Flashback Friday

Yep, that's me.  I was a Brownie and proud of it.

Wordless Wednesday

Flashback Friday

I always remember this picture.  Not sure why, maybe my mum has it in a frame somewhere at her house.

This is us with my mum's parents at Redondo Beach, CA.

Menu Planning

As most of you know I work full time, 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. So most days I get home from work around 6pm at the earliest. I will be the first person to say that working full time and balancing my roles at home is really really hard. I’m always looking for the most efficient way to do things. Cooking meals is one of my least favorite things to do. I used to love cooking ... when I had more time that is. Now it’s just one more thing I have to do every day. I have toyed with planning meals in the past and it never really seemed to take. I am the worst grocery shopper as well. I have my kids with me and so that just adds to the chaos and makes me feel like I can’t even think about what I’m trying to do. So in a combined effort to reduce stress (at meal times and during shopping trips) I came up with a new way of meal planning. My new meal planning method has also contributed to my success with our current “Healthy Diet”. One thing I started doing was typing up all my favorite recipes and saving them on a thumb drive. This way I can access them more easily. See I make a very detailed shopping list well ahead of time every week based on what meals I’m making that week. When making my list I have the ability to look up the recipes right there on the computer so that I can make sure that if I have what I need I don’t buy it again. This is SO much easier than digging through multiple recipe books until I find the book with the correct recipe. Plus I put all the recipes into a 3 ring binder so I have them right there when I cook as well. Another benefit is that when someone asks me for a recipe I can email it to them so easily! I only type up the recipes that I’ve tried and I know that I like.

So each week I now plan out our dinners for the entire week. Half the battle each night after I would come home from work was just trying to figure out what to cook. Now I don’t even have to think about it. Sometimes even Jeramie will look and see what we’re having that night and begin the process. It’s SO much easier. Once I’ve mapped out what we’re eating then I make a list of the things I need at the store. I no longer buy things that I just end up throwing away because they go bad before we eat them. I don’t make multiple trips to the stop for just one thing because I forgot it. I’m not stressed about trying to figure out what to make. I even PLAN for my leftovers. Yet another waste saver! Oh and no more thinking, “What sounds good for dinner tonight?” Because the stuff that sounds good is never good for you. No more running to McDonalds because I can’t decide and I’m too tired to cook. Plus I don’t stress on the nights that I don’t have a lot of time to cook either. I plan Lean Cuisine Nights. This means all I do is throw an assortment of veggies in the steamer and microwave a couple frozen meals. I know the processed stuff isn’t as good for you but when I work all day and even have the smallest commitment in the evening, a 20 minute meal prep is a lifesaver! Plus I can plan those meals on the nights that we have other things to do as well.

All in all I’ve been consistent with my current method of doing things for a month now. It’s been a huge stress reliever. I don’t throw away nearly as much wasted food. With the exception of 1 week I save money at the grocery store. And we’re eating healthy as a family. So what about you? Plan meals? Wing it? What are your successes and things that haven’t worked out so well?

Wordless Wednesday

Motherhood

Some of you may know all of this story, some may know bits and pieces, others may know nothing. I have had all of my babies via c-section. I lay there terrified each and every time. I feel like my doctor robbed me of something that wasn't his to take away. He robbed me of an experience that as a woman I had a right to. I'm bitter about it. There's no question about that. And so the story goes...

I was 22 years old when I had Baylee. She was my first baby, so it seemed to me like a completely normal pregnancy. I had nothing to compare it to. They asked things like, does the baby move? Well yes. Did the ultrasounds and they all looked normal. Nothing to worry about. But when I was 34 weeks pregnant my water broke. I was at my parents house and told them we were going to the hospital. I have a terrible memory so I don't remember exactly what they said, my memory tells me it was something along the lines of, "It's too early for your baby. You'll be back soon." Off I went to the hospital and they quickly checked me in. I was indeed in labor. I think because it was so early they were anxious to put an internal monitor on Baylee. The first nurse gave it a try to no avail. So she sent in another nurse, this nurse pointed out to the first nurse that the reason that they couldn't attach the monitor was because Baylee was breach. Pretty much that's a do not pass GO, straight to surgery. I don't blame my doctor for that. In all actuality regardless of his role in this event it's probably a good thing that Baylee was premature. If she hadn't been perhaps she wouldn't have been diagnosed when she was born. This could have led to many years of frustration.

