Catching Flies With Honey

We are having more and more fun with Jordan's mobility... or at least Jordan and Caio are having more and more fun with her mobility. Mom is becoming more and more frustrated with it. We have had quite a few flies recently and have been placing fly traps all over the house to try and help. Well Jordan found one in the garbage and was covered in fly trap goop on her arms and hands and face--yes, my baby tried eating a fly trap. I couldn't wash it off at all... my only consolation was that no flies had been caught on that particular fly trap yet. I was so distraught. Luckily, the glue came off on its own by the end of the day.
We bought a pink headband with a little brown flower on it and I have loved putting her in it all the time. I hope to post a picture of her in this within the next couple of days. She is so cute. She tries pulling it off a lot, but ... well we just stick it back on.
Caio is saying full sentences now. It is so cute. He comes up with these words that I dont know where he gets them from. Today he showed me a picture of a tennis racket in one of his books and said "Look, Mom! A ping-pong paddle." I was blown away. A few minutes later he correctly identified a "Pillar!" LOL!
Well... That is all I have time fore.
Take care,
Ginger

Marcio Has Cooties!!!!

This morning during morning scripture studies I was having trouble keeping my eyes open, so I moved over to the couch on the other side of the room. Marcio looked at me and said, "I know what you are doing! You think I have cooties!" I responded, "That's right! I do think you have cooties! I even think your cooties are coot! I am just glad that both of your cooties are still sleeping right now!"
Well, speaking of the kids, they are getting bigger every day. I can't believe how quickly they grow up. I remember hearing my parents say that when I was younger and thinking that it made them sound so old and un-cool, but now that I am here... well I guess it is what it is.
Caio surprised us by saying his own prayers about a week or two ago. He doesn't want help and he does a really good job. Marcio and Rigo heard him a few days before I ever did, but the first prayer I heard him offer was over breakfast one day. He thanked Heavenly Father for Jordan, Mommy, Bamba's house, Uncle Tom and lights. I giggled a little under my breath, but I was so pleased! He continues to be such a good boy and a blessing to our family. Today I heard him talking to Jordan in the kitchen and when I went to the door to look I saw that he had put a baby blanket over both of their heads and the two of them were giggling and having fun. I just thought, "Wow! I love being a mom!"
Jordan smiles ALL of the time (almost :-D). She loves to follow C.J. and try and do whatever he is doing, but she is definitely her own person. She is happy and independent and curious and content all at the same time. She is crawling and climbing up things and she wants to eat solids like everyone else. She has tried to walk a few times, but she still hasn't taken her first steps. She is trying less now than she was about a month ago, but I think I like it better that way. I remember longing for Caio to grow older and do new things, but now I regret that. I am wiser now about babies. I know that you can only hold them for such a short period of time before they get too big to snuggle. I dont want Jordan to be a toddler. I watched her sleeping last night and couldn't help but think that she really is my Princesa Amada (beloved princess).
I am just so blessed with my little family!
Ginger

"Where's Your's Jackets, Penkins?"

