The Secret Life of Bees

So if you haven't read this book, you need to. It's so good! I read it a while ago and realized what a nerd I was as I'm sitting with my girlfriend's on girls' night out at The Women (which I thought was hilarious, but apparently my parents don't share in my sentiments) and a preview came out for this movie, and I was the only one who had even heard of it:












Boo - go read it. I am ecstatic! Lisa's the one who recommended Sue Monk Kidd to me. I can't wait! It has Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, and the kid from the new 90210 - ok maybe I'm the only one excited about that last one. How great! I have also just finished reading Pride & Prejudice again so I can watch the movie and know what details they are missing. And so I could read the spin off by one of my fave authors and Stephenie Meyers's friend Shannon Hale called Austenland - it's funny so far and it's a short read. I can't wait for this movie woohoo!

The Zoo & Weston: the Olympic hopeful

We had so much fun at the zoo a few weeks ago. Weston's favorite are the monkeys! go figure :)









Here is what we saw at Hogle Zoo:
A kangaroo & her joey:









A swan & her cygnet:










A mama & her Weston:




It's amazing how much you can learn from your children's books. Weston loves to read and Doug said, "Look, Weston! A kangaroo & his joey!" (there were two kangaroos - one just hopped away before I could get the picture) & I said, "Look, Weston! A swan and her cygnet!" (that's what a baby swan is called) We thought it was hilarious because one of Weston's books has all the animals and their baby names. We're so smart.

We've gone to the park a lot this summer. Here a couple of Weston on the swings. That little girl would not leave us alone so we finally left. I'm in charge of a play group in my ward now so if any of you have ideas for cold Utah this winter, let me know!














And here we have Weston practicing for his future gymnastic career on the still rings. Just kidding, however, we have discovered that Weston is the next Michael Phelps as long as he can become 6 ft 4 at least. It's a long shot you may think. But not as long as it appears. Weston was not blessed with his dad's long legs, but with his mother's long torso and short legs. Since the Olympics, we have found out that swimming is the sport this body type comes in handy. I would have never guessed seeing as how I've always been a poor swimmer. That's not all folks! Also, like Michael Phelps, Weston is double jointed in his knees! We have high hopes for Weston to make us our millions.

Weston y su amigo Jaxon

We had the fun opportunity to see plenty of Weston's friend Jaxon and my friend Amber this past week. Amber came and visited and then one day while Doug was gone in Chicago, we trucked out to Tooele to spend the day with them. It was so much fun and we wish they lived closer. Weston really enjoyed sharing his toys with Jaxon. In fact, he kept giving him new toys to play with. It was quite amusing. Here, he is showing him how to play with his Tigger and Pooh train.










Jaxon was born about a month and a half before Weston, but is two pounds lighter than Weston. It took Weston a while to catch up, but he surpassed him. However, Jaxon wasn't used to having someone so similar to his size so he took advantage of the opportunity and tried to tackle Weston. When Amber tried to get him to stop, he acted like, "No, I'm giving Weston loves." And turned it into hugs. It was so funny.


















But Weston got him back. The Adams have a dog that I knew Weston would love, so I asked Amber if she would let him in. The first picture is of Weston trying to see Duke. The second is Weston shoving Jaxon out of the way so he can get a better view. Don't worry, Jaxon is just upset because he couldn't get over the table, not because Weston made him cry.


















We have had a fun couple weekends minus Doug's absence during the week to Chi-town. Last weekend, I got to go to Hobby Lobby yay! And we went to Cabella's for the boys. Well, here are some pics of how excited Weston got with the aquarium and with the stuffed animals. We figured if he got this excited over dead animals, what would he do with live animals? So we went to the zoo today - post pending :)









BTW- you may have noticed my new link section on the side - I LOVE IT - now I don't waste nearly as much time checking blogs as I used to! I have enjoyed all your blogs and I try to frequently comment so hopefully you have enjoyed my visits as well haha!

Lately

A Bad Purchase

So one day, I was bored and had heard good things about this Steve & Barry's place, so I decided to go see if they had anything cheap for Doug, because he never lets me buy clothes for him. So they had nothing...but they did have baby clothes and we've been trying to find lightweight sleepers for Weston and I found one. It looked really long and skinny, but then so is Weston. It was only ten bucks anyway. He is probably the skinniest baby I've ever seen and it did not fit him. Fortunately, I did not wash it before trying it on, which is what I usually do. We were laughing so hard and I just had to take a picture. Needless to say, I returned it the next day. (Don't mind our makeshift changing pad underneath)

Handle Bars...

