It's Officially Official - Maybe...

Last January we found out we were expecting another baby. The range of emotions pretty much went between "Really?" to "How did that happen?" and back to "Really?" Well, as time went on, of course we warmed up to the situtation, even though I think we both were still in a bit of denial. We decided to wait until after the first trimester before really telling anybody (including the family), and by then it was getting close to our trip to Samoa.

Now, my family has a history of worriers. My Granny is probably the ultimate worrier out there. My mom is selectively worried, and I fall right in line. Before our trip, both Mom and Granny were so worried about us flying so far with Lily, etc. that we decided not to add fuel to the fire and tell them about the new baby too.

So, a few weeks after we got home, we had a big family weekend up in Logan (the 5-fer that you can read about on Mary's and Rebecca's blogs) and we finally broke the news. We told everyone we had gifts from our trip for them, and when we were done passing them out, we said we had one more gift we couldn't decide who to give it to. We had hidden it in the living room and whoever found it, could have it. I was glad that they got into the hunt! Of course the "gift" wasn't really a trinket from Samoa, but a framed ultrasound picture. Everyone was so suprised! The even bigger suprise was how far along we were (at that point 19 weeks), and that we would be finding out if it's a boy or girl the next Monday.

So, along comes our Monday appointment. Everything looked good and healthy, but they just weren't quite sure if it was a boy or a girl... See for yourself - the pictures are pretty fuzzy, if you ask me!

I really didn't think I cared either way, but when we were there, I decided that I really did want a little boy. Well, the nurse said she thought it might be a girl, but really wasn't willing to place any money on it. So, she put a question mark in my file for them to recheck it at my next visit.

This morning was that visit, and they checked again. They are still THINKING it's a girl, but not entirely convinced. So, I guess that's what we're going to plan on! Everything else is perfect, and that is one active baby! We are getting excited for this new little person to join our family, although it is so hard to imagine loving and adoring another as much as we do Lily! The beautiful thing about life is that there's really no limit to the amount of love your heart can hold. I'm sure little Lily Jr. will find her spot instantly, and we won't remember life without her either!

As for name negotiations, we are at a standstill - any suggestions? Send them on over! She'll be here the end of September!

Good Times

Last weekend was so much fun! Our good friend Dan was getting married, so a few of my old "Singles Ward" friends were in town for the weekend. It had been years since this many of us had been together, and we did nothing but laugh the whole time!

We had a fun pre-wedding dinner at Olive Garden:

Janine had us in tears (well at least me anyway) retelling her taning bad story. You have to read it to believe it - and you don't even have to know Janine to get a kick out of it! We played games and did lots of hanging out. Oh yeah, and we barely made it to the wedding in time! Dan told us he thought we would be walking down the aisle with Kim! (Sorry Dan!)

The wedding was so beautiful. Kim's grandpa performed the marriage, and it was so personal and sweet. I am so happy for them and I hope nothing but the best for them!

On Sunday, Lily and I headed up to Logan to hang with the fam. (Wow was in Vegas this weekend at his friend's wedding and picking up his best friend's brother who flew in from Scotland - yeah - I guess there are Samoans in Scotland too!) We got to go to the missionary farewell of an amazing couple from my parent's home ward. The Thompsons will be serving in North Carolina. They have raised an incredible group of kids and are such an example to me. That ward was recently split, and it was so great to see everyone again (despite my high drama baby... )

Case in point:

Where does she learn this?

One of the cutest things this weekend were all the little cousins playing. This is Ella entertaining Mia and Lily. She is the greatest "big-sister" cousin ever!

It was an awesome weekend!

Look Who's Walking!

I can't believe my baby is walking now! Just in the last week she has gained so much confidence and now is full-on walking!



I was watching her last night, just marveling at the miracle each little developmental "step" is. It just amazes me how she just knows what to do! How those chubby little feet can balance and carry her to wherever she wants to go. She is growing up so fast. It's hard to believe she'll be one year old next month. I do have to confess though - walking is a stage I was looking forward to. Dirty knees and tops of feet were getting kind of old.



(No! This dirt isn't off of my floor - this was taken in Samoa, but I will admit that keeping floors mopped and vaccummed is not my forte!) Bye-bye dirty feet!

