Caton Christmas Uno

This year may have been the most magical Christmas since the wise-guys found Mary and the crew in that stable long long ago!

Obviously it was Aspens first Christmas, and to date it was the best holiday we have ever had! To recap the events: Christmas eve my Mom always hosts a fantastic feast for EVERYONE!!! Family, friends, neighbors, people you meet the day of and want to share the special moments with.... it is incredible that she can take the time out of her crazy life to orchestrate something that means SO much to everyone. I hope in years to come I can help Aspen have memories just as special! On Christmas morning We woke up very early and did our stockings from Santa, then we surprised Grandma (she didn't think we would see her until the afternoon) for stockings and presents at her house, then we went to Great Grandma's house for an amazing breakfast/ festivities, then we came home for a mid-morning nap *much needed*, THEN we went to Great Grandma Lynda's house for Christmas day dinner.

Very busy day, and very amazing day. Aspen recieved so many great and special things... among the favorites are a HANDMADE and INCREDIBLE stocking from Grandma, a toy that hangs in her crib for her to play with during "quiet time" (which she is getting very good at staying entertained for an hour every day so MaMa can nap)... some adorable finger puppets, a walker ETC! We are so fantastically blessed.

I think my most favorite gift was (besides sharing the day with my beautiful daughter and charming husband) was the diamond necklace symbolizing the incredible journey we are on, awww....

Chris say's his favorite memory of Christmas this year was carrying Aspen down the stairs to open her very first stocking.

As the years go on we are looking SO forward to little feet running down the hall to wake us up on Christmas morning. LOL, Chris still has more excitement and childlike wonder around the holidays than anyone I have ever met- one of the very many reasons I love him with my whole heart.

Here are some highlights of the day, enjoy!

Aspen and Daddy Christmas morning

Our favorite gift

Aspen's stocking

Love this one... note the necklace :)

Memory Blanket

I love that we still have this blanket. How cool would it be if in 20 years or so we can get a picture of Aspen's daughter on it too? I think afghans and quilts are like little histories that get passed down through the generations.

Aspens Cup of T

what did I ever do for fun before she came along?!

12 days of Christmas

Our rendition of the classic song:

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

12 dirty diapers

11 pacifiers

10 toes for trimming

9 loads of laundry

8 little rattles

7 second showers

6 missing socks

5 TEETHING RINGS

4 burp cloths

3 hours sleep

2 sticky hands

&

1 little bundle of joy!

Life Lessons

Every moment of motherhood for me has been a learning experiance... My Mom often reminds me of how our children come into our lives to teach us as much as it's our jobs to teach them. This week I have been learning from Aspen:

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

• Mon/Wed/Fri, wake up 6am- awake all day, work from 8pm-7am

• Tue/Sat, get home from work around 7:30- awake all day, sleep around 10pm

That said, I am trying to start a nap routine with Aspen so I have definant times I CAN lay down to sleep :) I LOVE my job, and knew it was going to be rough and wouldn't change anything because I get to have an income and be a day-mom to my beautiful baby.

Today I had reached the end of my rope... I feel a little guilty for getting frustrated due to sleep deprivation, but luckily I was calm enough to put Aspen down and call for reinforcements! Chris got ahold of my Mom, who came down to take Aspen home so I could get some much needed rest. It was the most incredible nap. LOL I think it's a true sign that someone is a mother if you ask "what would you do with a completely free day" and the answer is "nap, shower and eat a hot meal".

When my mom showed up I told her (teary eyed) that I felt bad because I should be able to do it ALL... to which she brilliantly responded with "good luck with that, if you figure it out let me know how too". I love my mom. She has a way of putting it all in perspective. It was great for her and Chris to both point out that every mom needs a break here and there- and also that it is not weakness, more a sign of strength to know when you need to ask for help.

I am so SO thankful for how much love and support I have in my life. I truly don't know how young and/or single moms do it!!! Now the key is to take advantage of all the helping hands in my life, realize I CAN'T dp it all, and start asking for help before I feel like I'm losing my patience and mind.

