All American Boy

Constuction has BEGUN!

And it's about dang time too! This is the construction of our bathrooms/laudry room! HOORAY! it is a big space but it will give the family 2 and 1/2 bathrooms as compared to before, with just 1 and 1/2. I feel so relieved that this is happening, however, we probably wont be able to enjoy it for long because we will be moving soon! (hopefully) But at least the when all of the family comes they will have a nice place to stay.

Do we DARE start SOLIDS?

Tonight was the first time we tried rice cereal with Curtis. He did fairly well! We couldn't get the food to him fast enough. He actually kept the majority of the cereal in his mouth. He acted like "Where has this been the last 5 months?" But there is no turning back now! Hopefully this will help him sleep through the night a little better (he's still waking up 2-3 times to eat). He's getting so big!

Sorry...where have I been?

Well, the last month has been pretty crazy...nursing program applications, appartment applications, parties to go to, finding out my calling has doubled, etc. But we press on, right? Here's the update:
About 3 weeks ago, NMSU told Clifton that he's not eligible for their nursing program...when 4 months ago, they were assuring us that we were a shoe-in. With this news, I ventured out on a nursing program application spree! I litterally filled out a dozen applications for Clifton, if he had the requirements or not. Looking at all the information from all the schools, it looks like we are moving back to Thatcher. We know that he can get into their program, because he got in before we left for Silver City. But before we count all of our chickens, we have to GET IN the program! We hate having other people decide our future.
I was talking to my old volleyball coach Shari Kay, and she's so supportive of us coming back to Thatcher, that she offered me the assistant coaching job there at EAC. I would LOVE that job! Seriously, when she told me that, i thought to myself...Okay, we're moving back! But other things gotta happen before I can take that job! Yeah!
With the possibility of moving to Thatcher, we need to find a place to live! There are some BRAND-SPANKIN' new appartments behind the John Deere implement, but they are all full for at least a year. But at least we have our names on the wating list! There are other appartments near the hospital that we could get into. The lady I talked to said that she has a hard time finding people eligible to live there. So there is a possibility.... We haven't exactly looked into other options such as renting a house, or a trailor, or another place of living, but when we know we get into a program, then we'll buckle down and really start lookin'.
The next few weeks will be dedicated to building our bathroom! We are commited to Clifton's parents to have that done before we leave. But after we leave, they are thinking about moving into our place. I think that's a great idea!
The applications are in, all we have to do is wait!
Our life is in limbo...and we hate it...but we have Curtis to make things all better. He's our sunshine on every cloudy day! He's becoming more vocal and stronger everyday. He can partially sit up (not without support), and he can roll from back to tummy to his right. He loves playing with my hair, and playing peak-a-boo. I can feel that he loves us!

Curious Curtis

This is Curtis the day after sickness...one of the most stressful days of my life. At about midnight (Friday night), he threw up everything that was in his stomach, then again at about 4:30, and then 7:30, and then 11:30 a.m. I'm not just talking about little bits of spit up, this was cup fulls of milk. He was becoming dehydrated, and chapped. It's so hard to see your baby like that. Curtis was very lazy and not himself yesterday. Mommy wasn't herself either. I was awake with him at 4:30 and didn't get to bed until 11:00 p.m. Sure was a long day. But after feeding him very little every hour, (about an ounce every hour) he was gradually able to hold down his food. And I am happy to report that he hasn't thrown up and he blew out of 3 diapers this morning!

These pictures are of Curtis' normal expression. Generally he looks like this when he's looking for something, concentrating on something, or in a daze. Silly boy!

Curtis' First Swim

Last weekend we spent time at my parents condo/resort. There was a fun pool and jacuzzi to play in...so we did! Curtis seemed to like it very much. We'll definatly be going swimming in the summer!

4 Months Old...And Getting Bigger!

We went to the doctor today to have shots done. NOT FUN! I hate hearing the terror in his scream. But we gotta do it...right? We also found out that he weighs 14 lbs. 8 oz. and he is 26 inches long. So for length, he's in the 95th percentile, and 75 for weight. VERY FUN! Every time we see the doctor he tells me that I was one of the best deliveries he's done...given the circumstance (the knot in the cord, and wrapped around twice, etc.). He also comments on how tall I am every time. Silly. But things are good here...still snow on the ground and expecting more this weekend. Never thought I would live in place that kept snow on the ground for longer than an hour.

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas with the McNeill family. All of Clifton's family was here, minus one brother and his family. We had a great time watching the nieces and nephews open their presents. Our nephew Jacob loved Clifton's reaction to everything, so ever time he would open a present, he would bring it to Clifton to show it off. We had Christmas morning in our appartment so we could fit everybody. There was much joy and love felt. It was so much fun!

Angel Boy

Curtis is getting so big these days. He is three months old now and rolling from tummy to back! But the last time he rolled over, he scared himself and hasn't done it since. He loves to giggle and smile at everyone. When i talk to people on the phone, he thinks i'm talking to him and he gets excited. He's so expressive with his face, you can almost tell what he's thinking. His sleeping habits have been weird lately and i believe it's because of a growth spurt. Within the last week, his body has grown and his development has sky-rockedted. Who thought rolling over could be so fun?

