The Troxel Family

I know, I know

2010-04-07T13:04:00.002-06:00

I know I direct you to this blog all the time, but really, she has a hug-normous giveaway going on for mother's day!

Happy Pi Day

2010-03-14T22:51:00.000-06:00

Holy giveaway batman!

2010-03-11T13:13:00.002-07:00

Oh my, you *have* to check out this giveaway. It's for... dunt, dunt, dunt... a brand new Canon 5d Mark II - or a $2500 giftcard to Southwest Airlines. Can you imagine winning? Holy cow!

So, go here!

Pretting stinkin' amazing. If you win, will you take me on vacation with you!?

Being so Overdramatic!!!!!!!!

2010-03-01T11:27:00.005-07:00

The votes (mainly mine and my close friends) are in and the name of my new party business is.....

Overdramatic Party Girl

I'm super excited about it! I asked my friend Vanessa to do it with me because her craftiness is outstanding and lucky me, she said yes!

Close your eyes and imagine the next party you're throwing.... ok, you can open them now! What's the next party you're throwing? (Really, I'd like to know!) A kid's birthday? A baby shower? A bridal shower? Well, now there's help! The concept of Overdramatic Party Girl is that I'll do the party planning for you, the invitations, the party games, the favors, the prizes, the costumes, the thank you's - everything. You buy the party box, open it up, and throw a party! What could be better? More importantly, what could be easier!? Now you can throw a talked-about party without all the work!

Right now we're working up our inventory of different themes so you can just order and we can ship it out. However, if you can give us a little bit of notice, then we can do anything customized for you! Just email us at: OverdramaticPartyGirl@gmail.com and let us know what you want!

Also, the blog isn't finished yet - we're still the process of setting it up, but please feel free to visit us anyway :) Become a follower and stay updated with all the cool stuff that will happen when we do finish the set-up! We're already planning the tutorials, the giveaways, the general crafty-goodness! Stop on by and say hi! Also, let us know what kind of parties you'd like to see and we'll make it happen :)

Giveaway time!

2010-03-01T11:09:00.003-07:00

I know I've already told you about Natalie and her wonderful style, but here I am again... ;)

If you want a chance to win a super cute Allora necklace, go here!

A blog after my own heart

2010-02-22T19:30:00.002-07:00

Ok, so I have to share with you my secret little guilty pleasure. It's this blog that is right after my own heart - a fashion blog where they're just plain funny, quirky, and a little smart-alec. They do good fashion, bad fashion, and inbetween. I tell you, it's great. My friend Molly turned me onto it. Thank you Molly!

I love you more than life

2010-02-16T18:38:00.003-07:00

I haven't posted in the last few days, so I thought I'd just do a quick blurp. I was listening to... someone today... I have Pandora Internet Radio on a LOT and so I don't really know who it was, but anyway, one of the lyrics was "I love you more than life." I can't help but think of my darlings when I hear that. How did I get so lucky to be their momma? They are such precious souls.

Of course this picture is reeeallly old... The end of Oct 2008, I think. Brielle would have been a month and a half and Sophie just 2 years, 4 months. I can't believe how little they are! And how big they are now. They are my angels.

Alexander McQueen!

2010-02-12T07:33:00.003-07:00

I try to read the news on Yahoo every morning and today, I came across this:
British Fashion Designer McQueen found dead at 40.
How crazy! Apparently there is some debate as to whether it was "natural causes" like the police say or suicide. Either way, it's a sad day. You can see some of his RTW looks down below in another post. He also designed Lady Gaga's lobster shoes and Janet Jackson's super bowl outfit (the infamous wardrobe malfunction one) and a million other things that were fabulous and million others that were outrageous.

Charm bracelet give away

2010-02-06T06:04:00.003-07:00

Have you noticed that charm bracelets are coming back in? I'm intrigued by this. I like the idea of getting a charm bracelet and then putting hand stamped disks w/ my kids' name on it. If you want to win a charm bracelet (who doesn't want to win stuff!?) - go to Design Dazzle and enter.

More Fashion Week

2010-02-05T14:47:00.006-07:00

You thought I was done with Fashion week, at least for today, huh? Too bad. (You know you want more)

Just thought I'd give you a review of a few more designers while the baby still is napping. First off - pictures from Chapurin's spring 2010 RTW line will not be shown here... I clicked the "no adult content" button when signing up for my blog and let me tell you - there are a lot of nipples in that fashion show. A lot more than I ever wanted to see on a runway. Seriously - all the tops are see through! Like not even trying to NOT be see through. The mom in me groans very loudly.

However, Valentino's was simply amazing. They're gorgeous. In fact, it was hard for me to pick just three. I wanted to add them ALL here.

This is Louis Vitton. The best one out of the fashion show. Now we know why we only know them for their bags.

And because we know that everyone wants to see the Alexander McQueen collection.

I actually like this one - it's kinda ethereal.

I just wanted to know if this model got in trouble for not looking like she was going to eat the audience.

I think that this dress's shape is beautiful and would look great if it didn't look like you were looking into the inside of an alien's body.

Whew, fashion.

2010-02-05T13:41:00.004-07:00

So fashion week is going on in NYC. Anyone else want to hop a plane and go? I'd love to go. I think it's something I'm going to add to my list of stuff I want to do before I die.

Anyway, want a recap of yesterday? Of cooooouuurrssssee you do. Although, a Thursday wasn't the big names, it certainly brought some.... interesting designs. I'm just reviewing so called RTW (Ready to Wear). Yeah, this is the stuff that's supposed to be more for me and you ;)

Ooookkkkkaaay. Don't you want this little number from Giles Deacon?

What? You wore this last Halloween? Well crap. Maybe you'll like the next one.

I sooo want that purse. Can't you just see yourself walking around town with a TRICERATOPS? AND shiny pants. I mean, it'd be like it ate Dora, Boots, and Cinderella - b/c that's what I have in my bag. What about you? But wait! Hold the phone -there is ALSO a spidery tshirt and crazy glasses!?! Speaks fashion to me. If my 3 yr old dressed me that day.

This hot little number comes straight from my sister's closet circa 1989. Or NYC RTW fashion week from Elie Saab. Either one.

John Galliano also showed yesterday, as well as Miu Miu, and Hermes. Hermes actually has some fun stuff. However, as a person who recently took up tennis last year, I find it hard to believe.

Ok, I feel bad leaving yet another fashion post in a negative light. I love fashion and just leaving the blog with negative commentary about it? Hmm, didn't seem right. Fashion should be uplifting. So, have you discovered Collette Dinnigan yet? Seriously you should check her out. She's huge in Australia, but not a household name here (she even has her own stamp in AU!)... yet.

How fun is this one?

Don't you think she's some mystical water maid coming to hand you a sword or something? It's so capturing!

And I absolutely adore this one. Reminds me of a modern Hepburn or something.

Mad Fashion

2010-02-03T13:30:00.005-07:00

I don't mean mad fashion in a good way.

While I was looking through slideshows of the latest NYC Marc Jacobs (ready to wear) fashion show, Sophie come up behind me, looks over my shoulder, and asks "why are they all mad?"

She's right. All the models look pissed off. Maybe it's because they're stuck in these so called "ready to wear" designs.

Seriously Marc? You let me down. I'd be pissed off too if I was wearing that. In fact, when I had to pick a name to save this picture under in order to post it, I promptly named it "fashion ick." And that's what I think. And 99.9% of other fashionable women do too. Trust me.

Natalie's Sentiments

2010-02-03T12:31:00.002-07:00

Have you guys tried out Natalie's blog? I kinda adore it. She's an lds lady in TN and does some great giveaways and whatnot. Right now she's doing a "Yellow and Gray" week, which I love. But more imporantly, she's like my fashion sister, lol.

The long neglected blog...

2010-01-31T21:14:00.002-07:00

Man, I just never seem to find the time to post here and not sure if I see the point since you all are my friends in real life and on facebook. However, there are some exciting projects in the work and I soon will be blogging a lot more! One catch. Not on this blog. It'll be on our new party business blog :) Now you know where all of my time has been spent lately. Well, of course that and the kids, the hubby, the dog, the dishes. The never ending dishes. I will let you know when it's all up and running!

Blessings - Day 2

2009-11-02T20:15:00.002-07:00

Here's our family's chosen blessings for today:

S: our house
B: mommy
A: playing with S
L: my girls

I love doing daily blessings :)

And I also love that Sophie is really starting to understand some scripture stories. We have a GAK and had been using that for FHE's but now we're using the new Gospel Art Book and either way, it works GREAT! She loves to look through it and learn about the different stories and then later tell me about them. Tonight we talked about the city of Enoch for FHE. Then later when she was flipping through the book, she goes "remember momma, it's the ark!" She does this all the time. She's such a sweet girl. <>

Thank You's

2009-11-01T17:37:00.002-07:00

For the month of November, each of us list something that we are thankful for each day. Seeing as how today is Nov 1st, it was our first day of listing it out on our "Give Thanks" list on the fridge. Here are today's....

Barbies (guess whose that was)
Baby laughs (Daddy)
Snuggles (Mommy)
and Sophie decided that Brielle was thankful for all of her toys :)

A Growing Vocabulary

2009-10-08T08:54:00.002-06:00

Brielle is really fussy today. Ok, she has been for the last week. I think it's this cold, plus teething. Anyway, she's been really fussing while I've been trying to get ready - ya know, showered, dressed, my hair combed, etc. Let's not kid ourselves - nothing fancy going on here. I get my pants and shirt on and promptly (not so promptly to her) pick her up, and she goes, "upppp." Ahh, the growing vocabulary of a one year old. Secretly I've been a little sad/worried b/c she hasn't been as quick as Sophie was to pick up new words. Yes, I know all kids are different, but it doesn't make the questioning stuff go away to me. "Am I talking enough to her? Reading enough? Am I spending enough time with just her instead of her and Sophie? ".... Anyway, of course I'm all happy when she says it and repeat it. To which she says, "Upp. Down." We play this game all the time - up, down; in, out; etc. I was so happy!

Unfortunately, Sophie's vocab has also grown in the last couple of weeks with the word "stupid." Uh-oh. Daddy has a tendency to say "stupid dog" or "stupid cat." Well, Sophie has said it probably 4 or 5 times lately and been sent to her room. Awesome. Hopefully it won't last long.

Quirky

2009-10-08T07:52:00.002-06:00

So Sophie, my 3 yr old, has to have her spoon match the type of yogurt she's eating. She'll even trade what kind of yogurt she wants based on the availability of a certain spoon. What an odd kid :) I can't imagine how picky she's going to be about her hair and clothes when she's a teenager. Ahh, yeah, already looking forward to that....

Brielle on the other hand knows what she wants, but she's pretty easy going too. I have an inclinking that she'll be the easy(er) teen.

A chipped Smile.

2009-10-07T11:23:00.003-06:00

I wish I could have gotten a picture of it, but poor Brielle is not allowing pictures today.... or at least not since the incident. Poor girl.

I was cleaning the top of the stove and she was walking into the kitchen with her blankie. (She loves her blankie. She cuddles it when she drinks a bottle and when she sleeps. It's too adorable!) Well, she must have stepped right on it and slipped b/c she fell FLAT on her face on the floor. No falling onto her diaper-cushioned butt or her knees or anything - just SMACK! on her face. Of course I whirled around, picked her up and started to comfort her. That's when I noticed that she was bleeding from somewhere. I didn't know where exactly at first. There was a lot on her finger so I thought maybe she bit her finger or something. I yelled for Aaron (he works from home, but alas, he was in a phone meeting). Then I ran her hand under cold water, which is the only thing that helped her to stop crying since the SMACK.

Well, it was not her finger, but she did like the water. I had a hard time figuring out where she was bleeding from - I'm still not 100% sure, but I think that she busted a tiny cut on her upper lip. However, I got an ice cube and let her suck on it... however, I thought I noticed something not right in her mouth. Was there blood on her tooth? So, I leaned her over (she likes to be upside down) and checked it out. Nope, not blood. However, her bottom tooth was chipped. Ugh. I said a quick prayer and checked again. Yup, I was right the first time. I ran to get her some Tylenol thinking "wow, that must have really hurt!" And called the dentist. They called right back and had me bring her in right away.

Luckily, it didn't get down to the fleshy part of her tooth, so it's just a comestic issue really. If it would have gotten down the to fleshy part, the only option they really would have had is to pull it! I am SO grateful that was not the case! So, she'll have a chip in her tooth (which they'll try to sand and make a little smoother when she's a little older) until she grows in her adult teeth (in like 7 years!) but it shouldn't affect the placement of her other teeth or hurt her, so it's as good as a chipped tooth can be really. AND it's on the bottom, so you won't be able to see it quite as much as you would if it were on the top.

Ok, I'm not re-reading this, I'm not proofreading it. I'm not doing anything but hitting 'publish.' Please forgive me if it's a little scatterbrained. With all of us being sick, not sleeping (bad dreams, but that's an ENTIRELY different post), and a little drained from the drama around here, my brain isn't fully functioning.

I am so grateful that it wasn't worse than it is. I am so grateful that we have insurance so we can know what to do (in this case, nothing). I am so grateful that Brielle isn't in pain and is napping quietly now. I am so grateful for my beautiful little girls and my wonderful hubby. And I hope this day gets better.

Doing a Few Things Right?

2009-10-02T13:44:00.003-06:00

There are moments in the day or week where I think "wow, maybe we're doing something right with this parenting thing..." Of course, there are many days where I think that God is looking down laughing at my stumbles (in a loving way of course) and many more where I am disappointed in myself for not doing more or something different. BUT this is a positive post and I wanted to tell you of a couple of my "right" moments.

