Santa Baby

*Photo taken by our resident photog, Silvia

Good times here!

Happy Holidays!

Moving for the 8th and last time!

Did you know that in my eight years of marriage I have moved eight times. Ridiculous, right?!
Well, we moved for what I am hoping is the eighth and last time. We bought a home in SLC and we are close to everything. So far I'm really loving it. The other day I locked myself and Berg out of the car and house so while I waited for my hubby to come save me I took a little stroll up to the coffee shop for some hot cocoa. It was awesome!
Anyway, thought I would put it out there that I am no longer in my grumpy place in Murray. (not that there is anything wrong with Murray per say...It just made me grumpy)

Salt Lake is having a pleasant effect on me thus far and I'm hoping it keeps working as I build a happy life here in my new abode!

So, now that I survived holding Thanksgiving in this place (4 days after we moved in!) I will now endevor to put a few pictures on the walls, hang some curtains, fix the bum plumbing, order some blinds, fix the stairwell overhang, rake leaves, sweep the spiderwebs off the side of the house, etc....need I continue. Lots to do now that I'm supposed to be a responsible homeowner! Responsible.... Ha....ha ha ha....

Halloween and other scary things

Halloween was a success, not that a holiday/tradition filled with dressing up and loads of candy would be anything but, just saying. We all had a good time this year including Jon who is a self proclaimed Halloween Scrooge! After a fun birthday party in the afternoon we headed to the neighborhood Trunk or Treat (which turned out not to be "lame" like I was anticipating.) We had Silv's cousin's join us in begging for candy around the parking lot, enjoyed some chili, and headed to another gathering in the evening. All in all, very fun, very exhausting!




Now for the scary...

Fall is Fun

I love October. I don't necessarily love Halloween, just all the fun activities, great weather, and of course the treats.

It's only half way through the month and we've already been to a pumpkin patch and to visit witches at Gardner Village.


Here's the best friend/auntie a kid could have!

The best part of fall thus far is seeing my sweet boy grow up.

Peace Out!

Confirmation

It's amazing how every once in a while I find clarity in my life.

All too often I get so bogged down and am in the "thick of thin things."

I let life get away from me. I neglect. Myself. My hubby. My kids. My house. The list goes on.

I detach. I've been detached for a while now. Detachment is so much easier then facing life head on, or at least that is my coping mechanism of choice.

But then, as always, there is light...light and TRUTH. Truth about why I am here on this earth in the first place. Truth about where I am going.

Lately I have had confirmation of the truths that I have come to know. It's been coming in waves. Right now I'm a bit overwhelmed at the power of that wave. I wasn't looking for it but now it's pushing me a long. Carrying me into a different atmosphere.

Confirmation of truth brings CLARITY. I am lifted up, above the fog of the mundane and am seeing more clearly.

And I think I'm ready. Ready to move forward. To follow the light, the truth.

Ready to be a better person. Mom. Wife. Daughter. Sister. Friend.

Ready to think beyond myself. My pity party has lasted way too long! I can not stay in this holding pattern any longer. Where I live should have no baring on who I am and what I do.

It's time. I can't waste one more day. I've been given the opportunity to come to this earth to experience life. To serve. To learn. To GROW.

I have a little picture in my room with the saying "Sweet Assurance. The certainty that comes when you know lifes truths."

Sweet Assurance. That is what I'm feeling. I've been so scared, uncertain, apprehensive, but it was because I wasn't trusting myself and I had forgotten. Forgotten about those truths.

I've been reminded. Through a series of small events. Whisperings to my soul. I've been reminded and I remember now. Life does have a purpose. I have a purpose. It's confirmation of that knowledge that I will cling to as I start to live better. Be better.

I know what I need to do. That is half the battle right. Now I just have to get to doing.

Wowza. I felt so strongly that I had to put that out there. O.K. universe, there you go. Message received and passed on. Thank you for tapping on my shoulder! Thank you for not giving up on me.

With that said....I'm going to get to doing now...well not right now. Right now I'm going to bed.

Does sweet assurance translate into sweet dreams?

Little Boy Blue

I can not get enough of this boy. Love him. He's grown so quick and just today had his second tooth break through.
He's sitting up, rolling around (everywhere! The other day I found him under Silvi's table) eating solid foods (like a champ) playing with his toys and by playing I mean banging things together. He's not the best sleeper but is pleasant all day long.

Did I mention I love him!

Happy Face

"Mom, this is my Happy Face!"

Love the happy face.

Let the schooling begin

I read a quote somewhere about a mom not putting her kid in preschool because she figured he'd be in school for the next 13 years of his life. What's the rush? That almost had me, except I knew Silvi would love it!

Here is her big first day.

