A rainy week.

It has been a rainy week here in St. Louis. Of course, this is the time when I have a break from school so instead of going out to enjoy the weather we have had to find lots of fun things to do inside. Last week we went to the YMCA and went swimming with dad! Although it was a lot of work to bring him to the pool it was pretty fun seeing his face in the pool as Chris was lightly touching his belly in the water and lifting him up. I even got to go on the big kid red slide.
Costco to is an event when you take a baby. It is one of the only carts of all grocery stores to somewhat fit a car seat and groceries. Otherwise I have to wear Bowen and my lower back is killing me!
We had a couple of play dates this week with Jude and some church friends. We also met a girl from my parenting class Veronika and Damacia. They have been our buddies for mom and yoga class and this week we went to the mall. It's so funny two mom's and their babies going to the mall on a rainy cold day. Never thought I would do it but hey it is social interaction. Bowen is very social and likes to see other babies. I guess his mom likes to be social too.

Instead of celebrating cinco de mayo we celebrated cinco de quatro to avoid the crowds. We went to our favorite mexican restaurant Chimichangas. I am going to miss this place when we leave STL. I think we go here at least once every two weeks.

Chris and I went on our first date night this week. We went to see Guardians of the Galaxy and left Bowen with one of our Young Women in the ward AJ Tizai. 30 mins into the movie, do you have a suggestion on how to calm him down ;) I didn't see this text right away, so I responded about 30 mins late. Is he asleep? I guess she said Baby Einsteins calmed him down. Don't really want my baby watching TV that young but I guess that is what you pay for! Although we payed good  money $10 an hour plus a homemade meal!

We also had the missionaries over this week. I didn't know one was lactose intolerant. Chris thought that lasagna in the crock pot sounded good so I went and got all the ingredients. I felt so bad! He said he loves PB & J s so we loaded him up with a good sandwich. It makes me miss my brother on his mission, we get to see him on mother's day though!

We also had John and Hang Tran over for dinner. We had some good grilled chicken and potatoes and played NES classic games. Chris is handing over the chief card to Hang. Only one more month until we move to Utah! Wow it is going to go by so fast!!



Just hanging at the YMCA!


Bowen and I at the Botanicals


Met my colleague at lunch


Flora and Bowen

Nashville Road Trip

Putting all my baby equipment after music class I was proud to say that I did not leave Bowen. I did in fact leave my phone on the top of the car. After driving for 5 mins I remembered this small detail. Hurriedly at the red light I frantically search for my phone. I pull over at the next available spot and thank goodness my phone is still up there.

Today, I was thinking man, Bowen hasn't pooped in a long time it was 4pm and his last dirty diaper I changed was at 7am that morning. The moment I had this realization my hands were cupped and I had a melted ice cream sundae in my hands.

Bowen has his sun downing time at 7pm. Today we had friends over and sure do you know it's 7pm. That shrill of a cry will pierce your ears. Wrap him tight in a "milk burrito" and you have Bowen.

Nashville is about a 4 1/2 hour drive from Saint Louis since we had to leave after Chris's work Bowen had his fussy time. What do you know it, 7pm rolls by and Bowen is crying. After a solid 40 mins of crying and music turned up we don't hear Bowen anymore. Good news, Bowen is still alive.

Nashville was awesome, ya it wasn't the same as it would have with Chris and I but it was so fun watching Bowen listen to the music and watch all that was going on. We went to the Country Music Hall of Fame- we got to see Elvis's car and T Swifts Love Story dress, we went to the Parthenon park, we had some tasty BBQ and Texas Style Mexican Food. We went downtown and jogged around TN. We even attempted to go swimming in the pool at our hotel. Pool was a little cold for Bowen but we still got in our swimsuits :) No cowboy hat but we did manage to get another addition to our tradition of collecting one ornament a year, this year it is an Elvis ornament.

These last couple of weeks we went to the Botanicals, we went to music class, Gymboree, we went to the zoo, and swimming. This boy likes to get out, and let me tell you yes he loves to shop, good boy, someone I can shop with, not like my husband.

Countdown is on! Less than two months until we go back to good ol' Alpine Utah the most diverse place in the nation to the blind.

Shots are rough

I got to play soccer for the first time in 9 or more months! I was definitely rusty but it felt good to be out on the field. My eyesight at night is terrible and with the headlamps on bright I feel like I can barely see the ball. I imagined getting those awesome basketball glasses that they wear for protection just because I hate putting in contacts that much. We have another game tonight at 9:30pm. First time leaving Bowen with someone other than family- with our neighbor Noelle! I hope he sleeps...

I planned lots of things when I got back from Utah to keep my mind off home! I love being in Utah but I got to live it up while I can in STL. I am going to miss my friends here. We have such a good support group and everyone always watches out for each other. We planned a little pool outing one day at the Y and Bowen got to splash in the pool for the first time! He loved it. I don't have any pictures only a video. The lifeguard wouldn't take any, go figure right ;). 

Bowen also had his 2 month shots although he is now 3 months. Had to wait until I got back from Utah. He did really well but then the couple nights after were not so fun. I read if you give them Tylenol it makes the vaccinations less effective because sometimes they develop a fever which helps their immune system recognize those vaccinations. In the long run I think I wish I would have given him the meds, who knows really if it REALLY decreases its effectiveness .We had a couple of afternoons with Chris which was really fun since he never gets afternoons off! We met up with Tracy and Cory my next door neighbors in Alpine and they took us out to Pappys BBQ. Man I'm going to miss that place. We also had a BANG night with some resident friends. Chris was Sheriff obv.

I met Cory and Tracy at the zoo one day. I feel like a good goal for me is to get out of the house at least once a day at least! This boy likes to be on the go, but I have to admit it he has a mom who likes it too. 

This weekend we did a Spring cleaning while Chris worked on his research paper. I got a bunch of moving boxes and am going to start packing up slowly so I don't have to do it all at once. We picked up our half marathon packets and while their we asked them about jogging strollers. No jogging strollers around. Shoot.. we had no idea. We tried to scramble a possibility of a friend coming over to watch Bowen in the morning but at 6 am I just felt awful asking anyone. So Chris stayed behind with Bowen and met me during the race and at the finish line. I have a good little support group.

The night before the race we went over to Chris's resident friend who made authentic Indian food. It did not sit well the day of the race and both Chris and I felt sick to our stomachs. Running did not help either on an upset stomach. Although not my best it was a fun course that went through Budweiser Factory, Lafayette, Forest park- although that was the marathon, the City Musuem, and ended at the Arch. It smelt like the dungeons downtown. Pee, poo, vomit whatever it was with a combo of that indian food I felt like a was going to puke any minute. We were treated with toasted ravioli and Ted Drewes ice cream at the finish line. Does that really sound appetizing to people at 9 am in the morning??

Lots of pictures ahead! Good times in STL. 

Love you all. 

Bowen has almost found his thumb....