Monday, March 21, 2011
How Do You Make a Jean Jacket Fashionable?
I have a black jean jacket from high school that I really like. But I never wear it because I don't know how to make it work with today's fashion. How can I modernize its look? Or is it a lost cause?
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Holidays in Pictures
Finally the last of 2010 and beginning of 2011--through photos.
Thanksgiving
Caden's outfit I bought at a thrift store the day I found out he was a boy. That menu will be more accurate this year.
I don't remember much of what we did except watch movies and play games as usual. I also figured out how to transfer music from my brother's iPod to my computer--only to accidentally delete all the files a few days later. I was so mad because it took me forever to locate the songs I wanted since they weren't all clearly named. And who knows when my brother will visit again (he's at BYU now).
Christmas
We went to the ward Christmas party. Caden fell asleep and didn't wake up until the end when Santa came out. He was cranky and hungry, so we snagged a quick photo of him on Santa's lap before leaving.
We also went to Justin's work party. I did not have fun. It was too close to Caden's bedtime, so I spent most of the time wandering the club house to keep Caden quiet. And we didn't win anything from the raffle.
On Christmas Eve we went to see the lights at the Mesa Temple. We ran into our home teacher, who invited us over for lunch the next day.
Christmas morning. Caden got the most presents of course. He wasn't interested in any of them, not even the wrapping paper. After we opened presents, we went to our home teacher's for a Mexican lunch. I don't even remember what I made for dinner.
New Year's
We were out window shopping and decided to eat at Ruby Tuesday's. They had a great New Year's deal going on. I love their food! I can't stand TGIF, Chili's, or Applebee's (except their dessert). Caden woke up sooner than expected, of course, and so I nursed at a restaurant for the first time. It wasn't bad because we were in a corner behind the entrance and it was dimly lit. There just wasn't much space.
We didn't stay up but went straight to bed to ring in the New Year. There's no such thing as partying when you have a baby who wakes up a lot!
Thanksgiving
My family came down again.
Thanksgiving dinner. It actually wasn't as extravagant as usual and took much longer to make since I had to stop so much to care for Caden. In fact, we didn't have the pumpkin pies until the next day.
Caden's outfit I bought at a thrift store the day I found out he was a boy. That menu will be more accurate this year.
I don't remember much of what we did except watch movies and play games as usual. I also figured out how to transfer music from my brother's iPod to my computer--only to accidentally delete all the files a few days later. I was so mad because it took me forever to locate the songs I wanted since they weren't all clearly named. And who knows when my brother will visit again (he's at BYU now).
Christmas
We went to the ward Christmas party. Caden fell asleep and didn't wake up until the end when Santa came out. He was cranky and hungry, so we snagged a quick photo of him on Santa's lap before leaving.
We also went to Justin's work party. I did not have fun. It was too close to Caden's bedtime, so I spent most of the time wandering the club house to keep Caden quiet. And we didn't win anything from the raffle.
On Christmas Eve we went to see the lights at the Mesa Temple. We ran into our home teacher, who invited us over for lunch the next day.
Christmas morning. Caden got the most presents of course. He wasn't interested in any of them, not even the wrapping paper. After we opened presents, we went to our home teacher's for a Mexican lunch. I don't even remember what I made for dinner.
New Year's
We were out window shopping and decided to eat at Ruby Tuesday's. They had a great New Year's deal going on. I love their food! I can't stand TGIF, Chili's, or Applebee's (except their dessert). Caden woke up sooner than expected, of course, and so I nursed at a restaurant for the first time. It wasn't bad because we were in a corner behind the entrance and it was dimly lit. There just wasn't much space.
We didn't stay up but went straight to bed to ring in the New Year. There's no such thing as partying when you have a baby who wakes up a lot!
Three Kings Day
I didn't realize the date, so we celebrated Three Kings Day on the 7th instead of the 6th. I played salsa music and made rice, beans, and pumpkin fritters. I bought us a ton of movies on sale at Target as our gift. Caden got a crinkle toy I bought on Etsy.
