Thanksgiving Weekend

Here are some pics from our long and luxuriously school-less Thanksgiving weekend. 

I did a 5K Turkey Trot. 

It was all down hill, thank heavens! And my little cheering squad was at the end.

It was chilly but no rain until after the race!

Mr. Noah is officially 6 months old as of yesterday. I could gobble, gobble him right up!

We bundled our bodies into the car and headed to Starbucks for some post-race hot chocolate.

We spent Thanksgiving dinner with Adam's school friend Jason and his family/in-laws. It was great to meet new people and Sienna even had a little friend named Emmett her age to play with!

No idea what we did Friday, but Saturday we went on a ferry excursion to Vashon Island.

I love the ferry. Never gets old. The wonder of driving onto a boat and having it NOT SINK? Modern day miracle, I tell you.

I was taking a self portrait of me and Mr. Noah and look who creepily showed up in the background.

Vashon is just like all the other islands. Sparse inhabitants with a little town center with a few cute shops and cafes. We stopped at this one where Seattle's Best Coffee apparently got its start. Our bittersweet hot cocoa could have been coffee, it was that bitter. But we liked it. 

We put up our tiny Christmas tree. I don't remember it being so tiny last year. Maybe it's because Sienna was smaller standing next to it. Anyway, we were anxious to get her in on the decorating fun, even turned on the proper tunes, I wore my Santa socks and we gave her the Santa hat to wear. Do you think she cared one whit? No, not one whit. 

 And this kid slept through the whole event! Ungrateful children, I tell you! But get a load of that excellent plaid on the boy!

Noah Eats

I had a deja vu attack yesterday when I put Noah in Sienna's high chair. Remember her in it? I do! They look so similar! And they have the same two teef!

 See them there on the bottom?

 He's finally KIND OF liking a few food items. He's 6 months old now and will eat peas and applesauce mixed with rice cereal.

 Ah man, he is getting to be such a cutie.

Haircut

Sienna has had about half a dozen haircuts in her short 2 and a half years of life. This is the first one that actually went well.

 We had a chat all morning about what was going to happen and she climbed up on the chair with confidence! Although she looks like she's having second thoughts...

 Thank goodness we have my cousin Liz in the area who has a salon in her house. I can bring my kids and not worry about a thing! It's so awesome! Plus, we have a view of the cool chicken coup (that Liz built and painted herself!) out the window.

 When Liz was going to cosmetology school, she visited us in Roosevelt and had a shaved head. Sinead O'Connor was big at the time, so that's who she reminded me of. I thought she was soooooo cool! I literally wanted to shave my head because of her.

 And look at her now! Liz is the mom of 7, all of who were home at the time we visited because of Thanksgiving holiday from school. Pictured below is her last, one-year-old Zinnia. Adorable!

 Ta-da! My sweet little Sienna in the haircut I love best: A-line bob. Her bangs are almost grown out, too! Now I just need to take better care to hide my scissors so we don't have a hacking episode.

Thanks, Cousin Whiz (which is what Sienna calls you)!

10 Good Things - Long Tuesday Edition

1. Got to sleep in until 8 am. Don't ask how it happened or I'll have to confess that I often stick Noah in his bouncy chair in the early morning in front of muted cartoons and it shuts him up for a good hour. I don't know what was happening in the house between 7 and 8, but Noah was pretty mad and poopy by the time I came to his rescue. Sorry kids.

2. Haircuts all around! Well, just for Sienna and me. Plus, hanging out with my cousin Liz! She's our hair cutter. What do you call them nowadays? Sienna has the cutest bob and I'm growing my out into a bob. Probably. Probobly. Heh.

3. Noah napped like a stud this afternoon, but Sienna did not. And somehow I was okay with it.

4. OH YEAH, I forgot about the ACTUAL best thing that happened this morning at 1:50 am ... my sister had a baby. It's a great story. She'll have to tell you about it. I won't spoil it here. In a nutshell, she was induced and was able to go natural despite it all. It's always a good thing when that can happen. Props to her. Birth is terrifying.

5. Had a long conversation with my cousin, Carrie, about how hard motherhood is. We now know, among a whole host of many other things, that it is futile to judge others. Harshly judging a mom who's trying to be a good mom is probably the greatest of all the sins of man. The second only being not opening the door for her when she's manning a big fat stroller and the store decided not to install automatic doors. Get a clue Old Navy! JoAnns! I could name more!!!

