we miss him

Now I remember why "less travel" was a big pro on the Doctor side of Doctor vs. Management Consultant list. I don't like when Forrest is gone. Even if he's not home to help, I still like knowing he's in the same city and having him come home to sleep in our bed.
He's been in Houston since Thursday for AMA stuff. He'll be home tomorrow night. In the meantime we've been watching way too many Movies/too much TV, reading way past our bedtime, a bit of crafting, a bit of sulking, not cleaning, eating cereal for every meal, and sending him pictures via the iPhone (That clever phone is even improving family relations).

title: we missed you at bath time

(when Audrie sees an accumulation of bubbles in the bath water, she plants her face right in the middle.)

title: good morning!

(my snuggle buddy for the last few nights)

title: i finished my cereal all gone

title: ca

spoken like a real New Yorker.

title: guess who pooped in the tub?

title: cute little snugglershe has the white-brow-furrow down

title: we're havin movie night
guess what we're watching? go ahead, just guess?
yep, toy story...again!

***
How do you single mommas, military wives, and loads-of-travelin-businessmen wives do it?
I'm going a little bit crazy.

friday favorite: half the sky

This book pretty much gave me all the information I'd been trying to research on my own. It's powerful, disturbing, and full of hope. It just might be my new favorite book.

If you educate a man, you educate an individual;
if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.
-African Proverb

"When we save a girl, we save generations."
-President Hinckley

From the book:
-"Education is the key issue for overcoming poverty, for overcoming war. If people are educated, then women will not be abused or tortured."
-"It is impossible to realize our goals while discriminating against half the human race. As study after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women."

Full of heartbreaking, horrible stories that will make you grateful for everything you have.
And full of triumphant stories about amazing women that are changing the world. So inspiring!

It doesn't take much to make a big difference:
Read Half the Sky!
Go here or here and open an account.
Sponsor a woman!
Sign up here for email updates or subscribe.
Join CARE Action Network.
And watch (and listen to) this! (again, since this is my second time posting it - I love it. Tears every time I watch it):



How obvious is it that this is one of my passions? I just want to make a difference, that's all.

have i mentioned i really like visitors?

A couple of hours with Charee (my good friend from high school)

and

a few hours with Ariel, Smitty, and Beau (our next door neighbors when we lived in Texas)

made for a great Tuesday.

Audrie is still looking in the pack-n-play for Bebe Beau Beau.

the roller coaster continues.

Last Thursday was a bad day. Very bad.
I was having major dislike for this city.
It’s loud.
It stinks.
It’s dirty.
It's getting cold.
People get shot.
People get mugged.
The subway is gross.
People can be really mean.
It’s so expensive to live here!
Grocery shopping is too complicated.
I want my washer, dryer, and dishwasher back.
I so DISLIKE trying to find parking when there is none to be found.
I’m sick of carrying my double stroller up and down the subway stairs.
I just want to protect my kids from all of the things that are being thrown at them (recognizing that this isn't unique to our situation).
And I HATE that the public schools here are bad, so I have to do a boatload of work to figure out what Eli is going to do for kindergarten and I have to start NOW when he’s only 3 (don’t get me started. I might explode)!

THIS IS TOO HARD!

Going to Boston/Cambridge was a good break. I think it’s obvious we had a great time. I didn't want to come home.

I started to get really anxious on the drive home. And then the birthday messages started rolling in, which made me so happy; but also got me all homesicky. My stomach was in a homesick/NYC-dislike (hate) knot. I had a good therapy session with Forrest in the car: he reminded me of why we were here and that it’s the right thing and how much I've loved the good times; and he validated that it is really hard to live here, especially with two kids. I cried. I tried to remember all the good things, but when we pulled up to our apartment building (after searching for parking for 30 minutes!), I was feeling all mopy ON MY BIRTHDAY. Ugh.

We started heading up the elevator to our apartment and I really started to get sick. I didn’t want to spend another week here! WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? WHY CAN’T ONE THING BE EASY? WHY AM I LIVING HERE?

THIS IS TOO HARD!

