What Happened to My Baby?

What on earth happened to this girl?  How did she become this toddler?  Our little Ashlee is still skinny but she is growing up so fast.  Next month she will be 18 months and start nursery...  WHAT???  I cannot believe I just typed that...  Seriously, where did the time go.  Ashlee walks around the house like she owns it.  Katelee never leaves her alone and she can get anything she wants from Ethan!  She is perfectly content playing by herself, in fact I think she would rather play by herself.  Just like in the picture, Ashlee loves to carry her drinks under her arm.  Give her a drink, she might take a drink and then it is back under that arm.  She is such an easy go lucky girl and rarely causes problems.  The only time she is grumpy is when she is hungry, she may not look like it but she does eat at times.  She eats when she wants to eat and that is the only time.  If she is done eating the food will go in and ALL come out!  Soley is really loving Ashlee....  This summer we have gone swimming quite a bit and Ashlee is a big fan of water.  She loves to get splashed and try to eat the water.  The other night at our friend's house Ashlee just kept walking off of the stair and crashing into the water. I couldn't keep her still for more than 1 second...  It was crazy!  She was LOVING the water....  The summer has just begun so I can't wait to see how much she loves it at the end!!!  

Ashlee is still quite small, probably just over 20 lbs, if that.  She is still wearing mostly 12 month clothes, but she is getting tall, and her legs are so long!!!  Ashlee is such a joy to have in our family.  We are so grateful for her, her personality and her crazy talking, spitting and even her little attitude when she throws everything you hand her.  Thank you Ashlee for keeping us on our toes and giving us hugs out of nowhere and being the most cuddly kid we have had.  When I get home from work Ashlee will stop what she is doing and come run over and give me a hug, that absolutely makes my day, no matter how crazy it might have been, PERFECT!!!  This girl is going to do great things and I can't wait to see them!!! 

Names

When we found out we were pregnant for the very first time we already knew what the name would be if it happened to be a boy.  The first name would be Ethan, just because we both really liked that name.  The middle name would have to be Andrew.  Chris's middle name is Andrew, his dad's middle name is Andrew, and so on for 5 or so other generations.  Chris is the third boy in his family and he didn't want to take the risk of us not having another boy to carry on the Andrew name, so our first boy got the name!  (Plus Ethan Andrew Nelson has a ring and a good flow)

When we found out we were pregnant with a girl next we decided on the name Katelee Maree.  (I was trying to convince Chris that spelling Marie with two 'e's would be really cute....  He wasn't buying it, which ended up being ok)  Katelee was due on September 17th or so, but we found out we would be having her a week early.  When we got the official date of September 10th we called and told Chris's mom.  She informed us that date was her mother's birthday.  From the moment I heard that I knew what Kate's middle name was going to be.  From that moment on her name was Katelee Madge.  I wasn't the biggest fan of Madge, but I knew it had meaning and before long I LOVED the name.  I look at Katelee sometimes and think how well Madge fits her...  It just works.  And from what I hear about Grandma Madge, Katelee and her would get along well.

When we found out we were expecting another girl we were a bit stumped.  We have had a boy name picked out but no girl name.  We thought and thought and finally came up with Elizabeth Ashlee or Ashlee Elizabeth.  Being that the other kids had family middle names I wanted this child to also have a middle name with a person behind it.  We started leaning more towards the first name being Ashlee, so I started asking about my family history and women named Elizabeth.  Unbelievable, (well not that Elizabeth was an uncommon name in history) I was able to find two great ladies with the name Elizabeth.  They were both pioneers and had rich history and strong courage.  I fell in love with these woman when I heard all that they went through and accomplished.  One Elizabeth was crossing the plains and gave birth to a child who later died on the journey.  Wanting to bury the baby in Zion they continued on only to have Elizabeth die on the journey as well.  She was bury with her child on the side of the trail.  The other Elizabeth was the wife of Joseph Smith's bodyguard.  She has a very rich religious history.  

