The Things We Do...

I am SOOO sick of getting plugged milk ducts, let me tell you. I guess I'm just one of those women prone to EVERYTHING it seems. A few days ago I fought off so pluggage on my right side, now I've got about 3 pea sized lumps on my left that KILL. I have been doing everything from taking Lecithin pills, massage, heating pad, to even waking up Bruin every few hours last night to nurse, along with pumping every 2 hours. Nothing is working to make these go away and I'm worried its going to turn into mastitis again. Ughhhh, sometimes it just makes me want to quit with the whole breastfeeding thing. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE RAISED ON FORMULA WHO ARE JUST FINE! But then I think about how much good I am giving Bruin by doing it and I keep forging on. PLUS, formula isn't exactly the cheapest thing, and STINKS.
So this is my venting. I have been keeping focused on each milestone since the beginning and telling myself, "I'll do it until he's at least 6 weeks... I'll do it until he's 3 months...." Now its "I'll do it until he's 6 months." But can I really?
On the bright side, I started Bruin on some rice cereal a few days ago and now he's loving it! I can't get it into his mouth fast enough. The first few tries were a little challenging for him. He wanted it, but couldn't really figure it out and half of it would plop out onto his bib. But I just let him get used to the texture and feel of it in his mouth and now today he ate a full serving after breakfast and was happy! Yay for Bruin! I'm hoping this will curb his massive appetite he's developed... That's the reason I started in the first place.. I couldn't seem to make enough milk for the little guy. Now I'm just watching to make sure his body is okay with it and digests fine.



So now, I must go and pump for the millionth time in the last 24 hours...

Beautiful November

We have had FABULOUS weather here for the past two months and I just can't be thankful enough! Its been in the 70s but this weeks it is finally dropping down to the 60s. Bruin and I can still take our walks on the trail and sit in the grass outside in his Bumbo. The other day I had someone take a pic of us on one of our walks. The trees are so beautiful and sometimes I'll just park the stroller next to them and let Bruin gaze at them.



Last night, my mom came over and we made BBQ chicken pizza and watched this weeks Biggest Loser. Love that show! I just love this pizza so I thought I'd share the recipe for anyone looking to make something different for dinner this week. I took this pic when I made half of it with pineapple once.




BBQ Chicken Pizza

2 breasts chicken (or 4-5 tenderloins)
Your favorite BBQ sauce (I use Kraft Honey Hickory Smoke)
1 Tbl of liquid smoke
bunch of cilantro
Around 2 cups of mozzarrella
(red onion optional)

Put the defrosted chicken in a crockpot with BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, and like a Tablespoon of water. Cook on high until shreddable (between 1-2 hours).

Using any pizza dough recipe (I just let my breadmaker do the work) roll the dough out and onto a pizza pan. Spread a good layer of BBQ sauce all over dough, sprinkle evenly with chicken (and red onion if you want), then cover with mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve.
Mmmmm delicious!

Last but not least, here is my new favorite picture of Bruin :)

Another Week

Ohhh Mondays. The beginning of a new week, but sadly this one doesn't have that much to look forward to :( Phil and my Dad left to Redding today so my Mom and I are on our own. I'm gonna miss my hubby all week long.

Yesterday Phil and I gave our talks in Sacrament meeting and it went fine. For the first time in life I wasn't really all that nervous. I had a few butterflies but nothing like my usual, upset stomach, clammy hands, want to cry, panic I normally get before public speaking. Our talks were on the General Conference talk "You Know Enough" and was actually a difficult subject because it didn't have much meat to work off of. But we are happy to have it over with and not have to speak for at least another year hopefully!!

Tonight my mom is coming over and we're watching a movie and eating breakfast for FHE. I think I'll go spend the night at her house a day or two this week so I'm not so lonely/scared. I am kind of a paranoid person so its hard to be alone at night!

