Momma Drama

Beautiful Fall Plum Compote

2011-10-05T17:03:00.000-06:00

I love fall. I'm so excited it is finally here! And with it, came tons of lovely purple Italian Plums from sister-in-law's garden. My digestive track wasn't handling as many a day that I wanted to eat, so I decided I'd better come up with a plan quickly to preserve these beauties for future consumption...

First I made a quick galette yesterday. Yum! Then today I decided to make a compote so that I can freeze it for later consumption.

I just cut up my plums, put them in a pot with 1/2 cup water and a few tbs sugar (added to taste) then let all that goodness simmer for 20 minutes or so until mushy.

I can't wait to put it on pancakes, waffles, crepes, muffins, toast, stir into oatmeal, on vanilla ice cream, etc, etc, etc.

New Family Pictures

2011-09-06T21:28:00.002-06:00

Thanks to my friend Jesicah and her mad photography skillz.

Great Grandpa Houston

2011-08-27T13:07:00.000-06:00

We visited the girls great grandpa today in Washington. We live so far away and don't get to visit much, so it was a nice visit.

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Third Time's A...

2011-07-20T09:27:00.000-06:00

GIRL!!!

Another one, hooray! We didn't really believe our eyes, but it's true.

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Ziploc Ice Cream

2011-07-17T18:06:00.000-06:00

Tonight for a fun family activity we made our first batches of Ziploc ice cream. All you need is-

• 1 Gallon Ziploc with ice and 6 tbs salt (we use kosher salt)

• In a quart sized Ziploc add 1/2 cup milk (we used whole milk), 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 tbs sugar.

• Now SHAKE! It takes about 5 minutes on daddy shake time to whip up 1/2 cup of ice cream.

Notes- we added some hershey syrup to our second batch.

I also read that doubling the batch doesn't work well...

Have fun and share your favorite flavors.

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Hair Emergency Resolved

2011-07-16T10:31:00.000-06:00

At the zoo today, its nearing 100*f, and I forgot a ponytail holder for Jane.

Luckily I brought Ritz with a twistie on them. Twistie into hair tie. Viola!

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Two Birds, One Stone

2011-07-12T17:51:00.000-06:00

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Bowling

2011-07-11T22:42:00.000-06:00

Our girls went bowling for the first time tonight. Now, there were bumpers in the lane, and much assistance was needed to roll the ball, but still- Jane got a 78 and Lucy got 65. Scott and I both did well, although the bumpers helped him out a bit. ;)

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Jane Says

2011-03-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

Yelled from the potty...

Jane: "Mommy, my poops looks like a crocodile! Isn't that silly?!"

Image from here.

Three-year-olds are the best!

Valentine's Love, Headbands and Pancakes

2011-02-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

Made these headbands for our little ladies to wear on V-Day.

Had chocolate chip heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast.

And daddy got an awesome Valentine delivery with this sweet little picture inside.

Dreaming of Summertime

2011-02-03T21:28:00.000-07:00

From Friendly to Frightened

2011-01-31T21:40:00.000-07:00

Lucy is finally getting accustomed to Rody, our bouncy horse.

She's begun crawling up to him and patting him and laying her head on him like she's giving him a little hug.

The day this happened, Jane noticed and decided to play with Rody while Lucy followed them around the house. I let them play, then about 5 minutes later I hear Lucy screaming, terrified. I run to see what's happening...

Jane has cornered Lucy with Rody. Lucy crawled under my desk, like usual, but then Jane blocked Lucy's only exit with giant Rody. It freaked her out!

It was so super cute. Yes, she was screaming at the top of her lungs, but it was because of a bouncy horse. I cuddled her and made her feel better, and told Jane it was naughty to trap Lucy with the horsey, but it was cute-o!

Jane Says

2011-01-10T22:18:00.000-07:00

While Scott, Jane and I were goofing with Photo Booth on Scott's mac, some of the pictures were awesomely hilarious. Jane, being such a grown up kid and know what is truly funny, laughed so hard that at one point she said, between gulps of air, "That made me pee-pee!". 

Can't get funnier than that!

Enjoy the hilarity.

Double Trouble

6 Years

2010-12-22T23:43:00.004-07:00

That's how long this poor fellow's been stuck with me. 
I am a lucky lady! 

Let me count the ways:

Brings me flowers when I have an amazing day.
Successfully puts the girls to bed all by himself without complaining.
Does the dishes.
Takes out the trash.
Does the laundry.
Babysits my friends kids so I can go out with my friends.
Works hard at school.
Does church volunteer work as though he were getting paid(works hard because he wants to serve!).
Is very kind to me and the little ladies.
Helps those around him who need help.
Very talented in music, art, speaking, teaching, writing, playing with kids, making friends, keeping friends, caring for our family.
etc., etc., etc....

You get the picture, I'm a lucky lady!

Kissy face time.

Over the last 6 years we have had a lot of good times and some hard times, 
but look what we got out of it all...

I'm looking forward to many more years and an eternity together.

(How? See here...)

I love you Scott!

Thank you for being such an amazing husband and father. 

I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me "mommy." -- Author Unknown

2010-12-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

This morning I was woken up at what felt like the crack of dawn by my little Jane.

7:45 am feels like the crack of dawn when you don't

go to bed until single digits start rolling around again.

She climbed into bed with me since I couldn't yet speak, move,

or even open my sandpaper eyes, and cuddled up to mommy log.

Jane is my talker.

Well, Lucy can't talk yet, but even still, I know Jane will be my talker.

She said more at 7:45 am than I will probably say before noon.

She kept talking and talking, and honestly, I don't remember any of it.

Until this...

"Mommy, you are the best mommy in the whole world."

And then,

"And daddy has the best baby in the whole world, and mommy has

the best baby in the whole world and I have

the best sister in the whole world."

Awwwww!

She had me at "mommy".

Have you ever read this quote?

I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me "mommy."
-- Author Unknown

Words could not describe that feeling better.

I feel so grateful to have been blessed with two little angels.

Yeah, there are hard days, but then there are moments like

this that melt all the hard stuff away.

I have the best daughters in the whole world.

Hope you are finding moments like this during your days.

You Know You're a Bad Housekeeper When...

2010-11-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

You are cleaning off a counter and find a rotten pumpkin.

Yes.

A rotten pumpkin under your purse.

Please share your bad housekeeper experiences so I don't feel so lame.

And Finally...

2010-11-11T22:50:00.001-07:00

HALLOWEEN

We had a lot of fun this year.

Lucy was a sweet little cat.

Jane was the cutest witch ever.

Scott was a zombie.

I was a witch too, but I don't have a picture at the moment.

We had a lot of fun the week of Halloween. We trick or treated at the zoo with some friends,

went to a party at the YMCA and did a Trunk or Treat at church.
Scott and I even went to a "adults only" party and had a really fun time playing games and feeling young again.

Can't wait until next year.

Costumes are already being planned...

Jane Says

2010-10-11T12:35:00.000-06:00

Said in a voice that gradually increased in volume and pitch,

"When my grow up I'm gonna get your make-up!!! I'm so 'cited!"

This little girl is such a chatter box. Constantly talking, from the moment she wakes until the moment she falls asleep. Actually, she talks in her sleep sometimes too, so, she kind of never stops talking.

STATS

2010-10-06T14:13:00.000-06:00

Both our girls happened to need well child visits at the same time,

so that is what we did this morning.

Here are the stats:

Lucy:

Weight is 5-8%

Height is 50-60%

Jane:

Weight is 30% (highest she's ever been!)

Height is 90-95% (highest she's ever been!)

The doctor did a height predictor for Jane...

She MAY be around 5' 7" as an adult.

Totally wastes me.

My girls are so sweet.

Both got flu shots and were so sad, but did well and were fine within a few minutes.

Then, Jane got a finger pricked, which took some talking into after the flu shot,

but she did well and didn't cry too much.

She also did a great job with her eye exam, scoring at least 20/30.

So far, our vision deficiency curse has not been passed on to her.

Phew.

Little Prisoner

2010-10-04T20:07:00.002-06:00

Way too cute for words.

Jane is Officially 3!

2010-10-01T21:19:00.004-06:00

I can't believe our little girl is 3! Makes me kind of sad and nostalgic. 

Jane is such a little sweetheart and we are so lucky that she is our baby girl!

We had a fun day today. Here are a few of the things we did...

We went to church to play while daddy did some stuff for his calling and played in the gym and had a family picnic.

Grandma Cherlynn and family sent Jane a fun edible arrangement.

For dinner, we went to Olive Garden because she wanted noodles. 
Here Jane is contemplating life. (She was really tired.)

I can't believe how adorable she was being here!

Then we went to the mall and let her ride the carousel 2 times. 
(Daddy is in charge of chaperoning since mommy gets too dizzy.)

A typical shot of Jane. 
Always going, going, going, like a blur.

She wanted chocolate cake "with powder and a smiley face". 
She was VERY specific.

She was really excited for her candles.

I put the smiley face on her piece with whipped cream.

