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| Nate is one super Daddy to my beautiful girls! |
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| My awesome Dad, or "Lampa" as Navi calls him, in his even awesome-er pajamas. :) |
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| My wonderful dad-in-law with all his kids |
Showing posts with label Nate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nate. Show all posts
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Dads are Delightful
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in my life!
Monday, June 7, 2010
{Insert Creative Title Here}
Summer? Is this summer? So far, crazy schedules in our little Buttars family haven't allowed much time for summer. Well ok, or the weather either. Maybe it will get warm in July...
The other day, I was struck by the thought that if we were out doing the summer sales stuff, we would have already be gone a whole month + some. That is how fast May went, and then to think it will be the MIDDLE of June next week....I'm baffled.
It all started with our move. We officially got our keys during the last week of April. So amidst finals, we began our 27th move. Or so it felt. But seriously, I lost count at five or six moves.
Painting was my first priority. For one, because I was so excited to finally be able to do it (!) pick our own colors, etc. and two, because I knew that if we didn't paint before we moved one box in, we'd just get used to it, and it wouldn't seem like a big deal. So paint we did! I would try and get as much done during the days while Nate was at work. Navi would either nap (in a well-ventelated room upstairs) or she would be rescued by one of my sisters or my very helpful sis-in-law. Then when Nate got done around 9 pm, we'd take Navi back to his parents' house (where we were still living) and put her down for the night. They would take her baby monitor and listen for her while we went back and painted until at least 1 or 2 in the morning. This fun process went on for about a week. Keep in mind, that when we bought our place, the kitchen was a deep red color, and I wanted it to be a light tan. Just 3 or 4 coats, around all the cabinents, no big deal.
But hey, as much as it might sound like I'm complaining, I'm not! It has been so awesome to have our own place. And it wouldn't have been possible without EXTREME amounts of help from my dad and other willing parties.
Speaking of dads, both of our dads have been troopers in the moving department. When I say five or six (or more) moves, both have them have been right there (mostly) willing :) to help each time. Not to mention all of our friends! We have worn out everyone of Nate's friends with every move we've made. I know that whenever they hear we're packing boxes; they probably cringe and want to disconnect their phones. But we are so appreciative of all their help and I personally sign Nate up for any upcoming moves on their behalves. I'll even help too!
So after a month and a half, we're finally feeling a bit settled, and although I'm still holding Nate to one last bathroom to paint, our house is beginning to feel like home. Navi has made the adjustment like a champ. Her sleeping schedule has even gotten better if that's possible. {knock on wood} She will go down around 9:30 or 10:00, sleep until 6:00 or 7:00 ish, take a bottle, and go back to sleep until 9:00 and sometimes even 10! The other day I let her stay in her crib until she was absolutely crying (not just the whiny babbles) and before she ever cried too hard, she fell back alseep until 11!! Love that girl. Now, that's not by any means an everyday occurance, but let's just say she appreciates a good "morning sleep-in" like her parents. :)
In other less exciting parts of life, I un-luckily ended up taking 11 credits this summer. I foolishly thought I was going to get away with 3....HA. Mostly because I had precious grant money and and didn't want it to go to waste! And well, it is enabling me to FINALLY get into the Elementary Ed program this fall (just one more group interview until I'll know for sure) and then it's 3 semesters in the program, and possibly one semester of a few random classes I need for graduation. That sounds like forever, but seeing as how time is flying by, I'm hoping these semesters will as well. Now if only I would have been doing this 3 majors ago...
Nate is also taking a few summer classes. (How old are we again? Does this ever end?) And if all goes well, he'll be getting into the MBA program this fall. The only catch will be his work schedule compared to the strict class schedule the MBA students have to be in. It's looking like he'll take the "night and weekend" route, but only time will tell. I'm so proud of him and his motivation to keep going. His goals always take our family into account, and what will benefit us most.
I'm still holding out for our schedule to normalize. I've been a slacker on a lot of things lately, including my Zumba schedule. (I'm sorry Alisha!) It's just been very hard to juggle with the move, Nate's switch in work schedule, and that we're still balancing on one car...someday I will feel normal again!
