Hilary and Evan Biddulph

Fighting the Battle

2012-01-26T09:55:00.002-07:00

I'm pretty sure I am in a battle with my kitchen and dishes. I don't know what it is, but if I don't get that initial load done in the morning, the rest of the day is shot. I just watch the pile grow taller and taller and taller. As if I didn't already think the handful of dishes seemed overbearing I just let the pile grow taller and taller and taller until it is sometimes 4 days later. Seriously, why have I not invested in more paper plates by now!

So, when I get to talk to uplifting people like my sisters, they give me hope, that maybe, just maybe I can get my dishes done. Easy right, open dishwasher, unload, load, repeat. And if I get those done then I could probably wash the counters, sweep the floors, vacuum, pick up toys, pay bills, make phone calls, return emails, shower-I know right, shower, what a concept-check the mail and maybe even get dressed by the time Evan gets home. Sometimes their motivation works. Sometimes I decide it's better to give the dishes some alone time and leave the house. Costco, the park and other fun things seem WAY more urgent than the dishes.

I think that I get so overwhelmed sometimes, because I feel people's eyes, words and judgements on me. When did I become THAT person, that cared what others thought. I know right, letting people's words, manipulations, judgements get to me. Well, I was wrong to let family, friends, strangers and my own insecurities get to me. How could I have let my guard down. I have a husband and two children who need me to be me, rather than the Hilary that is the people pleaser.

So, since August 2011, I cut a few people, unnecessary responsibilities, etc out of my life. It wasn't overnight, I am still working on it, it's a process. But I wanted to come up and out of the clutter of judgements, instructions, guilt trips manipulations, etc and become myself again. Surround myself with uplifting people and circumstances. I quite like myself and want my children and husband to live with the real me, instead of the trying to make everyone, in-laws, people I don't know, acquaintances, etc happy. It's a hard choice to decide yourself and family over anything else, but it just has to be.

Most of the accomplished, happy, successful people I know are where they are because they put their priorities in order, walked hand in hand with the Lord and didn't let Satan discourage them with trivial things which seem huge or become huge. So I am taking my life back. No one else can have it.

Baby steps, right? So, I'm starting the rebuilding process. Little by little I will regain who I am and become more of who I should be. I'm excited, and while it will be hard to cut lots of blur out of my life, it will be worth it to keep on the path Heavenly Father wants for me and my family:)

So, I continue to work on me. It feels great! No, I won't fit the mold of where people think I should be, but that's ok. I am on this journey, I am not on the journey with the peanut gallery. This is a process. I strongly believe in the idea that time heals all things, and works things out how they should. And since everything is in the Lord's timing, I better make sure I am keeping in line with my Heavenly Father so that this can be easier than it is harder.

Wow...it's been a few months since I posted:)

2011-12-03T13:11:00.002-07:00

(I want to recover that BRATS cover..on the project list:))

So, It's been a few months since I posted..guess I should start up again:)

Lots going on. I work 40+ hours a week watching the cutest little boy whom Lucy and Peter absolutely adore and can't get enough of. They ask for him on weekends, sometimes search for him in the house:)

Lucy and Peter are both in therapy which is INCREDIBLE and free AND they come to our house once a week. Lucy is getting help with speech since she is delayed from her millions of ear infections. Peter got out of feeding therapy and into gross motor skill therapy. Because he was in the NICU so long and in the hospitals for evaluations and surgeries, he has been delayed in some core muscle training etc. So he is 18 months and still not walking. BUT the therapist has taught him(along with a big lesson and practice from Evan) to go up and down the stairs. He climbs onto couches, tables, you name it. He just doesn't want to stand on his own or walk yet.

Lucy is potty training-sort of. Every time we go to try it sickness happens and it is delayed. But she is slowly running out of diapers and I don't want to buy her more. She sings ALL of the time, says please and thank you, HUGS the best hugs, is a cute little mommy, and is just everything I could ask for and more. (oh and on a side note, she grew out of her apple allergy after 2 years!) YAY!

Peter is mr. exploratory boy right now. He wants to try and to know about EVERYTHING!!! He is one of the best cuddlers I know. He loves to love and is very sensitive as well. We are going for his year post op appointments this month..I think things are good. Peter loves to push trucks around and if he could escape outside he would. He misses daddy during the day, I think he is ready for summer break with daddy at home:) Peter is just the perfect little boy for me.

Evan is the best Husband a gal could have! He is so sweet, he puts up with me, loves me, sacrifices for me. He is loved by so many, and it is touching to hear from people how he has touched their lives. He makes me a better person, and I am glad he is my best friend.

I have been slowing down-In a good way. I am not participating in everything offered and don't feel bad about it either. Before I felt like I was slacking on most everything, and now I know that focusing on what's important and crucial to my family is most important. There is still so much that I need and want to do, but I like taking it slower.

Life is good. I love my family. I love Heavenly Father and all that he is helping me with and teaching me.

a fun morning project..back in the game

2011-09-16T17:02:00.001-06:00

So Evan had found a can of oops paint that I used on Lucy's shelves, and since there was leftover I decided to paint a free coat rack(for the wall) that I could use for my jewelry I purchased this year:)

The project probably cost $0.35 to do.

I hung it over my dresser that just happens to be the same color, or very similar. I bought it from a vintage thrift shop:)

Dear Lucy, Sept 9, 2011

2011-09-09T09:28:00.003-06:00

Dear Lucy,

I haven't journaled about you in a while and I feel bad about that because you keep doing so many sweet and funny things, sprinkled with a little naughty. For the most part you have been learning lots and growing up. Growing up makes me sad but I am happy you are learning lots.

You have had so many ear infections in the last year that we were able to contact someone about Speech Therapy since your ears have delayed you in speech. Mindy is the sweetest therapy and you love her so much. Every time she comes you run to the door, smile, hug and bring her in to start playing. She is teaching you lots and I love seeing you learn and practice.

Ever since we started watching TJ you think you have another brother. Sometimes on the weekends and nights you get sad when you can't find him. You call him Baby or T. You hug, kiss(like a fish), sit next to, lay next to, try to pick up, help with with pacifiers and bottles and wiping his mouth. You are like a cute second mommy for him.

Peter is your absolute best friend in the world!!! Besides the clobbering him from behind, jumping on him, smothering his face in the ground, you love on him ALL the time. I hope you stay best friends. You two love to play together. You always bring him treats and snacks and make sure he has what he needs or doesn't know that he needs. You kiss him, hug him, and like to hold his hand.

You like cuddling mommy and daddy a lot more lately. You always help make dinner and think popcorn is the best thing EVER! I think your best girlfriend right now is Sadie. She is fun and you like to hug her and say her name.

You have been letting me brush and style your hair. That makes me happy. Shoes, baths, outside, yogurt, cheese and saying please with your hand make up almost every day.

You are the cutest little swimmer. With your floaties on you swim all over the pool including the
deep end. You love to jump in and you like to swim by yourself without any help.

We love you very much and am so happy your are ours!

Love,
mom & dad

Lucy and Peter cook and rats nests

2011-08-02T23:38:00.006-06:00

Evan went off to see the Phillies and Rockies face off so Lucy, Peter and I had lots of fun!

We cuddled in bed

Drank lots of water like usual(Peter had cold milk-I'm trying to trick him so he'll give up the bottle)

Lucy was super hungry so she ate one of her favorite veggies-she tried it with ranch for the 1st time

They both saw steam coming up and watched it

Then Lucy blew it

Then she wanted to stir it

Then she wanted to eat it

then eat it in my chair, and eat my left over lasagna, and eat Peter's food
and feed Peter

Then have popcorn for dessert. Good summer days

(Lucy gets rats nest-it took tons of conditioner and combing it out in the tub to finely get it out)

Costa Vida Groupon and Rockies baseball

2011-08-02T23:10:00.007-06:00

We LOVE free stuff or nearly free stuff:) We bought 3 groupons for Costa vida for $15 total and got $60 of food. YUM! We forgot we had them, and they expire soon, so we 'had' to use them up fast:)-We still prefer Cafe Rio, and Cafe Rio has free kid food

1st groupon my friend Kristen and I went. I ate the yummiest sweet pork nachos.
2nd groupon we were able to get food for our neighbors who just had a baby
and 3rd groupon we went out as a family today. Peter and Lucy loved it!!! Peter ate so much guesadilla, beans and rice and tres leche cake. Lucy probably ate half of that and drank TONS of Lemonade. Evan had a yummy smothered burrito and I had nachos:)

We all went home and napped until we dropped the kids off and Evan and I went on a date to the Rockies. On the walk there we saw the AMTRAK Train boarding people for California. SO COOL!

Chocolate covered bacon and garlic fries-YUM!

Anyway, we love summertime:)

Family Night for the Biddulph clan

2011-07-25T21:40:00.004-06:00

So we haven't been the best at Family night, but we are getting better.

We talked about how Jesus is our brother and that He loves us and we love him. The kids saw his picture on the wall and smiled and giggled(like usual when they see pics of Jesus)

We changed into swim suits and took off for a fun swimming trip. We sang primary songs on the way to the pool. It had been a little windy and rainy today so the pool was a little cool but we still had a blast! Lucy is such a super swimmer. She doesn't want us to hold onto her. So in her floaties and swimsuit tube thingy she takes off all by herself:) Peter got to play with arm floaties and a red lady bug floaty:) I wish I had taken pictures of that.

After we played tons in the big pool and baby pool we got out to dry off, of course I forgot clothes for Lucy to change into but that didn't matter because she didn't even want the towel, she just wanted to run naked.-we did find a shirt of Peter's in the car for her:)

We stopped at Yogurtland for Family Night treats.
Lucy ate her's in the car, we finished at home:)

Lucy liked her's too much that she needed every last drop!

Then bath time and then BED:)
YAY! Success! We had a great family night:)

where did my blog go?

2011-07-20T12:51:00.000-06:00

my blog

Family photo July 2011

2011-07-14T13:23:00.002-06:00

We went up to see my niece get married last week and my brother caught a fun picture of our family, I LOVE it!!!

Evan 31
Hilary 30
Lucy 2
Peter 1
July 9, 2011

Dr. Suess was wise!!!

2011-07-11T09:06:00.001-06:00

I LOVE this quote! It should have been my motto long ago!

‎"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

Lucy's Birthday...Finally(April 19, 2011)

2011-07-03T21:36:00.007-06:00

Lucy turned 2 on April 19. Yes, It is July and I am finally blogging about it:) I have several posts I am behind on, and for journaling sake I want to catch up, so here I go:)

That week was crazy for medical stuff for Peter, but we still managed to have lots of fun with Lucy. She did turn 2 afterall:)

So after Peter and I came home to nap after his sleep study, we woke up, showered and started up north to share cupcakes with Lucy's cousins in Westminster. We had lots of fun to choose cupcakes from Target. Then we shopped at Costco and picked up a new blender(our's broke)-we will pretend it was a birthday present for Lucy if she ever asks:)

Then we went to celebrate and eat at BJ's Restaurant. YUM! That was my 3rd or 4th time and I still love it! We had lots of yummy food, starting with avocado egg rolls, Evan had a yummy loaded baked potato and sides, I had a YUMMY chinese chicken salad, Lucy and Peter shared a grilled cheese Sandwich and smiley face fries. Then we also ordered Lucy creamy avocado and chopped avocados, her FAVORITE, her own food group!!!

Lucy LOVED her free hot cookie and ice cream-and part of a candle:)

We got home and heard singing messages from Grandma Liz and Grandpa Steve and loved the card they sent(my mom makes her own cards and sells them).

Then we were able to gmail video chat with Grandma Betty and Grandpa Romney. They sand to her, watched her blow out her candle and not want to eat cake. Lucy is very particular about the sweets she eats. Definitely good on her part:) She opened our non-wrapped gift- a musical dog! Lucy still loves it, and doesn't want to part from it:)

It was a great day. She does so much and is turning into more of a little angel. She brightens our lives and makes us feel so blessed on a daily basis, even when she tests our patience:)

Lucy Loves to Love on Peter. She says his name so cutely! She cuddles him, tickles him, kisses and hugs on him. She pets his head and plays with his hair.

She loves playing with her baby dolls and feeding them bottles and kissing them.

Lucy loves getting up on her chair and eating food. Sometimes when she is hungry I find her waiting at the table for food:) She does not like sitting on a booster seat.

Lucy loves getting in the car and going places. When we play outside sometimes she will go wait next to her door for me to open it, so we take lots of quick trips around the block:)

Lucy loves the outside!!!! If she could bath, sleep, eat, play, work, everything outside, she would be a happy camper.

