I have been...

actively pursuing my dream of being a photographer. I have done 4 shoots in the past 2 weeks.

And I am so thrilled.

Who knew following dreams could be so fantastic?

Guess what Mikey can do now...

He can do a mini baby push up! Now, I fully understand that people don't care about that the way that Jake and I do but its exciting to see Mikey progress, even if its just a little thing- plus he looks cute. I mean for reals, check out that face.
(also, how cute and big are his lips in these pictures?)

Baby Blessing

On Sunday, the 9th, we blessed the Mikey Boy! It was such a great day for us. It was so fun to see him all dressed up in the little white tux that my mom bought years ago and it was great for us to see so many of our friends in one place. Jake did a wonderful job with the blessing, I am still so proud of him and even though he said he was nervous, I personally don't think anyone could tell.
Luckily, Mikey slept through the whole blessing and woke up right after they got back to our seats- excellent. That little boy is just amazing.

The Happy Family!

Here is the best picture of Mikey from the front. I didn't get the pictures I really wanted because there were too many cooks in kitchen so to speak. But you can see the cumberbun and little bowtie. It has the cutest little buttons and lapels. I just love this tux!
Oh! And potentially the best part of the tux- the tails. Seriously, adorable. And I love it. And him. And Jake. And I love that we are a little family! I am so grateful for both of them everyday.

I cannot even begin...

...to express how happy this little boy makes me.
Isn't he just adorable? That smile brightens my entire day.

Its an Update!

Here is an update!
Jake
He got a new job! He starts tomorrow. I think its going to be way better, mostly because it isn't set hours so that will be easier to work around. The only downfall is what if he gets too busy to work... you know? He is doing school still- graduating in April which is very exciting because that means he will get, at the very least, a full time job so maybe we could afford to move...? Keep your fingers crossed. Jake is pretty great dad and is beyond willing to do anything that means he can spend time with Mikey boy.
Meredith
I am not up to a lot. I started to work for Primerica which is cool. I am not sure that I am the right personality type for it but we'll see what happens. My wonderful friend Bri might have gotten me a job that I can do from home which would be all kinds of exciting. I am very excited about the fall- its my favorite season :D Also, we got cable so I get to watch the BYU football games. I am very excited, unfortunately this season hasn't been the greatest but I still love to watch. I am constantly online looking for a new apartment but I haven't been able to find any that I think will actually work- plus Jake doesn't want to move. I also stay at home with the Mikey all the time- its so fun and I just love that little kid.
Mikey
He just had a visit from my dad and step mom and brother. He loves his Uncle James which was fun to see. Today he got blessed (pictures are coming) which was so great. Jake did a great job and Mikey was just a doll in his blessing tux. He has his parents wrapped around his little finger and I am pretty sure he already knows it. He has started to smile which just shows how mischievous he will turn out to be- for example, he'll pee in the tub and then give a big toothless grin and start to laugh. Tsk tsk. He gets his first round of immunizations on friday so wish me luck- I hear its more traumatic for the parents than the baby.

Well, all in all, we are pretty great. Jake is doing school and working hard to provide for us. I am staying at home with Mikey mostly, working parttime for Primerica and just learning how to be a house wife/mom, and Mikey is just ruling the house in every single way. Its a good life. We are pretty happy.

Just thinking...

You ever sit on day and think about your life? Think about where your life is, how close to what you expected it would be, look at your goals and maybe reevaluate?
Well, I do that a lot, and normally I think "Hmm, not bad. It could definitely be worse."
Last night, when I was waiting for Mikey-boy to fall asleep I thought about my life goals and you know what I realized?
My life is pretty much exactly where I wanted it to be. I have always had a list of goals and these are the top ones- the ones that I am not really willing to change.
(these are in no particular order)
- graduate high school- preferably early
- get into BYU
- get married in the temple
- have kids
- go to Europe and see a Shakepearean play in the Globe Theatre (don't worry, I know its not the original, blah blah blah- just let me dream okay?)
- go to a Disney park
- be a photographer
- graduate college

Now- check this out. The bold are the ones that I have reached...
- graduate high school- preferably early
- get into BYU
- get married in the temple
- have kids
- go to Europe and see a Shakespearen play in the Globe Theatre
- go to a Disney park
- be a photographer (this one is partially bolded because I am actively working on this goal but I haven't reached it yet- so if you know anyone that wants some free pictures done to give me experience that'd be cool...)
- graduate college

So of the goals that I haven't reached Europe seems pretty far fetched- and you know, having kids makes that dream a little harder to reach but I guess its all in the priorities, sacrifice one goal for something greater, and you know what, I don't regret it- so I guess maybe I am willing to change that one... And graduating from college- I only have 2 semesters left!

So now I ask you, I am completely happy with my life and soon my list will be mostly complete- what do I do then?

Ode to Jake...

So you know how everyone always says that they have the best husband in the world? Well I believe that is totally possible- shouldn't everyone think that their husband is just the bee's knees? I know that I think Jake is pretty much the best thing in the world. And let me tell you why.
If you are reading this blog, you probably know me at least a little bit and so then you know that I tend to be a little hard to handle sometimes. :D Well Jake is just so patient with me all the time- its amazing. Here is an example- when we were dating and talking about marriage, I literally gave him a list of proposals that I would say no to on principal. (For example- no scavenger hunt, don't make me exercise first, don't put the ring in the food, not in front of family, blah blah blah) I mean I was only being half serious- I of course would've said yes but I would not have been pleased. Well it turns out later that I may or may not have listed how he wanted to propose. Oops. But he took it in stride and the proposal was fantastic.
Then we got married and he is just the most patient husband and he just does everything- it makes me feel like a junky wife sometimes but he is totally willing to make dinner, do the dishes, make the bed, etc. (The only thing he won't actually do is the laundry which is okay I suppose)
And when I was pregnant he totally took care of me all the time. He drove me everywhere, he let me sleep all the time, he was sincerely worried about me and did all he could to make sure I was comfortable, he was so sweet. It made a hard time way better.
Now we have a baby! And Jake is just a cute dad. Jake stays up half the night with Mikey so I can get some sleep, he holds him, cuddles him, changes his diaper probably as much if not more than I do, burps him, helps bathe him, and he just plays with him all the time. (Currently he is teaching Mikey how to stand and how to grip... he holds him under his arms and helps him hold up his head, which he actually does pretty well on his own, and then counts to three and stands him up for as long as Mikey will lock his knees. I think its real funny. And Jake is trying to get Mikey's left hand grip tighter than the right so he can be a lefty like Jake. Silly)

Cute right? I just love my boys.