Canada Trip 5: Reunion Sunday

Sunday:

church

quiet games/princess hour/scavenger hunt

fireside to honor Opa's life

the entire group!

Opa, my mom, Uncle Ralph, Aunt Evelyn 

The Great-Grandchildren (minus Tristan, Alex, and Brant)

The Grandchildren (minus Cari)

apparently we can't take a serious picture!

parents with their grandchildren

our family with Opa

Uncle Ralph's family with Opa

Aunt Evelyn's family with Opa

At the fireside, we were given a spiral-bound journal my Aunt compiled. It was full of journal entries written by my Opa from his life. I learned more about my Opa from those simple pages than I have in my entire life of knowing him. Not saying he isn't full of conversation and interesting things, but I learned so much about his childhood, his experience in WW2, his early marriage to my Oma, and about his testimony. I have always had such a soft spot in my heart for Opa and I just love him dearly. During the fireside, he was so appreciative and grateful for us. His and Oma's posterity! There are so many generations of children and grand children and great-grand children! One of the most special things is that all of his grand children are endowed in the Temple and those that are married, have all been sealed in the Temple. The Temple covenants have bound our family from when Opa and Oma were sealed down to each one of our own family units. I left this reunion having a much great appreciation for Opa. There were many times he should not have lived in the WW2 time in Germany. He was/is the hardest working person I've ever met. He instilled that in my mother, and I hope I am living up to that hard working ethic as well. Our generation is so entitled, I catch myself falling into that trap sometimes. Experiences like this helps me realize my potential and that everything in life has to be worked for. Opa's testimony always endured every trial and I am ever so grateful for his faith. The responsibility I now feel to carry out the Gospel legacy in our family is stronger than ever. It is my responsibility to teach Brinley and Ellie the Gospel and to grow these roots like I have. Family is the best!

On Breastfeeding

*don't worry. There are no pictures of my nursing experience. Just words :-)

Ellie has finished breastfeeding for a month now. I knew we were coming to an end when we were down to only 2 times a day, but I was holding on so tightly! I really wanted to make it to a year with her, but sometimes you just can't force your baby to continue, you know? She was growing and changing and I knew we only had a matter of days.

It isn't a secret that I've been wanting to get my baby weight off and really exercise, and breastfeeding held me back from that. I was happy to nurse, but it was definitely a sacrifice. The extra weight just stays on my body until I am finished breastfeeding. Some women find that the weight just melts off and have no problem get back to their pre-pregnancy bodies, but that isn't the case for me. I've already noticed my weight changing and my mid-section slimming down.

I was really worried about the weaning process and if I would experience crazy engorgement like some women do. Thankfully, I didn't and I was so surprised. It had been a few weeks of nursing where I didn't feel that strong let-down feeling like I normally did while nursing. Ellie still nursed before bed because that was our routine, but she became less and less interested. Finally, I just nursed her when we woke up and ended the day with rice cereal.

And then one week, she just stopped nursing all together and didn't really whine like she wanted to. Her bottom teeth were coming in and she was so uncomfortable. I think nursing really hurt her mouth so she didn't associate nursing with comfort or being hungry anymore. The poor thing! It took probably an entire month for those bottom teeth to come through and it was a rough road for her. By the time they popped through, we were basically done nursing.

We bought bottles when she was a newborn, and we decided to use those. It honestly was the easiest transition. We decided to supplement formula until she hit a year. With Brinley, the poor thing thought we were poisoning her when we introduced a bottle around 7 months. But with Ellie, she took it right away and has never given me a look like you're deceiving me, mom! I bought the Target brand for sensitive tummies just in case she had a hard time with the transition. I haven't noticed a difference at all and it is so nice that she takes a bottle and holds it herself! She is so cute just laying there on the floor, chugging away. In a normal day, she drinks 4, 4oz bottles. Often times if she doesn't finish the bottle, I will mix up rice cereal and fed her the rest at lunch or dinner.

