Duck, Duck, Goose!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

A World-Dominating, Butter-Laden New Tradition

2012-01-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

My uncle Gary jokes that in our ritual-obsessed extended family, if we do something two years in a row, it "officially" becomes a tradition. I sure hope that I can carry that over to Jon's family, because I would LOVE for this to become something we do every year!

What could have me so excited? Risk-y Baking Night, of course!

Here's how it works: We play one of those strategy board games that are really fun, but take FOREVER. As people get out of the game, they come help the rest of us with the Christmas baking!

Jon's family really likes to play Risk, but his dad LOVES it. In his own words, Kip tends to be ruthless. He won't pull any punches, but he will very helpfully point out what you are doing to let him crush you.

In this house, Risk has been banned from Sunday play - it's impossible to play and stay reverent. Joseph may be accusing Isaac, but it looks like, as usual, it's Kip's fault.

We start them young in this family! Jesse is learning the ins-and-outs of world domination from Auntie Chel.

There are some of us that don't love the intensity of the game as much (my mom would call it "one of those stratty games) so we baked instead! You can see Laura and Ginny in the back working on the Almond-Cherry bars.

Ginny rolling out the lemon cookies. Kip didn't know it, but we were actually baking all of these goodies for his surprise 50th birthday party that Sunday! He thought they were just for neighbor gifts.

Of course, we had to take a fudge break! My Grandma's fudge is my favorite Christmas treat - it just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Sneaky Issac getting into the treats after being paid off by an older brother. *coughJoncough* It's hard work being a mercenary!

Speaking of being paid off... Jon ran out of ones, so Joseph got a whole FIVE dollars to let Jon sweep through his area. Jon defended himself by saying, "It's not cheating! He's receiving a gift from a benevolent older sibling!"

Kip said, "My insidious sons are plotting against me! I feel like the King of England!"

Despite his sons' efforts, Kip began to sweep the board. Look at that triumph on his face!

Eventually, Jon was pushed out, and only Chelsea (the red) was left to face the mighty wrath of King Kipper the First. She had a stay of execution when she and Jocelyn left (Jocey was studying for finals this whole time - we missed her, but she got straight A's so it was worth it!) for the midnight premier of Sherlock Holmes 2. Kip studied the board for a good half hour after she left, plotting her inevitable destruction. I missed the final carnage, but I hear that she put up a good fight!

11-11-11: The Eleventh Hour

2011-11-15T11:48:00.002-07:00

For you non-Whovians out there, I'm sorry this is the third Doctor Who post in a row. Why don't you go try it out? Then you'll know what we're talking about! Start with Blink. It's on Netflix! You REALLY won't regret it.

My hair is supposed to imitate a fez. What do you think?

Friday was 11-11-11 - the Eleventh Doctor's Day, as declared by Geek To Me (I actually was already thinking of doing something like this, but that was just the encouragement I needed). And because my love of Who knows no bounds, I decided to turn it into a full-fledged Eleventh Doctor Party!

My cousin Tasha and her husband Ben, my sister-in-law Chelsea, and of course, Joseph all came to watch The Eleventh Hour, The Beast Below and Victory of the Daleks. We also had some pretty awesome food, if I do say so myself!

Here are our Sonic Screwdrivers (Green, of course, for the new Sonic) I would totally make these again!

Fish fingers and "custard"! Just what we needed.

We start them young around here! Jesse already knows that hanging onto that sonic screwdriver will serve him well!

Ginger companion cookies with homemade English custard. The cookies were probably the best part of the whole meal. The egg in the custard got cooked a little bit, which was a shame, but it was still delicious.

TARDIS self-destruct, or Jammy Dodger? (Well, as close as I can get in America)

From a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, time is more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey...stuff. It also is good to eat.

We know that bow-ties are cool!

Thanks to everyone who came! Thanks to my kind husband who helps me clean when I spring a last-minute party on him, because he knows it makes me happy. And thanks to Stephen Moffat and the BBC for making the most clever, heartwarming, funny, exciting show on television!

EDIT: Geek To Me actually grabbed some of our pictures for his Doctor Who slideshow! Whoo-hoo!

Must be all the running

2011-11-10T17:31:00.019-07:00

Because I know some of you understand my love of Doctor Who:

I may or may not have fallen out of my chair laughing.

This little bit of genius brought to you from kakashisensei24.

It was a graveyard smash!

2011-11-08T10:17:00.001-07:00

Because Salazar asked, my brothers-in-law:

Issac, as Calvin (his stuffed Hobbes is on the couch behind him)

And Joseph as the Tenth Doctor, guarding London (you can't see his red Converse, but they are totally there. And yes, that is my sonic screwdriver.)

Joseph is my Doctor Who buddy. I introduced him to the TARDIS and her lovely crew this summer, and we've been slowly making our way through the new series. It's fantastic to have someone who gets as excited as I do!

We did the Monster Mash!

2011-11-07T19:13:00.001-07:00

Everyone loves the food & family holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but for me, Halloween beats them both for sheer childlike glee. I'll use any excuse to dress up, and no one looks at you funny if you wear a hoop skirt or a sword on Halloween. I start scheming about my costume in July. It's even more fun now with Jesse, because I have someone who will dress up with me! Jon tends to be a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to Halloween (Except for the candy part--this year he bought 24 pounds. On October 5th. It was not a positive contribution to my weight loss endeavors!)

Part of the fun of Halloween is showing off your clever costume (at least, for the little diva in my head). I wasn't really sure I would get to show mine off this year: I'm too old and Jesse's too young to go trick-or-treating, and none of our friends were throwing parties. I decided to just go trunk-or-treating with my parents and siblings, so at least the people in our ward could admire our costumes.

I usually go over to help my sisters get ready for school on Halloween morning. The excitement and creativity of finding the perfect way to put a costume together is one of my favorite parts. This year we had a pirate, a Cirque de Soleil dancer, a bottle of ketchup, a knight, and a cowgirl. Mom invited me to go to the various costume parades at my siblings' schools, and also asked for my help with Dad's costume. I ended up spending the whole day with her, at two different schools, Costco, a party supply store and a craft store. LOTS of people saw my costume, and I got lots of comments! I loved the attention, although that's not a surprise to most of you.

I really wanted to do paired costumes for Jesse and I, but I wanted him to be comfortable as well, so no itchy polyester suits. After tossing around a ton of ideas, I saw this hat at the farmer's market. Frankenbaby was born!

Of course, when Dr. Frankenstein realized that his creature was actually a baby, he needed someone to care for him (at least until he was old enough to pillage on his own). Enter the Nanny of Frankenstein!

It's a mix between Mary Poppins and the Bride of Frankenstein. Any day I get to wear a wig and a poofy skirt is a good day in my book! Excepting the wig, I actually already owned all the pieces for this outfit, including the slip from my wedding dress. You'd be surprised how much use I've gotten out of that...

My mom and I spent most of the day gathering things for my dad's costume. He's the bishop of our church congregation, so we've often talked about making him a bishop chess piece costume. Neither my mom or I sew--our lack of skill is actually a running joke in my family. That said, who needs a sewing machine when you've got duct tape, staples and safety pins?

The finished product:

Not bad for six hours and duct tape. Pretty much, we rock.

One of my life achievements happened while we were working on Dad's costume. Mom will often say "YOU can be replaced" when we are giving her a hard time about something. I teased her about her sewing skills as we were finishing, and she said, "You can...well, actually, I don't think I could replace you!" She said that the costume would never have gotten finished without my help and encouragement. Basically, I win at being a CHODAT! (I understand that few to none of you will get that reference, please pardon my self-indulgence.)

After trunk-or-treat, various friends stopped by to show off THEIR costumes - Betty, Barney and Bam-Bam Rubble, the Tenth Doctor and a Plasma-vore. All in all, a fantastic Halloween! I'm already planning what we can do next year when Jesse can walk...

Jesse at Four Months

2011-10-26T17:12:00.000-06:00

October 21, 2011

Dear Jesse,

You are four months old! We can't believe it! Four months is not a very long time, but it seems like you have been a part of our family for much longer.

As I type this, you are sleeping on my shoulder, recovering from your shots. They always give you a little fever, and make you fussy for the day. Poor kiddo! You were SO TIRED this morning that you only cried for about a minute, then you fell asleep before we got down the elevator.

At the beginning of this month, you started gurgling instead of cooing. You thought it was so funny when we gurgled back! Now you make ALL SORTS of sounds, especially in the morning. You usually wake up to eat at six am, then wake up cooing and talking at seven. I bring you into bed with me so we can play and doze for another hour, then we are up for the day! You are a very sweaty little boy - I have spots on my fitted sheet where your head sweated THROUGH your blanket.

Good morning, Mom!

You look so much like your dad it's ridiculous. He is just about your favorite person in the world. You get SO EXCITED when he is home! You DO, however, have my squinty eyes and wrinkled nose when you smile. You eyes are beginning to change colors - you now have a golden ring right around your pupil. I'd love it if they stay blue like your dad's, but as long as you keep smiling at me I don't care what color they are.

The wrinkle nose looks less like "I'm going to eat you!" in person.

You are much more interested in people than in toys. When someone holds a toy in front of you, you will typically bring your hands together at your chest and just stare at it - you don't swing for it like most babies I know. But if someone talks to you or make faces at you, you are just so delighted. Your hands are still your favorite toy - you'll intertwine them and wave them around, then eat them. Sometimes you choke a little on your hand, then you look at me kind of accusingly. "Gee, Mom, why'd you do that?" If you can see someone else's hands close to your mouth, you throw yourself forward so you can eat them. You dive-bomb for Dad's arm, too. Little cannibal baby.

Patty-cake is HILARIOUS. It feels so funny to have your hands move around without you controlling them! And Mom makes such funny faces. You still love any singing, but the ABC's have been pretty consistently able to calm you down if you are upset. Dad laughs at me, but if you like it, I'm going to keep singing it!

All things are better with a bear hat.

Probably my favorite new thing this month is your laughter. You laughed for the first time on September 25th, and you have been laughing more and more since then. It used to require all sorts of silly noises and faces to make you laugh, but now, if you are in the right mood, just hearing Dad or me laugh can set you off. We LOVE it. Making you laugh is the most fun thing ever.

When I babysat Caden, you were totally chill, even if he did love you a little too much sometimes.

Mmm...sharing!

You were interested that he was little like you, but much more active. When he would roll around, you'd turn to watch him. And when he got a little aggressive with his curiosity, you just shrugged it off. That's my boy! We really hope you guys grow up to be good friends.

