Jackson Lee Gorden

Caleb and Becca (Chris' youngest sister) had there baby October 26. He is healthy and looks a lot like his dad, I think. Congratulations guys. Being a parent is a wonderful, life changing thing.

Our sweet Caiden

Fourteen months oldWeight: 22.64 lbs= 30%tile

Height: 31.25 inches= 69.5%tile

Head: 19 inches= 89%tile (of course, he is Chris' son)

Caiden took his first steps at the beginning of October. He doesn't have very good balance or he would be cruising by now. He has now taken about 8 steps on his own! With help, he loves walking all over. His favorite was when he was wearing overalls and I held onto the straps. He thought he was walking on his own. He loves to say "ooooooooo" and point to everything. He says "ma ma" and "da da". He throws major fits when I dont let him destroy a cabinet or play in the garbage and toilet. He LOVES to be mischievious. His greatest joy comes from messing things up and bothering me when I'm trying to get anything done. Chris' mom says that he's not a bad baby. But I feel like he is because Addysin is and has always been so easy. She says that he is normal and Addysin isn't. He loves his pacifier and blanket when hes in bed. He is super tough. He gets hurt about once every hour that he's awake. He doesn't learn not to do it again. He doesn't care for toys or tv. He just likes playing in things he's not supposed to. He is a pretty good eater. He's a great sleeper. He's the cutest little guy. He's basically "Chris Jr." looks wise. He's a turbo crawler. He's great at stairs. He drinks out of a cup. He likes to wrestle with Addysin. He's not a cuddler, but LOVES to always be held. He loves car rides, bike rides in the trailer, and super super loves being outside. He loves dogs. He loves balls. He can throw really well, almost better than Addysin. He started throwing around 9 months. Thats the same time he learned how to sit up. He learned how to crawl around 11 months. He has his 8 front teeth and is getting two top molars. He had colic/acid reflux until I stopped breastfeeing him. Then because he lost my antibodies, he has literally been sick since 8 months old. He usually has a cold, or is teething bad. I caught a glimpse of his sweetness in July before he started teething and wasnt sick. I know he's just in pain and uncomfortable most days. He loves my dad. I've noticed he really loves most men. He's not afraid of strangers, unless he's cranky already. He's really brave. He likes to get messy, but thankfully loves baths. HE IS 100% BOY!

Morning

First we have the wacky bed head. All of the neighbors and family have witnessed this daily occurrence.

...and the dazed, puffy eyes.

Some pics of the week

We had a lot of fun being in Washington. My family adore Addysin and Caiden. They like to see me too. Addysin and Caiden got to see 8 cousins.

My nephew, Austin, had his second birthday. Nova is 6.

Tucker, I've never been so in love with a dog. This ones a cutie. My family just got him. Bryan, is that you? Going to a stake"disco ball".

Four words. Bad to the bone.

Two wrecked boats my dad and uncle got for dirt cheap and are fixing up.

I would love to be a photographer

Anyone that knew me growing up knows that I have ALWAYS been obsessed with pictures. Whether I was the one taking the pictures or trying to be a model, I loved it. I need to scan in some of the super cheesy pictures I used to take. They will make anyone laugh. I started with a purple camera that used 110 film. Then I had a few different hand me downs from my mom, just regular 35 mm film. When I was a freshman in high school my parents (or Santa), cant remember, got me a Canon EOS Rebel 2000 35mm . I think that's the one I had. Anyhow, I have always loved taking pictures and I wanted to be a photographer all growing up, but I ended up going to hair school instead. Two years ago for my birthday Chris got me a Nikon D40x digital. I love it. I'm super amateur but I really love taking pictures. I usually take my sisters school pictures.

10 hour trip, 2 kids, 1 mom

Went home....
I dropped Chris off at the airport on Monday so he could go do some work in Florida. Before I was even back on the freeway, I had called my mom and told her I wanted to come visit. She of course was so excited and then told everyone else who also got excited, which got me excited. So here I am, in Washington. I left Orem at 9:00 pm on Monday night and drove 5 hours to Boise. The kids slept the whole way, minus quite a few wake ups. Addysin kept waking up saying "ouwee, ouwee!" because she obviously wasn't comfortable in her carseat. I never had to stop though! They slept pretty good. So I pulled into Meridian, ID at 2:00 am. Addysin wide awake until around 3:00 am. She was so excited about the hotel. So we slept from 3-7:30. When we're away from home she ALWAYS ALWAYS wakes up early because of all the excitement. It was even pitch dark in our room, and I couldn't convince her it was night. She thinks I'm a liar I guess. So I got just enough sleep, but I was a bit tired that day. After a free breakfast (I LOVE those), we got ready and left at 11. The remainder of the trip was about 5 hours. The kids slept the first 2 1/2 and the other 2 1/2 were not so good. Obviously the 10 hour trip went almost perfectly for the kids, but they were both crying as we pulled into my parents. I'm not looking forward to the trip back. I cant decide if I will use the same late night/nap time strategy. I think I will.

Common, funny phrases

"Scary! Scary!" she is seriously, completely scared of most everything.

"ewe, disgusging!"

"My name is Addysin, I wike to dance!" Thanks to Yo Gabba Gabba

"No, I dont wike it." About every single thing I put in front of her to eat

"You luf it mama?" After I take a bite to show her its good.

"I lu hue" I love you

"I woke up!" First thing in the morning & after naps. Or when she wants to get out of taking a nap. She feels she needs to remind me she already woke up and doesn't need to go back to sleep.

"hay chew" She began saying this before she could talk very well and now she will not correct it even though I tell her its "I want you." This translates to "pick me up". Its embarrassing in public when it sounds like shes saying she hates me.

"I wan ge lout, ge lout!" I want to get out (of my carseat).

Pictures of Addysin and Caiden

I got these taken at Fotogenix in Orem. Its not cheap, but if you love the pictures then its a decent deal. I think they turned out pretty cute. I dressed them and picked the props to match the themes in their rooms.

They were so happy and cooperative. Lucky me. I love our little munchkins.

My thoughts on Fall this year

I really really cant believe its October 10th. In my mind I am telling myself its going to warm up again and summer isn't over. It has been 65 degrees lately and thats definitly as good as its gonna get. SAD! Its so hard staying inside most the day, and bundling my kids up when we do go out. A month ago my kids were outside in their diapers and my front door was wide open. Then some dumb day it decided to be 45 degrees and there went summer. It literally blew away with the wind. I LOVE the holidays and in August I start craving fall, Changing colors, brisk weather, coats, mittens, scarves, (You're waiting for me to say "hats", but no, I look super bad in them) decorations, pumpkin chocolate chip anything, football season (ha ha, Chris wishes- That love went away after high school when Chris wasn't the one wearing the tight pants and I didn't know the cheer moves anymore). But even before that, in July, I start missing Chistmas music, snow, and the happy feelings of the holidays. That must be common- hence "Christmas in July". And now for the first time in my life, I dont want to let Summer go. Its gone, never to return, well not for EIGHT more months! Am I depressing anyone else? I've got to snap out of this. The reason I'm having a hard time is only due to my kids. Its so boring inside with them, and when they drive me nuts we step outside and they become different childeren. So happy and content. Good news though! Because of "schwinn Mark III" aka- the bike trailer/stroller, can put my kids in it and pull the weather proof top over so they are totally bundled up and protected from the cold. Hopefully I will push myself and get outside with them much more than last winter. The thing is, I HATE getting them all dressed and warm. I have to dress 3 of us. It is very time consuming and once they're dressed I have to get going or they get too hot and start crying and stripping everything off. Why cant they dress themselves as well as they can whine? Anyways, this is what I love about fall thus far: I got to buy Caiden and Addysin new teni-shoes, jackets, pants, and long sleeves since they've grown way to much since last spring, Addysin snow pants and boots (dont want to wait like I did last year and miss out on the cute stuff- waiting until it snows and being forced to buy the only ones left), baking pumpkin stuff at least once a week (which by the way Chris doesn't even like- lame), FALL SCENTSY- I love getting new scents http://www.scentsy.com/annah (Check out the fall/holiday scents and warmers), I brought out fall decor at the end of August, the smell outside in the evenings (it smells like somebody near us has a fireplace), and something about the fall makes Chris and I want to better ourselves- like its a new year. Sounds weird, I know. Well this little pep talk is making me feel much better. Only 21 days until Halloween (which, by the way, I already have Addysin's and Caiden's costumes ready. What should Chris and I be? And who's inviting us to a party? Do we need to throw one?). The day after Halloween (Nov. 1st) two different Utah radio stations start playing Christmas music and you know thats all we'll listen to until 2010. That week we also decorate for Christmas! I dont like the tradition of only enjoying Christmas decor for a month. 1/12th of the year... yeah right. Dont worry, we dont skip over Thanksgiving, they're just combined. We have our pilgrims front and center when you walk in the front door. I've gotta get my game face on, its coming up!

The perfect, simple, productive day

Having two kids 20 months apart and under 3 years old right now is difficult for me. Is it because Caiden is bored and whiney if he isn't getting into something and making a mess or attempting to break things? Or is it because Addysin copies what he does to be cute and get attention? Or because they are both picky eaters? Or because they enjoy hitting and pushing each other? Or because Addysin wont let Caiden play with ANYTHING so he's always bored and looking for trouble? Or because they are both still in diapers? Or because they depend on my for EVERYTHING? I really love being a mother and I LOVE Addysin and Caiden, but I dont get much done usually and a simple "to do list" can take me weeks to complete. Today just went so well...

