Kissy-Kissy

I'm a little late in the uptake with this Kissy Post, but by popular demand from Nor, I think it's high time I explain the prevalence of kissy pictures in my blog.

There are lots of reasons to include kissy pictures in your blog. One popular reason is because it reminds me of how pretty I used to be. It gives me something to strive for again!




Another reason, is because I feel like these kissy pictures properly illustrate particularly happy memories I have.



There is also no better way to show off your adorable family than to punctuate it with a kissy picture. It's almost like the "Neiner, Neiner" of picturedom.


Kissy Pictures are best when used with small animals or adorable babies. Like mine. See?


Now, the FUNNY thing about my abundant use of Kissy pictures is the fact that I wasn't really brought up in a "touchy-feely" family, per se. In fact, I can't remember the last time I was kissed by my family, and I'm ok with that. It's not like Heather and I embrace lovingly every time I walk in her door, that would be awkward.

I also invite you to notice that there's never any tongue, because that's ugly. So, your challenge, dear readers, is to break out of the mold, and post a kissy picture of yourself. You'll be glad you did!

Weekly Wrap-Up

I feel like so much, yet so little happened last week. It was all more of the same! Jason's parents came to visit for the last time before they go on their mission. It was a really nice visit. The downside? They left us with a mysterious envelope NOT to be opened before Saturday. It's been staring at me all day- let's hope I can make it! We got Hazen's pictures back from Kiddie Kandids. They are SO CUTE! While I HATE the fact that they spell both words with a K, the pictures turned out so cute! Thanks Paige Fo. for sending me the free coupon! You rock my world!!!

Hazen is still rolling like a little maniac from his back to his tummy via the left side. He hasn't quite mastered the rolling back over, so he rolls on to his tummy, and then yells at me to flip him back over. It's a really fun game.....

On Thursday, I was noticing that he wasn't QUITE my happy, smiley boy, so I had Jason run him to the Dr's after-hour clinic while I made dinner and cleaned. Sure enough, ding ding ding, he has ANOTHER ear-infection! That is 5 in less than 6 months. Rad, huh? So, I got a referral from my pediatrician today for Hazen to go see an ENT Specialist. Once I got that, Heather referred me to her Dr, so we have an appointment.....FOR MAY 28!!! Seeing as the Halster gets an earache just about every 6 weeks, it looks like we've got another one coming before we even get the consultation. WHO KNOWS how far out we'll have to wait until he can get the tubes put in?? He's such a trooper though- even when he's not feeling great, he manages to brighten up our lives anyway!

Yesterday, I was noticing that he was pooping about 20x more than he normally does. I asked my sister if that's a sign of teething...sure enough, this morning, when I shoved my hands in his mouth to do some investigative work, I saw a little divot in his gums- it looks like a tooth should be here within the week! Grandma and Grandpa Lee missed it by about 2 hours!

Other than that, nothing new. Jason started his POST training for his job at the Prison. He's one of the only Medical guys in there, which is unfortunate, because he has to learn about all sorts of random legal stuff that he'll never need to use because he's not a guard or a Cop. Oh well- at least he has a great job!

Photo Contest!

I'm blogging this so my chances to win increase, but by doing so, I don't think you should join the contest- mainly because I'm mean, and I want to win but:

Kelli Nicole Photography is having a little contest and you can win a totally RAD picture. But once again, I don't think you should even attempt, because if you do, my odds go down, and we are no longer friends. She's the best photographer in the world and she's giving away a matted print of one of her recent travels! How exciting!

Go visit her here.

Or you could wait until tomorrow, and that would be ok, too. :o)

The Class Clown

This is a video of Hazen laughing last night. I was kind of tickling him, but he does this ALL of the time. It cracks me up!!

Oh, and I'm really curious to know who the two people are that think I'm not quite being fair to my posterity by no longer scrapbooking, but blog booking instead. I'm TOTALLY not mad, but really interested, and I would love to hear your opinion. It's something that's been a huge decision that I'm trying to make!

Just in case you didn't believe me that he rolls.....here you have it!

A Portrait of a Sick Baby

Is that not the most pathetic thing you've ever seen in your whole entire life? After steering clear of the yuck yuck that has been going through our entire house (Grandma included), Hazen has come down with YET another nasty cold. It just breaks your heart hearing him cough and seeing his sad, sick eyes. Luckily, I'm no stranger to snot and slobber, so I just snuggle up with him as he gets it all over my clothes/face/hair. I love my little sick baby!

An Exciting Development

Jason wrote most of what I'm about to write on his family website, and the way that he put it was so nice that I thought that it would be important for me to write it on the blog, as well.