Anyways, we're still waiting on internet companies to quit standing us up for installation, and when I finally have wireless at home, I'll have more time to upload pics of the new place!
Until then...
The other day, I was struck by the thought that if we were out doing the summer sales stuff, we would have already be gone a whole month + some. That is how fast May went, and then to think it will be the MIDDLE of June next week....I'm baffled.
It all started with our move. We officially got our keys during the last week of April. So amidst finals, we began our 27th move. Or so it felt. But seriously, I lost count at five or six moves.
Painting was my first priority. For one, because I was so excited to finally be able to do it (!) pick our own colors, etc. and two, because I knew that if we didn't paint before we moved one box in, we'd just get used to it, and it wouldn't seem like a big deal. So paint we did! I would try and get as much done during the days while Nate was at work. Navi would either nap (in a well-ventelated room upstairs) or she would be rescued by one of my sisters or my very helpful sis-in-law. Then when Nate got done around 9 pm, we'd take Navi back to his parents' house (where we were still living) and put her down for the night. They would take her baby monitor and listen for her while we went back and painted until at least 1 or 2 in the morning. This fun process went on for about a week. Keep in mind, that when we bought our place, the kitchen was a deep red color, and I wanted it to be a light tan. Just 3 or 4 coats, around all the cabinents, no big deal.
But hey, as much as it might sound like I'm complaining, I'm not! It has been so awesome to have our own place. And it wouldn't have been possible without EXTREME amounts of help from my dad and other willing parties.
Speaking of dads, both of our dads have been troopers in the moving department. When I say five or six (or more) moves, both have them have been right there (mostly) willing :) to help each time. Not to mention all of our friends! We have worn out everyone of Nate's friends with every move we've made. I know that whenever they hear we're packing boxes; they probably cringe and want to disconnect their phones. But we are so appreciative of all their help and I personally sign Nate up for any upcoming moves on their behalves. I'll even help too!
So after a month and a half, we're finally feeling a bit settled, and although I'm still holding Nate to one last bathroom to paint, our house is beginning to feel like home. Navi has made the adjustment like a champ. Her sleeping schedule has even gotten better if that's possible. {knock on wood} She will go down around 9:30 or 10:00, sleep until 6:00 or 7:00 ish, take a bottle, and go back to sleep until 9:00 and sometimes even 10! The other day I let her stay in her crib until she was absolutely crying (not just the whiny babbles) and before she ever cried too hard, she fell back alseep until 11!! Love that girl. Now, that's not by any means an everyday occurance, but let's just say she appreciates a good "morning sleep-in" like her parents. :)
In other less exciting parts of life, I un-luckily ended up taking 11 credits this summer. I foolishly thought I was going to get away with 3....HA. Mostly because I had precious grant money and and didn't want it to go to waste! And well, it is enabling me to FINALLY get into the Elementary Ed program this fall (just one more group interview until I'll know for sure) and then it's 3 semesters in the program, and possibly one semester of a few random classes I need for graduation. That sounds like forever, but seeing as how time is flying by, I'm hoping these semesters will as well. Now if only I would have been doing this 3 majors ago...
Nate is also taking a few summer classes. (How old are we again? Does this ever end?) And if all goes well, he'll be getting into the MBA program this fall. The only catch will be his work schedule compared to the strict class schedule the MBA students have to be in. It's looking like he'll take the "night and weekend" route, but only time will tell. I'm so proud of him and his motivation to keep going. His goals always take our family into account, and what will benefit us most.
I'm still holding out for our schedule to normalize. I've been a slacker on a lot of things lately, including my Zumba schedule. (I'm sorry Alisha!) It's just been very hard to juggle with the move, Nate's switch in work schedule, and that we're still balancing on one car...someday I will feel normal again!
Anyways, we're still waiting on internet companies to quit standing us up for installation, and when I finally have wireless at home, I'll have more time to upload pics of the new place!
Until then...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Happy Birthday to My Precious Navi Baby!!
