First Fruit

I've thought about starting a garden the last few years, but we don't really have space at our little rental place here (plus I'm not sure our landlord would even let us). However, for a mutual activity at the beginning of the summer, we learned a little bit about gardening and planted our own tomatoes from seed. I have kept them on the porch all summer, and I am proud to say my hard work has come to fruition - literally! My very first grape tomato ripened this week!

Now I just have to wait for the regular-sized tomatoes to ripen! This is the best part about gardening!

Motherhood - highs and lows

There are some incredible highs to motherhood. When your baby smiles at you,





or when he is so cute in his darling Sunday clothes (thanks, Grandma!) and coos at you,

when he lets you sleep 7 1/2 hours in a row (yay!!!),

and when he sleeps snuggled on your chest.

But there are a few things about motherhood that sure stink!

P.S. This post is for you, Spencer. I know you are rotfloling right now! ;)

Aidey Baben

This post is just for fun. Here's my cute little kiddo after a bath. Don't you love his little dimple?!

And here's a video of him taking some anti-gas medicine. Don't you love watching how much he hates it?!

I love my baybee! (This is now your chance to hit Comment and tell me what a darling little baby I have. C'mon, all you lurkers that read my blog and don't say anything. I know you're out there! Just make me feel good about what a cute son I have!)

Visitors

We had some visitors this weekend! My brother Eric came with his wife Tanya and their two daughters, Natalie and Evelyn. Since there is nothing to do in our town, we met them in Des Moines and spent most of the day in the science center there. It was very hands-on and kid-friendly. (And luckily for me, it wasn't too hard to nurse there, either. I didn't realize that would be something you have to plan for, but it sure is!) I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I should have, but here's a picture of one fun exhibit:

a giant pin board with my face in it!

And here's Mike and Aidan standing next to a tank with a very large turtle in it. If you look just underneath the glare, you can see his hind end. (The turtle's, not Mike's or Aidan's.)

We also spent time at the Jordan Creek Mall. We did a little shopping, the girls played at the play center, and I got my ring cleaned and the prongs fixed. Look how shiny it is! I also want to share that they have a nursing room with a rocker and a locking door!!! That made me so happy that I want to write them a thank you letter.

My brother and his family came to church with us on Sunday, then came back to our house for dinner. Here is a picture of my nieces holding their newest cousin:

Natalie with Aidan

Evelyn with Aidan

And here is a picture of the whole crew. Sorry it's so blurry - those girls sure can move quickly!

It was fun to have visitors! Thanks for coming to see us!

100th Post

Well, the computer is saying this is my 100th post. In honor of that, I will share with you 100 things about me, in the time-honored tradition of bloggers everywhere.

1. I don't remember any Spanish, even though I took 2 years in high school. And I mean ANY.

2.I had a charm bracelet when I was a little kid. My favorite charm on it was a roller skate with little wheels that actually moved.

3. I probably loved that charm so much because I loved to roller skate! Still do, actually.

4. Speaking of charms... once when I stayed with my aunt, my sister and I each got a charm shaped like a cow. We were so excited to tell my mom about it on the phone that night, but she couldn't for the life of her figure out why our aunt had given us a "couch arm"! (Say it out loud.)

5. I am currently working on a Personal Progress goal to do something nice for a family member each day for 2 weeks.

6. This is the THIRD time I have started this particular goal, although I think I will finally finish it this time!

7. I am a sucker for the dollar section of Target. So dumb, I know, but I get sucked in by all of the great "bargains."

8. My right thumbnail started peeling off the top layer about halfway through my pregnancy, and it still hasn't gone back to normal yet.

9. As YW President, I give my girls temple flowers. I freely stole this idea from Sis. Hoose. (Thanks!)

10. One project I have on my perpetual to-do list is to go through and type several old journals that are handwritten in falling-apart spiral notebooks.

11. I like vanilla-based ice creams much better than chocolate ones. Given the choice, I will always pick vanilla.

12. For example, a vanilla Frosty is MUCH better than a regular one!

13. My sister Lisa once knocked out my tooth with a cup. We were fighting right while she was setting the dinner table. Luckily, it was a baby tooth that was already loose.

