Monday, December 31, 2007

Anniversary and Dog Doors

Rob and I celebrated our 3rd Anniversary this weekend. He was in charge this year (we take turns planning the Anniversary date) and we went to PF Changs to start off with for a nice dinner. He then took me up to the Hyatt at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale and we went on a private Gondola ride. The hotel is gorgeous and since it was a little chilly - it wasn't a very crowded night. We had a private ride on the water (with candles on the edge of the boat and plenty of blankets piled on for warmth) and our guide sang us an Italian love song. It was a perfectly clear sky and a fun little experience. We had to laugh though becuase we kept blowing people away that we were on our 3rd year of MARRIAGE and not just dating. I know we look young but do we really look that young?! After the Gondola ride we went for ice cream at the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale. It was a perfect evening! And Ellie was great for her grandparents that were watching her that night which made it that much more enjoyable. Of course my camera was in my diaper bag which was not with me so I have no pictures of the night!

This weekend came the day that I have been dreading. Eliza finally figured out how to get out the doggy door. The first time she did it I was more concerned with saving her than taking the picture (there is a little drop outside the door before our concrete patio). But of course getting a little stuck the first time wasn't going to stop her and it was only a matter of minutes before she was trying it again. This time I had my camera ready.




I really am beginning to think that Ellie thinks she is one of the dogs! She has no desire to walk anymore. She pulls up on furniture and walks around that way and will scoot boxes around and walk behind them but hates when we hold her hands and try and "help" her walk. She can stand up for a few seconds at a time but really would rather be crawling everywhere - probably because she realizes that she is just much faster that way. I thought for sure that she would be walking by the end of the year since she has been crawling since the end of September but just goes to show that these little ones will do things on their own time schedule! Ellie's favorite thing to do is crawl after the dogs and then hold onto them and let them drag her around the house. I am trying to capture it on camera since she just laughs and laughs and laughs when Max lets her do this. I love that my dogs are so good with her. Although I still hate all the shedding that they do!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Zoolights

Rob's Grandma DeYoung decided last weekend that she wanted to take all of her great grandkids in Arizona to Zoolights. I've been wanting to go for a while but wasn't sure if Ellie would really enjoy it this year yet but we figured we should take the opportunity. It was the Saturday before Christmas so it was absolutely packed!! But Ellie loved it. She rode on Rob's shoulders most of the time (which is her favorite spot to be) so I don't know if it was that or the lights that she loved. Either way though she stayed up past her bedtime and was happy!

Family picture

Ellie & Dad

Almost all of my nieces and nephews (missing the new baby Shar)

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Baby's First Christmas


We had a lot of fun today enjoying Eliza's first Christmas - even if she had no idea what was going on! She woke us up bright and early at 7 a.m. this morning (after a middle of the night screaming session since she is teething) so we decided that we might as well get up and open presents.

I've had a hard time keeping her away from the bows on the presents but she didn't really want anything to do with unwrapping them. Since her birthday is coming up in 7 weeks - we got her 3 little presents for under $30: a Playskool Pop Up animals toy, some Macarana toys that play music, count, etc., and a few balls. So far the balls have been the favorite since she can roll them and chase after them (I'm worried she is taking after the dogs a little too much).


Rob and I got the video game "Rock Band" for Christmas. And yes, I really am becoming a video game fan with these musical games! Rock Band lets you form your own little band with a singer, drummer, and two guitar players (one plays bass). Our friends Nicole and Jason came over and played with us for a little bit and then we had my Uncle Vern and cousins Jacob, Jessica, and Natalie came over this afternoon for an early Christmas dinner and many rounds of Rock Band.

I'm normally very stringent on my nap schedule for Ellie unless we are traveling or it's a holiday or something. Today I tried to get her down for her afternoon nap but she wanted nothing to do with it. I figured it was Christmas and I would just put her to bed early. We put her in her high chair for her snack and we were loudly playing Rock Band in the same room when we caught this:

Made me feel a little guilty! I guess all the excitement of the day got to her.

We were able to spend Christmas Eve dinner with Rob's family last night and then I came home and was able to talk to all my brothers and my dad on a conference call last night. It was already half way through Christmas day in Korea when we talked to my brother Kevin! So crazy. It's so fun to hear the missionary experiences of my brothers - even though I miss them!

