Californ-yorn-ya Part 1

Last week we decided to go to CA since TYler has a break inbetween night systems (which he just finished) and block 50 academics (which starts the beggining of July). We forgot it was memorial day weekend, so we left on Thursday instead of Friday because I dind't want to deal with traffic.
Good thing I decided that, becuase as soon as we hit San Clemete it started to HAIL. That's right people, HAIL in southern california. And not just a little bit either, we're talking texas style hail storm here (but smaller hail). It was falling so fast and there was so much tyler and I had to SHOUT at each other and we still couldn't hear one another. I almost flooded the car becuase the water was so high in the left lane I had to quick (going 5 miles an hour becuase tyler didn't want the hail to dent the car) change lanes so I was only in one foot of water instead of three. I can't remeber if that was before or after we noticed the roads were iced over. It was rediculous. And of course, we had just switched so it was, yet again, my turn to drive through randomly horrific weather. It happened in Utah AND Texas on road trips. I think tyler's plotting the driver switches on road trips to purposefully avoid weather. . . . . . .
Anyway, we got there safe and sound and just hung out the rest of the day (I think, I can't remeber already). Firday we went to see the Saticoy house which is shaping up beautifully. I cna't wait to have a holiday there with the whole family! Then we went to the Edwards 8 movie theater to see INDIANA JONES! : )

I realize this is a shot of tyler's head, but its a really good picture of my mom and clara still looks cute, so, sorry tyler.

Three generations of ladies. And yes, tyler took this pictuer and he only had to take it once. The picture of he and my mom, yeah, I tried about four times for htat one. . . how does he do it?

Again, this could be my fault or it could be my subjects, but it took a while to get a good shot of Grandma Pat, Pop and Clara. But I think the last one is definitely worth it. And yes, we are taking family photos in the movie theater. . . deal with it.

My mom ended up goign home with clara before the movie started becuase she was getting fussy (Thanks MOm! : ) I really enjoyed the movie, but I felt bad that mom didn'tget ot see it too. I found out that my dad absolutely LOVES popcorn and if he could, he would live off it (serisouly, he told me that Paul Newman survived for I don't know how many years off popcorn and beer and if he could he would). I also found out that its difficult to enjoy time out away from my daughter (odd).

When we got home mom had fed clara some frozen breastmilk (the movie lasted a little longer than we thought it would). But, clara was apparenlty famished and mom couldn't defrost the milk quick enough, so she just gave her what thawed first which was, of course, all the hind milk. She was passed out! We were playing with her legs and stroking her cheeks--she as out like a light. It was pretty funny. And yes, her outfit is rediculous, I realize this. However, I was totally unprepared for the RAIN and cold weather in LA. I packed all summery outfits (including a new beach outfit with hat that she still hasn't worn but I already took the tags off becuase i"m a big dummy who didn't think it would be hailing in california) So I just had to pick the thickest dress I had, keep an undershirt on her and put on the only pair of babylegs I had (I have more colors now that would look a little more fashionable).

I can't reember if Lisa nad Chris came out Friday or Saturday night, but they came out to spend some time with us. It was nice to see them and the kids. They're so big! And Mark is such a polite little kid, plus he's pretty hilarious and adorable. I belive tahts what they call the 'trifecta' : )

Lean Mean Composting MACHINE!

A little over a week ago my COMPOSTER arrived! Tyler help me set it up and start it. We had to let it run 'undisturbed' for a week to start the cultures and enzymes (which just came from dirt from our backyard and some dead plant and some food).

We had to fill it about halfway full then let it run. I but a ziploc storage bag of bad broccali in there, Brittnies leftover french toast, some chicken salad from the blessing that went bad but I purposely kept for hte composter, and some other random stuff that had gone bad in the fridge. OF course we kept opening it to look at it, and tyler thought it stunk up the whole house, but I dind't. Of course, he has better vision adn hearing then me, so he probably has a more sensitive olfactory sense than me (or is it I?).

ANYWAYS! I wasn't allowed to put any more food into it for a week, but now that weeks' over! And of course. . I don't have any leftover/rotting/dried out food to put in there becuase i haven't cooked in a long time. . . ehhhhhh. But the COOLEST part is, from all that stuff we put in there? Its literally less than a quarter full now. How awesome! And it smells like the garden department of Home Depot, not rotting foodstuffs, which is also, awesome.

My picture isn't loading again. . . . Ill try again later.

EC

OF course, as soon as I say she hasn't had a poop in her diaper in a week, she poops in her diaper. Sunday Morning. But hey, at least she pooped. They're getting to be much farther apart then they were just 3 weeks ago, but I guess they're pretty consistent now.

I keep track of how many diapers I use, cathes I make nad misses I have on a little pad next to my 'diaper changing station' in the bedroom. It makes me feel ggood to see how many I've caught and how many diapres I'v saved. And my misses haven't ever been on me. I'll put her over hte potty bcuase i KNOW she has to pee, she won't go, so I'll lay her on the waterproof pad and before I can get a diaper out, she's peed.

She's smiling at me and laughing of ourse, like she knows and wasjust waiting for me to put her down, but she's so cute an I've got so many waterproff pads its not a big deal : )

PS, Yesterday, may 19th it was 108 degrees with 6% humidity. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT!!!! And today? Yeah, 109. ONE OH NINE!!!!!! ITS SO FREAKING HOT HERE!!!! (just thought I'd share).

Man I'm Good

That's right ladies.....Who makes the best lookin' babies???????

THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EC

This morning i asked Tyler to change clara's diaper before I nursed her (well, acutally jsut to take it off) and to hold her 'in position' over the EC Potty and she peed for him!

Today she also started fussing a bit so I took her diaper off and it was dry, so I thought, "it's almost time for her to eat again, and she's usually wet before she eats, so I bet she has to pee" So I put her over the EX POtty and made hte noise and she peed! Pees are exciting to catch becuase htey're sort of tricky (unless its right after nursing, which is more rare these days). Maybe one day next week I'll take the Diaper Free Challenge and see if I can't get a better handle on her pees.

And she FINALLY pooped tonight! It'd been over 2 days and I was getting nervous--even though she's had about 8 wet diapers a day (or 8 wets a day I should say). I was expecting it to be massive, but it was very normal sized. I think her digestive system is getting more out of hte breastmilk so maybe there's not as much waste? I'm not sure, I just know she hasn't had poop in her diaper in almost a week and its awesome. I'm so happy she's not sitting around in her own waste. Plus it saves a TON on wipes! I even tear them in half like my dryer sheets.

And yes, Irealize not everyone is as thrilled as I am to be talking about my child's digestive habits, but hey, its my blog : )

Clara and Frankie

Tyler was in charge of clara one morening last week while I send up the "Sun 'n Sand Happy Animal Play Center" (a kiddie pool from wal-mart) in the backyard. I came back in the house and went in the bedroom and this is what I found.

I thought it was pretty hilarious and rediculously adorable at the same time. I like that one hand is at the top and one hand is at the bottom of the swaddle me and her legs are totally relaxed.

Frankie thought Clara had the right idea, obvioulsy, becuase she joined her for a little nappie nap a few minutes later. (never mind the mess of the bed--its a bit of a story--just know it doens't look like that anymore. There's regular sheets and stuff on it now).

Goodyear Dog Park

There's a relaly nice dog park jsut down the street from us so we all went out there on Saturday. But we didn't go until about noon so itw as blazing hot and there was only one other dog there--Skeeter.Skeeter had never seen a baby before and was pretyt interested in Clara, but he was a nice puppy. He and Frankie would have had a lot more fun running around if it wasn't so hot! I think it was 95 or so that day. We all stayed under the shade tarp and the dogs ran around on the gravel.

I, being the yuppie dog owner that i am, brought a little pitcer of ice water for Frankie (she shared with skeeter--he liked the ice cubes but I think they jsut confused frankie).

I've been meaning to go back this week, but my car battery died and my timing has been off. I need to go either first thing in the morning or in the evening when its cooler. And I'm either napping in the morning or I lose track of time in the evening so its time to put Clara down for then ight before I remeber.

Poor Frankie--she needs some friends. . . . and exercise! : )
Clara has on her Blue Polka Dot "Baby Legs" I think she looks so cute in them, while also looking somewhat like a Dr. Suess character. She fell asleep on the car ride home (at least I htink that's when I took that picture). I've put in the little head support hting though, after I saw her sitting like that.

