Meanwhile, back on the ranch...

One of the side benefits of getting to be there for the wedding and being with all the family was to be back on the ranch. I always love being back, especially when it's as nice as it was this January--both warm and green! Wake up in the morning, go outside in a t-shirt and shorts and flip-flops (in this case all of which were borrowed, since we didn't get our luggage until a day after we'd arrived), pick an orange off the tree for breakfast, feel the warm sun, be able to take Ked outside, etc. Ked wasn't as excited about the horses as I'd hoped he'd be. Maybe next time when he's a little older.

Us and our little baldy. He really does have hair. . . it's just so thin and blonde you can't see it! It was nice to have our nieces getting him to smile.

I had to zoom in on this one, because I love Ked's face. How would you describe that look--mischievous? Arrogant?

Sam with the kids on their Grampa's old tractor. Reid, Kai, Heidi, Mary, Lincoln, Sam, Tuck-Tuck.

It's official. My two oldest nephews (Roddy and Jacob) are way taller than I am. At least I still have Caleb beat.

Wendy and Joseph, January 16, 2010

I was so happy to be home for the wedding of Wendy and Joseph and to be there for their sealing in the temple. I am disappointed we haven't had the opportunity to spend much time with Joseph, but it is very apparent that these two will make a very good and happy family. We are all really glad to have Joseph join the family.

Joseph's family and our family that could make it.

I love how the twins are looking at each other (or at least Tyler is looking at Carson--did I get them right?).

I love this picture of Wendy, because it shows her as the cute little sister I still sometimes think of her as. Granted, she's in her mid-twenties now and a full blown adult. She is also one I admire and respect and look up to and occasionally seek out counsel and wisdom from. She is a person with great talents and qualities that I would love to emulate. But I still like to think of her as my cute, little, baby sister.

Ked with some of his older cousin "flower girls." Heid and Gilli were great at taking care of him (in the temple grounds and parking lot since the visitor's center was closed!) while we were in the temple.

Ked and his cousins Evan, Tucker and Kai. I miss living close to these cuties.

We were really grateful to have relatively warm, nice weather that weekend. Then it rained and stormed immediately after!

Plastic Bags

I now know why there are so many warnings about keeping plastic bags away from children. Not because I've had experience with the danger, but because my little four and a half month old sure loves them. It would be a great temptation to let him play with them all the time if I weren't somewhat educated on their potential hazards.

My two favorite guys.

Ked's first word

Ked is fascinated by the camera. As soon as he sees it, he stops what he is doing and stares at it. Thus, we don't have a lot of great video when he is in his laughing/talking states, but here is a little one from a while ago.

Nauvoo, Dec. 26, 2009

Ginger always comes to my mind anytime I am in Nauvoo. She spent a semester studying there and loved the place and the history associated with it. I'm sure she was so excited when they announced the building of the temple there. I was looking forward to getting to talk to her about my experiences there, knowing I would be seeing it soon after I was married to Sam. She passed away a short time before I made it there the first time, making the experience bittersweet. But more sweet than bitter, especially since the temple is a great reminder that families can be eternal, and I know my sisterly bond to her is just that. I still wish I could talk to her about it (and a great many more things!) in the present, but I know I will see her again some day and that she will still be my sister.

We were grateful to be there for Guy's endowment in the Nauvoo temple before he leaves on his mission to Brazil. We were also grateful that of the three carloads of us going, everyone made it safely despite all the snowy road conditions!

It was freezing! But a beautiful day just the same.

Christmas in Iowa

We had a lot of fun with Sam's family in Iowa for Christmas.

Sam with his brothers Guy and Dan. Ked loved his aunts and uncles.

Ked slept really well the whole time we were there. I think it's because he got so much attention the whole time--always being in someone's arms. Here he is with his Grampa Jim, rocked to sleep.

Eli, Gordon, and Amy--the human sandwich.

More Cousins

At the last minute before Pete and Emily were leaving, we attempted to get a cousins picture for all our nephews (no nieces yet) on Sam's side.

Henry, Josh, Eli, Ked

I love how Ked always holds his pacifier.

This is what happens when there are too many people making loud and crazy noises, trying to get the kids to smile. This is when Mom (me) stopped the photo shoot and took my poor baby far away from everyone else to comfort him. I have to admit, I love this shot of him and the way his little foot is up in the air.

Let's see a closeup.

Eli and Ked. The oldest and youngest.

Ked may not have any older siblings, but he's got plenty of cousins to have at least some similar experiences with. Here with Lindy, Paige, and Kaden before we left for Iowa.

Ho ho ha!

