That is one tall dwarf ... err ... midget!?

*FYI: Melody (at 2 months) was in the 95% for height and 25% for weight = tall and slender*

So, a couple of weeks we "crashed" my dad's work party at Surf-N-Swim. They had super food (STEAK even!) and then free swimming w/ the tubes. It was raining pretty bad - but per Surf-N-Swim's rules, 30 minutes after the last lightening strike, we could swim! Yeah (sounds officially safe, right??)! And a whole ton of people had gone home due to the rain, so the pool was pretty open (there were about 500 at the barbeque and 100 or less swimming or watching kids). ...I.E. my estimates may be way off... I'm not a great guesser - so if my family would clarify, feel free. lol!

Anyway, I'm getting side-tracked. I do that. Often.

So, wherever I walk, I get complements on Melody's beauty. Yes, it is more fun to brag on the last baby - these are the last "baby complements" I'm going to get for heaven's sake! LOL! I was sitting in my swim suit on a bench holding Melody facing out. For reference, she was wearing pink pjs and no bow.

This lady comes up to me, and says, "Wow, what a beautiful little girl! Look at that face, just so pretty." Then, a very slight pause, "So, is she, what do you call it, a dwarf ... err ... midget?"

Ok. So my mind is thinking... "WHAT THE HECK? This lady is a hoot! Is she serious?" But, I keep my composure, and politely state: "Well, she is almost 3 months old." I'm hoping this clarifies that she is a baby -and supposed to be small.

Still convinced (I think), that I have a midget child says, "Well, she is just so small! Just little!"

Me, not getting this nutty lady says, "Yes, she's petite."

"Well, you should enter her in a contest. Yeah, like the Gerber baby contest! She would win for sure. So pretty. Wow, just look at her!"

Yes, this lady is the type to not just say, "What a cute baby." and then walk away. LOL!

Luckily, she did finally leave after a bit more cooing and telling me how much Melody smiled etc.

....

Later, I got the car seat and put Melody in it. I was walking by w/ her in the car seat and that lady was next to another lady. While I walked by she said, "Isn't that a gorgeous baby!? She is just so so SMALL! (emphasizing on the word small)"

I giggled in my heart, and walked to my dad. Told him about the experience, and he laughed. Apparently, it wasn't surprising she'd say what she said. I still giggle off and on about it.

Here is my cute, adorable, dwarf ... err .... midget baby!

Melody at 3 weeks... her first "pro photo shoot"

So, I love taking pics, but this time I let someone else have the pleasure of doing so! I haven't had them edited yet... cause umm, I'm busy taking care of four kids now! Even if I get to send 10 of them to be edited for free by the photographer herself. LOL! In fact, I may have expired that opportunity because I've forgotten to send them to her to edit. (and I just repeated myself! LOL!)

Anyway...
Here she (and some I) is at 3 weeks old! I swear, 3 weeks later, she still looks the same size...?

Mother's Day = I love Brian, my husband my forever friend

So, yesterday (Friday May 8th, 2009), Brian offered to take the 3 eldest to our Ward's "Father and Sons" at the Stake camp. Yes, Brooke isn't a "son" but she came too! My amazing husband took all those kids with him to an overnight campout (well, inside a cabin in the forest! lol)!

It was just me and my Melody all night last night, and this morning. I didn't know what to do with myself, so I walked over to a good friend's house (Rosann) and hung out with her for a couple of hours. Had a lot of fun talking to a "grown up" and also asking for some pointers on what is normal for a mom w/ 4 kiddos (my friend has five grown kids of her own + adorable grandkids). She said that she'd forgotten to tell me that with your fourth, your memory goes! 'Tis true. I called Brooke: "Bridger, Spencer, oh whateveryournameis, child come here!" when she wasn't coming back while riding her bike.

Anyway, what a wonderful Mother's Day gift - to be by myself. I did what I wanted. Didn't feel like I needed to go home to help with the kids or anything. I ate some yummy Farr's chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate chips sprinkled on top. Then, I watched the end of Lost (had begun it while the kids were awake and paused it due to their needs. ;-)). I also found a new show to watch called "What Would You Do?" ... and then fell asleep at about 1am. Sounds like a crazy night, eh? LOL!

