Sunday, June 16, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Pillow Talk
My husband is the variety of sleepers who falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow - and sometimes before. If that man is ready for bed, there is nothing on this planet which can keep him awake.
I, on the other hand, take AGES to fall into the land of slumber. I used to be able to catnap - put my head down on my textbook and fall asleep to wake up exactly ten minutes later (no alarm set) refreshed and ready to study.
Ah, past-me, why did you lose that talent?
Now, I take at least thirty -sometimes 120 - minutes to fall asleep. I lay there, counting backward from 1,000 in French (a trick my mission president says works for him...except he only needed to count backward from 100 and he'd fall asleep somewhere around 70. I count backward from 1,000 and fall asleep somewhere around 700.) until I lose interest or my mind wanders. As, inevitably, it does.
I think of my book, and how to craft that argument that my MCs need to have.
I think of my daughter's stuffy nose and how hard it must be for her to breathe while sleeping.
I think of how unfair it is my hubby falls asleep so fast.
And a few other things.
But then, to make my night rich and glorious, hubby rewards me for my slow-to-sleep behavior by engaging in sleep talk. Oh, the stories I could tell! (On our honeymoon I felt the most horrid despair that I would never get to sleep through the night ever, ever, ever again because brand-new-hubby kept waking me up in his sleep)
Sometimes he just mumbles gibberish. Sometimes he sits up, grabs me in a panic, starts to yell, and I have to calm him down. Sometimes he yells at his employees. Sometimes he giggles.
All-in-all, he's adorable.
And since he gave me permission (because it was hilarious), here is the transcript of last night's pillow talk:
Hubby: [rolling over and grabbing my arm] Oh, oh, oh, oh! I forgot, do they know how to get here?"
Me: Who?
Hubby: Chelsea. Chelsea and her family.
Me: Who is Chelsea? [for all I trust my husband, when he names other women in his sleep I still turn green]
Hubby: Your Star Trek teacher.
Me: I have a Star Trek teacher?
Hubby: [groaning with frustration, throwing my arm aside and rolling away from me] Never mind.
And then he's gone and I'm left to giggle in the dark.
What kinds of sleep talking/walking adventures have you experienced? Any funny stories?
*For the record, I would love a Star Trek teacher - as long as that's the equivalent of a Jedi Master/Padawan relationship
 |
| Napping with our then-newborn princess |
I, on the other hand, take AGES to fall into the land of slumber. I used to be able to catnap - put my head down on my textbook and fall asleep to wake up exactly ten minutes later (no alarm set) refreshed and ready to study.
Ah, past-me, why did you lose that talent?
Now, I take at least thirty -sometimes 120 - minutes to fall asleep. I lay there, counting backward from 1,000 in French (a trick my mission president says works for him...except he only needed to count backward from 100 and he'd fall asleep somewhere around 70. I count backward from 1,000 and fall asleep somewhere around 700.) until I lose interest or my mind wanders. As, inevitably, it does.
I think of my book, and how to craft that argument that my MCs need to have.
I think of my daughter's stuffy nose and how hard it must be for her to breathe while sleeping.
I think of how unfair it is my hubby falls asleep so fast.
And a few other things.
But then, to make my night rich and glorious, hubby rewards me for my slow-to-sleep behavior by engaging in sleep talk. Oh, the stories I could tell! (On our honeymoon I felt the most horrid despair that I would never get to sleep through the night ever, ever, ever again because brand-new-hubby kept waking me up in his sleep)
Sometimes he just mumbles gibberish. Sometimes he sits up, grabs me in a panic, starts to yell, and I have to calm him down. Sometimes he yells at his employees. Sometimes he giggles.
All-in-all, he's adorable.
And since he gave me permission (because it was hilarious), here is the transcript of last night's pillow talk:
Hubby: [rolling over and grabbing my arm] Oh, oh, oh, oh! I forgot, do they know how to get here?"
Me: Who?
Hubby: Chelsea. Chelsea and her family.
Me: Who is Chelsea? [for all I trust my husband, when he names other women in his sleep I still turn green]
Hubby: Your Star Trek teacher.
Me: I have a Star Trek teacher?
Hubby: [groaning with frustration, throwing my arm aside and rolling away from me] Never mind.
