i dunno what my title is...

No post for awhile - been busy and about to get even busier. I am starting to work on the maternity floor in addition to peds. I am very excited, but lots of it will be totally new stuff to learn and get used to. I am doing orientation shifts on maternity full time next month but I still have to pick up a few shifts on peds to keep them happy. Going to be a crazy month!
Brad is still having to juggle the carpentry work with subbing and being around to drop Romes off or pick him up when I am working. I know it is such a pain for him and he has such a crazy mixed up schedule, but I love him for doing it and never complaining, and for making is as easy as he can for me.

We have been doing lots of this lately, Ro and his tv face. He has recently become OBSESSED with blue's clues. He asks for "boo" all day long. Luckily he will only sit like this for a few mintues and most of the time he will run around and play while "boo" is on. This way I don't feel quite so guilty for letting him watch it so much.


We have also been doing lots of this. Took a lot of work to get the old tile off, but the new floor looks great. Roman followed us around all day with his toy hammer. He just loves to help and it is so cute to see how into it he gets. Brad did some moving and adding of electrical outlets yesterday, and we are going to get going on the rest of the kitchen soon. I am waiting to put up pictures until it is all done.


Been doing lots of cleaning up after this little man. Thought he was being so good while I was making dinner. Juice everywhere. I hate sticky juice.


And been dealing with lots and lots of this. This one was especially memorable - 15 minutes of crying and screaming and kicking feet and clenched fists. The terrible two have come very early to our house. My poor little Ro has the perfect personality for tantrums and an excellent set of lungs. Mix that with the fact the he refuses to talk so he can't communicate what he wants, and he gets soooo frustrated, and this is what you get. He will grow out of it eventually right? Please tell me yes even if it isn't true.

cookies

I had to make cookies for the compassionate service committee in our ward. Of course I waited till last minute, and Roman did not want to play by himself while I made cookies, so I had to let him help. I would have never planned to do this with him - as crazy as he is - but it was actually a lot of fun. Looking forward to doing it again sometime soon. A very good reminder to me to slow down and enjoy the time I have with him. And to enjoy him and how full of life and energy he is.

He took his job of helping sooooo sereously at first.
Here he is being important while I am getting everything ready.

Here's the energy that is often very annoying in public, but so fun when we are playing at home. He just gets so excited about so many things. I love it and it just makes me laugh.

Such a great help - wanted to scoop everything out that I had just put in.

More scooping out

Loved this job. Loved it more when the chocolate chips spilled on the counter. He grabbed them and gobbled them up faster than I have ever seen him do or eat anything.

Watching the mixer go is apparently a lot cooler than I thought.
It is also pretty funny if you ask Roman.

He also discovered that cookie dough is a lot better tasting than the chocolate chips. Both of us ate way too much of it. All day long he wandered back into the kitchen looking for more cookie dough. Hope the people that got the cookies don't mind little boy fingers!

what the snow?

It's only September! I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked out the window yesterday and it was snowing. And not just light little flakes, huge wet piles of snow falling from the sky. Did we beat you guys in Edmonton and Calgary? I went to the grocery store in flip flops - refusing to admit winter is on it's way. And yes my feet were very cold and wet. Roman went out to play in his makeshift winter clothes. The MEC fleece suite is actually pretty thick, so he stayed warm and dry for as much as he did in the snow. But his poor toes were pretty cold in his on the verge of being too small rain boots - not that he complained.

Pretty styling snow get up if you ask me.

He thought the snow was so cool. He likes to hold big snow balls, take a bite out, and then throw it on the ground.

It was actually pretty fun to be out in the snow. (Fun because it lasted for only one day and I didn't have to drive in it!)

five

We had our five year anniversary back on August 24th. I kept meaning to put up a post about it - it seems like the thing to do - but I have had many excuses. My mom always told me excuses are like feet, everyone has them and they all stink. My big excuse is work. Brad and I are a little addicted to work right now. He has been working long hours and I have been picking up tons of shifts, often the complete opposite schedule from Brad. So thank you Brad, for working so much for our family and for never ever complaining about it. And thank you for always thanking me for going to work. I'm now remembering back to when we were first married. We were both students so we had so much time to spend together. I loved the time during the day when we didn't have classes. And when we went to the library together to study. Hopefully there will come a day when we won't have to work quite so much and we can see each other a bit more. But for now it is fun to make the most of the time we do have together. I think it means a lot more to us now when we can find some time together. Kinda along the same lines as how I can love him so much more with each year of our marriage. Funny how much love grows and changes. But five years, I can't believe it. It has been such a great five years. I couldn't picture myself with anyone but Brad, I love him so much. It's funny how everyone has this same post about how their hubby is the best in the world, and the best father, and so on. It's nice to see my friends and family are just as happy as me and that we all feel so strongly about our husbands and families.
I love you Bradley.

my 100 things list

Started this list months and months ago. I add to it every now and then when I work nights. One day it will be finished...

