Happy Valentine's Day!

Okay-- so it was yesterday.... but I just wanted to spread the LOOVVEE.

{It can come on ANY day, right??}

Here is a pic of my little sweet valentine.

Yes, I made that onesie. It was a fun DIY-- freezer paper stencil project.  It was WAY easier than I thought, and my little guy looked great in it!

{For the 2.5 hours he wore it... EXPLOSION!}

I'll be doing a full Parker Post on Friday... can you guess why??

Imperfections

I was reading my good friend Katelyn's blog (I love her blog- so honest, and often hilarious!) Here's a link.

I thought it would be good for me to explore my imperfections. As it is January I have thought a lot about things I would like to change, but I want to put it out in blogland so that I feel more accountable. I hope as I make progress or not-- I can use my blog as a place to share. In (almost) no specific order:

1. I rarely finish stuff
    Right now I can think of an unhealthily long list of projects that need to get done around our home. Granted- we did just move here, and we just found out the owner is going to pay to let us paint (6 rooms...) so yeah that is weighing on me. But Parker's baby blanket (not finished). Parker's baby book (not started). Several misc. craft projects. I really want to finish my "laundry list" because now I have MORE time than I EVER have had.

2. I am Disorganized
Admitting it's the first step, right? Yes, I am disorganized... very disorganized. That is just how my brain works. After being married to my wonderfully particular husband, I have started to improve my disorganized brain/lifestyle. Not only do I hoard things (plastic bags, brochures, business cards, birthday cards etc.) but I go from one project to the next leaving my crazy trail behind.
   At the risk of having to sleep on the loveseat tonight (haha) I am going to say that I like being disorganized.  It helps me feel comfortable. When I walk in to an imacculately clean house I feel like I have to hold my breath. I want my house to feel comfortable and inviting to everyone-- but as I have found-- that does mean laundry has to get put away etc. So I am really REALLY going to try to get more organized. HOWEVER-- I am not getting rid of a few select bags/brochures, and I am going to continue keeping cards. oh- and don't look in my craft room- that will NEVER be "organized." Messy is the way I work best.

3. "If you Fail to plan, you plan to fail"
Mr. Horsman taught me this.

Anyways- for how much I love school, you'd think that I would have learned the importance of planning ahead. (I'm really referring to school work here-- meaning I need to read texts ahead etc) I have found that reading texts ahead really does safe you time in the long run. Keeping up is sooo much easier than catching up. (Yup, you can quote me on that.) This goes for Sunday School too. I have found that I get more out of Sunday School/Relief Society when I have read ahead. So far so good on this goal (both school and church) but it's only January :)

4.  Accident Prone
There is really no way that I can improve this, but it is an imperfection. I really am as accident prone as you get. I am used to falling, tripping, spilling, ripping, burning.... you name it, I've done it... today. But I have learned that my high heeled boots are not good on ice. Check

5. Be more Healthy
Lose weight is a terrible phrase and is really meaningless. I just want to be more healthy. I have chosen a few workout plans that really work with my personality and time schedule, and have started them. LOVE it so far. We already eat pretty healthy but I am just going to make a few more wholesome changes to our diet (low-fat, wholegrain, less processed stuff). I am not going on a DIE-t and I am not having a New Year's Fail-solution to lose weight, but I do want to be more healthy. 

This list is getting pretty long.... 

6. Too proud
I think that as a woman I struggle with this. Comparing myself to others etc. But Parker has taught me one thing-- everyone is totally different.  When I look at other mother's thinking that what they're doing is not what I do-- that's all it is. It doesn't mean that they are bad mother's-- they just know what it best for their baby. Just like I know Parker better than anyone else--they know their baby the best.  There are many ways to be proud, but this is one aspect of pride that I want to deal with now.

7. Aggressive Driver
There--- I said it. okay- so I'm an aggressive driver. Runs in the family. I have never gotten a ticket or been in an accident (that I was driving). So I think that should count for something.  But I get REALLY unnecessarily angry at drivers that do stuff that I think is stupid. Anyways-- for the last week or so every time I say something to another driver (because YES they can hear me!) Jed says "Wow, they're a bad person" in a joking tone. It lightens the mood and makes me remember that even though they cut me off, left their blinker on, failed to get over when I was merging etc. it doesn't mean they are a bad person. Thanks babe for that :)   

8. Have more charity
I really want to be a person that people call first when they are in a jam. I want to be reliable and friendly enough that people will call me first in tough situations. In order to do this, I am trying to have more charity for everyone. I really do love everyone, I just need to learn to show it better. This is a pretty hefty goal, but I really REALLY want to have and show more charity, so I will continue to keep working on it.

WOW. That was really enlightening. I really enjoyed that. Now-- back to bed. DID I mention I have been sick since Monday? Today hit me the worst. But I am going to get better. I know it!

Oh, and an ongoing goal of mine: shower more. 

Rhetoric

Ever since a Bones episode I saw- season 2 I think- about a man that put off a bomb outside of a bank because-- well I can't remember if there was a reason or not-- but anyways, it was found out that he was listening to a radio host right before that- one that was very loud and persuasive and caused a lot of emotion.

In the show it wasn't a big issue, but due to recent national news, I think it is a big issue. I don't care who you are or what you have to say--- when your words invoke so much terror, anger, or hatred towards anyone or anything, maybe- no-- you SHOULD not talk like that.

President Thomas S. Monson of the LDS church said “Anger doesn’t solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything.”

So no matter what radio or tv host you listen to, or something your hubby or wife says, or really ANYTHING-- let's all try to get rid of the anger we have. There is a place for rhetoric- just not hate rhetoric. 

640 N (Cragun's Place)

Moving to our 3rd apartment in less than 2 years has been definitely bitter sweet. Our great friends that used to live here-Nate, Diana, and Gracelynn- moved to San Diego. Then we thought our other friends, Dave, Alyona, and Natalie would be moving in to the new place- only to find out that they were moving to Texas. So after 2 great families had to move, we got the apartment. Bitter sweet. Diana and Alyona-- you are dearly missed. Know that you are always welcome back here to Provo :)

Now that we are here, we are trying to settle in. This place is so much bigger than we are used to- we actually have a choice as to where to put stuff. Before- it was-- put it in the only place that is left. So it is taking us a little bit longer to get settled-- but that's fine. I took some pictures of our apartment- just know that we are not fully unpacked/ and have not done much decorating.

The Living Room. View from the front entry. I have no idea where to put the couches- I think it's weird to look right at the back of the couch as you walk in- but HGTV says to center your room around a focal point (fire place). I am sure we will move stuff around several times before letting it stay. YES! the piano came with the place. Like the blue carpet? UM, no.

Fireplace: lights on/off. This is one of my favorite features of the apt. It really adds a breath of life to the living room- and a fun place for me to decorate. (I put these decorations up in less than 15 mins- just to add some character to our boring living room, before our New Year's Eve party. I am sure you will be seeing plenty more of shots like these with the different holidays etc.)

Kitchen. Just left of the sink, and right of the oven-- a DISHWASHER. Something we haven't had. What a beautiful thing that is :) The kitchen is smaller than what we have had, but everything is newer and functional. Plus-- Did I mention we have a DISHWASHER!! yay.

Now on to uncharted territory. In preparing for our New Year's Eve party, after moving in the evening of the 29th, we focused on rooms our guests would see.  This beauty is going to be a craft room/ tv room. That wonderful wooden entertainment center thing is getting sold, as with that Queen Anne coffee table, to make room for.... my crafts.  I decided to keep the current paint color in this room, but we are painting the ceiling a cream-ish color (instead of the same color as on the walls, which it is now) to make the room feel larger and more open. I foresee myself spending a lot of Parker's naptime in here! :)

Parker's room-- another room we have neglected. There is a place for all that stuff... I just haven't put it there yet. Notice that twin bed?? For any guests that want to come- we have a place for you. I might even move over my crafts stuff for you :) Though Parker's room is a DISASTER he is still sleeping soundly in his crib :) Yes I did turn the light on and take this picture with the flash, and no it didn't bother him one bit. He LOVES his sleep. Just like his momma.

This shot is pretty lame, but I was hurrying to get to bed. When you walk in on the left there is a cupboard, to the right is the vanity, left is the shower, and to the furthest right is the toilet with more shelves above.  It may not look like much, but for all those that have ventured in to either of our previous places... it is a SUITE. There is enough room for a PARTY in there. seriously.

Built in cupboards. gotta love old homes with charm!

