lazy saturday

Last evening I got together with a bunch of friends from high school. Six of us and only one baby - not that you even noticed cute Lily was there, she is so perfect Jacklyn! We had so much fun. Too much fun actually, all the sudden we realized the time at 4:30 in the morning! I got home and into bed just after 5:00. I was surprised that I didn't feel nauseous at all. I stopped working nights because I just couldn't handle being up so late. And I didn't feel sick all day! I think I am finally to the point where I can enjoy being pregnant! Brad, being the perfect husband that he is, let me sleep in today. He questioned the 5:00 arrival home, but didn't say much else. I told my mom about the night and she acted like it was totally normal, saying that guys just don't understand. It's so true. They just don't get how we can talk and talk for 5 or 6 hours and literally not notice how much time has gone by. I love it. It was so much fun. And worth the late night - hope everyone else thinks so too! Lindsay has all the pictures on her camera, so maybe pictures will come when I get them from her.
So needless to say, I was a bit lazy today. "Bit" is actually an understatement. I really did a whole lot of nothing today. A bit of cleaning, playing with Roman, made lunch and dinner. That's it. This is what is waiting for me while I am being lazy on the computer while Brad is up working on the kitchen renos and watching the end of the basketball game.
I love that Brad will stop in the middle of working and play with Roman. Such a great daddy. Love these two boys so much. Love the "cheese" face too. And yes, the pajamas in the middle of the day is all part of my laziness.
And the final picture of the day... It's nice to know my nursing text books are good for something - helping glue down the counter top! Pictures of the new kitchen might not come for awhile, lots of little things to finish up and lots of other projects on the go. But it is so much nicer to wait for the "totally finished" pictures don't' you think? Not that you have a choice, it's my blog!

crazy zebras

My sewing machine is tired. 8 baby blankets in one day.
For Christmas my mom usually does something like a secret Santa, donating to the church education fund or something along those lines. This last year she gave us kids the money and we each had to come up with something to do. I was looking at the church humanitarian aid site and baby blankets were listed as a top need. So that is what Brad and I did with our money. It's only a few months late! But with the craziness of Christmas and the pregnancy nausea I figure better late than never. Besides, they probably get tons of donations at Christmas, so this is a good time to send them. (I can justify anything!) So they are packed in a box and off to the boarder with my dad on Friday. Then it is off to Salt Lake and then around the world for these crazy zebras.
Maybe next year I will pick something sooner and have it done sooner!

A lady at work and her extended family do something along those lines every Christmas. This last year they bought a goat. Yep, a goat. I think it is through unicef, or one of those types of organizatins. You can buy goats, cows, chickens, rabbits, fish farms, water purification systems, and a ton of other stuff for a family in a third world countrie. One thing that is cool about it is that you can buy a family something that will not only help them now, but provide a sort of sustained income. Like the fish farm or rabbits. Just funny to hear her say they bought a goat for Christmas!

fabulous friday fun

I tried to get these pictures up on Friday, but blogger would not have it. I was so proud of myself for actually remembering to take a picture of something. So here is our fabulous Friday from last week. The weather was so nice last weekend! We were even out on Saturday without coats for awhile.

So much fun to dig up the snow and then stomp on it as hard as you can. Seriously, it entertained him for quite some time.

Checking out the neighbors dogs. He's not too fond of them barking.

Loving the gigantic sidewalk chalk grandpa got him.


My man of few words. He is two now and "they" say he should have upwards of 100 words in his vocab, and be combining them into sentences. Yah, he maybe has 20, if you count animal sounds. But comprehension is totally there so whatever. I think stubbornness has a lot to do with it. Anyway, point of my story, a bunch of the words he actually does use are colors. Artist grandma is so proud! This chalk is geen and the other is boo. It's actually pretty funny to see how excited we get when our little 2 year old learns a new word, and parents of other 2 year olds are excited about funny stories their kids tell them!

2nd birthday

How does he go from this

to this


to this so fast?


