Thursday, January 30, 2014

christmas 2013: part 1

We are so lucky when it comes to Christmas. Mike's family has a long-standing tradition of spending Christmas break in Hawaii. As a result, they celebrate Christmas before leaving. So... we enjoy Christmas with the Weekes and a week stay in Hawaii before venturing back to the mainland to spend Christmas and New Years with my family in California. I feel very fortunate and lucky to share the holiday with both our families! We get the best of both worlds. Even though Paxton had already been to Florida and California, I was still worried about the trip to Hawaii with him (he was 2 1/2 months at the time). But once again, he proved I had nothing to worry about! He traveled great on the way there and back. He slept most of the time and the rest of the time was perfectly content and happy. We lucked out (again) with being able to take his car seat on. We didn't have it when flying to California for Thanksgiving and it was fine, but for the long flight it was definitely a wonderful and welcomed commodity. We always enjoy our time in Hawaii and while this trip was definitely different then years past with a baby in tow, it was just as wonderful. Our favorite thing was just being able to be outside! It was great for Paxton's soul to soak in the warm ocean breeze! Another highlight of the trip - Paxton started (somewhat) sleeping through the night! When we first got there he went to bed around 9 and woke up between 1 - 2 for a bottle. By the end of the trip, he was making it all the way to 5 without one! By the time we got back to Utah (after 10 days in California) the little man was done with his middle of the night bottle. He just keeps impressing us with one thing after another! I'll write more in his monthly update posts, but this little guy makes our life WAY too easy. We're already counting down the days until next year's trip to Hawaii for the sand, sun, and the best food in the world.

^ Mike is the best dad. He loves his son so much and it brings me more happiness than I can explain to see them together. Mike was stretching his legs before we departed and sat in the empty exit row seat and insisted on taking his little friend with him. ^

^ The MOST beautiful sunset I've ever seen! I wish it showed up better in the picture. ^ 

^ The view from our room. AMAZING! ^

 ^ nothing better than napping on the beach... ^

^ or napping naked (notice his favorite way to sleep) ^

^ he will nap anywhere! ^



 ^ Paxton loves his aunt Mckenzie! They are our roommates when on vacation and we wouldn't have it any other way! ^

^ The Grand Wailea is one of the most incredible places I have ever been. Everything about it is beautiful. ^




^ He discovered his fingers - his favorite snack! ^

^ the way he looks at me melts my heart ^

^ Paxton's cousin Gwen is the best cousin ever! She always asks me "Can I feed him? Can I babysit him? Does he like this toy?" She was even nice enough to share her balloon with him - by clipping it onto his pacifier :) ^


^ the entrance to the grand wailea - christmas! ^

thanksgiving 2013


^ i have the best family ^

Just a few short weeks after getting back from Florida, we were off again! This time in the opposite direction - California! Paxton traveled coast to coast by 1 1/2 months old. He is a champ! We were planning on staying in Utah but at the last minute couldn't pass up the chance to go home. My cousin Walker had also just gotten home from his mission so we wanted to see him. Call us crazy, but we flew out on Thanksgiving morning (like I said - it was last minute!) and had another great trip. Paxton is the best flier. Every time we get on a plane (and we've been on a few with him now) someone around us makes a comment about the baby and occasionally jokes about him crying during the trip. Little do they know he usually makes less noise then them! (up until recently anyway - now he likes to chat and laugh when he's awake) I was so happy to be home but was definitely missing my brother Chad, who is serving an LDS mission in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Thanksgiving was the first holiday we've had without him. The trip was the first time my dad and brother Steele got to meet Paxton and they were smitten (along with the rest of my family.) He smiles at EVERYONE! He won everyone over instantly - just like he did us!

^ Paxton wasn't too into the flash on the camera ^




florida: november 2013

The day Paxton turned one month old we jumped on a plane and headed to Florida. I was extremely hesitant at first. Mike was going for work, along with his parents, and they suggested Paxton and I tag along. I was still adjusting to everything and getting on a long plane ride and taking my baby to a new place wasn't super appealing at first. BUT, in the end we ended up being brave and going and I'm glad we did.

The plane ride was great! I don't know what we did but we lucked out with getting a great little traveler. He couldn't have been better. He didn't make a single noise during the long flights. We were fortunate enough to be able to take his car seat on all four legs of the trip (there and back) because of empty seats and it made such a difference. He sleeps like a baby in it :) Honestly, the hardest part of the entire trip was figuring out my pumping schedule! [he never quite figured out how to latch on so I exclusively pump] 

^Paxton was so interested in the windows. And yes, we had to represent BYU all the way in Florida^

It was right around the time Utah was getting cold so it was so nice to be in the warm weather! We went on walks and got to enjoy not being bundled up. We ate (waaay too much) yummy food, played in the sand, water skied, fished, saw manatees, played with sharks at the Tampa Bay Aquarium, explored Longboat Keys, and enjoyed a week together in paradise. 

 ^ Paxton's first time to the beach ^

^ Sleeping while dad water skied on the river ^

^ Enjoying no pants weather! ^

^ Helping dad work. He is so alert for a month old baby! ^



^ Sleeping like a baby :) ^

^ Tampa Bay Aquarium ^

^ Lunch on the beach in Longboat Keys. It is absolutely beautiful! ^

Paxton was just the best little buddy during the trip. He was still getting up in the night and was up a little too early for my liking in the morning (especially with the time change) but nobody is perfect ;) Mike's parents couldn't believe how good he was. He's up for anything! The only hiccup we had was the day we got home, Paxton got a little cold for a few days. Weather in Utah is not quite as good as in Florida!