A Quick Update..more to come

There are no pictures, but I just wanted to write a few things down so my yearbook/blog book for this year includes majority of our life.

Dawson is on a potty training roller coaster. That's the best way I can describe it... I guess I could also say he just wants to do what he wants. He will go four days-no accidents-excited about stickers and getting a bike...then it's back to diapers for a couple of days..then back to big boys...then diapers. Get the picture? He has had a couple accidents, and I have always made sure to not make a big deal, explain that he needs to try to make it to the toilet, and never get angry. I don't want to traumatize him with this whole thing. He is the one that freaks out the most. He screams and says, "YUCKIES! MOM! AAAAHHH!" It's so sad. He just feels terrible. When he has had an accident with poop he always resorts back to diapers. (this has happened like 3 times, that's it. I think that's pretty good) Yesterday, he realized he was pooping, screamed and I told him to go finish on the toilet. He did and came back and put some new big boys on! So I think we progressing since he didn't resort back to diapers. He totally gets the whole thing, but I'm just going to let him keep deciding.

We basically lost Dawson at Denny's and had no idea! We have been pretty freaked out by this experience. We went to Denny's to eat. We got up to go pay and I headed to the lady's room. Dawson followed me in and before I went in I said to J.D. "I'm going to the restroom." He didn't hear me...even though I thought he did. J.D. paid and went to the truck. I thought he was out waiting for me, so when Dawson wanted to leave the restroom .. I said, "Okay" thinking J.D. was right outside. I came out of the restroom, and went to the truck. J.D. was outside with Dawson, but some lady brought Dawson out to J.D.! It was so scary! We both didn't really know what to think. I'm so grateful that somebody was willing to help Dawson find his parents, but what if it wasn't a nice person and they took him...?? So many thoughts...but I'm glad he was found. :-)

I have 10 days left in my first semester at SUU. It's been... a nightmare! Not the classes, but just SUU in general. The financial aid office, the registrar's office (which is worked out now), and a HORRIBLE adviser who refuses to let me graduate with the degree I want to graduate in. Sounds ridiculous, and it is! However, that's all I'm going to say because I really just want to graduate happily. I think once I get things worked out with a different adviser I will appreciate graduating more. I just want to remember to advise anyone I know to try not to transfer, finish with one school,...and between J.D. and I- not SUU. I don't mean to offend anyone who's gone or is going to SUU, but just with our personal experience (not just mine) we really just want to be done with them. Our favorite place we've gone to school was UVU! Best college/university in the state... seriously! And we've have classes from USU, Snow, SLCC, Uof U, UVU, Weber, and now SUU. Sad...we've actually only attended, combining J.D. and mine, Uof U, USU, UVU, and SUU... Amazing uh?

Our roles have completely changed here for us. Now that J.D. is done with his degree, he's just working. Since I'm going to school, I've completely slacked off on household duties. So, J.D. comes home every night, cleans the house and watches Dawson while I study. I try to get what I can done during the day, but it's nearly impossible. When school starts I will be gone a lot in the mornings and evenings whiles J.D. gets to do everything I used to. ... haha- we actually try to do things together for the most part and I love it. The stress levels for both of us have really gone down. We always try to do a 20 minute clean up every night-which gets our house pretty darn clean since it's so small. It's just nice to share roles instead of relying on one another for certain things. I think that's some really good advice for our future children. :-)

J.D. turns 26 in a couple of day... we really are getting so old, I feel like. All of the exciting ages have passed...we can rent cars, legally drink (but we don't) car insurance has gone down, we are legally adults, we can rent motel rooms, own time shares,....i can't think of much else. I guess the only thing left is turning 65 to get senior citizen rates...lol! Dawson is 2 so we have to pay for a plane ticket for him, but we still have a month in a half left to get him in the movies for free! lol!

4 days and what...

Dawson went four days with no accidents! He did so amazing! He was on his way to getting his bike from his sticker chart (that's what he wants is a bike. Every day we hear, "Mom Dad, I want a bike. i need to go to the store and get a bike."). After 4 days... he was done. He screamed and threw the biggest temper tantrum over getting a diaper. He refused to wear 'big boys' and just wanted a diaper. He didn't care about his bike, or stickers... He was done. He could care less about it.

