HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!

THIRTY YEARS!

Will is 30 years old today!

I am one lucky lady.
I am one lucky lady to have spent the morning with my cute hubby and little man Max. 
I am one lucky lady to have a husband who is supportive, loving, caring, and the best Daddy my family could ask for.
I am one lucky lady to have a husband who still kisses me like it is our first kiss, and still tucks me in a night when he is working late. 
I am one lucky lady to have him for time and all eternity.
I am one lucky lady.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!
Max and I sure do adore you.

 We celebrated with lunch at our FAVORITE restaurant Pizzeria 712 aka "The Club."

January 8th, 2013

Amazing

Warning - this is a sentimental post.  

Sometimes I look at Max and think, WOW, I grew that little man in my belly for 9+ months.  I fed him, took care of him, and now am raising him into this little man.  It is astounding.
This morning I was looking at him and couldn't help but smile and get a few tears in my eyes.  I am so proud of him.  He hasn't won any awards, he didn't start talking or saying anything amazing, but  I am still proud.  I am proud to be him Mom.  I am so blessed to be his Mom.
I am not perfect.  I make tons of mistakes.  I learn from them.  I grow from them.  And even through all of my imperfections, Max still loves me.  He loves all of me.  Unconditional love is amazing.

Curious.
Max is so curious.  He studies his cars.  He doesn't just play with them.  He studies them.

Silly.
Max is very silly.  He likes to tell us jokes, and not with words but with actions.  He laughs at himself.  Something I need to learn to do more of. 

 

Observer.
Max will watch what you are doing and then copy it.  He loves watching Will go to the bathroom, brush his teeth, he watches me comb my hair, and even when I put on make-up, he watches.  When I am stretching my back and doing exercises for my back he now copies them.

 

I am learning from Max.  At 18 months he has taught me so much.  He has taught me to slow down, to not care so much about what others think, and to not worry so much if the house is cleaned up before I go to bed.  He has made life enjoyable and happy.  

18 Month Stats

Max went to the doctors today for his 18 month check up.
He has grown a TON!  People kept saying he was taller, and I knew he was, but FOUR inches taller??

Height:  34.5 inches
Weight:  28 pounds (He has been 28 pounds since 10 months)
Head Circumference:  20 inches 
(My Dad measured his head and it was 23 inches around.  My Dad is 57 years old.  HA!)

My Dad has a theory (My Dad has lots of theories) that if you multiply the height at 18 months by 2.2 you will have about the height of what the child will be as an adult.  I guess it worked for me.  
Max keep growing!  Looks like you are going to be over 6 foot.  According to Grandpa Rust.

Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

This year Provo has been hit hard with Winter.  I have lived in Provo Utah for 12+ years and this has been the most snow I have ever seen on the benches.  I hate it.  I think it is pretty, but I don't like it. 
Max is falling in my footsteps and doesn't really like the white stuff either.
Will took him outside in the snow and he only lasted about 10 minutes before he wanted inside. 

A little video of Max in the snow. 

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2012

This Christmas was just perfect in my book.  It was very chill, laid back, and not stressful at all.
Christmas Eve was spent hanging out watching movies, going out to dinner with Will's family and then hanging out at the McGuire's house for a bit.
Christmas Day was much of the same.  We opened presents.  Max got cars, cars and more cars.  He was excited and would wave his little arms every time we helped him open another gift.  Santa also got him magnets, and blocks.  Late in the afternoon we talked with my dad and brother over facetime.  Then headed to Will's brother's house for dinner and more relaxation.  It was great.  I love non-stressful holidays.
Here are some pictures from the night and day:

Rust Family Christmas 1994:

I was in seventh grade. 

Merry Christmas 2012

We hope that everyone has a safe, happy, healthy and Christ filled Christmas this year. 
We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family that help us, pray for us, and love us everyday through the year.

Merry Christmas 2012!!

The week before Christmas 2012

 Nelesoni, Casch and Nelson gave Max this awesome Mat for his cars and trains to ride on.  Perfect gift for our car loving man.

 This is a text I sent back and forth to Will.  This is just part of it.  The CT shootings really hit me hard, and as a teacher, I just can't imagine what those teachers felt in that moment.  I know that I would have done what Vicky Soto did, throw myself in the line of fire to protect my students. 

 We are really working on the fork...Max still isn't so sure it should be used with food.

 Perfect Night for some Mickey on Mom's lap.

 These are some of the boys I had in my class last year - CRAZY BOYS!

 Max loves the library.  But he especially loves the old computers at the library.  He bangs the heck out of the keyboards. 

 Utah Morning (Tiffany)  vs.  New York Morning (Brandon)

 Baby Blue eyes

 Nothing better than a naked bum

 Ready for a walk at night in the cold with Daddy.  Off to the library to run around. 

Four more days until Christmas 2012