A Glimpse

Looking back at my childhood, I may have wondered how Christmas could get better than Christmas as a child. But it does. Christmas as a parent is even better. I love these priceless "mom moments." The ones of teaching and seeing a glimpse (even if only a glimpse)of recognition, he ones of excitement,and the ones of pure childhood joy.

Our Christmas morning didn't really start until 8:30. (Wouldn't it be nice if we could keep it that way!) We all headed out to the family room where Hannah discovered a few toys, doll accessories, that Santa didn't wrap. She was so excited to see her own dolls sitting there with them and was very content to play. I loved taking the time to let you enjoy the moment (and the toys, of course) and not rush on to the next. We each opened our stockings (even Bryson) and then it was time to go. At 9:30 Hannah and Nic went to his parents to eat breakfast, while Bryson and I headed to my parents to talk to my missionary sister, Lisa, on the phone. I really, really wanted to talk to Lisa, but debated leaving my little family on such a special day. I am so glad I went! The Spirit from a missionary is what this holiday is all about! I love Lisa so much. It was great to hear her voice and her testimony.

A couple hours later, we all reconvened at our house to finally open presents! Hannah still would have been content with what she had already seen. And as a parent I didn't want to "spoil her" or go over board but there were also so many things I wanted to give her and knew that she would love! (No, we certainly didn't get her all those things on my idea/wish list!) She is old enough this year to open her own gifts and get really excited about them. It was so fun to watch her and be her mom. Bryson didn't really need anything this year (which was nice... we already got him what he needs), but it was sure neat to have our own little infant to celebrate the birth of another, our Saviors. The rest of our day was relaxing. We even all got naps. It was nice to be home.

Enjoy a glimpse at our day:

this n' that

Just wanted to make mention of a few things:

Nic's brother and sister-in-law, Aaron and Daishan, had a cute little boy on December 10th. We are so excited for them and for Bryson. Although they live out of state, it will be so fun for Bryson to grow up with a boy cousin exactly his age! We can't wait to meet him.

We had a fun dinner party at our house 2 weeks ago with Nic's Granny and Grandpa, his sisters' families, and Clyde and Marj. It was fun to host at our house and especially nice to get together with Granny and Grandpa. With Nic's mom being gone there isn't much planned with her side of the family. I'm sure it was the perfect gift for her. I'm so glad Nic's sisters thought of doing it.

It snowed a lot last week! Many ask what Nic does during the winter months: Christmas lights and now removal! So he's been very busy. There was one day last week he worked from 3 am until 10 pm, came home for an hour and worked from 11 pm until 5:30 the next morning. The company needs the income during these winter months, so we'll take the storms but so far the winter working hours sure haven't made up for how much he works in the summer(and they never seem to)!

I'm back into the swing of things with my calling in Young Womens now (or at least trying to be). Although I missed the girls, it was so nice to take a break these last few weeks after Bryson was born and to know that everything was well taken care of. There are some wonderful leaders and I have sure appreciated their help. I was sure excited when I came into mutal and the girls were so excited to see me. I love them!

"I'm Maa-ry"

Our Christmas Eve was spent at my parents, with Mom, Dad and Jenny. We had a wonderful little dinner and then read 'the Christmas story' from Luke 2, while acting out our own little nativity. Hannah was Mary. She loved it. She kept going around saying, "I'm Maa-rry!" Bryson was a cute little baby Jesus and Nic was Joseph, although he thought he looked more like a caveman! I got to be the angel slash star. My mom was the innkeeper and Dad the donkey. We were also able to watch "Joy to the World" which hopefully reemphasized the story we had just acted out. Hannah had a wonderful time. I hope this can be a tradition that will bring lasting memories and bring the true meaning of Christmas to the forefront.





To finish our evening off we all got to open our 'Christmas Eve pajamas' that were provided this year by Clyde and Marj for everyone in the family! We all got matching pjs, with a t-shirt that said "Our Family Rocks."



