Cute Moments of the Week ♥

I adore him. This week, he was cute as ever. He makes me smile, I'm just a bit sad that he won't look at the camera for pictures anymore..he knows, I guess that means I've taken too many.

One night, when we were getting ready for bed Tate crawled around on our bed for a few minutes before deciding to fall asleep on Brandon's leg, he was also asleep. IT was adorable to say the least.


This smile, it gets me everytime ♥
He is my PRINCE:)


He will be one handsome lil baseball player!
And this right here..

..just has to be the cutest face ever.

My not so little 6 month old

I love my little six month old! Wait a minute..6 months old? Omg that went way too fast! Tate growing up has been everything I expected..Very Bittersweet Loving each stage as I miss the last!But my lil man now has a personality and a half, that's for sure! He is the sweetest little guy and just melts my heart, I think he probably gets annoyed with the 5 billion kisses he gets each day but what can I say..I can't resist! He is getting very active and loves to crawl around everywhere which means I have to keep a much closer eye on him. Homework with him in the room is nearly impossible..He tipped over the bouncer I had him sitting in while attempting to grab,(and probably eat/destroy) my textbooks...what a goof! It might be frustrating at times but I can't ever help but laugh. He adds so much fun to my life.
Yesterday we were playing, or I was watching him play in his pack and play when he decided he is done being a baby that just crawls around, at 6 months and 3 days old he grabbed the side of his bed and stood up, all on his own! I was amazed and could not believe that my tiny little guy did that so quickly..I am just glad I was right there or I could just imagine him trying to jump out of there. Which reminds me of his "Thing of the past" which really isn't a thing of the past since he still does it..but it's old news! I used to come home and if Tate was asleep I would set his carseat down in the darkest room so I wouldn't wake him, I would just unbuckle him so he could be comfy, until the day I walked in the front room to find my baby on the floor!! Being that he wasn't even 5 months I wasn't expecting that I needed to worry about...No more of that, he has the strategy down! Oh the things you learn as a mommy; You can never be too certain:) He keeps me on my toes, & I think thats a good thing...For now anyway!

School & Such..

I am loving life lately, I think the busy days with school and everything going on make me appreciate life as a mommy even more.
I have had some very late nights
I guess now I know where my Tater Bug gets his curiosity from!
I can't pull myself away from everything going on during the day so I stay up so late each night doing homework
I am feeling very accomplished though
& very much looking forward to my associates degree I will receive this summer or after fall semester!
I will have seven credits left once spring semester is over so I have three options:
Wait to finish and take Fall classes, do two classes over the summer which will be everyday and long, or do Rio Salado online classes. What to do?!

And as for my career? I was so set on being a neonatologist
Then so set on being a neonatal nurse
& So set on a Physicians Assistant or Nurse Practitioner
Now thinking PharmacisT?!

What is wrong with my mind..or my motivation...whatever it is!

Now I really don't know what I am so set on... suppose only time will tell, I think success is really what I am striving for, so as long as whatever I do leads to that, I will be happy:)
& honestly I already am! Being a mom is the best job, my career will come second! Someday I hope to post about loving my career, when I finally make up my mind and finish those years of school! I am looking forward to all of it! It will be a fun ride!

Brandon is also facing "career choices", he recently applied and tried out with the Pinal County Sherriffs dept, and will hopefully have a 2nd go-around with a different department soon. Until then..We had contemplated spending the summer in Cali for Brandon to work for Moxie, but now they moved the sales team here to target Phoenix so that might come before his police journey...Yet again, we will see:)

NEW HAIR?!

This is the picture that was supposed to be linked on my last post but didn't work, I'm thinking this but a little longer..It's my current Favorite but I'm not sure I can cut my hair, I don't know that I'm brave enough to do it yet!

Let me know what you think or if you have any better suggestions, I'm definitely not a hair expert! :)

I started school almost a week ago and so far the classes seem manageable..but they always do in the beginning! The hardest part so far is just leaving my baby! I just have to keep reminding myself to FOCUS!



I am still loving the mommy life!
I am planning now to go and talk with counselors at MCC where they have their nursing program that leads right into a Nurse Practitioner program they offfer. It is more money than a Physicians Assistant and seems more practical for me than medical school.

We had a great Christmas spending time with family and we recently got to go to Disney on Ice with the Merkley's which was one of our Christmas presents from them.
I figured Tate would like it but I didn't know he would be as excited as he was!
He absolutely loved it! The bright lights kept him entertained and I don't think he made a peep the entire night!

About a month ago I finally decided that I have to put Tate down occasionally and give him some tummy time! He picked up on the "Army crawl" so fast and I'm sure he'll be crawling and then walking before we know it, which makes me so sad! This is a fun stage as he is learning new things each day!

I never updated on his 4 month doctor appt! He was a whopping 13lb. 14oz. Which was more than his cousin Gunner who is 2 1/2 months older! I was shocked but now you can definitely tell he is getting to be a chunky boy! I say he should've learned to crawl before he packed on the pounds...It's much easier to do when you're not a chubster! But I love his chubby cheeks and rolls! He just gets cuter everyday!

His new favorite thing is watching someone open and close the shutters from the outside of the window..He thinks it's hilarious and his giggle is priceless! I am absolutely in love with everything about that kid and sad to say that he is sick for the first time. His nose was stuffy and runny yesterday but he seems to be doing a little better after lots of sleep! I hope he gets completely better soon! I hate sick babies that can't tell you what is wrong...So sad!

Brandon and I have officially known eachother 2 years as of January 16th, it is crazy to think all that has happened in that time....

I hope you all had a great start to the year!

My New Year's Resolutions are to lose a few more pounds & get ready so I can apply to nursing school!


