All I Really Wanted for Christmas...

I already got!

Berkley is FINALLY sleeping! Yeah! After he got his ear tubes we made the decision to let him cry it out. It has been a rough couple of weeks for him, but an answer to prayers for me. The first week or two he was waking up just as often as always and crying for up to 2 hours before falling asleep out of boredom. The next week was better, he was waking up two or three times a night but crying less and for a shorter time. Now, it has been over a month and he is going to bed at 8pm and generally waking only once, if at all, crying only for a few minutes before sleeping again until 7am or so when he takes a bottle. On my happy good days, he goes right back to sleep with the bottle and gets up for the day about 9.

I am not gonna say it was easy on any of us. Rusty woke up each time Berk cried, and so did Braden a lot of the time. I got some good use out of my IPod and a little Enya to make it through the really rough nights. There is just something in me that makes me die a little when my baby is screaming and I know all he wants is me! AGH!

He is napping longer in the day too. Although he now hates his crib for naps, so my bedroom floor is doing the job these days. Also, he is trying so hard to cut his top 12 month molars, so I attribute any daytime crankiness to that.

I can hardly believe Christmas is in less than a week. I have so much wrapping to do! Oh, and Rusty, just cause I said I got what I really wanted doesn't mean I would be less than thrilled for any of the other things on my list... hint hint hint...

The other important date this week is the end of our family's weight loss competition on Christmas Eve. Everyone has done really well, avoiding the abundance of sugar and yummy fattening food all around. But, Rusty, Russ and Jill are fighting till the end to see who is gonna end up with the Wii and the glory of being the winner. Rusty has lost nearly 40 pounds, so when you see him, PLEASE FEED HIM! Really I am jealous that I have only lost 10 in the 2 months or so we have been doing it. I swear he has such will power, I am going to continue to work at my goal until our trip this summer- that's a little more realistic of a timeline for me.

Enjoy the rest of the madness! And until my next post--

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And Breathe...

Last week could not have been over fast enough. I love the holidays, but what I hate is all the extra commotion that comes with it. Everyday last week I had at least three things on my calendar that were must do's or must go to's. I felt like my plate was so full, I was gonna have leftovers for a month!

Everything from dental cleanings for three of us, to taking the snack to preschool, to assembling and tagging 30 crystal beaded bookmarks for the YW's Christmas gifts. But, the one I am most grateful is over with...singing in church. Oh, don't forget the fun things on the calendar like the work holiday party- (an hour and a half away), or the progressive dinner -(I skipped and was so mad about) and of course, the true highlight of the week, Bunco at my house. Weekends are for relaxing, right??? Not mine, Saturday my brother & his wife went through the Temple (congrats), plus breakfast with Santa (our in-laws had to take the kids) and putting new light fixtures on the front of the house (thank you very much Smith family for giving us this brilliant idea...), sewing new drapes and a trip to Old Navy. Sadly, there really were about twenty other things I had to do this week too, but, now that the madness is over I feel like I can breathe again. Ok, after I finish this mountain of laundry I can breathe again, hmmmm I love the smell of clean, hot clothes... This week has to be better, right???!

My favorite part about hosting Bunco is getting to buy all the cute gifts, table treats, and finding something yumm-o to make for the dinner!

Braden Beck, DDS???

