Tread Softly

2011 Books

2012-01-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

These are the books I've read this year. It's kind of a short list, but considering one of Fredrick's favorite games is "pull Mommy's bookmark out of her book and hide it," I did ok. I was spoiled with a Kindle for Christmas, so Fredrick will have a tougher time getting to my bookmarks.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This was a good book, in spite of my inherent aversion to the whole "self-help"market, he did have good things to say. Some of his ideas have helped LeGrand and I change the way we plan and organize our lives. We have weekly meetings where we prioritize, budget and calender--and if we have time we like to talk about long term goals and what we are doing to get there. Some good principles and ideas to live by. Although as I read the book, I couldn't help but think that he might be really irritating to live with.

A Happy Marriage. LeGrand gave me this book for my half-birthday last year, and after I finally kept my promise to him and finished 7 Habits, I was free to enjoy this novel. I think I finished it in like 3 days. I loved this book. It is a novel based on his life--so the main plot points of the novel are factual but the names are fictionalized and it is written as a novel. It is heartbreaking, hilarious, emotional, and profound by turns. I hadn't enjoyed a novel like this in some time.

North and South. British Literature from the Romantic and Victorian era are my literary "candy." I love reading novels like this as pure pleasure and escape. I fell in love with the BBC adaptation of the novel several years ago (if you haven't seen it, go out on Netflix and watch it NOW, you can thank me later), and on a lark I found the book for free on Kindle (I read it on the app on my smartphone). So charming. And the last line of the novel is priceless.

Florence Nightingale bio. I picked this up off my Mom's bookshelf. I think she found it at a garage sale a few years ago, so I read it in a couple of afternoons. I was interested in the factual parts of the narration, she lived a very interesting life. For some reason I thought she died much younger than she did, but she actually lived to a modest old age and accomplished a great deal in that time. The book wasn't crafted exceptionally well (I know I'm a snob, sorry) and the heavy emphasis on evangelical christian values turned me off. Overall, it was kind of a pass for me, but a better done bio would be worthwhile.

The Seventeen Second Miracle. This was lent to me by my mom. It was a sweet book with a good message. It was probably about Nicholas Sparks level of writing, but that being said, it was enjoyable. A quick read for a rainy afternoon that will leave you feeling good.

The Help. I loved this book. It was a quick read for me, and thouroughly enjoyable. I'm sure a lot of you have seen the film, but if you haven't read the book, you need to. My emphasis in University was African American Women's literature, and although this was written by a white woman, it had a lot of good things to say. Make sure you read the Author's Note at the end.

Paradise. Toni Morrison is one of my all-time favorite authors. She is such a master storyteller, and the themes she chooses are always profound and usually heart-wrenching. This tells the history of a fictitious all-black and their hostility to a group of women living on the edge of town in a deserted catholic mission. It was an interesting exploration into the idea that defending one's self from hatred and discrimination at the expense of acceptance of the "other" is not in itself a worthy goal. I read this on the kindle app on my phone. Can I say that I LOVE that you can check out books from the library wirelessly? And that there are no late fees? Love.

One More River to Cross. This is an historical novel, well documented, that tells the story of African American pioneers in the early days of the Latter Day Saint church. It is actually the first book of a trilogy which is sadly out of print, but I believe there are some copies left on Amazon. I loved this book. It tells a story that is important to be told about very brave individuals about whom you have probably never heard. Must read.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. This is a free classic I read on the Kindle app. It is a classic and very well written. His imagination and descriptions are wonderful. That being said, this was a slow read for me. Not one female character in the whole book, and there are only so many lengthy descriptions of under water sea life that I can read (chalk full of scientific names) without abject boredom. I did truck through it, and as long as I skipped over all the scientific classifications of different forms of seaweed, I liked it. Probably won't read it again though :)

Cane River. My mother in law picked this up for me at a garage sale a couple of years ago, and it sat on my shelf for a long time. Not because I wasn't interested in reading it, but I really do have a stack of books that high that I have been waiting to read. Once I started it, I couldn't believe this gem had been waiting so long! This story is based on genealogical research into the author's family, and it follows three generations of women in Louisiana. It is powerfully written, and the theme of love between mothers and daughters moved me. I really loved all the allusions to gardens and planting--the roses that open the novel become a symbol woven throughout. This is a book I will be re-reading. There is so much you miss on the first reading!

I have been reading some really good stuff so far this year which I will post on separately. I am following a Classics book club which should help keep my mind from further atrophy, and I have some exciting things on hold at the library for my Kindle. Happy reading!

Chicken Dinner!

2011-12-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

On our way out of Walmart, Wesley and I stopped up front so he could sit in the plastic car that moves and shakes if you put quarters in it. Since moving and shaking scares him to death, I get to save quarters and he just sits in there for a while. But he seriously loves it so it works out well for everyone. Three minutes into the most exciting chair ride I've ever seen, I started getting the gambler's itch as the crane game's flashing lights worked on me. I just got done thinking to myself that a dollar per play is a complete ripoff when I realized I actually had a single dollar bill in my pocket, plus there was this stuffed Christmas bear with a funny hat saying hi to me. I had a surge of confidence I've never before felt that I'm sure most people get right before they lose money. Wesley had never seen the game played before and I thought it would be fun for me him, and as soon as I asked him he was all over the idea. A small crowd had gathered to watch as we walked through how we were going to do it--I'll line it all up, you push the red button when I say push. I lost my dollar forever, the 20 second timer started, and:

Everyone was cheering, Wesley was jumping and laughing, it was a lot of fun. Good job Wesley!

Busy Little Elves

2011-12-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

I know we have been quiet on the blog lately

But that's just because we monkeys have been busy.

Busy getting everything ready for the Christmas season. We are excited!

First we had to go and find the perfect tree.

There were a lot to choose from!

We love it when we are all together! Paid Holidays are the best.

We hope you will forgive us for not posting sooner. Santa's workshop has been busy busy!!

Have a very happy Christmas season. We hope you are having as much fun among the mayhem as we are.

Celebrating having Daddy Back!

2011-12-08T21:04:00.001-08:00

We went to the park today. It was freezing, but we just needed to get out of the house and celebrate the end of a long, difficult semester.

A semester that my amazing husband totally rocked by the way.

Congrats Daddy! We love you so much for all the hard work you do for our family. It is so fun to have you around more for a few weeks!

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Halloween 2011

2011-11-28T20:47:00.000-08:00

I realized none of you got to see how adorable my kids were on Halloween. Now that's just a shame!

First off, how cute are the matching Halloween jammies?

One nice thing about having boys close together is the hand-me-down factor. I put a ton of effort into Wesley's costume from two years ago, and I was able to use it this year for Fredrick.

He makes a pretty darn cute monkey!

Wesley was a puppy. I sewed like crazy to make his costume, and as the hours wound down to the church trunk-or-treat we were attending, I may have received a little help from the resident expert (Mom).

Wes loved making the puppy noises, and he was fascinated by his tail. It was really funny to watch him as he turned in circles trying to catch hold of it.

He got really in to trick or treating this year. Knock on people's doors and they give you candy? This is the best thing ever!

This is one excited puppy!

I'd say it was a successful year!

Happy Halloween!

Finished Product

2011-11-26T20:59:00.001-08:00

I borrowed my mom's hot glue gun this afternoon and attached the ornament hangers to the backs, then painted the embellishments. I think they turned out pretty cute, and I love how it makes our go tree smell like cinnamon.

Here's the recipe I used:

In a medium bowl mix together 1 cup ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup applesauce using a rubber spatula. Stir in 1/2 cup craft glue. Stir the dough until the consistency is smooth and dry. Let sit one hour. Roll out to 1/4 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters. Let dry overnight or two hours in an oven heated to 200.

(recipe originally from MarthaStewart.com)

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Christmas Elf

2011-11-26T09:20:00.001-08:00

I couldn't stop laughing as this little elf toddled around our place this morning. Too cute too handle!

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First haircut

2011-11-24T23:52:00.001-08:00

Tonight, after all the food was made and enjoyed and put away (Wesley even got to help Papa with the crazy after dinner dishes, much to his delight) the rest of the family finally convinced me it was time for Fredrick's curls to go. I don't know why I have been so attached to them. Perhaps because it was a little bit of me that was passed on (Wes is such a mini Daddy, other than his smile). Mostly I think I was hesitant to see another reminder of his babyhood passing. While be will always be my baby, this little walking man is on to toddler land and a baby no more.

Grandma did the honors and did a great job. I'll have to post some "after" pictures another time because after it was all done there was no way he was holding still for a photo!

On a different note, Thanksgiving was really fun this year. On top of the familiar traditions I always look forward to at the Weatherspoon house, this year my cousin Joe and his cute wife Sarah came with their adorable kids who are just the age of our kids. Rock and Wesley had so much fun together, it was cute to see them running around giggling together! We are so glad they moved close by so we can get to know them better.

This year I am thankful for my family, immediate and they ones scattered everywhere. And for those friends far away who always feel like family to me as well. I am thankful for my husband who works so hard at a difficult job he doesn't particularly like in order for us to be as comfortable as we are. Even tho things are tight while he finishes up school, we have amazing benefits that are such a blessing. I am grateful for my faith and testimony and my parents who taught and loved me so well. I am grateful for my good health, that in spite of tiny flare ups from time to time my auto immune stuff has been in remission for awhile. I am grateful to be living here in Salem close to my parents. I am grateful for hugs and sticky kisses and all the cute funny things my boys do every day.

Life is good.

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Christmas Ornaments 2011

2011-11-23T14:53:00.001-08:00

Every year since LeGrand and I were married we have picked out a new ornament for the tree. Our first year we got these cute snowman snow globe ornaments, but most years we went to Hallmark to pick one out. Well this year is a little leaner than most because LeGrand is back in school full time, meaning he can only work part time. So this afternoon Wesley helped me make some ornaments for this year! I got a recipe for cinnamon dough off Pinterest and we went to town making tiny gingerbread men, snowmen, and angels. It smells amazing! It will be fun to look back on these ornaments in "fatter" years and remember how we improvised. My parents still have some of those improvised ornaments from early years of their marriage, and they are some of my favorite. We are so blessed right now to be able to make this whole school thing work, and I'm so proud of my genious husband who is rocking his accounting classes!

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Saying Grace

2011-11-22T10:44:00.001-08:00

This morning Wesley volunteered to say the blessing on the food at breakfast. This is roughly how it went:

Wesley, "Father Heaven, thank thee for day, please bless the waffle, please bless D.J., Guido, Luigi, Francesco, Lightning, Mater hook broken, name Jesus Christ Amen."

It took all of my willpower not to bust up laughing when he started blessing all the cars in his toy box. I thought it was kind of sweet though that he asked for help with his broken toy (as you can see in the picture poor Mater's hook has indeed broken off). Funny boy!

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2011-11-21T23:37:00.001-08:00

I don't pick my nose

There Was a Boy Who Turned 3 in Radiator Springs . . .

2011-11-21T22:21:00.000-08:00

Wesley is Three. My sweet, little peanut Wesley who was so, so tiny has grown up into a big three year old boy. He talks up a storm, always wants to say the prayer by himself, goes potty in the potty chair (with the right incentives), can count almost to twenty, and finds new ways to impress his parents with his remarkable wit and intelligence every day. My recent favorite exchange; Daddy: Wesley, don't pick your nose. Why do you pick your nose? It is icky to pick your nose. Wesley: Daddy does it! (Mommy may have been laughing so hard she was crying in the background as daddy turned red and walked away).

Wesley was geared up for his birthday this year. For a few days beforehand we had been counting down to his birthday. He understood that it was a special day just for him (originally he had been willing to share the day with Baby Fwedweek until we explained it was a day just for Wes) with cake, presents, and fun. He woke up to find lots of racecar balloons Daddy had brought home the night before . . .

. . . and then he may have gone to the doctor for a birthday shot. Mommy felt really bad about that one. Sorry Wes! But then the fun continued with lunch at Red Robin . . .

. . . where Fredrick was so hungry he stuffed his face with soda crackers before the food even arrived. Here he is shoveling in a mouthful:

They even sang to Wesley and brought him ice cream, much to his embarrassment. He ate a few bites, but he takes after Mommy and isn't much for ice cream.

Fredrick on the other hand, was quite willing to pick up the ice cream burden for his brother! (Mr. Chocolate Face)

Then it was back home for presents! His gift from Mommy and Daddy was a Lightning McQueen blanket that Mommy made for his big boy bed. We got him a Twin bed this summer, and some Lightning McQueen sheets. So this (along with Grandma Johnson's pillow) completes the set!

Grandma Weatherspoon made him some aprons--one for our house and one for theirs. One says Papa's Helper and the other says Mama's Helper. He loves to help Papa wash the dishes and cook! (He loves to help Mommy too, when she lets him help. Sometimes it is just easier now that Fredrick is walking to do the dishes after they are in bed!)

Wesley got several new cars to add to his collection. Lucky boy!

Fredrick thought that birthdays are fun too!

Wesley's three! Ready to blow out the candles on his Cars cupcake.

Notice little brother peeking around the chair. He knows there's cake somewhere.

I knew it! Cake!

Happy birthday, my handsome boy. We love you so much. You have such a sweet spirit about you, and bring so much love, joy, and laughter to our home. Thank you for being Mommy's helper and holding Fredrick's squirrelly hands while she changes his diaper. Thank you for giving me the best hugs when I tuck you in at night. You are such a good, patient big brother to Fredrick. You are a loved, loved boy.

A Year of Fredrick

2011-11-18T20:56:00.000-08:00

First Moment

First Day

First Week

First Month

Second Month

Third Month

Fourth Month

Fifth Month

Sixth Month

Seventh Month

Eighth Month

Ninth Month

Tenth Month

Eleventh Month

Twelve Months!!

Happy Birthday sweet, funny, dimpled, stubborn, adorable, chubby-legged boy!! You are a very loved boy.

And just as a spoiler, here's a more recent one of the two partners in crime . . .

And yeah. The little one is walking :)

Fredrick's Big Day!!

2011-11-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

In September my littlest man turned 1. He is getting so grown up, and it is getting more and more ill-fitting a title for him to be called Baby. We were able to have a little party with big brother, Grandma and Papa Weatherspoon, Mom and Dad.

My grown up boy got his very own grown up car seat just like brother. It was so cute because he knew just what it was for, and was ready to stake his claim!

What a lucky boy to have a big brother who can show him the ropes of present opening . . .

. . . and then have so much fun playing together!

Birthdays are super fun Mom and Dad!

Can you tell this boy loves his cars?

I think his presents were a success! Now on to the cake . . .

If you recall his animal theme was the elephant. So I thought after Wesley's monkey cake, Fredrick deserved something special too.

The tentative first tastes. This isn't a trick? I can eat all this yummy sugar? And make a mess?

Why have you been feeding me that tasteless mush all these months? This is great!

Baby bliss.

