He's One Today!

{insert ranting and raving about how I can't believe my BABY is one!}



You get the idea.



So, I'll skip all of that, and move right into the monthly update.

Easton is constantly babbling. When his binky is out of his mouth (and sometimes when it is still in his mouth) he is making noise--all boy (except for those girly screams he produces sometimes). He is saying a few new words, "buh-bye," "bampa" and "na" (which means something like the equivalent of "that").

He is *almost* walking. He will take 3-4 steps towards something and biff it, or he starts to look like he wants to walk and then he decides that crawling is still easier and drops down to do that.

Such a fun age! And if I could solve my sleeping through the night problems, it would be perfect.

And now a little update in pictures:


When we were in Cali to surprise Ronnie's mom for her birthday, we visited Easton's Great-Grandma and Grandpa E. Here is Ronnie's mom with Easton and Great Grandpa E.

And here we have Great-Grandma E. and Easton--he loved her stuffed bear.

At the restaurant with Great Grandpa E. Ronnie decided that Easton should try his first lime.

This was the face it produced. (Please ignore the other food on his face).

We were also able to visit my old roommate Cheryl and her daughter Allie. As usual, Easton was a hit with the ladies and got a kiss.

And here we have Allie, Cheryl, Me and Easton.

We spent Thanksgiving with family, did not take any pictures and took this picture just before we left town to drive home.

Last Friday, Ronnie's school had a Christmas Party with Santa. Easton did surprisingly well at first.

Then he began to look around trying to figure out what was going on and then he freaked out(which I did not catch on camera).

Since his little bff Brinley was there too, we decided to see if they could sit together and distract each other from what they were sitting on. We were very wrong.

We love our little guy and look forward to all of the fun times we will have together in the future!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Literally.

I felt famous tonight.

I jumped around the living room, babe in arms, yelping and causing a ruckus.


My stomach felt giddy and I could barely sit still in my chair.

I had three friends and cousins email me excitedly (friends and cousins who I adore but don't hear from that often).

Why all of the excitement you may ask?

That would be because I won.

I won a Le Creuset Dutch Oven from PioneerWoman!

Behold these beauties:

I know, you are jealous. It's okay. You are not alone. So are the other 10,381 commenters.

Sometimes it pays off to keep putting your comment in there (even when it seems hopeless)!

And in case you were wondering, I chose blue (but let's refer to it as Azure Blue--it sounds much more refined--and if this dutch oven is anything, it is refined).

But now the big question--what should I make in it first?

P.S. Thanks P-Dub!

Snow

We have lots of it.



I'm not complaining (for once--that should probably be written in all of your journals).

All of my life, I have believed that Laramie did not plow their roads.

They just want us all to be fantastic snow drivers (which I totally am by the way).

But then, the unthinkable happened this morning.

As I drove to work, I was following....




wait for it.





A snow plow!

That was actually plowing snow.

I sang a little song of joy and happily followed at 20 mph so that I could drive on plowed roads.

Loved it!

Picture blatantly stolen from my friend Jen's blog.

Whew!

We finally arrived home from a 10 day trip on Sunday. I am now knee deep in laundry and the like. (I'm sure you all know what I mean).

It was fantastic to see family. On both sides.

And surprise Karen on her birthday.

Traveling always brings up interesting topics of conversation and experiences.

Like driving behind my 16 year old, permit-holding little sister as she perfected her freeway skills. (Great job Sassy!)

Or fitting 30 people into my grandparents' cabin (mountain home).

Or Easton waking up 5 times (yes, I said 5) times a night while at said mountain home.

Or my sister's newborn sleeping better than Easton.

Or cuddling said newborn and finding myself a little baby hungry.

Or saying "said" about a million times in this post.

But in the midst of all of that, as I sat on a public toilet and stared at the graffiti scratched into the side of the stall I had a thought that I have not been able to resolve.

How does one do that scratching? Fingernail? Knife you just happen to have in your pocket?

Having never contributed any graffiti to bathroom stalls myself, I was stumped.

So now it's time to fess up. Have you ever done it? How did you go about it?

I'm also open to theories.

Fun times with Cousins

We just got back from a wonderful visit to Cali. Man, I love warm weather in the month of November.

