A goal met!

Today I have met a goal.

Today marks 40 days without sweetener.

The goal was originally choosing to remove refined sugar, but after the mass exploitation of honey I experienced, I decided to remove any and all sweeteners. Fruit only. It would have been better if I would have limited it to "whole fruit," because I still went overboard on the 100% juice sweetened jam.

I'm proud of myself! How to celebrate? I only know how to celebrate with food! :)

Most poeple think that going without sugar will mean weight loss; I admit, I was hopeful, myself.

I have proven an experiment in the last six months plus of sugar limiting. I used to over-eat sugar. Now I over-eat wholesome, nutritious foods. Many yummy things, but usually BREAD (with a slather of jam.) Anyone looking to GAIN weight? I've got the perfect solution! Cut out sugar and bring on the carbs! It actually makes perfect sense.

The best benefit of being without sugar is my mood. I am a much happier person when I choose not to eat it. Ironic, since I used to think chocolate made me happy. I can cope with daily stress with more dignity, which I always need.

I'm not skinnier, but I can cope with my chubby self with a little more joy.

Heber's Blessing Day

We blessed Heber on the first Sunday in September. It was only our third week in our new ward. Thank you to everyone that came to celebrate this baby with us, and we missed all of you who couldn't make it.

Heber was only 2 months old in these pictures....he might be my chubbiest baby yet!

The evening of his blessing day Heber gave us his first giggle.

We love our bubb.

Trying to be like grandma

Hyrum came to me yesterday with this observation:

"Grandma always uses kind words, even when she tells me 'no' she uses kind words."
Then he emphatically points at me saying, "Not like you."

I explained that Grandma was older than me and had practiced longer (though I'm sure she's always been a patient woman); I told him I was still learning.

"Okay Mom, I'll help you. When you use mean words I'll just say Remember Mom, you're trying to be like Grandma!"

He makes me smile.

Baby Heber

Our baby boy was born on the 4th of July.

Saturday night we went to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks in Provo. I was having mild contractions every 15 minutes or so for 4 or 5 hours that evening (but that wasn't anything new). We made it home around 11:00 and made it into bed around 1:00am.

I woke up around 2:00 with contractions coming about 3 minutes apart and with a little pain. I got out of bed and walked around for a few minutes. I was excited to finally be in real labor. I woke Ammon up saying, "I'm having contractions that hurt." He said "OK" and rolled back over. He was really tired, and I didn't mind letting him sleep for a little longer.

I got dressed and went outside to walk through my contractions. On Friday the 2nd we had the big Hatch family reunion, and we still had a full house of visitors. I didn't want to wake up the family and I found the night air invigorating. It was a beautiful night, bright moon and stars. I even saw a shooting star. It was peaceful and quiet. I called my mom, and my midwife. My midwife encouraged me to labor at home as long as possible, for my comfort. She indicated that if I could still talk through the contractions I probably still had hours ahead of me. I resolved to go to the hospital at 4:00.

At about 3:15 I went back inside and woke up Ammon. He heard me tell my mom to meet us at the hospital at 4:00, so he thought he had time. He hadn't shaved all weekend, so he quickly shaved and got dressed. Meanwhile, I was packing a few things, and the contractions became really intense. I had about 5 big contractions at home while Ammon was getting ready, informing his mom we were going to the hospital, and trying to maneuver the car out of the parking lot that was our driveway. I was getting a little discouraged by the pain, not knowing how much longer these contractions would continue. In the car ride over I had another contraction. After a word of prayer we hurried into the hospital. I had another contraction right outside the elevator, during which my water broke. The security guard in the lobby ran and got us a wheelchair.

The elevator opened and we got on. I told Ammon the 2nd floor (but I was wrong, the 3rd floor is Labor and Delivery.) In between the 1st and 2nd floor the baby was crowning. The doors opened on the 2nd floor. Ammon called for help and the Mother/Baby nurses came running out. 3 nurses jumped on the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor.

Ammon said, "I don't know what I am doing!" The nurse said, "I don't know what I'm doing! I'm not a Labor/Delivery Nurse!" Between the 2nd and 3rd floor the nurse delivered the baby, which involved pulling the umbilical cord from around his neck, and he cried a good cry. The door opened on the third floor with nurses ready to clamp and cut the cord. They transferred us both into a delivery room, and took care of us. My midwife came into the room about 10 minutes later!

The time of birth was declared as 3:40 am. The nurse that delivered the baby was excited to have been a part of Heber's birth. (Apparently she was famous for almost burning down the hospital when her unattended potpie caught fire in the microwave. She hoped this would give her something better to be known for.)

