Happy Happy

Baby Evan always has a smile for me. He was playing on a blanket the other night chewing on this snowman while I created Christmas gifts. He started to fuss so I went over to check on him. He just started squealing and laughing and had this huge smile on his face. Ryan was such a serious baby...he smiled but not very often. Ry was more content to observe. Case in point--
Classic Evan

Classic Ryan

I live in a "green" state that votes blue

I vote red, but I'm not a "RED". How about you?

GO VOTE!

I provided a handy guide below:



Still confused? If you hate this Country and are a Communist vote Obama
If you love this Country and want to keep most of your hard earned money vote. McCain/Palin.

Popeye the Sailor boy....

Once again my frugality has bitten me in the butt! We have been in and out of town for the last 10 months.... lots of car trips interviewing for jobs, medical clerkship's etc. Not to mention plane trips galore. Never fun for a very active two--now three year old. So I picked up a few new DVD's as fodder for my bribery arsenal. Life savers for those restless moments stuck on a plane, carseat, departure lounge. Anyway, I LOATH buying $20 some odd dollar Disney movies or the like--so expensive. I was enticed by a bin of .99 cent DVD's at K-mart--perfect. I found classics like Woody Woodpecker, Casper, & Popeye. Well Ryan enjoyed all of the "new shows" but LOVED Popeye! Ran around all summer singing the theme song and begging for spinach.

Funny enough he really likes spinach--must have been all of those spinach salads in the womb I'm such a paranoid pregnant lady. Probably because I read most of Brandon's embryology text books the first year of Medical school.


Anyway, Ryan figured out how fun Halloween can be this year and wanted a Popeye costume....great, that's not something you can just by off the rack kid! So I headed to Goodwill to hunt up some Sailor clothes in a toddler size... Apparently there are not a lot of retired sailors that wore a 5T. I had to alter some existing articles of clothing to convince my 3 year old who has such an eye for detail that this was indeed a "real" sailor suit! Phew--all while unpacking from a year of being on the go and out of town.

Not to mention having a baby nursing the baby and making my "Gabrielle Solice" costume....after she had two babies. (so really I didn't have to do much) How is it possible to LOVE being 5 months pregnant and hate being 5 months post postpartum? My MO thus far is to gain like 50 lbs in pregnancy which takes a year to "snap" back into shape uggg! I tried with Ryan and now with Evan to diet right away and work out like a 10 times a day to no avail. When I'm nursing exclusively that's all my body can handle. Luckily this Chubba Bubba gets to start rice cereal soon! So ready for a reprieve. Okay, I have a digression problem it's the Mommy brain.

Want the Popeye look? Take a really bad 80's white shrug jacket and sew up the front and remove GIANT 11 inch plastic buttons--- size to a 5T. Add black head scarf around neck for sailor tie. Bleach out cream colored bucket hat and stitch up flaps. Alter white summer shorts from preteen clearance rack to accommodate a toddler. Finish up with black dress shoes from Wal-Mart that will double as Church shoes and you have convinced a 3 year old that this is a sailor suit. Ryan helped me make the spinach can from a small paint can, we added a label we created on the computer. The spinach was green felt with pipe cleaners we had around the house. What fun!

The spoils of "Booing"

So I must confess...I'm a bad boo-er (is that a word?) I guess it is if you are LDS. Anyway, we were sitting down Sunday night as a family to video message Nana & Papa to discuss their upcoming trip this weekend. We heard the doorbell and begrudging went to go see who had the "nerve" to bother our limited family time on a Sunday night. We were surprised with a cute little Halloween bucket filled with treats for Ryan and the obligatory paper ghost with extensive instructions on our duty to reciprocate. Ryan immediately wanted to color the ghost so I obliged him. I figured I could get online when I put him down for bed and print off a new one to pass on. He freaked when I went to tape his masterpiece to the door. No problem, I will put it up when he goes to bed so that all will know that I have already enjoyed the goodness of booing... Unfortunately, Evan demanded to be nursed after we got Ryan settled for the night so the ghost went to the wayside. I went to hang it up the next morning after retuning home from the baby's doctor appointment to find yet another cute bag filled with treats for our family! No fair-- they dropped it off in broad day light! So now, I feel like a boo hoarder... Great stuff though, I'm enjoying the pumpkin spice candle immensely. So, I have my treats ready I just need Brandon to get home from the hospital at a decent hour tonight to deliver them for me.

Mothers these days are really lucky!

I hear that all the time and it's really true. We have a lot little inventions that make a big difference.

I ran across this top 10 list the other day: list ten things that you swear by as a mother that your Grandmother and Mother probably did not have/use/had not been invented yet. In no particular order. These are probably the only baby items I will hold on to-- in case I'm ever crazy enough to do this all over again......................!


1. The Boppy (so simple, yet such a great invention.)


2. Hooter Hider (the blanket over the shoulder NEVER worked for me!)


3. Baby Einstein Entertainer (such a lifesaver when it's time to cook dinner)


4. Playtex Nurser with drop in liners (the only bottle that my boys will take and still nurse)


5. Bjorn (love how sturdy and easy to use this carrier is)


6. Stroller with one hand fold that is light enough to put in the back of your vehicle with one hand and can still accommodate an infant carseat. (They even figured out how to make one that's NOT mint green with Winnie the Pooh splashed all over it....)


7. Infant carseat with stay in car base (Loving the ones that can accommodate babies up to 30lbs-- used Ryan's until he was 18 months.) So awesome for grocery shopping during naps


8. Really good really absorbent non bulky dispoable Pampers



9. Toddler carseats that have true recline even when installed (my kids have learned to take long car naps.....RECLINE is essential!)



10. CUTE MATERNITY CLOTHES especially jeans.

Trick or Treat?

Another funny comic from my Dad.

Tagged...Twice

1.Where is your cell phone? Hmmm....?
2. Where is your significant other? Hospital
3. Your hair? Curly
4. Your mother? Witty
5. Your father? Informed
6. Your favorite thing? Sleep
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your dream/goal? Exaltation
9. The room you are in? Dinning
10. Hobby? Gardening
11. Fear? Pedophiles
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Moved
13. What your NOT? Sad
14. Muffins? Lemon
15. Wish list item? SLR
16. Where you grew up? San Jose
17. The last thing you did? Nurse
18. What you're wearing? Jammie's
19. Your favorite gadget? Swing
20. Your pets? Children
21. Your computer? Notebook
22. Your mood? Content
23. Missing someone? No
24. Your car? SUV
25. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
26. Your favorite store? Ross
27. Love someone? Brandon
28. Your favorite color? Periwinkle
29. Your favorite drink? Water
30. The last time you laughed? Today
31. The last time you cried? Sunday



Wow--That was hard I don't do one word answers very well! I need to be descriptive. Anyway,
let the tagging begin. Carrie Anne, Gina Lee, (That's right Tif Buddy has found a wife!), Holly, and Becky

My First Tag!

I have been tagged and need to let you know 6 random crazy things about myself that you may not already know. Actually, 5 truths and 1 white lie. Can you guess which one is the falsehood?

1. I have been pulled over at LEAST 10 times.

2. I have a metabolic disease named after some Japanese guy.

3. I modeled in my twenties.

4. I love the rain.

5. Never owned a Barbie as a kid.

6. I have hiked Mt. McLoughlin.



Okay then...I tag Tif, Sara (Susov--not Palin...she blocked me), Marissa, and Cassie.

Baby Evan's Blessing

By the way...we did bless EC. September the 7th to be exact. We FINALLY had a weekend that worked with job/family and we were in town! He was a week shy of 4 months and was busting out of his blessing outfit. I was afraid they might drop him if we waited any longer, he's a BIG boy! Great day. Beautiful blessing. Our pictures did not come out....heads chopped off, goofy faces etc. but you will get the gist. I snapped the pictures of Ryan and Brad holding Baby Evan.


We could not get Ryan to stand still for a family picture.
(Shocker huh?) The allure of peeling bark off a tree was too
much after 70 mintutes of fast & testimony meeting.



These photos have NOT been altered--the bags under
my eyes are real! My boys keep me running.

I just wish he would sleep this good at night!
(Sorry, Babe this one had most of your head...)


I sat down at this point, Evan is SO heavy!


Handsome strapping boys.

I could pinch those thighs ALL day long!
He definitely got his Momma's legs.

Do you ever wish......

you could unstrap your uh.. nursing boobs and leave them on the counter for a day or just a night? I really want to sleep on my stomach! Or run on the the elliptical with just one sports bra and not two! Don't get me wrong I love being able to provide nutrients and comfort for my son...but this last week has been yet another growth spurt! Nursing around the clock to build up the supply. I really should not complain, nursing has been a breeze the second time around. I even broke down and bought a "Hooter Hider" when this baby was born. (I wish I had not been so cheap with Ryan, this is one of the best inventions ever!!!) I can nurse anywhere with that bad boy! We are always on the go airplane/airport, restaurant, mothers room with other ladies OLDER children (not toddlers)....seriously rude! Okay, just a rant I'm over it. Sleeping on my side makes me grouchy.

