I can't believe how fast he's growing! He'll be six months old on the 14th of this month! He has been sitting up by himself for a week or two and he's learning to hold his bottle and stick out his tongue (I think that part has something to do with that tooth he's got on his bottom gums). It is amazing to me how he learns all these new things. I can't really teach him to hold things or sit up or eat from a spoon, but somehow he just seems to catch on. If babies aren't a testimony that God lives I don't know what is.

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Matthew 18:5

A first time for everything!

During the past few weeks Calen has had a number of "firsts." I just had to post some of them!

First time eating solids (Organic brown rice), he did very well.

First time going down the slide. This one was actually pretty tall and twisted. It surprised him but he seemed to enjoy it. First time going swimming! Other than in the bath tub of course. We got him cute baby swim trunks (to wear over the little swimmer diaper :) but you can't really see them in the picture. We didn't know how he'd react to the water at first but he didn't cry at all, in fact after he'd had some time to get used to it he seemed right at home. Of course dad and mom got to be his coaches. After trying so many new things he needed a nap and didn't want to be bothered. We love our brave little guy.

Chase and I were finally able to make a trip to Tucson to visit my grandma and grandpa Morgan here is a picture of us just before we left our house. Here is one of Calen "riding" grandpa's tiger. They have had this tiger for as long as I can remember. Calen liked to chew on the ears. (Sorry grandma!). And lets not forget the breadmaker grandma gave us. She has a new one and let Chase and I take this one home with us since she doesn't use it anymore. This was Chase's first attempt at bread in our new breadmaker and it was wonderful! We look foreward to trying out the cheesecake recipe that came with it! Also, a few weeks ago Calen's grandma and grandpa Wilkins were able to come to Thatcher for a visit. They love to love on their little grandbaby. And of course they had to spoil him while they were here. Now he likes his tummy time even more with all the cool new things to play with! In other news, the Clinic I (Heather) have been working at will be closing at the end of this Month. I have mixed feelings about it. I'm glad I'll be getting a break and I'll be able to spend more time with Calen (even though it was only about four or five hours four or five nights a week). But at the same time, it was a good experience for me and I felt as though I've learned a lot in the short time I've been able to work there. I am, however, excited to see what Heavenly Father has in store for our family next.

Three Months

I love being a mommy!

What joy this little boy brings into our life. I love watching him learn and seeing him smile.

E.B. Browning said...

"God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame."

Calen is truly a gift from God. I am amazed more and more as I come to realize that Calen is truly a child of our Father in Heaven, and that He would trust Chase and I with such a sweet spirit. These past three months have not been easy, but I wouldn't trade them for the world. Anyone who says all babies do is eat, sleep, and poop must not have spent much time around a baby lately. They also smile and burp, make funny faces and silly noises, they make you laugh and cry, and they are constantly teaching mom and dad a lesson. Here are some of the lessons we have learned so far...

1. Never take sleep for granted (... for the rest of my life I will wake up grateful that I slept the night before)

2. I owe more to my own mother than I could ever give back (but oh, how I ought to try)

3. Always bring a change of clothes (for baby and you!)

4. The more you try the more frustrated you'll be, the more you love the less frustrating it will seem and (miraculously, I believe) the more capable I become when it comes to handling difficult situations. (I'm constantly being taught this, one day I'll have it down completely)

5. There is a reason God designed families the way he did, I'm so grateful to have a husband to share this beautiful experience of parenthood with.

6. Asking for help does not make me a bad mother.

7. Family, isn't it about time?

Okay there are only a few of the many lessons I've been learning as a new mommy.

Week old Calen

Here are more pictures of our little Calen Mckay. We're still not sure what color to call his hair. I'm saying brown with some red and/or blond. It's different in different light. Right now we are working on scooting and smiling. His sleeping schedule is a work in progress. He's been doing pretty well the last couple nights but Chase and I still loose quite a bit of sleep. He had his first doctors apointment today and everything looks good. We love having him as part of our family.

Calens first day at church.

Blessings.

