Bop's Quick Visit

My dad came to visit for about 17 hours. He was here with his Temple University basketball team and drove over from Tulsa to see his grandsons and spend the night.

^^Jake needed his Bop, too^^

The next morning we were supposed to go to the zoo since Easton loves animals, but of course, it was the ONE rainy day!!!! So we went to the science museum instead, which was nice because we hadn't been there before.

^^Yeah, Easton really hasn't grasped the concept of the cut outs^^

"Momo" (Nemo)

It was so short, but we were glad we got to see him for our special one-on-one time

Grandpa Gus' Funeral Trip

February was one of our busier months. My sweet Grandpa Gus passed away so I flew to Salt Lake with 3 week old Brigham and 19 month old Easton (who had to get his own ticket since I only have one lap!) Blaine flew out the following day after school.

 I thought giving him the iPad would make the flight super easy-- just let him watch his beloved Tarzan or Olaf for 2 hours, but that didn't last long. Nonetheless, we did very well, considering.

 so small!

We were only there for about 2 days, so it was a busy, quick trip. But we got to see most everyone (ALL the blood relatives) from that side of the family.

My whole family was able to snap a quick picture outside the church, but Abbie missing since she's still on her mission. She was able to FaceTime for the funeral, though. Her mission president is actually in my grandparents' stake.

 Plus, Grandma got to meet Brigham, whose middle name is after her husband :)

My brothers went through Grandpa's closet and were able to keep a couple things like this letterman sweater and jacket from when he played baseball at the University of Wyoming. At the family dinner, all of Grandpa's ski trophies and medals were the centerpieces so I kept 2 medals, one for each of my boys that were alive when he was.

Each of the grandsons (and grandsons-in-law, but there was no difference in his mind) got to pick out one of Grandpa's ties and wear it to his funeral. He wrote his autobiography, planned the whole funeral program, and even wrote his obituary. It was really impressive and special. 

If you're interested, you can read it here.

I hope I get to live a long and active life, as well, and when the time comes, also be able to say that I got to enjoy almost every good thing that this life has to offer. He also expressed his love for the Lord, his family, and this country, which I echo. And lastly, he was extremely proud of his family. He never missed an opportunity to tell me that he's proud of me or thankful that I called. I really liked this line in his obituary, "The happiest thing in my life is that every single one of our offspring are doing very well. They have married well, are highly educated, and doing worthwhile things. We have been extremely blessed."

^^Austin chillin with his younger 2 nephews^^

After the funeral we had a family dinner at my aunt's house, and I looked over to find poor Easton laying on the ground cuddling her wooden bear decoration. What a sweetheart. He didn't have any naps while we were there and was a good sport.

This church has been the place for my baptism, all 5 of my siblings baptisms, and both my grandpas' funerals... and we've never lived there. But it's just home base and where all our extended family is.  

Easton and Brigham also got to meet their cousins for the first time during this quick trip 

(My sister's baby and then Blaine's brother's baby)

3 boy cousins in under 2 years

My family snuck down to Provo early one morning to go through the Provo City Center temple. It was beautiful and extra special since Blaine and I had been in there several times when it was a tabernacle and we lived 2 blocks away when it caught fire a couple years ago. While there, we also ran into Grandpa Brigham Young. Austin was rockin' the facial hair and lovely, long locks. Brigham shares the name and possibly the reddish-tinted hair? Stay tuned on that one.

First Month as a Mother of Two

I've thought a lot about stopping the blog. It takes a lot of time and effort, and now that I have TWO babies, even more of my time and efforts go towards them. I, of course, take pictures everyday, but there are easier ways to keep some sort of journal. Recently I mentioned this to Blaine and I was surprised by his reaction. He's said that he likes it and appreciates me doing it, but apparently he really means it! So I'm sticking with it.

So to catch up quickly, we'll let the pictures do the talking for the most part. So here's January: 

My mom and Alivia and Aaron (my youngest 2 siblings) were there to help with my 2 babies.

 Get me outta here, bruh!

"eeeeeeears" - Easton likes to review Brigham's body parts a couple times a day

Service dog/therapy puppy since Easton's too wild for that role

Learning how to use the sollywrap... Aarie is so supportive

Liv practiced some hairstyles, like this Anna inspired one since she's pretty much Easton's 1st crush

This was right after Easton said "I love you" for the first and only time...

he said it to my mom, but she left for the airport anyways. 

Thats probably why he hasn't said it again ;)

My mom watched the boys while Blaine and I went out for a fancy birthday dinner on the lake

Blaine went back to school, my mom left, 

and  I was on my own with my 2 week old and my 18 month old (and my 2 year old pup, of course)

 Brigham slept an extra lot the first month or two, trying to grow his big, strong, healthy body!

ok, everyone with antlers, get in my truck

I have so many pictures of Easton in this same pose, same bassinet, and same blankie 

Blaine and Easton came home from church to catch this picture of us napping

A sweet three-way Baker boy hug

I call this piece, "Exhausted"

(I realize now that having only one kid is soooooo easy)

We like to draw things we can identify... and he loves snowmen. 

Plus, he makes me feel like an incredibly talented artist

Brigham is such a sweet, happy, low maintenance baby, 

and a good sport about all the love he receives from his big brother

I didn't dare go to the grocery store alone with these two for the first month (but now its no big deal)

but we did go to the zoo with our friends when Brigham was almost 3 weeks. It was a success!

Why hello,  Mother. May I help you?

My sweet boy sneaking a midnight snack... literally 

Snuggling in their blankies their mama made them when they were born

Totally un-staged. This is a common sight at night time

No, Brig. I said wink your OTHER eye

We (especially Easton) love being outside, 

so we took advantage of all the warm days we had this winter

Real life mom look

 While not everyday is a camera-ready day for me these days, I have become increasingly more concerned about actually being IN pictures with my babies. 

We'll all want to see them later on, no mater what.

No, they were not in an argument

He's already growing so fast and so perfectly