Kendra and Kyle come to visit!

Collins sister, Kendra, and her husband, Kyle, stopped through for a visit in their way moving out East. It was a quick trip, but so much fun. Fred was totally in love with them. There's something so amazing about watching him with his aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents.

We made up their bed as creepily as possible w all of Fred's cute stuffed animals.

This morning

Just reading and saying, "bubble," and "doctor," and learning to clap!! Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!!!!!!

Book Club

Today I had the first meeting of my new book club. There are four of us and I met them about 4 years ago. We all lived in Provo, UT together and now we are in Provo, Phoenix, Glendale, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We had our meeting over gchat (minus one that sadly didn't make it) about our first book, The Happiness Project. It was a great meeting because we not only discussed our book and ideas and goals, but it was like we were all hanging out. Our kids are all 4 and younger and they were around, playing, nursing, napping, crying. It was so exhilarating. After 2.5 hours we were done and I was so happy that Fred and I danced to Jai Ho super loudly.


Next book: Northanger Abbey
I've never been into Jane Austin but actually I've never really read it. Why not give it a shot? We picked this particular story because its shorter and we don't know what it's about at all. I'm excited!!!

1:46

Camping out!
I'm up late! I'm currently reading 3, no 4 books: The Happiness Project, Mindy Kaling's book, Gone Girl (with CS), and Doctrine and Covenants.
Good stuff. Feels good to read again. I've been told I need to get Parenting with Love and Logic. Anyone read it?
Collin and Fred are sick. I've not yet been infected.
I keep hearing noises. My imagination is getting the better of me.
Gone Girl is so psychological and it freaks me out. Dot is on edge. She keeps getting startled at every littler thing.
Tonight I didn't feel like making dinner and baked chocolate chip cookies instead. Now I'm all shaky and sicky.
I need some veggies.
Halloween is upon us. And Fred is grown up. He got so scared going through the scary mask section today. (I laughed a little, poor sweet darling.) how does he know to be scared? I've never taught him that. In fact I started saying sweet things about the scary black cat and petting and kissing him. Fred wouldn't have any of it. None. He knew it was scary and bad. Sheesh.

Today Fredrick was having lots of growing pains and Collin wasn't home yet from his meeting so I let him stay up late. We were watching school house rock (election edition) and eating cheese (to give the boob a rest) and then all of a sudden..cough...BARF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All over. So then I just sat there for a few. Fred was buckled onto me in his ergo so that was covered too. Then I was cleaning it up, putting him into the tub, scrubbing him with a washcloth, and I thought, "I'm like a real mom--like on tv." Oh well. Then later when I actually did put him to bed I loved the silence-the quiet of him and me and his eyelids getting heavy, and his needing me so much. That good stuff right there. Well goodnight!

And Happy birthday today to the beauuuitiful Morgan Skeen. She's the sweetest, sugariest, loveliest lady I know. I love her!

Yesterday was a good day.

Monday, Labor Day 2012, I woke up and went to the National Improving Birth rally in Phoenix. (There were over 35 cities in the US participating) and it was encouraging women and mothers to get educated on birth. This wasn't a natural or home birth rally, but a get to know the facts rally. For the amount of money the US spends in maternity care, we rank very poorly when it comes to outcomes. These days 1 in 3 women are getting a cesarean. I know many c-sections are unnecessary and save lives, but that rate is extremely high. This is due partially to unnecessary inductions. Did you know babies know when they need to be born? They send hormones to the mothers body 2 weeks before to let her body know and get prepared for the birth. Aren't our bodies amazing? Also babies brains continue to develop all the way up to birth. When a baby is induced unnecessarily, of course, there are often complications. It's so important to get educated in anyway you can to have an informed, safe, positive birth experience. :) I promise this is coming from a place of love and sharing information rather than judgement. I support and love mothers no matter their birth preferences/experience/choices/etc!

















 

More photos from the Phx Rally...

 

So it was a good positive experience at the rally on Monday. We talked with lots of different women with different political, cultural backgrounds and beliefs. So great to be united as women and mothers (and fathers and grandmothers!!!) My husband and mom joined me and waved those signs on the sidewalk in the sun like nobody knows! I've been blessed to be so supported in my birthing choices. Also I just love being around that many babies and families. I'm pro family. :)

Frederick is growing up so fast!! He will be 1 year old in a couple if weeks! He is getting good at walking in shoes and is just so curious. He's laid back but also very serious about things. He loves laughing with his mom, dad, uncle Joe. He babbles on and on all day. No real words yet besides "Mom!!!!" Love him so much.

