Big Girl Sarah

Today is Sarah's 3rd birthday and she BEGGED to paint my nails because she is a "big girl" now. After she was done she blew on them and told me not to move them. She also said that they looked great and asked to paint my toes. I think I'll wait on that one, but she had fun. I'm going to keep it on for a couple days, so in case you're wondering why my nails look funky, it was Sarah. :-) (yes I know I have granny hands, I get them from my mom)

Mike's Manly, Marauding, Mischievious, Mysterious, Musical, Mid-town Mustache

Mike wanted me to show off the facial hair that only took him an entire week to grow. Sorry ladies, he's taken!


Mike's modified mustache

Steven News

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks to all of you who make our lives so full. We love you!

Steven took his first steps today. He's been practicing for a while, but decided he was ready today. He can go about five or six steps at a time. I'll post a video later. (when we take one)

I'm a nerd!

Ok, I'm really a nerd. Sometimes I try to hide, but then I do something like what I'm about to do. :-)

After watching the Twilight movie I was a little let down, but I still went back and read most of Twilight and all of Midnight sun, and now like the movie. I want to see it again and maybe since I thought it was cheesy the 1st time I can appreciate it more the next time. I think I'll torture Mike and make him come with me. If I can watch every Jazz game this year he can watch a chick flick.

So anyways, I liked it. Kristen Stewart is the perfect Bella (though I'm still not her biggest fan) and Robert Pattinson is a good enough Edward. I thought all his constant pain filled looks were over kill, but I guess that's how he was in the books. Anyways, YAY they're making the 2nd movie.

Ok, nerdom over.

Twilight

Before my movie review I should probably say that I love the book series. I didn't love the 1st two books, but I've read them all twice and Midnight Sun 1 1/2 times. I think they got better as they went, and assume the movies will be the same way.

I saw the movie yesterday and liked it. I don't love it yet, but it has grown on me since I walked out of the theater. At first Bella's actress, Kristen Stewart, really bugged me, but as I went back and re-read large parts of Twilight and Midnight Sun, that's how she is. She's a backwards, somewhat shy and slightly irritating person. I wasn't a big fan of the 1st two books, so if you loved Bella's constant inner dialogue I'm sorry, I didn't. I think that Kristen Stewart is a lot like Bella in real life, besides all the vampire stuff, so maybe that's why she bugs me. I don't think she appreciates her role, but she did a decent job. Oh well, the movie was cute. I don't think Robert Pattinson is my idea of Edward, but he did a good job. I think I'm getting old and just don't find younger men that enticing. :-)

My mom on the other hand loved it and thought it was 100% perfect. I laughed at parts that were supposed to be serious, but I think they will get better as they go. (like the books) They are making a second one that I will eagerly await and I'll probably go read some more of Midnight Sun. If you haven't read it, you should. Here is the URL: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html

Economic woes

Every conference we hear the same important lesson: live frugally. We are counseled to save our money and have a few months of expenses saved up, live within our means, don't go into debt except for important things like a home, education, and sometimes a car. We are counseled to have food storage and prepare ourselves for tough economic times.

I like the saying, and I'm probably not saying it right, "Fix it up, wear it out, make it do, or due without." I'm not good at it, but it is good counsel. We hear this, but when are we going to get it? Who cares what someone else has, if we can't afford it, we can't have it. We've become obsessed with instant gratification and the thought of saving up for something seems old fashioned to our generation. (I say we assuming I'm not the only person that spends when I shouldn't, but if you aren't one of them, just don't count yourself as a "we".)

During this past election we heard a lot of excuses and finger pointing for who got us into this mess. It was blamed on the big wigs on Wall Street, predatory lenders, corrupt execs, and everyone other than the common person.

The real blame for a lot of this mess comes from the people that signed their names on debts they could not afford. No one forced them to spend tens of thousands on credit card debt, then roll that into a home equity account and then buy a big house they couldn't afford. I know that lenders gave out loans people couldn't afford, but it is the consumer's job to figure out what is within their budget. Lenders take a snap shot of a person's financials and give them an approved amount, but from what I've seen it's usually much higher than what people can really afford. Lenders don't know our spending habits, how much we eat out, or our shoe fetishes and wasteful spending. They say what they think the person can afford and leave it up to them to be responsible enough to make the right choice. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't want to wait, they want it all now.

So much has happened as a consequence of the housing market crash. Foreclosures and bad loans have now caused some large banks and financial institutions to go bankrupt, and crippled many others. All of this happened because people bit off more than they could chew and didn't fulfill their obligations.