And then he's gone and I'm left to giggle in the dark.
What kinds of sleep talking/walking adventures have you experienced? Any funny stories?
*For the record, I would love a Star Trek teacher - as long as that's the equivalent of a Jedi Master/Padawan relationship
Monday, June 10, 2013
G's Tales | Finger Food
I've been told that younger siblings "grow up faster" than the eldest child. Princess G is learning and growing so fast, it's hard to fathom her development could be yet faster.
And then this last week happened.
We spent most of the week in Logan at my cousin Michele's house. Michele has three adorable children who had such a great time playing with their little cousin. They brought her toys to play with, read her stories, coaxed her to roll toward them and demonstrated the army crawl which she's been trying to learn.
And Princess G? She thought she was one of the big kids! When Madi jumped off the couch, Princess G started bouncing on my lap, trying to leap off and chase after her. When Wy-Wy rolled her ball across the floor, Princess G would get to it, play with it, and then bat it away so it rolled. And then she;d go get it again. When Liv ate an Otter Pop, Princess G had a complete melt down over not having one.
And when Princess G sat in Wy-Wy's chair and watched the kids eat, the next thing I knew she was picking up her own food and eating it, too! I've been putting food in front of her for several weeks now, but she hadn't seemed to notice it on her tray until I picked it up and gave it to her. Now? Her little fingers have mastered the pincer grip in only a few days! Amazing. I can hardly believe how much she grew in just one week.
Now, she's learning. I'm pretty sure in this first finger food meal Princess G managed to eat all of three bites while the rest wound up in her lap. She picks up the food just fine, but coordinating the opening of her fingers to place the food in her mouth is still tricky. She's getting better :)
And now, for more food pictures.
First, a series of spaghetti shots. This princess LOVES spaghetti. It's her favorite food of everything she's tried so far. She could eat it for every meal, probably. Except she only eats it when we have it, which is most assuredly not for every meal.
This face:
Slumber party in Mama's bed while Daddy was away at a Fathers and Sons campout. I couldn't get her to keep her blanket on...
Oh, and happy writing moment: I more than doubled my weekly writing goal! Yay!
Oh, and Happy Birthday Michele! I hope it's a wonderful one!
And then this last week happened.
We spent most of the week in Logan at my cousin Michele's house. Michele has three adorable children who had such a great time playing with their little cousin. They brought her toys to play with, read her stories, coaxed her to roll toward them and demonstrated the army crawl which she's been trying to learn.
 |
| Cracks me up, but every time Princess G sees a camera she cracks the goofiest smiles. I think it's because she knows Mama makes silly faces when she holds up the camera and she thinks Mama is hilarious. |
 |
| Love these kids |
And Princess G? She thought she was one of the big kids! When Madi jumped off the couch, Princess G started bouncing on my lap, trying to leap off and chase after her. When Wy-Wy rolled her ball across the floor, Princess G would get to it, play with it, and then bat it away so it rolled. And then she;d go get it again. When Liv ate an Otter Pop, Princess G had a complete melt down over not having one.
 |
| This picture looks staged. I promise it is not - these kids really do play this nicely together...most of the time ;) |
 |
| This one was posed. And they thought it was hilarious. |
And when Princess G sat in Wy-Wy's chair and watched the kids eat, the next thing I knew she was picking up her own food and eating it, too! I've been putting food in front of her for several weeks now, but she hadn't seemed to notice it on her tray until I picked it up and gave it to her. Now? Her little fingers have mastered the pincer grip in only a few days! Amazing. I can hardly believe how much she grew in just one week.
 |
| Eating french toast - all by herself! |
Now, she's learning. I'm pretty sure in this first finger food meal Princess G managed to eat all of three bites while the rest wound up in her lap. She picks up the food just fine, but coordinating the opening of her fingers to place the food in her mouth is still tricky. She's getting better :)
And now, for more food pictures.
First, a series of spaghetti shots. This princess LOVES spaghetti. It's her favorite food of everything she's tried so far. She could eat it for every meal, probably. Except she only eats it when we have it, which is most assuredly not for every meal.