The Happy Girl on her Happy Day.

We love you Jane!

Jane's 3rd Birthday Party!

2010-09-25T20:47:00.009-06:00

We started off with coloring time as everyone was arriving.

More arriving and mingling

Color Walk with Gold Metals for prizes

Marshmallow Drop

Opening Presents

Lucy was in good hands.

Cake!

Finally blew them out. She is so proud!

The pretty insides.
Want to know how to make the cake? Click here.

Last Minute Party Fun

Party Carnage

Thanks everyone for helping to make this a really fun and special day for Jane!

One Happy Little 3 Year Old!

Applejack Festival 2010

2010-09-18T20:59:00.004-06:00

Scott kept saying he wasn't going to come (he's smack in the middle of taking his comprehensive exams), but he did anyway since, and I quote, "The Applejack Festival is the closest thing we have to a family tradition here in Nebraska". It sure is! We've gone every year since we moved out here and have enjoyed it every time. It is a fun way to welcome Fall and get ready for all the fun upcoming holidays.

Here are some highlights.

Jane's first pony ride, ever! And Lucy, the ever happy and patient baby.
(Notice the mustachioed man. Sweet stash.)

It was a bit blustery out. Can you see the well protected baby inside our best friend, BOB?

The whole reason for going...Apples Galore!

And Jane's favorite activity, The Train.

What a sweetie!

For more cuteness about our fun day, click here...

I Just Couldn't Help Myself

2010-09-17T19:31:00.000-06:00

Always getting squished with love.

To see more about Jane's new dress, click here.

P.S. Jane's staples are looking good and will come out next Wednesday.

She hasn't complained about them and is feeling good!

This is Not Lipstick

2010-09-13T19:41:00.002-06:00

Jane was jumping on our bed, even though I'd just asked her to stop, and this happened...

She hit her head on the corner of my nightstand and made a 1/2" cut on the back of her head. She screamed and I ran to help her and she just cried so hard so I knew something was really wrong. I held her and told her to point where it was hurting and then I dug around in her hair and found a big gash. It was bleeding a bit, but not as much as I thought head wounds bled. I told her to lay down and hold a rag on it while I tried to figure out where to go for help. I told her that we had to go to the doctor to help her feel better and she stopped crying and said she was feeling better and didn't need to go to the doctor. Poor baby.

She didn't cry again until they were working on her cut in the ER.

I cried over the phone trying to find someone to come watch Lucy (she was sleeping) while we ran to the ER. Our sweet friend/ neighbor Kuei came over to watch Lucy and I ran off to the ER. Scott had just finished one of his final exams, so he took the bus from school and made it to us just as the scary stuff began. They numbed her head with a shot and then irrigated it and put 2 staples in it. She only cried, I think, because as they held her head down it was kind of smushing her face. Otherwise, she was fine as soon as they were done and wanted to play. From minutes after her injury until bed time tonight, I seriously had to make her take it easy. She was running around, jumping and playing like nothing had happened. She never really complained about any pain (except for immediately after the injury). She is one tough little lady. I am so impressed by her courage and positive attitude. (She kept asking me if I was okay, since I was the one crying the most!)

Jane is a little sweet heart. My baby has staples in her head! Eeesh.

This is after it all. She is so tough.

The Lipstick Massacre of 2010

2010-09-10T09:37:00.001-06:00

It sounds scary because it was.

I think I actually yelped.

Jane got a hold of a new dumb lipstick I'd just bought. It is one of those crazy colorfast types that DO NOT COME OFF, especially when caked and layered upon itself.

I was mad.

At her for doing it,

At myself for not paying better attention to her quiet ways,

For buying that dumb lipstick.

I don't even wear lipstick.

Never again...

Okay, now prepare for a scare.

I was mad when I was taking this picture, so when she smiled I said, "Don't smile!".

I'm a mean mommy. I think she has since forgiven me though...

An innocent victim.

I spent over an hour cleaning them off, trying everything, then finally settling on using Vaseline and scrubbing with a wet rag. There were a few tears shed, and I gave up, letting Scott take over on Jane for another hour and a 1/2.

STEP 2

Cleaning that darn Vaseline out of her hair.

Had I known that it DOES NOT COME OUT, I would have used it a little more sparingly on her hair.

Sigh.

This morning (the lipstick massacre was last night) I washed Jane's hair 3 times. I used cornstarch as a binder to help chunk up the Vaseline, then washed it.

Repeated those 2 steps. Then had her lay down so I could pour lemon juice on her head (this cause the most fear, but ONLY because it was cold, luckily). Then I shampooed her hair again. It's still wet, but I think it feels a little slimy still...

Any ideas on how to remove Vaseline from hair?

And how to get lipstick out of clothes?

Almost Crawling

2010-08-28T23:28:00.001-06:00

So close!

I'm really excited but also leery...I have to majorly baby-proof again!

Puzzle Fun and a Nasty Beast

2010-08-26T22:39:00.000-06:00

These girls are so sweet.

It was impossible to get a cute picture of both of them at the same time, but that didn't matter.

They were just adorable playing together.

This big dude (or dudette?) would not get off our balcony all day long!

Look at the size of it! As big as a can of soup! EW!

Me Amo Super Target

2010-08-24T12:37:00.003-06:00

I had the best Target trip ever today.

I was taking a risk by going so near to nap time, especially since Lucy Goose would not take her morning nap. Also, I haven't been able to find my wallet for a couple of days, with extensive searching going on. I said a little prayer, and, TA-DA!, there it was! We began with 2 negatives, and left for the store with a score of Mommy 1, Bad Luck 1 (near nap time).

Then we got there and I ran into my friend Cheryl. We chatted for a while and then Jane announced, "Mommy, I'm not wearing a diaper." Gasp! We are not fully potty trained yet (or as Jane says, "On the Potty Train") and grocery carts are not the best places for potty accidents. So, since my friend in so nice, she watched Lucy and our cart full of stuff while I ran to the potty with Jane, who, BTW, did a smashing job of using the potty!

My favorite frozen herbs were on clearance, I found EVERYTHING I needed (even though they recently remodeled and I don't know where anything is anymore), no one cried (not even me!) or did a doody. Lucy even dropped her stuffed pig and I didn't notice and some random girl walked up to me while I was in line and asked if it was ours saying she'd been asking every one in the store (she was a shopper even, not a worker!).

The lines were crazy long and I was feeling nervous because the nap ticking time bomb clock was running out of time...Then walked up my night in shining armor. A Zack Efron look-a-like (not that I'm into teen boys or anything, but I get it) and he offered to help me in another line. Now, I've had this boy help me before and he did a smashing good job. Scott is a student, we are poor, so we get WIC, which I love, but many tellers hate to ring me up. This kid helped me with 12, yes 12! checks, even turning his line light off so no one would get mad at me in line for taking so long. He was amazing. So I was really excited that he was helping me again. He remembered me (crazy WIC lady, how could he forget?!) and was really nice about all my WIC checks again (only 3 this time).

Then we got home without anyone crying and now I have 2 little angels sleeping the afternoon away. Sigh.

Anyway, wasn't that the best Super Target trip ever?!

The End.

This NEVER Happens

2010-08-22T23:05:00.006-06:00

And I mean NEVER.
I'd like to think it's because she's such a good sleeper at night.
We're talking 12 hours. You know, what I wish I slept.
My kids don't even fall asleep in the car, unless they are tired
OUT OF THEIR MINDS (and out of mine).
And yes, she still takes naps. Usually. If I miss my window of opportunity, w-hell (oops, Freudian slip), that's another story.
Yesterday she would NOT take a nap and kept pretending like she wasn't tired. And yes, I did just let her sit in front of the TV while I made dinner, or something...
I was thinking, Boy, is she quiet in there!, and then I saw this little angelic face.
(Check out her sweet tat.)

Isn't that sweet?

Toddlers and Markers

2010-08-19T21:39:00.001-06:00

Need I say more? Sure is cute though.
Knowing it's only dry erase and not a sharpie makes it even cuter.

Preview to our Summer Fun

2010-08-17T23:03:00.002-06:00

Fun at BYU

A Couple of Flying Angels and their Daddy

New Blog

2010-08-08T21:56:00.002-06:00

Okay, I am ready to share my new blog with people. I am excited about my project and hope you guys will join me in Creating and Experiencing new things each day!
three65create.blogspot.com

Say 8

2010-05-31T10:28:00.005-06:00

For Memorial Day Lucy gave me the gift of 8 hours of sleep. Yes, you read that right, 8 HOURS! This was the first time I've slept 8 hours in a row since January 6th of this year. Sleep, how I have missed you. Now, I realize I am totally jinxing this blessed event, but I just had to announce to the world how excited I am about it.

For Memorial Day Jane gave me the gift of pee all over the bathroom counter, down the drawers, in the drawers and all over the floor. I guess that's what "Uh-oh" means when you hear it from the other room. Potty training is so fun!

Good times. Kiddies are the best!

