Thurm has been a serious "foodie" lately.  Yesterday we went to our favorite Asian store in SLC and he bought all sorts of crazy ingredients to make us more yummy food.  Thurm went to Seoul, Korea on vacation once and really liked the food, so he made us some dishes the other night. The first picture is of Kimchi, a Korean staple. Its cold, spicy, pickled cabbage.  It actually wasn't bad, but I was expecting it to be hot, so it threw me.  The second picture is a Korean beef dish (can't remember the name) over coconut rice.  The coconut rice was awesome. 

In other news... I had a doctor appointment yesterday and was told that I get to have my ultrasound in 2 1/2 weeks! YAY! I'm so sure that its a girl---let's hope I'm right.  

I have been feeling uninspired, unmotivated, uneverything and so Quinn and I took an hour drive around the Tooele area looking for something beautiful to photograph.  We looked hard for SOMETHING on this ugly, foggy, dead of winter, drab day. After we got home I realized I had my ray of sunshine with me the whole time.

Wheat Blender Pancakes/Waffles

These are my mother-in-law's pancakes and they are so awesome and fairly healthy. You use wheat right out of your food storage bucket. The trick is to make sure you blend the wheat really good or it ends up a little gritty.  I got a sweet KitchenAid blender from my brother for Christmas so it had no problems blending it. The batter was actually steaming after 4-5 minutes.  It says in the instruction manual I can make soup in the blender without even cooking it afterward.

Wheat Blender Pancakes

1 c. milk
1 c. wheat
Blend on high for 4-5 minutes.

Mix in rest of ingredients:
2 eggs
2 TBS sugar
1/4 c. oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder

Then just cook on griddle or waffle maker.

I found Quinn putting his fisher-price toy to bed and kissing her night-night. Something about how tiny the toy was in that huge bed made me laugh.

Quinn has started reading books on his own. I love it.

We made orange chicken and tempura for dinner tonight. For some reason it was DELICIOUS! It was one of those meals that during all we talked about was how good the food was. It was like that scene from "What About Bob" where he is eating the corn on the cob.  MMMmmm. MMMMM!!!!

New Words

Quinn has added a ton of new words to his vocabulary. Four in just the last two days: happy, poppy (popcorn), house, & bee.  He's 18 months right now and the doctor said he was really advanced with his verbal skills, so thats good. Now if I could just get him to eat.

This pregnancy has gone by really quick, mostly because I haven't been thinking about it as much as I did the first.  I have been eating total crap this time though. I have had more corndogs in the last 3 months than my whole life combined. Now that the nausea has passed, maybe I can make myself start eating a little more healthy.

Saltair

Driving home from SLC I had to pull off at the Saltair exit to retrieve a binky so I snapped a quick picture. I love this building. I have only been inside once for a concert when I was 20.  It used to be a resort-vacation type place. My mom told me they would drive up from Provo for the day to go swimming in the lake.  Too bad its glory day is over and that no one is helping it stay alive. Its such a cool building. 

UPDATE:
Our fish, Kwon, just died.  He must have known I was blogging about him.  I'm sort of glad, because now we can get a fish and give him a better name than Kwon.

Lazy Days

Thurm has had a four day weekend. We visited his sister in Payson and went to a BYU basketball game with them and ate alot of food.  Yesterday we worked on our roof putting up beams. Today we had grand plans to do something fun in SLC, but ended up lazing around and then eating an all-you-can-eat buffet at Pizza Hut.  Now we might take a family nap : )

Funny Story:  We left our fish over Christmas break for two weeks and were sure we would come home to a dead fish.  We walked in the house and Thrum said "OMG, he's still alive." Cracked me up.

WE ARE HAVING A BABY!!!!  Due date is July 15th!

2010 Goals

This is a little late because I wasn't going to set any goals this year. I never follow through with them and I just wasn't feeling it.  But my good husband set the first two for us and I'm going to add a couple for just me.

1. Go the temple at least once a month.
2. Read the scriptures & pray daily (so far, so good).
3. Make my days productive.
4. Build my photography business (I have been absolutely un-enthused about this and I can't get motivated to care!)
5. Get the roof and bathroom remodeled by end of year.

Thurm & I were talking about a "bucket list" (never saw the movie, but got the gist that its "things to do before you die").  I wrote a list when I was younger of about 50 things and I accomplished alot of them.  My brother told me I need to set some higher goals if I've already done everything on my list. True. But I really have done most of what I always truly wanted. Can't I just be content or should I make some more goals?

1. Live in Thailand
2. Travel to Guatemala, Spain, Greece, Bali, more of Asia... and a million other places.
3. Have more children.
4. Become a really great photographer.
5. Run a non-profit to help neglected and abused children.
6. Learn to love exercise.
7. Be a scriptorian.
8. Keep learning and someday be very wise.
9. Always be a minimalist and never get caught up in wanting/owning unnecessary things.
10. Never be swayed by the masses or popular opinion.

