April 2010 - Denver - Grandpa Bill

A bonus of our trip to Denver last April was that Bill was in town for work so we got to hang out with him!  We also got to hang out with Taylor, Marisha and Brynley, but I somehow have no pictures of that...

 

Liam had (and always has) a great time with his Grandpa Bill. It's amazing how young he is and how much he has changed in a year.  Wow.

April 2010 - Denver - Avs Game

After the mid-day Rockies game, we had tickets to the Avs in the evening.  Liam and I took a long nap and joined Will after the second period, but Liam loved the hockey game.  He entertained everyone around us with his clapping and squealing!

Sadly, his cute jersey is getting pretty tight.  Luckily we haven't needed it much this season - the Avs haven't had a great season...

April 2010 - Denver - Rockies' Opening Day

Guess I'll post the posts I have drafted and then move on.  Last April (a year ago, really?), we made a trip to Denver to see the Rockies and the Avs in one day.  It was our second opening day in a row (in 2009 we saw the Red Sox opening day) and although we didn't continue our tradition this year, we'll definitely do it again!

Here we are heading to the game.  Liam loved the backpack and had so much fun at the game!

Enjoying his first ball-park hot dog.  Loved it!

We had great seats that gave us some shade (I actually won the ticket lottery to get them!) and were an easy out for Liam and I to take several walks. Maybe this summer we'll catch some Ogden Raptors games!  We're hoping to make a trip to see the Rockies before the end of the season - we still need to go check out Taylor and Marisha's new loft.  

I'm Ba-ack

I can't promise for how long, or how regularly, but I am going to start blogging again.  Since I last blogged (July.... really May), a lot has happened.  Liam has grown like crazy and we have had a lot of fun.  Liam and I did a little word traveling.  Baby number two has grown quickly and with just a few complications (I get to start twice a week non-stress tests this week and am looking forward to the last refill of my very expensive liver medication in a week or so).  She will probably be arriving sometime around March 4th.  Will and I have kept very busy - we bought a house, moved into it, finished the basement (a.k.a. paid talented people to finish the basement), and have both kept busy with work and other things.

I've had a hard time starting to blog again because I really want to catch up with the past, but that seems daunting.  So, it may be a mix of the past and the future, in no rational order, but it will be blogging.  For now, here is our cute family picture (taken in October).

Neglect

I have been neglecting my blog.

Luckily, I have not been neglecting my son, nor mine and his passports, nor my husband, nor my mom, sisters and nephews, nor my job.  However, I am taking three weeks off from my job and at least a couple months off from the passports.  So, I will have time to blog.  Expect fabulous posts (if you agree that fabulous = many cute pictures of Liam that are already outdated) in the near future.

And, while I'm here, Happy Independence Day!  Tomorrow we'll be parading with my mom, the politician, in Tooele and Grantsville.  If you happen to be there, scream loud when you see me and I'll throw you some extra double bubble.

WIRs (or should it be WsIR?) - May 9 - 15 and May 16 - 22

I missed my week in review last week and didn't blog several times last week.  I guess that's what adding another child to the family does to you.  No - that's not an announcement that we're working on adding a new child to the family - we just adopted my nephew Sam for the week.  I had a great time being his Sara-Mommy and Liam loved having a friend to play with (most of the time).  He went home tonight and it was bittersweet - I missed my alone time with Liam and was a little scared that Liam was going to start chasing him around by foot any day, but we also had a lot of fun.

But, first, back to the week before last...

My deadline for sending (aka having the fabulous people in the office send) all of the materials for my meetings in the Pacific was the 14th.  They went out the 17th, which was pretty impressive, and will be there in plenty of time.  Now that they are on their way, it seems our send off is approaching much too quickly.  Liam, Megan and I take off in just 11 days on our grand Pacific adventure where Liam's passport will get its first stamps and Megan and I will use our scuba certification in the ocean!

Needless to say, the days leading up to the 14th were filled with a lot of work.  We had a couple of beautiful days thrown in here and there and Liam and I had some good bike rides.  We were prepping for our weekend!