Jedi Master

I am convinced Aspen is a Jedi Master. After being awake all day and working all night, Mommy was spent! So I lay her down for her afternoon nap... it NEVER fails- as soon as I have decided she is officially asleep I crawl under my covers... snuggle up to my pillow... breathe in a sigh of relief.... and-

WAHHHHAAAAHHHHHHAHHHHHHHHHHWWWWWAAA!!!!!!!!!!

Either I indeed gave birth to a little Yoda, or the child is trying to kill me.

Joey Claus

So I call my Mom to let her know we got our very first Santa photo at citadel mall...

She says, "OH, that Santa is Joey, I know him"

It made me laugh, so maybe in years to come we will have to leave out cookies for Joey.

Mall Munchkin

HO HO HOLY smokes the mall is busy this time of year!

We decided to have a family-outting at the Citadel mall this afternoon, making it the second time Aspen has ever been shopping in her almost 5 months of life... Turns out we ended up just shopping for the baby :)

Guess in years to come we wont be able to bring her on those shopping trips, AND we will also have to get much better about not putting all the gifts under the tree early... and SANTA fills the stockings! Haha there is always new parent stuff to learn-

THEN there was the Christmas dress... let me break it down for you:

1. I suggest we get one for her first Christmas, Chris looks skeptical
2. We start shopping through all the frills and bows, I look overwhelmed.
3. We try on a few cute ones (as many as she will tolerate), Aspen looks adorable.
4. I decide it's not really necessary, she owns enough clothes, Chris looks disapointed.
5. Chris says "she NEEDS a cute dress for Christmas!", I look amused.
6. I learned in that moment how cute the daddy-daughter bond really is... then I hope she doesn't decide she NEEDS a porche for her first car

First Solids

And then, ladies and gentlemen, she was ready for solids...

Tonight we tried Aspen out on some rice cereal. It was so funny to watch her face twist with confusion about what it is we were trying to make her eat!

*side note* I tried some (with water not my milk) and it is NOT good

So Aspen ended up getting more ON her than IN her, but it was so cute to watch her stick her tongue out and fumble with the end of the spoon...

P.S. look at that meaty little arm, I ADORE her hand-dimples :)

Epic Nap Battle

I WIN.

Thanksgiving 09

Amazing how fast the holidays come and go right?!

Before we left on our trip, my Mom and my Dan had the family over to do our Thanksgiving dinner and celebrate Chris's birthday. Mom always has been amazing at celebrations.

One of my favorite holiday memories is when we were doing an early Thanksgiving dinner and it was our family, friends, neighbors... and the door-to-door salesman all joining hands and hearts to give thanks. Mom's home will always be one with an open door, a good meal and a warm fire for anything that needs it.

So just a few days later we all flew to New England for Thanksgiving to be with Chris's side of the family. Aspen did SO well with flying on the way there that people around us didn't even know we had a baby on the plane (score)!

We stayed with Chad, which was so much fun... getting to hang out with him and Calli and seeing a little bit of Portsmouth NH. Also, we managed to squeeze in some time with his Dad's family- Aunt Marie, Uncle Jim, Laurie and family were all so welcoming! We ate some lasagna and visited as if we have always been close, it was really nice to finally meet the people we talk to all the time on the computer! Aspen had fun playing with her cousins Tommy and Julie and we look forward to visits in the future.

Thanksgiving dinner was at his Aunt Christines house, and man was it packed! There were tons of bodies and I won't even try to name them all. Uncle Gary had flown in from Montanna and he was a real hit with Aspen- I think his beard reminded her of Grandpa. Aspen and I got to meet her cousin (and our nephew) Austin for the first time and it was cute to see them being cobabies. The next time they are in a room together they will probably be walking and talking... cliche as it sounds they really do grow fast. Grandma and Grandpa Simi were also able to spend some time with the sprout.

On a sad note- the trip took it's toll on Aspen's little ears. The day we got home she got a pretty bad ear infection and we ended up going to the hospital :( I was very skeptical about flying her across the country so young, and luckily we have all agreed that she wont travel again until July... and after that probably not until she's into her middle school years.

