life with a baby

Obviously, life is different for us now that we have a baby. I stay home with him and I absolutely love it! Of course I miss feeling like I'm accomplishing Things, but I remind myself that I already completed one of my biggest life goals last year (graduate from college). I also remind myself that I'm doing the most important job in the world: raising a child. That's not to say that I will never have a paying job again, but it sure is nice to have this time to spend with my son. I'm so lucky to have a husband who works hard and allows us the luxury of having me be a stay at home mom. I love him!

 One thing I have learned about myself is that I actually like cooking. Go figure! When we first brought baby Dean home, my Mom brought us meals every other night. She's pretty amazing, I know. Then, Tom's parents came into town and took care of pretty much all our meals. It was great, but I started to miss cooking. Fortunately, things are settling down for us and we're better able to cope with caring for a baby and I have had the time to cook dinner again. Yesterday, I made fajitas and fresh guacamole. Then, I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. It was all so good and I'm so glad that it doesn't take Dean as long to nurse because I have a lot more time to do things like cook again.

 I am loving motherhood, even though it feels pretty overwhelming at times. Going to his doctor's appointments and hearing that he's the right height/weight and totally healthy helps with those feelings. I love being able to cuddle and kiss and hold my sweet new son all day long.

I love my little boy.
I love that he stares into my eyes.
that he turns my husband into a softie.
that he smiles and laughs in his sleep.
that he looks like Thomas, but a little like me.
that he is usually grumpy when he wakes up (like me).
that he has more hair than most one year olds.
that he's already my little sidekick.
that he is the strongest newborn ever (seriously).

that he falls asleep in my lap, on my shoulder and yes, on my breast.
Mostly I love that he prefers his Mama to all others.

As a late Birthday present, Tom got me an iPad. Best gift for a nursing mom ever! When nursing, my options were: sit pretty, watch tv, stare out window, try to use laptop that is precociously propped next to me on the couch. Now, I use my iPad to surf the web, read books, listen to music, watch shows. Our laptop (although small) is just too big for me to use with a baby in my lap (it is a laptop, after all). iPad= perfect size. Thank you Tom (and while we're at it, Steve Jobs)! Great gift.

While we're on the iPad topic, Blogger seriously needs to create an iPad app. There's an iPhone app, but no iPad one. Get on it, Blogger! Much appreciated.

Dean's Blessing

Baby Dean was blessed on Sunday! We got special permission from our Bishop to do it at home so Tom's parents could be a part of it (and so we didn't have to take our two-week old to church). His parents came into town this week to meet their first grandchild!

 Dean's blessing was beautiful. We ended up doing it at my parents' house so we had enough space for everyone to be there. He looked so sweet in his little white suit and Thomas did a wonderful job blessing him. It was truly a neat experience to do it at home.

 Proud Parents!

This one isn't from Sunday, but it's a sweet picture of our sleeping angel baby.

Happy Birthiversary

Happy Birthday to me! I turned 24 on President's Day and it was marvelous. Tom had the day off work (yay Presidents!) so he took me to Joe's BBQ to get my free birthday meal, then to the mall where he bought me new shoes (and where we walked and walked to try and get my labor on), then to Oregano's (my favorite restaurant) and finally to my parents' house where we had some cake and spent time with my family. 

 We also took some maternity pictures, for posterity...not because I wanted my giant-ness documented.

It was such a fabulous day. Mostly I just enjoyed being able to spend so much time with Tom before Dean's birth. Tom and I have been most fortunate and been able to spend an inordinate amount of time together since getting married over two years ago. We both graduated in Communications from BYU-Idaho (some classes together!) and did an internship together (literally- same office!), so naturally, we spent every waking moment together. When Tom got a job at Yodle in October, it was sad to be away from him for so long each day. We became accustomed to seeing each other almost whenever we wanted during our first year and a half of marriage. We loved that time we were able to have together and know that it helped build a strong foundation for us. 

March 5th, we celebrated our Anniversary! Since we had a week-and-a-half newborn, Tom picked up some takeout and we spent the night together cuddling our new little angel. I am so glad Tom and I were married two years ago in the Mesa LDS Temple. It was amazing and has been nothing but incredible ever since. I love you Thomas, and I always will!

Baby Shower

This is sort of a catch-up post. With all the excitement surrounding the birth of Dean, I never even posted about my baby shower, birthday or anniversary...FAIL!

To go in chronological order we'll start with my baby shower, which was amazing. Thank you to my sister-in-law Ashli (who has been so much help giving me advice and support on all things baby), my sister Ashley, and cousin Kylie who threw the shower for me. Also a thank you to my amazing Mom who helped with the shower, but has also helped care for me and our new little angel. The shower jump-started a truly eventful week for us!

Baby Dean!

Welcome to the world sweet baby Dean!

Name: Thomas Dean Chambers

Weight: 7 lbs. 13 oz.

Length: 19 3/4 in.

Hair: Dark and lots and lots of it!

Resemblance: His Daddy

We could not be happier these past two weeks as we welcomed our sweet baby into the world. He is the cutest, sweetest little angel ever...but maybe I'm a little biased.

Two whole weeks ago, we were called into the hospital for my scheduled (and then rescheduled) induction. After some labor-inducing drugs Friday night, by Saturday, I was ready to have him. His birth was beautiful and something Tom and I will never forget. We are so grateful for the sweet angel we welcomed into the world.

Being a mother has been wonderful. It has been challenging, rewarding but mostly, sacred. Also, I could not ask for a better partner to be enjoying this miraculous experience with than Thomas. I love him even more now.

I am so grateful for our family and friends who have helped and supported us so much. I am also grateful for the nurses and doctors at Banner Gateway hospital for their excellent health care of me and my baby.

We are so excited to enjoy our new future with our new baby boy.