Our First "Parker-Free" Night

A few nights ago, Joe's brother John called to see if we wanted to stay at an amazing 5-Star resort in Park City (The Stein Eriksen Lodge and Resort) for FREE. Everyone from his law firm was staying there for a retreat for a few nights, but they couldn't stay Friday night because of the Logan marathon he was running today. SOOOOOO, we got to stay in their place! We dropped Parker off at Joe's mom's house yesterday. As much as I missed him, it was a really nice break. Kimberly keeps reminding me that Joe and I need to go on lots of dates before the baby's born, so this was a great excuse.

John told us to try and look inconspicuous...not to announce to the world that the room guests had changed. It was funny because when we first got there, Joe and I could not figure out how to get to the rooms, so we walked around carrying our stuff looking like idiots searching every door until we finally figured out where to go. We went to dinner, then came back and enjoyed the beautiful room and view. I was actually really excited because our little get-away gave me the chance to finish Harry Potter! Considering I started Book #1 about a month ago, I've been spending every nap-time and spare minute reading. I LOVED the final book, but was actually really sad for it to end. Yes, I cried. I've been dreaming Harry Potter, so I'm going to go through serious withdrawals.

This morning Joe went on a long run in preparation for the St. George marathon while I finished the book. Then we went and got bagels for breakfast, shopped at the outlets, and went to pick up our child. I expected him to squeal with delight when we walked in, but he just sort of looked at me and kept doing what he was doing. I guess we'll have to leave him more often...

Parker and G-pa Roush

Last night we went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Roush for FHE. Every time we go see them, I wonder why I don't visit more often. Parker LOVED Grandpa. I was a little late on the video capturing, but here's a taste of the fun they had....everyone needs a Grandpa Roush!

I've Been Tagged!

Mandy tagged me sometime last week, but I've been devoting every spare second to reading the Harry Potter series. I'm even dreaming Harry Potter these days, so this will be a fun break and trip down memory lane.

1. Where did you meet your husband?
We were in the same ward at BYU. I had just gotten home from my mission and was a little freaked out about dating. Joe was in the EQ Presidency, and they were going around meeting all the new members. I'm not sure if they knocked on any guys' apartments, though.... Anyway, they came to my apartment, and I was the only one home. They came later to meet my roommates, but I was the only one home again (I must have been a big nerd!)

2. What was the first thing you said to your husband?
I wish I remembered what I said... I do remember Joe laughing a lot and making me feel really good about myself, so it must have been something funny. I thought he was really fun and nice, but as soon as he started asking me out I got a little weird and gave him a run for his money. My family fell in love with him before they'd even met him...they were rooting for him before I was!

3. Where was your first date?
We went to Cafe Rio (yum!) and then to Movies 8 (the dollar theater in Provo) to see Bend it like Beckham. I'd had very minor surgery that morning to remove a pre-cancerous mole, so the dermatologist told me not to do anything too wild...

4. Where was your first kiss?
We were at Joe's apartment and had just finished watching Mr. Krueger's Christmas and he just went for it! We've made it a tradition to watch a Christmas movie every Sunday leading up to Christmas starting in November (Joe would probably start in October if I let him). No more anticipation of the first kiss, though...

5. Did you have a long or short engagement?
Well it SEEMED long, but I guess it was relatively short. We got engaged March 11, 2004 and married July 3, 2004.

6. Where did you get engaged?
We went to Ottavio's for dinner (one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Provo). I kept telling Joe that we should just go somewhere fast (like Taco Bell) because we were going to a Men's Chorus concert afterwards. He insisted on going to Ottavio's. I was a little suspicious, but I didn't think he was proposing because I was almost positive he hadn't talked to my dad yet. Little did I know they had a little conspiracy going against me. Anyway, we ate, then the waiter asked if we wanted dessert. I immediately said no, but Joe said we should get dessert anyway. We ordered dessert and I chose creme brulee (is that how you spell it?) I was holding Joe's hand and I commented on how cold his hands were...he just said "bad circulation". When the waiter brought "dessert" he had a ring box with two spoons on the plate instead (so I never got the creme brulee...how sad). Anyway, Joe got on his knee and SANG TO ME! He sang the first verse of "Luckiest" by Ben Folds. He could only see me, but I saw every head in the restaurant turn to watch. It was really cute. He asked me, I said yes, we kissed, and everyone in the ristorante stood up and clapped.

