Happy Daddy Day!!

Father's Day snuggle

I love this picture even though the lighting is bad so I had to add it.

We celebrated with Chicken adobo (a Filipino dish Darin enjoys), and homemade ice cream.

My mom let us borrow their ice cream maker...this thing is a BEAST! It makes a gallon of ice cream and is SO LOUD. It does a great job though.

We made Grape Nut ice cream. I read an article stating that this was a favorite flavor in New England so I had to try it.

You drizzle maple syrup on the top so I knew I would love it. It was soooo good. Next we will try avocado ice cream...yum! Hey Janes family, remember when we had olive oil ice cream at that Turkish restaurant. That was delicioso!


Miriam and I shined Darin's shoes, and gave him some practical gifts he needed.
But...we also gave him this very cool ball. The ball can be squished flat and then it pops out after a certain time so it's like a frisbee/ball.


Last but not least, my Dad mentioned that he wished he could see Bub, so here he is at 4 1/2 weeks....bright eyed little guy.

Lil' Bub is growing SO fast and furious! This is a picture of him at 3 weeks (he is 4 weeks now). He was 9 lbs at his 2 week appointment...who knows how big he is now.

We received some good...no, great mail this week. So fun to get random packages in the mail!

Amanda and Bevan sent this cute and very boyish onesies. Thanks, you guys are great, I wish we could see you more often.

I don't know how Kristi knew I was using this old climbing bag (that I used in college) as a diaper bag...but somehow she knew and she sent me THIS

beautiful diaper bag. I believe Kristi MADE it (K correct me if I am wrong). Looks like a Vera Bradley right?? Nope a Kristi C original. I adore it (as Miriam would say).

It matches my beloved purse!

Kristi also sent me tons of very cute ribbon. I have the best cousins!!

My mom made these matching blankets for Bub and Miriam's babies. For those of you who sew, I think this is such a cute gift for baby and an older sibling (if they play with dolls).

Miriam's Post

Miriam has been a challenge for me lately. I think it's a combination of her testing us, and of my patience being cut in half (or more than that) with the addition of lil' Bub. Why is it that while Bub is screaming his head off I have all the patience in the world to rock and sooth but when Miriam whines at me I feel like my head will explode?? She got the hiccups the other day while Bub was in a sad mood and it took all of my will power not to yell "OH FOR THE LOVE, DRINK SOME WATER!!".

While she has been testing us with whining and little fits, she has also shown amazing maturity and just grown up before our eyes in 3 weeks. She dresses herself, is starting to brush her own teeth, can get in her car seat and half way buckle it, gets her own water and many other things I didn't know she could do! She is an incredible little girl, and I need to remember all the things she is accomplishing as well as cute things she is doing .....which leads us to the "Miriam Post".

Miriam is becoming quite coordinated. She has strong legs and is a very cute little dancer. She likes to climb up things but not so much come down.

She loves her daddy's palm pilot, his guitar, and his tools. She LOVES to fix things and play "fixit lady". Darin had been encouraging this by helping her take things apart just to put them back together. She wants to be a Costco cake baker, fix it lady, doctor, princess ballerina when she grows up.

She still loves to cut. She enjoys painting, but isn't that excited about drawing. She likes to pretend she is writing words, makes grocery lists, and schedules. She loves to '''typol" (type) on the computer, and pretends to send emails.

This is Miriam's new favorite book, she looks at it all the time and asks me to read it every night. I don't like to read it because a girl dies at the end and you see her skeleton...plus I have to make up a story because Miriam wouldn't get Far Side humor. I told her that everyone eventually will die, but we go to live with Heavenly Father and some day we will all be up there together so it's not so scary. Miriam has been saying things like this:
"When I die I would like to wear this crown"
"When you die would you like to wear this necklace?"
"When will Daddy die?"

So, would you think the little girl up the street was totally weird if she said things like that??

Miriam is still our little dramatic. She "adores" everything that shines and sparkles. Things are either "wonderful" or "horrible". Our "divine Miss M" makes us laugh and smile everyday which more than makes up for the frustration she causes:)

These are what we use to burp Byron with.....

Thanks to my sister-in-laws Kelly and Cristin, now he is burped in style. The brown and blue turquoise and blue combinations are so pleasing to me. Cristin did the embroidery

and she also made this....