On Friday, the 14th, Liam and I, Megan, Rebecca and her two boys, Sam and Porter, took off for a weekend in Southern Utah - to celebrate Becca's birthday.  We were a little nervous about the little (big) black rain clouds that seemed to be following us down I-15, but the weather ended up being perfect.  We spent Friday night in Green River and participated in the San Rafael Mountain Bike Festival.  I won a really great camelback backpack and a bunch of bike stuff in a drawing on Friday night (woot!) and while we felt a little like posers (we were clearly the most amateur of the participants), we had a lot of fun.  Liam let me know about 5 miles in that he might have a preference for biking on smooth, oiled roads.  The bouncing was a little much so we turned around and headed back to the trailhead where we had a lot of fun dipping our feet in the (very cold and very brown) Green River!

We spent Saturday night in Moab.  Liam had his worst night's sleep possibly ever, but definitely in recent memory, in Moab.  He figured out he could stand up in his playpen and just couldn't stop.  He would stand up and scream until I picked him up and then he just wanted to play... all night.  I couldn't let him cry because Sam and Porter were sleeping so I had to get him up.  He slept with me and Megan for a while, but that didn't last too long.  Finally, about 4:30 am, I took him for a ride and he slept in his carseat in the truck until 7:30 am.  He slept much better in his carseat than I did in mine...  Luckily, though, he weathered the lack of sleep very well and was a trooper on Sunday.  We went to church in Moab and then did a quick driving tour of Arches.  (I purchased a national parks annual pass, so if anyone wants to go exploring, let me know!)  We did do a short hike to a viewpoint of Delicate Arch, but didn't stay long because we had a long drive home.

It was a fabulous weekend with my sisters.  I'm glad we all like each other enough to spend time doing fun things together.  I'm also glad they still like me after Liam robbed them of a night's sleep.   :)

Looking back, maybe  exhaustion was clouding my judgment when I offered to keep Sam for the week after we returned from Southern Utah.  That kid has a lot of energy and kept me on my toes.  It was a fun week.

Monday, the 17th, we took Liam to his 12-month check-up (healthy baby!) and took Sam for a haircut.  We did a little shopping and hung out at home Monday evening, playing in the dirt in the yard (pictures to come).  Tuesday, Will has scouts in the evening and I knew I'd need to get out of the house so Sam earned a trip to the Natatorium by eating all of his breakfast and lunch.  I took the boys swimming while Will went to scouts.  Liam, as always, loved the water.  Sam is fearless and decided he wanted to learn to dive.  He did really well jumping in head first!

Wednesday we celebrated Ross' birthday with him and Jenny in Logan.  We ate at Cafe Rio (Liam adores their guac) and did some shopping for Liam's birthday.  Thursday Sam talked Will and me into going swimming again - it was much easier with a second adult.

Friday, Will took the day off from work.  He entertained the boys while I worked and we all spent some time baking in preparation for upcoming birthday festivities.  We spent Friday night in Salt Lake (and went swimming again at the hotel!) so we could be close to get up early to go to the temple with my sister, Megan.  We were excited to be with her for her first time in the temple and enjoyed the beautiful Draper temple.  We did take one wrong turn on the way and ended up in snow - when will Utah get the memo that it is late May and it's okay to stop freezing nightly??

After the temple, we went to lunch as a family and then went to the Aquarium in Sandy.  It was fun but the boys were tired and it was packed!  Liam really liked the penguin exhibit and the penguins seemed to like him.  One kept swimming right up to where he was watching and interacting with him.  It was very cute.  It was fun to spend time with family!

Hopefully I'll catch up with pictures soon.  I may interrupt my nice orderly manner of posting for a special post tomorrow.  It's hard to believe that it was one year ago tonight that we were trying so hard to get our baby boy here.  I'm enjoying this birthday eve much more but can't wait to hold and love on him tomorrow and recall our first loves one year ago!

Denver - April 2010

In April we were able to take a quick vacation to Denver.  It was nice to be on a vacation that didn't include work for me - that hasn't happened very often lately!

Our hotel room had a counter with bar stools that fit Liam perfectly.  He was very cute eating his meals at his little counter.

