18 Months

You know what's so great about Max?


He's cute. Plain and simple.



He has one little dimple on his left cheek.


His fat thighs are great for biting.


He giggles and laughs with the exact same intensity with which he cries and screams.



He is still fiercely attached to his bottle, but doesn't have a paci anymore.

He boosts my confidence in the kitchen with his willingness to eat anything I offer. Except cantaloupe, or anything slimy.

He gives lots of pat pats, big hugs, and open mouth kisses.

He loves to play outside. Especially in the water, on the trampoline, and with balls.

He always makes us feel like rockstars because whenever we're reunited with him, from either an errand or just another room, he gets so excited flapping his arms and yelling, "DA!"

He doesn't say a whole lot, but he does say some things, "Oh no!" or just plain "no" being the most frequently heard. He has his own version of "thank you," "night night" and of course "dad"


He, just like every other child I've birthed, loves Dan the best out of anybody in the whole entire world. He loves me too, but I am definitely running in second place.

He loves to see animals. He and I accompanied Ava on her class field trip to the zoo this week and it was so satisfying. He couldn't get enough! When we can't get to the zoo the birds and squirrels in the backyard are almost as exciting.


He is so happy if he can just run around with Luke and Ava and pretend he's a big kid.

He is a big kid. Like super big. His doctor appointment is next week, so I'll have stats then.




He makes me want to dip him in chocolate and eat him for dessert.

How we roll

Last week it was my turn to host Luke's once a week co-op preschool. He goes to another little preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then on Wednesdays we rotate houses with 7 other families from 9:30-12:30.

I hesitated and thought long and hard about all aspects of this situation before I committed. And then after I committed, I would be lying if I said I didn't have any regrets. My one concern has been having (8) 3-4 year olds for three hours. I could come up with lots of reasons why it would not be good-we don't have nearly enough toys for them all, I stink at crowd control, three hours is too long, etc, etc, etc. But I reassured myself that I only have to do it twice and I can do anything twice, right? Well now I only have to do it one more time.

Last Wednesday went so much better than I anticipated. It helped a lot that my theme was Easter. Next time when my assignment is the letter X, not so much.



But one thing we did was make Resurrection Rolls. It was so fun and yummy, and made the concept of Easter so accessible. We did it again with just our family on Easter morning.

You simply take crescent rolls from the tube, give one triangle to each person. Explain that it represents the tomb.

Give each person a big marshmallow and explain it represents Jesus' body.

Then as you dip the marshmallow in melted butter and roll it in cinnamon/sugar explain that when Christ died the people who loved him anointed his body with oil and spices and then placed it in the tomb.





Then wrap up each marshmallow in the roll and pinch the edges closed. Bake according to the package directions.



After they cool, you can pick one up and show that the marshmallow is gone. Explain that it represents how Jesus was not in the tomb, after the third day he was resurrected, "He is not here. He is risen"


There is nothing like getting the tingles while you're holding a crescent roll and making marshmallow comparisons, when you look into to the eyes of your little children and tell them that Jesus Christ lives and that we will live even after we die. Nothing like it.

It was a perfect way to bring the focus back on Jesus Christ following the Easter Bunny buzz. Definitely a new Easter tradition for us.

I got a wild hair and decided to make matching skirts for Ava and I on Saturday night. Too bad the power went out right as I began. Our recent crazy weather deserves a post of its own.

So for the first time all year, I was so glad we have 1:30 church. It gave me just enough time, after Easter baskets, Resurrection rolls, and an Easter video to whip up our ensembles.





I am aware that it is cheesy to wear matching mother/daughter outfits. But I know the day will come when she becomes aware of that fact, and I'm gonna live it up until she does!

I'm Innocent!

That's what Dan reminded me via text message as I nervously sat in the courtroom this morning. Sure I was one step away from a Class C misdemeanor and a warrant for arrest, but these people hadn't heard about my February.

I got a speeding ticket at the end of January. That same day I had spent some serious time at the Minute Clinic and little did I know that would be only the first of many. Many.

