Big Brother

Duane has been a really great big brother! Aside from a few hair pullings and eye pokings, he's done really well with his new brother Avan. When we picked him up from my mom's on Monday evening, he was REALLY jealous, especially when he saw me nursing Avan. Duane was MAD and cried all the way home, but the next morning, he wanted to hold and hug and kiss the baby like the previous night had never happened.

Now he always wants to hold Avan and says "bum" almost constantly. "Bum" means that he wants to sit on his bum to hold the baby. He still gets a little jealous every now and then, but he's such a wonderful older brother.

Introducing . . .

Here are some photos of the newest addition to our family, Avan Jonathan! On Saturday evening, a week from today, my water broke around 11:30 pm. I was reading my scriptures in bed and heard a loud 'pop.' I was a little surprised by the unexpected sound but when nothing more happened I kept reading my scriptures. A few minutes later I had a severe cramp and thought I'd better get up and call Pastor. I stood up and the next thing I knew my legs were all wet! I called Pastor and he hurried home after calling my mom to come and get Duane from the hospital. We woke Duane and packed everything into the van then headed to the hospital. The ride there was excruciating, but I had to keep reminding Pastor not to drive like a mad man while the roads were icy. I think out of the two of us he was more nervous.

Once at the hospital, Pastor took me to the 4th floor then was told he couldn't be up there with Duane due to the H1N1. They didn't allow any visitors under the age of 14, which was really sad for me. I filled out the paperwork while fighting the waves of pain. A nurse took me to a delivery room and Pastor came up a few minutes later.

After my experience when I had Duane, I was bound and determined not to have the epidural. By the time the nurses and doctors believe that I'm in labor, it's too late for any pain medicine and they numb in enough time for me not to feel to push. By the time the nurse got me in a gown and in a bed, it was pushing 3 in the morning. The anaesthesiologist came in a little while later, by this time I was sobbing from the pain. He said if I wanted the epidural, I would have to have it right then. I wavered in my determination and said okay. He moved quickly and I was numb a few minutes after.

A little later, I felt like I needed to push. I still hadn't seen any doctor even after asking multiple times for one. My regular doctor was on vacation so they were going to call the on-call doctor. I told the nurse I felt like I needed to push. She said I wasn't dilated enough to call the doctor and that I would have to wait. All the while I was nauseated and throwing up from the meds. My sister was there and had to hold the bucket for me because even my arms were numb by then.

While I was throwing up, I felt Avan starting to come. I tried to tell my sister to get help, but couldn't say anything from the waves of vomiting. I think she saw how scared I was because she was really trying to understand what I was trying to say. The next thing we knew, we heard Avan crying. My sister ran into the hall and called for help. The nurses and doctor came and scooped Avan up off the bed. It was 4:50 am.

I, of course, was near hysterical by then. They told me that Avan weighed 7 lbs and 1 ounce and that he was 19 inches long. Pastor stayed with Avan when they took him to the nursery and my sister remained with me. I was so numb that I couldn't move my arms or legs. I couldn't even hold Avan, but I was glad that he was alright.

We stayed in the hospital until Monday afternoon. I was so relieved to leave and be home. Being a mommy of two hasn't been as scary as people have led me to believe. I thought it would be like trying to subdue a tornado, but for the most part it's been very peaceful. Everything seems to be right and that makes me feel at peace.

Avan sleeps 4-6 hours at a time and is a really good baby. When he wakes up, he needs to be fed RIGHT away or he'll let me know just what he thinks about it by screaming, but I think that's to be expected.

I'm really happy and grateful for my little family, I have been blessed far more than I deserve.

Practice Run

Two weeks ago I finally was able to send Duane with my mom for a few hours. I've had a hard time with the idea of being away from my baby, but know that I'm going to have to be separated with him when we go to the hospital to have Avan. I didn't want Duane to associate his first time away from his parents with the day that we had Avan and I was really nervous about being away so I asked my mom if she would be willing to take Daune a few times before then just so both he and I could get used to it.

