thx

So grateful for kind notes, people reaching out, friends, family, eternal family, plan of salvation, forgiveness, visiting teachers coming over tonight and talking to me for 1.5 hours, prayers, thoughts, love, snuggley baby who grew another tooth today, baby laughing with me for like 15 mins straight, husband who played wii with me for an hour, primary song: Child's Prayer, sincerity and humility, happy feelings!, faith, husband made artichokes, 6 week health challenge together, purring kitties, so many answers from the temple, and many other sweet things in this life.

We still know the same. My mom is home from surgery yesterday: tired and sore. Thank you to friends who are taking care of her when I can't be there. And for all the notes from family. We are waiting on tests. Doctor's appointment tomorrow. I'm sleepy; we stayed up too late last night with Joe playing Ugly Doll card game and watching Canadian House Renovation show.

Good night. Someday I'll catch up on my wannabe chores:

*****the photos of Freddie and my mon were taken pre-surgery.

Packing up

Freddie is a completely different babe from two weeks ago when we got to FL. He went from scooting around on hands and knees to crawling to sitting up and down on his own to pulling himself up to standing against furniture! He gained 1.5 pounds. (at a solid 19 right now! So heavy!) We celebrated his 6 month birthday. He has been to the beach twice and the pool many many times. He LOVES the water (yay for his water-loving pieces fish mother). He splashes and laughs and holds on tightly and jumps out bravely and puts his face in the water, gets too much, chokes, then smiles and does it again. Hehe.
He does this scream at the top of his lungs (which I learned from a speak therapist friend feels so good on little childrens' vocal cords an lips), and babbles for time on end to join in on our conversations.
He is getting so independent and mobile that he dislikes being constrained even more. And why are baby things all so much like jail: caraeat straps, high walls of pack and plays, stroller straps, high chair belt, grocery store chair belt? We tell him, "sorry you're goin in jail," and it's alway for his good.
We have just gotten into this awesome rhythm with nursing where he comes to me, and we nurse, wherever we are, so quickly and efficiently. He knows what to do. I've nursed him with friends and family, at Disney World, in the pool, (and so many ladies came up to me and commended me for doing it in public).
He has started playing with/sucking on a vegetable here and there. It's so fun watching his reactions. We never force it. Only let him take it if he wants and then he will either mush it in his hands, suck or chew it for a minute, or enjoy watching it drop from his hands to the floor.
He has gotten to play with cousins and other babies. He notices and loves to look at other children so much!! He has loved spending this time with Gramma Lulu and Grandpop Smith. He reaches for them, hugs them, locks gaze with them, smiles for them. He is so blessed to be surrounded by so many who love and adore him.
And Collin and I are taking so much with us too (besides my bright red sunburn from the beach yesterday). This trip was not only visiting family, but it was truly relaxing!!! I feel refreshed and ready for anything. We were able to reconnect on an incredible level, make new and exciting goals with clear heads.
And now we will miss Florida and can't wait till the next visit, but are excited for home. For Montgomery and Dot!!!!!!!!!

BY THE WAY, HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY DOTTIE GIRL! We love you and will see you tonight! BIRTHDAY PARTY TIME!!!!

Weekend: friends, antique shops, family celebration, temple lights

Saturday we met for breakfast and then hit some antique shops on our street with friends, Chelsea, Amanda & Preston. The day was sunny and breezy, the company was wonderful, &the inspiration was everywhere.

I love this. It works too.

AND THEN we had our family over for a pre Christmas Dinner at our home! Collin made the delicious chicken orzo and I made butterscotch cookies. yum.

CUTIES! Freddie is no longer a newborn! He's officially an infant. awww.

I love my Collin--and I'm wearing a necklace I won in a giveaway, woo.

So gorgeous

I am so excited about this: Fall Festival


Cs is sick. We won't catch it though. I refuse.


So am I going to have to buy nursing pads for the next year? Will I ever stop leaking?


