Two Feet

We are extending our home by TWO FEET...Addition to be completed in February!

Mischief Maker

As most parents with toddlers know, silence is not golden... unless they're asleep. While awake, your house becomes the victim of the mischief dealt out almost daily, it seems.

Here are a few of Jack's latest "stunts."

Pulling the wipes out of the wipe warmer...
Pudding is always a winner, right?

Even when pulled from the garbage can? (This empty pudding container wasn't pulled from the garbage this time, but it happened a few months ago, and in my frustration I failed to document his dirty face, which was similar to what you see here.)

Climbing up and getting stuck on the shelf in my parents' playroom (that face is actually a look of distress)...

Yes, this is comet all over my floor. It was all over Jack, too. And at the most opportune time (as most parents also know), as I had to leave that very minute to be on time for where we were headed.

Uh-oh... she sees me.

Yes, I did... but not before he could do the most damage possible...

The classic pulling the toilet paper from the roll...

Unfortunately, grabbing the toilet paper and running is a common occurrence with Jack... though, we keep the bathroom doors closed most of the day, the only exception being when we are in there with him. (How do they do that?!)

Chris decided to wrap Jack up in it the last time he decided to make a run for it...
I think he enjoyed it, which was the opposite effect. Oh well.

Something else to munch on (yet another fun thing to dig out of his mouth, which he is also famous for).
I will say this... it's a good thing this kid is so darn cute.

If anything, it makes all of these things more tolerable, if at all possible. Good times.

Just Chillin'

Jack likes to sit in the laundry basket while I try to pull clothes out from underneath him to fold. He likes to dive in an out of the basket normally, but when Elmo's World is on, he is one with the TV.

He sits like this, until...

There is nothing for him to sit on, just in.

Looks comfy...

Goodbye, Bessie

When I first expressed an interest in sewing, Chris took it upon himself to buy me a sewing machine for Christmas. Now, almost three years later, I am still loving it - and still trying to hone in on my skills... which, I'm convinced, will always need help.

However, earlier this year, I had to say goodbye to my good ol' Bessie.
Named after my first mission president's wife, Bessie was my first attempt at helping others - something I watched Sister Barney do often. She lovingly and selflessly devoted her time and talents to everything she did; she was an excellent seamstress, and made sure each missionary knew she could fix any article of clothing that needed her touch of TLC. She encouraged us to bring our clothing to meetings, where she quickly and graciously worked on each item with a smile on her face, interacting with everyone individually as she did so. As I reflect on her using the skills she possessed to help others, I feel the urge to follow in her footsteps.

Sadly, this sweet little machine started giving me trouble about a year after I got it, and was exchanged for a new one. However, about a year and a half after that, the second machine was doing the same thing... and Costco, having the wonderful return policy they do, took it back (again), no questions asked. I thought about exchanging it again... I loved my little compact machine with 66 stitches and a stop/go button. It was a sad day when I said goodbye.

Say hello to my new friend, "Miss Bessie." (Yep, just added the "Miss." Do you think I could name her anything else? I think not.)

I love her.

No only does this machine have a stop/go button, not requiring a foot pedal (but optional, if I want it), it back-stitches for me, I don't have to draw up the bobbin thread, and it has automatic tension. It is a dream machine.

I've been having fun making such things as this fun little number. It's not the best ruffle skirt (and is cuter on than off), but I had fun making it and I've received many compliments while wearing it. (Which is always appreciated, especially on something I made.)

I keep my machine in my awesome Mother's Day present I got this year from my hubby. It's wonderful.

Even more wonderful is the fact that it closes up and doesn't look at all like a craft table normally. See? Love. I also got the chair for cheap. I think it goes well...

It adds a little more character to our humble abode. Not to mention, it makes it easier to keep most things in one place, away from Jack's room, which is where I attempted to sew while he was asleep. Note to self: never again.

Easter 2011

Better two months late than never...

This year's Easter was considerably more eventful than last year. For one, Jack could eat the candy. Which he did plenty of.

We took part in the Baker's annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning. Jack was not disappointed, and neither were we. Chris was able to help jack with gathering his candy - which consisted of the few pieces within a two-foot radius; he didn't deviate from the candy in his hand very often. I handled the video camera and the still shots... there was no mistake in whose child Jack was... nor that he is my first. I'm pretty sure I took more pictures than necessary.

These are the little ones who got in on the fun early with a 30 second head start (maybe more, I can't remember). Clearly, Jack knows what's going on. I was just surprised that he sat there as long as he did.
Putting candy in a basket involves it leaving your hand... a concept Jack was not familiar with, nor welcomed. It was rather entertaining to watch Chris try to pry it out of his hands, or shake his arm to get him to let go.

He was very polite and kept to himself, until he saw something he wanted from another pile of someone else's... Luckily, in this case, Dax didn't mind... though, I'm not sure he had a choice.

He was also the happy recipient of what Isaac wanted to "share" (or rather, what he didn't care for)...

He happily enjoyed the spoils, wrapper in-tact.

When he did get to enjoy the candy without the wrapper, he was in sugar heaven, content as can be.

He didn't care too much, however, for me trying to get his attention when there were clearly better things to be doing with his time.

I'm sure his fit here happened when we took something out of his hand. Sheesh. Notice his mouth full of chocolate?