The past two Saturdays Duane has gone with his grandma for a while. The first week I struggled with it so much that my mom just took Duane to the McDonald's next to the Wal-Mart we were shopping at so I could know he was close. When we transferred Duane's car seat to my mom's vehicle and said goodbye, he cried for a few seconds then was fine. It took me a little longer. I was surprised that he didn't cry longer though, I was so sure he needed me THAT much. LOL

This past week, when we put Duane's car seat in my mom's car, he just waved bye to us and we went on our merry way. He was at grandma's house for nearly four hours and did wonderfully. He was spoiled rotten too! When we got there, he kept saying "go, go," which I think he was saying because he'd missed his nap and wanted to go home to his bed. But as we were leaving, he gave his grandparents a kiss, which says a lot about how much he loves them. Duane doesn't give kisses very often.

I was really impressed with how well Duane did and know that some of it has to do with my mom making him feel welcome and loved in her home. Thank you mommy! I think this little exercise was more for me than for Duane. :)

A B C

Duane learned his alphabet this past week. Yep, pretty impressive. He points at the letter A and says "o." Then he points at the letter B and says "o." Then he points at the letter C and says "o" and so on until he loses concentration.

Okay, so maybe it's a work in progress, but I think it's the funniest alphabet song I've ever heard.

Cutest Baby

This morning Duane woke up in a really good mood, which was odd because he's been sick with a fever. I've been giving him baby meds to bring down the fever, but he acts completely normal! I never would have known he was sick if it weren't for the high temps.

I was still in my own bed and could hear that Duane was awake. This was around 9am. He was in his crib saying, "Baby, baby" over and over again. I usually let him play for a bit before retrieving him from his bed, it usually makes the day go smoother. I think he needs that alone time in the morning because when I get him right out, he's cranky for a while. But today I wanted to check his fever. The last time I'd given him his medicine was 3am or so. When I went into his room, Duane was still saying "Baby! Baby!" and I could see that he was pointing to his baby that he'd left on the floor. Once free of his crib, he ran to the doll and picked it up, hugging it to his chest. A string of gibbber immediately started and Duane was telling me all about life. He went into the hall and said "Daddy." Which began an instant hunt for Pastor, who had gotten up early to finish some homework.

Duane looked for daddy in our bed, which is where he normally is at that time of the morning. When Pastor wasn't there, Duane went through the place yelling "Daddy?" Pastor was located seconds later in the front room. I went and sat on the sofa next to Pastor. Duane was already rifling through Pastor's sheets of homework, gibbergabbering about one thing or another in his own language. When I gave Duane a cookie, he took one for Pastor too.

When daddy was all done with homework, he went to brush his teeth and get ready to leave. Duane was his shadow. Pastor brushed his teeth and Duane asked for his own toothbrush. When Pastor was done in the bathroom, Duane followed him to our room then back to the front room and into the kitchen. Everything Pastor did Duane wanted to do as well.

It was time for Pastor to leave and he came and gave me a kiss goodbye. Duane, hot on his heels, kissed me on the arm at the same time. He gathered up his baby, which had since been discarded on the sofa, and went to the door like he was leaving with daddy to go to school that day. I was impressed when I told Duane he had to stay home and he didn't throw a tantrum. We waved goodbye to Pastor and came back in the apartment.

Duane was such a cute shadow this morning! He really loves his daddy.

Pictures may be awhile in coming. I'm taking them but our computer isn't working. I'm using Pastor's laptop which isn't all that great for uploading pics or video. When we figure out what's wrong with our CPU we'll start uploading pics again.

Crayon Roll

I think this is such a cute way to store art supplies!

Sew Easy Scarf

I LOVE this scarf! I hope I get around to making one before Avan comes. :)

Christmas Songs

I know, I know, I've seen people roll their eyes at how early Christmas decorations are put up in the stores or how early Christmas music is played on the radio. Maybe putting up my Christmas playlist so soon after Halloween is too early for some people, but I LOVE Christmas music. Pastor hates this time of year because I completely take over the radio. I figure two months of radio control out of twelve isn't that bad considering I let him listen to what he wants the rest of the time provided there's no swearing in the songs.

I'm sorry if my playlist is too early for anyone, but you can always press pause. :D

Happy Halloween!

Birthday Fun

Duane's Haircut

This is after our first round of cutting hair. Duane was too upset to keep going so I gave him a bath and will have to try again later to cut the trouble spots he refused to let me touch. Pastor will be home soon, I'm wondering if he'll shoot me. What do you think?