I am so happy that Sophie seems to be turning out as a responsible citizen who cares about doing what is right, not always what is convenient. For example, we were grocery shopping the other day and were getting some soda. Mixed in amongst the coke was a pumpkin. Sophie goes "What is this pumpkin doing here? Pumpkins don't go here. Silly pumpkin!" I said something about how someone must have decided they didn't want it after all and before I could suggest that we put it in the cart and take it back to the 'pumpkin section,' Sophie says the same thing. "We need to put it back! Come on little pumpkin! We'll take you back to your family!" Well, we were just starting grocery shopping and Sophie sat in the cart, holding the pumpkin all through shopping and when we got to the 'pumpkin section' she gingerly sets it down (thank you! I was worried about the fight of no - we cannot take the pumpkin home).

Also, last weekend we were at the parade for the Fruita Fall Fest. It was just Sophie and I as the baby was napping and Aaron gladly agreed to stay home with her. Anyway, after the parade ended, I let her eat the sucker that she got during the parade (I wouldn't let her eat it during b/c I was holding her so she could see. I am not a fan of sticky-slobbery-sugar on my shirt. I wonder why). We sat so she could eat it and she saw some trash on the sidewalk and asked what it was. I said "someone didn't put their trash where it's supposed to go." And her automatic answer is "that's not good. We need to put it up for them. You don't leave trash on the ground!"

I just wanted to hug her so tight! What a sweet little girl she is. I guess some things ARE getting through.

(This especially made me happy after seeing some of the kids during the parade. There were quite a few of them standing there, taking the wrapper off their candy and throwing it on the ground... repeatedly. It made me want to put them in timeout and take away their candy. Lucky for them, I am not their mom.)

tasty greenbeans

2009-10-01T18:50:00.000-06:00

So, a quick post tonight from my iPod... I just thought I'd share a trick that worked great with my girls tonight!

My girls have never really been into greenbeans. Brielle is good about eating most veggies, Sophie can sense it's a veggie a mile away and consequently shoves her nose in the air as she simultaneously shoves her plate away. So tonight what I did was cook greenbeans first and then cook chili and put the greenbeans directly into the chili (cut up into bite sized pieces) and it worked great! They both ate them! Sophie was even pulling the greenbeans out and still eating them! Miracles of miracles.

Good luck with your kids! (if you need it of course!)

A few lessons learned

2009-09-21T15:54:00.004-06:00

Keeping up with my new commitment...

Here are a few quick lessons that I learned while planning/executing Brielle's party. These might come in handy if you're doing the same anytime soon.

First off, you know those little frosting tubes that you find in the store? They're little and normally come in a package of 4. They say they're used for writing. Well, to make a long story short - don't. I made a cake for Brielle's party and didn't have time to make the marshmallow fondant (you have to let it set over night). The decision came down to 1. Do I use store bought fondant or 2. Do I frost it with regular frosting. Choice #1 would look better. Choice #2 would taste better. So, I called my best friend and my hubby and go their votes and better tasting won out. So I frosted it pink and was going to use the little tubes of icing for drawing on paisleys. (You all know by now that she had a cowgirl party, right?) Well, those tubes of icing STINK. NEVER use them, under any circumstances. 'Nough said.

Second - When moving the cake to the designated spot, make sure that there is someone *holding* the cake stand. My mother put it in the back seat b/c she picked up my grandmother on the way to the park and ... well... it fell over, upside down, and rolled around the inside of the glass lid of the cake stand. At least luckily it didn't get all over her car! And, at the end of the day, it's just cake! My mom was so worried and upset about it, but really, it's just cake. No one cared. Including me.

Third - I should remember to tell parents to bring their cameras. Some of my friends came up and said "you didn't tell us that this was going to be a SCRAPBOOKING MOMENT!!" lol I guess I forget b/c my camera is always with me (most of the time anyway). So, just FYI, if attending one of my parties in the future - - bring your camera. You are hereby warned ;)

More to come on the party (plus pictures) later, when I have more time.

A new commitment

2009-09-20T20:05:00.002-06:00

This is my new commitment post - I WILL be starting to blog again, even if they're short ones! :) I've just been too lazy to do it and using Facebook as an excuse, lol. But I'm going to be better! Keep checking back, I'll be updating way more frequently.
Next to come - details and pics of Brielle's 1st birthday party!

long time - no post

2009-07-14T15:57:00.002-06:00

Oh my it's been a long time since I really posted. I chalk it up to the fact that most of you who read this are on Facebook... and those of you who aren't should be ;) It's a lot easier to just load pics on there instead of taking the time to do it both places and blogging seems to take more time for some reason. SO, while I wait and let my baby cry for a bit (hopefully going to sleep for nap, otherwise just torturing me), I thought I'd at least give a run-down of what's been shakin' around here.

Aaron and I just got back from San Jose, Costa Rica. It was wonderful, although made me realize how terrible my Spanish really is. We'll probably buy the Rosetta Stone software eventually and hope that it helps us become closer to bilingual. We're planning on trying to get Sophie into the dual-immersion school (and our subsequent children) so that they'll have the opportunity to learn Spanish from very early on and be fluent. Anyway, back to San Jose! :) We got to go zip lining through the canopy of a cloud forest - very cool. We went on a rain forest trek - went boating down the river, hiking in the forest, and on an airal tram through the canopy. It was so neat. You know how when you're in school growing up you learn about the rain forest, you donate to 'Save the Rain Forest' charities, you even wear a "Save the Rain Forest" t-shirt? (Ok, well back in the late '80's and early '90's we did) It was amazing to actually see the place that you've learned about.

It is definitely a place that I want to take our children when they are older. Scotland was neat, but eh - I don't think that it's necessarily a place that I am dying to take my kids back to (although Sophie went with us the first time). Costa Rica is *definitely* a place I want my kids to have the opportunity to go to.

While we were there we also had the opportunity to go to the San Jose temple and attend church at a local ward there (yes, everything was in Spanish). It was a humbling experience and the people were very friendly and welcoming. Most didn't speak any English, although there was a member of the bishopric that was fluent (he lived in the states for quite awhile too) and one member of the Relief Society... who taught, so that didn't really help me out much :) lol We also ran into a senior missionary couple that were from Arizona, but mostly throughout church we were on our own for language wise.

It was a lot of fun and we had a lot of great experiences, but let me tell you - I MISSED my girls! I knew I'd miss them, but I guess I didn't realize how much! And it wasn't all that bad until they started really missing me too. Sophie would say "but I miss you! I want to go to the rain forest with you. Why'd you have to go on a trip?" And whatnot... breaking my heart a little more each time. Ugh.

Sophie is now 3! She's such a big girl and so smart! Brielle is 9 months and we're still having some problems getting to sleep during the day for naps. But when she gets enough sleep she's the sweetest little girl there is! :) And she finds so much stuff funny! I get a kick out of her all the time. She just BUSTS up laughing at the sillest or the most ordinary things. They definitely are my little angels!

Prize drawing!

2009-06-16T20:00:00.002-06:00

If you're doing food storage at all... and most of you that read this are in some form or another - you should check out and enter this giveaway from "Shelf Reliance." They are such awesome systems that I would just scream if I won! Of course, probably so would the other 900 people who have entered... but ah well. Someone's gotta win, right? Why not me? Or you?

Official crawling alert!

2009-05-19T13:17:00.002-06:00

Brielle just crawled! I mean, she's been getting around for quite some time now, but officially just now she crawled on her hands and knees! Wow - she's getting so big!

8 Months sure went by fast!

2009-05-19T08:38:00.002-06:00

Ahh, Brielle is 8 months old today! I simply cannot believe it. Where'd the time go? It's definitely going faster with Brielle than it did with Sophie... maybe because I'm busier, because I'm keeping up with two of their milestones instead of just one, because time flys when you're having fun? Elderly people also regularly tell me that time goes by quicker the older you get. I find that kind of sad. I want to slow-mo the girls most days and keep them this little and young and innocent and full of wonder and adoring love. I know all too soon they won't want me to shower them with kisses or sit on my lap and cuddle. Soon they'll trade in their baby dolls and barbies and favorite blankies for lip stick and cell phones. Why can't I have them little for longer? (Not that I want to be-grudge them growing up. Not at all. It's just it's happening way too fast!)

Brielle is almost crawling! She gets anywhere she wants to go via this army crawl-meets-worm method. And she's getting pretty fast too! She still is the sweetest little girl - always happy and smiling (ummm, until I leave the room) and she smiles with her whole face - this big, gigantic grin that overtakes her - it's adorable! Everywhere we go she is smiling at people so much and so big that they come over and talk to us - tell us about their own kids, or just dote on her. I feel like she's much like an angel would be on earth - happy to see everyone, smiling at them like she knows everything about them, all their dark secrets, and still has nothing but love for them. She makes them all feel special with how much she seems to adore them. I know that I am no where even remotely in the same area code as a Godly love, but my heart hurts when I think of how much I love these two muchkins of mine. It makes me awe at how much our Father in Heaven must love us.

I can't even imagine how quickly the next few years will go. I think I'll log off here and go hug my kids!

I think I may have an artist....

2009-05-12T09:47:00.003-06:00

Yesterday Sophie picked up her MagnaDoodle and said "I'm going to draw Ariel!" I 'uh-ummmed' and 'yeah-ed'... and then she brought it over to me to show. Can you believe this? From a 2 & 1/2 yr old? I thought it was pretty impressive to have eyes, a nose, a face outline, and sorta a mouth. She started to erase it from the top (why the eyes are partly gone) before I cried "NO! It's so beautiful - you did such a good job, I'm going to take a picture of it!"

Love

2009-05-06T11:21:00.002-06:00

Let's keep it short (for now at least)...

It's crazy how much I love these little pooping-whining-hitting-biting-fussing-never sleep enough -peeing on the floor-cat chasing-sticker eating-crazy girls of mine! :)

Spring time cuties

2009-05-02T20:47:00.004-06:00

I love spring! I love how green everything gets. I love how much you love the sun and warmth when you haven't experienced it for four months! I love getting the kids out of the house and letting them run with reckless abandon. I love how everything is new in the spring... new grass, new babies, lovely new-ness all around. It's so fun to share spring with my new baby. She's just old enough that she's exploring everything and curious about everything and notices everything. I take her outside and she just seems to soak it all up. Sharing all these firsts with a new baby - it just doesn't get much better than that!

And for those of you that are curious... Brielle is 7 & 1/2 months now (OH MY GOSH! Where did the time go???) and weighs about 17 lbs... which is roughly what our cat weighs ;) lol She's almost crawling, but not quite yet. She scoots herself forward by pulling with her arms or rolls anywhere she wants to be. She's also getting on her hands and knees and rocking back and forth - she's so close!

She's toothless for the moment, but not for long! She's been cutting a tooth on her bottom front for quite some time now, it just hasn't poked through the surface.

She's such a joy! She doles out smiles and giggles readily and loves completely. She adores her big sister. Sophie can always put a smile on her face by singing or dancing or twirling in circles. Brielle also thinks that sounds are completely funny. You pull packing tape from the roll (and get that kinda squeak) and she busts out with a belly laugh. You sneeze and she giggles. You slide a magnet down the fridge and she can't think of anything funnier (video of this one to follow). She's such a sweetie and finds joy everywhere. I pray that she always is able to keep this quality.

Grumpy Ol' Troll

2009-05-02T10:59:00.003-06:00

Ever watched Dora? Well we're big Dora fans around here. If you've seen an episode where they go over the troll bridge, you've heard the grumpy old troll song. If you haven't... you're about to :) Sophie's singing it and even trying to do the gruff troll voice. It's pretty cute (if I do say so myself!).

Kids say the cutest things!

2009-04-17T09:06:00.003-06:00

Every night before Sophie goes to bed, we go through the (seemingling endless) bedtime routine...

Bath, a Dora/Diego show (while lotioning up, jammies, milk, etc.), then family scriputre study (aka - reading a short section of the scriptures and trying to explain what happened), family prayer, potty, night-time diaper, brush teeth, book, Sophie's prayer, hugs & kisses, tuck-in, more hugs & kisses, singing, and finally... more hugs & kisses.

We've been saying family prayers and Sophie's prayers for quite some time now and she does most of them herself (her prayers anyway) and sometimes we help just a little. I've been meaning to post one of her night time prayers on the blog for quite some time and I keep forgetting... so here one is. It is SO cute. What a sweet little girl.

"Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Mommy, Daddy, Brielle. Thank you for Grandma & Poppa, Kassi & Joey (her aunt & uncle), and cousins.

Thank you my toe-nail polish. Thank you mom-go-exercise and I go play. Thank you for Dora. And big Dora. And Dora doll. And Diego. (All of these are her 'little dollies' that go with her doll house.) Thank you for watching TV (I promise we don't do this much, it's just one of her favorite things). Thank you for the library.

Help my owie right there (as she lifts up her pant leg and pointing - I guess showing God just which one she means). Help it feel better.

(This is the only place I help) Please help me to sleep. Please keep us safe and healthy.

Name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

How'd 6 months go by SO fast?

2009-04-01T15:41:00.002-06:00

Brielle is doing great! She's now almost 6 & 1/2 months now and I just have no idea where the time went! It seems to be going even faster than it did when Sophie was little... I wonder how fast it'll go with a 3rd or 4th kiddo. Maybe that's why those crazy people have 17 of them... :)

She's sitting up like she's been doing it for ages and rolling all over creation. She's also pushing up on her arms but not her knees yet. And she loves eating! lol (As you can see from pictures!!) I nurse her and she gets at least 2, if not 3 bottles a day, plus1 to 2 meals of baby food. lol She's a pig ;) lol She loves baby cereal and sweet potatoes the best. (We haven't done any fruits yet though, just cereal and veggies.) This is also sooo different than Sophie. Sophie would breastfeed and drink bottles, but basically hated all other food. Plus, she was such a skinny-mini. She was always like in the 10th percentile (or lower). Brielle is pretty steady at 50th percentile. (And they both are at the top of the charts for height! :)

What I love the most about her is that she's such a joy. She smiles at practically anyone who talks to her, sneezes, hiccups, dances, laughs, smiles, talks, or breathes. She sits there with me while I bathe Sophie and just rolls with laughter at Sophie's splashing. She had been sleeping through the night for a couple months, but I've been trying to get us on a nap schedule and it seems to be back-firing - she's waking up at night now! ugh. We'll get that figured out though.

