Christmas

Before I start this post I want to recognize the reason for the season: Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear JESUS... happy birthday to YOU! Thank you for sacrificing so much for us all.

Christmas was really nice this year. After all the heart ache we've had in 2009, it seems to be coming to a close on a better note.

We spent Christmas with my family (Scott's family is too far away! Idaho and Minnesota) Saturday before Christmas we had the annual party at my Grandpa's house- prime rib dinner, singing carols, and gifts. Sunday we went to my Aunt Barbara's house to have a Christmas party with our Sally (Salvation Army) friends. We have volunteered at Sally, as we call it for I think 7 or 8 years now. We have a slot on Tuesday nights where we go and play guitar and sing. We used to go before our service and serve a hot meal to the people, but, we aren't allowed to do that anymore. Anyhow, it is usually a great time and it blesses us to bless others. Maybe I'll post a video of that in the future... Christmas Eve we went to dinner at Maggianos on the strip- we have gone out for dinner Christmas Eve for probably the past 3 or 4 years now- It was sooo good. I have to give them a plug- wow!!! There were 7 of us (plus Ashlyn) we ordered family style- OMG, amazing!! They just kept bringing food until everyone at the table was probably 10 lbs heavier than upon arrival and we all needed wheelbarrows to get back to the car. I HIGHLY recommend doing this with a big party- it was on the pricey side, but, sooo worth it. Anyhow- we came home and spent the rest of the evening playing our favorite game... yes Rockband. haha. My brother Steven is in town from NYC for the holidays, so him, Scott, Justin and Regina and I all played- it was super fun. The next morning- Santa had come and gone leaving way too many gifts for everyone ;) we woke up and as soon as Ashlyn was ready we dove into the gifts. Some of the top gifts were a 10 inch digital photo frame, Beatles Rockband, Xbox 360, lots of art supplies for Ash, the swingset, ice cream makers, we got a lot and had lots of fun. Unfortunately Scott had to go into work at 11:30 am, so he took off for work- and my parents, Steven, Ash and I played Beatles Rockband pretty much all day- I rotated in and out (when Ashlyn needed me) but, it is so fun, because you can have 2 people singing at once- there is actually a harmonizing option- super fun! When Scott came home, we were all still in the living room in our PJ's playing that dang game! haha what's better than that on Christmas, staying in our jammies playing with our "toys" all day?!? We got a new game from my brother called Things, it is so hilarious. If you are familiar with the game Balderdash, it is similar, but you don't have to make up definitions. You just literally write an answer (it can be 1 word) and try to decipher who answered what. Its really quick and fun. The more people, I think it is better and more difficult. We all felt like we had done an Ab workout from laughing so hard- we all played this game until 1am!!! Then finally hit the sack. It was really a nice holiday and I'm soooooooooo glad to be back in Vegas and close to my family. I only wish Scott's family was here also- so we could spend time with them as well.

Here are a few pics from Christmas Eve and our dinner at Maggiano's! YUMMY!

pictures

Here are some recent pics that are on my camera... don't feel like writing, but pics are always fun...
Christmas party at Papa Chuck's house 12/19/2009
Uncle Steven

Giving Uncle Justin hugsShe was sooo smitten with my cousin Jesse! haha it was adorable!Christmas party at Barb's house 12/20/2009Not sure of a date- but, look how long Ashlyn's hair is getting :) Mom, Regina and I while doing our holiday baking- 16 different kinds of cookies!!!

this was on our way home from our last trip to Cedar, when we signed our closing docs on the house... a very bittersweet time :"/

