Bathing Beauty Baby and Big Sis

I thought I had her looking at the camera for this and didn't realize she'd looked away. Darn! Anyway, she wanted to show off her new bathing suit. Well, someone wanted to show it off. Ain't it cute. Her favorite stroke is the Butterfly. Okay, just kidding. She's best at the backstroke--and she does that really well in her crib while she's sleeping. Hee hee.

I AM NOT A SCI-FI FAN

But my whole family is--what's a girl to do? They like to watch these yucky sci-fi horror fantasy flicks and they drive me crazy. Arrggh. I just stayed in the kitchen and cooked dinner while the weirdness flickered across the television screen and everyone's (except mine, of course) eyes glued themselves to the screen. I just don't get it. They aren't just yucky--they are dumb. They aren't even written well and they are things that couldn't even happen in your craziest dream. I think a few people around my house need a creative hobby or an outlet where they can explore their vivid imaginations in real time. Hmmm. Then again, maybe I'm better off letting them watch their crazy movies once in a while. Really, what's the harm. Could be worse I guess.

IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY!

Not much of a blog today. I've had a migraine the last couple of days and can't seem to get rid of it. Rob has had to work overtime both yesterday and today. He doesn't usually work Saturdays but it is 10 p.m. and he's not home yet. Poor guy. Anyway, that's about it. We are boring.

Grandma and Grandpa D. (Bob and Mel)

These are Rob's parents. It's a cute photo and I just wanted to introduce them to everyone. They are the parents of four boys and Rob is the oldest.

FITNESS FRIDAY

Hey Everyone,

I got on the scales this morning and was down the 5 pounds I had gained! Yeah! I attribute it the the "thin thinking." When I could finally start my thinking that way again I started eating and snacking less and "Voila." I am so happy. Also, the sugarless gum helps a ton! Go, fight, win!

Carly with Grandma D.

She's just a month old here. I just keep finding pictures I haven't seen in a while. Thought you'd want to see them.

Can You Say Double Trouble?

These two are cousins-Caitlin and Julie. Julie, of course, is mine and Caitlin is my sister Sarah's daughter. Put these two together and all the sudden you've got a couple of tornados! I found this picture tonight and thought it was too cute not to post. They are 13 and 14 respectively. Boy, don't kids look older these days?

A Visit With Aunt Sarah

This is my sister, Sarah with Carly. Boy, did we work hard for each and every smile you see here on baby girl. She is teething at the moment and it sure makes her grouchy! Come to think of it, it would probably make me grouchy, too. Anyway, I took about 25 pictures and these are the only ones that even came close to her having a smile on her face. Hey, maybe it's just you she's cranky for Aunt Sarah--just teasing! Love you~

Oh, Those Cheeks!

Megan, Carly and Julie kissin' up a storm!

I Found Some Old Photos

Well, not that old. These were stuck on our actual camera and I didn't even know it. I've been pulling all the pictures off of the little chip in the camera and I had it out one time and apparently there is an internal memory that holds a few pictures as well. Anyway,it had some of these cute pictures on it from when my parents first came to see Carly. So, coming right up--cute grandparent pictures.

Grandma C. with Her Namesake

This is Grandma Carolyn with Carolyn Alexis better known as Carly. Aren't they cute together?

Carly with Grandpa

Carly loves Grandpa!

Carly with Grandpa and Grandma C.

FITNESS FRIDAY TIPS TO MAKE YOU THIN

I found some really helpful fitness hints this last week. Some of them are ones I've used in the past and others are new to me. It's easy to forget them and get sloppy over time and I guess that is what I've done. I'm going to commit these to memory and really try hard to live this way and just make these every day habits. I know reading them again was helpful for me. I hope they will be helpful for you, too.

Countering the Snack Attack
Chew sugar free gum.
People who chew either sweetened or sugar-free gum after lunch feel full longer, have fewer hunger pangs, have fewer cravings for sweets, and eat fewer afternoon snacks -- compared with people who don't chew gum. How does chomping gum suppress hunger? It's simple. When you eat, your taste buds are stimulated by the food. But the cool thing is that exposure to the tastes and smells of food also lessens how good it tastes. That, in turn, is one of the cues that signal your brain that you're full, so cravings go away. Chewing gum may have this same effect -- but without all the calories! You can make the gum trick work even better by thinking about how many snacks you've eaten.