Yes or No

YES or NO

Here are the rules:
1. You can ONLY answer Yes or No.

2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages or comments you and asks. --and believe me, the temptation to explain some of these will be overwhelming nothing is exactly as it seems.

3. Tag some friends.

Been arrested?

Yes.

Kissed someone you didn't like?

No.

Slept in until 5 PM?

No.

Fallen asleep at work/school?

Yes.

Held a snake?

Yes.

Ran a red light?

No.

Been suspended from school?

No.

Experienced love at first sight?

No.

Totalled your car in an accident?

Yes.

Been fired from a job?

No.

Fired somebody?

No.

Sang karaoke?

Yes.

Pointed a gun at someone?

No.

Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?

Yes.

Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose?

No.

Caught a snowflake on your tongue?

Yes.

Kissed in the rain?

No.

Had a close brush with death (your own)?

Yes.

Seen someone die?

No.

Played spin-the-bottle?

No.

Sang in the shower?

Yes.

Smoked a cigar?

No.

Sat on a rooftop?

Yes.

Smuggled something into another country?

No.

Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes?

No.

Broken a bone?

No.

Skipped school?

Yes.

Eaten a bug?

Yes.

Sleepwalked?

No.

Walked a moonlit beach?

No.

Rode a motorcycle?

Yes.

Dumped someone?

No.

Forgotten your anniversary?

No.

Lied to avoid a ticket?

Yes.

Ridden on a helicopter?

No.

Shaved your head?

No.

Played a prank on someone?

Yes.

Hit a home run?

Yes.

Felt like killing someone?

Yes.

Cross-dressed?

No.

Been falling-down drunk?

No.

Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry?

No.

Eaten snake?

No.

Marched/Protested?

No.

Had Mexican jumping beans for pets?

No.

Puked on amusement ride?

No.

Seriously & intentionally boycotted something?

No.

Been in a band?

No.

Knitted?

No.

Been on TV?

No.

Shot a gun?

Yes.

Skinny-dipped?

No.

Caused someone to have stitches?

No.

Eaten a whole habenero pepper?

No.

Ridden a surfboard?

No.

Had surgery?

No.

Streaked?

No.

Taken by ambulance to hospital?

Yes.

Passed out when not drinking?

Yes.

Peed on a bush?

Yes.

Donated Blood?

Yes.

Grabbed electric fence?

Yes.

Eaten alligator meat?

No.

Eaten cheesecake?

Yes.

Eaten your kids' Halloween candy?

Yes.

Killed an animal when not hunting?

No.

Peed your pants in public?

Yes.

Snuck into a movie without paying?

Yes.

Written graffiti?

No.

Still love someone you shouldn't?

No.

Think about the future?

Yes.

Been in handcuffs?

Yes.

Believe in love?

Yes.

Sleep on a certain side of the bed?

Yes.

The people I tag are the people who read this! Ha ha!

Balloons & Little Doggie

The Party Popper @ Yahoo! Video

Duane loves this video. :D

Apple

Two days ago, while on our walk, Duane and I walked under an apple tree. Duane had his little bottle in his mouth like he usually does (he uses the nipple as a pacifier). He saw some apples that had fallen to the ground. He popped his bottle out of his mouth and said, "apple!" I'll have to try and get him to say it on the camcorder because it's the cutest thing he's ever said. I could listen to him say apple all day!

In other word news, Duane has learned to say "shoe" and says it quite frequently because he knows when we get our shoes on we're going somewhere and he loves to go. Another thing my boy has picked up on is saying "my ball!" to every ball he sees. It's no longer just a regular old ball, to him it's "my ball!" He also says "shot" referring to when he throws his balls into his crib, which he does almost every morning right after I get him out of bed. When I see him throw the balls in, I say "nice shot!" Now he says "shot" every time he gets a ball in. So cute.

Cheese has become one of Duane's favorite things to eat, I think that's because he can say "cheese!" when he wants it. It's also really cute when he wants his bottle and he goes around the apartment yelling "ba ba?" looking for it, something that he learned from me as well. Every time he wants a new bottle, I say "should we look for your ba ba?" and proceed to call it like it might answer.

