Keeping Abreast!

I was offered the chance to take a lactation class this week. The last three days we went through a manual that was at least two inches thick. I have seen more nipples and breasts than anybody should in three days time. I have learned how to position a doll to latch correctly, and I have learned how to use almost any breast paraphernalia you could imagine.

I have always wanted to be able to help the NICU moms be more successful with breastfeeding, and I have nursed quite a litter myself, so I thought this would be interesting. Did I mention I got paid to go? Anyways, I learned quite a bit. I learned all the things I did wrong and that I would do differently if I had to do it all over again (please, no!).

I also learned some very funny names for lacation specialists. They aren't the favorite people in the hospital and they have been called nipple natzis for quite a while. I also heard, lactavist, boobologist, breastoppo, and titty twister.

That being said, I would like to think of myself as a lactavist. I really believe human milk is the gold standard and we should do all we can to help mothers achieve their goal of breastfeeding their babies. As long as it is their goal and we aren't "forcing" our agendas on them.

So to all my friends at work who may want to call me Sister Breast, go ahead. We can still be friends.

Those of you who have talked to me recently may have heard me whine about YW. I kept thinking it was time for a change and I probably needed to be done. Well, it has happened. I was released from Young Women's yesterday. I am not quite sure how I feel about it. Now I am sad. ( Have I mentioned that I have a lot of mood swings).

I have been the Mia Maid advisor for four and a half years. That is quite a long time. The girls that were in my class when I started are now in college and doing amazing things. It is really exciting to see them grow and change.

When I was first called, I was really nervous. Those of you who know me well know that I am a big geek. I was scared that the"hip" (by writing hip I have just proven that I am indeed a geek) teenagers would think I was just so uncool. But they took me right in and didn't care. (I think they liked laughing at me).

I was very lucky to be able to go to a couple of girls camps with Aly. We were able to have some really cool experiences together. Megan starts YW this year and I am sad that I won't be there with her. But their new leaders are awesome and they will do an incredible job. I will miss you guys!!!

Aly's Birthday

February is a crazy month at our house. Aly and Russ both have birthdays the same week as Valentines' Day. I didn't get any pictures of Russ' Birthday, but we had a good time with friends. He is too old to say his age, so I won't say it (42). He got me some gorgeous roses for Valentine's day but we didn't do anything special because his birthday is the day before so we usually just roll it all together. I guess that is better than a Christmas birthday.

We all know that the world revolves around teenagers, so Aly has all the pictures. And nobody does just one measly day of celebrating anymore, it is an extravaganza for days. The Friday before her Birthday, we went to the mall with her best friend. She blew through her money pretty fast. Then the girls went to try on prom dresses. Just one more year girls.

What a couple of hams.
Saturday Aly went for horseback riding. She loves horses. She has always been drawn to them. Last year up at Scout camp her love became a true obsession. I don't know a thing about them. So I payed for her to have a lesson. The lady was really nice. She put Aly through some paces and then decided she could handle it on her own. Her hour long lesson turned into a two hour romp. She loved it. Needless to say she couldn't sit down the next day. She would love to continue to ride, but it is so expensive so she will have to just bum rides when she can.

p.s. This horse's name is Purple.
On the way out of the arena, this is what she saw. What a day!!

Sunday we all gathered at her Grandma's house for a party. It is supposed to be a joint party for her and her dad, but poor dad always gets forgotten. I made her a carrot cake. Both Russ and Aly love carrot cake. I make it from scratch with carrots grated by hand. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.

Her cousins gave her five 2 liter bottles of Dr. Pepper. It is her favorite drink, but her dad won't let her have it at home. She was in heaven. Way to go Kyle and Kennedy!!!

Look at her protecting her treasure. The funny thing is we found out that her Great-Grandmother loved Dr. Pepper as well. She even had a two year supply.

Bottoms up!!

I feel old now that my first born is 15. Wow, time sure flies. It has been a joy to watch her grow and I can't wait to see what other amazing things she acomplishes. Love you Aly!!!!

Draper Temple Open House

Thursday night our family had the opportunity to go to the Draper Temple open house. It was a really neat experience for our whole family. I was nervous about taking the little kids, but they did great. I am so grateful that my kids had the experience of being in a temple and getting questions answered. Even though it hasn't been dedicated yet, the spirit was strong and we all felt it. It was super awesome to be in the celestial room with my family and imagine what it will be like when we can all be there together again. I highly recommend taking the time to go through the open house while you can.