Christmas Nativity

I have always loved nativities. I’ve always enjoyed reading the story of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem in the Bible. I’ve grown in my appreciation of the experiences of those in the ancient Americas, the persecution the believers suffered and the miraculous signs they were given of His birth, in the Book of Mormon. As a young child, I always loved when my family would act out the story—whether I was an angel, a shepherd or a sheep—with the youngest in our family (there was a baby every two years or so) wrapped in white sheets for swaddling clothes. I was excited this year when Melissa (my sister-in-law) talked about us and the kids acting out the scenes as it was read from the scriptures. She mentioned me being Mary with Ked as the precious child. While the acting never materialized, I have felt an increased tender emotion to the actual event this year, imagining what it must have been like for Mary. Partially feeling sympathetic, imagining travelling on a donkey fully pregnant and giving birth in a stable with no medical conveniences. But more significantly, with how much I love and cherish Ked, I can only imagine what it must have been like for Mary to hold and care for her child; the baby Jesus, the Son of God.

When I was a young teenager, I went to a Creche exhibit where nativities from all over the world were displayed. I had always enjoyed the nativities in my home, but I was fascinated by what I saw there and have collected them ever since. I have marveled at the vast diversity of nativity displays. I love that each culture has their own way of trying to represent what they imagine occurred in their own unique way. As historically inaccurate as some nativity displays may be, I think each one helps just a little bit more to capture the essence of what occurred on that blessed night.

These are the nativities I own, each one with a special sentiment. The first on the left I bought in Honduras for about 30 Lempiras (about $4). It is intricately made up of plant parts. I wished I could have found the actual artisan (instead of just the middle man) and paid a little more for their time and care. The little one in front I got in Mexico. The little one in back I won in a gift exchange. The white porcelain one I love because my youngest sister Wendy made it for me in her high school ceramics class. The nesting dolls are from my good friend Kristel. The one in the back is from Guatemala from another good friend, Rachel. The one on the end wasn't originally on the table and isn't a nativity, but it was given to us by our friends Andy and Yvonne, and seemed to fit appropriately alongside the rest of them this year.

Shots

I was a little annoyed Tuesday when the nurse told me they'd run out of a particular vaccine, and we'd have to bring Ked back for one more shot. And repeat the whole tortured process. So I brought him in today, alone, without Sam, to once again endure the tortured squirms and cries of my poor baby. The nurse had him smiling and laughing as she got him prepped. (It almost seems wrong to play with them before you inflict them with pain, but I do the same thing.)

The needle went in carefully. The shot was slowly delivered.

Ked paused, then grimaced.

The needle was slipped out.

Ked looked.

And then laughed.

Just what exactly are they putting in vaccines these days?

I hope we get that nurse for his next shots.

Rhyming and Singing

Ever since Ked, I find myself rhyming nonstop as I talk to him. Sometimes cleverly; usually pathetically. (Now I know where the "Hush Little Baby" song comes from. Listen to it. It makes no sense, but it rhymes.) And every song I sing takes on new words. There are a fair amount of words that rhyme with "Ked" or "boy."

For the first few weeks, the song I was singing constantly was, "Wake up, little Kedrik [Susie], wake up!" as I was constantly trying to get him to take more than one suck before falling asleep at feeding time. And just trying to get him to wake enough to do even that.

Then came the days when I would beg him to sleep just a little longer. (Now when Sam says he's tired and he's going to "sleep like a baby," I give him a look and say, "You mean you're going to wake me every two to three hours?") I don't think I sang many songs then. My brain didn't function so well with all the interrupted sleep.

But now, on glorious mornings, somewhat frequently, I can sing, "Good morning, good morning, you slept the whole night through. Good morning, good morning--to you." (From Singin' in the Rain.) That is my favorite song to sing--when I get to sing it.

New Year's

New Year's Eve two years ago, Sam made a great run in our game of tackle football in a foot of snow. . . and lost his shoe somewhere in the process, never to be found by the dozen of us who had been playing.

New Year's Day a year ago was the day we found out I was pregnant and expecting Ked. Never has a simple little stripe brought me so much joy.

We've never stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve since we've known each other, and tonight may be no different. The most exciting thing we do this year may be just watching Ked roll over. With help. (Added later: Ked really did almost roll right out of this swing on New Years Day. I looked over when I heard the swing stop, and there he was on his side, being held by the ledge. Guess I'd better start using the safety belt.) And while I really wish we were still in Iowa with Sam's family to enjoy the time with them, I am content and happy to just be home with my two favorite guys. I love my life.

More on Christmas later, but for now, Happy New Year!