COMING SOON: A NEW ME

So, for my birthday present this year my Mom bought me a start up membership to weight watchers.
I have struggled with my weight for quite some time now... After getting married (and being so happy and in love) my parents had a housefire- It made us realize how precious life is and we decided to try and start our family.
I gained 50 lbs in about 4 months- thought FOR SURE I must be pregnant and all the at home tests were wrong. I saw my Dr and was diagnosed with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) which really screwed up my system. There is not really any treatment for it, just means that to get pregnant, I needed some help via fertility meds. Which we tried for awhile then stopped- then when we tried again they worked and we have our little almost 2 year old blessing. Anyhow- that plus- having back surgery early this year- leaving me not able to exercise much (I am basically allowed to walk- and that is it) I have again gained a LOT of excess weight and basically hate myself. So- with my choices being- stay a fat cow and want to die because my husband and child will be embarassed of me... or try harder to do something about it- I chose the 2nd.
I'm in my 3rd week week of weight watchers now- and I am 8.8 lbs down! I know its really not much at all- considering that I have sooo far to go to make my ideal weight goal- but, every pound closer is just that- a pound closer! So, I'm gonna take the celebrations when I can- its an uphill battle- that especially this time of year- is so steep, but I'm determined. I always said I wanted to be a "cute Mom"... so far I have failed miserably at this- so I'm making a change.
I feel that with posting this- it will make me that much more accountable because I'm telling the world and I can't take it back- once something is out there on the internet- you can't get it back- so here it is world. I'm gonna get skinny- if it kills me!!! I want to walk into a room and have my husband's eyes light up. I want my daughter to look up to me and know that she can do anything she puts her mind to- because her Mommy can do the same.
So- stay tuned for my progress- my weigh in day is Wednesday- so time permitting I will post an update with my progress each week. If I can figure it out I might even try to put up a little counter somewhere on my blog.
Thanks for listening

Welcome to the world Baby Benjamin

My cousin Joleen is now a Mommy... which means my Aunt Barb- my Mom's twin sister0 is FINALLY a grandma!!! YAY!

Benjamin Hai Dror was born Thurs Oct 22, at 10:05am. He weighed 6lb 4oz and was 19 inches long.
My cousin was induced Wednesday night, but the cervadil actually triggered natural labor, so she was most definately roughing it "a la Natur-al" for several hours through the night and morning, until about 8:45 when she finally got an epidural. I got to the hospital at 9:45 and holy crap did she make it look easy! She literally only pushed 1 and 1/2 pushes and he pretty much fell out! I have never seen anything like it. Totally amazing.

Since I had the luxury (NOT!!!!) of having a C-sec delivery, it was the first time that I was in the delivery room to see an actual delivery. WOW! One of God's true miracles!

AMEN!

8 days after he was born we all celebrated his brit... or circumcision, with a Jewish ceremony. Yehoram's parents came to the US from Israel to share and be part of this whole tradition. It was really neat to experience a different culture first hand. Luckily for little Benjamin, Joleen's Dr who just happened to be Jewish was able to perform the procedure with the rabbi present- but, since he IS a dr. He was able to use a numbing medication. I can not imagine how sad that would have been to hear a scream during that! luckily- he was numb, and none the wiser to the whole thing going on around him.

Early Chrismas present

So my mother spoiling Ashlyn is obviously not a surprise to me... but, can I just say WTH? this kid is ridiculously spoiled by her Grandma- her big Christmas present is here early... A swingset!

Scott gets the overly fun job of building it, but, I'm just sure she is gonna love it and we are going to be spending even more time outside now! Maybe that will at least mean less messes to clean in the house :/ or then again maybe not ;)

So, about 3 million parts and 9 hours later.... TA DA!

Happy Halloween

Trick or Treat... so Ash was an ANGEL this year. Not sure we were gonna be able to top the cute bunny from 2008... but, we DID! :)
She trick or treated at only 4 houses- my bro, cousin, and grandparent's, and that was enough to TOTALLY wear her out! I'm not sure if she or my Mother and I had more fun!

Oh yeah, and here are our pumpkins from this year. This was the first time we actually carved pumpkins in quite some time... I remember why now- IT'S TOO MUCH WORK! ;)

