Baby Stuff

Long-Sleeve Romper Mushrooms Red / Long-Sleeve Romper Outer Space Charcoal / babyletto Bowery Bassinet, Espresso / Flensted Mobiles Nursery Mobiles, 3 Dinghy Regatta / Wooden Airplane safe kids toy by FriendlyToys on Etsy / French Terry Jumpsuit Trees Lavender

Babies. Obviously I've been thinking about them and all the stuff they need (slash I want). That little crib up there!! Honestly I don't know how practical it is because... how long would it be big enough? Who knows, but it is adorable. And that onesie with spaceships? Yes.

Somehow, I'm not sure how, but all the items are kind of boy-ish. I'll call it coincidence. We'll find out if its a boy or girl in January (the 13th). I don't care... as long as it's healthy. I mean, with diabetes and all... who knows what could happen. And that's freaky. Well anyways, fingers crossed. 

A Belated Happy Birthday to the Best of the Best

A belated happy happy birthday to one of the sweetest British grannys in the whole world. I'm so pumped to see you come Christmas.

Pies & Things

My mother-in-law, Kathy, asked me to make a pie for Thanksgiving. I was preeeety nervous because I had made an apple pie a few weeks ago, and it blew. I mean, I did use a store bought crust and didn't quite follow the recipe, but my mom and I always used to make apple pies when I was in high school... and they were always knocks out of the park, so I was expecting nothing less. Anyhow, so when I agreed to make a pie, the odds were not in my favor.

Yet, somehow the stars aligned in my favor, because it was good. Granted, I did follow the recipe exactly (it was this caramel apple pie recipe, from a blog written by one of the girls I took a class with at school. She knows her stuff) because I was scared. And I splurged and bought a pie crust in a box, where you add water and roll out. And, may we talk about the braid? Ha. If only I had more crust and could've put it around the edge... that thing was awesome.

Also, I have something else to say...

One More Thing...

On our last day in the city we rented citi-bikes right by Brooklyn Bridge and cruised right across it. Such views! Needless to say, Brent cruised right along, and I huffed and puffed (while trying to snap photos- tourist alert) about 150ft. behind. But boy, the crisp wind felt so good! It was pretty cold at first, but once I worked it up the hill, it felt fabulous. Here are some more photos if you'd like to see...

New York, Part Deux

Saturday in New York was crisp and pretty relaxed. We walked through Central park (the colors were beautiful!) and had a fancy little breakfast at The Lexington Brass by our hotel. I had eggs benedict (though not the one listed on menu with caviar! I was too scared). PS I've tried to poach eggs before... whoa. I'll leave it to the pros, its tricky business. I was curious if the chefs in the back used some sort of cheater tool that they have out there, or if they dropped it into boiling water old-school like. Seriously, talent is needed for that to work. Anyway.

Our Time in the City

New York this past weekend. Eep! What an experience. Ballets, a little emergency room hospital visit, and topped with a little bike ride over the Brooklyn Bridge... Read on for part 1 of the full saga.

New York

We have a little New York vacation planned in November-- and I am out of my mind excited about it.

It was a hair spontaneous, which makes it fabulous in and of itself. It started when one of our good friends, Carter (one of Brent's old room mates) moved to New York a few weeks ago to start it up in the theatre business. We wanted to visit... so we set it up with the kayak.com travel website to send us emails when the flight prices were looking good. And just a day or two ago, we got an email saying a round trip was $278. Eep. Later that day those tickets were purchased. I am ecstatic. 

I'm looking at hotels and restaurants to star in my mind to go to, and I already know the two ballets I want to go see. Yes, we will be in New York for 3 days (an early November weekend)... and two ballets are planned. Its so wonderful because they are ballets that I've heard a lot about but never seen. 

AND we are going to the city in the fall! I'm so excited because I've only gone to New York in the summers years ago when I was in high school for all those awesome ballet programs-- and it is hot and humid. But the city in the fall, at least in my mind, sounds so sophisticated. Walking on the streets with fabulous riding boots like these and a great scarf and coat. 

Chopped.

The bangs. I like them quite a bit... but really, its only the first day so we'll see...

Going for It

Bangs. I made a hair appointment for this Saturday (at a semi-fancy salon. eep!) and I'm thinking bangs...using these stunning ladies below as my inspiration.

