Boys and Baking

This is what the boys were up to while mom was getting ready for church...Aren't they adorable!

So I have been craving chocolate cake all weekend, so when Tyler left to go home teaching and Isaac had fallen asleep, I saw an opportunity to have some fun with my sweet little Ashton. We went to pantry where he selected the cake mix. Then he helped put all the ingredients in the bowl. When I showed him how to use the mixer I was a little nervous about what the outcome would be...Well, he proved to be a pro...see for yourself!



He did so well that I let him pour the mixture into the cake pan...that's when it got messy so I had to get it into the oven if there was going to be anything left to bake. He wasn't too pleased so I had to remedy the situation by offering him the batter coated spatula which he ate in style! I learned that I can have fun baking with my boy, but to change out of my church clothes beforehand.

18 Months

Last night Tyler and I found some video that we had taken of Ashton a little over a year ago. He was so chubby and so cute. We watched him flail his arms about, listened to his sweet talking sounds and couldn't resist laughing when he unsteadily lost his balance while sitting on our bed falling over backwards again and again. He has grown and changed so fast that it's impossible to remember him being any different than he is now. So I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to "remember" all the cute and unique stages of my children's lives, I am going to need a little video assistance. So here is a little clip of Ashton in his element, grooving to some tunes!

Ashton at a glance:
Loves to dance to groovy tunes
Loves balls
Loves to jump in his crib
Loves his baby brother
Loves ELMO
Loves to read books and look at flash cards
Loves Bacon
Loves to take baths
Loves to joke around, calling himself mama etc.
Loves to be chased
Loves to fill up anything that can be filled from the bathtub
Loves to feed fish and ducks
Loves stickers and to color
Loves to eat moms chapstick
Knows apx 70 words
Loves skittles
Hates wearing a coat or jacket (or cloths for that matter)
Is finally learning to take a good nap
Loves to go "bye-bye" especially to the park
Overall, LOVES LIFE

Okay, so I couldn't get the video to work, but seriously, he's adorable!

3 Weeks

Isaac is 3 weeks old! He is as cute as ever (but what's not cute about a sleeping newborn!). Surprisingly I'm not feeling too overwhelmed having 2 under 2 which has made having a newborn enjoyable. I have to admit, Tyler has made a big effort to be home early most days which for sure has contributed to making this as easy as possible.

At three weeks, these are a few of the things that I love about my sweet baby Isaac:

He loves to smile! All it takes is a gentle stroke on the cheek or some baby talk.

His hearty laugh when he sleeps.

His beautiful blue eyes that love to look at me! (Ashton didn't start this so young)

His tolerance of his smoothering big brother

His little hands that are quick to grasp my finger

His strength. He holds his head up so well.

He's a great sleeper!

And my absolute favorite is that he lets me and even prefers for me to hold him for hours and hours...a trait that is lost far to quickly.

Nanas and the Boys

Aren't moms amazing! Everything is always better when mom is around. I am so grateful for the two special mothers in my life. My mother came out from Colorado to be with me when my second child was expected to arrive. Although she arrived before he did I was able to enjoy my mom for myself, playing games, watching movies, shopping, and leaving my house over to her so that I could enjoy my husband's company for one last date before the baby arrived. I didn't have to worry about cooking, cleaning, laundry, or anything~ what a special treat. And did I mention that everything tastes better, looks cleaner, feels better when she is around! How wonderful to have a mom. I hope that I can be as special to my children as she is to me!

The second mother is Tyler's mom...She too is quick to help and has the same magical effect on life. We were so lucky to have her come out to help with the baby as well and oh how nice it was. Thank you Janis, Thank you mom...life is definitely sweeter with you in it!

Two Weeks Old

I can't believe baby Isaac is 2 weeks old all ready! So far he has been such a sweet little thing! He sleeps, eats, smiles and handles Ashton's smoothering quite well! My favorite things about him are his adorable smiles and his cuddley body. We are so glad to have him and wish he would stay little longer!

Happy Halloween

Ashton's favorite pal is his monkey "Boo". He loves monkey's so much that when he wouldn't put down this monkey costume at Baby's R Us we knew we had found his costume! Well, we were expecting another little boy a week before Halloween so I decided the perfect complement would be a little banana. Here is the result for the 2008 festivities!

Delivery Day

So my mom came out to help with the new baby and arrived on my due date, October 24th. Only, when she got here, the baby wasn't! So we scheduled an induction day and went October 28th to St. Mary's Hospital to have the baby. It was exciting and I wasn't sure what to expect since I went into labor on my own with Ashton. I was started on Pitocin at 7:30 that morning...by noon I had only dialated to a 5 so the Dr. broke my water. Well, labor picked up quick after that and the contractions were getting painful. I asked for the epidural and an hour later the anesthesiologist finally came into the room without any intention of delivering the epidural. Apparently my platelets were too low and I was at high risk for paralysis if I were to get it...Well, at that point the pain was so strong and I didn't know how I was going to get through labor. As soon as the nurse and Doc left I grabbed Tyler's arm and asked him to give me a blessing inbetween the next contraction. The first words of comfort told me that I would be able to appreciate Christ's suffering for me through the events that I was about to experience. Those words are really the only words I remember but I do know that I was blessed with comfort at that time...and boy did I need it! I was howling in pain...I couldn't help but crack jokes through the pain that was quickly escalating. After three hours of labor I cried (and by this I mean screamed at the top of my lungs) for help. Before I new it the room was full of nurses, residents, and Dr. Blaskewiez. I can't thank Dr. Blask enough for his calm demeanor and firm instructions as to what I needed to do to effectively deliver my baby. I remeber seeing Tyler gown up and hearing him coach and encourage me through each push. It didn't take more than 10 minutes of excruciating pain before Tyler held our boy in his arms. There is NOTHING like holding your child for the first time. I LOVE YOU ISAAC!!! My mom arrived with Ashton an hour later and I was sooooo grateful for all she has done for me and all she did while she was here.

Announcing....

Isaac William Rust
born Tuesday, October 28th
3:58 p.m.
9 lb. 5 oz.
20 3/4 inches

His face was so bruised when he came out! Poor Mr. Blue..

Happy and relieved Momma and a tired baby

Proud Papa ready to take his boy home

Brothers

Delighted Nana