Fuzzy

One thing that people frequently comment on is Mina's dark hair.  All of her nurses mentioned it in the hospital and most of her family has said something about it.  I love how fuzzy and crazy it is after a bath.

After a few hours it calms down and flattens to her head

There has also been some discussion on who she looks the most like.

Mina and a baby picture of James

A baby picture of me with my Mom

I think she is a good combination of both of us, she managed to get all the cute parts.

Catching up

We moved into my parent's house this weekend, a week after Mina's birth.  James did all the work plus he had a pre-defense presentation to give the day after we came home from the hospital.  He is amazing!  Did mention he started his new job on Monday?  We've had a lot changes in the past two weeks.

As promised, here are some pictures of our anniversary date.  We ate dinner at Cafe Sabor (it was disappointing) and then went to Willow Park Zoo.  I had never been and I wanted to walk around in an attempt to bring on labor. James was really excited to see this animal:

I think it is an albino...something.  I can't remember.

It's just chilling out.

Not to be outdone is the racoon, looking really lazy.

We took a picture of ourselves to document two years of marriage.

I was secretly hoping that it would be the last picture of us before we became parents.

Joke was on me, Mina didn't arrive for three more days after that.

Here is the super unflattering picture of me and James right before we went to the hospital.  I wanted to document how massive I got.  Mission accomplished.

And a picture of us from Sunday.  Our little family.

Randomness

Also known as a phone dump.

I've had a few pictures on my phone that I have meant to write about.  I also recently learned how to take a picture of the screen, it only took eight months to learn how to use my iPhone.  Oh well.

First up, this gem.

What: A slightly threatening text

When: Memorial Day Weekend (refer to my recently acquired photo taking skill)

Who: It's a mystery

We were out visiting graves for Memorial Day when I received this weird text.  I opted not to respond because I didn't know the number nor do I owe anyone money.  I finally figured out how to take a picture of the screen when Lauren wanted to see what my texts looked like (phone update issues) so James showed me.  He's nice like that.

Picture #2

What: A self portrait by James

When: Last weekend? Sometime he hadn't shaved?  Basically, it wasn't Sunday, he shaves that day.

Who: James

This is what I find when I leave my phone unattended.  Nice.

Picture #3

What: Our "living" butter lettuce

When: Last week or the week before

Who: I took this because I thought it was funny in a science experiment kind of way

We get Bountiful Baskets once or twice a month, depending on when we remember to order.  I thought this was slightly disturbing for the "Absolutely Fresh Because It's Still Alive!" label.  I half expected the lettuce to scream when I cut it apart.  Despite that creepiness, it was a very good head of lettuce and it DID taste very fresh.

Picture #4

What: My quilting sampler

When: A couple of weeks ago, packing up some boxes

Who: Another picture by me

I made this sampler when I took a quilting class with my Mom and ladies from our ward.  I can't remember when exactly theses classes took place but I know it was at least 15 years ago.  I should finish it but I don't know what I would do with it once it's done.  

I plan on blogging about our 2nd anniversary.  We went to dinner at Cafe Sabor, visited the Willow Park Zoo (my first time) and we went on two walks.  I would blog about it now but I actually used my camera to take some pictures and my camera cord is at my parent's house.  I had left my phone at home.

The 4th of July and Happy Birthday to me!

James and I had a classic Kaysville 4th of July.  Or at least we tried.  I went to the annual breakfast with my parents and Lauren at the DATC.  James didn't go with us because he was golfing with his Dad, uncles and cousins.  I was glad he was able to go this year, he missed out last year because I had to work.  James invited my Dad to go as well but my Dad declined, saying he doesn't cuss enough to golf.  

After the breakfast I took a nap and I woke up when James finished golfing.  We went to the parade but left before it even started because it was so hot.  I was starting to feel sick and I didn't want to sit in the sun for an hour.  We walked back to my parent's house and sat in the cold basement.  I drank lots of water and put my feet up.  

We went to his aunt and uncle's house in Clinton for a BBQ with family.  We stayed for a few hours and then went back to Kaysville for another BBQ.  My Mom's sisters all drove up from Utah county and my grandparents came too.  We celebrated the 4th and a couple of birthdays; my Grandpa's 79th and my 29th.

I should have waited a few more minutes until everything was on the counter...

Me and Grandpa...should have taken another picture, this one is not great of either of us.