Bruin is getting more of a personality every day and is so fun! He talks all the time making "oh" sounds a million times and has figured out how to bring things to his mouth to bite on them. His napping has gotten back to normal which I'm thrilled about because it gives me time to do things other than chores in my spare moments like read, online scrapbook, eat a real lunch, and bake goodies!

Anyways, I can't wait until this week is over and the weekend comes.... BYU vs Utah AND the Twilight movie coming out. Woohoo!

Dr. Seuss

I found this as I was searching for material for the sacrament talk I have to give on Sunday. Its a hillarious rendition of the First Book of Nephi in Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs and Ham" format.


Nephi: Of goodly parents I was born
I've never drunk, I've never sworn
This is Lehi, he's my dad
Laman, Lemuel, they are bad
And who is this? Why this is Sam
Yes, this is Sam;

Sam: Sam I am

Laman: That Sam I am, that Sam I am
I do not like that Sam I am

Sam: In a tent, my father dwelt

Laman: And it's so hot, I think I'll melt

Lemuel: Our father's brain is out of whack

Laman: Yeah, it's too hot, I'm going back

Lehi: Then go and get the plates my dear

Laman: On second thought, I'm staying here

Nephi: You said you'd leave and go away
Now all you want to do is stay?

Lemuel: That Nephi always gets his way

Laman: Here we are in this damp cave

Sam: We would not be here if you'd behave

Nephi: I will go and I will do
There's the angel, that's my cue
Laban's had too much to drink
Now he'll lose his head, I think

Nephi: Look what I found, a brother from the quorum

Sam: We will take him home, we will call him Zoram

Lemuel: Oh great, another pathetic life form

Laman: Our gold and silver we have spent
I do not like it in this tent

Lemuel: I cannot read the Liahona
I must have drunk too much Corona

Laman: We hate it here, we have no lives

Lehi: Then go back to the city and get some wives

Lehi: A tree, a tree, I see a tree
The fruit is white, the fruit is free
A floating building, could it be?
Why do they laugh and stare at me?

Laman, Lemuel, come and see

Laman: We will not eat your precious fruit

Lemuel: We will not wear a tie and suit

Laman: We will not help you build your boat

Lemuel: We do not think that it will float

Laman: No not this boat, it will not float
Not even in a shallow moat
I do not care what Nephi wrote

Lemuel: We will not eat your fruit I say

Laman: We will not eat it on a tray

Lemuel: And we won't eat it in a tent
Not even if your clothes you rent

Laman: We'd rather have a can of spam
L & L: We will not eat it, Sam I am

Sam: You do not like it, so you say
Try it, try it, and you may
Try it and you may I say

Laman: Sam, if you will let us be,
We will try it, you will see

L&L: Say, we like this fruit of life
Sorry that we caused such strife
You've saved us from an awful jam
Thank you, thank you, Sam I am


Author: Unknown

My New Seat

For a few weeks now I've been stalking craigslist for a Bumbo seat for Bruin. It seemed every time one was posted I would call or email and be too late. These things were selling like hot cakes! So first thing I did this morning when I got up was check craigslist and sure enough, a Bumbo was posted late last night for $15. There was no number listed so I emailed her begging her to call me as soon as she got my message cuz I wanted to come buy it today. About a half hour later she called me and said she would hold it for me and laughed because she was amazed at how many people were emailing her for it already! Anyways, I'm just thrilled that I beat out the other people and here it is, my green Bumbo. We tried it out this morning and he may not QUITE be ready for it but he's close! Yay for craigslist



Oh and this is a pic of Phil finishing up carving FOUR HUGE TURKEYS for my dad's YSA ward Thanksgiving dinner. What a good man :)