Happy 2nd Birthday Roman. I am getting a little sentimental today. Looking back over old pictures. It's not the baby pictures that get me so much, it's the ones from around 12 months. From baby to big boy. But if you ask him he isn't a big boy, he is a baby big boy. We'll see what he wants to be when there actually is another baby!
So crazy how fast it all goes and you don't realize it until you stop to think about it. That's all I'll say. Before I start crying!
Roman had a great birthday. I think I could have gone with no presents and only the punching balloons and it would have been the best birthday ever. Isn't that always the way it is with little kiddos though.

tags

Tag #1 and #2

1. What was I doing 10 years ago:
In high school, grade 12. Spending way too much time thinking about and getting ready for grad. Slacking off in school with only 2 classes the whole semester.

2. 5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Lots of cleaning
2. Laundry
3. Go running
4. Grocery shopping
5. Bake a cake for Roman’s birthday – cake and presents tomorrow even though his birthday is on Monday.

3. What snacks do I enjoy:
Just depends what mood I am in. And now that I am preggo, who knows. We have been making home made ice cream lately – raspberry and peach. I do like my mini eggs and other chocolate on occasion. Lately I have been eating a lot of peanut butter on pretzels. Love lots of types of cheese. And strawberries and raspberries.

4. What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire:
Probably the same thing as everyone else. Pay off student loans, mortgage, and build a new house. Save for kid’s missions and school. Take our families on a fun trip. New vehicles. Very practical I guess.

5. 3 bad habits:
1. Lately it has been letting the housework pile up as I work, play with Roman, and lay around complaining about how sick I feel.
2. Procrastinating.
3. I still bite my nails on occasion.

6. 5 places I've lived:
1. Raymond
2. Edmonton
3. Provo
4. St. George
5. Denver
I think I have lived in 9 different places.

5 jobs I've had:
1. RN – peds cardiology, general peds, maternity, and ortho surgery
2. Dental assistant – loved it, but not good pay in the states
3. Lots of things in a hospital – unit clerk, housekeeping, kitchen aid, mental health aid.
4. Telemarketing surveys – hilarious job with fun people to work with
5. Road crew sign girl - sooooo boring

8. 5 things people don't know about me:
1. I worry too much about the future. Working on that.
2. I love the Gilmore Girls and have seen every episode.
3. I hate the smell of HP Sauce. Just the smell of it makes me gag. Brad loves it.
4. My pet peeve is people who don’t watch where they are walking, especially in the mall.
5. I hate sea food.

Tag #3

8 Things about myself that you may not know...
Since I just had to think of 5 things for the last tag I’ll do these eight about pregnancy – because that is where I am right now.

1. I have been much sicker with this pregnancy than with my first. I don’t throw up; I just wish I could because I swear it would make me feel better. Luckily I am starting to feel better, only nauseous in the evenings now.
2. I crave ice cold water. So all I do all day is drink tons of water, then pee a ton, and the cycle just keeps going.
3. I show quickly and carry really low. Last time I could put a hand under my boobs before my belly even started.
4. My belly button doesn’t stick out, just goes flat.
5. Last time I got stretch marks that bled.
6. With this pregnancy I have been very antisocial.
7. I get bad zits when I am pregnant. Lucky me.
8. Last time, and this time too, I’m not concerned about delivery. It’s the post partum recovery that I don’t like.

it's snow fun

We still have quite a bit of snow hanging around, but at least it all melted of the roads this last week. We took advantage of the perfect snow and warmer weather go to sledding a few times over the past few weeks. Roman absolutely LOVES it! Of course he loves it, he gets pulled up the hill and never has to walk! He has the hugest smile on his face all the way down the hill and just laughs.
Here are me and Roman after grandpa gave us a big push. Like my red coat pink had combo?

He cries every time we make him leave the hill. He is a big fan of the GT. When I work and my parents babysit grandpa pulls him all over the fields on it. He also won't let anyone else rid it down the hill. Not so good at sharing yet.