She hops, jumps, and runs everywhere! She holds her hands in the air sometimes while traveling across the house:)

She laughs ALL the time, less crying lately, that is a plus.

She has figured out how to open her door by sitting next to the door, sticks her fingers under the door, jiggles it 2-3 times and pops the door open. BRILLIANT

Jumping and hopping down the stairs makes us nervous but she loves doing it! Today at nursery I was told she climbs up on everything and jumps off, makes them very nervous!

Lucy has so much good about her, for now we are just loving and enjoying her. One day we will get to fill her in on how crazy, beautiful, funny, smart, loving and inventive she is.

I can't get enough of her. Sometimes I just want to wake her up so we can play:)

Dolmas

2011-06-22T21:28:00.003-06:00

I love Dolmas. Stuffed Grape Leaves. I have only had them at Whole Food's and at a Mediterranean place at the Flatirons mall. YUM!

I have found that some have meat so I want to try those. I've only had them stuffed with rice.

I broke and bought some with tzatziki sauce today:)

Valerie gave me a recipe I want to try, maybe I'll be brave:) It might just be easier to buy them, but now I want some with meat:)

Peter's sleep study, allergy tests and more

2011-06-06T08:52:00.002-06:00

So Peter has had a rough start from birth, and for some follow up and figuring things out Children's Hospital scheduled a sleep study. So the night before Lucy's birthday Evan and Lucy stayed home and bonded and Peter and I ventured out to Children's hospital.

Peter usually goes to bed at 7:30, so this night was not going to be easy. We checked in at 6:30. I grabbed a bite of dinner at the cafeteria, and at 7:30 they checked us in at the reception desk in the sleep study clinic. They didn't pull us in until about 8:30 or so. Then we waited until about 9 for everything to get set up. I had to wait to give him his bottle because they wanted him to have it after he was hooked up to the machines-BAD IDEA. He Cried, and CRIED and CRIED. If you know Peter you know this isn't normal. But they had to hook him up to sooo many wires and bind up his hands to prevent him from pulling everything off. That didn't really work, I wish they would have started us at 5 so he wasn't overly tired and sad that he was being restrained.

After everything was set up the lights went out and I was in a bed right next to Peter. I thought I was going to get some sleep, ethe bed was even comfy. Boy was I wrong!!! Peter was so tired and so sad about what was going on, it made me cry and mad that they couldn't do anything to help him. It was so bright in there for him so I got all the linens and covered the monitors to make it dark.

I'm happy I brought the mobile he got from Grandma Betty. It was a SUPER LIFE SAVER. We pretty much played it every time he cried, which was always, and I had to hold him or pat his chest to soothe him. Finally around 11pm the nurse said that if he didn't fall asleep by midnght the test would be void and have to be repeated. I was so nervous and scared and sad and mad that he wasn't happy. All I could do was pray. So I prayed and prayed and prayed and we were blessed. He slept just enough that they said it was fine. In saying that though, I didn't get any sleep, he really didn't sleep much. At 6am they came in and put him on oxygen for 20 minutes. At 7am, we were packed up and checked out of the hospital. That was the worst experience of my life!

I had to call my mom to talk to me for the drive home because I was afraid I would fall asleep..thank you mom! We got in, fed Peter and then he and I slept for a large part of the day. After we woke, showered and dressed..we were off to celebrate Lucy and her 2nd birthday:)

A few weeks later we got called and since the test was crazy, and he normally sleeps 12 hours a night and didn't this night, they are going to have him come in on June 13 to get tested in clinic for his breathing to check lungs etc. Hopefully he will be cleared of any concern and we can move on from so many doctors.

After the sleep study the following day Peter and I went in for a feeding therapy examination. He was choking on most everything and would only have bottles but was wanting more. They had me bring in tons of different food and show them how he ate. He choked on the food and 2 hours later they scheduled him for feeding therapy for every other Saturday. I worked really hard on the tips they gave me. After a month of trying, he is now off of feeding therapy and eating like a champ!! He eats more than Lucy! Peter still struggles a little but overall great! the Lord has truly blessed us.(his food wand to train his tongue)

He also had an allergy test along with Lucy. Randi Mosher came to help.
So sad and itchy
Randi was so calm

They watched Finding Nemo while they waited for the test to finish.

Next thing up is physical therapy since he isn't crawling yet-he's delayed, but I think he will pull through:)

I LOVE GMAIL!!!

2011-05-22T22:08:00.003-06:00

So I was getting ready to send an email with attachments but I totally forgot to attach them. Have you ever done that and then had to send a second email with the attachment? I have-several times!!!

Back to my email-as I sent 'send' without attaching the photos, I got this message that popped up

AWESOME!! So I only had to send one email, not two. Isn't gmail awesome! I love technology.

This is how we start summer break:)

2011-05-21T21:35:00.005-06:00

Evan is officially on Summer Break...let the chores and tasks, I mean the fun begin!

I have been searching for swing sets for a bit now, and I found one for $40, they accepted $30. We REALLY hoped that it wouldn't be a dud deal and missing parts(it was already taken apart and ready to sell). We had fun putting it together(only missing two bolts that we don't need until we decide to attach the slide), this is what our day looked like (with sick Lucy-but she was a trooper)

Lucy likes to read anywhere--the elliptical was moved for installation of our new windows

Evan mowed the lawn while Lucy and I walked the neighborhood blowing the white puffy dandelions. Then we began sorting and putting together our new swing set.

Lucy liked "helping" daddy
But we needed to get an allen wrench to help tighten everything so we all packed up and went to borrow a wrench, we saw a FREE sign and went in to a church handing out leftovers from a garage sale. We came back with a lot of loot, including a bike helmet just slighty too big for Lucy-I've got to hide it so she doesn't think that she needs it for her little bike:)

The finished product(I might spray paint to another color later)

Then we decided that Lucy didn't love the big girl swing because she kept slipping out and it wasn't safe for her or Peter. So we got some birthday money from Grandma Liz and Grandpa Steve and coupons from Toys R Us and came back with a new swing for the two cuties. The other swings will be saved for when they are older.

At the bottom is a video of Peter and Lucy swinging and squealing together.

After lots of swinging we came in for leftovers of gnocchi, bbq chicken, peaches, avocados, and cabbage salad...yum! Kids are a little sick and pooped and tucked into bed. Lucy kept dragging us by our hands and leading us to outside..she was NOT happy when we wouldn't go outside each time she wanted to go.

Magic Erasers..they really are magical

2011-05-17T23:15:00.004-06:00

Among other things like crayon off walls etc, Magic Erasers can do ANYTHING!

My sister handed down her kitchenAid to me. It definitely had a lot of love on it:) She cooks a LOT! I have eaten many yummy things that started in this machine.

Then I tried washing it with wipes, hot water, soap, it wouldn't budge. Then I remembered I had magic erasers. Amazing before and after!

Now it looks like this!

I can't wait to get cooking!

two pieces of advice from Patriarch Jensen

2011-05-15T19:25:00.005-06:00

In July 2009 Evan, Lucy and I went to a 4th of July picnic and there we had talked with Patriarch Jensen of the Littleton Stake. (turns out he was my parents bishop way back in the day before I was born). He gave a great piece of advice that has stuck with me ever since

"You are not entitled to anything"

We were telling him that we were looking for a house to buy. He said too may people think they "deserve" or "are entitled" to everything they want. He told us that we didn't need a home with the most bedrooms, or the most space, or the most whatever. He told us that we were blessed to have a house with walls, roof and enough space to sleep. That we didn't need all the vacations and luxuries that people in this time feel they are entitled to but can't afford. He said we needed to pay attention to our needs and not our wants.

Boy, if that was ever some thought provoking advice!!!!

Evan and I searched and searched and searched for homes. We looked at close to 90-100 homes. NO JOKE! We really felt we needed to stay in the Littleton Stake but only had a limited price range.

We prayed that if the Lord would bless us with a home in the right ward with a good house payment and something that was good for us then we would try to bless others through our home and other things that the Lord would bless us with.

The house we really felt we should be in had an offer on it in May, and in two more months of house after house after house, the offer was rescinded and we were able to put an offer along with 2 other people. We prayed so hard that if it was the right place for us that it would pull through---IT CAME THROUGH. Prayers were answered, we rescinded our offer on another house (that would have been prettier, more updated etc) and started to prep for this house. It tooks MONTHS before everything came in how it should, and finally we closed in January of 2010(it was a short sale). It took us 3 months to fix up the house to be able to live in it. We LOVE our home.

As many of you know the house had lots of issues, and it wasn't until about a month ago in talking to my friend Jessica Berg, that I saw a HUGE benefit in buying a house under what we could have paid. Jess said that in our heeding the patriarchs advice, he saved us from financial trouble-maybe he had some foresight for us. We had so many things "come up" like a new sewer line etc. It was tough trying to balance everything financial but now we are blessed being able to take care of those projects that come up and pay on our house payment and still eat. We may never be rich but we have definitely been blessed with what the Lord knows we need. I think Jess was right, that he gave great advice, we listened, we struggled through some major trials, and now we are being taken care of by the Lord.

I felt so strongly about this piece of advice that after church today I went up to the Jensen's on the way to their car and told them how I appreciated that piece of advice so long ago. As I walked away he said the kids were great and then said

"You are the mother that every kid should have" and when I repeated in my mind I took it as or thought of him saying it like "You should be the mother every kid has"

I took it as a compliment but then the instruction of that has been flashing in my mind all day. (I wish I could go up to him and have him say it again so I can hear the influctions etc so I know I got his wording right-maybe I'm making up the compliment part of it. Either way heading the instruction part of it is incredible to me)

I NEED to be the mother that every kid has. WOW. He was paying me a compliment but then instructing that I need to be "that" mom. Don't slack off but get better and better. How would I know what that means other than praying for guidance, watching other great mothers like my own, learning from mistakes, not feeling "entitled" to anything, working alongside my great husband, setting goals, not slipping to the things in my life that have brought me down before, following what is instructed in my patriarchal blessing, praying praying praying for guidance and direction and having the Spirit more in my home. I could go on and on.

Needless to say I am grateful for the compliment and have felt rejuvinated in my calling of who I am and who I need to become. I have been feeling a weight on me that I don't know quite how to explain other than I feel like I have been suppressing who I am and who I can be because of some hurtful things done and said to me in the past few years. I am done feeling like I am less than I am or holding back who I am or my potential. I am ready to fight for who I am and who I need to be.

I am blessed with a good husband who puts up with all of my shenanigans. Evan is a great person to stick by my side, support me always, lift me up, understand me, listen to me, care for me and allow me to do all the crazy things I do that help make our family, our family.

YAY! I feel like I am getting a fresh start and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me. I don't know how I can do any of this without the Lord's help. I guess Patriarch Jensen's comment has invigorated me to do good and go forth and develop a better relationship with the Lord.

I like how our Heavenly Father loves us so much that uses all of us as His hands to bless others. I am happy that he has blessed me with Patriarch Jensen in my life. Hopefully I can be used to help and bless others-pay it forward right?

Cleaning out my emails and found this written to Lucy

2011-05-13T21:01:00.003-06:00

I was cleaning out my email drafts, and came across this letter to Lucy. We had tried for a long time to get pregnant and finally a little miracle.

October 1st, 2008
I have wanted you my whole life. When dad and I got married we didn't know when we would start our family, but when we decided to try, it was difficult for us. I have PCOS, which means I have cysts on my ovaries and complicates things for me in that department. We started working with a fertility specialist and were given some great advice.
We were told to have me try to lose some extra weight, and to cut stress out of my life. I quit my job and tried losing weight, but that was very difficult for me. I still had stress in my life, but it has been decreasing as the time goes on.

I started taking Chlomid to help me ovulate, and on the third month of that medication, we went in for insemination on August 6th, we became pregnant a few days later, but did not find out for a while.

I wanted you so bad, and a week or so before my birthday I started having lots of gas and heartburn. I normally didn't feel that way, so I thought I was pregnant. I called the dr and asked if I could test early because I just knew that I was pregnant by how I was feeling. I had taken many many many pregnancy tests since the month I got married, but on this special Tuesday morning, August 19th, I peed on a stick, while dad was showering, and to my amazement, it read positive. Dad wanted to be told in a cute or surprising way whenever we found out, but I couldn't hold it in. I asked him that if I wanted to tell him something, if I could do it in a different and sooner way, and he said yes. I started crying as I showed him the test. He started crying and we were both in shock. It was such a great day! I was so elated, that I had to call everyone! There was no holding this news to myself.

