Tag - I'm it

1. Comics or novels? Baby books or things I need to read.
2. Neat or slob? Mainly a slob, but I have good intentions.
3. Chocolate or peanut butter? Chocolate. A dental hygienist should NOT have this big of a sweet tooth.
4. Cold or hot? Hot outside, cold inside.
5. Talk or sleep? Sleep. If I get stressed out, I’d rather just go to sleep. I’d rather email than call people if I have a choice.
6. Which describes your greatest need? Being told your loved, Having time spent with you, Getting a present, Having something done for you, Being touched. I’m not sure of this question, but I guess I’d like to have something done for me. I get so excited when someone does something for me. Steven did the dishes and vacuumed and fed Dylan and watched Dylan so I could take a nap after church today! –( the vacuum was right when I woke up).
7. Which is your least favorite season? Right when the time changes so that it makes it dark earlier. It’s a pain not having that daylight after work.
8. Do you like to have your photo taken? I love pictures as everyone knows, so if it’s of me I like it so I will remember the event.
9. Have you ever blabbed a secret when you said you wouldn't? I’m sure I have, but probably just to someone in another state or to my patients so it has no way of getting back to the person.
10. Who do you think has the most interesting life in your social (blog) group? I’m going to have to say Lacey even though she may say it isn’t. She has set goals and has met them along the way being practically perfect at each thing. I often wish I could be that organized and steady and creative and gutsy etc.
11. Do you ever fantasize about having a different life? Yes, I covet. I want to be better at lots of things. I’ve thought about being a school teacher for the summers off or a dentist. I don’t want the loans and I really don’t want to do one job full time. I like changing it up a bit b/c “if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”
12. Have you ever had to start your life over again? Not my whole life, but I was really excited to move away from home when I went to BYU to get a whole new group of friends. I still have those friends and they’re the BEST! I only keep on touch w/ 1 person from high school.
13. What are the three most important things you look for in a relationship? I already have a husband, so I’ll say friends: Reliability, compatibility, and if they have a quality that I want to have. That way I can learn from them or have more fun w/ them.
14. Words, tone, delivery, or body language: Which do you absorb first? Which is the most important? Body language I guess
15. Are you a good communicator? No way. I have a consept in my head and I get frustrated often b/c it comes out all sloppy even in writing. Most people can’t understand my voice mail messages I leave, and many people say “what” to me. And YET I teach 2 classes at church and teach my patients things that are new to them like about periodontitis or xerostomia.
16. Do you think you talk too much? Yea
17. Can you handle the truth? If it’s sugar coated:) No, I do like to know so I can improve.
18. How often do you cry? This is personal, but way more than Steven and less than Dylan.
19. What sound annoys you the most? I third both my cousins’ answers: others slurping cereal.
20. Where did your pet get its name? N/A
21. Would you rather be single, dating, engaged or married? Married.
22. Significance, Self-worth, or security...which is most important? Self Worth
23. If you could have one superhero power, what would it be? A photographic memory like some girl in some book series I used to love to read. Kat has a great memory and so does Steven. That’s why I take so many pictures. If I don’t have a picture, I’m likely to forget.
24. Do you think you are a good driver? I think I’m better when I have kid(s) in the back leat.
25. Why do you go to work? B/c Steven hasn’t accepted a job yet and we have a mortgage and possibly even more student loan debt that’s going to be due in like a month!! And I really like it - part time:)
26. Who was your favorite teacher and what was your favorite subject? My mom of course b/c I was home schooled ‘til 10th grade. I don't know if I could do it for Dylan. We'll see when the time comes. Then my math teacher Mr. Ham at Osceola High. He retired and it’s sad b/c JT will have some other teacher.
27. Who's survey answers would you most want to see? Everyone's!
If you read this, I tag you. You should start a blog if you don't have one - Betsey:) I never do these on emails but there’s something about this blog stuff.

1st time in Uncle Andre's pool this summer

Dylan's Uncle Andre has an amazing back yard. His pool was 84 degrees today so we went in while Andre worked more back there. We only took 1 underwater picture of Dylan and Malia b/c they started looking cold. The underwater camera still has pictures on it from last year and I really want to take more so I can develop it. Steven stopped me from making the babies suffer through an underwater photoshoot. Maybe we'll get it developed after next weekend when it's even warmer. The babies only floated and kicked last summer. Well Malia was doing arms too. This year they'll be swimming!

archaic digital scrapping

Dylan loves his lullabies mix that Steven burned him from Itunes. I like it too. You'd think we'd be sick of it by now but we're not. It sooths him to sleep if he's over tired or in a strange new place. I travel with his blanket and that CD.
I'm going to 2 baby showers tomorrow and Steven personalized the songs for the babies and I wanted to make CD covers. I cut up the invitations and used the parts. I know there are ways to do this so fast w/ digital scrapbooking but since I don't have the programs yet, I scanned in and printed and re scanned and re-printed. I like the top one b/c it's a picture of Dylan's cute feet a long time ago. For Carolina's baby girl to be, Nalani

For Marcie's twins to be. She waiting to tell everybody the sex of her identical twins 'til the shower.

