a little boy

and his Daddy. How cute!

So, it has been awhile since I have posted. I've been up to something. But i'm not telling. Atleast not yet anyway. I'm really excited about my latest and greatest venture, so expect some more fun info in the next couple of weeks!

But until then, I thought I would share a few of my new picture faves of my little family. I FINALLY ordered the new camera lens I have been wanting. And last saturday was the first day I experimented with it. So fun. I still have a lot to learn, but I notice little improvements everytime I "practice." And that makes me :)

We went to the "mountains" by our house last Saturday. "mountain" here is a relative term. They are more like little hills that have hiking trails and such. So we took advantage of the beautiful, sunny, not hot enough for my shirt to stick to my sweaty back, Phoenix weather, and went hiking. Miles loves hiking. And I was so excited to use my new lens and my camera remote to take some cute pictures. But....alas. I am always reminded of how forgetful I am. Or atleast how many things I have to try and remember when leaving the house with a baby. I remembered sunblock, a hat for Mile, the baby bjorn, water,my camera, a backpack (for all this loot), picnic lunch, my camera remote, diaper bag, and so on. But I forgot my fun new gorillapod. So, you don't get to see any pictures of my bright smiling face. So this will have to do.

In all honesty, I doubt I would have been too excited to be in the pictures anyway. Because you see, I didn't get "ready" for the hike. What do I mean, I wasn't ready? I mean, I wasn't READY...no cute hair, no make-up, no photo-op worthy outdoorsy hiking outfits. Flash back about 20 years. Or 19, Or 10, or 3. My mom would always yell to me, as she was waiting for me to get "ready" before we went out on some big family fun activity, that getting ready wasn't necessary. Afterall...."This isn't a fashion show." Oh yes....and these timeless words of my mother have continued to curse me since the first time I heard them. Whenever I agree to grace my outdoor loving husband with my presence on these fun familiy hikes, I hear these words echoing in my mind. And I think, "that's right. it's NOT a fashion show. No hair or make-up needed." end of discussion with myself. I usually follow it up with a convincing "besides, I'll be wearing sunglasses anyway." Now, flash forward an hour, when we have hiked our way to the top of our little hill-like mountain, and we are looking out over the Valley and its family photo time. At this moment, I am KICKING MYSELF and thinking....I should have gotten READY!!!!! We take the picture, I cringe at the sight, and promptly promise myself that I will a). bury the photo within the depths of my computer hard drive. Never will it see the light of day. and b.) I vow to be more picture presentable the next time we go. Just a little something for you to look forward to for next time.

Did I mention I am in Evanston? I am staying for 3 weeks. yes...nearly a month. I have Miles here with me to visit his grandparents, and poor Mike is home alone with Marlee. So these pictures are for him. Hopefully he won't miss Miles too much. We love you, and we'll see you in a few more weeks!

Carrots and more Carrots

Miles has been learning to eat "food." First we tried squash....loved it. Then peas....loved that even more. Now its carrots. Well.......Take a look for yourself.

He has figured out he can grab ahold of the spoon, and fling carrots everywhere by letting go. He also thinks its fun to put his mouth around the spoon and blow out, sending his food splattering all over his face (and all over me too, I might add) We have carrots carrots everywhere. Tomorrow we're moving on to green beans. Wish me luck.

I think I was the same age the last time I could do that

Miles has a new chew toy. And it didn't cost me one penny.

Happy Happy....

Birthday Michael Dear!!

Today is my sweet husband's 29th Birthday. He had to be at the hospital early, but came home to us a little after noon. So we had the rest of the day to enjoy each other's company.
I tried to make a surprise birthday cake. But Miles was fussy all morning, so it wasn't much of a surprise since Mike came home when I was up to my elbows in frosting. But it was worth it. Atleast *I* think it was. You can see for yourself.

It dawned on me when I was taking these pictures that this cake MAY be more appropriate for a litte kid. But who cares right???? It tasted delicious!!
For his Birthday dinner he wanted shrimp and vegetable tempura. Seriously???? I don't know where this came from, but apparrently my husband LOVES tempura. Atleast he told me as much (atleast 27 times) while I was was making it tonight. And I will tell you, this is not one dish I will be making again anytime soon. Its partly my fault. Mike wanted tempura. But the Martha Stewart wannabe in me couldn't stop there. I also included home-made egg drop soup, fried rice, a chinese salad, and edamame. I seriously debated about making some california rolls too....but I wised up. All that, combined with the cake and frosting, I think every bowl and dish in my kitchen is dirty. But it was worth it for this.....
This is Mike trying to give me a big smile. He's not exactly fond of me turning my camera on him. Too bad. You think he would have learned by now.

