Me, 27 years ago

Caroline, this week

Seeing these two pictures shows me how fast it all goes. C, You will be an adult before I know it and there are some things that I want you to know. I am sure I will think of more each day and as you grow but here are a few on my mind

- read the original Nancy Drews . I don't know how good the newest ones are, but those yellow hardbacks kept me reading for hours on end.

-you are beautiful and smart and many other wonderful things, but none of those things entitles you to anything that you don't work hard for.

- you are all of the things above but that doesn't mean that you should ever be anything but respectful and kind to those around you, everyone.

- have a good sense of humor, learn to laugh at yourself.

- shoes that are uncomfortable in the store rarely become comfortable after you buy them.

- just because it is on sale doesn't mean you need it.

- try all foods at least once. I didn't like Root Beer until a few years ago, and I still don't like pudding, but I wouldn't know if I didn't try.

- when I finally stop putting pantaloons over your undies (because skirts and dresses are all you will wear), please remember to keep your legs crossed or knees together. Let's keep this goal throughout college too, okay?

- be a good friend.

- remember I am only human and I will make mistakes, not many, but a few.

- remind me that you are human and you will most likely make mistakes.

- when I offer to teach you how to sew or paint or do needlepoint or how to make gravy, pay attention. I promise, you will thank me later.

- if you don't want to learn the above things from me, learn from your Oma - she does it all much better anyway (except gravy, totally my thing).

- I have girlfriends now who will be there for you later, because they love you already. Go to them when you won't come to me.

- be kind, be kind, be kind.

- surround yourself with good friends. Good friends make you a better person, choose carefully.

- your brothers will defend you and look after you, do the same for them.

- your dad has been smitten with you since you entered the world, use this power for good not evil.

- if you don't ever wear a lot of makeup, you won't ever need a lot of makeup. Less is more.

- smile a lot, smile smile smile.

- your Grandma and aunts are good examples of Southern Hospitality, follow their examples.

- know that losing an election in jr. high or not making cheerleader doesn't mean to stop trying out for things. If you want it, work hard. If you don't get it, the work is not a loss.

- college is about a lot more than academics (sorry, but true). Make wise choices, but grow and have fun. Oh, and study hard.

- read, read, read.

- get good grades in school, participate in a lot of different extra-curriculars, be involved, kindergarten through college.

- I love you, always, no matter what.

- share share share.

- be kind to your family, especially your brothers.

- ask questions, lots of them.

- be the kind of person that others admire and look up to.

- don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't special or lovable or fantastic.

- don't ever tell anyone that they aren't special or lovable or fantastic. If you don't have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut.

- find what you are good at.

- be kind, be kind, be kind.

These are things that I have to remind myself to do, but since you are young, they will catch on more quickly. Love you love you love you.

Love a Mother Week

My mom never liked Mother's Day. Why should we treat her well and give her special attention for that one day a year? I think this is her reasoning, and now being a mother I can see it. Why not do gratuitous acts several times a year? A week? A day? Gifts? I would take as many as you throw at me (if they are exchangeable or just what I need is best, but I am not picky). So, while I see her logic and agree with it, Mother's Day is here to stay. It is here with it's sticky, perfect homemade/school made lovelies. It is here with all of the commercial cards and gooey-ness that surrounds.

My kids are what makes Mother's Day. Let me share some kiddie treats I have gotten recently:

Just 5 minutes ago, Caroline came downstairs and said in her wonderfully staccato sing-songy voice, "You are downstairs, I want you upstairs, I need you, I love you MOOOOOOOM!"
I wish you could hear it, I want her cute voice on my iPod so I can replay it any time.



Eli came home from a friend's house and told me we are making a club. "What kind of club?" I asked. "A club where we are all members - me, daddy, Caroline, Joey and of course you." "What do we do at the club?" I asked. "We read books, we eat dinner, lunch, we play Uno..." "So, our house is kind of like a club?" I noted. "Yes, but our club is outside, we need boxes and blankets and pencils and papers, and since you are the mom at the club, you get to help us do it all because you are the best," he says with a sly smile. So we now have a club and everyone can be a member. Come on by.

Caroline loves to do what I do, which is a scary thought. So we garden together, cook together, walk together, argue together. I love it. Last night she crawled into our bed. I felt little arms wrap around my arm and squeeze it. I woke up and smiled at her and she gave me a kiss on the arm.
I love it and hope that it continues forever.

Joey talks to me all the time. He mimics his siblings and when they laugh, he laughs, when they scream, he screams. And, Eli adores him. I love being their mom.




Eli came to me 5 minutes before the sitter was coming, "Mom, my tooth hurts."

"I know, it is loose, but it isn't ready to come out yet so just leave it be."

Two minutes later, "Mom, my tooth broke! Look!"

"Holy Cow E, you have lost your first tooth," I say, tearing up a bit.

"Mom, what is wrong?"

"You are just growing up, you aren't my little boy for much longer."


Later that night, he tells our sitter, "Marlee, you have to get my tooth and put it back in, my mom is so sad. She will feel better when my tooth is back in."


I love that Eli lets Caroline tag along whenever he has friends over. I especially love that when they help me deliver things around the neighborhood, they have to do it while assuming different identities (this time Princess Zelda, Mario and Sonic) and have to carry swords to fend off the enemies on the way to the door (notice Caroline's sword, at the ready, behind her).

I have a great husband who contributed to this this motherhood thing and look forward to our walks around the blocks with the kids.

And even though some days I think that it is too hard and some days my patience is lacking, I am a lucky gal, May 11th, or any other day of the year.

Boutique Scramble

The boutique week is coming up. I am so excited, I am in a new venue. The ladies seem lovely, the other artists are wonderful. Here is a sneak peek at some of the plaques. Some of them make me giddy.

Here is the link to all the information: The Queen Bee Boutique

Sorry the pics are a little sub-par, I think all the varnish is making me a bit loopy and a bit lazy about the pics - hopefully I can get some better ones before they go in the show.

I have done about 30 welcome plaques and have added some whimsical wall hangings, about 10, that I think would be great anywhere in your house, the pear ones would be so cute over the sink in your kitchen. They all seem to brighten up the place.

And yes, I still am in love with birds. I tried a bunch of different breeds, this Polkie Bird, rarely seen in the wild with it's baby, made a rare appearance. I hope they all go to good homes.

Happy Birthday Baby! Joey turned one last week and I finally have the proof that we did indeed celebrate.

Joe Joe just a few hours old. He had a rough start, didn't want to leave the womb, had a cord around his neck, not pinking up too fast and all the nurses and the doctor and DAVE tried to tell me he was ok. The fact that he wasn't crying tipped me off and I was a bit hysterical, but after lots of O2 and chillin' in the nursery, we were good.

In the picture above, he looks like he is trying to tell me it was all a big joke and he didn't mean to startle me.

Yum!


Big kid riding his horse outside. He is so dang fun. He loves to keep us moving and laughing.

He couldn't believe I was giving him cake. His Oma giving him cake without my permission, yes, but me? He was thrilled.

A little cake drunk.

Happy Birthday Bug, we love you!

Got Milk?

My baby has just hit the big one. From what I understand, this is when most mothers wean their children from breastfeeding. This is my third child that has had breast milk but I have never had to wean a child.

Eli, my first, was a horrible nurser. It was a terrible thing when every two hours he would become hungry. I would tense up, start to cry, Dave would look at me like I was nuts. For the first two weeks of his life, this was how each day went, every two hours. I went to a lactation specialist, she suggested I pump to get my nipples back in good repair and just bottle-feed him the milk. So I did. I didn't stop. I pumped for 9 months, having enough milk stored in freezers to probably feed him until he was 3. I did this because: a - I felt guilty. Why couldn't I do something so simple as nursing? Breast is best? b - I could. I was a fantastic pumper. I could pump anywhere, I pumped lots of good stuff. I didn't have any other children running around. Would I do it again? Probably not, but I am glad I did it for him then.

Caroline, my second was a natural nurser. Good from the get go. She nursed through 17 ear infections, my milk running dry during my medical trauma of 2004 and right up until we had tubes put in her ears August 30 2004 and the next day quit cold turkey. I felt totally rejected! Didn't she know that I pumped while I was in the hospital, even when I was only getting maybe 3 drops out at a time? I had given it my all and SHE decides when we are done? I let myself know that this would be the beginning of many rejections.

Joey thinks I'm the Host with the Most. He's been a great nurser since day one and continues to prefer nursing to chocolate milk, water, juice - pretty much any liquid that is in a container that isn't attached to my body. At his one year check up yesterday we got the news - Joey is not so big. Not that we didn't know that, it is just that he is not getting much bigger than his 9 month appointment. I should clarify - HE IS THRIVING, HITTING ALL HIS MILESTONES, HIS MUSCLE TONE is FINE, all is good except that he is a bit not as big as a large percentage of others his age.

My doctor asked if I was still breastfeeding. Yes. Does he take anything from a bottle or sippy yet? Not so much. Is he eating solids better (he has a history of not eating solids well)? Yes, much better. Let's calorie pack him - let him eat cake, eat ice cream, eat butter for all the doc cares. Then, let's not worry about it and we'll recheck him at 15 months. He reassured me that a lot of 9 - 12 months old babes that breastfeed don't get the calories that bottle fed babies do (even if the bottle is full of breastmilk).

I feel a bit at a lost. I had already decided that I would continue to nurse him for a few more months, because although it wasn't soft serve oozing from my body, it was packed full of goodness and vitamins. Frankly, if a friend told me this story, I would probably encourage her to quit nursing. I have some major conflicts running in my head about the whole thing. Now, I wonder if tough love is in order. Should I just cold turkey him and force him to a life without nursing? I'm not sure how to do this. Maybe this is a good time to visit Hawaii all by myself. Any weaning suggestions? Or should I stay with the original plan - nurse a few more months, fatten the kid up with outside sources? We'll see. He may decide tomorrow that he is finished with me.

