Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Soccer Player and the Princess
I love seeing the cool little people that Sam and Lily are becoming. They are so wonderful and funny and sweet. Love them.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Autumnal Timpine
The leaves have already started to change here in Utah and the air is crisp and cool- perfect cabin weather!
We tried out the baby backpack that Steve and Kerry handed down to us- Charlie fits in it just perfectly and loved being able to have a bird's eye view. Richard was the pack mule and did a great job! (I tried it out for about one second but Che found my ponytail quite tempting. One good yank and I handed off the job.)
We had a great time on the swing, the zip line, playing games, making dinner and breakfast, building a fire and just being together.
We tried out the baby backpack that Steve and Kerry handed down to us- Charlie fits in it just perfectly and loved being able to have a bird's eye view. Richard was the pack mule and did a great job! (I tried it out for about one second but Che found my ponytail quite tempting. One good yank and I handed off the job.)
We had a great time on the swing, the zip line, playing games, making dinner and breakfast, building a fire and just being together.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Chubby Bunnies
Did you ever play that game, Chubby Bunnies? You stuff your mouth full of marshmallows and try to say "Chubby Bunnies" and whomever can fit the most in her mouth wins. It's a great game for sleepovers or campouts. I have a pretty good track record with this game.
But I digress.
I did not gain a lot of weight during my pregnancy. And I lost the pregnancy weight within a few weeks of birth.
However, being at my pre-pregnancy weight that quickly did not feel like a victory since I was still about 50 lbs overweight. (I like to tell myself that I didn't look that bad, but the scale doesn't lie. The dirty hussy.)
Enter the Anti-Chub Crusade (weapon of choice- Weight Watchers). I am 15 lbs down so far and feeling good. It is nice to fit in clothes I haven't worn in a long time. It is wonderful to hear compliments. But mostly, I am excited about taking better care of myself and becoming healthier.
No more Chubby Bunnies around here.
Well, except for this one.
But I digress.
I did not gain a lot of weight during my pregnancy. And I lost the pregnancy weight within a few weeks of birth.
However, being at my pre-pregnancy weight that quickly did not feel like a victory since I was still about 50 lbs overweight. (I like to tell myself that I didn't look that bad, but the scale doesn't lie. The dirty hussy.)
Enter the Anti-Chub Crusade (weapon of choice- Weight Watchers). I am 15 lbs down so far and feeling good. It is nice to fit in clothes I haven't worn in a long time. It is wonderful to hear compliments. But mostly, I am excited about taking better care of myself and becoming healthier.
No more Chubby Bunnies around here.
Well, except for this one.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Happy (belated) Anniversary, Mom and Dad!
I was looking through old pictures and I found my parent's engagement photo. They just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary! I love them so much and I miss them every day. Love you guys!
Aren't they just so good looking??
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Health System Reform- Go Utah!
While I was working at the Legislature, one of the most important issues I worked on publicizing was Health System Reform in Utah. Speaker Clark has made Health System Reform his personal priority the last few years (along with other legislators, Governor Huntsman, and business leaders) and some great ideas are being put into action. Business Week magazine just wrote an article about our state's innovative solutions towards solving the health care crisis. Check it out!
Me and Speaker Clark on the last night of session
Che meets Ricardo
Uncle Richard arrived from the Emirates and met Baby Che for the first time! Charlie liked him immediately and Richard had him smiling right away.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Charlie- 25 weeks old
Ah, finally caught up!
Charlie is growing so much. He has started to really say, "Mmmm, mmm" a lot (especially when hungry or tired) and often it sounds more like, "Maaa, maaa". This thrills me, of course. Pretty soon those sounds will turn into Mama!
He rolls very well and while he's on his tummy he can scoot around! He's getting better and better at sitting, too. I've been letting him taste food which he LOVES but haven't officially started him on solid food yet.
Charlie is growing so much. He has started to really say, "Mmmm, mmm" a lot (especially when hungry or tired) and often it sounds more like, "Maaa, maaa". This thrills me, of course. Pretty soon those sounds will turn into Mama!
He rolls very well and while he's on his tummy he can scoot around! He's getting better and better at sitting, too. I've been letting him taste food which he LOVES but haven't officially started him on solid food yet.
Charlie loves Aunt Cat!
We picked Cat up from the airport last Friday and we're loving spending time with her! She and Charlie picked up right where they left off in April- he still loves her!
Showing off his tricks:
Rolling over
First hug!
Showing off his tricks:Rolling over
Sitting Up
We love Aunt Cat!
Charlie- 24 weeks
I love these weekly pictures. I hope they aren't too boring for you. I know my mom and dad in the Middle East are eating 'em up!
Sitting up!
I love this one even though it's blurry because you can see one of (the nine!!) dimples that he has. These ones above his mouth he inherited from me.
Sitting up!
I love this one even though it's blurry because you can see one of (the nine!!) dimples that he has. These ones above his mouth he inherited from me.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Real Game!
We went to the Real Salt Lake soccer game on Saturday. It was our first time in the new stadium and Charlie's first sporting event.
Charlie did really well- he loved having lots to watch. He didn't fuss or cry even though it was past his bedtime until we scored a goal- when the stadium of fans erupted in cheers, Charlie erupted, too. Luckily, it was at the very end of the game so we just left early.
