So maybe YOU had a big baby?

I think not. At least not compared to the story I read today about baby Nadia.

She weighed in at a good solid 17.1 lbs.

No joke.

This was the mom's 12th child but still, WOW! I couldn't believe it when I saw this picture. I mean this baby weighs as much as a 6 or 7 month old! The family lives in Russia and the mom said she ate normal things while she was pregnant like noodles, potatoes and tomatoes. Also she said that her other children have all been big babies but not like this.

And the kicker is that she had her C-section so for a while she's not supposed to lift "anything heavier than the baby." Right.

And it looks like this little one made the Guinness Book of World Records.

The probably normal sized infant to the right looks like a tiny little preemie next to Nadia.

I'm still in shock, I can't imagine how huge this mom must have been that last month or so. Naomi was only 6 lbs 8 oz and I felt HUGE.

So there's your shocker for the day!

Raspberries!

Raspberry Fields Forever!

I LOVE raspberries. A lot.

So a few days ago Naomi and I drove up to Butlers farm again to get our fill. The rows of raspberry bushes go on forever it seems and they are all just covered in fruit. I barely had to move to fill up our little buckets. More than anything I want a garden with raspberries in it, one day when we have a house:)

I had visions of Naomi picking along side me, dropping berries into the buckets like a fun little game. Or maybe something like Blueberries for Sal, I love that book, but without finding bears of course.

Well it turns out Naomi had her own agenda. She was thrilled when I showed her what was on all those bushes and off she went to pick. I tried at first and then gave up all together trying to get her to put some in the bucket with me. She was literally a kid in a candy shop. She picked and ate and ate and ate.

I felt a little guilty at first but she really couldn't have eaten all THAT much, she can only handle on berry at a time. Oh well.

The funniest had to be when she pulled a white (unripe) berry off and popped it into her mouth and then promptly back out again. She looked at it a little puzzled. I told her that it wasn't ripe yet and that the good ones are the RED ones.

"Ohtah!" and she went back to work.

Towards the end she did contribute about 4-5 berries to the bucket. But she had a hard time parting with them, she wanted them back out but I told her just get some more. A few times she even came over to me with a berry to put in and then got almost ready to let it go and then said "eat" and popped it in her mouth.

What a girl.

When we were done we drove back to the store, weighed and payed for our berries and headed home. It was such a blast. Naomi had as much fun there as she does at the "park" - the playground but she'd never admit it!

Well now what?

I finished New Moon and Eclipse in record time, starting counting from the time they were actually IN my hands:) For those not familiar with those titles let me enlighten you! And change your world. JK. Sortof. Stephenie Meyer is the writer of the fabulous and somehow all-consuming Twilight series of books. Her third (Eclipse) was released last month and the fourth will not be out until NEXT SUMMER. So like I said; Now What? They are a story about, well a vampire and a girl. It's a love story but a lot of action too. I know, I KNOW, it sounds totally weird and lame, I mean REALLY, a VAMPIRE? But you just have to trust me on this one. They are very, very good. Oh, and also CLEAN. That's something that's become as hard to come by in books as it is in movies now days.
It's weird that books can be so consuming or engrossing or whatever for lack of a better vocabulary. But really- what is it about some books, including hers that does that to me and loads of other people too. I'm serious, EVERYONE is talking about these books. I mean I seriously can't put them down! I read until 2 a.m. and sneak in pages while Naomi is otherwise occupied and spend all of Naomi's nap time reading. So much for cleaning or anything else I used to do. So I guess on that note it's a good thing I've finished the series so far.
I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book and of course searching for other very worthwhile (I mean time-wasting) books to read in the meantime.

One more...

Too cute, had to post them both. Naomi's been working hard on her jumping skills too, she can catch some air usually.

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home!

Naomi LOVES when Daddy plays with her! She gets "tossed" and chased and tickled. It's really funny to watch them play:)

Weekender

We went to Charlotte this last weekend. Zach had an interview with a Charlotte law firm for a summer internship position (for NEXT summer.) The firm was paying Zach's way and I had some ticket voucher and sky miles random flight and miles that we used to get me tickets. We left Friday and came home Monday and I am soooo exhausted!


I've been meaning to post about our little trip but I think I've been avoiding it because it made me so dang tired!


I flew alone and it was kind of hard, the hardest part wasn't the plane ride itself but parking the car, getting on the shuttle and off again and then through security with all our stuff was tricky and an extra set of hands would have been nice. People were always helping me though, it's funny I must have a sign that says "I can't handle this, help me please!" That's what I felt like anyway!


But really it wasn't' too bad, all loaded up I had Naomi in her stroller, a diaper bag tucked into the basket and a small carry on and her car seat hanging from the handles of the stroller. It's just disassembling the whole ensemble that takes a bit of effort...
We have some friends who live in Charlotte, Heather and Rob Jenkins, and they were so nice to show us around and have us for dinner. They have a little girl, Claire who is about 6 months younger than Naomi. Rob was a mission companion of Zach's and he just graduated from Georgetown and was hired on at the firm Zach's interviewing with.