7. Where were you married?
In the Los Angeles, CA temple.

8. How was the reception?
I LOVED IT! We did it in the church, but had a big tent hung up with lights, so it didn't look like a church gym. My colors were different shades of pink, so everything was pink and white. My bridesmaids had HOT PINK dresses. They were actually really pretty. The food was amazing, and Joe and I actually got to eat! It was great!

9. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We went to Cancun, Mexico. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort called El Dorado Royale on the Riviera Maya. We played on the beach, swam, went snorkeling, and ate A LOT! For those of you who know Joe, you know that when it's "all-inclusive," you have to get your money's worth....that means room service every night even if you just ate dinner 30 minutes ago! I'm ready for another honeymoon!

OK, I guess the rules are that I have to tag some more people who have to answer the same questions. SOOOOOO, I tag Ansku, Maylene, Kimberly, and my mom!

Not A Telemarketer..........

Yesterday I got a random phone call from one of my old really good friends. I looked at the Caller ID and didn't recognize the name, so I thought it was a telemarketer, but I answered anyway and am SO GLAD I DID! It was my friend Gretchen...she was on my floor my Freshman year at BYU and then in my ward again a few years later. The last time I saw her was at my wedding reception and she was 6 months pregnant with her first baby. I guess she had looked up my name and found my phone number. I think it's SO COOL that she was brave enough to call...I always think about calling old friends, but then don't.
As it turns out, we would have probably eventually run into each other anyway. She lives ONE MILE away from me and is in my Stake (which in Utah means you have to live pretty darn close). It was so fun to see her and her cute kids. Another fun surprise was that she has a boy named Max who is the same age as Parker....they were actually born on the SAME DAY. They were cute...if we live here long enough, they'll go to school together...we're determined that they WILL be good friends! Here's a picture of Gretchen and her daughter Ava (she'll be 3 in October...hopefully I spelled her name right). She was a super cute girl...Parker thought she was hilarious. He laughed at everything she did.

We had a fun morning with 3 1/2 years worth of things to talk about....it was great! Her house was really cute. I was really jealous of her big backyard...another reason we'll have to hang out more often!

Family Reunion

This past weekend, we went camping for our annual Gadd Family Reunion. It was actually a lot of fun. I personally enjoyed it much more than last year's (I was kind of a wreck with a 2-month old baby). I'm still kind of a stress-case when it comes to Parker's sleep, but I've definitely learned to let go a lot. Joe's parents bought a paddle boat for the occasion...it was great!
Parker was kind of attacking/wrestling Jacob. Parker was laughing, but I think Jacob was a little nervous.
Pictured below are all of the cousins (minus Baby Tate or Brian and Carrie's kids...). This was right before Jacob rolled off the bench onto the cement floor. It left a pretty good mark.
If you want more details, read on........

Thursday
4:00 pm--Joe gets off work
5:30 pm--We're finally on the road
7:00 pm--We realize that we left our air mattress home, but it's too late to turn back
7:00-9:00 pm--We set up camp, eat dinner, let Parker play for a bit
9:15 pm--Try to put Parker to bed...he looks REALLY tired, but the second I leave him in the tent by himself he FREAKS out. This continues for two hours.
11:00 pm--Joe and I take Parker for a drive...he falls immediately asleep. We put him in his pac 'n play and join everyone else for games and fun.
11:15 pm--Everyone else is already gamed out, so we all go to bed.