All in all we had fun and it was great, as always, to get back home-

BRING ON CHRISTMAS

First Halloween

Halloween has come and gone, with a FULL MOON too...YAY! Aspen was a ladybug and not a big fan of the outfit, maybe next year :-)

First we did the traditional carving of the pumpkin. Chris is still so cute because he has only carved them since we have been together, but I'm a seasoned vet hahaha... So he and Aspen both had confused, excited faces! I put the "guts" on her hand and the photo is priceless!!! Below is a picture of it all lit up, notice her hands are the eyes?

We then went to Great Grandma Brown's to "trick-or-treat" and then over to Grandpas, followed by Great Grandma Lynda's and THEN to Grandma and Grandpa's (wow this child has lots of grandparents!). Everyone loved her little outfit and we even had to go show her off to the neighbors. All the Grandparents got her fun cards that I'm going to put in her baby book to celebrate her first official holiday! YAY. Next year maybe we will get to dress her like a little devil or zombie and let her walk around a little bit... By the end of Halloween the midget had enough excitement so we hurried home and she zonked out.

Halloween is SO awesome, Chris and I normally dress up too- but it turns out it's much harder to get baby ready than us ;-) LOL we're learning!

!HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We can ROLL!

At barely over 2 months old Aspen decided to roll over for the first time! She has made little flip-flops before, but this was a very deliberate on-purpose roll and it made us all so happy! We were doing tummy time and she pushed that little arm out, kicked that little leg and her whole body followed that bobble-head up and over. I held my breath when she was on her side and all but exploded with YAY's when she made it over all the way. I was SO happy that we (Chris and I) were both there to see her major accomplishment. Being as I'm writing this about a week later, I can say she has made several repeat preformances and soon she may be doing kartwheels eh? Ok maybe not...

GO ASPEN GO!

1 year, 1 wreck, 1 BABY later

What a year we have had!

Today we celebrated our one year wedding anniversary... Well we drug out the celebrations all weekend actually. Aspen spent the night at grandmas house Friday so we could go to the Brad Paisley concert, and that was SO amazing! He sounds great in person and I really recomend seeing him if you get the chance. It was our first concert at Fiddlers Green, which turned out to be a great venue as well- After picking up the midget saturday we hung out and Sunday we had family photos taken. Elin (same wonderful photographer from the wedding) took some of the most amazing pictures of us and our beautiful baby. As soon as we get them I will post to the site and everyone can check em out!

The sweetest part of our celebrations may have been reading letters we wrote to eachother before the wedding about why we have chosen to spend the rest of our lives together. Chris's brought tears to my eyes and I am so happy the rest of my life will be spent in the arms of someone who knows me- good, bad and ugly- and deeply loves me for all of the above. I look forward to reading those letters every year on our anniversary as a reminder that the foundation we continue to be built on is one of trust, communication, respect and above all else- unconditional love.

Like I said before- it's been one hell of a first year... and we look forward to a (slightly) calmer 2nd year; however, this coming year we have: teething, potty training, a zillion diapers to change etc...

sigh, life is great and I wouldn't change a thing!!!

Chunkster McGee

So, today I took Aspen to her 5 week checkup and she is in the 95th % for her age! She weighs in at 10lbs even and has grown 2 inches since birth... Her next appointment will be October 5th where she will get all her shots and I will probably cry :-(

I also went to my post-partum checkup and everything is great for the mama too!

Check out these photos that show our growing baby-

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life... and most importantly, cookies. ~ Rudolph Giuliani

A child needs a grandparent, to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world. ~Charles and Ann Morse

Yesterday was Grandparents day, and Aspen got to see some of hers! Grandpa is feeling a little sick, but we got to talk to him on the phone... These were some of our favorite quotes about grandparents, especially since both apply to the wonderful people in Aspen's life that we are so blessed to have.

ASPEN SAYS "HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY"

A note for Moms

I absolutely love being a mom. I love the new noises, the sleepy eye-rubs, every moment with Aspen brings me so much joy. I wouldn't give this up for anything, even a full night of sleep!