We had a great time with them, Heather came and picked me up and Naomi up while Zach was in his interview and we hit up the local Farmers Market.


All I can say is "WOW."


It was three huge barn like buildings filled with produce, bread and crafts. But the crazy thing is that the produce market is EVERY DAY! I bought some strawberries and peaches and sampled some very good bread and salsa:) yum.


I wish I had more pictures of this trip to post, I was just so busy I forgot to take pictures! It seems like that happens to me a lot. The more interesting and exciting it is makes me forget all about my camera.


So we made it back Monday evening all in one piece. Zach is actually going back to interview with a different firm this Friday. Hopefully one will make him an offer! Charlotte is a much more affordable place to live than D.C. and the firms there pay surprisingly close to the same as here. It was really a pretty place, the downtown was clean, reminded me a little of Salt Lake City that way.

Alright, here are a few pictures from the little weekender.

Naomi watching the airplanes, and trucks and "trains" of baggage cars go by while we waited for our flight. Her glasses are pretty stylin'!

Naomi watching cartoons in our KING sized bed! I'm converted, we need a king...

The Charlotte airport had a row of ROCKING CHAIRS for people to sit and relax in while waiting for a flight! I didn't try one out but they looked comfortable. It seems so Southern, charming:)

Apple Picking!

Last week Naomi and I went up to Greenburg to pick apples at a huge orchard/farm. It was the playdate for the ward that one of the moms had planned. Only a few of us went but it was so fun!


The farm has every kind of fruit imaginable available to pick (when it's ripe). You take a bag or buy one there and then pay by the pound when you are done back down at the store.


I'm planning on going up tomorrow or sometime this week to pick raspberries, the "patch" was so huge and I got a good look at one persons bucket of berries and was seriously considering offering to buy them from them right then and there. Only sort of kidding.


Naomi loved every minute of it, she tried to add the rotten apples from the ground to our bag a few times though but I talked her into picking some off the tree with me. She became a little possessive of our apples and wouldn't let me carry them. Never mind that they weighed about half her weight...


We had an apple as part of our lunch before we went home, it was delicious!

Warning, this is a boring video, I'm testing to see if it can be done!

I did it, now please disregard:)

video anyone??

Does anyone know how to upload a video? I am struggling. I uploaded a few videos to Google Video Uploader and can't seem to upload them onto here....
I tried using the Video button on the toolbar above but it doesn't give me a browse option, just enter the name of the video and then it does nothing, just "error on the page."

Ok, If you can help I would LOVE your help!

sugar and spice and everything nice.....

I took a some great pictures at the park these past few days, below is a slide sequence. Naomi LOVES the slides, actually she just loves going to the "park."

Naomi got a little sweaty under her hat, her hair was all curls:)

This next set was this morning, we were playing outside and it started to rain, Naomi was loving the rain, she wanted it on her hands as she kept on telling me, she took her hat off at one point so she could feel it on her face and head.

Naomi is opening her mouth to catch the rain...

Favorite Commercial!

Ok, I found it! I didn't think I had a favorite commercial but I was recently reminded of THIS one. It's a goody, enjoy! Let me know if you remember it.

The Top 35

Copied From Dani-

1. What is your occupation? Mom, or stay at home mom. I'm getting a raise soon....

2. Do you like banana sandwiches? Yes with peanut butter and honey too.

3. What are you listening to right now? Zach typing on his laptop

4. What was the last thing you ate? Popsicle, they make me feel good.

5. Do you wish on stars? yes, when I remember

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? probably raspberry color or a nice red-orange.
7. How is the weather right now? warm and nice, but it's night now so warm and dark.

8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Natalie, my little sister. She's shopping in Vegas and is my personal shopper at times:)

9. Favorite T.V. shows? I only watch The Office, starts again soon!!!

10. Favorite T.V. commercial? hmm, been a while since I actually watched "T.V." I honestly don't have one.

11. Favorite drink? Is a Jamba a drink? Sure. Mango-a-GoGo.

12. Favorite sport to watch? HS football and then College basketball.

13. Have you ever dyed your hair? Oh tons but not in the past few years.

14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Neither.

15. Pets? An orange tabby cat named Cheetah. She was a surprise Christmas present from Zach a few years ago. Now Naomi torments her.

16. Favorite month? December! I LOVE Christmas time!

17. Favorite food? Depends on the day, but I guess you can't really count candy as a food, or Popsicles. Probably my mom's mashed potatoes and dad's gravy. We just can't seem to replicate them!

18. What was the last movie you watched? The Princess Bride!

19. Favorite day of the year? Maybe my birthday? I don't know. I think it changes every year.

20. What do you do to vent anger? I usually vent to Zach, especially if it's him I'm mad at:)

21. What was your favorite toy as a child? Maybe my Fisher Price cash register.

22. Fall or Spring? Fall right now but come April I would say Spring! I like the season changes.

23. Hugs or kisses? If we are talking candy I go for kisses.

24. Cherry or Blueberry? Cherry jolly ranchers and Blueberries or the real deal.

25. What is on the floor of your closet? My shoes

26. Who is the friend you have had the longest? My sister Natalie!

27. What did you do last night? Watched The Princess Bride and then searched for tickets online to Wicked in NY.

28. What are you afraid of? Spiders on a superficial level but seriously I'm probably afraid of something horrible happening to Naomi.

