Stonetales

Life is Fleeting

2012-02-02T14:21:00.001-08:00

Maybe everyone goes through this when they are about to turn thirty. Maybe every mother goes through this with her second, third, fourth... child. I'm just feeling that life is flying by. Wasn't it just yesterday when my parents gave me my first set of roller skates, belted a pillow around my waist, and took me outside to practice?

My niece turns 7 this year. 7! I can still remember when I got the call from my brother telling me she was born! I can remember my first time holding her in my arms. My first niece. Such a sweet heart.

Now I'm watching my own kiddos grow. Eli is SO big! Watching home videos of him when he was an infant is so breathtakingly heart wrenching. I hear him cry on video as he is poked and prodded in the hospital. I reach for him and realize it's a toddler I'm embracing and not the baby I so want to comfort.

Anna is growing so quickly. Too quickly! Where did her infancy go? With all the running around she's grown up in her car seat! I'm baby hungry again and she's barely 4 months old! They grow too quickly and it's passing me by right in front of my face. How can a stay at home mother miss so much?

Eli, 1 day old
Eli 1 year

Eli 2 years

Eli 3 years

Anna, a few hours old

Anna, 2 months old

Why There's Two

2012-01-24T10:34:00.000-08:00

I have a firm testimony in marriage. Especially marriage in parenting. Some aspects of mothering do NOT come naturally to me. Having endless ideas of what to do during the day to entertain and enrich my children are one of those aspects. Since Anna's been born, it's been especially difficult for me to find things to do that works around Anna's feeding schedule, the endless housework, and Eli's happy verses cranky times. Needless to say, there has been way TOO much tv watching which makes Eli even more cranky. To add to this is the depressing fact that Eli is even more of a hand full than I expected. He's hard to control and he's stubborn towards ANY authority. So I get VERY down about my apparent ineptitude to raise a decent human being. Yes, I cry about it often. Yes, I worry that I've ruined him for life. Maybe I'm too negative. Maybe I'm so focused on telling him what he CAN'T do that he gets resentful and fights back.

I'm trying to remember that laughter is great medicine. This hit me yesterday when an impatient lady cut me off in the Costco parking lot. A man saw it and just started laughing. I saw that and I couldn't help but smile too. What a great attitude! I'm going to try to alleviate Eli's anger with laughter from now on. I think it will help us both.

Okay, back to my main point of this post. Aaron has always been super supportive of me. He knows my worries and he tries to find ways to help me solve my problems. Unfortunately, many of them, while great ideas are difficult to carry out without me feeling like I'm imposing on someone else.

The other day, he truly had inspiration that I don't think I would ever have received. He had the idea that as we are trying to ween Eli from the tv again that we come up with a bunch of activities to do together, type them up, cut them out, and put them in a jar. Eli would enjoy pulling a piece of paper out and seeing what's on it and then we'd have something to do to fill in the usual tv time. GENIUS!! Yes, many of you might think this is so OBVIOUS but for me it wasn't and I'm so grateful for my husband and partner in parenting that increases my testimony that parenting is supposed to be for two!

P90x Plus!

2012-01-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

Tony Horton is my wake up call lately. Good thing I think he's stinkin' hilarious!
- In reference to his head, "Mine weighs 600 pounds and there's not a thing in it."
- He says tippy toes
- He says toasty toast when he refers to being tired.
Maybe by the end, I'll think he's VERY annoying, but for now, I don't mind him. Thank goodness I have Aaron to help kick me out of bed too.
The ONLY thing that puts a snag in our morning plans is... da da da dah!! Anna. You can't dictate to a baby when to eat. So I just keep praying she'll eat right at 5am and then sleep until 8 so we can get a non disrupted workout. Eli can be a problem too, but that's mostly when we're being a bit too loud and accidentally wake him up.

When he does wake up and come down, that's gives p90x a plus. Nothing makes a difficult workout harder than a toddler running around you when you're supposed to kick or jumping on you when you're trying to balance!

The other plus things in my life...
We finally bought a new camera. It's about time because I feel like a HORRIBLE mom not having any pics of our sweet little Anna.

Today was craft day. Well, in the sense that there is a baby shower, today, for a friend who is having twins. I can't say what just in case she reads my blog (I don't know who in my new ward even knows I have a blog... but I'm still going to be careful). I started last week on my projects but I had to start one over about 5-6 plus times.... ARGH! Then, after I finally finished them at about 1 pm today, I got the inclination to make something else. So out came the sewing machine etc. A dangerous prospect knowing my sewing machine's tendency to hate me and be temperamental. Luckily, it ran perfectly. My project is still NOT 100% how I'd like it, but then I consider myself to be a novice seamstress.

Eli is in gymnastics. He loves it, but he still has a hard time listening in class. I'm so glad I can leave, because I tried to stay once and I HAD to leave because I couldn't stand all the calls for Eli to behave. For my own sanity I have to leave and luckily the coach says he does marginally better when I'm gone. Good all around!

Hmm... there's a ton more, but I'm leaving it at that until I can get some photos. I hope your days are busy and happy, even if you don't have Tony Horton telling you to DO YOUR BEST and FORGET THE REST!!

New Year

2012-01-02T23:22:00.000-08:00

FIRST: To anyone besides me who prayed that our radio would be working on our drive THANK YOU. There were absolutely NO problems with our radio on our drive. You are all life savers!

My testimony of why we need others in our lives grows every year... every day really. Our Christmas trip to Washington was wonderful. It was great to see family (so rare it seems). Being at Aaron's sister's house and seeing how they are as a family was inspiring. Sometimes I find myself driving around running errands and I think, "What AM I doing in life?" Sometimes I feel like it's all so surreal. Like I'm pretending to play house and that one day I'll wake up and I'll be five again hoping to be an "adult".

If I could have one New year's wish it would be a complete character revamp. I swear I used to be fun loving, creative (in some areas), laughing, tactful, etc. I don't know what has made me so stressed out over the years!

Anyway, as a family we've decided to work on three things.
1- Be healthy: Exercising and eating better.
2- Be kind: learning to share, talk, and act nicely to each other and others.
3- Be clean: Mostly this applies to the apartment's condition, but it also applies to other hygienic things like flossing, etc.

Personally I have a few more.
1- Read all of the Standard works. My mom said she used to do this every year in high school and college.
2- Learn to draw better. Aaron got me a drawing book and we've been slowly buying the supplies. I'm going to take a "class" (me and the book) every Saturday at the library when Aaron is home.
3- Get to my pre-pregnancy weight
4- Be better in all my roles of life.

Holiday Stress!

2011-12-21T18:12:00.000-08:00

I know that I bring most of the holiday stress on myself. If I shopped during the year, if I kept my house cleaner to begin with, etc. That being acknowledged, I'm taking a break from my travel preparations to write this post.
15 1/2 hours is an awful long drive to be Anna's first road trip. Eli's was a 2 hour long trip from DC to Richmond (which turned into a 4 hour trip due to traffic) and he cried nearly the whole way! He was three months older too! So I'm more than a little apprehensive about Anna and this road trip. I'm taking my pump and we have a podie, so hopefully those will make it so we don't have to stop for as long. Anna and I might suffer from separation anxiety but hopefully we'll get to our destination quicker :)
Preparations are slow going. Eli's been as patient as he can, and I've been as patient as possible with his tantrums (not very since I'm stressed about getting ready).

I'm just hoping we get everything done before we leave and that I am able to relax during the drive.

Oh, please pray that our radio speakers will somehow miraculously work during the trip :)

They're Hatching!

2011-12-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

That's what Eli said yesterday.
I was doing marathon cooking of corn bread, chili and AWESOME cookies. Both the corn bread and the cookies called for eggs so I just left them out so they'd be there when I started the cookie dough.
Let me tell you that marathon cooking is NOT a good idea with a little baby and a sick toddler. Eli wanted to help, but being sick, that meant he couldn't (Eli's idea of helping is touching everything and taste testing it). Anna was SUPER tired and she's pretty demanding about being held before going to sleep.
Needless to say that at some point between corn bread and cookies, I took a break to calm down Anna and I hear Eli say, "uh-oh." Then, "Mommy, Mommy, the eggs are hatching! I sorry, the eggs are hatching!"
Yep, I look over and there are at least two eggs down and cracked on the floor. I cleaned them up one handed and realized that there was one egg missing from the carton. Where did that "hatched" egg get to? I'm hoping it fell into the garbage can (which was close at hand) because I don't want to find it via other means. Gross.
So we have hatching eggs over here. Too bad they didn't result in cute little chicks.

Our Friends

2011-12-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

I will always be grateful for the friends I've had in life. I've been so blessed! In marriage, there are the wife's friends, there are the husband's friends, and it's a rarity when a "couple" friendship happens. While living in Maryland, we were blessed with several "couple" friendships. Maybe it was because we lived so far away from family that they became our family. Whatever the reason, we miss these people dearly. One particular family was Vance and Casey Taylor and their girls. We met them when we had lived in Maryland for about 7-8 months. A long time I know for being in the same ward but with me in Young Women, and Casey in primary, it took our slow poke husbands to finally get a dinner together for the wives to meet. I absolutely love these people!! A better example of selflessness and generosity I cannot easily find anywhere else (and I have some pretty selfless and generous family members). They are inspirations in many other ways as well. Vance has Muscular Distrophy. So he hasn't been able to walk since he was about eight. He is truly an example of optimism, living life to the fullest, being grateful for everything, and knowing how to give back. To experience a little of his amazing spirit read his blog.

http://rollingperspective.blogspot.com/

He's a pretty powerful writer too.

Reflections

2011-12-05T09:11:00.001-08:00

I get super nostalgic around the holidays. So here are some of my favorite Christmas memories.

I remember going to a cabin once. I must have been really young, because I only have very vague memories. I remember sitting with my legs through a railing with my brothers and singing Christmas songs.

I remember my mom's parents coming for Christmas and we would go on carriage rides at temple square. I LOVE the nativity there.

I loved being in singing groups and choirs during the Christmas season. We always got to go to places we would not have gone normally but that were sure fun (i.e. the Festival of Trees and the Dicken's Festival). I had a great group of friends in high school and it was wonderful to go together to express our love of the Savior to others and to each other. I LOVE Christmas music!

I remember the year my Grandma passed away. It was a hard time for me. Even though that Christmas was bitter, it was sweet in that I got to see a lot of my cousins, aunts and uncles that I hadn't seen in years. We got to get reacquainted and I really do have a great family that extends beyond my siblings. It was also a time when the knowledge of the Savior and his mission were very near the surface of our hearts.

The very next year, my roommate invited me to come home with her and be involved in their Christmas tradition of rolling chocolates. I LOVED it. I love this roommate and her family (Amanda, you know I'm talking about you!). We slept underneath their Christmas tree that night and had such a great time!

Aaron proposed to me on Christmas Eve. He hates the story, so I won't tell it, but it was nice to FINALLY have our engagement be official.

Our first Christmas was GREAT. We marathon drove from DC to Utah, making it in under two days! I got to see for the first time the after effects of an ice storm. While I never want to experience one, they sure are beautiful! We surprised my parents and had a wonderful time with family.

Sledding in Canada... SO fun and yet one of the most TERRIFYING things I've ever done. NO really. In all the times I've gone skiing, swiss bobbing (one AWESOME time) and sledding, I've gotten braver with each run. NOT in Canada! I think I was more terrified at the end than I've ever been doing anything!

The hay ride in Canada was AWESOME too. Being pulled by two HUGE Clydesdale and actually getting to drive was great. Even though I wasn't strong enough to really get them to go where I wanted :)

At the DC temple they do a live nativity. I was doing an internship and had to work one Sunday. Apparently they'd asked Aaron at church if we'd like to play Mary and Joseph, but Aaron said he'd have to talk to me about it first. He to turn it down, but they got to me first and I readily accepted. Definitely a FAVORITE Christmas memory. (pictured above) It was so neat to feel the spirit as we thought of how it would be to know that you were charged with raising the son of God. Aaron is now grateful that I accepted and we both would do it again in a heartbeat.

There are so many more, and I'm looking forward to adding to it and hopefully make Christmas just as special for my children as it was to me.

Family Pics 2011

2011-12-01T13:45:00.001-08:00

Hah, FINALLY!! If I'd been patient enough I would have seen that it said I couldn't share it on blogger because I hadn't allowed the pictures to be "public". So, with that minor alteration, we present the family pics of 2011.

Notice the family picture where Anna looks LIVID! So funny!! Then there's one where Eli is giving Anna a raspberry and she's crying. So typical of many of our days :)

2011-11-30T18:42:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I'm having technical difficulties with my slideshow. I'm trying to use Flickr and when I view the slide show, it's fine, but when I want to share it and I copy the embedded html, it says they couldn't find anything. Go figure although it does make me feel VERY old being unable to do all this fancy pants stuff with the computer!

Black Friday

2011-11-25T15:55:00.000-08:00

Today I was tempted to enter the crazy madness that is Black Friday, one day I'd happily avoid for the rest of my life! Not only was I tempted, but I made it a COMPLETE family outing! The temptation: A full session CD for $49.99 (originally $149.99) at JC Penny Portraits.

Not good enough for you to have braved it yourself? You must not have kids yet... :) The offer saved us a bundle in both money and sanity. When you can get all the pictures on CD, it dramatically decreases the time you spend, after your session choosing pictures and sizes, etc.

Last year we were forced to listen to ALL our picture options for an hour while Eli had an epic meltdown (you'd think they would want us out of there too... oh well). Today, I just looked at the pics and said, we want the cd. No trying to up-sell me or anything! I guess they wanted to move quickly too. Yeah!

We had to wait 1 1/2 hours but I was prepared for almost any disaster with lunch for Eli and pumped milk for Anna. We decided to walk around the mall while we waited.

I say I was prepared for ALMOST any disaster. Sadly, I wasn't prepared for my yet to be potty trained 3 year old to leak! Not having brought any extra pants, we went to the bathroom, changed him, "washed" that area of his pants and then spent the next 1/2 hour drying his pants at the hand blowers in the bathroom. I was grateful for the long wait then!

The sitting went fairly well. We did have to change and feed Anna so she'd be content in the pictures. Eli obeyed about 3/4 of the time while the rest he spent rolling out of the picture at the last minute, blowing raspberries at Anna, or being a rag doll when we were trying to pose him. It could have been worse, but let's just say we are ALL happy and relieved to have that over with for another year!

Small Goals

2011-11-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

Trying to find some semblance of a routine, and trying to keep the house a little neater than chaotic has been a little difficult of late. Poor Anna has not had NEARLY as many baths as she should and neither has Eli to be perfectly honest. We are happy to get Eli in the bath once a week. As for Anna... :) It's not very helpful that I would LOVE to have Eli potty trained by January (probably won't happen). So I'm focusing on small goals to try to get back to normal life.

Goal 1: Spend 15 min/day in each room of the house except for 30 min in the kitchen. This limits my cleaning time to 1 1/2 hours each day. Easily fit between one of Anna's feedings and gives me a feeling of productivity without completely taking the entire day or making me exhausted. Granted, yesterday this didn't happen and the apartment looked pretty crazy this morning! However, this method is working so well, that it will probably become my new norm!

Ha, that's my only goal for now! Next week it will be to find a way to squeeze in 1 1/2 hours of exercise each day when I'm exhausted both morning and evening, AND there's not a safe time during the day when I can expect Eli to leave me or Anna alone, OR that Anna will stay asleep.

Helping Smiles

2011-11-07T11:19:00.000-08:00

Eli is a bed jumper. Sadly, his toddler bed is not adept at dealing with this. He's already broken three slats! We are thinking of buying a twin bed or bunk beds (we'll need them later). Anyway, we'd moved the mattress to the floor, but Eli was adamant that we fix the bed that night. Luckily, I have some strokes of genius every now and then and I just put the air mattress bag to hold up the end of the mattress where the slats had broken. That didn't stop Eli from getting his hammer to fix it though :) So cute.

I love this pic!

Anna was so kind to let me get a few of her first smiles on camera.