When Brian called to say he was coming back this morning, he said I needed to hide in our bedroom so the kids and him could give me my gifts for Mother's Day (he's working tomorrow/Mother's Day). They got back, and Brian held my hand while I walked down the hallway to see what he'd gotten me.

It was time to open my eyes, and look what I saw!!!

Isn't he the most sweetest hubby?

I wanted the plant and the balloon was great - along w/ Dove Dark Chocolate Promises & Rolos. I was very happy with that - but the bike. Not 3 days ago did I say to him that I'd wish to "someday" have a bike so him and I (and perhaps the kids - if we got a bike trailer) could go biking together.

So, I'm thinking (not saying), "How in the world did he get any money for this bike!? It's sweet he bought it, but we can't afford it!"

I think he must have read my face (even though I was trying to politely hide it) -

"Just so you know," he said, "I won it!"

What a cool thing to win. A Schwinn Woman's bike! Thanks to plasma giving as a new form of income! The bike was a 3rd place prize. Happy day. Lucky woman to have such a lucky man! :)

Thanks honey!

Park Happiness Barometer

So, I braved it yesterday and took the kiddos for a walk in our neighborhood. We decided to make a pitstop at a small park behind our house. Spencer braved the first rings (he wanted me to help, but due to my C/Section, it's a major no-no for me. He was a great sport to just make due). Happy Boys: Spencer also liked to push Bridger in the swing for a little while, while Brooke dug in the dirt (in the background). Also, right behind the bench by her is sweet Melody in her carseat attached to the Sit N Stand stroller.
Here's happy Brooke digging:Bridger liked being king tiger of the playground equipment! What a smile!

This was not Melody's idea of happiness. But hey, she didn't even get to swing! So, I don't blame her one bit! ;-)

Hiding

Ya ever feel like hiding? Of course I think we all do.

Anyway, I'm hiding from my kids. Here I sit listening to my favorite LDS singer, Hilary Weeks sing some inspiring music - hoping it will give me some solace.

The kids are still eating their corn dogs in the kitchen, and I can hear screaming. I'm not up to taking care of the discord. So, here I hide.

Kinda long morning. Brian had school from 9am-12pm - just got home at 12:40-ish, and had to leave to work 15 minutes later. He's working from 1pm-10pm. So, I'm here by myself on a great warm Saturday by myself with my four sweet kiddos. I would have taken the car today (we just have one car - have been this way for years) - but Melody is still under 2 weeks old - so waaaay too young to take out in public.

Well, Brooke came up just now and cuddled up to my arm for awhile. Luckily no "report" on the discord! She's asked if she can snuggle with her little sis, Melody who is comfortable laying on my Boppy on the bed. So sweet. I love seeing two sisters together (and brothers too!).

Now Bridger has come up behind the computer chair to scratch my back. He loves doing this - even if I wouldn't pay him much if he were a masseuse.

Where's my Spencer? After calling for him, he comes and tells me that the movie started over again- so he's watching it. :-) I remember my brother Kyle could watch a movie over and over. Shaun and I would beg he watch a different show, but he usually wanted to stick to the repeat. :-P LOL!

I love my family. Why hide when they have so much to add to my life?

Reminds me of this song - by Hilary Weeks:

Melody Rebecca Holland!

Well, this baby girl tricked us into thinking we'd have her over the weekend. Today, we went to my Drs appt, and he had enough indications to send me in to have her right away (due to PIH (hypertension)! :)

Anyway, she is healthy and strong (at 38 weeks, 2 days). 8 lbs, 3 oz., 21" long. I'll add more info later - when I have time and I'm not on hospital drugs!

Hawaiian Sweet Bread recipe

Well, I had a few comments on my Facebook status about me making Hawaiian Sweet Bread, and a request for the recipe. So, here it is! It's easy and has always turned out perfect for me. :-)

Hawaiian Sweet Bread
Ingredients for one 9 x 5 loaf pan

*Note* This recipe is for a bread maker to mix it ("Dough" cycle), and then to cook it in your oven in a loaf pan. Make sure to add ingredients as directed in your bread maker manual. Mine calls for wet first, then dry - with yeast on top, but because I use potato pearls, I do it in a little bit different order. I have typed out the order *I* add the ingredients.