Maria Taylor of AZURE RAY, my favorite band of 8 or 9 years, is expecting a baby. I'm so so happy for her! Here's a link to her new album, Overlook. 


Speaking of a little bundle of joy, babe boy REALLY got me this morning. I mean, pooping and peeing on me is a regular occurance...I SWEAR, it's not my fault! HE WAITS till I'm changing his already soiled diaper! Even if I feel like I've waited till he's done...even if I hurry so fast....he gets me...but today...today was the MOTHER of all gettings...(so far). I even had him on a sheet protector pad thing. It SHOT OUT, all over ME, my legs, the blankets, everything....so badly that I had to go jump in the shower! LUCKILY Collin hadn't left for work yet and was able to help me. Oh man, haha. Look at im....

PS. He totally SMILES when he makes eye contact with me. Best thing ever and worth being covered in anything!!!

We went to the harvest festival at Joe's school Wed. My mom helped put it on...let's face it, she practically did the entire thing...and it was incredible. It was a GREAT alternative to the State Fair for us this year since A. my butt would hurt so badly I'd die if I rode lots of rides right now and B. Baby guy's brains would scramble so we'd have to switch off doing stuff. no thanks!! 


THE BIG FOOTBALL GAME is this Saturday. tomorrow.  I don't know if you are supposed to pray that your team will win but i'll be praying that we do our best AND that our best is going to Florida for nationals!!!!!! Wooohoooo! Everyone should come out to support! Or at least send positive vibes our way!


My hot husband and darling baby are asleep next to me and both lightly snoring hehe.


I love grammar and have been going back to my old grammar books to refresh.


David comes home in 6 daysssss. Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy.


Best homemade NO KNEAD bread, and extremely easy:

3 C. hot water
1 ½ T. granulated yeast
1 ½ T. kosher or sea salt 
6 ½ C. 
Cornmeal 

Saturday

Some photos of Saturday. our first free Sat

in a while. nothing planned. just Saturdayness. 

Spent the morning doing THINGS and eating

omelets & playing with kitties & talking to tummy. 

Poor poor baby Collin's wounds: 

There are so many cute and awesome shops around our 

place. We went exploring. We didn't get to everything because

it's just TOO hot to a) get in and out of the car or b) walk

But we did discover some good stuff. 

 

Frances. a great place to explore for hours.

I, of course, found myself in a very tight spot reading about a cat named Ernie. 

This is seriously the funniest book ever. I want it so badly.

learned everything we need to know!

Then after heat exhaustion/large abdomen exhaustion, we found ourselves ordering a delicious sandwich and watermelon salad from Pane Bianco and then went to hang out/get drinks/enjoy the a/c in Lux coffee shop next door. the food: divine, amazing, delicious, simple, complex, fresh.

The company: funny, sweet, cute, generous, comfy. (foreground. I don't know that other guy, hehe.)

The drink: SO DELICIOUSLY perfectly what I wanted. Collin H Smith has a gift of knowing exactly what to order me and what I like. He knows my taste so WELL. It was a burning hot day, but for some reason I was craving a hot drink. Collin got me this iced chocolate steamer. it had caramel, too. mmmm. hit the spot.

The atmosphere: dreamlike. we were so tired and hot and just sat there on the couch, eating, sipping, staring, cooling off, hugging close, being comfortable. the a/c was so low. it was wonderful.

my busted up swollen feet.  he takes care of me. and I loved the couch we were sitting on. so comfy and so pretty. we stayed for hours.

later that night, we all relaxed and watched a few movies.
Monte is obsessed with sleeping/lounging on this box.

 Dottie chose between my leg and a pillow.

reading together.

And Collin painted my nails. so cute, he is.

So, a great day. a great Saturday. And Joseph's football team won 52-8!!!! 

Today was Sunday and it was great, too. And CS and I got asked to speak in 

church...next sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was like...I'll be there...unless I have my baby!