tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30458389086446250092024-03-13T21:01:11.094-05:00The Peterson'sCaitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-91417907553449928352011-08-26T17:19:00.000-05:002011-08-26T17:19:26.793-05:00The Peterson Fam Blog is MOVING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FQPdyhMikE/TlgP8RpIvPI/AAAAAAAABiw/65giJU4A53w/s1600/moving_truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FQPdyhMikE/TlgP8RpIvPI/AAAAAAAABiw/65giJU4A53w/s1600/moving_truck.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
That's right! We have a new blog address and name. When I originally set up the blog, I had no idea what I was doing and the url is cumbersome and our title is boring. So Jared and I brainstormed for several months on what to call ourselves, and this is what we've come up with:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><a href="http://www.urban-rednecks.blogspot.com/">Urban Rednecks</a></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We have laughing referred to ourselves as middle-class rednecks for a long time now, and we thought we'd just play that up. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So change our link on your blog rolls, head on over and keep up with our crazy life at: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.urban-rednecks.blogspot.com/">http://www.urban-rednecks.blogspot.com/</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-14934599196957433992011-08-09T18:10:00.000-05:002011-08-09T18:10:35.612-05:0010.5 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-My4aFUQ2qAA/TkG6PMklHwI/AAAAAAAABiI/Jq2HrBUz4N0/s1600/DSCF2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-My4aFUQ2qAA/TkG6PMklHwI/AAAAAAAABiI/Jq2HrBUz4N0/s320/DSCF2806.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
Janae has changed so much in the last month in a half, and every time I think about it I have a mild panic attack. She's 10.5 months now, and as we get closer to her birthday I am struck again and again with how quickly time flies. I can't <em>believe </em>how much they grow in the first year!<br />
<br />
A few things about her now:<br />
<br />
1. She is quite the cruiser. She has been crawling all over the place for about the last two weeks. About the same week she figured out the crawling, she decided she wanted to pull herself up on stuff. She's becoming quite the pro at that, but hasn't moved on to walking around things yet. Thank heavens. I am so not ready for her to start walking.<br />
<br />
2. I think she is also going to be a climber. She stands up but always seems to want to go higher. I can't imagine what kind of bumps and bruises we are going to see when that stage hits. <br />
<br />
3. She has a tooth! Yay! It only took her forever to get one, but she has one. It's on the bottom. I would take a picture, but it's nearly impossible to look in her mouth unless she's laughing or screaming. The second one is also coming in, but hasn't broken through yet. We've had some pretty cranky days around here.<br />
<br />
4. She loves the cell phone. When I'm talking to somebody she isn't satisfied until I'm holding her and she can be right next to the phone. She doesn't reach for it, she just likes to be included just in case she has an opinion or something. So far her favorite person to talk to is Jared. I'll put him on speaker phone and she lights up like a Christmas tree when she hears his voice. It's pretty dang adorable.<br />
<br />
5. We're still struggling with the solid food transition. Some days she seems to do well, and others all she wants is her baby food. So far she likes blueberry waffles, yogurt and hot dogs. She's even starting to like the puffs, and that's just been the last few days. She doesn't feed herself yet. She can pick up the food and tries to get it in her mouth, but she grips it in her fist and then tries to stick her whole fist in her mouth. She's close though, I'm sure she'll get it soon. <br />
<br />
6. She's down to two bottles a day. I stepped it down at 10 months from 3 to 2, and when she hits 11 months I'll take away her morning bottle and will only feed her right before bed. Then at a year we'll be completely done (yes! yes! yes!). I'm also going to try and take away her binks. I think she'll do okay, but I'm not sure how I'll do. It's what I use to keep her quiet in church and when we're out shopping, and I haven't found anything else that works. I'm nervous about it.<br />
<br />
7. She's just a really good baby. She's okay playing with her toys by herself, and is content to crawl around the house all day exploring. For all my belly aching, she really doesn't fuss a whole ton. If she does cry, it's for a reason. She is really happy and smiles all the time. It's so wonderful and we have such a good time hanging out together. We're pretty good buds, and I wouldn't have it any other way. ;-)<br />
Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-10051979137881051192011-07-18T21:50:00.000-05:002011-07-18T21:50:34.540-05:00Summer Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RFUZcPMEAg/TiTpknkQMoI/AAAAAAAABh0/msLBxcDrUr4/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RFUZcPMEAg/TiTpknkQMoI/AAAAAAAABh0/msLBxcDrUr4/s320/DSC_0097.jpg" width="228px" /></a></div><br />
We had a pretty low-key Fourth this year. The only fun thing we did was attend a bbq over at our bishop's house that weekend. It was blazing hot outside, but the food was good and the company even better.<br />
<br />
As much as I want to, I can't claim credit for this picture. My good friend <a href="http://mebsphotography.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Meggan</span></a>, who took these <a href="http://jaredpetersonfamily.blogspot.com/2011/04/in-awe.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">amazing pictures</span></a>, was walking around documenting the event and she snapped a few of Sweet Cheeks. She's a pretty darn cute subject if you ask me. <a href="http://mebsphotography.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Meggan</span></a>, you 'da bomb. I didn't even realize I needed this picture until it popped up in my inbox. Thank you for providing picture proof that we actually do stuff. <br />
<br />
I remember last year on this holiday I was hugely pregnant and an emotional wreck. We stood in church to sing <em>The Star Spangled Banner</em>, and I sobbed through it. Then I looked up and Jared's at the other end of the pew looking at me like an alien had invaded my body. Then I sob some more, look up, and Jared has plastered himself to the wall. I think if he could he would have disowned me right then. That was a low point in our marriage. I'm still a little bent about it. <br />
<br />
Thankfully, no sobbing this year, just enough sweat to fill a lake.<br />
<br />
Why was I excited to move here again?Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-69007822923321947712011-07-14T16:54:00.000-05:002011-07-14T16:54:20.167-05:00The Five Star AwardSunday afternoon I took Jared to the airport so he could make a quick trip up to Milwaukee for an awards ceremony. A few months ago, Jared's old boss nominated him for The Five Star award, which is a big deal in this company. All of the big wigs had to approve him for the award, including the VP and the CEO of FedEx Smartpost. The company hosted a lunch for all the of the recipients and gave each one a very nice plaque:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVdV2NMiTFc/Th9j7xeZ_HI/AAAAAAAABhw/cFAHVMr9wsg/s1600/DSCF2793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVdV2NMiTFc/Th9j7xeZ_HI/AAAAAAAABhw/cFAHVMr9wsg/s320/DSCF2793.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
The inscription says:<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><em>In acknowledgement of your truly superior performance, you now join a selct group of employees...recipients of the FedEx Smartpost FIVE STAR AWARD. As a member of this prestigious team, you can be truly proud of your contributions to FedEx. </em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><em>We sincerely appreciate your continuing dedication, and trust that by your example you will inspire others to this same level of excellence.</em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">Cool, huh?</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Here is a picture of him at the actual awards ceremony with the VP of the company, Mike I. (I have no idea how to spell his last name):</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lH_JueID4VI/Th9j4E_Wd4I/AAAAAAAABhs/IXADAIIfL2s/s1600/Jared_Peterson_5_Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lH_JueID4VI/Th9j4E_Wd4I/AAAAAAAABhs/IXADAIIfL2s/s320/Jared_Peterson_5_Star.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I'm so proud of him! He works so hard and while I might be biased, he really deserves this award. <br />