I know this is a long post already but I have to share a cute little story about my neice Avery who is 2 1/2. Rob's brother Warren is in the process of building this massive playground in their backyard. It was supposed to be a surprise from the parents on Christmas and amazingly they were able to keep it a secret pretty well. The playground is 3 stories high (taller then the house) if that gives you any idea. Avery went out and saw it this morning and said "My daddy built me a Castle". Through the eyes of a 2 year old - it really does look like a castle! I will post pictures of it as soon as they are finished building it.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Santa Pictures

I took Ellie to get Santa Pictures done at the mall today. I fully expected them NOT to go well since it seems like most kids do not like Santa until they are a little older. And let's be honest - Ellie doesn't even like hardly anyone besides Rob and I to even hold her. But I wanted the picture anyway! So we put her in her cute Christmas dress and headed to the mall. The line was quite short and Ellie had fun looking at Santa's village and smiling at everyone in line and laughing at the little kids. Of course I had to be in the picture with her (which I was not quite prepared for) and she still was trying to climb up me and get away from Santa. But here is the Santa picture for 2007: (Sorry for the poor quality - I had to scan it)

Saturday, December 15, 2007

10 Months and New Niece

Eliza is 10 months old today!! I can't believe my baby is almost a year old.

The new cheesy smile that pulls whenever she sees the camera



Rob's sister Brett had her little girl Sharon yesterday. We went and saw her this morning. She is a cutie! So chubby for a brand new baby and she makes lots of cute little baby noises. (Almost makes me want another baby but then I remember I have to go through being pregnant again and realize that I can wait awhile to try that one again). She was 7 lbs 12 ounces and 18 inches long. Brett was scheduled for a c-section on the 21st but Sharon decided she didn't want to wait that long. So she arrived 2 1/2 weeks early which was just fine by her mom!

Holding the new baby

Look at how chubby Sharon's little cheeks are!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Little Miss Piggy

Our Eliza has a new nickname of Little Miss Piggy. She's never had a problem with eating but now that she has been exposed to grown up food - I think her love has grown! No one can eat around her without her crawling over really fast and pulling herself up to try and get a taste. First she tries the cute tactice where she smiles up at you and laughs a little. If that doesn't work she goes for the whining tactice. And lastly she will break out the tears if you don't give her at least a taste. If Eliza sees you chewing she will try and open your mouth (and will try this other times too - just to make sure you aren't eating without her). And she readily gives out kisses if there is food involved. It's quite hilarious the little personality she already has!

Christina posted about these Brilliant Bows (www.brilliantbows.com) on her blog and I had to try them out for myself. I love them! They stay in Eliza's hair amazingly well. I don't understand how the lady makes them but I'm a loyal customer now! Especially since headbands were just not working anymore and I just think bows on little girls are so cute.


Monday, December 10, 2007

Green Thumb

I really don't have much of a green thumb when it comes to gardening. In fact, those who know me probably remember that I'm not good at keeping any plants alive. That is until we moved to this house with these amazing rose bushes! Rob's mom usually has to remind me to trim them each year and I hardly remember to water them .. .but somehow this is what I cut off last week (just a small sample):


I don't know how I managed to grow giant roses but they sure smell good!

Friday, December 07, 2007

What Iowans Should Know About Mormons article

I found this article very interesting and worth a read. Let me know what you think.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119698509824016464.html?mod=googlenews_ws

Thursday, December 06, 2007

10 Month Check-up

Eliza had her 10 month check up yesterday. Well really it was supposed to be her 9 month but we were in the middle of changing insurance so we had to move it back a few weeks.

Stats:

Weight: 18 lbs 14 oz. (50%)
Height: 28 (50%)
Head Circumfrence: 43 1/2 (25%)

So for all the comments I have gotten about her head being big . .. it's really not! I think it's just round and looks bigger. :) I'm amazed that in the last 4 months she hasn't even quite gained 2 pounds but I guess that's what happens when they are mobile.