Look how handsome the birthday boy is! And in his own little corduroy Tom's as well (Thanks Grandma Johnson!)

Baby Blues

2011-11-15T19:27:00.000-08:00

I haven't been blogging for a long time. I was talking to my sister in-law a while back, and I admitted to her that I'd been hiding a bit. I had been a bit wobbly since giving birth to Fredrick--nothing dramatic, just wanting to stay in my pajamas all day and eat lots of chocolate mostly. Finally it came to a crisis point for me where I knew I didn't want to live like that anymore. I hadn't lost the baby weight, I felt sluggish, and I was just disappointed with how I was treating myself. So as cheesy as it may sound, I turned to my faith to make a life change. Faith not as in Ecumenical organization, but faith as in the concept that with divine help people can alter their circumstances. That we can overcome habits or ways of life, even ruts of depression. Because change is hard! And my yoga pants and over-sized sweatshirts were really comfortable. And I like chocolate.

So after six weeks, I am back. I exercise and hour a day, I have been watching my calories with an android ap, but those are just the outward manifestations of the real change. I'm not hiding out in my sweats anymore. I have been organizing play dates with girls from church. I am more proactive with my family. I am more at peace with myself and who/what I am. And most of all, I know that (with help) I can change.

I have a lot of catching up to do, and I am well aware that pretty much no one else cares about what we have been doing since March. But I would like to keep this family record for us to look back on, and the fun/hard/crazy/wonderful times we have experienced.

Oh, and a small shout out to Tracy Anderson and her crazy Metamorphosis workout dvd's. So far I've lost a total of 7 inches and 8 pounds. I had absolutely no muscle mass after two rounds of bed rest and two c-sections, so I didn't lose any weight for awhile as I gained muscle back while losing fat. The metamorphosis program is 90 days of workouts, which I will end in mid January. I'll let you know what the final tally is at the end!

Just ducky

2011-03-24T21:04:00.001-07:00

A couple of days ago I took a blanket that wesley had been sitting on while having a living room picnic, and shook some cupcake crumbs out onto our patio. Later in the day we enjoyed seeing little chirpy birds come and peck at the crumbs. So yesterday I decided to crumble up some more cupcake in the hopes of attracting more birdy love.

Well, we are feeling the love! Wesley was ecstatic and has been loving to feed mama and papa duck when they happen by for a snack. I love spring!

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Happy Half Birthday Fredrick!

2011-03-22T15:05:00.001-07:00

Today my baby Fredrick turns six months old. In our family we celebrate six month birthdays, complete with birthday stockings. So this morning I finished Fredrick's stocking. I thought the little woodland critters were cute.

We had a little party last night to celebrate. His presents from us were his first sippy cup, and . . .

His first real food! Well, as real as any infant food really is. He got some teething biscuits and some rice cereal mixed with soy milk. Lucky boy!

The rest of us celebrated with homemade pizza and these cute cupcakes that my mom made. I love the elephants!

Our little boy is growing up, and on the move. He is so cute and fun, and gives the best dimpley smiles. He is such a blessing to all of us, especially his older brother. It is fun to see the two of them interact--I am so glad that they have each other.

Fredrick we love you!

Future Jimmer

2011-03-19T13:39:00.001-07:00

Go Cougars!

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Craft Update

2011-02-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

I have been able to get a few projects in, even with new baby (who isn't so new anymore, sniff). Here is a little of what I have been up to:

I am in that stage of life when everyone I know is having babies. Although, judging from the amount of baby presents my mom is always making, I'm not sure when that stage ends. In any case, when I was pregnant with Fredrick my mom bought me this adorable book of booty patterns. So I have been making lots of those.

Speaking of babies, I always make the same present for my friends/family who have babies. It isn't especially creative, but it is something that is incredibly useful to me, so there you go. I sew and then crochet an edging around a receiving blanket, a couple of burp clothes, and then make a set of flannel bibs (my mom came up with the pattern for the bibs, and they are the best ever). It is a fairly fast project so I can keep up with all the births (5 of LeGrand's siblings had babies in the past year, as well as two of my favorite cousins--one of which had identical twins!) The blanket above is for one of my dearest friends who just had her second. She does read the blog, so sorry to spoil the surprise, but it should get in the mail this week. :o) If I'm lucky she will be too busy with her newborn to check blogs for a few days.

This is a project for the boys' room that I started while I was pregnant with Fredrick. I got bored with all the knitting I was doing, and I wanted to learn something new. I turned out to really love it--I want to make something again sometime.

This was Fredrick's Christmas present. I got the pattern off of Susan B Anderson's blog--she is such a genius. I need to get some of her books. I'm eyeing the new one she has coming out soon.

I made this little guy from leftover yarn from Fredrick's blanket, and he is very snuggly. I am really happy with how he turned out.

Lastly, I made this set for a special lady. I saw the free pattern for the scarf on the Purl Bee blog, and fell in love. Then in a moment of "I should be working on Christmas projects but I'd rather work on something just for fun" I started this scarf in some extra yarn I had lying around. The color and the pattern reminded me of this friend who was going through a rough patch, so I ended up making it for her. Then I saw the hat pattern on the Never Not Knitting blog, and I couldn't resist. So I ordered another skein of yarn to match.

Up next? I ordered enough beautiful yarn for a sweater coat from a Christmas gift card, so I am excited to be knitting that. I also have a couple of blankets I want to make, a birthday stocking for my Fredrick who turns six months next month (for all his half-birthday surprises) and I have a dress pattern and a shirt pattern I've been dying to make. Then my super talented sister in law Casey posted a link for a cute toddler pant pattern I want to try for my skinny Wesley (that boy has no booty!) . . . so I have enough to keep my busy. :o)

Christmas '10

2011-02-24T12:28:00.000-08:00

This December our stake had a community nativity festival at the stake center, and as one of the attractions they had a live nativity out in front of the church, complete with camel, donkey, and a couple of sheep. They asked our family to be the characters of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. It was an amazing experience, having had a baby boy a few months earlier, to reflect on that moment in history that means so much to us all. Fredrick was a trooper even though it was FREEZING (you may notice the unusually chubby appearance of the characters . . . we were wearing layers under layers) and slept the entire two hours.

The girl in white was a rather belligerent angel--her mom made her do it :)

This isn't a particularly Christmasy picture, but I just love it. Apparently he wasn't getting it fast enough from his little individual sized yellow bowl . . . He gets that from his dad (Joy knows!)

Our little Wesley is obsessed with the Disney/Pixar movie Cars. Here he fell asleep reading one of the books about the characters. Also, how cute is he tucked in with that giant stuffed pig?
It is great having two such fun sets of Grandparents. Christmas Eve morning we had Christmas #1 with the Weatherspoons.
We came over bright and early in our Christmas jammies (all but LeGrand who had to go to work that day . . . boo!)
Santa Baby!
Opening up stockings.
The picture just doesn't do justice to the pure joy on this kid's face. His favorite presents weren't anything big--they were three toy cars in his stocking. Doc Hudson, Lighting McQueen, and Sheriff (from the movie Cars). He wouldn't let those cars out of his sight for months. He still sleeps with them. Did I mention he likes that movie? There is a sequel coming out in a few months, and I am excited to take him to see it. As a general rule sequels usually stink, but it will be fun to take him to his first real movie. Too bad his favorite character, Doc Hudson (Paul Newman) died a few years back so he won't be in the film.
I love kids at Christmas!
Naughty grandpa also taught him a trick with his new Cars underpants. Unfortunately now he calls them "hats." Thanks dad!

The next morning (mid-day, let's be realistic about our skills as morning people) we drove up to Federal Way for Christmas with the Johnsons. It was too quick a trip, but it was all the time off that was available. Double Boo. It was so fun to see Ben, Casey and their family (minus Molly. We miss you Molly!); Joy, Matt and their fun boys; Joe, Mandy and their adorable guys; and Mom and Dad Johnson. I didn't get pictures of that visit because I'm lame and I'm used to having events photographed for me! (My mom is a great photographer. We wouldn't have pictures without her!)

It was a fun season, and hard to let it go. But with our anniversary, LeGrand's birthday, Valentine's day and then my birthday in quick succession, we had lots of fun things to look forward to.

The End of Youth

2011-02-17T00:24:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow I turn 30. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Part of me feels it is the end of something, that I'll really never be successful because everyone brilliant makes some kind of mark on the world before they are thirty. I know this is completely irrational and looking back I have no real regrets. I am a different, I think better person than I was ten years ago and were it not for the experiences I had, I would not be here today. I have two beautiful sons and a handsome, wonderful husband who for all his silliness is my best friend. I would not trade what I have now for grad school, or a PHD, or time spent writing a book. My days are spent reading Dino Baseball and The Little Blue Truck ad naseum, instead of Lorraine Hansberry or Gloria Naylor. I'm lucky if I have the brain power to work out a few lines of poetry, let alone think about the book that has been shelved pretty much since I was sick and pregnant with Wesley. And that is okay.

I have found a lot more peace in my life as I approach 30 than I had a decade ago. Then I was very thin and addicted to being so. I was confused about what I wanted, in myself or anyone else. I was at the time a history major (second in the line of three majors I declared while in university) but I was unsatisfied with my classes. When I see pictures of myself from back then I almost don't recognize myself, so much has changed in my life since then.

Things I think I have learned: to be more at peace with my body. After having two kids I am no longer the size 2/4 I was when I got married, and that is okay. Beauty is so much more than a number, it is the kind of person you are as well as taking care of yourself. I work out six days a week but never step on a scale, because the perfectionist still in me has a hard time negotiating numbers. But I feel healthy and strong and attractive, so that is enough.
I have tried to learn to look for the good in people, to be understanding, to have a kind heart. It is hard when people really are ridiculous not to poke fun. I still fall short and am not always as forgiving as I should be, but I am trying.
I have learned that sacrifice is an important quality.
I have learned most surprisingly that I can survive (although not happily) on very little sleep.

I am still very flawed, as I'm sure you are all quite aware, so thank goodness thirty isn't the end. And thank goodness for a kind husband who took the day off tomorrow to spend with me as I mourn my lost youth :)

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Burrito baby

2011-02-01T08:33:00.001-08:00

Cutest. Fredrick. Ever

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Four months went by too fast

2011-01-30T23:35:00.001-08:00

My little Fredrick man is already four months old, and losing that infant look about him. He is teething, which frustrates him immensely, so he is rabidly drooling and chewing on everything. He has a smile that goes on for miles and chub I am so in love with. He is really good at maneuvering in the exersaucer and is pretty close to being able to roll. He has a saucy little personality and when he is unhappy about something he really lets you know. But he also gives the sweetest cuddles and smiles and just lights up when his big brother comes around. He still doesn't sleep through the night, but we are working on training him to sleep at certain times. I have this terror of moving him into Wesley's room at night, fearing that Wes will wake up every time Fredrick does, and then not going back to sleep. After three months we couldn't share a room with sir grunty (both our boys can be little snorers) so we split the difference and he has been sleeping in the pack n play in the living room. One of these days when I have had enough sleep to feel brave I will bite the bullet and put Fredrick down in the bedroom. Wish us luck!

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Three month check up

2011-01-17T13:21:00.001-08:00

We took Fredrick in for his two month check up a bit late because of a mix up with our insurance. Here are his stats:

Weight 60%
Height 70%
Head 90% (there's our Johnson boy!)

He is doing really well, aside from having some problems with tummy bubbles. I have given up chocolate, which for me is a huge sacrifice. He has the biggest, brightest smile which he turns off the minute I pull out the camera (sly thing). I will keep trying to get photographic evidence of this dimpled phenomenon, because I think it might just prove he is the cutest Fredrick that there ever was.

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Terrific and Two

2010-12-30T13:14:00.001-08:00

My little Wesley peanut went from this,

to this cute tot,
to this handsome two year old boy.
He was able to celebrate a little early with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson after Fredrick's blessing,
And then with more family when we went up for Connor's blessing. (Yes, I chopped my hair off. Mandy's mom is a hair genius and I love it.)

And then finally on his birthday with Grandma and Grandpa Weatherspoon.
Wesley, I love you. You are such a special boy. You have a sweetness about you that is so rare to find. You are so much fun to have in our home. I love your hugs, your cuddles, the cute way you are saying your words, your excitement about life, the way you love to read with me, and how good you are with your baby brother. We are so blessed to have you in our home as one of our family.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-29T17:53:00.000-08:00

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Salem, and LeGrand experienced the joy of having paid holidays. Such a great concept! My mom brined a turkey for all the carnivores, while I tried a VeganDad recipe which was a little labor intensive, but really delicious. Next year I think I will use my mom's famous stuffing for the inside, but other than that these are definitely a keeper. If you are of the meat-eating persuasion you should at least check out the chutney recipe--so delicious!

That is a face that has been drinking the wonderful secret-recipe holiday punch! It is a good thing that recipe makes a ton, because it is seriously "yum."

Out for an after-Thanksgiving walk!

Look at me all cute!

All bundled up going to (sleep) look for a Christmas tree with Grandma and Grandpa

Wesley's favorite part is the remote that controls the outside Christmas lights. The neighbors probably think my parents are sending out some kind of Morse code every time we visit.
I loved watching the season be magical for Wesley. He was so cute and excited about everything.
Fredrick was equally cute, if much less aware of what was going on. Don't you love their matchy outfits? (Thank you grandma and black Friday sales!)
And speaking of being matchy, look at our fun Christmas jammies. We all had matching ones thanks to the Children's Place outlet. You can see that LeGrand was absolutely thrilled to be decked out.
Look at this goofiness!
Our Christmas baby.

Fredrick at 2 months

2010-12-29T17:50:00.000-08:00

I know that I am dreadfully behind. My excuses this time come from the fact that our laptop cord broke, and after we replaced it I was into the full-on rush of Christmas projects about which I'm always overly ambitious. The rush is over, so let the posts begin!

This was a picture of Fredrick on his two month birthday. He is such a good baby. He is on a pretty regular schedule, waking up twice a night and at two months he was starting to recognize us and we got the first little smiles. So fun! We love this little guy so much. He's a big baby . . . at this point he was already over 12 pds! His dimples are a constant source of delight to me.

Fredrick's Blessing Day

2010-11-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we were able to have Fredrick blessed in church. Randy did a wonderful job, and it was a very special moment for our family. We were so glad that Dale and Darlene were able to make it to celebrate with us.

I was grateful that Fredrick with all his eating and growing still fit into the blessing outfit that I knitted for him. The pattern was from a Norwegian designer and was a stretch of my skill. It isn't perfect, but I was happy with the end result.

The beautiful blanket Fredrick was blessed in was crocheted by my mom. Thank you!!!

Our happy family!

Here is Fredrick in the outfit Randy was blessed in:

We get more and more dimpled smiles every day. I think he rather likes all the kisses and smothering from his big brother! I'm glad these two are friends already. I'm convinced the reason Fredrick came when he did was for Wesley. I can't wait to see these two grow up together.

