Preparing for a "Grand" Vacation

So, Jordan and I are packing today for our trip to the Grand Canyon. Well, I am packing once I get home from work...that is after I have to drop the truck off to get flares so it can pass inspection. Anna is kind enough to meet me at the dealership to take me home. After which, I was instructed I have to pack not only Sarah's and my stuff, but also Jordan's because he has scouts. (Long sighs)

Whew, talk about a stressful week!! I have been running everywhere this week at work and it never seems to slow down. I am glad I am taking off this week for the Grand Canyon, a part of me doesn't think I can take another long week like this again. Cleaning out the DAC Library was stressful enough, now they are having me clear out the storage room (which is a huge garage!!). I also had to prepare 8 packages to be sent to China, prepare all the paperwork, and ship them out yesterday. I wasn't born to be a shipping clerk for a reason! I only hope this was a one time deal, if not at least I am prepared for next time...right? Hopefully today isn't as stressful.

Justin and Lindsey are meeting us at the Grand Canyon on Saturday and we are looking forward to some fun hikes. Don't worry mom, we will be careful and steer clear of all cliffs. I want to live to see tomorrow too. We are hoping the spring run off is still going and we can see some waterfalls. But we all know that the Grand Canyon is a dessert and you never really know if there will be any water from day to day.

Well, I leave Thursday and I am counting down the hours till I can forget about work and hit the road with my little family. This is a desperately needed vacation!!

Radio Game Show Contest

So, today has started out good. I played a radio show game on 101.9 the end, and I won!! I got a gift certificate for the Smart Cookie Company. They have the yummiest sugar cookies ever. I won their trivia game because of Justin's Rugby obsession....one of the questions asked was regarding the Red Skins in Australia. We had to answer what sport they played. The other guy said soccer and I disagreed with him because of course the Red Skins are a Rugby team. Justin would be proud of me.

Also, my neighbor Phil is so nice. He and I take the same route to work every morning and we normally leave around the same time. He saw me pulled off the side of the road and thought perhaps I had a mechanical problem. So he called my cell and asked if I was okay. He said he would have stopped but he was in a hurry, so he thought just to call instead. Isn't he nice? My neighbors are awesome!!

Anyway, things are just as busy as normal. Sarah is growing up way too fast. She is already wearing size 12-18 month pants since she is so tall!! Of course the waist doesn't fit, but the length is right. Sarah is also enjoying eating really 'grown up' food. She likes noodles a lot, and bread. When I have a sandwich I will share my bread with her. She feels so grown up!! It is cute how she mimics chewing. You'll have to see it.

I have a PQ party tomorrow and I am hoping it goes really well. I am headed for vacation next week and a little extra spending money never hurt anyone, right? Not to mention, I have to pay for the booth at the trade show at the end of this month. I am excited for the trade show and I think it will go really well. I am hoping that I can recruit some good people who will go and sell PQ products!! There is money out there, we just have to learn how to get it...right?

Jordan, Sarah, and I are headed to the Grand Canyon next week. We are so excited! I am ready for a vacation. May I add, a desperately needed one too. It, so far, is supposed to be good weather. I am ready to strap Sarah in her backpack and set foot on the trail. The only downfall of this vacation is Daisy Mae is not coming. Dogs are not allowed on the lower trails, so we wouldn't be able to get in all the hiking we want to if Daisy was to come. Next trip we go on Daisy will be sure to come...that is because it will be Bear Lake!!

Sarah's Sniffs...

So, I finally captured Sarah's signature 'mommy sound'. Sarah only seems to make this signature sound effect when I am home, which means weekends. She doesn't really make the noise or the face during the week. But hey, this is so cute I'll be glad to claim it as mine. She sniffs really fast and makes the cutest scrunched, puckered face ever!! See for yourself...

Cute, huh!! Now that Sarah is doing more and more sound effects, I am beginning to wonder what other babies do to entertain themselves. What are some sound effects your babies have done?

Feeding Herself!!!

So, last night we had some Italian food...well, Natalie's version of macaroni marinara. And yes, I did make the sauce from scratch as always. I like homemade sauce better than canned because the flavors are more fresh and you know what is in the sauce, especially sodium.

Anyway, I decided to have Sarah join us since I normally give her a cookie or toast to eat while we eat (this way both Jordan and I can eat at the table together as a family instead of tag teaming like we did when Sarah was younger). At first the noodles were too slippery, but when they started to dry out and become sticky Sarah had an easier time figuring out how to pick up the noodles and stick them in her mouth. She is 7 1/2 months old and can successfully, although slowly, feed herself. What a big girl!!

The movie kind of cuts out a little early, so there are two parts. Here is...drum roll...

Sarah the Big Noodle Eater Part I

Sarah the Big Noodle Eater Part II

Now we really have to watch what she grabs!

Poor Little Sarah!!

Sarah has a double ear infection and is breaking two teeth at once!! Poor thing! I took her to the doctor yesterday after I noticed she was grabbing at her right ear. I asked Jordan if she had been doing that all day while I was at work and low and behold, she had been. So I immediately called the doctor and they were able to get her in that very day.

So poor Sarah had to see the doctor last night at 8:40pm when she is normally sleeping. The doctor said that Jordan and I have been very lucky to have such a healthy baby since this was her very first time seeing the doctor for an illness. I told the doctor that Sarah normally sleeps from 8:30pm - 5:30am and lately she had been waking up screaming during the middle of the night. She reiterated how lucky I am to have such a good baby (I already know I do...Sarah was definitely sent first for a reason because after my pregnancy I needed a good baby).

After the appointment we had to pick up her prescriptions so we had to drive to Walgreens 24 hour window to get them. We didn't get home till a little after 10pm, 1 1/2 hours past her bedtime. The poor thing was in pain, hungry, and exhausted!!

But, we did get ear numbing medicine so all in all she won't be in anymore pain. The doctor also put her on some antibiotics. Sarah is taking this all in good stride. She is actually enjoying the taste of the medicine and not spitting it out. Keep Sarah in your thoughts! I can't wait till she is past this troublesome stage.

But, on Sunday we had a good day considering. Here is a video of Sarah making some of her famous sound effects. Let me tell you, the Elders in church thought it was pretty funny to have a baby making farting noises behind them during the lesson. Sarah also makes a cute sniffing sound effect, but I couldn't capture it on video. Trust me, I am on the look out and will catch it soon. She makes the cutest face!!

Isn't my little baby so adorable?! She learns all her noises from me, despite Jordan thinking he had something to do with them. Well, whatever floats his boat, right?!

A Second Tooth!

Sarah has revealed her second tooth! Poor thing has been miserable for the last few days, and rightfully so. Her second tooth is on the bottom, next to the first. It is very little, but there! I can't wait till she is past this teething stage. I hate seeing her in pain so much! Not to mention the drool everywhere and Sarah biting her cute little fingers!!

Hmm, does this sound like me?

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You Are...Elinor Dashwood!

You are Elinor Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are practical, circumspect, and discreet. Though you are tremendously sensible and allow your head to rule, you have a deep, emotional side that few people often see.