Our local weatherman, Jim Flowers, is one of the best weathermen I've ever watched. He ranks up there with Al Roker in my opinion. Very engaging, humorous when appropriate and accurate. He also uses funny phrases like, "stick a fork in winter." I love it. Tomorrow is the official day that Jim Flowers is sticking his fork in winter but I'm doing it today because it is in the upper 70s and we are headed to the park. Yeah for beautiful weather.
I took the kids to the gym today and I didn't even wear a jacket. At 9 AM in the morning! Love it, love it, love it. Can it stay like this all year? I tell you what, if there is location in this country that has perfect spring weather (defined as sunny and mid 70s) year round I want to live there. Hello sunshine!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Easter Dress
This is Melynn's second Easter dress. The first one she was just teeny tiny baby. This one she could walk in. That is so crazy! Emmett is so excited for Easter because we told him the Easter bunny would give him candy.
On another subject, Melynn had her 12 month well child visit and she is too small for us to turn her car seat around. She only weighed 17 lbs. 15.5 oz. So almost 18 lbs but definitely not 20. The doctor wants her to drink 24 ounces of milk a day. That is going to be a challenge. We were lucky if she drank 8 ounces a day. She eats really good, she just isn't a milk drinker. Neither was Emmett and he was always really skinny on the growth chart too. I should be grateful that they both inherited Josh's amazing metabolism. Lucky kids.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Melynn's 1st Birthday
Well, for starters, Melynn's birthday was a busy day. We had an Easter Egg Hunt for Emmett at 9 AM (see post below), I had choir practice at 10, I had to bake a cake and decorate it, a baptism at 4 PM and then the party at 7 PM with dinner squished in the middle somewhere. It all went so smoothly I am pretty amazed.
I can't believe that Melynn is one already. It was the fastest year of my life. It went so much faster than Emmett's first year of life that I really feel like I missed things. I really need to be better about catching things on camera and writing about them more frequently. Once a week is not enough for me to remember all the funny little things that happen.
So now for some pictures. We have Melynn with a messy face. We gave her some baked beans and raviolis. Both leftovers. She loves food!
This is Emmett's sticker chart that he made for himself so he can be cool like his "new Ethan". Ethan is potty-training (and is doing an excellent job, I might say) and Emmett was envious of his sticker chart so he came home and made this all by himself. He has earned one sticker for picking up his toys.
And now we have Melynn opening up her presents. This one is actually after she opened them all because the pictures are out of order. But anyway, the point of this shot is to show Melynn's cute smile and how much she loves her new snowpants.
Here's her coat for next year. Hopefully she'll grow into it.
The snowpants work as a boa as well. She is already learning how to play dress-up.
Me and my sweet baby Melynn. I know I can't really call her that, but she is still so little that she feels like a baby.
Here is the final version of her cake: it is definitely done by an amateur but I'm getting better and better!
Melynn's tutu.
Emmett looking handsome by the cake. He was feeling a bit left out.
Melynn ready to dive in to some cake!
Before blowing out the candle:
The after picture: she didn't dive in like I thought she might. She was pretty dainty.
I can't believe that Melynn is one already. It was the fastest year of my life. It went so much faster than Emmett's first year of life that I really feel like I missed things. I really need to be better about catching things on camera and writing about them more frequently. Once a week is not enough for me to remember all the funny little things that happen.
So now for some pictures. We have Melynn with a messy face. We gave her some baked beans and raviolis. Both leftovers. She loves food!
This is Emmett's sticker chart that he made for himself so he can be cool like his "new Ethan". Ethan is potty-training (and is doing an excellent job, I might say) and Emmett was envious of his sticker chart so he came home and made this all by himself. He has earned one sticker for picking up his toys.
And now we have Melynn opening up her presents. This one is actually after she opened them all because the pictures are out of order. But anyway, the point of this shot is to show Melynn's cute smile and how much she loves her new snowpants.
Here's her coat for next year. Hopefully she'll grow into it.
The snowpants work as a boa as well. She is already learning how to play dress-up.
Me and my sweet baby Melynn. I know I can't really call her that, but she is still so little that she feels like a baby.
Here is the final version of her cake: it is definitely done by an amateur but I'm getting better and better!
Melynn's tutu.
Emmett looking handsome by the cake. He was feeling a bit left out.