20 Months

Ok, so it just dawned on me that I have not posted a baby update for quite some time now.She is now 20 months- that is a tough pill to swallow- my baby will turn 2 in 4 more months???? Where does the time go? She is a TALKER! She says SOOOOO many words! she can say everyone's name in our whole family. She knows the dogs names, all her foods, sesame street characters (esp Elmo and Abby-cadaby) she can name all her animals and she has started learning her ABC'S and counting. She copies everything- she was copying me laugh the other day, I was crying- so hilarious. Every time I moved my hand she put hers in the same place, it is too much to see a 1 year old cover her mouth and slap her leg.She loves to sing- and I mean full on eyes closed- moving her hands around singing. She loves microphones too. She is still a little dancing machine. She now moves around and puts her fingers together (I think she is trying to snap them). She is 33 inches tall and she weighs 25 lbs and is finally into a size 4 diaper. Although we are working on using the big girl "to-to" she only makes pee or poo in there when she decides to : not when I want her to. but, I feel accomplished that she even tries. She is the biggest helper- she loves to be a big girl and help with "yondry"- she loves running things from room to room or throwing things away. She just wants to be in the middle of the action. Ashlyn is truly the delight of my heart- I can not imagine a second of my life without her. I know why I am alive- to take care of her and raise her to know the Lord and to be a soldier for his kingdom. I'm so proud of her.

...

I just can't keep up with blogging... I never feel like I have anything worth writing about- but, I enjoy being able to get a glimpse into the current life of my old friends... So, I'm gonna try to keep this going.

Scott and I just had our 6th anniversary earlier this month. but we are actually going to celebrate tomorrow. My Mom is taking Ashlyn for 2 whole nights. This will be the first time that I have been alone over night with Scott since Ashlyn was born!!! (I have only been away from her 2 nights when I was in the hospital). I'm very excited to spend some adult alone time with my hubby... but, I'm sure I'm gonna be going crazy for my baby girl. She will be having so much fun with Grandma that she probably won't even notice we're gone. I'll post an update with pics of our "getaway" when we get home.

My Mom and I have started walking early in the mornings- we are really getting into it. My cousin and her were walking- but she is 8 1/2 months pregnant, and the baby dropped right onto her sciata nerve and she is basically on bed rest now, so, she won't be walking until the little guy makes his arrival. Sometimes my sis-in-law walks with us too. When we are not in a hurry we walk to get a special treat at Starbucks... hello Pumpkin scones and frappuccinos... gosh, I love fall! haha :) yummy!!!

I'm enjoying so much being back in Vegas. I think Utah was really making me go downhill. I started to wonder if you could suffer from post partum depression after y0ur child was over a year old- now I'm pretty sure it was just being in the place we were- away from family and going through a really difficult time. So, luckily things have been getting much better in that situation.

I also want to say to Emily- I'm so glad I ran into you at Target- we definately have to get together sometime soon! I'm embarassed at how hideous me and Ashlyn looked. I hate leaving the house without having her hair done and looking all cute- for that very reason. I KNOW I will run into someone. BUT, go figure Scott got her ready then she fell asleep in her car seat so she looked a little scraggly- and I didn't even have make up on. EWWWW! oh well. It was good to see you anyway. Rebecca is a little cutie!

SUMMER 2009

ok, so we have now been back in Vegas for a little while. We are all getting into a routine around here. Scott has been working with Wed/Thurs off. I would really love to say that we've been doing so much fun stuff- but, we haven't I'm still trying to get my life in order. Now that we have condensed an entire home (and 6 years worth of crap we've accumulated over that time) into 1 bedroom at my parent's house. It has been rather interesting. The little things you don't think about like- doing laundry, watching TV, making dinner- everything has changed. We are managing pretty well though- the only real bit of "chaos" has been literally in the past week. My little brother from NY has come home to visit- I will start by saying he is the baby of the family- and he suits that description well. Everything revolves around Steven in his world... anyhow- I will spare you the "I told you so drama" and try to just cut to the chase. well- Most of you probably would remember my Jeep from H.S.... let me just say that in his wake of dust this week- there is no more big blue jeep.. here are the leftovers from him ROLLING IT! (after my Mom and I told him over and over- NO- DOn't try to drive the Jeep to the fricken Valley of Fire... its 105 degrees outside. That would be so stupid... bla bla bla... (insert him yelling at my Mom and me about being too "motherly"... bla bla bla...

OK so, here is where the I told you so comes into effect.

30 year old vehicle + 105 degree heat+ 75 MPH on the interstate=

Now, for the few things that we have found great delight in this summer:

taking Ashlyn to the splashpark:

visiting with our cousins from Australia:

Mom's bday weekend getaway:

and our newest FAVORITE PAST TIME....