Thoughts from Paige:

Dear reader,

My name is Paige. I'm only 4 months old but already I am assessing the situation of my life and coming to the conclusion that certain changes need to be enacted. Primarily, my mom tends to be a flibbertigibbet space-cadet who forgets to document the significant events of my life (and I have had many.) Therefore I must take matters into my own hands - which I have recently discovered taste sooo good - and summarize a few things which have occurred over the last 4 months.

1st: A week after I as born my Grandma Nordstrom came to visit.

She took care of both mommy and me. At night she'd cuddle and snuggle me until I stopped fussing and fell asleep, and then would take me to mommy when I was hungry.

This taught me my very first

lesson of life: love. I am loved. It also quickly instilled the concept of day versus night. It was good for mommy to have her mommy's company all day long; they went out to eat, some shopping, and in my opinion, overdid it just a bit. Either way, I know mommy was so grateful to have Grandma with her.

2nd: About a month after she left, my Grammy Thuet came. Mommy was in so much pain and struggling with the doctor's news that there was nothing they could do but let all the internal tearing heal on its own "it can take a few months." Plus they told her I needed to eat more frequently because I was too skinny...whatever. I look great. Anyway, she was pretty desperate, but luckily Grammy was able to come out for a weekend and what a relief it was to mommy!

3rd: Next came my first Halloween, but mommy did post that one, amazingly enough.

4th: I was anxious to meet Papa

Nordstrom,

so out to Washington mommy and I flew. This was such a relaxing trip, especially to mommy. She hardly wanted to leave the house; just stay in the cozy home and hang out with her parents. I was introduced to Liverpool Rummy, Rancho Viejo, and wild animals that fly into the house. I

also met some of mommy's high school friends: Lexi and Ryan. But mommy told you about this trip, so lets move on.

5th: 2 weeks later I had my first road trip. An eleven hour

drive to Chatanooga, TN

to see aunt Natalie, uncle Shane,

and cousin Collin and Lydia. Mommy posted a couple of photos/videos from this, but she left out how aunt Natalie babysat

me while my parents went on a date to see some movie called New Moon, followed by a visit to the cupcake bakery.

Natalie brought

mommy breakfast in bed, and uncle Shane made his famous pancake designs. And then we drove to the home of Natalie's friend

and had Thanksgiving dinner! We were sad to go home.

6th: Lastly, I met Santa!! I want to be just like him

when I grow up! Fat and red? Well, maybe I'll just stick to looking like one of his elves.

7th: We're

going to Vegas for Christmas! So much to look

forward to!

I'll keep you updated even if mommy is slightly scatter-brained.

- Paige Thuet

Cooking Spree and Dinner Party Flop

For the last 2 weeks I feel my life has regained a small semblance of sanity and structure; it almost feels like we have a schedule - almost. Nevertheless, I took advantage of the respite to attend a few of my slightly neglected responsibilities, for instance, feeding my family. Well, Paige gets her meals, but I mean Dave and me.

Tuesday I awoke feeling refreshed from a baby sleeping from 10pm to 5am! (Yeah, hasn't happened since.) So I awoke and made scrambled eggs and the Barefoot Contessa's sour cream banana pancakes. Dave, Paige, and I all had breakfast in bed.

next came a triple batch of homemade granola, and then I experimented with cream cheese fettucini alfredo with citrus steamed vegetables and pecan parmesen chicken. Mmmm.

Wednesday I made a dish I loved, but Dave chose to take parmesan chicken for leftover lunch instead. It was a teriyaki rice bowl with sesame seed oil dressing.

Thursday I again consulted the Contessa and used her chicken stew recipe to make the best chicken pot pie I've EVER tasted! Wow.

Friday morning I spent the day in the kitchen. Because I left my sling in Tennessee I had to improvise (thus the photo with Paige in my apron.) Then when I didn't want to be holding Paige I put her in the bedroom and rigged up a floor fan to blow the ceiling fan just enough to keep Paige's attention without being too fast. I dangled something for her to look at as well. (Please ignore the bare walls and unmade bed.)

That morning we enjoyed the granola and ate fresh fudgy banana muffins (Hershey chocolate in the center.) Then I spent the rest of the day preparing for a few dinner guests in honor of a hopeful dental student staying with us while he interviewed. I made bacon spanish rice, garlic black beans, coca-cola pork, and a green tomatillo/ranch dressing. Kind of Cafe Rio style. For dessert we simply had homemade hot chocolate and cinnamon pecan twist bread.

