Tommy is 3 Months Old

Where does the time go!!! I swear I was just pregnant, and now I have this sweet, beautiful baby boy. Tommy is getting bigger with everyday that goes by. He is smiling more and laughing on occasion. He is a very serious kid so catching a smile makes me feel special.

Tommy has had very bad acid reflux. We tried medication, but it just didn't seem to help. So after some research and people suggesting it, I went off of dairy and caffeine to see if it would make a difference. And when I say off dairy, I mean no yogurt, cheese, milk, bread with dairy in it, things with butter on them etc. Talk about limiting my food options. But for better or for worse, it actually worked. Tommy used to fuss and cry during feedings, then for 20-30 minutes after he would moan and groan because his tummy hurt with a lot of spitting up and gas. Now he eats just fine, rarely has gas, and spits up way less than he used to. So I guess I'm off dairy until I quit breast feeding. I'm at 8 weeks and counting. I was able to find some formula that was dairy free in case I needed to supplement, but of course now he won't take a bottle. But nursing has been much easier the second time around so I think I can survive for a few more months at least.

I have wondered a lot lately if cutting these things out of my diet with Eddie would have helped. He had such bad acid reflux and was so colicky, but I didn't know at the time that it could be my diet affecting him.

Tommy sleeps really well most of the time. His normal is waking twice during the night to eat, but on occasion he seems to eat all night long. With only having 2 bedrooms we still have him in with us so he doesn't wake Eddie.

He is such a good, happy baby. He just loves to be held and cuddled. On occasion when I want to nap or really need a good nights sleep I have found that if I hold him he will sleep forever.

With Eddie I was always so excited for the next phase...rolling over, crawling, walking etc. This time around I have mixed feelings. I am excited for him to get bigger so he can play with his big brother, but at the same time I just want him to stay my baby. I'm ok with him staying in one spot, and not having any teeth yet. Hopefully I can enjoy each stage a little more this time.

Eddie is 18 Months Old

My big boy is 18 months old today. My how the time flies. He is learning so much every day. His vocabulary is now a little bigger. It consists of mom, dad, no, more, yummy yummy, go, and keys.

Eddie is obsessed with car keys, specifically key fobs. Several times now while out in public I have gone out to the parking lot to find all of the doors on the van open and the car horn going off. And taking the keys away is a guaranteed melt down that can go on forever.

He is in the "do it myself" stage. This includes going down the stairs facing forward with only one hand on the wall, and feeding himself. I basically have to bathe him after every meal. He also likes to put food on his head. No idea why, but that is his latest thing.

He has started figuring out how to get dressed and undressed. He is always putting on Dan's shoes, or taking his pants off, or trying to put a sock on.

Eddie is for sure momma's little helper. He knows how to turn the tv off, and open the door and turn the light on so we can leave. He will even bring me his coat and shoes when I say it's time to go. Although he may not speak much, he understand a lot. He will put dishes in the sink, throw things away and put dirty clothes in the hamper.

Over the last month he has also been obsessed with the knobs on the stove. This is fine when in the off position, but when I try to cook it is a battle of him either turning them up or off. And even though every time he gets a time out, and occasionally a spanking...he still does it. Apparently it is worth any punishment that I have come up with to date. He also loves to bring his train into the kitchen so he can stand on the back and reach the countertops and drawers. He pulls all the silverware out, and has pulled several cereal bowls full of milk off of the counter since I never remember to push them back far enough.

He still loves to dance and will bust a move every time a good song or commercial comes on. He now loves to play with cars and trucks, especially big ones, and will push them all over the house. And he loves to play with his baby brother. Sometimes he can get a little rough so he must be watched closely, but it is so cute to watch Tommy smile at him.

I swear Eddie is 18 months going on 3 years. Physically he is ahead of the curve, but speech wise he is taking his time. His new phase is to scream over everything. I hope he learns to use his words quickly because the screaming gets my nerves very fast.

Along with Eddie learning to fold his arms during prayer, we have started reading My First Book of Mormon every night before he goes to bed. Most nights we can keep his attention long enough to get through one of the very short stories. 

We are so excited for Christmas this year with Eddie. He is big enough now that it will be fun for him to open presents. I tried to be good and not spoil him, but I keep finding things here and there that I just HAVE to get. At least he's not old enough to know he's being spoiled!

But we love our Eddie-Monster so much. He is such a joy and a light to our family. I hope the next 6 months go a little slower as I am not ready for him to be 2 yet. I enjoy every cuddle I get because I know they are going away all too soon. Love you Eddie!!!!

Tommy's Baby Blessing

   We blessed Thomas Alan Cardall today. It was a crazy weekend getting everything ready, but it all turned out wonderful. We blessed him in the Meadowlard Ward in Sandy, Utah at 1pm. This is currently our home ward. Dan did an absolutely wonderful job with the following blessing...

"Our Father in Heaven, by the authority of the Melkezadik Priesthood we take this infant in our arms to give him a name and a blessing. Thomas Alan Cardall, at this time we bless you to be well and grow strong. We bless you with a healthy mind and body. We bless you that as you mature and grow that you will rely on your Heavenly Father to guide your life. We bless you to continue to be a wonderful joy to your family, that you will listen to your family and Heavenly Father that you may do right, live a good life, serve a mission and marry in the temple. These things we bless you with in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. "

Those who stood in the circle:
            Dan Cardall, Alan Cardall, Joe Cardall, Mike Cardall, Cade Harris, Chad Condie, Dave Summers, Mike Mergenthaler, Cole Mergenthaler and Ryan Walton.

Those in attendance:
Alan & Nancy Cardall, Joe & Tiffany Cardall & Family, Mike & Kelli Cardall and Family, Cade & Shelly Harris & Family, Jenny Speth & Family, Chad & Ashley Condie & Family, Dave & Julie Summers, Jordan & Hannah Farrer, Mike & Shannon Mergenthaler, Cole & Shannon Mergenthaler, Whitney Gardner, Cory, Stephanie & Mackennon Tueller, and Ryan & Jeni Walton & Family.

After the blessing everyone met over at Jessop's Gym, which is a place close to our house used for parties and events. We had a potato bar and chatted with everyone before people had to start taking off to go home.

My parents and brother Cole and his wife had come down to spend the weekend with us which was so much fun. So unfortunately they had to take off almost as soon as sacrament was over to begin the long drive back to Montana. 

          

Merry Christmas!

Pictures with Santa

Yesterday we had pictures with Santa and it was quite the experience.The pictures came out wonderful, but it was an ordeal to get there and get them done. I had decided to wait to change Tommy into his outfit until we were there, and then I forgot his outfit on the kitchen counter.

The people running the shoot felt sorry for me so they delayed our photo shoot while I went to a Carter's to try to re-buy the same outfit. Did I mention we were doing pictures 40 minutes away from home so running back to get it wasn't an option.

So I get to Carter's and they have the same outfit but 2 sizes too big. So I opted for another outfit, but nothing they had was his size. It was all either too big or too small. I guess they really got cleaned out over Thanksgiving weekend. I ended up going with this darling thermal outfit that unfortunately I just couldn't pour his little fat rolls into. So you can see the gaps between the buttons if you look close, but it's still cute!

As we finally get back to do the pictures, Eddie decides to have diarrhea, and we go through 2 diapers in about 5 minutes. We managed to stink up their bathroom really bad, and he got some on his pants, but by that point I really didn't care.

Looking at these darling pictures you would never notice that Eddie has poop on his pants, and Tommy's outfit is about a size too small. Oh the things we go through to preserve these great memories!

*Santa is actually Dan. They dress you up so the kids aren't scared of you. Which, by the way Eddie was crying in the end you would have thought he was terrified. But he was really just tired of pictures.

**Tommy had his first true laugh on Tuesday. Dan was bathing him and he let out a couple of the cutest laughs. Dan hollered at me in time for me to hear one. I tried to get it on video but of course as soon as the camera came out he was done. I can't wait until it becomes a regular occurrence. 

Who Doesn't Love Baby Smiles

Tommy has finally decided it was time to start sharing his sweet smile with the world. Okay, maybe not the world quite yet, but his Dad for sure. That's right, Tommy only smiles for his Dad and it is the sweetest thing to see. I was lucky enough to catch a few photos of him.

We just celebrated Tommy's first Thanksgiving. We spent it with the Cardall family at the pool house. Poor Eddie had been so sick all week and fell asleep on the drive up there. Then he took a 3 hour nap while we were there. I have been off dairy for the last month to help with Tommy's acid reflux, so Dan was the only one who got to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. 

And here are my beautiful boys all ready for church. Pretty cute huh?!

My First Race

I ran my first race this morning, on Thanksgiving. It was the Fleet Feet Turkey Trot 5K in American Fork. I have only been running for 2 weeks now so it was a tough run, being the farthest I have run yet. Dan's cousins Zac, Liz, Hanna & Jordan, Jake & Stacy ran it as well. It was so much fun.

It took me 32.50 minutes
28 of 59 (25-29 years)
417 of 798 overall