Aaaaaaaaand, like any other baby princess, anything Mama has is something she wants. Look at this face! It's the perfect "Hm, how can I devour this apple Mama is trying to eat?" face. I love it.
Sigh, I just realized how many pictures are in this post! The grainy ones are all from my camera, which does not take the best of photos... but I always have it with me, whereas I do not always have my camera.
Just a few more. Because you want to see them, I promise.
Princess G's first low pony tail. I put lots of fun ponies on top since she was about a month old, but this was her first back pony. It fell out as soon as she started rolling around, but it's darn cute.
This face:
Unraveling the shoes I crocheted for her:
Slumber party in Mama's bed while Daddy was away at a Fathers and Sons campout. I couldn't get her to keep her blanket on...
Oh, and Happy Birthday Michele! I hope it's a wonderful one!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Princess G's 1/2 Birthday!
I feel like I'm repeating myself. Like just yesterday I was saying, "I can't believe how big she's getting!" or "I can't believe she's already 4 months old!"
And here we are. Six months.
My sweet princess is six months old today!
This month has been so much fun. Princess G and I have been going outside more, enjoying long walks and visits to Hubby's work and trips to the library and it has been so much fun! I need to set up a time lapse camera and film how mobile this little one is. She goes everywhere and she goes there in a hurry. I've had to start seriously babyproofing the house. Though naturally, as soon as I clean up an area she won't leave alone... she loses interest in it. Go figure.
Enough talk. Enjoy the pictures.
And video, because I can and because it's totes adorbs :)
And here we are. Six months.
My sweet princess is six months old today!
This month has been so much fun. Princess G and I have been going outside more, enjoying long walks and visits to Hubby's work and trips to the library and it has been so much fun! I need to set up a time lapse camera and film how mobile this little one is. She goes everywhere and she goes there in a hurry. I've had to start seriously babyproofing the house. Though naturally, as soon as I clean up an area she won't leave alone... she loses interest in it. Go figure.
Enough talk. Enjoy the pictures.
And video, because I can and because it's totes adorbs :)
Monday, May 27, 2013
President Monson | A Few Notes for the Prophet
I serve as the chorister in our church's Primary. I love working with the children. They're so fun, so full of energy, and so individual. I could tell a thousand stories about them, and I only see them for an hour on Sundays!
Last week, our dear prophet, President Thomas S Monson, lost his wife. The funeral was lovely, and since we believe that families can be together forever, it wasn't as sad as funerals can be. But I can't imagine losing my husband and I can't help but feel a deep sadness for our prophet - a man who most definitely needs the support of a loving spouse to help him bear the burden of being prophet and president of the church.
Yesterday, while teaching the children the song, "We thank thee, O God, for a prophet," I had them write little notes which I am right now putting in an envelope to send to President Monson. (I hope it makes it to him! I have an address, but I'm sure he gets loads of mail...) These sweet kids were so sincere and funny in these notes, I couldn't help but share some of what they wrote:
"Thank you for being are prophet. Thank for teaching my about god. Thank for teacking my family. Thank you thank you thank you, are prophet thank you. your so so nice. your so nice."
Last week, our dear prophet, President Thomas S Monson, lost his wife. The funeral was lovely, and since we believe that families can be together forever, it wasn't as sad as funerals can be. But I can't imagine losing my husband and I can't help but feel a deep sadness for our prophet - a man who most definitely needs the support of a loving spouse to help him bear the burden of being prophet and president of the church.
Yesterday, while teaching the children the song, "We thank thee, O God, for a prophet," I had them write little notes which I am right now putting in an envelope to send to President Monson. (I hope it makes it to him! I have an address, but I'm sure he gets loads of mail...) These sweet kids were so sincere and funny in these notes, I couldn't help but share some of what they wrote:
"Thank you for being are prophet. Thank for teaching my about god. Thank for teacking my family. Thank you thank you thank you, are prophet thank you. your so so nice. your so nice."
Lila, age 7
"We love what you taught us about not starting fires."
Trey, age 5
"I love your stories."
Multiple children
"Dear President Monson, I am grateful for everything. Even I probly wouldn't know you if you weren't prophet but still I am still grateful and sorry. Remember she will always be with you."