1 YEAR!?!?
I can't believe it's already been 1 year! These past couple days have been a roller coaster of emotions for me because I haven't been able to decide if I'm happy or sad that Navi is 1. For the most part, I'm happy. She has been the happiest smiley baby and is now growing into the happiest, smiley, BUSY toddler. However, there is a part of me that is so sad to think her "baby" days are disappearing.
One year and one day ago I was also experiencing a roller coaster of emotions as I arrived at the hospital to be induced. I was irritated that I wasn't going into labor on my own, but I was thrilled to think in just a few hours I would be able to meet the little girl that had been growing inside of me. I felt anxious knowing I had to go through the labor process, but I was also so happy to know I didn't have to be pregnant much longer! I was scared to think I would soon be a parent but thankful I would be experiencing the responsibility with Nate. Arguably too MANY emotions for a 9 month + pregnant women to be dealing with.
Besides the time spent waiting for me to dialate, the labor process seemed quick and not as bad as I had built it up in my mind. Of course, that was probably due to the fact that I had taken complete advantage of my pain medicine button and wasn't hesitant to push it when I felt I might be "feeling" anything. The nurse said it all when she came in to help me sit up to push and she exclaimed, "WHOA! You're REALLY numb aren't you!?!" (as you can imagine, this only irritated me just a LITTLE, because I had specific intructions from the anesthesiologist who had said I could push it every hour (half hour maybe? I can't remember) and that the machine wouldn't let me overdose. So in mind my, I was thinking, "Well, I don't want to feel any more than I have to, so I'm going to use it all I can!" Because I was "so numb" they were going to make me wait awhile for some of the numbness to wear off, but when the Dr. came in, I didn't hesitate to push and he said we were good to go! Who would have guessed, that 20 minutes and a few pushes later, would bring me the greatest blessing I've ever recieved? (well, besides Nate of course)
On April 14, 2009 at 2:08 PM I was introduced to my beautiful, precious, heaven-sent baby: Navi Sandra. I remember looking at Nate thinking, "We did this??" She was pink and squished, but she was perfect. Right off the bat, we noticed she had one of Nate's ears and kind of big feet. She was a piece of our life puzzle that we didn't even know was missing.
Before I had Navi, and people would tell me that having a baby was a very spiritual experience, I would internally roll my eyes and think, "Yes, I'm sure all the pain and blood makes it wonderfully spiritual." But after going through the process myself, I'm not ashamed to say I was wrong. I know everyone's experiences are different, but for me, it was spiritual. Spiritual in the sense that I KNEW, without a doubt, that Navi was brought to me especially by my mom. Friends even later joked that the reason Navi was more than a week overdue was because my mom wasn't done playing with her yet. I don't doubt that at all.
On a very personal note, I would like to share my feelings about my mom bringing her to me. I want my thoughts typed out so that someday, Navi will be able to read them.
As I knelt by my mom's bedside the day she died, along with my siblings, Dad, Nate, and other close family members, I witnessed her "talking" to other people in the room. (and I say "talking" because at that point, she wasn't very coherant due to the medicine that kept her pain away) We're positive those people were her Dad and other family members that had passed on before her. I cannot tell you how sure I am that they were there to meet her and take her to the other side. They were her personal escorts.
As an endowed member of the church, I now have a greater appreciation for the signifigance of escorts and their role in the temple. I also have a testimony of their signifigance in other parts of our lives as well. Specifically birth and death. Just as I know my mom had escorts to meet her, I know without a doubt, that my Navi baby had a very SPECIAL escort who brought her to me. I felt her presence there with me in the hospital delivery room...even with all the pain and blood.
It was a day I will never forget for many reasons. I can't believe that day was exactly a year ago and I'm so grateful for Navi and the happiness she has brought me and Nate.
My Precious Navi Baby,
I love you more than I will ever be able to explain. I love your contagious smile and your playful giggle. I love when I come to get you after a night's sleep or an afternoon nap, and you give me the biggest hugs. (sometimes you're probably just holding me tight, afraid that I'm going to lay you back down, but other times I'm sure you're hugging me!) I love that you love your family. You are so excited to see your Grandpas and Grandma and you love any time spent with your aunts. (you're getting better around your uncles too) You especially love your cousins and they all love you too. Most of all, I love the bond you have with your Daddy. He loves you just as much as I do and I'm pretty sure his world revolves around you.