And here's a couple pictures of Dad... or Grandpa Allen and Hannah because they matched!

Christmas Greetings

Friends and Family,

I’ve been reflecting a lot on traditions lately, hoping to create some memorable traditions for my little family that facilitate lasting memories, friendships, and of course help us remember the reason for this season. We love this time of year and all the traditions that come with it. One of those traditions is you! We love hearing from each of you and sending out a small greeting. We hope you know how much we appreciate your friendship and its lasting effect in our lives.

Here are some of the highlights of our year:

Nic has stayed busy with work and has started doing more with the maintenance side of the landscaping business this past year. He is a very hard worker and I am so grateful for how he supports our family. His big project this year has been finishing our basement! He did most of it himself (with some much appreciated help!) We’ve also enjoyed going to the BYU football and basketball games this year!

As for me… well I feel like I’ve been pregnant all year long and that’s about it! I’ve kept myself busy with sewing projects and decorating, hunting for bargains, and serving in the Young Women’s presidency at Church. Nic and I were in charge of youth conference this year. It was nice to be able to work with Nic. And last but not least, I’ve been busy being a mom. I’ve learned so much and have had so much fun.

Hannah (2 years old) has grown and learned so much this year! She is quite the little talker. She knows her ABCs and all the sounds they make. She loves to sing, dance, play with her babies and be a princess. Hannah moved up to a “big bed” and has absolutely loved it! She has been a great big sister.

Finally, we are excited to announce our newest addition: Bryson Baird Roach. He was born on November 12th. He was 6 lbs. 2 oz. and 18 ½”. He is healthy and happy. We love him so much. He has brought a sweet spirit into our home already!
This Christmas season reminds us to count our many blessings, especially made possible because of our Savior Jesus Christ and his Gospel. And again, you are among those blessings we count. Happy Holidays to each of you!

Nic, Natalie, Hannah and Bryson

Hannah Bean

Hannah got this cute shirt, specially made for her, from her cousins and Chad and Ashley for Christmas. We love it!


Hannah's nick name is Bean. Many of you may wonder how that came about! It all started before she was born and in my belly... and she was the size of a 'bean.' She was our "little Bean" then. Once she was born, she was so little and when swaddled in her blankets she looked like a "little bean." So the name stuck... and she is still our "little Bean!"

Hannah Singing

Here's our little singer singing 4 of her favorite songs. She can often do them without help... but this is what I captured. I think she's pretty darn cute!

"Teach Me to Walk"


"I Am a Child of God"
Sorry for the food in her mouth!


"Twinkle Twinkle"
She'll often sing this one or "Teach Me to Walk" to Bryson.


"White Coral Bells"
I grew up with my mom singing us this song. We would often sing it as a round.
Here are the words, for those of you that don't know the song:
White Coral Bells upon a slender stalk
Lilly of the valley deck my garden walk
Oh how I wish that I could hear them ring
That will happen only when the fairies sing


On Sunday we had a Christmas dinner and party with my family. Each family "performed" a little song. We enlisted Hannah to represent us, singing "Teach Me to Walk." (Isn't it great to have kids!) I wasn't sure if she'd do it in front of everyone. But she did a great job.

Photo Shoot

I took some pictures of my cute kids on Saturday and Sunday. Realistically this is how most of them turned out. If not blurry from moving, the kids were playing around or crying.



But there were some really good ones in the bunch too. Here are some of my favorites:
Hannah




Bryson

Traditions

I've been thinking a lot about traditions lately. There are so many that are centered around this time of year and I love that. However, most of our traditions are in conjunction with our extended family and I would like to have more with my little immediate family. What are your traditions? What do you do each year to involve your kids in the season and reason for Christmas? I know it will be a bit easier when the kids get older and can participate, but I'd like to start developing more traditions now.

