The Stricklands

The Mommy Tree

2011-12-08T13:27:00.001-08:00

Some, well I'd say most women are born with the "Mommy" gene. Sweet, tender, caring, nurturing individuals with the sense to put their children before themselves. Sadly, in Heaven, I missed getting this gene. I was probably at the Heavenly Chevron Gas Station getting a Heavenly Diet Coke with pebbled ice. But maybe some day I will have enough sense to learn this mommy gene, and force myself to do be a kind, caring, nurturing female, without the constant thought of going to the gas station for a diet coke.

Why am I telling you this? Well I believe a start to my long road to mommy-self discovery was found in a tree. A christmas tree to be exact. I have a fairy Christmas tree, which I have been collecting pieces for throughout my single adult life. This year, I had anxiety attacks, thinking of my beloved 18 month old shredding my fairy tree to pieces. Tears at the thought of vacuuming up shattered pieces of fairy face and purple and gold bulbs. Oh the sadness. And what's worse? I think I would take every broken thing personally. Like Claire had a vendetta against me and wanted to break all my pretty things. (Yes, I am aware she doesn't but sometimes I'm mental!)

So what is my solution? To make the season about family. Take away the pretty, expensive tree that will make me an ornery, angry eyed mom. Replace the fairy tree with another tree, not of my taste, but of the taste of my 18 month short person.

I bought a tree last year (we'll call it a rustic sort of tree), with the intensions of making it my nativity tree. Instead, we used it for "Claire's Tree". Every ordament on the tree was made by Brandon, Claire and I! Success! I was so thrilled with the end results and I don't care if she breaks, throws, eats anything from the tree! What a peaceful season it will be.

I found wooden star shapes, drilled a hole in them, painted them red and modge podged red paper on them. Then I took a brown stamp pad and "scuffed" the edges so they looked vintage.

Claire and I cut oranges up and put them in the oven for 8 hours to dehydrate them. Then she helped me lace twine through the tops.

Styrofoam balls covered with red yarn. My Favorites. Claire held the yarn.

Styrofoam ball covered with fabric strips.

Apple slices dehydrated in the oven for 8 hours.

Styrofoam ball covered in twine.

Cinnimon Sticks from my neighbors cupboard, hot glued together and tied together with cloth.

Pinecones from outside and left over material to form the hanging loop. And Raffetta from my wrapping paper stores, wrapped around the tree.

Claire picked out these bells and then helped me lace twine through them!

Bead garland from my mom last year and berry srpays from hobby lobby! AND a big raffetta bow to top the tree!

And the tree skirt a lady at work help me make! Thanks Carolyn.

I am grafteful for a little girl who takes me out of my comfort zone to learn how to make her happy and be a mommy.

(As she is telling me to stop "computering" and get her a snack!)

11

2011-11-11T07:37:00.001-08:00

Today I will preform 11 acts of kindness! Wanna join?

Cutest giveaway!

2011-11-09T10:29:00.001-08:00

I would LOVE to win the Babycake by @Selectbrands from @WhipperBerry

Daily Affirmations

2011-11-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

Last night as I walked the halls with Claire (we'll call her angry, sick elf) I thought of all the ways I suck at being a mom... We won't go into those for your sake and mine.

But today I saw this video on the YouTube and decided from now on I am going to wake up brush my teeth and tell myself how wonderful I am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg

What will it be like

2011-09-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

I can't believe all the technological advance that have been made, just in a short 20 years. Watching this video makes me wonder what I will be like when I am old and there is more "stuff" to figure out.

I love how supportive he is of his wife. Complimenting her hair, telling her she can figure it out, telling her to pull her shirt own and is he playing with her boobs at some point?

It is Finished

2011-08-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

Well I did it. I set a goal, work hard for two and a half months and I RAN A TRIATHLON. Well maybe not run.

When I got prego with Claire, I felt like I had no control of the situation. SO... I took control of something, and that something was running a triathlon before Miss Claire was two. So I researched beginner tri's and found a sprint triathlon in Saratoga Springs, August 20, 2011. Swim 1/4 mile, bike 13 miles, run 3.1 miles. Didn't sound so hard at the time, but was I soon convinced by my body that it was difficult... for me at least.

The swim was different. I had never swam in open water, surrounded by people, so I was nervous. I found two girls, equally as nervous and we swam together. Open water is nothing like swimming in a pool. There are people kicking you in the face, boobs, smacking you in the bum and head. You turn your head to take a breath, only to be smacked in the face by a wave. You just can't get a full breath of air. But I LOVED it!!! Nothing like a little Utah Lake grim to stay in your hair, even after three washings!

The bike was a little bit of a "spiritual" experience for me. My legs were jello after swimming and my bum hurt from the previous training (ok, trying to get used to a road bike) earlier that week. I was tired and the worst part of the biking was the first six miles. Hills really aren't my thing. Anywhoo, I started to say to myself, "You can do this Martineau" to find myself saying (Yes I was talking out loud to myself) "You're a Strickland now, make him proud." So I really felt like Brandon helped me though even though he wasn't there physically. I felt like I finally realized that God never wants us, nor intended us to make a hard journey alone. (Life speaking wise) and so he helps us find a companion and also surrounds you with people who love you and can boyou us up when we feel down or feel like we can't quite make it.

Running... not my thing. I knew it would be the hardest sport for me and it was. I cheered others as they passed me, loved getting sprayed by the resident's water hoses, loved the kids in the street cheering me on. Did not love the run. But I'll tell you when I turned that corner and saw that I was almost done and it was down hill, I started to sprint as fast as this slightly chubby body could get me there. And then it was over, and I ate watermelon. (Slightly anti climatic huh?)

I remember thinking... 'Oh my hell, I'm almost there!"

Doing a little jig as I ran over the finish line. Nothing like hearing, "Number 266! Esther Strickland! Great Job!" over a really loud speaker

Having my timing chip removed!

This boy urged me to go to the gym, urged me to give up soda (no it hasn't happened yet), drove a car behind me when I was too nervous to take the road bike out on an actual road ( no one wants to die by getting hit by a car). Thank you for the hug.

Today I made him proud!

A little cheese and rejoycing that the running was over!

Chris got me to pose with my bike like I was getting ready to start the biking portion of the race.

My numbers. 26 years old, participant number 266.

I may not look like a runner, or swim like someone who knows what they are doing. I may not have the mental fitness to keep running even though I think I might pass out. I didn't win, or even come close to winning, but I FINISHED. And today I can call myself a triathlete.

Everyone has told me these Triathlons are addicting. We'll just see about that.

Seven Peaks with My Girl

2011-08-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend Angie drove in from Las Vegas (to visit her family) and took a detour my way!!!

Angie and I worked together at the Fort Collins Marriott and lost touch when she moved to VEgas with her boyfriend and got married. But we were reunited by Facebook and then discovered we were prego at the same time and due around the same time. We planned our nurseries together, discussed painting and decorating ideas, emailed each other essential lists of things to have for a baby, parenting advice, what we were going to take to the hospital. It was a blast being pregnant with Angie. The best part is Angie was being induced on May 5 and I was bummed because I had to be way overdue for them to induce me. BUT, I went into labor on the 5th and we had our babies a few hours apart from each other. We cried when we found out our babies were born on the same day.

Anyway, we met at Seven Peaks (yes to find they closed two hours later... hosers!) But I had a GREAT time. Thanks Angie! I love going on one ride with you, riding the lazy river while our blondies slept and just being with you!!! Love ya!

Our blonde beauties

Angie, Her huney Bill and Graycn

and Trev!

Eating lunch!

So tired

Me and Angie!

The zoo

2011-08-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

We did it again, took Claire to the Zoo. ON A SATURDAY!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!! I enjoyed the animals, Claire calling everything a puppy or "patchy" her Kitty best friend from next door. But I didn't enjoy the heat and the rude people everywhere. When has it ever been ok to push people out of the way to see better? When has it ever been ok to stand in front of a group of sitting people during a feeding show. Rude. Ok off the soapbox! I had a good time!

Skip nap to go to the zoo, not my most intelligent idea, but no whining from Claire

Out oldest elephant in North America, and quite possibly the butt I have to look forward to when I am old and grey

Zuri

Looking at the tigers

So helpful

Last year's zoo picture

This year's

No I will NOT sit still!!!!!

Journey

2011-08-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

Brandon procured some ticket to the Journey/Foreigner?NightRanger concert thanks to the mayor of Sandy's son (and Brandon's co worker).

We had a blast feeling like we were the Utah elite. The private City of Sandy box (Well we shared it with the Mayor of Sandy and some of his councilmen, boring old guys really) dinner and all the drinks and dessert we could stuff into ourselves. FREE!

I brought Sarah from work and Brandon brought his brother. I was a dancer, Sarah joined in the fun... Brandon and Chris... not so much. I hope Brandon get to keep his job after my crazy dancing. The best part, I only knew four songs throughout the concert, but danced to them all!!!!

My Date Sarah. And yes I explained to her on the first date I never put out.

When Brandon was "younger" all the pictures I have seen show him doing this. "what is that?" I asked. "The Rocker!" Says he. I joined................We're at a concert afterall

The smaller of the three suites.

