The Brewers in Progress

Helpful Autumn

2012-01-21T13:22:00.000-05:00

This weekend we had another mini-snowfall that actually masked a generous ice storm. Luckily, my client that I had scheduled for today and I both agreed it would be safer to reschedule our appointment. So, I have a stew going in my crockpot, spent the morning in bed and then snuggled up with Adam and Autumn this morning for a movie.

Before naptime, Autumn and I went outside to check out the snow and clean off the cars in anticipation for church in the morning. She was very eager to take over the scraping duties - and wasn't half bad at it either.

Dear Autumn

2012-01-11T15:48:00.001-05:00

Dear Autumn,

I can't believe how big you have grown and how with each passing day you grow into a little person instead of my snuggly baby. As a 2 year old, you are all over the place, into everything and demonstrating your likes and dislikes. With the negative comes good, great things. It's wonderful to see how smart you are, the adult mannerisms you pick up, how polite and helpful you can be, and how much you can make us all laugh.

You are still my skinny mini, still not quite hitting 25lbs. You are in the 70th percentile for your height, so you and long and lean!
Over the past few weeks you grew an aversion to your pants. Within the last week, you refuse clothes altogether. The other night I went into check on you before I went to sleep and found your pajamas on the floor beneath your crib and you, snuggled up in your diaper under the covers. I turned on the heat quite a bit higher in your room, had a laugh and went to sleep.
Size Diapers: 3.
It's not uncommon for you to pull out wipes from the package and then proceed to rub them all over your face and hands. What I adore is that following this facial, you run into the kitchen and throw away your mess without any prompting from Mom or Dad.
You're so polite - you constantly say "Thank You" when given something or helped. I'll pat myself on the back for a job well done.
If someone is leaving, you love to hug and pat their back. You wave and say goodbye, and blow them a kiss. This especially melts Grandpas heart. I find it most entertaining when you are simply leaving a room and desire we all know you are leaving.
If it's a squirt bottle (like Windex, 409), you will find it, and you will clean. Will you clean the right objects? Meh. It's about 50/50.
Bubbles! A bath just isn't a bath without bubbles. You love taking baths and when we say the word, you are up the stairs in a flash. "Bath? Bubbles? Bubbles??"
"Cheese? Cheese?" Note to future baby sitters - she's not asking for cheese from the fridge. She wants her picture taken. She is a photographers daughter after all...
As pictured above, she loves Mamma's makeup! "Eyes?"
Still no haircuts since the last, and your hair continues to grow halfway down your back. I have dreams of cutting into a short bob, but I'd miss the pigtails. I am thinking I might compromise and add some layers into it - when I'm brave enough. I just love your long, child-like hair!
You are a tad bit vain - you love to watch videos of yourself.

But, as I mentioned before... with the positives, come the negatives:

You get so frustrated that you will hit your face with your fists or beat your head against the wall/floor. It breaks my heart, even more when you then come crying to us because your head hurts!
Diaper changes are a challenge. It's either a funny, kicking game we don't want to play, or to you sheer torture which results in you writhing and contorting yourself in odd positions.
You find little joy in being strapped into your car seat. You would must prefer to sit on either side of it.
Oh, the high pitched screams of a 2 year old. This results in many time outs.
When you can't go outside, it results in complete and total system failure. Somewhere you are still not connecting outside = cold, and a diaper simply isn't going to keep you warm.
You are obsessed with "Nemo? Nemo?" Why is this in the negatives? Because mamma is all Nemoed out.
You absolutely detest having your hair combed. I would love to do more cute styles with your hair, but if I come near you with a brush or an elastic, I better be in for a chase.
If you see someone else drinking soda, and you're stuck with anything else - tears will be shed, screams will be heard, heads will roll.

Quality Time

2012-01-10T23:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend Adam was testing out his new Playstation 3 controller when Autumn took notice. Now that we had 2 controllers, Autumn quickly picked up her own and began "playing" with Daddy. It was just so cute to see her huddled down next to him. And yes, she's in a diaper. She's currently going through that phase where she has an aversion to any form of clothes or garments...

Sunday night, after a long day of church and naps, I rewarded her with a movie and popcorn! We each had our own bowl and snuggled up on the couch. We shared a blanket and watched - you guessed it, Finding Nemo. Her absolute favorite.

Christmas Gifts

2012-01-03T20:32:00.000-05:00

Per tradition (and lack of riches to lavish on family members) I make most of my family Christmas gifts. Because of my photographer background, they usually have something to do with photos or a gift/item to display in their home. This year, with the help of Pinterest, I was able to create a "Family Fun Night" bag, equipped with a personalized old favorite game of mine:

It worked out perfectly - 20 spots. 16 grand kids, with 2 parents and a Nana and Grandpa! I removed the cards that came with each game (this is the travel edition) and measured the card to build a template in Photoshop. I then cropped the head of each grandkid (being the family photographer, I had plenty of "heads" on file) and removed the background. Added an outside shadow, their name and VOILA. After lots of cutting and piecing together, each game was finished!

Each bag was slightly customized to each family. My brother in Charlotte and his family LOVE ice cream, so in their bag I included waffle cones, waffle bowls, Magic Shell and crushed candy bars. With a few other goodies added to the bag, I hope it lives up to it's idea of a "Family Fun Night" gift =)

Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T22:54:00.000-05:00

We had a great Christmas, despite all of the stress leading up to it. It was a little hard to get in the Christmas cheer as a result, but come Christmas Eve, I was so excited for Autumn. Each year she gets older, the more excited she gets and the more fun we have putting it on!

Since moving home to Virginia, I am no longer responsible for Thanksgiving dinner. To compensate (really, I just want the opportunity to eat all the turkey skin, unopposed) I have started a new tradition of having my parents over for dinner Christmas Eve. Otherwise, all my Dad would be getting for dinner are sandwiches... So, despite feeling tired and under the weather, I ended up with a very yummy meal!

Fresh turkey breast. Fresh, and breast, because we had to buy in on Christmas Eve and it was all that was left!

My famous cranberry sauce.

It's all about multi-tasking! We had turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing (also my special recipe, Stove Top), corn, potatoes, gravy, and yummy rolls! After cooking Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner for the past 6 years, I have it down to a science!

My Dad falling asleep on the couch following dinner was a "job well done" for me!

There was a lot to be done Christmas Eve after my parents left. Autumn was very "unwrap" happy this year with all of my siblings gifts at Thanksgiving, so there were no presents under the tree prior to her bedtime on Christmas Eve. There was lots of wrapping to be done! Before bed however, it was a very picturesque scene for the morning:

For some reason, Autumn slept horrible Christmas Eve. She was up constantly and even when we tried to bring her into bed (which is awful and uncomfortable) she just stayed awake, looking around. We woke up at 8:30, when Adam and I finally felt somewhat rested... It was a rough night. I like to pretend it was because she knew tomorrow was Christmas... it makes me feel better any way.

Since we had already bought our "big" present at Thanksgiving (the TV) it was a humble Christmas. That didn't mean I wasn't spoiled by my sweet husband! For Autumn, it was very minimal. Just her new chalkboard and fun goodies in her stocking. Once she saw the chocolates it was all over anyway, whether she had 2 gifts or 50!

Adam "was a total sucker" <--- his words, and bought Bert for Autumn to match her Ernie!

Christmas smiles!

I couldn't get the wrappers off the peanut butter cups fast enough. She is now a master candy opener and went through all 3 of our chocolate candy canes before dinner.

Good hugs =)

Though it is not pictured, the highlight of my Christmas morning was definitely my new computer! Adam was so excited about it - it was really cute. Even before my computer meltdown of 2011, Adam had been working on upgrading my system. He really went above and beyond. He got me the best of the best and I can't wait to work on it! For now - just blogging =)

The fatigue and chocolate, taking effect.

Christmas fell on a Sunday this year, so after opening presents it was time to eat and get dressed in our Sunday best. As you can see above, Autumn slept in her curlers so that her hair would be picture perfect!

Autumn didn't even make it through Sacrament; she fell asleep on my mom's lap, which is very uncharacteristic of her. We headed home after just an hour of church (shortened, because of the holiday) and put Autumn to bed and I may or may not have taken a nap myself! Once we woke, it was off to Nana and Grandpas to open presents with them and my sister's family!

One of the other reasons we didn't get Autumn much was because we knew she would be spoiled by family - and she was! She immediately walked back to the tree and spotted her pile of toys and played with them right away!

Once again, my parents totally spoiled us! We were most excited about our new waffle iron (ours had incurred the wrath of Autumn this past year) and I was especially excited about my new Shark hand vacuum!

The family and boys, exhausted from dinner and the rush of Christmas!

It was a great day. We were all exhausted and crashed hard and enjoyed sleeping in the next day!

Gingerbread Houses

2011-12-28T14:21:00.000-05:00

The Sunday before Christmas Autumn and I pulled out our Gingerbread house hit. It was a gift from a friend 3 Christmases ago - it was a joke, since we had no home of our own, she gave us a Gingerbread house. =)

I was attempting to whip up the frosting and get everything set up when I turned to see Autumn taking big bites out of the side and roof of our house! We had to get to work fast... She loved helping put the candy all over the house, inbetween snaking on it that is.

Mamma, Daddy has your camera! Stop him!

She loves to give hugs and pat my back.

Sampling the frosting, for good measure.

Sesame Street Live

2011-12-28T14:05:00.000-05:00

Back in the Spring I happened to see that Sesame Street Live was coming to the Patriot Center at George Mason University, not all that far from the house. Autumn's favorite show was still Play With Me Sesame, so I thought I could earn some big mommy points if we went as a family to the show. It seems like forever ago, but December 17th finally rolled around and it was time for the show!

Now, if I hadn't already bought the tickets, we probably wouldn't have gone. Autumn wasn't exactly happy to be forced into clothes (the nerve!) and put into the car. It's not easy to convince a 2 year old that she really, really does want to get dressed because Ernie is going to be here today!

Waiting for the show to start!

We had amazing seats! I picked out front row tickets in the very first section on the side. We had an up close look at all the characters as they ran off the stage to the staging area.

We eventually made it with time to spare which enabled us to let Autumn nap a little more in the car. Unfortunately waking her up seconds before entering the stadium probably worked against us. I don't think I have ever felt her shake so hard in fear before! She was unsure of all of the people around her and I've never had her jump into my arms so fast when Big Bird came over the loud speaker and the stage lights turned on!

For the first half of the show, prior to intermission, Autumn wouldn't leave my lap or my tight grasp. As the show went on and after she was able to move around following the break, she seemed to enjoy herself. She didn't dance or giggle as we'd hoped, but it was an awful lot for her to take in.

The best part of the show is when Abby, the character above with the wings, came down into the audience. The characters came down just a handful of times and only interacted with those in the front seats. Because we had front row seats, we were one of just 3 kids that got to touch her! She walked right over to us and said hello to Autumn and touched her belly! Luckily she didn't freak out, and I thought it was pretty special. You can see it on the video below:

Despite Autumn's reservations and our hassle getting to the show, it was a fun way to spend time together as a family! I am glad we did it and I can't wait to take her to the 'capades someday =)

Black Friday 2011

2011-12-23T12:56:00.000-05:00

Goodness, am I behind in blogging! I am always sad when I hop onto Blogspot and my friends haven't updated, and here I am still blogging about Thanksgiving - guilty! Luckily my business has shut down and orders have been processed for the Holidays. This means I will have more free time to devote to personal projects - blogging included!

So, there wasn't really a whole lot that I wanted Black Friday-wise this year. I scoped the ads with family and picked out two things I wanted at Target - a 10 piece frame set and a set of glass Pyrex bowls (with lids!). Though I had been thinking about it, I hadn't planned on buying a new TV. I was still shopping around and looking for the best Holiday deals.

Well, at midnight my sister and 2 sister in laws set out for Target. There is just something exciting about Black Friday shopping! Just minutes after it opened there was still a large line to get into the store and it was fun to see victorious shoppers coming out immediately with the big ticket items, mostly large TVs. Anyways, I found what I wanted right away and just kind of wandered the store, finding things for my family. When I joined them in line, my sister happened to point out the TV I'd been looking at - that was abandoned in the electronics line.

After a little bit of peer pressure, talk of it being "meant to be", and a quick look at the bank account - I DID IT!

We were all victorious at Target and got exactly what we came for. Our Target is in a great part of town, so everyone was friendly and courteous. We even made great friends with two Marines in line behind us. They helped put the TV in the cart for me!

After Target, my sister Jodi asked, "So, are you guys just going home?" My sister in law Karen replied, "I dunno, I'm kinda all pumped now!" We ended up visiting a few other stores after that and there was even talk of an IHOP run. But, at about 3:30 we were starting to run on empty.

I tossed around whether or not I would even go to Black Friday because I wasn't feeling good and I was tired, but I am so glad that I did! Not just for the TV, but because of the bonding time with the other members of the "Best Moms Ever" club (we are card carrying members...).

Here's the next year!

Suffering a Loss

2011-12-12T18:35:00.000-05:00

We have suffered a loss in the Brewer family this weekend.

My computer; may she rest in peace.

After church on Sunday, I tried to turn on my computer with no luck (which is odd, because I never turn my computer off). No power at all, so I asked Adam to take a look at it, thinking my power supply had gone bad. A few hours later and once Adam had gotten a chance to look at it, he came upstairs and just kind of stood there and looked at me. It was fairly obvious he didn't want to tell me - "You might want to say a prayer, because I can't get either of your hard drives to work."

Essentially, my worst nightmare had happened.

I thought I was covering my bases by having a main hard drive and a backup mirror drive. That protected me against the hard drive failing, but not a power surge. Lesson learned! After some research and inspection, Adam thinks there is a good chance he can repair the drives himself. A part is on order and hopefully I will know something in the next few days. Otherwise, I was quoted anywhere from $700-$1400 to have data recovery specialists look at the drive.

I'm handling this a lot better than I thought I would. Perhaps I am in denial? Or the worry over my client images is allowing me to not focus on the potential that every personal image I have taken in the past 10 years could possibly be lost?

