How did we ever live without him?

Well I have to admit it, there's a new man in my life. Not to replace Grant, but another little man to share a piece of my heart. I never knew my life could be so full.

Well life is moving on at our house. My mom came out for a week and we were so grateful for her help!! Alaina loved the attention and I was so grateful to be able to rest and relax. Things have gone so smoothly so far, I really am so blessed. I took him into his first doctors appointment today and he's already gained everything he lost after being born, plus six ounces. He's now 8 lbs. 4 oz. and they also said he grew a half an inch (sometimes I wonder how accurate that measurement is). I really can't believe how big he is! After having a petite little 6 pound baby the first time, a nearly 8 pounder seems HUGE! I feel like I learned so much of what not to do after having a baby, that I was a lot smarter this time around and have been able to make things work a lot better. I guess I probably should set the record straight about having no drugs, yes I did do it naturally and am darn proud of myself (I don't know if that's legal, but yes-I'm proud of myself). I ended up being induced again- erg!! (so I guess my poll was rigged-but unintentionally). We decided to go that route because my labors seem to be short and I was afraid of Grant being in the city and not being able to get back. I really REALLY didn't want to do that again, but Someone let me know it was what needed to happen. I didn't really do anything special to prepare for an unmedicated birth, (I think lamaze breathing is just a good way to end up hyperventilating --for me anyway). But if I have to be completely and totally honest--I really thought I was going to chicken out! But then I ran out of time and so it was a good thing I was open minded about it to begin with, looking back I don't think I would have had much of a choice anyway. But, if you were only in labor for an hour and 15 min. and only had to push for 3 min, it probably would be pretty doable for anyone! So really you can look at it two ways; it was my choice, or I had no choice. My nurse was really impressed with me and said "It's been many moons since someone's done it naturally around here, I'm glad to see that it still works!" (I think she meant people who actually want to do it w/o drugs) My Dr. just said "it's a good thing you were okay with that, because getting an epidural probably wouldn't have worked anyways." She was out in the hall talking to the anesthesiologist telling him to wait a few more minutes and see if I'd give in -3 minutes before he was born! Anywho--sorry if you didn't want all the details, but maybe you did. Here's our adorable kiddos! Now that the swelling has gone down in his face, we're starting to see who this little guy really is---He's SO CUTE!

These are just some pictures from today. Alaina wasn't very interested in him which was surprising because she talks about all the other babies in our ward non stop. I guess she didn't know how handle her mother being occupied by another child, this will be a big adjustment for her. Aleisha calls him the man child they brought him to her this morning with his hair parted and nicely combed, she said he looked like a little man. Poor kid has my hair line as you can tell, and I still haven't seen his eyes, he does not like to open them, but Aleisha says they look like Alaina's did so we'll see if he ends up with blue eyes or not. But both Aleisha and Garrett are doing well today, and he seams to be a very docile baby, he doesn't cry much and when he does he kind of growls.

Garrett Dee Petersen

He finally came!!!!!!!!! Everything went really well. Our experience with Alaina in Rexburg was horrible, and so we were a little terrified about how this one was going to go, but keeping our fingers crossed it has gone great so far. The nurses were awesome, and did a great job monitoring Aleisha and the baby, and everything went so smooth, and even our doctor was right there with us monitoring and keeping tabs on us. Garrett weighs 7 lbs 14 oz and is 20 inches long and he looks just like Alaina did except chunkier, and a little bit more hair. One of the nurses said he needs his first hair cut which is funny because that's what the doctor said when I was born. Aleisha did the whole thing without any drugs, no epidural nothing, and she did really well. Here's a few pictures it's really late, and I have to get to bed, but I'll post more as I take Alaina in for the first time tomorrow.

With his big thighs, he's destined to be our next running back.

VOTE ON MY POLL!!!

This is a limited time offer so we'll see who's right! My mom fly's in on Tuesday night so quite frankly we really hope it doesn't take that long.

This kid should have been born 2 weeks ago according to my Dr,-- Don't ever believe it if they say you'll have them any day, I've obviously proved that wrong. Cross your fingers for us!

Hellow...Grandma? This is 'Laina

Yesterday I got this funny email from my my mom...

Alaina called us twice this morning.

I thought maybe you had given her the phone to tell us she was a big sister, but from what I was able to understand, you were in the shower at the time.

