Merry Christmas!

Santa Baby

Since my last post, we went to see Kyle's mom and he helped her with her "honey-to-do" list. We figured we should take advantage of the free gas while we still had it (they shut his card off yesterday...sad, sad day). We'll head back on Tuesday for a week. This month feels like a whirlwind for more then one reason.

Then my aunt watched Michael and we took my parents to Leavenworth for the day. It was fun to be up there during Christmas time because of everything that is going on, but not sure I'd go back for a while. You can only see so many trinket stores before you've seen them all. I've been to Germany before, and I'm pretty sure they don't have stores like that, but they did get it right with the building store fronts and decor. We came away with some German chocolate, which was our only expectation.

I would post some pictures but they are on my dad's cell phone. Our camera crashed and burned, so we're camera-less right now. I did borrow my sisters today so we could take a picture of Michael on Santa's lap at the mall. Our normal "I-love-strangers-more-then-my-parents child" decided that Santa was not his thing. He instantaneously burst in to tears, so our picture didn't really turn out. Plus we didn't want to pay the $24 dollars for one sheet of pictures, so they weren't giving us much time to take a picture. Hopefully at the ward party they'll have Santa and we can do retakes.

Michael is so much fun, we can hardly stand it. Seriously, he is non-stop fun. Of course I'm biased, but people tell me that all the time. We are so lucky to have such a good baby. We love him soooooo much. He's not perfect though. He tears apart my house all day long. He is in to everything, and does not stop unless he's taking a nap. Thank heavens for naps and early bed times. Lately he's been really into hugging people, and wants to hug and kiss everyone. Of course, he's still biting me any chance he gets. He loves biting us, I don't get it! Luckily he hasn't bit anyone else (so far).

Putting It Out There

Kyle's been working for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) since August, and had just recently finished his training (three weeks in North Carolina, and lots of tests). We have been really happy with the company, and he has loved his job. Things couldn't be better. Or could they? GSK decided to give us an early Christmas present this year. Wasn't that nice of them? We thought so too, until we found out the present was coming by way of severance. Yep, you read it right, we were laid off (along with 1,800 other sales employees). I know, we were shocked too. Let's just say Wednesday and Thursday weren't my best days.

So if anyone out there hears of anything that you think might be a fit, please let us know, but also don't get offended if the jobs not the right fit. I say this because since the layoffs, Kyle's been referred to a job at Wal-Mart. Probably not the route we're going right now. Not that there's anything wrong with working there, but it's just a little different then what we want. :) We are willing to relocate, but if possible we would really like to stay here.

We know that everything will work out, and realize that we have to be patient because not much hiring goes on during the holidays. So for now, we'll try to enjoy the time off.

Family Picture

I'm thinking this will be our family Christmas Card picture if I ever send one out. One of the missionaries who lives with my mom and dad took it for us at Thanksgiving (everyone else was busy). Turned out pretty good I think. My little brother took our engagement picture, so as you can see we like to stick to the amateurs. There's nothing a little PhotoShop can't fix.

Thanksgiving Update....Better Late Then Never

We had a nice Thanksgiving at my sister's house. It was a smaller group then we're used to, but still plenty of action. I was in charge of a number of things, but the most nerve racking was the apple pie. It was my first try at making a pie. Lucky for me, it turned out great. The best part? Dairy free for Michael.

Our good family friend Seth was in town for the holiday, and we were able to see him for a while, which is always entertaining. The missionaries and Seth put up my mom's Christmas decorations. My mom and dad were watching Michael and were going to a reception. They invited Seth along. My mom said that when they were saying goodbye to Seth, he went to the back of the van to give Michael a hug and kiss and said, "I'm your daddy, and your my son." Hilarious. I have four "engagement rings" from Seth, so as you can see, he does wish he was Michael's daddy, but let me assure you. He is NOT.

Next we went to visit my bestie Candice and her family at Cameo Heights Mansion. If you need a getaway, this place is close, convenient and like nothing you've ever seen before. Thanks again Fieldings! The food, accomodations and location are all amazing.

