Grizzly Bear

Memorial Day 2010

Gasp

So for the past week or so Mae has been making gasping sounds. Usually this happens when she is playing or laughing, and it sounds awful. I wondered if she was just making a new noise, experimenting with her vocal cords, cause she appeared totally fine. There was no indication that she was struggling for air, (Which is what she sounded like.) Well I had had enough of being freaked out and took her to the doctor. After hearing the symptoms, (of course she wouldn't do it at the doctor's office.) The doctor knew what it was, Tracheomalicia. For those of you who like me had no idea what that was here is the definition: floppiness involving the trachea. So the cartilage hasn't firmed up enough yet and is causing the trachea to partially flatten when she goes for deep breaths. Sounds bad, but is fine and should resolve itself in a year to so. Just to make sure there isn't a defect we do have to take her in for a chest x-ray soon. But I feel much better knowing that she will be okay.

Mae in May

Eight months old and Mae is sitting up. She still falls over occasionally. She loves toys as you can see here. She adores Max and Jeff. She says mamma and waved at me yesterday morning. No actual teeth yet, but soon I am sure. I wish she would take a bottle but no way. Her cup skills need some work. She is easily distracted when breastfeeding and this is very irritating to me. She is also a sloppy nurser, I usually end up fairly wet after a feeding. It is a good thing that we moved because she hates out old house. Whenever we have gone over there she cries. She loves loves loves adult food. She will glare at you or your food and will go for it. This led to an altercation with Max over his pizza slice. We love this baby girl.

Staged to Sell

oof so tired!

5 rooms painted.

Two halls painted.

Floors shampooed.

Cleaned, cleaned, cleaned.

Landscaping.
1 Moving truck of furniture.

Lots of money, Lots of time, Lots of help from friends.

Week o' Emily

Good week to be me. Turned 28 on Thursday. I actually like growing older. Being the youngest of three girls, I have always felt inadequate. If somehow I can get older, people will respect me more. Probably not. Anyhoo, it all started on Wednesday, Jeff got off work early, (I took off the rest of the week from watching B and D,) and I went shopping by myself. Of course I couldn't find anything for myself but bought some Star Wars Pancake Molds from William Sonoma for Max. Yeah, his head exploded eating a Yoda Pancake. Jeff and I took a moment to absorb Max eating Star Wars, watching Star Wars while wearing Star Wars. Are we wrong to support his obsessions? Its just so darn cute. Thursday we went to Silver Dollar City. Its like Lagoon but more theme less extreme. The weather was excellent and the park was pretty empty. Often we just stayed on the rides and went again cause no one else was in line. Max had a ball. Jeff was a trooper and stayed with Mae most of the time so I could ride with Max. We went on a water ride and were wet for the rest of the day, but Max had such a good time it didn't matter. He is now big enough to ride the baby rides by himself which was nice cause it is difficult to squeeze into those small seats with him. It took me a few rides to convince him that screaming on roller coaster was not only acceptable but encouraged. (I am such a good mom to post these awful pictures of myself so you can all see how cute Max is.)

After the fun day at the park we quickly went to the outlet malls and I am proud to say I did not spend a dime at the Gymboree Outlet, but was not so good at the Banana Republic Outlet. I got the best presents this year. My mother made me two beautiful aprons with matching bibs for Mae. I got two cute bookends and a pie crust decorator.

From my sister Krista gave me my childhood, Peaches and Cream Barbie!

Matel has been re releasing barbies and last year we bought my mom her first barbie for mothers day and she adored it. She wouldn't take it out of the box. Much to the chagrin of my niece Liesl. She kept suggesting that Barbie, (in a bathing suit) had cold legs and wanted to wear her pretty dress, (probably true.) At the time I agreed with her and felt it sad the doll never got out of the box. This was until I got my doll. She is so pretty in her collectible box. The poor girl ain't going nowhere, but at least she isn't cold, she has a peach cover up. I love this doll. Jeff got me a lovely cream and sugar set from William Sonoma and a few books.

I so scored. Best birthday in years.

Mother Dear I Love You So!

Your Happy Smiling Face,

A few shout outs to mom's I know.

Best Mom Award: Well of course my mom. She also gets the award for prettiest. It sounds awful but as a kid I always felt bad for kids with less pretty mom's and was glad mine was so beautiful and glamorous. (Still is) Thank you so much for all the time you spent taking me to roller rinks when I was a kid. Those places STINK!

Best New Mom: This goes to Sarah the trooper! Ooof, I am glad you are getting more sleep now. It does get better, but seriously I know it doesn't seem like it will.

Best On The Ball Mom: Carol, the cards come just in time every holiday, every year!

Best Teacher Mom: I don't know any mom who goes out of her way to give her kids more hands on science and learning activities then my friend Lara. Her kids are going to cure cancer!

Best Costumer Mom: My cousin Liz always makes the most fun and girly dresses for her girls.

Best Firm Grip Mom: Rochelle my visiting teacher has the strongest arms I have ever seen. No one can hold a bucking kid down like her.

Best Working Mom: Some people thrive on busy and my friend Samantha started her own law firm this year and still has time to take her son to soccer.

Most Fun Mom: No kids have more fun then Jill's kids. I want to be Jill's kid. Between the family campouts, trips and toys, life is good for these kids.

Healthiest Mom: This is a big one to me cause there are days when all Max eats are hot dogs. My sister Krista always makes yummy nutritious meals for her kids.

Reading Mother: My sister in law Michele works so hard in those early years to help her kids love reading and it has paid off! My niece Liz is a genius.

Spiritual Mom: This one goes to my grandma, Sister Tobler! What an awesome example you set and have always set for your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Best Pregnant Mom: Erin you looked radiant today at church!

Best Utah Mom: Jenn you raised a kid in Wymount! Nuff said really.

Best Cenerton Ward Mom: Cassandra, kinda the same sentiment as above.

Best Arkansas Mom: My Aunt Mardie. It is always nice to have a mom in state.

Mother with the Best Hair: (Very important to me now that I look so awful.) No matter how many kids or how busy she gets Jeanette's hair is always perfect.

Best Ward Mom: This goes to my best friend Maryann who we always joked was the ward mom! Everyone needs a mom even at college.

Most Classy Mom: Michelle Z. Always a class act, guess that is why they made her Relief Society President.

Wisest Mom: My second Cousin Pam. She has more wisdom then any person I have ever known, and of course is the humblest person to boot. No wonder her kids are all world class scholars. Just another reason why I should have stayed in Hawaii.

Best Nursing Mom: Jeff's Aunt Sharon. This women is the end all authority on breast feeding. Thanks for all the support and advise.

Best Girl Mom: Kendra, no one could deal with all that drama like you.

Best Boy Mom: Jane, only a women with no girls could do the job of camp director so well.

Best Dressed Mom: In all times and In all places, Darcie is always stylish and well accessorized.

Best at Names: Tanya I adore all your kids names. I want you to have more kids just to hear what you are going to name them. (Kids: Charlie, Gus, Ila, and Hank! How can you not adore the name Hank!)

Cleverest Mom: Katie G. When you cant keep all your kids in sacrament meeting with hubby on the stand, just go to the relief society room and turn up the sound. Brilliant! I love your take charge attitude.

Best Birth Story: Krista E. Ummm wow! You don't really think of labor being dangerous still. You are so amazingly strong.

Handy Manny Mom: "Mommy build me a playhouse." "Well I basically rebuild our house so sure kid that will be easy." Meg

Best California Mom: Joni, your kids are pretty darn cute so between you and the warm weather something is going right.

Best Mother of a Teenager: Carrie, you give us all hope.

Best Scoutmaster Mom: Missie, my admiration to anyone who can part with thin mints.

Mother of Cutest Kids: Umm yeah that is obviously me.

Best Real Mom: Sometimes it is really Jeff who does all my work and so thanks to him for picking up my slack.

Oh I could go on and on: Katie Jo, Barb, Jo, Verda, Maria Mae, Tierney, Claudia, Nicole, Amanda, Maryanne, Shelley, Hillary so many talented moms who inspire me and set the bar so high. Thanks!

(Yes people, that is what Eighty Acres looks like.)