• 8:00 Woke up, didn't feel like a train wreck like most my mornings. Thats always good.
• Kids ate breakfast, I cleaned main floor.
• Vacuumed and dusted upstairs which are two rare occurances. The kids were happy the whole time, also rare.
• 12:00 Fed kids lunch then bathed them and cleaned bathroom while they played in water.
• 1:00 After Caiden was pushed into the bed post and got a small goose egg on his forehead, they were put down for naps and went to sleep instantly.
• I caught up on laundry while watching "what not to wear". I hate Laundry, and LOVE having it done. Also love having a TV in our room for this reason.
• I finally made myself presentable at 3:00.
• Kids woke up after a two hour nap. Gave them snacks, got ready for pictures.
• 4:00 Took them to photography studio and only a couple minutes late! Also rare. Then they surprised my with their cooperation and happiness. They were sooooo cute.
• After Caiden's pictures, Chris took Caiden home so I didn't have to deal with him (He's a handful. Little wiggle worm that doesn't want to be held and wants to explore everything). Thank you Chris.
• Addysin and I went grocery shopping.
• 6:00 Came home, made dinner. Once again Caiden happily entertained himself. (I want to add that Addysin ate everything I put in front of her today. She is the worst eater and meal time is the worst part of my day.)
• 7:30 Caiden asleep, neighbor babysits him.
• 8:00 Addysin and I watch Chris play in a softball game.
• Addysin falls asleep on the way home.
• 9:20 Me time. Best part of my day.

If only everyday could go so smoothly (minus the part where I got a mad at Addysin for bruising Caiden's face on picture day) I would be the most happy and content mother. Ohhhhh, if life could be so easy......

Four Years

September 24- four years ago...

Four wonderful years and two kids later. So happy.Chris planned our anniversary this year. We stayed Here...Marriot Mountainside resort in Park City. Yes, those are ski lifts right next to the resort. This is just a picture from the internet. While we were there is was definitly not snowing. A super cool thing are the hot tubs. There are six and they have waterfalls cascading from one to the next.

Chris' mom came up from St. George to watch our kids over night for us. That was so sweet of her. It was super fun, like a mini honeymoon. Everytime I'm away from our kids I feel wild and free. It was a short vaca (4pm-11am) but perfect. We attempted to go on the Alpine Slide but it was closed. We got groceries and Chris made us dinner. He didn't want help, but I helped and it was fun to cook together. After dinner we went hot tubbing, watched a movie, and went to bed around midnight. I got a wonderful 9 hours of sleep without being woken up once. I cant remember the last time I felt so good in the morning. We packed up and went home.

I love my sweetheart.

The bike trailer

I've been riding my bike a lot lately for many reasons. I need excercise, its convenient, and the kids love it. I ventured down to the riverwoods this week. Dont worry, I drove there first and then loaded up the bike and trailer. Its so pretty down there. I rode to a duck pond one day. That was the half way point so we took a break. A lady there gave us some bread to feed the ducks. Addysin thought it was hilarious. Caiden was pretty excited too. When the bagel was almost gone, they started eating it themselves.

The neighbor kids love it too. These three were crammed in. It barely fits two, but they didn't want to take turns so they sacrificed their comfort.

Florida Getaway

The first week of September we left our kids with Kira and David Tuesday-Saturday and went to Florida! It was so great for me to have a break from my kids and responsibility. Chris and his partners had some business to do there so I got to come along. We didn't do anything big, but it was awesome staying at such a beautiful resort right on the beach. I loved being able to do whatever I wanted without the worries of motherhood. We were in West Palm Beach.
Out "on the town"

Five Diamond Protection :) Chris, Dave, Jake

Shuffle board

This is the way out to the beach

It was so beautiful...

Camping trip #3: 8/29-8/30

We went back to hope campground with our neighbors Sara and Rob. The Manns and Shaners came up for the campfire. I'll be honest... not our best camping trip. Caiden has been a pill this summer with his teething, sickness, and immunizations. He had just got shots a day or two before our trip and they affected him really badly. He woke up many times during the night screaming. When morning finally came, I was ready to leave. We are definitly done camping until the kids are another year older. Caiden and Addysin bully each other. He pulls her hair out, seriously. She bosses him around, takes his toys, and pushes.

Oh, but hes so stinkin cute!

Nap time

Its the best when he wakes up this happy and adorable. Its also the best when Addysin insists on "sleeping with minnie".

Nataley's wedding

On August 14th, Nataley got married in the Salt Lake Temple. From left to right: Kari, Nataley, me, Brittani. I grew up with these girls. I've known them my whole life and I have the best time with them everytime we're together. Brittani is my cousin. It was so fun to be there at her sealing. And to top it off, L. Tom Perry sealed them! It was awesome.Clockwise from left: Zachary and Kari, Brittani, Me, and the happy couple- Colby and Nataley

My 24th Birthday

Not a very eventful day, but I have great friends that didn't forget about me. Chris was out of town for work so he sent me these flowers. He also got me a real Burberry purse in NY. OK, its fake. Its super cute though. With money from my parents and Chris, I got this bike trailer (Schwinn mark III). I love it and the kids love it. I don't have a bike, but fortunately my sister Amy is letting me use hers. When my kids get a little crazy I take them for a ride and they quiet right down.


Cassidy, my neighbor, took me to get a pedicure. That was sooo sweet because thats really the only fun thing I did. It was so nice because another friend, Erin, watched my kids and Traci deep cleaned my whole main floor while I was gone. During the rest of the day I moped around and cleaned. That evening, Rachel came over with dinner. What great friends I have!
Birthday photo shoot...

Photo courtesy of Addysin. She really did take this picture. She said, "say cheese, smile big!"