Spring Getaway

Having a baby has its perks!

My mom called a few months ago to say 

that she was missing her grandson and wanted

to fly him out for a visit. Lucky for me, 

I go where he goes.  :)

Jake was sad to see us go for 12 days, but hardly

had time to miss us between work, study, research, 

and his new calling as Elders Quorum President. 

Meanwhile, Corbett and I were busy too!

Here are just some of the things that we did:

We visited with grandparents,

aunts, uncles, and cousins

We road-tripped to Rexburg

for my brother's graduation and

a trip down memory lane

We saw 3 temples

(Idaho Falls, Rexburg, and Salt Lake)

We attended a mission reunion

We reunited with friends

I got pampered

 

Corbett played quite a bit...

...and slept only a little

And to cap it off, we celebrated 

Corbett's birthday, a month early

It was a fantastic trip. Big thanks to my 

mom for making it all possible!

Walking!

March was a month of movement. As 

if learning to swim wasn't challenging enough, 

Corbett decided to start walking as well.

He was never really that interested in crawling, 

and reached a point where all he wanted 

to do was grab my fingers and walk around the

house with my help. Thankfully for my back, 

Corbett took his first official steps on March 20th 

(the night before his 10 month birthday),

and has been going ever since! 

Here is a video timeline of his progression:

1. Walking between mom and dad

2. Walking from standing position to mom or dad

3. Walking away from mom or dad, but always 

coming back (the "boomerang" stage)

4. Walking away from mom or dad

and never looking back!

It has been so fun to watch our son

become more confident and independent. He 

seems so much happier now that he can 

walk and explore on his own, and I am loving 

this stage. I just hope to enjoy it for a 

bit longer before he figures out what's next:

RUNNING!

Swimming Videos

Corbett swimming in onesie:

Corbett swimming in pj's:

Corbett swimming to steps:

The Gift of Swimming

Earlier this year, Jake had the opportunity to work
with a local pediatrician who is heavily involved
with drowning prevention in the area and arranged
for Corbett to receive infant swimming lessons. 

This was an incredible offer and opportunity, 

but I will admit that I was a little apprehensive 

about putting my 9 month old in swimming lessons. 

Jake somehow talked me into it, as he has seen way 

too many drowning incidences at the hospital and 

felt very strongly that this was something Corbett 

should do. And I am really glad he did.

We started lessons on March 1st and went 

every afternoon Monday-Friday for a month. 

My worries disappeared after only a few days, as 

Corbett's instructor was amazing and he really responded 

to what she taught him. He didn't like it (meaning he 

cried every time I handed him over), but he did 

great, and picked it up really fast. By the end of the 

first week, he could roll to his back and float.

After his month of daily lessons, Corbett
was "tested" by going in the water wearing regular
clothes (see videos). Since then, we have been going
just twice a week. Corbett occasionally protests,
but for the most part really enjoys swimming
and playing with the water toys.

 These lessons have given Corbett a 

lifesaving skill, along with increased confidence 

and greater mobility. I can't say enough about
Southwest Aquatics and the amazing staff there,
especially the owner (and Corbett's instructor) Joy. 

We will always be grateful for what she has 

given our son: the gift of swimming.