The Medleys

Victory!!!

2011-12-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

We have succeeded in a battle of wills with our 9 1/2 month old son. He is FINALLY sleeping through the night! Last night he went to sleep by 8:00 and slept until 3:00, nursed, went right back to sleep until 6:30, nursed, and slept until 7:30. This has been going on 3 nights in a row now! AWESOME. SO much better than him waking up every 45 minutes!! We are happy happy people around here.

We realized the problem with our method was that we weren't doing it right! Instead of laying him down in his crib, leaving, and checking on him/briefly soothing every few minutes, we were staying in there until he went back to sleep, then sneaking out. BIG no no. So we started doing it the right way, and he slept through the night the first night! Granted he fought pretty hard the first night (we were checking on him for an hour) but it worked! He slept 5 straight hours the first night.

The method is this: Half hour bedtime routine, EXACT same every night. Then we lay him down in his crib awake. We give him 5 minutes of crying then go in (when we go in, we simply lay him back down in his crib and tell him we love him and it's time to go to sleep.) then we give him 10 minutes, then we give him 15, and then we go in every 15 minutes after that until he's asleep. He rarely makes it through the first 15 minute interval before he's passed out. And he also takes much better naps because of sleeping through the night. Usually between 1 and 2 hours. He used to sleep for only 35 or 40 minutes for his naps. Also, since he started sleeping better, he eats A LOT more food during the day. Our little guy is growing up.

We are the happiest people alive. I feel like I have my life back. I'm a new person, and so is our little guy! I would encourage everybody to at least try this method. Every kid is different I know, but I know a lot of moms who this has worked for. And if my kid can do it, your kid most likely can, too. It took a lot of patience and commitment, but it was so worth it.

Good luck to everybody who is dealing with some battle of wills with your kids. I feel for you!

Puppy Love

2011-12-02T19:18:00.001-08:00

I know that I must be completely insane for thinking of getting a dog when I have a 9 month old son who doesn't sleep. BUT someday, I would LOVE one of these babies. I grew up with dogs from the time I was a baby. We had many many breeds come and go in our house. Some I can't really stand, some I'm indifferent to, and some I LOVED. While this is not the time in our lives for a dog, someday we'll be ready to bring one of these gorgeous guys home and make him part of the family. I think dogs teach kids about responsibility, how to be kind to animals, and lots of other good stuff. But I don't think I'll be bringing home a puppy until my last child is sleeping through the night and can walk without being run over completely. So maybe like two or something. And also, the oldest has to be able to scoop up poop and take the dog on walks, etc. Anyways. I've been daydreaming about these beautiful dogs. A Blue Weimereiner. They're great with kids, great guard/watch dogs, very loyal. And smart. What more could you ask for?

Weekend Project

2011-11-30T10:06:00.001-08:00

Ok, so it's taken a little bit longer than a weekend. This was definitely a labor of love. We decided we would host a small Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year. SO, it got me motivated to finally get us a dining room table. We've spent 2+ years eating around our various coffee tables, so I decided it was now or never! We don't have the money to just stop at Pottery Barn and drop a few grand on a gorgeous table. But thanks to pinterest, I found some awesome DIYs for old farmhouse tables (my favorite!) Lucky for me, my husband has a constant itch to get his hands on saws, drills, any kind of tool and do some woodoworking. So I asked him if he would help me build a table (and by help, I mean let me drill some holes and use the saw, but I really have no idea how to do that sort of stuff-YET). So we set off on our adventure- we spent many hours at lowe's, lots of time drawing up plans, measuring, looking at pictures, etc. We finally got all our supplies and luckily, our landlords let us use their miter saw and drill press AND their huge empty garage. Here's a little photo log of our journey. . .

The wood set out the night before

getting ready to build the frame

Frame all built-Jared (Gideon's brother) did this part with Gideon. Thanks a million Jared!

All finished, ready to be stained

*We used pine*

Wet Stain

*I used dark walnut stain*

There is also a bench that goes with it, but in my prideful arrogance, I was SURE it should be the same length as the table . . . oops. Gideon now has to trim it down before I can stain it. I also have to finish weathering (beating with a chain) the table and the bench and give it a coat of sealer. SO when those finishing touches are complete, I'll post a picture of the final product in our house. But I have to say, I LOVE my table! I'm so glad I have a husband who is willing to take on these projects for me. All in all, we ended up paying about $130 for all of the supplies, stain, wood, etc. I'd say that's a success!

Karma

2011-11-29T09:36:00.001-08:00

So . . . we have started our "hard core" week with Finn and his sleeping schedule, or lack of. I just can't let him cry it out, so we are doing what has worked for my sister in law (3 kids) and lots of other people out there. A strict routine/schedule and no more in bed with us. Lots of other minor details (yet critical), so if you want to know more, you can ask me or read the source: The No Cry Sleep Solution.

Although I'm not in a laughing mood come 3:30 am and still no sleep, we have been laughing pretty hard the past few nights at our little guy's personality. Since he can really crawl now, he lays there and cries for a minute, then he uses the crib bars to roll over, then crawl over to the edge of the crib, and stands up and screams at the door. Every time. We just go in over and over and lay him back down and stroke his head. It's so funny to watch him roll over, and crawl (wailing the whole time), eyes half closed, determined to not go to sleep. He reminds me of when I was a little girl; when I was about 3 or 4, I would stand at the top of the stairs at bedtime, stomp my feet and yell to my parents: "I WON'T go to bed, I WON'T go to bed, I WON'T!!" My poor parents had to deal with me, and now my little 9 month old son is doing the same thing to me. Funny how that works out.

This method is already working though! I lay him down to go to sleep totally awake in his crib just an hour ago, and he went to sleep all on his own, and he's still asleep. Yaaaay progress!!

We sure love our little guy though.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-25T16:00:00.001-08:00

What a crazy few months we've had! For Thanksgiving, I decided I am most grateful that my sweet little Finnster is finally feeling better. The poor kid has had a double ear infection for the entire past month. He finally got better after his 3rd antibiotic, but not before his sleeping habits went out the window, along with my sanity. BUT, things are starting to get a little better. One step forward, two steps back, right? I just have to remind myself that a sick baby is not a forecast for the rest of motherhood.

I really am loving being a mom. It's awesome! Very very trying and demanding and exhausting, YES. But SO SO rewarding. There's nothing quite like getting peed on straight in the middle of your forehead during a delirious 2 am diaper change, and then laughing about it with your husband in the morning. Or when your little guy doesn't want anything except to snuggle his momma. I love it. It's so awesome watching him realize things about the world, about himself. And it's so awesome helping him realize those things.

Finn will be turning 9 months old on Sunday. I can't believe it! He is just growing up too too fast. He is 27 inches tall and weighs 17 1/2 pounds. He's a little guy, but his big personality is just bursting to get out of that tiny body! He babbles almost non stop lately. He is officially crawling and has also figured out how to stand up by himself (as long as he has something to pull on). Before we know it he'll be walking and talking. I am so sad to see his baby days go, but it's also exciting to see him get bigger and see his personality develop right before our eyes.

Well, our Thanksgiving was a fun adventure this year. Lynn and I made dinner for our two little families and Tammy. It was fun but exhausting! I managed to mess up both the things I made (as usual; I only make good food when it's only Gideon and Me. I always cave under pressure), but Lynn made some amazing stuffing and a gorgeous/delicious chicken! We had quite a spread. After dinner we all headed up to the Smylie's for some pie and family time. It was fun to see everyone and catch up! The thing I love the most about Thanksgiving is that it ushers in the beginning of the Holiday season. I can't wait to decorate and put up the tree, bake goodies, send out cards, etc. I really had so much to be grateful for this year. I have a wonderful husband who is so good to me and who is such a great Dad. And we have the gospel of Jesus Christ to give us hope, help us love, and make us stronger. We have everything we could ever ask for; all within the walls of our little apartment.

*We also had our family pictures taken in back in October. They turned out SO beautiful, and I usually tear up when I look through them. Special thanks to my awesome brother in law Jared Medley. Click the link to get your family pictures!*

A Yummy Treat

2011-10-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

I have some pictures I've been meaning to post for a while now. . .

My sister in law Sarah took these photos of Finn when he was 5 months old this summer. They are awesome and I love them so much. I have plans to get them up on my walls . . .eventually . . .

I'm so in love with this little guy. Can't get enough. Thanks for documenting him Sarah!

Identity

2011-09-14T21:27:00.001-07:00

As I sit down and put my fingers to the keyboard, the scope of my emotions is almost beyond words. At present, I am overwhelmed with pride, sadness, gratitude, love, and above all, an overwhelming sense of Identity.

I just saw a few minutes of a new broadcast. It was an in-depth look at the modeling industry. The reporter followed a few girls around New York City for a few weeks, interviewing them quite candidly about the way things work in the modeling industry. What I saw on this television show in just a few short minutes astounded me. These young, let me tell you young girls live a life that they seem to somewhat enjoy, but it makes my stomach turn thinking about the way they live. They don't know where their next paycheck is coming from, they starve themselves to be thin (or use other substances), and their entire self image is bases upon how much money they can make from a photograph or how frequently they get booked. Most of all, what broke my heart was to hear the stories of numerous models using their precious bodies to get ahead. One young woman told a gut wrenching story about being persuaded to participate in a sexual situation to get a photo shoot signing. I will spare you the details that she shared, but needless to say I was sick.

I know that things go on in the world that are awful. I know that there is little respect for our bodies and almost no respect for the sanctity of intimacy between a man and a woman. But to see it so raw really pulled at my heart strings. I feel so very very grateful to have a sure knowledge of who I am. I don't need to be a size two or have my picture strewn about in the media to feel good about myself. I know that I have come from a loving, glorious, wonderful Father in Heaven. I know that my spirit can remain beautiful and strong, even when my body fails and becomes weak and unattractive. I have the most beautiful, precious gift of having a wonderful, amazing loving husband who also sees this. And, together, we have used the sacred gift that God has given to man to create the most beautiful little boy. To me, in my life, he is the embodiment of everything good in the world. I am so much happier at home with him, changing poopy diapers and looking into his eyes as I rock him to sleep, than I could ever be at a job where my peers respect me and think I'm so accomplished. No greater love and sense of pride can be felt than by that of a mother and wife who loves her family and nurtures them with pride and love.

This sense of knowing who I am can be traced back years and years to the teaching I received as a young girl. I have since felt a great, calm and overwhelming reassurance through personal experiences that I am in fact a daughter of Heavenly parents and that I have infinite worth in God's eyes. But these words have always spoken strongly to me and seem fitting for how I am feeling tonight.

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love him.

We will stand as witnesses of God, at all times, in all things, and in all places,

As we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice and Accountablity

Good Works

Integrity and

Virtue.

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

What a sweet, peaceful reassurance these words bring to my soul.

Sunbeams and BYU

2011-09-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

Gideon and I received the calling in our new ward to be the Sunbeams teachers. We are so excited about it! We team teach about 5 little ones, and we switch off every other week with another teacher.We taught our first lesson today titled, "I Can Be A Good Friend." It was an awesome two hours. Sharing time was such a blast, trying to keep the kids reverent while holding the girls on my lap, Gideon wrangling Finn, and amidst it all I had a little girl sniff my fingernails (I was wearing pink polish-she thought it might be scented??). We sang scripture power during singing time and man, did I miss that song! It's so refreshing to hear the simple truths of the gospel that are taught in primary. It's good for us to be in there and here those simple testimonies and gospel principles. On our way to class we did a potty/drink break. While in the bathroom one little girl pulled off her socks and shoes sitting on the floor waiting for the other girls who were actually using the restroom. So, of course, the other girls want to take off their shoes. I wasn't going to fight that battle; I said go ahead as long as you carry them back to class with you. In class we had a good discussion about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and how that was a kind thing to do for his friend. We also talked about the loaves of bread and the fishes that were dispersed among the 5,000 and how that all happened because of the little boy who shared what he had with the Savior. Other topics that came up randomly (mid-sentence) were Darth Vader hot air balloons, the fact that Jesus lives in the sky (and is also magical), the fair, and a couple "the gospel" answers. It was such a blast. We have the cutest group of kids. We are so happy to get to serve the sweet little kids in our ward and to feel a part of the ward.

In other news, Gideon just finished his first week at BYU. He got pulled over on his bike for riding during the break on campus (always a rebel ;)), which I really don't know when else you would ride your bike. During class?? But he loves his classes and is really enjoying being on campus where you can really feel the spirit and just enjoy the positive vibe. He is currently re-evaluating his degree options, so we'll see where we end up. Right now he's thinking of 3 options: Accounting, Information Systems, and Actuarial Science. If anybody has advice/insights to either of these three fields, we'd love to hear it! We will hopefully be done in about 3 to 5 years, depending on his major. I know, it's a long road. But we really are enjoying the good ol' days right now.

Other than that, I am officially addicted to spray painting stuff; Finn rolled over for the first time COMPLETELY on his own and on purpose today in the middle of sacrament on the floor; we don't sleep a lot, and we've been vegging out on candy corn. Can't wait for fall to get here! I think it's time to bake some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins this week.

