Desmond's Weekend in CT with Auntie Heidi

Mr. Grown-Up Desmond P. Jones hit the road last weekend to spend a day & a night with Auntie Heidi in CT. I waited till mid-day Friday to tell Des that he would be seeing Heidi in the morning. He took his time to think about the news before commenting and when we put him to bed that night he reminded us happily, "Heidi coming in the morning!" He was very eager Saturday morning for her to arrive. Heidi and I weren't sure what to expect when the moment for goodbye came but there was no change of mind and he happily said goodbye to Zoe&I and carrying his overnight bag walked quite independently to the elevator. Heidi later told me that while they were in her car driving there was a silence between them for about five minutes and then suddenly Desi began to laugh and when Heidi, laughing in return, asked him what he was laughing about and he replied, "Desi happy!"

I asked Heidi to do a write up about their weekend for the blog which I've included below:

Desi and I had so much fun. He is talking so much now and repeats almost everything. I picked him up around 9:30 Saturday morning and drove to CT. A few times he warned me that he was going to "choke-up" (throw up)... at one point I had to pull over the car and roll down the window to give him a break. He takes after his mom when it comes to car sickness. Poor guy. We managed to make it to the aquarium... choke-up free and he seemed to have a good time. More so watching the other kids and imitating their enthusiasm for the sea creatures. He definitely is more interested in the people than sea life of any kind. They had a special dinosaur exhibit where he showed a lot of bravery going into. The room was dark with very large mechanical dinosaurs roaring and moving around. He looked up at them with wide eyes and quietly said, "scary dinosaurs" but continued through with curiosity. Luckily he wasn't too scared by the exhibit. He ran into the gift shop picking up everything dinosaur related saying, "Desi want this". We walked out with a stuffed "nice dinosaur" to remember the trip. :)

Later I took Desi to his first movie "Curious George". On the way, he fell asleep in the back seat... I had to wake him up for the movie and I gave him a choice. I said we are at the movies but if Desi is tired we can go to Heidi's apartment for a nap and come see "Curious George" later. With his eyes still rolling around and barely open, he said, "no, I watch Curious George now" Decision was made and he managed to keep his eyes open during the whole movie with his popcorn bag to his side. He got a little anxious for Curious George during the previews but the little monkey popped up on screen just in time. We both enjoyed our special movie night. :)

A Target trip for some diapers, was necessary before heading home. He was very good sitting in the cart until the very end when he managed to convince me to take him out. The second he hit the ground he began chasing a little boy across the store with his arms spread out and giggling he managed to corner him near the elevator and they both were happily giggling. I finally caught up to them and spent the next few minutes searching for the other little boys mother. Desi loves making new friends! :) Once we got back to my place he was curious to see every room. He walked in and out of each room saying "Heidi's bedroom", "Heidi's living room", etc. We ended our fun day with a fun night, eating dinner together, having a bath, and watching "Toy Story 2", followed with a story and prayer before bed. Desi took the lead on the prayer and said, "thankful for this daaay, thankful for this daaaay, thankful for this daaaay", to which I had to interrupt and also be thankful for other things in our life, including my little nephew Desi P. Jones.

I love that kid!!! Mwa

Click here for more photos.

Zoe's Blessing Dress

We neglected to take photos of Zoe in her blessing gown on the day of her blessing so Grammy Simkins left the dress (that her daughter's Heather, Holly, Heidi, & Hailey were all blessed in) so that I could take pictures. Zoe was exactly 5 weeks and 3 days old when these pictures were taken.

The blanket Zoe is laying on here I also had as a background when I took pics of Des in his blessing clothes -- might as well continue the sentimental link to things. Also, interesting to note is that they both smiled some of their first smiles during these photo shoots.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my digital camera in the Desi early days so I can't blog any of DesJones photos from that time to group with Zoe here.

Click here to go to our photo hosting site for more pics.

Zoe weeks 4 & 5

Zoe DK Jones is getting used to us methinks -- and she seems to like us. She relaxes more when Desi holds her and has dosed off in his arms once or twice. It's still a struggle for her to finally relax and sleep deeply in the evenings. She's a reallyreallyreally good babe -- I'm loving having a baby again! She's mellowmellowmellow. Can't believe my luck in having another easily consoled babe. When she's awake her whole body seems to be alert to the sounds and actions going on around her. Nate finally came up with her first nickname inspired after receiving a package from Grandma Jones yesterday addressed to Zoe DK Jones -- "Zodiac" (ZoDaK). Grandma Kathy sent the sweetest little pillow for her Zoe. It says,

" Granddaughters are forever -- I am so glad you're mine".

