So Fast

It seems like yesterday, James was just learning to walk

and today he is riding away from me.



Thankfully, there is another.

Still Here

I have meant to blog long before now to write about our new house, the amazing playground that is right behind out house (its like an extension of the backyard), and the neighborhood that is crawling with kids. Unfortunately, I have been busy trying to keep up with a maintaining a large house, buying furniture for a much bigger house, tracking down my kids at the playground or some one's house that I have had very little time to string words together into coherent thoughts. So here's a picture of my Happy Boy. I can't believe he is 9 months already.

Photo Shoot

James loves to take pictures. Whenever I bring out my camera, he always request to have his turn behind the lens. After uploading the photos to the computer I can always tell which pictures were taken by James.

There are random pictures of nothing:

Pictures that artistically arrange the subjects in the frame:

The biggest hint that James took the photo is that I am actually in a picture.

Yesterday, James wanted to experiment with using the tripod. He spent about 15 minutes setting up the tripod, then he took several test photos,

Next, he wanted to shoot several photos with a subject and since I was the only other person awake....

Then we decided to use the timer.

After making some adjustments with the tripod, we got some good pictures of me and my little man.

James decided to try out several different poses and facial expressions

It was good hour's worth of entertainment for the both of us.

Finding Balance

Before I married and had children, I was able to maintain balance in my life. When things started to become unbalanced I, and I alone, needed to make adjustments to return to a more balanced life. Now when things start to get unbalanced, I and four other people (with their own wants/needs) are part of that adjustment process to return to balance, which means my life feels unbalanced all the time. It is a constant juggling act to find balance among interacting with the children (collectively and individually), spending time with my husband (or just talk with him on the phone as is the case currently), and finding time for myself in addition to all the other pulls on my time: cleaning house, cooking food, running errands, preparing to move, maintaining relationships with friends and family and getting adequate sleep. I postpone cleaning the house during the day to play with the kids, and clean house at night when I should be spending time with Brigham or end up sacrificing that all important “me” time.

Recently, I discovered that doing the opposite of what I think will return balance is actually the most effective way to rebalance. Let me illustrate: most morning I awake with upper and lower back aches from a combination of nursing a big baby, lifting heavy children and a mattress in desperate need of replacing. Because of this, I spend several minutes each morning trying to ease the aches. I performed upper back stretches and lower back stretches, I tried back strengthening exercises, and different sleep positions, all to no avail; the aches remained and I felt stiff and uncomfortable moving. One morning I stretched my chest; my upper back ache disappeared. Last night I practiced a yoga exercise sequence that focused on opening the hips. This morning I awoke with my lower back feeling supple and ache free. My back was not out balance. It was showing the strain of compensating for the other parts of the body that were off-kilter. Today I cleaned both bathrooms with Anna chattering away at me and happily wiping down any surface I told her to with her rag. James scrubbed the trash can lid, and then told me he needed to wash the refrigator door. The balance: I can clean with the kids. Tomorrow, I’ll see how well 3 year old and 2 year old can cook.

A New Craving

I crave this all day long, I think about it and how good it will taste, I cannot wait to put the kids to bed (so I don't have to share), I cut my phone conversation with Brigham short just so I can make the creamy chocolate peanut butter banana shake that I just cannot get enough off. I first had this shake at a friends house over a year ago but since she made it with ice cream (something I do not stock in my freezer and when I do buy it, I don't get vanilla), I never tried making it myself. Brigham also liked this shake and over Christmas he started experimenting to make it without ice cream, he used milk and ice. It tasted good but not as creamy as my friend's version.

When I organized my pantry about a week ago I realized I still had two cartoon of coconut milk left from when I went dairy-free because of Seth. I decided I might as well use them up instead of move them with us to California. I also had some frozen coconut milk ice cubes in the freezer (I freeze leftover coconut milk when a recipe does not call for a whole can). I replaced the milk and ice with coconut milk and frozen coconut milk cubes and after I adjusted the other ingredients to compensate for the strong coconut flavor, I had a shake that was just as creamy as the ice cream version and so good. It definitely is not healthy, but certainly satisfying and gives me something to look forward to after a long day alone with the kids.

Chocolate coconut banana peanut butter shake
(the shake taste best with frozen bananas)

• 6 frozen coconut milk ice cubes
• enough coconut milk to cover ice cubes (I use the SO Delicious Coconut milk sold in cartons near the soy milk, the vanilla flavor has a less strong coconut flavor but I also like the orginal for when I want more coconut flavor)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1-2 tbsp of peanut butter (or more to taste)
• 1-2 tbsp of chocolate milk mix (or more to taste)
• blend in blender until smooth adding more coconut milk if needed, taste and add more peanut butter or chocolate if needed, enjoy.

