Christmas Top 5

My favorite things about Christmas this year:

1. Walking through Winterhaven to see the Christmas lights. Both kids loved it!

2. Sewing: The Christmas deadline got me to finish some projects. I just wish I had taken pictures of them! I made a few taggie blankets, lots of beanbags, and a stocking for Haley. Imagine a red stocking hanging next to the other three. :)

3. Christmas cards: If you didn't get one from us, don't be offended. It just didn't happen this year. But I still got excited every day to open the mailbox and find pictures and news from friends.

4. Mary and Joseph Sighting: An unusual couple walked into Wendy's the other day while we were having lunch. They weren't exactly homeless, but the man had a full beard, the woman had long, wavy hair and both were dressed a little scruffy. Trevor stared at them and quickly turned to me: "Mom, I see Mary and Joseph!"

5. Time with Family: My brother Allen and his wife Lori have a boy Trevor's age and a girl Haley's age. They live in Utah and we rarely get to spend time with them so this Christmas was so fun for both families. We also saw Birch's sister Marie and her family who moved to Boston this year. And don't forget THREE missionary phone calls on Christmas!

Haley & Kaitlin

Trevor and Benson at Christmas Eve dinner. Pretty serious faces!

Grandma and Grandpa with the baby girls on Christmas morning.

The Smells of Christmas

A few weeks ago I was baking gingerbread and got hooked on the smell. It lasted for days! It got me into the spirit of Christmas so when it finally went away I looked for other yummy smells that remind me of the holidays.

Trevor gets all the credit for decorating this beauty. If this much candy ended up on the house, just imagine how much was in his tummy!

After gingerbread I found the recipe for cinnamon ornaments. These are equal parts cinnamon and applesauce mixed into a dough, rolled flat and cut into shapes, then baked at 200 for 2-3 hours.

Some of the cinnamon ornaments ended up on the tree and some I tied to rafia to decorate other parts of the house.

Next aroma was an orange-clove-cinnamon potpourri. I don't have one of those mini crockpots so this was simmering on the stove all day.

On Saturday I stopped by a Christmas tree stand and picked up their extra branches. I love the convenience of a fake tree but it's nice to have a little scent of pine.

Thanksgiving in the Sand

Both of our families have started a funny tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving at the beach. Usually whoever we're spending the holiday with will rent a house in Rocky Point but this time we stayed in San Diego. Don't you love the ocean when it's stormy?

Trevor wasn't too sure about getting in the water but he loved the sand!

Haley was squirmy as usual, and it was hard to keep that sand out of her mouth.

Our swimsuit model. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Clothes Make Kids Expensive

People always say that kids are expensive and I've never believed it until recently. First, I've been lucky to have an easy time with breastfeeding so we've never had to buy formula. We have to buy diapers but the generic Target brand works for us and since not buying diapers isn't an option I don't really see that as an extra expense.

I also didn't realize how spoiled we were with baby showers. I was excited to have a party but didn't see them as the huge money-savers that they were. Now when I think about the clothes, blankets, toys, and misc. baby items we received, it makes me want to write those thank you notes again. We hardly spent a penny on Trevor thanks to generous friends.

Those friends also included a few who shared their hand-me-downs with us. (And if you're one of them, this post is NOT to make you feel guilty and give us more. Really, should we be passing clothes on until our boys are in college?) So once the baby clothes from showers were gone there were still clothes to use and save us money. Until...

That boy got bigger and a baby girl came along. Now I'm finally shopping for kids' clothes and it's putting me to the test. My biggest problem is figuring out how to budget for it. I'm learning to buy ahead and shop at the end of the season for sales, but there's no telling when I'll find a good deal and need to spend extra money.

So finally I do agree: kids can be expensive. And if not expensive, then finding good deals is time-consuming. Really, I don't want to spend most of my days out shopping so I'm trying to find a balance. Looks like it's time to re-write the budget.

My Other Car is a...