The master. Though it is looking anything but master-ful right now, we have BIG plans for this room. Literally every time that Jed has walked in to our room he has started laughing because the amount of space that we have is CATASTROPHICALLY more than we have ever had. Let's just say that in our first place- the bed was the room. To "navigate" in the bedroom, one had to crawl over the bed. Not attractive or possible when pregnant- let me add.

This is our entry way. Another one of my FAV parts of this home. Because it exists. In all of our other places we walked right in to a room- so this makes the house feel so much more homey. (And I am in LOOVE with that light fixture). To the right is a coat closet which is also super handy.

We welcome all to our new place- we would love to have you. Hopefully sooner rather than later I can post with some updated pictures of our place. But for now-- school is starting. So off to be the wife, mother, student that I love. 

Update...

I want to start fresh in 2011. I did post more often than I thought I would in 2010, but I wanted to post more often. So here goes the start of my "hopefully" improved blog posts.

                          This is the Alvey family up in Montana, picking out our tree. Bare but beautiful.

                                                              
                                   We are BYU fans.

                             It's not hard to get a cute pic of Parker in the bath. It's just hard to choose one!

                                    (P)laying in the snow!  I gave him some snow to eat, got a funny face, but he didn't seem to mind it all that much :)

                                     Jed walked in to Parker's room, only to see this. Instead of uncovering his face, he ran out of the room laughing, and told me to grab the camera. Best parents ever! p.s. he's FAST asleep.

                                 

                                                                Da Boyz.

                                                          Parker with his Christmas present.

                          My man. Parker is 4 1/2 months old. He loves all things water, naked, and fist. He will and does suck on everything. He has already started to show his personality which is outgoing, attention starved, and giggly. (Sound like anyone you know?) He has started to mimic our facial expressions (I will open up my mouth super wide, and then he will too!) Jed and him will just laugh back and forth together forever! He has continued to be a great sleeper, but he is still a fussy eater. He eats, and on schedule, but off and on for 40 minutes. Parker is still solely breastfed, but we'll start solids probably around 6 months. He rolls over, and loves LOVES loves to be played with. He has blessed our home with even more happiness than I knew was possible.  We love you Parker!

Update! :)

I wish after the previous post (not that you read it) that I could reward you with pictures, but I want to wait until I have our Christmas tree decorated and take some pics with Parker and the tree (cant wait!)

We got back from Montana visiting Jed's sister and her family, as well as some other members of Jed's family. If you have heard anything about Utah weather at all lately, you know that we have been bombarded with terrible weather. I don't want to go into all the details, because just thinking about it makes me sick. The roads were terrible, we had some technical difficulties with our car, and hit a deer. The car trip was a lot of fun, minus the afore mentioned awfulness.

The break from school and visit was festive, yummy, and cozy. Aside from the yummy, yummy Thanksgiving dinner- one of my favorite parts of the visit were going and chopping down our Christmas tree. (Like I said before I will post some pictures soon.) For  $5 we got to go up in the mountains and literally cut down our own tree. It was great! Coming from small farm town America, I loved it! We have done this 2 years now, and I hope to continue doing something like this as often as we can.

We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in our own home. I love the thought of cuddling up with Parker and Jed, reading stories, sipping hot cocoa, and teaching Parker about our Savior.  Depending on how Parker is and whether I feel up to it, we do have some parties that we've been invited to, but I really would like to just stay home and start making my own family traditions. I like being able to wake up in the morning and decide what I want to do. Especially during a school break.

As for Parker he currently has a small cold, so he was fussy today. It's hard for me to say that he was fussy because he really only cried for a few minutes before I got the snot from his nostrils (eww!) so he wasn't really fussy- just trying to tell me that he couldn't breathe. He has continued to be a great baby, and hopefully soon (!!!) he will be back to sleeping through the night. He got up once last night, and even though a few months ago he was getting up several times a night- today I feel like I haven't slept in years!! He is super active and Jed swears that he rolled over yesterday. Today when I was playing with him, he was SOO close to doing it, so I hope to post a video of when he finally gets it (for momma.)
Jed is in school mode as finals are 2 weeks away. He is home so much more often, which is sooo much better. I love having him around- and sometimes Jed is just what Parker needs. He is such a great dad and I'm so proud of his efforts to keep going to school, work, and be a great family man.
All of my difficult projects/finals are over, so I just have one project (Jed and I are doing together for our creativity class) that I might do a quick post about when we're done. I am trying to decide about taking classes next semester- I'm leaning towards no, but I haven't quite decided.