Let it SNOW!!!

Sorry it's been so long since i've posted anything...our camera battery is running out. We are using the last bit of life in it. We woke up this morning to at least 8 inches of snow, and it just keeps on coming. On the map, we are between Gallup and Albuquerque. The forcast is snow for all day long. The high for today is only 33 degrees, so there is no chance for it to melt. We are also expecting snow tomorrow all day. I'm so looking forward to a white Christmas!!!

Silly Family

We took family pictures over Thanksgiving break. My mom bought all of us Polo shirts to wear and wanted to take a picture. We needed an update...cummon, 4 babies within a year!

Top: Jared, Clifton, Chris

Middle: Amanda, Janiel, Leah, Doug

Front: Hyrum, Curtis, Abigail, Mom, Audree, Dad, Olivia

Wonderful Blessing

We had a wonderful turn out at Curtis' baby blessing the day after Thanksgiving. My mother made his blessing outfit (as she does with all the grandchildren). His vest was made out of the same material as the boddess of my wedding dress. Clifton and I appreciate all of your love and support! We love all of you and hope to see you soon!

I love to see the Temple

Yesterday, Clifton and I went to the Albuquerque Temple while my mother-in-law watched Curtis for us. It's embarasing to say how long it has been since we both went to the temple, but it was a long time coming. The spirit was so strong there and I got a chance to reconnect with my covenants. It's amazing how much you can learn every time. I love this gospel and know that it's true. We plan on going at least once a month from now on. What a blessing it is to have a temple only an hour away from us!

It's beggining to look alot like...

We had our first snow last night! The other seminary teacher called us at 5:30 this morning and said to cancel seminary because of all the snow. We guess is snowed about 6 inches throughout the night and off and on until noon. The high today (if you can call it high) was 32 degrees with an overnight low of 4 degrees. Sure is different living in a place that actually gets SNOW!!!

Visitors!

Clifton's sister Evelyn and her husband Ian came by to visit this weekend. They brought their baby Julie. She's 3 months older than Curtis coming in at 5 and a half. She's so cute...she thinks that binkies are toys...that's why she's grabbing it in the picture. I love babies!!!

Our Apartment

Just thought I would share some before and after shots of our apartment. These should give you all an idea why it has taken us soooooooooo long. We had hopes of getting it done before Curtis was born, then the date moved to when he was a month old, then to Halloween, then to Thanksgiving. It's looking like we can have it all finished before thanksgiving and then we can move in after. I'm not getting my hopes up though.
The first picture is of the kitchen to the living area, the second will be Curtis' bedroom, the third is of the kitchen, and the last is a view from the living area to the kitchen. We've moved all of that STUFF out and have remodled tons...new paint, new floor, new sheetrock (in some places). It's been slow going, but we will be glad to get in there.

Blessing Date Set

For all friends and family that are going to be in Thatcher over Thanksgiving break, we have set the blessing for that Friday at Noon. It will be at the Relief Society Building next to the Chursh St. Chapel. We have planned a very short program that should be no longer than a half and hour. Everyone is invited!

Easy Chinese

Here is a funny e-mail sent to me by Whitney Walker Smith. Just thought you would all enjoy it.
> "Learn Chinese in 5 Minutes"
English: He's cleaning his automobile> Chinese: Wa Shing Ka
English: This is a tow away zone> Chinese: No Pah King
English: Is there a fugitive here?> Chinese: Hu Yu Hai Ding?
English: Small Horse> Chinese: Tai Ni Po Ni
English: Your price is too high!!!> Chinese: No Bai Nut Ding!!!
English: Did you go to the beach?> Chinese: Wai Yu So Tan?
English: I bumped into a coffee table> Chinese: Ai Bang Mai Ni
English: It's very dark in here> Chinese: Wai So Dim?
English: Has your flight been delayed?> Chinese: Hao Long Wei Ting?
English: I thought you were on a diet?> Chinese: Wai Yu Mun Ching?
English: They have arrived> Chinese: Hai Dei Kum
English: Your body odor is offensive> Chinese: Yu Stin Ki Pu
English: You know lyrics to the Macarena?> Chinese: Wai Yu Sing Dum Song?
English: I got this for free> Chinese: Ai No Pei
English: Stay out of sight> Chinese: Lei Lo

2 Month Old Curtis

Hi everyone! My name is Curtis! As you can tell, I am one of the cutest babies ever...at least that's what my Grandma's say. At my 2 month doctors appointment, I weighed in at 11 lbs. 9 oz.!!! That's 4 lbs. more than when I was born. I've also grown 3.5 inches, coming in at 23.5! I'm so strong that i've already rolled over 3 times from my tummy to my back. Just call me Hercules! One of my new favorite things to do is DROOL! My clothes seem like they are always wet, which could be bad with the tempature in the low 40's. Mommy keeps me warm though. I also love to gurggle with my spit while I play with Daddy. My Mommy and Daddy love me so much. They try and take good care of me...like taking me to church, going on walks to the video store, and changing my poopy diapers without complaining. They love me and I love them!

Happy Family

These pictures were taken about a month ago by my sister Leah. Curtis was three weeks old. Such a sweet baby boy! Enjoy!