Anyway, she's doing great. I don't know exactly her weight - her apt wasn't exactly at 6 months (it's next week), but I'm guessing 16 - 17 lbs. Ahh, what a fun little girl!

My little loves

2009-03-17T13:25:00.003-06:00

Ahh, my little loves. Here's an update on them...

As you can see, Brielle is getting to be quite the chunk ;)

Sophie was always (and still is) a skinny little thing, normally coming in at 20% for weight and 90% for height. Brielle is about 90% for height had 50% for weight, although I think that percentage might go up next time we're at the dr! ;)

She's sitting by herself so well now!

And adores her sister. Sophie can make her smile almost no matter what.

Darn, I don't know why this pic posted sideways, it's not in my files that way. I love this one of them. So cute. As you can see, Sophie adores Brielle too! :)

Ahh, my girls. They seem to have the same nose and definitely both of them have my eyes (yay!). The shapes of their faces is different, as are their ears and haircolor. Our opinion - Sophie looks just like me (wow, baby pics of me really show this) and Brielle seems to look like Aaron's sister Sasha.

lol - I tried to geta better picture of this, but the star was not allowing photographs that day ;) She's rocking her pink Dora hat 90's style!

Ahh, she's going to be so pretty as she gets older (I mean, I think she's very pretty now, but I think she'll always be pretty - ya know, not little girl pretty. Oh, why can't I explain what I mean? Arg.)

Here's our cat. His name is Teancum (tank-um if you ask Sophie). He totally is a dog in a cat's body and is soooo protective over Sophie and Brielle. The other day both girls slept over at my mom's house (yes, the first night away for Brielle) and Teancum seriously freaked out the next morning when the girls weren't there. He was running into their rooms, back to mine - meowing loudly, then back to theirs, then to the living room, etc. looking for them. All the while meowing. He was very worried. lol

Yummm, her first bite of 'real food.' Although, I'm not sure if you can count rice cereal as 'real.' (unless you're talking 'real' nasty)

I always bring my camera when I have to take the kids to the dr's office. Its great entertainment. We take pics and then look at them, take video, etc. The camera and the Ipod - wonderful!

Where have YOU been?

2009-02-20T15:54:00.005-07:00

We've been here... but you never would have known that with the amount of posting going on around here! I thought I needed to show off a little bit of the girls... wait, that sounded wrong. You know what I mean - my daughters.

They're getting so big! Sophie is potty trained, although we still have a few accidents every once in awhile and we're not trying to night-train for a little bit.

Brielle turned 5 months old yesterday - can you believe it? I can't - it's CRAZY! We're about to start her on solid food (oh that rice cereal looks soooo appetizing!) and also move her from the bassinett to the crib. She's rolling over, putting everything she can get her hands on into her mouth, and still our happy little girl. I hope that attitude carries through with her throughout her life. We have enough drama from our little mama :) (yeah, you know that's not me, right?) Here's a few snaps of the last month or two.

Ahh, Sophie and Mommy. I love, love, LOVE that the girls got my eyes. It makes me smile every day :)

Brielle lovin' her exersaucer (although I think we're going to get a new one - this one just isn't that fun). Sophie seems to play with the baby toys more than the baby does! lol

I know that part of her head is cut off, but come on - can you get a better smile than that?
I HAD to include it! What a CUTIE!

Ahh, the many faces of Brielle, our beautiful Brielle!

She's such a light in our lives!

Cutest little Projects EVER

2009-01-23T21:36:00.007-07:00

I was blog surfing tonight and found the absolute cutest little projects - check them out!

I love this little guy. In fact, I had published my post and then came across him and had to go back and put him in. He's made out of an old wool sweater... now I may just have to go to Goodwill and find a wool sweater. I doubt I own any anymore.

Anyway, he's so cute, you'll want to make one too - so here's how.

Ooh, how cool! Check out how to make these clothespin dolls!

A cute activity to do with your kids, or just special treats for a random holiday! :)

Groundhog day cupckes!

And finally, the cutest little monsters!

I am SO doing this when Sophie gets coordinated enough to draw actual things ;) lol

What it is, is over at Little Birdie Secrets - one of my new favorite crafty blogs,
she's taken her kids' drawings and turned them into little stuffed monsters -
what a cute idea! And special too!

yummm... Mostaccioli sauce!

2009-01-23T17:45:00.004-07:00

1/2 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. diced celery
1/2 c. drained mushrooms
1/2 clove garlic
1 & 1/4 lb ground beef
1 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp basil
1 bay leaf
1 & 1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 & 1/2 c. tomatoes
3/4 c. tomato paste
1 beef bouillion cube
8 oz mostaccioli pasta or spagetti squash

Brown beef in large saucepan and drain off fat. Return beef to pan.
Mix other ingredients together, except for noodles/squash. Bring to boiling point, stirring frequently. Simmer slowly for 1 hr. Serve over noodles or spagetti squash.

This is a fabulous dish, I love it. It works great served over spagetti squash instead of noodles for a lower carb option. Try it, it'll become one of your staples.

Making new recipes

2009-01-21T10:58:00.003-07:00

Ugh - don't you get bored eating all the same stuff all the time? I know that I do. I like to fancy myself as a pretty good cook, but I certainly can get stuck in a rut... especially when you're worrying about kids and cleaning and drs appointments and whatnot all the time. Also, I run out of fast things to make that are still good and good for you. SO I made up a couple recently and decided I'd pass them onto you, if you want them.

The first is Taco Salad. Of course everyone's had taco salad. It's not like I made it up or anything, pretty much I just figured out how to make our own taco bowls.

1 lb hamburger
1 pkg taco seasoning
2 small cans of chopped green chilies
fresh, crisp, chopped lettuce (iceburg works best but has the lowest amount of nutrients too, so pick your posion)
tomatoes, chopped
sour cream
guacamole
tortillas

Brown hamburger. Mix in taco seasoning and water (follow package directions) and green chilies.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 450. Take your tortillas (I used low-carb tortillas and they worked great) and find a little metal bowl they can be draped over. I used my "ball" cake pan - two sides to a ball and I did two tortillas at a time and it was perfect. Any oven safe metal bowl will work, or you can drape it over an empty food can w/aluminum foil over top.
Spray tortilla on both sides with some spray cooking oil (think Pam) and drape over bowl.
Bake for 6-8 mins. Take out, take off bowls, bake upright for another 2-4 mins until they're nice and crisp and lightly browned.

Then just assemble your taco salad how you'd like! :)

The next is a spinach and feta cheese omelet.

4 eggs
3 tbs feta cheese
1 tbs milk
baby spinach, washed & dried
a dash of pepper
butter, oil, or spray oil for your pan

Put spray oil (or butter or reg. oil) in pan and heat over med heat. I have an omelet pan that I use (SOOO handy) but you can use a reg. skillet.

Mix eggs together and put in pan. Add a dash of pepper and let the eggs start to cook on the bottom.

Mix feta cheese and milk together, crushing all the feta lumps as much as possible. Put into eggs. Layer baby spinach leaves on top (put as much or as little as you like) and cook. With the omelet pan I normally close it at this point (sandwich it together) and cook until eggs are cooked through. Be careful not to cook too long (the butter/oil will burn and the feta will overcook and taste wierd.)
You don't need any salt added b/c the feta is naturally salty. And this is a great beginning recipe to add whatever veggies you like - bell peppers, onions, etc. However, I like it plain and simple b/c of the unique taste of the feta.

Let me know if you try them! I thought Sophie would hate the omelet, but in fact she eats half of mine every time I make it. She loves it!

Ahh, Pre-pregnancy weight, why do you elude me?

2009-01-19T21:04:00.003-07:00

The title kinda tells it all. I am still not at my pre-pregnancy weight. Definitely not my pre-pregnancy shape! (although all the moms out there will attest to this - are you ever really the same shape? Sadly, no.) My lovely little round baby is 4 months old today... and has left me lovely and round as well. lol Yes, I know it was worth 'the weight' (as all the OB office propaganda tells you). Yes, I know it took 9 months to put it on. However, it doesn't change that I hate it. I hate it, hate it, hate it. (can you picture me on the floor throwing a temper tantrum like my 2 yr old?) I have been bouncing between the same 4 lbs for at least a month, maybe two. It seems like some of it'll come off, then four days later it's back on. Arrrr at the boomerang poundage. Double Aaaarrrrrrrrr.

Soooooo, today I signed up at a local gym. I convinced my mom to sign up too. I have been eating fairly well for months and yet this last 6 lbs eludes me. And while it'd be nice to get these 6 lbs off, I more accurately need to get more of my muscle back and then get back to my ideal weight. (Seeing as how muscle weighs more than fat...) Anyway, I've been eating really good for about 90% of the time... its the other 10% of the time, when we're at parents' houses for example, that is really screwing me.

I'm 60% excited for the new gym membership and all that goes with it. I'm 15% wondering if I'll make good use for it, 15% scared (of what? Idk), and 10% thinking "holy crap! Do you know how much money I just spent?" Tonight I did about 6 miles on the bike before I had to come home and make dinner and resume mommy duty. I'm hoping tomorrow I can fit in a spin or Pilate's class sometime before or after playgroup. Scheduling is very difficult with a 4 mo old and a 2.5 yr old. I bought a pass to the daycare center there and again have mixed feelings. I am hopeful it'll go well and that I'll have a few hours a day (or an hour) that I can have someone else watch the kiddos. However, I am very scared. I've never left either of them with people that I don't know. Sophie has spent a couple of days at daycare (when we were on vacay), loves the church nursery, and barely notices when we leave her at grandma's house - but we've never left her with someone I don't know! ahhh! And, if that wasn't enough, I'm really worried about leaving Brielle! Ahhhhh. She's only 4 months old. She's never been left with anyone besides Aaron and my mom. I'm freaking out a bit. Whewww - deep breath. It'll be ok... right??????

Some new pics

2009-01-13T20:34:00.002-07:00

My baby girl will be 4 months less than a week!

And for fun - here is my other sweet girl playing peek-a-boo.

Bahama Adventures

2008-12-31T12:06:00.003-07:00

Ummmmm, ok, the pictures posted in a very odd way - not at all what I thought they'd be, so I guess my explanation will be a bit messed up too... because frankly I'm not taking the time to re-upload them ;)

This first set is a pair of crazy people walking in the shark tank.
7 ft Carribean Reef sharks... are the dumb?

Here is me. (Well, you probably guessed it wasn't Aaron in the pink shirt, but ya never know.)

Part of the resort's foyer. It's massive. And gorgeous!

Oh yeah... those crazy people walking in the shark tank?
Yeah, that was Aaron and I.

Even better than the sharks, were the dolphins! :D WaHOOOO!
Seriously, this is something that I've always wanted to do.
I guess I can mark it off my bucket list now!
It was seriously awesome. You get to play around with them for awhile, then do a 'foot push' - which is where you're on a boogey board and the dolphin pushes you across the dolphin inclosure. Next you get to swim around with them - swim, play, dive down, etc. It was really cool. Under water you could hear the dolphins talk!

Ever wonder what a dolphin feels like? They feel exactly like a hardboiled egg without the shell!

Below is a Mantra Ray.... No, we didn't swim with him. He's just COOL. And huge. Very, very huge. He kinda looks like the mothership, if you ask me. He's probably 10-15 ft across. Gigantic!

Ahhh, the Bahamaian beach.

What a sweet little girl :)
(We took Brielle, left Sophie with Grandma!)

On the deck of our hotel room.

Another view from our deck.

And yet another picture on the deck of the hotel room.
(I didn't realize I had uploaded that many!)

Our vacation was fantastic! Can we go back now? I'm over winter already.

What cuties I have

2008-12-04T10:00:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I asked Sophie for a bear hug. After she gave me one, she then demanded on a 'pig hug.' It was too cute to pass up, so I gaveher abig hug and oinked. She thought it was great and then proceeded to ask for many other farm animal hugs! lol

Brielle did indeed get sick. I thought she was over it but then started puking again this morning. But, evem in her sick-i-ness, she loves her sister. I had her on my shoulder and Sophie was kinda in her face, then she'd duck down andhide, then pop back up andBrielle was smiling at her the whole time. Then, she lets out thisbig giggle - it was ADORABLE.

Also, I've been terrible about pictures lately, sohere are some fairly recent ones...

Gazing at the Christmas tree.

Sophie in her adorable outfit that daddy brought home from from China.

Wow it's been a long time

2008-11-29T16:38:00.002-07:00

Having Aaron take the camera to China for 2 & 1/2 wks really put a dent in my blogging! Not too much has been happening. Brielle is growing so quickly! Where is the 'slow' button? Hmmm, that sounds odd. I don't want her to be 'slow' - I just don't want to blink and wonder where that teenager came from ;)

Sophie is puking her guts up. Yeah, it's fun around here. Poor girl. The last time she even warned me. I was putting her down for a nap, reading to and rocking her, when she says, "Mommy, I need bowl." I rush out and didn't even get it back to her before I hear the splash. And another splash. And finally, another splash in the bowl. Poor girl. I'm so worried that Brielle will get it too. Ugh.

On a funnier note, Sophie is utterly convinced that Santa says, "No, no, no." I guess he's a very cheery disciplinarian.

