Walter at 8(ish) months

Well, Walt's personality is really starting to shine. He has been babbling tons recently. It's mostly "mamamamama" and "dadadada" or "mom". Matt, my mom, and my dad all have commented that they think that his "mom" was used deliberately and specifically for me. It's always a little hard to tell, but maybe I'll claim that his first word was mom.

This kid loves food. He gets so excited at the prospect of food, and even squeals in hopeful anticipation when he sees me making Dean's Isagenix milk. Seriously. He is always disappointed when I don't give it to him. Sometimes Dean shares with him though. hehe. (Dean's very ready to give Walter anything I've told him he can't have. Electric cords, paper, granola bars. You name it.) The food pictures below were from conference. Dean was having a picnic in the living room and Walt was not about to be left out. He was very determined to get Dean's food, and he got it! He ate more of Dean's quesadilla roll up than Dean did! Surprisingly, he hasn't gained any weight since 6 months. He's still at 22 lbs. He's lengthening out though.

He gets around the room and covers some decent ground, but it's almost all scooting backwards, scooting in circles, or rolling for transportation. He's been doing these little push ups and stink bug poses a lot too. He often gets stuck under our coffee table or the stroller.

He has HORRIBLE seasonal allergies. He is horribly congested, his eyes gunk up and water like crazy. His nose is constantly running. It is just so sad to watch since I can't do anything to help him.

He has the two teeth on bottom and in the last two weeks he's had 4 pop through on top.

My birthday present to myself was to make him start sleeping through the night. He had been waking up at 11 and 3 or 4 or 5. Sometimes all of those. I have spent at least part of the night on our couch the last 3 nights. We're now down to him waking up once around 3-5 AM depending on when he goes to bed. I would really love to cut that out, even if it means he wakes up at 6:30. Dean's generally up around then anyway and that would mean I could move Walt into Dean's room. But one step at a time I guess.

He deliberately waves goodbye to daddy in the morning. Tonight when Dean was rubbing lotion all over his hands, I noticed Walter was copying Dean's hand rubbing motions. It was very cute. He really loves Dean (even if Dean periodically does a running kick to his face, or hits his head with his toy hammer, or steals his toys, or decorates him with my embroidery floss).

Spirit of Elijah

We just got home from a date night to the temple. I think it's the first time I've been to the temple since having Walt. So, it was the first time in about 9 months!

While my parents were here they showed me how to use the new.familysearch.org. It is sooooo much easier and cooler than the old program, and it's pretty awesome that you can get names temple ready and printed out from home. So, I updated some family info. from the PAF my in-laws gave me 2 years ago and I got about 8 names that we could take to the temple.

So, we did baptisms tonight for those family names and it was very refreshing. Neither of us has done baptisms since we were in high school (I guess I probably did some my freshman year of college. Yes. I must have. But I received my endowments when I was 19, so it would have only been that first year for baptisms.) A member of the Temple Presidency gave a little talk before hand (we slid in right before a single's branch) and that was nice.

We set a goal to go once a month now that Walt's big enough to leave, and I really want to do family names every time if at all possible. It's exciting. One of the names we had tonight was Walter Carrington, the great, great, great grandpa that shares our Walter's name.

LDS.org - Friend Article - Hidden Pictures, Scripture Reading

LDS.org - Friend Article - Hidden Pictures, Scripture Reading

The beginning of the end of an era: 29 years

I can hardly believe it's already been a year since my last birthday post! And yet it has. For my birthday this year we ate at Cotton Patch Cafe (we had a coupon). The food was decent, but I wouldn't go back. We did get a free dessert on account that it was my b-day. That was nice. Matt made me his standard better-than-sex-cake. I think this is the 7th year now. He's pretty pro by now. I was happy I had gone running this morning because boy did I consume too many calories! (look at those guns in this pic! I am ripped. My hunk of boys make for some good weights! ;0)

I know I recently did an update on who and where I am in life, but it's already changed since then!

Remember that post partum phase I went through? Hallelujah I am totally through it! I'd say things started looking up at Christmas when we got to spend time with family. Matt and I have gone on some dates. I bought a double jogger and go nearly every week day (averaging 4-6 miles) with my new found friend Kirstin. We have been good for each other.