Since then you have been a little pill. Just kidding. I have definitely felt the pregnancy symptoms. I have thrown up in the Target parking lot and the Cannery now, and the rest has been at home. Before we knew we were pregnant, I HAD TO HAVE mexican food. Dad just laughs at me:) You sometimes keep me up at night, and Dad and I got to see you dancing inside of me and you waved at us. Dad thought it was to him:) People ask me what I want, a boy or girl, but I don't have a preference. Some days I feel like you are a little boy, and other days I see all the cute girl clothes and wonder what that would be like. I am heavier than I should be so I am trying to eat well for you, so you can grow healthy and strong. I am also trying to exercise more, but that is going slowly..we shall see. Tonight dad said he thinks we should start walking around the temple. That would be nice.

I have been selfish and wanted to be the only pregnant lady around, but I realize that you are one of many coming to this earth to receive a body and to fulfill your mission that the Lord has given you.

You are such a wonderful gift to me and your father, and we hope that you will always know how much we want and love you! We are trying to be good people so that we can be good parents and provide a great home for you and your brothers and sisters yet to come. Please be patient with us. We can be very funny and do great things, but we are still working on our weaknesses.

We love you and I will try to keep writing to you so that you know you were on your first 9 months with mom, like how you make my stomach growl every couple hours and I NEED to eat.

I got mad at a baseball game and was a little too vocal about it. A Lady was smoking, making me feel sick, and it was not safe for you. I hsould have been more Christlike and not said anything. I am trying.

Dad does the dishes now, because the smell of dishes and garbage make me vomit..your father is a great man. Very special, as I am sure you will be too.

PS..I went to the ER the other night. It was 2am and my right side went numb and then tingly and then in lots of pain. We went and got checked out, and they didn't find anything wrong. So hopefully I can learn to lay better in the bed. They said that since I was laying on my back, it pinched some nerves or something...I am doing fine now though.

Lettuce Wraps

2011-04-27T18:50:00.004-06:00

So if you didn't know this about me I LOVE LOVE LOVE lettuce wraps. My first experience with lettuce wraps was at PF Chang's with Evan. I order them every time we go(cheaper during happy hour). I don't need anything else.

I love them so much I found a copycat recipe for them online and make them a lot.
They are TASTY!!!

6 years ago I really had worked hard on getting in shape etc. After I started my venture on that I happened to meet Evan. A year later we got married, and through the course of five years I have had different things affect me causing me to gain weight and my body shut down a little.

I would REALLY love to have more children, and if you already know how hard we tried for Lucy and Peter and how the pregnancies and births went, then you understand how crucial it is for my body to be in better shape. I have let what people suggest to me and say to me about health and what I need to do crush my self esteem, but I am done with that. I REALLY want to get my body into birthing shape again, so I am working really hard. I am working with a nutritionist and we bought an elliptical and I am training for a 5K, 10K, bike race and 1/2 marathon. I just bought new shoes making me even more excited that it actually could happen and family bike rides outside. I even have some friends that encourage me to go to the gym with them.

I have slowly been losing weight in a healthy and slow way, but under doctors orders, this is what needs to happen.

Anyway. I am trying to eat 6 times a day, low cal meals to fit in my allotted amount. So if you have any 300, 200 or 100 or less calorie meal options I would love to try them.

Back to the lettuce wraps. I looked up a fast easy way to make wraps. The copcat version of PF Chang's is higher in calories because of all the oil and sauces that go in, but this new version was quick, yummy and low cal. I found it on Rachael Ray's site. I will still make the other wraps other times but for now this is what I will try.

They called for Teriyaki sauce, I didn't have any so I substituted A Thai Peanut Sauce that we had-higher calories, but yummy. Next time I will make sure I have Teriyaki sauce to try as I am sure it is equally yummy.
Here is the recipe I followed and changed a little. My changes are in blue

TERIYAKI TURKEY LETTUCE WRAPS Burcu Avsar By: Noemi Costanzo From: Dinner

About 12 wraps from this. About 90 calories a wrap(without brown rice) but using peanut sauce. If you stick to the Teriyaki 45 calories a wrap without rice. Amazing eh! I love it. Evan said I could make these each week. They are a keeper. I am sure if we wanted a little more, then scallions, water chesnuts, mushrooms etc would add more flavor. This recipe takes only five ingredients to make! INGREDIENTS: 1 pound ground turkey
1 10-ounce bag shredded carrots -I used pre-made cabbage/carrot coleslaw-mostly cabbage from Target
4 to 5 scallions, thinly sliced -I didn't have any
1/4 cup to 1/3 cup store-bought teriyaki sauce -I used Peanut Sauce
1 head iceberg lettuce, leaves separated
I had brown rice on the side-Evan ate that, I didn't to conserve calories since I used peanut sauce instead of Teriyaki. I used the frozen brown rice from Costco. It just needs to be microwaved for 3 minutes and then it is good to go. I want to learn to freeze rice myself. My sister said she heard it could happen so I googled and found this.

My Dipping Sauce: soy sauce/chili/hot mustard equal parts for dipping sauce. You can change the portions to fit the consistency you like.

DIRECTIONS: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil over high heat.-I didn't use oil, just threw the frozen but defrosted turkey roll into the pan. Add the turkey and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. Stir in the carrots, scallions and 1/4 cup water; lower the heat to medium-low. Cover loosely with foil and cook until the water is absorbed and the veggies are soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the teriyaki sauce to taste and cook until heated through, about 4 minutes. Divide the mixture among the lettuce leaves, about 1/4 cup for each; roll up and serve immediately.

Yes, paper plates. We are having dishwasher issues!

Panting

2011-04-14T20:57:00.004-06:00

So if you haven't watched Charlie and Lola, you should. It is the cutest show, and I LOVE IT!

Lucy and Peter love it too, and one of the episodes we watched a month or two ago was about how hot it was, and how dogs pant to stay cool. So three kids sit around panting.

Can you guess what Lucy's favorite thing to do is now:) PANT She pants all the time. Lucy gets our attention and then sticks out her tongue and pants. Then she expects us to follow along with her.

(she also likes to look at herself in the mirror to watch her faces she makes)

So after a month or so of panting around the house, I was using the elliptical and all of sudden Lucy starts panting. I didn't know why, and then realized that I was panting(breathing heavy) and so Lucy thought I was playing doggies with her. So funny, I couldn't stop laughing since she did it my entire workout:) Guess I need to get in better shape.

Pinning down

2011-04-05T10:33:00.003-06:00

I was thinking this could happen, then walked in on it:) maybe I willed it to happen by thinking or anticipating it:)

Spinach, skunks and black eyes

2011-04-02T15:56:00.008-06:00

So I still have tons to post but we have been having hard-drive and I-photo issues, but here are a couple updates.

After 6 skunks last spring and 3 skunks and 2 cats, broken chicken wire this spring, we decided we needed to fill in the skunk hole den with concrete.

So a couple of our friends came over and helped since Evan and I were wimps and didn't really know what we were doing.

I bought broken stones and rocks from Home Depot for a super cheap discounted price as well as some concrete discounted, gloves, moth ball thingy, and peroxide.

They sprayed peroxide everywhere to kill the smell, then mixed concrete and stuffed that and rock into the hole. They also patched and filled in where the mighty skunks broke under the chicken wire. SO GREAT! and they were just brave enough to do it..I think they secretly wanted to wrestle a skunk and were sad they didn't find one in the hole. The trap is up for a couple days more, and after that I hope we never have to smell a skunk EVER AGAIN!!!

While they were prepping stuff Lucy wanted to play, she ran off the deck steps and face-planted into the corner of the wagon holding some supplies. So sad. It started out like a little scuff, but today it is purple..more pictures to come. She was a trooper. HER FIRST BLACK EYE or any owie like that, she almost made it to 2 without any accidents like that..oh well.

So I follow the Sister's Cafe Blog because I had some amazing salmon from a friend who used their recipe, so now I follow them ALL OF THE TIME!

I had heard of green smoothies and passed some links to recipes on to my sister. She tried them and didn't love them, so I didn't try them. Then today I looked at the conference snacks posted today, and they had a smoothie, green smoothie recipe, but it looked red so I thought I would try it. And since I am trying to get healthier, I had more motivation. Plus it's so much cheaper to get spinach at Costco but we never go through it all before it goes bad-now we can!

Evan was at costco and picked up strawberries, bananas and spinach, and I had the rest.

WE LOVED IT!!! and will do these often now.

This is how I made mine
2 handfuls of spinach-prewashed from costco
16 strawberries
1 banana
1-2 tablespoons light agave nectar(i love the stuff-costco sells it, I got mine at King soopers on sale)(or you could use juice concentrate)
about 12 ice cubes(i added these after i had blended everything to make it cold
1-2 cups water
1 braeburn apple-I wasn't brave enough to do it with seeds so i cored it

Makes about 5 1/2- 6 cups

Anyway, we LOVE it. I was so nervous but I really like it, and am probably going to do this everyday to help get my veggies for the day:) the blog says they use other berries, pineapple and oranges, etc..so sounds fun:)

I might try putting in flax grounded up tomorrow- This will help me get through my big thing of spinach from costco now:) PS, have people try it before you tell them what is in it so they don't get grossed out by a spinach smoothie.

We have vanilla yogurt I was going to add if it turned out gross but I didn't need it.

Anyway, if you try it, let me know:) Lucy couldn't have it because she is allergic to apples, so her's will have to be without apples.

My cutie pie kiddos(can you see her black eye?)

Spring Days and Nights

2011-03-16T21:43:00.005-06:00

So I haven't posted forever because my computer has taken my photos hostage and Lucy and Peter have been SO AWFULLY sick! So, I will catch up sometime, but today I wanted to share a picture of Lucy swinging and our adventures on our walk.

Lucy Peter and I decided to take a walk. Started through the neighborhood, found the park, walked across and said hello to the donkey, cows, Sheep and horses.
She couldn't stop laughing, she made all the other kids laugh and giggle-it was contagious!
If you ever want to see them they can be found at the Littleton Historic Museum
Snuggling and sharing cheetos
Practicing for the airport-we get to go to Washington soon:)

After Evan got home from work we picked up dinner from Mc Donald's and headed to another park with a stroller and tricycle.

We didn't take but one photo.. I love it!
Poor Peter teething. He is getting his top 4 teeth all at once.

Evan, Lucy and Peter playing

I love my family so very much!

Cabin Fever

2011-02-16T21:11:00.005-07:00

Lucy and I decided that we hate cabin fever, and we are pretty sure that Peter feels the same way. So we broke out today:) But first we:

watched Finding Nemo for the 500th time and read books
then we went to the zoo. met up with Amy
then we came home and
played outside some more
and then we turned a tornado through the basement and needed a quick nap
then needed to get our daily fix of caillou
lots of coloring
and more coloring..but this was naughty, so was the crayon on the window
We liked playing outside today. Fresh air is good for us. We will all sleep well tonight-hopefully.

We are starting a naughty Lucy blog..more to come:)

Little by Little I can be great!

2011-01-31T19:23:00.006-07:00

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Like you are running in the race of life, but somehow you are running backwards or slower than everyone, but know that you have to pick up the pace if you are going to meet your mile marker goals. I do a lot-or have been lately. After talking to Amy today, I was telling her about some things that worry or concern me. It was good to vent, talk things through and get other perspective.

All of my life I have been in control. I was student council vice president, student council president, I was the instructor, manager, etc in almost every job I have ever had. I know what I want, I know how to get it, I know that when I set my mind to it I can accomplish it.

Over the last couple years life has changed. I got married, I had two babies, I don't work anymore, I don't have a mainstream calling in church. In one of my theraputic recreation classes in college we had a lesson on a paradime shift. We learned about the quartz watch and because the Swiss couldn't shift paradigms, the Japanese made all the money off of the watch because they didn't have a locked in paradigm of how things needed to be. I am now having to make a paradigm shift of how to live my life, and probably will have to do this many more times in my life.

I am no longer single, able to do things at the drop of a dime. I share a bank account, calendar based on a 4 person family, bed time is different, chore schedule, etc.

I LOVE being a wife. I LOVE being a mom. I LOVE being a new kind of me.

But now with all my new titles and responsibilities I need to know that I did a great job living the old chapters of my life, but those ways, strategies etc are not what os needed or conducive to living in my new chapters of life, although I can bring all my experiences, know-how, etc to make my new experiences great.

It has been really hard thinking that I wouldn't ever get to go back to my college and single days where I felt so successful. But I have realized that I need to move forward so that my family is not left behind, after-all this is my most important job thus far.

I am goal planning by myself and with Evan. Financially, Spiritually, Physically, Emotionally, etc. And I have learned through prayer and listening to the Holy Ghost that I am capable of being extremely happy and successful as I have been in the past. I just need to do things LITTLE BY LITTLE. Step by Step. I keep wanting everything RIGHT NOW. But losing 80 lbs by tomorrow isn't realistic, but maybe over a year or two's time it is. And having a HUGE savings account is possible, but not all this month-maybe $5 at a time. That I can have an organized and fully setup menu system, garden, food storage, but by learning new concepts and adding to it LITTLE BY LITTLE.