We Wish You . . .

2010-10-31T17:32:00.001-07:00

A Happy Halloween! From our future baseball players!

Don't party too hard.

Because that's just how I roll . . .

2010-10-28T21:19:00.000-07:00

I looked over at Wesley yesterday evening and saw . . . one shoe off, one shoe on, one pant leg up, one pant leg down. Apparently it's the new style. I'm so behind the trends.

Thank goodness he's not too cool yet for a good cuddle. Poor guy has had a nasty cold this week, that he was kind enough to share with the rest of us :o(

Someone he's definitely not too cool for: Fredrick. The other morning when I got Wesley out of bed I asked for a hug, and he waved me aside. He promptly ran out of his room, went looking for Fredrick, found him and gave him a hug and a kiss. I know where I stand in the pecking order now!

Fredrick at One Month

2010-10-23T10:35:00.001-07:00

Happy One Month Birthday Bud!

We love you!

Four Weeks Already!

2010-10-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

I meant to get some pictures up after Fredrick's three week check up last week, but I got an infection in my incision (yeah, ick. Painful and ick.) so I haven't been completely on my game. With the help of antibiotics and more pain meds, I think I'm turning the corner if I can get enough sleep! But this little guy isn't such a little guy--he's over 9 pounds now and out of his newborn clothes. He cluster feeds and sleeps for a good six hour block some nights, which is amazing! Having a big baby is a lot easier I'm finding than having a premie. Also the second time around I'm not so paranoid.

We are getting ready for Halloween around here. Doesn't Fredrick look like he's trying to cast a spell on you? He is a crack-up already . . . I think I'm going to have my hands full with funny boys around here.

Monday we packed the boys up in the car and made our way to a local pumpkin patch. Wesley even had some very cool galoshes for the occasion.

I love this picture. Pure excitement and joy. That's what holidays are all about.

This lucky guy got a wheel-barrow ride from Grandpa. So much fun!

Brothers!

Searching for the perfect one . . .

Family Fun!

And here are a few random cutenesses from the past couple of weeks . . . .

Hopefully the rest of my recovery will be uneventful. I am looking forward to having my energy back and visiting family in few weeks for my nephew's christening. Plus the holidays are here, and I am ready to party!

Fredrick: Two Weeks!

2010-10-08T17:07:00.001-07:00

Here is our cute, chubby Fredrick boy at two weeks. His check-up isn't until next Friday so I won't have his stats until then, but from the rolls accumulating on his body I think he's thriving! Wesley still thinks he's pretty cool--I have been lucky so far that Wes will let me read stories to him while I nurse Fredrick so he doesn't feel ignored. That boy loves his books!

My recovery is going better than it did last time. I sometimes overdo it because I am feeling well, but other than that no complaints. My mom has been an amazing help, coming over every day and making sure I am getting enough rest and helping out with Wesley and the house. We have been slowly settling into our new apartment, which we love by the way. One of these days I will take some pictures of our new place.

On Wednesday we took an outing to the library for story time. I loved the library growing up, and I am excited for Wesley to enjoy reading and learning as well. The librarian who led the story time did an amazing job-- she sang songs with the kids and did finger plays as well, and it was a blast. I think it will have to be a regular outing for the boys! It was a good excuse to get Mommy out of the house as well :o)

We are getting excited for the change in seasons and for the approaching holidays. Due to the fact that I just gave birth, there will be no repeat of the monkey costume sewing of last year (I'm not that crazy). Considering Wesley's obsession with baseball (EVERYTHING is baseball around here. According to Wesley, the only thing that should appear on a television screen should be a baseball game. He also turns everything he can either throw or hit with into a baseball/bat.) I think there will be some kind of baseball theme this year for the boys.

Wesley helped Grandma decorate for Halloween, which meant he either wore the decorations on his head or grouped them together in one spot on the ground. He has a great aesthetic sense already!
He also helped pick horse chestnuts at the park to use in decorations. Anything he can do out of doors is very popular. Did I mention that the mini pumpkin Grandma bought him at the store is also apparently a baseball? Luckily I saved it before it got thrown across the room :o). The kid has a pretty good arm.
Fredrick did his part in all of this by just being sweet and cute and sleeping through the whole thing! What a guy.

Big Brother

2010-10-01T17:40:00.001-07:00

As I was preparing to give birth to Fredrick, I happened across a section in a child development/pediatrician book my sister in law gave me when I had Wesley. It was in the section dedicated to children Wesley's age, the "almost-two-ers," and talked about how to handle a new addition to the family. It gave some really good advice, but also gave this council: a child who is almost two is just figuring out who he/she is and what is going on--don't expect too much out of them. Don't expect them to love the baby, give them time. So when we showed Fredrick to Wesley in the hospital and then eventually brought this new little guy home with us, I wasn't expecting much. I was basically hoping that Wes would tolerate Fredrick until he was old enough to understand more of what was going on. But Wesley has far surpassed my expectations. He loves having Fredrick riding with him in the back seat of the car. He loves to give him kisses. He is so concerned if he ever hears Fredrick cry, and has to find him in the morning when he wakes up. This guy has all the makings of the best big brother ever. Fredrick is a lucky boy.

These are the flowers he brought Mommy and Fredrick in the hospital. Grandma is teaching him to be such a gentleman already!

Getting to know each other in the hospital. Tiny stinky feet! (to Wes, all feet are stinky and he waves his hand in front of his nose.)

Should say, #1 Big Brother!

Excited for Mommy and Fredrick to come home from the hospital! The kid is quite an artist by the way.

A little Grandma movie time while Mommy is away.

Future Best Friends.

Happy One Week Fredrick!

2010-09-29T22:40:00.000-07:00

Fredrick has been a very easy baby so far. He eats great, sleeps well (I wake him up to feed at night) and is just as sweet as any baby has a right to be. Maybe even a little bit more :o). We are just loving this new little spirit that has come to our family. I am especially in love with his dimples--I think they are the cutest things ever.

Welcome Little Fredrick Andrew

2010-09-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

To be honest, we never thought this day would come. We planned on my going early, like with Wesley. I contracted, and contracted, had some fluid leak, spent lots of time on bed rest, took anti-contraction drugs that bottomed out my blood pressure,sat hooked up to monitors . . . and still no baby. So by the time 39 weeks rolled around with my scheduled c-section, I was ready.

This is my ready face.

I was scheduled for a 12:00 surgery so I got to the hospital at 10:00. 12:00 rolls around, and someone else ruptures and takes my spot in the OR. 2:00 comes and goes, and another woman failed to progress in labor, so she took my new spot.

Here is my patient face.

Wesley was a trooper throughout the delay. He missed his nap, but was happy to read books with "Pa-Pa"

and help Daddy "suit up" when our turn finally came.

I will spare you the photographic evidence of what lies on the other side of the "happy curtain" (Mandi is probably the only one who would find the pictures of my insides interesting instead of disturbing) and proceed directly to the good stuff: the newest man to enter my life.

I am definitely in love.

with all 8 chubby pounds of him. I finally got a baby with rolls!

Randy got another future little-leaguer

and Wes became a big brother.

Welcome *Fredrick!

*We chose the name Fredrick because that is Randy's middle name, his grandfather's name, and my grandpa goes by the nickname "Freddy." Andrew is a name that Randy likes and that I chose because of my cousin Andrea who I love and who introduced me to my husband.

35 Weeks . . . we made it!

2010-08-26T22:24:00.001-07:00

Well, we've made it to a pretty safe point in the pregnancy, so we're breathing (tired, sore) sighs of relief. This picture, taken especially for my curious sis-in-law, was taken today after my check-up. I'm effaced and according to my doctor, could go any time. So I could keep having contractions right up until my scheduled c-section September 22, or I could pop tonight. Who knows. Wagers anyone?

Here is a look at how I was with Wesley, same number of weeks, oddly enough same outfit. I think I look about the same . . . but I'll let you judge.

We are excited to meet this new little guy. I'm just glad we haven't met him too soon!

Happy Half-Birthday to Randy!

2010-07-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, Randy finally has a birthday stocking. Maybe one of the reasons that I have rationalized putting off that project for so long is that Randy thinks that birthdays, let alone half-birthdays, are kind of silly. A holiday celebrating the fact that you didn't die is usually the kind of comment I get out of him in relation to his special day. (He knows better than to bring things like this up in regards to my birthdays, smart man.)

But I think I've finally broken him. After getting pampered with special meals and presents an extra day of the year, I think he might be getting the idea why most of us like birthday holidays. In any case, we love him very much, and think that he is a very special dad/husband worth celebrating.

These two have a very special friendship. Full of love . . .

. . . and block building . . .

. . . and giggles . . .

. . . and BASEBALL!

I think he's pretty okay too. My snuggle partner (yes Ben, in the middle of summer we still share a blanket--it's cozy!) . . .

. . . My love. Have a happy day!

Baby Brother has a Blanket . . .

2010-07-30T16:19:00.001-07:00

. . . And a theme (elephants) . . .

. . . And blessing booties . . .

. . . but no name yet. Hey, ask Randy if he has looked over the list of names I have oh so carefully compiled for his review on the convenience of his ipod!

What to do when they won't let you do anything . . .

2010-06-22T23:28:00.000-07:00

So I started contracting with this baby at around 16 weeks. This, I knew from previous experience, was not a good sign. This was particularly heartbreaking for me since I had been totally under the weather with crazy morning sickness since 5 weeks, and the drugs I had been taking just started helping when the contractions started. In any case, I have been extremely blessed with a lot of help--from my husband, mother-in-law and wonderful Mom who have helped lift a nineteen-month old that I am not supposed to be lifting, and allow me to stay off my feet as much as possible.

Which brought me to a new dilemma . . . how to spend my time. Joe lent me a Nintendo DS game which has helped ease the boredom. Wesley is of course an endless source of joy and entertainment. But still, when you sit on the same couch for weeks at a time, I have needed a variety of projects to keep my hands occupied and my mind from going completely berserk. So I've been playing catch-up from the time I was doing nothing more productive than throw up.

First priority (after a couple of baby presents I had to get done for sisters-in-law with new babies/babies on the way) was an afghan I had promised Randy for his birthday last year. No, not this past January, a year ago January. Ooops, sorry honey. Here is an up-close shot of the cable pattern:

With that done, I realized that Fathers' Day was two weeks away, and that I had promised my dad a pair of slippers *cough* last year. So I whipped them up, dubious as to how they would turn out. It was a pattern that required felting--which basically means you knit a huge version in 100% wool and then wash it in warm water until it shrinks to the appropriate size. Then the finished product is thick and stiff. Kind of a cool concept, but I had no idea if this would turn out to be a hit or a disaster. Randy, upon seeing the slippers pre-shrunk was betting on disaster. Here is a before photo, with one of my dad's regular slippers beside:

My wonderful, kind father was very generous in his praise of the finished product (sorry no picture. I assure you they did shrink to the appropriate size) so Randy had to eat his Andre-the-Giant comments he was making earlier in regards to my project.

Then I had a long weekend where I hadn't made it to the yarn shop (did make it to the hospital for some fun labor check-ups) and I had no projects. So my mom found some extra yarn from her stash and I whipped up some cute soap-sacks (kind of like a loofah that holds a bar of soap).

Next project: a monkey that I'm setting aside for either Wesley's birthday of Christmas. That's right--I'm thinking ahead to those post-baby months when I won't be doing anything but feed and change a little one! Here's the wee primate:

So now I'm on to projects for Baby Brother: an afghan, an elephant, and a blessing outfit.

And for Aunt Mandi who complains if she doesn't see one of these often enough, here is my Wesley . . .

(side note: the blanket he is holding is the product of bed-rest 1.0)

Wesley's First Game

2010-05-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

About a month ago we took off for a Mariner's game with Grandpa Johnson. This was Wesley's first game . . . and he loved it!!!!

He had garlic fries and even some of Grandpa's hot dog, and he was in HEAVEN.

He and Grandpa are pretty good pals.

We all had a really good time--the Mariner's even won!

And a few more pictures I found on my camera that I couldn't resist sharing:

A house full of boys!

2010-05-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

We got our ultrasound done last Thursday where we found out the gender of our new little munchkin. And . . . it's another boy! But with how cute the first one turned out, how could I wish for anything different?

Plus it will be so fun for them to have a friend so close in age. I am almost halfway through this pregnancy, and we are looking forward to meeting this little guy. He has been kicking like crazy, so I think we are going to have another little monkey coming!

So Maybe a Little Bit Dead . . .

2010-04-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

This pregnancy has been difficult so far. I thought I was sick with Wesley--which I was--but this little one has really given me a fun time so far. Fun as in going to the emergency room after not being able to drink for two days fun. Not fun: nurses trying to insert an IV into veins that keep collapsing because you are dehydrated. And this was WITH zofran. Oi vey.

So I think we have finally found a combo of drugs that keeps me alive and out of the hospital. The only downside is, that when it gets bad I'm so sedated I totally miss my family by being in bed knocked out for days at a time. Luckily I haven't had to do that too often, and Zofran does help most of the time.

So there's my "doctor's note" for being an absentee blogger. I thought that while I was not throwing up I would post a few pictures of Wesley, and update you on what our little guy is up to these days.

Favorite toy: Noah's arc. He can play with those animals and that arc for hours.

Favorite book: Goodnight Gorilla. He knows his animals and loves to point them all out.

Favorite animal: His little monkey that we gave him in the hospital. He has to sleep with that monkey, and bring it out of the crib with him in the morning.

Favorite activity: Anything outside. He is an outside boy, and loves to go exploring. He likes to pick flowers, but doesn't like sticks on the path. Oh, and he likes ladybugs.

Favorite outfit: Anything with his cowboy hat.

We have really been blessed with this little guy. He has such a gentle spirit, loving and sweet. He gives the best cuddles and hugs. He is so obedient, and has recently started learning right and wrong. He likes to go up to something that is a "no-no" and point to it and then shake his head with a big grin on his face like, "I know I'm not supposed to do that!" He hasn't started to push boundaries yet (I know it's coming) but is getting more and more independent each day. He loves to play with his daddy, especially building legos and taking them apart. Recently he discovered Go-Gurt, and is a huge fan. But he is a picky little bird. He won't eat regular yogurt from the container, or spagettios if they aren't a certain brand. He'll eat pretty much all fruit, likes cheese, but from day to day it's anyone's gamble what else he'll acquiesce to eat. He is so easy right now--which is a blessing since I have been feeling so rotten. We are having so much fun having this little guy as our friend. We love hanging out as a family and playing when mommy feels up to it, or going on a drive somewhere together. We love to see him experiencing the world--he just eats it up. I think we are pretty in love with our little Wesley. What do you think?

So it's Been Awhile . . .

2010-01-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

Here are a few things that we've been up to.

Wes is such a funny little guy. He now officially "toddles," and is very meticulous about certain things. Like picking every sock fuzzy out of his toes at night.