Alright, those are pretty lofty, better stop at ten.

Goings Ons of January

This is so un-Quinn like. He is a boy that has to be in his crib/bed to fall asleep. I don't think he's fallen asleep outside his crib since he was 2 months old.  I let him cry it out in his room for awhile before I went in to put him back in his bed, but he must have been exhausted. 

Aw Yeah, Aw Yeah! I finally got a huge cupboard for my laundry room. I've wanted it since we moved here. I was so excited as I filled it with blankets, towels, sheets...and so much more can fit!!!

I unearthed this shelf from our attic. I keep wondering when the treasure hunt will stop! But just a few days ago I found it tucked in a corner that I had never noticed. It was mauve, so I sprayed it white and hung it in Quinn's room. This whole display cost probably $4. Everything is either gifts, hand-me-downs, homemade, or DI.  I seriously get excited about being thrifty : )

Good Reminder

The Four Parts to Discipline

• 
  

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of The No-Cry Discipline Solution

Read more: 

Parenting Preschoolers

, 

Parenting Toddlers

, 

Preschoolers

,

Toddlers

, 

discipline

, 

parenting

, 

teaching

From The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill) by Elizabeth Pantley

Discipline is a very complicated and complex matter. We want to enjoy our children, we don’t want to stress about the little things, and we want to be forgiving to our children and our selves. However – there are many, many things we must get our children to do, or stop them from doing – all day, every day. There are lots of daily tasks that must be completed. Add to that the fact that children don’t always listen, they don’t always do the things we want them to do, and they have a limited amount of knowledge and emotional control. Keeping all this in mind, I believe that there are four distinct parts to the purpose and goal of discipline:

1 – To correct immediate behavior. 2 – To teach a lesson. 3 – To give tools that build self-discipline and emotional control. 4 – To build the parent/child relationship.

Let’s examine how this applies to a few typical situations so that you can begin to understand how these four purposes colors almost every discipline situation with your child.

Situation:

Your child is having a temper tantrum in a store because you won’t buy a new toy.

1 – Correct immediate behavior Take your child to a restroom or unpopulated corner of the store. Wait for your child to stop the tantrum.

2 – Teach a lesson You can’t have everything you want. You need to express your emotions appropriately.

3 – Give tools to build self discipline and emotional control Help child write a list of toys that she wants, but can’t have right now.

4 – Build the relationship Demonstrate leadership, understanding and patience.

Situation:

Your two children are squabbling over a toy.

1 – Correct immediate behavior Put the toy on the counter while you get your children to stop tussling and pay attention to you.

2 – Teach a lesson Children need to learn how to share toys and take turns.

3 – Give tools to build self discipline and emotional control Help children by setting a timer so each can have a five minute turn with it. Show them how to do this in the future without your help.

4 – Build the relationship Show them how to play together and how to settle disputes. Show them that they can look to you for help in handling problems.

Situation:

Your child is upset with a playmate and bites her on the arm.

1 – Correct immediate behavior Separate the children. Provide attention and care to the child who was bitten.

2 – Teach a lesson Get down to your child’s level, put your hands on her shoulders, look her in the eye and tell her, “Biting hurts. We don’t bite. Give Emmy a hug now. That will make her feel better.”

3 – Give tools to build self discipline and emotional control Give your child a few hints on how she should handle her frustration next time; “If you want a toy, you can ask nicely for it or you can come to Mommy for help.”

4 – Build your relationship Show your child that you are on her side even when she makes mistakes. Demonstrate that she can count on you to teach her how to handle strong emotions.

Discipline is not a one-time maneuver

You say you’ve tried to get your little one to put his toys away, but he never does. You’re after your daughter constantly not to whine, yet that screechy voice continues. You repeatedly attempt to get your two children to share their toys nicely yet it seems that daily you’re refereeing an argument over toys. No matter what you do, the same issues keep coming up over and over again.

Think about something that you do, or don’t do – that you know you should do differently. Perhaps it’s exercising or eating healthily. Maybe it’s keeping your desk organized or your closet clean. In all of these examples it’s likely that you struggle to always do the right thing, even when you know what the right thing is. So, if you, the mature adult, still don’t do everything the right way how could you possibly expect such a feat from your young child?

Discipline means to teach – and it is a very rare lesson that can be learned in one simple session. Furthermore, young children cannot easily apply what they’ve learned in one situation to another. So even minor variations create entirely new scenarios – for example, learning to share toys with a sibling at home isn’t easily transposed to the situation of sharing playground equipment with a friend at the park.

What this all means is that you must teach the same, or similar, lessons over and over and over and over again in many different ways until, perhaps, your child will master the idea and claim it as his own. Even then, just because a child knows what is right doesn’t mean he will always do the right thing. (Do you always drive the posted speed limit?) Our job as parents is to help our children learn right from wrong, and how to make the right decisions in life. It is to guide and teach our children, every day, in many ways.

