Baby Sign Language & Last Sewing Project

Aaron had his 18 month check up this past week and for the first time the doc had concerns. Aaron apparently is behind in speaking. The doc asked if he's talking, and I said mostly just the bird talk. He then asked if he could say at least 6 words, and I said no. I got Aaron to say "ba" (ball) one day, but never since. Same with "nigh-nigh" (night-night), but not since. So I don't count them as him KNOWING the word. Just caught onto the mimicking game that day. So actually speaking and understanding that word, I can only think of "hi" and he doesn't say it much.

He understands A LOT. I can say "where's daddy?" and he will run and tap Derrick or hug him. He understands many things that I say or tell him to do, but he doesn't really talk. I've tried getting him to say words by holding the object "hostage" (like a ball) until he repeats the word, but he just smiles at me or gives me kisses & hugs thinking that's what I want him to do to give him the ball. And then it ends with him getting frustrated because he still doesn't get the ball, so we stopped that "game" after the second time. But if all I do is repeat a word over and over again while holding it, he just laughs because he thinks I am being funny. He doesn't catch on that I want HIM to say it.

The doc said to really work on his language and encourage him to speak. And so I have been researching ideas of games or things to help encourage him to speak and I found this website: http://www.babysignlanguage.com/. I've heard a lot of success stories with signing as well as know babies who do it, but I guess I just never was really motivated to teach him. Well, now I am :) I am excited to try this and see if it helps with him speaking.

The doc also said he is behind on his height. His weight is fine, but we measured his height 5 times using two different methods as the nurse kept thinking it was inaccurate. Apparently it shows he hasn't really grown height-wise at all since his 12 month check-up. So we are "watching this" but I don't know what they will do if it continues. I mean weight, you put them on a fattening diet but height? What can you honestly do about this? Maybe I am just oblivious. But I am not surprised he hasn't gotten taller. His pants that he wore last time it was cold (so before this past summer) still fit him now. I guess we'll just "watch" and see what happens lol

So a complete other note, I wasn't the smartest by starting this sewing project when I had 3 extra kids for 11 hours but I did. And I finished! Was way more stressful trying to sew this and keep everyone else happy and entertained, but we survived. I made a diaper holder!

This was way more complicated than I thought, and since I am not following a pattern, I had to guess everything. So it came out a little big... but at least all the pieces were big together ha ha

And since you can't see what the black fabric looks like, I had to show it close up. I am in love with this!

Here is the crib with the finished skirt and a white sheet (looks MUCH better than blue ha ha)

And just because this was so funny, I certainly finished in just the right time. Look how much thread I had left when I finished! The thread wrapped around only 8 more times lol

Ward Halloween Party

Last night was our Ward Halloween party and Aaron's first time in his costume in public. He actually did very well! We've been practicing him getting use to wearing it, so I am glad that he didn't freak while wearing it. :) Through a lot deciding and even changing costumes, we decided to be farmers and have Aaron be our harvest. Derrick thought of putting a sign on Aaron that said "For Sale: 50 cents a pound." We'll see if that makes it on Halloween.

Aaron HATES wearing the hat, which is sad because it is so cute! This is the best one we got with it on.

Aaron really didn't know what to think about the trick-or-treating or how everyone was dressed up. It was funny to watch. He is just a sensitive and cautious kid.

We let him eat some of the candy that he was getting, and then he was all for putting his bucket out there to everyone!

Some of the "booths" were to just grab what you wanted. It was funny to see that he had an opinion as he sifted through deciding what to get. At one place, he was quick to grab two and hurried and put them in the bucket. We all just laughed.

There was also a fishing pond for prizes. He never did hold onto the stick, but he was certainly curious as to what was going on.

And he got a ball!

Long story short, he didn't care about anything at the party after he got that ball.

He just went to the side and played with it until we went home.

This is the best smile that I could catch on camera. He was having SO MUCH FUN!

There was a "Spook Alley" where they had things to feel like brains (spaghetti), bones (pretzels), guts (inside of a pumpkin) and such. It was dark with little orange lights. He didn't really like this. But we still held up each bowl for him to feel. As soon as his hand touched what was inside, he jerked it back and shook his head no. It was so funny! He soon caught on and wouldn't touch anything we brought to him. He did recognize the pretzels though and grabbed a bunch and threw them in his mouth. Good thing he's got an immune system because who knows how many germs were on those from everyone's hands lol

It was a lot of fun and a big success. It was especially fun that Derrick had work off and I didn't baby-sit so that we could all go together and just enjoy the night.

Gardener Village

Aaron and I went to Gardener Village with a group of gals: Derrick's grandma Glenda, Aunt Kathy, my sister-in-law Nicole & her daughter Ella, and Brittany & her son Spencer. It had so many cute picture opportunities! Just too bad Aaron was like this everytime I set him down...

He was ok, but still a little scared of all the witches, if I was with him in the picture.

But he sure never really looked like he was having fun ha ha

Got a non-crying picture with a witch as long as he stayed in the stroller.

Still kept a watch on them though.

Actually sat by this one, but Grandma Bunn is sitting next to him. Got quite a few of him crying before she sat down lol

He LOVED the ducks though! He kept pointing and smiling at them! Just never caught a smile with the camera of course.

And here's the best (only) picture I got of the 3 mama's and babies.

It was a lot of fun. I just wish Aaron would've cooperated with pictures a little better! And the babies certainly conked out on the way home :)

A GREAT Week!

So I had the BEST WEEK EVER! Pretty much everyday was amazing and was a great break from the last few months Derrick and I have been having. Since I don't want you to get bored reading too much detail, I will just put up some of the highlights.

Sunday- My sister Candice is visiting from New York!! I have missed her SO much! Got to chill with her and the rest of my family while taking family pictures, as my brother Taylor is getting ready to head out for a mission and we don't know when we will all be together again.

Monday- Mostly a regular day, but left my class early (unplanned) to go to dinner with Derrick's family in honor of his grandmother who passed away nine years ago.

Tuesday- My sister spent the day with me, and ended up taking Aaron back to my parents for the afternoon. I got a nap and started sewing my crib bumper before she returned to spend the night!

Wednesday- Chilled with my sister all day. She was an AWESOME help with Aaron as she got up with him in the morning, helped with diapers, did my dishes, and gave me someone to talk to. LOVE HER!! She also helped me out with some Christmas shopping. And then for young womens, Aaron went to my in-laws while Candice and I braved a haunted house. Did NOT know it was a haunted house instead of a corn maze, and I was SO GRATEFUL that Candice was able to come so the young men leaders didn't only have me to laugh at when I screamed.

Thursday- Yeah for UEA weekend!! And since Derrick recently got Thursday nights off (as he now works the Saturday grave), and I had no kiddos to baby-sit this week, we actually got the WHOLE DAY OFF TOGETHER! It was amazing. We relaxed all morning, Derrick worked on the car, and then we dropped off Aaron at my mom's as we headed to Salt Lake to hang out with our dear friend Kim. We went and ate at Applebee's, saw Footloose (which I THOROUGHLY enjoyed), and played Wizard where Kim actually kicked Derrick's and my trash hard core. It was AWESOME to talk and catch up with her. I miss her dearly! :(

Friday- Still UEA weekend, so we had another full day off together. But sadly, I was sick like all night and still felt pretty yucky most of the day. So I lucked out feeling this way when Derrick was home... As he was a big help with Aaron. I mostly laid on the couch or napped in bed most of the day. But I started to feel a little better later so we went out to dinner at Village Inn (free kids meal!), played pinochle with the grandparents, and then went bowling with an awesome couple in our ward, the Hiatts. We left Aaron at home (ya, Aaron was with a sitter at some point every evening this week... hopefully he'll learn quickly to not be so attached!) Derrick kicked our trash on the first game, but everyone broke 100 points the second round! And I think I bowled my best ever with a score of 141! I was pretty excited about it.

