The one with Conference and some organizing.

Analia and I went to the General Womens meeting for conference on Saturday--They filled the entire conference center--which surprisingly doesn't actually happen that often.  I love the women's meeting because we all get to sing more than once--hymns are my favorite.  They bring such a spirit, and singing with that many women is amazing. 

The speakers were great, my favorite was the first, she spoke about the Savior and how because we are his children, we not only need him in our lives, but he needs us--That hit me hard--probably because I can completely understand that now, being a mother.  It gave me another perspective, and another source of motivation to keep close to my Savior.  I just pictured Luca moving away from me when he grows up, and never calling, or visiting or checking in, or caring.  Its an incredibly sad thought, and yet, that is what so many people do everyday to the Lord. I need to be better at that.

It was so beautiful when we left, and if I hadn't been scared of the crowds, and attempting to beat them all out of there I would have gone over to temple square for more pictures--plus Analia was starving.

WHERE is my baby?? There is no way he will be 2 in just three weeks.

So.  Remember all the planing I said I did for these stupid pictures??  Turns out it doesn't even matter--they failed anyway.

It took me days to figure out a good layout, and when I finally did, I took pictures, I played out paper, I traced them, I hung the paper, and leveled the pictures, I measured the walls, and everything.

Then when I went to hang them they all are stupid.  They don't work at all, and to hang them the way IKEA thinks they should be hung is impossible at the moment as they don't give you enough of the attachments you need to do it.  So I have to go back and see if I can get more.  I am annoyed.

I had an urge to listen to this song the other day--so I did, and I can't believe all the words I still remember.  Mackenzie and I were super cool kids and would dance around the room and act it out.  "I hold my nose, I close my eyes, and take a drink!"

Nicole has had to get some doctory things for school, and a stethoscope was one of those things.  We all took turns playing with it, and Luca let me listen to his heart a few times.  I hope this will help with doctor visits, but I doubt it.

I FINALLY finished the playroom!!! Organizationally anyway.  I still need an art hanger, and one or two more bins.  But I am so happy its done!! I have been avoiding it at all costs lately because it just still needed so much work.  Now I willingly go in there to play, and sometimes just to stare.  I love organization. Plus also for working for Tiffany who is the master of Organizing and gave me so many fabulous ideas to steal.

I let Luca "talk" to daddy today on my iMessages.  He had a ball texting him, and typing.  Jose was super confused for a bit, but I send him this picture so he understood.  

The one with a crazy cleaning day.

Everyone knows how much I loathe to unpack--it can take me weeks, which I am ashamed to admit.  I just hate it so much.  And I still am not 100% why.

BUT this time I did it all within a few days!! That was like a record I tell you.

I wish I had taken a before and after picture of my room--I had to convince Nicole that it didn't usually look like it did.  There were piles and piles and piles of laundry, and stuff all over.  I couldn't believe it.  We tackled it all on Monday, got Lucas room put together, and moved some stuff around, and the bathrooms, the laundry room, all the laundry, and our room and bathroom all done, and the garage--almost all of it.  It felt so good to get it all done.

Nicole has been super helpful with Luca, she even attempted a nap with him one day when he wouldn't.  By the way--he's totally good on them now--hallelujah!!

I just found this guy when Sara was talking about how much her boys looks change in the first year--Lucas, not so much.

Grandma and Grandpa came over for dinner, and the sprinklers came on again, so daddy and Luca went out again to play--it was freezing cold water this time, but it didn't seem to phase Luca, he was still mad when he had to come back in.

While we were cleaning and organizing Lucas room--into a more big boy room--we found these things, Luca wore them around for a bit.

Luca tried out his tricycle while we tackled the garage, and threw away all the trash--Nicole was helpful then too--she stayed out there with him, we can't see that sidewalk from in the garage.

The one with a climber.

Well. Looks like I can't leave my child alone downstairs anymore. 

At least when I am cooking or baking. 

See those brownies up there? Exactly what this crazy smartie pants is headed for. 

Yes. People. I made brownies. And they actually turned out and were delicious!! I don't remember that last time that happened. But. It wasn't easy either. 

Jose and I just wanted something sweet--and with all this water I'm drinking, or that's what I'm telling myself it is, I haven't wanted candy or my normal sweets!! Weird I know. So we found a box of brownies. Jose started them, but was too into his conversation with the Elders to even open the box so I took over. But then we didn't have any oil. Seriously. That's how little I bake. I had no idea we had none, and have no idea how long we had none. Whatever. 

I called my sister in law--but she was at work, and my mother in law was taking her and my father in law was out of town still. So nobody answered or was home for us to go get some (the second time today we have asked for food related items by the way). 

I texted a few friends that live in the neighborhood but nobody answered. After about an hour my mil called back and said we could have some--but she was getting in the shower so she would just leave the door unlocked for me. 

Yeah. It wasn't unlocked. Jose called her again, and she came down in her towel for me to get oil. I felt bad. She thought she had unlocked it earlier, but I guess it was already unlocked and she locked it. 

Anyways. I got it home, made them, baked them and they were oh so good!  Yay! I'm as impressed and surprised as anyone. 

Anyways. Back to my climbing child. 

I

He discovered the drawer today--which I keep empty--only because I can right now, I don't need that space. He climbed in and hung out for a bit--and then he decided he would try it out as a step stool. 

It worked. 

I got my pictures real quick, and then discussed the fact that this is dangerous and we do not do it. Then I shared my brownie with him. Who knows if he caught that lesson or not. We shall see. 

Crazy head. 

Today the missionaries came for lunch--Elder Boyles is finally being transferred this week--we will miss him! He got to stay so long and we loved it!! 

Elder Balledos is from the Philippines--and he and Matt had some fun conversations today. They both had a blast doing it apparently. 

That all looks like complete jibberish to me. It's so amazing how many languages there are!! 

Luca has been actually "cooking" things lately in his kitchen. He gets his pan all ready--on the stovetop which makes a bubbling noise--and then he finds whatever he wants to cook and adds it in. Today ketchup had a turn, and some of his balls. 

I love watching his imagination soar. 

We watched several YouTube videos with President Hinckley and about the last days and signs of the times. 

And luca soaked in all the attention he got from them. They are so good to play with him. 

This past week I discovered something. That probably shouldn't have taken me so long. When you have an island. Keep it clean and clear. It makes the whole space look neater!!! Really. I know I should have known this before. Whatever--I like my fruit bowls. I wanted them there, but not anymore! 

Even with messy counters behind it still makes it look 20x better!! 

That's a new goal of mine. 

We finally got all caught up with sick time of no cleaning and no more being sick--for me anyway. Jose now has the cold/cough. Ew. And it better not come back to me. 

That is what happens when you are all sick for days--and you only have enough energy to stand to fill the dishwasher once a day. It takes at least four days to get them all done. Fun. But at least they got done!! 

And now my sink is completely full again from lunch. Such is life. 

That won't take me four days though. At least I pray it won't. 

The one with a curious happy babe.

This kid and his bear.  My goodness.  He loves the thing.  It is the first thing he hands to me in the morning now, before he wants out of his bed I have to take the bear.  He is so funny.  It isn't something that he has to have, but when he does he is the happiest little guy.  

He can reach the doorknobs!! I was organizing the kitchen and looked up to see this.   

He still doesn't have enough torque to turn the knob, but I'm sure that will be soon.

   

Then he decided he wanted to help me. He climbed right into the cabinet I was putting a standing shelf thing in.  He was super helpful pulling the drill out of my hands.  It's a darn good thing he is cute.  

I cannot explain my inexpressible joy that my kitchen is finally organized.  And annoyed that I didn't just do it earlier.  It didn't even take that long.  Whatever.  It is done now, orientation has been had, baby-proofing has been done.  Nobody will make it so bad again!!

And then, I tackled the other issue that we have been trying to think of a solution for since we moved.  The spices.  They were in a drawer this whole time, which makes me crazy, and we were running out of space.  

So I decided on shelves, I had no idea how I would actually do it, but I measured a bunch and just left.   

So Luca and I headed to Lowe's with our gift cards and got some wood cut, and figured out what hardware I would need.  I sprayed it brown when we got back, let it dry, and then got the hardware on.  

I got them on the walls, and YAY it is perfect.  I am so glad.  The drawer can now be used for something else!! I have no idea what, and it is still empty, but whatever!  

Luca got glow in the dark stars for his birthday, and we put them up together a few days ago, and played in there for a bit--he LOVES them!! It seems to be helping him stay in his room too.  

Everytime we walk into his room he points right up and starts explaining the stars to me again.

The other day, some HOA men came and sawed out sidewalk out and dug it out with a digger.  During naptime.  Are you kidding me.  It was so dang loud.  

And this was Luca like a half hour into his nap.