Photo Dump

For our friends and family:

Maybe soon we'll get around to having a real photo shoot like most people do.

Pinterest said I could

Having a pinterest account is one thing. Doing that which you've pinned is an entirely different story. Such is my life with my obsession of pinning. But I must give myself a high five as I have done several things that I've pinned.  I've done a few of my "love my man" pins, and a few "food ideas" pins which I did not photograph. Some of you may have seen my birthday shout out to Mark provided by Pinterest. Thank you very much.  As additional proof that I am in fact more than just a pinner, here are a few things that I have photographed.

Exhibit 1: Pinterest said that Mayonnaise will take stains out of your wood. So-upon purchasing my larger table (on craigslist for only 100 bucks which was a steal of a deal) we tried it on the watermarks that we unintentionally placed on our wood just days after our purchase. I can't say that it was a total success - well - or really much at all, but at least we gave it a go right?

Exhibit 2: One of my prouder pins to reality. Pinterest said I could make a Gospel ABC quiet book for my kids. So - being the obsessed scrapbooker that I am, I did. Granted it won't be of any use for several...years but at least I can say I am prepared and spiritual. Not to mention I am super proud of how cute it turned out. 

Exhibit 3: Pinterest said I could make a rag wreath. Seemed easy enough. So-on the 4th of july me, mom, grandma, and jennifer got together and made some. On a cheaper budget too because we used old coat hangers and bent them into heart shapes. It turned out really cute. Except you have to turn your head sideways to get the full effect because I am too lazy to edit the photo so it is upright.

I love Pinterest. It makes me feel crafty and gives me creative ideas without all the work! Check, check, and double check!

One Week Celebration

We've made it one week. Although it seems like such a little amount of time, the adjustment has been huge for this new mom. But now that we're into day seven, here is a little baby tid-bit.

** Cameron loves his hands by his face. He is quite the mastermind at getting those hands out of the tightest of swaddles. Even with the specially purchased velcro swaddle blankets, his hands are still out before too long.

** When he was first born, the pediatrician was checking him over and said to Mark, "he has such a special spirit. He is so different from other babies." I have no idea what her faith is or what her comment meant to her, but for me it was such a powerful witness of the reality of our Heavenly Father's great plan and my responsibility to raise this boy to return to live with Him. He really is a special spirit.

** Several friends from my ward growing up have made a passing comment about how it must have been hard for my dad to let him go. Such a sweet thought to know he will always have his grandpa watching over him.

** He is such a content and peaceful little boy. Hardly whimpers over anything. Eats like a champ and sleeps really well too. Its been such a blessing that he has taken to earth life so well. Especially since my hormones have been wild, I'm not sure I'd be able to handle much else.

** On a less sappy note, we had quite the episode with a need to have his blood drawn for hyperthyroid screening. Nothing like having to take your brand new baby into the lab while trying to heal from delivery...twice. The first time we went down there and had them take his blood from his heel. The next morning, I get the call that they didn't have enough blood and I would need to return that day. UG! They then informed me they would need to take the sample out of his arm. Say what? He is only 4 days old? Then the very intelligent nurse who I was trying not to hate asked me if I had given him any juice ... um ... hello, he is only 4 days old. Pretty sure juice isn't in his diet! Two arms, two needles, two heels, and two hours later, we finally had two tubes for them to test. and of course, it was a false positive the first time around so the additional screening was unnecessary.

I know I'm the mom so my opinion is tilted, but he really is a beautiful little boy. And now that we've got one week under our belts, its time to at least get my life back in order. The car is OUT of gas, the fridge is OUT of food, the flowers are wilting, and the bills still want to be paid on time. Go figure - life really is wonderful; every nook and cranny of it.

We've grown.

Our family has grown by Two Feet.

Cameron David Morrell

9 Pounds 12 Ounces

Two days in and we are still feeling like the whole thing didn't really happen. We fit in the "every new parent" bill just perfectly; not having a clue what we are doing but getting by just fine. We don't sleep much, we celebrate whats in the diaper, we congratulate burps and passed gas, and treasure every eye blink, spastic jolt, tongue snap, and little stretch. He is our precious baby boy.

I'm recovering just fine. Its slower than I would like but I like to think it is coming along. I dream of not being afraid to poop; in fact, I dream of the entire ladies room experience not being a total nightmare. And these hormone roller coasters are enough to put a girl in an institution. Lucky for me, Mark is solid as a rock; my north star. I just look to him and somehow the morning comes. And let's be honest, for a boy as darling as him, how could it not be worth it!

Pregnancy Perks

To add to the already overloaded blog of me being pregnant - here's my last pregnancy post. Being pregnant isn't nearly as bad as some women have tried to prep me for. In fact, there have been several perks that come with the territory that I can't say I'll miss but have been nice to have around.

- Eating. I haven't had to watch what I eat for months now. It has been glorious. Not so much that I've been in the mindset of "I'm eating for 2", but more like I don't have to count my Weight Watcher Points and skip out on things that I really do love. Like cold cereal in the morning. Regular me doesn't eat much cold cereal because it’s "too many wasted points." Pregnant me - love! And juice, and cookies, and pizza, and white bread. It’s been nice.

- Bathroom Breaks. The act of using the restroom more times than my regular self isn't all that fun. However, jumping the line because the women all feel bad for me? Totally worth it. Like at the picture show the other day. After the movie was out and the line for the restroom was out the door - who didn't have to wait? Such nice ladies.

- Pedicures. I love me some fashionably painted toes. And although Mark has encouraged me multiple times to go and have my nails done, I can't seem to justify the expense unless my toes are going up in stirrups. (Too far? sorry about that) Truly! I can paint them on my own and they're fine for the weekly Sunday shoe parade or occasional flip flop jaunt. But for those "special occasions", having your splendid toes flashing in your face makes the expense rewarding.

So although my wardrobe is beyond limited; my phalanges are like sausages, my body temperature is off the charts, my ability to sit and be comfortable is minimal, and my skin will never be what it use to; things really aren't all that bad.