Steve had a sweet hookup through work and we had a catered dinner then sat at field level to watch the game!
John, Charlie, Steve, Aunt Barb, me, Lily, Sam (and his big shiner) and Cat
Charlie did really well- he loved having lots to watch. He didn't fuss or cry even though it was past his bedtime until we scored a goal- when the stadium of fans erupted in cheers, Charlie erupted, too. Luckily, it was at the very end of the game so we just left early.
Steve had a sweet hookup through work and we had a catered dinner then sat at field level to watch the game!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Happy Grandparent's Day!
(It's a real holiday, I swear!) Charlie is so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents who love him so completely. We love seeing our parents as they are in this phase of life- it is such a joy! We love you!!
Have you seen this??
I saw this on Oprah and I've already watched it four or five times (showing it to Catherine and Johnny and now all of you...)
Friday, September 11, 2009
I Remember
Now that I have a child, I wonder how I will explain to him the evil things of the world. How can I teach him without scaring him? I am meant to protect him but I am also meant to empower him, to educate him. I must balance his need to know with his need for innocence. I don't have the answer. But my baby is still a baby so I am spared the task for now. But it is something I think about, especially today.
It has been 8 years since the terrorist attacks on September 11th changed our nation.
I remember being a brand new freshman at the University of Utah, only a few weeks into the semester. I was still full of excitement at being in college and I felt so adult. So adult, except my dad still drove me to school in the morning. On the way to campus, we heard the news on the radio. A plane has crashed into the World Trade Center. We didn't yet know it was an act of terrorism. I arrived at my first class (Calculus for Non-Scientific Majors) and my teacher who I had once thought so goofy and out-of-touch was thoughtful and kind and sad. He let us go early.
I made my way to the student Union where I watched the latest news on a big screen TV with a slowly gathering crowd of students. It was there, in a room full of strangers, that I saw the second tower fall.
I didn't know if I should go to my next class, I had only been in it for a few days and my grade was partially based on attendance. It was Concert Chorale and several of my friends were in it. I was relieved to see familiar faces, they seemed to anchor me in reality. My teacher made an announcement that he wouldn't be holding class that day and that we should go home and be with our families. He added that he was thinking about any of us that have family in New York and that he hoped they were alright. My heart sank as I looked over at my friend, realizing that her sister's little family lived in Brooklyn. Her face was ashen and I was ashamed that I hadn't remembered to ask about them. Thankfully, they were safe.
I remember reading the news for weeks afterward about heroes of that day. I remember hearing stories from those who were in NYC when it happened. A father there on business who walked across the Brooklyn bridge before they closed it and found one of the last rental cars available. He drove across the country to get home to his wife and two baby daughters under the age of 2.
I remember the first time I visited New York was post-9/11. I saw the hole in the Manhattan skyline from across the river in Brooklyn. And I saw the hole in the ground where the towers had been.
President Obama was at the Pentagon today to commemorate the anniversary.
It has been 8 years since the terrorist attacks on September 11th changed our nation.
I remember being a brand new freshman at the University of Utah, only a few weeks into the semester. I was still full of excitement at being in college and I felt so adult. So adult, except my dad still drove me to school in the morning. On the way to campus, we heard the news on the radio. A plane has crashed into the World Trade Center. We didn't yet know it was an act of terrorism. I arrived at my first class (Calculus for Non-Scientific Majors) and my teacher who I had once thought so goofy and out-of-touch was thoughtful and kind and sad. He let us go early.
I made my way to the student Union where I watched the latest news on a big screen TV with a slowly gathering crowd of students. It was there, in a room full of strangers, that I saw the second tower fall.
I didn't know if I should go to my next class, I had only been in it for a few days and my grade was partially based on attendance. It was Concert Chorale and several of my friends were in it. I was relieved to see familiar faces, they seemed to anchor me in reality. My teacher made an announcement that he wouldn't be holding class that day and that we should go home and be with our families. He added that he was thinking about any of us that have family in New York and that he hoped they were alright. My heart sank as I looked over at my friend, realizing that her sister's little family lived in Brooklyn. Her face was ashen and I was ashamed that I hadn't remembered to ask about them. Thankfully, they were safe.
I remember reading the news for weeks afterward about heroes of that day. I remember hearing stories from those who were in NYC when it happened. A father there on business who walked across the Brooklyn bridge before they closed it and found one of the last rental cars available. He drove across the country to get home to his wife and two baby daughters under the age of 2.
I remember the first time I visited New York was post-9/11. I saw the hole in the Manhattan skyline from across the river in Brooklyn. And I saw the hole in the ground where the towers had been.
President Obama was at the Pentagon today to commemorate the anniversary.
"Eight Septembers have come and gone," Obama said. "Nearly 3,000 days have passed, almost one for each one who has been taken from us... We recall the beauty and meaning of their lives... No passage of time, no dark skies can dull the meaning of that moment."
source
I hope we always remember.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Version 2.0
I bought John these shirts from Thinkgeek for Christmas. Little did I know that our little Version 2.0 would come out looking more like me most of the time. I still see John in him, though. What do you think?
Mini-Barb
Mini-John
Mini-Barb
Mini-John
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