Easter 2009!

This year was Ethan's third Easter and it was the first one I think he really enjoyed (or at least he got into)! On Saturday our neighborhood had an Easter egg hunt, and though Ethan was really grumpy when it started, he warmed right up to finding eggs and running round! That night we colored Easter eggs with Aiden, and Ethan loved that! We cracked a few eggs and Ethan knocked over one cup of dye, but he had a great time, and overall I think it could have gone much worse! Sunday morning we woke up to see what the Easter bunny had brought Ethan! He was very excited about his basket of stuff and we let him take a few of his things to church with us (like crayons and a couple of eggs). After church we ate brunch at Oakridge, where than got to meet the Easter bunny! Like with Santa, he was a little nervous at first, but warmed up to her after she gave him some candy. It's not very hard to win Ethan over! Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's house for another Easter egg hunt My mom always goes all out for this, and Ethan got very soiled with candy and toys! While we were out looking for stuff, Aiden said, "This day just keeps getting better and better!" It was pretty funny! After the hunt, Ethan played with his new toys, we took a nap, ate food, and finally went home. Ethan keeps saying "more Easter," so though I don't think he understands at all what Easter really is about (he will say "Thank you Jesus" when we talk about it, but I know he doesn't know what he's thanking him for, maybe he thinks Jesus gave him all of the candy?), it was fun to watch him enjoy the day so much! I hope everyone had as wonderful an Easter as we did!

My Thesis Defense!

It has been awhile since I wrote a post and a few important things have happened in the meantime. First off, last Friday, I presented a miniature version of my thesis at the "Art of Gender in Everyday Life Conference" at Idaho State University. Since the conference was just in Pocatello, I drove up and back the same day I presented. This meant that I didn't get to go to as many panels as I would have liked, but it also saved us money on a hotel and I only had to find someone to watch Ethan for part of the day on Friday until PJ got home from work. The conference went well, the woman who planned the whole thing invited me back to next years, so I'm taking that as a good sign! The most important thing was that it got me prepared to defend my thesis the following Monday. I had turned in my final draft of my thesis to my committee two weeks earlier, as per the rules, and was just waiting to defend. It was driving me crazy and I was really freaking myself out over it. I had totally convinced myself that I would get to my defense and they would just tell me my paper was awful and I hadn't passed my defense. The Saturday and SUnday beforehand was General Conference, which was great, because listening to the prophet and apostles talk was very calming to me. It also helped put things into perspective that even if I didn't pass, things would still be okay. I was greatful for that to help me cope. Monday morning, I was still pretty nervous as I drove up to Logan, but I was also resigned to the fact that whatever was supposed to happen would. As it turns out, all my worrying was for nothing! My defense went amazing! When it started, my committe asked me to leave the room while they discussed my thesis (this is customary, but still really awful). Once they called me back in though, they just said they all loved my paper so I could relax and they just wanted to talk about how I came to write it. Once they said that, it was easy to sit and discuss everything! For those of you who don't know, I did my thesis on Disney Princesses and gender constructions. I owe a ton to Raschell Smith Peschke and Lara Steed Barenze because they both have worked as princesses for Disney and they let me interview them! My whole commitee loves the interviews and told me how unique they made my paper! It was something that was so kind of them to do and they for sure didn't have to, so I am eternally greatful to them! After my defense was over, I had to fill out a ton of paper work, but I don't really care because I was just so happy I passed! My dad was up at USU for Entreprenuer Week (he organized it and so came to oversee it), and he waited out on the QUAD for me to finish my defense, so he could see how I did! Having my dad there, acting all proud of me, was just the icing on the cake! It was so nice to have his support! Though I did work hard for this master's degree, there is no way I could have done it without help and support from my family! So thanks to everyone who has been there and helped me, and even just said an encouraging word to me about it! You are all awesome!

The Zoo!!!

Ethan really wanted to go to the zoo for his birthday, but it was still pretty cold and he was a little sick, so we didn't go then. To make up for it we went yesterday! The weather was really nice, and it was really great to spend a whole day outside! We took Sarah and Aiden with us, and had so much fun! We rode the train, the carousel, and saw a lot of animals! Ethan loved the elephants and giraffes and told his daddy about both when we got home! Today he has been saying "more zoo," so we'll have to take him s few more times as it warms up! The boys each got to pick a treat when we left and they both picked cotton candy, though Ethan wanted nothing to do with it once he opened it and felt it. I think it weirded him out a bit. All in all, it really was a great day and we were all really worn out by the time we left!

It's a...

It's a boy! Today we went to the doctor and found out that we're having a boy! I am very excited for Ethan to have a little brother to run around with! Also, the doctor said he looks very healthy and that everything is forming and growing like it should! So we are very excited to have a healthy little boy join our family in July! Ethan came to the ultrasound with us and he didn't like it too much. He immediately recognized that we were at a doctors office and I think he thought he was going to get a shot. Then when he saw they were doing stuff to me, he got stressed out because I think he thought they were going to hurt me. Still, we are trying to keep him as involved as possible, so that maybe he can gain some kind of understanding over what's going to happen. I also am posting a picture of me twenty weeks pregnant! This means that I am half way there!

Happiness Tag!

My friend Carrie did this and I thought that it was always good to think of things that make me happy, so I'm doing it! You're supposed to write out six thing that make you happy, and I tag everyone who reads this!

1. Ethan, everything about him makes me happy. He is so loving to me and he always wants me around. I also just love watching him play. It's a feeling I can't even explain, but just watching him drive cars around, build a tower with blocks, or look through a book brings me more happiness then I could ever describe. It is just pure joy and something I'm sure every parent out there can relate to!
2. Talking to PJ. He is so funny and easy going that he can very easily put me in a good mood. Even though it makes me exhausted the following day, I love when PJ and I stay up late to talk. He understands me and knows me like no other person, it makes talking to him so easy! I know he's personable with everyone, because people like him right away, but I love that I get to have so much alone time with him, just hanging out and doing nothing
3. Harry Potter! I know it's so dorky, but I can read those books over and over and never be bored. I love them so much I wish I was a witch and could go to Hogwarts! The movies are fine, but the books are the best books ever! I am an avid reader and have had to read a lot of books for my bachelors and masters, and while there are many great ones, none bring me the same pleasure that Harry Potter does (especially the fourth book)! It's the best escapism there is!
4. Music, at least the right kind of music! I don't think there is anything that can affect my mood like music can. I love the way songs can trigger old memories and feelings, and the way they can add new meaning to situations. I am constantly amazed that there are people out there talented enough to write music, play instruments, etc. It is a talent I wish I had (I can play the piano, but not well). The Beatles always stand out as my favorite, but there are so many amazing songs out there! I just don't really like songs where people are screaming or Katy Perry!
5. Holidays! Though Christmas is my favorite, I love all holidays! I love decorating my house to fit whatever holiday is approaching. I get really into all holidays because I think it makes life more fun! I always send out Valentines, make green food for St. Patrick Day, have a BBQ on the 4th, carve pumpkins for Halloween (and dress up of course), etc. I hate it when people act too cool to get into holidays and I never will! I also love it even more now that I am a mom and can make them fun and special for Ethan!
6. Working out! I am an exercise freak, as anyone who knows me can verify! I work out at least an hour a day, six days a week, no exceptions! It makes me feel like I've accomplished something, and like my body is strong! Even on days when I'm not feeling very motivated, I always feel so good after I've finished! I worked out on my wedding day, through my whole honeymoon, up until the day I went into labor with Ethan, and I started up again (though very mildly) two weeks after he was born. I only take Sundays off because it's the Sabbath, but I still sometimes like to go on walks if the weathers nice!

Ethan's 2nd Birthday!

I can't believe it, but my baby boy turned 2 on Wednesday the 25th! He has become such a fun little person, who talks an plays games! I am amazed with how smart he is and how much he understands! He has this incredible memory, like I bought a Lightening McQueen figure to go on his cake like a month ago, and when I bought it I told him it was going to to go on his birthday cake, and when we were on our way to pick up his cake he said, "cake, Lightening McQueen?" That just blows my mind! It was nice weather on his birthday, so we went and played outside. I was going to take him o the zoo, but he's had a bit of a cold, and I didn't want to keep him outside for too long, so we'll go when he gets better! We also went to lunch with his Grandma Margie, Aunt Sarah, and Aiden! Then we went to this great toy store called the Three Little Monkeys. They leave a lot of their toys ou, so kids can try them out before parents buy them. Ethan and Aiden played for a long time with all of the cool toys and Ethan got to pick one out! He picked this rocket launcher, that has a pump that you jump on to make the rocket shoot up. Every time he shot the rocket up and it would hit the ceiling he would say, "did you see that?!" After the toy store we went home and decorated (Ethan was, of course very excited about the balloons), and PJ got Ethan in the tub, which is Ethan's new favorite thing! We went and picked up his cake, and the ice cream, and PJ picked up pizza, o that we would be ready for his party! A lot of family and friends came and Ethan, of course, loved all of the attention he was given! He really is a people person, and likes to show off a bit when there's a crowd watching him! We ate pizza, with salad, and fruit (thanks to my awesome mom who brought the salads), and then watched Ethan open his mountain of presents! He was so cute about it, he didn't want any help, and if he thought I was going to he would tell me no. Then we had cake and ice cream, and Ethan loved when everybody sang to him! He blew out his candle all by himself, and was so excited when everybody cheered! He ate a little cake and ice cream, but maily wanted to play with hi new toys and his friend Justin who was there! So he spent most of the night running around, chasing balloons with him! After people left, he would bring me his toys and say "Open it?" so that he could get them out of the package! We let him open a few that night, but he was pretty worn out from the long day, so he went to bed pretty quick! I was so happy to see my little guy have a fun time, I think that's all you can ask for as a parent! I really appreciate everyone who was able to come and make it special for him! He's obviously a very loved kid! We have enjoyed every second with him, and I am so excited to continue to watch him grow over this next year!