That's our life as of late! Sorry for the outpouring of random factoids, but there you go. Happy labor day to everyone!

So Long Sweet Summer

2011-08-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

So I've been a horrible blogger and not blogged anything all summer. To my defense, it's been a crazy few months. Along with caring for a wild baby boy, we have also moved 3 times this summer, visited 3 states (for a total of 4 flights), driven 16 hours round trip along the north coast, along with many other day-t0-day events. It has been a wonderful summer. Busy, but awesome. We visited my parents in Seattle, then Gideon's family in California, then finished off our travels with a trip to Arizona to see my brother and sister in law Zach and Caitlin and their 3 gorgeous kids. We didn't get any pictures that trip but we did take finn to the water park and had a blast the entire weekend just relaxing (as much as you can with all of our kids!). This was the first time since we've been married that Gideon has had a break from school. Man did we love it!! He heads back to school monday and we are mourning the loss of our together time. We really have had such a blast spending so much time together, visiting family, and most of all watching our beautiful little boy grow and grow. Finn is 6 months old today!! I can't believe it. It's like I went to sleep one night and woke up to this huge little boy. In my mind I still picture him a tiny little newborn. Hard to believe he'll be crawling and walking before I know it. Well, I am sure to get back into blogging now that Gideon will pretty much be gone all of the time and I'll have more "lonely" time. For now, here are some pictures to highlight our summer.

ADAM AND FINN AT MY PARENT'S HOUSE

OF COURSE WE HAD TO GO TO LOS BAGELS WHILE IN EUREKA. SO YUMMY!

WE TOOK FINN TO THE BEACH, HE LOVED IT!

WHILE IN EUREKA GIDEON GOT TO PARTICIPATE IN ISAAC'S EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR. WAY TO GO ISAAC!

OLD TOWN EUREKA ON THE PIER.

MEDLEY FAMILY REUNION IN EUREKA

FINN'S FIRST PEEK AT THE OCEAN

FINN SLEPT LIKE THIS THE ENTIRE PLANE RIDE

ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS AT MY PARENTS IN SEATTLE

THE SUMMER ALSO INCLUDED LOTS OF NAP TIME WITH DADDY.

GIDEON AND FINN AT THE PARK WHILE MOMMY WAS AT THE GYM

(NOTICE HOW HE'S PLAYING WITH GIDEON'S EAR, A CLASSIC FINN MOMENT)

FINN AND I HAD A LOT OF FUN STAYING BUSY WHILE DADDY WAS AT WORK. WE WENT TO THE POOL, THE PARK, AND WENT ON LOTS OF WALKS.

86 Days of Love

2011-05-24T13:41:00.001-07:00

Finn turned 3 months on Sunday. I am hurrying to type this as he is cooing in his swing, feasting on his hands. He is so time consuming these days, but I love it. I'm usually covered in puke by 10am, and by noon we've both gone through a few wardrobe changes. He smiles and gets excited when we play with him now, and it's so much fun! He is getting to be quite the little ham. He holds his head up amazingly well. I think we're going to be getting him a bumbo this week. He now cries a faint, annoyed cry most of the time before falling asleep. It's really funny except that I feel bad for him when he does it. He weighs about 12 pounds and is about 25 inches long. He's so big! He also sleeps through the night MOST of the time. Although there are days. . . or nights. . . you get the point.

Things are busy around here the past few weeks as we are moving AND painting our entire new apartment. All I can say is thank goodness for instructional paint videos on the internet. And diet coke. Here are a few before shots of the new place (sorry for the poor quality. . . from the iPhone).

Evolution of Finn

2011-05-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

I have been neglecting the blog . . . it's apparent. But I have good reason. I've been binging on baby. Big time. This adorable little boy is like my favorite chocolate cake, a foot massage, and a good chic flick all wrapped into one. When I shove my face into the folds in his neck, the world melts away, and nothing bad can come into that tiny spot. He smells like a baby spit-up-and-heaven cupcake. We've been hiding out. Staying away from any moment that I might have to disperse his beauty into the world; I've been keeping it all to myself, gobbling it up. He's my best kept secret. He's like a new spring hat, and everyone will want to try him on. So we've been sitting in our rocking chair. Neglecting house work, forming not-so-great eating habits (at least on my part-he doesn't really have much of a variety now does he?), watching hulu and snuggling each other like there's no tomorrow.

I've been obsessed with watching him change. He's learned how to suck on his hands. He keeps them in little tiny fists wrapped so tight that I have to wash them out because his spit causes it to smell quite "musty" in there. It's the funniest thing to me. And he also loves classical music, courtesy of Gideon. He plays it on Pandora for him when he's in his swing and he'll stop crying, just sit and smile as he listens to the melodies. It's a beautiful thing. This kid is such a daddy's boy. When Gideon walks through the door at night, Finn bursts into the biggest smile at just the sound of his voice. And daddy knows all the right games to play to get him to quit fussing when he's tired, and his marching through the living room puts him to sleep without fail 100% of the time.

But we do get out. When we feel in the mood. Yesterday we went to Nordstrom and he was so good in his stroller the entire time! He smiled at all the sales ladies and they all "oohed" and "aaah'd" over him. Then I decided to push my luck and try one more store. As I am half naked putting on a skirt in the dressing room, he looks at me funny and simultaneously I smell something fishy. I lean in closer...closer...closer...yep. Code brown. And he starts crying, because, of course, who wouldn't cry if they were sitting in their own slimy poo? So I hurry and slip off the skirt and pull him out of the car seat. Good thing I have a changing pad in my diaper bag, since the bench in there was 100 % concrete. I undo his clothes to find the poo is all the way up to his shoulder blades. Yellow, slimy back-mess. Yum. By now the whole room smells and the sales lady is checking in on me. "We're. . .fine. Thanks," I reply when she asks me if I need a new size. I wanted to say "YES! A new set of baby clothes would be awesome right about now. And some sweats for me. I'm tired of these jeans that are not forgiving of the mommy pooch." So after wiping the poop off of the wall that got there who-knows-how and picking up his binky about a thousand times during his diaper change, I got him all cleaned up and dressed in a spare outfit I had (first time I had to use it!), bought that skirt and got out of there as fast as I could. Do I even need to tell you that I drove through McDonald's on the way home for a large Diet Coke?

And PS: Today we stopped at a garage sale with Finn. They were selling a beautiful piece of furniture for originally $100, then marked down to $45. So I told the lady we could do around $30. She made a wary face and came over to look at it with me. "Well, maybe, you guys are a young couple . . ." and then she saw Finn. He was smiling at her and that took the cake. "Oh, MY GOSH!! Look at that beautiful baby! Oh yes. Yes yes yes. For YOU I will do $30." She then proceeded to call her entire family and all the shoppers over to gawk at our "gorgeous little baby." Finn, I am taking you shopping with me every single time!! Way to go little buddy.

Easter Sunday and Finn's Blessing

2011-05-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

From left: Kelly, Ben, Adam, Dad, Mom, Gideon, Finn, Me

Last week my parents came into town for Ben's graduation. It was so much fun to have them here! They took us all out to Thai food (which was amazing . . . so wonderful to eat curry and not have heartburn!!), we hung out at their condo in Midway (beautiful), and they also hung around our house a lot. It was such a good time just relaxing and chatting together. My dad and brother and sister hadn't met Finn yet, so it was fun to watch everyone enjoy our sweet little boy. We miss them already, and we can't wait to go visit them in Seattle in June!

Since everyone was in town already, we decided to hold Finn's blessing that week, which just happened to be Easter Sunday. It was such an awesome day! It was Easter Sunday, Finn's blessing, and also my parent's 30th wedding anniversary. Also, it was Finn's 2 month mark. He's getting so old! The blessing that his daddy gave him was beautiful, and it was so special to be able to share the day with all of our family. Afterwords we had a little family get together at our tiny apartment, but surprisingly we all fit! Special thanks to everyone for bringing food and supplies. It was so awesome to be together with both of our families and just enjoy the day.

My talented sister in law took these amazing pictures of Finn for me. Thanks so much Hannah!

He's making a sucking face in all of these pictures because he was one hungry boy. He was crying so we just gave him his binky, then would rip it out super fast and Hannah would shoot the camera like crazy for a few seconds before he started crying, as seen below:

We blessed him in the blanket that my brothers were blessed in, so it was extra special to have the blanket in the pictures. Plus it made a pretty backdrop!

Overwhelmed

2011-04-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, the first few weeks of motherhood are a bit overwhelming, to say the least. There is a lot of change. Your hormones are crazy. You don't sleep. Your body is not really your own anymore. All of this I was prepared for. I knew what to expect (for the most part), and I was ready for it. But what I wasn't prepared for, is this constant ache in the pit of my stomach. It's a good ache. I ache with the love I have for this tiny person who I spend all day with. I am in constant need of a break, and still, I miss him when I go to the bathroom. I miss him when my husband is snuggling with him. I miss him when I know I have to let him sleep without me so that one day he won't be sleeping in my bed. I stare down at his little face, so peaceful, happy, so perfect, and I feel like my heart is just going to burst with love for this brand new life.

I am constantly marveling at him. His eyes, his lips, his hairy arms, his chubby thighs, his hands and feet, his spirit. He smiles and laughs-really laughs- in his sleep. He is starting to coo and gurgle more as he stares around the room. Bath time is enjoyable for him now. He has certain characteristics that are exactly like his dad. Sometimes my heart almost stops with how much he reminds me of that wonderful man who helped create him.

I am constantly willing time to stop, to let me have him like this forever, and yet I am anxiously awaiting his first words, his first steps, the first day of school, long chats after he comes home from a date, seeing his accomplishments, his failures, his joys and his pain. I want to be there for it all. I'm so glad that there is so much more to being a mother than just the poopy diapers and cute onesies. I am so honored and blessed to be able to help shape the man, the human being, the wonderful person this sweet little spirit is going to become.

I know this post is a jumble of things with no real organization, but do you see my point? I'm overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by happiness, love, joy. The tears are coming on just from writing this down. No one told me it would be like this. You hear so much about the rigors and trials of motherhood; no one told me it would be so wonderful. I loved my job and I loved my life before, but this kind of fulfillment and love is on an entirely different plane. I can not imagine doing anything else with my life.

One Month

2011-03-27T13:32:00.001-07:00

He is so very very expressive. All the time!

First time driving through In N Out. Not very excited . . .

As you can tell, it's easiest to take pictures of him when he's sleeping. . .

I can't believe it's been a month. My little man is getting so big already, and he's changed so much. He is such a sweet, wonderful little baby. He doesn't ever really cry; it's more like little intermittent yells. So cute. He pauses after each one, as if to see if we're paying attention or not. We laugh every time; it's hard to take him seriously when he's just so darn cute. I am still recovering from some, shall we say, complications of delivery. You don't need details. I am getting cabin fever pretty bad but I'm still not ready to venture out into the world. I went to the bank by myself the other day and was in pain the entire time in line. It was really awesome to get out and see the sunshine though! I'm hoping to be walking around more by the end of the month. Exercise is a distant goal, but I'm not losing hope! We are getting used to life as parents. It's quite an adjustment, but it's one we're happy to make. We keep laughing and saying "you know you're a parent when . . ." for example:

You know you're a parent when . . .

you find burp rags in the bottom of the sheets instead of socks

you get really really excited about more than two consecutive hours of sleep

you bounce and/or pat your water bottle, the remote, or really just any object you are holding

you find poop on your leg. that's right. poop. on your leg.

you wear the same puke-stained shirt all day long because you know it will just get puked on again

your idea of getting ready for the day is wearing your own shirt and sweats, not your husband's

Finn is doing so well though. He now weighs somewhere around 8 + pounds, he lifts his head up like it's nobody's business, he is becoming much more aware of stuff going on and I think he really likes watching cake boss with me. He sleeps around 4 or 5 hours most nights, and he still grunts ALL THE TIME. It's so funny. The other day our home teachers were over, and he started grunting really loud during the prayer, and then we heard the poo explosion in his diaper. Gideon and I, being the mature adults we are, couldn't stop laughing as our home teacher tried to keep praying. It's going to be an interesting few years with little kids around, since we are obviously still little kids, too.

All in all I am LOVING being a mother. I am less sleep deprived than I thought I would be, and I have been blessed with a happy baby. It's been so amazing watching him change and grow, and I'm so excited I get to keep watching.

Here are a few of the less than glamorous shots of our adorable little boy.

First projectile vomit . . .

First diaper blow out: 2 am

I love the look on his face. So innocent . . .ya right!

We love you baby boy!!

Grandparents

2011-03-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

We have been lucky enough to have lots of help these last few weeks. And what a great excuse to have family come stay!

My mom got out here the day after Finn was born, and she was SUCH a help. She was able to come see us in the hospital and then she was here when we came home. It is such a happy memory for me and it was such a tremendous help to have her here those first few days. She cooked us awesome meals, ran to the store a million times, drove me to the doctor, etc. etc. It was so nice spending some quality mother daughter time. It was much needed and it was so wonderful. For some reason one of my favorite nights was just hanging out, watching dateline and eating candy (lots and lots of candy). I guess that's nostalgic for me from my years at home. She cried when she left and about an hour later I called her sobbing, too. For some reason, having a baby makes you miss your own momma like never before. Love you, mom!

