For the Grandmas

I, like Dedra, have discovered "Babywise" It has made such a difference for Jakey! He sleeps so well now and is happy when he is awake. He loves to talk and I just know he is really saying things. It makes him so excited when we talk back. Grandparents, this one's for you.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

I don't watch Oprah a lot, but every year I love to watch her "Favorite Things" show. I don't know why I enjoy getting so jealous every year, but I just can't help it when she gives away free mixers and camcorders. Well, I thought about it and decided that I don't need anything that she gave away this year. In fact, I would have picked completely different things as my "favorites", so I decided to make my own list. I'm not giving any away, but if your interested, here are a few of my favorite things:

1. Paula's Choice Lipgloss -

Add a hint of color and a glossy or sparkling finish to your lips with these sheer, non-sticky glosses. A playful addition to your cosmetic wardrobe, they're perfect worn alone or as an accent over your favorite Paula's Choice lipsticks.
100% fragrance-free
Salicylate-free for those with fibromyalgia

These are great for moisturizing dry lips and it stays on forever! (Not to mention some really pretty colors!)

2. Maytag, high efficiency, front loading, washer and dryer. I love mine because it has all sorts of options, like hand wash and sanitize. Plus, they're fast!

3. Redbox- These are pretty much a video renting store in a box. They have them all over in grocery stores, McDonald's, and other places. It's only a dollar a movie, per day. I love it because it's super convenient and they have all the new releases. Another perk is you don't have to have a store card and you don't have to talk to any ornery employees that don't want to be there. This is great if you're generally an introvert like I am. Here's a link to get one free!

http://www.redbox.com/Help/Signup.aspx

4.Curel Intensive Moisture Lotion- Love this! Surprisingly, my skin has been ultra-dry in this ultra-humid climate. This isn't sticky, doesn't stink, and lasts a long time.

5. My First Leap Pad- These are for ages 3-5. I cannot believe how much this has helped Caleb! Not only does he love to play it every day, but he can do it all by himself. (which is great for a mommy who needs a break) I give it two thumbs up!

That's it for now, I'll post more as I think of them!

Bad Hair Day

Okay, so I know this is disgusting, but for all you mothers out there; I just want you to know you're not alone. This is the amount of hair that I loose after one shower. David says he's surprised that I have any hair left. Diddo. Having children sure makes life a little less "hairy".... Um..........sure.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas?

Sunday morning we woke up to an ice storm. Which, to anyone from Missouri, is no surprise at this time of year. I was certainly surprised though, having never seen anything like it before. It's pretty harsh, but incredibly beautiful. I couldn't take a picture to do it justice. We had snow for about an afternoon but it didn't stick to the ground. I don't know how sledding down a hill full of ice would go, but it certainly gives new meaning to the sport of ice blocking doesn't it? We are really looking forward to some good 'ole Utah snow. (There is some there, isn't there?)

So, great news! Jacob has only awaken once a night for the past two nights. Hurray! Of course, those were the nights Caleb decided to get out of his bed five times for absolutely no reason, but hey, it's progress and we'll certainly take what we can get. GO JACOB!

David and I just got new callings in our ward. David got called to be a primary teacher and I got called to be the magazine specialist. Oh yeah! Nothing too difficult. We are excited to finally have callings. I was feeling a little weird not having one for so long. It's been nice for me though, because it's given me the chance to get used to taking care of two children, and it's helped me figure out and settle into my groove.

Happy Holiday!

Random Stuff

Grandma Anson sent us a big package full of surprises for Christmas. It was fun to find it outside our door one day and when we opened it up, Caleb was thrilled to find it also full of packing peanuts. I went to change in the other room and when I came back, he was busy dumping them all over the floor. This is him trying to clean up the mess, but somehow it just kept spreading. Who invented those things anyway?!

So this is actually a teething toy, but we were bored okay! Jacob was good enough to humor me and Caleb the other afternoon. Poor child. What will we think of next?

I didn't have a lot of money to spend on decorations this year, but I didn't want to spend a lot anyway because we're spending most of the month in Utah. It usually ends up being better that way though, because it forces me to get creative. I wanted a specific wreath but I couldn't find it anywhere so I decided to make one. Right behind our apartment are the woods where I cut a bunch of tree branches. I bought the berries and added the rest to make what I wanted. I really like how it turned out. I think it really spices up our door!

