Check-Up Time

Caroline's 1 year appointment happened about 10 days ago.

30 1/2" long (90th percentle)

22.4 lbs (75th percentile)

18" head (50th percentile)

And, as if right on cue, she is cutting 2, if not 4, molars. Let's just say she's been oh so pleasant lately...(the last sentence is loaded with sarcasm, if you can't tell). Still love my Biggi though!!!

Sooner or Later

When I change Owen's diaper, Caroline has a habit of crawling into the room and wanting to examine, up close and personally, the wet and dirty diapers. I try and try to keep her from getting them. I move the diaper. I move her. I take her out into the hallway and run back, only to have that little mut right back into the mess again just as I'm sitting back down - have I mentioned how quick she is crawling? No wonder she doesn't want to walk - to finish with Owen.

So, the other day I thought I would be smart. That was my first mistake. Remember when we turned the doorknob on Owen's bedroom? I closed the door to change Owen's dirty diaper. Caroline was in the family room playing. But, before closing the door, I first made sure that it was unlocked and it was. I double checked the door and then triple checked. I was good to go.

The next thing I knew, I heard Caroline's little hands scratching the door. Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch. Silence. Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch. Silence. I finished changing Owen, uninterrupted and went to open the door. CRAP!!!! That "silence" really wasn't silence at all. Instead, it was Caroline reaching up and turning the lock on the doorknob. Caroline locked Owen and I in the room. The oven is on with dinner in the oven, along with the stove top being on as well. No cell phone or house phone with me, no way to call anyone for help.

No biggie. I'll just crawl through the window, out and around the house back through the garage and I'm good to go. WRONG!!!! The Einstein who installed the sunscreens on our windows did it incorrectly. Instead of using the track for the bug screen, they screwed the sunscreen into the frame of the window. No way to get out without cutting the screen. Fortunately, Adam was only a few minutes from home. I hung out with Owen and read some books.

But, did I mentioned I screamed and screamed and screamed some more (I don't have a quiet voice mind you) for some help from my neighbors who were outside in their driveway across the street! Neither one claims to have heard me, but I sure could hear them.

I heard Adam come home, open the garage door, and then finally come in the house. I told Owen to knock on the door and call for "Daddy". He did a great job at calling "Daddy" and knocking, knocking, knocking. However, it wasn't until I screamed one more time for my neighbor that Adam finally came to Owen's room and unlocked the door. He thought that since I was reading to Owen, which he heard, that I wanted to be left alone to spend some time with Owen. I didn't (and still don't) understand that one, but hey all is well.

I was "chastised" by the hard-of-hearing neighbor when she said, "that's what you get for turning the knob." I knew sooner or later this little story was bound to happen. But, ya know what? I do it again and still without any reservations.

The New Apostle Song

I got this in an e-mail from my sister, Mindy. It's really cute and boy does it help you to remember them all. Definitely has a catchy enough tune that you could teach it to your kids. (Don't forget: you'll have to pause the music on the playlist in order to hear the music for this little video)

Hope you all enjoy!

Here's Mylie Jane!

This was taken with a phone camera, so the quality isn't the greatest, but she's hours old (literally) in this picture and is adorable! Jason didn't even have time to grab the camera she came so quickly!!!! Welcome Mylie Jane.

"A Baby Story"

My sister, Mindy, was due with her 4th child any day now. Yesterday at the weekly appointment, the doctor stripped her membranes and sent her home. This morning about 9:30 (her time) she called my mom and said she was headed to the hospital at about 10:00 because her contractions were about 5 minutes apart. By the time she got kids settled at her friend's house and got to the hospital at 10:10, her water broke in the car at the stop light in front of the hospital.

Her husband, Jason, hurried and let her out, got a nurse to help, and then ran to park the car. By the time he got to her room, she was pushing and 20 minutes later, at 10:30 a.m., her beautiful baby girl was born. (As soon as I can I'll post a picture.) There was no time for an epidural or anything. She had this baby au'natural!!! My sister is a rock star!

Baby girl weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 21" long. Pretty sure her name will be Mylie (middle name to be determined). I'm so bummed that I have to wait until July to meet her. That makes 14 grandkids for my parents and I am now an aunt times 12.

"The Facts of Life"

My sister-in-law, Rebecca, decided to tag me. I guess she maybe wanted to find out some things she didn't already know. Such as.....

My Kool-Aid packets are kept in a tupperware bin in the pantry, but they're alphabatized! It makes it so much easier to know what you have when it comes to picking a flavor to make. Why search through the whole thing when you can go to that letter and see if I've got it. Makes it easier for purchasing replacement packets, too. (A little OCD I realize, but give it a whirl and you won't go back).

I want to learn how to drive like a stunt person. The movies Gone in 60 Seconds or The Italian Job, all have great driving/chase scenes. I want to learn to drive like that! Every time I see a movie with scenes like those in there, it just renews by desire.

I wish I would've taken auto shop class in high school rather than been in the marching band. THAT was a waste of time, energy, emotion, etc. I would've been much more secure with myself if I would've taken auto shop.....I think. I only joined the band because I thought it was what was expected of me. It wasn't until later that I realized I could be whoever I wanted to be.

I have some self-worth and body issues. Not going into them here or possibly ever, but suffice it to say that it's not fair that I have 2 sisters who wear a size 4 (6 on a really bad day and who can shop in the junior's section and everything still looks great on her) and a size 8 (who is back into her pre-pregnant clothes within 2 months of having a baby and she looks like she never had a baby). Then, there's me - enough said. It just sucks!

I really am a shy person (hard to believe I know). I don't like to talk to people I don't know and won't go up to them to start a conversation, just not going to happen. I will hang out way far away in the background and observe before I dare go talk to someone I don't know. Because of this, I have a hard time making friends.

