A Quick Gush..

So, I'm totally in love. A simple 6 yard strip of jersey knit has brought me more joy and happiness than anything ever.

~Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but it's right up there with Chocolate, Butterflies, and my right arm.~

Have you heard of "Moby Wraps?" All they are are a strip of fabric that's 5-6 yards long by 20-36 inches wide. They are A-freaking-MAZING!! So is this website that tells you how to make one yourself with lots of pictures and fabric suggestions. I can tell you how to make the wrap in one sentence. "Go buy 5 - 6 yards of fabric, cut in in half lengthwise." Viola. It's a wrap. (Well, actually, 2 wraps.) I made mine in like 2 minutes at Jo-Ann's Fabric Tuesday night.

Mine are brown, so I totally look like a Jedi wearing one, and since Tuesday, I've been wearing it constantly. (Pretty much I only take it off to sleep and shower.) It is so wonderful though, I finally feel like myself again! Over the past couple days when we've been out running errands, it's been as easy as not having a baby! (Maybe because the force is with me.) I love having his little self snuggled right next to me. I LOVE being able to use both hands. I'm loving not lugging around those blasted carrier car seats.

My back feels SO much better these past couple days since I've had this. I've been able to do dishes, laundry, and clean out a junk room. (Though my new ability to do those things should probably remain secret...) Right now I'm typing this with my little man strapped to my belly watching me type. (Earlier today I was cutting fabric and sewing.) He's happy, and I can use both hands!!

I'm convinced that this is the best thing EVER for new moms, and that they should give them out at the hospital to help prevent a myriad of problems from back pain to post-partum depression.

We went to the mall Tuesday night, and I was stopped by just about every woman there (pregnant ladies, young moms, old moms, grandmas) to ask where I got this and how it works. Everyone either wanted one or knew someone who would.

Here are the instructions for how to tie the wrap.

Anyway, thanks for letting me gush and if you've got babies or toddlers, go check out the clearance section of your favorite fabric store!!

How NOT to watch Twilight...

So, I've read all the Twilight books. I was introduced to them a couple summers ago and really liked them. I'm not sure why I liked them, because I can see the same flaws in them that everyone mentions. I'm not in love with Edward, or Jacob. (Actually, DH has some of Edward's qualities, so a lot of the book(s) reminded me of him. Of course, he also has some of Napoleon Dynamite's qualities, so yeah.. moving on...) Anyway, I really like them. When I started reading them, I didn't know they were a big deal. I hid the outer cover when I was reading them at a family reunion, (making it look like a nice old classic book, and making me look intelligent for reading it. Everyone probably thought I was reading Emerson or Thoreau.. Quite impressive disguise if I do say so myself...) and when Jerrod told one of his cousins I was reading a Vampire book, I did a fantastic job of looking shocked and embarrassed and denied it completely. Then when he mentioned Werewolves, we were all having a nice laugh because of course I wouldn't really be reading a book about that. Um.. Yeah.

So when I found out they were popular, I was pretty disappointed. Really disappointed. I think I wanted to share it with my friends etc., but I didn't want the whole world to know about my Forks, Bella, Charlie, Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Emmett, Edward, and Jacob. That disappointment rapidly disappeared when I realized that because of Twilight's popularity, they were making a movie!!

So back in January, when they announced the cast members, I was telling everyone I knew about it with as much (probably more) enthusiasm as I was telling them we were pregnant. (Hey, I was sick, and that was then, now that he's here, Helam is TOTALLY better than Edward. Any day.)

So throughout the summer, I'd watch like every update on the official Twilight website, looking for updates on both the book and the movie. I didn't go to the midnight book release, but I got it the next day. I was REALLY looking forward to the movie, and to watching it with my husband. (Who was probably as excited as (if not more excited than) me to see it.)

I turned down an opportunity to get tickets to watch it on the sold out release day (He's good at making the right connections..) and wanted to postpone it until it wouldn't be so crowded, and we could go with our baby.

Thanksgiving weekend. We are at my parents house, joking about Twilight. (I like it, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good joke at it's expense.) Then my dad decides to show us how cool he is, and how unlike the rest of EVERYONE, he doesn't have to wait until it comes out on dvd to watch it on his computer. Without me realizing what he was doing, he spends about a half hour looking for it, finds it then tells us that Twilight was on tv. I didn't want to be rude, so I went down and was watching it with him. So, the version that he had (cough...illegally..cough...though the website says that if the owner of the copyright contacts them they'll take it down :eyesrolling: ) was made to be compatible with a computer screen. Not a 52 inch screen. It looked like a really old bad home video, like when in movies they show really old home videos that the movie characters are watching. It was horrible quality.

Add to that my movie watching companions. My dad. My 13 year old brother. My husband and baby (who admittedly would have been with me no matter where I watched it.) Not another drop of estrogen in the room. We were laughing at all the wrong parts, and I don't think it's possible to really enjoy Twilight with some guys who haven't read the book, so they don't know what's going on, and why Alice is so adorable, and any of the back story with Mike Newton. (Who was also adorable.) They just didn't get it. Then it timed out after 72 minutes, and we had to wait 54 to see the rest of it. During that time, I got upset because Jerrod was doing homework, so as a matter of principle, I had to keep fuming at him throughout the rest of the movie. The second part of the movie we watched on kitchen chairs at the table.