*My dad had to stay home with the other kids, but he will get to meet his little grandson at the end of April. Can't wait!*

Then we were blessed with the presence of my wonderful in-laws, Ric and Mary. SO SO wonderful to have them here. We had such a fun time with them staying with us, all of us crammed into our tiny apartment. We wouldn't have had it any other way! They made the long trek from Eureka, CA, to come see the new babe (and also to see the many other grandchildren and children they have out here). It was such a joy cooking together, watching cake boss and house hunters, eating junk food, having wonderful chats, crying way too much (in a good way), and especially having family home evening together on their last night with us. We miss you guys already!

Finn is so lucky to have so many people who love him so much already!

Thanks to both grandparents, we love you all so much and are so grateful that you came!!

Finn

2011-03-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been absolutely crazy. Wonderful, but a little chaotic. I'm sure that's how it's supposed to be when you bring home your first baby. But needless to say, I haven't gotten around to blogging/journaling a lot since we've been home. I've been meaning to get on here and at least write the story of his birth, though, before all of the memories begin to fade and get fuzzy. It was the most amazing thing I've ever been through, and for my own records, I'm going to post it on the blog. Here it goes.

I had been having painful braxton hicks contractions since about 36 weeks. I was also dilated to a 2 1/2 since that time, so I had been waiting anxiously for the real thing to start. On Saturday morning (39 weeks), I started having pretty painful contractions that were about 10 minutes apart. They felt different, and I had a feeling that things would be happening in the next day or two. Looking back now, I realize I was in the early stages of labor all day. I drove Gideon to work at 6:00 am, hoping I wouldn't go into labor while he was at work that day. When I got home, I started cleaning the house because I had a feeling the baby would be here soon and I wanted to come home to a clean house. I vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom, did laundry, etc. I even waxed my eyebrows and my armpits so that I would be hair-free in the hospital. I know, I'm a little too vain. (note: all the vanity has left me since coming home with the baby. I laugh at the days of shaving my legs and wearing makeup now).

By about 10:30 am, I decided I would take a nap and see if the contractions would continue or go away with some rest. I kept waking up in the nap from the dull achy feeling in my lower abdomen; again, I knew something was different. By the time I woke up and for the rest of the afternoon, they weren't too bad and I could continue getting things done around the house. I ran a gift over to my visiting teacher and casually mentioned that hopefully I wouldn't see her at church tomorrow because I'd be having my baby. I had no idea I was actually right!

That evening, my wonderful sister in law Miriam picked me up and we walked the mall a little bit, doing some light shopping. My contractions kept coming but at very random intervals and not very intense. I relaxed the rest of the evening until I had to pick up Gideon at work at 11:00 pm. We had no idea that our baby would be here before the sun came up!

At 12:40, I started having painful contractions again, to the point that I was breathing through them using the techniques I learned in my hypnobirthing class. (You see, I had planned on a completely natural childbirth since before I even became pregnant. I had no idea what I was in for!) I had a few contractions at 4 minutes apart, then a few that were 8 minutes apart. Then things got crazy. With one contraction, my pain level went from about a 3 to a 9. I was on my hands and knees on the bathroom floor, and by this point, (about an hour later, 1:40 am) they were coming about every 6 minutes again. We ran the tub and I had one or two contractions in the bathtub before I was screaming for Gideon to call the midwife. I got out of the tub between contractions, which were now coming every three minutes apart and getting more and more intense with each one, and used the bathroom. I had a contraction on the toilet and at that moment I KNEW we had to get to the hospital soon. Everything from about 1:40 am forward is such a blur and it happened so fast. The pain came so quickly and so hard. I had no sense of time, just trying to endure each contraction. We scrambled around the house grabbing the last few things, threw them in the hospital bag, and ran (I waddled) to the car.

About 5 minutes into our crazy car ride, my water broke. Since it was my first time in labor, I was sure I was going to have the baby in the car. The pain was more intense than anything I could have imagined, and then having my water break, I was so scared. I kept telling Gideon to run the red lights and to "drive faster! But not too fast!!" I have such an awesome husband. Poor guy. We made it to the hospital by about 2:20. We left the car parked in the front of the hospital. The night security guard probably thought I was crazy when I waddled into the lobby of the hospital with dripping wet pants, sweating, looking like a crazy person. I remember thinking he was a complete idiot that he even had to ask if I wanted a wheelchair. OF COURSE I WANT A WHEELCHAIR! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THIS FEELS LIKE?! Of course I just nodded yes and Gideon got me plopped in the chair.

When they checked me in triage on the labor and delivery floor, I was a 4. I remember feeling so discouraged, thinking I was going to be there for a long time waiting to get to a ten. Yeah right. At this point everything felt so surreal. I had been practicing and preparing for a calm, peaceful natural childbirth. Why did I keep screaming during every contraction? This was not how the videos portrayed birth, with women smiling or half asleep as their baby practically waltzed out of them. No. This was something very very different than what I had imagined. I wasn't afraid, really, more bewildered. I kept thinking how I couldn't believe no one had warned me about the pain! How much it was really going to hurt! I made it through the admit procedure and being monitored on the bed for 20 minutes (let me tell you, if you're not getting an epidural, the DO NOT try to labor laying in that bed. It will eat you alive).

The first contraction that I had in the warm bath was a completely different experience than the ones laying on the bed. I started to relax a little bit. But soon the surging pain through my abdomen and inner thighs was SO. INTENSE. Gideon was kneeling next to the tub on the floor, stroking my hair and I would grab his shoulder intermittently. I needed to be in my own place, my own island of me and the pain. I couldn't look at the man I love so much. I knew if I allowed myself to look into his eyes, I would break down completely. I would beg him to save me from all of this, to make everything go away and just bring our baby here right now. So I kept my eyes closed, trying to focus the way I had practiced and read about. It was so much harder than I thought. I kept thinking that it couldn't be physically possible for my body to feel this much pain and not be dead. I was sure my heart was just going to stop.

After about an hour in the tub, I was so exhausted and I was starting to lose my grip on the entire situation. I felt my sanity slipping away, felt myself drifting into a place that I hoped I would survive. I broke down and told my midwife that I couldn't do this natural. I just knew that if it was this painful now, there was no way I was going to make it through transition and pushing without medication. I felt defeated, heartbroken, and scared. I just knew I couldn't endure any longer. But then . . . I did. My midwife checked me, and told me I was at a 10. a 10!!! I couldn't believe it. No wonder it had been so hard, I was already in transition! Gideon and I both started crying when she announced it. In that moment I knew that I had the natural birth I had always wanted, in the bag. I thought, "I can do this! I'm almost done! The hard part's over!" Little did I know, I still had an hour and a half of horrendous pushing to do.

I got out of the tub and had a few contractions sitting on the toilet (very helpful, even though it sounds weird). Gideon sat in front of me in a chair and just held onto me, loved me, looked into my eyes. That was my favorite part of the whole labor, was looking right at him, feeling his arms around me. The pain, of course, had escalated to a crazy ammount at that point, and I was sobbing in between screams. It was so emotionally charged, intense, and beautiful. To have him by my side through the entire journey was so wonderful. It gave me so much strength just to feel his love eminating from him into me.

Next was the bed, again. The dreaded bed. I will spare you the details of the arduous 90 minutes of pushing. I will tell you, however, that it was like nothing I have ever been through or could ever imagine in my mind. There were points that I felt so alone. Points that I was in such deep despair, just me and the pain in a dark pit, and I thought I would never escape. Points where I was sure I must be dying. And finally, a point that I really thought, I CAN'T do this. I CAN'T. It's not going to work; my body is going to fail me and I'm just going to die. But let me tell you, it is the most elating and empowering thing in the world to truly doubt your body's ability; to think you can't do something, and then you do it. The moment that beautiful little person, that warm, limp body is plopped onto your bare chest and you just hold him, shaking, smiling, completely in awe, is the moment that all the pain vanishes (until they start to stitch you up. OUCH!)

My sweet little Finn was born at 5:23 am. He looked right up at me. Staring at his momma. I held him and stroked him and kissed him. He was so warm and small and beautiful and perfect. He screamed and screamed, and with every cry my heart seemed to change its rythm forever. Gideon put his hand on him, and they fell in love with each other. We hugged. Gideon kissed me over and over, and I could see it in his eyes that he would never see me the same again. There was a new kind of respect, admiration, love. Our world shifted in that one moment.

Immediately after the birth, I honestly wondered, was it worth it to do it natural? Really? I mean, that was HARD! But now, I find myself longing for that feeling, that awesome high that comes from really feeling everything involved with bringing a child into the world. We went on such a journey. Just me and my little Finn. It was painful, it was hard, it was a little traumatic. But it was so beautiful and empowering and amazing and so full of love. I have never felt so proud of my body! All the bread dough belly, the puffy eyes, are just a small manifestation of what my body has done. I brought a human being into the world! I remember the first few days after I had him, I just wanted to tell everyone, "Do you know what I just did? I had a BABY!! I birthed a child! I'm amazing!" Every woman should be so proud of her body and have respect for the beautiful woman she is. The capacity to do such an amazing thing is really a miracle.

**Special thanks to my AMAZING sister in law, Sarah, for taking pictures during the birth. These photos are some of my most prized posessions.

Arrival

2011-03-06T22:27:00.000-08:00

Finneas Adam Medley
"Finn"

Sunday, February 27th
5:23 a.m.

6lbs 13 oz.
18 1/2 inches long

His birth was amazing, spiritual, exhausting, triumphant. He is beyond beautiful. We love him more than we knew we could ever love another person. He is such a happy, easy going baby and we are so lucky to call him ours! I will post the full story of his birth soon. Today he is one week old and he has already changed so much. So now I have to go snuggle him on my chest, and leave blogging for another day.

It's Like A Dream

2011-02-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

I found this journal entry today. It was written right after Gideon got home from his mission. Although I don't remember writing this, I remember this night oh so well. I remember wondering what was in store for me, for us, as we figured out our feelings for each other. Looking back over the last 4 1/2 years of loving each other, it has been the most wonderful, amazing, sometimes bumpy, fulfilling and love-filled journey. It's been better than I could have hoped for. And now the images I always pictured in this entry are all coming true. I truly am so lucky.

*some parts are left out. Can't embarrass myself too much.

February 15, 2009

Gideon is home. Talked to him for an hour and 14 minutes tonight. I layed on my floor with the phone resting on my face curled up while his voice filled me up with happiness. I giggled at things that weren’t all that funny just because I felt like giggling because I felt so good. Then I also burst out laughing at hilarious stories he told me. I felt like a complete person again. I just realized today that I think I still love him . . .Hearing his voice, as we talked about how we both feel old for liking oatmeal, I just wanted to say ‘can’t we just get married and get old and eat oatmeal together all the time?’ I keep having this one vision of us (I’ve always had this vision with him) in the hospital with our first baby. I’m all stressed out and in pain in the bed and he is going back and forth down the hall to get me ice. I always picture him coming into the room and me feeling that calm that only he can make me feel . . .I’ve been so wishy washy lately about it but I am going to give it a shot. I think he’s my person. I think I want to spend forever with him. Marriage freaks me out except with him . . . I want to live forever with him and build forts and watch movies and bake cookies and stay up late hearing his funny stories and fight and make up and tell him his breath stinks and cry on his shoulder and let him feel my baby tummy.

Beginning of The End

2011-02-02T18:50:00.000-08:00

35
1/2
weeks.

Am I really almost done? Part of me can't believe this crazy journey of being pregnant is actually coming to an end. It's surreal. While most of me is so uncomfortable and tired and ready to not grow a human being any more, there is a tiny part (a rather big part tonight) of me that is sad to see the stage end. The stage of my sweet precious little boy, all nestled safe and sound inside of me. He is safe from everything in there. No one can tease him or make him feel less than he is. Nothing can damage his spirit, make him afraid. There are no scraped knees or elbows, no bloody noses, no tummy aches where he is right now. And I really think I will miss him when he's here. How, you ask? I just think that in the quiet moments in the night or early in the morning, or when I'm alone somewhere, I will miss his stubborn and deliberate movements inside me. Don't get me wrong, I am so ecstatic to meet this little man, to hold him, to gaze into his eyes that are half mine and half the man I love; I just don't want to forget the feeling of always being able to keep him safe. The feeling of anticipation, of wondering who he is, what his little nose will look like, if he'll have my feet or his daddy's, if he'll be as stubborn as me or as easy going as his father. But really, truly, I can't wait another second to have his wrinkled, warm, little red body in my arms, screaming to the world that he's arrived. I already have a feeling that he's going to be a real go-getter, that he'll be a wild little boy, and mostly, that I'll be so in love with him that my world will stop. I can't wait.