Too Fast

2010-05-19T19:36:00.006-06:00

Jane is growing up too fast. She was just a baby. Seriously, only 7 months ago she could barely talk. Now she's carrying on full conversations with me, helping me do actual tasks, following directions. I cannot believe how fast she has grown. I think Lucy's birth has helped/ forced her to become more independent and better at communicating EVERYTHING. Each day, she says something new that surprises me and Scott with her level of comprehension and intelligence.
Since I'm feeling nostalgic, here is a glimpse into the not so distant past...

Can't believe baby #2 is already so close to this age. Life goes by too fast.

The Cutest Sound in the World

2010-04-28T21:20:00.003-06:00

Time's a Flyin'

2010-04-27T11:49:00.010-06:00

I can't believe it's almost May! We have had a few adventures this last month and a half. Here are the highlights:

Lucy's baby blessing went smashingly. I am lucky enough to had a friend that took some beautiful pictures and lucky enough to have great in-laws that came for the fun!

From Spring 2010

I now know how to get poop out of tan carpet (OxyClean Carpet Spray!). Oh, and something that rotted under some toys, yogurt, and miscellaneous dark spots. Good times.

We have 2 girls in one bedroom which I thought would be a nightmare...but it works! While one screams, the other sleeps, and vice versa. It's like magic. (Hope I'm not jinxing myself...)

Jane LOVES the circus. Lucy DOES NOT like loud clowns. I don't like sitting by the animal waste bucket.

From Spring 2010

2 kids + cold season = Never ending sickness. Nothing is more sad than a coughing, stuffed up infant.

There is a light at the end of the Ph.D tunnel. I can almost see it! (Especially when we can bug daddy all day long on the computer. ;)

From Spring 2010

Babies grow way too fast! Lucy can now do circles on the carpet, enjoys gnawing on her hands, and just found her feet today. Sniff.

From Spring 2010

Nebraska has 4 seasons. Stinking hot and sweaty, cold and windy, freakin' cold and windy with too much snow for a human, and warm and ridiculously windy. Yeah, it's not my favorite place.

Making Freezer Jam is so easy! Why didn't I know this before?!?!?

From Spring 2010

I love to make things for other people (and myself). I've been trying to keep busy with some sewing and crafting projects. (And enjoying my new camera and tweaking the photos a little.)

From Spring 2010

Spring has sprung!

From Spring 2010

Being a mommy has ups and downs, but the ups win. I love my goofy kids (and hubby)!

From Spring 2010

Jane's Float 4 Life Swim Test

2010-03-11T20:16:00.003-07:00

Jane has just finished her first Float 4 Life session and had her first swim test today. This swim class is to help her learn how to survive if she falls into a pool and no one is around to help her immediately. She has learned how to come up from the water by kicking off the bottom of the pool, kick her way up onto her back and float. Then she can kick until she reaches the edge of the pool and turn over and climb out of the pool. She is still a little nervous so we are going to do another session of lessons, but she is doing so well! Eventually she will be able to blow bubbles as she kicks face down, turn over to her back to float and breath, etc.
So, this video is of her test. She needed to wear her shoes, clothes and regular diaper to simulate a true scenario. Her diaper was HEAVY when she got out, so I am so proud of her being able to float even with so much weight strapped to her waist. She was a bit scared and cried while doing it because it was such a different experience, however, she did it again later after I turned off the camera without crying and came out of the pool feeling giddy and proud of herself! She kept calling herself a big girl and was saying that everything around her was new, ie, "These are new shoes, that is new mommy, new Lucy", etc. So cute! We are proud of our little fish.

Gratitude

2010-03-11T10:27:00.001-07:00

Do you ever find yourself lamenting your life or situation? Things could be worse. That's what I remind myself when things are hard. I'm not necessarily feeling down or anything, but someone near me was having a bad day today. While I was driving this morning I saw a car with a pizza box for a window. It was snowing and super slushy outside, and this poor guy was using a pizza box as a window. Those things aren't exactly waterproof. It was on the driver side window and he had a little hole cut out near the side mirror so he could see out the side. Talk about a blind spot.

I remember that once one of my uncles had a car that was so bad, he had to drive with a pipe out the window that he would breath through so he wouldn't suffocate from the fumes in the car. In the middle of a Utah winter. That's pretty bad.

At least I have windows in my car that work and a safe way to drive my family around. Even if we don't live in a house with a yard right now, at least we live in a clean and safe environment. Even though Scott is just a student (no $$$), at least we have a happy little family. The "at least's" are endless. I am grateful for my little family and the many ways we feel blessed each day. I hope you can feel and find some gratitude in your life today.

Sleeping Like A Baby

2010-03-01T21:34:00.001-07:00

Yeah, I sleep like a baby. Up until midnight, up at 4am, up at 6am, up at 8am, no nap... I am fully rested.

But isn't that face cute enough to get no sleep over?

Photo Phriday

2010-02-26T13:23:00.004-07:00

Toddler Insanity

2010-02-24T12:07:00.005-07:00

I'm about ready to scream.

You mommies out there understand.

Sigh

Here is a list of things Jane has done today, before 11 am (which used to be before I woke up...a million years and lifetimes ago)...

1. Lucy eats at about 8am so I usually do this task while still laying down in bed, and Jane likes to come jump on me while this is happening. I am a victim of my laziness, yet refuse to change my circumstances. Today she nuzzled up next to Lucy, but in a bad way, and I had to keep shoving her off of our tiny baby.

2. While mommy and daddy are busy getting up and ready and changing a mother load of a Lucy blow out (this was bad, it took 4 hands to keep from getting poop on her head), Jane sneaks into her bathroom and somehow opens the Children's Tylenol and starts gobbling them down. I think, "Jane is awfully quiet"... I catch her in the act, scream at Scott to call poison control and start doing exactly what they always say not to...try and make her throw up. She is amazingly calm while all this is happening. Scott gives the guy all the stats, then we stop and count to see how many she actually ate and it turns out to only have been 4-6 max. So, the poison control guy tells us all is well. He even called me a couple of hours later to make sure things were okay with Jane (saying that "we don't normally do this for kids who eat that little of an amount...etc").

3. I'm doing the dishes in the kitchen and asked Jane to clean up some toys, giving her specific directions (which have been falling on DEAF ears today) and she comes into the kitchen and puts a Target plastic bag over her head. SCREAM!!! Yeah, that's the story of my day. I am a screaming mom.

4. I'm trying to put sad Lucy down for a nap, patting her back just like the Baby Whisperer told me to do. Sigh...sometimes the effort is not worth it...
...Jane is awfully quiet again...
I catch her with an open bottle of infant Ibuprofen to her lips.
We thought we'd cleaned the medicine cabinet out. ARGH!!!
I'm pretty sure she didn't get much at all because that stuff moves like molasses and there wasn't much left anyway.

As a side note: yesterday Jane stuck a closed pen down Lucy's throat and Lucy obviously screamed bloody murder. Could have been worse (that's what I keep telling myself).

Well, since she's all drugged up, I just might get a decent nap out of her today.
Don't judge.
As Jane would say, "My tired".

Update: Jane also decided to stick both ends of a pipe cleaner into 2 sockets. Luckily nothing happened except for my screaming again.
Good times.

Chalk Treats

2010-02-01T22:25:00.003-07:00

Today was a rough day for Jane. She has officially hit the "terrible twos" and mommy is reading up on how to cope with it... just not quickly enough. From hitting people and walls to yelling "NO, NO, NO!" over and over, toddlerdom has entered our home.
A bit of her curious nature emerged today. I caught her just in time as she was putting a small piece of orange chalk to Lucy's mouth, saying "You want a snack, Lucy?". Uh, no. She does not want a snack! Then Jane ran off, as she normally does now when caught in the act of naughtiness. A few minutes later she came up to me with her hands all soggy and orange, and her tongue hanging out of her mouth, all covered in orange chunks and drool.
Guess that snack wasn't so tasty after all.

Geriatric Date

2010-01-16T21:48:00.002-07:00

My sweet sister is here helping out with life and she let us go out ALONE tonight. So, of course, first on Scott's list was to go peruse the aisles of Barnes and Noble. While Scott looked at smarty books (philosophy, etc.), I checked out the Humor section, finding some gems. One such was a compilation of blog posts from the awesome blog cakewrecks.blogspot.com. We spent some time sitting and laughing at those poor cake decorators.

Then we went to Walgreen's and browsed a bit, then bought some stool softener (I just had a baby, thank you very much). On a whim we both decided to get some shoe insoles. And then, as a treat for Jane, some Fiber Gummies. Toddler constipation is nobodies friend.

When we got home, we both ripped open our shoe insoles and tried them out with glee. Afterward, as I was walking up the stairs I reflected on our excursion.

Wait a minute...we just had an old people date! Book browsing, stool softener, and shoe insoles!!!

We are lame. Yet, we are happy.

A Baby Story

2010-01-15T19:08:00.006-07:00

So, I think I owe a baby story. Here it is...