14. When I was in 4th or 5th grade, my bike got stolen. I loved that bike, too. It was purple and had a basket on the front with flowers.

15. I always have a TON of projects that I would like to do, but I have a hard time starting them unless I have a big chunk of time. I don't like stopping in the middle of them. Unfortunately, that means my projects often don't get done (or even started)...

16. I love putting peanut butter chips in Rice Krispie treats. Yum!

17. When I was a kid and wanted to be alone, I would either hide in the hall closet or in the downstairs shower.

18. I didn't want to play the flute at first. My parents made me. Then I fell in love with it.

19. I also didn't want to play the piccolo at first. My flute teacher made me. And then I fell in love with it.

20. I took 4 classes of American Sign Language in college.

21. I was also in the presidency of the ASL Club for 3 years.

22. I once went to a Silent Weekend where you could only use sign language the entire time. It was a blast!

23. I still remember some of my sign language. It helps that I used it in my classroom sometimes.

24. We have been running low on envelopes for a while now.

25. I just bought some yesterday.

26. We keep our batteries in the fridge. This is a trick I learned from Mike that supposedly makes them last longer. Who knows if it really works?

27. Our first married fight was about who got to decorate the house.

28. Mike won. Except that he hasn't done anything, so I am gradually sneaking in stuff and he hasn't complained TOO much.

29. When I was little, I sucked the middle and ring finger on my left hand. As a result, those two fingers are crooked now and overlap each other.

30. I worked on several latch hook projects as a tweenager. I loved them then, but I gave them away to Goodwill later because I didn't know what to do with them when I was finished.

31. I was quoted in last Sunday's newspaper. It was an article about school supplies.

32. I have a hard time killing bugs. Usually I trap them under a cup, but then I don't want to touch them, so I make Mike take care of them.

33. The CD player in my car is on the fritz. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.

34. I am not very good at keeping plants alive.

35. I use Colgate Total toothpaste.

36. I used Crest growing up, but now I think it tastes nasty.

37. I never drink enough water. Even when I actually try.

38. I have a TON of smelly lotion. I love the smells, so I don't want to get rid of perfectly good lotion, but I never really use it.

39. I should use lotion more often!

40. I was the biker for a team triathlon last summer. It was something I never thought I would do, but I really enjoyed it!

41. When I was a kid, I entered a coloring contest at Albertson's and won a $5 gift certificate!

42. I used it to buy a Sylvanian Family Bear. Does anyone who isn't in my family remember those?!

43. Speaking of contests, I also won an art contest in my 3rd grade class. I drew a picture of a snowman, and I won a piece of gum for my prize.

44. That same year, I also won "Most Beautiful Valentine Box." I remember that I used some of those fake roses from Hobby Lobby on my box. The prize was one of those little tiny heart-shaped boxes that has about 3 pieces of chocolate in it.

45. Also in 3rd grade, they had a big whole-school reading incentive thing. My teacher and the principal both didn't believe that I read as many books as I said I had. I think mom wrote them a note saying I was telling the truth.

46. Some of my favorite classes at BYU were: ASL, Teaching Elementary Math, Social Dance, Bowling, the Religion class about Teaching, Business 000 (a no-credit class that went through the basics of computer use in many different programs), and Women's Chorus.

47. Some of my least favorite classes at BYU were: American Heritage, Teaching Elementary PE, Psychology, and Birdwatching.

48. Aidan let me do #1-48 without crying, but now he's upset, so I will save this and finish later.

49. Some callings I've had that I really enjoyed are: bishop's secretary, stake appointment person, and YW President.

50. Some callings I've had that have been really hard for me at the time they were given: Primary pianist (18 yrs old), FHE mom (while engaged), choir president (while pregnant and with a young one).

51. I think I have attended more schools than anyone else in my family. I count 12: pre-school with mom, Rusk, Parker, Sam Houston, De Zavala, GEM, Goddard, Alamo, Lee Freshman, Lee High School, BYU, and SUU.