Sarah dancing in the heat... I enjoyed the A/C. I'm glad I brought her. She loved it!!!

The only picture I took of Journey!

Summer Bucket List

2011-08-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of summer, I made a list of all the wonderful things I would do. Oh how great and fun filled summer would be!

But sadly, it rained through the month of June summer's warm weather didn't start until July! My bucket list was forgotten was quickly forgotten as the weeks of no warm weather dragged on.

BUT!!!!! I did remember to take Claire to get a snow cone. Number 11... CHECK!!!!

A Large Tiger's Blood with Heavy Cream to share!

15 Months

2011-08-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I meander into Claire's room after she's fallen asleep. I peek over her crib railing and am surprised every time to see how big she is. I think it's finally hit that she is not a baby anymore. Bugga! (Sometimes I wish I was British so I could say things like "Bugga", "Bloody", "Jolly Good", "Spot of Tea". And it would justify my want of a hat collection and a marriage to Prince Harry)

Anywhoo, our Claire is a feisty, talkative, particular, church hating, giggler. We love her and love any everything she had done to turn our lives upside down.

Her best friends are her blanky, binki, patches the neighbor's cat, daddy.

She is walking, digging in the trashy, splashing in the toilet (thank goodness she no longer uses the toilet brush to brush her teeth and hair!).

She loves

*walks

*cuddeling after a nap

*Dough- Doughs (Powdered Mini Doughnuts)

*Milk

*Diet Coke

*Playing with our neighbors the LaRose family

*talking

*screaming just to hear her own voice

She is Saying

*Patchy (Patches the car)

*Nigh Nigh (Night Night)

*Banana

*Mommy

*Daddy

*More

*Puppy

*Kitty Kitty

*Ball

*Baooon (Balloon)

*Baby (Blanket)

*Bink

*Whoa!

*Boo

*Zippy (her friend across the street

*JoJO (Zippy's Brother)

*Cheez

*Kiss

*poop (Oh dearr!)

*Stinky

*Pretty

*WaWa (Water)

*BaBa (Bottle)

*Shoes

*Socks

*NO!!!! (oh dear again)

* eye

*nose

*mouth

*Thank you

* Please

*your welcome

*Bite

She loves to show you where her nose is and where your eyes are (be forewarned!!! She will poke your eye really bad if you let her show you where your eyes are)

15 month appointment with Dr Whiting went well, NO SHOTS!!!

She is
*20lbs 6 oz (putting her in the 15%)
*32 inches (putting her in the 94%)

Tall and skinny

And way too wiggly! Don't bother her, she is into something....all the time

Girl's camp

2011-08-01T11:20:00.001-07:00

I went to girl's camp with our ward. Yikes! I feel bad for my leaders when I was a YW. I had a blast and was sad/ and so very happy to leave! I missed the family.

5 Mile Hike!

A little game of "would you rather"

example- Would you rather drink a glass full of your own snot or two scabs from your best friend?"

I love my beehives!

A little game of volleyball

Elayne! The best beehive buddy I could ask for!

Pirate Cove

Sister Anderson, my buddy for the week. Gave kind words or encouragement, a shoulder to cry on when Brandon left, a hug when I got in trouble for drinking Diet Coke and the first person to tell me that I was intelligent. Now that made me cry.

My cute Dani girl. Kept me sane in a cabin full of beehives. And a heart in a watermelon. God's sense of humor.

The swing. It doesn't look so high until you get up there.

"Finding your Treasures!" Pirate Theme

Is camp over yet?

Camp leaders! Fearless and Wonderful!

They put me in charge of the leader's skit. So we did a dance off and a few Lady Gaga songs!

I felt so loved all week long. I was always surrounded by my girls. I couldn't of asked for a better week!

Family Reunion

2011-08-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Long time since I posted! This summer feels like it has been busy!

My family met up in Leadville, CO for our annual family reunion. (Thank you Blaylocks for allowing us to use your cabin.)

A week full of FOOD, canoeing, paddle boating, Fourth of July in a small town, The First Annual Martineau Family Variety Show, altitude sickness, shooting at the Leadville shooting range, little sleep, and more FOOD!

Our family in the Old Navy garb.

At the parade

Our spot. Unlike in Provo, Ut, we didn't have to camp overnight to get it!

The crew

Self photo of Kyle A Eggett. I think he looks like he is flying! Super Kyle.

Every parade has to have smoky the bear!

20 minutes after it began, the parade was over! Glorious!

Mickey, my niece, painted Claire's face so we didn't have to wait in line!

Free lunch at the Leadville Airport!

Paddle Boatin'

Lovely, just lovely. So quiet. I was ready to move to Leadville by the end of the week!

At the Fireworks show!

Claire, the popcorn queen.

I loved the fireworks, I especially loved watching the Leadville Fire Department put out the fires because they launched the fireworks too close to the ground. Good work fireworks crew! Two shows!

Bedtime stories

Glow sticks! Drinks all around!

Mr. A!

Sweet Mickey before our walk!

The girls!

Mom I guess is putting into play Roosevelt's saying "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

Yet another giveaway.

2011-06-02T13:16:00.001-07:00

Win $75 GC to Target from @GroopDealz http://tinyurl.com/3ekduo6@CraftaholicAnon

Family Pictures

2011-05-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

We took family pictures on Saturday before Bear's birthday party. It only took ten minutes... Amazing

IT'S HARD TAKING PICTURES WITH A BABY!!!!!

There and Back Again

2011-05-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

What an adventure. Is it sad to say, "I need a Diet Coke, or four" now that it's over.

After two years of waiting, I am forever sealed to my Colonel Brandon, Princess Claire and ANY OTHER CHILDREN we may have in the future.

We drove in Thursday, shopped for food and the birthday party on Friday and then WE SEALED THE DEAL on Friday night! We got sealed. I bawled the whole time. Too bad you can't take Diet Coke into the temple for comfort (Yes, my name is Esther and I have a Diet Coke problem).

We walked into the temple and were immediately greeted by two women. Sister Archer was my camp director in Young Women's and she said she would be caring for Claire until the time she would be brought into us to be sealed. I followed Sister Archer into the youth center to dropped Claire off and I immediately started to cry. The kind ladies wiped my mascara staines off my face, taking my bronzer and concealer along with the stains . Yikes talk about your hubby being sealed to the "true" person you are. NO MAKEUP!!!!! Anyway, Claire saw the toys, listened to the Primary hymns, gave the stuffed Pooh Bear a kiss and a hug and forgot I was there. No stranger danger in the temple.

I finally got my waterworks under control. And we met with the records people to make sure everything was cleared up, and good thing we did. Claire is a male on the church records. Yikes again. What would that have looked like when she got married in the temple to a man.... Anywhoo. I met with the temple first counselor's wife and she explained what would happen and what I would be doing. And then she started bawling, then I started bawling. Adios any mascara I had left over.

Exhibt A

I followed my escort to get some temple clothes. (So the girls at work have heard of my sad process of loosing weight to fit into my temple dress. One week before I left, I finally fit into my temple dress, but someone had to help me zip up the back.) Anyway I was so worried that my dress would rip at any moment, so I walked into the temple a resolved myself to just wear one of the standard temple dresses they give you. But to my surprise, they gave me a beautiful dress made of satin, some beautiful shoes and even a beautiful lace slip. I started to cry again, I didn't have to wear the "ugly" temple dress. Enter red, puffy eyes that makeup would have covered up. My mom helped me get dressed and I felt beautiful, with or without makeup.

Anyway, we went through the sealing ceremony without tears, until my vows came up. Then I was a mess. Then they brought Claire in and she was a ham!!!! She loved the mirrors and that everyone was watching her. It was wonderful. And finally, I felt at peace.

Feeling a bit like Kate and William

The people who came to the ceremony

She's walking!

Grandma's girls throwing her in the fountain

My girls Chantal and Nicole came! I can't find the picture with Aubree, but she was there too! Thanks girls. You made m feel so special.

Claire's new thing. Puckering her lips.

Oh look a Claire flower. She's otta here.

Me and my Colonel Brandon

More chances for the giveaway

2011-04-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

Do you want a whole party at your doorsteps? Karen Ayars gives it to you!!! http://karenayars.blogspot.com/ "

GIveaway

2011-04-12T09:42:00.001-07:00

DO YOU WANT A WHOLE PARTY AT YOUR DOORSTEP? KAREN AYARS GIVES IT TO YOU!! HTTP://KARENAYARS.BLOGSPOT.COM

A marvelous work

2011-04-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased! When I was a student at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO, our goal as a stake was to attend the temple as often as we could to prove to Heavenly Father we would love a temple in Fort Collins. Today in General Conference, President Monson announced a new temple would be built there. 8 Years after our stake made that goal, they are being blessed with a temple. Tears of joy. Heavenly Father is generous.

The FF

2011-03-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

It's official. This crazy thing that we call a family is going to be eternal. We got the letter in the mail, and Brandon received a temple clearance from his first marriage. We get to be sealed for all time and eternity. Hurrah!