You still have major tummy-to-back rolling skills. You just pop right over like it's nothing. You have even rolled from back to front two or three times, espeically when your dad is above you and you are craning your neck to see him. Your little kicking legs are also getting so strong. Dad will put you on his knees to play with you and you kick him in the stomach. Ha, now he knows what it feels like! Between the kicking and the back-arching, we have to be sure to buckle you into your bouncer, otherwise you end up all squished in the seat! Of course, then you can see your feet...

In general, you are my lovely, smiley baby. You still love to cuddle with me, even if you are determined to sit up. You love to sit in the Bumbo on the table and watch me dance around and do the dishes or make dinner. Such a funny mom! The other day Dad said, "I always though it was such a cliche, parents loving their kids so much they can barely stand it. Now I understand what they were talking about."

Thanks for being our cliche, little boy.

Love,
Mom and Dad

I don't care about being skinny, I want to be FIT.

2011-10-20T10:28:00.000-06:00

Oh man. Have you ever been so sore that you can feel it when you breathe? It's an awesome feeling - it's my body's way of telling me it is changing. As part of That Weight Loss Challenge 2, I lifted weights with my mom for an hour yesterday, and did Zumba later last night when my muscles started complaining. Woo hoo!

via

After I came home, I saw that Jenna had asked, "What are you going to change?" In the hope that if I define and express my goals, I will be more accountable to them, here are mine:

1. I will weigh myself every day, and write it down. I eat more mindfully when I do this. I know that weight can fluctuate a lot, so I will also measure my bust, waist, hips, thigh and bicep in inches every month.

3. I'll take my thyroid medicine, dang it! It's ridiculous when I get behind, and it makes me feel so crummy.

4. I will go to Zumba (or some other aerobic exercise) 3 times a week and lift weights with Mom on Mondays and Wednesdays.

5. I'll go on a long walk with Jesse at least once a week. If it gets too cold, I'll reevaluate. I feel better when I spend a good amount of time outside, and hopefully it'll help with the winter blues.

6. When I feel like a snack, I will drink 6 oz of water first. If I'm still hungry after 10 mins, I'll eat some fruit or veggies. I'll also drink a ridiculous amount of water during the day.

7. I will plan meals before I get my groceries, lunches AND dinners. I'll prepare my veggie snacks as soon as I get home so I can just grab them out of the fridge.

8. I can have one treat on Family Night. After that I will only eat treats if someone brings them to me, and no more than 2 treats in a week. If I have 3 one week, I only get 1 the next.

If I feel like cheating or get discouraged, I'll look at my before pictures, or find new inspiration for my Workout Pinterest board. I'll reevaluate everything in 3 months.

Do you write down your goals? I know people that don't - Jon keeps track of everything in his head so well, making a list is redundant. Me, I can't remember pretty much anything unless I write it down. How about staying fit? What are your tricks?

Tricky Tricky...

2011-10-17T15:40:00.000-06:00

Today on Offbeat Home they are talking about housekeeping realizations - things that make your life much easier and make SO MUCH SENSE once someone tells you. You know, like keeping hair stuff in a basket in the bathroom, or using your suitcase and under your bed as storage space. (Check out the comments - there's some awesome stuff in there!)

I don't even remember where I learned this trick - I think it was from the internets somewhere, but it was years ago. Basically you fold your shirts an extra time, like so:

and then store them upright. Now you can see all of your shirts, so they don't get lost in piles, and you've got more room in your drawers. Tank tops get a quarter fold, and are along the bottom of the picture. The little dividers really help, too.

What awesome tricks have you learned? Please share - I need all the organizing help I can get!

PAR-TAY!

2011-10-10T18:13:00.001-06:00

If you asked one of my younger siblings how old Mom turned on Saturday, they would tell you she was 24 (actually, that's what we older kids would say too, since we value our lives). My dad was already going on a business trip to San Fransisco, so they decided to make a romantic whirlwind birthday trip of it. I heard there was a gourmet chocolate walk.

All of this meant that Mom and Dad were gone this weekend, and I WAS IN CHARGE! WOO HOO!

So we:

Took naps in the middle of the day,

Played with our food,

Ate cupcakes for dinner (hey, who picked in the frosting?! Oh, right...me.)
Going...

Going...

Gone! (That raspberry lemonade one on the bottom left was the favorite - so deliciously tart!)

After dinner, we plotted to take over the world,

Set fire to our homework,

And made a BIG mess! (Mom doesn't like puzzles because we never finish them quickly, so they get left out and pieces get lost. This was the only puzzle in the house that still had all of the pieces)

I am the coolest big sister ever.

All Around the Internets

2011-10-06T13:19:00.000-06:00

Some things that I've been loving lately:

Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays. An excuse to dress up and not have people think you are ridiculous (unless they are a Halloween Scrooge like my husband)? Yes, please! Most years I start planning my costume in August. Jessica from What I Wore has been doing a really awesome, pretty simple Homemade Halloween series, and I've been bookmarking ideas for next year. My favorite? The Hamburgler!

Kate is giving away free baked amazingness. She loves to bake, but is being really good about not eating it, so she would like to send some delicious happiness your way! She recently made Chocolate Sour Cream Cake with Peanut-Butter Cream Cheese Frosting and Chocolate-Peanut Butter Ganache. Oh my holy Hannah.

On a totally unrelated note, I'm doing Jenna's That Wife Weight Loss Challenge! I was already at a not-very-healthy weight when I got pregnant, and I'd like to be as healthy as possible before we start trying again. (Yes, Jon, I know, we are starting with one, and we'll see. I'm just preparing.) Jenna has been on a really inspirational journey with her own weight loss, and I'm hoping that the positive peer pressure will keep me on track. If I win, I get a photo shoot with Jenna! I really want some professional family pictures.

I have a folder titled "When we have a home." This awesome dish-draining cabinet idea is the newest thing in it.

Also, this:

You didn't really think I'd have a post without some baby deliciousness, did you?

The First Time

2011-09-26T11:11:00.000-06:00

"When a new baby laughs for the first time, a new fairy is born, and as there are always new babies there are always new fairies."

J.M. Barrie, Peter & Wendy

Caramel-stuffed Apple Cider Cookies

2011-09-24T07:30:00.001-06:00

Happy Fall!

I have the best thing ever for celebrating this lovely season. Caramel-stuffed Apple Cider cookies. Perfect for a crisp fall day, especially with a cup of something warm and cozy. They taste like a school carnival.

I know, right?!

Caramel-stuffed Apple Cider Cookies
Originally from The Cooking Photographer

1 cup softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 (7.4 ounce) box Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink Mix *Not sugar free*
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 (14 ounce) bag Kraft Caramels

Mixing: Cream together butter, sugar, and all 10 of the cider mix packets until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing in-between each addition. In a medium bowl, mix salt, baking soda, baking powder and flour together. Add slowly to the cider mixture until just combined. Put in the fridge for at least one hour. (I actually left it in overnight, because I didn't have time. It was just fine.)

Cooking: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. (The caramel is going to stick to the pan, so the paper is pretty important here.) Unwrap about 30 of your caramels. Eat about 4. Scoop dough into a ball, flatten it slightly, and wrap around the caramel. (Your hands are gonna get really sticky from the dough and the caramel) Be careful not to bunch the dough on the top, or the caramel won't melt, and you'll have squares sticking out of your cookies. (Yes, this happened to me.) Cook for about 13 mins, or until they are slightly brown and crackly on the edges. These should be chewy cookies, not crunchy.

Cooling: Slide the parchment paper onto a table or a cooling rack. When cookies are mostly cool, twist off and let finish cooling upside-down. If you are pulling the caramel out of the middle, try freezing the tray for a few minutes.

These are best eaten after sitting over a cup of the hot drink of your choice (I bought an extra box of cider mix) or put in the microwave for about seven seconds. The caramel gets all gooey and amazing. Ideally you'd be wearing your favorite sweater and boots, and a good book would make it all just perfect. Ah, Autumn.

Go. Make these. You'll be so glad you did.

The Hot Zone

2011-09-23T12:40:00.000-06:00

Everybody Loves Raymond became a lot funnier to me after I got married. All of the sudden Jon and I were having the same conversations: where to spend the holidays, how to divide up chores, and where to live in relation to our parents. Actually, the episode where Ray and Debra remember how they ended up so close to Ray's parents (Why Are We Here?) is still one of my favorites.


"If my mother can make sauce and have it still hot when she gets here, it's too close! We'll call this the 'Hot Zone.'" via

This was seriously on my mind when we picked out our apartment. My parents and Jon's parents live in the same neighborhood. Let me be clear here - my in-laws are NOTHING like Marie and Frank. My mother-in-law is one of the most sincere, kindest people I know, and my father-in-law is very intelligent and visibly loves his wife. My parents are amazing, too, and I was happy - excited, even! - to live in the same city as them. But I didn't want to live TOO close. I wanted Jon and I to be able to build our own family, to learn to rely on each other instead of just being extensions of our original family units (Does that make sense?). So when our original apartment near school fell through, and a basement in the Parental neighborhood opened up, I was pretty apprehensive.

Pink is Jon's parents, green is mine, and blue is the basement apartment. That's what I get for marrying a local boy!

I was wrong. I LOVE being so close to the family. Both side have been awesome at giving us our own space, and always calling before they come over (In fact, now we tell them they don't come over enough!). I think we've only eaten Sunday dinner on our own a few times, and that's usually something quick and easy like grilled cheese. It's especially wonderful now that we have Jesse. The grandmas and grandpas get to see him all the time! There was always someone around to help right after he was born - doing the dishes, making meals, folding laundry - but they didn't have to sleep on our floor. It also helps to keep me sane. If I need a little adult conversation while Jon is at work or school, I can just walk over to visit my mom, or my sisters-in-law. I'm at one house or another three or four times a week. I have a whole ready-made community right here, and I adore it.

Now we are talking about moving. We three fit fine in our tiny little apartment, but if there are ever four (this is not an announcement (AMBER), we're just planning ahead) we would be out of space. I told Jon, "If your mom can make sauce, and have it still hot when she gets here, that is JUST RIGHT. Let's call that the Hot Zone."

If you'll excuse me, I need to go take these cookies over to my mom. Ta!

Coral Conundrum

2011-09-22T21:48:00.000-06:00

I noticed during the 21 Day Challenge that basically all of my skirts and pants are neutrals. I'm now on the lookout for anything colored, but i need to work with what I've got! I DO have these awesome coral capris that I LOVE. I want to keep wearing them into the fall, but they are such a summery color that I'm not sure how to transition them. This was my first attempt:

What do you think? Does it work, or is it still summery?

Kate styled some similar pants like this, but I don't have a bronze-ish cardigan like hers. Or a lovely printed blouse, either.

I do have this that I think might pair nicely, maybe with some brown boots? (It's a little more orangey in person)

Am I fighting a losing battle, trying to use these summery pants into the fall? Anyone have any suggestions?