I haven't posted in ages.. embarrassing. But let's just say I'm thoroughly enjoying the town home. AC. Washer and Dryer. Kitchen to die for. New paint smell mixed with the peach and lavender glade plug in. Television where I can record shows I like and watch the food channel. You guys-- Brent and I are such spoiled brats now.

Also, on an unrelated note, I've been reliving memories from my little study abroad to London back in 2011. What a wonderful time. This post made me laugh, I'm such a ding dong! The differences I saw between the Brits and Americans in this post. I'm dying to go to Scotland again because of the fab views. and A reminder of why my relatives are beyond cool.

P.S. Granny, if you're reading this, you are such a sweet lady for your birthday gift! And if you chat with Thel, tell her I'm thinking of her. I've been meaning to send a card over, but haven't put my bum into gear yet.

Some Mouritsen Fam Pics

^^ All the ladies. 

A couple weekends ago the Mouritsens had family photos. It was an ordeal! It was pretty muggy and the park's sprinklers were going full force- (we were dodging them left and right)- and on a Saturday morning no less! Who planned that sprinkler schedule, I ask? I mean, lets have them going in the middle of the night. But anyhow... the photos turned out quite wonderful, hope you don't mind me sharing.

^^ The whole crew. I know... the photo is huge... but you can see everyone better this way... especially little Emma on the bottom right. What cheek. Making faces like that. :)

^^ I know. that arm tan line is rough. Thank you, Girl's Camp.

Running the Ragnar

You guys. Ragnar was so hard! Brent and I, with some of his brothers and their wives, ran the Ragnar Relay from Logan, UT to Park City, UT last weekend. A total of 198 miles. Nutty, right? Like I paid good money to do this...

Anyhow, we woke up at the crack of dawn on Friday morning to get to the starting line. and oh was it so cold! hence the winter coat up there in the photo. Brent's brother Scott ran the first leg of the race, and we followed him in our van until the exchange, where the next person (Alan, Brent's other brother) got the slap-on bracelet (that acted as the baton passed from one runner to the next) and ran the next leg. I was the fourth runner and I was so nervous! My scheduled pace was an 11 min. mile and I was worried about being able to keep it! My in-laws are beyond wonderful... but they do like to tease... oh the pressure!

My first leg was 4.3 miles, and it was so hard. I ran straight through the first mile, but after that I had to walk every 3 min or so. I was absolutely elated when I reached the exchange and realized I had stayed on schedule, keeping the 11 min mile pace. I may have cried a little bit about it... though not being able to breathe after I stopped running may have contributed to the tears... Nbd.

After the run, back to the van. And about 7 hours later I ran my second bit... 4.2 miles this time (with a safety vest and head lamp cause it was kinda dark). This one was way harder. I ran between a 12-13 min mile... shameful. but what can you do when you don't train properly (oops). Also, I got a little freaked because while I was running, there was an unchained great dane chilling by the road side. Thank heavens it didn't start chasing me... though granted it may have improved my pace :). Ha. and then later... a random unchained goat on the side of the road. I know. it was kind of a country area but still!

That night we slept at a hotel (we are spoiled because most runners just bring sleeping bags and just kick it on the ground wherever) and woke up at 5am the next morning to keep on. My last run was later that day, it was my longest leg at 6.1 miles.

To be honest, the 6 miler didn't feel any harder than the 4 milers... I feel like once you run a little bit... it's all just hard. But I loved this last one because the first few miles were downhill, which made it SO much easier.

^This is Rich, one of Brent's brothers (who kept a very impressive 8 min 45 sec mile pace... show off :). But you can see the kind of terrain we ran in, it was pretty.

The Ragnar was fabulous. No I won't do it again, but it was fabulous :)

And a little update on the townhome? Don't mind if I do... here's our kitchen with the cabinets and granite put in and the walls painted:

Updaaaate.

Our house is looking way more legit these days. With actual walls and things instead of those wood panels everywhere. It'll be finished at the end of this month (eep!) but we won't actually be living in it until July 20th or so. We'll close on July 16th... but we can't actually move in and call it ours until the money goes out of our back account and into the builder's little pocket. Oh, technicalities.

