{show + tell} with the speakmans

More Margaret

2011-03-04T09:19:00.000-08:00

My wonderful friend Sara did a couple of photo shoots with us a few weeks ago, one of my sweet baby girl and then one of our whole family. Sara's pictures are stunning, and as always, everything turned out beautifully. I am completely in love with these photos. Here are some of my favorites from Margaret's shoot.

Update - Very Overdue

2011-03-03T13:46:00.001-08:00

This one is for you, K...

I was checking my email this morning and I noticed I had one from a dear friend of mine, practically demanding that I update my blog. My first thought was, "What blog?". I haven't thought about this blog in months. Probably because my life has been one big blur since about the middle of November. So much has happened, and so many things have changed for our little family. Time seems to be moving forward so fast that I barely have time enough to stop and catch my breath every once in a while. We have a lot of catching up to do. Let's start with the biggest change of all here at the Speakman Home...

Introducing:

Margaret Kate Speakman

Margaret was born on November 22, 2010 at 5:11 pm. She weighed 8lbs 1oz and was 19 inches long. She had long, dark black hair and big, bright blue eyes. She was tiny and sweet and lovely and pink, everything a little girl should be. In a word, perfect.

She fits in so perfectly with our little family, it is just like she's always been here. I don't know how we ever did without her. Auden is happy she is here, He loves to talk to her and touch her and play the helpful big brother. Nathan loves to hold her, and every time he does he just stares right at her and says "She is so pretty". He is already wound tight around those tiny little fingers. I am so in love with her. Every little thing about her is wonderful. She is my little darling, and I am beyond smitten.

Not only is she the cutest thing ever, she is also the best baby ever. She is so happy all the time, all I have to do is look at her and she smiles. When she smiles, she smiles with her whole body. Her face lights up and she pulls her chubby little arms and legs in close to her body. When she is happy, she is happy all over, and it shows. She bats her long dark eyelashes and makes flirty faces and coos at me pretty much all day long, it is absolutely heavenly. I can think of no better way to spend my days. She eats like a champ and sleeps like a champ too. She is already sleeping 8 hour nights, so I cannot complain. Like I said, the best baby ever!

We love our little Miss Margaret so much!

I Heart Fridays

2010-11-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight was date night with my handsome guy and it a good one. We left our little one at home with his grandma and grandpa and headed out for a night on the town. We started off with dinner at our very favorite little Japanese food place... Yokos. Seriously one of the best places you can eat in Mesa. We've been coming here together since we were in high school and it is so good. For me, Yakisoba without the eggs and meat. For him, Koom Pong Kee. Yum.

After dinner we headed across the street to Mesa High to enjoy some of the finest entertainment in town, the fall musical. This year it was 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' and it was super fun. Both of Nathans little brothers were in it and they were awesome. Kind of reminds me of my own Mister Speakman, about 7 or 8 years ago...

When the show was over we headed home. Along the way we stopped by Starbucks for one of our very favorite deserts... Venti Vanilla Bean Frappacinos. If you've never had one before just know that it is like a vanilla milkshake on crack. After our Starbucks run we saw a crazy guy driving his car on the curb going about 40 mph through our neighborhood. And because we are law abiding type of people, we called our local law enforcement to make a report. That was awesome. Hope your Friday was awesome too.

Spicey

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

I was feeling 'Spicey' tonight.

So my nails got a fresh coat of paint.

Something to better reflect the mood I am in.

On my toes, "All Fired Up"

and on my fingers, something fun called "Pop Apricot".

Spicey, indeed.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

Last night's Halloween festivities were absolutely wonderful. Halloween around our house always brings with it so much fun, and this year was no different. The night started with our traditional Halloween dinner with the whole family at my parents house - Halloween sloppy joes with jack-o-lantern faces, french fries, and hot cider served right from a pumpkin. For dessert, graveyard cupcakes, each with our own personalized "head stone". After dinner we got dressed in our costumes and readied ourselves for a full night of trick-or-treating.

Auden with his trick-or-treat buddies - Nevaeh, Anthony, and Alayah

The night was off to a great start, but it came to an early end after my first time trick-or-treater lost his dinner (not once, but twice) all over my mom. Poor Baby! I mean Auden, not my mom. But yes, poor her too, because really... who likes to be barfed on? So I took my barfy smelling baby home a bit earlier than we had planned. Besides all that, the night was lovely.

We were all dressed as skeletons this year. All 4 of us! Yes I said 4, look close and you'll see...

I like that all 4 of us were represented this Halloween. I also like that this baby isn't even born yet, and I'm already putting pink bows in her hair! By the way, baby girl is due in exactly 3 weeks from today. That is only 21 days, for anybody who is counting (and I am!).

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T10:18:00.000-07:00

Auden making his scary halloween face, just for you.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE SPEAKMANS!

My Ironman

2010-10-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

Nathan participated in his first triathlon this past weekend along with our friend James and hundreds of other people. This involved a 1/4 mile swim followed by an 8 mile bike then finished with a 2 mile run. My hubby completed all 3 legs of the event, which officially makes him an IRON MAN. Just go ahead and add it to the already very long list of reasons that I find him a total stud.

Nathan taking his place at the starting line in the pool, just seconds before starting the triathlon (with James to the left, starting right behind him).

Immediately after he was through with the swim, Nathan jumped onto his bike and started his way on the 8 mile course.

Nathan and James, finished biking, and about to begin the running portion of the triathlon.

Numbers 279 and 280, just minutes after completing their first triathlon. Congrats guys, you were awesome!

Pumpkin Patching

2010-10-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

There was something almost perfect about watching my little boy, all dressed in his very cutest plaid, exploring his way through a pumpkin patch for the very first time. It was dusk, and the cool October air smelled sweet. It was everything fall should be.

Look What I Have!

2010-08-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

A series of simple text messages to my husband was all it took...

"Maybe you should get me a box of Krispy Kremes on your way home."

followed by,

"I mean only if you really want too."

and then followed by,

"Don't come home without the Krispy Kremes!"