Brielle is coo-ing and smiling all the time. And she's just started really laughing too. Why do my kids always laugh first for other people? Ah well. She was laughing at my dad on Thanksgiving. He was rocking her while singing. She LOVES it when he sings to her. He's got a big, deep voice and she was just looking at him in awe. Then she'd smile, then giggle. It was too adorable. Then today I guess Aaron really had her giggling. Yup, I think he's pretty funny too. ;)

And finally, I'm officially on the Bahama Countdown! 11 days until we leave! If you can't tell, I'm super excited. I am really keeping my fingers crossed that Brielle won't get this bug that Sophie has. And also that Sophie will be completely better before we leave. Not only are we leaving her with a babysitter during the days (and Grandma has her at night), but how terrible to be away from home and to not have your mommy when you're sick!?!

Now, I'm hoping to get some time away from the kiddos in the next week and a half to go shopping. I'm hoping to find a good deal on some warmer clothes to take, we'll see. But, I'm afraid finding a new swimming suit in December in Colorado just isn't in the cards.

2008-11-17T21:06:00.001-07:00

Darn, my other post posted below the Twilight one (I started it and then came back to it, so that's why, and I don't know how to fix it). Sooooooo, to check out just a few pics from China, see below.

Go ahead -

2008-11-15T13:06:00.004-07:00

You can start calling me a dork now if you want, but I am so excited about the Twilight movie coming out this Friday! Wahoo! I loved, loved, loved the books, but that being said, I'm a little cautious about the movie. It might be just me, but I don't think that any of the cast look like the characters I imagined in my head. Aren't they all supposed to be amazingly attractive? The only one that somewhat fits the picture in my head is Carlisle. Edward is slowly growing on me and Bella is pretty good, although already pale, so the contrast isn't that great IMO.

But, have you seen Rosalie? Hmmm... I'm pretty sure there were prettier girls at the mall today... or at Sams for that matter. No offense Nikki Reed. I'm sure you're very pretty.

And check out Jasper. Is that a bad wig? Emmett is ok, but not what I imagined either. And although Esme is pretty, so far I can't get over the fact that I see the crazy crushed lady from Grey's Anatomy each time I look at her.

What do you all think?

Even though I'm wondering about the casting, I'm super excited for Friday!!

What's halfway around the world?

2008-11-12T23:07:00.006-07:00

... my husband.

Some of you know, some of you don't - that Aaron is currently in Shanghai, China. It's one of the places he's always wanted to go, so I'm excited and happy for him. Sad for us maybe, but excited and happy for him. Here's a few pics from his recent excursion.

This is the Pearl tower. It's a television tower with a 'ball' of offices and whatnot in the middle of it. There is also a restaurant there, but it officially sucks according to Aaron. Just fyi in case you're ever in Shanghai, lol.

I came across this...

2008-11-11T12:49:00.001-07:00

I came across this quote from Michael J. Fox.

I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection.

Excellence, I can reach for;

perfection is God's business.

Halloween '08

2008-11-06T10:42:00.003-07:00

I know Halloween was like a week ago and these pictures are actually from our ward Halloween party 2 wks ago, but I finally have a minute w/o the baby in my arms or Sophie crawling all over me... so here are just a couple pics from Halloween.

We were supposed to all be characters from the Wizard of Oz... Sophie as Dorothy, Aaron as the scarecrow, me as Glenda the good witch, and Brielle as Toto. However, the day that we were finishing costumes and the party was that night, was the day of my finger, uh, incident. So, Aaron and I's costume didn't get finished. That's ok (except for all the work my mom put in on mine) b/c I didn't feel like dressing up anyway.

So, Sophie is still Dorothy and we're saying Brielle is Toto. I think 'technically' she's a black cat, but really, she's Toto! :)

Teen Pregnancy article

2008-11-04T16:06:00.001-07:00

To read the whole article, you can go here.

CHICAGO – Groundbreaking research suggests that pregnancy rates are much higher among teens who watch a lot of TV with sexual dialogue and behavior than among those who have tamer viewing tastes. "Sex and the City," anyone? That was one of the shows used in the research.

The new study is the first to link those viewing habits with teen pregnancy, said lead author Anita Chandra, a Rand Corp. behavioral scientist. Teens who watched the raciest shows were twice as likely to become pregnant over the next three years as those who watched few such programs.

Previous research by some of the same scientists had already found that watching lots of sex on TV can influence teens to have sex at earlier ages.

Hurts like Poo

2008-10-26T09:36:00.002-06:00

Recently I said that while getting my finger stitched back together at the hospital... and then I was mocked by my nurse for a good 5 mins or so. She was being funny though, not mean.

So, now that I've got your attention, yup, I had to have my finger stitched back together. On Friday I made the mistake of trying to break up my mom's dogs while they were fighting over... something, we're not so sure. There must have been a chewy involved or something. They've never fought before. Anyway, I put my hand on Piper's collar to pull her back and Sadie went to bite Piper's neck... and my finger was in the way. To make a long story short, the tip of my left pinky was kinda hanging off, only attached by a flab of skin on the bottom of my finger. Eww - I know. I won't gross you out too much. Yesterday while re-bandaging it Aaron took pictures for me. I had the intent of posting them here with the story, but after looking at them, I may need to run to the bathroom and didn't want to make you sick too. Let's just leave it at, 'it's gross.' Rightly so, it looks like my finger was bit off and then sewed back together.

Quote for the entire month

2008-10-22T08:58:00.001-06:00

"Cleaning your house while your children are growing is like shoveling snow while it's still snowing."

Brielle's Blessing

2008-10-19T20:01:00.005-06:00

We blessed baby Brielle in church today. Ahh, it was so nice.

My brother Todd is in town from Phoenix and so I wanted him to be able to be there.

And we had the most beautiful dress for Brielle to wear! Joey's (Kassi's fiance) mother made it for us. I know that she's real extended family, but they seem like close family. They are such great people! Anyway, Angie made this wonderful outfit for us. It's complete with a blanket, an underdress, dress, slippers, and Russian bonnet. It's all cotton-knitted by hand. It must have taken her forever! You can see it in the pictures below, but in person it's even more beautiful!

Our happy little (and growing) family.

Aaron, me w/Brielle, my brother Todd, and Sophie

My parents and brother with my family

Ahh, cousins are great!
These are most of my girls' cousins (we're just missing cousin Isaiah).
Sophie totally adores them, and they adore her right back!

See, we kinda look related... well, we are, but by marriage.
My mother in law SueAnn and my sister in law Sasha.
I'm so lucky to have such wonderful in laws! I love them! (btw, isn't Sasha just way too cute?!)

My beautiful Brielle. Look at the beautiful blessing dress!
Thank you again Angie!

My baby is almost 4 wks old!

2008-10-15T22:48:00.004-06:00

Here are some new pics of my growing girl.

I simply cannot believe that she'll be a month old on Sunday!!

Conquerer of the Grocery Store

2008-10-15T13:04:00.002-06:00

Yup, we went grocery shopping. Both of the girls must have been trying to boost my confidence b/c they were SO good! Brielle fell asleep in the carseat right away and Sophie was perfectly happy with fruit snacks and puffs. It also helps that it was a fairly quick trip with no "looking" - just getting. But ahhh, maybe some normalcy will return to our home after all. Now, if I could just keep the house clean!

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

2008-10-13T17:21:00.003-06:00

To preface this post, I'll say that nursing doesn't go so well here. I mean, it goes well if the goal is to put the baby to sleep. I have valium boobs or something that causes the baby to fall asleep within five minutes of starting to nurse. So, instead of nurse, wake baby, nurse, wake baby, nurse, etc. etc. etc. I've started pumping breastmilk and then giving it to her in a bottle. The pumping session is quicker normally, she will stay awake to actually eat, and I know how much she's getting. Warning: If the topic of pumping or breastfeeding makes you feel uncomfortable - time to stop reading.

It seems that this is my daily routine:
Pump, feed/change baby, play with Sophie, try to get the dishes done, pump, feed/change baby, play with Sophie, try to get the dishes done, pump, feed/change baby, play, dishes, etc. etc. etc.

This is all I do. Well, with feeding Sophie somewhere added in.

Notice that there isn't any laundry getting done here. Or cleaning. Or exercising. Or fun fall excursions.

Notice that I am too scared to take both girls to the grocery store to get groceries. (Going with just Sophie is most of the time an exercise in the distract-toddler-with-snacks technique.) I'm a little ashamed to say that I haven't taken them anywhere by myself yet, except to my parents' house, which doesn't count.

I guess there are two reasons why I haven't gone anywhere with them yet. First off, I'm worried about handling both of them, especially in the oh-so-exciting grocery store. Secondly, I feel strapped to the pump which is then connected to the wall. Again, breastfeeding is not going so well. When we do breastfeed, she's asleep fairly quickly (which means she's not getting what she needs and then will be awake and want to eat again in 20 mins). But more than that for public is the fact that it *hurts!* She flattens my nipple when breastfeeding, and um, well, that really smarts. It should remain round, not pancake-ish. Ow. Double ow.

SOOOOO... I end up staying home. And I pump, feed, and repeat (with some dishes and Sophie added in). I feel like I'll never break out of this cycle. And I don't know how to go grocery shopping.

Sophie - Quote of the Week

2008-10-09T12:09:00.000-06:00

Every day Sophie amazes me with how much she knows. There are so many times each day where I think "Where did she learn that?" or "I didn't know she knew that!" However, tonight was the funniest example. She picked up this little dolly mirror thing (kinda like the offspring of a rattle and a mirror), put it over her eye and says...

"I'm a pirate! Aaaarrrrrrrrrr!"

We're still here!

2008-10-04T22:49:00.003-06:00

I know I haven't posted lately, but as you can understand, we've been busy. I can't believe that Brielle is already 2 wks old! WOW.

Sophie loves her baby sister.

She's always so excited when she gets to hold her or play with her on the floor.

On Wednesday, Aaron's youngest sister came home from her mission! Yay :)
We're so happy to have Kassi home!
Sophie took to her right away and loves her to pieces!

Brielle is such a sweet little baby. Of course, she's still up all the time for eating, or just because, at night, but hey, that's to be expected, right?
All these people that have babies sleep for 6 hrs at night... that's just not normal!

Here is Alexandria, my niece, holding Brielle. She was so excited to hold her. She's such a little momma ;)

Birth Story

2008-09-24T14:32:00.004-06:00

Alright, I've finally have a little time to post another blog ;)

So on Friday (9/19) morning we went into the hospital for our induction. During our initial tour I had asked what would happen if there weren't enough beds since ours was an induction. The lady said that the nurse would call my OB and he'd contact me and let me know when to come in. So anyway, we get there and lo and below - there are no more birthing rooms available. And no one has let us know. Instead, they put us in this back room - kinda like a supply room. I think they actually call it a "recovery room"... well, the recovery room is where they store all the extra supplies. It just happens to have a couple cots (not birthing beds) and fetal monitors. We figure (and are told) that they'll get us in a room when one comes available and it shouldn't be long. Ok.

So, the dr comes in and places the cytotec to start contractions more fully. Last time I had pitocin, so I had no idea what to expect, but the dr said that it mimicks labor more naturally than Pitocin and that I have a couple of hours before it gets too uncomfortable.

So, we go downstairs and get breakfast, walk around a little, etc. and come back every hour to be hooked back up to the monitors. After a couple of hours it's starting to get definitely more uncomfortable and the contractions close together. By the way, we're still waiting for a room.

Well, to make a long and story short(er), we keep waiting for a room, all the while my contractions are getting stronger and closer together. We are passed up for a room a couple of times - once because another lady came into the hospital already in full labor. Then, another time was very frustrating because the lady wasn't dilated as much as I was and our contractions were about the same apart and intensity. Ah well... we're trying to keep a good attitude, but with each passing hour, it definitely gets harder. (The bed was very uncomfortable, the room was curtained off but only about 10'x10' and Aaron had to steal a chair in order to even sit down. We didn't have a tv, radio, etc. either. Eventually we were sitting around staring at each other... it got very boring ;)

My contractions were getting very intense and finally they gave us access to the hot tub. That helped a lot, but we still didn't have a room. They didn't want to give me an epideral (for obvious reasons) until we had a room. At one point our nurse changed and the new one was... not nice. Aaron would have hit her I think if I would have let him. She came in to check on me and I told her that I was worried that I wouldn't get a room or epideral before the baby came. She basically said "Ah well, that's how it goes sometimes." You could see the blood boiling behind Aaron's eyes!

Well, they finally got us into a room a little after 7:00 p.m. (we got there at 8:00 a.m.). I was dilated to a 6 and my contractions were one minute apart, but finally we had a room. We got the epideral in quickly (we told them it had to be before they broke my water) and then the dr broke my water at 8:00. Then... he went to go get the nurses ice cream (he's a great guy, but didn't understand just how quickly I meant when I said it'd be quick). Well, I soon was breathing through contractions and trying not to push while the nurse is on the phone with my OB telling him that we're about to have a baby whether or not he's there. (By the way, the epideral was great, but I felt WAY more than I thought that I would.) There was a resident physician on the OB floor that day and he was getting ready to deliver the baby... I'm thinking "Oh please NO - get MY doctor!"

Well, Dr. Robbins gets there and we have a baby! I really love my doctor - he was great and really listened to me when I told him about my history (with Sophie I had a lot of problems - they couldn't stop my bleeding, etc.). Through his precautions and also the epideral, I was kept out of surgery this time and that was SUCH a relief!

Baby Brielle Mae was born at 9:02 p.m. She was 7 lbs 7.3 oz and 20 inches long. She is such an angel! She has very dark brown hair and quite a bit of it, which was a surprise to me. Sophie didn't have hardly any hair to speak of.

We ended up having to stay in the hospital another day and a half past what we thought we'd have to because Brielle had some elevated body temperatures. They wanted to observe her longer and run a lot of tests. They did a chest x-ray. They did blood work (which they had to stick her SO many times, oh, I'm glad I didn't see that). They put in a cathedar to get a sterile urine culture. My poor, poor baby! (I know a lot of babies have to have worse, I'm so sorry for them and their mommies and daddies!) Everything ended up coming back ok and we ended up going home on Monday night. It was so nice to be home!