Status

Let me start with a little background. In my previous life, before motherhood that is, I worked...a lot! I had a great job traveling the country training volunteers and making presentations for Tread Lightly!. It was great. I loved the independence. I loved interacting with all walks of life, and loved the travel, from backwoods Alabama (and a fried food buffet!) to driving across Alaska (Amazing!!). And if ever asked when I would have kids I would give the inquirer a deadpan look to accompany my emphatic "never." It makes me so sad to think back on that now. I have to admit I was naive, prideful, selfish, and mostly afraid. The thought of having kids, from the pregnancy and birth right on through the teenage years, terrified me.

It was so much easier to just work and play. In 2006, after a particularly busy few months of travel, that I awoke one morning to realize I was pregnant....that is a whole other story. I had no idea what I was going to do. Immediately I started calculating a plan on how I was going to balance work and baby. I liked the idea of being a stay at home mom but I wasn't sure if it was really for me. I knew my baby would need me, but I was sure I needed work. That validation. Accomplishment. And what do you do all day with a baby anyway!? (ha....ha ha ha.....so naive!)
Then things started to change. My body. My hormones. My perspective. Maybe it was the books that I had started to read (gotta love all the pregnancy books) Maybe it was thinking about something other than "me." Maybe it was the grace of God. Whatever it was life started leading me down a path that only a few months prior I would have had disdain for. (I was such a brat! Kicking myself still.)

Soon, much to the astonishment of those closest too me I was talking about natural birth (when I used tear up at the thought of labor), breastfeeding till my baby was 18 months, making my own baby food, and my hope to be a full time, stay at home mom.

I did try to continue working. But in the end I walked away from that job that I had invested so much time and parts of myself in. It was a torturous decision at the time. Jon got many a tearful call from me when I faltered in my resolve. But, as we all know now it worked out for the best. It wasn't the end of the world! Who knew! And who knew that I would find so much joy in being a mom? Seriously! I had no idea it would be as fulfilling and challenging, fun and exhausting.

Don't get me wrong, there were many a time when I pictured my life as it once was and longed for the escape and challenge that came along with a 9 to 5 job. When Jon and I found our way back to Utah and Silv was about 18 months old I was ready for a little more structure to my day. I did a little bit of nannying but that ended when I found out I was pregnant with baby Berg. Managing one kid along with four charges was one thing but I was sure I wouldn't be able to handle two (Six total, yikes!)

Then a month or so ago my old work friend Monica was visiting with her new baby. She was working part time from home. For some reason I mentioned that I was looking for some work too. One thing led to another and suddenly I was working for Tread Lightly! again. Not the same exact work but its something that is familiar, that I enjoy and a new challenge. Most challenging (other than formulating sentences that didn't sound like a 5th grader wrote them) has been disciplining myself to stick to a schedule and utilize my down time.

So, short story really long....my life has come full circle, in a sense. I know there are many more twists and turns down this life path. Though right now I'm enjoying dabbling a bit in my former life. Enough about me... more about my sweet kiddos to come.

------

Post edit:
I didn't clarify the moral to the story very well. The whole point in my long winded explaination was to say that I feel like I kinda have the best of both worlds (although we all know that can't last forever.) I feel pretty blessed to be able to stay home with my kids while taking a few hours a week to dabble in the working world. That's all. The End....or To Be Continued.... (time will tell.)

I just can't

I'm pretty sure its been over a month since I posted anything. I really want to post. Life has been bringing all sorts of new and fun experiences. But alas, there is no time. One of life's newest changes is part time, at home work. It just happened. And, since it happened I can no longer justify goofing off online when every spare moment not holding a baby or playing princesses should now be directed toward said work.

Someday soon I hope to figure out how to better appropriate my time and then will share cute pic's of my big baby boy, my girl and her pre-school adventures, and my hubby's travels all over the place. Until then I take comfort in the fact that not that many people read this blog. Of my five readers I didn't want to let YOU down.

The art and innocence of compliments

This evening we were taking a stroll around the neighbor"hood" when two little girls ran out on their driveway. Both about Silvi's age, one had some Dora the Explorer pj's on and the other had a Disney Princess nightgown on.
Upon seeing her fashionable peers Silvia says,

"Hi. I like your shirts."

Without missing a beat.

The girls just stared and didn't say anything. Unphazed she just continued on her stroll, pushing her pink stroller with her dolly in it.

Very cute and innocent.

Sad that the same situation will likely continue to play out and 9 times out of 10 the only response will be a blank stare.

Three going on Sixteen

Again, Mindy at sweetimages did a fantastic job.

Baby Blue Eyes

Nostalgia

Had a few moments of nostalgia today.
First, there's this kid who is growing so fast. I'm already sad about the day when I'll look back and find it hard to remember him as a baby.