I love who I am. I love who I was. I LOVE who I want to be, so I just need to keep working and progressing little by little. That's what this life is about right. Learn as much as we can to take with us to our next life.

My goal. Work little by little this year. Become a stronger more confident woman. Become more of who my Father in Heaven wants to me to be so that I can help raise a family in His name, and give back to all of those around me who have helped me or those in need. I know I have been blessed greatly by friends!!

Anyway. Thank you all who have shared great ideas and tips to leading a great life. While at times I have felt overwhelmed that there was SO much to learn and I didn't feel like I could ever learn it all, I think I can now, but slowly, and in my time, not compared to anyone else.

I love goal setting. Now I get to pray more daily to have the Holy Ghost with me to help motivate me and help me from getting discouraged.

how to save $223.10

2011-01-28T21:19:00.003-07:00

I LOVE GREAT DEALS!!!

I also love having meals for Evan or the family when we don't feel like cooking. Also, knowing calories in food to carefully plan out the day.

Here goes the breakdown:
115 dinners
Should have cost: $292.10
We paid: $69
Saved: $223.10

Thank you www.hip2save.com

a day in the life...

2011-01-25T21:46:00.009-07:00

So we still need to post Christmas break photos, but for now, a day in the life of Lucy and Peter:) There are many more pictures, but these are what I have for now:)

Happy Lucy-of course holding her cow and saying 'moo'

Not loving his tummy time
Helping mommy clean
Brushing her teeth
Patiently grocery shopping and eating her free cookie
Lounging on the stairs after a long day
Peter's first kiss
Getting exercise-dance dance
Lucy getting over her stomach flu
So so soooo tired
Play time with daddy
Her normal pumpkin necklace eating a yummy banana
Peter exploring the powers of the remote
Learning to hold the bottle

Loves her purse, my shoes, shopping cart:)
Hoping the doggies would walk by
Dreaming of daddy returning from work
Dancing to the Wiggles "clap clap clap"
Squirrels!
Pooped out!
Baskets are awesome!
Nap time
Finishing up her memoirs
Loves to eat ice like her mommy:)

Videos of

Peter eating Pizza

Cow says moo

Dance Dance Dance

Bath time!

1.1.11

2011-01-01T16:08:00.002-07:00

I LOVE IT! 1.1.11 What a great number to a great fresh start of the year.

Snow
Snow boots
Snow Shoveling and scraping
Car-meltdown-pull over-Lucy-M&M's/Pretzels-Happy
Travels-Kaiser-King Soopers-Yogurtland-Grandparents-Target-Babysitter
Home-lunch-daddy love-naps
Chores
Internet-Phone-music
Relaxing!

I am so excited for my upcoming goals and projects! I can't wait! I would love to hear exciting things everyone is up to!!

Cheers!
H-E-L-P
Hilary-Evan-Lucy-Peter

Band-aids, this life, and 2011

2010-12-30T12:03:00.004-07:00

We had a checkup for Peter on Tuesday. His surgeon said that his head is healing great, and that we just need to come back in another year for a final checkup. Also to put a band-aid on his scar on his forehead when we go out in the sun so that it doesn't turn bright red. What a sweet baby boy. He will be 7 months old on Jan 3, so crazy!

On another note. I just found out some sad news. I don't deal well with death. I know that when we die we go on to a better place and that family is eternal, we get to see each other again after we all die. The sad thing for me, is in this short blip of our existence, on earth, we only have a short time here with our loved ones, and when someone passes we can't hold them on earth again, and you can't tell the person the things you never got around to telling them, or the things you should have told them because they needed to hear those things.

We just found out that my friend's little boy died on Wednesday. He died peacefully in his sleep after a long stretch of cancer. I couldn't help feeling sad for my friend and her husband as they won't get to hold their little boy anymore. They have been through so much with him, highs and lows, and now their little boy is back with our Heavenly Father waiting for their return. It made me think of how sad I would feel if Peter or Lucy were to pass on. I know we all will eventually die, but it is sad saying goodbye. I pray that with their understanding of the plan of happiness and eternal families- Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father have for us, they will be able to heal and be comforted.

Then last night I received an email saying that my friend Laura Fish died. She was Lucy's nursery leader and my sweet friend. She had so much love, and with all of her trials and struggles, she was so kind to everyone. She loved Lucy and I feel bad that I didn't tell her how much I appreciated her love, friendship, kindness, hugs, etc. She will be forever missed, and I know Lucy will miss her tons! I will try to speak up more often to those who bless our lives. Again I am happy to have faith to know that this life is temporary and for learning as we get to return to live with our Heavenly Father again and have eternal families.

What a year. This has been one of the hardest, most challenging years of my life. I know that I have learned lots, been blessed in more ways than I know. I love my family and can't wait to see what 2011 has to offer. Isn't that crazy, 2011-I remember thinking that in the 2000 and up there would be flying cars and robots, etc. and now it is 2010, and I am trying to learn how to live a more simple life to enjoy my family more-getting away from a lot of the technology that is speeding things up way too fast. We shall see:)

I love you all! Thanks for helping make my life a blessed one! From Evan and my family, we wish you all a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T21:28:00.002-07:00

Christmas 2010

Hello Family and Friends!

We have had quite the year!

Lucy turned 1 in April and is headed to the “Big 2” in a few months. She is a doll! She starts her day looking out the window with one of us telling her she is going to have a beautiful day. She then has a big bowl of cereal (you might think we starved her the night before by how hungry she is). She immediately starts her active day playing with toys, running inside/outside, climbing the stairs, riding her bike and playing Frisbee, jumping, rearranging every room and running to Peter’s aide when he needs someone. She doesn’t know the meaning of sitting still. She sings, dances, tells funny stories that only Peter understands, likes to cover her mouth and giggle and holds my hand leading me to many fun places. Lucy loves to color, hug and kiss Peter, unload the dishwasher with me, stand on a chair to help cook, and reach for everything on the counter. She knocks on doors and windows when she wants to go somewhere, and when I tell her we are going bye-bye she walks out with me to the car and waits patiently at her door while I get Peter in the car. She cuddles so much, wrestles Evan and hugs and kisses Evan and waves at him while he walks out the door to work. She eagerly awaits Evan’s return every afternoon jumping up running to the door when she seems him nearing our home. And while we haven’t learned the art of keeping her still in church, she is a delight to be with. She loves everyone and is instant friends and cuddles whomever she meets. She naps 3-4 hours each afternoon, and when it’s time to sleep she is excited and so cute during her prayers and nighttime lullaby of Silent Night. We just love our little Lucy and can’t wait to see the new things she will explore and how she will grow more wonderful everyday.

Peter is our little man. He is so funny. He laughs and cuddles with Lucy on the floor, and is almost able to keep up with his big sister. He has the strongest grip you could imagine, as the ladies at church have found when they walk past him and get stopped with his grip on their skirts! J Peter squeals, giggles and is trying to talk. Lucy and Peter have their own language and one day I would love to be in on the conversation. He loves sitting and playing with Evan and could stare at him all day long. He loves to sit by himself, stand up holding our fingers, and loves to chew on his toes. He is growing strong as he is a 6 ½ month old weighing in at 20 lbs and 29 ½” long. Evan’s afraid he won’t fit in our basement later in life! J He eats great and sleeps even better. He is trying to get some teeth right now making his life a little rockier than he would like it-otherwise he is the happiest baby around. He flirts with his winks and scrunches his face when he likes someone. Peter is so cute when he nestles in to someone’s face for some affection. He loves going to the zoo and exploring everything so intently. I am amazed at how fast he is changing and growing.

Evan: What a busy guy. We celebrated his birthday last week and he has been growing professionally as he has tackled on two new subjects to teach this year: Math and Science. His 6^th grade kids love him so much and surprise him with gifts and drawings a lot. For his birthday they brought in cupcakes and presents. We love that he gets to walk to work each day and often comes home for lunch. He is a great husband and father, and loves to make us happy. He works so hard and is so exhausted from all that he does, but still finds time to help with laundry, bathe and play with the children, and has a goal to learn to cook more. He is helping out in the Elder’s Quorum presidency, which keeps him busy and loves the new friends he is making. He is excited for this Christmas break to try to sleep in, we shall see if that happens! J He loves to show off pictures of our kids, and has been amazing at working on our home. His sneezes and laughter often startles Peter but he is quick to soothe him. Evan loves word games especially Scrabble. He finds joy in coming home to hugs and sloppy kisses from Lucy and Peter.

Hilary: I have been busy trying to be a mommy, wife and just me. I have been busy loving on Peter and Lucy and being the mommy I always wanted to be. I love trying new things everyday with those little munchkins. I like to scoop them both up and kiss on them all day long. Evan is a great husband and I love being married to him. He supports me in everything and I couldn’t ask for a better husband and friend. He’s not too bad to play Scrabble with either. I love trying new recipes, follow awesome Blogs that uplift and encourage me, challenging myself, and trying new things daily. I have been officiating for the Young Women volleyball and basketball and feel totally silly but they are patient with me. I have tried Zumba and am so excited to do more classes-Evan is trying a class with me over the break. I am gearing up for an awesome year and am just excited to work on my 2011 goals. I love that I have realized I can do things in stages and don’t have to be perfect all at once-that was a hard thing to get over.

So, after buying a new home, fixing it up, having a baby, too many hospital visits, lots of Blog updates (www.hilaryandevan.blogspot.com), new classes, new adventures, highs and lows, friends and family, we know we are loved. We know Heavenly Father is watching over us and helping us grow. We know that we can accomplish what we set out for, and that patience and time are key factors in many facets of life.

We have loved bonding with friends and family over this past year. J I am grateful for all of the prayers that you have all prayed on our family’s behalf as we have had one of our most busy and challenging years. We feel your love through your words, emails, acts of service, etc. THANK YOU for all of your support!

We are grateful for video chat that will allow Lucy and Peter to talk with their Grandma Betty and Grandpa Romney while they serve their second mission in Chile, and Grandma Liz and Grandpa Steve in Washington so many miles away.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you feel the love of our Savior Jesus Christ as we celebrate his birth on Christmas Day. Happy 2011-We look forward to hearing what your new year brings to you.

Love,

Evan, Hilary, Lucy, and Peter Biddulph

biddulphfamily@gmail.com

www.hilaryandevan.blogspot.com

Bread Bags -sneak peak

2010-12-08T21:05:00.002-07:00

Here is a rough sneak peak of the bread bags I am making. They help keep bread warm with the use of the flax bag. They allow steam too escape from the opening when the drawstring is pulled.

I will have more bags posted at the end of the week.

If you are interested in learning how to earn a free bag, send me an email at

biddulphgoodies@gmail.com

They are selling for $45 each, and currently the promotion is 25% off until 12/18/2010 Mention "pigglewiggle" to receive the discount. You can order by email biddulphgoodies@gmail.com. Special requests accepted.

CHEERS! and thanks for helping pay off my sewer line:)

Lucy Lucy Lucy-what am I going to do with her? (and pizza with the granparents)

2010-12-06T19:02:00.009-07:00

Lucy is sooo stinkin cute! I just want to scoop her up and hold her all of the time.

she is 19 months old- almost 20 months. She loves nursery, and when she escapes from me in church she runs to knock on the nursery to go play.

Helps with Christmas:)
reads reads reads-one of her favorite past times.
plays with feathers and loves every minute of it

Loves her veggies
burps her baby and plays with our new pets-the pigs
Peter and Evan are sure cute too
she loves grapes
She runs to Peter's aide all of the time. When I don't get him from his crib in what she thinks is good time, she runs to his crib and climbs up and talks, giggles, and helps pacifies him.

She likes to rub his head saying "soft" and kisses on him a lot-especially before she or he lays down.

She balances on one foot for fun and loves to kiss on us.

She practices walking backwards often, and today at the doctor's she thought it was so funny watching herself walk backwards.

Loves watching Evan walk home from work and knocks on the door to let him in(so cute)

She colors, colors, oh, and did I mention she colors. EVERYWHERE. it is her favorite thing to do, in fact it is what helps her make it through sacrament meeting at church.

She LOVES lotion, she loves scratches, foot rubs, she was meant for the spa.

Bath-time is a definite must, as she must pretend she is lost in the ocean exploring because she never gets tired of it.

She puts both hands over her mouth and giggles-we don't know where she learned that, but I am guessing Caillou.

She has starting frowing her brow when investigating something or when she doesn't approve of what I am asking her to do.

She eats a big bowl of cereal every morning, and loves to do so on my lap as I feed Peter simultaneously.

Puzzles are so much fun, and climbing up the chairs makes it even more enjoyable.(Sometimes she calls for me to help get down-in her own language of course)

Frisbee is a fun game to play outside-she never gets tired of running after it.

The wagon and car in the backyard can keep her busy for hours, as well as picking up leaves, rocks, and twigs that she finds and brings to the garbage can.

She loves to share food(not her toys yet). Today she fed me a chip, and then picked up all the crumbs off my shirt and either ate them or put them in my mouth.

She giggles a lot, and when she makes a joke or thinks she's funny she belts out a laugh.

She is great at getting in and out of the car and going to the front door and waiting patiently while I bring Peter up the step. (Sometimes she plays on her bike while I unload groceries)

Jewelry is fun for her. She loves putting on bracelets, necklaces, and anything else she can find. We tell her she looks pretty and she wears them ALL day long.

Caillou still out ranks any other show, and is helpful for when I need to get the house cleaned.
Singing, leading the music, leading the wind outside, dacing, twirling, spinning, jumping, running, sliding, running and sliding, rolling, flopping, cliff diving(off of the coffee table and bean bag and couches, climbing-man she keeps me busy.

Water-her favorite drink like her mommy.

She wants to brush her teeth all of the time.

When she is around other people she gets more wild and excited-sometimes hard when she realizes she shouldn't pounce other kids.

She likes to run and slide into position next to Peter-and then thinks it's awesome to steamroll over him.

She loves her nap and likes to put herself to sleep, Lucy is such an angel!

Pizza with Grandma Betty and Grandpa Romney

We made homemade wheat and white dough pizza-created our own combinations
DELICIOUS-we want to do it again-fun time!

Spread the News!

2010-12-02T22:08:00.002-07:00

I am selling great tile coasters and soon bread bags on my etsy shop. Now through December 10th if you use the code word "pigglewiggle" at checkout and you will get 25% off. If you see something on there but want something slightly different I accept special orders.

If someone uses you as a reference in their notes then you will receive 1 free coaster.

Thanks for your support in helping pay off my sewer line bill:)

You may email special requests to biddulphgoodies@gmail.com

MY ETSY SHOP

all in two weeks time:)

2010-11-27T19:10:00.006-07:00

We had a fun week's break. I LOVE that Evan is a school teacher and gets holiday breaks. Here are some fun pictures and videos(videos from the last 2 weeks.)

Lucy loves Cindy-she just crawled up and sat next to her.
Making Chocolates with Lucy

Peter sat up by himself
Peter sat up by himself

Peter loves his toes and can't ever get enough of them

Lucy loved chillin, wathching Caillou, looking and touching the Christmas tree lights.
lots of swinging:)

made crafts
More smiles and

We attempted to go to the lighting up of Main Street in Littleton, but Lucy had a melt down so we had to go home.

Here are a few fun videos..I wish I could post more, but I have way too many:) I love our flip camera!

My Etsy!!!

2010-11-23T23:35:00.003-07:00

I am so excited! I was inspired by my friend Jessica Tatro. She is incredible, and has started selling hats that she makes. SO INCREDIBLE. Anyway, money has been tight for us since we had to repair some broken pipes, sewer line etc, and since I am a stay at home mommy, I decided to start working on my own crafts to sell.

I went to have lunch with my friend Melanie Hendrix and she showed me a few craft ideas, and one of them was tile coasters. I have made tons of these now, just listed tonight, and had my first sale to someone I don't know who randomly found me and featured me on her blog.

Anyway, I created business cards a while back thinking I would start selling bread out of my home, so I have a blog etc, and now I am getting things rolling. Slowly, but they have started.

So here is a picture. I am starting to sell bread bags, bread, cinnamon rolls, and the tile coasters for now. I will post more pics later- I am most excited about the bread bags, and will be offering either a free loaf of bread or bread making lessons with purchase for those local.

Peter's Blessing-Aug 1, 2010

2010-11-22T14:15:00.004-07:00

So Peter was blessed Aug 1, 2010, but I didn't post it. And since I use my blog for a journal here it is:)

Evan, his dad Romney Biddulph, our Doctor who delivered Lucy and Peter, Dr. Steven Gardner were able to help out in the blessing. It was a very special day, it made me feel like I needed to be a better mother to Peter so he could fulfill what he needs to do in his life. I am i awe of this special spirit that blesses our home-he is an angel.

Peter's Blessing
-Have a healthy and Strong life
-Have an unwavering testimony of the gospel and will share his testimony of Jesus throughout the world
-Grow up and be active in Primary and Young Men's program
-Will prepare for a mission
-Prepare to find a young woman that he can take to the temple to be married and sealed to
-He will be a worthy and a happy example to family

this past week

2010-11-21T20:18:00.007-07:00

Here is a catch up in pictures
Jeff and Joselyn came to home-teach us. We love them, so does Lucy!

Coming home from church

Can you tell what we are bringing for Thanksgiving:)

We got to the zoo too late to go in, so we wandered the gift shop.(Evan was at the zoo all day for a school conference.)

They were ready to be home:) I love their faces.
Lucy kissing daddy on her own, no prompting:)

She loves books

Wrestling and Peter wishing he could join in.

Flirting with daddy

Homemade Caramels-more pics to come:)

:)

Loving tummy time.

My happy boy

Lucy likes to sit right next to him..and yes he is wearing a drama queen bib..all the other's were dirty.
Brother and sister:)-5 lbs apart:) 13 1/2 months apart

My cute teacher husband.

loves to read-i love this dress and her pig tails
sharing the love
Her cute pony tails
Grandma Betty and Peter
Leash came for a visit

Today Lucy played in the leaves for a long time..SO cute! I wish I had my camera on me. Peter just loved looking at everyone at church. So fun!

Nursery, to go or not to go

2010-11-15T16:14:00.003-07:00

I have been SUPER BEYOND EXCITED for Lucy to turn 18 months and enter nursery. (we were allowed to go at 16 months with me sitting in with her) From what I hear she does really well. She gets knocked into and all the other toddler stuff but seems to fair pretty well. She has learned to clean up better-like a game, she drinks from a juice box better and shares better. Well, now that she is in nursery she is sick ALL OF THE TIME, which means our family is sick all of the time.

It would be one thing if it didn't spread, but it does. I am sure parents know not to bring sick kids to church, but you never know what germs you are carrying especially if they haven't made themselves known yet.

I feel like I am going inactive. I'm pretty sure we have been to church like 3-4 times in the last few months, not good. I need my spiritual feast each week.

I don't know what to do. Do I stop taking her to nursery, except that means not really getting anything out of Relief Society. I am at the point that I just don't know what to do, and almost feel desperate to Lysol the toys each Sunday myself.

We have ALL had colds numerous times, stomach flu 3 times now, and just blah sickness a lot. Blah. I especially feel bad when Evan has to take off work, or Peter gets sick when he is already having his trials.

When will our immune systems ever do their jobs!

Peter's Surgery...no longer a unicorn

2010-11-14T14:34:00.016-07:00

So if you didn't follow everything on facebook, here is the update:

A few months back I was cuddling with Peter and tracing his face trying to get him to fall asleep. I found a little bump in between his eyebrows and just figured it was probably from Lucy playing with him. You couldn't see it, you could only tell by feeling it.

I called my mom a week later and asked about it since it wasn't gone yet. She said to wait a while longer and when I took him in for his next check to ask his primary doctor. During his appointment I had all intentions of asking her, but with Lucy in there as well I forgot. So I figured I would ask at his next followup with the surgeon who worked on his throat to get rid of his laryngomalasia.

Finally I remembered to ask and he felt it and told me that it was a Dermoid Cyst and that it needed to be removed preferably before he was two. I asked if we could just do it now and get it over with, and so he scheduled a cat scan.

We went for the cat scan. He was so CUTE! They were worried about him crying and asked for a pacifier, and I just smiled since he is just like Lucy-happy all of the time(he cries every once in a while-but close to how Lucy NEVER cried when she was younger). They put him on the machine and he just giggled the entire time, the staff just loved him!

That was in Mid October. So we had an appointment scheduled for Nov 12th to go over the cat scan and then Surgery in early December. Then a week after the cat scan I got a call saying that there had been a cancellation and would I like to have the surgery early. So we were able to go in November 10th.

From the results of the cat scan they saw what they thought was a track of fluid from the cyst to the brain, so it was important to get this done soon.

The night before Evan gave him a priesthood blessing and all of my worries were taken away. I was calm, maybe more than I should have been:) I am grateful for the power of prayer and the priesthood!

Evan's mom came over to watch Lucy for the day. Evan's principal made Evan take the whole day off so he could be with me and Peter. We couldn't give Peter anything after Midnight so we fed him at 11:30pm and then clear apple juice at 6:00am, and then nothing after 7:30am so he was ready for food and a little sad.

We checked in to Children's hospital and waited for our name to be called. We love Children's hospital, they are so kind and I feel like the hospital is a giant playground not a hospital.

After we got to his room we just cuddled him(which he wanted to since he was so hungry and weak from not eating), a lot of different people that were involved with his surgery came in to explain things.

That marking is about an inch or so above the cyst.

Then they took him away. I was really emotional all of a sudden because I wasn't holding him making sure he was ok, and since he was under a year old we couldn't go back to see him get an IV or anesthesia. They asked us to go get breakfast, so we did.

We came back up to wait and after 1 1/2 hours the surgeon came out to talk to us. He explained that it was a miracle that all of this was caught when and how it was. That if we would have waited much longer we could have been in trouble. The cyst had fluid that had eaten all the way through the bone almost to the brain, which they could see with how thin the bone was. They said that everything looked like a barnacle. (When he said that it made me think of barnacle boy on Sponge Bob) -i really like the picture and wish I could have it for my living room.

They filled in the hole and patched up his head. We were taken to see him waking up. He was just laying there with an oxygen tube and blankets. I picked him up and he seemed loopy but smiley. He took some pedialite and formula from me, and then we transferred into a different room.

His Oxygen levels kept dropping, and we had to wait at least 2 hours to have him come to and get his oxygen saturation to 90-91 at least before going home. He kept dropping to the 70-'s and 80's with and with out the oxygen mask, so 4 hours later we were told that he should get admitted overnight even though it was an outpatient surgery. But that was a risk and we knew it. I would rather have him healthy then home.

So we got him admitted and then came home to relieve Betty and get Lucy ready for bed. They had a volunteer come in for the night to cuddle, play and feed him-so nice! Made me feel better about not staying the night.

I called on him through out the night to check on him and finally went to sleep. Thursday Evan had to go back to work and I didn't want to go up by myself, so after Evan got off work we went up as a family. Peter was super cute. Everyone there was in love with him and they kept taking turns with the volunteers because he was so cute. They took him on lots of wagon rides I guess:) When we walked in the room, he was rolling in his crib(which he learned there overnight), and when I picked him up he was jabbering and blowing bubbles and so happy. It was almost like he needed to tell me about his baby resort that he was at:) He couldn't stop squealing and drooling over seeing Lucy and daddy.

They did rounds and told us that he had a chest X-ray and they saw some pneumonitis in his lungs, and that they were going to have the pulmonary team see him, a possible barium swallow to see if he was aspirating fluids in his lungs, and maybe look at his vocal chords/voice box to see if there was any paralysis. We also started him on prevacid again(off for 3 weeks) for acid reflux.

We spent a few hours there and went home to get Lucy in bed. Lucy tasted some of Evan's food-with tabasco sauce. The nurse came in hearing screaming thinking it was Peter, but it was just Lucy. We'll never do that again!!!

Friday they were going back and forth and finally decided that he could come home. So I went by myself at 8:30 and picked him up, but really paperwork takes so long so we didn't leave until 10:30 or so. Late night, I talked to my mom all the way home to make sure I wasn't falling asleep on the phone.

So no more oxygen needed, he is home, happy. He needs tylenol sometimes but for the most part is doing just fine. Lucy has only tried taking off his bandage 1 time, so that is good:)

Tuesday we will go back in to get the stitches out, and then in 4 weeks we will go see the pulmonologist to get him checked out, to get a barium swallow and go from there.

I know that my testimony of the Lord has grown. I know that Heavenly Father helped the Holy Ghost help me find the cyst. I know that it was the Lord's timing that helped us have an earlier surgery. I know that the Lord has and will continue to bless Peter as he is meant for great things! Thank you for all of your expressed prayers and concerns and offerings! I really know that you all had a part in this miracle and will be forever grateful.

Lots of pics-and some backwards, but this is for journal keeping purposes:)

Oh My!!

