H is Free!

H is now 3! We had his party on Saturday.


Here is his cake. I don't know why I didn't buy the train cake molds earlier. They are a hit!




H loved the sleeping bag from J and me. He impatiently bounced while I took it out of the box then promptly jumped in it and started rolling around on the floor.


He only left the sleeping bag to play with the blocks from Grandpa & Grandma Kim.


Three years ago today I went into labor and was breathing through increasingly intense contractions while watching J eat a jalapeno cheeseburger and tater-tots from Sonic. To be fair, it was my idea to stop for lunch on the way to the hospital so J could receive nourishment before having to be my doula. Turns out, I didn't need anyone to coach me through delivery since, for the first and last time, I opted for the epidural. With S and O I was determined to birth the babies my way -- no drugs, just relaxation. It worked out fine and is my preferred way of birthing a baby. With H, however, J didn't seem capable of handling a drug-free delivery, so I had some guy stick a massive needle in my back. I got sleepy and J got chatty. 40 minutes after the doctor broke my water, H made his way into our life. He was and is a handsome little bugger and has always had our whole family charmed. When one asks him, "Are you spoiled rotten?" he replies, "I'm not spoiled; I'm H!" I love how he says his "th"s with an "f" -- as in fumbs (thumbs), funder (thunder) and free (three). He is our little blond boy (hey -- he's blond for coming out of my body!) and has the most beautiful brown eyes -- I could get lost in them. We are so glad for three happy giggly years with H!

Follow Up

I haven't posted pictures of my recently liberated foot. I am still debating whether or not I should. Most people will not want to see pictures of my foot. As S put it last night (and he hadn't even seen it straight out of the cast -- he saw it after a soaking, a shaving, a shower, and 3 days of healing outside the cast), "Eeeww." The only reason I would post pictures of my foot and unshaven, hairy leg that bore an uncanny and frightening resemblance to my brother's would be for my dad's benefit. He is a medical doctor and is intensely interested in it for some odd reason. I could send pictures to the Albuquerque Costco for my parents to pick up next time they're there, but I don't really want to stumble upon said pictures in my mom's photo albums sometime in the future.

For now I'll just have to satisfy my dad's curiosity by a few random thoughts:
1. Stepping on my foot and not feeling the floor on all of it is very odd.
2. Having the podiatrist abruptly (and not gently) peeling off the scab, all the while laughing with my husband almost made me kick the doctor.
3. Having sutures pulled out is not comfortable.
4. I realize that hair is skin's natural protector, but -- yes, Dad -- I did shave off the 1/2" fuzz that grew on my leg under my cast.
5. Showers are wonderful. Baths with a leg wrapped in a plastic bag sticking out of the tub are not.

That's all for now. Hope that keeps you happy, Dad!

Farewell...

Tomorrow we bid a fond farewell to the large purple cast on my left foot. Last night J added his artistic touch to it:



Looks pretty cool, no?

Tomorrow the cast comes off! I will not miss bathing in the tub with my left foot wrapped in a plastic bag and hanging out of the tub. I will not miss being so slow that I can't even take the boys around the block on a walk. I will be glad to see my pinkie toe again -- I wonder what she looks like. I will be glad to shave my left leg -- I can see the hair peeking over the top of the cast as if to say, "You think we're furry; just you wait until you see the rest of your leg!" I will be glad to be rid of the belly that has settled on my form from weeks of inactivity and junk food. I will be glad to walk and swim for the next four weeks as they are the necessary precursor to running! I hope to never have a cast on any part of my body again in my life! (How's that for jinxing myself?) So long, farewell, large purple cast! I've appreciated you so very much, but now it is time for us to part!

Maple Canyon Ice Climbing

Hiking up Maple Canyon in the morning.

The tracks in the snow are from some climbers pulling up gear, food, and any other items they needed in sleds.









Even if you aren't a rock/ice climber, Maple Canyon is a great place to visit for a hike or picnic. It is located near the town of Fountain Green found half way between Nephi and Manti. It is a hidden canyon that can't be seen from the road, it isn't until you are about 50 yards away from the entrance before you can even see any signs of a canyon.







All geared up and ready to climb "Roadside Couloir" rated WI3.

Ice is graded on a scale of 1-7, WI = Water Ice.
More information on the rating can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_climbing












This is the "Roadside Couloir" looking up from the bottom.














Climbing up "Roadside Coulior".



































Climbing "Under Wraps" WI4, this one was a workout.

Ice Climbing - Misc

Climbing "Under Wraps" WI4, watch for falling ice (last 20 seconds).



Climbing "Old Dawg" WI2+, the first climb of the day.



Other Pictures of the Day:

We're Gonna Be Rich

J and I have just figured out The Next Big Thing. Forget P90X. Forget the Bowflex. Forget exercise balls, the Thighmaster, that thing that electrocutes your muscles into firmness while you lay on the couch watching tv. We have the perfect idea for total abdominal fitness. You'll see it soon on late-night infomercials.

Here it is: One simple inhaler. Just a puff or two every day that injects germs or an irritant of your choice into your lungs. Then just cough your way to rock-solid abs! You'll see results in just one week. That's right -- just one week! A flabby belly preventing you from fitting into that one sleek dress? Jeans a little too tight? A weekend of beach-volleyball coming up that you're not quite ready for? Just a puff or two a day and you'll have a 6-pack that is the envy of all who look at you!

After 10 days of coughing non-stop, J's abs are almost to their former glory. That core, 10 years ago, was a sight to behold. It went into hibernation under some squishy layers, but -- boy is it back! Who needs exercise when you can just get sick and cough your way back into that perfect body?!

For Erin...

Here is a super yummy recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Even though there are inordinate amounts of butter and sugar in it, it still feels healthy to me because of the oat flour.

Combine:
1 C butter
1 C white sugar
1 C brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 C oat flour (dump 3 C oatmeal in the food processor, turn it on, and voila!)
2 C white flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
chocolate chips

Bake in 375 degree oven 8-10 minutes or until lightly brown