Saturday- Derrick randomly had work off in the morning, so to my surprise he took Aaron all morning. He fed him, changed him, did the dishes, and put him down for a nap. I got to sleep in :) When Aaron napped, we got to talk which is something we just haven't had a whole lot of time for so it was nice. Then he was off to work while I finished my crib bumper. Which it is finished!! Yeah!!! I was so excited, I wanted to get going on the skirt right away, but realized I haven't gotten all the materials for this yet. So alas, I went on a walk instead. Aaron enjoyed the sun while I walked almost 2 miles! Go me! I've decided I am pretty lazy and so I should walk more often and more than just around the block. Hopefully I can keep up with that goal before it gets too cold to go outside. Now looking forward to a quiet night at home with my baby. :)

Ok, I said more than I meant to when I mentioned I was just going to do the highlights. But it was a great week and was SO NICE to actually see my husband. Aaron was really attached to him the whole time he was home which was cute to see. Aaron was his daddy's little shadow and always wanted to be held or at least touching him in some way. It was cute. I am glad he remembers who Derrick even is. Many nights Aaron is down for bed before Derrick gets home and Derrick leaves every morning before Aaron is up.

And since I think blogs are boring without pictures (and I am not a good picture taker, so I never have many) here is a moment I caught of this week. Aaron took his favorite book to Derrick and asked him to read it. And Aaron sat still and listened through the WHOLE BOOK! And this is not a short book by any means either.

And here are some pictures of my projects for the nursery.

I wasn't good at remembering for "before" pictures, but I found the black wire thing at the D.I. and I just glued some little wood cutouts I found at Joanne's.

It's kinda hard to see in the picture, but this says "rock n roll."

Here are other blocks I painted and put cut outs on. Not exactly sure what I will do with them... either tie them together with ribbon and hang on the wall, hang them from a clothes hanger (still being painted), or leave them as stacked blocks on a dresser.

Here is the crib bumper pad! Definitely made A LOT of mistakes, but really who else will know but me? ha ha It will look much better with a white sheet instead of blue, but I had to put it on right away to see how it looked. :) I will definitely post pictures when the whole room is put together.

Gomer Parable

Yes, this is food storage again. I am done after this (except announcing when I am done.. I have to share that.) as if you aren't motivated after reading this, I can certainly not help you. But I felt I should actually share this story that really helped motivate me instead of just mentioning it. I know it is long, but it is humorous and goes by fast. Please take just a minute to read it.

(And the lumber is food storage just in case you didn't realize this. The boat is having a year supply per person. Just relating us to the times of Noah.)

BOOK OF GOMER PARABLE
These are the generations of Gomer, son of Homer, son of Omer. And in the days of Gomer, Noah,the Prophet, went unto the people saying, “Prepare ye for the flood which is to come, yea, build yourselves a boat, that ye may not perish.”

Now, Gomer was a member of the Church, and taught Sunday School and played, yea, even on the ward softball team. And Gomer’s wife said unto him, “Come, let us build unto ourselves a boat as the Prophet commandeth, that we may not perish in the flood.” But behold, Gomer saith unto his wife, “Worry not, dear wife, for if the flood comes the government will provide boats for us.”

And Gomer did not build a boat. And Gomer’s wife went unto Noah and she returned saying, “Behold, Honey, the Prophet saith unto us, “Build a boat, that we may preserve ourselves, for the government pays men not to grow trees, wherefore the government hath not the lumber to build for you a boat.”