I was due January 10th. Two weeks before January 6th, my doctor had told me that he thought I'd go before Christmas. He was almost positive. That day I went to the store, for the last time, and packed and was all ready to go. A blizzard came that was supposed to push me into labor because of the low pressure system. Nothing.

January 6th I had a doctor's appointment at 11am to check my status. My doctor was out of town so a nurse practitioner checked me out. I was at 3 cm (had been for two weeks) and 50% (had been for two weeks). My belly had also been measuring a little small, but I had been small with Jane too so my doctor wasn't worried. The nurse practitioner was worried, so she did an ultrasound to check the fluid level, which she said was borderline low, and then hooked me up to monitors to check out our heartbeats and any contractions. Based on all of this, they decided I needed to be induced right away. So, at 39 weeks and 3 days, I was sent upstairs to deliver.

Scott followed me with Jane up to Labor and Delivery while I wrote out a list of everything I hadn't packed yet. Then he went home to pack for me and Jane while I was set up in the room.

I was dressed (or rather undressed) and in the bed by 12 pm. They checked me and since being down at the doctor's, I had progressed to 4 cm. At 12:30 pm the doctor on call broke my water. Scott showed back up around 1 pm after labor had begun. I'm pretty sure they also gave me a dose of pitocin at some point...

By 1:30pm my labor was regular, about every 3 minutes and I was at 5 cm. I then got an epidural. That was the worst part. It was a relief, but quite painful getting it in. It took a few pokes or numbing relief before they could get the epidural in. Then, I could still feel pain with every contraction in one spot for a while until they readjusted the catheter.

By 3:30 pm I was at 10 cm and ready to push. This epidural was different than the one I had with Jane because I could feel pressure and the urge to push. It was really helpful and made delivery much easier.

I pushed for 20 minutes and then we had a baby! She came at 4:08 pm. Her eyes were wide open as soon as her head popped out. She got 9's on her Apgar and was healthy kiddo.

I tore just a tiny bit, needing only 1 stitch (thank goodness for tiny babies!). Lucy was 5 lbs 14 ounces and 19 1/4" long (same length as Jane, but 1 lb lighter). Scott was 10 lbs 2 ounces, so I am sooooo glad that hasn't happen here! Lucy dropped to 5 lbs 6.5 ounces when we left the hospital and today she was back up to 5 lbs 14 ounces! She is gaining so well, we are very proud!

We are so grateful for how well the pregnancy, labor and delivery went and to be blessed with another beautiful and healthy little girl.

Jane is adjusting okay. She loves her sister and is always looking for her and making sure she has her binky at all times. My sister Sarah is here helping out and has been taking good care of us. It's a good thing she has a good sense of humor because Jane has thrown fits like crazy while being taken care of by Sarah ("go way, Sarah!", etc.). We are trying to make sure Jane gets enough attention, but it is sure hard when the other kid has to be

attached to you (literally) a LOT.

Anyway, we are all doing well and sleeping when possible. We are grateful for all the love and support our friends have given us since we are so far from family.

Lucy

2010-01-13T12:34:00.006-07:00

We've been busy over here

And tired.

1.6.10, 4:08pm, 5lbs 14oz., 19 1/4"

TRAPPED

2009-12-25T21:53:00.003-07:00

I think we may have slightly traumatized Jane with all our Santa talk. She was too scared to sleep last night and cried for at least 2 hours. She kept saying she didn't want him to come in her room. I think he may have redeemed himself this morning with her awesome toy haul.
We have been having a blizzard since yesterday but still thought it would be a good idea to try to visit some friends tonight for a yummy dinner. BAD IDEA.
About 2 blocks from our door we got stuck in a huge pile of drifted snow. Luckily (said sarcastically) we brought a frying pan (we don't own a shovel...so innocent) to help scoop us out. Scott got our of the car while I rolled the car back and forth about 4 inches for like 10 minutes. Then, like a Christmas miracle, 3 guys came out of a house with a shovel and dug us out for 10 minutes. The whole time Jane was saying, "This is supid, mommy", while I'm hoping she is not really saying what I think she is saying. Yep, she was saying "stupid" and she learned it from us. Lesson learned.
Anyway, she was so worried about the car not working and "Where's daddy?!". 20 minutes and 2 blocks later, we were back home having our own little Christmas party.
Nebraska is awesome (said sarcastically).
Merry Christmas!

P.S. Keep your fingers crossed that this baby doesn't come until the plows get to work.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T12:51:00.005-07:00

From Christmas Card 2009

Only Adults Wear Watches

2009-12-20T16:43:00.004-07:00

I guess I'm an adult then. Or I was.
Jane took my watch a few days ago trying to make me get up from a nap and play with her. I should have, but laziness won. And that means I lost. I lost my watch. Toddlers.
Then, last night, on a last minute run to Target to get some ink so I could make my Young Women's handouts, I decided to treat myself to a new necklace. While analyzing all the options, a couple of kids (by kids I mean teenagers...guess that makes me old) walked by talking about watches and how lame they are. One of them said, "Ha ha ha, only adults wear watches, ha ha ha." What does that mean? Since when is it lame to be aware of the time? I've actually had the same watch for about 18 years (yeah, that's pretty lame), which means I was wearing one when I was in middle school. Was I even nerdier than I thought I was?
So, I guess I should thank Jane for making me cool again. Or maybe now I just look like an old lady trying too hard to look cool. I just can't win.

First Barf - Warning...GRAPHIC

2009-12-16T08:00:00.005-07:00

This morning Jane was having her usual milk and watching a movie while we were "working on getting up" (don't judge, we are slow morning people). After a little while, she runs into our room saying, "mommy, my wet!" and "my milk spild". I notice she really was soaking wet down her front and saw white stuff in her nose and down her chin. Innocently, I was thinking her diaper had maybe sprung a leak that had somehow traveled up her chest...I know, so innocent.

Now, let me just explain. Jane has NEVER thrown up. She takes after her daddy who last threw up when he was 8 or so, besides one exception, he did it again ONCE while on chemo. I've thrown up more this year than he has his whole life! So, we are so proud of our Iron Stomach Jane.

I followed her out to the front room where I found a crime scene. It still only looked like her milk had spilled all over the carpet. I didn't even notice a stink. I started to clean it up, and Jane happily got me some towels, acting like her usual chipper self. After a while I started to notice that the "milk" was a little bit thick with some tiny chunks. Huh, that's odd...

Then I went to change her and then scrubbed the carpet some more. This is when I started to suspect something suspicious. This milk stinks...like...barf!!!

Regular me could probably handle the smell better, but pregnant me...not so fun. (No, I did not barf in response, as I'm sure a few of you are hoping so that this story gets more interesting.)

Then we went back to normalness. I gave Jane some water hoping she'd feel better soon. I came over to the computer to type up this inspiring story to share with you all. Jane wanted me to read her some books, so I paused at about line 2 of this tale and sat her on my lap for story time. We read The Twelve Days of Christmas (which I like to sing instead of read, and Jane likes me to read instead of sing) and then she ran to get another book. As soon as she brought the book over to me and sat on my lap (at the computer desk) up came the chunky milk! I didn't know what else to do but pull her back from the computer (save the expensive stuff first!) and put out my normal-sized hand to capture all the projectile fun. I just know realized that my shirt smells lovely...It was yucky, but she handled it like a champ! Out came about 3 hand fulls (which obviously did not all fit into my 1). I was able to hold the chunks and we wedged out of the cramped computer area and started to run to the bathroom. She barfed once again on the way (which I just realized I didn't clean, ew) and then I grabbed a little plastic basket from her play kitchen which came in handy 2 times while getting to the bathroom. Then I got her to stand by the toilet and get some in there. I have to now admit that I am so proud of her. She didn't cry, she immediately wanted to play. And during the "act" she was stoic and even aimed at whatever I told her to without objection. Good girl.

So, while I wrote this she was hosing off in the shower with daddy. I'm not sure what I can do to capture more before it hits upholstery or carpet. By the way, any hints on how to clean it out of the aforementioned?

(P.S. I stand corrected, she did throw up once while Scott was holding her, but it was just a little and Scott handled it all alone. Then she slept like usual.)

(P.P.S. This post is an obvious example of first time parent's issues/bragging. I'm sure you won't have to hear about girlie number 2's barfing experiences.)

Halloween (a little delayed)

2009-12-02T22:04:00.004-07:00

Jane LOVED Halloween. She was so excited to go trick or treating. During the actual experience she was a little shy, but for days she couldn’t stop talking about it. She kept saying she wanted to go trick or treating and trying to put her costume on. I’m glad she was so in to it. People who don’t like Halloween are lame. My favorite memory is still when Scott dressed up like a woman in a nasty dress with a nasty purse and a long nasty gray wig and didn’t shave his beard. He worked as a teller at the bank all day like that! Some customers were actually irritated with him and wouldn’t let him help them. Lame-O’s.

This year Scott went as Lt. William Riker, I was Saturn (big belly - you have to take advantage of the bulbousness!), and Jane was a cow. JK, she was a lion. The cutest lion ever. She said she wanted to be a "roar" and when we picked it out from the store she wore it all around the store until we bought it. Cutie patootie.