Easton was in love with his cousins. As evidenced by this little pic.


Normally I post this stuff on Easton's blog, but I definitely needed to move that last post down. (insert sad face)

Because we are alumni of a certain school located in Provo

Ronnie asked that I post this:

You can bet we will be in front of a television on Saturday at 4pm. (If only we could be there in person!)

Easton with the Walker-Pusher Thingy

Easton is getting more and more mobile (and I'm not quite sure how I feel about that).

In the past, he would play with the toys on the walker, or stand with it, or take one step as it got away from him, but last night something clicked.

He was cruising.

We played this game for a good half hour. He would run across the too-small living room and run into something. I would turn him around and he would take off in the opposite direction.

And now the proof.

Sympathy Pains

We all remember how Ronnie had knee surgery about a month ago.

Well, starting last weekend, I got sympathy pains.

A little late to be effective, I know.

So now my knee is swollen, sore and in general a big, fat, pain in the bum (Not literally of course. It's my knee).

The worst part is that I have NO idea how it happened.

I got nothing.

But since I try to be the ever-optimist, I'll share the one good thing that has come out of all of this.

I shaved my legs for church on Sunday morning

and didn't miss a SINGLE hair*.

See, swollen knees are good for something.

P.S. I don't think this has ever, EVER happened before.

Rah-Rah-RahRahRah

We were invited by our good friends to go to the BYU vs. CSU game a few weeks ago. I was nervous about the weather (it being the first of November and all), but it turned out to be a perfect night. T-shirts for the first half, sweatshirts for the last half.

A big bonus was the win!

All of us: Me, Ronnie, Jared and Ashley

Me and Ronnie.

Go Cougs!

Backtracking

I fall asleep fast.

I mean REALLY fast.

There have been times when Ronnie and I are having a conversation, I say something, he says something and before he has finished his sentence I am gone.

So those times when I have to actually lay in bed and think about how I want to be sleeping drive me crazy!

Last night it happened.

Prayers, scriptures, etc. I get into bed, turn off the lights.....and lay there.

I switch positions.....and still lay there.

After what seemed like e.tern.i.ty I opened my eyes to look at the clock.

12 minutes.

(Have I mentioned that I'm not very patient?)

During those 12 minutes, my mind was all over the place (I hope I'm not the only one who does that). After some time I realized that I was somewhere way different than where I had started and so I decided to see if I could backtrack my thoughts. How exactly did I get from "I can't sleep" to "Old friends who used to live across the alley?"

And now, for your reading pleasure I give you--my thought process:

I can't sleep
I hope Easton sleeps through the night again tonight
Babies are great
Alayna better start sleeping better
Thanksgiving will be fun--I can see her!
Easton had better perform for the family
Grandma and Grandad are just going to eat him up
I miss them
I miss them differently than when they are on their missions
Someday I want to go to Houston where they served
Don't I have someone I know who lives in Houston?
Oh yeah, my old friend from across the alley, David B.

And now I challenge you to backtrack a train of thought it your mind. You might find it to be fun! (or weird...but that would mean that I am weird, so I'm pretty sure it will be fun)

A sign

that it has been a long day:

When you allow your 11 month old son to repeatedly hit* you in the face while you lie on the floor just because it is entertaining him and it means you don't have to move.

At least today is a new day.

*Luckily those "hits" feel more like love taps.

11 months

I can't believe it.

Easton is getting to be more and more fun. And cuter and cuter (if I do say so myself).

He is now saying ball (ba), yay, mama, dada (sometimes), and nononono (which is what I say when ever he is getting into trouble). Coincidentally, he thinks anything electronic is called a nononono. Oh well, we'll fix that later.

He flirts with everyone at church, by smiling at them, then burying his face in my shoulder. Repeat that about 100 times and you get the picture. Everybody just eats it up though.

He is still attached to his binky and for now, that is just fine with me. In fact, he found the extra one in the diaper bag (still in its protective case) and tried to suck on it for a few minutes (pictures below).

He was a little frustrated that he couldn't hold it in his mouth without his hands. I liked it because it was 10 minutes of entertainment!

A little pocket change never hurt anybody

I know that most of you probably read the amazing DesignMom blog, and if you do you have already heard about this (my apologies).