ZDK is posing in the above pic with her pillow.

She's quite the cooing ooooing baby. Its very touching and we've had some lovely conversations. She is so yummy! I just can't dislodge my lips from her soft cheeks.

Des has shown in recent weeks an increase in his usage of please, thank you, your welcome, excuse me, sorry, it's ok. In fact, when he's engaging in imaginary play with anything from his action figures, to beans in the highchair, to staples and pens at the desk, these words come up over and over again and show very impressive manners!

I took a number of bathtime pictures today. We started real baths this week and she's now kicking around in water daily -- which she seems to enjoy more than the sponging. I often get a satisfied "cooooo..." from her when the warm water is poured over her belly. Desi loves assisting in bathing her and considers himself quite the helper, which he is. :)

Click here to see manymanymany more pictures of this irresistible little girl -- I can't get enough of her face!

Posing for Auntie Holly

Auntie Holly sent a surprise package this week and we're happy to showcase Zoe's cute little self in her new clothes. Thank you Sister-of-mine!!Zoe's in an unusually lucky time in her life where most of her clothes are new and will be at a steady clip for years!! In comparison, I've recently ousted some of my winter clothes that I swear I've been pulling out and shrugging on since at least 1997!!

Snowy Weather

A sampling of pics from yesterday and today. Big snowstorm yesterday! Before leaving for school, Natee took Des out to playplayplay in the snow. He's had all his gear ready since September but we haven't had any snow and his snowboots are now too small.

Zoe received a package last week from AuntieGena full of cutecutecute girlie clothes. So, while Nate&Des were out we played dress up and, of course, I had to take some pics. I LOVE HER!!!

Des got out my pans yesterday and today to wear and generally make obnoxious noise with. He's got an old vintage fisherprice people boy with what looks like a pan on his head. So Des, wearing his pan, and the peopleboy wearing his pan enjoy 10-20 minutes at a time playing and being a pan boys together.

All so interesting, I know!

Des was cuddling with Zoe yesterday and said, " babyZoe cute girl". I can't move her from one room to another without him noticing and asking, "babyZoe go?" He constantly wants to kiss her and finds her absolutely irresistible. This morning he wanted to share his beverage with her -- she was sleeping in his crib and when he's in his crib to sleep he always has a beverage -- so he reached up and dropped it down on her and unfortunately it landed right on her head. We've had a few of these unintentional injuries already (and a few intentional) and it always strikes me with complete horror. I freeze, gasping, and feel like the world is collapsing around me. I gather her up and sheild her and love her and apoligize to her and cannot look Desi in the face for some minutes. He feels awkward and smiles and trys to be silly or make some absurd request. I know he's looking for cues on how to behave and when I gather myself, I require that he apologize and kiss her better then I very shakily explain how we can love her better.
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Day by Day

We are beginning our third day without Grammy. Yesterday, I felt a new energy and we got ourselves ready in time to go out to the LunchBunch -- a new playgroup. Wooohooo!! It was a success and I wasn't completely wiped out either to handle the rest of the day. My body is bouncing back! Finally!

DesJones averages maybe one nap a week. What does he do while in the crib for an hour if not sleep? Get naked. The process is frustrating for him, I can hear his cries, as he sometimes ends up in some form of twisted straight jacket-type position.

The above pic was taken yesterday after Des got out of the shower and joined Zoe&I back in bed. Follow this link for more: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=etiqe5t.1zg638gp&x=1&y=wdtshf

Here's some great pics my dad took when he was here: click here

Zoe had a photoshot today after we got back from the playground (Yes, I continue to improve!!) She wet through her clothes so I took the pics as I was changing her. Her body is so cute and little. I'm really loving having a baby again... lovemybaby. Oh, Mom, the hairbow pics are for you!!

Morning Exercises

Des has become particularly enthusiastic about Zoe's "tummy time". This morning when I intiated it Des ran into the bedroom to get a blanket for himself so he could have tummytime too. He thinks its so fun. Grateful for those easy to please moments.

Zoe's Blessing Day

Special day for Zoe D.K. Jones.

Earlier this week, Grampy shipped by next day from southern Utah the lace blessing dress that was worn by all the Simkins girls (Heather, Holly, Heidi & Hailey). Thrilled that Zoe could continue where we all left off and three cheers for mymom who kept the dress preserved all these years!!