*Thanks to my sister in law Sarah for the amazing pics. Check out her site: mymatilda.com

My Matilda

2011-01-25T17:32:00.000-08:00

My sister in law, Sarah, is an amazing photographer. She just started this new business and it's AMAZING. Check our her site:
MyMatilda

Breakfast

2011-01-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

Nothing says pregnant like turkey sausage, peaches, mango salsa and some orange soda for breakfast. Plus the fact that I'm finally eating breakfast at 1 pm.

YUM.

The Good Ol' Days

2011-01-20T20:55:00.000-08:00

So Gideon and I decided that we'd better make the most of these last few weeks of not having a child in tow. Don't get me wrong, we're super excited, but there's some things we won't be doing again (alone) for a very long time. Monday was our day off, so we slept in until 11 (shameful, I know...) spent the afternoon going to the doctor then running a few errands, and by the time we got home I was pooped. So we got a redbox and ordered pizza. What a good night. It was so fun to be lazy and feel like we were dating again (movies on the couch, staying up late, etc ). Tuesday was crazy for Gideon with work and school, so somehow on Wednesday (our other day off) we slept in until 11 AGAIN. We keep saying we'll get up early and get a head start on the day, but really, why?? Soon we'll never sleep again. So we're soakin' it up. We went to the movies Wednesday night and loved it. Gideon only has classes 2 days a week this semester instead of 3, which feels like a HUGE change. Also, his classes aren't nearly as intense. It's been so so so wonderful to see more of each other and really get to hang out together. We went out for Sushi last week and have a few more places on the list to go. Of course, all these nights-on-the-town are funded by awesome coupon deals that we find and/or gift cards from Christmas. Couldn't have come at a better time! By 9 o'clock I'm dead tired and ready for bed, but it sure is fun enjoying the early evening.

Right now I'm washing a load of baby clothes to have ready when we bring this little guy home from the hospital. Also on the list this week: pack my hospital bag. The clock is ticking and I am officially anxious. I'm starting to realize that all the miserable symptoms that come with pregnancy are worth it because, at the end. . . you get a BABY!! We can hardly stand the wait at this point. The other night Gideon was asking me about everything that's going to happen in the delivery room right after I have the baby. (I plan to breastfeed right away, so he just wanted to know when it would be his turn to hold our little son). I laughed and told him he'd get to hold him right away! He was still a little serious and said, in the most loving and sweet tone, "Ok, just don't hog him, Ok?" I love that my little boy has a dad who is desperately in love with him already.

LOVE it.

Procrastination

2011-01-14T17:58:00.000-08:00

For some reason, when I know there's something I should do, even if it's an easy thing, I tend to avoid it. Example: Blogging. Vacuuming. Returning a shirt to target that's been sitting in the backseat of my car (recently moved to the trunk) for weeks. I really don't know what my problem is but I should really teach myself to get over it. Really. So after I post this . . . I . . .will . . .vacuum.

Christmas was wonderful! We spent Christmas Eve with Jared and Lynn. Lynn made us dinner and I made cheese balls and sugar cookies and we watched it's a wonderful life. Christmas day we headed up to the Smylie's for some family togetherness time. It was such a good holiday. We stayed up way too late, ate way too much and talked until my throat hurt. We loved it. We also managed to get up to Salt Lake to see the lights at temple square. It was FREEZING but the lights were so pretty! New year's came and went, and so far at the top of my new years resolution list is to expel a baby!! Seriously, my list looks like this. . .

Have the baby

Run a 1/2 Marathon (by September)

Birth the baby

Read the Book of Mormon

Get the baby out.

I always dreamed of being pregnant and while I have LOVED so many aspects of it, I admit it's not quite all it's cracked up to be. Today I got caught by surprise with a vomiting spell and it happened on my carpet. ON MY CARPET. Isn't that what people say about their two year old who got sick?!? Not to a grown woman. I have about this much pride left. I have a bum in my left ribs and two feet in my right, and a very hard head on top of my bladder. But I have to say, I love feeling so close to this little boy who will one day think I am such a dorky parent. I love feeling him try to get comfy in there or have the hiccups. I just think my skin might tear open at any moment, so it's a good thing he is coming out soon (hopefully). It really is a mix of emotions. I love knowing he's safe in there but I also just want him to come out so badly. Seven weeks and counting. I am so excited to meet this wild little man!

Also: I was deathly ill all last week and now that I am recovering, I seem to have lost more brain cells. I don't know if this is post sickness brain fog or pregnancy related, but I really am the biggest space case on the planet. So please excuse me if you have a conversation with me and it seems as though I'm not all there.

The temple looked so beautiful with all the trees lit up around it!

A little too frozen for a real smile from either of us . . .

The belly has come in handy for eating on the couch!

32 weeks. Sorry I always post these pictures so late that it's almost time for another. I'm now 33 weeks.

And finally, a picture of my wonderful husband, apron and all. This was on Christmas Eve, helping me cook. He has been such a great help during this pregnancy with stuff, especially in the kitchen! Love you honey.

Everything

2010-12-21T11:25:00.000-08:00

It's been quite a long time since I've done any kind of update on here. SO. Here it goes.

We went to Arizona during the first week of December, and I was a slacker and didn't get any pictures. It was a ton of fun though. So nice to just sit around my parents house, watch movies, play with my adorable niece and nephew, eat lots of food, etc. Awesome week. Thanks so much mom and dad for all the hospitality. It really was so wonderful being there.

Gideon finished finals, somehow managing to keep his sanity intact. He had to pull a few all-nighters, literally. Not an ounce of sleep. Poor guy. But I think it's all gonna be worth it to see his grades on Thursday. Now his big project is applying to BYU for the upcoming fall semester. We're crossing our fingers.

This is our apartment after the all nighter. Notice the suit cases still on the living room floor.

We finally got our Christmas tree up last week, and just decorated it this last Sunday. How horrible are we?!? I've never put up Christmas stuff this late, but in a way it's more special having it so close. My sister in law Lynn has had to remind me to finish making my stockings and do my decor. I'm so glad she does otherwise I would maybe have never done it this year!We had to buy some extra lights for the top half, and obviously they're not as bright as the ones on the bottom half. Oh well. And we're still working on the star.

Alas, the reason for all my Christmas procrastination has been partly due to the fact that all I want to do is sit on my couch and eat tums. The heartburn has been insane. If I take a sip of water, heartburn. If I eat ANYTHING, I get heartburn. Even now, just sitting here, I get heartburn. Gideon makes me what we call "the throne" in bed, consisting of a big blanket and about a million pillows behind me to prop me up so I can sleep somewhat comfortably while staying vertical. But I read that the hormone that causes heartburn also causes fetal hair to sprout, so the more heartburn you have, your baby is supposed to have more hair! Also, this little boy has taken up residence under my left rib. His new favorite spot. It's usually his little bum I can feel wedged in there, but sometimes I get a good kick and wow does it feel just great. I'm nervous that he still has to double his weight before he's born, cuz it's starting to feel pretty crowded in there already. Although I am grateful for every little kick or nudge these days. He gave us a scare last week. He is usually SUPER wild in there, but for two days he was so so calm and barely moved, so I had to go into the doctor and get a non-stress test. Pretty much they monitor his heart rate when he moves to make sure he has enough oxygen. Of course, as soon as they strap me up, he goes crazy. He's going to be so dramatic, I can already tell. But I was really relieved to know he's ok in there. Just needed a little attention. But really, overall, I'm feeling pretty good and I think the last few weeks has been the best part of my pregnancy. We just lay in bed at night and watch my belly do the wave while he moves around like crazy. It's so so fun. We are so excited to meet our sweet little guy.

29 weeks. This picture is almost a week old now. Sorry. I had Gideon take these at one in the morning, hence no face.

Also: We still have to name him! Suggestions welcome. So far we are thinking of naming him Finn. The middle name is Adam after my sweet brother who is special needs. So it would look something like . . . Finn Adam Medley. I also like Cash/Cache and a few others. Feel free to offer thoughts; I'll take the ones I like and ignore the ones I don't. Nothing personal. :)

Finally, the last thing to post is that this morning, we woke up to a winter wonderland! So pretty outside. There is about a foot of snow. I'm so excited to have a white Christmas!!

Quiet

2010-12-11T19:28:00.000-08:00

I know it's been forever since I've blogged. I think that I always apologize on here for checking out for so long. I have a million journal entries from my younger years that start out the same exact way. "Sorry it's been so long . . ." yada yada yada. But truthfully, some strange part of me secretly feels in control and rebellious and independent when I don't share anything with anybody (not even myself on paper) for a while. Is that weird? Possibly I have issues. I probably do. But it got me thinking tonight. About being quiet. So many of us have those moments. They are a little more sporadic for me, since I am normally a pretty "loud" person, to say the least. But yes, even I enjoy my phases of not chatting away with someone ALL. THE. TIME. Do you know why? Because you get to really LISTEN. Just listen. Usually these quiet states of solitude are enduced by a trial, pain, or a deeply spiritual or personal experience which for some reason takes me days or weeks to quietly sort through instead of just during the closing prayer at church. I wonder about other quiet people. I've met them in grocery stores, I've done their hair, taken care of their sick loved ones, sat by them in church. How often do I stumble across someone in their "quiet phase," their transitional period between tough spots in life? How often have people met me and thought "what a quiet lonely woman," just because I had a bad day and couldn't muster up a sincere laugh at their cheesy joke? I wonder how many of them are the permanently-injured-type who desperately need someone to be their friend, and how many are the ones like me, having a brief lapse in their social life. But you know something? I don't think it really matters. Because whether you feel a certain way for a second or for eternity, it still is important and moving and monumental because you felt it. Either way, all of these ramblings come down to one boiling point: Sometimes there's nothing wrong with a little quiet.

Daddy's Little Boy

2010-11-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

My dearest little man,

It's me, mommy. You don't know who I am yet, you only know the soft rocking of your constant warm little bath, my heartbeat, and maybe my wild laughter. And although I technically haven't met you yet either, I am really starting to know you pretty well. You like it when I lay on my right side, and when I kneel really awkwardly to say prayers. You always kick the most when I'm in those positions. You are a wild little one, just like your daddy. You kick me non stop and sometimes I really wonder what's going on in there. I know as soon as you can walk, you'll be crawling over things and jumping off of furniture way too high to be safe; again, just like your daddy.

Your dad and I always sit and wonder what you will be like, who you'll grow up to be, what your dreams will be. But something we already know and will always know is where you come from and what makes you you. I hope someday I can really, I mean really make you understand that you are the product of So. Much. Love. That two young kids sacrificed so much to bring you here, because we wanted to see your face, to meet you, to see what you might become, and to be allowed a brief moment to teach you a few things and mostly to have you teach us about love and about happiness. That two people will always stand behind you, hold your hand, throw everyone out of the way so you can pass, and cheer on the sidelines for you. That we wanted you, oh how we wanted you. That your place in the world will always be here, nestled between the two of us, safe and happy and loved.

I hope I help you see how much your father loves you. Some day when you are expecting your own little child, you will start to understand. Understand the excitement and pure joy that comes from anxiously awaiting the arrival of your own flesh and blood. Understand the sacrifices of a loving father; the long hours worked, the long nights of studying, the worry of the bills, the sheer exhaustion of life; all these sacrifices made because of the love he has for you, the little one he hasn't even met yet. Because he wants the very best for you, for your future. He worries about teaching you all the things of the world and the gospel, about life and about eternity. He loves you, a mind-blowing, heart bursting kind of love.

And so do I.

22 Weeks

2010-10-31T21:45:00.000-07:00

This is per request of my mom. The belly has finally begun to grow at lightning speed. Two weeks ago you could barely tell I was pregnant. My tummy is getting so dry and I feel like I can actually feel it stretching every day! I feel our little guy bouncing around in there all the time. This whole baby thing is starting to feel more real this week because we bought our crib (thanks mom and dad!) and stroller/car seat. It feels strange having this empty crib in our house. We lay in bed at night staring at it, getting all excited to have a baby to put in there soon! We start our birthing classes on the 15th (hypnobirthing), so we'll see how that goes.

Happy Halloween and Merry Christmas

2010-10-27T08:00:00.001-07:00

We have had such a fun week celebrating Halloween around here. Sunday night we put on Hocus Pocus in the background, ate sugar cookies until we thought we'd burst, and carved pumpkins. It was a fun night. Then on Monday we had a little Halloween party up in Salt Lake at Sarah's house with all of the family that lives around here. It was fun to get all dressed up. We all hid in different bedrooms with candy and the little girls came around and "trick or treated" to us each. What a fun night! So good to be with family and just have fun. Not to mention Sarah made some amazing chili and treats for us. Nothing better. But I woke up this morning to a car covered in snow, and I won't deny that I was blasting the Christmas music taking Gideon to school. I love the holidays and I am so excited that it's starting!

Jared and Lynn's pumpkins

Mine and Gideon's pumpkins

Sarah, Lynn, Hannah, Me and Kayla all dressed up

Gideon dressed up as Hiccup from HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. He made the costume with everything from D.I! It turned out so great and the little girls loved it. I was a cat because, well, nothing else really fit.

