2009

It's a new year so make some resolutions!

I found these cool quotes about goals:

"The trouble with not having a goal, is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never cross the goal line."  -Thomas S. Monson, excerpt of talk given January 14, 2001 on the campus of Rick's College

A goal not written is merely a wish.

"Many persons have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness.  It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."  -Helen Keller

Some of my goals:

1.  Read my scriptures every day.  (I have done this like a champ my whole life, but since the arrival of child #2, I have been a slacker when it comes to daily reading.)

2.  Keep current inventory for our food storage.

3.  Save more money...spend less.

4.  Look hot for swimsuit season despite having 2 children.  (Dang stretched tummy skin!)

5.  Learn how to do digital scrapbooking using free software.

6.  Cook more.  I really mean it.  I know I have said I don't have a desire to cook and since Devin loves to do it, I didn't feel a need before, but I do now.  See, when he's cooking, he's basically off duty for watching the kids.  This leads to the following:  

Devin gone at work all day.

Ruthann home tending the kids.

Devin home from work.

Ruthann wants and needs a break.

Devin has to cook.

Ruthann still has to tend the kids.

Devin prepared dinner.

Ruthann didn't get a break and is now grumpy.

So, I decided if I cook, I'll be the one off duty.  Sounds like a great plan, we'll see how it goes...

I am telling everyone my goals because if I tell people, I'm more obligated to do it!

Buzz Lightyear

Here's Jax wearing his wings, but the wings weren't enough.  He had to have his whole "Buzz outfit" on.  He is such a light in our lives!

This is a puzzle Jaxon got for Christmas.  He loves doing puzzles and does them all by himself.  It's funny because everyone who has seen his puzzles thinks he needs help with them, but he tells them, "no, myself" when they ask, and they are surprised to see he's right!  (And he always needs "shock-it milk" when he's working on them.)

Oh, and here's us at the temple lights.

4 Years!

Yesterday was our 4 year anniversary!  I can't believe it has been that long!  The 2 years Devin was on his mission were the longest of my life and now the time goes by too fast!

Devin was very cute.  This is what he did:  He has this collection of root beer bottles that I hate.  They were in our kitchen on our "half wall" collecting dust and clashing with everything.  So I have been after him lately to throw them out but he wants to keep them.  When I woke up on our anniversary and went into the kitchen the bottles were gone!  I was so excited!  And the dishes were put away, but the bottles being gone was really enough to start my day off right:)

Then, for Christmas we were working on typing up his recipes and making a cookbook to give his family.  I needed to go through and edit the recipes.  I worked on it all day and my poor boys were practically neglected while I tried to get it finished.  So I was feeling horrible about ignoring them and tired of doing the recipes and frustrated that it was taking so long.  When all of a sudden, there was  a knock on the front door.  It was my in-laws.  They were there to watch the boys so I could get ready and meet Devin for dinner.  (I love being able to get ready without the boys interrupting me every 2 minutes so this was a treat.)  

As I was getting ready Devin called and said he could come pick me up so we could drive together instead of meet there so I was excited about that.  Though I didn't know where we were going yet...

When he got home, we said bye to the boys and followed Devin's clues to find the restaurant Baci.  It's an Italian place I have been wanting to try.  It was very nice and delicious!  The only thing I didn't like was their house dressing.  It had horseradish in it and I don't like that so they brought me their caesar dressing and it was yummy!

After our very nice dinner together, we drove home and put the boys to bed and had a nice evening at home.  He was so thoughtful and we really had a fun time!  

I am so blessed to have Devin as my eternal companion.  He is absolutely amazing.  We aren't perfect, but we are perfect for each other.  I love him so much!

Brain Cells

Devin was so sick last week he missed work.  When I touched him during the night, it woke me up because his fever made his skin so hot!

Then, after he was feeling better, he said something a little off and this is what came after...

Ruthann:  Your fever was so high a bunch of brain cells probably died.

Devin:  Your brain cells get dead?

Ruthann:  Well, I don't know, but it sounds like it.

Twilight Written of Facebook

My brother sent me this...LOVE it!

MEYERBOOK                                                                 

 Bella Swan is moving to Forks—ugh! 

 Charlie Swan is watching the big game. 