Matthew, age 9
"Dear President Monson, you are the best president ever! I hope you are ok sorry about your wife. I can't thank Jesus enough to have you as our prophet."
Grace, age 8
"Dear President Monson, Thank you for being our prophet. It must be hard!"
Geoffrey, age 9
We also got several beautifully drawn pictures of the temple, some pictures of President Monson speaking to a crowd (probably in general conference), a couple of addresses (the kids really wanted to know if he would come visit them), and even a phone number! Ah, kids, you are adorable!
And here, to top it all off, is my favorite note of all:
"Dear President Monson, My dad was a bishop so I know how hard it is to be a leader but it is a lot harder to be the prophet than a bishop. I pray that when you are released we can have another prophet like you. I am sorry for your recent loss and I hope that she will be happy in heaven. I love you and admire your work. Sincerely, Adam, age 10."
Well, Adam, releases from the presidency only happen when God calls him home... But I, too, am grateful to President Monson for his service and know that our next prophet will be just as awesome. Because God chooses the prophet and He knows what he's doing.
Ephraim Scandinavian Festival | Mom and I are Evil Masterminds
Friday was spent scheming. Plotting a kidnapping. Or, rather, a husband-napping.
We're awesome like that.
Because Hubby likes to stay up later on Friday nights (date night, and it's the only night we can really stay up) I did let him know I needed him to go to bed early on account of a fun outing I had planned, but I didn't tell him anything more than that. He got super excited, since he loves surprises, and popped out of bed bright and early (6am) on a Saturday morning completely thrilled to be kidnapped. When my parents arrived around 7, he was surprised and confused - but that's okay, my dad was completely in the dark, too.
So with our husbands scratching their heads but going along with our game, Mom and I finished packing up our day supplies (picnic, sunscreen, the baby :) ). We got everything loaded into my mom's car and we were off! We drove south, and Dad and Hubby kept trying to guess where we were going and what we were doing - but they really had no idea until we parked the car a little over an hour later.
In Ephraim!
Ephraim is a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere Utah. It's surrounded by the sheep farmers of Moroni and the turkey farmers of, well, Ephraim and Manti. We passed a lot of cows and horses and sheep and fields and quaint little farmsteads.
It's also home to Utah's Scandinavian Festival.
We started with the parade (yes, the BYU Folkdancers were in the parade...it's because Nathan was headed down for the parade and evening performance that I found out about the festival). Oh, and I should also say that it was entirely fitting for our family to go to a Scandinavian festival - we're straight from Sweden! My grandfather grew up speaking Swedish in the home, as his father was right off the boat, 1st gen American.
Voici quelques photos:
Princess G was having a grand old time until Hubby "inexplicably" started howling and shouting and sirens started blaring and there were people every where throwing candy and Otter Pops through the air and it was all so confusing... Parades must be terrifying to one so young. She calmed down and tried to enjoy the strange adventure. She was quite happy when the parade was over and we left to do something else.
We picnicked, listened to folk bands, played some cards, watched the children dance the Maypole, wandered through all the booths, took a little nap in the shade of a big tree, and wandered around the festival enjoying the sunshine, family and happy atmosphere.
After nine hours (9 hours!) in the sun, we went in to the college's big theater to watch the full 90-minute performance of the BYU folkdancers. We had to wait about a half an hour in the lobby since we got there as soon as the tickets were available. While we waited I did something which I'm not sure makes me redneck, white trash, or just a mom: I stripped Princess G down and bathed her in the ladies' room sink. She had gotten some sunscreen in her eye and rolled on the grass (which we're both allergic to) and I felt she needed a bath and her pjs. So she had a public bathroom sink bath. Yay for mom moments.
Princess G was tired, a little sunkissed, and overwhelmed, but she made it through the whole show without a single noisy complaint. It was amazing. She mostly slept in her daddy's arms, nursed for a few minutes and then slept in my arms, and then cuddled up on her daddy's lap and sucked her thumb, watching the dancers with a slightly dazed expression. She seemed to want to enjoy it, but was too tired to care.
