Danielle

I think Danielle might die of boredom when my sister leaves.  She loves her pink dog cutie and the puppy Penelope. She also loves cooking with Claire, and wants to wear glasses like her aunt.  Mark and Danielle put on the sunglasses when Claire put on her glasses to read stories.
I have no idea how I will ever get things done once she leaves.

She has cooked for me pretty much every meal. and bought more Panera than I would admit.
In other good news, Andrew slept six hours in a row.  For three days.
also, Claire is pretty stinking good at putting the kids to bed.
Just like I am.
She totally cleans non stop. I would be ashamed if I wasn't super happy.
I love my family, and it's nice for Danielle to see the person she got her middle name from, and to have help with baby while I sew for the etsy shop.

Read more...

Love...

Did I mention on Sunday a dentist moved into our ward?  I totally wanted to volunteer as a dental assistant.  Because I discovered late in life that I wish I was a dentist. I think after John is done maybe I will try to become a dentist.
If I don't become a professional nap taker, which is equally appealling.

Also, I have to say that some people can't comment on the blog- I guess if you go to "home" it is easier but it's touch and go. I'm so sorry.  I love comments.  Sometimes I tell myself a post is broken because I don't get comments.  Also then I notice it's not very interesting, but let's focus on the commenting ability.

You know what I love?  making crafts with my kiddos.  Danielle and I made some shirts the other day. She told me to sell them in my etsy shop. So I made a new section with all the shirts in it that we made. My sister tells me if I'm not careful I will become the queen of tie dye.  judging by how that spot on my floor looks I don't know if this would be the best plan for me. It's hilarious to see how seriously Danielle takes helping make the shirts.  She wants to put pink in everything, which I can totally relate to.
So I'm loving that my etsy shop is doing pretty well right now. My sister Rachelle has been helping me with my listings and tags so they are easier to find on search. It makes me want to buy hair pins from her. I highly recommend them- my children are always trying to steal them from the bin where I store them. But also it gives me hope that I would be able to work at home so John can just study. Or actually do research since he is from a family of scientists and likes that.  I think a lot of people with kiddos work while their husbands are in school, and I like all the colorful fabric. It makes me happy when I am about to have baby number three-I want security just like the next person. and I want to go to the gym with my kiddos...
I'm totally thankful for all my blog friends.  I don't think I would get to hear as much from Carlie or Kathryn, and I like them. also thankful for my sisters. and that I know I can be jealous of Sara eating the williams sonoma croissants. We should totally go on a girl's trip out to visit Jill and her croissants.  If only I knew her...I will have to save money I earn. If I start earning enough that is. Claire has told me to start carrying Ipod and Ipad covers and I think she is brilliant.
but I wonder if she wants pink tie dye ones...

Read more...

Cloth Diapers

So I've been using cloth diapers for a while. Actually G diapers with the disposable insert.
Disposable. Flush-able. right. The first time I saw the disposable insert I thought to myself- that is going to clog my toilet.
Correct.
Which brings me to a new idea- what about a food disposal in the bottom of the toilet? They would never be clogged again. That could take the flushable inserts any day.
John told me that was sort of gross. Turns out that a little company named Shanghai Gerpman industrial company thought it was a good idea too. You can find one here. I don't think I will buy one, but it could be good for my little disposable diaper inserts- then I would never have to use the disgusting swisher stick again.
I finally went to cloth diapers since the doctors told me to- why didn't I do this with Danielle? She had persistent diaper rash all the time and was a free range baby for a while. Then my sister in law decided to cloth diaper. She told me how she does it. and Claire decided she will do it when she has babies. Sara did it in New Zealand. Buying diapers for two children pretty much broke my heart in half so I thought- if I am going to have any more children I might as well get on board. Well Danielle is potty trained (thanks Mark and Sara) and Mark is finally out of diapers- so we are continuing the transition. I still haven't purchased safe laundry detergent and thought about air drying them in my backyard (please let the fence magically be put in) so I am using the disposables I bought. Oh wait, Mark also only has six covers so far. Not quite the two dozen or so people recommend.
Thanks for the support girls- wish me the best with the washing.

Read more...

Friends

Mark likes Monte.
Monte likes Mark.
I am glad because mark misses Danielle, who entertained him all day every day before.
Monte comes from a family with pets, so he is really careful around the baby.
Like every dog, Monte knows baby vomit is a tasty treat. He also likes baby food and the smell of diapers. Monte plays with his ball and grouchy Mark laughs.

Read more...

Running

Workout Plan
I have always liked to work out and suddenly find myself a little wobblier and floppier than before. I guess having a child does that to some of us. So I made a goal.
It involves something I am terrible at- running. Claire signed up for the Provo Half Marathon. Who does that? She blogged about it. I have always wanted to be a runner. I feel like if I even look at a treadmill my heart rate shoots up to 180 bpm. My throat closes- my feet go numb- my mind screams- how much longer. I proudly step on and after a warm up bump the speed to a whopping 5.5mph. I go as long as I think is humanly possible- almost an eternity.
It is twenty seconds. I almost never go more than twenty seconds without checking the time. Has anyone in the world ever made it through an entire ipod song without checking to see how far they have gone. In theory I know I can't run three miles during one Linkin Park song but that doesn't mean I'm not surprised when it doesn't happen.
I have always wanted to be a runner. My obvious lack of talent leaves me with girl crushes on runners. Once I had a friend who asked me if I wanted to go on a 50 mile run with him. I wasn't sure if I should just die in shame or question his intelligence. I want to be a runner- I want to fake it. One of my most vivid London memories is going running in Hyde Park with Nancy. After a few moments Nancy said- "boy, you really are slow," and ran without me. Not the first time it has happened.
But one of my life goals is to run a marathon. I made it in High School so I know it is important. I signed up for a run on May 1st here in PA. (It is only a half marathon) Claire pointed out that it doesn't matter if I am bad at it. She claims she is not a good runner. I know she is lying but it made me feel good. If I really want to do this I will have to practice. I am doing a training program. It is going horribly and I hate every minute of it. But I am confident that I will hate it no less in five years.
Maybe...

Read more...

Congratulations Steve

So my brother in law Steve is famous. I haven't told anyone yet but he is on Dancing with the Stars. he has actually been on it for years. And in law school at the same time. He came and saw Danielle in the hospital. And here he is in his work clothes. It's a great haircut.
This last week Steve moved on to the finals with Kelly Osborne. I didn't really know if they would be in the finals but Steve deserves it. Good job Steve.

Read more...