It was my first Sunday back to church since Zoe's birth which means it was Zoe's first day at church!! I very nearly didn't make it -- getting ready to go was a lot more work than I anticipated it would be (4 women, 1 bathroom, 2 babies and a lot of peripheral stuff!!)

Ini came from Philadelphia and Heidi from CT and, of course, Grammy's here (ahhhh...) we walked to church and arrived on time for a semi-decent seat. DesJones was hard to contain!! He's a maniac. Allegiances certainly shift when Des becomes his crazyboyself while peaceful Zoe complies with everything -- realizing this sends my hormones into a tailspin -- what's happening? Why can't I handle it anymore? Or, rather, for now...

Nate came down from the stand and scooped up his little girl and brought her to the circle and bestowed a very touching blessing. Ahhh... It's in times like these I find that I am extraextra grateful for the Preisthood and power of it in my life and that my children will have it in theirs as well. The preisthood to me represents the power of God and its a power, a love, that I am completely dependant on!!!!

Celebration Time

Grampy and Auntie Hailey arrived a few days after Zoe’s birth. Desmond was happy to have more family to play with and show off for. Hailey brought him a superman cape and Grampy took Des on long walks to the park and grocery store. A very welcome toddler respite for me&Grammy. It has been a year since we’ve seen Hailey so it was very nice to reconnect with her.

Auntie Heidi couldn’t take enough photos of her first niece, or hold her enough or kiss her enough or tell her she loved her enough. Zoe is celebrated!!
It is so amazing to go through something so hard and painful and emerge with such a gift – a new daughter to comprehend and adore, existing family to draw nearer to with shared joy, and a growing nuclear family that all started with two very ordinary people.

Announcing the arrival of

Zoe Diana Kathleen Jones!!

Born January 17th, 2006. Weighing in at 8.2 and streching out to 20 1/2 inches. From start to finish labor and delivery was 3 1/2 hours (!!) but nevertheless it was intense and rocked my world!! I wouldn't have made it without NathanPJones by my side!! Sorry about the teeth marks honey.

We arrived at the hospital fully dilated (10!) and about 30 minutes later or so with the accompaniment of a most feral roar (by me) she emerged. Whew! DesmondPJones (w. 9.13 l. 22in) certainly paved the way for her speedy delivery.

Her hair is black and silky -- more in the back than in front. But she's lightly dusted all over her body with downy black hair -- arms, the backs of her ears, shoulders, back. My mom said that I came hairy as well.

DesmondJones visited us while in hospital and brought her a present, though it was a hanger his parents thrilled at his instinct to give and to love. He was already calling her baby Zoe and declairing, "I hold it". He kissed her and loved her and patted her little head. So sweet. We love that he loves her.

Grammy Simkins and Auntie Heidi paid a visit as well. We were all crammed into our tiny little section of the room, oooohhhing and ahhhhing over our new baby girl and trying to contain a very enthusiastic 2 year old!

Grammy is very experienced with girls (x4) and is thrilledthrilledthrilled to have another to love. Zoe is named after both of her maternal grandmothers, Diana Ree Simkins and Kathleen Allred Jones. We wanted to endow her with her heritage of strong, wonderful women.

Zoe has been home now for two weeks and we're still trying to sort it all out. Two babes is everything those experienced with two babes said it would be... hard!! The intensity of the new dynamic has yet to be fully felt, however, as Grammy is still with us lending her invaluable support.

Here's a series of pics

Yesterday morning we had to wake early to bring Zoe downtown to see a doctor. DesJones was outoutout and our attempts to wake him were not working. Zoe was awake and fussing off and on so Nate thought maybe she could help wake her brother and placed her in the crib next to him. He laid there for some minutes without stirring then finally he opened his eyes and saw her lying there. His face slowly lit up with delight and he observed, "babyZoe in the crib with Desi!"

Then he sat up, reached for a blanket and covered her up! He lay back down and they each looked at one another happily. Nate and I nearly cried with delight!! They love each other -- and though Des exhibits a variety of experimental behavior that has unfortunately brought on the tears of his friends, etc., he does indeed have a nurturing instinct. His love toward Zoe still lacks a certain finesse (we're often running interference) but we're determined to cultivatecultivatecultivate their bond. :)

Here's the pictures -- in complete sequence.

New Blog Welcome!

With our recent joyful multiplication, I've decided to create a new blog for the Jones family. Desi's blog will remain as a place to visit the young Desmond P. Jones.