My Nephew Knows My Name! Well, Sort Of...

So my nephew has learned my name! He calls me Yessie. A few weeks ago, he apparently picked up my sister's laptop and brought it to her saying "Yessie. Yessie."
The kid thinks I live in the computer and that's how they communicate with me! So we skyped and he squealed, "Yessie!!!" as soon as I got on and then proceeded to tell me this story in his gibberish. He was so excited and talked a million miles an hour. He got done with his story, waved, and then got down from Ashley's lap and went and played. He had something to tell me so he got his mom to Skype me. He is so cute!
I have no idea what had him so excited but it warmed my heart that he wanted to tell me about it! That and he said my name before Mom and Brittany! Although, the other day, he was calling Mom "Gaga."
Favorite Aunt for the win!
Oh, and I cemented that title when I had Ashley introduce him to a Despicable Me minion video where they are singing a version of "Barbara Ann" but about a Banana. He loved it! I took a picture of my computer so you'd be able to see his face.

I'm totally the favorite aunt!

Playing Catch Up

So it has been brought to my attention that there was a 2 month gap between my last blog post and the one before that. So what happened in those two months? Besides me studying, that is.

 

I went to a Yellowcard live acoustic concert at the Sound Garden in Baltimore. Look how close I am! I could have touched Ryan's shoe! I restrained myself... barely.

 

After the acoustic concert, I MEET YELLOWCARD!!! Yes, it is that exciting!

 

I even have signed cds! Awesome day! It was totally worth getting a little behind in my schoolwork.

 For Thanksgiving, I got to spend it with family for the first time in a few years! How can you say no to spending time with that cute kid! Even if his Aunt Jessie dresses him like a hippie according to his dad.

 

I may have dressed him as a Terp fan as well... I regret nothing!

 I also turned another year older. Scary how that creeps up on a person. Is it sad to forget your own birthday? Good thing I have good friends and family that help me remember and give me a birthday pie. And the most awesome candle ever! It was pretty much a small firework and this pyro loved it!

 And I officially still dislike crabs. Thank you Nella and family for feeding me on my birthday! The mechado is always amazing even if you think I use my fork funny.

 I had to make a decision this year when it came to Christmas decorations. Do I buy a tree this year or wait until I move to Chicago? As apparent by my Christmas tree made from books, I chose the latter. It was also eye opening. I didn't realize how many books I own. There are 103 books in the Christmas tree and I still have several shelves of books. Again, I regret nothing!

Then there is always that moment when you start doing weird things during finals like store your spoons in the freezer. I still can't believe that I pulled a Kent.
I also got a couple glorious weeks at home for Christmas and we even had a white Christmas! So to sum everything up, the last few months have been filled with a lot of studying broken up with a few moments of awesomeness.

Look At The Cuteness!!! Look At It!!!

It is always a blessing to be able to go home even if it's only for a week. My last visit home consisted of shopping, playing with the nephew, going to the temple, playing with the nephew, attending one of my best friend's weddings, and playing with the nephew.
See the theme? I played with the nephew a lot. I regret nothing! He has gotten so big! Last time I saw him all he was able to do is cry at me and poop his pants. Don't get me wrong. He still does that but he can play now! It is so fun! I've never seen a happier little guy. His giggle makes you all happy and giggly too! He's happy even when his aunt who is clumsy in all things baby tries to put his diaper on backwards. In my defense, he started rolling and I just grabbed. It's not my fault that the diaper happened to be backwards.
Oh! And the kid can eat! You have to stop feeding him because he won't stop eating. I think he totally fits into the family food dynamic. Except his mother unit gets upset when he has half a can of soda. In me and Corki's defense, he ended up wearing half of it.
Ok, enough of my bragging and excuse making. Here are some pictures of the kid. Seriously, look at all the cuteness! Look at it, I say!

He didn't know what to do with me when I got in the car.

It took me half the car ride home to get the kid to smile. I only got one after I started undoing the car seat straps.

Great Grandpa "teaching" the kid to walk.

It was okay with him because he got to be closer to the puppies.

Not that the puppies stayed away.