Four-Year Engagement Anniversary
For Christmas, Justin got some restaurant gift cards. One was to the Keg. We used it the night of our four-year engagement anniversary. Caden was a nightmare! He wouldn't stop screaming. We both tried bouncing him to sleep. I took him to the car and nursed him while Justin ate. Then I ate while Justin changed his diaper. They were taking so long. Finally they came out and Justin told me Caden went both #1 and #2 all over while changing him. Luckily I had an extra onesie. The whole fiasco was partially our fault. We weren't prepared since we weren't sure if we were even going to go. On the bright side, since our server thought it was our wedding anniversary (even though we told him engagement), he gave us free dessert. The food was really good but pricey.
And that is it! Finally caught up. Whew.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Six Months
Caden turned six months on Monday. I remember thinking when I took him home that six months seemed so far away. On the one hand, so much has happened since he was born, I'm not surprised it's been that long already. On the other, the last two months flew by so quickly! He had his appointment on Tuesday. He is 16 lbs. and 26 in., low on the charts, but perfectly chunky for Mama. He is on target developmentally.
Caden loves to roll around. He wants to crawl so badly, but still hasn't figured it out. He loves pulling on his socks until they come off and eating them. He is definitely teething: he devours the textured teething rings I give him. He also sucks on his lips, which looks so funny! He has regressed in his sleep habits, waking up often to nurse--though not as bad as before--and refusing to sleep anywhere but in my arms if we're at home. I can put him in the swing if he is already asleep, but the crib--forget it! He's also fighting sleep again, making bedtime difficult.
He loves to make noises: he blows raspberries, sometimes all over my face; says "da-da-da" over and over; gargles; and purses his lips really tight, clenches his fists, and shouts, "Heh-mmmmm!" or just squeals until he's red in the face. The last one drives me crazy! On the bright side, he loves to laugh and be laughed at and is such a silly boy. He loves to watch his right foot as he wiggles it on the potty chair and he likes to push against me and pop his wrist or thumb. He's also added "The Ants Go Marching" to his list of favorite songs.
We haven't tried feeding him solids yet but will soon. I'm sure it will be hilarious!
 |
| Rolling around--always to the wires! |
Caden loves to roll around. He wants to crawl so badly, but still hasn't figured it out. He loves pulling on his socks until they come off and eating them. He is definitely teething: he devours the textured teething rings I give him. He also sucks on his lips, which looks so funny! He has regressed in his sleep habits, waking up often to nurse--though not as bad as before--and refusing to sleep anywhere but in my arms if we're at home. I can put him in the swing if he is already asleep, but the crib--forget it! He's also fighting sleep again, making bedtime difficult.
 |
| Sucking on his upper lip |
He loves to make noises: he blows raspberries, sometimes all over my face; says "da-da-da" over and over; gargles; and purses his lips really tight, clenches his fists, and shouts, "Heh-mmmmm!" or just squeals until he's red in the face. The last one drives me crazy! On the bright side, he loves to laugh and be laughed at and is such a silly boy. He loves to watch his right foot as he wiggles it on the potty chair and he likes to push against me and pop his wrist or thumb. He's also added "The Ants Go Marching" to his list of favorite songs.
 |
| The cutest smile in the world! |
As the doctor noted might happen, Caden is going through a stage of separation anxiety, evident in his changed sleeping habits. Simply being in my arms used to be enough. Now he searches for my face frequently in his sleep to make sure I'm still there. It sounds cute, but it's painful because he claws my chin and grabs my lower lip and teeth. During the day I have to take him to every room I go. He wants to be held and have my full attention more than normal. He nurses more frequently, probably also due to a growth spurt. It's all a bit frustrating since we were finally getting into a better schedule. However, I love how excited he gets when he sees me once he wakes up, especially when he's in the crib.
We haven't tried feeding him solids yet but will soon. I'm sure it will be hilarious!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Follow, Follow Me
I have a favor to ask you wonderful friends: would you please follow my giveaway blog? By that I mean become a follower via Google Friend Connect by clicking "Follow" on the right sidebar. You don't have to add me to your blog list or even read my blog (though I would prefer that; my ultimate goal is to gain readership by content not giveaways). I just need numbers so I can get more and better giveaways. Right now, though, is the best time to enter my giveaways since I have such few entries--higher chance of you winning something. Thanks!