Halloween

2011-11-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

Oh, the fiasco that is Halloween costumes! We were originally going to have Eli be a dragon and Anna be something else. I went to Kid to Kid and got a bumble bee costume, oh so cute!

Eli decided he wanted that costume!

As you can see, it nearly fits Eli even though it's for 0-6 months!

We decided that Anna would probably fit into the bee costume for another couple of years so it didn't really matter if she was a bee this year. I had seen a dragon costume at Kid to Kid in Anna's size so I went back on got that. We decided that if Eli reverted back to wanting to be a dragon, then we could do some kind of "how to train your dragon" theme through the family.

Well, Eli grew away from the bee (with a little help from Mommy) and we thought it would work. But when I bought the viking stuff for me, he decided he wanted to be a viking. It didn't help that I bought it on Halloween, but who knows if I had bought it earlier, that he'd have changed his mind. Although, if I had bought it earlier, and he hadn't changed his mind, I could have bought fabric that I could actually use for a Hiccup costume for Eli, instead of black fabric for dragon wings... Oh well!

So with that all said. I was nothing, Eli was a viking, and Anna was a dragon. She was super cute and luckily super warm in her costume

She's not very happy, if you couldn't tell :)

I wanted a pic of Anna's costume from the side. So cute!

A lady from Aaron's work sent home a pumpkin for Eli. He is way too excite about it if you ask me!

Pumpkins and Babies... Baby Pumpkins

2011-10-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

My family came into town for Anna's blessing. It was great have them here! If you know me well enough, you know I absolutely LOVE my family. It's nice having all your best friends live in the same house. It made my mom worried that we were all social rejects, and that may have been the case, but you wouldn't hear me complain. So to have them here was the best baby gift ever!

We went to the Winchester Mystery House and Eli did great for the stated length of the tour. The fact that the tour went 1/2 hour longer than advertised would make me upset too if I was a 3 year old doing everything I could to obey for one hour!

We went to the beach on Saturday(previous post) and, later that night, we carved pumpkins. Eli and Grandpa carved the classical face in Eli's "baby pumpkin", and I followed suite. Uncle Taylor and Daddy went a little grander.

Uncle Taylor did one of Snoopy, Daddy did the skeleton face.

Anna was blessed by Daddy, a beautiful blessing, and she wore the dress that I and my mom wore when we were blessed. Because of its age, it was quite yellowed when I got it, but by the time she was blessed, I had almost completely restored it to its original white. I think she's pretty. It was hard to get nice family pics after sacrament meeting with Eli wanting to get to nursery and everything, but at least we got some pics :)

Even with as angelic as Anna is, she gets a little fussy when she's awake without a binky... hence the binky.

And here's some more pics of my angel. In some, she already looks so much bigger. So sad that this tiny phase goes by so quickly.

A Day at the Beach

2011-10-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend family came for Anna's blessing (saved for a later post). Saturday, we drove to Santa Cruz and spent a few hours at the beach. Eli, as you can see, enjoyed EVERY bit of it even though he looked like a drowned rat!

Adjusting

2011-10-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

When Eli was born, that was an adjustment. My mom went home and gave my sister, who was soon coming to visit, instructions to keep an eye out because she was worried about me.

With this baby, I feel very low stress... as far as the baby is concerned! :) Yet, this adjustment seems harder! Why? WHO is more of the right question.

Poor Eli is struggling and his struggles cause mom to struggle and let's just face it... my learned patience is now for babies, NOT for three my year old (who is currently making a grape drink, yogurt, soy dipping sauce concoction that I will probably have to see at some point, but at least he's cleaning the spills himself- go Eli!).

I am hoping that yesterday, we turned a corner. If anything, we've found a more effective way of disciplining him (I know we should have found something before now!- Eli is a hard nut to crack). However, having time outs consist of him standing, facing the wall with his nose on the wall, seems to be working so far (we have yet to attempt this during a full fledged, no reasoning possible tantrum so we'll see). We'll also see if this is only a honey moon phase of him obeying.

Most of all, I've realized that most of the problem lies with me. Sadly, as the mommy, I don't have the excuse of youth for my tantrums. I need to be more patient, have more charity for my family. I have so many GREAT and SHINING examples of loving mothers and wives in my life. I just need to be better at implementing what I see and learn.

Even though we've been struggling, I do LOVE LOVE LOVE my little boy, baby girl, and awesome husband. They are also examples of what I need. Eli loves unconditionally, Aaron is patient and Anna is a cuddly baby who LOVES to be held.

Pictures

2011-10-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures of Anna. I feel so horrible, Aaron was the camera man most of the time and I totally spaced getting one of all of us together. It's not because we don't love and cherish our Daddy. He was just the camera man for most of the pics. Love you!

Also, I already feel like we have so many less pics of Anna than Eli. Not for the want of taking them, but because every time we pulled out the camera, Eli promptly took it away and took pictures of everything... but the baby :) The tantrum that would ensue our getting the camera back, inevitably ended with Aaron taking Eli home. Hopefully we'll get sneakier or Eli will become more compliant with letting us take the pictures.

us w/ dr gretowski

nothing like daddy to calm a little girl while being poked and prodded :)

so loved!
meeting big bro for the first time.

i absolutely loved the hat she got.

going home

i love how she's already posing for pics! she puts her arms like this a lot!

i love my baby girl!

Baby Anna

2011-10-01T07:47:00.001-07:00

I KNOW! You all want better pics. That will have to wait until I get home on Sunday and upload all the photos to our computer. Until then, you'll have to deal with my cell phone pics.

Here's a run down on Anna's birth. Due to Aaron's work, and me being miserable with a cold and overdue, I elected to have an induction on 9/30. They said they could call anywhere between midnight and midnight. So we were ready with sitters for Eli, our bags, everything.

At 5:41 am, we got the call. It's go time. Unfortunately it was so close to the time Eli normally gets up that he was awake when we left and VERY sad. It nearly broke my heart to leave him knowing I wouldn't be back for a few days.

We got to the hospital around 6:40, got situated, met everyone who'd be involved (the on call dr., nurse, anesthesiologist, etc.). Then they checked me... hah, far enough along that they decided just to break my water and see how things progressed. The longest part. The 2 hours before they broke my water! What are you waiting for?! Aaron and I had a bet about when she'd be born and the longer they took to break my water, the closer we were getting to Aaron winning!

FINALLY at 9-9:30 they broke my water and then it all went sprinting from there! By 11 I asked for my epidural and had to wait 20-30 minutes for him to get out of a c-section. Luckily I was a lot better at breathing this time EXCEPT for it made the anesthesiologist think I wasn't as far into active labor as I actually was. He gave me the epidural, but got a wet tap (spinal fluid) on the first puncture. NOT good. So he gave me another, but had to be super careful and slow with the medication dosage. Pain was relieved enough that I didn't feel any more back labor, and my legs were numb, but I could feel everything else. That didn't change by the time I had to push. Great for feeling when I needed to push, not great for everything else. Luckily I pushed only twice through the first contraction before the nurse said to stop so she could get the dr. Than twice again in the second contraction to get her out! Yeah for fast pushing!

So she was born at around 1:45 pm (I won the bet by the way)

7 lbs 9 oz

20 inches

The Dr. said that she's not a small baby in that she has heft. She's definitely built to be Eli's younger sister! She'll be able to keep up with him and to take all his "tough" love!

I loved that I got to see her come (the way the dr pulled her out gave me a great view). I love that I got to hold her right away and that all the measurement equipment was right in front of me instead of in a little annex room off to the side. I felt like it was a much more personable experience than when Eli was born.

So we are enjoying our little Anna Marie (Anna for Aaron's late mom and Marie for my paternal grandmother). She is a sweetie! Such a good sleeper... BUT it takes forever for her to eat!

Quick Baby Update

2011-09-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

YES, it is the due date. NO she's not here yet with no indications that she will be making her debut anytime soon.

YES we've tried most everything (except for an overload on spicy foods and caster oil) to start labor with no success. She's just happy where she is.

She won't be in there for long, however. My Dr. Appointment is tomorrow morning and for those completely against being induced, I'm sorry to say that I WILL opt to be induced this weekend. Simply because I am sick and since I can't really take anything effective I am now miserable AND for the sake of Aaron's work and the paternity leave he's been planning and preparing on taking for the last two weeks. So unless I can't be scheduled that soon, or the Dr. strongly recommends against it you will hopefully be hearing of her arrival this weekend.

That's the basic gist of my plans so now you know. Oh, and I WON'T be calling anyone UNTIL she's born because lately when I call everyone asks, "did you have the baby?!" Enough said there. Love you all. Sorry if this post drips with frustration. I am frustrated- I'm at my due date, I'm still prego, I want to see my baby, I'm sick, I can't sleep and when I can I have crazy dreams, Eli woke up early and is climbing all over me as I'm typing (not listening when I ask him to stop), and I'm ready to be done.

Eli's 3rd!

2011-09-21T17:17:00.000-07:00

My little boy! He really is a handsome little man if I say so myself. (Isn't it a relief to know that you make cute kids :)

He turned three with so many gifts, Christmas will look scanty in comparison! I HAVE been more apt to spoil since I'm worried how he'll accept our new addition. PLUS he's never celebrated a REAL birthday yet (His 1st we'd just moved and had not received our things yet. His 2nd,we were flying home from London-a 14 hour plane trip, yeah that's REAL fun for a toddler on his birthday).

His gifts consisted of:

A new and improved tricycle on which Eli goes "so fast" as he puts it (He's quite in love, really), a reversible cape (Spiderman on one side and Wonder Pets on the other),

a wooden train set, a pop up book that makes sounds, a basketball hoop and a soccer ball from his grandparents.

Not only did he get his family birthday, complete with Baskin and Robbins ice cream cake, BUT on Thursday he and one of his best friends had a combined friends party with all the other kids in their nursery class. My friend, Susie, did an awesome job with the Winnie the Pooh theme. There was a little trampoline to "bounce with Tigger", a table of Legos and Linkin Logs (spelling) to "build Eeyore a new home", etc. They even had a Hephalump hunt where they searched for little plastic elephants.

Eli, and apparently ALL boys love fountains. This poor one was accosted by no less than two (as you see above) boys at a time.

I am so lucky I got this pic. So cute!

Her sister made both the kids "Huney" pot cakes. It was all so amazing. Don't worry I did contribute with lunch and helping to set it all up/take down BUT YES! in comparison, it seemed very menial.

Kelsie is one of Eli's favorites. He even gave her a hug and a KISS before we left! I so wish I had gotten that on camera! It was so cute.

Things I love about Eli.

He really is so sweet. He is a handful and quite energetic, but he is very polite. He'll say "please" and "thank you", as well as "you're welcome". He loves to give Zerbits (something we got from The Cosby Show) as well as regular hugs and kisses.

Eli loves his friends. He's still learning how to share, BUT he genuinely cares for them.

Eli eats his ice cream cones in his own way... very messy... by eating from the bottom of the cone up. It's pretty funny.

Eli LOVES the primary songs. He knows I am a Child of God as well as I Will Follow God's Plan for Me.

While many times he is just too distracted to pay attention, he does help and will often take his own diapers to the pail, help me set the table, or take various things to the rooms I ask.

He's my sweet angel and I know that even though the transition to having a sibling will be a little tough for him, he will love his little sister.

2 Weeks

2011-09-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm very excited and nervous! Eli came on the weekend. Aaron was home and there wasn't that horrible DC rush hour traffic to worry us.

This baby's a bit different so here's our battle plan (as far as we can plan)

-REAL Contractions start/ water breaks (in which the following will change depending on what my doctor says).
-Call Aaron (if he's at work) to give him the heads up.
-Go about my day, timing contractions and doing what I can to get things ready for while we are gone.
-Call Aaron again when a) contractions are 10 minutes apart OR b) they are getting strong enough for me to have a difficult time (Eli's NEVER were a consistent time. They just got stronger and stronger).
-Aaron will leave work and hopefully be home in no more than 1 1/2 hours. Depending on how I'm feeling I'll drive to pick him up from the train station or he'll walk home.

*In worse case scenario I'll call a neighbor to take me to the hospital and Aaron will have to meet me there.

-In the mean time I'll call one of the several kind people who have offered to take Eli.
-We go to the hospital and have baby.

Seems somewhat cut and dry, BUT these things never go the way they are planned, right? I haven't packed the hospital bag yet, OR a bag for Eli in case he's somewhere over night... I better do that soon :) At least I've charged all THREE of the camera batteries just to be sure!

Yellowstone

2011-09-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

I finally got the pics on our computer. So now I can tell you in pics about our trip to Utah and Yellowstone.

First off, Eli did FANTASTIC on the plane rides! Many answered prayers in that department.

The first few days, Eli was getting acclimated to family. This consists of him digressing from using words to squeaks and grunts to communicate. Cute, but much less effective :)

At Yellowstone, it was great to have so much for Eli to do and even better to have a dad and uncles who were willing to let him tag along with them.

Roasting hot dogs for lunch (it was WAY too hot for a fire, in my opinion)

Ice cream.. YUM. Thanks for sharing with me and for making Grandpa share with you!

Thanks for being a HUGE help Uncle Taylor!

What Eli does when I tell him he's running the wrong way. At least he stopped :)

The wonder of Old Faithful

Eli's favorite Quad (what is it with red vehicles).

He and his cousin, Grant, had a great time throwing rocks and dirt and making themselves quite wild looking in the process!

Eli and cousin, Haylee, chillin'. Probably waiting for their turn on the Quads.

Eli and I watching the moon. It's a Eli/Dad thing, but Aaron wanted Eli to see the moon without all the light pollution. Sadly, there were clouds blocking the moon, the one night Eli was up late enough to see it... Oh, well. It was still fun!

Fishing for his first time with Grandpa.

Back in Utah, Eli had a great time with the sprinklers.

Hah, a pic with Grandma! She never let's us take pictures of her! I think it's cute!

Eli and Grant chillin' on the way to Hogle Zoo!

A trip to the zoo is not the same without a drink from the lion's head!

Like all kids, Eli loves wearing things that are too big for him. I love this pic!

Musings on an Upcoming Labor

2011-09-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

So, Aaron and I have been watching a birthing video as a refresher course for labor. Some parts are great, others terrify us, most are just the, "oh-yeah... I remember that"

Then I went to my Dr's office on Friday and she asked if I knew when to call for labor.

Contractions five minutes apart and hard enough that you can't talk through them.

Water breaking

Loss of the mucous (only when combined with one of the others)

With that in mind, I started thinking about Eli's labor. It never got to 5 minutes apart before the contractions were too painful for me to deal with. At the time, I thought maybe that I'm just weird, but now I think they would have stabilized and I probably would have been able to handle the pain except for the back labor. Everywhere I hear that back labor is due to the baby being positioned a certain way. However, they never said that Eli was turned that way. Now I'm wondering if a previous back injury I have has caused me to ALWAYS have back labor at the earliest stages... I guess we'll see. This makes me a little worried about my ability to stay at home until I really need to go in. BUT, then again, with Eli they kept me even though I was only at a 3. They didn't' administer pytocin or any labor inducing drugs. So, maybe I don't need to be too worried.

The other thing that REALLY frightens me is the possibility of a c-section. I had surgery when I was in 8th grade that was very much like a c-section (in the same area, same kind of cut). I know what the recovery is like and I REALLY don't want to have to do that, especially with a toddler. Plus, if the video we watched is up to date on what is allowed during recovery, I'll be restricted to the upstairs of our apartment. Having two stories would never have become more inconvenient. If I'd really only be allowed to climb the stairs once per day I'll come down for dinner and then right back up since that's where the bathroom is. I guess it's a good thing we have a portable DVD player and that Aaron will take some paternity leave until my momma can be there.

I know that all I really want is a healthy baby, but that doesn't mean I can't hope and pray for a smooth and normal labor and delivery!

Pics

2011-09-02T06:03:00.001-07:00

Eli's split lip and me at 36 weeks.

Four Weeks

2011-08-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

WooHOO! Four weeks until my due date! Of course, I'm hoping for an early arrival, BUT not too early. I've promised myself that Eli will actually get a birthday that is celebrated on his birthday in the way it should be (presents, cake, ice cream... no party, I'm too pregnant to brave that one).

How has this pregnancy panned out different than Eli's?

I wasn't sick as long... that's how I knew it was a girl.

I've gained more weight. Not much more, but still.

Anna has not had hiccups in the womb once! I'll knock on wood 'cause now she'll probably get them.... Darn it, too late. I believe she has them now! Stupid karma!

I get more aches and pains (mostly from chasing Eli around all over the place).

Recently I rented a video from the library as a refresher course to the birthing process. I was VERY resistant at first remembering how terrifying the first class was (I'm going to get how big?!). Let's just say that even the thought of pain makes me sick. I got sick just listening to the Phineas Gage movie in a high school AND college psychology class. Anyway I rented one called Laugh and Learn about Child Birth. The teacher is a spunky NY lady and it's pretty light hearted. Two days ago we discussed the 1st two methods of breathing. As a trial, the husbands were supposed to squeeze our leg as hard as they could while we practiced our breathing and then as a comparison, they squeezed again when we weren't breathing. HUGE difference! The funny part was when we got to do it to the husbands. Aaron isn't that great at focusing OR breathing. It's a good thing I'm the one having this baby. However, yesterdays session was the one that terrified me. DON'T show me pics of where the baby is at certain stages of pregnancy! It just makes things worse for me. All I have to say is that hopefully my labor isn't so different from Eli's so I'll get to the hospital on time to get an epidural, that the epidural works the way it should, that they let me labor down as far as I can before pushing so that I can get this baby out as quickly as Eli came.

The one thing I'm worried about is the size of this baby. I was a BIG baby (over 9 lbs). I just really don't want to end up with a c-section. So here's hoping for a small baby!

I'll post pics as soon as I take more and get them on the computer.

UGH!

2011-08-28T22:38:00.000-07:00

So, in preparation for this baby, I had a friend say she used Hypno-birthing and it really helped. Just being curious, I checked out a book on it. Hmmmm, let's just say that I feel like hurling the book across the room in anger and frustration!

It's the same reason I want to punch people in the face for saying that Organic food is the ONLY way to go. I laughed openly when a contestant on The Biggest Loser told his mom that he couldn't eat the breakfast she made because the egg wasn't organic! HA!! Nutritionally, they ARE the SAME people!! If you choose to eat organic for other reasons, that's totally fine with me, but don't you dare make others feel bad because they go with the regular stuff. Just think, if the whole world went organic, we wouldn't produce enough food for everyone. That or it would be WAY too expensive for the poor to gain access to it. Sure they could use good stamps but then our taxes would increase even more. Sometimes modern science IS a good thing.

Sorry, back to the topic at hand. Hypno-birthing... sounds fine to me. The origins are not weird. Breathing, relaxation, and focusing techniques to help in childbirth. I'm NOT saying it's quackery. My beef is that they make EVERYTHING else sound like you are causing you and your baby lasting damage. Maybe I'm reading this all wrong, and I'm way too sensitive to be an unbiased judge, BUT parts of the book made it seem as though they believe that their children are naturally more well behaved due to the hypno-birthing. I'm SO sorry. I happen to believe that each spirit comes into this life with their own personality and I DON'T think that people are purposefully punished because they used epidurals, are induced, or anything else. Eli was a fabulous baby (happy, mellow). It wasn't until the "terrible twos" that he started giving us more than a day's work.

Anyway, sorry if I offend anyone who swears by hypno-birthing. I truly think it probably does help. I might even try it with our next baby (too late now to get the practice they say you need). I just hate being GUILTED into believing a certain way when I haven't really done anything wrong. That's my vent.

Driving Crazy!

2011-08-18T20:30:00.000-07:00

It's a short trip, I know. (I have to put that in there because I know every single one of my brothers would say that in response.)

Today was one of THOSE days! Begging and pleading for a listening ear from my determined and mischievous child.

Yes there were bright spots... any spot where I didn't need him to do something like: go to the potty, let me help put his pants back on after the potty, stop scaring the poor little baby on the rocking zebra at the park, stop running with sticks, get in the car seat and let me buckle him up, or fold his arms for blessing.

I'm too tired now to deal with him very effectively and when I do get the energy to swoop into a situation, I feel the consequences mere moments afterwards in aches and pains.

So, today I was driven crazy! When Aaron got home, I claimed the big, comfy chair and didn't move until Eli's bed time, letting Aaron take the reins. Now I'm back and I don't plan to leave it until I go to bed. I'm counting my walk to and from the park as my exercise (1.6 miles) and I'm just going to be happy with that. If I tried anything more tonight, I'd probably put myself into pre-term labor.

Is it ONLY Thursday?!

Jumping

2011-08-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

Ah, all children go through it, I'm sure.

The Jumps

On the couch... off the couch

Off step stools

On the bed

Off EVERY single stair or ledge we come to.

Off every big rock that decorates our walks.

I hear often of the "jumping bed" that adorned my husband's house growing up. A savior for the furniture. We didn't have that in our family, BUT we did have a little exercise trampoline that I'm sure served the purpose! Since we're limited on space in our little apartment, THAT'S what I've been looking into getting to save my own furniture from the beating of little feet. Who knows, maybe I'll use it for exercise myself ;)

The Preparation

2011-07-21T17:36:00.000-07:00

Going on vacation is always a process. The house work to be done, the errands to run, making sure the bills will be paid on time when you are vacationing over the beginning of a new month, packing, and making sure your overworked husband doesn't starve (I know he is a grown man, but sometimes I just assume that without me he'd starve). It gets busier with kids and even more so with kids, being 7 months pregnant and traveling without your husband! You all know OR can imagine what I'm talking about.

When I e-mailed my dad our flight information this is how I told him to look for me:

"A somewhat slender lady with a HUGE balloon sticking out about halfway (that'd be Anna). I'll be pushing a very worn and beaten stroller with a struggling child strapped in trying to stop the stroller by dragging his feet on the ground (effectively destroying his shoes). There will be a diaper bag draped along the back of the stroller and probably (hopefully not, but probably) a carry-on luggage somehow also attached. I'll be pushing the stroller with one hand and dragging a regular sized bag in the other with a car seat somehow attached to the afore-said luggage.... maybe I should rent a cart. :)"

Just the thought tires me out! Without Aaron, I nearly panic thinking of getting through security, to our gate and on the plane with some degree of sanity.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm super excited for this trip! It's one of my favorites of the year. However, I'm anxious. Last year's trip was also just me and Eli. He got sick and missed his daddy causing him to be unpleasant for ANYONE to be around. I think some of my childless siblings, decided to never have kids if there was even a possibility they'd be like Eli. So I'm more than a little anxious for how he does this trip. I wish I could completely chalk it up to him being sick, but his personality is SO strong willed and stubborn that I can't EVER guarantee an outing without meltdowns.

I'll also miss Aaron. Something we discuss every time I vacation without him is how long is reasonable for me to try and get everything I want to do done, but not too long.

So while I am dying to be with family again, I've been procrastinating getting prepared.

Wheels on the Bus, Corn Bread, and Parting Pains

2011-07-15T07:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, after painting, coloring, going on a bike ride to the park, and then riding to the store to get a special snack, we came home to eat our snack and wait for lunch and the auto repair place to call with news on what was happening.

At one point he asked me to sing the bus song. So I sang it adding a line for himself. That elated him to the nth degree and it was requested over and over again making sure the 'Edi' line as part of the song.

Later, I noticed the pan of corn bread was suddenly empty. I was so sure that there had been some just moments before. I looked below an open drawer and sure enough, there Eli sat with a giant chunk of corn bread in his hand. I guess he was still hungry after eating his dinner. He kindly obliged when I asked if he would share it with me, which was fortunate as his later turned into crumb art on my sofa. I would have taken a picture if I could located the camera in time.

Last night was a girl's night. I so anticipate these! I love the ladies in my ward and since I'm in primary, it is a great way for me to meet and get to know the new ladies. I left just as Aaron was putting Eli to bed and upon leaving I saw Eli standing at his window wiping huge tears from his eyes. It broke my heart and I nearly gave up my plans if Aaron hadn't waved goodbye. Needless to say, before I went to bed, I made sure to sneak in and give my boy a kiss.

It was a very fun day.

Unnatural

2011-07-12T15:49:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'm just not naturally a mom. Maybe I didn't prepare myself enough for kids. I don't know, but sometimes after a tantrum (which can sometimes turn into a tantrum by both of us) I fall into the couch, wanting to cry, wondering what I've done wrong. All ideal parenting techniques have flown out the window and I've seen the worst side of myself.

IS Eli really more of a handful than other children, or has my parenting put him into a downward spiral of naughtiness? I know this must be the Lord's way of teaching me patience but I wish it was in a setting where I wouldn't feel like I'm ruining someone's life when I fall short. I just see all the moms around me interact with their children in a way that I wish I was with Eli. I've asked for their tips and tried them with no visible improvement in Eli's behavior.

Maybe those times I heard that the best thing to do as parents is to throw away all the parenting books and listen to our own intuition was wrong. Maybe I just don't have any intuition when it comes to parenting lovingly and consistently. Maybe I'm one who NEEDS those books to provide me with some insight.

Today I was reading a Love and Logic book. They gave some great examples on disciplining your children in public places (where Eli and I have the most problems). I guess I'm just not that willing to call people and have them sit and wait in case I need them to come take my child home because that is the choice they made by being naughty in the store. Time is just too precious for me to feel comfortable asking others to give it up.

As you can tell, today has been a pretty rough day. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

The Curse

2011-07-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

There is a curse in my family with cars. Who placed this curse on us? Who knows?

I can't remember all the car troubles my family has had, but here are a few.

When I was 14, my family had a suburban. Right after it was paid off (family can correct me if I'm wrong), they were in a HUGE car accident and the suburban was totaled. Sadly, the man who hit them did not have insurance.

This next car WAS a problem waiting to happen. When I turned 16, my dad had this great idea to buy me a monte carlo. A mechanic even told my dad not to buy. My dad, being sentimental about his own monte carlo, bought it anyway. A few months later, it caught on fire from bad radio wiring. We called it 'the bomb' after that. ONE good and funny memory with that car, is that my friends and I were going to answer this guy who'd asked me to a dance. I told them not to turn on the radio or the car might catch on fire again. Someone accidentally knocked the radio dial and it came on. We all started screaming, frantically trying to turn off the radio and get out at the same time.

After the suburban, my parents got a ford excursion. It was a BAd omen when the week we got it, someone ran into the back of us. Luckily it wasn't even dented. Once again, however, right after being paid it off, someone rammed into the back and basically totaled the excursion (although, of course, the insurance company disagreed with the mechanic). They got it fixed the best they could, but I don't think it's ever been the same again.

Now the saga continues into the next generation.

Right before Eli was born, I got rear ended basically totaling our car since it was so old, but insurance wouldn't total it. So we took the money for repairs and with some of our savings bought another car. We knew it had a leak in the power fluid but we had taken it in before we left back to DC to get that and the A/C fixed. They fixed the A/C but not the leak. We didn't figure that out until we were part way across the country. Well, about a week after Eli was born, this car caught on fire and burned up. That story is funny to tell now, BUT you can just imagine the tears shed at the time.

So, now we have a little Hyundai Accent. It's been fairly good. We've taken great care to get the oil changed when needed, have the scheduled maintenance completed, etc. Last year, the transmission went out. Luckily it was under warranty so the only complication with that was it taking 3 weeks and a call by me to complain in order to get the new transmission shipped from wherever it was. They didn't pay for a rental car.

Later that same year, Eli was playing with the interior lights and the battery went dead. One jump didn't do the trick and after several weeks of me getting stranded, we bought a new battery.

Then car worked great with the only major expenses being new tires and the 60,000 mile scheduled maintenance.

NOW, with the upcoming birth of baby #2, our car has tried to commit suicide and there isn't even 100,000 miles on it.

It's the curse. Only maybe our problems won't come when we've just paid off the car, but in those years we have babies.

Do any of you have family curses?

Preparations and Inspirations

2011-06-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

I've had people tell me that I'm already nesting. NOPE, it's just a product of, with Eli, getting EVERYTHING in the two weeks before he was born. I never want to cut it that close again. It wasn't horrible, but I want to feel more relaxed while I'm waiting for the baby, not wondering if we'll have a place for his clothes or if he'll come too early and we won't have a car seat. Plus this time around brings on a whole new set of preparations like subs for primary, people to take care of Eli while I'm in the hospital and Aaron's working, and someone I can call if this baby decides to come in the wee hours of the morning.

So, this time around, I've started early.

Items completed:

baby swing

double stroller

bassinet

crib (left over from Eli)

Immediate needs (as in, before the baby comes):

clothes

car seat

Future needs:

A second crib mattress

Crib bedding (sheets)

maybe a bouncy chair if she doesn't like her swing

breast pump (I only had a manual one for Eli. I might swing for an electric single just so I can pump some for when Aaron gives me a break and I get to go out for a few hours)

Wants:

A new diaper bag that's convertible from a tote to a back pack.

a new cubbie bookshelf for the kids' room so I can move some toys upstairs.

Now for the fun part. The Inspirations. Decorating their room is really what I'm excited about. Poor Eli only had removable vinyl jungle stickers. He still doesn't have what some would deem proper bedding (he basically just has a crib sheet, pillow, and his favorite blanket). So I'm making both he and the baby quilts and then I'll buy bed sheets to accompany them. All in all, it'll probably cost as much as it would to buy them, but oh-well. It gives me something to do. Here's the pattern I'm going from. I am making them both toddler sized instead of crib sized. I will get girly stickers. Probably butterflies and flours. I know it won't be a room that's perfectly mixed for a boy and girl, but I want Eli to have his style in their too and that's ALL boy!

I'm also going to do a family wall where I'll put of pictures of the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents so they can see them often and hopefully recognize them when they meet them. I feel so awful living so far away from family that we only see them once, maybe twice a year. Here's the project I'm going off of for the photo wall. My blocks will be smaller and I'll probably modge podge over the top to give the surface a nice gloss finish. Then I'll just tape a re-sized picture of the family on the block. There's no glass, so that can't be broken. Plus the modge podge will hopefully make it easier to update pictures without ruining the paper underneath.

Summer Salad and Beloved Tales

2011-06-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

I don't know whether I should post this as a main dish or a side. I use it as a whole meal mostly because we love it so much that we eat enough at once for it to be a main dish. It's got protein, and LOTS of veggies. OH so good and NO baking! We eat ours with tortilla chips so it's like a salsa. Anyway, just as a side note, I don't put in the oil it calls for. I don't like the coating it gives and I find it much more refreshing with just the lime/lemon juice. It's still good with the oil. I just prefer it without.

I made it for dinner yesterday because it's sweltering here and the thought of turning on the oven was depressing. Try it, I KNOW you'll love it!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/black-bean-and-corn-salad-ii/detail.aspx

On another note, Eli got a new book last week. "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." He absolutely LOVES it! Just today, I overheard him reading it to himself doing ALL of the voice inflections I do when I read it to him (i.e. the gravelly troll's voice, the three different voices for each sized billy goat etc.) So cute. I need to charge up the video camera so I can catch these on film sometime.

100 Days

2011-06-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

100 days to go until I get to meet my little girl!

100 days until I get a little miss to do girly things with.

I love my little boy. Don't get me wrong. I love Eli more and more every day. I'm just over joyed that I get to have one of each. For some miraculous reason, I have not had to wait to have kids (the longest it took to conceive was one year). I also get one of each right from the start?! How lucky am I?

If I had the energy and the space, I'd totally make a chain for this countdown, but I'm also worried that it will make my 3rd trimester last longer than I'd like it to (mentally, you know).

Peeks Into Eli's Inner Workings

2011-06-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

Me: "Eli, you have a sister in my belly. Can you say Anna?"
Eli: "Anna... eena.... beana.... BEANO!"

"Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... STING! I got you!"

