say instagram!

 photos from my days:

say instagram!

Instagram finally created their app for Android phones! Yato! I've really been enjoying the app, even though my phone's camera is not so good...I may want an iPhone more than ever now.

Here are photos from my day to day:

I realized I take a lot of pictures of my sleeping boy. Mr. Fella sure is cute! 

Tom and I went to Joe's Crab Shack for the first time last weekend and we would definitely recommend it. Maybe it's just because we haven't been out much since Dean was born, but we thought the seafood was awesome and the experience even better. The servers sang and danced to a song and this big black lady got up from her booth and joined in their dancing. It was hilarious! We also got bibs to tie around our necks, crab and lobster to crack open and I had a delicious Dr. Pepper (I try to stay away from caffeine since I'm breastfeeding).

On a different note, who remembers the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? Well, Dean will remember it because he got it along with a matching stuffed bear from my Great Aunt Josie and Uncle Larry. Thanks guys! We already read it together and are excited to one day teach Dean to read.

2 months

Mr. Chunkers hit the two month mark today! He's getting so old to us, but really he's still so young.

Here's a list of some new developments:

He gives us smiles everyday, especially in the morning...it's like he misses us when he sleeps or something

He gives Grandma (my Mom) some big smiles, too

He holds his head up better each day

He doesn't hate tummy time anymore, but he doesn't love it for too long, either

He stays awake for much longer and now takes naps instead of just having 'awake time'

He's getting stronger each day

He loves his Mama and Daddy more and more

Today, he took a nap in my lap at my parents' house:

We've managed to keep him alive for this long!

happy birthday Juanita

Today is my fabulous mother-in-law's birthday! We are wishing her a very special and happy birthday from afar. Since she lives in Miami and we are in AZ, we aren't there to join in with her. We wish we were because she is one fun lady to hang with. Juanita is originally from Bolivia and moved permanently to the states when Tom was just a baby. She had to learn English, the American culture, how to be a mom, and started cutting hair.

Juanita is probably one of the most passionate mothers I have ever met. Tom is such a mama's boy that it's not even funny, but I don't blame him because she is such a loving mother, and it would be hard not to be. Since I've joined the family, I too, have become ridiculously spoiled by her. She loves to take me shopping and boy do I love it (so does my didn't-know-what-it-was-missing wardrobe). Not only does she have great fashion sense, but Juanita is also an awesome hairdresser. So awesome that I haven't paid for a haircut since I first met her. She always does a great job and is willing to cut it just how we like it.

Her new favorite person is her grandson, Dean. See, Tom is a mama's boy partly because he is an only child. Now, Dean is their only first and only grandchild (for now) and they are obsessed. Yay for technology because baby Dean gets to Skype with Grandma and Grandpa Chambers nearly every single day. Juanita loves Dean and he loves his Grandma! We love and miss you Juanita! Hope your Birthday is extra special!

a walk in the park

Tom's parents came to visit baby Dean! They were here when he was just over two weeks old. They stayed with us for a week. We were so glad they were able to visit so they could meet their grandson! Thomas is an only child, so this is their first grandchild. Needless to say, they were as excited as we were. Now, we Skype with them nearly every day so they can see Deano's growth and so they don't miss him (as much).

Their visit was great. I was so grateful to have them here because they completely took care of all our meals and the cleaning and made it possible for Tom and I to have a few minutes of just us again. We miss them now though. While they were here, we took Dean on his first walk. Of course, we went to the Mesa LDS Temple. What better place to take someone so close to Heaven already? We may have checked on him A LOT during our walk, even though the sweet little baby never woke up.

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.