Christmas in Utah- Week 2

On Christmas day we were so happy to be home for the holidays, we weren't expecting anything but we were showered with gifts. We spent the night over my brothers house and it was fun to see our nephews so excited for all their presents. Acalias was so amused with all the excitement surrounding him that he didn't really notice the presents that he had received.



I loved this outfit from Grandma Cindy, it said, "Smart like Mommy, Handsome like Daddy". I thought it should be reversed since daddy is the one in Medical school.



He recieved a sheep that makes noises such as the ocean, rain, heartbeat ect. It has been the best way to help him to calm down and take his naps, we love it.



Grandma Nativa was visiting from Florida. Here she is with all her great grandchildren.



He didn't know what to think of this puppy at first but now it's his go to toy when he's in the mood to giggle.

One more thing, Acalias turned 6 months on Christmas day. He was the best gift of this year! We are so blessed to have him in our life.




I was so happy that we were able to spend a little time with my mom (who was visiting from San Fransisco). We cooked dinner together one night, we had to show off our the skills we have developed since moving to West Virginia. We made Indian food and I think for the most part everyone enjoyed it, especially the Indian bread Naan.

Here we are being goofy in the kitchen.


Acalias had fun trying to mimic his cousin Isaiah, they are 8 months apart.


We have a crazy, not so safe tradition that we started when we lived in Utah. We go sledding but after an hour we get sick of pulling the sled up the hill.


My brother ties a sled to the back of his car and we have a blast being pulled throughout the unplowed parking lot. We did it until our faces were so cold we couldn't smile.



Acalias stayed nice and cozy in the car.

The Rock's cooked us dinner one night. I can't believe we all have kids now, I wish we had more time to visit. Thanks again Alithie for making us a yummy dinner.



My friend Melissa had her little boy on Christmas day, David Lincoln was such a cute little boy. He reminded me a lot of Acalias, our little boy has grown too fast.

Hanging out with cousins, we enjoyed singinging and playing with Alec and Zoe. We wish we didn't live so far away.



I spent some time at my grandma's grave, she passed away 4 days before Acalias was born due to breast cancer. I wasn't around to see her in suffer in pain, my last memories of her was at our farewell party playing her ukelele, singing and laughing with the family. It was a sad reality to come home and not have her around to meet our son, she always told me that she couldn't wait to see my kids. Rest in peace grandma Mele, I love you.



Thanks again everyone for taking good care of us while we were home. We can't wait until the next time we visit.

Christmas in Utah - Week 1

We had been anxiously awaiting our trip home to Utah. The majority of our family and friends hadn’t met Acalias yet so we were excited to introduce him to everyone that we love. We were lucky that our flights weren’t delayed too bad, Acalias was an angel the entire flight to Utah.

When we arrived, Damion picked us up and Grandpa “with the Cats” (the other grand kids came up with that nick name for him) came along to see us. Acalias had changed so much since Grandpa had last seen him in June, it was fun to see him observe grandpa.


It was so nice to be on familiar roads and see the beautiful mountains again. It almost felt like we were returning home from a 3rd world country. We live in such a rural part of West Virginia where roads don't get plowed and shopping/restaurants are limited. It was such a great feeling to be home.

On Sunday we attended my old home ward, I hadn't visited since I returned home from my mission in 2005. I invited my brother and his family to meet us there. It was nice to see all the faces I grew up with, Bishop Kemp invited me to share my testimony in the Christmas program. It was honor to share my gratitude for my Savior during the Christmas season and to the members who were so kind and loving toward me in my Youth and during my mission. It's neat to think about how the people in our lives can influence us, the Lord had placed them in my life at the right time.

Afterwards we visited Grandpa JR and Great grandma Nativa. Grandpa JR had never met Acalias and was amazed at how big he was.



Grandma cooked up some delish Haitian food, we enjoyed reminiscing about our childhood with dad while Grandma sang her French songs to Acalias. I think he remembered her voice, she sang to him a lot during his first month of life and it always calmed him down.

Here he is playing with Tio Simi. I thought Acalias would be more apprehensive with all the unfamiliar family but he was so happy to have so much attention.


Hanging out with Grandma Cindy.

Meeting Grandpa and Grandma Milar.

Alec and Zoe loved playing peek-a-boo with Acalias.

We traveled on the Frontrunner to Salt Lake to see the lights on temple square.





We miss living so far away from the temple.




Here we are playing a board game and stuffing our faces with yummy white chocolate pretzel/chex mix. This particular game was so much fun! Settlers of Catan...I never did win, the 2 hour time difference always made so drowsy by 7pm and passed out by 9pm. Everyone else played all night.

Braxten had wrestling tournament that he invited us to. It was so intense my heart almost pounded out of my chest. I felt bad for the boy's he wrestled, many cried and wanted to quit while their competative parents screamed at them to keep wrestling. I think I'll put Acalias in tennis..a non-contact, less intense sport.


We met up with a few of our close friends, Laina was my visiting teaching companion and Beezer was my visiting teacher. We're so thankful for our family and friends in our life, we felt so loved by those of you who called us and made an effort to visit with us during the busy Christmas season.