You are very smart and are just beginning to show us your happy personality. You love babies and carry around your favorite baby while you play. I love that you give her kisses and I love it even more when you give me and Daddy kisses. (we know that someday your kisses won't be given so voluntarily, so we're taking as many as we can right now) You love music and you never hesitate to dance. I'm positive that's a quality you got from your Dad. I love the times when I realize you have qualities like your Dad, because I love him so much too!
You are the greatest blessing to our family. I thank Heavenly Father daily that he blessed me with the oppurtunity to be your mom.
I love you more than you know!
Love, Mom
To see a few of her other 1 year pictures go HERE. (now I just have to finish picking out the rest!) Thanks again Nicole!!
I can't believe it's already been 1 year! These past couple days have been a roller coaster of emotions for me because I haven't been able to decide if I'm happy or sad that Navi is 1. For the most part, I'm happy. She has been the happiest smiley baby and is now growing into the happiest, smiley, BUSY toddler. However, there is a part of me that is so sad to think her "baby" days are disappearing.
One year and one day ago I was also experiencing a roller coaster of emotions as I arrived at the hospital to be induced. I was irritated that I wasn't going into labor on my own, but I was thrilled to think in just a few hours I would be able to meet the little girl that had been growing inside of me. I felt anxious knowing I had to go through the labor process, but I was also so happy to know I didn't have to be pregnant much longer! I was scared to think I would soon be a parent but thankful I would be experiencing the responsibility with Nate. Arguably too MANY emotions for a 9 month + pregnant women to be dealing with.
Besides the time spent waiting for me to dialate, the labor process seemed quick and not as bad as I had built it up in my mind. Of course, that was probably due to the fact that I had taken complete advantage of my pain medicine button and wasn't hesitant to push it when I felt I might be "feeling" anything. The nurse said it all when she came in to help me sit up to push and she exclaimed, "WHOA! You're REALLY numb aren't you!?!" (as you can imagine, this only irritated me just a LITTLE, because I had specific intructions from the anesthesiologist who had said I could push it every hour (half hour maybe? I can't remember) and that the machine wouldn't let me overdose. So in mind my, I was thinking, "Well, I don't want to feel any more than I have to, so I'm going to use it all I can!" Because I was "so numb" they were going to make me wait awhile for some of the numbness to wear off, but when the Dr. came in, I didn't hesitate to push and he said we were good to go! Who would have guessed, that 20 minutes and a few pushes later, would bring me the greatest blessing I've ever recieved? (well, besides Nate of course)
On April 14, 2009 at 2:08 PM I was introduced to my beautiful, precious, heaven-sent baby: Navi Sandra. I remember looking at Nate thinking, "We did this??" She was pink and squished, but she was perfect. Right off the bat, we noticed she had one of Nate's ears and kind of big feet. She was a piece of our life puzzle that we didn't even know was missing.
Before I had Navi, and people would tell me that having a baby was a very spiritual experience, I would internally roll my eyes and think, "Yes, I'm sure all the pain and blood makes it wonderfully spiritual." But after going through the process myself, I'm not ashamed to say I was wrong. I know everyone's experiences are different, but for me, it was spiritual. Spiritual in the sense that I KNEW, without a doubt, that Navi was brought to me especially by my mom. Friends even later joked that the reason Navi was more than a week overdue was because my mom wasn't done playing with her yet. I don't doubt that at all.
On a very personal note, I would like to share my feelings about my mom bringing her to me. I want my thoughts typed out so that someday, Navi will be able to read them.
As I knelt by my mom's bedside the day she died, along with my siblings, Dad, Nate, and other close family members, I witnessed her "talking" to other people in the room. (and I say "talking" because at that point, she wasn't very coherant due to the medicine that kept her pain away) We're positive those people were her Dad and other family members that had passed on before her. I cannot tell you how sure I am that they were there to meet her and take her to the other side. They were her personal escorts.
