2008 January | Life Elevated Mom

Mom Blog News: Bublicious Baby Turns 18 Months Old

January 29, 2008 By Amber

I fully realize that Hadley and Jamie monopolize the brunt of this blog with their antics, hardships and one-liners.

Not to be forgotten is my sweet Bode who is now 18 months old – the same age that his sister nearly killed us with her attitude and tantrums. But Bode is still holding strong with his sweetness, choosing only occasionally to throw himself onto the nearest object and protest about the injustice of it all. Because make no mistake: life at 18 months is unjust.

I do not think I would be the glowing example of motherhood I am today (just work with me here) if I had had two Mini-Mes in a row. Reflecting upon it now, Hadley’s was the personality I needed as a new mother. My single life was extremely footloose and having an independent, spirited and stubborn firstborn was tough but a good fit. Bode’s clinginess and obsession with Everything Mama would have driven me nuts. Now, I just relish it.

And wonder why more people can’t taste the sweet fruits of Amber Idol.

One of my favorite moments is when I retrieve him in the morning. He is always patiently sitting up and clutching his blankie (because the kid is emotionally unable to go anywhere without it). This includes breakdancing sessions at weddings (see picture) and yes, he is available for hire.

He is also my hiking buddy and I took him on an adventure through slush, mud and snow just last week. He never protests our adventures, even if he is bundled up like the abominable snowchild. Nor when he falls asleep in the backpack and his boot simultaneously falls off, rendering his mama unable to finagle it back on without waking him up. Fortunately, the frostbite only affected two of his toes.

Bode is very much like his “Da”: easy going, sweet, funny and affectionate. He takes regular beatings from “Sissy” and chooses in his own subtle ways to get back at her.

Because evidently passive aggression also runs in the family.

So, this one’s for my dear, sweet Bubby.

XOXO

Mommy Idol

Am I alone with how different my children’s personalities are? How do your kids offset each other?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

A story of moodiness, timeliness and procreation

January 28, 2008 By Amber

“Do or do not, there is no try.”

Thus are the immortal words of Yoda.

He evidently was not talking about baby making.

My husband Jamie and I are happily settled into the daily trauma of having two children who kick our butts. But looming over us is the knowledge we are supposed to have a third. I knew it the moment I had Baby No. 2. Because isn’t that what every woman wants to know right after childbirth?

I recently went to retrieve my birth control prescription and discovered as of January 1st, it is no longer covered by our insurance company. Do I take this as a sign that it is time? Or simply a sign that our insurance now sucks?

I am no spring chicken and if I had my way, I would have spaced my children farther apart. Like maybe in separate lifetimes.

You know, for full recovery.

But because that is not an option, this means we will likely start trying sometime this year. For those unfamiliar with P.P.T. (Prudish Procreation Talk), “trying” means “having an inordinate amount of unromantic sex around the time of ovulation.” How’s that for a lack of sugar-coating?

But back to the lack of romanticism – we speak from experience. After a particularly long, difficult day a couple of years ago all I wanted to do was pass out and go to bed. I was moody and every bone in my body just needed rest.

Until Jamie reluctantly entered the room.

“Err, I just checked the chart and today is your highest fertility day.”

Long pause.

“All right. Fine. I guess we have no choice. Get on over here.”

And this, my friends, is how our beloved baby Bode was conceived.

Filed Under: Bode, Humor, Jamie

Comparison Shopping

January 24, 2008 By Amber

Thank you for all the well wishes for my dear dad. He is finally hiccup-free and out of the hospital. We will not know the prognosis until he meets with the oncologist next month but we are staying positive!

On Saturday night, my in-laws invited us over for dinner and I volunteered to bring dessert. Jamie and I had spent $50 at a speciality spice shop earlier that day and I had splurged on Vietnamese Cassia Cinnamon – something that I am sure is in every single one of your cupboards.

Err…right?

Wanting to showcase my exotic spice, I opted to make cinnamon rolls. The problem was I had only an hour to do it but figured I would just mix the dough and let it rise during dinner.

Oh, did I mention I have never actually made cinnamon rolls from scratch? And that I chose the most involved recipe ever created? These are important distinctions.

Also important is that I should never be permitted to do anything when under duress because ugly things happen. Too ugly to share. Including the cinnamon rolls that I had to replace with gingerbread.

I hate to fail at anything and so I awoke at the crack of dawn the next day for attempt #2. All was going well…until they didn’t rise correctly and a myriad of other problems.

As they cooked, Jamie sluggishly came down the stairs. I needed some positive reinforcement from him.

“Hey Jamie. Did your mom ever make cinnamon rolls?” (Secretly hoping she didn’t).

“Sure, she made the best ones ever. “

“Oh. Well, just don’t compare these to your mom’s.”

He looked at them skeptically before replying, “I wouldn’t worry, Amber. I am sure there will be no comparison.”

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Avalanche Ranch: A Cut of Crystal River Valley Heaven

January 22, 2008 By Amber

“Do you see those snow chutes up there?” my husband Jamie queried as we gazed up at an imposing spectacle of snow, clouds, trees and sky. “If I were to build a place called Avalanche Ranch, I would put it right at the base of that mountain.”

Good thing Hunky Hubby is not in the lodging industry because last I checked, building in the path of an avalanche ain’t exactly prime real estate.

As it turned out, Avalanche Ranch was right around the corner. Before long, we pulled into the family-friendly spread nestled discreetly in the Crystal River Valley. Located about 45 miles west of Aspen, it is its neighbor’s antithesis: unassuming and affordable with untouched grandeur.

Avalanche Ranch is situated on 36 acres with 13 cabins and a ranch house. Winter boasts ice skating, snowshoeing, tubing, cross-country skiing and sleigh rides. Summer is king with fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, paddle boating, badminton, volleyball and tetherball.

The children made themselves at home in our rustic cabin and destroyed any semblance of order within minutes. The loft was the highlight for our daughter Hadley. Partially because she felt like a “big girl” in her new habitat, partially because she quickly realized her gas fumes condescended directly to our bed below.

Our first order of business was painting the neighboring town red. In so many resort towns, I have a “been there, seen that” attitude but Redstone is charmingly different. It is quirky, fun and eclectic with a smattering of artistic shops and houses, many of which have window paintings by “the town artist,” Robert Carr.

The sign at Redstone’s entrance boasted a population of 92. Our waitress at the historic Redstone Inn informed us her brother-in-law was The No. 92 – a veritable celebrity. She assured me since that time, Redstone has grown to at least a booming 130.

Upon returning to Avalanche Ranch, Haddie and I went for a walk. It was a chilled night with a swirling wind as the snow fell like confetti around us. We pondered the complexities of why cousins Dora and Diego can never marry and I marveled that my little girl is growing up before my eyes. And how I never imagined I would be discussing the intimacies intricacies of kissing cousins with her.

And then we went on to have a night from hell with baby Bode. In his defense, he had been sick the week prior and was not fully recovered. He wailed until about 3:30 a.m. Haddie awoke at 6:20 a.m.

You do the math.

And so I did what any good mother would do: stuck Hadley in the bathroom with a movie and some breakfast while I went back to bed.

Err…right?

=================================

Part II

As an adventure-travel writer, I was always traveling…and adventuring. If I wasn’t backpacking, I was skiing, hiking, canyoneering or biking. Respite and recovery were never on my agenda.

Until I had children. And then R&R became my life’s mantra.

I had plans for our trip to Avalanche Ranch. Big plans. Our little family would go sledding, skate on their pond and snowshoe along Avalanche Creek. We would then sip hot chocolate by the fire and venture into Aspen for some gastronomic delights.

But then we got three hours of sleep and I realized what family travel is really all about: survival.

We drastically amended our itinerary. We visited the animals at the ranch’s stable and drove up the Crystal River Valley past the crimson cliffs cloaked in snow, the commanding Redstone Castle and the frigid Hays Creek Falls. We gazed down upon it all from our perch atop 8,755-foot McClure Pass…as the kids whined about being sequestered for more than 5 minutes.

When we arrived back at our cabin, I was resolute that Haddie and I needed an adventure so I introduced her to snowshoeing. She looked to me as her Snowshoe Sensei as I judiciously instructed her how to not fall on her face. She did a great job trudging around the grounds and we designated the skating pond as our turnaround point.