Right after the show, Princess G perked up and danced with her daddy in the lobby, loving the folk music. Loving, loving, loving it. Here's a video:
After the show, we piled back in Mom's car for the drive home. It was a fun, long day in the sun. Our husbands were happy with the kidnapping and the fun, fun day we all had together. Princess G, since she had slept through much of the concert, was hyper and silly during the drive home. We tickle her all the time, and the other day she made some little scratching motions on my arm and I reacted like she tickled me. She thought is was hysterical. She does it all the time now, and never seems to tire of it.
Hence, during the car ride home, she "tickled" me for a good twenty minutes. I got tired of it looooong before she did - and it was so funny! Don't believe me? Here's a video:
Aaaaaaand one more picture, because it's too cute. Princess G and Grandpa Pehrson:
We're awesome like that.
Because Hubby likes to stay up later on Friday nights (date night, and it's the only night we can really stay up) I did let him know I needed him to go to bed early on account of a fun outing I had planned, but I didn't tell him anything more than that. He got super excited, since he loves surprises, and popped out of bed bright and early (6am) on a Saturday morning completely thrilled to be kidnapped. When my parents arrived around 7, he was surprised and confused - but that's okay, my dad was completely in the dark, too.
So with our husbands scratching their heads but going along with our game, Mom and I finished packing up our day supplies (picnic, sunscreen, the baby :) ). We got everything loaded into my mom's car and we were off! We drove south, and Dad and Hubby kept trying to guess where we were going and what we were doing - but they really had no idea until we parked the car a little over an hour later.
In Ephraim!
Ephraim is a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere Utah. It's surrounded by the sheep farmers of Moroni and the turkey farmers of, well, Ephraim and Manti. We passed a lot of cows and horses and sheep and fields and quaint little farmsteads.
It's also home to Utah's Scandinavian Festival.
We started with the parade (yes, the BYU Folkdancers were in the parade...it's because Nathan was headed down for the parade and evening performance that I found out about the festival). Oh, and I should also say that it was entirely fitting for our family to go to a Scandinavian festival - we're straight from Sweden! My grandfather grew up speaking Swedish in the home, as his father was right off the boat, 1st gen American.
Voici quelques photos:
Princess G was having a grand old time until Hubby "inexplicably" started howling and shouting and sirens started blaring and there were people every where throwing candy and Otter Pops through the air and it was all so confusing... Parades must be terrifying to one so young. She calmed down and tried to enjoy the strange adventure. She was quite happy when the parade was over and we left to do something else.
We picnicked, listened to folk bands, played some cards, watched the children dance the Maypole, wandered through all the booths, took a little nap in the shade of a big tree, and wandered around the festival enjoying the sunshine, family and happy atmosphere.
After nine hours (9 hours!) in the sun, we went in to the college's big theater to watch the full 90-minute performance of the BYU folkdancers. We had to wait about a half an hour in the lobby since we got there as soon as the tickets were available. While we waited I did something which I'm not sure makes me redneck, white trash, or just a mom: I stripped Princess G down and bathed her in the ladies' room sink. She had gotten some sunscreen in her eye and rolled on the grass (which we're both allergic to) and I felt she needed a bath and her pjs. So she had a public bathroom sink bath. Yay for mom moments.
Princess G was tired, a little sunkissed, and overwhelmed, but she made it through the whole show without a single noisy complaint. It was amazing. She mostly slept in her daddy's arms, nursed for a few minutes and then slept in my arms, and then cuddled up on her daddy's lap and sucked her thumb, watching the dancers with a slightly dazed expression. She seemed to want to enjoy it, but was too tired to care.
Right after the show, Princess G perked up and danced with her daddy in the lobby, loving the folk music. Loving, loving, loving it. Here's a video:
After the show, we piled back in Mom's car for the drive home. It was a fun, long day in the sun. Our husbands were happy with the kidnapping and the fun, fun day we all had together. Princess G, since she had slept through much of the concert, was hyper and silly during the drive home. We tickle her all the time, and the other day she made some little scratching motions on my arm and I reacted like she tickled me. She thought is was hysterical. She does it all the time now, and never seems to tire of it.
Hence, during the car ride home, she "tickled" me for a good twenty minutes. I got tired of it looooong before she did - and it was so funny! Don't believe me? Here's a video:
Aaaaaaand one more picture, because it's too cute. Princess G and Grandpa Pehrson:
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