My Snoogle

This week at school has been TAKS week. Since I've been with Freshmen, we only took a test one day and the rest of the days the kids watched movies and had short assignments. For me, this has meant a lot of "free" time. I have gotten work done, but there's been A LOT of time. So... what better to do than stalk peoples' blogs. I've looked at my friends' blogs, I've looked at their friends' blogs, and friends of their friends' blogs! Well, one of them that I was browsing (I have no idea which one it was now) had this little beauty.

It's a Snoogle! It's the biggest, most perfect pillow ever! I don't know why, but this pregnancy I've been waking up a million times, can't get comfy (I don't even have a big baby belly yet), and I want all the pillows on the bed, but they never seem to be in the right spot. Not to mention it makes our big bed seem really small with the Rocky Mountain Range of pillows in the middle. So last night was my first night with my Snoogle and it was A-MAZING! I didn't want to get up today. I didn't need any other pillows either. I think everyone needs a Snoogle! Chris already tried to steal it.

Our Next Chapter...

We are so happy to announce that Wyatt is going to be a big brother! I'm 3 months pregnant and couldn't be more excited! We've been talking to Wyatt about babies and he loves to point out a "beeby" anytime he sees one. I think he will be a wonderful big brother. We've gotten to see Baby in the very first sonogram and once again Chris and I felt that the best feeling in the world is seeing the tiny little heart beating away. We can hear the heartbeat at home on a little thing my sister gave us when I was pregnant with Wyatt. It's recorded on the machine so Wyatt goes and plays it and says "beeby." Sometimes I wonder what he's thinking. In other news (so I can look back at this and remember since that's what I've been doing to my "Wyatt" posts) I've been extremely tired, nauseous (I wasn't with Wyatt), and am getting headaches often (I had horrible migraines non-stop with Wyatt and these are not; I pray they don't get like that), but I am also so excited, know all this goes away, and couldn't be happier to know that there's a little baby growing and growing.

I also have some other big news to share. After much discussion, planning, praying, and talking to friends and family, we have decided that I'm going to stay home. It's a decision that has brought so many emotions. It's a scary time to make such a big change like this and we have felt that, but we feel that it's the best choice for our family at this time. We are excited to learn together, work together, and experience all the ups and downs that are sure to come our way together. I have taught for 5 years and loved nearly ;) every second of it. It truly is a passion and I've always felt so lucky to love my job and going to work each day. It also feels good to know that so many of the people I have worked with are my friends and I know I'll get to see them often. We have been so blessed with supportive family and friends that have encouraged us and talked with us so openly about their experiences, ideas, and thoughts. I'm so excited to begin this new journey. I've given myself the official title of CEO of the Jeans Household. Chris still isn't too sure about this.

Here are some random feelings we've had that I wanted to put on here so I can look back one day and remember how I felt.

-One of the very first things I did when we first started discussing this was talk to my dad. My dad put me through college and that is something I can't ever tell him enough how grateful I am for. I never had to worry about how I was going to go. He worked so hard and planned college for us and it was something he was always going to do, but I don't take any of it for granted. I remember always calling him to tell him my grades after each semester to let him know that I was doing my part, working hard, and it was so important to me that he knew I was grateful. Then I was honored to get my first job teaching because it truly was a dream come true. A dream that my dad's planning had helped me reach. So, I could write a book, but the point is I kinda felt like I needed to ask for permission to stop teaching for awhile. I was so relieved when he supported us and said that he wanted us to go to college, graduate, and be able to do what we wanted. If this was what I wanted, he was happy for us. I'm not sure if this is a normal feeling but I remember and it was a big deal for me so I want to remember it.

-My mom has also always been a number one supporter of anything we choose. She stayed home with me and my sister. It means so much to me that she supported me working and she supports me being home. I love that I can go to her when I'm scared and ask if I'm normal. I love knowing that when I feel like a not-good-enough working mom she reminds me I am and I love knowing that when I'll call her crying that I'm a not-good-enough stay at home mom she'll remind me I am.

-I know that Wyatt loves going to his school, seeing his friends and teachers, and learning so many new things. I'll miss picking him up and getting the biggest smile and fastest run to my arms everyday (it's a special smile and run!). I also know that we will make a new routine that Wyatt will love, I'll love teaching him new things, and we'll play with many friends at play dates.