"Shh, be quiet, Mommy." (said after I start whispering to him)

"I Sweetheart son"

"You a green Mommy" (I was wearing green that day)

Me or Aaron: "What's your name?"
Eli: "Name, Yeah" OR on occasion, "I Edi"

Me or Aaron: "How old are you?"
Eli: "Two fingers!"

"I want power" OR "That's my power cup" Both these phrases have been said in reference to a snack or drink he particularly likes.

"I need dat!" Said in pursuit of ANYTHING he desires at that particular moment.

"Soup splashing!"- big mess, big big mess!

There's tons more but I've got pregnancy brain and can't recall much without thinking for a LONG time. Anyway, Eli's a cutie and he fills our hearts with joy.

Provoking Question

2011-06-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

So, my awesome Bro-in-law called me yesterday with a few questions for a school assignment. I have to say I felt pretty excited to be chosen to participate. I thought the questions were fun and one, in particular, very thought provoking.

The assignment as far as I was able to gather (Eli was not happy at the time) was to ask three questions to both men and women that would be altered or affected by gender.

The Questions:
What was your favorite toy growing up?
My response was Strawberry Shortcake. Although I could probably just as easily said: My Little Pony, a Cabbage Patch Kid horse that I think was my sister's, a Carebear, or a Pound Puppy. All pretty girly in general so it didn't matter which I chose.

What was your favorite game?
Mouse trap. Honestly is their an cooler game? Okay, maybe Operation is up their too. Or I DID like Hungry Hippo. OR the most AMAZING Fire Ball Island (maybe that's what I should have answered) I loved that game!

Lastly (and the real reason why I'm posting this)-
What is the most difficult thing in communicating with the opposite gender?
This was so HARD for me to answer. How much of the difficultly communicating with Aaron is due to his personality or his gender?
What is hard about communicating with men? Is it the fact that they want to solve all your problems instead of just listen while you vent?
Is it that they are very analytical and take everything at face value (this was basically my answer)? So even when they know you intimately you have to state your opinions about things that you really aren't even getting at just so they don't misinterpret your main point.
Is it that they can be argumentative and play devil's advocate so they will find something to disagree about and then they ask you questions that eventually get you arguing against your original point even though you still hold that view?

I know Aaron's answer:
The most difficult thing about communicating with women is that they don't talk to me. (When I'm upset I usually close up and don't want to talk. Mostly because I don't want to say anything I'll regret, but also because Aaron is too good at arguing and I get tired of trying to get my point across over and over and over again without any progress ;).

Anyway, what do YOU think is the most difficult thing about communicating with the opposite gender?

My Ratings

2011-06-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

So this is totally random but I have to say that I REALLY like prenatal exercise videos. Everyone is so positive about life and the exercise. I have other videos where the people range from positive (Leslie Sansone) to tough love (Jillian Michael's - FYI I like the workout I get from her video, but I don't particularly like her in the video. Being happy about working out is a HUGE thing for me and she's just more... well, herself than happy).

Anyway, I have two preggo videos in my collection.

Summer Sanders Prenatal Workout- LOVE this. I never used resistance bands before but now I really enjoy them. I like the talk between her and her sister-in-law personal trainer. Just a fun workout.

Erin O'Brian complete pregnancy fitness. This one is a shorter fix for me, but I still like it. There's also a couples workout on this that Aaron likes. It made me laugh because she says you can use anyone for the partner workout (i.e. mom, sister, friend, etc.). However, on some of the positions, Aaron and I looked at each other and said, "I don't know about you, but I would NEVER feel comfortable doing this with anyone other than a spouse." Don't worry, it's nothing horrible. Just more of a spooning position where you use the weight of your partner's leg as the resistance for leg lifts.

Anyway, I'm just saying that the positivity in preggo workout videos makes it a whole lot easier to want to get up and go even when I'm tired and tired.

Preggo Pic

2011-06-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

So, after a couple of requests, I finally had a picture of me taken. Don't ask me how far along I am. I've completely forgotten. This picture was taken May 29th and I'm due September 28th. So that puts me at... 23 weeks? Anyway, as you can see, I have a belly. It'll definitely get bigger but NO ONE can deny that it's there ;)

Activity

2011-06-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I've mentioned this, but I LOVE this stage of pregnancy. Not the part where my belly's getting so huge that I feel like if I have to bend over one more time, it's going to pop (I know I'm not that big yet, but it's still uncomfortable), or the times when my back just aches from nothing.
I love the activity. Pregnancy is really just a dream to me until I feel that baby move. Even morning sickness doesn't bring it home. That's just a 3-5 1/2 month long flu for all I know. Now that Little Gal has started physically making her presence known, I've enjoyed speculating on what that means about her personality. Such as:

She'll stop moving when I talk (especially when I'm asking Aaron or Eli to come feel her) = this means she's shy.

She moves a lot after I eat certain meals = I guess I have to notice what I'm eating more. She apparently either loves it or hates it.

She moves more first thing in the morning after the alarm goes off (she's better at getting up to it than I am) and late at night. = She's already got her schedule mixed up. Either that or she's supposed to have been born on the other side of the globe ;)

She likes my right side more than my left = she knows what she wants in life. OR my liver is just funner to kick than my spleen.

I talk to her. I apologize for squishing her as I bend over. It's just the funnest part of the whole thing. To feel the summer saults, the punches, kicks, hiccups... everything. So, while I grow bigger and bigger I will just have to keep reminding myself that this growth comes with the amazing gift of feeling life within me.

Improvising

2011-05-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty good at planning our dinner menu. The thing for me is planning lunch and healthy snacks. Sometimes I find myself improvising. Usually this results in quesadillas, PB&J, or grilled cheese. Sometimes they get a little more creative. Today I made a homemade tomato soup. Simply said, I had a bit of crushed tomatoes left over from another dinner and I didn't know how to use it. In thinking about lunch I thought... grilled cheese... AND tomato soup.

So, since I didn't have half the ingredients called for on my go to recipe sites, I made my own.

Crushed tomatoes

water

milk

spoon full of margarine

palm full of basil

half a cube of chicken bouillon

5 minutes later a, NOT gourmet, but better than expected tomato basil soup.

I wonder what other concoctions I can make from left overs. Yesterday I made apple syrup (more like apple butter since I used apple sauce instead of juice) for our dinner waffles. It turned out yummy.

What are your creative ways of using up left overs?

Just a bit of frustration

2011-05-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

I have a love/hate relationship with many things. Sad I know. One is being a dietitian. On the one hand, I like being able to have the knowledge to keep my family healthy. I was completely anal about my gestational diabetes, BUT I also knew exactly what needed to be done. I was SERIOUSLY the perfect patient with GD.

On the other hand, I think that OTHER people are more of the food police for ME than I am for them. For example. Last night was a chocolate fondue party for 4 ladies in our ward having new babies. Two of my friends walked in, saw me and said, "let's see what the dietitian is eating." I love these two ladies. I KNOW they didn't mean anything by it. Granted it made me a tad embarrassed because I HAD over-indulged a little BUT in my defense, the rice crispy treat was clinging to the one next to it and since I didn't have any utensils to separate them I just decided to take them both. There was also just SO many things I wanted to taste and I DID leave a lot untasted too.

I'm the first to admit that I have a sweet tooth that will probably take getting diabetes or the rest of my life to conquer completely (which ever comes first). I also admit that the first three months of pregnancy are so rough that I don't care WHAT I eat because if I get anything, I'm happy. That 3 months of bad habits is hard to break so I know I need to work on that. I just wish people would STOP seeing and commenting on what I do and implying that it's okay because I'm the EXPERT. I know I have challenges. We all do. It just makes me feel more guilty and a LITTLE more testy because I feel like they are using my bad habits to rationalize their own which is NOT cool. Anyway, that's my frustration for today. Then again, I guess my guilt will give me a jump start on doing better right?

Pickles

2011-05-16T09:50:00.000-07:00

Pickles have nothing to do with this post. I just thought it would be a fun title. Maybe I'm having subtle cravings... Nope, that's not it.

It's pretty cool in our California oasis. Eli was playing on the patio and left the door open so a cool breeze is wafting over me as I type. It's a nice, calming breeze! It gives me hope that maybe this summer wont be too hot for me and my growing belly!

We are in a "pickle" (yeah, I tied this to my title!) on names. I know it's crazy, but I've been feeling a little bit desperate. I'm all about family traditions so I'm perfectly happy with the fact that we used Aaron's Dad's name as Eli's middle name and our second son will have Aaron as a middle name (even though Aaron is not too fond of his name... don't try to understand). We've pretty much officially decided to name our little girl after Aaron's mom. BUT I am a little bit worried that I won't get to use any of the names on my side of the family that I want to use. Sadly, Aaron doesn't seem to like A LOT of the names (is this a conspiracy?) and the ones he does like, don't sound QUITE right to me. However, I'm fairly determined to get my side of the family in this girly's name, somehow. I will NOT give up nor give in! We'd found a couple of middle names that we liked, but now one of them is gone because when said with the first name it sounds like Anime (the Japanese animation cartoons). So that's been ruled out. We'll see how things go with the other one!

Other than that , things are good. I have not started shopping for a girl. As excited as I am, I am still bound by budget strings and our baby budget at this point is saving for needed things like a new car seat, a crib mattress, and I'm REALLY hoping to pull off the purchase of my DREAM stroller (a Phil and Teds). Once those are acquired (if that happens before the baby comes) then I can start going insane with the cute girly clothes. If it doesn't happen by the time she comes, then she'll just get to play tom boy until we do... Just kidding. Aaron's already been more the "mom" than me in saying he want's her to get all girly things just like Eli got all boy things. He was a little sad I was going to go get a neutral bumper for the crib. "Why not pink?" he said. Oh, he's already tied around her finger. What are we going to do?

Five Years into Eternity

2011-04-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to check out our baby post below (complete with cool 3d ultrasound pics).

This is to my sweetheart for five years!

THANKS for the adventure! I look back already with fondness at our beginnings. The basement apartment OR "pit of dispair", the mouse infested apartment, the crickets in the walls, the summer of lazy bliss before Eli came, the finals, the internships, the moving, the hiking trips, the running down mountains to get to a warm car with a wet and sad baby, the leaving wet butt marks in Denny's after said run, the bed and breakfast at Gettysburg, the sleepy comments and stories, the new baby bliss, the burning car... so many things that have solidified and strengthened my love for you and our life together.

YOU are, "The Best" and I have video record of someone else who thinks the same thing!

I LOVE YOU!

What's that I Hear??

2011-04-29T14:21:00.001-07:00

What? You didn't hear? There's a new baby arriving. It's nearly half baked and you can sure tell it's going to be a cute little thing! So cute that if I were to compare it to a "bun in the oven" it'd be one of my Mom's or Aaron's Grandma's homemade cinnamon rolls. OR if you really want to get technical, SHE looks as sweet as one of Cinnabon's mouthwatering roll's.

JUST in case you didn't catch that earlier... We are having a GIRL!!!

Yeah, and I will gloat and gloat until I'm wrong, but so far I'm two for two in predicting the gender of my kids. That's right, I KNOW my body! So, to my dad and younger brother... I already told you that Mom deserved something awesome for her correct guess... I think I deserve something too for getting BOTH my kid's genders right. I guess I get to keep the baby though so that's a prize in itself.

Oh, and just a fun conversation at the doctor's office today:

Aaron: "Carrie, I'm sorry to say that you have a skeleton growing in side you."
Me: "I'm glad. I'd hate if it was just a blob."
Aaron: "No, it's ONLY a skeleton"
Me: "Well, if our child comes out with some rare form of albino ism where all skin and organs (except the skeleton) are transparent, then we can name it Skeletor."

So... Here is little girl's debut... skin and all. (Sorry Aaron that we can't name her Skeletor)

She looks a little concerned in this picture as though she's a little tired of all the prodding of the sound wand.

Ode to Accutane

2011-04-27T06:54:00.000-07:00

OH, sweet Accutane! I wish a dermatologist introduced me to you sooner.
My confidence was shot all through high school with goose egg sized zits.
One friend even ask if I had ran into something because of one on my forehead.
No tact... no tact at all... boys.
Then, in 2005, a new dermatologist said my case was on the verge of being severe enough to merit it's effects. It was my decision.
Informed of side effects, and results, I said, "Let's do it."
6 months later I was clear as a bell!
I NEVER returned to the sad acne I had before... until... pregnancy.
Sadly, Accutane, your effects are no match for raging hormones supporting baby growth.
I absolutely adore baby bellies, but don't you think I would be a much cuter preggo mommy if I didn't have these dots all over my face?
I'll be okay though. As soon as my sweet angel arrives, your magic will return and I'll be a gorgeous new mother.
In, the meantime, though, I miss the smooth skin, the absence of zit pressure, and the scarring that occurs when they pop.
I'm sad that you're off the market for people who would really benefit from your help. I'm sad that some doctors over prescribed you or didn't tell patients of your side effects. I'm sad that some patients weren't listening or didn't read the instructions when they got their prescription. I feel you've been wrongfully used and abused.
So, from me. Thank you, From a VERY satisfied acne recoveree!

*I understand some of my readers may be very against the use of Accutane. I respect your opinion and I understand the side effects of Accutane can serious. However please respect MY opinion as someone who was INFORMED of ALL possible side effects by my doctor and decided for myself that it was something I was willing to do.

The Hat

2011-04-15T14:53:00.001-07:00

WHERE EVER we go, I get at least 2-3 complements about my sweet Eli in this hat. What can I say... He's DARN cute and he sports it like a pro.

Spring Fever!

2011-04-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

Spring- that season of new life and new warmth . . . it's glorious.

It might be that we're finally getting a break from a week of rain, or because my morning sickness is letting up just a bit and I'm FINALLY getting some energy and motivation, but spring has suddenly brought the NEED for the renewing upheaval that is spring cleaning.

Now, when I clean, I CLEAN! Which is probably why our apartment looks so cluttered other times (I'm so worn out from the big clean that I figure it will last a year... right? It SHOULD anyway.)

So, today, I headed to the dollar store to get cleaning supplies. I've made my list of things to do in each room and I'm hoping to get done in about 2 weeks. It could be done in a week if I did a room a day, but I'll probably need a couple rest days for motivation to continue.

While I love being de-cluttered, organized and fresh, I don't like the aches and rawness I get from scrubbing, vacuuming, moving and sorting. I also hate the overwhelming feeling of too much clutter and the, "We've kept this HOW long?"

Then again, the hoarder in me says, "It's sentimental" about every card ever given. Where do you draw the line of keeping a Christmas card or throwing it away?

Wish me motivation and endurance and for all of you who are also in the BIG SPRING CLEAN mode, happy cleaning!

Jumping on the Band Wagon

2011-03-28T21:09:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not addicted to any substances that I'm going through rehab for. I'm talking about a phenomenon in our ward that seems to be sweeping through every family it comes in contact with. Something wonderful. Something I'm VERY glad to be jumping into.

I’ve known for about three months that I’d be taking this leap but now it’s time to tell everyone! I’m joining the ranks of the 19 rumored expectant mothers. I say rumored because in my small knowledge of our ward, I can only count 12. (I’m in primary, ‘nough said.)

That’s right, you heard correctly. We are expecting #2!! Ah the questions you might have:

Who?: Well, Me... and Aaron by proxy.
What?: A baby! Just one. No multiples here. Gender yet to be discovered.
How?: Well when two people love each other very much, they close their eyes and make a wish. (Scrubs reference)
When?: Little baby is due the end of September (one day before my birthday to be exact)
Where?: I’m 100% sure this baby will come wherever I am at the moment of delivery.
Why?: Eli get’s harder to cuddle everyday, we like the thought of free labor that will come when a child grows, and we just plain want another one ;)

This pregnancy differs from Eli’s in: I haven’t thrown up as much (I’m just as nauseous though), I get headaches with this baby (new for me), and I'm hoping the sickness will let up soon so I can restart my exercise program. I’m hoping not to get GD this pregnancy, BUT hopefully if I do get it again, I won't be so paranoid about it.

