Dallin's First Family Visits

Wow these past few weeks have been a blur. Some days are moving quickly and some days are not moving fast enough. We have enjoyed having a baby boy around the house even though he has surprised us a few times with diaper changing. We also enjoyed some family visitors. I am so thankful for two mommas who are willing to come out and help out our family. Brandon did an amazing job keeping up with the girls and the house. It was really nice having that extra help from our moms with cleaning up baseboards to clearing out flower beds. Those are two jobs I have been waiting to do. We also are lucky to have Brandon's oldest sister Tiffaney and her family live one hour west from us. We love having them close.

Camden

The other day Camden walks into our family room and is insisting I straddle the Christmas tree to turn on the lights. Just having Dallin three weeks ago creates quite a challenge. With her help she climbed over the couch behind the tree and got the cord. I was then able to plug it in successfully with no straddling and tree falling. Needless to say she was quite happy.

Update on Dallin

Dallin is almost 4 weeks. I will have to post new photos. I think he is definitely filling out much more than his sisters. Also he has not been plagued with the baby acne like both girls. If you have seen photos or saw both girls as a baby you would know what I am talking about. He is sweet and generally a calm baby until he chooses to cry. His cry is very dramatic. I could hear him coming down the corridor in the hospital. We are all enjoying him very much.

Baby Dallin and His Biggest Fans

One of my biggest concerns when adding an extra child into the mix has been, how will the other child handle the new addition. Brooklyn was very loving towards Camden when she was added to our family. However she was quite ornery towards me. I was really nervous how Camden was going to react to this new baby boy addition. I felt awful that the girls were not allowed into the hospital to see Dallin and only saw me for a few minutes outside of the maternity center. I even received a call from a very emotional Brooklyn telling me she missed me and wanted me home.

We have now been home for a week. There has been a little bit of sickness in the house so we have tried to keep the girls separated from Dallin. With everything they have had to sit out on they are still madly in love with this boy. Brooklyn is so sweet and has been trying to help me and Dallin. Camden is so concerned every time she hears Dallin cry. Think Tim Allen on Home Improvement the grunting sound he makes. Well every time Camden hears him cry she makes a sound similar to Tim Allen's but it is cuter because it is from a two year old girl. She also likes to tickle is toes, cover him with blankets, kiss him, and pat his back. She also tries to wake him up by running into the room saying "Hi Baby!!! It's okay."

Here are just a few photos I snapped of the girls with their new main squeeze. (No worries Brandon you are still number one.)

Arthelism

Tassi's maternal grandmother, Arthel Bingham, passed before I could meet her. However, I have heard plenty of stories that speak to her goodness. And also what is affectionately referred to as "Arthelism". These are sayings and/or actions that make one roll their eyes.

It seems hereditary as Tassi's mother and identical twin seem to have committed a significant number of Arthelisms of their generation. For instance, on New Year's Eve Tassi, sisters, and their mother went to the Phoenix Zoo for a party. The radio described it as a "hot chocolate toast". After the hot chocolate was distributed to the attending guests of the party, Tassi's mother approached a volunteer asking when they would be serving toast. You know, the kind you put jam on.

That's an Arthelism.

Tassi has had some share of this inherited behavior. Thus, I have years ahead to enjoy this silliness. To be fair, I was warned while we were dating. But I was NOT warned that that Arthelisms may be passed by marriage.

As Tassi had our baby Dallin this week, I drove to and from the hospital many times. The first half of the route to the hospital is the same route to Brooklyn's school.

Today, I set out to spend lunch with Brooklyn at school, overshot the school, and found myself walking towards the maternity entrance at the hospital parking lot with lunch in hand.

That's a major Arthelism.

Dallin Walter Smith

Dallin Walter Smith and mom arrived home safely. 8 lbs 6 oz. Probably less after three days out. 21 inches.



Sisters are super-excited.

Who is this man?

Does anybody know who this is? I guarantee you know him. An undetermined prize for the first right answer.



Update: Julia got it.

So here is the deal. Tassi has this amazing ability of recognizing random actors and actresses from film and TV shows. Not just the stars but also extras. It kills me. It has gotten to the point when she says "Is that so-and-so?" I just say, "Don't mock me."

Then Tassi and I both noticed that Ralph Macchio was to appear on an episode of Ugly Betty, a show we have been watching for years. We both happened to notice his name in the opening credits. So we kept our eyes peeled.

When we went to bed, we realized we hadn't seen him. So I looked it up on IMDB before falling asleep. When I saw that Macchio plays "Archie" my jaw dropped. Tassi missed him. Not only in that night's episode, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE LAST SEASON! That's right, he'd been in a dozen or so episodes already.

I told Tassi and she was humbled. I think she said something about even having a poster of Macchio on her wall when she was younger!

But I still think she is amazing.

The Hills are Alive!!!!!!

This girl is pretty darn cool. She is full of energy, love, and silliness. She brightens my day every morning I hear her little feet running across our wood floors into our bedroom. Except for when it is too early. I love my little C girl.