I am so lost without my computer. I feel as if I am not getting anything done, whether it's work or personal items I wanted to work on. I know that this will be fixed and there will be a solution, whether or not it is favorable. An external hard drive is also in my future, as is an online backup through Backblaze or similar companies.

Until then, prayers are appreciated, or fingers crossed if you're not the praying type. =)

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-04T17:03:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving has come and gone! It can be stressful and a little chaotic with almost 30 people under one household for the greater part of the day, but nothing beats spending the holidays with family. My out of town siblings drove in for the day and it was great for the cousins to spend lots of time together!

Before the meal, my sister in law Chelsey had a fun craft project for the kids. We painted up their hands and made a super cute table cloth for my mom!

Autumn LOVED getting her hands painted. The only problem was she wanted to keep doing it over and over again, and it was one print per kid. =)

It is hard to fit everyone at one time for dinner, but that doesn't change the fact it is a very yummy dinner! My contributions were the punch, mashed potatoes, and a few desserts for after dinner.

In addition to "Dirt" pie (a kid favorite), I made this little number. My brother gasped when I said wasn't planning on making a chocolate pie, so I threw this together at the last minute. When I was at the grocery store staring at the baking isle, a worker asked if I needed anything, since I was deep in thought. "No, I'm just trying to make up a pie..." And make it up I did! I called it a "White Chocolate Reeses Peanut Butter Pie". It was cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter, whipped cream, chopped white chocolate peanut butter cups, chocolate syrup and chocolate sprinkles. It was a hit!

It was a great week and we were sad to see everyone go. Autumn loved having so many playmates and cousins nearby!

North Carolina or Bust!

2011-12-04T16:45:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago we finally returned back to the Charlotte area to visit my brother and his family. In June they moved out of their home and into a new, gorgeous home. My mom and I were anxious to see it, so my Dad joined us, Autumn and my sister's 3 boys for a quick weekend trip to visit and see their new home.

Lucky for Autumn, Aunt Karen had unpacked a lot of the girls old toys and had yet to find new homes for them. Autumn was in heaven! Even more so because there is a chance we may inherit some of them! The dress up clothes were her special favorites:

Aunt Karen's new basement, filled with all the toys, was paradise for my little girl! It is what helped inspire me to finally do something with our own basement - stay tuned for that!

While we were visiting, my niece Alyssa had her big soccer game. It was a little chilly (Autumn was cold and had just woken up) but it was fun to see her play in her big game! They won, and are undefeated!

So, while it was a short visit, it was a great one!

Dad's Birthday

2011-12-04T16:32:00.000-05:00

My Dad turned 65 this year. I figured that was kind of a big deal, a milestone if you will, and I wanted to do something special for him. My usual go-to gift is the newest book from one of his favorite authors. Eh, that was just okay. I had thought of a few accessories for his computer or his new camera, but he has a tendency to go out and buy the things that he needs right away. Thus, it's hard to buy him a gift before he buys it for himself. Then I happened to see an idea on Pinterest. Ah, Pinterest. I read through it and I thought, "What a fun idea!"

Essentially I emailed family and friends of my Dad. This included all of his children, their spouses, even his grandchildren. His siblings, his aunts, and friends that my parents have known for years. I told them about my Dad's birthday and asked them to share a favorite story or memory they have of my Dad. The emails and memories starting flying in. Once I had 65 individual memories, I typed them up and printed them out, stuffing them each inside their own individual envelope. I wasn't sure how my Dad was going to take to my home made gift, but I was very anxious to see.

He loved it! At first he said, "Well, I'm not going to open all of these now..." However, the more he opened, the more he kept going. It was fun to join him at the table and hear an explanation behind each story or memory a friend had submitted. We laughed, even cried - but we laughed most of all.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Here are some of my favorite stories I compiled:

He was playing with a clothes hanger once and somehow got the wired curve of the hanger caught in his eye. I thought I would die I was so frightened. I called Ethel and told her there was no blood, but I was afraid to pull it out. She had me to get him on a city bus and take him down town where she worked for an eye, ear, nose & throat physician. The doctor removed the hanger and filled his eye with an antibiotic and we came back home none the worse! – Betty Wolfe (my Dad's Aunt)

No one can say “Idiot!” quite like Matt. =) – Karen (my sister in law) or “What’s this low fat CRAP?” – Jodi (my sister)

I remember going home teaching with Dad and stopping off for Strawberry soda after we finished. One time after going home teaching we pulled half-way down our street and Dad realized our Home Teachers were over so he stopped, backed up, and we went out for ice-cream. When we got back to the street he asked why our garage door was open and I told him I had hit the garage door remote when we came down the first time. So the Home Teachers probably heard the garage door open and wondered why we never showed up. -Joel (my brother)

I remember many father/son campouts – while others tried to cook tin foil dinners on little hibachis we just waited for dad to get back from McDonalds. – Joel

When we lived in Belgium, I was probably 6 or 7 and I believe we were at a hotel in Amsterdam. In the lobby of the hotel there were some arcade games. This was in the days before PlayStation and Wii, so we never got to play video games. There was a particular car racing game that I really wanted to play, but Dad wouldn't give me a quarter so I could play it. Later the kids and Mom were in the lobby and Dad was in the room. I went to the room and told him that Mom needed a quarter. I can't remember what excuse I gave him as to why Mom needed the quarter. He gave me the quarter and I used it to play the video game. The game probably didn't last longer than a minute. I always felt bad about lying to Dad about the need for the quarter and that has always stuck with me. – Jason (my brother)

Running behind...

2011-11-21T22:59:00.000-05:00

Sorry for my general lack of updates. I like to write in chronological order and when I get behind on one event, I feel like I am betraying it by "skipping it". Thus began my blog of silence. I still have pictures to post from my trip to North Carolina, my bathroom makeover and a whole slew of things. Thanksgiving is coming - it's only going to go downhill from here...

I have a session tomorrow morning which should be my last for the next few weeks. I'll have to double check, but I don't have anything on the books until late December. I am very much looking forward to the break! Working at home you don't really get "days off" and I certainly can't "leave my work at the office". This hibernation from sessions in the winter months is definitely a perk to my job. I have much to catch up on - freelance graphic design work for my company in Utah, an entire deep clean on the house, re-organizing and decorating the kitchen, baby making, getting a dresser for the bedroom (since we're buying a new entertainment center for the basement, I'm now leaning towards buying and refinishing one vs. buying new), and let us not forget the crime scene that is my kitchen floor.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is just a few days away! I have so much to do! I'm just about done with my Christmas present, or at least the biggest component. My goal is to finish and pack it up to send home with my out of town family. Here's to hoping, and here's to a great week!

There's no place like home...

2011-11-17T23:06:00.000-05:00

Halloween has come and gone, but it was a great year for us! Now that Autumn is another year older, she caught on quickly to the whole idea of trick or treating. It was adorable to see her hold out her little basket - and how after each trip to a house she was wanting to unwrap all of her new candy and eat it right away.

Finding out early on it is cheaper to just buy a costume then make it, I found this super cute Dorothy dress at JoAnn fabrics. Autumn already had the ruby red slippers in her arsenal of shoes, so it worked out perfectly! To complete the ensemble we opted for the wicker basket instead of her orange pumpkin.

The Thursday before Halloween, our church had it's annual Trunk or Treat. Adam and I also dressed up, because we're fun, awesome people.

I went as one of my favorite ladies, Lucille Ball. I still remember when I was little, and even when I was home from college, sitting and watching I Love Lucy reruns on Nick at Night with my mom. The dress and shoes were already in my Sunday collection, so after a quick trip to eBay for the wig and some super long eyelashes, I was set!

I have to say we were both appalled at the lack of "The Office" knowledge in our ward at church. I think maybe 2 people knew what Adam was when he explained he was "3 Hole Punch Jim". To everyone else, they just smiled and nodded politely. Epic fail. But I thought he looked great! I do love me some Jim from the Office.

Loud noises have always bothered Autumn, and the overly-loud microphone announcing the hitting of the pinata was no exception. She had to be taken out into the hall until it was time to go trick or treating. In the one image, it's almost as if she's just seen the Wicked Witch of the West!

Once the trick or treating started however, she was game! Last year she was just a few days past 1 and still a little shakey on her legs. This year she figured it out quickly and was fast to move from door to door (it was raining out, so we moved the trunk or treating indoors to the classrooms) to get candy.

Last year I worried that people would think we'd just dressed Autumn up because we were candy hungry, but in all honesty I just wanted pictures of her trick or treating, and we quit after just a few doors. I didn't even take her out on Halloween night. This year, I worried again since she is still little, but I can assure you that Autumn had quite a death grip on her candy basket and Adam and I weren't getting any of it! Everytime someone put something new in her basket, especially a lollipop, she wanted to rip into it right away! One night, she was fisting 4 different lollipops at once!

A few days later my sister's ward at church also had their trunk or treat party. My sister invited us along and since Autumn had taken a late nap, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to get my $12 out of that costume and wear her out. It was really festive - a huge turn out, with a lot of parents dressed up as well as kids, and a big chili potluck.

Probably my favorite costume of the night, this was a McGuyver/McGruber costume. I didn't get a great picture because I didn't want to be super creepy and obvious that I was taking a picture considering I only knew a handful of people at Jodi's party.

The boys were really cute in their costumes. Anthony went as a ref, Diego went as a telephone and Christian (not pictured) went as a girl.

After dinner, they cleared out most of the tables to make room for dancing. Well, if you know my little girl, you know she LOVES to dance. Sadly my camera died right as it started, so I only managed to get a short video. She danced the whole night, just around and around. She cleared a big dance floor for herself and was quite entertaining for those around her watching! She shared a few moves with Diego, but I think he was holding her back...

It was a great year! Here is a home video of our Halloween, including video of Autumn's dancing! =)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2011-10-31T20:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

It was a great year for Three Hole Punch Jim, Dorothy and Lucy! =)

More to come!

Autumn's 2nd Birthday

2011-10-28T15:13:00.000-04:00

I am the mother of a two year old little girl! The question isn't when did SHE get so old, but when did I get so old? A mom of a two year old? Sheesh!

I have a tendency in my mind to do a lot of "what if" or "what will I do when..." thinking at the most random times. It drives Adam nuts, but I'm a planning, and a sufferer of extreme, horrible generalized anxiety. I've been thinking for years how we would handle birthday in our home and I'm happy to say we've handled them with grace, a low budget, but lots of love and laughter. As someone said to me, we want to set the bar low so we can only go up from here =)

Here is a video of her birthday for those who wish to watch, and for family and friends who couldn't be here to celebrate with us!

We had a wonderful night with family opening presents, eating cupcakes and watching Autumn buzz around the house. She loved being the center of attention all evening and was happy to put on a show.

Autumn and I saw this Pillow Pet at Target about a week before her birthday and it was the only one left. I didn't buy it, but I couldn't shake the thought of it a few days later. The night before her birthday I snuck back to Target after she was asleep and to my surprise it was still there! The fact that it was Dora and actually had a backpack you could fill on it sold me! Nevermind Autumn already had 2 pillow pets.

She LOVED it! I totally scored some major mommy points that morning. As she was eating her birthday donut in bed, I snuck down to grab it and she was in heaven the rest of the day. Dora never left her side.

The day of her birthday we made cupcakes for her little party. She was actually a big help. I love having her around - most of the time. Here she was putting the cupcake liners in for me.

This is actually a little seat for her kitchen, but a few weeks ago she realized it made a very sturdy stool to get around the kitchen counters better. She's into everything now!

My cupcakes getting Autumn's seal of approval.

Autumn loves Ernie and the characters from Play with Me Sesame, so I found some examples of cupcakes off Pinterest (where else!) and gave it my best shot. Not my best work, but she knew who and what they were, so I considered it a win-win.

Keeping her away from them until the party was the real trick...

How she even knew what to do with this, I'll never know. She must have seen Dora do it!

This girl loves her shoes! It's not unusual to find her trying on my pairs laying around the house, so she was super excited to get her very own pair from my Aunt Sue!

Autumn loves baby dolls. She loves the little strollers as well and anytime we have a playdate with someone who has one, they instantly become best friends. My mom found this one and a Baby Alive doll to give to her for her birthday. As soon as Autumn saw it, she took off running! No worries - Baby Alive was safely strapped in.

Isn't she gorgeous! My Aunt always finds the most amazing dresses for Autumn. All of her Easter and Christmas dresses are usually gifts from my Aunt. This dress was no exception! We made sure to curl her hair extra pretty and with a few minutes to spare before church, Autumn was showing off her new duds.

Thanks to our family who helped celebrate Autumn's day!

Autumn Turns 2

2011-10-23T21:33:00.000-04:00

It is finally starting to set in that my sweet girl is two! She seems more grown up every day. She tries my patience more than ever, but the trade off is that she grows more and more loving and fun as she becomes her own little person. We had a great birthday, but before I blog about that, here is her year in pictures:

Her 2nd Halloween, just a few days after her 1st birthday!

Autumn's First Haircut

Autumn's Almost Broken Arm

Easter 2011


Autumn's First Plane Ride!

I love my sweet girl!

Cox Farms 2011

2011-10-21T21:04:00.000-04:00

We didn't let our failed apple picking experience deter our fall fun! This past week we headed out as a family to Cox Farms. We went last year and I wasn't impressed - I am glad I gave it another try, because it was a much better go around this year. Autumn couldn't walk last year and wasn't able to do much of the activities. It was also much warmer this year - I was wearing a lightweight long sleeve shirt and I was sweating bullets, specially carrying Autumn up the hills to some of the slides... Most importantly we picked a good day to go because it wasn't super crowded.

The best part is that my Dad got to come this year, as did Adam! Adam ended up taking a personal day when his commute to work was going nowhere after almost an hour. It's not often he gets to be involved in outings like this, so it was fun to get to see him and Autumn play and interact together.

It was a great day out with the family and Autumn was completely exhausted when we got home!

Piggies! We watch Olivia on Nick Jr. and she has a few stuffed pigs, so this was very exciting.

Down the first slide of the day with my buddy!

