5 years of bliss??

If you know us REALLY well, you know what those question marks mean. If not, just pretend they're not there . . . the past is past, but it will always be a part of who we are so I couldn't help but write it that way! Okay, enough of the philosophical . . . we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary last Friday the 13th! Because of leap years in 2004 and 2008 (which also happen to be Olympic years - can't wait to watch that gymnastics!!), the days of the week lined up again this year (we were married on Friday the 13th in June 2003) which was kind of cool. (Now that I think about it, maybe those question marks stem from the fact that we cursed ourselves by choosing that day . . . hmmm . . . eeeerie.) So anyway . . .


We started the day off right with a delicious breakfast from my chef husband . . . Waffle House waffles with PB and homemade maple-almond syrup and hashbrowns. Then Scotty was off to work ALL DAY (9am-7pm) . . . I know, not exactly romantic but he works so hard to support us and I love that about him!



After work we went to our favorite Mexican restaraunt - La Tapatia. You see that we have our pride and joy with us - sweet baby Parker - which is why we are not holding hands across the table like our typical anniversary pics (although I couldn't help but pretend). Our Mexican waiter took this pic for us. If you're not familiar with Mexican culture, they are extremely open about things that Americans might consider private . . . when I asked for a to-go box, he said (in Spanish), "But aren't you breastfeeding?" (in Spanish, the word breastfeeding literally translates as "to give the breast" - I know - awkward!). I said that I was so he told me I should eat more so I could make more milk for my baby - ha! I love these people!!



Parker almost never cries like this, but when he does . . .



. . . it never lasts long. He loves his daddy!



. . . and kisses from his mommy!



I love this pic so much. I sometimes tell Parker that he is my special friend and that sometimes I forget that he's just a little baby. I love to talk to him and and he talks (okay, communicates) back to me with his various facial expressions, gestures, and cries (more like whimpers) and then smiles or kicks his legs in excitement when I give him what he is asking for. I feel totally connected to him and love it when he just stares me in the eye for minutes on end and smiles at me those big beautiful smiles (I've still not been able to get a good pic of this since he only smiles to my face and not to the big black camera).


1-866-IDOLS-05 . . . vote for me! j/k . . . We saw our friends the Juza's at the restauraunt and they took this pic for us.


Since Scotty was working ALL DAY, we finished celebrating our anniversary on Saturday (even though he worked ALL DAY again 9am-7pm) with a movie, homemade lasagna (don't ask how I made it since I just threw it together without a recipe but it turned out to be absolutely the BEST lasagna I have ever eaten), and Marie Calander pie. This setup was a result of my lack of planning the details when I try to do a surprise for Scotty. At first I thought I would borrow my neighbor's loveseat (since ours is so hard and uncomfortable so we can never cuddle while watching a movie) but when that didn't work out, my brother, Matt (who was over at our apt), suggested turning our loveseat upside down and using the back to lean on - since the back is softer than the seat! I then got the pillow top off our bed and draped some very soft sheets over everything to make it match (what's the point I know!)



Then we had a great night watching "Miracle" about the 1980 Olympic hockey team (I can't wait for the Olympics!!). At first we cuddled with Parker as you can see. Then when he went to sleep we cuddled with each other. Happy Anniversary to my one and only!!!

Parker's EEG

This actually happenned back in May . . . Parker was having these episodes where his whole body got stiff and he would stop breathing for a few seconds (see video). The doctor wasn't sure what it was so he had him get an EEG - he was only one month old! Luckily they have the mom or dad hold the infant when they do an infant EEG so I got to hold him. We had to keep him awake for 3 hours before the test to make sure he was very sleepy when the test was being done (not easy since he is usually only awake for about 1.5 hrs at a time, but Scotty had the perfect touch). The EEG showed that he had no abnormalities in his brain functioning so the doctors concluded that it was an involuntary reaction to the moro reflex, and since he wasn't holding his breath long enough to be a problem, then there was nothing to worry about. I had wanted to take my camera to get a pic of Parker with the wires attached all over his head but I thought it might not be appropriate in the test setting (and I knew Scotty would not approve!) . . . but it looked pretty crazy! Parker was so patient through the whole thing - he is such a special boy!!