I love my husband!

Down and Out and Seriously Blessed

2010-08-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

My darling husband, foot elevated and on ice

It's been a tough couple of weeks for us here at the Speakman House. It started with pains so bad that I really thought I might be going into labor. Not good, since the baby isn't due for a few more months (13 weeks, but whose counting?).

A quick trip to the hospital assured us that no, I was not in labor, but suffering instead from kidney infection and kidney stones. And let me just say that 'kidney stones' sounds really gross and for some reason it is embarrassing to admit that I had them. I don't know why, but to me it sounds like something that only really old and really grumpy people would get. Do you know what I am saying? Yes? OK good.

Only it's really not good because guess what? The gross kidney stones aren't the only thing. Now the nerves in my back are kinking up and when it happens I become so completely taken over by the pain that all I can do is curl up in a ball on the floor and cry until it goes away. These little 'episodes' have been happening about every 3 days, and last about 12 hours at a time. Nothing helps. Not stretches or massages, hot packs or cold packs, laying flat or curling up. Nothing. My doctor says he expects it will stay this way until I have the baby and all I can do in the mean time is lay flat on my back as much as possible to keep it from getting any worse. That sucks.

Last Friday, right in the middle of me having one of these really awful "back attacks", Nathan hurt his foot, and he hurt it bad. I know this because he is a manly kind of man, and doesn't complain about any sort of physical ailment unless it is something severe. His ankle is the size of a softball. It's black and blue and even a pretty shade of deep purple. So he's been hobbling around here on crutches with a brace on his foot and laying down flat to elevate and ice his ankle whenever he gets the chance. I guess he was getting tired of me getting all of the attention around here lately...

SO Since I've had an awful lot to complain about these past couple of weeks, and trust me, complain I have, I thought maybe I should stop feeling sorry for myself just long enough to count my blessings instead and you know what I realized? I have a lot to be grateful for. Like;
Parents who live across the street and come into my home every day to do the things that I am currently physically unable to do. Cooking, cleaning, taking care of my baby, they do it all so that I can lay flat and get well.
A grandma who comes over to lift my baby in and out of his bed since I can't, and who stocks my refrigerator with food for my family, and who takes me over to her house just about every day so I can lay in her pool which helps loosen up my back.
A new neighbor who just happens to specialize in cranial-sacral physical therapy and can squeeze me in just about any time I need her. My visits with her help to ease the pain when nothing else, no doctor or hospital or medication, does.
A husband, a dad, and a grandpa who are all worthy priesthood holders, and who have all been able to give me priesthood blessings at a moments notice.
An adorable baby boy who can always make me smile no matter how bad of a day I think I am having.
And most of all a husband who loves me, and who shows it by the way he constantly cares for me.

Thinking about these blessings makes me feel like maybe things aren't so bad after all...

Ready to go Back

2010-08-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

Back in June our little family packed up and headed for San Clemente, CA to spend a week camping on the beach. It was maybe the most perfect week ever.

Every morning we woke up to this....

Walks along the bluffs above the beach at sunrise

And every day ended with this...

happy baby, bundled up, roasting marshmellows around a campfire

Our days were filled with

Digging on the beach...

Picnicing on the beach...
And long, L-O-N-G naps on the beach....

And now, my beach baby...

Like I said, best.week.ever. I can't wait to go back. Next summer might not come soon enough.

Keeping Cool

2010-08-07T15:32:00.000-07:00

This has been one of his favorite things to do this summer...

I think he wishes he could run through the sprinklers all day long. I know I do...

Heaven smells like...

2010-08-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know too much about what the life after this one will be like, but there is one thing I know for certain; Heaven will smell like Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

We were enjoying dinner together last weekend when I informed my mother that I had been having doughnut cravings (weird for me, because I usually don't like the things). And before I knew it we were on our way to Krispy Kreme -- because that is just the type of mother my mom is.

Have you ever been inside a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts store? I hadn't been until that night and oh my goodness. It smelled so good! I swear that if I could somehow bottle up that scent and bring it home with me and use it for purposes of scenting my own home, I would. Since that obviously isn't possible we did the next best thing, brought home a dozen of our own. That night we stayed up way to late, and ate way to many doughnuts.

It was a very good night. So good, that I am seriously considering asking my husband for another late night doughnut run tonight. Yum!

Easy as pie

2010-07-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my very sweet sister-in-law brought us bags full of yummy little apples fresh from her trees. Auden has loved having them around to eat because they are small, so they are the perfect size for his little hands. He will usually eat two or three a day. I have loved how fresh and pretty they look all piled up in glass bowls and decoratively placed throughout my house. And as for Nathan, he loves that all these apples means homemade apple pie.

Making apple pie only sounds hard. It's actually very easy and it's very, very worth it because;

#1 Homemade apple pie is the yummiest thing ever
and
#2 Your husband will love you forever for making one for him.
I decided to make a fresh apple pie for my hubby just this past weekend. Here's my recipe, just in case you ever want to make one of your own. And trust me... you do.

Grandma's Apple Pie

4-5 large granny smith apples -- peeled and sliced

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

2 Tbsp flour

2 shakes nutmeg

2 Tbsp butter -- cut into smaller pieces

recipe for 2 crust pie dough -- prepared

(I like to use Martha's, but any pie dough will do. Or if you want to save yourself a lot of time, pick up a package of refrigerated pie crust dough. I do this all the time and it turns out great)

Combine apples, sugar, cinnamon, flour, and nutmeg in a large zip lock bag and shake well until all the apples are evenly coated.

Roll out dough for bottom crust and gently press into the bottom of a 9" pie pan.

Pour apples into pie pan.

Top apples with butter. Cover with top crust dough.

Press the top and bottom crust dough together around the edges and trim off excess dough.

Flute the edges. Cut slits in the top crust for ventilation.

Bake at 350* for about 30 minutes, then cover the edges with foil to prevent browning and bake about another 20 minutes or until it's done.

When it comes out it should look something like this...

Um... Yum.

