Finley, Jason, and Amanda

New Goals

2011-11-02T09:33:00.004-06:00

I have a new goal of blogging once a week. I think it will make me take more pictures, because I am hardly taking any now. And Finn is growing up so fast! And doing so many cute and adorable things. (All the good pictures I have are on Jason's phone... so. Yeah. Sorry. I will post them later!)

Finn is talking and signing like a pro! He is speaking in complete sentences (grammatically correct and everything!) every now and again. It's getting pretty frequent. We started doing signing time, and he LOVES it! I bet he signs more than 100 words. We practice in the car and when he's in the mood. I can't believe he's almost two!

Finn is singing a ton lately! It's so adorable! He will sit down on the piano bench and play and sing nonsense. I love it! He is also really into balls of any type. His favorites right now are whiffle balls and golf balls. He also likes to cook me things. It's impressive the things he pretends to do. (At least I think so!)

I am setting goals for myself. I think it's my way of being annoyed with waiting for things I can't control. I am trying to exercise and make healthy eating choices. It's still in the early phases. I REALLY want a personal trainer. REALLY REALLY. But, I don't want to pay for one. They are expensive! So I'm trying to motivate myself. We'll see how it goes. Oh, and I chopped my hair off. It was a good six inches longer at least. Picture above.

Jason is staying busy, as always. He just got a season pass, so he's excited for the ski season to start. He's also doing a lot of hunting. Mostly birds. This week he got a thermal imaging camera for a week long trial. That is a fun toy! If you touch the wall, you can see a handprint there for quite some time. It's pretty awesome.

Rewind: February 2011

2011-06-19T17:56:00.005-06:00

February 2011

Just messing around. Love the snot, huh?

Here is his camera smile (He doesn't do this anymore, but it made me laugh so hard!) Check out the succession of photos.

Rewind: January 2011

2011-06-19T17:47:00.004-06:00

January 2011: Finn loves to play on our bed in the morning. (He still does, actually.) This is one of those times.

We still see this face all the time. He can completely plug his nose with his mouth. Pretty impressive, huh?

Rewind: December 2010

2011-06-19T17:35:00.002-06:00

Well, here I go playing catch-up. December 2010. (Finn wasn't walking yet.) This is a trip with my family. They came up to go skiing (as usual) around Christmas, so we took Finn to play in the snow. He loved it! Especially eating it. The video uploader isn't working. Sorry. Maybe I will play video catch-up another time.

An Update

2011-06-13T12:40:00.005-06:00

Well, we have been having computer issues, and then I was out of the habit of blogging. I know, I know. Shame on me. I have no descriptions for these photos, other than the ones with Finn are from April, and the ones of just me are from this week (showing off my super cute haircut that is a few weeks old!). The only photos I have on this computer are from the webcam. I need to upload some more.

Finley is growing up so fast! He is taking up a storm. People comment all the time on how great his vocabulary is for his age. I have NO idea how many words he says, and he learns new ones all the time. Here are some of the favorites:

No-Kay: No thanks, said very politely.

Bewwies: Berries

Wader?: Water, said in a very sweet and persuasive tone.

His response to "Finley, what does a ____ say?": Meow.

His response to "towel": Mooooo.

When he sees the bears on the Charmin toilet paper package: Rrrrrrawrrr! Beaw?

He also loves to sing Pat-a-cake and "There was a little house in the middle of the woods..." And he does hand motions for them and everything! He has also been picking up some signs. Not a lot. I haven't been very diligent at signing to him. He is OBSESSED with water. It's about all he talks about anymore. I bought him a little pool and it sits by the front door, so every time we open it or walk by without swimming, he cries and says "Wader? Wader? Waaaadddeeeer!!" He is such a fun, cute kid!

I got released from YW, and put in Primary. Now I teach the 11-year-old girls. Not too different, but different enough. I am really enjoying being in Primary. I haven't been to Primary since I was 11, so it has been a while! We are hoping to buy a house at the end of the summer. We will see. I am hoping it works out!

Preston got engaged to Maia, and I am really excited about it! I love Maia to death! She is tons of fun, and loves to bake. Her eclairs are the best I have ever had. She is also a phenomenal cellist. She is going to fit in our family really well. They are planning on getting married in August.

Jason is still working hard on the business. It's also good bowfishing season, so we have had lots of carp-killing going on over here. Too bad you can't eat them. But not really.

Losing Weight, take 2

2011-01-16T13:31:00.002-07:00

Well, some of you may remember that about this time 2 years ago, I decided to lose a bunch of weight. I had lost 24lbs, and then I got pregnant. And I was still doing pretty good weight-wise. Surprisingly! I weighed less when I delivered Finn than I did before I lost weight. Well, anyway, I gained some weight after I had him, and so I have decided to lose weight again. I have been doing it for about a month now, and I have lost nine pounds! Yay for me!
The goal is to lose 50 lbs, and also to exercise. I didn't exercise at all last time. I did pretty well exercising every day until Christmas. And I haven't done it since. Shameful. Anyway- just thought I should tell you because I am excited about it. Also, I am wearing my skinny jeans- jeans I bought online that were too small. And they fit just great! I am feeling pretty good!

A Goodie for Relatives and Other Finn-Obsessed Watchers

2010-12-26T14:34:00.002-07:00

Finley is getting such a fun personality! He is starting to be a bit of a ham- and easily excitable!

This video is from November, so it's not super recent.

Finley's First Birthday!

2010-12-26T14:21:00.004-07:00

Well, Finn is one year old! I can't believe it! We celebrated his birthday a little early so that my family could be there. It was so much fun! Here are some cute pictures of the event.

He loved the bows. In fact, that was his favorite thing about Christmas, too.

He wasn't sure about the candle.

Messy cake face!

And here is a video of him chowing down. The first thing he did was pull the frosting off in one big strip. (It was fudgey frosting.) But, of course, we missed that. Oh well!

News

2010-10-19T21:35:00.003-06:00

Well, I don't have any pictures. Or rather, I don't feel like uploading my pictures, so that will have to wait for another uber-exciting post. This one will just be ho-hum. Here is what has been going on with each of us lately.

Jason has been working, and working, and working. Poor guy! He hasn't been able to do anything really fun for a long time. We are just grateful he has a job and that we can save money for the slow times. He is still loving his Young Men calling. They do lots of cool things, like slack lining. It looked fun, and I wish I could have done it! He is also very into cooking meals for others. And when I say cooking meals, I mean ME cooking meals, and him inviting people. I have been making treats every Sunday, and meals about every other Sunday. I made schwarmas this week. I know you are jealous!

Finley is still just a-growing! He has FIVE teeth now, which I must admit is weird. He grew the first four in pairs, so I haven't seen him with an uneven mouth before now. He is starting to stand up by himself. I think he will be walking WELL before his first birthday. He is getting to look more and more like Jason. EVERYBODY says he looks just like Jason. He is also in to monster noises and snorting right now. It is pretty hilarious to hear him growling all the time.

I am doing nothing of great interest. Well, actually, I did help Preston pick out his engagement ring this week. It was so much fun! And it is SOOOOOO gorgeous! I am jealous, I will admit it! It also makes me want a new ring. Which I don't need. (Repeated until I believe it.) And today I got a new waffle iron, a sil pat, and some cutlery organizers that I am way too excited about. Sometimes I think I am just a little bit too weird. I keep opening my drawers to look at those organizers.

And to end, a somewhat embarrassing story. Preston calls. He wants to come hang out. Sure, why not? So I am feeding Finn and getting him ready for bed. I am changing his diaper, and have just rolled up the old one and not put the new one on yet, when somebody knocks on the door. I run to open the door, turn around without looking and say "You have HORRIBLE timing!" Well, it was my landlord, and he looked pretty freaked out. He just kept saying "I'm so sorry" and I was embarrassed. It was awkward all around. He laughed about it later, but he was freaked out for a while, there. Oh well, c'est la vie!

Granddad

2010-09-16T10:38:00.003-06:00

My last great grandparent died yesterday morning. It is sad, of course- it's always sad- but he lived a long, full life and was suffering toward the end. I know he is much happier now. Before he died, I got to take Finn to visit him. He was very excited to meet Finn, since Finn was (and is) his first great great grandbaby. It was neat!

Here is a five generation picture! Unfortunately, my Grandma has passed away, so that is my great aunt Rinda standing in. It still counts. Granddad was staying with Rinda for quite a while toward the end, and I am so grateful to her for all she did. I sure do love her to pieces!

Granddad, I will sure miss you!

Just a Quickie!

2010-09-08T15:56:00.006-06:00

This is just a quickie post with some photos from our recent trip to Wyoming and the few days before.

Finn- smiling! I have figured out how to get smiles again- Yay!!!

He loves to play in his car seat, as long as he's not in it. Then the toys are boring. (Note- this was before the 10 hour drive both ways... He's not so into his car seat anymore...)

Finn and Grandpa- right after church!

An actually decent family photo. Mostly decent, anyway.

Finley and his cousin? (My cousin's baby) Meliah. Meliah is a few months older than Finn. They rather liked each other.

Grandma feeding Finn some yummy tomatoes from his Great Grandma's garden!

Grandpa and Finn again, camping in the trailer.

Finn LOVES his Grandma's hair. This was a popular look for her this trip. She did like it, you know. Until he started to grab handfuls AND footfuls and pull in opposite directions. Ouch!

Finley also had his first real encounters with a dog. My old dog, Chaos. She is so good with him, too!

As a side note, Finn is getting another tooth. This makes three! And we had a great time in Wyoming. Got to eat Bobby Flay food- which was divine!, hang out in the mountains, see everybody around, and show off Finn. It was nice. Except for the drive.

Finley, Finley, Finley!

2010-07-31T14:39:00.005-06:00

I know guys, you might be getting tired of Finn, but I never do! And he is getting so big and cute!

Today he ate cheerios for the first time ever! All by himself. It was so cute! He is also pretty good at sitting up on his own. He is learning new things all the time.

He is also tons more fun, although you wouldn't know it from the pictures. As soon as that camera comes out, he turns into "What is that and how does it work?" guy. It's cute, but not for EVERY picture. I would like some smiles, you know. I guess I'll have to write in a complaint or something.

Here he is in Jason's work hat. He really liked it, actually! I expected him to pull it right off, but he really enjoys wearing it.

He is crazy flexible, huh? He does this all the time. Boxes are about his favorite toy ever!

Here he is helping Jason reload some 500 S&W ammo. (Jason got a new gun, and he is very happy about it!) (PS- notice how clean my kitchen is, other than the reloading corner. I am pretty proud!)

And here is another one in Jason's hat, just cause it's so darn cute!

Life, oh Life...

2010-07-18T14:06:00.003-06:00

Well, I don't have any awesome new pictures to share, but I am sure I have some older ones that never got posted. Maybe I will scare some up.

Life has been good around here. I have been keeping myself busy, and staying on top of the dishes. For a few months now! I am pretty proud of myself. I have learned that the trick is to just run the dishwasher, even if there is still some space. I used to wait for that ONE plate I needed to fill it up, but then I also had at least one more plate, silverware, and glasses- not to mention the pots and pans!- and then I had dirty dishes piling up. But no, I am now awesome and keep my dishes dirty for a very short amount of time. This is a big deal, you guys. HUGE even! I used to bribe Jason with expensive items to do the dishes for me, because I would get so overwhelmed. Oddly enough, he would just pay somebody else to do them, which was mortifying. Anyway...

We are still working on getting everything unpacked and finding homes for all the odds and ends that you need, but go nowhere. We made some good progress today, and I am glad! It's nice to see the boxes dwindling.

Jason has been really busy lately. He went to Zion National Park this week with the Young Men, and he had a great time. They did one really long canyon in one day, and even JASON was sore. He told the guys that he was going to do it every weekend until he doesn't get sore anymore. It wouldn't really surprise me. If it were closer, I think he would for sure! He has also been getting some major work hours in. He is good to me!

I decided that I am going to make myself look cute every day. Make-up, hair doing, new clothes- the works! I haven't done this much grooming since high school. It's weird. I was just starting to feel like a slob. And since I was only wearing make-up about twice a month, I figured I could pick it up a notch. So far, I have been doing it for about a week, and it feels good. Of course, the new clothes and new make-up certainly make it easier!

Finn has been growing like nuts! He is getting huge, and heavy. He is army crawling all over the place, and has even expanded his hunting grounds to the tile. He didn't like it at first because he would bonk his head every time he rolled over, but he has figured it out. No more teeth, and no pictures of the two he has yet. He is making lots of noise, and starting to get restless when we take him places, which makes me miss the newborn stage. Oh, the joy of napping wherever you happen to be.

And now, some older photos that I passed up for cuter ones:
This is the ridges in his head after he was born. Crazy, huh? He looks like his head is perfectly shaped, until you see this.

Oh, the phototherapy lights. We hated this stage. We had to take shifts staying up because he had to be under for 24 hours. And I was still recovering. It was beyond awful.

Here's a newborn picture of Finn that my Mom took. Before he lost all his hair. He was so cute! He is making his grumpy sleeping face.

This is a pretty recent picture, from July. He is playing with the toys on his carseat. He loves to play with them- as long as he's not in the carseat!

Another recent photo. Look at those legs! He is a cutie!

And a video from May of Finn talking a little while he tries to roll over. Cute, huh?

Please no!

2010-07-04T14:36:00.004-06:00

Finn is almost crawling. I am NOT excited. Well, okay. I am kinda excited. It will be so fun to have him crawling around and getting all big.

But then, I think about baby proofing. And how I have not baby proofed anything, despite my intentions to have it all done well before this started. I haven't even fully unpacked. And I think about how he will get into everything, and be a handful. Oh well. At least it's cute, right?

AND, Finn got two teeth on Wednesday. Out of the blue! We had no teething symptoms. No excessive drool, no grumpiness, no chewing, no nothing! They are all the way through, and really, REALLY sharp. I have tried to get a picture of them, but he won't cooperate. After I realized he had two teeth, I got the symptoms. Screaming bloody murder, mainly. But only for one evening, and then he was peachy keen. I am a lucky mother. I know it.

Here's a video showing how close he is to crawling. I know most of you probably aren't that excited about it, but my Mom keeps requesting, and I am sure more relatives care. I know Jason's parents watch them too. But feel free to skip it.

Here's One for the Grandparents

2010-06-27T14:37:00.005-06:00

Finn has been tons of fun lately! He is getting so big, and mobile to boot! At his 6 month appointment, he weighed 18.6 pounds and was 24.5 inches long. His weight is now in the 70th percentile and his height is in the 43rd, so he is growing pretty well.

This is his concentrating face. He makes it all the time when he's trying to figure something out. He is really pensive, and enjoys problem solving. I think he is a lot like Jason in that regard.

When my Mom came to visit, we went to eat at Chili's. We were having a hard time getting him to be happy, so we gave him a lemon wedge. He LOOOOVED it! I have never seen a baby go to town like that. It is especially funny because he makes sour faces. It's hilarious! He went through three wedges, and stripped them down to the peel. There is a video below. Notice that this was near the end of one of the lemons.

He also was funny because he liked his thumb flavored. (He also did this with a french fry.) He has to hold the lemon wedge and suck on his thumb. (With the fry he had to have both in his mouth.) If you try to take it away, he cries. It's pretty darn cute, for thumbsucking!

This is a video of Finley scooting. When he sees you over him, he gets all excited and squirmy. Then he starts scooting on the back of his head. It's pretty hilarious! It's also his main mode of transportation. I don't think he will ever grow hair in his bald spot.

This video is Finley using his switchback motion to try to get a toy. Well, he does give up, but it's still pretty cute. He rolls back and forth moving at an angle to move forward slowly. VERY slowly. But it works!

Food, Food, and more Food!

2010-06-23T09:43:00.002-06:00

I have been enjoying all sorts of delicious food lately, and it feels like heaven. Seriously, heaven. I discovered a new place to grocery shop. Harmon's. It's awesome. For those who have never been, you should go check one out. Some examples of cool things they have there that I have not yet purchased:

Edible flowers
Dry Aged Beef (House Aged)
A Cheese section that is the best in Utah other than Caputo's
All Sorts of Weird Fruits
Marshmallows for roasting that are about 4in long

I could go on. Anyway, I have bought all sorts of yummies from them. They have delicious artisanal breads, and my favorite is a sourdough bread with white chocolate and pecans. It is amazing! In fact, I have decided I need a good sourdough recipe so I can make up my own breads. (Ben and Laura, I know you guys have some great bread recipes!)

I also bought maitake mushrooms, which I turned into an AMAZING pasta with some scoparolo cheese from Caputo's. It was a pasta I make pretty often, but the mushrooms and cheese took it to a whole new level. Amazing! They also have other cool mushrooms there, like enoki, oyster, chantarelles, and blue foot mushrooms. I think I will be trying them all before too long.

I bought a dragonfruit. It was gorgeous, but not that tasty. It was a lot like a kiwi, but very bland. They have other cool fruits that we may try in the future.

THEN, we went to Caputo's. We bought cheese and olives, as always, and some new Valrhona chocolates. But the coolest thing we got at Caputo's was.... a Truffle! A black truffle, to be precise. Usually prices at around $800 a pound, we got a screaming deal at just $200 a pound. Luckily, truffles are very light. We paid $6 for one. I wish we had gotten more. Oh well. We made a delicious dish out of Mario Batali's cookbook called Turkey a la Bognese. Basically, it was turkey breast (found at Harmons) breaded and sauteed in butter, then topped with shaved parmaggiano reggiano, shaved truffle, a layer of prosciutto di parma, and finished off with grated pecorino romano. Then you bake until the cheese is bubbling and shave the rest of the truffle on top. It was good and simple. The truffle acts as a flavor enhancer, and also adds its own musky, earthy, mushroomish taste to the party. I liked it, but wish there was more truffle on it. My fault for buying a small truffle.