Afterwards we ate dessert, lots of dessert.  My aunt Emily made two really good cakes and I made a Chocolate Raspberry Pavlova.  It turned out the best out of any of my previous pavlovas.  I know I "shouldn't" have made my own birthday cake but I had time the night before while James was at band practice and I love to cook!

We walked up and looked at the booths in the soccer field, and talked to a few people.  There was a band playing when we were there and I didn't think they were that great.  I told James that Mid 6 was better.  Soon after that comment was made my Mom told James that Mid 6 was better than the other band.  I think they are pretty good.  We went back to the house and lounged around until the fireworks started.  We watched from the backyard because we didn't want to fight the crowds and my parents had taken the parade blankets home with them.  Usually they leave them and we watch the fireworks from our parade spot.  I wonder how next year with a baby will be.  Will we even be in Utah?

The next day we went back up to Logan after eating breakfast with my Mom.  She made baked oatmeal for my birthday and it was SO GOOD.  I think I could have eaten the whole pan (not a great idea.)  After a quick stop at home I went to the costume shop and James went to the lab.  I worked on a really fun (and slightly frustrating) sequinned dress for "Lend Me A Tenor."  I had wanted to finish it (or at least get the major seams sewn) by the end of the day.  I had to leave early for a doctor's appointment so I was hoping I would have enough time to go back to the shop before the end of the day.  The appointment went really well (nothing to report) and I was back with enough time to finish the major seams.

After I got home I waited for James to finish up at the lab.  When I got to the kitchen I noticed this:

He used the S and the A from his birthday banner

My husband is too funny.  After he got home he gave me my birthday presents.  I thought it was really funny that he taped everything down in the box and decorated the edge with tissue paper.  Even more hilarious was the fact that he even taped the free samples in the box with the items.  I love him so much.

The key chain in the upper right corner is a replacement for my current one.  I lost most of the robots on my first one!

We ate dinner at Le Nonne and then bought some ice cream afterwards.  I ended up taking the rest to work to share the next day.  I figured we didn't really NEED to have another container of ice cream in our freezer.  Plus, I would have likely eaten most of it by myself and then felt sick afterwards.  Anyway!  I finished the sequinned dress the next day and finished off the jacket that goes over the dress.  It wasn't easy to put a zipper in a dress like that but I managed.  I was just glad that the designer picked fabric with soft sequins so I didn't have to remove the sequins from the seams and then reapply them by hand.

While you probably can't tell from the finished product, I used a Butterick pattern based on Pippa Middleton's dress from the Royal Wedding.

We omitted the neck drape and the train but it has the same style lines!  I kind of want to make another one, it was a pretty easy pattern to sew.

Photo Overload

This past week has been really fun but tiring. It started early on Monday, I packed up my giant bag and drove to Kaysville to help watch my niece and nephew.  We did a lot of fun things:

We walked down to the ponds to feed the ducks.

Some of the ducks were overly aggressive and they stole the bread out of Avery's hand.

Avery and I made cinnamon rolls while Parker took a nap.  She was a very good helper.

Testing the sugar/cinnamon ratio

Waiting for the rolls to rise

Parker was a cute as always!  I can't believe how fast he is growing up.

We also made masks.  Avery requested a pretty mask and a scary mask.

The orange mask is the "scary" mask

Jordan's wife Lindsey came over for dinner and played "Pretty Pretty Princess" with Avery.

Avery dressing Lindsey up in ALL the jewelry!

I also worked a little while I was at my parents' house.  I'm designing "The Marvelous Wonderettes" for the Midvale Arts Council this summer.  The musical centers around four girls in a singing group.  Act I takes place at their senior prom and Act II is at their 10 year reunion. I finally put pen and pencil to paper to get the ideas out and visualized.  If the prom dresses look familiar it's because we're renting Weber's West Side Story dresses.  I can't believe I designed those four years ago!

ACT I

ACT II

I also used the time to visit Target to update our baby registry.  I noticed this set up and I thought it was funny:

Milk Duds and a breast pump...nice.

Last week there was a police stand off in our tiny town.  Apparently a young man was threatening suicide and the police blocked off the block.  There was even some news coverage.  I think it resolved itself peacefully.  I hope.