Here are some of our family traditions that have to do with our extended family:
-Making gingerbread housed each year with the Roach/Hansen gang.
(I'll add a couple more pictures later.)
-Getting new pajamas on Christmas Eve (a tradition passed down from both of our families).
-My family has Hoot-Nanny Pancakes (aka German Pancakes) on Christmas morning! This is one I always loved. My mom would bring them straight from the oven to the table and as soon as they were set down we would all yell, "Hoooot-Naaanny!!!" Since we've been married our Christmas morning tradition has been to have breakfast with Nic's parents. So we'll have to move our Hoot-Nanny Pancakes to Christmas Eve morning!
-With my mom's family (the Bairds) we have a Christmas party each year in conjunction with that we do a service project of some kind. This year my Aunt Christine headed it up. We did a tree for the Festival of Trees. The theme was "Home for the Holidays" with birds and birdhouses. Each family was in charge of doing something (like making little stick stars or the tree skirt, etc). All the married grandchildren were asked to donate a birdhouse. My sister Ashley wrote a beautiful write up about it all on her blog.

-I KNOW there are more things we do... but I can't think of them now. So I'll add more later.

Here's a couple things we do:
-We try to always to something for another family.
-I buy one nice Christmas book each year that we read as a family. That a tradition we started.
-We also 'stole' a tradition from my sister Ashley, (because it seemed so fun!) to give an ornament to each other each year.

A couple things I would like to start doing is acting out the nativity with the kids. Also I'd like to give a "gift" to Christ. I want us to think of something we could do for Him throughout the year, write it down or color a picture of it, and put it in a present under the tree. Each year we can read what we wrote the previous year and how we did.

Again, its such a great time of year to have family traditions and to create lasting memories. So, what do you do?!

Santa

We had our annual Baird family Christmas party last night and guess who came?! Santa Clause! As soon as he walked in the door Hannah got VERY nervous. She started whimpering a bit, got all tense, red in the face, and started clinging to me. She really got quite worked up. We talked about how he was nice and showed her how excited the other kids were. She did NOT want to sit on his lap. We watched from a distance and told her she didn't need to sit on his lap but that I would go up with her and talk to him. She could sit on my lap while Bryson sat on Santa's. After all the talking and watching, she did a great job standing by him for a second... and she LOVED her blue striped candy cane! It was fun to get Bryson's first picture with Santa too... He loved Santa!

Big Scare from our Little Guy

I'm not quite sure how to describe this little episode and make you understand how scary it was for me. On Wednesday night, I had just finished feeding Bryson. He sometimes has projectile spit up and I could hear him gurgling a bit like one was coming on. Sure enough... he spit up quite a bit, but then started coughing and gagging like he had more that he couldn't get out. He was coughing and gagging and then stopped breathing for a couple seconds, then started coughing and gagging again. It would have been fine if it was only that one time, but he did it again and again. I frantically held him on his belly patting his back. Nic realized what was going on and came over. Bryson would stop breathing and I'd just keep patting his back saying, "Come Bryson, come on. Breath buddy, breath!" I kept saying silent, pleading prayers. This cycle of coughing, gagging, not breathing... lasted for 5-7 minutes when Nic called a nurse that lives in our ward. Thankfully she rushed over, using that little blue bulb syringe, she tried to get gunk out of his throat, but it was too far down to reach. At one point Bryson went very limp and pale for longer than a couple seconds. I said, "He's not breathing... He's not breathing! Is he?!" She listened to him and thankfully he was breathing very lightly. She recommended that we take him to the on call doctor at our pediatricians if possible or to an insta-care right away. She volunteered to take Hannah with her. It was 7:45 and our pediatrician clinic closed at 8:00. Nic, Bryson and I headed to the doctors. Of course (and thankfully) by the time we got there Bryson was fine. The doctor just looked him over and that was pretty much it. He said if he'd stopped breathing for longer they would have wanted to admit him to the hospital for observation, but didn't feel that was necessary. I asked, "What do I do if this happens again?!" He said, "Nothing." I was thinking, 'Great! Thanks for the help!' He said there really isn't much you can do. He suggested saline drops to help loosen the mucus and using the bulb syringe in the back of his throat, but that's it. I'm still glad we went to the doctors though just for my own peace of mind. I slept much better (although, I did have dreams of him not breathing). We went and picked up Hannah, who was having a wonderful time. We are so indebted and grateful to this wonderful woman and friend who came over and helped... including taking Hannah!