 Bella Swan is not looking forward to the first day of school—plus the rain sux. 

 Mike Newton is whoa whos the hottie!!1!!LOL 

 Eric Yorkie commented on Mike Newton’s status: 

 “Dude, seriously! Wonder if she’s going to the dance with anyone…….” 

 Mike Newton became a fan of Hot New Girls. 

 Eric Yorkie became a fan of Hot New Girls. 

 Mike Newton and Bella Swan are now friends. 

 Jessica Stanley is wondering what the fuss is all about.  

 Jessica Stanley and Bella Swan are now friends.  

 Lauren Mallory is like, so over the drama. 

 Bella Swan is curious about those pale kids in the corner. Plus the rain sux.  

Edward Cullen is slightly uncomfortable.  

 Edward Cullen requested to leave the group “Junior Biology.”  

 Bella Swan is confused.  

 Mike Newton and Bella Swan are attending Forks HS Prom. 

 Bella Swan is no longer attending Forks HS Prom. 

 Mike Newton and Jessica Stanley are attending Forks HS Prom.  

 Mike Newton created the event First Beach Bonfire! 

 5 of your friends are attending the event First Beach Bonfire! 

 Bella Swan and Jacob Black are now friends. 

 Edward Cullen is WAY PISSED! 

 Bella Swan is OMG that van almost hit me. 

 Bella Swan is doing a little internet research.  

 Jessica Stanley created the event Prom Shopping in Port Angeles. 

 Bella Swan is attending the event Prom Shopping in Port Angeles 

 Bella Swan is in the alley wondering who those creepy drunk guys are, oh well! LOL 

 Edward Cullen is WAY PISSED! 

Bella Swan and Edward Cullen are In a Relationship. 

 Jessica Stanley is shocked. 

 Rosalie Hale is making dinner…I know, right?? 

 Alice Cullen is feeling like everything is going to turn out ok.  

 Bella Swan became a fan of Vampires. 

 Bella Swan and Alice Cullen are now friends.  

 Jacob Black is wishing he was a few years older…… 

 Jacob Black joined the group Quileute Power!! 

 Charlie Swan is watching the big game.  

 Bella Swan is dazzled.  

 Edward Cullen is feeling moody…and thirsty.  

 Emmett Cullen created the event XTreme Baseball. 

 8 of your friends are attending the event XTreme Baseball. 

 Rosalie Hale is ready to kick some a$$ at baseball tonite! 

 Victoria and James are In a Relationship. 

James is thinking evil thoughts.  

 Laurent is peace out.  

 Edward Cullen is WAY PISSED! 

 Alice Cullen and Jasper Hale tagged Bella Swan in the Note “Road Trip to Phoenix!” 

 Bella Swan really hates Forks! PSYCH! :( 

 Bella Swan is OH CRAP. 

 Edward Cullen is in a ballet studio? 

 James is no longer online. 

 Victoria is WAY PISSED! 

 Bella Swan is in the hospital but omg Edward is so hot.    

 Jacob Black is :( 

 

Problem Partially Figured Out

Read previous post before this one...

So, Henry just woke up and I was in nursing him.  He was eating perfectly fine when Jaxon came in and started making all kinds of noise.  Henry just looked up at me and started screaming.  I calmed him down but he didn't want to eat anymore after that.  He just wanted to watch Jaxon play.  I got Jax convinced to finish watching Sesame Street so he left.  I tried feeding Henry again and he ate.  From the other room we heard Jaxon shouting about something he saw and Henry stopped eating, looked up at me, curled his bottom lip under, and started screaming again.  Now, it could be gas, but the timing is just too much to be coincidence.  I am pretty sure he likes it quite while he eats and he doesn't want to be disturbed.  Most times he eats, Jaxon is around and distracting him.  That's probably why he eats for such a short time and then that makes him need to eat more often.  

Anyway, boring mom stuff, I know, but I'm just trying to figure it out!  Jaxon was such a good little eater.  20 minutes each side, done and done.  With Henry, I never know if he's full!

