9 Months Old

Miss Kanyin May is now  9 months old. It is weird to think her time outside the womb is equal to the time she spent inside of me. I prefer her in my arms then in my belly :) I feel very privileged to be her Mom. It is hard to imagine life without her. 
These last few weeks she has become a speed crawler!! I don't know why I got so excited when she first started to crawl because now my job is ten times harder. She is constantly getting into things. A few of her favorites....kitchen drawers, dishwasher, dvd shelf, and the nastiest...toilet brush! I am slowly learning to close doors behind me and learning new distraction tricks. 
Kanyin has had some separation anxiety being very attached to mom and dad. To the point that she will cry and cry if someone else is holding her and I am standing right there! It makes me sad, because at home she is the happiest baby. The last few weeks there has been  a lot of improvement, which is exciting. 
Kanyin is like her Dad and loves movies, well...two movies. Dora the Explorer and Baby Signing Time. She knows when I am turning it on and will clap and get really excited. Usually she is a mover and an attention getter, but if either of these movies are playing, there is nothing else going on in this little girls mind. 
She also LOVES to eat anything and everything. I feel like I could feed her all day and she would be content. I gave her a lemon one day to get a good face out of her and she liked it. Kanyin is a light sleeper like me. Often times we will tip toe into her room while she's sleeping and all fo a sudden her head pops up and she sees us and gets excited or cries. I can't complain though because she has been sleeping 11 hours at night for a long time now. 
Out of the blue, Kanyin learned how to slowly bat her eyes. It is pretty cute, especially when I tell her "no" and she turns around and bats her eyes.  She also gets on these giggle kicks that give us the giggles. She loves reading books. It is the only time of day when she holds still. Bath time is another highlight of the day. Whenever she hears the water in the tub turn on she is there in a second. 
Moral of the story is we love this little 9 month old baby. I hope and pray I can continue to teach her and she can continue to grow up to be a healthy good girl. 

Hopefully she will always be this eager to help with dishes :)

Naptime is a great part of the day for moms and babies :)

 I love going in her room to find these two laughing away. Kanyin loves her Dad if you can't tell. 

 Kanyin wants nothing else to do with the world when her show is playing. Usually when I have the camera out she is all over it! The end of this clip is my favorite. 

 I heard something in kitchen and this is what I found. She's a pretty smart cookie for figuring that out. 

Thanksgiving

We had such a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving. Our church did a Turkey Bowl Thanksgiving morning and we later went to our friends house, the Henderson's for the fancy feast! Of course I went black friday shopping. It is seriously one of my favorite days of the year. I was worried it was going to be a little crazy here in Philly. I was at the doctors office a few days before, when a lady was asking about my Thanksgiving plans, I told her about my black friday fetish, and she said, "oh dear...watch your purse." I was a little nervous, but it turned out to be so great. You can't beat new movies for $4! Decorating for Christmas was another success Thanksgiving weekend. It was so nice having Shawn home for a few days. Even though he had to study here and there it was great. Shawn also went and helped with the Hurricane Sandy clean up in New Jersey all day on Sunday. There are so many people that lost everything. It really caused us to reflect on all the MANY things we are grateful for. I cannot thank my Heavenly Father enough for the countless blessing I have received. I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. 

Getting ready for the big football game!

  

Spiders vs. Torrey

I love all of the trees and green you see here on the east coast, but the only down side is there are alot more bugs etc. I understand that it is starting to get cold and everyone and everything wants to be warm, but I am just struggling with sharing my warm cozy apartment with nasty looking spiders. Just a few examples:   

I was sitting on the couch feeding the baby when all of a sudden a spider came crawling out from under me!! Poor Kanyin thought I was having a heart attack. 
Another time, I went to grab a tissue to wipe Kanyin's poor little nose and when I pulled the tissue out from the box, surprise..there was another little spider friend. 
The real battle has been between me and the spider in my kitchen window. One day I noticed a very well designed spider web on the window ledge. I didn't want to stare at it while doing the dishes so I wiped it away. A few days later to my surprise it was back! I thought to myself that this is a very sneaky little guy, because I have yet to see him. I decided I would trick it and put a sticky trap on the ledge...hehehehe. The next morning I went to the window, excited to see what kind of clever spider it was. To my surprise, there was as web built around the sticky trap!! I have to say I was impressed.
Shawn says the next spider that he sees he is going to put it in a jar and make me carry it around all day, so I get over this fear. I guess we will see if it works. Moral of the story is I am not a huge fan of spiders, but I am grateful that we are mice free so far :) 

