Weekend Happenings....

So, Saturday was a rush of freezing Soccer games (in full sun!!!! What's up with full, beautiful sunlight, and a breeze that made me cold for the rest of the day and night?), trying to get a nap before work, and then running my butt off at work because we were a bit short staffed, and the 2 babies I was taking care of were the most critical in the unit, and were NOT behaving. I also realized about halfway through my night that I was sporting a lovely, bright pink soccer mom sunburn...only my face and neck, because the rest of me was covered in blankets and jackets. That's what I get for not wearing real spf 30, instead of a light layer of spf 15. Then, on Sunday.... My brother and his wife blessed their new baby. I got these really cute pics of Talia trying to sit in the grass...then realizing it was grass and she didn't want to sit (like most babies, she doesn't like the feel of grass)...she was standing...then would start to sit...then would remember it was grass, and stand back up...I was laughing, it was really cute.
Then, Kyle finished his part of the Mini Society project...both he and his skulls were covered in stain.....

So, now we have 40 plaster skulls, and 6 clear resin ones. I'm really interested to see how they sell, especially since one of Kyle's little friends had the great idea that they should be "partners". I had to explain to Kyle..."Doesn't partner mean that you share the work?"..."Yeah"..."And who's done all the work on the skulls?"... "Me and Dad, and you did all the bracelets."...."So, is it fair to you for your friend to be your partner but you did all the work?"... "No, I guess not"..."Kyle, you worked hard, you deserve ALL the money you earn from making the skulls!!!"

I think he really understands now, but he's such a sweet kid, he has trouble telling anyone no...Apparently we need to work on sticking up for himself a little bit.

I've also almost finished with the Adult sized bracelets I'm making...I forgot to take a pic before I came to work tonight, but I'm really pleased with the way they've turned out. In fact, I like them so much I'm going to make a couple for myself...but probably anklets, because I don't wear bracelets well....I always end up breaking them.

So, today...got the kids off to school...put Talia down for her morning nap, and managed to get in a 1/2 hour yoga session...I've missed it, but most programs/DVD's are at least an hour, and I don't have that much time. But FitTV has a 1/2 hour yoga program...I've been recording it on the DVR, and tried it for the first time today...it's perfect for the small amount of sleeping baby time I have in the mornings.

Then, of course, as I was eating lunch, Talia was playing behind me..I thought she was just in the bottom kitchen drawer, but she had managed to get the cleaning supply cupboard open, and had Dawn dish soap all over the floor, her clothes, her mouth....and had the jet dry out and had just opened it...luckily, she really didn't swallow much soap, and no jet dry....the child will eat anything.

My new hobby/addiction

So, we're in the process of getting ready for "Mini Society" for Kyle...which is one big economics lesson for 3rd graders. They work at a "civil service" job in their classrooms, and make "scholar dollars". They are also given the opportunity, on 2 different Fridays, to set up their own personal business. The whole process ends with an auction, where they can spend their hard earned dollars. So, when I did Mini Society when I was in 3rd grade, I don't remember what I did, just that it didn't earn enough money to get me anything that I wanted in the auction, and I learned that I am NOT a salesman. I wanted Kyle to have a much better experience...so this is what we've come up with. Since I have this new bracelet making hobby...and only having 1 daughter and 1 niece to make bracelets for...I thought I would use this opportunity to "Play"...so here's the designs I've come up with...

So, for those of you who say...Isn't Kyle supposed to be doing some of the work? This is true, so this is what he's been working on....

He's been casting minature skulls, and has about 25. His goal is to have 40 by the first business day.

Here is one in my hand for size comparison. Now, we have a $20 limit on what we can spend...but since the bracelets are only costing me .15 -.20 cents apiece to make, and the skulls are actually only about .10 cents each....I currently have 30 bracelets made in a 3rd grade child size...and plan to make about 10-15 more in Adult sizes (and have Kyle market them as Mother's day presents)...and maybe a few baby sized ones as well. We'll see.

I find the entire process of making bracelets calming...and I love the design aspect. I will probably branch out into other jewelry in the next couple of years...we'll see.

So, to Mindy, thanks again for teaching me a new skill/hobby.