My thoughts have gone in too many directions, which is not unusual. As mothers I think we have that feeling of what is best for our kids, you just know that your children need certain things from you. That intuition thing. And for me, it is to stay the course, for the time being. I love nursing. Luckily, our doc thinks this is a good plan of action also. I love that one on one closeness. I love knowing my body can provide nutrients for my babies. I would encourage anyone to do it. But I also think that if it doesn't work or if a mother doesn't want to, then don't worry about it. The options are just as good. I know you can have just as much closeness and gratification with a bottle. I guess in my roundabout way I am trying to say is that I can't believe it has been a year of nursing, averaging every 3 hours for 366 days. I'm grateful for this time spent with Joe, I'm grateful I am able to do it. I think I will be very sad when it is all over. Bless these boobs.

I walked in the bathroom and saw this

Caroline had gone inside to get Eli's friend a bandaid. In order to reach them, she put aside all thoughts of danger to herself and got them out of the cabinet (not shown) above using a precarious method of recovery.

I put the kids to bed and made this

Dave is out of town on a boy's trip (have fun golfing honey) and after the kids had a nutritious meal from McD's, I ate salmon and an artichoke. Dave won't have to smell any fish, the scent will be gone by the time he gets home (hope you are having a lot of fun sweetie).

While eating I began to watch this

I just started it and decided to work first and then finish it. I love it so far. Love Keri Russell.

Checked in on Charlie and saw this

and am giddy with love for this little boy who is working so hard and inspiring so many.


Been singing birthday songs all day to this boy

I love him so much, it is hard to believe that he is one! He loves to make us laugh, loves to "wrestle" with his brother and sister, loves to give me loves, loves when he sees his daddy, loves to reach for his Oma and loves being outside. Even though I think his teeth may be bugging him, he was quick to laugh today and quick to cuddle up to me. One year old... it goes by too fast.

look a likes

Rarely, if ever, does anyone ever say, "Whit, (insert child's name) looks just like you!". It is always, "(child) looks just like Dave." This is true 99% of the time. I showed Dave this hard, scientific proof that they resemble me more and he was not too happy.

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage -

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Free family tree chart - Family reunion

Punch and Cookies

I have been asked quite a few times lately by friends if we (Piccalilli Design, but more importantly my mom) would teach them how to needlepunch. So, I am letting you all know that we are going to set up a few "classes" for anyone in the Salt Lake City area who would like to learn how to create with this form of embroidery. If you are interested, send me an email at piccalillitoo@gmail.com, or you can leave me your contact info on the comments. We will set up classes according to the response.

It is really a fun thing to learn. You can frame the finished product, turn it into a softie, a pillow, a gift. It is also a fun thing to do with girlfriends, mothers, daughters, your book group, blog looky-loos....

You can choose from the designs already in our etsy shop (and there are 8 or so more that are nearly ready, including the Christmas tree to the left) or bring a pattern of your own choosing.

So please don't be shy! If you are in the area and would like to learn how but feel a little hesitant about contacting me, JUST DO IT! Contact me and I will send you details. Punch and cookies and a new hobby? Not too shabby.

For the past couple weeks, lets not kid ourselves, the last year or so, I feel like I just can't get on top of things. Whether it is laundry, family, kids, art work, housework, working out, sleep - I just can't seem to be doing any of it right. This is not a pity party, just the truth. I admire those who seem so with it. Are they really? Probably not, at least not when they think of themselves, but I see them, I know who they are and they seem pretty with it to me. Me? Totally aware that I am not with it.

All this is funny because the other portion of feelings that run through me are amazement that I have such wonderful kids, I have such a great home, many things to be thankful for in my life. So many emotions, so little time.

So, now I take a deep breath. I had seen this poster before and thought "Today, I am buying that!" and it is going to go right above my kitchen sink. I am going to read it multiple times a day. It will remind unfurrow my brow and breathe. I recommend one for every household, unless of course you are one of those people, the ones that are totally with it and on top of all things. If you are, I'll try not to kick you when I am down!

editor's note: Ahh, okay, I took a big breath, have had time to chill (a slow trip without kids to the grocery store) and have a little more perspective. But I stand by my rant. I tend to express without filter, but on the bright side, expressing on this blog helped me purge the excess from this emotion, so thank you.

9 Years of Weddedness

For some reason I cannot write anything too heartfelt without feeling a bit exposed (a bit ironic, eh?). Dave thinks we are having our 7th anniversary today, I don't know if that is good or bad. I have grown up a lot in the last 9 years, much growing with the help and example of this good man. I'd like to think I have added to the quality of his life also, but he will have to start his own blog and express all the many things that amaze him about me in order for any of us to know. Dave is loyal, kind, unselfish, an unbelievable good father, a bit arrogant, handsome, intelligent, and loving. Lucky me.