For Memorial day we were able to go to Spanish Fork and place flowers on the graves of family members.  While there we were able to get a photo of Ethan with one of his name sakes....  John Andrew Nelson. 





















And Katelee with her name sake.  Madge Johnson....





Unfortunately for Ashlee, Elizabeth's grave has not been found.  My grandfather once tried to find it but was unable to, so she will probably never have a picture by that headstone.  However I will do my best to tell her the stories I have heard so she might feel some connection to them.

.My kids are very comfortable in cemeteries, some might think this is weird, but I like my kids to go with me to place flowers on my grandparents and others graves.  And the kids like it too.  It helps them realize that even though some people have died we can still talk about them, get to know them and not be afraid of dying.  We talk about that person and what I remember of them and how important they were to me.  We talk about seeing them again one day and how we will all be together no matter what happens.

Names are important to me....  I hope my kids are grateful for their names and always have the thought of making that person or persons proud that they share that name.

Doctor of Physical Therapy, Christopher Nelson!!!

I know, I know.  Chris graduated on May 20th and I'm just now posting about it...  Things have been a bit crazy around here.  But late is better than not at all.  There are an abundance of photos, but I couldn't decide which ones not to include so I just put them all in here!!!  

I can still remember writing this post 3 1/2 Years It's funny to look back at that...  Well the day we have been waiting for since we got married has finally came.  And what a day it was!!!  I will leave some minor details out and talk about those in a later post.  Since Chris' school is a private Jewish school graduation was held on a Sunday, Saturday is their Sabbath.  Those that came for the long ceremony were Uncle Brian from Texas, Aunt Lisa from Utah, Aunt Anna, Uncle Enrique and Emily.  Also both sets of parents were there....  So much fun!    

Here is a picture of half of the crew before graduation started.  Uncle Brian had a Nook, Aunt Lisa was journaling and Ethan was playing with someones Wii.                                                                            

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Ethan and Katelee from the graduation.  They really were such good kids during the whole thing, thanks to electronics and Aunts and Uncles!

Like with any graduation ceremony the graduates get to walk in.  Because Chris' Physical Therapy class was the first one for Touro Nevada they were the first ones to walk in.  I have to say I got choked up after he walked by and even shed a tear, so emotional...  It was so official with him in his gown and cap...

Here are just a few pictures of Chris at his seat up front!

 

Chris never realized my sister was up front taking pictures of him...  We have like 10 from this close and he isn't looking at a one of them!  Everyone around him is, but not him!

That is Chris on the right getting ready to have his name read.  I was so excited I couldn't hardly contain myself....

And here he is after being "hooded"  Doesn't he look so happy?  It could be that he just heard his crazy wife yell for him.  I was very tempted to say, "that's my babies daddy!"  But I decided to be more dignified and just yell!  I have waited over 7 years for this day and nothing was going to stand in my way of cheering for him!  I apologized to Chris ahead of time for embarrassing him...  He is use to it by now!  

A picture of the hood from behind, kind of.  It wasn't flat like it should have been, but you get the point!!!

After Chris' name was read my sister took the two oldest kids and my mother took Ashlee up to the hotel room that my parents got us for graduation.  My dad has worked at this hotel for over 25 years so I was excited to see that Chris was graduating there.  After about an hour more of names and a few other talks the graduates were finally able to exit.  

There is my cute husband, an official Doctor of Physical Therapy... 

Happy doesn't even begin to describe my emotions.  Ecstatic comes close but not close enough.  After everyone exited we were able to go to the next room and take pictures.  We called my sister and Mom and they brought the kids back down for pictures!

Before they came down I got my pictures taken with the cutest PT I have ever seen!!!  

Chris became very good friends with a classmate, Whit!  We all did.  So we took a couples picture...

Then the kids came.  Yay Daddy!!!

Those are some proud parents, don't you think!!??

And here are the Nelsons that were able to make it!

Daddy with all of his kids!  

And here is our new Family Picture.  (Side note: Doesn't Ashlee look thrilled to be there?)