Autumn loved going with Grandpa. After this, I was dead to her. Poor Grandpa got quite a workout!

I was completely paranoid one of the goats was going to buck up and totally take out one of Autumn's eyes.

Ah, the totally random hayride filled with poorly drawn cartoon characters and appliances people were probably going to throw away.

Whoa.

Don't worry, Autumn's in there somewhere. Grandpa and Adam are not THAT interested in Ducks.

I think we'll put this one on the Christmas Card. She was not pleased.

"Apple Picking"

2011-10-21T14:34:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago Autumn and I piled into the car with my mom, sister, and her 3 boys. We were headed for West Virginia to a farm near Martinsburg to buy big bags of apples and then head to an apple picking farm that was supposed to have a hay ride and games for the kids.

The trip started out well enough, but it took almost over an hour and a half to finally make our way to the farm. Turns out the apple orchard was 45 minutes back in the other direction. So, after 3 hours in the car we finally made it to the apple orchard. We found a place to park, hopped out of the car and went hunting for apples. Instead, we came upon a huge bee keeping station in the middle of the orchard. When we attempted to pick apples, most of them were gone, on the floor, or really gross. We'd just paid half the price for already picked apples that were gorgeous, bigger and delicious. The biggest bummer was that there were big signs that said "No climbing" into the trees which is kind of what we'd been talking up to the boys all day...

We picked a few for good measure, but eventually ditched our bag and headed to the "pumpkin patch". I'm pretty sure this is where pumpkins went to die. It was a sad looking patch and it was crazy expensive! Instead we took Autumn for a ride or two in the wagons and called it good. We decided this farm was a bust. With that, we decided we were all starving and we just wanted to head home. The "hay ride" was a glorified circular tractor pull around an empty field and you had to pay to do the corn maze - $9 each!

It took a while to find food because we were so far out and when we did, it was challenging to find one the kids were all in agreement with. We decided on Chic-fil-A, but then we saw Chipotle across the street. We did half and half, and met on the outdoor patio. Chipotle had never tasted so good, as I don't remember having eaten much of anything the whole day.

It ended up being at least another 45 minutes home. We made the best of it, just like we had the whole day. We just laughed, joked, and towards the end we all got a little punchy like "What else could go wrong?" Despite leaving at 1 and not getting home until after 7, spending most of the day in the car, it was a great day with the family.

Funny Story: On the way up to the farm in West Virginia for apples, my sister needed to use the restroom so we stopped at a McDonalds on the way, one of the only places for a long while. We pull into the parking lot to drop my sister off and Autumn says, "Fries?" We all laughed - she just kept asking so sweetly and innocently. When my sister got back into the car my mom asked, "So, did you get her some fries?" Jodi looked back at Autumn who again, so sweetly and innocently asked, "Fries?"

Welcome home Grandpa!

2011-10-09T21:02:00.000-04:00

My Dad has been gone for a week visiting family and conducting business in his home of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It's always rough for him to leave Autumn and we'd missed him equally over the past week. My mom was set to pick him up and we joined her as a surprise because he leaves again tomorrow for a few days in New York. He was worried about fitting in a visit with her before he left, so we thought this would be a fun surprise.

He called my mom to tell her that he'd landed and was walking off the plane. My mom dropped Autumn and I off and we went inside to surprise him. It was at Dulles Airport, which we normally don't fly out of. I wasn't totally sure where he would come out, so I stopped to ask the lady behind the info desk. We seemed to be in the right spot, and waited for Grandpa. I spotted him down the long corridor and started walking towards him, trying to point him out to Autumn.

He looked very tired and defeated after a long day of traveling. Once Autumn could see him about 15 yards away, I put her on the ground and she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. She was going full speed before he looked up and saw her. The surprise and joy on his face made me tear up! He laughed and scooped her up, so excited and surprised we were there to greet him. The woman I'd just talked to at the information counter was off her shift and stopped to say, "Well, this must be Grandpa!"

It was a very sweet reunion and a great surprise. We missed him!

Happy Birthday Adam!

2011-10-09T20:48:00.000-04:00

On September 30th, this little boy turned 30 years old!

For all of Autumn's (almost) 2 years people have been telling me how much she looks like Adam. I never really saw it, until we had our family pictures taken this past month and once I saw this picture of Adam. She definitely has his smile! She is a spitting image of her daddy.

It was a laid back birthday for Adam. The night before his day Autumn and I made him a card and left him a snack in his car to find on the way to work. Nothing says "I love you!" like beef jerky and a Dr. Pepper. He was on location all day so we weren't able to go visit him at work and take him to lunch. When he came home, we kept things simple.

Before heading in for dinner I asked him to take in the ladder I was using outside and put it down in the basement. When he asked where, I told him by the sliding glass door. That didn't make such sense, but I insisted just to put it there until I was ready to use it. It took him a minute, but "Oh, WHOA." was the next thing I heard out of his mouth. That's because next to the sliding glass door was his new mini-fridge!

Yes, I've eliminated all but one reason for him to ever come upstairs and visit me from his man cave now. When we finally finish the bathroom downstairs I may never see him again! He was very excited about his fridge, especially when he saw it was fully stocked with cooled Dr. Peppers. Autumn has also taken a great liking to the fridge as well!

We celebrated with my family a few days later with a meal over at our house. My mom bought Adam one of his favorite pies and it was a good day.

I'm so grateful for my sweet, goofy, sometimes aggravating, but always charming, husband. Oh, and I love that now I'm his hot little twenty-something wife =) I've got 3 more good years!

Grocery Shopping: You're Doing it Wrong

2011-10-05T23:49:00.001-04:00

When I moved from my college home of Utah back home to Virginia, grocery shopping was a bit of a slap in the face. I didn't realize how much less expensive food was in Utah! I went from knowing a good deal when I saw it to not knowing the first thing about pricing out east. I didn't know which "expensive" item was the "least of the expensive items".

There are a number of grocery stores to choose from here in my area:

Bloom - hello expensive. Their selection is usually pretty limited brand-wise as well.
Shoppers - something about this store gives me the willies... and expensive.
Safeway - the clerks are always crabby patties and the sales never ring up properly. Expensive.
Harris Teeter - expensive and far away.
Bottom Dollar - I'm too afraid to go into one of those.
Wal*Mart - um, Wal*Marts are different here. Let's leave it at that.
Wegmans - ah, Wegmans. It's more like an experience than a grocery store. Their store brand food is amazing. If I have to go anywhere, I go here.

Occasionally my mom would take me to the military base commisary where despite everything being name brands, I could do really well on my shopping trips. However, I couldn't go without her (you need a military ID to shop there) and I hated being a hassle and not being able to run to the store when I needed to.

That's when I learned of the beauty, awesomeness and the amazing store - ALDI. If you're not shopping at ALDI, you're missing out. See, I don't have 30 hours a week to clip coupons. I didn't even have 30 minutes to watch the show on people who do clip coupons (how long it will take me to write this blog post is irrelevant!) At ALDI I feel like I am getting the rush of couponing without the work. It's genius I tell you.

What is ALDI? Essentially it is a grocery store built solely around generic brands. Occasionally I will see name brand items, but ALDI has their own brand of just about anything - and everything.

First thing's first - don't forget your quarter! In order to keep track of their carts, you must push a quarter into your cart for it to be released from the barrage of carts. Don't worry - you get it back when you return the cart. Also - don't forget your bags! In an effort to keep costs low, ALDI does not provide bags. You can take boxes to carry your groceries or if you are like me, you can buy a few ALDI bags to reuse for each visit.

The very first time I ever went to ALDI it was to buy chips for my mom. For months it was "the chip store". Once we were back in our own house and I was buying our own groceries again I realized why. Do you have any idea how expensive chips are?! How much are ALDI chips?

$1.39. Yep. You read that right. They have every chip you can imagine - Tortilla, Cool Ranch, Nacho Cheese, Cheese Puffs, Crunchy Cheese Puffs, Fritos, Pita Chips... they even have Chex Mix varieties. They all taste just like the originals - with the exception of the Cheese puffs. I wasn't sold on those.

The other night I had to run out to buy milk when we returned home from Utah, as ours had spoiled while visiting the in-laws. I didn't want to run all the way to ALDI so I went to the Bloom (Food Lion) right around the corner. Do you know how expensive milk is?! It was $4 something a gallon. I just couldn't stomach that, so I bought a 1/2 gallon to tide us over until I could do my regular shopping. What did I pay at ALDI?

Vitamin D milk, $2.39. ALDI has lots of frozen and cold items. Milk, eggs, juice, creams, yogurts - everything you'd find in a regular grocery store. It's amazing because it is less than half the size of most grocery stores, but I find everything I need here. I think to myself, "Oh, I need unsalted butter. They probably won't have that here." I turn around and BAM. There it is.

The store is only about 4 isles wide. This particular ALDI is a bit larger than the one technically closer to my home, but I prefer this location for the size and the neighborhood. It's also less crowded which is a plus when I am shopping with Autumn in tow.

I went from shopping for just odds and ends to shopping exclusively at ALDI. I just can't beat the deals! Though the store is smaller, it has everything I need and more. I am always surprised at the things I find. ALDI takes all the fuss out of shopping with just one option for everything you need - no comparing brands. I have even grown to prefer many ALDI brand items to big names. Their microwave popcorn? Yummy. Oh - and they have the yummiest honey battered chicken fingers... I may share those with Autumn during her lunches! Their produce, meats, and breads are fresh because the turn-over is so high with a small offering.

How much would you guess my shopping trip was? That cart is almost entirely full. I've got big items like 2 gallons of milk, bread, paper towels, a big bag of chicken tenders, a gallon of apple cider, bacon and 3 12-packs of soda.

$71.32. That's a little bit higher than I spend for 2 weeks worth of groceries (normally I spend about $60 every 2 weeks) - but I had a few indulgences this week including a $5.99 cheesecake and a few frozen goodies Autumn insisted we buy... Have you any idea how much this would have run me at the stores I mentioned earlier? I always leave ALDI feeling like I got a steal!

Here are just a few of my great deals:

10lb bag of Potatoes - $2.49

3 Pack of Paper Towels - $1.89

"Bisquick" Baking Mix - $1.99

White Bread - $.89

4 Cans of Tomato Sauce - $1.16 (.29 cents each)

Large Eggs - $1.45

Gallon of Apple Cider - $2.99

Sliced Bacon - $2.79

12 Pack of Soda - $2.29

I highly, highly endorse ALDI. So much so that I was willing to get weird looks from people wondering why on earth I was taking pictures during my shopping trip, just so I could share with you how awesome it is. If you have one nearby and you've never been, check it out! You will NOT be disappointed.

Remember that one time I had a garden?

2011-10-05T23:11:00.000-04:00

Yeah, remember that one time I had a garden? Next year, I'm not so sure what my plans are. It was a lot of work - work I didn't do, and as a result, my garden was all over the place. Things were going well until we left for a week and I didn't work out a system for my plants to be watered. The plants were more tempermental than I expected. If they were dying I couldn't figure out if it was because I was watering them too much, or too little. Frankly, I just didn't care.

At the end of the season this is mostly what I have to show for all my hard work. I don't think I ever got a single normal, edible cucumber. They either turned yellow or were bent funny and therefore smaller in the center. Very odd. I don't eat tomatoes, so despite getting a "good crop" they went to family - and I later found them in the bag they'd been given in buried in the vegetable drawer. My green pepper plant was probably my favorite and most successful. I'd plant it again. Plus, I go through green peppers like nobody's business in this house.

Oh - and did you know vegetables don't get as big as they do in the grocery stores? I was pretty unimpressed by the fruits of my labor. I kept them on the vine too long in most cases because I kept waiting for them to "finish growing".

Here's to next year.

New Monitor

2011-10-01T22:13:00.000-04:00

We recently had to make a new purchase this week and I am so excited about it (moms might understand) that I just had to share. I should note I am not being compensated in any way for this post. I am not even remotely cool enough for anyone besides family and friends to care about this blog, forget manufacturers who would send me free stuff.

This week, we said goodbye to Autumn's baby monitor. It had a good run - almost 2 years? Sure, the temperature was always 78 degrees no matter what the season, the batteries lasted a mere 24 hours and there was all kinds of static when it was in use. So, all the time. However, it did the job - we always knew when Autumn needed us.

A few weeks ago the AC adapter became very sensitive and temperamental. It had to be plugged in just right to work. The static only seemed to be getting worse and a few days ago it finally went caput. There was no fine tuning the adapter, our poor monitor had given up.

Is it weird that I was excited to shop for a new one?

Well over a year ago when I'd been at a newborn session at a clients home I saw this little unit on their kitchen counter. It wasn't making any noise and wasn't doing anything aside from a bright red light. Could it be? It was - a monitor! It was crystal clear and so incredibly quiet... Turns out it was digital. Who knew? Keeping that in mind, I did some research. Some digital monitors can run upwards of $200. That's just crazy talk. Instead, I settled on one with great reviews from Walmart:

This monitor has all the bells and whistles - a rechargable battery, a vibration option (great for Adam when he has his headphones on), super compact size and it's completely digital. When we plugged it in, we had to test it to make sure it was actually working because it is so quiet. There is absolutely no static. I can hear Autumn crystal clear - I can even hear her breathing. Which, after a scary story at girls night this week that is some comfort I need.

Sure, it's about twice the cost of your basic analog monitor but I only got 2 years out of that monitor and I listed to what could only be construed as aliens attempting to make radio contact vs. the well being of my child. I highly, highly recommend this monitor! =)

Thus ends the story of my exciting baby-mama purchase.

The James Family

2011-09-30T19:24:00.000-04:00

As much as I talk about our old friends and our old home, we actually were able to make this trip because of Adam's family. It had been a year since they'd last seen Autumn and though the official reason we traveled to Utah was post-poned/changed, we made the trip since the tickets were purchased. It was poor timing, as they had just moved from Michigan (literally - his parents arrived the day before we did and a truck of their things was delivered during our stay) and the house was still in boxes.

However, it was a mostly comfortable stay. We don't see Adam's family except every few years, and it was a good visit. We made ourselves at home and enjoyed showing off our sweet little girl. Autumn never quite fully warmed up to Adam's family, but they did get to see sparks of her silly personality!

