Working Momma

Just recently I was asked if I was interested in working at an Elementary School a few hours a day, I was definitely interested so I applied right away and got it! I was so excited to have something so perfect happen along on our little family. It will be so nice to bring in some extra money. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and to my Father-in-law that recommended me for the position. I am working at Adams Elementary School as an Aide for playground duty (Mon-Fri) and as a Teacher for the Computer Lab (Tues-Fri). The school is right down the street from where we live, that's one nice thing about little old Rexburg, everything is nice and close. I am excited to be around kids all the time again, I miss that aspect of home. I used to volunteer in Elementary Schools all the time in High School, I love that I get to be in that environment again!

Look what we found when I went to get fingerprinted
 at the Police Station for my job

Connor wasn't as excited as Mommy and Daddy were about the kid Police Car,
 maybe when he gets a little older he will enjoy things like this more :)

Fortunately Shea's school schedule was flexible enough so that we were able to make sure Shea could watch Connor during the period of time I am at work. But oh how I miss my little boy even though it is only a few hours, I am always anxious to give him cuddles when I get home.

I am amazed at how Heavenly Father works, this is great timing for us. And I had been hoping to find some part-time work to keep me busy. This is quite a blessing for our little family, and I am so grateful!

My first day was Wednesday. I began at 11:00am helping morning kindergartners get picked up, while afternoon kindergartners came in. Then I helped with an all day kindergartner who was having a rough first day (I will be watching him and getting him lunch everyday). He was scared to death and was not happy that everyone got to go home but him. He lives in Green Canyon which is about an hour or so away so he has to ride the bus at the end of the day, why his parents don't come pick the poor kid up in the afternoon is beyond me. So little Ivan and I got to hang out for a bit, his eyes were so big every time he saw someone or something new and he was so shy. Before I knew it it was time for recess, I was sad to leave Ivan, he was so scared, he held onto my hand SO tight and then he started to cry when I pried his hand lose and told him he got to spend some more time playing in kindergarten. Anyways I got out to recess and all the kids were real good for the first day you just give them the evil eye and they shy away from anything they were doing wrong. I was surprised I was the only one out there, because I had been told that teacher's would have playground duty sometimes and that the principal would be out there most days. Not the case I am the only one for the whole recess, and they have a wide area to play in so it is kind of overwhelming. Anyways the kids had a long recess because I didn't know the schedule and every time I went in to ask no one knew, so lucky them they got to enjoy the warm summer sun. It cracks me up the outfits parents put their kids in. Some were outrageous, some were nice neat and new, and most were fall outfits with long sleeves and a coat. I think parents forget that it is August and it is HOT! Poor kids most of them sat in the shade just talking, burning up in their new school clothes. I must of been out there for recess for a little more than an hour. Then I picked up all the jackets that were left thrown all over the place and met the principal back inside to see what was next on the agenda. He was helping out with the lunch room and was shocked to find out it was already 1:00pm and the kids should have been in class at least 15 minutes ago. After we got everybody off to class we went to his office to figure out my computer lab schedule and what I am supposed to teach. Well that is still all up in the air for now, most teachers don't start computer lab for a few weeks, so I get off early for now.  It was crazy, very hectic, and confusing since the principal is new it was lacking the organization that I am used to. But I am sure that with time everything will fall into a routine and I will be a little more comfortable with the schedule.

The next few days went better, since I kept track of the time and knew exactly when the bells went off I felt a lot more organized. But recess is getting so rough, my Mom says I should write a book with all the stories I will have. Every time I turn around I find kids crying, or tackling, or screaming. The funniest thing that has happened so far is when two boys were screaming at the top of their lungs to each other, apparently the disagreement was over Pokemon Cards that had been traded and lost over two years ago. There were tears and everything, I felt bad for the kid but what can you do. I let the principal figure that one out because they were both getting pretty worked up about it.

Everyday after work I come home and cuddle with my little baby Connor and tell Shea about my day real quick before he runs off to work. Our lives are getting crazy and with school starting for Shea in a couple weeks the pressure will be on, but we are loving our lives together and are making lots of time for family fun!

Daddy and Connor enjoying their time together

Connor waiting for Mommy to come home from work!

Mustache Man turns 25!

The STACHE! Yes that's right Shea has been growing a mustache! What a silly man. It has been growing for about three weeks. He enjoys the laughs and smiles he got when his friends and family saw his face. What can I say my husband likes the shock factor. He even added it into his Sunday School lesson at church.

I love this man and his funny ways.

These are the many faces of my mustache man!

Week 1
Can you See it?

 Beginning Week 2

Week 2

 Week 2

Daddy and Son

Beginning of Week 3

He did it just for fun, but got tired of his wife and son cringing at his bristly face, so he shaved it off today.

My clean shaven man is back. Yea!

