Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
another day
We drove down by the river today to take a short walk, but it started to drizzle. Mom snapped a couple shots of the empty bike trail... empty, but I was there. Without Nate. I gazed out over the bridge and pondered the love that bridges the void between us.
By nighttime, thunder clashed, and the sky and our street glowed orange from streetlamps. I went outside, my heart aching for my love. I kissed the rain.
Not really.
We did go to the trail, and it did rain. But I was probably thinking about food the whole time.
By nighttime, thunder clashed, and the sky and our street glowed orange from streetlamps. I went outside, my heart aching for my love. I kissed the rain.
Not really.
We did go to the trail, and it did rain. But I was probably thinking about food the whole time.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
excuse me
I had a small mental breakdown yesterday that manifested itself in the ten shirts I tried on before I settled on one and sat on the edge of my bed, shoulders slouched and head down while I mumbled something like, "I'm sick of being a cow." My mom suggested we take a day off from our diet, and my dad offered to watch Max so we could see The Hunger Games. I know it's counter-intuitive, but when I feel fat, eating makes me feel better. Mom and I stuffed ourselves with Mexican food and then bought some treats at the store. My mom was dumping the contents of a bag of Reeses peanut butter eggs in her purse when she said, "I don't feel good." She's so supportive. Ha. Now that my mind was off of food, it was free to explore other things... like... During the preview for Titanic in 3D, I actually got emotional. At first I thought it was seeing a young Leo or seeing the old couple embracing on the bed as water rushed into their room... but then I realized it was that I missed Nate. I turned to my mom who was tearing up, too... and the laughing commenced. Ah... It was a good day.
Then today happened. Around here, shopping for anything other than groceries requires a mini day trip. Trips usually include eating out. Well, we wanted to go shopping. That meant we HAD to break the diet again. See? It wasn't our fault. And then we passed an ice cream shop. I felt compelled to do some research for Dunny's.
I've never had to diet before. Not like this. I actually have a significant amount of weight to lose. So while I find dieting hard, it's also necessary... which makes it harder. I don't like being forced into something, even if it's my own ego forcing me into it.
Tomorrow, we will commence the diet. That is, unless...
Then today happened. Around here, shopping for anything other than groceries requires a mini day trip. Trips usually include eating out. Well, we wanted to go shopping. That meant we HAD to break the diet again. See? It wasn't our fault. And then we passed an ice cream shop. I felt compelled to do some research for Dunny's.
I've never had to diet before. Not like this. I actually have a significant amount of weight to lose. So while I find dieting hard, it's also necessary... which makes it harder. I don't like being forced into something, even if it's my own ego forcing me into it.
Tomorrow, we will commence the diet. That is, unless...
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
the replacement
I've had sugar only one time in the last week, and I've lost 5 pounds. That's a start. Thanks to this little treat, I'm doing alright. Sugar-free jello, cream, and ice cubes. Note to self: remember this shake.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
spring cleaning
When I was fairly little, my mom took my sister and I to the mall to get our ears pierced. I chose red studs, and I remember losing one of them down the drain during a bath. But look what I found in my mom's jewelry box today.
My mom has always been good about hanging on to things that we might want to see again someday. She may even be too good at it. I had to tell her to throw away these as part of our decluttering attempts.
These are from second and fourth grades. Farewell, swimming and spelling bee trophies. I think you are pretty cool, but not cool enough to take up shelf space anywhere in my house.
And finally, look what I found in the laundry with the clean clothes. It was a bit damp, but I decided to hang on to this one.
My mom has always been good about hanging on to things that we might want to see again someday. She may even be too good at it. I had to tell her to throw away these as part of our decluttering attempts.
These are from second and fourth grades. Farewell, swimming and spelling bee trophies. I think you are pretty cool, but not cool enough to take up shelf space anywhere in my house.
And finally, look what I found in the laundry with the clean clothes. It was a bit damp, but I decided to hang on to this one.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
what we do around here when the weather is unexpectedly warm
Before
After
After a bit of bouncing in the doorway, Max bounced a little something all up his back, so I had to change his outfit before going outside. Grandma was out pruning the apple tree, I got some sun, and Max hung out in the shade in his Bumbo. The sun is still a little bright for him, so he has a hard time keeping his eyes open unless he's looking down. And so when I took him over to see Grandma, he just stared at our shadow.