1 C Warm-Hot Water
2 TBsp Instant Potato Flakes or Pearls
4 TBsp Butter or Margarine
1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/4 tsp Lemon Extract
2 Eggs
2 TBsp Powdered Milk
5 TBsp Sugar
3 C All-Purpose Flour (yes, all-purpose! :))
3/4 tsp Salt
3 tsp Yeast

Add ingredients, set bread machine to "dough". Place dough in 9x5 loaf pan in a preheated 350*F oven for about 30 minutes. The crust should be golden and bread should sound hollow when thumped.

Random High School Q & A

I've been "tagged" (on Facebook and Blogger) to fill out a few different questionairres, and will finally start with this one. I'll try to do the other ones as I get some time. :-P I write NOVELS! EEK!

1. Did you date someone from your school? Not really "date/go out". I do remember my Sophmore or Jr. year I held hands with Aaron Lanoy. I'm not sure if either of us ever decided we were "going out" or not. We were pretty shy about it, and didn't hold hands for every single thing. It was pretty funny. I bought an Eagles CD because he liked them - I didn't even know what they sang, really (other than "Desperado"). LOL! Awh, being a teenager. :-P

2. Did you marry someone from your high school? Nope. Although I met him at a school - WSU - actually an LDS Institute activities group. He's from "Loos-ee-ana". :-P

3. Did you car pool to school? Yes. But not all the time. I gave rides to Marie Lawhead and Nancy Perkins. I think sometimes Keely Hemming and some others - can't remember..? I also got picked up by Marie I think - and some others maybe? I can't remember that either! LOL

4. What kind of car did you have? My parents lent me their blue Buick Park Avenue. Talk about a "smaller" grandma car! :-P But hey, it worked and was nice of my parents to lend out to us kids.

5. What kind of car do you have now? 2000 Ford Windstar LX. Yeah, a minivan. I swore I would never buy one - but it's what works for us. What can ya do? :-P We also have a non-working Geo Metro LSi. Yeah, it sits there collecting dust - and it could be a money saver! But, Brian walks to work, so that is saving us money in itself. :)

6. It's Friday night. Where are you? I don't remember choosing to make my own plans very often. It was more likely that if I got a call to do something, I'd go and do that.

7. What kind of job did you have in high school? I remember my mom and dad didn't want me to work at first. I think in retrospect they just didn't want to lose their lender car that often (I wouldn't either! lol). But, I got a job selling trinkets/decorations from a keyosk (sp?) in the Layton Mall during the winter Holidays. I can't place when I worked at Dairy Queen - but I did that for awhile too. A unique job I remember having was selling fireworks for Nancy Perkins brother's stand in front of DQ in Kaysville. That may have been the summer after Jr. or Sr. year.

8. What kind of job do you do now? Housekeeper, cook, nurse, CEO, counselor, educator, tutor, entertainer, van driver, laundress, and accountant= AKA SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) to "almost" 4 (the 4th is due in April '09) adorable children.

I also have a part-time job (approx 4-6 hours/week) putting books and magazines in stores such as Home Depot, Office Max, Babies R Us, Best Buy and Joanns. But, I get to do that when Brian is home to play with the kids.

9. Were you a party animal? I am one to "blend in". So, while I loved to be apart of parties, I usually would start getting a little "crazy/silly" if people that knew me well enough were acting silly themselves.

I LOVED F.O.M.A. club parties though! F.O.M.A. = Future Old Maids of America! It rocked. It made not being asked to a dance no big deal because we had our fun party instead. What was that murder mystery game we played a lot? I loved that game. :)

10. Did you get suspended or expelled? No way. But, I did have some funny things happen that had to do w/ getting into trouble.