He knows he is cute, and likes to be funny and make us laugh. Classic example.

He loves his big boy silverware, and takes the cutest little bites with his fork and spoon.

He got the coolest rocking horse from my Dad for Christmas. He made it, and it is absolutely gorgeous.

When he sleeps, Wes is still my little angel baby. I still peek in at him at night before I go to sleep, to make sure he is tucked in. He snores . . . it is so cute.

The first Christmas where he was really involved, and he thought it was pretty cool.

He is the happiest, shiniest little guy. I love his cheesy grin.

Sleeping in his high chair. Way too much delicious Christmas food!

Our happy family. So happy, and the first one turned out so cute and so well, that we decided to add another one. Look for the new addition September of 2010.

Short Story

2009-11-29T20:55:00.000-08:00

I was asked to write a short "heartwarming" story for an activity held by my church women's group. They were having a gift exchange and wanted the gifts passed right and left in a circle, so the story necessarily has the words "right" and "left" repeated throughout. I don't really do heartwarming--I usually read and write more complicated things. But I gave it a shot, and I thought it would be fun to share. Enjoy.

It was raining--again. The leaves left imprints on the softened earth. They traveled slowly in the wind and on bottoms of shoes until they were left deposited in her entryway--rusty red, burnt gold, every kind of brown. As she hit her alarm for the fifth time and rolled out of bed she could see to her right the window, shining harsh and cloud-filtered in the morning light, lined with the rain she did not want to face. She was already late. This was not the right way to start a day, wishing yourself back in the bed you so recently left, knowing that the mess in your house will be lurking all day, waiting for the right moment to make you feel supremely guilty.
The quiet in the house, the creaking floors, the soft dripping of a faucet gradually left as the cacophony of morning sounds crashed upon her--baby crying, toddler shrieking, dishes clanking, husband yelling goodbye, school-bag grabbed, lunch forgot, lunch retrieved, ending in the long sigh of the school-bus engine, shifting into gear and grinding away to its next stop. She turned, took a miniature mittened hand in hers-, and led smaller galoshes than her own down the street and to the left from the bus stop, back into their house. Someone had left the milk on the table. She sat the active little hands down with some coloring books, and tried to get the littlest one left down for a nap.
As she rocked the tiny eyes drooping, sweet hands clasping a long lock of her hair, the house was once again filled with that momentary peace. Only happy chatter from the kitchen, soft baby breathing, and raindrops gently tapping filled the room where she sat. This--this was right. As she leaned over the crib, slowly lowering a sleeping child she heard an unsettling noise, and then a voice.
"Mummy?"
She squeezed her eyes tight, her brain telegraphing with her might don't wake up the baby don't wake up the baby don't wake up the baby! . . .
She heard small, awkward footsteps approching.
"Mummy come ri' now tda doggy, da doggy bad. Bad doggy sick."
Too late.
She pressed her lips together, and let out a frustrated sigh as small cries broke out, right hand quivering, fluttering, grasping for a hold on her sweater.
"Baby, what happened?"
"Bad doggy Mummy, da kitchen bad."
She took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself for what she could only imagine was left lying in the kitchen which would bring a three year old toddling down the hall to find her. Baby in arms, little one in tow, she peeked around the corner. Small curls bounced towards a mass in the middle of the floor.
"See, Mummy? Bad!" Right index finger pointed, as sternly accusatory as a wee one could muster. She stared, horrified. Fridge door opened wide, the prepared dinner ready to stick in the oven before she left to fetch Maggie from her music lesson, all that effort now strewn, broken, mashed, paw marked, apparently eaten, and promptly vomited. All on her floor. Right on top of her wallet which she must have accidentally knocked off the table in her hurry to get the youngest down for her nap.
The finger stretched harder, pointed at the ghastly sight. "Mummy, Yuck!"
"Don't touch sweety. Mummy will be right back. Don't touch!" She found a binky, turned on the ipod docking in the living room, placed baby in the swing, ook the important rings off her left hand, set them on the mantle, and rolled up her sleeves. Hair swept up out of her face, tied back, leading curious eyes and still pointing fingers out of the catastrophe that was previously her kitchen and found some new books from the library. "Read to Lily, ok babe?"
"Ok Mummy! I read!"
Happy babble, newborn squawks, raindrops marching right left right left across the window pane, unhappy puppy now left on clean towels in the laundry room, small whimpers from time to time as that collosal tummy ache had time to settle. And she had time to clean. Still two more hours until nap time, and all she wanted was to sleep. Blissful, uninterrupted sleep. The weight of her fatigue settled heavy on her as she reached to the left of fridge, gingerly stepping through the minefield of food and vomit, fingers stretching for the broom handle and a roll of paper towels. She stood there for a moment, right in the middle of the madness, holding the towels, and wishing that she was the little one reading stories about dragons and princesses in the other room, and not the Mommy. Not the one that hadn't slept in how many months, not the one that had to clean up the mess.
Suddenly she was sitting on the laminate, face buried in the paper towels, crying. She didn't have the energy to clean it up. She didn't have the energy to make another dinner. She didn't have anything left to give.
And then she felt little hands around her neck, patting her wet face. "Mummy? Mummy here. I hep Mummy." She felt an awkward rip, and then one tiny hand started smearing potato curry and vomit with a corner of towel. And suddenly, all was right.
She grabbed those sweet eyes and chubby cheeks in her arms and gave him a squeeze. "You know what, baby? I think this is a Daddy job. What do you think?"
"Daddy? Daddy help right!"
She laughed. "Yes, Daddy help. But first, we are going to Grandma's this afternoon. You want to go to Grandma's house?" Big, exaggerated nod. "Ok. But first, you and I are going to make dinner." More nods. She reached for her purse on the table, fumbled inside for the phone, squinted for the right number from a coupon on the fridge, and dialed. "How does pizza sound baby?" This time, a nod and a giant grin met her tired eyes, and made her smile right back.
As she turned the key to the right in the lock on the front door, baby carrier in hand, rain dripping on their hats and mittened hands, the leaves silently glowing up at them on the pavement to the car, she thought of what she left behind, and what she was taking with her. And she smiled.

Epilogue

He entered the kitchen, fully warned, but not prepared for what his wife had left. It did indeed do justice to the horror vividly described in both her words and his son's animated gestures. He bravely ripped, stooped down, started scooping gloopy masses of goo and vomit, and promptly threw up his pizza on top of the mess.

He ripped off a new paper towel, wiped his face, walked to the sink, and rinsed his mouth.

He called down the hall, as softly as he could. "Babe! . . . I kind of need you right now!"

No answer came from the direction of their room. He tiptoed past the nursery, and down the hall where he had left her, watching the evening news in her yoga clothes, drinking tea. There she was, hair in a bun, sprawled out over half the bed, fast asleep. He leaned over, kissed her softly on her right temple, and tiptoed out of the room. He went down to the garage, found a mask from his woodworking bench, sprayed some of his wife's perfume on it, and went back to face the mess.

She was right. This was intensely disgusting. And someday, after the smell had faded, it would probably be hilarious.

Someday.

Wesley's Big Party

2009-11-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

Randy likes to point out that I have a tendency to bite off more than I can comfortably chew. The monkey costume was a perfect example of this. So was Wesley's cake. I have never decorated a cake beyond frosting it and adding candles and maybe confetti. For this creation, I wanted to learn how to make fondant.

So I practiced. And I toiled. And I crossed my fingers that this wouldn't be a huge disaster, having heard that fondant is particularly finnicky to work with.

I think it was a decent success.

My parents made a special trip up for Wesley's big day. So together with Randy's parents, we had a pretty fun party.
Randy did a fantastic job as the decorating committee.
Present opening was a big hit.

Thanks everyone for the presents, the cards, and all the love. This little guy had the time of his life!

Wesley, you are the sparkley, happy, wonderful part of my life. You are a constant source of joy and laughter in our home. You have the sweetest, most gentle spirit and we know you will be such a good big brother to the other children who will enter our home someday.
I love you, little pookie
And love you and love you
And love you and love you

A Whole Year of Wesley

2009-11-10T23:06:00.000-08:00

Wes: Age 0 + a few minutes

Wes: Age 1 Month

Wes: Age 2 Months

Wes: Age 3 Months

Wes: Age 4 Months

Wes: Age 5 months

Wes: Age 6 months

Wes, Age 7 Months

Wes: Age 8 Months

Wes: Age 9 months

Wes: Age 10 Months

Wes: Age 11 Months

Wes: Age 12 Months

One Little Monkey

2009-11-07T20:17:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the reasons I haven't updated the blog recently. I am not a very experienced seamstress, but I saw this pattern for a monkey costume six months ago, and knew I had to try. So, I dove in and finished about 30 minutes before our church Halloween party. But seeing Wesley as a little organ grinder monkey made it worth the effort.

On Halloween day Randy's brother Joe, his wife Mandy and their little boy Brady came over to hang out. Brady is five weeks younger than Wes, and it is so fun to watch them interact. It is the best being back close to them again--we lived near each other in Utah for about a year, and spent a lot of time together. Mandy and I went through the months of trying to get pregnant at the same time, and it was the best surprise when we both got pregnant two weeks apart. Now here we are, a year and eight months later, seeing our little dreams-come-true play together.

Creamy Sweet Potato Soup

2009-10-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

I told you that I am all about seasonal cooking. Especially fall cooking--I love these flavors. Anyway--here is my favorite recipe that I have been making lately. Very simple but addicting. Plus it is good for you! This one is definitely a keeper (especially since both Randy and Wesley love it). I found this recipe on a Dannon yogurt advertisement actually. You can easily make this vegan by using soy yogurt. This recipe makes 12 servings, but I would say for a family of 4 it makes a good main dish with very few leftovers.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup plain yogurt
2 TB canola oil
1 large sweet onion, sliced
2 tsp ground cumin
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 qt veg. broth
2 TB chopped parsley or cilantro
1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions:
In a soup pot heat oil. Add onions and cumin and saute 3-4 minutes. Add potatoes and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer soup 20-25 minutes.

Puree soup with 1 1/2 cups yogurt and parsley or cilantro. Serve each portion of soup with a dollop of remaining yogurt and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds.

Side note: I skipped the pumpkin seeds and extra dollop of yogurt, because really when it comes to dinner and I have a little one in the high chair wanting both food and entertainment, who has time to be that fancy?

The Holidays are Coming

2009-10-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

I love autumn. I love the changing leaves, the crisp air, the start of the rainy season (yeah, I know I'm a little sick), and the excuse to wear fuzzy socks and big sweaters. I have been driving everyone crazy with my fall recipes that I have been cooking, but I love eating seasonal food. Last night we had pumpkin waffles. Yum.

Saturday Randy's brother and his family let us tag along as they visited a local pumpkin patch. It was so much fun, and I really appreciated having someone show us a good spot, since I am not familiar with the area yet.

We brought along a little girl that I babysit, who is about Wesley's age. They are pretty cute together.

Wes definitely had fun--the little ham!

Not So Little Anymore

2009-10-16T07:19:00.001-07:00

You see the look on my face? This is how Mommy feels because she has no idea where the cord that connects the camera to the computer has been boxed up and stored, so she can't blog just how cute I have become in the past two months. And let me tell you, it is pretty darn cute.

At 10 months:
I am swimming across the floor with my right foot in the air, pushing off with my left foot. My favorite songs are Pop Corn Popping on the Apricot Tree and Old McDonald. I love all food except for fishy crackers. They make me want to puke. I am pretty shy, although as long as Mom is holding me I will flirt with old ladies at church or at the grocery store. I like to think that already I'm a heartbreaker. My first two teeth came in a few days apart--on September 12 and 15. I hate cow's milk but love soy milk, and especially love Grandpa Weatherspoon's whole wheat hazelnut bread.

At 11 months:
On my eleventh month birthday I decided that I wanted to crawl for real, and I popped up on my little knees. You should have seen the proud look on my face. I love to read, and the hymn books at church have pages that are especially fun to turn. I am pulling myself up on everything and toddling around the furniture. I like to look out the sliding glass door with Tiki, and go for walks. But I do not like it when Mom puts a hat on me. I grew out of my size 3 shoes and had to get new ones. I'm not so shy anymore, and I love to talk on the phone. I even put it up to my ear now! I clap my hands all the time, and still refuse to say, "Ma Ma." I'm making Mom work for that one. My favorite food is Life cereal, but I will eat anything off of someone's plate.

Welcome to the Bloomsbury Cafe!

2009-10-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

I really miss being part of an English literature department. I love books, I love putting them in conversation with other books, and I love discussing these threads of thought with other people. When we can afford both the time and money for me to do so, I want to go back to graduate school. I even found an online program through an accredited university . . . but that is for another day. For now, I have founded an online "cafe," where we will be discussing one book every four months, rotating between four friends who will pick the book and host the discussion. The first book that we will be reading is . . .
NPR has a great article and a podcast of Morrisson reading the novel here. My copy is on its way from Amazon, and I am so excited to start reading and studying again. There are superficial readings, and then there are readings that help me change the way I think, open my mind to new ways of knowing, make me see the world and people in different ways.

Plus, it is a wonderful opportunity to spend "virtual" time with some of my favorite people in my little virtual coffee shop/bookstore that I have always dreamed about. Here are my literary companions (please check out their blogs, they are wonderful, beautiful, smart girls!)
:
1. Name: Krystal Nanette Downs (http://krystaldowns.blogspot.com)

2. Favorite place you have lived: Camarillo, California

3. Place you would like to live if you could: Can I pick more than one? Ireland. Southern California. Italy.

4. What do you do when you aren't reading? I WORK. Right now I have a full-time job and and what feels like a full-time internship. When I have the occasional spare moment, I enjoy swimming, riding my bike, going to bookstores (that doesn't count right?), dancing, listening to a wide array of music, laying in the sun, meeting new people, traveling, watching trashy T.V. shows, and going to the beach if I'm near one.

5. 3 favorite films: Right now they are: Fargo,The Hours, The Departed

6. 3 favorite foods: Sushi, fruit, Indian

7. Major, specialty in major if any: English. Minors: sociology and women's studies

8. Favorite literary time period: Post-modern lit/post 1950's.

9. 3 favorite books and why: 3 favorites! Well if I have to choose...

God of Small Things by A. Roy. I read this book a long time ago, and so cannot completely explain why I love this book so much. I always loved the fairy tale type storytelling that one find in Indian literature, so I know that is part of it. I remember this book touching me on so many different levels. It was one of those books that stays with you long after you read the last line. I love Roy's language that seems playful and tragic. So many simple phrases knocked me down with their power. She breaks all the rules of language in all the right ways. Her moral judgements on her characters are clear and brutal. And her judgements on her readers are unbending; not once was I allowed to break free from her words and the critique behind them.