1. Being a nurse was not my first career choice - but now I love it.
2. I LOVE working in pediatrics, but I am excited to hopefully start on the Maternity unit soon. 3. I really like working night shifts - coming home and climbing into bed after a night shift is one of the best feelings ever!
4. One of my favorite things about Brad is how much he makes me laugh and I can make him laugh. We have the same sense of humor.
5. And what an AMAZING father he is.
6. My favorite household chore is doing laundry.
7. I love having a boy as my first child.
8. The only thing I don't love about boys is they aren't as much fun to shop for as girls.
9. I really want a baby girl one day.
10. I love living so close to my family.
11. My mom is one of my best friends. But Brad gets the number one spot.
12. I look forward to the day when Paige and I will be at a more similar stage in life and can be even better friends than we are now.
13. I love going to lake 5 with my family during the summer. The mountains and lakes in Montana are amazing.
14. I love water skiing and even did it when I was prego - only a few months, no big deal right. 15. Speaking of prego - I am one of the few people I know who actually love being pregnant. Even with all the bad stuff I still love it.
16. Fall is my favorite season. I love the cool crisp feeling and smell in the air.
17. Red and brown are my favorite colors.
18. I love drinking water, it is the only thing I craved when I was pregnant - ice cold water.
19. I am a pessimist, but I really try to be more optimistic. 2
0. I procrastinate. Lots of all night paper writing sessions in college.
21. I hate making decisions.
22. I always choose playing with Roman over cleaning the house. Very messy house.
23. I am organized at work, but I need to learn to be more organized at home.
24. I love making list and make at least one almost daily. Brad finds this very funny.
25. I wish Brad and I had more time and money for snowboarding like we used to. Snowboarding is the first thing me and Brad did together.
26. I LOVE yoga. Find a good class and a good instructor and it really is a great workout.
27. I also love swimming and am sad I can't do it more - silly to find a baby sitter and drive to Lethbridge a few times a week just to swim laps.
28. My closet is color coded.
29. I only wear glasses at work.
30. I love seeing Broadway musicals.
31. I wish I could sing.
32. I love textiles and find them very exciting - colors and shapes and patterns. In fabrics and decorating and whatever.
33. I have never been stung by a bee and I am deathly scared of them.
34. I am also scared of the ocean. Not swimming in it, but flying over it or being on it. I guess my fear is more the depth and vastness of it all. I had a few panic attacks when we went on a cruise. 35. My pet peeve is when people don't watch where they are walking. I often just let them run into my stroller.
36. I am counting down, only a few more weeks until Romes is in nursery!
37. I miss the thick hair I had when I was younger. But I prefer my light brown color now to the blond I had when I was younger.
38. I don't know what to do with my hair to make it cute. I need someone to teach me.
39. I love shopping but quite often end up not liking what I buy.
40. I don't mind being short. It always meant I could date anyone and never had trouble finding pants that were long enough.
41. Brad is exactly a foot taller than me.
42. I like watching movies - at home or in the theater. But there aren't very many movies I can watch over and over. What a girl wants, the Christmas Story, Legends of the Fall, and Newsies are a few from the short list of rewatchers.
43. I love Gilmore Girls. So sad it is over.
44. I watch way too much tv. But at least Brad and I do it together.
45. I don't really like to cook. And I HATE trying to think of what to cook.
46. I don't like hot chocolate. But I love steamed milk.
47. I hate winter driving.
48. I like wearing hats. And am told I can pull them off. And then I don't have to do my hair.
49. I love sleeping in the car on trips. And Brad likes to drive and just think. So I guess we make a good traveling pair!
50. I am a dual citizen (American and Canadian). I get the best of both worlds.
51. I haven't filled my US taxes in five years because I can't find my marriage certificate and I need to change my last name on my social security card first.
52. I love the shape of Roman's eyes. And his smile. And the way his eyes scrunch up when he smiles.