In my sick, tired, unhealthy stupor I totally spaced my speeding ticket fine/court appearance deadline of February 14. So I did what I thought was best and just mailed my $178 dollar fine a few days (weeks?) late.

That was all well and good until I got that second notice that I had violated my Written Promise to Appear, blah, blah, blah. And oh yeah, I needed to pay another $292 for my crime.

I knew I could clear this all up with my checkbook and probably wouldn't be spending anytime in the slammer, but $292 isn't exactly pocket change. I'm saving for a Bosch, people!

So today I went to plead my case, beg forgiveness, cry for mercy.

If you read this blog in February you know that I have a pretty solid case. At least I thought so. I sat down in front of the prosecutor. I gave him my best smile. And proceeded to explain February.

And because I would not believe someone else telling me the same thing, I brought print outs from our insurance. He glanced over my medical claims, noting that I had a doctor visit the same day as the ticket. Then I whipped out Dan's paper. Then Max's paper, Luke's paper, Ava's paper.

4 strep throats, 3 sets of ear infections, pneumonia, flu, uti, and salmonella.

"Wow," he said.

That's right, wow. Now don't make me pay that $300 fine, I thought, but I didn't say a word.

Then he dismissed my case by reason of: The Interest of Justice.

To me it felt more like Mercy, but I wasn't going to argue.

Warrior Dash 2011

You may have had your suspicions and I've had mine, but now it's official, we are Warriors!


On Saturday afternoon, we anxiously awaited the babysitters arrival, and then made our way to the Dallas Speedway.

We parked our car among thousands of others, rode a school bus to the park and met up with our friends, Lee and Jill, their loyal support crew, my sister in law Christina and her friend Andrea who flew in from Colorado, and my parents.



We checked in, put our chips on our shoe laces, and headed to the starting point. As we walked, I saw people absolutely covered in mud, like hand dipped strawberries.



Before we left the house, Dan found some footage of a previous Warrior Dash. We skipped through it, and honestly it didn't look that bad. People were even trying to get muddy. We knew we didn't need to do that, but these people we were passing made me start to think that it would be unavoidable. I didn't mind though, that's what we were there for.

We discussed among ourselves and decided that the best course of action was that everyone go at their own pace and meet at the finish line. So once the fire exploded and the 4:30 herd started moving we were on our own.

Right off the bat, the first obstacle was crossing a river. And it was up to my chest. The bank coming out was like a mud slip n' slide. So much for staying dry or clean. I worried about running in soggy shoes for 3 miles, but what I hadn't worried about was my pants.

I didn't anticipate the gravitational pull on wet yoga pants.


They were actually capris with a fold over waist, but once they were wet, the only place they wanted to be was on the ground. Especially with the extra fabric at the waist.

I think my main battle that afternoon was keeping those dang pants on. But I am a warrior, don't forget!


The obstacles were for real. The walls were higher than we anticipated along with the cargo net. We ran through tires and over junkyard cars. We did a series of going over walls and under barbed wire, we crawled through a pitch black tunnel, we crossed cargo nets, climbed a hay mountain, crossed floating logs in more water, crossed balance beams, jumped the fire, and of course crawled through the mud pit.






I didn't really think about much while I was doing it. Mostly just, keep going, keep these pants on, keep going, keep these pants on.

I finished with mud in my teeth.

Dan and I only started running about 6 weeks ago, but we were proud of ourselves. Neither of us walked and I'd say we did pretty decent. The times were finally posted yesterday and I am still proud of us: For 3.24 miles and 11 obstacles, I finished in 34:48. Out of 894 women between 24-29 I was 88th. I was 1617/7393 racers on Saturday. I don't know how Dan feels about me posting his time, so I won't.


We were so glad to have our friends join us.





Once I had been running for a few weeks, I thought about what I would do after this race. I was starting to enjoy myself and I thought of trying longer races, but what I ultimately decided is that I think I will stick with 5ks and just go about improving my time.