When I got pregnant with Jackson I went back to my same OB/GYN. I liked him. This pregnancy was different and boy did I think to myself if Baylee had been my second baby I would have KNOWN there was something not right. Anyway, I wanted the VBAC. I was 100% positive I did NOT want another c-section. My doctor seemed to kind of try and talk me out of it. I didn't really understand why. This was my decision. I had to sign some scary form that listed all the possible complications of the VBAC. Mainly being the fact that my original scar could tear. But c'mon it had been like 9 years since then. I was pretty confident that was sealed up pretty good. Anyway, at one of my regular appointments the nurse was dutifully taking my blood pressure and all that when she said something about my due date. But the number she gave me was totally different than my actual due date. It was a complete week sooner!! So I questioned her on it and she just kind of blew it off like it was no big deal, it happened all the time. But still .. really? Your doctor changes your due date (kinda important, don't you think?) and doesn't even TELL you?? I thought it was weird but again since the nurse acted like it was no big deal I didn't really think much of it. As my due date closed in my doctor constantly reminded me that if the baby didn't come on it's own that I would HAVE to schedule a c-section. He refused to induce labor. Something about increasing the risks of VBAC complications if they have to give you pitocin (sp?). Due date came and went. I did everything to try and get the show on the road. We had just bought the house we live in now and were spending every night there painting and preparing to move. When my doctor insisted I choose a surgery date "just in case" I chose the further one out there. The doctor won. Baby didn't come and I ended up with another c-section. I can't even tell you how disappointed I was. Not to mention how terrified. At least with the first one I didn't know it would happen, didn't even consider it as an option. This time I got to think about the epidural without the offset of contractions to distract you for the giant needle going into your spine. Them cutting me wide open. I mean seriously they make you stay 2 extra days in the hospital for a reason. It's MAJOR surgery. Jackson arrived safe and sound and I survived the event (contrary to my million fears). But at that point my fate was forever sealed. After two c-sections VBAC would never be an option. I will never experience child birth the way nature intended it.

With Wyland there was no hope. I knew what I was in for. If anything I was even more terrified. For two reasons really. My second spinal block (with Jackson) was SO painful. I blame it on the guy that did it. I remember feeling at the time that I wasn't curling my spine enough. But the sheer pain (that made me sob) the first time was enough to scare the shit out of me in anticipation for this next time. But there is a light at the end of this tunnel .. with Wyland I literally hardly even felt the spinal block! When he said he was done I was surprised!! So don't fear ladies, these actually don't have to hurt. (I have some helpful tips if you want me to share).

I did go back to my same doctor with Wyland, even after the realization that he had manipulated me when I had Jackson. I am 100% sure that he changed my due date so that he could tell me I was a week late and had no choice. When in all actuality I wasn't late at all yet. But this way he could be in and out in an hour with a c-section. He got what HE wanted. Looking back in a way I felt violated. He really did rob me of that experience. I can never change it or get it back. Chances are I will go my entire life and never participate (even on the sidelines) in natural child birth. It makes me sad. You may be wondering why I even went back to him when I was pregnant with Wyland. At that point I was confident in his surgical skills. At least he had that going for him. Plus it was convenient. I knew what to expect with him.

At the end of the day I have 3 beautiful children that were delivered without complication. I am so grateful for that. Plus I have survived each of the experiences. But yes, I will forever feel like I missed out on something. Not to mention my work doesn't give you the extra 2 weeks of paid leave because of a c-section!! That was pretty much the only advantage to having one!! Anyway, not sure why I shared all those thoughts. I don't do that often on my blog. Maybe because I was watching babies being born on "Parenthood" tonight and it brought up those feelings. Tip out there for anyone in this kind of boat .. get a doctor that completely supports VBAC if that's what you want. Fight for YOUR right to choose.

Wyland and my first picture together.

Why do they always get sick in pairs?