Some proud in-laws as well....

Here were the Blackburns that were able to be there!  

While trying to get a picture of Chris with his siblings my dad was being his usual self in the background...  I know Chris was excited to call him his father-in-law!!!  

Here is a good one with no human hawk in the background!!

I thought I'd try the cap on too, I think it looked pretty good on me...  Maybe one day...  I doubt it will be that fancy of a cap, I'll settle for just a regular Bachelors cap...

I know one day Ethan will be wearing a cap like this....

Here is a picture of just the graduate...  So happy!!!

And here is a picture of my dad getting Chris' dad to participate in picture ruining...

And then my dad tried on the cap...Ashlee just wanted to pay with the cap.

She looks good with it on, but wasn't happy to have it on..

After the ceremony we had everyone come up to the room and we had a luncheon.  It was nothing difficult and the room was big enough that we all had plenty of room.  Uncle Matt and Maddy joined us later as well as Aunt RaNae and Uncle Jim.  

Chris was blessed to have gifts to open, so the kids helped him out with that job!

Chris got an iPad, or as Katelee said, "we have an iPad now!"  We do everything as a family!!

One of the rooms in our suit had a nice Jacuzzi that the kids LOVED!!!!

After everyone went home for the night we stayed up with the kids a little longer and then went to bed.  We got to stay the night and that was fun.  

The last three years have been years I hope to never forget.  The struggles that have made us stronger, the nights of going to sleep by myself because Chris was up studying, the crazy school schedules and the summers off....  A lot has happened in the last three years.  We have been humbled multiple times by the love and support that we have received from family and friends.  There have been times during the last three years when I felt like all I needed was someone to understand how it felt to have a husband in school...  And then someone would call and make me realize that there were a lot of people that knew exactly how I felt.  We have been so blessed, so blessed that I can't even begin to express my gratitude to everyone....  Please know that if you have talked to me, smiled at me or hugged me in the past three years you have been mentioned in my prayers of Thanksgiving!  Chris and I could not have made it all this way without each and everyone one of our family members and friends.  Support has come in the way of financial, material, love, spiritual and emotional ways.  We will work the rest of our lives to repay that debt to each of you.  Thanks for getting us this far....

Now to Chris, Thanks for staying awake in class long enough to get the information you needed to pass your tests.  Thanks for hanging in there, even when it got to be too much.  Thanks for still being a full time father and a husband while you were also a Full time student.  Thanks for making it babe, thanks for letting me cheer you on and thanks for cheering me on as well.  I love you and am so proud of you!   

A Story About My Mom, By Ethan

Ethan gave me a great Mother's Day gift today.  He made a book all about his mom, by Ethan at age 5.  Here it goes:

My mommy is 100 years old.

She weighs 8 lbs. and is 51 ft. tall.

Her hair is blond and her eyes are blue.

The favorite thing my mom likes to do is pet sole.  She likes to wear a shirt and jeans.

My mommy's favorite household chore is to clean the floor.

My mom loves to cook everything.

My mom's favorite TV show is shooting games and her favorite song is chillin' on a dirt road.

When my mom goes shopping, she loves to buy TV Dinners.

If my mom could go on a trip, she would go to Utah and she would take clothes, laundry, and a suitcase.

Mommy always tells me secrets.

I really love it when my mom makes me dinner.

That kid makes me feel so special and loved.  Most of everything he put is absolutely true!!!!  I love being a mother and loved the way my kids see me!!!!

Easter Sunday 2012

We have had a pretty long week and to end it with Easter Sunday could not have been better. All of our kids have been having some sicknesses and seeing Doctors. This past week all of the kids have had Dr. Apt. Fun times. As I sit here tonight reflecting on all that has happened I am more grateful for the Easter season and the time and opportunity we are given to ponder on our Savior's atonement and love! Church was very good and for the most part the kids were good. After church I took some pictures of the kids in their Easter Outfits... Poor little Ashlee has not been feeling well the last few days and had blood drawn Saturday so she hasn't been her normal happy self. This is what most of our pictures looked like.... Poor thing.

