The Best Entertainment

We love our movies, but our baby by far provides the best entertainment.
We could (and do) watch him for hours!

Mean Muggin'

If you get the feeling I'm about to complain, you're right!
10 points for you!

A few days ago I offended the universe. Maybe not the whole universe, but definitely one woman's universe. I broke some sort of unwritten rule. You know, the one that says you're supposed to stay home, in your cave until your little one learns how to behave in public. Me and the little man went out to run errands. Considering we had been to two other stores, I understood him fussing by the time we got to the third. Apparently the woman waiting in front of me to checkout did not. While we were standing there she made sure to turn around several times just to give me dirty looks, as if to say, "Can't you get a handle on that?" Did I feel bad? Of course. Who wants to listen to a baby freak out while you're held hostage in line? But, should you give the struggling Mommy dirty looks? Absolutely not. Aside from the fact that post-partum mommies can be dangerous, it's just rude.

My suggestion: Next time you see a parent struggling with their child, try giving them a smile. Parents needs allies, not enemies. You never know what kind of day that person has had. Your smile might be just the thing to make their day.

In other news... well, we don't have any.
Instead, here are some pictures of Robert. We did some weeding outside this week (he supervised). Aside from the weeding part, it was great to be outside in the sun. Hopefully we'll get some more this weekend!

Forrest Gump Was Wrong

"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you're gonna' get."

Yes. I suppose life is like a box of chocolates, but I always know exactly which one I'm going to get. The nasty maple creme filled dark chocolate one. Without fail. I wake up each morning with plans for wonderful things to happen. A clean house. A shower before 2 pm. A restful nap in the afternoon. A baby who will entertain himself for even 10 minutes while I try to do one of these things. Maybe I'm asking too much here. Maybe... but I don't think so.
I probably should have read the fine print on motherhood. Most days I spend the better part of the morning keeping the baby fed, clean and semi-entertained while I wait patiently for that wonderful moment when he fades out for a nap. Nap time is GOLDEN. Unfortunately, it's never guaranteed and when it does happen, I never know how long it will last so I end up wasting it in menial tasks like dishes or vacuuming. This post may sound doom and gloom (it is), but there is a flip side. Over these past several months I've developed some very important skills. Mommy skills. Here are a few:

1) I am a diaper and baby wipe connoisseur.
I know which diapers work the best, leak the least, and will give him the smallest amount of diaper rash. Also, which wipes will keep his bum from getting ripped to shreds.

2) I learned to bake bread and do it regularly to avoid buying bread at the store. It tastes SO much better than store bought.

3) Through extensive mommy research I've found several "toys" around the house that provide him with hours of entertainment, beyond what his purchased toys will. Current item of interest: the TV remote (best if batteries removed before he plays). Other "toys" he loves: measuring cups/spoons, bag clips and anything else that can be used to make LOTS of noise.

4) Constipation cure: The Jumperoo
He LOVES his Jumperoo. Not only does it provide him with lots of bouncy fun. It's a laxative.

5) The power of distraction.
This one is a VERY effective and important Mommy tool. It entails doing anything and everything to make the baby forget he's mad, hungry, or anything other than happy.

6) You really can survive on small amounts of sleep (less than 4 hours a night, total), but the world feels like a really crappy place when you do. Naps during the day are essential.

More on this list later.

So, what else have we been up to. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.

Alex graduated!
He actually graduated back in December, but we went to Utah in April so he could walk. It was nice closure for the 2 years of stress he endured at BYU.


We had a very short time in Utah, but were able to see our good friends, the Browns. Their son Carson is exactly one month younger than Robert. Mandatory Fathers & Sons pic.

Robert.
Somehow he always manages to work his way into this blog.

Robert wanting to know how Carson gets his skin so silky smooth.

Mission Reunion with the senior couples. This wasn't the best picture of the group, but it was my best picture... and since it's all about me....

A thumb sucker in the making. He used to be equal opportunity and go for the whole fist, but he's getting more selective in his older age.

What's up, doc?
He wasn't sure what to think of the carrot for his teething gums.


Making a new (old) friend.
Last time they met they were only a couple months old.




Back home.
We've been trying to get Robert used to his baby carrier. He's still not sure what to think.