6. Having Sienna repeatedly come show me what she's dressed her magnetic "paper" doll in ... the favorite being an upside down mini-skirt across her chest, "Look Mom, her boob!" And then me teaching her the words "tube top" only to hear the words "boob tube top" repeated back in all sorts of jumbleness. Whatever. Boobs! 

7. A fresh assortment of snacks in the snack cupboard and milk in the fridge. Do you ever go on store trips JUST for snacks and milk? These are the staples of our world. I run out of those, and JUST KILL ME. That's about all we have stocked up at the moment ... but still...

8. Eating a Dick's Deluxe and a chocolate shake for dinner. Their burgers are always better at lunchtime, but I was in a pinch. And Dick's Drive-In always works in a pinch.

9. Pinterest.

10. Adam came home an hour early! Class ended early! I guess this was not a long Tuesday after all.

10 Good Things - Laugh Until Cry Edition

1. Sleeping in. It was a battle of wills this morning - who could will their body out of bed to answer a yelling Sienna at 6 am? NOT ME, said my body. I had just been up with Noah for way too long, so in the bed I stayed. Until a glorious 7:40 am.

2. Frost on our cars and sun in the sky. It was a beautiful morning!

3. Eating last night's Cheesecake Factory tuxedo cheesecake and Snickers cheesecake leftovers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Those things are obscene.

4. Noah's 2nd tooth has broken through. (Is that why he was so cranky last night?)

5. The kids napped like angels.

6. I found out about 3 new pregnancies today and talked about 1 surprise home birth. These topics of pregnancy, child birth and child rearing are my life now. In case you haven't noticed.

7. Not cooking all day. I felt so much more rested eating leftovers (yeah, so what if it was mostly cheesecake?) and simple foods.

8. Thinking about seeing Elder Neil Andersen in person last week and remembering his testimony and witness about Jesus Christ. Seeing an apostle in person and listening to him testify of Christ is something I don't think I will ever forget.

9. Adam made me laugh so hard I cried. We were whistling "Praise to the Man" together and he was doing his own fancy harmony (as usual) and I couldn't take it. I think it scared Noah. And made Sienna mad (cuz she still gets kind of mad when I laugh too hard).

10. Finishing the evening by reading Elder Scott's talk from Confy, The Power of Scripture. I love how he refers to the scriptures as friends.

Some Odes

To iPod Touch - I thought people were a bit crazed when they waxed on and on about Steve Jobs after he died recently. Even Adam said, "You'd have thought the Pope died this week!" But then I washed you, my iPod Touch, in the washing machine. And I am lost. Lost I tell you! I am out of touch with the world, and I hate it. I am mad that I will have to spend several hundred dollars to replace you and all the gear that goes with you, but you know it's going to happen. Because I am addicted to you.

To Adam - You are THE BEST. The best in all caps, don't forget. When I hate our kids and my routine and my whole life, at least I have a loving, non-judgmental you. And that is all that matters.

To The City - Seattle, I like you a great deal. I like living here. Liking where I live has always been a thing with me, and I've lived plenty of places I haven't liked. When I think of all the places I've liked, there's one common theme: they are all cities. I'm glad we're here to stay, Seattle. You excite me.

To The Country - Roosevelt, there's still a place for you in my heart. I think of you often. I don't know when I'm coming back to you and that makes me sad. May it be sooner than next summer, though I fear it is not to be. Weep!

To Roasted Chicken - To think that you used to intimidate me so, you chicken! You continue to amaze and inspire us all with your juicy tenderness. I want everyone to make you for dinner soon, so I'm sharing my recipe for you here: Buy a whole chicken. Open it, rinse it, take out the junk inside, place it in a casserole dish with a little water in the bottom. Sprinkle kosher salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and basil all over the top. Pop it in a 350 oven for an hour. Take it out and cover with tin foil, put it back in the oven for another 30 minutes to an hour. Boom. Deliciousness. And it smells up your whole house with an aroma that can only be called: comfort. Sure, you'll eat turkey in a week, but you never need an excuse to bust out some roasted chicken.

To Running - I knew you were the only thing that would get my pregnancy weight off. You always are. It takes awhile, but I think you and I are back together again. Also, thanks for making me happy. When I wake up and want to murder everyone in the world, you and I sweat together and my mood is lifted. That gym pass is cheap compared to the alternative of paying for a lifetime of therapy for everyone who comes in contact me on days when I haven't been running.

To Juice - We never keep you around because you may as well be crack to Sienna, but you brought me good flavor when I was sick this week and nothing sounded good. Grapefruit and cranberry-raspberry, you're neat.

