I'm glad T won't be driving anytime soon!

Because he's not that great of a driver. You should have seen how many times his driver was thrown from the car or rammed into a tree. Not to mention the fact that both trucks were on fire most of the time he was driving.


And some love from baby A.

Ridiculously Easy... and good... Beef noodle bowl

The only changes I made was to double the sauce and I used pre-cut broccoli and carrot stir-fry veggies. I also used steak that had already been cut into stir-fry strips.

I made this in less that 20 minutes while being pestered unmercifully by my three year old and stopping umpteen times to put a pacifier in the mouth of my screaming 6 week old.

-Oh, and giving credit where credit is due, I got this recipe from K*raft magazine.

Beef Noodle Bowl
1/2 lb. linguine, uncooked
3 cups broccoli florets
3 carrots, peeled, sliced
2 tsp. oil
1 lb. beef sirloin steak, cut into strips
1/4 cup K*RAFT Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
1 Tbsp. teriyaki sauce

COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding vegetables to the boiling water for the last 2 min.

MEANWHILE, heat oil in large nonstick skillet. Add meat; cook until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally. Stir in dressing and teriyaki sauce; cook 2 min. or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.

DRAIN pasta mixture; place in large serving bowl. Add meat mixture; toss to coat.

Stupid, stupid dogs and their stupid owners!!

I'll be the first to admit that I am not a dog lover. Other people's dogs are fine as long as they don't lick me, jump on me, or bark all day or night.

Last night I would have had uninterrupted sleep from 11:00 to 4:00 if it weren't for a stupid, damn dog. At 12:30 I am dreaming and this weird sound woke me up. I run down the hall staggering because I thought Audrey is either whimpering really weird or is having trouble breathing or something else catastrophic. She's asleep. As I wake up a bit and make a bathroom stop, I realize that the stupid chihuahua down the street is barking its head off. That's the sound that woke me from a deep, deep sleep.

Who lets their dog bark for 10 minutes at 12:30 in the morning????

Oh, I know. People who tie their dog up on the front porch to bark at every person, child, car, leaf, and bug that goes past the house.

GRRR!

Baby A's first day at Church

She looked so sweet in her dress.

So, so, good! Simple too! Penne Arribiata

This was so easy to make and it tasted so good! We had it for dinner tonight and it was so good. Thanks to MOF Les for sharing it!

Penne Arribiata

1 T. olive oil
3 cloves crushed garlic
1 onion chopped
1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes- increase or decrease to change spiciness
1 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes
Salt if needed
1 pkg penne (12-16 oz)

Sautee onion and garlic and crushed red pepper in olive oil. When onions are clear/soft add tomatoes- Simmer for 20 minutes. In the meantime cool penne. Drain. Mix with sauce. Top with mozz and parm cheese.

Will winter never end?

It seems like it has been winter for 100 years now. Being stuck home with a new baby to avoid germs isn't helping either. Add to that a three year old who desperately wants to play outside all day every day.

I might go insane!

T's Third Birthday

I realize it looks I posted every picture that I took, but I didn't. Honest.

Pictures from T's 3rd birthday party. Since baby A was only a week old we kept the party small. Really small.

If you think it looks like T had been bawling, you would be right. We had a trauma, a tantrum, and a melt down before our little party. That's what happens when you peek at your presents while Mom is wrapping them! You still have to wait!

The box from Nana and A that T had been dying to open for 2 days.

Baby A, the little party animal.

The most beloved Trash Can Truck and reason for the trauma, tantrum, and melt down.

He loved the candles that kept lighting themselves!

Baby A's birth story is now up on the other blog...

http://addingonemore.blogspot.com/

Our baby girl...

I know most of you probably read my other baby blog but I think once I post her birth story I am going to retire the other blog. I'm pretty sure now that we have Miss A we won't be adding anymore to our family. But.... never say never.

On bedrest.....

http://addingonemore.blogspot.com/

Well that was short lived....