The worst thing about this pregnancy is that I (ME the mom)... taught Eli how to spit. On the few occasions where I have vomited, or thought I would, I haven’t always been able to keep Eli away. So sometimes he is in the bathroom as I'm spitting into the toilet... gross out factor, I'm sorry. He started spitting soon after this. The last time I thought I was going to throw up, Eli was there and actually spit in my hair (he was trying to get it into the toilet of course, but my head being in the way...). So, I’m sorry if my son grosses you out with his spitting. Hopefully it will stop when my morning sickness stops. If not, he didn’t learn it from Aaron :(.

Aaron and Eli have been VERY tolerant of me. Eating frozen meals, not getting to play outside as often, and dealing with a disaster zone of an apartment.

I don’t think Eli REALLY knows what’s going on, but last weekend I asked what he wanted to do the next day. He said, “Da da do baby.” (I didn’t catch ANY of the first part)
Me: “You want to see the baby?”
Eli: “Baby”
Me: “We only get to see the baby when I go to the doctor’s.”
Eli: “Baby broken?” (I guess he’s somehow correctly ascertained that we go to a doctor when we are “broken”. I don’t remember teaching him that.)
Me: “No, the baby’s not broken. It’s being put together. When it’s done being put together, then it will come out. Just like you did.”

Too cute! WE are most definitely excited and feel HUGELY blessed by Heavenly Father!

30 and He'll get used to it.

2011-03-27T04:54:00.000-07:00

(pictures pending)

My sweetheart turned 30 recently and now I can tease him for a whole year and a half that we are in different generations! :)

Aaron's never been one for birthdays. I even asked him once what they did for b-day's growing up. They did nearly the exact same thing my family did. So WHY is it that he, and maybe his whole family (I'm only sure about his dad), don't make a big deal out of it while mine does? I don't understand...

Anyway, I was NOT going to let my man get away with some po-dunk birthday. I made little signs with numbers from 0-30. On each number I put a reason why we LOVE him and enjoy having him in our family. It's amazing how much you grow to love someone! I remember trying to do something sort of the same when we first started dating. I don't remember what number I got to, but I was feeling a little bit sheepish that it was ONLY that many! Hah, now I was having to limit myself to 31 (including the 0). I was debating putting fun little facts about specific years (with is why I needed the 0) but with Eli and my own procrastination I had to settle for just the "love" notes.

Since I usually go to bed before Aaron, and on some Saturdays he wakes up before me in order to skype his brother, I was a little dismayed at WHEN I was going to decorate. Fate was with me, in a way, and I woke up at 3 am unable to sleep anymore. So I decorated then.

For gifts I got Aaron an AWESOMELY nice krokinole board (thanks to my bro-in-law for setting us up), and some reese's PB cups. He is getting cufflinks, but I hadn't bought those yet.

For dinner we had his mom's home made tacos, which Aaron made because I'm not strong enough to roll the tortillas thin enough. We LOVE these tacos so thanks, Aaron!

For his cake he had a Jello cake. So moist and yummy! I'd never made one so Aaron had to help me a little.

Happy Birthday sweetie. You are older and wiser. Even though you keep saying that it was a day of mourning, I still think of you as young as you were when we met... Sometimes even younger ;) (just kidding... I couln't resist that last part though).

Profound

2011-03-21T06:24:00.000-07:00

In our ward, I feel like everyone gives pretty great talks. I don't always get to hear all of them, we have a two-year-old after all, but it seems like when I do get a snippet hear or there, it's something I needed. I thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to be able to listen during those snippets. One of the talks yesterday, struck me to the core.

It was a talk about becoming meek and easily entreated of the Lord, and the speaker quoted this statement by C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity:

“We begin to notice, besides our particular sinful acts, our sinfulness; begin to be alarmed not only about what we do, but about what we are. This may sound rather difficult, so I will try to make it clear from my own case. When I come to my evening prayers and try to reckon up the sins of the day, nine times out of ten the most obvious one is some sin against charity; I have sulked or snapped or sneered or snubbed or stormed. And the excuse that immediately springs to my mind is that the provocation was so sudden and unexpected: I was caught off my guard, I had not time to collect myself. Now that may be an extenuating circumstance as regards those particular acts: they would obviously be worse if they had been deliberate and premeditated. On the other hand, surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth? If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding. In the same way the suddenness of the provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man: it only shows me what an ill-tempered man I am. The rats are always there in the cellar, but if you go in shouting and noisily they will have taken cover before you switch on the light.”

I thought of all the times I've reacted horribly to one of Eli's tantrums, his noisiness, and his whining, or snapped at Aaron . . . one of a million things. I've known I needed to work on my patience BUT to hear it put in that way was what I needed to snap me out of my rationalizing. I hope that I can become more of the woman I want to be as I try to rid myself of the rats in my cellar through coming closer to Christ.

Our Jumper

2011-03-15T15:43:00.001-07:00

I wish I had pictures, but I don't. Thanks for putting up without them.

Eli is our jumper. He jumps ON his bed, our bed (his favorite), the couch.

He jumps OFF his bed rails, his diaper pail, the couch, his toy box.

ANYTHING he can.

Of course Aaron's Dad has a great suggestion for stopping the jumping...

A jumping bed. I've heard a lot about the jumping bed. A favorite past time among the kids.
An old mattress condemned (for the sake of the rest of the house) to endure the jumping and abuse of the kids.

I wish we had one now. I wish we had the space. Oh jumping bed fairy, come to our house someday!

Save my little boy from himself.

I have nightmares and day-mares about him jumping and hurting himself. My sister (I don't know if she was jumping or not but whether it's a jump or a fall, it can still happen) nearly ripped her ear off when she was little. I cringe just thinking about it. My dad said he thought someone had murdered his family when he walked into the house that day to not receive an answer to his calls (because we were all at the emergency room) and found massive amounts of blood on the floor.

I'm PRAYING that doesn't happen to us.

WHEW!

2011-03-12T16:31:00.000-08:00

Finally, FINALLY! Family pictures are OVER. This morning was great! We got all ready and spiffed up with time to spare and we were off to the studio.

A 15 minute wait... NO PROBLEM. Eli is in such a good mood!

Eli steps curiously into the studio and sees... a green glitter ball and a pink balloon. Since we don't want either of these in the picture we try to persuade him to give them up. NOT happening. The good morning... GONE.
So, just so you know, there IS a green glitter ball in our family pictures. Oh, well.

Getting pictures of Eli alone was like pulling teeth from a stubborn mule. We finally got some pics of him smiling as we played catch with the balloon between shots and sang "monkeys swinging from a tree".

SO so so glad to get that over with.

Picking the pictures was another fiasco! Eli, already in a BAD mood, was now hungry and we'd already gone through all the snacks in Mommy's purse.
The photographer made several cute, but unneeded enhancements even after we said we wanted regular portraits (please just listen to us).
Thank goodness Aaron is firm and he let's the sales person know that we ONLY want so many pics. However, they fooled me into thinking the price would come down if we added one more. Aaron had to take Eli out while I finished up and paid.

BUT me, being slow and not just a little frazzled, didn't question the $85 spent.

Luckily Aaron did and we looked at the itemized list after we got to the car. Yeah, that EXTRA picture cost $30 itself and they charged us for a membership we had already bought previously. So, back in I go. While I'm so glad to be done with the actual pictures, I was even more happy to get the $54 back from over charges and returns. Let's hope our next picture session goes better or we might NEVER do family pictures again!

P.S. The funny thing is, after our sitting, Eli walked into another family's sitting and tried to pose with their little girls. I guess the key to getting Eli to sit still and be happy during family photos is cute little girls. Josh and Amy, can we borrow yours next time?

Family Pictures

2011-03-04T09:41:00.001-08:00

I HATE preparing for family pictures.

Finding things to wear that are flattering and that all of us can agree on.

Trying to follow the tips given for clothing (same color palette, long sleeves are better than short, no bold stripes, all casual or all dressy)

UGH!

I can't wait until they are done! One week until our appointment. This weekend will be hair cuts for the boys and I'll be praying all next week that I don't have a break out and that Eli doesn't face plant into something that will cause a bruise (like he did this week when he was jumping on Aaron and My bed).

Then, hopefully, I'll finally hang pictures on the wall. I knew we were going to be getting new family pictures and wanted to wait until I knew how the frames would need to be oriented before I hung anything. That will be the last box to be "unpacked" and then I can spring clean and finally take pics of our apartment for you all to see. You will have to forgive the carpet stains. That I can't help with a two year old little boy.

Freak Storm

2011-02-24T16:44:00.001-08:00

yep, that's right. Saturday and Saturday only is the weather going to be cold enough to cause probable snow to fall where we are. So silly is this to me because the VERY next day temperatures are supposed to be back up to the high 50s.

While seeing snow fall in the bay area would be AMAZING, we'll probably be asleep when it occurs and then it will be melted by the next day.

Disneyland

2011-02-22T18:27:00.001-08:00

Oh, Eli's first trip to Disneyland was full of fun, excitement, great food, good company, stressful lines with a tired baby, and just plain fantasticness!

Us (me with my bug eye glasses!) with our dear friends Christy, John and Max who made this whole trip possible. Thanks friends, we love you!!

Eli and Max had tons of fun doing work and manning the helm on the Columbia ship.

Eli loved the Finding Nemo ride (This pic was taken BEFORE the ride started. I wasn't breaking any rules yet.)

The boys got a kick out of the Toy Story thing (sorry I forgot what it's called). It's like a flip book except done with multiple statues spinning in a circle and a strobe light.

The Carousel was by far Eli's favorite ride. "Ride fish, Mommy!"

Just poked in the eye?

---------------------

This is from today just because sometimes a fork isn't fast enough.

Parenting Advice

2011-02-17T06:15:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, before I went to bed, I read this on Yahoo and it gave me a good giggle. Notice that some items are contradictions of each other. Enjoy, and if you're a parent, you'll know exactly what I mean. I know I've been part of these annoying advice tips no matter how much I said I wouldn't. BUT I do mostly try to wait until advice is solicited ;) My own comments are in ( ) at the end.

Here's the original link.

I have nothing against friends and family offering advice when you come to them with a dilemma. It's the people who pipe up, unbidden, because they see you with a child and assume you have no idea what you're doing. Too often these people are elderly great-aunts. Fortunately those ladies are afraid of the Internet, so I can rail against them and they'll be none the wiser! Thanks, ladies.

1. "Sleep now, because once that baby comes you'll never sleep again." Technically this is a pregnancy tip, of course, but I'm shoving it in here anyway. Yes, Great-Aunt Hildy, I will sleep throughout my entire third trimester. Because I am part bear. (although, after a baby's born, I wish THEY were part bear and slept for 6 weeks at a time)

2. "Sleep when the baby sleeps." Everyone gives you this one — annoying relatives, pediatricians, the cashier at the drugstore where you were buying newborn diapers. Are these people all robots, capable of instantly dropping off to sleep whenever their child is unconscious? Do they not have other things to do, like bathe, or simply relish the rare moments of silence you get when you have an infant? (Ditto. It takes me a good 1/2 hour to fall asleep.)

3. "I think your baby's hungry." Whether you're nursing or bottle-feeding, everyone assumes you don't know how to feed your child. And every time your child cries, whines, grimaces, or squirms, they are going to assume you are starving your poor baby and you need reminders to feed it. Lest you forget! This advice is especially maddening when they turn out to be correct. (My biggest pet peeve is when people in the store say, "someone looks tired" when Eli has just had a nap. He JUST woke up. He's NOT tired, he's just plain grumpy.)

4. "Relish every moment of your baby's first years, because they'll be grown before you know it." You mean, time only moves forward? I had no idea! I thought we'd be like this forever and ever! This sort of advice, obvious and innocuous as it seems, always put me on the defensive, as if I had just been carrying my baby under my arm like a football, muttering, "Grow up already, why don't you. Just GROW UP." (Okay, this one just always makes me feel guilty. Like I'm not relishing every moment. Well, I don't relish temper tantrums, diaper changing fights, but WHO DOES? That's like saying, relish the torturous moments and times when you grasp at straws of patience to keep from screaming and going insane. I DO love my boy though, and I cherish his little hugs and dread the day when he becomes embarrassed of me.)

5. "I hope you're sleep training that child. Do you WANT him to be spoiled?" Oh, distant relative/person whose aisle I shared at the supermarket, I'm so glad you know exactly my child needs. And that you know, from your years of scientific research, that any child not allowed to cry it out will be a horrible waste of flesh! (Sadly, I was annoyed at Aaron when he wanted the baby monitor on when we were letting Eli "cry it out". We'd already decided on a method. He sleeps through Eli's crying anyway. Why make me suffer through the half hour of baby sobbing trying to keep from going in to check?)

6. "I hope you're not doing that 'crying it out' thing. It's so barbaric. Enjoy your baby all through the night!" Again, kudos to you, whoever you are, for knowing what's best for our unique family situation! I will be calling you at 4 a.m., so you can enjoy our baby as well. (While 'crying it out' worked for us, I understand those who don't use it and, honestly, I don't know how it might work if we have another.)

7. "Why are you bringing your child outside when it's so cold out?" It never ceased to amaze me that, no matter what my child's age, total strangers will express alarm and revulsion that I dared expose him to the elements. "And WHY ISN'T HE WEARING MITTENS? He's going to get consumption!" (I had someone tell me this once when we were at a wedding. Eli was bundled in a snow suit and I was told it was too cold. Yes, it was cold. Yes, Eli looked grumpy, BUT we had him layered and bundled to survive the winter winds of Antarctica! He was probably too HOT! Oh well, he DIDN'T get consumption so I guess in that sense I was vindicated;)

8. "Your child isn't really sad/angry/injured. He's just manipulating you." There's no doubt that children can push our buttons as if they've had professional training in it, but the notion that my kid's authentic feelings are in fact manufactured to elicit a reaction really chaps my hide. If that were always true, he'd be a pint-sized sociopath. I'm pretty sure that's not the case. (Sometimes I actually DO think Eli is a pint-sized sociopath. Especially with some of his looks and when he's competing with other kids for my attention. i.e. when I'm babysitting.)

9. "Schools are just glorified prisons. If you loved your child, you'd homeschool." Oh, if only I loved my child enough to abandon my livelihood, tear him away from the community he so enjoys, separate him from the professionals who have dedicated their careers to childhood education, and forced him to stay home all day with me, where we'd be at each other's throats for hours! If only! Please note: I am not opposed to homeschooling, at all — in fact I wish it would work for us, but it would not. (wouldn't work for me either)

10. "If I were you, I'd just—" OH NO YOU DON'T. I know where this is going. Listen, unnamed distant acquaintance who last parented in the 19th century (it's true — I often get my unwanted advice from ghosts) you don't know diddly about my kid, and our relationship, and what works for us. (I really wish I was brave enough to say this in public. Even as a joke with Aaron... you know a silly "public" roe where Aaron pretends not to know me and comes up to give advice and I turn all angry and fed up with ALL the crazy advice and say exactly what it says above!)

Okay, this is me (Carrie) now. All the above said, I do appreciate the SOLICITED advice I've been given by family and friends. I wouldn't be surviving as a mother without it. I hope you also had a good giggle over these.

Potty Training

2011-02-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

So I've decided that I need to at least introduce Eli to Potty Training. So I'm SLOWLY accomplishing that task. That is, yesterday I bought a little frog toilet for Eli. Well, he's certainly curious, but I'm a little worried about what he'll actually use it for. He sat on it all day yesterday (clothed for now) and he drug it around. Basically it's as though he thinks it's another bike without wheels. He even slid it over to the door, like he does his bike, when I said we needed to pick up Daddy. Hopefully, he'll eventually uses it for the right purpose.

I still need to figure out what to use as incentive. I thought Jelly Beans from Costco, but they were way too expensive even with a coupon. It made me sad that I have not found the Belly Flop jelly beans at any store around our house.

Summer Day?