My car has been in the shop the last few weeks. At first it wasn't so bad because Birch was working close to our house so we could drop him off in the morning and use his car. But this week the drive was further and his shifts started a lot earlier so the kids and I decided to stay home.

The first day started out well: I got more done by not leaving the house and had more time to play with Trevor and Haley. But by the end of day one I swore we were leaving the next day, no matter what!

So the stroller became our new car. We ran to the park and took our sweet time playing as long as we could before running back home. Another day we ran to the library for storytime (don't be impressed, it's five minutes away). Today we ran to a water reservoir so Trevor could throw rocks. I did use the car at night after Birch came home to do grocery shopping, etc.

Today we got the phone call that our car was fixed! We're back to being a spoiled 2-car family and I'm so glad! Those of you who share a car all the time are amazing. Now I am more grateful and a more careful driver. I don't plan on backing the car into another car again anytime soon.

Picture Cards

I made these picture cards a while ago when Trevor wouldn't play by himself. My friend Janae suggested a schedule and I made cards for the different activities we do so that it could be flexible. He's much better about playing by himself now but the cards still come in handy. Whenever he gets frustrated that we can't do something right now, I pull out the pictures and show him that it will happen but later in the day. They're just clipart images from Google with magnets glued on the back.

Shifty Schedule

I have new respect for any family with a shift schedule. The last few weeks Birch has been on his OB/GYN rotation and it has been tougher than I expected. I had planned on long hours; what I wasn't prepared for was the inconsistency. Some days he was gone 5:00am-7:00pm, other days he was off after being at the hospital the night before and a few days we didn't see him at all.

I've realized how much I like a predictable schedule: morning run, breakfast, shower/Sesame Street, leave the house, lunch, naps, etc. With Birch's different hours I found that I was always changing plans: waiting around so the kids could see him or leaving at odd times so he could sleep. I'm learning to be more flexible.

One nice thing is I'm pretty good at entertaining myself. I don't mind being alone with my kids, as long as I have some reason to leave the house most days. We've also done some fun things with friends.

We planted (and built) a garden in the backyard.

Sunny day at the pumpkin patch.

Picking apples at Apple Annie's Orchard. Who needs that picking tool when you've got a stick?

Notice the long sleeves and jackets. It was finally in the 60's for a few days. Very cold, right?

Another Cat & A Little Black Dress

I loved celebrating Halloween with Trevor this year. The idea of getting a bucket full of candy when all you have to do is say "Trick or Treat" was amazing to him. It seriously melted my heart when we walked down the street Halloween night and he wouldn't stop smiling as he showed me his candy and explained how he got it. There's something about seeing your child so happy, no matter the reason. "Momma, I LOVE trick-or-treating."

Here we are out filling his bucket. Dad stayed home with our sleeping baby.

I sewed this black witch costume for Haley. Every girl needs a little black dress!

On the Same Page

Trevor had his check-up with our pediatrician last week and I feel really good about it. We started with the basic height, weight, head, etc. The only surprise was his weight--35 1/2 lbs! Yikes!

Then the doctor went back to her observation about Trevor being hyperactive. He was less fidgety this time, which she noticed. (It was the beginning of the visit and Haley was with a friend). She wanted to know if he could sit still and play by himself. I told her yes and that was when he made his "motor noise," which was my main concern.


Finally something clicked and she started going through a series of questions. Does he have a tick/twitch? No. Does he have to have a certain toy with him all the time or line up toys a certain way? Not really. Does he make the noise when he's anxious?


The pediatrician wanted to hear him talk, since he had been quiet for most of the visit. She moved to the corner to listen and I asked Trevor some questions. At first he just repeated what I asked and then started answering. She said the question repeating could be a red flag but she understood everything he said.

The doctor's recommendation was to have him evaluated through AZEIP, a government agency that will assess his development and I feel good about it. I'm not looking for someone to label him, but I'm hoping this will give me more specific answers about his behavior. Just in case there is something I can help him with, I want to be able to look back and know I did what I could.