Let it cool on a cooling rack for a few minutes while you make up a glaze by mixing together:

1 Tbsp melted butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

milk - to consistency

Brush the glaze over top and edges of pie. Let pie finish cooling then slice, and enjoy!

The best way to do dishes

2010-07-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when I let him help me do dishes...

Somebody always ends up splashing around in the sink. Naked.

And by somebody I mean him. Of course.

Naked baby + in the kitchen sink = made my day.

She's done it again

2010-07-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

We got together with my friend Sara a couple months ago for another round of family photos. She has been photographing our little family every few months ever since Auden was born and her pictures are one of my very favorite possessions. I love the way she works her magic from behind the cameras lens and somehow manages to make us all look gorgeous every time.

A few of my favorite pictures of the day:

I love this one. Makes me feel giddy little butterflies inside.

My two very favorite people.

I can't believe this beautiful little boy is all mine!

Thanks again Sara!

The End of my Guilty Pleasure

2010-07-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

I'm about to confess something here that nobody knows about me. Nobody, except 1.my dear husband, who knows everything there is to know about me, and still somehow manages to love me anyways, and 2.my mother, because she gets me.

I want to tell you about my guilty pleasure. Or at least about one of them. I'm embarrassed to even say it, but here it goes. I watch... THE HILLS!

Ugh. There, I said it. Before we go any further let me tell you that until a few months ago I had never seen a single episode of this show. But then one night when I was up well past my usual bed time (thanks to pregnancy induced insomnia, one of my less favorite side-effects) I happened across the season 6 premier. It was mesmerizing. A whole half hour filled with the most mindless conversation I had ever seen. I've had a standing date with The Hills every Tuesday night at ten pm ever since.

Last night The Hills came to an end and I am so happy that it did. My short lived relationship with the show was fun while it lasted, but I mean come on. I don't know that my brain could have handled more than another couple of episodes.

A quick status report for you

2010-07-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

My son is growing into a little boy. He is taller and faster and more clever than ever. He is independent and silly and has a vocabulary that is daily expanding. He makes me smile and he makes me laugh. He makes me thankful for all I have every single day.

My husband is still the best husband in the whole world. He is fun and talented and super handy. He works long and hard and takes care of me. He is sweet and smart and kind to everyone. And I think he is even more handsome now than ever before (if that is possible).

As for me, well, I'm tired and hungry and sometimes moody. I'm hot one minute and then freezing cold the next. I'm getting... rounder... fuller... softer... all over. It might sound bad, but it's really quite wonderful. Wonderful because it all means that I am pregnant.

Five months pregnant, actually. Soon enough we'll be welcoming the newest addition to our family, a little baby girl. And we can't wait to finally have her here!

Breaking up is hard to do

2010-07-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Blog. It's been a long time. Too long. About 3 months too long. I have my reasons, and they are good ones - I can promise you that. Though I've not stopped by to say hello, you've been ever on my mind. Something like, "What to do about the awkward blog situation?" ... "Pick up where we left off? Or let's start over again? Maybe something more casual this time, like lets just be friends? Or call it quits. Break up all together. All it takes is a click of my mouse positioned over 'DELETE BLOG'."

just.one.click.

Decisions, decisions. After careful thought and consideration I had made my decision. Stop by here tonight to break it off. But then something happens to me once I get here. I see and I read and I remember the good times. I remember how much I like writing, and for now, how much I like writing here.

And so, what do you say, blog? Can we give this thing another try? Maybe this time will be better. Yes? Wonderful.

Then I'll see you here tomorrow. We have a lot of catching up to do.

I like Mondays

2010-04-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

I have long wished for flowering fruit trees that would give beauty and shade to our backyard, and tonight my darling husband has made that wish come true. Tonight for Family Home Evening our little family planted apple trees and peach trees right outside my bedroom window. I know this is a little pre-mature, but I'm already thinking of that first harvest. And I'm thinking of homemade apple pies and fresh peach cobblers. Mmmm... dreamy.

And now, two little things that made me smile tonight.

I sent this picture to my mother via text along with a message that said...

Me: He is having a lot of fun at family night tonight.
My Mom: I love it.
Me: Auden did too. Until Elvis got in there and cornered him and then tried to hump him. : /
My Mom: Well I don't think I would like that.

Elvis can be so gross.

******************************************************

When my sexy husband started swinging a heavy pick over his shoulders and above his head and then into the ground I told him his clothes were slowing him down and that I thought he could probably go even faster if he did it without his shirt on. He laughed at me and then politely declined. So instead I just pretended that he was doing it without his shirt on. Almost as good.

I'm back...For a minute.

2010-04-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,

I'm back and oh how I've missed you. It's been a whole month. I'm sorry for neglecting you. It's been a busy time and I just needed some space... One less thing to worry about for a while. You understand, right? Good.

We are heading out of town in the morning to spend a few days with some of our favorite people. But don't worry, I'll be back Monday...
And then we'll have a lot of catching up to do.

Until Then,
Me

Bulldog Canyon

2010-03-19T12:24:00.001-07:00

Last night we went to Bulldog Canyon with some of our favorite people for a campfire and a weenie roast. It was a beautiful night, perfect for family time in the desert. Highlights included:

The potato gun. Dad Speakman used this baby to send potatoes soaring through the desert. He also brought baseball gloves, so we could play 3 flies up. So.Much.Fun.

Jaron and Aileen's 4-Runner. An off-roading machine! The kids loved going 4-wheeling with Jaron behind the wheel (It helps that he, apparently, has no fear).

Roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire. My husband made me one of the best s'mores I've ever had. Made my night.

After everyone had eaten the kids had an Easter egg hunt. Dad Speakman set up his telescope so we could all enjoy the views of our beautiful desert skies. And then we gathered around the campfire as a family and listened to Mom Speakman play her guitar and sing to us. Dad Speakman played along with her on his saw. Yes, I said his saw. Have you ever seen somebody play the saw? I hadn't, until a few years ago when Dad Speakman pulled it out during family night. It is one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

Hope you had a wonderful night too!