Here are some other ideas:
Don't snack in front of the computer or television.

Discover your emotional snacking triggers.

Grab a tall drink of water before every snack.

Don't eat after a certain time at night, say 7:00p.m. or 8:00 p.m.

Never ever eat in bed.

Think like a thin person. (What you say? Yep, it's true. Thin people think differently than people who are heavy. I know because one of my thin friends who had put on a little weight said that one day. "I just need to start thinking like a thin person again. I looked at her like she given the address to the fountain of youth and said, "Can you say that again?" Then I had her explain what she meant to me and she told me she almost never thought about food when she was thinner. There were times when it didn't even occur to her to eat. She used food like fuel and filled up when she was empty. She put on a few pounds when she stared focusing on food. This was the moment I stopped dieting and tried to just start eating better. Diets focus you on what you are eating which is exactly what you don't want to have happen.)

Well, that's enough tips for today. Most of these came from an article in RealAge. The rest just came from my brain. Good luck this week everyone.

Finally, Our 5K Pictures!

What a motley crew, eh?

A Real Pain

Another thing I learned from my doctor visit yesterday is that the pain I've been having in my wrist and thumb is a very difficult to deal with tendonitis because of where it's located. So I left the office with a brace that immobilizes my thumb and wrist that I am supposed to wear 24 hours a day for the next four to six weeks. I am allowed to take it off briefly to wash and luckily it is my left hand since I am right handed. As much as it hurt before it just aches being immobilized. The pain woke me up several times in the night. I am really trying to follow the doctor's orders so my wrist and thumb can heal quickly.

Interestingly enough, the first thing my doctor asked me once he diagnosed the problem was if I'd been multi-tasking? "Yep", I said, "That's exactly how it happened. They call it Motherhood."

The Pollen Count Rises

The last two days the pollen count has been out of control. I have barely been able to get my contacts in and I am on year round allergy meds. This is crazy! I have special eyedrops and everything. I've been having sore throats for the last three weeks and I went to the doctor today and even that turned out to be allergy related. Holy Cow! What's a girl to do?

Carly and Mylie

Rob With Mylie

We went to Rob's brothers house over the weekend for a family get together and they had a new pup. It's a tiny dog. I don't remember the type but it never gets to be more than about 5 lbs full grown. She is such a little fuzzball and oh, so cuddly.

Look At This Doll Baby!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD! YOU'RE THE BEST AND I LOVE YOU.

Ain't This Cute?

MOM AND CARLY--JUST A SWANGIN'

I'm usually behind the camera so it's fun to have a picture of me with my gorgeous little girl to show off to you.

We had a fun but busy day today. We woke up early and walked a 5K as a family. We had Rob and me, three of our girls and a son and law. It was fun. Although, it really didn't end up being a 5K--more like an 2 1/2 or 3K. Megan got blisters on her heals really bad and I had shin splints from being on the treadmill earlier in the week. Poor Rob wore himself out yesterday between golf and softball and well, Carly pretty much was fine as she slept through the whole thing in her stroller. Julie was just hot--but needless to say we took a shortcut and made it to the ward breakfast just a little later than those who ran the 5K. Not bad for cheaters, eh? I'll post a picture of our gang tomorrow. It's actually on my camera--not my external drive and I need hubby's help to get it off. We are such a cute bunch. I'll bet you can't wait!

Fitness Friday Report

Actually, I will start with Thursday. After finding the new poundage on my scales I got my rear in gear and got on my treadmill. I hadn't been on it for at least 6 months. I know, shameful. Anyway, I did 3.5 miles. Then, I cooked and ate healthy all day. At night, I talked hubby and Julie into taking Carly and the dogs for a walk. It was so nice out. We went for about an hour and kept up a decent pace--mostly because of the dogs.

Today, I ate pretty decent-not perfect-but didn't get a lot of exercise in because my legs were feeling it in the shins and tomorrow we are doing a 5K as a family. We are pretty much walking it because we are taking the baby in the stroller. We did walk through the mall a bit but that was pretty much the extent of the exercise.