29. What bugs you? Calling "Customer Support" and having to explain to someone in India. As well as they speak English there is still a major language and cultural barrier. Sounds very rude I know but it does bug me.

30. How many states have you visited? 22 if you count D.C.

31. Favorite car? I just want a NEW car. Nothing to pricey, I like the Mazda 6, Passat, and Pathfinders. Just a few that catch my eye.

32. Number of keys on your key ring? Too many. 5

33. How many years at your current job? 1 year, 6 1/2 months.

34. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

35. How many states have you lived in? 3- Utah, Illinois, Maryland

(like Dani) Copy and paste for your blog, they are fun to read- consider yourself tagged:)

Look-alike-Meter!

Everyone always says Naomi looks EXACTLY like Zach. Well, I guess it's only really by about 3%.
This is a fun site, Naomi is going to have a look of her own I'm sure:) But at least she is almost 1/2 mine!

Guess What?

Well, Naomi seems to be on the mend. Good thing:) She was kind of sick today but don't tell her that! I fed her strictly the BRAT diet today and I think it's working if you know what I mean. It stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. And the greener the banana the better.



But on a fun note we got some new boots for Naomi and leg warmers!!! I wasn't totally sold on the boots but Naomi LOVED them. Plus, we need rain boots, her snow boots leak water if she steps in a puddle. Which she does whenever she can.


Funny thing though, she wouldn't let me put the leg warmers on her unless I put the boots on too.


Nice combination. Maybe she'll set a new trend. You know, kitty boots and pink sparkly leg warmers paired with little white shorts and a pink kitty T.


Oh man. The dressing herself has started.


So here is a picture of my little fashionista!





Ok. so on to the Guess What.

I was trying to wait until a little later to tell the news or until I saw a doctor, but I finally got a doctor appointment and it's not until October so I figured what the heck.
I'm Going To Have A BABY!!!
I'm due April 2, 2008
I am currently 10 weeks pregnant. And I am very sick. It's horrible:)
I did see my doctor in Utah the day before I left and she did an ultrasound, confirmed the pregnancy but all you could see was the sac because I was only a few weeks along.
I swear I'm a cow already though now. My sister Aimee who was just here says she didn't notice at all but I have noticed. I totally have a gut. Maybe if I'm lucky by next summer I won't have one again....
So that's the big news! I'll be sure to post an update when we find out if it's a girl or boy.
Oh, and Zach is very, very excited of course. He was the crazy one who said after Naomi that he wanted about 11 kids. Crazy.

Naomi is Sick

When Zach went in to get Naomi out of bed this morning she had thrown up. Yucky and sad. Naomi was acting totally fine though, playing and talking like it never happened.
Ok.
But current status is that she can't keep anything down. Not even water. I tried to give her some pedialyte. That wasn't a winner either.
Other than having an entirely empty stomach she is doing really well. No fever and no other symptoms that usually go along with a stomach bug...yet.
We watched a cartoon dvd and now she's down for a nap. I'm going to try some watered down pedialyte when she's up again and hope for the best.
I hate for her to be sick, it makes me feel so sad for her! And there's so little I can do to make it go away.
Hopefully by this evening she'll be feeling a lot better.
Cross my fingers.

The Beach! And my Swiss sister.

We went to our new ward's end of summer BBQ at Sandy Point State Park today. It's just North of Annapolis. It was so much fun! It was only about 30 min. drive and the water was pretty warm. Granted, I didn't actually get more than my feet wet but you couldn't keep the kids out.



And, this afternoon Aimee and Mark with their kids, Claire and Jakob came over for a while. It was fun to see them again. They are going back to Switzerland tomorrow. Mark's family lives here near D.C. and they have been visiting them and then went with them down to the beach in N. Carolina.
Claire age 3, Naomi 18 months, and Jakob 15 months. Cute kids:) Jake was sooo funny trying to walk. He starts off and then gets so excited that he's actually walking that he starts to almost run. That's when he crashes and WOW does he crash. He just laughs and gets up again:)
Aimee, my cutest sister (they are all my cutest sisters by the way), Claire, Naomi, Jakob and Mark.

TAG, you're it.

I've Been Tagged (different this time) Holly was IT and now I am:)

Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a message to let them know you tagged them.

hmmm, well I use LOW as my middle name. My mom and dad didn't think I needed one since I would always have Low. I guess they are right in a sense.

L- loooong car and airplane rides this summer.
O- online shopping. It's the best. I'll never go back:)
W- water, water everywhere. I love the beach, lake, and nice long showers.

TAG to Erica, Jenny(you need to post again!!!!) and Natalee(what happened to your NEW blog?)