Sound impressive? Allow me to tell you what a flop the whole thing was! First, I made the pecan bread dough early thing in the morning to give it plenty of time and get it out of the way. Unfortunately, I let the "warm" oven get a little too warm and instead of simply rising the whole outside of the dough baked. I had to scrape it off and use only the gooey half in the middle. Then I kept it in the oven until it was time to bake. What I didn't realize was with all the stove stop cooking the oven would still get hot enough to melt the brown sugar inside the bread and so when it finally baked it was flat with a puddle of brown (sugar) oozing out of it. Luckily it still tasted good.

Next, the black beans were kept hot in a crock pot after baking on the stove - they turned into mush looking like black refried beans.

The rice: I didn't notice the recipe said "Serves 40 people." Need I say more.

Hot chocolate: I love dark bitter chocolate and so it didn't occur to me that perhaps "add coco powder to taste" might have negative repercussions. No one finished their cup but me.

But the real kicker, I didn't even taste my food until it was cold because my baby decided to throw her first full on, inconsolable, fit. I spend the first 45 minutes back in the bedroom trying to calm her while everyone else ate.

At least the company was nice, and the fact that Dave cleaned the kitchen.

Baby Blessing

Paige was blessed by her daddy on November 15th. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of her that day for two reasons: 1st, I left my camera memory card in Washington; and 2nd, she had a blow out shortly after her blessing. It was daddy who discovered the mess, but when I checked for an extra outfit I realized I had not packed one. Paige spent the rest of church in only a diaper with a blanket wrapped around her. When I was home and preparing to clean her blessing dress I could not find a stain anywhere. When I asked Dave where it got on her dress he said it hadn't, just her tights. Um... so why did our child go around church naked when there was a perfectly clean dress she could have worn? Oh, he hadn't thought of that. What a silly daddy you have Paige.

The little dress may look slightly old, and that is because it is. It is the same dress all four of us sisters wore for our blessings, and now both granddaughters have been blessed in it as well.

I dressed her up a few days later.

What do you think she is trying to communicate with this face?

A busy day of playing

Mommy and I had a nice day just spending time together, though I did have a little "free" time in the dry tub so I could enjoy nakedness without her worrying about a mess...I'm not quite sure what she's talking about.

.

By the end of the day I was pretty tuckered out

Cousin Time

Paige and Collin just hanging out.

Amphibian babysitters

p.s. I know fish are not technically classified as amphibians (Fish are a separate classification simply called "fish": they are not amphibians, which include frogs, toads, newts and salamanders. A major difference between the two classifications is that amphibians breathe using gills or spiracles when they are young and develop lungs as they grow: fish rely on gills for their entire lives.) But whatever, they still do a great job temporarily distracting my little munchkin.

Like mother like daughter

My family may recall a certain stuffed puppy tagging along with me throughout my childhood. Looks like Paige is on the same track. Though I don't recall ever eating mine...

Thanks Grandma for the early Christmas present. Your granddaughter gnaws on it while falling asleep, or as shown in the photos, while having her diaper changed.

I wonder if she'll keep hers in her nightstand after she's married, too? I do.

Say what?!

Paige was a little surprised when the doctor informed her that thanks to Grandma Nordstrom's good old home cookin', her weight has jumped from the 2nd% to the 11th%!

Three months old, 22 inches and 10lbs 60z.

Thanks Grandma and Papa for keeping both your granddaughter and daughter well fed and plump.

Getting an early start...

"Personal Trainer" Wii giveaway

Check out Natalie's giveaway! http://shane-natalie.blogspot.com/

Time with Grandma and Grandpa

"Daddy, I miss you." says 3-month old Paige. "It's cold over here in Spokane, but I'm always being cuddled so I don't really notice. I know you're back home in Iowa and must be missing me because I'm so cute, so I've just asked Mommy to post a few random pictures and videos so you won't feel so lonely.

As you can see, Great Grandma Severe, Great Aunt Pam, and 2nd cousin Cayman came over from Pendleton, OR to visit me. I have to say, Cayman is the most attentive baby-sitter.