"The art of frugality "

For anybody who knows me, knows I love a deal. In fact Brad and I both LOVE a deal. We probably spend more time then we should figuring out ways to save money, rearranging money etc. All in the name of being good stewards with our resources. It's a game for us. Sometimes it's a competition--trying to trump the others deal. My brother Dan says my house is done up in "Dollar Store Chic". It's not of coarse--maybe poor medical student revival. Anyway, this week as been a trying week for my thrifty side. I've been scorned and burned. The scorning happened at Fred Meyer.....I was there really close to lunch time which was pushing it for my boys. I proceeded to the "Family Friendly" checker with the extra wide aisles for your cart, stroller, toddler etc. I was first in line only had about 15-20 items and a fist full of coupons. The cashier rings me up and I hand her my wad of coupons. She's almost done when a older gentlemen gets in line behind me with his array of old man fare; white bread, boiled ham lunch meat (gross) instant coffee, brute cologne...you get the picture. So the Fred Meyer employee is dutifully scanning in my coupons and gets to the last one which never scans at ANY store. She proceeds to call for help and the old coot behind me lays into me "wasting his time" (I want to scream um you are 90 you have had plenty of time!) "screaming brats" etc.... I refuse to waste anymore of my finger pads on this codger-- suffice it to say he was as rude as they come. Finally I had it and turned around with my best we are in "Sacrament meeting stop screaming look" he of coarse averted my gaze. I REALLY wanted to unload on this guy like (I'm a sleep deprived, hormonal, nursing, full time Mother you had better BACK OFF I bite!) --but alas that would have been a horrible example for my boys. To my credit I had it together--really. I was loading the baby into the Bjorn while the cashier was fumbling with the elusive Playtex nurser bottle liner coupon. I then dug into the diaper bag for some fruit leather for the little king. So my "brats" would not disturb the geaser behind me any longer. That's what he gets for getting in the "Family Friendly checkout"! Now, for the burning...this one was entirely my fault! Which I'm still fuming about--I hate making mistakes on something really easy. We have this online checking account with an amazing percentage rate of 6.1%--you get this rate every month if you fulfill the criteria. These are not hard--it's the usual parameters: log into your account, use bill pay, automatic deposit, and finally make at least 10 debit/POS per month. No problem. Brandon set up the first three I take care of the debits. Now as a rule we run EVERYTHING on two different credit cards--taking advantage of the percentage back. We usually make about $100 every few months doing this. (no worries we pay our balance each month) This also allows our money to stay in our account juicing the 6.1% longer. (I love getting paid to shop) So when I use the debit card it's always for 10 small items. I ring up the bread--pay, ring up milk--pay etc. I always use self check out when I'm doing this cause I don't want to hassle some poor checker. The lady at the Fred Meyer self check out knows me and always plays with the boys while I get busy ringing and paying. So this last month she was not there and I was only able to get through 9 debits before my boys where done shopping. No problem, I will come back and do it later. Well.....we ended up leaving for our family vacation to Cancun and then right to this clerkship in Tillamook. I got out of my groove and spaced it! Sad. By the time I remembered the time frame had expired-- the dates to complete change each month. I guess to keep game players like myself from fullfilling. So we did not qualify this month....bummer, I had plans for that extra money!!!! Like towards a new camera-- mine is dying and I hate missing cute shots of my babies.

Enjoying the Boys

I say this a lot--but I love not having to worry about school yet for my boys! We NEVER rush in the mornings unless we have a doctor's appointment or some other annoyance. Ryan and Evan laugh at each other all day starting first thing in the morning.....they are the only ones laughing. I'm not a morning person never have been. Grew to love it on my mission--but have since not acquired a taste for it. I'm really good late at night and in the wee hours of the morning. To the benefit of our boys I guess. When they need to nurse (EVAN--in case you thought I was still nursing Ryan...) or when they are sick, nightmares, etc. I'm johnny on the spot and I bring my "A" game. I do all of my best work late at night write a talk, pack for a trip, clean my kitchen, organize a closet or drawer. I'm really enjoy the "baby stage". That's the biggest reason why there are 3 years between my boys. I did not want to miss any of Ryan's baby days. With a three year gap Ryan is old enough to enjoy Evan's right there with me. Small children are challenging but I rely on my mantra of the big 3-- when they are crabby, disobedient (Ryan) or just plain destructive (Ryan). I fix one of the 3's or all depending on the situation. FEED them! Get them BUSY doing something or get them down for NAPS! It's ALWAYS one of these 3. Little children act out when they are BORED, TIRED, or HUNGRY. Anyway, I'm thankful for the easy years of child rearing--shaking in my boots for the driving/seminary years!