The first weekend in May, we will be headed to Denver to be sealed in the temple, surrounded by family and friends!
This

FOREVER FAMILY

Scentsy Giveaway

2011-03-08T10:02:00.001-08:00

I love this blog and I love her giveaways!

http://undermypolkadotumbrella.blogspot.com/2011/03/scentsy-giveaway-and-winners.html?showComment=1299607265677#c4686478771652278490

Chancho. When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It's for fun.

2011-02-21T22:48:00.000-08:00

Well I didn't wear stretchy pants in my room for my anniversary. (And for those of you who are chuckling and thinking of other stretchy "things" I might of worn in my room; I know who you are, keep those thoughts to yourself until I see you next and we can giggle...) But yes I wore a stretchy dress to a fancy dinner and lookin' at photos now of said stretchy dress... I should have considered other options. Here's the low down.

We spent Friday night and Saturday in Logan, UT with the Brooks family before they head to Cali to work for Mickey Mouse. We shall miss you, but are so excited to come visit you in the future. I had a blast eating more than I should (thanks Robin for making my favorite strawberry treat), I really enjoyed spending four hours in the car, talking with my hubby. I may or have not have had so much fun stayin' up with Claire into the untold hours of the night in the hotel room. Two AM is not time to party little baby.

Naughty but so cute!

We love Logan. I love small town/college town feel. I love the weather and the mountains... I may not love Logan policemen who write tickets to people, celebrating special days such as anniversaries. DUH hoser. (I would just like you to know that spelling check just auto corrected "hoser" to "Hoosier". And I am sure you all would like to know that "Hoosier" defined by the dictionary is a native or inhabitant of Indiana, finding its origin in the early 19th century. Talk amongst yourselves.)

Did I take any pictures of my fantastic Friday in Logan. Nay I say. I carried my camera around, but why would I use it for its original purpose?

Later Saturday night, Brandon, Claire and I met up with Malinda and Brian for Malinda's birthday. We went to Tacanos and I assumed the guise of Jaysree, our neighbor, who graciously offered to let me use their buy one get on free Birthday coupon. I think I pull off a fantastic Puerto Ricana/ India ethnicity.

What do you think? (This is the only blond picture I have of me...don't judge the weight gain... I got married, had a baby... not a likely mix to maintaining thinness... I say to those who maintain their pre-wedding selves, "rock on". To the other 99.9% of women who didn't, I'll meet you at the gas station for a Diet Coke and Rice Krispie Treat to gripe about it.)

Anyway, we ate too much and went home terribly uncomfortable and went to sleep.

Sunday, Claire went to Grandma Sandy's

and Brandon and I stayed at La Callie in Sandy, UT thanks to the lovely Brittney. Thanks for the hook up! Wicked sweet, probably the coolest thing I have done in UT in the last four years.

We were greeted by a swan and a bunch of ducks swimming in the pond. No joke.

Zeee entreonce

(For those of you who don't speak Esther's version of French, "the entrance")

Our personal cottage

The rocking chairs we sat in as we watched the snow fall

Someone had lit a fire and laid out Mormon champagne, fruit, cheese and crackers

(Have you ever said anything that you wonder "where did that come from?"? ) Here's mine. I called La Callie beforehand to tell them we don't drink alcohol and they didn't need to bring down wine to the cottage. But instead of telling them we don't drink, I told them Brandon was a recovering alcoholic. The lie came out so fast it made me wonder if I am a pathological lier. Anyway, according to La Callie, Brandon is a member of the local AA and has been on the sober bandwagon for 4 years. Way to go honey! Never had an ounce of booze in his life.

Loving the California King

Sitting in the rocker before our dinner reservations

Getting snazzed up for dinner. What a handsome boy.

(Of course I forgot to take pictures of us at dinner.)

Great four course and for my own "journaling practices", here's what we ate. Fresh bread, a rice/mushroom pilaf covered in a sweet wine broth. A weed salad with green goddess dressing. Potatoes, carots, green beans, a chicken thight in a Sherry sauce and some sort of pork chops which was one of the best things I have eaten in my life, and a chocolate cake with a "wedge" of ice cream, covered in a Irish cream chocolate sauce. DIVINE!

After dinner, Brandon and I got our swimming suits on and jumped in our own personal hot tub. To our surprise, it was actually a cool tub. 68 degrees later. Yikes, I'll settled for a warm shower and a night of "Momma Mia".

The next morning the chef drove our breakfast to the cottage and served us there. We had ordered our breakfast when we checked in. LOVED IT!!!!

And the stretchy dress I wore to dinner. Let us all keep this in mind, even though it its you in the right spot to flatter your waist, it may not hit you in the right spot to flatter your breasts... I'm just saying. Maybe if I had popped one knee and stood like Tyra Banks.

2011-02-17T10:54:00.001-08:00

i want to win beautiful hand stamped jewelry! http://tinyurl.com/4t9qecq @CraftaholicAnon

So cute

2011-02-17T10:44:00.001-08:00

Great giveaway from Flapper Fashions http://tinyurl.com/4t9qecq @CraftaholicAnon

Another One Bites the Dust

2011-02-12T02:18:00.000-08:00

Another year has come and gone. I'm 26! Whoa... still waiting for my next great milestone, the early bird special at the age of 56!

Brandon came and picked me up from the airport, (by the way, thanks for the trip babe! It was swell seeing the family) I got home and found the house to be decked out AGAIN! Recall last year?

He gave me Bakerella's cake pops decoratin book and all the goods I would need to make Cakepops! LOVE!!!!!! We made dinner and spent the evening with great friends.

Sorry Vendla that I graced you breast... Awkward..

Ok apology made, and all is better.

Claire missed her Chris while in Denver

Can you remind me why I am wearing this?

Cuz really, why would you put it on your face instead of your head?

My birthday buddy

Thanks for all you did!

Claire and I blowing out the candles

Thanks neighbors for coming over!

The decked out house. Thanks honey. It meant a lot to me.

Thanks Bertochs, Vendla and Stricks. Thanks for wearing birthday hats and playing Mofia and singing to me. It was a blast.

Oh and on a more apologetic note... Sorry I pulled the "It's my birthday card" so many times. But in truth, I'm really not sorry that I made you all play the game my way "cuz it's my birthday"... IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY. So I guess I'm not sorry.

Brown is the new blond!

2011-01-17T21:37:00.000-08:00

Church... aren't you supposed to be listening to the spirit and... stuff?

My usual thoughts during church...

-What that girl just had a baby three months ago and she looks like she never had a baby and I still look prego!

-Whoa I love that girl's outfit.

-I wonder where she got those shoes.

-How does she look so cute all the time, she has five kids!

Yesterday during Sunday school, I whispered to Brandon, "I think when I dye my hair brown, I'll be cuter and maybe even skinnier!"

He always says the right things, "Esther, when will you just learn to love the skin your in. Changing your hair color won't change who you are."

Damn, I hate it when he's right. Maybe I'll go inactive. If I don't go to church, I won't have those thoughts. I'm probably missing the point.

Silhouette Giveaway!

2011-01-16T22:39:00.001-08:00

http://tinyurl.com/6joxqun

Did I do that?

2011-01-14T13:52:00.000-08:00

Dear Claire,

Who's been eatin' my reciepts?

Wasn't Uncle Asa, he's in Boston.

Wasn't daddy, he doesn't eat paper.

Wasn't Grandma Susan

Wasn't Uncle Adin, he's on a mission far, far away

wasn't Maggie. She only likes to eat dog food

wasn't me, that's just not my thing

Wasn't Uncle Austin. He's too cool for that

Oh wait, you know who it was!?! It was you!

If only eating paper lead to this kind of happiness

To all my fellow readers.

2011-01-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

My life came to a sad question today... I am a Charlotte Lucas? Here is the story to my epiphany..

Since I am no longer taking English courses on campus, I have begun reading again. Funny how that works, for four years now, I have hated reading. These past two weeks, I have stayed up at night and finished three, 400 pages novels of MY choosing. (Would that ever happen with assigned readings from class.... NO! I always became to sleepy to read, GOD BLESS CLIFF NOTES!)

Last night, I dove into my movie collection, something I haven't done in a REALLY LONG TIME!!! My sister Heidy gave me New Moon and so I watched it for the first time. So, my next readings of choice come from Stephanie Myers, a fellow BYU english major. I want to understand the hype behind the Twilight saga. I want to understand why people love Bella and Edward. To me, they are annoying, typical hormonal teenagers. So, tonight I will begin reading them again. (Yuck, that made me sound like an English major... EWWW!!!)

Ok, so what does this have to do with Charlotte Lucas... and really who is she. Well, to those of you well acquainted and BFFs with Jane Austen (Katie Eggett, Ursula Martineau and Shelly Martineau), Miss Lucas is the unheroic, tragic woman of Jane Austen. A woman who married for security, for wealth. Not for love. She was very un-Elizabeth Bennett who I say I want to be like.

So yesterday as I was watching New Moon, I fell in love with Jacob. Why? Why not Edward!?!?! Edward is stone. Edward is supposed to be hot (he really isn't in the movie. They should have taken a poll or something before they cast him). For Pete's sake, Edward is sparkly in the sun and all you know how much I love sparkly things. Edward just doesn't make my butter melt.

