JACKSON

We have the sweetest new addition to our family: Jackson

He is so wonderful. I am in LOVE with this boy. My heart melts every time he smiles at me. Jackson was born April 14th at a healthy 9 lbs 9 oz. (Small compared to his brother!) Jackson has continued to grow fast and strong. What a sweet boy.

Jackson loves to watch everything Nicholas does. Just saying the word "Nicholas" gets Jackson excited. They play together like there isn't an age difference. Nicholas is so good with him and is such a great helper. Maybe there's something to this "having your kids five years apart." We'll see!

Now that he's 7 months, Jackson is starting to crawl. He has his own version - it's a combination of doing The Worm and looking like a frog. He hasn't figured out that you only have to move one knee at a time...it doesn't matter much to him anyway - he is so fast!

There are two teeth in that sweet smile of his - both on the bottom. I think another is coming because the drooling and runny nose are in full swing. I let him chew on cold baby carrots to keep his mouth from hurting. He loves it.

Our little guy is quite the traveler - well, for his age. He's driven from Austin to Orlando, and Orlando to Houston and back. Jackson's also flown to Salt Lake City to see Grandma and Grandpa Delis for Aunt Kim's wedding. Next maybe Key West to visit some friends? Hopefully.

Back at it....

I know I've been gone AWHILE, but whatever. No excuses...just updates. 1st update: our move(s):
It's hard to keep up with us. We have literally moved 4 times in the last 2 years. We've stayed put in TX for so long, we don't quite know what to do with it. I'll give you the quick version (I know I need pics, but I need to find the camera and camera cord, upload, blah blah blah....I'll do it soon.) So here it is:
Two years ago we moved to Utah on a "feeling." No job, moved in with Sam's parents. Two weeks later, we met the VP of Sales of Del Sol. Sam had an interview, he got asked to work in Key West, we moved there 4 months after moving to Utah.
Lived in Key West until Dec. Sam's contract was up for renewal, but with no insurance. I was pregnant. We needed insurance. Also, there was a possibility that they'd move us. Only available places were in the Caribbean. No insurance, Caribbean birth. No way.
So we moved to Texas in Dec. Sam got a temp to hire job, with insurance. We had the baby. (He is so freakin' cute!) In July, Del Sol called to say Orlando was available. Sam left Aug. 4th, we came on the 18th.
Del Sol is Sam's dream company, and he is excited to work for them again. It was hard to make the decision to leave Key West, but we felt like it was okay to leave or stay. Seems like either way we would have moved to Orlando. I'm just glad I got to have the baby around family.
That's us in a nutshell!

Under Construction....

No, this blog is not abandoned!! I promise I will post soon. Things have been a little crazy - the holidays, a move, a new job, a new place to live AND a new baby!! So check back in about a week. We'll give you all the updates!

So the word is out....

We are expecting baby #2!

I am due in April, and things are moving along well! Nicholas is super excited to be a brother, and he likes to tell everyone he sees that "Mommy has a baby in her tummy." He likes to ask lots of questions and make name suggestions. The names aren't necessarily real, or ones we'll pick (why would I name my baby Sponge Bob?), but he loves being part of the naming process. Nicholas would like a sister, I am happy with a boy or girl, and Sam says it would be good if we have another boy since we already have all the clothes. We're hoping to find out what we are having because it makes planning a lot easier.

I am 18 weeks along. I'm not too sick anymore as long as I eat immediately when I wake up, and I go to bed before 10. I do have some crazy pregnancy symptoms, though:

Things that make me sick:
1. The color pink. Of course, this is my favorite color, and I have a lot of clothes this color. Too bad.

2. Palm trees blowing in the wind. This is because of the heavy morning sickness during hurricane season.

3. The words Florida, Keys, Florida Keys, Key West.

4. Black and Kidney Beans

5. McDonald's. Ugh

6. Ketchup and BBQ sauce. This is a big deal since I love ketchup on everything, and BBQ sauce is a staple to Texans.

7. Milk products

8. Pickles

I haven't really craved many things...I just think about what I want to eat, and once I decide what won't make me sick, then I have to have it right then. Afterwards, I can't have it again for a few days. No leftovers more than once.

Sam says that I am forgetting more than usual, and he says that I have been saying some things incorrectly in sentences. (I totally disagree, though. I blame it on "guy listening" which he has always suffered from.) The little muffin is kicking lightly, and Sam actually got to feel it the other night when I was very still. It was really cool. So yea! We're on our way!

Halloween

Grace and Nicholas got to spend Halloween together this year. We took the kids to our library for a fun Halloween party. That night, the church had a trunk-or-treat to kick off the night of candy frenzy. Everyone then took to the streets of Key West in a big group and had a blast. Nicholas needed help carrying his bag by the end, and since he only really likes the lollipops, Sam and I were obligated to help him get rid of the rest. Summer and Brent, I mean Grace, made a haul, too. That little girl is so cute, people gave her a ton of candy, even though she is only 7 months old and can't eat any of it. Brent and Summer had fun helping her eat what she couldn't.


