Family Adventure to Colorado Springs

This summer we have two trips for family reunions, so we decided to do a 'trial run' family vacation to Colorado Springs with Elizabeth over Memorial Weekend.  I tried to plan with foresight; 'kid friendly' activities, booked a hotel, packed.... but alas we learned that a easy weekend trip with a baby is not an easy weekend trip.  

Here is some of what we learned:

- Carseats = NO FUN AT ALL!!  Elizabeth has never really liked her car seat but she usually whines for a bit and then falls asleep- during this trip however, she never fell asleep.  She screamed for two hours down to Colorado Springs, throughout most of our 'activities' and then the two hours back home.  

- A plan (even though it was tentative and very flexible) gets thrown out the window with a baby and your activities revolve around survival.   We did not end up doing even half of what we had planned but we were still able to do some fun stuff.  

We went to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.  These are a small group of real Anasazi Indian Cliff dwells with a pueblo visitor center and museum. It was cool to explore these and I was in wonder at the architecture and engineering put into these dwellings. (Elizabeth was in the baby backpack for this and Ben learned that 'low ceilings' with a baby carrier means...crawl!)

We went to Manitou, CO-  this is a super cute little tourist town.  We walked up and down their Main road, ate delicious food and enjoyed being out of the car.  

We also went to the Garden of the Gods but... more on that later. 

- Hotels have noises- even at night.  We didn't think about all of the 'little things' that we have at home to keep Elizabeth content, such as gas drops, lightweight blankets or a sound machine.  I love staying in hotels, I think it's fun and kind of an adventure, but I am a good sleeper so I have never thought about the constant sounds caused by tons of people sleeping in one building.  So our good little sleeper slept pretty bad and woke up to everything! Lesson learned- White noise sound machine is our friend!

- The Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark with huge beautiful sandstone rock formations and paths interweaving among them.  I research this and found that to go on all of the paths is was only about 6 miles (something very 'do able') and the paths were paved- so we could take the hiking backpack or the stroller.  When we go to the park Elizabeth was already screaming (carseat!) so we went to the visitor center and ended up spending a LOT of time there to cool off and calm her down.  We then took the stroller and the path from the visitor center to go on a hike.  Well, we picked a less than 'stroller friendly' path and soon turned back to the car.  So we decided to drive around the park (and found the paved path on the other side of the park) but by this time Elizabeth was really hating her car seat- so instead of a beautiful relaxing hike, we drove through the Garden of the Gods to see the sites with a screaming baby. 

Not really working....

If this picture had sound- you would hear a wailing baby...

So our first 'family vacation' was not what I had hoped or expected.  Ben was wonderful and tried to keep a good positive outlook on the whole adventure (while Elizabeth screamed and I stressed/fumed/whined).  On our way home we got to go to Wyatt's 4th Birthday Party and the wonderful food and delicious desserts helped to calm me down... a little.  I am now worried about how our summer trips will go but am glad we got to spend some time together and learn A LOT about trips with the little Misses. 

That Sunday Ben spoke in Sacrament Meeting about Missionary work and did GREAT.  That Monday (Memorial Day) Ben ran the Boulder Bolder; he did better than his past two years (almost got his goal time;He did stop to use the bathroom in the middle of the race and we are pretty sure he would have made his goal if not for this detour.) and we are so proud of him!!  

Screaming Repentence

So I have not really written anything for months- I have been having so much fun spending time with Elizabeth.  I must say that I love motherhood.  I was apprehensive at first; thinking I would feel impatient, lost or lonely but I have not.  I find so much joy in the little things she does and the simple moments we have together.  I love watching her move, learn and develop.  I am so grateful that I have gotten this opportunity to be a mother! 

Here are some funny but very random 'moments' from our lives in the past couple of months (yes, it might be in multiple posts because I am writing during naps):

I am breast feeding Elizabeth. This is another thing that made me very nervous while pregnant; was I going to be able to? Was I going to want to? It felt immodest, would I feel uncomfortable the entire time? I learned that once you have the sweet baby bundle in your arms none of these things matter; it is just the two of you working together to make it work.  

 

Pictures taken 2-27-2013

 

Because it is a longer process Ben, who is so sweet and kind, got me a kindle to use as a timer, read on and entertain myself with.  I resisted the purchase at first because it seemed a little lavish but I must admit, I love it!  It is wonderful to be able to read and turn the pages easily with one hand; I have simple mindless games that I can play in the middle of the night; and I am able to time how long her feedings are. 

Every morning during our feeding Elizabeth and I listen to conference talks and the scriptures on the kindle.  I have never listened to the scriptures before and I have decided that I like it.  I was nervous that my mind would wander and I would get nothing from it, and truthfully sometimes it does, but I have also heard things and noticed things that I have never heard before.  The timbre and pace of hearing it is often different than how I would read it and this makes different words or phrases stand out more. 

One day I was listening (I think we were in 2 Nephi) and the phrase "ye must repent" was said.  Why I remember this exact phrase is because it was SCREAMED at me.  At the exact moment that phrase was said the timer (telling me she had been feeding 10 minutes) went off and instead of alarming it just turned the volume on the kindle up (extremely high).  It scared me soo bad that I jumped, which made Elizabeth jump and give me a confused annoyed look. Then I was engulfed in a fit of nervous, that just scared the pants off of me, laughter which also confused Elizabeth.  It was so funny that that phrase is what yelled at me- maybe the spirit 'whispers' through the kindle!!

Stones April Get Together

I have been a nervous Mom and did not wanted to take Elizabeth out to big groups until she was older and stronger and because of this we missed a lot of family get togethers at the beginning of this year.  This past Saturday, April 27, we were able to attend a family party at the Turner's house and it was so wonderful to be able to see everyone and be engulfed in the large family fun.  Grandma Stones and Melanie are visiting from Utah and it was fun seeing them.  We were able to get four generation pictures, with Elizabeth, and introduce her to her great grandmother.  As always, it was a fun and love filled evening!

Elizabeth and Evelyn

Gwyn and Elizabeth- only 5 months apart

Grandma with lots of Great Grandkids

Elizabeth's Baby Blessing

On Sunday April 28,  we had the opportunity to bless Elizabeth in church.  It is such a simple and short thing but so important and so special.  I am so grateful for Ben and that he is a worthy priesthood holder and can bring the priesthood strong into our home and our lives.  I am grateful that he was able to bless our sweet baby girl and to tell her what our Heavenly Father would have for her.  I am grateful for my father, father-in-law and Jesse for also being worthy to participate in this priesthood blessing. 

 

 We invited a family friend, Grant Sanders and his wife to come and watch.  They are not members of the church but came to show support and love.  I am grateful for the simple whisperings of the spirit that filled the room during the blessing and hope they felt its comfort and peace. 

I am glad that Melanie and Grandma Stones were able to be there for the blessing.  It is so wonderful to have pictures with them so Elizabeth will be able to see that they were there and that she knew them. 

I am also so grateful for Grandma Baker and her amazing talents in knitting Elizabeth's blessing cloths.  She looked adorable and everyone ooh'd and aww'd over her!

A Sister in my ward, and friend, wrote down some of the things she remembered from the blessing. I am grateful that she did this (I was going to write stuff down afterward but didn't and I remember hearing some of these promises and blessings.) Here is what she heard:

• You will be courageous in the gospel
• You will have (strong?) faith
• Appreciate the opportunities given you
• You will gain a testimony of the Savior through study (and faith?) so when trials/challenges come, and they will, you will (be able to?) lean on the Savior.
• Heavenly Father loves you and your parents and family love you.