Lacy shirt: Gift from Mom
Blue shirt: Macy's
Coral capris: Gift from a friend
Blue shoes: Forever Young
Gold earrings: Forever 21

Jesse at Three Months

2011-09-21T13:48:00.000-06:00

September 21, 2011

My dear Jesse Boy,

You are three months old already! Would you cut that out? Yes, we're very excited to see you grow up, but there is really no rush!

For the first week or so, you were still sick with that stupid cold. Your little cough and rattley breathing were so pathetic! You continued to sleep fine at night, but you would wake yourself up every ten minutes during the day, unless someone was holding you. Thank heavens for slings and wraps!

This third month was all about the control you are beginning to have over your body. It's really helpful to your dad and I - we're starting to understand your needs better and faster because of your body language. When you are excited, or you see something you like, your eyes get all big, and you start doing the frantic little leg-kicking and arm-waving. It's just about the best feeling in the world when you do that because you see me. It means a little less when you do it because you see the fan.

I can always tell when you are getting tired, because you will start touching your face and rubbing your eyes. You also stretch the same way your dad does - a full body stretch, arms above the head, all the way down to the toes.

You're really starting to learn from the world around you. Dad often reads you books, and you are fascinated by the pictures and the sound of his voice (We're very proud of this development). You are discovering textures - you have a soft, snuggly lion that you like to pet. You also love your hanging toys in your chair, but you can only handle them for about 20 minutes before you get overstimulated and need me to take them away.

You're DYING to sit up. If you are reclined at all, you will curl your back and rock your head forward, trying to see. Especially if there is a screen around. Which, in this house, is always. Oh, you love the screeeeenns... You are your father's son!

If someone smiles at you, you usually smile back. Sometimes, though, you are sick of seeing all the faces, and will look anywhere else, even if they move into your line of sight. We call it the no-faces game, and you think it's very funny. That baby in the mirror doesn't make you suspicious anymore, either. In fact, you think he's handsome.

It's so much fun to play with you, now that you can interact a little more. You are becoming more jabbery - you've even developed some squeals! We will have whole conversations back and forth, and you are always very intent on what you are saying.

Let me tell you all about it, Mom!

You've also found your hands - you hold them up above your head like Superman, and watch them as you flail. They are wonderful toys! Dad thinks its funny to give you a fist bump.

We think you might be starting to teethe. Your fists are your new favorite snack. When you gnaw on them, you look like a little drooly chipmunk. You also like to eat Dad's arm when he holds you across the tummy. I don't know how, but your gums really tickle him, and he squirms until finally he can't stand it anymore and has to move you off. And then Mom laughs at him.

Nom nom nom

You went on your first airplane ride. You were SUCH a good baby. The intercom startled you the first few times, but then you slept the whole time!

Your biggest milestone, though, was this:

You just got SO FRUSTRATED with being on your belly that you decided you wouldn't anymore! You looked so confused the first few times! Now being on your belly doesn't seem to bug you so much, because you know you could get out of it if you wanted to.

We are so proud of you, bright-eyed boy. Your personality is getting stronger every day, and we love to see it!

Love you a bushel and a peck,

Mom and Dad

Off we go!

2011-09-20T12:42:00.000-06:00

What a wonderful weekend! We went on a (very) quick trip to Oregon for my cousin Lacey's wedding to her fiancee Alex.

I wake up more often than I used to, what with the feeding of the Jesse and all, but I still usually get to sleep for about 7 hours altogether. After going to bed at one (because of course we packed the night before, even though we've known about this trip for forever) and Jesse eating at three, I was not my chipper self at our six-thirty departure time. Which is why it wasn't until we were halfway to the airport that I realized we forgot the camera. I was pretty disappointed - I've been really enjoying learning to use my camera - but I knew lots of other people would take pictures, and I'd get them eventually. For now, all I've got are some iPhone pictures.

After reading this post from Jenna, we decided to travel with Jesse in my Moby wrap. It was brilliant. I did have to take it off at the security checkpoint, but Jesse was content to just hang out and sleep. We got a lot of big smiles, too. I think people were tickled to see him looking all around with his big eyes. Some older ladies came up and cooed at him and said what a good idea it was. We checked his carseat at the gate (because we were renting a car in Oregon) and it came back in great condition.

Jesse LOVED being on the plane. I was really worried we were going to be those people - the really annoying ones that couldn't quiet their screaming child. But he was so good! He kept looking all around, back and forth, so he could see ALL THE NEW THINGS! Bonus: when traveling with a child, you get to be the first one on the plane! Bwah ha ha. I think Jon became a lot more amenible to traveling while Jesse is little after we learned that.

The majority of my Mom's family lives in Oregon, so we've been going there for Christmases and special occasions for longer than I can remember. I was actually born in Portland, and Mom says I have rainwater in my blood. Add to all of that that Jon and I went to Portlad and the Oregon coast on our honeymoon, and you've got a place that has a big section of my heart.

On our way to the wedding we stopped for some lunch at a lovely little place in Corvallis. They had gelato! Who expects really good passionfruit gelato in the middle of Oregon?

The wedding was beautiful. Lacey, my cousin, worked really hard so that everything would be very easy to set up the day of. My favorite part was when they came back down the aisle to this:

It took me a minute to realize what it was - doesn't it sound like a wedding march at the beginning?

Once the CRAZY dance party and adventures in the photobooth were over (I sure love my cousins), we headed back to Portland. We had booked our honeymoon hotel for the night, and planned on going to dinner or Powell's City of Books. But even though it was only 8pm when we checked in, we were just too exhausted.We ordered room service (I got a delicious cheese plate, and a slightly too-burnt creme brulee) and I fell asleep as we were eating dessert in bed.

Mom, you're a wimp.

We got to sleep in the next morning in our delicious king bed (well, I say sleep in. After his second feeding at six, Jesse came into bed with us and we all dozed until about eight). I took a bath in the lovely deep tub (do you see why I like this hotel so much?) while Jon got us breakfast. One order of pear, ham and brie french toast later, we were on our way back to the airport.

All in all, we were only gone for about 34 hours, but it still felt like a vacation. I've never flown to Oregon before - I definitely prefer it over the 14 hour drive! I'm also glad that Jesse is such a good traveler. Hopefully he'll get a lot more experience!

A book in any other form...

2011-09-16T13:25:00.004-06:00

I used to have such scorn for audiobooks. I was a purist - I wanted to feel the book in my hand, smell the pages, put my own inflections on words and not have some narrator impose their voice on me. Then I started riding my bike to work, and discovered how listening to an audiobook can spice up the monotony. I decided to make it a rule that I could only listen to my book if I was doing something that was good for me (in the same way that you can have dessert after you eat your vegetables). Now I listen to them when I exercise, when I run errands, and while doing the dishes and other dreaded chores. It got even better when I learned that I can check out audiobooks from my library for free online.

I still have lots of books to listen to, but I'm curious about podcasts. Can anyone explain them to me? Does anyone have any good recommendations for awesome podcasts?

I still love physical books the best (for instance, they are easier to replace if, say, they get dropped in the tub) but it's awesome that I can get my reading fix another way!

Maggie, Jesse and the Binkys

2011-09-15T21:01:00.001-06:00

My littlest sister, Maggie, is almost exactly 21 years younger than me. To put it another way, Jesse's aunt is only 3 years older than he is. I think it's great - Jesse will have someone older to play with and boss him around, and Maggie will learn how to share with someone younger (we hope!). I have an uncle that isn't much older than me, and he taught me how to shuffle cards and how to spot constellations. I can't wait to see what Maggie will teach Jesse.

Also, DIMPLE!

Maggie is adorable. She's very bubbly and talkative. Sometimes in a family of eight kids it's hard to get attention, and she's learned that she can be in the spotlight if she's cute, so she milks it for all it's worth. She was SO EXCITED when I was pregnant. She couldn't wait to hold the baby, and was very eager to teach him. She told me that I got pregnant because I "jumpded on da trampoline, and opened your mouth, and the baby went in'da tummy!" Mom even used Jesse to (successfully) wean her from binkys at bedtime. "The baby needs this, sweetie. Can we put it in the bag for the baby?"

When my siblings came to visit me in the hospital, she proudly presented me with the bag of binkys, gave me a kiss and began happily pushing buttons on my bed. Then we introduced her to Jesse.

She was having NONE of that. Wouldn't look at him, wouldn't touch him, nothing. I'm not sure if she realized that her spot as the adorable youngest one was being usurped, or if she was just uncomfortable with this small thing that just lay there, but she was very much not pleased and NOT interested in cooperating.

Until we asked if she wanted to give Jesse a binky.

All of the sudden he was DOING something. Something she understood! Binkys were the best and that was something they had in common! Maybe this baby thing wasn't so bad.

Since then, though, she hasn't been really eager to interact with Jesse very much. She gets shy and a little apprehensive when he is around, and seems to view him as a necessary evil.

I babysat her this morning while my mom was on her way to a wedding (that's what I get for living in the same neighborhood as my parents!). We colored, and played with puppets, and read stories.

This is a ribbon.

While I was fixing lunch, Jesse started fussing. "Could you put his binky in, hon?" After a minute: "He dun want it." Fuss fuss fuss. I got to a stopping point and came over. "See, sweetie, you put his binky in, then hold his cheek like this. Now he's better! He just wanted a little attention." She watched me for a minute, then twirled away, uninterested.

A little while later, I was...otherwise occupied (okay, I was in the bathroom) and Jesse started fussing again. I sighed to myself and started wrapping up, and all of the sudden he stopped. When I came into the living room, Maggie was sitting next to him with her hand on his cheek, saying "Shh, Jesse, is okay. Don' worry, Jesse." just like she had hear me say earlier. She beamed up at me with that dimply grin. "Look! I helpded him!" Yes, you did, sweet girl.

She might still get a little nervous, but I'm confident these two are going to be great friends.

Cookie Dough for Family Night

2011-09-14T13:48:00.000-06:00

Jon and I have been making a real effort to have Family Night on Monday nights. It's good for us to have a set time when we put away our computers and other distractions and actually interact with each other. We'd like to have this just be a habit by the time Jesse is old enough to participate. We usually watch a talk from General Conference, or a TED talk, or we'll just...talk.

But when I was growing up, the most important part of Family Night was the TREAT. What are we having for treats? Now it's just part of my programing! We probably would have ice cream often, but Jesse is dairy-sensitive, so I've had to be creative. It's been a ton of fun coming up with things to try - I always love baking, and it helps to have an excuse! Some of my desserts are a flop. I tried mushed bananas and chocolate on a frosted graham cracker crust and it was much too sweet and quickly turned an unappetizing shade of brown. Sometimes, though, I get a hit!

