Harvey's Blessing Day

June 12, 2011

Thanks to my little cousin Davy's benefit on June 10th, my little family was blessed to have A LOT of friends and family in town for Harvey Jay's blessing. In fact, we planned it that way. And even though I knew there would be a lot of people, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the love and support we felt from ALL the friends and family who came out to share this day with us. My kids are so lucky to have so many people out there who love them.

The day was perfect. The weather was perfect, the turn out was perfect and my baby was perfect (even after being passed around like a hot potato). It was the first and only time I've ever seen Ryan's father and brothers in suits & ties, which was so sweet. I also think it was really cool that Harvey, like Wendy, got to have SIX great-grandparents at his blessing. Ryan did a great job with the blessing and then I got to show off his skills to our friends and family when his a'cappella group sang the musical number, "Love At Home," in sacrament meeting. They are so talented. I didn't want it to end (the musical number OR the day).

Thanks again to my awesome aunt Ruth for taking these pictures! Homegirl's got talent.

2 Months... no not five, two

*these adorable pictures were taken by my wonderful mother in Yosemite, in an actual forest. Ryan said I should clarify because he thinks they look fake.

Harvey Jay at 2 Months Old:

• 16 lbs 2 oz - strangers have asked me if he's 5 months old... um, no... try 1 1/2 to 2 months (he is one big little boy)
• smiling & cooing
• loves his binki
• most laid back baby I've ever met (unless his tummy is gassy)
• likes to eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours, not a minute more
• in his 2nd month got to experience his 1st: road trip/vacation to Yosemite & movie (Water for Elephants)

Turning to the dark side

My husband and I have an ongoing debate about fast food. He loves it, I don't. He tries to hide cash so he can get fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner without me knowing. He also does things like this. I don't blame him though, I give him a pretty hard time for it. On rare occasions, like road trips or after a long day at the beach, I think it's okay. But on the whole I think fast food is a waste of money and bad for your body. Actually, I know it is. He says it's his one splurge for himself. Tell me that when you're suffering from diabetes.

On our way home from camping in Yosemite yesterday, we stopped at a Carl's Jr. Ordering Wendy's kids meal, we asked, "Do you guys substitute anything for fries in the kids meals?" The cashier looked a little lost, "Um... we could make it a large fry? Or crisscut?" Wow. Really? You can substitute the fries for... more fries? Thanks. I guess the only place that has "healthy options" or really caters to kids is McDonalds. Nasty. I took a bite of Wendy's left over chicken nugget at a McDonalds on the way up to Yosemite and just about barfed before I spit it out.
But I have a confession. I think I love Chick-fil-a. Weird, I know. I wouldn't even go there for the first while after they built one close to my house. I'm not a huge meat eater and I'm definitely not a fast food fan. It sounded like a bunch of chicken nuggets and greasy chicken sandwiches on low quality buns and did NOT tempt me at all. But then Ryan made me try it. Wow. Here are some reasons why I love Chick-fil-a:

• soft pebble/snow ice
• they list the calories next to every item on the menu (not just next to the "low calorie" items and not on a special nutrition facts menu that you have to ask for, but up in the restaurant behind the cashier)
• the play area is indoors=air conditioned, but separated from the eating area= the whole place doesn't smell like stinky socks and kid sweat
• they have hand sanitizing wipes right outside the playground door
• there are fresh flowers on the tables
• they give the kids balloons
• they will substitute fries for a high quality fruit bowl (I'm a bit of a fruit snob, I don't like fruit that is mushy or warm)
• it's always clean
• the workers are always super nice & happy
• they will substitute the crappy kid's meal toy for an ice cream cone, and not a child sized cone, a full on regular(mom) sized ice cream cone
• they're closed on Sundays
• they're a little pricier than the other guys, but they give GREAT coupons and the food quality is worth an extra 50 cents (this week, July 8th, go in dressed up like a cow and get a free meal)
• did I mention that the food is actually good?

Tonight, after dinner, I was feeling a little restless so I took the kids there for an ice cream cone and to let Wendy release some energy on the air conditioned playground (it was like 90 degrees today). We walked out of there an hour later with our 170 calorie dessert, a yellow balloon tied to her wrist, Wendy's bangs wet and her little cheeks red from the running around and I thought to myself, "Maybe I do like fast food." Just don't tell Ryan.