The dress

My mom and Strider's mom spent an embarrassing amount on a breathtaking dress for Rosebud to be blessed in.

The back is nearly more gorgeous than the front, with those little buttons that you see on a wedding dress.

I couldn't love it more, and it's exactly what I would have chosen myself. And if I had that kind of money we'd have a nicer van. Almost.

4 weeks

My goodness, how life has changed in a month.

The whole me

Like any mom out there I wear a lot of hats. I am a lot of things to different people. And I know we go through seasons of life, and that all things have their own time and place. Just because I used to be something or someone doesn't mean that I still am.

I wondered a while ago if I should join Facebook and jump on this train that everyone else in the world seemed to be on but me. Most people I asked said yes. A couple friends and my brother said no, it wasn't worth it.

I thought about the people from my past that I've wondered about - and the possibility of finding them was the reason I decided to do it.

When I got started searching it was a snowball of memories and emotions. I was searching on behalf of the girl in Pennsylvania, the young teenager in Utah County, the high schooler in Salt Lake County, the college student at BYU, the nursing assistant, the medical assistant, the billing clerk, the doctor's employee, and the wife and mom that I now am. I have now connected to someone in just about every area of "me", past and present. I feel bigger somehow, like missing pieces (that I didn't realize were missing) have been discovered. It's a very unique and satisfying feeling. I'm actually kind of surprised that I have enjoyed this so much. But it has been so rewarding just in the last few days.

How often are you in the same room with girls you used to braid hair and go to sleepovers with, people who knew your first boyfriend, girls that helped you through watching your missionary get on a plane for two years, and those that you see in the neighborhood when you take a walk with your kids? That's how this reunion feels.

It has allowed me to wear all those hats at once, albeit briefly. For just a moment I still am that young girl in the field behind my house in State College, PA, with my friend Laura. I can remember when I learned how to find a vein to draw blood at Dr Allen's office. All this while I hold my four week old child in my arms. It's the whole me. And I haven't been forgotten.

To-Do Tuesday

I need to slow down a little. Back is hurting from Rosebud needing me all day yesterday. Thank goodness for the baby sling. She is in her first growth spurt and it's just an eat-fuss pattern. No sleeping till Daddy got home from work. Needless to say my back is weak this morning.


Trying to accomplish today (or next couple days wouldn't hurt):

*fold both loads of laundry from yesterday (why is that hard for me to do?)
*try this recipe for Apricot Chicken
*must get chicken out to thaw
*make baby's next two Dr appts
*make church assignments for Women's Conference this weekend
*make family food assignments for baby's blessing day
*clear off top of microwave - major clutter spot for me
*clear under computer desk
*pick up slipcover from getting zipper repaired
*get Potter's new scout shirt and attach patches
*help kids with homework; especially spelling
*continue to reconnect with old friends on Facebook and laugh and laugh
*ask Strider to hurry up with the hard drive reformatting - I need my files back!
*cross fingers that taxes will be deposited soon. I want this and these and these
*try to pretend if I don't have those things by Saturday that I won't be heartbroken
*don't go to bed too early, or will be up WAY earlier than I want (grrrrr) yes I really am posting at 4am.

Sick!

My goodness - so many babies I know are getting RSV! They say it's a bad year...

I took the baby to church last week, but I am too scared to this week. We are staying home one more time. Been there, done that, DON'T wish to again!

Make a friend

This week's task is the THIS OR THAT game. For each line, I have two choices, and I have to choose which I would prefer. So, here goes...

1. jog or walk: walk
2. coffee or tea: water :)
3. Pepsi or Coca Cola: Coke, but not very often
4. flats or heels: heels
5. fries or onion rings: fries
6. cats or dogs: neither!
7. skim or whole: skim
8. small purses or large: medium and sassy
9. van or SUV: van
10. winter or summer: winter
11. 1 piece bathing suit or 2: LOL, a cover-up!
12. sit down restaurant or fast food: sit down
13. McDonalds or Burger King: McD
14. white gold or yellow: wedding ring is yellow but I like both
15. fish or chicken: chicken
16. Edward or Jacob: Edward, but the Edward in my head and not the on screen version
17. pizza or burger: pizza usually
18. apple or orange: orange
19. spend or save: mostly spend
20. 1 story or 2 story house: multi-level


I tag everyone! Come on; it's a really short and easy one. :)

Happy Birthday, Potter

My oldest child, thanks for teaching me how to be a mom. Thanks for your silly jokes and funny sense of humor. I'm so proud of your optimism and willingness to try new things.

I hope you have the best day,

Love mom

Classified SCORE!