Please don't think I'm being holier than thou, we have cc debt, student loans and plenty of mortgages, and we now need to re-evaluate and be smarter. We've always had a budget, we just haven't always followed it. Since all this has happened I've had to be better with our wants vs. our needs. I really wanted a cute new coat last week, but I already have five. Someday I can have six, but right now I need to be content with the relative abundance I already have. I have a big closet full of clothes and although they might not all be new and fashionable, I don't need anything new right now. (although I really want a new cashmere sweater from Ann Taylor :-)

Another thing we've been hearing for years is the need to get our food storage up. Hopefully we can do this before it becomes a necessity. I'm bad at this one and need to get better.

Rather than looking to the new President for a bailout, Americans need to bail themselves out and be smarter starting today. Kids need to be taught economics early in life, but unfortunately some kids just see irresponsible parents and do the same. I remember one time when I worked at Wells Fargo I asked a tween kid if he wanted to open a savings account and he looked at me like I was crazy and said he didn't need one. As I helped his mom I could see where that came from. Parents need to teach their kids about money management, and it needs to start early.

I hope we're forced into being a more cash based society, because it will force people to live within their means more, but I guess we'll see. I think credit is great and really helpful, but people don't seem to be responsible with it.

For a while economics experts were positive about the financial state of the nation and world, but things have gotten progressively worse. Rather than being frugal and saving we're now forced to "spend" ourselves out of a recession to save our capitalistic society. (I like capitalism)

I just wanted to vent, because all of this placing the blame on everyone else is getting on my nerves. If you can't afford it Americans (including me) you can't have it. We work hard to have what we do and when someone defaults on a loan, cc or other obligation, we all pick up the tab.

Sarah the Gymnast

Last Thursday Sarah started gymnastics and loved it. Her favorite church friend Lilly is in her class, so she has two things to look forward to. I'm hoping that her rambunctiuousness was due to her excitement over something new, because the poor coach had to try and reel her in all class.


She's in the back standing next to Lilly


If you notice in this next one all the other children are listening to the coaches, but Sarah decided she should be a coach, so she insisted on being in front. They were good sports. :-)

In my daughter's eyes

Being a parent is not only incredibly fun, but can also be really humbling and eye opening.

For the last few days Sarah and I have switched roles. I am Sarah, or whatever name she gives me, and she is the mommy. Mike is always the dad, so I have to call him that or I get reprimanded and Steven either plays himself, or my little/big brother Tan or Deenan.

Mostly it's just been fun to hear her "motherly" voice tell me what to do, but she has also given me a glimpse of myself that I don't think is always flattering. Here are some of the highlights:

While putting me down for a "nap" I asked her for all the things she asks for on a daily basis. I asked her to to read me more books and she replied, "No, I'm tired, it's time for bed." I then asked her to sing me another song and she went to the door, said "hold on, I need to check my email," left the room for a minute and then came back and told me to go to bed. (I really don't think I do that one) Most of the time she did what I asked like a good mother. She would "read" me books, which consists of reciting the books she's memorized. I also think she got my singing abilities, which means she'll sing on key when she hits her early 20's. (j/k I love to hear her sing)

She has told me on a number of occasions not to take a certain tone with her and I especially like, "you can't tell me "no" because I'm the mom." How can I argue with that? (OK, I still do)

If we tried to call her Sarah, even when she was in trouble, she would correct us and say she was mom. She didn't let her guard down at all.

Last time we went to the library she said she wanted to drive, but I told her she always gets to drive since she's the mommy, so it's my turn. She insisted, but so did I. I then went to pack up some things for Steven and when I came back down she had pulled a chair over to the key rack and was trying to get my car keys. She then went into the garage and tried to open my car door and get in. She was relentless. I had to laugh. (I drove in case you're wondering) :-)

She's decided to be Sarah today, but it was fun and illuminating while it lasted. I've told her that if I'm working on the computer and she needs/wants me she can tell me to stop working and I will. So far it's been good for both of us. She's so much fun. :-)

Winter is here!

The other day it snowed (like most of you know) and my little snow bunny could not wait to go outside. Sarah LOVES the snow. I like it if I'm well bundled up.

Getting out there took more time than necissary, because Sarah wanted to wear a pink coat over her snow pants instead of her nice blue one that matches. I tried to convince her, but she wouldn't budge. I then suggested her jacket that isn't a snow jacket, but does say "princess" in pink. It worked. :-)


Then her friends came over and asked if I would "help" them make a snowman. That consisted of my rolling the snow and them telling me where to put it. :-) Sarah loves playing with the big kids, so I have to stay on their good graces. :-) We tried to build a fort, but it didn't get too far.


