Graham

So, I went and saw "New Moon" tonight. I really don't want to be a Twilight geek, but I guess I am because I really liked it. I won't spoil it for anyone though! I can just say that it was much better than the first movie.

When I first read the books, I got really bitter at Graham. Granted, I was 7/8 months pregnant and extremely hormonal, but I was a little upset. In the books, the main character Edward is ridiculously (and very unrealistically ) romantic.

Have you met Graham? He's not exactly oozing with romantic gestures. He's a very practical, logical guy. So, in my emotional mess, I felt sad that he wasn't more romantic. At the end of "New Moon", I'll admit a few of those feelings came back, but man do I LOVE my husband. Here's why:

1. He is loyal. He would never criticize me in front of anyone, even as a joke. He always tries to portray me in the most positive light.
2. He has an amazing testimony. I know that he loves his Savior and that he is a faithful Latter-day Saint.
3. He is always striving to improve. He constantly asks how he can be a better husband and father.
4. He works so hard to do well in school so that he can provide a nice life for us.
5. He loves his children. He pretends not to dote on them, but I see the look in his eyes. He absolutely adores our children.
6. He's fun. He gets my sense of humor and dishes it right back. I'm so happy when I'm with him.
7. He's so open-minded. I was a sports fanatic and he could care less when we were first married. I helped him to "see the light" and now he's a crazier fan than I am! I LOVE it!
8. He is always the first to apologize. He doesn't ever want to be contentious with me. We never go to bed angry because he's always willing to concede, even if I really am in the wrong.
9. He supports me in my hobbies and interests, even if it takes time away from him. I love to do so many things and he's always trying to find ways that I can attend to them.
10. He loves me. Faithfully and with devotion. And I know it.

There are hundreds of other reasons, but I think 10 is enough. And I need to read this post over and over so that I am not stupid and compare him to a character in literary fiction. I really lucked out when I got Graham for a husband. Good thing I get to spend eternity with him!

Just like her big brother...

Ellen gets such a kick out of wearing Sam's hats. She is SO incredibly happy while wearing them. She just wants to play with what Sam does. Her favorite toy is currently Sam's firetruck which is his favorite toy...

I'm a Dork.

I already knew this. You probably did too. But just to cement my dorkiness, let me tell you what I'm doing Thursday night:

I'm going to the New Moon premiere.

There! I said it!

Yes, I've read the Twilight books. I'm by no means a die-hard fan. Not even a huge fan. They were pleasant and easy reads and a fun way to make my pregnancy go by faster. Definitely not in the literary "classics" group. (To be honest, I didn't even want to read them. I know this sounds mean, but someone I knew LOVED them and she was kind of an airhead so I took that as an indicator that I would not be interested. )

The first movie was okay. It wasn't that great.

So, why am I going? Because Graham said I could. I actually got permission to spend $9.50 on a movie that is sure to be disappointing. So I'm going.

Honestly, I never get to go out and do "girl" things. We're going to load up on junk food, soda, and then get to the theater about an hour or so early. Then, we'll play card games until it starts. Then, we'll watch the movie and gab about it after. I'm a little nervous for Friday morning. Hopefully I can manage my children with little sleep.

I think it'll be fun. I hope it will be. I'm looking forward to it.

Sibling Love

Yesterday, Ellen was laying down on the floor and Sam came down to lay next to her. He turned his head, gave her a kiss on the cheek and said "Baby Ellen, you're beautiful. I love you".

There is nothing sweeter in the world than a big brother and little sister that love each other.

The Best at Something...and sugar cookies.

I have a lot of hobbies and maybe they're talents. However, there's always someone I know that's better than me. I like to sew - I even started a sewing group in our ward. But, one of the girls who came totally put her project together so much better than I did. I felt like a total dork. I know so many friends that have their own little Etsy shops. I'm super happy for them, but I don't feel confident enough in any of my stuff to sell it online (although I do have an idea...). I can sing, but I'm in a BYU ward. So can everyone else. I can cook, but it's not that exciting. I like to scrapbook, but I'm not original. This sounds so silly, but I really want to be the best at something. Obviously, I won't be THE best. But (conceited as it may sound), I'd like to be better than everyone I know at something. Just something. One little thing. Anyway. It's just a thought I had today. Something to make me feel special.

Silly? Probably.

Oh well. At least yesterday I officially became the best sugar cookie decorator (well, to Sam). We had a lot of fun.

Sam had his first ice skating lesson on Thursday. Graham made time to come and it was such a blast. He had a hard time walking at first, and faceplanted about 3 seconds after putting them on. But, he is Sam after all. Would you expect anything different? When he met his teacher, Miss Jessica, she told them to get down on the ground on their hands and knees, like a doggie. She was trying to teach them how to get up from the ground in skates. Sam looked at her quizzically and said "But I'm wearing skates, so I can't be a dog. Dogs don't wear skates." I love this kid! Finally, he got down and then they went out onto the ice. Here are some photos from the evening.

How cute are those tiny skates?!

Sam thought it was absolutely hilarious when he would fall right onto his bottom. You can see him cracking up in this picture. The other one is of him trying to get up!

When Sam would get tired, he'd just hang onto Miss Jessica. After a couple of seconds, she'd drop him and he'd have to get up again. Sam skated to the cone in the last picture all by himself without falling! We were so proud of him!

And of course: for your viewing pleasure, a video of Sam skating. He is supposed to be skating in the opposite direction, but he decides to make a break for it. You can hear him squealing when he looks behind him and sees that they've "caught him."

6 Month Checkup

We went into the pediatrician's office yesterday for Ellen's appointment! First off, my mother hen rant!

If there is a "sick" waiting room and a "well" waiting room and your kid is hacking up a lung, you go to the SICK room! UGH! If Sam gets sick because one mother thinks she can breaks the rules, I'm going to be a little upset. I heard the nurse talking to her and she said that her kids weren't as sick as the ones in the sick room, so she didn't want to expose them to more sickness. Thanks a lot!

Anyway, Ellen's appointment went really well. She's 15.7 pounds and 26.5 inches long. Only 2.5 inches until she grows out of her car seat! Developmentally, she's on cue. She received some more vaccinations, including the H1N1. After hearing about one of my friend's experiences with her perfectly healthy 12-year-old daughter getting it, there was no way I was going to wait. Amazingly, through the stupidity of my old pediatrician, Sam was able to get it while we were there. They were only supposed to give the shot to to those 6 months to 2 years old. But, they could also give it to children with asthma. Technically, Sam was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago even though I think the doctor was crazy. So, the pediatrician gave it to him.

Sam was mad at the nurse, again. He got ice cream afterwards, so he's not complaining anymore.

So all in all, my kids are perfectly healthy!