Oh how I hate when any of my kids are sick. The boys do it all together. Once one gets something the other is sure to follow. This week was not exception. Jackson came down with a fever of 103 on Wednesday night this week. He had the chills really bad too, literally his teeth were chattering. It was a long night and he stayed home from school the next day as well. By the next morning Wyland started running a fever as well. I knew it would only be a matter of time. Thursday seemed to go okay, they were both running fevers but we were managing them with the usual (Motrin / Tylenol). Friday Wyland was still asleep when I left for work that morning and Jackson seemed back to his chipper self. What relief I felt going into the weekend, oh but I celebrated too early! When I came home from work that evening my mother-in-law said Wyland had been just a terror that day. Crying on and off all day long, all he wanted was to be held and even that wasn't really enough. He was happy that I was home and since he hadn't had much of a nap Jeramie took him with him to drop Robie home. She also mentioned that while Jackson was feeling better he hadn't had much to eat, he said his throat hurt. So while Jeramie was gone I caught a glimpse of Jackson's tonsils. They were HUGE, red and covered in white spots. We all know what that means. So I called Jeramie and told him we needed to take them both to instacare. Off I went alone with the two boys. The place by our house is usually super fast. By this time it was getting close to 7pm and when I arrived there were 3 sets of people already waiting. So already I'm bummed. As soon as the kids are checked in and I sit by the fish tank Wyland starts crying. This kid cried for an hour straight while I walked him back and forth all over the lobby. Now all the people in front of us are adults. I couldn't BELIEVE that they would sit there and endure this 1 year old crying like somebody has chopped off his leg!! If it had been me I wouldn't have thought twice about letting the mother with 2 small (1 VERY unhappy) children go in front of me. After an hour the receptionist came out to give the boys Otterpops. I am not exaggerating how bad this crying was! Finally with just one lady left in front of us she tells the receptionist to let us go in front of them. YAY .. relief. I was so grateful. So soon we head back to the examination room, Wyland starts all over with his crying. The nurse and I were literally yelling at each other as she went through the list of standard questions. We're almost done when Wyland gets even more angry that the Popsicle has slid down to the bottom of the packet. What does my sweet child do? He shakes his arm!! There is now Popsicle splatter all of the nurse, all over the wall .. all over me. *sigh*

So they do the strep test and it comes back negative. But because it looks so much like classic strep she prescribes good old pink medicine for us. Thank GOODNESS! She also tried to get some steroid stuff into Wyland who just turned around and threw it up all over me. This has been one of the worst sick child experiences I have ever had (certainly the worst with the boys). Then once we get home and I'm administering the first dose of meds to the boys Baylee proceeds to knock one bottle completely all over the counter. Yep there were many swear words involved in that one. *sigh*

Jeramie calls Walgreens who agrees to call Instacare to ask IF they will call in a refill. I mean really? What am I supposed to do? Say to one of the boys, sorry your medicine got spilled so just suffer. Umm .. I don't think so. Instacare was nice enough to agree to a "refill" however this time instead of the $10 I paid the first time, I now have to pay another $15.99 to get a refill. Since it is less than 10 days. Do insurance companies not think that accidents happen sometimes? Especially when you're dealing with children. I'm so not impressed by this policy.

Needless to say it was a really long night. Jeramie is the best husband ever. I'll spare you the story of the bathroom incident (oh you Howard's know what I'm talking about), the "Kerry Temper Tantrum". Jeramie took both the boys to the basement and slept in the spare bedroom with them. He's such a great dad and husband! I am happy to report, as you can see from my previous post both boys were whole new children by the very next morning, they had a blast at the park.

Wyland throwing a fit on the floor in the exam room.

My only picture to document the event. I debated about taking some video just to show people how angry that little boy was.

Fun at the park.

Hopefully today is the beginning of some consistently warm weather. I actually pulled some tags off some news shorts for the boys and their legs saw the first of the Spring sun. It was such a beautiful day and we couldn't wait to get outside. I had heard that there was a pretty cool park just up the street. Unfortunately we don't have a park at all within walking distance from our house so we have to make do with a quick car ride. This place is only about 5 minutes away. But what a find. It was probably the coolest park I've ever been to! There were at least 4 different playgrounds there. It had a great wide sidewalk that you could walk around the entire park. The main attraction for my kids was the Fort. Even I have to admit it was really cool. All the kids loved it and Jackson threw an absolute fit when it was time to leave. The only thing I would change is that it was a little busy (I know, well obviously if it's as cool as I say it is). Anyway, here's some pictures from our fun day. Wyland spent the afternoon with his big sister, while Jackson found some other kids to play with. Jeramie and I had to divide and conquer so that we kept eyes on our little ones. We will for sure be heading back here I'm sure pretty frequently in the upcoming months. I should also mention that we began our visit with a walk around the whole park just to check out what we were working with. This was my excuse to squeeze in a little exercise for myself and Baylee before we started playing. It worked!