The kid has a soda addiction. He fits right in with the family.

Hurry finish! Mom just walked in!

Good thing Grandma had a birthday. We like cake!

Most importantly we like frosting. Must of learned that from Grandpa.

Our favorite toy is Monkey. Aunt Jessie did good choosing that one out. In fact all the favorite toys are the ones Aunt Jessie bought. Favorite aunt? I believe so.

We tend to tackle Monkey most days.

Mmmm... Corn. Or maybe it's the butter left on the corn?

Aunt Corki is the favorite other than Grandma. I'm going to have to learn the Froggy song for when she's on her mission.

I love that he is cuddler.

He also likes some air time,...

...kisses...

...and horsey rides.

Helping Aunt Corki with the laundry.

I think he's just going along for the ride.

Tigger is the new favorite toy. I think the kid doubled his toy count with this trip home.

He LOVES his books! Totally related to his Grandma and Aunts.

Sometimes you can't turn the pages fast enough for the kid. Kind of like you can't feed him fast enough.

We like Grandma a little bit.

The one and only time he decided to like Great Grandma the whole time we were there.

I don't know who was more worn out. Grandma or Conrad?

Our little card shark "helping" Aunt Corki.

Mmmm... Black Cherry.

Almost had it.

In the airport waiting for our flights. Fortunately for his mom, Aunt Jessie flew out last.

Unfortunately, he was upset leaving Aunt Jessie at the gate. Don't worry, Conrad. I'm coming to your house for Thanksgiving.

Good thing Aunt Jessie has some mad pipette skills in the absence of the sippy cup.

Think he likes soda?

 It was awesome being home but it was even more awesome being able to go to my friend Robert's wedding! I'm so happy for him and Maegan! Way to go, buddy!
It was also awesome because I was able to go the temple with Corki when she received her endowment. My whole family was able to go. It was so cool being in the temple with all of my sisters! It would have been even better if Navar could have come.

I love my family and it was so good to spend time with them! Now to leave you with some more cuteness. This proves that me and the kid were friends by the time I left. It's amazing the power of bribery.

Yes, I can get the kid to giggle on demand. Awesome super power, right?

Welcome to the Family!!!

I have several blog posts that are partially written but I have something to blog about that is more important than those at the moment.

I'M AN AUNT!!!

At 2:26 AM MST, Conrad Clark Andra came into this world! 

Isn't he so cute? I love the little baby beanie they put on him!

 He weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and measures 20 inches long! And he's a few weeks early! 

Getting up before 6am was well justified to see this little face! Look at those cheeks!

I was awakened by seven texts this morning a little before 6 and the first thing I saw on my iphone was this little cutie! I'm kind of jealous and sad that I can't be at home to welcome him into the family. Today I am very grateful for the wonderful technology that I take for granted most days. Thanks to technology and camera phones and internet, I was able to receive pictures of the little guy throughout the whole day. It's almost like I was there. Almost.

Apparently he likes heat. According to my sister, he gets upset every time they unbundle him or remove him from under the heat lamp.

Conrad and Grandma. My mom is a little excited about her first grandbaby.

Conrad and my sister Courtney who is not the mama. Me and her are now in competition to become the favorite aunt.

Grandma, Conrad, and the Mama in the background. Apparently my sister didn't want any pictures taken of her. We'll forgive her this once because she's all doped up on drugs still.

Conrad and his great-aunt Amber.

Great Grandma Hallie and Conrad. She looks like she's enjoying him!

Great Grandma Nola and Conrad. As tradition on this side of the family dictates, Grams will here by be known as Great Nola. As kids we used to call our great grandma Great Alice, so I'm all for continuing that tradition with this little guy.

The next two weeks need to go by quickly! Don't worry Conrad! Your favorite aunt will be there before you know it! I can't wait to see you and hold you! Considering you're not even 24 hours old yet, I sure love you a lot!  

I think Heavenly Father has a special plan for you, little buddy! There is a reason you've been placed into our family. We may be loud and more than a little crazy, but one thing is for sure, there is a lot of love to go around! Welcome to the family, Conrad!