Braden has had quite a week. My boys LoVe lOvE LOVE the outdoors. Even when it is freezing, raining, foggy or a combo of the three. Berk pounds on the doors and windows grunting 'ugh ugh ugh' until you let him out. While Braden will tell you it has been 'a week and a half' or 'an hour and a half' since he has gotten to ride his bike! Gasp! Oh no! We have had quite a bit of rain and the boys being indoor bound has nearly killed them (and me). Thankfully, we have had some better weather as the week progressed and he has gotten to ride his bike a ton. He is very proud that his big bikewithouttrainingwheels (as he says) has a new kick stand. He is in LOVE with that dang kick stand. Oh, the simple pleasures in life, it kinda makes me wonder why we have been going all over town looking for the perfect Christmas gift. (Ok, really I haven't set foot in a mall, thank heaven for amazon.com) But the biggest accomplishment this week was that Braden went to go see Dr Tyler for his teeth cleaning and he had NO SUGAR BUGS! This is the first time since we began our uber-fun dental journey with him he has gone 6 months without any cavities! As we were finishing the exam, he whispered in my ear, "I want to be a dentist like Dr. Tyler-tell him" so I did. And Dr. Tyler told Braden he could come work with him, so since I have horrible teeth, this is all sounding like a good plan. Oh, and Braden also told the Dr that his Daddy didn't have any sugar bugs either, but his Mommy had 5. Gee, thanks for that kid- even if it is the truth, it still kinda hurts...(Dang genetics!) So the whole family is set for 6 more months when we will again head to the dentist for our cleanings, even Berk gets to go next time. So BAMJ San Fran, we will expect a letter of recommendation to UoP in about 14 years or so, okay?
Oh, and in case you didn't believe me about the weird fog, here is proof!

What's for Dinner?

I hate that I am so busy this time of year that I have neglected my blog... So I thought I would make amends by sharing a great fundraising find. I serve in the Young Women's Presidency in our ward and our president has had this idea to do an old fashioned ward cookbook ever since we were called. We decided with the amount of work it would take, it would serve as both our annual fundraiser (that pays for girls camp and other fun things) and a ten hour value project for several of the young women. So, for all you out there in YW callings looking for ways to do a fun fundraiser, that takes a lot of work, but is totally rewarding check out this printing company. You enter the recipes online, pick your cover, font ect... totally personalized. You really could do this for a family reunion cookbook or just a way to get all the recipes you use all into one place. The site also has cookbooks for sale and a whole list of recipes you can try too!

We got the boxes (and boxes and boxes) of cookbooks in last month and we were impressed by the turnout the ward contributed to in submitting recipes. Our cookbook has over 400 recipes from main dishes to desserts. I have had so much fun having new things to make for dinner. I especially love that since it is alphabetized all the 'crock pot' things are one after another, and for me, those are perfect these crazy pre-holiday madness days! I haven't made the same thing twice yet, because there are so many I want to try, but I have marked the ones I L-O-V-E-D and want to add to my dinner menu. I think I will post some recipes on my blog from time to time. I know I have already told several of you about this book, and a few more of you are getting one for Christmas...so act surprised...

The moral of this blogging story is we overlooked a small print detail that let the company send (and charge) us for a certain % more books than we had preordered---so we have a few dozen left. They are $15 each and if you want to get one either leave a comment or email me and I will get you the details. I think everyone will love them, honestly who isn't always on the lookout for some good food, made by a non fancy super star chef? Cause I know I am... These are real recipes that anyone who isn't a whiz in the kitchen can make!

Number of time the word recipe shows up in this post 7.
(8 including the following sentence)
Number of times I spelled it wrong 7-
Gotta love spell check!

Finally, some winter weather!

OK, so it is just rain, but after weeks and weeks of wishing it would cool off, I was so happy that it was pouring rain when I got up this morning! I opened the windows and doors and my A/C actually didn't turn on all day! we are even supposed to get more rain tomorrow! Rain is the best of both worlds for my boys who love being outside and taking a bath-so when you put the two together, it is irresistible. Berk was driving me crazy until I finally let them go on the front porch to get wet. Good thing they both already have a horrible cough so I don't feel too bad that they are gonna get sick. And even with the rainy day it was still in the 70's so it felt really nice! We think it might snow at our cabin, so we may jet up there for a day, who knows! I love just taking it easy on gray days like today. Oh and a big step for me and the boys, we got our passport applications turned in! Yeah! One more thing to check off my never ending list of things to do before our trip this summer. I am trying to find cute luggage for the boys, any suggestions? Hope it is finally starting to feel like Winter for everyone else now!

Turkey Overload!