This is my handsome hubby trying to hide from the camera and this is him with a sexy handle bar mustache. Don't worry, he only had it for about 5 minutes. When we were first married, he used to go in the bathroom for like 10 minutes and I wouldn't know what he was doing. Then he would come out "trying" to act normal and he had his hair slicked back like a vampire or he parted it on the side really dorky-like. Then at a recent family barbecue, my Uncle Craig told a story about Grandpa Briggs coming out when he had to shave his mustache off for temple work and he only shaved half of it off to see if Grandma noticed. They sat down to breakfast and she didn't even notice! We thought it was so funny and then when Doug was shaving off his two day beard, he came out trying to act normal, but we couldn't even stop laughing long enough to take the picture.

Wait a minute...

I think it's 10:00 PM and I think YOU, Mister, are supposed to be asleep! The flash doesn't show that it was dark so it was way funnier to us than to you. I walked in and said, "What is going on in here?!"I was really mad, but not really, because I was laughing. One thing about Weston is he is SO loud everywhere we go and he gets sooo excited about EVERYTHING! And I try to whisper and teach him to use our "inside voice", but I don't want to inhibit his personality, because I have a feeling it is going to be huge. I love this kid, he's crazy.

A close up:

Happy Bday mr. luva luva!

Happy Birthday yesterday to my man Dug E. Fresh, the Freshness! He is such a good husband and father that he is "celebrating" his birthday week by working at the outdoor retailer's show which is not fun at all. He got to see Weston for about 5 minutes this morning and that's the most all week.

I just wanted to give a shout out to Doug and why I love him so much. The fact that he will work probably at least 45 hours in three days not to mention 2 days at his normal job, just so we can get ahead a little in the finances :) & again next week, yucky.

He is such a good dad! I love that he called me the other day and said, "Oh, I can't wait to come home and put Weston on my shoulders." To which I replied, "What? Where did that come from?" He said, "I was just looking at his picture and can't wait to hear him laugh when I get home." Now if that isn't the cutest!

Someone told me a few years ago, "My son needs to find a girl like you to marry. Someone who enjoys sports as much as you do." I went on to explain that her son just needed to be more like Doug. He explains sports so well and tells me about all the players and their lives to make it so interesting.

He has put off school so much just to support our family. And, fingers crossed, he'll finish this year!

He is so strong in the Church and helps me whenever I'm feeling down.

When I was pregnant, stupid Mooja ate my shuffle and I bawled! Doug gave me his shuffle, which we have yet to replace.

He gets along with everyone in my family! & they adore him! In fact, I think Doug's best quality is that he is such a people person, everyone he meets thinks he is just about the coolest, which is probably true!

The only thing I don't like is that he no longer laughs at my jokes. I think he just pretended he thought I was funny so I would marry him. Oh well, Weston thinks I'm funnier than him hehe. I love you Doug Happy Birthday!

Happy Babies!

Lisa blessed us with a visit to SLC for her friend's wedding and Mickell and I took advantage and through her a shower. We had quite a turnout, Lisa and her twinners are popular! Here are some pics...
This is a framed pic of the twins' ultrasound pictures and a letter from Adam that was REALLY cute and almost made ME cry :)
Also, I had 2 pictures of cute lil' lisa that said, "What's better than one Lisa? TWO!" with some green and pink jelly bellies that we were eating for days after.

Lisa's friends Caisa and Mickell got her matching pea coats and pink beanies. They were too cute. This is just one or should I say "two" of the cute matching outfits that she received.










Cute clothesline from all the siblings.






Party favors with Lisa's due date: strawberry mentos and, of course, double mint gum ;)



And last, but definitely not least THE FOOD with my mom's FINE recipes of mini dulce de leche cheesecakes and spinach artichoke dip, my fave, yum! I have yet to email my cousins who requested the recipes. I will, I promise.


And here is Lisa's big belly and here is Lisa with Weston. Thank you to everyone who came, we had a blast with the games and food and seeing old friends! & Thanks to Jamie for all the fab ideas. The memory game was a blast (see Lisa's blog).

Everybody's doing it...