(notice the resemblance between Father and Son)

At first Connor gave Daddy a few odd looks, like "Wow you look different Daddy!" But Connor was very glad to have his Daddy's soft kisses back!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHEA!

On Thursday, August 12th Shea turned 25! As Shea put it he has lived a quarter of a century, and he is half way to being half way done life :)

Twenty-five years ago God was in a very good mood when he sent Shea down to Earth. He knew exactly what the world needed...

Someone who would cry to the movie UP because he feels bad for the old man in the movie when his wife dies and he knows he couldn't handle that (he made me promise that I would never die after that movie).
Someone who would live in Brazil for 2 years and change lives forever.
Someone who could make up new lyrics to every song on the radio so that they would be about his wife or son.
Someone who could join in when his wife gets the late night slap happys.
Someone who could change diapers with a smile on his face, because he enjoys all the moments he spends with our little boy.
Someone who takes great pride in his sons long toes.
Someone who whole heartily lives by the saying "Honesty is the best policy".
Someone who obeys all traffic laws and enjoys making others wait behind him because he refuses to speed.
Someone who would wake up at 6 am with the kiddo so Mommy can get some more sleep.
Someone who can find the greatest joy in chocolate peanut butter chip cookies.
Someone who adores children and wants to have more than you can count with all your fingers.
Someone who's biggest goal in life is to take care of his family and make sure they're happy.

I am so grateful for my Idaho boy!

(this pic is from a little over 2 years ago)

Connor and I made a Candy Gram for Shea's birthday, this is what it said:

Happy Birthday! We’ve shared GOOD AND PLENTY of SNICKERS. I love that I can still ROLOver next to you each morning and see how big I SKORed. There are more stars in my eyes for you than the MILKY WAY. You are my LIFESAVER! You are so very special to me and I go to PIECES (reeses) when I look at you! I wanted to give you a $100 GRAND but it slipped through my BUTTERFINGERs. So I hope this can bring you some JOY! And remember we are the 3MUSKATEERS. Love, Your AIRHEAD and your little NERD

Shea assured me afterwards that I rarely act like an airhead, but I know that I definitely have my airhead moments

I remember when we were first married and I couldn't wait to open my eyes in the morning and see his cute face next to me in bed. And things haven't changed since, I still wake up and think how lucky I am to have married such a wonderful husband, father, and snuggler.

Happy Birthday!

2 Months and Feeling Mighty Fine

Connor Lincoln Stanger hit the two month mark point this last week. We made a trip to the doctor today and he weighed in at 12 lbs 13 oz, and he was 23 inches long. He is in the 68th percentile for his weight and 43rd percentile for his height. Connor was so good at the doctor today, he smiled at the nurse while he was getting his height and weight taken and when he got the drops for his vaccines he rooted for more. The nurses laughed so hard, they just loved our happy little boy. When he got his shots he cried out in pain but immediately calmed down after he was held and rocked and then he fell asleep. What a sweet boy we have. Poor guy though, when we got home he took a nap and awoke with his legs very sore and every time he moves them now they hurt and it kills us to see Connor in pain. We gave him a warm bath which calmed him down a lot and made his legs feel a little better. But boy oh boy he was made when his bath was over. Now he is sleeping sound with a full belly, so hopefully he is able to sleep it away, if not hopefully some baby Tylenol will help him. He did so good today, we are so proud of our Connor!

Smiling at Daddy, while waiting for the Doctor to arrive

Stretching big, happy faces before the shots

Trying to console Connor after the shots
(notice the band-aid on his upper thigh, peaking out)

Comfort for Connor

At home, sore and in pain :(
(He is a little warmer than usual -from the shots- so we
are letting him just wear a diaper for now)

Connor Update:

At two months Connor has blue eyes a little darker then his Daddy's but very similar. He is in size 1 diapers (which he has been in for at least three weeks or so). He is fitting in all his 0-3 months clothes now, time to put his newborn clothes away in storage for a little brother someday. He is awake much more during the day. He is eating all the time! He has just recently started spitting up, not a lot, but every now and then he will let some out, he hates it - he will look all around like what is happening to me. He is using the pacifier less and less, which is good and bad -I wish we could use it sometimes to console his cries but other times I am just glad he is not an pacifier addict. He is getting better with diaper changes, there isn't as much crying involved now. And in the last month he had his first Sunday, which he slept most of the way through.

First Sunday Slumber

Baby Connor's milestones at one month old:

• Turns his head towards familiar voices and sounds (when we put him in the swing now we will turn on this nature sound of water and birds, he will just stare up at where the sound is coming from and fall asleep in that position)
• Smiles! (This is my favorite!!!!) He will smile when we smile at him.
• He will do a squeal-like laugh sometimes when he gets so excited from all that smiling
• Tracks objects with his eyes
• He is talking with a variety of sweetly-pitched coos
• He can raise his chest using his arms for support while lying on his stomach (This is rare though)
• Connor rolls over from his back to his side
• He steadily holds up his head.
• Grabs on to things, but without much control (pulls binky from mouth, pulls on blanket, grasps onto your shirt when your holding him)
• His legs and back are getting stronger, he can sit-up and stand up with lots of help
• He makes crawling movements with his knees when lying on his tummy.