Here is an excerpt: "Perhaps it's true that things can change in a day. That a few dozen hours can affect the outcome of whole lifetimes. And that when they do, those few dozen hours, like the salvaged remains of a burned house---the charred clock, the singed photograph, the scorched furniture---must be resurrected from the ruins and examined. Preserved. Accounted for. Little events, ordinary things, smashed and reconstitutred. Imbued with new meaning. Suddenly they become the bleached bones of a story." AWESOME!

Anna Karenina by Tolstoy

I took a Russian Literature class while at BYU and loved it. It gave me an excuse to read so many brilliant books. I had read Anna Karenina on my own before, but fell in love with it the second time around. The characters are all so hopeless; I wanted to shake them all and say look at what you're doing, ruining your life, for what? In this case, most of the characters are ruined because of love or at least what looks like love. My favorite character by far is Levin who is always searching for something, be it truth or love, and never can seem to find it.

His thoughts and speeches are so remarkably poignant, that when I was reading the novel I wanted to underline everything. That is how quotable Anna Karenina is.

Lolita by Nabakov

I know Alicia is squirming right now. I really do love this book though. Yes, the characters and themes are a little disturbing. But I love his writing more than almost anyone else I've read. I feel like each of Nabakov's sentences are words of poetry. He makes pedophilia, incest, and the most vile and disgusting sound and look beautiful. You can really see that he is a true master of language.

Just listen to his genius first lines: Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta. She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always Lolita. Did she have a precursor? She did, indeed she did. In point of fact, there might have been no Lolita at all had I not loved, one summer, an initial girl-child. In a princedom by the sea. Oh when? About as many years before Lolita was born as my age was that summer. You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, exhibit number one is what the seraphs, the misinformed, simple, noble-winged seraphs, envied. Look at this tangle of thorns.

Nabokov would always tell people that he thought in images and that letters and words for him were colored (literally). Not surprising considering language like the above, no?

10. How do you like to approach literature? Do you have a particular reading strategy you usually employ? My inclinations push me towards a feminist approach, although I do think that if one is a true critical reader, one must look at literature from many, if not all, modes of reading. I also have a deep love of Marxist criticism. Down with the man!

One of the specific strategies I like to employ is a kind of reader response. If I find something profound, I highlight it. If I have a thought that needs out, I write it down in the margins. These notations often help me connect previous concepts to current and future themes.

11. What does literature "do" for you? Or in other words, why spend the time? My love of books began at a very early age. I used to love to read simply for the juvenile pleasure of it. Now that I am much older and wiser :) books mean so much more to me. Books make the world seem smaller, they make the differences between people seem insignificant. Reading connects me to experiences and feelings I might not have felt had it not been for a book or character. Literature pushes me to think critically, to challenge norms, to question authorities and truths. Literature makes the small things big. It makes me and you and everyone significant. It makes us all beautiful.

12. The really big question--how do you know Alicia? I met Alicia my Junior year of college (Fall 2006) when I moved into the condo at Victoria Place II. She was my room roommate. I was constantly amazed that I had got so lucky; we both got along extremely well, and were both English majors. She would give me advice about what professors to take classes from, and was continually encouraging me to be and do better. I really enjoyed being her roommate for that semester.

1. Name: Megan Elizabeth Welton (let's pretend I wasn't named for a rather whorish character in a book my parents read and say I was named for one of my favorite Austen heroines).
(http://do-what-now.blogspot.com)

2. Favorite place you have lived: The Avenues of Salt Lake City (followed closely by in the same room as Alicia and across the hall from Krystal).

3. Place you would like to live if you could. In Kate Winslet's cottage in The Holiday. If memory serves, it was in Surrey. Jude Law has an open invitation to stay whenever he feels the least bit drunk from a night at the pub.

4. What do you do when you aren't reading? I usually watch TV or go swimming or find something delicious to eat. I spend a lot of time reading though, now that it's my profession.

5. 3 favorite films:

Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice (it's a tie).

Enchanted April

Ocean's 11

Though, I will say that my favorite genre is "Biopic Movies about British Authors, Particularly if They End Tragically."

6. 3 favorite foods:

Cadbury chocolate

Fresh, grilled salmon

Almost any breakfast

7. Major, specialty in major if any: English, with an emphasis in technical writing and a minor in editing

8. Favorite literary time period: Early to mid 19th Century British Lit.

9. 3 favorite books and why:

1. Anything Austen, though Pride and Prejudice has been my favorite longest. I grew up with these books and they managed to grow up with me. I think the writing is at the same time brilliantly clever and flawed.

2. City of Glass by Paul Auster. This was my first taste of my second favorite literary period, which is postmodern American. It flirts with the lines of identity and reality in a great way that left me confused, and gives me a headache if I think of it too long.

3. The Giver by Lois Lowry. I think I first read this book when I was twelve, but didn't really read it until I was about finished with high school. It's the most adult young adult book I've ever read. Genius.

Bonus: Harry Potter. Okay, so sure, these books may not be high-brow works of art, and I'm by no means a fanatic, but I really appreciate the fact that I can constantly find new themes in the stories, and the plot structure and the actual telling of the story were masterfully accomplished.

10. How do you like to approach literature? Do you have a particular reading strategy you usually employ?

It depends on the book. But I learned a lot about reading in my postmodern class. For me, it's nearly impossible to do a close reading the first go around, so I tend to read quickly the first time just to get through, and in so doing I can generally find the overarching theme or purpose of the story. But if I were to read Eliot's Middlemarch, I'd take my sweet time, and probably do a little research as I'm going, to get a cultural and historical context of the book. Generally though, I read for enjoyment first, since I'm not getting graded any more.

11. What does literature "do" for you? Or in other words, why spend the time?

First and foremost, literature is an escape. I've always read to escape stress or fear or loneliness. Second, I love literature that challenges me to broaden my perspective. Third, reading helps me be a better conversationalist, which is important to me, since I love to entertain. Fourth, one day I hope to grow up to be a good writer. And as an editor, I've discovered there is a vast difference between writers who read, and writers who don't.

12. The really big question--how do you know Alicia?

I was her favorite roommate ever, since I made her laugh so hard so often that she didn't need to do a single ab crunch while living with me.

1. Name: Kristi Peters Millett (http://poetryinembryo.blogspot.com)

2. Favorite place you have lived: Williamsburg, VA (where I am now), though I suspect most places on the East Coast would work just as well--I adore the East Coast.

3. Place you would like to live if you could: London. No question. They have sarcastic window displays--show me a better definition of contentment.

4. What do you do when you aren't reading?: I handle scheduling, publicity, and a desk at the College of William & Mary Music Department. When not at work I enjoy attending performance events (Medieval instruments, Performance Art, a Jazz trio, Shakespeare, a Symphony, or Deathcab for Cutie--whatever really as long as it's well done), staring like a love-struck freshman into my husband's eyes, trying on clothes at Banana Republic, preaching the Gospel of Barack Obama, and not writing my poetry. When I don't want to think I watch HGTV :). David Bromstead is a magician.

5. 3 favorite films: Much Ado About Nothing (1993), The Incredibles, Stranger than Fiction AND (I'm a cheater) The Hours, The Matrix, Shakespeare in Love, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Beauty and the Beast (Disney), Pride and Prejudice (2006) ok I'll stop now :).

6. 3 favorite foods: 5 Guys french fries, real Italian chocolate gelato, most non-seafood Italian pasta dishes

7. Major, specialty in major if any: English with emphases in theatre and poetry (my first majors were Theatre and then Political Science before I found the one true path)

8. Favorite literary time period: oooh that's hard...probably American Modernism--good stuff, especially the poetry. I hope you're happy making me pick--I feel like I just flipped off Pablo Neruda...

9. 3 favorite books and why: I'm not really going to list anything particularly unique here--I've read many things that I've loved and thoroughly respected, but the following are the books that just kept me.

A. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This is the first novel that did more than just pass the time for me. It's also, I suppose, the first "sad" book I ever connected with. I had always loved reading and writing, but this book, at the age of 15, really showed me what literature could be and how it can move people, how it can stay with you always. The devastation of human apathy continues to be a favorite motif of mine.

B. A Coney Island of the Mind by Ferlinghetti. Beyond being good Beat poetry it's just damn good period and simply must be heard.

C. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. Quite frankly, I still don't know specifically why I love this piece so much. Just mentioning it now, though, makes me want to read it again. I'll never be sick of it, every time I tear through it I'm affected. In my opinion, it's by far the best of Woolf's works and a masterpiece of our language.

D. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I can't help adding this one too :). Nothing cheers me up faster, and has there ever been a more fantastic read? Austen's characters are deliciously concrete and there will never be a more perfect couple than Lizzie and Darcy. Never ever.

10. How do you like to approach literature? Do you have a particular reading strategy you usually employ?: I don't dig into novels as much as I used to--I attempt (attempt) to not dissect them too much on the first read through at least and just let them wash over me. When I do analyze, I tend to do so a bit politically with a lot of feminist analysis. I've also always enjoyed New Historicism. With poetry I re-read a lot, silently and out loud--there is always another facet or layer to a good poem--something I can learn.

11. What does literature "do" for you? Or in other words, why spend the time?: I couldn't do without it. I need the intercourse of ideas. I can think of no better way to converse directly with humanity. Often when we speak to our contemporaries we miss the larger context of who we are, but when we read and write we are at once speaking with those who came before us and those who will come after us. When we read we come closer to understanding the inscrutable private motivations of not only other people, but other times and cultures. I describe poetry as recreating an emotional moment inside another person, and that in essence is what the process of making literature is to me: step by step moving closer to perfect communication and understanding. It's fantastic.

12. The really big question--how do you know Alicia?: English classes at BYU! I might get this wrong, but I think our first one together was Kristen Matthew's 293 class? I just adored, Alicia: complicated without being needy, intelligent without being pretentious, she was well-read and an excellent conversationalist. We edited each other's work and helped each other through a few drama-full semesters. She was and is a good friend :).
Name: Alicia Johnson

Favorite Place I have lived: My favorite city is probably Portland, OR. It is absolutely gorgeous, you don't have to pump your own gas, there is no sales tax, and I love the cultural atmosphere. Plus you are like an hour from the mountains, and an hour from the beach.

Place I would live if I could: England. Without a doubt. I would have to ship my parents there as well, but definitely England.

What do you do when you aren't reading: Change lots of diapers, wash and fold diapers, ha ha. I love spending time with my family, hiking and camping (when I can get Randy to come with me--he's afraid of the bugs and the dirt), knitting and sewing, writing (when I can get my brain collected enough to produce lucid thoughts)

3 Favorite Films: Roman Holiday, Emma (the Gwyneth Paltrow version), Casino Royale (Randy just came in and reminded me that I need a good extended-version Lord of the Rings fix about every year, so throw that on the list as well . . . )

3 Favorite Foods: really good chocolate, Pesto Gnocci with foccassia bread and fresh grape juice, Indian curry (I like lots of food--it's hard to narrow)

Major, Specialty if any: English literature--my emphasis was on women's ethnic literature (mostly black and Chicana)

Favorite Literary Time Period: My focus has been on mostly American modern and post-modern women's lit, although I also really enjoy the British Romantics (Austen, Brontes etc) and the British moderns (Yeats, Elliot) and Post-colonials.

3 Favorite Books and Why: The Oxford Complete Yeats. I am pretty much in love with Yeats--his poetry, his drama, his eccentric way of thought. He was brilliant and incredulous his whole life. He never stopped searching for answers and truth and beauty, and I really admire that.

Possession, by A. S. Byat. The text is beautiful, the characters' journeys are amazing. I couldn't put it down. Plus it was written by a literary nerd so it was full of theory and complexity, so I was in heaven.

The last one isn't in book form yet, but I hope it will be. I worked with a professor compiling the complete works of Lorraine Hansberry, and I completely fell in love with her. She is best known for her play, A Raisin in the Sun, but she wrote poetry, articles, and other plays as well. A tiny overview of some of her other works are found in the volume, To Be Young, Gifted and Black.

How do you like to approach literature? Do you have a particular reading strategy that you employ? I approach most of my reading through a Marxist/feminist lense, but I particularly enjoy American Studies approaches as well as reader-response. Certain books really call for certian theories (it is hard to read something like The Hours without using Queer Theory for example). But generally speaking, I go through the good old feminist approach.

What does literature "do" for you? Or in other words, why spend the time? Literature helps me understand other points of view, opens my mind to new ideas, helps me consider the world around me and my place in it. I think literature has great power for good in enabling us to learn in an objective manner that we might not otherwise be open to. As long as ones time is spent reading quality things, I think that one can gain a great deal of knowledge and compassion for people and the world in general. Plus--it is really fun to just get lost in a good story!

I am goint to alter the last question a little to suit me. What I love about Krystal, Megan and Kristi: Krystal is very bright, impassioned, knowledgable and compassionate. She is open to new ideas and tolerant of those who disagree with her standpoints. She is creative and one of my favorite people to talk to, especially about difficult subjects. Megan is so darn fun, I can't even stand it. She is a great storyteller- if you get her going she will make you lose control of your bladder. Plus she is very smart and has great taste in books and movies, so she is great to have around. Kristi is one of my few friends who doesn't believe that poetry is dead--which is a completely refreshing quality to have in a friend. I can talk to her about a wide range of the arts and she always has interesting things to say and new ways of looking at things. Plus she is tolerant of new ideas and has a sense of adventure that I really admire. She helped me get through a couple of very emotional semesters--a very good friend.

So, there you have it--the girls of the Bloomsbury Cafe. It would be wonderful if anyone out there reads along and joins in the conversation. We hope to publish on our blogs an article a month about the books we are currently reading.

Happy reading!

We didn't fall off the face of the earth, just off the face of Utah . . .

2009-10-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

So no, we aren't dead. My blogging over the past month and a half has not reflected that fact, but indeed we are alive and well. Here is what has taken me away from the wonderful world of blogging . . .

See those happy faces? RANDY GRADUATED!!! Believe me, there was much jubulation. It has been a long couple of years, but he did an amazing job with his schooling. I am so proud of him.

And a cute grad pic of Wes, because really I couldn't resist.

Immediately after convocation we left on vacation, because Ashley finally saw the light and came to the conclusion that Randy and I came to long ago . . . she needed to marry Morgan. But first we spend some time with all the great-grandparents along the way . . .

Great Grandma Johnson!

Great-Grandma Fredrickson!

Great-Grandpa Fredrickson!

We drove down to Salem for a few days, and did fun things like eat ice cream . . .

(before)

(after!)

. . . and go to the zoo . . .

Hello Mr. Turtle!
and a very playful beaver!
and my monkey friend!

. . . and ride on piggies . . .
. . . and ride on a carousel!
Then it was time for the wedding.

The happy couple. Isn't Ashley just the most gorgeous ever?

(Funny side note: Randy and I were married in Seattle because the Portland temple was closed for cleaning. Ashley and Morgan were married in the Portland temple because Seattle was closed for cleaning. And our engagement rings and dresses were very similar. So that pretty much makes us twins, ha ha.)