I know I should probably be writing about my husband's grandmother arriving from Brazil yesterday or all of the preparations we have been making for her coming. Perhaps I should tell of all the things that have happened in the last month that have occupied most of my time or caused the most interruption, but instead I want to focus on all of the wonderfully small and whimsical things that have made my time as a mother beautiful this last month; things like pumpkin seeds and pink dresses and penguins.
I woke up this morning a little early, while the house was at its quietest and the world was just beginning to be bathed in the soft gray, pre-dawn light of morning. I sipped at a glass of water and looked through my kitchen window when something in the windowsill caught my eye. Two little leafs peaking out of a paper cup. I had only thought of that cup once or twice since I put it there a couple of weeks ago. I didn't know anything was really growing inside it. I looked closer and realized that, sure enough, a tiny pumpkin plant has begun to take root and sprout up. Caio planted the seed in nursery at church. He was so proud and excited when he carried it out of the class and handed it to me. He was so ready for a big hug and lots of kisses too. He has gotten old enough and confident enough that he isn't afraid of going to nursery alone anymore. When he sees that we are getting closer to the room he starts pulling us toward the door and calling out "Want Toys!!" with much anticipation. It warms my heart so much when I get to be the one who picks him up after church because he is always excited to see me. His nursery teachers are wonderful and he is always bringing home little projects that he has colored or pasted at church. Looking at that tiny pumpkin plant beginning to grow reminds me of my little boy in a very poignant and symbolic way. It reminds me that he is growing up--that he isn't my baby any more. I never understood why that kind of thing would make some mothers so emotional... Until now.
Caio has been showing signs of compassion over the last few weeks and I feel a sense of relief seeing the beginning of those kinds of feelings in him. I used to wonder how you teach a child compassion and empathy and when you start and whether I would fail with my children. Then we checked out the movie March of the Penguins from the library and watched it as a family. C.J. loved the movie and started asking for "penkins" every day. It just so happens that he has a couple of penguin toys and a "Tux" the penguin stuffed animal. One day, he and I got sick and had to lay down the whole day, so I told him he could watch whatever movies he wanted to. He chose "penkins" and I put it in. He grabbed Tux and started whispering in his ear to look at the penguins on the screen and was telling him which ones he thought were mommies and which he thought were daddies. At one point I had left to change Baby Girl's diaper when Caio ran in and frantically called me back to the television. "Loke! Loke, Mommy!" he cried, "It's cold!" I looked at the on-screen blizzard and agreed that it did look cold. I could tell that baby boy was worried and he ran up to the screen, concern written all over his face, and he began calling out, "Where's Your's Jackets, Penkins? Where's Your's Jackets, Penkins?!?!?" He turned and looked at his own stuffed animal and informed me that Tux was missing pants and diapers. He began running around the house in search of penguin sized pants and diapers. When he gave up a few minutes later he hugged his penguin closer and kept him warm with his own body heat.
Just two days ago I was nursing Jordan when I heard Caio crying and whimpering. He came into the bedroom where we were and looked so sad. I asked him what was wrong, but he just kept sniffling and whimpering without a word. "Did you get hurt? Do you need kisses better?" I asked. He just stood there looking at me while he wept quietly. I decided he needed his mommy right then and so I unlatched Jordan and put her down. She began to fuss and voice her displeasure and Caio immediately stopped crying and looked alarmed. I reached to scoop him up in my arms when he began protesting, "No, Mommy! Baby nurse, Mommy! Baby turn nurse, Mommy! Please, Mommy! Please baby turn nurse Mommy!" I was surprised to see this reaction and I said, "I think Mommy needs to hug Caio first and give kisses." It pleased me to see the love and concern that he showed for his sister. He is such a good boy.
Speaking of Jordan: she giggles all of the time. She is wonderful. I was going through her clothes on Friday and sorting them by sizes. I found a pretty pink dress and turned to show it to her. "You can wear this one when you are about six months old," I stated. Suddenly she looked up at me and pulled her arms up next to her cheeks and squealed in delight. It was so funny and cute and right on cue that I could have sworn she new exactly what I had said and was expressing her girlish delight at the prospect of wearing such a beautiful outfit. I decided to show her the next one too. "Oh, Look!" I held it up, "This one is for six months too!" She again broke out an ear to ear grin and pulled her arms up tight and squealed. I smiled so big. I have never been big on girly things and the color pink, but I found myself excited to be showing my baby girl all of the pink things she would get to wear in the coming months. I pulled another one out and looked at the tag. "O my!" I smiled at her, "you can wear this one next month!!!" This time she pulled her arms in again and let out the loudest and happiest squeal yet (even she looked surprised after she did it). I laughed so hard I got tears in my eyes. I am so happy to be a mom to a girl.
Well I can hear people waking up. I think Baby Girl will need her breakfast soon. Thanks for reading.
Goodbye :-)

Pictures

I want to put a lot of pictures in here that I have had trouble getting out of my camera. I guess I will start with some photos we took last July. We went for a famiy hike one day and got a lot of great shots of Baby Boy and the family. I hope you like them.
Ginger

"Want Choc-it, Honey!"

My poor baby boy has been becoming more and more sick with a cold. Last night he was up for most of the night (my poor husband taking care of him while i tended to baby girl). Today he slept and slept through the entire morning. I was getting so worried and feeling a little guilty for having such a good morning alone with my beautiful daughter.
Jordan finally went down for a nap somewhere between noon and 1 PM and I took the opportunity to try to wake Caio up. He rolled over grogily and I asked if he was hungry.
"I huuuuungy!" he responded sleepily.
"Do you want some food?" I asked.
His eyes didn't even open. "Want food." Then he rolled over and immediately went back to sleep.
I gave up and went into the kitchen to get some chores done. About five minutes later I heard little footsteps coming into the kitchen and a little voice saying, "Mommy?"
I turned around and smiled at my handsome, sick boy and put on my best excited voice, "Good morning! Did you sleep well?"
He didn't even miss a beat as he responded, "Want choc-it, Honey!" Meaning that he wanted chocolate milk. I laughed and was just relieved that he was finally awake.
He got a good breakfast and a glass of chocolate milk.
O... quick explaination: Usually he calls me Mommy and sometimes Mom, but he has begun to call me Honey from time to time under certain circumstances and I haven't quite picked up what those circumstances are.
Anyway. It is time for me to leave again.
Ginger