Less than a week!!!!

I don't think I have posted an image of myself on here for a long time. It might have a little something to do with me not liking to look at my prego body. I know I should embrace my new curves. However I am already a very curvy person so the extra curves are not always a welcome sight for me. So what is an already very curvy pregnant girl to do.

Gotta love Photoshop digital plastic surgery. I still look pretty hot in the original even though I am bloated.

My sister in law Crystal took the photos. We were just being silly with an impromptu belly session or ready to Pop belly session. Here is to hoping I make it to this Monday.

See Food, BLAHHH!

Brandon snapped these photos at breakfast.

In the Deepest Darkness

Brooklyn lately has been creating her own songs. I think this one is on its way to being a hit. With Camden's back up vocals makes this duo unstoppable.

Old School Desk

I love Goodwill! Here is another treasure we found. I think it fits perfectly in the dormer.



We really like the old look of the wood. Not sure if I want to paint it.

I'll Get You My Pretty!!!

We went from beautiful princesses last year to wicked witches of the East and West. I am not sure they look really wicked however they sure look cute.

Just a side note. I made Brooklyn's dress while I was a Young Women for a project. My younger sister Tatum wore it for Halloween. I made Camden's skirt before our Ward Trunk or Treat.

Up, up, and away!!!

My little witches casting a spell on the tree.

Brooklyn trying to be scary or really cheesy.

Camden is now trying the flying thing.

Their most scariest witch faces.

This was taken after she got her face painted at a company party. Same amazing face painter from her birthday party. She looks a little wicked here.

Happy Halloween!!!!

Add a Punch With Fabric

First of all I absolutely love this blog, Little Green Notebook. She is an amazing interior designer who makes her house look luxurious with very little money spent. The great thing about her site is she will share where she gets her items and she has tutorials on some small projects. She actually makes you believe you can do it yourself. I shared in the bedroom post how I want to make pelmet boxes like she did for her girls room. I did not even know what a pelmet box was until I read her blog. That is to show how little I know about design. So here are some fabrics I picked out from Calico Corners to use all over my house for window treatments, ottomans, and a fireplace hearth. There are so many great patterns to choose from.

This fabric I think could look good in my family room as a ottoman (coffee table turned into ottoman) or as my fireplace hearth cover.
Maybe in my kids room to add a bit of floral or some where else. I would definately need to order swatches.

Another floral I think could have a chance in my kids room. Not too much just a touch. I love all the colors. In my green and white kitchen. I would love to use this red floral for a pelmet box or stool cushions.
In my brown dining room for a pelmet box or curtains.

So all of this will have to just stay in my mind for now. This baby boy is coming and I need to chillax.

2 Girls and a Boy Bedroom Update

So I have delayed posting more photos of what I have accomplished in my kids bedroom. I think I need to face the fact that I am not going to have everything I wanted done before the baby boy comes a long. The good thing he could careless and won't even be sleeping in the crib for the first few months. However I have accomplished a few projects and would like to share them with you. Now remember my style has completely changed since I found the Pottery Barn headboard covers and skirt marked down more than 75%. Also I am not a decorator and have no idea what I am doing. Here is the progress so far. Click here for before photos.

I found this frame and small table at the local Goodwill.

I then turned the frame and table into this.

This is where I have hung the painting from my friend Beth.

I did end up painting the room yellow changing it from that blue color. I will have to go back and fix all of my errors when I am not pregnant and impatient. However I think it turned out great.

This is what is completed at the moment. Things on my bucket list. Change bedding to white adding some colored trim, complete crib, create photo wall of photos of kids after baby boy comes, create workstation in dormer, make these pelmet boxes for the windows, and create reading corner. I wish I had someone that knew how to reupholster because that chair really could use it. I am pleased with how it has turned out and hope I can continue along the inexpensive path of creating a bedroom for my kiddies. Now if I could only figure out Craigslist so I can stay on the inexpensive side.

On Being Sick: A Proposal

Nothing is fun about being sick. One day you are fine. Fitter. Happier. More productive. Comfortable. Then... BAM!!! You wake up vomiting.

This is especially exasperated when wife and number 2 experience the same symptoms within hours.

And what adds to the miserable state of being sick is the complete exhaustion that precludes the desire to do any amount of maintaining order in the home. Clothes pile up. Emptying the trash is delayed. Saltine cracker crumbs cover the furniture.

You start cursing yourself that you didn't register for the 32-person flatware set at your wedding. "When will we ever need to feed 32 people?" The answer is "Only when the family is sick. And no one feels like doing dishes for 5 days."

And so I had an epiphany while watching the third straight Cosby Show episode(*) this afternoon laying down on the couch. The current health care reform discussion is focusing on the wrong issues. Clearly what this country needs is home sick care. Not where doctors visit you at home. No, what we need is professionals to step in and take over home duties.