While I was making dinner with the windows open, I put Max back in his Bumbo and into the corner on the breakfast table in the kitchen so that he could watch. He's my number 1 fan. I didn't know having a kid would boost my ego.
And that concludes our nice weather fun.... until tomorrow!
After
After a bit of bouncing in the doorway, Max bounced a little something all up his back, so I had to change his outfit before going outside. Grandma was out pruning the apple tree, I got some sun, and Max hung out in the shade in his Bumbo. The sun is still a little bright for him, so he has a hard time keeping his eyes open unless he's looking down. And so when I took him over to see Grandma, he just stared at our shadow.
While I was making dinner with the windows open, I put Max back in his Bumbo and into the corner on the breakfast table in the kitchen so that he could watch. He's my number 1 fan. I didn't know having a kid would boost my ego.
And that concludes our nice weather fun.... until tomorrow!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
First Ritas of the Year!
We had to walk to H and 6th st. but it was worth it. Nothing like a free mango italian ice to make the day!
Monday, March 19, 2012
heavy love
This statement by David O. Mckay is true of fatherhood as well, especially when someone like Nate is the father.
"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence for either good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world."
...the first assurance that there is love in the world. I like that.
"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence for either good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world."
...the first assurance that there is love in the world. I like that.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Max's Milestones
As I type this, Max is on the bed next to my leg, his hand on my knee. I haven't been good about documenting Max's milestones, so from memory...
1 day - lifts head without support, latches to nurse
1 week - looks at camera for photos
1.5 weeks - cord falls off (Mesa)
2 weeks - first road trip (Mesa to Snowflake), first time left with babysitter (Lori)
3 weeks - first real smile, stands with support, first trip to a park (Vegas), first Christmas
4 weeks - baby blessing, starts losing hair
5 weeks - starts cooing conversationally (with Grandpa Martin)
6 weeks - sleeps in own bed for first time (in Nazareth), watches first full movie - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (with Nate)
7 weeks - ...
8 weeks- gets his first cold
9 weeks - starts chewing on hands, first ride in Baby Bjorn, first stroller ride, first Super Bowl
10 weeks - starts drooling, first hair cut, watches own hands
11 weeks - blows bubbles, first giggle, gags himself when chewing on fingers
12 weeks - holds bottle with both hands on occasion, sucks on blankets and necks of shirts, plays with/sticks out tongue
13 weeks - starts to play with toys (play mat, rattle, binky), starts jumping consistently in Johnny Jump-up
14 weeks - first full day without mommy (Grandma Martin watches him)
15 weeks - starts to nibble on a teething ring, takes first assisted sip from glass
Max is generally a very happy baby. While he is often contented to look around, observing the people and things around him, he'll let you know with a grunt or screech that he needs a new change of scenery. He'll sometimes cry the second you lay him down simply because it's boring to lay down. He wants stimulation. When he doesn't get it, he'll fuss a bit before "zoning out" and chewing on his fingers while he contemplates the meaning of life. He loves when people talk to him and will reward them with smiles that engage every muscle in his chubby face. The best smiles are accompanied by raised eyebrows and a protruding tongue. He'll ignore you if your face is too close to his or you aren't doing something he finds interesting. He LOVES when I sing to him. He loves when I blow little puffs of air around his face... bah bah bah bah... and will squint his eyes shut and give me a closed-mouth smile. He is strong. He loves to stand and do exercises. When I'm conversing with someone, I'll catch Max watching me and smiling. When he's in the mood, he'll coo and growl with you as if conversing. He's always in the mood when he Skypes with Nate. He grasps your fingers when you give him his bottle and holds your hand to his face when you put in his binky. He loves to cuddle. He purrs when he eats. He pinches your clothes with his long toes. He pulls his knees up and claps his feet together when playing while on his back. He's resilient. I've only seen him cry one time when startled and three times when hurt. He loves baths and kicks his legs wildly while screaming excitedly. While on his back, he'll get restless and scoot himself several inches. He likes to sleep on his sides. He still wakes every two hours to snack. He usually has one large burp after he eats that he let's loose by merely sitting up straight. His toots sound like a grown man's. He lets me change his diapers, dress him, bath him, and wipe his face and hands without any fussing. He has wise eyes. He's alert. He loves to eat and will let you know the second he feels hungry. He really only cries when you lay him down or he's hungry. He'll let anyone hold him. He'll sleep anywhere. He's happiest first thing in the morning. His longest naps are taken in his car seat or in your arms. He'll watch Nate play computer games or Take Home Chef with me for quite some time without getting bored. He allows himself to be calmed when I stroke my finger across his forehead and chant, "Hey, love... hey, love..." He loves kisses all over his face. He has great hearing and will turn to look at whatever he hears. He gets excited when he sees his bottle. He smiles at himself in the mirror. He fidgets in his sleep in the early morning. He puts his bottom lip over his top lip. He folds his hands on his chest when tired. He strokes my arm or hand when we cuddle. He's ticklish on his back. He has love handles. His cheeks are always rosy.