Anyway, I have been glorying in all of the delectable goodies I have been eating. AND it has the bonus of making me feel like a true gourmand.

Blogging Rut

2010-06-11T11:22:00.002-06:00

So, I have no idea what to blog about. I am ashamed because I have had plenty of things to blog about, but have not done it, and now I don't know what to say. It has been too long. And I am imagining all of you guys looking at me and shaking your heads in despair, and I feel ashamed. Oh, the joy. So, to appease the masses (well, mostly my own self) I am blogging about nothing of note.

Finn is now 18lbs 8 oz, which is MONSTROUS! I feel like my arm is about to fall off if I ever have to carry him around. Which I do, unfortunately! I also finally got around to buying him a crib. I haven't set it up yet. I think I will make Jason do it when he gets home from his camp out. Finn is now in 6-9mo clothes and size 3 diapers. He's getting too big. I don't even feel like he's a baby anymore!

I recently spent a week in Idaho for my cousin's wedding. It was lots of fun to see everyone and we all stayed up way too late. Especially my mom and I, staying up til 5am multiple times. It was sad, and I still don't think I have recovered on sleep. Or maybe I have recovered on sleep, but my house hasn't recovered from my recuperation period.

I have decided I need some shorts. Summer snuck up on me, and I am dying of heat. Some shorts would be nice. But, I don't want to buy any because I am hoping to lose some weight. I was doing so great throughout my pregnancy, only gaining 15lbs, but then I delivered and packed it all on. So now I weigh the same as I did before I lost any weight at all, way back at the beginning of last year. That doesn't make me too happy. I think I might start The Daily Plate again. But I am weighing it against eating. I mean, if I am just going to gain it all back the next time I have a kid, maybe I should just wait until I am done having kids to get skinny. (And I am going with the "your body has a weight it reverts to" theory because I am sure not going to gain 20lbs after every kid! I would be waaaaaaaay too fat then.)

And that is about all the things on my mind at this moment. Have a nice day! :)

Pictures of the cutest boy ever!

2010-05-13T13:26:00.005-06:00

Finn is getting huge! We still haven't weighed him. He is now over his cold, which is a relief to me. He is getting super fun! He loves to be tossed in the air, and he laughs at all sorts of weird things. Finn is interesting because he doesn't like to REALLY laugh. If you tickle him, he just grunts and holds his breath, but if you do something weird he will laugh, but in a more mild manner. I think he is a bit of a control freak.

I don't have much else to say, so I will let the pictures talk for me. Enjoy!
Thumbsucking. I can't get him to quit. I admit, I have given up for now.

He makes the FUNNIEST faces ever!

He likes to chew on his fingers, too. No teething yet.

For scale. And I haven't lost any weight. So he is getting pretty darn big!

He is such a ladies man! He has a smile for all the girls. I think he will be a heartbreaker.

I know this one is fuzzy, but it's such a big grin! It's harder to get those on camera than I thought it would be.

More faces. He was talking and getting excited here. I think he will take after me as far as facial expressions go.

Just so gosh darn cute!

Fives

2010-05-07T19:34:00.002-06:00

Well, Finn is now Five months old! It's going by so fast! I don't have any current pictures. We have been a little bit busy over here. A list:
1. We moved. We are now the proud owners of a dishwasher and a washer AND a dryer! Makes life oh so nice.

2. We have all been sick. Yes, all. Including Finn. Although it is his first time, which I think is a pretty good track record. Jason gave it to us.

3. Okay. I got nothing else. But since Finn is Five months old and May is the Fifth month, here are five fives about me.

5 favorite sounds
1. Rain- especially a thunderstorm
2. Finn talking to himself. It never gets old!
3. Hearing my phone ring. (Maybe because it's Sleeping Beauty, but mostly because I love getting phone calls.)
4. The dishwasher. It means I have one AND I have been good!
5. Music. I love me some music!

5 least favorite sounds
1. People fighting that live upstairs or downstairs or next door. Awkward.
2. Bees. Shudder.
3. The way the shower head whines. Ugh.
4. The car with the windows open on the highway.
5. The stupid bird I had shot because it squawked too early in the morning. I was pregnant. I think.

5 people I would not like to be trapped in an elevator with
1. Cameron Hitch. He was my creepy stalker in HS. He couldn't look me in the face, if you know what I mean.
2. Jack Nicholson. He creeps me out. I think it's the eyebrows.
3. A woman about to give birth. I do NOT want to see what I put myself through!
4. The devil.
5. Kate Gosselin

5 things I think I like but then really don't
1. Hats. I think I love them, but I don't. They are not so cute on me.
2. High heels. I have so many pairs, but they are so uncomfortable!
3. Actually doing my hair. I do enjoy it, but only a few times a year.
4. When Jason lets me drive. I always forget that he is a HORRIBLE backseat driver.
5. Summer. Too hot. And I don't even have a pool anymore.

5 reasons to eat ice cream for dinner
1. Because ice cream is better than nothing, and it's been too long since I went shopping.
2. Because I just read a Nicholas Sparks book and am now sobbing uncontrollably.
3. Because it was an awesome day, and ice cream is the perfect ending!
4. Because my mom won't know, and therefore can't tell me not to. I am an adult! :)
5. Because there is never a bad time to eat ice cream! Mmmm

A Little Laughter to Brighten your Day!

2010-04-18T13:58:00.003-06:00

Just because it's cute, and I am excited to have found a way to reliably get Finn to laugh.

Four Month Doctor Visit and Super Cute Nails!

2010-04-13T19:08:00.006-06:00

Well, I am going to start with my super cute nails, because I am so self-centered. Well, really it's because it happened first. Or something. I found these really cute star cutouts. Well, actually I found way too many. But they are for nails, and they are not stickers. I got a great deal, and had too much fun with them. Here they are!
Please ignore the way my knuckles dent in. I haven't lost all my baby fat yet?
And yes, those are my real nails. No fakies here!

Finley had his Four Month Visit today. Here are the stats:
Weight: 14lbs even. 24th percentile (still a little small)
Height: 24.5 inches. 24th percentile (well, at least he's consistent!)
Head: 16 inches. 10th percentile (I am okay with small head babies)
He also had to get his shots, poor guy. I forgot to give him Tylenol first, too, so he is pretty grumpy. I have to say though, he handled the first shot like a pro. Didn't cry or anything. It was the second one that did him in. I think it was just too cruel to handle.

We put him in 3-6 month clothes today, which was momentous. AND, we get to start feeding him real food! Well, real baby food, anyway. Nothing cuter than a messy faced baby, huh? That's what I think! So I made sure to take some photos!

He really seemed to like it, once he figured out it was food. I don't blame him for wondering. Rice cereal isn't my favorite, either. Notice Jason's death grip on his hands. He tends to try to shove them into his mouth every chance he gets. Thumbsucking- I hate you.

Aww- so cute! I was strangely super excited to feed him! I mean, it's messy and he wasn't that excited but I was just grinning away like an idiot.

Notice the blurred arms. He is such a squirmy kid! Like the bib? I know I do! (Emily, I think Gabe should be a pirate puppy when he grows up. Just sayin')

I guess he didn't like the feel of all that goop on his face, because he cleaned it up all by his lonesomes! Either that or tried to eat the bib. I am going with cleaning because I am sure Finn is a genius, and because I am hoping he will be a neat freak and clean all day long while I read. Sounds good, no? Yeah, I am the luckiest mom in the world!
And to end, a video of Finn ALMOST laughing. He was laughing really good until we pulled out the camera...

Irrational Fears

2010-04-10T12:58:00.004-06:00

So, when I was 14 or so, my Mom got this electric razor thing. Only it wasn't a razor. It was more like an electric waxer. It pulled out all your leg hair. I asked her if it hurt, and she said not really. So I thought I would try it. (I have ALWAYS hated shaving.) So I turn that sucker on, and it is loud. I mean LOUD! I bring it close to my leg, and freak out. It's just so scary sounding, you know? I turned it off. I tried off and on to use it for the next few years, but I am just a chicken.

I recently bought an electric razor. I bought it 2 weeks ago and haven't used it yet. I am really excited about it, and think it will be wonderful. And since it doesn't yank the hair out, I am sure it won't be painful at all. But EVERY TIME I turn that thing on, I get nervous. Jason laughs at me. He's like- it doesn't hurt, Amanda. But it makes me so nervous! Why?

Well, I think it all comes back to my fear of vacuum cleaners. What?!?! You say? Yes, I am afraid of the vacuum cleaner. Not when I use it. I am just peachy if I am the one vacuuming. I know I won't run over my feet. Then I only have to worry about running over a cord. Yes, I think that if I run over a cord, ESPECIALLY the vacuum cord, the whole thing will blow up. Well, maybe not blow up, but I am pretty sure it will start a fire or something. It freaks me out. But this is not the only way I am afraid of the vacuum. If someone else is vacuuming, I have the urge to stand on a chair. When I was little my brothers used to chase me around with it. I thought it would suck me up. Now, I know it won't suck me up, but I am still afraid! In fact, Jason was vacuuming last week, and I was being a brave little girl and left my feet mostly on the floor. I did put them on tip toes so that he wouldn't run over them on accident. Well, he bumped my shin with the vacuum and I chewed him out a little. Okay, maybe I freaked out at him and told him he has to "TELL ME when he gets close to me so I can pick up my feet" in a not so nice voice.

I think every time I turn on my razor, it reminds me of a vacuum. Maybe I am afraid the little rollers will suck my skin in and pinch me. I have no idea. It just is a little freaky. I am going to persevere, though. To be able to shave whenever I want would be nice. Especially if I don't nick my knees.

In conclusion, Jason says that the thing that sets cats and dogs apart from humans is fear of the vacuum cleaner. In my defense, I say: Meow.

Thumbsucker. And other photos of Finley

2010-04-03T13:02:00.006-06:00

Well, Finn discovered his thumb last week. I am not too excited about it. Jason called me in to look at Finn while he was sleeping, and there he was, thumb firmly in mouth. It was so cute! I mean, look at that dimple in his cheek that he gets when he sucks! Awww! But then I started to think about the trials of getting your child to STOP thumbsucking (I mean, really, it isn't so cute when they're 12...) and firmly pulled it right out. I thought it was a one time thing. Unfortunately, I was wrong. He can find that thing so fast, it's incredible! I mean, he will be standing, and lunge his head forward and grab that thumb. It's driving me nuts. But it is cute.

He hasn't really figured out what to do with his other fingers yet. As a result, he usually forms them into a claw shape, and then proceeds to stab himself in the eye. And then he cries. I just look at him and say "You did that to yourself. Maybe if you didn't suck your thumb, you wouldn't poke your eye out." Okay- and then I give him a hug and make him feel better.

Jason laughs at me because I keep telling Finn "You are a big boy. Big boys don't suck their thumbs. Thumbsucking is for babies." Also, please notice Finley's angry sleeping face. He sleeps like that all the time. I am not sure why, but I think it's adorable!

I keep trying to get Finn to smile for the camera. He is ALL smiles now. But as soon as he sees the camera, all I get is pig face. Over and over again. Cute chin, eh? He is up to 14lbs now!

He is so wiggly! He's getting pretty close to rolling over. He has figured out how to pick up his bum using his legs and fling himself around. He just needs to get the top half moving.

I love this face! He makes it all the time! Too cute!

He is really REALLY good at holding his head up now. In fact, when we put him in the carseat, he tries to hold his head up for a while. It's pretty funny. :)

The bald spot on the back of his head is getting pretty funny. It's all jagged around the edges now. As a side note, all his new hair is blonde, blonde, blonde!

We got his professional hospital photo. I wasn't sure if I wanted to order any, but then I realized that we didn't take any photos that showed his hair- just him in hats! He is one day old here, and I think he looks pretty darn cute, considering. He had a TON of hair, huh?

He has started grabbing things. He loves to grab the bottle. Both sides. And he is all done breastfeeding now. In case you wanted to know.

This is RIGHT after he was done eating. We take the bottle out, and it's stretchy time!

Here is a series of photos of us trying to take our own family photos. We tried. It's harder than you think to get everybody in the frame and looking okay. The last one was ALMOST perfect. If only Finn hadn't looked down. Oh well. One of these days we will get a good one. Or maybe I'll just photoshop them...

Embarrassing Story Number 3

2010-03-31T23:07:00.002-06:00

I just remembered this embarrassing story, and had to share. We all have to laugh more often. Ahem.

I was about eleven years old, and just starting to become that lovely self-conscious being that takes over until you turn about 20. Or maybe older. (Or maybe just until you get married. I mean, they are stuck with you anyway, right?) My dad had recently decided that he was going to set up a photo booth- you know the type. Sit in it and print out your photo? Yup, that's the one! He was going to call it "Phun Photo" and it was going to have various templates for you to position your face in.

We were just outside the front door, and I sneezed. I had a HUGE booger hanging out of my nose. I mean, literally, inches long. It was disgusting. I had my hand over it, of course, and was begging that we go back inside so I can get a kleenex. Dad makes me let him see, which was embarrassing enough, but then he declares it to be perfect for the photo booth and runs inside to get his camera. I was so mortified! Here I was, with a huge booger hanging out of my nose, and I had to wait for my dad to get the camera so he could take a picture of it so that immature teenage boys could have MY booger hanging out of THEIR nose in a fake photo. I was crying. It was awful.

By the way, whatever happened to that picture? And, I just have to add that my dad refused to take photos of me when I was a baby because I lost my hair in a funny way, and he didn't want to embarrass me. Which one is more embarrassing, hmmmm?

Jason and His Weird Self...

2010-03-25T10:22:00.003-06:00

Jason cracks me up. He has this knack for randomly getting strangers to tell him their life story in about 2 minutes flat. I don't have any idea how he does it. I used to think I was a friendly person (well, okay, I still am) but I am NOTHING compared to Jason.

Last year, we were getting gas. Nothing exciting. He starts the pump. The guy at the next station says hi. Jason says hi back, and then asks him where he's headed. Before the pumping is done, he has learned that the guy lives in Springville, is going to Moab, used to be a professional football player for some team that I forgot, why he had to retire, how much money he made, how many he kids he made and more. I am just stunned. I mean, I would have said hi back. But no way would I find all of that out!

A few weeks ago, we went to Stumpy burger on a recommendation (it was good, by the way). We order our food, and because it was pretty empty (well it was 3pm) the guy who does everything there brought it out to us. He mentioned that he created the special fry sauce in Missouri, so Jason asks if that's where he's from. No, the guy is from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and used to be a professor. We learned how many colleges there are in Coeur d'Alene- four, if it's close to mountains, how high the mountains are, how long the guy taught, what he taught and so on and so on. A pretty normal experience for Jason. Then a few minutes later, somebody else comes in to order. The guy pulls Jason into the KITCHEN! To show him how he makes the Philly Cheesesteak because Jason was asking about it when we ordered. He's back there for a few minutes. And to top it off, the guy stops at our table with the food the other people ordered to show him the finished product. My jaw hit the floor! How does Jason get invited back there and not me? I mean, I said more about the food. It was nuts.

The funniest thing of all about this encounter? I was like "I don't know how you get everybody to be your best friend in 2 minutes flat." Jason: "I don't know what you're talking about. Some people are just friendly." Me: "You think he takes EVERYBODY into the kitchen?" Jason: "Well, yeah. This is pretty normal." My jaw hit the floor AGAIN! I mean seriously, how can he think that is normal behavior? I have never once been invited into a kitchen. And I am pretty sure that guy doesn't invite everyone in there either. I guess Jason just has a magic touch...

Tuesday Adventures

2010-03-05T16:27:00.002-07:00

Well, I know it is not Tuesday. Or Wednesday. So I am running a little behind schedule- so what? Tuesday was an adventurous day for me... Well, okay not too adventurous. But more so than usual. I don't know why I am blabbering on in such a weird fashion.

Tuesday for Mutual, we had a Progressive dinner/Get to Know Your Leaders night. I got to kick it all off with appetizers. Salad was suggested, but did I do salad? No way! A chance to show off some cooking AND make people eat new things? Opportunity Taken! So I decided to do 3 different types of crostini and one other appetizer. Being myself, I am a HORRIBLE time manager. So did I get it all set out and ready by the time everyone showed up? No. Did I have half of it done when everybody showed up? No. Oh well. I did get everything finished about 10 minutes after everyone showed up, which was pretty good for me.
I made Crostini with St. Andre cheese and pink lady apples, crostini with chevre, arugula tossed in balsamic vinegar, and roasted red peppers, crostini with sauteed bacon and red onions, and insalata caprese, which is tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil drizzled in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. They were pretty delicious! Judging by the amount that got eaten, the St Andre cheese and pink lady apple were the favorite.

So, we move on to the other houses, and I had a wonderful time listening to embarrassing stories, looking at old photos, and learning funny little quirks about my fellow leaders. I get home, and sit on the couch and look down and notice a HUGE hole in my jeans! AND it was right on my inner thigh! Yikes! I immediately remember that I had been sitting cross legged on the floor at the last house and become somewhat embarrassed. I mean, this hole is probably a good five inches. Oh well, I guess that just happens sometimes. At least it wasn't in the crotch, hmmm?

Finn and Food

2010-03-01T00:02:00.005-07:00

I will start with food, since I have done so many Finn posts lately.

