Gavin Gregory West

Gavin was born on Monday, April 20th at 9:22 pm

He was 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 21 in. long

Hailey is loving being a big sister. She love's looking at baby Gavin and has already started to be a big help. I am totally overwhelmed at being a mother of two, especially with Gavin not sleeping at night, I guess we'll just have to adjust.

Easter and Recent Happenings

Well, it is safe to say that Hailey had a great Easter. On Saturday we went over to my aunt and uncles house for the traditional Andrus Family Easter Hunt. Hailey came home with a whole bag of loot and Greg came home with plenty of extra easter eggs to eat. Apparently he forgot that he loves hard boiled eggs and he hasn't stopped eating them.

This is the big play tent that the Easter Bunny left for Hailey. She was one happy kid, and ran around and hid in the tent the rest of the afternoon.

I had to post these pictures because Hailey wanted to put her towel on her head like Mommy does, and it was so funny to see her try to hold her head up with the heavy towel.

Last but not least, Hailey helping clean the house. Who knew she would love scrubbing toilets so much that she would get her stool out and sit in front of the toilet, just to clean it? Now if I could only get her to pick up her toys, that would be a real miracle.

Questions in parenting???

Well as many of you know, Hailey is a little fire cracker. I love her every day and am so grateful for her in my life, but there are some things, and some days when you just don't know what to do. She is really making some great steps in becoming better behaved (maybe I shouldn't say that?) But she really is such a wonderful child.

Here is goes: I am admitting it, my two year old no longer naps. It is such a sad day for me, especially because I am close to 9 months pregnant and could really use at least a couple more months of naps. We are trying "quiet time", but I worry about leaving her in her crib and falling out because she is sick of it. We have a bed for her but I don't know that I am ready to go through that transition until our baby is at least a couple months old. I have been giving her books and things to do and it seems to work. But, what shall I do after the hour is over and I am still exhausted? I hate letting her watch too much TV, but maybe I need to get over that until summer anyway.

My next question is for you that have already potty trained your kids. Hailey is totally potty trained during the day, but at nap time/quiet time and bed time I put a diaper on her because I am 9 months pregnant and don't want to clean up the mess. I just figure that she will do that part on her own time, is this so? Is there something else that would help her? Not that I really have the energy to put into it anyway. But the whole reason I potty trained her in the first place is because of the whole pooh thing in the crib. (see older posts about this if you want to be grossed out).

Thank you Aunt Laurany

She love's doggies and blankets, so of course you chose the best present for her.

Thank you very much!!!

Girly Girl

This morning before we left for the gym, Hailey had to bring her purse with her. She had to have key's, her phone, her lip gloss, and a sippy cup in it as well. When we finally got to the gym she would not let it go and she held onto it the entire hour and a half that I was working out. Before we left I checked to make sure she had her things in it, and she had loads of crayons in it. (my little thief). Don't worry we gave them back to the day care, but she is just a crack up. 

MTC

Cousin's Harper and Hailey in their cream for uncle Chase's farewell

We took Chase Taylor to the MTC on Wednesday. He is going to the Texas, San Antonio mission spanish speaking. 

Hailey on Grandpa's shoulders

The Climb

Isn't it funny how songs come to you and they just fit? We have been having an interesting time in our family to say the least. We are all doing well, but it seems like every day there is something else that needs to be fixed or some large tantrum that can't be solved. As much as we love our lives, it never comes easy. I was really struggling last week trying to figure out what the heck to do to solve all of our problems (if only it were that easy). Greg is trying to find another job still, and or even a new company doing the same thing at this point. Which is a good thing if he can find something, but I am going to have a baby in April whether we have health insurance or not. (Hyperventilation!!!)  With the economy the way it is, it seems like it is that much harder to make money. With the new baby coming I have come to the conclusion that there is no way that I can do my job and be a mother of two, so I have been freaking out, to say the least. Then there are all of the struggles of every day life.

 I had Greg give me a blessing, which was very much needed and it did give me comfort, as Heavenly Father always does. I just have to slow down and remember that my Father in Heaven is always watching out for me. He has always helped me and some how we are always able to make it through the day, the week and the month. After an interesting Friday, where many people were laid off at my company and I also got in a mild car accident on the way there, I realized that I have to take everything in stride. It is all about the climb!  As long as we are striving to do the best that we can and have faith in our Heavenly Father, it will all work out. 

That is why I have this song by Miley Cyrus playing on our blog now. If you weren't listening the first time, scroll down and restart it to listen to the words. The words are so fitting to life. 

Have to share

I just wanted to post these pictures of Hailey and her Grandpa Bill from last Sunday. They were so very cute rolling around on the floor. Hailey has this thing with blankets and pillows. She has to have the blanket perfectly laid out on the floor and then she will lay down and enjoy, but don't wrinkle the blanket or she will get mad at you. I think Grandpa got away with it. 

Draper Temple

Last week we went to the Draper Temple with the youth and it was so great. We took Hailey and she was so excited to ride on the bus. Then she pointed at all of the pictures in the Temple and recognized Jesus. She also now will always point at the temple and say, "temple" as we drive by. It is so cool how much they take in. She still love's to look at the brochure of the temple, and in her words, "water with cow's". (AKA baptismal font).

Super Bowl

We had a fun Super Bowl party on Sunday that took every ounce of energy I had. It was fun to have friends over, but being 7 months pregnant and anemic makes for a tired host. We had great food and great friends all around. I think we all ate way too much, and we all needed to change into sweat pants after eating, but I guess that is what the Super Bowl is for.

Here is the recipe that you all wanted for the Shrimp Cakes.

Shrimp Cakes:

1 pound large peeled, deveined cooked shrimp, diced
· 2 cups corn
· 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
· 1 small onion
· 1 jalapeno, seeded
· 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
· Dash hot sauce
· 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
· 2 eggs, beaten
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper
· 2 tablespoons vegetableoil
· Peach Jalepeno Relish, recipe follows

Directions
In a food processor, pulse shrimp. Place into a large bowl. Pulse corn, pepper, onion and jalapeno. Remove and drain through a sieve to get rid of extra water that the vegetables may release. Add to bowl along with 1 cup bread crumbs, hot sauce, chili powder and eggs. Stir well together. Form into cakes about 1-inch thick. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.
Heat a large skillet with vegetable oil over medium heat.
In a shallow dish, add the remaining 1 cup of panko; add salt and pepper. Bread the cakes in the panko. Add the cakes in batches to the oil, cooking about 4 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel lined sheet tray. Serve with relish.

Peach Jalapeno Relish:

· 3 ripe peaches, diced
· 1/2 red onion, diced
· 1 jalapeno (about 1 1/2 teaspoons), seeded and diced
· 1/2 lime, juiced
· 1 tablespoon sugar
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Chill until ready to serve