Finally!

I swear I just don't have it together the past few months! I just finally got all of our tax paperwork together and since I work during the hours our accountant is open, Joe is going to drop it off tomorrow after he has a downtown meeting.

I need to come up with a system. I am doing poorly at getting through "my pile".

Suggestions?

Baby Beanie

I got to snuggle and cuddle Andrea's little bundle of joy tonight. Mom and Baby both went home on Sunday. He is so tiny (about 6 pounds), but doing well. Marlow and I brought them dinner tonight and got to see the adorable nursery and Patrick Christopher. Sadly....no photos taken.

This makes 2 little boys 6 and 18 months younger than Ella. These are my best friends in Salt Lake and Miss Ella is destined to be the ring leader and boss of these poor boys. How long until she gets them to play dress up or princesses? It will be fun to watch them all grow up together.

I'm excited to try this

We didn't forget about you, I promise!

Nicky was so cute with Ella's doggy last night. Now that it's getting nicer out he has enjoyed some more time at the park and is doing much better with his allergy medication. We give it to him in meat or cheese, so he begs for it morning and night!

Church Luau

We went to Grace Lutheran Church Luau tonight. It was the first annual luau and a fun time for families. The goal was raising money and we were able to fill out our pledge card before we had to leave early, although we did miss dessert and it looked so good!

It was a church event like none other! I learned the local weatherman goes to our church and I learned the Utah Lutherans can party! We had to buy tokens for drinks and they served keg beer (you can only buy a keg with a permit so this is a priveledge we rarely enjoy) and they ran out of Mai Tai's!

Here's a few pics! Sadly I lost her grass skirt along the way.....guess we have to go back to Hawaii to get her one.

Elite 8 did not disappoint!

What a game! It was so fun to see the underdog win yet again! Go BUTLER - there celebration above! We had a great time and I think Ella had an even better time with Grandma Dorothy. They played outside and she scored a lawn mower!

We picked up Chinese and Sushi from Red Ginger (it's new and their sushi is all half price - can't beat that).

It was a fabulous Saturday!

Who's in for Denver next year? I think we'll get in the lottery and maybe book a room at the K B&B if possible, especially if they can help us out with finding a babysitter (maybe for 2 cute little girls if you they want to go to the games too)!

I blame my March Madness addiction on the pools I have done since elementary school! I hope to start the tradition for Ella as well as soon as she's interested. I think my vote will be for Round 1 and 2 in the future. I was sad leaving the arena today after only 1 game --- I like the four games in one day round 1 a lot. Although the 3 games we saw were all amazing and down to the last minutes. I do dream of attending the Final Four some year and Joe's vote is for 2014 at Cowboys Stadium -- I think we will enter the lottery that year for sure!

Now that's a garage sale!

We were up and out early this morning to get our playing card for the REI garage sale. It's a crazy event where they sell all the returned items at a HUGE clearance for members only. We have decided to buy the Bob Revolution stroller and thought we'd take our chances at one on clearance. We arrived to quite a few people and got our card --- an Ace.

We headed to breakfast. Yep, that's an almost empty sippy cup, she's starting to come around slowly.

It was as record crowd outside REI this morning and they had several strollers, a few double Bobs, other brands, and 2 Bob Revolutions that I was intersted in. Everyone had to have a playing card to get in. They called the 9's, then 2's, then everything but the ace. I kept watching and for the longest time both of my desired strollers were still there, but the doubles went in minutes. The crowd was just insane and I think we waited almost an hour to get in. We ran to the strollers and they were all gone. Joe headed to the hiking carriers and I walked over to where I saw 2 strollers together. Sure enough, a couple was deciding between the two. I asked if they were buying both and they said no, so I said, "OK, I'll wait and see if I want the one you don't". Well, another lady said, "I'm in line after them". Serious stuff this stroller clearance shopping. They eventually gave the lady the one she wanted and walked away. I was in shock --- I GOT IT! We left with a navy bob revolution for less than half price! It's used, but just perfect for us. I won't feel sad when I check it on our next plane ride and it gets bummed up because it already is a little bit. No excuses now --- I own a perfect jogging stroller and I'm a real sucker for a deal!

I couldn't resist this photo -- she is eating like a champ and getting better and better with the spoon. Who wouldn't master the spoon for chocolate/caramel pudding? She didn't eat the whole thing and when she's done, she's done.....so the cup hit the floor, but hit Nicky first and he still has pudding on his head, but at least he got the leftovers on the floor too. There is never a dull moment around here!

Sweet 16 - Salt Lake City

The Syracuse vs Butler game was good --- it wasn't the team I chose, but what a game and I do love it when the underdog wins!

I just love the Orange Man! Joe claims they launch him onto the field at lacrosse games and I just have to see that someday!

So.....we were only a few rows from the top, but our eyes adjusted quickly and I feel we did have a good view of the game, but I do miss the sounds of the game and it took overtime before the crowd really went crazy.

Xavier's mascot looks like the Frito Bandito to me!

Xavier vs Kansas State --- the calls were crazy. The double over time was amazing! Again, not the result I wanted, but I'd always rather have an exciting game!

Quite possibly, college's worst mascot! I will call him Rat Boy and we will be seeing him on Saturday vs Butler!

We made it....

Joe's been in Philly since Sunday morning. He was in a "vest" in the projects while working with the local police. I was worried, but then my stress was heightened when I told my colleague who grew up in Pennsylvania where he was and her eyes almost popped out her head! He is on his plane home and should land safely.

Ella has made it through 4 days without her bottle. I still think she's mad at us, but every day gets better. She does a great job (or so they say) drinking at daycare, but home is very minimal. It's a good thing she's with her sippy cup buddies most of the day this week and peer pressure can be good.

I had a new crown put on my tooth this morning and my dentist promised it was sealed. I found out a past dentist did a poor job and I am still upset, but not sure there is anything I can do about it. I figure I'm at least $3000 in dental bills thus far this year (mostly from work done poorly the first time) and regretting that I didn't flex as much as I should have........who would have known?

Ella and I attended a baby/wedding shower for one of the students I work with tonight and she did pretty well. It was fun, but we cut out early --- the munchkin can't stay up as late when I get her up at 6:15AM!

Tomorrow is my Friday!!! I took Thursday off for the basketball games and then Friday too. It will be nice.

Elmo Bathtime

I'm ready for the Sweet 16

I finally know when we are going to the games on Thursday (and when I need a babysitter). I guess I took the whole day off work for no reason....but I didn't really want to work anyway (it's March Madness, ya know?)!

We'll be watch Butler vs Syracuse at 5:07pm MST followed by Xavier vs Kansas St. Should be exciting.....

The real question --- Can UNI beat Michigan State? Go Panthers! The Big 10 is well represented in the tournament, but I have to cheer for my Iowa underdogs!

Review of Care.com

Care.com is awesome! I give it 2 big thumbs up! You can find babysitters, pet sitters, housekeepers, tutors, senior care, etc. You simply type in your zipcode and you have profiles of several potential people.

I paid $30 for access to more detail and background check. I will just cancel after the month is over because we are happy with the one sitter we found. We also completed an interview and checked references and verified employment in addition to the background check via the site.

We were able to target our search to exactly our needs including age of child, hours of care needed, willing to have a pet in the house, hourly rate, non-smoker, age, gender, etc.

It was super easy and I know you can at least search for free, but you can't contact anyone via their secure email without paying the $30 which I thought was reasonable. It's worth typing in your zip code and just getting an idea of your options. Now that we always pay $25 a night to board Nicky I may glance at the pet sitters....the doggy spa is getting expensive!

I searched the web and found other reviews like this and I hope others find this helpful! It is so scary to trust a stranger to come into your home and care for your child.

I've never felt more like a Mom....

Oh my! Ella and I met Katie tonight for dinner. I'm not sure we made a very good first impression. I always tell my friends without kids that it is life-changing, more life-changing than I thought possible. Don't get me wrong, being a mom is fabulous....but it's hard for the people without kids to understand.
1. I shared my water with Ella and drank it after she had obviously backwashed into it
2. I ate my salad even though Ella had touched much of it
3. I cut up my pizza as fast as possible and blew on it to cool it for her
4. Chased down books, rings, sippy cups accross the restaurant
5. Stood up and held Ella while trying to have an adult conversation
6. Passed off Ella so I could crawl on the floor and pick up all the food she dropped.
7. Came home, gave her a bath, and opened a beer for myself!

She said they were thinking about kids in a few years. My guess is tonight after an hour with us, the answer will be NO for now.

Never felt more like a Mom.....

Bottles may have been easier.....

Ella has never been a fan of the sippy cup and therefore has MANY different kinds! We bought so many different ones and she got a ton as gifts as well. I have spent the last few hours digging through drawers and trying to put them all back together!

I spent the most time looking for the straw for this one which she drank well out of this morning, but the straw wasn't long enough and she was mad when she couldn't get the rest of the milk out.

OOPS! I was way wrong....this one doesn't have a straw at all. It's a sports sipper! We will get this all figured out. At least I have basketball as a distraction!

Come on Maryland (yes I am cheering against the big ten for my bracket, don't tell my new friends from Friday night) and Come on Wisconsin!!!

Weekend Update

It's been quite a weekend! We hired a babysitter for Friday night. We love her! We found her on care.com and the interview, reference checks, and background check were all perfect. When we got the invite for the Big Ten Happy Hour, we knew it was meant to be. It was an ideal night to try out the new babysitter and for us to go have some fun. Ella did wonderfully and we are so excited to have found Carrie and hope she can help us out a lot while I work and Joe travels.

The Big Ten Happy Hour was fun. We walked into the bar and didn't see many people there at all and then we went upstairs where we were greeted kindly by the Michigan State guy who put it all together. The Michigan State game was on and they were the best represented. I met the president of the I-club and offered to help set up the next event. We met a great guy from Wisconsin who works in the Utah athletic office and exchanged emails --- he just moved here and has 2 comp tickets to many sporting events (not a bad friend to have). We learned most of the althetic office staffers are Big Ten graduates! It was fun to feel the Midwest and Big Ten spirt and I think that's the most people I have seen in one room with a drink in their hand since we moved here! Not that you have to drink.....but it was a nice escape from our usual tense atomsphere. I also had to laugh when I was telling the organizer that I had to explain "happy hour" to my colleagues at work and he said he had the hardest time explaining it to the bar every time he called to confirm because Happy Hour is illegal (discounted drinks at least) and it caused him great troubles! Gotta love the crazy laws in Utah.

Saturday morning was full of drama. Actual laying on the ground, kicking, screaming, you name it while signing milk. Sippy cups went flying accross the room. The bottle is gone and it's going to be a rough week for Miss Ella. On the positive side she is eating more solid food than usual and I am hopeful the drinking will come. It's hard to not give in to my child whom I have worked so hard to get to drink.....now I am changing the rules on her again! I knew she was very emotionally attached and it is all worse than I thought it would be. I dusted off the many sippys we have bought over the past many months and just went out to buy some more options.....we will survive!

Joe left for Philly and it's just the girls until late Tuesday night. I'm back to days on Monday so it's early to bed for all of us tonight --- the transition to getting up to the alarm at 5:15 is hard!

It's beautiful outside and we've already been out for a walk and have plans for the park this afternoon.

Dinner plans with a new friend tonight. My Mom met a lady who has a son and daughter-in-law that live in Salt Lake. He lives in Europe most of the year playing basketball and she is always up for new friends (as am I). We have been emailing since mid-January and today is finally the day to meet up! It will be fun to hang out with another midwesterner and make a new friend....although this feels like a blind date! At least we'll have Ella for entertainment!

Go Panthers!

What a game for UNI. It was so fun to watch the last few mintues of the game. I had Kansas in the finals, so it hurt my bracket, but I love the upsets and close games, so GO UNI!

Go Badgers!

My picks are in

I am in the pool at Joe's work which is serious, online and there's money involved. Also Joe and I can be a little competitive . I filled out a bracket at work and that's more for bragging rights.

In my prediction we will be seeing Syracuse vs Butler (or Vanderilt) and Pitt vs Kansas St play on Thursday next week follwed by Syracuse vs Pitt on Saturday. We should definately see some good games. I am tempted to order a Syracuse shirt to wear.

I have some different picks here and there in both pools, but I chose Kentucky over Kansas in both for the final.

Bring on the Madness! I will most likely illegally be on the internet at work today checking scores...guess I better do some more literature searches to balance out my time on ESPN!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cornbeef and Cabbage

We went to Grandma Dorothy's last night. She made us cornbeef and cabbage and had St. Patrick's Day gifts for Miss Ella. Yeah, I was feeling bad she didn't have anything green to wear on Wednesday - thanks Grandma!