And then it was up to Seattle for the reception . . .

How handsome!

We stayed in Federal way just long enough to get a job--hooray! And then it was home again, to pack up and move in the space of a week and a half. During this time, Wesley got two teeth, and perfected his breast-stroke moves around the floor.

We then moved back to Federal Way, WA (thanks for taking us in Mom and Dad Johnson!) so Randy can work as the community relations man for a small senior care business.

Wesley turned 10 months, which deserves its own post another day. Poor guy has been in upheaval what with all the traveling (which doesn't bode well for nap-time) and new people and teething. I'm afraid that some members of our family didn't get the best impression of little Wes--I promise he usually is a very happy little fellow who can play on his own! But he needed Mom a little more often this past month with all the change, and I don't blame him. I was sure glad to have my mom helping us on the move up here!

There are exciting things on the way--including a book club which I will be sharing on the blog. So look out! We are back in the realm of the living, breathing, blogging world.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-09-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to the sweetest . . .

. . . the most beautiful . . .
. . . the best wife . . .

. . . the best mom . . .

. . . the best friend . . .

. . . a girl could ever ask for . . .

. . . Or a certain little boy could ever hope for!

Book Review: Like Water For Chocolate

2009-08-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

I picked this book off my shelf, and ended up reading it in a day. That being said, I came away from this novel with mixed feelings. I love Chicana literature, and the storytelling in this book was superb. Esquivel weaves the story around a twelve month cookbook, and you will be craving all kinds of flavors before the book is done. The connection between recipes and life is something I thought was fantastic--as different dishes really do conjure up specific memories for me. For example, homemade pickles reminds me of one summer my parents decided to try their hand at them in a house we lived on Logan St. in Portland when I was about twelve. Baked beans always remind me of my Grandmother Weatherspoon, as does Peppermint icecream . . . but back to the book. While the storytelling is beautiful, the language is rich, the characters believable . . . there is one reason that I have misgivings about the book. One of the main plot points has to do with infidelity. The main character is not allowed to marry her sweetheart, who then marries her sister just to be near her. Stupid plan if you ask me. They just should have eloped. But I didn't write the story. It isn't graphic, but the mere subject matter kind of made my stomache turn a bit.

One thing I did find very enjoyable and highly interesting was the matriarchy of the novel. Women dominate the book, and shape the comings and goings. It was interesting considering the machismo element of Mexican culture that the story comes completely from a woman-centered household. The main character first embraces, fights against, and ultimately reshapes this matriarchy, which is a very cool cycle. One reason this works is that the focul point of the text is the kitchen, which is one of the great symbols of domesticity.

Overall--I recommend the book. It isn't like Lolita where I felt that the author was a bit soulless . . . there is a moral center to the novel in spite of the infidelity. If you are a fan or a student of Chicana literature, you should definitely pick it up. I think there are some cultural mores that should be recognized going into the reading which make the book more enjoyable and worthwhile, especially as relating to machismo and Mexican Patriarchy. If you enjoy Sandra Cisneros, you would like this novel as well.

Nine Months and Scooting . . .

2009-08-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our boy turned 9 months. Today he had his nine-month check up. Here are the stats:

Weight: 17.99 lbs ( 12.22 %tile)
Height: 28.5 in. (59.85 %tile)
Head: 18.3 cm. (82.24 %tile)

Our little guy has finally decided to start chunking out! He jumped ten percentile points in weight alone in the last three months, while continuing to grow in height and (of course) head.

New tricks: scooting everywhere! He army crawls, and is pretty darn quick when he wants to be. This has opened up whole new possibilities for mischief, as everything goes into the mouth. It is nice because he is happier being able to go places on his own. Another not so fun new trick he showed Mom the other day--pulling off his diaper and peeing all over his crib. Yuck.

He is getting more and more independent, although strangers are now not cool and he doesn't like for us to be out of sight. As long as we are there to watch him play, everything is fine. He really likes to have an audience apparently! He likes to read and look at pictures, and most of all--play games with Dad!

He is also a big fan of his older cousin Sam. He'll just watch Sam, fascinated at the cool things Sam can do. I swear he learned to crawl after watching Sam up and around. That was the turning point when he decided he didn't hate tummy time! Wes is so lucky to have such nice, cute cousins to look up to as he grows.

I still take play time very seriously.

My boy.

Collateral Damage

2009-08-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

We now have a new roof on our apartment, which is great.

I now have only one tomato on my precious little plant, which is not great.

I was so proud of my little garden, which I have babied all summer. I feel very much like my adorable nephew William, with all his little kid excitement that things grow! And now I am in mourning for my little babies that are lost.

The Little Things

2009-07-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, Randy gave a lesson in church about doing the little things each day to keep one's faith strong and vibrant. The few days before he gave the lesson, we talked a lot about this subject, in both a secular and a religious context, and that lesson has really stuck with me.

As a new mom, I struggle with the additional things in my life to balance. With a new baby comes an infinite amount of joy, but also increased laundry (especially if you cloth diaper), increased specialized food to prepare (or squish rather), less sleep, and definitely more messes. There is story time and bath time and tummy time (thank goodness there is also nap time!!!) and amidst it all I am still learning how to run a household that is still calm and clean and a happy place to be.

What I have been focusing on these last few weeks that has helped me let go of the guilt that I am not in complete control of the mountain of things that I want to do every day, is simply remembering that I don't need to do it all--just a little bit. As long as I am working towards my goals, I don't have to beat myself up that EVERYTHING in the long list is not currently checked off. I try and prioritize my lists into the things that are most important to me to work on, down to the small time-wasters that are pure relaxing fluff. My big ones: daily prayer, daily scripture study, meals for my family, exercise (even if it is only twenty minutes of yoga--it makes a big difference in how I feel about myself and the world), time with my husband. Then next in my list comes housework--I try and work on one room a day, and make sure I have the dinner dishes in the wash before I go to bed. That is the ideal. The reality? Very often I do leave dishes in the sink for the next day . . . but I'm working on it. So on those days I take a breath, and let it go. Can you tell I have a problem being hard on myself? Then the list goes on to include all the things I enjoy doing-like sewing, reading, creative writing, knitting. After that comes watching a good film (recently on a day I was rather under the weather I watched the BBC version of Elizabeth Gaskill's North and South--so good!!!!!) or playing a game on the DS (yeah, Randy got me hooked. Plus I have a sassy little red one).

Some days are harder than others, and my motivation is harder to come by. Things lower on the list look more tempting, or a nap pushes its way in and trumps them all. But as I focus on doing little bits at a time, and working towards a big picture, rather than a hard-fast list that measures my worth as a housewife and mother, I am a happier person. And on those days when Wesley has been teething and fussing and only wanting to be held, and no room got cleaned and no dishes got done, and I am still in workout clothes but no workout happened and dinner consists of Randy foraging for cereal while I nurse for the 5 millionth time--on those days, if I still read my scriptures and say my prayers before I go to bed, I still count it a good day.

New Developments . . .

2009-07-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

My first baby tomato on its way! Can you spot it? My little garden/pots are doing well with the tomatoes, and I am very excited. But I have learned an important lesson: the varieties of lettuce and spinach I have been trying to grow are not suited to hot Utah summers. Back home in Oregon we would feast on fresh greens all summer long. Here . . . I am going to have to buy mine I'm afraid. No matter how carefully I have tended them, they withered and scorched underneath the hot sun. Very sad. Anyone have advice for me? I miss my lettuce!!!
So instead of a beautiful pot of salad greens, I allowed my spring volunteer spinach plant to go to seed. Who knew that spinach plants had such lovely purple-blue flowers? I didn't. Sometimes failure can be darn right pretty!

Where There's Smoke

2009-07-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Last night for Family Night we decided to take a little trip and instead of staying in, go out to dinner.

And so Wesley experienced his first campfire. A proud graduate of girls' camp, the fire took one match. No lighter fluid involved. Although the group next to us was having the darndest time with their fire . . . you should have seen the pyrotechnics involved in trying to get theirs going. But I digress . . .
My devious plot is really to get Wesley to love the outdoors, so that Randy will want to go camping more often . . . Randy has a thing about the bugs and dirt of camping. I'm really trying to win him over.
So far, I think I'm succeeding. Doesn't that look like the face of a baby that is having a good time?
He is a very serious baby when it comes to having fun. I love how hard he concentrates when something catches his interest.
He looks more and more like Daddy every day. And he gets in to things more and more every day. Daddy's influence? That's what I'll blame it on anyway! My funny, funny boys. I think I'm going to have my hands full with the two of them!

Now our dinner . . .
You can see the dutch oven in the first picture. I was too intent on eating by the time it was done that I didn't take a picture, but it was good, let me tell you. I made it up on the fly, with what I had in my kitchen, but here's the scoop:

Dutch Oven Veggie-ladas

Three medium potatoes, cubed (I left the skins on)
Three medium carrots, washed and chopped
One can cream of celery soup (next time I'd like to make my own if I have time, so that it is dairy free)
One small can green chilies, drained and diced
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

I lined the dutch oven with foil, and sprayed it with cooking spray. Then in a bowl I combined the potatoes and carrots with the soup, and put the mixture in the foil lined oven. I sprinkled the green chilies on top, sprinkled some salt and fresh ground black pepper, and then the cheese.

It turned out very zesty and delightful. Definitely a keeper. Onions and broccoli would probably work well also--I just didn't have any on hand at the moment.

Hot Summer Afternoons

2009-07-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

We have one o'clock church, so by the time we get home it is HOT these days. I am not a big fan of summer--I would just as soon have late snows than early summers here. Back home in Oregon, summers just meant a brief break from the rainy season, and a few hot days here and there.

This is how Wesley took in our Sunday afternoon--in his cute little green diaper!
And this is how Che took in her Sunday afternoon . . . hiding in her little club house.

Can you see the Popsicle sticks in her cage? That is probably the only reason Che likes summer--the sugar coated sticks we let her chew to bits. A girl after my own heart--she isn't a big fan of the heat either. Although for a chinchilla she is way woosey about the cold. I guess I've turned her into a bit of a cuddle-bug.

Sundays are our one day where Randy doesn't have to work and doesn't have to go to school. It is so nice to have a quiet day to spend as a family--to play games and just chill. Plus little munchkin actually lets me sit through the majority of my Sunday classes now--so church is much more . . . relaxing than it had been.

Even with the heat . . . this is my kind of day.

Frozen Chocolate Delight

2009-07-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe the other day when I was organizing my recipe book. It was from a page photocopied out of a magazine years ago . . . I'm pretty sure I was living at Monticello with Melanie at the time . . . along with a slew of other delightful chocolaty wonders. Sadly at the time I didn't own an ice-cream maker, so I never tried it, and I forgot that I had such a recipe.

Well, guess who has an ice-cream maker now! It is a good thing that this recipe is fat free . . . I am really trying to lose that baby weight before Ashley gets married next month. But chocolate is an important food group that shouldn't be ignored, and this is rich enough that just a small bit will cure the craving.

It is a bit too heavy on the chocolate for Randy's tastes . . . Darlene you would be in heaven! I think that the only thing that could improve this treat would be some chopped hazelnuts thrown in, a little chocolate syrup on top, and some whipped cream. Yes--death by chocolate all the way. I have some hazelnuts in the freezer . . . hmm . . . .

Chocolate Sorbet

(makes about 1 qt)

1 1/4 cups sugar
3 cups water
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cook sugar in a dry 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar is melted into a deep golden caramel. Add water (caramel with harden and steam vigorously) and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until caramel is dissolved.

Add cocoa and salt, whisking until dissolved, then transfer to a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally. Stir in vanilla, then chill, covered, until cold (about 2 hours).

Freeze in ice cream maker, then transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.

And a Happy Eight Months to You!

2009-07-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our Wes turned eight months. Wow. Sometimes when he looks up at me with little tear-filled, tired eyes after a bad dream, I still see that little guy we brought home from the hospital. But most of the time I see a little mischievous munchkin that has found a way to make it across the livingroom to play with something not-a-toy (aka the computer cord, Daddy's piano music, the computer mouse, etc.). I love his impish smile. I love his cuddles. I love his funny laugh when he is playing with Dad. I love the way he thinks his poop is hilarious--seriously. The funny way he wiggles his nose when it itches. His sighs when he finally gets what he wants--usually food. And how everything has suddenly turned into a hammer (William--watch out for your tools when this one comes to visit). His funny jibber-jabber he is starting to make in place of coos. The funny way he sucks on his sore gums, making a smacking with his lips.

What a guy.

Caution: Automatic Sprinkler

2009-06-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

This onesy speaks the truth. Beware the sprinkler. Or the fire-hose. Or the pee-pee. Take your pick. At seven months, changing this little guy's diaper can still be an adventure, as Randy found out the other day when he came face to face, so to speak, with the force of this kid's, um, nature. The next day I had to dress Wes in this outfit . . . for dramatic irony. I'm not sure if Randy found it quite as funny as I did.

Not that I haven't had bountiful experience with potty-related mishaps. The first night we were home from the hospital this exhausted mom--after being up with a feeding infant all night--brought said infant out to her mom looking like this nightmare:
Yes, that is projectile poop down the front of me. If I remember correctly, I think there also was some pee mixed in there. Now, please be kind. Remember that I had given birth just a few days earlier, that this awful ~~pink tent~~ nursing gown was three sizes too big (thank you Motherhood Maternity no-return policy) and I was in a lot of pain from my recent surgery. I'm not sure a shower ever felt so necessary or so darn good after that picture was taken.

It's a good thing these little ones are so cute--and bring so much joy into our lives. I feel like Wes has always been a part of our family, and it is amazing to watch him grow into this phenomenal little guy.

By the way, he has a few new tricks as well:

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T10:20:00.001-07:00

. . . to my wonderful Dad . . .

. . . and the wonderful Dad of my Wesley!

I love you guys!!

And a Happy Fathers' Day to all you other Fathers out there.

Cousins

2009-06-16T20:39:00.000-07:00

When I married Randy, I was so excited that he was a member of a big family. One of the big reasons for my excitement, was that I was finally an Aunt! Plus I really hit the jackpot--all of his siblings have like the CUTEST kids ever. Last week and this week, we have been able to watch my nephew Sam while his mom goes and teaches a music camp (yeah, cute kids and super talented siblings) and we have had so much fun. Wes and Sam are eight months apart, and it has been hilarious to watch them together. Wes really hasn't been around that many kids, so Sam has come like a revelation. You mean little ones like me are able to run around and actually reach things that they want? The pure wonder on Wesley's face is priceless. Sam is usually a pretty good sport about his little fan. Although he is learning that fans can be pesky when they want to play with your toys :o).

Look at these handsome little devils, just chillin'!

We also got to go visit Lance and Mandy to celebrate Anna's birthday. It was so good to see all of them. I love that Wesley has such sweet cousins.