Soon, I will be making bracelets for Talia to match all her summer clothes!!!

Musings.....

Well, has anyone else ever been through this? As you know if you've been reading, I had to buy pants a size smaller this week, because my other ones were falling off. Now, I tried them on, and as always, moved around in them in the dressing room...crouched down, sat on the floor, etc...all the stuff a mom has to do in her jeans, just to make sure they fit good. They fit PERFECTLY. So...why is it that every time I go to put them on, I expect them to NOT fit? It's a surprise every time I've put them on that they fit perfectly. I guess it's going to take some time for my mental perception of the size "number" to change....

OH, and thanks to Mindy for the whoopie pies....of course, did you have to bring them when I'm 1.5 lbs away from my goal weight? I've resigned myself to a few days of maintaining, because the whoopie pies are heavenly in my opinion.....

So, my new dryer is the same size on the inside, but a bit smaller on the outside...and so very, very quiet. I'm really excited about it. And I LOVE Lowes....we bought it yesterday, and they delivered it first thing this morning...and that is the rule rather than the exception with them. I have never been failed by their store, so we try to buy everything we possible can there before looking elsewhere....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the best Dad in the universe...Dad, if you're reading this, I love you and I'm proud to call you my father. Thank you for passing on to me your love of "cool" toys, and teaching me what a father should be. I love you.

I'm ready for teething to be OVER...just the Eye teeth left to go...all of them are in various stages of cutting, and must be really achy today, because Talia is WHINY....and chewing on whatever she can get her hands on.

Please can the weather warm up now? I have 3 new pairs of capris, and it's been too cold to wear them. I even had to change my T shirt for a hoodie this morning, because I'm freezing!!!

I just found this new skin care line...and it's wonderful. Ole Henrikson's 3 little wonders...my skin is finally starting to normalize and clear up (since the last moisturizer I was using clogged up my skin)...I also have used a few samples of MD Skincare's daily Alpha Hydroxy peel pads...all the little blackheads around my mouth and forehead (also left over from my previous moisturizer) are almost all gone...I feel like I can go around without makeup again.

My husband's trying to make green fire...so if you're driving by, and my house is on fire with green flames, that's why...

Whiny baby calling...more later I hope.

Ditched and Dumped on....

Well, what a crappy day this has been. I started out, dragging my butt out of bed at 7:45 on a saturday...usually my day to sleep in a bit because Cole is home, and he's a morning person. I dragged myself out of bed, because it was the Primary's turn to clean the church. I knew that in doing this, I would probably end up being up for 20-21 hours before I would be able to go back to bed...but I didn't want my Presidency Partners to be there alone. Well, I was totally DITCHED by the other presidency members....It was me, Alec's primary teacher, the pianist (who also happens to be the bishop's wife), and I had dragged Kyle along. Kyle was a huge help, the only bright point in my morning of slaving in the church. My arm is killing me from the vacuuming, and poor Kyle vacuumed the entire cultural hall with the wide vacuum, which is HEAVY....and then he was too tired to run at his soccer game, poor kid. I was there almost 2 hours, and even though we still weren't quite done, I had to leave, because we had soccer games...which I missed, because....my dryer broke. Again. Even though I just had the service guy out this week. The service guy who said everything was fine, it was just my vent duct blocked, and we fixed that problem....So, $100 dollars later, I have 2 loads of wet clothes, 1 load being my work clothes....So instead of going to Alec's soccer game, I stayed home to try to grab a shower, and then ran my work clothes down to my mom's to dry....Then during Kyle's game, I stayed home and TRIED to get a nap, while Cole took Kyle's wet clothes to a laundromat to dry....
I wasn't able to sleep, I was still too upset at the way the universe dumped on me today. And all that after I did exactly what I was supposed too...even though I really didn't want to. So now I'm 16 hours into my day, and still have 4 to go.....and tomorrow I have to break the sabbath and go buy a new dryer. And spend money I had saved for something else.

Then, I get to work tonight, with crappy, heavy loads...short staffed...a nurse that won't let me do my job, and "oh, by the way, I need you to admit this baby"....Luckily it ended up being an easy admit.