What else have we been up too... We went to Okotoks and Calgary the weekend of my birthday. We stayed with Sean and Val at their new house, so nice! My favorite part is the kitchen, love the cupboards and tile they chose. Of course I forgot my camera and have no pictures of the house or the weekend. It was my birthday so Brad didn't complain about shopping and he kept Roman entertained so I could take my time. We also went to dinner with Sean and Val and kiddos to Julios Barrio. Brad and I used to eat there lots in Edmonton. Good food, but by far not the best Mexican I have ever had. I miss the Mexican restaurants in Utah. other than that we are just working and hanging out and being very slow at updating my blog, same as usual!

haircut

Cute curly hair if I get it wet and it can dry okay. But naps and toques and don't make for cute curls, they make lots of bed head. So it was time for a cut. Interesting experience. Took him up to the salon to get it done because when I tried to do it last time he moved in the middle of cutting his bangs. They ended up waaaaay too short! He did okay, but the girl took forrrrrreeeeever. So he was ready to be done before she was. I just took him and trimmed up what I could when I could at home. So here is the new short hair cut. Dirty clothes and all.

mommy tag

Typical time of wake-up:
Uggghhhhh - don't get me started! Roman used to get up at 8. Then he went to 7, totally manageable. Now he gets up at 6:00 in the morning! Most days Brad gets up with him and lets me sleep until seven. I really owe him for it. 6:00 makes me a monster mommy. Any tips on getting kids to sleep longer???

On a good night when you/kids go to sleep:
Around 8:00.


How long you have been a momma:
Almost two years.

How many times have you been a new mom:
Just the one.

How old were you when you became a mom (is this to personal?):
Turned 26 two weeks before he was born.

Favorite Kids show:
Is any kids show really a "favorite"? The ones on at our house are Blues Clues, Backyardigans, Handy Manny, the Doodlebops - funny I know, and yes, Wiggles and Telletubbies. What can you do when he loves them so much. And when telletubbies and Wiggles are on he is soooo into it , I don't have to watch at all.

Least Favorite Kids show:
Barney. And Roman has no interest in Dora or Diego. Fine with me.

Favorite chore:
Laundry. And cleaning up any mess with my Dirt Devil Broom Vac. My mom gave it to me for Christmas and I seriously LOVE that thing!


Least favorite chore:
Mopping. Also cleaning the front entrance. It used to be the bathroom, but a lady at work talked me into buying one of those magic rags with the silver in them, bathrooms are so quick now!

Meal you cook most often:
Italian sausage and pasta, burrito pie, salsa chicken, Brad bringing home pizza from work, and going to subway.

Kids favorite meal:
Macaroni and cheese - Kraft or homemade, hot dogs, apples, frozen veggies.


5 things that make you smile when you are being a mom:
1. good night kisses
2.how excited he is when I get home from work, or when Brad gets home from work.
3.he always comes to tell me when he did something he shouldn't have, even though he knows he will get in trouble.
4.constant snuggles
5. bed head and touque head - my kid is gooooood at it.

Favorite thing your husband does with your kids:
Wrestling and tickling. Lets Romes work with him all the time. Ro just eats it up, helping daddy.

Last time you went out with no kids:
Last week, to dinner with Jen and Jaime. We were at Moxies for over 4 hours and had no idea.

If you could take your kids anywhere where would it be:
I would love to go to Utah and Arizona, none of my aunts, uncles, or cousins have met Roman. And they have kiddos we have never met. I also can't wait until they are old enough to go to Disneyland. Happiest Place on earth. I remember loving it as a kid (and still do!)
Right now we are considering going to Hawaii with Sean and Val in April. A 2 year old on a 6 hour plane ride and in Hawaii, am I crazy?

Favorite pastime/activity with kids:
Just playing around. Love the park when it's nice weather.

1 thing you said you would never do when you were a mom:
Let him sleep in our bed. He did it, we all got more sleep, and he grew out of it.

If you had an afternoon to yourself what would you do?
nap

1 thing you do that your mom did & now you do:
I'll have to think on that...


Favorite quality of your own mom:
Her kids and family come first, always. She is really really good at balancing mom and friend.

Favorite kids book:
I like Sandra Boynton. I Like the My first Book of Mormon Stories board book. Peek A Moo.