Let me start by saying, starting a new diet before the holidays, not such a great idea!
Thanksgiving was fun. This year we actually had the Rasmussen family dinner at my house for the first time! It was fun, my mom did all the prep for the turkey and sides ect and all I had to do was the rolls... so of course, I pulled out the Rhodes bake and serve rolls. 6 dozen of 'em, really, was I gonna kneed the dough? No. And I have to tell ya, for the first time ever, the Rhodes Rolls let me down. I don't know what happened but they NEVER rose, egh! Looks like I am gonna be in charge of the ice for next year. I enjoy cooking, but it is something I have really just started to do and I quickly realized that I am no Martha Stewart. First, I didn't have any cornstarch to make the gravy, then I didn't have a potato masher (hello, potato pearls anyone???) and finally, as if the cornstarch fiasco wasn't enough, I don't own a gravy boat. So, note to self, I have a few items to pick up at Target before the next Rasmussen Thanksgiving since they voted, and it is at my house again. Gee, thanks guys.

(The cousins, looking everywhere but at me!)

As soon as we ate a little pie and washed a TON of dishes, we put the boys in the car and headed up to Pine to our cabin. It was so nice to actually get chilly as we got out of the car. I was soon regretting my new found love for the cold about 3am, when the temperature in our room plummeted below zero, I swear (ok, more like the 40's). Memo to us for next month, there is a floor heater in that room... Friday we ate another Turkey dinner this time with the Beck/Solomon gang. We had to make a trip down to Payson to get some medicine for my poor Berk who has a bug, and got to see the crazies all come out at Walmart! Good thing I didn't need much, that place was CrAzY! Braden got to spend the afternoon 'helping' clear the pine needles and shooting bow & arrows. Berk got to spend it sleeping on his Pops, and playing with Kelcie and Ryan. He has perfected the art of the sweet talk, and no one could resist giving him, well, anything he wanted! Friday night, we were a little warmer, thanks to the above mentioned heater and a few more blankets, despite the howling wind which dropped the outside temps below freezing! Braden cracked us up when in the middle of the night he rolled off his bed and in a super sleepy voice said, "That can't be good!"

Saturday we headed back to the valley to get the tree up and the lights out. And I got to go to a fun girls lunch with the girls I played with in high school. Kendee & Beth we missed you!

Most of the girls from out of state were home for the holiday and we couldn't pass up the chance to get together! Alison, Steph, Jami, Brooke, Shanon (and sweet Lily), Amy, Brooke and Jeannie and I all headed out to BJ's for lunch. We had a great time, good food and a lot of laughs. Our poor waiter heard more than his share of girl talk...we probably scarred him for life ladies! Some of them I see from time to time, but a couple I don't get to see very often and we are gonna change that! Bloggin' doesn't count as quality time-IMO. You girls are still as fun as you were back when we had the energy to do crazy dances at Cooley Park, and I remembered why I loved hanging out with you all- my cheeks hurt from laughing! And the Pizookie was as good as I told ya, huh. Hope all you out of state'rs travel home safe!

Can't wait for Vegas!

Festival of Trees Gala...

Tonight we had such a fun night. Rusty's parents invited us to join them at the inaugural Festival of Trees benefiting Banner Gateway Medical Center. It is a new tradition starting in the east valley, that I am sure will go on for many seasons. It was so fun. The theme was "An Arizona Christmas", so a lot of the trees were decorated in desert or southwest themes. There were all different sizes, from 5 foot to 15 feet. There were to many spectacular trees on auction to name, but my favorites included the "Shades of a Desert December" and "Cabin Fever." There was even a Webkinz tree --which I know sold--(Kelli imagine how long you would ply Cash Cow to support like 30 webkinz! ACK!) and if you don't know what those are, I am sure I will explain the madness in another post. There were ASU, UofA, and an Arizona sports teams trees, for the fanatic in all of us. The event opens to the public starting Saturday through Monday. Any of the trees that didn't sell at the silent auction tonight are available to purchase then. Plus there is Santa for photos and live entertainment. It is one of those things that I think is just going to get bigger and bigger each year. I think it would be so fun to donate a tree for next year. The 2008 theme is "An Old Fashioned Christmas"... I hope we attend again to see those trees!

The best part for me personally was the centerpieces,

I ended up with two and I cannot wait to get my Christmas decor out now!