Road closures

News vans

Main Street

Finally, TODAY.  Our friends Annie and Rob were sealed this morning at the Logan Temple.  They got married last year, six months after Rob was baptized.  They were both glowing this morning.  Happiness all around!

The happy couple

We ran errands afterwards and I found the CUTEST measuring cups at TJ Maxx.  I had pinned them on Pinterest a YEAR ago and then I found them at a discounted price!

It's a....

two posts in one day!

Just kidding, it's a...

GIRL!!!

I figured I'd cover my bases and post similar things on both blogs.  

We're so excited to meet our little girl this summer!

Graduation!!!

I picked up my gown, cap, hood and tassel today. It's so weird!  When I graduated with my bachelors degree I used my Mom's cap and gown because, why not?

I walked over to the bookstore with my friend Caroline Kennedy who is also graduating.  She's heading out on a mission this summer.  She is going to be an amazing missionary.  Look out Hungary!

I think it's funny that the graduation packet came with an instruction sheet for wearing the academic hood.  I think mine is defective because the button and loop on the back aren't on the same level.  I'll figure it out, I mean, I have a MASTERS DEGREE.

My gown and hood, the front view:

And the back view:

And my diploma, so official.

The original plan was that James and I would both walk at Commencement and potentially make it a difficult choice for our families if the college ceremonies were at the same time but... James is going to finish his project and thesis this summer instead.  It's totally fine and he'll still get his degree, just a little later.  He's not bothered by it, walking at another graduation isn't that big of a priority for him.  It's hard to believe it's been almost two years since he graduated with his bachelors.  I'm really proud of him and all his hard work.

Commencement info:

Graduate Commencement and Hooding Ceremony

Friday May 4, 2012

1:30 PM

Dee Glen Smith Spectrum

800 East 1000 North

We'll assemble at 12:30, wait a half an hour and then parade to the Spectrum.  It should be fun.  I'm glad that the graduation gowns are roomy, not that my bump is that big but there's room for both of us.

Speaking of which, the baby has been moving like CRAZY!  I can't believe how weird and wonderful it feels.  We find out next Wednesday if it is a GIRL or a BOY.  I think it's a girl.

Indian food!

Yesterday was a very productive sort of day.  I deep cleaned our bathroom, vacuumed AND I made crock pot chicken tikka masala with rice and naan. The naan was really fun to cook and it was relatively easy. I found both recipes on Pinterest so I doubt they are authentic. Authentic or not, we have some tasty leftovers in our fridge.

Here are some pictures of  cooking the naan on the stove top

I love how it bubbles up!

The finished meal!

I went to the doctor today for my usual check up.  It was really fun to have James there to hear the heartbeat (nice and strong.)  After that we scheduled our anatomy ultrasound, APRIL 4th!  I am SO excited!!!  I have an inkling that our baby is a girl.  Maybe she'll look like this as a toddler:

Overly expressive since 1985..

James likes to say it's a boy just because he's the only one who seems to think that.  He's so funny.  And busy.  He's been in and out of the water lab almost non-stop lately, poor guy...

What do YOU think?

Grandpa's funeral

We spent the weekend with my family, I just wish it would have been under happier circumstances. The viewing was on Friday night and it was actually kind of fun to see so many members of my Dad's extended family. It was also nice to be able to introduce James to great aunts and uncles. I'm glad we were able to be there to support my grandma.

There was another viewing the next day, before the funeral. It was well attended. My Dad gave the family prayer before the funeral. He did a really nice job and I teared up when called my Grandpa "Dad." Ever since my Dad was a teenager he has called his parents Boyd and LaRene rather than Mom and Dad. The only times he generally called them Mom and Dad was when something was wrong or serious.

Some of the beautiful flower arrangements at the viewing

My Dad talking to his uncle Joe by the display table

 My Grandma's brother Clark dedicated the grave and after that there were the military services.  There was the gun salute, the folding of the flag and the presenting of the flag and shells.  It was really interesting.  My Grandpa was in the army for two years during the Korean conflict but he served in Puerto Rico and California, I think.  Later, he worked for Hill Air Force Base for 30 years.

My sisters watching the services

Preparing to fold the flag

In case you can't tell from the pictures, it was really windy and cold.  After the graveside services we went back to the church for a luncheon.  It was really nice to spend the time with family.  My sisters took a lot of pictures at the viewing and luncheon.  I am too much of a chicken and a bad shot to be trusted with that responsibility.