Best advice for a new mom:
It's only a stage. Works for almost anything. Sometimes I need to listen to that advice myself!

Scariest or most heartbreaking moment as a mom:
Scariest, not sure. How about the time I didn't strap him in his stroller in the mall and I caught him half way to the cement floor. Or the time I was putting laundry away and he walked out of the kitchen with a huge knife - apparently not all child locks are child proof. Heartbreaking is when they are sick and you just can't make it better.

Most joyful moment as a mom:
Just like everyone else, when they first lay that baby on your chest after they are born. I also really really like the first time they choose you over anyone else, even daddy.

Last time your child told you they love you:
Bedtime tonight. Although my kid still refused to talk so he says yes when I ask him if he loves mommy.

Last time you said I love you to your kid:
Bedtime tonight.

quiltiing time

Mom, Dixie, and Rhonda this is mostly for you. But maybe I can pursued some more of you to get going on quilts. February is quilt month at sew mama sew. Go to there website here, and click on the link to the blog. Here is a great tutorial for a crazy nine patch quilt that they had links to. I haven't quilted in a long time, a have lots of fabric grouped together that I really want to get going on, so I'm hoping to get lots of good ideas this month. May sound strange, but I find quilting in small doses relaxing. Love all the colors. Love combining all different colors and fabrics. Love binding quilts too. Crazy I know, but I like to do it when I work nights.

And because no post is complete without a picture.... Here is the quilt I made for Stephanie a few months ago when Finley was born. Rhonda actually has the same one for Lucy. I had to teach a class in Relief Society on this type of quilting, only we did squares instead of circles. Very easy way to quilt. And the more you wash it the better it looks.

monkey

I made this for Roman for Christmas. It was surprisingly easily. And I am more than just a little happy that he loves Monkey o-so-much. That's his name, Monkey. Very creative I know. It took all the creative I had to make it, don't ask for some fancy smancy name.
He loves to have Monkey near when he plays, loves to take him when we leave the house, and loves to take him to bed at night. But if monkey happens to not be there on one of those occasion, no big deal. It is the perfect love. (Perfect for a mother who might need to wash him eventually and continually forgets to bring him along!)
My favorite is when Rome and Monkey go out. He is soooo protective of his little friend. People always want to look at Monkey and touch him. Rome will have none of that. He scowls his face, pulls Monkey in close, and turns away from the rude stranger trying to eye up Monkey. He even pushed one lady away in the grocery store last week. I am very glad she thought it was funny and just laughed.

Monkey likes to tickle everyone with his tail.
Apparently it is laugh out loud funny when Monkey tickles you!
Hugging Monkey.
Sharing lunch with Moneky. Yep, still in our pjs for lunch.
Playing cars with Monkey.
Saying cheese with Monkey.
Taking Monkey out where ever we were going that day. I think this was the day Monkey got dropped in the snow. It was a serous accident. Monkey got lots of cuddles. Probably because a week ago Roman fell in the snow and froze his chubby hands off.
Taking a nap with Monkey.

One more funny thing Monkey and Roman do is sing monkeys jumping on the bed. Well actually I sing. And Roman and Monkey jump around the room and fall down. I just love the smile on his face when he is doing it.

We love our two little monkeys!

finally

Okay, here are some pictures from Christmas. I am getting really bad at taking pictures. I hardly ever have the camera around anymore. I would basically have to have it around my neck all day, ready at a moments notice to catch all the good stuff. Plus every time Romes sees the camera he sticks his arm out and runs to grab it. I have soooo many pictures of his hand and arm cutting off his face. But, here are a few I managed to get Christmas morning. I think Paige has some better ones on her camera, she might have actually been able to catch his face, apparently I am no good at that.

Here is the tool bench, complete with all the good power tools. The bench is in his bedroom. At any time you can say, Ro we need to fix ____ (insert just about any word here). He will drop whatever he is doing, race to his room, and come back with a tool box full of fixing tools. So funny.