Collin The Baby Whisperer

I haven't even looked yet to see when my last post was or what it was about. I am pretty sure that it was before I knew I was pregnant again. We had a girl as of January 2, 2008. She was born at 12:38 PM weighing 8lb 10oz and measuring 20" long. She was born with at least as much hair as her brother and has been such a joy.
Caio is already such a good big brother and likes to try and help with her from time to time. He will ask to hold her and then tell us that he is done after just a couple of seconds. She prefers me to almost every other person (including Marcio) which is very good for my ego :-) and the opposite of Caio who only liked being taken care of by my husband. The biggest exception to this rule is my nephew Collin, who likes to hold her and walk with her. He seems to be able to take her when she is at full throttle and calm her to the point that she is sleeping within minutes. I remember that I used to be able to do that with babies when I was younger, but I lost the ability somewhere in my older teenage years/younger twenties.
Well... speaking of baby... she calls! :-) Time to go do my mommy thing.
Take care.
Ginger

"This is a Coke!"

So, I am back. I apologize to all those who have actually checked back here over the last few months. Thanks for your interest. I will try to catch you all up on what has gone on for us since last November.
Marcio was promoted in December and we were, of course, very pleased. In February we began the purchase of our first home and moved in after the first week in April. Incidentally, Marcio was unexpectedly promoted again the day after we closed on the house, which was a huge blessing from Heavenly Father.
Things have been really great in our new home. We have really appreciated the neighborhood and the proximity to friends and family. Marcio's brother returned from his mission last December as well and moved in with us shortly after we moved into our new home. His name is Rodrigo (Rigo) and he lives in a room in our basement. He is going to college right now and has been a joy to have in our home. Caio especially loves him. Speaking of missions and missionaries. My brother, Andrew, left on a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in March. And speaking of my beloved son, he has been growing up so much. He is now 19 months old and is less of a baby every day. I love him so much!!!!
He now has a growing vocabulary (ball, bubble, duck, shoe (and shoes), nose, knee, mouth, mamma, dad, this, that, etc.). It has been such a joy. We all love it. A little over a month ago he would go around the house pointing at things and asking what they were by saying "This?" or "That?" until we would tell him what it was. We didn't get what he was doing at first, but when we figured it out we were good to play along, not sure what was really sinking in; but it was nice that he was understanding what we were saying to him better and better. Then one day he was pointing at a wall and asking me, "This? This?" and I said, "Wall." He looked at me and smiled and pointed again and said twice, very clearly, "This, Wall. This, Wall." I just about fell over. He has never said the word wall since, but he continued to ask what things were and our communication with him has become increasingly better since then. Then on the 3rd of July, we were on our way to see a fireworks display and my husband sat in the backseat with him for a minute. Caio became so excited that he started babbling for a little bit and then grabbed his little left foot and said, "This is a shoe!" A day or two after that while I was giving him a bath he picked up a rubber duck and told me, "This is a duck!" I can't do it justice in writing because he has a very strong "baby accent" (LOL) ;-) but it is very distinguishable to us. Today, Marcio got a little sick to his stomache and feverish. I got him a Coke to try and help out and pulled out my other nursing magic that I can remember seeing my own mother do. He became better after only a couple of hours and came out with his bottle of Coke to watch some TV with the family. Since we rarely have soda pop in the house, Caio became interested and walked over to the bottle and started pointing and asking, "This? This?" Marcio answered, "Coke." Then CJ repeated a few times, "This is a Coke," while pointing to the bottle.
Another funny thing that happened tonight was the increasing bravery of Baby Boy. Now that he is a walker (well it would be more acurate to call him a runner/dancer since he does those more than walking) he has also become quite the talented climber, so his nerve has been ever increasing, anyway. Well, tonight he stood on the edge of the couch cushion and decided it was time for him to become a jumper. His first attempt was a little shaky, but he quickly gained courage and momentum. After a couple of successful jumps I began doing a "one-two-three" countdown for him, which he loved. After doing that a couple of times he would climb on the couch and hold up his index finger and say something along the lines of "wee-wuh-ah-ah" or something like that and then jump. When Marcio joined us later, CJ decided to show off and jumped up there and held his finger up and said his little mantra and jumped. When I explained to Marcio what he was doing, we both laughed and began helping provide the countdown for the proud performer.
Really, everything has been so great for us that I am just so happy. I forgot to mention earlier that I am expecting baby number two (the due date is New Year's Day 2008, but we'll see).
I will post again soon. Maybe this time I will get some updated pics on here.
Take Care!

