December highlights

-Winning $30 in iTunes gift cards at a family Christmas party
-ZooLights

-Baby Emmaline was born earlier this month! Her parents are friends of mine that have waited for this day for a long time and I couldn't be happier for them.

-Indie Christmas station on Pandora

-Elf on the Shelf- I only did it for fun, not for the whole behavior thing, but I'm still not sure if I'll do it again next year. I forgot to move him around more than I remembered, but Brayden loved it anyways.

-This year was the first year Brayden "got" Christmas at all and I loved seeing his excitement.

-Lots of books as presents (which makes me a little worried about my goal to read all the books I own by the time I turn 30!)

Ten on Tuesday: Pinterest edition

It's official. I am obsessed. I have over 1200 pins. For some Tuesdays, especially during NaBloPoMo, I figure I'll post some of my favorite Pinterest finds- recipes I tried and loved, crafts, quotes, etc. Without further ado...

sweet pork tacos and cilantro ranch dressing

These tacos are so good. I'm not a huge cilantro fan, but this dressing was amazing. Cafe Rio got both Adam and me to love pork in Mexican food, so I knew this would be a hit.

poster found here

This is a free printable that I was able to upload to Costco and then get printed. Brayden loves it. It cost about $5 to print an 11x16.

blog post here

I had an idea that a lot of these phrases are attributed to Shakespeare, but one surprised me:  "Knock, knock. Who's there?" It made me giggle.

link here

I found this blog from Pinterest. She opened my eyes to the wonder of sensory bins.

link here

Don't get me wrong, I love finding deeper meanings in literature. Sometimes, though, just sometimes, I could totally relate to this graphic.

link here

I'm just thrilled with these wacky sacks and all the other pinned projects that ended up in my busy bag exchange. I also love that I've found even more since.

baked southwestern egg rolls

These were so good. In fact, I'm hungry just looking at the picture. I think I'll put these on next week's menu.

link here

This goes along perfectly with my post yesterday. I should have put it there, but I didn't think about it then so I'm posting it now. I just really agree with this quote.

link here

If you have ever co-slept with your child, you'll totally get this. Especially toddlers.

link here

The rest of the poem can be found here. I like the whole poem, but that beginning makes me so happy.


What have you pinned that you loved to eat? That inspired you? That made you a better parent? That made you chuckle?

Ten on Tuesday

1- November is known as NaNoWrMo, or National Novel Writing Month. Someone somewhere along the line crafted a spin-off called NaBloPoMo. or National Blog Posting Month. I'm going to try to do it- one post a day, even if it's just a picture or quote some days

2- We went up to Park City a few weeks ago. It was such a nice Saturday. We ate breakfast at Ruth's Diner and drove up Emigration Canyon to I-80. We walked up and down Main Street, saw a Banksy, stopped in at two bookstores (my favorite kind of stores), and took the free trolley. Brayden LOVED that trolley. We took Guardsman pass and Big Cottonwood Canyon the way back.

3- I just finished rereading The New York Mormon Singles Halloween Dance by Elna Baker. I really enjoy this book. I think she's a good writer and I find it refreshing when people are honest about the religious struggles they have. After checking it out of the library to read twice in two years, I think it's one I want to own.

4- I am really enjoying the books my book club has chosen. We take turns choosing and end up with a really good variety. Many times, it's a book I wouldn't have gotten to otherwise like The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt or As Nature Made Him by John Colapinto. This month, we are reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.

5- I made Brayden a Halloween sensory bin. He has really spent a lot of time playing with it. I got the idea from various bloggers and Pinterest. I can't wait to make a Thanksgiving one.

 

6- I don't need another news show to watch, but I watched last night's Rock Center with Brian Williams during Brayden's nap. I really like Brian Williams. I'll probably try to catch it when I'm home. His first guest was Jon Stewart, and you all know how much I love him.

7- I've been watching Parenthood on Netflix instant streaming. Good show.

8- We had our nephew Jack sleep over on Friday night. I'm just going to say it- Jack and Brayden stayed up really, really late (3:00 am late). And made a huge mess. They had a blast though, and both of them helped Adam clean the next morning.

