A Most Beautiful Centerpiece

Last week, I had a cold, so My Robby sent me these. I LOVE tulips. They are such happy flowers...welcoming back the sunshine and warmth.

In fact, they made a most beautiful centerpiece for my table. Only one adornment could make the center of the table more gorgeous...

A chubby baby.  :)

Hope your day is filled with sunshine and warmth...and chubby babies that bring smiles to your face.

Baby Time!

And his blog nickname will be...Wink. (Apparently I like W-names, because aside from Bubs (8), we now have Welly-Bells (6), Why-Why (almost 3), and Wink.)

Sweet Baby Wink was born on December 28th (Daddy's birthday), weighing 7 lbs 7 oz. He was down into the 6 lb range when we left the hospital, but he's plumping up fast now. His cheeks get a little rounder every day.

What a blessing to have a newborn in our home! Straight from Heaven into our arms. We couldn't be more in love.

Help My Friend's Baby=Go Out for Ice Cream!

Eat Ice Cream, Save a Baby

Baby Ezekiel Petersen was life-flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City on Monday, January 31, 2011. He has RSV and a serious heart condition which requires surgery as soon as possible. His parents, Royal and Jenn Petersen, need help. The cost of their son’s medical care is astronomical.

Here is Baby Zeke’s story as told by his father, Royal:
“Our youngest child, Ezekiel (or “Zeke”, seven weeks old) got sick recently and began showing symptoms late Sunday night. Sunday afternoon he was fine, smiley and all, but Sunday night he was pretty ill. Monday morning Jenn was worried and decided to take him to the doctor. Zeke’s condition had deteriorated all morning long but became exponentially worse in the doctor’s office. Dr. Johnson advised Jenn to take an Ambulance to Primary Children’s hospital in SLCabout an hour away. Dr. Johnson then got on the phone and began preparing Primary Children’s to receive Zeke. During this time Zeke’s breathing became very shallow and sporadic. Zeke turned white and his lips purple. This is when Dr. Johnson became panicked, he immediately took Zeke and put him on oxygen. He told Jenn Zeke wasn’t going to make it to Primary Children’s and that if they took the Ambulance that was just arriving to Utah Valley Hospital instead he would have a chance.(about 5 blocks up the road) They went to Utah Valley. Utah Valley is a good hospital but not equipped (with equipment or staff) to handle heart issues in children especially small infants. By an act of God the doctor/heart specialist at Utah Valley happened to be a Primary’s children’s infant heart specialist. (Through a series of events that is a story in itself the right doctor was there) Arriving at Utah Valley, Doctor Johnson updated the ER doctors of the situation and stayed while they tried to stabilize Zeke. They had to put him on a ventilator along with a number of other medications to get him stable. Once the immediate danger had passed they prepared Zeke to be life flighted from Utah Valley to Primary Children’s and also gave him an x-ray. Zeke’s heart was substantially enlarged and his lungs were full of fluid. Looking at the x-ray the heart specialist guessed a number of things (correctly) and put him on some meds to try and open his Ductus Arteriosus Zeke was then life flighted away. This was very difficult. We knew that Zeke was currently stable from the RSV butdidn’t have an accurate assessment of his heart condition. We had a best case and a worst case scenario."
{You can read the rest of their story and as well as make a donation here.}


If anything, PLEASE copy and paste this post on your blog! Every little bit helps! (I copied it from Our Dayley Happenings)

Jenn is a childhood friend of mine, and one of the sweetest people I know. Jenn and her husband, Royal, own Sub Zero Ice Cream at the Provo Towne Center. If you live in the Provo area, please consider going out for ice cream on Monday evening between 7 and 10 to help them with Zeke's bills. You can see more about this event on Facebook. I just had Sub Zero Ice Cream for the first time last week...and YUM!

See you there!

Favorite Board Books

Are you thinking about stocking stuffers yet? Here are some perfect ones for your littlest listeners! Today we're talking board books. Our current favorites are...

Baby Baby Baby! by Marilyn Janovitz

What do babies love more than...well, babies? This rhyming book is full of fun. Listen to the rhythm. It sounds like a song.

"Bitsy bouncy baby
On a bumpity lap
Mommy's little baby likes to
Clap Clap Clap!
Teeny tiny feet
Tippy toes prance
Daddy's little baby likes to
Dance Dance Dance!"