My friends have been so supportive, telling me there's absolutely nothing wrong with him. I know not everyone would get an assessment done or worry about the noise he makes. But I feel like I've found something that I'm comfortable with: one more check-up and hopefully a few answers so I won't worry anymore.

Halloween, a Little Healthier

My sister-in-law recommended this website, familyfun.go.com, for fun Halloween treat ideas. I made these little pretzel spiders for one of Trevor's playgroups and found that another mom had made the same thing! So maybe I'm the last one to find out about this little secret. But if you're looking for ideas, check it out! Thanks for passing it on, Lori!

Hyperactive or Just a Toddler?

Last week I took both kids to the pediatrician for Haley's 4-month check-up. After we finished talking about her I asked the doctor about the noise Trevor makes. Whenever he's concentrating on something he makes this droning sound (ehhhhh!) I know if you've sat anywhere near us during church you've heard it.

The doctor said the noise is probably a way to soothe himself and asked if hyperactivity runs in my family. What?!? She had noticed Trevor doing a lot of "non-purposeful movement" during our visit and thought the noise may be related to a higher energy level.

She did acknowledge that he had been waiting in a doctor's office for more than 20 minutes. But when she made a final observation that he didn't speak very clearly my jaw dropped. I know my kid isn't perfect but if there's one thing he can do, it's talk! In the last few weeks he's started playing with words so maybe she heard him saying some of his made-up words.

The part that bothers me the most is that her comments have changed my perspective. Now when he throws a tantrum, instead of thinking "He's 2, he'll get over this," I think: "My child might be hyperactive and I'll be dealing with this for YEARS!"

It's been a year since Trevor saw a pediatrician so I set up an appointment for him next week. We'll see how it goes. I just switched to this office and I've been really happy so far. I hope that a visit just for him will allow me to talk about his whole personality, give the doctor a better understanding and me some relief.

In the last few weeks I have been a little worried about him. I had to leave Enrichment early last week because Trevor wouldn't stop crying in the nursery. After an hour I decided he wouldn't get over it and I didn't want to torture the baby-sitters any more. Being left really scares him. Even when we're driving to a friend's house that he's been to a million times, he'll still get nervous and ask if we're going to stay or not. There are other social issues with him that I worry about but aren't most 2-year-olds a bit socially awkward? Or if being social isnt' a problem, don't you worry about your child's sleep, eating, ANYTHING?

I just wish I had someone who could give me an unbiased opinion of how Trevor behaves. I guess that's what a pediatrician should be but already I've pitted her against me. I hope that in a few years I'll laugh that I was even worried.

10 Year Reunion

In high school I was involved in student council and now it's coming back to bite me for the big 10-year reunion. Of course it will be fun to see people and catch up but right now it seems like a lot of work. I graduated in 2000 and I think we'll probably hold it next summer, which leaves a few months left for planning.

So here I am looking for ideas from some of my *OLD* friends who have already been to their 10-year high school reunion. Ha, ha! Or even if you didn't go (I know some of you say you'd never go to a reunion) did you get any information about what was planned? How much did it cost? etc.

Do As I'm Doing

Taking Advice

Are you good at taking advice? About 6 weeks ago I did something to my lower back. It wasn't bad enough to be down in bed but I had pain whenever I bent over, moved too quickly, etc. Both of my parents have bad backs and I've had a sore day here and there. But usually going for a swim and taking more time to stretch afterwards does the trick. This time it wasn't that easy. I looked for help from all of the reliable sources: my mom, my mother-in-law, the girls I run with, other friends and Google. Nothing helped.

Finally I took the advice Birch had been trying to give me for weeks: Ibuprofen around the clock to help with inflammation and strengthen my core (I hate sit-ups!) Finally I feel better. I guess I'm not good at taking advice from someone I live in the same house with.

I made a resolution tonight to be better about taking pictures. Here are two from the last month: the kids in the stroller and some bath time. Trevor's new thing is playing with his cars in the bath. He usually takes 2 baths a day, more if we all need a break. If you're worried about water waste, don't come visit us right now.

I am absolutely crazy about Haley! Maybe I love having a baby around, maybe the 2-year-old is making her look incredibly sweet or maybe I just love having a little girl. Whatever it is, I can't get enough of her. To me she is the cutest thing EVER! She's arching her back, ready to roll over pretty soon. That means we'll have to put her in the crib and keep both kids in the same room. Uh-oh....

Really, You DO Want to Be a Psychiatrist

There are lots of reasons you might want to be a psychiatrist. At the top of your list may not be the schedule, but really, it should be. This is Birch's last week of his psychiatry rotation and he's spent the last few weeks with an hour and a half lunch break. Doesn't sound that bad but when you arrive at 8:00 and leave at 3:00 it makes for a pretty easy day.

At first he came home for lunch but then he worked with a doctor who wanted to share her lunchtime ritual with him in the hospital cafeteria: reading the Sheriff's Report from a southern Texas newspaper. Her grandmother lives there but she subscribes to the paper here just for entertainment.

In case you thought your neighborhood was sketchy, here are a few of the high "crimes" being reported in The Progress, a southern Texas small-town newspaper:

A male employee of a bank advised that someone had put an envelope in the door handle of the side door of the bank. Written on the envelope was "night deposit" and listed seven deposits and four loan payments. Inside the envelope were two candy bars.

A male caller said that his one year old son was playing with a rattlesnake tail and he had put it in his mouth. The caller wanted to know what he should do. He was transferred to poison control, where he was advised that there shouldn't be any venom on the tail unless it was dirty. He was told to be on the look out for swelling. If the tail was clean, it shouldn't be a problem.

A woman advised that she saw a gun transaction. She saw two male subjects in a parking lot, exchanging a gun. One male took the rifle out and the other male opened the trunk of his car and took the rifle out of the case and looked at it. Then he put the gun in the trunk of the car. The caller said that she snapped a picture with her camera phone. She found it weird and wants to speak to an officer.

For the full effect you need to read them with a Texas accent, as this psychiatrist read them during their lunch break. Birch brought a few papers home this week so he could show them to me. When we were done laughing Trevor asked: "I want to read another big silly!"

Resolutions, Still Alive?

Did you set New Year's resolutions this year? Do you ever? I come from a serious "goal family" so New Year's is always a time of big planning and ambition. I realized the other day that it's already September. How am I doing on this year's goals? There's not much time left. I keep them written on a little card inside my bathroom cabinet but now I've almost forgotten they're there. It looks like a little progress has been made...and some goals will have to wait for next year. Here's a few results:

• Find a fish recipe my family will eat: SUCCESS!

Thanks to Amber and Nick for sharing this yummy recipe for Parmesan Tilapia.

• Run one race or take a workout class after the baby is born: ALMOST

We'll actually be in San Diego this year instead of our usual trip to Rocky Point so I'm trying to talk the family into this Turkey Trot. Who could resist a run through Balboa Park?

• Read Preach My Gospel: HALFWAY THERE

Even though I won't finish, I am in the habit of reading it so hopefully this will happen in 2010. If you have a copy, check out pg. 107. It's amazing!

• Make a quiet book for my kids: HAVEN'T SEWN A DARN PAGE!

I have found lots of ideas on the Internet, bought fabric and made plans for pages. Another goal for 2010.

What were some of your resolutions/goals? Are they still alive?

Blessing Day

We blessed Haley in church last Sunday, enjoy some pictures! Also my jogging stroller did arrive and I've had fun this week playing around with all the little features. We've gone to the park a few times and I took both kids out for a run this weekend while Birch was working. A few of you warned me that it would be heavy and I tried to ingore that...but it really was that much heavier than my single! I guess that's what you get when you add another kid and some more stroller weight. It couldn't be that I'm a little out of shape, right? Impossible.