Letters to my Parents, the International Travelers: #3

2010-03-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

I realize that it has been a while since my last letter to you, and I do apologize. It's been a very busy week around here. And when I say busy I do mean nothing nearly as busy as yours, of course. While it's true that I've been busy with cooking and cleaning and errands and social events and church callings, (you know, normal house-wifery) you two have been busy traveling through Europe. Let's have a quick re-cap of this weeks travels, shall we?

The Trevi Fountain, Italy

When we last spoke, you were enjoying Austria. From Austria you made your way south to Italy. Did you visit the Trevi Fountain? Did you toss in a coin?

Did you make a wish? Has it come true?

And how was Vatican City? Did you see the Pope?

And what about the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

And the Colosseum?

Oh boy. And to think you did all of that in just a few days. I'm tired just thinking about it.

After a few days in Italy you moved across the map to Switzerland. When I think Switzerland I think yodeling. And really good chocolate. Oh, and Disneyland. Like the Matterhorn, you know? I imagine the real one is quite a bit more majestic.

And as of our phone conversation this morning you were enjoying springtime in Paris! I liked hearing that Dad pretends to have conversations with people in French, even though he doesn't speak more than 2 words of the language. I should be able to help you in this department, as I took 3 years of French in high school. But I can't, since all I bothered to really learn and commit to memory during those 3 years was

"Bonjour, mon nom est Rebecca. Je suis et l'etudiant Americain, et je veux embrasser un garcon Francais. Aeriez-vous m'embrasser, aussi?"

But don't say that to anybody there. Not unless you want to be kissed by a french boy...

Tonight you are going to have dinner at the Eiffel Tower, and then end your evening with a tour through the city on a horse drawn carriage. I have only one word. Dreamy.

Please enjoy the remainder of your vacation. Try not to miss us too much. Be safe. We love you!

Love,

The Speakmans

p.s. Thank you very much for picking up the thing I requested from Paris. This makes me happy. I'll not go into detail here, as it is something of a personal item...

Kiss Me, I'm Irish

2010-03-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

No he's not, but I'll kiss him anyways.

I've been in the kitchen most of the day preparing a Saint Patrick's Day feast that would make my mother proud. On tonight's Menu:

Corned Beef

Fresh Steamed Cabbage

Potatoes

Dinner Rolls

Seafoam Salad

Grasshopper Pie

The secret to this meal is my Magic Pan. And if you don't know what a Magic Pan is then you really have been missing out. But that is a post for another day.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

And happy birthday to Robert who turns 15 today and also to Grandpa Nile, who just informed me he would like to change the pronunciation of his name to Nee-Lay. Happy Birthday to you.

The big one

2010-03-15T13:16:00.001-07:00

Our son Auden turned one yesterday. We celebrated his big day with a birthday party at the park Saturday afternoon. It was cool and breezy outside, and a perfect day for a birthday party!

There were cousins playing on the playground...

While the grown-ups played croquet!

There was a ball pit for the little ones...

And a table of jars filled with colorful candies!

Dear children, You're Welcome.

Dear parents, I'm Sorry.

Also, does this solidify my position as coolest aunt ever among my nieces and nephews? Because it should.

Soon it was time for birthday cake...

I kept thinking he would get caked-out and stop. He did not.

He ate

the

whole

thing.

Time to open presents!

Auden's gift from his mom. A vintage sock monkey. He loves it.

What a wonderful 1st birthday party! Thank you everybody!

Happy Birthday Auden

2010-03-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Nathan holding our new baby boy just moments after he was born

I can't believe it has already been a whole year since our son was born. I can't believe how much he has grown in just a year. How much I have grown in just a year. What I do know is that this has been the best year of my life.

Happy Birthday Bubu. I love you!

Auden James - 1 year old - Photo by my dear friend Sara from http://www.saracoral.com

Letters to my Parents, the International Travelers: #2

2010-03-12T22:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Mom and Dad,

It was so nice to talk to you both again this morning (or late evening, to you). I was happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Germany. And how exciting for you to be able to stay right at the foot of Neuscwanstein Castle. What a way to end your time there. Was Dad sad to say good-bye to his beloved Germany again? If so, I imagine he'll get over it in no time since your vacation has now taken you south-west to AUSTRIA!

I have dreamed of visiting Austria since I was a little girl for two reasons and two reasons only:

1. To run and sing and dance through the hills a la Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music. Mom, Dad, are you singing and dancing through those glorious Austrian hills? Please tell me you are...

2. To visit this pretty little glass gazebo and get caught inside it with my lover during a down-pouring of rain, so we can pretend for a minute that the year is 1938 and that we are Leisl and Rolf. Dreamy, isn't it...
But enough about me.

We are all missing you lots, especially your grandson. I take him over to your house with me every day when I go to clean up after your pets and your 21 year old son, and every time we go over there he walks through your house looking for you. It is very cute. He will be so happy to see you both when you return next week. His 1st birthday party is tomorrow, and even though we are excited for it, we will be missing you there.

Please enjoy yourselves and your time in Austria. We love you, and we'll talk to you again soon!

Love,
The Speakmans

p.s. Dad -- I think it would be great if you could buy a cd full of yodeling music while you are in Austria. You are a fantastic yodeler, and it has been a while since you've shared this talent of yours with us. Nathan has never seen you do it, and he would really like to. He is a dork and likes yodeling music, too.

This time last year...

2010-03-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

Picture of me, October 2008. I was 5 months pregnant and really starting to show. When Nathan showed me this picture, I cried. I thought I looked liked a whale, and that pregnancy had completely ruined my body. If only I had known what was coming...

This time last year I was pregnant. Very, very pregnant. My due date had been determined to be March 10th. I put a lot of stock in that date, this being my first pregnancy and all. I spent 30 weeks (we didn't find out I was pregnant until I was almost 12 weeks along) counting down the days until March 10th. I couldn't sleep the night before. I was completely full of joy and anticipation. Tomorrow, our long awaited baby would arrive. I was ready to finally have him here. And more importantly, I was done with being pregnant.

