Old/New

Two days ago on Facebook there was a quote that said mothers sacrifice for their babies and I "liked" it, posting it on my own page. I guess a few people took it offensively, and posted their feelings on it, one being an Aunt of mine. She got it all out. Then others responded to the first person, escalating with more offense, angry replies, and more people involved on each side. It hurt me that people would think I'd be so judgmental of them; that people on either side would set aside any thought of how this would effect my relationships with family members; and most of all, that my Facebook page would be a forum for such judgement, intolerance, hurtful sarcasm (all is hurtful in my opinion) or even hate. ---especially when all I was doing (in my mind) was agree that all mothers sacrifice and that motherhood is a beautiful and wondrous thing.
I've seen this behavior over and over on fb, especially since the election, people using other peoples' posts to get out their frustrations, not caring about the hurt or offense they might cause others. That's the point of the Internet, right? You can say anything you want without having consequence??? (not really but we are made to feel that way, invincible for a time.) I myself, am no where near free from being guilty of this, sadly. I'm doing it even now. I guess it's the world we live in.
Then last night, after fretting about how to delete the post altogether, I found out that a childhood friend's husband passed away Friday morning, after a long fight with brain cancer, leaving her and two daughters. Then i thought of my own cousin who Iost her 4th child during birth, Christmas morning. It sickened me to think of the real suffering that's going on for these women and all over the world while we are wrapped up in fb, creating more stress for ourselves. I don't hold anything against anyone involved in my post, but I decided to leave Fb once and for all, and deleted my account. Those kinds of things seem monumentous, but they really aren't.
I will still post opinions, here on this blog, where I think it's more appropriate....mostly because very few people actually read this, that I know of. Comments and differing opinions are welcome, but my hope is that the mean ones will be left elsewhere. This is intended to be a space for a love of babies, family, animals, adventure, spirituality, the experiences of a first time mother/parent, pictures, food, and creativity.
Happy New Year.
And, by the way, I'm so touched and inspired by the faith shown by both of the beautiful women i mentioned above who have lost so deeply. They seem so prepared and hopeful. They are both in my prayers and on my mind.

JUMP!!!

I WON a giveaway and got a gift certificate to this tampoline place in Phx so we decided to go on a date with DEAR FRIENDS, Emily and Micah Dyer. IT WAS AWESOME! (to leave Fred home with my mom and be out late with friends and to jump on giant trampolines!

These pictures are pretty blurry. But so was the night...

babywearing, crafts, love

Friday at Babytime...I want an Ergo very badly. I have a Moby Wrap and that worked so great for us when Frederick was younger and didn't move much. It distributed the weight really well and left me hands-free while I could keep Fred close to me and he didn't have to cry for me to hold him constantly. But as he has gotten bigger, it's harder and harder on my back to wear him in it. The fabric is stretchy so when he moves, it loosens. It can also get hot, but I live in freaking Phoenix and take public transit a lot, so what the heck doesn't? So I totally recommend it for younger babies, but now I'm ready for something more sturdy. I tried on my friends Ergo and it felt like Fred weighed 2 pounds! I walked around super comfortably and Fred seemed to like it.

Blurry photos.....below is baby girl Charlie and Frederick being all boyfriend and girlfriend.

Fred chillin in his high chair.

My mom's bday lunch with her girls. They were all so sweet and cute. I hope I have a group of friends like this when  I'm.....53.... hehe sorry mom, but you look 38.

I love the temple and these ladies. We went as a Young Womens Presidency. It had been a few months for me so I was grateful to go. Then I ran over to Super Saturday for church. It was a huge craft party. I had signed up for 4 crafts and didn't get any of them finished, but I'll have lots of fun stuff to work on in the next month. I also took a toffee making class and am so excited! Let me know if you want Toffee. I'll make you some when it gets cooler. I really will.



While I was out at the temple and crafting and having fun, Collin was hanging with Frederick. I pumped a couple of bottles for him (and by the way, my left breast started hurting like heck two days ago!! not sure why! it feels better when I nurse or pump so I keep doing that...)

BUT so I figured that when I got home we'd clean up the house and then get working on MORE crafts (for Frederick's birthday). When I got home this is what I saw.....

He had cleaned the whole house and gotten all the crafts ready! Man oh man, what a guy!!!!!! During the temple the biggest impression I kept thinking about was that i need to be more patient with my dear dear dear Collin and Frederick (believe it or not, I can get really frustrated and take it out on them, which makes me really sad). There's no reason for me to get mad at them ever, so I'm going to try hard not to....I've already messed up, but I'll keep trying.

So a night of crafting began! Friend, Chelsea J, joined us.
 
 






Then we took a break, picked up Tanner J, and ate some delicious Cafe Rio. 

I think this picture deserves to be X-Large.



 

Found a pet store and loved some ridiculous cat stuff. 

 

THEN we crashed the Youth Stake Dance....(we were asked to help chaperon) but it was wicked awesome and I wicked embarrassed myself dancing like a wicked fool. I loved it.

My ADORABLE SON this morning before church!

 

Last ones....found this cute poster in the hallway at church. I love my husband. He's an active supportive amazing man husband & father. I just stared at him today, so grateful to be his wife, partner, and best friend.

 

10 month old eve

Fred turns 10 months old tomorrow. What the!? When did that happen? Well apparently he has the ability to walk and has started to choose that over crawling more and more. He laughs at everything. He brings so much happiness to our family. He loves swimming and dancing and talking all day long. This is one active kid. He's so friendly with others, just like his daddy, who he, by the way, already idolizes. Fred likes to be a little naughty too. He loves to knock the kitties' water bowls over a million times a day; he is constantly trying to eat their food. He loves to pull out all the books and movies. He's helpful too! He pushes around the vacuum or follows me around while I'm vacuuming. I love this kid. He's my best friend (after Collin of course!) I can tell he loves me or at least likes me. haha. He still loves to nurse and I love it just as much. I love those big blue eyes staring up at me. We'll stare and stare until someone cracks a smile and milk goes everywhere. It's wonderful. (you've gotta be there??)

LOVE you, Frederick!!

Happy Spring!!

The day was beautiful, slightly rainy and ended up sunny. We drove to Sarasota and ate incredible Arabian food. We did a little thrifting, then to see We Bought a Zoo. I loved it! Animals! Family! Loved ones! Nature! Community. Loved it. Then on the way home we stopped at an Amish Produce stand and bought a few items of deliciousness. Yumm. I love Florida. Poor Frederick is really teething and a little miserable. Poor poor darling. He is still such a good boy and doing rather well with it. And he chewed on his first tomato today!! I could tell he loved it despite the weirded out look on his face. Hehe.
I love my husband & my son. I love March. I love and miss my kitties. They are having so much fun at the Money's! We will see them soon!

Tonight: pizza!!! (I was inspired by Amy Scerra!)

Freddie, sucking on a tomato! He had a love/hate relationship with it.

Though things go topsy turvy And meals they miss a few,

These newly wedded couples have OTHER things to do!