Hidden Treasures

We live just a few minutes away from a train station, busy roads, stores etc. Sometimes I crave nature and the peace and comfort it brings. Well, a week ago we went for a little walk and decided to go check out the train station. Turns out on the other side of the train station there is an AWESOME little park! Nature trail, creek, ducks, lots of trees, bridge and to top it all off a play ground at the end of the trail. I was so so happy when we found this place. How lucky am to have such a neat place just a few minutes away. I felt like a was at the end of treasure hunt. A little tender mercy from the Lord for Torrey. :) Kanyin and I enjoy walking there now. The only tricky and entertaining part of our walks is getting down and up the stairs with the stroller to get across the train station. Usually there are really nice people who feel bad for me and help me out. 

 

Amish Country

When we found out we were moving to Pennsylvania, one of the first things on our "to do list" was visit the Amish Country. We decided to check this adventure off our list one of the first weekends we were out here, and it was such a blast! We can't wait to go back. We did the whole buggy ride, market, and shopping thing. The neatest part was driving through the back roads and seeing all the farms. Many of the farms had signs out by their driveways that said things like "peppers for sale" or "free kittens." We decided to give it a try and we went to one family's shop (which was in their house). They sold cheese, quilts, medicine, clothes etc. It was so neat talking to Katie (the wife and owner of the store). We talked to her about the area and how they live. Such a unique and simple life style. No electricity, no cars etc (for the most part). Each district is alittle different. It seemed that most had the standard that you can not have wires, cables etc. running into your home, symbolizing the ways of the world. Anyways..it was a fun adventure and we would highly recommend it if ever you come out east.

I am not sure why there is a tractor in the background

After our buggy ride

You don't see these around to often

In Katie's quilt shop

Once I put this on her, I HAD to buy it! Is that not the cutest thing you have ever seen?

In the market tasting some jams. Poor Kanyin doesn't look very comfortable, but at least she's sleeping

Race Time!

Birthday Time

September is here once again, which means it is birthday month! Shawn took me to the Cheese Cake Factory for my birthday. I know..so fancy. We justified it saying that since both our birthdays are in September it would be "our" birthday dinner :) I turned 26 this year which was a hard one for me to swallow. I don't know why...I think because I feel like 30 is not that far away and that is just weird! 
Thank you to the Butlers for taking care of Kanyin for us while we went out. She is going through some separation anxiety right now, so they deserve a million bucks for dealing with that.

For two weeks, I was 26 and Shawn was 25. That is always a fun two weeks to give him a hard time. He always turns it around and says I will turn 50 first, then 60 first and so on...which he does have a point.
We started his day off with breakfast in bed. That was fun to watch since he didn't have his contacts in and there was a squirmy 7 month old helping him. I didn't realize Shawn was so blind till I asked him if we was going to eat his egg and he said, "there's an egg on here!" 
His birthday was on a Sunday so breakfast in bed was short and sweet, then off to church. After church we had a yummy dinner and then had friends over for cake and ice cream.  

Breakfast in bed for the birthday boy!

Kanyin loved helping her Dad open his presents. Actually she just thought the newspaper tasted good

26 candles!!

The birthday celebration ended in some bedtime stories

Talk talk talk

Kanyin started saying "mamama" when she is mad or crying. So cute!