Then I saw this at our door:


It was just what I needed to remember why I love it here.
The floodgates opened:
I love the friends I’ve made here. I love that I’m never bored. I love that I’ve had more gospel discussions here in 3 months than I’ve had in the last 3 years. I love our apartment. I love our view. I love that I can get a workout, go grocery shopping, and have an outing for the kids with one trip. I love the diversity of the city. I love subway performers. I love artistic graffiti. I love how much Eli loves the train. I love how much Audrie loves the boats. I love our ward. I love how many investigators are coming to our church every Sunday. I love the architecture. I love that I’m lucky enough to live in the greatest city in the world (my humble opinion). I love feeling like I fit in. I love getting encourage emails and comments for all of you about this adventure. I love that Eli and Audrie will have NYC memories of growing up here, and that they get exposed to so many cool (and sometimes crazy) things. I love all of our visitors. I love that Forrest is so happy. I love that we followed our dream and we’re living it up. I love that when I do something hard I gain confidence in myself and faith in the Lord. This is the right thing and we’re in the right place.

I CAN DO HARD THINGS!!! I CAN DO HARD THINGS!!!

I really can, especially if I have a plentiful supply of baked goods from great friends.
And you thought you were just giving me a birthday surprise. Angie, you ROCK! Thank you so much!

birthday weekend at the K+T B&B

Birthday weekend was spent at the Kaci+Tom Bed&Breakfast. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone I know.

K+T's house was warm and welcoming.

Halloween Miracle: 72 degrees!

The food was fresh and delectable:

Kaci's brown butter and hazelnut cake with chocolate ganache was amazing:

That Mr. White is very good looking!

And she even took a million pictures of our youngsters:

"Hi. I have a dirty face, but I'm still really cute."

Thank you for everything!
See you in 3 1/2 weeks!

i got a cream puff for my birthday

I've been craving a cream puff for 3 months. I had to go to Boston to get it. It was delicious! Totally worthy of a 10 picture post. The chocolate cannoli and peach ganache were pretty good too.
Thanks for the pictures, Kaci!

trot trot to boston to get some candy

Beacon Hill:

I'll take that one.

Boston Common:

State House:

Park Street Church + King's Chapel:

We all love Paul:

This year's first birthday kiss:

Because Eli really liked this donkey:

North End Trick-or-Treating:

tip toe through the headstones

"It is a fine thing to die in Boston."
-AC Lyons

H-A-double L-O-double U-double E-N

Super Audrie & Super Eli

Trick-or-treating in Cambridge, Mass.
We had a lot of fun!

From Aunt Kaci's camera:

friday favorite: it's definitely the high kick

Hands down the best subway performer.



And I can't believe I saw him the day after Angie's post, with Jessica and Ryan, and he was playing Depeche Mode - one of Jessica's favorite bands. Movie magic is what I'm calling it.

Forrest, I'm sorry you missed it. Maybe we should make a special trip downtown just to see him.

one day with the romneys was not enough

They came, they went, it was too short.

The highlights:

• The Met
• Shake Shack
• Ryan pushing the stroller.
• When it stopped raining.
  
• Hearing how much they loved Wicked.
• L'asso - the only American pizzeria certified by the Italian government. So good!
• Creperie NYC (Thanks, Kathryn. We enjoyed it very much.)
• Seeing their reaction when I told them how much we pay in rent.
• Seeing the greatest subway performer EVER! (Video coming soon.)
• Chatting while we walked to Doughnut Plant (which was closed - so sad).
• Book talk, cooking talk, family talk, child raising talk, talk, talk, talk.
• And more talking while we ate my cupcakes.

So so fun! Come back soon! Bring the kids next time and we'll take them to get doughnuts.

could someone get me an umbrella hat?

The Romneys are in town (you'll get a full report of their visit, don't worry).
It's raining. A lot.
The kids are protected:

My feet are fine (I'm in love with my rain boots):

But I'm wondering if you know any hip celebrities that can start a trend featuring these:

So I don't look like this every time it rains:

I can't hold an umbrella while I'm pushing the stroller.

meet the cupcake competitor

Chocolate with PB frosting. Delicious!
Recipe. That Jamie knows how to bake.

Should I...

blog about the pedestrian I really for reals almost hit today
or
take a nap?

blog about how most NYC pedestrians are a bit crazy
or
take a nap?

blog about how traffic signals and lines on the road are suggestions, not so much law
or
take a nap?

blog about how parking in our neck of the neighborhood really isn't that bad
or
take a nap?

blog about how much I love having a car in the city...most of the time
or
nap?

blog about the nice lady at Fairway who ruined the streak of nasty comments from 45-60 year-old, higher income, white women (almost every nasty comment I've gotten about my children has come from this demographic) (Thank you, nice lady. I think you're fabulous too)
or
take a nap?


blog about today's trip to Riverside park
or
nap?


post this really cute picture of Eli
or
take a nap?

blog about the great Sunday we had (it was the English/Spanish Primary Program AND I got to talk to Jamie about natural childbirth for 2 hours!)
or
nap?

blog about the baby hunger I feel when I talk about birth and babies
or
nap?

blog about looking at E&A's baby pictures and pregnant pictures when I feel baby hungry
or
nap?

blog about the cure for baby hunger is thinking about baby weight, sleepless nights, 3 SMALL KIDS IN NYC (AHHHHH!!!), and remembering I still have a baby
or
nap?

