Father's Day 2013

Yesterday was such a fun day. Lots of food, fun, and fathers. 

Here's the breakdown:

woke up at 6am -a miracle

made breakfast with Camaron's new waffle maker!

went to church on time! -miracle!

church, church, church

Fox took a 3-hour nap

We took a 3-hour nap

Visited my dad and grandpa

Visited Camaron's dad and Grandpa...

Cam's dad challenged us to feats of strength^^

Cam's dad channeled Mitt Romney^^

After visiting our families, we headed home. Next would come Camaron's final Father's Day 2013 present ...the one I was soo excited for. Camaron came home to a surprise pillow fort in our living room:) Complete with a giant cookie, Fox going right to bed, and a movie all cued up. It was the BEST (and I'm not just saying that because it was my idea). Basically, we decided that from now on, pillow forts will be standard for any celebration in our home.

Since it was Father's Day, Camaron pretty much got anything he asked for -except for us sleeping in the pillow fort that night. Naps are fine, but sleeping out there all night was a no (I saw a cockroach during construction, sooo...)

This was Camaron's first real Father's Day, and I loved seeing him having fun all day. And the best was that Fox and I had fun too!

Alone With a Baby

I've mentioned before that I work part-time. Just about every Monday through Saturday, I'm at the office from 10-2. Luckily, for the summer, Camaron doesn't start work until 3. So it usually works out that we can take turns taking care of Fox throughout the day -Camaron in the mornings, and me in the afternoons (and then family play time in the evenings). To me, this seemed like the best solution. I love the idea of Fox being with at least one of us always. A babysitter here and there, but mostly just us.

After a while though, I noticed I wasn't very happy. I was snappy and complaining a lot, and I was taking out the majority of my stress on Camaron. Often, my complaints consisted of me not being able to get anything done because Fox was having a rough time that day. Or I would be mad when Camaron came home late from work because I was so tired and had wanted a nap, but Fox didn't, or because Camaron had the car and I had really wanted to go somewhere.

Then, we did the best thing you can do in a situation where things just aren't working and not everyone's happy -Camaron and I sat down and talked it out. I had no idea how selfish I was being! I was oblivious for some reason. Hello? Camaron was spending just as much of his time everyday with Fox, and he was tired too, but he wasn't complaining or getting mad. Once we talked, it all became clear that time with Fox was just that, time with Fox. If he was being fussy, or not napping when I wanted him to be, or not letting me set anything down on the coffee table, who cares? He's being a baby -that's what they do. Projects, cleaning, and whatever else would just have to wait until either Camaron was home, or if Fox was asleep, or for when I had free time at work.

Ever since that talk, I've been more aware of how I am when I'm home alone with Fox. I've been putting in more effort to actually play with him instead of just watching him play. There's a lot more singing in our house than there was before. And I'm actually getting chores done -turns out, it's more fun doing laundry and dishes when Fox is there to help. Being alone with Fox is so much fun! I can't believe what I had been missing out on before.

Sometimes I forget that I need to be the one adjusting to motherhood -not me trying to make motherhood adjust to me.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday. And how does he celebrate? By going to scout camp, of course. That wasn't exactly his first choice of venues to celebrate his big day -I know for a fact he'd rather be eating some free Joe's BBQ, rather than whatever food scouts eat (beans and weenies?). But, that's my dad; Always holding up to his responsibilities -a trait I truly admire.

Mom and Dad looking very ...early eighties.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my dad and me (and technically Bethany). I'm the one whose cheeks are stuffed with Wheat Thins. I've always loved going camping with my family. I'm grateful to have a dad who loves the outdoors and loves adventures. He's always been a huge fan of Arizona Highways magazine, and we'd often visit new locations in Arizona according to pictures and articles that my dad was inspired by when reading. I truly have my dad to thank for my great love for this state. One time, we took our kayaks up to Potato Lake, AZ. It's a very secluded lake up in the pines. It took forever to get there, and then we all just started laughing when we pulled up. It was tiny!!! It really should have been called Potato Puddle. Even though the lake didn't quite fit my dad's expectations, we still had a lot of fun picnicking and kayaking in little circles.