That's pretty much it for us Alvey's. Look forward to come cute pictures soon!

Book Reviews

{Preface: I am a fast reader. I'm not super smart, there's a lot (LOT!) of talents that I strive for, but I am a fast reader. It honestly bothers me- it's [ALMOST] more of a nuisance. Okay. I have always wanted to review books. It's a weird wish, but since I read fast, I figured I could "read" a book and give a review, so that someone else doesn't have to waste their time reading it if it wasn't what they were looking for. Here goes.}
                                                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I read a lot of books during pregnancy. It was a mix of boredom (I wasn't working full time and I wasn't in school) as well as the dire need for information. Being a resident of Provo (engagement/marriage/baby making) capital of the world, I hoped that there would be tons of information readily available. NOT the case. The Provo Library is seriously lacking in the Pregnancy Department. Why? I have no idea. Many a-nights I have sat up wondering this myself.

Anyways- this is my first set of reviews, I can't promise any more, but I would love to do this regularly. I also welcome any differing opinions. I am ordering the books from my least favorite to my most favorite.

This book was honestly terrible. I read (almost) every page. I think I stopped at the last 20 pages. I just couldn't. keep. going. The author of this book is not a doctor, nor does she have any real background of medicine. So yes, the title is accurate. It is just a bunch of gossip.  It has however, won several awards- been on several tv shows (including Oprah) but I just don't get it. There are several blatantly wrong statements- as far as other medical journals are concerned- and I don't think anyone should read this book for anything more than fiction. Yes, a quick read, but awful. * (one star- just to be nice)

This book is WAY TOO LONG. (even for me). No one should read this whole book. Okay-- let me back up. It is separated into months (9) thus one could read a chapter a month. Not that bad. But it is so outdated. Really. It was boring- and I don't think it offered anymore information than one could get just form talking to a mother, sister, or anyone else (which the typical pregnant woman does). Anyways- it does have (A LOT) of information- and I think that's what it should be used for.  A reference book. So, if you don't have the internet- this is the book for you.  If you are in the Utah area-- please don't pay full price for it- there are tons of copies at the DI for $3-- and I have a copy if you want to borrow it (thanks Aunt Carolin). I would NOT have spent any money on it. (**) For the vast amount of information- but seriously- use Google.

If you want a "reference" type book- then this is a good one. Yes, it's long- but it's the type of book that you would just want to look up the sections you are interested in. I like it because it has pictures (that aren't weird sketches like in the "what to expect" book) which is nice when you don't want to google something for pictures.

I also liked that it had stories of real people- sharing their stories. It seemed more personable and more relateable than the typical generalization stories. (****)

There are so many things to say about this book. I will try to keep my thoughts relevant and pertinent to others. First of all, this book is FULL of very useful information. It is written by a woman that has tons of experience when it comes to babies and new mothers. It is broken up into different sections (chapters) about {nearly} everything a mom would want to know.

A few of my favorite things about this book-- there is a well written quiz that helps you decide what temperament your baby has. Knowing a babies temperament helps you know how to best manage them.  Honestly- i'm surprised that more people don't talk about this. How are you supposed to know how to take care of your baby if you don't know if he/she is sensitive, text book, etc??

In addition, she gives detailed explanations on diapering, bathing, massaging etc. your baby. I found this very helpful. Especially the diapering. Of course I know how to change a diaper, but I had never considered talking to my son while I change his diaper- telling him what I am doing. If someone started to change my diaper (haha) I would want the same courtesy-- that mindset- do as you would want-- is the theme of the whole book. A philosophy I full-heartedly agree with.

She also stresses the importance of a schedule. {and I CONCUR!) Her schedule follows the acronym EASY. Eat, activity, sleep, you time (mom to-do time/sleep).  This is a life saver. Honestly. The best advice in the book by far.

