I'm still learning.

I blame the big, gooey mess coming up Chase's back and out his onesie for my distracted state.

Because no one but a mom distracted with cleaning up a stinky mess would leave their little boy, exposed to the world. A rather rookie mistake.

My first thought upon coming back to him, with his lightly sprinkled on tummy, was that I lucked out that he seemed to be low on tinkling fluid and kept the mess to himself.

No such luck. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted this.

No, my frosty blinds had not begun melting.

This says it all.

Guilty.

Busted little man.

Wish me luck

I'm off to run in this,

sporting these

It should be fun.

silly girl

Remember when she looked like this?

ellie with sling shot in hand: "You're going down momma."

me: "Do you need any help Ellie?"
ellie: "No. I'm gonna help myself."

ellie singing her own lyrics: "Ellie is a child of God.." (She plugs in Chase too)

ellie: "What's nana's house's name?"
me: "Houses don't have names."
ellie: "What's nana's house's name?"
me: "I don't know, what's nana's house's name?"
ellie:"House."

Today has been a very pleasant day.

Chase slept through the entire three hours of church and 30 min Relief Society meeting following, which makes me feel grateful and spoiled. Yes, I kinda enjoy feeling spoiled.

And then, everyone peacefully slept while I made a very delicious looking, veggie-filled salad for family dinner later today. I find salad assembling somehow peaceful and soothing to my soul.

And Now, I am sitting down to eat some yummy butternut squash and to read some uplifting and enlightening words. Yes, my nap will have to wait. Honestly, it's never been one of my favorite things to do anyway.

And for your viewing pleasure,

a new haircut


I do kinda miss this old awkwardly placed hair.

But Danny wanted his boy sporting the buzz cut.
I draw the line with my girls, but I thought I'd let Danny have his fun with his little boy.

Time flies.

seeing each other for the first time

a big helper

a chilly stroller ride

There's just something about a parade

that's hard to pass up.

Especially when cute kids, clapping and candy are involved.



Happy Veteran's Day

I never thought of myself as a boy mom

I just kind of assumed I'd have a house full of girls.

I think I had convinced Danny of this too.

But then, 6 weeks ago today, my little man came.



And what a little man he is.




He's a keeper.
A fussy keeper, but definitely a keeper.

And here's a couple more classics:

first recorded smile


The pirate eye
He likes to keep one eye on you,
just in case.



So Chase, thanks for coming and proving me wrong about boys.

no one could resist

our little chicken

But how could you blame 'em.


More Chase coming soon.

I get to see things like this every day.

I feel lucky.

Need a lunch idea?

Ellie had this.

A turkey sandwich on a homemade roll,
with peanut butter on top.

That last ingredient was per Ellie's request.

And yes, she actually ate it.

Our new arrival.

Friday evening began with a walk to the park for a picnic.

It ended with a trip to a very over-crowded labor and delivery unit.

I was admitted right away, but it took three very long hours to get a room.
(No room = No Epidural)

My induction was scheduled for 10 o'clock the next morning (exactly one week past my due date), but Chase decided he'd like to make his own entrance.

And 6:29 Saturday morning,

he did.

All 8lbs 3oz of him.

I take it all back.

I am no longer waiting patiently.

No, it's not this big belly that I'm sick of
(although the thought of having a waist again is sort of refreshing).

I think it's all of the convincing I've been doing
that I'm still feeling good and am ok if this baby takes his sweet time coming into this world
to those sympathetic that I'm still pregnant.

And the not knowing.

Thinking it could be moment.
But then it's not.

But I know the moment will come.
Eventually.

So I guess I'll just keep waiting.

I am not always to most patient person.

But I'm still patiently waiting for my new little bundle for a few good reasons.

One,
I'm feeling good.
Really.
Definitely much better than how I'll feel after birthing a child.

Two and Three,
Ellie is sick.
Danny is really sick.
Time to get well doesn't sound so bad.

Four,
I've waited 40 weeks and 3 days. I can wait just a few more days.


And he's got to come eventually, you know.

So whenever he does,
we'll be here-
happily waiting to welcome him into our family.

I may never be able to buy a burp rag again.

They are far too cheap and easy to make.

Just my kind of sewing project.

(Don't worry, the girly ones aren't for my little man.)

Dear Chase,

I am very happy we have finally decided on a name for you.

And I think you're really going to like you new room.
Ellie is still keeping your crib warm for you.



We are very excited to see you.
So come see us soon.

Love,
Your mama

Have you seen my belly lately?

It's huge.

an outing

This week for Family Home Evening...

we went bowling.

Ellie gave claps of encouragement while she waited patiently for her turn.

She preferred to hold her own ball, but I discouraged that one.
It worked, except for when she beat us all to the ball.
This girl was ready and waiting.

