Neacel's One Year Old Photos

Neacel's birthday is November, so Mandy had her friend Shelli take some pictures of Neacel. They turned out great. Just click on a photo to make it bigger.

The Catching Up Game

Its been a while since I have posted anything, but I have plenty to write about.

Most exciting thing first! Last night, (Oct. 16Th) Neacel was chasing a balloon around the living room. All of the sudden Nick tries to get my attention. I look over at Neacel, and there he goes taking his first 3 steps! He did it a few more times and will only do it if Nick or I are telling him to come to us. I cried like a baby. He is really going to be walking soon, he isn't a baby anymore. He is growing so fast.

I'm also in the middle of planning his First Birthday!!! I've ordered the cake from a baker friend. Here is kinda what the cake will look like. Only its going to be a 9x13 and won't say "Happy Birthday Reuben." I'm also going to make cupcakes for the kids, and whoever else wants them of course!

It's turning out to be a big event, people that I wasn't expecting to come will be joining us for Neacel's 1st birthday! I'm just hoping the weather is nice. If it is then that morning a group of us (my mom, step dad, my dad, step mom, stepsister, Nick, Neacel and I and whoever else wants to join) will go to the zoo. If it's yucky then the aquarium. Then home for naps and baking/decorating cupcakes! I'm just so excited for the whole day. Neacel's big day!

What are some good gift ideas? I don't know what all to get him. He has a ton of toys and everything but getting new ones is always fun. Any "big hit" toy ideas for a first birthday!?

It's kind of sad to think the first year is already coming to an end. We will never go through this many milestones in one year with him again. I'm so proud of him though. He is a happy healthy boy. He loves to play and get into things he knows he shouldn't. He loves animals and loves playing with other kids. He has grown up so much. Neacel is definitely an independent child, but as soon as he wants your attention he will do anything to get it! I love him so much!! I love watching him play with Nick. Nick will lay on the ground and Neacel just keeps climbing over him. Sometimes Nick gets a knee in the face and a full diaper on his face, but he is a good sport about it. Neacel just loves spending time with Nick as soon as he is home from work!

Nick and I went on our first "date" since having Neacel. It was very hard on me, I'll be honest, I even cried a little. Nick got tickets for the BYU vs Colorado State football game, since I had never been to a game he really wanted me to go. I tried everything to get out of it so I wouldn't have to leave Neacel.

We left him with Nick's parents, but called a few times just to make sure everything was going ok. The game was a lot of fun, but BYU fans are crazy, loud and it's a lot to take in at your first game! I just felt so overwhelmed most of the time. Plus, the guy next to me was pretty annoying, that didn't help at all.

Nick bought me my first BYU shirt and bought himself a really nice BYU hat. I really enjoyed the game and time away to relax but was so happy to get Neacel back. I was expecting to walk in and him come crawling over and see us. Instead, we walk in and he is in the bedroom playing, Nick and I walk in there and Neacel just looks at us and continues playing. I wasn't too happy. He did well for the most part, wouldn't take a nap so Nick's Dad had to sit there and rock him to sleep. Neacel doesn't do well in pack-n-plays, he freaks out for some reason. Although it was nice to be without a kid for a few hours, we haven't gone out anymore since then.

October 10th was a fun day for us also. All 3 of us got up early and walked in the Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk. I was shocked that Nick got up. I was so excited to do this and Neacel was a MONSTER that morning. So we were only able to do about half of the walk then had to leave because Neacel was throwing a tantrum.

After, we went to Bradbury Cross for doughnuts, I didn't love them, but I guess everyone else does.

We came home took naps and then Nick had to go shoot his new gun. I hate guns, I hate everything about them, but Nick wanted to have one for when the world gets worse, he doesn't want all the "bad" guys and military to have them and then for us not to be able to protect ourselves. So he bought one and LOVES it. So we drive west of Utah Lake in the middle of no where to shoot this thing I hate! Nick loved it. I shot the gun once and immediately started crying! I felt like I was committing a crime and was going straight to hell for it. Nick was in heaven though. We were out in the middle of no where with other insane people with guns. I didn't feel safe at all. I was worried about some weirdo being out there with a gun and to start shooting at people. My imagination gets the best of me.