So on with the good day. After the rally we ate at Zoe's Kitchen in Phx. I'm not a fan of many chain restaurants but it was really good! It was a very pleasant experience. Fred loves olives and hummus and pita and green pepper and everything else we give him.

   

 

Then to IKEA where I ran in and grabbed a high chair tray. We got one of their high chairs a few months ago and the trays, sold separately, we're out of stock. I recommend that high chair, by the way. It's simple, cheap, and you can pull it right up to the table. Lately it has been easier to make dinner or do the dishes when I set him in there and give him some food. IKEA was insanely packed but I got that tray and got out of there in less than 10 minutes, feat accomplished.

Then we went back to my parents home and hung out with my dad and brother, Joe. We got through 1 successful round of Phase 10 before Frederick got into mischief and needed major attention and a bath, the third in three days. I used to bathe him once a week!

The kitties were at my parents too. They love bring their for the most part. Monte has so much confidence and thinks he's king of the house. Dot is a little nervous but loves to be around us. They explore and run up and down the stairs, and sleep under the big bed.

Collin and I got a new book we are reading together called Gone Girl. It's so good. It's about a marriage and is told from each of their points of view. But then something goes wrong and you don't know which one is crazy, the husband or the wife or both. It's great to read and discuss together. Collin read the mans parts and I read the woman's. We spent time doing that today.

Later that night we had homemade hamburgers, and sweet potato fries, by Collin, the genius.

 

Finally we went and saw the movie 2016. I was very apprehensive because I thought it was going to be bashing Obama the whole time, which I do not like. But it didn't! It was very calm and well thought out. It just recounted O's background as told by his book and tried to explain the reasons why he does the things he does to a person who might not understand. I thought it was pretty well done and either way I think you should go see it and form your own opinion.

Well happy Labor Day! Good night!

really quickly

The film Another Earth is incredible. The story, acting, cinematography, music, and even font. beautiful. please watch it.

I'm going to read Le Leche League International's The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. I just can't get enough.

I just ordered Jillian Michael's 30 day shred from Amazon. Let's DO THIS. Everyone: hold me accountable. I want to feel good again.

Montgomery is an insomniac like me.

You know how I won a big giveaway last month, with 9 different prizes? I only ever got 4. Oh well, but weird, huh!! Oh well.

Jayna Hedges cut my hair and I LOVE IT. Best cut I've ever had. Liked it immediately, (no awkward stage right after), lighter, texture, side fringe (that means side bangs in Ireland), and I just let it dry and it does just what I want it to!!!! Dream!!!!

I've lived in Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona, Athlone Ireland, Prague Czech Republic, Ouelessebougou Mali, and Maryland.

Did you know that Yeah Samake is running for President of Mali and he is the only Mormon in the country? While we were living in Mali, he had just been elected Major of Ouelessebougou, and invited us to his home where we ate with his posse, used his FLUSHING toilet, and road with him through the middle of a football field and sat with him where he was the honorary guest. Very cool, indeed. He is an incredible man for real, though.


I really want an HTC Radar 4G phone. It is SO cool (and also $400, so THAT'S not happening).

I'm going to do this next month:

I would like to have an adventure soon. Very soon. Time to go feed my baby and then sleep. night.

being a mom, and happy birthday Joseph!

giving birth is such a crazy experience. it's awesome and empowering and humbling. being a mother is wonderful and also hard. it can feel lonely and cut off and very very tiring. but I look down at him and he's so worth it. I created you, Freddie. We made you and grew you and you are a symbol of our love.

He loves having his hands up by his face. how is he REAL? He's so perfectly beautiful and darling. I love him SO much.

thank you so much to friends, family, my mother, my husband, my good kitties, and God for encouraging me, visiting, giving advice, and listening. 

FYI: During and after breastfeeding...SO THIRSTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even just taking a nap during one of Fred's naps gives me SO much more energy in the day. 

I'm SO happy, and every other emotion all at once. I cry throughout the day because staying home for a couple of weeks now can be quite lonely. But thanks to peeps, once again, for helping me feel normal. 

I can never have enough BURP CLOTHS. 

I love reading to Fred. I know all the pictures are of him sleeping mostly, but lately he's been awake a lot more. His eyes are SO awesome and intense and sometimes I think he's an alien and he's going to take over my body with his MIND. 