<br />
Congrats Jared, we love you!Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-25778733475410195832011-07-08T16:22:00.002-05:002011-07-08T16:27:50.549-05:00In Which I Post Another List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OV2n0Vd7SGI/Thdp2z1U2qI/AAAAAAAABho/X_quBjiLlkY/s1600/making-list-0808-lg-5041854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OV2n0Vd7SGI/Thdp2z1U2qI/AAAAAAAABho/X_quBjiLlkY/s320/making-list-0808-lg-5041854.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I have a goal to keep each bullet point to a maximum of four sentences. Okay, five. No, four. I swear. Let's see if I can do it, eh?</div><br />
1. I am so far behind on blogging, it's becoming ridiculous. I have pictures from Memorial Day weekend when my in-laws were in town that I still need to post. I have a few recipes that I've tried recently that were delish, and I thought I'd share those as well. Jared's flying out of town again on Sunday (for an excellent reason, and I can't wait to share when he gets home!), so maybe I'll catch up on Sunday afternoon.<br />
<br />
2. Janae turned 9mo on the 26th, and she weighed in at 20.8lbs and was in the 75th percentile! *does a happy dance* Her pediatrician was so impressed with how much she has grown in the last three months. I can't remember her height, but it was in the 35-40 percentile. Shortie in the house!<br />
<br />
3. Jared works. And sleeps, and then goes to work again. I'm pretty sure his employees see him more than we do. He did have a chance to go shooting last Saturday, and he came home a new man. <br />
<br />
4. It's amazing what throwing some bullets down range will do for your mental state. Yes, I did just approve shooting as a therapy technique for taking out aggression. Of course, said aggression-taking-out must take place in an approved environment, following all safety precautions. Don't just wander into your backyard and pop some off.<br />
<br />
5. That would an incredibly dumb thing to do. Have you seen CSI lately? You can't hide from those people man. And don't come running to me, cause there ain't no love for people who do incredibly dumb things.<br />
<br />
6. I might even bust out "I told you so." Compassion isn't in my vocabulary. <br />
<br />
7. Except to type it, I guess.<br />
<br />
8. Where in the blazes was I?<br />
<br />
9. Oh, me. Me, myself and I. Getting off Dr. Pepper is <em>hard</em> people. I'm sad to say that I've fallen off the band wagon several times since my <a href="http://jaredpetersonfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-changes.html"><strong>bold declaration</strong></a>.<br />
<br />
10. I spent lots of time reading. And feeding Janae. And trying not to snap at her when she doesn't eat fast enough. Yes, I'm a snapper. *shame face*<br />
<br />
11. I hate it. And I instantly feel horrible after I do it. I've even made her cry. Trust me, I fire myself at least once a day. <br />
<br />
12. Thank goodness my employer is so willing to work with me, and forgives instantly. I'm trying to be more like her. <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/become-as-a-little-child?lang=eng"><strong>Have you read this yet</strong></a>? Our children are such great examples of the people we should be.<br />
<br />
13. Janae is starting to crawl. It's freaking. me. out. And apparently crawling = excessive amounts of drool. As a friend so aptly put it, it's like living with Jaws. Her mouth is open all the time, and forget trying to keep her clothes dry.<br />
<br />
14. Or our feet dry.<br />
<br />
15. Just keepin' it real folks. <br />
<br />
16. We have absolutely nothing exciting planned for this weekend. I'll be staring at my orange kitchen with utter loathing and trying to avoid lakes of drool. Jared has some random house/car/garage/lawn project planned, I'm sure. That man can entertain himself better than anyone I know.<br />
<br />
17. On that note, I'll leave y'all alone and let you get back to your weekend. Hope it's a great one!Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-27170554148730445062011-06-25T21:32:00.000-05:002011-06-25T21:32:13.848-05:00In His Spare Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l28Gq8oyWw/TgaZ52wNMWI/AAAAAAAABhk/til3FHQYZ0w/s1600/DSCF2791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l28Gq8oyWw/TgaZ52wNMWI/AAAAAAAABhk/til3FHQYZ0w/s320/DSCF2791.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">You can take the man out of the Army, but you can never take the Army out of the man! </div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-26334005906349756172011-06-23T21:03:00.001-05:002011-06-23T22:10:03.341-05:00Plum Tuckered Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86LpVe98qrk/TgPuPrSqG9I/AAAAAAAABhg/kXwv6aepPgg/s1600/DSCF2789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86LpVe98qrk/TgPuPrSqG9I/AAAAAAAABhg/kXwv6aepPgg/s320/DSCF2789.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday we went to the zoo. It was our first trip ever, and Janae was, well, completely uninterested in everything. In fact, the only reaction I got to any animal was fright. From penguins. Clearly we need to teach this child to buck it up. So far she is afraid of the vacuum, the lawn mower and my blow dryer. And <em>penguins</em>. Bless her heart.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While she may be too young for the zoo, she does enjoy riding around in her stroller. She fell asleep somewhere between the zebras and the gorillas. Oh, the flexiblility of babies. If I were to fall asleep in this position I would wake up and walk around like a 90yr old woman for at least a week. Doesn't it make your neck twinge just lookin' at her? Yeewww... *shudders*</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-86815680889645759522011-06-18T15:17:00.000-05:002011-06-18T15:17:02.215-05:00Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda<div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes I wish that I would have prepared better to be a stay-at-home mom. I'm not talking about becoming an expert in child rearing or cleaning house, but specifically about developing skills that I could sell while still staying at home and raising my children. There are several women that I've met here that do just that. A few are fantastic photographers, one teaches sewing lessons, one sells beauty products very successfully and another teaches swimming lessons out in her pool. My sister-in-law went to school to be a nuclear technician and she works on-call nights and weekends and a few holidays out of the year. She definitely planned ahead on that one!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's certainly gotten me thinking about what I can do to help my family out. Jared makes enough money to cover the bills, keep Janae fed and in diapers, put food on the table for us and get ahead on paying off our debt. There isn't a whole lot of room for fun stuff. Things like a new computer, a nicer camera, an X-Box 360 with Netflix, home projects and decor items, or stuff for Jared's hobbies like new guns or car parts. What extra money we have per month is put into savings for things like a new roof or air conditioning system (gah, life is so expensive!).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What skills do I have? Photography is out. Not only do I take terrible pictures, but I'm not sure I have the patience for it. I've watched a friend edit some photos and it's a TON of work. I don't know how to sew, so that's out. I can't play the piano, so no piano lessons. I have no interest in attending beauty school, so cutting hair out of my home won't work. All the typical, usual things that women do to earn a little extra income I either don't know how to do or require me to get a certificate of some sort. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hence the title "coulda, woulda, shoulda". I wish that I had the forethought to developing a skill/talent/profession when I was a teenager or single and in college, that would prepare for today. Jared told me this morning that I could play that game all day long and not get anywhere, so we talked about a few things that would take some work, but were doable. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of them is to write. I clearly love to spout off random nonsense on the blog, but I've always harbored a secret, deep desire to be an author. So I start thinking about it, then I get scared. Then I question if I have the talent. Then I question if the ideas are creative and if people will even want to read what I write. Then before you know it, practically in a span of two minutes, I've shot myself down before I even tried. *sighs* and then the cycle begins all overe again. Endless, endless cycle. I guess the question I have to ask myself is, do I have the guts or don't I?</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-22650235861863147282011-06-16T14:59:00.000-05:002011-06-16T14:59:05.724-05:00Enclave by Ann Aguirre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMsassofke0/Tfpaush6NjI/AAAAAAAABhY/5BMPWWgyQtY/s1600/94839189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMsassofke0/Tfpaush6NjI/AAAAAAAABhY/5BMPWWgyQtY/s1600/94839189.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><em>New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known. </em><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Have you read <em>The Hunger Games</em> trilogy by Suzanne Collins? If not, you're really missing out. Those books have started a wave of Dystopian novels being released, that equal the greatness of <em>The Hunger Games</em>. <em>Enclave</em> is one of them. Are you wondering what Dystopian means? Basically the genre contains books that are written the apocolyptic / end of the world type style. Futuristic books that deal with absolute government control, or cities that have collapsed. Like, <em>The Hunger Games</em>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>Enclave</em> is set in New York City, and it begins underground. There are several small cities that have taken residence in the subway tunnels and are struggling to survive. The main characters, Deuce and Fade, are residents of the College enclave and are Hunters. Their jobs are to travel beyond the barricades for food and are responsible for the safety and security of the people residing in the enclave. Because the environment is so hostile and unstable, people do not live for very long. The leader of Deuce and Fade's enclave is 25 and is considered ancient. On each member's 15th birthday, they are assigned a name (up until this point they were just a number) and an occupation. There are Hunters, of course, and Builders which spent their days making supplies for the people, and Breeders, which I'm sure you can guess their function.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Deuce is now 15, and she is partnered with Fade and they start their partnership off on a rocky start. They disobey direct orders and are punished by traveling to a nearby enclave that is rumored to be overrun by their enemy "Freaks". I couldn't tell you what Freaks actually are, because it wasn't really explained. I just imagined a disease ridden zombie, so we'll just go with that. Soon after they return to their trip, Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave in an attempt to defend an innocent friend who was wrongly accused.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With nowhere else to go, our two friends travel topside and the rest of the book is spent describing their adventures up there. They don't have it easy, and it's a long journey to a place where they think they can find safety, peace and belonging. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The world that the author has created is bleak and hopeless. We're not exactly sure what happened to make it this way, but families and friends are torn apart and everyone is afraid for their life. I'm not sure why I love books that are written this way. They're not very happy or uplifting. But, there is a great sense of triumph when you read about characters in the worst possible circumstances that somehow rise above. This book made me cry, laugh, and gather my daughter close and be grateful for the easy life I have. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I absolutely fell in love with Deuce and Fade. They portray such strength throughout the novel, and I've added them to my literary list of best friends. If you are looking for a great read, look no further! This will do ya' just fine. Warning: this is the first in a series, and the second one won't be released until sometime next year. So if you're one of those that like to wait until the whole series is out, don't say I didn't tell ya!</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-25568781651263413432011-06-15T16:33:00.000-05:002011-06-15T16:33:16.549-05:00Making Changes<div style="text-align: justify;">Jared and I are sick of feeling like crap, and in my case, being overweight. We're constantly tired, even when we go to bed on time and we generally feel run down and sick to our stomachs. Since moving here, I've gained ten pounds. <em>Ten pounds</em>. In 4.5 months. I avoid looking at myself in mirrors and I only have a few items of clothing that actually fit. My self-esteem has hit an all time low and one particular thought runs through my mind more than any other: "I am so fat." Jared has a high energy job, and also requires him to be out on an unairconditioned dock in the heat of the day. His performance at work suffers when he has no energy. We've hit our wall and are tired of living an unhealthy lifestyle. We have decided to make a few changes in the way we do things around here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsCaeMtH8qU/TfkjzrXuzBI/AAAAAAAABhU/VxEOV0X_XZA/s1600/fruits-and-vegetables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsCaeMtH8qU/TfkjzrXuzBI/AAAAAAAABhU/VxEOV0X_XZA/s320/fruits-and-vegetables.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. <strong>No more soda</strong> - This is HUGE for us. If you know us well at all, you know our intense love of Dr. Pepper. We have been buying it by the case load ever since we moved here, and I truthfully don't want to know how much money per month has been spent on it. We never used to buy it, but our addiction has gotten out of control. The few times we've tried to go off of it, we've only been able to go a half a day. So we're both cold turkeying it, and I'm heading out to get some Excedrin to help us get through the bad days. Even though the drink really is nectar from the gods, it can't be good for us if we are having such a hard time letting it go.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. <strong>Adding more fruits/veggies</strong> - I will take the blame for the lack of healthy foods in our diets. I'm the shopper and so I pick what we eat, and I typically don't buy things that I don't like. And I really don't like vegetables. So I'm going to man up and learn how to cook them, and I'm going to buy fresh stuff that I can prepare and throw in lunches. If you were to look in our fridge at any given moment, it would be heavy on deli meat and cheese, with fruits and veggies practically non-existent. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. <strong>Active lifestyle</strong> - Jared really doesn't have any problems with this. With the size of the warehouse he manages, I think he walks about five miles a day. Me, on the other hand, not so much. So this goal applies to me mostly. I live a sedentary life, and my main (and only, really) hobby doesn't require much movement except to flip pages. I've started walking in the morning, but I'm going to add in some weight lifting from p90x and a few aerobics tapes to my routine every week. Plus, I want to spend less time on the couch reading and more time "managing my house". It's only really clean about one day a week and the rest it's just a mess. I don't feel like I have an excuse either, because I have plenty of time to keep it clean. Also, we're going to get out more. A lot of museums here have free times during the week, and there are parks and several other places we could go that cost very little money. I've wanted to experience Memphis while we're here, and I figure this is as good a place to start as any.