Bitter Beer Face

Toby has been cracking me up lately with all these different facial expressions. Some of them look like he's an old man with a bitter beer face (anyone remember those commercials?). And others look like he is a bit irregular and he is trying to push something out. I have been keeping the camera close by to capture these hilarious faces.

Whistling Pete

Toby has received a new nick name. When we went into his 6 month appt. all the nurses said that his high pitched shrieks sounded like a"Whistling Pete" firework. Oh and by the way he is now over 19 lbs and 27 and 1/2 inches long- equivalent to the size of most 1 year old babies. :)

10 things I love about you

Since Nick is back in school full time and working full time we never get to do the Family Home Evening thing. He is gone from 6:30 am til 10 pm, Monday - Friday (sniff, sniff). I realize Toby is not exactly able to say a prayer or really understand what's going on but I am really eager to start this tradition in my own family. So tonight instead of stuffing my face with something sweet and wishing Nick was home to play Mario Kart with me, I decided to have my own little Family Home Evening - by myself. That's right, I am going to give a lesson on Faith, and sing a song to myself and then close with a prayer and then maybe I will stuff my face with some brownies. So here's the lesson......

OK I am totally joking people! Well except for the last part, I really do want some brownies so I am going to hurry up and get to the point of this post so I can have some. I have decided to communicate with Nick via email and have everyone say 10 things they love about the other person. (Yay for the internet!) You will notice right away that Nick is straight and to the point with his responses and I have practically written a novel with mine. :)


First up, Nicholas Nickleby (one of my favorite nick names for him and books):

1- I love that you are real and you're own person. What you see is what you get.

2- I love the way you read my mind. I use to pride myself in being able to be a really private person and only let certain people in on my thoughts and feelings. Somehow you have this amazing ability to see through the "I'm fine." answers and articulate exactly what's going on in my head. I use to be shocked and scared at this skill and would always ask you, "how did you know that?" But now after hearing you say, "Deb, I just know you" for the millionth time I have come to accept and appreciate your psychic powers. hehehe

3-I love how you see the good in everyone. I hardly ever hear you say negative things about people. (uh....well... unless we're driving on I-15)

4- I love that you are such a hard worker. You carry a heavy load of 16 credit hours and work 40 hours a week, and yet on your lunch breaks you come home and do the dishes or put in a load of laundry for me. For all you guys reading this, nothing is more attractive than a guy who helps out with the household chores. AND does it with out being asked!

5- I love how you love the outdoors. I can already envision many fishing trips in Alaska with you and Toby.

6- I love your smell. When you are gone I like sleeping with your pillow so I can get a whiff of Nick.

7- I love your beautiful, sky-blue eyes.

8- I love how you people watch. It's fun to watch you watch people. Only those who know Nick well, know what I am talking about.

9- I love how you remind me of Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. *sigh*

10- Even though sometimes this trait can be embarrassing to me, I love how you just say it like it is. Like when we are eating dinner at my parents and my mom asks what you think of her new recipe and you just say, "It's alright." You are the ONLY person who can get away with it! I love it!

Now for the Tobester from Mommy:

1- I love the way you smile every time you see me!

2- I love your chubby thighs

3- I love how you say "mama" over and over..... (even though I know you don't know what you're saying)

4- I love how you help me appreciate the little things in life

5- I love how you look for me when someone else is holding you

6- I love that you inherited your dad's curiosity

7- I love that you inherited the Rarick chin and that your ears poke out like mine

8- I love how you charm people with your big, blue eyes and infectious smile

9- I love that when I lay down next to for a nap you will keep one eye cracked to see if I am still there

10- I love that YOU are MY son. You are my pride and joy in life.

From Daddy:

1-Strong will

2-Handsome boy

3-Eye color

4-Smile

5-Kisses on the cheek

6-Loves to snuggle

7-Firecracker cries

8-Yearning to see everything around him

9-Laughs

10-Time spent in the mornings sleeping on the couch over the summer

ToDebbie From Nick:

1-Outgoing

2-Listener

3-Excellent speaker

4-Loves to work out

5-Caring mother

6-Caring wife

7-Financially savvy

8-Excels in accomplishing her tasks

9-Lives true to the gospel

10-Nice um well you know…

Food glorious food!

Well Toby has had his first taste of real food. Well, I shouldn't say real food, but close enough.

This face is almost identical to his dad's face when I have made something for dinner that doesn't quite cut it for him.

"What in the world did you just feed me? I think I'm gonna puke."

So far he can't get enough of all the sugary stuff which isn't surprising since all he has known thus far is sweet breast milk. His favorites include: carrots, applesauce, pears, and banana cereal. It's been a lot of fun seeing his reaction to all the different foods. Oh and he loves any kind of juice and is getting better at drinking from a sippy cup.

Thanksgiving Point Gardens

Yesterday we decided to walk around the gardens at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. I hadn't been there since my senior year in High School. It was so beautiful! It made me think of Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice with all the little paths and quiet, shaded areas.

Nicks favorite part was the waterfalls. Apparently they are the largest man-made waterfalls in the western hemisphere. They were pretty impressive to see.

Toby was fascinated with everything. It was fun to see his eyes light up when we passed some colorful flowers or when he heard the cascading waterfalls. Having a baby seriously makes you look at everything as if it was the first time. It makes you really appreciate all the beauty this earth has to offer.

This mysterious little tunnel was so neat! I loved the wooden doors at the end covered in ivy. I wanted to get a picture taken next to it but ended up doing a self-take because Nick was eager to see the waterfalls.

Why so SERIOUS?