Monday, September 27, 2010

My Birthday...

I'm 28!

I had such a fabulous birthday this year. I think it's majorly because I'm just really happy with my life right now. But I got to kind of sleep in. We had Norwegian pancakes for breakfast, we visited with friends, I went to the RS broadcast, and then made apple crisp with Seth for as my birthday treat. (not a fan of cake). We ate it with amazing ice cream and played Bohnanza with Dav/Aub and Cousin Dave.

It was just a good day. My main birthday present!?!
A 4th Generation ipod touch! from Seth. I play his ipod every night before I go to bed, so I think he decided he's sick of that and I needed my own. This is such a fun toy, and resourceful too! I can get unlimited games, music, facebook, news, etc. internet access and the whole Gospel library is on mine now. I even have a Christmas countdown going! :) And baby flash cards! And a peek-a-boo game with animals for Scarlett!! Endless fun...

$1.00!!!!

Since coming home from Japan over 5 years ago I have had at least a dozen dreams of flying back to Japan JUST so I could go to the hyaku yen store. No joke. I get off the plane, go to the hyaku yen and spend hours there (some have multiple floors, a DOLLAR store with multiple floors!!!)and then get on the plane to fly back to America. Japan has AMAZING dollar stores.

We live across the street from K-mart. Hmm, maybe I should say that so openly... I understand that spells out G-H-E-T-T-O. But really, our condo complex isn't bad. But two doors down is The Dollar Store.

I went there today.

I Am So Excited!!!!!!!So... I haven't owned an umbrella in YEARS b/c I've never felt like I could just pay $10+ (cheapest i could find) for something I only use maybe three times a year. Well, I bought TWO today! One for each car... $1.00 each. (well, DI is also a good source to find a cheap umbrella)
I've always wondered about how much dryer balls could do for us. I've heard good things, my grandma has them... But they're $5.00+ at wal-mart or wherever I go. I just never have been ok with paying up for little plastic spikey balls. Well, I'm going to try them out finally, $1.00.
I've wanted to get Scarlett foam blocks or letters/shapes to chew on and play with in the tub, etc. I had some in my cart once, I think they were like 40% off at Carter's and it was still going to cost me $4.00+. We didn't NEED them, and figured it could wait until next paycheck. Well - I got her letters and numbers, $1.00 each.

They have awesome educational board books about states, the presidents, etc. Scarlett's not quite ready for those so I passed, but I know where to find them. They had tons of educational posters you can put on your wall to learn words, the alphabet, etc. That you'd see in any elementary school classroom. A HUGE variety of gift bags (always more than $2-3.00 at wal-mart). Lots and lots of halloween decorations/costume accessories. I know some things there you can find for cheaper elsewhere. And while you can find a legit Sharpie brand permanent marker there - it most likely doesn't have as much ink in it as you would buy from a different store. (??) I don't just load the basket with all these "good" buys - but there are some really good deals.

Like the detangler I bought Scarlett at Target a few weeks ago - same stuff, larger variety, same brand for $1.00. OR Her little hair elastics for her hair that I got at Target that had 150 pieces in the package and was like $2.99 - Well the dollar store had a pack of 750 elastics, same size/color. I'll go there when I need me some more elastics... And I did get her a pack of 6 headbands for a buck.

You know how coupons are rarely for items you actually use? I am always looking through the store ads and Red Plum coupons, etc. that come in the mail box or at our door - but I maybe find one or two coupons for something I actually already buy/use. Well, I spent $13 for items I had been looking at getting, needing, wanting for months now! I'm a TOTAL fan of the dollar store... They also sell a good variety of fake flowers that are perfect for taking apart to make flower hair clips. Anyway! I'm sold...

Friday, September 24, 2010

so...


I didn't know what to really put as this post's "title". I just feel like blogging... it's been a while... Seth's on the phone chatting away, I should go to bed, but I just feel like I should blog one. . .

Tomorrow, I turn 28 yrs old. Actually, specifically at 5:55 am I will have been on this Earth for 28 years. hmm. A few weeks ago I was going through my baby scrapbook. There were a few inserted folded up pages that was actually a questionnaire my mom and dad filled out. I'm guessing my mom's Lamaze teacher (?) had them fill it out b/c it's all questions about how and if the Lamaze techniques helped my mom. She must have taken a class? I don't know - I guess I should ask her.