Grateful

{I love this picture}

• Grateful to be near family to spend Thanksgiving with
• Grateful that my mom taught me how to cook when I was young, so that I can contribute to Thanksgiving dinner
• Grateful to be the Momma of a VERY happy, active baby boy
• Grateful for a husband who daily lets me know he thinks I'm hot even when I'm oh so NOT!(I know most of you are gagging right now, but I really am grateful for this)
• Grateful for good health and modern medicine
• Grateful that Michael is only allergic to dairy
• Grateful I have a mom close by who'll babysit so Kyle and I can escape to Cameo Heights Mansion for a night.....jealous? Yeah, I'd be too!
• Grateful that on Friday and Saturday I get to spend time with my BFF Candice (at CHM), did I mention, she's also pregnant?
• Grateful that my car and house have a heater
• Grateful that Kyle likes his job
• Grateful that I don't work outside the home now that I'm a mom
• Grateful to belong to a church that is positive, and stands for truth and righteousness
• Grateful for WINCO...I love cheap groceries
• Grateful I grew up on a farm and know how to work
• Grateful my husband is a fix-it man
• Grateful we've never been in debt
• Grateful to be able to help other people out. What goes around comes around!
• Grateful for my curly hair (please just promise to go back to normal one day)
• Grateful for Bumble and Bumble Curl Creme (lifesaver)
• Grateful that the scar on my face is somewhat hidden
• Grateful that I lost all my baby weight plus three pounds (thought it would never happen)
• Grateful for vacuum cleaners and Mr. Clean Erasers
• Grateful for my baby brother on a mission and his awesome letters
• Grateful for the big messes Michael creates because I hear it's supposed to mean he's smart...or at least that's what I'm hoping for
• Grateful for disposable diapers...enough said!

Cuppy Cake

My Aunt Michele's brother lives in Wasilla Alaska and their son (her nephew) has a severe kidney disorder and is on steroids to survive, which cause him to gain weight. I don't know the whole story, but they put a video of him on YouTube lipsyncing to the "cuppy cake" song, and it was a hit (3,000,000 views). Some people left nasty comments about him thinking that he was chubby because he was overeating. The show "The Doctors" and "Tyra Banks Show" saw the video and are having him on their shows in December. The girl he's singing with in the second video, is the girl who originally sang the song a long time ago. I'm guessing they teamed up when he went to tape the shows.

This is just too sweet not to share.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HannahEAllred

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlztzT4l6Ig&feature=related

Mundane November

It's November, which means there's not much going on, but at the same time we stay busy with with church, BYU football, work, keeping up with Michael, and everything else that life entails.

Michael is cuter then ever. He seriously is happy all the time (except when teething). This week I had someone with 4 kids tell me that they've never heard a kid laugh like he does without being tickled. It's true, the kid is always cracking up. He loves to pull everything out of anywhere and can do it in no time flat. I'm trying to focus on the positive and think it's because he's a genius trying to explore his world.

Here's the 13 month stats:

• He has 6 teeth and is cutting more
• He now weighs over 21 pounds.
• He finally will say Dadda. He said it a few months ago and then quit cold turkey. We've been working on it for months, and he finally will say it again, although don't let that fool you....he LOVES his dad.
• Michael's favorite thing to play with is balls. I find them in the garbage cans, in drawers, in closets, in cupboards and under beds.
• He says thank you, no, yeah, touchdown, ball, dadda, mamma, doggy, nanna, cat
• His favorite thing to do the past week is to gag himself. He sticks his entire hand in his mouth and gags until he's coughing, tears are streaming down his face, and his nose is running. Of course this week he did it in the car and threw up everywhere. He thinks it is hilarious. Me, not so much. I have discovered that baking powder on his hands does the trick temporarily.
• He's still sleeping 13 hours at night and taking two naps. Thank you schedule.
• His favorite "dangerous" activity is lunging off the side of the couch

So the best thing happened last night. It's happened once before under similar circumstances, but last night took the cake. We were saying family prayers and Michael was running around, and as we finished I did something to Kyle so he started tickling me which made me scream. Out of nowhere comes Michael screaming and crying and he's running towards me. He was protecting me! I can't explain it as good as it happened, but it was the sweetest thing that has ever happened to me. My little boy wanted to make sure his mommy was okay. Ah, the simple joys of motherhood. So watch out, I have a personal bodyguard with me at all times.

This weekend Kyle and I are heading to Utah. I'm very hesitant to leave Michael for so long; I know he'll be totally fine with his Nanna, it's just that I keep thinking, "what if something happens to us both while we're gone." I know I will miss him a lot. Before I had kids, I thought it was lame when mom's would have a hard time leaving their kids.

BIGGEST Family in the neighborHOOD

This blog is just too good to not share. It's written mainly by my Aunt Kashann (who's only a few years older then me) about their life in Buffalo, NY. They moved from their farm in Eastern Washington to "The Buff" as they call it, so Uncle Brent could go to Dental School. They have 5 kids and he's in his late thirties. Crazy, you say? Yes, that would be the best word to describe them and I say that lovingly. They bought a house for $30,000, which is in the hood, and have made it their home. Their tales tell of lice, mice, the puch, a double decker Buick, 4 girls, 1 new boy, a cheapskate adventurous husband, and a willing wife.

