The Nielsen Family

Drastically Reduced!

2009-07-03T10:27:00.001-07:00

Drastically Reduced Baby who WHINES! We are firm on our price!

17 months. Like a fork to the head.

2009-06-26T23:54:00.000-07:00

This really could go either way Van. You are now 17 months old. The past few weeks have been so funny and I have been writing things down that you have done on a piece of scratch paper and of course I have misplaced it.
We went to dinner a week ago tonight with Afton to Olive Garden. It was late and you were tired and a pain in my butt! Afton and I sat on one side of the booth and you and Dad were on the other side. You got restless and so naturally you got on top of the table and came across to me. As our food started to come out I made a plate for you and stood up to put you back across from me and next to your Dad. He put his arms out to take you and you picked up a fork and jammed it into the side of his head. Oh the look in his eyes! Speaking of eyes, the fork missed his eye ball by only a very small measure. He looked at me and said "take him, take him now!" Now I have had people tell me that one day when Dad and I want to go out or when we want to be spontaneous and pick up and leave for the weekend I will wish for you to be back in my stomach. I have never wished this, maybe because being pregnant was by far the very worst 10 months of my entire existence but I think at that very second as the fork made 4 indentations in the side of your fathers head he may have for a split second wished you back in my stomach. I have also had a few friends tell me that they just don't understand why people want kids so bad. This is not something that is remotely explainable until you have laid eyes upon your own baby for the first time, and in the exact instance you know why. It is still not explainable in words but as a parent you know.
You love us, in a way that we have never been loved. You fulfill every expectation and far exceed them. You love books and will bring me or Dad a book when you are starting to get sleepy, you will crawl up on our laps and hand us the book. Last Saturday I was folding laundry and Dad was sitting on the couch watching a show. You brought him a book and crawled up next to him and starting pointing at the animals on each page and putting your own Van sound to each one.

This is one of those moments you point to when someone asks why you would ever want a child.

Speaking of forks! The other day I was cleaning the kitchen, you must of gotten a fork out of the dishwasher. I came over into the living room to check on you and found you with a fork, stabbing into our leather couch!!! Speaking of couches.....
I fixed you a bowl of oatmeal and poured it into a bottle because you wouldn't sit and eat it otherwise. I again walked into the living room to check on you only to find you pouring the oatmeal out into the creases of our leather couch!!!! I don't know if I am a bad mom or if you are a bad child, one or the other must be true.
Your love affair with balls is stronger than ever. You love anything that even resembles a ball. You have a million and one toys and you do not care about anything but the balls and books that show you cows and horses. Right as I am pushing the point of wishing you back in my stomach I turn around to look at you because the dining room light has mysteriously just turned off. I find you throwing a ball up against the light switch and turning it on and off with the ball. Do I need to say more? Your accuracy kid!!!

When you got so sick about a month ago and were running such a high fever Dad and I made you sleep in the middle of us so we could keep an eye on you. This was the biggest mistake I have made in my parenting so far. Now when I ask you if you are ready to go ni-night you will shake your head yes and walk into my bedroom! This has made for a miserable sleep for both Dad and I. You will migrate to one side of the bed when we are lucky, allowing the other person to get a few minutes of real sleep but most of the time you sleep horizontal. By horizontal I mean your head burrowed in one of our necks and your feet on the other persons face. Dad woke up the other night because you were rubbing his lip with your big toe. I have asked a few of my friends what to do... "just put him back in his room and let him scream himself to sleep." So I tried this, you started to crawl out of your crib head first, I would hear you land on your bedroom floor and just as I was running to your room you would be opening the door, stars in your eyes from the fall and barely able to stand. Aunt Jenea suggested ordering a crib tent so you couldn't get out of the crib, I did this and was talked out of it by Grandma Angie. Our neighbor Amy suggested taking the front off of your crib and turning it into a toddler bed. We tried this and now you can get out of your bed without the possibility of breaking your neck but you just open the door to your room and walk on out. Julie at work told me that she just locked her son in the room and he eventually learned that he had to sleep in his own room. I tried this and you hang on the door knob until it breaks. Last but certainly not least our other neighbor Jeanette suggested a new door knob turned around so it locks from the outside, a round one that you can't just pull on. This is the point where we are at now. I am trying to get enough sleeplessness built up that I don't care if you hate me and I scar you for the rest of your life, causing serious emotional issues that you will have to see a therapist for all the way through to the end of a midlife crisis. Please don't hate me for locking you in your room. I love you, I just need to sleep!

I love you, you 17 month old monster!
Mama

We (Dad, me, you, Landon, Jade, Ammy, Kari and Brandon) went fishing last week. You played in the sand and dumped it all over me. The sand was EVERYWHERE!! Aunt Ammy and I had it in our ears, our clothes and our teeth. Like I always say, don't rock the boat!