Caiosaurus Rex

We had so much fun on Halloween. Everyone thought CJ was so cute (and I really can't blame them because I thought so too). No trick-or-treaters came by our place, but we did have some family over to eat pizza and watch movies. I made the costume with the help of my next door neighbor, Peggy, but I think it looks at least as good as a store bought costume. I was so pleased with how it all turned out. My parents' wedding anniversary was on the 29th and I showed it off there. Unfortunately for Caio, we had to put it on him about four times just to show it off to everyone who kept coming. Anyway. I also wanted to show a great picture that my friend, Tammi, took of my baby boy. She is doing so great with her photography. She has been working extra hard and I think she is fabulous!!! Right now I am getting ready to attend a book club on the 9th that is being started by a TJEd (Thomas Jefferson Education method) homeschooler. Our first bookclub book is A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver Van DeMille. It is really good (and since I have my own copy and am planning on using this method to homeschool my own children, I am really happy to read it again). I also watched my sister's kids over the weekend so she could attend a conference and she bought me a copy of the new book A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion by Oliver DeMille, Rachel DeMille, and Diann Jeppsen. I am really excited to start reading this as soon as I am through with the book club book.
Well, the whole reason I am going into all of this is because there are three questions that a Thomas Jefferson Education asks and I thought I would take the time to answer them here.
1--What books are your companions through life?
This is kind of a tricky question for me. When I think about how this question is phrased, I immediately notice the word companion. I think of a companion as a person that stays with you and walks with you through everything--someone who will be there no matter what no matter where. Then there is always the stipulation "through life." I think the books that have been and that I choose to be my companions through life are the Book of Mormon, the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, the Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Shakespear. I am sure there are others, but these are the books that I am always coming back to over and over in my life that I think of right now. Books that are with me through a lot of things.
2--If you were evacuated to another planet and could only take one book, upon which to base the whole teaching of your family and establishing right and wrong for your community, what would it be?
Hmmm... I wonder if a Quad counts (this includes the Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine and Covenants). If not, I think I would have to say the Book of Mormon, bar none.
3--What is good? What is evil?
Well, as politically incorrect as this may seem: things that draw men toward God's presence are good; things which take men away from God's presence are evil. The End!

Well, now that I have answered those things, I think I will get back to reading this book.
Toodles! :-D

CAPOEIRA!!!

Wow! My husband just had me watch a few videos on Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art that originated in Africa, but came to Brazil with the slaves). We had already toyed with the idea of having our kids do Capoeira (pronounced: cap-oh-aid-uh), but after seeing this I keep thinking that I really do want my kids to be a part of this. It is really athletic, and amazing to watch.
We'll see what happens when C.J. is a little older. ;-)
(By the way, I linked two different you tube videos of Capoeira demonstrations to the word: Capoeira in the previous text :-D).
In other news. Tomorrow I am taking my mom to Idaho. We are going to see her oldest sister. Marcio and I have been together for almost 3 years and married for 2 1/2 years and he has never met her. We are going to take Caio with us and show him off and everything too. I hope he does okay with the trip.
Wish us luck!

Great Day!

We had such a nice slow morning today! CJ crawled all over the bed pounding on our faces and running away and giggling over and over while Marcio and I talked about nothing and everything. Then we got up and did a few chores while Marcio worked on fixing a broken TV he picked up (one of his latest hobbies). All together, this was one of those really nice slow days that I love. And I really needed it--this week has been really hard, long and stressful.
Anyway. This afternoon we decided to head out for a drive with the intention of having a picknick at a park, but CJ fell asleep instead. We drove about 15 to 20 minutes away to a place we go fairly often and found a park that was right across the street that neither of us had ever noticed before. We got out of the car and walked around and found a huge stone amphitheater right in the middle of it all. There was a plaque that said it was built at the end of the Depression to provide government jobs. It was really, REALLY cool and we had a ton of fun exploring with baby boy.
We finished with just enough time to go shopping for a present for Marcio's brother and make it to the birthday party (his brother turns 17 on Mon. and we bought 4 EFY style cds and dvds (J. Bytheway and 2 others)). By the time we got home we were all a little burned out, I think.
I don't know what I am going to do about a costume for Caio. I want to make a dinosaur costume. My next door neighbor is willing to help, so hopefully it will be done soon. Wish me luck!