To TV - Sometimes you really are the perfect way to unwind from an obnoxiously long day.

To Bleach - Thank you for sanitizing my house this week after we all shared the 24 hour flu. You make me feel like we may in fact be disease free. At least for the moment.

To Pretzel Crisps - When Sienna and I get in a snacking rut, you bring us delight we did not remember was possible. Move over, fishy pwetzels!

To Holidays - Thank you for giving me something to look forward to.

10 Good Things - Bodily Secretions Edition

1. I was up until 3 am last night tending to a barfing Sienna. (Adam was sick, too, so I didn't ask him to help.) The night before it was Noah (but only for about an hour). Then I was up around 6:30 am with Noah to start the day this morning. And the good thing about all of that? I felt abnormally well rested all day. That is a Monday Miracle.

2. Thinking about all of that throwing up made me realize that pre-parenthood, the "up-all-night-with-barfing-kids" scenario really scared me. But now that I've been through it a few times, it's another one of those experiences where you come out on the other side feeling invincible. Like that time about a month ago when Sienna pooped in the bathtub. I could have asked Adam, who was in the next room doing homework, to come rescue me. But I summoned all the powers within me (and from on high) and cleaned it up (interspersed with several trips to the hallway to dry heave). Another invincible moment.

3. I just love describing every detail of poop and barf scenarios to Adam. Since they are images that are seared into my brain, I would like to allow him the same opportunity to share in these wonderful family memories.

4. The good thing about Noah is that he hardly ever emits any bodily secretions. Yes, he pees and slobbers, but that's about it. His burps are dry and he farts constantly but only poops about once a week. And I consider him a gentleman in that he has never, ever peed on me. Ever. I tell you, that's my Mr. Noah.

5. Mr. Noah is getting one tooth on the bottom gums. Adam noticed it first yesterday and when he showed me, I clapped with glee. Not sure why .... I think because it means he's growing up, and I like that.

6. I think I am done talking about bodies and the goop that I have the fine pleasure of dealing with on a regular basis.

7. We burned some time this morning returning some things to Ross and galavanting on the escalator at Barnes & Noble.

8. Since Noah did not take an afternoon nap (CURSES), I was ready to tear out my hair when Adam came home. He had no homework, so I was able to escape to the gym for an hour.

9. Still feeling fantastic about the long weekend we had. Some highlights included: 1) Both Friday and Saturday mornings I was able to steal away to Green Lake and run the 3 miles around it (in the blustery chilly windiness). And I finally felt good, like my old body just might make a come back after all. 2) A bus ride with all of us to The Ave to eat the most delectable California burger at EJ's. It brought tears to my eyes, it was that good. The tears were also me remembering that last time I was there, I was pregnant and hating it. To finally have taste buds back is a top notch blessing indeed. 3) Ward chili cookoff. I did not win anything in the cobbler contest, but I ate enough of my own cobbler to be glad that I bothered to bake it. 4) Neil L. Andersen came to our stake conference. An apostle has never been to our stake. Come on, Utah, share the wealth! 5) Friends for dinner last night.

10. Made pumpkin bread today ... it has wheat in it so it SEEMS like it's healthy. But it's really not. YUM.

Los Photos

Hi all! Some photos for you of the children...

I came into the room one day to find these two looking at a book together. Noah still idolizes Sienna, and she still badgers him most of the time. But then there are sweet moments like this that make me think Noah will somehow survive his sister after all.
Sometimes Noah falls asleep in the car and I'm able to get him up to his bed still asleep. Here's how he sleeps:
Here's a snuggly morning when Adam had late class.

One evening when I had to put both kids to bed alone (torture) while Adam was at a late class, I had just changed the kids out of their clothes, changed their diapers and stopped to look at them side by side. Sometimes it's rather moving to stop and look at your naked children. They are miracles.
These next two photos I'll probably blow up and print out ... they make me giggle. It looks like Noah is totally tickling Sienna.

Here's Mr. Noah just out of the tub.

And Mr. Noah with a grandpa hat ... (this is the type of hat I remember both of my grandpas wearing at some point)
And, what's this? A baby beret?!

It'll fit next year, but why not wear it anyway? That's my Mr. Noah for you!

10 Good Things - Fast Sundee Edition

1. Did you know I don't fast? Haven't for years. Two words: pregnancy and breastfeeding. A fabulous perk of two things I don't particularly love to death.

2. After a day and night of being mad, I woke up this morning feeling happy. And, no, it wasn't the time change. I was just ready to forgive and forget and move onward and upward.

3. Church was lovely even though I attended as a single mom (Adam had school stuff). Spirit felt, heart touched. That's all I can ask for, yeah?

4. I cooked and cleaned for a total of about 3 hours today. All in the name of feeding the masses. The masses being the 4 missionaries in our ward plus a meal for a family to be delivered tomorrow. If food is to be prepared with "singleness of heart," on the Sabbath, I guess I botched that commandment. But I chalk it up to service, so I think I'm good.

5. I made chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

6. I'm finally ready to get started on the someday. The "someday" meaning my master bedroom redesign that I've been putting off until "we have money." Read more here. I've also got some other projects brewing in the back of my brain and that makes me excited.

7. I finally paid some attention to my church calling tonight (fellowshipping committee chair). That felt good.

8. Kids were both in bed and nearly silent by 8 pm. That means Adam and I both worked hard tonight. And the stars aligned. That's how that happened.

9. I do believe I will read a conference talk (hooray for the new Ensign!) while...

10. Soaking in a hot, sudsy bath. Yurp.

Bus Fun

These photos are a couple months old, but I had to share them anyway. Adam and Sienna had a little tradition going at the end of summer. Every Saturday they'd go on a bus ride down to the Green Lake neighborhood and have ice cream at Baskin Robbins. Why? Three reasons: 1. Sienna is obsessed with buses. 2. Sienna is obsessed with ice cream. 3. Sienna is obsessed with her dad.

Here's to more daddy-daughter dates (with mom and Noah included sometimes) and switching to hot chocolate (good thing there's a Starbucks next door to Baskin Robbins).

10 Good Things - Cinnamon Loaf Edition

1. Noah took a morning nap at 7:45 am (yeah, we were up early) and Bird didn't wake up until 8:30 am. That meant 45 minutes of glorious morning quiet time for me! I spent some of it reading Walden wherein he was rejoicing in the beautiful wonder of mornings. It made me glad to be awake.

2. The stars aligned and I got to workout at the gym for one hour. Heaven.

3. After the gym, the smells from the bread bakery next door took hold of my better judgement and tossed it out the window. I bought a cinnamon bread loaf and then, since the owner of the bakery was there and knew me, he threw in a 7-grain loaf for free! Serendipitous.

4. I promptly went home and made cinnamon French toast for lunch.

5. The kids napped liked angels.

6. Sadly, I had to wake them to get Noah to a doctor appointment.

7. Mr. Noah is SO CUTE!

8. Sienna overcame her fear of "tiny vacuums" at the pediatrician's waiting/play room and played with one. That was pretty huge.

9. We gave Adam a ride home from school since we were on campus.

10. I made roasted cauliflower and beets for dinner for the first time. I love fall eating!

10 Good Things - Dumb Tuesday Edition

Did you know I hate Tuesdays worse than Mondays? At least on Mondays you're coming off the high of the weekend. Tuesdays are neither here nor there. They are just a filler day. To make matters worse, this quarter Adam has a class that ends at 9:30 pm on Tuesdays. At least he doesn't have to leave until 10 am. Which brings me to the positive parts of today!

1. I got to have a shower without children bothering me while Adam was home this morning.

2. I only had the TV on for about 15 minutes total today. For a bit of Today Show. That's pretty much always a good thing.

3. Sun was out all day.

4. Noah only woke up once last night and then slept in until 8 am. Sienna also slept until 8 am. Unprecedented sleep-in sesh for the three of us!

5. I met up with a friend at the park! Always nice to have someone to talk to at the park.

6. I made the hard decision of wearing skinny jeans instead of my usual cargo pants. I figured if I couldn't make it to the gym (boooo - because of all of us sleeping in and Noah not taking a morning nap), I could at least pretend that I had.

7. Spending a long afternoon at Target and McDonald's play place to kill time before bedtime.

8. Buying Noah THE CUTEST warm hat at Target. I can't wait to take pictures of him to show you. Think: old man to the max! I am serious when I say I KNOW my own grandpa had a hat much like this one. Hold on, I think BOTH of my grandpas had hats like this. Warm times ahead!

9. Being thoroughly inspired by the line, "If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them." in 1 Nephi 17:50. Nephi builds a boat; I get up every night with a crying baby. Both VERY intimidating pursuits indeed.

10. Setting a timer to make myself to go to bed early. It just went off.