Russ and Cindi made their decorating a little easier this year, by bidding on three, yep three, separate trees. One will go to the office (It was themed "Chocolate Fancy") and two will end up at their house after the festival is over. One is a beautiful tree filled with white winter roses and beaded fruit, stunning and the other is a cute little gingerbread themed one. Adorable! I didn't get a ton of photos, but here are some. So, I hope this will be a new tradition our family begins, it definitely kicked our holiday season off right! Thanks Noni & Pops for inviting us and thanks to Nana & Grandpa for watching the boys so we could go!!! Oh, and I saw the cutest ideas for ornaments I want to make, one is for a craft with Braden, it basically looks like a star but it is made out of golf balls and tee's!

Whew, did I mention that that means I have one less tree to decorate this year! Hurray! As part of the festivities of getting ready for the holiday season, I generally decorate my parents, my in-law's and at least one of my siblings trees, as well as my own. So I am grateful to have one less to fit in! Let the season begin!!

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What a Wednesday!

This photo has nothing to do with the post, it is just kinda funny, he has cymbals in both hands and his mouth, oh what they do for attention!)

I just wanted to let everyone know Berkley's surgery to get tubes went really well this morning. He was such a brave big boy, even when all the other kids waiting were upset, he just smiled and flirted with the nurses. The procedure took about 20 minutes and we came home and he took a three hour nap and has acted like nothing happened at all. We really hope this can help him with his overall health.

Braden was so cute, even though we had to get up early to go to the surgery center, he wanted to come too and make sure his buddy was ok. He waited in the waiting room for almost 2 hours before he told Rusty he was hungry and wanted to go to school. But first thing when he got home, he climbed up by Berk and peeked in his ears. He had about a million questions about where they were, if they hurt him, could he see them, could I see them, what the doctor used to put them in, and ON AND ON AND ON! He is so sweet to want to know everything and make sure he was alright.

So we are glad today is over, and we are looking forward to, hopefully, a happier Berkley!

Also, today Rusty's cousin Cliff came home from his mission and we can't wait for him to get settled into home life! Braden really wants him to come visit, hint hint... I should have a more exciting post this weekend, we are headed to a Gala Dinner for Banner Gateway Medical center called the Festival of Trees, and I hope to get some great ideas for my tree this year!

"What's an Icky G?"

On Friday we had Braden's annual cardiologist exam. We feel really grateful that we only need to see the doctor once a year, but at the same time, enough time passes between appointments that Braden gets anxious and doesn't remember what happens there. Last year I remembered to take a photograph of him getting an EKG and that seemed to help, so I brought the camera again and hoped to capture everything about the trip and help ease his mind next time. And of course, I thought I would share it with you all since hopefully, not many of you have seen the in's and out's of a pediatric cardiologist office! Although, thinking about it I can name 4 heart kids just off my blog list! Crazy!

First getting weighted and measured, which he thought was a little scary...

Taking his blood pressure

The nurse tells him it will 'hug' his arm

Then from the BP check to the ECHO exam room. Waiting for the Echo Tech to get set up. Once we had convinced him the three 'stickers' would not hurt and that sitting up was not an option, he convinced Daddy to lay by him so everything would be good.
Echo is all done. The room is darkened while the test is preformed, so it can be a little scary, usually they let the kids watch a movie, but their TV wasn't working, so Braden laid there, still and quiet for almost an hour! Great Job!

"Mom, what's an Icky G?" Of everything he has been through- the EKG test is the scariest thing for him. He hates the stickers (either 12 or 14) they have to put all over his chest, arms and legs because they are super goopy sticky and hurt a tiny bit when they are removed. He also hates the leads (the wires) they attach to the stickers because they pull a little. He is such a trooper and as long as big tough Dad is in the room he can handle it. This test is also a hard one to get done when they are upset because you have to sit so still to get good reading. The best part for Braden is when the computer starts spitting out the sheets of paper with the cardiac rhythm (think the thing they pull off and read ON ER and Grey's) He thinks it is pretty cool you can 'see' how his heart beats.