We'll be home for Christmas...la dee da da doo...

All our bags are packed and we're ready to come home.

We found a sitter for Skofeild! Thank goodness for my local friends, we live in such a small town that everyone seems to be connected somehow. Skofeild will be staying home and protecting it. Our hired help will visit three times a day. We're going to miss him so much but we're super excited to visit family.


Skofeild can sense that we're leaving, he's been extra needy lately. He's been resting his head next to Acalias so that he can get pets from him. Acalias pulls his hair rather than give pets, but Skofeild is so desperate he will take anything these days. I'm excited for the day that Acalias can play with Skofeild, then they can wear each other out.


Acalias loves his toes, he can't seem to get enough. He's having a conversation with his feet.


It snowed A LOT today. Derek has a test tomorrow but if the weather is too bad, he's allowed to postpone his test until we return. I think it's best he takes it now and get it over with. He is so ready for this break, so am I!


Derek caught a picture of this rare occation, Acalias was so tuckered out. We had been running errands all day. I have a similar picures from when he was a newborn.

This seems like yesterday, he's grown too fast. We're so excited to introduce him to all of our family members.

See you all soon!

Heart of the Holidays

Hi my name is Skofeild and I'm desperately looking for someone to care for me while my loved ones are away visiting Utah. The boarding animal hospitals are all booked...I didn't want to get boarded anyway because my last experience was traumatic. I felt abandoned and alone, I didn't eat at all the the entire time my family was away.
I am loyal and full of affection toward anyone who will give me attention. I enjoy getting petted especially on my belly and I really like to have my ball thrown outside. I love snow but please don't leave me outside too long, I'm used to being in the warmth indoors.

I will happily greet you at the door each day. I get so excited, I can't contain myself and I will most likely jump on you. Please don't be afraid of my very loud barks, I'm just very protective over my people and their property.
I am very attentive to the youngest member of our family. I am typically the first one near his crib whenever he cries and I give him licks whenever mom isn't looking. I enjoy children, especially the ones who can walk. I heard them towards their family, which keeps them out of mischief.
I need food, water and social interaction during the holidays while my loved ones are away. Please come and visit and play with me if you are in the area.

Ruff, Ruff
Skofeild


It was a busy week, this week we helped dad with the Heart of the Holidays activity his Honor Fraternity, Sigma Sigma Phi had organized. The school had a christmas tree with ornaments that listed items that children in the community needed. I was blown away by all the presents that the medical students purchased for the childen. Acalias and I chatted with people during the dinner and helped to clean up after the event.
I've noticed that Acalias really enjoys being around other people, he likes to observe others and it's fun to watch his expressions as he oberserves people.




Acalias wondering what all the fuss is about for the man with the big white beard. He watched all the children get their presents.


We snuck in a visit with Santa, of coarse Acalias goes straight for the mans beard (which is what he does to my hair all the time!)


Acalias thinking, "Who are you? Why do you have so much white hair? What have you done with my parents?"

We also did a photo session with my friend and her new baby. I haven't taken pictures since having Acalias, I've forgotten how much I enjoy photograpy. I've updated my photo blog, see www.nativarodebackphotography.blogspot.com.

Last but not least, a video for our family to see how big this little boy is getting.

Gratitude

For the past couple of month several months we have been touring potential rotation sites. Tonight was the final site selection sign up. The school provided dinner for us and our spouses picked out their chosen sites. Our site ended up going to lottery, thankfully Derek’s name was the second paper pulled out of the hat (we are so blessed!). We will be relocating to Clarksburg, WV in June 2011!! We’re excited, I’m ready for a bigger city with sidewalks and Derek is ready to start practicing what he’s learned for the past two years.

These were taken during Hospital Day at the Greenbrier Hotel. The Hospitals gather together and try to recruit students to rotate at their hospital. Acalias was very impressed by the Christmas tree.



We had a great Thanksgiving break. We decided to stay home because we have been traveling so much during the past couple of months. Last year I had plans to prepare our first thanksgiving dinner but my morning sickness was at its peak and I didn’t have enough energy. This year, Derek and I watched the Food Network Channel and found a lot of great ideas.

I’ve been dying to use the China and crystal glasses I had received as a wedding gift. Check out our spread! We were especially proud of our Turkey. Thank goodness for the Food Network Channel, otherwise we would have tried to cook a partially thawed turkey.




The stuffing recipe called for Chestnuts, Derek and I had never tasted Chestnuts before and they are so delicious! We’ve added a new tradition of roasting chestnuts as part of our Thanksgiving traditions. Last year we started a thankful box, we write things that we are thankful for throughout the month and read them after dinner on Thanksgiving Day. This year we are most thankful for our son Acalias, he has been such a blessing to have in our home.

Acalias turned 5 months on the 25th. He still eat so much and we’ve tried to introduce solids as our Doctor has suggested but he would much rather eat mommas milk.



Thunder thighs!

He loves the lights on the Christmas tree, we're excited to take him to Temple square to see the lights there.

He loves to pull on his little toes

Close up shot of his rash, he's been miserably itchy lately but it's getting better.