You know your kid is telling you something when...

...I think I should probably invest in a pool...haha.

New Traits

I think it is so fun to see Xander growing up! He is so smart...sometimes too smart for his britches! New & Continuing Traits that I love:
-He loves to read! (and turn the pages...good luck getting all the words in)
-He spots Cookie Monster where ever we go and shouts his enthusiasm by calling out for "coo coo"
-He loves to run around outside and doesn't care if he gets knocked down by the dog or his clumsy feet!
-He loves his daddy!
- Playing basketball is one of the greatest things! (Even if the ball is just as big as he is!) He can even "slam dunk" with a little help from dad

New & Continuing traits that I don't love so much (i.e. make me want to pull out my hair or have a heart attack from):
- He is testing how close he can get to the edge of the stairs without having to get down on his belly to come down
-His legs are long enough now to climb up on the couch/chairs and especially likes to throw himself backwards from the back of the couch just for a thrill (this type of behavior I feel will be the end of me when he is a teenager)
-bites me when he wants my attention/or to wake up (even if I have only been asleep for a couple of minutes)
-pulls the dvd cases off of the shelves and pulls the dvds out and tries to put them back in
-climbs the shelves in the pantry to get the snack that he wants

Overall my boy is a ton of fun but a whirlwind of energy! I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything!

Better Moods

I woke up in a much better mood this morning! Thank goodness for sleep!
As I am sitting here, Xander is watching cartoons while eating his cereal. All is quiet...no screaming...and I can't help but feel a little bliss! Haha. Today I am going to attempt some couponing. I believe I will be able to get some toothpaste and brushes (about 6 each) for a total of $1.25. That is if all goes well. :) There is also a great deal on tostitos chips and queso at Albertsons. For a total of $25 I can get 10 bags of chips and 5 queso dips. Hope it goes as planned.

Just Because

I don't get to get on and write very often as a "just because" because I have a 1 year old that goes non-stop until he finally drops. But since he fell asleep and I was still not I got up and decided to write a "just because"!

I spent the day attempting to clean my house. Does anyone else ever feel like it will never end?! Just when I get caught up it gets dirty again. I guess that is what makes it a home; just don't come visit until after tomorrow when I actually have it looking somewhat presentable! My day included laundry (ALL DAY NON STOP), weeding the back yard, shaving the dog (didn't quite finish this), 2 loads of dishes, picking up the living room and wiping down my bathroom. And it still doesn't look presentable...sigh. Oh well. Enough of my pity party! Everyone goes through it, so who am I to have a pity party?!
I have been working a lot more and it has been nice to catch up on bills and try to get all the way out of debt. My goal is by the end of the year! Wish me luck with that! I really enjoy my job but it is hard to find time to sleep and to find babysitters! Anyone know of any good ones in the St. George area? Mine flaked on me the other night so I am not sure I will be calling her again!

Xander had his MMR shots about a week and a half ago and is now suffering the repercussions. He has had a fever for a couple of days and coupled with his eczema I think he is really miserable. But his way of showing it is to be clingy to his mom. It makes me feel so bad when I can't make him feel better! Hopefully he will start to feel better soon.

Cyle has been working like crazy! He has been such a great provider for us. And on his days off he is good at helping to keep the yard looking great. Now if only I didn't have an unnatural talent of killing any living plant it would look much better! haha. I may be turning over that job to Cyle because it is very disheartening to see my flowers and plants die because I either over water or under water or look at them wrong!

Our lives are good right now and we are so blessed. I am grateful every day for my husband and son who bring such joy into my life. I love to see them go outside and play basketball and "slam dunk" the ball. I love to see them wrestle on the family room floor and to hear Xander giggle with such delight that he gets to have his daddy's attention. Xander is lucky to have a dad who shows his love for him everyday and I am so lucky to have a husband that loves me and my baby!

Family Pics at Uncle Nini's wedding

These are pictures that my beautiful sister took of my little guy and family when we were up north for Nick & Alex's wedding. The family and xander in red are at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and the last is at my Grandma J's house where Xander got his first haircut. He was loving being pampered by his Auntie Kris!
I am hoping to get these printed soon so that I can send them to Gigi's and other family...NOTE: Sandi don't worry about printing these! haha Love you!

Pictures from past events

It has been a long time

So I haven't written anything in a while. I am sitting here at work (at 2:25 AM) trying to stay awake and so I thought I would take the time to do an update on our fam.
Cyle: still going strong at the B&N. He actually just recently received a "promotion" to cafe manager. That means we got a raise and a step up in the ladder. He is a great daddy! I have started working nights (more info to come) and he has taken over the role of mr mom at night and has done it beautifully. In fact, Xander much rather prefers to sleep next to Dad. The other night he woke up and crawled over to Cyle, threw his body across Cyle's head and went back to sleep. We both just started cracking up.
Xander: Is not walking yet! He is just a chicken. We did have a break through though in that he now can go up and down the stairs without killing himself! We just have to say "feet first" and he backs up to get down. Downside to that: he thinks he can do it off of the bed, couch and other high up spots. He turned 1 in January and had a great sesame street birthday party with a rockin' cookie monster cake (thank you auntie leslie). Pictures to come (as soon as I get them!)
Jamie: I am working at a new job. It is a rehab facility and I am working nights. 6pm to 6am. Sometimes I get lucky and only have to work half of that shift! I love this place though. I enjoy the work, but I think I am ready to get into nursing school and get the degree so that I don't have to do grunt work anymore! I apply to schools this month so wish me luck. I will keep everyone posted about my status there.
Life is great in the West household! (I just wish I could muster up the courage and energy to tackle the housework!)