I thought all this venting would purge my emotions, but I'm still as irritated as I was before.

Tag and Happy Thoughts....

Tag:

What am I doing? I've been ordering scrapbook stuff from my 2 main suppliers...Close to my Heart stuff from my friend Marie, and Creative Memories stuff from my sister-in-law (and friend :) ) Brenda.

What am I thinking about? Worrying about the way Creative Memories is changing their scrapbook line, and anticipating the"date" my husband and I are going on this afternoon after we get Alec off to school.

Who is home? Cole (it's his friday off), Alec, Talia, and me.

Plans tonight? Relax as a family, and definitely not go to work (they just called needing extra help tonight).

What's for dinner? I'm hoping I can convince Cole to cook his curry chicken like he's been promising all week....nummy.

My thoughts about love? I'm blessed to have a husband who loves me no matter what, sons who still think I'm the most beautiful woman in the world, and tell me they love me every day, and a daughter who looks at me like I am the most important person in the universe.

Feelings about my life? My family is perfect, I love my house, My job is usually ok...I'm extremely blessed.

What I want? Wood floors in my upstairs...in fact, that's part of our date today, to go pick out what we want.

What I need? I actually have everything I need right now...

What I have? Everything...absolutely everything.

What I can smell? My husband, fresh from the shower...

What I can hear? Alec playing next to me, Talia crawling around, the TV in the background...

My style? Elegant casual...If I can wear jeans, everything is right with the world....but I like to wear dressier shirts with my jeans just as much as the more casual T shirts I also favor....

My hairdo? Newly cut and colored....straight today....about chin length.

My outfit? Currently Victoria's Secret lounge pants and a t shirt....but I'm going to go shower in a minute, and then it will be jeans and a t shirt....

Weather today? Sunny, hopefully it will get warm as the day goes on!!

My mood? Calm, relaxed.

Thoughts on Parenting? Hard at times, definitely worth it.

Thoughts on Marriage? I married my soul mate, for time and eternity....it doesn't get any better than that.

Thoughts on Friendship? I wish High School dynamics ended for everyone as soon as the diploma's are given out....and I feel blessed for the friends I have that have moved past the high school dynamics....

Thoughts on Politics? I'm too liberal for the place I live, and too conservative in most other places...how does that work? Oh, and my national vote doesn't count where I live....it's disillusioning....

Thoughts on Beauty? I could discourse for hours....I wish people could see themselves as they really are, as other people see them....most people have unrealistic self images, and don't see what's really there....I wish most people could see how beautiful they really are....

Thoughts on Sleep? I'm a lot better wife and mother when I get it!!!

Thoughts on writing? love it, wish I could make a career out of it!

My favorite appliance? The microwave....I'm lost without it.

My favorite car? Tends to be whatever I'm driving...so right now a pontiac Aztec.

Favorite splurge? Skin care and makeup stuff....I'm fanatical about good skin care....

Favorite beauty secret? It's no secret....good skin care, and Bare Minerals....

Favorite Treat? Most anything chocolate...or homemade chocolate chip cookie dough

Ten years ago? Barely pregnant with my first child...(and I mean barely, like 2 weeks).

Five years ago? 2 sons, thinking about moving,

One year ago? Enjoying my new baby...pinching myself because I can hardly believe how easy she is....

Five years from now? Teenager, and all kids in full day school....what will I do with myself?

Ten years from now? Missionary in the field, I hope...and I pray my sons aren't being drafted to fight in a war....

I'm famous for? nothing.

I'll never be famous for? my cooking skills.

Who am I? just me...Jen

Who I hope to be? I'm pretty happy with myself right now.

What I am thankful for? Read previous tag answers....

Who I tag? Anyone interested!!!!


Now, I didn't realize it would take me 30 minutes to do that tag...but I have to add on my happy thoughts...Yesterday, I went shopping. My favorite jeans have been falling off me, so I went to get some new ones....I tried on the ones that 6 weeks ago, fit just on the tight side of perfect....and they were too big!!!! I had to go down another size. That's my happy thought of the week. 2.5 more pounds to my goal weight...then I will probably set a new goal.