9- There's a city council race in Midvale making news. I haven't written on it, but it's made both big newspapers and Fox 13, at least. It's weird to not be able to write about it. I'm really interested in the outcome though. One more week.

10- My family had a Halloween party on Sunday night. We've got the Black Spiderman (does he have a name other than that?), Luigi, a butterfly, Woody, and Buzz.

Ten on Tuesday

1- I went to the Counterpoint Conference I mentioned last week. I really enjoyed it. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my beliefs and issues with the church.
2- I got to go to said conference with a new friend, Miri. We've been commenting on each other's blogs for awhile now. Many of our political beliefs are similar. At least 10+ books on my to-read or recently read lists are because of her. She's a kindred spirit.

3- Yes, I said kindred spirit. I have Anne of Green Gables on my mind. It all started when someone tweeted the quote "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers" by L.M. Montgomery. I decided I finally needed to see the movie. Adam and I watched it last night. Adam actually loved it! He called it a "feel good movie" at least three times and laughed hysterically a couple of times too.

4- I'm pretty annoyed we still celebrate Columbus Day. If you don't know why, this Huffington Post essay is a good place to start  Really, though, if you don't know that Columbus was a bad guy, please read Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen.

5- Hot guys reading. You're welcome.

6- On a related note, check out this hilarious Feminist Ryan Gosling blog.

7- Speaking of Ryan Gosling, I saw The Ides of March today. My wonderful husband could tell I needed a break today. It's a really good movie. Ryan Gosling is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors.

8- The theater aired a preview for a movie called Anonymous, another movie that alleges that Shakespeare didn't write the plays attributed to him. I don't know enough about those theories to have an opinion on them, but the movie looked interesting.

9- You all know I'm a nerd, so you won't be surprised when I tell you I bought both The Bippolo Seed by Dr. Seuss  and Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstein this last week. What's even more telling is how giddy I was about it.

10- You know how you get in a routine and do things the same way every time, especially with driving? Well, I drive out to Tooele at least two times a month because my sister lives out there. She's lived there for just over 18 months and I have always driven I-80. Until this week, that is. I drive the 201 freeway out there now. It may take a few more minutes, but it is much more interesting and scenic.

Ten on Tuesday- good and bad

1- I'm taking Brayden to Disneyland next week!! I'm going along with my sister's family. Her husband will be flying down for work and Nicki and I will drive down to meet him. Three kids in the backseat of a car for 12 hours- should be interesting, right? Really, though, I'm excited to have the opportunity to have another vacation this year inexpensively.

2- You all know I love me some Jon Stewart- Here's a clip showing how wrong some of the "reports" and "statistics" that are being said about Planned Parenthood are.

3-  Brayden is saying "uv you!" Only when he's prompted so far, but I still love it. He's my angel, he sure is.

4- I saw this story online and it makes me so mad. It is okay if a boy wants his nails painted. In fact, Brayden's nails are painted right now. He saw my blue nails and wanted his own. Let kids enjoy things without forbidding things because of gender stereotypes.
5- I'm still reading and loving Bossypants. I'm actually trying to read it slowly so I can enjoy it longer. Here's just a sample of Tina Fey's awesomeness- "Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes."

6- I follow Parenting magazine on Twitter, and today they quoted Jumpstart organization as saying that "Kindergarten teachers can predict with 90% accuracy which children will graduate." If this is true, and I don't doubt it... why on earth are we not putting more funding into early intervention and training for teachers?

7- This quote I found on Pinterest is so me. "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." I'm in no way saying that I'm in the same league as Einstein, but I do love my curiosity.

8- Parenting also mention this during the Mom Congress they are having this week- A child in an average family on welfare hears 62,000 words/week vs. 215,000 words for a professional family. This ties into education like #6. Parents need help too, especially low-income parents.

9- I love the lyrics to this song by Pink.
10- I'm not going to say anything specific, but a weird thing related to my new job happened this week. Someone broke the law, and I got to sit and listen to them talk about other people breaking the law and what their punishment should or should not be. I shouldn't be surprised, what with me writing government stories and all.

I did it!

I know today isn't a good day. The government is messed up, spring in Utah is playing hard to get, etc.

But... I finished my first issue with the Midvale Journal! It goes to the press tonight, and I should be able to see my name in print next week.

I know it's not a big deal, and the pay isn't that good, but I'm happy about this new opportunity. It's only about 10 hours a month away from Brayden (the rest I do on my own time). It's writing experience. It's something for my resume. And it helps me feel productive. I feel exactly like Kerri does: "There's even a chance that I work best and am happiest when I face a mental challenge." When I am busy, I am happy and stressed at the same time.

Randomalities:
-I just discovered Mom-In-A-Million's blog and I love it! She writes what I wish I could write about politics.
-Have you all heard of Pinterest? Such a beautiful, beautiful timesuck. Here's my profile. Let me know if you'd like an invite. I especially love my Recipes and Kiddo Ideas boards. There's some great recipes and ideas on there that I can't wait to try.
-I saw Limitless yesterday. It wasn't the best movie, but definitely entertaining. Especially the notion of a drug that allows you to access your whole brain. That would be pretty awesome.
-I'm reading Tina Fey's book Bossypants. So, so funny. I have such a girl crush on her. She's smart, funny, and pretty all at the same time.

Ketchup

I'm so sad about what happened in Japan today. It's hard to even think about. Natural disasters and especially earthquakes are so terrifying to me, probably because it's been drilled into me since elementary school that Utah is due for a big one "any day now" (and that was 20 years ago).

*****

But... I got a job! I'm going to cover the government beat for the Midvale Valley Journal. It will be nice since most of my work will be done at home. Plus, I will get paid to write! And will see my name in print! Remember my New Year's resolution? Well, I am definitely doing good on the one about writing so far.

*****

Adam's 30th birthday was yesterday. Happy birthday, my love! It got me thinking, and I've decided to make a 30 before 30 list. I have a few ideas- have another baby, go camping, etc. What else should I put on my list? I should probably put getting an article published, because that should be accomplished in the next month or so.

*****

Karma got me tonight. Last night, I laughed at Nicki when Sophie pooped in the tub while we were on the phone. Just guess what happened to me tonight. I'll just say I'll be bleaching toys later.

*****

After said bath, Brayden was sitting on my lap drying off in his Buzz towel. I kissed him on the cheek, and he turned his cheek to have me kiss the other. He did it again and again, and I thought to myself "I wish I could have a video of this to watch years from now." And now I do.


Kisses from Megan Bishop on Vimeo.

*****

I took Brayden to the park earlier today, and I'm glad I did. Another child shared his hockey toys and this cuteness ensued. Brayden hasn't really been exposed to hockey, baseball, golf or any other sports where you try to hit a ball with a stick of some sort. He sort of figured it out, right?


Brayden playing hockey? from Megan Bishop on Vimeo.

2/365

It still melts my heart to see my baby (yes, I'm still going to call him my baby even though he is 18 months today!) and his daddy taking a nap together.

Ketchup

Yes, I have been sorely lacking on the blog front. I've been in a bit of a funk lately, but I think I'm past it. I stole the title from my friend Stephanie's blog because I thought it was cute (just to let you know I wasn't creative enough to think of it myself).

-We went to the ranch two more times in September- once on our own (some of Adam's family came up for a day) and once with my family. These are from the first time. I'll post pictures of my family's weekend later when I get them.





-I read Jane Eyre for the second time, the first being in high school. As before, I loved it. I've met so many women lately who don't enjoy books like the romantic classics of the Bronte sisters or Jane Austen. I'm sure glad I do.

-I'm finally getting started on a scrapbook for Brayden. I had forgotten how messy scrapbooking is! I'm not as good at it as I used to be, nor do I have the money to spend as much as I used to, but I hope he enjoys having something.

-I'm in a small book club and we read Mockingjay. Out of the four of us I probably liked it the most. One of the women really didn't like it. I know some of you have read the first two... so what did you think?