Adam's brother Tyler, his step-dad John, his mom, Adam, his little brother Brian, his Uncle Ray, Autumn, Aunt Silvia and little sister Brooke

Adam's Aunt and Uncle also happened to be in town the same weekend we were, so it was a full house. Adam's parents new home was large and beautiful though, so it held everyone comfortably. I haven't seen Ray and Silvia for years (6 I think) and I just enjoy their company so much. I was glad to have a chance to see them again. They even bought Autumn a cute little toy before we left, which she loved on the plane and since we've come home.

A wide view of their home.

Autumn and I went on a few walks since most of the house was in boxes, and she was totally enamored with the house being built a few doors down. She's suddenly really big into all the machines and bulldozers.

At the end of the street there was a pasture with cows. I used to make fun of Utah for having random farm animals in the middle of their suburban neighborhoods but when I went back, I found it charming. Who doesn't love having cows or a horse next door? Autumn thought the cows were great, I just wish they'd have been closer to our side of the fence.

A view of the mountains from the end of Adam's parents street.

One afternoon while the men were unpacking the moving truck, I got Autumn out of the way and we found a nearby park in the neighborhood. Again, random animals in the middle of the 'burbs. I thought Autumn would be totally crazy about the horse, but she could have cared less! She just kept going up the slide, down the slide, up the slide...

On Sunday night the James family had a big family gathering. Adam's other Aunt Lisa from Orem drove up as did a few of Adam's cousins that we also haven't seen for a few years. Adam's cousin Nadia has a one year old and it was nice for Autumn to get to play (and see toys!) for a little while as well.

Adam's birthday was also just a week away, we had a joint party for both Adam and I (since our birthdays are so close). Autumn was anxious to dig into the cake!

The highlight of the trip for Autumn by far were the James family cats. Well, cat. There was one cat that hated all other forms of life, but she was quite taken with "Mr. Kitty". It was a very sweet cat and put up with her. Autumn is very good at animals, and would just put her hand out and wait, but she sure did chase after this cat and want to be right next to it! Sadly for her, she will never have a cat in her lifetime, at least as long as she's living in my house. The good news however, is that we have been looking at dogs!

"Hey, where ya goin?"

So, despite the overall anxiety associated with travel and a few speed bumps, it was a good visit. Thinking about doing it again gives me the hives, but we certainly won't rule it out! We are so grateful to Adam's family for paying our way out and taking care of us while we visited Utah. We're still so sad and feel awful about the way the timing worked out, so here's the hoping next time will be a bit more organized and stress free!

Til next time Utah!

Reuinted and it feels so good...

2011-09-29T19:03:00.000-04:00

It's a shame that all of my very best friends live in Utah, but I consider myself very lucky to have such an awesome group of friends. We've all kept in great touch since I left Utah and it was so exciting to see everyone again. You know you have the best of friends when you can go over 2 years without seeing them and picking up just like you saw them yesterday. Gosh I miss these people!

I still do a lot of work for my old company so it was important to stop in, plus, that is where my very best friend works! Isn't my little rental car cute? I drove down to Stevenson's the first morning I was in Utah and Autumn and I made our grand entrance. Kae and I just ran to each other and started to cry - poor little Autumn got squished during our long embrace!

Oh how I miss this girl! She is my soulmate or more affectionately, my lobster. Kae and I met when I helped hire and train her at the store and we were inseparable ever since. We could finish each others sentences (especially when they started out as Friends quotes) and we just laugh, and laugh. My cheeks always hurt after hanging out with Kae.

A few days later I came back to the store to work - duh. No really! I got to hangout and work at the store for a good hour after Kae got off and went to volleyball practice. Her replacement wasn't due in for a while, so I hungout with Jilleun! Jilleun is such a sweetheart - she is my friend Kelvin's wife (Adam's former co-worker) and I helped get her a job at Stevensons. She and Kelvin were our "couple" and we had many doubles or nights out with Kae as well. I loved our little group! I just loved having such a close circle of friends with NO DRAMA. She and Kelvin got married after we left Utah, so it was so exciting to see her as a married woman!

It was so fun to be back at the store. I loved every minute of working there! It was so rewarding to start a project and see it through. They remodeled before I left, but continued the work after I left. It was great to see all the changes and see work I've done since I'd left on the shelves being sold. It made me happy to see so much of "myself" was still in the store - numerous signs and things I'd implemented. It was also great to see my boss and even a few customers I used to see almost daily. I was so proud that while I was there Autumn was not "one of those kids" I used to dread coming into the store.

I also got a chance to drive down to Payson to see one of my best friends Stacy and her new house and family! Since I last saw her she has moved twice and popped out a little boy! Her daughter Paige and Autumn are a few months apart and it was fun for them to play. Since Adam's parents aren't equipped to handle kids it was great for Autumn to play with some toys and enjoy other kid company!

We also got to have lunch together which was especially nice! Because I had been so anxious and worked up over the flight and trip, my stomach was awful for most of the trip. I don't know what is worse - the actual stomach condition or the anxiety that goes along with it. It was nice though for Stacy to cook us lunch and not have to deal with yucky fast food. Nuggets and tater tots always do a body good!

The second night I was there I drove down to Orem to visit Kae again - she wanted to do a movie just like the old days. She bought the tickets, I bought the goodies =) I was being ambitious though - the movie didn't start until 9:30, which was 11:30 east coast time. As soon as the lights dimmed and the movie started I thought to myself, "Oh man, I don't know if I am going to be coherent enough to drive home..." However, I pushed through so I could spend some time with my lobster and just sang Britney really loud on my long drive home!

Friday night was a big night - Tucanos! I mentioned it in our food post, but it was our favorite resturaunt before we left Utah and we've never found a replacement here in D.C. and certainly not one for as cheap! Unfortunately, Adam's folks lived quite far from Provo and Orem. With all the construction in the area and freeway, it took forever to get south which is where everything I wanted to see and do was. It made everything an all-day excursion. It took 20 minutes just to get to the freeway from their house! Add on my anxiety from the trip and it was a recipe for disaster. Friday night was also a BYU football game which made traffic even worse. Factor in being stuck on the offramp for another 20 minutes and I was so wound up that I wasn't able to really enjoy dinner! It was awful! You can ask anyone we dined with - I was WIRED when we finally got there, and frazzled. But, it was classic Kelli =) Sure, getting there was a nightmare but nothing beats dining out like the old days with our best friends!

Adam's younger brother Tyler, Adam and our friend Kelvin

Kelvin and Jilleun - he's holding the "green - bring me meat!" signal for our table =)

Kae!

Our WoW buddies - Regan, Brandt and Brian

Yummy - pretty sure this was top sirloin which is my favorite cut of meat next to the garlic sirloin.

Regan! One of our best friends. He helped us move numerous times and we've gotten to see him a couple times when he has been out this way for work. We miss him! It just wasn't IHOP, Chilis or a night out without him.

It's also Adam's birthday tomorrow, so it was a dual celebration. They didn't sing (thank goodness) but when they saw we were using a birthday coupon they brought him a sundae! =)

Saturday night I got to spend more time with Stacy and her family! When I asked if she was interested in a trade - hair for new family pictures - she was game! Stacy did my hair in Utah (back when I didn't have to do it myself!) and I was in desperate need of her handy work. After taking their family pictures we came home and she did my hair in her kitchen (she's a pro stylist). It was just like the old days, and her husband and my friend Morgan stayed up late talking. When he used to work nights sometimes I would sleep over at Stacy's and we'd have grown up sleep overs =) It was the best fun! I was glad her hubby stayed up late to talk as well, plus they gave me my first taste of Nutella! Now I see what all the fuss is about...

Once again, I didn't get to see nearly everyone I wanted to. It was a struggle because I talked myself out of doing a lot of things because of my anxiety and stomach issues, and being so far away from my friends compared to where I was staying was also difficult. I know there are quite a few people on the top of my list for whenever I return to visit again. It made me so sad to miss so many people while I was there.

The thing I love most about Utah was my close group of friends. I was my own person in Utah, with no baggage. Because I've returned to where I've grown up, there's always that small part of me that feels like a "kid" here, especially being around people that watched me grow up. A part of me misses that independence I had in Utah, but while I love and miss that part of me and how I miss all my friends, I wouldn't trade anything for being close to my family. I must insist however all these people mentioned in this post move to Virginia =)

F is for Food

2011-09-29T18:08:00.000-04:00

When I knew we were traveling to our old home of 6 years, I knew there were a number of fast food places and old resturaunts that I just had to eat at! When we got off the plane (and hadn't eaten anything all day because our layover was so short) there was only one place I wanted to eat - Betos.

Betos is a fast food authentic mexican resturaunt. It's known for it's massive burritos but I love it for their rolled tacos or taquitos. It's fast food, but so dang good. It's greasy, fried and yummy! It was a staple during my college years or late night runs after Warcraft raiding before Autumn came along. Ah, the glory days.

There was a Betos in Salt Lake so we headed there as soon as we got setup in our rental car and made our way to Adam's parents. Adam got a burrito and I got the 3 rolled tacos with cheese, guacamole and rice and beans meal.

I know - amazing right? In Virginia all we really have are chain restaurants and many of the hole in the walls are a bit scarier than they are in Utah. It's these little places that I miss so much! It was just as heavenly as I remembered it.

(It was under construction when I was there, but the inside was still the same and food yummy as always!)

Another one of our favorites was Burgers Supreme, located on the corner of University Parkway and Freedom Blvd. I can't tell you how many times I ate here with my best friend Kae due to it's close proximity to where I used to work in Provo. My go-to was always the "2 Piece Chicken Tender Basket with Fries and Ranch". They must have known I was catching up for lost times, because they threw in an extra chicken tender! And - see that stuff on the left? FRY SAUCE. Oh, sweet fry sauce. Essentially just mayo and ketchup mixed together, but it's super common to find at fast food joints in Utah and people here in the east haven't a clue what we're talking about.

Now, this wasn't necessarily on our list, but you can't exactly get In -n- Out on the east coast. We stopped in one night when we were out and tried to see what all the fuss was about. I wasn't crazy about the fries, but the hamburger was pretty good. I got it "animal style", only because that was the only secret way I knew how to order and if it was good enough for my brother Joel, it was good enough for me.

We also knocked a big ticket item off our list - Tucanos. It is a brazillian churrascaria where the different types of meats are brought to your table. It was our favorite resturaunt in Provo, and better and less expensive than similar restruaunts here out east. However, we'll get into our visit in another post because as much as it was about the food, it was also about the great company we dined with.

Unfortunately, with such a short time in Utah we couldn't hit everything. There just aren't enough meals in the day! Plus, we were staying about 40 minutes north of Orem/Provo so many of our favorites were simply out of reach. We definitely are saving our list for next time - Los Hermanos, The Italian Place, Kneaders...

Autumn's First Plane Ride

2011-09-29T16:43:00.000-04:00

Our visit to Utah was Autumn's first plane ride - she did amazing! I on the other hand... I am a veteran traveler and up until 2.5 years ago I was flying about every 6 months. Since then I've gotten rusty and let my fears of terrorism/planes breaking/life ending in a horrible way paranoia get to me. Autumn was a great distraction from all of that and once we made it to the airport and were waiting to board, I was fine.

Watching takeoff with Adam

My parents dropped the three of us off and it was an emotional goodbye for my Dad. Sure, he leaves all the time for a week on business, but it was different this time around. It was very sad to see tears fall down his face as he handed Autumn over to us so that we could walk through security.

The bonus to traveling with a child? We got to board first! The first flight we were lucky in that there were a few empty seats in front of us and I asked the woman sitting between Adam and I if "she wouldn't be more comfortable in the exit row in front of us". She moved, and despite having her own seat, Autumn insisted on sitting on my lap for most of the flight anyways. Oh well! It was sweet because on the first flight to Minneapolis we were in the back of the plane surrounded by a group of Asian tourists or some group. We didn't understand them as English was not their native language, but they were all completely enamored with Autumn. They were all cracking up over her and were really sweet to her as we waiting to deboard the plan. They were great company on our flight!

We had to run to our connection, but we made it! Thank goodness we brought our umbrella stroller. Autumn sat on my lap the entire time as we weren't lucky this go around with an empty seat. Still, I had followed the advice of some friends and hit the dollar store before our flight and just kept pulling more tricks out of my bag. She only slept for the last 15 minutes of the first flight in my lap, but she was a trooper and kept going all day.

Ernie also experienced his first flight, as did Autumn's mini pillow pet, "Piggy"

The flight home we now knew what to expect with Autumn (and I now had in my possession Xanax) so it was much more relaxed and less stressful. Despite leaving for the airport at 6:30AM, we were all happy campers and were eager to get back home to family and our own bed! Because our first flight was so early and we'd been moving around so much, Autumn and I both snuggled and slept for the first 45 minutes of the first flight. Our middle seat mate didn't switch with Adam and couldn't move because of a full flight, but he was patient with Autumn and very easy going. Our layover was in Detroit this time, which made the flight a little over 2.5 hours vs. 2 on our way out west. Still, Autumn was a champ!

We had a good thing going on the first flight of our trip home. The WiFi was down, so I think we were given the TV free for the flight, which was great since it was the longest leg. The TV's were right on the seat, so I could watch my shows while Autumn watched her SpongeBob and Dora episodes on the iPad. It was the most still she sat for the longest period of time - she loved her snacks and thought the drinks brought to us were neato.

The flight from Detroit to D.C. was considerably short. We had just enough time to buy lunch, but had to eat it on the plane. This time around the plane was only 4 seats across, 2 and 2. With the armrest up between Adam and I, Autumn was a perfect fit. It was probably the most comfortable we were of all the legs, even with an empty seat at one point! After almost 3 hours of her being confined on my lap, I was glad when she was willing to sit with Adam. She slept almost the entire flight and it was a nice break and the most I got to relax on all of our flights.

My sweet girl!