I also want to cut my hair...shorter, but not too short! I'm ready for something a little different. I haven't done anything new in a long time....Any cute cuts, styles, or suggestions?! I would love to hear them! :)


This is my current "Like"....I just don't want to go this short and I don't know if it will work for me!!

We finally took some time to do pictures of our family...It's sad that we have no pictures together! So it was good to finally do that! Words can't express how much I love my boys!

The holidays are here, and it's been crazy and fun. We were able to spend a lot of time with family this Thanksgiving and make even more fun memories and of course eat tons of delicious food! I've got to admit the desserts are my favorite! With the holiday we decided Tate might want a little something new, a little something better as far as his food goes! We tried giving Tate cereal, he would not eat it, he just let it slide out of his mouth and down his face...but I'm not a stranger to his messiness! He spits up constantly, I hear it's a Merkley baby thing! That's ok at least he's a cutie, and it helps when they're your own! Hopefully once we get him eating more cereal the constant spitting up will subside:)

We also decided we would try the Black Friday thing, which is great and all..but when you can't wait in line a little earlier it's a bit pointless. I drove to Toy's R Us and got there about 10:30, only a half hour after opening and there was probably at least 300-400 people waiting outside..and no that is no exaggeration! You can bet I wasn't waiting in that line for the few things I wanted.

We went to babies r us the next morning and we were happy to walk away with a few packages of diapers and some clothes for our lil man! Later we picked up some DVDs for Tate and a few Christmas gifts...We didn't have to wait in line for three days so it was worth it! :)

A couple nights later we tried the cereal again...and it was a success! Surprisingly, he seemed to like it even though he did make funny faces throughout his dinner! As far as the hope that he would sleep longer at night with his tummy so full: FAIL. He still wakes me up every couple hours!It's a Good thing he's cute:) and that I've adjusted to the idea of no sleep!

Lorin, WE MISS YOU

I can't believe it's been two years already that Lorin left us for the better things he's accomplishing up in heaven.! It is so hard to think about sometimes but I could not have asked for anyone better to have taken care of my baby until he came to us, and it is definitely a comfort for the Merkley/Overson family now knowing that someone in Heaven was waiting for Uncle Rick and Aunt Pattie..It helps everyone knowing they are in good hands....All the way around! WE miss you so much Lo! Keep up the good work, and we will see you again someday!

Yesterday we were able to stop by the cemetery and visit for a little while, it's always great learning more about your life and being reminded of the amazing person you are. I hope that now you are able to see the impact that you left on all of us..
and that you are still leaving, especially with the little ones. Landon and Van remember you and I know they look forward to seeing you again. You had a sweet entry in your journal about Landon. He talked about that all night at dinner! You were always thinking of others, and that takes someone special!

Till We See You Again...<3
WE LOVE YOU!

November!

I have had a great week and so much has been going on...
I love being busy, especially when there's exciting things going on!
& It makes nights at home more enjoyable when I get to sit down and relax with my favorite boys! Tate is growing up so fast, I can't stand it! But at the same time I just love him and his changing personality more everyday! He is so much more than I ever could have asked for.

My Tate,

I just want you to know that you are perfect and you make me the happiest mom in the whole world. I love being able to watch you grow. You are laughing a little now and smiling more everyday. You are now 3 months old and it has all gone by so fast! I wish I could pause time but I know that each new chapter will be just as exciting as the last! Thanks for being my little cuddle bug, and keeping me warm now that it's starting to get cold. I am looking forward to our first Christmas together! And to all those to come! P.S. you are my favorite.

Love,
Mommy

Tate just got a new toy..it keeps him very entertained, he loves it! It was soo worth the $8 it cost us, we'll do anything to make this cute lil man happy!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON! WE LOVEEEEE YOU! <3



Also we've had a couple birthdays to celebrate! First Brandons on the 3rd, then my sisters on the 11th and Jason's on the 13th. This is a busy month for our little family but it's been so fun! Tate loved watching the candles being lit on all the cakes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE JUSTYNE!




We also had Beze's wedding! It was so crazy to think back on all of the memories and to watch her with her new hubby. I told her now she just has to have a baby so our kids can grow up together like we were able to! Wouldn't that be so much fun?! I guess we'll see! I'm just happy to now have a married friend! That was Tate's first wedding! Congrats Alli & Brian!


I am bummed that we missed the ground breaking of the temple but I look forward to watching the progress as I drive to school, that should start the morning off right!..

Next...THANKSGIVING! I absolutely love this time of year, I guess it has a lot to do with how much I LOVE my family! I really am blessed..

Can't wait to spend the day with all of you!

LOVE

i LOVE the weather this time of year, and looking forward to all of the holiday fun with friends and family! One of my best friends growing up will be getting married today, soo crazy and exciting (Now I'll actually have a married friend!) and my best friend ASHLEY will be down to visit in December! I haven't seen her since my baby shower so it has been way too long! I miss her and all of the fun we always had so I'm definitely looking forward to her visit around Christmas!



We have already had such a fun start to the fall season!

Tate had his first Halloween!!!
We were able to go to MeMe & Bompa's Trunk or Treat and to Uncle Jared and Aunt Sarah's block party..Tate had so much fun, I think he liked the attention!


I must admit...he's the cutest lil cop I'e ever seen!
It was kind of last minute that we decided on a costume..but one look at those lil aviator glasses and this just had to be it! And he was adorable..it was too funny!
Thanks Build-A-Bear!!!!!

And ya, I was supposed to be the "criminal"...I know, real creative!haha

One of the best things about being a mom= watching my baby learn and grow, and experience all of his firsts! First Thanksgiving..First Christmas, here we come! You won't understand it this year but you will learn and you will Love it!