And Gomer answered saying, “Fear not, oh wife, for am I not the star pitcher on the ward softball team? Wherefore, the Church will provide for us a boat, that we will perish not.”
And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah, and she returned unto Gomer, saying, “Behold, mine husband, the Prophet saith that the Church hath not enough lumber to build a boat for everyone, wherefore, mine husband, build for us a boat that we might not perish in the flood.” And Gomer answered her saying, “Behold, if we build a boat, when the flood cometh, will not our neighbors overpower us and take from us our boat; wherefore, what doth it profit a man to build a boat?”

And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah and she returned, saying, “Behold, the Prophet saith, build unto yourselves a boat, and have faith, for if ye do the Lord’s bidding, He will preserve your boat for you.” But Gomer answered his wife, saying, “Behold, with this inflation, the price of wood has gone sky high, and if we wait awhile, perhaps the price will go down again. And then I will build for us a boat.”

And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah, and she returned saying, “Thus saith the Prophet, build for yourselves a boat RIGHT NOW, for the price of wood will not go down, but will continue to go up. Wherefore, oh husband, build for ourselves a boat, that we may perish not.” But Gomer answered his wife, saying, “Behold, for 120 years Noah hath told us to build a boat, to preserve us from the flood, but hath the flood come? Yea, I say, nay. Wherefore, perhaps the flood will not come for another hundred and twenty years.

And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah and returned saying, “The Prophet saith, he knows it has been 120 years, but nevertheless, the flood will come, wherefore, build unto yourselves a boat.” And Gomer answered her saying, “Wherewith shall we get the money to build ourselves a boat, for are we not now making monthly payments on our snazzy new four horsepower chariot? Wherefore, when our payments end, perhaps we shall build ourselves a boat.”

And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah and returned saying, “Behold, the Prophet saith that we
should cut down on our recreation, and our vacations, and even give each other lumber for Christmas, that we might thereby get enough lumber to build a boat.”
But Gomer saith unto her, “What a drag! Are we to cease enjoying life, just because we must build a boat?”

Wherefore, Gomer built not a boat. But behold, one afternoon Gomer heard thunder in the sky, and he feared exceedingly and he ran, yea, even to the lumber yard to buy lumber. But behold, the lumber store was crowded with great multitudes, all seeking to buy lumber, and there was not enough lumber to be found for the multitudes.

And on the same day were all the fountains of the deep opened, and the windows of heaven were
broken up, and the floods came -- and behold, Gomer had no boat. And as the water rose above
Gomer’s waist, his wife saith unto him, “Behold, Honey, I told thee so!”
--- Author Unknown

I have a fervent testimony of food storage and know that God gives us warning through the prophets today for reasons that may be unknown. And I know that some people think I am silly or over dramatic or obsessed over something dumb or that won't happen. But it's not President Monson who thinks this, or President Hinckley, and certainly not God. I'd rather obey these men than listen to what anyone else thinks that is contrary.

My mom says another way to get motivated is to go just 3 days without food. I bet most people can't even do it. I know I certainly couldn't. But then imagine your family that you are in charge of (including children!) feeling that all. the. time. all. year. long. There is a reason we have this revelation from God. Are you one of the few that is listening?

12 goals by 2012

I saw someone post this and I thought it was a great way to get together a list of things that I want to do before 2012 comes! And it's a great reminder to me to get my butt in gear on some of these things. So here are the 12 that made the list.

1. Finish reading the Book of Mormon (My goal was originally to finish it by September, but I will still be happy if it happens before January lol Thank goodness I am close enough now that it won't be hard)

2. Read the Eragon series. (My husband has fallen in love with these books and has been wanting me to read them since before we had Aaron. He read Harry Potter for me, so I should be able to do this and hopefully before the fourth book comes out in November!)

3. Sew my crib set. (Bought the fabric over a month ago, but have been having problems actually just sitting down and get sewing. Hopefully next week? Hopefully? lol)

4. Get 100% of all of my food storage. (I am SO close!! It's hard to just not go out and buy the rest RIGHT NOW but it's better to spread it over the next two months.)