We had planned to name him Heber Taylor Hatch, but as we were filling out the paperwork, we didn't feel right about the middle name. Heber Taylor is my maternal grandpa's grandpa. So we reviewed the names of Ammon's maternal grandpa's grandpas. I found it incredibly ironic that the same generation on Ammon's side was George Washington Kearns--seeing as Heber was born on the 4th of July. So after some deliberation and fun we named him:

Heber Washington Hatch

We realized afterward that we gave both our boys the exact same initials: HWH.

I am so in love with my baby. Hyrum and Audrey are excited to have him.

When family asked Hyrum what he though of his new baby brother he said, "He has the same arms, same legs, same back and head as other humans."

We're taking it one day (and night) at a time, loving our tiny baby boy!

The Kitty House

We bought a house!

The first time we visited this home, Audrey found a wandering black cat and began calling it the "Kitty House." We went back lots of times during the process of buying it and had experiences with worms, a huge beetle and a dead bird. Hyrum lovingly gave the house the full name of "The kitty-beetle-bird-worm house." And now it is ours. We have been pre-occupied with painting, fixing, cleaning, dreaming for several weeks. This is a picture of post-texturing in the kitchen.
And this with painted walls...(finale pictures still to come).It has been an adventure, and we're just beginning! Here are a few pictures of the kids occupying themselves while mom and dad are working.
Ammon says, "At least the kids are learning to play well together." Then he opened the garage door to this:

My favorite: Paint sticks as swords and sandpaper bands as crowns. Hyrum is King Arthur.

We're all a little tuckered out, but it's worth it!

Wet hands...

I've learned not to touch Hyrum with wet hands, or at least warn him and ask if it is okay.

I didn't think anything of using mid-task wet hands to help him tie his cape or give him a hug, or tickle him, or zip his jacket. (Turns out I have wet hands about half the day amidst my routine diaper changing/cleaning/cooking.)

He notices immediately, arches his body away and cringes, "Mom, your hands are wet!"
Sometimes he sees what I am doing and will point and question, "Are your hands wet?"

High Fives are always preceded by a wet-hand check.
"Gimme Five!"
He holds his hand up while asking in an assuming manner, "Is your hand wet?"
"No, it isn't, I just dried it"
"Are you sure?"
"Yep."
"OK, followed by a cautious High Five."

He doesn't mind bathing. It's only after the drying off and dressing that the water phobia kicks in. If he spills water on himself, we need to take some deep breaths, and remember that water will dry. Usually this is followed by an immediate change of clothing.

I have to take a deep breath when after washing his hands he insists on drying them for literally a full minute. He can't reach the towel hanger so I wait for him to finish so I can hang it back up, or let him put it on the counter, or quite often, the floor.

That 's not the only thing.
Recently Hyrum has been covering his nose when he gets close to me. I was afraid he was going to tell me I had stinky breath, but no, "I don't like the smell of your hands." It's the soap.
He can smell it a mile away.
He is polite about it, saying things like, "I need to leave; I don't like the smell of your hands." "Could you please move away from me; I can't eat with that smell by me."

This week Hyrum had an accident in the bathroom, followed by a full bath. I knew it was time to do something about the "soap-smell issue" when he said, "Mom, I like having accidents, because then I don't have to wash my hands." The child would rather wet his pants and bathe then use the bathroom soap! He's also been using his feet for tasks that may get his hands dirty. Goodbye Costco soap re-fill, looks like we're going to have to find something with a more appealing smell.

Where did he learn this? Not from me...I don't have a problem with soap smell.

.....I do have a problem with smelly glass. Sometimes glass stinks, wet glass. I haven't figured it out, but I think it has to do with the rag that wiped the glass table, or maybe the substance that was wiped off (milk, seems to leave a stink behind). Sometimes a good Windex-ing doesn't even clear up the wet-dog-like smell. I check all glass cups for "the smell" before I use them, and sometimes the table stinks so bad I can't sit at it, let alone eat at it. Does anyone else know what I am talking about?

Oh and I don't like being breathed on. I try not to bother Ammon with this one, and try to adjust my sleeping positions according to his, but I'm 8 months pregnant and I just have to lay how I can to get some sleep. He knows that if I need to roll over, so does he. What a kind husband.

Perhaps I could be more accommodating for my son.

Problem Solving with a three year old

In recent months Hyrum has had a difficult time staying in bed. He would come back upstairs several times after being put to bed. The bedtime routine was turning into a strung out temper tantrum for both of us.

A kind friend lent me CD's on teaching self-government in the home by Nicholeen Peck.

(I'll have to write another post about her CD's, and book...because WOW.)

So the bedtime solution:

We had a family meeting and talked about how important it is for as all to get our sleep, and why we need sleep, and why we need to obey.