52. One childhood memory is a time when my friend Katie brought over her many Barbies and we undressed them all. Not sure why they needed to be naked? Anyway, Mom came in and was very surprised to see so many naked dolls!

53. Speaking of Katie, she is now married to Andrew Jacquier. I was in a BYU ward with Andrew. In fact, I believe that the last date I went on before meeting Mike was with Andrew! Katie and Andrew met on the Internet.

54. I also met my husband on the Internet. "LDS Singles worked for me!"

54. I remember one time when I was a kid, Lisa and I were tossing a softball in our room. We knocked a ceramic thing off the wall and broke it. I thought we would get in big trouble, but when we told my mom, she said, "Since you were honest, you aren't in trouble." We were relieved.

55. My favorite professional development class EVER out of all 7 years of teaching was the Utah Science and Math Core Academy.

56. I absolutely LOVED working at Park View Elementary. Hands down my favorite job ever.

57. I worked at the BYU Testing Center for 3 years during college. I handed out tests and wandered around the center looking for cheaters. I caught one once.

58. I don't really mind cooking all that much. I just hate deciding what to make. Once that's done, the actual making part isn't so bad.

59. Least hated household chores (once I get started they aren't so bad): making the bed, cleaning the sink/toilet, doing the dishes, doing the laundry, folding the laundry.

60. Most hated household chores: putting the laundry away, cleaning the shower/tub, sweeping and mopping the kitchen, and cleaning mold off the ceiling in the bathroom.

61. I rarely dream.

62. Although I do remember one nightmare I had when I was very young. It involved robbers and some Strawberry Shortcake playing cards. Ask me if you want more details.

63. I was in a spelling bee in 2nd or 3rd grade. I got out on the word "colonel." I actually knew how to spell it; I just didn't realize that it wasn't pronounced "call-uh-nell." That's why I spelled it "k-e-r-n-e-l."

64. Favorite things about Teacher Appreciation Week: cute door decorations, lunch from the PTA, nice notes from parents, room moms helping the class make some sort of surprise for me.

65. Least favorite things about teacher appreciation in general: getting yet another wall hanging, no one saying thank you ever at all, having a $3 gift limit in Iowa, having students say, "You get PAID for teaching us?!"

66. I have a hard time throwing things away.

67. And yet, I hate keeping clutter. They don't go well together.

68. I went to a Young Musicians Summerfest at BYU when was about 16. It was a week-long music thing, and I loved it.

69. I was very sassy from ages 10-13 or so.

70. But I made up for it by being a pretty decent teenager from 16-18. Not snotty or anything.

71. We don't have cell phones. (Well, I have a Trac Phone, but I don't have any airtime currently, so it doesn't count.)

72. We also don't have cable.

73. Current contents of my trunk: bag with car supplies (Armor All, map, tire pressure checker, etc.), snow scraper, Book of Mormon (in case I ever need to give one away!), flat playground ball, ruffly yellow baby blessing outfit that we didn't use (long story), box with notebooks to give away.

74. I think one of my favorite CDs was in my CD player when I sold it at my teacher garage sale. :(

75. I also have a brand new CD player from Scholastic teacher points. I got it 2 days after my husband surprised me with ANOTHER CD player for our anniversary.

76. I have yet to find a method to dispense White-Out that I really like. The brushes get clumpy, the sponges don't seem to provide good coverage, and the strip tape always seems to clog.

77. I type about 90 wpm.

78. One year, my high school marching band did a Star Wars show. I got to play the "Cantina Band" song on the sidelines with a group of only 5 kids.

79. I still have never seen the original 3 Star Wars movies.

80. I have seen Lord of the Rings, but it was under duress from my husband. I really don't think it's that great. Or even really good.

81. Mike wrote his thank you notes for our wedding faster than I did.

82. But I wrote ALL of the thank you notes for our baby gifts (even the ones to HIS co-workers!), so now we're even.

83. The last item of clothing I bought was a skirt at Penney's. I didn't even try it on (I NEVER buy clothes without trying them on!) because it was my size in a brand I've worn before, and it was on sale from $36 down to $7!!!