But it was pretty neat to read through these answers and learn about my own birth story. Apparently mom had lots of false contractions with me and waited to go to the hospital b/c it she didn't want to be turned away if she went and wasn't really in labor. (Every expecting woman's fear, right?) But it started about 3 am. . . after a bit she decided to wake up my dad b/c... well, she says in her own words "... I hadn't done the times before, I figured since he didn't have to go to work the next day he could at least walk this time off with me."

Water broke at 3:40am, they were in the labor room getting prepped at 4:05. On this paperwork she talks about how she kept trying to relax, but would forget to until dad would remind her. and in his handwriting it says "You could plainly see by her facial expressions that she was very tense a lot of the time. But you could also see her relax instantly when you reminded her to. ... She did a beautiful job for our beautiful baby. "

At 5:40 they were on to the delivery room. Interesting that they had to go to a different room for all that... I'm grateful I didn't have to be switching rooms once I was admitted with Scarlett until all the fun stuff was done. But 15 min of pushing and I was out! All 8 lbs 11 oz of me! Big baby... 21 inches long. (same as Scarlett - 21 inches part. Luckily scarlett was 7 lbs even)

I love this - Mom, "Even though she was #3 it was just as exciting and awesome as welcoming #1 into the world."

And then dad's input in it all...
Were you present during labor? yes!
During the birth? You Bet!!
Was the role of coaching satisfying to you? Definitely, It could have lasted longer though, wasn't much to coach.
What could have been stressed more? early morning food for the coach. (haha, what a man.)
Do you feel you were adequately prepared for coaching? 3:30 in the morning... more sleep would have helped.... yes.
Additional comments - I thought your class was excellent, So good of a refresher that I don't think we'll have to take another one until our 6th or 7th child.

There are 7 kids in my family... funny how he knew the future.

ANYWAY! Happy 28th birthday to me. The gals at work decorated my desk very nicely on Thursday, So I've been soaking it in the last two days. And today at work we had cookies! AND we all left 2 hours early!!! I know, right? getting off early on Friday for my birthday!! Nah... everyone left early b/c the computers were down. (something about a gas pipe being cut into in Texas? uh... yea, that's what they said)

I've been wanting to go to Trafalga to go to the batting cages and mini golfing with Seth for my birthday. I had it in my mind all week. But then today I looked at our bank account and figured that wouldn't be a good idea since we're going out for Birthday lunch tomorrow... But Tonight was SO awesome and fun. I loved it all even though it wasn't what I thought I had to have for a perfect Birthday date night. We went to Jdawgs (the best hot dogs) and saw "Knight and day" at the dollar theater. It didn't matter what we did, we could have just driven around happy town Provo and it would have made the night just as awesome. B/C... Seth held my hand every second, opened the car door for me each time, and kept rubbing my shoulder and pulling me closer to him during the movie. That's all that made my night. Silly, silly...

Afterwards we went to Red Mango for frozen yogurt. Mmm Mmm... I Love Red Mango!! It was a fantastic evening.

Alright, time for bed. The video at the beginning of this post... I forgot to give it a caption... Scarlett is obsessed w/ our living room mirror. If we're holding her in the 'dining' area she'll see herself across the room and scream/giggle at herself in the mirror. It's hilarious. Tonight she did that, and Seth walked her over to it and she just starts laughing at herself. . . And gave herself kisses/sucked on the mirror over and over and over. She is TOO cute, I can't get enough of it.

After waking her up from geting her out of the car seat to put her to bed... changed diaper/Pj's on - she fell asleep in my arms and I was just holding her in my arms, rocking her like I would when she was a few weeks old and it was the best feeling. I'm already sad she won't just let me lay her on her side, in my arms and sway with her without her fighting to be sitting upright in my arms to look around or to go somewhere. That was the cherry on top of this perfect evening.

Time to go to bed so I can wake up and get my present from Seth!!! I know what it is... but I'll have to post about it next time so it's kind of a surprise to someone...

