Several months ago I was contacted by one of the editors of Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine about a feature they were doing on baby blankets. The editor asked me if I would be willing to send her a couple blankets to potentially be used in the July issue of the magazine. I was reluctant, of course, because I 1. didn't know if she was for real, and 2. I was basically being asked to donate my blankets (again, is this for real, or is somebody just fooling me into sending my cutest blankets??). After researching the magazine and the editor for legitimacy and finally getting over my paranoia, I donated my blankets and have been waiting for the July issue ever since.
Well, the July issue of the magazine is on stands now and lo and behold, there is one of the blankets I sent them! While it doesn't have it's own centerfold, By-Low Baby gets the credit. I couldn't be more thrilled. My blanket is part of the pink pinwheel - the pink and green one at the bottom on the stem. Fun, eh?
Monday, July 6, 2009
By-Low Baby in Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine
Thursday, July 2, 2009
R.I.P Michael Jackson
Thriller - Then
Thriller - Now
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Bouncing Babies
Last week was a busy week for a couple of my siblings. Two babies, yes, TWO babies born in a week. Let me introduce you:
This is Cassidy, born Saturday, June 20 to B and A and big sister K. Weighing in at just over 5 lbs, she was born a few weeks early. She gave her mumsie a little trouble with high blood pressure and cankles. The doc said it was time to go. She sure is beautiful. And so, so sweet.
This is Suzy "Sydney" Sunshine, born June 26 to R and R and big sister N. Weighing in over 7 lbs, baby Sydney was right on time. In fact, her mums had to wait a few days because there was no room in the inn. Luckily there was no reason to resort to a manger in a barn. Baby Sydney came in style. And her mom looked great too! 
Welcome to our world, little ones! This auntie is excited to spoil you rotten!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Happiness is...
...soft feet and a new set of toes. Not much can beat a metallic pink polishing by Lu Kim Lee and quality girl chat with AJ. Top it off with a Chocolate Bon Bon Hazelnut gellato for complete exaltation.
..."LOOK G, BIRDS!" My mom gave me this feeder for my birthday last year. We hang it with every visit to the cabin. Unfortunately not a single bird had perched here and not one seed had been cracked since the inaugural hanging last summer. The feeder has always been a fun fixture, but it's never proved functional. Last weekend at the cabin we hung it again, as usual and with low expectations. In no time the birds emerged from the forest and went coo coo for coco puffs! We had to refill the seed after the first day. The chipmunks were thrilled too, as these birds were total slobs and dropped many of the seeds to the ground.
...a happy G and his Dutch oven. Testing out the new oven for our upcoming G-family reunion, this guy served up his first-ever Dutch oven peach cobbler. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the gooey goodness and you get nothing but peachy numminess and a new cabin tradition.Saturday, May 2, 2009
Just when you think you're done you start over
I was on the University campus a few days ago for a meeting with a certain "college" to learn about the pre-requisites and application process to enter their program. As I was circling the area around the Union building looking for parking I could feel my nervous system starting to react as I recalled the days of my life when I was a student and how great it felt to be done. Perhaps it was the memory of the horrible parking situation - reserved 'A' lots and 'U' lots and 30 minute parking meters - my meeting was for one hour.
I wanted to be on time to the meeting. In the back of my mind I thought there would be an attendance nazi from the college taking note of all the people who wandered in late. I imagined if I were late they would put a star next to my name on the attendance list and be sure to deduct points from my application to the college. It's competitive, you know. I was on time.
I left the meeting full of information and overwhelmed by the requirements. I felt like the oldest person in the room, and the smartest. Ok, maybe not that smart. If I were smart I would have done this 15 years ago. Oh to be a student again.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Spring has Sprung
Lisse, The Netherlands 2005
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Dentist Part II
Today was my follow-up visit to the dentist for what I believe to be an imaginary cavity. Since this is only the second time in my entire life to have a cavity filled, I am stressed out. I hate the dentist just for a good ol' fashioned cleaning, let alone getting fillings!
The dental assistant (bless her heart for taking on this vile profession) is kind and gentle and even offers to let me watch a movie. I remember this on my first cavity trip to the dentist. Why on earth would I want to watch 10 minutes of Harry Potter? Perhaps she could sense my distress and was trying to divert my attention to something other than a drill and spit vacuum.
The dentist comes in very quickly, busts open my mouth and starts numbing my tooth area. Wait...wait...wait for it to numb and then starts drilling. Ouch! I can feel that drill, so he gives me a "little more." Meanwhile he takes care of the cavity, the dental assistant is spraying stuff all over my face (yes, I know it's gross. I'm even grossed out by my own grossness) and in a matter of five minutes or less we are done. My hands were sweating and my fingers white knuckled together.
On the way home I can gradually feel the entire left side of my face becoming more and more numb. My tongue feels like it's three inches thick, my cheek is a little tingly and my eye lid I know is droopy. I can feel it. All I could think about is not drooling. Just for fear of drooling in front of my colleagues, I decided to take the rest of the afternoon off.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Half Marathon Goodness
Today marks the second year G and I have run the Salt Lake 1/2 marathon. You may recall our first 1/2 marathon last year - G "gave" it to me for Christmas. I spent the next three months prepping and training. Afterall, 13.1 miles is a long distance and I didn't want to die trying.
This year I don't think I prepared as well for the big event. Sure, I did several long runs the last month or so, but I slacked big-time on my weekly runs. G had me beat this year, particularly at mile 11.5, which was a pretty gradual incline up State Street. I slowed to a snails pace for fear of my calf muscles seizing up entirely on me, but G - who ran most of the way at my pace - at that point I let him loose like a dog free from a chain. We both had a goal to finish the race in under two hours, and slowing on the last couple miles was not acceptable (regardless, we both achieved our goal! G did finish about two minutes ahead of me though).
One thing we've learned on long distance runs is to go to the bathroom before starting a race. Last year G had to make a pit stop at one of the port-o-johns on the course. Not great for your time, especially since there's usually a waiting line. He finally got smart and decided to-heck with the port-o-john. Just ditch behind some guy's garage and let it out. This really happened on our recent 10 mile race down Emigration Canyon. Never mind that the river, 5 ft from where he got his relief, is also a watershed. This year we started the race late with about 1,000 other people because we, of course, were standing in line at the port-o-john. After looking at our results, this doesn't matter. It appears as if we literally passed 3,000 of the 4,200 participants along the route. Pat me on the back!
Although we're both a little sore after today's push, it's nothing a beef stick and a Diet Coke can't cure. I can assure you, I will sleep well tonight.
You may recognize the picture. It was one taken at last year's race. Since I wore the exact same thing today, this year's pictures won't be much different. Also, BIG THANKS to my dad and step-mom, who live along the race course, for being up bright and early to cheer us on!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Come back, ladybug!
I received the saddest call last night from my three year old niece, Noelle. She was utterly distraught on the telephone. I could barely understand what she was saying through her tears. When it all came down to it, she had been outside in the garden and found a ladybug. This little creature was her new best friend, that is, until it flew away. She just could not understand how her BFF could leave her so suddenly.
Monday, April 6, 2009
I Spy
I was just catching up on my evening Internet browsing when I looked over my shoulder and saw this:
1. basket full of fabric scraps and a bonus paper bag full of additional fabric scraps that I have good intentions of using for something yet to be imagined because I just can't throw any of it away.