We went camping over Memorial Day weekend with Afton and her family. Your very first horse ride. You were in all your glory! Your love horse!

The first of many battle wounds.

2009-05-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

13 AnD 14 mONthS oLd & as SOLID as cAn Be.

2009-04-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

So I haven't updated my blog for a long time!!!! I have a blog that I write letters to Van and post pictures as he grows and I update it all the time so I forget to do this one. My sister-in-laws keep telling me I need to update this one so they can see the pictures. I have copied and pasted this post from my other blog so of course it includes my sappy letter to my baby...read on if you want :)

When we pull out the camera and tell you to smile this is your pose.

So you keep me so busy that I don't have a lot of down time to just sit and get this journal updated. I am so behind that it is actually a part of my to do list, I even have a reminder that beeps once a day in my phone reminding me that you are now 8 days older than 14 months and I have yet to document it.
You are SO mischievous! You are so close to walking. If I tell you to stand up and walk to me you will stand up and carefully toddle over to me and then you laugh, you want praise from all 4 walls. You have become one of my very best friends. I love to lounge with you, wrestle around with you, take walks with you and fight the battle to try to get a quick snuggle from you.
Last weekend we went up to SLC and met Amanda and her 2 little girls and had a fun day together. We went to the Gateway Discovery Museum. I didn't think there would be anything there that you would enjoy but we ended up staying for 2 hours. When we finally left and I put you back in your stroller you threw a temper tantrum that threw me for a loop, I didn't know you were capable of something like that. At the museum they had a Little Tikes car that you have to flintstone yourself around in. I was trying to entertain you so I could visit with Amanda so I put you in this car. You wouldn't get out for anything. Kids would come up and ask me if they could have a turn. The first 2 that asked me I said yes and tried to get you out, you held onto the car with all your brute strength and screams and kicked. I ended up telling every kid no to a turn in the car. You couldn't figure out how to go forward but you could go backwards. You would turn and get yourself to where you wanted to go, just all in backward motions. When we got home I left you with Daddy and went to Wal-Mart to try to find one of these cars for you. They don't carry them in the stores so I got you something a little different. A car that I push you in. You love this car! I push you all around the house in it. We go to the kitchen and load your food in the little trunk and drive over to the high chair, you eat and then get back in the car, you sit in it while we get your clothes out or prepare your bath. Daddy was tending you the other day while I was at work and he sent me a text that you were kissing your car and laying on the floor next to it petting it like it was a prized puppy.

You loved when Uncle Landon pushed you around and carried your cabbage patch kid in the trunk with his head hanging out. You love to put anything that will fit in the trunk.

One most Tuesdays and Thursday (my days off) we usually just hang out at home and clean and do laundry. The days I work you usually go with Dad to work, to feed the cows. If we ask you if you want to go see the cows you will pull out your binky and say "MOOO." The other day Dad asked if we would both go with him to work instead of staying home, he wanted me to see you in your element as he calls it. I rode along and sure enough kid that runs in your blood. Dad puts the truck in low gear and you drive the truck with the window down so you can yell at the cows. If Dad takes you through the middle of the cows on foot you will scream at them like you have obviously heard your Daddy do and you will pet them, or hit them, or kick them......
Even though I have never liked animals like this I love that it very obviously runs in your blood and you love it with no fear at all.

You worship your Daddy. I have seen a very special and intense bond forming with the 2 of you over the past few months. You have been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with him. You want to do everything like Dad does. If he wears a hat so do you, you love to wear his hats more than your own. You love to wear his sunglasses. You wear his glasses so much that I got you a pair of your own. You love to wear yours if Dad has his on too.

I know it is hard to believe but I wasn't even freaking out when this mut was licking my babys face.

You are learning how to go up and down our stairs and love it. Every time I take the gate down you are right there going up and down, up and down. You also have this new thing you do, so cute and yet so irritating. You grad our faces and make us look at you to tell us to look at something or to tell us what you want, you do it constantly. If there is a basketball game on and I look away from the TV you instantly will grab my face and make me look at you and then point to the TV to tell me to watch. I LOVE YOU!
You love to play peek-a-boo. You HATE to lay down and get your diaper changed, you are always rolling over and crawling away from me as fast as you can and it is a battle everytime we try to change you. We are learning that if we simply play peek-a-boo the whole time we are trying to change you that you will be good.

Have I ever told you that I worship you? Well...I do.

Love Mama.

