Merry Christmas everyone! We are enjoying our Christmas here in sunny southern California. We have been busy shopping, jumping on the new trampoline, and playing games with my Family. Stella is so excited, she is refusing to sleep. She has been up on the hour every hour at night and only sleeps for 20, maybe 30 mins twice a day. She is going to make me crazy! Hope that everyone is enjoying this wonderful day celebrating our Savior.

The Nutcracker and the crybaby

This past Friday I did something very, very brave. I took my friend Karen up on the offer of having a girls night to see the Columbia Ballet Company in The Nutcracker. Andy wanted to go, but none of the other "Men" were interested. Andy did not want to crash girls night alone, so he was left with Stella. Before the show started, we all (men too) went to the Mellow Mushroom for dinner. Stella was her usual restaurant self...screaming loud, grabbing food, drinking water from our straws and then spitting it out - you can imagine I'm sure. After dinner, Karen, Lydia, and Parris went off to find their seats, and I was going to quickly feed Stella as much as I could so that she would go to bed for her Dad, since she will no longer take a bottle. Well, Stella ate about a quarter of an ounce - maybe. She was determined to look around and just couldn't understand the urgency I felt in making sure she was full before I was off. Andy assured me that he would just call me and come pick me up if she went crazy while I was gone, and so I had no choice but to leave her with her highly capable Father, and was off to "enjoy" the show. I walked into the concert hall, but I think I left my mind and thoughts in the car with Andy and Stella. The lady who tore the tickets quickly greeted me and informed me that I would need to head up the stairs and then go to the left to be seated in the "LATE SEATING" section. (My ticket was in the fourth row by the way. I would be nowhere near my friends on the second balcony!) This was something she probably regretted saying soon after the words left her mouth. You see, I must still be highly emotional due to the whole having a baby and everything. I began to cry, and called Andy to tell him the devastating news. This was the straw that broke the camels back. I took it as some sort of sign that I should not be out enjoying myself, but rather home snuggled tight with my Husband and Daughter. He calmed me down as usual, and told me that during intermission I could just make my way to my real seat, and he would see me later. Sure - that sounds easy enough, but now that the tears have started, they surely can't stop for at least another five minutes - right? So the nice ticket lady promptly brought her boss on over to where I was standing, and she was very sweet. Apparently crying can still get you your way these days. She told me that they could probably get me in to sit down with my friends, and that it was no problem. Well, I didn't really feel like crawling over strangers laps while trying to hide the tears streaming down my face, and that wasn't really the problem; so I told them that I was fine, and that I was really only crying because I had just left my daughter who doesn't take a bottle, and may not be able to sleep because she is so hungry, and my Husband has to try to take care of her which would be fine if she was full, but I just tried to feed her and...so on and so on. So they tried hard to tell me what a good mother I was for worrying and how they were sure I could just leave at intermission, etc. etc., and then let me make my way up the stairs with all the other "late" folks. Well, once I took my seat, and started to focus on the dancing, I felt much better. In fact I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The whole time I kept thinking, hmmm...I wonder if there is a place around here that I can sign Stella up for dance classes and that also offers adult classes, and I can learn ballet while she does. I was picturing myself as the sugarplum fairy in the 2009 or 2010 production. The best part is, when I returned to my sweet husband and child, Stella had only been awake for about a half an hour because she fell asleep during the car ride home, so Andy was able to enjoy some football time with the men, and I really had nothing to worry about all along. Thanks Karen, Lydia, Parris, and Andy for such a wonderful night!

Stella assumes the position

Stella is an almost thumb-sucker. She sucks her big toe - but only chews on her thumb.

Oh the Drama

My mom said that with how happy and cute Stella always looks on the blog - it's hard to believe she ever cry's or gives us a hard time. Well here you go!

Sitting pretty

Stella sits on her own these days - but only on cushy surfaces, or with mom or dad super close. She gets a little freaked out when she tips over. She is not used to the idea that throwing her arms around will have an effect on her whole body - but with how often she tips over, we think she may start to get the picture soon.


Her dad also lets her stand for a couple of seconds at a time on the bed... and she loves that!

We only hope she will turn out like such as this

I know this is old - but when I want a good - really good belly laugh - this always does the trick. (Not that I would do any better under pressure such as like this - but I still uhhh think it is sooo funny) Please click here to see the hopes and dreams we have for our Little Stella now that we live in the South Carolina.

Say What?

These days Andy and I don't do as much talking to each other as we used to. Now, we talk through Stella. For example, I tell Stella to tell her dad to hurry up, or we will be late. (This all takes place right in front of Andy) Yesterday, Andy came into the room holding Stella, and informed me that Stella said she wanted to wear her old diapers again, (the ones that are a size too small...but Andy apparently doesn't want to bother holding onto for our next baby) and that he told her I would say no, but she made him ask anyway. Well - today "Stella" left me a reminder shopping list...

Sleeping beauty!

The little princess has put herself back to bed when she wakes up two nights in a row. That means no getting out of bed for me and I am so excited! Finally! If she keeps this up - I just might start feeling like my old self again.