We created a "family standard" of When any child in the family is put to bed they stay in bed. If they choose not to stay in bed they lose their privilege to color the next day and have to wash walls the next day. (If a child chooses to stay in bed they get all the benefits of getting good rest,of not losing privileges, and they get a high-five in the morning with some added self-respect.)

Hyrum did perfectly for the first week or so. Then we went through a stage where he came out almost every night. All the while he happily accepted his consequence.

A couple weeks into it we tried another method from Nicholeen Peck. We did a problem solving exercise she calls SODAS, an acronym for Situation, Options, Disadvantages, Advantages, Solution. It's fun to break down the problem solving logic of a three year old, and help him see the best options.

We did a SODAS for the situation of being put to bed and not wanting to stay in bed. Throughout the process it became clear that one possible reason for leaving his bedroom was that he was feeling scared. I asked him, "What do you think we could do about that?" He suggested getting a fan for his room to blow away the monsters.

What a tender and simple solution! We can do that!

And the happy ending of the story is....Hyrum is happy to stay in bed, it's his choice, and he rarely comes out. YAHOO!

Puzzle Mania!

Hyrum loves puzzles!

One morning Hyrum had the great idea to cover the entire table with puzzles.

We ate at the kitchen counter for about two weeks. The total was 27 puzzles! Awesome.

Hello again, Hello.

The subject which brings me back to my blog is an announcement.

We are having a baby in June.

Today we had an ultrasound, and HE looks perfect.

His name is Heber Taylor Hatch;
after my 2nd great grandfather on my mother's side and after
Heber C. Kimball, who was an amazing missionary.

I'm so grateful he looks healthy, and I'm loving the anticipation of his arrival!

The world doesn't revolve around me?

I am trying to learn how to fast happily. I've been fasting for many years, but it hasn't become much easier.

I love food!

When I start feeling deprived, sometimes I remind myself that many people all over the world are hungry, and I should be grateful that I actually have food for my family. I have never experienced real hunger. I have always been able to offer food for my children.

In the same line of thought, when I kneel to pray at the end of the day, I remember that somewhere someone had a tragic day. Just one day, and life changes. I remember that I really am grateful for the health and safety today of my family. I pray for all those that have lost loved ones today, and realize my day wasn't so bad.

I had this conversation with Ammon yesterday, I asked him how many people he though died in one day all over the world. He found this website. Awesome for getting a broader perspective.

I was inspired with the rest of the world by a one-tragic-day-surviver, Nie Nie ,on Oprah. Talk about a broad perspective.

Our Patriot Day Surprise

We've been saying the Pledge of Allegiance for about a month in our morning devotionals. I was surprised that it melts my heart to watch my kids salute the flag and repeat the Pledge.

On September 11th we were having an evening devotional. I brought our little flag outside, and to mine and Ammon's surprise, Audrey rattled off the Pledge perfectly. We looked at each other, "Did you hear that!?" We had her repeat and repeat. This was probably our 20th attempt to get it on film. She wants to play with the camera every time she sees it.

This clip is the best we could get~ but for the record~ she can do it perfectly!

It's pretty much the cutest thing I have ever seen. Kids are smarter than we realize!

I now christen you, "The Book Sharks"

My family has been saying we need to start a Cousins Book Club for a while---so we finally DID! My kids love these books:I thought they would make a fun book club. AND Then I found http://www.janbrett.com/ and couldn't help myself. We sent out formal invitations.

After the guests arrived, Hyrum welcomed them and conducted the first order of business: deciding on a name. They chose THE BOOK SHARKS. We played "There's a candy in my hand." We read Gingerbread Baby, talked about it, and acted it out. Then we read Gingerbread Friends, talked about it and then we put the pictures I had taped around the room in the right sequence. Gift boxes under the tree for their goodies (Gingerbread cookies, bookmark, placemat, & cute recipe card).Masks for Gingerbread Baby re-enactment, and a board game. Hyrum spent all week coloring Gingerbread Friends:

It was SO much fun. For me. I think the kids had a good time too.

I can't wait, The Book Sharks will strike again in October, in Logan. Em is doing a Halloween theme. I'm already excited about the possibilites!

The Week END.

THIS POST:

~Two beginnings

~Derelict Anamatronics

~Becoming De-Wonkafied

~Connotations of "LADY"

Two Beginnings (that culminate in one day)

We started studying the "CH" sound at the beginning of the week. If you sit and ponder "CH" you will naturally end up at....Chuck E. Cheese. All week we have been trying to earn enough stickers on our Cheerful Chart to go to Chuck E. Cheese's.