Just a Small Taste of Personality

2009-01-08T01:36:00.000-08:00

The Last Month

2009-01-08T00:13:00.000-08:00

The past month has been a whirlwind, lucky there is such a thing as cameras to document or it would fly by without me even knowing it. These are in random order of our past month but to be honest it is 1:33am and I am to sleepy to organize them so this is what you get. To sleepy but I can't sleep? We have had a blast this past month soaking in the first holiday season with Van and watching him take it all in. Life couldn't be better!

The light parade in Spanish Fork, the day after Thanksgiving.

We went on the Polar Express for family night. Van loved Santa and tried to pull his beard off and eat it.

Christmas Day, not sure what I was laughing about.

Christmas Day. Jordan and Landon decked out in their snowmobiling gear. They honestly think they are so funny...they kind of are I guess.

Christmas Eve. Van was so...done and Daxton sat and held his bottle for him. I am so..grateful that these 2 love each other so much!

This is just how done he was....

...................

Christmas Night. Van letting his Aunt Ammy love him for 2.3 seconds before knocking her in the face and crawling away just as fast as he could. It seems to be a game they play, he adores her and to show just how much he has taken quite a liking to punching her.

Jaylee and Dacia loving their Daddy on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve at Shaun and Jenea's house. All of the nieces and nephews that were in attendance. Whitney, Crystal, Dax, Dacia, Jaylee, Trevin and Van. I love this picture!

On New Years Day Jordan planned a snow day. We took the snowmobiles down to the farm and played all...day long. Jord built a fire and we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. Van rode on his sled behind the 4-wheeler and then while it was in use doing over 1/2 mph Grandma Angie pulled him around. Uncle Landon would run after him in slow motion and tackle him. He had a ball and was such a good sport.

He ended up adopting my goggles because his little eyes would water while we were riding on the snowmobiles. He left them on all day long. So stinking cute!

This was my Christmas gift :)

and last but not least I just wanted to document my ability as a first time mom to allow my child to look like this.....

Happy New Year everyone, We hope it is a great one!

Decorating for Christmas

2008-11-30T22:57:00.000-08:00

We stayed inside today and just hung out together with our little family. Van "helped" me decorate the house for Christmas.

The finished product. I'm so excited for Christmas all of the sudden!

Holy Moly, 10 Months Old!

2008-11-26T10:59:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone?

Pants Off

2008-11-10T10:07:00.001-08:00

Dear Child of Mine,

You have your 2 bottom teeth so far. I can tell when you are teething because you don't sleep through the night. In the past week or so you have started waking in the middle of the night screaming like a crazy person when you wake. It isn't that subtle cry like mommy please get me a bottle, it is more along the lines of "Mom, wake the hell up now!!!!! If you don't I will only get worse and will refuse to go back to sleep, I will then proceed to get into bed with you, push you to the very edge of the bed and sanity all while I kick the crap out of every major organ and joint in your body!!!"
You are usually so good about laying down in your own bed when you get tired and putting yourself to sleep, well that good behavior has also gone out the window during this recent stint of teething. You now want me to lul you to sleep. You prefer that I lay you next to me in my bed with no light what so ever and allow you to use my entire body as your pillow or punching bag, just depends on how tired you are at the time. I tried repeatedly last night to lul you to sleep. You got there a few times but as soon as I moved you would wake back up. I was trying to get a talk prepared that I have to give in Young Woman's so I made your Dad try his hand at getting you to sleep. It is so funny how Dads feel like there are certain things they are just not capable of when it comes to their children. Well you know me, that is just unacceptable so I make him try, I also LOVE to see him try and get frustrated, I will be honest I laugh my butt off at him!!! He tried a few times, laying down with you but he didn't understand that he just has to lay there and accept that he will be kicked and scratched and screamed at until you finally fall asleep. He finally tried to lay you down in your own bed. We could hear you yelling and playing in your bed so your dad walked back in to check on you only to find that you had somehow taken your pants all the way off, they were not around your ankles or even near you. He brought you back into the hall so I could see you, I looked at him and said, "Why did you take his pants off?" He was laughing so hard that he couldn't speak, he finally got it out what you had done and I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. You got a good laugh as well. I think you know how funny you are and you get quite a kick out of yourself.
I love your guts Meaty!

I have been tagged/6 quirks about me

2008-10-09T21:30:00.000-07:00

I laughed like a flip'n lunatic when reading Kellie's that I decided what the heck!

Rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you
2. Mention rules on your blog
3. Tell about six quirks of yours
4. Tag six fellow bloggers to do the same
5. Leave them a comment to let them know

1. Okay here we go, I think these "quirks" are more like OCD matters to me. When putting folded towels away "the pretty side" has to be facing out. They have to be folded going the same direction and smooth.

2.While I lay in bed I cannot stand to see any door open. We leave our bedroom door cracked open, as long as I can't see it from around the corner.