-I was totally a domestic goddess today (if you don't count cleaning anyways). I canned peaches and made peach jam (thanks to Karen for showing me how earlier this week). I also made zucchini bread, chocolate zucchini cake, and froze grated zucchini. Still to do: figure out what to do with all the tomatoes my dad gave me (I want to make tomato sauce but don't have a sieve) and make peach muffins or cobbler with the peaches I had left.

the good and the bad

I've got a game of catch-up to play since it's been a month since I wrote last. I'm going to start with the bad and get it out of the way so I can focus on the good.

The list- I know this is last month's news but I'm still sad about it. This is mostly because I read the comments on the articles on ksl.com and sltrib.com. My friend Stephanie wrote an amazing post about it here.

Gay marriage- I'm just sick of the hatred (this goes for the immigration debate too).

Bursitis- Evil, evil bursitis... I shouldn't complain too much, because the flare-ups only last 2-4 days but those days are hell. I could hardly hold Brayden, I couldn't sleep, and the pain was constant because no matter how I tried I couldn't immobilize my arm.

Lights- Or the lack of, I should say. Adam's started to re-do the lighting in our kitchen and it's taken awhile. He's still not done. Our original plan (or I should say mine, Adam knew it wouldn't work but attempted anyways because I wanted him to) didn't work. I think now we just need to agree on fixtures and it should be easy after that since he's done the prep work.

Moving on to the good...

My sister has a blog again!

Brayden and I are heading to Texas in 10 days to visit the wonderful family I used to nanny for. I'm so excited to see "my twins" play with my boy.

The Millenium trilogy by Steig Larsson- A friend warned against them, but I decided to start it and see how I felt. Well, I got hooked. I will say it's not a series I would recommend to anyone. In fact, I might write a post complaining about something to do with the movie based on the 2nd book.

Brayden and I did a Mom and Tot swim class at our rec center. Twice a week for two weeks. Brayden loved it, except for the going under part. I'm so glad he likes the water so far. I just don't want him to be uncomfortable swimming like I was (and still somewhat am).

Adam's family reunion was on July 24th. We had a good time as usual, but the notable part is that we had Brayden in a really cute cowboy outfit and he got to go on his first ATV ride. (pictures to follow)

We finally joined the zoo. We've been a few times already. I'll post some pictures from when we took our neighbors Ashley and Bennett.

We got family pictures taken today by Ashley and I am in love! These top my wedding photos (they pretty much sucked) and the Target ones we've had done twice since he was born. I have no idea how I am going to decide which ones to print. And we will finally be putting pictures up on our walls!

I am loving some top 40 songs right now. This is a good thing because it's Adam's favorite type of music and not mine so we usually fight over what station to play. It's also good because these songs do have more of a beat than my usual alternative and Brayden loves dancing to them. The ones that get him dancing the most are "California Gurls" by Katy Perry and "Your Love is My Drug" by Kesha. They are very silly songs in my opinion, but they are catchy to Brayden. The ones I am enjoying are "Airplanes" by B.O.B, "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem, and "Halo" by Beyonce.

Wheeler Farm

We went to Wheeler Farm on Brayden's birthday with our neighbors Ashley and Bennett.


Bennett giving Brayden a birthday kiss


Family picture

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives

No, this isn't a post about the soap opera Days of Our Lives (although I used to watch that in high school thru my early 20s. This is just a catch-up post, things I want to remember about my mostly mundane and repeatable days with some gems thrown in.

-Our 7th anniversary was on June 19th. Luckily, there has been no hint of the 7 year itch yet. :) We've definitely settled into a more mature phase though- we celebrated my going out to lunch at Cafe Rio and we took Brayden, our neighbor Ashley and her son Bennett with us. It was still a lot of fun though.

-Also on the 19th, Ashley took some amazing one year old photos of Brayden that are so precious to me... and don't even get me started on the fact that he is one tomorrow (that will have it's own post).

-Father's Day was nice. Adam had to work, but I made a yummy chicken and black bean casserole for his break and we had my parent's over as well.

-We went to Lagoon on the 22nd. It was so much fun! I love that some things from my childhood are still around for Brayden to enjoy, especially since so much has changed. I do miss the Fun House, but I'm glad Fascination is still around because it reminds me of my grandma. She would play all day while we went on rides.