Melynn ready to dive in to some cake!
Before blowing out the candle:
The after picture: she didn't dive in like I thought she might. She was pretty dainty.
Easter Egg Hunt at Hy-Vee
Our local grocery store sponsors an annual egg hunt for the kids and this was our first year to enjoy the festivities. It was really hilarious. It lasted about one minute from start to finish. Most of the kids were swarmed by their parents. We just let Emmett venture out on his own and he was rewarded by being able to dodge adults along the way. He found eight eggs in the one minute escapade and won a free slice of pizza along with some
Friday, March 26, 2010
Cake Prep
It is the day before Melynn's first birthday and I'm doing some cake preparations today to try things out. My plan is to make a 9x13 cake, flip it out of the pan, frost it with cream cheese frosting, and place "baby blocks" on the top that spell out her name. The baby blocks are made of rice krispy treats covered in marshmallow fondant. That is what I did today to make sure it would work.
What do you think? This is my first try at using fondant, and I had a fun time trying it out. It wasn't too hard to make. It was a little difficult to get it to color right. My first try at turning a lump of it lavender flopped because I used the gel food coloring. It is too concentrated or something. I added one toothpick of red and one of blue and ended up with white, red and blue marbled fondant instead of lavender. Had this been for the 4th of July I probably would have used it. I switched to the liquid food coloring instead and did two drops of red, kneaded it in so it was pink, then added two drops of blue and kneaded it in. Then it looked a little gray. So I added one more drop of red in the hopes that it would be more lavender and it worked enough for me to be satisfied. I still have more lavender fondant to do some trim or something on the cake. And I have lots of white fondant still. In fact, I probably have enough to cover the whole cake still but I don't want to try that. Too hard. I'll definitely post more picture of the cake once it is done. Wish me luck!
What do you think? This is my first try at using fondant, and I had a fun time trying it out. It wasn't too hard to make. It was a little difficult to get it to color right. My first try at turning a lump of it lavender flopped because I used the gel food coloring. It is too concentrated or something. I added one toothpick of red and one of blue and ended up with white, red and blue marbled fondant instead of lavender. Had this been for the 4th of July I probably would have used it. I switched to the liquid food coloring instead and did two drops of red, kneaded it in so it was pink, then added two drops of blue and kneaded it in. Then it looked a little gray. So I added one more drop of red in the hopes that it would be more lavender and it worked enough for me to be satisfied. I still have more lavender fondant to do some trim or something on the cake. And I have lots of white fondant still. In fact, I probably have enough to cover the whole cake still but I don't want to try that. Too hard. I'll definitely post more picture of the cake once it is done. Wish me luck!
Friday, March 19, 2010
My Birthday Plus Other Pictures
I had an awesome birthday. It really was a great one. I got to celebrate with a bunch of friends and neglected to take pictures of any of them. All we got were the essentials: the cake and me. I don't know why I am starting to be obsessed with birthday cakes but I am. I feel like birthdays are the only time when you get your own special day and the cake should reflect the specialness of the day. That's why I am crazy and go all out decorating my kids' birthday cakes. I'm already planning Melynn's special cake for her 1st birthday. And Emmett's last year (the train cake) almost did me in it was so time consuming. For my own birthday though, all that mattered to me was for it to have a little pizazz and to taste amazing. And it fulfilled all my wishes. It was so yummy. Here's a picture of it. It looks a little bit like a chocolate volcano with chocolate lava oozing down the sides. And don't take the time to count the candles because we only had 24 and I turned 28.
Here is Melynn chewing on a cd case from the library. She was carrying this around in her mouth and walking around but I didn't get a good enough picture of it to post. I think she is getting more teeth. The bad news is I couldn't find this cd case this morning to take it back. Agh!
Here is Emmett trying on Melynn's birthday present from her grandma and grandpa Wood. It is a cute little tutu, even on a boy.
"Ah, mom! Don't take pictures of me in this thing!" --Emmett
This is a more manly picture of Emmett with his friend Ethan. Emmett has on a police helmet, Ethan a hard hat. They are so cute together.
Melynn playing in the legos. It is a full body experience. She just dives right in!
I can't even remember what day this was or what we did that day but he was talking with me one second and coloring this picture and the next second he had fallen asleep. So cute!