Breastfeeding is such a wonderful experience. I'm grateful for the ability and chance I had to do that for Ellie. She has been so healthy since birth and I really attribute that to breastfeeding. I am really proud of myself for nursing her longer than I did with Brinley. Breastfeeding isn't easy. It isn't always convenient (even though people say that it is super convenient...but leaving the house depends on when you nurse, and traveling...constant stops that are 10-20 minutes long). It is painful. and stressful. and if you're anything like me, I stressed about everything.

My anxiety over leaving the house and taking care of myself has really decreased and I'm so thankful to be feeling more and more like myself. My nursing hormones were way crazy and I think we ahem Ryan are all happier to have that settled down. I am still trying to drink the same amount of water to stay hydrated, but I have limited my snacks during the day and have felt so good wearing my normal VS bra again. Seriously, the girls have never looked better! It is a victory day for me getting to wear my old clothes again and not worry about easy nursing access.

Some women have a seriously hard time letting go of breastfeeding. More for selfish reasons? I'm not sure. Or maybe its a competition how long you can nurse your baby? I've never understood it.

Not me. I'm happy to do it. I'll sacrifice my time and energy and sleep. But when it is over, it's over! This momma is moving on.

Brinley: my almost 4 year old

4.

4?

How can she be almost 4!? She can't wait for her birthday next month. She wants everything Ariel. Decorations. Presents. even her Halloween costume is Ariel. This girl and her obsession with all things princess is the cutest ever.

This year has been a great year for Brinley. 

With the arrival of Ellie, Brinley has blossomed into such an independent, helpful, loving, and supportive little girl. And now that Ellie has been around for almost a year, we are old pros at this. This being just the 3 girls. Brin helps me constantly throughout the day. and she helps herself throughout the day as well. Whenever I need her to throw out a dirty diaper, get a fork, a stool for the kitchen, a new onesie, a pair of socks, a new toy for Ellie...anything she can grab and carry, she will do it. and I rarely ever have to ask her twice.

We have really tried to treat her like the independent girl we know she is. She now can get herself dressed completely. Brush her teeth by herself. Brush her hair. She goes to the bathroom all by herself. She loves to try new foods and is constantly expanding her palate. She is always surprising us with her rapidly expanding vocabulary. and she even surprises complete strangers. They can't believe she isn't even four yet and saying words like oceanographic and veterinarian. And loves to correct people too when they say the wrong thing, or in the wrong way.

Brinley says the funniest things. She keeps us laughing. Here are some of her latest conversations.

while trying to find her library bag.

B: Mom, I know it has red stripes and white stripes, but those are all the memories I have.

while finishing up in the bathroom. 

B: Mom, I did a combo of 1 and 2. 

M: eye roll.

talking to Ellie.

B: Ellie, did you know that when you smile, your fingers smile too?

--I think she said this because Ellie loves doing spirit fingers.

describing these pads with her hands.

B: I need those Ariel pads for my nickels if I'm going to be Ariel for Halloween.

after I gave her the mom stare-

B: Mom, I won't be sassy. You make the rules, I don't make the rules.

during an epic tantrum

B: Mom, this is the most boringest thing ever and I do not want to nap ever and I love you so much and I want you to hug me and let me not nap.

--5 minutes after she said this, she passed out. 

Since she missed the cut off for the free VPK, I've been really trying to have a structured morning of pre-k activities and exercises. Brinley is very focused for about 10 minutes and then the distractions start from using the wrong pencil, to needing a drink, a snack, a new chair...you get the idea. The moment she starts fighting me, we stop, and she goes and has a "quiet time-out" in her room. If she wants to come back and finish school time, we do it. If not, I usually try again in the afternoon. I do not want fighting with mom and school to correlate. I don't push her and I want her to be excited for everything we try. Right now, it is cutting out various things and making paper dolls.

She is getting so good at writing her letters. I found a little white board with dashed lines and little white board pens that have been perfect for practicing letters. She isn't writing them small enough to fit inside the designated line space, but she is writing the letters all by herself and that is so exciting for me. I found some workbooks at the Target dollar spot for $0.50! They have been a great outline of things to do and things to learn about. We try to make it to the library every week for story time. Brinley's favorite books are anything about dinosaurs, animals, sea creatures, and princesses.