Some of the other sweet things Lily is learning:

"Kisi" = Samoan for "kiss": Lily LOVES to kiss her daddy and other babies - her mommy, not so much, but that's ok. The open mouth super slobbery kisses just kill me!

"Please": Lily will give you ANYTHING as long as you say "please" - I love it! I know this won't last, but for now, it's working!

"Siva" = Samoan for "dance": Lily LOVES dancing! Especially to cell phones! Pretty much any music she hears, she gets her groove on and wiggles and shakes away! (Definitely from her Samoan side!)

These are my top three favorites right now - I could go on and on and on! Just last night Wow and I were watching her play with her toys and we were talking about how we just can't believe this little angel is ours. We never could have imagined how our lives would change once she came to us. We are so blessed!

Yikes! A little too true!

(I stole this from Pegs - I'm a sucker for this stuff!)

You Are An ISTJ

The Duty Fulfiller You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. In love, you are loyal and honest. If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed. For you, love is something that happens naturally. And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved. At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical

What's Your Personality Type?

Woo Hoo!

I'm so excited! My two favorite gals from Wyoming are coming tomorrow!

These girls are seriously so much fun, and I can't wait to see them this weekend!

Guess Who Part II

Man - maybe I really am a high-roller.... Guess who I just got off the phone with now?

This is cracking me up! Yep - Governor Jon M. Huntsman himself! Not an assistant, publicist or staffer - the real deal. Ok, he's not quite as high up there as Mitt, but hey - not too bad for two weeks in a row.

These guys are all calling for the same deal - wanting money for a fundraiser President Bush is coming to town next week for. Who knows, maybe the Prez himself will call me next???

I just don't get it!

What is it with guys' obsession with sport jerseys?


Now, I'm pretty sure this isn't just my guy - I know my sister has spent a penny or two at the NFL pro shop. Wow will not leave me alone about getting him a Spurs jersey. First of all, since when do the Samoans like the Spurs? I think he's the only one. Most of them go for the Lakers (I guess it's a Kobe thing). But usually, he is petitioning for some random rugby jersey. I have spent many a Christmas season perusing worldrubgyshop.com for gifts for him.


Actually last Christmas the campaign was for a South Africa HOME rugby jersey with the name of Montgomery on the back. WHAT??? I guess these guys had just won the Rugby World Cup and Mongtomery made the last score or was the team captain or something. Who really knows. Well, apparently he wasn't the only one set on this particular jersey because it was impossible to find. After a number of back-orders and even a fraudelent eBay ordeal, I finally gave up. Is it really worth it? I say emphatically NO! Really! I don't see the appeal of a jersey! Do you see women "representing" their favorite sports hero? (Or in my husband's case the hero of the moment...)


I have tried to understand it, but I don't think I ever will. In the meantime maybe Lily will get him the jersey for Father's Day. However, with my luck, he'll have changed his mind by then... But the bright side would be that I don't think he'd be able to give it away to any of his Samoan friends (the fate of all of the other jerseys we've been through) - no one else likes the Spurs!

Sometimes I Need a Reminder

It's so funny how little things can make you really think sometimes.

Last Saturday I spent most of the day grumpy, angry, annoyed, frustrated, irritated, discouraged and upset. I didn't care that it was one of the most beautiful days we've had all year. I didn't bother to make the day useful - I chose to spend the entire day feeling bad for myself. I think it had been under the surface for a little while and by Friday night, it all came to a head. So, Saturday was pretty much miserable. I finally got over it that night and decided to just let it go.

Well, last night my dad was here (he stays with us a few nights each week for his job here in Salt Lake), and my sister Sarah came over. After picking up Lily, grocery shopping at Walmart (which I didn't do on Saturday because I obviously wasn't in a "shopping place"), feeding Lily, making dinner, and all the other stuff I try to cram in the few hours between getting off work and dropping into bed, I found myself with a few minutes to sit down to watch a little TV with my dad and Sarah. Now, this hardly ever happens (granted I didn't do dishes or put away laundry, but nevertheless...). I NEVER just watch TV, and anything that I do get to see is Tivo'd and on the weekends! So we were flipping between the San Antonio v. New Orleans game, some old western movie and House. House is kind of a quirky little show, but last night I just got sucked in. Of course they were trying to diagnose a "mystery" illness that ended up resulting from a fairly random sequence of unrelated events, but at the end, the patient didn't make it. Hardly a unique story line, but last night as I was falling asleep, I was thinking about it some more.