My scales were 1.5 pounds lighter this morning but I do think a lot of it maybe water weight gain. I'm just going to try not to panic and keep eating a little better and doing a little exercise. Thanks for the encouragement fitness buddies. Good luck with your journeys, too.

Carly On Her New Hand Sewn Quilt

I don't know if you can see this quilt well enough but it is gorgeous. One of my dear friends from work made it for Carly. She is now Carly's Aunt Sally. It is completely hand-stitched. I've watched her give these away as gifts for showers over the years and coveted them (I know-that's bad) so I was so excited when she made one for Carly. Thank you Aunt Sally! Carly is going to learn to crawl on this quilt. She is learning push-ups right now and getting her arm strength up. We'll update you when she makes her first move.

Something Is Wrong With My Scales!

I got on my scales this morning and I was five, count them -- one . . . two . . . three . . . four . . . five pounds heavier than I was yesterday. Well, how in the world can that be, you say? That's what I said! It's obvious (at least to me)--they are BROKEN! I mean, it can't have anything to do with the Hostess cupcakes I had for breakfast yesterday, or the Hershey Gold chunks I snacked on during the day or even the 5 homemade cookies I ate just before bed with a cold glass of milk. (YES-I DID SAY 5--THEY WERE WARM AND GOOEY!)

Anyway, I know that even when you are this bad--even if you do it for a few days in a row--five pounds in a day is just unheard of?! It's obviously the scales--seriously, they are broken. At least they are now . . . after I took the hammer to them.

Carly Adores Her Megan

She loves it when Megan comes to visit! She just doesn't come often enough.

Carly Takes A Bite Out of Crime!

Is Anyone Surprised?

One of the top news stories today was that the Clinton's have a "hit list" or to put it another way they are keeping a list of their enemies. The list is comprised of all those they feel stabbed them in the back, did not live up to promises and even just those who didn't stand by them in the end. If your name is on that list - WATCH OUT! I guess the Clinton's are legendary for their paybacks. At the very least you won't get your next favor granted but from what the pundits were speculating you might just want to start looking over your shoulder. YE GADS--Who do these former high mucky-mucks think they are. I think it's time to retire their secret service protection and let them remember what it's like to live like the real people again. I'm just sayin'.

The Dirty Rotten Teething Monster!

It's probably a good thing we get our get our first teeth when we are too young to remember. Apparently it is pretty torturous--enough so that it turns normally happy, smiling, cooing little cherubs into angry, screaming, drooling little monsters! Seriously though--I think there is a reason it happens when we are young enough that the memory fades from us. It apparently really hurts. My little one started feeling the pain about a month ago and over the last two weeks it has really gotten worse. She cries really hard every day and needs to gnaw on something at the same time--all the while drooling excessively. I'm sure it's the teething thing. Poor little girl. I really feel for her. I do lots of different things to try to help her. Some work better than others--but all seem to give some relief. If anyone knows of a fool-proof cure for the pain--I'm open!

Sickee and Cranky

Mommy has been sick all day. I've had a really bad sore throat. It hurts to swallow--especially on the right side of my throat. This is the second time this has happened in about two weeks. Anyway, I stayed in bed all day. Luckily Julie is out of school and could help with Carly. I got up this evening and helped a little bit but I'm still not feeling up to par.

I'm getting a night bottle for Carly now and I think she and I will head back to bed. I will try to get her to fall asleep so Julie and Rob can have a rest. Her teeth are really bothering her so she is much more cranky than normal.

We're baaa'aaccckkk!

We got back this morning just in time to go to church with the girls. Julie had a talk in Sacrament meeting and we wanted to be there for that. She did a great job. This was the first time we left the baby overnight and it was really hard. I missed her so much. I kept dreaming that we'd forgotten to pack the formula and then the diapers and then, oh yah, the baby! I didn't sleep as well as I should have for not having a crying baby keeping me awake.

Rob and I had a good time and were able to spend a couple of nights away from home and have some nice meals, see a movie and just spend some time with each other. I think it was good for Megan, Julie and Carly to spend some bonding time together, too. They seemed to have had fun as well.

It's almost one and I just got Carly to sleep so I guess I can go to bed, too. G'night everyone.

Happy Anniversay Sweetheart! I Love You.