Not a good picture, it says Byron and then his birthdate, it's so warm and snuggly!
So many people have been so good to us! Thanks Janes family for the cute clothes (especially Alicia for picking them out.... Byron's coolest outfits), and thanks to my mother-in-law for sending a huge package full of darling outfits! My parents have been so good to Miriam, they bought her a bunch of baby stuff for her Build-A-Bears, and my mom is working on a quilt. Sarah, Miriam LOVES the dress you sent, it has been added to the two dresses she rotates wearing. It's nice to have a third option:)


On to my She Photograph's Tuesday challenge...What's your favorite color?
I always answered "blue...all shades of blue" to this question but with this challenge I wondered if blue really WAS my favorite, or if I always say that because I have received, and now Miriam gets lots of attention for our blue eyes. I tend to wear blue a lot, but again, I wondered if I really like it, or if I like what it does to my eyes (which then gets me compliments, am I a compliment seeker??).

So, I took a quick tour of my house to find what colors jumped out and made me smile. I would have gone outside too...but it rained today. Here is what I found.

I love the colors in this globe.

This is the view from my nursing spot. From this one spot, you can see all the colors used downstairs. Before getting this challenge (while feeding 12 + times a day) I had decided that I love the colors we choose for our house (thank heavens...it was a lot of work). If you can't tell, the living room is blue, the kitchen green, and the halls are grey.

Miriam was wearing this dress today even though it's 2 sizes too small (picked out by the fashionista Alicia). I LOVE the colors together.

All the pictures I have included do have blue in them, but also green, and some added color for warmth like brown, or orange. I guess I will continue to say blue is my favorite color but honestly I think it's all about color combinations with me.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!
My mom is wonderful...she actually just left my house an hour ago after taking Miriam out for the evening so I could nap and get some stuff done. Very nice!

"A mother is a woman who shows you the light when you just see the dark"
- Grimaldos Robin

My mom is always thinking of our family. She is not one to smother you with hugs and kisses (except for toddler aged grandchildren...she loves that age). However, if you even mention being interested in something, or want to accomplish something she is right there helping in any way she can. Almost everything I have accomplished in my life has been done with my mom right there by my side, encouraging in every way. Sometime I will have to blog in detail about my rough chunky adolescent years just to give some ideas to other mothers dealing with girls that age because she single handedly pulled me through those years with my self esteem intact.

"Mother - that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries"
-T. DeWitt Talmage

Unfortunately, this is completely the case for me. My mom has always been the first person I want to talk to when I have been hurt, embarrassed, or feel just plan awful. I remember on my mission I had a BAD case of the flu, I saw the phone and so dearly wanted to call my mom. I just wanted to tell her I was sick and hang up...just let her know, how silly is that? I think all my brothers and sisters are the same so my mom deals with lots of hurts and worries!

My mom was a fun mom, and is a fun Grandma. She is always thinking of what will entertain the Grandkids at family gatherings. Get muddy, splash in puddles, finger paint with your pudding...my mom is all for it! In fact, for her birthday this year she wanted to celebrate with the grandkids, whether or not the adults came was optional.

We love you mom! I hope you have a great day!!

Update

This is probably my last Sunday staying at home while Darin takes Miriam to church, so I thought I would take advantage of the free time for an update. Here he is! Our "Bub" "Bubbers" "Bubba-Q" "Beastie Boy". I love the name Byron, it's solid and masculine but I think everyone is having a hard time calling a baby by such an adult name...especially my Father-in-law whom he is named after! Lawrence isn't much better, and this little guy is just not a "Larry". So, Bub at 2 weeks is very mellow, not to be confused with sleepy, just mellow. He has long stretches of what I call happy awake time before he drifts off to sleep. Unless of course I eat too many brownies and then we hear the wrath of Bub (from both ends).

Miriam has had a few fits and tantrums, letting us know that this has been an adjustment for her. She has kind of been dethroned, or at least had to scoot over and make room for Bub. It has taken her a few days to fall in love with her little brother but recently she has been very sweet and protective of him. So many people have given her gifts and come to visit her specifically (Erik and Kelly, Sarah and the kids) I think it has helped. I did make a major mom mistake the other day. I threw her special "Bear Blankie" on top of Bub while the door was open because it was the closest thing I could find. Miriam marched up to me and said "Mom, that is MY blanket....that is NEVER okay". Can you see what we are dealing with here?? Those words came out of a 3 year old.

On to some good mail!

