Amazing how much excitement a few white flakes can produce

Some pictures so I can feel better about my blog

Today, I am thankful for the miracles

In the past month, I've felt keenly aware of many of the blessings I often take for granted.

1. Sight. I've had eye problems for over a month now: what I thought was an eye infection, broken glasses (twice), an eye appointment, a broken contact, another eye appointment, the wrong contacts, new glasses ordered, then finally after the new contact came, another one had to be ordered. Wow. I can honestly say that I've never been so grateful to be able to see. I was young enough when I first got glasses and contacts that I don't think I've quite appreciated what a great blessing it is.

2. The ability to walk. About a week ago, my hip suddenly started acting funny. It has been hurting with every step. This morning I woke up, and it felt fine. What a blessing.

3. Sleep. Most of you know what your sleep schedule is like with a new baby. Well, they wake up even more when you work a cold into the picture. For two nights now, Alice has slept at least 8.5 hours straight. Though I wake up wondering if everything is okay, I am so grateful to sleep well. I feel like I'm a much better mom when I am well rested.

The Big Reveal

Here are the long awaited pictures of Halloween. As you can see, we didn't get many pictures, nor did we get great quality ones. I had a pillow strapped to me (to be a mattress), and Barney was wearing a blanket on his shoulder as he forgot his pillow.

Note: The tape on Barney's knee is because he had surgery on it.

For those who struggle being healthy while being a mom...

I think about this a lot. So, I'm starting a new blog on the subject. I'm including my workout experiences along with healthy variations on recipes that I make. For those who are interested:

runningmom-mary.blogspot.com

Enjoy.

Halloween and Picture Dump...Okay, mostly just pictures

For Halloween this year some of our friends came over to join us for a dinner of ribs (thanks for the ideas Jen!),

Green slime and pumpkin guts,

Cake

Mashed potato ghosts and breadstick bones with blood (not pictured)

We dressed the girls up as the princess and the pea, with us as mattresses and took them trick-or-treating to a few people. Millie was so high on sugar that we may never do it again. I'll post some pictures of the costumes when I get them.

On an unrelated note, my super talented friend/sister-in-law Jen took some pictures of the girls. Considering the disastrous timing of Alice's baby acne plus neither of the girls cooperating, I'd say she did an amazing job. I guess someday we'll enjoy the true nature of our lives being shown in the pictures.

And here are a few more cute moments we've captured lately...

Nice spit up stain, Alice!

... including this creepy scene we saw when Millie got up from her nap. Should we be worried?

Little mommy in training

Millie has been such a... helpful big sister since Alice was born. She is awesome at throwing away diapers and helping to clean up toys, and even better at helping me cook. That is, as long as I don't interfere.

I think she's also figured out all my secrets. Here's how she perceives motherhood:

Wearing a purse and carrying around a baby,

Along with going on lots of walks.

Alice is so lucky to have her as a big sister. Here's how she feels about it:

The many faces of little Alice

It seems that we already have an entertainer on our hands. Every time I pull out the camera to capture a cute expression, I get one like this...

Slow motion moments involving vomit

Alice was very quietly lying on the couch this morning. She was too quiet. It first struck me as odd, as she's generally sleeping or crying and only takes breaks to eat. Not wanting to miss the moment, I sat down and put her on my lap, looking up at me.

Was that a smile? No, it's too early. But, it sure looked like she was smiling...

Cue intense music and lighting


Her mouth formed a perfect "O" as a fountain a vomit streamed upward out of Alice's mouth, covering my face, clothes (soaked me to the skin), her clothes, the couch and the carpet. I have never witnessed such a forceful display from one of my children, nor such a foul tasting one.

My biggest regret is that I didn't catch it on film. Moments like that rarely happen twice in the same way.

We have kids!

Meet
Alice Joy Lund

Joy comes from her great-grandmother's name Joyce

The Lund girls are very happy to outnumber the boys.

Although I'm sure the boy doesn't mind.

And for those who care to know the details...

I was 3 days overdue with baby Alice, and had been feeling plenty of action for days, though nothing worth timing. Just as soon as I had dropped B off for work at 8:30 am on Wednesday (Sept. 7), the contractions started. I dropped Millie off at my parents' house, went home to shower and get some things together, and went back to get B from work at about 10. By 11, I was in the hospital bed, checked in, and dilated to a 5. They broke my water at around 12, gave me an epidural at 12:45 and I was ready to push at 3:15. Alice was born at 3:29 with no complications, plenty of hair, and a nice loud cry.

We are so happy to have her as part of our family, and Millie is more than willing to share her crackers, milk, and popsicles with her. She's already an awesome older sister. We are so lucky to have these two amazing girls in our family.

This is NOT the post you're waiting for! Repeat: no new baby yet!

Oh I love this girl. She is growing up so fast...and just in time too!

We (meaning my wallet and I) can all breath a sigh of relief, as September is officially here! Due to a company insurance change (effective Sept. 1), we will officially pay a lot less for this new baby. Lets just say that I put myself on bedrest for the past few days. Now that it's September though...anyone up for a run?

We spoke in church on Sunday. I had been slightly anxious at the thought of speaking the assigned 17-20 minutes without either putting the congregation to sleep or going into labor. I'm not sure that I fully succeeded in the first, but let's just say that when I get going, I can talk the way a pioneer child can walk. Poor Mr. Lund's time was cut a bit shorter than everyone would have liked. He's an amazing teacher.

I know what you're thinking...twice in one week! It's a miracle!

Yes, I've been neglecting my blog. There's no good excuse. However, I'm sure in the upcoming weeks we'll have some exciting news to share. In the mean time...

We met B's family for the Davis County Fair. Not the most conventional fair I've been to, but definitely one of the coolest (well, it was actually sweltering hot. Especially with this little heater in me). What fair have you been to that lets you pet and play with zebras, goats, dromedaries, and all kinds of miniature horses and cows, not to mention a tortoise?

These animals had NO sense of personal space. I was sure we were going to come away with a huge chunk of Millie's hair missing from those goats.

Less than two weeks left...but who's counting?

I'm not really sure what to write about, but here are some cute pictures as of late:


My first attempt at making salt dough, and Millie's first taste of it.

"Farmer tan on my neck and arms. Farmer tan--secret of my charms..." p.s. Nice censoring job, Millie!

Her new "look"

Meeting our new nephew, baby William. Such a handsome guy. Oh, and the baby is super cute too!

No, I still don't have any good pictures of myself to put on here. Sorry about the lack of unflattering belly shots. I know you're all dying to see how large and awkward I'm getting.