Yoga

I went to a yoga class the other night with some of my friends. While there were aspects of it that I was really looking forward to - getting out of the house without any kids, working on getting back into shape, hanging out with my friends... I had some concerns. Would I make a fool out of myself? Was I so out of shape that I wouldn't be able to keep up? Did my clothes sufficiently hide the baby weight?? (They turned the lights way down low which helped to ease my self consciousness.) I was stretching and twisting along side women who have spent the last 9 months staying in shape and eating for one. It was all a little intimidating! I wasn't as graceful as the others and I moaned and groaned quite a few times. There were also a few awkward moments when the constant charlie horse I had in my left foot made my toes look all funny and twisted, but I guess I did okay. Now I just have to make sure I go back!

Things you forget

Even though Shelby is my fourth child, I still ask questions and stress about things like she is my first. It's an adventure each time and you easily forget some of the baby basics. Such as... babies don't sleep at night and neither do you. They spit-up everywhere, especially if you have just put a new shirt on. Your laundry triples due to the fact that you are now washing onesies, pj's, blankets, burp clothes, sheets, and all the spit-stained clothes from you and your husband. Your baby, no matter when she last ate, will want to eat again the moment you try to get in the shower, do chores, work on the computer, teach or sleep. And they will poop or pee on you if you don't change them quickly enough! I definitely have had a refresher course over the last month! But as I look at her cute little face that changes with every day and every expression, as I wait to see her first smile, smell her hair as I am holding her and play with her sweet little tiny hands and feet... it's not hard to remember that it's all worth it!

Thoughts

I have been thinking a lot lately about how blessed I am in my life. It is amazing to me how much love and support I recieve from my family and friends. Tuesday night while I was at New Beginnings I listened to one of my friends speak on the value "Good Works". She is such a reflection of that!! Last summer when I was in the depths of morning sickness, she showed up on my doorstep with a care package. She hardly knew me back then, and couldn't possibly have known how sick I was. But she felt inspired to visit me. She brought me a bunch of things that would help fight off my nausea. I was so touched by her thoughtfulness! It was a simple thing for her to do, but it meant the world to me. I am realizing the value of true friendship and I am so grateful for all those who have blessed my life with theirs! I have also realized that moving away didn't diminish my relationships with friends and family that were left behind. If anything, it has strengthened and deepened over the last year. I have loved being able to email, talk on the phone, visit and BE visited... I often forget that I am so far away. I am also grateful for the opportunity I have had to meet so many wonderful sisters up here. You all are such terrific examples of love, support and acceptance - thank you for that!! I also am so thankful for my family and Matt's family. We both have been blessed with loved ones that are always there for us no matter what. We are so lucky to have such wonderful parents, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews... that offer their unconditional love and support. Not to mention that they are a fun bunch of people to be with and we always look forward to our time together! Thanks so much to everyone - especially over this last month with the birth of Shelby. So many phone calls, emails, visits, gifts... (I will never get caught up on all my Thank You cards!) I am so grateful for all of you. Thank you for being such wonderful blessings in our lives!
Last, but not least, I have to express my gratitude towards my amazing and loving husband. He always makes me feel loved and beautiful even when I have bloodshot eyes, messy hair and throw-up on my shirt. He never fails to support me and give encouragement. His unconditional love is a strength that keeps me going on those bad days (friends that just had babies you know what I am talking about!) I am reminded daily all of the reasons that I fell in love with this man and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to spend eternity with him. I love you sweetie! Thank you for being who you are and for loving me!!

President's Day Weekend

My parents came up to visit over the holiday weekend. After grandma and grandpa got a chance to stretch their legs and play with the kids we took a drive out to Hardware Ranch to see the elk. It was such a beautiful drive too! Christopher's sharp eyes spotted at least 40 deer along the way. When we got to the ranch it was a sight to behold - over 500 head of elk! There was even a sleigh ride that offered a close up view of these beautiful creatures. We considered going, but the line was long and the weather too cold, so we opted to use our binocculars instead.
When we got back, grandma and grandpa checked into their hotel and invited the kids to sleep-over. Everyone changed into their swimming suits and took a dip in the pool and a soak in the hot tub. It was a relaxing end to a really fun day.
On Sunday, we celebrated Christopher's birthday again. Grandma made her famous Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes - YUMMY!!
On Monday, grandma and I were able to slip away for a little while to go shopping for a blessing dress. We found a beautiful dress and I can't wait to see her in it!
We are so glad that my parents could come up and visit! We had so much fun with them and were sad to see them go. Thanks mom and dad for everything, we love you!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Christopher!

