Thursday

Most of my weekday mornings are spent busily getting ready for preschool. Tuesday is always errand and grocery day. But, oh, Thursday. Not only is is close to the weekend, but, it's my lazy day. I can sleep in (well, kind of). I don't usually have anything pressing that gives me reason to be anywhere but in my pajamas enjoying the morning with my two sweeties. Bliss.

I decided to document our Thursday morning this week. I'd like to hang on to this one in particular since it was free of tantrums and time-out.

First, there is a breakfast of toast and cheezits. What can I say? Cannon had half a banana and milk with his toast and cheezits. At least it wasn't cookies. That was yesterday.

Then we play with the leapfrog alphabet. I love this thing. We've had it for two days and already I'm an avid fan. Cannon has learned most of the alphabet and sounds. Awesome awesome product. He loves the songs it sings and pushing buttons, of course.
Then it was staring-out-the-window time. It's a beautiful morning. I love fall mornings.
Hazel excels at laying on the floor while being cute in her jammies. It's safe to assume that she was watching her brother during this photo. She does that a lot.
Now that this morning is well under way it's time to start laundry and edit 3 photo shoots from this last week. It's nice to enjoy my peaceful Thursday mornings when they come.

Just a note about Hazel. She had eczema so bad that her forehead was cracking and bleeding. I have cut dairy out of my diet and she cleared right up. It's amazing. There are a few dry spots here and there but nothing that can't be zapped with a little Aveeno cream. Any ideas for dairy-free dinners? Jarom loves cheese. I've done quite a few Asian inspired meals but I'm running out of ideas. Thanks!

Hazel ~ 3 Months

Hazel was 3 months old sometime last week. This illustrates the biggest difference between my first and second children. I was completely unaware that she had hit her 3 month milestone until the next day. I suppose I'm just busier this time around. In my defense, I started preschool that day and I was a bundle of nervous energy. I still love her. I just love her. I find myself sighing at various times throughout the day that I just absolutely love her to bits. She's happy and sweet. She is content to be my little dress up dolly. I could snuggle her all day. She makes me work hard for a grin, but, when she does it's the most beautiful sight. She allows me slow down, to relax and to feel gratitude. She makes me feel lucky to be a mom. Her mom. Here are some things she can do:

~smile
~sleep through the night
~grasp for toys
~roll from belly to back
~scoot while on her back
~hold her head at 90 degrees during tummy time
~blow bubbles
~coo
~lean forward while sitting against something
~stare at ceiling fans
~stare at bear-mobile
~giggle (once or twice)
~stare at tv screen

One Special Day

We blessed Hazel yesterday. It was short notice because we had planned on blessing her the first Sunday in September. That was changed when Jarom got a new calling on the High Council. He needed to be ordained a High Priest and really wanted his father to do it. Since his family came all the way from California, we figured we would just do both. It was a whirlwind of a day. I felt like I might just burst from all the joy I felt yesterday (and still feel this early morning). Joy. Pure joy.


All of these people came for Hazie girl.
She was beautiful. So beautiful. She wore the dress that I wore when I was blessed 26 years ago. My Grandma Stewart (on the right in the photo below) made it. With the coaching of my friend, Mandi, I made her flower headband and my flower to match it.
Love this:
And this:
Oh, and this:
I just can't express what a wonderful day it was. Jarom and I felt so blessed to have amazing friends and family there to support us. Thank you thank you to those who came and if I forgot anyone, I am sorry! Like I said, short notice whirlwind.

Jarom took these. I really like them:

Flow Rider

He's pretty good, no? I took these of Brady on the Flow Rider at the new Lindon City Aquatics Center. He's been life guarding there and has had ample practice time. I think his long boarding/snowboarding skills transferred to this new sport. It is a sport. There are competitions and everything. Look for Brady in the next X Games. or not. Or perhaps look for me. I've been promised some lessons from a pro. Or not. I tried to add a vintage-y effect which I'm not sure I love. It makes the water look dirty. But it works with these photos. Whatever, I had fun.

Tutu Fairies

My friend and former neighbor, Tiffanie, is making and selling tutus. She does a fabulous job and if you are in the market for a tutu, I highly recommend her. I'll post her website as soon as it's up and running. I got to take some photos of her products. So fun! Oh, man did I love this girly photo shoot! You might recognize Hazel as the infant in the pink and yellow. She's a highly requested tutu model getting an early start in the profession. Or not.

For some reason this last one reminds me of Cinderella. Oh, probably the cute running girl in blue with one shoe.

My Siblings

I took my family to our tiny airport and made them stand in the wheat field with millions of grasshoppers so I could get my kicks taking photos of them... cause I'm nice like that.

Let me introduce you to them:

Megan is currently in Malibu, CA being a camp counselor for the blind. Sadly, I wasn't able to take pictures of her or her guide dog for the blind (in trianing) Fullerton. She's the next in line after me. She's 24.

Brady is 21. He makes me laugh. He loves long boarding, snowboarding, swimming, getting super tan, and Red Lobster. Ladies, he's available. He wants to be an elementary school teacher/principal when he grows up. Oh, and he's great with kids.

Whitney is 19. She is an artist. She paints and draws and she's really good. No, really, she's good. When she was younger she was really into anime. She's kind of quiet, but really funny. She has the funniest one-liners of anyone I know. She's probably the smartest one of us too. She has a funky style and likes to be different. Cannon calls her Nitney.

Haley is 16. She reminds me the most of myself. She and I look a lot alike and we are both girly girls. She likes to dress up and look pretty. She IS pretty. She likes to sing, read, swim, cook and get freakishly tan. She's lifeguarding this summer, and makes me wish I could lifeguard this summer so I could get freakishly tan too. She's also the tallest girl (so far). Whitney and I are battling it out for shortest. Cannon LOVES Haley. Besides the cat, she's the one he's the most excited to see.
Tori is 11. She's the youngest. She loves animals. She plays computer games and they all have to do with animals. She's the one that takes Cannon outside when he wants to play. She's never changed a diaper in her life and she'd like it to stay that way as long as possible. She is her own person. She says funny things when she doesn't know she's being funny. Ah, Tori.

Some other fun pictures from our shoot:

Hazel ~ 2 Months

Hazel was 2 months old yesterday. She is filling out in her legs and cheeks and looking so much older all the time. She's been a little bit fussy during the day. Unlike Cannon who never took a binkie, Hazel is never very far away from hers. It helps to sooth her and put her to sleep most of the time. She sleeps up to 9 hours at night which has been wonderful. She wakes up once to eat usually around 3 or 4 a.m. She coos and smiles (which melts my heart). She puts up with Cannon's not-so-gentle brotherly love. I just can't get enough of my Hazie Love.

Smiley Girl

I'm pretty sure there is a picture of me that looks exactly like this next one:

One of Cannon eating breakfast during my Hazel photo-shoot: