My three and a half month old

How can you not fall in love with those eyes and cheeks!

E and King in their new European outfits from Aunt Mer. Thanks Meredyth!!

Last time we were at the docs, King weighed in at 15lbs. He's a giant, and I love him so friggin' much! He's my squishy wiggly cuddle bear and I wouldn't change any part of him for the world. He loves to try to stand so intensely, that any time he's starting to fuss I can just stand him up and he will immediately crack a smile. He's fallen out of love with his bouncy chair, and now prefers to be held, which I LOVE might I add. I would hold him on my hip and take cuddle naps with him until he's 15 years old if he'd let me. He's also currently sleeping through the night, yippee! And in his big boy crib, can I get a double yippee!!

Blowing spit bubbles on his belly just cracks the kid up (see video link below). He's also incredibly ticklish! I just can't believe how much of a personality he already has. Hopefully he's just like his daddy, and stays a really outgoing/non-shy/laid-back babe. I can't believe how lucky I am; Kingston is such a good baby. He's at the gym with me at least once a week, and barely ever makes a fuss. He will just flirt and coo and giggle at the team girls the entire workout. I am so blessed! I love you my little ShhNUGGLES!

For being an ex-gymnast, I sure feel off-balance...

I haven't quite figured out the balancing act of being a working mother. Take the quote from "Marley and Me"; "when I'm at work all I can think about is my kids, when I'm at home, all I can think about is work. And I really don't think I'm doing either job very well".

I love my little Kingston so very much; and yes, I still cry in the car on the way to work...every morning. And I sincerely think it's only getting harder to leave him everyday. And let's be honest, I'm barely working full time. But I DO love my job (my ASU Coaching job that is, I don't call my mother-job a job...because it's way too much fun). I worked so hard to get to where I am, and my gymnasts are my kids as well; I would NEVER quit on them! But that doesn't make it any easier. I guess I'm just so used to work consuming my life, and trying to succeed in that realm, that I'm not used to my mind being in two places at once. How do I succeed at coaching/recruiting/marketing/choreographing/mentoring a successful team as well as raising a son. Is it possible to do both? Can I let go a little of my competitiveness at work to be a better mother? Do I even need to do that to be a better mother? Does having a time away from him make me a better mother or a worse mother? Does absence really make the heart grow fonder? These are all rhetorical obviously, but if you have an opinion, I'm not opposed to hearing about it...but please remember how sensitive I still am on the topic; refer back to the first sentence of this paragraph for reference.

Which is more important to me...Obviously being the best mommy, hands down, no question about it. Do we need the income? Yea. Would we survive without my job? Probably. Does working make me happy? 90% of the time, yes. Would I regret quitting? Absolutely. Coaching collegiate gymnastics is my dream job. But so is being a mommy. Didn't I work and pray just as hard, if not harder, to be a mommy...

It's not that I'm unhappy or even depressed. I try to cherish every moment I get with Kingston. Every moment is THAT special to me. Would I cherish him just as much if I was there all day everyday, maybe not...Something for me to think about I guess.

Play Pads at San Tan

Don't mind the creepy guy in the back, haha.

Dad and King chillin' at the playground...

Fun times with Cousin Ot and Aunt Lindsey

A very special thank you to my sister Lindsey for coming down last week from Tucson (and taking off work, I might add) to babysit Kingston. It was so much fun to come home from work and get to spend some much needed quality time with my nephew and Sis. I wish every week could be that much fun!!

Kingston just loves to watch Otto play! I can just tell how bad he wants to be able to be up and moving around. And Otto is so sweet with Kingston (see pics below)! He always wants to be hugging and kissing the baby. I'm sure he can't wait for Kingston to be able to 'play' as well.

I realize this is an old picture, but I didn't get a good one of Lindsey and Kingston.

Otto giving kisses.

Me an Ot.

Ready for his big boy crib...

The past few mornings I've woken up to Kingston facing sideways in his bassinet. I guess it's time, whether I'm ready or not, for him to be moved into his own crib...

Love...

It is truly very scary to love somebody so much...I know I couldn't go on if anything every happened to my little baby. He's got his very first cold, and I know he's going to be fine. But still, makes me so sad to see him suffer even in the slightest.

Don't Ya Know!!!

Aww what a great way to spend a long weekend! My dear cousin, Andrew, got married this past weekend in Cavalier, North Dakota. The whole Muth/Ward clan (Mom, Dad, Rob, Lindsey, Otto, me, E, and Kingston) all traveled up north for his beautiful wedding. It is always such a blast to get to see my grandma, and all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins in Cavalier. It was especially fun this trip since our relatives had not yet had a chance to meet the audacious Otto and my cute Kingston. My Aunt Kelley and Uncle Darryl (Andrew's parents) were gracious enough to let us stay in there house, even with all they had to do! As always they were wonderful hosts who fed us copious amounts of home-cooked food!

I have to say, and yes I'm bragging, that our boys are the best behaved babies I've ever met. There was barely a fuss made out of either one of them the whole trip. They just followed suit of all of their young cousins who are also the most well behaved group of kids that I've ever met. They treated Otto and Kingston just like one of their brothers and took such great care of them. It was so sweeet! Both of the boys traveled so well, but at one point after running on to the plane with Kingston hunger-crazed, half undressed, and in an overflowing diaper, we did almost get kicked off of the plane due to some weird FAA regulation regarding the number of infant life-vests. I'm sure it was just a coincidence that Kingston was screaming bloody murder at the time, haha.

I want to highlight just a few of the many great moments we shared in North Dakota. Obviously, the wedding was just magnificent. Andrew married a beautiful girl named Kari. They are one of those couples where you can just tell that they are best friends and truly in love! In the quiet of the church during the ceremony, Kingston, who hasn't quite learned the art of holding in his gas to be polite, just let them rip! It was hilarious! I look over at Em, whose holding him at the time, and all he mouths is 'HELP!'.

And probably the most memorable moment of the trip was Otto dancing at the wedding. He stole the show. The entire wedding party adopted his dancing skills! I've posted a video of it below. Honestly, the kids got rhythm! I can't wait for him to teach Kingston his skills!

King in his three piece suit.

Getting all bundled up before going outside...COLD!!

Kingston with Aunt Shelley.

With his Great Grandma for the first time.

King and Aunt Lindsey.

Somebody was getting jealous...

The cousins all dressed up and matching.

Kingston with his cousin Penny.

Otto's teaching his Uncle E some dance moves!

What a ladies man...

Otto, Nana, Cousin Julie, Kingston, and Aunt Gladys.

Aunt Gladys hoping she doesn't get spit-up on!!

Kingston being loved on by his cousins Emily and her mom Susan.

Cole holding his baby cousin. These kids were just so sweet to him!

Otto playing ball with his Dad and Uncle E.

Otto and his Great Grandma Muth, enjoying one of the many delicious meals!

Kingston and his Daddy sleepin' in. Kingston slept through the night the whole time we were there! And it has continued at home! YEA!

First plane ride.

Before the trip, getting all bundled up for the trip!