show him off!

The next day was Thanksgiving! We tried to keep the same tradition as our holiday last year. Our first stop was Safeway, where we bought gourmet deli salads, sandwiches, drinks and other snacks for our Thanksgiving Picnic Feast :) Then we drove to Big Basin in the Redwood Forest where we walked around and enjoyed the beautiful scenery! All the tall trees, with their beautiful colors were absolutely breathtaking! I wish we lived closer and could enjoy it more often! I guess that makes visiting so much more special though.






After the redwoods we drove to Santa Cruz where we had our picnic. We sat in the same lovely spot as last year, and we weren't the only ones trying to make this a tradition. We recognized a few other people from last year who had their same spots as well. It was kinda cool. As we sat and ate, I had an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude for my sweet little family and the happiness that they bring to my life. I'm actually tearing up as I write this. Sometimes I just cannot believe how fortunate I am to have such wonderful people in my life. After all the different experiences I've had, and the good and bad choices I've made, I feel so grateful to be where I am today. I never imagined I could be so happy.



When we finished eating we walked along the beach and climbed over the rocks and such. Jordan had to hold Axel because last time I got really freaked out that I was going to fall in. Jordan does a great impression of that haha.. Axel seemed really calm down by the water. He probably liked the splashing sound of the waves (splashing is one of his favorite things to do! As soon as he gets in the bath he kicks and and slaps the water and gets a huge smile on his face when he makes a loud SPLASH!).





On our way home we stopped at Starbucks to get our new obsession, "Caramel Apple Spice". We discovered it in Boise and have become addicted.. (Jordan is more addicted than I am, but I wont say no when he wants to stop for one). We ended up getting one every day we were in San Francisco! It is delicious. If you haven't tried it, you must.

The next day was BLACK FRIDAY! This was my first time actually shopping on black friday! I know, where have I been right? We had fun, and the crowds weren't too bad, but I probably wouldn't do it again very early in the morning because I don't deal well with big crowds like that. I get very impatient and moody haha. Those of you who know me well can imagine my temperament. I have a hard time holding my comments under my breath when people are rude, and we all know I don't hide my emotions well at all. However, it was fun! GAP was having an amazing sale where everything in the store was 50% off before 10am, so I bought a pair of jeans I've been lusting after and waited in line 30 minutes to get them at an amazing price. I was worn out quick, but thankfully Axel slept pretty much the entire time! Later that day we went and took pictures by the Golden Gate Bridge. It is so beautiful! Axel wasn't too happy most of the time though. He rewarded me with a blow-out poo diaper that I got on my shirt! Oh well, I figured I could just lie and say it was mustard if anyone asked :)




That night we went to Fishermans Wharf. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the place because of how touristy it is but we had a nice time. We were pretty hungry by then, but trying to hold off for dinner, so Jordan got us some fried calamari. I liked the normal parts of it, but this portion had these nasty little octopus-like things and I wouldn't touch it. If someone can explain to me how Jordan and gulp those things down, but wont go near curry or thai food, I would appreciate it because I don't get it at all! As we walked around, Jordan entertained me by speaking in his horrible English accent to all the other people there. Oh, and I don't have a snaggletooth like the picture shows.




On our way back to the hotel for a rest we got a call from Jordans brother Shawn. He told us that he and his wife Traci are having a baby BOY! It was such exciting news and we are so happy and excited for them! Axel is thrilled to have a future cousin to do fun and naughty boy stuff with.

The next morning we woke up a little later than planned and headed to the farmers market. Unfortunately it was raining and pretty cold, and Axel wasn't too excited about it so we couldn't enjoy it as much as we would have liked. The environment was pretty though, even in the rain.




After the farmers market it was time to head back to Idaho. We stopped at starbucks of course to get our Caramel Apple Spice and left the city. We didn't get too far though before we heard that the hwy by Tahoe was closed because of snow.. if we would have waited it out we wouldn't have gotten home until 5am the next day. NO THANKS! So, we turned around and went back to San Francisco for one more night! We ended up getting a pretty sweet hotel room that over looked union square! It was really fun and Axel was King of the Castle in his big fancy bed.. (too bad he barely slept that night..)




Axel was such a good boy on the way home! He slept most of the day, and even that night! He is growing up so fast! He had a check-up today and he is in the 95th percentile! Last time he was in the 50th! He weights 14lbs and is 23 inches long. He has discovered his hands now and is always playing with his fingers and sucking on his fist. I'm not entirely sure, but I think he might be getting 2 bottom teeth! Yes, I know it's early, but it looks like there's little buds of something in there. Maybe not though. We'll see I suppose. He is a big talker and very dramatic! (Like his parents haha). He is so strong willed for a little baby! I'm not trying to give him more credit than is due.. I know he's only 3 months old, and I don't want to sound like I think he's a baby genius or something, but he just has such a strong personality! He smiles pretty much anytime you look at him, which completely melts my heart all day! I don't know what I would do without him.

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to take such a lovely vacation with my dear family. We have been so blessed! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!