Check out my newest trick - nose scrunching!


Looking at Dad to see what he's going to do next.

... and now it's time for an intervention. Robert happens to be throwing a fit in the other room as I type. Shocking.

Snap Cup

I've decided to make a snap cup. Extra girly, jewel ridden and glittery... just like in the movie.

It all started from a silly argument we had about leaving clothes on the bathroom floor (one of those really important things that can make or break a marriage). I would try to defend myself, but it's true. I'm a total slob that way. In an attempt to keep the peace, I made sure to pick up all of my clothes the next day. That is, all but one towel. Rather than notice what I did pick up, Alex focused on that one towel. I know I would have too, but it got me thinking. (This is never a good thing). My conclusion: We need to be nicer and have a more positive attitude in our home. We are constantly picking at each other, getting annoyed, being mean. It's silly. So, we're making a snap cup (see Legally Blonde 2 if you don't know what it is) and it's going to be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I know it sounds ridiculous, but sometimes you have to be ridiculous to get happy.

In other news. I'm getting domesticated.
I've been trying my hand at crochet. I've made a couple of dishcloths and a baby blanket for Robert (mostly used by me) as starter projects. I figure it's hobby-worthy and gives me something to do fairly cheaply here at home. I would say it's therapeutic, but it's not when you're a perfectionist. I usually end up re-doing most of it as I go.
I've also been trying to cook and bake more. It's still hard for me to do it consistently with the baby, but periodically I'm able to get a meal on the table. Today was bread baking day. Maybe it's cheating, but I let the breadmaker get the dough ready and then I shape it and bake it. I had a few loaves turn out perfect! It was exciting and the house smelled delicious. I love bread!

So, that's life.

The baby is healthy. Alex is in school. We're broke. Life is good.

Thoughts on Motherhood

I'm tired.

The baby doesn't sleep.

He eats. He poops. And he cries.

Motherhood is awesome.

The End.

A Little Poem About Nap Time

For months I've played the game
I've asked for just a wink
Repeatedly you've conquered me
And ended with a stink

Today I thought, "I'll try again"
"It's worth another shot"
I've fought this battle endlessly
You twerpy little tot

I heard you cry and coo and laugh
I know your little game

Today
I won
It's over now
I love you, son

Sleep tight!

Robert's Baby Blessing

In looking through our pictures today I realized I forgot to mention a big event we had recently - Robert's Baby Blessing!! Duh... I'm still amazed at all of the things I forget these days. So.. Let's just pretend that I didn't forget. We'll say the blessing was "last" weekend, which may have actually been almost 3 weeks ago. Again, all pictures are courtesy of my Mom who may as well be dubbed our personal family photographer. Thanks Mom!

We decided to have the blessing at home to make it easier for family that had to travel to Bellingham. This also made it possible to have lunch immediately after. Let's face it. We're all about food. Any chance we have to eat food. We do.

Alex's family was a huge help (aren't they always?) in getting things ready. Unfortunately things took a little longer than anticipated, so I was still running around like a crazy lady in my apron when people got there. At least it's a cute apron. Yes, those are pans of cinnamon rolls. And yes, I continued making cinnamon rolls into that week because I was craving them. I used this recipe from one of my favorite websites.


Waiting...

Look! It's Jenna's cute baby, Lily!

Still waiting... and baby wasn't dressed because we couldn't find all of his outfit. So we improvised with some very Northwest attire - a flannel shirt and khaki pants.

Still waiting... Who has the worst posture in the room?? I do!

Still waiting... but wait... the baby has fallen asleep. This is a good thing. Sleeping baby = no fussing during his blessing! We like this.

Here is the wonderful group of men that participated in Robert's blessing. Everyone in this group has been a huge part of my life in some way. Thank you all for being there, it meant a lot to us. (Left to Right: Terry Jones, Jr, Terry Jones Sr, Daniel Fletcher, Steve Booth, Alex and Baby Robert, Scott Cunningham, Dad Miller, Robert Miller, Michael Miller and Scott Chambers).

A closer look. Robert has checked out.

Rachel and her best accessory (besides the cute purse) - Robert!

Still checked out... and probably needing a nap at this point.

It was a great day with beautiful weather to boot.