Not only did he get a yummy dinner, and delicious cake and ice cream (rocky road...his favorite), He also got to spend the evening playing his new Zelda game why I did the dishes. LUCKY!!!

Since Mike is now 29, I thought I should list 29 things I love about him. Hold on to your seats folks....it's going to be a long one. If you don't want to read the whole thing, I understand. We can still be friends.

1. He's a Great Dad
2. He is a great back-rub giver
3. He works hard everyday for us, and for our future
4. He's so S-M-A-R-T
5. He lets me sleep in
6. He changes diapers
7. and cleans
8. and does laundry
9. he cracks me *****(Justin was a little concerned about this, and pointed out my typo**** I MEANT to say Mike cracks me up. You know, as in he's funny....He doesn't actually crack me. hahaha :)
10. He's so friendly and outgoing and personable. He's taught me a lot in this area
11. He's my best friend
12. He always makes the calls when we need a sub for our primary class, because he knows I hate doing it.
13. He teaches the primary class even when he is having MAJOR allergy attacks
14. He stays up late with me when I can't sleep
15. he gets up with Miles in the wee hours of the morning when the little guy can't sleep either
16. He makes me bubble baths when I've had a hard day
17. He eats all the leftovers so I don't have to
18. He shares his french fries
19. He helps me with whatever I ask
20. He lets me leave the hall light on at night
21. He always buys my favorite treats at the store
22. And he doesn't get mad when I eat all the treats he bought for himself
23. he was a big help and support to me while I was getting my Masters Degree
24. After I had Miles and got sick (twice) he made lots of late night runs to the store to get ginger-ale and ibuprofen, and pick-up perscriptions. He always takes care of me
25. He always puts Miles in the car, takes him out, and carries the carseat around...because it hurts my back
26. He's okay with me only working one night a week, so i can stay home with Miles. Even though it means we have no $$$. He's okay "going without."
27. He's a great budget keeper. He keeps us on track
28. He supports all my "singing ambitions", and encourages me to take any and every opportuntiy to make my dreams a reality.
29. He loves me just the way I am

Happy Birthday Mike!!! We love you!

Easter Bunnny

The Easter Bunny came to our house on Sunday.

But the Easter Bunny was so tired from working the night before she forgot to take pictures with Miles' first easter basket. She did manage to get a picture in his Easter outfit before it got too dirty. Maybe next Sunday when we are all dressed up, we will go outside next to our hibiscus plants that are now blossoming and "fake" Easter Sunday. Or....maybe I'll lie down and take a nap instead. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Such a Big Boy

Miles got a Big Boy high chair last week, and he's pretty happy about it.

He loves sitting in it, even if its not dinner time.

We've been working a little on eating with a spoon. He's discovered....it's a harder than it looks.


Okay....he doesn't ALWAYS love sitting in it....but he only gets this way when Mom is practicing taking pictures on Manual mode for about 30 minutes. yeah.....I made him sit there. Even when he's crying, he's still cute.

And what did I learn from trying out my manual mode on my camera?

1. I need to get a better lens with better aperature settings
2. even that might not matter that much, because I basically live in a DUNGEON!!!
3. Allie...you are amazing. (well, I already knew that one)
   

Because my light is so crappy, I had to turn my iso WAYYYY up, so my pictures are way grainy. BUT...I learned a lot about the settings on my camera, so that counts for something.

Giving Credit

Alright, Alright. I have to give credit where credit is due. My cute husband isn't *completely* hopeless. :) infact, sometimes....he can be pretty darn sweet.

Mike has an REI credit card. When he makes purchases, he gets $$$ to spend at REI. This year his dividend was around 50 smackeroos. I always wonder what kind of contraption he is going to come home with.

He called me on the drive home, and I asked him what he bought. He informed me nothing....for him anyway. He had bought something for me.

*Flashback a few years to when Mike bought me a rock-climbing harness from REI for our first Valentines day, and then rock climbing shoes for our second, and a bike jersey for ....I don't remember. some other holiday.*

I am never quite sure if I should be excited, or just a little worried. He informed me I have NOTHING to worry about, and that I would be 100% happy, and he was 110% sure this gift was something I really wanted.

And you know what......

It was!! He bought me this:

A gorillapod! yay!

And he was right. I love it 110%. I have already been playing.

so I know....he may not ALWAYS think before he speaks......

But I know he really loves me. Afterall, he DID spend his if yearly REI allowance on me. If that's not love, I don't know what is. :)

Here's another little "treat"..from oh, about 5 minutes ago.