Yesterday was Valentines Day, but more importantly it was Christopher's 13th Birthday! Yes, it's true folks - he is officially a teenager now. How scary is that?? Before I know it he's going to be driving and dating, then leaving on a mission... I don't know if we are ready for this!

Christopher got out of school early yesterday due to Parent/Teacher Conferences so he, Matt and I had a lunch date. We went to a local Mexican resterant, El Toro Viejo. Matt made sure that the waitress knew we had a birthday boy - thus the picutre of Christopher in the big Sombrero. He was so embarrased, but happy to get the treat they brought out! He has been proudly showing off the polaroid they took of the event ever since. After lunch Christopher and I went birthday shopping at the mall. He is at the age where I can no longer predict what he will/won't like so I don't even try anymore. It's a lot easier to take him with me and have him pick it out - that way I don't have to stand in the return line with a rejected present. Anyway, we had a great time! He found a pair of shoes that he loved and a jacket that was "so cool" at the skate shop. We had a fun Valentine's/Birthday dinner last night complete with cinnamon rolls as a substitute for the b-day cake since neither Christopher or Matt like cake - but both love cinnamon rolls! Christopher doesn't have school today or Monday, so he is planning a fun get together with his friends this weekend. Right now he is outside shoveling snow off the driveway so that he can practice on his skateboard. I wonder how long until the cold sends him back in?
Matt is taking a "paternity" day off from work today. I love that! He actually gets 6 weeks paternity leave, but since he is leaving next month for 10 days to go on an international trip to England, Dubai and India he can't take much more than a few days here and there. I am happy to have him around. Today he is fixing my car. The driver side door refused to open last week. We have been waiting for the part to come in to see if Matt can fix it. I am crossing my fingers - it isn't that easy to crawl across the passenger seat everytime I get in and out. Not to mention how it must look to people...

I've Been Tagged.....

My friend Carey tagged me...Here's how you play:

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player tags 4 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they are tagged.

10 years ago I: Had just quit my job at Zions Bank and had my second child - Shannon Paige. I was also in the beginning years of teaching vocal lessons and had about 8 students at that time. We lived in a duplex in Payson and I was the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society.

5 things on my to do list today:

1. Buy a birthday present for Christopher
2. Get Valentines Day card for Matt
3. Buy Valentine card/treats for the kids to take to school tomorrow
4. Find a dress that will fit me to wear to a Mother/Daughter dinner tonight
5. Do laundry

did I do any of these things today? Didn't get to the laundry.... oh well!

Things I would do if I became a billionaire: I would buy a new vehicle to accomodate my growing family. I would pay someone to teach ME voice and piano so I could get better! I would have my husband quit his job so that we could play and go camping whenever we wanted. I would go back to school. I would put my kids in swimming, dance, soccer, ti-kwan-do, piano, whatever they wanted to try. I would want to travel with my family - EVERYWHERE! I would buy property and make investments. I would finish remodeling the house. I would start several businesses and have my kids work there.

3 of my bad habits:
1. Procrastinating
2. Drinking too much pop
3. Eating too much sugar

5 places I've lived:
1. Payson, Ut (North East side of town)
2. Payson, Ut (South East side of town)
3. Provo, Ut (BYU campus)
4. Provo, Ut (West - on Geneva Road)
5. Smithfield, Ut

5 jobs I've had:
1. Santa's elf - took pictures of kids on Santa's lap
2. McDonald's
3. Piano Accompanist for BYU vocal students
4. Zions Bank - teller, FSR, loans
5. Piano and Vocal teacher

Something most people don't know about me: I have a hard time telling people no. I do not like fish, or seafood of anykind. My middle name is Laretta.

I tag...
1. Michelle
2. Ramona
3. Cami
4. Anyone else have their blog up yet?

Two weeks and growing.....

Shelby definitely went through a growth spurt this last week... She weighed in at 6lbs 8oz at her two-week appointment on Thursday and was 20 inches long! Did I tell you she was a good eater?! She also seems to be doing better with her jaundice. We had to go back to the hospital yesterday for another test - just to make sure that her numbers are staying down. I haven't heard from the doctor yet, which is good news! I will post an update when we find out!

Shelby is almost two weeks old and doing great! Just to update everyone, when she was 4 days old the doctor had her put on phototherapy due to the high count of bilirubin in her blood. She had to be on them 24/7 for 5 days. She tolerated them so well too. Much better than I did... It was hard for me not to be able to snuggle with her whenever I wanted. Every day we went back to the hospital for another test and every day her numbers kept dropping. Over the weekend the doctor said she was doing well enough that she could come off the lights for good. Yeah!! I have hardly put her down since. We are so thankful that she is healthy! She is such a sweet baby and we love having her in our family!