Today with Creighton

Today I feel grateful to be a mom. Creighton is such a special, sweet little boy. Today he was so well-behaved for me while I stayed busy with Monday chores. He even stayed out of the dishwasher and dog food! Today I am glad that I took the time to play with him and giggle. Creighton makes me realize there are many things to laugh about. Today I am glad that I had the opportunity to snuggle him to sleep while we watched Dancing With The Stars. Ssshhh... Don't tell his daddy.

Sometimes I end the day feeling exhausted, regretful, and incapable. But days like this make me feel uplifted as a mother and motivate me to do even better tomorrow. I want to be a good mom-I just wish I was faster at getting it perfect. Good thing I have a long time to practice, and Creighton's memory is still poor...

. . .Zzzz. . .Zzzz. . .Zzzz. . .

Background: I love to sleep. I can sleep anywhere, anytime. Always have been able to. And once I am asleep I am difficult to wake up. "Sleeping in" is a hobby of mine.

More background: I have been suffering from migraines for about 5 years and finally went to a neurologist who suggested a sleep study. She predicted my migraines were due to poor quality sleep.

I then had a sleep study done: They strapped me up to a bunch of wires and I slept overnight while they monitored me.

The results: I move "significantly", approximately 48 times an hour. This frequent movement is preventing me from reaching deep sleep.

Both doctors came to the conclusion: I need medication to calm my arm and leg movements so I will sleep deeper and get more quality sleep. (And hopefully decrease my frequency of migraines) After many trial and error I have found some secrets to a good night's rest. However....

Now my husband snores! He has been snoring for a while now, but in the last few weeks it has become terrible. In fact last night I headed out to the couch. It was really more for his safety. I was thinking about punching him in the face. I love this guy... but I need a good night rest or I turn into one crabby wife!

The Cake Boss

These cake pictures deserve their own post. It was definitely the most hysterical photo shoot to date. He didn't come up for air many times... he was in heaven.

One Year Photos

Mr. Creighton sure was animated during his one year photo session. We ended up with some great photos-and some pretty expressive ones too!

Heading South for Winter

Creighton and I had a fun trip visiting family in Arkansas. Big Daddy hadn't seen Creighton since he was 3 weeks old! When we showed up-they threw a birthday party for Creighton!

He's kind of got the hang of this opening presents thing. He did a little bit better than a few weeks ago at his first party.
Creighton was spoiled with lots of presents-including this floppy hat! Now he can wear it and look just like his Big Daddy!
When we brought this big puppy home we had daddy help us name him. He picked out the name "Grits". Grits is a southern food that Cason despises, but I love it! Meet Creighton's new puppy, Grits!

Big Daddy made Creighton a homemade devil's food cake with whipped cream. Creighton has learned to love cake, and any sweets for that matter, so he dove right into the cake as soon as he saw it and I wasn't able to get any photos of it. Big Daddy carved the chocolate cake into a number 1.

Oh yes-it is VERY delicious!! Great-Grandma Betty Jo was thrilled to finally meet Creighton. She insisted on taking him to her Assisted Living Center so that she could show him off to everyone. Of course, he was a big hit!

The weather in Arkansas was sometimes good, and sometimes ugly, but on the good days we went outside to play. We even took Creighton to the park-he loves to swing! We are hoping summer, or even spring, comes quickly to Idaho!

Big Daddy wanted to feed Creighton "real food". He had waffles and pancakes a few times for breakfast, he also had sweet potatoes and pork chops, and chicken and dumplings. Big Daddy also fed him marshmallows... Ugh...

Of course he also had LOTS of chocolate! You can't be a part of the Sanders' family and not love chocolate. Yes...he ate the whole cup of ice cream.

Yummy...Big Momma Cake! It's necessary to sustain life.

We love going to Arkansas and visiting Big Daddy and Inotda!

Nausea Runs In My Family

Creighton and I are hanging out here in Arkansas with the Sanders' Grandparents (they prefer to go by Big Daddy and Inotda) and Great-Grandma Betty. We left Thursday from the Salt Lake City airport-and the trip began with a fun surprise!
Seems like Creighton has the Sanders' nausea gene. Right after boarding the plane he threw up EVERYWHERE. His clothes, my clothes, his blanket, our seat+the seat in front, the aisle, and all of our carry-ons. It was miserable trying to clean it all up, Creighton screaming in the lavatory, using only paper towels, while the flight attendants watched with disgust. I was sure they were going to retch as well.
Oh the memories... Many long trips and me and my sister's moaning, "I'm going to be sick..." or "I don't feel good..." or "My tummy hurts..." Without fail we could not travel a distance further than an hour without an incident.
But after we arrived safely on the ground and at Big Daddy's house things are going great. Creighton likes it here-yesterday we played outside in the 70 degree weather. Beautiful.

Creighton's 1st Birthday

Lots of family and a few friends gathered at our home Saturday, March 5th to celebrate Creighton Eli Chambers' 1st birthday!!

Follow the paws to where the fun is!

(see post below if you want a puppy cake too)
Creighton was spoiled rotten with gifts from grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, and cousins.

Mommy and Daddy gave Creighton a doggy blanket mommy had made and some Dr. Seuss books. But wait... what is that honking? Did we forget a gift in the back of the house?

A car!!

"Hmmm... Red Velvet cake? Not sure if I will like this...but I will try anything once."

"I am King Of The Cake!!"

"Did I hear the word bath?"

"I am so embarrassed... At my birthday party? Really?"

No worries-straight back to the toys for little guy!

And we haven't been able to get him out of his coupe. We named him Cooper.

He knows how real men ride, with one arm out the window.

And to end the very special day-a birthday dinner of two of Creighton's favorite foods: pepperoni pizza and macaroni and cheese. You'd think the pepperoni would be too spicy-not for this little guy! He is his father's child.

Could a boy ask for more on his birthday? I know me and Cason couldn't ask for a more wonderful baby! We love our Creighton and are excited to celebrate this happy milestone!!