Here's the Fort. That's Baylee and Wyland on the swings.

This was in a somewhat smaller kids area.

That was the nice thing too, even Baylee could

enjoy some of the stuff at the park. None of the stuff

was too small for her to follow Wyland around on.

The t-shirt totally wasn't planned .. I swear.
Recognize this smile, J'Von does the same thing
with the whole squinty eyes.
Baylee was such a good big sister. She just followed
Wyland and catered to his every whim.
Baylee showing off with her ongoing chant of ..
"IN .. OUT .. IN .. OUT"

I already know this is going to be one of my

favorite pictures for a very long time.

I love most pictures of kids and people for that

matter holding hands.

Flashback Friday

Back when things were easy.

Me and Mike.

Wordless Wednesday

My New Love

Okay so as you may or may not have figured out I'm dieting. Oh wait .. I mean I'm not dieting, it's a life change. I'm doing pretty good. Sticking to "the plan". Well this is my new obsession. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these. They are tiny, like the size of a quarter. I practically take the smallest bites in the universe just so that they last longer. I can drag out eating one packet for like 20 minutes. They are so delicious. They satisfy that sweet craving I get after dinner some nights. If you haven't tried these I really recommend them. YUM!

Introducing:

Pepperidge Farm Chessmen (100 calorie pack)

Sandy Slim Down

So even though we don't live in Sandy, my parents do and Sandy City Parks and Recreation does this program each year called "Slim Down Sandy". It's REALLY cool. Basically it runs for 10 weeks and every Monday night we have to go to a designated Sandy Park and walk. They have a talk each week on things like Nutrition, Fiber, Sugar, etc. You get this little card signed off when you go and earn points. It's a great way to get out of the house and participate in something. They give away a lot of free stuff. So far this year we've each gotten a little backpack and a water bottle. Did I also mention it's FREE?? So yes, we participate in the program. Not because we'll ever win everything. The program end event is always on a Saturday and it always happens to be when we're out of town. So we don't every win anything at the end. But if you live in Sandy or know someone that does then I highly recommend doing this. I'm not aware of any other city around here that does this. It's a lot of fun. Plus it gets the whole family up and walking. We go with my mum every week. This year they also added this part where they send you an email and you can earn extra points by doing an extra walk. So that's what we did this week. You have to take a picture of yourself on this walk to present on the following Monday. Last year Jackson rode his bike each week. But this year he's not enjoying that so I'm resolved to bringing my double stroller for him to ride in with Wyland. This past week I thought Jackson would walk but he didn't. He wanted me to carry him, he got really heavy after awhile and I ended up squeezing him in the single stroller behind Wyland. They looked funny but it made for a cute picture. Thanks Mum for letting us do this with you!

Baylee and Grandma documenting their "bonus walk".

Jackson and Wyland squished in the stroller.

Flashback Friday

OMG, I LOVE this picture.

This is my Nanny in Redondo Beach, CA.

Taste Bud Revolution

So I have been dieting, because you know .. summer is coming and all. Well when I diet so does Jeramie because I refuse to cook more than the 3 different combinations of meals. I currently fix dinner for Jeramie and I, then something different for Baylee, then another two meals for the boys. I can't wait for the day that we all eat the same thing (well with the exception of Baylee). So anyway Jeramie and I were eating dinner last night and he was grimacing about the vegetables on his plate. He and I have both agreed that we eat all the veggies first and save the good stuff until last. So he turns to me and he says, "Well when you're eating healthy it sure makes you really appreciate the good tasting stuff." That being whatever I have served along side the veggies.

Now this comment alone wouldn't have been strange but the irony was that I was thinking the EXACT same thing only a few hours earlier as I was driving home from work. I was eating a stick of string cheese. I was really concentrating on eating it slowly and really enjoying the flavor because it tasted SOOOO good. It's true, when you are dieting and you eat things other than fruits and vegetables, that "other stuff" just takes on a whole new level of flavor!! I mean seriously the "other stuff" last night was just a Lean Cuisine, Chicken Carbonara. It was a Lean Cuisine for goodness sake!! We were excited over a little frozen dinner. I just thought this was funny.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Easter - Part Two