This is the latest fun post idea going around and I've had a blast doing it on other people's blogs so we'll give it a try...
1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you have of me. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! It can be the first memory or just the first thing that comes to mind. If you haven't met me, then leave a memory you have of Doug.
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

July

Before July ends, I thought it might be a good idea to post what we did in July. My dad came in town and brought with him Weston's new friend the pig who snores and wiggles his ear. Weston loves it.

















We also went down to Albuquerque for the 4th and spent some time out at my parent's pool. I really didn't know how West would react to the water, but he loves it! We've gone to our own pool here a few times also, where some of these were taken. Hopefully, I don't get in trouble for posting my shirtless hubby without permission. White & freckly is the new tan, I keep telling him. My mom lovingly coined the nickname "Whitey". Thanks, mom. He'll never live it down.












But the trip did tucker him out. He had a hard time not sleeping in his own crib and believe me when I say for the second time, I will not be taking that drive ever again. Here he is with uncle Aaron and Aunt Kristen. And here he is on the table at the bowling ally.












We received some free tickets to the Real Soccer Game the day before Pioneer Day. I was worried how West would behave. Let's just say, the guy sitting next to me said, " You have such a good baby. I don't think I've ever seen a baby sit all the way through a game." My response, "I don't think anyone has ever said that to me." Haha. We laugh because Weston is so active and social and has been so sick, that he requires a LOT. But it was so nice to be able to go out . On the way back to the car we laid on the grass and watched the fireworks, I think we had way better seats than anyone in the stadium. My two studs:












Happy 4th and 24th to everyone! The next celebration....somebody turns 30 next week! And it ain't me folks :)

Pregnancy Nostalgia

Not likely...but I'm verrrrry excited, Lisa's friend Mikell and I are planning Lisa's shower for this Friday and I can't wait! I am stealing all of Jamie's fab ideas and things are kickin into high gear! I was at a party supply store today and there was this cute 9-10 year old little girl there getting candy like me. Her mom was probably at least 6-7 months pregnant and completely cute. Whenever I see pregnant women, I no longer think they are cute, I think they look miserable because my pregnancy was so hard. I wish I had taken belly snapshots like Lisa, I never did because I was so embarrassed! Anyways, the point of this story is this mom and daughter were talking about how cute and active Weston was. The little girl said, "Mom can we go to 'some store'?" I don't know what store.
The mom said, "No, honey, my back is killing me and my feet are really getting sore. I just want to go lay down for a little bit and then maybe we can come back out."
Little girl, "Please, mom, I'll carry you!"
Mom, "Yeah, you're gonna carry all 150 pounds of me, I don't think so."
I laughed so hard out loud at her and said, "Oh, yes, I feel your pain." The girl then proceeded to offer to get a shopping cart to tote her preggers mom around. So funny, just thought I'd share!

Just that time again

It's just about that time again for a new post. Since, I don't have the patience to download our pics from the 4th of July yet, I will save those fun and, at the same time, nightmarish stories for later.

But Weston has been SO FUN this last week. He got a blood transfusion on Thursday. His second in two weeks. He goes in for an MRA, which is similar to an MRI for his veins. They will basically sedate him, light him up and send him through the machine to take a look at the blood flow. They did discover that Weston came down with an infection that affected his spleen and increase in platelets and such. I'm not sure if that was related to the decrease in his blood count or not. They haven't answered that question for me. So there is that update.









This is just a really cute picture I like. Weston has started to crawl and we love it! He wears himself out appropriately now, he is not teething at the moment & is sleeping 12 hour nights. I walked through the PICU waiting room last week and horrifying memories came back to me of getting 20 minute naps at 7 am on the waiting room couch which is by no means an actual couch. And now I am so grateful for my life until I have to starve my baby on Weds all day for this MRA :) fun fun. They usually schedule these things in the morning so I just wake up and take West in, but he is scheduled at 3 PM and can't eat for 6 hours prior.

We also made it through 2 1/2 hours of church without having to take Weston out! And we have church right at his nap time 11-2. So we are on a roll. I'm preparing for the worst.

I found this sequence of pictures particularly hilarious. Weston loves to go out to eat. He is so fun at restaurants (that word sounds and looks really weird right now).




















Sharing is good. Only, he is much like his dad in that, he is a tease. He pretends that he wants to share with you and then takes it back.


Every time he is smiling, he has noticed the camera.








And he starts to get full and sleepy. :) The end.