Christmas-y Things

Things we did this December to get in the Christmas spirit:


*We decorated our new fake tree. (Of course, Asher un-decorated everything he could reach every time my back was turned.)
*We put a few strings of LED ice-cycle lights on the house.

*We partied with the Footes (complete with gingerbread decorating contest and nativity reenactment)
*We got pictures with Santa at the mall (thanks for the idea and the ride, Aim)

*We wrapped gifts (the night before Christmas... Asher's need to unwrap everything+ procrastination+ my desire for gifts to look super cute= no sleep for me on the 24th)
*We partied with the Stecks (and got the best gift ever during the white elephant gift exchange)

*We put out a super cute Christmas card (super cuteness thanks to Dan and lateness of card mailing thanks to me)
*We had family in town (and Mom and Dad are still here. Sad to see Tracy go today...)
*We partied with the S&R Hixons (yummy food and cute variety show)

*We saw the Mesa Temple lights twice!
*We caroled to our neighbors and some friends on Christmas Eve.

iPod Touch Give-away!

I'm not allowed to win this contest because I'm married to the guy that is in charge... but I think everyone else should enter. The prize is an iPod Touch for goodness sake. The fact that my husband is involved should tell you that it is totally legit and you have good chances of winning. So click the link and read all about it. It is easy, I promise!

iPod Touch Give-away!

Posted using ShareThis

Actress

Gwen's first time on stage was, of course, in my belly during Joseph a few months ago. Well, she sure is getting an early start to her acting career, because she is not yet a month old and has already played the demanding role of baby Jesus twice. She is really good. No crying. Very method.

In other news, I used the oven for all three meals today. That has got to be some kind of record for me.

Because I love her smile

...I thought I'd share.

By the bye, I forgot to post her full name! Silly me. It is Gwendolyn Monet Hixon

Copycat

New Asher phrase: "Thanks, Honey!"
Glad to know Dan and I are obviously thanking each other for things around here.

For the record, things pop out of his mouth that I'm sure we've never said before as well. Like the other day he brought me a shirt from the laundry room and said "Here's your favorite shirt, Momma!" (I've worn that shirt twice in the last month. Not a favorite.)

Missing You

I used to teach voice lessons in Santa Barbara, so I was singing in my apartment every day. I love to sing. And I wouldn't call myself a pianist, but I can fake it well enough to accompany people most of the time. I love to play the piano even though I'm not great at it.

The piano we used in SB didn't belong to us. We had to leave it behind, so I have been without a piano for six months. Besides singing in Joseph I haven't been using the old vocalizer very often, and I've been playing the piano even less. Lately I've really been missing having a piano in my life.



This is a Steinway & Sons baby grand piano. It is the piano I would buy if I had a million dollars. I would of course be very happy with something less expensive right now. I miss singing every day.

New favorite

I loved these books. I cannot wait for the third in the series.



In my opinion, these blow the Twilight books out of the water.
Until, of course, someone makes a terrible movie about The Hunger Games and all the actors end up in the tabloids and no one can stop talking about the immature, mediocre actors and how hot they look with their shirts off. Then it will be pretty much exactly like Twilight.

She's here!

Our little Gwen Hixon has entered the world! She was so excited to get here, she came 2 weeks early!

November 19, 2009
4:59am
7.1 ounces
19.5 inches long

Shower

My wonderful sisters-in-law threw me the most beautiful baby shower with the most delicious food a few weeks ago at Lisa Janda's home. I wasn't sure anyone would come... I've only been living here a few months after all. It turned out to be well attended and I got some pretty sweet stuff for my little girl that is due any day now. I have the best sisters (who needs that "in-law" part?) in the world. Thanks ladies, and thanks for the pictures!

30

On Monday the 9th of November Dan turned the big 3-0. It wasn't eventful. I asked him again and again what he wanted (gift-wise) and what he wanted to do (party-wise). He is pretty good at long pauses, deflecting, changing the subject, and asking only for clothes.

So we went out to Brio's Italian food and he received a lot of clothes and one book from me. His sister Amy watched Asher while we ate.