I asked her if Daddy was home; I think she said yes, so I told her to give him the phone, but no one else ever came on the line.

I finally said goodbye and hung up. She called right back, Scott answered and she said "Hi, Daddy". He told her he wasn't Daddy and she said goodbye.

This was only the 2nd time I've ever dared take a shower when she was awake, I wondered why she wasn't banging on the bathroom door crying for me to come out this time. I can't believe she actually scrolled down through all my contacts and randomly hit "Home".  Grant was actually at school at the time, so she must have been confused at who to give it too, but I can imagine how excited she must have been when she called back and heard a deep voice thinking it was daddy and not knowing it was actually her Uncle Scott! Silly kid.

Alaina Ann Petersen ~ a doll at 2 years

~Alaina~

Our Cheeseball

With corny, cheesy, posing smiles for the camera I was a little nervous how her 2 year pictures would turn out, but they turned out okay after all!

Alaina 2 year stats are:

23 lbs (5th %)

33 inches Tall (25-50%)

She LOVES

Loves to sing, play with mom and dad, play with "Fwends!" driving in the car, loves babies (cross your fingers this sticks), loves giving "noseys" kisses, loves small seats/furniture of any kind (currently the baby's carseat). Current favorite breakfast food is Cream of Wheat with fruit (Grant gags over this), LOVES candy, fut snakts, and GOLDFISH! (all of which have become rarities because otherwise she won't eat anything else).

I'm so PROUD

She's getting better and better at pronouncing those hard letters like her "L's" and "R's" I'm most proud of her for learning to be so polite, she says "please" "thank you" "your welcome" "excuse me" and "I'm sorry" most of the time without prompting anymore. I may fail in other areas of motherhood, but I always swore I'd have polite kids :)

I'll MISS

I'm going to be sad the day she figures out that all moving vehicles that make noise such as firetrucks and ambulances are not called "ice ceem" trucks. She's already figured out that city buses are called "Buses" and are no longer "Honk Honks" I miss it already that she's stopped calling shoes "shoeys." Lately she's been requesting her favorite video by asking for "Babysigningtime.com!" and right now she loves to proclaim to her daddy loudly "DINNERS READY" (even when it's not-but she's ready) I may even laugh someday at remembering that when she says "stand up" it sounds very much like the forbidden "shut up" (I'm glad we finally figured out that one)

In the life of Alaina Ann...

I thought I'd post some more pictures of Alaina's 2nd birthday and upon request, a better picture of her cake (or cupcakes as they actually were).

She requested pizza for dinner, much to her father's delight!

This was her "cake" super easy but fun. The colors turned out really bright so it was really cute (gel food coloring my friends, works much better than the colored water stuff)

These are some funny pictures of her during her bedtime antic's. I probably have a million pictures of her sleeping throughout her 2 year life span because I always crack up at the funny ways she falls asleep or how sweet she looks while she's peacefully sleeping. She's sound sound asleep in the first picture, and this second picture is how I found her one time when she was suppose to be sleeping. She'd figured out how to unzip her pajamas (which earned her a safety pin on the zipper) and somehow got herself in this position, when I peeked in the room she said, "stuck mommy"

This was a super fun birthday party Alaina went to yesterday, I stole this picture off her blog, (Thanks Aubri) because this party was seriously so fun! Alaina had a blast (not to mention the best nap ever once we got home). I thought they all looked so grown up sitting like big kids eating together. The Princess/Pirates theme was definitely a hit!

"So what are you guys up to these days?"

Aside from fabulous exotic vacations and dumpster diving treasures, we do have lives, and interests, and normal hobbies. I guess I haven't talked about our daily living in a while so here's what we're up to on a day to day basis.

Last Friday, for family date night, we went to South beach. It was kinda cold but Alaina got to see the ocean and look at seashells. She hated the sand so we had to hold her, obviously she needs more beach exposure.