For so many years, my main outlets and hobbies were physical. For all of high school, I played basketball almost year round, between school, AAU, and summer leagues. And then once I got to college I found it hard to keep up with that. And then I got married, and then I had kids. And for the past six years, I have still been having very physical experiences (growing and raising babies, anyone?). This race was like a piece of the old me though, coming back and it felt really good.


So now that it's done, I think I will just sign up for another 5k. Otherwise once the kids are in bed and I am so tired, I wouldn't have a reason to push myself out the door to the track. Dan says he plans to keep running, though not as much.




But he promises to do the Dash again with me next year.


So after the mud pit, we took our pictures, got hosed off,



and rode home on garbage bags.

I can't speak for the others, but that was the most fun I've had in a long time.

Ava Dear

I just met with Ava's teacher. She let me know some things that Ava is struggling with and gave me suggestions for ways we can help her. I swear the things they want kindergartners to do these days is ridiculous. We weren't doing these things until first grade for sure. And maybe it's just me but it seems like the kids graduating high school now aren't any smarter than we were.

Sometimes it's discouraging when your child isn't like everybody else's. But I am figuring out that it does way more good to let her know that she is accepted and loved just the way she is, as opposed to focusing in on her weaknesses and working to change them. When we succeed at doing that, many of those weaknesses change on their own.

I really love her. She has shown dramatic improvements the last few weeks in regards to her school work. Dan and I are really proud of her. And even though this meeting has brought up some issues, I won't let it stop our little celebration.

So in honor of Ava, and some of the things she is absolutely great at, here is a little list:

1. Ava is a magnificent artist. Starting in her 3 year old preschool class, her teacher remarked on her artwork. Then last year at her parent/teacher conference with her 4 year old teacher, she just went on and on about Ava's artistic abilities. She made me promise that I would continue to keep her involved in art as she got older.

Her teacher now, says she has a hard time getting Ava to finish her work sometimes because her drawings are so detailed and elaborate.

She is always exceeding expectations in art on her report card.

I have so many saved pictures, it's crazy. I don't know what I will do with them all, I try to be selective, but there are so many wonderful ones that I just can't part with.




2. Ava is keenly aware of other people. And she cannot stand to see someone upset. She has been known to lay down on the floor with her brother while he has a tantrum, try to bring him treats and blankets, and make him extensive, unrealistic promises to help him feel better.



3. Ava is very sensitive to the spirit. She recognizes it easily, not by the words she says but I can tell by the expression on her face. She loves to sing and hear church music and she tries so, so hard to be good.

4. If you tell Ava the way something is or is going to be, she may not like it at first, but once she's over it, she's over it, and it becomes the right and ONLY way to do it.

5. She is always reminding us to say the prayer and read our scriptures.




My little doll face is her own kind of girl. And she is my kind of girl.

First Rate Date

This past weekend marked the inauguration of the much anticipated Babysitting Co-op Swap.

A few months ago, we were approached to see if we'd be interested in trading babysitting with two other couples. My sister, Leah, has long praised the benefits of such an arrangement. So we said, "YES!"

Every other Friday night, between 5:30-9 pm, each of the three couples takes a turn watching the 8 children involved. That means we get a date every other week and watch the kids once every six weeks.

Friday was the first night, and it also coincided with the Guster tickets Dan and I purchased months ago. Knowing it would be a late night involving the help of my parents for the kids' bedtime, we opted to leave Max with them instead of sending him with the others. We anticipate a bit of a freak out when he gets left and figured it would be better for everyone if the first experience didn't involve a baby screaming for 45 minutes (exactly what happened the last time we tried to leave him at the daycare at the gym).

So Luke and Ava played with friends, Grandma and Grandpa played with Max, Dan and I played together, and Guster played their music.

We went to dinner first and then drove into Dallas to the House of Blues. And there we were pleasantly surprised to find quite a diverse crowd. We didn't feel old until the concert ended at 12:15 am and we were totally exhausted.