Look at that. Win win.
Now, where are my yoga pants?

last night (my title creativity is low right now)

Cannibal Jack.

Missionaries, sleeping babies, lasagna, carmel fondue, pumpkin carving, roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin cookies, abundant chatting and laughing. It was a good night.

a few friday favorites

- I finished (well, almost. I still need to get a frame from Ikea for the temple picture) the temple wall redo. I think those two crafts (family picture and FHE chart) might be my favorite crafts I've done so far.

- I was feeling pretty homesick yesterday after talking to my sister, so I made my brother's famous pancakes for dinner. They're my favorite breakfast for dinner food. I ate so much I had blueberries and whole wheat coming out of my ears. I would share the recipe, but I think it might be a secret. (Thanks, Spencer!)

"wook! the weaves are changing."
oh, I wish I could get a justiying picture of how beautiful the view is.

- Yesterday the high was 75! 75! It was the perfect day. While we were at the park, the wind blew just right and leaves started falling all around us. It was a moment that pushed fall to first place in the competition for favorite season.

- My very favorite person did the grocery shopping this week! I love him! LOVE HIM! I think Bob would be very proud.

I swear I didn't steal the blankets. He kicks them off.

- This is becoming my favorite part of the day. Taking a nap with Eli every day has changed things for us: I'm a happier and nicer momma, he's happier, I get to snuggle and have one-on-one time with him. I highly HIGHLY recommend it. I think I might start a Mommy Should Take Naps Too campaign. Maybe I could get Dove to sponsor me.

- I borrowed this from a friend and now I'm staying up way too late watching 4 episodes of one of my favorite shows. But I'm taking a nap every day, so it makes it okay to stay up late, right?

a food tour for the glutton in us

Yesterday was the much anticipated food tour. Hillary (the super fun cookie chef from our ward) gave me a list of places to feast from. I packed up the kids, recruited some friends ("please come with me so I don't feel like a loser eating my way through Manhattan" :)), and we headed down to the Lower East Side/Chinatown/NoLita.

First stop: Doughnut Plant

I got the Creme Brulee doughnut. Yes, a Creme Brulee filled doughnut. I know. Got the Triple Chocolate for Forrest. Both were AMAZING! We'll be back for sure, especially because they don't have any trans fats. You can eat as much as you want! Mwahahaha.

Stop #2: Sugar Sweet Sunshine

Not a picture from Sugar Sweet Sunshine, just another of Doughnut Plant.

It's a cupcake place. It was pretty good, but this cupcake has ruined every other cupcake for me. Nothing will top my favorite cupcake.

Stop #3: Il Laboratorio del Gelato

Delicious! Just ask Leslie. We got a scoop of pumpkin and a scoop of dark chocolate.

Stop #4: Sam's Saigon Bahn Mi

It was...interesting. The first few bites were pretty good, interesting flavor; but I couldn't eat a lot. I think the best part was probably the suckers the owner gave E&A. They saved my sanity. We'll talk about taking kids on a food tour below.

Stop #5: Oro Bakery...and Bar. More bar than bakery.

The French pastries were very, very good. We didn't taste the drinks. E&A enjoyed using their stoop as a playground. I really wish I had a video of them screaming and giggling while stomping around. The people hanging out in front of Oro just loved us. I think they may have wanted to adopt Audrie after she showed them her high-pitched squealing skills.

Last stop: the corner pet store.

Ashley and Audrie watching the fishies.

Oh, I like those two babies! A LOT!

E&A were so excitedly silly: running up and down the aisles laughing like crazies (I'm sure the owner just loved us. A small tangent worth reading: Can you tell I'm a bit aware of how people react to my kids? Either they love us and talk to us and smile at us, or they scowl and look like they might hurt us if we don't evacuate. I might do a digest post about this later...). I tell ya, skip the aquarium and head to the pet store (Amy, you were so right).

The food tour was awesome - I'm still full, and I'm excited to do another one. Although I can't recommend taking a 3-year-old with food allergies. Duh. He got pretty crazy (full out tantrum while I was trying to eat my gelato) and I couldn't even bribe him with food. Poor guy can't partake of the deliciousness. He was pretty cute on the subway (as always. "This is a dinosaur train! We're going frough the time tunnel.") until he licked the train window. AHHH! SO GROSS! I'm still debating if I should squirt some hand sanitizer down his throat. YUCK YUCK YUCK!

