Red Tape Run Around

After three years (married in June 2009), I decided that maybe it was time to legally change my name.  Now seemed perfect since I have a lot more free time than normal.  My first step was to get my drivers license renewed.  With the new laws in Utah I knew that you practically have to give a DNA sample and your first born to get a license.  I went on the official state web site and looked at the list of necessary documents.  I left today armed with what I thought were all the right papers.  Clearly I got a little too cocky about it all. Turns out that even though the web site says that a drivers license serves as proof of ID, they have a different list there which says you can only use a birth certificate of passport.  I brought a pay stub, as directed, to prove that I have a valid social security number.  Too bad I didn't realize that the stub only lists part of my social security number, fail number two.  Final problem, I was supposed to bring proof of residency.  Again, I foolishly followed what the web site told me and took only one item of documentation, my bank statement.  But...according to the nice man behind the counter, two separate items were required.  Are you serious?  There was obviously no reason to argue, I knew who would win that one so I gathered my documents and tried to figure out if I had enough time to get home and back with all my documents.  Since that was unlikely, I headed to the Social Security office to change my name with them.  Let me just interject by saying that I hate the Social Security office.  I used to have to go there regularly for work and I hated it, there is a weird smell, strange people, and way too long to wait.  I got there and found a seat away from the unwashed masses.  During my half hour wait I again got cocky...I had downloaded and filled out the name change form and had my original marriage certificate.  What could go wrong?  After reviewing the documents, the agent asked to see my drivers license which I happily handed over.  He looked at it and said that he couldn't use it because my license had expired.  This had to be a joke.  I mentioned to him the cruel irony that I had just tried to get a valid drivers license.  Clearly today was not the day to get any of my errands accomplished and I am currently no closer to officially being Monica Whitesides.
Monday I need to start over, try again with all my new documentation.  I hope it will get done net week.  Turns out that everyone would like to see my passport - and of course I can't find it!

Aislinn

My friend Aislinn got married on Saturday, whoo whoo!  She and Mitch have been dating for about two years and are so great together.  It was so exciting to see them married and I feel honored to have been a part of their amazing day.  It was extra special for me and Tim because they got married at Heritage Gardens where we had our wedding.  It was fun to be back there for a wedding and hard to believe that it has been almost three years since we got married there.
I feel bad that I didn't take any pictures of her dress, luckily her mom posted some on Facebook.  The dress was absolutely beautiful, she looked stunning.  Hopefully they are off having a fabulous honeymoon.  Congratulations!

They had a photo booth at the wedding,
Everyone had a great time taking fun shots, even the bride.

Her shoes were fabulous!

This was Luke's first outing that did not include a doctor's office.
He did great and we loved having a chance to show him off.

Week Three

It is so hard to believe that my boy is already three weeks old.  He went to the doctor this week and is up to 8lb 10 oz, the doctor was really happy with the weight gain.  While there he got circumcised which was traumatic for all of us, but he only seemed to feel better pretty quickly.  In the last few days he has changed so much.  He is getting bigger and his features are different. Tim and I just keep looking at the differences in him and already feel like he is growing up too fast. He is very reactive and follows voices and movements and is soothed by singing and shushing noises.  Other than when he is super mad,he is very snuggly, my favorite part of the day is just holding and loving him.

My friend Amy came to visit,
I think Luke loved her and I loved the company.

These clothes are still slightly too big,
But when he came home from the hospital they literally
Fell off because he was so skinny.

Keep eating Luke!

When T holds him Luke looks even smaller.

The Woman Who Wasn't There

I watch a lot of morning TV when I am at the gym - I used to anyway.  I saw the authors of this book interviewed on the Today Show and the book just sounded fascinating.  Amazon and I have a fabulous relationship so when I asked, my good "friends" there shipped the book right to me.  

What's it about, well thanks for asking...

It was a tale of loss and recovery, of courage and sorrow, of horror and inspiration. Tania Head’s astonishing account of her experience on September 11, 2001—from crawling through the carnage and chaos to escaping the seventy-eighth-floor sky lobby of the burning south tower to losing her fiancé in the collapsed north tower—transformed her into one of the great victims and heroes of that tragic day.

Tania selflessly took on the responsibility of giving a voice and a direction to the burgeoning World Trade Center Survivors’ Network, helping save the “Survivor Stairway” and leading tours at Ground Zero, including taking then-governor Pataki, Mayor Bloomberg, and former mayor Giuliani on the inaugural tour of the WTC site. She even used her own assets to fund charitable events to help survivors heal. But there was something very wrong with Tania’s story—a terrible secret that would break the hearts and challenge the faith of all those she claimed to champion.