We went out again with half of his siblings and his parents last Saturday. This time it was Cantina Loredo ("gourmet" Mexican food). He got another book, a frame and a few more T-shirts from his siblings. He used money from his parents to buy a new magic mouse from the Apple store.

You may think I'm a terrible wife for not doing more on such a momentous occasion. Truthfully, I feel a little bad for not making a bigger deal of my favorite person's thirtieth birthday... but then I remember that I am about to have a baby, and that I tried, and that I got Dan exactly what he asked for.

Really, I could not love this man more.

Mama Ninja

Today I took Asher and his cousin Calvin to the park for a little while. Asher seemed to be a little less careful with his older buddy around, so I stuck close by him when he was climbing things. That park is full of deathtraps for him anyway, he always gets hurt.

He lost his footing when he was five feet up on one of the aforementioned deathtraps... and he was falling head first toward the ground. (This particular part of the park didn't even have sand around it.) With the reflexes of an action hero, I stuck my arm out and caught him by the ankle before his face hit the ground. He dangled there for a few wide-eyed seconds before I could get him upright, and when I had him upright I hugged him tightly. I think I needed more comfort than he did however, because he just went on his merry way toward the slide, without a moment of concern.

He did however avoid that particular section of the park for the rest of our stay.

Procrastination: Dress design for Shabby Apple dresses

Please click the pictures to view details. I promise, everything looks better!
This is the very last second that I can enter the design contest Shabby Apple is holding on their website. So... this is my Dress design for Shabby Apple dresses. I posted it without color so you could see the seam lines. They got a bit covered up when I was coloring in photoshop. Also, I want you to be able to imagine the dress in a blushy pink with white trim where the scallops and flowers are, as well as the blue option.

I think this dress would be great in a medium weight cotton, like this pink pima stretch twill from NY Fashion Center.
I could also see it in a fun blue, with dark blue or white trim around the edges and floral details.



This design just kinda popped into my head, so I figured I might as well try it despite only having heard about this contest a few days ago when I was super busy sewing Asher's Halloween costume.
I was inspired by the shapes of the flower petals I see blooming in the spring (not necessarily in the Arizona, but remember I haven't lived here in the spring yet), and the vibrant colors I see around me in that season. I love vintage styling, and I also love pockets on a dress... who doesn't? And why not make them a focal point of the design?

Even if I don't win, I still might make this dress for myself. I won't be pregnant anymore by spring!

Add to the List

Another thing to love about Arizona: No Daylight Savings.

Seriously, when is the rest of the U.S. going to wise up and join us?

Understanding Halloween

Asher is at that age where he is beginning to "get" holidays... but only after they have passed. On Friday we took him to a church sponsored trunk-or-treat in an empty field with a bonfire and a chili cook-off. We ushered him around the circuit of cars and prompted him to say "trick-or-treat!" and "thank you!" ...but no dice. He was as silent as the grave. I wasn't even sure how he felt about his costume.

Last night was Halloween, and we started hearing a bit of excitement from our little pumpkin about his "Dash coshume." That made me feel good, because I did spend a little bit of time and energy on that. We allowed him to observe kids coming to our door shouting "Trick-or-Treat!" and he seemed to detect a pattern here. You say those words, you get candy, you go on your merry way. He tried it with our candy bowl. He walked up to it and said "Ticker Teet!" and gave himself a candy. We thought he was ready to visit the neighbors.

Next door there were a few groups of kids converging on the porch. He didn't like the looks of the crowd so he slowed up. The kids weren't going anywhere soon, however. We nudged him and pulled him through the crowd to the front door. He was very quiet. We tried to get him to say the correct words, but he didn't. He got candy anyway. We tried to get him to say "thank you" or "happy Halloween" but he didn't. He was a little overwhelmed. The pattern continued down the street. Only once did I hear a very quiet, high-pitched "Thank you!"

Well now Halloween is over. Every time he sees his pumpkin bowl he says "Trick-or-Treat!" and "Happy Halloween!" He talks about being Dash and he is very animated about it all. Oh well, he'll be ready for next year.

