Halloween 2011

We had such a fun time with Max this Halloween. We were able to go to 2 ward parties, and take him trick or treating to a whole 5 houses! He liked to get the candy and hold his little pail but walking was too much for him. Trunk or treating was the way to go because every car is so close...houses no so much. It was fun night and I loved seeing him run around in his costume. His grandma Harris made him this amazing Where The Wild Things Are costume. It was beautify made with little paw hands and feet and the cutest tail ever. Almost everyone knew who he was which was fun. Heres are few halloween nights in pictures:

The Cutest Skeleton On The Block.

So I know alls I do is blog about Max. But he is my world. I seriously love being this little boys mom. He is so special to me. I love spending my day cleaning up after his messes, feeding him, wiping him down after every meal, and entertaining him even when I am not in the mood. I have learned so much about sacrifice, letting things go, and only scheduling things around nap time. Sometimes days are a blur and I am ready for them to be done come bedtime and others are so much fun I never want to forget. Nothing fulfills me more and fills my bucket then hugs from him and to hear his little laugh. I hope he is getting a lot out of me being home and being his mom. He wore his skeleton outfit a lot this month. Its fun to watch him run around outside in it.

Thoughts...

Today was such a beautiful day. Max insisted we go on 2 walks, and then played outside until it was bath time. Days when Larry works all day and has class till about 10 at night can be long. 14 hours of him being gone 4 days a week tend to drag on but when I am able to stay busy, work on projects, and entertain Max with the great weather it makes the day go faster. Max really is in such a fun stage. He understands words, can sometimes talk back, and loves to play all day. He makes me laugh constantly with the little things he does. When I say "Where is your nose?" he will promptly stick his finger up his nose...his dad taught him that. Its pretty fun though and sometimes hard to not laugh.

Larry has finished all his midterms so that relief and craziness is done yet again for what the 10 million time? We still have a long time till graduation and the state bar but every week we get closer and closer. He has been working so hard and every time I see his bosses they always are so complementary towards him. Its great to see our savings account multiply month after month. It makes me feel so good to know we are working hard together towards our goal of a beautiful house here in El Dorado Hills.

Living with my parents really has been amazing. We couldn't get into a house sooner any other way, unless I went back working as a nurse. It is tempting sometimes to want to work because the income is so good but I know that we make it fine on Larrys and home is where I should be. I am so grateful thought I have an education and a valuable skill. I know so many women who need the second income but don't have the education to really have it be worth their time. Its a constant comfort I am grateful for. Its been fun planning meals with my mom and having Max know and be familiar with everyone here and his Martin cousins are always to willing to play with him.

I like writing down these things as the months go by so I can look back and remember how hard things have been and how far we have come. Hard things will always be in our lives but I do feel that once law school is finished and Larry has his JD and huge heavy burden will be lifted. But I want to remember how even though it was hard there was always some good constant things in our lives.

Nature Boy.

I texted Larry the other day and said I think our child might be the next Bear Grills {Man Vs Wild anyone?} He loves being outside. I have said it a million times but from the second he gets up to bath time he is outside or escaping outside. Sometimes his feet are black if I don't get shoes on him fast enough. Luckily its getting cold out and so he gets bundled up with shoes on before he adventures out. Found this picture on my phone...

It makes me laugh every time. Such a cheesy face and no I do not let him usually wear what he is wearing...but it was warm out. Oh boys they are so fun and messy and Its a miracle they live so long because this one is daring and fearless. Found him on the piano the other day...yes stepping on the keys and loving every minute. You think he will live to the ripe old age of 2? I am trying my best to keep him safe and secure he is doing his best to test the limits.

Whats for dinner tonight:

So I cook about half the week and my mom does the other nights. We are always looking for new things to make because Larry in particular gets sick of things fast { I think its because he takes the leftover for lunch so its double dipping}. Anyways I really love the Our Best Bites cookbook and online website full of tons of fun recipes that I typically always have the ingredients for. This one has quickly become a family favorite. Seriously try this one out. I make an entire batch and it feeds 6 adults and one little Max.