3.I also cannot leave for a vacation without my house being spotless. I also like the feeling of coming home to a clean house and only having the dirty laundry from the vacation but my main reason is....If we never come home from the vacation I want the people who have to deal with our passing to come into a spotless home and not have to deal with my wreckage on top of my death. Demented?

4. The feeling of manure haunts me! When I touch something with my hands or feet that I perceive as dirty it takes me a full shower before feeling like I no longer have a full coating of manure on my hands and feet. Just washing my hands/feet doesn't seem to help.

5.I absolutely LOVE to pop zits! Only if it is on certain people though, otherwise I gag and feel the manure thing going on again. I especially love the kind that you can almost hear pop through the surface.

6. Vacuum lines!!!! I love vacuum lines!!!! As they start to fade my house feels filthy.

I tag..Amanda, Kelly M., Teresa, Katelyn, Suzy and Ashlie.

Something to Chew On

2008-10-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

I am not going to tell you the website because that would just prove to everyone just how far from perfect I actually am but one of my favorite blogs posted this....
Let it be mine for just a second and give me an answer!

Indulge me for a second and consider this scenario: let's say you're given the opportunity to donate some money to a desperate family who would use it to feed their children, but were only able to do so if you donated the same amount of money to someone you knew would use it to buy crack. Would you do it?

How Life Changes

2008-10-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

It's funny how life changes, it contains a lot of firsts, firsts that hold indescribable feeling, a feeling that you will never feel again with the same magnitude. As you grow you can't imagine being old enough to do a lot of things. When you get married there is this craziness of blending 2 homes into one and as you prepare for a new baby it is beyond something that you can put into words. I remember this exact day last year, Saturday conference session, opening day of the elk hunt. It was raining just like it was today and I was 6 months pregnant. Anyone who was around for my pregnancy knows that I hated every last second of it, so last year at this time I thought I was going to die and there was just no way that I would ever feel more uncomfortable...little did I know what the next 3 months had in store. Anyway....conference weekend last year, rainy....Afton and I went to Salt Lake to a boutique to find some fashionable maternity pants. I remember telling her that I couldn't believe that I was actually preparing for a baby. On our way home she said to me "Won't it be so weird next year at this time when we are taking Van with us to the mall, it won't be just us, he will be here." I couldn't imagine that this little person that we had referred to as Van from the very moment I found out I was pregnant (I already knew he was a boy) was inside of me and actually going to come out and have a spot in this world. Jordan and I talked about it for 9 + months. One day you leave the house, just the two of you and then you come home with 3 and all of the sudden it isn't just Jordan and Jamie's house but Van's house too. Van is an actual person who has belongings just like the rest of us, belongings that he would take with him where ever he may go, a room, clothing that isn't meant for any one but him. It is so surreal to know that the room that was an office is now a real persons room, VAN'S room. I hung some coat hooks in the laundry room just a few days ago, preparing for winter and wanting to have easy access to a coat as we are walking out the door. I smile every time I even walk into the room, Jordan comments on it every time he walks through the back door. This little man has a hook on the wall, one that is all for him, one that hold his very own coat.

A GET TO KNOW YOU EMAIL SENT TO US BY AUNT KATIE

2008-10-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

AS TOLD BY VAN!

1.What time did you get up this morning?
7:30

2.Diamonds or pearls?
I PREFER PLASTIC

3.What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
NEVER SEEN ONE, MY PARENTS DONT WANT TO BE BANNED FROM THE THEATER FOREVER

4.What is your favorite TV show?
I LOVE MY BABY GENIUS DVD, LOVE THE MUSIC

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
OATMEAL AND/OR A BOTTLE OF BABY FOOD AND A BOTTLE OF FORMULA

6.What is your middle name?
JORDAN

7.What food do you dislike?
PEAS.

8.What is your favorite CD at moment?
ANYTHING DANCE WORTHY, I ALSO LOVE THE SONG ON MY UNCLE LANDON'S PHONE.

9.What kind of car do you drive?
I DON'T ACTUALLY DRIVE, I HAVE MY OWN DRIVER

10.Favorite sandwich?
I LOVE TOAST WITH JAM

11.What characteristic do you despise?
LAME AND BORING

12.Favorite item of clothing?
MY BIRTHDAY SUIT, I HATE CLOTHES!!!

13.If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you?
THE PARK

14.Favorite brand of clothing?
I AM SERIOUSLY THE MOST STYLISH KID THERE IS, I PREFER TO DIVERSIFY MY WARDROBE

15.Where would you retire to?
AT 8 MONTHS OLD I WOULD HAVE TO SAY A ROOM FULL OF VACUMES. I STARE AT ANY VACUME AS IF IT IS MY LONG LOST BEST FRIEND. MY UNCLE LANDON TAKES ME FOR RIDES ON THEM!