I went back to the dog park today (friday) and it was fun! Although, a scottie peed on the baby carrier (but not on clara). that wasn't cool. Frankie loved it (I think). Its funny, she sure seems to be big when she's on your pillow at 2am or when she's lying RIGHT next to you in the bed or on the couch, or when she forces her way onto your lap when you're eating or reading or doing something that's not paying attention to her. However, when she's runnign around in a big field with a bunch of german shepards, boxers, labs and a long legged german short hair--she looks like a little permed stuffed animal running around.

Most of hte bigger dogs just liked to chase the balls, not frankie. But she found a puppy who would sort of chase her, but frankie was a little too fast asn the puppy was a little too easily distracted. I brought my camera, but didn't take any pictures--I had my hands full with the carrier and a crazy dog going into the park I dind' even bring hte camera out of teh car.

Pool Party

Last month we went to a little pool party at Josh adn Emily Larson's house. Travis and Jessica brought their little puppy Sofie and we brought Frankie. It was nice to let her play and run around with sofie--she was pretty beat when we got home, so that's good.

When JJessica held sofie over hte water she started paddling really really fast. Frankie seemed pretty interested, but when Tyler held her over hte water she didn't really seem to get it. I don't think we've ever put her all the way in a pool before, but I don't think she would like it from her face when we put her paws in. Although, it was all pretty funny : ) And I think it helped her cool down a bit from all the runnign around.
I told tyleri h ad ot take pictures of him and Clara at her first pool party becuase it'll probably be the last one they're at together (meaning she won't want to take a picture iwth her dad when she's at her firend's pool party when she's 13 or so). Most eeryone in the class was there. The water was a little cold for me, but it was still nice to have a BBQ and hang out in the sun and chat with everyone.

Again, pictures arne't loading, so I'll try again later.

Phoenix Zoo

My Friend Kendall and her two little girls came into town last week and they stopped by for a visit. Thursday we all just sort of hung around the house and chatted and watched Disney movies. Tyler was night flying so it felt a little like college still--only with three little girls : )

Friday morning we went to the Phoenix Zoo. I'm apparenlty paranoid of Phoenix sun becuase, if you'll notice, I have on a visor and sunglasses and I'm carrying and umbrella. The umbrella works well when I take Clara and the dog on walks around hte neighborhood. I'm surprised at how much cooler it is in the shade of even my cheapy umbrella. It wasn't too hot of a day, but I was starting to sweat by around noon (which is around the time we decided to leave).

The Zoo was pretty good I guess, but I felt it to be a little anti-climaticfor $14. The animals seemed really far apart and I'm pretty sure they don't even havei Jagars there despite what the map says. (We apparenlty passed their area three times).
Elise almost pet a goat, and she got a little spooked at the squirrel after Kendall and I were talking about how it might attack becuase it was coming so close (we sort of forgot Elise picks up on those things : ) But she DID ride a Camel! She had a moment where she dind't like it, but I could see a little smile while they were going around. Ther ewas also a little water play area where water would spurt up from the ground. I think Elise would have liked it a lot more if there weren't some crazy boys karate chopping the sprays and sticking their faces over the opening only to be shot in the face with water (boys are weird).

When Tyler got home that night Elise 'painted' his nails wih a roller massager and a patch (She took them all off and put htem on again a few times : ) Then she put all his patches back on his flight suit--upside down. It was pretty funny.
I was glad I had a swing and a bouncy seat so both Clara and Emery could be happy campers together. We sort of laughed at the size difference becuase htey're only a month apart! But they're both very good babies : )

I'm a little sad Tyler doen'st fly a tanker. If he did he'd probably be stationed at Fairchild in Washington. Then Kendall and I could go on outings and talk about compsting, organic milk, hormone free meat, and just be a coupla green granola mamas : )

(my pictures aren't loading for somereason, I'll have to add them later)

F-16 B Course Graduation

Friday April 25th Tyler offically became an F-16 pilot. A truck load of family was able to make it for the big event, which was really nice (although, be just barely missed getting the award for 'most attendees' --we'll excuse Grandpa Rich for sickness and Aunt Jennifer for being in Canada. Plus the 'prize' was a bottle of Champagne, so no love lost there : )

It was a formal event, but I thought I did pretty good by fixing my hair with product and getting some makeup on. So never mind my 'formal' linen top and skirt. . . . its Arizona, its hot. TYler was in his mess dress though.