Alaina- age 2

Funniest kid ever, she's starting to spout off words and phrases and songs that I know she didn't learn from me! She loves to pose for pictures with the cheesiest smile ever (same smile as her dad). She's currently really into Elmo, "Elmo's World" is the only part of Sesame Street she likes to watch. She has the most hilarious personality and is very conscientious about not leaving "unfinished business." For example: Doors are meant to be shut, shoes must be buckled, and socks must always be worn with our shoes. Which shoes we wear determine the activity involved (sandals=playground, church shoes=church, play shoes=shopping or friends house) We must always eat with forks, and diaper changes must ALWAYS include powder! Bedtimes must involve her puppy book (favorite story) and she must have the right stuffed animals to be able to sleep peacefully. Part of me thinks this is pretty funny and that she has such a strong personality showing, the other part of me is terrified that she'll become a paranoid over-obsessive compulsive child because things are never right! I'm sure it's just a phase...

Aleisha- age 23

Mother of a 2 year old ('nuf said) haha! Just kidding. Also happens to be 36 weeks pregnant and due Oct. 26, 2009. The next 4 weeks could not come fast enough, I'm telling you! I'm scared to have two kids because this officially means all of my arms will now be in use, and doing any type of errands in NYC is a very unique challenge when it comes to having to drag kids along with you! I'm sure I'll live,... somehow! My latest hobby I guess lately has been reorganizing our house. It's quite the project and if you've ever visited you'd understand my major storage problem (or lack thereof) It's the worst apartment for storage we've ever lived in, so I am routinely rearranging things hoping something I do will make things function better. You may be thinking that this hobby could be associated with a current "pregnancy nesting instinct" but I don't think so, I've done this 2-3 times a year since we've been married, getting ready for this new baby is just creating a need to do it again. I hate small apartments with no closets, but as Grant reminds me, we're grateful we can afford our rent.

Grant --age 27

(nearing old man age, as I reminded him that he's now considered Late twenties while I'm still early twenties)

Just started his 2nd grueling year of Dental School. Funny I barely remember the last year ending because his curriculum is year round. He really enjoys school and is a very dedicated student. He spends less hours in class compared to last year, but we see him less often it seems! This is because he goes in every day regardless to work on labs and study for his classes. I'm hoping that this baby won't be too disruptive in his schoolwork and he won't get too far behind...

Grant's other big news is that he is (dun dun dun) an official 2nd Lieutenant of the United States Army! Shocked? Surprised? So are we. Last year we were so against joining the army to pay for school, and we openly told everyone we'd thought about it and it wasn't right for us. But last March Grant got "hit by a two-by-four prompting over the head" and came home and told me he felt like we needed to reconsider. Only fasting and alot of faith could have made me agree to this, but after praying and feeling that he was right, we agreed it was what our family was suppose to do. Going in as a Dentist is completely different then going in as a recruit, and the requirements are a lot easier on a family (I think) if he gets called to duty he'd only be required to serve 6 months and he'd be a dentist--so no where near anything dangerous. I'm glad that we both feel so at peace about this decision because I was worried I'd second guess ourselves after it was too late, but thankfully we don't. So after schools over we owe 3 years of service for the 3 years of school they'll pay for. But the best part is, Grant will get 3 years of experience before starting on his own and putting his reputation out there. Nice side perk.

Baby #2 approximate arrival--4 weeks

Well the Petersen name will live on, much to Grant's relief. Men are scarce in his family and being the only son to pass on the name (in this earth-life, Grant's little brother is already one step ahead of the game) of another only son I might add (his dad), Grant and the rest of his Male family couldn't be happier that we're having a boy. This little guy is following in his big sister's footsteps and is starting out scrawny, but we hope he has big plans for his life. Despite being small, he kicks like crazy, loves to use my lungs as a springboard and I swear one day he cracked my rib! We're all excited to meet him soon! 28 days and counting! This is a sad ultrasound picture, we've had troubles getting good ones 'cuz he's so wiggly, but since I refuse to do belly shots this is proving he really does exist!

The Night Grant became "Father of the Year"

We so often feel that our poor child is deprived of so many things that the store windows and weekly ad's tell we should buy for her, and that these toys and baby gear products are a requirement of childhood, but alas our budget prohibits such things. We are however, always on the lookout for a good deal of some kind to be able to provide her with such said items.

And then one night Grant found it. A bike. At first glance it was perfect, it was pink and even had TWO baskets to put little treasures in, plus a shade cover to prevent those nasty pink sunburns my child is so prone too.

He had found it at a very local shop, in fact it was just 50 yards or so from our front door. They are very generous at this discount/thrift store, in fact they are so generous that instead of money, they only ask that you come and get it yourself. It's a little place called "The Temporary Construction Dump Bin"

He brought it in, and it had the perfect effect that he had hoped for: A happy high pitched squeal of delight--this was the sound of a very happy satisfied customer. Another success for the "Curbside Trash-Heap Sales" industry.

