Home sweet home

"We're home!" I holler as we pull into the garage, and Sophia claps and claps. Even for a 17 month old... no matter how fun the weekend was, it's always good to be home. So here are some moments at Nana and Papa's: Ian, Tere, and 4 month old Cannon, backyard fun, more fairy wings because I love fuchsia (and spell checked it this time), play time at a park in Coronado (because the beach was WAY too cold), and Papa and Sophia BOTH wearing Sophia's jammies... sort of. (Picture arrangement as good as it's gonna get.)

Ross get's home tonight in about an hour. (Yay!) I can't wait for him to see how cool Sophia is in the morning. I swear she's gotten cuter AND smarter in the last five days. Tonight while I was cleaning up her dinner, I casually asked her if she wanted to take a bath... she disappeared and when I went to find her, she was standing next to the bath tub waiting. Simple I know-- genius to me. :) Obviously we use the word "bath" a lot but I guess since we usually scoop her food-coated body out of her high chair after dinner and drop it right into the bath, she never has a chance to show us that she knows what it means... It was a moment for me.

Reporting from SD

"Ooooooohhhhhhh" she says, wearing a lovely pair of fuchsia fairy wings.

So we're in San Diego this weekend, just Sophia and I. Ross left Thursday for his ski trip to Utah "with the guys". He went last year too... an annual guy's trip... hmmm... do I see a girls' trip coming? One without, dare I say, my favorite little girl in the universe. Possibly. So Ross and like 5 friends from work stay in this 3600 square foot "cabin" that one of his buddies co-owns in Logan. They spent Friday snowmobiling, and Saturday, and the plan is this coming Monday, skiing. They sleep in, eat a lot of Cafe Rio, sleep in, stay up late, play pool, and sleep in-- a couple of activities which I am pretty jealous of. Can you tell which one is at the forefront of my mind this morning?

Six of Sophia's cousins were here this weekend for Kirk's family birthday party (costume party for the kids, hence Sophia's fairy wings) which meant her and I had to share a room. Seemed kind of sweet to me at first since I was all alone and I like to hear her breathe. But one room definitely means worse sleep for the both of us ...and earlier mornings. Usually she wakes up and hangs in her crib for a good 45 minutes pretty quietly, but when she can see me playing dead just a few feet from her crib... she's not gonna stand for it. "Woah ooohhh wow mama momeee mama woah wow weee mama." This is the bulk of her vocabulary right now. It's super cute... yes...I guess even at 5:50 in the morning.

Happy Valentine's Day!

So I feel like I've been a little blog happy... I really do have a life. And I didn't mean to make such a big deal out of these tributes. A long time ago, my friend Missy did a little tribute to her father in law on his birthday and I thought it was so sweet- I had to copy. I figure if I'm going to write about my plants, Sophia's nap schedule, or something else trivial, I may as well write all the wonderful things I usually just think about someone, who's having a special day. Yes I am a mushy mushy girl.

(Some kisses in Hawaii... some kisses in Paris... some kisses in Venice... I love kisses)

So it's Valentine's day. What other day of the year could I get away with posting kissy pictures of Ross and me? Yes. I confess, I love kissy pictures. Ross is very much not a participant in PDA, so he may resent me for this, but I, by myself, am publically displaying our affection. For heaven's sake, it's Valentine's Day.

Happy Birthday Lacy!

Two posts in one day?! It must be a special occasion. Today, as you might guess from the pictures, is the birthday of my sweet, sweet sister, Lacy.

Those of you who know Lacy, (and there are several of you), I'm sure will be tempted to write wonderful things about her as well. Because she's that kind of girl, the one that EVERYONE thinks wonderful things about.

In Highschool I was, of course, "Lacy's little sister"--and proud to be. :) She was a superstar in Volleyball, Soccer, and Hurdles -- and of course I copied her (but didn't ever catch her.) She was friends with EVERYONE and while known as the good mormon girl, judged no-one. She has always been the peacemaker of the family and even as the one who lives across country, she is the sibling who works to keep us all close. She is in love with other cultures and peoples and makes the world seem a romantic and poetic place. She brings harmony wherever she goes... at least I think so... her husband might disagree on occasion. (But she can't be perfect all the time Joe. And you really shouldn't have driven all the way to the other Lolitas. ;)

She has always been my wise, protective older sister. She would kindly lead me away when I tried to have a conversation with the neighborhood bum growing up (pretty creepy as I think of it now) and boost my spirits when I was terrified to run the 4x4 relay. As close as we were as kids, we've only gotten closer through life. She served a mission and experienced a selflessness I've yet to try- and came home, an even sweeter sister. She may have been afraid for me for the first couple of weeks as I had just done Body For Life and was therefore flaunting my 'slightly more in shape than usual' body (a once in my lifetime event) in too low pants and slightly too short tees. :0 But she loved me the same, and that next year we were finally able to be college roommates. She supported me through dating disasters, mistakes, and miracles..or should I say miracle. She was there when I met Ross. Saw his sweet boyish charm and helped me to eventually choose him. My sister and I, we are a team. We always were growing up... and now, with the whole country between us, still are. She helps me feel peace in my life when it's a little messy, and reminds me that I'm normal when I'm messy. She is as grounded and sincere as they get and reminds me to stay the same.

I love you Lacy! Happy Birthday. There's no card with your gift so read this right before you open it. :)

Just a recap

Ross' parents were here this weekend which made for a great few days for us. Both because we got to spend time with them, and we got to spend time just the two of us. They are so happy to watch Sophia every chance they get which means I got to run errands on Friday, Ross and I got to go decorate his office Saturday afternoon with no interruptions and then go on a date Saturday night.

The office turned out great. I forgot to take pictures but I'm going to send Ross with the camera and make him take some for me this week. There was a plant in there already, we did shelves with blown up sepia photos we took in Venice, Switzerland, and Rome, some arrangements of a couple oil paintings of Europe from his parents, a framed picture of the Wall Street bull that Merrill uses as their symbol, his diploma of course, and one more BIG framed and matted print I got on clearance at Home Goods for $16. He doesn't love the print (it's of Nantucket which he knows nothing about) but we needed something of SIZE in there, so I'll be ordering a new print for the frame. Thanks for your recommendation of art.com Sarah.

(These pictures are just of our lazy Friday night with Ross' parents. Sophia copied her daddy and layed down on the grass next to him. They just 'chilled'. It was cute.)

So when we were through with the office, we headed over to Macaroni Grill for dinner. This is the restaurant Ross took me to on our first date, so we have a special love for it. :) Plus I'm in LOVE with the Terriyaki Salmon w/ spinach orzo pasta. It's spicy but SOOOO good. One of those meals I order every single time and don't even feel guity for not branching out. It's that good.

On Sunday, Ross had his first stake speaking assignment of the year. He's 1st counselor in the Stake YM pres. and has to speak like 6 times a year. Kind of a lot! This week was in the ward that his BOSS was just released as Bishop, so he was there listening which added a level of nerves. He spoke on Elder Oaks' talk "He heals the heavy laden", and gave what was one of the best talks I'VE ever heard. Seriously. I know my husband really well, and unfortunately know his weaknesses as well as his strengths :), speaking in church is a strength. He's not one of those people that's good at B.S.-ing on a topic he doesn't know. But when he knows it, it's obvious. And this stuff, he knows. Needless to say, I was very proud. I have to admit though, I felt a bit nervous myself because I kept thinking, "He looks so cute right now. If I was in the congregation, I would be wondering who his wife was and thinking she'd better be a catch... what if people look at me and I'm all flushed, wrestling with our 17 month old with powdered cheese from the pirates booty in my not quite right bangs?" Sigh. Hopefully people are less judgemental than I. Kidding of course.

That night we BBQ'd the best ribs ever, if anyone ever needs a simple rib recipe, and hung with Ross' folks for one last night watching Tivo'd Idol and Survivor. I might be disappointed with Survivor this season, there's only like one guy that we sort of like so far. We'll see.

My dad, Kirk

(I finally found the pictures I wanted so I edited- for those of you who checked this earlier)

Today is his birthday. 51! My mom forgot to have a big party for him last year so this year is his 'big 50th birthday bash- one year late.' This is a man whose father died when he was only 12, and yet he learned to be an extraordinary father himself. He joined the Navy when he was only 17 and in serving his country, became a man consumed with service. His life is spent for others; the church, his country, his wife, his children, his grandchildren, even his employees. He is wise, SO capable (it seems there's nothing he can't figure out), and funny (at least he thinks so ;)) , and brings laughter to every family gathering. He is not consumed with pride, or material things, but works harder than anyone I know for the people he loves. This is a man who married a woman with six children ranging from eight to 21 and took care of them. He is the reason I have confidence in myself as a daughter, a mother, and a woman. He taught me to rotate tires, change oil, and empty the septic tank on a motor home, none of which I appreciated at the time and all things I hope never to have to do again. But I'm sure in some way, they all still added to my sense of self-worth. He taught me that to survive life and make right choices, you need self-reliance, obedience, a great work ethic, and humor. I have always known that he would do anything for me and my family and thanks to this, I was able to grow up in a world full of chaos and insecurity feeling nothing but safe.

Happy Birthday Kirk. I love you!

A little bit of paradise

A flower bloomed-- actually bloomed in our backyard. We haven't exactly had a lot of luck with that sort of thing, the whole 'live plant' sort of thing. The summer's are too hot but then the winter quickly turns a little too cold for the "desert" flowers (yeah, if their desert plants why can't they survive the 120 degree weather? Don't know.) So this was kind of exciting. Just thought I'd share our lovely little Bird of Paradise with you.

Ross' parents are here this weekend, so I might be a baby-free woman on mad errands today. Woohoo! Thank you Mom and Dad B!

So little!

Just days old, this is the one we used for her birth announcement... what a little GIRL huh?

This is Sophia at 6 weeks

And these are her jelly bean toes...

Just a little trip down memory lane... and a way to replace the scary picture you saw last time you checked my blog. (I thought it was cool, but Ross said it was freaky and when I looked back... it was pretty freaky... sorry. I don't have any weird, morbid take on love or anything.)

Love

I just saw this archaeological find online, and thought it was really sweet, creepy I know, but sweet --and fitting seeing as Valentines Day is coming. Bodies buried in an embrace- really sad because they could tell the bodies were young, but really romantic.

I love romance. Can't wait for Valentines Day. Sadly, Ross leaves the following day for a ski trip to Utah, but the actual holiday should be nice...Right Ross? Speaking of romance... or love... or some lighter degree of it... here's a little list of:

Things I love:

-clouds

-self tanner

-peep toe shoes

-dusk

Sophia's thigh rolls

-banana palms

-that vonage commercial where the really hot girl gets dumped by the super nerdy, chunky kid who get's hit by a vonage box.

-Arrested Development- super funny show on DVD now

-blackberries

-open mouth kisses from Sophia

-warm sunshine and cool air

Things I ... don't love (hate is a pretty strong word)

-hearing mom's yell at their kids in public

-my bangs

-that depression commercial that makes you depressed: the one with the sad little girl in a tiara and the mom who's too sad to play with her. Ugghhh... HATE it.

-ants!!!

-heat- yup and I live where I live

-Olives

-when I forget to advance the wash and everything smells like mildew (Does anyone else do that?!)

-Food For Less

-hormel chili (seeing the name on the grocery game list while I was pregnant made me sick and now I hate it- haven't even tried it. )

I love weekends

Love super bowl parties. Love junk food. Hate the aftermath. My house was a sty and my midsection... well... if one day's damage can really expand it, it did. The whole weekend was fun. Saturday we went to our little street fair, enjoyed the $4 open bag of kettle corn- filled to the rim, and a frozen lemonade. The picture above is Sophia enjoying the latter. (Note the strategically pinned bangs.) I mention only the food because the actual merchandise at this particular street fair is catered primarily to, shall we say, a wiser generation. (Did anyone notice the "geriatric” comments made on "24" about Palm Springs?... yeah, they've definitely got something.) So we just focus on the weather, the snacks, and the fact that the park is nearby.

After the street fair, we went to Ross' new office to take inventory of what he didn't have. Sophia enjoyed his swivel chair and double screen computer while we wandered the office stealing ideas. Today I think I'll go pick up some stuff.

Very exciting news, my sister-in-law, Kim is GIVING me her old, black, oval, pedestal kitchen table from Pottery Barn in exchange for a weekend of babysitting!!! Yeah, not quite an even trade. I'm SOOO excited because a while back I found a black hutch for my dining room on sale at Target for $75. Yup. So I got it (as a Birthday gift from my mom), but my dining room has looked so silly with the black hutch and a cherry dining table. It seems too good to be true. A matching dining room! I can't wait to decorate it, now that it will have so much promise. Pictures to come I'm sure.

Saturday... sigh

A friend of mine just emailed me about a closeout sale at Modbe. So if anyone is in need of any of those Shade knock-offs, I just stocked up on my basics (cream cami, cream cap sleeve, a couple shirts for Sophia, etc...) for like $5 a piece. Online they're like $10 but through this girl Stacy Mitchell in Florida, they're even less. I'm pretty sure they're like $18 through Shade. You just check out the website and then tell her over the phone what you want. I got a puffy vest for $7.50 (I think), some cargo pants for the same, a super cute hoodie for Sophia for $5, and more. The email I got said to call her by last night, but I didn't get it until this morning and it was fine. But I think it's probably got a timer on it, so if you're interested, her number is 1-863-533-7080. I promise I don't sell this stuff or anything. But I love good sales and figured I wasn't the only one.

Hope that wasn't against blog etiquette. I thought about just emailing you girls that I thought might care, but I guess I'm even more turned off by most mass emails than possible blog advertisement (??)

So Ross is off playing flag football which is why I'm shopping and blogging on a Saturday morning. I wish we could go watch him but it's right during Sophia's nap. When he gets back and she wakes up, we're off to the Saturday morning street fair for some great weather and kettle corn, and then to Ross' new OFFICE! Yup. Ross got an office, he's out of the bull pen!-- a very big deal. It takes a lot of guys at Merrill a LONG time before they get their own office, so needless to say, I'm very proud of him. One more step toward grown-up-hood. (?) Now we've got to frame his diploma and get some cool artwork that's supposed to inspire conversation with his clients, and... I don't know what else. If anyone has any wonderful office decorating ideas, please share. Seeing as I've never had a real office, decorating one is not my forte, but since I'm the wife, I'm pretty sure it's my job.

I just finished my last Ferrero Rocher from Christmas... we might officially be out of chocolate in the house. Oh no.

Bangs.

I know I said this a long time ago-- but these pictures are in honor of having my living room back. Christmas free. Love the holiday-- love the take down. Love blue.

We've been sick, Sophia and I. Yuck. Lots of congestion, one VERY runny nose, a couple of sore throats, gnarly coughs, head aches, and everything-else-aches... and of course several bad nights because of it. Yeah back when I went on and on about how I was sure she was just teething because as a mom you "just know"...I didn't know. I was all wrong. She was getting sick yet again. She does have some molars back there-- so maybe she was suffering from both and I'm not a total idiot.

Yes I cut bangs. So far, I hate them. :) I knew that's how I would feel. It's kind of a problem I have. I hate the thought of ALWAYS having the same hair so I often feel determined to try something new (like when I dyed it DARK brown... NOT Ross' favorite), but I always seem to come back to the same old do... and I'm starting to think that it's for a reason.

Some of us just look best one way. I'm all about going with your one best look in clothing. I decided a long time ago that I don't care if people see me in the same jeans every day. If one pair make my bum look it's best, THAT'S the pair I want to be seen in. I'd rather people think I'm a girl with a limited wardrobe, but a cute bum, than one with a large wardrobe... and a large bum. It's the same reason I wear the same t-shirt every day and the same "go-out" shoes every weekend. By the same token, many things will come in style that WON'T flatter all of us (ME!) I'll want desperately to be a part in all the fashion fun, but realize quickly that I will never look good in belted waists or skinny jeans. And if I force myself to wear them, I will quickly be a girl who, while in fashion, has an abnormally large and magnified middle, a horrible thigh to ankle ratio, and a large bum I'm sure (because who's found the perfect skinny jean that works in all the other weird places they need to AND flatters the bum?)

So while bangs have been in and out for who-knows-how-long, this is my third time trying and yes, sigh (Sarah, I stole that from you), my third time failing. I guess I'm going to have to apply the clothing theory to my hair. Just because they're in, or different from what I have... or pretty on Reese Witherspoon, does not mean they will work for me. So for now... no pictures on the blog, and many days of a strategically placed bobby pin.

Pig tails?

First time I've actually tried... it's long enough for pig tails!

Oh and she really wants to feed herself right now... hence the... well you get it. The one below is Sophia's new car! We finally bought her a real backyard toy.

(The man hands are Ross' ... didn't want any confusion.)

Fashion tip? Not quite...

So this is for Missy who keeps encouraging me to post creative tips (I don't dare say fashion or beauty as I am in in no place to offer either). But we all have funny things we've discovered make us feel cuter--please share! But one of mine is cutting t-shirt necklines...I went through a phase in college where I pulled out all my little-boy thriftstore t-shirts (like Dodgers, Sunnyside Elementary, etc) from High School (another phase I guess) and by cutting the necklines, made them new t-shirts. So if it was ever in, it's got to be out by now, but do you know I STILL do it? Now I buy the cheap target t-shirts and do the same thing. If interested, keep reading.

So there's two ways to cut them. The most subtle way is just RIGHT below the collar (even though there's no real collar but below that inch or so of neckline-- is that called the collar?) just all the way around so your cutting the collar perfectly off and in the garbage goes an O. It opens it up more than you'd think and makes it more comfortable and -- the key-- shows your collar bone which makes a casual boy tee look much more femine. That works best if the shirt is pretty fitted. If it's really fitted and the sleeves are tight to the armpit, it's also cute if you take an inch+ off the sleeves to make it shaped more like a cap sleeve. If it's too loose on the armpit and you cut the sleeves, you could end up with that sort of 80's sort of white trash/Six Flags look (vision of bra through armpit hole)--- not cute.

So, the other way is even simpler--a line strait down the middle...as low as you want (ooh la la). This style you've seen in trendy stores for a little while, but you may as well cut it yourself. This is silly but here's a couple of pictures I had of one I cut like this. Hope this helps Missy! And anyone else with cute tees with unfortunately tight necklines.

Probably so not blogworthy. I think I'm a little out of control lately on the unedited thoughts I actually put in writing on this thing. I know it's open for all to read, but I still use it as a journal, so I reserve the right to be dull or trivial. :)

It's a new week tomorrow. Sigh.

Every Day Tee

So when I get something new that I like, I wear it almost every day until I'm over it. It's kind of a problem of mine. So if we're getting together with the same people twice in a row, I'm totally at a loss for what to wear. My newest every day shirt is nothing special, it's a black henley from target with 3/4 length sleeves. Perfect for our cool, 70 something weather. I wore it the other day to do my body pump class (washed it), wore it yesterday when my friend Marnie and I made rice crispy treats (didn't wash it), and wore it today to run my errands all morning. I came home AFTER running errands all morning and found a large chunk of rice crispy treat lodged in the middle of my back.

Thank goodness I had a child in tow... (obvious excuse for being disheveled at all times.)

Sophia just woke up from her one, two hour nap. The last couple of days have been working out all right with about an 11:30 nap. Today's didn't start until 2 because my errands screwed her up. But two hours is pretty good. I'll take it.

Disappointed

A repeat... buuuummer.

Is it Friday yet?

(She's not actually waving-- just about to pat the ball with that hand. But I liked that it looked like she actually posed for a picture. And yes, as much as I usually try to take pictures of her on the grass, where she REALLY likes to play is, of course, the dirt.)

Don't know why, but I'm particularly tired this week. It might be the "is she-- isn't she-- switching to one nap?" game we're playing with Sophia right now... or maybe just that dang body pump class. But I feel worked. I don't think I've cooked a real meal for Ross all week, poor guy. That, I blame on an excess in left-overs and a resolution to keep my fridge cleaned out. I figured we didn't want the food to go to waste so it was strictly a decision based on frugality, not laziness. In that case Ross is EXTREMELY supportive of my not cooking... :) It works out well.
(Not that he demands dinner usually or anything-- just had to clarify.)

Also Sophia's been in an extra funk this week-- I'm thinking she's definitely feeling some of the pain of teething. It's wierd how as a mom sometimes you're so sure you "just know." The symptoms could probably be just another cold, but I just know it's teething. Whenever she's sick, Ross wants me to call the doctor-- I can't figure out why I would bother, when I know better than them. ;) Just kidding, I'm not that cocky, but... well sort of. I've realized I wasn't raised on the doctor so sometimes it's hard for me to really think we need to use our pediatrician. At least for such minor things. Anyway-- pretty sure she's gettin' some good molars. Poor thing. I can't imagine the pain these little tiny people go through in the beginning of their lives with all the growing, the teething, the ear infections, the diaper rash (can you imagine?.. wierd.) I seriously think Sophia's such a tough little thing.

So here's a picture of Lizzie's beautiful little girl Kate Elizabeth. Her first was born vaginally but it went horribly and her recovery took a couple of months so the doctor suggested a c-section with this one. The recovery has been night and day better than the last and she's happy to be able to sit up and actually hold and enjoy her beautiful new baby. It sounds like the toughest part is Tanner's adjustment to the whole thing (her 2 year old), so Tuesday he came over and played with Sophia all day to get some normalcy. Poor little guy.

That's all I got.

Little mama

This is a video of my little girl in action as a true little girl. If only I could make you ignore my voice. Oh well.



So this world of online journaling (sometimes that makes me feel better about it) keeps amazing me with how it connects people. Genny, my first roomate at BYU in Provo, just found me through google, which sent her to my brother-in-law, Joe's Spanish Phrase of the Day, where she found my link and emailed me through my blog (she's now on my link list). The world really does just get smaller and smaller! When we lived together we were two silly girls sharing a bunk bed at King Henry and now she now has two beautiful little children and a husband in med school. I just love that through this convenient way of keeping in touch, we can actually hear the happy endings we missed out on, of our old friends.

So yesterday I did a new class at my gym called body pump. Anybody done it? Apparently it's big in other cities... at least they keep marketing it like it is. So it kicked my butt. I can tell it's going to get harder and harder to walk as the day goes on. I guess that's a good thing? The infliction of horrible pain for the possibility of a harder body later... hmmmm....No I really am a believer in exercise. If only the results were guaranteed regardless of how many frozen brownies you eat.

(Yes that's my new favorite treat.)

One nap?

She's loving books right now which is so relieving since she went through phases where she wanted nothing to do with them. I've realized that those things aren't always worth worrying about... when they don't seem to be picking up the things we're SUPPOSED to be teaching them. They always seem to come around in their own time-- from ALL my experience with my one 16 month old. :)

Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure I have nothing very exciting to say, but I feel like venting all the same so read at your own risk.

So last year we had 9 am church and I thought it was the worst time possible because Sophia usually took a 9 am nap. All through church she was a little animal and I couldn't even get mad since it wasn't her fault-- I'd trained her to sleep during that time and was now forcing her to stay awake, quiet, and relatively still on like 4 feet of bench? Kind of a lot to ask.

Needless to say we were SOOO excited to change to 11 am church in January-- we had it all mapped out-- she would awake just minutes before, already dressed and ready, and we'd race off with a happy, rested child arriving just in time for the end of the prelude music and to get our own bench on the side where we could lock her in to spend the next hour and 15 quietly munching cheerios and reading velcro Bible stories (breathe.... ) Didn't quite happen that way.

Sure enough, with our luck, the first week of the new year was the first day Sophia decided she might not want to take a morning nap anymore. I believe my little 161/2 month old MIGHT be transitioning to one nap. A little sooner than I wanted, but it works. At least every other day or so.

We tried so hard to plan this Sunday so it would work, putting her down at 6:30 the night before hoping she would wake up early and so still take her 9 am nap--- not a chance. So we wrestled through Sacrament Meeting as usual, offering apologetic glances to all of those around us directly affected by her throwing food, singing loudly during talks instead of music numbers, attempts to climb over the bench, and her full-blown,back-arched, leg- kicking tantrums-- (they end before we can take her out or else I promise we would.)

Once Sacrament Meeting was over, Ross sat with her in Nursery (since she's not old enough to go on her own yet) so I could teach my class. After one last melt down, he took her out of nursery to walk around and she crashed on his shoulder in a moment--- NEVER HAPPENS. Mine is not one of those children you see sleeping in their mother's arms while she's having a lengthy, energetic, female conversation (I'm always amazed by this at church.) She sleeps great in a crib, but the catch is-- no where else. So this was a big deal. A big bummer too, as that 30 minute nap on Daddy's shoulder sufficed her for the rest of the day. :(

Anyway-- last night she slept from 6:30 pm-8:00 am, worn out from the previous day. So I am wondering if this one nap thing could be the key to an 8 am wake time. I just can't believe how nice it is to be up and alert and semi-straightened up BEFORE she wakes up. LOVE it.

Those of you with older kids, when did yours move to one nap? What time of day did you do it?

Did anyone watch the Golden Globes? I think I want Reese Witherspoon's hair. Yup bangs. Do you think they're only cute because she's like 85 pounds?...because I'm a hair bigger than that. ;) No but really, I'm getting my hair cut next Saturday and I'm seriously thinking real bangs. AHHHH ... we'll see... I've been known to go in with big dreams and come out with some subtle layers -- the kind that boys would NEVER notice and your girlfriends we'll assure you "now that they look closer they can totally tell."

I guess we'll just see what I'm inspired to do this Saturday.

A happy memory...

Sophia's first trip to the beach-- 6 months old in Newport.

C-sections?

It's 8:23 and my daughter is not awake for the day yet. I'm kind of confused because she took an afternoon nap from 3-5 yesterday which usually means a late bedtime (8-8:30) and an early wake up (6-6:30). Ross left just after 6 and before he did, brought me the portable DVD player so I could persuade Sophia to lie in bed with me since he heard her "singing" in her bed. Right after he left she went quiet until NOW! OK she's barely starting to make some noises. Man-- if I could really figure out what formula of sleep gets her to sleep in until 8:30.... that's pretty nice.

So I have c-section on the mind. My friend Lizzie had hers' yesterday morning at 7:30 and is probably coming home today. In case anyone didn't know, I had a c-section with Sophia because she was breech--- (pretty much as breech as they come, feet up at ears, bum down, and head in my rib cage.) I was horrified when my doctor insisted that was my only option... I had fought so long with him to try and have the most natural experience I could handle. (I didn't want any induction, potossin, and in a perfect world, no epidural, but that was definitely up for debate- long labors sound insane to me without drugs.) Anyway, once I conceded to the fact that I didn't really have a choice, or if I thought I did, I could be putting my baby at danger, we went for the c-section. We even had to take her 3 weeks early since I was dilated 4 cm at that point and my going into true labor would have been dangerous. Sure enough, once she was out, and perfect and healthy, I couldn't have cared less what the process was and c-sections no longer seemed so bad. It helped that supposedly my doctor was particularly experienced with them and had the quickest recovery rate in the desert. We were able to go home the next day (like Lizzie will) and while in a lot of pain, I took ibuprofen for 5 days and managed it alright. The whole experience was much better than I'd read and heard about the surgery and over all, I could see why my doctor was, as I called him, a bit c-section happy.

So now, after watching Lizzie go through the same thing, I've been thinking a lot about the next one and I'm terrified all over again. Most doctors refuse, or strongly discourage VBACS (vaginal birth after cesarean). However they also strongly discourage more than three c-sections. So I've just realized that now I'm in a place where I'm either going to feel limited to the number of children I can have (which is just really sad and weird to me), or like I'm putting my baby and myself in danger if I try for a VBAC or try for over three c-sections. Of course they can't keep you from doing either (well my doctor WON'T do a VBAC but I'm sure I could find one that would), but how scary to go through an entire pregnancy knowing that you're pushing it a little bit and your uterus might rupture.

The dangers of VBAC are that during delivery, your scar could rupture and kill mother and child, or for ex. my sister knows someone whose scar ruptured, the baby's head got stuck in it and now she has brain damage-- that she wouldn't have had otherwise-- that would be hard to live with.

I think the dangers with multiple c-sections are just that carrying another baby could rupture your uterus... bad things etc... and then there's just tons of increased risk that comes along with another surgery at that point-- I read about them but don't remember medical terms-- there were a lot. Ross keeps pointing out that a lot of women have high risk pregnancies and do great, and it probably just depends on the body and how well it's recovered from the previous pregnancies.

OK this is probably getting soooo boring. Anyone who has not had a baby might be particularly bored... anyone who has might totally disagree with something I said. I guess my point is just that I'm really concerned lately because I feel like there's a good chance we'll be told we should only have three children and that if we want more, which is the lesser of two dangers? A VBAC, or a 4th c-section. I probably need to stop worrying and figure that we'll have as many as we're supposed to have safely-- as Ross keeps saying. It will all work out... etc... I'm still worried.

So Sophia is talking up a storm in her bed now... better go get her.

Happy Birthday Ross!

(A little disclaimer, this first one was in Venice when I was 6 months pregnant.)

So today celebrates an extremely important day to me... the birth of this sweet man, husband and father.

Yes today is Ross' 29th birthday!!! TWENTY NINE! Crazy huh? That's almost 30! Remember when 30 sounded so old? Back when we imitated 50 by using that shaky old man voice saying "Heyyyy sonnyyyy...". How quickly our perspective seems to change. Now my young, cute husband who still wears his hat backwards, skateboards to get the mail, and prefers a boxed white cake mix with store bought confetti frosting to any Martha recipe I could try... is turning one year shy of 30. Do we ever really grow up?

This is a man that I knew when I married him would do whatever he could to make a stranger's life easier, let alone his WIFE. He is a giver. He always lets me eat most of his fries from In & Out even though I refuse to get my own. He doesn't even try to convince me anymore. He always plugs my cell phone in at night so that I'll actually have service the next day. I lay in bed waiting for him while he wanders the house trying to find where I hid it...because I never know. He ALWAYS leaves me the last treat, he won't even take the last bite- if I tell him to, he splits it in half. In almost 4 years of years of marriage I have never gotten excited to eat something yummy and found it to be all gone... I got very used to that growing up with 5 siblings and I guess he knows how hard that was for me :) (sounds like a confession that I have serious issues with food I know.... I sort of do.)

He always tells me I'm beautiful even though most days he sees me in jammies before he leaves, and back in jammies by the time he gets back home. He tells me I'm a good mom and that he thinks my reading voice to Sophia is soothing. He treats Sophia just like the smartest, coolest, most important little girl she is... so that she will become it.

He rubs my back as often as I ask, and when he does, he doesn't pretend to rub it like I've seen so many other husbands do, he looks at it like a work out and goes all out! :) He carries everything at church for me and most places that we go (again, tries to look at it like a work out). He uses funny phrases I've never heard of and teaches me what they mean. He always does the garbage, the yard, the Christmas lights, and all the other man jobs that I love to be exempt from. He praises me for the jobs that I do and tells me I'm a wonderful cook, decorator, and organizer... he makes me feel like an artist and tells me that he wants me to take classes some day. I love that.

He plays with Sophia just like I'd always imagined a super dad would with our little ones; he's so full of joy and energy and makes her laugh and laugh. He sings to her at night and I could listen outside the door for hours... but it only lasts a couple of minutes before she swats at his face. (We've discovered she doesn't actually like to be sung to at night.)

He reads up on what's going on in the world and lets me use him as my Cliff's Notes. ( I lived on those things in school... another confession, oops). But even if I don't know something that I totally should about politics, or the scriptures, he never makes me feel dumb, but always answers my questions. He is such a righteous priesthood holder and makes me feel like Sophia and I will always be safe with him. He is an optimist and finds the good in everyone. He is truly one of those people that doesn't speak ill of anyone. (Sometimes it can even be frustrating when I need a gossiping avenue... (confession? ...seriously I can't help but do it) ... he focuses on the good in me and reminds me to do the same :).

He is a constant example, a reminder of how blessed I am, proof of the existence of a man who's GOOD to his core, something that the world doesn't even believe exists anymore. He is my best friend and my sweet heart and I am SOOO grateful that he was born 29 years ago today.

Happy Birthday Ross! I love you.

A long weekend...

I LOVE long weekends. Saturday was a wonderfully typical Saturday where we ate a yummier breakfast than normal, hung out together as a family, ran some errands, did some chores, and then played at night with some friends. I say typical, but too often we're seperated so that I can run child-free errands, or Ross can play some football or do something else that doesn't require a shirt and tie like the other six days of the week. So it wasn't so much a typical Saturday, as an ideal Saturday in my mind. Ross might disagree as he did vacuum out the car that I let be filled with pirates booty, fruity cheerios, crackers, string cheese, and yes (gasp) even blackberries. I used to stick to dry foods in the car but I felt like she was snacking too much on processed stuff, so now I just deal with the consequences, an occasional blackberry, tomato or kidney bean smashed into the carpet. Yes I'm totally one of those moms.. with the super messy (not-quite-a) mini-van. I never would have guessed. But my car has been known to get out of control these days with my little one. Thank goodness I have a wonderful husband who loves me enough to clean it out. :)

Anyway, on Sunday night my parents came out to see us since everyone had Martin Luther King Day off. We watched the premier of "24" together (which should be a whole other blog on it's own since I think it might be the best show on television- ever), they stayed over for the night, hung out with us the next day, and took us to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (love the Pasta Da Vinci) for an early celebration of Ross' birthday (also needs to be a whole other blog.) It was so fun to have an extra day to hang out with my wonderful parents in our little world out here. That night after they left, we of course watched the second half of the premier of "24" and I held my breath for nearly two hours. I love that show.

It was a good weekend.

Her FIRST haircut

So Sophia’s hair has been growing super fast lately. I was loving it for a while there, and then it was like one morning I woke up and she had grown a bit of a mullet. The thought of taking scissors to my daughter’s hair was terrifying, as you can imagine, (a) because they’re scissors and they’re sharp and (b) because she has been bald for the majority of her life so it just seemed a little wrong. However, I decided it had to be done. So the other night in the bath, I snipped a little off the back while she focused intently on stuffing every toy she could find into her new bath tub basketball hoop (thanks Nana and Grandpa B.) I figured no one would even really notice. That night, Ross got home just in time to put her down. When he emerged from her room we had this conversation.

“Did you cut her hair?”

“Maybe… what do you think?”

“She looks like a little boy.”

Obviously I was stressed about it all through the night and into the next day, so I decided to put her in a little dress and tights and take pictures to assure myself she looked nothing like a little boy. I’m sure no one else can even tell, but trust me, she really was growing a little party in back before.

So here is my precious daughter in four pictures that probably look the same to you, after she had her first haircut.

Of course Ross recants his heartless statement.

Still reminscing on Christmas morning...

So I think I found a way to fit the video and go back to my old template (I'm pretty sure I liked it better. I know it's silly and doesn't matter, but if you have an opinion let me know.) It looks like google video takes up less space than youtube. I think.

Anyway, this is obviously a silly video of Sophia on Christmas morning with Elmo. We thought it was kind of funny. Sophia never took a bottle so it's funny because she doesn't get the whole baby with a bottle thing. So intstead she tries to give her sippy cups to her dolls.... even Elmo. The look is not quite the same. :)

It's overcast today... I LOVE it. I'm sure I've said it before, but that's a rare occurance out here in the city of sun. We soak up the wonderfully diffused light like most people in winter soak up any bit of sun. I LOVE it. Did I already say that?

One thing that's really cool about the desert is that even when we have 80 degree days here, we can often see snow on top of the mountains that surround us, and they're not THAT high. I think my parents are coming out on Sunday and staying over, since Monday's a holiday, and we all might go up to Idyllwild (sp?) or Big Bear or the top of the tram... somewhere with snow. I've been regretting not really letting Sophia play in the snow in Utah so this is my chance. :)


This is a picture of Sophia at only 7 months (crazy huh?) and my great friend Marnie, the one that's pregnant and horribly sick, and commenting sometimes. She doesn't have a blog yet, she was planning on waiting until she has her baby in July, but I'm trying to convince her to start one now. If nothing else, to track the growth of her belly and her stages of insanity. :)

Now you've met another one of my best friends our here. Her husband, like Lizzie's, works with Ross at Merrill. We've realized that we're really lucky because the boss at Merrill recruits out of BYU which means we are bound to be surrounded by a lot of young families like us, I guess that's another perk about the desert.