(You earn stickers by being cheerful)

Last sunday, the beginning of this week, Ammon said to me: "I will give you 100 dollars for that outfit." Now in my defense. I'm doing the best I can with what I have. This outfit is old; actually both pieces are hand-me-downs. My excuse is that it is comfy, especially when I get a little thicker. It seemed a little dressier too, or at least compared to my wardrobe. OK I have no excuse. Please nominate me for What Not to Wear. I gladly gave him the outfit. He wanted to burn it.

above: me wearing the said outfit on Hyrum's blessing day. April 2006.
below: me wearing the said outfit on Audrey's blessing day. February 2008.

Derelict Anamatronics

Today dad declared that we had enough stickers on our chart to go to Chuck E Cheese's.

Now, sidetrack for a sec, one of my favorite things about Disneyland is that so much of it stays the same. I tried to pull the sword out of the stone when I was 5, and now my kids can too!

Let's just say Chuck E. Cheese had the same thing going for it....but it wasn't quite so magical. The pictures speak for themselves.

This little guy was my favorite. He used to pop up; I remember from my little brothers 5yr birthday party. (what? 17 years ago?)

I was very amused. The anamatronic band rocked out to, "If your going out in the sun, and gonna have some fun, don't forget your, S P F na na na S P F." Then there was the people-watching, many good specimens. Unsupervised children. (But I can't talk seeing as every time I turned around Audrey was drinking from a random soda.) I helped Audrey up the Mcdonalds/LasersEdge like play gym. It was a challenge. I tried to go back to my childhood and enjoy it, until I saw the dried puke/poop/who knows...then we got out immediately.The kids games were boring, and didn't give any tickets, so Ammon took matters into his own hands. Meet The Star Shooter. You just pop a little ball into specific slots and you get that many tickets. There is a 50 ticket slot. He mastered it. We ended up with over 1000 tickets for bartering. We had fun, even if the kids didn't.
Becoming De-Wonkafied

Eariler this week: Hyrum is sitting at the kitchen bar eating his lunch, giggling. "Mom," he says through giggles, "you look like Mr. Wonka." We're talking Johnny Depp.

I knew I needed a haircut, but that clinched it. I hadn't found time all week. After Chuck's (may I call you chuck?) Ammon let me stop at Fantastic Sam's and get a haircut. I'm happy with it; it will be good to not be self-conscious about my mullet anymore. As I was paying, Hyrum informed me that I didn't look like Mr. Wonka anymore. Phew.

Connotations of "LADY"

To conclude the evening (and this post), Ammon offered to make good on his $100 offer at the mall. While he wrangled the kids (Pretzelmaker (what happened to Pretzeltime?),Escalators, Water Fountains, Furniture Deparment, Disney Store) I shopped at Macey's. I tried on really nice black high-heels ($89). In the end, I purchased from CJ Banks. (Four blouses that will go lovely with my skirt selection.) All the other women in the store were at least 20 years older than me.

I'll admit it. I've transitioned. I shop in the mom section.

I am ready to own the title, Lady. I often thought of Lady in terms of "That Old Lady," and the like. No,no. Lady, as in My Fair Lady. At least that is my spin on it.

AND THAT IS THE END OF OUR WEEK.

Warning: This is a post about boogies.

I have one clear memory of my mom washing the walls in my room; she was cleaning boogies off the wall that someone had wiped there. She was screaming and gagging and getting really angry at whoever had done the deed. I did share a room with my sister, so we can't be sure who the offender was. Now I only cleaned my room once a year (before Christmas) and my mom only deep cleaned....well...this may be my only memory of that. So let's just say that those boogies may have been there for a long, long time.

I think my mom would be proud that I can learn from her mistakes:

A certain someone has begun to wipe boogies on the wall.

In our house, as was true in my house of origin, eating boogies is an absolute don't-ever-do-it-grossest thing. I can understand the dilemma. You are lying in bed picking your nose, you get a boogie that is too wet to flick, you don't want to get up and get a tissue...so what you gonna do? Wipe it on the wall, obviously.

It seems the root of the problem is the initial picking of the nose in bed. I know some people are taught to only pick their nose in the bathroom. Is this the direction we are going in? Maybe...

Meanwhile, Hyrum will just spend every couple days washing the wall in his bedroom. It looks so fun that Audrey chooses to help. No gagging involved!

Back to life, back to reality

I just got back from girl's camp. The camp director and I have been preparing like mad women for the last 3 months. We thought of most everything. It was a success.

And now it's over. I don't know what to do with all this free time I'll have now. :)
Or maybe I should say: I just don't know how I ever found all the time to prepare for camp.

I'll enjoy the weekend; I'll get back to laundry, cooking, and cleaning on Monday.