Brielle is such a good baby! We're still up a lot at night to nurse and whatnot, but she is actually sleeping in the bassinet or the crib... it's AMAZING! I didn't realize that babies did that! lol (Again, Sophie only slept when she was being held...which wasn't conducive to sleeping.) She even sleeps in the bassinet in the living room while Sophie plays, the garbage disposal is running, the tv on, or there is silence, etc. WOW! She hardly ever cries, just when she's waking up and wanting to eat. She's nursing well. She's just overall such a good little baby! Ahh, what a relief. Now, if we could sleep more than an hour at a time at night, it'd be great.

Ahhh, what a sweetie! I just can't imagine our family now without her. She's so great.

Sophie is doing well too. She's having a little bit of mommy withdrawl and is a little more needy, but I think that's to be expected. She also doesn't want mommy to sleep if she's awake, so it's been great to have Grandma and Daddy to keep her occupied while Mommy takes a nap. My mom has been so helpful! Sophie loves to hold her baby sister and love on her.

We're so blessed!

Some Pictures while Lori Sleeps. A...

2008-09-20T07:04:00.003-06:00

Brielle and Lori are doing great. Brielle was 7lbs 7.3oz, and 20in.

Lori and I with Brielle

I am one happy daddy.

Getting Ready

2008-09-18T11:41:00.006-06:00

By now everyone knows that tomorrow is the day! Baby Day! (See, I told you I'd make it to Friday!)

I've been talking to Sophie about what's going to happen and how exciting it is and whatnot for awhile now, but today was the first day that we started talking about how baby Brielle will be here tomorrow and it's such a special day because you're going to be a big sister, etc. We've talked about how Mommy is going to go to the hospital (we point it out as we drive by all the time), how baby Brielle will come out of Mommy's tummy and Sophie will get to come and see her. How it's so special and how she's going to stay with Grandma for a little bit and what fun she'll have. I think that she really gets it. It amazes me what she'll say back to me. Tonight my mom and I (and Sophie) were going to do some last minute shopping at good ol' Target. We drove by the hospital and she asked "what's that?" (She does this every time. She knows, she just likes to hear my answer I think.) So, I say "it's the hospital. We'll go there tomorrow." And she says, "Go see Baby Brielle at hospital." She's such a smartie.

I got to thinking today that today was the last day that I would be a mother of one. Today was the last day that Sophie would be an only child. While I am super excited, and so is Sophie, it also was a little sad for me. Like Sophie's baby-hood is ending. Yes, I know she's two; she's not a baby anymore. But she's my baby. She still will be my baby, but our lives will definitely never be the same. I had grand plans for the day that we would spend together, our last day as just us. I so wish we would have accomplished them. But alas, it was a pretty normal day. I had things that needed to get done before tomorrow - like laundry, dishes, etc. She played happily and we did have a good day... just not an extra special day like I had planned.

Tomorrow will be a very special day indeed. Sophie will be more excited about spending the day with Grandma and seeing a real live, teeny-tiny baby (that's ours!) than she ever would have been about finishing the home made musical instruments that we were going to do today. I hope that I'm able to make her feel special all the time, even when a lot of my attention and time goes to a new little girl and Sophie has to learn to share Mommy. I hope she never feels second best (or first for that matter). I hope that she'll love the baby and not be too jealous. I hope that our girls will be friends growing up and throughout their lives.

Ok, I am getting sappy. Wait, I'm definitely already there.

We'll post pictures of our newest arrival as soon as we (probably Aaron) feels up to it. Thank you all for checking in on us and for your friendship and love. We love you and are glad that you can share this with us.

See ya tomorrow!

Our Little Deere

2008-09-18T11:41:00.005-06:00

One of Sophie's newest toys (thank you Grandma and Grandpa!)

She loves to 'drive' but is still a little scared if it actually moves!
(It's like a powerwheels)

Hmmm.... what is she hauling? Hay, grass, feed?
Nope, it's her dollies. That's my girl.

Just Checkin' In

2008-09-17T13:29:00.003-06:00

Wow, I feel popular ;) More people have called in the last two days than in... the last two weeks maybe? lol They all think that I'm going into labor and not telling anyone apparently. My mom, dad, sister, and even Aaron get paranoid if they don't hear from me for awhile. (Of course, I don't want to sound like I don't appreciate the calls - I love to hear from everyone! :)

Seriously, I went to the grocery store with Sophie today to stock up on everything before the baby comes - you know, the essentials like milk, bread, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc; the post-baby essentials, but I won't get into those; and of course the freezer food. I very rarely buy freezer food... like once in a blue moon. Most the time I'd rather my family eat sandwiches than the sodium laced, pricey freezer stuff. However, we now have at least a week's worth of only freezer stuff if we need it for after the baby is born. Ok, I digress... I call Aaron on my way home to get him to come outside and help us bring the mountain of groceries in the house. And he says... "You were gone for a long time. I was getting worried that maybe you went into labor or something." Seriously? Like I'm going to go into labor and not call my husband? Right....

So, I figure updating the blog every day is a handy way for you all to see that I'm currently still very big and pregnant. And I think my body will stay that way until Friday. Earlier in the week I was having some major contractions and whatnot, but it seems to have calmed down more today. Grocery shopping was even uneventful in the contraction department.

On the down side - I think I am now getting the cold that has been passed around my house for the last two and a half weeks. My throat is killing me. I'm trying to head it off with lots of vitamin C and lots of fluids, but so far it doesn't seem to be getting better. Sophie is still feeling sick too, although not as bad as before. Oh come on! We all need to get healthy SOON!

Still hangin' in there

2008-09-16T13:34:00.003-06:00

I just thought I'd let everyone know that Friday is a go, as long as we don't go before then. It seems everyone I tell that I'm 4 cm and inducing on Friday says, "Ooh, do you think you'll make it that long?" Well, personally, yeah - I do. I'm trying not to get my hopes up about going earlier, so yup - I think it'll be Friday.

Also, Sophie is feeling much better today, so if Brielle did come earlier on her own accord, then I'd be perfectly fine with that. I even took Sophie to gymnastics today because she was feeling so much better. I walked in and the owner says, "You're kinda like a time bomb!" Yup. I do have to say that gymnastics was a lot harder today than it has been in the past! lol

I've been contracting a lot, but once I sit down and rest they always seem to go away eventually. Last night making dinner and whatnot it was consistently every 5 minutes. Of course, they went away, or this would be a different blog entry :) But this morning my mom called me from her recess at school (she teaches 3rd grade) to make sure that I was still around. lol My mom the worrier. Like I'd go into labor and not call her because she was at school! So, I figured I'd update everyone, just in case you too thought I might be missing in action!

No baby shower for you!

2008-09-15T14:52:00.003-06:00

LOL (Did you read the subject heading with your best Soup Nazi impersonation? I hope so!)

Well, it looks like we'll have a baby before too much longer :)

This is how the dr's apt this morning went....

Dr: Hi Lori, how are you feeling?
Me: Uncomfortable.
Dr: Uncomfortable b/c you're pregnant, or uncomfortable b/c you're sitting on paper wearing paper?
Me: Well, both actually.

***hm hmmm hmmmm - insert lovely internal exam here - that hurts like you know what.***

Dr: Well, you're a very well established 4 cms.
Me: What?
Dr: I think we should see what days are available at the birthing unit.
Me: What? Really? Do you think I need to be induced?
Dr: Well, if you don't want to, then I'm not going to try to force you. But with how quick your other labor was, I think it's a very good idea.
Me: Uh, ok. How soon are we talking?
Dr: We'll have to call and check the available dates at the hospital, but I'd say it should be by Friday.
Me: I'm supposed to have a baby shower on Saturday.
Pause......
Me: Can I talk to my husband and then get back to you?
Dr: Sure.

***insert nurse***
Nurse: Ok, they have Wed, Thur, or Frid available.
Me: Of this week? Uh, ok. Let me talk to my husband first and I'll call you.

thud, thud, thud, thud, thud.....

That would have been my heart pounding in the last line there. A baby by Friday? Wow - am I ready? Uh, no. Am I excited, definitely. Am I freaking out a little? Uh, yeah. It seems that there is so much left to be done. I know that even if stuff doesn't get done, it's not the end of the world. The baby isn't going to care if my lawn is mowed or the hedges trimmed. The baby won't care if the house isn't as clean as I'd like it to be. The baby will only care that she's with her mommy and daddy, sister, and lots of family that love her. Oh yeah, and the whole milk bit. Definitely will care about the whole milk bit, but luckily that's built in. ;) However my daughter and husband best get over their colds ASAP! (That's what I'm the most worried about. If Sophie is sick, she can't come to the hospital to meet her sister - ugh, how terrible would that be! Get better quickly Punpkin!!)

Oh yeah, so we asked for Friday to give us as much time as possible to get Sophie over her little cold and Daddy 100% healthy too. Hopefully that date is still available. Otherwise, we might have a little one sooner! Ooohh, I'm starting to get even more excited!

Quote of the Day

2008-09-14T19:45:00.001-06:00

Aunt Sasha: "Sean, she's not a dog - she's your cousin."

Oooooh, two posts in one day!

2008-09-10T22:22:00.002-06:00

Can you believe it? Two posts in one day? (Now you can ooooooo and ahhhhhh, go ahead. I'll wait.)

So, now that you're done ooooo-ing and ahhhh-ing, I have to tell you how disappointed I am. Earlier tonight I started contracting... HARD. Hard enough that I had to stop what I was doing. Finally, after a few of these contractions I get my brains back and start noting the time. They're coming every 4 minutes, almost on the dot.

I tell myself to not get excited, not get my hopes up. But come on! Who doesn't get their hopes up? This goes on and on and on. I'm starting to wonder if I should call my mom to come and put Sophie to bed.... and then sure enough... they STOP. Pooh. Pooh, pooh, pooh.

Can I ever master the inversely proportional?

2008-09-10T22:06:00.002-06:00

Maybe I should start out with what inversely proportional is - it has been a long time since math classes for most of my friends/family/fellow bloggers out there.

Inversely proportional:

Changing oppositely by same factor - involving a mathematical relationship in which an increase in one variable by a given factor brings about a decrease by the same factor in another

A relationship between two variables in which the product is a constant. When one variable increases the other decreases in proportion so that the product is unchanged.
If b is inversely proportional to a, the equation is of the form b = k/a (where k is a constant).

Ok, have I lost you (I've bored you to death, right!?)? You didn't know you'd have a vocabulary and/or math lesson today, did you?

Anyway, it seems my house is doomed to be inversely proportional... When the laundry gets cleaner, the kitchen table gets cluttered. When the kitchen table gets cleared off, the counters somehow now need cleaning. When the counters are clean, the living room looks like it has been hit by a silent tornado. Why is that? Can't it just ALL be clean and free of clutter? Arrr.

What a hypocrite!

2008-09-09T14:58:00.004-06:00

I am so religious about checking my friends' blogs... I mean, at least once or twice a day normally (I am SO addicted). I get all happy when I see a new post. It's even better if there are pictures! I love keeping up with all the happenings, the rants, the little day-to-day stuff that each of us go through. And when I keep checking and checking (and checking) and nothing new is posted, well, I start to think "Ahh, post something new! I'm sure you have something going on. I'm sure your kid did something cute. I'm sure you have something to say!"

Hmmm, what a hypocrite I am!! I realized that I haven't exactly been the most bloggin' lady out there lately either. I try to keep it updated, but it seems to go in spurts or once a week updates. That's how I feel my life is lately. Once a week updates. Kinda like doctor appointments. Yup, the baby is doing good. Yup, Sophie is still a cute little stinker who tries my patience and makes me love her even more. Yup, Aaron is traveling... actually Aaron is home this week. GASP!!!! No, I haven't tried a new, great recipe. No, nothing new is done on the house. No, things are pretty much the same. Maybe this is why people don't post as much as I'd like them to :)

Ahh, how I wish I was witty. How I wish that I could type out a funny, laugh out loud, meaningful post every day on some issue that I seem to know more about than others.... ummm, but you've met me right? Chances are that I don't know more than you about most issues! And yeah, I wish I was witty, which means I'm not.

But here is my new goal... I am going to try (a little voice inside my head that sounds oddly like my husband is now saying "Do or do not, there is no try." I'm pretty sure the voice should sound like Yoda, not my husband...) Anyway, I am going to try (be quiet voice!) to start blogging a little more. And maybe they'll even be more than just updates from the world of Lori. Maybe they'll be rants, maybe they'll be funny, maybe they'll be witty! Gasp! Ok, probably not. This post be the closest you get to witty from me :)

Getting Ready for Baby

2008-09-03T21:31:00.003-06:00

Since we're on the countdown, we're starting to get ready for baby Brielle!

Labor day gave us, well Aaron actually, to get the baby stuff out of storage so
we could get it all ready for the new baby.

Hmmm, who's in the infant seat???

Sophie is practicing putting the baby into the carseat....

I think that'll be Mommy's job.

And finally... I am getting ready.
WOW - can you believe there is still roughly 3 weeks left?

This isn't really a getting ready picture,
but it was just too dern cute to not post ;)

Tummy Drama... or... a Movin' and a Shakin'

2008-08-28T11:36:00.002-06:00

Wow, I am certainly the blogging fool today! Maybe subconciously I am trying to make up for my lack of blogging for so long. Or perhaps it could be that Sophie is actually entertaining herself for a bit today (which has NOT been the norm this past couple of weeks)... ahh, it is so nice. Our living room looks like it hasn't been cleaned in weeks, but hey, she's happy. (And it was clean this morning, just so ya know!)