We aren't potty training anymore. Each day it's been getting worse and worse. First he stopped telling us he needed to go (only happened 3-4 times anyway), then he refused to even consider sitting on the potty. Not even the much loved truck he got for sitting on the potty the first time could convince him. He didn't even care that we took it away. So... we are waiting until after the baby is born in February.

I'm kind of disappointed, but kind of relieved too.

It's over...

Christmas that is. We had a great visit with family, but I'm glad that things are returning to normal. I'm to tired to add extra stuff into my day. If I ever get around to downloading pictures I'll post some.

The biggest thing that has happened is T has FINALLY started peeing on the potty. All it took was the promise of a truck. Who knew? We've had a few really good days, but I'm not ready to take away the diapers. Until he tells me he needs to go potty (instead of me just taking him every hour) we are sticking with pull-ups.

So, so tired...

I am so done with this whole Christmas thing. My tree is only half decorated but I can't seem to make myself finish it. Presents are wrapped and under the tree but I have a few I need to mail but I keep forgetting!

My MIL is coming for Christmas and I have a list of stuff I want to clean/organize before she comes, but she just may have to love me anyway inspite of dusty blinds and curtains, and windows that need washing.

I just need the hoopla to be over so I can sit and do nothing. I am out of Dr. Pepper and that seems to be the only way I can get things done.

Baby girl is huge and heavy it seems. And still un-named.

Girl Night Out...

I went out with my sisters and niece tonight and it was so fun! We saw the movie "Enchanted" and I just loved it. I'm glad I didn't see it with DA (like I would have ever been able to get him to go) because I didn't have to listen to the constant mocking of a boy watching a chick flick. I love him, but it's difficult when chick flicks are involved.

Something is wrong with me...

My Christmas shopping is all done and I am planning on wrapping gifts this afternoon.

My saving grace is I am not listening to Christmas music yet, nor have I put up Christmas decorations.

Pat on the back for me...

I didn't beat T at Costco, Bed Bath and Beyond, or Walmart. He sure deserved it though!!He was throwing tantrums right and left, biting and scratching me, screaming no over and over again and being awful!

One older lady at Walmart almost had me in tears (they were swimming in my eyes) when she came to my cart, looked at T (lovingly even) and said "Are you having a bad day?" and then told him that she was sorry he was having a bad day, but he should give me a hug and stop hitting me. (I was making him stay in the cart) Then she just commiserated with me about what a hard age it was.

She saved him. All I could think about was what a rotten child he was. After that I had a bit more love in my heart.

Busy Week...

I am ready for some down time. Right now I am debating whether or not we really have to eat next week. I don't want to leave the house to go to the grocery store.

My week in review:

Monday: went into my Dr's to give a urine sample. Blood in your urine is not a good thing! (Dr's office is about 45 minutes away) Ended up spending the day up there at my mom's running errands.

Tuesday: Primary day. Had my primary presidency meetings and ran more errands.

Wednesday: An early morning trip to the grocery store for donuts led to spending the day fixing a flat tire. Thank heavens for Grandpa (who works closer than DA does) who came and changed my tire for me. We had to make a trip home (grocery store is 15 minutes from my house) to get a wrench to get the stupid jack to come out of the car, and to get the car manual so we could figure out how to get the spare out. Complicated! I found out later that the tire couldn't be fixed so we bought 4 new tires.

Thursday: Went up to my mom's so I could leave the car to get worked on. Bought baby material for a quilt that Grandma is going to make. Ended up paying for an alignment, new stems for the tire (two broke off) and rear brake pads. It was one expensive flat tire.

Today (Friday): I'm trying to work up the energy to go to the grocery store. Tonight we are meeting DA and a friend from out of town for dinner. Dinner will be in the big city so more driving is involved.... sigh.

Tomorrow: a scentsy party to attend (unfortunately with T in tow) and then a Temple trip later that afternoon.

To all you women who do this day in and day out my hat is off to you! I like staying home more than this.

Uh huh...

Yep, I am having a hard time making up my mind. I'm also having a lot of fun seeing what kind of templates I can come up with. But, I do think I will stick with this one for awhile.

A new look thanks to T...

