Congratulations Molly!

Adam's cousin Molly got married a couple weeks ago in Utah.  Molly is like the "little sister" of the Tait family.  She lived with his parents for a couple of years, finishing high school here in California.  She has a crazy life story and in many ways has had to grow up too quickly. That's one reason it is nice to see her so happy with her now-husband, Matt.  It would've been awesome to be with her in the temple, but we weren't able to make it. We spent this past weekend at Adam's parents' house, where his mom threw Molly and Matt a reception here in California.

Molly and my sister-in-law, Weslie (Troy's wife), holding Audrey.  I don't know if any of the pictures do it justice, but Molly's dress was gorgeous.

Grandma Tait and Audrey

This is pretty much how Tyler spent the entire weekend... digging in the dirt with his trucks.  He is always in heaven playing in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.

Monday Morning Breakfast

Another milestone.... Audrey had her first bites of cereal this morning. 

*Audrey update:  At 4 1/2 months old she is weighing in at 10 lbs. 11 oz. Our doctor wants to fatten her up a bit so we are adding two cereal feedings a day to her diet. We are still in hard-core hives land. She had another break-out over the weekend.  If the hives are still hanging around during the next few weeks we will be going to an allergist. Minus the hives drama, everyday with Audrey is getting better and better.  Can't imagine our little family without her!

On Deck

The Suite Life On Deck premieres tonight at 8pm on The Disney Channel. I don't expect anyone who reads this blog to set your TiVo (unless you happen to have tweenagers). This is the show Adam has been working on since March, after working on it's predecessor, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, for two seasons (that and auditioning, acting, teaching... the list goes on, but that is another post entirely). Everyone who works on the show is so nice and has been beyond wonderful and generous to our family over the past three years. They've cast Adam in a number of roles and voice overs. They love our kids. We spent some time on set Wednesday and everyone was gushing over Audrey. The boys showed Tyler where they have school so he thought that was pretty cool. I suppose this evening we will be watching the pilot episode, and in the future I'll give a little shout-out for the episodes that feature Adam.  

"You seem like you have it all together"

Today I was at the library with Tyler and Audrey.  We go every Tuesday for storytime and then we browse books afterward.  Tyler was sitting at a table flipping through pages of some train book, and I was holding Audrey perusing the shelves. This cute mom of one looked over at me and said, "You really seem to have it all together with your two kids." Really, I thought. "Really?" I said.  I had to laugh to myself thinking how ironic it seemed. Me have it all together? Usually I was the one looking at the other parents thinking they had it all together. If only she had seen me ten minutes earlier when Tyler threw a fantastic two-year-old tantrum about who knows what on the way to the library. I about lost it and we almost drove home. If only she saw the tears in my eyes when it took a good hour and a half to put Audrey down to bed last night because she had worked herself up and couldn't calm down. Or what a miracle it was that I actually fit a shower into my schedule this morning. I made some sort of "It just looks like we have it together today" comment to her. But then I realized that what made us seem so "put together" in that moment, was that we were all happy. The tantrum was over and forgotten. Audrey was content to be held in my arms. We were enjoying our little life. Just existing in this tiny, fleeting moment, happy. It was that simple.

I know I don't have it all together, but at least somedays it is beginning to move a bit more in that direction. I'm not dealing as much with the distractions of life. I am enjoying the moments of my every day that are really worth it, without focusing as much on the chaos and frustration. If having it "all together" means wrapping my family up like a perfect little present with a bow on top, problem-free, I'm not sure I want any part of it. My family is as messy as anyone else's, and striving for some impossible goal of perfection (or at least appearing to be perfect) might kill me. But if it means learning to find those moments of happiness amongst the general craziness of our lives, I'll take the compliment any day.

Fall Favorite

In honor of the first day of fall, here is one of our staples.  It is on our stovetop all season long. This soup is quick, healthy, and of course delicious!  I will be making a huge batch for Enrichment Night at church next Tuesday night.

Butternut Squash Soup

4 c. butternut squash cubed (buy it already cubed from Trader Joe's or your local grocery store, it will save you a lot of time.)

1 peeled and quartered Granny Smith apple

1 c. chopped onion

1 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/8 tsp. pepper 

1 5 oz. can evaporated milk

2 14.5 oz. cans of chicken or vegetable broth

1. Put all ingredients except milk in pot and bring to a rolling boil.

2. Simmer for 25 minutes (until squash and apple are very soft).

3. Put mixture in food processor or blender and puree until smooth.

4. Poor back into pot.  Stir in milk and serve at desired temperature.  

I also like to add a touch of nutmeg or allspice (whichever you have in your pantry) to taste. Serve with crusty bread.  Enjoy!

Educating Audrey

"This is a bulldozer. This is a crane. This is an excavator, and this is the dump truck dumpin' the dirt....".  I'm not quite sure she is too interested. But then again, I get the feeling that Tyler can do no wrong in her eyes.

Celebrity Rambling

Did you see Gwyneth Paltrow on Oprah today?  This is going to be my next haircut. And thank you Gwyneth for confessing that you have to workout two hours a day, six days a week for your post-baby body. Of course you also have a trainer and a nanny, but at least you admit you have to work for it. And I totally want to make a version of this dish (minus the shellfish) the next time I have friends over for dinner. It reminds me of my favorite tapas restaurant in New York City.