I have eaten at some AMAZING places the last little while! Notably, SmashBurger and Pizzeria 712 have been my favorites. SmashBurger is apparently a chain, but I have no idea where any others are. They have amazing burgers, but even more amazing than the burgers are the SIDES! What, you say, better sides than burgers? That doesn't sound so great.... But it is! They have these fries that are tossed with garlic and rosemary, and they taste so potatoey and delicious! I have a huge thing for potatoey fries, and usually you have to get steak fries to get that good flavor. But these fries are incredible! They taste just like roasted potatoes, and you can never go wrong with rosemary! They also have flash fried veggies (not breaded) that have green beans, carrots, and ASPARAGUS! (And in case you were curious, yes, I can still smell asparagus pee. I had forgotten that I could. Oh well.) The great thing about these veggies, is that they are perfectly cooked. It's hard to get perfectly cooked veggies at restaurants, let alone fast food. So, yeah. I recommend it!

Pizzeria 712 was written up in Salt Lake Magazine and won all sorts of awards. We went with Heather and Jason, and we all ordered a different pizza. They were ALL good! The pizzas have extremely thin crusts, and are blackened a bit, which I love. I ordered a pizza with mushrooms (they were specialty mushrooms, I know, but I am not sure what kind.) goat cheese, and basil. Jason (my Jason) ordered one with potatoes, garlic and arugula. I love me some arugula! Heather ordered a margarita pizza. Jason (Heather's Jason) got one with Speck, which I guess is somewhat like prosciutto, Italian sausages and fennel. They were really delicious!

Now, on to Finn. Guess what? Jason got a picture of him smiling! And, serendipitously, I am also in the picture, and I look cute, well, kinda! I am pretty impressed! We weighed Finn the other day, and he is now 11.5 lbs. He is starting to look like a major chunk! Well, not really. But he does have a nice double chin, and he even has a roll on his thighs. We are also starting the weaning process. Well, we just started today, but we have seen no problems yet. I must say, bottle feeding is about a million times faster than breastfeeding, which is nice!

Awww- the little round belly! I am glad he isn't so skinny anymore.

I love this face! Plus, I think this photo is cool because Finn is exactly lined up with Jason's head. It was odd. Finn loves to just be in his diaper. I think he will be very happy when summer rolls around...

Daddy and Baby Feet. Always cute! Of course, Finn was screaming...

I think this photo is also pretty cute...

Here is his thigh. You can sort of see the roll, but it's easier to see from the inside. Oh well...

Finley has such cute feet! And they are so long!

Will it ever stop? I don't know!

2010-02-17T17:40:00.005-07:00

Props to those who get the title reference!

But, yes. It is more of my cutie pie! I don't ever get tired of staring at him, so I assume you don't either. But, if you do, you don't have to read it, you know!

I have recently discovered that the reason Finn has been so grumpy lately is that he was not getting any sleep in during the daylight hours! Well, he was, but it was like 10 minutes here, 5 minutes there. I was having to hold him ALL the time and he would just scream and scream, and needless to say, I was at my wits end. And then, all of a sudden I think- hey! He's probably tired! So I have been putting him down for naps. It is so great! He is in a much better mood, and I have some time to get things done or just enjoy being by myself. Although I do feel like a bit of a dunce for not having thought of this earlier. Oh well. :)

This is the tail end of a smile. I ALMOST caught it. One of these days I will be quick enough on the draw...

This, I think, is a great representation of how Finley usually looks. You know how some pictures just look more like the people in them than others? Yeah. Also, is it just me, or is it starting to look like I may have a bit of redhead action going on here?

I think he inherited his mom's "Igor Eye" problem. See how one of my eyes is more open than the other? This is a common problem in my pictures. Luckily, in his case, the distortion is because of my cheek. (I hope!)

He's growing up so fast! He hardly seems like a baby anymore! Well, I guess he does seem like a baby, just like an old baby, and not a snuggly newborn.

Finn's Upcoming Blessing

2010-02-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

We are planning to bless Finley on the 2nd Sunday in March, the 14th. We would love for you to able to come! Let me know if you want to, or are coming so we can plan. We are so excited about it! Love you all!

Jessica's Visit!

2010-02-08T22:54:00.005-07:00

We had a great time when Jason's sister, Jessica, came to see Finley- all the way from Austin, TX! We are so glad that there was good timing, because Jessica graduated from Nursing School in December, so she got to take some time out between school and her new job to meet her nephew.

She really enjoyed holding him and feeding him and generally spoiling him rotten. Of course, her husband, Greg, and her two kids, Blaine and Abigail certainly helped! She came with a whole suitcase full of toys and clothes and homemade items and anything a baby could want! It was so fun to go through everything! She also bought us some of their favorite books by Sandra Boynton, which I have already read to Finn a few times each!

Here is Finn on a blanket she knitted, looking into a mirror she brought. Cute photo, huh?

Here is Finley in a hat his Uncle Greg made for him. It's a little big now, but I bet it will be perfect for next year!

We went to Vernon Hills to get some Wonderstone for her to take back for Blaine and Abigail. I had to sit in the car and feed Finn, but Jason and Jessica had a great time!

This is what the Wonderstone looks like. It's maroon, pink, orange and cream. SO pretty!

We also did quite a bit of beading. Jessica made some awesome necklaces, including one for Blaine and one for Abigail. I wish I had pictures of them! (I know, the photo doesn't go. But he's so cute when he stretches!)

Jessica was loving this cool fabric sling thing that my Mom made when she was here. She thought it was the coolest thing ever, and may make some for her friends that have babies. I have to say, it is a pretty nifty thing!

We also went to Sundance Ski Resort and wandered around. I had Finn in the sling (above) and a blanket tucked around him so he didn't get cold. Jessica said it looked like I was pregnant with triplets. I tend to think she was right. (My mom made that blanket, by the way. And I got a few compliments on it while we were there.)

Mostly, we just hung out and talked and generally enjoyed each other's company. It was a great visit, and we were so glad she could come up! Now we just need to see Greg, Abigail, and Blaine before Finn gets too old!

Finn's First Shots

2010-02-05T18:35:00.007-07:00

Finn went in for his two month appointment yesterday. He is growing so much! He is now 9lbs 9oz, which is 4lbs up from his birthweight, and almost a pound bigger than last week. He is 21.5 inches long, which is 3 inches bigger than at birth. His weight is in the 7th percentile, which is the highest it has been for him, which is good. Hopefully he is catching up to all the other kids!

He also had to get his shots. I gave him some tylenol beforehand, and I have no idea if it helped or not. The nurse was so quick! By the time he had registered the first shot, she was putting the band-aids on! That was nice. I got him calmed down pretty quickly, but he was grumpy the rest of the day, and he has been more touchy today. The worst part about the shots is the fact that they were all out of one, so we have to go back in next week for it. Poor Finn!

Here he is all kicky and stretchy on the blanket his aunt Jessica knitted for him. I will do a post with all the things people have made for him sometime in the near future.

This is a onesie Jason and I found that we just had to get, especially for my dad. It says "Big Horn Trail" if you are having a hard time reading it.

This is a picture of the balding spot on the back of his head. His hair is also starting to look more red. I am wondering if he will end up with reddish hair?

He has such a cute little frownie face! How I love it! And aren't frowns supposed to be harder than smiles? They do take more muscles, but he seems to have them down.

I took a whole bunch of pictures of me and Finn, but they mostly didn't turn out. But I thought I would post one, so you can see how big he is getting!

He gets this look all the time if he is laying by himself. I have NO idea what he is looking at that is so exciting!

I just think this is a cute face!

And a crying montage....

Finley and Jason. Jason is still over the moon about the whole fatherhood deal!

And last but not least, a video of Finn smiling. They are quick smiles, but they are there. Sorry the video is not so good. And about all the laundry in the background. It is all clean, fresh from the laundromat!

12% Brain Loss

2010-02-03T18:51:00.003-07:00

So, you know how pregnant women lose 12% of their brain? Mine must have been important because I have been having some major issues. For Example:

I have been looking for my keys for 4.5 hours straight. I have looked everywhere, even under the fridge. How can they not be in any of the usual places? I did get some cleaning done while I searched, which is always a plus. I even called up my brother Preston to see if maybe I left my keys in his car. I didn't. Anyway, I just found them, underneath a game and on top of a book. How the heck did they get there? Especially since I haven't played that game in at least 4 months. Yikes! But hey, at least they are here.

Another example from a few months back:

When Jason and I go out to eat, I always figure out the tip and fill out the little form. So, I was calculating the tip. Here is my logic:
Take 10%.
Half it.
Half it again. That is the tip.
I should have added the half to the 10%, but I somehow didn't know how to do that, even though I have been figuring out tips for at least 8 years. I didn't even realize my mistake until the next day. Poor waiter! Jason always checks my math now, and we have had a few more close calls. I guess I will just get dumber and dumber!

Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?

2010-01-27T21:52:00.004-07:00

Well, my mother complained about my last post, so here is another one chock full of Finn. He is now 8 weeks old, and he weighs 8lbs 12oz, which is in the 4th percentile. He is still tiny, but he looks huge to me! (As a sidenote, in the middle of this post, Finley spit up a whole ton. I mean A TON! And silly me, I tried to catch it in a burpcloth (I was burping him at the time...) and it ended up all over his face. In his eyes, up his nose, in his ears... AND it still overflowed all over me, my feet, and the carpet. Joy.)

Finn started to lose his hair a few weeks ago. For a while it looked hilarious because he was losing it in the stereotypical male balding pattern in the front, but he had a patch of hair underneath that! I tried to take some photos, but you couldn't see the patch. It was so funny, though!

He has become much more alert, and is awake for longer periods of time, which is SO much fun! He has always been a great nighttime sleeper, and for the past two weeks, he has consistently gone to bed at 11pm or so, woken up at 5:30 or 6am to be fed, and then not waking up again until after 10am. I know. I am SOOO lucky. I do love my sleep! He is getting some awesome head control, and he has started smiling. As soon as I can catch it on film, you can bet you will get a picture! Okay, I do have a picture of him smiling above, but he was sleeping, so it doesn't count.

Jason's sister, Jessica, was here for the week, and I will post some pictures of that shortly. In the meantime, enjoy staring at my baby. I know I enjoy it!

I know this one is a little fuzzy, but he is always doing stuff like this. Plus it's a cute double chin shot.

He was looking out the window. He sure loves to be able to see! Cute profile! Can you tell he's starting to lose his hair?

Here is another one of Finn looking out the window. Ah, the wonder!

Drunken baby! So awesome!

Here is his cute little mouth and nose. I thought you all might want a close up!

Here is his eye and nose. You can kindof see the color, but not really.

I love this shot of his eyes. So adorable!

Fast asleep...

Here is a favorite of mine! He looks so delicious, huh? And check out those cheeks! He does look rather porcine, I think.

I think all the picture taking was getting old. Oh well.

We sure love our little guy!

A New Love...

2010-01-20T18:43:00.003-07:00

For those who don't know, I am an obsessive list maker. I make lists for EVERYTHING. For example, let's say I will be going on a trip to Costa Rica in 1 month. Here are the lists I would have:
Things to Do Before I leave
Things to Clean Before I Leave
Things to Do in the Week Before I Leave
Things I Need to Buy Before I Leave
Things I Cannot Eat if I Want to Lose 10lbs Before I Leave
Things to Pack
Things to Pack for Jason
Things to Pack (Miscellaneous)
Things to ask Friends and/or Neighbors to Do While We Are Gone

And probably a few more too. Anyway. I was introduced to a wonderful website for listmakers like me by my dear friend Faith, who knows me too well. It is http://www.knockknock.biz/
They have all sorts of lists on pads, sticky notes, mouse pads, filing folders and whatnot. Well, not lists, but things to help you make lists. I will shortly be the proud owner of a "Pack This!", "What to Eat", "All Out Of", "Accomplish" and "Mental Note" pads. They have boxes to check and lines to write on, and you can stick them to your fridge. They also have funny little quotes at the bottom of the pages, like: "The Eternal Question" on the "What to Eat" pad. I think I am in heaven. If only they had more that I may need. Joy!

More Finley, Because I KNOW you all want pictures!

2010-01-13T13:16:00.006-07:00

Finley got weighed today and he is now a honking 7lbs 15oz. Last time he was weighed, about 3.5 weeks ago, he was 5lbs 13oz, so he has grown a ton! He is finally out of the newborn clothes and into 0-3mo. He still hasn't smiled, so we are waiting for that! He is 6 weeks old today, and I can't believe he is already so old! We sure love him!
This is his startled face.

This is his full face!

This one I think is cute because his mouth is all crooked!

This is Finn in his first 0-3mo outfit. I love the face and the hands!

This is Finn asleep, about 15 minutes later. Jazz hands! (And they were not resting on the swing!)

This is Jason sleeping with Finn. I get to see this just about every morning. So cute, huh?

And here is Finn's latest bath (Monday). He looks so much fatter, huh? Just look at that round belly! Here's a comparison photo-

Life After Pregnancy Part 2

2010-01-12T13:16:00.001-07:00

So, you know how asparagus makes your pee smell funny? I had heard that only some people's pee reacts, but that is wrong. Instead only some people are able to smell it. I never was, and that was just fine with me.

So last night, I had some asparagus for dinner. And guess what? Yes, you guessed it! Now I can smell the weird "asparagus pee" smell! I think this must be a really strange side effect of pregnancy. I mean you get the amazing smelling abilities while you are preggers, right? Well, I never noticed anything. So I guess I get it now. AFTER I am pregnant. Bummer.

More Finn, and a New Ring!

2010-01-07T14:35:00.007-07:00

Well, I know this blog is getting Finn overload, but there are grandparents and aunts and uncles that are all wanting to see plenty of pictures and whatnot. So no complaining. :)

In Finn news, I finally got around to taking some pictures of the different faces he makes. Unfortunately, most of them are a little fuzzy because I had to hold the button half-down so that I could catch the cute faces as he made them. Maybe not the best plan, but they are still cute.
He is getting a little more fussy, but also a ton more awake, which is really fun. He is still a really good baby. I am a lucky duck, let me tell you!
He can sleep in any position. We don't get it, and are jealous!

His mouth drastically changes shape depending on the face. Also, his cheeks are getting pretty chunky!

This is one of my favorite faces. He puts his mouth in this tiny rosebud and raises his eyebrows. It's pretty funny because you can't see his eyebrows, and all you see is forehead wrinkles!

He likes to flare his nostrils. Cute chin, huh?

Here is a duckbill-like mouth. Again with the raised eyebrows!

Can you see how tiny he can make his mouth compared to the last photo? It's incredible!

Here is a cute picture with a little tongue.

I am not sure what Jason was doing to him. So don't ask me! :)

He was sortof smiling here. He was doing it more before I took the photo. Of course.

Also, Jason got me a new ring for Christmas! Well, it was really 1/4 Christmas and 3/4 bribery. You see, Jason wants a 375 H and H Mag. It is an expensive safari gun. But not too expensive. So he figures if he buys me a new ring, I will say yes. Although I would have let him have it anyway. But let's just keep that a secret, huh? :)
It's a green amethyst. You can't see the color super well in this picture, but it's an almost see through minty green.
Here is the setting. Isn't it pretty? This ring reminds me of winter. I love it!

And to finish off, a few videos of Finn. The first is from yesterday, and it's just him crying. He has a cute cry! I love how his arms get all wavy. He was pretty darn upset here, so all you people with LOUD babies can be jealous!

The second one is a little older- from Dec 13, and he is being all stretchy (which is weird for a baby.) I also think it's fun how you can see his leg wrinkles and his scrawny little self. He has plumped up quite a bit!

A New Post, But Quick-like!

2009-12-29T13:25:00.005-07:00

I am sad that I haven't posted in a while, so I am updating. It has been nuts around here, but in a good way! My whole family came up for Christmas, which was fun, and will get some more attention later. My Mom and brother Preston are still here. Preston is moving to Provo, and we are so happy about it! My mom is just staying until Jan 9th, to help out me and Preston get settled in our new roles.
I also got to see my aunt Emily for an afternoon, which was so much fun! She is pregnant with twins, and is getting so big! She also took some pictures of Finn, which I cannot wait to see! (And Emily, if you are reading this, I also want all the bad photos. And you don't have to edit them.)
And to end, some new pictures of Finn. He is getting much more chunky, which is weird, but also fun. It's strange to think that he is still smaller than most people's babies when they are born. I can't imagine having to give birth to a baby that big! But I guess I will get a chance to later. Hopefully not.
Grandpa and Finn taking a snooze together!
Grandma and Finn. She is loving this!
Daddy and Finn. Finn loves to sprawl out. How he can sleep like that, I have no idea.
Mommy and Finn. This has to be one of my favorites. He was sleeping with his hand up like that.
Finn is getting a little chunkier, huh? And he looks so much like his dad!
I love this picture of Finn! He is such a sweetheart! He has a huge mouth, huh? I think he might get it from his mom. Poor guy! :)

Finn's First Bath!

2009-12-13T16:47:00.003-07:00

Well, we gave Finn his first bath on Friday. I warned Jason that he would hate it, but Jason was like, "No, no. He is such a good baby, he will probably love it." I did warn him, though.
Of course, Jason did the bathing and I did the photography. Finn did hate it, so I was right. And it was cute, because Jason was pretty stressed out that Finn was screaming bloody murder. So overall, it was pure torture. But the photos are too cute!
Here is the very beginning of the bath. Finn is trying to decide if he likes it or not...
And here he has decided that he DOES NOT!
Screaming and screaming...
I know this photo is fuzzy, but his face is just so expressive, so I kept it in.
After the bath, he immediately stopped screaming, but he looks so sad!
This one is my favorite! He just looks so worried and betrayed! Awww!
And here is a photo of how his hair dries on it's own. It is SOOO soft, and so cute all spiked up like this! Too bad it only stays that way for about 15 minutes. Then it gets all rubbed down again.