I could go on and on, but I need to save some space on this blog for future posts. If you can't tell from the description, Max is a great kid. I love being his mom, and we're only getting started.
1 day - lifts head without support, latches to nurse
1 week - looks at camera for photos
1.5 weeks - cord falls off (Mesa)
2 weeks - first road trip (Mesa to Snowflake), first time left with babysitter (Lori)
3 weeks - first real smile, stands with support, first trip to a park (Vegas), first Christmas
4 weeks - baby blessing, starts losing hair
5 weeks - starts cooing conversationally (with Grandpa Martin)
6 weeks - sleeps in own bed for first time (in Nazareth), watches first full movie - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (with Nate)
7 weeks - ...
8 weeks- gets his first cold
9 weeks - starts chewing on hands, first ride in Baby Bjorn, first stroller ride, first Super Bowl
10 weeks - starts drooling, first hair cut, watches own hands
11 weeks - blows bubbles, first giggle, gags himself when chewing on fingers
12 weeks - holds bottle with both hands on occasion, sucks on blankets and necks of shirts, plays with/sticks out tongue
13 weeks - starts to play with toys (play mat, rattle, binky), starts jumping consistently in Johnny Jump-up
14 weeks - first full day without mommy (Grandma Martin watches him)
15 weeks - starts to nibble on a teething ring, takes first assisted sip from glass
Max is generally a very happy baby. While he is often contented to look around, observing the people and things around him, he'll let you know with a grunt or screech that he needs a new change of scenery. He'll sometimes cry the second you lay him down simply because it's boring to lay down. He wants stimulation. When he doesn't get it, he'll fuss a bit before "zoning out" and chewing on his fingers while he contemplates the meaning of life. He loves when people talk to him and will reward them with smiles that engage every muscle in his chubby face. The best smiles are accompanied by raised eyebrows and a protruding tongue. He'll ignore you if your face is too close to his or you aren't doing something he finds interesting. He LOVES when I sing to him. He loves when I blow little puffs of air around his face... bah bah bah bah... and will squint his eyes shut and give me a closed-mouth smile. He is strong. He loves to stand and do exercises. When I'm conversing with someone, I'll catch Max watching me and smiling. When he's in the mood, he'll coo and growl with you as if conversing. He's always in the mood when he Skypes with Nate. He grasps your fingers when you give him his bottle and holds your hand to his face when you put in his binky. He loves to cuddle. He purrs when he eats. He pinches your clothes with his long toes. He pulls his knees up and claps his feet together when playing while on his back. He's resilient. I've only seen him cry one time when startled and three times when hurt. He loves baths and kicks his legs wildly while screaming excitedly. While on his back, he'll get restless and scoot himself several inches. He likes to sleep on his sides. He still wakes every two hours to snack. He usually has one large burp after he eats that he let's loose by merely sitting up straight. His toots sound like a grown man's. He lets me change his diapers, dress him, bath him, and wipe his face and hands without any fussing. He has wise eyes. He's alert. He loves to eat and will let you know the second he feels hungry. He really only cries when you lay him down or he's hungry. He'll let anyone hold him. He'll sleep anywhere. He's happiest first thing in the morning. His longest naps are taken in his car seat or in your arms. He'll watch Nate play computer games or Take Home Chef with me for quite some time without getting bored. He allows himself to be calmed when I stroke my finger across his forehead and chant, "Hey, love... hey, love..." He loves kisses all over his face. He has great hearing and will turn to look at whatever he hears. He gets excited when he sees his bottle. He smiles at himself in the mirror. He fidgets in his sleep in the early morning. He puts his bottom lip over his top lip. He folds his hands on his chest when tired. He strokes my arm or hand when we cuddle. He's ticklish on his back. He has love handles. His cheeks are always rosy.