Keep Your Child Busy All Day

This book has kept Tyler entertained for hours on end since we bought it several weeks ago. Richard Scarry has a ton of books. I'm thinking I will pick another one up before our next big plane trip across country.

Poor Baby

Audrey has hives. They started out about two weeks ago as one or two small bumps, mistaken for bug bites.  After a doctor's appointment this week we were able to diagnose them as an allergy coming from something I'm eating.  The doctor had me cut out peanut butter to see if there was any change. Her hives started to clear up a tiny bit, and then Thursday night, not evening thinking about it, I had a salad with walnuts when I was at dinner with the Young Women. The next day Audrey's body was just about entirely covered in hives. Man I feel awful! I was so focused on the peanut butter that I didn't even think about other nuts. Needless to say I'm now reading labels like crazy and avoiding all nut products. Audrey doesn't seem bothered by the hives in the least. I can only imagine that they itch, and her skin feels hot and looks so irritated. She is a trooper. Hopefully we'll have this figured out in the next few weeks.  Next stop might be the dermatologist.

Family

I taught a lesson in Young Women's last Sunday about family, and dug out this picture to share with the girls. Christmas 2007 at my mom and Vernon's house... all the siblings, step-siblings, in-laws, cousins, grandkids. It made me a little homesick... alright a lot homesick. Even though it's a ways off, I'm already excited about our two week trip home to Virginia this December.

Seven Years Ago Today...

I was in Wisconsin performing in Titanic the Musical at The Fireside Theatre. My friends were in New York. My apartment was in New York. My eyes and those of my fellow New Yorker castmates were glued to the television. My fingers were frantically dialing cell phone numbers, desperate to get through to those I loved. My heart sank flying back home into the city three weeks later, everything so different from when I left. My thoughts and heart are with New York each year on this day. Where were you seven years ago today?

Happy Belated Birthday

My actual birthday was filled with to-dos. Adam taught acting class all day and we went to his co-worker's wedding that evening. Although I had a great day, I was craving a night out. Thanks to my good friend (and babysitter extraordinaire) Anne, Adam and I were able to enjoy an amazing dinner at what has to be one of my new favorite restaurants in LA, Pace. It is nestled in the hills on Laurel Canyon. I've driven past it a number of times and didn't even know it was there. The atmosphere is perfect... very cozy and romantic. It felt like an escape from the city. The menu is all fresh and organic, bought from local farmers markets. I had the grilled salmon, Adam had the halibut special, we shared a couple of appetizers, and split the vanilla bean creme brule. It was all to die for (which was good since the restaurant is quite expensive). If you live in the area, and haven't already, you must give Pace a try. Worth every penny and every bite!

It's Going Too Fast

Audrey's two bottom teeth cut through today (which would explain the never-ending drool and constant chewing on hands), and she rolled over for the first time. I swear it is all going so much faster than with Tyler. I guess this is what happens with the second child... life keeps moving. She has the funniest gutteral laugh, seriously dislikes tummy time, gets easily overwhelmed in large crowds, and the mohawk is still in full effect. Sometimes I look at her and want to freeze time, cuddling her a little tighter while she's still so small. Other times I'm counting the days until she starts eating cereal and can sit up on her own. Since time seems to be quickly slipping through my fingers, I'll try to focus on enjoying every minute. When I pictured my little girl, I never imagined someone so cute and spunky. Love you Auds.

So Yummy!

We made these enchiladas when our good friends Megan and Stuart came over for dinner tonight. Absolutely delicious! I like mine with a lot of fresh lime squeezed on top and some Trader Joe's Salsa Verde on the side. They're pretty rich... worth every bite. But this mama trying to lose baby weight was not allowed to go back for seconds. Boo.

Swimming with the Fishes

This week we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. It was so much fun. I think Adam and I had an even better time than Tyler, if possible. Audrey wasn't feelin' it so much. I think she was a bit overwhelmed, either sleeping or crying the entire time. The place was pretty much empty (probably due to the first week of school), so no big crowds or difficulties seeing all the fish. There was plenty to check out including seals, puffins, a big ol' octopus, and obviously tons of fish. We got to watch sharks being fed, and we touched the sting rays. We also fed nectar to lorakeets. Super cool. Even though it is a bit expensive, I have a feeling we'll make this trip a couple times a year at least.

Even with all the awesome fish to see, the only thing Tyler kept asking for was to "play on the boat" outside on the playground.  He is still talking about this boat like it is the coolest thing he saw all day.  

Absolutely Cheesy

Check out my friend Bailey's new blog Absolutely Cheesy. She started this blog as as outlet for crafting, creativity, and style tips. And believe me, Bailey has tons of style! She also posts tutorials on some of her favorite crafts, like these awesome hair clips. Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a bit craft impaired, but I think I am going to try to make these (even though they involve using the mega-intimidating and highly dangerous - in my hands at least - glue gun). Maybe they will be a good Christmas present for a couple little nieces of mine? Bailey also features frequent giveaways like this one that I won! I would take a picture of Audrey in this adorable onesie, but she is still too itty to fit. It will be perfect for the spring! So take a peek at Absolutely Cheesy, learn a few things, post a comment or two, and you might end up winning some homemade goodies.

Zoo Day