So we've decided to not fight this battle. He has it all figured out, he knows how to do it, but we aren't going to force it. I especially don't want to fight this battle because I don't want to traumatize him. So... back to diapers and I can only hope that he decides to go 'big boys' all the way sooner than later. I am hating diapers... it's hard to think of having another one because I'm hating diapers that much.... It's even harder thinking that I will probably end up in them again one day when I'm old...I hate getting old. That's all I wanted growing up...lol!

Potty Trained!

Dawson is officially potty trained! Given-today for 2 hours he wanted a diaper because he was TERRIFIED to go to the doctor's office. He was screaming and kept saying, "Doctor hurt me. No doctor." He repeated this over and over while we were there. So given... I completely understand why he wanted a diaper. BUT the rest of the day he wore his sweet boxer briefs that he loves!

Why now....well, thanks to Aunt Jori, Dawson decided he finally would give it a go. He has understood the concept for a long time now, but he he would always just ask for a diaper. He mentally didn't want to transition yet. Aunt Jori showed Dawson how much fun it was to try and hit cereal in the potty. Carson actually showed him, but Jori got Dawson involved. Then Dawson wanted to try it himself. So he aimed and hit the cereal! Then, Aunt Jori gave Dawson some 'Cars' stickers. She explained that he gets to pick one out every time he goes potty like a big boy. Today he didn't even tell me that he had to go potty and actually when 'stinkies' in the potty twice! He loves picking out his stickers afterward!

Sitting on his 'Cars' potty with his 'Cars' stickers! He's so excited!

He got 2 stickers because he went stinkies and potty! He is so proud of himself! So is mom and dad! Good job buddy! He's wearing his 'Cars' boxer briefs (they are a little big...but those are the ones he wanted...I had no other choice but to get those. haha!)

I recently re-did a $5.00 dresser (that J.D. said was disgusting and there was no hope). I did it because I wanted Dawson to be able to reach his clothes, and especially his 'big boys.' It turned out amazing and he loves that he can get himself dressed without help. He's becoming so independent. Here's the dresser-

The spray paint was a stone texture. It really feels like stone too! We love it!

When we went to get the knobs for the dresser, Dawson was on cloud 9 again...which means he got to be a cowboy for the day and see all the cool antique real cowboy stuff. (We went to an antique depot). It is my all time favorite place! We got each knob for only 80 cents a piece! Online it would cost $4.00 per knob at any other store.

Another Mr. Independent story is the cereal story. One morning I was SO tired! I told Dawson I needed more sleep and to just go play for a little bit. He sweetly gave me a kiss on my cheek and said, "K Good night mom." He left the room and shut the door. The next thing I know, Dawson is waking me up and telling me his hands are went. I asked him what was wet? He said, "My cereal on my hands." I got up, went to the kitchen, and there it was.....milk all over the counter, his mini 4-wheeler, and the floor. His cereal was in a bowl and had milk filled to the rim of the bowl.

Dawson uses his mini 4-wheeler as a step stool all the time. He just drives it into the kitchen and away he goes. Well, this time he decided he was hungry. He poor the perfect amount of cereal into a kids bowl. Then got the milk (there was at least a half gallon left) and tried to poor his milk. He did such a good job trying to do this on his own! He's so smart! He helped me clean up and and then ate a new bowl of cereal! I just love this little boy so much!

He is growing up so much! We are so excited to see the kind of boy he's growing into!
Side note: the doctor's visit was to check out his throwing up issue...we came up with a couple different options and we are starting more process of elimination now that he's older. We've eliminated quite a bit, but the things we are looking at start out small. I think that he has a something that is common with first born males with the emptying part of their stomach being to small. This is just my instinct, and I want to write it down just to see if I'm right. I thought it had something to do with a breathing problem...but after research, I think it's this other thing..can't remember the name. I will figure it out and then post it later. :-)

Aubri's Birthday Party

Dawson was invited to a birthday party for his friend Aubri! It was a Mickey Mouse themed partied, therefore, everyone wore mouse ears!