2011-01-26T14:24:00.000-08:00

It will never cease to amaze me, the weather here. While I still miss the smells of the seasons, I can't deny that days like today are nice.
The morning started off busy. We missed Aaron's train... twice. So that meant he had to drop me off at my visiting teaching appointment (luckily only about a mile from home) and drive himself to work. After visiting teaching, we meandered on over to the nearby park and Eli got his fill of slides, swings, sand, and climbing.
After an hour of play, it was time to start the walk home. Luckily he came without much fuss and our walk home, hand-in-hand, in the sun reminded me of those lazy summer days as a youth. Where the world seems quiet except for the birds and a few cars passing by. Those days you really take stock of how beautiful the world is, even if it's only the beauty in your own neighborhood. When you soak up the sunshine like a sponge and savor the tingling warmth on your skin.

We looked at and touched the different kinds of bushes people had around their yards. Except for the giant cactus... OUCH!

We looked longingly at an orange tree laden with that delicious fruit. Seemingly begging to be picked.

"Eli, do you want an orange tree in our yard someday (yeah, if we can get a house... ever)?"

Eli... "Yeah. Orange tree da a big tree" (interpretted by me as "yeah, an orange tree and a big tree.")

We LOVE oranges at our house!

It was a special walk for me and my Eli and so I will forever love these summer January days.

Ninja Warrior Pics

2011-01-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

I finally uploaded pics to our computer. Here's pics of the Ninja Warrior Party. As for the questioins about house parties. The site is:

www.houseparty.com

You sign up and they send you emails about upcoming house parties. If it's something you're interested in, then you go and fill out an application. They will let you know if you are chosen to host. After you host you post pics/video of the event and then they'll have your guests fill out a survey.

So without further ado, so pics of our party.

Eli has a temp tattoo on his cheek. We're lucky we got that much on!

Perpetual Commotion with Lyns as the winner!

Lightening with Joel as the winner (sorry, we only have video of this activity and I left our camcorder charger in Utah)

Scattegories (ninja style) with Mike as the winner!

We've got a "couple" of winners here!!!

Push-up contest. We girls, held our own.. Whoo go Lyns!

A two year mission didn't stop Taylor from showing his buff-ness though!

the winners are.... Too COOL

the groupies!

the guys... and Elise

the gals. Love you all!

The Amazingly cute/handsome hosts who were rightfully banned from winning anything BUT that would not have changed the outcome anyway. We were thoroughly whupped!

AWESOME!!!!!

Kicking in the New Year

2011-01-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

This New Year's Eve we kicked in the new year by having an American Ninja Warrior Party!

A friend of mine told me about this site called houseparties.com. We thought it would be pretty fun and signed up. We never got chosen to host a coveted house party UNTIL....

American Ninja Warrior!!!

Aaron and I are avid fans of Ninja Warrior, the Japanese obstacle course that blows our mind with the physical strength and speed required. Plus it's not like stupid American obstacle course games where SOMEONE is crowned winner. If you don't pass the obstacles, you don't move on and if no one gets to the end, better luck next time!

Anyway, when we were notified of the chance to host an American Ninja Warrior party, we jumped at it and I think our enthusiasm was felt through our application! We were chosen!!!

So, we decided to have this party with my family over Christmas and New Years. While it would have been AWESOME to build our own obstacle course and have it completely Ninja Warrior style, that wasn't at all possible for safety reasons. Plus, wanting to include everyone in our family, we decided to to some physical challenges and some non physical.

The Challenges:

Perpetual Commotion (a speed card game)

Lightening

Scattegories (ninja style)

Push up contest with a spin from Aaron. We all drew a card from a deck and the number on the card was the amount of push-ups we had to complete that round. We kept going until people dropped out. I think, over-all, I did over one-hundred!

I'm happy to say I came in second on both the lightening game and the push-up contest! Yeah, I'm buff!! ;)

I think everyone had a good time and I think it made everyone sleep a little better after all the activity along with the AMAZING variety of snacks that family had prepared for our traditional New Years snack dinner!

We are definitely ready to attack 2011 Ninja Style!! Happy New Year!!

(Pictures of the party are forth coming.)

Christmas Pleasures

2010-12-29T08:34:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas!

This year we made the venture to Utah. I left before Aaron so I could be there to see my brother return from his mission to Serbia! It was so fun to wait outside the security gates and watch my elder brothers crane their necks in an attempt to see him before everyone else, like little kids. I felt a surge of love and gratitude for my family. My brothers knew what he had experienced for the last two years and what he would go through upon his return. Their missions are very close to their hearts and I know that those similar experiences creates a greater bond between them. So my brother's home.

Christmas day was fun. Eli was more involved in the unwrapping process. We knew he didn't want to open clothes so those were opened by Aaron and I, but every toy was met with glee and the request to "open please". I forgot how many twist ties are used in packing toys ;)

Aaron and I always stand in AWE at the surge in Eli's vocabulary after we go to visit family! It's as though just being around more people than Aaron and I sparks a growth. He's been super fun. I also had that feeling of motherly pride as Eli confidently pointed to the picture of Christ that hung in the room we were staying in and said who it was. Usually I have to prompt him to say it. I'm glad that at least I've not been remiss in helping him to know who Christ is and that he is our savior (the most important thing to know at this time of year and throughout life).

There's so much more to this post, but it's already too long. Without pictures even ;)

Too Cute!

2010-12-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

Even though I know I can somehow make our life and troubles sound really low, we are actually quite happy and enjoying the good times. This is Eli's latest discovery and now one of his favorite past times.

Oh, and I won't be posting about my bookbinding after all. Our camera's been wonky since I dropped in wet sand at the beach. It won't focus and all the pics are really crazy.

Please Tell Me He's Not the Only One

2010-12-05T08:38:00.001-08:00

Eli was such a good natured baby! He was great with strangers, he slept through the night, he smiled often, and he only cried when hungry, sick, or hurting!

What happened?! I know it's the stage of terrible twos BUT why is my son seemingly the ONLY two year old I know that acts THIS terrible?!

We cannot take him anywhere. Yesterday at the primary Christmas we decided that it wasn't worth it to see Santa after: he banged his head on a wall since there was no extra chalk for him to draw on the chalk board; threw a piece of chalk (he eventually got one) and the eraser that he had just stolen from another child, and hit me in the face several times. Sorry kiddo, it was your own fault!

Last night, I sadly looked around the Palo Alto Creche exhibit I was helping at, and realized there was NO way we'd be able to bring Eli into the same building as these beautiful nativities! They'd all be broken by the time we'd leave!! Maybe it's a good thing my parents are remodeling so Mom's nativities will be safe from disaster.

Last week, during visiting teaching, I had to save several items at my visiting teachee's house from being thrown, after he got upset because I wouldn't let him steel my companion's daughter's toys.

EVERY Sunday I am retrieved from Relief Society or Sunday School because Eli wouldn't share and starts throwing a tantrum.

This last summer, I think he successfully convinced my brother and sister-in-law that they could wait a little longer to have kids. (Get ready for your next dose at Christmas!)

Some weeks I'm lucky to get a couple days of sanity from my child, but most days I'm just trying to keep some semblance of my already non-existent patience!

This week we've been trying hard not to criticize his behavior in front of him. My mom reminded me that talking about him like he was bad, in front of him, would not help anything.

What can I do?! How long will this last? Will I make it through alive, sane, without causing physical or emotional harm to myself or Eli? Sometimes, I doubt it. Maybe this is why #2 is being so difficult. Maybe I am not ready to handle it.

The Progression of a Budget

2010-12-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

It starts out with just a few little dollars you get for allowance (if you get one... I didn't). For me, it was the prize for getting good grades. Every report card brought that lusted-after money into my possession and the proverbial hole in my pocket.

Then my budget was my income from those first jobs (for me, janitor and Popcorn Cottage). At that age, my budget was saving for EFY, gas, and a little college (not nearly enough, mind you).

College. I was lucky with parents helping out with the basics and Scholarships, expenses were low. I learned to allocate for my needs and keeping them below my allotted money (giving me room for play).

Now, with marriage and the full weight of finances, it's been interesting to see how things work. We started with living off of student loans with a huge lump sum that I watched slowly dwindle over time. Now that we are out of school and in a real job, it took a little adjusting going to a month to month.

I love our budget, I'm addicted to it. I love being under budget and watching that savings build up. Granted, I pad our budget to represent the theoretical maximum we would pay (doctor bills we might incur, extra gas money for unexpected trips). Sometimes Aaron freaks out when I tell him what our budgeted amount for the month is, but then he remembers that I'm a "worse case scenario" sort of person and calms down. I ALWAYS make sure our budget is below our income for the month. Anything left over from the month before goes into loans, savings, and save ups for certain more expensive items (furniture, etc).

Oh, the freedom of the budget! It allowed our entire family a trip to London. It helped us save enough to survive the month between Aaron's jobs without worry.

Yes, I'll use powdered milk just so we can make it the last 3 days to the end without going over on groceries. I'm that person at Costco with only one thing in their basket sometimes. (it's literally 3/4 mile away, I don't need to make a huge trip) BUT with all my saving tendencies, I do have my itches. I'm an unfulfilled clothes horse. HOWEVER, watching our loan payments plummet, because we are paying more than required, is so fulfilling. I can't wait until four-five years down the road when that last loan payment is submitted. I'm sure we'll have acquired other loans by then and, maybe life will throw a curve ball and we'll be living off our savings. Either way. I know that the prophet's counsel to live within our means and follow a budget is a beautiful way to not fear what may come. It also provides HOPE that we'll have the money for a mission and to relieve that travel bug we both have ;)

Grateful

2010-11-28T08:35:00.000-08:00

Oh, Thanksgiving. This week has been a little emotional for me. Not anything specific. Times of overwhelming gratitude for the people in my life. Crankiness from late holiday nights and early mornings (why can't kiddos sleep in too?). Guilt for being cranky. Excited for Christmas and decorating. Depressed and my own scanty 1/4 a box full of Christmas decor. Satisfied and even proud with my TWO Christmas displays (even more satisfied when Eli called it pretty and wanted to look at it all evening).

I want to thank those people in my life.

Thanks to the nice people in the grocery line who see me with a cranky child and three items and tell me to go ahead (even when they only have one item). Bless you!

Thanks to my friends who are the best examples of great mothers, ambitious women, generous spirits, and kind hearts. You who love me and forgive me for all my faults even though you don't have to. Someday I hope to have become more like you.

Thanks to the authors of good books who help me escape the stress of life, for just a few chapters every now and then, to explore new places.

Thank you to Eli. You try my patience. Sometimes it feels like you try it all day. Thank you for doing so. Someday I'll actually succeed at being patient. Thank you for your baby smiles. For your love of life and everything new. Thanks for not crying once in a million times when I say it's time to go inside after our bike ride/walk. Thanks for letting me cuddle with you more when you are in those fuzzy pjs I love so much. Thanks for the kisses and hugs that melt my heart. Thanks for making me laugh at your dancing and your sliding down the stairs on your belly.

Thank you to my immediate family (in-laws included). Thank you mom for letting me talk your ear off every time I call. Thanks, for being examples of every Christ like attribute. You are my tangible examples of how to be better. Thanks for the laughs, and late nights talking. Thanks the emails, phone calls, blog posts that make me feel a part of your lives even though I'm far away.

Last, but not least, thanks Aaron. My sweetheart, my rock. I love you so much. Thanks for encouraging me to accomplish my goals. You are my enabler. Thanks for working so hard (nearly 10-11 hrs a day) so that I can stay home and be with Eli. Thanks for giving me a break when I'm on my last mommy leg. Thanks for trusting me with the finances and budget. I couldn't have chosen better for me. We make a dynamo team!

I hope I didn't miss anyone. I love you all!

Book Binding, Project 2

2010-11-20T23:39:00.000-08:00

Ah, so I know the last book binding project was not very well documented. Let's face it, this one might not be either. I'm not writing this as an instruction manual. Just a really neat picture of the process from start to finish. Maybe, if I was good enough with our camera, I would do a whole freeze frame process for you.

This project is a pair of journals for a friends' two youngest children. It's a fairly easy bind, but I've already run into a few hiccups.

#1: In an attempt to ease my Christmas stress, I was going to buy pre-prepared journal text blocks (blocks that are already cut to a specific size and lined). Sadly, the only pre-prepared text blocks I could find were for a closed spine binding, meaning the pages were already sewn together. I'm doing an exposed spine binding (fun because you can see all the sewing) so I need unsewn text. While they answered my query with a "we've been looking into getting unsewn text blocks" it didn't really help my present situation. So I went with the next best thing. I had the paper custom cut to the size I needed it although I'll still have to print the lines.

#2: While I got the paper cut to a somewhat standard size, I got a little extra on the sides knowing that I'll need to trim the edges at some point. This has caused a problem with my printing lines on the page as my computer gives me NO LEEWAY at all in playing with my side margins. Argh! So I've come to grips that I'll have to just cut it down to standard size and either leave the edges untrimmed (not a bad look... if you've read the Series of Unfortunate Events, it gives the effect that those pages have... uneven but unique and kind of fun) or get them trimmed as scantily as possible.

The good news is, I was finally brave enough to go get our ink cartridge refilled at Walgreen's. So far, so good and I love the feeling of saved money.

Anyway, keep an Eye out for the documentation of this next project ;)

Too Little Time

2010-11-17T15:20:00.000-08:00

I hate those days where I feel like I've been going all day, but there's nothing to show for it. Conversely, I love the days where it seems like I'm done with most of my chores before lunch. What's the difference? I honestly have no idea.

Lately my time has been spent doing the following:

-Finishing up a continuing ed class for my dietetics credentials. I enjoyed the class, but I'm forever worried that if I ever had to work, I'd still be at a disadvantage because I haven't worked in the field... EVER. Oh, well. At least I'm doing what I know is right for me and hopefully if anything does happen, Heavenly Father will help with the rest.

- Making Christmas gifts. I'm having so much fun learning new things with these projects. I feel bad for my poor nephews. I went a little crazy with the girly things so they will probably feel a little shorted. What can I say? I have no girl of my own to do cutsey things for.

- Cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning. It never ends.

- Trying to wear Eli out as often as I can so he'll go to sleep for naps. While he has been better at going down for naps, it hasn't curbed his tantrums. Things that I get everyday when it's time to go inside from our activities... Sigh.

- brushing up on my excel skills so I could put one of our two budget trackers on the computer. Our poor budget book was getting pretty battered and it was a real ego buster when I realized I had subtracted numbers wrong and threw off the budget. Did I learn anything in school? (okay, I know anyone can make this mistake, but it's still not fun to realize.)

With all this going on (I know it might not seem like a lot) I often feel like I need to do more. More in teaching Eli things like his ABC's or numbers, counting, etc. Writing in my journal more. Doing even more things for dietetics. Where do I fit all that in?
Anyway, while I might often wish I had more time, I am grateful for the time I have. I know that Heavenly Father has given us enough time in the day. So I guess now it's my job to fill it with the most worth while activities.

Halloween and a Walk Down Memory Lane

2010-11-04T13:36:00.000-07:00

Eli was a puppy for Halloween. So cute!

Aaron's work had a Halloween party. Each floor had a theme. Aaron's was Alcatraz (although they called it Morgatraz or something like that). They won the contest, YEAH, and Eli got a boat load of candy.

I don't know if it's the home study course on weight control, or the fact that I couldn't justify driving to a park that was just shy of a mile away even though it would have been so easy since Eli was already in his car seat from the Costco trip. Either way, we strolled along a road with artistically trimmed hedges and fun fences. One particular house caught my eye. It may have had more deciduous trees around it than the others, OR it may have been they just didn't clean up their lawn very regularly. As we passed, dry leaves crinkled under the stroller wheels and my shoes, the smell was pungently autumn and I got the smallest tinge of nostalgia for home, for DC, for seasons! The 80 degree weather kept me in the here and now, but I so wanted another taste of home so we went that direction on the way back. Sadly a leaf blower across the street made the air smell dusty and my autumn moment was lost.
At least I know that even though we are currently in a place trapped between spring and summer, I will sometimes get a taste of autumn.