Here is Ashlee and her cute dress. She is the cutest little lady, even not feeling well. Lucky we took pictures after church because before the day ended she had thrown up on her dress and her daddy. (stinky but still cute!)

Miss Katelee was so cute in her dress. We straightened her hair today and that always makes her look so different. When I asked her about church today she said that she learned about Jesus. (This is what she says after church each week, but this time I actually believed her) She is a smart little girl and loves to answer questions!

Ethan is our little stud. He rocked his little suit at church. Ethan went into detail about what he learned at church, explaining to us that "Jesus died and then was resurrected after three days. His tomb was dark and empty because he was not there any more!" I love to hear him tell me things like this. Ethan has a sweet special spirit about him, most of the time, that swells my heart with joy!

Here is the best picture we could get. I think it's pretty cute and very accurate to our kids.

This Easter I have reflected on what my Savior has done for me. Having a stressful week has made me more aware of how much my Savior truly did suffer for me. I know that when my heart aches with the pains of a mother seeing her child sick, hurting or sad that my Savior knows exactly how I feel and that I can rely on him to help me get through it. I know that my Savior was born of a virgin, that he lived a perfect life, set a perfect example for me and that he died for me. I am so grateful for my loving Father in Heaven that allowed my Savior to come to earth and suffer what he did so that all of his children could be saved. May we ever have the spirit of Easter with us year round!

Easter Egg Roll 2012

Saturday we did our family tradition of rolling Easter Eggs. Of course this has evolved quite a bit. When I was a child we would go to Cashmen Field and ROLL our eggs down the hill and then we would roll down the hill. Now a days we might roll the eggs down once and then it turns into an Egg THROWING... The kids love it and so do the adults! I think if my Grandma Stewart was alive she might have a heart attack with us throwing the eggs... :)

All of the Blackburn Grand kids were there as well as Grandma Nelson, Aunt RaNae, UJ, Tayler and Carrie.

All of the kids lined up and the rolling/throwing began. It can be quite dangerous standing at the bottom of the hill... But we braved it out! After we have thrown all the eggs we can and our skin starts to get a bit hot we head over to Howard's house for food and egg hiding.


Here is just a sampling of our egg rolling.
Ethan always gets really into throwing the eggs and chasing people around. Katelee does a little of both and Ashlee had an absolute blast. She would suck on the eggs and then towards the end she actually figured out how to roll them. She sat there the whole time and watched and played. I love when they are this age and so much fun to watch as they take everything in. Especially when we do a family tradition that they will remember their whole life.

I love spending the Saturday before Easter with our families. I have very fond memories of egg rolling and hiding eggs with my family. I can still remember trying to hide eggs from my dad and him being able to find them every time. I hope that my kids have the same fond memories about the Easter season as I do.

Silly Morning...

These were the sounds of our Bedroom this morning while getting ready for work....
Chris telling and showing Katelee how to play with her silly sound silly putty, you all know the kind that sounds like a fart when you push on it… Katelee figured it out and was making fart sounds left and right. Then a real fart and real laughter and then more fart sounds, Mom and Dad laughing right along with her. Ethan then wakes up and joins in on the fun. Fart accusations going around and then more laughing. Even Ashlee joined in on the fun when the kids moved into her room to play with the fart sounds. I’m not sure if she was laughing at the sound or at the kids laughing at the sounds.
I know farts are supposed to be repulsive and we aren’t supposed to laugh at them, especially with the kids around, but it was fun. And farts are funny in our house and burping is allowed as long as we say excuse me. Every once in a while we like to be funny with the kids and have a good silly time. That is exactly what we did this morning and it helped set the tone for my day. Because today has been a great day! I love the sound of my kids’ laughter… I don’t think there is any sweeter sound to this mother’s heart, unless it’s their “we’re doing something evil” laughter! Mornings like today make me wish even more that I could stay at home with them all day and be silly!