5. Get an A in my math class. (Most POINTLESS class ever and I pretty much complain every time I go, come back, or do the homework. Hard to have motivation to do anything with this class at all. Poor Derrick has to listen to me on this subject way too much. Maybe my goal should be to not complain about it again... hmmm....)

6. Actually decorate my apartment for a holiday. (I have been collecting decorations for a while now, but never actually get them out when the holiday comes back around! Hopefully I can do this for at least Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.)

7. Clean out my storage closet. (We pretty much just threw boxes on shelves when we moved in, and have been stuffing random stuff wherever it may fit ever since. I would really like to get this organized so it's easier to walk in, find stuff, and look better.)

8. Take a large haul to the D.I.. (I am a pack rat. And I need to stop. I have way too much stuff that I don't ever touch or think about until I see it when we move or are deep cleaning. This stuff needs to go. We are cramped on space with the stuff we need already. And this goes along nicely with #7.)

9. Sell some stuff on KSL. (Again, I am a pack rat. And worse, I like a good deal. I've come home with another toy saucer or baby swing because it was a good deal. Derrick says, "Don't we already have one of those?" It's bad. So I have two of MANY baby things that I just need to sell as I will never use two. Well, hopefully never need to use two of them lol)

10. Finish my Personal Progress. (Yes, I am talking about Young Womens. As a leader, you are able to earn the Young Women Medallion again. And since they changed the necklace since I was a young women, I thought it'd be fun to earn it again. But I must say, doing it within a year keeps you pretty busy! But the projects I picked I made beneficial so it's a win-win and good motivation.)

11. Pack all of our stuff that is not needed everyday. (Derrick, as I am sure everyone who reads this knows because I talk about it all the time, graduates in December. This means we will be moving. And since we know this, and then I will be 8 months pregnant, figured it'd be smart to get a jump start on the packing now. So hopefully I can get all the stuff we don't use much in boxes and ready to move!)

12. Sew at least two blankets (hopefully more). (I wanted to sew a blanket for this new baby. I just thought that would be fun. And especially since Aaron is SO ATTACHED to any of his blankets, I figured it would be a better transition for Aaron if he didn't give up any of his blankets to the new baby. Which means we need all new blankets. Plus I thought he'd enjoy a new blanket as well.)

Whew! Going through this makes me feel quite busy! I need to print this out and put it on my mirror so I don't forget one of the things that I want to do! But at least all of this will keep me busy as my husband is gone almost 80 hours a week :)

Food Storage :)

So my husband will absolutely laugh if or when he sees me posting about food storage, but I have been wanting to for a while now. For one reason, to show all the hard work I've been doing on this! As it really takes time, effort, research, money, and work work work! But also to share some information I have learned onto anyone who may read this and be even a little more motivated to do more than they are doing currently.

My mom has been on a huge "preparation" kick and I've caught the bug. Today I updated our 72 hour kits. I haven't touched mine since Derrick and I were married, so it's safe to say it was desperately needed. Now we got diapers and toys for Aaron and food to cover everyone. There is no feeling like knowing you are prepared for an emergency. It just feels good!

So over the last year, I've had quite the priority to have the year supply of food per family member that the church has stated. When I was doing my research throughout lds.org and other sites, I found this quote that really lit a fire under my butt. Ezra Taft Benson said,

"The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." (Found on lds.org)

I don't know about you, but I want to get on that ark! I also read a story that kind of tied us & food storage with Noah's Ark. That really puts your excuses for not saving to shame. If you want a copy of that story, let me know and I'll get it to ya.

Anywho, here are three pages that I have gone back to again and again for reference and even just to jump start again when I feel like quitting, slowing down, spending money elsewhere, or whatever excuse I can come up with. It's also been nice to have an actual amount of what food is a year supply signed by the prophet. I pretty much only go by this list when it comes to my food storage, as I have seen many things out there saying different amounts of this and that. I will add things like peanut butter and brown sugar, but after I get everything on this list. Just have more trust when it's the prophet of God who stated it.