My little Y is really enjoying this story. He asks for it over and over, saying, "Baby Baby Baby boooook". It's pretty darn cute!

Another big plus for this book, is that it shows a traditional family, which is unfortunately becoming more and more unusual. It shows baby playing with mom, dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and the puppy and kitty.

Yay for family!

Little Quack by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Derek Anderson

This is an endearing story about a duck who is afraid to leave his nest. The pictures are adorable, and the story even throws in some counting. You can't beat this cute story.

Here's a glimpse into the book: "Come, little duckling!" Mama called once more. "Paddle on the water with me."
"No, Mama, no!" cried Little Quack. "I'm scared! I'm just too scared!"
"You can do it," Mama said.
Little Quack looked at the water. He sniffed the water. He touched the water with his foot. Could he do it? Did he dare?"
Find out in the story.  :)

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

I hope you've seen this book by now. It is one of my personal all-time favorite stories for children.

Bear's friends are having fun in his cave while he sleeps and sleeps all winter. Will he miss all the excitement?

Here's a taste of the rhyme...

"In a cave in the woods,
in his deep, dark lair,
through the long, cold winter
sleeps a great brown bear.

Cuddled in a heap,
with his eyes shut tight,
he sleeps through the day,
he sleeps through the night.

The cold winds howl
and the night sounds growl.
But the bear snores on."

Bubs and I can read this whole story with our eyes shut.  :)

What are your favorites?

Baby Shower Cupcakes and Oh Boy Banner

I recently helped throw a baby shower, and I thought I'd share what I did.

Here's a simple way to make cute cupcakes. I got the rubber ducks at WalMart in the party section. The frosting was quite a bit bluer than it looks.

Then I put this banner together, using my Cricut. I know I haven't talked about my Cricut for a while, but I'm still in love with it. Have you seen the Cricut Cakes? How fun would one of those be? (Answer: Way too fun, but also way to indulgent...)

I also covered one of those mini composition books with paper and ribbon matching the banner. We passed it around to write notes and advice to the beautiful new mommy and her precious baby.

And speaking of baby boys!!! My brother and sister-in-love will be having one any day now! I can't wait. He'll be the first baby in my family besides my own. Yay for cousins! And exclamation points!  :)

PS. Aren't babies the best? This morning, my friend said she had a dream that I was pregnant, and I found myself answering, "I wish!"

Whistle While You Work...

It's never too early to teach your kids to help around the house!

Have you noticed that little ones love to help?

I know. Sometimes it would be a lot easier if they didn't.

When Y wants to help by emptying the dishwasher, my knee-jerk reaction is to remove him from the area, but my second thought is much more productive. I show him where each item goes, helping him reach if it's up too high, and then clap or give him 5 when he puts each thing away.

It takes a lot longer....but, really, what is more important than spending time with my baby and teaching him the importance (and joy) of a job well done?

The Baby IS the Lesson

Just before I had Baby Y-Y, I was concerned about the transition to three children. I was worried about my older two feeling neglected (and possibly being neglected) especially with thoughts of home school floating through my brain.

I voiced my concerns to one of my aunts, and she said, "The Baby is the Lesson." It was just the thing I needed to hear. I have thought back to that simple statement many times.

Here are a few lessons we have learned in the past year because of having a baby in the house.

• Tenderness. Because of the fragility of babies, everyone practices being gentle, showing affection through tender strokes.
• Selflessness. Babies often get first priority. When Mom's nursing, others must wait. If the baby wants your toy, you let him have it, because he's just a baby.
• Patience. You have to wait your turn for Mom's attention. Also, the baby may scream during a long car-ride, and you have to wait it out. Complaining doesn't make it go any faster.
• Mothering/Fathering skills. How to deal with a baby. Older kids watch Mom as she bathes, changes, feeds baby, etc. often modeling the same behaviors with dolls (if they're young) or helping (if they're a little older). They also watch Mom as she sings, rocks, and caresses baby.
• Heaven. Where babies come from. The Spirit that they bring into a home is a testament that there is a loving God who sends them into our homes.
• Difficult tasks are worth doing. As we cheer on little Y who has recently learned to walk, I think about the older children. Cheering for his accomplishments, seeing his struggles, helping him through them, and knowing it is all worth it.
• Love. Love for the new little one. Love for each other. Love is taught through serving others. Children also learn that a Mother's and Father's love are not lessened with another member of the family to share it with. The family love only grows to envelop another little being into the family whole.