This is the serious face. He smiles and laughs all the time, but certain toys are not for fun and games. It is so cute how seriously he takes his "jobs".
Ahh, the chain saw. It makes the most annoying sound. Good thing he was distracted by more presents.
Another serious face. As many of you know, this kid loves Blues Clues. So I made him some handy dandy notebooks for Christmas. Just big enough for a good sized crayon to fit in. He didn't put it down for 3 days straight. Good think I made 3 of them. I got myself a new box of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, works like a charm on the crayon that is dispersed throughout my house. As you can see in the picture he also got mailbox and we made letters to go inside it with family pictures in them. Another big hit.
Here is a little horsey riding and chasing the dogs.
My favorite part of Christmas morning. He opened a few presents then he noticed the big pile. He gave every present to me, saying mama, mama. I told him who to take it to and he took off running to give them their present. Then back to the pile for more, and back to me. All with the serious face. He wouldn't open any until they had all been handed out. My little boy loves to work. He follows daddy and grandpa around every chance he gets helping them work. I love it. Wonder how long the love of work will last...

mmmm cinnamon

* Update - the candle was cold. But it had been burned in a warmer before, so it was soft enough for him to dig out easily. I'm not that bad of a mom!

I knew he was being too quite.
Luckily it washed easily off his hands, pjs, and the floor.

At least them mess smelled yummy.

And his cute little hands were so soft after the paraffin treatment!

25 questions for Christmas

Got this from a friend in one of those fill it out and send it back emails. Put it up here instead.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. Love to make it all match, red white and gold.
2. Real tree or artificial? I like real, grew up with always a real tree, but now we have artificial. I hate setting it up, but it is so much nicer to take care of! Brad says when the kids are older we will have two, one real for him and the kids and one fake for me. Okay by me.
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually in the first part of December. NEVER ever ever before American Thanksgiving. That was ingrained in me and will be with me until I die.
4. When do you take the tree down? When ever we get around to it, usually a good two weeks into January. I like to look at it for awhile. Okay really I am just lazy and Brad has to be the one to say it's time.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Let me think... I liked my easy bake oven, my pink child sized sleeping bag, doll cradle and high chair my dad made, and the doll house my dad made and my mom decorated with the same wallpaper as our house. And if being 20 counts as a child my snowboard and boots were pretty good too!
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Oh yes! I love my nativity. I have the whole Willow Tree set. I think I put up a picture last year. And my mom gave me an angel to go with it for Christmas last year. I actually have two other nativity sets in my storage to come out when there is more room another year. I like to be reminded many times a day of the reason for Christmas when I see it.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Roman or my mom.
10. Hot coco or apple cider? Neither, I like peppermint steamed milk.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. But I didn't get to cards this year. Or a picture, and I am actually very sad about the picture. Roman has changed so much since last years and we don't have even a quick picture of all three of us since then. Sad I know.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story. Very funny. We watch it every year. Brad had never seen it until he married me. He likes It's a Wonderful Life. I have never actually seen it. One of these years...
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever. I like to start early but I always finish at the last minute. This year is a little out of control. I thought I had lots of time so I had done nothing, then all the sudden it was two weeks to Christmas!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don`t think so. Wedding present yes.
15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? Where to start... Sugar cookies for sure, my mom`s nuts and bolts, caramel popcorn, kool aid popcorn, Terrie`s chocolate oranges, Japanese oranges, aunt Shannon`s chocolates - root bear flavor is so yummy, left over turkey buns, candy canes, babka, Davis chicken noodle soup, the list could go on.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? White white white! I hate colored lights. Not to offend any of you out there, Brad loves colored lights. They will go on his and the kids real tree.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Not sure. O come all ye Faithful comes to mind, I remember belting it out while caroling with the girls in High School. Jacklyn does a particularly good version. Any Christmas music is good. I really like just music without singing.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel from Edmonton was fine. Travel from Utah was no fun - flights canceled, delayed 12 hours, lost luggage until the 24th. But no travel is very nice. The farthest travel we do now is 20 minutes to Lethbridge. Maybe an hour to Hill Spring if Brad's parents move back. It's so nice to be able to see both families so much during the holidays.
19. Decorations traditional red and green or something else? Mostly red for me. Big surprise eh. Green, black, and some gold too. The Christmas trees that companies and groups decorate and then auction off at the hospital were pretty cool. There were a few that were all brown and blue, they looked really cool. One that was all green and white that looked good too.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. I grew up with an Angel, but I like stars.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Only pjs on Christmas Eve. All my presents as a kid were wrapped. Brad's family each had a present from Santa that was unwrapped, set up under the tree. That is what they played with first. So we do that now for Roman.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Driving on snowy roads.
23. What is the “silliest” family tradition you do, or miss doing? It's not so much silly as it is eccentric or odd. Love my flannel sheets in the winter, and I bring them out with the rest of the Christmas stuff. I use them with one side to the top the first year, then flip them the next year, and then they are gone and I get new ones. I HATE when they get all the little balls on them, I would rather buy new ones. As for a tradition I miss, doing the nativity story on Christmas Eve. When we were little we acted it out every year - bathrobes, baby doll, rocking horse for a donkey. I loved it and can't wait to start this tradition with my kiddos. A friend of mine does it with her five brothers and sisters and all the bro and sis in laws and all the many grandchildren. Everyone has a different part every year and everyone dresses up. Love traditions.
24. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? Not necessarily a theme, but I do like everything to match. Again, my tree will be the fake tree, white lights, matching decorations and wrapping paper. Brad's and the kid's tree will be real tree, colored lights, crazy homemade decorations, and every color imaginable of wrapping paper. I am sure I will actually just give in when kids get old enough to care. I must admit I am looking forward to making decorations and stuff with little kiddos.
25. Gingerbread or sugar cookies? Sugar cookies. Love them any time of year. That is why I like this site, and this site - I mean where else can you get a cookie cutter in the shape of any of the 50 states, farm animals, fruit, tools, trains, dump trucks, or cowboy boots! Funny stuff.