There were several moments when I felt the tears coming on, but I knew I couldn't let them or I would break down. It wasn't until about an hour after the whole episode, when Hannah was in bed and I knelt down by Bryson, who was asleep, and said a prayer of thanks that I cried. I hadn't known what to do. How grateful I am that it wasn't any worse or had any lasting effects! Really it was such a simple thing that was so huge to me and my little world! I had felt so helpless. In this world we are often helpless, relying solely on our Heavenly Father and His help. Boy am every thankful for His help and watchful eye!

Bryson Baird: The name

Helaman 5:6
"...and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good."

Some of you may wonder how we decided on our little guys name, Bryson Baird. We had narrowed our choices down to two, Packer Allen and Bryson Baird, and decided on the later. I really like names to have meaning. Bryson doesn't have any particular origin or meaning but we liked the name and how it wasn't too strange but not too common either. It also seemed to fit so nicely with 'Baird.' The name 'Baird' has great meaning and significance. My mom is a Baird, so Bryson is named somewhat after her. I love her so much. But more particularly Bryson's middle name is in honor of my grandparents, Fred and Sarah Baird. I want Bryson to emulate them and how they have lived their lives. I want Bryson, like Helaman 5:6 says, to remember them and their works and that they were and are good. I want Bryson to know the heritage he has and the legacy he must carry on.


Grandma and Grandpa Baird are the most selfless, Christlike, missionary and service oriented people I know. They live in a way that Christ's image shines in their countenances. My life has been forever blessed by their constant example of giving and sharing and living their testimonies. I hope my children will know Grandma and Grandpa Baird and live to carry on their legacy.

Thankful Hearts

I didn't want Thanksgiving to go totally unmentioned. There is so much to be grateful for! We spent a nice Thanksgiving with Nic's family. There were actually only 8 adults there (Clyde and Marj, Alecia, Drew and Jonas, Karlie, Ryan, Hallie and Oaklie, and us). It was nice and low-key, just what we needed with our little infant. Our contribution was a couple (store bought) pumpkin pies, and an easy apple pie and chocolate pudding pie. The food and family were wonderful!
(picture taken yesterday)

At this time (and hopefully always!), I am particularly thankful for my little family. I love each of them so much. It has been wonderful having Bryson as our new addition. He brings a new, sweet spirit into our home. Boy, do we love him! Hannah brings so much joy and laughter. She is so silly and fun. She's been a great helper and a wonderful little friend. I am so blessed to have Nic! I was excited to have this baby during the winter months, hoping I'd have Nic around more. It hasn't exactly turned out that way. Nic has been extremely busy at work, especially with all the Christmas lighting contracts. Although I wish he were home more, he has been a great support and tries to help as much as possible. One evening I had a migraine and called Nic at 5pm with a pleading, "When will you be home?!" As soon as he walked in the door from a frustrating day at work, I handed the kids off and went and laid down for several hours. Also with the economy the way it is, I am more grateful than ever for Nic's good job and paycheck! Nic is such a hard worker. He provides and supports us in so many ways.

As I think of my sweet little family, I am especially thankful for the knowledge that we can be together forever. I can't imagine heaven or earth without them!

He's growing!

Bryson is 3 weeks old today and growing fast! We went to his 3 week well-child doctor's visit today. He weighted 7 lbs. 5 oz. (That's a pound and 4 ounces since our last doctors visit 12 days ago!) He was also 19 1/2 inches long, so he's grown an inch.