Jacob, dark complected Jacob. Let's just take a moment of silence and look at him. All he needs is a little eyeliner and I'd be set.

ohh and another just cause we can.. How old is this kid anyway. Is this legal?

The ever constant Jacob, the one who never leaves, who fights for Bella's love when she loves another. The boy who fixes Bella's bike, protects her from naughty vampires. Heals her broken heart. That's romance to me. It's real to me. I wanted to hold Jacob's hand. Maybe make out with Jacob (I am trying to maintain Mormon teenager in my head....think 17 years old, think 17... Ok just stop thinking about it.)

Then I read some Pride and Prejudice today and got to Charlotte Lucas marrying Mr. Collins because he is real. Collins will provide for her, is well connected. Collins is a good match for a poor, aging girl. But I say to myself, "COLLINS IS A TWIT!"

I like Jacob because he is real, Collins is real...Oh dear where's the romance? Am I really Charlotte Lucas. Wants to be romantic but can't. PANIC!! What about me....Did I marry right?

Where's the romance? It's ok, I married right... My romance is hiding in another Jane Austen novel, Sense and Sensibility. I'm the wanna-be-passionate-romantic turned sensible. I'm Marianne. Where's my romance?

It's at home, with my real, ready to fight for my love, mend my broken heart, never cover wagons me, unclogs my drains/toilets, fixes my broken cars, let's me put my cold feet on him, Colonel Brandon Boyd Strickland.

*Sigh*

Christmas

2011-01-04T15:51:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve I worked...

(NOTE TO SELF: ALWAYS SIGNED YOURSELF UP FOR THE CHRISTMAS DAY NIGHT SHIFT, NOT THE CHRISTMAS EVE NIGHT SHIFT. YOU MISS EVERYTHING!!!!!)

But Claire opened her pjs before I went to work, correction, I opened her pjs, she ate the paper

Exhibit A

I got home and found that Santa had arrived at the same time and I told him I would help him put out his gifts to Claire.

The next morning we waited for Uncle Chris to get home from work.

THEN THE PRESENT FRENZY BEGAN!!!

I got a wedding band and a great necklace with my, Brandon's and Claire's named on it.

Brandon got a gun!

Where's Claire?

Hung out with Grandma Sandy

We made a gingerbread house together. It was a much bigger job than I thought.

I made pumpkin pie, but it must of not tasted good cause Brandon and I were the only ones who ate it.

Claire's first Christmas and she won't remember it

Who needs parents when you got Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandmas and Grandpas?

The crafts

2011-01-04T15:34:00.000-08:00

Instead of writing papers, studying for finals and being stress free, I made crafts.

A Christmas Count Down

A wreath

A Tree

A Picture for my mom... but no pictures of my picture book. Dumb blonde!

A my house is wicked clean

And she's mobile

2011-01-04T15:26:00.000-08:00

The bear is mobile which means that noise is good, silence is bad and stairs are bad...

Thanksgiving

2011-01-04T14:37:00.000-08:00

We had a great time in Denver. I love my family and this year I decided that they are the thing I am most grateful for. I am so grateful that Jesus made it possible that I may be with them through all eternity.

The weathermen told everyone that this would be the worst storm of the year and warned everyone not to travel. So, we prayed, felt good about and left. But first, Claire and I hit up the local weight watcher meeting so I would at least feel like I was going to die skinny.

Aunt Heidy gave Claire an unlimited amount of cake batter. And then she was there to take care of the upset tummy.

She was so helpful and helped Grandma Susan make her rolls

Claire had turkey and sweet potatoes and mixed veggies for dinner.. and a rolls she helped make.

Looked through the Black Friday ads

Helped decorate Grandma Susan's tree

Swung on Grandma's swing

Worked on her grandma face

Wrote her list to Santa

Thought about Jesus

Learned to sit like a lady.

Watched Andrew get baptized and Sarah get blessed

Loved on her mom and dad

and laughed at Aunt Ursula a bit....

Great Christmas gifts

2010-12-09T14:22:00.001-08:00

Hand Stamped Jewelry Giveaway @CraftaholicAnon check it out!

Etsy

2010-12-04T12:17:00.001-08:00

Can I tell you how much I love Etsy. I discovered two lilies boutique and love it! Cute headbands and other stuff. How do people come up with this stuff?

Oh Lovely

2010-12-03T09:24:00.001-08:00

To all my fellow "wanna be crafters".

I just discovered a super inexpensive and oober fun website. Check it out!

http://ribbonandbowsohmy.com/

Give me a Diet Coke, I gotta six month old!

2010-11-11T15:35:00.000-08:00

My Claire Bear turned six month on November 5th! What a great baby.

I love your sass.

I love your sweet toothless grin.

I love that you think I am THE FUNNIEST person in the world.

I love to make you giggle and blow raspberries. I love that you try to escape from the tub and play with the faucet.

I love that you cry when I leave the room and smile when you see me again.

I love that you kick your legs whenever you get excited.
I love that you are teaching me "don't sweat the small stuff". Especially when you splash all your bathwater out of your tub.

I love that you like to cook with me and watch Dancing with the Stars.

I love that you are still here and that God knew I needed you, when I didn't understand why you were coming so soon.

Claire's Daily Activites

Screaming to hear her own voice (Don't ask her to use her "indoor" voice. She'll only scream louder!)

Squash and Pears

Playing with her friends Emma and Rachel while mommy goes to school MWF

Diet Coke (I may or may not have given her some after her 6 month shots. I spoke her language that day)

Rolling EVERYWHERE

Humming herself to sleep
Playing with Grandma Sandy

Going to school with mommy
Singing ( Say LaLaLa and she'll sing it back to you!)
Wearing skinny jeans and jeggings.
Pulling daddy's ears while he pulls hers.

We love you Claire Bear. You are the sweetest short person we could have ever asked for!

Wow pathetic!

2010-10-11T07:56:00.001-07:00

So I entered Claire in a Gap cast calling contest. Gap chooses a winner and "the people" choose a winner. So here is Claire Bear, would you vote for her once a day.. for the next two months...hehehhe? She told me she really wants to have a Gap shopping spree

http://www.gapcastingcall.com/GapCastingCall/EntryDetail.html?id=400549

HELP

2010-10-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

I want to send out a Halloween card to my family. Any suggestions? I want the picture to be the main focus and then I want it to say something like "Witching you a Happy Halloween" or "Best Witches and Happy Haunting" Or just plain old Happy Halloween. What do you think?

And these ones just make me giggle. Oh the woe for being short!

2010-10-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

Oh that's how I felt the last couple of weeks. The Strickland Witch is in... BEWARE!!!!

School, Work, Figuring out this mom thing (but hey, she isn't dead or starving!), papers to be written, books to be read, the laundry is never ending, the dishes are always there, messes to pick up, skinniness to be obtained, church callings, bathrooms to be cleaned, meetings, a Claire Bear to entertain. And this nagging thought in my brain that I just want to take a nap.

My girls at work tell me "Life only gets busier!"

HOLY CRAP I AM SCREWED!!!!

Oh Blessed Day

2010-09-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

After many months of people asking when we were going to bless Claire, and the usual response, "The same weekend we get sealed", Brandon and I finally decided to go ahead a bless Claire. The sealing process/paperwork is coming along much slower than anticipated.

So we invited the family to come on over to the Happy Valley of Utah for a Labor Day weekend extravaganza. Saturday, we ate lunch and went swimming.

Daddy and Claire! She love the pool. Huge bathtub

Playing with Uncle Chris

I love this picture. I wonder what is on Brandon's mind.

Claire was done being in the pool but she loved watching everyone swim

I love the Saratoga Springs pool. It is wonderful in the summer and winter!

Brandon and Uncle Chris are a HUGE hit with mu nieces and nephews. They love playing and climbing all over Chris and Brandon (Exhibit A. Kylie is sitting on Chris's shoulders)

Sunday! Blessing Day

Claire is all clean and ready in her sweet dress made by Grandma Susan

Trying to get Claire to look at the camera.

Nope! still not looking....

More pictures to come! My camera died, so great grandma Gwyn is sending them our way!

(BY THE WAY! I put on my big girl panties and fed 18 people! I made Sunday dinner, NO WAY!)

Love Marks

2010-09-23T22:05:00.000-07:00

For months I rubbed, no, no, slathered my belly with cocoa butter lotion. The day stretch marks appeared, I cry a little. But as the days to Claire's birth day became fewer, the stretch marks became more numerous. I was pretty sure that God was punishing me for being vain about my skin. My secret vanity, my smooth creamy skin, void of any stretch marks ANYWHERE!

Claire is here, the porclein cream skin is gone and all that remains is the ridged and purple evidence of carrying a child. My whole belly, some of my upper thigh, and some of my back are FOREVER changed.

Being a woman, and watching too many episodes of "Keeping up with the Kardashians" has made me very critical of my mediocre appearance, and those stretch marks have made me very self conscious.

The only people who see them are Brandon, Claire and me, but I still feel very ugly. A few days ago I jokingly explained to Claire that she was in my belly four months ago and showed her the stretch marks. I said, "See how much mommy loves you? These are my love marks." Of course the epiphany I just had made me bawl, because really, why wouldn't I bawl. I always do! My stretch marks are a part of me now. They are not ugly signs of fatness, but my own personal mark of love.