As you can see, the fence is comin right up in the backyard (I'm excited to plant a little rose bush back there) and the tile is laid down in the kitchen and entryway, and also in our bathrooms upstairs.

^ Our kitchen! with a pantry and a little powder room on the side and everything. That drain there is for the dishwasher in the island.

Also very cool, we bought this washer and dryer over memorial day weekend. There's something funny about being excited for a washer/dryer purpose... why am I that excited? I hate doing laundry... but hopefully these little babies will change that right up. And with the sale price, the washer was $250 cheaper than the listed price and the dryer, $100 cheaper. 

And it's super handy because RC Willey won't deliver the washer/dryer until July 20th when we're in the townhome. So we don't have to worry about storing it anywhere. Win win.

The Townhome

I'm pumped to show some photos of our townhome's progress (it's the second garage from the left). It's being built now (the driveway was just put in the other day, eep!) and we'll move in mid to late July.

We are spoiled with a great view of the mountains outside our bedroom window (on the second floor). I'm excited that the field isn't scheduled to be developed or built on for a while... that view gets me every time.

Our master bath is Brent's favorite part. It's luxuriously big with 2 sinks, a stand up shower, and this jetted tub. I mean, dude. My favorite part? Walk in closet. A win for everyone.

We visit the townhome at least once a week. Obsessed? yes. More photos to come? of course.

Work-ing it.

Work is in full force (as is spring weather... lovely enough) these days and I think I like it. SimTek Fence (where I'm a newly hired receptionist) is way different than any place I've ever worked. I'm one of two women that work here (with about 20 dudes) and I still feel crazy dumb asking questions about my job. Ha. I feel dumb asking questions about a task someone gives me and I feel even more dumb if I don't ask questions and then I do something wrong. I mean, that's a lose-lose.

But, I'm excited to really feel 100% comfortable. The people I work with are like all family ... hopefully I can work myself to that status. Eep.

Heather, the receptionist before me who's been training me these last weeks, had her last day at work today and the guys took her (and I got to tag along) out to lunch at PF Chang's. Hurray for when work pays for my lunch. But seriously, they were so sad to see her go. Everyone loves her. Dang I got big shoes to fill. So that makes me a bit nervous, especially cause my personality is quite a bit different than hers.... she's super quick-witted and shoots funny comebacks to all the guys' teasings... that's DEFINITELY not my strong point. But here's the thing... I'll be fine, right?

Anyhow, I did get to drive the company's jeep the other day (I had to pick up some chain from Home Depot) and it was legit. I mean, it was a rustic car... but it was awesome to drive the company car... somehow it got me all giddy... should I be embarrassed?

P.S. SimTek Fence is a fence manufacturer. There's a huge warehouse connected to the office with gargantuan machines that make our fence. The fence is made out of polyethylene, which is a fancy and really durable plastic, and is made in these huge ovens that freak me out when their doors open. And when I say warehouse, I mean WAREHOUSE. Like forklifts scooting around (like I seriously have to watch out for those things), shipping bays for 18-wheeler trucks, and hard hat areas sort of warehouse. I'm the receptionist, so I answer calls, ship out marketing materials, keep track of our employee's hours to email to our accountant, enter bills to be paid in Quickbooks, and file away paid bills.

P.P.S This blog about in vitro fertilization is so intense and real. The blogger goes through the process she went through trying to get pregnant, and it's crazy to get a step by step of the whole ordeal. I like this lady's blog quite a bit. She swears like a sailor... but I secretly love it.

Job Interviews, Doctors, and other things...

Tomorrow I have second interviews with two jobs. The first at 8:30am (eep!) for a full time receptionist position with Simtek Fence (they manufacture fencing and sell them to Home Depot's and other fence retailers nation wide...) and the second (fingers crossed for this one as it pays more and has benefits n adult things) at 10am for an office assistant position with Fibertel, Inc. (they install fiber optic internet cables for communication companies like Comcast).

I know I'm basically an immature child... but I've never interviewed for a position with 2 rounds of interviews... and somehow it seems very legit. I'm anxious.

I also went to the doctor today for a lil check up on my diabetes. I'll give you the good news and then the bad.