We arrived at our destination, scooted around on the ice for a while and turned back. We had gone about 100 feet when I looked down and noticed I was missing one of my snowshoes. Figuring it must have slipped off somewhere around the pond, I looped back but found nothing. I started to worry it was buried somewhere beneath two feet of snow and would not be found until spring.

Hadley started doubting me. “How do you lose a snowshoe, Mommy?”

I was losing face with a 3 year old.

“Sometimes snowshoes just like to play hide-and-seek in the snow.”

She didn’t buy it.

After a 20-minute search and rescue operation, we found the subversive snowshoe perched on a snow bank. A snow bank we had scaled shortly after setting out, which meant I had done the majority of my tutorial sans snowshoe – definitely a credibility crusher.

Perhaps Avalanche Ranch should substitute “Slow Parents” for “Children” on their sign….

Filed Under: Family travel, Hadley, Humor, Jamie, outdoors, travel

A hiccup in the recovery process

January 21, 2008 By Amber

Jamie and I went to see a movie last weekend. Just to emphasize how significant this is: I can count on one hand how many times we have gone to the theatre since having children.

We saw the independent film Juno, which we loved. Though a bit off-colored at times, it was quirky, fresh and off-beat. We chortled, we wept. And yes, a few tears didst well in Mr. He-Who-Never-Cries’ eyes. It was just that kind of show. For once, I agree with the critics that this is possibly the best film of the year.

Plus, I have a secret crush on Paulie’s chicken legs and sassy sweatband. YUMMMM!

****************************************

I have a lot of distractions going on so will likely not be posting here this week. My dad has been in the hospital for his second bout of cancer in six months. We are not sure of the prognosis yet but his stay has been extended due to a little complication called the hiccups.

Yep, you heard correctly. The doc suspects they were caused by an accidental nick in the stomach during surgery and the poor man is going on ten days with them. This also means ten days without sleep – talk about adding salt to a very open wound. It just goes to show that evidently bad luck is genetic.

Haddie has been faithfully praying day and night for my dad’s recovery. At church a couple of weeks ago, they asked a sweet old man to give the prayer. He gave this beautiful, long prayer and for once, Hadley listened intently instead of pegging the family in front of us with hymn books. When he finally finished, she shouted out accusingly, “YOU FORGOT TO BLESS GRANDPA B.!!!!”

It is good to know we now have the whole congregation behind our cause. So, extra thoughts and prayers for Papa Canuck this week.

Though I will likely be MIA here, I will be over at Mile High Mamas on Monday and Tuesday, finally posting the write-up on our recent trip complete with vomit, diarrhea and insomnia. So if you are one of those rude, insensitive people who never comments over there, repent now and come feel the pain…errrr…love.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

My Blogroll

January 17, 2008 By Amber

Adventures in Babywearing
Aubreyannie
Anniethology
An Ordinary Mom
Awesome Mom

Dribblingwitt

For What It’s Worth
Freckle Face Girl
The Francks

Growing a Life
Guinevere’s Thoughts

Happy Meets Crazy
Hyperactive Lu

Just Another Day

Kari’s Place

Manny
Marshman Family
Mary-Land
Me and My Big Mouth
Mejojojac’s Memos
Midwestern Mommy
Mile High Mamas
Mommy’s Martini
My Many Colored Days

Peanut Butter and Jelly Boats

Scribbit
Serf Rett
The Smiling Infidel
So Grateful to be Mormon
Sunshine on my Shoulders
Superpaige’s Pad

Tanya
Tea and Bonbons
Temporary Insanity
This Full House
Thister Thaster
Too Many to Count

Varty Party

Who Do Those Mormons Think They Are?
Wild Daisies

This is not an all-inclusive list and I would hate to forget anyone. If you have been a regular reader and commenter on my blog for a while, please drop me a note and I will include you!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Grandma’s Girl

January 17, 2008 By Amber

My Grandma Wilde was one of the meekest, sweetest women I have ever known. She was a farmer’s wife full of faith and femininity.

And having a tomboy for a granddaughter undoubtedly kept her up at night.

In her defence, I wasn’t a normal kid. I shunned cosmetics and boys and spent hours training myself by running up the gully behind my house in two feet of snow. For fun.