While finishing this post I was in the middle of baking some brownies for my neighbors (and yes, of course I'll save A FEW bites for me). I decided to melt some Reeses Pieces baking chips to drizzle on top of half of them to make them pretty and yummy! Well who knew that microwaving them would end up filling my kitchen with smoke. I was freaking out cuz Bruin finally fell asleep in his crib for his nap and I was nervous our smoke alarm would go off! So I just threw open all my doors and grabbed our standing fan and faced it out the door to blow it all out. So far no alarm. Phhhewwww!!
Ok and here's another cute pic of my little guy. I just can't get enough of him :)

Goal Setting

Well, we decided it was time to set some new goals for our family. We went through financial goals and spiritual goals last night, and tonight we will be writing down our physical, intellectual, and couples goals.
I really wanted to organize things in my life better so I went and purchased a big calendar to put on our wall where I could write EVERYTHING down. I would like to start planning dinner for the week as well so I can go grocery shopping and get it all in one trip. I also want to plan my days so that I'm not sitting at home everyday couped up. I'm going to figure out which day to go to the library, go grocery shopping, go on the walking trail through town, etc.. This way I can take the "thinking" out of my week :)
Another new goal I've set is to start my workouts! I started Friday going to my mom and dad's house to workout in their gym in the garage. Its been great so far because I feel so good when I'm done and it makes me more conscious about what I'm eating throughout the rest of the day. I just set Bruin down next to me when I'm on the treadmill and he seems to like the rhythmic sound and either falls asleep or just stares at me as I run.



Anyways I'm really motivated right now and I hope I stay this way cuz I hate when I get excited and make goals and then I just fizzle out.

Thankful Today

Yesterday we got in our last hours of campaigning for Prop 8. Phil took the day off of work and walked around neighborhoods for hours putting door hangers with a friend from the ward. Then last night we drove around to the polling places and found out who had already voted and then called all those who hadn't yet to remind them. It was quite the process but so worth it in the end because it looks like its going to pass 52% to 48%.
During this whole campaign I've really learned a lot about myself. To tell you the truth, I was LESS than thrilled to spend so much time on this. I REALLY dreaded making phone calls to people about the proposition and kind of dragged my feet. The stake was asking a lot of all of us but I learned that whether this proposition passed or not, this was a test from the Lord to see how faithful his saints would be. It makes you ask yourself how much you are willing to give to the Lord. Sure, giving money is easy. But actually spending your time doing something totally uncomfortable and outside yourself is another.
Thankfully I have an amazing husband who is always willing to serve and give of his time. This is one of the qualities in him that made me want to marry him. I knew that he doesn't give up, that he will always attend church in his white shirt and tie.. that he not only will be at church, but he will go to all the meetings, activities, service projects, do his home teaching, and serve faithfully in any calling he receives. I am so thankful to have him as my husband, to push me in the areas I am weak. I'm thankful for his parents who taught him to be this way and raised him to be such a hard worker and strong in testimony.

And I am thankful for all the hard work and prayers of the saints who campaigned for Proposition 8 so that my children can grow up in a world where the sanctity of marriage is still upheld. Good job California for voting Yes on 8!

Our FHE

This is how we spent our Family Home Evening tonight.... haha CrAzY CaLiFoRnIaNs!!

Candy Night

Last night we went to the ward Trunk or Treat party to give out candy to all the kids. Phil was the hit of the night with his scary monkey mask. As the kids came up for candy he would make scary monkey sounds or jump out at them, etc. They LOVED it! Some of the little kids didn't like it so much and ran away crying... only one parent got mad :) Bruin was such a good little baby through it all. He just chilled in my arms looking around and sucking his hands.

This is Phil in his mask



After Trunk-or-Treat we stopped by my parents house to scare my mom at the door :) They were watching Season three of 24 while they handed out candy to trick or treaters. We hung out for awhile and then headed over to our friends' house and played Halloween games and watched Scare Tactics episodes! It was a fun night, but I can't wait until next year when Bruin will enjoy it more!

Me and my boy. I just stuck on some ears before we left for the trunk or treaters.



Next year we'll get a really cute costume for Bruin :)