Also, in the last few years I've morphed into an eco-mostly-organic-good-for-the-body-and-soul kind of girl. It's hard for me to believe that just a few years ago we ate margarine spread and sticks. How could we think it tasted better than butter?? Oh, and I tried buying disposable diapers tonight (for their night diapers) and it just about killed me. The boys are both in cloth tonight because I just couldn't spend money on them. We'll see if I feel that same way tomorrow!

I've been having a lot more fun with my boys. Not that I didn't have fun with them before, but I think I've been able to relax about some things a little better. I still have moments of frustration when Dean rips books and bites my computer desk, piano keys, couch, etc., but overall I have been a lot less angry and more patient.

I've had lots of fun crafting. Mostly sewing. If you don't click over to my craft blog ever, my most recent crafts were bunny baskets and tie shirts for Easter. I'm still sewing (trying to finish up a quilt for Dean), but I really, really want to start doing some simple wood working. Projects that I am itching to start include a small child's picnic table, a simple spa bench for my bathroom, and a super easy bench for our entry. If I can get the hang of those, I would also like to build some book cases and bunk beds (all from the same AWESOME site where she gives people free plans for knock off name brand stuff). Seriously.

So, this shirt was my birthday present from Matt. I wanted to buy it on woot shirt for $10, but it was sold out by 9am when I checked it. I waffled on buying it for $15 for a couple weeks and told Matt I was going to get it. He told me he already had planned on buying it for my birthday. It says "Race for a cure for something. Like children or Africa maybe." We also have tickets purchased for Wicked and they're good enough tickets that I consider them both Christmas and birthday present. =)

Walter was babbling all day long today (video included), and that was quite fun. It was a good day.

La Santa Semana (Or Semana Santa if you want me to have correct grammar) : Loaded with Pictures!

My parents were here the week leading up to Easter. We had a great time with them here. They got here late one night, so when Dean made his way to my room in the morning, he had a little surprise waiting for him in the living room. I heard him talking to my parents, and as I came out he was climbing into bed with them to "snuggle a little bit". It's been 8 months since he's seen them, so I was glad he took right to them again. They brought a fun little bunny that sang, tapped it's foot, and wiggled it's ears. They boys loved it.

We didn't do tons in the way of activities while they were here. Mainly we just did normal things like watching Dean ride his bike, go to parks, and the like, but that's really what my parents were here to do. Just spend time with us.



They left for a few days to go to Houston to visit friends. While they were gone, Dean kept asking, "Where grandma and grandpa is?" We were happy to have them come back in time for Conference and Easter.

Dean was excited to show grandma his "beautiful eggs" that we dyed. And we had a quick egg hunt during a song in the afternoon session of Conference. He didn't get tons of candy from the Easter bunny this year. It was just the right amount to consume all at once, feel like he got a lot of sugar, but not have the gorge last for days and days.

We had 2 Easter dinners. On Saturday we had the ham, crash hot potatoes (red and sweet...YUM!), roasted asparagus, and salad. On Sunday we had Israeli Couscous with grilled vegetables and Mediterranean Chicken Satays. I'd hoped to make pitas and hummus and a few other Mediterranean dishes, but with 2 little ones, conference, and company I decided to keep it simple. It was nice.

It was sad to have them go. We just wish we lived closer than a 14 hour drive! We'll see them again in July for our family reunion. I'm grateful they're such dedicated parents/grandparents. They really try to see every child and grandchild at least once a year. With 7 kids and 20 grandkids spread across the country (from AZ to NY!) that's a real feat! We love you guys!

The little mama

Last Friday I strapped Walt to me in the ergo, and Dean, Walter, and I went into the fabric store and the library. In that one outing 4 people commented on how gigantic Walter was in comparison to me. I have a feeling it won't take long for my boys to surpass me in height. I measured Dean today and while he's not yet 2 1/2 the "he'll end up about double his height at age 2 1/2" puts him at 6 ft. Sounds reasonable. Matt's 6'2". Doesn't this picture just make me look so short? (Ok, I guess it's not the picture. I AM short.)

A step in the right direction

Today around 11 Dean requested underwear. I always let him try, but he often has accidents when he's doing something fun and doesn't want to stop, or when I put Walt down for a nap. He did SO well today. He didn't take a nap, but he legitimately went to the bathroom 4 times during his quiet time and probably another 4 or 5 times the rest of the day. He was completely dry from 11-5!! Around 4:45 he had A LOT to drink and we were outside doing something fun. I asked him if he needed to go potty around 5 and he said no, but not a minute later he had an accident. And then another one not to long after that. So, under those circumstances I should probably just take him rather than ask him. But this was all initiated by him, so I was happy. Not there yet, but it really felt like progress.

I can do it myself

Dean has a great Sesame Street book called "I can do it myself." Well, this week he has taken an interest in dressing himself. On Monday he was pretty quiet after I put him in his room for nap. It was nice that he had actually fallen asleep, but we had a Dr.'s appt. for Walt that afternoon and I had to wake BOTH boys up for it! When I went in to wake Dean, this is how I found him. When I left him, he had jeans on.


It was a nice day, so when I woke him up to go, I just let him keep the swim shorts on for the doctor visit! It was his first time initiating his own clothes changing. It was pretty cute.

Messiah Performance

I'm so excited to participate in this again this year. It's the Sunday before Easter (so next Sunday!!). If you're in the area please come! It is only an hour, free, and a wonderful way to remember Christ at Easter.

Somehow this makes me feel right with the universe

Well, we're finishing up the second week of cloth diapering full time. For the most part it's really been an easy(ish) transition. There's a slight learning curve. I have to actually think about (and change) pee diapers, even if they haven't pooped. Don't let people tell you it's as easy as disposables, because it definitely not. But it's not so difficult or gross as one might think with modern diapers and technology.

In my mind there are a couple of "optional" accessories that are "necessities" for a person like me who wasn't SOLD on CDing. One is a sprayer. I got the bumgenius sprayer, and while it's kinda cheaply made (looks like metal in the pic. but is really plastic and the hanger thing is so flimsy that Dean broke it the first day), it's a life saver. No dunking or scrubbing. It's a little messy, though. The water sprays out a bit and I have to wipe the toilet and around the base with toilet paper after every time I spray a diaper. Not a big deal though. The other is one or two washable pail liners. I can't imagine not having one. Wait. Let me rephrase that. I can imagine not having one, and I don't like the thought of it. =) I'm also going to get some Charlie's Soap since I never know exactly how much of my regular soap to use (you're supposed to use less than you would with a regular load of clothes). Oh, and I'm finding that cloth wipes would be way, way easier than disposable wipes. Just toss 'em in with the diapers. With disposable wipes I have to find a trash to toss them and there's never a good place handy it seems. So, I'll have to make or get me some of those soon too.

I have 26 diapers (well, 26 snap-in inserts and 26 doublers and 14 covers since you can use the covers for more than one insert) and that's been enough for both boys if I do a load of diapers about every day and a half or so. I generally just dry the diapers, but if it's good weather (like it has been this week), there's no reason not to hang dry them and do a short fluff cycle afterward. Makes them last longer, and uses less energy.

We have had a few blow outs, but no more than with disposables, and maybe even fewer. My boys are just big poopers. What can I say?

I do use disposables at night. I tried the cloth with a doubler once at night and even after changing Walt once in the middle of the night (something I am happy to avoid if possible), he was soaking in the morning. Dean was slightly damp when he woke up, though he often is slightly damp even in disposable for some reason. So, I just decided to avoid the hassle and use a disposable. Honestly, I'm kind of glad they get a little break from the moisture. It works for us.

I'll most likely use disposables when we're traveling just for convenience sake, but I am feeling at peace with cloth for now.

Plus, their little tooshies are just so dang cute in them.

Curly Q

Walter has curly hair. At least on top. (The back's not long enough to tell yet.) It's usually a hot mess since I don't put anything in it. I once used a little pomade, but Matt said it made him "stink like a girl". hehe. So today I used a tiny touch of Matt's gel just to tame the frizz and took a few photos. His hair is starting to fill back in and all of his new hair is just as blond or blonder than his original hair. There's just a tiny hint of red in the old stuff, but so far as I can tell, the new stuff is just blond.

Matt and I have decided that the older Walter gets, the more he looks like me and my side rather than Dean, Matt or the Bras(s) side.

Happy St. Patrick's day!

(I know I'm a few days late on it...but better late than never, right?)

The Phaaaaaantom of the Opera is There

I can't believe I haven't blogged this yet!

Last Thursday night my friend Kirstin K. and I went to our first professional production, Phantom. This is the last year that The Phantom of the Opera will be performed on the road and I decided I really wanted to see it. I was so happy when Kirstin said she wanted to go too. We had a great time together. Neither of us knew what to expect really, but we were both quite excited. We got the second to cheapest seats, so we were way up high in the balcony, but overall it wasn't too bad.