Instead of cleaning out my closet like I had planned, I have I new look to my blog! While I was being the nap police today, telling T to get back in bed every 5 minutes or so, I was able to fiddle with the look of both my blogs.

What do you think?

Toddler Talk

So T is having a hard time with his R's. That's fine. It's totally common. But I totally cringe every time he says fork. I know he doesn't mean to leave out the r and he has no idea what he is saying, but still! I keep waiting for the parental police to come and haul me away.

He's inserting r's where they don't belong too. This morning he asked for a crup of milk. Yesterday it was a crap of milk. At least he is getting closer to the right word.

His language is totally exploding which makes things easier and harder. Easier because we can understand him more, but harder because he gets really frustrated when we don't understand him. It's a double edged sword.

Cruise Pictures - Part One - Juneau

Our cabin on the ship. We were on Deck 2.

The room was smaller than DA thought it would be and bigger than I thought. I had heard about cruise ship room so I thought it would be smaller. The bathroom, however, was just a small as I thought it was going to be. The shower? Even smaller. I should have taken a picture.
View of our cruise ship from the Mt. Roberts Tram. Ours is the one out in the middle.
View of half of Juneau. We are in the lookout part of Mt. Roberts. DA pointing out an eagle. Naturally I missed it.

DH and BH. The company that DA works for sent them on the cruise too. DA and BH were working on the same job.

View of Mendenhall Glacier from the Helicopter.
The Glacier Stream
The water is so cold that it's blue.
Not a great picture, but this is the hole that the glacier stream goes into. The guide said that it's so deep they have no idea just how deep it is and where it goes. He recommended that they didn't get too close in case some of the ice broke off. He said that if you fell in you were gone for good. There would be no way to rescue you.

At the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. It was SOOO Yummy. We had salmon, ribs, and chicken. There were some cornbread and salads too, but we weren't there for those! The salmon was glazed with a mixture of equal parts butter and brown sugar with just a hint of lemon. (I asked)
DA looking thrilled that I was taking another picture.
Bridal Veil Falls.
DA and I at the Falls.
That was our day in Juneau. Stay tuned for pictures of Skagway.

Ahh, Toddlers!

We have reached the stage where T is always telling me to "wat" (watch) as he performs some amazing act. It's usually things like throwing rocks into a puddle, jumping off a stair, etc.

I, of course, am always suitably impressed.

A sign of things to come?

My two year old just stole all the change out of my purse and put it in his piggy bank. I was sitting at my desk paying bills when he took my change and ran away giggling. Am I going to have to lock up my purse already?

I'm so tired of hearing the word "no"...

That is all T says. Even if he means yes he will say no. Yesterday was a really bad day. T was really pushing all my buttons and DA's too. Finally last night I told him that if he tells me no one more time that he was going in the naughty chair. After 3 trips to the naughty chair T finally wised up. Now his answer to everything is "nope".

We are home....

and life was quick to remind us that we were no longer on vacation! We got home and were way tired but we enjoyed the cruise a lot. As soon as I find the motivation I'll post some pictures here.

But since we've been home the shower started leaking through the floor, DA hurt his back and can hardly move around now, T has let us know what he thought about us being gone, and Primary is letting no grass grow under my feet!

As much as I was ready to come home, I'm ready to leave again. I don't know why but normal things (like Primary) that were fine a few months ago are a lot more overwhelming since I got pregnant.

Speaking of baby, for an update check out... http://addingonemore.blogspot.com/

Bon Voyage...

Tomorrow we are off to Seattle and then Alaska.

See you all later!

Your mission, should you choose to accept....

is to find something to go along the cutouts along the ceiling....


Here is T's bedding. The wall is a bit darker now that it has another coat of paint...
I was thinking something truck related since Toby is obsessed with trucks. Maybe some trains too, I don’t know. But what do I do? I'm not sold on either thing. Do I find wallpaper that has cute trucks and cut them out? The walls are REALLY textured (which is a HUGE pain painting) so would wall paper stick? Are there cutouts/decals somewhere that won’t look cheap and too kid-ish?