2010-11-09T14:58:00.003-07:00

Oh My! We have had a crazy last week or so.

Lucy barfed on ME 8-9 times in 4 hours.

I got her stomach flu

Christmas music

Cuddles from Lucy

Foot Rubs from Evan

Lots of Loads of laundry-Thank You EVan!!

Peter is having surgery on Wednesday-completely confident things will be fine

Bought 180 cans of cream of chicken and mushroom soup and 10 gatorades for $3.10

IT'S SNOWING!!!

Lucy is completely taken back by Peter as he laughs so much drool just falls out, he laughs harder because he just love Lucy sooo much, and Lucy starts looking like she will be sick from all the drool

Walks along the trails and neighborhood

Costco

Bought a pizza with pocket change

My neice went into the MTC

Teething Peter, TONS of drool, many loads of all the bibs:)

I sliced a chunk of my middle finger off on the mandolin-awful!

Reading the Book of Mormon and other words of the Lord

Been selling off some of our stuff-feels good

Roasted and pureed 3 pumpkins and seeds..LOTS OF WORK!

Enjoy Church more and more. I think the more I need it and want it, it becomes more special when I can actually sit through it and not be home or in the hall with Lucy or Peter. Last week's lesson on the atonement really touched my heart

Hulu, craigslist, facebook, blogger, email, camera, family website, couponing sites, all great inventions

Phone calls from family

Hopes and Dreams

Friends

Dinner with friends

Running starts to hugs from Lucy

lists, calendars and getting organized:)

My list could go on and on.

It's been a busy week, and I just keep realizing that I do and will have many trials, but the blessings afterward really do make up for the hard parts of life. I think I feel this way whenever Lucy and Peter get into Laughing fits...it's just soooo sweet. I love seeing Peter follow Lucy around the room and light up when she is near him.

I think the important thing is to know that life is going to be challenging, we need to be positive and look forward to the blessings of our trials. Seek and learn and know that if we were perfect we wouldn't be on the earth any longer, so for now, let's enjoy what we have, push through the tough times, hang on when that's all we have left, and realize that there are lots of happy times around us- there are more when we stop focusing on the negative and just soak in the good that IS always there. PS, there is always hot chocolate and a pillow to lay on, that makes me happy after a long day:)

5 months and 18 months

2010-11-04T10:17:00.006-06:00

That's right, they keep growing and getting cuter each day!

Some of the things she does to Peter warrants those horns!

Peter is now 5 months and growing like a weed! He has lots of blonde hair and the biggest blue eyes just like Lucy. He smiles and drools all the time, and like his sister did, has started teething since 4 months, now if the teeth would just pop through already:) He sleeps like a champ most nights, and take about 6 naps a day. I feel blessed by that, especially since Lucy is such a busy body these days.

He absolutely can't get enough of Lucy!
We have started him on cereal, but he still prefers the bottle-I'm sure that will change as time goes on. Peter LOVES to stare at whoever is playing with him, stick out his tongue and squeal so much. Most of the time we end up in laughing fits, and definitely get a work out from that:) He stands and holds onto our fingers, does sit-ups, tries to roll over, loves tummy time a lot more than Lucy ever did, loves batting and trying to grab at the little animals that we have near him. He is at least 18 lbs, next week we will find out exactly when he goes in for his surgery on the cyst in his forehead. I swear he is going to pass up Lucy pretty quickly.

getting a cat scan
our pumpkin patch

Lucy always there helping Peter eat
My blue-eyed boy!

Lucy Lucy Lucy, I feel that's all I have to write and it explains everything:) She is such a joy and we are best friends! She loves to hug, cuddle, hold hands, wrap her arm around me when we sit together. She is getting so cute and her hair is growing sooo long. I can even get 1 ponytail, or two cute ones:) She has all her teeth, to my detriment as she likes to bite me and then says ow-we are still working through this phase. She also scratches us and then says ow. Not sure I like this phase. Lucy thinks paper is a yummy snack, but we replace that often with celery her other favorite snack that she can walk around with. She plays so well by herself and is getting better with others, thank you to nursery. Lucy loves getting herself into mischief, espcially with the toilet. Her favorite show right now is Caillou She prefers to be outside and would be there all day if I would let her. She loves riding her bike and watering the lawn with the hose. Hats and shoes seem to be favorites to play with. Lucy adores Peter and sings, talks, and cuddles him. She comforts him when we don't get to him fast enough, and thinks his face is awesome to explore with her pointy fingers:) She helps get him from his crib every time he wakes up and they have a giggle fest. Her room is always a mess and different after each nap. When she wakes up she plays, and then knocks on the door when she is ready for me, and then she is standing on a tub, bed, or something waiting for me. She likes to swirl her hands in the air and loves leading music. She has started singing and humming, and pretends everything is a phone. We found out the hard way that she is allergic to apples. for two months I gave her an apple a day-SHE LOVES THEM!!! But she pooped like 8 times a day at least and I was getting worried. Then one day I remembered that her uncle is allergic to apples, and maybe that's the thing I should be looking at. I stopped giving her apples and immediately she got better. So we have to avoid apples and pears for a couple years and then can try again. So weird, and sad since she loves them. This is hard too since we have a lot of apples and Evan and I eat them for snacks. She found my apple the other day when I went in the other room, and let's just say the next two days were horrible with diapers! She is 31 and 1/4" tall 44 percentile 25 lbs 61 percentile

I love them both so much!

our little chick
riding her bike
Lucy wondering how to boot him so she can sit in there

a cool picture from playing out the playground
little chickie
She LOVES her little people barn
Checking her email while waiting to be seen by the doctor

secret ingredient brownies

2010-10-18T10:00:00.001-06:00

I am stealing this post from my friend's blog. Can't wait to try them!

Secret Ingredient Brownies

When my friend told me this recipe, I was skeptical. But we tried it out and it's pretty good:

1 box brownie mix (I used Duncan Hines family-style chewy fudge)
1 can black beans (undrained)
2 T. water

Puree undrained black beans & water in blender or food processor. Add to dry brownie mix and mix well. Bake according to instructions on box.

No eggs or oil needed. The brownies turn out very soft, chewy, and sweet. My kids can't tell the difference. Sneaky way to increase fiber & protein, decrease fat.

I know what you're thinking, but just try it!

Another Surgery

2010-10-15T16:37:00.002-06:00

Well, we went in for Peter's followup from having surgery on his throat when he was in the NICU. I had to help hold his arms and legs still while a nurse held his head, and the doctor stuck a tube down Peter's throat. I had to try really hard to keep from crying! He screamed and was so sad, it took a while after it was done to calm him and then give him a bottle. His throat looks good, it is still a little red. We can try driving with him in higher elevations, but we will have to keep close on him to make sure that he is breathing properly. Not sure if I am ready to experiment though.

While we were in the office I asked them to check this bump in-bewtween his eyebrows. It almost feels like a marble is in there. I noticed it a couple months ago, but figured I would see if it would go away, hoping it was just a bump from Lucy playing with him. Well, it isn't. It is a dermoid cyst, next week we will get a catscan done and see what is going on in there exactly. I need to stop reading up on it on the internet, because I was super stressed last night thinking of what could be in there-namely cancer, it could have a tooth, eyeball, or other gross things too. Hopefully it is just extra skin that they need to take care of.

Anyway, I would appreciate all prayers on his behalf. Peter is definitely a strong little guy. I hope he doesn't remember any of this crazy stuff when he is older.

I will keep you posted, all I know now is that he will have a ct-scan in a week, we will go in for the consult in 4 weeks, and then surgery of some kind in the beginning of December.

Hope you all are soaking up this beautiful Fall! I love it!

Cheers!

biggest loser cupcakes

2010-10-12T21:17:00.000-06:00

This is the cupcake recipe from biggest loser that I want to try:

Vanilla Cupcakes

Makes about 14 cupcakes

Ingredients
5 organic egg whites
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

For the frosting
1 cup nonfat cream cheese
1/2 ripe banana

Method

Preheat the oven to 325F.
Place the egg whites in a large bowl and using a handheld mixer whip the whites on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes or until the whites begin to lighten up and hold their shape.
Increase speed to high and whip in the salt and honey until the whites hold a soft peak, then add the vanilla extract.
Fold in the yogurt.
In a separate medium mixing bowl combine the flour and baking powder and mix well.
Sift the dry ingredients into the egg whites a little at a time, gently folding them in with a rubber spatula.
Once fully incorporated, scoop the batter into cupcake tins lined with cupcake papers.
Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes or until they have colored and gently spring back when pushed with a finger.
Remove from the oven and cool the cupcakes at room temp.
Mix the cream cheese and the banana in a medium mixing bowl until well incorporated, leaving small chunks of banana throughout the frosting.
Once cool, spread a little of the banana frosting over the cupcakes and serve.

Nutrition Facts:
Calories 60
Total Fat 0g
Sat Fat g 0g
Cholesterol 5mg
Sodium 190mg
Total Carb 10g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugar 4g
Protein 5g

Peter is 4 months old!

2010-10-06T18:22:00.005-06:00

Peter turned 4 months old on Sunday!
He is so cute and I just can't get enough of him.

We went to the dr. and these are his stats:

71% for weight: 15 and 15.5 oz pretty much 16 lbs
91% for height: 26.25" long
81% for head: 43.5 cm around

Peter has learned a lot of things:
He is teething
He does sit-ups and crunches
He can't get enough of Lucy and even puts up with her sticking her fingers in his mouth
He lets Lucy pet his head and talk to him and love on him and he just giggles and giggles.
He squeals a lot
He can push himself up on his belly, the doctor was impressed with how strong he is.
He likes to stand on my legs and squeezes my fingers really tightly.
He smiles and coos, and I love getting him from his crib, he giggles and flirts with us:)
Peter is now sleeping 7-11 hours a night
He drinks a bottle every 3-4 hours throughout the day and we are about to start him on solids
He loves to jump in his jumper/saucer
He loves anybody who smiles at him
He likes to run errands and go for walks
He loves bath-time, we are still working in his cradle cap.
He is still constipated off and on, that makes him sad
When daddy sneezes super loud or Lucy yells loudly he gets startled and cries, Other than that he is the happiest baby alive, just Lucy when she was little.
Oh, and he loves tv too, fits right in our family:)

I know I am forgetting a few things..I'll add more later:)

So hard to catch his infectious smile on camera, finally I got one!!

He was ready for picture time to be over:)

Such a cutie!

Another catch up:)

2010-10-03T19:01:00.008-06:00

Here's what we have been up to...
Eating our yummy lunch!!
Lucy loves to read books!
Texas Caviar:) YUM! Recipe I might choose a little less of vinegar next time, but yummy!!!
Getting ready for church-don't they look so cute!
Pot Pie in a Jar Chicken pot pie I will be making the Apple Pie in a jar this week:)
He is 4 months today-I will post stats on Tuesday after his appointment
Lucy and David playing
She is getting 4 of her teeth, and yes, she eats paper when she teeths
Fun videos of Peter-he squeaks in one of them-that is how he talks all day long:)

Cucumber tips of the day:)

2010-09-27T09:09:00.001-06:00

I copied this from here

As you will see, they are way more than just a salad ingredient!

One Slice Does It All

CUCUMBERS

Cucumbers contains most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains vitamin B1, B2, B3,B5, B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, Potassium and Zinc.

Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the surface, it will eliminate the fog and provide a lovely spa-like fragrance.

Are slugs and grubs ruining your planting beds? Place a few cucumber slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum and give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and drive them from the area.

Looking for a fast and easy way to minimize cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumber along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer, reducing the visibility of the cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too.

Want to avoid a hangover or a terrible headache? Eat a few slices of cucumber before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache-free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins, electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium avoiding both a headache and a hangover.

Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to stave off starvation.

Realize you have an important meeting or interview and realize you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but will also repel water.

Out of WD-40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the squeaky hinge and voila the squeak is gone.

Stressed out and don’t have time for a massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a pot of boiling water, the chemicals and the nutrients of the cucumber will react with the boiling water and will be released in the steam, creating a soothing and relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students taking final exams.

Just finished a business lunch and realize that you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth causing bad breath.

Looking for a a green way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, it won’t leave streaks and won’t harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of a cucumber and slowly rub to erase the pen writing; also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls.

Wow – What a little gem the cucumber is!!!

Findings from our backyard...

2010-09-12T15:55:00.006-06:00

So I was disappointed that we didn't get to plant a garden this year, you know with pregnancy, back aches, new house stuff etc. Our neighbor is getting ready to move away, and before she does she has been showing me what to do with gardening and what she knows from the previous owners plus she gave me a ton of books on gardening and trees, etc. We made 3 awesome finds: concord grapes, tomatillos, and an apple tree.