-I've started pumping again because I'm donating milk to an adoptive mom who is trying to induce lactation but in the meantime wants to give her son donated milk. On that note, Brayden isn't even one until tomorrow, and I've already been judged for my plans to continue breastfeeding him (one was actually months ago, sadly enough). I tried to educate both of these women that the World Health Organization actually recommends breastfeeding until two, and besides it's an extremely personal decision that they shouldn't judge me for.

-Brayden really loves playing with Ashley's son Bennett... and I don't mind that I now have someone to watch my totally guilty and shameful pleasure with (The Bachelorette).

-I took flowers up to my midwife today since she delivered Brayden a year ago tomorrow. I just love her so much. And yes, I still refer to her as "my midwife" even though I haven't been a patient for about ten months. She told me I better go up there (she practices in Park City now) for my next and asked when that might be. Well, it does seem that once they hit one, the baby bug does begin to show up, but time will tell.

Life is good-

I saw an awesome book at Barnes and Noble today called The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha and it was very inspiring. Here's what would be in my "book of awesome" today:

I can see again! I had no idea how much my prescription had changed, and I'm not-so-secretly glad my glasses broke. Everything is much more clear now.

Not that I needed to, but I added even more books to be "to read" list, including The Book of Awesome, another dystopian novel, The Carrie Diaries (yes, I'm a Sex and the City fan),a book called Little Blog on the Prairie, and a few others.

Brayden had a blast in the nursery after being not so quiet in Relief Society. I got compliments from the ladies in there along with an old YW leader later in the day about how cute he is, how well he walks, and how chubby he is. Yes, I take that as a compliment since I am his main form of nourishment. :)

We were given two gifts from different family members today- both unexpected. We love our family so much and are so grateful for their support. I also had a yummy dinner with my parents.

Oh, that dinner was so good! See, trying to be good and all, I have avoided fried chicken like the plague the last few years. It's seriously been at least 2-3 years since I had any. Well, I ended that streak tonight and have no regrets. It was delicious.

Reading this post on the awesome blog and watching the accompanying video. I love the song Livin' on a Prayer. It totally fits Adam and I right now. Our jobs may be crappy (mine almost non-existent), but we're together, happy and making it work somehow.

This quote: Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are… Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect Tomorrow. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in my pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.
- Mary Jean Iron

These pictures of my cute boy:

My sad little punk boy attempting a smile


Can you see the heart shape on his cheek? He woke up from a nap like that and I thought it was so cute! It may not be as noticeable in the picture though.


And this is my drunk boy (jk)! Isn't it funny when you end up with silly pictures of babies?


I love the joy on his face... and I love his blue fingernails! My friend Karen gave him his first manicure last week. Daddy and Grandpa didn't like it, but I think it's cute.

Summer 2010 plans

Meeting our newest family member in June (Nicole and Andrew's baby)
Celebrating Brayden's first birthday in July
Gilgal Garden
Swimming (our condo pool finally opens tomorrow)
International Peace Gardens
Wheeler Farm (including the County Library's Summer Reading Kickoff Party there)
Get a membership to Hogle Zoo
Going down slides and swinging at the park
Try to go camping up at the ranch
Take Brayden on the baby rides at Liberty Park and/or Lagoon
Silver Lake (attempt hiking with Brayden)
See the penguins at the Living Planet Aquarium
Concert in the Park at the Brigham Young Park downtown
Millcreek Movie Nights

I'm so excited for summer!

Babies

If you're like most people I've asked about this movie, you've never even heard of it. I'm "unique" apparently, because I have been excited for it since I heard about it months ago. Embedding is disabled, but you can find the trailer here. It's a documentary featuring the first year of life for four babies from around the world (San Francisco, Tokyo, Namibia, and Mongolia). It's a beautiful film. There's no narration or subtitles, which was good and bad. I got to just enjoy watching the babies, but at times I did wonder what the parents were saying in the background or why certain things were being done. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone interested in anthropology (the study of humanity) or even just cultural studies. Actually, anyone who likes babies should see this, because these babies are adorable!


