Thank you Honey

Lately I have been busy outside, sending Joe to school (the big K), learning the dynamics of two very busy kids who require playdates, friends, outdoor play and well me. Needless to say the new adjustments have given me far too many migraines to brag about or complain about. So blogging is now very low on my list.
But
Today Joey gave me an awesome gift. There is no pictures available because he gave me a NAP!!! THANK YOU HONEY. He tricked me into laying down by having me lay down next to him and then all of the sudden he got up, put my pillow under my head and said enjoy and I love you and watched the kids so I could rest without worry for an hour and a half. This may not sound blog worth but My Husband is the BEST>

A day late and a dollar short.

He is saying,"CHEESE". What a ham.

The two staples.

Welcome to Boyhood Gus!

Gus is now a REAL boy.
You may be asking yourself, "Well wasn't he before?" Apparently not. To become a real boy a boy must get hurt bad enough to need medical help. And while receiving this medical help he can't cry.
So check and check. I will show pictures hopefully tomorrow, that is right you avid fans you may hear from me two days in a row.
Here is what happened. Gus was playing with Sophie and a friend on her bed, I was in the other room talking to the friends mom who happens to also be my friend, when I heard a bang come from Sophie's room. I went running, Gus was crying on the floor and like an untrained individual I picked him up. I didn't notice the blood for a few seconds and then, OMG, blood everywhere. His cute, perfect, cherub head was cut. Yep, he got two staples placed to correct the damage and he didn't even cry. Gus hated being confined in one place for a good 20 seconds while being stapled more than the actual staples themselves.

Peek a boo

So much has happened that I just don't have any time to write about so going along with my movie critque I would like to encourage everyone to watch the documentary on Wal-Mart. I now plan to never give them my business again. I am going to try to help the little guys stay a float as best I can. Joey says that means no more Costco, so I told him as soon as our membership expires and he said that he can live without Wal-Mart but he really enjoys Costco.
All in all let's not support Wal-Mart and you will agree after the documentary. We watched on the instant que on Netflix.

We did it!!!

I have been threatening the binky removal for a couple months now, but with the onset of 4 ear infections the croupe and a cold I just couldn't take away his binky. The other night we had been healthy for a week and the binky went missing. I told Joey that tonight is the night. It was horrible. Gus went to bed like an angel and turned into a demon by 4 by 6 he was back asleep. Last night he slept all night!
When Joe was a baby and I broke him the therapist told me kids forget after 2 days that they need it. I think this is why you break them when they are babies and not toddlers. Sophie remembers things about 2 months ago.
In the two days of no binky Gus has already started to be more vocal and is such a doll I am so thrilled that I have each of my kids.

On to another subject we had a broken irrigation pipe and my dad came over to help us fix it. He is so good to help us out so much. My great friend Fiona told me that I should take pictures of my kids with my parents and Joey's parents anytime they come because someday they will be gone and we will all treasure the photos of our grandparents. So I took her advice and took these pictures.

Joe"s show and tell

Joe got to do show and tell with James and Harriette. Harriette decided that she wanted to be a mechanic and explore Joey's rear differentials.


The children at school liked the goats and asked cute questions. I took a picture of them at the circle time but can't show it on here sorry.
I am now a goat herder. I stink at the job and nearly got peed on by Harriette.

Sophie and her outing

Rachael and Sophie went to the Aquarium today and had a great time. They saw penguins and Rachael held an anaconda. I am glad that I didn't keep Sophie to my self and shared her with Rachael.
After the aquarium they went to McDonalds in Lehi and played on the playplace. Where an unsupervised "bad boy" (Sophie's name for him). Hit Sophie repeatedly in the stomach. Where are the "Leave her little girl alone." I told her she should have found the parents but really if they aren't watching their kids at lunch time on a weekday (how old could they be) then they probably don't care what their kid does or they are so desprite for a break and their kid is a terror at home.
Sophie loved being with her Nannie, thanks Rachael.

German Pancakes

This is one of our family favorites, my sister however doesn't care for it. Very simple and most people have the ingredients in there pantries. The movie is of Gus and Sophie enjoying their breakfast.