Action shot.

Enjoying the spoils.

Escape of the Toddler

2009-11-28T22:07:00.002-07:00

Jane has figured out how to escape her sleeping prison. Not that she doesn’t like it in there, it’s just that she doesn’t like to wait for us to come get her anymore. I’m actually surprised she braved the escape at all. She is not one of those monkey type toddlers. She is pretty cautious and doesn’t climb crazy things. This week though has been a growth week for her. She climbed the drawers in the bathroom to get up on the counter and also realized that she can climb out of bed all by herself. It’s more my fault than hers. During one of her naps this week, she was yelling to get up (“I wanna wake up mommy!”) and I didn’t feel like rushing in to get her. So I yelled, “Just climb out!”, while lying on the couch (I am 8 ½ months pregnant – no judging please). Next thing I know she opens her door and runs out, “I did it!”. So, now my fear is that she will never sleep again and will escape in the middle of the night. Oh no, my friends, she is well trained. I forgot how much she loves to sleep (like her mommy). She goes down when we ask her and now each morning wakes up at about 7:45 am and runs into our room to declare she wants some milk. Seems rough for us (I hear many of you scoffing) since she used to sleep until 8 or 8:30 am, but it could be worse. Hopefully she won’t wake the coming-soon baby each morning. We’ll have to work on that. I’m debating over teaching her how to open the fridge to get a sippy of milk by herself each morning…hmmm.

11/29 Update:
Jane snuck out of her bed during nap time today. I only knew because I heard her grabbing a balloon that she was playing with. Scott went right in and put her in her bed and she was MAD. But after about 20 minutes she fell asleep and stayed put for a full nap.

Lately, every time she yawns she immediately follows up with, "I'm not sleepy, I wanna wake up." Just in case we were thinking about putting her in bed I guess. She's good at covering her bases.

The Naughtiest Thing - Yet...

2009-10-13T11:34:00.001-06:00

Jane has decided this week that she THINKS she no longer needs naps...just as mommy is realizing that she and #2 DO need a nap...so, tragedy (or rather, the inevitable) occurred. While mommy "layed down" on the couch, Jane went to town. I keep forgetting to lock the games cupboard and that was her destruction of choice for the day. I thought I heard her in it, but didn't think much of it because she "knows" not to play with certain games...whatever. I got up after about 45 minutes to find the horror of all horrors had come true. The worst game of all to clean up? One of Scott's obscure faves, Therapy. It took me 45 minutes to clean all this up. Not sure it was worth the nap...

Apple Jack Festival

2009-10-09T12:07:00.001-06:00

Each year we go to the Apple Jack Festival and have fun
eating everything apple.

Seaside, Oregon

2009-10-09T12:05:00.001-06:00

The last part of our summer trip was spent in Seaside, Oregon with my mom and sister Sarah. We had a lot of fun and fiasco while there. Here are the highlights...

More Summer Fun Updates

2009-10-09T11:54:00.003-06:00

We had 5 weeks this summer to spend time with family and we loved every minute of it! Here are some highlights...

Chuck E. Cheese, dude!

2009-10-06T20:29:00.003-06:00

We decided to take Jane to Chuck E. Cheese for her birthday this year. She had a lot of fun, except when the Cheese man himself walked around, he freaked her out. However, she had no fear of the animatronics animals...
They had tiny arcade games and rides just her size. After a while, it all got to be a bit too much for her, but she still had a lot of fun and picked out prizes from her ticket spoils.

Here is a clip of us all "riding" a roller coaster arcade game. Her laughing is about the cutest thing ever!

Happy Birthday Jane!

2009-10-02T10:40:00.001-06:00

From Best of Jane 22 months-by Krisi

Our baby is growing up. She turned 2 yesterday and it seems like she just barely came home from the hospital. We love Jane so much and can't believe how quickly she learns new things and is growing into her own little person. Just this week she learned to count to 10 (mostly correctly), and told me to leave her alone while out painting the balcony with water (she's a little sassy like her mommy). She is such an independent little lady and we are so grateful to have her in our family.

A Favorite Moment

2009-09-30T22:22:00.004-06:00

Our last night in Utah this summer, Jane became very attached to her cousins and didn't want to say goodbye. They were having too much fun playing Ring Around the Rosie. Once we finally pried her away, she cried the whole drive back to grandma and grandpa's house. Too bad we live so far away from such fun cousins. We miss you guys! (Yes, Jane still remembers who you are.)

It's a....

2009-09-04T08:01:00.004-06:00

In case you haven't heard, we are having another girl! We are really excited and Jane is too. She keeps saying "baby sistah". Here are a couple of pictures.

The baby kept putting her hands up around her face during the 3D ultrasound so this was the best image we could get. The rest made her look like a big globby clay mush.
Look at that little baby!

Janeisms

2009-08-31T09:05:00.007-06:00

Now that Jane talks a little, she is starting to say some pretty funny things. The other day we were walking up the stairs and we have a huge vent right by the stairs. She stopped at the vent and wouldn't continue up the stairs. Then she began saying "bunny, bunny, bunny" over and over again, kind of hitting on the vent. She did this a few times that day...we think she must have had a dream about a bunny in the vent or something. I told her there might be dust bunnies in there!

Last night I asked Jane if she wanted to say her prayer and she folded her arms and started to mumble a little prayer and then got bashful and turned away to finish. It was so cute. So then this morning we were having family prayers and Jane knelt down and without being asked, started to say it by herself! "Heawee Fawah, (something something) day..." Then she got bashful and hid in my lap. When she does things like this it makes me feel so much better about mommydom, like I must be doing something right.

Jane tends to get restless at church, wanting "bubbles" that lure her to nursery. She'll say "bubbles" over and over again and I have to convince her that it's not time yet...etc. Well, yesterday was a rough day for the ward in regards to reverence, and Jane did not help much either. As the last speaker was closing, I asked Jane if she wanted to sing with me and, just as the speaker said "amen", Jane decided to yell "Yahoo!" very loudly which then caused everyone behind us to giggle uncontrollably. As I said, it was a rough meeting anyway, and I think Jane shouted what everyone was thinking (although it really was unrelated), "Yahoo! It's almost over!". Many people told me afterward how she had voiced their thoughts. At least she didn't know she was doing that. Cute baby. (No offense to the last speaker ;)
Other things Jane says:

"foofies"= excuse me, said appropriately after expelling air
"sowie"= sorry, said after getting an owie, probably because it's what we say when we accidentally bump her
"pees" = please
"mak" = milk
"fwing" = swing
"mah"= more
"woovie"= movie
"hewah"= Heather
"sock"= Scott

I'm sure there are more but I can't think of them now...
Progress update: Jane is FINALLY drinking milk out of a sippy cup. That was a hard one to break. She bit through her last transition cup with a soft top, so we told her it was time to drink out of a sippy cup and she just said okay! Huh, that was easy?! You just never know...

My Great-Great-Grandfather's House

2009-08-27T13:18:00.002-06:00

My paternal great-great-grandfather, P.S. Houston lived in Gem, Kansas and his home was recently moved to Rexford, Kansas to be renovated to function as a bed and breakfast. I hope to go check it out sometime soon since we live so close. www.coalcreekfarm.com has some great pictures and descriptions of the home. This picture is from their website.

Family Reunion

2009-08-24T21:36:00.003-06:00

We spent 5 weeks away this summer, visiting family and one of the fun things we did was have a Church family reunion up at Snowbasin in Utah. We went on a hike, took family pictures, went up and down the mountain in a gondola and ate a yummy lunch at the top of the mountain.
It was a lot of fun.

Delayed...4th of July Fun

2009-08-24T20:49:00.006-06:00

We enjoyed our own little 4th of July celebration by splurging a little on some fireworks. Jane was in awe when they would explode, then she started to get scared and would clap and say "Yay!" when they were done.
We also went to the main city party (on July 3rd because the city changed the holiday so they could celebrate the big homegrown star, Larry the Cable Guy, on the 4th. Nice.) which got rained out. It was fun anyway. Jane and I went down a HUGE slide and we both screamed in delight. Then once the rain started we trudged back to the car in pouring rain. Good times. Just like being in Seattle.

My Life is Average

2009-07-25T22:52:00.007-06:00

Do you ever feel like you are incredibly boring and average? I often feel like that. My usual routine includes getting up, getting Jane and myself ready, eating, cleaning, playing on/with toys, making dinner, watching TV and going to bed. Average. Repetitive.

Because of the tedium, I tend to find mundane things quite funny. I recently found a website devoted to people like me who have average things happen to them each day. www.mylifeisaverage.com

Here are a couple of posts that I thought were funny:

"Today, while walking on campus I had my iPod on. As I was walking, I saw a guy with long, beautiful hair and a clean face. Just then, my iPod went to "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" by Aerosmith. I nodded, agreeing to my music."