I'm pretty sure I've written this story before, but it's a good one, and it's my blog, so...
When Camaron came over to pick me up for our first date, he was really nervous about meeting my dad. Somehow, he got the impression that my dad was a hardcore, no-nonsense-type business man, or something like that. So, when it was just me who answered the door at my parent's house, Camaron was relieved and a little surprised. I quickly explained that my dad was home, but he couldn't come to the door because he was making salsa with his shirt off. That's my dad:)

Happy birthday Dad! I know you won't see this until next week, and we all celebrated last night, but I still wanted you to know I'm thinking of you today! I hope the scouts riding with you in your truck like Pink Floyd and The Black Keys as much as you do:)


p.s. yes, my dad still rides a motorcycle

BACK IN BUSINESS

Well, I finally decided it was time to re-stock the shop. It was looking pretty sad for a while there ...hehe oops. I've suddenly just been on this crazy design kick, so I decided to put my energy to good use. There are 5 new wedding invitations available in the shop (and more on the way). It's pretty awesome because they're digital files, so you can download them and then print them wherever you like ...and then I'm not scrambling to get to the printers and the post office before it closes and then losing stuff and all that wonderful jazz:) I'm also planning to add some more baby shower invitations (because apparently everyone is having babies), but what else would you like to see me create?

birthday invites? postcards? posters? recipe cards? custom family pyramid portraits?

Oh, and just to let you know, I am always up for designing custom pieces. No, seriously, I love it. And blog followers always get special discounts, of course. Email me up if you ever have an idea you'd like designed:)

Garden Update

Lettuce, marigolds, zinnias, pumpkins, corn, and basil ...oh my

It's always so fun to go out and water the garden and see just how big everything is getting. I'm so excited for when we can begin harvesting -I just hope the plants are strong enough to make it through an AZ summer. 

You may have noticed the lettuce is looking a little crispy. 

We put a shade up over it yesterday, so I'm hoping that helps the sun situation. 

And we may have planted too many pumpkins ...they're vining out everywhere (and I love it). 

9 Months Old

At nine months old, Fox is basically a moving, grooving, chatting happy bundle of fun. He's always exploring, whether it's by crawling all around the house, pulling himself up and walking along holding to the coffee table or couch, or running and then gliding through the kitchen in his rolling walker-thing. He just loves to move. And then he'll celebrate by throwing his hands up in the air:)

He's still as social as ever. Always up for being held by family and friends and he loves the faces that the checkout ladies make at him. Also, he's started waving and giving high fives. I thought it was a fluke at first, but he's become pretty consistent, so that's super fun:) It really doesn't take much to get a smile out of this little one, and that's probably my favorite of all.

He had his nine month doctor's appointment yesterday, so here are the stats:
head circumference: 40th percentile
height: 70th percentile
weight: 5th percentile

We just laughed when we saw his weight. Oh, our little Fox. Elbow dimples, round tummy, rolls, and all.
At least he's on the chart??

Jimmy Eat World ...a week late

The first time I ever saw Jimmy Eat World play was right after high school. My friends Rachel, Alicia, and I ventured down to Tucson together for this all-day music fest that Billy Idol was headlining (random). It was a very hot day, and most of the bands were terrible and incredibly drunk or high, but I endured only on hopes of seeing Jimmy Eat World play live. And I did see them, and they were great. Even though I was hit in the head with a random flying Coke bottle (plastic, thank goodness), and I was sticky and disgusting, I loved that day. But It wasn't just because of who was playing, it was the fact that I knew all of the words to every song, I had my friends with me, we road-tripped together to have this experience, and seeing an AZ band play in AZ is just the best. Oh, and incase you were wondering, we left before Billy Idol even went on (The Billy fans were nuts).

Just like the first time I saw them, the most recent time going to a Jimmy concert definitely didn't disappoint either. Last Friday night, Natalie, Hunter, Camaron, and I ventured to one of Arizona's finest tiny, historical western towns, Wickenburg. Jimmy was doing a home state tour with Wickenburg being one of their last stops. We ate Gecko Grill on the way and had fun talking about past concert experiences. FYI: If you ever want your mind blown in awe, ask Natalie about her and Jenny's first time to NYC (preview: they shared an elevator with Prince). 

The concert was in the town's community center. How fun is that? It was around the size of my elementary school auditorium, so it was easy to find our other friends and to get up close. And luckily, with the exception of the gassy boys in front of me, the crowd was pretty cool -no one was beating each other up or throwing Coke bottles or anything. The band came out, everyone went nuts, then the music started. It was so great. And going to concerts with Camaron is always so fun, because that kid just loves to have fun. We danced the night away from Clarity to Bleed American to basically everything that is good and Jimmy:)

And check out this nice little surprise on Jimmy Eat World's instagram.
Thanks for the lift, Camaron:)