The Return to Not Pregnant Life

2009-12-12T13:51:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, Jason and I went to IHOP for dinner. I was pretty excited to eat pancakes WITH SYRUP and have a soda, since I hadn't been able to have them for months because of the gestational diabetes. (Everything is all hunky-dory with that now, if you were wondering.) So I order my root beer, and I pick it up to taste the deliciousness...
BLEAH!!! Yuck!! This root beer is WAAAAAY too sweet! The machine is off! And it's too fizzy! Jason tried it and said it was perfect. I tried it again, and it was still too sweet. And what's worse, it tastes like medicine.
How sad. I think I may never like root beer again. But don't fear. I will keep trying. At least the pancakes were good!
Also, I am sitting here in PRE-pregnancy jeans. And they are done up! Okay, well really they are done up when I am standing, but I have to undo the button when I am sitting. It's weird to have a waistband cutting into me again. Maternity pants are much more comfy. I think I now understand people who wear elastic waist jeans. If I weren't so vain, I think I might get some. Plus, Jason would kill me.

My Boys

2009-12-11T10:12:00.002-07:00

Is there anything sweeter than watching your husband with your new baby? I don't think so! Although, mine is a bit of a baby hog! :) I think he holds him about all the time, except for when I am nursing, when he is sleeping, and when Finn has to be under the lights. Although when he is under the lights, Jason is right there touching him constantly.
I knew Jason would love our baby, especially because when we went to visit family in Idaho, there was a new baby, Nora, and he held her nonstop. It was really REALLY cute, and despite his protests I knew from then on he was a baby person.
BUT SERIOUSLY!!! I had no idea that he would be so much of a baby person! For example, I have changed only four diapers. Only FOUR and only when no one else was here, and they have all been wet. Jason has changed all the diapers and done all the burping. I was really surprised that he wold change diapers, mostly because I thought he would be worried about hurting Finn, since newborns seem so fragile. But he has really not been afraid of that at all! Well, not as far as he goes anyway. He tells me quite often that I need to be careful that I don't roll on top of him, feed him regularly, keep him warm, keep him not TOO warm, etc etc etc.
I love it though! I think it is so cute, and it just makes me smile inside every time! I love my boys to death, and I am so glad that Jason is just as in love as I am! He is always saying something about Finn like "Isn't he perfect?" "Isn't he the most beautiful baby you have ever seen?" He was even asking all the nurses, which made me have to try really hard not to laugh when they all reply "Of course he is!"
To sum up, let me tell you about a conversation I had with Jason yesterday. He had gone to work on Wednesday (but then came home that night to help me watch Finn in the bilirubin lights) and his co-worker asked him how it felt to be second fiddle, now that we had a baby. He replied "I think it's the other way around!" And I asked what he meant. He told me that I was the second fiddle! "But don't worry," he said, "I still love you. He's just my new toy!" I laughed really hard! But you know, that's how it is at our house lately!

The Labor, and boy was it!

2009-12-06T21:45:00.005-07:00

So here is the labor story. It was pretty dramatic, but now that it's been a few days, it's hard for me to remember how bad it was while it was happening. So, I will try to recapture how I felt, but it may be a little lacking!

TUESDAY, DEC 1st, ABOUT 1pm

Since I thought I might be having the baby soon, I thought I should go pick up the last few things that I needed for the baby. Heather came with me, and we got everything I needed. I was having mild contractions during the shopping, but towards the end they started to get really bad. I was standing in line at the checkout, and all of a sudden I thought I was going to pass out from the pain! I mean, literally pass out. My vision started to get all black, and I had to sit down on the floor immediately. Jack (Heather's 2.5 year old) was very confused and kept trying to talk to me. I felt bad for not answering him, but I guess he's probably over it!
So anyway, I decide that this is the real deal, and I call Jason to pick me up. I had driven to the store, but didn't feel like I could drive at all. Jason was on his way to doing some hunting, and I felt bad that I had to call him. He stopped by the house to grab the hospital bag (which I had only packed the night before) and it took him probably 20 minutes to get to me. In the meantime, my contractions are getting pretty brutal. I couldn't stand up straight, and I was all moany, even though I was trying really hard not to be, since Heather and Jack were waiting with me. Heather gave me a bottle of water, which really helped a ton, and I chugged it down. It felt like an ETERNITY until Jason got there!
Finally, Jason arrives, and we get into the car. I am in so much pain, I am getting nauseated. I mention it, and Jason pulls out a bag, just in case. I didn't think I would really throw up, but I DID! Twice. And because I had had so much water, it spewed everywhere, all down my shirt and my pants. I was very upset, and just kept thinking- "I can't believe I am going to have to go into the hospital with puke all over myself! How nasty!" My contractions kept getting worse and worse, and I was starting to think that we might be having a baby in the car! I mean, puking is a sign of late labor!
We get to the hospital (after a few bad choices as far as what road to take), but we haven't had a tour or anything, and we don't know where to go. So, we decide to go in the main entrance, and they can tell us where to go. Jason pushed me in a wheelchair to the Labor and Delivery unit, which felt like about 2 miles. Later I found out it is less than one minute's walk, but you know how that goes.
I get to the right section, and they immediately take me into a room and check me, because it looks like the baby may be right on its way! Now, remember, at my doctor's appointment on the previous day I was a 5 and 90% effaced. They check me and..... I am a 5. And 75% effaced. WHAT?!?!?!? HOW CAN I HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS AND NOT CHANGED AT ALL!! At this point, I am saying to everyone- "I want an epidural! I can't do this!!" But they can't give one until I am admitted, and they are trying to get ahold of the midwife. So I lay down on the bed, and am still feeling just awful. I flip on my side, and start to feel a little bit better. Five minutes later, I am having no contractions. None. At all. However, the midwife says that she is going to give me an hour to see if I change, since she doesn't really want to send me home at a 5. So I sit in the hospital bed for two hours. Not one single contraction. Not even a tiny one. I am sure they are going to send me home, and I am SOOOO frustrated! WHAT THE HECK! I was in such bad labor pains, and now I just have to go home?? Grrr! They come back in to check me, though, and I have dilated to a 6. Everyone is so confused! How did I dilate without having a single contraction? It's just weird. The midwife doesn't know what to do with me. She thinks maybe they should send me home, but the nurses don't agree. They decide to hang onto me for a little while longer, and they are going to let me walk for an hour to see if I start having more contractions. So we start walking around the hospital, which was really boring. I start to get some contractions, but they are SUPER mild, and as soon as I lay down again they go away.
So we do the walking thing for about three hours. Eventually, they find out I am at a 7. I am baffling everyone! I am feeling pretty much nothing- I mean cramps are WAY worse than my contractions, and I am happy and smiling! They can't believe it, because other women at a 7 are usually screaming their guts out. I am stuck at a 7 for about 4 hours. Still no major contractions.
They decide to admit me, because in all likelihood I will go really fast when my labor kicks in. I am jumping off the ceiling with joy, because I just KNOW that if they break my water I am going to go in about a half hour! YES! I am not getting sent home! So they send me walking again while we wait for the midwife to come and break my water. She comes, and they break my water, and I go walking again, and I just cannot wait to get that baby out!
THREE HOURS LATER I am STILL at a 7!! I can't believe it! Breaking my water was supposed to make everything happen! Not fair! At this point I am thinking that I have NO good labor genes at all! I thought I was going to have a quick labor, but it has now been like 10 hours, and nothing is happening. I have been stuck at a 7 for about 8 hours, and it just sucks. So they decide to put me on Pitocin. Which means no more walking. And my contractions are still stopping everytime I lay down. But I am hoping that the Pitocin will work to get them started.
But the Pitocin is NOT WORKING! Grrr!! I am so frustrated! They keep upping my dose until I am at the highest level. Then I start having regular contractions, but they are SOOO mild! Here is a reference point- they want your contractions to be over 120 mvus, and mine were in the 40s, and only about every 5 minutes. However, they think that maybe the contraction monitor may just not be picking them up like it should, so they decide to do an inter-uterine monitor to measure them more accurately. It goes up past the baby's head. So the nurse is trying to insert it, and she CANNOT get it in! Let me tell you- it hurt SOOO bad! I was crying and being a total wimp. She feels around and realizes that when they broke my water, the baby's head came down and plugged it back up, and the head is stuck behind the membrane. So they have to come and break my water again, and then they will try to insert the monitor again.
Now, all that messing around and digging and pain made me start having NASTY contractions again. I threw up another three times. It was awful! But I was thinking- Hey, at least I will be dilating again, right?
WRONG! They check me after about an hour, and I am only a 7.5. So I decide to get an epidural. I mean, I had been in the hospital for a long time, I was tired, I was in a ton of pain, and I wasn't dilating! If I had been a nine, I would have just done it naturally, but there was no way I was going to be in this much pain for the next 10 hours!
The epidural was WAY better than I expected, and it was really funny to have numb legs! I thought that my right leg was propped up with the knee bent, and I kept making Jason come over and check that it was still laying down like it was supposed to be.
A few hours later, I was complete, but my epidural was wearing off. I was okay with that, though, because it meant that I could feel when to push, which would make the whole process more effective.
So I start pushing at about 8:50 in the morning on Wednesday. That is 18 hours after I arrived at the hospital. My epidural is really wearing off though, and I consider getting a boost. But the nurse said it would make me go longer, so I decided to just go for it. She told me that most first time moms push for about 2 hours. After an hour of pushing, they decide to call the midwife to come in, but I can't push anymore until she gets there. She was at the other hospital. That was SOOOO hard! It hurts way worse to not push than it does to push, although pushing was way more work than I expected.
The midwife gets there, and about 10 minutes later, out pops a baby! She was just about to tell me to stop pushing, but he just POPPED out. I literally heard a pop! He was posterior (which means his face was facing up at the ceiling instead of at the floor) which is really hard to deliver. They were all really impressed that I got him out in just an hour and a half, because it's not uncommon for moms to push for more than six hours with a posterior baby.
I was just so glad to have him, and so relieved that labor was over! It took SOOOO long! I think that he was just stuck for a long time, partially because he was posterior, and partially because he got hung up in the amniotic sac. I am really lucky that he was so tiny, because if he had been full term I would have had to have a C-Section. So PHEW! Also after finding out that he was posterior, I think I probably do have some good labor genes. Although next time I think I might end up with a baby in the car, because I don't think I will go in as early in the hope that I won't have to be in the hospital for SO LONG!

Here are some photos, and I look awful. I know. But Labor is really hard, so I don't want to hear any judgements, okay? :)
This is one of the last photos of me pregnant. I am stuck at a 7 here, and obviously doing just fine!!
Another picture of me being too happy for how I was doing. I think I would have rather had a faster, harder labor.
This is a LOVELY picture of me waiting for the midwife and trying not to push. I didn't even know Jason had taken this pictures. I am not sure why he did, since I look like I am dying, but I guess it's good to document, right?
This is RIGHT after I had Finn. Before I got to hold him, while they were weighing him. I look really puffy from all the fluid and Pitocin they pumped into me.
Me holding Finn for the first time. He is so cute, huh?
Again, a first time holding picture. And puffy tired face.
A cute picture of Finn to have some attractive pictures in here!

Isn't he too cute? I love the spit up in his mouth! I am so glad I had him, and he was worth every minute!

Welcome, Finn!

2009-12-06T10:56:00.003-07:00

IT'S A BOY!!!

We are so excited to have a new addition to our family! Finley Jason Klimek (aka Finn) was born on Wednesday, December 2nd at 10:36am. He was 3 weeks and 1 day early, so it was a fun surprise! He weighed 5 lbs and 10 oz and was 18 and 3/4 inches long. We think he is about the cutest baby ever born, but maybe we are a little biased! :)

He has an amazing temperament, and hardly ever cries. In fact, he didn't cry at all during his shots, and we had to take him in to have blood drawn this morning, and he slept through the whole thing! He has high levels of bilirubin, so he has had to be under a phototherapy light for a while. He seems to really enjoy it, as you can see from the photos. And no, NONE of them were posed. He just loves to stretch out!

We love him to death, and are so excited to have him here! Birth story to follow in a little while, and it's dramatic, so STAY TUNED!!

A crazy surprise!

2009-12-01T10:52:00.002-07:00

Yesterday morning, at 36.5 weeks, I had a doctor's appointment. I was planning on being induced on the 17th, and they told me that they would only consider inducing me a week early if my cervix was softened. I guess your body has to be ready or something like that. They could give me drugs for it, but won't. So, I was going to be checked, and I was hoping and praying that my cervix would be softish. Maybe not soft enough to induce yet, but soft enough that they would consider inducing me in a few weeks.
The midwife is checking me, and she gets this really weird look on her face. Immediately, I am paranoid and thinking "Oh no! What's wrong!" Then she says she is going to have to check me again, so she does so. "Well, induction is certainly an option!" she says. Then she tells me that I am dilated to a FIVE and 90% effaced. I am sure my face was in total shock! I mean, keep in mind that I am still 3 days away from being full term. She was also in shock! She told me that most women don't reach a five until they are in hard labor, and here I am, clueless, with no contractions at all! She also told me that I will likely go really quickly, and probably soon. The baby was at a -2 station, so it didn't necessarily mean any day now, but she kept saying "If you're pregnant next week..."
I had contractions (very very mild ones) for about 7 hours on Sunday, and I think that is why I was dilated so far. But then last night I had some more, for about five hours. I called the midwife on call to see if I should go in, but she didn't seem concerned, so we decided to just wait it out. They ended up ebbing off, and we went to bed. Nevertheless, I don't think it will be long at all before this baby arrives. Maybe today will be the big day!

35 Weeks Today!

2009-11-19T13:51:00.002-07:00

First off, no I don't have a recent photo. You will have to wait until Saturday or Sunday when Jason comes home. Sorry. I can't take photos of myself from that angle. If you still want a photo taken by me, it will be of my eye. I have those ones down! :)

I cannot believe that I am 35 weeks already! It is so crazy! Everyone says that time goes so slow when you are pregnant, but for me it has just flown by! Nine months seems like such a long time, but it never seems as long as it should be. I have just four weeks to go, tops. The doctor said she would induce me a week early (probably because no one wants to work on Christmas Eve. Not that I am complaining!) which would be on the 17th. So the countdown is started!
I am a compulsive list maker. I am not sure who all knows this, and it may surprise you, since I am SOOO organized and all! :) But anyway, I have been making tons of lists this week. I have, so far:
Things I Need to Buy for the Baby
Things I Need to Buy Before the Baby Gets Here
Things I Need to Get Done Before the Baby Gets Here
What to Pack in my Hospital Bag
What Baby Things my Mom Has

And I have reorganized them all a few times. I am starting to freak out a little that I won't get everything done. But I guess some people have babies without knowing they were pregnant and survive. I am sure I will be fine. I would just rather be all ready! :) I think my next list step will probably be things to do in every week, or possibly by specific dates. My mom finds it hilarious that I make lists, by the way. We were not the list-making types growing up.

Anyway. I am just excited to meet this baby, and can't wait for it to get here!

Baby Shower #2 and #3

2009-11-17T11:01:00.003-07:00

On Saturday I had two baby showers! (How did I get so lucky?) The first one was at 10am, and Faith was a fantastic hostess! (She didn't get in any of the photos, because she was in charge of the camera. I should have noticed and fixed that, but wasn't thinking. All the blood is going to the uterus, you know!) We played a game where you melt candy bars in diapers and try to guess what they are, and also a game where no one can say "baby" or "cute". Basically, we all had five clothespins, and if someone caught you saying the taboo word they got to take one. I lost horribly! :) Lauren won it by about 7 pins or so.

It was crazy! Then we opened gifts.
Lauren made me a teddy bear! Isn't it cute?
Melanie got me a gift card.
Britney also got me a gift card. Also, I have to say that this was the first time I had seen Britney in at least 6 years, so it was so fun having her there!

Heather got me a goodie bag full of all sorts of fun things! It had some white onesies, diapers, a pack of gum, a cute birthday banner that she made, a really soft blanket with polka dots, some shower gel and a loofah, some toys, and I think that was it. Sorry, Heather if I have forgotten something. I appreciate it nonetheless! Also, her Jason always writes Roses are Red poems in cards and he wrote:
Roses are Red
Oceans are Blue
Babies look funny
There's nothing you can do!
But don't worry, they usually grow out of it. .......usually.
We all had a good laugh!

Kaylee got me a cute set of pajamas with duckies on the feet.

Faith went in on a group gift, and got me a travel system! Yay for that!

The second baby shower was at 1pm. It was at the church, and the theme was "What will it "bee"?" There was a really cute cake that Krystal Walch made me that looked like a beehive and had bees on it made with twix bars and marshmallows. It was really adorable! I don't have any photos because I was dumb and forgot my camera. (Ditto on the blood thing again) Devera made me a cute quilt that was yellow and black striped and we tied it during the shower with black ribbon. Her girls, Sheralyn and Madelyn made me a soft yellow fleece blanket with a Winnie-the-Pooh border. We played a guessing game, to see how many of certain types of snacks were in a baby bottle. Shockingly, I won the one with the cheerios in it! I have always been awful at those. Although I was still over 150 off. Oh well! :) They also had a pinata that I had to break. It was hilarious! It took me probably a good ten minutes to break it open, and some of that was without a blindfold! And I had a BASEBALL BAT! It was very well reinforced!

Then we opened gifts!
Carrie Garner and Amy Peterson got me some Dreft (which is sensitive detergent just for babies) and some handmade burp cloths.
Marilyn, Celeste, Natalia and Tatiana Hernandez got me a reall cute Arthur book (that we read out loud, and all had a good laugh about), some cute puppy pajamas that are really soft, and a cute and soft teddy bear.
Dardree and Jessica McClellan got me a cute purple sweater with a bunny on it, some PJs with pink and purple flowers, and a pair of booties in yellow. The shoes are SO tiny!
Alison Pack got me a check, which is always nice!
Krytal Walch got me some Infant Tylenol, a medicine syringe, Bordeaux's Butt Paste, and Vaseline.
Devera, Sheralyn and Madelyn got me the aforementioned blankets. And also they were in charge of the shower. It was loads of fun!