I got to meet with a personal trainer on Wednesday and it was really informative. I learned a few gems that I will pass along. My main question for the trainer was how can I target my middle section since the weight is noticeably coming off in the legs, bum, arms and face but not the tummy. He suggested doing strength training on unstable surfaces (Bosu ball, exercise ball, step bench, one leg, etc.) so that the core muscles are engaged even though you are working your biceps. Example: start sitting on the exercise ball and roll down until your shoulder blades are centered on the ball. This requires your core to keep your body in a flat line, feet flat on the floor. Then do chest presses with dumbbells. It was a good workout. I'm sore today still.
Here is a new video of Melynn walking. She walks a lot better but haven't really been able to catch it on the camera yet.
Here is Melynn chewing on a cd case from the library. She was carrying this around in her mouth and walking around but I didn't get a good enough picture of it to post. I think she is getting more teeth. The bad news is I couldn't find this cd case this morning to take it back. Agh!
Here is Emmett trying on Melynn's birthday present from her grandma and grandpa Wood. It is a cute little tutu, even on a boy.
"Ah, mom! Don't take pictures of me in this thing!" --Emmett
This is a more manly picture of Emmett with his friend Ethan. Emmett has on a police helmet, Ethan a hard hat. They are so cute together.
Melynn playing in the legos. It is a full body experience. She just dives right in!
I can't even remember what day this was or what we did that day but he was talking with me one second and coloring this picture and the next second he had fallen asleep. So cute!
I got to meet with a personal trainer on Wednesday and it was really informative. I learned a few gems that I will pass along. My main question for the trainer was how can I target my middle section since the weight is noticeably coming off in the legs, bum, arms and face but not the tummy. He suggested doing strength training on unstable surfaces (Bosu ball, exercise ball, step bench, one leg, etc.) so that the core muscles are engaged even though you are working your biceps. Example: start sitting on the exercise ball and roll down until your shoulder blades are centered on the ball. This requires your core to keep your body in a flat line, feet flat on the floor. Then do chest presses with dumbbells. It was a good workout. I'm sore today still.
Here is a new video of Melynn walking. She walks a lot better but haven't really been able to catch it on the camera yet.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Motherhood Makes Me Happy
Today is my birthday and we had stake conference. It was really nice. We went early so Josh could be an usher and it got us soft seats in the chapel. I knew that I needed to be prepared to entertain Emmett for a long haul so we had lots of coloring pages and hidden picture games and church file folder games to get us through the three hours in the chapel. We did really well. Well, by "we" I mean "Emmett". He did amazingly well for a three year old. He did start getting silly during the second hour of the meeting with the people in the row behind us but the funniest thing was during the very last talk by the stake president. He was concluding his remarks and had all the primary children stand up. We stood Emmett on the bench so he was taller and let him listen to the speaker. Partway through the section for primary kids Emmett said really loudly, "Is he talkin' to me?" All we heard were giggles all around. So that got me giggly and then about two minutes later he started waving madly at one of the high councilman and said, "Hi Grandpa Wes!" When I saw who he was waving at I about peed my skirt because the guy DID really look like my father-in-law. He had the same color of hair and the same hair pattern, if you know what I mean. I whispered in Emmett's ear that it wasn't grandpa but he kept telling me, "But they have the same hair!" It was so funny.
Okay, another funny from today. Let me back up to a few days ago when Emmett noticed that both he and Melynn had two small circles on their chests (you know what I'm talking about). This observation happened during their bath. He kept referring to them as his nostrils. We tried to correct him that day. Well, this morning he had a little red spot, probably a zit, close to one of his nipples, and he proudly told me that he had "three nobbles". But wait, it gets better. After church he wanted to take his white church shirt off and so I took the chance to ask him once again what they were really called. He said, "My snipples?" Giggle giggle. Josh giggles. This is really funny to us because Emmett likes to add an S to a lot of words. Like Smarshmallows. It never gets old. I laugh every time.
Okay, another funny from today. Let me back up to a few days ago when Emmett noticed that both he and Melynn had two small circles on their chests (you know what I'm talking about). This observation happened during their bath. He kept referring to them as his nostrils. We tried to correct him that day. Well, this morning he had a little red spot, probably a zit, close to one of his nipples, and he proudly told me that he had "three nobbles". But wait, it gets better. After church he wanted to take his white church shirt off and so I took the chance to ask him once again what they were really called. He said, "My snipples?" Giggle giggle. Josh giggles. This is really funny to us because Emmett likes to add an S to a lot of words. Like Smarshmallows. It never gets old. I laugh every time.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Feels Good to Do Good
I just need to say this one more time: I love my gym. They sent me an email saying I could have a free 50 minute training session just for having the membership for six months. I am so excited. It is scheduled for next Wednesday at 9 AM. Hooray!