Isn't he yummy?

Easter 2010

This is the only picture I have of Liam's first Easter.  As I wrote in my last post, Will and I got up early and went to Salt Lake for General Conference.  We came home and took a nice nap and then had a lazy afternoon and evening.  Liam did do a little easter egg hunting with his cousins but wasn't really into it.  He did get a fabulous Easter package from his Grandma and Grandpa Doutre and some fun summer clothes from my parents... spoiled, as always!

General Conference - April 2010

Very early Easter Sunday, we headed out to attend LDS General Conference in Salt Lake City.

These girls got up early and made the trek with us.

We had fabulous seats, courtesy of my dad.

Because it was Sunday morning, we also got to hear Music and the Spoken Word.  The Tabernacle Choir is amazing.  Listening to their hymns of praise is a fabulous way to start your day.

It was Will's first time to attend General Conference. I think he liked it (even though he didn't like getting up early).  I've lost track of the number of times I've been able to attend - I've probably attended more of the semiannual conferences in my life than I haven't (that's a lot!).  

Beautiful ladies - Megan, Anna, Chelsea and Meisha.  

The Salt Lake Temple.  I love visiting Temple Square.  While we didn't stay long, I love the peace and tranquility I feel when I am near the temple.

Southern Utah

I haven't blogged this weekend because I'm in Southern Utah with my
sisters. We are having a fabulous time and there have definitely been
some bloggable moments. Stay tuned for fun pictures and stories when I
get home!

--
Sent from my mobile device

Auntie Kathy in Albuquerque - April 2010

I have been trying to cut back travel for work since Will now has a job and can't just travel with me at my whim.  I've stuck to day trips and one three-day trip to Eugene and have been saying no to almost everything else (except the three-week June adventure just on the horizon).  

However, in January, a colleague of mine invited me to attend a think tank meeting in Albuquerque.  I think she was really surprised when I said yes.  I told her I could go as long as my aunt Kathy was available to watch Liam while I was at my meetings.  Luckily, Kathy agreed and Liam and I were off!

I was a little nervous about leaving Liam all day.  I've only left him all day with Will and was nervous about him being with someone new.  My nerves were for naught.  He loved Kathy and especially loved playing with Sheba.  Sheba (the dog) was very protective of Liam and an excellent babysitter.  I am so grateful for extended family that I love and trust and that love me enough to take on a baby for two days!  Kathy let Liam unload her bookcases, chew on her cables, and basically made him want to hang out with her because she is much more fun than his mom. 

I also enjoyed spending time with Kathy.  We had some great talks, as always and ate good food, as always. Love you, Kath!

He was really distracted by Sheba when we were taking these pictures.  :)

Just in case you were wondering...

This is how I make it through the airport when Liam and I travel alone.  I'm excited we're taking along a travel nanny (aka tranny) (aka my sister Megan) on our next grand adventure.

Liam loves to ride superman style on the front of the stroller or carseat and usually is much more energetic than this (aka leaning much further over the front or standing straight up).  Often I receive looks of disapproval and wonderment that I could be so irresponsible.  It keeps him happy, though.  Even through hours of waiting for late flights in Portland and running to catch flights in Albuquerque.

Here we are in Denver, happy to have met up with Will - he carried the big bags so I was just pushing this load and not pulling an additional suitcase behind me!

The Nat - April 2010

A couple of weeks ago Becca and her boys came down for the weekend.  Will and I babysat the boys while she went with my mom to the Tooele Republican Convention and decided to take them all swimming at the Bear River Natatorium.  We had a fabulous time and the boys were great.  Only one person asked me how old they were and how I managed to have three boys so close together.

We weren't sure if Porter would love it, but he had a great time in this floaty and stayed in the water much longer than I thought he would. 

We knew Liam would love it.  This kid loves water.  He had a lot of fun splashing.

Liam also is very good at floating on his back.  If we support his head, he will float pretty well, until he hears kids playing and wants to turn and look at them.

My boys.

This picture is for Becca - her boys in her former locker room!  