What is Baby Connor liking at one month?

• When he gets his hands in his mouth he gets so excited, which usually ends in them flailing around and then he is upset because they are no longer in his mouth to suck on
• When Connor is happy he will move his arms and legs, and "bicycle" with his feet when he's excited.
• When Mommy and Daddy make funny noises with their mouths
• Being outside, listening and watching what is all around him
• Kicking his blanket off
• The Bumbo, his new past time is sitting in the bumbo while Mommy and Daddy fix dinner or watch TV. He will just stare at us and just watch as we do chores. He does really well in it. If he is tired he will let himself slump over and rest his head on the side of it. He is such a silly little man.



Bumbo Time

• Lots of attention, he loves people and he is happy being held by anyone and everyone, when your eyes are on him and talking and playing with him he lights up
• When Mommy and Daddy pump his legs, to relieve some of that air in his tummy (this is one of his all time favorite things)
• Falling asleep while he is eating in Mommy's arms
• Snuggling with Daddy, playing with Daddy, watching Daddy, listening to Daddy read, pretty much anything Daddy related
• Warm towels after his bath, he falls right to sleep

What is Baby Connor disliking at one month?

• Getting his nose sucked out with the bulb syringe, he has a few colds and when he is all stuffed up I hate cleaning his nose out because he will just wail.
• Tummy time, he will put up with it for about 2 mins and then he is ready for a different position
• Being alone, we can't leave him alone anywhere, even when we put him down for a nap or in the swing he just wants to hear that someone is near
• The dark, Shea and I usually put on a movie while we go to sleep-Shea can't sleep with just silence...I think he's afraid of the dark too :) One night Shea was already asleep and I turned out the lights and got settled and Connor would just not have it, he was super fussy and wouldn't eat or sleep, his diaper was clean and he was still unhappy. I decided that I would put a movie on so that I would at least have something to do while I try to get him to sleep. And what do you know with the light of the computer on he was out in minutes.   
• Nightmares. Sometimes Connor will be dead asleep and then he will just start screaming the most ear piercing scream ever, and then we will run over and pick him up and he is fine and back to sleep he will go. Nightmares is what were guessing, poor guy, I hate them too.
• Spitting up, it comes out of his nose and everything its like an explosion and it has distance on it too. He is not a fan!
• The Pacifier, which has been pretty much eliminated, it rarely works now. But it still comes in handy now and then.
• When his nails get too long (because Mommy forgot to clip them) and he scratches himself
• Getting strapped into the car seat

Mommy and Daddy's favorite things about Baby Connor:

Our Cutie
(I love that he will wiggle his toes through this blanket)

• Smiling when Daddy comes home
• He snores! It is a quiet snore, that is off and on when he sleeps, it is so cute.
• When Connor is upset sometimes he will stick out his pouty lip, it is adorable.
• He will smile in his sleep
• He still grunts all the time, when we move him around when he is sleeping he will make all sorts of grunts as if to say- Stop that, I was comfortable.
• When he stretches after a nap
• When we click our tongues his eyes will get all wide wondering where it's coming from
• He will talk with us now, in coos and gurgling noises

Yesterday Connor and I had a little photo shoot, so here are some pictures of our two month old!

This one is my favorite, above!

The Great Outdoors

This last weekend our little family took a short camping trip, it was nice to relax by the fire and enjoy all the sounds of nature. Connor did great, he was absorbed in all the new things to look at.

This is how our adventure went once we got to the campground ...

Shea set up the tent while I built the fire, and Connor watched from his Bumbo.

Connor took a nap in the tent while we cooked and ate our tin foil dinners. 

We read by the fire for a little while, and played with Connor.

And we saw an owl!

Then it started to get dark, around 9:00pm so we roasted marshmallows.

We got all snug in the tent and read scriptures, and talked until we were tired.

And then fast asleep we were.

In the morning we woke up early and walked by the river beside us.

Then we had some more fun making Connor smile. He was such a happy camper.

(And yes he has a funny part in his hair, because this is what

happens when Mommy forgets to sweep his cowlick over)

We packed up our camp, enjoyed a little breakfast and off we went.

Connor was sad to leave.

It was nice to have a little vacation away from Rexburg. Our trip had a few little mishaps along the way ...

   giant bug stuck in the car while I changed Connor's diaper, bugs chasing me and my marshmallow by the fire, bottle of water spilling in our tent before bed, Gatorade spilling in the car, and a few other clumsy things

... and of course they were always centered around me, but Shea said it made the trip all the more fun.

Lets just say it wasn't boring.