Once near the end of Sr. year, I was chatting with I think Cindy Hansen in Mr. Harris' Physics class. We didn't usually talk when we shouldn't, but it was the end of the year and we were ready to go! Anyway, I can still see Mr. Harris' face. He acted so surprised and told us something about if we talked again he'd give us "F"s or something like that. Anyway, anyone that knows Mr. Harris knows that he would NEVER do that. In fact, our class had all the "jocks" that would take the papers in the in box and copy them so they wouldn't have to do homework. LOL

Also, in drivers ed, we were watching the slide show of all the wrecked cars. It was pretty boring. Anyway, I leaned up and it must have looked like I was talking to Becca (something? - she was a year younger), and he sent us out of the class. It was nice because we really didn't get into trouble, and we could talk and not have to stare at all the same stuff in a slide show. The teacher had forgotten about us anyway when we walked in after class to get our bags.

I think many people got bad marks (was it an N or U?) for being late to Mr. Wright's choir class. I had to organize the chairs and then I got to watch Dinner Theater practice until my time was up! It was fun. :)

11. Can you sing the fight song? Yep. Although I don't think I'd get it straight now. Pep Club was lotsa fun and really boring at the same time. I am so NOT a football fan - but it was entertaining for us to get up and help the crowd cheer with us. Basketball was a bit more fun because I understood the rules lots more.

12. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)? I really liked Mrs. Robbins, my English teacher. We had a lot of writing fun w/ Ms. Spencer, but she was a bit over the top for me. She loved "her" state, Texas! Mr. Harris was a hoot. It was really funny and just a little bit creepy when he'd tell my parents each time at Parent/Teacher conference that I reminded him of an old girlfriend he used to have.
My favorite Seminary teacher was Brother Williams. He is/was so neat. :) Made a great impression on me.

13. Where did you sit during lunch? Mostly out in the commons area - near the side that they had Dinner Theater. I remember getting a bean burrito and cookies and cream cup of ice cream. What the heck was the brand - can't remember. Anyway, weird concoction nonetheless. And I was always racing to get all the icecream down. Talk about unhealthy choices! LOL

14. Favorite music group? I liked Celine Dione and most anything they played on B98.7 FM.

15. Where was your favorite hang-out spot? Wherever the F.O.M.A. party was at (usually Nancy's house). :)

16. What was your school's full name? Northridge High School

17. When did you graduate? 1998!

18. What was your school mascot? A Knight. I remember in 6th grade we got to give the school district ideas on what the mascot would be. I put Ranger. LOL! I like Knight lots better.

19. If you could go back and do it again, would you? For the most part, it was pretty fun and memorable. The only thing I'd do is get out of my shell a bit more. I had people asking me if I was mad at them - I realized that me being quiet and shy came off as snobby at times. I would have tried to fix that. :)

20. Did you have fun at Prom? I have no idea if I went or not. I'm not sure where all the pics are either. But, I did go to a few formal dances. I'm sure I had fun. I don't remember having a bad date. Except there was one guy I went with (NO, not on my friends list!) that took me to another school's Prom w/o letting me know ahead of time and he turned out to be a creep. So, I didn't have fun w/ that Prom - and stayed away from that guy for the rest of the year.

21. Were you involved in any school clubs/sports? Choir, Art Club, Environmental Club, Pep Club, Key Club... maybe some more? Oh, and some musicals.

22. Are you going to your high school reunion? I didn't know about the 5 year one. And I wish the 10 year one went through, but I guess things didn't work out. I'm all for an 11 year one. lol :-P

23. One of your favorite high school experiences: I'm so glad I ran for office. I don't know how I even decided to do it, but I'm glad my friends were so supportive and made it happen. I'm also glad I didn't win. I secretly didn't want to really - but just wanted to have fun running.

I also loved Seminary, Choir, the Musicals, and the clubs I was in. I had a lot of fun and am glad I was a part of what I was a part of.

Oh yeah - again, F.O.M.A. rocks! :)

The All-Night Baby Party

So, yesterday Spencer informed me that Bridger keeps him up at night.

I said, "Oh, so did he have a baby party?"

"Yeah mom, a baby party. It was crazy!"