I am so excited. I have been researching how to care for them, when to harvest the fruit and recipes. So far we found one apple, the tree needs to be pruned and weeded around. The grape vines are producing a lot of grapes- I'm going to try making grape sorbet(Martha Stewart's recipe) and possibly some jam. The tomatillos are exciting because I love salsas, and will try to make one similar to the green sauce you get at Chipotle.

our grapes and tomatillos..and Evan picking them:)our cute tiny apple

I will let you know how it turns out. I am excited to try keep up on the raspberries we transplanted. I want to add onions, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapenos, peppers, cucumbers, squash, corn, carrots, aloe vera, pumpkins, rhubarb, and maybe a few other surprises. If you know how to garden in Colorado I would love to learn-otherwise I will be at the library researching:)

lots of pics..catch up time again:)

2010-09-08T19:53:00.012-06:00

Lots of pics
Best Friends
Playing at the Littleton Museum
Just Chillin
So Cuddly
First time in the high chair-3 months old
"helping" in the kitchen:)
Loves to color
3 months old and loves to sit on daddy's lap
playing baby banger on the comuter
always baseball:)
family night at the park
Amy, Jefrie, Eastyn, Lucy, Peter and I at Mc D's
Helping me get ready for Fall:)
Always coloring
Bumbo time..can you believe he is so big!-3 months
more coloring
Best Friends always loving on each other
smooshing the face and then loving him-always making him giggle

loves talking on the phone
lego time
we all were sick-poor girl 2nd ear infection

our big little boy

books and more books
my cutie pies

can't resist this face
started out making lasagna filling, used potatoes, ended up making up a little potatoe yummy pancake:)
out for lunch

blessing day
stretch!-2 months
at the park

deals, freebies, etc. websites to keep you shopping cheap

2010-09-06T21:46:00.004-06:00

So I love a bargain. I hate paying full price, and I am somewhat hooked when I hear there are great deals, or find some myself. Earlier this year I discovered a deal on my own, which got me at least 100 cans of tomatoes for 5 cents each and at least 100 boxes of pasta for FREE, yes, FREE! anyway, I follow a lot of sites, and get absorbed, I will eventually put up my new blog dedicated to finding deals and cool websites, but for now, a sneak peak. If you have great sites that you love, leave a comment and I will add it to my list. THANKS!

http://hip2save.com/

http://www.tjoos.com/

http://www.hookedonbargains.com

http://www.totallytarget.com

http://www.southerncalisaver.com/

http://www.inspiringyou2save.com

http://chitowncheapskate.blogspot.com/

http://thecouponproject.com

http://www.bucktownbargains.com

http://www.modnique.com/invite/collin@hip2save.com

http://www.forthemommas.com/

http://frugalshoppingwithjulie.com

http://couponsense.com/

Best Friends and Chicken Cacciatore

2010-08-16T22:30:00.003-06:00

Lucy and Peter are becoming best friends!!!

We had this for dinner tonight. My new favorite!!!!! Recipe is from my friend Rachelle Milligan

2 1/2 -3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken, cut into serving piece
(4 nice sized chicken breasts ought to do it)
1 stick butter(you can do less)
2 T olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp basil
3 regular cans of diced tomatoes, petite diced is best
1/2 cup chicken broth
hot cooked rice or pasta-I liked wild rice
Brown chicken in melted butter and oil. When golden, add onion, garlic,
salt, pepper, basil. Cook until onion is tender but not brown, about 5
minutes. Add undrained tomatoes and simmer. Cover, reduce heat, simmer for 20 mins., stirring occasionally. Add broth and simmer again for 10 mins. Serve with cooked rice or pasta.

You can add diced bell pepper if you want. This freezes well and will feed you for a week. All
that butter will probably kill you but it makes it taste oh so good. ENJOY!!

Playing Catch-up in TONS of Pictures

2010-08-07T22:01:00.021-06:00

So I have fallen slightly behind in blogging, 2 in diapers keeps me busy, but here is a look at some of the summer in pictures:) Hope you have a few minutes to spare:)

2 months old 14.1 lbs and 24 1/4" long

Enjoying the outdoors!

Jonah and Peter-Peter is 3-4 weeks younger

Getting ready for naptime

Teething is hard work! But sitting in Peter's chair helps

Love those blue eyes!

Grammy and Papa holding Peter

Lucy missing mommy since Peter shares the lime light now:)

Uncle Miles and Lucy, she loves him tons!

Grammy holding Peter wearing her Chilean apron.

Lucy couldn't get enough of Julia and her other cousins
-especially since Julia had a phone to play with.

Lucy didn't want to let go of Christopher, a new bff:)

Lucy looks like she could be Jenny's daughter and not mine:)

Of course Lucy loving on Miles again-the day he had to leave.

Lucy likes to wear her pants different than others, more of a trend setter I like to think;)
Lucy was very patient at the Children's hospital as we were waiting for Peter's appointment.

Uncle Nate, Lucy and Peter:)

Lucy got a kick out of watching Evan mow the lawn in the back yard:)

Lucy can be caught reading anywhere, she LOVES books!

Both very very sleepy!

And reading in the kitchen

Decided that she should play in Peter's swing-an everyday thing now:)

Loves her new wagon

Reading at the Children's Hospital Cafe

Helping me sort and throw out papers

Likes playing with daddy

Loves to push Peter in the swing

Loves his pacifier

Learned more about the bountiful baskets and yummy food

Lucy is a goofball

Peter loves his daddy

The beginning of a love for shoes?

Playing at the airplane park in Englewood

Grand Opening of a cool new store in Littleton

Our yummy summer meal

She will miss all of daddy's attention when he goes back to teaching in a week
Playing with the letters Grammy bought her
and cleans and puts them away

Loves to color

and reading on the bumbo

my cute little man Peter:) He looks a little concerned about when his next bottle will appear:)
Loving on Lucy-she likes to bite her arms when she teeths

Peter's blessing day, August 1, 2010
3 generations
Lucy and Peter with Papa and Grammy

Our 4th anniversary July 21

2010-07-25T22:18:00.002-06:00

we started dating
fell in love
got engaged

loved taking advantage of my 2 1/2 months paid vacation and quitting my job:)
played lots

got married

started living life as a married couple

So I got to spend an awesome day with my hubbie of 4 years and my two precious kiddos. Grandma Betty and Grandpa Romney came and babysat so Evan and I could see the matinee showing of Inception and eat at Red Robin. We came back and Lucy, Peter, Evan and I slept for 3 hours..what a great way to spend the day. I can't believe that it has been 4 years, time definitely flew by. There have been so many memories created and I can't wait to see what four more years bring.

Evan and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple July 21, 2006. Here are some of the happenings since:

*We always hoped for a family and in our growing family have two beautiful children. Lucy and Peter.
*Evan received his master's degree.
*We bought a house.
*Surgery for Evan.
*Camping.
*Traveled to/through Washington, Utah, California, Hawaii, New York, Ohio, Wyoming, Nevada, Texas, Border of Mexico, Florida
*Ten year high school reunion
*bought and sold lots on Craigslist and EBAY
*paid off two cars:)
*went to MANY baseball games and also hockey, basketball and broadway and offbroadway shows.
*played at Elitches a lot
*enjoyed lots of bike rides, movies, random restaurants
*started and finished or almost finished: Seinfeld, Frasier, Cheers, Full House, Cosby Show, Gilmore Girls, Lost, Twilight Zone, and a few more I can't remember right now
*Couponed tons!
*Made lots of friends
*We have many more plans and goals for the future

I love Evan so much. There are many reasons why, but here are a few:
He loves me
He loves Peter and Lucy and is so awesome with them
He honors the priesthood and is able to give me priesthood blessings when I need them
He is a hardworker
He is fun and happy and is so cute when he flirts with me:)
He gives great hugs!

To many more anniversaries!
Love you Sweetie!!!

The best picture we could get on our special day:)

How can you resist these two?:) I can't!

Back to blogging:) some fun pics

2010-07-11T16:29:00.010-06:00

Our busy little family of four

So life has been super crazy and absolutely no time for blogging. Peter ended up spending 3 weeks in the NICU, he is now home, almost 2 weeks. Evan's family came into town, and then just lots going on. We are still trying to fix up the house a little so lots of projects.

Having bottles before naptime:)

Peter is still healing, but doing remarkably better than before. We went for his post-op followup appointment, and everything is looking great. We just have to wait to see what happens now with the swallow study and will see if there are anymore surgeries to be had. Until then, we are weaning him off of his steroid inhaler and trying to work with his horrible acid reflux. The last two nights have been better for him, and there is hope for future sleep:) I think the new way of administrating the meds is helping him get all of them.

Evan's family came in to town to help welcome Grandma Betty and Grandpa Romney back from their mission in Chile. Everyone was able to come except for one Aunt who had to work..we missed you Laura! Miles went through the temple. Geoff and Cindy hosted a couple bbq's and family pictures. Lots of Kid activities and just sitting around at the dinner table and hanging out. I will post family pictures soon, my friend Irene took a bunch. Evan has a few more weeks until school starts up again. This year he is teaching Math and Science..a new challenge.

Lucy is teething..4 teeth to be exact. This is making life harder for her and sad. She never wakes up in the night unless she is teething or sick, so between Peter's scheduling and her teething schedule we are all a little sleep deprived. I guess the upside is that she has been sleeping in until 9 or 10 some days. She is so cute though. She is dancing to music, singing, going up and down the stairs constantly, and likes to be the life of the party. I am just glad she likes playing by herself a lot too, that has helped while we take care of Peter. Lucy is loving getting to know her cousins on Evan's side and climb all over them, chase, etc. so fun!

I am good. I love that my chiropractor is helping me out, and that I am finally able to walk a little better. Hopefully one more session will be good for a while. I am going to get a massage soon, I have been looking forward to that for quite some time. I have my 6 week check soon, and then the liver doctor will start in on checking out my liver and why it is so big.

Evan and I are getting more organized. We have decided that it takes too much time and energy worrying about other people and worrying if we are offending them or always making our choices revolve around other people's comfort zones, so we are starting to take care of us more. Our marriage, family, children and selves are much more important, so sorry in advance if you think we are ignoring or being selfish, we have to put our family first.

We are planning a stay-cation in November. So if you have any ideas of what we could do, please comment. Peter isn't allowed in the mountains, so we have to keep anything we do close to Denver and home.

We all dressed like cows on July 9th for Cow appreciation day and got free food from Chick-fil-a. SOOOO YUMMY. Unfortunately I only got a picture of Evan...a guy in the truck next to us saw him and couldn't stop laughing. This was the costume I wore in high school.

I feel so behind in blogging, so hopefully I will catch up one of these days. For now this is what you get:)

Peter Samuel Biddulph has arrived!!!

2010-06-15T20:15:00.008-06:00

So I am finally blogging....12 days later:)

On the way to the hospital

Peter Samuel Biddulph was born Thursday June 3, 2010. I was scheduled for a c-section since I got so sick with Lucy from all the everything that led up to her c-section and the possibility of infection was not ok, so to prevent all of that, we opted for a c-section.

My belly was soooo big!

Loving the look:)

It took 90 minutes and 5 people to get 2 IV's in-I am not an easy stick and they were worried I might need a blood transfusion.

We went in, and since I got an antibody in my blood from a blood transfusion last time, they had to order special blood from a blood bank to make sure I would be ok this time in case I needed another blood transfusion. So we waited 6 hours for that to arrive-we ended up not needing it, thank goodness!!

I hated getting the Spinal-like an epidural, and since my belly was sooo big, they had to tape my belly up to make sure they could work on me how they needed to. Evan was there with me, and Lucy was at home with my parents. They began the c-section, and while everyone was chilly in the room, I loved the cold..it felt sooo great!

All of a sudden they told me I would feel some pressure and then out came Peter. 11 lbs 7 ounces. I heard a nurse say, "that ain't no 9 lb baby, much bigger". I of course am crying, partly because I finally got to have my Peter, and partly because I was no longer pregnant. Evan got some good pictures, and then he came over and told me that Peter wasn't breathing very well, and needed to go to the NICU. I started crying but knew things would be ok.

Evan went with Peter and I was sewn up after they pulled the chord blood to donate and went to the recovery room. I asked my parents not to come up with Lucy until she had napped. Evan's parents came up and met Peter and visited with us for a little bit.

I still hadn't seen Peter for more than a minute and was a emotional, they pushed me in a bed over to meet Peter and then I checked into my room. He was hooked up to every chord possible and it was a hard sight to see, especially since he was also hooked up to oxygen.