Hazen had a really exciting development last night. While Jason was changing his diaper (yes, he does that!), he looked up to watch what was playing on the TV, and when he looked back down, Hazen had rolled to his tummy! Thinking that it could be a fluke, we turned him back over to his back, and watched as he did it over and over and over again! I can't tell you how much my heart sailed as I watched my baby do something for the first time! He had the cutest look on his face- he seemed so self-satisfied. The fact that Jason and I were cheering like monkey's for him probably doesn't hurt, either.

Now, the reason that it is so exciting for us: I know that all parents get happy when their baby does things for the first time, but for us, it's like taking a little bit of a weight off of our shoulders. I can't express how grateful I am for each of the little things that Hazen does: especially because they're just about on-time. Every time I see him do something new, my mind reverts back to how it felt sitting in the NICU, surrounded by so many Drs, all who were convinced that the chances of Hazen being severely brain damaged were extremely high. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about it, but days like yesterday both humble me, and also fill me with the deepest sense of gratitude I've ever felt. I've never felt God's love like I do now that I have a child. I know that we're not supposed to be "proud", but I couldn't help but scoop the HALster up in my arms and whisper how proud I am of his strength and fighting spirit. He truly is my little angel.

So, gone are the days where we can just plop him wherever, but I'll gladly give those up to know that I have a beautiful, healthy little boy!

*The picture has nothing to do with it, but it's Abbie and him holding hands, and I thought it was cute!

Hoppy Easter!!

I absolutely love firsts, and this week has been full of them! First time rolling over- (both times in bed, I have yet to actually SEE it happen), first time at an Easter Egg hunt, and first Easter!

Yesterday, Jason, HAL and I went over to Heather's house for their Easter Egg hunt. It was really fun. While HAL and Max actually just stayed in Heather's posh new stroller and hung out, we enjoyed the moments to shamelessly take pictures of our cute kids.


There was even an Easter Bunny there! This was really funny, because they guy dressed up like the bunny was actually some 18 year old kid who was NOT thrilled to be there. Heather and I had a good laugh, sadly enough at his expense!


Afterwards, we went back to Heather's house for Sloppy Joe's and egg decorating. It was very fun. I always remember again how fun decorating eggs is!!! HAL enjoyed putting his newly decorated egg in his mouth. If it stains his outfit, I'm going to be mad, but it will be my own fault!


Today was Easter! Yay! I'm totally "that mom" that MUST have new outfits for the family. Unfortunately, Jason missed out on the new outfit train. I'll make it up to him later! It made me think of last Easter when we had just barely lived here for a week or two, and all of the changes that we've had as a family since then. We are so grateful for out lives now! While we might have challenges now and again, our lives are so wonderful. I love my little family, they are so perfect for me!

It's looking a little like spring!!!

Today, it was over 50 degrees outside! Anyone who lives in Utah knows that it's officially capris and t-shirt weather... (or kind of anyway!) How do we know that it's almost spring?

The mama is getting a little bit blonder...

The feet are pedicured and are sporting some RAD gold flipflops.
And today, we purchased this:
Mysterious Poop Pool disease, I dare you to come get us this year. We're ready to go!

Have Flu, will post later...

I haven't forgotten about my dear, sweet blog. But, I'll post later. Up this week: A kissy post JUST for Nor.

So I've been thinking....

Jason hates this phrase. Probably because most times that it comes out of my mouth, it indicates some sort of life change that I'm proposing. This isn't so much a life change, but just some sort of musing done by me. You don't have to read it, but I don't really care, because this is, as you know, "A Day in the Life of Anne Lee".

Once again, I just received a phone call from the Gold's Daycare trying to inform Annelee that there was a meeting tonight. I just might make an announcement telling people to REALLY stop calling me Ann. Or REALLY stop slurring my name together. It drives me crazier than you will ever know.

I've also come across so many blogs recently that have really caused me to think. More than one baby have I seen that passed away after just about the same amount of time in the NICU that Hazen spent. Each of these accounts brings me to tears, and makes me hug my baby tighter than the time before. I am so grateful for our sweet miracle. I was reading a book the other night that talked about people's overuse of the term "miracle". While this might be true, Hazen Alma Lee is a true miracle. I am so humbled each and every time I see his sweet smile, or hear his laugh, as I remember the day we were surrounded by Dr's and Nurses who told us that we were probably going to have a child with severe brain damage. While he is still not completely out of the woods, his sweet demeanor and amazing personality make every challenge that we've had so worth it. He has taught me so much, and I know that he will continue to do so. I just got a new calling as Relief Society teacher, and I was looking forward to lessons that I will be teaching in the next few months. In July, 10 days before Hazen's birthday, I will be teaching a lesson about obtaining comfort when we lose a loved one, specifically a child. I couldn't help but feel very emotional as I was reading, but also so humbled and grateful. I know our Heavenly Father loves all of us, and I'm so grateful that he felt that Jason and I were worthy to raise such a special soul like Hazen.

Heather was over at the home of one of her friends last night. This friend is a new blogger, and Heather was telling her how everyone does blogging for different reasons. She mentioned that I was blogging to give people the perspective of a young married woman and a new mom. I was so flattered to know that someone is reading my blog who might not be in the same place as I am, and might learn a little something. I know that I learn a lot from the blogs that I read. Heather, for example, has taught me that while there might not always be "beauty in the home", we still need to embrace the chaos that life is sometimes made of. The other night, Abbie was very frustrated looking for a book, and Heather quietly pulled her aside, and used a quick moment to remind her of having "joy in the journey". Sometimes the journey between point A and B might not be very enjoyable, but if we change our attitude, we can find beauty in the simple things. Life is all about perspective. All too often, I find people constantly talking about annoying things, or complaining about stupid things: sometimes, I am one of them, but at the end of the day, I am so blessed!

I was at work last night, and one of the workers mentioned a rich lady who had just dropped off her kids. She was talking about the HUGE house that she lives in, and the nice cars that she drives, and her big giant diamond ring. I found myself saying, "Must be nice." I'm pleased with myself that I immediately corrected myself with, "No, I have a good life too, but that's really neat that she has such nice things". Why do we get so caught up with having "MORE"? Why can't we just find joy in the journey, and be content with the things we have? I can't imagine how bad it makes Jason feel if I talk about how "I want a house". He's doing everything he can to give me so many wonderful things, and I will forever be grateful to him. There have been recent experiences that I've had that have taught me the infinite importance of living within our means. Dearest Jason, thank you so much for teaching me better how to do so. I know that it will be a battle we will long wage, but we're trying!

So, if there's anything that I can give you, from my mind to yours, is this: Enjoy the journey. Life is not so bad, in fact, if you glimpse at the little things, I bet it's pretty good. Do what you can to be better, but don't drag others down in order to make the grass greener on your side of the fence. And look at my baby...because he's so stinking cute.

7 Months!

Hazen is 7 months and one day old. This translates into more than 1/2 a year that I've been completely obsessed with my baby. He's growing so much, and I hear more often than not that he is a "man child". Last week, we went to San Diego. Hazen is a wuss, and he missed his daddy a lot...oh wait, that was me! He was certainly doted upon by his cousins. Once we returned, he was loved on a ton by Maximo, Mia Mia, and Abbie.

The weather is warming up substantially here in Utah, so Hazen got another treat: we took off the blanket thing that zipped onto his carseat. He was very grateful for the warmth it
provided during the cold winter months, but now he is so excited that he gets to grab at the toys we hook onto his seat. It sure makes car rides more entertaining for him!! He does however, miss the full-service treatment that he received from cousin Payton, as she would hold his bottle for him in the car.

I just wanted to post this cute picture of HAL and I at Sea World. I loved the flamingos! I thought they were so pretty! Hazen was a champ while we were there! I was nervous he would cry because he wouldn't get a nap, but I was proved wrong: our boy really is a traveling man!!

One other funny tidbit from our trip: When we were going through security on our way back from San Diego, the alarm went off. I had to get patted down, etc, but they couldn't figure
out what it was, so they had to pat Hazen down, too. It was so ridiculous! Don't worry though, I made them change their gloves so they didn't germify my little angel!!

PLEASE watch this

I'm not normally one to tell people to watch things, but this is something SO worth 6 minutes of your life. Please watch, and let me know what you think. All I can say is our family is so blessed. It's hard for me to be taken back to the time in the NICU, but I think, at the same time, it's good, because it reminds me of my blessings. I have updates, so look forward to another updating Sunday!

http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/iv/singles/570/99-Balloons

When the cat's away....

While we've been on our trip to San Diego, Hazen has had a lot of firsts....first trip to Sea World, first time with Sun Screen, first time gumming an oreo, first time sucking on a lemon....oh wait....did I REALLY say that I let my son gum an oreo and suck on a lemon? You betcha...how else would I satisfy my cravings for cute pictures of my baby???

San Diego!!

If you wonder why I haven't blogged in a few days, it's because I'm in San Diego visiting "Sista in California"...oh, and my brother and the rest of the family!

We flew in on Friday via Jet Blue. It was fun, minus the fact that it was right in the middle of HAL's nap, and he cried for a few minutes. Rob and Payton picked me up, and we had La Salsa for dinner, and then we went to bed.

Saturday, I had the chance to go to Sea World for the first time with my dear friend, Cheryl, from Nauvoo. I took Hazen and Payton, and she brought her boyfriend, Kyle along for the ride. It was slightly chilly, so there was NO crowd!! (I don't have pictures yet, because I forgot the adaptor cable to our camera, but we were cute, trust me.)

Sunday, we had church and hung out. Rachel and Maddie got back from their Horseback riding trip for Girl Scouts!

Yesterday, we took cute pictures of my baby. That's the most exciting part. Please, look, relish, fall in love.