Jungle Gym

2010-10-17T23:56:00.000-07:00

Our little man is becoming quite the acrobat. I can feel him in there so often now! I swear he was doing somersaults tonight. And kicking on his way around. I think my bladder must be his biggest source of entertainment in there, because I'm pretty sure I had to get up and go tinkle about 5 times at church today. Literally. He must be having the time of this life bouncing up and down on that thing. But it's so worth it! I feel like I am getting to know him so much, just feeling him get stronger and more active (or just more cramped I suppose). I can't wait to meet him! His little face will never have enough kisses. I hope he's ready for this.

In other news, today was some major progress in this house. While I woke up nauseated and had to throw up a few times violently in the toilet, I felt better the rest of the day and made it through the full three hours of church!! That has only happened one other time since I've been pregnant. It was so nice. I really take for granted how spiritually refreshed I feel after attending all of my meetings. I was grateful for a good day of feeling good. And very grateful for a husband who does the dishes for me, offers to make me anything I want for breakfast, runs errands for me at the last minute, helps make sure we do our calling, rubs my feet, and is still willing to cook me a steak dinner at midnight when I get really hungry and too weak to cook anything myself. He is a real gem. I won't make him change too many diapers or get up too many times at night because he's practically been taking care of a baby this whole time!

Scripture Scouts!

2010-10-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

Last night Gideon and I were reading in the Book of Mormon and he randomly decided to quiz me and see if I knew what the rameumptom was. I totally surprised him by busting out a song about that scripture story that I learned when I was like seven or eight. It's from Scripture Scouts, these cassette tapes my parents bought us and I would listen to them every night when I went to bed. We were laughing pretty hard as I sang the song. But after that I got totally excited about having a baby because now I have an excuse to buy the Scripture Scouts again! They really are a brilliant idea for kids to learn the stories from the scriptures. They have Book of Mormon, Old Testament, the Articles of Faith and the Family Proclamation. I LOVED these when I was a kid and I still remember the stories I learned from listening to them! I am buying these and our little boy will know them like the back of his hand. If you have little kids, you have to get these!!

We're Having A BOY! ! !

2010-10-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

. . . and we couldn't be happier. He's the second little boy on my side of the family, and after 6 beautiful baby girls on my husbands side, the first grandson of the Medleys. We will probably constantly be changing out Barbies for G.I. Joes at family reuinons, and he might not get to be involved with the cousins all in the tub for too long, but he will surely be well rounded! Hopefully we can give him a brother soon or someone has a little boy cousin for him. Either way we are just so thrilled to have a gender for this little bun in the oven. I think the real joy is just knowing for sure now that he is healthy and doing great in there, all nestled in for the long journey ahead of both of us. It was so awesome to see him moving around like crazy on the ultrasound. I'm pretty sure I just fell in love, again. We are so excited to welcome this little baby boy into our home in just a few short months!

Sorry about the picture of a picture -- we don't have a scanner

19 1/2 weeks

Knock Knock

2010-10-07T21:00:00.001-07:00

Monday I finally, finally, finally felt our little baby move. For sure. It's really unfair that you have about twice the amount of gas bubbles in your tummy at the same time you really want to notice any tiny squirm, throwing you off for a while. Well, since Monday, this little babe kicks up a storm mostly between 6 and 8 pm. I eat some dinner and lay on the couch, hands lightly on my belly. I admit; sometimes I talk high pitched and ask the little baby to move for mommy. Dumb, I know, but hey, I spend a lot of time alone at night. But it really is the beginning of all the motherly bonding everyone talks about. There's really no describing it. All the puking, the heart burn, the emotional breakdowns, all of the pregnancy discomfort boils away to nothing when you really feel that tiny person in there! I was watching my little 4 month old niece kick and wiggle this weekend, and I just pictured my little baby doing the same thing in there. Just much smaller (although, some of those kicks have been pretty hard! I think he/she's going to be a soccer player, just like his/her momma). Anyways, it's been awesome. Exciting to say the least. I can't wait for Gideon to be able to feel the movement. He is REALLY excited about it. And most exciting of all, we find out the gender MONDAY. Monday! That's about three days away. We are holding our breath. If you want credit for predicting what it is, now's the time people.

Bedtime Snack

2010-09-27T22:00:00.001-07:00

A bowl of Kix cereal, followed by some baby dill pickles, washed down with some grape punch. All in between bouts of hysterical laughter with the coolest guy on the planet. What a good combo to settle the stomach. Que the heartburn in about an hour.

The Lion King

2010-09-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

I couldn't look at the pregnant runner lady any more. Thank goodness for a new reason to blog. Gideon and I went to the Broadway Across America performance of The Lion King last night. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera at home, so you don't get any new pics. Sorry. We had such a blast though! We got all dressed up. Gideon wore a bow-tie and I wore a silk dress, which barely fit me. I'm drawing near to the end of non pregnancy clothes. We made a night of it and went up to the Happy Sumo in salt lake before the show. I found out that my all time favorite sushi roll is actually cooked, hence safe for a pregnant lady. (Sadly, making me a not-so-hard-core sushi eater. Oh well.) I was a happy camper eating til my belly was full (that rarely happens lately). The show was AMAZING!!!!! I've seen a few productions like Les Miserables and Phantom, but this was different. The costumes were seriously out of this world and that little lady who played Rafiki speaking in actual african dialect? Too much. Plus the music . . . oh the music. Gideon loved it SO much, and that's really what made me happy. I was so excited for him to see something so cool. Especially because he LOVES the original animated movie. It was just so great seeing the play. Anyways. All in all it was such a fun night to go out. We are really trying to take in the joy and the luxury of having date nights without phone calls to a babysitter worrying about the little one. We are so excited to get her/him here, but are cherishing our last few out-on-the-town dates. It might be a while til those come back around.

exercise . . .

2010-09-16T18:50:00.001-07:00

Does parking your car at the far end of the lot at wal-mart and then shopping for 15 minutes count at exercise? Does it count as exercise to vacuum your tiny apartment if you feel that sick almost-going-to-puke feeling after? I used to get that after running six miles. Now, just a leisurely vacuum episode. Walking up a flight of stairs has me a little winded. And after a 30 minute walk in the park? May as well have been the conditioning we did during varsity soccer tryouts in high school. NAP TIME. I'm pretty sure all these things count as exercise when you're pregnant. It's official. All those ladies running marathons and stuff when they're like nine months pregnant...who are you people?!? I guess I should aspire to something greater. But for now I'll take the mall walker pace in wal-mart, thank you very much.

I don't know who this is but it's an ad for maternity workout wear. They are so hard core. It's good to stay active but holy cow!

Ramblings

2010-09-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting until I had something positive to say to post on my blog again. Sorry that all the previous pregnancy posts have had a negative air to them. I am still pretty sick but finally I have more energy.For example, it only took me 3 days to build up the strength to tackle the dishes as opposed to a week. I vacuum once a week (Gideon does it one other day during the week) instead of once every 3 weeks. I actually scrubbed my bathtub and cleaned most of the house. Laundry is still piling over, but that's always been a constant battle. Is it strange that so much of my happiness comes from having a clean clean clean house? I may have problems. I am starting to realize that I actually have a tiny little person in there. Hopefully soon I will feel him or her moving around in there. I'm starting to develop a legit bump..the realization that this amazing little person who already has a spirit, personality, and even goals (returning to Heavenly Father probably) is growing inside me and will soon be at my disposal to nurture and love, is quite scary. Wonderful and amazing and so exhilarating, but scary. I can't wait to meet this little one. This little baby who has already turned my life upside-down. Who already makes me teary-eyed when I think about sending him/her off to college (can you say hormone surge??). Every night I pray that Heavenly Father will give me any last trials or lessons or whatever he needs to do to prep me for this up-coming job. Suddenly I'm trying to desperately hang on to memories of how I felt in high school, junior high, as a little girl when barbies and snuggle time with mom and dad was so important. Everything. So I can relate. But in spite of all the variables of parenthood (feels weird saying that word in relation to myself!), I at least know one thing. That this little spirit who is coming is strong. So strong. And that it will have more love than it can even soak up in that tiny little heart. I'm already falling in love.

On that note, we go to find out the gender on October 11th. That's only 3 1/2 weeks! Start making your guesses . . .

Relapse

2010-09-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought it was over. . .

Apparently I spoke too soon about my vomit days being over. Oh yes, mother nature had quite a different schedule in mind. I started feeling better just days before our cruise, which was such a blessing! I felt fine on the cruise, probably because of all the protein from the seafood and steaks. YUM. Well, we got back and by Saturday night I was covering my mouth with both hands in the parking lot of the movie theater. That was fun.

Today I was working. Finished my second pedicure of the day, which mainly consists of hunching over someone's feet, inhaling the absolutely consuming smell of peppermint foot lotion for an hour. YGUUUGH. That is the sound of "if I smell this one more time I think I might puke." Well, as her nail polish was drying, I discreetly sneaked off the the bathroom to finally do it. When I came out after lots of heaving with plenty to show for it, sweaty and shaky and oh-so-attractive, my co-worker just stood there, pretty grossed out. She had been looking for me. Well, she found me.

I finished her up and then had another client right away, a hair cut. Made it through it, with smiles and "yes i'm fine, how's your day?", all the fake pleasantries we feed to clients. I hope he couldn't smell the lovely stench of oranges and pears the second time around on my breath. Tried to go get some lunch, a cup of noodles and a chocolate doughnut. Now you may not think that sounds healthy or very appetizing, but hey, what the stomach wants, it gets. For the moment. I really thought it was going to stay down as I sat in my car enjoying my meal. Wrong-O! I have never known such shame as being hunched over in front of my car, puking into a pile of bushes that weren't as concealing as I thought, losing my noodles and other things that look almost the same coming up as they did going down. Not to mention, my body seized up so hard in an effort to rid itself of what I thought was good food, that I managed to pee my pants. I don't mean a little squirt. Like, PEED my pants people. All the way through my jeans. It was so great going inside to tell the receptionist I had to leave because I couldn't stop throwing up and because I didn't think it was appropriate to cut my next client's hair with urine running down my legs.

Driving home sitting in your own pee takes you from 22 and mature to 2 years old and wanna cry like a baby pretty quick.

Dear Baby,
Please be nice to me in there. Tell my tummy to take it easy, because I really need to gain back the seven pounds I've lost and put some meat on. I want you coming out cute and fat. Ok? Ok then. Glad we could clear that up.

Bahamas

2010-08-29T19:06:00.001-07:00

So Gideon and I finally got to go on our honeymoon. It kinda counted for our anniversary trip too, since it's been a year since we got married. Thanks to my parents for some help getting to Florida. We cruised for 4 nights in the Bahamas. It was so fun to just eat, sleep, and be lazy. Highlights: Getting offered weed in Nassau; being so sunburned after snorkeling that all we could do was lay on our stomachs and occasionally rub aloe vera lotion on each other's shoulders; the waiter who actually picked up my fork and fed me my shrimp; the asian waiter who LOVED saying Gideon's name and so, he said it all the time; the violin player who only remembered certain words to songs. We had a ton of fun. Here are a few pictures.

How to make a pregnant woman sick 101

Our little crab we found on the beach. He was fast!

Nassau. What a cute little place!

Our ice cream man. I think the heat was getting to us.

Cheesy tourist pics. Gotta have some of those!

Every night, our room attendant would make these little animals out of towels.

Formal night in the dining room.

Snorkeling! It was so fun. The water was so clear!!

Asleep in the airport.

This guy had us laughing every night.

Baby Pictures and Video Games

2010-08-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

12 weeks! First pair of maternity jeans. My belly has never felt so free and happy. It doesn't look that big yet, but rest assured it's growing. And sorry about the dazed look on my face; lately I always either just woke up from a nap or else I just look like I did. Can't win.

Things have gotten pretty busy around here. Lots of new things going on:

I started and stopped the throwing up phase of pregnancy since my last post.
Gideon finished his second summer term and still has a 4.0 He worked his tushy off for that G.P.A! So proud of him.
Our little one is now the size of a lime. 12 weeks!
For Gideon's birthday, I bought him a Wii. It was also an end-of-school present. I am always sore now from virtual boxing and table tennis.
Ben has been staying with us during the week this month since he has his nursing clinicals down here this month. It's been such a blast hanging out with him! I'm so glad to have at least one of my siblings here.
Gideon had a birthday (23! Woo hoo!)
Gid's best friend got married. We got to go to the sealing in the Salt Lake Temple. It was so nice being inside those sacred walls and to feel the peace that comes from being there. I am so grateful for temples!
We are leaving for our cruise on Sunday morning, so I'd better go pack and get my house cleaned.

Here are a few pics of the last few weeks:

Ben and Gideon setting up the Wii. They stayed up until four a.m. playing. Gideon also accidentally threw the remote at the tv while bowling and it knicked the frame. Close call.

Lynn and Grace at Gideon's birthday get together

We had some family over for Gideon's birthday. It was so fun! We had cheesecake, played with the girls in the park, played the Wii, and of course, chatted ourselves to death. Good times.

