Random Thoughts

Cindy was making Abby laugh really hard it was so funny. Can you tell Abby is teething?

I have been trying to stay busy on a daily basis but, sometimes that just doesn't happen. Unfortunately my life's motto as of late has been "same old crap, different day" so if you get that as a retort from me, just take it in stride. By the way, Abby can walk now all by herself and she also learned to crawl like a normal baby and not like a wounded soldier. Anyway...Abby and I spend the day making a huge mess of the house. First she starts with taking all the toys from the toy drawer and dispensing of them equally throughout the house. Then she moves into the kitchen and commences taking out every pot and pan while at the same time attempting to step or sit in everyone she touches (don't worry, I wash them before I use them). I think she likes this one the best because it makes the most noise and it drives me crazy. Then she makes her way to the cabinet with all the Tupperware. Which of course she throws every piece out in a matter of minutes. But, some how she always seems to find the Tupperware that makes a nice top hat and proceeds to play about the house as though it belongs there. She definitely keeps me entertained. Although recently she has learned to climb onto the fireplace and then trys to walk off like someone is there to catch her. Which thankfully so far I have been, there have been a few close calls though. I am sure sooner rather than later she is really going to give herself an injury. She also likes to climb back and forth in the kitchen table chairs which acts as a minnie play area. She will do this for a long time, which she gets herself stuck often which of course brings on a frustrated tantrum.

Which brings me to my next topic. I would appreciate any and all advice on the subject. While Abby of course is the best child on earth and cutest :) she does have her flaws. As of late she really has started to throw some of the worst temper tantrums I have ever seen. Mostly because she likes to hit herself in the head with massive force as well as fling herself on the floor which usually end up in bruises. If I am there and trying to calm her down she will bite me like I am a Christmas ham as well as pull my hair with such aggression. Of course these tantrums worsen and she is tired. On Sunday while at church she sat through Sacrament just fine but as the next hour came she had a melt down. The worst I have ever seen from her. She was screaming at the top of her lungs and flailing like it was a sport. Thankfully I had the mothers lounge to myself. But as I tried to keep her in my arms and calm her she was yanking my hair and biting with a passion. After about a half and hour of this I put her on the floor where she immediately threw herself as hard as possible into the chair leaving a huge gash and welt on her head. Needless to say I was sweating bullets by this time and had had enough. So I packed her up and went home. She promptly went to sleep as did I after such a battle but I was frustrated as well. She also will bang her head really hard on her high chair pretty regularly. What do you do? I feel like I am going crazy, I have tried the method of "put her on the floor and ignore" as well as try to soothe and cuddle. Neither seems to do the trick. Any suggestions????

And lastly just a quick funny story....Most mornings Abby wakes, I give her bottle and I go for a run outside. Generally around 7:30. Each time I try to make it a little further so I can get back into shape. The route I take is about 3.2 miles and is actually kinda hard when you do it. So the other morning I was determined to make it a certain distance and I had my mind set. So when I was approaching the area I saw the sprinklers were on. I thought, perhaps by the time I made it down there they would switch, but no such luck. So getting closer I was debating because I had Abby in the jogger and Belle (my dog) in tow who hates sprinklers. But I thought I have come this far Abby wont get wet if I pull the shade down. So I pulled the shade and trudged on. However I did not get very far when I heard a scream and Belle freaked out and yanked my arm off. So I looked in to see what was wrong with Abby and apparently I had not done the proper job and she seemed to have been hit directly in the face. Poor thing I felt so bad, gosh why am I so stubborn. So I turned around and she cried most of the way home. What a great mom I am!

So that's life in a nutshell right now. Her are some more recent pics of Abby......Evidence of the Tupperware. This was funny because when I walked into the kitchen this was how I found her. Sitting in this box trying to wear that bowl.

There is that top hat again

For some reason she likes to squeeze herself into little places. Like the box above and this little toy bin. I sometimes find her trying to squeeze behind the couch or into her toy drawer.

Tag a wag

I was tagged by Code Sloth..
1) LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER. Indiana Jones with my dad.
2) WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? The book of Mormon
3) FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Monopoly
4) FAVORITE MAGAZINE? Ensign, probably the only one I read
5) FAVORITE SMELLS? The smell of clean, cookies baking and rain
6)FAVORITE SOUNDS? Abby laughing, rain, people who snort when they laugh
7) WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD? Stress, stomach cramps, Loneliness, slamming your finger in the door, hopelessness and C-section.
8)WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN U WAKE UP? Not yet
9) FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE? In and out
10) FUTURE CHILD'S NAME? Not so sure it changes all the time.
11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT—"IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’d…Pay off debt and families debts and then go on a freaking vacation
12) DO YOU DRIVE FAST? Depends if Abby is in the car...
13) DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? Umm how old am I?
14) STORMS–COOL OR SCARY? Cool
15) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? 1984 Toyota Cressida named Dexter
16) FAVORITE DRINK? water
17) FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD… Do a lot of things differently
18) DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI? Broccoli is dis-gust-ing!
19) IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE? Purple, just kidding, I have no Idea
20) NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN. Carmichael, farmington, lotus, rescue, trophy club, Keller etc...
21) FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football, volleyball and lacrosse
22) ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?I don't think I could name just one. She is a great sis and I love her.
23) WHATS UNDER YOUR BED? Moth Balls
24) WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN? Umm what? OK.
25) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Middle of the day
26) OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP? Over Easy
27) FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX? in my bed
Where's 28?
29) FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Mint Oreo
30) OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE TAGGED, WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST? ???
I tag.... YOU

More of Utah

Here are some more pics from the first week of my trip with Abby to Utah. Along with the Bean museum, going to Orem summerfest, hanging out and touring BYU we spent time at the pool and also Hiked the Y. Although we only went to the bottom of it, but it was still a beast. Between the altitude difference, steep incline and blazing sun burning our flesh, we did it. Randy was a great uncle and carried her the whole way (along with a back pack). It was very difficult but it was good to say I actually did it. Needless to say we were all sweating bullets and exhausted by the end of it.