We were so eager to land and see my Dad who was eagerly waiting for us. When I spotted him through security, I let Autumn out of the stroller and waited for her to see him. Despite having just woken up, I don't think I've ever seen her little legs move faster than they did as she ran into his arms. It was so sweet to see them reunited =) She snuggled in his arms for the next half hour while we picked up the rest of our luggage - minus Adam's bag which didn't arrive until 3PM the next afternoon...

When we got home to my parents house for a quick stop and dinner, my sisters boys who were also visiting ran out onto the front lawn to greet us. Autumn started shrieking in the car and was so excited to see her cousins! She didn't know what to do with herself when she finally got out of the car and had the boys and my mom in close proximity again.

Overall, the flights were a success. I am not looking forward to doing it ever again, but that's just because I am a horrible traveler with my stomach issues and anxiety. I am so glad Autumn takes after her Dad when it comes to traveling! I was so proud of my little girl and now she can officially say in regards to planes - been there, done that.

More to come from our trip!

Family Pictures

2011-09-28T11:42:00.000-04:00

We're back from Utah! What better way to reintroduce ourselves to you than to remind you how ridiculously good looking we are. =) I only say that in an attempt to be funny and show off our new family pictures!! One of my close friends is a photographer in Utah and when I knew I would be in the area I asked her if she would be interested in doing a trade of each others families. It's not often I get to be in pictures and I really wanted some new family pictures for our Christmas card and frames in our home.

Melanie was game, and after settling on Sundance in Provo Canyon we headed out one evening and exchanged our photo abilities! With the fall colors starting to pop it was a great location. After I took some images of her family, she took some of ours. Melanie is an amazingly talented photographer, especially with children. If you are in the Utah county area, please look her up! http://www.melaniericephoto.com Thank you again Melanie - you're the best!

Dear Autumn

2011-09-16T14:35:00.000-04:00

Dear Autumn,

I can't believe in just a little over a month you will be 2 years old! I still remember so vividly your first birthday so it seems crazy to think a whole year has past. I try to tell myself that not much has changed, but when I go back and look at pictures from the last year you have gone from my baby to my sweet little girl. A whole little person has developed out of nowhere!

Most days I love being at home with you - I wouldn't trade it for the world. I find myself thinking that you are my best friend and my partner in crime. You make me laugh and make me feel needed and loved everyday - you're like a dog, but you smell better and can talk back in a conversation.

Funny things I don't want to forget:

Last week you had strep which was terrifying - you spewed all over the doctors floor, but instead of being mortified I was just terrified that something was seriously wrong with my favorite person in the whole world. You'd started to get better and I ran off to run an errand while you stayed home with Dad. When I got home, your eyes looked sunken in and you had dark circles around your beautiful blue eyes - What happened?! I thought you were getting better?! Turns out you'd just found Mama's makeup and jazzed up your look a bit. Hey, I do it too - when I'm not feeling good a little makeup helps pick me up.
You're counting everything. You've got 1,2,3 down pat - perhaps Dad and I should count higher once in a while to expand your vocabulary. I love walking in on you lining up your "Little People" toys and counting them one by one. It's amazing what you pick up and learn so quickly.
We're raising a southern belle - you say Please (with a smile) and Thank You perfectly.
Your favorite saying is to gasp and then exclaim, "Oh no! Where'd he go?" Many variations have formed from this phrase - "Where'd it go? Here you go. Where is it?"
You call just about everything you don't know the actual word for "this". Why? Because when we don't know what you want, we point to everything and go, This? This? It's not your fault you put two and two together and just assume that's what it's called.
You love to talk about the birds, balls, trees, planes, Diego, Dora, backpack, babies, icles (popsicles), wa (water), na (fruit snacks) and more. Your vocabulary is growing everyday and I am so proud!
I often find you grunting and hanging onto the freezer door looking for Popsicle. You can eat 3-5 like they're water (which, aren't they mostly) and still want more. I try to limit you, but when you say "Please" unprompted and shoot me that smile well, like the Popsicle will eventually - I melt.
You've always loved music - you'll point to Nana and Grandpa's boom box hoping someone will turn it on so you can rock out. In really repetitious songs on the radio, I hear you singing along in the backseat. It melts my heart to hear you sing "Back pack, back pack, back pack back pack..." when you watch Dora.
Nana says that you are all girl, but you are tough. Your knees and legs are covered in bruises from all the exploring you do. Despite having taken out a splinter over a week ago, you still gasp at the mark it left on your foot and say "Owie!"
As you grow older and want more independence, you become very particular about how things are done. If we break a banana in half, you are upset. If we pull the popsicle out of the wrapper for you instead of you grabbing the stick yourself, you are upset. You are so independent and want to try everything on your own. I know this - however, your Dad does not. He isn't home enough during the day to pick up on these things - but you love him anyway.
Grandpa is your best friend. I would be offended, but he is pretty awesome.
The other day you grabbed my blush and ran off with it. You knew I don't like you to have it so you ran into a room and closed the door, thinking this would offer you some sort of protection. I humored you for a bit and when I finally went in to see what you were up to, you'd climbed into the bed, under the covers and were reading a book quietly. Your satisfied grin when I walked in said it all.

Ever since you were a baby, you have copied me and patted me on the back as I have carried you around. I remember you doing it at just months old. To this day, when I pick you up and carry you around you still sweetly give me that pat on the back. So, while you're almost 2 and growing up faster than I can keep up you are still my sweet little baby that pats my back.

I love you sweet (and sometimes naughty) little girl!
-Mom

A Scary Mommy Moment

2011-09-08T16:18:00.000-04:00

If I thought I had a bad headache when I woke up this morning, it was definitely made worse by my sobbing in Urgent Care and feeling as though my child might die this afternoon. Well, maybe not so melo-dramatic, but it was still a scary morning. The back story:

Autumn woke up a bit earlier than usual - wait for it - 8:45am, and wasn't her normal self. She's usually her happiest when she first wakes up. I noticed then that she was rather hot but I attributed it to being fresh from a shower. We left to run a quick errand and on the way back home she fell asleep in the car, hours before her normal nap time. I just couldn't shake this feeling that I should stop into the urgent care on our way home.

We signed in and not a minute later Autumn turned from the toys and began throwing up onto the floor. She has never, ever thrown up before. Spit up? Yes, of course. But never thrown up. They handed me a bucket and I tried to clean it up when the sweet doctor at Urgent Care, who was even on her way out, told me to take care of Autumn and she would be happy to clean it up. I was so grateful and appreciative.

Her temperature was 102.2 F I started fearing the worst as this was all unknown territory for me and I had a "moment" while I waited to be seen by the doctor. My Dad (who I'd called to say where I was) also called to tell me that my mom was on her way, for which I was incredibly grateful. She would know what to say and do. It turns out that Autumn has strep - between her yeast infection, temperature, her tick bite from the beach and over temperament I would have never guessed strep! Once my mom arrived and the doctor advised us what to do, he left to fill out the prescriptions and my strong face disappeared. I just started to cry, out of stress, and relief. I was so glad Autumn was going to be okay and it felt so good to have someone else there with me and to finally just let it out.

A few days ago I wondered if I'd missed out by moving home to familiar surroundings instead of transplanting myself somewhere new - this experience made me so grateful to have family close by. My mom took Autumn home while I ran to Target to pick up her prescription and before I got home my Dad had already gone out to buy Autumn popsicles and Pedilite to help replinish her fluids.

So that's the story of my headache (which is finally feeling better) and a scary situation that turned out okay. Phew!

OBX Part Deux

2011-09-05T23:51:00.000-04:00

We made it to the Outer Banks! Despite losing a day, the week felt longer than usual. The minute we get here on Sunday I usually begin counting down, 'Now we have 6 days. 5 more days, only 2 days left!' I was so disjointed from coming a day late that I couldn't keep the days straight and as a result I was not even thinking about it. I just enjoyed finally being at my home away from home!

I brought my small point and shoot camera instead of my DSLR, which was a great decision in the end.

Despite having Autumn with me 24/7 anyways, I have really loved the special time I had to spend with her this week. I feel like I am enjoying her more without the daily responsibilities of cooking, cleaning, paying pills and being the head of a household. She has done really well and I love how independent she is as she gets older!

Here are some highlights from our trip!

Unfortunately my portable DVD player (that hasn't been turned on in almost 3 years) didn't work on the way down. Go figure. My Dad's laptop and Toy Story came to the rescue!

I got a lot of reading done the week at the beach. I read 4 books! I used the iPad a lot this week - a lot. Seriously, the best investment I've made in ages. Worth every penny! It was awesome to have it poolside.

The tunnel on the way to the Outer Banks. I used to love it as a kid and Autumn loves it now. She claps when we reemerge into the daylight!

Getting closer!

A quick trip through the drive thru - we woke up earlier than usual since we lost a day and we drove almost straight through without lunch.

The bridge onto the islands of the Outer Banks! I remember getting so excited as a kid, knowing we were almost there!

After a quick celebratory dip in the pool and dinner, we went over to see how the ocean was. Due to the hurricane, it was incredibly choppy and rough. My Aunt also came down for the week with our family.

Autumn was so curious about the water - but loved it!

At our usual path to the ocean (Hillcrest) they installed a new shower. It is amazing! Perfect for rinsing off before getting into the car or walking home. I wish they had one of these at the path we use in June!

My nephew turned 5 and the oldest turned 9. It was a double birthday celebration. However, we didn't plan ahead. We forgot candles, but toothpicks work just the same! You just gotta sing fast...

Power breakfast! Autumn just loves pancakes and waffles! She can eat two or three sometimes.

Diva in training.

One morning we walked down to the beach where there are these ponds/swamp waters that are filled with wild turtles. Within minutes Diego had already caught one!

Christian also had good luck!

Personally, I thought the pool water was freezing. For being August, it was unusually cool and windy because of the hurricane. Still, I couldn't keep Autumn away from the water. I've never seen her shiver so hard!

The water never really was great for swimming. A few days it was red flag and the others it was just too choppy and big for the kids to swim in. The lifeguards were very cautious.

I had to post this picture for my family - notice the debris, but also how close people are sitting to the dunes? For some reason (we're assuming the hurricane) there was NO beach. Even where my aunt was sitting the waves were washing up and hitting her feet. It was unreal. Plus, look at all the piles of grassy debris.

Lunch by the pool! Because the ocean was red flag and the beach was crazy, we came home early and got into the pool instead. Hence the packed lunch.

This girl loves her soda.

I can't remember the last time I had my hair french braided. I asked my mom to do it for me and it was a perfect way to keep my hair out of my face and cool in the sun.

We learned that the time to shop for souvenirs and t-shirts is in August vs. June - everything is 50% off! One night everyone in the house went shopping down the street at our favorite store, Wings.

I was so glad I brought my camera (see, the point and shoot fits perfectly in my purse!) to capture this sunset on the sound. For about 5 years we rented the same house in June that sat between the sound and the ocean - it was properly named "A Panoramic Rendezvous". We outgrew that house as a large family and there isn't a year that goes by we don't miss watching the sunsets from our deck.

Grandpa and Autumn - notice her Dora shirt. I found it at the Beach Walmart and it said "Outer Banks, NC" on it with a swimsuit clad Dora. I think I scored major mom points with that purchase!

Best Buds.

I bought this swimsuit for myself years ago but resurrected it for this trip. It didn't hurt Autumn has a near identical red polka dot suit! =)

Autumn loved all the airplane advertisements at the beach. "Plane!"

Anthony looking slick in his new hat and shades from Wings - he picked them out himself.

Everybody loves Nana.

Yep, that's a onesie. After breakfast, my mom took Autumn outside to do something and about 20 minutes later I asked my nephew where they were - "Autumn's in the pool." I guess she was so excited she just couldn't wait to get a suit on!

My future gymnast perhaps?

Kids always love the hose. Something about it!

Even Yoda, my nephews Iguana soaked up some rays and took a "dip" in the pool.

Someday, I will show her future husband these.

Again, the water was too choppy to get in.

Since the waves were unusually large, we saw a lot of actual surfers instead of boogie boarders at the beach this year.

She's so stinkin' cute.

Late one night we walked to the sound. It was almost completely demolished. That sand my nephews are standing on should not be there - it was washed down from the hill a house is sitting on. Notice the pier and dock is ruined - almost all of the homes on the sound lost their piers.

Another gorgeous sunset!

This house basically has a gaping hole underneath it. It's crazy. Notice the force there much have been on that fence and to puncture the earth like that.

The drive home always seems to take twice as long as it does to get there - case in point. At Golden Corral, Autumn just wanted to get home!


When we got to Golden Corral, we could see a lot of workers coming out the side door and pointing and taking pictures. Turns out this huge spider had made it's web just outside the floor. I am still getting chills just looking at it! They called it a "writer spider" and I googled it to find the technical name, which escapes me now - it starts with an A. It's fairly harmless, as it's an ordinary garden spider. It's not very poisonious. Still - it just looks freaky...

Silly Girl

2011-08-26T14:44:00.000-04:00

As if the earthquake wasn't enough, that morning I had to call Poison Control for the first time. I had a sales rep come over from Luna, the same company that did our carpets, to give me a quote on laminate tile for our kitchen. We were talking and going over some numbers while Autumn was in the family room playing with toys and watching cartoons. As the salesman and I were talking, I checked on Autumn through the pass through and noticed she was chugging something - a bottle of children's ibuprofen (she can open most child-proof bottles, even Target prescriptions). I grabbed it from her, and went back to the salesman, trying not to startle him and figure out just how much she might have drank in my head while he talked.

All the while the salesman gives me some outrageous number (more than carpeting 2 floors in my house) and I feel horrible because I literally laugh in his face. "Are you serious?" It was so outrageous that I had to call my parents and tell them about it. "Oh yeah, Autumn also downed some Tylenol or something, but I just had to call you guys first and tell you how crazy Luna is. I should probably go look at the drug warnings..."

I ended up calling Poison Control so they could tell me whether or not I should be worried. They were super friendly and asked me a few questions - her age, weight, how much the bottle possibly contained and what the dosage was. As I was on hold my parent's house beeped in - it was my Dad. I told him I'd call him back. When the lady came back on, she told me Autumn would be fine and would have needed to down 2 full bottles to be sick. If it had been acetaminophen, that'd been another story but the body tolerates Ibuprofen really well. Phew! She recommended I get something in her stomach (it was lunch time anyway) and we'd be okay.