Hmm? How did a delicious food tour post end with "YUCK YUCK YUCK!" Kids are awesome. No sarcasm about it.

i can't think of a title that ties all six things together.

1. Pandora is fantastic on it's own, but add it to my hand held wireless device and I might pass out from excitement. May I recommend the Bruises (Chairlift) station - so good. (Forrest and I are having a contest to see who can find the best app. I think he's going to win with this one.)

2. Gloomy Friday was pajama and arts & crafts day:

Eli and I made this to go with our FHE chart.

He also painted these. I really like them.

We gave Audrie the water and construction paper.

3. Like I need another online time suck: Poladroid.

Halloween 2008. She was so tiny. I miss those tights.

4. Audrie's had a little language explosion the last couple of weeks: bea (please), mi (mine), noOOo, bapa (backpack), pur (purse). She's also climbing and destroying. One-and-half-year-olds are so cute and so exhausting.
5. Eli has been putting in requests to Santa since July. My favorite was today on our way to Fairway:
"Wet's ask Santa to be birdies for Chismis, and then we can fwy. We wiww ask for wings and a nest and a egg for Audrie to go in. And Mommy, you can sit on Audrie and she wiww come out her egg and she wiww be a baby birdie. And we won't have to drive to the store in cars, we wiww jus fwy to store."

6. While we're on the topic of ridiculous cuteness:
(warning: if you get motion sickness easily, you may not want to watch these; but you should definitely listen. I love when Eli's laugh turns into a grandpa wheezy chuckle. Oh, and the abrupt ending to the second one is Eli hitting my knee with his head.)

sleepy hollow

We went to Sleepy Hollow with these folks:

Jonathan, Ashley, Ashley and Scott.

add Lindsay and...

the Headless Horseman (aka Robert).

The thing that ties us together: Mormonism and P&S.

I really like these med students' wives.

Sleepy Hollow isn't the most kid friendly place (big thanks to Forrest for navigating the stroller. I guess we're used to kid unfriendliness by now), but it was fun. And I can't think of a better way to get really excited about Halloween.

Eli's new FB profile picture. Isn't he so stinkin' cute!?!

Audrie's new profile picture. Anything that will fit in Audrie's nose will go in Audrie's nose.

I swear we didn't plan this. We just showed up wearing the same thing.

Old Dutch Burying Ground:

William Rockefeller's tomb,
and some other people's tombs:

We tried knocking, but no one answered.

Revolutionary War monument. We thought of you, Bob.

The famous bridge that the Headless Horseman chased Ichabod Crane across:

Old Dutch Church:

Forrest pointing to...

Philipsburg Manor (click, it's pretty interesting).

Goodbye, Sleepy Hollow. Thanks for a perfect October day trip.
Now I'm craving some Gilmore Girls.

peace offering

Hopefully our neighbors liked us a little more when they saw these cookies in front of their door. Hopefully they'll overlook the crying, squealing, super-high-pitch-screaming (Audrie, not me), goofy singing, vacuuming at midnight, and grumpy-mom-moments. We're definitely the loudest apartment on our floor, and possibly our building of 32 floors. And the walls are not thick: I heard two guys having a conversation while they waited for the elevator, "Mormons are more regimented and structured than other..." I wonder what came next? Maybe I could knock on their door and ask...and maybe answer a few questions about my structured, regimented religion...with my two friends in suits with name tags. Hmm...

P.S. Yesterday the high was 42 with rain, and we had to walk in the rain to get to the Farmer's Market, and I didn't have my rain boots, and I got really wet. Today's not looking any better. I'm not ready for this. Heaven, help me! (I can do hard things. I can do hard things. I can do hard things. Winters in the city can be good. Winters in the city can be good. Winters in the city can be good.)

mod podge rocks!

I'm on Mod Podge Rocks! Go check it out.
Amy also featured Erika on Monday. It's Anderson week!

Oh, I love that blog.

modern mormon fhe chart

Family Home Evening at our house -
O. Prayer: Forrest helping Eli say the prayer (he says every third word).
O. Song: Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam…again, with lots of jumping.
Scripture: an Article of Faith (or some weeks we forget the scripture. Another reason we need this little chart).
Lesson: A Gospel Art Kit picture with a 2 minute “discussion” about Noah and his ark (I highly recommend getting the GAK - at least 30 easy FHE lessons in one box).
C. Song: I Am a Child of God…again, and The Wheels on the Bus.
C. Prayer: Mom says it while Dad tries to keep the babes quiet, which doesn’t work. What closing prayer is complete without a lot of giggling?
Activity: Filling the bathroom sink with bubbles and clapping them in the air.
Treats: Fruit snacks.