53. I love Ro's energy. But sometimes he just wears me out. Especially in public.
54. I love that Roman still likes to cuddle at nap time.
55. Having a baby made me become more forgetful.
56. I wish I was better at budgeting and saving money. Any tips?
57. I miss living in Utah because I miss Cafe Rio. I crave the chicken salad and lime dressing sooo much.
58. My childhood nightmares involved fire.
59. I hate packing and unpacking. It makes me act CRAZY. For this reason Brad does most of it. 60. My fifth wedding anniversary is on August 24 - tomorrow Five years goes fast. Five good years.
61. I am glad I didn't get married until I was 22. And glad I waited until I was 25 to get pregnant. I did a lot and saw a lot and learned a lot about my self in that time.
62. I get lost all the time. Brad has to google map and give me step by step instructions to get anywhere. I also never know which direction I am facing. North, south? Who knows.
63. I wish Stephanie didn't live in Calgary. I don't get too see you enough.
64. I care too much what people think. But I am getting better at letting this go.
65. I love the calmness the temple brings.
66. I miss my grandpa.
67. I look forward to the day when I will get to meet my sister in law Kelly.
68. I like going to the zoo. Denver zoo is a really good one. When I was about 23 me and and my mom and my dad went to the zoo in Salt Lake, no kids, just us.
69. I love watching the Olympics. My whole family does. Brad does not.
70. I love the smell of rain, who doesn't really?
71. Two of my bad habits are cracking my knuckles and biting my nails - but I'm way better than I used to be.
72. I love soup on cold winter days. Tomato with grated cheese is one of my favorites. But my all time fav is Brad's mom's home made chicken noodle, seriously the best soup ever.
73. I don't like having real plants in my house. But I do like real flowers.
74. I would like to learn to sew better and follow patterns.
75. I am saving to buy a treadmill. It might take awhile.
76. I love American treats - mint chocolate covered oreos, big hunks, red vines...
77. My favorite pie is key lime. And lucky me, I love making it. So easy.
78. I like to bake but Brad doesn't like to eat baked stuff.
79. I have no will power when it comes to food. Thus I don't bake that often.
80. I like playing board games.
81. I played basketball, volleyball, and soccer in jr/sr high. I really miss volleyball and soccer - not basketball.
82. I love watching Brad play basketball.
83. My mom and I play in a women's pick up hockey league in the winter. Full equipment too. 84. I don't tie my shoes like most people. I do two bunny ears and tie them in a knot. Not sure why, habbit I guess.
85. I cry a lot. In church, during movies, or even after a really hard day. I like the feeling of releasing everything by crying - or by good long laugh.
86. I lived in 8 houses before I graduated high school, 8 houses/apartments before I was married, and 5 after I was married.
87. When I moved from apartment to apartment I put bed sheets on the ground, threw everything on top, tied the ends together, and threw the bundles in my car. Learned this trick from my dad. Best way to move.
88. My room mates and I used to wash our jeans in the dishwasher to save money on coin laundry.
89. I worked at the BYU creamery making milkshakes - since then I have never been a big fan of ice cream.
90. I have had some interesting jobs - farming/bailing hay, sign girl for a road construction crew, and telemarketing to name a few.
91. When I lived in Utah I donated plasma twice a week and made $75. Plus a $50 bonus for going 8 times a month.
92. I used the money to snowboard almost every weekend with Lins and Jen.
93. I still have a scar on my arm from the 18 gauge needle used to donate plasma.
94. I actually got asked out on quite a few dates at the plasma center!
95. I started dance classes when I was 3 years old. I took tap, jazz, and ballet until I moved to Canada in the 6th grade.
96. I would love to re-learn how to tap dance. It was my favorite.
97. I loved field trips in elementary school. So much better in a big city. We got to go the to zoo, natual history museum, IMax theater, Molly Brown house, capital building, herritage farms, art museums... Kurt and I loved the museum, we went every time there was a new exhibit.
98. I love bare feel and I hate wearing socks.
99. I love Brad's hands - well used, rough, and callused. I think a guys hands can say alot about him. Brad's hand know how to work.
100. I can never make Jello turn out right.

