100 feet

With Ryan in the midst of chemo and me still trying to recover a bit from birthing my 6th child, a family movie seemed in order.  The kids rented some winners at the video store yesterday, one of them being the movie "The Hundred Foot Journey." Though not a "bonnet" film, it takes place in what could easily be considered "bonnet countryside," so that's still Sunday legit.  It's a tasty movie that always leaves me craving both Indian food and French cuisine.  Even more enjoyable than watching the show is having my kids ask me about my time in cooking school in Edinburgh. Attending cooking school was certainly a dream come true, and how often do we get to say that a dream has come true? Not that often. But how wonderful when it happens.

I simply love this movie!

The Vote

This morning at breakfast we took an official spring break vote. Option A: Several exciting local destinations or B) a drive down to Prescott, AZ for a relaxing cabin Spring Break.  By unanimous vote (from our children) we will be heading down to AZ some time next week.  Democracy can be good family fun.

Woke up to Norman crying in the wee hours of the morning, and found Owen completely asleep on my pregnancy pillow. What a nut.

Calvin enjoying a potato pancake for breakfast.

We went and saw Night at the Museum #3 this afternoon at the cheap theatre.  It was really great.

Ryan cut Owen's and Simons hairs today.

This evening was our church's semi annual women's broadcast.  The focus was on families and I am very grateful for mine.  Some of us went out after to grab a bite to eat.  I am also grateful for bites to eat.

Spring Break Fire

In honor of this being the official start to Spring Break, Owen elided that a campfire in the backyard was in order.  He convinced Preston to help him get the fire going, he convinced me to run to the store to get big marshmallows, and he convinced Annie and Simon to partake in the wonder of a campfire.  I kind of feel like even if the rest of the break is way lame, we at least started out strong.

Beautiful blazing fire!

Roasting marshmallows never gets old. 

Owen wanted some firs pics.

I like this one as the embers are dying down.

Owen loved the weather to day.

Owen's eyes are huge, and I think that Norman's are also going to be gigantic.

Bonnet Films

On Sundays, in an attempt to make the day unique (keep the sabbath day holy) we try to avoid a lot of the regular things we do on every other day of the week.  We don't shop, go out to eat or to places of entertainment like miniature golfing. We also try to watch good clean happy peaceful shows, which usually means stuff produced by my church or veggie tales.  When my sister came to visit to help with Norman, she explained that a dear friend of hers also likes to include "Bonnet Films" for her Sunday routine, and she also testified that Bonnet Films are an excellent way to pass the time whilst nursing. I simply love bonnet films, such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Persuasion, etc.  And I also believe that bonnet films have truly helped me with nursing.

Though I'm not a huge fan of who was cast in this movies, I think it is stilly very well acted, Two thins up o

Love it. Mr. Darcy. Enough said.

I saw this which my motter and Ssiters whislt ditching work,

See, he does have eyer!

bThere hs is, the ultimo

I'm Back.

Dear Everyone, I have been on sabbatical, taking a break from real life, to deal with even realer life of recovering from childbirth, nursing, attempting to get my newest son on a sleeping schedule, resting, eating, drinking ridiculous amounts of water, crying a wee bit, smiling a lot, watching chick flicks whilst nursing, praying, etc.  Apparently a 6 year, 10 month break is indeed enough time to forget the ups and downs of this brand new baby endeavor with Norman

.  

Norman and some ninja's, 

We played loads of Tenzi this weekend with Hillary, my sister who came into town to help.

Here she is, snuggling Norm.

He barely opened his eyes during the entire picture session, but he did give us this darling smile.]

Mom Approved Pics

I love that Ryan posted pics of our sweet new baby.  Those shots are as real as they come, with Norman looking slightly purple, and me looking... well, like I just had a baby.  For the sake of my pride and my desire to attempt to remember my hospital stay in a more favorable light, I'm putting up a few more photos. My Mother in Law came to help out for the week, and she was amazing.  My sister gets into town this afternoon, and Ryan goes into the Huntsman Cancer Center tomorrow for his second of 6 chemo infusions. My sister will be Norman's first babysitter.  Thanks everyone for your birthday wishes and congratulations.  I'm kind of hibernating right now, but appreciate the new tech, like texts, FB and email that weren't really around when my oldest was born. Time marches on.

This picture says it all. Being induced in the evening is a Bad Idea.  I don't know what I was thinking. Ryan was able to catch a few winks before the action started to happen, but this is a reminder to all that inducement in the evening has everything to do with a hospital schedule, and very little to do with the ease and com for tot a laboring woman. Lesson learned.

I know I don't look like a supermodel, but at least I'm awake and smiling, 

and Norman has a normal color.

Norman's first bath at the hospital: hated it!

Annie loving on Norman. She's only been waiting for 4 years to hold a baby sibling.

First visit to the pediatrician's.  

Norman is right on target to becoming a fabulous adult.

A Bun Out of the Oven

Guest Post by Norman's Dad

Lindsey and I went to the hospital on Friday night for her inducement.  Norman was stubborn and Lindsey progressed slowly.  14 hours later the little man showed his face.  Born on Pi day - March 14, 2015 or 3.14.15 and ironically enough, weighing in a 3.14 kilograms.  He is 19" long, is healthy, eating well, and looks like a Smith boy.  He has a name to match:

Norman Harold Thomas Smith

Lindsey is doing well.  She feels older and more fatigued than before, but it has been almost 7 years.  She is a champion for doing this again.  Thanks for all the well wishing and prayers on our behalf.  We hope to be back home Monday.  

In the UofU Hospital parking lot before the big night.

Norman and Lindsey just after birth.

Fresh from heaven, Norman Harold Thomas Smith

Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing

Today has been one long contraction... and yet I remain pregnant. To quote Macbeth "Sound and fury signifying nothing."  I would love to have this man cub by natural means, but tomorrow night there is a scheduled eviction (induction.) If he doesn't make a debut tonight, we will get to see his angelic face in the next 48 hours.  I'm equal parts thrilled to lay my eyes on him, and thrilled to no longer be pregnant.  Tonight Owen's Chinese immersion class performed a Chinese song and dance at his elementary schools' Chinese Immersion open house.  He did a great job.  We're not terribly creative when we celebrate a job well done. Baskin Robbins (a favorite ice-cream shop) is affordable and tasty.  

Owen loves sherbet just like his father. I opted for chocolate oreo, and wasn't disappointed.

We. Are. Family.

Mini family reunion alert!  I have some extended family that lives in Utah, but tonight we were lucky enough to see some of Ryan's immediate family members.  Ryan's brother was in town, doing some project reviews up at the U of U. And Ryan's mother will be camping with us for a week to help with our crazy crew while Norman arrives from heaven (if he's not here by Friday night, we will take advantage of medical advances and have my labor induced.) It's always lovely spending any time that we can with all of our family.

Cafe Rio made dinner tonight. Ryan and I are getting old, so we shared a meal, which was actually plenty of food; steak burrito. 

Ryan's mom is a fabulous seamstress and tonight her and Annie were working on a project, a new skirt for AJ. How wonderful to have Grandma in town!

ICB Lime Night!

My Day in Pics:

Calvin at the ortho. It will be time for braces in about 6 months. Calvin sighs relief that today is not the day.

Pedicure (a wonderful gift certificate from a friend. My feet are incredibly swollen, but I like the color of my polish and the slippers. It felt amazing. 

ANnie loves to play with Cricket, and take excellent care of her too. Cricket is such a lovely dog.

Neighborhood cook group does both lime/ green.  It was  a smashing success, the hostess had the mostess and I just love these ladies!