***
So, that temple wall in our room that I wasn't super excited about...
This is how I made the FHE chart while I watched TV last.

Ingredients:
Cardboard
Mod Podge
A copy of The Economist
More Lace cardstock pleasingly cut
A frame and mat (I painted the mat black)
Scraps of scrapbook paper

Directions:
1. Cut up The Economist and Mod Podged it to the cardboard.
2. Mod Podged the Lace Cardstock onto The Economist like so:

3. Cut out the names of my family and taped (instead of Mod Podging because I'm pretty sure our family is going to grow in the far, far away future) them on.
4. Framed it.

(I actually really like it just like that. It's our family tree.)

5. Tape (I'm going to figure out a better way stick them on the glass, but for now tape) the assignments next to their names.
Now I want to add this picture of the Manhattan temple (because, let's be honest, it's more in our price range than another taxi cab print I'm coveting) and a family picture. I'll show you when I finish. I really like how this turned out, and I didn't spend a dime! And now I feel like a real Mormon family with an FHE planning chart.

P.S. Forrest likes it too. Bonus!

the master suite

The final installment of our NYC apartment.

The office nook:

This was a boring cork board; then I painted it, hot glued white ribbon, and matted it with scrap paper (did this back in Texas). I put a mini shelf below for more picture frame space.

More framing of scrapbook paper, the only plant I can't kill, and one of my favorite pictures from Whitni.

I took a boring plastic mini storage solution. Cut scrapbook paper to fit behind the drawers. Mod Podge (yes, Mod Podge!) the paper in there. And now all my pens, pencils and tape are hiding behind circles.

The reading corner and storage bookcase:

(this is the after shot taken 10/23)

I love a good temple picture and Eli loves to spot "Ango Rariyi." One day I might have a copy of Mr. Smith's super romantic taxi cabs above the snuggle chair, but I'll have to sell one of my kidneys to afford it.

Get dressed:

Vanity (I like this a lot):

Our bathroom's tiny; so I need to make a space that would help bring a little more peace to our Sunday mornings.
This is how it was created:
The mirrors are from Ikea. I hot glued black ribbon to the back of 3 Malma mirrors and hung the top one (that wall is tricky to get nails into). I painted the Ram mirror black. I duct/duck taped the flowers together (I know, so fancy), and then attached them to the wall with a little plastic hook.
I did the scrapbook-Mod-Podging of another mini storage solution. Theoretically it's supposed to hold my beatifying stuff, but now it holds things Audrie can't destroy. And then I topped it all with a candle, just like a birthday cake. I really like that I have my own little place to get ready, and that I can easily get really close to the mirror to pluck my eyebrows in the afternoon sunlight.

The greatest headboard ever:

The crown jewel of the room. I LOVE this window.
Maybe one day I'll put plants in the pots behind our pillows (and maybe one day a window washer will come wash that window).

Now I'm off to go sleep in that bed. Goodnight!

sallie and logan take the empire state

Oh wow! We had fun!

The highlights:

Going to SoHo. Eating at Hampton Chutney (68 Prince. SO SO yummy!) and...

popping bubbles at Broadway and Spring. Going to the Children's Museum of the Arts:

Regis and Kelly: Oh wait, I didn't get in, but Sallie did. Waiting in line was fun. I'm pretty sure we were the only women laughing that early in the morning.

The American Museum of Natural History...again. I told you we love that place.

John Lennon's birthday party in Central Park:

Yoga in Central Park:

do you see why I like them so much? they'll do crazy things in the park with me.

Central Park playing the role of our backyard:

A trip to Fairway for gluten-free food. Sallie was also impressed with the cheese selection. This is only a third of it:

St. John the Divine:

An impromptu dinner party
(Forrest just laughs when I say, "let's just have a quiet week this week.")

(Angie's post about our evening will rock your socks! Go check it out. She wins Blogger of the Year Award.)

I'm not sure if I can describe the pumpkin part of their trip. Just know I was on the floor laughing. Actually I was on the floor laughing quite a few times.

Things not pictured:

Lots of great conversations that made me cry because of happiness or laughter.

Our clogged toilet.