Anyway, my advice. Don't download free movies online. Watch Twilight in the theater. (I'm still planning to.) When you do, either watch it with your husband (who loves either Twilight, or you, or both) or a bunch of girls. Not with a bunch of vampire illiterate men.

On the bright side, right after that, we found a bunch of old school Strawberry Shortcake shows on YouTube. And as evidence that I am raising my girls correctly, they loved those SO much more than the new version.

So, did you see Twilight? Like it?

The kid has got NO taste!

So since Helam was born, I've lusted after and have wanted to get him the Graco Sweetpeace Soothing Center. If you don't know what this is, it is like the Lexus of baby swings, or better. Seriously, it's the most awesome piece of baby equipment I've ever seen. The way it rocks your baby is more like how a mom rocks a baby, and there are at least 4 different ways to do it, you can use your carseat instead, it vibrates, you can plug in an mp3 player, there are a ton of cool sound settings, that actually sound really good.

So, we finally cracked, gave in, and splurged and bought one. I love it. It is everything they say it is and more. The fabric of the seat is AMAZING, when I turned on the music, I thought I was listening to a gentle relaxing classical cd. When I put my baby in it all snuggled up (he was already asleep) I was very soothed watching the hypnotic sway of the swing. I was so thrilled to have the best for my baby.

He hates it. Whenever I put him in it asleep, he'd wake up pretty soon after. If I put him in it for just a few minutes to shower or go to the bathroom, he'd cry the whole time. Even with the stinking soothing sounds on.

My baby does NOT understand how to properly be soothed.

I think he thought he was fine using mom, dad, or Sariah as a soothing center.

Anyway, we pulled out his swing we'd originally got him, from the BYUI bulletin board for a cool 20 bucks. This one is a tacky blue with fish and bubbles all over it, and a mobile that Helam is absolutely in love with. We stuck him back in there and he looked just as happy as any baby has ever looked in a swing. He seemed to think he was home at last.

While I'm disappointed that he seems to be deficient in the "knowledge of proper baby soothing" department, I'm thrilled that he's excelling in the "If you can get the same dang thing for 20 dollars instead of 190, get the freaking cheap one!" department. (Which reminds me I need to do a separate blog about Essi.. who hasn't mastered that one yet.) So, we took it back and totally got our money back. Sweet.

Thanksgiving ~ We're thankful for....

I saw this on another blog, and loved it so I'm unashamedly copying them. Also, an apology to everyone who's "tagged" me.. I'll totally get on those sometime soon(ish.)

Things we're grateful/thankful for. (These are the answers that I got when I asked people in our family what they were thankful for.)

Dad
1 That I'm married to you.
2 Helam, and his splendid chubbiness.
3 Sariah, and the time I can spend writing music with her.
4 Essi, and how she's such a silly little sunshine, and how she mispronounces her plurals and tenses. (ie. saw=seeded bought = buyded)
5 That our van is paid off.
6 For the internet and technology. (Yes.. he loves technology.. But not as much as me you see... Always and forever... ha ha ha.. )
7 The Scriptures and how I feel when I read them
8 Prayer
9 My testimony.
10 The songs and music that I'm inspired to write.
Bonus: the Temple, especially the one in Rexburg.

Mom

1 Sariah. I love how excited she is to learn anything and everything.
2 Esther. How tempestuous she is. When she's happy, a sunnier disposition you could not find. But when she's mad... Whoa. I think she's inherited some of that Scottish Fife girl fiery temper passion. I actually really love that about her.
3 Helam. Actually, everything about his sweet soft self. I especially love how unconditionally he loves me. In his eyes I'm perfect and everything about me is just right. The love he has for me helps me love myself.
4 The fact that that what I wrote about Helam could also be written about Jerrod. (well, not the sweet soft part... He's more Edwardian.. you know.. chiseled marble.. ;) ) I'm truly blessed to have him for my husband and best friend.
5 Blogging, and especially when people comment. (Thank You!!!) It's (sadly) some of the only adult interaction I get.
6 Scriptures.
7 Our ward.
8 That our family has grown so close and that we've been able to experience so much through all our moves.
9 My brothers and sisters and sister in law and mom and dad and other extended family.
10 The Gospel of Jesus Christ and that family will extend beyond the grave.

Sariah (8)
1 Books.
2 That I get to go to my grandma's house for Thanksgiving.
3 My parents.
4 That my mom's such a great cook. (No I didn't pay her, but I'll be giving her an extra slice of pie for that one! ;) )
5 Christmas
6 Friends
7 My room
8 That my mom didn't make me go to school today.
9 All the nature
10 The trash on the ground that my mom lets me keep. (That's another blog post entirely.)
Bonus: that Jesus will come again, and for the beautiful world that Jesus made, and that I can play the piano

Essi (3)
1 Sariah loves me
2 Jesus is still alive now
3 That I have grandpa's and dad's and aunt's. (I'm assuming she means all her relatives, and I don't know what she means with the plural dad thing. ha ha!)
4 That I have a mom
5 That we have food to eat
6 Toys
7 Helam
8 That Christmas is coming
9 The dragon we got from the library
10 I love you
Bonus:
11 That I have a mouth, and that you have a mouth.
12 That we have paper towels
13 For Essi

Helam (7 weeks)
1 My soft soft soft (oh so soft) and cushioned mommy.
2 The sweet nectar that seems to flow from my mom.
3 The not so sweet nectar that comes in the formula canisters from Sam's Club.
4 My dad, especially when he changes my not so pleasant diapers, he's a pro.
5 My swing
6My mom.
7 Mobiles. But, I still can't figure out where the toys go in the time between when they dance out of my line of vision and reappear minutes later... Still working on that one.
8 That my mom lets me sleep on her, and doesn't get mad that I puke down her shirt at least once a day.
9 My doggy bed that my mom brilliantly thought would make a great co-sleeper.
10 Ummm... My mom.


What are you thankful for this year?

Kids Corner

Sariah: "Today at school I was talking Pig Latin so well that someone asked if I was born in Pig Latin."

Second-Hand, First-Rate Christmas

***First let me say (that even though I sound like a total and complete Scrooge in the following post) how excited I am for Christmas this year. On November 1 I realized Halloween was over, and the Christmas Season had begun. (Though it seems I was behind most shopping centers.) I know some people don't like to start it until after Thanksgiving, but for me Christmas and Thanksgiving go hand and hand. I think Thanksgiving is an integral part of Christmas and doesn't end in November. Plus, one month is definitely not long enough for Christmas music. We get to go to Utah to spend Christmas with my grandparents this year, and I'm really excited about that as well. We have lots of family down there that I'm hoping to be able to see while we're there.***

So amongst our Christmas plans, Jerrod and I were talking about how there really isn't anything we or our kids want or need this year. (Well, I do really like/want Helam really wants the "Sweetpeace" Newborn Soothing Center... so maybe erase the "want," and just stick with the "need this year" part..) But we still wanted to do the whole year presents under the tree for the kids thing.

So, instead of wasting money on junk that the kids will forget 3 weeks after Christmas, and as a brilliant plan to stay out of Toys'R'Us as well as the snow and slush this year in an effort to be fiscally responsible, and as our little part to "go green," we've decided that this year Christmas will be recycled. We have a garage full of junk cool stuff that has just been packed up and moved from place to place, a lot of which has not been unpacked for a year or more, or used at all, or used 1-2 times, or we've just plain old forgotten we have it. (Actually, while writing this, I just remembered a violin that we bought for Sariah 1 1/2 years ago, right before moving to Newport News that she's never gotten the opportunity to use. Guess what she's getting?) Also, we have boxes and buckets of toys that have been packed up and stored and forgotten that we already know the kids love and will love to see again. (I'll be happy to get rid of the toys I would not love to see again...) I figure if we feed them lots of sugar, and have the Christmas lights really really bright, and the music quite loud, they may not realize that these are the same presents from last year.

I know at first this idea seems somewhat tacky unique, but I'm actually quite excited about it. There are so many benefits, and the more I think about it, the more the idea makes sense, and the more excited I'm getting. This also gives us a great opportunity to clean through our stuff in storage. I'm so excited to get this stuff sorted and eliminated, and this way I can listen to Christmas songs while doing it, and sorting through old boxes should hold a lot of the same excitement that Christmas shopping does, with none of the money spending guilt!

***A lot of the excitement in this post is from when I initially wrote this a couple days ago, while excited to go on a date with Jerrod, and I may or may not have partaken of a beverage containing caffeine, so now editing in the light of a new day, tired and sober, some of the initial excitement has worn off.. but this is still how we're doing Christmas this year. (Though Santa may bring a couple new things for the kids and Jerrod.)***

When we were newly(er) married we had a similar Christmas. We had no money. Seriously, none. I'm guessing less than 100 in the bank and an unpaid electric bill. I'm pretty sure everything that was actually purchased by us that year came from the dollar store or was really really cheap to order from the the Distribution Center. (Their free pamphlets and booklets.)

Anyway, when we got married, Jerrod's mom brought a bunch of suitcases and boxes of Jerrod's stuff that he'd left at home for him. After 2 years, he'd still not gone through it. So that Christmas, I went through it, and among the old love notes, and papers detailing (exaggerating) the beauty and virtues of previous girlfriends mission journals, and his old comic villain drawings (which were actually pretty good) there was all sorts of interesting stuff. So that year for Christmas, he got his old baseball card collection he hadn't seen in years, some old Opera videos, mission pictures, his old high school letter stuff, and for the life of me I can't remember what else. Yeah, he'd seen it all before, but he got all teary eyed, and loved it. It also made the underside of our tree look quite nice with all that stuff wrapped up. It was a very sweet Christmas.