The Oath

Steven was sworn in today! He went to a formal ceramony at the court house where he used to work. His friends, well namely one, are/is trying to get him to work there. It's tempting mainly b/c of the lunch break perk. He'll get to go to lunch w/ his friend Jerry every day. Their favorite is a buffalo chicken salad that I don't care for.

I got off work early and we dressed Dylan in his tie. He was fine until the opening prayer. He started signing for milk and got wiggly. I took him out before the bailiff asked us to leave. This tantrum was outside the court room.

Thankfully, Jerry saved the day. Dylan was tired and fell asleep in Jerry's arms so that I could be inside taking pictures. Steven has lots of supporters. We've all waited a long time for this. Now maybe he'll work so I can work less:)Steven was so happy. This makes him official! We went home and he sent out another resume. My brother came home from BYU today so we went to dinner to celebrate Steven being all grown up and having Martin back.

Babysitting

I'm so lucky to still be able to babysit for a couple of families. They let me bring Dylan b/c their kids are big enough. They end up watching Dylan and I get to have fun. Yesterday Scotty heated his pool so Dylan could go swimming for his 1st time this season. He got to use his bubble blowing skills. He was apprehensive at first but once he spotted the basketball goal, he felt right at home. I took off Dylan's wet swimsuit and swimmy b/c he was getting cold but had to stay outside b/c I the other kids didn't want to get out yet. So once Dylan was dried off and warm, he streaked.

Inside, Scotty made his own dinner including a vegie! and made us fresh squeezed grapefruit juice from the grapefruit that he had picked when we first got there. What a good Florida life we have:)

Spare time

Before I started this blog, I really didn't have much spare time. Steven and I had so much to do that we didn't plan ANY extra projects unless something broke. We really only get one channel on our TV and we joke about it but it's got The Office and the news so we're fine.
Now I have more time and our problem is time management. Steven has sent out lots of resumes, we paid a guy to come tear down a wall and drywall it. We didn't even have enough time to think about hiring somebody before but we REALLY wish we had done this like 3 years ago. Steven has been fixing things around our house and I've been painting. I sewed some things including a cute belt for Dylan. Then I covered mine on my swimsuit to match:) There are lots of things I've been putting off. It's like New Years Resolution time. Finding where to begin is my problem now.

finally, he knows me!

Dylan finally said "Mommy!" He just signed it, but still.

Actually, he looked over at Daddy and made the sign up at his temple. I did a double take and asked who that was and he did the sign. Then I did it back and said Mommy. He doesn't differentiate, but I called today and Steven put me on speaker phone and said he did the sign for Mommy again. I get so excited over these things. Expect pictures of the signs sometime.

Tiffany's random thoughts

I don't have one format for this blog. I'm really random, so here are some random thoughts:
Dylan said "mama" a lot yesterday. I can't really say it's his 2nd word, but I loved it. (His only other word is Uh Oh.) He says lots of other baby talk but it's mostly "uh" in a whiney voice as he does a sign for what he wants.
Which brings up another topic: I'm still working on the potty training thing (as passively as one could) and we hit another mile stone - or pebble. He did the "potty" sign while he was filling his diaper! Now he has the association down! He knows that what he's doing is associated w/ the potty sign. I was so excited and swooped him up and changed him. He never seemed to care or notice when he was dirty and is indifferent when we're changing him. He just ignores the whole process. Steven and I were clapping that he did the sign. It will still probably take a year to go all the way to potty training him, but I love it. I'm adding this part into this post b/c nobody wants another post on this subject, but he went "potty" in the big "potty!" I was so excited. Of course I knew he'd have to go some time so after dinner I took him in there and we played until he did it. He had did not stop playing or notice when he did it, but we clapped and showed daddy who thinks I'm a freak. I know. This doesn't mean anything but I think it's cool. I put his old diaper back on b/c it was still clean:)
He notices other signs and tries to duplicate them. We were at the beach yesterday and I was doing the sign for bird b/c of all the seaguls there. He did the sign backwards. (If you know the sign it's your finger and thumb like a little beak at your mouth. He was doing the sign for red - pointing at his lips.) It was cute. He also tries to do signs for bananna which look like the ball sign. He does know what they are. Everybody should try to teach signs to their baby.
Another random thought: I was thinking that I have finally embraced the fact that Dylan is a toddler. I was sad that he turned one. I wanted his clothes to say "Infant 12-18 months" but they insisted on saying "Toddler 12-18 months." Now I love that he's independant and knows what he wants. I'll be kicking myself for saying that once he's into the "terrible twos," but it's fun in this phase.

