Oh. He wasn't just being silly.

Today has been an eventful day in the land of dirty diapers. This evening I was telling Carl that I'd changed THREE dirtied-by-Brady diapers today. That boy is a "once a day" kinda kid, so this was odd. Brady chimes in, "And now I did four!" Thinking he's just randomly spouting that off I laugh and go on my way.

It was true.

Today's dirty diaper count: Stephanie 3, Carl 1.

A Blessed Blessing

Abigail was Blessed on August 22, 2010. Grandma Charlene made the beautiful heirloom dress she wore. I knew that I wanted eyelet fabric for the dress. Nothing too frilly or fancy. Grandma is good at smocking, but I am not very fond of it. This dress turned out perfect.
Gretchen showed me the fabric what was used. It was originally purchased to make decor for her oldest daughters nursery 13 years ago. Gretchen had held on to the leftover fabric. I don't know how they decided to use it, but they did. Honestly I was nervous and worried when she asked me if I wanted to see it. I saw it and almost started to cry. It was PERFECT! Grandma also made the slip. The lace trim was the very last of what remained from the previous family dresses she had made. Grandma did do smocking on the dress. It was just the right amount. I love the delicate little pink flowers at the neck line. The blanket was made by Carl's maternal grandmother, Grandma 'Tilla. We received that while expecting Brady.
I made the headband using pink ribbon and an oh-so-delicate crochet flower. In the center of the flower is a pearl that I collected from my maternal grandmothers belongings after she passed.My mother crocheted little booties. Aren't they adorable?!? Oh I just want to eat them up! And the little feet in them! It was a wonderful day/event. We had a lot of family in town. It was also the weekend that Carl's brother moved here. The blessing, of course, was a sweet one. The circle was much smaller than you might see in a Utah ward, but it didn't matter. The intimacy of the event made it sweet. Just like our little girl is. She is a blessing. Everyday.

3rd Annual Christmas Rockout

If that doesn't work and you really want to see it click here

Well Dressed Little Girl

Here is a more clear photo of the dress Aunt Tiffany designed for Abbie.

This Grandma loves her granddaughter.

This granddaughter loves her grandma.

Grandma Charlene made Abigail's BEAUTIFUL blessing dress. It has a wonderful story to behind it. There will be a post later more fully dedicated to the wonderful heirloom work of art that was created for her.

Carl's Aunt Reneé came to visit us druning this special time. We thank her for taking time to come out here. Abbie slept right through all the undressing, dressing and photo taking. We are thankful that Carl's mom came to visit with us, even though her time here was cut short. We are grateful she makes the opportunities to come and see her kids and grandkids. We are always welcoming visitors!

The reason my house looks lived in:

Babies Don’t Keep
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

Sneaky Peeky

A photography-hobbist friend came over and tooks some photos. I can't wait to get the rest! I bet YOU can't wait to see them!

River Walk in Memphis

Memphis has this pretty neat museum about the Mississippi River. We took at day to visit Memphis and spent some time here.

This big waterfall wall with lots of states on it.

Brady walking in the scale replica of the river. He and Grandma Julie raced "boats" (leaves) on the river.

It was such a hot day! We were glad to have that water to walk in!

Even Abbie got out to dip her toesies.

We rode the monorail over the river. Doesn't compare the the Disneyworld monorail, but still neat to go on.

It was pink day.

How do you keep a 2 year old interested in walking across a VERY long bridge? Have him spot all the squares. 14 year old aunts are very good at keeping that game interesting.

14 year old aunts are also very good at playing on the escalators.

Good times were had by all.

They Came, They Saw

The Bruderer Household came to town.

Aunt Tiffany designed matching dresses for Abbie and herself. SO MOD!! Grandma Julie made them. Excellent work ladies.

Teaching Brady about touch-screen phones/iPods. Just the other night, Brady said he was thankful Aunt Tiffany played Tic-Tac-Toe with him on her phone. This Grandpa loves his grandaughter. And she loves him.