I took this picture the other morning when we were about to leave on a walk with my friend Christina and her daughter Elaya. We walk a few mornings a week together and lately it's been super cold in the mornings (and then warms up to the 70's) so we've had to bundle the little girls up! We keep thinking that we need to adjust our walking time but we can't seem to get the girl's nap schedule coordinated to pull that one off.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Grateful Sunday

In my blog hopping, I've come across quite a few people who do a Grateful Sunday post. I think it's a great idea - especially in light of Elder Eyring's recent talk in conference about recognizing God's kindness. Not to mention it's a great time of year to be thankful! Anyway . . . today I am grateful for:

* Eliza sleeping in until 7:15 (believe me - much better than the 6 a.m. she has woken up at for the last 4 months).

* The Ensign magazine. The holiday season has been a little depressing to me since my mom passed away but there was a whole section in it that I read today about people feeling the same way and ways to get into the "holiday spirit". Just what I needed to read!

* My Primary kids - all of them! I come home many Sundays completely exhausted and spend lots of time thinking about them . .. but I love my calling and getting to work with them. I am so impressed by some of them who have strong enough testimonies to come WITHOUT their parents. They are examples to me!

* Christmas pajamas. I think I have 7 or 8 pair of Christmas pajamas in my dresser right now and I love putting them on each evening since it brings back good memories. And I'm thankful that they fit again since last year at this time I could only look at them! :)

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Family Christmas Presents


I need some help! Now that it's December 1st, I'm realizing that I need to get going on my Christmas shopping. Rob's family has recently switched to each being assigned a sibling and giving them a present(s) that their whole family can enjoy. While I love this idea and normally can come up with some good ideas - I'm a loss this year! We have his brothers family which consists of the parents Warren & Melissa and then their 4 kids - Lance (8), Eden (5/6), Avery (2 1/2), and the baby Kimbel (6 months). My go-to present was always movies and games for families but they don't play many board games and seem to own about every children's movie. Any ideas?!

Then there are always the parent presents! Why are Dads always so hard to buy for? And I need a good present for my mother-in-law too. Rob won't give me any help since he would wait until Christmas Eve to go shopping and that doesn't work for me. I've tried the - you buy for your parents and I'll buy for mine - but I've given up.

Any ideas would be appreciated. I feel like I've lost my creative side since I became a mom! I thought it would be the opposite . . . .lol

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Hide & Seek

Eliza likes to play hide and seek with me. Since she has gotten so fast at crawling - I turn away for a second and have to go on a hunt to find her. Lately I've been taking my camera with me on my hunts since she ends up in the funniest places. Take for example - the dog cage:
Or the shower:

Or climbing into my suitcase to get the box of candy (I guess she is going to inherit my sweet tooth):

Airport Fun

No trip is complete without some crazy airport story! On our way to Utah - the only problem was that our flight was delayed an hour and we had already gotten to the airport super early in anticipation of all the crowds they talked about on the news. I don't know where all those people were because it was the shortest lines ever for security. Fast forward to Monday morning when we are going to the SLC airport to get back to Phoenix. We arrive at the airport about 50 minutes before our flight due to some heavy traffic at 9:00 am on a Monday morning. We skycap all of our luggage and have assigned seats on Delta so we aren't worried. The Security Line is busy but moves very fast. Rob puts his bag through first and they take a really long time looking at it. I was teasing him about trying to sneak something on the plane when they decided that they needed to go through his bag in more detail. They thought they saw bullets in his bag so in addition to the inspector, we now have police man that come running over. Rob gets asked a lot of questions - was in the army (yes), did he have any bullets in his bag (no), etc. They take out everything and can't find anything and we have more and more security people there with us. I'm starting to get a little antsy since we're getting closer and closer to the time where we should be boarding the plane. But the security people are in no hurry. They run the bag again and this time discover that Rob did have bullets in his bag! He had taken this carry on bag with him camping a few weeks ago and took one of his guns along and apparently some of the bullets had slid down into the lining. There really wasn't a way for him to tell they were there! The security people were really nice about it but it still took another 15 minutes to fill out the paperwork. Apparently you can have up to 19 bullets before you would get in trouble. We were laughing about that one because where did they get that number? Anyway - it was a pretty funny experience. But now we are down to 5 minutes before our plane is supposed to leave. So as soon as they finish the paperwork - we are RUNNING through the airport. People were laughing at us because we were booking it - Rob holding Ellie and I have the huge diaper bag packed full. We were on a Delta connection flight so of course it's the furthest possible gate from where we were and then we had to go outside and to the end of another concourse. But we made it!

