Grandpa Messer

Guess who has been here for the past 4 days?

Grandpa Messer!  

Last Sunday my dad called asking if we had plans this weekend.  He had a plane ticket he could use to come visit!  He needed to come meet his new grandson!

 Grandpa and Joey

Grandpa has the magic touch with babies.  Hand him a fussy baby and they will fall asleep in no time!  He got Joey to fall asleep during church, while we were out to eat, etc. It was great :)

He also needed to come visit with Charlie!

Charlie was his little buddy when we were in Utah and warmed right back up to Grandpa when he got here.  He wanted to be next to grandpa at all times...

 

 Charlie woke up from his nap and joined Grandpa for his

I've enjoyed having him here so much!  It's not often you get to spend one on one time with your dad once you grow up, get married and move far away.  It has been a special time for me.

We love you!!!

Back at Square One

Yep, the running shoes are out and I have new songs on my ipod.  It's hard starting over.  I run a couple minutes and am exhausted!  It used to be fun, right?! I keep reminding myself it will be fun again.

Now that the weather is cooling off I get to take these two kiddos with me.   

I have two months to get ready for a 5k, this time with Tony! Tony has been running for a while now so I'm trying to catch up.  I don't want him leaving me in the dust!  We were looking up races together, found one in October and looked at the registration page.  Tony asked, "why pay 50 dollars to run 3 miles outside when we can do that for free?"  Good point, although I think paying the registration fee gives motivation to keep going.  We decided to map out our own 3.1 miles and use the money we would have paid to go out on a date.  I'm looking forward to it... Oct 8th is on our calendar!

Joey's Blessing Day

 

August 14, 2011

Joseph Garrett Gibson was given a name and blessing by his father.  It was a special day to celebrate Joey and our family.

Our family of four.

Little Joey

Joey wore the blessing outfit we blessed Charlie in and used the blue blanket made by my sweet Aunt Keri.

That night we had a dinner with some of our friends--the Becker, Putnam, Dicou and Hufford families.  With 11 kids and 10 adults, it was a full house!  We wish our families could have been with us as well!!! Charlie was in heaven with so many kids...

We had tons of food: a sandwich bar, chips, dips, pasta salad, jello salads and I used my birthday present to whip up some cakes.  It was a great night!

Thanks to everyone who helped make Joey's day special! 

Brothers.

Charlie--21 months.

  
 Joey--6 weeks.

We've been spending a lot of time indoors.  All of last week the temperature was in the 100's (109...sooo hot!)  This week we've had lots of rain.  So, either it's been too hot to be outside or pouring down rain.

We've had lots of time to play together and practice our sharing.  Charlie loves Joey, but it is hard to share.  You don't have much sharing when you're the only child!  He has mastered the word "mine."  Sometimes said in a fast "Mine!" or a drawn out "miiiinnnnne!!"  I had no idea everything in the house, including my stuff, belonged to him :)  He sure thinks so!

 

It's fun seeing these two together.  Pretty soon they'll be chasing each other around the house.  For now, Charlie just sits on him :) 

Saturday Morning.

Charlie helped make breakfast

and set the the table all by himself!  Can you tell...?

How cute is that?!

24.

I turned 24 on Monday.  Tony really made my day special.  We had breakfast together as a family, went out to lunch, opened presents, had a special dessert and cuddled on the couch in peace & quiet!  Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes, cards, calls and gifts.  It was a great birthday!
Since I'm 24, here are 24 things about me...
1. Favorite things about being a mom: seeing my children love me with their smiles & hugs.

 Me & Joey--July 2011

2.  Least favorite thing about being a mom: cleaning poop out of the bathtub, the guilt I feel when I lose my temper.
3. I love cake stands.

 Birthday dessert--ice cream cupcakes!

4. I love dresses.

5. I wish I could go out for lunch every day!

 Out to lunch for my birthday :)

6. I love exercising although it has taken me my whole life to say that and mean it.  Exercising is my "my time"when I can be all alone, listen to my ipod and do something just for myself.
7. I always have my toenails painted red or pink.
8. I call, text or e-mail my mom everyday.  She's one of my best friends.

 June 2011

9. I feel awkward on the phone. Texting & e-mail has ruined me. 
10. I love white tables & beds.
11. I love making lists and crossing things off.  If I don't have a to-do list written out when I wake up, I am confused & frazzled until I sit down and write one.
12. I'm the oldest of six kids.

My siblings with Charlie--Spring 2010

13. I like big families.

 Messer Family 2009--missing Joey & Laura

14. Right now my favorite ice cream is Founder's Favorite from Cold Stone: sweet cream with brownie chunks, pecans, hot fudge & caramel.  (I have left overs in the freezer from my birthday :) )  That or Ben & Jerry's chocolate fudge brownie.
15. I love houses with shutters and big front porches.
16. My favorite food would probably be Mexican.
17. I love Tony.

18. I can't swim.  I hate getting my face wet and obviously you have to get your face wet to swim...I just can't do it.
19.  Nauvoo is my favorite temple.
20. I can't sleep if my feet aren't covered.  I'm scared something will bite my toe or pull me out of bed by my feet!
21. I love having boys!  

22. I love the gospel.
23. I hate it when dishes are on the counter and not in the sink.
24. I'm looking forward to this next year!

Our First Week Alone

Joey is 5 weeks old and this last week was the first full week I have had on my own.  I'm so thankful for the help I had from my mom, mother-in-law and Tony's paternity leave.  It gave me lots of time to recover, get caught up on sleep and feel somewhat normal before being on my own.

It was a pretty good week.  I'm figuring out what works for us.  For instance, I made a night time chore list of things that need to be done before bed....

sweep

clear clutter off kitchen counters

wipe off kitchen counters

pick up toys

dishes

get bathroom/bedroom ready (diapers for Joey, diaper rash cream, wipes, extra pajamas & blanket)

wipe down high chair

take out trash, if needed

put scriptures on table--so I can read during breakfast & remember to say prayers

Waking up to these things done makes such a difference in my day! 

Charlie is getting used to having Joey around.  He likes to hold him, give kisses and help change his diaper (as in take his diaper off-- which can be scary if I'm not ready yet!)  He has a bunch of new words "dark, mine, juice, choo choo (train)", etc.  It's fun seeing him learn new things.

Joey is growing, growing, growing!  He is currently 22.5 inches and 10 lbs.  I think it's safe to say he is a great eater!  He is sleeping well and is very alert when he's awake.

I used to have a hard time falling asleep...not anymore!  My head hits the pillow and I'm out.
These boys are keeping me on my toes!