Up and running

Well, I'm irritated. I dropped my computer off on Monday and the guy told me it would be 2 -3 days. I called after 2 days, just to tell them I'd changed my mind about having my data backed up; the guy who answered said it was just about ready and they'd call me as soon as they were done. I waited patiently for their call all day yesterday. I finally buckled today and called them myself. Sure enough, it was ready. I went to pick it up, and the sheet they had taped to it said that the work had been completed the same day I dropped it off. I wonder if they would have ever called... Oh, well. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, ehh? I've been surfing all afternoon, just immersing myself in anything mildly interesting that I can find online. What a wonderful way to waste an afternoon.

There isn't much news around here. I finished re-reading the Twilight books yesterday (they have completely consumed my mind, again, so its all I can think of to talk about right now). I am so dang excited for the new one that comes out on Saturday. I'll be in Logan and, even though its completely irresponsible considering I have an infant to take care of the next day, I really want to drag my sisters to one of those midnight release parties and stay up late reading the book. I know I won't really do it, but wouldn't it be fun? James and his brother are taking off to the mountains for the weekend, so Little Man and I are spending some quality time with the folks. I wish that they saw him more. He gets bigger all the time. He has a new habit of crying whenever I walk out of the room. I was thinking he was a cool, independent baby, who liked me well enough, but didn't mind being on his own, either. Wrong. He is just becoming so aware of his surroundings that he's finally noticing that I'm not around. He sure is a sweetie, though. He's had a good week, all in all. He was struggling to stick to his schedule, but once I kind of gave up on it and tried just listening to him, he got right back on it, all on his own. Funny how that works.

Crashed

No, I'm not dead. My computer is very sick. It's at the computer doctor right now. Hopefully it will be healed soon. My days have been very empty without the Internet. What did people used to do with their time? I've been scrapbooking, reading (stupid Twilight books), and I'm still more than a little bored.

More later. 'Night.

My Favorite Rock Star

Last night, I got to go to the John Mayer concert. I love me some John Mayer. Oh my goodness. It wasn't quite the show I'd expected, though. John Mayer is a guitar player at heart, not a pop star. (I've been saying this for years, trying to convince certain members of my family that he's not a "fairy".) So when he plays live, its not like listening to his CDs. He really likes to jam. Which is fine, but I wanted to hear all of my favorite songs and sing along. Oh well. While I was there thinking impure thoughts about the man on stage last night, I had a little epiphany. Every time John Mayer covered a song, I thought to myself, "James can play that song." When Nikki commented that she really loved John Mayer's white t-shirt and khakis, I thought, "That's what James wears." When John Mayer would sing in that wonderful, smokey voice, I thought, "James could do that if he wanted." I finally realized that I have my very own rock star at home and I don't appreciate him or his talents nearly enough. Why was I swooning over this guy when I'm married a man that can do so much more? My guy is certainly nicer, kinder, and funnier. He's just as good of a musician. He's got smoldering good looks. So, darling, if you're reading this, know that YOU are my favorite rock star. I love you.

Speaking of James being a rock star, I mentioned a while back that he's playing in a band now. They have several gigs lined up for the next couple of months, and we'd love it if you would come support him and the band. (But, ladies, remember the sexy guitar player is already taken. No swooning, please.) Here are the dates:

August 9th at Wheeler Farm, 12:20 pm to 1:20 pm (This is the one I'd come to, if I were you)
August 23rd at West Jordan Nat'l Guard Facility, 11:15 am - 1:15 pm
September 12 at Cruisers, 9:00 pm to 1:00 am

If you need addresses and/or directions to any of these, leave a comment or call us.

And, finally, some pictures from last night.

Here are my beautiful sisters:
Here is Lindsay's hubby. He didn't have as much fun as we did.

Colbie Callait opened for John Mayer. (That's her on the right with the white shirt and straw hat.)

My 2nd favorite rock star.

And since you've all so patiently read through the last two entries with barely even a mention of the baby, here's a silly picture of my Little Man.

My new favorite chili recipe

Not much is going on around here. Little Man is struggling with the solids and still wants to nurse all the time, sometimes every hour. It's getting old. He did take some nice, long naps today, though. We're going to try to get back on a good schedule tomorrow. I can't keep this up much longer.