There are of course a few things I didn't like about the book. When it comes to the schedule- she didn't really give an actual time table that it's supposed to happen on. Which I didn't understand. Also- she has a few very strong opinions on things that you MUST do or things you SHOULDN'T do, and though it's her book and she can say what she wants- obviously as a mother, you have to make the decisions that are best for your baby. (****1/2)
 

 

This book really is excellent. It's a quick read- it's specific, and has very easy to follow directions- and the outcome is... {sanity!}. This book helps you to know how to get your children to sleep. It sets up a schedule- with time increments to follow- that really help your child become independent and set good, healthy sleeping habits. I like that the book gives realistic situations that could/do come up frequently that would compromise your baby's schedule- and give possible solutions. For example- if your baby is on a 3 hour feeding schedule, you're on a plane and you're baby is fussy-- do you feed him/her? Of course- it would be rude to the others on the plane not to... but there are some feeding schedules that are VERY rigid. 

This book sets up a feeding schedule referred to as the Parent-Directed Feeding (PDF).  This is a healthy combination of watching the clock and your baby's cues to know when to feed. I loved this book! It honestly gave me an idea of {what the heck!} I was supposed to do with Parker. I had no idea at first. It is the same idea as in Secrets of the Baby Whisperer- Eat, Activity, Sleep which is very important. I loved this book- and would give it 5 stars, but it isn't a stand alone book. There are so many other aspects of babies, pregnancy etc. that this book just doesn't cover. (****1/2)

I cannot do this book justice. I have done plenty of reading, in all facets of life, and this book- aside from the Book of Mormon and the other scriptures and a very short list of other books, this book has done the most to change my life. Whew. That's a rather bold statement that I hope to properly defend. All of my life I have been a rather curious person. I am really grateful for this quality. It has led me to enjoy schooling, people, and life in general. This curiosity mainly comes from my grandmother and sister who are two very curious people. 

        Anyways, I have always been curious about child birth. Growing up, I really never thought that I would have my own children. (WEIRD!) I mean I knew I wanted children, I love children!, but childbirth scared me more than almost anything. I talked of adopting because I was so scared (un-informed) about childbirth. (Not to discount adoption- something that I would love to do.)

       But this book really, truly helped me to better understand childbirth and the beauty that it really is. I know, within my heart, that childbirth doesn't have to hurt. It really is a natural thing, a power that we women have been so blessed with. And this book gives a natural alternative to excruciating pain that is most often associated with childbirth. 

      Now that I have had a child, I totally understand the beauty that modern medicine is. After being in labor for 10 hours, I too received an epidural (beautiful thing!!) By that point- that day- everything about that day- Tuesday August 17th, was terrible. Parker was born August 18th so I can say that. :] But hypnobirthing teaches that it is the tensing of the muscles that actually causes the pain, and that tension come from fear. Fear from everything that we women have seen, heard, dreamt about etc. about childbirth. So as we are already terrified, we tense our muscles- which constricts them from doing what they are naturally meant to do. 

From my experience, after having one child, this is true. I have heard (obviously I don't have anything to compare it to) that being induced causes stronger contractions that if someone goes into labor naturally. I was induced and the first 10 hours of labor I was doing my breathing and self-induced hypnosis and it was beautiful. I was talking on the phone to my family, I got in a jacuzzi, and played games- all while the contractions were full blown. 

It wasn't until I was checked by my midwife and found out that I had not dialated at all, that I lost control. I mean I wasn't screaming or anything- Jed said that I was actually really calm, but mentally I couldn't get to my "safe place." That is when I decided to have the epidural- because I was feeling pain. 

     In addition to teaching self-induced hypnosis (not weird, I promise) this book teaches of delayed cord clamping. I can't personally teach the medicine or research behind delaying clamping the umbilical cord for 10 minutes or so, but from what I have read and heard, it is the BEST thing for newborns.  (I am willing to talk about what I have learned if you're interested). For Parker, it was beautiful. After he was born, they immediately put him on my bare chest, and he was calm. He wasn't screaming or anything like I have always seen. He was calm and comfortable. 

        Though I don't have the greatest personal experience with this, I loved how well this book teaches the hubby to be involved with the birth. I was nervous because my hubby was uninformed about childbirth- really when would he talk about that?- so I was worried that he would either freak, leave, or stay silent.  I was glad that this book does give things for the husband to do. 

This book is primarily about pregnancy and childbirth, not about the children or really anything else, so I still must give this book (****1/2) I understand that no book could realistically discuss all aspects of babies in a reasonable number of pages- I wanted to reserve 5 stars for a book that does that. 

                                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So now you have my 2 cents about baby books. If you have any books to suggest, questions, or comments, I would love to hear. Thanks for reading this (honestly a little surprised you finished!)