Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 Resolutions Report

At the beginning of 2011, we planned five individual and five family goals. (Read about Caden's here.) These were my five goals for 2011 and how I did:
  1. Exercise 3 or more times a week: I ran 3 times a week until June when it got too hot. Justin and I went to the gym together a few times during the summer. Once the weather cooled down, I started running again but not consistently. Then a couple months ago I met another running mom at our playgroup and we ran three times a week together until Christmas break. We plan on continuing next year.
  2. Submit 4 manuscripts to magazines: I submitted much more than that, and all but the ones to Jen Magazine (an LDS online fashion magazine) were rejected. However, Jen has only published one of my articles so far. I'm going to submit more articles to Highlights next year.
  3. Watch less TV: Accomplished. There are still shows I watch by myself or with Justin, but in control and sometimes later online when I/we have time. Sleep and chores come first!
  4. Read the scriptures daily: This went up and down all year. Right now it's up from Christmas guilt. I need to improve significantly.
  5. Be more affectionate; no nagging: Justin's assessment: "Combined rating of B+. Much improvement from last year."
For Justin's privacy, I will not share his goals. Here are the ones we made for both of us:
  1. Clean the house: I did great all year. I cleaned the kitchen every day and stayed on top of laundry. I cleaned the bathroom and vacuumed more often. The only area I can still improve in is filing papers--my worst nightmare!
  2. Budget: For the most part we were strict. We had a lot of car troubles this year that cost us and were able to pay off all of them. The only time we did bad was eating out a lot in October and November.
  3. Go to the temple monthly: FAIL. I don't even remember the last time we went. And we still haven't finished renewing our recommends. Embarrassing.
  4. Have consistent family prayer, scripture study, and FHE. Family prayer and scripture study have been daily. We still need to work on FHE.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Home for the Holidays

Thanksgiving

I actually helped with the turkey this year, but I'm still too scared to do it all. Adam and Kirsten joined us and brought yummy apple caramel pie. The boys played a lot of Settlers of Catan. Dad and I tied in Scrabble, with Constance not far behind. Mom and I scored thrift store shopping as usual. Caden went for a swim with Grandpa and enjoyed the hot tub with Daddy (no worries, only his legs were in for a few minutes to warm him up after the cool-night swim).




Pre-Christmas Activities

The ward party was alright. We only stayed for the food. We didn't feel like doing Santa this year, although Caden probably wouldn't have cried. I went to an ugly ornament exchange with Kirsten. It was really fun. I love our girls' nights out!

We finally put up our tree the week before Christmas. Of course, Caden was interested in taking everything down, so we put all the ornaments high up. That along with the carpet being uneven, our tree looks funny.


Justin's work party was better this year. We left Caden with a sitter and he did great. The food was delicious. There was music, and after much begging, Justin danced with me. Adam danced one samba with me. We didn't win any raffle prizes at the party for the second year in a row. Adam won headphones.

Caden got sick. Another double ear infection. Worse than last time, because he woke up every hour or less for a few nights in a row. Needless to say, I was a very cranky zombie mom. Then he reacted to the antibiotics and we had to go back to the ER on Christmas Eve to check it out and switch meds.


Christmas Eve night we saw the lights and nativities at the Mesa Temple/Visitor's Center with Adam and Kirsten. We never go at the right time for the concerts; we're usually too early or too late. Caden had fun walking up and down the stairs. Afterward we went to Adam and Kirsten's for dinner (or breakfast, really) with the missionaries and exchanged gifts. They got me A Muppet Christmas Carol, a family tradition which I missed. (We got them their Christmas tree and some ornaments in November).



Christmas Day

Christmas morning Caden ran straight to the little armchair we bought him.


We spoiled him this year, though besides the chair I only spent $25 on him--everything was secondhand. He got bath toys, a truck, 3 puzzles, tons of books, and a riding car/walker. The car is his favorite. He got toys, clothes, books, and stuffed animals from family and friends. He got to open those with Grandma and Keilani watching via Skype on Adam's laptop. He wasn't too into unwrapping, but he did help clean it up.



Justin's favorite present from me. Caden thinks it's funny and loves to retrieve the darts.

The biggest surprise for us was a present from Justin's parents: an XBOX 360 and Kinect. I'm really excited about the Kinect; Justin and I love playing it at Best Buy. However, Justin and I still need to discuss rules and allowed games. We also got a lot of money from family and Justin's clients and are saving it for a new TV.

new church clothes from Adam & Kirsten


After presents was church for a *cough* unique Christmas program. Then we all napped. Kirsten and Adam came over. I made lasagna for the first time for dinner and it came out great! We had cheesecake for dessert. The others watched the Packers game. We watched A Muppet Christmas Carol here and there throughout the night.





I think everyone was very happy with their presents and had a good time.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Crazy Caden

Time for another update on Caden!


At his 15-month appointment a few weeks ago, he weighed 23 lbs. and  measured 31 in., both 50 percentile. His head was in the 90 percentile!

