being mommy

I've been in a really good mood lately. I'm falling into somewhat of a routine, and its made me much happier. I made a menu for 2 weeks, and make sure I play with Ana every day. My house is mostly clean, and I feel really good about everything. The other day Ana and I spent over an hour outside while Jack slept. We held kitties, splashed in the puddles of melting snow, saw the cows and chickens, walked the little path by the ditch, and held kitties some more. It was great!



Ana listens to this CD at least 5 times a day. She stands by the computer desk and looks at the speakers and sometimes sings along or giggles at it. When it gets over she says, "Rewind it, Mama." Even when its not on, it runs through my head ALL DAY LONG! Its a pretty cute CD, but it gets old when I'm singing "Mr. Duck went to call on Mr. Turkey..." while I'm in the shower.

(This part involves poop, just so you know) Ana has been constipated for about a week. She was extra whiny and tired, and complained of a tummy ache. But whenever she gets the urge she just squeezes her bum cheeks and cries. When she gets that way, if I can get her to sit on the potty, it usually helps her get it out. So, I finally got her to go on the potty. Okay, I made her go on the potty and she finally pooped. She felt so much better instantly. I was so happy that she pooped.

So yesterday, I had an "its apparent you're a parent" moment while walking in the grocery store. I was singing songs off Ana's CD (in my head) and suddenly turned to Dave and said, "I'm so glad Ana finally pooped." I started to laugh right away. If that doesn't make you a mommy, I don't know what does.

What does yours look like?

This is my list of places I have lived. I had to type it up like this for one of the secondary applications I filled out tonight. Mine isn't very long. At all. Plus it repeats. Med school and residency should change that some.

Birth to 19 - Rupert, Idaho, population 5000
19 to 21 - Santiago, Chile, population 5,500,000
21 to 25 - Rexburg, Idaho, population 18,000
25 to current - Rupert, Idaho, population 5000

I want to see what YOUR list looks like...

winter goals

Now that summer is gone and we're in our own place, spending more time indoors, I've been thinking of some things I want to accomplish this winter. I've been thinking a lot more about my New Year's resolution to capture the moments and I've realized I've totally slipped out of that. So, I've made a list of things I want to do this winter. Not only projects, but changes I want to make in myself as well. Since my birthday is the end of the Spring, I thought I'd set that as my deadline. I may add more to my list, but for now, here are some things I want to get down before then.

1. Potty train Ana
2. Lose 10 pounds - not quite there. But I've extended the deadline for the end of the summer. I should be there by then.
3. Make my sister's throw pillow - I know, Shari, I'm a slacker
4. Make curtains for my living room
5. Make curtains for the kids' room - I actually just decided not to make a curtain. Maybe in our next place
6. Learn to make bread that turns out like my mom's - didn't even try. But I did learn how to make really good alfredo, potato soup, gravy, paella, and lots of other yummy stuff.
7. Read a book a month (or more)
Books I've read:
Persuasion
The Scarlett Pimpernel
Gathering Blue
Twilight
Bud, Not Buddy
Austenland
Tending Roses
The Tale of Despereaux
8. Make Halloween costumes for the kids
9. Get better about keeping myself under control in frustrating circumstances - I don't know if I'd consider this one "done" but I've gotten better, and that's what I wanted anyway.
10. Get out of my comfort zone more often - I've really made an effort, which is good.
11. Get into better scripture/prayer habits - improved, anyway
12. Set a good routine and stick to it - I'm in a routine, just not a good one...
13. Organize my house just like I like it and keep it that way so housework is not overwhelming - I did this for a while, then I got out of it, and now I'm not living in our own place. Hopefully we'll start out right
14. Get caught up in my scrapbook and figure out a system for next year - I did get some done, but I'm not quite caught up...
15. Make Jack’s Christmas stocking
16. Send out Christmas cards
17. Make a card table house for Ana

That's what I could think of for now. I'll probably add more goals to my list as time goes. I'll keep checking back and marking when I get things done.

this morning

Ana was up at 6:30 this morning and did not want to go back to sleep. Luckily, I had gone to bed about 10:30 because of a headache, so I felt pretty refreshed. Ana is a little grumpy so I made playdough for her. We spent a little bit playing together. What a cutie.

October what?

This is crazy!

Church this morning has been reduced to Sacrament Meeting and we're starting late.

First Snow

I saw this when I opened my eyes today:


This was the view from our big window


Here is Ana checking it all out


Ana was pretty funny. She was concerned that Daddy's car was getting snow on it and we needed to go wipe it off. She also realized that the kitties were somewhere out there in that and said we needed to find them so she could wipe them off with her hand.

****Update - Sunday Morning****
It snowed ALL day yesterday and there is at least a foot of snow everywhere! I can't believe it's only October 12.

Pumpkin Pics

I like my new camera. I guess it isn't quite as new but I still like it. There are still times that I know what I want it to do but I am not fast enough or just don't quite know all the settings to take complete control. Either way these pictures turned out pretty good even though with a little more practice they could have been better. This was a on Tuesday.







We are all moved in. Not all unpacked but moved in at least. We are trying to get all unpacked and clean today.

pumpkin patch

My sister in law Amy does the cutest pumpkin patch! The other night we went over there to pick out some pumpkins and take pictures. Ana loved it, and Jack didn't seem to mind either. Here are some pictures from the evening.

our apartment

We spent the first night in our new place last night. It is so nice. Rick and June did such a good job building it. Dave and I stayed up way to late watching The Office (seaspm 3) online at Netflix and then Ana and Jack were up at 7:30. Thats okay, though. Dave took the car to work so I'm just trying to get some stuff put away this morning. I already miss having Grandma and Grandpa around; I miss the company. It'll be nice to have all this space to ourselves for a little while, though. I'll post pictures as soon as we get it all together.

Help!

I CAN'T STOP EATING!!!! Seriously. I am not losing any weight and all I want to do is eat. I don't have energy for anything, even though I'm getting enough sleep. We're moving into our apartment this week and seriously, I think I'm going to start doing a menu and plan out my snacks because its getting ridiculous. I feel so not skinny.