Mike: Today is my day off, and I have to run around and do all this crap! Like, go to the VA hospital to get finger printed (for his next rotation), take the bike rack back to REI, and go to the school to meet with Dr. Parrack to talk about residencies. Its my day off! I shouldn't have to do anything.

Me: Yeah, being busy on your day off sucks. I wish I could have a "real" day off sometimes.

Mike: Ummm.... well, you do. Everyday is a day off for you.

Seriously???!!!! Hmmmm, well I guess I better get started on my "day off" by finishing about 5 loads of laundry, emptying the dishwaser (for the 2nd time), sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor, Miles needs a diaper change, making the bed, taking out the garbage, grocery shopping, and putting out the pork chops to thaw for dinner, cleaning out and washing my car (I would do Mike's too, but you know, since its my day off....) Whew! If this is my day off, I am not looking forward to the day I actually have to , you know.....Work.

I think right now, instead of doing all these things, I am going to blog a little bit more. After all, it is my day off.

So, I have been working a lot on a school project. I finished all my classes last year. And I have this project I need to finish, but I have been dragging my feet. Well, now I HAVE to finish it, and it is taking up all of my time. I have so many things I want to be doing instead. Here's my list:

1. Scrapbook Miles' milestones. You know, one month, two months, three months....etc. I want to do something like THIS. I know there are lots of sites. Anyone have suggestions? I never bought a traditional "baby book", because I thought doing something like this would be better. Now, I just need to DO it. Or rather, have the time to do it.

2. Finish other crafty projects I have in the works
3. Recover dining room chairs. I finally have the fabric
4. Organize filling cabinet. Get rid of the old, re-label folders, re-order
5. Spring clean: EVERYTHING. Our house needs a "once-over" (or maybe a twice over)
6. Find a place for everything. Even if it means renting a small storage space. We are busting out at the seams here, people.
7. print and hang photos of Miles
8. Take another cake decorating class, and a photography class. I love taking classes.

Just 3 more weeks. My project presentation is April 9th, and then I am a free woman again.

but until then.....Back to the grind-stone.

conversations

Just a couple conversations I had with Mike the other day:

#1.

Mike: If you could have any job in the world, what would it be??
Me: I consider the question thoughtfully for a few minutes and then respond, "a cupcake decorator!!"

Mike: (just staring at me.......)

Mike: Seriously?.......(long silence) Out of all the million dollar jobs you could have, you would put frosting on cake?????

Me: Yes.

Mike: You're wierd.

I couldn't argue. But obviously my husband has never experienced the joy that comes from making these cute (and wonderfully edible) creations. :)

#2
Mike was doing his usual complaining about medical school (oh...its so hard....oh....we don't have any money.....) I hear this on a nearly daily basis, so I am no longer sympathetic. Anyway, we were talking about what we *could* have done in college, rather than what we did.

Mike: If I could do it again, I would go into Pharmacy school. I would be finished by now, you know.

Me: yeah....I know.

Mike: Actually, I should have gone to Utah State instead of Weber. I had a scholarship there you know.

Me: Yes, I know. But then you wouldn't have met me. (batting my eyes wildly)

Mike: ................( says nothing)

Mike: Yeah.....I should have gone to Utah State.

( he later insisted that wasn't what he meant. That he WOULD have found me......somehow.) It's alright. We laughed. and he did feel a little bad, so I got a nice back rub out of it. :)

OUCH!!!

Miles got his first Owie.....and it was a doosy. Now, I won't say which parent accidentally inflicted this owie on Miles, because I wouldn't want to hurt his feelings. After all, it was an accident. :)

I WILL say it was caused by a mis-hap with the finger nail clippers. And I will say it occurred during Sacrament meeting. (Why this particular parent was clipping finger nails during sacrament is beyond me...) And I will ALSO say that Miles started wailing right in the middle of someone's heart-felt testimony, and blood was dripping everywhere, and it ruined his cute church outfit. All attempts at first-aid were thwarted when the finger sucker would put his favorite finger in his mouth (the hurt one), suck off the band-aid, and continue to bleed everywhere.

the picture really doesn't do it justice. The whole tip of his finger was ALMOST clipped right off. But Miles is doing fine now. Infact, I think it was a little more traumatic for the parent who caused the injury. And from now on Mom does all the clipping.

And just to prove our little guy is alive and well, and happy as can be:

I know, it seems like all my pictures of him are pretty close to the same. So Here's one just to mix it up. He's on his tummy instead of his back. :)