A Surprise Baby Shower!

2009-11-04T15:43:00.006-07:00

Last night I had no idea what we were doing for Mutual. None of the people at church on Sunday knew either, as the main players were out of town. Needless to say, I was confused, but willing to roll with the punches. Our planned class activity wasn't going to work out, so I was prepared to make something up on the spot if necessary.
Imagine my surprise when I get there, and it's a surprise baby shower for ME! I was SOOO surprised! I was even more surprised later, because I found out Jason knew about it. I don't know how he didn't say anything. I would have at least been tempted to say "I know something you don't know!" or something equally elementary school. But he didn't breathe a word, and I was floored!
First, we played a fun memory game where you match a pregnancy word with a type of candy. For example; Epidural and Life Savers or Preemie and Runts. Some of the pairs were hard to guess- especially dirty diapers. There are just too many candy bars that look or sound like they might be a poopy diaper! But it was really fun, and really made me think outside of the box. Then we played a game where there are assorted baby items in paper bags, and you have to feel them to find out what they are. It was also fun! (As a side note, I want to point out that I have never been to a baby shower before, so I am pretty excited that my first three will all be for me! It's got to be better when you get the presents, right?)
We had a fruit and vegetable tray, and chips and salsa. There was caramel dip too, so that is always a hit. And no, I didn't get to eat any of it. But it sure looked and smelled delicious! Afterwards, I realized that I could have eaten some vegetables. Oh well.
Then I opened presents. Each class got me a gift, and they were so cute! I didn't bring my camera, but I did take pictures of the gifts, and here they are!

The Beehives (my class) got me a bath set! There was a really cute hooded towel and some washcloths, some baby wash, and baby lotion. All super useful, and cute to boot!

The MiaMaids got me a package of diapers (who doesn't need those?) and a $10 gift card to Target. I am looking forward to spending it!

The Laurels gave me a handmade car seat blanket. Amy Peterson, the YW President made it and she is just a crazy sewing machine! It is super cute! You put the straps through and you can wrap it around your baby. I had never heard of one before, and I am surprised I haven't seen one in a store. It seems so practical! It is cute too, with owls.

I just love all the Young Women and the leaders! They are just too sweet! And I can't wait for this baby to get here!

The greatest pictures! (If we are talking mass..)

2009-11-02T18:11:00.003-07:00

Here are the latest belly pictures! Taken just today! And I am over the swine flu, so I look pretty decent in them. I want to point out my lack of make-up, and that I am still looking smokin' hot. I am 32.5 weeks, and I have tops, 6.5 weeks to go. The doctor said she will induce me a week early if I need it, thank goodness! It's coming on so quickly! I had an appointment today, and the baby is head down. I was pretty worried about that, as the little sucker does cartwheels all the time. I was worried it would eventually run out of room and be stuck in some weird position that would require a C-Section. Luckily, it looks like I am all lined up for the normal kind! Phew!
Also, I have been walking around the neighborhood for exercise, and have been given quite the surprise! Every time I walk for more than, say, five minutes, I have contractions. Not the real kind, just Braxton Hicks. I figure this means two things- One) I will probably be able to jump start my labor pretty quickly by going for walks and Two) I need to find a new kind of exercise. It's not too bad, kind of like walking when you have a stitch in your side, but it's not very comfortable either. I asked the doctor today what other kinds of exercise I can try, and she was like "Walking is very mild..." Jason laughed really hard. I mean, I know walking is not intense exercise, but I was just hoping. However, it looks like I am stuck with it. But I guess if I go into labor early (but not in the next 3.5 weeks) that is just dandy with me!

Twilight- too weird!

2009-10-25T12:41:00.003-06:00

So I found a hilarious new product for all the Twilight junkies out there. This is a ring set. One for a guy and one for a girl. They say "What would I do without you?" Can I just say I think this is hilarious? I was joking with Jason that we should wear them as wedding bands. The sad thing is, I am sure there are people who do that. When is the obsession too much?

Embarrassing Story Number 2

2009-10-21T13:25:00.003-06:00

Last Night for Mutual, both the Young Men and the Young Women went to play miniature golf, which was, of course, tons of fun. I thought we had rented the whole place out, since they had to stay open later for us. I went with Amy (the YW President) on a doughnut run instead of golfing. We ended up with 5 dozen (60) doughnuts, and they were pretty heavy, let me tell you! Anyway, I was carrying them to the pavillion, and I could feel the box was starting to give, so I yelled at the group of Young Men that was on the nearest hole. It was not a very nice yell, either. So I am all "Hey guys! I need some help NOW!" and right as they run up, the box collapses in the middle. Somehow, those guys saved all the doughnuts, and not one hit the floor, though it was a close call. I ordered them to take the box to the table for me, and after I handed it over, I thought- I don't recognize those guys. But, there was a new guy there from our ward, so I thought it must be him. So I look over to the "leader" that was playing with them, and I didn't recognize him either! Slowly, it dawns on me that these guys are NOT in my ward, and I have been ordering them around not-so-nicely. I was pretty humiliated. I thanked them effusively, which I hope helped a little. Maybe they will blame it on the big pregnant belly hormones or something... I hope!

Some NOT so exciting news...

2009-10-19T15:54:00.003-06:00

So, I had a doctor's appointment today, and I found out I have Gestational Diabetes. I failed my one hour glucose test, and had to go in for a three hour glucose test last Thursday. (Which was a nightmare, let me tell you!) To be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, 2 out of 4 blood draws have to show high blood sugar levels. All four of my blood draws were high, so I definitely have it.
What is it? 4% of women develop Gestational Diabetes. Basically, the placenta interferes with your body's ability to absorb insulin. Once you are no longer pregnant, you no longer have the problem, so that is good news. It can cause the baby to produce extra insulin, since insulin does not cross the placenta, but high blood sugar does, which is why it's so important to monitor it.
What does this mean? Well, for me, I have to do the prick test for blood sugar levels 4 times a day. I will have to strictly monitor my diet, and I'm not sure how to do that yet. I will have appointments with a Diabetic Counselor at the hospital, and I will have to report to them weekly. They will help me set up a diet and exercise plan. So far, I know I can't have any sweets, juice, sugary fruits, rice, and most likely pasta. Luckily, there is no real risk to me. There is an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, but we'll take that when we get to it. For the baby, it's still very low risk- especially if I monitor myself like I should, but there are some possible complications. G.D. can result in very high birth weight babies, or very low. It can also result in large amounts of amniotic fluid. The placenta sometimes becomes "old" or less effective much more quickly, and the baby's lungs don't mature as quickly. I am a little concerned about this, as I am terrified to deliver a 10 pounder or worse. They did say they would induce me if my baby is looking particularly large, but because the lungs take longer to mature, there is more risk with that.
In the long run, I am at a much higher risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes with in the next five years, and 2 out of 3 women who have had G.D. get it again on their next pregnancy. If it's not monitored, the baby will be producing extra insulin, which can cause obesity later in life. Basically, the doctor told me that I should just adopt the diet I am given forever, to decrease my odds of getting Diabetes later. Also, I am at a higher risk because I have PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome), and they are sister diseases. One almost always gets the other.
Overall, everything should be fine. It is the most common pregnancy problem, and very easily treated. There is a possibility that I will have to take an oral medication to help, or even insulin shots, but most cases are easily monitored through diet. Most of the risks are during the pregnancy, and the baby should be just fine. I am thinking positive, and it's looking like I won't have to have a Christmas baby after all, which is certainly a good thing! Plus, a little diet and exercise never hurt anyone!

Pregnancy Preconceptions

2009-10-16T14:18:00.002-06:00

I decided I need to blog more often about being pregnant. After all, I only have 8.5 weeks left, which isn't very long at all! And if I continue posting like I have been, I will only get about 2 more posts before I have the baby. And there are just so many funny things about being pregnant that I would like to remember. Or maybe just use to persuade the rest of you to stick with your birth control! :) Just kidding.

Here are some of the things about being pregnant that have really surprised me. (And don't worry, I am keeping it PG and not too gross, so don't run away screaming just yet!)
1. I find myself looking at my bare belly in the mirror and thinking that I don't look pregnant at all, just fat. And then I cover it with a shirt and it's cute! I am not sure how this works, but I find it somewhat annoying.
2. It takes me FOREVER to roll over in bed. And I have to do it about every hour. It's funny that the belly makes me so unwieldy!
3. My joints are SO loose! If I don't have my knee or ankle propped up, it hurts like someone is sitting on my calf or foot, making my joint bend the wrong way. It's so weird!
4. I feel full all the time. Like I have just gorged myself on Thanksgiving, and there is no way I could eat another bite. Plus, maybe feeling like I need to unbutton my pants. You know the feeling. And yet, I haven't eaten in hours.
5. It astounds me how big my belly looks from the side versus the top! I look at the top of my belly all the time, and while it definitely sticks out, and Jason laughs at how far away on the floor things have to be for me to see them, it doesn't look that big. And then I see a picture. HOLY COW! I look like a walrus! Is my belly really that big? Yes. Unfortunately! :)
6. One of the funniest things to me is how much I love this little sucker already! I feel it kick, even when it's uncomfortable, and I get this goofy grin on my face and just think- "Oh, baby! How I love you!" It kindof reminds me of being a newlywed, but a different kind of love.

I just really love being pregnant! Sure, it's uncomfortable and I try in vain to convince myself that I look pregnant, not fat, and that it's GOOD that I have gained 20 pounds, but it is so awesome! I love feeling the baby kick, and I love knowing that I have a baby inside me, that I have created and given life! I love thinking about if it will be a boy or a girl, and who it will look like. I love that I have no idea how much my tummy sticks out and I am always bumping into things. It is just too cool, and I am so glad that I get the chance to be a mom! I can't wait to start the next chapter of this adventure!

Our New Survey!

2009-10-12T13:18:00.001-06:00

I just learned that you can add a poll to your blog! So I have added one! You all get to guess if you think we will be having a boy or a girl. Also, I would love if you would leave what you voted in a comment as well, since I am curious to know what everyone thinks! Also, you don't have to have a blogger account to vote, so please PLEASE do so! :)

The Swine Flu :(

2009-10-11T11:13:00.003-06:00

I am sure you are all just ravenously curious about the swine flu. Okay, maybe not. But I am sick of being sick, and thought I would whine a bit about it, and then you can all feel sorry for me!
First off, last week, before I got sick, my Dad called to warn me. He had been reading some articles about the swine flu in pregnant women, and was pretty worried. Especially since their stats were wrong (which he did say they probably were) and said that 1 in 3 that got it died. It's not that high. Or anywhere near it. But anyway, being myself and not at all worried that I might catch the flu, I told him I would be extra careful.
Fast forward about 3 days... SATURDAY
I am starting to get sick. I have a tiny bit of phlegminess in my nose, but nothing too bad. I think it might just be another pregnancy symptom, since I have had a stuffy nose on and off my whole pregnancy.
SUNDAY
While eating a Rolo, I inhale about half of it and promptly start hacking out a lung. I'm not sure I got it all out, since I am still hacking for the next few days. Nose is still stuffy. Still think I'm not getting sick.
(Jason- feels a little shaky, but thinks it might be because he didn't eat breakfast)
MONDAY
I am feeling pretty crappy today. I now think I might be getting sick, but still not sure. It's hard to tell, because I am having a bad day anyway, and anytime you cry you feel nasty and have nose issues.
(Jason- a little back pain, it's deal-with-able)
TUESDAY
WHAM! I am SOOOO sick! I can't talk, I can't breathe, I am wheezy, I have a bad fever Tuesday night, I am achy, I have a sore throat, I am still hacking away, and I am permanently attached to a box of Kleenex. Also, I am having another crappy day. Jason agrees to come home, Thank Goodness!
(Jason- major back pain, confusion, and feeling a little bit sick. Feels he was lucky to make it home.)
WEDNESDAY
We decide to go to the doctor. Okay, Jason decides he wants to go to the doctor, and I figure I might as well get something to make me feel better if we're already going. We get tested, and we have the swine flu. Yippee. Can you tell that I am just having an awesome week? :( Plus, in order to get tammaflu (or however you spell it) you have to go in within 48 hours of your first symptom. So we were too late. Still feeling awful. Biggest thing I notice today. Sluggishness. Major. It's work to keep an expression on my face. Plus all the symptoms of Tuesday. On the plus side, I no longer have a fever. But on the down side, I am getting the chills major. Sweating sucks too. And we have NO appetite. Nothing whatsoever sounds edible. I choke down some chicken, feeling on the verge of tears the whole time. And I LIKE chicken!
(Jason- WHAM! Feels totally awful. Everything I had Tuesday, plus extra back pain. And he had a fever of 101.something at the doctor. That's the only number I can quote, because we still don't have a thermometer. I should really go buy one sometime. Plus he has really freaky dreams- due to the fever.)
THURSDAY
Still feeling awful. And now we are getting cabin fever too! Plus, soup, while super tasty, is just not very filling, although it's about the only thing either of us will eat without feeling like we need to cry. This marks the beginning of feeling better, though neither of us are sure at this point. Jason is about one day behind me, so you can just guess how he is feeling from now on. I will say though, that his fever broke, and he is over the fever part. I am tired of watching TV. Really tired of it. And I have read almost all of my books recently. Grrr. Being cooped up is awful!
FRIDAY
We are both sort of getting our appetitites back. And since the doctor said we are not contagious 24 hours after the last fever, we decide to brave a drive thru to grab some dinner. Partly because we don't feel like cooking, partly because if we eat more tomato soup we might die, and mostly because if we have to sit in the house anymore we will die. Don't worry. We totally sanitized our money and were really careful. We're not supposed to be contagious, but it seems weird, since we are both still sick.
SATURDAY
I am feeling quite a bit better- actually put on some make up, so that tells you alot. Still phlegmy, still coughing and sore throatish, but no more aches or chills. And the nose things are way better.
TODAY
Slept through most of the night, which was AWESOME! Still have some congestion and I am hoping we will be better before too long!

To wrap up: the swine flu is not all that different from the regular flu, except it's like 8 times more severe and hits really suddenly. But luckily, it doesn't seem to be SUPER awful for too long, although I expect there will be little bits of sickness to remain for a while. Neither of us got close to dying, although my Dad did chew me out a bit for not being more careful.

As a side note, I have no idea how I got it. Maybe a shopping cart handle or something? I haven't been around any sick people. It is weird. But now I don't have to get the vaccine! :)

Also, I just want to say a big THANK YOU to all of our loving and wonderful friends! Everyone offered to go to the grocery store for us (Jason Acosta won that one, and we are so grateful!) and a few people in our ward are bringing us dinners this week. I feel so loved, and lucky to have such fantabulous friends! You guys are the BEST!

The latest pregnancy photos!

2009-10-08T12:18:00.003-06:00

Well, I have had quite the adventurous week. Jason and I both have the swine flu, which is really no fun at all. Luckily, we are both getting somewhat better, albeit slowly. I am hoping we will be back to normal on Sunday, but we'll just have to see, I guess. So, keep that in mind when you look at these photos. I have the swine flu, even though I didn't know it, and that's why I look so yucky.
On the pregnancy front, I am hoping to be delivering a baby in exactly ten weeks. Ten weeks is not too much time, and I am looking forward to that! Things are going well, and I am still feeling lots of movement. Enjoy!

Earrings Galore!

2009-10-03T14:24:00.005-06:00

Last Saturday, before the Relief Society General Broadcast, our stake had a get-together where the women displayed their talents and had dinner. I guess my jewelry making skills are making the rounds, because they called me up to see if I would demonstrate at a table. I agreed, and had a great time! I decided to only bring pearls and crystals and make earrings, since there was no way I could have brought enough stuff to do more. And- seriously- it was insane how much stuff I had to bring anyways! They gave me one of the banquet tables, and it was totally full of drawers of chain, findings, beads, other jewelry I brought to display (but a very small area. I brought a ton, but had no space to display it all...) and tools. It was crazy! Everyone seemed to really like the jewelry, and I really enjoyed seeing what jewelry caught people's attention. The one that got the most was one Julie helped me design- chain and blue and brown lampwork beads. (Julie- I wonder if you remember it?)
Anyway- here are the earrings I designed while I was at the thingie. I thought I would get more done, but I felt rude making jewelry while people were talking to me, so you only have like seven. I enjoyed the challenge of using pearls in different ways, and I hope you will enjoy them too!

This is the first pair I did, and it is simple, but cute. Or at least I think so! I liked the bright yellow, and thought they hung well on the square jump rings.

This pair made me step out of the box. I don't usually like using colored wire as well as silver, but I thought it made these barbie pink pearls less girly and a little more party-ish. The pearls really are Barbie pink. It's hard to tell because of the flash.

This shade of green really reminded me of a Granny Smith apple, so I decided to make wire leaves for them. As a side note- most of these earrings are very short, which is not at all the norm for me. Most are less than an inch long- including the fishwire!

These earrings are actually a very vivid purple weird shaped pearl, with sky blue pearls as spacers. Nothing fancy- but the purple really is incredible.

These earrings are the longest I made, and I liked the idea of repeating the circles. I tried to find perfectly round pearls, but I guess real pearls just don't come in shapes like that. So this is the best I got. I have worn them a few times since then.

This pair kept trying to get designed while I was working on the other cream colored set. I ended up making one earring for each set, and then the other one. I love the simple elegance of the gold and pearl combination.

