Pictures from Painting and Josh's Crib

So, we never got around to posting pictures from when we were painting our apartment. That is because we didn't actually take many good ones. Here is one of our living room before we finished:


And here is that same wall after we finished painting (but before we hung pictures and stuff. It looks much better now):


Also, on Saturday we finally got around to putting Josh's crib together. It took a while! Josh slept in it that night for the WHOLE night. From about 11:30 to 7:45 in the morning! I woke up about 3 times to go check on him, afraid that for some reason the baby monitor wasn't working. So he slept through the night, but I didn't. Here is a picture of his crib:


And here is Josh in the crib. Finally he looks small! He is getting so big it is nice to see that he still looks like a little baby at least when he is in his crib. (Of course, he went right for the quilt hanging over the rail and simply had to slobber all over it!)

Daddy

Not every man in America has the opportunity to be a stay-at-home dad while his wife brings home the bacon. “Slacker,” you say? “Loafer,” you might think? Just the opposite, in fact.
My wife Kristen is an all-around amazing, on-the-go, in-your-face, go-get ‘em woman. We have been married for three years, during which she has graduated from college and landed a great full-time job as the Marketing Specialist for Utah State University’s Distance Education. Shortly after landing said job, however, we found out that she was pregnant with our soon-to-be first child.
After an arduous nine months of pregnancy, Kristen took eight weeks of maternity leave and spent the time home with our beautiful baby boy, Josh. During this time, we moved to Ephraim, Utah, a small town where I could complete my student teaching and hopefully find employment. We always knew that Kristen would have to go back to work because she had the insurance. It was a tough choice—stay home with the baby, or go back to work and be the provider while I finish up school—but she knew that with our financial situation, she had better be the one to make ends meet.
Which left me at home with Josh. What an amazing summer we had together. I dressed him, changed dirty diapers, took him on walks, watched him as he napped—all of the things that we men hardly ever get to do during the day. And I couldn’t be happier. We formed a bond that will never be broken, and when he is older, he will know that he had a dad who was willing to be the mom.
Now that school has started, he is at the babysitters, and I don’t get to be with him 24/7 like I had, but no matter—when I pick him up, his four-month old face lights up with the biggest brightest smile you’ll ever see, and I know that he knows his daddy.

Dead birds, Babysitters, and Being On-Duty

So, I killed a bird yesterday with my bike. I was riding back to work from lunch and a bird flew out of the bushes right next to me. It spooked me, and I didn't really see what happened to it. I figured it flew away or back into the bushes. Anyway, then I was riding my bike home at the end of the day, and as I passed the "scene of the crime" I saw a dead robin. I guess it died by flying into the spokes of my bike tire. Pretty sad. I'm a bird killer.

Today was Baby Josh's first day at the babysitters. A gal in our ward has a 2 1/2 year old boy and she agreed to watch Josh for us while I am at work. It isn't too bad. I drop him off in the morning before I go to work at about 9:45, and Steve picks him up around 3:15ish (1:30ish on Mondays and Fridays). When I left him this morning, I was surprised by how sad I was to leave him. It was definitely different than leaving him with Steve. He was a very good boy though, according to the babysitter, so that is good. He is really a great baby.

Steve and I have now had three straight days of being officially on-duty as RAs. It hasn't been too bad. Mostly just checking people in. All our residents seem to be doing a pretty good job getting to know each other. We have our big Mandatory Meeting tonight and tomorrow night to discuss the rules, so that should be exciting. I got to go around and do kick-outs and lock the doors last night. The kids are pretty respectful and willing to obey the rules, which is nice. Hopefully they stay that way!

Training, Olympics, and other stuff

First, here is a cute picture of me and Josh playing.

OK- now for the real post. We are now official, highly trained RAs for Nuttall Hall. We had three full days of training, which were not super exciting, but it meant three yummy lunches and dinners! Josh was SO good everday. He would just lay on his blanket or let any one af the RAs hold him. He has many new fans now! Here is a picture of him on our way to training. He looks like a zombie!

But with some encouragement, he got pretty excited:

The Olympics are pretty much amazing. Steve and I have been getting in to it more than we expected, but there are such great stories it is hard to not get caught up. Even Josh likes watching. (See the picture below!) Go Michael Phelps! And today (Sunday) in womens basketball, two girls on the New Zealand team who are LDS decided not to play since it was Sunday. Good for them!

And finally, for our dorm decorations, Steve made a picture cutout with Buster the Badger for our residents to have their pictures taken. Here is Steve:

Steve hurt his back on Thursday, of course- the worst possible day with check-ins this weekend! He has been hobbling around like an old man, but is slowly improving. I told him now he can appreciate being 9 months pregnant! He worked hard to help decorate, even though he couldn't do much. What a trooper! We had Weller family pictures yesterday, so we should have some of those up some time soon!

The Incredible Baby Josh

Baby Josh continues to learn more wonderful skills! Lately he has started holding himself up with his arms. He will be crawling before we know it! He also grabs onto his toes when he is laying on his back, and has started reaching out to grab onto toys. What a strong boy! Here are some pictures Steve took of Josh attacking his elephant toy.

In non-Baby Josh news, we should be getting the rest of our paint delivered today or tomorrow, so we can finish up the other half of the house. Also, they FINALLY came and measured our window for a swamp cooler. Only problem: all the stores in the area are out of swamp coolers, so they have to order it and have it shipped, so it will still probably be a week or so before it gets here. I am so frustrated! It is so hot in our apartment! At least things are finally happening. Hopefully we get it before it cools down!

24th of July!

We had a great 24th of July. I tried to take pictures of every stage of the event, since I LOVE the 24th and all the associated festivities. So, here is the 24th in pictures:

Steve and Baby Josh watching the Kids Parade before the city BBQ.

Allie and Caitlin in their matching dresses in the parade.

Cannon and Conner in the parade.

Allie and Caitlin- they looked so cute!

Allie after some red Powerade. Or maybe it was Vitamin Water.

Caitlin enjoying her popsicles. She wasn't about to share that second half!

Caitlin loves her cousin! (See the plate in the background? The BBQ meat was especially good this year!)

Caitlin enjoying watermelon. She is so cute- how can you not take pictures of her?!

Baby Josh helping me and Steve at the water hole during the 5-mile milk run.

Baby Josh and Steve watching the parade on the 24th. He did pretty good- except for all the sirens at the beginning.

See? I told you Caitlin loves her cousin. No Baby Joshs were harmed in the taking of this picture.

Baby Josh spending time with his Great Grandparents (Mathie side)

As usual, the fun at the park after the parade tuckered everybody out!

Including my dad!

Josh enjoying the pre-fireworks concert.

At first, he didn't like the noise of the fireworks. They can be pretty loud since we are RIGHT under them, but then he liked to watch the colors.

And finally, Cannon feeding Baby Josh. He loves his cousin too!

More Random Pictures

Here are some more pictures of Baby Josh. He is so wiggly now that when he is sleeping in his swing, this is how he ends up:

And, since the last Kristen and Josh picture posted was from the hospital, here is one of us playing outside:

Coming up this week: the 24th of July. I'll try to remember to take lots of pictures!