Autumn at the Oregon Coast?

Crazy right? No really, it was just as nice as Summer.... only better! The weather was gorgeous and WARM 80 plus degrees. When I found out we were going on yet another out of town medical clerkship I was rolling my eyes big time! (I know I'm usually so good natured...) Anyway, I packed us up for a month at the coast in the Fall time ie. lots of wind breakers and fleece. I did not even bother to pack sand toys because I did not think we would get much use out of them. WRONG! Luckily they Have a Fred Meyer in Tillamook so we improvised with a Halloween bucket and a garden trowel (which BTW is much better then any sand shovel very sturdy!)
At the last minute I threw in a few summer clothing items just in case. Good thing! We have had great weather! Did I mention our apartment is a block form the beach? So, we (the boys and I... Brad may be working--but we are on vacation!!!) loaded up this morning and strolled to Oceanside Beach... again. Brad's rotation is in Tillamook but we got really hooked up with a full blown vacation rental right here in Oceanside about 15 minutes from Tillamook. On another note they are looking to recruit a new Doc to the area--where do we sign? There is something very therapeutic about smelling the ocean breeze as you drift off to sleep at night and having it engulf you on a morning walk. We need a job in a few months....maybe Tillamook is the place? Yes, this is the home of the world renowned Tillamook cheese factory. These people make the best cheese and ice cream--actually all of their diary products are superior. Great, now I NEED some Tillamook vanilla bean ice cream! Good thing I'm still nursing.... being this close to the source is dangerous!


Evan at the beach being his usual cheerful self.



Evan leaving the beach--he LOVED watching those seagulls.
Sorry, baby boy it was time for Ryan's 4 HOUR afternoon
nap...yes, my three year old still naps! Don't be too jealous he
was awake from birth until two nursing and bossing me around.
He now sleeps through the night and I get a reprieve in the
afternoon to nap, play with baby Evan, or get "caught up"
on housework...like that's ever going to happen! We are
ALWAYS GONE somewhere.

Ry Guy lives another day.....

This is the picture I look at every time I have a particularly
"difficult" day with my Ry Ry. He was 7 months old in this
picture and ALL of my frustration leaves when I see those
fat baby arms with NO wrists and those thick chubby
thighs wearing size 6 Pampers already. He never learned
to crawl-- this was him dragging his belly and legs along like
a snake. Ryan is one of those kids that is never content
to sit on the rug and "play". He is going 24/7 and wants the
rest of us right there with him. He LOVES an audience.
Does not like interacting with children his age. So I'm his
favorite person, favorite play mate.... etc. Don't get me
wrong I love that we have this close connection--and I'm his
favorite. I just get the guilties when my house, husband,
and Baby Evan get neglected because "The King has ruled"
Maybe it's because he was the first born. Maybe it's because
Brad and I are both big time bosses. Maybe it's because his
name means "Little King". Who knows? Some days it's just
easier to do things his way.......I'll try that tomorrow. I love
you Chubba Bubba! I still call him that sometimes,even though
he's anything but.

Tony Soprano?

We were on a recent trip....and the proprietor of the villa
we were staying at said our 3 month old baby looked like
Tony Soprano! Is this true??? I realize I may be biased
as his mother, but I think he's adorable! You know in the
Gerber Baby sort of way-- sweet and chubby.

She's got my Vote!

Sarah Palin just had a baby. She bags her own caribou for dinner. She has four other children. Her hair and makeup are done. She is Governor of Alaska--and she is running for VP? WOW!

So, I just had a baby. I usually head out to the garage to rummage through the deep freeze after lunch in hopes of finding some ziploced meat from Costco to thaw in time for dinner. I only have one other child. I usually have my hair and makeup done for Church-- any other days are bonus!

(Sorry Babe, when Evan sleeps through the night I WILL be back to normal)

So here is my official hats off to Sarah Palin. I was never a big fan of women in politics..... Hillary and Janet (Reno) OK enough said! So when Mitt hung up the gloves I was bummed. I didn't like McCain..... but thankfully he had enough sense to pick the right VP so it will be a pleasure to vote this year!

Check this blog http://palinreport.com/ authored by Denton Romans-- husband to one of my mission companions Marissa aka Gina

Brandon & Angela Mitchell

We are joining the blogging world....well it's mostly for us.
Enjoy getting caught up on our last 10 years. Once we
have accomplished that, we will regale you with anecdotes
about our prodigy children and inundate you with photos
of our beautiful babies. Did you expect anything less?