Baby Henry

I know I should probably let Dantzel post first, but she is a little busy right now. It is really exciting, Baby Henry is here! He was born on the 13th. I was really honored that I was invited to the birthday party. Dantzel was nervous, but she did great! Henry was born at 8:35 pm weighing 8lbs 3oz. Dustin and Dantzel both seem super thrilled and are going to make awesome parents. Here they are with him moments after his birth. Aren't they cute!

We had a little pool going to see who could be the closest guess on date, time, etc. Dantzel totally won. She guessed Jan.13th at 8pm weight 8lbs 2 oz. I am trying to decide if she should get the prize (sucker) or not. Seems to me she had some inside information if you know what I mean.
Anyways, he is as cute as can be! I love babies, too bad they grow up so fast. Hopefully Dantzel won't get sick of me bugging her and I can play with Henry.

Here he is at home in his little bed. Doesn't he look like an angel on a cloud?

Binkies and bouncers, What would we do without them?

What a sweetheart! Welcome to the world Henry!!! Enjoy the ride!

Christmas 2008

I hope everybody had a very Merry Christmas. Ours was delightful. I know I am late posting, but since I just took the tree down yesterday, it doesn't seem too late. Nate and Sarah came out of their room one night all dressed up like Merry and Joseph. It was fun to see that they would do that without any prompting. Aren't they cute?
Christmas Eve we went to my mom's house and had food and fun. Once we got home the kids opened their present from us, new pj's. Nate made sure that we had cookies and carrots out for santa and the reindeer. Then we rushed them off to bed. Don't they look tired?

Here's Aly with all her loot. Yes, those are yellow skinny jeans. She is thrilled with them. Note the red camera. She loves taking pictures and then fixing them on photoshop. She is really good. We may have a future photographer on our hands.

Megan had a pretty good haul as well. The scooter is for her and Courtney, but of course we know he rides it most. They love it. A few days after Christmas Nate and Megan hit some ice and took a spill. But luckily nobody was hurt, except the scooter. The side got cracked. It is now officially broken in.

Courtney showing off her Demi Lovato CD and her other gifts. She wanted a ukulele since they are learning how to play them in her class this semester. She loves it and carries it around even though she hasn't learned how to play anything yet.

Nate loves his guitar. He has been asking for one forever. He has also really started to enjoy sports and the Utes are his favorites. He was thrilled with his Ute hat and Ute football. What more could a boy want (I probably shouldn't ask).

Sarah our little princess with Ariel and her dress-ups. She hasn't been in regular clothes for weeks now.

So there you have it, the spoiled lives of the Lund children. We really are blessed, not only with things of this world, but with each other.

Fantastic Sam

Well, Christmas break has started off with a bang. Today I was just taking it easy and messing around on the computer. In fact I was taking stupid quizzes on Facebook. Sarah and her friend Sam were playing quietly downstairs. Maybe a little too quietly. In fact, what are they doing? They were in Aly's room, and this is what I found... Oh my! Oh wow! Oh for the love....! I panicked at first. I wanted to scream, but I didn't. I thought that the black on Sam's face was permanent marker. Thank heavens it was only black lipstick left over from Halloween. His eyebrows may be dark for a while, but we got the rest off. Notice the little fury animal in Sam's hands, that is Sarah's hair. Yeah, I was a little upset. (Breathe Diane, Breathe)

I wish Sarah's hair was going to be such an easy fix. Oh boy! Well I was thinking about getting her hair cut a little bit (I emphasize a little).

So off we went to the professionals for a fix. It is kind of fitting that we went to Fantastic Sam's. Sarah didn't fight them either. I don't know if any of you remember when Nate cut Sarah's hair right before my nieces wedding. He cut her bangs right up to her scalp. I thought she had learned to say no. But she loves to please. When I was combing her hair later she said, "Can you comb it long." Well Sarah, I wish it was that easy. Since then she has asked a couple more times if I could make her hair long again. Maybe this time she will learn to dodge the scissors.

Well here she is with her cute a-line bob. All she needs now is a minivan and a couple of soccer playing kids and stick figure family on the rear window and she is the perfect mormon mom. I actually really like her hair. She looks adorable and sassy (just like her mom). It is not anything I would have dared to do on my own, so thanks Sam!