Too Short

I'm sure that you parents of unusually large children have your fair challenges associated with such an affliction, but being the mom of some wee lads, I must say that sometimes being short really stinks. Like Owen, this weekend, when his father took all but our oldest (who was on a campout) to a jumpy trampoline place.  Owen is almost 7 years old and in first grade, but he is short.  In an effort to torture all little people, Owen was about 2 inches shy of the requirement to participate in the actual, made for kids and not toddlers apparatice.  Bummer. He was not impressed.  His sense of adventure and fun is not equivalent to his height.  It is equivalent to his age and grade. Think of "Finding Nemo" when his dad suggests that he go play with the toddlers in the baby playground.  In this story, Owen is Nemo and his father is "the man" who owns the establishment and doesn't want to get sued.   I would love to do a Disneyland trip sometime soon, but that aint happening bc as disappointing as "Get Air" was, I can't imagine how much that disappointment would intensify at what is supposed to be the Happiest Place on Earth (if you'r average to tall... Disney should include that snarky bit in the title, because it's true.) Bummer.

Ryan didn't take any pics of trampoline place, but got a few of the home Depot kids craft project: Book Ends.

Owen looks great in his apron.

Annie loves crafts! I'm sure she had a blast. I was teaching my cooking class whilst Ryan manned the troops. They had a great time with Dad.

I'll Walk with You

With my due date just a few days away, and my desire to have this baby intensified, I've been reading about what might throw me into labor. Walking is near the top of almost every list I've had my hands on.  Which... reminded me of one of my favorite children's church songs, called "I'll Walk with You." 10 points to all of my friends that have willingly walked with me.  May my resolve to be a Christlike friend match the lyrics of this song... and may I find the desire to really walk myself into labor.

1. 
   If you don't walk as most people do,
   Some people walk away from you,
   But I won't! I won't!
   If you don't talk as most people do,
   Some people talk and laugh at you,
   But I won't! I won't!
   I'll walk with you. I'll talk with you.
   That's how I'll show my love for you.
   Jesus walked away from none.
   He gave his love to ev'ryone.
   So I will! I will!
   Jesus blessed all he could see,
   Then turned and said, "Come, follow me."
   And I will! I will!
   I will! I will!
   I'll walk with you. I'll talk with you.
   That's how I'll show my love for you.
2. Words: Carol Lynn Pearson, b. 1939. (c) 1987 IRI
   Music: Reid N. Nibley, b. 1923. (c) 1987 IRI
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Fastest time for race walking a 50km (which is about 31 miles, 5 miles more than a marathon) is 3hr 32 min. That is some crazy fast walking!
   
   

   

   
   
   ***This post is for Sunday, March 8th 2015***

   
   

Called to Serve Dinner

Today I taught my last cooking class before having my 6th baby.  I was concerned that I would need to cancel the class because of an early arrival, but Norman was a good boy and stayed put. But now that the class is over... I need hime to get here asap.  I'm ready to see this tiny man cub of mine, but am also just super ready to not be pregnant.  I'm whining, I know, I know.

Making bread is fun!...

But making pasta might be even more fun!

Cooking with the Chipper Chef is fun.

Eating crazy good food is fun!

Dishes are not fun!

*** This post is for Saturday, March 7, 2015***

Athena Xena Warrior Princess

First grade is doing animal reports this week, and Owen chose to do his report on the  exotic Greek Tortoise, because we happen to have one for a pet.  Even cooler was that his teacher let me come in with Athena Xena (such a fab name for a Greek Tortoise) and Owen got to do some show and tell.  The highlight was when she pooped (white poo) on the rug.  The kids were both horrified and fascinated.  I loved show and tell at school, and I'm super glad that I didn't have his little brother today so that Owen could have his moment in the hot sun, showing everyone his tortoise.

Owen is feeding Athena, and talking to her.

Poop on the left, tortoise in the middle, romaine on the right.

Owen holding Athena in her temporary transport, a giant, cleaned out ice-cream bucket.

Calvin really wanted his hair cut this afternoon. He looks great.

Annie was with us during errands, and thought a new hair do would spice things up.

Short bob in the front. 

Cropped kind of tight in the back: super cute Annie Joy!

Our dog, Cricket came with us to run some errands.

We love our dog!

Owen went to a friends' house to play.

When I showed up to get him, he was in Thor attire, Good times. 

*** This post is for Friday, March 6th, 2015***