Humored by his endeavour to go along with my silly statement, I questioned more, "What happened?!"

"Well mom, Jimmie came over (Jimmie is my brother's boy that is 3 mths younger than Bridger). Jimmie was really crazy. He was yelling and getting into everything!"

"So, what was Bridger doing?"

Spencer quickly replied, "He didn't get into as much stuff as Jimmie, but he was playing with Jimmie. Oh, and the other baby cousin (this would be Miley - an approx. 8 mth old baby) came too!"

"So, how did Miley get there? She can't walk yet."

"Oh, Santa gave her magic so she could walk!"

"Why didn't Santa tell them to stop having a baby party? Didn't he think they needed to go to bed?"

Spencer paused, "Oh. Well, uh, umm... ... ... Santa did it far away. He didn't see them."

"Wow. That is cool that Santa can do that, Spencer!"

"Yeah."

"They were flying too!"

"Flying! Wow! How did they do that??? Did they have airplanes?"

"Mom, like Peter Pan!" (he was serious - I mean why didn't I catch onto that!? lol)

"Like Peter Pan!? Really?! Did they get fairy dust?"

"No mom, Santa gave them some magic from his magic bag!"

"So, do you think that Bridger will have another baby party?"

Then he stated with much sincerity, "I hope not. I want to sleep."

"I can understand that, Spencer." :)

Bumbleride Stroller

This stroller looks pretty cool. There is a contest to win one here: http://inevergrewup.net/giveaway-25-bumbleride-indie-stroller/

Here's hoping by some miracle I win it! Bridger, this baby girl and I would truly benefit from it! lol

Tackling a Lateness Addiction

So, I wouldn't really call it a lateness addiction, but it's something that has become ingrained in me now.

I'm going to talk about an embarrassing fault of mine: being late to things. I'm late (or exactly on the dot of 8:29:30 am) to getting Brooke to school. Poor girl.

My mom made a good point (and she doesn't "mother" me in an annoying way or anything), "Brooke will probably not like the negative attention of her teacher and classmates when she arrives late. You don't want her to feel badly in any way, so drop her off in time."

I've tried to drill this thought into my head, but I'm still late. I've tried to go w/o me getting ready (only done this a handful of times because it drives me nuts not to be ready), but I'm still late. I've tried to do it w/ Bridger in his jammies, but I'm still late. Even when I pick out the kid's clothes the night before, I'm still late.

Also, I swear it is meant for me to get in the car, and then have to get out because I've forgotten something. Drives me nuts!

So, I looked online to see how I could fix this in a different way, and here's what I found:

Being Habitually Late is Force of Habit

For the Chronically Late, It’s Not a Power Trip:
New Insights Into Why People Are Late

The latter one I posted has keys on how to not be late. I'm posting them and then my thoughts on each one:

HAVE A STRATEGY Make a commitment to work on the problem every day for at least a month.
>>>I'll try. Ok ok, I'll DO. I'll be ok w/ myself if I slip, because I know I am doing my best<<<
RELEARN HOW TO TELL TIME Late people tend to underestimate the amount of time their activities take by 25 percent to 30 percent, she said. Write down all your activities and clock how long they actually take.
>>>I don't know about this one. When I write up a chore schedule for the day, I usually DO overestimate time. But, I'll do it for our morning schedule anyway! :) <<<

NEVER PLAN TO BE ON TIME Instead, plan to be early. Punctual people build in extra transit time because they know that unexpected delays can occur. Many tardy people — in their naïve optimism — have never learned to do this.
>>>So, I've tried doing this too (but need to try harder). I "plan" on leaving at 8:15am so I can get her there by 8:20. I've also tried to set the clocks 15 minutes fast, but it only works for a couple of days, then I just read the clock for the "right" time (see the first link on this).<<<

WELCOME THE WAIT Bring a magazine, a book or some language tapes so that you can entertain yourself and get something done while you wait.
>>>Not really sure how this comes into play, but I guess I could do this for Drs appts. I usually come to a Drs appt either 5-10 mins early, or 5-10 mins late (yes, I range that much!).<<<

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So, anyone else have any thoughts? :)