Rob and I are celebrating our third wedding anniversary today. Time really has flown by. In some ways, it doesn't seem like it has been three years and in other ways it seems like we have always been together. I love my husband so much and am so grateful to have him in my life. The Lord has been so good to both of us.

Rob is such a good man and I am so blessed to be his wife. He cares more about my happiness than his own and does everything he can to make sure his family has what we need. I love you Sweety. Happy Anniversary.

This is Craziness!

I spent almost an hour yesterday ironing. I haven't done that since . . . well, I can't remember the last time I spent an hour ironing. I was probably a teenager. I mean, I throw my things in the iron (that would be the clothes dryer for those of you who don't get it.) Someone invented permapress for a reason. Even when I got married I didn't do much ironing. Every once in a great while I will do a little, like for Megan's wedding I ironed Rob's tux shirt and Julie's skirt.

The craziness is that I have all these adorable baby clothes that look like thay are wash and wear . . . only when you wash and dry them they come out all wrinkled. I can't put my adorable baby in completely wrinkled cute clothes! I tried steaming them to no avail--the only thing that works is the iron. Someone tell me why a clothes designer would choose to make baby clothes out of material that has to be ironed? I'll tell you why. They don't have babies. They don't even own irons or ironing boards. They take all their laundry to dry cleaners and have them press them! That's why they don't worry about what things are made of!

Four months ago I would have told you I'd never in a million years spend time ironing baby clothes--especially since I don't even iron my own clothes--but now I have the cutest baby on earth and she has these clothes she looks so adorable in that have to be ironed once they are washed. It's like being lured and tricked into ironing! Arrrggghhh!! I'm trapped. Oh, but she's worth it. Guess I'm head over heals in love with that little girl! I don't iron for just anyone you know!

Look Who Came To See Us

This is Beverly, a dear friend I worked with for many years at the university. She and her husband Ferral came to visit last week. It was so fun to see them and to show off Carly! We love visitors!

We Caught Some of Our Friends in the Garden

We also stopped by Aunt Maren and Aunt Tammie's to say hi. They begged us not to take pictures since they were covered in dirt and sweaty--but you know us--we don't listen. Actually, we just had to have a picture them with the girls. It's an adorable photo! It was so great to see everyone! We love visiting.

We Went Visiting . . . Carly, Dorothy and Gene

Remember, we went visiting on Monday and Carly had a rough time. Unfortunately her best moments were when she was asleep. Poor thing had such a tummy ache that she cried so hard we could barely comfort her. When she finally fell asleep she was fine.

These are some of my dearest friends whom I consider my second parents. It was the first time they had the chance to see her so I felt bad that she was hurting and not in a good mood. She's usually so happy.

My Little Cherub in Her Blanket of Love

I have to tell you about this blanket which truly is a blanket of love. One of my dearest friends in the whole world made it for me several years ago before I met my husband or had children--during those years when I was beginning to worry it would never happen. Her name is Venice and she has been like a sister, a mother and the best kind of friend.

Anyway, she was making blankets for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she made one for me. She knew how much I wanted a little one and she always told me she knew someday it would happen for me someday. She even had a dream that I got married and had a family which I remember being very happy about at the time because her dreams often came true! Well, indeed they did--and I am now the very happy, proud momma of this beautiful, little cherub--and some other taller, more grown up cherubs, too. I don't want to forget them. I love them all.

Thank you Venice--not only for this beautiful blanket of love but for all the years of love, friendship and faith . . . YOU are the best!

Carly in Her Strawberry Jams

Carly went visiting today and it did not go so well. She had a horrible, awful, terrible, very bad, rotten and other-wise lousy day! We'll tell you more about that tomorrow because it's late now. But luckily by the end of the day she was feeling better. Here she is coolin' in her strawberry jam's with Dad and then on her own just before "Night-Night."

A Slow Simmering Sunday

Today started early. Rob and I had an 8:00 a.m. meeting at church. Julie got up and watched the baby for us while we ran our meeting. Then Rob and I came home and we all took a nap. That is except for Julie as she's a young teenager and has not yet learned how to nap! Then, we got up and got ready for church, went to church and came home, ate dinner and took a longer nap. Eventually, we got up, had a few snacks, did a few random things and all went to bed. I think we were all pretty tired from a long week. Either that or we are just one really boring family. I'll let you decide.