At the Stables...

The evening of Natalie's bridals (see previous post) a friend wanted to try her hand at bridals. So we went out to draper to a farm where the friend wanted to take some by the stables. It was quite the experience! Here's what happened...

A Beautiful Bride! (TRENT DO NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER!)

My younger sister, Natalie, is getting married to her high school sweetheart, Trent Young, next month. We are so excited! Today we went with her to get her bridals taken, she felt like a Queen (as she should have). She was GORGEOUS! It couldn't have been a prettier day! I cannot wait to see the photographer's photos. It was so fun to be there with you Nat! I love you.

Here are a few of my own snap shots.... I won't put too many (though I took hundreds), we'll wait until after the wedding day for that.

A Terrifying Wake-Up Call

My sincere hope in writing this post is that our experience will serve as a resounding wake-up call to those out there that have small children.

I would say that Heidi and I fall on the moderately cautious side of the parenting scale. At our home in Michigan, we had "baby-proofed" most everything that we didn't want played with, sucked on, choked on, broken, etc. We had a gate for the stairs and locks for the cupboards. We kept doors closed and Anna within sight at all times. Then we moved to Salt Lake for the summer, where things weren't quite as baby-proof yet we felt Anna was perfectly safe because we'd always be watching her.

I wasn't home until minutes after this happened, so I'll try to recount the story the best I can. This afternoon, Heidi was in our kitchen area talking to her sister on the phone. Anna, now blessed with greater mobility (see the post below), moved happily along her way over to the cupboards under the sink and opened them up. Heidi's head was turned slightly but she could hear Anna rattling the garbage can (she loves to take things out of any can, box, suitcase, etc.). Heidi looked over to tell Anna not to play in the garbage when she noticed Anna sucking on the end of a spray bottle containing floor cleaner. As Heidi screamed and dropped the phone to stop her, Anna started vomiting until she had essentially emptied her stomach completely. Terrified, Heidi screamed for help and my step-mom came running downstairs along with her brother JR and his wife Sue. They quickly called the Poison Control Center, which was when I walked in the door (having just arrived home from work).

Long story short(er), we don't think she ingested enough liquid to do any damage (the spray cap was twisted to the "off" position, so we think she just sucked off some of the old residue ... but it was enough for her to throw up ... a lot). Poison Control gave us advice to let her drink and eat as she desired, and to keep monitoring her to see if her condition changes. It has been about 4 hours, and so far she's been fine. I'm hopeful the worst is over.

They say that so many accidents happen in just a split second, even when you think you have things completely under control. We've learned a valuable lesson to take a few simple minutes to check and re-check what potential dangers are within reach. This doesn't mean anyone has to become completely paranoid but hopefully our experience helps others be even a little more cautious. This story could have ended a lot worse, and it was completely avoidable. I'm thankful to our Father in Heaven that we have have a happy, and from what I can tell, healthy Anna. Thanks to Heidi for staying strong through the ordeal and for wonderful family that helped so much.

(insert from Heidi- you can read my comment, but here is my further advice...

If you don't have baby locks for your cupboards my mother in law reminded me you can use elastics, though you have to watch for fingers getting stuck. So, if you need to baby proof, use some elastics for now.
Also, Poison control's number is easy, and make sure to put it on the fridge (I was on the phone with my sister and luckily she had it right there) It is 1-800-222-1222. They were EXTREMELY helpful.
Also, Just an FYI. My mother and law thought that maybe we should use epicac (sp?) but I asked poison control and they said they don't recommend that any more.)

Anna's first steps!

I have been taking the video camera everywhere with me because I knew this would happen any day! Hooray! She is still a little tipsy, but getting better. This was on Wednesday and since then she has gotten stronger and stronger!

Anna's latest as of 4/16/09 & 5/15/09

5/15/09*Anna Walked two days ago! And now is periodically standing and taking steps, only not when coaxed!*She is being a very picky eater!* She loves to push things around and walk with them* Loves "little people" toys, especially when in her mouth* Her sleeping schedule has been WAY off since moving* She wants to touch Mia while we are walking* Whines to get up on the couch and loves to jump, stand against the back, and go back and forth.* Loves her Baby from Great-Grandma* Says "Papa," "up," Kjersti (dear de)," "upaday...(what ever that means),* LOVED "blowing raspberries" last night* Loves a book called One Baby Jesus* Will spend a half hour cleaning out her toy drawer and then sits in it to play*Getting better and drinking milk in a sippy (she was picky for a while)*Gets excited when we get to Grandmas!*Says "Anna" all the time, I think referring to Anna Belle*Ate Mia's dog food yesterday -oops! and YUCK!* Would rather sit on someone's lap to eat than in her own chair*