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. <strong>Treats once a week</strong> - Jared and I are very fond of our baked goods. We love Ding Dongs and Twinkies, especially. Well, no more! I'm going to bake a treat every Sunday, and that will be our goodie for the week. This gives me an opportunity to try new recipes and actually do something I enjoy (if there are Ding Dongs in the pantry, then why bake?), and it will last as short or as long as it takes us to eat it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. <strong>Support eachother</strong> - I'm not sure if it's this way in every marriage, but we have a hard time saying no to eachother. Truthfully, it's gotten us in trouble a few times. Whether it's a new gadget we want, or giving in to going out for fast food, if one of us wants it, we usually get it. I'm grateful that this is a journey we're going on together. For once, we're both wanting to make changes and I'm hoping that this time they'll actually stick. I need to lose weight and Jared needs to have energy in order to perform well in his job, and have some left over for us when he gets home. We want to be healthy and happy, and we want to live it and teach our children the importance of it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wish us luck!</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-9425587095478538172011-06-13T21:20:00.000-05:002011-06-13T21:20:53.318-05:00Belated 8 Months<div style="text-align: justify;">She actually turned eight months on May 26, but we had company in town and then I just became too lazy to do the post. But I couldn't resist writing about her, so here we go:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDK_fm7kLis/Tfa-xYPvpAI/AAAAAAAABhQ/tdrr53X8dUE/s1600/DSCF2775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDK_fm7kLis/Tfa-xYPvpAI/AAAAAAAABhQ/tdrr53X8dUE/s320/DSCF2775.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
A few things about her at this age:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">She's become a little scooter! We have hardwood floors, and she's somehow managed to learn how to roll/scoot/propel herself around. She's not going great distances yet, but it's enough to freak me out if I look up and she's halfway across the room.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She is incredibly grabby. Nothing is sacred, and we've had a few mishaps while we adjust to this new stage of moving everything out of her reach. Her favorite things are our glasses. She loves just ripping those right off our faces!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She's incredibly flexible. With time, I mean. I belly ache about her divaness all the time, but she hardly threw any fuss when my in-laws were in town for Memorial Day weekend, and we dragged her all around town. I guess it just took having an outsider come in for me to realize that she's actually an easy going baby. She can throw a tantrum, but I always made it out to be worse in my mind than it actually was.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Probably part of her ability to be flexible is that we have no schedule. I have tried to get her on a set schedule, but she wasn't having any of it. Our day is based on when she gets up. Sometimes it's 6:30am and sometimes it's 8am. So I adjust her naps and eating times accordingly. Typically she's ready for her first nap about an hour and a half after waking up. Then she eats, plays then is ready for her second nap. Do the same routine over again, and she's up from her third and final nap around 3, and she's up for the rest of the afternoon. She goes to bed at 6pm. Early! Maybe it's not what the experts suggest, but this schedule works for us. She's happy and growing, and really, what more could I ask for?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She is finally on board with her baby food! I feed her two meals a day: oatmeal mixed with fruit in the morning, and rice mixed with veggies for dinner. I've tried to get her to eat some big people food a few times, but the attempts haven't gone well. First, I tried Jello and she held it in her mouth for awhile, grimaced and spit it back out. Another time I gave her a bit of mashed potatoes, and she actually shuddered. It was a little funny, but at the same time.. she doesn't like mashed potatoes?! She doesn't like puffs, but she does like to gnaw on a graham cracker. I have to sit with her when she does, since she hasn't quite grasped the concept of chewing (or gumming, in her case). Like everything we do with her, it's slow going but she'll catch on eventually.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She's incredibly ticklish. I love it! I try not to torture her, but she just has the best giggle and belly laugh when I tickle her, and sometimes it's hard to resist. She's still a tough sell when trying to get her to laugh, but she has her favorite things we do that are fail safe. Her laugh makes us so happy! A little babies laugh has got to be one of the best sounds ever.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She's fitting into her nine month clothes now, so she's pretty caught up that way. I can't wait for her nine month appt to find out how much she has grown. I feel like she's a completely different baby than when we moved here. She's turned into such a chunk and we are obsessed with kissing her cheeks and squeezing her chunky thighs. Some of our favorite nick names for her are chunky monkey and sweet cheeks. She actually answers to sweet cheeks! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One more thing: this girl loves to go shopping! She is happiest when she is sitting in the cart wandering around a store. She can actually sit up in the cart now, and she enjoys it even more. Better range of vision, I guess. ;-) I can tell when we've spent too much time at home, because she starts getting really fussy and stir crazy. Just a quick trip to walk around Target, and my sweet happy baby is back again! </div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-60175520651355996572011-05-27T22:33:00.003-05:002011-05-27T22:53:02.206-05:00Slower-Cooker Pot Roast<div style="text-align: justify;">Don't you love the crock pot? You put all the ingredients together in the morning, turn it on, and then come home to a delicious smelling house and meat so tender it practically chews itself. It's especially great on Sundays, when you've come home from a <strike>grueling</strike> wonderful three hours of church, and are in no mood to prepare a big meal. I'm telling you, my crock pot and I are <em>tight</em>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the best pot roast I've ever had. It's one of Jared's favorite meals and he frequently asks for it. And what makes the hubs happy, makes the house happy. This recipe makes it's own gravy, which makes this dinner even easier. Can't argue with that!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrAZp08U2Hw/TeBrWk6vb2I/AAAAAAAABhM/GIR0zBtu6gI/s1600/1577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrAZp08U2Hw/TeBrWk6vb2I/AAAAAAAABhM/GIR0zBtu6gI/s1600/1577.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Awesome-Slow-Cooker-Pot-Roast/Detail.aspx"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Photo Credit</strong></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Ingredients</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 (10.75 oz) cans Cream of Mushroom soup</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 pkg Lipton's dry onion soup mix</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/4 cup water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5 1/2 pound pot roast</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Directions</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. In slow cooker mix soup, dry onion soup mix and water. Put roast in slow cooker and coat with soup mixture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or low 8 to 9 hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Go <a href="http://jaredpetersonfamily.blogspot.com/2011/05/slower-cooker-pot-roast-recipe.html"><strong>here</strong></a> to print recipe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-20705285236343190492011-05-24T19:36:00.000-05:002011-05-24T19:46:43.734-05:00Chubster McChub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wL7X1WY3xbs/TdxK4LnMrCI/AAAAAAAABhE/3EWN7np47nI/s1600/DSCF2762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wL7X1WY3xbs/TdxK4LnMrCI/AAAAAAAABhE/3EWN7np47nI/s320/DSCF2762.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div align="justify">I'm sure there are chubbier babies out there in the world. Actually, I know there are. But if you consider what we <a href="http://jaredpetersonfamily.blogspot.com/2010/10/introducing-janae-peterson.html"><span style="color: yellow;">first started with</span></a>, My Girl is pretty chunky. Hence the title "Chubster McChub". </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">I love her double chins and her thigh rolls. I love her big, beautiful blue eyes. And did you see that hair? About 1/4 of it is bed head and the rest is all curls. She is going to have some adorable blonde ringlets when her hair gets longer. Know where she gets that from? JARED. I know, right? He had the most beautiful curly hair when he was a baby. My MIL kept it for a long time, until someone said "Oh! What a cute little girl you have!" (or something along those lines) and my FIL threw a fit. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBnOeRbqtFw/TdxK7bRCrTI/AAAAAAAABhI/I_nW1loiYpE/s1600/DSCF2764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBnOeRbqtFw/TdxK7bRCrTI/AAAAAAAABhI/I_nW1loiYpE/s320/DSCF2764.JPG" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Or should we call her Orange Glo baby? Clearly I need to cool it when it comes to editing photos. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to find a worse photographer than me. Ever. Thankfully, the subject is cute enough to make up for the photographer's deficiencies.</div><br />
<blows and="" knuckles="" on="" rubs="" shoulder="">Jared and I do some dang good work. ;-)Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-32881962216750636672011-05-23T21:04:00.000-05:002011-05-23T21:07:06.250-05:00Summer MoviesOne of the things I very most love about the summer is all the huge blockbuster movies that come out. Based on the trailers we've seen, this summer looks promising!<br />
<br />
<strong>June</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wNPPib8Ojkg/TdsJk5qd6dI/AAAAAAAABgw/j9_uJ1Qjpp8/s1600/MV5BMTg5OTMxNzk4Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTk1MjAwNQ%2540%2540__V1__SY317_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wNPPib8Ojkg/TdsJk5qd6dI/AAAAAAAABgw/j9_uJ1Qjpp8/s1600/MV5BMTg5OTMxNzk4Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTk1MjAwNQ%2540%2540__V1__SY317_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">James McAvoy + accent = A drooling Cait. Seriously, he's a dream boat. I LOVED him in <em>Becoming Jane</em>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FU8vqskgsDU/TdsJnCxhTDI/AAAAAAAABg0/HMjAq3YwF-0/s1600/MV5BMTMyMTg3OTM5Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzczMjEyNQ%2540%2540__V1__SY317_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FU8vqskgsDU/TdsJnCxhTDI/AAAAAAAABg0/HMjAq3YwF-0/s1600/MV5BMTMyMTg3OTM5Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzczMjEyNQ%2540%2540__V1__SY317_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan Reynolds. Super hero powers. Tight. green. suit. I might need to remember to bring a personal fan to this one...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-23AVHgF-o/TdsJr9IqpFI/AAAAAAAABg8/FNKQMt8fSEQ/s1600/MV5BMTUzNTc3MTU3M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzIxNTc3NA%2540%2540__V1__SY317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-23AVHgF-o/TdsJr9IqpFI/AAAAAAAABg8/FNKQMt8fSEQ/s1600/MV5BMTUzNTc3MTU3M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzIxNTc3NA%2540%2540__V1__SY317_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We don't own very many animated films (not yet, anyway), but <em>Cars</em> is definitely on our shelf. Why? Hubs LOVES this movie. I do too, actually, but I think the reasons are different. He loves anything and everything having to do with cars, and I love Mater. So, this one is definitely a must see!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>July</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E5o0IZ8CsVA/TdsJpSOfcNI/AAAAAAAABg4/pVhWiHPindQ/s1600/MV5BMTQyMzg3OTE1OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTc2MjgxNA%2540%2540__V1__SY317_CR1%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E5o0IZ8CsVA/TdsJpSOfcNI/AAAAAAAABg4/pVhWiHPindQ/s1600/MV5BMTQyMzg3OTE1OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTc2MjgxNA%2540%2540__V1__SY317_CR1%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh my GOSH I love these movies. They are so action packed, and they get my blood pumping like no other. Plus, I love Shia LeBeouf. Hopefully the love interest they got to replace Megan Fox is a better actress than than, uh, Megan Fox. I think her only purpose was to stand there and look hot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCgRw2hPQbY/TdsJboFbR5I/AAAAAAAABgg/PfAmRDP9kTQ/s1600/MV5BMjI4NTc4MzMzOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTQzNTM4NA%2540%2540__V1__SY317_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCgRw2hPQbY/TdsJboFbR5I/AAAAAAAABgg/PfAmRDP9kTQ/s1600/MV5BMjI4NTc4MzMzOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTQzNTM4NA%2540%2540__V1__SY317_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This movie is going to be EPIC. Have you seen the trailer yet? Jared has been looking forward to this movie ever since I told him about the wicked wizard battle at the end of the book. I love all of the movies, but I have a feeling this one is going to be the best of 'em. It's also bittersweet. So excited for the movie, but bummed that the journey is finally over. No more books, and no more movies. Sad day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KqsTOjXwBbc/TdsJh32WwWI/AAAAAAAABgs/FgqKSo7SSgc/s1600/MV5BMTg3NjI4NzIwNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDA3MDU0NA%2540%2540__V1__SY317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KqsTOjXwBbc/TdsJh32WwWI/AAAAAAAABgs/FgqKSo7SSgc/s1600/MV5BMTg3NjI4NzIwNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDA3MDU0NA%2540%2540__V1__SY317_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apparently, I love me some superheroes. I have no idea if this one is even going to be good (or any of them, really) but I'm crossing my fingers. Chris Evans stars in this, and I feel like he did a pretty good job in Fantastic 4. Plus, he's easy on the eyes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87Y7Qo-NYio/TdsJfrLu-zI/AAAAAAAABgo/fihcbckudjE/s1600/MV5BMTEyNzI0MzM4NTReQTJeQWpwZ15BbWU3MDUzMzYwMTQ%2540__V1__SY317_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87Y7Qo-NYio/TdsJfrLu-zI/AAAAAAAABgo/fihcbckudjE/s1600/MV5BMTEyNzI0MzM4NTReQTJeQWpwZ15BbWU3MDUzMzYwMTQ%2540__V1__SY317_CR0%252C0%252C214%252C317_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm kind of iffy on this one. The concept is, well, strange. But with Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, it just might be worth it. I sorta wish that Daniel Craig had been spending his time working on the next Bond movie, but nobody asked me. I'm thinkin' I'll wait 'til other people see this, and get their opinion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twS5pjZb18o/TdsJdmWlSlI/AAAAAAAABgk/9RsnXtTaczI/s1600/MV5BMjIyMTI4MDU4N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjA1NjIyNQ%2540%2540__V1__SY317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twS5pjZb18o/TdsJdmWlSlI/AAAAAAAABgk/9RsnXtTaczI/s1600/MV5BMjIyMTI4MDU4N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjA1NjIyNQ%2540%2540__V1__SY317_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did anyone else grow up watching Conan? No? Huh, how strange. At any rate, this one looks to be pretty good. Jason Momoa stars in this, and this guy is HUGE. And ripped. He's currently playing on an HBO series called <em>Game of Thrones</em>, and the guy is a beast:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHT6XcUFBTM/TdsQEVMAwHI/AAAAAAAABhA/XUrkSW6GS74/s1600/khal-drogo%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHT6XcUFBTM/TdsQEVMAwHI/AAAAAAAABhA/XUrkSW6GS74/s320/khal-drogo%255B1%255D.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yikes. I think I'll pick him to be on my team.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know this post leans heavily towards "man movies", but I didn't see a whole lot of chick flicks coming out. What about you? Anything in particular you're looking forward to? Anything I missed?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>Disclaimer: I have absolutely no idea what any of these movies are rated. I'm not purposely pushing R movies on you, so please don't be offended. While we might see it, I completely respect your desire not to.</em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-77130010148967704622011-05-20T08:03:00.000-05:002011-05-21T08:35:21.421-05:00Jared's Good News!<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nn62wGjIuPo/TdZmXq8rEzI/AAAAAAAABgc/Ye1a0RhBHxc/s1600/promotion_965844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nn62wGjIuPo/TdZmXq8rEzI/AAAAAAAABgc/Ye1a0RhBHxc/s1600/promotion_965844.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Hubs has been working his butt of since we've moved to Memphis. He works long hours, with the crappiest schedule and the most responsibility on his sort/shift. Well.. it's paid off! He's been promoted!! He is now a Manager of Dock Operations (MODO) and is second in command at the hub. I'm so incredibly proud of him! This also means he doesn't have to work the night schedule anymore, so we might actually get to see him during the week. I won't even know what to do with myself. ;-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Congrats honey! You deserve it!</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-49555756235336251542011-05-11T09:44:00.000-05:002011-05-11T09:44:14.263-05:00A Wednesday List<div style="text-align: justify;">1. I just realized how long ago I did a post. I don't have any pictures prepared, so today you get a list. Don't be too excited.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. This past weekend Jared and I went out on a date..without Janae! We finally got the guts up and asked a friend that lives down the street to watch her. She cried as we were leaving, and it was really hard to leave and let her be. Our friends told us later that she only cried for about two minutes. Whew! We went to On the Border, which was terrible, and then to see <em>Fast 5</em>. That movie was awesome! Best one of the bunch so far. We can't wait until it comes out on DVD so we can buy it and watch it over and over. Best part of the night: having some adult time with just the two of us. It had been so long that I'd forgotten what it feels like to just hang out with him. I highly recommend date nights!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. There's been some serious weather issues happening since we've been here. We've had some pretty heavy thunderstorm action, and the Mississippi River has risen to 48ft high. There's some serious flooding going in the areas around the river, but we've been unaffected by it. Jared has been a mad man at trying to get some of our food storage set up. We've also had a bunch of tornado warnings and scares. I'm not sure if any have actually touched down, but there hasn't been any damage. Just the sirens, and they always seem to happen at night when Jared is at work. So I'll huddle with a book and my lantern on the couch until the storms die down and the sirens go off. I'm totally freaked out that I'll fall asleep and not hear it coming and not be able to get to Janae in time. I've lost a lot of sleep in the last few weeks! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. I had my first freeway adventure last week. I drove down to Jared's work to bring him dinner, and it was the first time I'd been on the freeway since we moved here. Everything I need is right here in our area, so there really hasn't been a need to go anywhere else. The freeway system here is confusing. Sometimes the exits are on the right side, and sometimes on the left. The on ramps are so short that it leaves hardly any room to accelerate and merge. And sometimes the exits and the entrances are the same dang road! So you're trying to get on and merge at 15mph with cars that are getting off going 50mph. It's quite frightening. And TN drivers are not nice. They won't let you in and they are extremely aggressive. Aggressive as in "i'm nearly even with my exit but am in the fast lane so let me just cross five lanes and get off right now". Yeah, frightening. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. My ward is doing something really fun this summer called "summer outing groups". Each woman in the ward is responsible for planning an outing for the other families in the ward one week out of the summer. Last week we went to the park, and this week we are meeting at a ladies house in the ward that has a bounce house. It's such a great idea! We try to do cheap and inexpensive things, and it promotes ward unity and gives all the moms an opportunity to socialize with adults at least once a week. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. It's super hot and humid. It was 95 yesterday, and I'm not sure what the humidity was. I think this summer is going to put me through the ringer. I grew up in Dallas, but I think living in Utah for so many years made me soft. And there are no public pools here to go to for a break! Apparently no one in Memphis knows how to swim. I guess a bunch of people drowned so they shut everything down. Sucks for me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">7. Janae is doing wonderfully. She still isn't sitting up super great yet, but we do it everyday. It's definitely apparent how developmentally behind she is from other kids her age. I have a friend whose little boy is only a few weeks older than Janae and he is already crawling! Whenever I tell people how old she is, they always have a slight look of shock in their eyes. I always want to kick their butts for thinking poorly of my kid, but in the end.. they're just strangers so who cares what they think? The people who know us know that she was born two months early, and why she is "behind". Besides which, she is as stubborn as an old goat so I think even if she was full term she'd still do things in her own time. Oh, that kid and I are going to have some battles. She's almost 8mo old and she already thinks she's the boss. I seriously hope I make it out alive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">8. Jared is working and sleeping. We are on totally opposite schedules, and we only see eachother for a few minutes in passing everyday. It's a lot harder than I thought it would be. Janae and I really miss him, and our weekends are so precious because he's actually home and awake. He is working so hard right now, and we are crossing our fingers that something good is coming our way soon. We'll let ya' know. ;-) He's been trying to look for a new car, since gas is killing us right now with him commuting in a truck. I don't even want to tell you how much we're spending per month on gas, it'll make you sick. I had no idea the car shopping process was so in depth. Are all men like this or just Jared? Holy smokes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">9. Apparently I had a lot to say. If you made it this far, congrats! Give yourself a pat on the back. We're all doing great, and are lovin' life!</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-59198935039786744792011-04-29T10:35:00.000-05:002011-04-29T10:35:17.400-05:00A Small Sort of AccomplishmentWe've been practicing every day, and she's finally able to do it on her own:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKDs9vS6v3s/TbrZZb7PTZI/AAAAAAAABgU/kZx6D27KjVM/s1600/DSCF2758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKDs9vS6v3s/TbrZZb7PTZI/AAAAAAAABgU/kZx6D27KjVM/s320/DSCF2758.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">She's not super great at it yet, but she can sit there for longer than five seconds and not fall to the side. And she can play with toys a little, instead of fisting her hands and looking like a gorilla. That's an improvement in my book!</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AlBW5R5gbmE/TbrZb0oIhkI/AAAAAAAABgY/lZxPj_wvypU/s1600/DSCF2759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AlBW5R5gbmE/TbrZb0oIhkI/AAAAAAAABgY/lZxPj_wvypU/s320/DSCF2759.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I can't believe how big she is getting. I think she recently went through a series of major growth spurts and it's left Jared and I reeling. I'm not sure we're ready for her to be a big girl!</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-64964363673080132542011-04-25T09:07:00.000-05:002011-04-25T09:07:23.949-05:00It's All About the Dress<div style="text-align: justify;">Happy belated Easter! We had such a wonderful day. The weather was beautiful and all of the little girls and boys were dressed in their finest at church. We even had a few girls sporting hats and gloves! Very traditional. We didn't have any hats or gloves, but I still think she was super cute anyway:</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDXB6GaTgRE/TbV_xuFZ50I/AAAAAAAABgQ/F2_qyfryVUA/s1600/DSCF2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDXB6GaTgRE/TbV_xuFZ50I/AAAAAAAABgQ/F2_qyfryVUA/s320/DSCF2733.