Keeping Up With The Jones'

Holidays

2009-01-12T01:47:00.000-08:00

We hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season. Our Christmas and New Years was pretty uneventful- just how we like it! This was the first year that Abby really could understand the idea of Santa coming to our house. She had such a wonderful time. I will never forget the look of amazement when she came downstairs Christmas morning and found presents under the tree, Santa's cookies and milk devoured, and the fireplace open with a trail of soot. What a blessing it is to experience the wonder and imagination of childhood again. Abby told Santa that she wanted "a Tinkerbell dress, Tinkerbell wings, Tinkerbell shoes, a Tinkerbell crown, and a sucker" for Christmas, and that is what he brought her! Upon opening the present, she imediately ripped off her PJ's and tried on the whole outfit. She spent as long as she could in her Tink outfit watching her Tink movie (until we practically had to rip it off her to get her in the car to go open presents at Grandma and Grandpa's house). Tom's sister Becky came down from Utah to stay with us over Christmas. It was sure nice to see her again. We've missed her!

A recent scare in our household- Abby contracted MRSA (a flesh-eating bacterial staph infection) from a local park. Apparently the Dr. told us it is spreading like wildfire around our small city, and that many of her patients contracted it from the very park we go to a few times each week. Abby is doing fine. She isn't in any pain, and is going about her normal everyday business (minus park visits for a while). It all started when I noticed she had about 20 small 'pox' or 'bug-bites' on her bum and torso. I took her into the Dr. Friday thinking they were a mild case of Chicken pox. The Dr said they were caused by a Staph infection, gave us some topical ointment, and told us if they get any bigger, to bring her back. The very next morning as I was getting Abby dressed, I noticed that two bumps were now the size of a large spider bite- about the size of my thumb nail! I took her in right away, and the Dr. diagnosed her with MRSA (you can google it for more info). She was prescribed some oral anti-biotics, and told since we caught it early, she has a good prognosis. We are sanitizing as much as we can around the house in the hopes that Sryder doesn't contract it. It is hard for Abby to stay away from him, and we feel cruel keeping her from giving him kisses and hugs like she usually does. Hopefully all this will pass pretty soon.
Well, that is just about as exciting as it gets around here. We will keep you updated on Abby's progress, although we have been assured she will be fine.

One Month With Baby

2008-10-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how fast babies grow and develop. Stryder is a little over a month old now, and it has been so much fun watching him discover the world around him. He is especially interested in Daddy, big sister Abby, and the light above our dining room table. He is turning out to be a pretty cool and laid back kid when he isn't working on a gas bubble.

We are all finally adjusted to life with baby. Abby went through a little jealousy stint for a few weeks, but now she is back to her old fun-loving self. I am feeling normal again, and am slowly beginning to realize that having two kids means that the house can't ALWAYS be clean. Both Tommy and I have succesfully learned the art of juggling a baby and a toddler without becoming too frustrated, and ever-honest Abby hasn't dubbed either of us 'mean mommy' or 'mean daddy' for a while now. Woo Hoo!

Cousins

2008-09-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

Abby loves when her little cousin Skylar comes to play. She likes to read him books a share her toys. It is so great when everyone is having kids at the same time. Abby has so many cousins her same age. And now Bridgette and Stryder are only 2 weeks apart.

Sea World Adventures

2008-09-27T09:48:00.001-07:00

Abby loves going to Sea World. We take advantage of our passes every chance we get. I know this post is a bit out of order but we just found the cf card with the photos. This was the last time we went just 1 week before Stryder came. Krista was hoping all the walking around would speed things along. Abby's favorite thing at Sea World is watching the dolphin show. It is the one constants each time we go.

Blog Moving

2008-09-27T09:46:00.001-07:00

We will be moving the location of our blog very shortly. When that happens we will post the url so everyone can keep up with the jones' at our new location.

More Pictures

2008-09-27T09:34:00.001-07:00

i don't have much to say. I just wanted to add a few more photos to the blog for everyone to see. Everyone is doing well. Abby is adjusting very well to having a little brother. She is very helpful and loves to hold the baby when she can. Grandma has been helping out as much as she can to. We are very thankful for her weekly visits. Grandma and Abby get a day together each week and it allows mom to have a bit of a break.

Lucky 13

2008-09-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

Abby is quite excited to be a big sister. She has been talking about it for weeks. She was so happy that she could come and visit mommy and baby Stryder in the hospital. I failed to mention in the other post but Stryder was born on September 13th, lucky 13. Abby has been adjusting pretty well so far to having a new baby at home getting so much attention. Daddy spends most of his time with Abby right now so that she does not feel like she is being pushed aside so everyone can spend time with the new baby. Daddy plans to stay home for a few days and work from home in order to help with the adjustment here. Mommy is still experiencing a bit of difficulty moving around so Daddy will help mostly with Abby who is quite the mover. Hopefully things will be back to normal relatively soon.

Here He Is!

2008-09-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Abby's little brother is finally here! We are all so excited! Krista was supposed to be induced on Thursday Sep 11th but they were to full at the hospital with natural births. Krista decided to take matters into her own hands on Friday by going to get a massage that was supposed to hit certain pressure points and cause Krista to go into labor. She went one step further and had accupuncture as well. That is quite a big step for Krista considering her incredible fear of needles. Whether it was the massage, accupuncture or just the power of suggestion Krista started feeling regular contractions Friday night. At 4:30 Saturday morning it was time to go to the hospital. Labor went well. Stryder wasnt reacting well to the putosin they were giving Krista in order to induce the pregnancy and move things along. His heart rate would sloww to very unsafe levels so after 6 1/2 hours they took her off and left it to happen naturally. At this point she was barely dialated to a 5. The doctor said he was going to give it four hours and if nothing happened by then they would have to perform a c section to get baby Stryder out. With this extra time I ran home to grab some food and get Krista a couple things. 20 minutes later Krista calls me and tells me to hurry up because she is now dialated to a 9 and Stryder is coming out! I rushed back to the hospital just in time. 30 minutes later at 11:19 am Stryder Ralph David Jones was born weighing in at 8lbs 3oz and 20.5" long, exactly the same weight as Gradpa Ralph. Mom and baby are doing fantastic. Both baby and mom were cleared to come home after 24 hrs.

2008-06-10T18:46:00.000-07:00

Last week was Krista's first week home with Abby full time. Our family recently made the decision for Krista to just be a Mom. This has been the first time since Abby was born that Krista will be able to be home with her all the time. Krista LOVES being able to get all the things done she never used to have time for and she gets to spend all the time she can with Abby. We have seen such a change in Abby in this last week and a half she is like a different child. She was never a bad kid she just obviously had issues with hardly ever seeing her mommy. It has really made our home a happier place.

2008-06-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

Thought we would post some more recent photos of Abby on here. Abby with hair! Here are some pics of Abby and Daddy at the park one Saturday. This was actually near the end of last year some time. She has grown quite a bit since these. She will be 2 on Sunday the 15th! Just 5 days away! She is pretty excited about it she knows everyone is coming over for a party. All she cares about though is that she gets cake.

Abby and Cousin Skylar

2008-06-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

Jay sent this picture over of Abby and her little cousin Skylar. Abby can't wait until Skylar is big enough to play with her. Skylar is moving around more and more and soon enough will be able to follow his big cousin Abby everywhere she goes.

Happy Birthday Mom

2008-06-05T23:17:00.000-07:00

Today is Mom's (Kathy Jones') birthday. Happy birthday mom! The first birthday in the field is always the most difficult. The second usually means you are almost home! Keep up the Lord's work in Guatemala Mom. We are all so proud of you. Abby misses her Granny K but knows she is doing important work. We Love You.

2008-06-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

It sure has been a long time since we posted on this. I forgot we even had the blog. We will start with regular posts. Now that Krista is staying home she will be able to keep everyone updated. More to come soon!

Spring Time!

2007-05-19T11:53:00.001-07:00

Spring means nice weather (finally!), flowers blooming, and fun in the backyard! We love sitting outside under our two big pecan trees. Abby is fascinated with the pecans she finds in the grass, and it takes every effort by the two of us to keep them out of her mouth!

Charlie The Unicorn

2007-03-28T10:28:00.001-07:00

YouTube is great for this very reason.

New Years Day 2007

2007-03-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

Our Little Family

2007-03-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

This was taken in the upper elevations of Zion NP. It's nice to not live in the snow but have it only 20 minutes away. Abby does not enjoy when Ma Ma bundles her up for the cold. She did quite enjoy eating the snow shortly after this picture.

Four Generations

2007-03-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

Abby & Ma Ma

2007-03-07T14:12:00.000-08:00

Abby and Ma Ma in the Idaho snow at New Years. Abby is not yet a fan of cold weather. Look at those rosy cheeks.

Baby Blues

2007-03-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

Another phone picture so I know the quality is not the best but I can't get over those blue eyes. She is 8 1/2 mos now so I think the Blue is here to stay.

All Star Break

2007-03-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

We happened to be in Vegas for a few days at the start of the All Star Weekend. Tommy caught this pic on his phone as we drove by.

Abby & Grandpa

2007-03-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

Abby and Grandpa chatting after a wonderful Thanksgiving Feast.

Da Da Yum Yum

2007-03-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

Abby couldn't wait for Thanksgiving dinner so she got an early start on Da Da's face.

Zion NP

2007-03-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

This was a picture Tommy took on our way to church one Sunday in January. It is absolutely beautiful up here. This is Zion National Park from a distance.

Happy Abby

2007-03-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

We are so lucky to have such a happy baby. She is always smiles. Except at bedtime, but we won't get into that.

Abby @ 4 mos

2007-03-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

Not much to say except this was Abby at 4 months. The wonder of camera phones. It makes it easy to catch those extra cute moments.

Abby Learning to Swim

2007-03-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

Abby loves the water. Whether it's in the bath, the pool or at the beach. She is just like her mom she'll take it however she can get it.

Abby Loves Her Baths

2007-02-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

Abby loves taking her baths every night before bed with ma ma. Doesn't she look happy.

The Cousins

2007-02-21T21:20:00.000-08:00

This last year was baby city in the family. From January to June, we had a baby born nearly every month... 5 babies total! Abby, Brendan Gray, and Noah Gray in November '06.

Abby's First Beach Experience

2007-02-21T21:12:00.000-08:00

It's tough being land-logged in Utah when you're a beach bum at heart. So...when we visited family for Thanksgiving, and it was a beautiful sunny day in So Cal, we jumped at the chance to feel sand between our toes! Abby loved it more than we did! She was fascinated watching the waves and our dog Sophie run around. I think she's hooked.

The Jones Girls

2007-02-21T15:18:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2006

Abby & Da Da @ Zion NP

2007-02-21T15:01:00.000-08:00

This was right before Christmas when da da decided to take Abby for her first hike in the snow. He didn't dress her nearly warm enough so the hike ended very quickly.

2007-02-21T14:57:00.000-08:00

This isn't really a recent picture of Abby, but I love it. The pink on her nose was for her lamb costume she was wearing for Halloween that the Willifords gave her.

Here We Go Again

2007-02-21T14:44:00.000-08:00

We tried this w/ Abby being born and didn't do a very good job of keeping it up. People keep asking us and our families how things are going so we thought we would try this again. With Krista staying home now we should be able to keep it updated at least weekly. Wish us luck