Maybe if I find something I should put it around the whole room? (Just at the top. Not randomly scattered.)

The best ladies in the neighborhood!

Friday night 2:30 am I start throwing up and having *issues* with the other end of me too.

It had only been three weeks since the last bout of flu or food poisoning. AND three weeks before that I had a reaction to some cough medicine that had me throwing up too. I was feeling REALLY picked on.

This goes on all day long. I'll spare you the details, but it was an AWFUL day. The Dr. had given me till 6 pm that night to stop throwing up or I would need to go to the ER for some IV therapy. Being only 9 weeks pg, we were going to play it safe.

It was about 7pm and I was keeping fluid down, but only by sheer force of will. I was in bed, bored and feeling crappy.

My doorbell rings and in comes two of my friends (S and C) from the neighborhood. They had come to take care of me! First off they gave me some peppermint gum which immediately took the edge off the nausea. They they made me some ginger and peppermint tea which helped tons too. C did all my dishes and cleaned up my kitchen and gave T some mommy attention. S massaged my back, arms, legs and feet. Then while C rubbed my head and kept cool wash cloths on my forehead and neck S gave me a pedicure. By this time I was feeling so relaxed, loved, entertained, and a thousand times better.

After I was all pampered, DA and C's husband gave me a blessing. I feel so blessed to have the priesthood in my home.

This morning S shows up to check on me and see how I was doing (much better by the way) and then right before church C shows up with dinner and dessert for me and my family.

I can't express how much I love them both right now!!!!

The only downside to this whole thing..... I went to bed with the flu and woke up with a cold. I've had a sore throat and runny/stuffy nose all day. Germs must be partying at my house!

On other pg news... check out my other blog.... http://addingonemore.blogspot.com/

View from my front porch...

These were taken last night between 11:00 - 11:30. Today it looks like it's still going but not on our side of the ridge. The pictures aren't the greatest so I lightened them so you could see some detail. The last picture is pretty worthless, but I added it anyway...

I broke down today and bought my son a leash/harness.

There's nothing like chasing your son through The Good Earth, and not being able to catch him, (happened yesterday) and then chasing him around Subway (today). It happens all the time I let him walk. (Usually I force him into a cart.)

Makes ya feel like a good mom to constantly have your child run away from you.

***

Oh, said child is also turning into a demon. Yesterday (when leaving The Good Earth) I had to drag him kicking and screaming from the store. There were some concerned faces around me. They were probably wondering if I was going to break down and beat him there at the store or wait until we got home. (FTR, I didn't. I kept my cool.)

As I am stuffing him into his carseat he is kicking, screaming, clawing, scratching, etc. I have the marks to prove it. I am so proud of myself, even at this point I still didn't beat the kid. I may have thrown him some really dirty looks, but that is it...

My week in review...

Thursday: Aches and pains, sore throat

Friday: Really sore throat, some aches

Saturday: A visit to instacare where the Dr. sees a whole bunch of white sores on my throat. Step test comes back negative. He tells me I have a virus and that I'll have to wait it out. He offers me a gargle that has some numbing medicine in it. I turn it down.

Sunday: I start coughing up a storm, lose voice.

Monday: Coughing a ton, but I have things to do, still can't talk.

Tuesday: Same as Monday, but this time I have a bunch of meetings to go to.

Wednesday: I go back to the instacare and see a different Dr. this time. He says I have entrovirus (common virus) but I still have a ton of sores on my throat that have probably spread to my larynx and lungs. (Hence the no voice and horrid cough) He gives me duraflu and hycotuss to help manage the symptoms. I take the medicine and spend a pleasant evening on the couch.

Thursday: Wake up nauseated and dizzy. Spend an hour on the floor in the hallway with T crying at me to "Get up." Call DA and he comes home from work. I get half a piece of toast in me and some medicine and I go to bed. Just as I can feel the medicine taking effect, I feel the need to throw up. Rush to the bathroom, where I don't make it, and throw up on TOP of the toilet. Clean that up, go back to bed. Spend the rest of the afternoon in misery and then throw up again. Call the Dr., sounds like I'm allergic to the cough medicine. Joy.