I barely kept my eyes open on the way home, which is bad because I was the one driving. We slept at my parent's house at their kind suggestion, so that we could sleep in a little bit. That was a wonderful idea.

When we arrived home Saturday morning the kids were eating donuts and Max looked a little different!

Here is an approximation of how his crazy hair was pre-date:



And here he is post-date:



Apparently he didn't cry a peep, and now our little baby looks even more like a big boy. I just feel like screaming, "Make it stop!" I don't know what it is, I just don't want that little guy to grow up at all.

Ava said she'd like a haircut too, please. But she wants to wait until school is out so that people don't think she is a new girl.

So first Babysitting Co-op Swap = Success!

And we have one more date before it's our turn to do the sitting! I don't know what we'll do yet, but I'm pretty sure we'll have a self imposed curfew of midnight.




On a totally unrelated subject I have started another blog (wholehappyfamily.blogspot.com). I've done it under a separate profile so that random people who google "quinoa and millet soup" and find me there, won't be tempted to click on through to all this mushy stuff. Also, I know some of you super people are way ahead of me in this realm, so please feel free to share any wisdom. I don't know if I will ever have a recipe for quinoa and millet soup, but it's possible.

Welcome Visit and more Sickies

I mentioned in my last post, the glorious minutes on the trampoline with Max laid out on my chest. Unfortunately that episode was not just because my boy wanted to snuggle, but really because it was the beginning of an ugly battle with Rota-virus.

Diarrhea and puke, a plenty.

The best/worst part of the whole thing was that those tramp snuggles were just the beginning. Snuggles on the trampoline, I mean. Max had a crazy high fever that barely budged a tenth of a degree with medicine. He did not move of his own volition for 3 days.

For 3 days, he'd barely cry in his bed when he woke up, that is the few times we were actually able to put him down. He would sit on your lap, molded completely to your body and stare into the great yonder where I am sure he dreamed about not feeling pukey.

For 3 days, he laid,



and laid,




and laid.




And finally around the fourth day he started to get down, move around a little.

After the fever and the lethargy were over, the diarrhea remained. And if you were interested to know that, you will definitely be interested to hear about the unfortunate event where I heard his noisy pooping, saw the yellow stuff dripping down his leg, and in an effort to avoid a stain on the floor, picked him up so quick that diarrhea spilled like soup out the top of his diaper and all over the carpet which had been professionally cleaned just the week before.

With his sickness waning, and the much anticipated visit of Dan's parents on the horizon, things were looking up. I only had to clean and organize the house, which had suffered under the heavy weight of a 33 pound newborn-like child.

Then Ava came home from school, also with a crazy fever. She fell onto the couch moaning, and then crying, asking me "Hoooow will I even eat dinner? I can't even siiiiiit uuuuup!?" Memories of the month of February fled into my conscious and I did the only thing I could at that point.

I reached for a long proven, homeopathic solution, a home remedy cure-all.



And then I gave Ava some Ibuprofen, which once absorbed, had her running around saying, "I'm not sick anymore!!"

Grandma Linda and Grandpa Don came a couple of days later. Ava was back in school (at least for a day, before she threw up and got herself out of Friday).

We had a great visit. The kids were happy, and got healthier with each day. We were happy to share our house with them and do some fun things.

Don treated us all to a visit to the newly opened Legoland Discovery Center. It was pretty neat. A few rides, a big play structure, a room filled with a miniature replication of the entire city of Dallas made out of legos. My camera battery died while we were there, so these are courtesy of my phone (aka not very good quality).



Luke and Grandpa made a gigantic tower,



Ava made it really hard to guess her favorite animal,



And Max got carried around and enjoyed the views and his bottle.



We also took a trip to the Arboretum,




And enjoyed lunch at the fancy restaurant where the kids did surprisingly well.






We listened to conference, jumped on the trampoline,




and had a late birthday for Grandma Linda.



We were so sad to see them go and can't wait until this summer when we'll be together again.