She only dropped the ball (on her toe) once.

I'd say she's a natural.

It was good to meet you Mr. Bidwell.

And you too Big Red.

Danny and I enjoyed ourselves in Bill Bidwell's ritzy suite last weekend,
thanks to an invite from our favorite State Legislator.

latest project

Remember this?

The basket, not the baby.


Now it looks like this:


Just waiting for the baby to put it in.

This guy does a lot.

He cooks, he cleans, he dances.

And after straightening up a few things around the house this morning, he headed out for his 6th work day this week.

Did I mention that yesterday he washed both cars with his little "helper" and then took her swimming, while I stayed home and worked on my latest sewing project?

Well, he did.

Yes, this morning I am feeling kinda lucky.

Workin' it.

She hardly even noticed I was watching.

Not today.

Mondays are usually busy days.

I have a long list of to do's, house cleaning to conquer, errands to run, and more lists to make.
Before I know it,
the day is done.
And for all of that, I love Mondays.

But right I am ignoring all of the "urgencies" of errands and to do's.
I am not going.
I am not doing.

Instead I'm relaxing and watching Ellie do this:




And then waiting to see what new items she decides need to come out and join the fun.


(Or don't make the cut. I've just been handed the diaper.)

There will be plenty of time for busyness tomorrow, right?

A new favorite

Something about this hot weather has put me in the mood for lots of yummy salads lately.

Here's the latest.


A Home Version of
Mimi's Chicken and Fruit Salad

lots of greens ( I use green leaf lettuce and spinach)
craisins
walnuts (chopped)
tomato (finely chopped)
strawberries (sliced)
bacon bits (I prefer mine without)
chicken breast (diced or shredded)
Balsamic Vinaigrette

I have never been a fan of fruit on salad, but now that has all changed. I'm actually not a fan of several things on this salad on their own, but all together, it is divine. Really.

And the best part.
Danny loves it too and has requested it to now be one of our "regulars".
Done.

I am not a sew-er.

Usually.

But yesterday I sewed this.

Or finished it I should say. The fabric was bought at the beginning of the week (after quite a few indecisive and discouraging trips to the fabric store and lots of online searching), the skirt was sewn mid week (by far the easiest part) and the bumper was all pieced and sewn together just before 2am last night...or this morning I guess. (I thought I was almost done around 10.)

I am very pleased with how it turned out, thanks my sister-in-law Stephanie's wonderful instructions (I payed very close attention since I knew she'd be unreachable once the sewing began) and my surprising last minute helper who measured, pinned and pressed like a champ (yes, my one and only, danny).

I hoped to finish some time before our little baby boy arrived in September, so it looks like I'm well ahead of schedule. Now on to Ellie's quilt, a few decorative pillows and some wall art.

Wish me luck!

You never know what a trip to Home Depot will result in.

Danny usually goes for one thing, and comes back with several.
This time it worked out in my favor.

Fresh flowers to replace our dead, crusty ones.
(I always forgot to water them.)

Thanks for the new ones honey.

Homebodies.

I am without a car today.

This may not be hard for some, but I like to make it out at least once in a day.

(Yes, even in this unbearable heat.)

But today we will be at home.

So far we've occupied ourselves by...

going for a refreshing swim



and making whole-wheat tortillas
(a first for me)

Whole-Wheat Tortillas

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 T olive oil
• 1/2 cup warm tap water

Combine flour, Baking powder and salt. Add olive oil and stir until well combined. Put in warm tap water 1 T at a time until dough can be gathered into a ball. Add more water if needed 1 T at a time. Knead on floured surface 15-20 times. Let dough rest for 15 minutes. Divide dough into 10-12 equal portions and shape into balls. On floured surface roll out ball from center into a circle. Cook on ungreased skillet over medium-high heat on each side about 30 seconds or until puffy.
I needed quite a bit more than 1/2 cup of water and I only got 9 regular size tortillas out of this recipe. I didn't use any flour to roll them out and I rolled them almost paper thin. It was hard to get them nice and round, but I'm ok with that. And I browned them on my cast iron skillet, which in my opinion is a must have pan for browning tortillas. I was surprised how simple they were, and very yummy. This will definitely be added to my recipe book.

Maybe staying home all day isn't so bad after all.
At least every once in a while anyway.


Oh and for those who haven't heard (or seen) yet,




baby #2 is due to arrive in September.
Yes, Ellie will soon have her very own
baby brother.

My baby turned 2 today.

To celebrate,

Danny treated her to her very own mickey mouse pancake,
which she happily ate up,
ears first.



Yesterday was the party, complete with cone cupcakes (which I made thinking she'd love, but apparently she prefers them filled with ice cream), presents, swimming and all of her favorite people.

Happy Birthday Ellie.