I must apologize for this video. Grandpa was talking to me, but Mama's camera battery went dead. So I'll fill in the blank. He was talking to me about how long I've been waiting to come to Earth and get my chance to grow up. He was reminding me I had just left the presence of my Heavenly Father (as if I needed reminding. Why do you think I spontaneously smile in my sleep?)
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Here is a video of Grandma bathing me. Grandpa came in too and so I tried to splash them both. I made them laugh and coo (I seem to frequently have that effect on them.)

All in all it has been a relaxing vacation. I think mommy especially appreciates the amply-supplied refrigerator and fully stocked cupboards. Not to mention her laundry being done, a jacuzzi tub, and plenty of babysitters.

We're going out to eat tonight. It was going to be some place called Rancho Viejo (so I could be initiated into the family) but I think we're opting for Italian. Unfortunately, I don't get to taste it until tomorrow.

I love you daddy. Oh, and don't forget to call mommy regularly. She really misses you, too"

I've converted to Marsupialism

Dave and I have taken an interest in the Pediatric advice offered by William Sears M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N. Perhaps you are familiar with some of their books. They adhere closely to the idea that the more physical interaction a baby has with its parents the more that child will thrive.

Their theories are not the only theories that can work, but much of what they say feels right to Dave and me and the way we want to approach parenting (initially at least.)

I believe much of their advice would not "sit right" with many parents, such as sleeping next to, or very near, your child so that the baby never learns to fear going to sleep. But there is one of their ideas that I particularly like: "wear your baby."

They suggest a sling. You can choose from hundreds online, but I thought most were a bit pricey for me, so Dave found instructions on how to make your own, and that's what I did. I paid $8 for the fabric (enough to make two), and $5 for the special sling rings we ordered online (don't use ones from crafts stores, they weren't meant to hold that kind of weight.)

I won't parrot the psychological and emotionalbenefits received by both mother and baby, but I will throw in my support regarding its convenience!

I was shopping at Wal-mart with Paige in her car seat. She quickly reached her limit of shopping and passionately declared her dislike for it. Out of the car seat and into the sling she went. When it became obvious she was just hungry I found a discreet isle. got her latched on, and then walked around with her all covered (by the long sash). When we got home I put her back in the sling and she again nursed, but this time she did it all by herself and both my hands were freed up to carry groceries inside - I haven't been able to do that again, but I'm working on it.

I carry her while I do my hair and make-up, while making dinner, conducting the Relief Society music, or just tidying up. She watches everything I do, and when she gets tired I take her out of the kangaroo hold and slide her into the cradle hold where she can easily fall asleep and stay asleep. Oh, and Dave can use it, too.

I'm flying to Spokane today and I'll keep Paige in the sling in the airport and plane. This will hopefully keep her more calm, making feeding her easier, and protect her from potentially virus-infected admirers. There are lots of other ways to wear your baby in a sling, but she isn't old enough for those yet. So we're trying this out for awhile to see how we like it. So far so good.

Good Morning Blow-out!

This morning Dave was searching the house for a certain dental book. He finally found it in a tub under the bed. By the time he found it he was running behind and didn't have time to push it back under. I am so grateful he was running behind...

About an hour after Dave's departure I was just finishing feeding Paige when I looked at her and noticed her diaper was on the verge of seeping out the edge of her legs. "Time to change you!" I swept her into my arms and had just stood up when an explosion erupted. I was momentarily stunned as liquid shrapnel splattered across my chest, down my bare legs, and onto my toes. A nice smattering of bowel-juice ended up on the carpet, but not as much as there should have been. Why? The plastic bin of the morning was miraculously in the exact spot to bear the brunt of the gooey onslaught. I still spent a good portion of my morning scrubbing clothing, carpet, and body, but I was able to do it cheerfully knowing it could have been much worse.

What a bright beginning to the day!

My first Halloween!

Thanks Grandma Nordstrom for the little pumpkin costume! We'll see you in a few days! Hurray!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Doctor check-up

Paige is now 7 weeks.

She is in the 2 % for weight at 7lb & 6 1/2 oz

The 4 % for head circumference

And the 5 % for length

So she's small; I'm not worried. She is happy, sleeps well, eats well, is gaining weight, and has no problem filling her diaper. In fact, as long is she is healthy, I love how tiny she is.

Now we just have to get her mom healed up...

Looking at Daddy