A walk down memory lane

This past week I spent several hours in memories, searching through thousands of our photos from the last five years to select the ones I wanted to put on digital frame I bought Brigham for Christmas. It was so much fun to go back through pictures I have not looked at in years, and be reminded that, yes, I really have beautiful children.

Right before my eyes, I watch James evolve from this smiling charmer:

Into this mischievous smiler:


Anna went from cute

To gorgeous

And Seth went from adorable



To more adorable

Then there are the photos that I love. I look at them every day and smile at the memory of that day. I have many friends that are photograpers and I love to look at the photos they post on their blogs but I love the pictures of their own children the most. The pictures they take of other people, their cilents, are good but they lack something that is present in the pictures of their children. In an hour photo session, it is so hard to capture a person's personality, their special smiles and expressions especially if the photograper does not know that person very well. But with their own children, my photographer friends capture those smiles, those expressions that bring those personalities vividly to life. I may not know their children's special smiles or expressions, but I can sense something special in those photos. That is what I see in these photos that I love. They are not necessarialy the best photos I have taken but they capture my children's personalities.

The trio of Anna that hangs on my wall (and when she is really trying patience I stare at to remind myself that I love her and should act that way)

My silly, happy, mischievous James.

(disclaimer: I did not dress James in the above photo)

The pumpkin pictures I just love because James and I had so much fun that day out in the garden.

Then there are the photos that make me long to go back in time and hug the child they were that day.

And I am always taking new photos to fall in love with

And this one...this one still melts my heart.

And probably always will.

Anchors Away, my boys....

We're in the Navy now.

Brigham commission in October to be an attorney in the Navy. He went to officer training in November and goes to JAG training in January and then we move to Lemoore, CA (the middle of nowhere, three hours away from many places).

Brigham in his dress blues and James in the classic enlisted uniform.

A Compliment

Today was our 5th wedding anniversary. Sometimes I cannot believe it has been five years already and other times I cannot believe that it has only been five years. And Brigham, being Brigham, paid me a compliment that is still making me giggle.

We were sitting on the couch snuggling drinking a chocolate peanut butter banana milkshake when Brigham said, "I realized the other day that in the 5 years we have been married we have never run out toilet paper. You are amazing!"

"What?!" I burst out laughing. Amazing because of toilet paper?

"You do a great job taking care of the house, of me, of the kids. If I was in charge we would always run out toilet paper. But in five years we never have."

"Thank you." Still laughing at a compliment that only Brigham could give.

Thank Heaven...

For Little Girls who don't need a special occasion to wear a pretty dress

For Little Boys with mischievous smiles

And Little Babies who love to snuggle.

A Hint

I hope its not too subtle.

James's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for mommy and daddy and James and Curious George and Curious George mommy and Curious George Daddy and Jesus and mommy and daddy and James and Nana and Curious George and Seth.
Name Jesus Christ, Amen!

Dairy Free

I have been (mostly) dairy-free for the last six weeks. I never realized how difficult it would be to not eat dairy. Sometimes when I pour a cup of milk for James or Anna I have an overwhelming urge to just guzzle it out of the carton. It is only the thought of being up with a colicky baby that helps me overcome the urge. But giving up dairy is so much more than not drinking milk; it is cheese, yogurt, pizza, butter, sour cream, ice cream, cream cheese, cream cheese frosting on carrot cake, most baked goods, and (gulp) chocolate. I know there some non-dairy chocolates but they can be hard to find and expensive, and as it turns out, chocolate also irritates dear Seth so I can't even eat the non-dairy variety. Having to avoid dairy has made me realize how much dairy I eat and how much I like it.

When I first stop eating dairy I though ice cream would be what I missed the most. It's not—I miss butter more. Butter is used in cookies, cakes, pies, and many other yummy things that I cannot eat. I know there are butter substitutes but I try not eat things with the word "hydrogenated" in the ingredient list. I did find a butter substitute the other day that does not contain hydrogenated oil that I will attempt to make an apple pie with tomorrow. I know that giving up dairy does have benefits, not just for Seth but for me as well. I am not eating as many goodies as I usual which should help me lose the baby weight quicker (I really hope this is the case). But it has also made me more conscious about how and what I eat. For example, going out to eat. Do you know how difficult it is to go out to eat when you have no idea what is used the food preparation and the server is no help? Helpful hint: do not go out to Italian or Mexican—everything has cheese on it. Asian restaurants are much safer choice. Japanese, Korean, and Chinese food very rarely contains dairy. I also have to plan ahead when I run errands with the kids and bring a snack or even a lunch for myself since just grabbing something as I go about my business is not a safe option.