Told with the unique insider perspective and authority of Angelo J. Guglielmo, Jr., a filmmaker shooting a documentary on the efforts of the Survivors’ Network, and previously one of Tania’s closest friends, The Woman Who Wasn’t There is the story of one of the most audacious and bewildering quests for acclaim in recent memory—one that poses fascinating questions about the essence of morality and the human need for connection at any cost. 

I have to admit I read some parts of it while up with the baby in the middle of the night so a few parts are fuzzy, but overall I thought the book was fascinating.  I am intrigued by people and why they do what they do, so this true story was especially interesting.  The only thing missing was an interview with Tania.  I really wanted her version of the events and an explanation for her actions but I'm sure I'm not the only one.  I would give it a solid B+

If anyone wants to borrow the book let me know and I will send it to you.  I won't read it again and am trying to limit the books I keep to books that I absolutely loved.

Jesse Prom 2012

Seriously, how cute is this girl.  I hate that she lives in Dallas, way too far away for me to be there for all of these fun moments.  Thank goodness for email, cell phones, etc. so I can at least be a part of everything from afar.

Jessica and TJ

Megan, Jess, and AV
These girls have been friends and played soccer together
Since they were little girls.

Week Two

Week 2 of Luke's life passed so quickly.  I was exhausted at the end of each day, but not sure what I had accomplished other than keeping the little man fed and changed.  And really, what more could I want than time to love and snuggle my boy.  Wednesday I ventured out of the house for an appointment and a quick trip to the grocery store.  It was the first time I had left Luke and it felt strange to be out on my own.  My friend Melissa came to visit that afternoon, sorry Lis, I'm not sure how I missed getting a picture with you.  Wednesday night we attempted newborn shots with Jami.  She tells me that he is not the hardest baby she has ever shot, but it was a little rough.  He was not a fan of the outfits she put him in, or being posed.  He spent way too much time without a diaper and seriously peed on me at least 5 different times.  Ada was the best helper and had to stay up till we were finished to do her work at Jami's "assistant".  By the time the session was over, we all were exhausted.  

It's been so fun just getting to know Luke's personality, although I'm already a little worried that he may have inherited a little of my stubbornness.  We are all adjusting to each other and our new (and improved) lives.  It still sometimes feels like a dream that he is really ours, but I can imagine any better dream.

Hailey and Roman surprised us and came from Arizona to visit.
Hailey also brought a cooler full of milk,
Seriously, the most generous gift ever.

Roman is no longer the baby in the family,
I can't believe that he has turned into such a little boy,
He spent most of the visit playing with the basketball,
Foootball, exercise ball, etc.

Saturday Tim's sister Shauna and her family
Came from Syracuse to meet and visit Luke.
Jordan and Joshua were so good with the baby.

Carl was such an old pro.

Not only did they come to visit, but
Shauna brought us some amazing muffins.
Thanks for the visits!

The first week

The time is passing so quickly, I love having pictures to document how quickly Luke is growing.  The first few days we were home were kind of a blur.  He had jaundice when we left the hospital so on Tuesday, the day after we brought him home we had to go back to the hospital to get his bilirubin checked - luckily it was fine so we didn't have to have any more follow up.  That night I got really sick with a 102 degree fever and chills that made my entire body shake.  So, Wednesday we were at my doctor's office first thing and then off to the pharmacy for medication for the infection trying to ruin my day.  Later that afternoon we had to take Luke to the pediatrician's office to make sure he was gaining weight and eating ok.  It's amazing how exhausting all of that can be a few days after having a baby.  The rest of the week was pretty mellow comparatively.  The kids came on Saturday morning which was great - the first time they met their new brother.  Sunday afternoon we all went for a walk - a very slow one - but it was great to be outside and moving.  Hard to believe we already had one week with our boy.

Grandma and dad gave him his first bath.

I think grandpa kind of likes him.

After a long night, this is where I found my boys.

So fun to have a visit from Cory and Jenna,
Calvin brought his Batman for Luke to play with.

Luke loved Cory,
All of my brothers are kind of baby whisperers.

First time meeting their new brother.

B was so cute with Luke

Even T got a chance to feed him.

It was so sweet,
B brought several of his toys to see what Luke liked best.

These monkeys think the baby is pretty great,
They are just so excited that he is finally out of my belly.