We've always loved cookies - Jon and I even had a chocolate-chip-cookie bake-off while we were dating (The verdict? Mine won when cooked, but Jon had the best dough. Of course, it was my extended family judging, so they are a little biased). Eating raw eggs in cookie dough usually doesn't bother me, but it's nice to have a recipe where it's not a concern!

This recipe also reminds me of my cousin, who used to (still does?) eat boxes of cake mix with just a little water added. Someday she's going to open The Unbakery, and serve all this deliciousness to the public!

Raw Cookie Dough
Recipe adapted from Cupcake Project

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (if you use milk chips, reduce the amount of vanilla or it will be too sweet)
5 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup butter, melted (She uses 3/4 c, but that was too greasy for me. I upped the milk to compensate)
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (I only had half a bag, and wished for more chocolate!)

Mix together dry ingredients.

Add wet ingredients.

Add chocolate chips.

That's it! Enjoy! Stef suggests spreading this as a layer in a cake, or using it as chunks in ice cream. A commenter offered up dipping dough balls in chocolate and making cookie dough truffles, which I DEFINITELY need to try. I froze mine, though. My mom used to freeze leftover cookie dough so she wouldn't have too many cookies in the house, and I used to sneak out and eat the dough as a snack. Just doing my part, Mom!

Copy-Kendi

2011-09-13T12:22:00.000-06:00

I am now the proud owner of an awesome striped shirt! I looked around for some inspiration and found this outfit from Kendi.

And my take, with smaller stripes:

Ooh la la, this outfit is so French! I feel like I should be sitting at a sidewalk cafe outside of the Eiffel Tower!

Unfortunately, there aren't any restaurants near the Eiffel Tower that aren't ridiculously expensive and touristy. I should know - my friends and I walked around for 45 minutes trying to find something that wasn't insanely priced! There is, however, an unassuming carnival-type stand right across from the Tower that has the most amazing crepes for about a euro. Get lemon and sugar - c'est magnifique!

(see that yellow on the left? That's it!)

Also, the walk from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower is about a 5k. It's a little painful in strappy sandals, and is not recommended to do on an empty stomach. Best to just chin up and deal with the rude French cabbie.

(At Notre Dame Cathedral in 2010 on my anniversary trip with Jon)

Apparently, this is just a French scarf!

Striped top: Forever 21
Orange scarf: Gift from grandparents from Mongolia
Brown belt: Borrowed from Jon
Black skirt: Mr. Mac
Brown heels: Don't remember
Black earrings: Forever 21

Snippets from this week

2011-09-11T22:04:00.008-06:00

First there was this:

(click to embiggen)

Then there was this:

Jon: Man, I named the NAS wrong. The media center PC that's using it is named Charon - I should have named it Styx instead of NAS1A. What was I thinking?

Yeah, like this.

Jon: ...I'm sorry I'm a geek.

Me: It's okay. I knew who I was marrying.

5 things that have been on my to-do list for over a month

2011-09-09T10:00:00.002-06:00

You know those things around the house that you keep thinking, "Oh, I should do that!" and then you never get around to them? Here are some of mine. Hopefully telling them to you will shame me into finishing!

1. Unpack hospital bag. Okay, this is just embarrassing. Jesse is 2 1/2 months old, for heaven's sake, and it's still hanging out in the corner of my closet. Ridiculous. Wait here a bit. Okay, done. ~~Unpack hospital bag.~~ Hey, it's working already!

2. Organize/clean out top drawer in nightstand. It's kind of my junk drawer for paper things. Programs to events, wedding invitations, church handouts, anything I might want later goes in. And never sees the light of day again.

3. Sort through books. Never-ending but very necessary. I used to have a really hard time getting rid of books (what if I wanted to read it again?!) but there is just no room! Now I have a one in-one out rule, and I'm a little (very) behind.

4. Jesse's birth story. I wrote it all up for my sister in Poland, now it just needs pictures. Is that something you guys would be interested in reading, or should I just keep it to myself?

5. Preserve my wedding dress. I...just don't have anything to say about this.

What's on your list?

Tidying Up

2011-09-08T12:35:00.001-06:00

Much to the chagrin of my slightly-OCD husband, I am not an organized person (Don't feel too bad for him, he knew what he was getting into when he married me). Even a small amount of clutter drives him a little nuts, but I just don't notice it. It doesn't compute in my brain that a few catalogs, some boxes and a borrowed pot on the table equals a mess. (Probably because when I lived at home, the floor of my room was usually knee-deep with clothes, books, and various papers. See, honey, I'm so much better than I was!)

There is one exception to the chaos that is me: my closet.

Yes, my closet is color coded. It's the one area of my life that actually has some organization. I tell myself it just makes it easier to find things, but really, there is a (tiny) part of me that cries out for order, neatness and the American Way! My closet makes that tiny sorter fall over in relief and joy.

(No guarantees that all of my clothes are actually IN the closet. Usually they hang out in the clean laundry basket until I wear them. I'm working on that. But when they ARE put away, there is order.)

Can you imagine the reaction of that poor neglected organizer inside my head when Natalie linked to this?

"Oooh, it's nice. Such tidiness. Such harmony. Look how lovely it is! I bet we could do that to everything! Come on, you know you want to..."

So I indulged my inner neat-freak and went over to The Art of Clean Up. And that's where the real trouble started.

"The STARS? We could clean up the STARS! THE STARS MUST BE SORTED! MUAH HAHAHA!"

Awesome. Now my internal unclutterer is a psychopath who wants to take over the world. I guess she's been repressed for way too long - the closet just isn't enough of an outlet anymore.

Go check out the pictures, and then watch the HILARIOUS artist, Ursus Wehrl, at TED, and then tell me YOUR inner neat freak doesn't become a little unbalanced.

The Joys of Commenting

2011-09-08T00:05:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

I've been trying to figure out how to reply to your comments in a way that you will actually see it, instead of always having to come back here. I think I've figured it out.

If you link your email to your blogger account, then I can respond! Otherwise when I try, I just see the no-reply@blogger.com and that's sad.

It's really easy:

Go to your Dashboard, click on "Edit Profile"

Make sure that the box that says "Show my email address" is checked.

Voila! Now I can reply to your comments! If you don't want to link to your email address, totally fine. But Buddha Bubby is pleased if you do.

Skipping School

2011-09-07T11:32:00.005-06:00

One day when I was eight, my mom said my sister and I didn't have to go to school that day. I was really surprised - Mom would often keep us home for special occasions, but it was only the first week of school. She packed our backpacks with some snacks and coloring books, and we were off on an adventure!

We pulled up to a house that I didn't even notice. I was too distracted by the huge expanse of lawn dotted with big white event tents. We sat down on the folding chairs in one of the tents, and a gentleman got on stage with an polka-dotted bow tie and a lovely Southern drawl. And Donald Davis told us a story.

He told us about Miss Daisy, his fourth-grade teacher, who helped them plan a trip around the world instead of teaching them out of the textbook. They calculated the distance between the Nile and the Amazon, but they never did math. They plotted a trip through all seven continents, but never studied geography. And when one boy got lice and had his head shaved, Miss Daisy told the class it was a sacrifice to Neptune, god of the sea. Donald stood with his hands on his hips, arms akimbo and face scrunched up as he told us how Miss Daisy dealt with a bully.

I was enthralled. The whole day went on like that, with wonderful tellers and amazing stories that stuck in my head and blossomed in my imagination. I was already a voracious reader, and this was like a book but better! I was PART of the story they told. I could sing along and laugh and listen and all of that helped the teller make the story better. My sister and I didn't pull out our coloring books once.

Stories are woven into the fiber of our culture. They are how we learn, how we remember, how we empathize with someone we don't know. I've had my heart touched by a woman telling how her parents' love could bend steel. I've learned, through stories, that humor is a wonderful way to deal with a problem, and if something is embarrassing now, it will probably be HILARIOUS later.

That little festival that I went to at Karen Ashton's home is now a national festival with its own park in Provo Canyon - the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. I have never missed once in sixteen years. It's the beginning of autumn for me, and I look forward to it every year. This Labor Day weekend, I got to take my son. I know he isn't old enough yet, but he'll understand soon.

Donald Davis, still telling, still in his bow tie, was there again this year. I went and shook his hand and said, "Thank you."

Day 21: Elegant and a Bit Flirty

2011-09-04T09:36:00.007-06:00

Retrohipmama said that my patterned tights were "elegant and a bit flirty" and I thought, "That is EXACTLY the look I'm going for." I have never been able to articulate what my style was, and in just a few words she hit it on the nose!

That's one of the things I've loved most about this challenge. I feel like I have a better handle on how I want to dress. I want to be lady-like without being stuffy, to be as comfortable and stylish in a tee shirt as in stilettos. I want to put together my favorite colors in new ways, like I did here, and add some of my favorite jewelry and feel lovely all day. I need to be on the lookout for more patterns, though.

It's also done wonders for my self-esteem - all of you lovely people saying kind things have made me feel much better about my post-baby body. Thank you! I'm so excited to have made new friends, and gotten in better contact with beloved old ones. I hope you all will stick around and see what else our crazy family can come up with.

I'm sad that today is the last day. This has been so much fun! The inspiration to get ready every day has been really good for getting me in the habit. I do have to say, I may lounge around in pajamas ALL DAY tomorrow, just because I can.

Anything you think just didn't really work on me? Any favorite outfits I shouldn't miss repeating?

Plum sweater: Mervyn's
Mustard shirt: Macy's
Black skirt: Mr. Mac
Plum shoes: Primark in London
Pearl-like necklace: Thrifted
Gold necklace: Tower of London
Mayflower earrings: Plimoth

Day 20: Hello New Shoes, Bye Bye Blues!

2011-09-03T17:54:00.000-06:00

(I did take these pictures on Saturday, I just didn't have time to put them up)

I was going for something a little more casual today. I feel like I have the dressy thing down pretty well, but I still want to feel put together and interesting when I'm just lounging around too.

I really liked the way this turned out. It was comfy and fun - we watched BYU barely beat Ole Miss with a whole group of friends, and I didn't feel overdressed at all. (Yes, the all blue was intentional. Gotta show my team spirit!) I'll admit to kicking off my heels, though, the better to jump around when BYU (finally) scored.

The only thing I won't redo is the hair. It sits at the widest part of my face and just looks really...matronly. And not in a fun school marm kind of way.

Striped shirt: Swapped from Nicole
White tank top: Shade
Jeans: Motherhood
Blue heels: Forever Young
Cream necklace: Maurice's
Rose earrings: Provo Farmers' Market

Day 19: Ahead of the Game

2011-09-01T22:43:00.006-06:00

I really, desperately, want to wear hats. They add a certain joie de vivre to an outfit, don't you think? The only problem - My head is so big that hats NEVER fit me. It might be brains, it might be poofy hair, or it might just be a huge noggin! But even with all this, I still try on hats everywhere I go. I must just be eternally hopeful.

It paid off! I found this hat at Target and IT FIT! You better believe that I snatched it up. It's even big enough to cover Jesse when he's in the sling.

I was actually planning on wearing this today anyways - we're spending all day at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, and I'm bringing Jesse along. I look forward to this every summer!

Pink shirt: Swapped from Nicole
Blue dress: Forever 21
Floppy hat: Target
White earrings: Gift from Mom
Silver necklace: Gift from sister, Savannah
Sandals: Old Navy
Flower scarf: Target

Day 18: Kal Ho Naa Ho

2011-08-31T23:58:00.004-06:00

Right before I graduated from high school my dad tried to get me to watch a new movie called Bride and Prejudice with the family. "You'll love it!" he said. "It's Jane Austen as a musical in India!" But I was busy with finals and dates, so they watched it without me.

Finally, just before I moved out for college, my dad and I sat down and watched it together. He was absolutely right. It was EXACTLY my style - the colors, the dancing, even just the general exuberance were all amazing. I've always been fascinated by Indian culture, so that was just a plus. I was totally hooked.

Last year, I was gushing to a friend about how much I loved this movie, and she laughed at me. "Sweetie, Bride and Prejudice BARELY counts as Bollywood. Try these." So I went home at watched Kal Ho Naa Ho (Tomorrow May Never Come).

Three hours later, I was so glad Jon wasn't home. Kal Ho Naa Ho had a great love triangle, a super dramatic story, and a spectacular musical number in the streets of New York that had me laughing out loud at the craziness. All part of a typical Bollywood movie. But it also had a tragedy that left me sobbing. It was actually really cathartic - sometimes you just need to cry, even though there's no particular reason.

Ever since, I've been picking up Bollywood movies on Netflix whenever I can. I even watched one this morning, which probably inspired my outfit. I've never worn this bracelet before. My sister Nikki brought it back from her trip to India, where she taught dance for a summer. Even before I loved Bollywood, India was on my list of places to travel to. Someday she and I will go back together.

(Also, it was awesomely windy today, which was really appropriate with my flowy skirt and scarf!)

Black shirt: Shade
Black skirt: Borrowed from Laura, my sister-in-law
Gold sandals: Forever Young
Green silk scarf: Gift from parents from India
Gold earrings: Gift from Jocelyn, my sister-in-law
Bracelet: Gift from my sister, Nikki, from India

Day 17: The Fire of Vest-a

2011-08-31T15:39:00.004-06:00

I've had this red shirt in my repair pile for almost a year, I think. I loved the lace, but the sleeves were too short, and the whole thing was just...not right (as you can see from my face). When I was looking through my repairs for today, I thought, "Hey, a little unpicking and I can turn this into a vest!" What do you think?

I saw this blue and red combo a ton during Christmas a few years ago. It's only recently that I've realized that I can use design and fabrics as color-matching inspiration. I really like the way it turns out here!

These shoes are Nicole's miracle wedges! I got them in the swap. I felt a little guilty taking these shoes that obviously wanted to go with her, but then I decided they just knew that that was the best way to get to me. I didn't have any wedges, but now I have RED ones!

Vesta is the Roman goddess of hearth, home and family. I thought it was appropriate, since this mama has a new-found fascination with vests!

Blue shirt: Costco
Red shirt: Target, made into vest by me.
Jeans: Motherhood
Red wedges: Swapped from Nicole
Gold necklace: Tower of London
Gold earrings: Forever 21

Day 16: Lime Rickey

2011-08-30T10:43:00.004-06:00

This vest was the perfect thing to pick for a remix piece. It needed more love - it's so flattering!

These aren't new glasses, but I never wear them. Maybe I need to!

I also tried a smokey eye with my makeup. I'm not sure if it works or if I look like I got punched. What do you think?

White button-up: Macy's
Black vest: Gift from Mom (3rd remix, so 4th time wearing it)
Lime tie: Borrowed from Jon
Jeans: Motherhood
Plum shoes: My wedding shoes!
Earrings: Icing

Day 15: Modern Day Princess

2011-08-29T11:41:00.005-06:00

I used to put necklaces on my hair like this when I was a little girl and pretend to be a medieval princess. After a few History of Britain classes, I know better - I'd rather be a strong, elegant, hardworking woman now than bleed myself to look pale, and then die really young of gum disease.

I still like the look, though. And I don't mind a little waiting-on-hand-and-foot.

This outfit is another example of what I've learned from this challenge! I chose the green dress because I wanted to evoke "princess" without being too precious. When I looked at it, I thought "This needs another texture..." I NEVER would have thought to put this lacy shirt under this dress before now.

I'm so excited to see what people come up with today! I'm always looking for new hairstyles. I tend to get into a half-back rut.

Green dress: Old Navy
Lacy shirt: Gift from Mom
Cream shirt: Halftee
Nude heels: Thrifted
Gold necklace: The Tower of London
Necklace in hair: Forever 21
Hair tutorial by Loepsie here

Day 14: Two Weeks!

2011-08-28T05:49:00.007-06:00

When I get new clothes, I tend to be obsessive about them. I'll forget I have other clothes, because I'm too busy playing with my new stuff. As evidenced by the fact that I am wearing something from Nicole. Again. However, today I have an excuse: I needed it for my inspiration outfit!

I know it's a little silly to wear a cardigan in August, when Utah is typically hottest, but our church building is COLD! (I confess that as soon as church was over, I took off my scarf. Too hot!)

Here's my inspiration shot - it's from a Boden ad in a Real Simple magazine. I really love the idea of putting my own spin on someone else's outfit. It was really fun!

"Oh my goodness! Mom has gotten dressed EVERY DAY for two whole weeks! Wow!"

Blue striped shirt: Swapped from Nicole
Purple cardigan: Mervyns, before they went out of business
Polka dot scarf: Thrifted
Black skirt: Mr. Mac
Purple shoes: JCPenney Wedding shoes
Silver earrings: Forever 21

Day 13: Lucky 13

2011-08-27T19:23:00.005-06:00

There have been a few outfits in this challenge that I knew immediately I would wear again. This is one of them. It feels like ME, with a little of what I've learned the past two weeks thrown in to make it more awesomer. I LOVE the patterned tights and the bright blue. Even better, Jon kept telling me how hot I was. Done and done.

Look, my wedding ring! We went to our friends' wedding today, so I thought it would be appropriate. It went on with a little struggle, and I'm not sure I can get it off. Oh well! I'd rather wear this one anyway.

Jon is now encouraging Jesse to say "Dad." Yes, he's two months old, and won't really start talking for eight or nine more months. But now Jon is trying to bribe him. "I'll buy you lots of LEGO sets* if you say 'Dad' first!" I was finding it a little (okay, a lot) ridiculous, until yesterday. "Jesse, I'll take you to London if you say 'Dad' first!" Oh, yeah? Da da da da da, Jesse! Da da da!

Black cardigan: Macy's
Black tank top: Shade
Blue skirt: Swapped from Nicole
Patterned tights: Macy's
Black heels: Forever Young
Blue earrings: Gift from Dad
Silver necklace: Thrifted
And my wedding ring!

*When I asked Jon to proofread this, we had a whole conversation about what the correct plural form of Lego was. I thought Legos. Apparently, I was wrong.

Edited to add: After a little more research, the LEGO set vs LEGOs vs Lego's is a huge debate! Who knew?

Day 12: The Swap

2011-08-26T18:47:00.004-06:00

I actually had a totally different idea for today. I was so frustrated with my lack of patterns on the mixing patterns day that when we went to Costco and I saw a striped sweater, I swooped on it. It...didn't work. I had to return it. But I got this instead!

Nicole and I had a clothes swap! I got rid of stuff I don't wear, and got the joy of new clothes, all without spending a penny. Best idea EVER.
This shirt is one of the things I got from Nicole. It's secretly genius. Know why?

Stretchy tee shirt panels! They make the shirt all sleek on the curves and awesome and stuff.

You will ABSOLUTELY be seeing more of Nicole's clothes in future outfits.

Hot pink shirt (w/stretchy tee shirt panels!): Swapped from Nicole
White tank top: Shade
Flowery scarf: Target
Jeans: Motherhood
Grey shoes: Primark in London
White flower earrings: Gift from Mom

Day 11: 1950's Housewife

2011-08-25T09:48:00.006-06:00

Wear a dress or a skirt? Easy. Done. I love skirts. In fact, I wore ONLY skirts and dresses for the entirety of last summer. My jeans got ruined on our trip to England last April, and I HATE jeans shopping. Since I couldn't wear jeans to work, it just wasn't worth the hassle. Finally in October, after two days of shopping with a really honest friend, I finally had a pair that I liked. Yay, I had jeans again!

The next day I found out I was pregnant.

I feel like this dress has a 1950's housewife feel to it, and I love it! Those ladies sure knew how to dress. I was hoping the black belt would help make it a little more modern - what do you think?

Also, look! Belting! Color blocking! Belt-as-headband! Man, I'm learning so much from this challenge.

Coral dress: Anthropologie
Mustard tank top: 2 Love
Mustard heels: Forever Young
Black belt: Thrifted
Mayflower earrings: Plimoth
Crane necklace: Provo Farmer's Market
Headband: From dress

Jesse at Two Months

2011-08-24T23:32:00.004-06:00

August 21, 2011

Jesse, you are two months old! That's eight whole weeks that you've been here!

You have continued to be such a GOOD BABY (unless you have digestive distress, then heaven help the person who puts you down!). When I was pregnant, I would worry and worry that you weren't moving enough. Now I know that you were just chill!

Twin Lakes is the perfect example. It was your first vacation - a 15 hour road trip all the way up to Northern Washington and back. Your dad and I were really nervous about the long drive with a 5 week old. You slept the entire way, no fussing. It probably helped that I was sitting in the back with you, so you could see me when you were awake. You were patient, and calmly ate when we stopped for gas...until we got off the ferry, twenty minutes away from the lake. I was waiting to feed you until we got there (because I wanted to get there as quickly as possible - it's one of my favorite places in the world!) and you did NOT like that idea, and didn't hesitate to let me know. We had to pull over in one of the places we usually make calls from so that we weren't the bad parents with the screaming child when we got there.

Once we got there you had lots of people to ooh and ahh over the cute baby. Grandparents, great-grandparents, second cousins, aunts, uncles, cousins once removed...you will never lack for people who love you!

