Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

We've been wanting to take Marshall to the museum for so long to see the Robots exhibit so that's exactly what we did the day after Christmas! We had so much fun! The new museum is so much better and more updated than the old one. There is so much to do, you could really spend an entire day in there! Despite the emergency evacuation interruption, we had a great time!


Below, watching a science experiment about rockets, exploding alka seltzer and water in a film canister. So cool! The demonstrator used scientific words and explained what they meant, it was really well done and educational.



Below: Marshall had so much fun as the "contractor" at the construction site. This area was right up his alley with cranes, drills, hammers, and more!

Another favorite activity, Marshall liked finding balls to place in this tube that defies gravity and carries the balls up and away instead of falling down, below.

Conclusion: This is a great place for kids to learn and explore! The cool thing: there is no "wrong way" to do things, anything goes and it's all open-ended. I think I'll start saving for a pass!!!

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time!

Christmas at our house was really fun this year, with Marshall really getting into it and understanding it! He did fun crafts and we read stories all month about Santa and about Baby Jesus. We have a few fun traditions, one of which is getting new jammies on Christmas Eve from the Pajama Fairy. Here is Marshall sporting his wears after the tamale/Nativity party at John's parents':



Christmas morning, Marshall sitting amongst his presents:


So cool, his own Razor Scooter!

A classic boy toy, a remote control race car. ZOOM!!

Marshall's favorite Christmas present was his Moon Sand from his cousin Sam. After he was done opening his presents, this was the first one he wanted to play with. He loved playing with it all morning! It's the coolest stuff-it's sand that you can mold and it holds the shape of the mold! So cool, a great sensory experience.

We had a great Christmas, it was relaxing and full of traditions, like my yummy "Christmas Casserole" aka Aunt Alecia's "Conference Casserole," a Christmas light display drive, my first "Wrap and Yap" party, the Bradley's tamales, watching "A Christmas Story," the Pajama Fairy, and much more! Merry Christmas!

Insomnia

Insomnia: inability to obtain sufficient sleep, esp. when chronic; difficulty in falling or staying asleep; sleeplessness.

When we first got married I thought it was because of John's loud breathing and snoring and having someone next to me in bed that kept me awake. Then, it was school and doing homework into the wee hours. When Marshall came along I would wait until his 2 o'clock am nursing until falling asleep. Then, back to homework. I have no excuses now. After five years I can finally fall asleep when John snores, Marshall has been sleeping peacefully and consistently through the night now for two years, and I am finished with all forms of homework. So, what is it keeping me up so late(note the time)? BOOKS! There are so many titles beckoning my brain and eyes! This habit goes back as far as I can remember. I used to get the maximum amount of books at the library before they said, "No more" and read until my eyelids were just too heavy to go on. I still have a hard time narrowing it down to only a few. You should see my Amazon wish list(s), they go on for pages! There are hundreds upon thousands of good books out there, and like Roald Dahl's Matilda, I am trying to read them all (well, all that spark my interest). I guess until I have read them all I will be an insomniac. Usually 2:00 is my cut-off, but tonight, with Christmas exciting me, I have far surpassed my limit. I once read that your body sets it's clock back a few minutes everyday, making you go to sleep later and later, if you let it. This is why it's so important to be consistent about bed time. Why? Why can't I fall asleep at 10:00 like my dear husband is blessed to be able to do? It makes me jealous that he can be out at such an early hour, but yet he's jealous I read "faster" than him. Okay, I'm done ranting. Thanks for listening to an insomniacal reader!

The stack that kept me up tonight.

Our 5 Year Anniversary and Pulling the Plug, completely unrelated events!

Our Five Year Wedding Anniversary

Last night we celebrated our Fifth Wedding Anniversary! I can't believe it's already been five years! Time flies when you're broke, students, broke students, parents, and full-time employees. We've certainly come a long way from those early days but yet we still have a long way to go. It was nice to have a night out, just the two of us, we hadn't had one in a while. We went to dinner at Tucci's then headed down to Gateway to see "I am Legend" with Will Smith. Halfway through the movie I realized we'd seen a Will Smith movie last year on our anniversary, too! Maybe it's a new tradition. Then today I remembered exploring Kauai with John on our honeymoon five years ago and how much fun we had (and still have) traveling together. Boston in September was our five year trip together. Here's to another five, and another five, and another five......for eternity!

Pulling the Plug
Note the plug-free sleeping boy

So, about a week ago it was bedtime and I could not find a plug (aka: binky), a staple in our house for the last three years. We did the bedtime routine: jammies, teeth, prayers, stories, songs, snuggle. For fifteen minutes into our snuggle Marshall did not ask for his plug. I thought maybe he'd just fall asleep without realizing it. But then, he asked. I told him we didn't have any more and we'd buy more at the store next time (thinking this wasn't the end of the plug). To my surprise he didn't ask for it again that night! Or the next day, or the next night, until, low and behold, we are plug free! I found one under the couch cushions today, said my goodbyes, and threw the last plug away. I never intended to wean him that night about a week ago, it just happened and my little boy was ready to say goodbye to his plug. He is no longer a baby, but a little boy ready for new things!