Anyway, I thought I would share some movin' and shakin' tummy drama. Just now I was sitting here with my belly looking like barbies could surf on it. I thought - how cool, I'm going to video tape it. I get my camera, sit down and prepare to entrance you all with my belly dance (curtosy of unborn baby Brielle)... and then she is calm. Hmmmm - she's already trying to spite my blogging! lol I put the camera away, she gets active. I pull the camera out, she stops. I keep the camera out... she doesn't move a muscle.... she's a smart one! :)

Another funny belly tidbit. This morning Sophie was sitting on my lap. She often pulls my shirt off my belly so she can 'see' the baby. Then she rubs it, sings to the baby, etc. It really is cute. Anyway, she points to my stretch marks and belly button (now stretched) and very concerned like says with wide eyes, "Mommy, broken!!!"

Nie Nie Auctions

2008-08-28T09:54:00.002-06:00

Those of you really connected in the blog-o-shere probably already know about the Nielson family. The parents were in a plane crash and are recovering from severe burns over most of their bodies. They have 4 small children. Anyway, the blog world is having a fundraiser for them. A ton of different blogs are doing silent auctions with all the items donated and the $ raised will go directly to the Nielson family medical bills. If you'd like to check out some of the auctions, you can go to: design mom (who has a whole list!) or ponytailchallenge.

Tag

2008-08-28T09:31:00.002-06:00

Well, I'd better hop to it I guess since I have been tagged by two different people in two days with the same survey :) At least that makes it easy!! I actually like the little tags because it helps us all to get to know each other better! :) So, here goes...

1. Four places I go over and over:
Walmart, my parents' house, church, mom & tot gymnatics (or the airport, it's a toss-up)

2. Four people who email me regularly:
My baby group for this baby (wow, I get SO many emails a day, it's hard to keep up), Mallory, Alana, and it's hard to pick between my SIL Kassi, my MIL SueAnn, and my mom - they all are kinda equal I guess.

3. Four of my favorite places to eat:
In town or in general? Hmmm, I'll guess in town...
No Coast Sushi, Zen Garden (sushi again), Dos Hombres, The Ale House

4. Four place I would rather be right now:
With Aaron (pretty much anywhere), somewhere with a great beach, in bed, getting a massage!

5. Four TV shows I watch:
I'm not really regular on any tv shows, but the ones I try to catch are:
So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol (when I can catch re-runs as I'm never home when it's on), LOST!, What Not To Wear

6. Four people I tag:
Hmmm, who hasn't done this one yet?
Alana, Lauren, Allie B, Teresa

Ask and ye shall receive.

2008-08-26T21:28:00.002-06:00

My friend Sarah asked me to post my popcorn cake recipe, so here it is.

Popcorn cake is something that I've never seen anywhere besides a Clever family function. It's a tradition at our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Ummm, yummy. It's basically kinda like a rice krispie treat, but with popcorn instead of cereal, and with peanuts and gumdrops added in.

I hadn't planned on posting this, so I didn't take pictures before I took it to our church youth function tonight. It looks so yummy and cute, especially before it's cut. You make it in an angel food pan or something similar. It's easy and unique.

Grandma Clever's Popcorn Cake

4 qts. Popped popcorn
1 lb small gumdrops (sometimes we have to use the bigger ones and cut them. That’s pain.)
½ lb salted peanuts
½ c butter
½ c oil (my gma has ‘salad oil’…. I think that I normally use canola or something like that. Also, you can get away with not using that much - maybe between 1/4 c. to 1/2 c.)
1 lb marshmallows
Buttered angel food cake pan

Add popcorn, candy, and nuts in large bowl.
Melt oil and butter in lg saucepan. Add marshmallows. Bring to boil. Pour over popcorn mixture and mix.
Press into pan. Let cool.

I also thought I'd post another popcorn recipe. I can't take credit for this one - Kristi found this one and it's so yummy and different. The young women especially liked it! :)

Red Hot Popcorn

2 tbs veg. oil
1/2 c. unpopped popcorn
1/2 c. butter
2 tbs light corn syrup
2 (2.25 oz) packages cinnamon red hot candies

1. Pop popcorn and place in large brown bag (or large ziplock).
2. Combine the butter, corn syrup and red hots in a microwave safe bowl or saucepan. Heat, stirring occasionally until the candies have melted. Pour the hot syrup over the popped corn, and shake bag for 1 minute, until completely coated. Cool and serve.

I wish that I had a picture for you. It turns out bright red, just like the red hots, and tastes so yummy!

Another popcorn recipe for you...

Carmel Popcorn. This is not your normal crunchie carmel popcorn. It's got real, gooey carmel on top of the popcorn. We used to make this a lot growing up when 'the family' would sit down and watch a movie. SO good. SO easy.

Carmel Popcorn

1 c. popcorn (unpopped)
½ c. butter or margarine
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. white Karo syrup

1. Pop popcorn with an air popper. (You can also pop it in the microwave in a brown paper bag.)
Try to take out the seeds that don’t pop.
2. Mix butter, sugar, and karo into sm saucepan. Boil 2 mins and then pour over popped corn.

Oh yeah, baby update

2008-08-25T22:23:00.002-06:00

Oh yeah... so did you know that the sour cream and the cottage cheese in my fridge now have longer expiration dates than I do? (My due date that is, if you didn't catch on.)

Hmm, I flip between that freaking me out a little and then thinking that I've already been pregnant forever so what is taking so long? I feel like we have so much to do in order to get ready for this baby to come home. Yet, anyone who has been pg lately would probably tell you that if feels like you've been pregnant for five years! Everyone keeps asking 'how much longer' and I just cringe... probably 5 more weeks! Ugh, that isn't much time. And double ugh that it isn't sooner!

I was in the dr's office yet again today for another apt. I love my dr - he's great. However, I hate all the waiting as of late. It didn't used to be that bad, but now you wait for an hour for a 5-10 min apt. I took Sophie with me today b/c Aaron is still (and again, which ever way you want to look at it) out of town. Luckily she was a pretty good girl, but anyone knows that trying to entertain a two year old in a dr's office for over an hour is not... stress free. Let's leave it at that.

Hmmm, seems like this has become more of a rant than an update. Sorry about that. I guess I'll get to the update part.
*Everything is looking good so far. :)
*In two weeks we go into the hospital to do all of our paperwork and tour and whatnot. We should have done it sooner, but we wanted an evening apt so we could leave the little one with my parents.
*My dr said that he'd consider inducing me as early as 38 weeks (which is Sept 15th). We haven't decided if we want to do that or wait for it to be spontaneous. I guess we'll wait and see.
*And we start having fun 'internals' next apt... good thing Aaron will be home and can watch Sophie. Wouldn't want to take her to that.

It's been a long time...

2008-08-25T21:23:00.002-06:00

It's not like me to leave my blog so... un-updated for so long.

Pretty much my excuse is that I can't stand TV anymore (which I normally have on in the background when I am on the computer) so I've been reading, reading, reading. First it was Twilight that my MIL and SIL convinced me to read. Can I just say that I LOVED it? Yeah, it was written for teenage girls. Hey, I was one of those.... awhile ago ;) So, after Twilight I had to read the other three books in the series, of course. Then I read The Peacegiver. After I finshed that one, it was Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald. Now it's Shiva Dancing by Bharti Kirchner. It feels like I'm forgetting one, but that might be it.

Of course, that's all in addition to our normal routine. I love being a stay at home mommy! It really hit me when everyone started going back to school. If I was still teaching, I'd be one of them. I'd be getting ready to put her in daycare, I'd be grading papers late into the night after she went to bed. Ugh. I can't stand the thought of leaving her - and she's 2 already! I know that there are so many mommies out there that would give most things to be able to stay home with their children. I am so lucky that we have that opportunity. We might not have the nicest things, or a lot of things in general, but I have what is most important.

Anyway, I digress. I just thought we would update you as to what's been going on around here. Maybe not the most exciting family out there, but we love it!

First of all, one of Sophie's favorite animals is a camel... yes, you read that right, a camel. I don't know why. When we went to the zoo, we sat and stared forever at the hairy butts that were probably 100 yards in the distance. She loves camels. So, when my parents found out they were doing camel rides again (she rode one at the county fair), we all went. I wish that I could have gotten her reaction on video - she totally freaked out when she saw the camel. "Mommy - camel! CAMEL. CAMEL! CAMEL!!!" It was TOO funny.

Sophie absolutely loves her dollies as well. She'll be such a good little sister (once we establish some boundries that is). Here she is surrounded by most of her babies. She was reading them all a story.
Daddy put in tile in our bathroom. Sophie wanted to help too :)

Who would have known that some of the best toys aren't toys?
I bought some of the rubbermaid bins to store unused toys and outgrown clothes. Sophie thinks it's great. My little angel. I think I was keeping her entertained by taking pictures of random things that she wanted to see. We have a lot of pictures of the cat, her dollies, and both of our feet, but I didn't think that you'd want to see that :) I am in serious need of a pedicure!

Ahh, a vacation

2008-08-13T21:04:00.004-06:00

As you probably know, Aaron and I finally got away by ourselves for a few days. It was the first time that I left Sophie overnight and I was definitely more worried about it than she was. She did great at Grandma's and had a lot of fun. I'm awfully grateful that Sophie has such wonderful grandparents!

Hubby and I drove to Salt Lake City and played around. The first night we relaxed and had dinner (hmmmm, sushi - my favorite!) and just enjoyed each other's company.

The next day we spent downtown - at temple square mostly. Here are a few of our favorite pics. I can't take credit for most of these. Aaron took the majority of them.

I LOVE this one. If you don't recognize it, it's the handle of door to the temple.

It says "Holiness To The Lord" and can you believe that the casts for this were made by hand? They're simply gorgeous.

Doing the touristy thing. I bet his Scotland shirt might have thrown a few people off.

Aaron and I are sitting on this cute, romantic, little hidden away bench by the temple taking pictures of random things when all of a sudden this hummingbird flies up - right to us! This DOES NOT have zoom on it. Seriously the bird was maybe four inches away from our lense. He was a very curious little creature. He reminded me of a Disney character :)

Here is a picture of the Moroni statue on the top of the temple.

Okay, you're thinking... "a picture of a bench? Why?"
This bench has special meaning to me and Aaron... it's where he proposed, forever ago!

(This is right next to the temple, on the back side.)
He was wanting to do it at the lover's bench just a few yards from this one, but there were already people there. Of course, I had no idea what was happening, so I insisted that we just sit here instead. A little while later, we were engaged!

Those were just some of the highlights from our trip. We enjoyed ourselves - and also enjoyed coming back. I missed Sophie.

On a side note, our drain IS now fixed. My good friend Alana actually called her brother, who lives in town, and had him come over to look at it. He's a year away from being a master plumber. What a good friend! I'm so grateful for my friends. Thank you!

Just a bad ending.

2008-08-05T21:06:00.002-06:00

Ever have one of those days where everything is going pretty smoothly, you're excited and happy and doing good until... until whatever it is happens.

Today it was the kitchen sink. Yeah, I put some stuff down the garbage disposal that I probably shouldn't have. Aaron thought he fixed it and then later in the day the sink got clogged. Everything that I had under the sink got pulled out onto the floor, all the draino chemicals on the counter, dirty water in the sink (not to mention the plunger), tools on my previous clean counters, etc. Poor Aaron tried everything to get it unclogged. Then my dad came over and they did it all over again while I took Sophie to my young women's activity (a church activity where I'm a leader) so she wouldn't pull a pipe wrench onto her head or something.

And I was ok with all of this. I still was having a pretty good day - not the best for obvious reasons, but hey, it could have been a lot worse -right? Even when we had to eat PB&J sandwiches for dinner and the plates are stacked on the counter b/c I couldn't wash them, I was doing ok.

So, I finish my activity at church, put Sophie in the car, drive home. My dad's car isn't there, so I'm thinking that's a good sign. I walk in, Aaron is sleeping on the couch. I figure it's gotta be fixed. Wrong. There is still water in the sink (mixed with heaven knows how much Draino and Liquid Plumber); tools, dishes, chemicals, plastic bags, recycling stuff (that was draining the other sink before being put in the bag), and soggy napkins on the counter; the stool out where Sophie could now get to all aforementioned objects; and I don't want to think about how dirty my kitchen floor now is.

And then my day turned. Why I could keep my cool all day and then come home to a still-clogged sink and lose my whole composure? I don't know. It just seemed crushing. It's not fixed. I can't clean my kitchen. It's gross. And it's not going to get better for who knows how long until we can get someone to fix it. It's not even that we'll have to pay for a plumber. Well, maybe that is part of it. Maybe a part of it is pregnancy hormones too.

I think a lot of it is that Aaron and I are supposed to go out of town tomorrow for a get-away, just the two of us. Do you know that I've never spent a night away from Sophie? So, Aaron and I planned a trip - Grandma is watching Sophie while Aaron and I are supposed to go away for a relaxing trip, just us two. Now, my most pressing date is with a plumber whom we haven't called yet. Will we get to leave tomorrow? I don't know. I hope so.

Another part of it is that I feel so out of it when my kitchen is out of comission. I can't even wash my hands there. I had to go to the bathroom to wash peaches for dinner. And it's not clean. That's a major thing too. While I have been known to let clutter encroach on my kitchen (bills, books, purses, etc.) it's never really dirty. I do all the dishes after the meal, I clean the counters and stove, etc. I hate that I can't do that. I have a feeling that I won't be able to sleep tonight because of it.

And the funny thing is - that I know that it's a fairly simple thing. No one is hurt, it's fixable, etc. In the grand scheme of things, it's such a small and simple thing. Why so upsetting?