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Who knew Easter dresses could be so much fun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-46376699554940319522011-04-18T10:13:00.000-05:002011-04-18T10:13:52.680-05:00The Perfect Man for Me<div style="text-align: justify;">Last night as Jared and I were dishing up our plates for dinner, he made a remark that perfectly illustrates how well he knows me. Jared had grilled up some chicken, and I was standing at the counter cutting it up. Normal people cut up their food once they sit down, so I can see how my actions might look odd. So as I was standing there doing weird things, Jared says: "Oh, are you cutting up your meat so you can read?" I dropped my utensils and look at him in surprise. That statement was so. incredibly. right. I do get my plate all ready to go so that I don't have to think about it while I read. I've been doing that for years, long before I met him, and the fact that he noticed, shocked me. I don't know why, it's not like he's completely unobservant, it just seemed like such a small thing for someone else to pick up on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It reminds me of a line in a movie called <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0358135/">Shall We Dance?</a></em> with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. Susan Sarandon's character was sitting in a bar answering the question of why do people get married. Her answer: so that we may have a witness to our lives. Jared is the witness to my life, even the small, mundane things such as getting my plate ready so that I can eat and read at the same time. Or on Saturday afternoon, with no prior conversation or comments about it, Jared perfectly answers the question I rush into the room to ask him, "Do you know what comes out today?!?" His answer: "Harry Potter?" Because of course, nothing gets me that excited like Harry Potter. He knows that. He <em>gets</em> me. He understands me. </div><br />
Here is a clip of the line in the movie that I'm talking about. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tdBATA_Ag5s?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Amen, sister. Amen.Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-38884139406767229632011-04-15T18:13:00.000-05:002011-04-15T18:14:49.099-05:00My New Toy<div style="text-align: justify;">Last Sunday was my 26th birthday. I love my birthday, and this year it was low key and spent with the two people I love most in the world. One of those two people was a little monster, but that's how our sundays usually go. And yes, I am referring to Jared. ;-) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We spent the morning at church, then came home and changed into our comfy pants and spent the rest of the day sitting on the couch doing a Harry Potter marathon. I made a delicious pot roast and yummy rolls for dinner (no veggies allowed on my birthday!). My pot roast recipe is awesome, and I'll post it for you guys tomorrow. Best I've ever had! I also made a chocolate cake, but screwed up the cream cheese frosting. Total bummer. That's what I get for eyeballin' it, I guess. Jared was a good sport and finished off his whole piece anyway. I told him he didn't have to (I didn't), but he's a stud like that. </div><br />
I received this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHYY3kquCoA/TajOr9urxPI/AAAAAAAABgI/EL8bzl5_VXI/s1600/US-3G-MAIN__SX320_V188695746_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHYY3kquCoA/TajOr9urxPI/AAAAAAAABgI/EL8bzl5_VXI/s1600/US-3G-MAIN__SX320_V188695746_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">And I am in LOVE. I didn't know how I even functioned in my pre-Kindle days. It's extremely handy and easy to use. Only drawback is that it makes it way easier to buy books, as you can search and purchase right from the Kindle. I may or may not be getting in some serious trouble at the end of the month. I'm blaming it on the Sticksville library system they have here in Memphis. If they actually had books to read, then I'd use it and I wouldn't have to buy books. Think it'll work?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy birthday to me, and I hope my 26th year is a good one!</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-76600744321477961442011-04-12T21:17:00.000-05:002011-04-12T21:24:06.554-05:00The Bib to End All Bibs<div style="text-align: justify;">We recently started solid foods and the whole process has been.. messy. I love my girl, but she has zero spoon eating skills. The first few days were awful. I'm not entirely sure if any food actually made the arduous journey from spoon to stomach. Plus, I decided to start her out on peas (<em>what was I thinking?!</em>), which did not endear her to the whole eating semi-real food experience. We've since developed a technique where she sucks the food off the spoon like she would bottle. I sincerely hope I'm not screwing up my kid. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I said, we have no skills. I only have cloth bibs, which last for exactly half a feeding. I knew that I would quickly grow tired of washing them all the time, so I set myself a mission: find the ultimate bib. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And boy, did I.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iydWJyxC818/TaUEZAmV9aI/AAAAAAAABf0/V_JsXMZO1TU/s1600/DSCF2711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iydWJyxC818/TaUEZAmV9aI/AAAAAAAABf0/V_JsXMZO1TU/s320/DSCF2711.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
It's like a space suit! NOTHING can get past this bib! The poor girl can't even move her arms. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkhDNmySd60/TaUEgJ7NtnI/AAAAAAAABf8/704F760pfLE/s1600/DSCF2713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkhDNmySd60/TaUEgJ7NtnI/AAAAAAAABf8/704F760pfLE/s320/DSCF2713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<em>Look mom, stop taking pictures and feed me already. I'm so obviously deprived of food that I have to resort to gnawing my thumb.</em><br />
<br />
Why do kids always act like they've never eaten before?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54X4YJQLCpw/TaUEjD8UexI/AAAAAAAABgA/h9va4tRlWn8/s1600/DSCF2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54X4YJQLCpw/TaUEjD8UexI/AAAAAAAABgA/h9va4tRlWn8/s320/DSCF2714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<em>Seriously. I'm about to scream.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bn_hma1LJM/TaUEmD_NXgI/AAAAAAAABgE/q4ZJjXj14tU/s1600/DSCF2715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0bn_hma1LJM/TaUEmD_NXgI/AAAAAAAABgE/q4ZJjXj14tU/s320/DSCF2715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<em>Or smile, because you're making ridiculous faces at me.</em><br />
<br />
There's my smiley girl. Hi. I love you.Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-59381006453762250682011-04-02T08:40:00.000-05:002011-04-02T09:01:32.880-05:00In Awe<div style="text-align: justify;">It's been awhile since I've had real pictures done of Janae, and since she turned 6mo last week, I figured now was as good a time as any. My friend <a href="http://mebsphotography.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Meggan</span></a> in our new ward took them, and I LOVE them. I am so happy and pleased with how they turned out. I have the most beautiful little girl, and it's amazing what magic happens when you have the right day, the right outfit, and the <a href="http://mebsphotography.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cccccc;">right photographer</span></a> to capture it all. </div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4dbqeV313o/TZcmRgBHSqI/AAAAAAAABfM/3tOtI3uba4M/s1600/1230963727_XYzet-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4dbqeV313o/TZcmRgBHSqI/AAAAAAAABfM/3tOtI3uba4M/s320/1230963727_XYzet-M.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4ot4mqC6v4/TZcmT1o2zrI/AAAAAAAABfQ/MBOzsln27u4/s1600/1230963818_cVbR6-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4ot4mqC6v4/TZcmT1o2zrI/AAAAAAAABfQ/MBOzsln27u4/s320/1230963818_cVbR6-M.