Babbling now... too tired... G'night!

Friday, September 3, 2010

6 Months Old!

Wow! The crazy part about Scarlett being 6 months old is not that she is 6 months old... but that we've been parents for half a year! Time Flies.

Scarlett is becoming the most fun, independent little gal. Our pediatrician was impressed with her development and interaction with her during her well-check visit. And... She Doesn't Need A Helmet!! The helmet talk came up at the 4 month check, but it's rounded out quite nicely.

Here she is after getting her 6 month shots... happy as can be! I let her choose between a Cinderella princess sticker or a Tinkerbell sticker. She chose tinkerbell, and is wearing it proudly.

6 Month Stats:
16.3 lbs (60%ile)
26.25 in tall (70%ile)
17.25 in noggin (85%ile)

At 6 months Scarlett loves:
-Baby Einstien, she especially smiles at the green dragon in the Shakespeare episode
- FOOD! This girl is a pro eater so far, Mmm Mmm baby veggies.
- sleeping on her side
- taking her binkie out to play with, it's like accomplishing a Rubik cube for her to put it back in right to suck on again, but she has done it!
- growling and grunting ALL DAY LONG
- walks in the stroller
- sucking on her feet
- lunging toward Raja if she gets close to reaching distance
- Crinkly paper/baby wipes bag - anything that makes that kind of sound
- bathtime
- dad's hair. She always "pets" Seth if he is holding her, it's hilarious
- giving kisses to mom, dad doesn't quite accept them yet - too slobbery
- rolling from side to side as she's eating/holding her bottle.
- Shanowa, a co-worker of mine. She can really get Scarlett giggling!
- laughing w/ mom and dad
- looking in mirrors
- Raja

Scarlett does not like
- laying on the floor (unless it's with a bottle in her hands)
- not a fan of tummy time
- car seat, unless it's moving
- getting dressed

Mom and Dad LOVE that Scarlett...
- holds her own bottle
- Is a fantastic sleeper
- Is So DARN CUTE!!!! A baby cannot get cuter than she is.
- talks and interacts with people so much


We are very blessed to be her mom and dad.

Six Months Old!

Wow! The crazy part about Scarlett being 6 months old is not that she is 6 months old... but that we've been parents for half a year! Time Flies.

Scarlett is becoming the most fun, independent little gal. Our pediatrician was impressed with her development and interaction with her during her well-check visit. And... She Doesn't Need A Helmet!! The helmet talk came up at the 4 month check, but it's rounded out quite nicely.

Here she is after getting her 6 month shots... happy as can be! I let her choose between a Cinderella princess sticker or a Tinkerbell sticker. She chose tinkerbell, and is wearing it proudly.

6 Month Stats:
16.3 lbs (60%ile)
26.25 in tall (70%ile)
17.25 in noggin (85%ile)

At 6 months Scarlett loves:
-Baby Einstien, she especially smiles at the green dragon in the Shakespeare episode
- FOOD! This girl is a pro eater so far, Mmm Mmm baby veggies.
- sleeping on her side
- taking her binkie out to play with, it's like accomplishing a Rubik cube for her to put it back in right to suck on again, but she has done it!
- growling and grunting ALL DAY LONG
- walks in the stroller
- sucking on her feet
- lunging toward Raja if she gets close to reaching distance
- Crinkly paper/baby wipes bag - anything that makes that kind of sound
- bathtime
- dad's hair. She always "pets" Seth if he is holding her, it's hilarious
- giving kisses to mom, dad doesn't quite accept them yet - too slobbery
- rolling from side to side as she's eating/holding her bottle.
- Shanowa, a co-worker of mine. She can really get Scarlett giggling!
- laughing w/ mom and dad
- looking in mirrors
- Raja

Scarlett does not like
- laying on the floor (unless it's with a bottle in her hands)
- not a fan of tummy time
- car seat, unless it's moving
- getting dressed

Mom and Dad LOVE that Scarlett...
- holds her own bottle
- Is a fantastic sleeper
- Is So DARN CUTE!!!! A baby cannot get cuter than she is.
- talks and interacts with people so much


We are very blessed to be her mom and dad.