P.S. No pictures taken of the stretch marks. Just because I have come to terms with them doesn't mean you want to see them and then have to go to therapy. I can't afford to send you all to a therapist.

Mr Bear SQUASH you all flat

2010-09-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

Where the Wild Things Are!

2010-09-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

I have a oober cute 31 year old and a super obber cute four month old who have NEVER been to the zoo. Lucky for them, the zoo is my favorite place (besides Disneyland and anything California), so I showed them the ropes...

Brandon, our favorite public works man, had to set up a CERT booth for Cottonwood Heights at 9, so we got to the zoo at 10. NO ONE THERE!!! LOVE IT!!!!

Miss Bear loved the monkeys, (Inside joke in my head).

She especially loved the orange ones... Maybe a new favorite color.

On to the elephants, my favorite attraction. This is the oldest elephant in North America. I shall call her Betty, I can't remember her name.

Then we met one year old Zuri and her mom Kristie

Then we went to the bird show. Claire got bored.. Great time to nap

THEN THE GORILLAS!

See how we measure up

Seriously mom! No more.

Great morning at the zoo, nap time on the way home with a new friend, stuffed elephant Zuri

Great First time at the zoo.

My New Trick

2010-09-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

Paying it forward

2010-08-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

Well... We went back to school and I don't know how I feel about it. I have been struggling with leaving Claire with a sitter while I finish up my last year of school. So I found two professor that didn't mind babies as long as they aren't a distraction. So I toted Claire in her car seat across campus, and I got a lot of really funny looks, but also a lot of kind glances of encouragement. One girl even asked if she could carry Claire's car seat for awhile! Huge blessing, I was feeling a bit lonely and really out of place, and she really made me feel safe again. Thanks Liz, who is getting married soon. I will probably never see you again, but I promise to pay the kindness forward.

It all seems a bit overwhelming and I really don't want to do it. Do I stop going to school and then go back in two years and finish with BYU's online programs? Or do I plow through and finish by August? Hateful.

2010-08-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

My mother named me after the Biblical Queen Esther who saved her Jewish people. I like to think Esther was scared to go before the King and ask for her people's lives, but her uncle said to her, "...who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" I put this picture of Mary holding baby Jesus in Claire nursery to remind me that Mary was probably scared to raise Jesus the Christ, but she was chosen and she came at that time to be Christ's mother. I am scared to be Claire's mom, but I feel chosen to "come at a time as this"

To my delight

2010-08-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

Claire giggled. (Note... I was trying to show her different sounds that a dog makes, and she thought it was so funny.

Oh the Drama

2010-08-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

We love our Claire Bear, but sometimes she is a bit of a drama queen. You better be careful, if you don't make her bottle the way she likes it, she will let you know. (Well, she won't really yell at you unless you don't fed her... She loves food... Just like her momma.

That battle begins

2010-08-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

Dr. Phil once told a woman that she was fat because she liked being fat. I decided to never watch Dr. Phil again. I was fat because the fat fairy told me to be. But sitting at Cafe Rio, with my skinny friends, fork in one hand, Key Lime pie in the other, made me realize that maybe it's time to stop being a "self-proclaimed proud to be round girl" and just bite the bullet and do it... I, with the help of Core Rhythms and Weight Watchers, am on a quest to lose two pounds a week for nine months. A total of 70 lbs. HERE WE (we as in "I") GO!!!

Before

The Chicken

2010-08-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Claire,

Too bad you can't talk and tell me what you want to be for Halloween... So you'll be a chicken.

Love,
Mom

P.S. I wanted to dress you as Madonna (w/o pointed boobs) but Daddy said no.... So Sorry....

You'll still be a chicken

Smack down with Elmo

2010-07-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

"What Elmo? ... What you say about my momma?"

"No one says nothin' about my momma. Elbow to the face!"

"You wanna a piece of me?"

"Take That!"

"And that!"

"What ya looking at now Elmo? "

Serves you right Elmo... And what gender are you anyway?

She rolled!

2010-07-20T15:41:00.001-07:00

It's kinda long, so you don't have to watch the whole thing!

The amazing talents of Claire

2010-07-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

She rolled... or at least I think she rolled... Anyway, I am proud to say I got it on film. What an amazing mother I am (I think if I keep telling Claire how amazing I am as her mom, she'll believe me one day. Is that brainwashing.... I dunno but it works!)

She was on the floor talking to the ceiling fan... and then she tried to roll... First attempt!

And the crowd goes wild!!!!

Apolo Anton Ohno & Julianne - Rumba (Full Clip)

2010-07-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

I made the smartest and dumbest choice when I came to Utah to go to school at BYU.

DUMB****

*Lost 90 credits and started as a freshman in college all over again

*Left a great job and an even more fantastic job offer at an OBGYN office (better hours/ more money!)

*Missing the family and friends I have in Denver

SMART****

*I feel in love with dance all over again

*I feel in love with Brandon ad now have a baby

*Have made great friends

But I miss the reason I came out here... ballroom dance. I have let my body get out of shape and am now facing the daunting task of getting back in shape and ready to take the final classes need for my minor in Ballroom Dance. I have to start over again! It'll be a long and bumpy road, and I am not looking forward to the challenge. But I have easily given up on so many things and looked back with regret and I refuse to do the same with Ballroom Dance. I am not giving up and I won't let the words... "Loose weight." ever get to me again.

Every time I think of dancing and get discourage, I watch this video and get all excited again!

Head...Move! Now!

2010-07-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Claire is perfecto! We went to her two month appointment on July 6. She had a rough morning, crying if she wasn't held. I think she sensed that she was in for a big afternoon, full of shots! She cried all the way to the office, at the check in counter (the nurses felt bad for me and just took me back to a room), and she continued to cry when she got measured.

Claire a two months

Weighs 10 lbs 10 oz and is in the 45% for weight

She is 23 inches tall and is in the 75% for heigh

Her head is large.... 85% for head circumfrence

The Martineau gene has overtaken... Head! Move! Now! ....name the movie

The moment that Claire's pediatrician, Dr. Michael Whiting walked in, she stopped. She talked to him, let him examine her ears, mouth and belly! He said she was perfect! After giving us some samples of formula (Yeah for free formula!), the nurse was sent in to give the immunizations.

I laid Bear on the table and held her binki in her mouth and talked with her. It was a delayed reaction, but her face made me sad and laugh all at the same time. When she finally decided to cry, she looked at me like "What have you done woman!" Then she cried with all the sadness in the world, and what did this loving mom do...laugh. It was so dramatic I couldn't help myself. Anywhoo, to say the least, she wan't a happy camper the rest of the day. She loved taking a bath, it made her legs feel better, and she loved the new experience of taking Tylenol (Yummy for Claire!), but after three hours of non-stop crying, Claire Bear and I went to Allen's house so I could walk around the block and CLaire could see new faces to cry at. Claire loves Allen. Whenever he holds her, she stops crying...and stop crying she did. She didn't want to go to anyone else the rest of the night, just Allen.

At least her outfit was cute for the doctor's office.

2010-07-05T21:36:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Miss Claire is two months today. What a wild ride! She has completely consumed us. I don't know who's schedule we go by now a days. All I know is that the schedule defiantly isn't mine.

Claire's little world consists of her BFFs:

*her dottie (pacifier)

*her bottle

*her whale tub which she named Bumpbo with the help of her oh so clever mom

her bouncy chair

her daddy

(By the way, you can add duckling saver to his resume. On Saturday, Brandon rescued four baby ducks. I fell in love all over again. My hero!

She is especially talented.

Claire is great at turning anyone into her personal lounge chair.

She is fantastic at stretcher. Claire is by far the most talented stretcher I know. Her routine after nap and after getting out of her car seat can last up to 7 minutes.

She is good at falling asleep anywhere she goes

Claire's nick names are numerous. We spent five months trying to figure out the perfect name, and then we rarely call it.

*Claire Bear

*Miss Bear

*Claire de Lune

*Miss de Lune

*Clara Bell

*Boo

We'll let you know about the stats tomorrow. We love our girl!

Momma in the Hood

2010-06-05T23:40:00.000-07:00

I once had a fish... not even named... it died on the way home.

I now have a child... name Claire... One month later, she is still alive.

I love my Claire Bear. She has these big, amazing eyes that seem to look into your soul; you wonder what she knows. Sometimes I think that she knows all the naughties I commit. Best behavior from now on, I swear! She loves to be talked to. She's a great listener and she doesn't give dumb, or unasked for advice. She is so alert.

Mommyhood has been a struggle, not gunna to lie. She was a big surprise to start with. So finally by the seventh month when I was prego, when I could feel her movements, I started to love her. But it all changed when she was born. At first I was ashamed to admit that I really didn't feel connected to her ... which lead to tons of crying. But now that my raging hormones have slightly settled and I have gotten to know Claire for one whole month, I feel like I like her. Ok, I confess...I love her.

Why? Let me tell you. We'll start with the shallow things.

*She wears anything I put on her. Exhibit A

I love her bum.