Sharing a cuddle with Syd.

Doorbell Ditch

2009-06-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

Last night, Randy took Wes for a walk so I could have some time to get some work done and relax a little. After awhile, I heard the doorbell ring. When I opened the door, what should I see but . . .

THIS impish little guy! How cute and smiley is he?

He loved the crinkly cellophane. I love my boys!

Look who is so proud of his sitting-by-himself abilities! And in his nine-month old clothes as well. Yeah, nine month clothes. I didn't realize that he was so big.

Mom, get with it! I'm big now.

Natural Home Cleaners

2009-06-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been interested in using more natural cleaning solutions around my home. I hate germs, but I also hate the idea of Wesley coming into contact with harsh chemicals. So I have been making some small changes as I can afford them. I replaced the lysol and 409 in my kitchen and bathroom with spray bottles of vinegar, and lemon juice in place of bleach in the laundry. When I run out of laundry detergent, I am going to make some of my own. And speaking of natural laundry alternatives, Passionate Homemaking has a giveaway you should check out. She is giving away samples of Soap Nuts, which sound amazing.

In other blogger news, you should also head on over to my dear friend Leith's blog and check out her brand new Etsy shop she has opened with her friend and sister-in-law. They are selling these absolutely gorgeous hand-painted tablecloths, and believe me--if we weren't such broke college students, I would be first in line. But they are definitely on my wish list!

Seven Months Goes by So Fast When You Are Having THIS Much Fun!

2009-06-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

Around our house lately, things have been good. School is going well for Randy, Wesley is growing like crazy, Che is hoppy and ridiculously cute as ever, and I'm hanging in there! Recently we have been introducing Wes to more and more foods, and I've been having fun making them myself. My beautiful cousin Sarise gave me a food mill when I had Wes, and it has been really fun to use it. Plus it saves so much money!! And seriously, these days we are all about saving money.

My sister-in-law Joy has been helping me in that department with her many coupon-shopping skills. This woman has amazing shopping skills, and the patience to do it. My best purchase in recent history? Today I hit Albertsons with some double coupons and got about $20 worth of Boca products for $3.15, including tax. Yeah, I was pretty happy with myself after that. Plus their "chick'n" nuggets are sooooo yum. One of these days I need to find a good recipe to make my own, because they are so delicious.

My little garden is coming along, and I am so proud of my little tomato plants! Their leaves have differentiated (one of the few things I remember from my ill-fated course with the deceptively easy name, "living with plants) and they look nice and strong. I'm lucky that Randy doesn't eat tomatoes, because when my little babies produce I get them all to myself!

And of course, my sweet Wesley. Grandma has been waiting for these pictures too long, so here you go! Here is my Seven-month old boy (tomorrow) in all his cuteness:

A sweet moment with Daddy.

Our laid back little guy.

I looked at him in his high chair the other day, and I thought, "when did you grow up?"

Sitting up by ourselves! Of course, the boppy is still good to have nearby in case I lose my balance . . .

How funny is this shot? I love Wesley's little diaper hanging out . . .

And last but not least, here is a recipe that I have been loving lately, especially with the hot weather. We drink a lot of smoothies around our house--they are good for you (as long as you are adding fruit and not ice cream!) and are a nice desert alternative. Especially for those of us trying to lose the baby weight, ahem. Anyway, I ran across this recipe for a green smoothie on the Passionate Homemaking blog, and decided to try it out. I'll be honest--I was a little nervous to take the first sip (Randy turned up his nose and wouldn't try it) but it is seriously yummy, and a great way to get your fiber, iron, calcium, and antioxidants. Really good. I don't always use coconut milk--just a combination of soy milk and fruit juice. And let's be honest--I use regular sugar instead of stevia, because I'm just that cheap right now.

Green Smoothie:

1 1/2 cups of liquids (you can use a combination of water, coconut/soy milk, or juice)
3 oz or more of fresh greens I (about two or three large handfulls--I used baby spinache)
2-3 TB orange juice concentrate

After these ingredients are thoroughly blended, you can add a sweetener like honey or stevia, and an assortment of fruit.

So far I have tried frozen raspberries, canned pears, and canned peaches. All delicious! I think a banana would be really great in there as well. Canned or fresh pineapple would make a yummy tropical one.

New Favorite Pasta

2009-05-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

So my mom sent me this recipe about a month ago, and I am hooked. Like, it is a good thing Randy likes this for dinner but he still might get sick of it hooked. The artichoke hearts aren't quite as expensive if you get a jar at Costco--but beware, you will have enough on hand to develop a serious addiction. I will have to post my recipe for artichoke pizza another day.

Here is the original recipe, in all its non-vegan glory. I altered it by removing the meat, sauteing the garlic in a little of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes, and then using veggie bouillon instead of chicken. Then at the end, I added a little Seitan--and even if you aren't vegetarian, you really need to try this recipe. It makes a healthy protein alternative to meat, and is seriously delicious. It slices like meat, and makes really delicious sandwiches!

Sausage, Artichoke & Sun-Dried tomatoes Pasta
Sweet Italian sausage
2 or 3 Sun dried tomatoes, chopped
1 small jar (6.5 oz) Artichoke hearts
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup (or more for desired consistency) Chicken broth
4-oz Angel hair pasta
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 TBSP chopped fresh basil leaves
2 TBSP chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Brown sausage, set aside to drain.

Wipe excess grease from sausage from pan. To the pan add the artichokes and garlic, sauté over medium heat until garlic is tender (about 2 minutes).

Add broth and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer over medium heat until the sauce reduces slightly, stirring occasionally (about 8 minutes [I think this is too long]).

Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package. Drain pasta but do not rinse.

Add the pasta, sausage, Parmesan cheese, basil and parsley to artichoke mixture. Toss until the sauce is almost absorbed by the pasta. Stir in mozzarella cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve, topping with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Seitan O'Greatness:

INGREDIENTS

1.5 c. vital wheat gluten

1/4 c. nutritional yeast

1 . salt

2 t. paprika

1/4 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. cumin

1-2 t. pepper

1/8 t. cayenne pepper

1/8 t. allspice (I skipped this)

3/4 c. cold water

4 T. tomato paste

1 T. ketchup

2 T. olive oil

2 T. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce

1-3 cloves garlic, crushed well (I just sprinkled in garlic powder to taste)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325°.

In a large mixing bowl mix dry ingredients. Mix the rest of the ingredients (liquid ingredients) in a smaller mixing bowl. Whisk well until mixed.

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix well, then knead for several minutes.

Form into a log (6-8" long), wrap tightly in foil, twisting ends. Bake for 90 minutes. When done baking, unwrap and leave out to cool all the way. Then wrap it foil or plastic and refrigerate. Slice to use as desired.

You can seriously just throw all the ingredients in a kitchen-aid with a dough hook, let it mix- and then pop it in the oven. I take it as a great seal of approval that both my dad (who really likes meat) and Randy liked this.

My Boys

2009-05-29T16:54:00.001-07:00

These two bring such joy to my life. They both share the same funny, sunny dispositions that make me laugh. They love to play and giggle together, and I can't help but love them both so much it hurts.

I'm pretty darn lucky.

Apartment Gardening

2009-05-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Last year as an Easter gift (if I remember properly) my mom gave me a gift card for a couple of large pots, some soil, seeds and garden tools so that I could have my own little "garden," even though we live in an apartment. I was so excited for my lettuce, tomatoes and herbs--until little Wesley decided that it was time to make me REALLY ~~morning~~ sick . . . and then nature kind of took over. As in, nothing got consistently watered, and the lettuce went to seed.

But this year--I'm not pregnant! So I'm having fun watching little seeds come up in my garden-pots-o'-fun . . .

My cute baby lettuce sprouts popping up amongst the "volunteer" salad mix from last years crop . . .

My cherry tomato seedlings, along with a roma plant my neighbor so generously gave me.

Now this is the best bit. Today I finished off the rest of my volunteer greens with hominy, baby spinach, red beans and vinaigrette. Yum.

Growing like the cutest little weed ever . . . He loves to stand on my lap, and bounce in his exersaucer, and roll. He pretty much has us wrapped around his adorable little finger with his huge grins, funny coos, and those funny little feet (that are always moving!).

Could I be any more cute?

Small Miracles

2009-05-23T18:08:00.000-07:00

When Wesley was a month or so old, a couple in the ward lent us a book that really helped them out. It is a best-seller, and many families in our ward swear by its techniques. I started reading it, urged on by my husband who was anxious to have a wife and not a zombie, looking for help getting Wes to sleep through the night. An hour later, I put the book down crying.

Apparently I am not a big fan of self help books. I didn't respond well in my emotional state to the bullying technique, "Babies that are raised using our guidelines are happy, wonderful, well-adjusted babies. Babies who are not end up cranky, needy, horrible children that no one will want to be around." So, according to their standards, ( I had not been using anything close to their techniques) I was a sub-par mother.

I know that I spoil Wesley, and much of it stems from his rocky start. He took a long time to thrive, and is still on the skinny side for a six month old. So when he cried in the middle of the night, I ran to feed him. Sometimes many times. My husband told me that this was madness. He was probably right. My pediatrician told me that Wesley could handle not being fed, that I needed to let him cry a little. My heart breaking at the thought, I relented.

My sweet Wesley still has this fairly young baby cry, and when he gets upset he frantically shakes his little arms up and down. After two nights of letting him cry, I couldn't take it any more. I was getting probably less sleep, I felt horribly guilty about what I was doing to Wesley and our poor neighbors, and my emotions were completely raw. So I snuck in and fed him.

Then three nights ago, it happened. We put him to bed around ten and he slept through the night, waking up at six-thirty. No two o'clock feedings. No four-thirty feedings. My sweet angel just slept. And I slept. And there was much rejoicing.

And this has been his schedule ever since. He goes down about nine-thirty, and wakes up at six or six thirty. I don't know how it happened, but I'm not going to press too hard for an answer. The self-help book cannot guilt me into feeling bad about feeding my baby when he acts hungry. Many people say that motherhood comes with no instruction manual, but I beg to differ. There are so many instruction booklets out there, telling you that you are only a good mother if you feed your baby breast-milk, or if you stick to this schedule, or feed them only organic baby food, or (fill in the blank). I am trying to come to peace with all the voices, and drown out as many as I can. I think we as mothers do the best we know how. We learn from women around us we trust, and try what we feel in our hearts is right--and beyond that we trust that someday our children will have a really good therapist to sort out all the mistakes we make! In all seriousness, I think that if we love our children and do our best, our Heavenly Father will help make up the difference for our shortcomings as parents.

Fresh Cut

2009-05-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

Today Randy and I went and got our hair cut. It turned out shorter than I was expecting.

My mom wanted to see a picture of my new hair cut (please forgive the poor quality of the pictures, they were taken with the webcam) and Randy decided he wanted to take pictures as well.

Finally he started to break me down . . .
Is insanity contagious?
If so, I may be in trouble . . .

Worm Farm Composting

2009-05-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

I was reading some articles online around Earth Day (yeah, I'm a nerd from the Northwest I know, I know) and I came across this article created by New York to encourage inner-city composting, and I thought it was too cool! I have always liked the idea of composting, but thought I would have to wait until I got a house with a yard and all that. But this method allows you to inexpensively set up a compost that you can do either indoors (I'm a little squeamish about that personally) or what I want to do--on our front porch.

One fact that interested me as well: a great number of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming come from discarded food that ends up in the landfill, where it decomposes anaerobically into methane. Who knew? I knew that Americans were notoriously wasteful of our foodstuffs, but I wasn't aware of the eco harm it was causing.

I think that soil produced from a little worm farm would make fantastic potting soil for my little garden-in-a-pot I have going on my front stoop (pictures to come). I can't grow much produce because of living in an apartment, but I am growing indoor herbs and some lettuce and tomatoes outdoors in pots. Organic produce is expensive, unless you grow it yourself!

My Adventures in Yogurt Making

2009-05-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

When I decided to go vegan, I gave up most dairy. I will cheat on little things here and there (a slice of pizza with a bit of cheese now and again) but for the most part I try to avoid the milk products. So I haven't had yogurt in over a year. I liked yogurt--my parents had a yogurt maker when I was growing up, and I have wanted one of my own for awhile. I put yogurt-making out of my head until recently, when I saw this blog entry on how to make yogurt without a yogurt maker, in your crock pot.

Which got me to thinking . . .

If people are clever enough to make regular yogurt in their slow cookers, what if I could do the same with soy? So I went investigating. And I found this recipe, which uses commercial soy milk ( I haven't come to the point where I want to make my own yet--I like that the stuff I buy is organic and already vitamin fortified . . . I'll have to re-evaluate later on . . . )

So after much searching (my regular grocery store didn't have either the Agar or the tapioca starch) I acquired the necessary ingredients, and one night I gave it a go. With mixed results. I think that I need to break down and just buy a candy thermometer so that I can follow the directions precisely, because my yogurt came out the proper consistency, but without the tartness. So I don't know if my yogurt was too hot and it killed the cultures, or what. But it was pretty simple other than that--and I was able to use my slow cooker to let my yogurt warm overnight--so I think that after a few times through I should have the hang of it. Even though it was milder than I would have liked, it still tasted yummy, and should make some wonderful frozen yogurt! The recipe can be found on the same site as the soy yogurt recipe, but I will reprint it here for anyone interested. You can probably just use regular yogurt if you aren't vegan . . .

To Make Fruit-Flavored Frozen Soy Yogurt: in a blender mix 2 1/2 cups soy yogurt with 3/4 cup organic sugar, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, lemon, almond or orange extract. Optional is 2 TB vodka or appropriately fruit flavored liqueur (alcohol keeps frozen desserts from freezing rock-solid). Blend well. Add 1/2 cups berries or chopped fruit (fresh or frozen). Blend until mixed. Freeze according to directions for your ice cream making machine.

As I didn't have any vodka on hand :o) I simply increased the vanilla extract from the half teaspoon to two TB since I wanted vanilla yogurt anyway and there is a little alcohol in the extract--it helped it not freeze so solid. I used the commercial soy yogurt the first time I tried this recipe, and it was DELICIOUS! So simple, fun and good for you. Well, as desserts go anyway!

Family Moments Monday: Silly Traditions Can be Fun

2009-05-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

First of all, a very happy Mothers' Day to all you mothers out there! I am so blessed to have an amazing mother who is talented, smart, funny and fun to be around, cares so much for her family, and who has taught me so much.
I love this picture--I remember taking it with my mom when I was three or four. I was too scared to stand on the edge of the hill by myself, so she held me so I'd be safe.

I have also been blessed to be a mom this year. My little Wesley is such a joy in my life!
Yesterday also happened to be our little guy's six month birthday! I can't believe how fast the time is going. He celebrated his half-birthday (yes, it is a real holiday in our family) with some presents and the above animal cracker--which he managed to get all over the place. We read some stories, talked to Grandma and Grandpa on the phone, and pretty much had fun.

