Back in the thick of things

We are back from a fun but quick trip to Oregon. My parents were kind enough to fly us out to see The Music Man performance which my mom directed the music for and my siblings at home performed in. While this musical is not necessarily my favorite musical, I enjoyed watching it immensely. The cast did a great job with their acting, singing, and dancing, and watching it in the outdoor theater was really enjoyable, despite the heat and humidity. (Man, I thought I would be enjoying 70-80* F weather in Oregon, not the 100+ damp degrees we suffered through if we walked outside!) Anyway, BJ took some photos that turned out really well. I am going to ask him to post them. He actually needs to post several sets of pictures he has taken recently.
Gabe did really well on the airplane both times, and he warmed right up to his grandparents, aunts and uncle. We enjoyed celebrating Gabe's and my birthdays, and visiting in general. We look forward to going back next month!
Now we are back in the middle of work. Luckily, we have been able to fit some fun things in this week. Last night we had a couple in our ward over to play games. Tonight after Gabe is in bed I will go to my yoga class at the church (fun for me, not so much for BJ). Tomorrow night is BJ's company party/BBQ up at the reservoir.
Next week promises to be just as exciting as I kick it off at a defensive driving class! (Just kidding. I'm not too excited about that. It is a requirement for all the county employees.) Anyway, pictures to come soon. Promise.

Baby Hooded Towels

If I have ever come to your baby shower, there is a good chance you received a hooded towel along with other baby goodies from me (Ok, I didn't do this every time, but several times I have). My mom showed me how to make these several years ago, and I've enjoyed making them ever since.

 

The above picture shows a hooded towel the way I was taught to make it- using a bath towel and a specially folded washrag. This is great for newborns. If you have a big headed baby (like me) who outgrows their hooded towel, you may want to try a different method, like the one shown next!

 

^This is one of my more recent hooded towels, made with half a hand towel instead of a washrag. You just cut the hand towel in half, fold and sew that raw edge to itself, match the seam you just sewed to the center of the long edge of the bath towel, pin, and sew. You can probably figure it out from the picture. You can see in the picture that I like to fold the decorative edge of the hand towel up before I sew it. This cuff is a nice detail, and also keeps the towel from flopping over baby's eyes. There is plenty of room for baby and toddler heads. There are other methods out there for hooded towels for older kids.

 

The ties that you see in some of the pictures is a recent idea I got from Martha Stewart- make the towel into a bath apron for yourself- handy when you don't want to be nearly as wet as the baby by the end of the bath! It also gets the towel into position so you can quickly lift baby out, onto your lap, and cover with the towel to keep as warm and toasty as possible.

 

My cute little guy after a bath!

A cute way to package the hooded towel that my mom taught me. Roll the sides of the towel in to the center, fold up, and tie. This creates a nice little pouch you can fill with bath goodies. Draw a face on a disposable diaper if you want, and put under the hood.

Another cute idea for packaging. This is just a washrag folded in half to be a triangle, then tightly rolled from the corner to the folded edge, then the roll is folded twice and tied with a ribbon. I think it is cute as it is to be a bath scrubber (it is washable as is, but you could undo it to wash it to be a little more sanitary, then redo it), but some people add all sorts of decoration, googly eyes etc. and use it as an ice holder for bumps and bruises- a "boo-boo bunny". You can google that if you want to see way more detailed tutorials on how to make.
My cutie again. I added ric rac as an easy embellishment on the hood.

Happy Birthday Rochelle

It's time for my monthly post here on the blog, and I would just like to devote this particular blog to my wonderful wife. Rochelle has been a blessing to me ever since I've first met her. Rochelle's birthday has special significance to us as well because it was also the day on which we became engaged. And I can honestly say that every year has been my happiest year yet. As this time of year comes around, and as we celebrate Rochelle's birthday, our engagement, and our anniversary, I think back to our first summer together. I say "together" but really, we didn't spend much time physically together that summer, but rather we spent a lot of time talking to each other on the phone, and sending emails back and forth. We got to know each other from a distance that summer. I remember that I had a hard time saying goodbye as we talked on the phone. At times I knew that it was time to go, but I just couldn't bring myself to saying goodbye or hanging up the phone until I was certain I had heard the "click" on the other end. That feeling has never gone away for me. Even now, as I leave work at the end of the day, I will often call Rochelle just to talk to her for the 15 minutes until I get home. Rochelle has always had a way of making me feel at home in her presence. She is a peace loving person, with a desire to please and help those around her. I am very grateful for Rochelle, and I love her more every day.