You are eating much better - you don't fall asleep anymore unless you are done eating. And speaking of sleeping, you started sleeping at LEAST four hours a night at about 5 weeks. I know that doesn't sound like a ton, but a 4 hour stretch of sleep between 12 - 4 am, with another 3 hour stretch until 7 does WONDERS for my mental well-being. At the lake, you slept for 6 - SIX! - hours a night. It was awesome. Now, at 8 weeks, you pretty consistently sleep 6 hours. (OH LOOK OVER THERE, SLEEP GODS! We aren't talking about anything that needs to be messed with or anything! Promise!)

When you are awake, you are so alert! There is an intelligence in your eyes. You are looking with a purpose! I can almost see you gathering and storing and processing information. You are much better at tracking things, now. You are even starting to learn that if you flail enough, you can sometimes hit the toys above your bouncy chair.

Aunt Jocelyn has started calling you Bubby, and it has kind of caught on. I thought she had made it up, but according to your dad it's from a pretty terrible movie called "The Little Kidnappers." I don't even know, kid. She also calls you The Bieben, but I'm pretty sure that one got banned.

You are truly smiling, now. I never realized how wonderful it would be to have my child smile, purposefully, because he sees ME. Of course, you aren't very discriminating. You also smile at the ceiling fan, the wall, and the panoramic picture of London we have hanging above our couch. I don't mind that last one, though - I tell your dad that we'll have to take you there soon, since you love it so much. He says he's going to replace it with a picture of American Fork.

You did have your first cold this week. Your poor little immune system finally gave in to your plague-ridden mother coughing on your head all the time. It's very pathetic, with the little baby coughs and the rattly breathing. We've been spending a lot of time in the bathroom with the shower on, so you could get a little steam. On top of all that, your 2 month immunizations gave you a low-grade fever. THAT was a fussy night.

But generally, you are just a happy kid, Jesse boy. You love to talk to us, cooing back and forth. Your favorite time to play is right when I'm putting you to bed. We call it the "I'm too cute to go to sleep" routine, and you are so good at it! It makes your dad and I just want to keep playing with you.

You love it when your dad holds you, and especially when he holds your feet. You still look for him when he comes home from work. Ever since you were born, people have said how much you look like him, and I'm finally starting to see it. I'm pretty sure I've even caught a glimpse of his dimples once or twice.

You bring so much joy into our lives, it's ridiculous.

Love,
Mom and Dad

Day 10: The Rescue of the Striped Shirt

2011-08-24T10:42:00.004-06:00

This shirt is a closet orphan because it has a funny shape. But I add my remix vest and voila! It's fixed!

I'm definitely putting off a librarian vibe here - too bad the only place I went today was out to pick up dinner. Jon has this week off before he starts his new job on Monday, so we've had a lovely lazy time at home.

(I only wore these heels today when I went out. They aren't really conducive to curling up on the couch watching movies. Even though they are very good looking heels.)

Maybe I'll make a quick trip to the library...

Striped shirt: Closet orphan - I don't even remember.
Black vest: Gifted from Mom (remix #2)
Pink skirt: Shade
Black heels: Forever Young
Black earrings: Icing
Pseudo pearls: Thrifted

Day 9: I'm Blue, Dah-ba-dee, Dah-ba-die

2011-08-22T22:48:00.006-06:00

(Anyone else remember that song?)

I NEVER would have put these pieces together, but I'm glad I did! The colors are so lovely. Jon even said how pretty it was.

Can I keep wearing this in the fall? The cardigan says yes, but the colors are so summery! What do you think?

I've loved this challenge for a lot of reasons, but reconnecting with Nicole has been my favorite. I was looking through the Flickr photos the first day and said, "Wait a minute...that's Nicole!" We worked the typical restaurant job together in college, and Nicole made it AWESOME. I also went to high school with her husband! I tell you, it's a small world.

She is visiting her parents here in my town, so we got together today and went to the Dino Museum. It was PACKED, but we had a great time. Her little Katie is so cute!

(I didn't intentionally match my sling - that was just a happy coincidence. I think some people at the museum thought I was a little nuts.)

Teal dress: Forever 21
Blue cardigan: Nordstrom Rack
Cream top: Halftee
Plaid shoes: Primark in London
Crane necklace: Provo Farmer's Market
Teal earrings: Forever 21

Day 8: All Gussied Up

2011-08-22T14:25:00.003-06:00

When I saw today's challenge, I knew right away that I wanted to borrow Jon's tuxedo shirt. He bought it when we were dating, because he is a good man. See, I love to dress up and be fancy - probably left over from dressing up as a princess when I was little. Knowing this, Jon took me to the ballet so I could get all gussied up in an old prom dress. He wore this shirt and a bow tie. (He's a catch, I tell you!) I don't fit into any of my dresses right now, so it's been a while since this shirt has been used. (We still go to the ballet and the opera, we just aren't quite as fancy.) I figured it needed some love and this gave me the perfect excuse!

I tried an Aubrey Hepburn updo to continue the fancy theme. Does it work ok? I came out of the bathroom this morning and Jon said, "Your hair is...tall, today." Very diplomatic, sweetie.

This outfit has already been out to sushi today, and I didn't get any weird looks. I think it might work!

(Honestly, this outfit feels like something a real fashion blogger would come up with!)

Tux shirt: Borrowed from Jon
Black belt: Thrifted
Striped tank top: Maurice's
Jeans: Motherhood
Black sandals: Gift from Jon
Black earrings, gold bangles: Forever 21
Cocktail ring: Icing
Necklace: The Tower of London

Day 7: Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue!

2011-08-21T14:09:00.004-06:00

I haven't ever layered necklaces before, but I will FOR SURE do this again. I really appreciate how they break up the, ahem, huge tracts of land. It might get a little more complicated as Jesse gets older and starts grabbing things, but I'm willing to risk it.

These look like they belong together!

I may not be really happy how my middle looks, but my legs look HOT! I love high heels!

You guys, it is RIDICULOUS how much fun I'm having with these challenges. I really enjoy figuring out creative outfits that are flattering. I've met so many awesome people, and I've learned that my closet is a lot bigger than I think it is. Thanks, Kayla, for coming up with these great ideas!

Taking pictures every day is making me learn how to pose, too. Awkward or fun? What do you think?

Blue cardigan: Target (blue)
White shirt: Shade
Brown skirt: Mr. Mac (old)
Nude heels: Thrifted
Gold top necklace: Gift from Mom
Lace and flower middle necklace: Maurice's (new)
Pearly bottom necklace: Gift from Mom
Gold earrings: Borrowed from my sister (for the last 3 years...)

Day 6: The Invention of the Slarf

2011-08-20T00:33:00.011-06:00

Today I'm wearing a baby sling as a scarf. A sling scarf. Scling? No, I think slarf. At least, when the baby isn't using it!

I first got the plum and mustard inspiration from Complex Cardigans, a fellow 21DCer. The color combo keeps popping up! And I can see why. I wouldn't hesitate to wear this again! It's also my first remix of my vest - over a long sleeve t-shirt.

I had a totally different outfit planned for today, but I think I'll save that for another day. This is too fun! And the ease of it is perfect for my Saturday. I'm headed to the Farmer's Market with Heidi and didn't want to bring the whole stroller. I LOVE my slings (I have two like this, and a Moby wrap). I'd much rather just carry Jesse than a whole heavy carseat!

Jesse's two month appointment went great yesterday. He's gaining weight nicely and his head is still enormous. He was pretty mad about the shots, though, especially because he's already feeling crummy with a little cold. Poor kid!

Purple sling scarf (slarf?): Gift from my aunt, from Seven Slings
Black vest: Gift from my mom (remix one!)
Mustard shirt: Macy's
Jeans: Motherhood
Plum shoes: Gift from Jon and my wedding shoes
Black stud earrings: Forever 21
Purple Bracelet: Came with the sling

Day 5: Belted Comfort

2011-08-19T11:55:00.004-06:00

Yay belts!

I'm really happy with how this turned out. Today was Jesse's two month appointment, and I didn't have a lot of time to get ready. I love this cardigan - it's so comfy! Like wearing pajamas, but more stylish. I've never belted it before, but I definitely will again!

I feel like belting is easier for nursing than tucking was. It's easy to put a belt back on, but the retucking was...complicated.

I think this outfit is going to transition really well into fall - just switch out the sandals for some brown flats and I'm golden!

We had such a good night last night! We hung out with our friends Scott and Heidi. Their little boy is 5 months older than Jesse (and is an adorable TANK. You know those kids that are just solid? That's Caden!) We have been friends with them ever since we went on a road trip to St. George 4 years ago. Because of delays, I got home from my study abroad in England 3 hours before we left. I was INSANELY jet-lagged the whole time, but I was alert enough to think, "We need to stay friends with these people!" Now we are all married and have kids. it is so much fun! They are so COMFORTABLE to be around. I know that we will have a great time and talk for hours, even if nothing is planned. Friends like that are a gift. (Also, Heidi is my Zumba buddy. Yay!)

Green Cardigan: Target
Lacy Tank Top: Maurice's
Brown Belt: Borrowed from Jon
Jeans: Motherhood
Gold Sandals: Forever Young
Earrings: Mayflowers from Plimoth
Crane Necklace: Provo Farmer's Market

Day 4: Inspired by a Stoplight

2011-08-18T10:08:00.001-06:00

Instead of green, yellow, red, I've got blue-green, mustard and coral!

I was SO MUCH more confident with this challenge. My closet is mostly solids, so it was way easier than, say, pattern mixing.

I haven't ever worn these pieces together - I was afraid it would be too bright. I'm glad I had an excuse!

Laura is both a big-ring fanatic, and big ring-fanatic. I needed one more pop of color for my outfit and she came through for me! In fact, she had FIVE rings that would have worked for this.

Jesse has been enjoying being outside during all this picture taking, but today was just not his favorite. So he decided that he was going to add to all the colors! He's my best-looking accessory.

Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack
Tank top: 2 Love
Capris: Gift from a friend
Shoes: Forever Young
Earrings: Provo Farmer's Market
Ring: Borrowed from Laura, my sister-in-law
Necklace-as-bracelet: Thrifted

Catching Up: Jesse's First Month

2011-08-17T16:26:00.000-06:00

July 21, 2011

Dear Jesse,

Welcome to our family! It is ridiculous how much we love you already.

You spent your first five days at home sleeping in a suitcase. It was so hard for your dad and I! We could only take you out when you were being fed and changed. I *might* have taken longer to feed you than was necessary, just so I could hold you a little longer. You hated it too - the first night Dad and I spent sleeping on the floor next to you so we could hold your hand and reassure you. Your mask was particularly annoying - it gave you terrible baby acne! We were so relieved when the doctor said your bilirubin levels were high enough!