Quick & Easy Noodle Stir-Fry
Recipe by Our Best Bites

Ingredients:

1 12-oz. package linguine (whole wheat or regular)
1-2 tablespoons canola or peanut oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Asian sweet red chili sauce (Thai Kitchen makes one that’s great and easy to find; this is not the chili sauce you find near the ketchup)
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1 small red onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced or pressed
1 large or 2 small orange, red, and/or yellow bell peppers, seeded and sliced
1 cup fresh or frozen green sugar snap peas, snow peas, edamame, or green beans
1 medium zucchini, julienned or chopped
Optional: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak, black sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When it is boiling, add the noodles and cook al dente. When the noodles are done, drain them and toss in 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil.

Whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, sweet chili sauce, and dark sesame oil. Set aside.

While the noodles are cooking, heat a large skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the sliced onions, garlic, and ginger. Stir fry 1-2 minutes or until fragrant, but the garlic isn’t burning. Add the peas (or beans or edamame) and stir fry for about 30 seconds. Add the zucchini and peppers and stir fry for another 30 seconds or until the veggies are crisp-tender. Add the noodles and stir fry until the noodles are well-combined with the vegetables. Give the sauce a quick whisk and then drizzle it evenly over the noodles and stir fry the entire mixture for about 30-60 seconds or until everything is well-coated in the sauce. Serve immediately–if you want, you can garnish individual servings with chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and black sesame seeds. Serves 6-8.

Getting Festive.

I love making Max put things on at Target. This was particularly fun because he kept trying to rip it off and I thought it was hilarious, those little devil horns on him so cute. I love the Halloween season. I am not much for dressing up but I love the decorations and I love having Max around to really enjoy it all. He loves the pumpkin lights we have everywhere and loves wearing little costumes I pull out. It really is a lot funner to enjoy the holidays with kids.

Big Brother Max.

I keep telling Max he is going to be a big brother. He really has no clue what is going on but the other day I told him to go get his babies and he promptly got up from the floor ran to the toy closet and pulled out his baby dolls and brought it to me. He is such a smart little guy he might not say baby but he knows what it is! He will hug and kiss his babies but then drop them on the floor when something more interesting comes along. Its going to take him awhile to learn to be gentle but I think he will get the hang of it eventually.

My thoughts on looking Young...

You know whats really funny...the fact that people think im 13 on a consistent basis. The other day I answered the door and the person asked if my parents were home. My dad thought it was pretty funny, being that I am old enough to own a house, and that this very well could have been my house with my child running around in the background.

Also I've been driving the sweet minnie van around, its basically my sweet new ride that my parents have bestowed on me. I loved it when some man came up to me as I was loading kids into the car and asked if I was old enough to be driving a van.

I was watching a few of my nephews the other day along with Max and some lady asked if these were my kids. I said no and she say oh thank goodness you are far to young. I then proceeded to point to Max and say he was mine and this baby bump was #2...she was speechless.

I know I know you're thinking but AnnMarie you are 24 going on 25 how can people think your so young. I have decided people see what they want to see and I look young. I also have started to give them the benefit of the doubt...yeah without makeup I look like I am in High School so its okay. Its just funny that it happens about everyday.

Some new guy at church thought Max was my little brother and another lady at Sams Club expressed to my mom how hard it must be for her to have a daughter so young have a baby. The lady felt pretty dumb when my mom informed her I was happily married and a college grad.

In the end they always say I am going to love it when I am 40...yeah right I am sure. I get treated differently and get a different level of service...until people realize I am an adult...my mom saw that first hand. I also am always worried about Max's appearance because I think people are thinking at least if he has a teenage mom she is taking good care of him.

I will look back and laugh at all these memories when I am old and wrinkly right?

B-Balling Max

Max loves playing basketball. He loves putting the balls in the hoop all day long. It seriously is the best thing I can cook, and clean and he will just put ball after ball into the hoop for a good 30 minutes of entertainment multiple times a day. Its pretty cute. Here he is right before bedtime bottle in mouth trying to one handed it in.