Once we got the kids bathed and dressed we headed straight up to my parents house. This year it was kind of weird. Easter was snowed out for the first time for us since we've lived in Utah. Easter usually represents the beginning of Spring and short sleeves. Not so this year. We didn't have the normal roast dinner for a few reasons, my Dad had to head to the airport mid-afternoon, Mike and Amber were both working, originally Evan and Rachel had dinner commitments elsewhere. So we planned for lunch. It felt really strange to have so many family members missing, so in a way it was kind of low key. We had our first indoor Easter egg hunt, as many Utahn's did. The kids didn't mind one bit. We normally get some great family pictures, including some group pictures at Easter. We didn't do any this year. With so many of us watching our waistlines we had a salad bar and chicken (burgers for those that chose to indulge). Then the kids had baskets from their always much too generous Grandma. One of our Easter basket traditions is new swimsuits for the upcoming summer. This year they all also got a movie, Baylee got Princess and the Pea, Jackson got Fox and the Hound, and Wyland got an Elmo DVD. Baylee has never really been too interested in Disney movies, Jackson and Wyland are making up for it. Now if I could just get them to watch some of the girl ones ... I think I'd enjoy watching those over and over more than the boy ones. Oh well...

Basket Central at Grandma's

Yep .. that's a laundry basket full of candy filled eggs!
As my mum says, she has 9 grandchildren and
6 grand-dogs. Since Evan and Rachel don't have
babies yet they got a basket for their puppies. Look at that .. even Jeramie got sucked into my Kindle.
There is no shortage of toys at Grandma's.
Umm .. who lives there?
A door in Grandma's living room.

me and my baby
Look at my cute boys in their matching outfits.
Baylee in a pretty Easter dress.
Grandma bought all the grandkids plates

with their pictures on them. They were so cute.

Baylee's had to be redone so she didn't get it yet.

Handsome fella blowing the Thomas whistle.

Are those eggs in the kitchen?
Evan, Rachel and their "babies".

This is their first official "family photo".

Alta and Torre

Jackson hamming it up on our way out.

Thanks Mum for the awesome Easter baskets!!! Does our gift card come with babysitting services??

Happy Easter - Part One

I was woken up by my children first thing Sunday morning. Baylee was convinced that the Easter Bunny hadn't been because she didn't see baskets on the couch like they normally are. However, Jackson was quick to correct her that indeed the Easter Bunny had been to visit and left them surprises on the kitchen table. I lay in bed listening to this discussion wishing that they had slept just a little bit longer. Wyland wished the same thing. We couldn't start without him and therefore the big kids were quick to wake him up. Jackson repeated told me, "I'm so excited!!" while jumping up and down. Unlike Christmas, we do start Easter at home. Here are a few sleepy pictures from the morning. My kids don't get a lot of candy in their baskets because Baylee can't have it. So they're mostly filled with a small assortment of toys.

Baylee and Jackson checking out the loot.

Poor Wyland just wondering what the heck is going on.
Baylee's a pro .. love the bedhead dear.

Jackson was so excited for his Dalmatian Monster Mutt Jeramie just oozing excitement.

Wyland Update

The other day someone at work came to my desk and asked how old my kids are. I easily said, Baylee is 12, Jackson will be 4 next month, and Wyland .... umm well he's ... umm .. he's 1, he'll be 2 in June. I couldn't tell them how many months my baby was! I just haven't been counting with him. With Baylee every month was a milestone. With Jackson it was the same kind of thing, perhaps because it had been SO long since I had had a baby. But with Wyland coming on the heals of Jackson, I just haven't been counting. As a result I figured I owe him a little catch up. Wyland is 21 months old. He's such a smart little boy. He is his big brothers shadow. I adore watching them laying on the floor playing cars together and just think to myself what a great friendship they already have. Wyland is already saying more words than I can count. He just catches me off guard sometimes. When I ask him a question he answers me! They often say that the "2nd child" doesn't always do things as early as the first. But that is not so with Wyland. He's equally as clever as Jackson was at this age. By the way, technically of course Jackson is the 2nd and Wyland is the 3rd. But with such a big age gap between them and Baylee, I think that Jackson behaves more like a first born. As much as I loved Jackson's curls, I equally enjoy Wyland's little hair style. I can't believe that he's going to be 2 soon. They grow up so quickly. Wyland still has the sweetest disposition, he's a real charmer.

Look at those eyes!

And that hair ....

... and that smile.

Oh .. and Wyland LOVES my mum's dog Polly.