Side note- Dawson has to have his glasses and a hat this summer. It's been so funny! He'll say, "I need my hat. I need my glasses! The sun's going to get me!"

After the 4th, we went to another one of Dawson's friends birthday parties for Addison! He truly loved this party- he was smoozing all over Addi! Addi went to get a drink and Dawson wrapped his arms around her from behind and tried to help her. He took her 'play' shopping while she held the baby. They swam for FOREVER! It was so much fun! I loved it even more because I got to catch up with my 2nd family, the Esplins! It was good to spend so much time with you guys! I sure miss you and love you lots!

Happy Independence Day!

fda



s

We spent Sunday night in St. George. My dad and brother Matt drove all the way from Colorado, so we had an AMAZING BBQ! It was so nice to finally see them- it's been way too long! After the BBQ we watched Knight and Day, then had our own firework show. The pics tell it all!

This is Jori and Carson!

Here's Dawson and me!

Carson and Dawson would cheer after every firework! It was hilarious!

YAAA!!!

Jessi, Carson, & the 'wowed' Dawson!

My hottie husband! To this day I feel like I am way out of my league marrying this hunk!

Dawson and Jessi

Another YAAAA!!! These two loved the fireworks!

The sparklers were Dawson's favorite because he got to hold it himself.

The next morning we headed to Kanab! I love their parades- short, sweet, no advertising, and LOTS of candy and fire trucks spraying you down.

Here's my niece Lyndee lou- cheerleader in the parade (she's driving)

Dawson didn't get a ton of candy, but he was so proud of what he did get! He didn't even finish the parade, he just wanted to go sit with dad and eat his candy. :-)

After the parade, everyone heads to the park and plays...and plays...and plays!

and plays....

After the parade we were able to go eat with my dad and brother one of the most amazing restaurants. Dawson loved being around all the cowboys- it was cloud 9 for him. He kept saying, "Mom! is that a cowboy?" He was mezmerized!
That night we saw the most amazing fire work show. J.D. took Dawson swimming at the city pool (which is right next to the park). Then Dawson played his little heart out. We ate, and cuddled during the fireworks. It was a great day!

Phone Man

It's funny to hear that kids mimic us and learn to love electronics sooner that we could ever imagine....but to actually see it is hilarious! These are the phone shots I got of Dawson. He is talking to his cousin Carson and Aunt Jori. I was in the kitchen, Dawson came and asked if he could talk to 'my Jori.' I dialed the number and gave the phone to him. Next thing I know, he's running into the living room to talk by himself. I figured, what the heck, I've got to study, so whatever.

Then we find Dawson like this...sick of holding the phone, so he presses it against the couch and continues picking at his toe nails... (sound familiar)Still pressed against the couch, unhappy about what's being talked about, and in a way awkward position

Turning the body again to get comfy while still talking..

This is the spot... does that look familiar?

Then I find him like this... hold the phone with your shoulder, no hands (we've all done this)Talking, but multi-tasking by watching his stomach roll...any of you done this?

Sick of the phone to my ear..I'll just look at it and yell...

This big hit- crossing my legs, totally into the conversation! (I've done this)

And he finally notices the camera... so here's his 'CHEESE!' I'm not sure what's up with his side ways cheeser, but it's cute!

Total phone time.... 37 MINUTES and 46 seconds! I'm glad they had plenty to say to each other! :-)

Cute Little Cowboy

We all know Dawson loves cowboy stuff, but he REALLY likes daddy's cowboy stuff! Dawson is under the impression that dad's stuff is real, and his is not.... either way, he's a cute little cowboy!

Tote Swimming

It's been extremely hot here in Cedar City, and we were in dire need of swimming. I didn't want to go to the aquatic center because we wanted to wait for J.D. to be able to go with us. SO.... I pulled out a tote, emptied it, and filled it with water!

This is Dawson and Andi (Dawson's gf)! They have so much fun together! It was so stinkin' cute to watch these 2 try and swim in this tote! I didn't have to worry about them drowning...so I laid back and tried to tan my legs while they slowly emptied the tote by splashing each other.

I had a hard time getting them to 'cheese' at the same time...lol! stinkers!

They are the cutest best friends!