Then there is this girl.
She is so full of life. Everything is a role play these days. From Cinderella, to scary monsters, to crawling around pretending to be a puppy for a whole afternoon. She just keeps me totally entertained, and wears me out all at the same time.

Today I thought it would be fun to introduce her to "Annie." I wasn't sure if she would sit through it, especially because it's not animated, but she did. Funny enough, half way through the movie she wanted to be the "mom" and for me to be her "kids." Then she started throwing a ribbon around her neck. I finally figured out she was Miss Hanagen. What?! Since when do little girls love Miss Hanagen.
Oh wait. Her speach is slurd. She wears wacky outfits. And she's got some crazy dance moves. What three year old wouldn't relate?!

Silver Lake

Jon's sister came to town for a visit so those that could went to Silver Lake for a nice afternoon Silvi with the "Pick a Poop" game that I used to watch the kids play with oh so long ago. Never imagined I'd watch my own kid get the same enjoyment out of it.

.

Hauling the babe around. Pretty stylin'!

Big Boy

Berg is getting so big. I know that is what everyone thinks when they see their wirey infant turn into a plump, smiley baby, right?

This kid is such a sweetheart. He has the biggest smile and his whole face lights up when he smiles.

His laugh is pretty funny because it comes right from his gut but his face hardly moves.

He has been rolling around on the ground and loves the toys that dangle over him.

He seems completely enthralled with his sister. He watches her every move and she can get him to laugh and smile the easiest out of all of us.

He continues to be so patient with me and is so quiet sometimes I tend to forget where he is. (Terrible, I know.)

These past five months have flown by and have been amazing. I'm still shocked at how much I love being a mom and the amount of love I have for these two sweet children.

Blog Marketing Works!

This is the second time I've come across the Shabby Apple on a blog. Man, these guys are smart. What more cost effective way is there to peddle your wares than give one or two away to some mommy bloggers. That just opens the flood gates. In this growing world of blogging, especially for stay at home moms, access to the world comes through the blogs you read. Now I am posting about this company in an attempt to win a give away. Seriously! I don't usually do this stuff but these marketer's know that I'm desperate, don't get out much, and a bit bored. What better way to take advantage than to dangle the hope of winning a stylish dress (1 in 300 chance of winning at best) only to not win (because I have to admit that I have entered one or two giveaways before) and have the image of said dress continue to cross your mind as the only way you'll ever be happy, which at that point you say forget the pledge to keep the budget and you promptly order the dress and a few other accessories while your at it...........

breath Dianne, breath....

I've only just entered the contest, so if you want to as well (even though you'll decrease my chances of winning) go here.

The big Three

A retraction, A trip, A chatter box

First, obviously I'm back online. My attempt to leave internet behind was promptly dismissed by hubby since he needs internet to work from home. I guess I'll just have to grow up and start regulating my online time.

Next, I enjoyed a beautiful trip to Las Vegas this last weekend with my longtime girlfriends (plus two babies). We did a little of thisA little of this...

And a lot of this...

The best part, other than all the girl time, was that I didn't step into one casino or wander along the strip at all. That is my kind of Vegas!

After coming home to a hubby and daughter that not only survived the weekend together but enjoyed their time I was feeling pretty good about things. Even my little Berg seemed to benefit from the trip. He came home and couldn't stop talking!

Going Offline

As you can see my life is full of washing diapers...so I no longer have extra time to spend online. he he he...
Not really, I've just read one too many articles about being "addicted" to the internet and feel that if I'm not already there I'm teetering dangerously on the edge. So, because I have no self control I'm removing my temptations. I'm turning off the cable and internet. Yep. Going to return the stuff today. Cold Turkey! No more internet. Yikes!
So, now I'll have to resort to my old ways of sitting in the starbucks parking lot or will be imposing on my in-laws to use theirs.
Either way, I see my posts as becoming a bit less frequent. More importantly, I'll not be wasting my life looking at everyones profile on Facebook anymore.

TTFN!

Diaper Dootie

It's amazing how diapers can be such a conversation starter. Everyone has an opinion. Who new! Since my decision to use cloth diapers with baby Berg I've received a wide array of comments/opinions ranging from:

"Well now I'm really not changing a diaper" (guess who!)

"Why? Why!"

"Your crazy"

"Your such a hippie!" (which of course I took as a huge compliment.)

"Awe, I used to use cloth diapers on my kids." (usually coming from the 60 and up club)

Actually, now that I think about it most everyone thinks I'm crazy. I don't know why. Cloth diapering has made a huge resurgence in a reasonable way to take care of your little ones biznass.