(P.S. This is the costume I made for Asher the day of our trunk-or-treat party. There was nothing in the stores for a 2T sized boy that was cute and cheap. Thank goodness for Joannes and the fact that it didn't need to look perfect.)

Don't Know Why

Something about this soap makes me happy. The "flavor" is fresh lime basil. I have a bottle by my kitchen sink, and I wash my hands just to smell it. Somehow, it reminds me of Christmas.

Joseph pics, finally.

Dan took a few shots of my adventures in Crazyland. (Aka being in a musical while 7 months pregnant.)
This is right after my freaking high solo. I'm "weeping" over the torn coat.
Can you spot the pregnant woman in "Go go Jo?"
Here I am as an over-excited Egyptian.


Last but not least, the Megamix finale. It was like an insane 9 minute workout. A workout where you have to constantly sing at the top of your lungs. Note my similar dance stance in the two final pictures.

The end.

Yes Man

I think I have only heard Asher say the word "yes" once. He usually prefers "okay" (like it was your idea, not his. ex: "Momma, Yodder Pops?" "What? You want an Otter Pop?" in a sweet, happy voice that sounds a bit surprised "okay!") or "sure" (pronounced "tsure", used in the same way as "okay" but more careful sounding) and, occasionally, "yep."

I'm not bugged by this. It does create some confusion when we have to tell him no, but I'll take it over a blank stare, grunting, or pointing and screaming any day.

(Insert cute picture of Asher here. My pictures still ain't workin'.)

Orange Poppy Necklace GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

I want to win the necklace with all the green-toned flowers, just to get a close up look and see how it was made. I think these babies are artsy and craftsy and differently beautiful.
Orange Poppy Necklace GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Being a Mom

Our family went to a football game tonight at Campo Verde High. We have a nephew on the team and a cheerleader niece. They were cute, and Asher had a fun time running around the bleachers with his older cousins. This is not a set up to tell you that he split his head open again, although there were many times I thought that might occur.

When we were leaving, Asher pitched a big fit. Huge. He usually lets us know that he is upset, but he gets over it pretty quickly. This time, he didn't stop shaking and crying until he was almost buckled in his car seat. He only stopped freaking out to THROW UP. Yes. He worked himself up so much that he actually lost what little dinner he decided to eat tonight. So there was barf in our car. I still have some sanitizing to do, but it is cleaned up. I needed a break. I didn't want to add to the mess.

That is not the worst part, though. His barf smelled like Doritos. We don't have Doritos in our house, but there were plenty on the ground at the football game.

Medium Well

If my play were a steak, that is what I would call it. Medium well. Anyway, it's done.

I am not sad that it is over. My body is too happy for the usual nostalgic feeling to kick in.

I have pictures to share, but apparently they are not working right now.

Insomnia

When I was pregnant with Asher I did not have any trouble sleeping. I was out like a light every night. I could chalk that up to working 15 hour days every day of the pregnancy, but working isn't helping me with this one.

Granted it is a different kind of work. Being a mommy to Asher is not super hard, but I'm working my body A LOT lately. I'm doing some yoga and I had a SEVEN HOUR rehearsal on Saturday where I was dancing like a maniac for at least three of those hours. You would think that my body would be so tired that I would drop like a rock at night, but that is not the case. It takes me a while to fall asleep most nights, and then I wake up every time I switch positions. Then of course, sometimes I wake up to go to the bathroom. If I try not to drink water at night, then I have strong contractions that wake me up anyway. I can't win. And of course, when I don't get great sleep I am not very effective during the day.

Last night I got to sleep at around 12:00. I woke up at 2:45. I couldn't go back to sleep for three hours.

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment. I'm going to ask about sleeping pills.

Death By Hoedown

"One More Angel in Heaven" is going to be a killer number. Literally. I may die at the end of it. We did it a few times tonight and everyone is SO out of breath that they can't sing at the end when we are supposed to. And none of them are 7 months pregnant. Just imagine how I feel.