The real reason for this post is to brag about the awesome pot of chili I made for dinner tonight. Inspired by my bro-in-law, Jon, I recently purchased a pressure cooker ($12 on clearance. Score!). I made the whole thing, using dried beans, in about 45 minutes (and that included having to put the baby down for a nap and dealing with a plumbing fiasco in a couple of the units in our building in the middle of cooking). And it tasted SO good! Here's the recipe I used/made up as I went:

2 cups dried beans, quick-soaked in pressure cooker (Put 2 cups of beans, 6 cups of water, and a little oil in the cooker. Bring up to pressure, then remove from heat. Let sit 10 minutes, then quick-release the pressure and drain.)
3 T oil
1 onions, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 lb ground pork
2 T paprika
1 T oregano
2 t cumin seeds
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 t chipotle chili powder
1 bay leaf
1 c water
2 cans (14.5 oz) tomatoes
1/2 c cilantro, chopped

Heat oil in pressure cooker. Saute onions and peppers. Add pork and cook until no longer pink. Add remaining ingredients, except cilantro. Lock lid in place, bring to full pressure, then cook for 2o minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 - 10 minutes before quick-releasing pressure. Stir in cilantro and season to taste with salt (I used about 2 t). Serve with grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips. Yummy!

A Big Day of Firsts

Little Man has had quite a day. He was being a complete stinker, again, this morning. He had been playing on a blanket while I showered and was fussing when I got out. I picked him up, and he immediately latched on and started nursing. I decided that all the fussiness was because he's been super hungry. So, going against the doctor's advice, Little Man got his first taste of cereal today. I'm not sure if he liked it or not, but I sure liked him a lot better when he was done. It was like we flipped a switch. Suddenly, he was smiling and laughing again. And he even took a long, 2+ hour nap. I'm not sure if he's really ready for solids or if he's just having a little growth spurt, but it sure made a big difference today.









Little Man also got his first haircut today. I had decided yesterday that it was time, but James wanted to enjoy his long hair one more day. He also requested that he not be here when I did it. He's a little attached to the long hair. I had no idea what I was doing, but I really think it looks great! We should have done it a long time ago. You can still tell he's got a lot of hair, but it doesn't look all straggley. And doesn't he look so grown up? He's quickly looking less and less like a baby, and more and more like a little boy.

The Before.
He actually fell asleep for a minute during the haircut. At least he wasn't wiggling.

The aftermath. Look at all that hair!He had a break down near the end.

The After. Doesn't he look good?!

St. George and Lots of Poop

We took our first family trip with Little Man this weekend. We drove down to St. George on Friday. I have to admit that it wasn't that fun. Not that Little Man wasn't a complete angel. In the whole three days, the only time he cried was yesterday when he got startled awake. Even though he didn't get his normal naps and spent most of the weekend in his car seat, he was happy and pleasant the whole time. But even though he was super good, there just isn't that much to do in St. George in the middle of July with a baby. We went to the outlets on Saturday afternoon, then drove to Mesquite to eat at one of the buffets. We planned on getting there right at 4 when it opened, since we hadn't had lunch. We got there about 3:30, so the guys went and bowled a game while we waited. We went back to the buffet at 4, and it still wasn't open. Greg peeked his head in to see what was going on, and then we realized the time changes when you cross the border into Nevada. So we drove around Mesquite for awhile, and ended up hanging out at the Family Dollar for about half an hour. Wa-hoo! We went back to the condo when we were done eating and James, Greg, and Amy went down to the pool while I put Little Man down for a nap. They returned quickly, though, because the pool had been closed because it was getting stormy. So we ended up playing cards for a little while then going to bed. Good times.

The most exciting part of the trip happened yesterday while we were packing up to go home. I was changing Little Man on the couch at the condo. It had been almost three days since he'd pooped (too much info?) so I was poking his tummy, trying to feel if it was hard and bloated. He seemed ok, then all of a sudden, I heard a gurgling noise. I looked down just in time to see "the eruption," as James is calling it. Poop was oozing all over the couch. The couch that didn't belong to us. The couch that someone else would have to sit on later that day. Yuck. I kind of flipped out and James started gagging. We got most of it cleaned up but I really feel bad for any future occupants of that condo.

We did take a detour on the way home through Zion's Park yesterday. We went on the Overlook Trail and it was really wonderful. It was overcast, with a slight breeze. It was actually cooler down there than it was here at home. Our short detour ended up making our trip an extra 3 -4 hours long. I don't want to ride in the car for a long, long, time.

Little Man's streak of being good is definately over. As if he's getting us back for neglecting him all weekend, he's been a complete stinker all day. He's only taken two 20 minute naps all day, and had a huge blowout while I was rocking him. He's tired, and ornery, and cries every time I put him down. It's been a rough day.


Little Man in his car seat Friday night.