-I've thought a lot about how lucky Chris and I are to both have jobs when there are so many people needing jobs and so many teachers worried about keeping their jobs. I've wondered what will happen with the economy. Is it the best time to make a choice like this? (I'm sure the answer is no.) We went back and forth so many times that I decided we needed to choose and then go "all in" and make it work. I really don't like changes (I think it's the not knowing part or maybe the decision part), so when I make them it's quick and then I'm focused on it and there's no turning back. If you know me well, you know not to change the plans once they are set in my mind because it completely freaks me out (yes, this includes small things that don't matter to most people).

-I also worry a lot about what other people will think. Last year, I decided to switch from teaching 6th grade to high school biology. Again, I made the decision and I wanted it to happen. I was so excited to get a HS biology job where I am now. I loved 6th grade, but I was ready for a change. The decision to stay home was never a thought. But then this year I got a feeling that I wanted to and we could make it work. (You've heard that part already.) Well, I was so afraid my department and principal would be upset that they hired me and after one year I left. Trust me, my team has put in a lot of time helping me (they are amazing and I've learned so much from them). I had hoped to make it up to them next year. :) Again, I'm surrounded by supportive people and so it wasn't an issue, just a worry of mine.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Chris' 28th birthday. It's crazy to think that we started dating when he was 16! Every year together gets better and better. One thing I learned about him early on is that he LOVES pink cake with pink icing (yes, that's strawberry but he asks for pink and pink). So, that's what he gets every year. Today, I got to have a very special little helper help make the cake. Wyatt loves to help and today was the perfect day for making a cake. We've been "iced" in for 2 days and school has been canceled. If you know Chris, you know that even more than pink cake he loves COLD weather, snow, and ice. Happy Birthday Chris/Daddy! We love you!!!

P.S. Yes! Wyatt is wearing Mickey Mouse pants and an Elmo shirt. No, we didn't dress him like this. He's had on 3 different jammies so far today and this was his request. Everyone keeps asking if he's leaning more towards Elmo lately and I think this is your answer... he's torn and can't pick between the two. He equally loves them both!

Bowling Party...

This past weekend our close friend, Marshall, turned the big 3-0. Morgan and Ashley lived across the street from us growing up (our parents still live across the street from each other) and Marshall is Morgan's husband. Marshall had never been bowling (what?!) so their family threw him a huge bowling party. It was such a fun party. My whole family went, too. They had a party room set up and it was perfect for Wyatt and Kaleton (Morgan and Marshall's son who is a little younger than Wyatt) to play and have fun together. After lunch we all went bowling, including the kids. It was Wyatt and Kaleton's first time to bowl and they loved it. I did horrible with pictures, but Chris took some videos and here's a great one of Wyatt. I think by this point Kaleton was taking a little snooze on his Grammy. He woke up in time to go play games though. :)

Wyatt's Family Party

After nap on Wyatt's birthday we had lots of family over for dinner, presents, and cake. I've never really liked cartoon theme parties and here I've had 2 in one day. Now, I totally get why parents do it. :) Wyatt LOVES, and I mean LOVES "mouse" and Elmo. So, his first party had Mickey Mouse stuff and his second party had an Elmo cake. He works really hard at not leaving either one out... so I had to, also. Below is a picture to prove that he loves both the same.

Every night we carry all the "mouse" and Elmo toys upstairs, because when he wakes up he grabs ALL of them and asks me to help him carry them downstairs. They get kisses everytime he sees them. And sometimes when I help him do something (such as give him Elmo or carry "mouse" he will say "thank you Elmo/mouse" instead of the usual, "thank you Mommy." And by the way, there are more by his feet!

Needless to say, we had an Elmo cake and it was a hit!

What could be better than presents, cake, and football?!



It's been a LONG day, but Pap (Chris' dad) makes it better. Notice the Elmo train from the cake.

Grandma and Grandpa (my dad and step-mom)

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lisa (my sister and my BIL)

I call him "my BIL." Jeff NEVER takes pictures and he let me because I said I needed it for the blog so Wyatt will get to look at it.

And then I got busy and didn't finish getting all my family pictures for the blog. At least I got a few. ;)

Wyatt's 2nd Birthday!