After the EKG is done we just have an exam by the doctor, who by this time has read the ECHO, and EKG. He usually listens to his heart for a few minutes, and checks his pulses in his arms and feet. And then we hear the words we wait for, "He looks incredible! See you in a year!" Honestly, we love our cardiologist because he has NO poker face, if something is wrong you know it before he speaks. So after Braden's surgeries, the doc always thought that we would have to have some sort of follow up procedure by now, and it is so nice to see how pleased with Braden's progress the doctor is. Braden is pretty smart about what happened with his heart even though he was small. He looks through his scrapbooks from then and knows which one of the zillion doctors he saw before he was 1 is and what they did for him. He knows the hospitals he was at, and we have really tried not to dummy it up by using fake words, so when he hears us taking he knows what's going on. So I laughed out loud when after the echo the nurse brought the EKG machine in and he asked us again, "What's an Icky G?" Silly kid! Finally, this is a tiny clip of what the screen shows during the ECHO. They are actually cool to watch, just don't ask me what anything is. The key board the techs use is unreal, with so many buttons, keys, UGH! I don't know how they do it with out looking! Thea red and bright blue you'll see is the color they put in for the blood flow. Hope you enjoyed our trip to the Pediatric Cardiologist! We are so blessed that Braden is so healthy!

Oh, and it is now mid way through Saturday and I think the last EKG sticker is FINALLY off!

Sleep Update and other things...

So since I asked for the blogging worlds help a few months ago with Berk's sleeping problem, I thought I owed it a follow up. So, in the last month I have read a ton of sleep books, and sought advice from my pediatrician, and still, we are not sleepin' round here! I probably average about 3 hours a night, and I am lucky if that is consecutive... He has had his fourth ear infection, and a perforated ear drum, in addition to cutting at least 2 new teeth. The teeth thing I am handling with the Hylands Teething tablets. The ear thing, well, I took a bit of a stronger approach to that. After seeing the pediatrician at his 1 yr well baby, she recommended that we see an ENT. The ENT thought that based on the number of infections Berk has had, especially in the summer months, that we should consider getting tubes put it. So, after hearing the risks, we decided it made sense to try and prevent as many of them in the future as we could (especially with cold season starting). So, next week he will have that surgery. I am excited, I really hope it is gonna help with his overall health and mood and I am praying it helps his sleep. If not, after he has a little healing time I have finally decided that I will have to try to let him just cry it out and hope that it won't take long for him to put himself to sleep. That being said, I am not holding my breath that he will actually fall asleep with less than a few hours of good cry time and a little vomit (and I hope it doesn't wake up Braden). I am sure it will be one of those things that is harder on me that it is on him.

One of the books I found was called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child and I really liked the way this book reviewed all the methods and theories around infants and sleep. But for me, I loved that it was very statistical. It broke things into categories that I could follow and I often thought in my head, "Yep, that's Berkers"- he is basically classified in this book as one of the small percentage of poor sleepers, but I guess I didn't need a book to tell me that! I wish I had read it before I had either of my kids, but it does have good advice for correcting problems even into adolescence. So if you too are having sleep issues, give this one a try.

Well, I hope to have brighter news to report soon, fingers crossed... Oh, and if you do see me at preschool drop-off/ pickup or at Target or something and I look a mess, please don't judge, 'cause that means I actually made an effort, no matter how small or sloppy, to get dressed and make it out of the house, which is a huge accomplishment for me these days!!!

In other news, my class at Super Saturday went really good. We had such fun things, I should not have tried to make so many things AND teach a class, but I learned my lesson for next year. The class I taught was on altered clipboards, a few I made a long time ago are here. They are fun and easy. I will try to take photos of the other things we did soon. Friday is Braden's annual check up at his cardiologist, and we always get a little anxious for that to be over, so I am sure I will make a post about it. I also have a boutique this Saturday with a friend, at a school here in Gilbert, that I am trying to get ready for. And I think I have finally convinced my sister to start a blog, so once it is up and cute I will add her link. Oh, and only 3 glorious days until Bunco, I am SOOO ready for a G.N.O. even if it is at my house!