Getting squirmy . . .

Parker is 6 weeks old today! He is growing so fast - I have no idea how long he is now but his little nightgowns barely cover his feet! And he's just about 14 lbs. I told him today that he is getting so big that he's not my little newborn anymore - he's more like my sweet little squirmy :) (I love giving him nicknames!)


He is starting to smile more now but only at me and Scotty and just when we are playing with him. He loves us! . . . But not as much as we love him!! (This pic is the closest I could get to a smile as he doesn't smile for the camera yet.)

happy birthday Parker!

Remember how when you first get married you celebrate each month's anniversary -- then after you hit a year you realize that it wasn't that big of deal and you just celebrate the years from then on?? Well I am feeling the same urge to celebrate all of Parker's month's birthdays for the first year . . . much to the chagrin of my husband. But anyway, HAPPY ONE MONTH BIRTHDAY PARKER!!!


Even after a month, this is still my favorite thing to do . . . cuddle with Parker up on my chest. He is the sweetest boy and the joy of all my nights and days. I love to hold him, nurse him, play with him, talk to him, hug him, kiss him, and spend all my time with him.

4 Weeks Old

Parker is 4 weeks old tomorrow. He is doing very good. He sleeps well, feeds well, and poops well (what else do babies do?). Marie is also doing well. We have been taking him out a lot and he is really calm. The only time he really gets fussy is when he is hot. We took him to church today and he did really good. It was kinda fun to leave sacrament meeting and take him around. I now think we should have a 10 minute break between speakers to stretch and get a drink.

Marie is doing a great job at mothering him, and she loves it. She really has a niche for being a mother (as I'm sure most mothers do, I just think she is better). Following are some pictures of him:

I really like this picture. I had to put his hands in this position, but the picture turned out good. The things parents do to show off their children!

This is a picture we took during our mother's day at Marie's mom's house.

I still get my Sunday naps in!!!

Last year for mothers day, Marie's family made dinner for Kristine. They had frozen taquitos, frozen burritos, and other frozen delights. I thought that was not up to the level of respect that a mother deserved, so I made dinner for the moms in the Fales family this year. I made Pasta Milano (from Macaroni Grill), asparagus with lemon butter and parmesan cheese, a fresh herb with lemon plus salt and pepper in oil for sour dough bread (if you've eaten at Carabba's Italian Grill, it is their starter for bread), and a fresh fruit salad. For dessert I dipped strawberries in dark, milk, or white chocolate and added different things on them to decorate them. They were a big hit!

Well, I have finished another semester and O-Chem is done!!!! I have not gotten my grade yet but I think I passed it. I did very good in the rest of my classes. In one of the classes I got a 99% as my final grade (198 points out of 200). this is the best final grade I have ever gotten in a class. I start summer school Monday (5/19), I am taking Health Law & Ethics. It is a 3 week course so it will be intense for the next 3 weeks.

my first mother's day

Our first family portrait!! (this was not taken by a professional)


Angela came home from college for the weekend to surprise my mom . . . and she got to hold Parker for the first time!

He loves how gentle his aunt Char-bear is with him!

Sunday nap with daddy :)


What is the big surprise Scotty has made for me (and the other mothers at the family dinner)??? (he had to hide it from me so he put it all under our table till the moment of unveiling arrived)

A dozen chocolate covered strawberries!!!

Scotty, Matt, and my Dad prepared the wonderful feast!

This effort was led by my one and only . . . he really inspired his sous chefs and showed them how easy it was to make delicious food!

Angela and Lauren also helped with the food preparations.

It was enjoyed (and admired) by all!!!

my little pirate

I can't believe I caught this wink on camera - I've only ever seen him do this when he is nursing and I sure wasn't going to take a pic of that (even though it is so cute!!) . . . I call him my little pirate whenever he does it. My mom says it is "the Fales eye" (squinting the left eye when you smile or laugh - or in Parker's case, squirm). Funny the genes we pass on!