"Today, I was eating a cup of pudding, but to make it last longer I used a very small spoon. "

"Last night I was trying to go to sleep but I was really hot under the blankets. Instead of taking them off I turned the air conditioner on and stayed under them because its scary without a blanket."

"Today, I threw my frisbee into some weeds. I went looking for it, and instead found two smaller frisbees. I felt my frisbee had given birth and moved on. I mourned my frisbee, but will protect its children. "

It makes me feel better to know that most people are just as odd as I think I am. I'm average, just like everybody else.

Look What the Doctor Found

2009-07-01T21:20:00.004-06:00

Yes, #2 is on the way! We are 12 1/2 weeks right now so the bean is still genderless...Feeling good, but super tired. I was a bit nauseous at first, which was a new experience for me, but am feeling better new. We are really excited to add to our troop and are looking forward to our New Year baby.

Monster Update

2009-06-30T23:30:00.001-06:00

Since I've sort of skimmed over the last 5 months or so I thought I'd do a quickish update for all those that have been pestering me...

February

We all went to Mesa for a Comm. conference where Scott presented some papers and we got a little tanner. We got to hang with Robert Bradford and Mary McCoy (and crash at her place-thanks!), stay with the Eberhard's (it was wonderful!) and pick their backyard grapefruits, eat a giant lemon, and ride on a tiny train. It was a really fun trip.

March

Went to the Omaha Zoo for the first time - let a hippo taste Jane
and taught her where milk comes from...
...Jane learned how to fly at the local Children's Museum and
experienced her first Institute class with daddy.
April
I experimented with making felt bacon and eggs, Jane met Clifford the Big Red Dog and hunted for eggs at Barnes and Noble and in our front room; Jane got her first My Little Pony, learned she can fit an entire Cadbury egg in her mouth without mommy noticing, saw the Easter Bunny, decided she doesn't like those cheap hallow chocolate bunnies, and learned how much fun it is to dress up.

Then mommy and Jane went to Bellevue to visit family. While there we went to the Point Defiance Zoo and saw a Beluga whale, visited with Grandpa Steve, visited with Great Grandpa Houston, mommy fell in love with a cupcake, Jane played a lot with Grandma Houston, partied hardy for uncle Jimmy's 22nd birthday, had fun at Pike Place, played at Grandma Ebertings, Jane got 2 fat lips (on at Dairy Queen and another at Kelsey Creek Farm), played at the Lake Sammamish beach, swam at Samena, and mommy had fun bonding with her wacky sibs.

May
Scott gave me long naps and a great dinner for Mother's Day, Jane pilfered our dinner tomato for a snack, I went with my friend Jentry to the ends of Nebraska, we tried a local chicken joint (not good), Jane dressed up some more and then Scott turned 28.

June
Our friends Luke and Bridget Crane came to visit yours truly and we had so much fun, including visiting the Omaha Zoo! Heather turned 29, then was called to work with the Young Women at church, Jane loves nursery and doesn't care to say goodbye when we leave her (sniff), Jane likes to wear mommy's shoes, take "shawas", play in any water she can find, and help mommy in the kitchen.

A Cute Jane Video

2009-06-30T22:17:00.003-06:00

Photo Phriday

2009-06-26T22:20:00.004-06:00

Yes, we may have a problem...the first step is admitting it.

In case you couldn't tell, Jane has a minor obsession with binkies. She is only allowed to use them when sleeping, but sometimes she sneaks them out of her crib when I'm not looking. One morning when we went to get her out of bed, she had 2 in her mouth.
On our last trip to Seattle, when her binky wasn't near, she grabbed the closest binky-shaped thing and stuck it in her mouth. She didn't seem to mind the cumbersomeness of her choice.

Photo Phriday

2009-05-22T22:28:00.003-06:00

Mommies beware!
I recently found Jane in her crib with her leg stuck in between 2 bars. I tried everything I could to get it out to no avail...until...scissors and canola came to the rescue. I had to cut her jeans off and lube up her little leg. Finally it slipped free and then she was off. No trauma for her, just for mommy. It was a rough day...this was just the beginning.

Temper Tantrum Time

2009-03-18T15:48:00.003-06:00

She was mad because Mommy didn't want to stay outside all
day to swing in the swings. I'm so mean.

It's a Lion Out There

2009-03-11T17:00:00.007-06:00

Brrrrrr! It's flippin' cold out today. Yesterday afternoon I went out for a while and once Jane and I were both buckled in to the car, I realized that the windshield was frozen over. By over I mean there was 1/4" of ice on it. I've never seen a windshield like that before. The back window was clear and dry, but the front was icey because it was raining ice all morning (which is also a new odd phenomenon to me). We sat in the car for 15 minutes while it thawed enough for me to chip chunks off every now and then. It was quite the process.

Today Jane and I were trapped inside without a car so we were crafty. I found this fun St. Patrick's Day idea on Make and Takes. I was blog stalking the other day and discovered Make and Takes which has tons of cute crafty ideas for the home or for kids and lots of recipes. Check it out for some good ideas. Here is a shot of our Pot of Gold. I put Rollos in the pot. Yum!

After we were crafty, Jane had her first popsicle. I know, it was a cold day, but it sounded good, so we did it. Warmth is too far away to wait to eat popsicles. I like to break rules.

Growing Up

2009-03-06T21:43:00.004-07:00

I can't believe my little girl is growing up! She has only ever been my baby and now all of a sudden she is a toddler! I'm so proud of her growth, but I also feel sad to see her become more independent because I know that she is one step closer to going off to college.

Last Sunday Jane went to Nursery. (For those of you counting, it is 1 month early, but I have connections...don't tell...) I have been dreaming of this day for many, many months and was counting down the days until she could go. Scott and I are both very busy during church and we were excited to have Jane go to Nursery so we could focus more on the tasks we needed to accomplish. But as I was walking her to Nursery I was getting a little teary-eyed knowing that my little baby was big enough to be on her own (well, you know, along with 10 other kids and 2-3 adults). A few times during the hour and 45 minutes that she was "alone" I almost started crying again. And now, even as I write about it I'm tearing up. Is this normal?!? I even spied on her 2 times during that hour and 45 minutes, for about 5 minutes each, by looking through the tiny peepholes they have in all the Nursery doors. It was so cute to see her interact with other kids. I saw her chase a ball and have a boy steal it from her. Then she sat, defeated on the floor for a minute. That poor girl, she isn't used to standing up for herself. I don't fight over her toys with her at home. She has full domain being the oldest of 1. But this will make her stronger. And me.
I am going to be a wreck when she goes to kindergarten. Watch out for the water-works! "Man the pumps!"

Photo Phriday

2009-02-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Kitty Kiddo

Shopping in the Children's Museum,
pickin' up a meat stick.

Tree House Hideout

Little Cowgirl

Chef Jane is serving pizza

Just having fun!

Grumpy in an apron

Playing house with daddy

Running up the sledding slide

Baby bucky beaver in the bath (say that 3 times fast!)

Shopping at the Children's Museum

2009-02-12T13:35:00.003-07:00

Jane has a lot of fun at our local Children's Museum. We have a membership and we try to go often so she (and I!) can get out and have some fun! This time daddy got to come with us. She surprised us with how into the shopping experience she really was. Jane is growing up so fast!

Meet Little Ms. Grumpy Pants

2009-02-11T23:50:00.004-07:00

Nap time is our friend, not our foe.
Routine is everything. This is what happens when mommy is a poor planner.
Need I say more?

Latest Family Pictures

2009-02-09T19:30:00.002-07:00

We had these done at JC Penney and I think they turned out okay. They are going up on our wall.

Monster Update

2009-02-09T14:07:00.007-07:00

We had a lot of fun the Christmas in Utah with family. Jane got to play with cousins and first cousins once removed as well as grandparents and aunts and uncles. It was a really fun trip with lots of memories. Here are some slideshows of our trip.

The week before we left for Utah, we had Christmas in Lincoln
so Jane could play with the toys we got her.

We had a really fun Christmas with Scott's family, including caroling to all the neighbors, acting out the Nativity scene, and New Years at Steph and Daves. My sister Sarah also came to stay with us for a week and we partied with her. Finally, we jammed with our good friend Robert at his parent's house. It was a grand old time! Thanks for the Chinese food, Bradfords.

My sister Sarah also came to stay with us for a week and we partied with her. My aunt Lee and her family had us over for dinner one night and then later we jammed with our good friend Robert at his parent's house. It was a grand old time! Thanks for the Chinese food, Bradfords.

Then a trip down to Cedar City to see old friends and out to Delta to see Grandpa Church.

Our last week we just hung out and were glad to be on a vacation from school.

Jane had a lot of fun playing with all her cousins and other relatives. This was a little shot of some typical playtime with Grandpa Church. She loves to play with him and on the trip they bonded very well.

Thanks for the fun trip everyone! We miss you already!

Awesome Music Video

2009-02-09T12:46:00.001-07:00

My brother James just sent this to me and it is so awesome I had to share it with everyone!

Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance
Uploaded by IgnitionVM

Good Times

2009-02-03T22:41:00.003-07:00

We recently had some fun bowling with some friends from Scott's program at the Student Union Building. Jane really got into it, constantly trying to run down the lanes after the balls. Neither of us did good enough to mention our scores but Jane had a diaper that required secondary female assistance in the ladies room. Thanks Sarah D.! Couldn't have made it out clean without you. UNL, you guys need changing tables! Some people have kids while students, despite the odd looks we receive because of it. Good times.

P.S. Notice Scott's sweet stash he sported JUST for that one evening. Never again.

Ode to A-B-C Bacon, Friskas and Ziplocs

2009-01-26T11:20:00.003-07:00

My new favorite thing is Already-Been-Cooked Bacon. I love knowing that only 60 seconds stands between me and a little slice of crispy, salty deliciousness. We recently bought a giant bag from Costco (another love of mine) and have been delighting in its ease and tastiness for days now. I find myself daydreaming about how quickly I could whip up a fresh and crunchy BLT. Last night I had one at 11pm. That would probably explain why I am a pear...but that's not pertinent information right now.

While I was daydreaming about making a BLT last night, a commercial came on for cat food. It was one of those canned kinds that they always advertise as being served on fine china. Well, tell me if this is weird, but I found myself thinking, "Yum, that looks good. Oh, wait...that's cat food, but it still looks good. Is there something wrong with me? Maybe, but I still kind of want to taste it." Even still, while I remember the moment in the commercial that triggered this train of thought I still get a little hungry. And a little gaggy. But mostly hungry. Yum, I want bacon.

I also love Ziplocs. Me and them are tight, like best friends. Ziplocs have helped me through many dilemas, from how to pack for a trip to how to pack a fridge. I love them because they help me to use the most space possible without wasting any space. You can freeze soup flat and stack on edge like a soup filing system. You can shake up a mean Shake-N-Bake. You can seal up a poopy baby outfit to prevent a riot on a crowded airplane. There are so many uses, the list could go on and on.

One of my pet-peeves is when people don't completely squeeze the air out of them. The purpose of a Ziploc is 1. to preserve and protect the contents from air exposure, ergo from early spoilage, 2. to allow storage of the contents in a smaller amount of space than would otherwise be possible, and C. to provide simple, quick and easy clean up, just toss away!

These are some of my favorite things. What are yours and why?

I Luv Costco

2009-01-20T21:56:00.007-07:00

Do you belong to Costco? If not, you should. Scott and I refer to it as a "Carnival for Adults". You can get pizza, hot dogs, ice cream and churros for all under $2, eat free samples all around the store, buy cheap movies and books, get cute baby clothes and fun toys at Christmas, and find some of the best groceries in town. Also, since it is a "club" you feel cool getting in and reaping all the benefits of membership that "non members" are missing out on. It's like you are being sneaky by shopping there.

The Costco experience is so popular lately that it has been the central focus of two recent movies. King of California and Employee of the Month, both of which weren't too shabby. I loved how in Employee of the Month the employees had a secret hideout on one of the shelves in one of the freakishly tall aisles. And they got to it by riding up a fork lift. How awesome is that?! In King of California, Michael Douglas thinks there is buried treasure hidden under one of the aisles and blows a hole in the concrete to scuba dive and find it. I would love to be in a Costco in the middle of the night and just have free reign to room, eat things, and try everything out. (That reminds me of the movie Where the Heart Is and the scenes where Natalie Portman's character is living in a Wal-Mart and she has the store to herself all night long. I would love that, except for the having-a-baby-in-the-aisle-in-the-middle-of-the-night-thing she had going on...but I digress...)

Returning to my original theme, I'm sure I could easily spend hundreds of $$$ at Costco each time I went, but we generally are able to restrain ourselves a bit. Costco is always super fun, until you get to the register and realize you just bought 3 things and spent $150. If that hasn't happened to you, wait until you have to buy diapers, wipes and formula.

Cha-ching! Even still, I love Costco and I can't wait to go again. I should buy Costco stock so I can make some of my $ back.

Poo Poo in the Potty Part 2 (Pun intended)

2009-01-15T23:11:00.004-07:00

Yes, you read that right! So, here's the story...Jane tried to poop in the tub last night, again, and I grabbed her halfway in time to get it in the training potty instead of the tub (halfway in time, as in half of it didn't make it to the potty). And I told her "you poo poo in the potty, not in the tub" as all this was happening. I didn't think she really got it, but I hoped she did.

So tonight the same scenario begins to unfold and I decided to ask her outright, "Do you want to go poo poo in the potty?", and she responds by saying, "Da!", which I take to mean "yeah". So I pick her up out of the tub and put her on the potty and she just goes like a grown-up. I called Scott into the bathroom so he could witness this little miracle with me. She was nudey and wet sitting on the training potty doing her business with a grunty little smile. It was just adorable! Scott and I almost took a picture of her handiwork but decided against it. We all know what it looks like and probably don't need reminders. But we do need a picture of her on the potty. Now that would be cute and some great teenage blackmail material.

Come check out my other blog

2009-01-13T16:24:00.001-07:00

My sister Sarah has been posting some funny food stories over on our other blog and I want all of you to read them! Come check them out at http://3siblingsandaspatula.blogspot.com/

Here's a little teaser: Chocolate for Breakfast, Pesto Crepes, and is Aloe Vera to be eaten or worn?

I'll catch you all up on us sometime this week.

Photo Phriday

2008-12-12T13:08:00.006-07:00

Our dining room is carpeted, which I see as being a major design flaw. Jane, of course, is a messy eater/toddler.

Tan carpet + Food + Toddler = Disaster

Because I am tired of cleaning the carpet I decided to get a rug for under Jane's highchair. It is a lovely shade of clear and made of plastic. Okay, it's a shower curtain, but it works for me. The day after I put it under her chair, it was already saving the day.

At the very instant I was taking the above picture, Jane flung a piece of Jell-o behind her and it hit my hand just perfectly. I decided to document it for you all. She is a pretty good shot.

Since decorating the tree we have had many hours of tutorial about how she needs to leave the ornaments on the tree.

It's tough when the tree is so fascinating.

Here is a slideshow from the local Christmas parade last weekend.

A description of Jane Eating Cream of Wheat

A trip to the local Children's Museum

4th Photo in 4th Folder

2008-12-05T23:37:00.005-07:00

I wasn't tagged or anything, but I thought this picture was a good one. Last summer we went to Delta, Utah for the weekend to visit family and along the way we ran into an odd sight for a city girl. The cows were migrating or something all over the desert and the highway. These 2 were a little close for comfort so we stopped and stared while they stopped and stared. We had a moment.

Anyone else want to show off their 4th in their 4th?
Let's see it...

Jane, Jane, Bo Bane

2008-12-03T12:58:00.013-07:00

Banana, fana, fo fane. Me, my, mo, mane. Jay-ane. I love this baby. She is so cute and suddenly getting so big! Check her out!She's suddenly into her dolly again. She'll carry her around all day with a rag or wipe and clean and cover her up. It's very cute. She's my little baby mama.

Her favorite hang out for about a week. Luckily she's forgotten about it for now.My little goggled pirate......showing off her little booty while digging for booty.Here we see an awesome display of morning hair.
And a coat I got on clearance at Old Navy. I love clearance shopping.
Look at her supermodel eyes! Such a little dolly.******************************************************************
I finally convinced Scott to wear some jeans. He hasn't worn any since high school and that was 10 years ago. He told me he felt weird all day at school dressed like this. I tried to get him to understand that he looked awesome, but he hasn't worn them again since. Doesn't he look handsome?!**************************************************************************
Some of her latest bath time hijinks.

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Helping daddy make pumpkin pie. She's become my kitchen helper, of sorts.

We're in the paper!

2008-12-02T20:08:00.003-07:00

We just noticed that we are in the local paper. We had Thanksgiving with some people from Scott's program at school and they had a journalist there taking pictures. We didn't think anything of it until Scott remembered today. Our little Jane is making the news!

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

2008-12-02T14:41:00.003-07:00

Elder Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints passed away last night. There are some articles regarding his life and passing which can be found online. One can be found here. Something that touched me from that article was this:
"There is old proverb," Elder Wirthlin was wont to say, "which says, 'An inch of gold will not buy an inch of time.' We must put a sufficiently high value on time. It is valuable and should not be wasted."
I am such a time waster! I don't want to be, however, I feel trapped by my own laziness and sometimes don't know how to rise above it. However, I feel inspired by an apostle's words and I am going to strive to use my time more wisely. The article also stated that Elder Wirthlin would each morning type his schedule for the day. I remember as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I would write out my schedule for the day the night before, and then review it in the morning and would stick to it as best as possible. I am going to implement that again in my life. I'm excited about all the things that I will accomplish!