In other news I cut my finger pretty deep on a cutco knife and had to go to the ER last night. It was pretty awesome. The Dr. glued it up per my request and kept laughing about how he totally knew I was mormon because I was a nurse with a husband in law school and I was pregnant with my second child and only 24 years old. He was pretty entertaining.

Also I tried to run errands today while it poured rain all afternoon. I have learned my lesson to never leave the house with kids when its raining unless its a must. By the time I got everything loaded and unloaded Max and I were soaked before we reached the store. Then I smelled something...every try changing a dirty diaper while your child's clothes stick to their little fat legs...in a bathroom stall no less. The rest of the afternoon was pretty blissful while Max napped I made bread and a yummy dinner for the family. Larry loves nothing better then coming home to a happy wife, a warm good smelling house, and Max dying to play with him.

Surprise Surprise!

HARRIS BABY #2 IS ON THE WAY

DUE APRIL 1st

Once I pulled myself from the bathroom floor from the total shock of a plus sign on the pregnancy test, cried, and took a couple of weeks to be in denial I have finally come to terms with this unexpected surprise and am getting pretty use to the idea that I will have 2 kids. We have waited awhile to say anything to anyone because it really was a surprise and it took me a while to think I would be having a new baby while Max is still such a baby. I am really happy and excited now and am hoping I get some super mom powers to take care of a new baby and a 22 month old.

Lesson to learn from this: 99% effective at preventing pregnancy...there is still a 1% chance so be careful out there! My doctor laughed at me when I was asking her how the heck does this happen over and over again. She says I must be so fertile I need to be careful when my husband changes his pants and I am in the other room. She also said not to feel bad this happens all the time, and my body looks great and is ready to have another stinking cute baby!

Anyways I am 15 weeks today and have started to feel a lot better. I am tired and a tiny bump is appearing this time and I can feel the baby move a lot more. I am starting to feel pretty excited and nervous all at once. Raising Max has been a challenging joy and I hope I will continue to find joy and love for this new baby. Being a mother is a privilege and something I try not to take for granite.

Outside..

We spent all afternoon outside in the cool weather. Its so much nicer to watch and play with Max when I am not melting away. It really is a beautiful time of year in northern California. Max is so funny when he plays outside. He throws his balls around everywhere then chases them all down. He has a large collection of big and small bouncy balls that he screams ball every time he sees them. He loves being outside, anytime he is grumpy it lifts his little spirits to run wild, scream and laugh in the backyard.

It's so easy to please him and I love that. He is growing up so fast. His little personality makes me laugh everyday. Yesterday there were 5 big turkeys in the backyard and he was screaming and trying to chase them, but then when they got to close he ran for it. It was so funny to watch him try to figure out what these things were and why they were bigger then him. Its so amazing that I get to stay home with him day to day. I couldn't image a better way to live my life then in the survice of motherhood.

Awaiting Happier Times.

I told someone the other day if you want your marriage to be tested send your husband to law school. Oh man, I couldn't believe that came out of my mouth, well actually I could I just couldn't believe that I had the courage to admit it out loud, and to be so honest about my life. We have had some rough weeks and I am greatly looking forward to a break. I feel like life's challenges really don't pour on our life all at once, really just a drizzle through out the duration. I don't know which one is worse.

Wasn't conference just great though? It always make me think no matter how bad I have it someone has it worse. Also that things are hard and they will continue to be so have patients and at some point, hopefully, maybe you will come to the light at the end of the tunnel and that hard stuff will have been worth it.

As for now I am bracing myself for the hard stuff, muddling through life day to day just trying to see the big picture and to find happiness in the little things. I love my life, just not the law school part and I will eagerly await the day when I have a husband who no longer has to work all day, go to school sat night, and study the remainder of the night...happier times will come!

Our Weekend.

We are watching General Conference all weekend. What are you guys doing?

Also the season has officially changed. The weather is sunny, cool, and I bought some pumpkins today to put on the porch. My favorite season has arrived and I love that it always starts with a great weekend of conference. How great is it to get an excuse to do nothing but sit and listen to uplifting talks most of your day? I always feel so grateful and privileged to be a member of such a true and wonderful church.