YouData

A company that pays you to listen/click through advertising!

I know, it's a dream come true.

You aren't going to get rich off of it, but if you have a few minutes, you can make a little bit (perhaps enough for that item you are coveting on Etsy?)

I spent 10 minutes today and made $3.83.

Try it out.

Another first--a Haircut!

Easton doesn't have a lot of hair. I'm man (or actually woman) enough to admit that. But what he does have was getting very shaggy around the ears, neck and forehead. So on Sunday, we took some scissors to it. (this proved to be much more difficult than I thought)

After it was all done, this is what the highchair looked like.

And here is our newly cut and trimmed little guy.

And now, a video for your pleasure.

Look who figured out how to make the stupid embedding thing work!

Easton reads

Not really, but the interest is beginning. I'm pretty sure that if we took out his binky, he would totally be saying the words to "Little Boy Blue."

Or not.



I'm going to try and embed the video but since I do not have any success with that, here is the link as well.

Swimming Lessons

This fall, Easton and I took a Mommy and Me swim class. It really got him used to the water and is something we will do again!

They always started class with back floats, which most kids hate. You can clearly see how Easton felt about them.
After he was off of his back, he was a happy camper.

Even hamming it up for Daddy.

We practiced jumping off. Here he is pre-jump.

And here he is coming up out of the water.

Taking a little break for some pictures again.

We also worked on "scooping." They go under the water again, but it is a forward motion in the water.

Right after a successful scoop.

At the end of class the kids go up to the "beach" of the pool and get to play around.

Easton loved the water and loved getting to hang out with his best friend Brinley and his little pal T.J. (not pictured)!

Happy Halloween!

For some reason this morning Easton was particularly attached to his toothbrush (not necessarily a bad thing, I know).

He wants to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!

And wanted to show you his darling turtle outfit.

I know. I'm a genius. A crawling child as a turtle. A TURTLE.

Go ahead take a few minutes for a nice belly laugh.

You can view a video of his crawling turtle in action here. [I think Google Video is having some issues. What else is new? Keep trying.]

An Appeal to Those Who Are Smarter Than Me (that's all of you!)

So, I don't speak a lick of Spanish.

I'm pretty sure that was an *almost* deal breaker for Ronnie when making the decision to marry me.

We (read Ronnie really, really wants this to happen and I think it would be an okay idea) would like Easton to learn Spanish.

So, with Christmas and his birthday coming up, I'm asking the internet (well, not actually the internet--I'm asking you).

Are there any good DVD/CDs out there to teach my kid a language?

And I should probably mention that I will also be learning this way. (I'm fully prepared for the day when Easton asks me things in Spanish and I look at him with a blank face).

Anything?

Mucho Thanks.

A Happy Day

For most of you that is.

I believe, at least I am almost, definitely, maybe sure that the hunting stories for this year have come to an end.

I recognize that not everyone enjoys these things, even members of my own family.

So on to other things.

Like how I'm doing this aerobics step class that is kicking my bum (notice how I didn't use the word butt there. I'm trying to limit my word usage in preparation of when Easton is repeating everything I say).

Or how I can't wait for Thanksgiving in Utah so I can finally meet this little doll.

Or how it is supposed to be 68 degrees today. 68! In Laramie. On October 29th. I think there is hope that this Halloween will be snow-free.

Man, some exciting things better happen to me soon, or no one will ever come back to this blog again.

Note to the powers that be: I said exciting. Not tragic. Not horrible. Not tear-inducing.

10 months, and three weeks

So I'm a bit behind on the monthly post.

Let's just forget it ever happened.

That's the kind of mom I strive to be--the one who just forgets about her mistakes instead of dwelling on them. {RIIIIIIGHT.}

So anyway.

Easton is getting so big and really learning a lot. He mastered his first word "ball" which comes out like "baa." He has mama down and is still working on consistency with dada. [We're working on getting the word skills on camera. He is not so much the on demand performer--as those of you who have had to listen to me repeat ball, ball, ball on the phone know]

He is now standing and practicing keeping his balance. This sometimes works out great for him, and other times creates some spectacular falls.

Now for the pictures.

This is pretty much the face you get when Easton is happy. Usually not this blurry, but when he is coming for the camera, there is only so much you can do.