Baby Wise Confused Me

Okay, so I am confused...I read the book Baby Wise and I tried getting Henry on their suggested schedule of eat, play, sleep.  I know it's better for kids not to fall asleep eating so I don't let him do that, but he is always hungry before going to sleep.  I don't think I should let him cry when he's hungry just so he'll fall asleep so he can eat when he wakes up.  I really tried doing it for a few days but it made him take like a 30 minute nap and then he would wake up because he was HUNGRY.  I don't know what to do.  The book makes it sound like when the baby is on this schedule everyones lives are easier.  I'll tell ya, I don't know anyone's life who became easier while trying to do this.  It also makes it sound like if we don't have our babies on this schedule, they will grow to have sleeping disorders that will effect them the rest of their lives.  And, it says they put tons of babies on this schedule and they were all sleeping through the night by like 12 weeks.  I've always heard (and believed) that all babies are different with different needs, but this book makes it sound like this schedule is for ALL babies.

I have heard a lot of people doing this method, but I just can't see it working for Henry.  If any one has experience of their own with this, please share it. 

At his age of 3 months, the books says he should eat 4 to 5 times a day and none of those feedings should be at night and his naps should be 1 1/2 to 2 hours long.   

So, lets see here...If he ate 5 times a day, from 7 am to 10 pm, that's 15 hours that's every 3 hours (day time feedings only).  There is supposed to be about a 2 hour nap then he's only awake for about an hour at a time and he takes 5 naps a day...Not Henry.  It's different every time.  It's partly my fault because I don't think he eats a full feeding every time.  Sometimes I have to stop him before he is really done because I have another kid to deal with.  So, he only gets a snack.  That's reality!  And, he's not ready to go to sleep after being awake for an hour.  He eats more and sleeps less than the book says a baby his age should.

I dumped the book for a few days and they have been way happier days!  I feed him when he's hungry and it is somewhat of a schedule.  But, I guess he eats more often than the book says and he naps less.  His pattern is eat, play, eat, nap, with 3 naps a day--morning, early afternoon, and a short one in the late afternoon to get him through the evening.  Then, 2 or 3 feedings at night. It's about 6 to 8 times a day and 2 or 3 at night.  I asked a few other moms with babies Henry's age and a little older and they say their babies are still eating like 2 hours apart and some 1 1/2. 

I think Henry's problem is he doesn't get a full meal when he wakes up so he can't make it until the next time he wakes up.  But now, he is used to these short(er) meals, only like 10 minutes, when it should be more like 20 or 30, though the book does say a baby can drain a breast in 7 minutes, so maybe he just eats fast, but I have been trying to make him eat longer and he is uninterested and gets mad about it.

Anyway, people probably don't even care about this and probably won't even finish reading it...but I'm wondering:  Is this scheduling plan really possible, or am I just a totally unorganized mother who can't successfully deal with 2 kids to put her little baby on a schedule causing everyone's life suffers because of it?!

Kisses Quote

Ruthann:  Hey Jax, can a have a big smoochie?

Jaxon:  No big moochie.

Ruthann:  What about a little kissie?

Jaxon:  Otay, little tissie.

Someone dropping 108 pennies in the sand with the wind blowing and birds chirping

Does anyone remember when KMLE country used to do the secret sound?  It was always something totally random that it took like 100 clues for anyone to ever get it.  Well, some times I feel like I'm playing that game in my own home.  Often times, if I'm not in the same room as Jaxon and I hear something suspicious, I have to pull all the information in my brain together to figure out what's going on.  Like tonight:  I was nursing Henry in his room and I heard Jaxon in the office doing something that made a loud noise and sounded like the printer tray was being hit, and broken (hard to describe, but it didn't sound like a good noise).  So I asked, "Devin, what is he doing to the printer?"  Devin responded with, "Jax don't do that."  And to me, "He was making Woody jump on the paper tray."  My thought was, "Devin, aren't you watching that boy?"

Favorite Quotes

I decided to take these off the side and post them when they happen so the list doesn't get too long and then they'll also be dated.  Anyway, here are the existing ones...more to come...

Devin: Are you ready to have family night?
Jaxon: Yep!
Devin: And sing songs?
Jaxon: No, watch the tv!

Ruthann: What's your name?
Jaxon: Spideyman Boy.
Ruthann: You mean Jaxon?
Jaxon: No! Spideyman Boy Jaxon.