Got this baby for $5 in the classifieds. Think I got a good deal????

It's in nearly new condition. I love it! And with the price I feel like I stole it.

Evenflo Journey

Random Linkage

Lots of sites and links I've been enjoying lately...

Womans Day tips

Make and Takes

A Simple Walk

Birdie Secrets

Happy Little Life

Feathered Nest

Out my window today

So crisp out there. No pollution today; no nasty inversions. Just clean breathable air.

One step ahead of the kids

Conversation about 10 minutes before school this morning, with a child who was acting sick all morning.



Mom: Are you feeling well enough to go to school yet?

Bugs: I'm not sure.

Mom: I don't want to pick you up from school later so decide now and stick with it.

Bugs: Can I play Playstation while I'm home?

Mom: No, you may not.

Bugs: I'm going to school.

To-Do Tuesday

On my list today...

*finish two more loads of laundry (boys room this time)
*fold remaining laundry from yesterday
*remind kids to put their clothing bucket away
*preschool
*library
*hit dollar store for batteries and plastic basket
*bag up maternity clothes (yeah!)
*tally up scout awards for the boys this week to let the cubmaster know
*get rid of remaining pain meds
*clean out purse
*purge old coupons in the car
*take more pictures of Rosebud (too cute not to)
*do 2 pages in her baby book
*upload pics and order prints
*continue to price cameras online to make a good decision


In the last couple days (weekend) Strider cleaned and vacuumed my van, organized Jedi's closet and picked up his room, did our taxes and washed all the pans and fine china from the Valentines Fondue. Gosh, I'm lucky!!

I never mentioned how our Valentines meal went. It was so fun!



Princess sat down to supper last night and said "Mom, I think we should do a fancy dinner again!"

For more inspiration, visit Crazy Adventures in Parenting!

To Facebook or not to Facebook

Hmmmm Facebook.


Aren't I too old for this?

I keep getting invited to check out the profiles of friends.



Do I want to take the plunge?



I probably already waste enough time online as it is. But the networking, they tell me. All the old classmates. Find all those long lost buddies and gal pals.


Should I?

Love is in the air

Here is Princess enjoying a yummy cookie from her Valentine's party yesterday. Do you have fun plans for the holiday?

We are having candlelight fondue with the kids. Should be fun! We have done it once before and they still talk about it.

I also bought each of them their own box of fruit snacks as my valentine to them. They love fruit snacks but I never buy them, so it's a big deal. Strider and I will enjoy a quiet night after they are asleep. I don't need anything this year except his love and support with this new baby, which he gives me every day. Besides, we should save our money for a faucet LOL.

Our menu:

Baked chicken
Wonton Appetizers
Steamed broccoli
Apple-cranberry juice (it's pink)

Chocolate Fondue

With dippers: marshmallows, pretzels, bananas, strawberries, mandarin orange segments and angel food cake

Yum!

Mom, I didn't even touch it!

Yeah, starting day three of no bathroom faucet.

Maybe hubby will have time to go buy one later.

Any idea how often you wash your hands with a new baby? A lot.

Why, yes. It's my backside.

That's right. I'm not shy.

The point is - I'm in jeans, people. Real live jeans with a zipper and button.



Denim. I've missed you so much.

I forgot

I forgot





-how long it takes to type with one hand









-the gratitude felt after a five-hour stretch of sleep

-the amount of tiny diapers used in the first weeks

-the conflict of nursing while looking all around at everything needing to be done

-the need to remind myself of my priorities and how fleeting the time is

-how hard it is to miss a few weeks of church

-the cascade of Dr appts that need scheduled

-the caution you feel when driving the car with a 12 day old inside

-the way you stare at a too-quiet baby's chest to make sure it's still moving up and down

-that a trip to the store for milk better be worth it, because it will take an hour to get ready and another 45 min in the store

-those luscious lips

-the wonder of this little spirit, where she came from, and the dependence she has on me

How to make mom grumpy at night

Wait till mom is sleep deprived and has just nursed the baby for the second time.

Then try to find a way to sleep in her bed when you are, oh, let's say, NINE.

Grrrrr

Special Delivery

Introducing...

Rosebud

Born January 28th

8:23 am

8lbs 15 oz

20.5 inches long

Has any child been loved this much? I'm not sure.

She is such a delight and looking at her is making the recovery so much more bearable.

Why did we even put up the bassinet? She is held or rocked constantly.

So far?

a good sleeper

has more hair than all our babies combined

hates baths

eats like a champ

poops a lot

and

fits right in with the whole clan

We love her to pieces. :)

Why Rosebud? Check out those lips!