What NOT to say to a person experiencing infertility... OR... the top 10 things to say if you're a complete idiot and want to make them feel like poo

2008-08-02T09:51:00.004-06:00

It might seem a little odd that I'm posting a blog about what not to say to someone dealing with infertility problems, given that we are currently prego. However, many of you might know that we do have fertility problems. But I'm not posting on direct behalf of myself tonight. Unfortunately, fertility problems are more and more common now-a-days (yeah, I just used that word... I might be turning into my mother, so what?) and I have quite a few friends with their own reproductive challenges. After a tear-filled phone conversation with one of these friends yesterday, I thought I might post some guidelines for those who might not know what to say (or not say in this case) to someone having problems in the baby-making area.

We'll start with #10 and work our way down, just like Letterman...
10. How about getting a dog? (A dog, really?)

9. There are so many children in the world already. (And your point is......?)

8. Have you tried _______________ ("standing on your head after sex?"... just fill in the blank. Unless it's an actual medical procedure or something that has some reason or research behind it, just stop.)

7. When it's suppose to happen, it'll happen. (According to...? If you're religious and offering this advice, a double slap for you... don't you believe that you have to help everything along? I can't just assume that if I want to repent, that that's enough. You have to do something about it.)

6. You don't want to be pregnant anyway. It wrecks your body. (Yup, 'cause I'm worried about that Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover I have to shoot later in the year.)

5. Ya know, I thought we'd have problems getting pregnant too, but we didn't! (Gee, thanks. I needed to be reminded that you got knocked up without a problem.)

4. At least you'll never have to go through childbirth. (Are you serious? Would you rather go through childbirth or have a gazillion appoints with a million doctors who all want to check out your girly bits and then go through hormone supplements/shots, painful procedures, etc. not to mention all the emotional gut-punches?)

3. You're still young. Don't worry about it. (Don't worry if your bank account is empty and you have no job and this is your last box of crackers... it'll all work out - you're still young.)

2. Just relax and it'll happen. (Yeah, the last time I checked ALL the yoga teachers were just poppin' out those babies.)

1. Maybe you're just not meant to be a mother. (I am not a fan of cursing. However, there are some instances where I have been known to make an exception. You can assume that this is one of them.)

I hope that when you read through that, that you were using your best sarcastic voice for all the blue bits. If not, read it again!

I really am not a bitter person. I know my blue-bits of sarcasm might make you think that. I'm really not. I am very cheerful :) (: However, when going through the throws of infertility and perhaps losing your dream, or at least having it change, your emotions are a little.... whacky, psychotic, whatever you want to call it. And when someone tells you some of these things on the list it feels like they are trying to diminish your pain. We don't want it swept under the rug. We want you to listen. To offer support and say you're sorry that this is happening. To be THERE - as a friend, a mother, a sister, whatever you are. Just be there.

Ok, now really - I am NOT a bitter person. Will it take another smiley face to convince you? :-)
I just know how it feels, and maybe a little protective over those going through similar trials. Especially my friends. Now, your challenge - your test - your mission, is to not say stupid things. :) Or, for those of you all too familiar with these cliche, dense remarks, what are the ones you hated/hate the most?

Big Oil's biggest quarter ever: $51.5B in all

2008-08-02T08:37:00.002-06:00

This is just a short clip of an article in the Yahoo news. Frankly, it makes me sick. The gas prices are affecting everything - the price of food, the price of commercial goods, and obviously the ability of lower and middle class families to make it anymore. As a family where only one of us works (my hubby), the only thing that I can say, is that it just makes me sick to my stomach that these people are pulling in such huge profits while most of us are scrapping to get by. Just sick.

HOUSTON - "Oil giants Chevron Corp. and Total SA wrapped up a string of gargantuan, record-breaking earnings reports Friday, a stretch in which six of the major international oil companies topped $50 billion in combined profit for the first time. "

I Won, I won, I won!

2008-07-31T07:57:00.003-06:00

I never win anything - much less stuff that I want. Anyone who really knows me, would agree that I certainly am not the luckiest person on the Earth, or my family for that matter. My sister wins everything (read contests, bingo, poker, etc.)... she definitely got the luck in the family.

BUT - that's all changing! (Or at least today!) I won this super cute nursing blanket from Moo Moo Mama at one of the latest giveaways at supermomcentral.blogspot.com.

I am SO excited. Not only is it super cute (don't you love the retro pattern?), but I've really wanted one for this new baby coming in September... and I really didn't want to have to make one (besides, I'm sure this is better quality than the one that my limited sewing skills would have made!).

Wahoo!!

The Peacegiver

2008-07-29T12:34:00.004-06:00

In my spare time, I've been trying to get this book read.

I would really recommend it. My friend Alana recommended it, so when my mom bought it, I jumped at the chance to, uh, borrow it from her! I had heard other good things about it, but it really is wonderful! It's all about a different way to look at Christ's atonement and how by doing so, you really apply it in your life. The subtitle is "How Christ Offers to Heal Our Hearts and Homes." It certainly isn't a quick, easy read, but most books that impact your life aren't. I haven't quite finished it yet, but I love, love, love it. I would say that it's impacted me more than any other book I've read since "The 5 Love Languages." Anyway, I just wanted to share a few excerpts. I don't claim this as doctrine in any way, however it is based on doctrine and when used correctly (aka through prayer and personal revelation), I believe it holds a lot of truths that we all could benefit from. We all can forgive better than we do, and we're all in need of forgiveness.

Ok, excerpt #1...

"Mercy can be extended only to those who are willing to extend it themselves."

"The Lord's question to Jonah is the same one he posed in the parable of the unmerciful servant, whose debt the lord - his master - had forgiven: 'Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservent, even as I had pity on thee?' the lord asked. 'And his lord was wroth,' the Savior taught, 'and delivered him to the tormentors... So likewise,' the Savior continued, 'shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

. . .

I'm going to change a little bit of the wording in this next paragraph to fit everyone, not just the character in the book.

Excerpt #2:

"Which leads me to this question: Is there any way that you are forgetting your own sins? Any way that you are failing to remember mercies that *your significant other, friend, family* has showed to you? Any way that you are forgetting the Lord? Any way that you have become blind to your own 'Nineveh-ness'? Any way that you persisting feeling entitled?"

Excerpt #3:

"Like David, he (talking about Jonah) is unhappy not because of another's sins but because of his own."

"This understanding is available merely from pondering the Savior's atonement, for no amount of mistreatment and suffering was able to take away the love of One who was with sin. By contrast, we who still struggle with sinfulness, struggle as well to cover our sins. And one way we do this, the Savior taught, is by finding sinfulness in others. The beams in our eyes get us looking for motes in others. Our own failure to love another causes us to see the other as being unworthy of love."

Again, changing a little of wording (just taking out names)

"The question for you is what sins toward ______ (spouse, friend, etc.) keep you from loving her? How are you demanding justice and therefore denying mercy? In what ways are you sitting belligerently under the sticks of your own grudges? How are you the author of your own despair?"

The Breakfast of Champions

2008-07-29T07:46:00.003-06:00

The Breakfast of Champions...

While I normally don't let my daughter have pickles for breakfast (although she would eat them every morning, noon, and night if I let her), sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. And at least the pickle (and a few wheat thins) gave me a chance to get the dishes done and the deviled eggs made. And, in my defense, she did have yogurt a little later.

Fun at the Fair

2008-07-26T14:27:00.004-06:00

My mom and I took Sophie and my nephew Isaiah to the County Fair today. It was fun. Sophie was able to do so much more than last year and both the kids were really good.

First, Sophie rode the ponies. Sophie LOVES to ride horses. She's so natural on them - like she's been riding since she was born. It makes me want to get one :)

Then we stopped by the only form of a petting zoo we could find... which wasn't much. I was pretty disappointed. Last year they had a great one with baby horses, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, bunnies, etc. It was awesome and I was expecting something similar this year :( Although, Isaiah loves bunnies, so at least he got to pet a couple of bunnies. He keeps telling us how when he gets older he's going to have this bunny and that bunny and a bunny that looks that this... Try convincing my sister of that... right. I kept trying to tell him that the kids that own those bunnies have to take care of them and clean up their poo. It meant nothing to him until we were at the show bunny cages and he saw one of them poop in their cage. He thought that was pretty dern gross, so I jumped at the chance to re-iterate and say "see, the owner of that bunny has to clean that up." He finally at least acknowledged my so-thought wisdom with a "that's gross."

The pigs are HUGE. Sophie was very unsure about them.

I was more excited about this part than the kids were, I think. They got to ride a camel! :) I have a picture of me and my sister on a camel when I was really young. While I really don't remember it much, I have always loved the thought that I have gotten to ride a camel! I don't know why. So, I was super excited to pass that photo-yet no recollection on to my daughter!

When we went to the zoo in Denver, surprisingly one of Sophie's favorite things were the camels... why? I don't know. But we sat and stared at the hairy butts for forever. Anyway, I thought she'd be jazzed to see one so close and ride one. As I pass my precious daughter off to the ride attendant, Sophie starts getting pretty worried. Ya know, they're a lot bigger close up than they are from 30 yards at the zoo... I was a little worried that she wouldn't go.

Then I start worrying... it's a long way to the ground. It's not like there is a seat or a belt or anything besides a bar that Sophie is responsible for hanging onto and her cousin who didn't really want to hold her.
However, as you can see, Isaiah did hold onto her and Sophie did hold on the bar and we averted falling off the camel :) They had a lot of fun, although I think for $6/person, they should have gotten to around the circle more than once!!

And, can I just add that it's the end of July and I am really pregnant and it's HOT. Boy, is it HOT!

Photo Shoot With Kelly

2008-07-25T13:05:00.002-06:00

We had a photo shoot with Kelly this week and here are just a few of her images that were posted on her blog. I particulary like the first one.

This one is kinda classic Sophie for right now.

Anytime you say "smile" she gives this super-cheese smile.

I Heart...

2008-07-19T15:33:00.004-06:00

Aaron's gone (still, or again, depending on when you read last ;) and fyi, in case you didn't know, summer tv sucks - except for 'So You Think You Can Dance' so I've been doing some surfing. We all know that I mean web surfing, right? While my whale-ish preggo tummy on a surf board might be comical right now, I doubt it's safe. Besides, it'd be quite a drive.

Annnyyywwwwaaaaayyy - back to "I Heart..."

I totally heart this wonderfully cute cable knit pink onsie from Warm Biscuit. I mean, it is SO cute. Wouldn't it be the perfect "bring baby home from the hospital" outfit? Too bad I'm a big cheapskate and I also don't knit, but ooohhh tooo cute!

My Blue Eyed Girl

2008-07-18T13:07:00.001-06:00

My blue-eyed girl loves to have her picture taken!

Say Cheeeesssse

Randomness

2008-07-16T09:00:00.003-06:00

Monday Sophie had her 2 year well baby checkup with the dr (who we love btw). All is well. She was quite impressed with how much language Sophie has already. She's in the 90th percentile for height and about the 25th for weight - pretty normal for her.

Yesterday I had another baby-checkup. Baby is doing well. I'm still anemic - no surprise there. I was really bad when I was pg with Sophie. Anyway, they ran some special blood tests to find out why I'm anemic because I don't fit the 'typical' pregnancy anemia. Well, they came back and basically the dr told me that it boils down to "I have absolutely no idea why you're anemic." Ummm, ok. He said that he's going to call a friend of his who is a hematologist/oncologist to see what she says. At that word, my mind starts freaking out a bit... oncologist. Last time I had to see an oncologist, I had an ovary and fallopian tube removed Nintendo style through my belly button. I'm sure it's nothing - and the dr said that he thinks it's probably nothing too. It's just that word.

Yum...

2008-07-13T12:57:00.003-06:00

I am not the best house cleaner. I wish I was, but frankly, my house gets cluttered and whatnot if I'm not careful. It seems if I take ONE day off, it takes me another 3 to catch up. However, I try and most the time I wouldn't be embarrassed if someone stopped by (or at least too embarrassed). However, Sophie keeps me on my toes. As she gets older, taller, stronger, and more able to do things, I realize that I have more and more area to clean.

For instance... yesterday I'm sitting on the couch talking to Aaron on the phone (who was in Tokyo at the time). Sophie is happily playing in the living room doing whatever a two year old wants to at the moment. I look over and she has the bottom cushion of the couch lifted up (the other couch that is) and balanced/perched somewhat on her head. She's now looking at all the stuff that falls between the cushions... pens, books, toys I hide from her for various reasons and then forget about, etc. "Ugh" I think "Now I'm going to have to clean that too." But then as I'm thinking that it's not a very urgent task, I see her pop a Cheerio into her mouth.... hmmmm, it just got more urgent.

As I shared this with my mom and dad last night, I made the comment of "HOW old was that Cheerio?" My dad replies "well, not more than a year." (We moved just a year ago into this house, but also she wasn't a big fan of Cheerios until maybe 6-9 mo ago.) However, I think that the expiration date on cereal comes quicker when stored in the cushions of a couch.

Summer Fun

2008-07-07T22:24:00.003-06:00

Ahh, with all our adventures this summer, I feel so behind on posting and thought I'd get a few out of the way.

My girly-girl who the majority of the time is carrying around either a baby doll or telephone, loves, no - LOVES to play in the mud. Here's one of our recent muddy adventures in the backyard. I wish you could see her feet better. By the end, it looked like she had shoes on... but she didn't.

What can be better than fingerpainting in your diaper in the summer?

I was so excited - when we were in Denver, we were able to go out to dinner with my old college roommates... not that they're old, I mean, I'm the oldest by... 20 days... but you get my drift.

Anyway, I cannot believe that I didn't get pictures of all of us together. I am so MAD at myself for not doing it, but at least I got a picture of Sophie and Ryan together - although not one picture where they both are looking at the camera. Ryan is my friend Diedre's (and Kevin's) little 3 yr old. He looks so much like Kevin - he's such a cutie and the two loved playing together.

Ahh, girls, I love you and miss you!

(And sorry Lauren that I left Denver early and we didn't get a chance to get together again. Sophie was running a good fever and I wanted to take her to her own doctor instead of someone that didn't know her.)