Hannah saved me a trip to Target with 2 kids by sending me her left over newborn diapers. I was able to put off my shopping until Bub could be left at home. She also sent the little layette he is wearing in the first picture...so thoughtful!! Especially since she is a new mom too!

Jill..ever thoughtful and kind sent me her Baby Bjorn because I had mentioned wanting one. This is a lifesaver because I am a "party mom". It is VERY difficult for me to spend an entire day at home, I try to plan one fun outing a day. We will see how this works with two....I am not quite sure how to do it yet.

Cristin and Lisa, two of my sister-in-laws had this nursing bracelet sent from Charmed Designs. I LOVE it. I wondered if I would just wear it and not use it to keep track of nursing but it is actually very helpful, and so far I haven't taken it off! Thank you!!

The "Ferocious Beast" is Here

This will be a picture post because I am way too tired to compose anything else.

Post-epidural bliss!

The important info:
Name: Byron Lawrence
Weight: 8 pounds 3 ounces
Length: 21 inches

Father and Son

Lisa, Cristin and families -- Thanks so much for the beautiful flowers.

Miriam disturbed by his scaly, peeling feet.

Mommy, Miriam and Byron. Miriam looking like she might actually like her new brother. . . just a smidge.

Miriam with her new big sister gift -- a baby Polly doll and stroller.

Thanks Grandma for having a fun sleepover with Miriam.

A visit from the Baby Whisperer. G'ma is known for her baby skills.

Baby Byron and G'pa Byron.
Thanks G'ma and G'pa for the visit, baby-sitting and lunch (and, of course, the chocolate pudding for Miriam).

Grandpa (Lawrence Arthur), Baby Byron Lawrence and Big Sister Miriam with a CRAZY face.

Miriam and Cousin Josh

Cousin Claire
Erik and Kelly, thanks for the visit and cute gifts.
Dad, thanks for the visit and the fun pizza party.
Tonight Regan and Vanessa dropped in for a visit too...thanks for the cute outfits!

Happy Birthday Darin, Happy Mother's Day to Me!

Today is Darin's birthday!! Lisa, here is the "Fat Boy" cake, each candle represents 10 years. We do enjoy Fat Boy's around here (Since most women do the shopping, Darin and I decided that these treats wouldn't get purchased near as often if they were called "Fat Girls") Like many adult birthdays, I am afraid this day was more like a normal day than not. In anticipation of the baby coming we didn't plan much, Darin didn't take the day off, we didn't go anywhere. I did my very best to give him a little boy for his birthday but it is just not happening (I even did my belly dancing workout today!). We did have a fun dinner, nice FHE, and some family giggle time before bed, really, can you ask for a better birthday?? Well, okay maybe fun gifts would be nice (he got 2 polo shirts and a pocket knife, nothing unexpected). Sorry sweetheart, next year I promise to do better!

Mother's Day was nice. Saturday I got my pedicure and manicure. VERY nice, especially the pedi. Even though Darin was encouraging me to go I don't think I would have actually gone if my friend Fiona hadn't set the appointments and told me she was picking me up. Thanks again Fi!

Miriam wanted her own manicure and pedicure when I returned home.

Later that day we bought flowers for our tiny flower space. Flowers make me so happy, but I have no idea what I am doing, I hope they survive.

Our rose bush in the front yard just burst out with tons of roses. I love these little pink beauties, but they are work. I thought I pruned it pretty well a few months ago but the bush is taking over the porch again.
This is a sweet picture of Miriam looking at an Iris bud. What makes it so sweet is the sad story that goes along with my Irises. I planted them a year ago never expecting them to grow and have been so excited that there were going to be flowers this year. I walked outside one evening and Miriam had severed ever single bloom and had them laying along the cement in a row. I was SO upset. When I went to talk to her about it I just started crying and Darin had to step in. Miriam does this thing where she tries to make you laugh when she is in trouble or if she is embarrassed. As an adult, you want her to get the message that what she did was wrong, but you never quite know when she actually does feel awful about something because she is trying to sing songs and use humor to diffuse the situation (just like her mother, imagine that). Anyway, I took it too far and she ended up laugh/crying and then full on fit crying. She has apologized about the flowers over and over since then saying things like "I am so sad about never knowing what color your flowers were going to be". It made me want to cry all over again every time she apologized and I would say over and over "I love you more than any flower". So, on to the miracle...two blooms survived the massacre and we will get to see them bloom soon!!! No more guilt for me or Miriam!!