Lots of Pictures

I haven't put pictures on here forever. I have been trying to get some in here, and now that I am finally able to do it I am going to try and catch everyone up on our pictures. There are some of Caio before and after his hair cut. All of the pictures were taken on the same day. I will have to put some of the pictures of the actual hair cut later. Marcio and I are having so much fun being parents right now.
Caio has begun saying "Bah-bah" and waving his hands every time we leave. He did this the other day (completely un-provoked). Marcio was walking out the back door and C.J. called out "Bah-bah" and we bothed looked with open mouths and wide eyes to see our little boy waving his hand at Marcio. We were stunned but excited. It was late at night but I called and bugged half my family anyway. LOL! I couldn't help myself. He has been climbing onto the couches and getting into everything. He is just so much fun that I can't believe it.
Today I was giving him a bath and turned my back to put something away in the bathroom. When I turned back he was standing up and had one whole leg hanging out of the tub and he was trying to climb out. I was so scared for him! I said, "Hey!!!" and he looked up at me, quickly pulled his leg back into the tub and sat down again. Then he looked up at me and smiled, swishing his hand back and forth in the water as though he hadn't done anything. I just can't believe how much he is growing up every day.

For My Dad

My dad asked me why I wasn't posting anything any more lately (yes, my dad reads my blog to keep informed about everything that is important to me). I hadn't realized, I guess, that I haven't posted for a while because I have been working on my blog... I just haven't been successful at what I was trying to do. I have some really cute pictures of baby boy taken by my friend. She is always doing such amazing things. She is quite the talented lady!
I guess I will put some of our most recent stories here.
The other day, my mother-in-law showed me something I didn't know about my baby boy--he says "Brum-Bruh-Bruh" whenever he plays with a toy car. I didn't know this because I don't have any toy cars at my place, but I guess that she has one and whenever she gives him the car she makes a "Bbbbbrrrrrruhm!" noise and then gives it to him to play. :-D
He claps his hands a lot too and says "Yeah!" over and over. That is one of my favorite of his tricks. And whenever Marcio changes his diapers he says, "Bluck!!!" (that is what Marcio says every time he changes Caio's diapers too :-P).
The past couple of weeks have been pretty busy, but I am hoping things slow down soon (like that will happen). My sister-in-law is due to have her baby one week from today and I am really excited for her too. I am hoping to begin sewing a Halloween costume for C.J.
Okay... my writing is really in trouble tonight and I think I need to try and put things up.... Baby boy is getting fussy here in my arms, anyway, and I can't think about writing and being a good mom at the same time.
Goodnight everyone!

Such a GOON!!!

I can't believe how embarrassed I am! I shouldn't even say why... I am not even sure I will...
Long story short (and without revealing my secret embarrassment), there has been something that has been bothering me about my blog/blogging that I have not told anyone besides Marcio and last night I discovered that it was all my fault. I corrected it and am thinking that I am really, really glad that I haven't told anyone about what I was thinking. Now I am blushing shamelessly and at the same time, I feel so much happier now that I figured it all out.
As for today, C.J. is just getting cuter and cuter every day. I am so in love with my little boy. He is also so attached to me! I guess I never realized what it would be like to be on this side of the parent/child bond. Wow! Is it great, or what?
Tomorrow I am going to be watching my sister's kid's overnight. They will get here around 2 PM and they will pick them up around noon on Sunday. I am both excited and nervous. She is the proud (and wonderful/awe-inspiring) mother of six, 5 of which will be staying with us. They are really good kids, though, so I am not too concerned. I am just hoping to be helpful.
Tonight my mother-in-law watched my baby while we went on a much needed date together. We went out to eat and then bowling and then home. I had such a blast bowling again. I actually did better this time than I have since I met my husband. I got a strike and about five spares on our first game and actually was able to score more than 50 points (I know that shouldn't be something I ought to brag about, but :-) for me it is :-D). Marcio took me bowling on our very first date together, so it kind of feels reminiscent every time we go together.
Well... I think I hear my baby calling for me (and my husband trying to take care of it alone).
Good Night everyone!

Happy Love Thursday!!!

I was reading a post on my friend's blog entitled "Love Thursday" and I thought I would follow the links to see what she was talking about. If you want to know more about it you will just have to visit the site yourself. :-) I really like the idea of Love Thursday. Really, I like thinking about all of the people I love. I wish I could put all of them on here. Actually, mabey I will. Maybe I will begin making every Thursday a "Love Thursday." We will see I guess.
I know that technically the day has already expired and it is now Friday, but I get my best blogging done when everyone is sleeping quietly and my house is still. So for me it is still Thursday and I have a lot of love in me to carry over anyway.
I wanted to post this picture as a representation of the two biggest loves of my life. This picture was taken shortly after five of the most challenging days of my life. All I have to say is, I am so in love with both my baby and my man and I don't want to picture life without either one of them.
I wish I could make this post longer, but I hear my baby waking up for another nursing.
Happy Love Thursday everyone!!!