Grandma always warily eyed my mop of hair and unmade face. One day I decided to indulge her and let her do a makeover. I remember sitting in her bathroom, looking at all the beautiful lines on her face as she intently painted mine. And feeling so incredibly loved.

Then I looked at the clown staring back at me in the mirror with my blackened eyebrows, blue eye shadow and fuchsia rouge.

Regardless, it still remains one of my most tender memories of my dear, sweet grandma.

I was reminded of her the other day during a conversation with Hadley.

“Mommy, what do you need lips for?”

“That is a very good question, Hadley. One reason is for kissing.”

“Oh. And for putting on lipstick, right?”

This kid’s for you, Grandma.

What are your favorite memories of your grandparents?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

When honesty is (and is not) the best policy

January 17, 2008 By Amber

When it is:

Prior to bedtime, Jamie was recently humoring Haddie with horsey rides. When the dear man looked like he was about to collapse, I jumped in and defended him.

“Daddy can’t do it any longer.”
“Why not?”
“He is 37 and old.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m still young. I am 35.” (BWAHAHAHAHA)
“Well, can you do it then, Mommy?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because Mommy is just lazy.”

When it is not:

Potty training continues to be a challenge. Even though the Hurricane pees most of the time in the potty, she refuses to poop. Jamie and I made the executive decision to just put her in panties because keeping her in diapers seemed like a step backwards (any opinions on this? Help!)

Oh, and because we don’t have enough trauma in our lives and thought we would add cleaning defecated underwear to the mix.

She had a couple of accidents last weekend, which she discreetly shared with Jamie. The pattern continued the other night when I heard her pleading to him, “Don’t tell Mommy!”

Now, most mothers would have felt remiss they were left out.

I felt triumphant.

A secret poop that I would not have to change? I had finally arrived.

Until he did the unthinkable: he made her fess up to me. And my daddy-only dumps came to a sad, sad end.

Clearly, a time when honesty is not the best policy.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Another Notch on My “Why My Child Will Need Therapy” Belt

January 15, 2008 By Amber

My daughter Hadley is officially a Sunbeam. For those not in Mormon circles, this is the first class children enter in Primary (the children’s organization). It is a fun rite-of-passage to finally be with all the big kids and there was even a song written for them: “Jesus wants me for a sunBEAM.” Each time the kids repeat “BEAM” they obnoxiously pop out of their chairs. I am not sure who instigated the actions behind it.

Evidently the same person who invented the hot potato game.

Jamie stayed home with sick Bode last Sunday so it was just Hadley and I driving to church. I figured it would be appropriate to have a heartfelt mommy-daughter talk about Sunbeams and the theme in Primary this year: I am a Child of God.

I would like to say my intentions were to enrich her spiritually, which would be partly true. But mostly, I just wanted her to be a Sunbeam child prodigy and know all the answers her first day of class.

Because I am competitive like that.

I started with the pre-mortal existence and explained that we believe we lived in a pre-existent state before we came to earth. From there, we talked about coming to earth, gaining a body and our families.

I should have just stopped there. But making her a Sunbeam child prodigy just kept gnawing away at me so I decided to go for the whole gambit: what we refer to as The Plan of Salvation. This essentially covers where we came from, why we are here and where we are going. Because doesn’t every three year old need to know this?

And so we talked about death and heaven. Initially, she was intrigued and asked how people die. I expounded a bit and patted myself on the back that she was actually taking it all in.

Until the time came to get out of the car when she became unglued.

“I don’t want to goooooooooooo!”
“What? Why not? You’re going to be a Sunbeam today!”
“But I don’t want to die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Not quite how I had envisioned our mommy-daughter bonding session.

Topic of our next discussion: Keep the commandments. Or else.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Blogroll Updates and Creative Dating Ideas Needed!

Mom Blog News: Bublicious Baby Turns 18 Months Old

A story of moodiness, timeliness and procreation

Comparison Shopping

Avalanche Ranch: A Cut of Crystal River Valley Heaven

A hiccup in the recovery process

My Blogroll

Grandma’s Girl

When honesty is (and is not) the best policy

Another Notch on My “Why My Child Will Need Therapy” Belt

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