Fender Firsts

Play date

Finn, Fen and binkies.

All binkied out...

Seeing Dr. Pepper

Like father like son.

Eating something other than a bottle

After his 4 month check up we were told we could try baby food. I gave it a good solid effort, I promise.  We waited about a month until we tried again, and when we did...........

The mess still came, of course. It's definitely part of the experience, but he actually knew to open his mouth when he saw the spoon, get the food off the spoon and swallow. I surely was proud of that little guy.

 He just can't get enough. Oh he just can't get enough of those sweet sweet potatoes! 

Holding his bottle

A little over 3 months old and starting to hold is own bottle.

5 and a half months old and finally has the hang of it. I still like to hold his night time bottle though... I need to keep him little in any way that I can.  He's growing up way too fast.

Dreamweaver

Fender likes to sleep... A lot. He will fall asleep anytime and place.

I can't wait to have another baby, 

for the sole purpose of being able to shop for the crib bedding again.  

I don't care if my baby sucks his thumb. He's a BABY.

My little sleepy head.

All In a Days Work...

We started off the day with a trip to my mom's grandma's house.  This would be Fender's Great-Great-Grandma! Wooo five generations! We're missing my Grandpa Bob and Mother is this pic, but one day we will succeed with our dreams of a five generation picture.  Oddly enough she is the only person who hasn't asked if Fender is a "good" baby.  I would like to point out that Fender does not cheat, steal or lie to me yet, so I think he is a "great" baby.  

Fender and I had a great time with our Grandma.  She wanted to take us to a little Chinese restaurant for lunch.  It was right down the block from her place, so all of us walked together!  Fender loved the walk, and fell asleep about 20 minutes into us being there.  Every single time I go out to eat, he falls asleep in his car seat.  I think I am the luckiest mama ever.  I am never stressed out with him.  He just makes my life groovy.

Speaking of... Sometimes Fender is a little naughty.  He is already throwing fits to see if I will take care of him and comfort him.  Yes I do. He is not even 4 months old yet, and I don't think it's possible to spoil a bebe.  Plus, I do love his sad face.  That's why I snap pics first of it, then comfort.  I'm the worst, sorry Fender.

Immediately after the previous picture.  His dad pretends that he doesn't know what to do, or can't stop his crying...... But as soon as dad holds him, it's almost immediate relief for Fender. 

Here you'll see the two of them playing Call of Duty together.  I really hope Fender gets hooked on video games and never leaves his room or plays outside.............................In all seriousness, of course I don't think that!  One time playing COD never hurt anybody :) except the fictional characters they are killing.  Good thing he can't see the TV I guess?

I sure love my boys.  I guess they're alright.  They can play video games together if it gives me a chance to do my homework! (aka paint my nails once in a blue moon)

The "Hey you better knock it off or the Biggie Smalls" look.

That's the "I think I just spit up a little, can someone help me now with this?" look.

I could not get Zach to look at the camera! And when he did.........

This is what I got..  I just love my little chubby, cheesy, boogery family.

Rock-A-Bye-Baby

Fender Jay Hart. My joy and true love in life. To put it simply: Fender rocks.

So fresh and so clean clean. Now, I said I wouldn't put him in silly hats.... Grandma Stephanie did this, so I'm still in the clear. He can rock, groove and get hyphy I guess?

Fen in his party pants.     Heyyyooooooo.   Who's ready to rock? I am!

Just needed to cool off with a nice swim, maybe after we'll finish the day with some rock-a-bye-baby G N' R lullabies?

Cute smile face, Smiley.

Fender, like the car part? Like a Fender Bender. No BENDER is the robots name from futurama, not Fender. Ok, Ok, it's really Fender like the guitar. Oh I fooled you buddy.

I thought I wouldn't be the parent who bragged about how great her baby was... but I think it might just happen.  I love my babe.

Ethan :)

This is my amazing cousin Ethan and the "Dragon Lady" at Build-A-Bear last November.  When he was younger I had fire engine red hair and would tease him so much, so I naturally became Dragon Lady.  Don't worry, we are the best of friends now that he teases me back!  He'll still call me Dragon Lady once in a while though to remember the good old days.  

He had just a little tummy ache a week or so before Halloween.  It didn't get better so when they went to the doctor he suggested a cat scan, and they found the tumor in his body. 

He was 5 years old when this picture was taken, just a few weeks after he was diagnosed with stage IV Neuroblastoma.

He knew what was going on and how serious it was.  His parents have been so good in teaching him about the church and his savior.  He was scared but at the same time so brave with this new battle he would have to face.