Anyway, those are some random things that we have been up to lately. Not too much to report, except that we're excited to go on vacation soon and visit family and friends. Have a great weekend everyone!

So many babies, so little time

David and I decided that Jackie and Judd's baby, Tyler, should be "Thud" and our Jacob should be "Plop". What do you think?

Anyway, all together we had a very busy, but good, weekend. Thanksgiving dinner at the Preston's was excellent. I made two lemon-sour cream pies, a pumpkin roll, and corn. We got in some good games of Settlers and Axis and Allies before we had to put the kids to bed. I'd say it was a very tummy filling Turkey Day! We missed all of the family though, but we're sure glad for our family out here. Congrats Liz on your Thanksgiving announcement!

you go you're way, and I'll go mine

David has a friend who works for the St. Louis Blues Hockey team, and was able to get two free tickets. He and Judd decided to go and take the boys with them, since they got in free. They had a fun ride by Metro into town, and Caleb was even given an authentic hockey puck that was hit out of bounds. They had some good 'ole male bonding and Jackie and I took the babies shopping with us. We had no idea what to do with ourselves with only two babies sitting in car seats. After some Costco and Target, we drove to the temple to see the lights. (Pictures to follow on a later post.) All-in-all, I'd say a very successful night!

Our Victory's Story

We went to Judd and Jackie's BYU football party on Saturday.

GO BYU!!!!!!

It was a lot of fun, and there were Ute fans there so we had to represent! It was a pretty slow game up until the last few minutes. We just about died of anticipation, but, of course, we knew all along that BYU would pull through and take the win. In the end, it was a good party with good food. (I took my Lemon-sour cream Pie. Yum!)

Seeeewwwwwyyyyyy!

Well, here we are, the Dusty Diamond Family. Our friend Letty had a murder mystery dinner for her birthday party. Check out the belt buckles. Those were homemade my friends!

Here's Caleb and Letty's boyfriend, Richard, whom Caleb has adopted as his older brother. He's been so great with him and always gets down on the floor to play.

Thankful Thoughts

So, the holiday season has got me thinking. What am I thankful for? Here are some of my thoughts: I am thankful for those moments in the middle of the night when David and I are exhausted and I get a giant smile from my beautiful, healthy baby. Who needs sleep anyway? I'm thankful I can create things, and when a project I'm working on goes just the way I imagined it. I'm grateful for chocolate. I'm thankful for a loving husband who treats me like I'm something special and who actually believes it. I'm grateful for loving parents who still sacrifice for my happiness even though I'm a "grown up". I'm thankful for the show "Super Why?" for 2 reasons; Caleb is entertained for 30 minutes while I blog, and the fact that he can now recite and recognize the entire alphabet (often repeatedly, over and over and over and over.......). I'm thankful for mapquest.com so that I can find my way around a new city not inspired enough to have been built on the grid system. I'm grateful for my prescription sunglasses that save my face from more squinting wrinkles and headaches. I'm grateful for the generosity of good women who see my need for friendship and acceptance, and who drive me and my children around in their wonderful minivans. I'm grateful for minivans. I'm thankful for temples. I'm thankful for missionaries who know why they're on missions and who can pass along pass-along cards when I just can't figure out how to. I'm thankful for beautiful things and that they make me stop and feel thankful. I'm thankful for good back rubs and really funny movies. I am really thankful for sleep. I'm thankful for the internet that lets a girl without a car do some shopping and communicate with family and friends. I'm thankful for technology, "Oh yes, I love technology". I'm thankful for blow dryers, Lysol wipes and magic erasers. I'm grateful for my testimony, a loving Heavenly Father and for Jesus Christ, my Savior. What are you thankful for?

The Leaves are Falling

Caleb is growing up so fast I can't believe it! Everyone always comments to us on how polite he is. He is such a thoughtful person already. This morning he woke up at around seven and came into my room. He saw that I was still tired and went to play in his room. I fell back asleep and didn't realize it until I woke up at nine! He came into my room and told me that he had been playing with his leap pad in the living room so that he wouldn't wake me up and so that I could sleep. What three-year-old does that? He is truly my "Lovey" as I like to call him, and I am so lucky to be his mother!

I decided to take the boys out and take some fall pictures by our apartment. It has finally turned cold here, so now it actually feels like autumn. This is my very favorite season. It's probably because it was when I fell in love with David, and it's also the time when new things happen: new school years, meeting new people, the beginning of the holiday season, and the anticipation of the first snow fall. We're still waiting for that one, but it certainly was a beautiful day today. It was good to get outside in the fresh air!