We also did a photo shoot with Haley a few days ago and Trevor snuck in, which explains the shot of him smashing her on the bed. I love that they both look so calm, since this happens on a regular basis.

Waiting for Christmas

I finally bought a double jogger this week! I am soooo excited! The last few days I have been checking my FedEx tracking number constantly, hoping that my package will somehow arrive early. Here she is in all her glory:

She's a Tike Tech All Terrain X3 Sport Twin Stroller. Must be pretty fancy with a name like that, right? I'll admit I was tempted with a BOB stroller, the best on the market. But I think the guilt of spending that much money would make me feel like I had to use the dang thing every day. This stoller seems to have the same bells and whistles as the BOB with a smaller price tag and even a discount from the website I ordered it from. Thanks Ali, for the recommendation!

A few weeks ago I realized that Haley was suddenly "big" and I could try her out in the single jogger. First we walked down the street and back, just to make sure she wouldn't cry the whole time I was out running. Trevor wanted to come along too so here we are for the neighborhood entertainment:

I absolutely love to be outside! I can't wait to get this stroller not just for running but to head for the park, the zoo, even around the corner now that it's cooled down enough to be outside.

Questions for the Crystal Ball

When will my hair stop falling out? I knew it would be like this 2-3 months after Haley was born, but it's time to stop!

Will Trevor ever eat a normal diet? Maybe Haley will be a kid who likes food.

Is there a better schedule for our family than psychiatry? Birch is gone 8-4 these days with little studying when he gets home. I love this rotation!

Will Haley keep taking a bottle or did we just get lucky? We had our first date last weekend with NO kids. I could not stop smiling!

Where have all the pacifiers gone?

How many projects can we get done this weekend when our parents come to visit? Maybe paint a bedroom? Put up the swingset?

IHOP at Home

Since I cut milk out of my diet I've been trying different pancake recipes to mix up breakfast a little. I worked at IHOP when I was in college and I'll admit, I ate more chocolate-chip pancakes than any other. But I also loved their Harvest Grain n Nut pancakes and the first recipe is a good imitation of those. Trevor isn't a big fan of the nuts but he likes the pumpkin pancakes and it sneaks in a veggie. Both recipes have a lot of ingredients but once the pancakes are made you can freeze them and pop in the toaster the rest of the week.

Grain and Nut Whole Wheat Pancakes

3/4 c old-fashioned oatmeal
3/4 c whole wheat flour

1 t baking soda

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

3/4 c buttermilk

1/2 c milk

2 T vegetable oil

1 egg

3 T sugar

2 T chopped walnuts (optional)

Grind the oatmeal in a blender until fine. Mix dry ingredients together, then add wet ingredients. Makes about 10 pancakes.

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 c flour

3 T brown sugar

2 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

1 t allspice

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t dry ginger

1/2 t salt

1 1/2 c milk

1 c pumpkin

1 egg

2 T vegetable oil

2 T vinegar

Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately, then combine. Makes about 18 pancakes.

Six Years and Going Strong!

This week Birch and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary! Sadly, there was no candlelight dinner or roses. Instead we were driving up to Flagstaff to visit family and had two crying kids as we looked for a good rest stop in the middle of Phoenix. How romantic!

I thought I'd post a few pictures of us growing up together. We are one of those rare couples who dated in high school, actually got married after the guy's mission and even knew each other as kids. Sounds cute, but we weren't friends at all until high school. Enjoy!

3rd grade class picture

6th grade class picture (There are also pics from 4th and 5th grade, but you get the idea.)

Spring Break in Rocky Point, 1998. The first time we talked, became friends and started to fall in loooove. Cheesy, I know!

Junior prom, 1999.

Hiking Picacho Peak after Birch's mission.

Wedding day, nice and hot in August 2003.