Good news (it's wordy!)... my Hemoglobin A1c test result was better than ever before. 6.9% ladies and  gentlemen. I literally squealed just a bit when I saw it (no, doc was not in the room to witness!) and maybe did a little dance.. I'm not sure...

The HbA1c (for short) test basically measures your average blood sugar over the last 3 months so the docs can sum up how you are taking care of yourself with just one little number. Test results range from 4%-14% and the lower the number, the better. A person without diabetes is in the 4-6% range (way to go, everyone else...).

A person with diabetes wants to obviously be at the same range as a non diabetic... but since thats pretty tough... a diabetic is considered in "good control" if they have a 5.5-7% test result. This little chart (yes I took a pic of it from the doc's office... no he didn't see me) shows it real nice...

So the top of the arrow shows your HbA1c score and the bottom of the arrow shows the average blood sugar you've maintained for the last 3 or so months.

I mean, 6.9% is at the high end of the "in-control" range, but it is WAY better than anything I've had before (in the past, it usually checked in about 8.3%). I asked, and was interested to know that doctors want a diabetic to be at 6.5% or lower before they try to have kids, and when a lady is pregnant, the docs really work hard to have the lady check in at 6%. I mean... that's not in our immediate future so don't get any ideas!  But hey, a sista's gotta be prepared.

Bad news: I cried at the doctor's office (as I previously mentioned, I am child!). He asked if I've been stressed. I said no. Then I cried.

He asked if everything was alright at home with Brent. I said OF COURSE! and then continued crying. So... it probably looked like I was a victim of abuse. Heavens. So then I cried more because I was giving the wrong impression and because I was embarrassed about crying.  All very stressful.

Anyhow. Other news? I weighed in today at 138 lbs. I'm sure it was just water weight... but I'll take it. Lately I've been obsessed with roasting carrots and cauliflower in the oven with cumin, salt, and garlic along with a little (actually a lot of it) no-fat Pam cooking spray-- surprisingly, seriously delicious. Also, unsweetened almond milk has WAY less calories than regular milk. And I like it. Win, win. Also, the doctor said I was low on Vitamin D (he said most diabetics are, but it's not clear why... weird. And he said a lotta new studies are showing Vitamin D does some serious good... for your heart, your mood, and a bunch of other things he rattled off...). So I picked some up. And gee, it's a horse pill.

Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as it looked.

Stinted progress.

I joined Gold's Gym a few days ago. And gee, is it beautiful. Its got a great space with lots of machines and classes to take. But let me just say, I took a cycling class last night- and it was awesomely intense. Really hard, really sweaty, etc. But yet... listen to this. I didn't lose any weight this morning.

Losing weight is depressing. I'm just gonna put that out there. PS I thought I ate alright... 1450 calories yesterday. So seriously. Why no change in numbers?

Anyway, its super annoying because I talked to a trainer at the gym (when I joined, I got a free consultation with a trainer- he just got my height, weight, etc. and found out my BMI and body fat percentage and gave me a few toning exercises for my upper body). Anyway, the trainer said the amount of calories my body burns per day, if I just sit all day, is 1900.

What?! Seriously. It can't be true. I keep track of my calories and when I eat even 1700 calories, I never lose weight the next day. Also, trainer said I should keep my heart rate at around 145 to be losing fat. If my heart rate goes up to what he called the "cardio range" of 160 or so, I'm no longer losing fat, but my fat is turning into muscle.

Again, what?! I thought that if you just exercised and lost calories (losing more calories than you eat) you'll lose weight. Anyway, needless to say I'm very confused about how to go forward. Should I only do enough cardio to raise my heart rate to 145? In my experience, that's not working tooooo hard. But will I just have to work out at a moderate level for a long time? Like an hour on the treadmill or elliptical instead of 25-30 minutes? I mean, that's boring... to spend an hour on the treadmill.

I'm just gonna try and eat around 1200-1400 calories a day still, because in my short experience that is the only time I lost any weight.

Also, this is random, but I just entered to win these really cute Minnetonka moccasins from a blog I follow, Cotton and Curls. I just had to blog about them to get an extra entry in the contest... so please indulge me!

The good and the bad

Brent and I bought this car! (Since this is a longer blog post, you can click on the "Read more" to finish... that way this post doesn't take up the whole blog page...)