Just one more: February 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Ready for Spring!

With our tax return coming we decided it was time to upgrade from the single jogging stroller that someone gave us (which has trouble staying straight but has still been a blessing), to a double jogging stroller. We found this one used on KSL for $80. It is a $200 Schwinn stroller and has hardly been used, so I think we got a good deal. It also is equipped with a swivel/lock front wheel, removable padded seats, and optional rain gear. I wasn't convinced at first that I would need it, but as we have gone on a few walks as a family already and needed 2 parents for 2 strollers, I realized this really is a need for me during the summer. It will give me a lot more freedom. During the summer Haken and I would walk/jog into town and run all of our little errands. Now I can still do that with two kids and get in shape at the same time. If anyone would like to join us I am game as soon as it warms up!

Monday, February 21, 2011

RSV

There has been a bit of a lull in my blog writing lately because I have been preoccupied in taking care of sickness at our house. Changing the sheets, and then changing the sheets again, to prevent reexposing ourselves to our own germs. Four days after everyone left our house from Jack's blessing, Haken came down with a cold. I swear he had this exact same cold only a month before. It had a terrible runny nose and hacking cough that wouldn't stop. Luckily his only lasted a few days, unluckily he got Jack and I both sick. I handled it well since I just overdosed on airbourne everyday but Jack ended up with RSV. I was a little worried at first, but after seeing the doctor I felt better knowing that he was actually doing quite well through it all. He never really had a hard time breathing, which is what they watch for with babies this small. I could just tell that he was super uncomfortable all the time. It made me sad to listen to his little cough and his wheezing. He also had a double ear infection, so we just finished the antibiotic for that today (Yeah!). He was not too fond of the thick pink stuff that made him cough and throw up (neither was mommy). Anyway...I am here to say that we got through it and from now on I want to have summer babies, if I can help it.

Friday, February 11, 2011

This month's projects

Looking back now, I think I was a little bit ambitious to get all of this stuff done in the last month with a newborn...but I really wanted it done for when all of our family came into town for Jack's blessing.

Over Christmas break Shad built me a toy bench to go in my family room. Click here to see all of the work that went into it. After he finished that, it was my turn to put the finishing touches on it. I covered foam cushions and made pillows to make the bench more comfortable. It was a great addition to the party, allowing lots of extra seating and storage for all of the toys the kids were playing with. I also made a roman shade for the window in the family room. I have ended up doing shades throughout most of the rooms in my house because our blinds are really crappy and don't block out hardly any light. Now we can watch a movie in the middle of the day without a huge reflection on the t.v.

My other big project was Jack's blessing outfit. This HAD to be finished before Jack's blessing, so I did this first. I was going to buy him a blessing outfit, but thought I would save money and make him one myself. Ha ha ha, if anyone knows how expensive fabric has become you will know that I only ended up saving $15 and still had to make it myself. I could have made it cheaper, but decided to line the entire thing making it nicer and warmer. However, I guess the sentimental value is priceless. I would have just used Haken's blessing outfit that my mom made, but it was short sleeved with shorts. Not very conducive to the freezing temperatures lately. In the end though, I'm glad that they each have an outfit that they can keep and use for their own children one day.

I think our next big project will be finishing our bedroom and bathroom downstairs. That is one that I am both excited about and dreading at the same time.

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With Jacket

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Jack's Blessing Day

This last weekend was a busy and special weekend for our family. What started as a few of our family coming into town for the weekend, ended up as a Anderson family reunion. I am so glad it did! It was fun to have family in from Arizona, Idaho, and even Arkansas that we don't get to see very often. I am glad that we have special events like a baby blessing that gives us an excuse to get together.

Shad's brother Ryan flew in from Arkansas on Friday followed by Shad's brother Ricky and his family and his dad and stepmom from Arizona. His brother Marc and his family from Idaho made it here on Saturday night, followed by his brother Brent and his family from Spanish Fork. If you have lost count, that makes 5 boys with only one unaccounted for, Scott, his brother in North Carolina. It is not very often anymore that they all get together, maybe only once or twice a year. Shad's grandma Baumgarten also came up from Orem whom most of us had not seen in 2 years or more. Jack was named after her husband, Shad's grandpa. These, and many other reasons, were why this weekend was so special.

At any given time we had at least 2 of the families staying over night with us. It was a bit crowded, but overall I think it worked out pretty well. After this weekend though, Shad and I decided that our next house needs to be at least a 5-6 bedroom house so that we can accommodate all of our family so that no one needs to get a hotel room. We would love to be elected as the Anderson family headquarters where everyone can get together.

Sunday was Jack's baby blessing in church. There were 2 other baby blessings that day, so the chapel was super crowded, especially since our family took up 1/4 of the chapel. I really appreciated all of the family that drove distances to come up and see us. All of my family is about an hour away, so it did take some time. Shad gave a beautiful father's blessing. I am proud to have a husband who holds and honors his priesthood and can give my children blessings. It truly brings a spirit into our home.

After church everyone headed to our 3 bedroom 2 bath house. We ended up squeezing in about 30-35 people. Overall I didn't think it wasn't too crowded though. Our house is set up in such a way that everyone could sit and relax in different areas of the house and still feel part of the party. There definitely wasn't a shortage of food either thanks to all that helped out (my mom and dad especially, I couldn't have done it without them :) It was fun to have a little superbowl party afterwards, although I didn't watch a second of it, just enjoyed the company and played games with the girls.

When Monday morning rolled around I was sad to see our family leave, but glad to get my house back into order. I love living in a clean house where I have the control. Although, I would gladly sacrifice that control for a weekend to have my family surrounding me. Thanks to all who came. We love you!