Me having a I-hate-NY cry fest. This city is so dysfunctional sometimes. Why can't people just be nice and do their jobs? I'm not paying a boatload in rent for you to yell at me and not fix a kinda serious problem. I swear we're not clogging drains to spite you. Don't worry I'm feeling much better, especially after doing this post. Living in the city is a roller-coaster indeed. One minute I'm plotting ways to get us to settle here forever; other times I try to convince myself it wouldn't be that horrible to live apart from Forrest for 3 1/2 years (it would be so so SO horrible! That's just crazy! There's no way! Sorry, back to the purpose of this post...)

Sallie and Logan, come back any time! We love you!!!

+ 3 videos

rodney smith

Ever since Angie introduced me to Rodney, I can't stop thinking about his work. It's just so whimsical and simple.

I would love a print of this one in our bedroom.
(And it was taken right by Fairway; quite possibly the greatest grocery store in Manhattan - I've never seen so much cheese!)

Check out more of his work here.

decorate with pumpkins...and candy

it was windy

Audrie didn't mind the wind.

Eli did.

Seconds before she was plowed over by her loving big brother.

After playing in the garden, we went to The American Museum of Natural History again. We pay a donation, so why not go every week? We really like that place.

We went with Malesa, Phillip, and Aubrey (side note about Malesa: she was a life saver when we were moving in. She emailed me a couple days before we arrived and asking if she could watch our kids while we moved in; and she did, for the whole day). We like them a lot!

It was a fun day and now we’re preparing for Sallie's arrival! T minus 5 hours.

picture of the day

I like that daddy!
(p.s. remember this? he passed! bfb! no more doubting. faith faith faith.)

9 short updates

(Mrs. Harding's banana bread)

1. Sunday Pre-Conference Brunch

We had 22 people in our 850 square feet: 16 adults and 6 kids.
We had ten delicious brunch dishes (note to self, get the recipes).
It was a lot of fun!

i want to say that eli usually wears pants at home, but that woudn't be true. we can all thank potty-training for the multiple underoo shots.

2. Conference
Don’t let them fool you; they didn’t happily play like that for very long.
I think I heard 3 full talks (how do you do conference with little kids? those little packets don't work for us yet): Elder Bednar, Pres. Eyring, Elder Holland – all AMAZING and I really needed them.
I’m so grateful I can download conference and listen to the talks over and over without distraction.

running out of milk is a crisis - i don't treat it lightly.

3. NYC Grocery Shopping Update
Our plan: 1 trip to New Jersey (Wal-Mart, sometimes Costco, and IKEA as wanted) every 3 weeks and the Farmer’s Market every Thursday, with as needed trips to Rite Aid.
With our current plan, we spend less than 2 1/2 hours in a Wal-Mart and Costco every 3 weeks: now tell me that isn’t fantastic.
I made Angie go shopping with me last Saturday (Forrest was at a AMA conference) and it was the best trip ever - Angie makes (horrible but so cheap walmart!) shopping fun.

4. iPhone
Oh my, I love it! I can’t believe how amazing this thing is! (iPhoners, have you discovered Bump? Don't be surprised if I try and Bump you when I need your contact info. Wait, what happened to these being short updates? Making long stories short isn't a talent of mine. I like to ramble in parentheses.)
If I had a nickel for every time Forrest or I said, “is there an app for that?” for something ridiculous (laundry, studying, teeth brushing), I would have at least 3 dollars.
I think it’s organizing and improving my life, although I stay up way too late playing constructively using it instead of reading.

sock monkey outfit

5. Audrie
Newest words (she can say about 25 words, I think – I haven’t been very good at documenting this time around – sorry, 2nd baby): "bo" (when she see a boat on the river, said with tiny mouth – sooo cute), "ish" (fish, as in Swedish Fish – shining parent), and bubbo (bubble).
She and Eli are playing (cars and blocks are their favorites to play together) and fighting a lot more: the playing is very cute, the fighting is drive me CRAZY.
If Audrie were a dessert, I think she would be a cream puff – she so stinkin’ delicious!

rockin' out while listening to himself sing his ABCs

6. Eli
He’s very logical: “Mommy, I can’t reach the moon or sun when I swing – they are too far away.”
He is still saying, "we need to go to gwamma's house...but not yet" every day. I think the "but not yet" is his way of coping. We miss her!
His favorite app is Voice Memos: he’ll sing a song and then replay it – very, very cute!
How do I get him to play with his sister and not hit, kick, or push her?

7. Operation Decoration

I kinda participated in this - it got me to finish decorating our room.
Pictures of the whole thing coming soon (including a couple of crafty things).
Now I just need to print some family pictures and our apartment is completely decorated (until I find stuff I want to redo) - yay!

8. Health
My back hasn't been giving me any problems since we got to NYC, even with all the lifting of DW - BIG FAT BLESSING - three cheers for physical therapy exercises!
Um, why do I think I can eat everything in sight just because I walk everywhere?
This is me recommitting to healthful eating.

9. A little more E&A:
After Eli washes his hands, he invites us in for a bubble party. It's one of my favorite things we do every day.

it's only a test

Forrest has his first exam on Monday. I always get a little nervous when he has a test/deadline. I start to feel guilty for all the time he’s spent with me and the kids. I feel guilty for needing him, and asking for help. I feel guilty for that Saturday when he spent 5 hours in New Jersey replenishing our supply. Then I start to doubt my ability to support him through this journey. The kids and I are just too needy. We can’t do this! (See the escalation? Satan, Satan, Satan).

I expressed (whined) my concerns to Forrest the other day. He quoted Pres. McKay: “No success can compensate for failure in the home.” It didn’t hit me then, but it’s hitting me now.

I’m having flashbacks to our Stake Conference with Elder Bednar. He talked extensively about when he was receiving his Doctorate, serving as the Young Men’s president and seminary teacher; while being a husband and father. The other students didn’t have wives and children or demanding callings; surely they had more time to study without distraction. But the Lord was with him.

I’m also remembering when I was so worried about the MCAT. Forrest took it two weeks after Audrie was born, and he was working a lot for Uncle B. His Saturday study time usually turned into taking care of Eli while his pregnant (emotional!) wife took a nap. When I would wake up, Forrest would be studying that big book with Eli on his lap. And it all worked out: we were blessed, incredibly INCREDIBLY blessed.

I have faith the Lord is going to compensate for Forrest’s time spent with us and not in the library with his books, and that all his efforts will be magnified. I have faith that He will bless us like He has in the past. And I have faith that He’ll continue to bless us (as we keep trying, of course).

Life is full of tests. I'm learning that FAITH is the answer to all the questions.

friday favorite: iPhone twins

I feel really, really spoiled. Dr. Frugal Pants delivered. I love you!
I can't lose this one.

nyc kitchen, meet my favorite cupcake.

We were going to watch SYTYCD and Glee.
Instead we baked and talked.

iBaking

These are the most delicious cupcakes in the world. Really.
Recipe.

the sophie fan club

Pat, Becky, and Sophie came for a visit. E&A had so much fun playing with Sophie. I'm pretty sure they are in love with her; I don't blame them, she's very cute. And I had a great time catching up with Becky.

Becky and I took the kids out today for a little exploration.

Shake Shack was first:
We encourage heathful eating: Shack burger, french fries, orange Fanta, an Upper West Slide.

Isn't she adorable?

American Museum of Natural History was next:

And then Central Park for tag and playing in leaves:

This is how they usually look after an adventure:

Sophie, come back soon and bring your baby brother with you next time! We can't wait to meet him!

Note to self: today was a day that made me want to live here forever. I love showing this city to friends - it just makes me love it more. There were moments when the excitement would just fizz in my belly. I love it here! And I love when people are impressed with my ability to haul the double stroller (aka DW, as in Double Wide- thanks, Julie). When we got on the subway on our way home, a lady looked at me with high eyebrows and said "I have two kids and I could never get them down here by myself." Thank you, but I often have help.

snuggle time

Where: Mommy's bed
When: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Underwear: required
Clothing: optional

Start spreading the news! Yankees destroy Red Sox!

Yankees: 9

Red Sox: 5

The mandatory tickets-in-front-of-the-field picture.

(we love) Tom and Kaci!.

Tom, Kaci!, Abbie, Forrest, Forrest, Nate, and (the very generous) Kirk

We even saw Jay Z

on the jumbotron, along with lots of other celebrities.

Forrest: "This is the best thing we've done since we've moved here."
Abbie: "I'm usually not a fan of baseball; BUT, give me a funny husband + a Kaci! + some Wickmans + some food + a great seat, and I will have way too much fun."

Thank you Yankees, for being the best team and playing in the best stadium in baseball!
Kirk, thank you so much for a great night!
Kaci!, I can't type your name without an exclamation point.
Cade, we thought of you the whole time.
Ashley and Scott, THANK YOU so much for watching our kids!

after party thought digestion

You know when you walk away from a social situation with so much to think about?