The key to making it rise is the order.
Preheat oven for 450*
Use a 9x13 pan or a large (12 inch or bigger skillet)
2-4 tbsp butter, put in the preheating oven so that it will melt. Take out before it scorches.
6 eggs, beaten
1 cup of milk, I have tried every % and it doesn't make a huge difference although I think some fat is better than none. 1 cup of flour, I have tried whole wheat and white. I think the white makes a better looking and lighter texture product. Although less guilt for me with the whole wheat.
1/2 tsp salt, you can add more but I am not a salt person.
On occasion I add nutmeg for a little bit of a funner flavor. I also like seeing the specks.
Mix each ingredient as you add it before you add the next ingredient.
Pour into pan and cook about 15-20 minutes, mine always takes 15 minutes.

Did you Hear about the Morgans?

This movie is forgetable and reminds me of the Kirsty Ally and Tim Allen movie from the 90's. If there isn't anything else at the Red Box then go ahead it isn't totally pointless, just forgetable. Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker are the main stars and I thought that the other couple are way better. The man with the handlebar mustache was my favorite character. Enough said.

Manicotti

I am not making this a recipe blog because I am still reviewing movies as well but I thought why not share my interest with others.

Manicotti was always an intimidating food do to the fact that it seemed difficult. Not so. The other night I made up a recipe for Manicotti that turned out great. Sophie won't eat veggies very good because of the texture so therefore I got out my food processor and put the filling in to mask the chunk of the spinach.

1 pkg of Manicotti noodles.
cook the noodles as directed on the pkg. Boil water, salt 1 tsp, add noodles and boil 9 minutes won't be done but they will finish cooking in the oven. I use chop sticks to get the noodles out without breaking them and lay them on alunimum foil (yes you read me right) so they won't stick.
1 8 oz container of ricotta cheese (can use cottage cheese but I wouldn't)
1 bunch of spinach chopped
1/2 tsp parsley flakes
1/2 tsp basil
1/4 cup parmasean cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
Put these in the food processor and process until smooth.
1/2 cup cheese (I use grated cheddar)
Combine the cheese and smooth mixture together and start filling the Manicotti noodles. If you have a hard time touching goo you won't enjoy this step but trust me it is worth the effort.
Marina or Meat sauce are good. Use your favorite recipe. Mine is different everytime so I can't share.
Put enough sauce in the bottom of the 9x13 pan to make a layer then put in the filled manicotti. Put more sauce on top and then some more cheese. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.
There you go. Simple and kid approved, this is one of Sophies will eat foods that has veggies hidden inside.

Unexpected Experiment

This morning while I was giving Joe a bath Sophie joined in like always. She considers bathing as a swimming activity and must be involved in her brothers baths. I guess in a couple years this won't be appropriate but as for now it is actually helpful because when I turn my back something usually happens. This morning I hear, "no Gus". And Gus threw a diaper in the bathtub. I use to only buy Pampers, but they started falling apart so I quite them. Then I bought Huggies but I decided to try Luvs, which constantly leak. So Huggies were my favorite but Kirkland brand hold a ton of fluid as you can see. Now it just depends on which boy. Kirkland for Gus and Huggies for Joe. Who would think that diapers wouldn't all be the same.

More Reviews

Couples RetreatSo there are a few naughty parts but it is funny. There are a lot of swimming suit scenes, but overall it made me relate to one couple more than the others. I must say that Vince Vaughan has sure got a mouth on him. By that I mean he talks alot and goes in circles and yet I personally really enjoy it.
So that is my review for today. Sorry I don't have much to say and I want to post.

I have decided.

I am going to start telling about movies we have seen and saying if I think they are worth watching. Now before I got married I only watched "chick flicks" and unlike some women my luck wasn't with me in the movie area when I married. My husband doesn't watch only "chick flicks" he likes all types of movies with "chick flicks" at the bottom of the list. Now don't get me wrong I am grateful now that he is this way because I have expanded my horizons and watch whatever now, except for the R-rated because I can't stomach them. And as any LDS church member knows we are counseled to not watch them. So I won't be giving suggestions on any of them. If you want me to watch a movie first and review it before you waste your time let me know and I will see if I can find it.
Most people know this but REDBOX rocks. $1 a day is great for me because I don't typically want to watch most shows more than once.
So here is my first two reviews.
Old Dogs with John Travolta and Robin Williams. Joey and I were laughing so hard we were crying. There are scenes like this through out the movie and I would have to say that this is a movie I could watch more than once. Which is saying something for me. I won't divolge plot lines because I am not a writer but it is a MUST see.
Planet 51 Dwayne Johnson is the voice of the astronaut. It was ok. I couldn't quite get into it but it had a good messege in the end. Sophie liked it but I think that anything that is cartooned it awesome to her. (The Simpson's movie is one of her highest requested movie.)