It's never easy for me to find voice for my feelings for those who are close to me, but it is especially so for Rochelle. Let me just say that I am grateful that God has sent this angel to be with me.

Happy Birthday Rochelle.

Results

Gabe's CT scan happened yesterday. They sedated him, which made him really loopy for a while afterwards, and did the scan which only took 5-7 minutes or so. He was also given versed, which is a drug which not only causes relaxation, but retrograde amnesia. So Gabe won't remember the 2-3 minutes before he got it (i.e. the IV insertion, which he was understandably not happy about) or anything about the scan or waking up. So that's good. The whole procedure happened very smoothly, and the pediatric sedation team along with the other personnel, child life specialist etc. were all very helpful and pleasant. The pediatric radiologist wasn't there during the scan so we were told that we would have to wait a few hours before our pediatrician could obtain the results.
I called the pediatrician late in the afternoon to remind him that the results would be available, and he called me back fairly promptly. He didn't give too much interpretation of the results, just what the radiologist found. His metopic suture is fused, which you actually could expect as early as 6-8 months of age (although There seems to be some conflicting information about that). However, you would not expect the craniostenosis (ridging) on that suture. The rest of Gabe's sutures are all normal, as is his brain- no squeezing, pinching, or anything concerning.
Thank goodness.
Because the ridging is still abnormal, the pediatrician wants to refer us to craniofacial specialists up in Salt Lake City.
My thoughts: Obviously the metopic suture closed a little bit prematurely, or it fused abnormally, causing the fairly mild ridging Gabe now has. It seems to me that at this point, it probably isn't going to get any worse, and any treatment would be mainly cosmetic. Part of me doesn't want to go to the specialist, perhaps for fear that we would find out that something really is wrong and he needs some sort of invasive, risky treatment. The other part of me needs to know exactly what is going on, and if there is anything we need to do, at least for peace of mind if nothing else. Of course we will take him in to get checked by the specialist. I don't know when that will be yet, but we will continue to give updates as we learn more information.
On a somewhat humorous note, all the stress of this week (from Gabe and otherwise) must be subconsciously affecting BJ and I (of course!) because this morning we each woke up from stressful but hilarious dreams. I dreamed that we had bought a large house, which had an area for a bonfire in the backyard. Lots of people came over and they lit a big bonfire, which started spewing coals and sparks everywhere, until the ground was covered in burning embers. I was the only one in my dream bothered by this. BJ woke up from a dream in which I had persuaded him that it would be really fun and exciting to participate in venomous snake racing (whatever that is- haha). In the dream BJ was holding the snake by its head to keep it from biting him as we were waiting for the race to start, and was using all his might to control it, but it kept wiggling, opening its mouth and baring its teeth, and trying to bite his hand. In the dream, I was not concerned about the snakes, apparently because I worked with snakes and other reptiles during my time at the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum (PS- none of those snakes were venomous).
BJ, you'll have to correct me if I got any of the details wrong.
Anyone an expert at dream interpretation?

This Week=

A busy week. Has been and will be.
Not that I mind terribly, it is just going to take some planning.
BJ and I work as usual, he full time, me part time (currently I am working 3 half- days each week for a grand total of 12 hours). Add in the usual stuff- taking care of Gabe, running errands, going visiting teaching, FHE with a couple in the ward, yoga class, seeing family, work inservice, doing laundry, chores, etc. Now add in the wedding of a close friend, with the reception and luncheon, BJ helping to plan the bachelor party, and having taken bridal pictures (a few days ago). That stuff is all pretty fun, pretty exciting, but it's not all. Later this week we are taking Gabe in to have a head CT scan. That's the part I'm not super excited for. I have been told the pediatric sedation team is supposed to take part, but I can't imagine that he would need more than a mild sedative to help him hold still. Still, a CT scan is a series of several X-ray images that give a cross- sectional view of whatever it is that needs to be examined. In Gabriel's case, his head. The concern is that there is a ridge on top of his skull that has become a bit larger. The top of his head should feel smooth, but there is a definite ridge. You can't see it because his hair covers it, but it is obvious when you feel it. It may be caused by the sutures (which allowed his skull to mold when he was born) closing prematurely- called craniosynostosis. Our thought (as well as the pediatrician's) is that while this is not normal, it is pretty mild as of yet. The purpose of the CT scan will be to determine if it is really craniosynostosis, and if any action needs to be taken. We are optimistic that everything will turn out all right. All the same, thinking about it is giving me a little bit of anxiety! Anyway, we will post an update on that when we have more information. Until then, we are just keeping on as usual, and maybe it's a good thing this week is so busy- maybe it will keep us from worrying too much.