This time last year I was past my due date, and that made me cranky. March 10th had come and gone without even the slightest of a contraction. After weeks of waiting, we would have to wait some more. And yes, I would have to remain in my pregnant state for at least a few more days.

This time last year I was extremely uncomfortable. The child who was waring out his welcome in my apparently very comfortable uterus was a big baby, and this did not agree with my not so big frame. The child I was carrying was so big, in fact, that my friends and family (and even some very nosey strangers) were sure I was going to have twins.

Either twins, or a basketball...

Photo of me March 11th, 2009. One day after my due date, and very heavy with child. Can you see why I was less than excited to stay pregnant and longer than I absolutely had to?

Auden and the Big Boy Pajamas

2010-03-10T20:39:00.000-08:00

A few months ago some good friends gifted our son with an adorable pair of baby gap flannel pajamas. I loved them, but they were much to big for our baby boy. Two piece and button up and no feeties, not the one piece, zip front, footed sleepers we usually slept him in. In short, big boy pajamas. I folded the cozy little set and placed them in a basket full of other to-big-for-him-now clothes and put the basket on the highest shelf of his closet.

A few nights ago, after my babys bath, I went searching through his room, looking for a pair of pajamas that would fit him. No luck. Auden had somehow outgrown every one of his little sleepers in just a days time. I remembered the flannel pajamas he had been given months ago, and decided to pull them out and try them on. I didn't actually expect them to fit. They were, after all, big boy pajamas, and my son was just a baby. But they did fit. And all of the sudden my tiny little baby didn't look like a tiny little baby at all.

We continued on with our night time routine. A book, then a second book. Dim the lights. A song, and then another. And then two or three more. Lights out. Kiss his head, hug him tight. Tell him I love him and put him down in his bed, where he will drift off into a dream.

A couple hours later as I walked down the hall, headed for my own bed, I couldn't resist poking my head into the babys room to check on him. I expected to see him curled up tight, laying on his tummy with his bum up in the air, neatly tucked under his blankets, just like always. What I found instead suprised me. Lying on his back, sprawled out across the entire length of his crib, with his arms thrown up above his head at an awkward angle, and snoring! And there, on top of it all, were those big boy pajamas. What had happened? My baby used to look like a perfect little angel when he slept. Now he looked like, well, his dad. I could not believe this big boy in my sons crib was actually my baby.

I moved quietly out of his room and carefully shut his door behind me. And then it happened. I felt tears stinging my eyes. I had a good cry, right there in the hallway outside of Audens room. Nathan heard the noise and came to me. "He is so big! He's not a baby anymore! It's happening too fast!" I'm pretty sure Nathan thought I was being crazy, but he was sweet to me anyways.

It is true. My once tiny little baby is growing up, and it is happening fast. On Sunday, Auden will be 1 year old. It seems impossible to me that we are here already. Of course I am happy and excited, but there are times that I wish I could just slow down and enjoy every one of these moments with my baby, because I know he won't be a baby for long. I went to the store yesterday and bought some more pajamas for Auden. Some more big boy pajamas. How I love celebrating these little milestones, and how excited I am for a lifetime full of them!

Letters to my Parents, the International Travelers: #1

2010-03-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

Image of Frankfurt, Germany via Google Images

Dear Mom and Dad,

We got your voicemail and we are all very happy to hear that you are enjoying Germany! How was your flight? And the weather? I hear it is snowing! I do hope you both packed a heavy coat.

I am so glad that Dad was able to re-connect with one of the sisters from his mission. And I love that you attended Fast and Testimony meeting on the other side of the world, and that Dad was able to bear his Testimony in German. What a neat experience for him to have all these years after his mission there.

All is well here at home, in case you were wondering. So far I have been successful in keeping your dogs, your cat, and your son alive. We quite like having Robert here as our guest. Auden follows him around the house and calls him "Ro-Ro". It is very cute.

We miss you. We hope you are having a great time. We are looking forward to your next phone call. Nathan says don't forget to eat a Ruben for him. Auden says don't forget his Laderhosen. I say don't forget that European purse hold I taught you.

We love you!

Love,

The Speakmans

24

2010-03-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, my darling husband turned 24! We celebrated together as a family all day long. After a big pancake breakfast, we packed up and headed to the park. We played and had a picnic and fed the ducks.

It was cool and breezy outside and a perfect day for a picnic. When the baby got sleepy, we headed home for nap time. When he woke up a few hours later, we went out for Nathans birthday dinner. I told him we could go anywhere he wanted. Anywhere at all. His pick?...

Organ Stop Pizza! Why Organ Stop? Because Auden and I have never been and Nathan thought we might like it. And we did. Auden especially. He loved the lights and the music and clapped for the nice man at the organ after every song.

3 quick things about Organ Stop Pizza:

1. I give the pizza a B.

2. The man at the organ is very good, and he takes requests.

3. The place is a hit with the senior citizen/snowbird crowd.

An elderly couple wearing matching hats that said 'Wisconsin' cut me in line. Then an older gentleman stole my seat and got mad at my husband when he told him that seat was already taken. Also, they love to request to hear the organist play 'Oh Canada'. It was awesome.

After dinner we had a group of friends and family over to play games and share the big triple layer German chocolate cake I had carefully crafted for my birthday boy.

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Cleaning and a Cold

2010-03-04T22:17:00.000-08:00

Tonight Nathan and I teamed up to clean out our spare bedroom (read: spare bedroom turned storage space turned black hole). We've lived in our house almost four years and during this time the junk in that room seems to have gotten way out of hand. What started out as a small pile of homeless things in the corner had grown to take over the entire room. It was gross and I'd had enough. Cleaning out this room has been on my list of things to do for a long time, but since 'organize spare room' doesn't sound very fun I've been putting it off. Until today. We got down to business and I am happy to report the spare room is clean. Finally crossing that off my list feels really, really good.
So tonight I am happy. And you know who else should be happy? My little brother, Robert. That is because my mother and father will be leaving tomorrow evening for a 3 week vacation in Europe, and while they are gone Robert will be staying here with us. Lucky guy. And since it is now clean, he can stay in the above mentioned guest room rather than on my living room floor. You're welcome Robert.
After all the cleaning fun was through I took my sleepy baby back to his room where I changed his diaper, lotioned his soft skin, dressed him in pajamas, and tucked him in for bed. I walked down the hall and to the living room to find that while I was busy in the spare room, Auden had been busy smashing saltine crackers into my newly vacuumed floor.