Oh today.

This morning Sophie woke up at 12:35 am and threw up in her bed. I went in to see what happened and as I picked her up she threw up on me. So she and I hopped in the shower to get clean. The sound woke up Gus and luckily and by the grace of God Joe didn't wake up with all the commotion happening in his room. (Sophie and Joe share a room.) Joey was then called in for recruitment in my time of needing 4 hands instead of 2. Thank you honey for the help. Well, once I got Sophie's sheets changed and calm, it was time to help Joey with Gus. This was surprisingly simple and I was back in bed by 1:30 (I am a strange mom because I actually do look at the clock to see how long I am awake in the night. I like to see how fast I can resolve the issues that occur).
Sophie finally took a MUCH needed nap around 10:30 so I was able to get Joe ready for school.
Doesn't she sleep so cute.

Joe eating lunch before school. He loves his books.

Joe so excited waiting for the bus to come.

Riding the lift. A huge excitement for Sophie.

Joe riding away on the bus. Sophie started crying and told me she wanted to ride the bus too.

I stole this from Hungry homemaker.

I just didn't want to have to search for this recipe so I copied and pasted from Hungry Homemaker. The link is on the side. Sorry Brittnie.
Chinese Chicken Salad

1 head of cabbage (shredded)
1 c slivered almonds, toasted
3 tbs sesame seeds, toasted
2 bunch green onions, chopped
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
2 3oz packages Oriental flavored ramen noodles

Toast almonds and sesame seeds in a skillet with no-stick cooking spray until golden brown. Break raw ramen noodles into small pieces. Mix together cabbage, cooked chicken, green onions, noodles and toasted almonds and sesame seeds together in a large bowl.

Dressing:
2 packages of oritnal flaovered ramen seasoning
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c vinegar
1.2 c vegtable oil
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tbs soy sauce

Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Add dressing to salad mixture, toss well and chill before serving.

School again.

Joe was supposed to go back to school. But as our life goes there was a bump in the road and he got a cold and I didn't think that the teacher or Joe would enjoy school if he was constantly having his nose wiped. I will take pictures and post. It is a sad day when your oldest goes to school. In September Joe will be going to kindergarten and this means 5 days a week and quite a long bus ride. Joe is going to attend Dan Peterson School. I think he will really enjoy himself and the aspect that they can offer so many opportunities for him that the regular school cannot. Anyways that is for us. Until tomorrow.

Happy Birthday! Gus is 1

Gus turned one yesterday. The day started out with Gus crying because he had played long enough unnoticed. As soon as I got him out though he was happy and cheerful which pretty much describes him. We then started started the preparations for the party. We had a steak dinner with everyone bringing a potluck then we visited and watched Gus be the star of the evening. I think everyone had fun.
I have oodles of pictures and a video of him. So let's get started.
He woke up yesterday and all of the sudden it was like he knew he had a year of life under his belt and he wasn't going to be a baby. He was playing like a big boy.


Gus got his first mail present from Nono Joe and look how happy he looks.


Gus playing with his barn.

Jeffrey and Macee gave Gus his present after my mom gave him a carry around fisher price barn (sorry no picture. This will be going to church so that maybe he won't make us crazy for the next 6 months until he can go to nursery.



I decided that since Gus can't really open his presents yet that each child could open the present they brought for him. I really like this idea and think it made the other kids happy. Macee started it out. She is such a darling little girl.


Gus loved his dinosaurs from Macee and Jeffrey. Thanks guys.


Gus didn't mind all he could think about was his bottle. Jocelyn, Jeffrey, Sophie, William, Gus and Popa really enjoyed watching this present get opened I love the kids.


William has the biggest smile he was so proud of himself. Jack snatched it up and wanted to play with it right away.


