Jack-O-Lanterns, Spiders and Dominic's First...

Last Thursday night, Dominic woke up about 6 times and a feeling of dread washed over me as I panicked that his Prevacid wasn't working. The next morning, he was sooo cranky and wouldn't take his bottle. I could tell he was in pain and I thought I was going to have to make an appointment with the Ped again to talk about his reflux. But to my delight, as he was crying with his mouth wide open... something caught me eye. I stuck my finger in to do some rootin' around in there and sure enough... I found THIS!



Yay! His first tooth! Waahhh! He's getting so big.

Now... on to holiday stuff. So, now that we're a "family"... we decided to start doing some more holiday traditions. And so... after our trip to the Pumpkin Patch, we decided to carve a Jack-O-Lantern for FHE on Monday. It was sooo messy and sooo fun! We also baked some yummy pumpkin seeds that we can eat while we watch "The Nightmare Before Christmas". Our Jack-O-Lantern... who I've dubbed, "Jack", (naturally) turned out super-cute and I was so excited to put his happy face on our front porch for all of the cute little trick-or-treaters to see! Here are some pictures from Monday night:








Here are our YUMMY Pumpkin seeds...



So... after a few days, I went out to light "Jack" up because I was feeling festive. And to my utter dismay, I found this...



I guess in Arizona, you should only carve your pumpkins the day BEFORE Halloween. Poor Jack... so long dear friend. Darn sun.

Lastly... I was just wondering...who needs fake plastic spiders to decorate your porch with when you can have the real thing!?


One bad thing we've discovered about our new place is that every other night or so... we have about 3 more black widows to kill outside. I don't know where they keep coming from! Time to call the bug guy... wouldn't want any little trick-or-treaters getting bit. :( Pretty scary lookin' huh? Welp... Happy Halloween!

Pumpkins and Our Punkin'

On Saturday we went to the Mother Nature's Farm for their Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch! I was a little disappointed that the pumpkins were already gathered from the fields... but we had fun anyway. They had a corn maze and a hayride and farm animals and food. Dominic was out of sorts that day because we helped move our friends from the West side of Phoenix to the East side that day and he didn't get naps. So... he's a stone face in most of the Pumpkin Patch pictures. I've never seen him be so solemn. I couldn't get him to smile for ANYTHING!!! And usually he smiles whenever I so much as look at him. So... this morning I got busy with the camera outside in my yard and got in a few good shots. I LOVE the fall!!! Although it's not the same as it was in Idaho and Utah, I still feel it in the air and it makes me a little giddy. The cooler, crisper air... the smell of leaves... a slew of upcoming holidays constantly running through my mind... these next few months are my FAVORITE!!! Yeah!

He's on a Roll!

Yay! Yesterday, Dominic finally decided to roll from his back to his tummy. He was trying to get his prized hairbrush... he loves that thing. He rolls over all the time now and thinks he's pretty cool. Of course, my camera is always nearby... so I quickly got a shot of his first time over. The attached video was taken today, not on his first roll. Anyway... it's about time Dominic! Woohooo!

Just What I Needed to Read Today...

I've been feeling a bit insecure lately. It's really easy to get caught up in the big mess that is our economy. I was talking to Rich about it and he reminded me of President Monson's talk in conference about living life now. Sure, crap is going to hit the fan... but that's what life is all about. That's why we're here, right? To live, learn, endure, and come out of this life more humble, faithful, teachable, willing, loving, empathetic, understanding, and wise. So here's to all you optimists out there... a little "Pick-me-up quote from President Hinkley:

“I am an optimist! What a wonderful time it is to be alive…my plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we ‘accentuate the positive.’ I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.
“I am not recommending that all criticism be silent. Growth comes with correction. ..What I am suggesting is that we have had missing from our society a buoyant spirit of optimism. What I am asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our culture and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live; that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults; that optimism replace pessimism; that uncertainty and worry be pushed aside by an enduring feeling of hope.”

Gordon B. Hinckley



I hope this brightened your day. It did mine. :)

Playin' at the Park

It's so beautiful outside right now. Morning time is our favorite time. Dom is always in such a happy mood in the morning, and being outside just adds to his pleasure. This morning we went on a jog (Wow. I'm so out of shape!!! I haven't exercised since Dom was 6 weeks old... and even then, I only kept it up for a couple of weeks!) and then met up with my friend Diane and her cutie-pie boy, Ashton, at the park. We love this park because it has baby swings!!! Anyway, Dom... being in a super good mood, decided to pose for me and I got some of the cutest shots! I think we'll definitely be going to the park now on a daily basis because it puts Dominic is such a great mood. That, and it's so nice to get out of the house without feeling like I have to get ready and load Dommy up in the car. Anyway... now that it's starting to get beautiful outside, when are we going to get some more people to come and VISIT us!? My mom just left, my big bro Jarrod is coming next week... who's next!? We'd LOVE to have you!


Dom and his buddy, Ashton


"Weee!"




Dom's Duck Face






So Happy!


"Gimme that Camera!"








LOVES his Blankey. :)