As an endowed member of the church, I now have a greater appreciation for the signifigance of escorts and their role in the temple. I also have a testimony of their signifigance in other parts of our lives as well. Specifically birth and death. Just as I know my mom had escorts to meet her, I know without a doubt, that my Navi baby had a very SPECIAL escort who brought her to me. I felt her presence there with me in the hospital delivery room...even with all the pain and blood.
It was a day I will never forget for many reasons. I can't believe that day was exactly a year ago and I'm so grateful for Navi and the happiness she has brought me and Nate.
My Precious Navi Baby,
I love you more than I will ever be able to explain. I love your contagious smile and your playful giggle. I love when I come to get you after a night's sleep or an afternoon nap, and you give me the biggest hugs. (sometimes you're probably just holding me tight, afraid that I'm going to lay you back down, but other times I'm sure you're hugging me!) I love that you love your family. You are so excited to see your Grandpas and Grandma and you love any time spent with your aunts. (you're getting better around your uncles too) You especially love your cousins and they all love you too. Most of all, I love the bond you have with your Daddy. He loves you just as much as I do and I'm pretty sure his world revolves around you.
You are very smart and are just beginning to show us your happy personality. You love babies and carry around your favorite baby while you play. I love that you give her kisses and I love it even more when you give me and Daddy kisses. (we know that someday your kisses won't be given so voluntarily, so we're taking as many as we can right now) You love music and you never hesitate to dance. I'm positive that's a quality you got from your Dad. I love the times when I realize you have qualities like your Dad, because I love him so much too!
You are the greatest blessing to our family. I thank Heavenly Father daily that he blessed me with the oppurtunity to be your mom.
I love you more than you know!
Love, Mom
To see a few of her other 1 year pictures go HERE. (now I just have to finish picking out the rest!) Thanks again Nicole!!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens
Wow.
It's almost been two months.
All I can say is school has pretty much sucked my free time dry.
As usual, I had a blog idea while I was falling asleep the other night, and of course I can't remember anything about it, except that I had a cool comparison of something in my life and "The Sound of Music". My days usually don't consist of dancing around on hilltops in clothes made from curtains, so I really have no idea what my comparison was. I guess it could have just been a dream...
Anyways...
Navi is growing like a weed and decided to take her first real steps (7) on Feb. 21, while Nate and I were away from her overnight for the first time. I almost started crying when I heard she did that. The little fart.
She is just over 10 months and those hesitant steps she's taking, will soon turn into walking any day now. I love watching her progression and all the things she can do, but it also blows my mind to think that 10 short months ago, she was a precious little newborn.
Some fun facts about our Navi baby (mostly for my journaling sake):
9 months - January 14, 2010
- 20 lbs. 4 0z. (80%) and 29 3/4 inches tall (95% and above)
- Loves eating any kind of baby food. She also loves rice cereal and baby oatmeal, peaches, pears, bananas, bagels, Gerber puffs, yogurt melts, cheerios, and her favorite - graham crackers.
- Still just has her 2 bottom teeth, but her top 2 are breaking through.
- She crawls all over and walks around the living room by holding on to the furniture.
- When someone says "no no" she shakes her head side to side.
- Claps her hands when she hears "yay" or "patty cake".
- LOVES Dora the Explorer and whenever she hears the first few notes of the opening song, she stops whatever she is doing and sways back and forward, or bounces to the music, smiles lots, and claps her hands.
10 months - February 14th, 2010
- Top middle 2 teeth are fully broken through and the 2 sides are breaking through.
- New foods she likes: cottage cheese, string cheese, olives, mashed potatoes, jello, and she LOVES goldfish crackers and go-gurts yogurt!
- Plays peek-a-b00 (even though she puts her hands on her cheeks instead of eyes) :), still loves patty cake and even "marks it with a N" (pointer finger to palm), and waves bye-bye.
- Walks all over with her lion walker and took her first steps by herself on Feb. 21 while Mom and Dad were gone for their anniversary.
- Says "Mama" and "Dada" and "uh oh" when she drops something.
- Loves carrying around her babies. You wouldn't think she could tell the difference, but she prefers one over the other. When one of her cousins takes the baby she throws a fit.
- Speaking of fits, she inherited the Wallentine "melt down" trait and is a professional pouter.
In other news:
Nate and I celebrated 4 YEARS on February 22.
The weather even broke tradition this year and the sun actually came out. First time since we got married. As part of our celebration, we were gift certificate fiends and used one that Nate's parents gave us for Christmas to stay here:
(Vegas Nights room is awesome) and then we used another gift card (they are VERY awesome gifters) and ate here:
YUM. I had been craving it for months. Oddly enough, it's the only Chinese I like. Weird.
Instead of a lovey-dovey paragraph of gooey-ness, I'll just post quite a few pictures of some of the good times we've had over the last 4 years. I sure do love my husband!
The best part of our 4 years by far!
It's almost been two months.
All I can say is school has pretty much sucked my free time dry.
As usual, I had a blog idea while I was falling asleep the other night, and of course I can't remember anything about it, except that I had a cool comparison of something in my life and "The Sound of Music". My days usually don't consist of dancing around on hilltops in clothes made from curtains, so I really have no idea what my comparison was. I guess it could have just been a dream...
Anyways...
Navi is growing like a weed and decided to take her first real steps (7) on Feb. 21, while Nate and I were away from her overnight for the first time. I almost started crying when I heard she did that. The little fart.
She is just over 10 months and those hesitant steps she's taking, will soon turn into walking any day now. I love watching her progression and all the things she can do, but it also blows my mind to think that 10 short months ago, she was a precious little newborn.
Some fun facts about our Navi baby (mostly for my journaling sake):
9 months - January 14, 2010
- 20 lbs. 4 0z. (80%) and 29 3/4 inches tall (95% and above)
- Loves eating any kind of baby food. She also loves rice cereal and baby oatmeal, peaches, pears, bananas, bagels, Gerber puffs, yogurt melts, cheerios, and her favorite - graham crackers.
- Still just has her 2 bottom teeth, but her top 2 are breaking through.
- She crawls all over and walks around the living room by holding on to the furniture.
- When someone says "no no" she shakes her head side to side.
- Claps her hands when she hears "yay" or "patty cake".
- LOVES Dora the Explorer and whenever she hears the first few notes of the opening song, she stops whatever she is doing and sways back and forward, or bounces to the music, smiles lots, and claps her hands.
10 months - February 14th, 2010
- Top middle 2 teeth are fully broken through and the 2 sides are breaking through.
- New foods she likes: cottage cheese, string cheese, olives, mashed potatoes, jello, and she LOVES goldfish crackers and go-gurts yogurt!
- Plays peek-a-b00 (even though she puts her hands on her cheeks instead of eyes) :), still loves patty cake and even "marks it with a N" (pointer finger to palm), and waves bye-bye.
- Walks all over with her lion walker and took her first steps by herself on Feb. 21 while Mom and Dad were gone for their anniversary.
- Says "Mama" and "Dada" and "uh oh" when she drops something.
- Loves carrying around her babies. You wouldn't think she could tell the difference, but she prefers one over the other. When one of her cousins takes the baby she throws a fit.
- Speaking of fits, she inherited the Wallentine "melt down" trait and is a professional pouter.
In other news:
Nate and I celebrated 4 YEARS on February 22.
The weather even broke tradition this year and the sun actually came out. First time since we got married. As part of our celebration, we were gift certificate fiends and used one that Nate's parents gave us for Christmas to stay here:
(Vegas Nights room is awesome) and then we used another gift card (they are VERY awesome gifters) and ate here:
YUM. I had been craving it for months. Oddly enough, it's the only Chinese I like. Weird.
Instead of a lovey-dovey paragraph of gooey-ness, I'll just post quite a few pictures of some of the good times we've had over the last 4 years. I sure do love my husband!
The best part of our 4 years by far!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Dad's Day
Happy Father's Day -and now Grandfather's Day- to our dads.
We love both of you so much!
Also, happy FIRST Father's Day to Nate. He is a wonderful dad already. LOVE YOU.
We love both of you so much!
Also, happy FIRST Father's Day to Nate. He is a wonderful dad already. LOVE YOU.
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