Monday, November 21, 2011

thankful things

I'm so THANKFUL for kind people. Yesterday at church Freddie wanted to eat right as the sacrament was starting. I really wanted to take it because I hadn't in a few weeks and since he was just starting to root,  I thought I had a few minutes. I got the bread and then he started getting really fussy so I got up to take him to the mother's lounge. In the hallway he calmed down and I thought I could last just a few more minutes for the water. There was a woman with blonde hair and super cute bangs who smiled and said she'd move so I could sit on the couch. I told her thank you but that I was just waiting for the water so I can go take him to feed him! I also mentioned that I wanted to take it so badly!! Freddie started to cry and I had to take him in before the water came out to the hall. I started feeding him and not a minute or two later that blonde woman with cute bangs came in with a cup of water for me. This might sound silly, but it really really touched me. She didn't have to go out of her way to do that. But she did. It made me want to be more kind to strangers I meet.

It was a great weekend. David gave his homecoming talk and it was wonderful. He just bore his testimony of the power of optimism and refusing to think negatively. It was very powerful for me. I am so thankful for my family. Especially my husband and darling Freddie. I fell in love with Collin all over again as I observed him interacting with others last night. He is the life of the party, but also concerned about everyone feeling included and welcome. He sacrifices everything to provide for our family.

Oh! And Joe and my dad WON the State Championship in Tucson. Undeafeated season ended with a game of 40-0. Next is Florida and things are looking up! The weather was gorgeous in Tucson. Breezy. I love Tucson. I always have a great time there.

Great weekend and great week ahead. Collin's parents get in town and Thanksgiving is going to be so much fun this year. I usually NEVER listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but CS and I did the other night and it REALLY got me in the Christmas Spirit for Thanksgiving!!! I'm SO excited!!!!!

Today: Freddie got his first round of vaccines. It. was. the. worst. I nursed him right before and he was the happiest guy ever and then 2 shots in each thigh: so so so sad. He screamed harder with each one and just looked up at me like, "Why MAMA???" But I know its for his protection! AND he was just fine after 5 minutes of love from mommy. Phew.

PICTURES:

Dave helped me build our entertainment center














AZ has the most amazing sunsets ever:




 Freddie with cousin, Maelo!!!!! :) :) Cuties!



 Gussie and Spencer
 Ryan, Emily and Baby Elliott

Saturday, November 19, 2011

panda


Hi Panda Baby

Thursday, November 17, 2011

family, healing, sunglasses, fall & other stuff

Frederick, you brighten up my day!!! And Collin!!! I LOVE you!!!!!! I love my family. They are all mine forever and the only thing I have charge over and that's OKAY by me. They are wonderful: the humans and the kitties, all so in love! And I'm VERY VERY grateful for friends who listen and give me so much support when dumb stuff happens.

I'm feeling SO much better, healing from birth-wise. Weeks 4 and 6 were a huge difference between pain and being able to walk around/stand a little better, doing a chore every once in a while etc. Mostly still in bed all the time. But the difference between weeks 6 and 8??? HUGE!!!!!!! I feel pretty close to normal health wise...not body/tummy wise, but I'll get there! I've been trying to walk around our complex or somewhere everyday. Plus Fred and I both need more vitamin D. I still need to take a nap or two a day while he sleeps because he still gets up at least 2 times if not 3 during the night to eat...GROWING BOY! We went to the doctor's yesterday and he is 12 lbs 3 oz and 23.5 inches long (at 8.5 weeks)!! woo hoo!!

I love the show, Parenthood, and this weeks was....wow. I knew it was going to happen with Adam. He wasn't careful at all. He wasn't completely honest. You have to have boundaries and complete openness when you're in a committed relationship. I don't think it's appropriate or necessary for people to be in cars or be alone at all with co workers. It's just too risky. These are the people you don't necessarily choose to see but that you see, everyday, more than your family. And that can be dangerous.

The coolest Sunglasses of my LIFE!!!!! I want a pair....but could never pay that much for anything....but they are awesome. FAVORITES:
                       
So I have been pumping breast milk....not a ton, just about every few days. We haven't used any of it yet, but our 3rd anniversary is coming up and I'm thinking a night on the town, with sweet darling babe Frederick home with Grandma. I'll be a nervous wreck! How do people ever take that step of leaving your child alone for the first time? I mean, Collin and I have gone on tons of dates WITH FRED. And he's good! He sleeps the whole time leaving us to talk, hold hands, kiss, enjoy food, movies, art, sports, etc. But I guess there comes a time when we need to learn to trust. Man...we aren't even able to put him in his own bed yet....not because he cries or doesn't want to but because BOTH Collin and I just LOVE having him in our bed with us at night!!! But yes.....Date night on Tuesday. The temple? A movie? Dinner for sure.

The other night we made THE BEST PIZZA EVER!!! If you're too lazy and don't want to make your dough, get it at fresh and easy. IT IS SO GOOD! The best we've had as far as premade pizza dough!!! This pizza had pesto and roasted butternut squash. OHMYAMAZING.



















Recipe: 
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and sliced into 1/4"thin slices
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 prepared pizza dough
1/2 cup pesto sauce 
1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Italian seasonings

Preheat oven to 400 degrees with pizza stone in the oven. Toss butternut squash slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast until just tender, about 15 minutes. Set aside.


Increase oven temperature to 550 degrees. 

Dust pizza stone with flour or cornmeal. Roll pizza dough to 1/4" thickness. Spread a thin layer of pesto over dough, leaving a 1" border around the edge. Top with cheeses, squash, and seasonings. Place pizza onto pizza stone and bake until cheese is bubbly and crust is crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Cool slightly and cut into slices.


 We actually just used half of the squash for the pizza and half for a delicious squash SOUP! ohhh yeah, fall, BABY!

Fall Baby.

Fall cookies. cute and YUM!





cuties. 

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

David came home

My brother got home last Wednesday after serving God for 2 years as Elder Money in the Dominican Republic. We've communicated only through a weekly email and spoke to him on the phone about 4 times. It was amazing to see him again. He's happy, mature, ready for life.

We had a great time picking him up from the airport. We had to do something awesome...











 (yes, yes, it says, "rebulic...")