This random little TV show reminded me of what I already knew, that we just don't know when our time is up. Each and every day is a gift from God. Choosing to spend an entire day sulking, angry and feeling sorry for myself is throwing away precious time with people we love, in favor of indulging in self pity. Why? I don't have the answers, all I know is that I am grateful for the reminder. I know that the choice is mine to work through problems instead of letting them fester and then to choose to move on and enjoy the blessings in my life. A lesson I needed to re-learn this week.

Star Struck

Guess who I just got off the phone with???





Yes, THE Mitt Romney himself! Not some assistant, publicist or staffer, it was actually Mr. Romney himself! I know you all think I'm in with the high-rollers, and lest you continue in your delusions, he didn't call to actually talk to me (although I really do know his son Josh quite well). I work with people who are close to him, and although he doesn't call every day, it still caught me a little off guard when he said who he was on the phone!


He is the nicest guy, who I really feel could do some amazing things for our country. But I do have to say, during his presidential campaign I did get weary of hearing Mormon-this and Mormon-that. I hope that he does get the chance somehow to put his brilliant financial brain to work on our ever-depressing economy. I have to fill up my car and buy groceries - ooh - there goes my paycheck!

Congratulations Dave!

My brother Dave is seriously incredible! Not only is he LOADED with talent musically, artistically and intellectually, he has developed such a sensitive, spiritual and compassionate side. He seriously amazes me! When he came home from his mission, he knew that he wanted to someday be his own boss, yet was determined to finish his education as well. He has owned a number of businesses, and this month graduated from Utah State University with his degree in Business.

However, in my opinion, one of his greatest accomplishments has been marrying Lexy! She is an angel - I cannot imagine a more perfect fit for Dave, or for our family than this girl. This last year has been a tough one for the two of them. They have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but still they pull through and come out even stronger.

Well, last night, Dave told us all that he has accepted a job with Access Development, which seems to be right up his alley. Dave, we are all so happy for you! This job truly is an answer to a lot of prayers, and I know you'll do great! The even better news is that they will be moving down here to Salt Lake and Lexy will be watching Lily for me! Yea! (But after all, who wouldn't want to watch this doll???)

Mother's Day

Aah, Mother's Day. I'm not one for huge suprises or gifts on occasions like this. Seuao sent me flowers at work on Friday (a wonderful suprise), and that was just right. (Plus, it takes the pressure off on Father's Day coming up!) Seuao had to work all day on Sunday, so it was just me and Lily for church. Let's just say that after 5 trips out of various meetings, 4 hymn books resecued from certain shredding and wrinkling deaths, 3 bottles thrown across the room, 2 major head crashes into chairs/benches in front of us, and one over-tired and sad baby, church was more of a wrestling match than much else!

Just a few thoughts on what I did get out of church though. At the start of Sunday School, the teacher asked everyone to raise their hands who was there ready to learn. I heard him and chose not to raise my hand, simply because I was literally praying we would make it through Sunday School without major trauma and I was there, not necessarily because I wanted to be that day, but because I knew that was where I should be. Well, this teacher proceeded to lecture the class about how our attitudes determine the outcome of the class, and if even one person doesn't come with the right attitude it can affect the entire class. Whatever. I do think there's some truth to that, but being one of the few "young" mothers in our ward, seriously, cut a little slack!

Well, we get into the lesson (Mosiah), and the class is participating quite a bit. They are discussing things that can hamper us spiritually and can interfere with our testimonies. There were a few comments that really did touch me, and Lily was preoccupied with taking off her sandals and putting cheerios in them, so I was actually into the lesson a little bit. Well, this woman on the front row was very anxious to add her comment. When she got called on, she stood up, turned around and said "We have been discussing the woes of alcohol and promiscuity for 15 minutes, and I for one want to move on. We need to talk about Abinadi and his testimony and get the Spirit back into this room." The teacher (who spends most of the class pacing and walking around the room) sat down on the table, and said "Well, then, why don't you teach us?" She proceeded to "teach" the class about the prophet Abinadi and I couldn't help but think about how our class had started. That one person's attitude really can change the mood of the class and the Spirit that is there. Ironic, isn't it?

