A New Respect

Welp.  Work started this last Thursday.  Seriously, if I did not LOVE teaching so very much, I wouldn't/couldn't go back to work. It is so nice to have a career in something you are passionate about.  But let's be honest with each other.  I would MUCH rather be home with Porter.  However, Trent is taking on the roll of Mr. Mom. After this week, I have more faith in him.
I decided that we should probably do some trial runs before Thursday.  So I told Trent I would be in my classroom all day Tuesday and Wednesday so we could "practice."  I know it probably sounded ridiculous to him, but he humored me. By 1:00 on Tuesday, Trent was calling me asking me to come home.  I seriously fled my classroom and was home by the time he could hang up the phone.  I came in and the house was perfectly clean and spotless.  But I had an exhausted husband and a grumpy Porter.  He had fed Porter like every hour, instead of his usual ever 3 hours.  So Porter had about 6-8 ounces in a one hour time instead of the normal 3.5.  Yeah.  That made him grumpy for awhile. His stomach hurt and he was constantly spitting up.  I told Trent to go take a nap.  He was asleep for almost three hours.  He woke up and came inside our living room.  We talked about how fantastic it was that he cleaned the house but he needs to make sure that his needs come first.  We also talked about routines and how they are important and all that lovely stuff.
The next day went waaaaay better. Trent wrote down each time Porter ate and took a nap.  He waited 2-3 hours between each feeding and did play time between naps.  I came home the mood was completely different. 
It was the next evening that made me appreciate Trent even more that I already do {if that's humanly possible.}  It had been yet another successful day {Go, Trent!} and we were talking about how I had just found my new, favorite deodorant.  He turned to me and said, "Wow, I don't think I have worn deodorant in three days, and I think I have only showered once!  Now, I understand why woman talk about routines, and not having time to shower or for themselves. It's really hard."  I just smiled and nodded my head.  From an outsiders perspective, it seems simple. But raising a family is a huge feat.  
I also learned something this week.  Coming home to a happy home is the most lovely thing.  I. Am. EXHAUSTED after work.  And even though I loved loved loved coming home to a clean house, I had an unhappy family and it just added to the stress.  I would rather come home to a happy baby on the floor playing with Daddy and dishes in the sink.  I would rather have Kraft Mac and Cheese for dinner and a huge loving welcome than a gourmet meal and long to-do list.  Now, a clean house is still important. But if for three days the dishes sit on the counter, the Thompson's are still going to make it.
Because we are happy.  

Arizona, Our First Home

Well, I guess California is Trent's first home.  But Arizona has been my one and only home for years.  Idaho is our new home, but it always a special treat to visit Arizona.  The beautiful sun, our eternal families, and forever friends reside there. We recently went to Arizona for 10 whole days while Trent and I were on summer vacation.  Oh. My. Goodness.  We were spoiled.  Seriously.  The shopping, food, and company were fantastic.  The blessing was so spiritual.  The games were so vicious and competitive {just how I like it.} And it was a learning experience that having a baby changes EVERYTHING when it comes to vacationing. Schedule.... What schedule?  My suitcase? 3/4 was for Porter and 1/4 for me.  Airport security gives me a heart attack.  Blow-outs actually DO happen.  And more than once! Sharing family time is super duper stressful because everyone loves Porter {how can they not?} 
We also went through the temple with Dallin, my little brother.  Goodness, I am so proud of him.  He is going to be the best missionary. He is such a good example for Porter. 
Anyway, here are some pictures from the trip!

 These two were so great with Porter!

 Cade... an All-Star Senior this year! 

Okay... this is actually Nolan. But seriously, doesn't he look just like Trent! 

Uncle Nolan, a sophomore, and freaking hilarious!

 Grandpa Thompson meeting Porter for the first time.  It was so fun!

 Seriously, can you just see the amount of love, pride, and joy!?

 Grandma and Grandpa Thompson

 Porter's first swim! He didn't even cry!

 Auntie Ash, 6th Grade, and seriously the cutest thing around.

 Nana came to the rescue when Porter had a MAJOR blow-out right before we came to watch Ashlyn try-out for volleyball.

Love.