Here is the finished product taken with my phone. (he's wearing Sarah's sun glasses) The big kids destroyed him later in the day and we had to go on a hunt for him. Sarah thinks we found his head, but the body is still MIA. :-)

My little (BIG) boy

Steven turned 9 months a couple weeks ago, so I wanted to dedicate a little blog about how these last nine months have gone. One word: Wonderful (you can read on for more details) I know this is more like a post for his 1st b-day, but I couldn't wait any longer.

Name: Steven(after Mike and his Dad) Douglas (my dad)

Birthday: January 25, 2008
He was very eager to join our family. At 32 weeks I went into early labor. They were able to stop it, but I was on bed rest until 36 wks. After that we were ready, but he wanted to tease us a little. I had a couple false labors that took sent us to the hospital with anticipation, but when he finally decided to come, it was time. At 39 weeks, he decided to come on the day I was set to be induced. I arrived at the hospital and 29 minutes later he was born. Many of you might be thinking I had him natural, but he would have come after 15 min had I not insisted, and then waited for, an epidural. I arrived at the hospital just in time and Mike and I are grateful they worked so fast. :-)

He weighed 7lbs 8 oz (exactly like Sarah) and was 20in long


Since then he has been nothing but a pleasure. As an infant the only time he cried was when he was hungry or tired.

He loves to smile, and doesn't discriminate in who he gives them to.
March

April

May

June

July

August

September (hmmm, they are almost all of Sarah)

October


He has been a really good eater since the beginning. I only just switched him to the bottle. (little sharp teeth. Sorry guys) Like I said above, he does get mad when he's hungry. If we don't feed him fast enough he yells at us. His favorites are multi grain Cheerios, carrots, cheese and peaches. He does well with baby food, but loves what we're eating, especially lasagna.

Thankfully he hasn't gone through any stranger phases yet. Mike's parents watch them all the time, and he never seems to miss us. He's a total momma's boy, but thankfully doesn't freak out (yet?) when I leave.

I just took him to his 9mo checkup and he weighs 19 1/2 lbs (Sarah weighs 27), is 29 1/4 long, and has a big noggin at 20 in.

He already shows a preference for books. Like his sister he likes ABC books. I think it's the rhythm of the song and the variety of pictures. If I try and read a book he doesn't like he'll look down at the other books and squirm until I get one he likes. Then he tries to "turn" the pages, which means grabbing them and eating them.

He loves the cat. Mosey might attack us, but she is so patient with our kids. Steven chases her around all day and laughs when Mosey swipes at her. (she's declawed)

He loves to play tag. If you crawl around he'll squeal in delight and chase you around the house. He's really jumpy, but loves when you jump out and scare him.

He loves it when Mike comes home and lights up the moment he sees his dad.

He completely loves Sarah. She can look at him and say "Boo" and he'll bust up every time. Thankfully she loves him right back and they can play together.

He loves to pull hair and is a pro at intertwining his fingers and pulling. He's also a bit of a biter, but every time I tell him no I hurt his feelings.

He can climb up our entire flight or stairs, can cruise around holding onto furniture, and starting a couple days ago he can stand up w/o holding on to anything. This boy is all over the place. Nothing is safe. I knew a boy would be different, but holy cow, I have to watch him all the time. :-)


He really is just all energy and all boy. I love him so much and am grateful to be his mom. (ditto for Sarah, her post will come later in the month after her B-day :-)

Last Halloween post, I promise

Here are the rest of the pics of our fun Halloween

Sarah actually enjoyed giving out treats more than collecting them. (yes, she is mine) When we went to our wards trunk-or-treat she got through half the cars and then said she didn't want anymore candy and wanted to go home. On Halloween she waited patiently for kids to come by and said she was guarding the candy. I finally had to call some big kids over so she could hand out candy.


Then we went to our friends annual Halloween party. Thanks again Ann! Sarah had so much fun. A little girl showed up wearing a princess costume and she and Sarah became instant best friends. After complimenting eachother they hugged and started twirling around. So cute!



Sarah insisted we wear those glasses and they made me a bit dizzy. :-)

And last but definitely not least, Mike's wonderful pumpkin creations. Oh the hours he spent on these gems. :-) By the time Sarah's was done, Steven's looked like a shrunken old man's head, but I think they turned out great for his first try. I can't wait to see what he does next year.