Moving across the USA

P.A. (Physicians Assistant) School is very competitive right now. Shawn applied to six schools and we didn't really think that much would come of it since it was later in the year to apply etc. Last December, Shawn got an email from Salus University in Philadelphia wanting an interview. We were so excited! Once he got to Philly is when they told him that they already filled all the seats for the class, these interviews were to get onto the "stand by" list per say. That was a bummer when we found that out and we lost hope of our chances. After much prayer we decided that if we didn't get into P.A. school, we would stay in Rexburg for another year since we both has good jobs and Shawn could build up patient hours and apply again for the following year. Of course you plan out your life and then usually Heavenly Father has other ideas. :) Well, in late May, Shawn got an email for Salus saying a spot opened up and they offered him a spot in the Fall 2012 class! We were both nervous since we had our minds set on staying in Rexburg, and moving across the country away from our families with a new baby made us sad. At the same time we felt extremely blessed and knew this path was for us. Moving across the country is expensive! We stored some of our things at Shawn's parents house and decided just to bring our essentials. So we packed up and off we went. Of course we turned our move into an awesome trip across the country. It was so neat to see all the different states and meet so many people. I decided to make a movie out of our little adventure. I have to apologive, because after I finished the video and watched it, I thought to myself, "wow that is alot of video of our baby!" We just love her so much though I can't help it. I am so glad we did get some good documentation so we can show this to her when she is older.

Election Time!

Four years ago I was on my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so I didn't hear much about  the election. The election before that I was in high school and didn't care as much as I do now. I have to say, I really enjoyed watching the first presidential debate the other night. I found myself excited to see more. One thing I don't like is how negative politics can be. I understand that is how it goes, but I think more positive aspects can be brought out.

During all this I found that I am more grateful to be an American and live in this country. So many people do not have the freedoms we enjoy, and I love that we have the right to vote for our leaders and the people play such a huge role.

I hope and pray for our country, our troops and leaders. What an exciting time this is. 

I loved the Mitt Romney video that was played at the RNC. It's important to see how a man has become the way he is. 

Why do babies grow so fast?

Kanyin's Timeline

Newborn

1 Month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

Adjusting to Baby Life

Shawn wants her to know at a young age the importance of brusing our teeth. I love her face here.."What do you think you're doing!!??"

"My Station" This is where you could find me most of the time, even in the middle of the night...Everything I need in arms reach :)

A happy newborn

A sad newborn

With 120 girls living in our complex, Kanyin had plenty of babysitters, lovers, picture takers etc. We miss our girls!

Kanyin was blessed on Easter Sunday. In the LDS church a baby is  given a name and blessing by a Priesthood holder, which is often their father. Shawn gave a beatiful blessing. 

Kanyin got to meet Grandma and Grandpa Davis for the first time. They have been serving their mission in Mississippi.

Bath time was not the funnest time in our house.

Kanyin's Birth

Don't worry, Kanyin's only 6 months old...but it's never to late to record these things right? Kanyin was due Feburary 24, 2012. Well, Feburary 24th was another normal day. Get up, Shawn made me an awesome "due date" breakfast, do some chores, get ready for work, go to work, come home, make dinner, eat dinner, clean up, read some scriptures, relax etc. I was really hoping that Kanyin would come on her due date which was  a Friday. I got five paid days off work and I wanted the two weekends on both ends to give me more time. I was trying everything in my power to get this baby out. Around 10pm that night, I got a burst of energy and decided to run stairs. I figured I would bounce this baby out. Shawn and I got dressed in our gym clothes and went to the gym. Shawn would time me going up the stairs over and over. Or we would race. Either he was being nice or I was a fast pregnant runner up the stairs. I could keep up with him pretty good. :) I got some pretty weird looks, which I don't blame people... some really big lady trying to run up and down, up and down. I am sure it was amusing. After about 45 minutes of that, I was done. We decided to watch a movie at home. When all of a sudden I felt like I peed my pants! I ran to the bathroom and made it just in time for lots of water to come out. I didn't really think it was my water breaking because I wasn't in pain. Shawn insisted it was my water. Silly us didn't have much packed for the hospital, so while I was on the toilet, I would yell things that Shawn needed to put in the bag. He even boiled some water, so he could say he boiled water.(He read online what to do if you have to deliver a baby and it said to have boiled water). Oh I love this guy. :) Finally at midnight, we headed out! We got lots of cheers from our girls in the complex as we were walking out. "Yah it's baby time!!" "Go Torrey Go!!"

Here is me wondering why this baby is still inside of me 

This is where we were 5 hours later! Yah for running stairs!

When we got to the hospital I still wasn't in any pain. The nurse checked me and I was only dilated to a two. I knew that meant we were in for a long night. They said since my water broke, I had to stay at the hospital to prevent infection and I had 24 hours to have this baby. They decided to put me on a little bit of pitocin, to get the contractions going, and oh boy did they get going. For most of the night, I would lay there and when I felt a contraction coming, I would wake Shawn up and he would come running out of his chair and press on my knees really hard. (This took away some of the pressure from the contractions). At around 3 am they checked me again and I was still at a two! I was so disappointed. I just quite thinking..with all this pain why is nothing happening. A few more hours and more frequent contractions, I progressed to a three. Around 7am I got epidural and was able to sleep for a few  hours after a long night of no sleep and lots of pain. I am so grateful for epidurals. It really made things more enjoyable and  helped things progress. Basically around 10am I was ready to push. My nurse and Shawn were my coaches and Dr. Lovell came in a half hour later and then another half hour of pushing and she was here! I will never forget the feeling I had when I saw and heard her for the first time. I could not hold back the tears. It was such a spiritual moment for me. This little girl was a child of God and given to us to care for. I was overwhelmed with gratitude.She was 8lbs 10oz! A nice big baby. Her oxygen levels were low so they had to take her and about minute after she was born and give her oxygen, and monitor it while we were in the hospital. By the time we left, she was doing great! 

I didn't change a single diaper in the hospital. My recovery was pretty rough, couldn't really get out of bed, so I was blessed to have Shawn with me. What a great Daddy this guy is. 

First family picture

Ready to go home! Don't be fooled. In all the pics she is sleeping, but there was very very little sleep that happened in the hospital. She wanted to party it up and eat and eat and eat some more.

Basically the moral of the story is. We cannot describe the feelings we have for this little girl. Which I am sure every parent experiences. To me it is a gift from our Heavenly Father that we can love these little people that are sent to us in the way we do. I am excited to see her grow and change. I hope and pray that we can be good parents and raise her to make good choices and to love her Heavenly Father. 

The Pregnancy Life with Kanyin

Being with child for nine months was quite the adventure. When I found out that I was pregnant, I was nervous and very excited. I was going to be a Mom. It was foreign to me. I already loved this little being inside me so much. Life was really great till I was about 7 weeks along. Then the nausea hit. I spent many hours on the couch moaning and groaning. I really don't like throwing up (who does), but I would feel better after I did. The doctor gave me some meds that helped quite a bit. I could at least make it through the day. The smell of food didn't agree with me and for some reason Shawn's smell didn't settle well with me either. Poor guy...he was a good sport even when I told him he needed to go away because I couldn't handle the smell. We are still in love to this day.

Towards the middle of my pregnancy, I would get very faint. I learned the only way to prevent from passing out was to lie down on my left side with my feet elevated. So no matter where I was that is what I did...work meetings, Wal-Mart, the temple, you name it! It makes for some good laughs now. Overall everything went well. I loved feeling the baby move inside of me. I was reminded every time what a miracle this is. I was so anxious to find out what our little girl would look like and what kind of baby she would be. I will admit somedays I do miss my big belly. It was a special time for me and baby.

16 weeks and getting a belly!

Around 24ish weeks or so 

A couple of weeks before baby came!

Thank you Jenny for the awesome pictures!

BYU-I College Graduates July 2011 and April 2012

I graduated back in July 2011 in Elementary Education. It feels so good to be done with school. I know I picked the right profession for me. Even though I am going to do what's important right know and be a Mom, I am hoping to teach someday. I love teaching! I love it when I see a first graders face light up when something finally clicks. Or when I know a student is not working on his assignment, so I ask him to show me his work and the reply is, "NO I don't want your germs on it!" A teacher play a significant part in a child's life. It is a teachers responsibility to help their students gain confidence and hope.
"They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carol Buchner

My family came from Colorado to cheer me on! I love them.

Couldn't have done it without this guy.  Many nights of helping me with lesson plans and packing my lunch for those early morning student teaching days.

One year later in April 2012
SHAWNY GRADUATED!!

In April 2012 Shawn graduated with his degree in Exercise Science. Kanyin at the the ripe age of 2 months cheered him on! A few months later, Shawn also got accepted at Salus University which is a  P.A. school(physicians assistant)  in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. I am so proud of him. P.A. is a very competitive field right now, so we couldn't be happier.

Some of Shawn's family was able to be there. Here is a pic of Shawn and his sister Mandy.