Swashbuckler

Sam taught me how to embed. I'd tried to figure it out myself several times. Finally, I know how to do it!

Love this. Reminds me of Sam and Ked already.

Ked and Dane, Dec. 22, 2009

We were so happy to get to stay with Brandi's family in Kentucky on our way to Iowa for Christmas. Ked and Dane are about half a year apart. I like to imagine them looking back on these pictures in the future when they are roommates at some BYU school. :)

Dane held Ked's hand in a lot of the pictures we took. So cute. Of course, he also grabbed Ked's nose, ears, eyes, etc.

This (Dane's accomplishment) happened moments before we arrived.

Dane: It was him.

Ked: Not me!

Happy Ked, December 2009

Ked LOVES the front pack. He never complains when he's in it (unless I stop moving). I use it to go for walks with him, get the mail, grocery shopping, etc. But some days it's too cold for him, even when he's this bundled up. He especially likes to chew on the front cloth (or Sam's jacket).

I love making this boy laugh.

Ked has attempted to suck on his hand from practically day one, but now he seems to favor his two fingers the most. He never exactly sucks on them, but just sticks them in his mouth and moves them around his tongue. Sometimes he sticks them in a little too far and makes himself gag.

Three Months, Dec. 1, 2009

Flexing. Look at that six pack!

Sam saw a 10 month old standing up on the pews at church and thought Ked should try it to. He loves it. (More than the couch, which he can't see over.)

Disc Golf, Nov. 21, 2009

On a nice November day, Sam and I went disc golfing in a really neat course nearby. We kept losing the frisbees in the leaves and Ked's pacifier on the course, but we found them every time eventually. It was amazing to me how comfortable Ked was with his head bobbing up and down as Sam ran around on the course. I did finally have to tell Sam to hold Ked's head when he threw the long distances, though. I was afraid Ked would get whiplash.

Ked asleep snuggled up against Dad.

Ked chewing on the frontpack.

Gross stuff. Yum.

Well, I'm still alive and well, so at least you know there's a happy ending to this story. At least I hope you think that's happy. Anyway, so I was enjoying a scrumptious meal of rolls, salad, and breaded chicken with cheese and sauce on it, prepared by my sister Brandi on our stopover in Kentucky on the way to Iowa for Christmas. Next to the salad had been a bowl of some white, flaky stuff that I had assumed went on the salad. I typically eat salads because they are good for me, not because I actually enjoy them, but I was loving this one. Partially because of the white flakes. So I asked Brandi what it was. This is how our conversation went.

Brandi: Oh, it's just provolone.
Me: Really, I didn't know it came like this.
....several minutes later.....
Me: So this is really provolone? I really like it on the salad. How do you get it?
Brandi: Oh, you mean on the salad. I thought you meant on the chicken. On the salad it's just cheddar cheese.
Me: White cheddar cheese?
Brandi: (questioning look. . .) Oh, it probably just looks white to you because it's mild.
(Now it's my turn to be confused. White cheddar, just because it's mild?)
Brandi: Oh, you mean the Parmesan.
Me: No, I know what Parmesan is; what's the white flaky stuff?

Brandi walks over to me, looks at my salad, gets this panicked, disgusted look on her face, then explains that that is what she used to bread the chicken and I am probably going to get sick and die from eating raw chicken juices. Gross. So I was a little disgusted, but mostly just felt dumb for being a ravenous porker while we all laughed about it. I figured most of the flakes that had gotten wet had stayed on the chicken, so I wasn't too worried or grossed out. But then Brandi showed me the bowl again and all the little chunks of raw chicken and the soggy, chicken juice-aggregated flakes in the bowl among the "salad topping" I'd thought had been so great. Then I suddenly felt sick to my stomach and couldn't get it out of my mind the whole night.

I'm still tempted to try a mixture of potato flakes, garlic salt, and Pamesan cheese on my next salad. But I'll pass on the raw chicken. Brandi suggests I should mention that the chicken was also dipped in raw eggs before being dipped in the topping, but I'm not as concerned about that--raw cookie dough is something I've always hungrily eaten, despite the raw eggs.

One of these days I'll stop talking about food and get some more pictures of Ked up.

Two Random Thoughts

Spinach: Popeye must have had a stomach (and taste buds) of steel. Or no sense of smell. Spinach itself is great, but canned spinach? YUCK!! While it has more vitamins and nutrients than other canned vegetables, it's place in our food storage will no longer be rotated into our regular meals. It will stay just that--food storage--until it is either thrown out or desperately needed.

Sleep: So now that Ked is pretty well trained to sleep through the night (more or less), how do I get myself trained again to sleep through the night?