The worst part of it was the spotlight that was RIGHT behind us. Luckily that was only used a handful of times because it was quite bright and distracting. The people in front of us kept leaning forward, fanning themselves (and oh did her perfume stink), and passing their "opera glasses", but the singing!

Oh the singing! And the theatrics! And the live Orchestra!

It was so unlike anything I've ever experienced. I mean, sure, I've performed a lot of those songs, and I've seen plays and what not, but this was amazing! It was so different from watching a movie. I almost felt like I'd stepped back in time. I imagined what it would be like when theater was the main form of entertainment. I think I would have really enjoyed that.

I got my taste and I want more. I'm now looking to book Wicked tickets. If next year has a good line up, I may just get season tickets for cheap seats at least.

D is for Dentist

Dean had his first dentist appointment today. I really didn't have high hopes for it since the last time we were at the doctor he wouldn't even let her look in his mouth at all. But he first watched me get my teeth cleaned and checked, and then they showed him all the instruments. Once he got to see how each thing worked, they checked his teeth and cleaned them. Not one problem from him!! He was such a champ. I was very proud of him and how well he did. He was such a good boy.

Since Erin asked for pictures of the D, I snapped a few before it started raining again this morning. The other D looks backwards, but he drew it while facing the other direction, so it was still correct.

D is for Drums

I got some sidewalk chalks the other day in good faith that it would some day stop raining here. I thought Dean might enjoy them.

Today we had some beautiful weather (after being cooped up with the rain the past while) and he was begging to go outside with them. We spent 90% of our day outside today. It was heavenly.

He drew some lines and scribbles and then asked for me to draw some things for him: A circle house (?). A square house. ABC stars (?). After I started drawing the ABC's he started drawing again. He made a downward motion and then an arching motion to the right. By golly it looked like a "D"! He declared it to be a D and that "D is for drums" (from They Might Be Giants here come the ABC's) , and of course I praised and agreed with him. He then continued to produce a number of D's. (Some looked a little like P's, but overall, for a 2 year old, I was quite impressed.) When Matt got home I asked him to draw a D for dad and he did it correctly!

What a little smarty pants. I love that he loves his ABC's.

Taking the plunge

And yes, pun intended.

Wish me luck.

I just bought an entire cloth diapering system. I went with Gro Baby Live system. I ordered it through a great online store (DiaperCo) that happens to be located in the next town over from me. The ladies who run it are great. The owner isn't LDS, but her daughter is. They're both really nice. They let me come to their house and look at all the different diapers and answered all my questions.

I thought I received my answer last fall that I wasn't going to do cloth, but it kept bugging me. Every time I read something from the church about being prepared (which is quite frequent these days), it comes to my mind that I need to be prepared on the diapering front as well. Not sure why. Not sure if it's going to be a necessity at some point. I just know it keeps coming back to me. So I am going ahead with it. Who am I to fight a prompting?

I won't, however, need to dunk the diapers since I bought a diaper sprayer.

I'm hoping that I won't have to custom make Walt's pants now. I have a hard enough time finding clothes that fit him with disposables since he's such a little chunk. Now with cloth it will be a little bulkier still...

We'll see how Dean does with the switch. Maybe it will help motivate him to fully potty train. Maybe not. I'm ok with it either way.
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On another purchasing/preparedness note, I decided to go with a Wonder Junior Deluxe hand mill wheat grinder. I was going to do an electric Nutrimill, and I still may later on, but buying both at the same time felt too frivolous. I felt like it was more important to have a decent hand crank in case power is down and we need it. This one can also grind oily things like peanut butter, flax, and herbs etc. Now to go to the cannery and get us some wheat!
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Oh, and did I ever mention I purchased a double jogging stroller after 8 months of searching? I bought a Baby Jogger Double Performance with 20 in. tires. It was about $150 cheaper on Ebay than I've ever seen it, so I went ahead with it. I had gone between the Tike Tech Sport and this one. This has a better frame (with a life time warranty), but I was a little disappointed that the seats didn't recline fully like the Tike Tech. So, I won't be able to take a new infant out like I could in the other. I didn't realize that before I purchased. But I'm still happy. It's a good jogger and it's nice to be running (...jogging...) again.