random pics

I taught dane to smell the poinsetta's. too bad they were fake! ha.












Dane had no clue this sticker was on him. it's all about branding...














"mom, when can we go out to play?"

More pics over Christmas vacation

My new niece, Noelle, was born the day after Christmas. She's a beauty already!

Paul and I have a tradition that started 6 years ago when we were just dating. When I went to California over Christmas break to meet Paul's family, he took me to Ruby's on the pier in Newport Beach. We've gone every year since then. This is the pic from this year. I'll have to find the others and post them all too.

This was on the way to the pier.

Dane was loving the wind the day we went to the beach. Most kids would turn their faces away from it but dane was looking right at it.

Dane loves breaking all the rules with his uncles. He just smiles and they let him do whatever he wants. We don't let him play on the computer, but uncle cody does!

Dane videos

Here are a couple of videos from Dane over Christmas.




Dane loves his tunes.

Christmas 2008

We spent Christmas in California with Paul's family. It was very relaxing and great weather but I missed the white christmas we would of had in Utah.

Dane loved opening his presents and playing with his new toys.




Here he's playing with cousin Elizabeth and Aunt Veronica. (And if it looks like she's about to have a baby - she was. Veronica had Baby Noelle the next day, 12.26.08.)















One of Dane's favorite toys was the ball pit. This might be replacing the box. We'll see...

"Mom, I want to open this one."

modern medicine

I'm grateful for modern medicine. Without, i would have been a widow at 27. Instead I have loving husband and a beautiful little boy that I adore. Paul is in surgery again right now trying to fix a hernia caused by his new kidney. It's nothing serious but something that needed to be fixed before it became serious. It was 3 years ago on the 13th that paul received his transplant. It looks like December is now his month for surgeries.

I'm grateful for life, grateful for doctors and especially grateful to family and friends that help and support us during these events in our lives. Thanks, everyone!

plaid

A Short Story about Plaid

Mieka: "So, how do you like your new shirt?"
Paul: It's ok. But I don't like stripes.
Mieka: yes you do.
Paul: No. I just like plain shirts.
Mieka: You have plaid shirts. Plaid is strips in both directions.
Paul: I don't have any plaid shirts.
Mieka: yes you do! red/white, blue/white, multi-color. They're some of your favorites. (Mieka goes to closet to retreive plaid shirts.)
Mieka: See. Plaid shirts.
Paul: Those are't plaid.
Mieka: Then what would you call them?
Paul: Boxy.

Mieka laughs uncontrollably. The end.

body

After almost two years my body is back to normal. Period.

dane's toys

The box 0' fun continues. I was going to throw the box away but Dane still plays in it on a regular basis. In fact, we had some friends visit and their 3 kids climbed in also. I'm really contemplating whether I should get him any toys for christmas or just some bigger boxes...
















Thanks grandma Barlow for the great toy. And if you watch closely, you can see dane wink twice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEgprZ1_Ze0

holy crap

The title was my exact words as I was driving to work today and saw gas was $1.99. I couldn't believe it. I remember when gas was $0.89 when i was in college (1999). And then a couple months ago it was $4.30. I didn't think I'd ever see it below $2.00 again. Glad it is.

daddy playing

Every day when I get home from work I'll find Paul and Dane playing. This is what I came home to today.



Thanks for being an amazing daddy! I love you, Paul.

first steps - on Halloween

Meet "The Lion, Witch, and The Wardrobe



This morning Dane was just taking one or two steps at a time and then would fall. By the end of the night this is what he was doing.

1st time at Disneyland

Paul's parents were kind enough to give us annual passes to Disney. It only took me having a kid to get Paul to take me to Disneyland. :) Dane had a great time and was a trooper since he woke up at 7 am and didn't get his nap until 2pm. I think that Pirates was the favorite ride - Dane just snuggled up to Paul and took a little nap in the long, dark ride.

empty lot = empty conversation

This is a portion of the conversation today while on a walk with Dane. You be the judge, do we have communication issues?

Mieka: I wonder when they are going to build on this lot. It's huge! Do you think that it's one lot or two?
A pause - and inspection of lot size.
Mieka: I bet just one. Too small to be two.

Three houses later...

Paul: Hey, someone told me there was an empty lot on this street. I wonder where it is.
Mieka: Are you serious?
Paul: yeah. (Starts looking around).
Mieka: We just passed it. We had a conversation about it.
Paul: We did??? No. Really?
Mieka: Yeah. (And then repeats the above conversation).
Paul: Really? I didn't see it.
Mieka: We're going back.

Upon arrival of the empty lot Paul looks around, nods and says "hmmm, interesting." And keeps walking.