If you need a good laugh on this windy, rainy, dreary day (which I do), then head over to BIGGEST Family in the neighborHOOD and read about their latest adventure, and trust me there are MANY to read about. Also, if you are looking on how to "cut back and save" during these tough economic times, I'm pretty sure you can learn a lesson or two from Brent on being cheap. I always look forward to my Google Reader popping up a new post from this blog.

Make sure to read through the archives because there are many classic gems.

Oh, and if you want the inside scoop on what my cousin thinks about her family's happenings you can visit her blog which is equally entertaining. It's called She's All That.

Enjoy!

Costume Extravaganza

If you know my dad, or maybe even if you don't, this is funny, really funny. My brother Andrew will be glad to know this costume is being put to good use (he's on his mission).

I wonder what they're talking about? Probably wondering why their moms dressed them up in this getup. My lame attempt at a gypsy costume. Pretty much just put on all my jewelry and called it good.

Two Peas In A Pod

My BFF Candice and I were often called "two peas in a pod," so when we had to come up with a costume for work one year, I knew just what we were going to be. Isn't this the best costume? Do you think I could get Kyle to relive this costume with me? Yeah, I don't either.

This picture makes me miss my curly hair. I know you're thinking, what? Your hair is curly. It's not nearly as curly as it used to be :( At this rate, by the time I get done having kids, my hair will be stick straight.

You Can Vote However You Like

My girl Steph posted this link on her blog...it's a must watch. After watching it, I really want to enroll Michael in the Ron Clark Academy.

**Miraculously the excessive vommitting, terrible diapers and diaper rash, all stopped the very second Kyle came home, and I'm not even kidding. Completely stopped. So, last night Kyle gave the FHE lesson on crying wolf.

Okay, I'm kidding he did NOT, but he probably felt like it.

Curl up and enjoy this blog

My good friend Miggy, just introduced me to the best blog I've ever read. You can find it here. I can SO relate to what this girl is going through. Been there done that. Make sure to read from the beginning of her blog, and you also have to read the sidebar. My heart aches for this girl. I wish there were pictures attached, but maybe that's why it's so good...no prejudices based on looks.

P.S. Michael has been throwing up this week. He's not sick, just throwing up at random times....all over the place. I'm keeping his solid intake to a minimum because of it, and he's still on a bottle. It's like he'll make a small gag noise, and then the puking ensues. Sorry Mom and Dad for the mess on your carpet today....thank goodness for wet/dry vacs (I use mine all the time).

Anyone have any ideas what this could be from? It's completely out of the blue...started on Monday. Could it be teething?

Help Me Now

Dear Kyle,
You are a lucky boy that your flight is already booked today from Raleigh to Salt Lake because if it wasn't, I'd say skip the football game tomorrow, and get your bum home TODAY. Why? Because your teething son had 8 poopy diapers yesterday (it's been the average the past week and half, and no I'm not exaggerating), he woke up 4 times last night, then at 4:10 am he woke up to a blow out which happened to be all the way to both feet...poor kid. He wasn't very happy, but as soon as I stuck him in the bathtub he forgot about his woes (I did not). Then this morning he woke up to yet another one. Guess what I woke up to? Impetigo on my face. At 4:10 am I thought it was a cold sore so I popped some Valtrex, but no, no no, it's quickly playing connect the dots from my lip to my NOSE. Help me now. Did I mention I've had a nasty cold with an even nastier cough all week? The impetigo makes it lovely to blow my nose. You, my love, will not be greeted with a kiss at the airport on Sunday, but I will make sure to pass off the diaper duties for a couple of hours. Your son is still as happy as ever, your wife, not so much. Have fun at the game!
Love,
Your Complaining Wife

Hip Hip Hooray

Happy Birthday Babe. Wish you were here so I could give you a birthday smooch. You better tell someone in North Carolina it's your birthday!

Top 10 Best Things about Kyle....in pictures

Best Lips

Best Calves and Muscles!

Best Daddy

Best Husband

Best Eyebrow Plucker....Ever

Best Griller

Best Uncle

Best Fan of #2

Best Craftsman

Last but NOT Least...Best Dressed

Let's not forget this one either

Oh shoot, how did this one slip in!?!?

Party Central

So I went to all the effort to make a cupcake that Michael could eat, and the little stinker didn't want to have anything to do with it. He made a face like I was feeding him a lemon! He's never had anything sweet except for fruit, so I think it threw him for a loop.
Wow, I've done one too many blog posts lately. I'm wearing myself out. Trust me, I'll be taking a hiatus here shortly (one more tomorrow for Big Chief's Birthday, then I'm done for a while!)