One advantage of the long car ride was the quality time James and Little Man got to spend together. Here they are talking and laughing.

James and Greg playing checkers while we waited for our breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. Little Man playing at the condo.

Since the pool was closed, James and Greg played basketball. Notice the flip-flops. Hiking in Zion would have been much more fun (and safe) if I hadn't been wearing a skirt and flip-flops.
The blow-out. Notice how the poop goes all the way up to his shoulder blades.

Don't let that cherubic face fool you. He's a stinker.

"Strong Little Man"

That's how the doctor described my sweet boy at his appointment yesterday. We got an A+. He's doing everything he's supposed to be by this age, and then some. The doctor said he's perfect, and not to change a thing we're doing. He even recommended not starting solids for another month, because he's thriving so well on just breast milk. He was impressed that he's rolling over (Little Man even demonstrated his new trick) and said that I'm in trouble, because he'll probably be crawling soon, but I already knew that. And everybody that saw him remarked on how happy he is. I had to keep telling them, "Yes, he's really this happy all the time."

And then he had to get his shots. He tried so hard to be brave. He flinched a little with the first one, but didn't start crying until the second one. He wailed for a second, but he settled right down. I can tell he doesn't feel good today, because he hasn't been wiggling and rolling over, and he's letting me cuddle with him. I makes me remember how he used to be, when he was really little. It's kind of nice. (Does it mean I'm a bad mom when I enjoy it when my baby doesn't feel good?)

Added Thurday, July 10th:
I feel like a dork. I didn't tell everyone about the most interesting part of our Dr's visit. Apparently, Little Man has had a little growth spurt. He now weighs 13 lbs 5.5 oz and is 25 3/4 inches long. That puts him in the 75th percentile for height and 25th percentile for weight. (Remember, at his 2 month appointment, he was in the 50th percentile for both.) Who would have ever thought that James and I would have tall, skinny baby? Go figure.

On the move

Holy crap, time goes by so fast. I can't believe my summer is already more than half over. I have so many projects that I haven't finished, so many projects that I haven't even started. Part of my problem is that I've had my nose stuck in a book most of the last week. Do you all share the same love for Stephenie Meyer that I have? I hate that I love her so much. I've got 150 pages left of "The Host" then maybe I'll be able to get something done around here. I guess this is what summer is for, though, right? Right?

Little Man is officially mobile. Yikes. Last week, he learned how to roll over. Once he figured it out, it was like something clicked, and now its all he wants to do. Then, on Sunday, he figured out how to roll from him tummy back to his back. And he can put the two motions together. So he's been rolling around our tiny apartment. He's never made it too far in the few times he's attempted it, but its just a matter of time. And this morning, while he was on his tummy, he was pushing off with his legs, like he was trying to scoot. I'm in so much trouble.

Little Man turned 4 months old on Sunday. I can't believe my baby is 4 months old! But that means that we have to go to the doctor today. I'm excited to see how much he's grown, but he'll have to get another round of shots. I can't even think about it. James will be at work, so I'm on my own this time. Its going to be rough.

I'm realizing that I take a lot of pictures of Little Man sleeping. All babies sleep like this, huh?
Whoops, here's another one.

Here are James and Little Man sleeping. These photos were taken at the same time. I thought it was interesting that they were sleeping in basically the same position.
James snapped this one of Little Man and me taking a nap together on Sunday afternoon.

Bathtime. Don't you love little baby bathrobes??

James was in charge of bath time last night so that I could run a movie back to the RedBox. I got home and James thought that he had made Little Man look like a rock star. I thought he looked like one of the Three Stooges.
To those of you that I promised a video of Little Man rolling over, I really do have one. I've been trying and trying, but can't get it to upload. I'll try to get it up in the next few days.

A week in the life of Little Man

This is going to be a short post, mostly because I'm grumpy and tired for some reason. But I did want to share some pictures of Little Man. He's been awfully cute this week.


Here he is playing with Grandma on Sunday.

Rockin' the curly hair.

Look at how long his hair is getting. He kind of looks like a girl.

Here's my baby sleeping. Yes, he really sleeps like this.

Doesn't he look so precious?

Yesterday evening, I put Little Man down on floor to play while I made dinner. I came back into the room a few minutes later to check on him. This is how I found him...

He rolled over! And I missed it! He's been dangerously close to rolling over for a while now; he's been able to get his bottom half over, but couldn't quite get that arm out from underneath him. He must have figured it out, though. Hopefully, he'll repeat the performance soon and I'll get to see him in action.