Quote Wall

Check out the new quote to the right highlighting Azure's extensive knowledge of Book of Mormon prophets.

Finally back home

On our last day of road trippin' we stopped in Nashville and saw the temple, making that a total of 19 temples that we saw/drove past on our trip. We stopped in Chattanooga, TN for lunch and saw some sites before heading home.It was so fun to see Azure's reaction as we turned into our complex. "Azure's house!" She exclaimed. When we opened the door, she walked into her room and said, "Azure's room, Azure's toys, Azure's crib, Azure's potty..." It was so cute. She was happy to be home. We were happy to be home. Sleeping in a different hotel room every night for a week was getting a little old.

After a few nights home, we pulled out her big girl bed. Not just the mattress this time, but the whole package, including the bed frame. We left her crib out just so she had the option of sleeping in it if she wanted to. She hasn't gone back. She's done very well in it. She looks like a real person now sleeping with a full sized pillow and adult sized sheets. I was a little teary eyed as I snapped these photos realizing she's not a baby anymore. Good thing we have another one on the way, because I am getting baby hungry again :)

Me at 15 weeks

Since we've been home we've gone swimming a few times in our pool and also at the YMCA. They have a fun splash park area and a 2 foot toddler pool that Azure loves because she can stand up in the deep end. Though, we do have scattered thundershowers practically everyday and when there's thunder, they close the pool. Just our luck and impeccable timing, whenever we decide it's a swimming day, it starts thundering about 10 mins after we arrive at the pool.

Last Saturday we decided to go to Hilton Head, SC, about a 45 min drive from here. It's a nice resort town and has one of the nicest public beaches I've seen, and I've been to my fair share of public beaches being from CA. Lucky for us, it actually didn't rain while we were there. It was sunny and nice. We bought a beach umbrella, got new sand toys for Azure (since we left ours on our Key West trip), packed a lunch and snacks, and were having a great time.
That's when it happened. All 3 of us went to play in the water. I was on one side of Azure, and Charles was on the other. We swung her over the waves as they came and she laughed with delight. Azure suddenly cried out, "Owie! Hurts! Pie! (foot)" I grabbed her to look at her foot, when I felt the wretched sting on my leg, then legs. Jellyfish. Yep. Hurts. Owie. Big owie. I carried her as I ran to shore to the lifeguard tower so he could spray our owies with vinegar and ammonia. It helped initially. Azure cried for about 5 mins and then was okay. Luckily it got her on just the top part of her right foot.
Charles came out unscathed, but I was the main victim of the jellyfish attack.



These pictures were taken a little over an hour after the incident, so the swelling had come down some. Azure's picture was taken almost 7 hours later so her's doesn't look that bad at all. After about 2 hours the pain went down considerably.

But, we did not let this ruin our day! We ate at a delicious pizza place that we can't wait to go back to, shopped at the outlets on SC's tax free weekend and scored some great deals on Fall outfits for Azure, and some maternity capris for me. And last but not least, we got this Weezer CD for free. One of my and Charles' all time faves.All in all, it was a good day.

Almost back to Savannah

After Nauvoo and Carthage, we headed to Springfield, IL, home of Abraham Lincoln. We took a tour of his home. Again, I was reminded of how I'd really like to be a tour guide. We'll see if that ever happens.Lincoln's desk where he corresponded via letters with political leaders at the beginning of the Civil War, before the inauguration and moving to the White House. I really admire Lincoln and his example of endurance. He was a good man. He boldly testified of his belief in God, and his reliance on prayer and faith to help run our country. I wish our political leaders today still did that.

We had lunch at an old house renovated into a cafe. It was a "cute" atmosphere and the food was delicious. Wish I remembered the name to recommend to all who pass through Springfield, IL. Eating good food on the road for a nauseated pregnant woman was such a blessing.

Our next stop was St. Louis. This was our 2nd time there, but our first time being there together. I first went for the film shoot, which I realize I haven't written about. Charles had also passed through on his way to Idaho Falls with Azure. We stopped in The Hill, where my great, great grandparents lived. I absolutely love this neighborhood! The fire hydrants are painted red, green, and white to represent the Italian flag :) I showed Charles the lot where my great grandparents were killed in a house fire saving my grandmother's life. (More about this story on the show that you'll have to watch come October!)

We also stopped at 2 cemeteries where my family is buried.

It was an emotional day, coming from Nauvoo and Carthage reveling so much in church history, to go to St. Louis and revel in my own personal family history. One thing seemed certain- we owe so much to those who have gone before us.

We spent the night that night in Tennessee. Which means we drove through 5 states in one day: Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee. Wow! We were exhausted. I'm grateful to Charles who drove most of the way back. He drove all that day until 1am when we reached our hotel, with no complaining. He is a good man.

ABCs and Counting

This is just too adorable not to post.

On the road again...

Before we headed on our long trip back to Savannah, we took a weekend trip to Boise. We saw all the temples in Idaho. Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Boise, and Twin Falls.
The Rexburg and Twin Falls temples look almost exactly alike.

The Twin Falls

Charles in his element with Shiner. Azure misses the dogs so much that she pretends she's talking to them on the phone. It's adorable.