*She goes to bed around 10 and wakes up at 4 or 5 to eat. I really like sleep, and I feel like I never get the amount I want to. I swore I would never put her in bed with me, but I'll admit this week I have enjoyed her coming and laying by me at 7 in the morning so I can catch 40 more minutes of sleep

And she sleeps with her hands above her head, just like her daddy.

She forgets when I make a mistake, and she forgives when I repeat the same mistake.

She has started to coo and she smiled when Brandon and his brother Chris talked to her on 6-3-10

She loves to stretch. Every time I unwrap her, she stretches for five minutes... And without fail, she'll fart once or twice...or maybe even three times

I love her feet. I love painting her toe nails! (I am still working up the courage to cut her fingernails! Hateful and scary!)

She always has her right hand by her face or holds her right ear. I love her daddy's ears and so it makes me giggle.

She always seems to know when you need her to just love you unconditionally. I had my first sinus infection and ear ache and Claire just came and loved me.

She is a felon. Ok, so Brandon and I are responsible for her crime. We went to his brother's community pool and we were made examples of. They wouldn't let us swim because we didn't have the right swim cover ( we had the swim diaper and we had the plastic cover that has to be over the swim diaper). The lady that checks people in had made a mistake when we registered and we pointed it, so she decided to go all power hungry. Damn lady said we didn't have the right cover and wouldn't let us swim period. She made me a little angry, so we snuck Claire into the pool. She loved it and so did we! We went home all proud of ourselves.

Picture to come of her felony. I haven't upload them yet.

Claire is the sweetest thing you will ever meet. Sometimes she acts like a diva...

and she doesn't like off pitched singing or being too hot when she sleeps. She likes her space but wants you near. She hates to be changed and loves to "dirty" her diaper right after you change her. But she is a love and we couldn't/ wouldn't ask for more.

A novice photographer

2010-06-01T16:14:00.000-07:00

I am still trying to figure out my camera. I was trying to take a picture and failed. I love Brandon's face when I saw "Oh!" Just watch.

Wise Words of Wisdom

2010-05-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, my parents left Brandon and I for the first time, with our sweet daughter. They wanted to finish getting Adin's mission "stuff" and Brandon and I were too beat to want to go shopping.

So we sat on the couch watching mindless, Saturday television. A funny beer commercial just finished playing, and our sitcom had started again. A few minutes later, Brandon grew very serious and gave our cute little girl his first words of wisdom. He slowly said, "Claire. You will find as your life goes on..." (pausing for a short moment.) "...that beer commercials are the funniest commercials. But we never drink."

And that was that.

Wow... That was... Different

2010-05-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

Our little Claire made her grand entrance into the world May 5, 2010. Being four days late, we knew every day was a guessing game. The big question being, “Is she coming today?” And why wouldn't Miss Claire choose May 5...Brandon’s final’s had started up at the U that night. He left for work that morning and kindly asked...no, no... more like pleaded with the short person inside my belly, “Please don’t come today.” He walked out the front door and I jokingly said, “Because you said that, she’s coming today!” Boy, I love it when I am right.

I had been nauseous all morning long, but knew since my mom was coming into town that weekend, (scheduled induction on Saturday, May, 8), I needed to re-clean the bathrooms, kitchen and vacuum all the floors. I think my priorities are whacked... who clean when they feel like poo?

Around one, I thought if I got in the shower I would feel better. I got out, answered the phone call from Brandon and started to dry off. I told him as a joke that I think had been having a few contractions. Just as I started to giggle about my funniness, my water broke. I didn’t know it was my water, and thought I had urinated all over the floor. “Brandon! I am so sorry, I just wet myself all over the floor. Or was that my water? I dunno, I call you back!” So I got in the shower, and as more fluid came, I decidedly said to myself, “yes! In fact, my water broke...now what?” Then the contractions came two minutes apart... All I ave to say is, good hell, they hurt...bad!!! After a panic phone call from Brandon who said he would race home, what did I do? I first freaked out that my list of things to do wasn’t done and my mom would know what a lazy housekeeper I was, I finished straightening my hair, put my make up on, dabbed myself with some perfume, packed my hair straightener (because it is so important to look your best after you pushed a baby out!) and decided that I need a epidural now! An hour passes and I called Brandon and told him I wasn’t waiting for him anymore and he needed to meet me at the hospital. So I prayed the next contraction would wait till I got to the hospital (ummm....it did! I didn’t have one until I got into the parking lot!), grabbed my recently packed over night bag and pillow, waved to my neighbors as I pulled out and drove to the hospital. The rest is history. All I have to say is, labor is a different experience. You don’t care about anything except getting the baby out...sooner rather than later! They prepped me for a

c/s cuz Claire’s heart tones were dropping every contractions, but after a little help from the Dr on call, we were able to turn Miss Claire so she wasn’t posterior! The C/s was cancelled, I was completely effaced and dilated and it was time to push! For a first time mom, I was blessed. I only had to labor for six hours and only had to push for 40 Minutes. Claire came out beautiful and perfect! No cone head!

I had a fever of 103 the whole labor and since I was GBS+, I passes an infection onto Claire. So she got to hang in Level II, the baby ICU, with all my buddies from mom/baby until 48 hours of antibiotics were administered. We got the royal treatment! I love all my girls at work! I got down to my room and it was covered in streamers and Happy Birthday signed, filled with goodies and had two great moo-moo (how do you spell that?) waiting to be worn! It is nice to have friends. One hour, two percocets and an ambien later, I was out!

Wow... if you hung in there and read this whole bloody thing, I am impressed and grateful! Too long and too much information! Oh and by the way, Brandon did meet me at the hospital! I saw his face and broke into tears. My rock had arrived and I wasn’t scared anymore!

I promise the fat face comes from tons of IV fluids and the red comes from the fever I had! Gross, but now I have my face back!

The Butter on my Bread, the Breath in my life

2010-04-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

I love reading people’s blogs. Even if I don’t know them very well, or I haven’t seen or talked with them in a long time. Today I read my cute friend from high school’s blog ... Cute Prego Kerry Perry ... and she said something that got me thinking. Soul mates ... do they exist? For her, she doesn’t believe her and her husband were soul mates, destined to be together from the beginning of time. But she believes in a little divine intervention that brought them together to make a great pair.

So as I sit here in a warm bed, listening to my Colonel Brandon snore loudly next to me and Claire having a fiesta in my belly (really, it concern me that she always has parties at 2 in the morning and doesn’t invite anyone else. A.) How rude, and B.) She is going to keep daddy up all night long when I go back to work.) Anyway, back to listening to Brandon snore... do I believe in soul mates. I know I believe there are multiple people out there in the world that could have been my husband. If two people are fully committed to making the other happy, I believe that we can love anyone.

But Brandon and I have discussed many plans that we made in our lives, but never fulfilled. For instance, when I was a senior in high school, I planned on going to Utah State to go to nursing school. Brandon’s friend, Adam Brooks, went to Utah State and Brandon considered going to school there. I realize it is a big campus with lots of students, but would we have met?

When I was at CSU, Brandon had thought of going to an auto mechanic school in Rawlings, WY. That same year, I had thought of moving and finishing up nursing school in Rawlings, WY. Would we have met? I think so. There is only one singles ward. There is one more circumstance that we have discussed before, but I can’t remember it.

But do I believe in soul mates? I do think there could have been others that I would have been happy with, but when it comes to me and Brandon, I believe in soul mates. We would have found each other eventually, and I think God knew we needed each other.

As Julia Child’s husband said, “You are the butter on my bread, you are the breath in my life.” To my Brandon, you are the breath in my life. I love you!

There's a Hole in my Bucket!

2010-04-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

So today I was cruising my own blog...yes I know, that is weird. While looking at old posts and seeing what I was up to, my eyes wandered to the right and saw the baby count down. Two days left till our Baby Claire is “supposed” to be here. I panicked. It is so silent with her in my belly, and I can take her anywhere I want (except on an airplane...currently), and I can be irresponsible and sleep until two in the afternoon if I want. (I don’t really sleep until two unless I have worked the night before. I am just trying to cover my bum just in case my mom reads this. Then she’ll think she raised a productive member of society!) But yes, Claire is supposed to be here in two days and I wonder, if I suck it up at being a mom, does God forgive and forget at the big white pearly gates? Or does that earn me a one way bus ticket to hang with the Satan...

What if I leave her on the car roof in her car seat like I sometimes do with my 32 oz Pepsi from the gas station. Maybe I should invest in some post it notes. I could put one on my steering wheel that asks, “Do you have your baby and is she in the back seat ... not on the roof?” Maybe I’ll do that.

First Week Off!!!!

2010-04-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Can I say how much I love school being over with! (Well let's face the facts and then forget about the facts. I do have two semesters left and I am taking an online course and two BOM courses at institute over the summer...Now let us forget.)

I love school being out. I love that I can wake up and stay in my pjs while I think about what I might do that day. I embrace Grandmother Gwyn's love for creating list upon list of things to get done. Strange things to do like wash the front door and take worchestire sauce to clean the brass, clean out the window sills, clorox the fridge... I think you get the picture. Who makes lists to use worchestire sauce to clean the brass in your home (By the way it does work. One summer I stayed with my Grandmother and she had me clean her green dinner bell with the nasty sauce and whoa!!! It works! Shiny and brassy new! And, then you can put the sauce in your hamburger meat with steak

seasoning. Thank you Adam and Robyn Brooks for introducing us to the wonderful world of hamburgers!)

