What do I eat?

I get this question a lot. I guess it comes with being vegan(ish). Most people can't fathom a meal without meat or animal protein (dairy, eggs, etc). I've finally come to the conclusion that meals containing the aforementioned are generally a cop-out for REAL FLAVOR. I mean...why bother using spices in a meal when you can toss some cheese on it, and everyone will still "ooh" and "ahh"? But take out that cheese and meat...and suddenly, you've got to make the meal pop without all of that salty goodness!

Enter the spices...ethnic foods...and total healthy goodness!

I've had a few friends ask me to post some of my favorite recipes, since their kitchen repertoire is generally lacking in meatless and cheeseless meals. Since most recipes aren't my own (although I do alter and often simplify them!), perhaps I'll simply post some photos and links to the original recipes!? We'll see if I can keep it up...

I love trying new recipes (IF they're good...otherwise it seems like a total waste of effort!), and these burritos I cooked up earlier this week were a total hit with everyone (vegan and non-vegan alike)! So...if you feel like something new and delicious (and can I say again...SUPER healthy?!!), try this one out!!

Burritos with Potatoes, Pinto Beans, and Guacamole!



YUUUUUMY!!

4th of July

I know, I know...I'm a bit late...but new babies do delay things, a bit!

Provo has a fantastic 4th of July event downtown. They have free crafts, inflatables for the kids, and lots of crafts for sale, as well. The girls made some bracelets...

Pet gigantic snakes...

WORE gigantic snakes...

Later we watched fireworks...

...and then we played with sparklers at home.

(while Mommy prayed hard they wouldn't burn themselves...they make me so nervous!)

And non-related to the holiday...the girls are showing off the awesome new shelves that Papa built in the downstairs storage room. He actually made room for all of THEIR stuff, and luckily...OURS!! Thanks, Papa!

How to Lose 10 pounds in 1 day!

Have a baby! Seriously...I highly recommend it!

SOOOO...the delivery/birth story...read it IF you dare...

Last Saturday night was the 3rd of July, and we drove to the BYU campus to watch the "Stadium of Fire" fireworks show! We were running late, and parked far from the field where we eventually watched the fireworks...so it was quite a long trek at a fast walking speed...and I started getting some strong contractions. The fireworks were great, and we stayed up until 1:00am lighting sparklers and doing some other simple fireworks back at home.

Of course...staying up late meant that I was bound to go into labor! Around 2:30am, I woke up and realized that I had been having strong contractions all night. I was having very bizarre dreams, and I remember at one point moaning from the pain, and Jared asked me what was wrong. I gave him some explanation about Lea bringing baby wipes, etc, etc...
He didn't question me...although he knew I was totally out of it and not making sense...
Yeah...I was tired...and I was dreaming...

So, at 3:00am, I realized my contractions were much, much stronger that they had been previously during the week (when I thought I was in labor)...and that this was the real thing. I called the midwife, and started walking the neighborhood streets with Jared. My wonderful midwife arrived very quickly, and since everything was set up from earlier during the week (from the false labor), there was little setup work to be done, beforehand!

My midwife filled a tub (in our room) with hot water, so I could experience a waterbirth!

I wore a tank top and a skirt in the tub, so I could feel modest. It worked perfectly! However, I soon discovered that the tub didn't do much for my contractions. I actually seemed to slow down and progress slowly...so that was a bit frustrating.

Finally, at 7am, I asked my midwife to break my water. In my previous pregnancies, my water has always broken during the early morning hours, starting my labor. This time, I was getting impatient, and didn't want to have an all-day labor experience! Things were going so slowly compared to my previous delivery with Maiya, it seemed. I labored mostly in the tub, and Jared and my midwife (as well as her assistant) catered to my every need...such as helping put pressure on my tailbone area during contractions.
My Dad took the girls to church at 9am, and I guess I finally felt the go-ahead to have this baby! After 3 very painful minutes of pushing (hmm...a new experience for me...because Maiya was "pushed" out rather effortlessly, and within 1 contraction), I was able to deliver a perfect little boy! Introducing Ethan Lee!! I was VERY relieved to survive those 3 minutes (how in the world do women push for 30 minutes...or an hour?!)!! My Mom was there to witness the delivery (and take photos), and Jared, of course, was a great support. It was very hard for both of them to see me in so much pain...and Jared even began to tear up as he was cheering me on.