Oh, sorry if the pics aren't so hot. I don't know if the sun just hates me, or I need to find out what's wrong with my camera but all the last pics have been crazy.

Where're the Pics Already

2010-10-15T18:09:00.000-07:00

At least that's what I'm imagining you all thinking. Well, you'll just have to be more patient. I want to wait until I have pictures hung and the few moving cluesies that are left, out of the way before I take pics of the apartment. In the meantime, we are doing well. Yesterday, Eli and I went up to San Fran to meet friends at the Bay Area Discovery Museum (thanks so much Kari for the invite). Eli was SOO excited when I told him we would be seeing some of his old friends.

He enjoyed himself so much that trying to get him to move from one area to the next always included a tantrum, except for the last area where he got himself COMPLETELY drenched. I think he realized he had overdone it and a full on change of clothing was in order.

My favorite part was when he was in the play house (completely decorated for the "outdoors" i.e. tents, campfires, etc) and he picked up two little treelings. Yep, he's his daddy's boy and maybe we'll send him up to Canada in the summers to be a tree planter.

Sorry about the pic, I only had my phone with me. Oh, and he was wearing the fireman cap because he can prevent forest fires.

Nike Plus Woes

2010-10-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

So Aaron got me Nike Plus for my birthday. I was so excited 'cause I figured this would allow me to run more freely anytime during the day with Eli, and still know how far I've gone and how fast. (something I'm a little obsessed with knowing exact numbers of).

In order to get this whole thing started you have to calibrate the sensor. I've been trying to do this for a few days. Apparently there is supposed to be an option at the end of your workout to adjust the calibration in order to increase the accuracy. I have NOT yet seen this option and it's driving me crazy. Aaron said it took several attempts before he was given that option and I'm going mad after four or five attempts with no luck. WHAT'S the deal?!!! You'd think they would make it more standard in that an option would be given after every attempt. Then again, maybe it's just user error. Ugh! I guess it's okay that we don't have a jogging stroller at the moment.

The Move

2010-10-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

So I've watched a couple episodes of Hoarders just to satisfy a morbid curiosity of what a hoarder's house might look like (crazy!). It gave me a small sense of gratitude for the many times Aaron and I have relocated. It is our built in hoarding repellent. Although neither of us have the tendency to hoard, I know I have a hard time getting rid of sentimental things like cards from grandparents, parents, siblings, etc. Every move I've been able to let go of a little more. So sorry to those whose gifts/cards have become victim to thrift store donations or to the recycle bin. We still love you and your thought fullness.

Our move went well. I've decided that California's biggest pest is ants. We had them in our last apartment when we first moved in and they are in this apartment. At first I thought they had somehow gotten into our boxes in our last apartment and survived until this move, but we've kept our boxes on our back patio and killed all the ants we found and I still found a whole slew of them yesterday as I was cleaning. Luckily we have the pest control person coming tomorrow so we should be ant free (hopefully).

Our new place is about 50-100 square feet larger than our last place. Things I like.

There is ALOT of natural light. On a bright day, you do not need ANY lights on, even in the bathroom (it has a skylight).
It has stairs. I think it gives it a more homey feel. Eli likes them too.
It has wood linoleum in the dining room. Our last apartment has carpet and with a baby, that spells disaster. Needless to say, our carpet cleaning bill from our last place took up a fair amount of our deposit.
Tons of cupboard space. We've unloaded all the kitchen stuff and there is still one huge empty cupboard. I have plans for food storage.
A fully enclosed patio. It's huge and I can now let Eli go play without worrying he's going to escape the rail and fall to his death.

Things I don't like:

The fridge is on the end closest to the dining room and when it's open, it cuts off all access to the kitchen.
We are missing one main utility closet that we are used to having. So our vacuum will either have to be stored in the open, or in a closet upstairs.
the living room only has two functional walls. The other is practically all glass door to the patio. While I like the light, it makes our arrangement look a bit cramped.

Anyway, I'm already disposed to LOVE our ward. We had wonderful help from the priesthood moving in (even though we gave them late notice). Also, the Relief Society Presidency is coming to visit me today. So nice. Pictures will come after everything is in order and then you can see some of what I'm talking about.

Flight home and Survival Tips for Toddlers

2010-09-27T10:37:00.000-07:00

Ah, the flight home was pretty much the same as the flight out. Okay with several melt downs. What can you expect, it's pretty much the normal day for a terrible two year old. It being Eli's b-day on the way home, I did have a few small gifts wrapped up to open on the plane. He enjoyed his cars and dinosaur.

Okay, Survival tips from a pro. That's NOT me. I have a friend who travels pretty often with her family which includes a two year old. I got the first tip from her.

Dum dums. In a word, that is what kept us sane. Eli always wanted one and it kept him quiet for at least a few precious minutes if not longer. Too bad Eli is a cruncher or they'd have worked a lot longer. BEWARE, though, they cause stickiness everywhere. Eli had a constant sticky lint beard from his sucker and cuddling with his blanket.

My tips: If your child has more than one loved toy, take them both and switch off. Eli had to have his blanket and puppy with him ALL THE TIME. He only has one beloved blanket and it was so gross by the end of the trip that I wanted to quarantine it. If it wasn't his favorite I'd probably have just thrown it away! Ugh, I get grossed out just remembering the smell.

Anyway, other survival tips. Pray for patience in yourself and everyone else around you. Don't worry too much about getting them on the time zone. The more they sleep during the day, the better for you ;) They may get up super early everyday, but at least you know you won't be waisting any moment of any day by sleeping it away.

London Day 4

2010-09-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

Saturday was our first unscheduled day. So we decided to sleep all day...

NO WAY! You don't sleep when you've only got 5 days of sightseeing in a country you might never see again!

First we went to Portabello Road. I was super surprised Aaron wanted to go. He is not a shopping kind of guy and he must have known that my ingrained tendencies for souvenirs would become a battle. I have become better though. I only bought a hat and scarves. Anyway, Aaron actually did want to go and I wasn't going to complain that the only reason was the song from Bed Nobs and Broom Sticks ;)

We got some strawberries there and they must have been SUPER good because Eli ate the whole clam by himself.

After we left at 10 :30 and against a wall of people, so glad we went early, we headed of to the British Museum. Aaron and I LOVE Egyptian anything and what better place to see Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt than in the British Museum?! Eli was pretty antsy by this time so we only got to see our must see exhibitians (Egypt and Assyria - we had just talked about Jonah and Nineveh in Sunday School)

After a picnic lunch outside of the Museum, we headed over to St Paul's Cathedral.

It is the largest Cathedral outside of Rome and you can hike up to the top of the dome (about 550 steps up). It is a beautiful cathedral and the crypt houses some pretty amazing people like Florence Nightengale, Horatio Nelson (admiral who won at the battle of Trafalgar), and the Duke of Wellington.

We did in fact hike to the top of the dome. NOT an easy feet with a tired and emotionally unstable two year old, but we did it!!

A view into the chapel from half way up the dome.

Us at the top of the dome

The view from the top was AMAZING!

A monument in remembrance of the London fire of 1666.

After the 550 steps down our legs felt like Jello but we decided to venture over the Millennial Bridge

snap a few pictures of Shakespeare's Globe,

see inside the Tate Museum of Modern Art (not for the art... sorry modern art lovers, just not my cup of tea) and then back to the hotel before our legs failed.

Here's some extra pics from this day...

Eli throwing rocks in the River Thames

The fam with St Paul's Cathedral in the background.

Eli and I on the Millennial Bridge

London Day 3

2010-09-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

Day 3: Tour of Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath
Windsor is AWESOME! It's an actual castle, not just an estate home. We didn't get to spend as much time there as I wanted but oh well. The village around it is pretty awesome too. It is the home to this crooked house.

Stonehenge is also an amazing thing to see. Such a large structure and the mystery of its use is always a fun thing. It turns out they found another henge close by that has an avenue to Stonehenge. It will be interesting to see what light is shed on this beauty in the next while.

Bath was beautiful. The roman baths were cool to see. We didn't try the waters. Maybe if we ever go back...

The Abby there is so beautiful. Take a gander at these ceilings.

So amazing. All the buildings have to have the same siding as all the other buildings so the whole town has that old look no matter the age of the building.

London Flight and Day 1 & 2

2010-09-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous time in London! In an attempt to make it a little easier to write and read, I'll brake the trip overview into several sections.

The flight in a nut shell. Eli didn't sleep (on an over night flight) until 2 hours before we landed. So... tired baby, frazzled parents.

Day 1: Checked into the hotel and tried to take a shower, but NO HOT WATER. A great wake up method but I knew I couldn't handle that for a whole week. Luckily we saw a sign in an elevator saying they were servicing the hot water and had turned it off during the off hours. PHEW!!

We went to Hyde park and saw the Prince Albert Memorial (Queen Victoria's husband).

We ate dinner at a spaghetti place and it was fantastic. Okay so most places we ate at were AMAZING. I don't know if they really are that good or if it was the whole camping affect where exhaustion makes any food more than palatable.

Day 2: Thursday we went on a city bus tour and saw lots of places (from the outside) and got a good idea of the things we really wanted to see. After, we toured Buckingham palace, tried to see Westminster Abby (closed for the day), went on a river tour (had a really funny tour guide) and then ate dinner (the only one I didn't like). My favorite thing for day one was the bus and river tours (tour guides are hilarious and make the tours infinitely more interesting than audio tours). Buckingham Palace was cool except no strollers were allowed and Eli is devilish when in expensive houses unleashed.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

Houses of Parliament/ Big Ben

The London Eye

The Tower Bridge

The Beginning of a New Beginning,,, Or Another Ending

2010-09-11T22:49:00.000-07:00

Phases of Life. They are so anticipated, then feared or met with anxious worrying, then looked on with fond nostalgia. Our family is at the beginning of a new stage... . We will actually be somewhere for some degree of permanence (that is, we don't have a known end in sight). What a weird feeling to be done with school (okay so that was last year) and starting a long term occupation (this year)!

Aaron just completed his last day of work for the non-profit organization he's been volunteering at and will start at his actual job in October. A very exciting time for us. What are our goals for this new phase of life, you might ask? Work work work and Play! Work to pay off student/ personal loans as fast and furious as possible (we already have a plan). Work to be better parents and spouses to each other (a permanent item). Try to expand our family. Enjoy the journey and try not to stress over the little things!

We've felt incredibly blessed in our lives with no major hiccups in schooling and employment. I'm so grateful to be able to stay home with Eli. I still have a lot to learn to become the mommy I want to be, but Eli still loves me despite my shortcomings.

We've found an apartment (a pretty AWESOME apartment) that I think we'll be quite comfortable in. Pictures will come when we move in and get settled.

I am jealous that Aaron gets to go back east for his orientation. I'd so love to go (of course I would probably just drive to DC to visit old friends while he worked).

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble, or at least I think I am so just know that we are a little excited, and a little scared, and a little sad to be starting our new phase and leaving so many good friends behind... again.

A Call for Advice

2010-09-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

Isn't it so nice when someone actually asks for advice? Usually I'm like most people who don't typically want advice unless asked for. Okay so that's only on certain topics like parenting and ... parenting. Well, here is my call for advice for ANYONE who's traveled outside of the US.

We are going to London and I'm getting a little freaked out about the money situation and such. What is the best way to deal with money issues in a foreign country? I've tried to read all the stuff about traveler's checks and credit cards, currency exchange, etc. There's so much that my mind just shuts down to prevent overload.

My Eli Goose

2010-08-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

Eli is always making me smile, laugh, cry, scold, raise my voice, count like my mom, and a million other things. Here are some of my recent faves that I've been able to catch on camera.

Eli and I took a trip to Utah and then Island park for a family reunion. We had one day by our lonesome at my parent's house and this is Eli's favorite past time (he get's all the balls out and puts them on the trampoline). I wish I had caught it on camera but at one point I turned around and he was half way fallen into the ball bin trying to get one. It was so cute!

Eli has to take his blanket with him everywhere! Sometimes I feel like I'm carrying the steak puff marshmallow man with all the things he wants to take with us places.

Eli got Ping Pong lessons at the cabin. He's pretty good and actually made a point off Uncle Joel!

Throwing rocks into the fire pit with cousin Haylee. Such a funny pair!

This is literally the first time he's fallen asleep among his toys. So cute, but sadly he woke up cranky. I think he was sleeping on a couple of blocks. Talk about the prince and the pea!

My boy LOVES watermelon and looks darn CUTE eating it too!!

Shark Week and Cuteness

2010-08-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

I didn't even know shark week existed until Aaron said something. Once I found out, I thought it was AWESOME! Something about a random subject being turned into a huge following of one week obsessions was pretty cool to me. I LOVE being random sometimes. So to Celebrate shark week we made ...

Shark cookies. I really wish we had an actual shark cookie cutter BUT the fish one worked fine and with our MAD skills at mixing food coloring, I think they turned out pretty awesome if I say so myself.

Also, this morning we checked on Eli and found him slumbering like so...

I wish I could sleep in ANY position. He must have been playing with his toys in his crib and fell asleep mid cuddle. I love this kid!

Got Yogurt?

2010-08-02T16:40:00.001-07:00

Dreams

2010-08-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives.
-William Dement

I firmly believe this is true. My sisters can tell you that I often have insanity in my dreams. They've contained dinosaurs, boxers, chips ahoy cookies, medieval death tactics, angry outbursts at family members, others telling me I had committed sins before I knew I had done them, and many more.

I'm also not one to easily put aside emotions and Aaron has suffered from offenses he's committed in my dreams.

Well, the latest insanity I've dreamed of is that I had signed a contract to start work the same time Aaron started his job in Palo Alto. Frantically I tried to figure out WHY I had made such a promise, knowing I couldn't back down and I didn't want to work. I was sad that I couldn't stay home with Eli and wondered HOW and WHO I was going to find to care for my little goose. I was also stressed that I was going to sleep through my first day of training (which was going to start at 1 am). When I woke up I thought I had slept in!

Needless to say that after realizing that I did not have to work and that I had not slept in, I was extremely relieved! Some dreams I would love to come true (who wouldn't want to wake up with their favorite dessert waiting to be savored?). Most of the time though, it's wonderful to know that my real life is better than any dream I've had yet.

Abnormal Morning

2010-07-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

Aaron has turned me into a night owl. Or at least I'm a morning person masquerading as a night owl. Needless to say, I don't get up at 6 am hardly ever, unless I'm in Utah where I actually get to bed at a decent time.

This morning, at 7am, I sleepily rolled over and turned off the alarm clock. Taking my sweet time summoning up energy to get up and at 'em I noticed that I didn't hear little coos and squabbling from Eli's room. We don't know how early Eli wakes up, BUT he's usually talking to himself by teh time we are up. Anyway, I took advantage of this time and checked e-mail, did cross-word puzzles, etc. Usually he wakes up the moment he hears me or Aaron so I figured he'd be up soon. 7:45 rolls around, Aaron is up and Eli is still not making a sound.

So we go check on him to make sure he's not just lounging around AND that he's still breathing.

Sound asleep.

I guess it's just one of those lucky mornings.

I can't find my camera to computer cord so here's a little bit of Eli's past.

The Goods and Not So Goods of Life

2010-07-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

"Stop Messing around!"
"Yeah, get the goods, sister"

My life very much resembles a musical. We "periodically dance about and break into song". It's always been that way. Added to that is the random movie lines that frequently cross my mind during life's situations.

The goods in life are as follows.

A thoroughly enjoyed a hour long Joann Fabric's trip in search of lovely findings for Christmas gifts. All this without a crying boy because Aaron was home from work.

Sees Candy's chocolates. Not only what I bought BUT the FOUR extra samples they gave me just because... SCORE!!

There is somewhat a transition of Good to Not So Good. That is the planning of vacations for August and September.
Good= VACATION! Who can say no to seeing family and going somewhere you've never been?
Not So Good= trying to figure out who to keep a 2 year old entertained on a 12 hour drive and a 17 hour flight.

