A Real Mother's Day

I know that the actual calendared event was several weeks ago, but I have the greatest husband!  Last night I was up late.  When I finally went to bed just after midnight, I crept slowly in the dark to my side of the bed.  Nick is very particular about sides.  It is important that he sleep on the right.  So, as I was silently slipping into the left side, I was very surprised to bump into Nick.  He had fallen asleep on my side so that it would be warm for me when I went to bed.  Isn't that great?  I am constantly cold!

This morning, Nick left for church meetings just as I was getting out of bed.  Every Sunday, because of Nick's meetings, I have to get the whole family ready for church myself.  We sometimes run a few minutes late, like today...  When I was approaching the car with my hands full of babies, diaper bag, scriptures, and lesson materials (I should've tried for 2 trips), I remembered that neither of the car seats were in the van.  Errr!  In the happy ending, I got to the car and saw that Nick had installed both of them on his way out.

For Mother's Day, Nick got me this clock for my kitchen.  I had wanted it, and I was so excited.  I just love damask.  Isn't it pretty?!!  But the better mother's present is to know that he took a couple moments to help me and was thinking about me when I wasn't even around.

Camouflage and Go Seek

Move One Space

Bethelle is very loving to Rigby lately.  I can occasionally get out of a baby-proof room for a minute or two while she entertains him.  We have a ladder set up in the family room right now (don't ask why - I'm not going there).  Today I heard Bethelle calling for me, "Mom, Rigby ate the ladder!"

Her stomach growled before dinner and she said, "My tummy sneezed!"

We try not to say words like shoot, darn, heck, etc. around Bethelle.  I just don't want to hear these words coming from such a cutie yet.  Her grandma recently took her shopping and got Candyland.  They played it together.  Grandma drew a "one square" card and said, "oh darn." Bethelle asked why she said that (this was a brand new word to her).  Grandma explained that she had wanted a two square card, but got a one square.  Bethelle drew next.  She saw it and said, "Look, I got a darn!"

This one's for you, Meagan!

One of my former roommates just found out she's having a boy!  This post is in response to her request for a list of my favorite baby products.  I think that many of you who read this are also young mothers or grandmothers, so enjoy...

Baby Bjorn - Gotta have it.  I have two.  You don't need two.  Why do I have two?

They're a little pricey, but we got one of ours on Craiglist for just $30.

Munchkin fresh food feeders - These are like an extra pair of hands.  I can put a chunk of apple in these in 3 seconds flat and Rigby loves to suck on it.  It really buys me a lot of time and keeps him happy.
Highchair with a snap out, dishwasher safe tray - This one is not particularly attractive, but it shows the tray.

An exersaucer -  I didn't have one when Bethelle was a baby.  I have regrets.
The one-piece-and-you're-dressed romper - Babies do not have waists.  Pants and shirts do not stay in their proper place, hence the onesie.  The romper is the next step in the evolution of the onesie.  It stays on them just as intended, so the baby looks cute and together.  When Rigby wears regular pants, they end up off of him by the middle of the day.
Pack-n-play - So he can sleep at Grandma's and so he's safe when you find out the house is not as baby proof as you thought it was.
Avent binkies - Both of my kids have been pacifier snobs.  I tried many kinds, but they both will not take any other style of binkie.  On my next child, I will save time and money by skipping straight to Avent.
Joovy Caboose - You really don't need this until you have two kids, but if you get it with just one, you can use the extra space to carry shopping bags, 2x4's, whatever.  I love my stroller.  It has this great little sit-or-stand place in the back, perfect for Bethelle to get off and on as she likes.
Desitin - I haven't tried any other brand, but this stuff is like magic.  Oh!  I have tried the Target knock-off version.  Don't.  It is NOT like magic.  Be sure to have this before you need it.
Tums - Why?  This is also a diaper rash cure/preventer.  There is not much harder on a mom and baby than a bout of chronic diaper rash.  My dr told me about this cure.  It neutralizes the acidity of their... output...  Anyway, you crush half of a Tums and mix it with 2 ounces of either apricot or papaya nectar (not the juice stuff with the corn syrup in it - straight nectar).  They can have this up to 2 times per day.  It really fixes the problem.  Keep some nectar on hand; it can be hard to find in an emergency.
iPod - If you have one, you love one.

Seeking Parental Advice

Bethelle is taking swimming lessons.  Sort of.

I do my part: pay, drive, dress her, shower her, walk her to the pool, watch.

She does not do her part.  She sits on the edge, acting like she's scared of the water, until it's free time when the class goes to the part of the pool where there's a slide and they can just splash and have fun.  She's suddenly fearless.

This is not fear of the water.  This is manipulation.  I am perfectly willing to quit swimming lessons, but I don't think she will learn the lesson.  She wants to skip the work and just have fun.  I have a few other thoughts (no conclusions) on what to do, but I want to know what my readers think.  

Personal Blogress

I am currently the Miamaid Advisor in my ward.  This means that at church, I teach the young women ages 14-15.  They are preparing for camp this summer with the rest of the young women (ages 12-17) from the stake (the nearest 6 congregations).  As part of camp, the girls are asked to complete some of their Personal Progress.  This is a program designed to help the girls learn more about the "Young Women Values" which are faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, and integrity.

I won't be able to attend much of camp, but I am planning to do the Personal Progress program with the girls.  Who couldn't stand to learn a little more about those values?  I have created a blog to document my progress.  Feel free to check it out and follow along with me.

Toofers

That's what Grandma calls them... and they're here.

Well, one is. Rigby was fussy today and then wouldn't take his second nap. I'm glad to know he had an excuse.

I realize that many of my readers probably don't really care, but since this is also my family journal, you will be subjected to a few of this type of post. I'll try to keep them brief.

5/26 update: he now has 3 teeth poking through! All are on the right side.