More and More...

Caio just keeps growing up. It is amazing to watch.
Saturday afternoon he began trying to clap. Every time he gets really happy or excited he hits the sides of his fists together and calls out, "Aaay-ee!!!" He is also getting into everything!
I already mentioned his love for his stuffed animals, but Caio also likes us to play with him with the stuffed animals. Saturday we each took one and had some family stuffed animal fun. He climbs everything and is trying to figure everything out.
Sunday, in Relief Society, he decided to try his voice out again. He just kept getting louder and louder until I was pretty sure that nobody around me could hear the teacher. At that point I took him into the foyer until I was pretty sure that it was disrupting that ward's sacrament meeting. Then I took him into the bathroom where he flirted shamelessly with the baby in the mirror until I was pretty sure he would be okay for the rest of Relief Society.
I am just very happy to be his mom.
Wednsday we are going to get family pictures done with my parents' family. I will have to see if I am able to post any pictures from that for everyone to see what he is looking like today. His hair has grown so long, but we are planning on cutting it within the next week or two (just in time for more pictures of him). Anyway. I have to go now. Check back in with y'all later. :-D

Churrasco!

Churrasco (pronounced: shoo-hah-scoe) is the Brazilian word for barbecue. And tonight we had one at our house for my husband's brother and his wife. They have been away in California and are finally back. I have been so excited.
Last night we got very little sleep because CJ had such a hard time staying asleep. I could tell it was hard on him too. And I think even my husband felt as though the baby was really trying to sleep, but just couldn't for some reason. Tonight he seems to be doing better so far, but I can't sleep because my hair is wet and I can't sleep with it like that. I usually like a shower in the morning or late afternoon, but I will be up for a little while longer tonight to let it dry a little more.
I think things went pretty well tonight. For those who have never been to a real Brazilian churrasco (or a real Brazilian restaurant) the food is always great. I love Brazilian food. And to think, I probably would never have tried it if not for my husband (just one more reason to be grateful for this one :-D).
In Brazil it is a very masculine thing to be a great grill master and my husband has been working on this skill ever since we acquired our very own propane grill. Tonight he made steaks and skewered bacon wrapped chicken. A real Brazilian barbecue usually serves up a much bigger variety of meat at one sitting, but we were only cooking for a small gathering, so we didn't need as much.
I cooked Pao de Queijo (which even impresses the Brazilians I have met, because none of them have ever even tried to cook it from scratch). The recipe is really, really simple:

Pao de Queijo

2/3 Cup Cooking Oil
2 Cups Milk
4 Cups Tapioca Flour
2 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
Oven 350 degrees

Put tapioca flour in a bowl. Heat the oil and milk in a sauce pan until boiling. Add to the flour. Mix thoroughly. Add eggs. Mix thoroughly again. Add parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly again.
Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Lightly greese the palms of your hands with the cooking oil and make into 2 inch balls. Make sure to keep your hands oiled. Place on a greased cookie sheet and cook at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes or until the outside of the balls begin to brown.

There it is. Pao de Queijo literally means Cheese Bread. The texture is a little different, like real cheese. I find it difficult to use a spoon to mix in the last couple ingrediants and usually end up using my hands to mix it up. It was a real hit tonight.

I also made banana bread. I love making banana bread. I remember that I used to kind of hate it and think that it was a really hard thing to make, but then one summer we ended up with a box full of bananas and my mom asked me and my sister, Heather, to make it all into banana bread to share with the neighbors (and to have some for ourselves, of course). After a few days of baking it over and over I realized that it wasn't that hard and I had a lot of good memories linked with it. Now it is probably my absolute favorite thing to make. It is definitely my favorite baked good to share with anyone. This is my favorite recipe:

Banana Bread

1 3/4 Cups Flour
2/3 Cup Sugar
1 1/4 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/3 Cup Butter, Softened
2 Eggs
2 TBS Milk
1 Cup Mashed Ripe Bananas (2 to 3 medium)
Oven 350 degrees

In a large bowl combine 1 Cup of the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the mashed ripe banana, butter, and milk. Beat on low speed with mixer until blended. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and remaining flour; beat until blended.
Pour into a greased loaf pan (8x4x2 inch). Bake in 350 degree F oven for 60-65 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Remove from pans and cool thoroughly on wire rack.