I called my parents back to give them the good news and before I could even report, my Dad starts laying into me (obviously reading something he'd found on Google) about how acetaminophen can cause death and serious problems in children if they overdose. I assured him it was just Ibuprofen, and I didn't even think she got that much. He wasn't super convinced, but luckily my sweet girl has been just fine. I also found the full bottle of Ibuprofen I'd opened a few days ago, meaning the one she'd had was almost empty anyway.

Of course however, after camping the other night Autumn slept in later that usual (10:30) and napped until 4:30. My Dad said, "Are you sure she doesn't have liver failure, setting in now days after she downed the medicine??" Funny guy that Grandpa!

Once again, just like with the earthquake, I managed to stay calm and handle the situation with ease. Grandpa does enough worrying for the 3 of us. =) Poison Control also called that afternoon to make sure Autumn was okay. We're glad our first call ended the way it did and that it wasn't more serious!

Earthquake, seriously?

2011-08-23T22:53:00.000-04:00

I don't even know how to start this blog. I'll just spit it out - today we had an earthquake. In Virginia. The east coast. An earthquake. Seriously. I know! Unbelievable right? When you get over the initial shock and awe of it all, it was actually a crazy and frightening day.

It was about 1:30 when I debated as to whether or not to get Autumn out of bed. She was playing more than she was attempting to sleep, so I felt prompted to get her out of bed and try again in a half hour. We started playing in the living room when at about 1:50p.m. the house started to shake.

My thought process was as such:

"Hmm, must be a plane flying low overhead."
"I wonder if Quantico is doing drills today." (The Marine Corps base is close, and often does practice drills with bombs and artillery which can be felt and rock the house)
"Are we being bombed? The war is here!"
"Holy cow. Is the house sinking? Are we sitting on a giant sink hole like I've seen on TV in California? Do I stay in or do I run out, stay in or run out?"
"This couldn't possibly be an earthquake... I think it is! But I live in VA!"

I scooped Autumn up and looked out the window (for bombs and airplanes, duh) and ran to the front door to stand in the doorway. The house was shaking fairly violently. You could hear all the rattling of the furniture, the frames on the walls (some of which fell) and the nose of the earth moving. Imagine the feeling in your home when the washer is unbalanced, a plane flying low over head and semi trucks driving by - that is what an earthquake feels and sounds like. (According to reports it lasted 48 seconds in some areas. That doesn't sound very long, but count to 48 right now. That is a long, scary time to not have the slightest clue why your house is shaking and if it is going to get worse.) The scariest thing wasn't the shaking or quake itself, but not knowing what it is, and living in an area where this never, ever happens.

Autumn held to me so tight. She just put her little head on my shoulder and held on while we braced in the doorway. There was a lot of adrenaline running through me - the whole experience was just nuts! Exciting. Scary. Baffling. When the shaking stopped, I could hear people yelling and chattering outside. I opened the door to join them when I found my neighbor outside in a towel - he'd been in the shower when the quake started and ran out terrified.

After talking with my neighbor about how unbelievable what had just happened actually happened, and checking Facebook (which proved to be an amazing tool in a crisis to spread the word and check on loved ones), I noticed something - my house smelt a lot like gas.

I took Autumn over to the neighbors and asked if he was having the same problem. His did not, and he was worried and came in and definitely smelt the same odor. He told me to call 911 and get the fire department out here immediately. The fire department? Leaking gas? Holy crap. It just got real folks.

He helped watch Autumn while I searched for my keys and my wallet, just in case we needed to make an exit. At that point my mood went from being on a rush of excitement to a little bit of panic - if there is gas leaking in my house, what if walking around or static electricity blows me up? Autumn had been playing with my purse and I couldn't find my keys. WHERE WERE MY KEYS?! The phone isn't working right! It was the first time I've ever called 911. The woman on the phone made me nervous - I was fairly calm about the whole situation but she was very rapid and alert. Autumn and I sat outside with Jerry, my awesome neighbor, while we waited for someone to arrive.

That someone were 2 firetrucks and enough Fire Fighters to put out an entire office building. I felt so silly - all this for me? Gracious... Jerry assured me better safe than sorry, and you certainly don't mess with gas especially with a family. We waited outside while all the firemen went into my home and broke into the vacant house next to me to survey the problem. A few minutes later the man who I assume was the Chief came out and told me they had found a leak near my hot water heater. They'd turned off the gas and alerted the gas company, but he recommended I make a call as well since the list of calls was bound to be growing. He told me the home was safe and I could go back inside, but to call the gas company immediately.

This frame was much further back on this shelf, at an angle as well as the photo next to it. It just barely avoided disaster.

Within the hour the gas company arrived, at about the same time my Dad arrived to check up on Autumn and I. The man came down into the basement to assess what the firemen had done and verified there had indeed been a leak - a big one. The pipe/valve connected to the hot water heater was "hand tight" and may have shook loose with the quake. He told me I was incredibly lucky I'd been home - if it had continued to leak and I'd come home, turned on a light switch or conducted static electricity, I probably wouldn't have a home anymore. Yeah - exactly why I have always been terrified of living in a home powered by gas. He fixed the problem, checked on the main lines and turned the gas back on. Phew! That was crazy!

Many of Autumn's books abandoned ship and fell to the floor during the quake.

Autumn, following the quake and after being given the okay from the gas man, cleaning up her books.

We definitely feel blessed today. Aside from a few things falling off shelves, our house sustained little to no damage. Sure, my heart is just returning to a normal rhythm, but Autumn and I were watched over and just fine. The patience I'd been praying for with Autumn transcended into my ability to think clearly and react well to the situation. I am grateful for my neighbor and friend for giving me someone to lean on and help me and Autumn today! I personally have felt at least 1 aftershock (around 8PM this evening) and my heart jumps everytime a car loudly rolls by or I can hear a semi drive down a nearby road - I wonder if it is the start of another shock.

One of my fallen frames - luckily the glass remained intact.

Phew. So that is the story of how we survived the quake of 2011. When you factor in the hurricane headed for the east coast on Friday (and our planned trip to the OBX in North Carolina on Sunday) it is definitely making for an interesting week...

Cooling Off

2011-08-14T21:21:00.000-04:00

I absolutely love our deck. It is a great enclosed space and it's huge! Autumn loves to rides her cars outside, play with her sand/wet table and the simplest joy of all - a bucket with some water. What a refreshing way too cool off over the summer. These pictures are just fun ones I took one night after dinner - before it was up to a proper bath. =)

My Birthday! More like birth week actually...

2011-08-14T16:07:00.000-04:00

I had an awesome birthday! I enjoyed it so much in fact that I managed to stretch it out for an entire week. =) It was the greatest birthday I've had in years and one I won't soon forget. Here is a run down of my week...

Tuesday, my birthday - Autumn and I woke up early for a meeting with some of my favorite ladies from church. On my computer I happened to find a wrapped gift from "Autumn". It turned out to be the iPad case I'd put on my wishlist! Adam also scored a few more points by leaving me a sweet note on the door, which I didn't notice until we were almost headed out!

After leaving my friend Anna's house, Autumn and I made a special trip to Panera to get my special "birthday treat", which ended up being a yummy Strawberry Lemonade smoothie! I love free stuff!

I just had to post this picture of my lovely lunch date. For the past couple months she has had this thing with helmets. I should be glad she loves to wear them except that she loves to wear them everywhere! After Autumn's nap I took her over to my parents for a sleep over. We chatted for a while and then I headed home to get ready for my big date! I wore a skirt. A skirt! Thought I'd get fancy =)

Adam insisted we stop by my parents to pick up my big present, so off to my parents we went. He gave me a sweet card and an epic upgrade to my current computer chair:

Bam! I've had the chair on the left for 6 years now and there is no cushion, no padding on the arms... My new chair is amazing! Adam really spoiled me! He is so thoughtful with all of his gifts. Major upgrade! We said goodbye to Autumn again and went off on our date. After much debate, we decided to just stay local and true to one of our favorites, so we went to Red Lobster. I splurged, getting the King Crab Legs! It was massive (1.5lbs!) and barely ate half of them.

After dinner we rushed over to the movie theater to see Crazy, Stupid, Love. We'd heard such great things about it, so we were both really excited. Not to mention since having kids we've become one of "those couples" who can't remember the last movie they saw in a theater. Since it is such a rare occasion, again, we splurged. We bought drinks and popcorn and settled in. The movie was really good - we love Steve Carrell!

It was a great night. Despite my parents being so willing to watch Autumn for us, I always feel obligated to rush home and relieve them of her. Since she was spending the night, we were able to really relax and take our time. It was a blast!!

Wednesday - I had hoped to sleep in since I was sans Autumn for the morning, but wouldn't you know Popcorn and Seafood aren't exactly a winning combination? I was glad I ended up feeling better because my good friends Karen and Anna were taking me to lunch at Olive Garden, another one of my favorites! It was yummy, as usual.

Thursday - Girls Night! Once a month we have food night and this was the night! The girls brought yummy appetizers to share. I did my friend Ann's hair, laughed with friends and got new ideas for crafts and other projects.

Friday - My best friend Josh took Autumn and I out for a delicious lunch at Brother's Encore. I love their steak and cheese subs! After Autumn's nap we were on our way to the pool when Adam drove in a few hours earlier than he normally gets home. It was a nice surprise he was able to get off early!

Our community pool is so great! It's right down the street so we walk and as you can see in the above picture, Autumn had the whole pool to herself! After a while at the pool we headed to Ikea! With the whole family home we decided to make a night of it. We had dinner at the Ikea restaurant (Autumn eats free until the 21st!) and bought a few things I needed to revamp my office space. That's still a work in progress, so pics to come at a later date!

Autumn testing out the beds at Ikea. She climbed right up, Ernie in toe, and covered herself in blankets. She's so silly.

Saturday - We waited until my sister was back from her family vacation to celebrate my birthday as a family. My mom made me delicious BBQ ribs and our yummy family Potato Salad. She even found and made me a delcious peanut butter cake! Diego was incredibly excited because it reminded him a lot of Aunt Chelsey's Reeses brownie cake.

I got lots of thoughtful and fun gifts from my family. My dad even surprised me by buying a remote for my digital camera! I guess my asking to borrow his was a hint =)

It was a great week and a great birthday. I am exactly where I wanted to be when I pictured my life at 27. I have a beautiful home that I love, a sweet husband, an adorable little girl, a job that I love and keeps my creative mind flowing, great friends (near and far) and an amazing family that helps me whenever I need them. It's been a great year and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store!

Oh Happy Day

2011-08-09T23:36:00.000-04:00

I had the BEST birthday. Best birthday ever! 27 years and this birthday is the best.

Woke up, had a church thing. Oh - but before I left, my hubby had left my present on my computer (an iPad case, it's fabulous) and a love note on the door made out of post-its. Too cute right? Got a free smoothie at Panera because it was my birthday. Watched mindless TV during the day while Autumn napped (which I never get to do - did you know there is NOTHING to watch in the middle of the day?) and played outside and with my cute little girl. Hung out with my mom and Dad for a few, left my windows down during a flash rainstorm. Opps! Said goodbye to my sweet girl, went home to get ready for my hot date with my hubby. I wore a skirt. A SKIRT. But I had flip flops on, so it's still "cas". Adam wanted to stop by my parents house to get my other gift which was a sah-weet new chair for my desk. I do a lot of sittin'. So thoughtful and I can't wait to try it out. Said goodbye to my sweet girl again. Went out to dinner. Yummy King Crab legs. Splurged. It's my birthday! Barely ate half of it. Had to save room for Popcorn. Mm... so bad for the heart and hips, but so good. Watched a sad, funny, happy movie - Crazy, Stupid, Love - and loved it! Laughed the whole way home with my sweetheart. Oh, and I broke Facebook in the process of responding to all my awesome friends who wished me a great day.

In case I didn't get a chance to respond, friends - it ruled. My day ruled.

So resourceful...

2011-08-08T11:54:00.000-04:00

This morning before nap time (hence the plug and PJs) I'd given Autumn some cheddar crackers to snack on. I was blogging while she watched an episode of Dora when I noticed her run into the kitchen. She returned a few seconds later, grabbed something and then ran back to the kitchen. From my desk I could see the box of crackers moving on the island. I got up to find this:

She couldn't quite reach the box on her own, so she was resourceful enough to grab the stool from the family room (that she'd toted down from her bathroom upstairs a few days ago) which gave her those extra few inches she needed.

Can you see the lipstick she applied herself this morning as well? =)

A Sunday Afternoon

2011-08-08T11:43:00.000-04:00

Sundays are a rough day for our family, especially Autumn. She is usually such a trooper at Church despite having her naptime completely goofed up. She's normally passed out in her carseat before we can even leave the church parking lot.

After having a small lunch when we got home she took a blissful, 3 hour nap. The rest of the evening we try to keep her occupied and happy before bedtime a few hours later. Since it's Sunday we normally stay inside and try to do quiet things. After finishing off the last of the popsicles, she was very happy to share some Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream with Dad.

It's one of her favorites and I have to tell you it is really weird to hug and play with her later when she has minty fresh breath. I can't remember if I mentioned it, but she found her bumbo in the basement a week or so ago and she still hasn't let me put it back into storage. Her argument is only strengthened by the fact she still fits rather well in it. And yes, she plops it right in front of the TV for optimal viewing.

The ice cream got me in the mood for my own treat - Buckeyes! I had Autumn "help", which resulted in her eventually pouring her cup of water into my pan of peanut butter. She was trying to help "mix" the ingredients, but it just so happens water is not one of them.

Yes, that's my daughter attempting to eat butter. She gave it one good lick and that was the last of the butter sampling.