We headed over to the Lewis home on Saturday afternoon, where there were more eggs and candy to be had.
Jack's cousins Brynlie and Chloe searching for eggs

Jack had fun opening and playing with the fun gift Nana gave him.

And, of course, what would a holiday be (or anything, for that matter) without some mad faces from Jack?

Maybe he was unhappy because there were some (or one) hunters who didn't belong... but those are Lindt chocolate bunnies in my hand. Who wouldn't want to get in on the goodness?

We finished up the weekend with the annual treasure hunt at the Orton home on Sunday evening. It's been fun to see the cute faces of my nieces and nephews each year as they've gotten more and more into it.

Jack, of course, got in on the fun by helping himself to a piece of chocolate and breaking the wrapper off in his mouth. Luckily, Chris was there to fish it out (heaven forbid I leave my post behind my camera and help my son).

I love this face.

This is his first Easter basket, given to him after getting home from all the excitement (if I can remember right, there were too many fits interspersed with a nap we were trying to get him to take to remember to give it to him that morning).

But I think he liked it. He wasn't ashamed to dive right in, trying to open the apple juice first.

Can you tell he liked his bunny ears?

It was a fun weekend, with overall way too much candy. You'd think that candy is what Easter is all about.

I would be ungrateful if I didn't say how thankful I am for the Atonement of my Savior... I am overwhelmed by his life, his love, his sacrifice. Words cannot explain my thoughts or feelings... and perhaps they never will, but I find peace in knowing that my Savior knows my heart and mind... and that brings me comfort on a daily basis as I pour out my soul to my Father in Heaven. Happy Easter (two months late).

Lessons

A few of weeks ago, as I was trying to get ready for church and my small 20 pound of a son was being uncooperative as to letting me, I tried to count my blessings. I was unsuccessful.

Later, in our first meeting, there was a poem read about rambunctious sons growing up and turning into wonderful young men... but I missed most of it, because my own rambunctious bundle of joy was throwing a fit (which he is so good at). I again tried to count my blessings... and, again, was unsuccessful.

I know I'm not lacking in blessings - I know what they are; I have many - but I was not happy, and inside, I was blaming it on my son. Because he was being a normal one-year-old. And my husband, being a naturally positive person (most of the time; usually when I'm being the opposite), wasn't helping as he was trying to "help" me relax by telling me what not to do.

I shouldn't have acted the way I did... which is giving everyone the "silent treatment" and shutting everyone out (including my sweet little guy), which is the norm for me when I get angry.

When this happens, I usually try to take a good look at myself and try to discover what I'm doing wrong. The lesson on honesty we had in Relief Society helped with that. It's incredible how much we justify the small things we do each day... a song we listen to because it has "a good beat" though the lyrics are trash. A justification that glutony is ok when it comes to oreos (or anything unhealthy) because "I normally eat healthy." Buying something that's not in the budget because I talk myself into needing it, or it's too cute, or too good of a deal, to pass up.

To be honest, we need to think honestly, which isn't always easy to do. For example, no matter how hard I try to avoid it, gossip always seems to surface somehow, in some form, whether I'm listening to it or contributing.

At the beginning of the year, our ward theme, "The best is yet to come," was announced in ward conference. In conjuction with the theme was the first presidency message in the Ensign, "Looking for the good." We were then asked this: when is the best to come? Could it be today? Are we looking for the good in our every day lives?

In Relief Society that week, a member of the stake presidency spoke to us about looking for the good. The spirit was overwhelming and taught me a lesson I won't soon forget. After the meeting, I found my way to the front and thanked him for his remarks - and told him I was thankful that my husband took our one-year-old son that hour, because I needed to hear what was said. He said, "you're the mother of a one-year-old?" I said, "yes." He then took a post it note from the inside of his binder with a quote written on it. He said, "I didn't use this, but I wrote it down because I felt that someone might need it. Maybe that's you."

"Motherhood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you would have. It’s about understanding that he is exactly the person he is supposed to be, and if you’re lucky, he might be the teacher who turns you into the person you are supposed to be."

He was right. I did need it. And I knew it was a great quote at the time, but it wasn't until that bad morning, and since, that it has really helped me. I say often that It's a good thing Jack is so cute... because he drives me crazy sometimes. But, I am confident that he will turn me into the person that I am supposed to be if I am patient and work on being the mom he needs me to be. I know it won't be easy, but I think it will be worth it.

Meanwhile, I will do my best to look for the good and focus on the positive, especially in motherhood. I really am blessed... I just need a good reminder sometimes.

OUCH

CAUTION: this blog entry contains graphic images. It is not for the faint of heart.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a text from Chris saying he was at the insta-care... but not to worry, he said. He was okay.

He was working with an inside pipe cutter at work (the tool pictured below).
It was caught on his glove by accident, worked its way into his hand, and left this tiny little gash (this is what he said he was "okay" about).

Even the doctor's response to it was "That's a doosey..." (And for good reason. However, that's probably not what you want to hear from a doctor.)

Cleaning it up. Sick.

He ended up with 12 stitches (six on top and six underneath), keeping it wrapped up for a couple of weeks. As you can imagine, it left a pretty good scar.

I am extremely grateful it wasn't as bad as it could have been... but, as you can see by the images, it wasn't a fun experience.