I regret not trying out for the University of Utah Women's Soccer team. I played soccer for 18 years and know I could've made the team. Yes, I was that good. Aaaahhhh the memories.

I tag: Stacy, Heather, Amy, Heidi, Michelle, and Leslie.

Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and post their names; then goes to their blog, leaves them a comment by letting them know that they have been tagged and invites them to read your blog.

"Tis the Season.....

When you see this.....

**Notice the numbers under the word "outdoor," which is the temp.

It's time to do this......

**Notice the switch on the right hand side of the thermostat, and the word underneath the great big "76"

That's right ladies and gentlemen, we (okay I - Adam's gonna learn about this when he reads this posting) turned on the A/C for the first time this season. I'm not about to suffer when I can flip a switch. Besides, I'm taking the advice of my dear sweet grandma, "if you've got it...USE IT!" Okay, I think I will. It's just hard to choke down turning on the A/C in April. Last year it was in March that we turned it on, so at least this year it's a little bit better. We'll see what the rest of summer brings, huh?

She's 1!!!!

Last year on this day, I checked into the hospital and then I was getting ready to go into the O.R. for my scheduled c-section. I really didn't want to have another c-section, but Caroline was less than cooperative in the final few days of gestation. She wasn't dropping, but instead was going higher. (How that was possible I don't know because she was already high to begin with!) Couple that with the fact that I wasn't dilating or effacing, my OB was scheduled to be out-of-town the week that I was due, and I really wanted him to deliver me, rather than someone else. So, I was scheduled for the section at 5 pm (7 days before her actual due date and 12 days before the previously scheduled section and my OB no longer giving me the option of trying to go on my own with a VBAC - which I really wanted).

Knowing that I was at the end of the day, I was fully expecting to be hours behind on the schedule and have to wait. In fact, I told my mom that I would be surprised if I got in before 7 pm. She promised to have me call her if I wasn't going to get in before 7 and otherwise would wait for Adam's phone call after the delivery.

At 4:40 my doctor came in and told me I was going to have to wait a while because there was a woman who might have to have a c-section if she couldn't deliver her baby. Ten minutes later he came back in and said let's go! Adam scrambled to get changed and ready. At 5:00 exactly I was wheeled into the OR and 5:10 I was ready for the operation after being prepped and given the spinal. A mere 12 minutes later at 5:22 pm, Caroline was born, weighing in at 8lbs. 3 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long.



It's hard to believe 365 days (correction: 366 days - this is a leap year) have already passed and now my little girl is 1. I look back on this last year and to say it has been intense for me is putting it mildly. Some days I don't know how I got through them. Others were a breeze. Caroline has brought me through every range of emotion possible, some I never even knew existed until she came into our lives. I struggle with her at times, but only because of me and not her. But, this last year has taught me a lot and I'm sure the years to come will teach me a WHOLE LOT MORE.

Caroline decided to sleep in for her birthday and woke up around 8:30. She had Trix for breakfast, along with her usual oatmeal. Then after dinner, we celebrated her birthday with cake and ice cream and with a few great friends from the 'hood. All in all she had a great day!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

**Notice the new earings she got from mom & dad.

Mower Heaven

Friday night after we got the mower home, Adam couldn't resist and had to put it together that night. When I asked him if this is what 7 years of marriage had become he fired right back by saying , "Hey, maybe we'll fire it up later!" Thanks, Love.

But, come Saturday morning, the mower was ready to go and Adam could hardly wait to try it out. I must admit it is really easy to use (yes, I did try it) and it is easy to start too - a key! No tugging and pulling on the cord, turn the key, just like a car. In fact, this mower is so easy to use, that I just might consider mowing the lawn for Adam while he's at work during the summer. I said "might consider".

Anywho. He loved using the new mower and, of course, Owen loved it too.

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Angels, Devils, or One of Each?

***Sorry this picture is blurry, still working out the kinks on the new camera. I'm sure, like usual, just user error!

How can 2 kids who look pretty content and happy in this picture being screaming and crying just 30 seconds later? Can someone please explain this to me. Cari was happy just laying there on the pillow by herself. Owen came along and started to play with her. I hurried and snapped this picture. By the time I turned my back and walked some 15 feet away back to the kitchen, Cari was crying over something Owen had done. I knew he had done something because he had an S.E.G. on his face. (If you don't know what an S.E.G. is, then think chesire cat and maybe you'll get the abbreviation or, you can figure it out by yourself.)

By the way, the shirt Owen has one not only fits him literally, but also figuratively, i.e., always into SOMETHING. Gotta love that boy.

Date Night of Sorts

I guess after almost 7 years of marriage, this is what our date night has become.....



In Adam's defense though, he did ask me if we could go and get a new mower "this weekend." I said, sure. I'm pretty sure Adam has earned this mower after mowing our grass with the old fashion push reel mower that we own. This should help cut down on the time it takes him to mow the lawn in 120 degree heat, now shouldn't it?

When we made our purchase, the gentleman at Home Depot asked if Adam needed any help getting it into the car, with me standing right there. As if I can't help Adam load the box into the car?! I did quip right back at the gentleman and said "Hello! What do you think I'm here for? I carried both of them (Owen & Caroline), I think I can help him put the box in the car!" He dared not doubt my abilities after that.

Before we purcahsed Adam's new toy, I was able to get my new toy "this weekend." I've been with Verizon Wireless for so long (10+ years now) that I am on their "New Every 2" program and my 2 years with my old phone were up. So, now I get to play with my new toy.




It's only fair, right? Adam gets a new mower and I get a new phone. I LOVE my new phone.