Jaxon: Uh-oh! Boogers! (as he wiped his nose on his shirt)

Ruthann: Hey Devin, I got Jaxon to take a nap today.
Jaxon: Nooooo!
Ruthann: Not right now, you had one earlier.
Jaxon: Oh, yep!

While driving on a muddy road due to someone not preparing their yard for irrigation after the road had just been repaired:
Devin: Some people have poop for brains.

In response to Ruthann's complaining about her boobs getting bigger when pregnant:
Devin: You know, lots of women pay good money for those!

Ruthann: What color would you call my hair?
Devin: Dirt.
Ruthann: What??? (Dirty look.)
Devin: Okay...strawberry blond.

Twilight

I finally saw it!  I figure by now all the die hard fans have seen it too, so I won't hold back on my review...

I LOVED it!  At first I wasn't convinced they had a good pick for Edward, but he played it really well.  Except, before the part when Bella told him that she knew he was a vampire, he was all rigid all the time and I guess that's how he is supposed to be since it's so hard for him to be around her, but I guess I didn't picture him being so weird looking when I read it.  Does that even make sense?  

My brother told me about a review he heard on the radio that said, "You've never seen NOT having sex so HOT before."  I thought their chemistry was good, but nothing super hot.  The kiss was pretty hot though.  But it was silly when he flew across the room and into the wall to stop himself...I don't remember that happening...did it?

My favorite part was the baseball scene, which my brother pointed out was probably due to the awesome song they picked for it (search "supermassive black hole twilight" on YouTube).  It was just so fun to watch and imagine if we could really play baseball like that.  How cool would that be?  

My other favorite scene was when Edward drove Bella to school.  When they got out he just looked so cocky with this big goofy smile on his face like he was thinking, "Yep, I've got a girlfriend and she's hot and I'm hot and you are all jealous!"  I just loved it!  It was funny and cute and not really how I pictured it in the book, but better!  haha!  Then it got even better when she said, "Everyone's staring at us."  He said, "No, not that guy.  Oh, nevermind, he just looked."  Oh, I love a good cheesy romance!  

I think Jacob is pretty, but needs to cut his hair.  Jasper was a little silly looking, like his eyes were gonna pop out, but I thought he was cute.  Charile was good.  I think they should have left in the parts about how Bella always cooked for him.  Instead, they were always at that diner.  Alice looks a little older to me.  Devin thinks she's really pretty.  I think that's about it...

Favorites

As I was searching for those "then" photos, I found some others that I really love and decided to post them...

My birthday last year.  A bunch of family came to eat at Tom's BBQ--so yummy!

Devin was using the dental floss in the kitchen to cut some cinnamon roll dough and Jax got ahold of it.  I just think it's adorable!

This was after a morning jog.  Jax and I would go every morning before I got pregnant with Henry.  The wind would blow and by the time we got home, Jaxon had the cutest wings!

A visit to St. George

Then & Now

This is Jaxon at his first birthday party:
This is Jaxon a few days after turning 2:
Here he is about 10 months:
Here he is at 2:
There is so much resemblance in these photos! He was a cutie then and he's a cutie now!

These are also similar and I love them both!
May 2008
October 2008

Tagged by Jeannie!

This s the game: go to your 5th picture folder, select the 5th picture, then tag 5 people.
This is me and Devin at the ward Luau in 2007 recently after moving into our house. It was really fun. A few of the Relief Society sisters (me included) did a real hula dance.

I tag: Joy B, Kiera E, Carrie C, Ashtyn C, & Ashley W.

FYI...Infant Gas Drops Recall

I don't know how this happened, but yikes! We buy these gas drops.

"The companies said they are voluntarily recalling two lots of the over-the-counter medicine as a precaution after determining that some bottles could include metal fragments that were generated during the manufacturing process.

They said the potential for serious injury is low, and any effects were expected to be temporary and resolved without medical treatment.

The recalled products -- Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free (simethicone-antigas) non-staining drops sold in one-ounce plastic bottles -- were distributed nationwide after October 5.

The recall does not affect any Original Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief products (1/2-ounce or 1-ounce size) or Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free drops non-staining (1/2-ounce size).