16.What was your most recent memorable birthday?
JANUARY 21ST, 2008

17.Favorite sport to watch?
I PREFER ROLL THE BALL ACROSS THE ROOM

18.Farthermost place you are sending this?
MY GRANDMA IN SALT LAKE CITY

19.Person you expect to send it back first?
MY GRANDMA ALREADY DID AND THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

20.When is your birthday?
JAN 21,08

21.Are you a morning person or a night person?
DEFINATLEY MORNING, I AM A COLLOSAL SHIT PAST 8PM

22.What is your shoe size?
5, IN BABY

23.Pets?
I LOVE DOGS AND HORSES AND COWS! I HAVE LOTS OF THEM!

24.Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
MY POOP WAS RED AND ORANGE THIS MORNING!

25.What did you want to be when you were little?
A GROWN UP.

26.How are you today?
I HAVE A TOOTH ACHE :(

27.What is your favorite candy?
CHOCOLATE MAKES ME THROW UP! PUMPKIN PIE IS MY FAVORITE TREAT, NEVER HAD THIS THING YOU CALL CANDY.

28.What is your favorite flower?
WHICH EVER ONE WOULD TASTE THE BEST.

29.What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
THE DAY I CAN WALK SO I DONT HAVE TO LET MY WEINER DRAG ON THE COLD TILE FLOOR WHEN I CRAWL INTO THE BATHROOM WHILE MOM IS TRYING TO HOLD ME DOWN AND CHANGE MY DIAPER.

30.What is your full name?
VAN JORDAN NIELSEN, YOU CAN CALL ME MEATY THOUGH

31.What are you listening to right now?
MY MOM TYPING.

32.What was the last thing you ate?
A CARROT

33.Do you wish on stars?
DON'T HAVE TO, MY WISH IS ANYONES COMMAND

34.If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
YELLOW. MY FAVORITE TOYS ARE YELLOW

35.How is the weather right now?
I DON'T CARE, I WANT TO GO FOR A WALK!

36.The first person you spoke to on the phone today?
MY DAD, I TRIED TO EAT HIM THROUGH THE PHONE.

37.Favorite soft drink?
APPLE JUICE

38.Favorite restaurant?
LOS HERMANOS, I LOVE THEIR REFRIED BEANS!

39.Real hair color?
DIRTY BLONDE LIKE MY MOMMYS

40.What was your favorite toy as a child?
A BIG BLUE BALL AND MY BABY RUBBER DUCKY THAT I USE WHEN I CAN'T FIND MY BINKY, OH I ALMOST FORGOT PHONES.....I L...O...V...E.... PHONES!

41.Summer or winter?
Summer

42.Hugs or kisses?
NEITHER, I WILL GIVE KISSES BUT I DON'T LIKE TO GET THEM AND I HATE ANYONE WHO TRYS TO HUG ME FOR LONGER THAN 2.2 SECONDS!

43.Chocolate or Vanilla?
NEVER TRIED VANILLA BUT CHOCOLATE MAKES ME THROW UP

44.Coffee or tea?
DOES COKE COUNT? DONT WORRY GRANDMA I DON'T DRINK COKE. CLARK GAVE ME A SIP ONCE AND MY MOM ALMOST THREW HIM THROUGH THE WINDOW.

45.Do you want your friends to email you back?
I AM TOO BUSY TO READ WHAT ALL MY FRIENDS HAVE TO SAY.

46.When was the last time you cried?
I AM CRYING RIGHT NOW. WHY WONT MY MOM LET ME POUND ON THE KEY BOARD?

47.What is under your bed?
NOTHING, MY BED HAS WHEELS!

48.What did you do last night?
TOOK MY MOM TO HER PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS AND THEN WENT TO THE BASEBALL PARK WITH MY DAD.

49.What are you afraid of ?
ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING!!!

50.Salty or sweet?
SWEET

51.How many keys on your key ring?
I LOVE....MY MOMS KEYS AND SHE HAS 4

52.How many years at your current job?
8 MONTHS

53.Favorite day of the week?
ANY FUN DAY!

54.How many towns have you lived in?
UNO

55.Do you make friends easily?
HECK YES! EVERYWHERE I GO!

56.How many people will you send this to?
1

57.How many will respond?
1

"Choice Van"

2008-09-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me tonight that you may read this one day. I want to put his entry early on so that you will read it first. You are only 7 months old and your daddy is already trying to teach you how to live an honest good life. When we hear of things on the news, in the community or in our own families about people doing things to dishonor themselves and others and neglecting the value in their lives; or straying from the true things that bring happiness into our lives he will say to you "Choices Van, the choices that you make in your life shape you, and not only you but everyone around you, make good choices Van."

We talk about it often, how to teach you to make the right choices. Son, please make the right choices. Do good, be someone that teaches others to be good and true by the choices you make in your own life. Please do not ever dishonor someone or make someone’s life unnecessarily hard. Show love to the people that are dear to you. It is amazing to watch someone treat someone so terribly and to know that they love that person. Why we as humans think it is ok to leave scars with our words and our actions on the people that mean the most is unreal. I can tell you with great shame that I have done this before and sitting here typing you this letter I have true regret and sadness. My promise to you is that I will teach you to do good by my actions. We all have our short comings but please be one that rises above it and love more than you hate. Please look for the positive in people and forget their negatives. I want to teach you not to wait on someone else to try to fix your relationship, not to use someone else’s faults as an excuse to give up on showing someone that you love them.

One more thing that is on my mind tonight is your sweet Daddy, he wants nothing more than to play with his little boy. He wants to see you live your childhood to the fullest, to give you every single opportunity to live life to the very fullest. You are so loved my little man. Sleep tight.

Mom

Van is on the Prowl

2008-09-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

Why is it that you insist on only playing with the dangerous or gross things in your line of sight?? You love to crawl under the curtains in the dining room and pick the dead flies out of the door jam.....I will try to clean those up tonight! Yesterday you managed to find an old NERD in the carpet up against the wall....it obviously tasted good. I walked into the laundry room the other day and when I came back into the living room you were gone....in the extra bath sucking on the bolts on the bottom of the toilet. Your favorite is chewing on any electrical cord!!! What the heck child?
You got up on the bathroom floor this morning trying to get around the door to see your Dad. You were up on your hands and knees slowly moving your little knee forward and then carefully moving your hand next. Over a minute or so you made 4 little moves of a real crawl. Each move was so calculated, I guess you must have decided it was just easier to slither across the floor. I love every fiber of your being and even that doesn't explain it enough.

2008-08-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

It seems like in the past week Van has decided to take off! He is army crawling everywhere, following me from room to room and chasing after his basketball. Insisting on feeding himself and finding new hiding places. Everyday is truly and adventure that I wouldn't trade for anything. His little personality is phenomenal! He is starting to tell the difference in who will give him what and how much persistence it takes.....who will spoil him more and let him get away with more. The kid is a riot and according to his Dad soon to be NBA star and the next president of our great nation.

I like to hide....

in Moms closet

Under my Mom and Dads bed

mmmmm, yogurt

THE MANY FACES OF VAN

Katie's Wedding....CONGRATS!

2008-08-18T17:28:00.001-07:00

Katie (Jordan's sister) got married this weekend. It was surely a week dedicated to Katie, bridal shower, temple endowments, wedding dinner and wedding, we have been Katiefied! It turned out beautiful and Katie got her man! Congratulations!

Katelyn and Brandon Dalley

My stinking rotten stud of a baby boy! Grandma Angie put him in a tux!!

OH.....

AGAIN.....

Clay and Angie

Me and my crazy sister-in-laws! They are so much fun when I don't want to beat them! They sure love my baby and my baby loves them.

Jord and Landon

Addy and Jack

Baby Peyton.

Ashlie....always pulling a face.

Party at Aunt Jamie's!

2008-08-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

We got to tend Shaun and Jenea's kids this weekend while they went to San Diego. We stayed up late, ate tons of junk food, went swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Stokes and went fishing. Jaylee and Dacia have never gone fishing....Dacia caught more fish than anyone else.

Dacia and Van. Dacia is already the best babysitter and Van loves her so...much!

Jaylee, so proud of her HUGE fish!

Once Dacia caught one fish it lit her on fire, all she wanted was another.

Daxton is all about technique, the right bait and lure. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Trevin smelled like fish when we got home. He wouldn't put them down. It was cold and rainy and he still ended up in the pond with the string of fish. He was so upset when we gave them to someone else to cook. He asked the next day if we thought the fish got eaten by the people that we gave them to. He felt jipped that we wouldn't let him bring them home.

SERIOUSLY!!

I LOVE THESE LITTLE LADIES!

Forcing Cuddle Time

2008-08-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

You are not a cuddler. Your Daddy wishes that you were because he is such a cuddler. I like to cuddle with your Daddy but on my terms, I reach the end of my rope quickly and then need my personal space. Once in a great while you will fall asleep by one of us and we will quietly move you over next to us and make our sleeping little boy cuddle with us. Our routine in the morning is defiantly not the most productive but it is one that is ours and we love it. I wake up and feed you really early, only if you are requesting it and then sometimes I fall back asleep with you next to me, but because you are not a cuddler you wont sleep soundly, you toss and turn until I put you in your own bed.
The normal routine is I get up and start getting ready and then you wake wanting a bottle. Daddy gets you a bottle and forces some cuddling time while you eat laying next to him in bed. This morning I opened the bathroom door towards the end of your bottle and starting talking to you...
Me: Vanners...Mom loves you so much. Give me a kiss....
You: Kiss me and then kick my chest away from you.
Daddy: Leave us alone!!!!!! You are interrupting cuddling time.......see you ruined it, he is done. GOSH!!!!!

I love my life :)

Much Better...Van loves the pool!

2008-07-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

We took Van swimming again at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We actually got him all the way into the floaty without a break down. He loved it!!! While he was floating he couldn't seem to figure out where his toes had gone. He kept trying to push the floaty away from his stomach to see his toes!

2008-06-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

We went to Las Vegas on Father's Day. Ashlie and Ryan (Ashlie is Jordan's sister) had a new baby boy!! I was going to post a picture but I figured it is only fair for them to do the unveiling. He is a cute TINY little thing. They named him Peyton Stokes Simons. He is almost exactly the same size as Van when he was born, only an ounce different. Holding him I can't believe that Van was his size only 4 months ago.

Van is crazy! He is sitting on the desk right now in his bumbo chair hitting the computer screen with a sharpie marker. Don't worry the lid is tightly closed and I am watching to make sure he doesn't stick it too far down his throat :) In just the last few days he is reaching for everything in sight and throwing fits when he can't get to whatever his heart desires. He is now lifting the glass that the pens go in and dropping it on the desk repeatedly!!! Oh, I love him! I think I am in for it.

While in Vegas we went to the Shark Reef and got to hang out with Addison and Jack while Ashlie, Ryan and Peyton hung out in the hospital.

Jack, Ammy and Addy

Jack loves to hold the bottle and feed Van. He gets upset when you try to assist.

This is Van watching TV...surprise, surprise. Where ever we go he will locate Stevie and is entertained indefinitely, or until he is hungry or poopie!

We were so excited to take Van swimming for the first time. He loves the bath so I assumed he would love the pool. Well...not so much. Vegas was 110 degrees and the pool felt like it was -10 degrees. I will not give up, my baby must love the pool!

Uncle Landon....I am starting damage control at 5 months. Van loves his Uncle Landon!

This is how we spent the rest of the time...pool SIDE.

an ode to a daddy

2008-06-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

These 2 boys are my life! The first one had something to do with the gift of the second one and I love him more every day for that :)
I want to shout to the world that my husband is my life and he defines my existance, he is my best friend, my solace in a crazy world. He is an incredible Dad and a man that makes my heart smile. Happy Father's Day Jord, thank you for being you, for being my constant and loving me the way you do.

Our baby is growing up

2008-05-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

I know this sounds so cheesy but every time I look at Van he is bigger and it makes me sad. It is so fun to watch him grow but sooner than later he will be on to bigger an better things and will not be my baby anymore. I guess this is the reason ladies keep having babies, the infamous saying "I'm baby hungry"
I am going to try my very hardest to prolong that feeling of needing another baby but already I am sentimental over the fact that Van will not stay my baby for long. Soon enough he will not need me like he does and want to be independent. I can't imagine that I will ever outgrow the stage of needing him. I know that it has to be possible because millions of women before me have done it but I cannot fathom loving another child like I love this little dude.
Van is 4 months and one week old. I would like to know where the time has gone and why being pregnant lasted 5 years and the last 4 months has been a nano second. My baby is rolling over!!! I can tell he thinks it is pretty great because every single time I lay him down he gets so excited and starts flipping from side to side. If he happens to get high centered on his belly the fit begins!

I must taste my toes before I roll.

Here I go.

Cowboy Van

2008-05-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker!!! I was walking by Kiddie Kandids in the mall and one of their employees stopped me and offered a free 8x10, I declined and kept walking. After leaving my eye appointment the same employee tried to reel me in again, this time I wasn't so strong. Instead of taking one cute picture and giving me a free 8x10 they took 6 cute pictures and made me choose!!! Of course I walked out with my free 8x10 and an extra package of pictures. We did the cowboy picture for Jordan. What a stud!

