A Day In Our Life

I was talking to Michael the other day about how much fun my days are.  Sure, they can be pretty crazy since I spend a big chunk of it chasing around an almost-toddler, but even on the busiest and most stressful days, I really can't help but love what I do.  Does that mean that I'm a constant ray of sunshine, with perfect patience for my family and life and with a permanent smile on my face?  Haha, yeah right.  I certainly have my moments.  However, I wouldn't trade the life I have for anything.

I wanted to document what a typical day is like in our life, mostly for my own sake.  Ten years down the road, I'm sure my life will be crazy in different ways, and while I'm sure I'll love my life then too, I want to remember what life is like now. 

Michael leaves the house around 4:40-ish to be at work by 5.  I usually wake up to Matthew calling out for me around 6 or 6:15.  We have breakfast and chill in the living room (reading, roaming, playing, texting Michael a picture of Matthew's awesome bedhead) for 15 minutes or so while we both wake up a little more.  Then, if we need to go grocery shopping, we do it at this time.  It wasn't always this way, but I try to get a lot of our errands done early in the morning since Phoenix is so, so very hot mid-day.

Matthew has loved shopping ever since he could sit up in the cart.  There's so much to see and he loves "talking" to everyone that walks by.

Then we come home and Matthew gets to chill in his Exersaucer or high chair (with Goldfish) and watch Baby Einstein while I exercise on the treadmill.  When I'm done I pull him out and we read a few books.  By now, he's usually ready for his morning nap.  While he sleeps, I shower, get ready for the day, and check emails. 

Once he's up, I try to do something super fun.  At this time of year, that usually involves water.  Heaven knows I'm sick of apartment living, but it sure is nice to have a pool so close.  We'll often go there, or if I'm feeling more adventurous, I'll take Matthew to a splash pad.  He LOVES splash pads.

This is at my favorite splash pad.  The fountains are small, which is great for babies. Yes, he can now stand without needing to hold something to help pull him up.  If only he'd take a step on his own!  Haha.

And here's an adorably goofy picture of Matthew having a blast in the pool:

Then we come home, eat lunch, and I get some housework done while he follows me around.... often making a mess of the area I just cleaned up.  :-)

Then we play/practice walking/whatever else Matthew feels like doing until Michael gets home around 2.  Matthew LOVES when Michael comes home.  

Matthew goes down for his afternoon nap shortly after Michael gets home and me and Michael relax/hang out/get stuff done.  Once Matthew gets up, it's usually getting close to dinner time.  Have I ever mentioned how much Matthew loves food?  :)

Me and Michael sometimes have our own errands in the evening (church ball/RS/whatever) but my favorite evenings are the ones where we all get to hang out at home or go do something cheap (or free) and fun.  We still do Fro Yo Fridays.... and I'm not kidding when I say that Matthew is almost ready for his OWN cup of frozen yogurt.

Anyway, we put Matthew to bed around 8 and hang out until Michael goes to bed.... which usually isn't very far off considering how early he wakes up.

And there it is.... our typical day.  One day I know I'm going to look back and miss the simplicity of these days.  Good thing I'm enjoying them while I can!

National Donut Day

Not that anyone should need an excuse to eat donuts, but today being National Donut Day sure doesn't hurt.  It took me all of two seconds after finding out about this "holiday" before texting Michael and asking if we could celebrate it.  His response?  "Of course we can!  Family donut night!"  Love him.  He then informed me that Dunkin was "nasty" and we needed to go somewhere with better donuts.  Haha.  I've never had a problem with good 'ol Dunkin, but apparently Michael does..... (he's a bit of a food snob though).  ;-)

I love donuts.  They remind me of Family Home Evening's when I was a little girl, sleepy (but great!) seminary mornings, and late night trips to Krispy Kreme in Nashville.

We very much enjoyed our donut night (or afternoon, since we're pigs and couldn't wait)  .... I think the littlest Byram enjoyed them most of all.  ;-)  Happy National Donut Day!

Aloha

Remember how I said that my mom totally knows how to throw a party?  Well, let me quickly tell you about the 3-day party I went to last weekend.  

The Girls' Weekend 2012 theme this year was Luau.  And when I say that my mom decorated for the occasion, that's a huge understatement.  The dining room (shown below) just barely scratches the surface of the decorations:

Coconut drinks, the beach, junk food galore, hula lessons, and great company = a weekend in tropical paradise.