Since I last posted it seems like I've got a totally different life, like I'm some other person taking over this blog. First, Chase and I moved into our new apartment. We love it here! It's a two bedroom one bath, simple, but much better than we are used to. We were very blessed to be able to move here.

Secondly, we've had our baby! Saturday afternoon I began having contractions and by the time Chase got home from work at four I was ready to go to the hospital. To our discouragement, after being at the hospital for two hours we were sent home because although I was feeling painful, regular, strong contractions and I was 90% effaced, I wasn't dilating fast enough to be in active labor. So we went home, had dinner (frito pie) and I decided to take a bath. By the time I got out my contractions were to painful to talk through and they were even stronger and closer together. So we went back, this time for good. We were admitted to the hospital around 11:30, began active labor around midnight and started pushing around 5:30 a.m. Once I had my epidural I didn't feel a thing. When the doctor told me it was time to start pushing I was shocked. I thought I'd be feeling some pain. I wasn't even sure I was pushing at all. Calen Mckay Wilkins was born at 6:13 a.m. Nov 14th. He was 7lbs 12oz, 18 1/2 in.

This was me holding him just after they got him cleaned up

Here's the proud papa after staying up all night with baby Calen

Our third blessing deserves an explaination. Chase and I have been having a lot of car troubles. Our entire married life thus far we've been blessed to have a little ford ranger truck that just fit the two of us. The past few months it has been giving us diffiulties however, one thing after another has been going wrong with it and everything we tried to do to fix it just seemed to make matters worse. So here we are a month before our baby comes and we've been getting around in whatever vehicle our friends or loved ones have been so generous to let us borrow for the time. We had spent more than we had planned for trying to fix the truck and therefore had nothing left to go towards another vehicle. In all reality we didn't know if or when we'd be able to work out our car situation. We were just very grateful for those who were willing to help. Well, Calens birthday rolls around and there we are surrounded by our family in the hospital enjoying our beautiful new son. When Chase turns to me and starts telling me about this car that someone had offered to him. He was asking me how much I thought we could afford. He was even showing me pictures on our camera of this car. (I have to admit here that I was sort of frustrated that he would try to talk about our car situation with me while I was enjoying my new little boy and we were surrounded by family). But I realized finally that he was trying to tell me that we were the recipients of a very special blessing. That this vehicle was ours. Once I realized what he was saying all I could do was cry. We have been truly blessed and I don't feel I could ever express enough gratitude for all that Heavenly Father so mercifully gives us.

As the blessings continue to come I can only pray that I can somehow learn to show as much of Heavenly Fathers love to others as they have shown to me. I'm so thankful for this time of year that reminds us to show our gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving! And may each of us find a way to bless the life of another.

Only one more month to go!

And I thought we were crazy when we got married! Chase and I are moving again, only this time it will be two weeks before our due date. Our move in day is Nov. 1st and we're due on the 18th. We've been wanting to get into these apartments and they finally had an opening for us. It's really a very good thing except that I was just starting my "nesting" process and now we'll just have to pack everything. It's a blessing though, and we are excited.

As for being 36 weeks, I've started to have a hard time breathing. Especially when I try to eat an entire meal all at once. I feel like I've gained ten pounds over night, and I can't sleep. And it is all so exciting! I just keep telling myself, the harder it gets the closer we are to finally getting to see him. Of course that excitement has only increased since all our friends who were expecting have had theirs by now. And congratulations to all of you!

Of course we're excited but I have to say I am glad that we still have a few weeks. I do not feel quite ready yet. Chase tried to help me do some breathing exercises the other day and I couldn't do it! (I was laughing to hard to breath right) I'm when the time comes he will be the best coach I could ask for.

We had a baby shower in Round Valley a few weeks ago and my mom and sister (Ambria) surprised me with a beautiful Winnie the Pooh toy box they had made. Mom made the wooden box (she actually drempt it, woke up and designed/made it all the next day) and Ambria painted the adorable Pooh bear scene free hand just by looking at pictures from books.

This is the front

Each side

and this is what it looks like on the inside when you open the lid. Right now it is full of baby blankets, I didn't want to fill it with heavy things during the move.