Abby loving the water and people watching

Codee and Jay

Abby and I, I was trying to keep my hand dry for the camera. Look at her Teeth :)
We made it to the top of the bottom
Rans with Abby and the beautiful view.

Codee and Jay on the Y

Home Again

Abby and I made it home after a rather intense and stressful flight. On the flight to Utah I was able to carry on her car seat because the flight wans't full which seemed to work and the flight went pretty smoothly. However the flight was full on the way home and I had to hold her on my lap. She screamed 75% of the time and sucked her fingers the rest. Not to mention she was a little sick and had not slept well at all the night before or for her nap. Needless to say, I was sweating bullets by the time the plane even took off and I basically held her in a death grip the entire flight. But we are home safe. I have so many pictures to sort through and share. So check back soon.

Abby Jay and I at Summerfest


Abby At Summerfest


Abby at the BYU creamery


The Kids having fun!

Still in UTAH

Hey All. Most people know Abby and I were supposed to be home from Utah on Tuesday, But I have extended my stay a few days so I will be home next week instead. My mom and grandma came to town for a bit so we have been super busy. I have so many pictures that I don't know how to choose which ones I will post when I return. There are over 150 right now and I still have several days to go. We are having a good time enjoying the weather and time with family.

Utah

Abby and I before heading to church with Codee and Jay

Abby and I are in Utah right now. We have been staying busy and trying to do a lot while we are here. There are so many pictures but I can't upload them since Codee doesn't have a slot for my memory card. Thus, I stole some from her computer.
We have visited friends and family, hiked the Y, gone swimming a few times, done some shopping and hair, been to a spin class, walked around BYU, went to the bean museum, Orem's summer fest carnival, and been exhausted. Its definitely keeping my mind busy. My mom and grandma are driving up tomorrow and then we will take a trip to see the salt lake sites. But thats it for now. I come home next week which seems too soon, Utah is a very appealing state :)

Jay and I in the Ambulance at Summerfest

My new hair! Codee talked me into coloring and cutting my hair, its a bit darker with some layers. I needed a change, subtle but different.

Going to UTAH!!!

Hey all, thanks for all the support during this rough patch. I just wanted everyone to know that I am leaving for Utah today and wont be back for two weeks. I highly doubt I will be posting while I am up there. I am going to visit my Sister and her family along with a cousin and an Aunt and their families. I need a break from Texas for a few weeks :)

Look at how cute Abby looks in her new glasses!

Thoughts

I know I haven't posted anything of significance in a while. I just wanted to say keep checking and I am sure I might find myself in the mood soon. Unfortunately sometimes life throws you curve balls and you don't even know your playing baseball.

Abby is getting so big and it is her smile that I see on a daily basis that makes me happy.

Here is a pic of Abby playing the the baby pool and papa at nana's house.

Tag your it!

I have been tagged by my sister codesloth...

The rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (at least 123 pages).
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post the 5th sentence on your blog.
5. Tag 5 people.

"You OK?" I asked.

I know what a totally life changing line. Its from "Sams letters to Jennifer" by James Patterson, great book, but I think "Suzannes diary for Nicolas" might be better.

I tag: Maegan, Megan, Sarah, Jamie, and Natalie

Appreciation

I have been thinking a lot about being appreciative for the things and people we have in our lives. Mostly this train of thought was brought about by a book I am reading called Searching the Scriptures by Gene R. Cook. In an effort to get a better understanding of the gospel and get more out of the time I spend reading the Bible and the Book of Mormon, Cheri (my mother-in-law) gave me this book. I am only a few chapters in so far and it has already changed the perspective with which I go into my personal study time. Mostly being appreciative for the sacrifices of so many to bring about the sacred works that we have today. It talks of people such as John Wycliffe who wanted the Bible translated into English and was shunned and excommunicated from his Church for it. The hatred ran so deep that when he died, people dug him up and burned him. And then there was William Tyndale who, when the printing press was invented, wanted to provide a printed English Bible. He had to do this in secret under alias's and he was eventually captured, in a dungeon for 16 months and then strangled and burned at the stake. Then, of course, is Joseph Smith who went through so many trails, persecutions and hardships eventually being martyred for wanting to do the will of the Lord and not deny him. So as depressing as all that sounds, even though I already knew theses things, this time it actually changed the way I think. I am much more appreciative for the availability of the Scriptures and that we can buy them so easily. To know that so many have died in order for us to read the words of the Lord makes me thus, appreciative.
But, this also translates into many other aspects of life. The struggles of the pioneers, the many wars of the worlds, political strife, all so that we can live as we do today. So we need to be appreciative for the the many lives lost and consider ourselves lucky to live in a day in age where we can worship freely any religion that we chose.
This also makes me appreciative for the little things in life, like the smile on Abby's face, since medical advancements made it possible to make it through a rough beginning. For air conditioning and electricity. But also for marriage, and the sanctity of it. To know that what is bound on earth is also bound in heaven and that "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord"(1 Corinthians 11:11). To know that families are forever is such a wonderful thing and the knowledge that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. Gives me a new perspective on many things.
So with that said I can say I am Appreciative for Seth and all that he does for our family. For the hard work and dedication it takes to support us, and of course putting up with me. Who can be quite mouthy at times. For also being a good dad and husband. And for Abby and the great Joy she brings into our family. Of course, also included are Moms, Dads, Sisters, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, In-laws and those who (most of the time anyway :)) make our lives easier and make us feel loved.
I am appreciative for all I have and all I have available to me.