Oh, and three of us have little boys under the age of 2, and we got to bring them!  (The only time they'll be allowed to come to Girls' Weekend, I'm sure).  ;-)  They loved each other and all the attention they got from their aunts and Grandma and Papa.  

Matthew is definitely a fan of the beach.  He LOVED the sand, but the I think the cold water freaked him out a little.  ;-)  That's okay, he'll love it soon enough!

Oh, and of course the Revlon Run was as awesome as ever.  

Already excited for next year!

Mom

I cannot even describe how much I adore being a mom.  During these last 8 1/2 months I have had some of the best times of my life.  There are so many women and mothers out there who have taught me so much and been amazing examples to me, but here are a few of my favorites:

1 - My sis!  Cheri!  I always tell people that being the younger sister is way better than being the older sister.  Not only did I get a ton of clothes, I have also been copying her my entire life.  I read the same books she did as a kid, and then registered for a bunch of the same classes in college.  Now I am always asking her for advice on baby stuff and all kinds of other random things.  She's seriously a pro at everything.  (And when I say everything, I mean it!)  You can't blame me for being such a copycat. 

2 - Laura married my brother right before I went into college, and she is the perfect match for him, and the family.  She is unbelievably nice and easy to get along with- exactly the type of person you want to marry into your family. She is also very talented, and manages to keep up with those talents with three little kids. I have a hard time doing that with one kid!

3 - Karen is my husband's sister, and I can tell you that her being in Michael's life has made him a better person.  She is smart and funny and is raising two amazing girls that I get to now proudly claim as my own nieces.  She is the type of person that always does the right thing in any situation.  Hopefully I can be more like that!

4 - I knew as soon as Michael told me about his mom that I would love her - and I do!  She is sweet and giving and always wanting to help.  Sometimes I wonder if she ever does anything for herself.  She is also one of the hardest workers I have ever met.  Plus, she happens to have raised a guy that I kind of like.  ;-)  I am so glad I married a guy with such a nice and wonderful mother!

5 - My own mom!  I owe her way too much.  I am really starting to get just how much she did for me and my siblings, and it's overwhelming.  She is hilarious, fun, way more stylish than I am, smart, and talented.  She loves the Gospel and raised me to be that way as well.  I will forever be grateful for the lessons she taught me and for being such an amazing example of motherhood and everything that it entails. Oh, and if anyone knows how to throw a party, my mom does.  Seriously.  (more on that later)

Happy Mother's Day!

From 1 to 4

Kids, that is.  :-)  Last week I flew to Fremont, CA to watch Cheri and Spencer's (my sis and her husband) kids for 6 days while they went on a well-deserved vacation.  Her three kids, plus Matthew, put the kids' head count at 4.  Luckily, her kids are awesome and well-behaved so it wasn't that hard, just busy!  Also, Michel got to join me for a few days, making it even more fun.  (It's no secret that he's the fun one).

We spent one morning in San Francisco while the two oldest kids were at school.  I was telling Michael that after NYC, I think that SF is the coolest city I've been to.  (I really haven't been to that many cities, but still.  I love SF).

 

We mostly just explored Pier 39 and drove through downtown SF.  We didn't cross the Golden Gate but we had a pretty good view of it from the pier.  The boys were so well-behaved and made it so fun.

The days went by quickly and soon it was time to say good-bye.  I miss those kids already!  So does Matthew.  It was a fun trip, and the main things I learned from it are:

-All of my boys will play Little League.

-You should probably watch how much self-serve frozen yogurt kids get from the machine, or they'll end up with enough for 10 kids.  Seems obvious, but sometimes you just don't think about these things when you're the mom of one baby.

-Kids really are so easy to please.  One night they begged for Ramen for dinner, and I think that was their favorite meal I made them.  Hmm, it's probably a good thing I'm working on my cooking skills.

-I really want an iPhone.

-I absolutely love the age that Matthew's at right now, and I'm going to appreciate his babyhood as much as I can, but I'm also so excited to watch him grow and get to know him better and better as his personality continues to develop.

Yogurtouille

 Tanner, Matthew, and Emma

My parents watched the kids for the last 4 days of Cheri and Spencer's trip, so we got to see them too!

Plane ride home  (Matthew did awesome!)

Hopefully the next time we go to Fremont, we'll be able to hang out with Cheri and Spencer too!  :-)