You can't see it but Sophie has a present that Nannie and Zak brought. She was thrilled to join in the openning fun.


Uncle Lorenzo and Aunt Colee posing with Gus. No babies for them so they posed instead.


Jack was so excited to open the next present. He is a cutie.


Gus with his cake. I started filming after this.

Pictures of the kids

I realize that I don't take enough pictures of Joe. Typically I only take pictures of the other two if they do something naughty or if it is something cute that they do together that shows me how cute of friends they are becoming. I love this grin on Joe's face. Gus feels big when he can sit on any type of chair instead of being on the floor or a lap. Sophie decided that she needed to join in.

Sophie decided the other day that she wanted to do dishes. So who am I to tell her no?

I went somewhere a couple of months ago and when I came back, Joey had taken this picture. I thought it was so darling and since Gus has never done this for me I thought I would post it and show everyone how cute he sleeps. Also if I open his door during nap or bedtime he wakes up so no crib sleeping pictures.

When I was single I would call myself a bum in pants person, I no long look unless...have you ever seen a cuter bum?

Sophie and Gus are the cutest friends. Sophie plays with music toy and Gus sits on this rocking chair and feels big and enjoys the music.

DRESS FOR SALE

For the last 3 weeks I have been having headaches, some make me nauseaus and others just are plain annoying. So today I tried taking a nap while Gus was asleep. I put Seasame Street on for Joe and Sophie and layed down. Sophie kept saying 'Mommy stop sleeping. Wake up.' Joe just moaned because yes I was being selfish and forgot that he hadn't had lunch(Can I claim insanity from too many headaches). He was acting tired so I figured that he could sleep with mommy and everyone would be happy.
Finally the moans made me realize about the feeding situation so I got up and hooked him up and finally.
THIS

and now this. (No sleeping for mommy while he is awake, oh well.)


Now on to Sophie.

So I was so excited that pajamas weren't being worn everyday so I found this dress and got it for Sophie thinking oh what a pretty princess dress,

so does she like it NOPE. HATES it.

Cries when I bring it near her.

I would just give the thing away but it is brand new except for the 2 minutes I made her wear it for these pictures to try to convince her of its beauty on her. And I spent way to much and only want half of what I spent. Anyone want to buy this dress let me know it is a size 4.

I am learning.

So I have now changed my own background. WOW! I added a new gadget, and if you know me very well, you would know that yes, I should be bragging. I am a computer moron. It didn't turn out like I wanted it to, but oh well enough time spent on here for the time being, tootles.

Not sure they will appreciate

I am not so sure that anyone will appreciate the new header picture but I love this picture and just found the cd from our wedding and am so excited. I wanted to show some off. Any ways there is another of this same way but oh well. Today is Joey and my 7th anniversary of our 1st official date.
Joey took me to a dance recital I had to attend that I found out about that day and he was a great sport. We then went to dinner at Carraba's Italian Restaurant and loved it. First time for both of us (we use to go there every year until the year Joe threw up there all over Joey). Then we went to the UVSC Institute dance and I got to see Joey's awesome dance moves. I tell you I fell in love right there. There has never been anyone who could make me laugh or smile as much as Joey. I love him and am glad that he dated me long enough to know my quirks and love me despite them.
LOVE YOU, Joey, thanks for being my man, bestfriend, husband, father to our children and the honest man you are.

Follow me MPPH Syndrome.

So I've just decided that if someone from Italy who I have no idea who it is wants to follow my boring blog shouldn't I try to get more followers. I figure that the Italian probably googled the last name and ours came up.
So as part of the title I am putting the name of Joe's syndrome so maybe someone will google it and this blog will come up and maybe then we can find someone else with a family member with it. If you have a family member with this syndrome please contact us. Thanks.

Making cake and Having Kids

This is a picture of Harriette the white baby and Nellie the mommy. They were born yesterday February 18th around 1:30. I was surprised and VERY excited.

This is a picture of either Nels or Austin "danger" Powers. Please vote on which name you like better or put in suggestions. I saw him first and didn't see Harriette until after I went to see him.

So on Valentine's Day I was trying to be festive so I made this Lemon cake with a fluffy white icing. This was surprisingly easy and quite beautiful.