It's Inevitable, I guess....

Talia had her 1 year well baby check yesterday, and I can no longer deny that she is one year old. The checkup went really well....she weighs 19 lbs, 10 oz, and is 29 inches long.
She's dropped to 29th percentile in weight, instead of the 35th, which is normal when kids become more active. she's 50th percentile in height, and 70th percentile in head circumference (my kids get big heads from their FATHER). She did the best she's ever done at the doctor...let him examine her without crying or fighting, showed him all her new skills (and her development is right on track, too!) and was her normal sweet, happy self. She only cried for a minute with her shots, and when they poked her thumb for the iron test, she was eating a Dum-Dum, so she barely even noticed. After the sucker....
She had it everywhere, but she seemed to enjoy it. She was a little cranky yesterday when her doses of Motrin or Tylenol wore off, but was great once redosed. She slept good last night, and woke her normal happy, sweet self this morning. And best of all, the shots didn't make her leg swell up this time. Yay!!!

Today is a "me" day...My hair stylist is back from maternity leave, so I'm getting my hair done finally...Now, it may not seem like a big deal to most people, waiting 7 weeks, but my hair is completely gray. I have to get it colored every 5 weeks, and that's pushing my limits, because my hair grows really fast. Right now I have a huge white stripe running down my head. The only saving grace has been that my actual haircut has grown out well. My hair (besides being gray) is curly and thick, and there's just so much of it. Janelle (my stylist) has to do a lot of "texturizing" (taking the extra weight out) with both a razor and texturizing shears so that my hair doesn't grow out and look like a triangle on my head. Usually by 5 weeks, I'm almost ready to buzz all my hair off....and even though Janelle told me if I really couldn't wait, she's make special arrangements to come back early for 1 day to do my hair...I really didn't want to interrupt her maternity leave if I could stand my hair long enough. For once, my hair cooperated. Today, however, I intend to bask in the bliss of having my hair look pretty again.

Haunted Houses in April?

So, while I was off scrapbooking this weekend, Cole took the boys to a haunted house down in Salt Lake. For a full account (and the story's pretty funny) Check out his blog... but all three of my boys had a really good time, and Cole seemed rejuvenated. This cute pic of Talia in the first new birthday outfit she's been able to wear...it was finally warm enough today. It's getting harder to get pics of her staying still...the minute she sees me pointing the camera at her, she's trying to get to me as fast as possible.

Therapeutic Scrapping....

So, I scrapbooked all day on both Friday and Saturday, and these pages are what I got done...plus 2 more pages that are all done except for the journaling. The boys meet their sister for the first time....
Visitors in the hospital....
Coming home...

1st tub bath...
More baths (Talia really hated them for awhile)
Her blessing day....

So, all together I got 16 pages fully done, and 18 if you don't count the missing journaling on the one not pictured here. I used my Cricut alot....I got a new cartridge at Michael's sale this week...it's called "Cuttin' Up", and I love it. It's a really fun font. It was really good to make some progress on Talia's baby album...and a little sad to know that I'm a year behind still...but oh well.

My Hell week....