Nicholas wore his costume to the Library party for 5 full minutes, which is a big deal! Every year Sam and I struggle getting his costume on him, even though Nicholas has picked out what he'll wear. We usually have a small wrestling match 3 minutes before we walk out the door to trick or treat, and the costume is off the second we walk back in the door. (I guess I don't have to complain about being one of those moms whose kid wears the full costume to the grocery store in the middle of June.) This year I thought things would be different because he tried on the whole Thomas costume in the toy store BEFORE we bought it - he beamed and smiled and wanted to buy it immediately. I was a little surprised that he didn't want to wear it all the time, but Nicholas has never been that way. No dress up for him. Sam is glad about that, and I'm glad for E-bay. I'll just put Thomas up for sale next year - Worn Once. Practically Brand New

Disney World!

Summer, Brent, and Grace came to visit for a week, and we met them in Orlando at Disney World! What a great day. Nicholas LOVED riding the roller coasters and cried every time he got off...he wanted to go again and again. Sam and I were amazed that he is tall enough to go on the big rides (our baby is growing up!). Nicholas did not want to meet any Disney characters, though. He was too afraid! Scary roller coasters - no problem. Favorite Disney characters in person - freaky.

Because of the little muffin on the way, I stayed off some of the rides and got to spend some quality bonding time with Gracie. What a sweetie. I just love her! There were some rides I could go on (yea!), and it was fun to go with Nicholas and see Disney World through his eyes. It was also a blast to go with Brent and Summer and remember the times when Summer and I went growing up.

The day began and ended with a treat, too. Breakfast at Chik-Fil-A and Dinner at Sonic. These are two places I totally miss - there are NONE anywhere near us.

Back in the Saddle Again

Grandma Laura, Papa Sam,
and Nicholas


Sam, Big Sam, Laura, Kim, and Jake
at the White House


Nicholas (and train, of course)
in front of the Washington Monument


People, this is not a joke. It is a real post! We are alive and doing well...we've just spent a little time off the internet "air waves" or whatever. I don't have too many excuses for not posting for so long; just the usual busy summer, trips, hurricane evacuations, and work. But things are getting back to a normal pace, and I'd love to catch you up! Here are our updates:

In July, Nicholas and I went to Texas. We had a wonderful time seeing friends and family. My sister, Reeta, our friend, Latina, and I threw a baby shower for my other sister, Summer and her sweet little Grace. Thanks to Facebook, there were people at the shower that we hadn't seen in years! Nicholas enjoyed playing with his cousins Claire, Grace, Annie Jane and Bryce. It was nice to visit with Grandma Betsy and Papa Robbie. Nicholas misses you! Papa Ben, Grandma Carol, and Uncle Corbin were a lot of fun and great hosts! We love their new home, and it was fun to decorate for my mom. We can't wait to come again soon!

In August, we had our first Key West visitors! Sam's mom and dad came from Salt Lake City to soak up some sun and some grandson time. It was fun showing them around, going to the beach, eating yummy food, and getting out of town. We took a day trip to Miami so Sam and his dad could catch a Miami Dolphins game, and Nicholas, Grandma Laura and I hit the mall. It was hard to see them go - we loved having the Delises here!

The week after Sam's parents left, hurricane season came in full swing. We prepared for Tropical Storm Fay like it was Armageddon, only to find out that the storm wasn't too big of a deal in the Keys...just like a Texas rain storm. It got worse for others north of us, so we felt lucky. As each new storm came, and the media set up camp in Key West, we found ourselves surprisingly disappointed. The storms would either turn just in time or pass us all together. We felt very blessed that nothing worse than a little flooding around town happened here. Thank you, everyone, who called, e-mailed, and prayed for us! We really appreciate your concern for us!

In September, Sam's dad received a call from the White House inviting him and his immediate blood relatives to attend a speech President Bush was giving at the White House on volunteering. Sam Sr. received an award from the President two years before for his volunteer efforts during Hurricane Katrina. Although Nicholas and I weren't able to go to the speech, we all went to Washington DC to spend time with Sam's parents, brother and sister, and cousins. Sam and his family had an awesome time at the White House. We had wonderful trip seeing all the sites: The War Memorials, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, The National Archives, Museum of Art, and the Space Museum. I also got to see the Washington DC LDS temple where my parents were married -- so beautiful! Sam's cousins are so awesome...thanks for a terrific time, Tina and Jim! And thank you, Sam and Laura, for the awesome trip!

Nicholas started school when we got back from DC. He is in Pre-K and loves his class and his teacher Ms. Chris. Nicholas likes to play on the playground, play with blocks, and is learning to write letters. (Nicholas also wants you to know that he likes books and playing with puzzles.)

Work is going well for Sam. We have some new interns and will be getting two more within the next few days. Sam hired our local friend Richard, as well, and he kicks butt in the store. The tourist scene has slowed a bit for the season, but October will bring back a lot of business, so we are looking forward to it. Bring it on.

So, that's us in a nutshell for now. Things are good, we are well, and we still would love to have visitors!