Unfortunately the fun didn't stop there. Ellie was pretty good on the flight but of course wanted to be active. Her favorite thing was to peek in between the seats at the people behind us and laugh at them. Luckily we had nice people that would smile back at her. We get to the point of descending and I start to smell something. Wouldn't you know Ellie had a poop explosion! Rob and I both had remnants of it on us which just made it worse and kind of funny that it took us a while to even notice it. Not much we can do at this stage since the plane is getting ready to land and the airport bathrooms aren't big enough anyway. So we ran her up in a blanket and just cross our fingers that we get off the plane fast before she stinks it all up! Thank goodness for seats near the front.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Cousin Fun



We spent Thanksgiving Day at my Aunt Misti's (and Uncle Bob's) house with her 6 kids and my dad, brother Tysen, and brother Trent. I think Ellie was a little terrified to be around that many kids that are so active! She got more attention than she wanted. My little cousin Tempe is only 3 months younger than her so they had fun staring at each other and making noises and grabbing each other's faces. (What else can you do at those ages?)

Monday, November 26, 2007

True Blue

Eliza experienced her first BYU Football game this weekend when we were in Utah for Thanksgiving Weekend and my dad took us to the BYU vs Utah football game in Provo. My Uncle Bob and cousin Sierra were cheering for the Utes while cousin Harrison, brothers Tysen and Trent, my dad and I were cheering for the Cougs. Rob just liked to egg on whoever was losing. :) Although the game wasn't nearly as exciting as last year's match-up, it was still fun to relive some memories while sitting in Cougar Stadium (sorry - LaVell Edwards Stadium) and see the Cougars pull off a win in the last quarter. Even though it was freezing in the shade where we were sitting - Ellie was a trooper! At the beginning of the game she had a few bursts of tears because she was facing people behind her and I think she thought they were yelling at her. Once we had her facing the field - she was a happy girl and even slept for a quarter (amazing with all that noise). Rob admitted that the Ute fans were the most obnoxious! (Especially the guy behind us who insisted on loudly clapping and/or yelling the ENTIRE game until BYU won). And we saw a fight between two 50+ year old men (that was classic).



Monday, November 19, 2007

Biscuit Anyone?

Eliza absolutely LOVES these biter biscuits! And although I think they are probably the messiest thing ever invented . .. I happen to like them too. Mainly because I can hand her one in her high chair and get the whole kitchen cleaned while she eats it. I've learned it's easier to strip her down to her diaper though since the biscuit manages to get EVERYWHERE! My dog Roxy really likes them too so I have to keep an eye and make sure she doesn't jump up and snatch them from her hand.




In other news, I finally got a good night of sleep last night since the Children's Sacrament Meeting Program was finally over! I think the best part about being Primary President is that I don't have to write the program (in our ward the 1st counselor in Primary does all of the program writing) . . . I just get to oversee it all and stress about it. Of course it always turns out better than I think it will even with most of the kids reading or having their parts told to them even though they were memorized the day before. The spirit was definitely there and we even had some children that haven't been there the whole year - come and participate! I loved that. I need a vacation now.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

9 Months


My baby girl is already 9 months old today! I had to take her to the doctor last week for what turned out to be a virus so I know she weighs 18 lbs 8 ounces (her weight gain is finally slowing down) but we'll check again when she has her official height/weight done at her 9 month appointment at the end of the month. Ellie is still a speedy demon with her crawling and sometimes thinks about walking but we're not pushing that one! Her favorite thing is seeing where she can fit and what she can manage to pull down from tables, chairs, etc.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Ice Cream

I saw this on a few blogs and thought it looked like fun. Not sure if it's true or not but I love ice cream anyway!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Sickies

We've been a bunch of "sickies" in our house this last week! It first started over a week ago on a Friday when Rob had a kidney stone. We ended up spending most of that night in Urgent Care. Fast forward a couple of days and we think that Ellie caught the little flu bug going around because Sunday morning she wakes up puking up everything! I had no idea a little body could produce so much throw up(and she was a baby that threw up a lot when she was younger). Thankfully she was really quite happy but couldn't keep much down!