Two years ago, on January 9th, we got to meet our precious baby boy. I LOVE to celebrate this day! Wyatt makes us smile and laugh everyday. There is absolutely nothing that his little hugs and kisses can't fix or make even greater than it already was. He has the most cheerful smile and sweetest voice. He loves to help Mommy and Daddy, explore new things, be outside, talk, dance, play his guitar, have books read to him, watch "mouse" and Elmo, play football with Mommy and Daddy before bed, jump on the bed, take naps, play with cars and trains, and do anything that involves playing in water. He has a kind heart and is always concerned when his friends are sad. He has learned to say "please" and "thank you" and says "thank you Mommy and Daddy" for anything we do for him. He's easy going and flexible and even says "night night" when it's time for bed with a smile and kiss even when he'd rather stay up and play. He wakes up just as happy. Wyatt Reid, you are the best thing we've ever known and we treasure watching you learn and grow each and every day. You make our hearts melt.

Wyatt got snow for his birthday. Chris was so excited. This is his favorite weather, so he thought it was extra special that Wyatt got snow on his actual birthday. We had a gymnastics party with several of Wyatt's little friends. Wyatt is not much of a fan of gymnastics when we go on Saturdays, but he really loved showing all his friends what you are supposed to do at gymnastics at his party. He ran around, climbed on things, jumped, played with balloons, and got to swing on the rope (always his favorite thing at gymnastics; he's been hanging onto the rope like a pro since he started at 17 months!). After lots of playtime, the kids got their little lunches that I made for them and had cookie cake. The party room was decorated with Mickey Mouse and that made Wyatt very excited! As the party went on the snow just kept falling. It was beautiful. When we left it was completely white outside.

Coach Chris (who wasn't working that day) showed up at Wyatt's party just to see him and say happy birthday. How sweet is that?! I love this picture!

Wyatt got to be the center of attention and the girls gave him a medal. There was too much fun stuff around to sit for too long though. :) Wyatt still wears his medal everytime he sees it.

Chris would race the kids down this trampoline and then the kids would jump into the pit. I'm not sure who had more fun - Chris or the kids.

Still didn't even get everyone in the picture.

Our life lately...

This post is going to some random stuff that I keep wanting to post and haven't gotten around to. Wyatt keeps us laughing non-stop. You just never know what he'll do or say. Some of the favorite things to say lately are shoessss, elmo, mouse, uh-oh, NO!, Wyatt, wa-wa (waffle), milkkkkk, aPPle, bounce (you'll see why in a minute), poo-poo (yup, potty training isn't too far away), vrooooom vroooooom, rooooooar, and lots more. Those are just the faves!

So, one day a long time ago (I don't even remember how old Wyatt was) he had a horrible day at babybootcamp. He was hitting, not sharing, and the list went on. Now I know that it was a short phase, but then I panicked a little because he was being a bully. So, off I went straight to Target to get a time out spot (thank you, Super Nanny). We've had this spot for awhile and rarely have to use it, but occasionally.... well, you see. The story this time was that Wyatt wanted popcorn and we were about to go to dinner so he couldn't have more. He threw a huge fit. We tried all the good parenting things - didn't work. Finally, we told him that if he was going to scream and cry to go do it on his mat. He went straighte over there, say down, and stopped crying. This is what I saw when I went to get him. So cute!




Wyatt LOVES being outside. He would probably like us to let him live out there. We went to the park and Raider (we have 2 dogs but he was the lucky one today) came, too. Wyatt walked almost the whole way home and it was quite a walk. Most of the walk he carried his guitar, but then he wanted to walk Raider. Here he is being big and helping Daddy.

We went to Pap and Lori's for New Year's Eve for a party with lots of family, friends, and other kiddos. Wyatt did such a great job. He played with other kids, ate, hung out on the couch and watched "mouse," ate, walked around and talked to everyone, ate, and just had a great time. He never once fussed. He even made it past midnight (yes, we are trying to get parents of the year twice in a row). We thought for sure he'd crash on the way home - nope! But he did go straight to bed. It was a great night and a perfect way to bring in the new year.

End of the night... Wyatt in his jammies

Aunt Sarah hanging out with Wyatt watching "mouse"

One night, Wyatt's BFF, Aidan, came over for dinner and to play. We had such a great time all getting to hang out and the boys had a BLAST! Here they are in the bounce house. They play so rough and they are definitely all boy. We were mostly thankful for no boo-boos that night. Aidan and Wyatt are in the same class and they play together all day. When Aidan leaves, Wyatt gets so sad.