You are so strong already! When Dad holds you on his shoulder you arch your back so you can look around. Wobble, wobble, wobble, FACEPLANT! It's hard with a 90th percentile head! Sorry, kiddo, you get that from BOTH sides. It makes tummy time a little difficult, too. When you raise your head up, you overbalance yourself and your bum and legs lift up as your head crashes down. It's pretty amusing.

You are such a GOOD BABY. I don't have any idea how that happened, but we aren't complaining! You don't cry much, and when you do, you don't cry for long. It's as if you know that your objections have been noted, and now you can calmly wait for your problem to be fixed. We even took you to the fireworks on the Fourth of July, and they didn't faze you at all! I also took you to the midnight show of the very last Harry Potter movie. I sat on the aisle and was ready to run out if you so much as squeaked. You ate, then fell asleep! My good boy.

You sure love that Dad guy. You did right away! When you went to the nursery to be poked and prodded, you were fine as long as you could hold your dad's finger. We were so lucky that he was able to get three whole weeks off of work to take care of us! He was better than me at getting your burps out. Now that he's back at work, you get so excited when he gets home! Your vision still isn't good enough to see him, but you can hear his voice, and you'll twist your head to find him. And much to my chagrin, at about three and a half week-old, you smiled at him first.

You love baths - the warmth and water calms you, just like your mama! You HATE being taken out, though. It's too cold! It's ok, I don't like getting out either. What you love best, though, is being rocked and listening to someone sing or hum. I've had to brush up on my primary songs!

My favorite trick is to kiss your cheek when you are hungry and watch you try to eat my face. You get so mad, and I think it's so funny! I'm a mean mama. Dad loves to tickle you and zerbet your tummy. It makes you so confused! You know you should react, but you just don't know how.

We call you Tiny and Stinky McStinkerton. Dad say that you are his Tiny Sweetie, and I am his Sweetie. He calls you Mr. Spaceman when he holds you above his head to dislodge the burps, and says "Atta boy, Luther!" when he is successful. I call you Little One and Fussbudget and Jesse Boy.

Whatever we call you, you are our boy, and we love you more than we thought was possible.

Love,
Mom and Dad

Day 3: Lack of Patterns

2011-08-17T11:00:00.000-06:00

This morning I pulled out every single piece of clothing I had with a pattern. I had 6 pieces to choose from, all in different color families, except for this top and skirt. I just don't wear a lot of patterns. When I shop, I automatically pick solids. This is boring. Especially since patterns hide spit up, as I discovered this morning!

I now have a new mantra: I will be open to patterns.

Once again, my shoes are a gift from Jon. He has a real talent for picking out shoes I will adore.

I'm not sure if I'm a huge fan of the pattern mixing yet, but I think Jesse pulls it off with aplomb! (He has a lot more patterned clothes to choose from!)

Top: Maurice's
Tank top: Shade
Skirt: Gift from my mom
Shoes: Gift from Jon
Necklace: Macy's
Earrings: Made by Chels, my sister-in-law

Day 2: Steampunk or Schoolmarm?

2011-08-16T01:20:00.000-06:00

Top: TJ Maxx
Tank top: Shade
Belt: Borrowed from husband
Skirt: Shade
Shoes: It's been 10 years - I don't even remember!
Necklace-as-bracelet: Maurices
Bracelet: Tie from shirt

Gah. I really struggled with this one. I have this internal "rule" about not tucking things in if I don't want to call attention to my middle. Which I REALLY don't. Add to that the fact that Jesse has finally succumbed to being coughed on by his plague-ridden mother, and you have a complicated day for outfits and pictures. (He's fine. It's just a cold, and he's very pathetic.)

Hair tutorial at Sidewalk Ready - it was so easy! You will be seeing this again!

I've had these shoes since freshman year in high school. They have held up AMAZINGLY well.

Between the military look of the top and the length of the skirt, I thought that this was looking kind of Steampunky - 19th Century Victorian with a twist. So I added some bracelets that looked like gears, and a fancy updo, and felt much better about this whole tucking thing.

Then Jon came home for lunch and said that I looked like the Matron of a girl's school from 1880. At least it was the right time period! What do you think?

Day 1: Remix

2011-08-15T11:08:00.000-06:00

Vest: Gift from my mom
Top: Halftee
Jeans: Motherhood (Yes, I'm still wearing my maternity jeans. They are so comfortable, I may never go back!)
Shoes: Christmas gift from my husband who has really good taste
Earrings: Gift from a dear friend
Charm bracelet: Gift from my mom
Pseudo wedding ring: Portobello Road
(Pictures by Laura, my lovely sister-in-law)

Jesse approves!

My vest is my remix item. I always wear it like this with a black shirt underneath, but it's a vest! Surely I can figure out other ways to wear it!

I have to tell you, I LOVE the Halftee. It makes it really simple to layer, and gives me easy access for nursing. I'm so busty that I usually need a tank to hide the excess cleavage, and the Halftee gives me the coverage without the bunching. It's not very good for those shirts you need the length in, though! (They didn't pay me or anything, I just am a huge fan.)

Jon and I bought my pearl "wedding ring" in London on our first anniversary. I'm not really comfortable traveling with my actual ring because it is so priceless to me - I would be devastated if anything happened to it. So, we got this pretty pearl one at Portobello Road (the street where the riches of ages are stowed!). Luckily, it's a little big, so when my hands got swollen during my pregnancy I was still able to wear a ring that was meaningful. Jon doesn't really like it - he thinks it makes him look cheap (silly boy). I LOVE it, though, and get compliments on it all the time. I am excited to go back to my real ring...hopefully soon!

Hey! Mooooom...gross!

This lipstick crushes my soul.

Nah, just messing with you, Mom!

The 21 Day Challenge

2011-08-11T16:13:00.000-06:00

Ever since Jesse was born 7 weeks ago, I have been living in PJs and housedresses.

Now, I don't think that's a bad thing! I've been getting used to this Mom thing, with the nursing and the bathing and the changing of the diapers. It's very moist, is what I'm saying, and having something that I could easily throw in the wash was essential.

But lately I've been feeling like it's time to start rejoining normal life. Jesse and I are on a pretty good schedule. I've been cleared to start exercising again (yay, Zumba!). Mostly, though, I always feel more accomplished if I actually get ready, even if the only thing I actually do during the day is feed myself and Jesse.

That's why I'm so excited to do Kayla's 21 Day Challenge. I don't even remember the crazy path that I followed to get to Freckles in April, but I'm so glad I did! She has a lot of great prizes - from eShakti to DownEast Basics. So I could win something awesome AND have an excuse to get back in the habit of getting ready.

I'll need your help to tell me what works and what doesn't, as I try to figure out my new body shape. Don't hesitate to say, "Ali, maybe not this..." or "Yeah, this looks great!" (Hopefully it'll be a lot of the latter!)

The first challenge is August 15th! No promises that the pictures will be good - it depends on if I can find a willing photographer!

Due Date

2011-06-20T17:50:00.000-06:00

I knew all the statistics. Something like 80% of first time moms go past their due date. Only 5% of babies are actually born on their due date.

I knew that the whole process of a due date is pretty arbitrary. It's called an estimated due date for a reason. LMP + 1yr - 3m + 7d. It's math, see? I don't trust math.

My family tends to have late babies anyways. It's why they come out with so much hair. (Teagan, I'm looking at you, kid) We cook our brownies short and our babies long.

So, I did my best to keep the date of June 15th out of my head. It didn't mean anything! When people asked when the baby was due, I said "Oh, the end of June" or "In 2 weeks." I figured that then people wouldn't keep saying "Haven't you had that baby yet?" (They still did). I thought that sure, I'd have a baby by the end of June, because my doctor would induce me. No big. I can wait.

It didn't help.

I think the problem started when I began having contractions on Saturday, the 11th. They weren't regular or even very painful, but they WERE contractions, and that was awesome. Any contraction was going to be useful, and at my last doctor's appointment, I had been progressing nicely. Could I actually have this baby near this day that I hadn't let myself think of? Jon and I got everything ready, and started waiting. I started thinking that this could happen, and happen SOON.

But then, on Tuesday, everything just stopped, and hasn't started again. It's been surprisingly frustrating! When I thought something was happening, and now it's not? Kinda disappointing. And every day since then has only made it more so!

It's not even that I'm that uncomfortable. I'm sleeping (relatively) well, I'm not that hurty. I've been really lucky. I'm just...anxious to meet this kid!

We HAVE been taking advantage of this, Jon and I. It's our last chance to be just the two of us. We've done puzzles, eating dinners out, and gotten the whole house clean and ready. It's been lovely.

And now here I am, 41 weeks pregnant, and scheduled to be induced tomorrow. I can't wait to meet this little boy!

This is why.

2011-06-06T01:00:00.001-06:00

When I tell Jon I love him, he usually says, "Why?"

For his 25th birthday, (Happy birthday, beloved!) here are 25 reasons I love him.

(This is going to be super cheesy. But he loves cheese! (Ha, not this kind...) And it's his birthday!)

1. Every morning, before he goes to work, he kisses me goodbye. Even if I'm asleep.
2. He is so adorably geeky - a few weeks ago he got really excited, because he got to take apart his computer and put in a new graphics card. And he enjoyed it.
3. The thing is, he is GOOD at the geekiness. Our computers always run really well, and when they don't he usually can figure out what to do. We have ALL of our movies on a hard drive hooked up to the TV, and the resulting home theatre system is kind of spectacular. (Even though I made fun of it while he was ripping all the movies. I was wrong.)
4. He is very silly. It keeps our marriage fun, and keeps me laughing. Like the little ridiculous songs he will make up, about anything.
5. Jon is thoughtful and deliberate. He thinks and researches things carefully before forming an opinion. I love it when we have conversations about big things, like politics or education, because I always learn something. We've started watching Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, and it's been prompting a lot of that kind of discussion, and it's AWESOME.
6. He is willing to get excited about the things I'm excited about (or at least give them a chance). It is so much more fun to watch Doctor Who with him than by myself. I love sharing the experience, and having someone to talk to about it. (He also can predict when something will give me nightmares. I should listen to him more about that...)
7. He pays attention to how to make me happy. I feel loved by touch, and he doesn't really get that, but he still makes a major effort to hold my hand or rub my back because he knows it makes me happy.
8. He's...kind of five years old, sometimes. He loves the nasty Kraft Sliced Individually Wrapped American Cheese-like Product, and string cheese, and little fiddly toys like magnets or rubik's snakes.
9. He talks to me about his life beyond me. I understand the basics of his work, and more importantly, I know how he feels about his coworkers. He involves me, instead of just coming home and saying "Oh, work was fine."
10. Jon always treats his parents right. He respects them and their advice, and he is ALWAYS willing to help out, even when it's not necessarily convenient for him. My parents have been adopted into this, as well, and it makes me love him more when I see how well he treats them.
11. He's awesome with our brothers and sisters, too. With 12 siblings ranging from 2 years older to 21 years younger than he is, there are a LOT of people to please. But he isn't just a brother to them, he tries really hard to be a friend, too. I'm trying to learn from his example.
12. I love his voice. It's smooth and lovely, the kind of voice you'd expect on the radio or something. I especially love it when he sings. (We met when he sat behind me in choir. He thinks I paid attention to him because he hit me with his choir music, but I had already noticed his fabulous voice.)
13. This is the part where I put something scandalous, that isn't appropriate for a family blog. Eh heh heh. Oh, I know! I love his eyes. I really hope our little boy gets his wonderful blue eyes, that change color with his mood or the light. Also, his dimple on the right side. I die from the dimple.
14. He gives ROCKING awesome gifts. Thoughtful, wonderful things that you didn't know you needed. A jewelry armoire so I could hang up my necklaces, a spectacular camera so I can take beautiful pictures, he even picks out shoes for me, without any assistance! His gifts to everyone else are just as cool. It probably helps that he starts planning for Christmas in September, because he gets so excited.
15. He is such a hard worker. He wants our family to be well-cared for, and he makes sure of it!
16. When I am scared or worried or sick, he knows how to set aside his natural worrywart tendencies and be the optimist for a little while, and tell me everything will be okay. I can't tell you how much that has meant to me in the last nine months. If he can believe it, so can I.
17. He trusts me with technology, even though he probably knows better. I have a smartphone! Who thought this was a good idea?!? I really love it, though, and try to overcome my techno-slayer genes.
18. He fills up my water bottle every night and puts it in the fridge before he goes to bed, so that I'll be sure to drink enough water the next day.
19. When we got married, Jon got the advice to tell me he loved me as often as he was hungry. I don't know if he tells me QUITE that often, but he does tell me ALL the time. Multiple times a day, just randomly. It's lovely, and makes me smile every time.
20. He cooks. He cooks well. He pretty much WAS the cook in our house for the first year, and he still often will make breakfast if he's around. The other day he had work off and cooked all three meals while I sat in my Mom Chair and read stuff on the internet. Also, his chocolate chip cookies are kind of amazing, even if the panel of (very biased, cause they were my family) judges picked my recipe over his. I love them, and hope he'll make them while he's on paternity leave. (Hint, hint)
21. He takes care of his belongings. He sees ownership as a stewardship, and respects the things that he has spent money on or been given. Our car, the computers, his books, everything is cared for and in good repair. It's another thing I'm learning from him, because I tend to "love" my things into oblivion.
22. He's my good luck charm. He always tells me "Don't fall" as we are going down the concrete steps to our basement apartment. I HAVE fallen a few times, cause I'm graceful like that, but never when he warns me first.
23. He is good with money. We budget and save and keep track of it and it's all because he knows how to take care of it. If our finances were left solely up to me, we might be in trouble.
24. He honors his priesthood. Watching him give a blessing is one of my favorite things in the entire world.
25. He thinks I'm beautiful. Even first thing in the morning, even when I'm sick, even nine billion months pregnant with all the stretch marks and the swollen-ness. He looks at me, and I am beautiful.

Sorry, love. I know this probably really embarrassed you, but I thought you should know WHY I love you. You will always be my most favoritest.
I love you, Duck.

Always,
Goose

I swear I did not plan this.

2011-05-15T20:27:00.000-06:00

I can't get away from working at the mall.

When I was in high school, I had the high-schooler-job in the Food Court, at Charley's Grilled Subs. It was your typical fast-food job - hot, boring, greasy, and a REALLY good motivator for college, so I didn't have to do this for the rest of my life. Which was the whole point, from my parents' point of view.

When I was a sophomore in college, I worked for Worldwide Book Drive, and we had a kiosk in the mall for a month. I got to recommend books and talk to people all day (YAY!) but I had to be one of those annoying kiosk people who accost you when you are just trying to walk from one store to another. My love for books made me really enjoy half of that job, but I really hated bugging people ALL THE TIME.

After that, I applied for a summer job with Knighton Vision, and I became an optician (My boss, when she interviewed me, thought I was going to be black, with a name like Alyshondra. She was really surprised to see a white girl from Happy Valley Utah). It was, once again, in the mall, but it was a lot more than your typical retail job. I still got to work with people a lot - helping them pick the right frames, adjusting tweaked glasses, and generally doing the customer service thing - but there was a whole technical side as well that helped keep me interested. I fell in love with the balance of it, got my national certification, and have been working there for the past four years. It's now Insight Eye Care, and two of Jon's sisters and my cousin all work there, too (I'm good for employees, apparently).

Now. I told you that story so I could tell you this one.

I stopped working there about two weeks ago (because I need to get ready for the baby, dang it!). Jon's poor sister got her wisdom teeth out on Friday, and I offered to cover her shift. Look what I found when I walked into the mall!

It's a new store called the Candy Barrel, two stores down from Insight, and it was their FIRST DAY open! And look at the candy they had!

They even gave you your candy in a little brown bag. I felt like I was about 7 again, and Mom said I could have a dollar to buy whatever I wanted. It was usually at the pool, or at our family reunion in Washington, so the little brown bag inevitably got damp, and the wrappers got all sticky. It was perfect.

(Not these)

Except that this time I got to spend whatever I wanted. Muah ha ha! I tried not to go too overboard, but this is my stash: Neapolitans (I LOVE me some coconut), Giant Lemonheads, Fruity Tootise Rolls, Fizzy Zotz, a Carmel-Apple Sucker, and of course, Sixlets.

It is officially summer.

Also, it's probably a good thing I'm not working at the mall anymore.

Nostalgia

2011-05-12T14:03:00.000-06:00

I'm a sentimental fool. I love things that revive old memories for me. (probably because my memory is so bad, I need all the help I can get!)

So every once in a while, usually at the beginning of the summer, I get a craving for some treat from my childhood. It usually turns out pretty well, like when I rediscovered Sixlets last summer, with the hard candy coating and the malted chocolate and the tiny cellophane packages.

But why on EARTH did I think, in the craft store today, that getting Circus Peanuts would be a good idea?!

Blech.

At the hospital - but not the way you think

2011-05-11T12:45:00.000-06:00

So, this happened last night:

(click to embiggen)

And while I pretend to be all upset, secretly, I think it's HILARIOUS.

My poor husband. Our teacher (Erin! She's cute and bubbly and awesomely comforting in how matter-of-fact she is about everything) asked for volunteers, and he leaned over, "Please tell me you aren't going up there..." Of course I am! I got to be all dressed up in the lovely hospital gown, with monitors strapped to my belly, an oxygen mask on and tubes tied to my arms. (I'm really glad she didn't actually stick me with the IV's - I hate needles!) I looked HAWT, let me tell you.

The best part was when she called JON up, and made him put on scrubs as if we were going into a C-section. With the hat and the booties and everything. Yeah, I kinda got in trouble for that one. I didn't know that my volunteering would affect him! (and yes, I had to look affect vs effect up, to make sure I was using that right)

Anyone have any great stories where they embarrassed not only themselves, but someone else with them?

Getting To Know Me

2011-05-10T11:10:00.000-06:00

Remember in Junior High when these memes would be emailed around to everyone?
And you'd fill it out, and hope that your most sekrt special crush would say that he liked YOU?
Yeah, good times.

1. What time did you get up this morning? Around 9am...which has been typical for the last few months. I'm growing something here! But yeah, I don't expect that to last.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls.
3. What is your favorite TV show? Oy. You would think that with no cable, we don't watch a lot of TV, but that's just not true. Between Netflix and Hulu, we watch quite a bit. My VERY favorite show, the one that makes me all bouncy when there's a new episode? Doctor Who. LOVE it. Like, considered flying to New York for the season premiere a few weeks ago. (Not really. But Jon and I talked about it...) I also love Food Network, and most USA shows, like Burn Notice and Psych.
4. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal and some fruit. Unless it's Saturday, then we do something fancy like French Toast or Breakfast Burritos or something.
5. What is your middle name? I don't have one. My first name is too long and pretentious for one. *grin* I guess, technically, now it's my maiden name.
6. What food do you dislike? Mmm, there's not a whole lot of foods I dislike. Heavy raw onions, maybe. Things that are very greasy.
7. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? Depends on when I'm going and for how long. Right now, I would love a relaxy weekend vacation to Portland. But if I can take a week or two in about 8 months? Japan with my mom or Taiwan with Jon's parents. I've always wanted to visit Asia, but I really want to go with someone who speaks the language. Or back to Great Britain, probably Scotland. I can't really go wrong there. (I take my travel very seriously!)
8. What is your biggest pet peeve? Mouth noises. Ugh. Someone chewing with their mouth open and making all sorts of smacky noises. It gives me the willies.
9. Are you a morning person or a night person? A night person. Even now with all the crazy pregnancy sleepiness, it's easier for me to stay up until midnight or one than it is to wake up at seven.
10. Any new and exciting news that you'd like to share with us? By the end of June, I'll have a baby? But if you know me, that's not really news. I've been pregnant like, forever. How about, it's my birthday on Saturday? Yay birthdays!
11. What did you want to be when you grew up? A mom. (No, seriously. I liked being the Bossy McBosserton.) Or a writer. Or an astronaut. Or a fairy.
12. What is your favorite pastime? I am a TERRIBLE blog-stalker. I spend about an hour reading blogs every day, but I never comment. No more. I'm going to be a crazy commenting fiend!
13. Do you wish on stars? You'd better believe it. I also wash my face in dew on May Day. And make up my own little superstitions. I like to believe that magic is just a little bit real, that Narnia is a real place, that fairies live in the right conditions, and that someday I'll hear the Tardis and I'll come running.
14. What is under your bed? My boots (put away for the winter) and a present or two for Jon. It's my secret hiding place. If you had asked me when I lived in my parents house, it would have been anything under the sun. I cleaned by shoving everything under there. I paid for it, too. I spent a year with my mattress on the floor because then I couldn't put anything under it, and after that my grandpa built a wooden frame like they have in hotels that went between the box springs and the floor. I'm much better now.
15. What is your favorite candy? Right now, Sour Patch Kids. Mmm, delicious. But that's mostly the baby talking. My favorite candy bar is Crunchies. (It's a British candy bar. I told you, I'm a crazy anglophile!) You know how good Cadbury's Eggs are? Well, imagine that chocolate over a honeycomb center - it's impossible to describe, but it's delicious.