Anyway, I feel like much is accomplished (look at my house and you might think something different). Our third bedroom is finally unpacked and there isn't a box in sight! I bought the supplies to make baby announcements...just lacking the paper cutter to actually cut them. Anyone have one to lend? (You would think I learned my lesson when I thought it would be fun to make 300 wedding announcements...but now I have decided to make baby announcements.)

After all is said and done ... It is arguable and the reason I am doing all this is because I am nesting. (I hate that phrase, it sounds like I am spitting and sliming down my house to prepare for a baby. Isn't that what birds do? Maybe I am misinformed.) But when it comes down to it, I am just trying to put myself in labor. Brandon wants Claire now before he has to start Post (Police Academy) ... and something about spending time with her. Anyway... 39 weeks down, one to go. I don't have qualms with Miss Claire Bear staying in for awhile. As long as I have my sleeping pills and no where to go at 9 am... I am set for a life of huge pregnancyness.... Pictures to come

For you Britt

2010-04-17T22:02:00.001-07:00

Another addition to the eye liner list

Muy caliente!

I find... I find you strangely attractive

2010-04-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here is another procrastinating blog... why can't I just use my time wisely and write the freaking English papers due tomorrow!?!?!!? Where's the fun in that? I'd rather write about my weird quirks.

All these men have one thing in common.... And I find them all... strangely attractive.

Adam Lambert...homosexual but still attractive...WHY?

Bret Michaels... way too old for me, heterosexual, rocker ... Still attractive... WHY you ask?

Johnny Depp ... Everyone loves, lusts call it what you will, but still attractive ... WHY???

Will Turner (Not Orlando Bloom) WHY?

Do you give up?

I am ashamed to say that I have discovered a love for men in eyeliner. I asked Brandon to humor me once and put on eyeliner... I guess there are somethings love won't even make people do. For Brandon, he loves me, but he won't touch the eyeliner.

Well what's the point

2010-04-16T01:41:00.000-07:00

Today Miss Claire and I hit the 38 week marker (A picture to come tonight. I can't justify waking Brandon up at 3 in the morning for a 38 week picture). I had my Dr's apt last Tuesday and I am still measuring at 1/2 cm and they say they won't talk to me about inducing labor until I am over 41 weeks. So that is two more weeks until my due date, and it hit me...What's the point in working in the Mom/ Baby unit and delivering at the hospital I work at if....I don't get any perks? Dear Dr. Haskett, just induce me at 40 weeks! Thank you.

About Us!

2010-04-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

A New Image of Spring

2010-04-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

I love Spring. It means school is almost out. It means green grass and baby chickens and gardens and flowers....and did I mention everything isn't dead? (Oh I guess I should mention that spring means a new baby girl for me!!!) In honor of Spring, as I do every year, I walk outside in the nearly dead grass and hum "TipToe Through the Tulips". I know it's strange, but why wouldn't you.

Brandon informed me of a tidbit. Did you know that the person who sings, "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" is a man, not an old woman? I love that song, and I think I love it more.....But now I have this terrible image in my head. The new face of Spring. Tiny Tim. God Bless us everyone!

Holy Batman

2010-04-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I am 36 weeks! Holy Cow. I still wonder what God was thinking when he sent me this baby. I am not so sure about being a good mom, but promised God and my husband that I will love her and always take care of her! Mommy hood here I come!

It is awkward standing there....I don't know why!

Brandon told me to smile nicely! Me trying to explain how awkward, I feel!

Baby Claire due May 1!

Dear Mr. Obama

2010-03-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank you for making me a more responsible American citizen. The whole year you have been in office, you have managed to void the constitution and convince some of the more special Americans that you are right to lead us to socialism! Thanks! I now know we have to continue to fight for freedom, in the land of the free.

Oh the Joys

2010-03-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

I love procrastinating on my papers....especially papers due at four, so why not blog!

I went to the doctor this morning for my 35.4 week check up. Wow, I feel like a new woman. They don't tell you EVERYTHING in those "What to Expect When you are Expecting" I think I shall write the sequel, "What to expect after 'What to expect when you are expecting'". Anywhoo, I now know what it means to check your cervix. I am 1/2 cm dilated. I giggled. Why even check!

The baby looks fine, but her heart rate is a little fast at 165..... Something to do with Frosted Flakes......... In my defense, there isn't a warning label on the box warning pregnant women to eat with caution. Mentally counting the bowls eaten in the last week. They're GRRRRREEEAAAATTTTT!

We moved to Pleasant Grove, and are lovin' it! It is nice to be out of Provo. It is nice to see Brandon 30 Minutes earlier everyday (He used to commute an hour one way for work and school)! It is nice to have a change of scenery and chance to start over new! We like our new ward and our neighbors. We love the space in our new place. We are setting up the baby's room. Sadly, it will be the nicest room in the house. Kind of sad, but only the best for the princess!

On a side note. Anyone who knows me, know that I have a obsession with Dancing with the Stars! What a weird season. We have a Price is Right addition to the scoring system. The theme song is now "Ba, Ba, Ba" SUNG instead of played by the band!!!! Cheesy. Two words.... Kate Gosslin. I loved her, but after this week, she really is kinda of a Biddy. That is all!

Baby Bungalow GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2010-03-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

So cute for the mommies to be. Baby Bungalow GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

A little song is all it takes!

2010-02-22T08:42:00.000-08:00

Brandon and I were working on homework this weekend and I was stressing out and worrying how I would stay on top of all my homework. Brandon had been quietly working on his homework for about an hour and then he randomly broke into this primary song. Here is the original, Brandon classic.

I love Esther

She love me!

We love our baby

Yes sir-e

Baby kicks Esther in the tummy

And that makes Esther have to pee.

I ran to the bathroom and continued to laugh so hard I cried; I don't have full control over my bladder. I couldn't help but smile and stress a little less. Thanks Brandon!

A new Member

2010-02-10T22:28:00.000-08:00

This time every year, I buy myself one of these plants. They only bloom once, but they smell fantastic. This year, Brandon helped me choose a pink one and he named it Penelope. She was welcomed to the family, watered and placed on our window sill. She bloomed four days later and was put on our coffee table. As she bloomed she started to lean and grow out to the side. I giggled to think that she is an appropriate part our family. Why wouldn't you grow to the side?

Do go to Babies R Us on your Birthday

2010-02-10T22:23:00.000-08:00

What a great birthday!!! The girls at work threw me a party at midnight to celebrate me turning 25 years. I drove home to find my door covered in wrapping paper. I was so excited, I opened the door and jumped up in down ( Jumping isn't a fantastic idea. I almost wet my pants)...I am sure that was a funny sight to see and I wonder what Baby Strickland was thinking. Shaken Baby Syndrome.

I walked into our apartment at 3:00 am to find my cute boy sitting the couch with a huge grin on his face! He knew he "had done good".

Two weeks before my birthday, I informed my husband that birthdays are a huge deal in my life. He informed me that they weren't a big deal in his. Discussion over. I thought this was one of those things you adjusted to when you got married. No more birthdays. But, I should have remembered the time right before we were engaged and he told me he couldn't afford a ring and so I wouldn't get one....(Note. He lied. When he proposed, he pulled out my favorite ring and giggled.)

So I walked in to this wonderful, crete paper surprise!

He was so tired and so proud of himself.

So we finally got up, looked at apartments, ate breakfast at IHOP (I love hash browns and ham currently), and the went to Babies R Us to register per my request for a birthday treat. I'm sure I was a funny sight. I was walking around the store aimlessly with the scanner. I looked lost and pathetic. No one told me there were 7 different kinds of bottle and twenty different car seats, or what seems like 30 types of diapers. DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS.

Brandon asked if I was ok, and I started to cry. We laugh cause I was being stupid. Mascara running down my face, I gave the scanner back to the lady, walked out, and gave the bird to the store. I'll figure it out before the baby comes.

Remedy to a hard 20 minutes at Babies R Us? Food. Isn't that what you give to all pregos? (Well let's just be honest, I didn't get chunky by denying myself food whenever I was sad...or happy....or mellow.....Any emotion, I say Eat!) Dinner at the Melting Pot. It was fantastic and I love dessert. What a nice husband I have. Birthdays really aren't his thing, but he went out of his comfort zone, just to make sure mine was spectacular. What a good man. Thanks for giving me the sweeter orange.

Note...Brandon's birthday is the day after mine. What did we do for his birthday? Exactly what he wanted. Watched t.v. and ate steak. I don't understand, but he was happy.

The Prego Mentality....Real or just an Esther Clause?

2010-02-10T21:57:00.000-08:00

I noticed that I am become somewhat of something I hate (oh strong word... How about strongly dislike) For instance....old people. When they feel like they are owed something, just for still being alive. Me, I feel like the world owes me props for being pregnant. Here's the story.

I walk on campus and expect people to get out of my way. I expect people to get of line in buffets. I expects boys to open the doors for me. I expect that when I get off the elevator, the person coming on waits for to get off before trying to push their way into the mirco space. I expect teachers to be understanding of tardiness when I only have ten minutes to get across a huge campus and I walk with a waddle. Proven fact...waddling takes more time than walking.