Black Friday

2008-12-01T14:06:00.005-07:00

We love Black Friday. Probably we shouldn't as much as we do considering we have no money, but then when else are you going to get DVDs for $2?!?! Scott did his usual middle of the night shopping at Best Buy and Circuit City. I stayed home until the late hour of 6:30 am waiting for my turn since Jane was still sleeping and I couldn't bring myself to face the crowds with a tired baby. Once Scott finally made it back to the house I hit Home Depot for a drill/driver I've been wanting for about 2 years. The salesman asked if it was for me or my "boyfriend" (I was too tired to put mywedding ring on at 6 am). I thought, Am I being flirted with?. Then when I was asking for help in the bit department he called me "sweetheart". So, I think it was more of a condescending thing more than a flirting thing, but it was fun to think, if only for a second, that someone other than Scott might think I was cute without makeup or my hair done at 6:30 am. After that fun, I hit 2 Walmarts. Yes, 2. The first one was completely wiped out, so I thought I'd try another that had only opened a couple of months ago. I'm glad I did, because I found almost everything that I had wanted. I told Scott that next year, that is the Walmart that I'm hitting first thing. Those people in that neighborhood must still be
Black Friday Virgins.
So, what is so great about shopping at 5 am? Having ALL your Christmas shopping done by 7 am of course! Only 24 days left until my favorite day of the year!
Welcome to the Christmas season!

Poo Poo In The Potty!

2008-11-11T10:11:00.005-07:00

So, it was probably just a fluke, but we had a poo poo in the potty this morning! Jane was trying to go and then was signing to go in the bath. Most of you know what that combination means...But I put her in the bath anyway to test out my other theory of maybe getting her to poop in the potty when I know it's coming. So, she was playing in the bath when she started trying to go. I picked her right up and put her on the potty. She screamed a little, but then gave in a went in the potty! I hoorayed for her, then got her down and we looked at her accomplishment and waved bye-bye as it went bye-bye. Now, I don't think she really understood the magnitude of what just happened, but we celebrated anyway by dancing to Float On by Modest Mouse (I have no shame).

************************************************************************
This is what Jane's been up to today.

*********************************************************************
This morning I woke up and told Scott that I had visions of bloggy dreams dancing in my head. I was a little blog-crazy yesterday and so all night I kept dreaming about blogs and layouts and the fun that it all is. Maybe I should start another hobby.

I'll Humbly Wear It With Pride

2008-11-10T21:22:00.011-07:00

My super sister-in-law Steph just honored
little ole' me with a blogging award!
I am very excited to show it off! The rules for this award are as follows:

Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

I hereby nominate the following awesome blogs for this awesome award:
The Woods of North Dakota (always creative and cute)
Bridget (never afraid to strut her stuff)
Cumulative Record (my gateway to the left)
Veronica Ernest (always has a good mommy tale)
and last but not least...
lebraun (always willing to show her underbelly, no matter how seething it is ;)

Good job ladies. Keep the laughs a comin'!

...And We All Came Tumbling Down!

2008-11-10T14:10:00.004-07:00

Yesterday, while carrying Jane, I fell down. It has been one of my greatest fears and it finally came true and yet, we both survived. We had just left our friend's house who had fed us yummy veggie curry. I was carrying Jane and noticed that her hoodie hood and the hat to her coat had just fallen off so I put them both back on her head (a blessing in disguise). Then we went outside, with Scott along beside us, when, as I stepped off the curb my right ankle collapsed beneath me and Jane and I went tumbling down. It was one of those experiences that is so scary that while it happens, and when you think about it after, the situation occurs in slow motion. I was carrying Jane in my right arm, her face was facing mine (another blessing in disguise). I remember my right ankle twisting beneath me so I tried to fall to the left to protect Jane, then I fell forward into the gravelly asphalt landing on my left hand, then my left knee skid on the ground, then, nightmare of all nightmares, I saw Jane looking at me with her GIANT eyes saying with those eyes, "what are you doing, mommy?!". Then I saw her land on my arm on the asphalt then slowly, as I yelled "OH NO!", she fell backwards and hit the back of her padded little head on the asphalt. She and I immediately started crying and Scott dropped to me to see if I was OK, then grabbed Jane and consoled her while I wept in anguish on the ground. Angry at myself for not contorting my body enough to protect my baby. For not reacting quickly enough. Because my ankle HURT! Because, what if Jane now has brain damage?! Because, THAT WAS DUMB!
Falling down when you are an adult is one of the most ridiculous things. You just feel dumb and you get hurt really bad because you are WAY to big to fall down now that you are all grown up.
I slipped and fell once while pregnant with Jane and we both survived that one too. 2 times in 2 years isn't too bad.
One time at BYU I was running to class in the rain in some really slick FILA sandals (remember those, all you 90's people?), yeah, I know it was dumb. Right as I came out from under the covered walkway south of the HBLL, I hit that little slope on the way to the SWKT and slid the whole way down it on my sandals then fell on my butt in the middle of a huge crowd of people who where older and better dressed than me (I was in my pajama bottoms, I don't know why I thought they were cool enough to wear to class!!!). Ugghh. That was embarrassing. However, that was not the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me. Only a select special few know that story and I'm going to have to keep it that way. Let's just say I was gastrointestinally challenged while in the right place at the wrong time.
Anyway, back to my latest folly. Jane's obviously just fine. (I checked her pupils, made sure she didn't fall into a coma while sleeping, you know...all the neurotic mommy stuff.) I'm fine too. My ankle is pretty sore, but it will recover. My hand is scraped up, but it will recover. My knee is a little scabby, which is just weird because I'm a grownup. My mommy pride is a little beat up, but it will also recover. However, my jeans...only spray 'n wash can save them now.

Breaking News!

2008-11-08T19:10:00.005-07:00

This morning we practiced Jane's walking skills and she got a little more gutsy and then she was off! She's been walking around all day, the farthest being about 15 feet. She hasn't given up on crawling yet though. Now and then she gets frustrated with falling down so she goes back to crawling. Soon she'll be running all around!

Living with a Foreign Exchange Student

2008-11-06T12:47:00.004-07:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm living with a foreign exchange student. I talk all day to this little person that listens and then tries to respond, yet I don't know what the heck she is saying. She might as well be from France considering how well I understand her. We carry on conversations, yet little is understood. I know that she is interested in what I have to say so I listen to what she has to say.

Then I respond with a "Yeah", or "Uh-huh".
Sometimes when Jane talks, she ends her sentences by elevating the tone of her voice, as though she were asking me a question. It is so cute when she does that, trying so hard to communicate with me. Right now I call her language "gobbledy-gook", but sooner than I realize it will be real words coming out of her mouth and then I'll be able to know what her little brain is thinking about.

Don't Forget to Vote!

2008-11-03T11:46:00.001-07:00

There are a lot of important issues to consider this election year. Especially regarding the definition of family and other moral issues. Make sure you know and understand what you are voting for or against! Good luck tomorrow.

If I Were A Character In Twilight...

2008-10-30T21:26:00.003-06:00

Kind of a fun quiz for the truly obsessed...Yes, I know

how nerdy this is.

Pumpkin Stealers Suck

2008-10-30T15:54:00.004-06:00

Someone stole my pumpkin that I spent 15 minutes picking out at WalMart. I'm so mad. Lame-o! I was so proud of it and how long it took me to find it. Another perfectionist actually stopped me in the store to ask if the pumpkin was real or not because it was so perfect looking! I'm so mad.
Happy thieving Halloween, you jerks.

Two of My Favorite Shows

2008-10-30T10:22:00.004-06:00

Two of my favorite shows right now are Kath and Kim on NBC

and The New Adventures of Old Christine on CBS. Who doesn't
love a comedy about dysfunctional families/people?
Hope you enjoy them as much as I do. You can watch them
online or on TV (click on the names to be connected to the
show online). However you do it make sure to spread
the word so they don't get canceled like all the rest
of my favorite shows do. They are both laugh-out-load funny!
Enjoy!

Baby Dilema

2008-10-30T09:17:00.004-06:00

How do you keep a baby from pooping in the tub?!
It's become part of Jane's nightly ritual to poop in the tub. I try to keep on eye out to catch it before it happens, but somehow she is able to sneak and do it while I can't prevent it. Last night I decided that since I can't stop her maybe I can get her to go in the potty. So, I watched for the signs, and each time she was about to go I picked her up and set her on the potty. Of course she was freaked out and freezing while sitting wet on the toilet. She didn't know why she was dangling over a hole while dripping wet. So each time I set her on the toilet she wouldn't do anything. Why putting her on the toilet 3 times, I noticed that it was kind of grimey. I put her back in the tub and started to drain it and remove all toys just in case a poop came, and then started to clean the toilet. (I'm a chronic multi-tasker...sometimes to my own demise...) As soon as I started to clean the toilet I heard the little grunts and turned around to see her watching me while doing the biggest doodie of her life in the almost-empty tub. AHHH!!! Cleaning it up was disgusting and led to me clogging the toilet up pretty good. So, the first night of night pop potty training didn't work out how I'd hoped, but I'm going to keep trying. Meanwhile, how do you keep a baby from pooping in the tub?