People have been asking me if I would do a home birth again. My answer?
OF COURSE!!

Going "natural" isn't easy...but it is certainly worth it! I just kept telling myself that the pain would soon be over, and it would all be worth it. And truthfully...it was! A morning of pain isn't much in exchange for a healthy, beautiful baby!

Also, I MUCH preferred this home birth experience, over my previous 2 hospital births (which really weren't bad experiences...but a home birth is soo much better)!! I love the personal attention from a midwife (who stays with you during your entire labor...instead of arriving just to catch the baby), and the privacy of being able to labor and birth in the comforts of home.

Overall, I'm not sure if a waterbirth was the right thing for me, although I'm glad I got the chance to try it. Women swear that it is one of the best "natural epideral"...but I had a hard time getting comfortable during contractions. I seem to labor faster when I am up and moving, and not relaxing in a warm, comfortable bath. Next time, I will likely have a tub as a backup option, but will try laboring without plans of a waterbirth, perhaps. Who knows?

My midwife, Melody Pendleton, lives in Mapleton Utah as well, and came highly recommended from several other ladies in our church ward, who also used her for their home births. She was a wonderful fit for us! A midwife always has an assistant when attending a birth, and Melody brought Roxanna, also a midwife who lives in Mapleton, who was an absolute pleasure to meet and get to know! Both of them are very big into homeopathics (i.e. herbal pain remedies, etc), and I enjoyed learning a great deal from them!
Ethan Lee was 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 20 1/2" long. He definitely has a touch of red to his hair, so we will see if it turns out as red as Ella's, or is more of an auburn color! He is a wonderfully tempered baby, and never fusses. He is a great eater, napper, pooper, etc! He has his Daddy's nose, lips, eyes, fingers, toes, and temperment (thank goodness)! His adoring sisters love to kiss him repeatedly, and are so excited to have him as part of our family!

BED HEADS!


I am recovering quickly, feeling almost back to normal!! What a blessing to have such a great delivery, and fantastic recovery! Thanks for your love, support, and prayers!

Meanwhile...

I was hoping to have a baby during their fishing trip on Wednesday. After all, contractions had been going strong all night...and at 5am, I finally decided that it was time for the baby to come! I woke Jared up (after only 3 hours of sleep...because we were working hard on a Flower Jewelry wholesale order the night before), and we started walking and walking and walking. At 6am, I called the midwife, and she arrived by 6:45...15 minutes after my contractions decided to stop. DANG. So...no baby, yet. Here is the full-term belly in waiting...

The last few days have been busy with fulfilling Flower Jewelry orders, and writing up wholesale Wood Watch orders. So...I guess I was too nervous to have a baby in the midst of so many business projects. Now, they are all complete--and I am READY!! Now if only this baby would get the picture...

Fishing with Papa...

Again, Ben is a pretty cool Uncle. Not only did he arrange the family campfire night, but he also took Tyler and Ella fishing with Papa on his visit to Utah! Ella & Tyler had fun with the worms, of course...



And they caught a ton of fish! (for someone ELSE to eat...NO THANK YOU!)


Seriously...again...can you believe I'm related to this guy, and his mini-me clone?

Ella had a lot of success at the pond, and caught more fish than all 3 of the other boys! Way to go, Ella!

ELLA CAN!!

RIDE A BIKE, now!! Wahoo!!

Thanks to my Dad's tire-patching skills (and the brilliant idea to lower her seat)...Ella is now a training-wheel-free biking fool!! Wahooo!!

More summer fun...

While my brother, Ben, was visiting from Nashville...he arranged a family get-together up the Canyon at Bridal Veil Falls. We cooked hot dogs and s'mores over the campfire!


Climbed trees...sort of...


Balanced precariously on other tree limbs...(pictured are all cousins)...


And took a quick walk up to the Falls. On the left is my brother, Brian (the giant of the family at 5'11"), and on the far right is my other brother, Ben (the darkie). Spouses Jenny & Devri inbetween! Can you believe I'm related to both of these guys?! Do you see ANY similiarities?!!

Summer Fun!

Sisters...


Bridal Veil Falls with a 39-week preggo belly...


Ella wading in the water...


A fun visit from Ben (my brother) & Jenny & their cutie, Tyler...
and a fun game of Red Rover ensued...