This tastes great warm, but slices easier as it cools. I think it is recomended that the loaf is cooled over night before cutting into it, but like I said, I think it is up to personal preference.
Also, you can store the loaf in your freezer in a freezer bag for up to a month with great results. Just thaw it out to room temperature before serving it up. (I have tried this with great success).
You can eat it plain or spread butter on it. I have seen some people enjoy it with cream cheese. It is up to you.

Well... back to the barbecue. Actually, I am really tired.
I think that everything went great tonight. My baby was adored by all (no surprises there!) and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the food.
I will definitely try to jump in here again and keep this updated.

Lots of Stuff

It is the middle of the night and I have thought about getting back in the swing of things and updating this for the longest time, so here it goes. Please forgive me if this begins to sound a little unorganized or rambling. I just want to talk to someone and my husband and baby are both so tired and they both need their sleep.

My husband gave me a new computer for my anniversary. Because of all of the changes (I always hate getting reaquanted with my electronics) I didn't get back on here right away. It was an unexpected present (I guess that is probably obvious). When we first got married (on our honeymoon) he told me that he built a computer for me from scratch as a wedding present and it had all of the features that he thought I would find important for the things that I liked to do at the time. I thought that was so sweet. I felt bad because I didn't think to have a present for him. He said I was his present (cheesy, I know, but it made me melt :-D).
This year I remembered my anniversary about three days before the fact. I got all worked up and called him at work and said, "Honey, with all of the distractions this year like the baby and the move and everything else, we forgot our anniversary is this Saturday!!!" He replied, "We didn't forget..." I felt so stupid! He told me that he had been looking forward to it for over a month and had been "putting some things together" for the occasion. He bought me a treadmill I had been drooling over forever, and he took me out to buy a whole new set of clothes (just because he knew I was wanting them), and then he brought home a new computer that can handle more of the things I am into now (like video/photo editing and music and extra storage).
Because I had forgotten that it was our anniversary I had already RSVPed that I would be at a bridal shower that night, so I thought I was doing really great to frantically arrange for a babysitter for the afternoon so I could take him to a really nice Chinese food place for lunch (his favorite food, right). Then I arranged to have a family friend watch Mission Impossible 3 with him because Marcio had been wanting to see it but hadn't because he knew that I didn't want to. When everything was said and done I felt pretty bad about what a romantic clutz I am. He just gave me a hug that night and told me that it had been a great anniversary and that he is just happy to be my husband every day. I think that kind of thing is exactly why I married him.

Caio is getting bigger. He is always into everything. He has learned the joy of getting into my house plants and eating the dirt. I am always vacuuming and sweeping up the dirt on the floor and cleaning mud off of his hands and face and out of his mouth. It is a little disturbing to me. He is really mobile. He crawls and pulls himself up to things and walks along the edges of surfaces. He has two little teeth right up front and on the bottom of his little mouth and he likes to bite me, but he is getting better about it every day. He did bite my bottom lip while I was at playgroup today though.... that wasn't very fun. He has these stuffed annimals in his crib that he absolutely loves and he has begun to play with them a lot more lately. One is a blue Whinney the Pooh and one is a blue bear that says "My First Bear" on the front and the other is a little monkey with a red sweater on. He especially loves the two bears. He will pick all three of the toys up and bite their noses and he will hold one in both hands and hit them into each other and giggle. I have also seen him give them hugs and lay down next to them and snuggle his face next to theirs while he smiles up at me. Yesterday he began bouncing a little yellow bouncy ball on the kitchen floor. He would bounce it and then crawl after it and bounce it all over again. I just watched him and laughed and laughed. I love him SO MUCH! More and more every day!!! What a special joy to my heart. I am so blessed to be his mom.

I have been looking forward to my sister-in-law, Ruth, coming back from California for the longest time (a couple of months, actually). She got back last night and we invited them over again tonight to watch a movie. She is expecting a little boy in about 4 weeks. I am really excited for her, her husband and her baby. I am also excited for CJ to have a new cousin.