Since we were close to Thanksgiving Point we went over there and took Neacel to the petting zoo. He got to ride a pony and loved it. He loves animals, he was talking to them the whole time. He was having a blast. But I definitely think the pony ride was the highlight for him. He just sat there and was talking and smiling, and patting the pony on the head. Nick said when he first put Neacel up there that Neacel started growling at the pony (something he does when he is really excited). We had a great time though, I love taking Neacel places that he will enjoy!

Now the news I need help with. Neacel seems to have a temper, I have one too, but he is really starting to get mean. I'm hoping this is all just a phase he is going through. Lately, he will come over and just bite you! Toes, hand, leg, foot, anything he can. It hurts too! Those 4 little teeth are working just fine. He has started hitting other kids and when told "NO" he throws himself down on the ground and throws a tantrum. I need this all to stop before it gets worse. How do I get him to stop? Did your kid/kids do the same?

Ooops

What happens when you leave Neacel in a room with a small bowl of rice for less then 10 seconds???? He gets it all over the place and rubbed into the rug!

I left the room to grab a fork to feed him and I come back to this. Rice smeared into the carpet and all over him. His legs were even sticky from the amount of rice on them.I couldn't get mad at him because it was cute. I just wasn't expecting this....then I left the room to get something to clean it all up and I come back to him with his diaper off (it was a poopy one too) and "stinky stuff" all over. It was a Neacel moment I guess! The boy is one ball of energy.

That's our boy...the messy monster!

Look What I Can Do!!

Neacel JUST started this today! He keeps going for it too....my little man.
He is growing up way to fast...
I apologize for the crappy video I took it with my cell phone....

Dr. Palmieri said that he would be walking by his first birthday, but she was guessing between 10 and 1/2 months to 11 months old. He just turned 10 months old yesterday...

Bear Lake

Saturday the 25th of last month, Nick put together a little Burt Reunion. So, Friday night Nick, Neacel and I stayed at Kara and Jacob's house. Kara and I went and saw "Julie & Julia." It was such a cute movie and now I'm on the hunt for Julia Child's cookbook. There are so many recipes I want to make, plus lately I want nothing but cookbooks and to try and make some really yummy things!

Saturday morning, off to Bear Lake! We get there and it's a little chilly and cloudy but nothing too bad. Everyone except Nick's parents were able to make it, so we had a nice little group. Nothing too big, next year will be bigger and better!

We had a little picnic of bbq ribs, hot dogs, plenty of chips, fruit, veggies, potato salad, salad, cookies and pleanty of Diet Mountain Dew, a Burt family staple. Reelika took some really cute pictures but I'm only posting Neacel ones, Nick and I aren't too happy with ones that we are in. Plus, everyone loves Neacel pictures, especially ones with his eyes so blue!

Neacel didn't love this trip as much but I think it's because the water wasn't as warm. But he loved just playing in the sand. It was great to get everyone together and just spend time sitting and relaxing. The guys and some gals played volleyball and frisbee. I was not one of them, but Nick was. Some of the photos taken make it look like the guys are walking on water! It really was a nice day. I can't wait for next year!

Neacel update! Neacel is getting big and talking much more. We still can't understand most of it but sometimes we guess what he is trying to say. We will ask him a question and sometimes he will say "yea" other times he shakes his head no.

He is sitting and standing like a pro, and is showing signs that he is ready to walk! He is trying to stand on his own, which he is getting better at, not wanting to crawl as much, he wants to cruise everywhere, and a few other little things.

He is eating everything, no more baby food for him! Well sometimes just to make sure he is getting enough fruits and veggies.

He is great at not listening, a true pro! Anyone have any tips on getting a kiddo to understand and LISTEN when you say "no?" I know he kinda understands but chooses not to listen to us. He is too smart for us.

Neacel is drinking better from a sippy cup. My goal is to have him off the bottle completely by 12-14 months! He is way too attached, to the point of sucking on an empty bottle for comfort.

He loves to give kisses and hugs now, it's so cute! But biting is another thing he loves to do; he will crawl over to you, grab your foot and bite it. Four teeth hurt! Example: he keeps coming over here to me, trying to bite my toes without grabbing my foot, I say no he shakes his head no and tries to bite something else! Little brat! I think he might be teething some more, but who knows!