I know I haven't blogged about my birthday and my first Mother's Day. I was definitely spoiled last week. I had a little photo shoot on my birthday with a friend at Sugarhouse Park for a breastfeeding photography project. We went to Cowboy Grub with my family for dinner. I got many presents, including a framed canvas to finally hang up on our walls (yes, our walls have been mostly bare this whole year we've been here), photo coasters and a frame, the Hunger Games trilogy, Where the Sidewalk Ends, The Best Ever Games For Kids, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, a Cinemark gift card that I am excitedly planning exactly what movies I want to use it for this summer, and some money I am going to start a zoo membership with.

I also got this book featuring beautiful newborn photography. It has quotes alongside the pictures, and these are my favorites.


"The smile that flickers on baby's lips when he sleeps- does anybody know where it was borne?" - Rabindranath Tagore

"We all smile in the same language." -Anonymous

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." -Elizabeth Stone (so true)

"Loving a baby is a circular business... the more you give the more you get and the more you get the more you feel like giving." -Penelope Leach

One last thing in this post that is probably getting too long. Adam ordered me this necklace from the vintage pearl. I love it! Brayden already broke the chain, but we e-mailed them and they are sending out a new chain. I was so thrilled with their customer service, especially since I have had some less than stellar service with another website lately.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Bargains

I have a love/hate relationship with yard sales, the DI, consignment shops, etc. I'm sure it's like this for most people. Sometimes I get sick of them for a time, but I always return to the "hunt." It's in my blood- my mother is a yard sale fanatic.

They are so hit or miss. I love them when I find a good deal, but I get very annoyed if I spend my Saturday morning at yard sales and it's all junk. Or, as my brother-in-law Andy put it when I bragged about my "hit" day on Facebook, "I think you forgot the "s"" (put a s in front of hit and you'll know what he was talking about). Today was awesome though.

Here are some of my finds today:


This is my favorite of the finds. I really only have one nice serving dish to take to dinners, and I love this one so much more! The color is brighter and more evident in the next picture.


These are Pottery Barn egg cups (and also the first thing I have ever owned from Pottery Barn).




I know the pictures are blurry, but you get the idea- cute egg-shaped lantern type decorations. We also got a planter to put on our deck, an "AMORE" word carving to put over our bed, and a couple other small holiday decorations. Also, one of the yard sales was a fundraiser for a girl's softball team and they were also doing car washes so we had our car washed too.

Sugarhouse Park

Today was the first day I didn't have to go to work. It was also a beautiful day so we headed to Sugarhouse Park. We met my parents and Adam's mom there, walked around the park and let Brayden try out the playground for the first time.



To celebrate the occasion, Brayden had to wear his "Mama's Boy" shirt. We got it around Valentine's Day and we seriously couldn't get a shirt that fits him better, at least right now. He's in that phase all babies go through.













These guys had put up a tight rope somehow. It looked really hard!



There was an old guy driving the car with the dog outside walking. It was pretty funny, although I feel bad for the guy because I'm sure he wishes he could have walked the dog himself.

Dino Museum- picture overload

I joined my parents, sister and nephew on a trip to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point yesterday and had a lot of fun (minus when Jack hit his head). Here are way too many pictures:









Sadly, Brayden really did not like the sand. He went to start crawling and the texture just freaked him out. I was hoping to go on a vacation to the beach so I hope he grows out of that soon.

Ten things I love today

1- What's that you see? Could it be the boy is finally growing some hair? At this rate I'll be able to do a faux hawk in another 8 months!


2- Honey baked lentils.... yummy.

3- House, M.D.



4- Lullaby Renditions of The Beatles- It makes it so I can actually type without waking him up! And it's The Beatles music so you really can't go wrong.

5- Spring being just around the corner

6- "You are not a walking mistake. You are not a problem to be solved."
--Adyashanti

7- Mint.com- This site has helped Adam and I finally make a budget (after nearly 7 years of marriage) and mostly keep to it

8- Fan-made music video of the song "Vanilla Twilight" by Owl City


9- My new living room color- Adam painted it "cafe au lait" this last weekend and I really like it. We're slowly trying to make our condo seem more homey and not so much like an apartment.

10- Adam's birthday is next week, and I am loving that I will be able to tease him about being old for the rest of our lives (he's 2 years older than me). I don't think I would like being the older one.