box

When we were down at the lake we picked up a second car seat at Target. We are sick of moving the one we have from my car to Brad's car every time I work so one of us can drop him off and the other pick him up. Anyway, Romes and I finally got around to playing with the box. And he loved it! We had so much fun all morning going in and out with all different toys. And more fun with the box is waiting for us when nap time is over.

romes new do

I think that Roman's hair has been quite cute lately. It has a bit of curl to it, so if we take the time to do it he has cute little wings that flip up by his ears and at his neck. But, with all this heat and his thick head of hair he has been sweating sooo much. So much to my dismay, out came the clippers. This is mr. mohawk for a few days.

And here are my two no hair boys.
At least it will be somewhat grown back this fall.

home again

Home again with plenty of pictures. We went to the lake in Montana with my family for the first of July weekend. Then we came home for two days to work (had to catch some of the Raymond festivities too) and then back down for the 4th of July and to spend a week at the lake. Fun times had by all... and sun tans too!

On the first we went to the Alberta visitors center in West Glacier - free BBQ, cake, and cotton candy. Roman made car sounds to drive the bobsled. Loved his hot dog but wanted nothing to do with the cotton candy.
He loved all the horses in the parade and with the help of some licorice made it through the whole thing. A big deal for the kid who can't do anything for more than five minutes. But a BBQ cut into nap time and we got some clenched fists and back arches. I wish I had a picture of this shirt at the end of the day, you could see everything we ate all day long.

Fell asleep in the boat.
Testing out the water. By the end of the week there was no testing, he would walk all the way out until the water started getting in his mouth.
Has a shovel in his hands the entire time he is at the beach. Won't put it down to jump off the dock, go swimming, or ride in the boat. He HATES his life jacket so we didn't' attempt the tubes this year, but I'm a bad mom and I still let him ride int he boat.

The camping bath tub, yucky water and all. He was such a mess every night, it was amazing how dirty he managed to get.
Nothing like running around naked in the great outdoors after a tough day at the lake.

He was so into helping dad and grandpa fix anything.
Romes was in rock heaven. Rocks rocks rocks everywhere you looked. Including his mouth most of the time. Why is he still so fascinated by putting everything in his mouth? I thought that should have started to slow down by now.
I love that they learn to make the truck and car noises so soon. It has been months, but I still smile when he plays with his trucks and makes the sounds.
Wet suit tan.
He loves the dogs so much. Chases them, feeds them half his meal, cuddles with them, pats them, pets them, kisses them good night, takes them on walks, gives them treats, laughs and points when they wags their tails - and then tries to grab their tails, shares his toys, and kicks the ball to them.

Well, that's all for now. My parents are still at the lake. Roman and I will find sometime to go back down a few times this summer and then Brad will come again at the end of August. I love it there. So beautiful surrounded by the mountains and trees. Fun times with family. Wearing only swimsuits and camping clothes and not doing my hair. No phone and no watch. And of course all the yummy American treats - sooo missing my mint chocolate covered Oreos and key lime yogurt. Better find something new to do so I have more pictures for next time!

On Saturday we put in all the posts for the fence we are building in the front yard. Brad cut through the phone cable when he was digging before - of course every possible line runs under our yard and who knows how far down they are. So we had to dig very carefully. It took forever, but at least it is done. And yesterday me and Brad and my mom and dad finished the fence! Now it just has to be painted. (We were going to to it tonight, but big surprise, too windy) Even though it was windy we spent a lot of time out there today. It is going to be great summer with Roman trapped in a nice small space!

One of Rome's favorite things for the past few is carrying a shovel around whenever he is outside . And not one of the many plastic shovels he has, he wants the real thing. Likes to dig with it, but really just wants to have it with him at all times. He even has one at my parents house too.

His other favorite thing is the lawn mower. He loves to sit on your lap while you mow the lawn. My dad waits to mow his lawn for the days I work and they babysit. Whenever he is in the back yard he has to play on it and throws a fit when you take him off it. When we were in Home Depot he freaked out with excitement when he saw the isle with all the movers. So funny.

sandbox

We had some sand in the wheel barrel when we were doing some landscaping stuff and Roman just LOVED it. He played in it with a shovel for well over a half hour. (a looooong time for him to do anything, always go go go) I am sure he would have played in it longer if we wouldn't have had to go to Lethbridge. He cried and cried and cried. Had tears streaming down his face. And not his usual I'm mad cry, a true sad cry. So we broke down and got him a sand box. He likes to play in it for five or ten minutes here and there, but of course isn't half as interested in it as he was with the sand in the wheel barrel. Why do I bother to get him any toys at all?

we have a climber...

Maybe it's time to move the toy box.