Consumers who have purchased Mylicon drops with lot numbers SMF007 or SMF008 should immediately stop using the product and contact the company at 1-800-222-9435. Parents who have given the product to their infants and are concerned should contact their health care provider immediately, the companies said."

http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE4A97D520081110

Tew or fee, depending on the day

Just thought I'd share the cute fact that when asked how old he is, Jaxon responds by holding up his middle and ring fingers and saying, "tew." We taught him that on his birthday.

Some days, I don't know why, but he'll say he's "fee." But, mostly he gets it right with "tew."

Employed!

Devin is done with his student teaching! His last day was actually October 31. We sent his resumes to the school districts around here at the beginning of the school year and let them know he'd be available to teach in November. They all told us to contact them when he was available and until then, there wasn't really anything we could do to pursue employment. So he finished his student teaching at Queen Creek high school and resent his applications in. Devin had 2 interviews, and another 2 set up, but the 2 he went to both offered him jobs! One was at Florence High School teaching Algebra 1, and the other was for Williams Field High School teaching Algebra 1 and Geometry. After talking about it and weighing the options, we decided to take the Williams Field job. He starts today!

Devin didn't get paid for his 12 weeks spent student teaching. It's like an unpaid internship. At times it was tight, but we were really blessed. I never really worried about him being able to find a job when he was done. I just thought we'd pray and do the things we were supposed to and everything would be fine. I was right! We are so blessed that our prayers were answered and within a few days of becoming qualified, Devin had a job! (Two to choose from actually!)

One of the interesting things that helped us was the fact that we didn't get our tax refund until the end of August! It was so late and we were a little annoyed it was taking so long, but it actually came at a perfect time. If we had the money earlier, we might have spend it and then we wouldn't have had it when he wasn't working and we really needed it. I believe my Heavenly Father's hands were present in our lives and he was watching out for us. He guides us in our decisions and through the kindness of others, we continue to be blessed daily!

Cali

Henry's first time seeing the Ocean:)
Devin and I went with Moxie Pest Control company to San Diego last weekend. We drove in 15 passenger vans. (That was an adventure in itself.) We stayed in a 7-room beach house with a bunch of other couples. It was so much fun!

We went ocean kayaking. This is Devin and his friend Cody. They shared a kayak while Cody's wife, Melody, and I realxed with Henry on the beach. Devin climbed out of his kayak to touch the sharks and now he can say he, "swam with the sharks."
When the guys were done, Melody and I took to the waves. We were out just long enough to see a shark, then we headed back in.

Baby Henry looking so cute on the beach.
The sunsets were amazing!
The boys played this game where they threw a ball (or a water bottle filled with water and sand until the ball arrived) and caught and tackled each other (a definite boy game). They had fun, but had plenty of battle wounds afterwords.

Halloween 2008

Jax was Buzz, of course.
Henry was just Henry, but what could be better:)
My parents came to the trunk-or-treat to see the boys. The had some pretty fancy costumes too! (Devin's chili was a hit:) )
On Saturday, we went up to Devin's grandparents cabin outside of Payson. The theme was "high school." Devin was the Prom King complete with construction paper crown and I was a track star sporting a genuine Westwood jersey. Devin's parents were coaches, Reina was a super smarty pants, Elisha was a gothic chick and her husband Josh was a nasty staff worker.
We did carmel apples for an activity and Jax loved it!

Baby Henry & Jax & Mama

It's a lot of work, but I just love having my little baby Henry in our home! I'm so glad he joined our family:) I try to soak up every precious second while holding him and I can feel his sweet spirit. He is so smiley and happy. The only time he is fuzzy is if he is hungry, poopy, or tired. The rest of the time he is perfectly fine.
And Jaxon is just so cute! He is talking so much lately. It's exciting that he is getting better at pronouncing words, but at the same time it will be kind of sad when he can talk correctly. The way he talks now is so cute!
Jaxon has really been into Toy Story lately. He asks, "Watch Woody Buzz?" If we say yes he gets so excited but if we say no...well, we won't talk about that...it can get ugly! He runs around pretending he's buzz and yesterday at my mom's house he came up with this:
Those are dish clothes tucked into his shirt for wings like Buzz. I can't believe how creative he is and how good he is at using his imagination!

Oh, he loves olives!
Is that RED hair?