My teacher kinda berated me in front of the class for being two minutes late to class today. "Sister, " (side note, why do teachers at BYU call you Brother or Sister when they know your name? Continuing on...) "Sister, you really need to start being on time to my class." I may or may nor have looked at him like he was an idiot and told him that I don't move as fast pregnant as when I am not pregnant. The girls in the class laughed, I sat down and he turned a little pink. Do I feel bad...Not really. Should I feel bad...not really...Do I need to have a come to Jesus meeting with myself for being a self righteous prego? Yeah, but I'll do it tomorrow.

Really...Why Wouldn't You?

2010-01-04T14:56:00.000-08:00

Today was my first day of classes. As tradition holds, (As a side note, everyone should make daily, monthly, semesterly, yearly traditions. It gives you something to look forward to.), I brought some money to buy lunch on campus as a reward for completing a dreaded day and completing it in style.

I could have bought anything to fill the void! I roamed from booth to booth, smelling with my eyes and nose. The five dollar foot-long from Subway, the ever predictable heartburn taco from Taco Bell, the "what am I really eating" at the salad bar. But what did I choose? A Peanut Butter, Strawberry and Marshmallow on Sprouted Wheat bread and an apple. In my defense, it was the only sandwich left. And the Cougar Eat didn't even have milk. After many "What kind of institution is this" and "what's the point in having a creamery if there isn't even milk?!?" and "Really...who puts marshmallows on a sandwich", I sat my prego bum down and pulled out my lunch. I do realize I could have made this lunch at home and saved $3, but it's tradition and I ate it in a full tradition manner. Don't ask what that means...I am not sure I even know.

The sandwich turned out to be wonderful. The apple was the best I have had all season and the water fountain conquered my parchedness. And I thought, "Cause really....Why wouldn't you put Marshmallows on peanut butter."

So there is my new mentality. When I see, hear or participate in things that are just strange to me, I am going to be open minded and say, "Cause...really...why wouldn't you?"

So to that girl I saw who had three inches of blue eye shadow frosted onto her face like a badly iced cake... I yell, "really..why wouldn't you?" To her friend who screamed across the courtyard in her high pitched California Valley Girl Tone, "Hey how was your Christmas break?...And...like... who did your bangs. They look fantastic!" I say, "Really...why wouldn't you scream across the campus courtyard and comment on your blue eye shadowed friend's bangs?" And finally to the midget who was wearing yellow four inch heels and running across the courtyard, I say, "Thanks for the laugh. And really why wouldn't you?"

A little toast to the end of a semester

2009-12-10T21:40:00.000-08:00

This is my last week of classes for the fall semester of 2009. Seeing that I have been in school for seven years (not an accomplishment...kind of an embarrassment), I like to consume myself in the same rich, sick and hateful ritual at the end of every semester...planning two weeks of freedom. This sad little ritual of mine prolongs finals and makes the week seem like an eternity.

*I am going to be a master Christmas baker/ candy artist.

Whether this consists of just rice crispy treats or my mother's christmas candies....we will see.

p.s. don't tell my doctor that I will be sampling.

*I am going to re-write my wedding thank you notes

Thank you housekeeping at work for throwing away all my recently finished bridal shower and wedding thank you notes as well as the book that listed everything I received. I realize now that when you get a feeling to take them home with you and mail them, you should listen to the prompting. I would like the housekeeper to know that you made me cry, but thank you for your cleanliness. Thank you mom for writing on the back of all my cards what people gave us. Now we can try to write them over.

*I am going to find a fantastic new author beside J.K. Rowling, Jane Austen, Anita Stansfield and Patricia Cornwell to fill my holiday with bliss.

*I am going to plan a little girl's nursery. She needs to live in style.

* I am going to bring my husband breakfast in bed. He works so hard to make sure I am happy and taken care of, I need to let him know I care.

*I will attempt to make a GingerBread House. Maybe one day I will be like those ladies on the Food Network Challenge who make those glorious gingerbread masterpieces.

* I am going to go through all my stuff again, and re-evaluate what need to be kept, and what can be given away.

*Brandon and I are planning a service project for a friend and her family. T- minus six days.

*Pick up a piano book and play. It's been way too long.

*Go for a walk every day for 30 min

* Find a exercise class that I want to take and realistically will go to (no more 5:45 cycling class... really if you say that you do that for fun, you're not foolin' me! That class sucks!)

*Write my mom and dad a thank you letter

*Write GG my personal history for the year 2009.

*Be happy

Fairies....Christmas

2009-12-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago I decided that I wanted a Christmas Tree. So I worked a whole bunch of extra shifts at work and then hit the Black Friday Sales. It was a beautiful tree, and I was stoked to have the tree the rest of my life. But last year a bunch of girls stole my ornaments and trimmings (maybe they thought that a roommate's possessions are always up for grabs...I don't know)

So this year, I supported a local business ( ok... so really they were going out of business) and bought a new set of tree trimmings. Did I keep in mind that I was getting married the following year? Nope. I brought my findings home and showed them to my then fiance. All he could say was, "Purple?" "Are fairies...Christmas?" "And really...the fairies are scary!"

Purple and White Butterflies...Maybe they helped in Santa's Workshop? Am I grabbing at nothing?

Purple Acorns are a must!

Dragon flies and Fake Fruit... Why wouldn't you put them on a tree?

To be fair, the fairies are kind of old....and kind of ugly. And, I guess I could of gone with a more holiday color... But I like the tree all the same!

The In's and Out's Of Prego Life

2009-12-05T16:04:00.000-08:00

Our new addition to our family may be a big surprise to two people who are huge planners, but we have adjusted and now are scared to death and excited....all at the same time. Here are a list of things that are the happy's and sad/miss of prego life.

HAPPY!!!!

I love pickles with a Bologna sandwiches.

I love claiming that I am Pregnant..not fat

Water tastes good

Every emotion is heightened (I don't know if this is wonderful or not...I am leaning towards wonderful)

Sleeping!

Music is beautiful

Feeling the baby move

Having friends that are prego with me

Prego Clothes!!!!

Gummi Bear Prenatal Vitimins

Baby Clothes
Eating Healthy and actually wanting to eat healthy

The not so wonderful sides of pregnancy

Heartburn
Pepsi

Crying all the time (Extreme Home Makeover makes me bawl!)

I miss Pepsi. It hasn't tasted good since I have been prego

Feeling sick when I have eaten something naughty

Missin Pepsi

Being tired all the time

Watching live births on the internet and being scared for life..and then realizing that I will be doing that in 5 months
Pepsi

I am sure there are tons more..I'll keep adding when I think of them!

Here...Have a Tissue!

2009-12-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

For the past three years (since Brandon's dad died and his mom moved to Utah), the Stricklands have made Forgotten Carols a part of their holiday traditions. The past two years, I have had the chance to go with them. This year, Adin my little brother, got to come too. He's here at BYU going to school. He has never seen the Forgotten Carols.

Micheal McClaine brought his creation of the Forgotten Carols to Denver when I was ten. At that time, it was one man playing the songs, singing and telling the stories. I don't remember much about that night, but I do remember listening and being captivated by the feelings of the music. My mom and dad listen to the music every year as we put up the tree.

Over the years, Forgotten Carols has grown and developed, so now there's many characters and dialogue. But I still am captivated and touched by the music and lyrics. And every year, I manage to cry at some point during the production. It usually happens during "Sara's lullaby" and the end of the production when he asks you to think of someone who isn't with you anymore and the whole crowd sings "We can be Together Forever Someday" . The idea is that the song will carry to those who aren't with us anymore to hear.

This year, I came prepared with tissues and a loving husband who loves it when I cry. (I didn't cry much before we met and dated, but I think he has brought out my sensitive side.) Anyway, the music started this year and I was a mess. I cried through the whole thing. At least I looked cute in my prego dress.

Build a Baby

2009-12-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while, Brandon gets down on his knees and talks to my belly. We found out that our baby can probably hear what you're saying, so we figure we would tell "it" everything we know.

Last week, Brandon conversation went as follow.

"Hi baby. This is your Daddy. We are excited to see you in a couple of weeks."
I interject saying, "We will find out if you're a boy or girl, so make sure you're not acting modest next Thursday."
Brandon says, "We will get to see your hands and feet. Can you see them? You should have ten fingers and ten toes. Can you count them? One...Two...Three...."

Today Brandon decided to have a conversation with our unborn child. Here is what was said.

"Hi baby. This is your Daddy. It's morning time. That the time when we are supposed to get up and do stuff. So your supposed to stay up for 16 hours and then go back to sleep for 8 hours. Did you hear that? YOU are supposed to sleep 8 hours."

He looks up at me and says, "I am just starting early."

I think he's going to be a great daddy.

It's Official!!!

2009-11-03T23:21:00.000-08:00

We are having a baby. We had an ultrasound a few weeks ago and we are officially having a baby. He or she has a great heart beat, likes to move A LOT. Brandon and I are still getting used to the idea that we are going to be parents in 6 months, but I think we are getting excited!