This last pair is my favorite, and got a few comments- mostly because everyone was so surprised that those are pearls! I love the color, and I love stick pearls. And I love that they are asymmetrical. I am just drawn to that. One of the ladies said they have a very southwestern feel to them, and I agree- to a point. They look more Indian to me (India, not Native American.) But the stick pearls do kindof remind me of chiles.

My Twilight Playlist, as requested!

2009-09-09T15:04:00.002-06:00

So, for those of you who don't know me, I am a little obsessed with Twilight. In a healthy kind of way- I don't have cardboard characters or posters, so it can't be too bad, right? Anyway, my cousin Maegan asked me for my Twilight Playlist. It is freakishly long, and has some of Stephenie Meyer's songs as well as some I found on my own. It is in chronological order, and I have tried to split it into books, although some of the end songs can go on either book. Breaking Dawn is the shortest, as I haven't had as much time to find songs for that one. Plus, the themes in Breaking Dawn are harder to find songs about than the other books. Enjoy! PS- I put stars next to the ones that I think were practically written for the books and are amazing songs too!

TWILIGHT

Why Does It Always Rain On Me?- Travis
Sunburn- Muse
I Don't Know- The Mitch Hansen Band
I'm Not Okay- My Chemical Romance
By Myself- Linkin Park
Wait- Something Corporate
In My Place- Coldplay
As You Sleep- Something Corporate
Here With Me- Dido
Number 3- The Mitch Hansen Band
Please Forgive Me- David Gray
With You- Linkin Park
Vulnerable- Secondhand Serenade
MakeDamnSure- Taking Back Sunday**
Tremble for My Beloved- Collective Soul
Prelude 12/21- AFI
Lullabye- The Mitch Hansen Band
The River Flows Through You (Classical)
Awake- Secondhand Serenade
Stolen- Dashboard Confessional
Run- Snow Patrol
Twilight Hour- The Mitch Hansen Band

NEW MOON

She is Brighter- The Mitch Hansen Band
She Paints Me Blue- Something Corporate
Papercut- Linkin Park
Drag- Placebo
I'd Hate to be You When People Find Out What This Song is About- Mayday Parade**
Apocalypse Please- Muse
Tautou- Brand New
Keep Breathing- Ingrid Michaelson
Time Stands Still- All-American Rejects
The World has Turned and Left Me Here- Weezer
Pain- Jimmy Eat World
Over My Head- The Fray
Best I Ever Had- Vertical Horizon
Addicted- Kelly Clarkson
My Immortal- Evanescence
Breath- Breaking Benjamin
Unwell- Matchbox 20
Like A Stone- Audioslave
Be My Escape (acoustic)- Relient K**
Ride- The Vines
Crash and Burn- Savage Garden
Fix You- Coldplay
She Will Be Loved- Maroon 5
Near to You- A Fine Frenzy**
Never Let You Down- Verve Pipe
Animal I Have Become- Three Days Grace**
Going Under- Evanescence
Everything You Want- Vertical Horizon
Run to Me- Clay Aiken
Time is Running Out- Muse
Change Your Mind- The All-American Rejects
Unintended- Muse
Stab My Back- The All-American Rejects
Sing For Absolution- Muse
DOA- Foo Fighters
Ya Mamma- Fatboy Slim
By You- The Mitch Hansen Band
The Scientist- Coldplay
Stay With Me- The Mitch Hansen Band
The Truth About Heaven- Armor for Sleep
A World Without You- The Mitch Hansen Band
Sound of Pulling Heaven Down- Blue October

ECLIPSE

Someday You Will Be Loved- Death Cab for Cutie
Sun's Lament- The Mitch Hansen Band
Mexican Standoff- Elbow**
Hamburg Song- Keane
Starlight- Muse
Overweight- Blue October
Newborn- Muse
Love Me Like You- The Magic Numbers
Hysteria- Muse
Uninvited- Alanis Morissette
Infra-Red- Placebo
The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot- Brand New
Thorns- The Mitch Hansen Band
Luv- Travis
This is How I Disappear- My Chemical Romance
Sleep- My Chemical Romance
Worst to December- Sugarcult
Mr. Brightside- The Killers
Jacob Black- The Mitch Hansen Band
The Last Thing- The Mitch Hansen Band
Vindicated- Dashboard Confessional
Blackout- Muse
The Third Wife- The Mitch Hansen Band
Shine On- JET
Miserable At Best- Mayday Parade**
You Be The Anchor That Keeps My Feet On The Ground (etc)- Mayday Parade**
Falling Away With You- Muse
Accident and Emergency- Patrick Wolf
The Well and the Lighthouse- Arcade Fire
Sign Off- Sugarcult**

BREAKING DAWN

Wouldn't It Be Nice- Beach Boys
Your Guardian Angel- The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Congratulations- Blue October**
Take Me Away- Plain White Ts**
Dark Blue- Jack's Mannequin
Hemorrhage- Fuel
Twisted Transistor- Korn
Wolf Like Me- TV on the Radio
The Sharpest Lives- My Chemical Romance
Today- The Smashing Pumpkins
I'm Too Sexy- Right Said Fred
Pts. Of Athrty- Linkin Park
Take a Bow- Muse
Assassin- Muse
I Will Follow You Into the Dark- Death Cab for Cutie
Half Alive- Secondhand Serenade
Invincible- OK Go
No Cars Go- Arcade Fire

Bob Loblaw's law blog lobs law bomb?

2009-09-07T16:31:00.003-06:00

So... You know how sometimes you have something that you want to blog about, because it is on your mind all the time, but then you don't have time to do it? And then all of a sudden it's been over a week, and you realize that you don't really care about documenting that particular thing anymore? Consider it done. But since I don't want nasty comments about how dare I keep you all in suspense, I will give it a much shortened time slot.

About two weeks ago, our bathtub faucet started leaking. I mean really leaking. It was driving me nuts! You could hear it all over the house (even with the TV on) AND it was hot water, so it was like living in a sauna. Ugh. I seriously thought I was losing my sanity. (As a side note that I find somewhat humorous, I took a video of it to show you all how annoying it was, and turned my camera sideways so it would fill the screen better. I guess I forgot that you can't rotate a video!) Anyway, our landlord came to fix it the next day (Thank Heavens!) but had to cut a hole in the wall and it turned into this massive two week project. Mainly because he would come over for a few minutes every day, but still! It was annoying. Now it is fixed, but way too difficult to turn the water on or off. Joy.

Anyway... I spent yesterday doing lots of cooking, and remembered how much I love it! I am ashamed to admit that I have not been doing much (okay, really any) cooking since I got preggers, since I am just tired and unmotivated. I have been living off of cereal, produce, and peanut butter. Jason had been bugging me to try my hand at making panna cotta, which is a delicious dessert that's a cross between jello and creme brulee. So I decided to do me some cooking. I made panna cotta (which was surprisingly easy) as well as bread, since I had been craving some ollies. Those who don't know what ollies are- shame on you! They are like homemade lean pockets, but eight million times better. Hard to describe. The panna cotta was good, but a little too gelatinous for me, so I will be tweaking it before I post it on the Sautee blog.
But the bread!! Mmmmm, I had forgotten how delicious it feels to have your hands in warm bread dough and feel the flour in it. It's the best kind of therapy, and it tastes delicious too! I have decided I need to mend my errant ways and show my kitchen love again. If I start now, I may just have enough energy to do some meals before I have the baby, right? Haha!

On another side note, I finished reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, and all I can say is "Ahhhh!!! When is the next book coming out?!??@??!?" It's an awesome book, and I don't think I will be able to bear the suspense! What's going to happen! AHHHH!!

PS- Bonus Points to those who get my blog title allusion!

The Belly is Growing!

2009-08-22T17:40:00.003-06:00

So, I am now 22.5 weeks, and thought I needed to post some more belly photos. I am getting so big!! I don't feel so big, until I see the photos, and then I am really surprised!
The baby is kicking me all the time. It's really kindof annoying, honestly. Sometimes it's really cool, but usually it is just weird and keeps me awake and uncomfortable. I can't imagine it will get much better in the time to come, though!!

This one is one that Jason wanted, so he could have a cool picture to put on his facebook. I have to say, it does make my legs look really thin!

Ultrasound Pictures!

2009-08-10T20:32:00.004-06:00

So, I had my 20 week ultrasound today! It was incredibly cool! I will admit, I woke up in the middle of the night, and I was just sure the baby had a major problem. Namely, I was thinking that since Jason and I wanted a surprise, we would have a hermaphroditic baby, and they wouldn't tell us about it. Not the kind of surprise we were thinking! Luckily, everything is going well. Good on all counts, which is a relief. No twins though. I think Jason is pretty disappointed. Oh well.
The baby was moving around like nuts. The tech was laughing about it, because she'd be looking at it and it would just start to flail around. A couple of times when she took a screenshot to measure things, an arm or leg would end up in the shot and she had to try again. I figure we are in for a workout come December!
This is the profile of the head. The head on the left. This shot took us a long time, partially because the baby was breech, but also because it moved around a lot, and seemed to like facing the wand.
This is also the head. Head on the left. We can't figure out if it's another profile, that's just not as good, or if it's a face shot. Harder to tell on the computer, but in the actual printout, it looks like there might be eyes, a nose and a mouth. Or it could be grey blobs. Not like I am good at reading these things!!
This is a good shot of a leg. You can also see where the feet are almost touching. No, you can't tell the gender from that angle. You will just have to wait in suspense! You can also see where the cord comes in, just to the right of the knee and thigh.
This is Jason's favorite shot. This is a disembodied arm and leg. The arm to the left and the leg to the right. He thinks it looks like the MotherBrain from Metroid...
I can see the similarities. Sadly. Luckily, our baby will not be made out of brain. Right?

Wyoming and Other Activities

2009-08-05T17:04:00.010-06:00

I recently got back from a trip to Wyoming, which was somewhat crazy, but somehow fun. I got to see my cousin Mariah. Not for very long, but I hadn't seen her since before I was engaged. So, it's been a while. She is married and has an adorable little girl! Jason and I slept in my Grandfather Cook's sheep wagon, which is super cool, in every sense of the word! I should have taken some pictures of it, but I didn't get around to it. Maybe I'll dig some up in the not-too-distant future.

On the way home, we decided to take it a little slow and go through Yellowstone National Park and make it a two short days trip, instead of a one long day trip. Here are some cool photos.
This is a warning illustration depicting why you should stay on the wooden trails near the thermal areas. We thought the kids expression was pretty good!
This is called "Dragon's Breath" and was super cool! You could hear water bubbling around in that cave. The whole thing was boiling. It was really neat.
This is a not-so-attractive picture of me outside the "Mud Volcano." It's really gray water/mud and it was also cool.
I can't remember exactly what this is called. Sulfur Springs, maybe? Also cool. Very blue, no?
This buffalo caused the most excitement/frustration of the trip through Yellowstone. It was just off the side of the road when we first saw it. The whole road was blocked off with everyone stopping and getting out of their cars (all of which is stupid) to take pictures. We saw it charge a few people, but no one got hurt. Then the buffalo decided to take a leisurely stroll down the middle of the road. The worst part about that was the RV in the front, although they had been there when the buffalo charged would not pass it, even when it was on the other side. It just stopped and stared. Very annoying. But cool. Jason was pumped to see it charge. Random Fact: Buffalo make the most injuries and deaths of anything else in the park.

Once we got out of the park, we decided to stop at Bear World, just outside of Rexburg. We were disappointed that we only saw a few buffalo in Yellowstone, and Jason really wanted to see a bear. It was expensive ($16.50 each) but soooooo cool! We loved it!
This is a black bear. Note, most of the photos aren't so great because you're not allowed to roll down your windows. Most of the bears were really close!
This is a pair of Grizzlies. They were really cool looking up close. Definitely not as cute as the Black bears. Much more menacing.
This is a white wolf. We almost didn't see it. The bottom left corner is part of the road. It was SO CLOSE!
This is another wolf, taking a snooze.
Right by the end of the park there were probably about eight bears. These two were hanging out in the middle of the road. It was neat!
This is us driving by the two in the middle of the road. It looks like they are farther than they were. Our mirror ruffled the left one's fur.
This is in their petting zoo. This fawn was only a month old. It was surprisingly soft!
Me with an older fawn. I am just not as photogenic as Jason...
Here's Jason with the older fawn. It's actually licking his fingers. I got it to lick mine too, which was pretty wild. Felt like a velvety dog-ish kind of tongue.
This was my favorite entry in the petting zoo. We almost didn't see this pig. It was sleeping, and everytime you touched it, it would let out a soft grunting noise. Too cool! Plus, it had bristles for hair, that were spaced out quite a bit. It's ears were really leathery too.

We stayed in Idaho Springs and got a nice hotel room. It had a second floor that was just an ENORMOUS tub! Seriously, I am sure we could have fit at least six people in it. We decided that since our five year anniversary is coming up on the 24th, and we have nothing planned, we might as well do the nice hotel thing a little early. We'll probably do dinner or something on our anniversary (or more likely near it) but at least this was something bigger.

And, for the end of a too-long post, I though I would post some belly photos. I am 20 weeks tomorrow, which is all coming a little quickly for me. I can feel the baby move now, in a weird round-a-bout way. I can't feel it if I am looking for it, but I can always tell where the baby is, so I must be feeling it somehow.

My ultrasound is next Monday, so you can all look forward to photos from that! And, in case you are wondering, Yes- we are still planning the surprise! I am getting too much enjoyment out of guessing to give it up.

When did blogging become a chore?

2009-07-14T18:46:00.003-06:00

So, I don't know when it happened. I used to be always planning blog posts in my head and getting super excited about them. Now, I don't even think about it. Ever. And I keep telling myself: Geez, you should post at least once a week! But no, I can't even manage that. It's sad. So sad. But, to be fair, I have had a cold for the last week, so I haven't been up for anything at all.

Here's the news:
Preston got accepted into BYU, so he will be living here in Provo in January!! I am really excited to have him nearby!

I am now at 16 weeks. I have my ultrasound on August 10th, so I am really REALLY looking forward to that. Still haven't had any morning sickness. I don't think it will be showing up at all now, guys. Sorry that I got the good genes! (Well, okay, I'm not really sorry. But I am sorry for all of you!!) Sleeping is going better. Well, except for the fact that...

Our air conditioning isn't on. It's miserable!!! It's got to be at least 80 in here all the time, and all of our windows are stuck shut. Plus the heater was on until June, which doesn't help things much. I keep asking Jason to talk to the landlord about it, but he's hardly home, so I don't think he thinks about it much. I have been roasting, though. Ugh. I hate being hot.

I am a mostly-widow for July and part of August. July is a very busy month for scouts, so Jason has his hands full. He works Mon-Tues and then has scouting stuff Wed, Thurs, Fri, and Saturday. I get to see him on Sunday. And this week he had to leave for work on Sunday. Yuck. At least he is having fun on the campouts and canoe trips and hikes. He'd better be, anyway!

Girls Camp Madness!

2009-06-24T13:20:00.002-06:00

Well, I should have taken pictures with food all over my house, or my stuffed fridge and freezer. But I was too busy. But you can imagine, as I start to paint the picture for you!
Girls camp is finally here! I was in charge of the food, which is no small feat!! The worst part about it is that you can't do anything in advance. So, on Saturday I went shopping with the first-year girls. It was INSANE!! We had a total of five completely stuffed grocery carts, and $530 worth of food (which is really quite good, budget-wise). It was two completely full cars worth of food. It covered the floor of my living room. It filled up my fridge (which had only condiments that belonged to me) and my freezer, AND I still had to take about a backseat load to someone else's house to keep refrigerated. It was nutty. Monday I cooked twenty pounds of hamburger and ten pounds of chicken. (my house still smells like beef!) I also made two cookie sheet sized fruit tarts. Why? you ask? Because, I am crazy. I thought fruit tarts would be easy to do. I didn't take into account that the cookie sheets wouldn't fit into the cooler...
Total, I ended up with 7 big rubbermaid bins of non-refrigerated food and 7 coolers. All stuffed as full as their lids would allow!
Needless to say, I am not sad that the event is over. Although I am really bummed that I didn't actually get to go. It was hard watching all those excited girls get into their nice, big, air-conditioned tour bus and not get to go yourself. Oh well. Honestly, I probably need that time to recover and get my house cleaned. Maybe I will just hire a maid...

New News!

2009-06-17T09:47:00.003-06:00

Well, I guess we have been pretty busy lately. Here is a quick little rundown:

We bought a car. A Subaru, in stick, which I cannot drive.
Having a baby. Which is still surprising to me!
Working on the business. Hopefully we can get it going this summer.
Workplace drama with Jason's job. We'll know if he gets laid off or not in a few weeks.
I am super stressed about Girls Camp. I am in charge of the food, and Camp is next week. I can't even go grocery shopping until Saturday, so it will be a high-stress weekend. I just can't wait until it's over!! I am thinking I need a bit of a vacation afterward, but we will see if I get one or not.

Honestly, even with all the drama, I feel like things are going really well for us. We have been in to discovering new places lately, and we have gone to oodles of canyons and other places we have heard there might be caves. It's really fun, and is a great time-user.
Sometime I may have Jason take a video of me trying to drive stick. I can do just fine, except for starting out. It makes me feel like I am riding a bucking bronco!! (no pun intended, as one of our other cars is a Bronco...) I am sure I will get it down eventually. In the meantime, I guess it's a weekend only car!

Amanda is... !!

2009-06-09T12:45:00.003-06:00

Yes, it is really true!! I am pregnant, and we are really really excited about it! Here is what we know so far:

Due Date: Christmas Eve (I am not too thrilled about having a Christmas baby, and am really hoping I deliver early. Like somewhere between the 11th and the 18th would be great!)

Weeks along: Eleven, currently. I just had my first appointment on Monday, which was super cool! I loved hearing the heartbeat!! 150 BPM, if anyone wants to know!