Well, this show can't come soon enough. My belly is not getting any smaller over here.

Cleaning tip

This little bottle is all you need to remove stains. Any stain. I've tried it on everything from paint to blood. Tonight it was used to get some pretty heavy duty marker stains out of a pair of Asher's light brown shorts. (We weren't exactly watching him while we visited with Stephen and Rachel tonight.) At least he only decided to color his pants... and his entire arm. The stains came off his shorts easier than his skin. That is how good this stuff is.

We also had a guy come over to demonstrate his water softener/purifier for TWO HOURS this morning. He rubbed butter all over our oven, and then cleaned it with his pure water. It was amazing how clean our oven became with pure water and a few swipes with a towel. Everything he showed us proved that our water is gross and that this system would make it better, but it just wasn't worth $5300 to us. But if anyone is willing to splurge a little (ha!), getting a water purifier is also a great cleaning tip.

award

My friend Amanda gave out some virtual awards on her blog, and Asher won for "most blue steel looks."

He totally deserves it. He's been working on "blue steel" for a while.

Labor Day

On Labor Day we decided to celebrate by... laboring. All day.
After weeks of deliberation we finally chose the exact shade of green to paint the entire downstairs, and we went for it. We invited our wonderful Arizona family to help us, not really expecting them to come or stay for very long. I thought we'd get a couple walls done if we were lucky. Well, I've got a few new heroes in my life. Thanks mostly to Eric, Amy, Sara, and Brian we have a brand new shade of life on our walls. That's right folks, these wonderful angels stayed until every wall was covered in 5 gallons of Haze Green.
The funny thing is we spent more money painting our bedroom than we did painting the entire downstairs! Benjamin Moore, you are good, but you ain't cheap!

This is a shot in different light from a different angle. Obviously, you are not looking at any "finished product" here. We'll take more pictures when we move our painting equipment and get our new couches and curtains and hang stuff up.

My favorite

Asher is an independent little man. When he kisses and/or hugs me it is a small miracle. That is why my new favorite phrase is "I yuvyou Mama." He'll say it when I start with "I love you, Asher," or sometimes just all on his own. He also hugged me for no reason in Walmart today. Life is awesome.

Long Overdue

I'm not talking about my baby's due date yet, although I honestly feel like I have been pregnant forever with this one. I'm talking about a belly picture. We took a picture of my growing belly almost every Sunday when I was pregnant with Asher. This is the first shot of me preggo with number two. I'm 27 weeks, so just entering my third trimester. A little sad, huh? Also sad: I am on my way to rehearsal, so obviously not looking glamorous here.


Another "long overdue" happened today: I washed the car. The last time our car was cleaned we lived in Santa Barbara. So yeah, it has been a while. Being the absurd person that I am, I did it at high noon. I almost died of heat exhaustion.

P.S. It rained while I was at rehearsal, and the car was outside. Ahh the irony of life.

Go go go

For those of you who don't already know, my sister-in-law Amy signed me up to audition for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with a company called Copperstar Repertory here in Gilbert. I would never ever think to audition for a musical being 5 1/2 months pregnant at the time of auditions, but Amy was confident I would get the role of the narrator. Well, I didn't (almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades)... but I did get into the cast. So far it has been pretty fun, and since it will be consuming a chunk of my life, I figured I may as well start blogging about it now.

Initial thoughts:
I am amazed at how good the cast sounds already. I am excited to be in a musical after a LONG hiatus. (Directing musicals doesn't count.) I can't wait to perform in a theater that has more than a thousand seats. I am glad that I have something to keep me busy and exercising while I am waiting for this second baby to appear. I'm glad to have doors opening for me in the theater world out here. HOWEVER I am totally physically and vocally out of shape and I think I am killing my voice. They have me singing all the astronomically high notes. We'll see if I can still belt them out come show time.

desert storm(s)

Last night as we were driving home from the Foote's house (after eating way too much "cowboy cobbler," for which I want the recipe) we witnessed yet another Arizona lightening storm. Weather is so different in the desert. There wasn't any rain falling on our car, but we could see two lightning storms on either side of the moon. The lightning went off every two seconds on both sides. It looked like dueling banjos or some "bigger and better" game where the moon was the referee.
I couldn't really take a picture, so I drew it on facebook graffiti. You get the idea.

I <3 Kung Fu

We put Asher down a little over an hour ago, after a very successful family night I might add. He smiled as we left his room and I didn't hear one peep from him until five minutes ago, when I was getting laundry out of the dryer. Out of a dead silence I heard a "Hee-YAH!" and the soft crunch of crib mattress. Then nothing.

Now either this boy is dreaming Kung-Fu, or he is a very patient and quiet sleep-avoider. Either way, he makes me smile.

---------------------------------------------------------
We have been in our house exactly one month today. I wish I had a finished room to show for it, but I just have a few 1/2 finished rooms. I'll post pictures as soon as there are pictures to take, I promise.

Easier

Shopping for furniture would be so much simpler if I had an endless supply of money.

(PS I'm honoring my Dad's birthday today by not recognizing it. He "doesn't have birthdays anymore.")

Trouble

The ONLY downside to having a daughter instead of a son is my love for little girl's clothes coupled with my strong desire to buy every cute thing I see. I am trying really hard not to spend money on cute little dresses because I will probably have a baby shower. I'm also getting hand-me-downs from my sister, so I know I won't need to buy a ton right away. We are also trying to furnish a house right now for goodness sake.

Just so you get a fair glimpse into what I wish I could buy I will share 3 screen shots with you. Keep in mind, I didn't actually buy anything.





Can you guess which sites I've been looking at?

One of each

Just in case anyone is wondering, I went in for my ultra-sound today.

It's a girl! (I think she is giving the "thumbs up.")

Art and Quirks

I may be wrong, but I think this show appeals only to smart artistic people. It also helps if you're quirky. That is why the show got canceled, there are not enough intelligent creative weirdos watching TV. I mourn the passing of Pushing Daisies, but I celebrate possessing the first two seasons on blu-ray.

In other news, some of our smoke detectors are wearing shower caps.

The last few days

Asher is back to smiling himself to sleep. Phew! I am grateful for his sleep schedule and good attitude. He has always been a good sleeper.

So, I had a birthday last week. I wouldn't mention it except I don't want you to think I was neglected. On Thursday morning Dan made me pancakes and my AZ sisters took me out for brunch. I was very full around lunch time, and I felt loved.

Dan also took me out to dinner at Pastis, a yummy European deli that serves food you would swear they stole from a very high-priced restaurant. Our appetizers were some sort of fish(right), but they were the best part of the meal. I hate fish, but I loved this. I also had crepes. To die for.

Dan was cute because he gave me a few gifts wound up in a ton of ribbon. He told me he couldn't find the tape. He also prefaced every gift with "This is a lame one..." followed by the reason why he thought it was a dumb present. I thought all my gifts were very nice and sweet. (Sun shields for the car, phone chargers, DVDs of Pride & Prejudice, Pushing Daisies, Harry Potter 1-5, and he tried to order me a vanity.) I had a great birthday.

On Saturday our car went caput while we were running errands. Dan's brother helped us, gave us the name of the BEST mechanic (we already like him better than anyone in SB) and ended up towing us there. Thanks for 3+ hours out of your Saturday, Stephen! And thanks Stecks for the use of your car in the mean time.

Yesterday I got my hair cut and colored at a girl's house that my sis-in-law Amy set me up with. Tiffany was great, fast, and at least $30 cheaper than anyone in SB. She has a room right in her house set up for her hair appointments. She even washed my hair in one of those tubs. Her kids played cars with Asher while I was there. What a dream!! Thanks, Amy!
Also on Tuesday: We got to go to the most beautiful building in Mesa. It was an awesome experience. (Thanks Rachel, Stephen and Lauren for watching Ash!)

Change

A very beloved and astute man pointed out that I needed to change a part of my blog. He is right. My hometown is officially no longer Santa Barbara,CA. Sigh. In memoriam, and I don't care if you think that is the wrong word choice, I am posting all the things I will miss about Santa Barbara.

-My family there. Leaving them was the hardest part.
-Our ward. Seriously, our whole stake was amazing and we felt that we were being useful by serving in that area of the world.
-The beauty of the area, which is closely related to...
-THE WEATHER. You can't fry an egg on your porch in SB.
-My connection to the community. I always saw people I taught or worked with when I was out and about in Santa Barbara. I've got no theater connections out here...
-The manageable size of the city. You could get anywhere in 15 minutes or less. And I never got lost, but I could still explore and find new quirky places.
-The fun non-chain stores and restaurants and high-end shops. A few places that I will specifically miss: Blenders in the Grass, The Palace Grill, and the Blue Bee stores. There are many honorable mentions, but I don't want to bore you.
-SBCC. I love the City College. It is beautiful and I always feel like I belong there. (Not so with UCSB.) It is cheap to take a class or two and the teachers are great. I love to learn new things.

FoodWise

My awesome sister-in-law Amy told me about a GREAT store here in Gilbert.

Yesterday I dropped in while running errands. Here is my report:
The service at FoodWise is friendly and informative. The store is owned by an LDS family that specializes in the best food storage products I have ever seen. Their containers are revolutionary and their food is delicious and nutritious. They will let you try any product before you buy. They give free cooking classes on Tuesday and free bread making classes on Saturday. They even gave me a small loaf of homemade bread to sell me on the free class (and it was good). The powdered milk I tried was the BEST powdered milk I have ever had BY FAR. I would drink it on a daily basis, and I hate powered milk. Seriously. (I bought the powdered chocolate milk... ohhhh it was good! I'm using it for hot chocolate.) The prices are great, and they have everything from spices to solar ovens. Their food lasts forever... even after you open the containers and use some. If you are looking for a great rotating food supply, look no further. If you live outside of Gilbert, you better pray they deliver.

Oh one last thing. The guy asked me if I was from California. I replied in the affirmative. He told me he could tell because of my accent. There's something I don't hear everyday.

Biggest Birthday Present Ever

FYI, we finally closed on our new home this past Friday. I'll never forget the date, because it was my boy's 2nd birthday.

We love our house, oh how we love our house. But we love our boy more. Here are some recent things about him:
-He knows the names of every character in Pixar's Cars. Except for the VW van which he just calls "Hippie." We still don't own that movie.
-He doesn't like to do the same things over and over anymore. If we start to sing a lullaby for the third time that week he will say "No. No. No." (very sweetly mind you) until we stop. He likes new songs. New activities. New toys. The one exception to this is playing with his cars. I swear I play cars with him at least an hour each day.
-He is really attached to me now that we have moved. He follows me everywhere... unless there are cousins around.
-He gets distressed when we put him to bed now. It's not a big deal, he just doesn't smile himself to sleep anymore.
-He really loves his silky blanket.
-Every time we walk outside during the day he says "hot. hot. hot. hot."
-He has been drinking a lot of juice and eating a lot of cheese.
-He is no longer afraid of the pool. Which is a good thing and a bad thing.
-He is a very good mimic. Watch what you say!

Highlights

Here are some highlights from Bear Lake:

Asher's adoring fans (and built in entertainment and babysitters) made this a true vacation.


Going to some caves a few miles from our lodge. (I had never been in a cave. They had me sing in one of the big rooms. Good acoustics.)



Watching my child look like the "Star Wars Kid" of YouTube fame with an oar.

Other highlights without pictures:
-Going to the Logan Temple with a few other Hixons.
-Shopping in quaint craft shops and getting shaved ice with Amy. (SOOO tasty.)
-Having a fun 4th watching about 1/2 of our fireworks before they were confiscated by the fire marshal.
-Jeopardy a la David.
-Seeing a few deer in the backyard.
-Going on a boat with Dan driving and Asher clinging to me until he fell asleep.
-Being with all 57 other Hixons. No Empty Chairs.