The highlight of my Mother's Day though had to be after Sacrament Meeting. All of the women were asked to stand so the youth could pass out little gifts for the occasion, lavendar sachets (which were pretty potent). Hearing these little 12 year old boys complain about how stinky they were and wondering why anyone would want one of these was cracking me up!

I want to thank the amazing mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunties and friends I have for their examples of motherhood to me. As this was my first Mother's Day as a mother, I didn't really feel the need to be appreciated and thanked myself, as I felt that I needed to appreciate and thank my own mother and her unconventional yet beautiful example of motherhood she was and still is to me. I love you mom!

Samoa

As some of you know, we recently returned from an amazing trip to Samoa where Lily and I met Seuao's parents and most of his family for the first time. This is Lily on her first plane ride (and she wishes her last - temper tantrums and tiny plane cabins in which to fling yourself around in and bump your head on don't mix well...)

We flew from Salt Lake to LA where we spent a few days with Seuao's older sister, Lanu and her family. Our flight from LA was 10 hours direct to Samoa. I have flown overseas before, but for some reason I was nervous this time! Something about turbulence over the Pacific really wasn't giving me warm fuzzies...

We arrived in Samoa early in the morning, and spent a few days adjusting to the heat and humidity! One of the reasons we decided to take our trip now was so we could throw a birthday party for Seuao's mom. She turned 70, and let me tell you, those old Samoan ladies know how to party! I have never seen that many old ladies in a room boogie like they did! It was awesome! That's one thing I love about the Samoan culture - they express every emotion (ok, so that's not always so awesome, but it usually is) - they're not shy and reserved (adjectives that describe me more often than not...) - maybe that's why I respect it so much. I wish I had more of that in me.

This is another old lady that was at the party - I don't know who she is, but I just love this picture - it totally exemplifies the mood of the evening:

When we finished with all of the family stuff, Seuao and I took the next week to tour around the island. We fed sea turtles:
We swam in waterfalls:

Visited beautiful countrysides:

Saw a "fia-fia" (a traditional Samoan dance show) and stayed at the historic Aggie Grey's:

Played at a couple of beaches:

And of course spent treasured time with Seuao's family and friends (this is us with Seuao's mom and dad):

It was a wonderful trip filled with memories I will forever cherish. I am so very grateful we had the opportunity to go. Experiencing the real culture (not just the West Valley version) was something I really needed. I understand so much more about the little funny things my hunny does (i.e. mostly melting his ice cream before he eats it here - over there it's so hot it melts instantly!)

Here is a link to my Picassa page with even more pictures of our trip in case this isn't enough for ya! http://picasaweb.google.com/rniusulu I don't have them all on there yet, but I'll add to it...

Flowers & Camo

So today Seuao has Lily. All by himself - all day! Lily has been so whiny the last couple of days - we think its the teeth. As a sanity preserving act (not a Happy Early Mother's Day act), he decided to come get me for lunch. We went to his favorite restaurant, Iggy's, and when I pulled Lily out of her carseat in the back, I had to laugh at her little outfit. Seuao had a brown and pink floral onesie on her with her khaki green camo sweatsuit (which is REALLY too small)...

(sorry for the crummy picture - I need a new camera phone in a BAD way!)

But props to him - he did put her hair in a pony tail - not an easy feat with such a wiggly baby!

The funny thing is, though - that I think the had to dig PAST the plain pink sweatsuit that actually fits and would match to get to this camo get-up. He's too much.

Ok, so....

So, it's taken me like an HOUR to attempt to figure this out... Not much success yet and my baby is still sleeping, so I'm not giving up yet! I think there's a problem with blogger.... Yeah, that's what I'll tell myself!

I've tried to link my favorite blogs over a couple of times and it's not letting me! I'll try again tomorrow.

Here's my attempt at adding a picture...














Woo hoo! It worked!!! That's my sweet baby (and she just woke up....) Guess we're done for now!

Finally, I'm blogging!

Hi folks!

It has taken me a while to get going on this blogging thing, even though I keep thinking "Oh, I wish my blog was up so I could post (fill in the blank) ." Well - here it is! I hope I can figure this whole thing out!

I do have to confess though - my biggest hang up on getting started was the name of my blog! Such pressure! I finally decided on Wow's Gal. That's me! Seuao (pronounced Say-Wow) is my hubby, and yep - you guessed it, I'm his gal!