giveaway

http://www.sellpartyof.com/2009/04/extra-extra-read-all-about.html

check it out!

slacker

Ah! We've been so busy that its been nearly impossible to update as much as I would like to. Carter's 2mon appt had to be moved so I have to wail until May 15th to post how big he's gotten. Sniffle.... Here is a 2 month pic though! (it was taken 1 day before his actual 2 mon checkpoint) =] Ha.

^ he's getting SO BIG! this was taken a day before he turned 2 months

Parker's First 'real' Ice Cream Cone!!!

^ the aftermath

^ seeing the farm animals

^this is the funniest face ever!!!!

^ some of Parkers signs. this was the best i could get him to cooperate with me!
he is now up to 29 signs. although, we have stopped teaching him. i usually just end up looking up something we say all the time and after doing it twice he remembers!! its seriously amazing how much their tiny brains soak right in! ... i wish we had more baby signing times (the AMAZING videos) bc he really enjoys watching them and learning signs. but they are like $20 + shipping each. we just can't afford it.

^ for your listening pleasure: we think parker was trying to sing.

^ this will melt your heart: carter babbling

^this will break your heart: carter crying. he does the cutest little lip pout.

This post deserves LOTS of comments bc it took me forever to upload all those videos!
=]

smiley

I'm SOOOO in love.

Some people collect purses. I collect babies.

Parker's First Day in Nursery!

My big boy had his first whole day in Nursery! He only had a couple meltdowns, but you wouldn't be able to tell by the pictures! =] Thanks Beverly for some of the pics!!!!

^ playing right after we dropped him off to nursery

^ big boyyyy

^ Tyler D., Parker, Easton, and Tyler A.

^ playing

^ I snuck out of primary and went to the nursery door, and without Parker seeing me, I was able to get some cute pictures of him. I even took a little video! =]

It was such a bittersweet day.

parker swimming

My parents came to visit Sunday/Monday and stayed at a hotel in Oswego. We had a great time visiting and Parker (and Mommy and Daddy) had a chance to go in the hot tub and pool. I think we have a little fish on our hands. As soon as we join the Y, Parker's gonna be taking swimming lessons!^ Grandpa taking Carter down to the pool
^ this is how much Carter enjoyed the pool

^ getting in!

^ Parker LOVED his lifevest, he didn't want to take it off.
^burrito boy

easter and beyond

Parker and Carter had a really great Easter! Parker had his first easter egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Miller's house.

He LOVED picking the eggs up outside...

... but he loved opening the eggs more!

jackpot!

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Today was SUCH a good day!!!

My new bungenius diapers came in the mail. We got 15 new ones. These are most of the colors (one is missing). Carter's loving being a bumgenius baby!!
Carter's crib FINALLY got put together. As you can tell, he approves.
He fell asleep within 1 minute of being put in it!!! What a good boy!!

My good friend Daisy let us use her van to pick up our new table and then helped us put it together! =]

Daddy took Parker out for a spin on Nate's new scooter
*shh don't tell Nate, he'll be mad!*

The day ended with Daisy and her beautiful kiddos came over for dinner/ games. =]
WHAT a great day!!

easter egg adventure.

So I was watching Martha Stewart and she was showing us a cool way to dye easter eggs with old ties and I was dying (no pun intended) to try it.

I am SO IMPRESSED!

This is our new family tradition, for sure.

=]

for more pictures check out my facebook album:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060922&id=70600550&l=af40c1029b

my boys

^ Parkers looking to see if Daddy's home yet...

^ playing together, i guess?

^ Carter's a bumgenius baby now!!

^Mom! Carter has my diaper on!!!

^ but I still love him!

<3 My Life. My Soul. My loves.

april is...

...Cesarean Awareness Month!

Before I step on my soapbox, I want you all to know that I know in some cases c-sections are medically needed. However the c-section rate should safely be 3-5% of births. Not over 20% like it is now....

My first birth was nothing short of ‘typical’. It was one unnecessary medical intervention after the next which, of course, led to a cesarean section. I smiled through the pictures and the countless ‘congratulations’ but inside I was dying. Had I really done all I could to make sure that my baby was born healthily? Did I really need to be induced? Did I really need cytotec and pitocin? Did they really have to break my water? Did I have to push when they told me? I knew from the moment I laid staring at the blue sheet waiting to hear the cry of my firstborn that next time was going to be different.

This picture is from cesareanart.com and it perfectly depicts my emotions felt those days after my surgery.

Ob/Gyn Doctors are trained surgeons. C-sections are their training. C-sections are easy to schedule, take less time (on their part), and they are less likely to be sued over a c-section. What Dr wouldn't choose that? Ladies- they are looking out for themselves, their families, and their wallets- NOT you or your babies well being.... I don't even want to get started on Drs who do ELECTIVE c-sections.


I want more women to educate themselves before or while they are pregnant. Know the side effects of the pain meds and the induction drugs. Look up Cytotec- you'll be amazed. Know the risks of a c-section- needing blood transfusions, infections, impaired healing, scar tissue, adhesion, and even hysterectomies.

I want them to picture the birth they want and write it in a birthplan. Get someone to help you carry out your birthplan. Surround yourself with POSITIVE messages and birthstories. Doulas are amazing for this!!

I want them to know they can have the birth they want and deserve.

I am reading the Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and it is an amazing book. I wish every mom-to-be read it. It says: "Remember this, for it as true as true gets: Your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. the Creator is not a careless machine."

So, don't do it for me-- do it for yourself. As the famous saying says: Knowledge is Power!!!

giveaway

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/

Food Storage Made Easy is giving away 10 pre-assembled checklist binders!

With all the counsel we have received, NOW is the time to prepare for what is to come. Food storage is very important. Whether you need to use it because you have lost your job, temporarily disabled, stores aren't open bc of weather, you're home bound for whatever reason... it's important to have some food stored up to use in emergency situations.

We have slowly been building our food storage. We try to get at least one food storage item whenever we go grocery shopping. It can be something as little as an extra can of vegetables or formula. We also try to build up our hygienic supplies such as girly care products, disposable diapers (even though we cloth 98% of the time), and toilet paper. We have fun in creating meals off of just food storage items (its very important that some foods need minimal or no preparing). Even though we have diligently started our food storage, we need to be more organized. This binder would totally help!!

finding comfort in the scriptures

"Behold, you have had many afflictions because of your family; nevertheless, I will bless you and your family, yea, your little ones; and the day cometh that they will believe and know the truth and be one with you in my church. " D&C 31:2

As a parent, I often wonder how my children will be when they grow up. Will they serve full time missions? Will they be active in the church? Will they want to leave the church? I will love them no matter where they go, or what they choose. However, I find great comfort in this scripture knowing that we will be blessed for our hard work and raising our children in the gospel. And that someday, they will believe and know the truth.

sneak peek

The apartment is still being organized and 'set up' so, I don't want to post pics of it yet. I know some of you are wanting to see it, and so I made a little 'sneak peek' for you! As you can see, our walls are a really light buttercream color (the ceiling is white)... these are some of the newest family pictures in nice big 8X10s (thank you Amy Davis!). They look ah-mazing in person!!!

parker's first haircut

before and after

another after shothe randomly starting crying after. it was definitely bedtime!!

did you honestly expect any different?

bathtime