I am going to attempt to do another cake for Gus's birthday.

11 months already

My sweet Gus is 11 whole months old TODAY! Can you believe it. He is getting so big and very clever. Gus can now: hold his head up, roll in all directions, sit, four point, crawl, walk, say "dada" and "mama" smile, laugh, has 7 teeth, I think he needs a hair cut but Joey refuses them those until at least 1 year old, and just today learned how to make a whistle make sounds. Gus amazes me and makes me laugh and feel so happy that Heavenly Father sent him to us. I forgot, Gus can climb, why oh why do babies love to climb?
I remember loving to climb the trees in my front yard as a kid. Me and my friends would be up and down the trees and would drag our dolls up there because we pretended the trees were our houses and our babies needed to be in the house. (anyways there is a side note about me) Oh yeah. One thing that I wish I had in my yard was some big climbing trees how I miss climbing trees. I think that in some ways that might be why I enjoy the first half of the Twilight movie. I wish that I could climb a tree that big. There is nothing quite like looking through the leaves to the world below. (Nice tangent aye?)
So next month obivously will be the big birthday party. So mark those calendars. It will be on Wednesday because that is Gus's birthday and that is what works best for Joey and our family. Let me know if you want to celebrate with us.

Inspiring

I should have grabbed tissues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg

Joey and I agree that the father's love was every bit as inspiring as the boy.

Honestly

So not to be a downer but to be an informer. So to those of you who have never had a disabled family member let me point out some things that are annoying to those of us who do.
1. Don't diagnose our kids. And with that do not just assume that syndrome means genetic.
2. PLEASE do ask questions instead of staring. I myself have had to learn this since my dear Joe was born. I now can ignore most stares but I do get a kick out of how so many kids are staring while their parents who are just as bad act as though you do not exist. I am not an attention seeker but I also do not care to be looked right through.
3. I admire people who can get over their feelings of awkwardness and approach us (as long as they don't diagnose Joe). I actually feel bad saying this but I liked the excuse of saying, "He has cancer". verses the, "He has a syndrome." With cancer people let it go and with the syndrome they start playing doctor.
4. Please do not say you are sorry for us. Why would someone say that when there is nothing to be sorry about. Joey and I are grateful for Joe and wouldn't give him up for anything. Sorry can be translated as to you saying you are glad that you don't have a child like ours.

As a disclourse I should say that I am not saying this out of bitterness only to be an informer. I love getting to know people and hope that people will not be offended by my comments. I actually laugh about these things.

I realize that I am not the best at any of these things when it comes to others, although I don't stare and I don't ignore I smile if we catch each others eyes. I've been know to approach and talk and ask questions, and I rarely assume that I know more than they do. I am a person to give advice, but typically it is to new moms and my biggest advice is to do TONS of tummy time. I am no physical therapist but I have had two of my kids sit, crawl and walk early. Now if only I was better at teaching speech.

One of the best examples to me of how to act when you are around someone who has a family member with obvious disablities was one night Joey and I took the kids to Los Hermanos and the lady at the booth next to us never stared or ignored but minded her business and then when we were both done with our dinners she turned around and said how sweet of a spirit Joe has and then shared her story of having a brother with downs syndrome and how it affected her life. I then was able to ask her questions about how she felt because I was having a hard time with guilt for having had Sophie and not being able to give her all the attention I felt she deserved. That night changed my life for ever. I will probably never see her again but I know she was sent there for me. And we never go there and she said she never goes there too. We both went really late and I know that she was sent from Heavenly Father to help me to heal me of my guilt for having and wanting more children. One ironic thing about her situation and ours was that her brother had cancer too and she and her brother were the same age diffence as Joe and Sophie. She said that having a brother with disabilties made her a more loving and compassionate person and that is how I want Sophie to be.

I will not disgrace myself...

Let's just say that you know you say a word to much when your child starts incorporating it into their speech. Whether it is a polite word or a curse word you know you are a broken record when this happens. Sophie often reminds me of what I must talk about the same thing all the time, what a bore I am. Anyways, she just reminded me of a word I shouldn't use but lately have been and since I was on the computer for the first time in months I thought I would post. Thank Zak and Rachael for the loaner computer!!!