This whole "half-birthday" tradition is something that started when I was a little girl. Perhaps I missed my calling in life as a lawyer or negotiator, because even as a very young girl I recognized a discrepancy in the number of holidays I got to celebrate (birthday, Christmas) and the number of holidays my parents got to celebrate (birthday, Christmas, Mothers/Fathers Day, wedding anniversary)--and so to remedy this egregious deficiency in holiday cheer, I talked my way into getting a half-birthday. My parents didn't go overboard spoiling me, but it was a special day where I got to pick what we had for dinner, I got a few presents, and generally was made to feel extra special. Now that I am married I wanted to carry this silly and fun tradition into my new family. Randy thinks it is ridiculous still, but has come to welcome his half birthday celebration so he puts up with the holidays!

Something silly I added to the mix: what has come to be known as the birthday stocking. I think Christmas stockings are so fun--all the fun silly little candy and presents inside--and one day I was speculating to my mom that I thought birthdays should have a similar tradition. Boy did she come through for me:

See what a cool Mom I have?

So of course I had to do one for Wesley:
I'm sure it isn't quite as perfectly crafted as my mom would have done, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Now I just have to make one for Randy before his half-birthday the end of July . . .

**Oh and Congratulations to Casey, who won my first giveaway! Those burp clothes will be making their way to you very soon!

Sixth Month Check Up

2009-05-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

Today Wesley went in for his sixth-month visit. Here are the stats:

Height: 26.2 in--45.77 %tile
Weight: 13.62 lbs--2.12 %tile
Head: 17.7 in--71.95 %tile !!!

So . . . yeah Wes has the Johnson head after all. When he was born he only was in the 7th %tile for head circumference, but his genes finally caught up with him!

He is now rolling over from front to back, and loves to bounce and turn himself around in his exersaucer. He has started to push up on his knees a little bit . . . so I'd better start baby-proofing the house! We are supposed to start him on vegetables now, so we gave him some green beans tonight. So far he has been very patient and good natured about trying new foods--let's hope it lasts! I'll cook vegetarian for him at home, but I'm sure his grandparents will sneak him a hot dog or two when he comes to visit.

Play time

Our happy little guy. He is such a mellow little spirit.

Cuddle-bug

He is getting more and more independent in his play time, but he will still look up at me every so often and give me a big grin!

Little monkey feet. He loves to grab things with his toes :o)

I love how he looks at the world with such wide eyes.

Everything--especially fingers--go in the mouth these days. Teeth should be soon to follow.

I love our quiet moments of reading together. Our favorites are What's Wrong, Little Pookie? and Goodnight Moon

Crochet borders and a giveaway

2009-05-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

Soon after we were married, my mom learned how to crochet adorable borders onto flannel infant receiving blankets from a friend of hers, and she passed along the information to me. They make really cute gifts for baby showers, don't take a lot of money to make, and are so useful! My mom made me a bunch of them along with matching burp clothes before I had Wesley, and since he was a "spitter" they ended up being so useful. They are wonderful to burrito wrap an infant, and the ones she made are large enough that he'll be able to use them for quite some time. Plus--did I mention they are adorable? That is really the most important part :o)

Since I had a boy and the last several friends/family members I have made these for have had boys, I had been sticking to a pretty basic border around the edges--nothing too frilly. Then when Randy's cousin had a little girl, I decided to branch out and try something a little more fancy. Here is the result:
I was pleased with the result. I had a difficult time finding a pattern for a border I liked online, so I just kind of made one up. Here are the instructions if you are interested:

Zigzag the edges of the flannel with a wingtip needle. Single crochet around the edges, in each corner making two sc in one stitch. Next row: in one half of one stitch sc four times, sc in each of next two stiches, repeat. Last row: go behind the shell where you made the four sc in one half of the stitch, and in the other half make four double crochets. Slip st. to the next shell, and repeat all the way around. Here is a closer look:
To the aforementioned cousin: I apologize that these are getting to you after your very cute baby has been born--but I will get them in the mail to you this week!

To everyone else: leave a comment on this post and I will randomly choose someone to receive a little gift packet of girl or boy burp cloths (your choice) to either use on your own munchkin, or give as a shower gift. If no one responds, then I guess I will just have something put aside for the next baby shower I'm invited to!

Things Are Changing

2009-05-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

Spring/Summer (is there really any difference here in Orem? It goes from 0-80 in about a week) is finally here, and we have been busy with all the changes a new season brings. Randy started his last "semester" (composed of one spring and one summer term), Wes is nearing his six month birthday, I have been continuing with my freelance job and trying to get various projects done. But on to the good stuff . . .

This is a project from last fall that payed off on Easter morning: bulbs from gifts I received. Sadly, two days later, they looked like this:
The other ones not open never had a chance. Very sad. But when the snow thawed the pot above sprouted with lettuce from seeds I planted last year. I may have been so morning sick that I planted lettuce that just went to seed . . . but at least I can enjoy it this year! I love fresh salads in the summer--something I miss very much about my parents' home in Salem.
The Easter Bunny came and brought all kinds of fun surprises. He even brought Wesley some rice cereal a month early (I wanted to wait until six months, but Randy was really excited . . . )

A first taste . . . Dinner with cousin Sydney . . . (she hoped her Aunt Joy would think the picture was cute!)

. . . and the many . . .

. . . stages . . .

. . . of being oh so cute in my sleep!

And Dad brought Mom some flowers just because. How sweet was he?

Two Very Good Excuses (or at least I think so . . . )

2009-04-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

So I have been absent from blogging the last couple of weeks, and it hasn't just been a bout of laziness/business/the fact that Wes isn't sleeping through the night anymore . . . (how many growth spurts can this little guy have? I really am just a milk machine these days . . . ) Anyway, my first excuse is--well--technical.

So my trusty old laptop was having . . . issues. I work from home as a freelance writer, so you can imagine my frustration when I was losing pages of work. So after one particularly frustrating day, the decision was made to get a new one. I hate making big purchases, especially when I don't have a lot of time to shop around. But with my dad's help, I think I made an okay decision. Life has been much easier with the new computer.

My second excuse is, Family!! The best kind of excuse. My parents came to visit ~~Wesley~~ us, and we had so much fun.

Grandpa and his boy!

Grandma time!

Taking walks together.

Reading together!

And just having so much fun we got all tired out!

We miss you guys. Come back and visit us soon!!

My Boy

2009-04-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

I have been rather absent to the blog world this past week. My spring allergies hit with a vengeance, and my energy didn't really extend beyond caring for baby and husband and keeping up with my house. But this little guy keeps growing and changing, and I have to keep the grandmother contingency satisfied until they can come visit in a couple of weeks.

We took Wes for a walk down in Provo to see if there were any baby ducks yet. Every spring when the baby ducks arrive I have to go down to the duck pond, because baby ducks are pretty much my favorite thing. Other than my family :o). Anyway, Wes loved the walk--he was fascinated by the trees and the light and all the moving things going by. Luckily he was too young to really pay attention to the ducks, who were doing UNSPEAKABLE things. Really. I guess there will be baby ducks in a few weeks. We'll have to go back then.

We took Wes for another walk--no ducks this time--just to the park around the hospital near our house. This time we brought Che for a little fresh air. It was a beautiful sunny day, and both our little ones had a good time . . .

. . . until Wes had had enough, and it was time to go home . . .

We were lucky enough to get a visit from his cousin Brady and Aunt Mandy. These little guys are only five weeks apart (if Wes would have come on time it would have been a week). We are pretty sure these little monkeys are going to have a lot of fun together when they get a little older--let's hope they aren't as rambunctious as their daddies!

Spring really came to town yesterday with 70+ degree weather. So we had to put Wes in his little baseball cap. I think he's pretty cute! (Thanks Aunt Mandi and Aunt Karen!)

And of course I needed to include a picture of my little sleeping angel with his book. Maybe he takes after his mommy? :o)

My Baby's Growing Up

2009-04-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

The other day I realized that some of Wesley's pajamas were getting a little short . . . so I pulled out his six month clothes . . . and they fit. I didn't realize how fast my little guy was growing up! He loves to sit in the kitchen with me while I do the dishes or cook. He coos and laughs at me while I work.

Here he is in his little train overalls. So cute! Yes, I know he's my baby, but still . . .

For the most part he's pretty good about sleeping through the night. If he's not too sleepy after eating, he likes to have stories and be rocked before going to bed.

I really think I have the cutest, sweetest guys in the world. They are quite a pair together. They love to play games, and sing songs, and make Mommy laugh.

Oh, my supermodel baby. Strike that pose!

Giving Back: Infant Gowns

2009-03-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

The TAP project ended yesterday--thanks to everyone who either donated or supported TAP restaurants. I was looking online for other ways to help children in distress, and I came across the humanitarian aid site on the LDS church website. They have guidelines for school kits, infant kits for orphanages, or hygiene kits--and instructions for either mailing the kits or dropping them off to distribution centers where they will mail them for you. They have patterns for toys, clothing, booties, mittens . . . many things that don't cost a lot of money, but that can make a big difference in a child's life. One project that I would like to try is the infant layette gown pattern. It looks like something I might actually be able to handle sewing . . . we'll see!

There are also cute patterns for dolls that I would like to try if I can get brave enough sometime. The knit mitten pattern seemed a little bit confusing to me, but the crochet version seemed doable. The booties looked really cute and easy as well.

I would like to complete some of these newborn kits, as time and money allow. If you would like to do some as well, the contents of the kit are:
Place the following items in a heavy-duty, two-gallon sealable bag. Remove the air before sealing
· 4 single thickness cloth diapers, approximately 25x27 inches Birdseye Cloth or diaper flannel, 100% cotton. No pre-fold or disposable diapers
· 4 diaper safety pins
· 1 pair booties or baby socks
· 2 bars of soap 3.5-5 ounces each (Ivory or other non-allergenic brand)
· 1 receiving blanket (36x36 – 45x45 inches)
· 1 layette gown--No footed sleepers, buttons, zippers or strings Size: Newborn to 6 months, Fabric: cotton knit

Do you have any links to other worthy humanitarian organizations or projects? If so, I would love to hear from you. The next big UNICEF fundraiser is in October--so I am looking for other ways to "give back."

Recipe: Baked Oatmeal

2009-03-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

I have been laying low the last couple of days. I succumbed to the cold that has been going around our house. Wes got it first and thankfully got the mildest case, the sweet guy wasn't even cranky, just a few more boogies than normal. Then Randy got it and I thought that maybe I actually escaped without getting sick this time . . . too bad it didn't last.

So I haven't had a lot of energy to put into fancy meals (we ate a lot of easy to assemble Mexican food this week and some delicious smoothies) but I saw this recipe on the Money Saving Mom blog, and decided to try it out. Randy loves his cold cereal and even though I always buy it on sale, it still is one of the more expensive menu items on my shopping list. So this is my provident living attempt for the week--as well as a new recipe. It turned out delicious, is really easy, and makes a ton. Since there are only two of us to plan meals for I am freezing the leftovers in smaller portions so we can just pop them in the microwave in the morning. This is way better than instant oatmeal, better for you (if you use the applesauce substitution), is very inexpensive to make, and is a great way to use your food storage oats.

Baked Oatmeal

1 cup oil (can substitute butter or applesauce)
1 ½ cups sugar (can reduce)
4 eggs (I used an egg substitute--worked fine)
6 cups oats
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups milk(I used soy)

Combine all ingredients in order listed. Pour into greased 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 375° for 30-40 minutes until lightly browned. Can refrigerate overnight before baking. Serve topped with butter, brown sugar, and milk.

Yields: Approximately 8-10 servings

I just topped mine with a little soy milk (Randy used rice milk) without the extra butter and sugar, and it was delicious. I tried it both ways, and I couldn't tell enough of a difference to justify the extra calories :o)

A side note about egg substitute: even if you aren't of the Vegan persuasion, I recommend keeping a box of this on hand for food storage emergencies. It is very versatile, inexpensive, and works great for most recipes. It stores for a long time and I am a big fan. Even before I was vegan there were always times when I would run out of eggs or the eggs would go bad before I would use them all . . . Plus if there is some kind of emergency it is nice to know you can still bake things that need eggs.

Beary Cute!!

2009-03-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a little Wesley Bear . . .

And he was very cute and sweet.

His cute little hind paws were all the better to kick with . . .

And his cute little front paws were all the better to play with.

Sometimes he would get into mischief, but only the adorable kind.

Mostly, he just waited to be loved! Because he was a cuddly bear.

He liked to come to work and help Mom do inventory (yuck!)
(Thanks Aunt Sandy for the cute cute overalls!)

And after a long, fun day . . . sometimes a bear cub just needs a nap.

. . . or maybe two. Like how my little paw is up in the air?
Goodnight!

Crayon Holders

2009-03-24T18:58:00.000-07:00

I saw this project last summer sometime on my friend Melissa's blog, and knew that I wanted to do it. I planned on making this as a present for my nieces for Christmas . . . well it is March now . . . please don't judge me! The fabric was picked out and purchased while I was on bed rest, but I couldn't really sit at a sewing machine to complete them. Then my tiny baby came and my life became insane. Anyway, I hope they will forgive me.

They really aren't too difficult to make, although the rick-rack is not my favorite thing to try and sew with. But I think they turned out pretty cute in spite of my novice sewing skills!
Here they are unrolled. The picture is kind of far away to get both of them in the shot, but there are little slots for crayons. Then you roll them up, tie them with the ribbon, and take them with you wherever. I want to make one in boy fabric for Wesley when he gets old enough. I think they would be great to take to church or on road trips. If you are interested in making some, you can find the pattern here.

Family Moments Monday: Reading Together

2009-03-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

Reading has always been a part of happy memories I share with my family. I remember sitting on my parents' bed and being read to as a three year old. I remember loving a haunted house book with Mickey Mouse in it and Cinderella--I have a sinking suspicion that I asked for many repeats of the same books over and over. When I was a little bit older my dad read me Treasure Island, a perfectly scary bedtime adventure story. Christmas time was a given for story telling--my mom would always have a few good Christmas stories she found in books, magazines or from friends and would read them aloud during some family time.

A few times when we took an extended road trip, my mom selected a really good novel to read aloud. She read us the condensed (thank goodness!) version of Les Miserables, and then a particulary good read-aloud, The Count of Monte Cristo. I think we pushed her to keep going until she was literally hoarse.

Not only did I develop a love of good literature, but we had a lot of fun reading together. Listening to my mom read was as entertaining as any movie--and it brought us together. We could stop and comment on an interesting part, or something might foster a particular discussion. In any case it was a great family activity, and one that I hope to keep going in my family.

For Randy's birthday last year, I bought him a copy of Treasure Island--which coincidentally was one of his favorite movies growing up (the Charlton Heston/Christian Bale version). I can't wait for him to read it to our son.