Sex: We are not planning on finding out. That is the plan, but it is easy to stick to when you don't have a choice. It will be harder when we could know RIGHT THEN!

Other information- Jason is really shooting for multiples, but we won't find that out until the 20 week ultrasound. We were hoping that we would find out yesterday, but they said when they are that small it's impossible to know from the heartbeat if there is more than one baby.

I have been feeling really good. I don't have any morning sickness at all, which is really surprising. I guess you just always expect to get all the bad symptoms! Other than that, I am super tired, and I can't sleep at all. Not on my stomach, not on my back, and I have to wake up about every hour to flip sides. Not so fun. I am also extremely weepy and emotional. We went to see UP last night, and I cried at least six times. It was WAY too sad for me! Although, I haven't cried at a commercial yet, so that is good!

My Mom, Dad, and brothers are all way excited. I got some funny reactions out of them- especially out of Logan. I told him I was pregnant, and he was like: That's cool! I need a girlfriend! And then he said the same thing to my mom when she talked to him about it. I laughed. My mom has become a baby quilting machine. She even has a broken wrist, and she has already embroidered 6 and the partial squares (from the last time she gave me a count which was more than a week ago) and every time I talk to her she tells me about some new cute blanket pattern or fabric she bought. It is really quite funny! And my dad is way excited. He told my mom that he thinks about the baby ALL the time, if he isn't thinking about anything else. He has always talked about being a grandpa, even when I was little. Needless to say, it will be a very spoiled baby, no doubt!
Me at 9.5 weeks. I think I am already showing. I wish I had a good comparison photo, but I lost all that weight, so I didn't have a current one.

Amanda is...

2009-06-02T19:12:00.002-06:00

tired of trying to answer questions about the business quickly, so she has decided to so a whole post about it. I know you are all so curious!

So, in order to kindof understand what the business is, you have to understand what Jason does now. The easy explanation is as follows:
When oil and gas companies need to drill wells, make roads, or place pipelines, they have to have someone come and check the paleontology of the area, to make sure they are not destroying anything amazing. That is what Jason does. (Side note: I find it ironic that they also have to watch the bulldozer do its thing. I mean, seriously, do they think they could salvage anything that it turns up anyway?)

So, Jason got the idea to start a business doing basically the same thing, only for environmental requirements. Such as littering, dumping, and if they are growing or planting any non-native species. I am not 100% clear on these specific details. Jason has them well in hand. I just have the general idea. Anyway, he would go out and make sure they are complying with all of the rules.

We are thinking this is a pretty good idea, since "green" things and businesses are really taking off. Especially since oil and gas companies are not really known for their environmentally friendly ways, we think they will be pressured into it sooner rather than later. Another thing that is really working in our favor is the fact that the government is offering incentives to businesses to do environmental compliance, so we can use it to offset our costs. Again, things that Jason is better equipped to explain.

We have been going to the UVU Small Business Development Center, which is free and they do one-on-one training things to get your business going. All of the people who work there have successfully started a business, and they really know what they are talking about. We are getting tons done, although it doesn't really feel like it, because they always give us a bajillion things to do that we can't quite manage in such a short time. But we did apply for our business license, and we are just waiting to get it through the mail. And we registered our name and are getting our website set up. So, it's going really well. We will hopefully have it up and running soon after Jason loses his job for real. And that is the scoop!

Amanda is....

2009-05-29T10:38:00.003-06:00

Really Missing her Husband!!

He gets home from work today, and I want to do something really nice for him to show him how much I missed him. The problem is, I have no idea what to do. And I don't know when he'll be home. So, any ideas would be greatly appreciated! I know, short notice. But I will maybe think something up anyway.

I had a ton of fun yesterday and Wednesday!! My dear aunt, Emily, and her three cute kids (who deliciously warm up to quite quickly), came over and spent the night! It was tons of fun. We played games and ate at Zupas, which has the best salads ever, if anyone knows where one is that's not in Provo... I also made her and the kids waffle-pancakes from the pan Jason got me for my birthday. They are so SO delicious! Seriously, they are amazing. Crispy like a waffle and fluffy like a pancake. Mmmm. Maybe I will make me some more today.

Amanda is....

2009-05-26T13:02:00.003-06:00

Amazing!!

That's what I think, anyway. I know, amazing is a very "Amanda" cliche. But seriously, how many other "A" words are there that work like that? I have had a very busy week, but I am really enjoying myself lately. Today Jason and I went and got our business license. It's really exciting. And weird. I mean, seriously, it is strange to be a business owner. We are working our little tooshies off trying to get this business off the ground, but it is just so complicated!! Oh well, I am sure we will figure it out. And since Jason is still working his other job (that he was SUPPOSED to be laid off from), I figure we have a little more time. Which is always nice.

In other news, Jason got his calling upgraded. He is now the 1st counselor in the YM presidency and the Teacher's quorum advisor. We are both still just loving our callings, and this ward. It's nice to find a good fit. Also, I have been dying to go swimming in my new swimsuit (that I paid way too much money for and refuse to feel guilty about.) I was going to take pictures of me in it, but I figure the stock photo will look much better, so you get that instead. It's cuter with the skirt part pulled a little farther down, but you get the idea. Mine is black. I love Love LOVE it, which is why I refuse to feel guilty about it. Besides, I can buy myself a birthday present, right?

Birthday Fun!!

2009-05-19T10:20:00.003-06:00

Well, yesterday was my birthday, and it was a crazy but good day. I guess birthdays are usually like that. It started out with a phone call from Suzanne (who is the choir director in our ward) who was wishing me happy birthday (I'm not even sure how she knew it was my birthday...) and wanted to know if we wanted to go over to play games in the evening. Then I had a meeting, and I got sung to. Then Devera (one of the other Beehive leaders) came over with a card. It was very sweet of her. Then I went to babysit Jack, and as I was getting there, Marilyn (another YW leader) sent me some texts telling me how great I am and also wishing me a happy birthday. Then it all calmed down some. Jason Acosta also sent some birthday wishes my way. Then I got home and I was surprised with flowers and a cool pancake-waffle pan from Williams-Sonoma (shown above) that I have been lusting after for a while. Seriously- delicious. Then we went over to Suzanne's for games and had a great time. It's so fun getting to know people! It was a great birthday!
But of course, birthdays tend to bleed over a few days. It started with my mom's gift arriving about a week ago, which was all sorts of cool spices and a cookbook and some recipes. I might do another blog jst about that. It is oodles of cool spices! Mostly Indian and Morrocan. Sunday, Lauren and Adam came over to hang out with a cake (it had strawberries on top and between the layers- yummy!) and a cute pink sweater, some beads, and a cute zipper pouch she made. Today, I am going shopping with Faith, and she will be getting me a present, but I don't know what it is yet!! It will be so fun!

I Am Unable to Stick to my Guns!

2009-05-08T11:59:00.003-06:00

First of all, I should really start taking more photos. I am so bad for not having photos in my posts- so apologies all around. I am a bad blogger. I guess I am just so busy lately, and even though I have oodles to blog about, I never find the time to do it! Here is a quick recap:

Last Wednesday, Jason and I went to see John Bachar with Adam and Lauren. For those of you who don't know (I certainly didn't!) John Bachar is like a super famous climber. He free solos (which is without a rope!) and I think he's a little crazy. But it was cool, they had a raffle and gave away tons of climbing gear. None of us won anything, but it was still fun. Also he had tons of crazy photos, which are always neat to look at. And he held the door open for me, so I guess I have that claim to fame now. For climbers, anyway...

Last Friday- I went over to Faith's house, and we did pedicures! It was so much fun! We also did her two-year-old Grace's toes. I taught Faith how to do flowers, and we did each others' toes. She did an amazing job for a first time!

Last Saturday- It was Jack's 2nd Birthday party. His actual birthday was on Monday, but the party was on the weekend for obvious reasons. Heather and Jason went all out and even rented a bouncy castle. It was kid heaven! Then Heather and I had a great rest of the day doing stuff for free! She had a bunch of gift certificates- which I did feel bad for using, so Thanks, Heather!- and we went to see Monsters Vs. Aliens in 3D (which was Heather's first 3D movie and way fun) and went to Chili's. We also did a little shopping, which was not free. It was a really fun day!

Sunday- Lauren's birthday was on Saturday, but since Adam was working then, she decided to do her birthday thing on Sunday. We had fondue at her house. Fondue is always a blast, and it was very delicious! I especially loved the strawberries in the chocolate. The strawberries were so tasty! I love strawberry season! I have been thinking that I need to go to Costco and buy me a giant thing of strawberries!

Tuesday- Jason and I went to the Small Business Development Center to talk about our business. Everything is going really well. In two weeks, we are supposed to be able to do a proposal or a sales pitch. A little scary, but pretty exciting as well. Also I taught our Mutual activity, and it was a good meaty scripture-y one, which are my favorite kind to teach. And the girls enjoyed it! One actually came up to me and told me that she loves it when I teach the scriptures because I make it so easy to understand! So that made me feel really really good!

I guess that is all that has been going on since I last posted. I promise, next time I will do a whole post for each activity. And maybe even take some pictures!

Blogging for the sake of Blogging....

2009-04-30T21:30:00.002-06:00

Well, I feel like nothing too new and exciting is going on lately. Seriously, it's sad. But I feel like I should be a more consistent blogger, so I am going for at least twice a week, and maybe more later.
Right now we are trying to decide what to do about insurance once Jason's job is gone. So if anyone knows a whole lot about available insurances in Utah that are really cheap, let me know! (Emily- tell me what your M-i-L has again, I forgot..) So that is an exciting adventure.
I have also been working my way through the Anne of Green Gables series, yet again. I have to say that I dearly love Anne of Green Gables. Although, I have realized that I am not an "Anne." I am more of a Diana. Oh well. We can't all be incredibly interesting, right? Not that I'm not interesting. Just that I am not SO interesting as Anne.
In other news, I have decided to put a hold on the weight loss for a little while. I have been stressed out, and just feel like it's easier to handle weight loss when I am feeling less stressed. Because, let's face it, I go to food for comfort. So, yeah. I am still trying to be healthier, but if I want a bowl of ice cream or a soda- Dang it! I will have one! So, yeah. That's about all that's new in the land of Amanda.

Feeling Sheepish...

2009-04-26T16:40:00.002-06:00

So, today at our Ward Choir practice, we were talking about getting a women's group together for our ward talent show. Everyone was so excited about it! And I told the choir director that I had a tond of good SSA or SSAA sheet music (Soprano, Soprano, Alto and Soprano, Soprano, Alto, Alto) from my days in choir. She was excited and we arranged to meet together tomorrow morning to pick something out. So, excited, I finally get home, and cannot wait to dig out my music. There were a few pieces in particular that I was excited about. But I am looking, and looking......and looking. And, uh-oh, I can't find it!! Well, okay, that is a half lie. I can find it, but it's all Christmas music!! Where are the cool madrigals I remember, or the cool jazz pieces? I figure this must be what happened: I was cleaning out my sheet music, and I was like "When am I ever going to need the sheet music for an a-cappella SSA madrigal? Ummm, never." And promptly got rid of it. So, tomorrow I get to call her up and say- "Hey, you know all that music I was talking about? Well, it turns out I don't have any. Hope that's not a problem!" This is what I get for volunteering too quickly for things. It's such a shame!

What a glorious day!

2009-04-24T00:12:00.002-06:00

I had the most amazing experience this evening, and I just wanted to share it, as I am practically bursting with happiness. As most of you know, Logan (my brother) and I have been on the outs for years. I mean YEARS. We absolutely hated each other when we were both living at home. After I moved out, we barely tolerated each other. There was no more fighting, but we just ignored each other. No eye contact or anything. Then, as I mature a little bit, I began to direct basic questions at him or join into conversations that he was a part of. He would ignore me completely and act like I hadn't said anything. Then we got to the point that he would answer me, but not look at me while he did it. At that point I actually called him on his birthday even though I was terrified to do it. I felt on top of the world. Before tonight, we were on casual greeting terms. It was really difficult, because I wanted to have a relationship with him, but it's really hard to overcome all those years. Especially since he was was not interested.

But this evening, he sent me a text message. Out of the blue. It read:
Hey sister. I know we have had our issues, but I really miss you. I miss the whole family. I can't wait till the next time we have Thanksgiving.

Honestly, I cried. And as I am writing this, I am tearing up again. I of course responded, and we had a few passed texts. But honestly, I think this is the first time he has instigated a conversation since I was probably 8. Unless you count yelling and name-calling, which I don't. I know how hard it must have been for him to send me that text, and I am so glad he did! I just feel like life is all of a sudden brighter and more hopeful. Honestly, I don't think I knew how much it was hurting me until all of a sudden I feel like it's being resolved.
I just feel so full of love, and it makes me think that this must be how Heavenly Father and Christ feel when we are renewing our relationships with them. I know that I have not been very good at my own relationship with my Heavenly Father, but I am now going to try harder and harder.
There is nothing like the feeling of regaining a loved one, you guys. I have never felt anything so amazing in my life. So, even though I am sure Logan would be mortified if he ever read this, I just had to share and document such a powerful feeling. Don't give up hope. If you keep working at it, even though it seems hopeless, it will come around eventually.
I love you all so much, and I am so grateful for your part in my life. I am sure you don't realize what an impact you have on me, but thanks for being there for me anyway!

For all the Twilight fans...

2009-04-22T11:31:00.002-06:00

Now, I am a total Twilight loser (for all of you who may have been dead the past few years...) and I love to watch internet spoofs. This one is the best one I have seen. Jason and I both were just cracking up the whole time, and he hasn't even seen the movie. I know, it's 12 minutes long, but it is really good.

Oh, the shame!

2009-04-19T18:54:00.002-06:00

So it has been over a week since my last blog post. Oh- you say- did you just have a really boring week? Why, no! Actually it was a very full and busy week, so full in fact that I cannot remember what happened before Thursday, so let me start then...
Thursday was Heather's birthday!! (Happy Birthday, Heather!) I thought I would be all sneaky and pretend I didn't know her birthday was coming up and surprise her at home. Because OF COURSE she would be home when I dropped in unexpectedly, right? Like she might have other plans for her birthday! (scoffing) So, I drop by, and, lo and behold, no one is home. Uh-oh! So I called her Jason and asked if he happened to know where she was. I didn't have much hope because he was working, but I was proven wrong. (Yes, Jason, I said I was wrong!!) It turns out she was getting her hair cut! So, I got directions and headed off to the hairdressers. Now Heather had REALLY long hair, and she had 17.5 inches chopped off, and it's still just slightly longer than my hair. It is a super cute hair cut! Then we hung out for a while and when Jason (Heather's, not mine) got home from work we all (minus my Jason who was STILL at work) went to check out this new restaurant called Smoked Apple BBQ (or something REALLY close to that) and it was super delicious! They had a sweet cornbread that was like a coffeecake, with streusel and everything! It was a fun day!
Friday, Dan and Faith plus kids and Jason and I all had a barbecue at the lake. We were slightly delusional about the weather, but we had a good time anyway. We made shashlik (shah-shleek) which is a Russian type of pork shish-ka-bob. It is delicious, although to be fair, not as good as usual as I ruined it by not adding enough black pepper. It was still good, but not quite as tasty. It was super windy and we all lost a few plates. Then they came over for a bit and played a game. And you all know how I love to play games!
Saturday I made some tasty chocolate chip muffins, and today I made some tasty lemon blueberry muffins. Both from scratch- no mixes!! They are both very tasty. Seriously.

Exciting Food News!!

2009-04-11T14:14:00.002-06:00

So, yesterday I finally stopped procrastinating. I have been wanting a panini press for a long time. I mean, a LONG time! Like longer than a year. But I never got around to getting one. I'm not sure why- I mean, they aren't THAT expensive (I paid $40 for mine) and they are super fun. So, yesterday I decided to just suck it up and buy one. (A big Thanks to Julie- for motivating me to get one as a means of helping others!) And, I have to admit- I am SOOOOO excited about it! It came with quite a few recipes, but I am mostly excited to start inventing things. All sandwiches are better as a panini. Plus, they are so easy to use! So, yeah. I know you are all jealous. Except for you guys who already have one. But still.
As a general update- everything here is going fine. Well, at least as fine as it ever is. I am excited to say that I have been awesome at keeping up with my dishes lately. Which is quite a feat if you are A) Amanda, B) without a dishwasher, and C) have been cooking elaborate meals. Okay- not too elaborate, but plenty of dirty pots and pans that need soaking. The diet thing- you ask- well, it's going ok. I seem to have lost a little steam, yet again, but it will pick up soon, I'm sure. Maybe after I finish off that german chocolate cake I made the other day... (see http://thesauteepan.blogspot.com)

It just keeps on getting better....

2009-04-09T12:09:00.002-06:00

So, yesterday Jason had a mandatory meeting at work. I wasn't too worried, since they have those meetings every year to discuss per diem and mileage rates. But then Jason called me, and the whole company is basically going under. They are keeping a few people to try and stick around, but it's very unstable. Jason was told that they could keep him for one month at three-quarter pay minus the per diem and mileage rates, and that was it. Jason had kind of seen it coming, so he wasn't too surprised, but his job is the kind that fluctuates quite a bit in stability, so I thought it was just more of the same. I was pretty surprised. Especially since Jason has been working there the longest, so I would have thought that he would be one of the last to be let go. Not that I hold a grudge for those who are staying, nobody really has it great and I know that Steve (the boss) probably prayed about it and whatnot (the joys of working inUtah- everybody's LDS), but I was just surprised.
I am pretty concerned about insurance. I guess that is my big issue. We can go on unemployment, and Jason has been working somewhat on starting his own company. I know we won't be starving and homeless or anything, but it will be a big change. The insurance has me quite worried. I am not sure what direction to move in... It's very frustating, needless to say.
Plus, Jason has been working this job for three years, and we have become quite accustomed to spending half of the week apart. That's when I get all my chores done and errands run. If he is home all day, and I am home all day, I am not sure how that is going to work out. I will, of course, be grateful that we will get to spend more time together, but when will I get anything done? I guess we'll get a schedule going after a few slovenly weeks.
All in all, I know that Heavenly Father will take care of us. We have been living the gospel, and while I know that's not a guarantee of easy life, I know he will bless us with what we need. I am so grateful that I have the gospel as an anchor in my life. I don't know how anyone does life at all without it.

Yet another root canal....

2009-04-07T14:27:00.004-06:00

Jason has decided to try to break the world record for number of root canals, or something. He has had a total of nine, count 'em, NINE. It's ridiculous. But, this morning, we went to get number nine done. I have only seen 3-4 of them. I'm not totally sure how many I have seen. At first, I thought it was kind of cool. (Watching, I mean, not spending the money on it.) It was interesting. But now, it's just kindof disturbing and boring. Really boring. Especially since if you are watching, you are facing away from the TV. And then you have all the dentist smells, and the blood all over the tools and whatnot. Just kindof creepy. Of course, that is coming from me, who has never even had a cavity. So maybe if you are used to dental work, it's not a big deal to see it.
This root canal went pretty well. First off, we got us some dental insurance- which, unfortunately, doesn't cover major dental work yet, but we still get the contracted amount so we only paid $375 for the root canal and the build-up. Which is a little more than half off. You just have to love those Utah dental prices! And then, he only had to get three vials of three different anesthetics. But, then there was the gagging brought on by the rubber dam. I thought about taking some photos, but figured the dentist might not appreciate it. Plus Jason may have gotten a little upset with me. So, no photos. Sorry.

A new yummy snack!!

2009-04-03T22:03:00.002-06:00

So, I just found the most delicious new low-fat snack!! They are Dreyer's Snack Size Fruit and Cream bars (pictured on the right- it was the only photo I could find!) They are uber-delicious, and- get this- only 45 calories a bar!! Seriously- it's a delicious dessert that doesn't cost you anything. Okay, well, not much. Plus I paid only $3 for 24 bars. So, yeah, I'm pretty excited about it!

Dillon Eye vs Amanda Eye

2009-04-02T15:06:00.006-06:00

So, you all know that I have this strange fascination with taking photos of my eyes. Well, I was doing some self-portraits of my most lovely (or close to it) feature while Dillon was here, and he wanted to join in. And we found out something very interesting- nay- HILARIOUS! Now, keep in mind, this was pretty late and we had all been suffering from sleep deprivation due to too much partying...
This is my normal eye. Okay, I know it's looking not-at-the-camera, but it is normal in every other sense of the word.
Dillon's first eye photo. I was like- Dillon! What the crap have you got your eye mostly shut for?
This is the second one. I am beginning to think maybe that's just how his eye IS...
This is his eye opened as wide as he can possibly get it. Wait a second- this still looks a little droopy to me. Let's see how I do...
(Okay- this is still just a slightly opened eye. I just raised my eyebrows a bit). How can we possibly be related?
This is Dillon pulling his eye all the way open. I am pretty sure my droopy eye is more open than this...
Dillon's eyelid inside out.
Dillon's eyelid inside out again....

And this is a video I took of him showing his normal eye and then him opening his eye up as wide as he can. So great! And weird... Everyone does know that I'm weird, right?

I'm so excited!

2009-03-27T14:31:00.003-06:00

So, if anyone has been watching my weight loss ticker, you will have noticed that I have been stuck at 19.6 lbs lost for quite some time now. Seriously- like a month. It was a roller coaster. Honestly, I gained some weight back, but didn't want to ticker that. Nobody needs to know that embarrassing-ness. So, I gained some weight, lost some weight, gained some weight, lost some weight and kept going right back to 19.6 lbs! It was so frustrating! But, this morning when I weighed myself, I was down two pounds! YES!!! I am beyond excited! Once I start losing it goes pretty well, but those plateaus are really hard. So, I am prepared to kick it up a notch now that I can see some results! I was planning to go walk to like 5 grocery stores today looking for rhubarb, but it's a little late now. Some of them were really far away, and I want to be back by six, since Jason should be getting home. Maybe next week...

Dillon, Jason, and I at Trafalga!!

2009-03-24T16:41:00.003-06:00

Dillon, Jason, and I decided to make a trip to Trafalga, since they have an amazing deal. Seriously- it's amazing. Trafalga is like a miniature golf, arcade, go kart, batting cages, all-around family fun center in Orem. We started out with miniature golf indoors, on a cool black light course. It's the best course there, but always pretty crowded. I did remember to take photos- yay! Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures for the rest of it. Oh well. Also, these photos are kindof blurry since I didn't want to ruin the cool black light effect with a flash. After that, we did another round of golf outside. Then we got some Dippin' Dots.
Then we did the arcade, and Lady Luck was definitely in residence! It started with me. I was playing Deal or No Deal (which is basically like the TV show). You can win minimum 1 ticket and maximum 400 tickets. And they let you see which briefcase has the 400 tickets and then shuffle it around. At first you think this is great, but I promise, it's impossible to follow. I must admit, I am pretty horrible at it. I tend to just want to play it out until the bitter end. For example- last time I played two games, and only won 11 tickets. Sadness. But this time, I won 40 my first game, and then, AMAZINGLY, I got 400!! I totally picked the right briefcase! Wah-hoo! Jackpot for Amanda! So I run off to the boys to brag, and lo-and-behold, Dillon hits his jackpot!! It was a wheel of fortune game where you try to stop the light on the free spin and then hope for 500 tickets. And he got it! And then immediately after, he got two 300 spins in a row! Holy Cow! And THEN, Jason got HIS jackpot! It was insane! He was doing a light stopping kind, and he wasn't even paying attention, and whammo! 568 tickets! Yeah- the guy had to come replace tickets on all of our machines. So we ended up with a grand total of 4, 300 or so tickets. It was awesome! Jason and Dillon got lots of stink bombs that they took on a scout campout. Apparently, it was way worth it just to see the looks on the guys' faces!

The Joys of Dillon

2009-03-19T13:09:00.003-06:00

So, one of the things that I love best for when Dillon comes to visit, is all the free music. He is a bit of a music guru, and he LOVES to introduce people to new stuff. And, lucky, lucky me, I get tons of mew music every time he comes to visit. Last year, I got 27 new cds. No joke. 27. And I still haven't listened to some of them all the way through. This year was not quite as fruitful, but here's the list of goods (in alphabetical order with Artist first):

The Almost- Southern Weather
Anberlin- Blueprints for the Black Market
Anberlin- New Surrender
Blue October- Foiled
Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs
Death Cab for Cutie- Transatlanticism
Eve 6- It's All in Your Head
Ill Scarlet- EPdemic
Metro Station- Metro Station
Owl City- Maybe I'm Dreaming
Owl City- Of June
Paramore- Riot
Plain White Ts- Big Bad World
Relient K- Two Lefts Don't Make a Right But Three Do
Secondhand Serenade- A Twist in My Story
Shinedown- The Sound of Madness
Sugar Ray- The Best of Sugar Ray
Sugarcult- Lights Out
Three Days Grace- One-X
Three Days Grace- Three Days Grace
Unwritten Law- Here's To the Morning
Unwritten Law- The Hit List
Weezer- The Red Album

So, this year I only got 23 albums. Plus some random songs. So, yeah. Aren't you jealous? Oh- And he gave me like 90 new Apps for my iPod Touch. Yeah. It's awesome. (Oh- the photo is him explaining to Jason why the Bronco doesn't work from the manual.)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Slash Dillon

2009-03-17T11:14:00.003-06:00

Dillon is in town, visiting for his Spring Break. I think my parents are frustrated with him. I think this is either the 2nd or 3rd year in a row he has come to visit me for Spring Break. My parents try to bribe him with all these amazing vacations that they can all go on, but Dillon would rather visit me. Oh yeah- it does make me feel really good. Even though I am sure he likes Jason better. Who wouldn't? Jason takes him bowfishing and shooting and all sorts of cool guy stuff. And me- I take him to the grocery store. Yeah. I would like Jason better too. I thought I would post a few pictures of Dillon, so that you all can be jealous that my brother (17 years old) would rather hang out with me than take a tour of the east coast or go to California. Yeah.
Dillon when I was in High School. I am guessing maybe 8-10 years old.
This is from last Spring Break when we went to the lava tubes. It's a cool place.
This is Dillon harassing my cat. One of his favorite pastimes.

Life- oh life!

2009-03-12T22:32:00.003-06:00

Well, I don't have nay exciting pictures to post. Sorry. But, I just wanted to post a little something. I have really been working on being more of an extrovert. I have a hard time getting to know people, and feel so much more comfortable in groups of people I already know. (But who doesn't, right?) So, I decided that I was going to make an effort to get to know some more people and get out of my comfort zone a little. And I am SO glad I am doing it! There is a lady in my ward (who is the choir director) and she was very welcoming when we first moved in. Her name is Suzanne. I liked her, but was unwilling to try to make friends. I was just glad someone would smile at me! But at a Relief Society get-together last week, I sat by her and we started talking. I mentioned that I am home alot, and somehow our table got into a discussion about grocery shopping. I mentioned that I hate to grocery shop, and Suzanne was like: "We should go grocery shopping together!" I kindof went- Yeah, okay, but that was it. Well, I started thinking that maybe I should make more of an effort to make friends. So I called her up today, and we went grocery shopping. And we had a great time! We spent alot of time talking, and I really enjoyed it. I think we will do it more often. I just wanted to brag a bit, because- gosh- it seems so hard to make friends after high school and marriage!

Jason and Jack

2009-03-10T10:23:00.004-06:00

As a side note, I have been doing TONS of fun things lately, but have not been taking my camera. Why did I want one so bad if I don't take it anywhere. Note to self: strive to take more photos.

On Saturday, we were hanging out with Heather and Jason, when all of a sudden, Jason calls out "Not It!" Heather follows right after, but not being used to this, Jason and I are a bit behind. Jason loses the race. (Note: As there are plenty of Jasons in this story- My Jason will now be notated with a "My.") We have no idea what this is for. But, Jason happily informs us that My Jason has lost, and he gets to bathe Jack. Now- you have to realize that My Jason has never been around kids (except for Jack) and has NO idea how to do anything. Like- couldn't figure out the onesie. Yeah. So, Heather, Jason, and I are all giggling as My Jason loudly complains that Jack is not HIS kid- why should he have to give him a bath? Jason decided to stay by him and give him pointers so that Heather and I could go play- but we couldn't resist the show. My Jason did just fine, and under duress, later admitted that it wasn't that bad. It was pretty funny to watch, though! I think Jason has decided to prepare My Jason for fatherhood by making him practice on Jack. It makes me laugh. I am sure My Jason will figure it out eventually. (And no- that is not me giving hints that I am pregnant. I will tell you straight out, mmkay?)

Some Jewelry

2009-03-07T11:34:00.003-07:00

I have been meaning to post some jewelry I made. All of this I made just a few days ago. Nothing too amazingly creative, but all cute, I thought!
These earrings are a really gorgeous shade of green with glitter. It's hard to tell in the photo.
I am not sure what the briolettes are, but the crystals are Swarovski. More delicate than I usually make things.
I LOVE these earrings! They are enormous! My first mixed metal project. It's hard to tell, but most of it is gold, with the larger hoops being silver. I asked Jason if he liked them, and he said " (awkward pause) They are really big." I laughed!
My finger for scale. Seriously- these earrings are huge! Also, I was wearing them in the cupcake post. If you noticed. Also, I think these may be the only RED earrings I have. Weird.

Cupcake Frenzy!!

2009-03-04T19:02:00.006-07:00

Me- chomping down on one of those delicious cupcakes! (PS- like the earrings? I'll post them later...)

So, I was having the WORST craving for baked goods lately! I mean, bad! I would be in the grocery store, just drooling over all their day-old stuff. Even stuff I don't really like! So, I thought before I got too bad, I had better make something tasty myself! I went over to Faith's and we had a blast making cupcakes! Her two-year old, Grace, was in candy heaven. Who knows how much sweet stuff she ate! It was loads of fun! Oh- the blank spot was a cupcake I ate. It wasn't very cute, so I didn't feel the need to document it.
Now- a little guessing game for your enjoyment. (And Faith is not allowed to answer, as she already knows all the answers!) What are my cupcakes portraying?
I'll give you a hint to get started. This guy is feeling sheepish. Or maybe guilty.
Hmmm- classics, classics, classics!
Okay- I'll give you one. This one is portraying absolutely nothing. Hey- I'm not THAT creative!
Katie- This one I did Just For You! Oh, and I smeared one of the eyes. But you get it! This one is also my favorite, I think.
The only one, well almost, that isn't a person.
Ahh- the memories!
Anybody watch Cartoon Network?
Umm- this one turned out different than I meant it to be, but I still have a firm idea of what it is.
Okay- this one is a little tricky. Bonus point for anybody who can figure it out!
Her wart fell off. Or rather, one of them did.
Not really sure what this is. Scared red-haired kid? No idea. Maybe he's just dumb. It was my first one -give me a break!

Williams-Sonoma Chicken Essentials

2009-02-28T11:38:00.003-07:00

So, I went to a new Williams-Sonoma class this morning. It was called Chicken Essentials. Unfortunately, I had to leave early, so I didn't actually get to taste anything, but it was all smelling really good! Here are some things I learned:
You should always grill your meat at room temperature because it seals in the moisture. Also, thawing frozen chicken causes it to lose alot of moisture.
Organic Chicken weighs more than Regular Chicken.
You can use a panini press to grill meat (yet another reason I need one!)

Here's a few recipes we did:
Chicken Satay
2 Shallots, quartered
2 cloves of garlic, halved
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp lemon grass powder
1 Tbsp ground coriander
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp kosher salt
Mix them all together in a food processor.
Add 2 Tbsp unsweetened coconut milk and 2 Tbsp water and process again. It should be a thick paste.
Put it in a big ziploc and add 1.5 lbs of cubed raw chicken breasts. Marinate overnight. Skewer and grill. Mmmm!

Chipotle Chicken Panini
Find the recipe here:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/recipeDetail.cfm?objectid=CD344450-091D-2356-32728D77CBC6B7A8

The rub is chipotle, cumin, oregano, onions and garlic. I'm sure you could make you own rub or marinade. It would also be tasty with a different rub, I think.

2009-02-26T20:59:00.006-07:00

Consequences

2009-02-25T16:43:00.002-07:00

So, when Jason was 17, he got in a really bad car accident. He was driving down a very curvy road in the rain (and going fast, of course) when he lost control. He regained it, but hit a truck head on coming the other direction. He was going about 50mph, and he was knocked backwards, so that truck was speeding like nuts! Anyway- the steering wheel shoved into his face, and then between the seats. He broke his jaw in three places and had it wired shut for 9 weeks, and also had to have his nose reconstructed.
So why am I telling this story? I'll tell you. Ever since then, Jason's teeth have been horrible. He had tons of hairline fractures all through them, and so he was very susceptible to cavities and root canals. I think he has had about four so far, maybe more- three since I've known him, and has two more teeth that need them. So, yesterday, he was flossing, and a huge chunk of a root canal-ed tooth broke off. So, of course, we call around to dentists (and of course we have no dental insurance) and find someone who can get us in. But- that tooth is so bad now, he has to go see an Endodontist. Who will no doubt charge exorbitant amounts. Anyway- while at the dentist, we found out that he has three failing root canals that will have to be redone, one failed apocayectomy (or something like that- it was a tooth surgery), and like six teeth that need crowned. So, we will be shoveling as much money as we can to get all of Jason's teeth fixed so he won't lose them all. Poor Jason! Yikes! The total bill (including a 15% discount, and it was the cheapest we could find) will run us about $11,000. And all I can think is- there goes my hope of getting a new car this year. Sigh.

Bleeaahh

2009-02-20T23:48:00.002-07:00

You know what I hate? When you are feeling super-great, and everything is going good. And then, BAM- you are sick. I was feeling amazing yesterday- healthy, happy, like everything was going my way. And then this morning I woke up, and I was like "My throat hurts!" But I thought it might go away, since sometimes I just breathe weird while I'm sleeping and wake up with a sore throat. But, once I actually get up, I realize I am sick! Achy, runny/stuffed up nose, sinus pressure, cough and sore throat sick. Yuck. So not fun! I mean, usually you have a day where you're feeling a little blah, right? So you know it's coming. But nope- not today. I think sometimes when things are going too well for me, my immune system decides to shake things up a bit. Or take a vacation. Or something. I just wanted to whine. So- enjoy your good health, and pity poor little Amanda who is sick all of a sudden. Bleeaaahhhh!

Coolest Website EVER!!!

2009-02-19T19:40:00.003-07:00

OH MY GOSH!! I just discovered the coolest website EVER!!! Okay, at least for me it is! As you all know, I have been trying to count my calories. But, it's hard when you're cooking because it's all guesstimation. Unless you want to take the time to count everything out and measure it, which I don't. But- NO LONGER! Now- you don't ever have to do it again, thanks to http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
You enter in your recipe and servings, and immediately, you get Nutritional Information! And not just calories! We are talking fat, fiber, sugars, protein, and significant vitamins. I mean- AMAZING! Right? It is so cool! I can't wait to start using it! I tried it for a trial recipe, and it was so quick! And incredible! And it even gives your dish a grade based on the health aspect. I know- maybe I am a little over-excited here. But I thought I would share it, as it's the coolest website I have found in a LONG time!
Again, it's http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php