It is getting easier the longer I go without dairy but I must confess I am getting apprehensive about Thanksgiving. I will be at my parents' house for the holiday and know how my mother cooks. As I think about all the yummy food she prepares for Thanksgiving I keep thinking, I can't eat the green bean and mushroom dish (my favorite side dish that my mother makes) it has butter; nope can't eat the candied sweet potatoes, they have butter; no I can't eat the apple pie, the pumpkin pie, the pecan pie, or the banana cream pie (my favorite); no mash potatoes either. I'll be able to eat the turkey, the veggie platter, the fruit, maybe the rolls depending on how they are made, and stuffing. Those are all good things but I cannot eat my favorite Thanksgiving dishes. I hope the non-dairy apple pie that I am making tomorrow turns out well then at least I can eat at least one dessert on Thanksgiving. But on the bright side, not being able eat dairy should help me resist the temptation of all the fattening things my parent have around the house.

Seth at one month

Seth is now one month old. At his two week check up he had gained a pound from birth and grew 1.5 inches. In the last two weeks I am sure that he has gained at least 2 pounds (judging by the clothes that drowned him two weeks ago that now fit) and he has probably grown another inch. At least I hope he has, he certainly eats enough. It is amazing how quickly babies grow and change at this age. He loves to be held, to look at people and bright colored objects. He loves being undressed and taking baths. James and Anna fascinate him and thankfully Anna has not dropped him yet, she tries to pick him every time I turn my back for a second. Even if I am another room she instinctively knows when I put him down. At the moment he also has the worst case of baby acne I have ever seen. I hope it is not a prediction of his teenage years to come.

I love how cubby his check has become.

Holding her living dollie.


Watching Cars with his brother, or at least James is watching Cars, Seth is looking out the window.

Random but cute picture of Anna.

James surprised my one day by cleaning up all his toys off the floor and putting them in the basket. Then he sat on the them like a dragon guarding his horde and demanded Anna push him around.

Seth Brady

It is hard for me to believe that Seth is almost a month. It seems like I was pregnant yesterday yet at the same time it feels like he should be older than a month. He is such a sweet baby, so happy and contented for the most part. He puts up with his overly affectionate sister remarkable well, even when she is practically laying on top of him giving him hugs and kisses. James likes him too; he is just more restrained in how he shows his affection.


Seth was born five days early on Tuesday September 21. I hoped he would come even earlier than that especially since I was having frequent contractions for almost a week (they were slightly uncomfortable but not painful). I got to the point that I stopped telling Brigham I was having contractions since it panicked him so much. Brigham had good reason to be panicked. First of all, despite having two kids already, Brigham had never had to take me to the hospital while in labor. I was induced with James and he was Afghanistan when Anna was born. Second, I have quick labors. Anna was only three hours. Thirds, he had to worry about getting James and Anna taken care of while I had the baby and getting me from Lehi to Orem (with all the construction on I-15) in time to have the baby.

When I went to bed on the 20th I had little hope the baby would come that night or even the next day. After a week of having contractions every 8-30 minutes they had stopped completely that Monday. Someone told that no contraction is wasted and that was certainly true when I was waked a little after four by a strong contraction that Tuesday morning. Ten minutes later when the next one came, I knew I was in labor. I did not need to time them or even wait for the next one to come, I knew. I woke up Brigham who was very disoriented and a little bit panicked. We called a friend who lives one apartment building over from ours. He came within five minutes and carried James and Anna, still sleeping, over to his apartment where waking up a few hours later in a strange apartment did not seem to distress them. (I find it distressing that they were not distressed, we need to work on stranger anxiety with both of them). We got in the car and I started to time my contractions, they were three minutes apart (see, I knew!). We arrived at the hospital around 5 am, my doctor arrived at 5:30 and Seth arrived at 5:59. Yes, that means I was in labor a little less than two hours and yes, it was natural. He weighed 7 pounds 14 oz, and 19.5 inches. He was perfect.

After Seth arrived, I looked over at Brigham who was holding the baby. He looked utter exhausted, even more than I felt. When I told him this, he replied, “You just don’t know what it is like to married to woman in labor.”

“Well, at least it was quick.”


“Next time I think we should camp out at the hospital.”

“Or you could learn to deliver a baby.”
You just don’t understand …”

The proud big brother

Equally proud sister (she always wants to hold the baby)

My little pumpkin

My pumkin patch



Anna built a "temple" for the baby

Seth at 3 weeks. How he has grown. At his 2 week check up had gained a pound and grew an inch and half since birth. In the last week I think he has gained another pound and grown an inch, judging my his clothes. The 0-3 month size almost fits!


The culprits who always steal Seth's pacifer and then steel it from each other.