A little late - but worth the wait

It took me a while to finish Andy's cake, but he finally got to make a wish. It was delicious - my sister-in-law Amy's recipe...YUM!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Andy's birthday has once again come and gone. He opened his gifts in the morning, and then went shopping to spend some of those gifts (Sweet gift card from his parents). He bought this stunning coat (see below) that I love just as much if not more than he does. Then later that night, Chad and Karen Rozmus took us out to dinner for a "double date" to Yamato's, a very, very good Japanese steak house. It was tasty! Happy Birthday Andy! I love You!




Yes - his gifts were wrapped in sheets. Stella got him this awesome soccer ball!

Thanksgiving

Stella helped her Dad with some last minute cooking.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. What else could it be when you are feasting on such delicious food? But no matter how good our company was on thanksgiving (which was the Rozmus' s and Meldau's - and they are great company) nothing can beat the Holiday's with Family. We missed our Families very much and we can't wait to see them on Christmas and New Years! Missing Family so much helped us to remember just how grateful we are for our Families and all that they do and are for us. Thanksgiving is always such a wonderful time to be grateful and content with all we have around us!

yup - a cup already

So Stella may not take a bottle any more, but she does great with my water-bottle or a cup.

Beautiful

My sister-in-law Nicole has the most adorable picture of her son Jagger in the leaves. It motivated me to take some pictures of Stella for Fall. She wouldn't give me a smile though - because she wouldn't even look at me to see my silly faces and exaggerated excitement. I still love the pictures though!

He just can't help it...can he

As we all know, Andy LOVE LOVE LOVES Thanksgiving. We are going to the Rozmus's for dinner, and Andy is cooking up a storm in preparation.

I love to see the Temple...

We went on a drive last Sunday to the Columbia Temple, and took some pictures for everyone to see. On the way there, we passed a gas station that my Mom and Grandpa may want to invest in =).



Stella was in awe of the Temple's beauty.
Around the Temple there are a couple little lakes. They look beautiful this time of year!

The Cook-Out

Last night - some friends from our ward, the Hoods, invited us to go with them to a private island on Lake Murray. (It is owned by the power company, so you have to work for them to access it - which Joseph Hood does=)) It is a beautiful place, and unfortunately the camera didn't make its way out until it was too dark. Stella slept for the majority of the time in the car, but once she woke up - we bundled her up tight because it was pretty darn cold. Despite the low temperature, we had a wonderful time! Tammy Hood, and her third out of four children (Claire) are with Stella and I in this picture. Claire is two months older to the day than Stella, so once they realize eachother exist, they should be great friends!

little trooper

I recently visited this absolutely huge children's consignment store that is super close to our house. Most of their stuff - unfortunately - is kind of junky, but I wanted a jogging stroller really badly, and they are fairly expensive. So I thought I would give this store a try. Well...I found one with Andy's help, and I love it! Stella also seems to enjoy it, because going outside is one of her very favorite things. If she is screaming her head off- which is pretty often lately- you can simply walk to the front door and put your hand on the nob, and she suddenly shuts up! So anyway...this morning I went on a run (slow jog actually), thinking nothing of the clouds above. You would think that after it rained all night, I might be a little hesitant about going outside - but no, not me, not today. In fact, I didn't even notice the clouds above until the first little sprinkle hit my nose. And by this time I was far enough from home that it didn't matter how fast I could run...it was obvious we were doomed. So I turned around, and headed straight into the pouring rain for home. Stella was so funny, closing her eyes and making little grunting noises. Poor thing was probably wondering why I wasn't doing anything even though she was obviously uncomfortable. We finally (remember - slow runner) made it home and into the covering where I took these pictures of Stella, our parking lot, and the hood of the stroller that unfortunately doesn't block little babies from rain that is being blown directly into their little eyes.

Why not the pacifier?

These days, Stella is all about sucking, but she won't take a pacifier. Now, not only are her fingers always soaking with slobber, but so is her bottom lip and chin. She sucks and chomps on it all the time. I will hear this loud chomping/sucking noise, and look over, and sure enough Stella is going at it with her bottom lip.

one man's trash - another man's treasure

butternut squash soup

So my sister-in-law Nicole started up a little recipe post thing, where we are all supposed to post a recipe once a month or so...well here is my first one. We had this for dinner tonight, and it is very tasty. Make sure you don't over do the thyme though - it can be a little much...at least for my taste. Otherwise, this soup makes me feel very festive and fall like. And a big plus is that it is healthy and low cal as well=).

2 tablespoon(s)	unsalted butter
1 cup(s)	(about 1 medium onion) chopped onions
2 1/2 pound(s)	butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed (about 6 cups)
1/2	Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and diced
3 cup(s)	low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cup(s)	apple cider
1 1/2 teaspoon(s)	salt
1/2 teaspoon(s)	fresh thyme, chopped
1/4 teaspoon(s)	fresh-ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt the butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté until softened -- about 5 minutes. Add the squash and apple and sauté for 5 more minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the squash is tender -- about 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. In small batches, carefully puree the soup in a blender or food processor until very smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

And the fun begins

I can finally put little clips in Stella's hair - and they stay! I have dreamt of this day forever. (at least it feels that way) I thought Stella would have more hair than she did at birth, so I was imagining bows from the very beginning, and she did get bows right off - but I am so excited now that I can clip something into her hair, and have it stay put. She doesn't seem to mind the clips either. Yay!