I teach Relief Society once a month now. The second sunday. When I taught this last Sunday, all these ladies wanted to hold him. I was so grateful for the help and also very happy that he was a hit. This one lady asked what his name was and I said Caio (I always am thinking should I say Caio or CJ or both???) and she said, "Cai....OH???" "Yep," I said, "Perfect!" I usually say perfect because most people come pretty darn close anyway, and I'm not all uptight like that. Then the sister who finally ended up with Caio said, just as I was getting up to teach the lesson, "Come here, Chacho."!!!!! I just about busted up laughing!!! I have had a lot of funny things said about his name and some people have tried to change it to Tchao (brazil) or Ciao (itally) both pronounced "Chow", but that was the first time anyone has ever changed it so drastically. I kind of like it, though. Maybe Chacho will be my new pet name/nick name for him! :-D We'll have to see. ;-)

Friday-Saturday of last week was actually our ward campout and we decided to go and try out our first family campout. It sounded fun at the time we first talked about it anyway. In fact it seemed like such a great idea until Friday night/Saturday morning. We went and bought a tent and borrowed sleeping bags and got all of our gear together. We were all set. We were going to be an outdoorsy, nature-loving, ward-camping family! We set up our tent next to the tent of my husband's youngest brother and joined in the campfire fun and ward dinner. We were doing so great! We even went back to our tent and put the baby to sleep. We snuggled into our family sleeping bag and whispered to each other about what a great idea it had been to come and do this, finally. Right about then a bunch of loud, giggling, teen-aged girls came by screaming and laughing and making a lot of noise. Baby Boy woke up and began screaming with them, but for quite a different reason. That was the end of our peaceful night. He screamed non-stop from around 12:30 AM (when they woke him up) until around 2:10 AM (when we finally decided to leave the campground for our own sanity and to be nice to the other campers around us). We grabbed only the most necessary things and promised to come back first thing in the morning for our camping gear and my brother-in-law (and his friend). CJ basically cried the whole ride home and then continued to cry until between 4:00AM and 4:30 AM when we both finally fell asleep while I nursed him. I woke up late Saturday morning alone with Caio. Marcio was back at the camp getting our stuff. I don't know if we will be camping again any time soon.... but then agian???? I guess we will see.

I guess that is enough for now. I will try to get back in here and keep things going again.
Good Night!

First Tooth

I was at CJ's appointment with his doctor talking about cleaning his little ears when he (CJ) bit down on my finger and I felt something that wasn't there before we left this morning (Tues 20 June). I was so shocked that I exclaimed and turned my son around to see this newest miracle. I couldn't stop exclaiming over and over (I probably looked like a bit of an idiot). The doctor asked if he could see and he too was impressed with my baby's talent with growing things in his mouth. I am both excited and nervous about the whole thing (nursing and stuff).
YEAH!!!!

Defending the Family

I am so inspired! I really encourage anybody reading this to take time and listen to this broadcast of a BYU education week. What an amazing talk! It takes less than an hour to listen to and is probably one of the best things I have spent an hour of my time on lately. It makes me want to take back everything I have ever thought or said about only having a few kids and it makes me feel sad about how many years I said disparaging things about marriage.
Families are so important! Of course they are! There are so many important things we learn from family relationships! There are so many things we gain from family units. After listening to this phenomenal talk I want to be a better wife and mother. I am totally refocussed on those things that really matter. Wow!
Notes on CJ:
He has started sucking his big toes, especially the one on his left foot. He used to try them once in a while and make funny faces as though they tasted bad (which they probably still do, but I guess the taste grew on him). He has also hit the talking really, really loud phase--especially when we are in public (like shopping). I heard him laughing so much while he played alone earlier today that I almost started crying just because it made me so happy to hear him being so happy. Sometimes I watch him and my heart aches to be the sole witness of every single moment of his life--good or bad. He kisses me all the time. He will kiss my lips or eyes or nose or neck... basically whatever he can get his mouth on before I can stop him (Marcio has become a recent target of Caio's kisses and doesn't appreciate them one bit).
Caio's absolute favorite place in the world is home and he is so much happier here than anywhere, although he does love company (especially other kids) and short drives and shorter visits at other people's homes.
I never knew being a mom could bring such joy, heart-ache, love and longing! This is by far the hardest thing I have ever embarked upon in my entire life, but WOW! what a trip! I am so glad I am doing this with my life. I love this baby more than air.

Been A While

I know I get distracted sometimes and forget to keep things up here. I don't mean to, but things just get so busy.
CJ is getting so big every day. I love him so much. He rolls all the time and sits on his own for long periods and loves to explore everything and is just so oppinionated that it kills me. I am both excited and filled with dread over the idea of him becoming more mobile.
Today I saw my midwife again. She was gushing over my baby boy (as she should have been) and we talked about how things are going right now. It turns out that I have moved just around the corner from her. That just about blew me off of my feet.
We also talked about the possibility of me having a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and she gave me some stuff to read before I make that kind of decision. I think I am at least going to try unless there is anything that tells me I shouldn't.
Anyway. It is late. I shouldn't be on here, really, but I couldn't sleep.
I am trying to do so many things right now and still keep my head on straight. We'll see how it all goes.