Brinley is such a special girl. She rarely gets into trouble. She rarely breaks things. She has the best memory. She is so smart. She makes everyone laugh. She's very expressive. She loves describing things and stories with her hands. She loves to draw and color. She loves purses. and dresses. and anything pink.

Her biggest strength is her ability to communicate. Which happens to be her biggest weakness too. She can talk her way in and out of almost anything. She may have gotten her Daddy's arguing techniques and we may be molding a future lawyer. Married to an lawyer and a daughter as a blossoming lawyer? I need a mommy timeout! This girl can talk the sass and throw it right back at ya. Like when I asked her last week to clean up her toys and she looked right at me with her hip cocked to the side, Are you serious? was her reply. Um, yaaaaaaa. The tone in her voice confused me a bit because I thought I was looking at the adult version of myself shrunken down in a 33 pound pixie. She definitely got that attribute from me. Sorry you didn't get that 40% sweet side that I have! She got the 60% sass! Yikes.

We stopped scheduled naps after we came back from our Canada trip. She was staying up past 9pm almost every night and it was getting very old. She was still taking 2 hour naps, so I knew she was tired from the day, but the late bedtimes were killing us! Now that she isn't take a nap, we have replaced it with quiet time. She still has to stay in her bedroom for 2 hours. I really don't care what she does. I give her the iPad and she can watch shows for 2 hours if she wants to! And she usually does. She will watch The Magic School Bus, or Fireman Sam, or Handy Manny while playing with her toys. She loves Lego and I will bring that out during her quiet time since our Lego time is pretty sparse with Ellie on the move and constantly finding little pieces to put in her mouth. She comes out of her room occasionally, but for the most part, she loves the quiet time and asks when her quiet time is during the morning. I have put Ellie on the same afternoon nap schedule, so even though one kid is napping, I get to shower, work out, blog, or just watch a movie in the quiet! 

She loves going to her Primary class at Church and seeing her friends. She really wants a birthday party this year, but I think because my parents are coming into town and we are going on our cruise the next day, we need to do something low key. Next year when she is 5, I plan on going all out for her first "friend" party. Brinley is such a sweet girl and we love her dearly. She loves giving hugs and kisses and telling us how much she loves us. Love you Brinny Boo Boo. 

RECIPE: Meat Pie

Growing up, roast and potatoes was a Sunday staple. But, what I looked forward to most was the leftover meat pie my mom would make. Um, a pie crusted roast dinner? Sign me up!

The key to making this super delish is to make a good homemade pie crust. This is my moms tried and true pie crust she uses for everything.

Pie Crust
2/3 C. shortening
2 C. flour
5-7 tbsp ice water

Directions
First, you need to chill the shortening. Put 2/3 C shortening in a bowl big enough to make the pie crust. Chill in fridge for about 20-30 minutes. Pull out and add the flour. Use this tool, or use this technique  but do it until the flour and shortening are combined enough to where there is little loose flour left over. After that, start pouring in the ICE water tablespoons. I just had a bowl next to me with like 10 pieces of ice to make sure the water was super cold! As you pour in the tbsp, fluff and mix with a fork. Pie crust shouldn't be handled too much. I think I used 6 tablespoons of ice water. Then, divide the dough into two balls. Saran wrap and chill in the fridge. Now, my crusts never look like Paula Deen, but I'm getting better. After the balls are chilled (30 minutes), roll out one of the balls on a generously floured surface. Lay in the first pie crust, and then fill in your roast leftovers. I layer mine, meat, potatoes, and either carrots or green beans. If you have any leftover gravy (homemade of course), add that on the very top of the roast dinner. Roll out the second pie crust and then lay it on top and press the outside all the way around. Poke fork holes on top.

Bake 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Basically, it's heaven. and you'll never be able to look at another pot pie without remembering this delicious homemade meat pie!