I could go on and on, but I need to save some space on this blog for future posts. If you can't tell from the description, Max is a great kid. I love being his mom, and we're only getting started.
leftover pork chops
I forgot to wish my love a happy anniversary two days ago. On March 17th two years ago, we went on our first date. We ate pork chops, commiserated in our dating fatigue, and shared the first of many hugs.
I'm still giddy about it.
Days later, Nate sent me this picture of himself eating leftover pork chops during a hike.
I would stare at it and imagine spending my life with him. These have been two years well spent. The best, really... because we've spent them together, and we now have this chubby pork chop.
I love you, Nathan Keith Dunford.
I'm still giddy about it.
Days later, Nate sent me this picture of himself eating leftover pork chops during a hike.
I would stare at it and imagine spending my life with him. These have been two years well spent. The best, really... because we've spent them together, and we now have this chubby pork chop.
I love you, Nathan Keith Dunford.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
gently drifting down the stream
I've been feeling anxious the last few days. Part of my anxiety comes from Nate's absence while he interns in DC, knowing that he's missing out on Max moments, days, and weeks. We'll be together for good the end of April, but in the meantime I'm a single parent with a baby I get excited to see after each sleepy night. If I were in Nate's shoes, I would be miserable. I love him for working hard and sacrificing for our future.
The other part of my anxiety comes from feeling rushed. Max is growing up quickly... and so am I. I'm not sure which birthday will be harder this year - my 30th, or Max's 1st.
we all scream
Nate and I have a dream. It involves lots of ice cream. We have ideas that make me drool and giggle like a kid who hears the ice cream truck jingle as it nears. And some day, we are going to make this dream come true. Dunny's Ice Cream Shoppe.
My mom found these adorable ice cream dishes at a secondhand store. I haven't used them yet, but I imagine they enhance the ice cream flavor. Or maybe they keep the ice cream from melting. Either way, they are magic.
My mom found these adorable ice cream dishes at a secondhand store. I haven't used them yet, but I imagine they enhance the ice cream flavor. Or maybe they keep the ice cream from melting. Either way, they are magic.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Zip-a-dee-ay
While Nate was enjoying the cherry blossoms in DC, I was in Kirtland, OH with Grandma, Missie, Coco, and Jimmy enjoying the historic sites. We, too, had abnormally nice weather for March. Max exploded his pants in Kings during breakfast, so I ended up leaving him with my mom for the day. This was my second day sans Max, and I think it left me missing him more than I did the first time.
Kirtland Temple
Newel K Whitney Store
Inside the Store
Original Floor Boards
Original Table owned by Joseph and Emma Smith
The room where Joseph and Emma stayed
Original Chair owned by the Whitneys
The Parlor
The Ashery
The Saw Mill
Displays inside what used to be the hotel
We ate at Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen for dinner. Sounds like the kind of place you would get homemade rolls straight from the oven, right? Well, it was. We got back to Franklin around 10:30, and I found Max asleep on my parents' bed... in between my sleeping parents. Warm rolls and coming home to my baby... the end.
Kirtland Temple
Newel K Whitney Store
Inside the Store
Original Floor Boards
Original Table owned by Joseph and Emma Smith
The room where Joseph and Emma stayed
Original Chair owned by the Whitneys
The Parlor
The Ashery
The Saw Mill
Displays inside what used to be the hotel
We ate at Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen for dinner. Sounds like the kind of place you would get homemade rolls straight from the oven, right? Well, it was. We got back to Franklin around 10:30, and I found Max asleep on my parents' bed... in between my sleeping parents. Warm rolls and coming home to my baby... the end.
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