Preview Post

I'm tired tonight but I did upload new pictures tonight that I can start posting.  I'm amazed that I'm to April in my catching up posts... I may even be caught up to present time by the end of the month.  What will I blog about then?

Here is a preview to tomorrow's post.

On Being a Mother

My first Mothers Day as a mother.

I could easily write a tribute post to the amazing mothers in my life.  In addition to a fabulous mother, mother-in-law and grandmothers, there are so many people who have mothered me - aunts, friends, teachers, mentors, etc.  I truly am grateful for them and honor them today.

But, the tribute in my mind tonight is to my amazing husband and son.  I thank them for making me a mother and for letting me be the mother that I am, even if I don't fit the perfect mom mold, and for making me feel like a great mom even though I sometimes feel like I fall short.

Will and Liam gave me a beautiful necklace today (an emerald, Liam's birth stone) and card with very heartfelt messages.  I felt loved.  I feel loved.  I'm a mom.  Liam is almost a year old and he is a happy, healthy baby.  I'm blessed to have a job that allows me to be home with him (even though lately I've started to wonder if I work at home or live at work).  I have a husband that supports me in everything I do.  He still loves me even though he does almost all the dishes and a lot of the laundry.  He loves me for what I am and forgives me for what I'm still working on.

And, who is more forgiving than a baby?  Liam gives me a new chance every day to become a better mom and quickly forgets how sad he gets when I have a long teleconference during playtime or we don't get to go for a walk or bike ride because I'm working.  I love his sloppy kisses and even the bite marks that he leaves on my chin sometimes when his loves get a little aggressive.

I've waited for years for this day to be here.  I prayed for years to be a mother.  And, I am.  Will and Liam were both worth the wait.  I am so grateful for them and to them.  I am happy to be a mother.

WIR - May 2 to May 8

Another busy week.

As I mentioned in a post earlier this week, Liam has been such a trooper accompanying me on outings.  He really loves to be out and about and is so friendly.  This week we had a lot of coming and going.  Monday we didn't go anywhere because Will took Liam's carseat to work with him but that was okay.  I'm still pretty overwhelmed with work and didn't have any time for extra outings this week.

Tuesday, I had a dermatologist appointment in Logan so we went to the meeting and then went and visited my mom at her office on campus.  Thursday we went to Brigham to another doctor appointment and then went and met Will to go shopping and to dinner.  I shopped for clothes while Will and Liam went Mothers Day shopping.  They did very well, more on that to come. 

On Friday, Liam and I went to the Salt Palace with my mom to help her set up for the Utah Republican Convention on Saturday.  It was fun to witness the chaos of the convention without having to deal with the crowds and listen to the speeches.  Liam loved crawling through the tent that we created with two of her signs.  He behaved fabulously, smiled at all the right political figureheads, and ended up riding home in just a diaper because his mom didn't make sure there was an extra outfit in the diaper bag. 

But, his weekend was just beginning.  Friday evening, Will and Liam headed up to a farm for our ward's Fathers and Sons' outing.  They decided against camping over in the cold and came home to their soft beds but enjoyed dinner and visiting with friends and family.  Just a couple more years and I'm sure Liam will be able to convince Will to camp in a tent (even though I haven't been able to yet).  While they were having a boys' night, I went shopping with my mom and Megan.

Saturday, Will and Liam both experienced Lagoon (Utah's amusement park) for the first time.  Liam loved it and Will didn't mind it either.  We decided to get season passes so we can go often and enjoy the water park this summer along with several of my cousins who have season passes.  Liam's favorite things are people watching and being outside so he really was in his element.  He rode the carousel and the sky ride with us and Aunt Megan took him on the train.  He even missed a nap and didn't skip a beat.  We went straight from Lagoon to a shower in Salt Lake for Jenny, Ross' fiancee.  As Menloves do, my mom and Megan and I couldn't stop with that (Megan and my mom got up really early for the convention) and went shopping after the shower.  We finally arrived home at midnight.  Liam slept really well once he finally made it home to his bed. 