I'm starting to plan what we are going to do for his first birthday and what we want to get him. I want to start now so I have plenty of time. I can't believe it's 2 months away. First things first though, Halloween costume. He is going to be a monkey, I felt it was appropriate because he loves monkeys and acts like one. Here is the costume I plan on getting for him! I think its just adorable. Nick is so excited to take him trick-or-treating this year.
My ER trip. So on our way to Bear Lake I started getting these contraction like pains in my stomach. I didn't think anything of it though, I mean I'm going to Bear Lake nothing is going to stop me. So while we were there I sat most of the time, because it's the only way I wasn't in pain. We get home that night and here comes the pain again, and like magic as soon as I walked in the door, I got chills and a fever. It was a pretty yucky night.

Sunday, still in pain but fever and chills are completely gone. We just laid low for the day, no need to do anything. Sunday night Nick touches my stomach and I instantly burst into tears and wanted to punch him. He gets on WebMD.com and does the point and click for pain and then it asks questions like what does the pain feel like, anything other symtoms other then pain etc, etc. So I'm answering these questions and a few times it would say seek medical help immediately, oops wrong answer! So Nick decided at 11 pm that we are going to wake Neacel and go to the insta-care, because according to online they are open 24 hours. WRONG! We get there and it's closed, so he is thinking to take me to the ER. I talked him out of it saying I'll go see Dr. Poor in the morning and if it gets any worse then we can go to the ER.

Monday morning Nick takes me to the Dr. and the doctor starts pushing on my stomach, the pain is only in the lower right area. So for a male, it's the appendix. For a female, it can be a few other things. First they check for a UTI, nope. So Dr. Poor tells me to go the ER, and that he is calling them to let them know I'm on my way. I'm scared at this point, thinking I don't want surgery, and the next day I start my nanny job!

So we get to the ER, and after 5+ hours, a cat scan and ultrasound, its no my appedix but I have a 5 cm ovarian cyst on the right side. Those things KILL! They run in my family, the bigger ones, so I have to be careful and as soon as the pain comes back, if it does, then I have to go back to the ER because it could mean that it has twisted my ovary. So I have been taking it easy, but I don't think I have done that well.

On a more positive note, I have decided that I'm going to loose weight and get down to 115ish by my 24th birthday in February. I'm working out, and walking alot more. No more excuses! I'm doing workouts with Jillian Michaels from "Biggest Loser" and LOVE working out with her. By the end, I'm sore and sweating and gross, a perfect way to tell yourself your doing what's right. So far I've lost 3 lbs total and I want to loose 15 lbs by Christmas. Nick and I just want to be healthier. So we are doing more active things on the weekends instead of just sitting around most of the time. I'm really enjoying all this and think its great for the both of us!

Goin' Up!

Yesterday, we were at Nick's parent's new home and there are about 15 stairs to get up to the home. It's a little townhome that's all one floor but it's on the second floor. Well we were in the garage looking through Christmas stuff and Neacel was crawling around and getting to be a mess. When Grandma left, to go up stairs, Neacel wanted to go up too. I just sat that watching him, as he stood at the bottom stair hitting his hand on the next one. He never has tried to go up so I didn't worry at all.

Then all the sudden, there he goes crawling up the stairs! As he went up, he would hit the next stair with his hand, everytime. We joke that he was just making sure it was there and sturdy! We don't have stairs in our home for him to learn and we keep him away from stairs because he will just crawl off the edge, literally (he has done it before)! So it was a shock to see him go all the way up.

I had just read earlier this week that kids this age can go up the stairs, and I thought Neacel will be behind on this because we don't have stairs in our home for him to learn. Yeah, he proved me wrong! We are so proud of him and how independent he is. He is full of energy and has a huge personality. Not to mention his temper or hitting, throwing tantrums and pinching! It is usually over wanting our food or not liking being told 'no.' But that's something we will share another day!