4/16/09*Can stand up on her own. Looks like a "surfer". Is SO proud of herself! She will smile, clap and try to pick things up from standing position.*Says "Grandpa- bam pa." I swear she says "Kjersti- deas dee" and I think she said "Aubrey- a be" the other day.*Knows who Jesus Christ is and will point to his pictures or statues of him as well as say "de das."*Has a cheesy teethy grin to get attention from mom.*Folds her arms for prayers.*Signs all done, more, milk, cracker, water, eat, fish, and baby. Thank you signing time videos!*Gives hugs and nice wet tongue kisses! (:*Loves anything that has to do with DOGS... or in her terms "ooff ooff."*Likes to stack the stars on the star stacker or will stack the fish in a boat while in the bath and knows how to turn them right side up.*Knows how to turn on the TV...trouble!*Yells "dad" at the bottom of the stairs.*Knows body parts: head, eyes (closes them sometimes and points others), nose, teeth, ears, toes, belly, feet?, and is working on knees.*Crawls on one knee under her bottom with the other leg stretching forward so she can carry something in her arms. Will also crawl pushing books on the ground towards me and them crawl into my lap and make me read it.*Holds up Mia's toys to "throw" them to Mia. Just doesn't quite know how to let go yet.*LOVES her new sippy cup with a straw.*Is STILL facinated with PHOTOS.

A Poem, by Erin Mason

I have so much to blog, but have a project in the works (hence my 1:45 am posting), but I wanted to post this Poem. I thought it was beautiful and asked Erin if I could post it. I think this decribes perfectly the emotions that I tend to go through while being a mother.

My List
There’s a list on my table
of things to be done,
there is laundry to fold,
and errands to run,
a letter of thanks
I’ve been meaning to write,
a stack of old papers
to put out of sight,
there is dinner to plan,
I should get to the store,
but I still haven’t showered,
and it’s almost four,
the weeds must be picked,
the furniture dusted,
the vacuuming done,
the sprinklers adjusted,
the dishes are piling
quite high in the sink,
and the printer for days
has been flashing “low ink”,
the car is on empty,
the milk’s almost gone,
the light I just changed
in the hall won’t turn on,
there are phone calls to make,
there are bills still to pay,
my body is willing,
and yet kept at bay
by the sweet little angel,
his face softly glowing,
who dreams in my arms,
without even knowing
the peace that he brings me,
how heaven draws near,
and things of eternity
all become clear:
that I am a mother,
my calling divine,
of highest importance
in the grand design,
and though obligations
and chores can’t be missed,
holding my baby
is first on my list.

A Mother's Day

Today was wonderful! It was so nice to be here in Utah to celebrate this holiday with those I love most. I woke up this morning at 9:30, so happy that my husband let me sleep in. Then found out that Dave woke up earlier with Anna, but got her back to sleep and he had also just woken up (bonus for all of us!). Then Dave made a wonderful breakfast. I got to sit and read books with my Anna and then play with toys. I spent some time playing with my dog (mostly trying to comb her winter coat off-gross!), but nevertheless it is good to be with her.

Then we were off for the marathon. We went to my parent's ward (my old homeward) for Sacrament meeting). It was such an AMAZING meeting. My father has been in the bishopric for almost 6 years and was being released so he, the other counselor, the bishop, the stake president, and the new bishop all spoke. There was a wonderful spirit there. Those who spoke were humble and bore true testimony. They spoke about the promptings of the Holy Ghost, the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Gave tribute to their own wife, mothers, and women in general. (I especially loved how the Stake President spoke of the amazing role of many women in the scriptures). It was a beautiful meeting and I felt blessed to be there and a part of it. I am so proud of the Dad. He is truly an amazing, humble, loving, giving, sensitive, and Christ-like example to me. I am happy that now after 10+ years of serving in bishopric callings that he and my mom can sit together... at least until the next calling comes along.

Afterwards, I would have loved to chat with lots of old friends, but we were off to a mission farewell of Dave's cousin. I was glad we went and am thankful for what I DID hear, though most of the time I was playing the fitting role (for today) as a mother and roamed the halls with a cute 15 month old. She just couldn't sit still! I love the stage she is in because she is learning so much each day. I can truly see her mind exploring and trying to figure out what is going on. She is hilarious and so dang cute! And though I know the busy-ness will only get worse when she is fully walking, I hope she does it soon. She is in the in-between stage where she WANTS to walk, but doesn't quite have the guts to let go and go on her own. So I get to bend over a lot and walk around places with a cute little hand wrapped around my finger (that I don't mind).

Then we were off to an amazing buffet dinner. My Grandma likes to take us to a country club every Mother's day for the most filling (yeah, I'll need to exercise a lot this week), and yummy meal. It is nice because then my mom gets a break from organizing, cooking, and cleaning and we all get to be together. Though I wish it wasn't on Sunday. I was so thankful because there was a lot of things that Anna enjoyed eating and I think we filled her belly for the first time in a long time!

Our last stop was HOME to the Miners where we were greeted by 12 running, biking, or scootering kids excited to see us (okay mostly Anna). It is amazing how much kids can change and grow up in 5 months! We had a great time catching up with Dave's family. Anyone with a small family might be rather intimidated, but it is the norm to have up to 20 adults, as of Thursday 20 grand kids! Thank goodness for good weather where the kids can escape the house and give the parents a little quiet. (: (I need to be better at taking photos at home were the action is, but is not always captured)

All in all it was a wonderful Mother's day. I love being back with family. I love my Mom, Grandma R, Mother in law- JJ, Grandma J, Mother in law-Karen (though I have never met her- today is 13 years since her passing), and all the other mother figures in my life who have taught me so much. I could write pages about each one of them.

And today, as everyday, I am reminded how much... I love being a Mother.