Upon further inspection of this said bike, I began to have my doubts. Does this bike have everything we want and need for our childs happiness? Do I feel that it is a safe mode of transportation for my child and most importantly, is it roadworthy? I decided this was a time for a quick parental conference.

Now we're not picky people, we've snagged many a great finds from these local "Curbside shops" but upon closer examination and hardly any discussion, but with a lot of uncontrolled laughter, we decided that a rusted over, cracked plastic, mud caked, weather worn padding, torn cover, with a parent push stick in the back, and handicap bar around the seat just wasn't what we were looking for. Maybe they'll let us make an exchange...

*Note: for some reason it doesn't look nearly as dirty, grimy, worn, rusted, and muddy in the pictures as it did looking at it in person, so just trust me-- it wasn't worth it.

Palmyra, New York

This is the Smith Family Farm, and behind it is the Palmyra Temple that is also on the grounds of the farm. We spent two days touring the area and one day off at Niagara Falls. We also attended the Ward here and loved it! I told Grant this is the PERFECT place to live, small town, good people with good values (everybody goes to church here it's just a matter of which one--apparently nothings changed much in 200 years!), the Sacred Grove- which apart from Gethsemane is considered by our church to be one of the most sacred places on earth, and last of all a temple--how many towns this small get a temple? I'm telling ya--perfect! Not to mention the landscape of the area is GORGEOUS, and that helps :)

The Log Cabin where they lived when the prophet Joseph received the first vision incidentally this fence in the front is where Joseph collapsed after spending all night visiting with the angel Moroni, when he tried to go out and work the next day.

The Frame Home where the Smith family moved and was living in during the time Joseph received the gold plates. Alvin was the one who actually started building it, he was engaged at the time of his death and this was going to be his home. This fireplace is the exact place where they removed the brick and hid the plates one night when the mobs were after them.

The barn. It's actually not their barn--it's Brigham Young's! For some odd reason that no one can figure out, the Church historical people torn down the original barn many years ago. (why?) But this barn actually belonged to Brigham Young's family and was the same type of barn used during that period so they disassembled it and piece by piece put it back together again to show here in Palmyra.

The Sacred Grove

Martin Harris Property

This is also not the home of Martin Harris, but the home that now sits on his property (Missionaries live there). It's really cool though, it's called a River rock house or something. Each stone was taken from Lake Erie and sorted according to size then set together like bricks. I've never seen a house like this before!

Peter Whitmer Farm

Peter Whitmer farm where the church was organized and the first meeting held. The Whitmer family was a huge part of the beginnings of the church. If you remember from your church history, Mary Whitmer was the only women to have the privilege of seeing the plates from the Angel Moroni himself!

The Hill Cumorah

This is at the Hill Cumorah. We went into the Visitor's Center then hiked up the hill (that was dumb of me- I realized half-way up the hill- I nearly put myself in labor!) It's literally straight up and it doesn't really plateau on the top, it's shaped like a triangle practically! Alaina was having a hard time sitting through all this in the Visitor's Center, so I tried to entertain her by taking pictures of her. It sort of worked.

Print Shop

Grandin's Print Shop. Where the first edition of the Book of Mormon was printed.

Alvin Smith's Grave--the original is set into the granite on the other side, but hard to read because of erosion, but this is what it says.

Ever heard about the four churches in the center of the town of Palmyra? (it's okay I hadn't, but Grant knew all about them) Here they are: the Baptist, the Episcopal, the Presbyterian and the Methodist. And from what we could gather, they were all build in the early 1800's during the time the Smith's were there or shortly after they left. Like I said, everyone goes to church here, it's just a matter of which one.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls was a lot of fun, but we decided it would have been a lot better if we would have had passports and money. We hear the view is a lot better on the Canadian side, but couldn't go because of no passports (LAME!) And they have cool things to do if you want to pay for it, such as ride a boat right up to the base of the falls. Maybe someday we'll come back a little better prepared, but still a fun side trip. It was only about 2 hours from Palmyra.

*This also marked a special moment for me, (don't laugh) I'd never SEEN outside of the United States before! Still have never been obviously... maybe someday.