Brown Eyed Boy

I'm totally copying Lacey here, only - with measly instruments. I'm just playing w/ the features on Picasa2 again. Her pictures just turn out professionally in even the snap shots. This is just me wishin' and hopin' for quality. Dylan is still cute no matter my camera. I like his brown eyes. I noticed that they were turning brown on Easter last year. He looks a little desheveled here. I was keeping him up past his bed time.

Silly mommy

Dylan knows and can do the signs for milk, eat, (kinda does water or drink but usually uses eat and points to his sippy cup), all done, more, ball, blanket, and airplane. I want him to know the sign for potty now. He actually can do it but he doesn't know what I'm getting at. He just laughs b/c I'm happy when he does it. The other day I thought he was going potty in his diaper so I rushed him to his potty seat. I was too late and Dylan thought it was the funnyest thing that I actually think he's ready to be potty trained.
He really doesn't care if he's dirty or wet. He doesn't seem to mind. I mind so he gets changed right away. It would be nice if he could make the association with the sign and he would possibly do it before and would tell me that it was time to go potty.
Sorry to all of my friends who don't care about potty time. I'll upload the video soon.

Steven did it!

STEVEN PASSED THE BAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After hitting the refresh button 1,764 times, his status showed up.
congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bath time bubbles

Dylan learned how to blow bubbles in the bath. The pools aren't quite warm enough for swimming lessons, but we're ready! Here's a really short video of him blowing bubbles. It's hard to capture it but I've been waiting to post long enough.

Tijuana Flats

Steven and I ate at Tiajuana Flats the night before I went into labor. That was the plan b/c Corrie had eaten there the day before she had Malia. I ate some of the hot sauce (not too hot of course) b/c I was trying what ever old wife's tale I could b/c I couldn't wait to meet my baby.
Anyway, we were hungry after I got home from work on Friday so we called the Taylors. (Normal people might look in the fridge). Kirsten practiced for her little baby brothers or sisters (Marcie won't tell us the sex of her twins until her shower). Kirsten will be loved by her siblings. Dylan loves her - he gave her kisses b/c she did a good job keeping his pot belly filled.

Hike

Steven has had a lot of quality time with Dylan lately b/c he has been home more than I have. I came home from work and Steven showed me what he had taught his son. He threw a football at Dylan's feet and told him to hike it. Dylan turned around w/ the football and pushed it through his legs. I guess that's how the NFL players start.

April's Birthday

It was Friday the 13th and it was April's Birthday. On my lunch break, we made plans to meet up after dinner. It was a fun time at the Blue Martini. I hadn't been there in years. Thanks for taking the picture, Jermaine!

banned from the house

I had to take Dylan w/ me to my last volunteer site b/c we're getting a wall torn down in our house and Steven had to be home but we didn't want Dylan there. I applied topical fluoride varnish to Head Start kids in St. Pete. Cute kids. They loved Dylan. Dylan didn't know what to think.

THEN we went to my mom's to take naps. After our naps we went out by the pool for lunch. The water was too cold to get in, but it sure was funny seeing Dylan's HUGE tummy. His pot belly can't be normal. Steven's research suggested that he'll be fine though.

After the pool, we hung out w/ our friends then to church like we do each Wednesday. From Wed at 3 'til Friday night I'm always pretty busy. That's why I'm just now posting from those days.

Siesta Key half-day vacation

My dad had one survey to do in Sarasota so he invited us to go to Siesta Key w/ him after. I LOVE the sand there. We didn't even make it to the water which didn't seem wierd 'til I told my patient that today. I let Dylan walk a little then carried him b/c he kept wanting to stop and pick up the sand. Then he had walked far enough and wiggled so I would put him down. He claimed his place on the beach and there we stayed for hours. He used his birthday gifts from the McNeills and Smiths. Thanks!

Dylan helped burry a kid in our hole right before we left b/c we had to fill it in before we left anyway. I want to go back now. The sand is like hour glass sand.

