UVU Graduation

Surprise! I attempted to be a blogger again, even a "twice a month" blogger would be a major success on my part. Now that I am in California with the sole responsibilities of taking care of a precious mild mannered baby boy and a busy money making husband I may just have a little extra time to share our life events. 

So, at the end of April we packed up whatever could fit into our little Jetta and trekked on over to Provo Utah to celebrate Max's graduation. It was so exciting to meet up with so many of our good friends. We really missed so many people. All our Oregon friends somehow ended up in Utah too. Pretty Lame. 

So the car ride...I was absolutely dreading it. 12+ hours with a strapped down wiggly boy. But all I can say is WOW. My little Charlie was an angel. We packed the car so one of us could sit in the back with him at all times. and Charlie just smiled and giggles and sang and slept. Seriously! What an amazing baby. I could do more road trips in the future with this little one.

So while in Utah we were able to stay at our great friends' Joe and Lindsay Rosas' house, which happened to be our old house and we slept in our old bed. It was just like going home. It was fun spending time with them. We were able to visit Charlie's future wife, June, and her parents briefly before they jumped on a plane to Hawaii. I would have thought they would cancel their trip to spend more time with us but they didn't!

We were able to spend time with Richard and Marissa also friends from the childhood days and celebrate their soon-to be new addition. We spent time with the famous Leah "Peacock" Pettit and had dinner with Lee and Krystal and their 2 adorable children. 

We didn't realize how much we missed being surrounded by such wonderful friends. Being back in Provo was another story. It felt...weird. I don't know if I can describe it. It's almost as if I had bad feelings associated with the town which most likely stem from it being a college town and our last semester there was probably one of the busiest and most stressful times ever. I was very pregnant, very busy and never saw my husband. It just made me feel so grateful that I made it through college and now I don't have to live there any more.

Picture Break

We took a walk to a park from Joe and Lindsay's house. we had walked there a couple times before when I was pregnant and talked about how we would have fun bringing our children to the park. 

Charlie was really enjoying the swings. 

So the real reason we went to Utah was to celebrate the brilliance of my husband. This last year of school was pretty challenging from taking it online. He would often get distracted by the cuteness of his wife and child. And also wanted to get involved in many other house and work projects, but he survived. He received a bachelors in emergency services, 2 associate degrees a 1 year paramedic certificate and a firefighting certificate. And yes, the announcer did read all those certifications at the ceremony. It is Max's fault that those ceremonies are so incredibly long. hehe. 

Charlie was pretty proud of his Daddy, or maybe he really liked that bright orange tassel.

 I have some cute boys.

I absolutely love my family.

Charlie did some push ups with "Uncle Joe" it was pretty impressive, however, I have no idea how to put movies on this blog. and if I try, this post risks the fate of never being posted. 

A very happy family!

The funny part about this picture is that at my graduation in August, it felt like Charlie did this exact pose in my stomach when they announced my degree. 

Max's best friends Joe and Richard came. We love these guys, they both grew up, along with their wives, in the Tigard area so we are all one big happy family that grew up together. 

And this is our little future graduate. We really hope we can instill the importance of education in him. 

So there is a basic run-down of our trip. Of course there are many more details such as needing to go to Pantrucas, the amazing Chilean restaurant despite it making us late to graduation, the traffic on the way to graduation causing Max to jump out of the car and run to make it on time. Me arriving to the graduation late and finding my son asleep deciding to haul him in his hefty carseat a really long way. Upon arriving to his graduation, realizing I forgot my phone in the car and having no idea how I would get in contact with Max after the ceremony. Charlie being an amazing sleeper despite us constantly waking him up for random events. Oh yeah and the guest speaker for the ceremony was Erin Gruel. She was the teacher who inspired the movie Freedom Writers. If you haven't seen it, you must. It is amazing and moving and the best part is...it's true. Anyway, my point is, if I expound more I will never get this posted. I hope that I will make time for future posts to update the masses on our life in California and our 3-Year anniversary!   

Blog Tag?

I got tagged in a little blog game.

THE RULES:
1. Post these rules

2. Post 11 random things about yourself

3. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag
5. Tag 11 people

11 Facts about me.

1. I've known my husband since I was about 10 years old

2. I drove school buses on and off for 4 years

3. I got glasses when I was 15 months old. I have some funny baby pictures with my lazy eye.

4. My husband and I were each other's first and only kiss!

5. I graduated college 7 years after I graduated high school.

6. I get a thrill from waxing cars.

7. I have never dyed my hair.

8. I had my wedding date picked out before I got home from my mission...luckily it worked out perfectly.

9. I wanted a boy for my first child but would not admit it until I knew he was a boy. (I would have been happy with a girl too)

10. I enjoy reading juvenile literature more than "grown up" books (hence the Elementary Ed. Major)

11. When graduating college I didn't really see myself being a full time teacher. Now I realize I miss the teaching and am more likely to pursue a teaching career. (If jobs are available) (I planned on being a sub or in-home tutor)

11 questions I'm asking:

1) What's the most difficult conversation you've ever had to have?

Probably the time when Max and I had to "break up" before his mission. we both knew it had to happen but neither of us were happy about it.
2) What do you think about most these days?

Whether it is time to feed, change or put my son down for a nap.
3) What is something you wish people knew about you, but they never seem to get?

I'm not as shy as I seem when in groups. I just really like to listen.
4) If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be and why?

A fish because it seems like the least work.
5) If you could change your name, what would it be?

I have always loved my name it's not common enough to have duplicates in my class but common enough for it to be a "normal" name. I've never wanted to be called something else.
6) Have you ever felt like you belonged in some other country or state more than your own? Where?

Maybe I just haven't explored enough because out of the places I've lived (Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, and Armenia) I would choose Oregon. It is my home sweet home!
7) If you could only see the world in one color for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Green! Hence the reason I love Oregon.
8) If you could take one object to heaven with you, what would it be? (besides photos)

Probably a family journal or some sort of document that tells stories about our family members.
9) How would you spend your day if you had no T.V., computer, phone, or whatever electronic device you normally log your time away on?

Making a fool out of myself just to see my baby boy laughing. Goofy noises, jumping around, dancing...

10) If you could travel back in time to any day, what would it be?

If this means a time in my life that's hard because in so many ways I just feel like my life gets better and better and somehow I get happier and happier. I would love to relive our honeymoon.

11) If you could have any talent, what would it be?

I think it would be fun to write, sing, and play my original music. I guess that's 3 talents but the piano part I'm already pretty sufficient at.

And just because I was tagged twice, here is another set of 11 questions. If you don't like it, stop reading MY blog!

Questions I'm asking!

1) Why do you blog?

I guess I don't so much anymore, it started to let my family know what we were up to so I didn't have to call them all individually to inform them.

2) What is one thing that comes easy to you, that doesn't come easy to others?

I would say being positive. Of course I have my weak moments but i try to look at the bright side of situations.

3) What is your biggest regret?

I probably shouldn't have eaten so much ice cream while pregnant.

4) What is your one guilty purchase? Something you splurge on and justify splurging on?

As of late I love to go to children's consignment stores and find cute clothes for my baby! Totally justified even though he has plenty of clothes.

5) Where would you live, if you could live anywhere?

Right here in the Northwest. I guess this could change once I explore the world a little more.

6) How do you feel about cats?

I strongly dislike them. I think I've just been around some where they weren't properly taken care of and they stink and are hairy.

7) What is your favorite place in the whole world? Post pictures.

Anywhere with my family! The beach and the temple are great places to be with them.

8) What, in your opinion, is the biggest problem our society faces?

I don't know if it's the biggest problem but I worry about the world my children grow up in and how technology can be used for many negative purposes while being so accessible.

9) What is one of your pet peeves?

People that are constantly criticizing themselves

10) What is one demographic that makes you mad?

Can't think of anything right now.

11) What's the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?

My baby wants food.

My questions to YOU!!

1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

2. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life what would you choose?

3 What is something that you want your grandchildren and great grandchildren to know about you?

4. Describe a time when you felt happiest.

5. What is your favorite article of clothing and why?

6. Describe 3 aspects of your dream home.

7. What was your favorite way to spend the summer as a child?

8. What is the last book you read?

9. What's a unique habit you have?

10. What is one of you life goals?

11. What would you be doing if you weren't filling out this survey right now?

And there you have it, a whole lot about me, If you made it to the end of this blog post you are tagged. I'd love to know more about you. (I 'm pretty sure less than 11 people even look at my blog)

My growing boy!

I have been a little absent for awhile, caught up in the joys of being a new mom! And boy do I love it! My baby boy is a little angel! Anyway, I have no idea where to start and I don't feel like playing catch up so here are some pictures of my growing boy.

NEWBORN

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

Charlie is a joy to have in our family he has been smiling and laughing tons. His best sleep stretch was 11.5 hours. (Which was after a lot of screaming) One month ago he weighed 12 lbs 10 oz which is in the 50th percentile for weight and 75 percentile for height (apparently he is tall and skinny for his age) We get to go to the doctors again in 3 weeks. He has brown eyes and a dark brown mullet. He will never stop eating until we force him to. He laughs really hard when Max attempts to beat box. ( I don't know if he likes the sounds or the spit in his face) He likes to go on walks and read picture books. Charlie now has his own room and has been sleeping great! (With the exception of last night)

And that's all I can think of now.

Christmas Photo shoot

We got the best gift in our stocking...It's our baby boy Charlie! HAHA, he was so cooperative to go along with his crazy parents' ideas and do this photo shoot.

We luckily were given this lovely santa suit which belonged to my younger brother when he was a baby. He's growing quickly, we had no idea he would fill this stocking so snugly!
We got our tree set up on Monday and wanted to keep the festivities going and involve Charlie as much as possible.

He's such a little cutie

This is my favorite!

"Daddy is so mean to me!"

Sitting up like a champ...hehe

Merry Christmas!

Introducing....

Mr Charles Gorden Baertlein

Born 9:31am 11/12/11

8lbs 4oz (After pooping on his Mommy)

His parents are thrilled by his long awaited entrance into this world.

We love you Charlie!!!!

Due date

Baby boy's due date has come and nearly gone. I was kind of expecting this to happen. This post is mainly to convince myself that I'm not depressed about it. I really am feeling pretty good. I haven't really had any painful contractions, I'm still able to go on walks, cook, do yoga, and occasionally sleep. Luckily I don't have too many pressing responsibilities in my life so I am able to take naps during the day if needed. Max and I have decided to make sure we do something fun daily with just the two of us to take advantage of this time.

40 weeks 11/3/11 Baby's due date

We started to see some progress with the cervix dilating and effacing a couple weeks ago so we started getting really excited thinking the baby was close. So it was somewhat disappointing to not see as much progress during the following appointments. This last appointment there was slight progress. Yesterday we scheduled an induction date for 41 weeks just in case baby boy hasn't come by then. 41 weeks just happened to be 11/11/11 so we are excited for that. If we have to have an induction we might as well get the perk of a fun birthday. Anyway, we are very excited to have our baby boy come to us soon but we are learning a lot of patience in the meantime.

Halloween 2011

Hurray for Halloween! And not having a Halloween baby, unless he comes in the next 8 minutes. So here are a couple of our Halloween activities. We carved pumpkins with my brother Danny, Max's brother Justin, and my dad. My red grandma supervised! Here are the pumpkins in all their glory. Max and My pumpkin, Max spent several hours longer than me on his pumpkin while I watched baseball with my grandma.
On Saturday we went to a pumpkin patch with Max's brother's family. We opted out of the corn maze because I didn't want to have the baby in there. But we had some fun times with our nephews.
Later that evening we had a ward Halloween party, we didn't want to spend time preparing costumes because there was a good chance we would be in the hospital so these are our 5 minute costumes. I was a mommy pumpkin with my baby pumpkin. Max just threw on some costume-like clothes. We didn't know what he would be so we decided to have people at the party guess what he was then just say he was whatever the post popular choice was. (Does that sentence even make sense? It's late and I'm tired!) Anyway, the popular choices were Rambo or Ringo Starr. We eventually decided he was Rambo, he later added a headband and some weapons! Anyway, it is 2 days until my due date but we are feeling like this little man will come any day now! Max and I are getting a little anxious but finding fun things for just the two of us to do every day. Ummm, that's all, it's bed time.