A Sweet Surprise
On Justin's day off we usually go to a mall and look around. We rarely buy anything since we have little money, but there is the occasional need. For example, I have been looking for a simple black cardigan for the past two years, something to wear to church or other cold indoor places when it's otherwise warm. The black sweater I currently have is too bulky for summer and the hood makes it casual (and annoying), though I still wear it to church because it's my only option. I've been unlucky in my search for a new one. What I look for: light, fitted, preferably 3/4 or short sleeves, simple or no embellishments, reasonable price. What I find: thick, too big sizes, long sleeves, large and loud embellishments or grandma styles, expensive prices. Two years ago, I did find a black and a white cardigan on clearance at Papaya for $5 each. I didn't buy them and now regret it.
Yesterday we went to a new mall and I searched yet again, not expecting to find anything. We went into LOFT, one of my favorite stores, and were immediately helped. The sales lady asked what I was looking for and I told her. She came back with something that worked ok, but it had long sleeves, didn't come in my size, and wasn't available in black in petites. She seemed as desperate to make a sale as I was to find something, so she kept looking. She returned with the same style but with short sleeves and in my size. It fit nicely and looked cute. But I knew LOFT prices. It was $45 plus tax--too much for that little bit of fabric and buttons. Justin and I agreed to think about it. Too bad it wasn't my birthday.
We left the store and I actually started to cry. It had gotten to the point that I just wanted the search to be over, and it could have been. But I am always the frugal one. I will not spend over a certain amount of money on something, even if it is a need and not a want. I sniffled to Justin, "It sucks to be poor."
We headed to Motherhood Maternity so I could nurse Caden. Justin waited outside on the leather couches. He came back to get something from the stroller, taking it out of the dressing room instead of coming inside to retrieve what he needed. Fishy, I thought. Then I heard a noise I shouldn't have heard: the crinkly rustle of a plastic bag.
I came out and saw a corner of the familiar clear LOFT gift bag sticking out of the stroller. But I didn't say anything. I wanted to see how Justin would play it out. I changed Caden's diaper, asking Justin to get the diaper bag from the stroller and giving it back to him to put away while I washed my hands. When I came out, the LOFT bag was completely hidden.
We went on our way and Justin brought up the cardigan: "You know, $45 is too expensive. We probably shouldn't get it."
I couldn't help but start smiling and gave myself away. "You're a terrible liar," I said.
"What are you talking about?" Justin replied, but he was already smiling back.
"I know you got the cardigan. I heard the bag when you came back." Then I hugged and kissed him endlessly to show him my gratitude for what he did. Justin knows I normally would not approve, so he usually does not buy something anyway, but he could tell this was important to me. What a sweetheart!
*Photo coming soon!*
Yesterday we went to a new mall and I searched yet again, not expecting to find anything. We went into LOFT, one of my favorite stores, and were immediately helped. The sales lady asked what I was looking for and I told her. She came back with something that worked ok, but it had long sleeves, didn't come in my size, and wasn't available in black in petites. She seemed as desperate to make a sale as I was to find something, so she kept looking. She returned with the same style but with short sleeves and in my size. It fit nicely and looked cute. But I knew LOFT prices. It was $45 plus tax--too much for that little bit of fabric and buttons. Justin and I agreed to think about it. Too bad it wasn't my birthday.
We left the store and I actually started to cry. It had gotten to the point that I just wanted the search to be over, and it could have been. But I am always the frugal one. I will not spend over a certain amount of money on something, even if it is a need and not a want. I sniffled to Justin, "It sucks to be poor."
We headed to Motherhood Maternity so I could nurse Caden. Justin waited outside on the leather couches. He came back to get something from the stroller, taking it out of the dressing room instead of coming inside to retrieve what he needed. Fishy, I thought. Then I heard a noise I shouldn't have heard: the crinkly rustle of a plastic bag.
I came out and saw a corner of the familiar clear LOFT gift bag sticking out of the stroller. But I didn't say anything. I wanted to see how Justin would play it out. I changed Caden's diaper, asking Justin to get the diaper bag from the stroller and giving it back to him to put away while I washed my hands. When I came out, the LOFT bag was completely hidden.
We went on our way and Justin brought up the cardigan: "You know, $45 is too expensive. We probably shouldn't get it."
I couldn't help but start smiling and gave myself away. "You're a terrible liar," I said.
"What are you talking about?" Justin replied, but he was already smiling back.
"I know you got the cardigan. I heard the bag when you came back." Then I hugged and kissed him endlessly to show him my gratitude for what he did. Justin knows I normally would not approve, so he usually does not buy something anyway, but he could tell this was important to me. What a sweetheart!
*Photo coming soon!*
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