I think such a government benefit would be quite popular with taxpayers. Imagine emerging from your sickbed and the house is sparkling. Fresh sheets. Bath towels fluffy. And children taken care of during the affected duration.

Of course this is all conditioned on both parents being sick. Or, in the case of single-parent families, one parent. And you have to pay taxes. And, maybe to keep costs down, only the virus I currently have qualifies.

I'll probably deny I made this proposal when I become fitter, happier, more productive, comfortable.

(*) Mind you, this Cosby Show episode is one of my favorites entitled "Once Upon a Time" where Rudy writes a fairy tale and it is acted out in her fantasy by the other characters of the show.

Dormer Window Space

I want to build a desk in this dormer. It is a useless space. It usually is where the large toys get placed and it looks like the junk dormer. If anyone has ideas on how to accomplish this please share.

First Field Trip

Brooklyn had her first field trip this past week. I was lucky enough to go as a chaperone and only have Brooklyn and one girl in my group. Thank goodness for many parent volunteers. We drove out to a local pumpkin patch that had many activities for the kids to participate in. I may have had just as much fun as the kids.
A farm in Autumn is not complete without a corn maze. The girls could not wait to go through the maze and were very proud when they found their way out.

This was a mini maze made out of bails of hay.

Brooklyn and her groupmate.

Aprons at Peppermint Pantry!!!

Here is a darling etsy store called Peppermint Pantry. The cutest homemade aprons are sold on this site. Great Holiday gifts for anyone or a gift for yourself. I absolutely love this paisley apron.

U u unicorn

Brooklyn and I watched a session of Church conference at the chapel. To help her not get restless, I let her play a word game on my iPhone. The game is digital form of flashcards with a picture of an animal and the first letter.

"ah ah aligator."

"buh buh bee."

Brooklyn got through most of the alphabet as I only half paid attention. Then she got to "U".

"uh uh ugly."

She got my attention. "Wait. What?" I look down to see a unicorn representing the letter "U". This takes me by surprise as Brooklyn is not shy to express her appreciation of a majesticly drawn unicorn.

"uh uh ugly." Brooklyn says.

"but why do you think the unicorn is ugly?"

"Because this one doesn't have any hair and has funny eyes."

Upon taking a closer look, it is one of the more ugly unicorns I've encountered.

FIVE GUYS!!!!!!

Mesa consider yourselves lucky to be getting one of these great establishments at the Dana Park shopping area. This is our families favorite spot for a good hamburger and their fries are made from Idaho potatoes. Five Guys will make coming to AZ even better. We can have are taste of home while visiting family. I am so excited!

The Ultimate Doorstop

"Daddy! Camden is trying to close the door!" Brooklyn called out from the girls bedroom after we put them to bed. Lately Camden has been intentionally doing little things that irritate Brooklyn. Closing the door after bedtime is very much one of those things.

"Brooklyn, Camden is only closing the door because of the way you are reacting to her," I reply.

But my explanation at psychology did not sink in, usually indicated by an "Oh, I know what I can do, daddy!"

So I prompted Brooklyn further, "So, if Camden is only closing the door because you get mad and call out to mommy and me, what do you think is the easiest thing for you to do to get her to stop closing the door."

"Oh, I know, daddy."

I think to myself, "There's my girl," feeling her realize that she should refrain from overreacting to Camden's prodding.

Brooklyn continues, "I can find something big, heavy, and invisible and put it in front of the door."

Bean Dip

Tassi attended a friend's baby shower. Thus, I had Brooklyn and Camden alone and wanted to treat them to a special dinner. Of course, Brooklyn initially voted for her favorite Chick-fil-a but she and I finally negotiated on "messidan food". (She hasn't been able to correctly pronounce "Mexican food".)

So we found ourselves at Los Tres Magueyes playing tic-tac-toe in a booth. Brooklyn on one side and Camden and I on the other. After ordering for myself and the girls, I asked "Is there bean dip?" "No," was the waiters reply, much to my dismay.

Our food came and we started to chow down. Camden put some of her food in my face. It looked like bean dip and I immediately began to resent that the waiter lied to me. "Hey, there's bean dip," I thought.

And then I smelled it.

My head whipped down to look where Camden is standing on the booth bench. A puddle of diarrhea pooled from shoe to shoe as balanced herself, leaning over me, shoving the feces into my face, trying to communicate her accident.

"Dapa dapa," Camden was saying (Diaper).

I nearly gagged. I quickly signaled to the waiter and asked for the check and boxes. The stench was beginning to spread. I could not tell if the neighboring booth could smell the offensive, hanging scent.

Needless to say, my appetite for bean dip has dissipated.

Forget Everything

I received the headboard cover and the bed skirt yesterday. We were really excited to open the package and get the bed skirts on. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the darker stripe is not a pink but a red. However the stripes and the blue walls just don't go. I am now going to change the wall color with a lot of manipulation and coaxing Brooklyn to get her to agree with the color change. At the moment we are thinking a soft neutral creamy yellow. I will keep you updated.