We went swimming with some cousins. Tyrza and Sadie got Aunt Tiffany to go under the water.

Not sure who enjoys who more, Grandparents or Grandson.

Some things from July

In July, my mom visited.

She made a GREAT and much loved basketball hoop.

We celebrated her birthday with a homemade cake. Brady helped with the decorating. It's beautiful!!

This Grandma loves her first grandaughter. I know this grandaughter loves her grandma.

Filling Grandma's Joy Bucket

If he can't twirl his own hair, he'll twirl some one elses. Sadie is being so patient with him!

Awwww, two babies asleep on their daddy.

"Chuck N Cheese"

One of Brady's favorite places. And possibly mine too. It's not that expensive to go, especially when you have coupons. I wonder why my parents hardly took us....It's such a magical place. But not nearly to the caliber of Disneyland/world. Just enough for us small town folks.

Sure he can barely see over the top. That doesn't mean he can't score a couple on Dad.
Tickets...........And there lots more that you don't see. This was taken right before participating in the BEST part of "Chuck N Cheese" day: The Ticket Muncher!!

Photos of "Chuck N Cheese" Pasts:

October 2009


April 2008. Nope, he's not scared of the GIGANTIC mouse.

"Does this hat make my head look small?"

Note to self...

Microfiber diaper inserts are NOT good to be right next to baby's bottom.

I found a STEAL OF A DEAL at a consignment sale here in town. 28 microfiber cloth diaper inserts for $14. That's $0.50 a piece! They sell for $4.50 each online. Savings = $107.00

Brilliant me thinks "I can just lay one or two of these puppies in the diaper cover and we'll be good to go! No more prefolds!!!"

But alas, baby breaks out into heinous rash!! Eek, it was terrible.

I found out the little thing about microfiber + baby's bare skin = not so bueno. Now what? Well, there are these things called "Insert Socks". Insert said insert into the sock and microfiber is no longer next to baby's bottom. Yea!! Still no more prefolds!! But, EGAD they are $3 each!! NO THANK YOU!!

Time to get crafty...I found instructions here to make said socks. I spent less than $7 on fabric and made 18 socks. That's less than $0.50 a sock. Savings = just over $45

Carl, you are welcome for finding a great cloth diapering solution and saving you over $150.

If you want to cloth diaper on a budget, I reccommend getting diaper covers (find discounted "seconds" here), prefolds, and making socks. Keep your wallet and not the landfills full. If you want to, you can do it!

Do I have to call you Master Carl now?

He did it!! He finally did it!! After much tribulation and many long nights Carl completed his Masters Degree in Public Administration. His thesis was great, from what I heard. He received a 3.5 GPA, 6 As and 6 Bs. I am so proud of him and all the work he did to accomplish this step in our lives. I know it wasn't an easy road, but I do know that it is worth it.

Way to represent the University of Utah Gretchen, Dave and Carl. A BIG congratulations goes to Gretchen for Graduating with her Masters Degree in Communications. And you can call Dave Dr. Dave, he's been a doctor for years now. He teaches at ASU and gets to attend lots of Commencement Ceremonies. Big Cousin T with Little Cousin Abbie

I think all of that work left Carl with a few side effects....

We are now looking for work relating to Carl's degree. We don't know where we are going to land, or when. We are happy where we are right now though. And that's good. When the time comes to pack up and leave, we'll be teary eyed but ready.

Good Job, Dear. I'm excited to see what's next.

Many moons ago we had a MOMS Club activity at this place called Pump It Up! It was very fun! Lots of inflatable things to climb, jump and slide on. Brady had a BLAST!! I even went in the obstacle course so I could "show" Brady how to do it. He was a pro at it.

Going into the Obstacle CourseUp the wall Down the slide!!
Coming down the BIG slide. I don't know how many times he did this one.