The Amazing Cubbinator

I woke up this morning to find that Jacob's diaper had some how fallen off inside his sleeper, and that urine had soaked my sheets and me. Well, I obviously stripped his clothes and after a new diaper I sat him up and stared at his chubbiness. There is nothing quite like a roley baby! Then, to my fascination, he discovered his toes. He was grinning like I'd never seen before. This must have inspired him because after I lay him down, he rolled over from his back to his front!!! Yes, my 10 week old is a wonder and amazing! It's incredible what we think will make us happy and what actually does. Deep aye!

What a Hunk!

Jacob just had his two month visit to the pediatrician. He was in the 90th percentile for weight at 12 lbs. 14 oz. We also found out he has an umbilical hernia, but it's not a problem and will go away on its own.

"The Hold"

About a month ago, we were at my parents' house visiting with family and Jacob was really fussy. I handed him over to my brother-in-law, Ron, who then proceeded to calm him down in an instant. Yes, my friends, an instant. Here is David demonstrating "The Hold" which hasn't failed us yet (or anyone in Ron's family either). We all swear by it! Thanks Ron, we owe you one!!!

Hey Diddle Diddle

Here is another one of my favorites! Can't you just see him on Broadway?

Little Miss Muffett

A while ago, Grandma Anson gave Caleb some little nursery rhyme books. He's been saying them over and over again so I thought I'd catch one on tape. Enjoy!

Martha Stewart Here I Come!

I made this bag yesterday out of a place mat and a napkin. Way cool eh?! I'm already planning for my next one. David asked me why I needed another bag. He said I already had one. Ü Boys!!!!!!

David came home from work yesterday with 2 dozen roses for me. I'm spoiled rotten!

Story Time

Here's David reading a story to the boys. I love that David gets off work by 4:00 every day. He gets to spend a lot more time with the boys, and they love it! The boys and I went to the Science Museum today. It's free and has so much to see and do. Caleb liked that he could touch everything.

Halloween

Here in St. Louis they have a tradition that when you go trick-or-treating you have to tell a joke to get candy. This was Caleb's. Sorry it is sideways!!!

All Wrapped Up

Jacob made his Halloween debut as a baked potato. He was a little congested so he didn't go trick-or-treating, but I'm sure his older brother will share. Caleb made a haul this year!

To Infinity and Swabbing the Deck!

Caleb was 2 things for Halloween this year. I ordered a his pirate costume on line and we didn't get it until 4 p.m. on Halloween day. He was Buzz Lightyear for our ward trunk-or-treat and a pirate for trick-or-treating.

Baby Boy Blue

Here's Cubby in his Lumberjack outfit. I love it because it brings out his blue eyes. Oh so chubby!

Pumpkin Patch

On Moday, Jackie and a friend and I took our kids to Rombach Farm. It was a lot of fun for the kids, while we moms got in some good girl talk. I bought Caleb a little pumpkin (the big ones were really expensive). Caleb spent a lot of time on the tractor. Like father like son! Jacob slept almost the whole time, but got to walk around with mom so he was happy. Ü

Here's the St. Louis Temple where David is working now. The grounds are Beautiful with lots of green grass. I really like the windows on this temple.

One of the cool things about St. Louis is the zoo. It's free and has a good variety of animals. We went last Saturday with my cousin, Judd and his wife, Jackie, and their two boys, Christopher and Tyler, who are the same ages as our boys. It was "Boo at the Zoo" day so I think all of St. Louis was there. It was really crowded but we has a good time and saw a lot of kids in some really fun costumes.

Here's Jacob at 7 weeks. He first smiled at 2 days old and has been smiling ever since. He is so much fun!!!!

David got the job as the St. Louis L.D.S. temple grounds supervisor, so we moved from Utah to Missouri at the beginning of October. It has been quite an adventure so far and we're excited to begin this new chapter in our lives. We miss our families and friends though and hope to be able to visit a lot. Pictures of the temple are coming soon!!!

David and I were married January 16, 2003.

I love you David!

Me with Caleb.

David with Caleb.

Here are our beautiful boys, Caleb and Jacob. Caleb is the best big brother. He is such a help!
Caleb is 3 and Jacob is now 2 months.

Here is the new addition to our family. We are so excited to have him here!

Jacob David Anson

7 lbs. 8 oz.

20 in. long

blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair