Conference & getting ready for Easter!

Before we start in on Conference, Friday Logan's bike helmet arrived in the mail! So we went on a bike ride to break it in. I don't know how much Logan loved it, but Dave and I had a great time! We haven't been on our bikes since last July (right before Logan was born). And it was so much fun to spend an hour and a half in mid-70 degree weather getting back  into it! I love the bike trailer, and I call it the "great equalizer" because I can finally keep up with Dave on his bike.

My two favorite guys ready for Priesthood Session!

Dave, Logan and I had tons of fun enjoying General Conference this weekend! This year due to a HUGE amount of homework, we decided to spend most of the weekend at home. So, like my mother before me, I made all kinds of treats to make sure we stayed awake through the event. We snacked on a Spinach Cheese Dip, Chocolate Chip cookies, Banana Muffins, Roast Beef Sandwiches, Pears and a variety of candy that struck our fancy.

And it really wasn't all about food. We had fun enjoying the messages from the Prophet and Apostles. We both left with a few ideas of things we wanted to change, and we're excited to do so! Logan slept through most of the sessions, and totally skipped Priesthood! He's such a rebel.

We went down to my parents for Priesthood. Dave  and the boys all went to the session with my Dad and the girls did our annual pizza and $5 DI night. We all get $5 to spend at DI and when we get home we show each other what cool things we found for $5! It was good, and I got a few cute things for Logan.

We've also been preparing for Easter. Dave and I can't remember what we've done for Easter in the past, but this year we decided to do a little dinner at home. I demand that we make deviled eggs, Dave insists on potato salad, and we collectively decided just to get a rotisserie chicken from Costco for the main course. I'll probably add some green beans, rolls and some kind of dessert too, but don't have to decide until I go shopping tomorrow. The only problem I forsee is not busting out the rotisserie chicken when I buy it on Saturday... Those guys are just too tempting!

Little Baby, Big Baby

My sister-in-law Angela had her baby on Sunday! A sweet little girl 6 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long. And TONS of hair. Holding her I realized she is just about the size Logan was when he was born (6 lbs 1 oz and 18 inches). It's crazy to think he was ever that small, especially since he's now 18 lbs! Logan's not quite sure what to think about Lindsay, especially when she cries, but I'm sure they'll have tons of fun.

Logan's doing great! He's always such a happy baby. He started saying dada last week (much to Dave's joy), and just loves to jabber in such a serious way you know he thinks he's saying something. He loves trying new foods, but especially loves green veggies (like broccoli and green beans). He also loves strong flavors like pineapple, grapefruit and orange.

He's also started making logical connections, like when I get out the swaddling blanket, he knows it's time to protest sleeping. And when I tell him "up" he puts his hands up so I can lift him out of the highchair or walker. When I tell him "Daddy's home" his little face lights up and he kicks his legs excitedly!

We're planning a big bike ride for some time this weekend. We found a bike trailer at the REI Garage sale, and spent all of our yearly dividend on it. So score, we didn't have to pay for it, but sad that it only lasted 5 days into the year.

I ordered a bike helmet online for Logan, and it should be coming soon! I told Dave we can only ride on the Jordan River Trail (a paved trail that allows bikes, runners, and walkers) until the helmet arrives.

Other than that, we're surviving the last month of school. Dave's super stressed about final projects, his portfolio & resume, and his meeting with about 8 companies next week. But I know he will make it through and will be SO glad to be done. Eventually... But for now we just survive!

Catch Up and The Wave

Long time no post... It's been another whopper of a month. First Logan decided he was no longer sleeping through the night. Something to do with rolling over waking him up. But after two weeks we found swaddling him solved the problem, so our 7 month old is again being swaddled. It's a lot harder with him being 17+ lbs, but worth it to have him sleeping from 8 pm to 7 am again.

Logan got sick for the first time, and that lasted a week and a half! Runny nose, little coughing, little throwing up for two days, and major need for cuddling. So I didn't get much done for two weeks (it took a few days to clean up and get the house back in order). But we survived and Dave and I didn't get sick!

We spent a 4 day weekend down at the cabin for Spring Break. My parents were down there too, and we had a relaxing time. We got to do the hike "The Wave" which you enter a lottery and 20 people are picked a day to get to hike it. Some times there are 1,000 people applying in one day so odds aren't always great. My parents have entered it 5 times now and haven't gotten to go. BUT thanks to Lucky Logan, we were the first ones drawn and got to go!

It was a beautiful winter hike! The only complaint was the weather. The sky was threatening to rain all day and we were constantly switching between our winter coats and short sleeves. So weird, but at least it didn't rain!

We tried out Logan's bigger carrying pack (on the back instead of the front). He didn't seem to love it as much as he loved his front carrier, but it's a lot more comfortable for the parents to use! We still need to attach one of my old Camelbacks onto it for water, but it worked well for now.

Other than that we helped my parents with some work (repairing the fence) and visited with Grandma and Grandpa Yoder. We also had a relaxing day at the cabin and headed home before it got too late.

Now we're back and I'll spend today unpacking and getting everything back in order. I'm always surprised by how long it takes to get everything put back together after a trip. But it was worth it to have a little bit of a break!

Worst Week of Logan's Life!

It's been a rough week at the Plastow house! It started with Logan teething, which lead to diarrhea, which lead to diaper rash. Add in an ear infection, top that with 6 month shots, and sprinkle in a cold for Amy and Dave. Oh and did I mention the lack of sleep?

Logan was in so much pain from at least one of the above symptoms that he stopped napping during the day, and wouldn't go to sleep until at least 11 at night (some nights were 1:30). He would wake up several times in the night crying until I let him fall asleep whimpering on my chest and quietly moved him back to his bed. We went to the doctor  and they said he would be fine (good to hear, but still... give me some magic cure all).

But I think the worst is over! Because of a strict diet of bananas 3 times a day the diarrhea is gone, and along with it the diaper rash. The ear infection cleared itself up (took about a week), and he was back on his scheduled napping and sleeping through the night last night. We're still dealing with teething, but we can handle one problem.

So the baby is on his way back to being his happy self, and the parents are back on their way to being awake during daytime hours! Which is good considering how busy we are...

Cloth Diapers, Baby Showers and Breadsticks, oh my!

The past month has been so crazy! I completely blame it on the quilting class I'm taking with my mom. Our assignment for the month has consumed all my time, and I'm not even done yet. Dave and I have both been cursing this dumb square. It's going to look great when it's done, but I can't even start to guess how many hours I've spent sewing this thing together! I have so many projects that I've just been itching to start once Christmas is over, and I haven't even had time to start them. Maybe next month.

Another project I've taken on is a baby shower for my Sister-in-law, Angela. Now everyone that knows me knows the only kind of shower I enjoy is the one I take in the bathroom. I begged to not have to have a bridal shower, but I do see the necessity of a baby shower. So when Angela mentioned she only had 2 months left and still nobody had put one together for her I offered to do so. Her mom offered to bring a dessert, so I'll just have to come up with a few more desserts and call it good. I bought some plates, cups and napkins that are cute and girl-y, and have purchased a baby shower gift.

Almost two weeks ago Logan graduated to cloth diapers! Translation: we ran out of all the baby shower diapers we were given so we finally have the opportunity to use them. It's gone well so far. I made the executive decision to use disposable diapers at night time. He was wetting through the cloth ones about half the time, so I figured it wasn't worth the hassle of wet pj's. Other than that I'm loving them. Mostly because I insisted on buying a diaper sprayer so I don't have to mess with the poopy ones, but whatever it takes!

Other than that Dave and I made some time to squeeze in a new bread stick recipe that we've loved! I got it from King Arthur Flour's blog, and they're great (I just had to add more water, maybe the altitude). They're called Grissini and they're kinda a crunchy bread stick. We liked them so much that we ate 6 right out of the oven (even though they're meant for Sunday's dinner):

Crunchy Italian Breadsticks

Dough

2 t yeast


2 t sugar


1 1/4 t salt


1 T nonfat dry milk


2 c flour

1 c wheat flour

1 c lukewarm water


2 T olive oil



Topping

1 egg white beaten with 1 T cold water


heaping 1/3 c sesame seeds, or a mixture of your favorite seeds

Mix and knead the dough ingredients—by hand, mixer, or bread machine set on the dough cycle—to make a soft, supple dough. Divide the dough in half, cover with lightly greased plastic wrap, and let it rest and relax for 15 minutes (or for up to an hour or so; work it into your schedule as you see fit). 



Divide the dough in half. Working with one half at a time, pat or roll it into a 9" x 13" rectangle. Brush the dough lightly with the egg white and water, and sprinkle it with the seeds. Roll the dough lightly with a rolling pin to press the seeds in. 



Use a pizza wheel or sharp knife to cut the dough (the short way) into strips about 3/8" wide. Twist the ends of each strip in opposite directions (as though you were wringing out a washcloth) to make a "twist," and place them on lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheets.

Cover the breadsticks and let them rest and rise for 30 to 60 minutes, till they’ve puffed noticeably. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F. 

Bake the breadsticks for 12 to 14 minutes, or until they're golden brown. Remove them form the oven, and cool on a rack. 
Yield: about 3 dozen breadsticks.


*** Side Note, these were FABULOUS the first day! Nice and crunchy, but when I brought them to Sunday dinner a day and a half later they had lost their crispiness. I don't know why... but make sure you eat a few the first day