Awesome. But this mess will have to wait till morning, because I am pooped. Also, I think I feel a cold coming on? This is no good. Time for me to take some echinachea and go to bed.

Tonto Natural Bridge

2010-03-02T22:23:00.000-08:00

Nathan and I managed to pull ourselves away from the coziness of our not so little cabin during our anniversary retreat this past weekend long enough to enjoy the beauty of the Tonto Natural Bridge. We drove to the park early Friday afternoon to enjoy a picnic and then spent the rest of the day hiking the area. The best part is we had the whole place to ourselves! I think we saw maybe two or three other people the whole time we were there.

This place was beautiful. My pictures cannot do it justice. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend you go sometime. You won't be sorry. The hike is not difficult and it is so worth it.

We hiked back out and then over to the back side of the bridge where there are more waterfalls. This was my favorite hike of the day! Everything was beautiful and green and the further in we went the more impossible it became to keep dry.

And how about a picture of Nathan making a crazy face for the camera. He is silly.

And I failed to mention a big, big thank you to my mother and my father for keeping Auden safe and happy all weekend so I could enjoy some alone time with my husband. Thank you mom and dad! We love you!

Pine-ing

2010-03-01T11:37:00.000-08:00

On our way to Pine, AZ

We are back! Our weekend get-away to the cabin in Pine was everything a trip to the mountains should be. Relaxing, fun, romantic, spooky, and even a little bit snowy. In a word, perfect!

We stayed here! A huge 4 bed, 3 bath cabin with 2 living rooms, a huge game room, big kitchen and dining area, 2 upstairs lofts and a big wrap around porch to top it all off. All that space just for the two of us. This is part of what made our trip a little spooky. Also because it was dark outside when we arrived Thursday, and the lights inside the cabin were on. We sat outside in our car just watching, waiting to see somebody moving around inside. When we finally got up the courage to go in, we had to open every door, turn on every light, and look under every bed to make sure we really were alone. Don't worry, we were.

The floor to ceiling windows on both sides of the cabin were perfect for enjoying the view.

And what a view it was! Neighboring cabins were nowhere in sight. Just the pine all around us and the mountains in the distance. We spent a lot of time outside on this deck.

And there was snow! Not a lot, but still enough to enjoy a good snowball fight or two.

(p.s. I won.)

And now, scenes from inside the cabin:

Welcome to the Cabin!

We spent a most of our weekend cozied up in front of this fireplace.

The house was full of cute antique decor. My favorites were the brass pots on the wall of the kitchen (above) and the old Underwood typewriter (below).

Want to plan your own little get-away to Pine? Want to stay where we stayed (and we highly recommend that you do.)? Visit our friend Jack at http://members.cox.net/jackwolf1/ to see more of this cabin and his other rental homes.

Thanks Again Jack!

Four years ago...

2010-02-25T13:01:00.000-08:00

Today is a very special day for Mr. Speakman and I. That is because four years ago today I became Mrs. Speakman. That's right, today is our anniversary! I awoke this morning to a fresh assortment of some of my favorite flowers. Also, a hand written card with an adorable poem just for me, from my sweetie. I'd love to share it with you, but since my husband can be somewhat shy, I won't. Besides, it's really none of your beeswax!

Walking out of the Mesa Arizona temple, just minutes after being married

To celebrate four years of wedded bliss we are skipping town for a few days. We will be enjoying the cold, maybe even snowy weather of higher elevations. For the first time in a long time we will be alone, just my darling and I. As I type this, my husband is finishing a few last minute tasks before we hit the road. I am very excited for these next few days. And can you blame me? Have you seen my husband?

He is very handsome. And so I'd better go. I wouldn't want to keep him waiting!

Enjoy your weekend! I know we will!

Arizona Gold

2010-02-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

My grandparents home sits on a lot that once was part of a large orange grove. Though most of that grove is no more, there are still 12 beautiful citrus trees in my grandparents backyard. You should be there when those orange blossoms bloom in early spring! Big citrus trees with tiny white flowers all over them. And they all smell so good! This is one of my favorite places to be. I would like to hang a hammock between the branches and curl up under those trees with a good book. I could spend all of spring this way.

But before the orange blossoms of spring comes the big orange pick at the end of every winter.

Behold!

Twelve trees, all with limbs hanging heavy from the weight of their fruit. Every year our little family descends upon those trees for our annual orange pick. And so it is that our Saturday was spent out of doors, in the tree tops, enjoying the sights and smells and tastes that beautiful Arizona citrus has to offer.

We started at sunrise and didn't stop until the task of picking all the oranges was finished. This years helpers included:

Nathan. My hard working and not to mention handsome husband. He was an orange picking machine. And he wouldn't stop, not even when the rain started to come down.

Auden. Though I'm not sure helping is the right word. He spent most of his afternoon throwing oranges in the pool, eating oranges off the ground, and picking up oranges out of the already full boxes and putting them back on the floor. Doesn't matter that he's not super helpful, because he is super cute.

Me. I spent less time picking oranges and more time chasing the baby. Also, don't I look awesome this early in the morning?

Robert. My little brother. Little as in younger, He is actually much, much taller than I am. Robert was only there maybe 10 minutes before launching an orange attack on Nathan. Pretty soon, it was orange war. Nathan in one tree, Robert in the next. They threw oranges back and forth at each other, taking cover in their respective tree tops (see photo above).