Loko at the sand in his hands and at his cute toes. I might make a slide show of more pics later. We'll see.

Face

Like Twins

Liam's mom gave Dylan lots of clothes for his birthday and we're finally getting the two together to take some pictures together. The babies are cute, but it made me realize that I want a better camera for inside pictures. Some day . . .

Easter Sunday

Our Easter celebration started on Saturday w/ the Easter Egg hunt and pictures. Sunday is the real Easter though. We were as busy as the song goes: from sunrise to sunset. We went to Calvary Chapel's Sonrise Service on a beach north of the Pier w/ the Crews and Bryants. I think that is a good tradition and it starts the day off on the right foot and in the right spirit. It was really cold for some reason. I didn't like that we had to cover up the Easter outfits with coats, but I knew more picture opportunities would follow.

*I seem to live to post here. It is so much easier than getting all of the scrap book stuff out and developing pictures and remembering what I had planned to do with them once I get them back.

Anyway. We went home and made deviled eggs - or started them. Then we went to a park in Gulfport by our church. Steven wouldn't let the photoshoot continue at 7:45am b/c the sun hadn't had a chance to warm anything up yet. Church doesn't start 'til 10 so we went early (since we were already dressed) and took a couple pictures. I wanted family pictures but we had to rely on people walking by with their dogs to take the pictures.

At church, I was called and set apart as the president of the Young Woman's organization. I taught an Easter lesson for Sunday School. Dylan went home and took a nap then it was off to my mom's house for a late lunch. She thankfully invited Steven's family over so we could all just stay at one house instead of going all over like most holidays. She also invited the missionaries over. It was lots of fun. She even hid eggs in the back yard for the kids. She only had a couple with candy in them and Jonathan is always trying to figure out ways that he'll be the "favorite" uncle so he gave Dylan a couple Nerds. Dylan wasn't too interested in eating. He was excited to see the basketball goal. Uncle Andre helped him make a basket with eggs and a basketball. Dylan also was king of the trampoline. He needed like 7 people around and on the trampoline at all times though to act as bumpers b/c he thought it was so fun to run until he crashed. He's in a good mood when he's throwing his arms up and saying "YA YA YA YA YA" with a huge smile.

It was almost time for the sun to set, so we headed home. Dylan only had 1 nap and slept for about 12 hrs like he did last night.

Easter Eve morning

I posted this right from Picassa! I don't have photoshop yet b/c the newest one isn't out yet. I'm playing w/ making collages and different things I can do w/ this program. I'm addicted to this stuff!

1st Easter Egg Hunt

Racing to their 1st Easter Egg Hunt- so exciting! Giving Kisses

A month ago when I realized that Dylan will be able to participate in an Easter egg hunt, I started getting excited. My parents always had us do the Easter bunny stuff on the Saturday before Easter so that we could celebrate the real Easter on Sunday. We would get healthy snacks in our eggs like vitamin C, raisins, and nuts. We would always get a book too. I got Dylan 3 books b/c I'm a sucker.

This morning I fed Dylan and got him dressed. While I was getting ready I heard a plastic egg hit the floor. I grabbed my camera b/c I knew that he had found his easter basket:) He probably thinks that the eggs are funny shaped balls. I didn't open the eggs for him even though I had put 2 Gerber sweet potato stars in each one. He found those later at the park.

We took Dylan and Malia to a small park downtown, gave them baskets, and let them pick up and throw eggs. Dylan likes putting things in baskets so he did it at first but then didn't care that Malia was taking them out of his basket. He just wanted to go walk around and trip in the thick grass.

We took pictures 'til our camera cards ran out. Then we deleted some and took more pictures.

Conference Break

This was the general conference weekend. Twice a year we get to listen and watch church as it is broadcasted around the world from the conference center in Salt Lake City, UT. We watched the speakers in the morning on www.byu.tv/. Dylan napped a lot of it. Then we were restless and decided to go to Crescent Lake park to fly kites.

It was a first for Dylan. Steven got him a surfboard kite and it came with a little blue bird kite too. Steven was determined to fly the surfboard kite but the wind was gusty then flat. It would go high but then take a nose dive. Dylan liked standing or sitting on the surfboard more. I like to think he was dreaming of riding one some day.

Dylan liked the little kite and insisted on holding the string. He liked watching it do flips but then just walked with it dragging behind him. Poor birdie. I think he's ready for those pull toys like the Fisher Price telephone.

We went back to listen to more conference then went to Grandma Rebeck's for yummy Lasagnia and Boston Creme Pie:)