Baby!!!

2010-08-09T16:28:00.000-07:00

We had our first prenatal appointment today. So relieved that everything is going well and the baby sounds like it's doing fine in there. Hearing the heartbeat was so fun and amazing. It feels so real now! Gideon and I keep thinking, "are we old enough to have a baby?" I guess we'll find out in nine months!

No More Tail

2010-07-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say, that our baby's tail is gone. Woo hoo! It's now the size of a grape. We get to hear the heartbeat in 10 days. Can't wait!

Ode To The Bloat

2010-07-21T19:54:00.001-07:00

*Note: This is NOT a picture of my stomach.*

Well, for someone who loves shopping, I sure didn't enjoy shopping for clothes tonight. Nothing fits me. My pants had to be unbuttoned all day today. Ok, lets be honest. I unzipped them, too, every time I was sitting. Granted they were on the verge of being a tad too small before I got pregnant, but they just hit their limit. I know that since I'm only about 8 weeks I'm not really "showing" yet, but lots of other parts of me sure are growing at an alarming rate! And it's not just the ladies upstairs. Although they seem to be pretty excited about this baby business too. In case you were wondering, bra shopping by yourself-especially maternity/nursing bra shopping- is always a bad idea. I have no idea what I just bought. Target doesn't have those naggy saleswomen walking around with measuring tapes the way Victoria's Secret does. I must admit I missed them, standing in Target looking like an idiot and feeling like I was picking out my first training bra or something. Totally ignorant. But I did find some semi-cute (thank you, target, for making something besides a peasant top) skirts and looser t-shirts that won't advertise how much my cup size goes up every week. Sheesh! I can't believe people pay to get those things bigger. Man. Stomach shrinking lipo, on the other hand? I can see that. I feel like I could use some right now. Let me just say, water weight and bloating make you feel about 5 months prego when you're only about two. It's just depressing knowing that it's not your precious baby sticking over your pants. It's the extra piece of cake you ate before she even got in there. But alas, I am still as happy as ever to be even having something like this to complain about! And it's really not that bad. I was so so so nauseated last weekend, but thanks to God's gift to man, ZOFRAN (an anit-nausea medication), I am feeling much more human and able to function. Crazy how a blueberry-soon-to-be-lima-bean can change your whole body and your life! I love it. It is really an amazing miracle.

Our Little Blueberry

2010-07-18T16:04:00.000-07:00

That's right . . . we're PREGNANT!! It still feels wierd saying that. Although he/she is only the size of a blueberry, it sure is making it's presence known in there. I have been having the wierdest dreams of my life (last night I was taking care of a poopy diaper but also hangin out with the Kardashian sisters in our new mansion. What?!?), I wake up at 5 a.m. every morning to pee, and so far even dry toast makes me want to vomit. No actual regurgitation happened yet, but I am beginning to think it would be worth it if I could just enjoy one meal. I can't even look at saltine crackers any more. Oh, and poor Gideon had to just hold me and stroke my hair as I fell asleep crying the other night. I honestly can't even remember what about. I woke up thinking "why was I crying?!?" It's a little unnerving and very embarrassing having very little control over your emotions. Also, my house is a complete mess. I always pride myself on keeping a clean house, but I guess I should just get used to it now since it will never be clean again when the baby comes. But we are so happy and very excited to welcome a new little person into our family! I guess for now I just have to try to get along in there with our growing little one.

A Man

2010-07-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

Gideon is at school right now. Drilling things into his mind that he slightly cares about, all for something he really cares about. His family. I slept in until eleven a.m. today. Him? He came to bed two hours after I did last night, about 1:45 in the morning. He was up doing homework. So dilligent. Then he woke up without the slightest hint of a complaint about the sheer exhaustion I know he feels, at 8:00 a.m. Before he left, he woke me up so we could kneel in prayer together to start the day. Ok, I use the word "kneeling" loosely here. For me at least. My heart is a little swollen as I sit here, in my cozy quiet little one bedroom apartment, enjoying the slowness of my day today as he is working away somewhere. I love that man. His hard work and kindness and positive attitude have molded my world into something more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

365 Days.

2010-07-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

Today is our first anniversary! This year has seriously flown by soooo fast. We have been so happy and I'm happy to say that we are even more in love than the day we got married last year-if that's even possible. Gideon surprised me today by having these beautiful flowers sent to me at work! He even picked out the ones that were pink and orange, our wedding colors. How thoughtful! I have never ever ever been given flowers in my entire life (except from my parents after my ballet recital when I was 5. Thanks guys). I felt like a million bucks! After I got off work, Gideon took his break early so we could go to lunch together. While we were eating our kneaders in the car, "our song" came on the radio! It is a really old kinda stupid song that you never hear, so it was awesome. Made us laugh that we used to love such a dorky song. We are going out Monday to actually celebrate though, with a couple's massage and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Yum! But today was a great day. I am so lucky to be married to such an amazing man who makes the world a better place and who makes me a better person. Thanks for a great day, Honey! Love you!

Here are a few pictures of our wedding day. . .

And some old photos of when we first started dating, almost 4 years ago! Crazy.

Miriam's Baby Shower

2010-07-09T19:35:00.001-07:00

We threw a baby shower for Miriam last night. The best part was that Naomi surprised everyone and came down for the party from Rexburg.It was awesome. It turned out great and it was so fun to get so many women in such a small space! Watch this video and you'll see what I mean. Can't get enough!

4th of July Weekend

2010-07-09T19:09:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome week to start out the month. My family came up to Idaho (most of them...we missed the ones who didn't come!), and on their way through they stopped in Utah. Adam got to call Gideon's little brother, Isaac, whom he is obsessed with. So cute. Isaac was such a good sport talking to Adam on the phone. It made Adam SO happy. Thanks Isaac!

We hung out for a few days with my mom and Adam here in Utah. We went to Nordstrom's Rack and Tai Pan Trading. Gideon was so great helping out with Adam, pushing him around in his wheelchair and giving him piggy backs. We had so much fun!

THEN. . .

We all ended up in my parents home town of Shelley, Idaho at my grandparents house for the 4th. It was so great to see so much family and enjoy the holiday! Ben made us ice cream all weekend, we played cards and vegged on t.v. at my grandparents house, and the boys hit golf balls on Grandpa's yard in the evenings. It was so much fun!

Two of the Katie (Caitie) Nalders! There are three of us in the family named Katie Nalder, although I am now Katie Medley. Good thing! It was getting confusing.

On Monday, Gideon and I went up to Rexburg where Naomi and Colin live. Naomi made tons of great food and we all had a little picnic. Good weather and good food, couldn't ask for more!

After lunch, Naomi took us to the concert hall and played the cello for us. She is amazing! I recorded a little snipped of her playing for us.

Gideon sang while she played AND sang. I am so lucky I get to listen to their musical talent all the time!

The Manti Pageant

2010-06-29T18:07:00.001-07:00

Saturday night, Gideon took me to the Manti Pageant. I've been wanting to go for a few years now, so he surprised me a few days early and took work off so we could go. It was really fun to take a mini road trip down there and sit on our blanket to watch the show. Although next time I think we'll just sit in the chairs because our view was a little awkward. Still awesome though! It was fun to do something spiritual on a Saturday night and fun at the same time. We brought a cooler full of otter pops and sandwiches, so we were set! Sadly, our camera died right after we took this picture, so it's the only one we have. But the temple was SO beautiful! Thanks for a great time honey!

Seven Peaks

2010-06-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

Jared and Lynn took us to Seven Peaks today for a little family night activity. We just went for a few hours but it was really fun to finally see the sunshine and just relax and play like little kids. Gideon and I got a waterproof camera so we had fun goofing around with it. Thanks Jared and Lynn!

We thought we were getting a picture here, but Jared secretly video taped us. I love Lynn's ambush at the end.

All in all it was a good day! We hit 5 Guys afterwords to gain back all those calories we burned and then came back to our house and had some otter pops and vegged out on TV on the floor. Ah, Summer time.

Have A Seat

2010-06-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

We finally got our new couch this week! We love it.

A Little R & R

2010-06-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

If you are too busy to take a vacation this summer (as many of us are), then I suggest you try. . .

Gideon and I decided I need to take a chill pill and try to relax instead of stress out all the time over how to save the world and what not. SO. Bubble baths once a week minimum and yoga are on the new to-do list. I'm thinking soon I'll go for a facial. I already notice that I sleep better, feel better, and my skin is even looking better! Turns out all those zen-loving meditating junkees have been on to something all along.

A Party For Myself

2010-05-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

+

+

Had a bit of a bad day. Held in a few tears at some points. Went to Wal-Mart on the way home to pick up a few things to have a better night. In line, the guy in front of me tried to hit on me and told me I have pretty eyes. I flashed him my wedding ring as I said thanks, but he wanted to keep on talkin, because he asked me about my purchase.

"Birthday party?"

"Nope. I.. uh. . ."

pretty good conversation killer. It was pretty funny when the lady behind me said, after he left, "I think he was hitting on you!" I told her I'd had a bad day and needed that stuff all for myself. She whole-heartedly agreed as we chatted how once a month a woman is aloud to buy enough food for 10 small children and eat it all herself. The poor male cashier just beeped the stuff through and told me the total. Poor guy.

I was purchasing:

2 BAGS OF SKITTLES

2 BOXES OF YELLOW CAKE MIX

1 YORK PEPPERMINT PATTY

1 RASPBERRY JAM JAR (THE HUGE ONE)

No, no, not buying things for a birthday party. Just going to go home and watch Dear John and then Blind Side. Yep. I felt cool. But you know what? Some things really do perk your day right up.

Lately . . .

2010-05-25T21:06:00.001-07:00

I very carefully brought this fabulous dessert home from Miriam's house for Gideon. I took great care not to spill a single drop in the car on the way home. Put it safely in the fridge. The next day, I went to take it out of the fridge for Gideon to enjoy. Stupid fridge, stupid clumsy elbow that smacked the fridge and stupid hand for letting go of the cup. You should have seen the way that pudding and strawberries mixture soared through the air and splattered so beautifully in one smooth motion. The usual cry/laughter ensued.

Gideon surprised me with a new coffee table he found on craigslist. He had Ben bring it to the house while he was at work so he didn't have to see my face, "in case I was disappointed." SERIOUSLY?? Disappointment not even possible. I love love love it. I have the best husband on the planet. Even more than that coffee table, I love my hubby.
ps: going to re-paint and stain the table. Work In Progress.
You may be wondering why my living room is in shambles. Reason: We bought a new couch. SO, we sold our old couch. Problem: New couch doesn't come for two weeks. Gettin real familiar with the floor once again.

Found this little beauty at an antique yard sale. LOOOOOVE it. I think someday I will take up hunting down old furniture and refinishing it and selling it. But that would require a garage. Or at least a spare room, as I've recently learned the hard way: you can't spray paint inside your house. One step at a time.

Note: both of our hair is growing out. We are quite the rebels here in our house.

For Adam . . .

2010-05-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

One Year Ago . . .

2010-05-05T23:16:00.001-07:00

May 6th is a special day. Not only is it my big brother Zachary's birthday and my father in law's birthday, it is also the day Gideon and I got engaged. Yes, I am wearing a pipe cleaner ring. He made me one while we waited for the real one to get here. It was so special, because his dad gave a ring just like it to gid's mom to ask her to be his girlfriend. So cute! I can't believe it's been a year. I could never have imagined how happy I was going to be or how much I have enjoyed the last year of my life! So lucky to be married to this wonderful man.

PS my hair is so much longer now! YAY!!!

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie . . . .

2010-05-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

Last week, Gideon received a desperate call from me at TJMaxx. You know the kind:

"Honey, it's on sale! More than half the original price!"

"I dunno...do we really need it?"

"I guess we don't technically neeeed it. But come on. Do we need pillowcases?"

I convinced him of our dire need for this more than adorable bench. He said he was worried that it would make me want to decorate the rest of the house. I assured him it wouldn't. But one week and about a million craft/discount stores/spray paint cans later. . .

Our family room (still a work in progress). This is pretty much the entire house. Our bedroom is to the left past the T.V. You have to go through our room to get to the bathroom. Tiny but we love it!

This little friend from TJMaxx started it all. I'm a sucker for stripes and I love the soft blue.

I ordered two of these cute little baskets in white to put under the bench to store stuff in. They're out of stock until JUNE. Worth the wait, though; they were a steal from Crate and Barrel's sister children's store, Land of Nod.

The Entryway:

This has been this way for a while. Except you have to picture Gideon's bike in the entryway to get the full effect of how we live. Overall, we love it. I am proud of myself that almost everything was from a second hand store or spruced up all by myself. I found some great deals! It's no BH&G cover, but it's much better than the previous bachelor pad feel we were living in!