The next day she was fine but we both seem to come down with a cold. And I think she has been teething all week too! I finally took her into the doctor and he said she had a virus and it's very obvious that she is teething. I feel like she has been teething for months but you can actually feel two little nubs on her bottom. I'm just ready for the little guys to come in finally! She'll be 9 months on Thursday with no teeth yet. (Although her toothless grin is pretty dang cute).

Other than that - she just manages to keep me on my toes! I was on the computer the other day and she crawled into the room with me and in a matter of the few minutes that I looked away .. .this is what happened to my garbage can and the room:



And then I left her in her high chair for a few minutes eating some little puffs cereal things and went to the other room. I came back in to realize that she could reach the console table next to her! (That is a bowl of the caramel apple suckers next to her that is hard to see)

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Martian or Butterfly?


We went to our ward Halloween party last night. They do a party with everyone who meets in our building with a carnival, cake walk, food, etc. Ellie was dressed as a pink butterfly although I think she looks like a little martian! My friend Amy snapped a picture of Ellie with her daughter Brooklyn as a cute pink cat. We have another party to go to on Halloween so we'll see if Ellie lets us put her in the costume again! It was a battle to get it on her but then she didn't seem to mind. I do feel a little bad since it's a really warm outfit and it's only cooling down to maybe 70 degrees in the evening! The things I make my child do for cute pictures . . . I guess I really should get caught up on my scrapbooking with all the pictures that I have taken.

Ellie & Brooklyn

Saturday, October 27, 2007

.34

We got a bill in the mail today for 34 cents! Rob had a Sprint/Nextel phone for work that we canceled since he doesn't need it anymore and I guess the pro-rated amount left was 34 cents. I just find it hilarious that I'm going to have to send a check for such a small amount and the stamp will cost me more money than the bill. And they shut off the online access so I can't even pay the bill online and they won't accept change for the bill.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Tagged!

So Nicole tagged me and since Rob is at school and I have to wait for him to get home to watch The Office ... I figured I would do it! Here are the rules: A. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves. B. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog, for these rules.

1. I am secretly addicted to "reality" shows on MTV like The Hills and Laguna Beach (I guess that's not a secret anymore)
2. I love to buy new cleaning products. Goes along with my cleaning obsession - I always have to try out new products and see if they do a better job!
3. I almost always have a candle burning in the house - Salt City and Gold Canyon are my favorite (although I need to try out these Scentsy things that Lynsey is now selling)
4. Pajamas are my favorite article of clothing
5. I love ice cream
6. Middle Eastern food is some of my favorite - although I had never tried it before going to Jerusalem.

I'm going to tag:
Steffani, Erin, Christine Cahan, Amy, Kirsten and Rachael

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Tantrums & Speed Crawling

I had no idea that babies threw tantrums. Maybe that isn't the correct word to use but to me - it looks like Ellie is throwing tantrums! So far they happen when I'm trying to change her diaper, put her in her car seat, stop her from going somewhere or put her in her crib. She arches her back and flails and screams/cries. It's the strangest thing to see a baby her age throwing what look like temper tantrums to me since they all revolve around things she doesn't want to do! I just try and distract her pretty quick but I have no idea how to deal with them. And she is such a sweet and happy baby most of the time but then turns into a little monster randomly! Anyone else dealt with this?

Trying to help me with the dishes


First taste of a real pear



Eliza is quite the little speed demon too. I was enjoying that her crawling wasn't THAT fast but I think I spoke too soon. Now I just turn away for a second and have to run around and try and figure out where she went! The other day I went to grab something out of my bedroom and hear her screaming. She had managed to crawl into our little end table and couldn't figure out how to get back out(And of course I took pictures before pulling her out . . .). Add that to crawling into the dog cage, trying to crawl out the doggy door still, getting stuck underneath a chair, etc and she is keeping me very busy!
Stuck!