As I was dropping off the kids today there was a mom trying to get her little boy to go into the kids play area and he was clinging to her like a leech. I signed in the kids, took off their coats and as I was about to leave I decided I needed to try something. I was feeling bad for the mom that wanted to go exercise and I could tell she was just going to leave and give up if her son didn't want to go in. So I enlisted Emmett's help and we introduced ourselves. He looked like he was three, which he was. I had Emmett show him the slide and he went in and looked around. I then asked Emmett if he would "show him the ropes" and be his friend. Then I left. I did see the mom working out later on and so I looked into the kids area and the two boys were still playing. I was glad. It always feels good to do good.
As I was dropping off the kids today there was a mom trying to get her little boy to go into the kids play area and he was clinging to her like a leech. I signed in the kids, took off their coats and as I was about to leave I decided I needed to try something. I was feeling bad for the mom that wanted to go exercise and I could tell she was just going to leave and give up if her son didn't want to go in. So I enlisted Emmett's help and we introduced ourselves. He looked like he was three, which he was. I had Emmett show him the slide and he went in and looked around. I then asked Emmett if he would "show him the ropes" and be his friend. Then I left. I did see the mom working out later on and so I looked into the kids area and the two boys were still playing. I was glad. It always feels good to do good.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Expensive Test
Josh registered for the second step of his boards yesterday. The second step, just the testing, cost us a whopping $1580. That is a month of expenses people! I don't often comment on how much it costs to become a doctor but this is an example I'm willing to share. This part of the boards has two parts, one computerized that he will take here in Omaha, and one that tests his clinical skills that he will have to take somewhere else. There are only 5 testing sites in the country and Omaha ain't one of them. I wonder why. I think Josh will take his test in Chicago. His test fee did not include the money it will cost for travel and other expenses either so we expect the $1580 to end up being more like $2200+. It isn't cheap to become a doctor.
And the update on our sickness: we are getting better. I went to the gym today for the first time since I got pounded with a sinus infection and it was nice. I also went to the grocery store because we ran out of milk. After getting home and putting Melynn down for a nap I was left with the dilemma I have many days: do I take a shower or a nap?
And the update on our sickness: we are getting better. I went to the gym today for the first time since I got pounded with a sinus infection and it was nice. I also went to the grocery store because we ran out of milk. After getting home and putting Melynn down for a nap I was left with the dilemma I have many days: do I take a shower or a nap?
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Catch Up Time
We had a great weekend visit with Josh's parents. I was getting sick the weekend they came and then got my sinus infection so I hadn't uploaded the photos from their visit until today. They reminded me of some fun and funny things that happened.
First off, we had the strangest thing happen to our toilet. We still have no idea what happened. The toilet overflowed with bubbles. Yes, bubbles. We took pictures to prove it. It was so weird.
Here are the pictures of Wes and Susan partying with us at the Children's Museum.
And Melynn has decided that she loves to eat what we eat. She got me to give her my cottage cheese the other day and just dove in. No hands, just a tongue, licking it out of the bowl. Funny girl.
Here are two videos of Melynn walking. The first one was taken a while ago, before she was letting go of things but she was starting to get her balance better. And the second one shows her walking on her own! Her average is 4 steps before she falls over. We are having a lot of fun watching her learn how to walk.
First off, we had the strangest thing happen to our toilet. We still have no idea what happened. The toilet overflowed with bubbles. Yes, bubbles. We took pictures to prove it. It was so weird.
Here are the pictures of Wes and Susan partying with us at the Children's Museum.
And Melynn has decided that she loves to eat what we eat. She got me to give her my cottage cheese the other day and just dove in. No hands, just a tongue, licking it out of the bowl. Funny girl.
Here are two videos of Melynn walking. The first one was taken a while ago, before she was letting go of things but she was starting to get her balance better. And the second one shows her walking on her own! Her average is 4 steps before she falls over. We are having a lot of fun watching her learn how to walk.
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