Kitty Surprise

2010-04-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

We keep finding little critters in our window well. In the fall, we found a little mouse living under the air conditioner unit. I saw it when I opened the blinds one day. Ew! Well, Monday I opened the blinds and saw a little kitten curled up in the corner! I HATE cats, but little kitties aren't so bad. I thought. I brought the little guy inside and tried to carry it outside (I didn't want it to crawl around because I am allergic), but it jumped around, clawed my arms, and I even got a super bad rug burn on my knee when I dove to catch it. So I took it out to the grass. The poor little guy was starving, so we fed him some tuna and water. Lynn was over and it scared her half to death; can't blame her. The little thing acutally chased her around the yard. It wanted her sandwich. I thought that was more of a dog thing? Anywho, after it meowed at our door for a while, Gideon finally took it to the park where he ditched it when it ran off to play. Hope it was ok! Oh and don't worry, we checked with the neighbors before giving it away to the friendly people in the park.

Easter Weekend

2010-04-09T17:34:00.000-07:00

My sexy husband with his easter basket.

Up at conference

My mom requested some new pictures on the blog today. I guess I've been slacking. Here's a little bit of what went on Easter weekend for us. It was a busy and super fun weekend! Friday night was Gideon's mission reunion. It was really fun to meet all of the people he always talks about, and to see some old friends. Ben spent the night Friday, and we headed up all three of us for the afternoon session of conference. It was so fun to be up there! Even though it was freezing, and we barely made it in on time, we loved it! It's always so fun when so many members of the church are all concentrated into one place. (Wait, that's how it is everywhere here. . . ) We were so sad my mom couldn't come up, but since we had an extra ticket, we had our cousin Bryndon come with us. It was so good to see him! Then we spent Saturday evening at the Smylie's. It was so fun to have almost every sibling there. Naomi and Colin came from Idaho, Hannah and Sean came from Bountiful, and Bethany and Tammy even came from Eureka! The girls ate chocolate cake while the boys went to priesthood session, and the rest of the evening was spent eating chips and salsa over Sarah's baby bump while we felt the new baby moving around. So fun. We had tickets for the Sunday morning session also, so we headed back up bright and early the next morning. Hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing was so amazing. It is always so wonderful to be in the same room as those wonderful inspired men who are the mouthpiece of the Lord in modern days. This conference was extra special to me. There were some very special messages shared through the Spirit, and both Gideon and I felt very lucky to be there this last weekend. I am so grateful for the wonderful blessing that Heavenly Father has given us, to have guidance and direction in a world where there is so much confusion. The gospel of Jesus Christ really is the gospel of peace and joy! We ran into some old childhood friends outside the conference center, then headed home for the afternoon session. Gideon and Ben were hangin on for dear life, and they barely made it through the closing prayer. Then I gave Gideon his Easter basket Sunday evening. So that was our first Easter together! Awesome weekend. We love being around so much family and miss everyone who's not here.

Ben . . . during conference. Ha ha

The boys . . . about 2 minutes after the closing prayer

P.S.

2010-03-25T17:41:00.000-07:00

Oh. And also thought I should share some funny/awkward moments from work. (I am writing this sitting in my gym clothes. I really am trying to avoid getting there. What else can I blog about. . .)
I did a hair cut on a client the other day who, bless her heart, had this picture of a cut that she wanted. The person owning the haircut was a 5'9, 100 pound supermodel. This woman was, well, not that exact body type. Which is fine. But ya gotta do a hairstyle that accentuates what ya got. But, she insisted. SO we did the cut. During which, she told me many awkward and sad things that I didn't know how to respond to. She seemed pretty unhappy with herself/her life. I was trying to stay lighthearted and cheer her up. She then told me about how her family went on a cruise but she wasn't invited. She finished the story with, "well, my sisters are all so small anyways." This wasn't a small woman. I said, "Oh, I know, I have lots of sisters who just look great no matter what, and I'm like man, I wish I had that body! But oh well, it's all good." She let me go on like that for a minute, then she said, without expression, "I meant that they're all young." Needless to say, I felt pretty stupid. I'm surprised she still tipped me.

Among other client conversations, I did a pedicure on a lady and her friend today. They are both labor and delivery nurses. During that 45 minutes, I got a LOT of information about childbirth and what things look like. I'm scared to say the least. It was an educational experience for me. Enough said.

2010-03-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry that I don't have any good pictures lately. I'm growing out my hair; it's awkward. And I'm sorry I don't post more often . . . I decided that the really good blogs are from people who have kids. Children make everything more interesting/funny/cooler. SO. That being said, I just wanted to pop on here and say that I have the very best husband ever. I think most people think that about their husband, and we all have a "best guy for me." Gideon is the one person on the planet who thinks I am so incredibly funny when most just think i'm a dork. I love that he sorts the laundry and I love the way he makes me a sandwich for the day, but puts the tomatoes and lettuce in a separate baggy so the sandwich "doesn't get soggy." Who is that thoughtful? I love it. Last night we stayed up in bed just chatting about random things, laughing so hard. We talked about what we should name all of our babies when we have them, trying to find cool family names. I just felt so happy, laying there, staring at his face that is so adorable and lovable when he smiles. The way he laughs so hard when he things something is genuinely funny. His dimple on the right cheek that only shows up when he smiles a certain way. I don't care that we have four years left of school and student loans; that we will probably have kids with no way to pay for them, that we have to stay up until 1:00 a.m. if we want to hang out on a weekday. I just love our simple, small life that we lead. In spite of the many skeptics who said getting married is a mistake and that it is so hard it's barely worth it, we are BRILLIANTLY happy and couldn't love life any more.

First Day

2010-03-12T17:49:00.000-08:00

Today was my first day at my new job. I quit my last job on account of I feel like I should get paid to do work and I don't like people to yell at me. SO. ya know. Started working as a stylist/esthetician at Mark Anthony Salon. LOVE it. Seriously. Couldn't be happier. SO glad I made the choice I did!

Family Newsletter

2010-03-09T22:17:00.000-08:00

This is our insert to our family newsletter we do every month on Gideon's side. Just thought it was a nice summary of what's been going on in our life as of late. If you're a Nalder, eat up. If you're a Medley. . . this will be old news.

an old picture, just for the heck of it. ah young love.

Hello everyone! We are still living the good life here in Orem. Gideon is doing great in all of his classes. He LOVES his astronomy class and loves to tell me all about it. He thinks it bugs me, but I really think it's so cute. It actually blows my mind how he can remember everything in such detail. He is also taking a music class, so we walk around the house listening to classical music. It's actually really entertaining, mostly because Gideon starts conducting or doing his own instrumentals sounds. He is always singing, which I love. The other day I was in the beauty supply store, and I usually take Gideon with me when we go. I was alone, but the girl at the counter said to me, "do you know how I remember you?" I shook my head. She said, "you're the girl that has that husband who sings every time he's in here." We laughed pretty hard at that. But even though he studies so hard and works even harder, he still manages to find time to be such a great husband! If we don't get to see each other during the day, I usually come home to a sweet little note from him telling me I am beautiful and awesome, which is always nice to hear. Even though the last image he has of me in the morning is usually the zombie look. What can I say. Love is blind. I quit my job last week and had a nice week off, doing crafts and such. I have taken up sewing (or attempted to do so. Gideon always has to fix the sewing machine for me when I get it all tangled up). It's so much fun to learn though! I have sewed a couple of pillows and Lynn and I sewed a skirt. Thanks again to the whole family for our sewing machine as a wedding gift! I will be starting a new job at a salon in Springville this week though, so I guess my lazy crafting days are over. I will be working as a stylist/esthetician and I'm so excited! Any longer without a job and I think I might have gone crazy, or vacuumed the carpets to death. We're excited that spring is coming, maybe. We got hit with a snowstorm last weekend that lasted just a few days. Hopefully only a few more of those, then we can bust out the shorts and flip flops! No other really exciting news. . . March 10th is our 8 month mark of being married. Crazy how time flies. Everyone told us that the first year of marriage is the hardest. We just keep thinking, "If this is the hardest, then we're in for a pretty sweet life!" It's been so fun adjusting to married life. Gideon is getting used to sharing a bank account with a woman who can never satisfy the shopping itch, and I am getting used to someone wondering where all of my money goes. Just kidding. He eats whatever I manage to cook up for dinner, without comment or complaint (except for praise), and for that reason alone I would love him forever. We take turns doing dishes and I don't mind laundry, so it all works out pretty well. I think the thing that has been the coolest to experience is a married fight. I wouldn't call it fighting, as any of you who know Gideon well know, that man doesn't "fight." We get quiet and disagree. But it really is awesome knowing that whatever we're upset about we just talk about it, figure it out, and we somehow manage to love each other even more at the end of every disagreement. We decided we like this whole "I'll love you no matter what" deal. At any rate, life is good and we are as happy as ever.

Hair. . .

2010-03-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

makes me happy. Especially when I get to do this.

And this.

Trendy

2010-02-27T13:27:00.000-08:00

MARC by MARC JACOBS 'HENRY' STAINLESS STEEL

$225.00

MICHAEL KORS 'JET SET SPORT-CRYSTAL SET' CHRONOGRAPH WATCH

$250.00

MICHAEL KORS CRYSTAL RIM BRACELET WATCH

$180.00

DKNY STAINLESS STEEL CRYSTAL CHRONOGRAPH WATCH

$195.00

This is my most recent fashion crush. Been around a while, I realize, but for some reason now I would love on of these beauties. Of course this desire was fueled from a stroll through nordstrom. Mmmm.

Happy to be Happy

2010-02-26T20:50:00.000-08:00

(keep going there are pictures at the end . . .)

It's quiet in my little house, and I was just feeling so content and full of genuine joy. I live the good life. Tuesday through Friday, I go to work. It's not the best job in the world, nor do I make a lot of money. But no one bleeds on me or poops their pants and so I am happy. On weekends I find things to do while my sweet adorable husband works late to provide for us. And by us I mean the hope that someday there will be him and us, as in more than just he and I. Someday. That's why we work so hard. I usually come home from work and find a sweet little love note telling me I'm pretty and wonderful, even though the last image he has of me is me half drooling in my sweats with an afro when I dropped him off at school. It's true that love is blind. Sundays we go to church together. After a time when we didn't have that luxury, I cherish showing up to sacrament meeting together, holding hands, and sometimes whispering funny comments during the talks and sneaking mini charleston chews out of my purse after the hymns (don't judge us. We're still five inside). We just got called to be gospel docrine teachers, and surprise, we LOVE it! Then we come home and I practice making something I like to call food. Because of this endeavor I am grateful for my crock pot. On Mondays we play hookie from life and just have fun. We go on a date, usually consists of grocery shopping or pulling our mattress into the living room for the latest and greatest netflix. Last week we got in bed at about midnight, each with a cup of hot chocolate, and watched Feiffle Goes West. Do you remember that movie? Those cats are scary!! Anyways, it was just fun and simple and HAPPY. People keep telling us to enjoy married life before we have a baby. Although I don't like thinking of having a baby as the end of all happiness and fun, I think they might have a tiny point. Sleep is pretty wonderful. So we are doing all the fun stuff so we don't have any regrets. We work hard but we play harder. We stay up so late because our scripture study turned into some hilarious conversation and I maybe pee my pants from laughing so hard, which just makes us laugh harder. Anyways. Life is good. I am eating grapes while I use a computer and sit in a heated house. And in a few hours the love of my life, my entire existence, will come home and I will be able to breathe. Not only metaphorically, but cuz I have breathing problems and when he rubs my back it feels better. See? If that's not pure joy, I don't know what is.

And also I am proud to announce: I am officially a housewife. Sunday I made home made beef stew that was BOMB and then on Monday I sewed a skirt. Sort of.I still have to hem it, and it doesn't quite fit me and Lynn pretty much figured out how to do it, but I pushed the pedal and fed the fabric and that is huge for me. So yay! Oh and we also drowned ourselves in banana bread. Yum.

TKO

2010-02-01T10:23:00.000-08:00

Ben spent the night with us on Saturday night. At about midnight, we decided we would watch P.S. I LOVE YOU and pulled the mattress out into the living room. Ben decided to jump Gideon and the wrestling match began. I snapped some shots, just happy that Ben was finally picking on someone his own size! We always used to wrestle when I was younger, which usually consisted of ben sitting on me pounding my chest and making me name ten candy bars. Little did he know, Gideon is an experienced wrestler and he totally surprised him and BEAT HIM. That's right. Now I have somebody who can beat him for me! Ha ha. It was so funny though and they both had so much fun being boys. But afterwords they were both so sick and tired. They are so out of shape! Gideon is still sore from it. Guess that means we're getting old?

I Love This Place . . .

2010-01-27T20:46:00.000-08:00

Because it is where my husband glows with more pride and sensitivity and gratitude than any other place I know. Because the hands that maintain this place also loved, fed, taught, and shaped the love of my life into who he is today. Because it always looks best with 15 people crammed inside. Because the love and laughter, memories, trials, hard work, and pure joy can almost be seen and surely felt steaming up from the floor and dripping from the ceiling. Because amazing people emerge from these walls. Because part of me feels like I emerged from here. Except I've only visited twice. Because the people inside are beyond-words-wonderful. Because I get homesick for it and I think that's ok.

My in law's place. We had our reception here and it was wonderful.