Last night and today we got dumped on with snow! After a fun extended family Christmas Breakfast, we grabbed Marshall's new sleds and headed to Sugarhouse Park to meet Grandpa Kirk for an afternoon of sledding. It was Marshall's first time. After the detour to the slides Marshall hopped right on and had a blast going down the hill ALL BY HIMSELF! He is so independent!!!

This way guys, the slides are over here.
Isn't that what parks are for?

Fine, I guess I'll go by myself
since you guys are just here to sled.

Grandpa Kirk joins Marshall on his trip to the playground.

They have fun hiding in the tunnels and
going down the slides. They were extra slippery
due to the snow pants and caught lots of speed.

Finally Marshall is ready to try sledding.
A nice Grandpa helps Marshall back up the hill.

After a few solo rides, Marshall finally
lets Dad join him on a ride.

Marshall is mid-sentence "That was fun, can we do it again?"

Grandpa Kirk is at the bottom taking pictures
and walks Marshall back up for one more ride.

Even after Marshall biffs hard core, he wants to go again.
Since we can't end the day falling off, we let him
go one more time.
We ended the fun day of sledding with steaming hot chocolate at
Baskin Robbins across the street. It was a great day for sledding!

Marshall's Third Birthday

Today we had a small gathering to celebrate Marshall's Birthday! My dad, Pippa, Grandma Marshall, and my mom came for the party and my aunt Lorie and cousins Zack, Erikka, and Adam made it just in time for cake and ice cream!

This is the cake I made
and it turned out that it was a good theme
because it snowed and snowed all day long!

This is Marshall sitting atop his
stack of presents from Mom & Dad.

Trying to hold up 3 fingers is hard,
in fact he never even got just 2 this year.

Okay, you can open ONE present before the guests arrive!
A birthday cake!

A sled (two, actually) from Grandpa Kirk and Pippa.
In perfect timing with the snow!

A pounding peg toy from Grammy.
"Look, I did this all by myself!"


Going outside for two more presents, an
art easel from Mom & Dad,
and the Playmobil Hospital from Grammy!!!


A very spoiled Marshall gets ready to blow out the
candles while we sing the Aspen Grove Birthday Song,
a Marshall family tradition.


Paging Dr. Marshall (Jr.) we need you
in exam room 3 to see why you are so cute!
Trying on a rainbow colored, rockstar mullet
while mom waits for the party store to blow
up a dozen balloons. You had everyone in line laughing!


At the end of the night, lying in bed, Marshall said to me,
"Mom I had a fun party today. It was an inside party though."

FIRST SNOW!!!

Last night Marshall pulled the blinds up and much to his surprise he shrieked, "Mommy, Daddy, it's snowing outside!" He was so excited! So today we got his winter stuff on and layered him up to play in the first snow of the season. We taught him how to do snow angels and roll down the little hill in back of our apartments. He stayed nice and dry, except for his cheeks which turned bright red and icy cold. Then, we came inside and warmed up with hot chocolate.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Elf Yourself, Bradley Style

Check us out as our elf-selves singing and dancing a Christmas jig for you! It's hilarious!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9607336816

Some Things to be Thankful For

I spent Thanksgiving dinner alone really wishing I wasn't sick. But I was able to use the time and reflect on things I was Thankful for. I challenged myself to do 50 and here they are.
1. My husband, he is extremely supportive
2. The cutest boy in the universe-he is mine!
3. I have the best mom who ever lived, really.
4. John and I both have great families who live close.
5. The gospel, it keeps me grounded.
6. Health, although not at this particular moment seeing as how I can't sleep (it's 6 am) due to my influenza.
7. Music, especially when it makes me emotional (which is a lot).
8. BOOKS! What more can I say?
9. Great friends, past, present, and future.
10. A car (although I still mourn the loss of the one I totalled) and wish we had two.
11. A roof over my head, although some months I really worry, so I think I'm more thankful for family close by where we could stay if we got kicked out for bouncing yet another rent check (oops!).
12. Worry, it keeps me from doing stupid stuff.
13. The internet, it's something I use EVERY day!
14. Virtual shopping carts-you can DELETE everything before you click "buy now" on "accident."
15. Toilet paper, how often do we take it for granted?
16. Living in America, freedom.
17. Birth control, because some months you just don't want to be pregnant and others you do.
18. Blogs, they keep me in touch with family and friends.
19. The gym
20. Cell phones, how many times have I called my mom from the grocery store, "What isle is (insert food item here) on?"
21. Water, I love it.
22. And Dr. Pepper
23. Olive skin that doesn't burn easily.
24. That I'm a girl, I get to do the fun stuff like have babies!
25. To be a Mother!!! The greatest gift ever! This should probably be #1, actually.
26. For a temple marriage.
27. Amazon.com, how else would I support my biblioism (I think I invented that-it means book lovedness and obsession).
28. Chocolate! mmmm.....
29. Road Trips
30. Any trips
31. I am a Child of God
32. Summer.
33. Food.
34. I am a smart person. Not always the brightest bulb on the tree, but I get by.
35. SLEEP, hello! That should be like number 3!
36. An education, even though I'll be paying for it for the rest of my LIFE!
37. Wish lists from The Things I Want and Amazon, where I have like 20 with a million pages/list!
38. Really, books. OH, and bookshelves to display them.
39. A hot shower every day.
40. Soap.
41. Movies
42. Things that smell good-perfume, reed diffusers, candles, oils, sprays, etc. I love it when my life smells good!
43. Cameras and pictures, it's how I record my life.
44. Scrapbooking!!!
45. Fridges, what did they do before them?
46. My own washer and dryer, pee your pants all you want son, mommy can do a load (of laundry) later! And because it means good smelling clothes (see #42)
47. Cleaning products.
48. A wonderful head of hair.
49. Laughter and a sense of humor-gets me through the bad times.
50. I am finally exhausted!