It was such a treat to have dinner cooked for us after a crazy day of travel! We celebrated St. Patrick's day and Joe, Sr's memorial birthday. We do miss him dearly and know he is watching over us constantly.

Ella is always so happy to pick up Nicky at Camp Barkalot! Pure joy on her face!

We had a hard time getting her sit still even to open a gift --- she is full of energy!
Grandma had a fun hat!

Simply Adorable!

Big Ten Happy Hour!

I got an E-vite last night to the SLC Big 10 Happy Hour Friday night. We confirmed a babysitter and we are so excited to go!

I assumed they got my email from the Univ of Iowa Alumni Association, so thank you UIAA!

I love the NCAA tournament and always support all the Big 10 teams, so this is a perfect opportunity to hang with some fellow fans! Which Hawkeye shirt shall I wear?

Winter Park Weekend

In so many ways, this was not the long weekend we had planned. The most important part worked out --- we got to spend some great time with wonderful friends and we just accept the many bumps in the road to make it all happen! Some of the bumps resulted in greatness, like getting to see Meredith and others resulted in trouble.....like Joe missing most of work on Monday, but we did get some more family time together than we planned (if only Monday could have been more relaxing......

We arrived with no issues Friday evening in record time! Lauren was already asleep and we easily moved Ella to the pack-n-play that Nicole had all ready to go. It was almost easier than a trip to Iowa -- everything was just ready to go for us and so nice of Nicole and Jeff to be so kind!
We were up early and headed to the mountain! Look at those baby models in the wagon! The girls went to daycare. Ella did not do as well as I had planned and I had some guilt and frustration......

Look at that gang and look at the great snow conditions! Does this view make you want to learn to ski? Come on family --- Christmas in the mountains?

We met up with Leslie and her new husband Eric --- notice my very swollen left side of my face --- I was on narcotics for pain most of the weekend!

Nicole, Jeff, Laurie and Joe -- we truly are blessed with great friends and they are just easy for us to hang out with! How perfect that we have cute little girls that will make the best of friends!

Lauren was in the mood for posing with her waffle fry post Apres Ski (Ella was crying at my legs)

Too cute!

We woke up to flurries at the condo and Joe had a great fear of not getting down Berthoud Pass with our rear-wheel drive rental car (are you kidding me? -- rear wheel drive in Colorado?)!!!! It was such a bummer to say goodbye in such a rush, but once we hit the pass and could hardly see the road, we decided it was the right choice. At one point:

Laurie "do you have control of the car?"

Joe ---- silence, while white-knuckled at the wheel

We were on the phone with my Mom for updated road conditions. It was crazy (and great) that once we hit I-70, it was smooth sailing!

Ella with Auntie Meredith!

Sunday Plan B worked out great and we drove up to Longmont to see Meredtih. We met at Oskar Blues. This was hilarious to us because they brew Old Chub (Ella's favorite beer coozie).

We knew Ella needed to burn off some energy and we have talked about taking her to the children's museum in Salt Lake.....so gave the Denver Children's Museum a shot. I thought we had it all timed out perfectly.....museum followed by a nap on the way to the airport. Well, the museum was fun and the nap happened on the way to the airport. The flight, however, was cancelled! 2 of 3 is not bad most of the time......

There was an area for kids under 4 and she loved it and just ran and ran and ran and ran. I was exhausted!

Shopping was sure a highlight - it was so cute to see her pull things off the shelf

This was in the vet room. She does love her animals!

Back to the little kid area while Joe was on the phone with Delta!

Our flight was cancelled due to a mechanical problem and we drove to the airport to get a hotel voucher and spent the night at the Crowne Plaza. Not exactly what we planned.....but we had some more family time and went out for dinner and swimming. We had to make a trip to the grocery store.....I wasn't packed for a hotel stay and we had borrowed so much of the kid stuff.....but it all worked out and we had Joe to work by about 3PM on Monday. Again, not what we planned, but it all worked out!

I have NEVER planned a trip where I was off work a day before and after our travel and this time we really needed it! Surprise redo root canal Thursday and then cancelled flight --- sometimes things just work out and I am very thankful!

More pictures and stories can be found at Life by Nicole. Thanks Jeff, Nicole and Lauren for hosting us and inviting us to Colorado ---we miss you!