Discipline means teaching, and as such, it can encompass almost every interaction you have with your child. When you are thoughtful about your role as a parent, and when you keep your eye on your long-term goals and use carefully planned parenting skills, then your essential parenting attitudes will be properly aligned and your job as a parent will be more fulfilling and rewarding.

Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill) by Elizabeth Pantle

I used to feel so sad when I would hear mothers say they needed a break from their kids. Or how they just relished alone time, time with friends, couldn't wait to get the kids in bed, etc. I just couldn't fathom not wanted to spend every waking moment with my sweet little baby boy.

I need to apologize for any "bad mother" thoughts that crossed my mind to anyone who said those words above.

Because I can't WAIT for Quinn to go to bed every night. I LOVE nap time when I have an hour to myself to do what I want. I watch the clock for 5 o'clock when daddy gets home to take over.  When we are around cousins or adoring aunts, I smile and wave bye-bye to my little man.

It was a rough day.

December Photos

Quinn's  scrapped chin from falling down stairs at Grandma's house.

All the Aunt's trying to get Quinn to come to them, but just scaring him.

Christmas morning in front of the tree.

Quinn loved Aunt Misty.

Thurm's birthday pampering. Though, from the grimace on his face, he might not have thought an all natural mask was the way to get pampered.  But he also got a bubble bath and a back massage.

Quinn's first night in a big boy bed. Over Christmas vacation, he learned how to get out of any and all cribs that he slept in.  He's on his 3rd or 4th night and it's great!  He hasn't fallen out since.

Latest Crafting

This is a mirror that was left in our house. It is super heavy and was bolted to the wall.  It was covered in a hideous fabric that I ripped off. I had been contemplating what to do with it, cover it with new fabric, frame it, etc. But then I had the idea to modge podge a Pooh book over it. It was the easiest and cheapest solution, the one I usually choose.  Quinn has an accidental Pooh theme in his room. He kept getting pooh gifts, but I haven't fully committed his room to any style.  

This is a stuffed owl I started making a year ago. I just bought stuffing today and finished it. I made it from a pair of Thurm's old pants.

We made Valentine's ornaments tonight to hang on my door wreath.  Thurm sewed this one... pretty good!

I had a realization yesterday.  I have always wondered why mothers always seem to have so much confidence. More than once, I have ran into a high school friend with three kids and they are so outgoing and friendly and seem to exude so much confidence.  I alway thought "why do I feel so intimidated by them? I have my degree, a career, I've traveled the world."  BUT I realized yesterday its not so much confidence as it is desperation to talk to another adult! I saw a friend in Ikea yesterday and I was so excited to talk to someone besides my baby and husband that I chatted her ear off for 15 minutes.

We went to get-together with my college roommates a couple weeks ago and while we there my friend's husband, Scott,  gave us a gift that was one of the most special, amazing gifts I've ever gotten. Heather and Scott had come to our temple wedding and he took notes during the ceremony of what the sealer talked about. I was so excited about getting married that I couldn't remember a thing about what was said during our sealing. And I thought I'd never know and had wished a few different times that I could remember even a little bit of what was said.  Scott had taken notes and then right after wrote down word for word what he could remember. He typed it up, put a picture of the Salt Lake temple behind it and framed it for us.  How amazing!  I tear up just thinking about how thoughtful that was.

2004 Pictures

I've been looking through all my old disks of pictures in a search and keep coming across gems.  These are all from 2004 when I lived in SLC and worked for FNB and was in my single girl prime.

Below are pictures of a night of snowman building at 2 am.  Bryan had a great idea to build a firing squad of snowmen.

This is my adorable niece, Elise, back when I was the favorite aunt and took her to things like "Disney's Princesses on Ice" and rode on Trax to get there.  Oh how they wish I was still that cool.

Halloween 2004: Bryan & Sara Banker. I believe Bryan was a dude from Jersey and Sara a football fan, which they are in real life, so it wasn't much of a stretch.

Danalin, a sad clown. Me, a devil, I was being ironic.

Michelle, Abby, Monica, Me, Sara, Bryan, Bryan's girlfriend of the year.

Monica

Isabell- CUTEST 3 year old in the world.

Sleding with Janey & Monica in Sugarhouse park (I have no idea who's pink coat that is).

Elise, Chase, Aidan and Uncle Nate....somewhere?

Monica & I at a raging concert.

A friend of my mom's was recently in the news, she fell to her death from the Angel's Landing hike in Zions Park. I was trying to explain how the trails were to my mom and how skinny they are at points and how it could easily happen.  I ran across these pictures today while looking for some others.  I didn't have any pictures of the narrow trails.  The one of me is on the lower landing.  The picture above is the trail you take to the top. It isn't as skinny as I remember, but I do remember using my hands a lot to get up the trail and looking over the edge that was a foot from me.