Friday: my mom comes and spends the day taking care of T and I. I keep down food and rest.

Saturday: All I still have is a cough and am tired. I'm hoping for a better week next week!

Lost in the land of sickness...

Don't come visit.

What a nice thing to do!

DA's current job has been a pain in the ***! (He is a project manager for a commercial construction company) It's a building for a local college and it's been full of problems, fights, and other peoples messes that he has to clean up.

So, as a way to say thanks and sorry for the awful last year and a half his company is sending us on a 7 day Alaskan cruise.

Once I was over my panic attack about going on the ocean ( I don't swim and only like water if I can touch the bottom and see the bottom) I started to get really excited. Grandma is watching T, so we are going to be child free for a week!

Now I just have to decide what I'm going to wear...

Random Photos...

Sheesh! It is feast or famine around here.

My new sink... too bad the ugly, pink, stained in some areas counter top is still around. DA says maybe in a couple of years.... sigh.



T being T...

My favorite quote of the week...

"Give a person a fish, and you feed them for a day. Teach a person how to use the internet, and they won't bother you for weeks."

It came from MOF Taffi. I have no idea if she made it up or where it came from, but I love it!

Radio Station KBull 93 NOT supporting Military family...

I have a friend who has recently sent her husband back to Iraq after a two week visit with him. On the day she took him back to the airport KBull was asking military families to call in. She did, and this is the way she was treated by the bullies Johnson and Johnson (the morning team) at KBull 93.3, a radio station in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Read about it here at Emily's blog.

More home improvement...

We have had a sink in our garage for a few weeks and it's just been waiting for a faucet to be chosen. Lo and behold, my kitchen faucet started leaking yesterday so off to Lowe's we went. While looking at our choices we saw our current faucet. It was a whopping $38 dollars. Big wonder that it was leaking!

DA and I had taken separate cars so I ran one more errand while DA went home. I came home and found that he decided to replace the sink that night. Did I mention that it was around 8pm when I got home? As always, we need a few more items to complete the project. It's always like that for us, since we live 25 minutes from the closest Lowe's.

So.... currently I have no kitchen sink and no running water in there. I guess that means I can't cook dinner tonight. Darn.

Sigh..

I didn't take any Easter pictures of T this year. I didn't even buy him an outfit.

I'm a bad, bad, mom.

How T likes to watch TV...

This bouncy seat is so trashed. T is the third child to have it. I don't think it's going to make it for a fourth child to use.

I think he was switched at the hospital....

If he wasn't so much like his dad I would have to question it further, but sometimes I really think I came home with a puppy, not a baby. T does the following...

• Carries things around in his mouth
• Digs in the trash
• Whines at the door
• Eats crumbs off the floor

The latest thing that really make me think he's a puppy in a little boy's body?

He throws his head back and howls.

My puppy when he was 10 months old.

My son...

I've been letting T have more of a say on what he wears. Usually it involves me holding two shirts and asking which one he wants to wear.

Not so today.

T decided he was going to wear the following outfit. And no amount of persuasion on my part could convince him otherwise. I decided that a tantrum isn't worth the effort of making him change, so here he is, in all his fashionista glory.....


An old jammie top from last year, socks, dirty tennis shoes, no pants. Are we leaving the house today? ...No.

Wordless Wednesday

Out of they frying pan...

and into the fire. That's how I'm thinking of my new calling! Last Sunday I had a meeting with one of the counselors. I figured that since I had three callings (enrichment leader, primary teacher, humanitarian board member) that I was being released from one of my callings. My money was on the humanitarian calling. I had heard a few times that I was supposed to be released from that one a long time ago.

So imagine my shock when he said he wanted to release me from ALL my callings. I only got the enrichment leader calling a month ago so I was confused. Well, his next words cleared it all up.

"We want to call you to be the 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency." Huh? Me? You want me to be one of the in-charge people?

To make a long story short I accepted the calling. I had my first meeting yesterday and it quickly became apparent that my new middle name was going to be "I have a meeting I have to go to tonight..."