Not So Good

Moving... UGH!!! We've moved 5 times already in the four years we've been married. This is our sixth. I'm ready to stay put. All the de-cluttering that comes from moving is not worth it. I'll just have to do a better job spring cleaning.

Finding a place to move. Okay all you friends and family in Utah. You can complain about your $600/month two bedroom apartments and such all you want. You don't know expensive until you are looking at between $1500-2000/month and some places do not have washer/dryers in those places. Income may be higher here but not two to three times higher! I hate looking for places to move almost as much as moving. Having to check out the neighborhood and possibly the school district (now that we have Eli). Figuring out how the new commute will look for Aaron and dreading the fact that while public transportation is the best option for us right now, it will add a good hour commute on already long work days.

Moving to a more affluent area. Okay so this is good and bad. Good in the safety issue, bad in that I'll have to swallow my thrifty nature and pay super market prices on groceries. There are no Food For Less type stores down where we are moving and my whole grocery pricing system is going to be out of whack. Hopefully the Walmart down there is a SuperWalmart.

Leaving a whole new set of friends. Maybe I should have just taken Aaron's advice and not spoken to anyone in our new ward ;) It would have made it easier to move away. Just so everyone knows, Aaron was teasing when he suggested that.

Oh that poor jerk

2010-07-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

This is a double post day. Please see below.

In "Two Weeks Notice" Hugh Grant leaves Sandra Bullocks Volvo in the middle of a backed up freeway to help save her from the forces of nature. Sadly, during his considerate rescue, the traffic starts moving and the unattended car becomes a blockade keeping EVERYONE from moving. In passing, the RV driver says "That Poor Jerk"

Today, I was "that poor jerk". I didn't single handedly cause a traffic jamb on I-80, but I did clog up Costco's gasoline service station.

The situation: Me outside, keys inside, doors locked

exacerbater: Aaron not answering his phone

solution: AAA (thanks Aaron's dad and mom), a really nice and understanding gas station attendent, an hour wait, and a handy dandy road side assistance man.

As I sat there waiting for AAA I was the jerk who wouldn't move the car. One person even asked the attendant if the car could be pushed. Yes, it could, if we could get the keys from the inside, but then, we wouldn't be in this situation.

Well, it's over and I bought myself a turtle candy bar to say good riddance to bad days and thank goodness for AAA.

Outdated

2010-07-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

Some may say that my blog is a little out dated in that it needs a new post. So here is our UPDATE.

Our trip was great and featured most everything I wanted to do except go to BYU campus. Oh-well, maybe next time.

I decided to splurge and got a hair cut from a curly hair specialist. I have to say I LOVE it and they really helped me know how to better take care of my "special needs" hair.

Eli had a huge vocabulary boost with all the people around to emulate. Today, he even called Aaron by his name (not Daddy). I guess we'll have to deal with that sooner or later huh? No wonder parents start calling each other Mom and Dad all the time ;)

When we got back, we conveniently got food poisoning which made our preparations for my brother and his family below par. Let's just say we ate a lot of pizza.

Josh, Amy and the kids came the Friday after we got back and we had a great time! We went to the beach, Muir woods, swimming, and the Jelly Belly Factory. Sadly for them, their breaks went out so they had to get them fixed before they left. Happily for us, that meant they got to stay two extra days!

Eli learned Kung Fu via Mulan and the Kung Fu Panda and poor Haylee was almost the target of a well planned bo-staff swing. (We keep the rolling pin far out of Eli's reach now).

We love our family! Thanks for making our vacation AWESOME!!

Vacation

2010-07-01T21:27:00.001-07:00

Is so far... LOVELY!

SOOOO Ready

2010-06-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

For a vacation!

I've been excited about our Utah vacation for a while, but this last week is working me to the point to where a vacation is not only wanted but NEEDED. Aaron and I both have been feeling the crunch this last week and the fact that I've been a little sick has not helped much.

What does a vacation look like to me?

Visiting friends and family

Alpine slide/zip line

A trip to BYU for nastalgia's sake (and to maybe get a new BYU shirt for Eli)

Girl's night!!!! and Eclipse

Leatherby's

Getting church materials since there's no REAL distribution center here to speak of and the only LDS bookstore closed down recently.

Play games and more games

Relax, relax, relax

Okay, maybe it sounds just as busy, BUT since it's on OUR time, we can cancel where we want.

UTAH here we come!

Validation

2010-06-18T22:58:00.000-07:00

Serving an LDS mission is something that I wish I could have done. When I was of age, however, I prayed and felt that it wasn't something I needed to worry about at that time. Still, even now I wonder if I would have been a good missionary.

I haven't had many missionary experiences. Most have been fellow shipping experiences. The missionary experiences I have had, haven't gone very well either. During my internship one of my preceptors (mentors) and I talked about religion often. He was Seventh Day Adventist. There is definitely common ground to our religion and as I was leaving, we agreed to exchange religious texts. I was SO excited to give him a Book of Mormon, the excitement left when it seemed like he wanted to Bible Bash more than anything. Luckily I wasn't even tempted to Bible Bash, but it definitely left a bitter and scared taste in my mouth when it comes to introducing the gospel to others.

Now I am a ward missionary who specifically encourages temple worthiness and attendance. This calling has helped me feel more comfortable in talking about the gospel to others, but keep in mind that these people have already accepted the gospel and gone to the temple. I'm just trying to remind them of those covenants. There are times that I get to go out with teh Elders when they teach. I have enjoyed this immensely. Today however, I received some validation for why it is probably a good thing I didn't serve a mission.

While visiting an older lady in the ward (who had not been able to come to church for a while due to health) her neighbor came over. She invited him in to talk to the missionaries. As I sat and listened to him talk to the elders, I felt my defensiveness rise up. I don't know if I could give specifics, but I guess it was the whole spirit I felt eluding from this man. Not hostile, but combative. Not mean, but cold. I sat in admiration of the missionaries as they patiently listened and spoke with this man re-iterating the things he said they agreed with.

In short, I don't think I have the patience and long suffering that I would need to be a full time missionary. It's something I will just have to work on before Aaron retires and we decide to serve a mission together.

Pure Mischief

2010-06-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

Eli, that baby of all babies. That cute little smile greets me every morning filling me with false hope that this will be a trouble free day.

Then came THEN (can you name that movie?)

Something will inevitably happen to change the ENTIRE day: We'll move the scriptures out of reach just before he gets them; I'll tell him it's a no TV day and we are not going to watch videos; I'll move him away from danger; I tell him he needs a diaper change... one of a million predictable and unpredictable little triggers.

He screams, "MINE" and starts hitting or reeking havoc and destruction throughout the house, incurring a time out.

Currently time outs are in his room (something I'm probably going to change for now). Lately during the 1 minute time out he is capable of toppling the floor lamp in his room, emptying his laundry basket and kicking the door all while screaming his head off. Now, I know all you mothers out there have tons of advice for this situation but please REFRAIN from giving me any at this point. I'm not in the right mind and I'll probably end up being resentful rather than grateful.

Naps don't seem to change his mood and by the time Aaron get's home I'm ready to sell Eli to the natives. Actually I won't sell him, I'll give the natives a "dowry" to take him off my hands. I've prayed a lot about what to do. I feel I have gotten some answers and ideas, but in the mean time, don't let that little face fool you. He's pure mischief.

Just some pictures and videos.

2010-05-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

here's some updated pictures. sorry for the lack of order and organization. Google Chrome won't allow me to organize the way I'd like. The following pics are from our days around the house, Tildon Park for a birthday play date, our ward's tacky dinner, the Jelly Belly Factory, Six flags, and our day at Pixar. Our friends invited us to go and preview Toy Story 3 with them. Eli was AMAZING during the film. We all really enjoyed it and seeing our friends names in the credits ;) Thanks Christie and John.

'Course

2010-05-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

What does it mean?!!! I know what I think it means, but what it means coming from Eli's mouth is a different question.

Me -"Eli, will you be good and obey Mommy if I let you walk?"

Eli - " 'Course"

In my head - What does that even mean to you?

Later after I've let him down- definitely not YES

Eli with movie- "Cars?"

Me - "Do you want me to put on Cars for you?"

Eli - " 'Course"

Definitely means yes.

I've resorted to asking him to say Yes or No. Where did he even pick that word up? Maybe I say it way too often ;)

Words, words, words

2010-05-25T23:44:00.000-07:00

Eli is using more and more words. Words that I thought would make my life easier by making tantrums less often or less intense due to increased understanding. In some ways this is true, in others it is not. In most cases, it also creates a good deal of laughter.

I've probably told everyone this story, but for the record...

Eli loves to play with our cups after dinner. The other night, he got his sippy cup stuck inside one of the bigger cups. In his frustrated anger he started yelling at the cup, " LET Go! Let GO!"

Milk is the general word for ANYTHING he can drink and SNACK is for any food. I'm just glad he's not too picky about what he gets for these food items or the lack of specifics would be trying.

He can sing parts of Popcorn Popping as well as part of the action rhyme Five Little Monkey's Swinging in a Tree. He does the actions too which is cute.

He says "No" back to us and during a diaper change there is usually a long strung out screaming no. Yes, my son seems to prefer to sit in his own filth...

When Eli is doing something he shouldn't and I tell him to stop, he always looks at me with the most innocent expression and says, "Hi!" I don't know why, but I guess that is his way of trying to sweet talk me into giving him his way.

I am very glad he says please and thankyou (and not always on command). Now if we could just get him to say, "sorry."

And We're Headed To....

2010-05-17T21:24:00.001-07:00

LONDON!!

Aaron and I just booked our first trip across the big blue. We are VERY excited and scared at the same time.

We decided that once Aaron starts his REAL job, we wouldn't know what vacation time he'd be getting. Along with the fact that we want to be enlarging our family soon (crossing our fingers). We decided that the three week break, in September, would be a GREAT time to go. So with our mad budgetary skills we got the funds.

Today we made the booking after many deep breaths and pep talks of "we can do this." Wish us luck on our trip and if we don't come back it's because we got lost ;)

Who is this Child?!

2010-05-07T15:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder what alien life form has come and taken over the body of my sweet little boy. Especially during tantrums. Today has been especially bad in that area. However, thanks to friends, a trip to the park made it a little more manageable than it would be in the confines of our little apartment. These days remind me why I enforce nap time even if it means Eli crying in his crib for 45 minutes before falling asleep. I need my sanity and all my wits to patiently deal with spastic and screaming ETs. Fortunately the park wore him out so much that he slept like an angel. Another plus to naps. You can watch their faces turn from impish to angelic in seconds.

Four

2010-05-02T21:40:00.001-07:00

Four years of marriage. It doesn't seem like much, but you have to start somewhere. There's so much I could say, but it all means the same. I love my man. He's my best friend. For our special day we went to the temple and then out to dinner at a great Indian place. Yummy! Thanks for the last four years. Am looking forward to what lies ahead. It's been a GREAT adventure so far and in the words of Ellie Frederickson and The Great Adventurer, Mr Muntz, "Adventure is out there!" We'll have a great time finding it.

Some of our Adventures together include: (Doh, I've tried and tried to post pictures where they need to be but it's not working so Here it is sans pictures... for now)

Losing the singing cow competition to perform at the Hershey factory in Pennsylvania (okay there was no contest)- insert pic of Aaron and I in front of three singing cows from the ride at Hershey

The NOT-so-Lucky St Patrick's Day incident - Aaron with his entire leg bandaged up from severe burns.

Traveling through time to Civil War Battle sites and armories - pictures of Aaron and I on a train at the armory in Richmond and Aaron and I in front of a statue at Gettysburg

Hiking the highest peaks- Aaron and I standing on either side of the mailbox/geocache for Maryland's Highest Point.

Facing the Horrors of the "Magic Carpet"- Aaron and I in our winter gear showing off our injuries from riding down on the treacherous carpet

Exploring our Religious Heritage- Pics from Nauvoo and The Smith farm in Palmyra

Loving the Magesty of the world and it's beauties- Pic of Carrie hugging a HUGE redwood tree in the Great Basin

Learning what instant, and unconditional love is - Our first family picture with Eli

Learning the true meaning of multitasking- Aaron sitting with Eli in his lap and working on his lap top and Carrie doing church stuff with Eli laying across her knee.

And so many more.

2010-04-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

I know that every parent is incredibly biased towards their own children, but there are times when kids do undeniably cute things. Here are the latest reasons why Eli is the cutest baby in my eyes...

Eli has a silly phobia for sand. Last week, while at a park with sand as the ground cover, Eli tripped and fell forward. He didn't cry, but he did lie there with his back arched to keep his head as far from the sand as possible and his hands were reaching behind him. It was the classic sky diver look and was pretty hilarious. He just sat like that until I cam and put him upright. I'm hoping to catch it on camera sometime. Wanna go to the beach anyone?

Yesterday, Aaron had a stake priesthood meeting. Before he left he was changing back into his Sunday clothes. Eli saw this and realized Daddy was leaving. He grabbed his button up shirt and his own Sunday tie and brought them to Aaron and I to put on him. We obliged with the shirt, but Aaron was running late so he had to go. Eli was so devastated that he could not go with Daddy. It was so cute, yet so sad. I love my little boy and hope that he still wants to go to priesthood meetings when he's old enough to go. I do love the fact that he loves his Sunday clothes and will often want to wear his tie clipped to his T-shirts.

Today we went to the park and Eli went CRAZY over the ducks. He did amazing at sharing the bread with them and only ate about 1/3 of the bread for himself. He chased the ducks around the park and didn't even get too scared when a goose nipped his finger thinking he had bread in his hand. Luckily it did teach him to be careful not to stick his finger within biting distance of any more geese. Eli also loves slides and will often go down and then say "WEE" as he's running around to go again.

I love this sweet boy!

2010-04-26T22:32:00.001-07:00

I know it's late, but here are some pics from Lynsie and Mike's visit.

I wish I could organize the pics how I want but Chrome won't let me so the pics above are from Muir Woods, the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, Seward Street Slides and a beach along highway 1. It was a fun visit.

A Failure's Good Day

2010-04-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

I woke up this drizzling Easter morning earlier than usual to make Hot Cross Buns for breakfast (a new and long awaited recipe). I used rapid rising yeast and followed the directions but the dough didn't rise much. It being Sunday, not having more raisins and the fact that I HATE throwing food out when I didn't even eat some: I decided to go ahead and bake them.

Buns in the oven and me getting going for today. I wasn't being diligent and the buns were a little too brown. Omen... today was not a good cooking day. Normally just an inconvenient BUT today is Easter dinner with guests!

Is it possible for so many things to go wrong, yet end up perfectly well? Apparently so.

Dinner disasters:

Ham NOT cooking. A completely thawed ham in the oven for two hours and the temperature only raised from 42 degrees to 100 degrees! It was only 9 pounds and the directions said to cook it for about 7 minutes per pound. Luckily it was a precooked ham.

Glaze boiling over. Distractions from Eli, arriving guests and other last minute dinner details took my attention from the cooking glaze. When I went to pour it on the ham, it had boiled over the sides of the measuring cup and covered the microwave plate. Hope everyone's okay with VERY little glaze on the ham.

A fire. That's right, a fire. I forgot to turn of the burner from the potatoes before I took out the ham to put the glaze on it. I put one of the hot pads on the stove while I finished up the ham and it caught on fire. The apartment was all smoky and the smoke detector went off.

Eli into everything. If it wasn't tripping us while we were scampering around the kitchen to finish things up, it was delivering destruction to the newly set table.

Despite all the above, the dinner went well. Everyone brought wonderful food for sides and dessert. In general Yumminess dominated! I just hope our friends don't think ALL our dinners are full of near misses and a lung full of smoky air. So I guess if you're pessimistic, this was a regular no-good-very-bad day. OR maybe one of those bad days hated it's reputation and REALLY tried to overcome it's natural tendencies. The fact that nothing TERRIBLY bad happened indicates it was overall successful! I hope you all had wonderful Easters and that any bad days had a silver lining of perhaps Easter candy and hugs from loved ones.

Eli had his Easter Egg hunt Yesterday and quite loved those eggs.