Meeting Peter and trying to be "soft"
Our patient little Lucy

Our first family photo

He was born with the lower portion of each lung collaped, and bilateral pneumothorax all over his lungs(air pockets and holes in the lungs). Also some fluid in the lungs.

I tried breastfeeding, it didn't pan out. I hated pumping, how sore I got, and that he didn't want to eat much even though he latched on right away. I also found out that he was losing weight-11%, and shouldn't have lost more than 5%, so we switched to formula only..it was a big relief for me, I wasn't sure I wanted to breast feed in the first place. So he will be like Lucy, bottle fed:)

I was discharged Monday, and the hospital allowed Evan and I to board for 2 more nights for free while we were trying to figure out what was going on with Peter. Evan had to be at a conference, so I was at the hospital alone, and so I used a wheel chair as a walking device. I would go down every 3 hours for about half hour to an hour to visit and feed Peter. Finally we all left for home on Wednesday. I was so sick to my stomach and emotional, and since Evan was at a conference my dad came and helped pick us up-he had to deal with all the raw emotions, poor guy.

After getting trained on the oxygen tank and signing some forms, we loaded up and drove home. I was sick all the way home, and when we arrived more oxygen was being delivered to my home.

I cried and cried, got a priesthood blessing, and went to bed while my parents watched Lucy and Peter.

I will fill you in on more stuff later...but at least now you know he arrived

Peter is back in the NICU with breathing issues and losing some weight, so I will keep you updated

to be continued.....

random pics
Grandma Liz and Grandpa Steve

Grandma Betty and Grandpa Romney

A summary in photos

2010-06-01T22:06:00.013-06:00

Lucy and Grandma Betty playing while...

Grandpa Romney and Daddy installed their new tv

Lucy eating daddy's food
and discovering that she can put things under the couch and pull them out again
Sean, Ian and Evan fixing the swamp cooler...life is good again:)
Enjoying a summer day...
Lucy playing with Grandma Betty...she loved her ponytail
Lucy and daddy very sleepy taking a bottle...
She always has to play footsies while drinking a bottle
and more foot and bottle actions
Daddy teaching Lucy how to put clothes back after she takes them out
Spending Memorial Day at the pool
She loved swimming with Grandpa Romney
Drying off with Grandma Betty
Singing songs with Grandpa Romney
and barely holding onto Lucy at 39 weeks
Practicing walking with Grandpa Steve
So proud of herself
Singing Danish songs with Grandma Liz "Ride Ride Ranka"
Grandpa Steve and Grandma Liz pruning out yard...they were little lawn fairies:)
Lucy stealing Grandpa Steve's brownies and ice cream
Lucy found Grandma Liz's toes..she couldn't stop laughing
So much laughing and almost bit off a toe
39 weeks pregnant and 1 day left until the c-section
So the nurse called me and told me that my dr wanted to check the baby and amniotic fluid before Thursdays c-section. Everything is good, the amniotic fluid is above normal, good thing I'm almost done. On the way out a lady told her son, "look a mommy with a lot of babies in her belly" She asked how many and when I said just one she said, "God bless you:)" sooo funny! I will post pictures...I am getting so big!

False Alarm and Date Night

2010-05-21T21:07:00.005-06:00

So this morning I woke up feeling like the baby was in between my legs, and coming out of me. Then I started having cramps and contractions. After I woke up from the nap-yes a little gross- but I was wet and thought my water started breaking..but after a while I figured it was probably the mucus plug from what my sister was saying and that maybe I am dilating and effacing. We shall see on Monday at my next appointment. I'm glad I didn't go into labor today since Evan spent all day with his school at Elitches...a little hard to get a hold of him if I needed to:) Less than 2 weeks until baby time:)

On a happier note, Evan rescued me from my hot hot house and took me and Lucy on a date. We paid $10 for a $24 meal at Tokyo Joe's, and then we stopped for ice cream at Maggie Moo's. We got a cup of ice cream to share, and Lucy went crazy! These are funny pictures..first time Lucy feeding herself:) She was so excited to do it, she kept the spoon and kept licking it all the way home:)

Cute little Lucy...

2010-05-18T08:42:00.005-06:00

Lucy you are sooo cute!

you like to try to brush your own hair
You are getting braver and standing by yourself without the couch, when daddy and I cheer it startles you and you need to grab onto something

You like scrunching your nose up and fake crying or laughing:)

You still take 2 naps a day, but sometimes you need to be rocked first

Lollipops are a fun treat
You LOVE drinking water from your sippy cup

Blowing kisses, waving bye or hi, clapping, shaking your head and playing peek a boo are some fun things you like to do.

After prayers each night you wave at me, and it's cute

Sometimes when I rescue you from the crib, you like to rub and pat my back-probably telling me "good job mom, you finally took me out:)"

When daddy comes home he waves at you through the front window, and then you crawl really fast to meet him at the front door, then you like to wrestle him:)

Sometimes you are so happy to see daddy come home you almost act shy and get very smiley and cover your eyes.

It's gets really quiet sometimes and then I find you

You like to pull your bottle and other snacks out of the diaper bag..you definitely are figuring out what you want

Sometimes getting you to eat is like pulling teeth, but I guess you are getting more independent.

You still like to eat olives by putting them on your finger tip first.

Grandma Betty gave you a cute dolly from Chile, and you love it! Maybe it will get you ready for Peter and you won't want to clobber him:)
When you sing, it sounds like gremlin growls, but it is so cute, and you LOVE music.

You like to lead the music in sacrament meeting by yourself, sing/growl, and you have good rhythm as you bounce to the beat to shows, radio, etc.

You like to get into the magazines
peek under the curtains and look out the window
I just love you sooo much, can't believe you are mine!

A new recipe to try for all those fry fans:)

2010-05-10T17:22:00.004-06:00

I follow a blog and this is the recipe I found today that I am going to try...yummy!

Tight Wad in Utah

Freezer Homemade Fries & Sauce
I LOVE fries! I would make them more but it seems like a hassle when I'm trying to get dinner ready, kids are screaming, and I'm trying to dodge cheerios on the floor.

Then along came freezer fries and my life is far richer (lol)....not the ones you buy at the store that kinda look potato-like, but the real things. They are also MUCH cheaper. You can get a 10 lb. bag of potatoes for under $1 on sale! So instead of letting them sit around, and hoping that you remember to use them, you can make fries....yum....

To see my post on what to do with a 10lb. bag of potatoes go to The Coupon Project.

First wash and scrub potatoes ( I don't peel because I think it's miserable work)
Cut into 1/2 inch fries
Toss with oil (I usually use Canola)
Add salt and a little sugar (makes them crispy)
Place them on a baking sheets and bake at 475 for 20 minutes (they will only be half cooked)
After baking, let them cool on paper or dish towels
Put in freezer on sheet (I have a small freezer so I used pie tins)
Let them freeze solid (about 1/2 hour)
Put in labeled freezer bag
When your ready to serve:
Spray baking sheet with cooking spray
Bake at 450 for 20 - 40 min (depends on size and how crispy you want them.)
They crisp up great after being frozen!

Here is my favorite Fry Sauce:

1 part Mayo
1 part BBQ Sauce
2 parts Ketchup

Dear Lucy,

2010-05-08T21:44:00.004-06:00

Dear Lucy,

Let me tell you a little bit about how cute and wonderful you are.

You are starting to teeth again, so besides the drool and pain you are going through, you are more cuddly than ever, and I love it! I hope that continues once the teeth come in.

You are crawling faster than ever, it's hard for mommy to keep up with you:) You get up and down and walk along furniture all day long.

Your hair is growing so long, and sometimes I trick you into sitting still with a brush or nail clippers.

You are turning very blonde, but like me, you have a little bit of brown and red mixed in, not sure if it will last long though, it might all grown out and you might be very blonde.

I have been blowing kisses to you every night before bed, and today out of the blue, you start blowing kisses and saying "muah" while daddy was buckling you in. Too cute!

You keep blasting out laughing and giggles all the time. So cute, sometimes you snort:)

You think nibbling on your toes is funny, and you like to do it a lot more than usual:)

You have now discovered that throwing food over the edge of the high chair and toys from anything you are in or on is funny, sometimes it is, but the games on you, I am so pregnant I can't bend to pick them up:)

You like to go "night night", and Silent Night is your favorite bedtime song.

You like to sit and hold mine or daddy's thumb and play without letting go.

Chewing on my flipflops and other shoes is the best, and you LOVE water:)

If we leave the dishwasher open, you like to crawl into it...you will be such a great helper.

Going "bye bye" makes you happy, and being outside is so fun..you finally love crawling in the grass:)

And something we caught on video..playing ball with daddy:)

35 weeks..any guesses for the birth weight

2010-05-03T22:28:00.001-06:00

Any guesses on what his birth weight will be:)?

Lucy Turned 1 today

2010-04-19T20:30:00.010-06:00

One year ago today...

Evan giving Lucy her first bottle, I was OUT! She had just taken her first bath with Evan and the nurses.

My favorite doctor, Dr. Steve Gardner
Happy Birthday Lucy Elise Biddulph!

We celebrated by having some friends from the ward and family come over and bbq and play. She loved seeing everyone there, and eating cake. She is such a cutie pie. I made little cake pops for her...I got the idea from bakerella. I made a few adjustments, but it all worked out. I forgot to buy a "1" candle, oh well, we used a "b" candle for Biddulph:)

So tired after her party and nap:)

I took her to the doctor for her 1 year visit, she got 5 shots, and was so sad, she got so cuddly it was cute. We put her in her forward facing car seat which she loves-she kept looking at me in the mirror smiling and talking to me:)

She got to talk to Grandma Betty and Grandpa Romney and a few other missionaries who celebrated her birthday with a dinner. They were all so kind and sang to her, so cute, she smiled and waved and clapped:) too cute! And then Grandma Liz and Grandpa Steve got to sing to her and she told them all about her birthday, a lot of growling and waving of the arms:)

After lots of playing outside in the dirt, trying to eat ants and sticks, we played inside, ate dinner, and played some more. Evan brought her to bed and she fell asleep instantly. I guess that means that she had a good and busy day:) (I'm glad she slept in until 8 this morning...very nice and different from her 6:30 usually-maybe it's a 1 year old thing)
Sleeping while standing...she forgot to sit down, or didn't know how to:)

Walking daddy to work..only a few blocks away:)

Lucy & Mommy walking around the lake by the house...there were fun geese and ducks to watch

Aunt Jennifer sent a blanket for Lucy-we love all the hand me downs! Thanks!
Playing with her kitchen after a Sunday nap

To sum up some of why we love Lucy:
-She growls and squeals, not always at the best times, but so cute
-She pats our backs when we get her out of bed or put her "Night Night"
-Very cooperative when changing her diapers, not so much with her shirts or dresses though
-When she drinks a bottle, she has to kick something or have her feet occupied, usually on us
-She loves to stick out her tongue and tastes everything!
-She rubs my pregnant belly
-She wrestles with Evan and climbs all over him...playtime is great
-She claps all the time
-Seeing other little kids makes her so happy she claps or squeals and giggles
-She goes to bed pretty well-there were a few weeks that were a challenge
-Lucy eats and tries anything, and will push the food out of her mouth if we overload her, she takes one bite at a time and likes to be done and swallowed before more comes in
-She loves olives, and likes to poke her pointer finger or thumb in the olive slices to eat them
-She loves standing in her crib and falling on her bum, and repeat
-She smiles and giggles, and it melts our hearts
-Evan's shoes are a favorite toy of hers. She unties them and tries to eat them
-When My Friends Tigger and Pooh, Mickey Mouse Club, Sprouts, Dora, and Sponge Bob come on she claps, squeals and loves to watch them!
-Music is great, she sings(by growling or humming), and is soothed by it. She stops in her tracks to pay attention to the music and loves being sung to.
-She loves warm milk in a bottle, cold in a sippy cup or cup, and water however she can get it
-She got her first black eye from a shelf 2 days ago
-She loves talking to Grandma Betty, Grandpa Romney, Grandma Liz and Grandpa Steve over the internet. We are working on teaching her names, we will see if she can say any of them by the time she sees them all in May.
-When she sees little baby dolls she wants them..we haven't bought her one yet. I should pull out my old cabbage patch dolls.
-She has VERY blonde hair, and it likes to stick up a lot!
-She chews on her crib and the chairs-like a chipmunk
-She giggles in her sleep
-She sits on her little car and pushes backwards, she hasn't learned how to climb off or push forward yet
-There are soooo many more reasons, and I am sure there will be many more to come. We just love our little girl, and can't wait until she meets Peter
Lucy eating her cake

Daddy and Lucy swinging at the park

Playing with daddy in the back yard. She usually is on a blanket, so this was a first:)