My take: I really love it. Pretty much everytime I change a diaper I muse on how cute my baby looks with the wealth of fabric wrapped around his behind. Changing the dooties isn't so much a chore these days.

Now there are some definate trade offs to using cloth as opposed to disposable diapers. Here they are for those of you who may not think I'm too off base and may be considering cloth diapers yourself.

-Packing the diaper bag includes a few extra items. I have to have the absorbant diaper, the cover, and the bag to put the dirties in.

-The laundry is constant. I have to do a load of diapers everyother day (although if I had more diapers I could probably strech this out better.) Laundry has never been my thing so the process took a little getting used to. Each load needs a pre-wash, a hot wash, and two rinses. It is a lot of water so the environmental trade off could be debated. I figure that the amount I use to wash these diapers still less than the water used to create the paper product for disposables. Ocasionally I put the diapers on the clothes line to bleach them out and save the energy from my dryer.

-There are also the benefits of surrounding my babies behind with natural fabrics versus product that has any number of chemicals used on it. And, of course, don't forget reducing the waste that goes to a landfill.

Ridiculous and cute. I know the diaper is huge but it helps keep his pants on better!

-The amount of money I spent on diapers and accessories was about $280. Kind of a lot up front but seeing as how I haven't spent anything since I'm feeling pretty good about the investment. There will come a time when I need to get larger diaper covers but there are quite a few options out there.

-Because cloth diapering isn't super common I had to do quite a bit of research on what I needed and the different methods. Yes, there are different methods. Cloth diapers are now are different than what our parents or grandparents used. Of course, I like the old school method. Mainly because I like to do everything the hard way (just ask my hubby!)

There are some great websites (like this one and this one) that help walk you through the basics but it wasn't until I purchase a sampler kit and put them on the baby that it all finally clicked, which really says more about my defective brain than the diapering system!

So there it is. My two cents. My only regret on choosing to cloth diaper is that I didn't start sooner! If any of you have more questions or want some product suggestions let me know. I'm more than happy to ooze over the cuteness!

Vote!

So I've been thinking of starting another blog for quite some time now. I've always tried to be "eco-concious" but find it to be a daunting task in this day and age. I want to find a way to encourage myself and others to minimize our impact on the environment and economy/society. The ideal for being green seems like you either have to be a hippie fanatic or a rich celebrity and it's such a "fad" right now. So, i'm really not trying to jump on the band wagon, rather, I think there are ways that we all can make little changes in our lives to live better, at least that is what I'm hoping. In the blog I'm going to explore the things we do and use in daily life, especially as moms, that we could "green" up.
With that said I need some help with a title. Here are a few. Let me know what you think!

Super Duper Eco Mom
More than green
Not quite green
simply trying
mediocre attempts at a better life
reducing my mommy print
the mean green mom
hippie mom
itsy bitsy greeny weenie
eco mom
simply living
back to basics

blah! I can't think of anymore. What do you think?

The common thread

I have no idea how I ended up with two kids who look nothing alike. There are similar features but I just don't see similarities in the end product.

Help me out here!

Love Affair

I love the Avett Brothers.

Jon is "in" love with them (maybe on the verge of obsessed.) He spent the weekend up in Portland for two back to back Avett Brothers concerts.

I think I'm jealous. A little bit of the Avett's and a little bit that I didn't get to go to the concert. I guess I'll just start counting down the days till they come to Salt Lake City and I'll try to tell my ego that my husbands adoration for a band can't replace the love of a good woman. But can you blame him? They are fantastic!

So, whose coming to rock out with us in August? (the 25th to be exact.)

Summer

Bring it!

Whatcha up too?

A little of this....

The first of many zoo trips. My mom joined us and it was a good thing. Silvia would have surely been on the news for climbing into the gorilla enclosure since I was either feeding or soothing baby Berg and she was all over the place.

Then...

We invited ourselves on one of Jon's work trips down to St. George. While he worked we played with Auntie Jaynie and our cousins. We saw a ball game, ate In And Out Burgers, and even snuck on out to Zion's for a little bus ride in that amazing canyon.

A little of that....

Baby boy turned Three Months today! I love this milestone because they are finally come out of the baby haze and are ready to interact. Berg coo's are the sweetest thing and we have little conversations all the time. Example:

Me: "Hey!"

Berg: "hoo"

Me: "HOO HOO"

Berg: "Uh Uh"

We carry on like this for some time. Silvia even joins in the mix and tells me all the time that "Berg is being so funny." She also likes to inform me that he is crying. My response: "Really? Oh thanks!" It doesn't get old around here folks!

A Blessing

Our baby boy received a name and a blessing on Sunday. It was such a great celebration of this new life! We were surrounded by family and a few friends at church and over at grandma and grandpa Olson's home. Here are a few pics from the occasion.