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T11:08:00.001-07:00

I guess I am thinking about my dad a lot because of the new addition to his headstone. My brothers did an excellent job! There is a bench with a bronze statue of a cowboy on a horse attached to it. When we were at Shaun's house yesterday going through all of the photo albums I found a lot of pictures of my dad when he was just a little boy, something I have never seen until now. My dad was very private about his upbringing and didn't share ANYTHING. It is awesome to see him way back when!

hOpe for tHe HoPeLesS

2008-05-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

LaDean (my dad's wife) is moving to Texas so she dropped a bunch of Dad's stuff off at Whitney and Crystal's house for us to have, pictures, yearbooks, awards and newspaper articles. Shaun decided to have a party at his house yesterday to go through everything. I escaped with the coolest of items! Everyone except Jason and Sarah came and fun was had by all. It is the first time in a year and a half that everyone has been together. Pathetic!
The kids played and played, the boys played and played and the girls talked and talked. The boys had a bow competition. They each shot 5 arrow 5 different times, the person with the score closest to 75 won the pot of money. And the pot goes to...Shane, he claims it was his first time shooting a bow. Jared shot a few arrows into the great unknown, and Jordan got a huge welt on his forearm. NONE of them are good losers! And none of them like their pictures taken, you are all a bunch of BOB's!! Most of the pictures of the boys were taken without them knowing. Jared caught me once and chased me around the yard threatening me with a glass of lemonade over my head, naturally.

Today, May 26th is Shane's Birthday. Happy Birthday Shane, we love you!

MOTHER'S DAY

2008-05-12T22:38:00.000-07:00

So my husband pretty much rocks! He got me an awesome mothers day present, a new camera. I have been jealous of Teresa's new camera and have been dropping hints. Angie got one for mothers day and as much as I hate to admit it I was so envious. Much to my surprise my sweet husband got me one too! Needless to say all I did on Sunday was take picture after picture. Poor Van, his eyes will have to get used to the flash. My dad had a whole bunch of awesome macro and telephoto lenses that he used in his private investigating work that I got when he passed away. I am so excited that all of the lenses fit my new camera. This will be an awesome way to document Van's every move and every inch of growth.
Being a mom is awesome and I love every second of it. It is crazy how much a mom needs her baby, just as much as they need their moms. I am so grateful for my little family!

Van's Blessing Party!

2008-05-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

Van's Blessing

2008-05-08T15:37:00.000-07:00

Van was blessed last Sunday. It was an amazing day! We appreciate all of our family and friends that were here with us. Jordan gave our little man an incredible blessing, everything I had hoped. We had a party here after the blessing. Here are some pix. Thanks everyone, we love you!

2008-04-29T23:25:00.001-07:00

I have finally got Jord to sit down and see our blog....HE LOVES IT! It is 12:26 in the morning and we are hanging out. I guess that is when you get to spend time together when you have a crazy little dude living in your house. We love him!

Happy Birthday, it's Benny's birthday. Happy, Happy Birthday to you! Yea Benny!

LOVE

2008-04-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

So my friend Aubree Bushman has inspired me. She has a great 'LOVE' quote on her blog and she has hit the nail on the head with pride and the terrible things it does to people and their relationships.
I have discovered from a very wise person that it is actually possible to be confident and humble at the same time. I told Jordan that this is something I hope and pray Van has about him. I wish for him a confident humility. Does that make sense? I think that being confident enough to stand up for your self and speak your opinion and in the same breath be willing to allow others to do the same and value their opinion is so important, I don't think you can go wrong. I also think that this makes it possible to forgive and move on easily. It is my goal!

Van and Brecken

2008-04-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

Life is changing every day and Van refuses to stay small! I cannot believe how a baby can change right before your eyes. He is gabbing up a storm and loving all of the new things he finds every day that fasinate him. Jordan is staying so busy, which provides Van and mom with lots of bonding time. I guess with all of the bonding time we get Van gets tired of me and lights up when his dad gets home.

Bryce and Kelly had a little boy a day and half before us. I don't know that they even know the other one exists or cares to at this point but we hope they do eventually!

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-04-23T19:05:00.001-07:00

2008-03-09T14:28:00.000-07:00

This blog thing makes me feel like I am really computer literat!!!
Hey everyone!!! We started 2008 with a new baby boy. We named him Van Jordan Nielsen. He was born on January 21, 2008 weighing in at 7 lbs. 1 oz. and 20 inches long. He is a stud beyond imagination and we couldn't be happier! I was in labor for 26 hours and everything turned out great.

Jordan is staying very busy. Basketball season just ended and lawn care is begining. He is also trying his hand at a few other business ventures this year. Jamie is about ready to start back to work part time and Van will be hanging out with Grandma Angie and Aunt Ammy 3 days a week.

Jordan's sister Katelynn just got engaged while she was visiting from Hawaii. The date is August 16th and the husband is Brandon Dalley. Go Katie, Allen's waits for you! We are so happy for her!

Other than a dozen dirty diapers a day not much is happening.