Learning to Walk, Step by Step

For fifteen months, I've been his legs, carrying him from crib, to high chair, to the yard, and back again. At times, my arms and back would break, but I tried to savor the moment anyway. To love each time he looked up at me like this, begging to be lifted up.

Then, he realized he had two little legs of his own. And, with a little help, he could hold himself up. He could even take steps, first holding both of my hands, then one. And finally, just one finger.

Until evening came, and he thought, Hey, I can do this. I know I can.

So, he let go. And he did.

Speaking of walking, have you read Walk On! A Guide for Babies of All Ages by Marla Frazee? It's a charming little book (albeit, not really meant for babies actually learning to walk...) about the analogy between taking your first steps to walk and taking other intimidating first steps in life.

Infant Headbands with Satin Flowers

I made these headbands for my neighbor's baby shower. That baby is going to have a hair flower for every occasion. Everyone gave her flowers!!! A couple months ago, everyone gave my cousin tu-tus. Is it because we are all getting our inspiration from the same craft bloggers?

Y Wisdom

It's never too early (or too late) to start reading together.

-Love, Y

Happiness is...

climbing in a dishwasher, apparently.

(Unhappiness is having (and this is NO exaggeration) my TWENTY-STINKIN-FIFTH case of mastitis. Any advice for prevention is welcome.)

Happy Birthday, Y-Y

My Dear Little Y,

I can't believe a whole year has passed since you were born. It seems so long. Yet so short. I feel like you have always been a part of us. Of me. And always will.

Your giggles and rare kisses bring joy to each of us like nothing else can. Except maybe that little duck curl at the back of your head, which despite what our friends think, curls into the perfect horizontal ringlet all by itself.

We love how you dance and crawl when you're excited. Your big-diapered bum swings wide back and forth. More often than not, if you are crawling super-speed, you are either headed to the stairs or the piano. Oh, and you always have your curly tongue stuck out to one side.

You haven't gained weight for six months, but you still have those soft, fluffy cheeks that are irresistable. When you get bugged that I won't stop kissing you, I have to remind you that, if I have to carry around a 25 pound baby, I'm gonna' kiss him. End of story.

Speaking of stories, you looooove books. Almost as much as the piano.

Your favorite words to say are: "Mama", "Dadda", "All Done", and "Up Top". You're also quite proud of your clapping and waving skills.

Your favorite food is cooked carrots. Apparently they're a lot more exciting than birthday brownies!?

I love you more than I can say,
Your Mama.

How to Make a Burp Cloth into a Cupcake

You've probably seen these little burp cloth cupcakes around. I mean, cupcakes are all the rage these days. When I went to make one, though, I couldn't find a tutorial, so I made one up. (I know this is really un-Christmas-ish. Sorry.)

1. Fold your burp cloth in half longways.


2. Place a coordinating piece of ribbon face-down on the top edge, and fold diaper in half again.



3. Roll the pieces together. Once in a roll, use your finger to press from the bottom and form a higher middle section.



4. Secure with another piece of ribbon and a safety pin.



5. Place in cupcake cup or tin to complete the look.


A lady in my ward (congregation) makes the burp cloths for all the new babies born...and believe me, there are quite a few, because we Mormons, we believe in babies. Really. It's in our proclamation.

I make the cloth diapers/burp cloths into little cupcakes and arrange meals for the family when the baby is born. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. It's about the best job in the church.

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk

You know what is great about having kids? Seeing their joys in the simple things...like feeling a new texture, tasting ice cream for the first time, or splashing in a puddle of milk.

Today I will try to find joy in the little things. Life can sure get messy, but there are many things to be grateful for.

Nature Walk with Baby

The other day, the two older kids went to play with friends, and I found myself with only the baby. My first instinct was to catch up around the house. Thankfully, Y-Y had bigger and better plans for me. Without other kids to watch, Y looked to me for entertainment...

So, I took him on a nature walk. What kind of nature 'walk' can a baby go on, you ask? I mean, he obviously can't actually 'walk'.

We went out and explored our yard. I held him up to a tree and said, "Touch," and he did.

I helped him reach out to a sunflower.

I sat in the grass with him.

We felt the autumn wind. We listened to a dog barking. We talked. He does talk, you know...in his own way.

We talked about our world. The nature right outside the door.