online shopping

It's too cold to go out Christmas shopping. So I have been doing some shopping online. Roman has been helping at the other computer. Bed head and wearing too small rain boots are apparently prerequisites to shopping online.

crafty

Anyone in a crafty mood with Christmas around the corner? I have been working a lot and not really crafting - but during down time at work I have found lots of things to craft! Might make some cute Christmas presents.

Thought these covered button thumb tacks were cute

And these fabric covered magnets

Thought these pillows would be cute in kids rooms - if I had more time, maybe one day.

And this site has lots of cool fabric. Scroll to the bottom and click on the blog link (in green, just above the contact info) They have a theme for every day in November of idea you can make for gifts. Lots are stupid, but some are really cute. Nov. 6 is baby blankets and has a cute stroller quilt. Nov 9 is fabric ornaments. Nov 11, reading and writing, cute crayon role that would be good for church. You get the idea. For some reason I thought this felt cupcake was really cute (whimsy, Nov 8)
Just one more - this one's for you Steph. Nov 14, dress the kids. Check out the girls clothes. Love the smoket and this - making a girls dress from a button shirt.

Paige wanted a bag for church, for scriptures and stuff. So in stead of my mom buying one I am making here a few different ones. You have to be able to coordinate with what you are wearing! Here are a few bag tutorials I liked. Tote bag. I am shortening the handles on this one and using way cuter material, but I liked the shape. The lindie bag.

I LOVE Amy Butler and am one day going to buys some of her bag patterns. But in the mean time, here are some of her free patterns.

Here is a cute ipod cover.

I found these while looking at some blogs I like. aren't they so cute! I love the felt hair.



And don't forget the millions of ideas on Martha Stewart!

fall pictures

Okay, since you asked, here's a post for you Susie. And yes, we are celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow. Looking forward to leftover turkey buns for days to come!

Roman has been loving chocolate chips lately.


I meant to post these back in October. We had so much fun playing outside this fall. Roman loved to throw the leaves in the air and run through grandpa's freshly raked pile of leaves. We also frequented the new park by our house. Too bad it snowed last night. No more fall fun. Now I need to go buy a snowsuit and boots.