84. I got my ears pierced when I was 21.

85. I was very faithful about wearing earrings for a long time, but I sort of stopped over the last year. Now my holes are growing back in and it's a struggle to get any earrings in.

86. I really enjoy being in my RS Book Club.

87. Mike and I use a calling card, so I have to punch in 32 numbers any time I want to call long distance. Pretty annoying, especially when 3/4 of the ward is long distance!

89. I wear an NTI device at night to keep me from clenching my teeth and making my TMJ worse.

90. It really helps, but has changed my bite. I can no longer touch my front teeth together, which means I can never bite off a hangnail.

91. I love roller coasters.

92. I can't roller blade.

93. As a teacher, I really didn't enjoy doing recess duty.

94. I loved art as a kid.

95. I wish I had been in choir in high school.

96. In fact, I would jump on the chance to be in a community choir right now!

97. I've always been just a little bit scared of dogs. Not sure why... none ever bit me or anything, just a lifetime quasi-fear.

98. I read A LOT. And very quickly, too.

99. So ironically enough, I don't like owning books. I go through them so fast that I then have to keep them for a lifetime when I only got a day's use out of them. I would much rather use the library or borrow them from someone else. I can always buy a book later if I decide I love it.

100. I hate stuffed animals.

There you have it, folks! Were any of those news to my immediate family, or did you guys already know all that stuff?

Umbilical Hernia

Aidan had his 2 months doctor's appointment on Monday. This meant that we got all of his stats.

Height: 24 inches (2 feet - go baby!) - 90th percentile

Weight: 13 lbs 3 oz - 90th percentile

Head Circumference - 15 inches - 50th percentile

The doctor said Aidan was looking very healthy - yay! The only "problem" was his belly button. Mike and I have noticed over the past week or so that it started sticking out very far and was kind of purple-colored, which was strange since Aidan used to have a normal-colored innie. Check it out:

"Problem" was in quotes earlier because it's not really a big deal, but Aidan does have an umbilical hernia. This is a fairly common problem as babies are growing - their abdominal muscles aren't developed all the way across, so a bit of intestine is poking through a hole in his abdominal wall. The cure is tummy time and just plain old time. It will probably resolve itself by the time he is a year old. If it ever gets hard and painful to him, or doesn't resolve after a long time, he will need surgery, but it most likely won't get to that point.

Aidan also had to have some immunizations. Of course he cried, but he was a trooper. I think it was harder on Mommy than on Aidan! He's been a little fussy and has been running a small temperature since then, but he seems to be on the mend. I'm so grateful we live in a time with modern medicine!

And to end, I'd like to share a few cute shots. Lisa, this one is for you. (The outfit is on loan from her boys. I love this one!)

And this one just makes me laugh. Check out the huge amount of spit-up on his face, as well as the GIGANTIC wet patch on his onesie (that I had just put on him). And yet, he's just smiling away, happy as can be!

(No, he doesn't normally spit up this much - I was bad and had Culver's frozen custard the night before, which always makes him spitty. I know better, I was just bad. Yeah, I just folded our laundry from the last 3-4 days - we used 21 burp cloths in only 4 days! I know, no more Culver's!!!)

What a cute little guy!

FHE Idea

We have an amazing Relief Society secretary who does wonderful newsletters for us each month. I thought I'd share one of the ideas she had listed in the newsletter!

Since President Monson's birthday is on August 21, have your FHE be a birthday party for the prophet! Ideas include:

• Begin by decorating with some streamers or other party decorations
• Find some fun facts about the prophet to share during the lesson
• sing "Follow the Prophet" or "We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet" (or both!)
• Read Amos 3:7
• Play a trivia game with the fun facts that you found
• Make a birthday card for the prophet
• Have a birthday cake for refreshments
• Take a picture with your family around the birthday cake
• Sing "You've Had A Birthday"
• Send the picture inside the card you made to the prophet!

Isn't that a great idea?