I did it!

Barely!

When I was pregnant I was nervous to be a mom but especially nervous for a few specific things that come with the responsibility. One of those: cleaning up throw-up! I did not think that it would be possible for me to buck up and do this.....DID IT! And quite gracefully, I might add!

Last week (yes, I know I am way behind, but we are barely getting back on track in the Glancy household) all three of us had the stomach flu. Not fun at all.

We started off Monday morning waking up to throw-up. While I was cleaning up the crib and Kirk was cleaning up Livvy (how did that work out?), Kirk yelled my name to take over both and he ran to the bathroom. At first I thought the "job" had made him sick, but no such luck, he spent the next two days in bed with Livvy. I soon followed and spent the 24th (frown) in bed through the rest of the weekend. So sick...arrrggghhh. Luckily, the puking only lasted a day, but we still went through 2-5 outfits a day at the other end :)

On my list of "thankful things" last week, "Spray and Wash" and a washing machine were at the top.

But Yipeee! I did it! Something to be proud of eh?! Can I hope that it will be one of those things that we can experience it, appreciate it, and then hope that it never happens again? :)

What have I been doing lately?

THIS!

I got addicted to making these bows and went crazy! A little overkill? Maybe...but Livvy is going to look so dang cute in them! Now all I have to do is teach her that they are not for play, she thinks its fun to pull on them and watch them boing back! Hmmmm....

Photography

Kirk mentioned a couple of days ago that as soon as we get the house done and get moved in, he has a list of 5 things that he wants to start doing more often.

The first one he shared with me is photography. Kirk took a photography class in college and he loved it. I know that he wishes he had more time to spend tinkering around with the camera and a really expensive photo software that's on his list of "items he would like to purchase".

His goal: to spend as much time as possible taking pictures, and then taking one of those pictures each week to change and enhance in his "new" program. Of course, we still need the software :) and the money to buy it. For now Picasa will do. Here are a few pictures he took of Livvy on the 4th that he enhanced.

Awesome huh!?

Ever since we got our new camera, and every time we take it out, its a pure photo shoot. If Livvy is doing something cute, no worries, we have 50 pictures of it! Kirk loves to just click, click, click and then click some more. Granted, this camera is fabulous, but honey, PLEASE, how am I going scrapbook ALL of that? :)

Since one of my goals this year was to get all of our pics on the computer organized, I have been organizing them and then storing them onto discs. Each year since we got married has taken 2-3 CD's to store....2007 took 15! (We got the camera right before Livvy was born in May) HAHA! At least we have quite a few pics to choose from, sometimes too many.

Thanks Honey for your passion for life & everything about it! I love you! Here's to 100 more discs of pictures, and great memories!

I can't wait to hear what the other 4 items on your list will be!

America the Beautiful!

Thank-you to all those who made/are making it possible for me to have my freedom and live in such a great country. I am very grateful! And proud to be an American!

Kirk taught Livvy to "smell" flowers,
it must have smelled sooo good that she then wanted to eat it!

After breakfast, we played in the irrigation water, one of Livvy's favorites!

Splish Splash!

Yipeee!

Water Rafting

Figured out how to get the pics on my blog :)


Kirk is hiding behind Les in this one, avoiding the splash! He is the third one back on the right!


Yes, loving it! Laughing with my mouth wide open! :)

Melting in Moab

This past weekend Kirk and I had a GREAT time in Moab with some of our greatest friends. It was peaceful, relaxing, and full of great conversation and lots of laughs.

We enjoyed great scenery, great food and great company. And great weather...it was only 100 degrees! Despite the heat and the bugs it brought with it, we thouroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Arches National Park


Hiking above our campsite


Delicate Arch




Thanks to the "zoom" lense on our camera, it looks like we hiked to it....can you see Kirk under it? :)


Balanced Rock








We also went river rafting on the Colorado River. It was my first time and it was a blast. We still need to develop the water camera, but you can see some awesome pics of it here (we are #'s 67-71, 152-155 and 158-160):

http://www.moabactionshots.com/find_photo2.php?cat=R&src=&lce=346&month=06&day=28&year=2008&pm=&roll=&start_pic=67

Thanks mom and dad for taking great care of Livvy!

We came back renewed and ready to dive in again to this game we call life!

Congratulation Carlye!

My little sister got engaged over the weekend, Yipeeee!

Congratulations Carlye, we are so excited for the big day!

I cannot believe that you are "old" enough to be married! But Jacob is a lucky man, even if you do wear earrings while camping! HEHE!

Love you!

1/2 way

Halfway through the year, and what have I accomplished? This year has flown by already and there are only 6 months left!


Looking forward to:

Wearing my "skinny" jeans again- almost there! One more size to go!

Finding a new house- found it! We just need to move in it now!

Decorating my new house- mmmm...does gutting the whole house and re-doing it count as decorating?

Playing with Livvy more-I am still so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a stay at home mom! Being with Livvy and watching her grow is such a joy.

Watching Livvy devour her cake on her first birthday- and devour it she did! It was adorable. I cannot believe my little girl is one!

Watching Livvy crawl/walk and learn many other new things-these two milestones are definitely unforgettable ones among all the many things that Livvy has learned to do in the last year. They have also changed our lives in so many ways....watch out house, here Livvy comes! Another fun thing I have loved watching her learn is sign language. This makes things so much easier since she can tell me what she wants. I also love to listen to her chatter, which is non-stop most days, and point to things she wants with a grunt.

Family vacations-we have been on three so far and they have all been a blast: Florida (twice), Little America-Salt Lake, and Moab....two more to go.

Bowling with Kirk- ummmmm....still trying to find time to do this between school, work and the house. Hoping that once the house is done our league can begin?

Prioritizing better-doing much better at this, but not quite there. I try to sit down at the beginning of each week and plan each day. Its helping, but still needs to be refined.

Scrapbooking, Scrapbooking and more Scrapbooking- YES! I am moving mountains in my scrapbook and loving every minute of it!

Visits from the crew in Idaho and Virginia-the Idaho crew have come once, but we would love to see them much, much more.

Winning the Thompson family "Biggest Loser" contest!- I have been in first place for most of the time, but I haven't seen the results in a couple of weeks and very well could have been knocked out of my spot; but so far I have lost 25 of my 28 pound goal! 3 more pounds to go. Yipeee! (and then 10 more :))

Warm, Sunny Days- LOVE SUMMER! Even in Mesquite at 115 degrees!

A tan- after Mesquite and Moab, I finally have somewhat of a tan, I'm hoping that Bearlake can top it off.

More family time- with the house, we have really had to PLAN and make time for our family to be together, but I think its going pretty well. Of course for me, I could always spend more time with Kirk.....soon, real soon!

More Date nights with Kirk- same as above! One of my recent favorite "date" nights with Kirk was watching "24" and eating Taco Bell late at night :)

Being three steps ahead instead of three steps behind (o.k., I would settle for one step ahead :))-I'm afraid this will never change, even though I feel more organized, it always seems I could do things a little better and faster, be more organized and get a little more done.



Cheers to the second half of 2008, may it be as great as it has been thus far!

Surgery...again?

I woke up with the worst pain last Saturday night around 2 am....by 4 am I had to wake Kirk up, I had had enough! After eating a little snack and taking my ulcer medicine, the pain was not subsiding and I was out of ideas to get rid of it.

Kirk tried to convince me to go to the ER but I was convinced that they would only tell me it was gas and send me home. After hum hawing around for a little bit, Kirk finally suggested a blessing and then a decision. Not 2 seconds after my blessing, Kirk told me to get my shoes and get in the car. He knew it was necessary for us to go. So off we went to St. Marks Hospital not knowing that we would be there awhile.

Livvy was quite tired but was an angel in the ER; she spent most of the time asleep on Kirk's shoulder and the rest of the time entertaining the nurses and doctors with her crusty/grin. After two shots of moraphine and then a triple concentrated dose of pain killer, the pain finally subsided and I was able to relax. The doctor suspected my gallbladder and they immediately set about drawing blood and running tests. (What happened to having an ulcer? I guess we have been treating the wrong thing for the last year!? ) When Kirk and I were told that surgery was probably on the docket for the day, we called my parents to come and get Livvy.

The ultrasound tech arrived at 8 a.m. and after a few minutes of taking pictures, she confirmed that my gallbladder was diseased and full of stones. We scheduled surgery for that morning and they whisked me away. Saying goodbye to your loved ones at the OR door is definitely a humbling experience. I have done it 3 times in the 6 years that Kirk and I have been married, and each time I kiss him goodbye, I pray that God will give me one more chance to make him happy. For me, its definitely emotional.

Well, everything obvioulsy turned out well, and I am healing nicely. My gallbladder was "pretty gross" (the exact words from the doctor's mouth) and contained 6 stones and another one in the duct attempting to leave. They caught it just in time. Gallstones are not supossed to leave the gallbladder like kidney stones and if they do, they can cause major problems in the liver and the pancreas.

I have been staying at my parents house for the last week and have been able to recover pretty quickly. When the nurse told me no lifting for 4-6 weeks I said "seriously, what about my one year old?" She said to not lift Livvy for at least a week and then after that to take it easy. So, my parents and all of my family members have been fabulous to pitch in and make sure someone is here with Livvy and me at all times. You take for granted not even being able to lift your daughter up to the changing table or high chair, and even worse, not being able to comfort her when needed. I feel so guilty everytime Livvy looks at me with those gorgeous blue eyes as if to say "Mama, hold me, I need a love or I miss our snuggle time." At first my mom would try and set her on my lap so I could hold her for a bit, but she was too wiggly and would press on my stomach. I think she is sensing that she needs to be calm when she is on my lap now and so we have some great sunggle sessions while watching a few minutes of Raffi :)

So.....chao to my work-out regiment, taking care of Livvy on my own and helping Kirk with the house, and hello to 4-6 weeks of making myself relax and heal. I swear that each time I have a good thing going, a wrench is thrown my way. I was really quite down and frustrated with everything after surgery on Sunday, sometimes I feel like it never ends. But, I heard this quote on the radio a couple of days ago on my way to the doctor, its one of my favorites and tends to be my moto lately (well, ok, its been my moto for most of my life) :

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the

courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

So...I've relinquished to the fact that this is one of those things that falls into the "cannot change" category and I will need to make the best of it. I could be happy that I have something to force me to rest and relax, but because that is so against my nature, I'm not. But since I'm forced to do it, and now off pain meds and a little more coherent, don't be shocked to read quite a few posts that I have started and never finished. One thing has not changed and probably never will, I MUST get something done while I "take it easy". :)

Need A Babysitter?

No thanks, have one! His name is Raffi. He is a little older than you would expect a babysitter to be, he sings, plays the guitar, and even pulls a funny every once in awhile. And the most important thing: Livvy loves him!

Kirk began playing Raffi videos off of YouTube a few months ago while holding Livvy in his lap and singing along at the top of his lungs. Believe it or not, Livvy loves every minute of it. She now currently dances along, claps her hands or taps her legs to the beat. Its too cute.

Well, I discovered that since this is the only thing that holds her attention for more than 30 seconds, that I could use it to my advantage and actually get something done while Raffi played (note: this is against everything I swore I would be as a mom...perch your kid in front of a tv/computer so you could accomplish something? NEVER! {Boy, was I naive})

The thing I use it for the most is to shower! Please! I need a shower at least every other day! :) One of the clips is exactly 8 minutes and 19 seconds long. So, poof! put Livvy in her saucer (contain her), turn on the clip and jump in the shower. If I'm fast, I can shower, shave legs, and get dressed in that time. Then, I am ready to turn on the next clip that is five minutes and 5 seconds long in order to put on my makeup and do my hair. (Now you know why I look the way I do.....13 minutes and 24 seconds flat, at least its something:))

A couple of weeks ago I got smart and looked on ebay for an actual video of Raffi! Success! It finally came today....don't worry, there are a few songs on it that Livvy doesn't know because its 45 minutes long and I'm not sure she enjoyed it as much. Hopefully, she will learn to like them as much as the others. Just think, a babysitter for 45 minutes.....oh the things I could do......

Out of Pictures?

When does this happen? Never!

I went to scrapbook the other night and discovered that I am out of pictures! Don't worry, not literally "out of pictures" meaning I am caught up, that would be too great, but I am out of pictures that I have printed from the masses on my computer. Ahhhh! My goal of scrapbooking 2 pages per night has come to an abrupt end and I'm actually missing it.

I am currently on Costco's website trying to upload as many pictures as I possible can....their website has been down for about a week while they updated their photo center, which after a few hours of trying to use it, I would say they did unsuccessfully!

Help! I NEED these pics......

Why not upload them to Walmart's website you ask? It's a long story, don't ask!

Stop the flow!....of money....

Livvy woke up sick this morning....luckily, we had a doctor's appointment today for her one year check-up and so we were able to knock out two birds with one stone. We spent most of the morning before her appointment on the couch reading books and channel surfing (you know Livvy is sick when she doen's move for hours, usually she is just too busy to snuggle).

While surfing, I came across Suze Orman on "The View". I usually don't like "The View"; I find it annoying because they talk over each other so much, but of course, I had to watch! I love Suze Orman! She is so financial savvy! What she says just makes sense, its almost as if you find yourself saying "duh", I should have known that! And she is so frank and upfront and tells it just how it is, I love that. I always learn something from her!

Today she was talking about the current oil and housing market crisis and different ways that everyone can make it through this tough time. Her biggest piece of advice, and the thing I loved the most, was this: "Stop living like you have money if you don't!" (This is not a direct quote...but you get the gist) She said to stop putting things on credit cards and taking out loans so you can live a life that you can't afford. She said that if there is ever a time to live within your means, this is it! She also said there is only one thing that should go on a credit card because its the only thing you cannot live without: Groceries (Notice she did not say eating out...crap!:))

Great advice....so cut up those credit cards? If it weren't for those dang sky miles.....

Olivia's Feast!

Livvy turned one on Sunday!! I cannot believe how fast the past year has come and gone. We had a little birthday celebration with our family, and Livvy loved all the attention. She did get a little shy when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her, but she loved her cake and went to town once she got the "ok" from mom and dad to dive in.

Opening her gifts in the morning:

Her new pool:


Livvy and her cake

I made two cakes, a flower for Livvy to dig into, and a butterfly for everyone else to eat. Well, as we sat down to decorate them, Kirk and I found out very quickly that its not as easy as it looks. I gave up on frosting the sides of the flower because it was way too crumbly. I thought it looked better just to leave it as it was. I keep telling myself that the cake isn't the only thing that matters on her first birthday, is it?:)

Singing "Happy Birthday"


Digging in



Tuckered out and reading with Grandma


Olivia,

I want you to know how much I love you! You are truly a miracle in my life for many reasons and I hope you always realize how much you mean to both me and your dad. This past year since you joined our family has been unforgettable, and we have enjoyed every minute of it (yes, all the ups AND the downs). I hope that you always continue to smile and laugh because you brighten the day of all those around you. I also hope that you will reach for the stars, and always be able to realize your dreams. You truly can be whatever you want to be! Thank-you for the joy you are in my life and the joy your bring to our family.

I love you,
Mom

P.S. Please don't grow up too fast, I fear for the day when you are "too old" to give me kisses and snuggle.

Olivia is One!

A good cry!

Do you ever feel like you just need a good cry and then you can move on? Well, I just finished one, and I feel somewhat better. At least better enough to get up and move on. I think it makes me feel better because while I cry and think about whatever is making those tears flow, it allows me to ponder, problem solve and encourage myself. A little self boost if you know what I mean.

Today, I'm not really sure where the tears are coming from. There is nothing major to cry about, just a little of this and a little of that. Maybe the littleness of this and that are turning into something big...who knows?

But while crying, I was able to have a little chat with myself, it went a little something like this:

"Mis, its all going to be ok. You will soon have your own house and be out of the basement so you can enjoy the sunshine all day and Livvy will have a bigger space to roam. How can you make it go faster? You probably can't, but it will be ok. Just think, the end is in sight...how far away no one knows, but Kirk is putting his all into it, and as a "one man show", he is doing great. Give him some credit. And don't forget to be grateful, you are blessed to have a place to stay!"

Ok, next: "Why is Livvy being so naughty today, and why is my disciplining not working? They say it can take up to 100 tries before they understand....can I make it that long? What can I do different?"

"Who knows! You are new at this, now give yourself some credit. You are giving it your all, at some point, this will have to be enough. There is always room for improvement, but keep plugging away at it....."

Ok, next: "This new budget bites, its going to be so hard for me to stick to....I hate money" :)

Ok, next: "I think I need a big fat chocolate doughnut and a Diet Coke!"

"Oh why, oh why, am I an emotional eater? Resist the urge!"

"Now, get up and enjoy the quiet you have while Livvy is asleep, you just had a good run, a good cry and some scrapbooking seems to be in order. You haven't seen your craft table for a few weeks....find it, use it and enjoy it!

"LOVE YOU!"

So off to the scrapbook table I go! I think I will skip the chocolate doughnut but maybe give in to the Diet Coke. :)

I lost 23 pounds this week all because.....

LIVVY STARTED WALKING!!!!!

GO LIVVY!

And that is 23 less pounds I have to lug around!

Livvy has been "practicing " her walking skills since Mother's Day, and has been so determined to do it. She is constantly up and down, a step here and a few there. If you try to help her she will just brush your hands away as if to say "I can do it"....until she needs them that is, which really isn't that often. She is still a little wobbly, and sometimes starts to walk a little faster than her body will balance, but she is doing really well!

What am I going to do now? Can my baby really be walking?

Welcome to a whole new world!

Parma, Idaho

What, you don't know where that is? No worries, most don't, and neither did I until my sister Ali moved there with her husband to be a "farmer" a few years ago. And now, we love it...its such a peaceful, quiet place!

This past weekend I went with my parents to visit my sister, Ali, and watch my niece's dance recital. We had a great time. Livvy was an angel on both the trip there and back; 6 hours in a carseat cannot be fun! :)

We went "into town" to do a little shopping in Boise (Parma is about 45 minutes outside of Boise), relaxed, swam, and played with the kids. We also went to the dance recital and celebrated K's "special night". K is 4 and can really "shake her booty". She performed three dances for her recital but my favorite was to a song called "Fabulous"; and fabulous she was. I laughed through this entire dance, she was going wild. Her teacher puts her at the front of the class so the rest of the girls can see her. Too cute!

Livvy loved the recital as well. I was really worried about keeping her occupied for 2 hours and being able to actually watch the recital and enjoy it a little, but once it started there was no more worries. Livvy stood on my lap and danced almost the entire time. The rest of the time, she sat in my lap, with her eyes glued to the stage, while either clapping her hands or tapping her leg. She loves music...and little kids!

Livvy also really enjoyed playing with her cousins, even though at times I think she felt a little overwhelmed. Wouldn't you be too if you had 5 "moms" telling you what to do? She also got a little jealous when her mom was holding or playing with one of the other kids. What are we going to do when a second one comes?

It was fun to get away, even if it was to a town of less than 500 people :) Don't quote me on that, there might be more, but you know a town is small when there is no McDonald's!

Thanks Al and D for a wonderful weekend, when can we come again?

MOM!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mother's out there!
Isn't being a mom great!?

Brain Fart? Mindless? or Completely Lost It?

Maybe all three!!!! At Walmart today, after loading all of my groceries in the Jeep while it was pouring down rain/snow, I shut the door only to realize that I had locked Livvy inside! I am still cringing at the thought of seeing Livvy inside, shaking my keys like crazy and realizing that all of the doors were locked. Duh! Why did I give her the keys to play with again? And why does she like buttons so much!? I sat there crying, trying to get her to start pushing the buttons again, but it was to no avail! I can only imagine how stupid I looked trying to convince a 10 month old to do something from the OUTSIDE of a tinted car window. :)

Luckily some great girl with two little boys let me use her cell phone. (Where was my cell phone? Yep, you guessed it: in the car, with my purse, and Livvy!) But with Kirk at work (with my extra key) and Grandpa not home, my only option was to call the police. Don't worry, they showed up to Walmart with a cop car and a FIRE ENGINE! Talk about embarrassing!! The police officer was really nice, and extra helpful, even though I'm sure inside he was chuckling to himself. He had the door unlocked in about 30 seconds and I was able to rescue Livvy who was almost hysterical at this point.

Note to self: keep keys on body at all times. Keys are not for kids. :)

I'm also thankful today for serviceable people, especially for the helpful cop and the great girl who let me use her phone and stayed with me until the end to make sure Livvy was alright.

Breathing!

I can breath....its true when they say that you take things for granted until you don't have it. After being sick all last week (I avoided it ALL winter and get sick in April, what!!???), I can finally breath! I can smell the fresh cut grass (my favorite), I can taste what I am eating and I can even smell when Olivia needs a diaper change ASAP :)

So today, I am grateful for my health! I am grateful I can breath out both nostrils, smell, and taste. I need to remember to be grateful for these things more often and not just immediately after a cold.