Friday
1:30 am--Parker wakes up SCREAMING hysterically.
2:00 am--He finally calms down and sleeps on the hard ground with us for the rest of the night.
7:00 am--Surprise! Parker is up for the day, so I guess we are too.
8:00 am-1:00 pm--Breakfast, fun on the beach, paddleboating, kids' games, lunch, etc.
1:15 pm--Put Parker in his stroller for a little nap...he falls right asleep and sleeps for 2 1/2 hours...yay!
1:30-7:00 pm--More games, kids' crafts, family pictures, etc.
7:00 pm--Parker is exhausted, so we decide to try the stroller method rather than the pac 'n play...he lays in the stroller for two hours looking really relaxed, but never falling asleep. SO, we keep him up.
10:00 pm--THUNDER, LIGHTNING, and RAIN!!!!! We all go to bed.
10:15 pm--Parker bounces around the tent for awhile before realizing he's tired. He sleeps in the middle of us (on the air mattress that Matt and Erin brought us...thank goodness) but gets really excited everytime the lightning lights up the tent.

Saturday
3:00 am--Joe wakes up along with his dad and brother to drive to Salt Lake to watch the Key Bank building implosion from his brother's office next door.
7:00 am--Parker's awake for the day (but he did sleep through the night...yay!)
8:00 am--Breakfast, the crazy boys return, we clean up our sopping wet camp.
10:00 am--We drive home...Parker and Joe sleep the day away while I enjoy a nice shower and flushing toilets, then go work out and learn how to become a Group Fit Instructor (Kimberly did too!)....more on that later....

Sunday
11:00 am--Go to church, then come home and sleep for two hours (all three of us)
8:00 pm--Michael arrives to pick up his car after his long drive from Tennessee (with a super cute girl....)

Monday
Pajama Day!!!!! Stay home, let Parker sleep lots while I start reading the first of the Harry Potter books...I've read books 1-4, but that was pre-mission, so I'm starting at the beginning again and am going to go straight through (thanks to my padre's for the box set for my Bday). If all goes as planned, I should finish in the next few weeks....I'm already done with #1!

The End

Parker vs. Brenden

For the past week, I've been babysitting my friend Sabrina's little boy Brenden (two months older than Parker...the picture's a few months old). I have to say that if I had to CHOOSE a child to babysit, it would be him. He is SO WELL BEHAVED and EASY. Sad to say, but him and Parker are pretty much COMPLETE opposites. I'll explain why.....

1. If I tell Brenden "no," he stops whatever he's doing immediately.

When I tell Parker "no," he either laughs at me or totally ignores me and carries on whatever he is doing.

2. At the grocery store--Brenden sits contentedly in the back of the cart.

Parker won't stay sitting even when he's strapped down in the front.

3. Brenden knows the sign for "please."

Parker uses his deafening scream to get what he wants.

4. Brenden doesn't budge or blink an eye when Parker takes a toy from him.

Parker FREAKS out.

5. Brenden's cry is a sweet, quiet whimper.

Parker has a loud wail.

6. Brenden practically BEGS me for a nap.

Parker kicks and screams (OK, not all the time, but he NEVER looks longingly at his crib).

7. Brenden doesn't make ANY noise when he wakes up...I have to open the door to check. Almost every time, he's sitting up playing happily in the pac 'n play.

I definitely know the INSTANT Parker wakes up.

8. Brenden eats whatever I feed him.

Parker spits most things out.

And Brenden's most redeeming quality.....

9. He poops once a day.

Parker....3 or 4 times.

I really do adore my child, but I apologize in advance to any of you I ask to watch him....he's a handful!

What August 1st Means To Me

(Joe blogging)
On August 1, 1980, the love of my life came into this world. I remember clearly the first day I met Robyn. I thought to myself, "She's beautiful and capable." 'Capable' was the best word I could think of. She speaks Finnish and Spanish; she's participated in multiple study-abroads; she's a beautiful singer; she exercises regularly; she worked all through college to help pay for school; she served a mission; she's a wonderful cook (that won me over very early on!); and so on, and so on. But beyond all of these awesome qualities, what attracted me to Robyn the most is the way she makes you feel when you talk to her. She listens to you and has a genuine interest in what you have to say. She has a way of putting you at ease when you talk with her. I think this partly explains why she has so many friends that she still keeps in touch with. After our first meeting, I knew I wanted to get to know her better. She (reluctantly at times) cooperated with my plan and here we are today, 3 years happily married with a kid and 1/3 to show for it. Happy Birthday, Robyn! I love you!

V is for VACATION...(and Pontiac VIBE)

Very tired baby will DEFINITELY wake up if you stop the car for any reason, no matter how tired he is! He will also wake up after falling asleep on Pirates of the Caribbean if you try to transfer him to his stroller.
Always ride with Grandpa and Nannu to Disneyland. Grandpa's the only one who has to stay awake on the way back to San Diego (besides Devon in the other car).
Churros con Chocolate....SO GOOD!
A double jogging stroller on the roof of the Yukon demands respect!
Trying to decide between Legoland and Disneyland? Do both to keep peace in the family!
I LOVE the matching green shirts, Michael and Joe...Devon totally wishes he had one.
Ocean water is very appealing to babies...Parker is the fastest crawler ever, so watch out...he's determined!
Nannu tells the best Family Home Evening stories! Chopsticks....

I'm sorry mom, you just can't keep sand off the babies when you're at the beach!

No matter how late Parker stays up, he will still wake up at 6:30 am while the rest of the world sleeps in. Central Air is FANTASTIC! I HATE swamp coolers!

Always call and tell Kimberly that you're all going to ride the train at Disneyland JUST IN CASE she's expecting you to come meet her first...oops!

Lagoon the day you leave for California is a great way to start the week out with a tired baby.

Isn't it nice watching dad actually relax and forget about work and church while on vacation?

Funtown at Legoland lasts all day...Michael doesn't yet understand the joys of having fun just because your kids are.

Ouch Parker! The new scream you've developed is DEAFENING!

Racing fire engines at Legoland is a GREAT workout!

Never try to find a McDonald's for breakfast between San Diego and the O.C. on I-15...even Gloria (the Navi System Lady) can't figure it out!

It's nice to be home...well, sort of...time for California (and Tennessee) to visit Utah!

Adios familia...now I miss you even more!

HERE (S)HE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's true.....I FINALLY had my first doctor's appointment today and I am happy to say that I didn't leave crying! I didn't even feel like I was on the verge of tears...it was great! This must be a good sign. I didn't LOVE my doctor in California, and I remember crying after that first appointment. I obviously cried after my first two scheduled appointments here, but now I have a new doctor and LOVED HIM, LOVED THE OFFICE, but didn't LOVE waiting forEVER to see him. Oh well...you can't win them all, right? I'd rather wait than reschedule. Anyway, I'm really prego and there's only ONE baby in there. My official due date is February 4th, so I'm 11 weeks and 4 days along. Isn't (s)he cute????????

Happy Birthday Mandíque!

Today is the birthday of one of my best friends ever....Mandy! I was trying to find a picture of her on my computer...considering the BILLIONS of pictures we've taken together over the years, it's amazing that I couldn't find one. I guess most of them were taken before the wonderful world of digital photography appeared. Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANDY!!!! Here are some of my favorite Mandy memories.....

1. Going to "The River" with the Kershaw's...the first of many family vacations I got to attend! Mandy spent HOURS braiding my hair in tons of tiny braids. Good thing my hair looked cute because I had crazy allergies or pink eye or something and looked like Quasimoto!
2. The Dam(n) Tour
3. Trying out for Cheer together and practicing for 10 hours straight every night.
4. EFY--we met some FUNNY people...the Redlands boys AND John Fairbanks...(not to be confused with the REAL Jon Fairbanks)
5. Breaking our legs together...two TOTAL clutzes! (Unfortunately still....)
6. Early morning seminary and running at 4 am...what were we thinking?
7. Jumping on the swimming pool cover (and taking pictures...oops...total incriminating evidence)
8. TRAKSS
9. Being our English teacher, Mr. Dutcher's FAVORITES...he let us sit together, but made our other BF Stephanie sit somewhere else
10. Moving together to Utah right after High School (but never being roommates...)
11. Piling as many people as possible into Mandy's TINY Corolla (I call trunk) because she was the only one with a car.
12. Fake N Bake
13. Lots of Road Trips home to Cali
14. Mandy meeting THE REAL Jon Fairbanks...so much better than the first...it was a sign and he was perfect!
15. Having kids of our own and STILL being friends.

Love you, Mandy...Happy 27th BIRTHDAY...yikes!