A Beautiful Blessing

I wanted to jot down parts of Porter's baby blessing before I forget.  I intended to record it and type it word for word, but I don't even know if that is allowed! So I just listened super intently and am writing the points I remember. Everything in {} is your mothers extra input.  Because you know me, I ALWAYS have to something to say. And I am your mother so I have the right to say it. - Porter, your parents love you. {That doesn't even begin to describe how much we love, adore, and cherish you Porter!} - You will be a leader.  And sometimes leaders have to stand alone.  It can be a lonely road, but know that is more important to stand alone and do the right thing than follow in sin. {But Porter, even if you do feel like you are alone, remember that God is ALWAYS with you.  And that your father and I will ALWAYS love you. Do what is right, son.} - You will serve a mission.  And you will serve it faithfully and well. {A mission is not an easy sacrifice.  But it is one of the most defining moments in your life.  You MUST be worthy and prepared to serve a mission, Porter.} - You will marry a worthy, beautiful daughter of God inside the temple.  {And you will treat her with respect.  She will be your teammate, your equal.} - Be patient with your parents.  They are trying their best.  {Porter, we are not perfect.  We get angry.  We get selfish.  We get prideful. And everyday we are working on it.  So please be patient as we learn.} -  Look to the men in the circle as an example.  {As well as that man outside the circle.  Your Grandpa Vesey came down from California to be meet you and I and be there for your blessing day.  Now, he isn't a member of the church, but he understood this blessing was important to us and so it was important to him.  He is a witty, kind, and a hard working man. And I hope you grow up to know him because you could really learn so many wonderful things from him.  He served this country, he serves his family, and he serves God in his own religion.  What a wonderful legacy. But your father is right.  The men inside the circle were worthy Priesthood holders who are excellent examples and you should learn from them also.
I believe that was the majority of your blessing, Porter.  There were SO many people there that day.  People came from California and all over Arizona to meet you.  I shed a few tears during your blessing and it was at that moment when I really enjoyed motherhood.  It was a turning moment in me because I felt that you and I were not alone in this endeavor.  We would both have Heavenly Father's aid.  And we need it.

 Grandpa Thompson meeting you for the first time.  Instant love.

 Daddy's wonderful family all gathering around looking at you and pictures of you.

 Momma at work getting the food ready.

Momma loving the little guy who makes everything worth it.

 This is Grandpa and Grandma (Linda) Vesey.  They came all the way from California to meet you!

Probably my favorite picture from the night. This is a fourth generation picture.  Leland Kenneth, Leland Kent, Leland Trent, and Leland Porter.      

Tribute to a New Dad

Everyone has been so sweet to me.  I have had so many texts, phone calls, and messages asking me how I have been doing.  And although postpartum as been my least favorite thing in the entire world, I am being pampered by two wonderful mothers.  The one who was really struggling was Trent. He has been so involved in this whole process. It is quite impressive actually. He is completely smitten by Porter... and completely worried.      I knew from the beginning I would put Porter in the nursery every night we were in the hospital.  Trent was really reluctant though.  But after some convincing, we sent Porter to the nursery just four hours after I delivered him.  The next day the nurses brought him back into the room around 6.  He had slept for six hours! Obviously Porter and I have the same priorities. Nonchalantly, the nurses mentioned that during the night Porter had stopped breathing and turned blue.  They had to put an oxygen mask over his face and suck extra amniotic fluid from his lungs.  They just handed him to me and said, "If he starts choking, use this."  It was a suction bulb.  Cue panic attacks every night for the next week.  We brought him home around 8 p.m. on a Sunday.  That night, Trent sat next to his bassinet with his back against the nightstand.  I woke up to him still sitting there at 3 a.m. just watching Porter as his head bobbed up and down.  It took some coaxing, but I promised Trent that Porter was going to make it.  Trent finally went to bed.  But frequently I would get a nudge and hear him say, "Will you make sure he is still breathing?"  So I would put my hand on his tummy and feel his little lungs fill with air.    I hated taking Porter to get his jaundice tests.  His whole foot was black and blue from them squeezing the blood from his heel.  It was awful.  Porter would cry.  I would cry.  It was a mess. So Trent would take him... by himself.  I would never do that.  Someone always had to be with me.  But he would let me shower and say he wanted some "man time" with Porter.    I really could go on and share a dozen more stories of how Trent has pushed himself to the limit this last week to be a better husband and father. I have had to remind myself of these moments because Trent and I have a different relationship now.  It's not bad, it is just different. And selfishly I sometimes miss Trent and I. Our late night games and long talks in bed.  Our walks at the park and relaxing on the grass by the temple. Now, we switch turns with Porter and crash with exhaustion at night.  Tomorrow Rita is going to watch Porter while we go on a date.  I'm really looking forward to that.  I love him so much.