I am humbled (and overwhelmed!) at the responsibility of being a mom.

But I am surrounded by so many women in my life who inspire me to be a better mother. My own beautiful mom, grandmothers, friends and extended family... Thank you all for everything you have ever done.

Tattoos

Chris got an AMAZING tattoo, it was my anniversary present to him. Despite the obviously tender location (back of his calf) he is still the toughest guy I know!

Mine was much MUCH smaller and in a tender spot as well, but the entire thing took all of 5 min to do so it was not so bad! Obviously it's an Aspen leaf ;-)

First Week as Mama

Sigh-

The first week Aspen was home has come and gone, and looking back it was harder than I thought it would be. She has been a VERY good baby from day 1, little fussing (as long as you don't try to swaddle her or cover her hands) and sleeping 3-4 hour stretches at a time. Christophers family was here for a total of 9 days right after we got home and it was nice to have meals cooked (that I was too sick to eat, but enjoyed the smell of) and housework done... I felt bad I had let it go so much being HUGE pregnant in the hottest part of summer! Uncle Chad left us with amazing meatloaf and other frozen dishes we lived on for weeks after, and carrot cake that is seriously to DIE for... It was also a relief to get our house back to ourselves, and I don't think it was until then that we really started to settle into a routine as a family and everything started to calm down and I felt like I could settle into motherhood.

Chris's Chevelle also came in that week and it was fun to watch him start working on the engine and all.

Aspens first appointment went SO great! She was back up to her birth weight at 5 days, instead of the standard 2 weeks! She is eating VERY well and is a super alert, super content little lady.

So all in all we survived the first week and lived to tell about it

:-)

Birth of an Angel

She is finally here!

So, at 3:33 am on Saturday, August 8 2009 my water broke all over our bed and Aspen had decided it was time to make her (dramatic) debut. I woke Chris up and we luckily had the bags already packed and in the car so we threw the dogs outside and started the 30 min. drive to Memorial hospital. We got there around 4am and the doors were LOCKED so Chris left me (dripping wet) at the doors to get the car to drive to the ER entrance, not knowing it was literally 6 feet from where we stood :-) when we made it to the 2nd floor my family was already waiting there for us and they stayed until she was born at 5:10 that evening. Labor was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, even though my epidural had worn off and it was then too late to get a boost of pain killers... She weighed 6lbs 15oz and was 20 inches long. There were so many wonderful people at the hospital to welcome Aspen into our lives- Mom, Dan, Devin, Aaron, Lynda, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Kim, Bob, Trevor, Dana.......... Friends and family continued to visit us in the hospital for the next 3 days......... sorry if I'm forgetting anyone, but the point is from the very beginning she has been so loved and welcomed and is truly blessed to have such an amazing group of people in her life!

36 Weeks

Here we are, almost full term!

At 36 weeks Aspen is tipping the scales at over 6lbs and about 20" long (same length as my arm!). We are both so excited to meet our belly-dweller, and the plan is to be induced August 4th. THREE more weeks till we are parents forever! I am SO over pregnancy, and can't wait to get this child out of me... Definitely staying positive about the whole situation, and Chris has been very supportive which helps. I plan to work until I pop, then have 4 weeks with Aspen before resuming the night-shifts. I've heard the last month is the hardest, but it's almost over... maybe the next post will be about labor and delivery!

Baby ShowerS

So, we had a whole weekend of baby shower maddness! We were both seriously overwhelmed at how amazingly giving everyone was, and how many people came.

Rhonda (Grandma) and LaVada (great-grandma) both threw great showers and we recieved more things that we hadn't even thought of, but definantly need!

Now that we have all of the basics and a few frills (such as picture frames, burp cloths, swing, high chair, tons of clothes NEW CARPET) we feel even more prepared for the rapidly-approaching parenthood. Aspen will be the best dressed baby on the block- and we can't thank everone enough for all that they have done to support our growing family and help make it a little easier to bring this little lady into the world!