We're back

2008-07-02T20:46:00.002-06:00

My poor little girl is such a trooper! She is the little road-trippin' queen!

A couple weeks ago we left for my aunt's funeral. That first involved driving to Denver (about a 4 & 1/2 hr drive without stopping), staying the night and picking up my brother. Then the three of us traveled from Denver to Montpelier, ID (a 9 hr drive approximately). My aunt's funeral was the following day. I might post more about the actual services later. Anyway, after the funeral we drove about 3 hrs to NoWhere, WY and drove the rest of the way (another 6 hrs) the next day. That's 22 & 1/2 hrs at least in the car in four days and Sophie did GREAT. There were a few stretches of "oh my gosh I might go crazy" but they were very, very few and far between. Overall, she did great.

Then, we were able to stay with Aaron in Denver (he had a business conference there and couldn't go with us to Idaho) for another week. We ended up coming home this week a little early b/c Sophie was sick and my parents were convienantly coming home from my brother's graduation from ER residency.

Anyway, how boring is all that that I just wrote..... snooooorrre
However, I just wanted to share a few cute things with you.
On the way through Idaho and parts of WY there are tons of cows and other farm animals. Sophie loves animals and we were pointing them all out to her. However, she started this conversation after every herd we passed. Eventually we stopped, as you can see why.

Sophie: Mommy, where cow go?
Me: We passed the cow, he's behind us.
Sophie: Todd (my brother), where cow go?
Todd: He's back there.
Sophie: Mommy, where cow go?
Me: Cow is eating dinner.
Sophie: Todd, where cow go?
Todd: Cow is back there.
Sophie: Mommy, where cow go?
Me: Cow went bye-bye.

and then she said this which kinda shocked me and I thought was too cute.
Sophie: Mommy, where bye-bye?
Todd: A lot of people go there.

I hesitate...

2008-06-18T13:59:00.002-06:00

I hesitate to post this. Maybe it's too personal. Maybe it's still feeling a little 'raw' right now, but the fact is, is that most people that see this blog are my close friends and family... those of you strangers reading, well, you don't know me, so it's ok - Just might not be the most interesting post for you I suppose.

Anyway, you might recall that Marcia, my mom's only sister, had been on chemo for 2 & 1/2 years. She was diagnosed with colon cancer which had spread to her liver and lungs. After doing all the different kinds of chemo and combinations she could, she decided to go off chemo. The drs weren't optimistic about her time frame once she stopped chemo, but she had made her peace and her family was trying to do the same thing.

Marcia passed away this morning.

My mother got to go see her during spring break and then my mom, Sophie, and I went up two weeks ago again. My mom and dad were on their way there this morning when she passed away. I had to call them on their cell phone and let them know so that they had some warning before they showed up at her house. The funeral will be on Monday. My siblings and I are still trying to work out who is going and how. I'm supposed to be going with Aaron to a business conference of his. My sister and brother are supposed to be working. So, we're all trying to rearrange things so that we can go and say goodbye, but more importantly, support my mom.

I hope that no one thinks I sound crass, because that's not my intention, but I'm glad that it was fairly quick. Her quality of life had slipped so much in the last two to three weeks that it's crazy how quick it was. Towards the end she had slipped into a coma. I am thankful that she is released from that body and that condition. I pray that God blesses her children, and my mother, with His Spirit and comfort.

Yeah, I'm Old....

2008-06-14T07:37:00.003-06:00

Well, maybe not too old, but last night Aaron and I went to the first part of his 10th year high school reunion. Mine is next year. It was... interesting. :) Aaron didn't actually want to go, but I had a lot of friends in his class, so long story short -we went. A lot of my closer friends (in HS) live far, far out of town and didn't make it. It would have been good to see them and catch up, but I wonder how much we actually still have in common. Instead, we spent most of the night talking to friends that we weren't necessarily close to in HS and thank heavens Ryan and Merilee were there! AND for name tags!

Something else that is interesting to me is exactly who comes up and talks to you like they remember you or you remember them... enough said. It's interesting to see who is still single, who is either currently stoned or has lost so many brain cells from previous use that they have a permanent look of being stoned, who has lost how many teeth, who is trying way too hard with that push up bra, who gets plastered, who has all these kids, who married who, etc.

I have to say, I am darn happy with my life. There is not one other person that I would rather be in their shoes. I have been blessed with a great hubby who is really committed to me and our family. He has a great job and I am able to have the best job of all - a stay at home mommy. I have a beautiful, sweet daughter and another little one on the way. I definitely am blessed.

Nature Watch Has Ended

2008-06-13T14:47:00.003-06:00

Well, our birds have finally flown the coop...

We have two of these little nests on our back porch and this year we were lucky enough to have birds nest in them, lay eggs, hatch baby birds, and yesterday our three babies finally flew the coop.

It was so interesting to watch this little nature drama all unfold, right outside our sliding glass door. I hope that they'll continue to nest there year after year so that Sophie and our other kids will get the chance to see it all happen. Sophie loves watching the birds but I realize that she'll probably have no memory of them this year. It's been a great family affair but we knew that it was coming to an end. Yesterday, and a little the day before, the birds were standing on the side of the nest flapping their wings as hard as they could, practicing for flying. We weren't lucky enough to catch their first flight, but every once in awhile we do see one of them around the yard. FLY little birdies!

What DOES A Goose Say?

2008-06-10T14:02:00.003-06:00

We went to the Moon Farm today. I'll post more about it later, but I wanted to get this video up because it is just so darn cute... maybe just funny. It's kinda hard to see while the video is so small, but watch for the jumping :)

Reminiscing

2008-06-05T21:57:00.004-06:00

As this new baby has been more active and practicing her karate moves in my belly, I find myself reminiscing about when Sophie was brand new. It doesn't seem possible, in a way. She's so big now with such a large and continually expanding vocabulary, she knows so much what she wants and how she wants it, that it doesn't seem possible that she was this little bundle just two years ago. And, at the same time, it doesn't seem possible that in a few short months (well, more like 3) we'll have another little bundle. Can you believe it??

Quote of the Day

2008-06-05T21:15:00.002-06:00

Me: Oh Sophie! You're not supposed to go poo-poo in the tub. You're supposed to go in the potty.
Sophie: Icky.
Me: Yeah, icky.
Sophie: Me see icky?
Me: No, you're going to go get dressed now.
Sophie: Me see icky?
Me: No.
Sophie: Ok, bye-bye icky. Bye-bye!!

Red in the face

2008-06-01T22:39:00.005-06:00

I am getting everything ready (well, trying to) for our trip to Idaho to see my aunt Marcia (the one who this new baby is going to be named after, in a round about way). I have a ton of things to pack, to wash, to do - yet, where do you find me? I was going to just really quickly check my email, but after reading it, I felt I needed to post something.

First of all, I posted a few days ago (or yesterday maybe? ah, the days all run together when you're a sahm) a link to a great wall hanging - that's it above - that I am currently lusting after for "the girls" room (both Sophie and soon to be Brielle). Little did I know that the owner of the company would see my blog about it... how? I don't know, but she did. And reading her comment, I felt a little red in the face, or felt like I had egg on my face... now I can't remember the correct expression... something to do with my face and me being a little embarrassed (I blame my lack of memory on mushy pregnancy brain).
Here is the comment if you wish to read it:

"Thank you for the compliment (I think?) about my artwork. I did hope to clarify a couple things.

The pricing is based on our manufacturing costs. I always strive to bring the highest quality products at a competitive price. My products are made by moms like you right here in the USA. Good news is, we have just leased our own in-house printer! Once we are up and running we will be reducing our prices on the artwork. While we are getting notices from all our suppliers of price increases, we are still striving to lower ours.

I have a personal conviction about gifting to celebrities. Instead we are involved in a foster home in our community by donating a portion of the proceeds from our product to help provide for the needs of these children. Many babies and children come with only the clothes on their backs. If we give away products I have decided it will be to these children in need, not to the celebrities. You can read about Agape Families on our website http://www.mimiscollection.com/about.shtml or http://www.mimiscollection.com/about_paula.shtml and click on "We Give Back".

Oh, and we give 20% off your first purchase. Click on "join Us". So if you wait for our new pricing (and we'll have new items) in July, and the 20% off might help.

So, thanks again for the mention, and congratulations on a beautiful family and girl #2."

After reading it, I thought that I needed to offer an apology to Paula Press. While I still know that I never could justify spending that much money on a wall hanging, no matter how beautiful, I did want to commend her for doing business much like I would do... hmmm, there is a better way to say that compliment I'm sure... I wanted to thank her and commend her for being a socially conscience business owner and working to give back and improve the lives of those who really need it.

It always urks me when I hear of all the free stuff that celebrities get... all the baby stuff that was sent to Brad and Angelina for Shiloh (and no doubt for these twins too) immediately comes to mind. I think "why give away stuff to people who obviously can afford it and don't need it?" I know it has business applications behind it - that they're hoping people will see their baby wearing it or using it or blah blah blah and it'll help their business. I get that, but it doesn't mean that I don't have a problem with it.

So, when Paula mentioned that she has a personal policy against it, she instantly won my heart. Then, when she said that instead, they partner with foster homes in their area, I was thrilled and decided that she needed an apology from me and whatever small "word of mouth" my blog reaches.

Randomness

2008-05-31T21:55:00.002-06:00

I ran across this today - isn't it beautiful? I wish that we could get one for Sophie's room, as well as the new baby's room, but holy cow a little (or a lot) too expensive for me. Beautiful though. Don't we all wish we were celebrities and when we mention something, they send it to us for free?

Aaron is gone, yet again to the Philippines. Luckily the tropical storm has changed it's course and it's heading there anymore like they were predicting yesterday.

Unfortunately, I think one of our kitties has run away. We haven't ever let them out before and yesterday one (baby kitty as we call her) accidently got out while changing the litter in the litterbox. We've looked everywhere we can think for her and now are just hoping that she comes home on her own... She's sick and doesn't have front claws or most of her teeth, so I worry about what will/would/did happen to her if she gets in a fight. :(

Would Wood Floors Look Funny?

2008-05-27T13:44:00.003-06:00

I really appreciate all the ideas I've gotten (on comments and email). Thanks! I know it's a big, time consuming project to update a house, but we'll get there... eventually.

Anyway, we're trying to decide on flooring now. We'd really like to fix our floors before we do too much more to the rest of the house (except for cheap, day projects). So, do you think wood floors would look to crazy in our dining room with all that other wood? Do you think that we should go with something else besides wood, or maybe paint the doors? I just don't know. I really like the idea of wood (especially using bamboo - oowwwhhh, so green-chic), but can't envision it yet with all of the other wood. If we do use wood, should we try to match it to the existing doors in the house or just get what we want and have it a different color (the bamboo would probably be a diff color)?

Thanks for your opinions!! I wish that I had more experience doing this type of thing and could make up my mind!

HELP!

2008-05-26T15:38:00.005-06:00

So, as most of you know, we moved into our house last year when we moved to Colorado from Little Rock. Overall, I like our house - it has great qualities and a lot of potential for the things that aren't so hot now... like our flooring and our bathrooms specifically. We replaced the carpet in the living room before we moved in - thank goodness - as the old stuff was dark, old, brown shag. But we haven't gotten to the rest of the house yet. Aaron and I keep talking about it, but it seems that we go in circles and it frustrates the poo out of me - I just want it done, but we also want it to look the best possible and not break our budget.

SO - I'm turning to you - I need suggestions and help deciding what to do. Here are the 'before' pictures... before we've decided, bought, or done anything.

Let me tell you a little about our dining room, now that you're looking at it...
First - the flooring. This is the bain of my existence. Well, maybe not really, but I really, really hate it. It's a commercial grade, super-low pile carpet. I hate it. First, you should not have carpet in the dining room (IMO), especially with kids. Second, you should not put 'office' carpet in your house.

Second - you can see we have a lot of wood stuff... the dining room table and the china cabinet are both very dark (as is the shelf on the wall and the mirror in the hall that you can't see). We 'inherited' this stuff with the house basically. Then, all the wood doors - to the office, the bedrooms, the bathroom, the closets, and the laundry area.

So, what do you think we should do? Mainly about the floors, but if you have other suggestions, I would welcome them. I have a huge list of projects, but they're just not getting done right now.
Not to sway you in any way, but I've been thinking about a higher quality, medium colored wood-looking laminate (the snap together kind) that would run throughout most of the house - the entry way, the dining room, the kitchen, the hallway and perhaps the bathrooms (we can't agree on this). What I'm worried about is whether this will be a crazy overload of wood in the dining room. I've thought about maybe painting some/all of the doors when we repaint if it's too much wood. I need other people's suggestions.

This is our 'beautiful' bathroom (ignore our clutter). MAN you can tell our house was built in the 70's.

Ok, notice the super dark cabinet under the sink? What do we do about them? And the counter top is this white-ish with yellow flecks in it... The yellow matches the yellow tile in the shower. Beautiful, eh?

That weird half of a shower curtain is there b/c there is actually a window in the shower... that is not frosted or anything. I realize the shower curtain and the valence (which we didn't have anything to do with, FYI) may be the the ugliest ever.
Oh, I almost forgot... the floors in here are actually the commercial carpet too!!!!! AAACCCCKKK. Aaron and I can't agree whether the flooring that runs throughout the rest of the house should be the same as in the bathrooms. (Personally, I think it should, he thinks it should be tile-looking.)

I guess I should say that I'm looking for 'big' change ideas (your opinion on the floors, etc), but I'm also looking for little, quick ideas that would help in changing the rooms and updating them. Like I said, I have a ton of ideas... my 'to do home project list' is quite lengthy, but I want all of your takes on them too. THANKS!

So, you cute, crafty, home-decorating friends of mine - what do I do? I need ALL your suggestions!