Caleb's Sunny Smile

Caleb got a book last year that has mirrors on the pages. One page has a sun and says "The sun has a sunny smile!" Well, every time we come to that page, Caleb decides to say "cheese" by smooshing his face against the mirror. So, we started using this to our advantage.

Whenever we say, "Caleb, give me a Sunny smile!" He squints his eyes and smiles really big! Thus, we have now many pictures of a closed-eyed little boy! But it's so cute! I love it!


Just a bit of an update of what HE'S been up to: eating spaghetti, playing with flowers, helping me make zucchinni bread (he loves sitting on the counter, and loves eating flower. Baking comes natural to him), playing outside, and playing in the bath. He has a sign for water (imagine the traditional child's impression of a Native American noise), and he does it whenever he wants to play in the water, accompanied by "ba."

He's so much fun; he's definitely going to have a hard time adjusting to a new little one (he freaked out when a visiting baby was holding onto my leg)...but Justin and I had fun selecting the present that little girl will "give" to him. We're excited, on all accounts!

Spring makes me Happy

Ever have those days where you just feel like everything is against you?

Ever have those days where you just feel like everything is WONDERFUL!?!

I'm having one of those fabulous days today.

Maybe it's because the sun is shining. And Caleb and I had fun at the park. And I met a woman from Russia.

Or because I'm not hurting so much today.

or because everything for the past week has been building on top of each other to produce a magnificent feeling of gratitude.

Whatever the reason, I am grateful.

Here's a small list of the great blessings I've felt the past week or so:

• I have such wonderful friends, here and away.
• One of those good friends threw a surprise baby shower for me last week. I was completely surprised, blown away by the generosity of so many people, and deeply impressed by the overall support of sisters in my ward. (and the remarkable success of so many people, including Justin, to keep it a secret from me for about 2 months!)
• My husband is amazing. He works so hard, and still has time to make me feel beautiful, special, and accomplished. I love him so much! And I'm so grateful for his encouragement and understanding. How does he do it?!
• We bought a car! And we're learning how to drive it. :)
• We can pay our tithing. :D
• Caleb is such a precious little boy. Even when he drives me up the wall, I'm grateful for his personality and his tender spirit.
• Our little girl (name TBD) is going to be here soon!! What a sweet blessing!
• It's Mother's day this Sunday: a time for me to be grateful to my mother, mother-in-law, and the mothers around me who are such phenomenal examples. It's also a time for me to be grateful that I AM a mother. I know it's been an enriching blessing in my life, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

ah. It just all makes me smile. :D anyone else feeling the rejuvenating effects of spring and warm weather and sun and flowers? I love this time of year!!

And I feel so grateful to my Heavenly Father for all the blessings he has given me. I mean, this is just a short list! What a wonderful, loving, Father He is!

Jayco Tent Trailer

Mostly for my sister, but just in case anybody else has any questions as to what a "tent trailer" actually entails. :DThat was our home. Like I said, it was cozy, and quaint. Can't wait to get one ourselves. Just, a newer one. :D

New Yooooork!

We took a trip to New York City last week! It was so much fun. I've never been to NYC (well, not that I remember) and it was definitely a trip to remember! We stayed in Mom and Dad Anderson's tent trailer (it's as old as I am) at the Jersey side marina. It was comfortable (for the most part) , cheap (for NYC), and quaint. Oh, they went with us, too. So there were 5 of us. It really was a splendid family vacation!

But no vacation is complete without drama.

The drama of the trip:
1) we left 7 hours later than planned
2) the tent trailer was set up LATE and while it was raining
3) early morning, frantic scramblings, crowded spaces
4) the tent trailer heater going out
5) Justin and I bought a heater; then tried to use the microwave at the same time and the power went out (solution: turn off the heater first)
6)a fridge that froze things efficiently


The trip itself was exhausting. We spent only 3 days in the city, but it was enough. Especially for a little boy who didn't get any naps, had snacks constantly as "meals" and never got his milk when he's used to. He was a trooper! We frequently found him conked out after a loud outburst of protest to his treatment.

(Picasa had problems uploading directly: from top left, clockwise: Time Square, Empire State Building, Ferry to Ellis Island, and Times Square)
We purchased hop-on/hop-off bus tours, went up the Empire State Building, took the ferry to Ellis Island (my favorite part of the trip!) and Liberty Island, walked around EVERYWHERE, and just enjoyed all the sites, people, and yes, smells.

Caleb particularly loved Grandma (Papa) and Grandma (MA in a very nasal and bright expression), and spent a lot of time with them. Made my visit easier!

Top right: a tribute to our little girl. She really was with us...and I am SOO pregnant! I hate how huge I look. But, despite being 33 weeks pregnant, I successfully walked and traveled, and climbed, and whatever else you can do in NYC.

I loved having Justin with me. In 2010 I took two vacations with my family with just Caleb. Having Justin with me made it 100 times better!! I'm so grateful for his care and concern, and willingness to make things easy for me.

Here's to our first family vacation! And hopefully more to come!

Birthday Suit Surprise!

I went to meet Justin for lunch a few weeks ago and left Caleb in Grandma's care. He wasn't asleep yet, but I was hopeful he would be soon. I left instructions to just leave him for at least 20 minutes.

When I arrived home, Grandma said that he fell asleep about 15 minutes after I left. Splendid! I then asked, "Did he take off all his clothes?" He has done this occasionally---rebellion? boredom? hot? I dunno. The response was, "I don't know. I didn't think to check."

Well, before I went down for my own nap, I peeked in on my little boy. And found him thus:


Every single stuffed animal, his blanket, his pants (jeans, mind you, not elastic waist), his shirt and sweat shirt, AND his diaper were all OUT of the crib. But he was asleep!! I'll take it

Luckily, he'd thrown his blanket down on the floor so strategically, that when he woke up and had the urge to pee, and peed out of his crib, it landed on the blanket and not the floor. I find it funny that we call his blanket the "Pooh blanket" because it has Whinnie the Pooh on it.