Working Momma

I got a nanny job! I recently have decided to go back to work, just as a nanny because I'm not going to have someone else watch Neacel, I just can't do that. I had looked into a few, and they didn't work out because the family wanted to rip me off. One mom wanted to pay me 2.50/hr and watch her daughter from 7am-2pm. I can't do that, its not enough pay. Unless, your friend or family I charge 5/hr. Friends and family its just whatever. So I kept looking for a nanny job then i found one in south jordan watching 2 kids (3 &5) making 50 a day. Its from about 8:30 to 4:30 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Its ideal for my schedule and the ages are perfect. Ocassionally, I will have the other two kids but thats no problem at all.
So I went and had an interview Wednesday and I thought it went really well. She said I would hear from her soon, soon depending on the person can be days away. Well, yesterday I heard from her (after waiting very impatiently) and was offered the job. I have been so excited. I'm going to have my own shopping money and be able to afford things I want. This way it will help us pay off bills too, so that Nick's money can go towards things we NEED and I will take care of the wants. I'm so excited, Ill be making enough to support my shopping and pampering!

Baby Feelings Explained

This video is perfect! I can finally understand how baby 1 feels when baby 2 comes along...

http://www.pampers.co.uk/en_GB/video/babyseyes.jsp

Hope that makes you think about having another baby in your life.....

Bear Lake

Nick, Neacel and I all went to Bear Lake this year for Raspberry Days. Nick talked about it forever about how excited he was for a raspberry shake and to relax on the lake. Me, not so excited, the shake sounds good but the lake? If any of you know anything about Lake Erie then you know you NEVER get in the water! So lakes just don't sound fun, I think of germs, sewers, some sewage plant sitting right there and just yuck! I get the chills thinking about it!

We went with Kara, Jacob and their cute little family. We spent time walking around the little area set up with cute stuff and great deep fried foods. Nick and I wanted to buy some raspberry jam but I literally just realized we didn't. :-( We had dinner at this great pizza place called Lakeside Pizza and I can honestly say, I have never had a better pepperoni pizza in my life! Bear Lake was amazing! It was so pretty and Neacel loved every minute of it. He kept eating sand and trying to eat the shells but luckily we got the shells out before he got them down. He just kept crawling around and splashing in the water. Nick and Jacob were trying to build a sand castle and Neacel and Lily had a different idea. They wanted to destroy the castle so the guys didn't get very far! Sorry boys! After the lake we went to get the much talked about raspberry shake! OMGoodness, thick, creamy, cold, just all around perfect at the end of the day!

Don't forget to read about our growing boy below!!!!

9 Months

My growing baby boy isn't such a baby anymore! Neacel is doing great, growing like crazy though. We went to his new doctor today, Dr. Palmieri (thanks Jessica, btw she says hi, and was asking how Sophie is doing); she is an AMAZING doctor, everything I have wanted for Neacel and more. The clinic she is in has everything, plus it's close to home. She sat there talking to Neacel and I and made sure every question of mine was answered. When she was checking his tummy and other areas she sat there singing to him. How perfect is that? The office is super kid friendly, nurses were great, everything was organized and quick.

Neacel is growing a ton in some areas and slowing down in others.

Weight: 20 lbs 6 oz (47%)

Height: 27 1/2 inches (21%)

Head: 46.6 (84%)

So basically, he is chunky, short with a big ol' head! That's my boy!

She is guessing that he will be walking by the time he is one. He is at the developmental stage of a 10 month old! That's why she thinks he will be walking soon, her guess was 10 1/2 to 11 months! That's fine with me. I left happy and comfortable with her. We were going to go with her before but the drive wasn't worth it. Now I don't care and wish we would have been going to her since the beginning.

Some of Neacel's 9 month achievements:
-Eats everything (no more baby food, well hardly any).
-Stands up and is cruising

-Says 'Momma' and 'Dad'

-Looks when we point at something

-Talks all the time, even though we don't understand him. But he will have a conversation with us anyway.

-Tries to crawl upstairs but we stop him, I'm not ready for that.

-His newest thing, THROWING A FIT! This includes screaming, hitting, throwing toys, bottle etc, shaking his head no and so on.

-He now has 4 teeth, his top ones still have a little way to come down but either way they are out and being used!

Mommy and Daddy love you Neacel, we are so proud of you and the little man you are becoming!