16 Months

Max had his 16 month birthday yesterday, so I thought I would do another little update on him:

• He just got his first two molars. Yikes! He's such a trooper about teething, but it still throws off his sleeping and eating.
• Speaking of eating, he's decided he has better things to do. He's starting to get picky, and he's eating quite a bit less than he used to. As a result, he's thinning out and looking like a true-blue toddler. I'll post pics when I can borrow a camera and take some!
• His favorite activities right now are coloring, "mopping" the floor, and scooting around in his car. He also has a new fascination with brushing his teeth. 
• He is the most social one year old I've ever met. He LOVES being around people, especially kids. He's also becoming very aware of waving hi and bye when people come and go. He'll give kisses now when he's happy to see you, but they can be kinda gross...
• He has quit walking. Now he just runs everywhere. All the time.

Mostly, he's just growing into his own little personality. Max is a sweet, mellow kinda guy. Nothing much bothers him, and he takes almost everything in stride. We are so lucky to have such a great kid, and it is so much fun to see how he continues to express himself more and more. And, as I said before, new pictures will be coming soon!

My Birthday

I promise, pictures of the miracle couch are still forth-coming, but I had to take some time to thank everyone who made my birthday great. Because Darreck was working that evening, Gram and Mom threw a great girls' night out party at their house for me. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful friends! We sat around and talked and ate some great food. It was especially nice to see a bunch of women from my old ward, whom I don't get to see as much anymore.

The plan was to have a fun, family-centered birthday weekend, since Darreck has a four day weekend this week, but it snowed Friday! I was so sad, but Darreck muscled on and still took me shopping and then out to sushi and ice cream (not at the same restaurant!). Darreck asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I answered clothes, as usual. He got a brilliant idea to take me shopping instead because, let's face it, that is my favorite activity! He's such an amazing, intuitive guy. It was a wonderful day.

The only hiccup this weekend was Stake Conference. Not that a wonderfully uplifting weekend is a problem! However, I was asked to play a violin duet for the adult session. Yuck! It went well, but I still get super stressed over playing. It was good for me though; each time it gets infinitesimally easier. I figure, by the time I'm 90, I'll be really comfortable playing for others!

Beginning of a New Year

Fall always seems like the start of the year to me. I thought this would be over with the end of my schooling, but then Darreck went to work for a school and not much has changed. This has led me to makes some fall resolutions and get back into my weekly routine.

I went back to symphony tonight, so everything is now in full swing. In addition to the symphony, I'm also teaching violin and piano (including to my sister!) and babysitting a few hours a week for a two little girls. Referring three children under three is the workout of a lifetime! Yikes! But, it is SO much fun...

My major resolution of the year is to get our family better prepared. We are currently working on our three month food storage and a cash reserve. For those who don't know about our church's food storage program, they advise storing three months of food you eat regularly and one year of shelf-stable basics. I found a great website- foodstoragemadeeasy.net- and we're working on building our three month supply of "normal" food. I've gotten really into it, and I am having a lot of fun working the sales. I am an AMAZING shopper, if I do say so myself, and Darreck likes me putting my skills towards something useful, as opposed to, say, clothes. Hehe.

Happy Pseudo-New Year!

Family Reunion

I've been trying to delay posting this to get pictures from my dad, but I'm not sure it's going to happen. My camera has died and, while I can take some stills on my camcorder, they don't turn out very well. For all my devoted readers (all two of you) my birthday is this week and, in case you missed it, my camera died!!!!!

So, my dad, mom, sister, Max, and I left last Friday for Idaho Falls to attend a mini-family reunion. We spent Saturday shopping (yeah!) until we met up with my Grandma Hess that afternoon. After finding her, we went to my favorite store, Down East Basics, where I spent too much money on myself for my birthday. Two dresses, two shirts, and two camisoles later, we met my cousin Daniel and his son Cage for dinner at Olive Garden. It was fun to meet Cage for the first time! He's an absolutely adorable and adventurous six year old. That kid has way more moxie than I will ever possess!

Sunday we met Uncle Bryce, Aunt Tina, Dawntae and Shawn and their kids, and Daniel and Cage at Heise Hot Springs, just outside Idaho Falls. It would have been really fun, if the wind wasn't howling and it was over 65-degrees and I had remembered my swimsuit and Max wasn't sick :) Even with all that, it was fun to see the family and catch up with everyone.

Monday we ended with Grandma Hess, my dad, Kayla, Max, and I taking a trip to the zoo. Kayla, who wants to be a vet, was a veritable fountain of information on everything. I was quite impressed with her. Max also loved all the "kitty" (which is what he calls any animal) and had a good time. We left that afternoon after one last Arctic Circle run.

Even though I had a ton of fun, it was nice to get back to Darreck. He had to work the weekend, and I missed having my other half of the tag team. Overall, the weekend reminded me of how very blessed I've been. Much of my family has had rough times, and I feel just like Dave Ramsey- I'm better than I deserve, much, much better. I'm so grateful for my family, and I hope that we can get together more often.