Good night! Or should I say morning?

Under Quarantine

Hello, I am sick. Yes, today I went to the Dr. only to be told I have influenza, apparently the kind immune to the flu vaccine (not that we got it anyway) . So I am home resting and taking it easy and drinking my fluids. But this means no Thanksgiving dinner or gingerbread houses, and we have to cancel Marshall's birthday party! What a terrible week to be sick. Hmmph...

Tag...You're It!

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. I was 14, so junior high, dreaming about Dan Moffat
2. Reading teen magazines
3. Sick with mono-nucleosis
4. Forming new friendships
5. Started exercising

5 Things on my to do list today-well tomorrow:
1. Play with Marshall
2. Go grocery shopping
3. Wrap Marshall's B-Day presents
4. Laundry
5. Christmas Shopping on Amazon

5 Foods I enjoy:
1. Cafe Rio pork salad
2. Anything chocolate
3. Watermelon
4. Pizza
5. Milk

5 Bad Habits:
1. Picking at my face
2. Watching TV
3. Wanting things I can't have
4. Windows* shopping (on-line)
5. Procrastinating

5 favorite toys:
1. iPod
2. Treadmill (at the gym)
3. Laptop
4. My own washer and dryer
5. Books

5 People I Tag: Melissa Campbell, Alicia, Jacci, Christie, Robyn-sorry guys, I don't have very many friends to choose from.

Three Years Ago This Week

Exactly three years ago this week my family was in town, it was Thanksgiving, a little boy was expected to arrive. His name was picked out, his nursery was ready,
My dad painting the nursery in September
showers had been given,

Family shower given by Sarah and Grandma Mary in October

Shower given by friends
his clothes washed and folded neatly in his drawers, and everyone waiting in eager anticipation. Every night I would start contracting, five minutes apart for hours at a time. They never got worse or closer together, so I would go to sleep thinking if this was the night, I better rest up. But my due date came and went.

Nov. 20, 2004 Kissing my due date goodbye!
My midwife was out of town, she'd stripped my membranes three times (!) before leaving. I called her back-up a couple times begging to be induced! I wanted this baby out of me and in my arms-NOW! But, being a midwife and only my back-up she said NO! So I googled ways to make yourself go into labor, I took 3 mile long walks then a bath, I drank an entire box of Raspberry Leaf herbal tea, drank some concoction my grandma Mary gave me, rubbed my ankles, I did everything the internet could possibly think up, but no baby! I even had a plan on Thanksgiving to eat so much food to "crowd him out!" Ha-all that did was make me uncomfortable and bloated. The contractions would start then stop. Riley made me signs to tape to my belly saying things like, "Get out now!"

Riley's pleas for a baby nephew to arrive.
This little boy was stubborn, a sign of his little personality, already fully developed! He has never been one do to anything he's not ready for. Family called daily asking, "Is he here yet?" Sarah and Riley went back to Colorado after the Holiday and still no baby. Finally, the Monday after Thanksgiving my midwife returned and scheduled my induction for the next morning at nine! I couldn't wait!

Arrival at Cottonwood Hospital-8:45 am Nov. 31
All day long I labored and when the pitocin wasn't working they lowered the dose then took it back up again. By midnight they had discovered Marshall wasn't descending because he was anterior with the cord around his neck and so I opted for a c-section just to get him out!But by the time the doctor arrived I had changed my mind and asked him to use forceps to turn and deliver him. Finally at 2:34 am on December first, after about 17 hours of labor and 11 days after my due date, I gave birth to Marshall Gabriel Bradley, a whopping 8 lbs 9 oz and 22 inches long! He was beautiful and worth every minute spent waiting-all 42 weeks worth!


A family of three at last! Dec. 1, 2004
We had so many people visit us in the hospital and at home, it was wonderful to know how much everyone cared. Sarah and Riley didn't meet him until Christmas, but it was the best Christmas ever, sharing my little bundle of joy with family.

Marshall's First Christmas, 2004...Cooper, Marshall, and Riley