Photo Storage

I was about to do a quick update when I was told via this site that I have used up my photo storage!!

Anyone know how to fix this so I can keep blogging?

Cuz, I don't want to pay money for more storage...that's lame.

Any help would be appreciated!

Dress Up

This is why every mother should be a mother to a girl...

 

 

...so they have someone to dress up!

 

Yes, I'm one of those moms who takes a picture of every outfit her cuties wear.

 

Deal.

Wintery Weekend

We've been blessed with a bunch of SNOW!!

 

 

I love it!!

Especially since I'm too busy with the babe to drive anywhere further than a block...

 

 

Seth and Porter sure had fun in it, though!!

 

Seth actually wore Porter out for the first time, ever.

Opposites

I find it so interesting how opposite Porter and Lilia seem.

 

Porter didn't eat well--Lilia eats like a champ.

 

Porter slept through the night from day one--Lilia isn't the sleeping pro Porter was.

 

Porter sobbed all the time when he wasn't crying. He would just accept things if it wasn't what he wanted after a long while of crying--Lilia doesn't sob. She is very observant when she's not hungry, but she sure has a temper when you're not doing what she wants.

 

Porter absolutely despised being on his tummy--Lilia prefers it!

 

 

They do have one thing in common:

 

Adorableness.

 

Silly

Porter follows me around with his "Baby" whenever I'm doing anything with Lilia.

 

 

At least he doesn't feed Baby while I'm feeding her.

 

Means he understands boys can't do that.

 

That's a plus.

 

Even when I'm almost tripping over him all day.

Parts and Letters

 

I began the process of trying out for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir last July.

I had prayed about it and felt that it was what I should be doing.

There are three parts to this audition process.

Part one was a sent-in application with an audition tape/CD with specific singing requirements recorded on it.

I was a bit nervous about this, as I hadn't really sang for a while.

Not since Oregon.

I know I had Divine help during my recording session with Kelly, and felt really good about my recording.

Even though I know my pitch went sharp due to nerves and a lack of accompaniment.

As I sent in the required items, I thought to myself, whatever happens, happens.

I got a letter in the mail a couple weeks later stating that I had passed the first part!

I was surprised, but very pleased.

It meant I was that much closer to being able to achieve my dream!

Part two was a music theory test.

I picked up the study material and began studying right away.

I was more nervous about this than I was about the first part since I have never been super awesome at theory.

But, this time around, it clicked.

When I went in to take the test at 8 months pregnant, I was worried my pregnant brain would keep me from remembering what I studied, so Seth gave me a blessing.

In order to pass, I had to get a score of 80% or higher.

I had never cared about the results of a test before like I cared about the results of this one.

As I was taking the test, I found things to be easier than I thought they would be, and felt I did well.

I had even gotten to take the test with an old friend from Twin Falls who happened to be trying out at the same time!

Two weeks later, I received a letter with my results.

I had passed!

I can't tell you how excited I was about this.

Then, the nerves returned when, two weeks after having a baby, I went to Temple Square to finish up the final part of the audition process--part three.

Part three was an interview with the choir president, and an in-person audition with the conductors of the choir.

During my interview it was heavily stressed that I needed to be able to dedicate 5 years to the choir.

I told them I could dedicate one full year (next May to May 2014), but I couldn't guarantee five years.

My in-person audition didn't go as well as I would have liked since my body wasn't where it needed to be after birth, so I felt this didn't help my situation much as far as making the choir was concerned.

But, I felt they understood the physical limitations.

I was so excited to meet Mack Wilberg, my favorite music arranger, and was even a bit giddy that I got to shake his hand.

Yes, I'm a nerd.

He even told me that I had "a very pretty voice".

Which also made me a bit giddy.

But, as I left the Tabernacle, I felt I wasn't going to make it.

Not because of how I sing, but because of the yearly time commitment.

Saturday, I got my last letter with my results.

Here is what it says:

"Thank you for your participation in the recent auditions for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. You did very well and we were glad to have you participate.

We would love to hear you again and invite you to re-apply when you will be in the area on a more permanent basis."

So, my feelings were right.

Not going to lie, I'm emotional about this.

But, I'm so extremely grateful for the opportunity I never thought I would be able to have to try out.

I'm grateful for the help I received from my Father in Heaven during the process.

I'm grateful that I was able to see an old friend.

I'm grateful that I was able to meet and shake hands with Brother Wilberg and Brother Murphy.

I'm grateful that I now know I do have what it takes to be a member of the choir.

And, those positive thoughts are what I'm dwelling on.

If Seth and I move back here for any reason (because no one can say things will absolutely be one way or another even with plans that seem to be set in stone), I will try out again.

Hopefully, if and whenever that is, I will be able to make as much as a 20 year commitment.

Thank you for your support.

Love.

One Month

Lilia is now one month old!

 

She has gone up a "size" and is (barely) not fitting the newborn sized clothing.

 

She is a much better eater than Porter ever was, which is great.

 

Don't have to worry about Failure to Thrive this time.

 

 

We have tentatively decided her hair color is strawberry blonde.

 

Emphasis on blonde.

 

(My camera makes her look more red)

 

We also think smiles are right around the corner!

 

 

Such a sweetheart.

Ouch

November 1

All of a sudden, I felt really ill.

Like, am I getting the flu? ill.

I also had an enormous headache.

So, migraine? I asked myself.

I decided to take a nap and see what would happen.

After a two hour nap at the same time as the babe, I felt worse.

I even had more symptoms--hurting breast, weird red marks, and a fever.

Mastitis.

Never had it before, so I wasn't totally sure that was what it was I was feeling, and decided to wait a bit longer before calling the doctor.

I showered (becoming a rare thing lately), and felt even worse.

I was too sick to move.

That was the final straw, and I called the doctor.

Well, the on-call nurse, anyway, as it was after 5 at this point.

She prescribed me antibiotics after I described my situation.

She called it in at 8:55 PM.

The Walmart pharmacy I frequent closes at 9, so Seth rushed to pick them up.

He got there two minutes before closing, and practically begged them to fill it for me.

They stayed late to do so.

He must have been convincing.

I will give them baked treats for this...

...once I make some.

Anyway...practically the moment the antibiotics kicked in, I felt better.

I still had a fever, but "better" was definitely a needed improvement.

Lilia became a sleeping pro that night and surprised me by sleeping 6 hours!

It was totally awesome, and hasn't happened since...dangit.

When I woke to feed her after that long stint, I felt awful again.

I guess I went too long in between antibiotics.

I ended up having a fever until 11 AM, and then I started feeling more normal.

Mastitis it must be.

And, man, is it awful.

The meds have definitely helped.

I'm not feeling as sick anymore, and I'm not hurting as much.

Another reason I am so very grateful for modern medicine.

And for pharmacists who are nice enough to stay after hours to fill an emergency prescription.

Halloween Happenings

We went to my brother's house for Halloween dinner.

 

Halloween is also my Papa's birthday, and he lives with them.

 

My sister-in-law, Wendy, is super creative, and made Hawaiian haystacks with Halloween labels complete with a bubbly cauldron.

 

 

Totally awesome.

 

Seth was performing at a Halloween play, Deep Love, that night.

 

So, Porter, Lilia, and I went Trick-or-Treating with the cousins.

 

This was Porter's and Lilia's first actual door to door Trick-or-Treat excursion.

 

Well, Porter's anyway.

 

Lilia was in her stroller the whole time, asleep.

 

Asleep, that is, until she was hungry.

 

Then she threw a fit.

 

At least by that time Porter was done because his bag was "heavy", so there was no argument from him.

 

The two blocks back to my brother's place were full of upset Lilia screams.

 

I guess it was pretty fitting for the holiday.

 

After getting her food, she got to be held by Aunt Kathryn

 

It was so great to be with and see family!

 

There were so many cute costumes.

 

Sadly, I didn't get a picture of the kiddos.

 

But, I did get this unplanned one...

 

"Did Rob dress up like Potts?"--Emily (in the phone)

 

And then when I got home, I was sure to get this cutie...

 

Seth got home about the same time as we did.

 

He quickly got his "costume" on and we took our group shot:

 

Happy Halloween!!

Pictures at 2 weeks

My Uncle Randy, whom I have previously mentioned, took the time to take some adorable photos of my kids, and I absolutely love how they turned out!

 

Here are a few...

 

 

Seth and I sure make some cute kids!

 

Thanks Randy!