Crocheted Dish Rags and Hand Towel

 

This was a simple if not quick project for me. It is a nice project to work on when you want to have your hands busy while doing something else that requires attention. I only picked up my crocheting while I was doing something else too, like watching movies, riding in the car (as a passenger!), watching my son play etc. Thus it took me quite some time to finish a little project. I used a half double crochet stitch, with a size F crochet hook, and just started with a chain as long as I thought I would like my dish rags. The hand towel I did the same, just twice as long. I added stripes or a border on some of them. The yarn is 100% cotton. The rags match my kitchen and I am excited to use them!

The promised photos

I thought we had pictures of Gabe eating some cake, but I guess we only took video of that. Enjoy the other pictures though.


In some ways the cake turned out better than I expected, and in some ways it was a big disappointment for me. The fondant worked great (however two days later, my arms are still sore from kneading it- it was a beast) and I like how it looked on the cake. The frosting design even turned out pretty well except for the space in the middle of the O that I forgot to color. :( The problem was applying it to the cake. I put the frosting in the freezer for a couple of hours and then tried to apply it to the cake and pull off the wax paper, but I didn't realize I needed to hurry and take it off while it was still frozen. Thus, I ended up having to choose between leaving the wax paper on and letting people take it off their own cake slices, or ripping it off and leaving an unappetizing mess of black and red goo. I chose to leave the paper on. The following day, I tried pulling off the paper again, and realized that the frosting had dried somewhat, and the wax paper came off easily without destroying the design. So if you ever decide to do this, consider doing it a day in advance. The fondant keeps the cake inside moist, so no worries about it drying out.
Here are the links I used to make the cake:
The frosting image: http://www.ehow.com/how_4596120_edible-cake-images.html
The fondant: http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/Fondant.htm -I found this link to be very informative and helpful.
The Wilton buttercream frosting recipe and instructions: http://www.wilton.com/recipe/Buttercream-Icing

Happy Happy Birthday Gabriel Dear!

We celebrated Gabriel's 1st birthday yesterday. The time has sure flown. My sweet little boy is cruising around the furniture, babbling, giving hugs and kisses, playing games like peekaboo, splashing and playing with toys in the bathtub, turning pages while I read books, and very intently observing everything that goes on. Other things he does or has gone through that are not as much fun but just part of growing up are mom-separation anxiety, tantrums, lots of colds/ coughs/ ear infections, throwing food and toys on the floor repeatedly, and nap resistance.
The day was a little hard because Gabe had an ear infection (which he started antibiotics for today) and didn't feel good. We tried to make it fun though. We had BJ's parents over for cake, ice cream, and presents. I literally spent hours on the cake, baking and leveling the cake, making (yes, making) fondant and rolling it out to cover the cake, and making and freezing a frosting UNO design to apply to the cake (more on that later). Gabe received several birthday messages over the phone from other family members. I think Gabe got a kick out of ripping the paper off his presents, but was very sidetracked by different toys, especially the bath toys from grandma and grandpa! He also didn't think much of eating cake with his fingers, but liked the ice cream. He also like the clean up, in the tub, with his new toys. I am going to add pictures of all of this when I round them up, but for now, that is the birthday summary.
We love our sweet sweet Gabriel!

Pictures, Video, Update

Here are some pictures we took a week or so ago at a park. The pictures of the three of us together were taken by BJ's dad, Ron. I think I want to frame one of the family pictures and put it up in our living room.


Next up is Gabriel at bath time. Oh how he loves the bath!


Also, here is a video from a couple weeks ago of Gabe's funny wooden- leg crawl. You can just mute the video so you don't have to hear my dorky commentary. ;)

From The wooden leg crawl

For other news, we have enjoyed visiting with Rhonda and the family this week. It was nice to be able to see everyone together a couple of different times, and take part in the festivities of the holiday with them. Gabe has been sick this week, so things have been a bit hard with him as he goes through an only-want-my-mommy phase, but it can't last forever, right? We really want him to feel better tomorrow, though, as he will be turning in to a little-big boy of one year of age!

Independence Day

 

Gabe and I watching the parade. He was such a good boy- just sat on my lap watching the floats, and eventually falling asleep.
We got other pictures yesterday, but I don't have them yet. I will post them when I get a chance.
I would like to say that I am truly gratful to live in a country where we enjoy so many freedoms and opportunities. I love America. I am thankful for all the men and women who have fought to protect our freedoms and rights. I am especially grateful for the freedom to practice my religion as my conscience dictates me to do. A big thanks to all our veterans, and especially those who gave their lives.
God bless the USA.