I hope your weekend was delicious too! Also, if you are in the neighborhood and you would like some Arizona gold of your own please let me know. We have oranges and lemons and tangelos and grapefruit for days!

Where i've been

2010-02-20T20:42:00.000-08:00

Boy it has been a long week. Auden has been sick for what seems like forever. Like sick sick. Boogers everywhere. In the eyes, in the ears, in the nose... everywhere. And when he's sick he's grumpy. It's like I woke up one morning and instead of my sweet happy baby there to greet me I found a grumpy little toad of a boy. Since when does he yell at me when I tell him no? And where did he learn to hold his breath until he is blue in the face when he doesn't get whatever he wants? My days have been filled with runny noses and temper tantrums. He's not sleeping and he's not eating. Which means I'm not sleeping and I'm eating way too much. What?? I'm a stress eater...

I have been patiently counting down the hours of the day, waiting for my help meet to walk through the door. It's like Nathan comes home and brings with him my salvation. I have the other half of my team to join with me in wiping noses and singing versus of Old MacDonald (for some reason the only song my sick baby wishes to hear lately?). So of course my husband had to work late just about every day this week. Isn't that the way these things go?

Tomorrow is Sunday. A day of rest. And a much needed one at that. So I'm going to take my day of rest and use it exactly as it was meant. Because Monday is right around the corner, and then we start all over again. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

It feels as good as it looks

2010-02-12T20:36:00.001-08:00

Old family photo from Audens 1 month photo shoot by my super talented freind Sara from http://www.saracoral.com/

I love this picture. It looks exactly like my life feels. Lovely and wonderful and just about perfect.

I love my husband Nathan. He is kind and thoughtful and very good looking. He is silly and fun and he makes me laugh. He is a wonderful father and a wonderful husband. The best part is I know he loves me too.

I love my son Auden. He is happy and sweet and innocent. He is chubby and cute and kissable. He brings joy to my life. He teaches me something every day. He makes me a better person. He is mine forever.

I love my life. Being a wife. A mother. A woman. What more could I ever want?

I love valentines day. Maybe because I love love? Enjoy your weekend and have a happy valentines day!

Cousin Love

2010-02-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

Curious who Audens valentine will be this year?

Besides his mama?

This little cutie pie. Miss Nevaeh Jean!

Nevaeh is the most clever 4 year old I know. She is also Audens cousin. She agreed to be his valentine, but I'm pretty sure that is only because I told her that means he would have to get her a valentines day gift.

I snapped a few photos of these two playing together at the park yesterday. She is so good with him and we are always happy when she comes to play.

We hope you get to spend some time with the one you love this weekend, too!

Why my parents will be happy through all eternity

2010-02-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

Twenty-six years ago today my parents were married for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles, California temple.

My newly-wed Mom and Dad on the steps of the Los Angeles Temple just minutes after being married. I love this picture! Don't they look happy?

I called both of my parents this morning to congratulate them on 26 happy years of marriage. That is quite an accomplishment, after all. During my phone conversations, I asked both my mom and my dad the same question,

"What is one thing you have learned after being married for 26 years?".

Their answers were perfect:

My mom said "Being happy and in love is more important than being right."

My Dad's answer? "Your mother is always right."

I love it! 26 years of marriage and they are as in-sync as ever!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Super bowl and my super family

2010-02-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

We had a fantastic time watching the super bowl this past sunday.
(Go Saints?!...Go Colts?!... Manning?!...Brees?!... I really didn't care.)

And the food! We could have fed an army. Meatballs and taquitos and chips and salsas and vegetables and dips and cheese sticks and wings and even a sub. I ate way too much.

We invited a few people to come enjoy the game (and the feast) with us. Sarah and Justin came and brought their cute kids too. The game was all well and good, but my favorite part of the evening was watching Auden play with his cousins. (And the food. Did I mention the food?)

One of my favorite pictures of the day

Auden with cousin Bella

Braxton keeping Elvis company out back

Isn't she too stinkin cute!? Makes me want another one. Maybe of the female variety this time?

My favorite thing about living in Mesa is that we are close to our family. I love that Auden can walk across the street (supervised, of course) and be at his grandma and papa's front door. I love that his great-grandparents live just around the corner. Or that he can have play dates with his cousins at anytime. I love that he has the best aunts and uncles in the world, and that he gets to see them so often.

We are so grateful for all of our family and that they love us unconditionally.

Even those of us who maybe ate way too much during the big game.

Did you have a happy weekend too?

2010-02-08T20:32:00.000-08:00

I had such a fun weekend. So much fun that I was sad to see it end. I asked my dear husband last night if he could maybe play hookie and stay home from work with us today so we could continue our weekend fun. He told me no (he is the more practical one in this relationship).

Weekend highlights included:

- sharing a cup of the very best hawaiian ice I've ever had with my two favorite boys

- staying up way past our bedtime friday night (thanks, I'm sure, to all the sugar in the previously mentioned shaved ice)

- flying kites purchased from the dollar store - 2 for $1 - it was awesome

- keeping my doors and windows open all weekend long and letting the cool air flow freely through our home

- an excellent relief society lesson that really made me stop, think, and re-evaluate

- watching the super bowl with a couple of our favorite people

I hope you had a great weekend too!

Green goodness

2010-02-03T20:08:00.000-08:00

Look what came straight from our garden...

The best looking green leaf lettuce I've ever seen!

Last nights dinner menu included taco salads, so I sent my husband and son out to our garden for lettuce. Nothing beats fresh produce and nothing is as fresh as straight from our backyard.

After years of putting it off, we finally planted our first family garden just a few months ago. We had no clue how to grow a proper garden, all we knew is that we have been counceled to do so. What started out as a little fenced off patch of dirt in our backyard is now a variety of corn, lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots and brussel sprouts.

It felt good, feeding my family something so fresh, and something we grew with our own hands. We were quite literally enjoying the fruits of our labors.

Happy February!