Easton also had a new found love of books (video coming soon).

And yes, he is in his pajamas and not zipped up. Another new favorite game is "get away from mom as quickly as possible during my diaper change/clothes change." It's fun for everyone.

I couldn't resist this "gangsta" hat at the store on clearance. [and I am completely aware that I am the last person that should ever use the word "gangsta."]

How about this? You know this will be the background on your computer before you know it. The cuteness is currently overwhelming you, I know.

The Elk

So it's time for the story of the Elk Hunt. Grant, my father-in-law, and I went out for the evening hunt yesterday. To be honest I was starting to get a little discouraged as the month went on. The area where we have tags to hunt, you can shoot any elk for the month of October then the tag turns into cow only for the months of November and December. There were various times where I could have taken a cow easily, however during the month of October is the only time you can shoot a bull, so I was holding out.

Anyway as Grant and I were out yesterday we debated where to go and look for elk. After deciding where we ought to go, we were off. We were hiking up separate ridges to try and cover more area. Then Grant gets a hold of me to tell me there were about 50 head over the next ridge from him. So I hustled over, and we popped over to see them and decided to move a little closer, so coming up on the next out cropping of rocks we decided to take the shot.

At first we could only see one spike in the heard (a spike elk is a bull that is a year old, and his antlers are just one beam that stick straight up off his head). We looked through the herd some more and there was one that forked, so I decided that I was going to shoot him. I must say that Grant is very generous, he saw the heard and let me be the one to take a shot.

So I rested on the rocks, aimed, and fired! He was hit! I loaded another shell in the gun, but didn't need it. He staggered a few yards and went down. He was about 270 or so yards away, it was impressive, if I do say so myself!!!

Thanks again Grant, I had a wonderful time!

He got one!

This week is turning out to be a great one for Ronnie.

He got a 5 x 5 bull elk last night.

Pictures coming, but I know you were all way too anxious, so I thought I'd announce it first.

:)

A question answered

Typically, second-year law students do an internship during the summer between their second and third years of school.

The interviewing (and stress) process begins when school begins. (yes, nine months early!)

After many applications submitted and many interviews endured, Ronnie is done.

He got an offer!

He'll be interning with a firm in Cheyenne next summer and commuting the 45 miles daily.

Hip-Hip-Hooray!

Congrats hon!

Where am I?

A burning question in your hearts and minds, I know.

I'm buried underneath that transcribing project I mentioned earlier.

31 hours down, many, many more to go.

Someday soon (I hope) I'll be able to get back to my regularly scheduled posting.



Okay, so I'm not so regular, but I make you laugh sometimes, right? RIGHT?

A realization

When you put on lotion, do you just squirt it in your hand and then apply it directly to the desired body part? Or do you warm up the lotion by rubbing your hands together first?

It's one of those things that you do your whole life and never think about those OTHER people who do it a different way.

Until you marry one and he tries to put freezing* cold lotion on your small son's body.

Then you are forced to educate him.

*but then again, maybe the freezing part only happens in Wyoming.

She's Here!!!

Check out my new adorable niece on Erc's blog!

A Winner!

I plugged the numbers into Random.org and received the following:

Here are your random numbers:
8
Timestamp: 2008-10-13 15:51:49 UTC


Which means that the winner is Carolyn!


What do you win, you may wonder? Well, since I racked my brain all weekend for something uber-cool and was unsuccessful, you get my standby--a set of monogrammed cards!


I'd post the picture that I took of a few examples, but I prefer this one by Bethany. Because it rocks. And she rocks.

Congrats Carolyn!

Numbers Revisited

140: Handmade cards made in the last two weeks

14.25: Hours spent transcribing a videotaped summit for work (I’m almost halfway done)

7: Hours of footage that summit is long…kill me now

39: Degrees it is supposed to be tomorrow (it begins, dun, dun, DUN)

2: Hours a week that Easton and I do a Mommy/child swimming class—so fun

3: Days my sister is over her due date

10: Months old! Easton turns today!

4: Times Easton got up last night. I have GOT to figure something out.

0: Elk that Ronnie has killed. This is the weekend, I can feel it.

20,000: Hits to this blog! Tell me your favorite number from the last few days in the comments and you’ll be entered to win a prize!