Tyler got two of the seven awards presented. Air to Air TopGun and River Rat SDA (essentially, 'best attitude', but it was selected by the IPs and commanders, so its not like a 'miss congeniality')

That's also his helmet as the table center piece. The other tables where immidiate family was not sitting just had a nice flower arrangement. The dinner/ceremony was at the O CLub (Club Thunderbolt). The chicken on the menu was "Chicken perfection" but I beg to differ. At least the rolls were warm. And of course I dropped a green bean off my fork onto my white shirt--the only green bean on the fork that happened to have brown gravy on it, so, that was super classy.

Here's the 0508 ABC class. I don't know what ABC stands for becuase everyone just calls it "the B Course" And I'm not sure why Tyler's the only one with his hands not crossed.

From left to right: Tyler "Bring 'Em" Young, Travis "Two Dogs" Walton, Dennis "ChickenBeef" I don't know, Josh "Nurf" Larson, Paul "SameSame" Anderson, Max "Leaker" Johnson, Jason "Densive" Spreeman and Dan "Muff" Schriber.



My Dad came out for the Graduation and blessing weekend which was really nice. He was the first one to cheer when they called TYler's name for Top Gun Air to Air : )

Mom was in Utah helping Sara with the delivery of Troy. Well not literally, but you know what I mean.














I think this is everyone minus me (my dad must have taken the shot becuase I don't remeber this set up).

Left to right: Greg and Brenda Gifford, Michael Young (he couldn't stay for the blessing, but it was really nice that he was able to fly in for the graduation), Gifford and Greg Young, Brad Dunn, Von Gifforf, Julie Dunn holding Clara (I think she had her most the night : ) Tyler, Brittnie Young, Addy Gifford, Patrice Young.

Earlier that day I got to go on a Spouse Taxi while everyone else got a tour of the Squadron. They dressed me all up in a flight suit (40 short. . . ehhhhhh) and harness thing, had a briefing and egress 'training' and then stuck me in the cockpit. Tyler and Craker told me not to touch anything. I told them I got it all out of me in egress training on the fake cockpit : )

This particular picture is of Tyler picking up an earplug which was not one of mine. Mine came out when I took off TYler's helmet in the cockpit. The poor crew cheif had to have his guys get a flashlight, then a mirror and two of them were leaning over the edge of the cockpit trying to find these stupid little yellow ear plugs. NOTHING is allowed to be loose in the cockpit-even a little yellow foam earplug. I felt SO bad! I don't know how long they had to look to find them both, but it obviously requires two guys, a flashlight and a mirror. . . . I'm sure all the crew cheifs LOVE spouse taxi day!

I got to talk on the radio becuase I was "Top Dog 1". IT was cool but the whole event was over in literally 5 seconds. Cracker (the IP that took me) was making fun of me becuase he said I was talking through the whole thing--I dind't know it would be so short! BUt it was really cool to be in the jet and just sort of cruise around for a bit.

But serisouly, like 2 hours of prep time for 3 minutes in the jet. Felt a little bit like wiating in line for a ride at disneyland or something. But still very cool.

I just still feel so bad for those crew chiefs! I'm sorry! Tyler's helmet was too small and squoze the earplugs out when I pulled it off!

EC UPdate

So, today, Clara came up wih this new cry.

I haven't been able to tell her cries apart, I jsut go by "well, she just ate and she's changed and she's been up for an horu and a half, so she must be tired" or "she just woke up from a two hour nap and she's dry, she's hungry."

So I was surprised when I notices that this was a significan'ty differnt cry. It was a scream, acutally. A very urgent sounding "I'm being speared by a barbed spike and its twisting in my side" sort of scream/cry.

I think this new cry is when she has a dirty diaper. I don't think she likes it.