So what's worse, Paul doesn't remember the conversation or Paul didn't even notice the large, empty lot? :) I love my husband.

funk is over

I'm happy to say that i'm out of my funk and feeling better about life. And a big reason is this cute little boy.

The first pic Dane was waving to someone on the TV.

And the second - notice all of the toys in the background, and then look at Dane's favorite toys that he's holding. The remote and my phone.

post it note entertainment

New found entertainment - the post-its.


Notice all of the new pink tabs around him. And then the fun ran out...

funk

I've been in a complete funk the last couple of weeks. Upside down economy, company layoffs (including my best friend), eating into oblivion has lead to stress, sadness, loneliness, rage, guilt, worry (just to name a few). I sound like drama and maybe I am. I don't care.

I know the economy will rebound, friendships can repair, and I can be happy again. When? I think one day, soon...I hope.

first word

I just love this photo so i thought i'd post it even though it has nothing to do with this post.

On Friday Dane officially said his first word. Paul was out of town so my friend Jennifer was over. I had given Dane his bath and we were standing outside his room. I told him to tell Jennifer "night, night". He usually waves to tell anyone goodbye or goodnight so that's what I was expecting. All the sudden he says "nigh, nigh". Jennifer and I looked at each other, mouths gaping open. Was that really his first word? Yep! He has since said it both Saturday and Sunday nights before going to bed.

Paul has been working with him every day to say 'dada' but 'nigh, nigh' won out. I know it's just the first word but it was really exciting. Soon we won't get the kid to be quiet.

Ode to the breast pump

Sorry if the title makes any of the male readers uncomfortable. Feel free to skip this entry - you've been warned.

Since I started back to work after having Dane I have had to pump 2-3 times a day. I wanted to breast feed as long as possible so with that meant pumping for that whole time. While i've loved breastfeeding, I HATE pumping. Maybe it's because I feel like cow or because it's not natural to hook your breasts up to a machine. And then to haul your pump down the halls at work and have people make comments cause they know exactly where I'm going and what I'll be doing while locked in a closet. Oh how I'm glad those days will be over.

Not many of my friends have been working moms so I don't know if they fully appreciate the pumping process and fitting it in where possible. While it might not seem sanitary, here is just a sample of some places I've had to do the deed to make sure either my baby was fed or i wasn't in complete pain. Don't judge! You don't know...

1. Orlando FL - catalog conference (oversized handicap stall bathroom)
2. Reno NV - conference bathroom
3. Lake Tahoe - lake cruise
4. Denver, Co - on a press check for work (bathroom)
5. airport bathrooms
6. driving (i know not safe but I had one hand free)
7. closet at work a.k.a napatui
8. mall parking lot

I started Dane on cow's milk this week so tomorrow is the first day in almost 12 months that I won't hook myself up to that loathed machine and hear the hmmm that I so passionately detest. Yippee!!!

help mom

Luckily I had my camera close by while playing with Dane. His car went under one of his toys and he dove in after it... He retreived the car - mission accomplished. And then he got stuck. I just kept taking pics instead of helping. I'm so mean! I should have taken a video... next time.

Paul has been after me to cut dane's mullet. I finally gave in. Here is my little man.

more bday party pics

birthday party

Dane's birthday party was a big hit. Thanks to family and friends for coming and making it so memorable!

I had to take separate picture of the cake. I decorated them all by myself! Not too shabby for a first attempt (and possibly last!). :)

Thanks auntie jennifer for taking such adorable pics!

"I'm done, mom! Take me home, i'm ready for my nap."

Happy Birthday Dane!

A year ago our lives were forever changed. I walked into the hospital terrified. And I walked out feeling a love so intense i could physically feel it growing inside. With a beautiful baby boy in my arms, Paul and I began a journey we weren't sure we were prepared for but one we looked forward to.

We are so grateful that this little spirit found his way into our home. Dane, we love you!

And a year later, you're still just as cute as the day you were born!

many faces of dane

Dane has started to make this face a lot whenever he gets excited about something or wants to point something out to us. And then he makes a "whoo, whoo" sound at the same time.

OCD

Paul has OCD. It only manifests itself in certain situations though. He can't stand to have things just haphazard on the counter or table. For example, if I've sorted through the mail and left a few things slightly turned, he'd come along and straighten them. Now, if there is something on the floor that needs to be picked up, he can't even see it. But a pen not in alignment with another pen... well, that's just not acceptable.
So sometimes I like to play little tricks on Paul. If i notice him straighten papers or pens I'll mess them back up again when he's not looking. And without even stopping to think, he straightens them again.
On Sunday we were running a little late to church but Paul found time to do a little straightening before leaving (and notice that he didn't put them away - i guess too much effort!)
Before (I'm guessing this is what i looked like before - I had to recreate since it wasn't planned)
















After...