Extensions

2010-01-26T16:40:00.000-08:00

I have extensions. They are RACOON brand. Which is pretty much the nicest hair on the market. I only say this because I do these extensions, so if you want longer, thicker, more beautiful hair, come see me! I just have a very few of them on the sides, called frontals. I'm just trying to grow out my hair and the back seems to grow faster, thus resulting in a very not-so-sexy mullet. I just love how the extensions feel so natural; no headaches, so weird heavy feeling, and best of all no damage to your hair!! And the special way we bond them to your hair allows us to customize the color to perfectly match your hair. This picture is for my sister in law who wanted to see the "new me." Not very new, still awkwardly short hair trying to make it grow. Maybe a baby would make my hair grow faster. Probably not the best reason to have a baby though...

Brotherly Love

2010-01-25T08:11:00.001-08:00

We had Jared and Lynn (my husband's brother and his wife) over on Sunday. They came to church with us to try out our ward, then they stayed for dinner. Lynn and I tried a new recipe that turned out to be so good. I am so glad I am finally cooking and it's turning out well!! I always pick recipes that say "easy" or "simple," or "quick" in the title though. This one was called Impossibly Easy Chicken Pot Pie. Yes. It turned out so yummy.

Lynn made to die for cookies for us and we were all bulging we were so full. Lynn and I ended up just watching a movie by ourselves while the boys played a crossword on the two iPhones in the bedroom. (they were plugged into the power source).

It is always so cute how Jared and Gideon always get so excited to hang out and have so much fun just the two of them. They are brothers and they are the best of friends. I think we'll always have to live close to each other so that they can see each other enough. Sometimes I feel like Lynn and I are mom's setting up a play date. "We can cook while the boys play." It's the funniest thing. It's also dangerous though. Jared and Gideon look very similar from profiles and from the corner of your eye. Last week, Lynn came up behind Gideon and grabbed his shirt saying "I'm hungry. . . " She thought he was Jared. And last night I realized I was stroking the wrong man's ankle with my toes. It was Jared. He thought I was just losing my balance or something. Ha ha. We always laugh so hard about it. Hopefully those are our only two incidents. But we love having Jared and Lynn over and I'm so glad we live close to all of our wonderful family!

Oh, and just in case anyone wants to give it a try, here's the chicken pot pie recipe. It was really easy and super yummy!

IMPOSSIBLY EASY CHICKEN POT PIE

1 2/3 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup cut-up cooked chicken
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup milk
1 egg

1. Heat oven to 400*F. Mix veggies, chicken and soup in ungreased glass pie plate, 9x 1 1/4 inches
2. Stir together remaining ingredients with fork until blended. Pour into pie plate.
3. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

2010

2010-01-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to be healthier in the new year. Hasn't gone too well. Went running a bit, but so far 3 miles is my max. My excuse is 22 is the new 40. Ate a cucumber for a snack, but then I felt bummed for various unimportant reasons, so I made some chocolate chip cookies. I've been doing a lot of unnecessary baking since my new kitchen aid came. Thanks mom and dad! I love it, but it has an amazing super power ability to shrink my pants, and my poor husband is making himself some soup because I used up all my cooking energy baking cookies. Oops. But I love it. I've also been keeping a better house. I started with putting the laundry away today, and ended up organizing my entire closet, which desperately needed it. Then I cleaned out the cupboard with all of our random stuff. I sent Gideon to the D.I. with so much junk, already accumulated in 6 months of marriage! Scary. But it felt good to clean everything out. Lucky for us, our little place is really small and it only takes a few hours to DEEP clean it all. Speaking of the D.I, Gideon's new year resolution is to not bring everything back that I send there. He LOVES that place, and for good reason. He found me an awesome pair of True Religion jeans for Christmas from there, and his most recent fixer-upper purchase: one of those cute candle melters! It works PERFECT, he just needed to get a replacement light bulb from wal-mart. I love my thrifty husband! I also bought some really cute fabric and am going to attempt to sew pillows for my couch. My crafty sister in law is my role model, so we'll see if I can live up to her! It will be fun either way. More pictures of that to follow. Finally got our house slightly decorated, so here's some pictures per request of Caitlin. It's nothing special but it's a little bit cozier now with a few things on the wall.

Finally figured out what to do with the odd space above the sink.

A bookshelf. Simple, but hey, it fills a lot of wall space.

This is the Draper temple, where we got married. The picture has our name and wedding date on it! It's my favorite.

We finally got a clock! I love TJ Maxx so so much. And in case you're wondering, our TV stand is our landlord's old chest with their grandmother's things inside. We looked inside. It's special.

Cookies. Batch 273.

The little candle warmer Gideon fixed up from the D.I.

You Know It's Been A Long Day . . .

2010-01-07T18:20:00.000-08:00

when you find yourself in line at Wal-Mart holding a box of tampons and three candy bars.

TV . . .

2010-01-06T23:13:00.000-08:00

Ever since we got married, Gideon and I always take a nice slow stroll down the TV section at costco and dream about the beautiful new TVs. Well, our old faithful TV went through a slow, painful death this week and finally has left us! Woo hoo! So we finally broke down and got a new one. It was the most exciting thing we've bought since we got married and it was so exciting! I know it's kind of pathetic that I'm posting about a TV, but nothing else I can post about has pictures, and my family keeps asking for some pics. Sorry we look so tired and gross. . .it's because we were setting up the TV after I picked gideon up from work around 11 p.m.

That's Ben's fluffy 80's hair from behind the instruction manual. He's been staying with us all week and it's been so fun! We will be sad to see him get moved up to Salt Lake. :(

Definition

2010-01-03T22:21:00.000-08:00

med⋅ley

noun. a mixture, esp. of heterogeneous elements; hodgepodge; jumble.

adjective. archaic.

mixed; mingled.

We had family over tonight. There was laughter an d many other strange noises as we played games, made jokes, ate too much and just enjoyed life for a few hours. It was so nice and normal and wonderfully imperfect and it felt like home. Sometimes I feel like my body just can't contain the love I have for this amazing person who calls me his own. But even more recently, I am amazed at how strongly I can love a group of human beings whom I have not known for very long. I think it all comes from beautiful words spoken in sacred walls, crazy gatherings, a tender word, and lots of hugs, pats on the backs, smiles, discussions about the scriptures, and just the love that comes from a family. Perhaps I love them so much because they all helped form the one person who I need to keep breathing, to see the brighter side of things, and to help me fall asleep at night. All I know is that I do; and I do so much that it almost drowns me in the best kind of happiness and love I have ever known. I have always had a family who loves me. My gratitude is beyond words that I am blessed enough to have two. I am so proud to be a Medley.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

2009-12-14T21:26:00.000-08:00

This is the funniest conversation I have had in a LONG time. This is why I love being married.

As I am sitting at the computer, and Gideon is in the family room. We have both been quiet for a while, each doing our own thing. Suddenly. . .

Gideon: "Katie."

Katie: "Yeah?"

Gideon: "What's another word for your eggs?"

Katie: "What?"

Gideon: "You know, your eggs."

Katie, in between giggles: "My eggs??"

Gideon, still serious and not understanding why I can't grasp this: "inside of you. Is it your ova? Ovi? Ovee?"

Katie, still laughing hysterically: "I have no idea. They come from your ovaries."

Gideon: "I think it's ova. I've heard it before."

He was doing a crossword puzzle.
And I'm still laughing.

Open For Business

2009-12-13T07:15:00.001-08:00

I got my cosmetology license in the mail, so I am officially open for business! I am doing stuff out of my house until I find a salon. So spread the word please! Click HERE to check out my new blog for prices

A Sunday Thought

2009-12-13T05:56:00.001-08:00

I watch this video every Sunday. Somehow it always makes me cry. I love it.

Quote

YouTube - my kindness shall not depart from thee.wmv

Sugar Cookies . . .

2009-12-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

I really want a kitchen aid.
But they were good and people ate them.
Yay.

Cooking

2009-12-05T06:45:00.000-08:00

Why is this so hard? Every time I try to cook or bake something, it starts out like this

and it usually ends like this

Grated my fingers. Twice. I'm pretty sure there was some flesh in my cheesy potatoes. Which, by the way, didn't even turn out.

While baking a cake I somehow hit my head on the counter.
And yes, that's mascara smeared all over my face from crying because my head hurt so bad.
I mean who knew that baking a cake could land you a huge goose egg and a headache for two days?

Our Thanksgiving Adventure

2009-12-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

Our Thanksgiving was so great this year!! First of all, our first one TOGETHER. That in itself was awesome. BUT. In addition. . . we had Naomi and Colin's wedding the 24th in Mesa, so we headed down a little early. We stopped in Vegas for a night with the Medley clan. It was so fun! Gideon had never been, so I made sure to show him a good time. Then we all headed to Mesa, and celebrated the wedding with tons of food and family. We thought of it as a way to stretch the belly before thanksgiving. Gideon and I stayed with my parents and after the wedding, the Medley family stopped by for breakfast and some singing, much to Adam's delight. It was so much fun to have both of our families together. So much love! Then to finish off the weekend, a big thanksgiving feast. It was great. We had such a great time with my family too. My parents took us out to dinner and a movie, we swam, watched movies, and slept in. Gideon and I were so sad to come home; we forgot how nice it is to have someone else pay for stuff and not have to worry about anything! Overall the trip was SO MUCH FUN. It was good to see our families and it was nice to be so full! We both gained a couple pounds. And by WE I mean ME. Let's face it people. Gideon? Gain holiday weight? I don't think so. So in conclusion...food + family+tons of sleep + road trip = tons of fun. Happy holidays everybody!

Sorry about all the pics, but here's a little photo tour of our trip.

My foreign boy I found! What a cute one!

The REAL Eiffle Tower. Really.

This year, we are thankful that we have heads.

Watching the Bellagio fountain show. My favorite!

The happy couple. So cute!

The crew at the reception.

I thought this a fitting picture of my husband. We counted 4, yes 4 trips to the food table. That's my man. He even ate the decorative brussel sprouts. raw. yep.

The family's newest up-and-coming photographer. Love ya hannah!

I finally found a good use for all my old high school dance dresses! The girls loved them and they looked GORGEOUS in them too.

Lots of people in a little space.

The beautiful turkey. Nice job mom!

I made a pie!!! And it was good! Take note Naomi. I've improved!

The final product. It was a beautiful thanksgiving. Thanks Mom and Dad!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

2009-11-22T10:18:00.000-08:00

I was out of town for a few days, in Idaho (pictures soon). Gideon told me he had a surprise waiting for me when I got home. Well, not only did he clean the ENTIRE house for me, which included mopping all the tile (even the entry way), he also stayed up late into the night putting up all the Christmas decor for me! We'll be gone for thanksgiving and he new I really wanted to have a tree up when we got home. I have the very best husband ever!

It was so cute how he set everything up. Some things you could totally tell a guy did it, but it really is so cute and perfect. He even wrapped some fake gifts to look good under the tree. I love this man so much. Can't wait to have a million more Christmases with him.

Hello, Winter

2009-11-15T07:38:00.001-08:00

Oh, winter. You have poked your head in through the door, and I'm happy about it. You are an old friend; the kind that even though we have long absences, we're always right back where we left off when we are reunited. I'm sorry I had a little fling with the summer time; it's always so tempting. But I didn't forget about you. And I'm glad you're coming back. I'm sorry to tell you this, but a lot of people don't like you. I can see why; you're a little rough around the edges, and you can be a pain and really slow things down. But I can look past that, because you are really a lot of fun. You're worth all the bad stuff when you tickle my nose and dust everything with a soft shiny glow. You're so sparkly and magical and with you comes a lot of wonderful festivities and traditions. Just smelling the air and knowing you're on your way makes me want to be with family and eat more food. I really do love you, winter. Come on in.

Adios, Hair School!

2009-11-14T19:40:00.000-08:00

Thursday was my graduation ceremony from cosmetology school. FINALLY!! I have been in school since September 9, 2008. It has been a very long road, and I've made a lot of sacrifices to finally finish. My family and friends have also sacrificed to help me out during school-special thanks to all those who came in for haircuts and nail paints, etc. You know who you are. To finish school, you must complete 2,000 hours at school, and a certain ammount of credits. For example: 400 haircuts, 300 chemical services (colors, lighteners, perms, etc), you get the picture. Then you have to pass a written exam and a practical exam, both administered by the state. I have passed both and as of 5:oo pm on Tuesday, I will be a licensed professional. Wahoo!

My mom and sister surprised me and showed up for my ceremony Thursday since I had to speak. It was such a fun weekend to have them here!! I did their eyebrows and hair, we all went to dinner, stayed up late chatting and eating junk food, etc. All the makings of a delightful weekend. Thanks so much for coming up mom and Kelly!

This is for you, Caitlin

2009-10-20T21:03:00.000-07:00

I found this old video on my computer tonight. This was what my sister in law, Caitlin, and I used to do all the time. We were seniors in high school in this video. For some reason, we thought it was the most fun EVER to jump in the pool in our clothes. We loved it. Love you Caitlin! Can't wait to see you soon.