I’m not talking about the “why did I say that?” or “did I come across too strong/dumb/crazy/passionate/opinionated?” or “did I just snort-laugh in a room full of people?” Not talking about those things. I’m over that, mostly. I can tell myself yeah, that was a dumb comment and move on (and sometimes laugh really hard about it later).

What I’m talking about is the kind of social situation that gives you a lot to chew on.

This is what I’m chewing on from last night:

1. Ashley makes really good food. I need to get recipes from her.

2. I think all apartment dwellers, no matter where they live, should have parties. It’s always fun, you won’t regret it. Don’t think of your place as too small. Just think of it as cozy and more conducive to good conversation.

3. Raising kids in the city is not an abomination. I’ve been conditioned (not by my parents. Maybe by society? Who can I blame?) to think that all kids raised in the city will be corrupt; either drug dealers or untouchable rich kids. It’s not true! It is a great place to raise a “normal” family - I'm serious. You should meet the families in our ward. You don’t have to have a house in the suburbs to raise children with testimonies. (This may be obvious to some of you, but I’m digesting it right now.)

4. I may not have a backyard but I have a great park. No more backyard envy. I’ve never had a serious case of house envy – I don’t want to clean or maintain a house, but I’ve been know to covet a few backyards. But no more! I love the park and I will make it my pseudo backyard, and I won’t ever have to spend my Saturdays doing yard work.

5. I like that I can interact with Eli and Audrie while we’re transporting. I’m not yelling at them from the front seat of the car anymore (which happened a lot). We can talk about where we’re going and what we’re going to do when we get there while we’re on the subway or bus. And we get to sit by each other.

6. (Just when you thought this was an attack on suburban living) I have a location testimony. As we’ve lived in few places across the country, it’s strengthening my testimony of the Lord putting us where we need to be, around people we need to meet, to get us where we need to go. No matter where that is: city, country, suburb, wherever. Location is so important. I look back now and see it so clearly that we needed to be where we were to get here and go forward. And it’s exciting to know that we’re not done! We get to keep going. Which brings me to my next morsel…

7. As of right now, I don’t care what’s coming next. I am completely happy where we are (picture of our home above - we live in one of those buildings). I’m not dreading or anxiously waiting for what’s going to happen in the next phase of life. I don't need to know. This is big for me because I was really good at the I’ll Be Happy When game. I’m happy right now!

Thanks, friends, for making me digest some thoughts. It was a good night!

P.S. Yes, I did snort-laugh in a room full of people.

they're not so naughty

E: “Wook, Mommy, we’re sweeping.”
M: “Thanks for helping.”
E: “Yeah, we’re not so naughty anymore.”

And this one is just for you, Mom:

He's showing you the mommy noodle, the daddy noodle, and the baby noodle. Up next: organizing toiletry bottles into families. He is definitely my son.

she's a little mommy

I’ve always been fascinated by how early most baby girls start playing mommy. She was only born 16 months ago, after all. Part of me wants to tell Audrie that she can’t be a mommy because she is still MY baby. But mostly I love watching her put the blankie on her baby, take it off, put it on, take it off, put it on. I love watching her play the role that brings me pure joy (and sometimes great insanity!). I hope she always wants to be a mommy. I want her to do other things and explore other interests, of course – I think that makes a better, more dynamic mommy. And I’m hoping it will be at least 25 years before I’m sharing wisdom (I better have some wisdom by then) with her about labor, deliver, breastfeeding, and child rearing. (I get a little weepy thinking of my baby girl with her first baby. There I go, wipe wipe sniff sniff). I just want her to know how much I love motherhood and that it is the very best thing I could do with my life. It's a divine calling.

Audrie, being a mommy is the best. It’s really hard, it’s kind of scary, it’s tiring and trying. But it is the best job in the world!


And that was today’s warm fuzzy with the word MOMMY in it 500 times. Mommy mommy mommy.

what should we do while our husbands are hanging out in harlem?

Forrest and his Mormon med school buddies are playing doctor in a Harlem homeless clinic. Every Tuesday night, 5–10:00ish pm, for the next four years. (He's going to write many entertaining blog posts about the crazy things he sees. Don’t you want to know? Does anything sound more hardcore-crazy than Harlem Homeless Clinic?).

So, what are their wives going to do?

I’m going to force them to come over to my apartment to eat chili (recipe) and bake cupcakes and watch chick flicks and chat and kiss my children goodnight.

Ladies, I look forward to our Tuesday nights!

Explaining the picture (it's the best I could do):
When mommy gets distracted chatting with friends, Eli gets to stay up way past his bed time and play cars at the kitchen table. “Shhh, my cars are sweeping in dose cups.”