The convention results deserve their own paragraph.  This is my mom's fourth campaign for the Utah House of Representatives.  However, it's the first time she has had a challenger within the Republican Party.  The campaigning has unfortunately been a little negative but she has been so diligent in following up with the state delegates and ensuring that her constituents know she really is working for them.  Her hard work paid off and she received far more than the votes she needed at convention to avoid a primary.  Although there will still be parades and appearances, this means that she won't have an opponent in the general election in November.  She is quite amazing.

This next week should be a little slower for us.  We've started it out with a fabulous Mothers Day and Liam and I are going to end it with a trip to Southern Utah with my sisters while Will is at Jamborall with his Scouts.  Wait, maybe this week isn't really going to be any slower. 

Brynley Belle

Earlier this  year, my sister-in-law Marisha and niece Brynley spent some time in Utah.  Bryn came over a few times to play with grandma and Liam.  She is four months older than Liam and I think they will be great friends!  

She is very active- it's hard to catch a picture of her sitting still.

One of the highlights of her visits was going for rides in grandma's wagon to visit great grandma and grandpa Rudd.  Speaking of my mom, as I type she is at the Utah GOP State Convention.  The state delegates from her district are voting to determine whether there will be a primary election between her and her opponent.  We're all hoping that all of her hard work leading up to today will be sufficient to guarantee that she will be able to have an unopposed (and much less stressful) election in November.  She really has worked tirelessly to ensure that people are well-informed and know that she truly listens to and fights for her constituents in the legislature.  If she does have to full-on campaign, I'm sure Liam will be willing to ride in the wagon for neighborhood canvassing and parades!

We with Taylor, Marisha and Bryn lived closer but are grateful for the time we've been able to spend with them this year, in Utah and Denver.

Bath Time

Liam loves his nightly bath and fun bath toys.  About six weeks ago there was a warm day and I got excited for summer, swimming, etc. and bought a couple pool toys.  The boat found its way to the tub and has become a new favorite tub toy for Liam and his cousins.  We also tried it out at the pool and it was just as fun!

Outings

A couple of outings I haven't yet recorded:

Liam's first (hopefully of many) Aggie Basketball game.  Go Aggies!

My cousin Jake's band concert.  We went with my grandparents and he very attentively sat on my grandpa's lap and listened and watched the whole time.  He even got into the applause.

He is such a good boy to take with me.  This week, I had a dermatologist appointment and took him along.  He played fabulously in the waiting area with another little boy (for about an hour - frustrating) and again in the room while we were waiting for the doctor (whom my mom calls Doogie Howser based on his very young looks) for about 30 minutes (more frustrating).  By the time the doctor came in, he was getting a little restless and missing his nap but he was still really good.  My main purpose in visiting the dermatologist was to have him look at my scar on my finger to see if I can do something to get it looking a little less ugly and like I nearly chopped the side of my finger off.  The first step he recommended was injecting the scar full of cortisone to relax the scar tissue and hopefully smooth out the scar.  Cortisone is thick and scar tissue is very dense so the injection was rough and slightly painful (my scar is bruised a little now).  He was going at it, using both hands to push the syringe, and I began to feel like I was passing out.  They quickly laid me back and I only blacked out for a few seconds.  But, then I had to recover.  Liam wasn't very happy that he couldn't see me (he was playing on the floor) and fussed a little.  The nurse picked him up and he only would come to me, he wasn't going to let her hold him.  So, we laid there for a while.  He was an angel.  

Not so much an angel when we went on a bike ride last night.  He was dying to get on the bike but did not want to wear his helmet.  Eventually he gave in and kept it on but I heard about it!

Our Baking Adventure - St Patrick's Day 2010

Liam and I decided to bake some cookies for St. Patrick's Day.  He loved it.  The first thing he did was push this step stool all the way across the kitchen.  He was quite proud of himself.

He really enjoyed helping put in the ingredients...

...and even broke one of the eggs for me.  

His favorite part, by far, was licking the beaters from the mixer.  I have great memories of fighting over the beaters with my siblings when I was younger.

He also enjoyed playing with the spatula (and eating one of the finished cookies).

He is quite charming, isn't he?