This week has not been fun for me. I worked Monday night, got 3 hours of sleep on Tuesday, and went back to work Tuesday night. I got 3 hours of sleep Wednesday morning, but since I was up anyway, I wanted to make a treat for Mindy and her family, because her grandma had died, and they'd been doing all the funeral stuff. I decided to make chocolate chip cookies, because I figured I could bake most of the cookies, and have just a little of the dough. Well, in my sleep deprived state, I made cookie dough and put it in the fridge to cool. I did get a nap Wednesday, 1 hour and 15 minutes until Talia woke me. Then, I laid there for 15 minutes trying to drag myself out of bed, and listening to Talia play in her crib, until her sounds became more demanding of my presence. I got dressed and ready, and went to Staff meeting. I hate staff meeting Wednesdays. It's just one more day I have to get a babysitter, and go into work. Staff meeting from 3:30 til 5, then I went and bought Talia a big girl carseat...one that faces forward. I had saved 2 from when Alec was a baby...one is in Cole's car, and the other one was missing a vital piece...and I hated it anyway. I really like the new carseat. When I got home, we had dinner, and then I baked the cookies. They didn't turn out...more like they melted all over the pan. Cole laughed at me, of course...then, when he looked at the dough, he asked me if I had put enough flour in. As I thought back (more clearheaded in the evening than I was in the morning), I realized that I had, in fact, shorted the recipe 3/4 a cup of flour. That explained it...I should never try to cook when I'm exhausted. We went to bed later, and I slept like a rock...and today got up to start all over. I'm back at work tonight. I really didn't want to be here, I was hoping to be called off...but my hopes were dashed when they took one of the other therapists off the schedule. So, I'm cranky and irritated...and I know I'm complaining and sound really, really whiny. I am a very blessed woman...I have 3 beautiful children, a wonderful husband, a career that (usually) I like and enjoy, a beautiful home, a wonderful ward, supportive friends, and I am 3 lbs away from my first goal weight! Now that I've vented, however, I feel a bit better. And after tonight, I get to have 2 days of scrapbooking..../me time. So I won't complain anymore.

I feel...

Like I should post, but I haven't felt like I have anything really to say. It's been an uneventful week since Talia's birthday. She's getting really good at taking 2-3 steps, then lunging for our arms. It won't be long, I'm sure, until she's toddling all around the house.
Kyle is busy getting ready for mini society...We're kind of excited about what products he'll be selling, but more will come on that later.
Alec is forever asking to go outside and jump on the tramp...I keep praying for nice weather, so I don't have to tell him no and see the disappointment in his big green eyes....
Cole is busy working on shrunken heads. Check out my link to his blog, An UnOrthOdOx Halloween
I have a busy week and weekend planned...working Mon and Tues, staff meeting on Wed, working on Thurs, and scrapbooking on both Friday and Saturday. Friday I'm going with friends from work, and Saturday with my wonderful family...I should have some pretty good pages to post.

I've also been playing around with designing bracelets...I made a really cute one for Talia on Sunday morning while I watched conference...red beads and silver hearts...I'm getting better at it.

I feel very out of the loop right now, however...so if you have any news, let me know :)!!!

Happy First Birthday Talia!!!

So, 1 year ago today, at 7:17 am, I gave birth to my sweet daughter. I woke up about 7 this morning, and went over the experience in my head...like I do every birthday for all my kids. What I remember most about Talia's birth was that I had been up all night, hadn't been able to sleep because I was too excited, and my parents and sister were teasing me that because it was April Fools, it was going to be another boy, not the girl I had prepared for. But the teasing didn't phaze me, because I KNEW she was my daughter. The birth went well, and so easy...my epidural did stop working when I went from a 7 to complete, but they gave me a dose directly in the line of the meds, and I delivered pain free...and then was able to get up and walk less than an hour later. Perfect. My daughter was delivered, 6 lbs, 11 oz, 20 inches, with tons of dark hair. After it all, I sent Cole home to sleep...and I was exhausted, but I didn't want to send her to the nursery so I could sleep, so I kept her, in my arms, and watched General Conference to stay awake. And of course, later on, the visitors started coming, and that kept me awake...I just couldn't let her out of my sight. Until that night, when I sent her back to the nursery, and slept so soundly that I didn't even wake up when they came in to check on me.

So, these pics are from her birthday party, which we had on Sunday night ( I have to work tonight. I requested it off, but didn't get it, and couldn't find anyone to trade me).

Princesses on her cake....
She did really good with the presents...
She loved this "scooter" Cole and I got her...
And all three of my kids loved the kitchen Nana and Papa gave her....this learning kitchen, by the way, is really, really cool...I highly recommend it.
Albertson's does a free "baby's first cake", so that's why I ordered from them...once Talia figured out what it was, she did really well...and of course got it everywhere!!

So, today is bittersweet...on her party day, I could rationalize that she's really not 1 yet...but no more. She's almost entirely off her bottle (just the nightime one, and we'll faze that out this week)...she's trying to walk on occasion, and she's finally cutting the last of her teeth...So we're both a little cranky today. Later, after we shower, I'll post her real "1st birthday" picture.