Duane says "truck" too, and "star!" He loves to point out the star that hangs above our kitchen table and does so at every meal. I know there are more words that he's learned, but I can't think of them all right now. Hopefully I'll learn to use the camcorder again very soon.

Halloween Surprise!

I was trying to hint to Pastor that I liked these flowers from Smith's. I saw them and said "aw, these are sooo cute!" In the back of my mind I was thinking he might get them for a Halloween surprise later on. I was surprised right then when he put the flowers in the cart. I guess my Halloween surprise came early. Live flowers are always so much better than dead to me.

Relaxing on a Stroll

Happy Halloween!

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

And, for anyone with little girls, these can be princess cookies rolled in princess diamonds and everything!

I think this recipe would be heavenly with white chocolate chips, but all we had were semi-sweet. I'll have to try that one day.

David Archuleta Christmas CD

I am so excited! Christmas will be all that much better. If I were any younger I might have had a huge crush on this young man. :D

Stuffed Peppers

For this dinner, I fried up some plantains and served brown rice on the side with salsa or hot sauce for anyone that wanted it. I also broke out the tortillas.

Sunday Stroll

Snickerdoodles!

Peek-a-Boo!

Cutest Flower Doggies!

Alfajores de Manjarblanco

Pastor reminisces about these little cookies quite often. I've had one, but it tasted like freezer burn. The recipe is so simple that I thought it'd be worth it to try. The recipe is here.

Pollo a la Brasa

This is my kind of chicken! Pollo a la brasa is my favorite chicken dish of any I've tasted. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. The recipe is here.

Arroz con Pollo

This is one of my favorite dishes, admittedly for the rice. Pastor likes the chicken though and gobbles it up. The recipe is here.

Onion Sauce

I've looked for the recipe for this onion salsa for a long time! I've made it from what I guessed was in it, but it never tasted like the kind from the resturaunts. I have yet to try this recipe, but it's better than nothing!

The recipe is here.

Sunday Dinner

Costume Shopping

Grandma C. took Duane costume shopping today! She got him more things than just a constume and Duane was thrilled with that!

Baby #2's Name (Changed)

I think we've finally decided FOR SURE what we're going to name baby #2. (No promises). We once said it was going to be Jonathan Taylor, a name I spent a while convincing Pastor of, but this all changed last Saturday when we were on our way home from having fun at a volleyball party. Duane was strapped in his seat, Pastor and I were sitting up front just talking. I don't even remember what we were talking about, but it wasn't baby #2. I was probably saying something about how silly I felt while playing volleyball. As we were driving, Duane popped his bottle out of his little mouth and said "avan, avan!" I'm still not sure what he was really trying to say, but Pastor and I looked at each other and I said, "that would be a cute name." I actually really liked it, but didn't want to admit that to Pastor after the stink I'd put up about Jonathan Taylor. Pastor's face lit up and he agreed! About ten minutes later we decided to change baby #2's name.

So there it is, Avan Jonathan. I've never heard the name Avan before, but I'm sure someone out there has it. I like that Duane had something to do with naming his brother as well.

And since none of my posts should go without a picture ;), here is Duane on Sunday in his Sunday best. It was right after church and he was cranky, but he's still adorable.

My Baby

Duane woke up from his nap a little grumpy today. Who can blame him when he had such a soggy diaper? After I changed his little bum, he refused to be put down. I thought he'd want to go play because his nap had lasted almost three hours. Instead, he wanted to be held. I rocked him and he fell asleep. I haven't rocked my baby to sleep in ages! He prefers the time to himself lately. I tried to take some good photos, but I'm not very talented at taking pics while aiming the camera at myself.

Duane's First Big Boy Shoes

Hot Diggity

Pastor had never roasted a hot dog before he went to a Nerdin family gathering this summer. Does that mean he's completely Americanized now?

Random Images

Here are some random shots of us! I can't resist uploading a single one! :D

A Monkey in Our Bed!

Orangutan & Hound Dog Instant Bond

Advice Welcome!! In Fact, Desperately Needed!

So . . .

This froggie potty mocks me. I have no idea what I'm doing. My little guy is young, but it's feasible, right?




Any tips would be appreciated.

El Chalan Peruvian Dining