2010-02-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

The groundhog says 6 more weeks of winter. Which is fine, except that our heater went out over the weekend. It was only 59 degrees in our house when I woke up this morning! I might not have even left the warmth of my cozy bed if it weren't for the baby calling to me from the next room (ma ma! ma ma! ma ma!).

We've been doing what we can to stay warm. Last night after I put the baby to bed I walked in on this scene in the kitchen...

My poor husband trying to warm up next to the hot oven. Don't feel too bad for us, we used the cold as an excuse to snuggle up extra close in bed last night. And we have a guy coming to fix the heater today, so we'll be just fine.

Makes me wish for a sister-wife... Almost

2010-01-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

Today is laundry day at our house.

I don't like laundry day.

I am generally happy with my lot in life, you know, house-wifery and all of that, but doing laundry makes me cranky. All of that sorting and washing and switching and drying and folding (augh... the folding!). Who has that kind of time? I mean really. I don't have the patience for it.

It's laundry day that makes me think that having a sister-wife might not be all that bad. If we took a sister-wife, she would have to share the chores, right? Like, maybe she could do the laundry... especially the folding part.

But then I remember that we'd probably have to share other things too. Like him...

And then I think that maybe laundry day isn't so bad after all.

The chores can wait

2010-01-27T20:13:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of things that I needed to get done today.

I didn't do any of them.

I spent the day doing something more important...

Being completely focused on him.

It was a really good day.

Cookie Love

2010-01-26T16:47:00.001-08:00

My friend Jenna sent me a text this afternoon. "I'm craving snickerdoodles. You? I can contribute ingredients." Snickerdoodles? Yes Please! Jenna came over and brought our freind Kenzie along too. Here is what we came up with.

Snickerdoodles

1 c. shortening

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 eggs

2 3/4 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Mix together all ingredients. Roll cookie dough into balls and then roll balls in cinnamon sugar mixture (about 2 Tblsp cinnamon and 2 Tblsp sugar). Bake at 350* for 8-10 minutes. Makes 3-4 dozen cookies.

Enjoy!

Just to name a few

2010-01-26T11:30:00.000-08:00

Some things that are making me very happy right now include...

Bowls of fresh citrus on our breakfast bar - Thanks again Grandma Sandie!

Little shoes on the living room floor - Evidence that a baby lives here.

Happy flowers in unexpected places - Like my hall bathroom.

John Mayers new cd - Dear John Mayer, Thank you. It's perfect.

Baby Auden taking a well deserved nap in the next room - Quiet time for me.

How about you? What is making you happy right now?

The (dare)devil in him

2010-01-25T11:17:00.000-08:00

Our son loves his blue plastic rocking horse.

Yup, that's the one. And because he loves it so much, I love it too. If I ever need just a few minutes to get any one of my 10 million daily tasks done I can pull out the blue plastic rocking horse, sit the baby on it, and let himride like the wind. And ride like the wind he will.

This has worked out well for us. Until a couple of days ago when I walked into the living room to find the baby doing this...

Riding less like a cowboy and more like a rodeo clown. Standing up and rocking with all his might. And did I mention standing up?!? This stresses me out a little bit (you know, since it's not super safe to ride a blue plastic rocking horse in this manner).

He is a brave one.

Thanks again Janet and Byron for the rocking horse. We love it!

Comfort for a cold day

2010-01-22T20:17:00.000-08:00

It's cold outside today, and when it's cold outside there's nothing better than hot comfort food for dinner. Tonight we had the ultimate comfort food, my famous chicken pot pie. Except it isn't really famous, that just makes it sound really exciting. But my husband loves it, so thats good enough for me. Want to make one? Your husband will probably love it too! You will need:

1 bag (12 oz) frozen peas, carrots and corn

6 Tbls butter or margarine

1/3 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. chopped onion

1 c. chopped celery

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 can (14 oz) chicken broth

2/3 c. milk

2-3 c. chopped cooked chicken

pastry for two-crust pie (save yourself a lot of time here and just buy refridgerated pie pastry. That's what I do when I'm in a hurry)

1. Rinse frozen peas carrots and corn in water to seperate. Drain well.

2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, onion, celery, salt and pepper. Stir in broth and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in chicken and peas and carrots. Remove from heat.

3. Roll out bottom pastry to fit a 9-inch square pan. Ease into pan leaving some pastry hanging over the edge. Pour chicken mixture into pastry-lined pan.

4. Roll out top pastry. Place over chicken mixture. Turn edges of pastry under and flute.

5. Bake at 425* for about 35 minutes or until golden brown.

ENJOY!

Everyone here at our house loved dinner tonight.

Yup. Everyone.

Have a happy weekend!

Rain, Rain, Don't go Away

2010-01-22T18:19:00.000-08:00

It has been raining on us for 2 days straight, and we are loving it! Cold, cloudy, and raining? Yup. That is my kind of weather. Yesterday we took Auden for a walk around the block and let him splash around in the puddles for a little bit. He really had a good time.

And yes, he is rocking a bomber jacket.

This is what our street looks like tonight. Like I said, cold, cloudy, and raining. It has been a beautiful day!

Introducing... The Speakmans

2010-01-21T09:44:00.001-08:00

My name is Rebecca. I am a wife and a mother and a home-maker, and I love it! My husbands name is Nathan. We have been married almost 4 years. He is not just any husband, he is the best husband in the whole world. Trust me. I know. Our sons name is Auden. He is 10 months old and he is awesome. Oh, and we have a dog. His name is Elvis and he is part of the family. Our little family lives in Mesa, Arizona, close to family and friends, and we love it here.

And now it's your turn. Tell me a little bit about you. Let's be friends!

Welcome to Show + Tell!

2010-01-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

I have finally decided to start blogging. I'm thinking of this blog as a sort-of online journal. It's a place for me to show and tell (to anyone who might be interested) what life is like here at the Speakman Home. Before we begin, you should know that I have no clue what I'm doing. I'm banking on learning as I go. Hopefully I'll figure this blogger thing out. And as you can see, this blog looks pretty sad at the moment. Another thing I'll hopefully have figured out over the next few days. But for now, Welcome!