This is him after the big surgery!  The 2 tubes are for his antibiotics and blood samples, so he's not constantly being poked with needles.  Shantielle and Jerome (his parents) call him their "Little Fighter".  He is so brave and smart.  I remember when he was 3 years old or around that age, speaking Portuguese that he learned from his Dad.  His brain is a gigantic sponge!  He remembers everything... Just like his cousin Ale ;)  One of the biggest things he has missed while he has been sick is school.  He was taken out of kindergarten almost immediately after he was diagnosed to prevent catching any other sicknesses and germs in general.

There have been so many amazing people throughout Ethan's journey to help him and his family.  They were given a Make-A-Wish trip to Disney Land.  While at Disney Land they received fast passes for every ride because everyone there loved Ethan so much!  They had a blast.  Ethan is goofing off like his normal self.  Him and his family got to have a few days of normal life again.  They didn't have to be in any hospital or talk to any doctors.  It was truly a blessing for Ethan and his family.  I don't think his brother and sister minded the trip either!

This is Ethan and his brother Bowen.  I love this little day walker. :) haha.  He's one of the many joys in my life and definitely in Ethan's!  In the hospital none of his cousins or siblings could visit him, and he would miss his brother so much.  It's something that I can't explain, hearing Ethan say "I just want to see my brother" as his mom said.  I am so proud of her for staying strong and keeping their family together.

I truly love this family more than I can explain.  They are so strong and have so much faith in the lord and the gospel.  I know that Ethan is going to win this fight.  We all love him too much to say good bye this soon.  

Bowen, Marlee and Ethan on Easter this year :)

Plus he still has many more fights left with the Dragon Lady to come!

These were given to Ethan and autographed by Randy Couture himself!  Go Ethan! Now you have celebrities giving you free stuff.  Are you sure you're not faking it to get out of school? I love you buddy.

Come in Bald Eagle?  Do you copy?  Ethan taking a helicopter ride over St. George!  He loved the headset and being able to hear his voice through the microphone.  He was singing and talking the whole time while enjoying this once in a lifetime experience.

I know this blog was incredibly long, but I wanted you to know his story.  I love Ethan so much, and I'm trying to get as much help and support from everyone I know.  There are "Team Ethan" bracelets that are 5 dollars each that you can buy here http://ethansteam.webs.com/.  All of the donations are 100% for Ethan.  Any little bit helps and I know that I will be proud wearing mine when it gets here supporting my family and this 6 year old boy with his fight.  Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Just by reading I know you are supporting this cause.  

I love you Ethan.

For the readers: (all 3 of you haha) I promise next time I will right more light hearted. :)

Baby Daddy Day

I can't believe my baby is already 2 months old.  Well, 9 weeks and 3 days to be exact.... I wonder if knowing exactly how old he is will ever go away.  I'm loving knowing every little thing about him!  It's crazy being able to tell the difference between his cries, knowing exactly what position he feels like being in just from his little noises, or knowing if he needs to burp because his eyes get red and puffy!  I didn't think this was possible.  Now I know how my mom always knew exactly what I was thinking.  Mom's just know, and they know BEST.

I wanted to do something special for my "Baby Daddy" for his very first Father's Day!  He loves Fender and I more than he can say, but I know he wouldn't trade us for anyone or anything.  He has been asking for pictures of Fender for the past month now, to put in his office at his new job so he has something besides his "World's Greatest Dad" coffee mug I got him to look at.  It's pretty neat, but not nearly as great as our son.

I'm so happy with life right now.  This is definitely the path I was meant to be on.  My little squeaker chose me from heaven because he wanted me to be his very own mommy.  I couldn't be happier with the way life has turned out for me so far.  I can't wait for my journey with him and his dad.  Thank you for bringing me this perfect baby boy Zach.  I love you Mister.

I know I've been rambling about how much I love my baby, but I really don't know what else to talk about!  Being pregnant for 9 months with him, and feeling him grow inside me, we grew pretty close!  Now, that he's been apart of this world for almost two and a half months, I don't know how to talk about anything else.  I love sharing my stories about him.  He's recently started smiling and trying to learn how to laugh.  It's the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life.  Even his poops fascinate me!  There truly is no love or bond like mother and child.

Oh you better let me kiss you now, soon you''ll be embarrassed by me and wont let me kiss you in public.  Guess what?  I'm still going to!  Forever and ever Baby Fender.  

I hope you enjoy these pictures Zach.  You're a wonderful Dad and I can't wait to spend forever with you.  

Happy Father's Day.