He loves clapping. If he hears cheering on TV, if someone says yay, or if he does something he thinks is cool, he starts clapping and smiling.

He waves goodbye really adorably, sometimes with both hands.


He points at everything and asks, "Szat?" (What's that?).

He still spins around for dancing, but also bounces up and down and marches. If he hears any music, he starts dancing.

He knows where his belly button, nose, and toes are.

He likes to stand up in his high chair, stand on regular chairs, climb on everything still, and fall down on our bed.

He loves the playground and is absolutely fearless going down slides, running across the shaky bridge, and climbing up and down.


He can follow directions, though he doesn't always do so. His favorite thing to do is get his socks because then he knows we are going outside.

He is still very clingy, but he is getting better.

He loves staying in Nursery while I set up and gets upset when I take him out. I hope it lasts once it's really time for him to go in!

He loves, loves butter. If something has butter on or in it, he'll eat it.


He eats more adult food and only eats vegetable/meat baby food, though sometimes I can get him to eat the real deal if I'm eating it or if it's mixed in with rice. If he doesn't like it, he has no qualms spitting it out. Gross!

He makes his goldfish swim before putting them into his mouth.

He is obsessed with spoons and has to hold one all the time. If he sees a spoon, he wants it.

He knows how to use a play phone. It's so cute seeing him try to put it to his ear but miss and get the back of his neck instead.


He dumps all the water out his bathtub with a cup and then likes to fill up his cup when I refill the tub.

He likes to hide in my closet, behind doors, or under blankets and play peek-a-boo.

He is back to sleeping in his crib during naptime and a couple hours at night. He has been sleeping in a lot lately. Yesterday he slept in until 10!

He likes to push our nose and hear us say honk or beep.


He is getting two more top teeth. Once I figured that out, he started sleeping better.

He likes to turn on and off the lights. He likes to turn off the power cord (and thus the computer). I let him do it at night, but sometimes he sneaks up on me and does it during the day too, like right now.

Yesterday he started knocking on doors and walls.

He tries to comb his hair with Justin's comb.

He signs milk and please all the time, potty and all done sometimes, and more rarely. I'm trying to teach him eat again and he does it after I do it, but not on his own.


He knows when he misbehaves and laughs mischeviously. When I want him to calm down when he's throwing a tantrum, he laughs whiningly instead. If I tell him not to go somewhere he'll do it so I will chase him. We're working on not screaming. If I ask him to ask for something nicely he will, but he usually screams first. Overall, he's a very silly, energetic, headstrong kid with a sweet side.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Breaking Dawn

Last one:

*All these years I've heard the hype over a supposed sex scene. I should've listened to Kaitlyn, my former movie/book screener. As she said, it was all implied.
*I enjoyed reading from Jacob's point of view. Until the birth scene. Parents are worried about the honeymoon? The birth was extremely graphic and disturbing (not a normal human birth).
*And the book gets even more twisted. I feel like there was a huge maturity jump from book three to book four. The first three books were teen romances. The fourth is more adult themed and dark. People say the same about Harry Potter, but I disagree. Harry Potter's knowledge and responsibilities mature as he matures in order to defeat Voldemort. The dark undertones were always there, but were made more manifest as the time got closer for Harry to battle You-Know-Who. However, each book also remains fun and enjoyable for all ages.
*Debating whether or not to finish reading the book . . . nope, not finishing it. I have better ways to spend my time. I'll just ask my friend how it ends.
*Overall: Weird and disturbing.

*Series Overall: The first three were entertaining. I probably would have enjoyed them more as a middle schooler, when I was into teen romances. I still don't understand the obsession in women my age or older. I may watch the first two or three movies, but maybe not. The saga was nowhere near as genius or addicting as the Harry Potter series. Apples to oranges? Maybe. But HP forever for me!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Eclipse

Finished Eclipse last night:
*Edward is too overprotective and controlling.
*Minus points for Jacob for the forced kiss; plus points for Edward for defending her and for being more civil and flexible. Although Jacob shouldn't have kissed her and he deserved the punch, Bella overreacted overall.
*I don't have problems with Bella's insecurities. I hate how incredibly manipulative and selfish she is and that she knows it and hates it, but not enough to change. What do those guys see in her, really?
*Too much mushy stuff. Let's get to the action!
*Poor Jacob.
*Never mind. Didn't like how he manipulated Bella. On the other hand, it was nice seeing her have a taste of her own medicine.
*I'm liking Edward more, but I'm still team Jacob.
*Finally some action!
*Alice is my favorite character.

Only one more to go! And then the movies.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Bikinis



If I've offended anybody, I'm not sorry! I am just so shocked how many LDS women wear bikinis. (Clarification: I'm not judging converts' or members' rebellious pasts, but you should know better now.) I thought bikinis being immodest was a "duh" fact. I'm glad I have never worn a bikini. I have worn a tankini, but the top covered my tummy and the bottom was boy shorts. What is so wrong with a one piece anyway? There are so many cute styles these days.