This page is not distributed by the church, but someone put the math together and it just helps put into perspective of how much food it is.

One thing I had a problem with when I first started, was where to put all of this food?? We live in a small basement apartment and are already storing MANY things at both of our parents houses. But I decided to stop making that an excuse. And so this is where I found to put it... behind our couch in the living room. :) It is open for anyone who comes over to see, and isn't the best site to see, but at least we are obeying and storing. I feel not much more can go back there, so now we are going to raise some beds higher and see what all can fit under there.

So now, how much food is really back there? My goal has been to get 3 one year supplies (one for Derrick, one for me, and one for sharing between Aaron and the next little guy to come). And so currently behind our couch is 722 lbs of grain, 264 lbs of beans, 152 lbs of sugar, 40 lbs of milk, and 30 lbs of salt. Whew! Can I say that I am proud of this? For you guys storing food out there, you understand how much work and effort has gone into this pile of food! My water (a couple of 5 gallon containers) and oil I was able to shut in a closet which helps, although I am a slacker when it comes to water. My parents are storing a 50 gallon water drum for us, but not much good it does for us empty and in another city... I guess I am still giving excuses for that one. Still a work in progress. :)

I am going to the cannery (anyone who wants to come with and learn some more, let me know. I am starting to go often. And it's addicting!) hopefully again next week and hopefully finish up on the rest of the grain I need. Or at least grain is my focus this next session. Can I just say that the church is amazing? They are the cheapest I have found anywhere on SO MUCH FOOD! And they have people there to help you and carry it all to your car and just make you feel good. It makes it fun.

Ok... so there is my post. :) I should stop as I really can go on and on and on.

Now just onto recent events with us, Derrick is half way done this week!!! YEAH!!! My chain is half the size and it's quite exciting. Derrick has struggled working with this teacher (she is strict, he is more chill) and is excited to switch. Hopefully the second half will be easier than the first.

Aaron is starting to stack EVERYTHING that he can find. I bought some wood blocks for a craft, and I found him stacking them. I bought him blocks for Christmas, but now I don't know if I should wait a whole two more months. He found a box of gel food coloring and he was stacking as many as he could. I was impressed how high he could get the tower considering their size and shape.

As for me, I am doing great as long as Aaron lets me sleep in. Had the ROUGHEST DAY EVER with Aaron the other day. He pretty much just screamed (and I am SCREAM), ran away from me, and refused to do anything (eat, play, get dressed, change diaper, etc) ALL DAY. It was rough. Never even napped either so absolutely no break from it. Not even a walk or a bath consoled him. Just kept on screaming. If this video works, this was attempt of eating probably #5. I was more forceful than forgiving as I was worried he wasn't eating anything. Mostly, he just swatted the spoon and it went EVERYWHERE. It was a battle unlike any before between us. Had to video to make it kind of comical instead of breaking down and crying myself. At one point I was holding him down to try and put on a diaper after a bath, and he was impossible. Couldn't believe how hard it was for me. But I just held him and told him that the mom ALWAYS wins so he might as well stop. He did calm down enough after that for me to get the diaper on :) But just to run away and scream as soon as it was on, but I'll take it lol

Pregnancy is still really good. The weeks are still just flying by cuz I am too busy to really keep track. I know from having Aaron, the baby comes before you know it and that newborns are hard. So not wanting to rush it, it goes by faster of course. Although today is the first day I have thought "I want this baby now" but that's more because then it will be January where school is over and we will actually know what we are doing with our lives (including where we will be living). It would certainly be nice to see the future sometimes. I am sure everyone feels this way at more than one point in their lives. :)

But I continue to be grateful for all that we have. Keeps it positive when you focus on the good and what you do have. Thanks Bobbi for reminding me this in your recent post. :)