1 entry per person. Contest ends Sunday, October 12th at 11:59p.m.

He Crawls!

Actually, he had been crawling for a long while now, I just stink at uploading videos.

So here he goes!

Click Here

Taggie, Tag, Tag

I've been tagged. Several times.

So here they are in all of their glory.

Joys:
1. Family, Church, etc. (you get the idea)
2. Ice cream--any ice cream
3. Dr. Pepper

Fears:
1. Snakes
2. Apparently, of Easton falling off our bed. I have woken up every night for WEEKS with my heart racing, because I dreamed this happened. Easton has not been in our bed at all. (Weird)
3. The dark

Obsessions:
1. My ATG 714 crafting adhesive gun (which will have a post dedicated to itself in the near future).
2. Lists
3. Monk and Psych

Random Facts:
1. My hands have to be busy. Watching TV? I'm crocheting. In the car (when I'm not driving)? Crocheting, or doing Sudoku, or something.
2. I mark mistakes in books-just like a teacher. They drive me insane!
3. I love cheesy movies. Disney Channel original productions, musicals, etc.

And now the second tag.

8 TV shows I like to watch:
Monk
Psych
America's Next Top Model
Amazing Race
Lost
The Office
Heroes
Jon and Kate Plus 8

8 Favorite Restaurants
P.F. Changs
Olive Garden
Taco Bell
Texas Roadhouse
Panda Express
Bajio
Sizzler
Burger King

8 Things that Happened Yesterday
Watched Conference
Had lunch with the fam
Read the third book in the Faith of our Fathers Series
Crocheted a baby blanket (for a gift)
Waited for a phone call from Erica telling me she was in labor (did not happen)
Watched Easton walk with his walker/pusher thingy
Listened to Easton scream like a girl (he does it when he is excited)
Had homemade ice cream

8 Things I'm looking forward to
Ronnie finishing school
Buying a house
Easton talking
Thanksgiving and Christmas
Meeting my soon-to-be-born niece
Never working (in an office) again
The election being over (I just can't take it much longer)
A full nights sleep

8 things on my wishlist (It should be noted that I physically pulled my wishlist from my planner for this list)
A Dyson Vacuum
Electric Fondue Pot
$ for clothes
Electronic shipping scale (so I never have to go to the post office again!)
Wives and Daughters DVD
North and South DVD
A new digital camera that is small enough to be in my purse all of the time
$ for stamping stuff

I'm not going to tag anyone--feel free to do this if you wish.

Thanks for sticking with me!

This one's all mine

I'm sure we remember the deer hunt two years ago. (because that is always on the forefront of your mind--right?)

I was unsuccessful.

And then last year I was pregnant and there was no way on earth that I was hauling around my large self with a gun on my back.

So that brings us to yesterday.

I went hunting.

I got up at 5:00 a.m. Strapped on my boots (that were NOT so broken in). Dropped off Easton with my mom and was off.

We got to the ranch around 6:45, just in time for it to be light enough to see and drove around for about half an hour. Then dad saw it.

A white bum.

Turns out it was three white bums, that belonged to three bucks.

I aimed. I missed (why is this a reoccurring theme?--I blame it on the new gun).

Then, I changed animals.


And hit it! Success!

And then it started to run. Uphill (never a good sign).

So since I had to reload, Ronnie finished him off. (Team spirit)

After all of those short sentences, you are probably ready for some pictures.

And I'd just like to remind everyone that this is significantly larger than Ronnie's from last year. (We don't split animals. He(or she in this case) who injures it, gets it).

The first kill

I know what you are thinking, but Ronnie and I and Easton ALL survived the weekend. Ronnie was an excellent patient.

What I am referring to, is the first kill of hunting season.

(You didn't think that we could get through another one of those without a few stories, did you?)

My dad and little brother went out on Monday. And Jord-man was successful.

Sorry for the graphic-ness of this, if you are not used to such things. The joy on Jord-man's face is worth it all though--don't you think?

P.S. As I type, Ronnie is attempting to bag an elk. We all know that he was unsuccessful last time. Hopefully this year goes better

P.P.S. The jury is still out on whether this antelope beats the one I got 11 years ago.