Getting your baby circumcised SUCKS because you can hear him cry all the way up in the front waiting area, BUT at least my husband was with him and he calmed down right away and then nursed and then slept, and CS says the doctor did a great job. "It looks really good." ...........guys are so weird.............

We really like our pediatrician. 

We bought and built 2 bookshelves and started getting books into them. Now the crazy boxes living room will begin to shrink (little by little, mind you).

Fred has been sleeping in our bed in between us since birth, mostly out of convenience for feeding in the middle of the night. AND because cuddling with a baby in bed is the best thing ever. But we know it can't last, plus I want to cuddle JUST Collin sometimes, so we're going to start weaning Fred from our bed into his crib next to our bed. Last night he started off there, but ended up with us. We'll get it eventually. Plus I'm going to start going into his room next door to feed him in the middle of the night so that Collin doesn't have to been woken up alllllll night. He doesn't complain about it, but he really needs sleep if he wants to stay sane/be able to go to work!! plus the couch in there will give me way more back support than our bed.

The new show Up all Night is our favorite thing ever.

I'm so excited for General Conference this weekend. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dear Joseph Alan, Money! You are 13, a teenager, an uncle, A Friend.

best date night: Laurie Notaro

I've been a fan and reader of humor author, Laurie Notaro since 2003. She's come to Phx for readings for years and I've NEVER been in town. Tonight was the night. Collin was my date. It was awesome. 

Idiot Girls Action Adventure Club::::::::

I told her I love her and she told me I smell good. 

The ever lovely, ANNE! She got us a seat and a good spot in the book signing line. Ohhhh yesss.

We had her make the book out to "Monte & Dot," OF COURSE. Laurie was like, Monte, Dot? And we were like, "no...they are our cats," hahahhaha. Then she was like, "I love my cats, too! Well, no, my cat's dead. I love my dog!" Then she showed us and picture and then we showed her a picture. It was great. 


HER INSCRIPTION: "Monte and Dot. You can't read. Your people don't seem to know that. Maybe with some black magic we can change that. Meow, Laurie Notaro."


HAHAHAHAH I love her even more now!!!! 


AND I got all sorts of pregnant perks: this lady let me cut her in line in the bathroom and I got a super comfy seat and my husband bought me delicious lemonade. 


New house! tomorrow!!!!! The kitties are SPAZING OUT like usual when moving and boxes and anything out of the ordinary happens. We're excited, too, little guys. 

Friday night's RIGHT.

Started the weekend off with a nice cut up hand. Accident!!

AMY SCERRA!!

Met up with Ramey & Kelly Walther plus their 2 awesome children, Madeleine and Grant. We went to our fav Dupont spot, Kramerbooks & Afterwords. This is what we had:
Tuna Ceviche salad
The most delicious Nachos of my life
Lobster Ravioli
Catfish fingers
Veggie Quesadilla

The food there is so incredible. We devoured:

Then our favorite cupcakes in the city, Hello Cupcake! The Hazelnut was the winner for me.

We said goodbye to friends and then found ourselves in a bookstore. Who knows what the name was. We made out in the back aisle. It was awesome. I love that place. There were tons and tons of art books. I've discovered that art books is my favorite genre.
Funny combo on this shelf:

I will watch this movie to start off Halloween.

This weekend ended up excellently.

Just a few highlights.....

Great time with Bollywood Karaoke Friday night. Oh man, it was so fun!!! Collin was the star of the show. This is him with the owner's wife! Then I sang The Boy is Mine. Please come visit us in DC and we'll go there together!!!

Grilled zucchini fries! Yum!!!

We went to our friend's house for dinner Saturday night and this is their ADORABLE puppy! His tongue is too long to stay in his mouth, so it is ALWAYS out! hahahahahahh!

The sky was electric.

We met up with Ashley Johnson in Dupont Circle. We went to one of our favorite bookstores and cafes to get nachos, wings, and laugh at the awesome awkward family photos book.

Okay, this is a house, and I really want it. Those windows are ridiculous.

Sunday afternoon snack after breaking our fast. Today we thought of my friend, Tiffany, who is recovering from a minor surgery, my brother, Elder David Money, who has a crazy skin parasite called "Panyo," and a few other things.

We also had a wonderful trip to the temple Saturday afternoon.

I have had a few special experiences this week and weekend. I am confident that my Heavenly Father is personally aware of me and my needs. He has answered my very specific prayers through the scriptures and through the spirit. For that and for my eternal marriage, I am so grateful.