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOFwAKtXd-Q/TZcmVoV4QCI/AAAAAAAABfU/RRTtQmBmBR0/s1600/1230964036_UZDpb-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOFwAKtXd-Q/TZcmVoV4QCI/AAAAAAAABfU/RRTtQmBmBR0/s320/1230964036_UZDpb-M.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGgvPcVPCz4/TZcmXVnkmCI/AAAAAAAABfY/9mL6L3cYmWA/s1600/1230964095_AMWfA-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGgvPcVPCz4/TZcmXVnkmCI/AAAAAAAABfY/9mL6L3cYmWA/s320/1230964095_AMWfA-M.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YP6RX7Gw3jU/TZcmZo-5JTI/AAAAAAAABfc/ii4_RXIP520/s1600/1230964134_KZ55W-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YP6RX7Gw3jU/TZcmZo-5JTI/AAAAAAAABfc/ii4_RXIP520/s320/1230964134_KZ55W-M.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yACK5UdOlV8/TZcmcoXu8RI/AAAAAAAABfg/x-BFVSQC4dU/s1600/1230964260_o2LV5-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yACK5UdOlV8/TZcmcoXu8RI/AAAAAAAABfg/x-BFVSQC4dU/s320/1230964260_o2LV5-M.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3YKmzeNxcc/TZcmefQrVyI/AAAAAAAABfk/F9rUDbnrEd8/s1600/1230964393_DixpG-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3YKmzeNxcc/TZcmefQrVyI/AAAAAAAABfk/F9rUDbnrEd8/s320/1230964393_DixpG-M.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jared loved these pictures so much, that his exact response was "They make me want to change all her diapers!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Who knew a mere picture could create miracles?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-48083312228231455922011-03-28T14:53:00.000-05:002011-03-28T14:53:18.126-05:006 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S5kqFwKcP3s/TZDg9ytRGeI/AAAAAAAABfI/IFLo6U-OmpY/s1600/DSCF2709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S5kqFwKcP3s/TZDg9ytRGeI/AAAAAAAABfI/IFLo6U-OmpY/s320/DSCF2709.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Wow, that picture sucks. I tried to be quick so that I wouldn't wake her up. Yikes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, this is how she really sleeps. She has a bazillion and one blankets everywhere and she sleeps with her arms wide out. It's quite a system we've got going on here. And her binks is probably somewhere buried underneath her head. It doesn't sound comfortable to me, but it works for her somehow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She turned six months over the weekend, and we had her six month check up this morning. Our baby girl is growing! Here are her stats:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Weight: 15lbs (25%)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Height: (24in 10th%)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Her head circumference was 48in and some change, but I didn't get the percentile's on that. I was mostly excited about learning her weight today. I'm obsessed with how much she weighs. I guess every pound she puts on is one pound further away from her whole birth saga. I need to figure out a way to do it at home so that I don't have to get anxious about it in between check-ups. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few things about this stage:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. She is the least flexible baby I have ever seen. She can't play with her toes, b/c she can't bend enough to get to them! And you know how when you first try to sit a baby up, you spread their legs out super far to give them balance? Well, forget that with this child. Her legs just do not bend. I'm serious. We do "sitting up" practice and stretches everyday to work on it. A girl in my ward, who is a therapist of some sort, showed me a way to work on the flexibility without injuring her. Janae looks pretty silly, so I'll have to take a pic and post it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. She is is a pretty good sleeper. She goes down for bed at 7 and wakes up anywhere between 7 and 8am. There were a few days she woke up at 6 (agggh!) last week, but I try to just leave her in her crib until 7:30 when she does that. One day she went back to sleep, and one day she didn't, which happened to be Sunday and she was a total monster in church. It was not a good day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. She is sill super stingy with her laughs. I can only get one really good giggle out of her a day. She smiles a lot, she just isn't a laugher I guess. I love it when she laughs, so I do all sorts of crazy stunts to get more than just the one giggle. It never works, but I will persevere! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. She loves to eat, but we are still working on what to do when we eat with a spoon. I gave her a small crumb of a chocolate chip cookie yesterday, and she really seemed to love that. Go figure. But no dice on the rice cereal or oatmeal. We'll keep practicing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. She is finally in her age size for clothes! It's awesome. Except we have hardly an 6mo or 9mo clothes, so I've been hitting up the clearance racks to see what I can find. Apparently it gets so hot here in the summer that she won't be wearing anything more than onesies anyway. Everyone keeps telling me how miserable the summers here are. I'm starting to get worried about it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. Overall, we couldn't be happier with her progress. Her pediatrician is very pleased with how she's doing, and developmentally she is catching up. She might be small for her age, but I don't think she's that far behind anymore. What's going to be weird for me is when we have our next kid and everything that kid does is "normal". All of the stages will be different compared to Janae, so I wonder if it'll be like having a first kid all over again? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, she's one of my favoritest people to hang out with, and it's getting so much more fun now that she can interact and play. We're heading out to a local park/trail this afternoon to go for a walk. We love to get out of the house!</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-55182842092902928892011-03-19T19:45:00.000-05:002011-03-19T19:45:09.252-05:00At the Dinner Table<div style="text-align: justify;">Jared and I actually sat down at the table tonight to eat dinner. I know, shocking. It's probably because it's actually clean.. the first time in months! We didn't want to leave Janae out, so she sat in her bumbo chair and ate her hand. Which has become her favorite past time, apparently. Toys, who cares? As long as her hand is in her mouth she's as happy as can be. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm still giggling about how cute she was, with just her head visible across the table. Love this girl!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5nsAIqtTHVA/TYVNkb0ia4I/AAAAAAAABe8/b0p3j9pksmM/s1600/DSCF2704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5nsAIqtTHVA/TYVNkb0ia4I/AAAAAAAABe8/b0p3j9pksmM/s320/DSCF2704.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ib9pawCAXQs/TYVNvM2Y6yI/AAAAAAAABfE/VoTOAVzP97U/s1600/DSCF2705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ib9pawCAXQs/TYVNvM2Y6yI/AAAAAAAABfE/VoTOAVzP97U/s320/DSCF2705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3045838908644625009.post-35114622980670545442011-03-12T20:37:00.000-06:002011-03-12T20:37:06.082-06:00A Saturday Night at the Peterson Casaconsists of extreme cuteness:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_4Lc1rYceRk/TXwsmUEjR1I/AAAAAAAABe0/LYxFyu6OuI8/s1600/DSCF2680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_4Lc1rYceRk/TXwsmUEjR1I/AAAAAAAABe0/LYxFyu6OuI8/s320/DSCF2680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
some dang good bbq from the man of the house:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oGnGHPZ7MGI/TXwsqJj3VyI/AAAAAAAABe4/VpeQ8VxTBPs/s1600/DSCF2689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oGnGHPZ7MGI/TXwsqJj3VyI/AAAAAAAABe4/VpeQ8VxTBPs/s320/DSCF2689.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">and a double feature of <em>Angels & Demons</em> and <em>Bringing Down The House,</em> accompanied by the oh so sweet sounds of my baby girl. She's loud, which makes watching movies with her increasingly difficult. Thank goodness she has a 7 o'clock bed time and the rest of the night is ours. Ahh, bliss!</div>Caitlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129603520678400147noreply@blogger.com3