Navajo Tacos

2011-08-08T11:10:00.000-04:00

This past week I made a favorite dish that I haven't made in months. It was first introduced to me by my sister in law Chelsey, the cook in the family. Everything she makes is so yummy - her Navajo Tacos are no exception (and it just so happens some of my favorite people in the world are Navajo - this one's for you Benally sisters!). Now, at first the combination of ingredients didn't really make a whole lot of sense to me. Chili and lettuce? Chili, guacamole with fried bread? However, one spoonful of all the ingredients together shut me up real fast. SO YUMMY. Plus, incredibly filling.

The first step is to prepare your chili - for Navajo tacos, I step up my normal recipe of chili a little bit by mixing ground beef and pork sausage together:

1lb of ground beef
1lb of pork sausage
1 can of Bush's chili beans (or kidney/chili beans)
1 tsp of chili powder
1/2 tsp of dry mustard

I also added some fresh chopped tomatoes off my vines and a small can of tomato sauce.

While I let the chili stew and "age" (that's a fancy cooking term, yeah?) I started chopping up all the toppings for my tacos. Now, this is completely up to you. Toppings can include - homemade guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, assorted cheeses, chopped onions, green peppers, tomatoes, black beans, corn, salsa, etc. I set everything to the side while I started to prepare the "taco", or fried bread dough.

My sister in law in the past has been extra fancy and made her own bread from scratch but in the Brewer household we're all about quick and easy. I bought a roll of Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits and flattened out each biscuit and plopped it into a hot pan of vegetable oil. Note: Make sure your oil is hot, otherwise the dough will just soak up all the oil and be all... oily. Yuck. The biscuits cook up really fast, so be sure to watch them so they don't burn!

Set them aside on some towels to cool and soak up any excess oil. Then it's time to layer! First, your fried taco. Then, top with chili, and add all your desired toppings. Stack it high! The challenge is to get all the layers into one spoonful but when you do - HOLY COW. So good.

Can you see the biscuit under there? It's being swallowed by all the delicious toppings, but it is the key component to the dish. Somehow it manages to stay flakey and light throughout the meal!

The best part of the dish is that I actually got two meals out of it! With my leftover chili I combined my leftover chopped onions and green peppers and wrapped it up for chili the next night. Add in some cheese, chips and sour cream and you have another yummy meal ready to go the next night. I love it when that happens, and chili always reheats good. =)

Dear Autumn

2011-08-05T21:07:00.001-04:00

Dear Autumn,

For weeks now I have been making mental notes to myself: "Remember to write about that cute thing she does in her next Dear Autumn letter..." Unfortunately for me, my memory is pretty much shot since having you and you do so many cute and adorable things these days I can't keep track. So, just know that you're super cute and what I remember in these letters is only a fraction of your awesomeness.

I've always been worried that I'm not teaching you enough or that you don't have as many words as other kids your age (or gulp, younger) but you are finding words in your own way everyday. You love to say:

Here you go!
No and Yeah
Light
Dora, Blue and Ernie (your favorite shows)
Ball
Hi, Bye-Bye
Please, More, Thank you
Grandpa
Oh no!
Whoa
No way!
Yum, Yum, Yum

I love listening to your talk. When we say "Wiggle, wiggle" you dance - we're not sure where this came from, but we love that you've picked it up. It is so cute to see your little hips shake and your arms move up and down in a rhythm all your own. You just love to dance, clap and sing a long, especially to Dora's theme song. When you get excited you scream and giggle, altogether.

If there is anything that best stresses the saying, "Like mother, like daughter" it would be your sleeping habits. Even with a 7:30 bedtime you can sleep in past 10! You still give me a break with a nap in the day and I couldn't be more grateful. You rock my world.

As you get closer and closer to age 2, you are definitely exercising your "independence". That's a nice way of saying you're dipping your feet into the terrible twos and liking it. You have to do everything by yourself, including feeding yourself. Whether you like the food or not, if I try to feed it to you or help you raise hell. That's right - hell. You get frustrated easily and squeal to release all that pent up toddler anguish.

You're still a lightweight, weighing in at just 22 pounds. I love my "skinny mini". Your hair is getting so long! It's thick, got the cutest curls in the back and getting more and more blond with every day we spend at the pool in the sun. You love the pool, the outdoors and unfortunately as a result are always covered in mosquito bites. They must just be attracted to your sweetness!

You're still doing your "Stevie Wonder Thing" where you scrunch up your face, close your eyes and wiggle your head back and forth. You do it when you're really happy and silly and it makes us laugh and aww over you in well, awe. =)

Although you're mischieveous, curious and gaining more likes and dislikes, I can't imagine spending my days with anyone but you. I love watching you follow the things I do and try to immitate them - from putting on my makeup (and sometimes doing mine for me), to helping load the dryer, dust the room, scrub the toilet, clean the mirrors to throwing away your own trash. I love every minute I get to spend with you and there isn't anyone else I'd rather hangout with. You're my best shopping buddy, the best kisser, and you have the most infectious laugh.

The high pitched screams I could do without.

Love,
Mom

Utah or BUST

2011-08-04T18:18:00.000-04:00

We are so excited to announce our triumphant return to Utah in a few weeks! Adam grew up in Michigan but after retiring from Ford his Dad found work in Utah. They've had land there for many years and now have a gorgeous house in Alpine, Utah. They'll finally be making the move in a few weeks and they invited us out to visit at the end of September. Adam's little brother Tyler will be serving a 2 year LDS mission in Mexico in October, so the trip is a chance for Adam to spend some time with him and for us to get back west and see family and friends.

The plane tickets have been booked and already I am panicing. I haven't flown since a few weeks before we moved back East 2.5 years ago. Since 9/11 I'd always been paranoid to fly (especially when flying in and out of Washington, D.C.) but now it's even worse and all the news reports of planes breaking, failing, running into each other, snapping in half on the runway... all things that don't help. Add in my anxiety over my stomach condition and you have a recipe for a disaster. A refill on my prescription of Xanax is definitely in my future.

The list of things I am excited to see and do when we are in Utah is ever-growing! We loved our lives our in Utah and all the friends we made, so we are excited to go back and visit it that, even if just for a week! Here is my growing list:

Too see our best friends! Adam and I both left our best friends in Utah. We had a great group of friends we could call late at night and go out with. I've always gotten along better with guys and I grew to love all our Warcraft friends. Many late nights at Chili's, IHOP and Tucanos! I miss them - Brandt, Brian, Regan, Larry, Aaron, Mike, Ben, you name it.
Ah, Tucanos. My favorite resturatunt of all time. I can't wait to devour those garlic, cheesy mashed potatoes. Garlic sirloin, you have left such a void in my life.
BETOS! There have been so many nights when I have been craving my rolled tacos with cheese and guacamole. VA is filled with chain resturaunts, while Utah had hundreds of independently own dives and drive thrus. Betos will always have a special place in my heart. Good mexican food without the sit down price and fuss.
Los Hermanos... My favorite mexican of all time. I doubt it's authentic, but man is it good (and isn't that what counts?)! Ever since we returned home I have sought out a mexican resturaunt that does that roasted, chewey, tender beef - none of that ground up crap. I still have yet to find someone to match the meat used in their taquitos and their amazing Chili con Queso dip.
The Italian Place. Cheesesteaks with lots of pepper, lots of mayo = lots of love.
Burgers Supreme! This place saw my face so many times and knew when I came in I was ordering for me and my best bud Kae. Chicken fingers with ranch!!
How embarressing, I've gotten off on a tangent of all the food I miss... I better start stretching my stomach now.
My best buddy Kae! How I miss this woman. I never had great girl friends growing up and Kae was the first girl I called my best friend who called me one back. We finished each others sentences but more importantly - we finished each other's FRIENDS quotes. She is my soul mate. I miss her and our dates to pieces.
Campus! I can't wait to go back to UVU. I have such fond memories of school and I LOVED being a student. Sure, I was dying and so glad to finish my degree *looks above her desk at it sitting so proudly in it's frame* but I loved every minute of it. I loved Utah Valley University and wouldn't have gone anywhere else. I loved my friends in my classes and loved my teachers. I am definitely going to have to stock up on t-shirts and Alumni memorabilia and take pictures outside my favorite buildings since I didn't walk when I graduated.
My best buddy Stacy! I have so much to thank Stacy for - because of her I probably wouldn't be where I am in my photography business. Because of her faith in me and asking me to do her wedding, I finally took the plunge. She also is comsetologist extraordinaire! She saved me from pink hair, orange hair, and you name it. She has taught me so much about doing hair and I can't wait to be pampered by her when I come to visit. She should prepare now for me to rack her brain while I'm out there about all things hair =)
Our favorite double daters - Jilleun and Kelvin. They're married now!
Down East Basics. I miss stopping at the mall and picking up new tees. I am in desperate need of new laying camis and tops! I hate paying their shipping so I am going to stock up!!
Stevenson's Genealogy Center. Is it weird that I want to go on vacation and go down and work at my old stomping grounds? It is weird I get both sad and excited when I see a copier? I loved my old job - it also didn't hurt some of my best friends were my co-workers! I loved that job and I loved the work and people. I hope when I am down there I can see some of my favorite customers!! Not to mention see my boss, his lovely daughter Amy and good 'ol Brother Stevenson himself.
Countless friends in Utah we want to make an effort to see. We just left behind so many wonderful friends. Life in VA just hasn't been the same since Autumn arrived and a social-life with a child is non-existent. We just simply can't replace perfection. We love you guys!

My list just keeps growing. I don't know how we'll possibly fit it all in but we certainly will try!

Autumn's Bathroom Upgrade

2011-07-24T20:59:00.000-04:00

I've had these photos ready to post for a few weeks now, but I've been backlogged on just about everything else. I'd considered holding off since I still consider this project "in progress", but it will be months before I finally get around to finishing the last bits on my list.

BEFORE & AFTER

I'd left it pretty much "as is" when we moved in. Since I had painted almost the entire house when I moved in I decided that since I didn't hate the color in this bathroom I'd leave it. One less room to paint! Well, that was fine for about 6 months. The more I sat on the floor in this bathroom while Autumn took her baths, the more I found I didn't like about the color and the paint job itself. If you remember WAY back I started adding beadboard wallpaper to one portion of the wall:

That was very embarrassingly from almost a year ago! It wasn't until just a few weeks ago I finally finished this part of the project - topping it off with an 8" tall piece of wood and adding a ledge with hooks. Then, I decided hey - let's paint the whole room! I mixed things up and went with a blue color instead of the pale green already in there. They didn't have the Ralph Loren color I'd hoped to use, so I settled on a Valspar shade I found in the store.

I chose Valspar because I am a firm believer that Lowes > Home Depot and I LOVE LOVE LOVE their Signature paint! It includes the primer so you only have to do ONE, 1, uno, coat of paint. Worth every cent in my opinion! I'd have preferred the color to be a little bit darker with more of a gray tint, but overall I am happy with it.

*Note: I used to be a big supporter of Wal-Mart paint for the cost. You couldn't be $11 a gallon. However, now having painted a large portion of my house in Wal-Mart paint and having to clean up after a 2 year old I no longer plug their paint. In my experience, it does NOT clean up good. If you try to clean a handprint off the wall, you can see every spot where your rag was or where you've tried to clean. Water, cleaner - you see it all.


Sign, found in the Outer Banks in NC / Frame from Ikea

Shower Curtain from Lowes / Shelves from Target

You'll notice the shelves are empty. I'm awaiting my next beach trip (the end of August) to find some "beachy" accessories.

Frames from Ikea / Hooks from Lowes / Towels from Kohls

One of my to-dos for this room is to frame in the mirror. I just haven't had the time or patience to measure and buy/cut the wood to do so. I'm lazy. Hence why it took me almost a year to buy the wood to finish the board and batten look.

Basket from Michaels

A small detail, but I was really excited about this bead board wall plate I found at Lowes.

Sign from Outer Banks, NC

This hamper from Wal-Mart is a lifesaver. There isn't much floor space in this bathroom but I knew I needed something. If I had a hamper in her bedroom, they'd never make it there because this is the only room we undress Autumn in. Again, I'm lazy...

So there you have it. I'd like to add crown molding to the ceiling as well but all in due time when I muster up the energy to A) buy the wood B) figure out how to do it C) stop distracting myself with easier home renovation projects.

The Best Seat in the House

2011-07-17T18:45:00.000-04:00

It's a good thing that whole "sitting too close to the TV will hurt your eyesight" thing is a myth because Autumn insists on sitting butt up against our entertainment center. Thanks to Nana, she has her very own "Autumn sized" Ikea Poang chair and she LOVES it. She drags it into this position each time I move it out of the way, despite having to crawl into it sideways as a result.

She's such a goober. We love her!

My Apple Success Story

2011-07-13T18:22:00.000-04:00

Less than a month ago I used some of my photography money to treat myself to an Apple iPad. I was instantly in love... then one morning I grabbed it off the nightstand to check my email and noticed what looked like a big scratch running from left to right across the screen. Unfortunately, that scratch was actually a big fat crack. It was hardly noticeable but for the life of me I could not figure out when it happened. I'd never dropped it and I would have thought I'd noticed the crack immediately. Our best guess is that perhaps Autumn had stepped on it when it was lying on the bed or the couch.

I forgot to take a picture of the crack, but this is a pretty good representation of what it looked like via Google images. Mine moved from left to right, plus my iPad is a beautiful shade of white =)

I was so bummed! I'd only had it like 2 weeks and it was already ruined - ruined! I immediately went into damage control mode and went to my trusty partner - Google. Through a bit of simple research I found out that Apple has somewhat of an unwritten "one replacement" type deal. An Apple store employee basically has the authority to give you a replacement based on whether or not they like you and the extent of the damage.

So, I planned my attack. I made an appointment at the nearest store (I read the key is to talk to them in person vs. calling Apple), put Autumn in irresistible and innocent pig tails and took her with me to provoke the "damsel in distress and I have a cute baby" look. I was nervous going in but I'd also read that honesty is the best policy. I pulled out my iPad and said it had a crack in it and I wasn't sure how it'd gotten there and that I was fairly certain she'd probably stepped on it. That's when I pointed to previously mentioned cute baby with the cute pig tails. Travis, my new best friend, started talking about my warranty and that physical damage isn't covered, especially a shattered screen, but somehow my hairline fracture screen was okay? Anyway, all I really heard was "Oh, that's no problem" and 5 minutes later "Here you go, you're all set" and I was walking out of the store with my brand spankin' new, AND FREE, replacement!

All is well again in the world. There is a reason people are so loyal to the Apple brand and why their customer service has such a great reputation! You can bet I will keep my new iPad as far away from Autumn as possible and will be investing in a better case and protective screen cover ASAP.

I just wanted to share my good fortune for anyone who may have the same bad luck that I had!

Dear Autumn

2011-07-11T20:38:00.000-04:00

Dear Autumn,

Today was one of "those days". It was the first time in the 20+ months you've been around that I missed my old life. The life without any real responsibilies. The life where I could come and go as I pleased, clean with music blaring and without someone following me around messing up what I had just cleaned... You'd wanted nothing more than my undivided attention today (I've made that sound much more appealing than it sounds - you literally would not leave my side all day) but by the time Daddy came home tonight I was wallowing in a pity party for myself.

I took you up to the bath to start our nightly routine and when I turned off the water in an attempt to move the process along to the diapering and pajama portion of the evening, you flipped out. I decided instead of arguing and wrestling with you I would let you "get it out" until you were ready to go to bed. I proceeded to space out on the floor next to the tub and wallow in self-pity about how horribly cluttered and messy my house was. Laundry that needed to be done. My skin that suddenly broke out like a pre-pubescent girl this week. That I didn't have a million dollars to buy cuter clothes to impress other girls with (let's be honest, no girl dresses for other guys). You were jumping up and down in a fit, and I knew what was going to happen. However, I was too wrapped up in my pity-party that I let it happen, and happen it did. You scraped the side of your chest along the underside of the faucet on your way "up". I knew it was painful. I knew I should have grabbed you out of the tub when you started to melt down.

Immediately your tears changed from tears of frustration to tears of pain. I wrapped you in a towel and held you while I began to cry. I was being so selfish and "woe is me" that I let this happen. You wrestled free and stood up and assessed yourself - but then you looked at me. You could see me crying, wiping away my tears. Yep, one of "those" days. You stood perfectly still and perfectly quiet when you noticed I was sad. You knew. You're so little and small but you knew that crying meant Mommy was sad. It seemed like minutes went by where I cried and you didn't move or say a word.

As I wiped my face and looked up at you, with full force and without any prompting you ran into me and threw your arms around my neck and squeezed so tight. You held me while I began sobbing into your sweet little head and let me hold you for as long as I needed.

I can't remember now why I would have ever missed or wished for my "old life" - because I wouldn't give you up for anything in the world. You mean everything to me. You are me. I love you so much and I am so thankful everyday - even the rough days - that you are all mine.

Love,
Mom

Autumn's Library

2011-07-06T21:56:00.000-04:00

I have been working on Autumn's room for the past few months. Keeping my eyes out for good deals, accessories and other pieces I want to add to her room. It's been months, but it is slowly coming together.

A few months ago I inherited a whole library full of children's books from my nieces and nephews. I toyed with quite a few different ideas for shelves. Everything from rain gutters (too much work, labor, cost) to spice racks from Ikea (too small, would have to be painted). I decided on the same picture ledges that I have in my kitchen for my gallery wall. At only $15 a piece I knew they were the only way to go.

BEFORE vs. AFTER!

I LOVE them. I much prefer a ledge to a book case so that the books face forward. It fills such a big empty space on her huge walls and I love the bright colors that pop against the pastel pink.

Two of my favorite books as a kid - The Magic Grinder and Button Soup!

Like I said, I've been getting things here and there to add to her room. Months ago I was at Michael's with my mom while she was picking up who knows what and I found initial hooks in the dollar bins. A dollar! 100 cents! Unfortunately "U"s were hard to come by, so instead of spelling out Autumn's entire name I bought her initials. Another pass of the pink spray paint and voila! Fun wall decor!

While I am so excited about the changes I've made in her room - it's quickly becoming my favorite - I am totally lost as to what to do with the biggest wall in her space. Our ceilings are so massive that I can't just throw anything up on the wall. It will get swallowed by all the space. I've toyed with the ideal of vinyl but I haven't found anything that really grabs me. Any ideas???

A Jucy Lucy 4th

2011-07-06T21:30:00.001-04:00

We had a great 4th. Adam and I were both on the "committees" in charge of a church activity that morning (at 8AM, blasphemy) but it went really well! It was short and sweet, just the way I like it. We headed over to my parents for a family dinner and fireworks. On the menu? BBQ staples of course. First, potato salad.

As a disclaimer, I know a lot of people don't like potato salad. I don't eat potato salad except my own/my moms recipe... which are the same thing. It is incredibly yummy and I could make a meal out of this side dish alone!

Chopped Monterrey jack cheese, hamburger pickles, and onion.

Chopped hard boiled eggs.

Chopped, boiled potatoes.

Salt, pepper, and wait for it - dill weed.

Mix with mayo (YUM) and EPIC POTATO SALAD.

What do you pair this yummy dish with? A Jucy Lucy, that's what! My family are avid watchers of Man vs. Food on the travel channel. When we saw the episode where a restaurant shoved cheese between two hamburger patties to make one delicious, juicy, melty patty. My brother made them for his night at the beach to cook, but Adam and I missed out because we had to leave early for a wedding I had to shoot. It was all I heard about so I decided to give them a shot on July 4.

Seasoned the patties with Lipton Onion Soup mix, salt, pepper, the usual. Added the cheese (I think I should have done more - they went all out on Man vs. Food).

Topped with a 2nd patty and sealed the edges.

Grilled to perfection.

Big, fat burgers.

I had the pepper jack, but I think cheddar is the way to go. It was a bit spicy, plus it didn't melt as well as cheddar.

My sister's cheddar. YUM.

After dinner we waited a few hours for it to get dark. This proved to be a challenge with Autumn's bedtime at 7:30 and it barely getting dark before 9. I'd bought a multi-pack of fireworks to do at home which at this point in our lives (that sounds corny) was a perfect fit for us. Plus, we had no idea how Autumn would react to the fireworks. For the most part, she was a big fan!

I ALMOST DIED

2011-07-04T19:42:00.000-04:00

I ALMOST DIED! Ok, not really. Dial back the drama and I guess you could say I ALMOST DIED MAYBE IF OTHER EVENTS HAD OCCURRED BUT THEY DIDN'T. There is a tree down in my parents backyard but not by choice.

Last night I was over at my parents dropping Autumn off for bed because Adam and I both had an early morning obligation. I knew a severe thunderstorm was in the forecast and shortly after I got to my parents house the rain started and with that came the big bouts of thunder and lightning. With my Dad out at a church meeting, it was just Autumn, my mom and myself.

When I was changing Autumn I could hear a distinct cracking noise. I asked my mom "What is that noise? Is that a tree?" We looked out the window and YEP! A huge tree down in the backyard!

The strange thing is that the tree should have hit the house. It should have done more damage. However, we feel that Heavenly Father was definitely looking out for us. The way that it broke and fell is very awkward, but it managed to miss the house, the deck and anything of value.

The next morning we looked to see that not only had the tree broken - it was stuck by lightning! The inside of the tree was jet black, and reaked of "smoke".

This particular tree had been a cause for worry for some time and had been recommended by our "tree guys" to be removed, as if the tree ever fell it would fall into the house - my parents bedroom and the kitchen to be exact. Instead, it fell to the side completely in the opposite direction it hung, managing to avoid everything. We definitely feel blessed that nothing more serious happened and that a tree was the only casualty last night. A 7 Eleven and tons of other trees in the area didn't fare so well!

It runs in the family...

2011-07-03T18:41:00.000-04:00

I was upstairs on Saturday working on something in the bedroom while Adam and Autumn were entertaining themselves down stairs. All of the sudden I hear, "Oh no. No, no, no, no," from Adam. I was still working on Autumn's dresser, so I was assuming the worst in the form of paint. I passed Adam on the stairs and asked him what was wrong and he said, "Don't go over there."

I surveyed the dresser, the paint can, the brush - all intact and as I'd left them. That's when I saw this:

All I could do was laugh. I thought it was hilarious. I was also grateful she found the travel size baby powder instead of a full-size bottle. That could have been disastrous. With the help of the vacuum and a feather duster, we got it all cleaned up. I immediately thought of my sister, who has had this problem numerous times before.

This is my nephew Anthony. I guess mischievous tendencies run in the family. Hey - at least our family room smells baby fresh!

Dresser Before & After

2011-07-03T16:31:00.000-04:00

Before Autumn was born my sister in law Karen passed down to me her changing table. I painted it white to give it a little facelift and it has been a staple in Autumn's room ever since. I never used it as a changing table - the floor, bed, or crib always worked fine - but it has always been a great place for storage. Until now.

Now that Autumn is growing out of her baby stage and into a real, little person, her clothes are bigger and she just keeps accumulating more and more stuff! I'd been hunting and hoping for a Craigslist find for months because I am both poor and too cheap to shell out the money for the Ikea dresser that I'd always loved. If you remember, a few weeks ago the dresser below fell into my lap for a mere $20, or $40 with a matching nightstand.

It was heavy wood, really durable - but it REAKED of cigarettes. I put baking soda in the drawers and all of it to try and suck up some of the smell but I think the paint is what really cured it of the stink. I very lightly sanded the dresser and then primed it with a sponge roller.

I used Benjamin Moore Low Lustre Latex Paint because I'd seen it used on another blog site and the girls paint job was flawless. I'm not so sure it was worth the extra cost to be honest. That or she is just a far better painter than I am. This is also my first venture into painting furniture, so I have nothing to compare it to.

After I painted the entire dresser white, I taped off the drawers to add a pink racing stripe. My friend and college roommate Laura runs a blog called Corner House and one day she linked a picture of a dresser re-do with stripes painted on the drawers. I immediately fell in love with the idea and I love the pop it gives to the drawers.

The biggest expense were the new knobs for the drawers. I had my heart set on very girly, crystal knobs and they do not come cheap. I bought a 4pk at Target for $14.99. Because I have six knobs I ended up buying 2 packs, one in clear and the other in pink.

Ta-da! The finished product! I love it!

The dresser mainly holds all of her sleeping gear, undershirts, etc. We hide her diapers and wipes in the top drawer which has enabled us to eliminate the diaper organizer that was on the top of the changing table. It is amazing how much more grown up Autumn's room feels now! Notice the blanket sleepers? My sister in law found those dirt cheap on clearance at Walmart for Autumn. She always finds the best deals.

That same sister in law, Karen, also found this super cute metal sign! It doesn't hurt to have the same name as a popular season that often has lots of decorations each year. Karen found this sign on clearance at the spectacular Hobby Lobby. It was a rust, autumn-y color, but a quick fix with some pink spray paint and it was a personalized bit of decor for Autumn's room!

Lastly, my favorite touch to the dresser is my sweet little girls handprint down in the corner. I just thought it would be really neat and fun to capture her tiny mark and really give her dresser a personal touch. Of course, after we did this hand print she kept coming back to me with her hand out, just waiting for me to apply more paint to "personalize" other things around the house...

So there you have it! I am so in love with how it came out. Sure, it's way more work than hoping over to Ikea and picking out something cute and functional, but now it's a one of a kind piece and my satisfaction with my handy work is PRICELESS. =)

The Beach - Jockey Ridge

2011-06-29T13:44:00.000-04:00

A first this year at the beach - we took a family trip to Jockey Ridge which is a National Park of sprawling sand dunes between the ocean and the sound. The dunes get rather tall in some areas and are prefect for sliding and running down. It is free to get in and about 30 minutes from the house, so we figured we would make the trip.

It was a bit of a hike to get over the many hills to the greatest hill for running, but it was worth it. The kids had a blast! Autumn initially would have been happy just to sit and play in the sand but she joined in with the rest of 'em!

Autumn LOVED the dunes and running with the big kids. We'd take her up 1/4 - 1/2 way up the hill and run down with her. Without fail she'd start heading right back up the hill by herself for another run. I wish her energy was infectious - instead, she just wore me out!

Hm. Whatcha doin?

I better check this out.

I took just a couple turns going down the hill. You'll also notice I took my time and ultimately lost all the "races". The first attempt killed my ankles, plus I did NOT want to be one of the people people were "OH!" and "OUCH"ing at. Maybe next year I can perfect my sand running skills.

A family that runs together, stays together...

The Beach - ... at the Beach!

2011-06-27T22:37:00.000-04:00

Autumn was initially a little apprehensive at the beach. The first day the water was a bit chilly and the kids screaming (with delight) confused her. Eventually I took her into the water with me and she really started to enjoy it. She spent most of her time at the beach digging in the sand and loading up her dump truck. I am hoping that in August she will be much more used to the ocean and more willing to run in and out of the on coming water.

Filming your daughter and not being able to see an oncoming wave that takes you down was an ugly combination... that was all caught on tape! Check it out:

The Beach - Poolside

2011-06-27T21:29:00.001-04:00

Autumn loved the water! As the week progressed, she got more comfortable floating on her own and running around the pool and playing. The floaties we brought for her were way too big for her skinny little arms but her cousins were happy to let us borrow theirs when they weren't in use. She seemed to prefer the pool over the beach, so there were a few times we headed back a little early and had the pool to ourselves. You'll notice even Adam is in quite a few of the pictures - having a little girl has brought out the best in him. He spent more time in the water this year than all other years combined!

I'm back!

2011-06-27T00:48:00.000-04:00

We have returned from the Outer Banks! The first night down we decided we needed to get a new family picture out of the way. It's been 4 years since our last family picture and we've added quite a few new grandkids to the bunch.

I think there were more than a few heads looking our way as we shot our family picture. I wonder if anyone was able to count us all - 27 in case you're wondering. With a tripod and a trust remote, we got 'er done.

This is what I like to call the original Fabulous Five...

It was another great week. I took WAY too many pictures (literally, I had to do a double take when I saw how many pictures I unloaded off my camera) so you can expect many Beach picture posts to be showing up on the blog soon!