The first stop on our trip was to Provo. We were sad we couldn't see everyone we wanted to while we were there. We wish we had more time! As we drove off the University Parkway exit, I started bawling! I didn't think I was going to be that emotional. Though we wouldn't want to live in Provo forever, we do miss our time there. Such sweet memories! We hope our kids will want to go to BYU.
We stopped in Heber to see my friend Jessica from high school. They let us stay at their apartment in Denver that night even though they weren't there. We also got to see the Denver temple, though no pics. Azure did okay in the car though, she really liked to say, "Mommy" about every 5 mins for no apparent reason. Or "Hi mommy" and "Hi daddy" over and over and over again. She also refused to nap some days in the car only to finally fall asleep 5 mins before we had to get out to eat or sightsee.

From Denver to Omaha, we saw A LOT of cornfields. We stopped in Lincoln, NE for dinner with my friend Vanessa from high school. Again, no pics :( We got to Omaha late that night and left early to see the Winter Quarters temple and the tabernacle where Brigham Young was ordained a prophet.
You can see my pregnant belly already. It's growing a lot faster this time then it did with Azure. I'm also happy to report that my morning sickness is over! It started to subside around 11 weeks, so much better than 16 weeks with Azure.

Stay tuned for our next stop... Nauvoo! Our favorite stop!

More fun in ID

Azure got new sunglasses from Nana and Papa. She LOVES them! Can you tell?
Last Monday we went to Idaho Falls' Zoo. Fun times were had by all, though I think my Dad enjoyed it even more than Azure. He wanted to stay longer.At first, Azure was a little hesitant to feed the goats and sheep, but after awhile, she loved it.I forgot what these were called. It was a mom and her baby. They were cute.
Azure's favorite exhibit was the monkeys. Here she is doing the sign for monkey, plus the sound, and jumping around. Delightful.
Tuesday we headed to Yellowstone Bear World outside of Rexburg and then up to Mesa Falls. Most of the animals we saw looked moderately to severely depressed as a result of their confinement. The bear cubs were the cutest, but they were mostly hiding.

The cutest bear cub there

Unfortunately Charles had to work and couldn't come with us to Mesa Falls. We went together when we were first dating back in August 2005. So, of course I was filled with nostalgia of the beginnings of our love as we traveled there. We sure had fun with Nana and Papa. Miss you already!

Family Fun Fourth of July Weekend plus other stuff

On Sunday after my arrival in Salt Lake and our reunion as a family, we went to church in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (where I threw up. Thankfully, only once that day.) We also went to Temple Square. It's only been a little over a year since we've been in Salt Lake, but it was great to reminisce and remember all the good times Charles and I have had at Temple Square (including our engagement pics).

We got to visit with Shannon for about an hour, but didn't take any pics! Then we stopped in Logan to visit Charles' cousin Sarah and got to meet her cute little Ella finally. Her and Azure are almost exactly a year apart.The only pic I got while we were there :(

Grandma took all the little kids on a horse ride. Azure seems to like things like this before and after the fact, but not as much during.

I was so blessed to celebrate the 4th not only with Charles' family but, with my parents too, and also a surprise visit from my sister. She said she wasn't able to come up, but she did! It was great to have so much family together. Azure, of course loved all the attention. I'm a little worried that when we get back to Savannah, she's going to be bored out of her mind when it's just the 2 of us at home again.

The boys went shooting while the girls watched Twilight. I'm not a twilight fan and I must admit that watching the movie was excruciating at times.
I'm glad my Dad finally has 2 son in laws to do boy stuff with, since he never really got the chance to with me and my sister.
Charlie pooped after shooting, working 10 hour days (with no pay I might add), and meeting all my pregnancy food requests with minimal to no complaining. He's a good man! So glad he's mine for eternity :)

We enjoyed some delicious ribs courtesy of Monica and Miah. This should definitely become a tradition.
There were 25 of us, that's a lot of cups to keep track of.

We also celebrated Azure's belated 2nd Bday on the 4th. Complete with a pinata. Here's the bubble maker that Aunt Tally bought for her. Complete with hours of entertainment, or at least until a fight occurs about who's hogging all the bubbles.
My parents stayed at a nice hotel right on the river and across the street from the temple. We got a nice spot to watch the infamous firework show right on the river. As I sat and watched the fireworks, I couldn't help but keep looking to my right at the temple all lit up. It is such a blessing to have temples on the earth, especially ones that are so close. The temple is what kept coming to my mind and heart as I reflected on my blessings of freedom. I always tell my Young Women that if they only remember one thing about me as their leader, I want them to remember that I love the temple, and that I have a testimony of temples. I want my blog readers to know that too! I think the happiest time in my life was when I was an ordinance worker for 3 yrs in the Provo temple. Because I was there so frequently, I had such an amplified perspective on life, which increased my faith in Christ. My greatest desire is to go there with all my family members! End tangent on the temple.
Some updates on Azure:

• She can now climb out of her pack n play and open the door to her get out of her room.

• She's wearing size 4 diapers now. Interested in sitting on the potty, but not actually going. (Any suggestions?)
  

• She tells me when she wants a nap. Today after skipping her nap, she told me, "Mommy, I wanna go sleepy."

• She hasn't had a bottle for over 4 weeks now. (She only had bottles for about a year of her life.)

• She still sucks her thumb and will for at least a year more, that's my guess.