For the past few days I'll put her in position over the EC Potty before I nurse her and after (I still keep the bowl under her bum during nursing, but she only used it the first day, after that it was either while in position before or after nursing). I'm not using 'facial expressions' or 'intuition' really, just sort of timing. "Hmm, its been awhile since she pooped, so she'll probably go this time" or "I heard her fart a few minutes ago, I bet she's got something".

She hasn't had poop in her diaper for hte past two days except for once today. . .and I found it becuase i was tryign everything to get her to calm down.

I am not kidding you--the SECOND I pulled the velcro on the diaper she stopped screaming. LIke she knew her diaper was going to be changed and she wouldn't have to sit in it any longer. It wasn't like she'd been sitting in it for hours either--it was pretty fresh.

She had the scream again later on and I went to the diaper first this time, and it was SUPER heavy and wet. No poop, just really wet.

So. . . . I think I might be able to use her new cry as another tool to further EC. Maybe I'll start to notice a face before the cry, or maybe she starts fussing BEFORE she goes and only excalates to the scream afterwards--I don't know, but its worth a shot to pay attention to it!

A Good Start to the Wekk

I Ordered my indoor composter!

www.naturemill.com has the coolest invention ever! This little wizard of gadetry genius can turn my moldy leftovers and rotton produce that got shoved to the back of the crisper drawer into nutrient rich compost and water vapor. How cool is that?! And I don't have to mix it or smell it or ANYTHING! I"M SO EXCITED!!!!

Granted I don't have any plants to put the compost on, but worst case scenario I'll just make a pile in my backyard. Maybe I'll announce I've got a heap of compost at church, someone's got to have a garden or a lawn or something.

A pile of dirt is still WAY better than pounds and pounds of leftover rice (which I often have becuase I cna't quite figure out that perfect proportion yet), soggy, rotten produce and mody casseroles (that also somehow get pushed to the back of the fridge). SO, my nature mill indoor composter should arrive by the week's end. In two weeks I'll have an update : )

Yesterday I also went to the Salation Army--don't worry mom, not for clothes. I bought BOOKS! I got the heebies the moment I walked in, but I needed some kid books ('they' say its never too early to start reading to your child! Plus I find it difficult to carry on a conversation with her, so I need to expose her to more words than just "hi Clara! Hi Cute girl! Are you so happy? Whose a cute happy girl?")

I got FIVE books for $1.30! It was awesome! Twenty six cents each! Thanks to erika for the idea of book shopping at thrift stores.

I got a bedtime book, "Planes and other things that Fly", Because I love You (by the guy who wrote Becuase you're special), Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day (I know! what a find!) and the Ugly Duckling.

I opted out of Jack and the Beanstalk becuase all jack does is NOT listen to his motehr to sell teh cow (he gets the beans instead), then he breaks into the Giant's house, steals his golden goose, breaks in AGAIN and steals his singing harp, never apologizes but runs away and chops dow nteh beanstalk while the giant is on it so he crashes to his death. Yes, please, teach my child to not listen to me, steal, and murder. . . . I don't think so. I like the ugly duckling.

I came home and had to de-germify the covers. I would have steamed them, but books warp, so I just dipped a rag in Germ-X and wiped them down thuroughly.

Today I went to the commissary and bought 11 reusable grocery bags (I had one at home already for an even 12). And even though I forgot to bring them into "Fresh and Easy" the new 'neighborhood market', All my stuff fit in the bottom of Clara's stroller, so I dind't need a bag. THen once I got in the car I put it all in one of the commissary bags.

I ALSO found out that the crab in California suchi rolls is cooked! So I can eat them while breastfeeding! I was so excited I bought some at hte commisary and had it for lunch. It's been so long, I went a little too gung ho on the wasabi out of the gate. But it was still delish!

I even made it out to the Wives COffee tongiht. So, lets keep this train movin' people!

Have I mentioned my indoor composter is on the way?

I"M SO EXCITED!!!!

EC So Far

I'm really glad I decided to focus on breastfeeding first before I started Elimiantion Communication. I'm also really glad I'm totally used to gDiapers now and its no big deal.

So since I had those two items checked off my 'to do' list, I thought I'd give EC the old college try yesterday and today.

I'm happy to report, that whilst nursing, Clara pooped in her little EC Potty (So labeled thanks to a sharpie so no one will confuse it with ANYTHING else) TWICE. Once yesterday and once today. Today was a BIG one too. I used a wipe afterward but there was no need--but I did just to be safe becuase we're still clearly in the early stages.

I've only tried it those two times when I was pretty sure she was goign to go during that nursing session. So I've saved 2 flushables which knocks $0.72off the price of a bag of flushables. I figure if I catch 2 a day for a week (which should be pretty easy I think) I'll save 5.07--which means a bag of 40 flushables is really only $9.42, thereby bringing the cost per flushable down from $0.36 to $0.24.

And twenty-four cents, my friends, is terribly competitive with regular disposable diapers.

Point Anna. : )

Somber Reality Check

In the past 2 months, 5 pilots have died in training programs in the Air Force.

The first was an F-16 pilot here at Luke. We didn't know him, but knew people who did.

The next two were an Instructor Pilot and Student at Columbus AFB. We didn't know either men, or anyone who did--but it was still heartbreaking.

The most recent two deaths were at Sheppard AFB--where Tyler just completed training in April 2007.

The instructor went to our church. I knew his wife and their young daughter. She and I were pregnant at the same time but she was due around October I think. The student was a friend of one of Tyler's flightmate's younger brother (not as convoluted a connection as it first sounds).

Tyler told me about the crash on our way home from taking Passport photos on base that morning. A friend (Justin Thompsen) in our ward back in Texas is a t-37 FAIP. He called our other friend (Josh Moffat) who is out here in the B-course behind Tyler and told him about Brad. Josh then called Tyler.

Small mormon aviation community that it may be, I find solace in having the double net of the Squadron and the Ward should the unthinkable ever happen. It also helps me to know that the wives, children, parents and friends of those other pilots have a huge support net to catch them when their lives are turned upside down.

I am mad, however, that now I have to worry about Tyler while he's still in training, and not just sit on my laurals in comfy obliviousness until he's deployed. But my prayer still remains the same: I don't give a rats about the Jet, just Tyler.

I am glad, however, that I have the gospel in my life and that Tyler and I will be together for eternity. . . . . but serisouly, if he does something stupid I'll punch him RIGHT IN THE FACE when I get up there!! : )

Just >pow!< right in the kisser!

Oprah and Julia ROberts Rock

Though I still think she has a horse smile, i LOVE that Julia ROberts a)uses g diapers and b) had a friend on the oprah show to show me howto stop just throwing away ALL our leftovers and scraps.

If anyone feels the need to buy me an expensive gift or pitch in with a few other people to buy me an expensive gift. . . . I would like THIS

COmpsting in an apartment! Right in my ktichen! No worms, no stink .. . . food scraps are welcome. . . I'm so excited! I think I'm more excited about composting in this cool little gadget than hooking up a bike trailer and taking Clara and the Dog for jaunts around MIsawa! : )

WHAT is going on?!

So, apparenlty the Gods of Sickness despise me--food posioning was their weapon of choice Yesterday. If no one's ever had food posioning, you may not want to hear the grisley details of it.

Cursed Be the World!--The Tale of Torture

I woke up at 5am with terrible naseua, finally threw up around 7, then again at 8:30 (but it was mostly dry heaving--I'm not sure which one sucks worse). Then again at 11:30 (if you can call bile vomit, than do so, otherwise just call it dry heaving again). I also had liquid poop for the second half of the day--fortunately the two symptoms didn't overlap for more than an hour. Also fortunately it wasn't too bad becuase id idn't eat much on Monday and I hadn't eaten anything tuesday except some pretzels that I already threw up. Awesome silver lining there.

I could tell I had a mild fever, but it wasn't terrible, just a little achyness and some mild "skin hurting". So anyways, just some residual achyness today--had some food and I'm feeling ok in that department, so I think its over. But serisouly! If I don't get more than two weeks of good health pretty soon I just don't know that I'll be able to take it!

I had to laugh yesterday though becuase I remembered a few years ago Chris and Steve sitting around my mom's kitchen table talking about hte possibility of vomitting poop nad how it has actually happened to people. We were all laughign so hard at the horror of it--so I was glad I didn't have it that bad. Silver lining number two.