MANY MANY THANKS TO ALL~ (expect cards soon hehe)

Chris, Jes and Aspen Caton

30 Weeks and counting

So we have reached the 30 week mark and that is pretty exciting! Just over 2 months to go and the home-stretch (pun intended) is exciting so far. I've become very involved in silly little things like matching headbands and girly accessories... my theory on that is it helps to distract from how big, hot and tired I feel now. So, I'm going to write a pregnant book titled "Hemorrhoids and Headbands", a guide to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! Some women totally rock the pregnant world and I am struggling to be one of them. Found out at the last appt I am anemic, and nobody told me about vericose veins... but everyone keeps saying it all goes back to normal and really ive been blessed to not have stretch marks or gain a lot of weight. Furthermore, I truly believe these are all small sacrifices for the end goal- a happy and healthy baby girl! Can't wait for all the excitement of this next weekend!

Baby Name

We have officially decided to name our daughter Aspen Dawn Caton. We love it and it fits so well with who we are as a family. Others have mixed reviews and we really don't care cause we are the ones cookin' her :-) A funny side note is she and one of her many cousins (though he is the farthest away) both have city names!

It's exciting to be able to reffer to her with a name now, and we can't wait to hold Aspen in just a few short months!

Indoor Skydiving

This is Chris typing, and I wanted to write that today Jes surprised me with indoor skydiving, and it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. The wind is hitting you at 120mph and it's a little difficult to keep your body in the right position, but so much fun! I can't wait to do it again and eventually a real jump!

Letter to Baby

-I Hope You Dance lyrics-

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

Dance....I hope you dance.

Dear Baby,

This is an amazing song, and if we could dedicate any specific words of advice these would for sure be in there. In this life, on this planet things will be: happy, silly, hard, magical, painful, confusing, beautiful, boring, hecitc and everything that fills the spaces in-between! We hope when dealt a rough hand you always remeber to "dance", and know that we are here to guide you and help you grow! That's it for now chicklet-

With infinite love,

Mom and Dad

Little Liver Kicker

Today was an exciting day because Chris finally got to feel her do an official KICK! She is super active, but he must have a calming effect or something, every time he has tried to feel her she stops moving and I think goes to sleep!

HAHAHA little one, we- as your parents have outsmarted you for the first time of many!

As soon as he felt it, Chris drew his hand back and was like "woah!" I said "I know right!". It is amazing and a little insane that I am growing a human, and we both like watching my belly jump around- She's gone from a jelly-bean to a jumping-bean!

FAN OF DOOM!

Sigh, so we were both tired of the light switch in the nursery controlling a lamp and decided to install a ceiling light/fan. Chad and Chris were back and forth on the phone getting the wiring hooked up, while I prayed the house doesn't burn down and Chris won't get electricuted! The next day while Chris was at work I called Grandpa Joe to come help me install the fan. I thought it would be a quick and easy lift and hook and TADA! Pshhhhh NOT! I climbed up in the attic- yeah I know, not smart Jes- forgetting I'm suddenly "pregnicapped". Grandpa climbed to the top of the ladder and then FELL OUT OF OUR ATTIC! It was seriously the scariest thing ever, and here I was almost 6 months pregnant, stranded and helpless. After a few moments (that felt like a lifetime) he moved, got up and was back to work- crazy man! Thank god he is ok, and be sure to check out the infamous FAN OF DOOM- looks great in the room :-)

18 Week Visit!

IT'S A GIRL!!! Today we found out we are having a little girl! Jes had been feeling like that was the case, but it was so cool to see the 4d images of our little baby! Technology is amazing- we could see up her little nose! Rhonda came to the appt. too and the whole family is very excited to welcome a precious little angel to our circle August 15th! She is big and healthy with a strong heart... we could not be more excited, and now we can start shopping PINK! Ok, or yellow...

12 week Screening

Today was our 12 week
appt. and the first trimester screening. So far so good with the baby, it's healthy and no signs of genetic disorders! Jes has been sick as a dog, and miserable- excited to enter the second trimester.