Christmas Time is Here Again

I sent out Christmas cards this year. It was a first. 

I have a hard time paying for stamps, I probably need to join a support group or something.

But I sucked it up and sent them, mostly because our Christmas cards are so Incredible I needed to share it with the world.

Here you go, in case you didn't get one mailed to you personally.

Millar 2012 Highlights:

*We became debt free and called into the Dave Ramsey show for our debt free scream, paying off over $50,000 in three years.

*Bridget hit all the great milestones of the first year. She is now walking around on shaky legs, she is officially a toddler.

*Trevor hit his work goals and is continually progressing at Progress Mfg.

*April became a doula and HypnoBirthing instructor.

*We are currently under contract and closing on a home in Spanish Fork in a few weeks!

*Between Trevor and April we have had 9 callings in our ward in one year. I guess we aren't getting it right.

*We sold our 8th beater car and purchased our 9th since getting married. I guess we aren't getting it right.

*Trevor and April are now concealed firearm permit holders.

*We have been able to spend lots of time with family and friends this year; that has been our favorite part. There are so many wonderful people in our lives and we are grateful for every single one of you.

Steed means Horse

We took some Steed family pictures back in August, thought I would share a few. 

Babies will be babies

Lets be honest if you have read my blog.....at all, you will have gotten the gist that Bridget, like any other baby, likes to put stuff in her mouth. 

More often than not it's something that's less than appetizing. 

Maybe she's lacking some iron in her diet.

My-stagram

I thought I would post a few recent pictures from my instagram. 

Yes, 99% of them are of my child. The girl is stinking hilarious.

If you'd like, follow me on intagram @aprilmillar

The Talented Mr. Markus

I have been working on trying to build a website for my "doulary" (that's what Trevor calls it) & HypnoBirthing business.

It's really hard when you have no website building skills.

(Luckily I have other skills like bow hunting and nun chucks.)

Hopefully I will have it launched soon. 

As I work on it I have had some pretty amazing people step up and help me out. Like Trevor's cousin, Tyler. He is an artist and fantastic graphic designer, he made my logo.

Isn't it beautiful?? 

Makes you just feel good, doesn't it? 

Makes you just want to be pregnant, doesn't it?

What do you think of my business name? 

April in Waiting? 

(It's because I assist [wait on] wonderful pregnant women and make them feel like Queens). smiley face

Tyler is a pretty talented guy, he just did the illustrations for an adult childrens book.

(I have your attention now, yeah? You are thinking, what in the world is an adult childrens book?

 

It is hilarious and so clever!

You will seriously want to buy it.

Luckily you can.

Go to http://www.whatifliberals.com/ 

It's perfect especially during this intense election time, we need a little light-hearted-ness that is totally spot-on.

Tyler has sent us a few of the nursery rhymes in the book and we have just busted up laughing. unfortunately?

I am getting my copy in a few days and I can't wait!!!

You will also want to bookmark their page because from what I understand they will be publishing more books.

Bridget is ONE

 

I felt a little like a failure of a mother because I didn't plan an elaborate birthday party.

You know, a pinterest party, that are basically the equivalent to a wedding reception in grandiose but for a 1-year-old.

I really wanted to too. 

But let's be honest, I almost didn't plan a party at all. 

Not to mention the fact that it has taken me two entire weeks to blog about it. 

 Luckily Bridget has some pretty amazing grandmas that insisted on a celebration. 

So she ended up having TWO PARTIES.

  And boy did she get spoiled.

I ended up taking mostly video and hardly any pictures of her birthday so please enjoy. It's pretty much the stinking cutest movie you ever did see.

Little note: It may have happened that the only thing we got her for her birthday that wasn't from craigslist completely terrified her. I guess we'll wrap it up and try again at Christmas.

p.s. sorry about the shaky camera, I was laughing so hard.

HypnoBirthing Class

Hello my friends. I just wanted to announce that I will be starting HypnoBirthing childbirth education classes next week.

Tuesday Classes:

October 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov 6.

7:00-9:30pm

Draper Herbs for Health.

12154 South 700 East, Draper

Cost for the classes: $175. That includes HypnoBirthing the Mongan Method book, two deep relaxation CD's, handouts, and scripts.

Please email me at aprilinwaiting@gmail.com to begin the registration process and reserve your spot. 

Seating is limited so hurry!

Forward this information to anyone wanting the opportunity for a gentle, peaceful birth experience. 

(This method is incredibly beneficial for everyone; no matter if you desire an all natural, epidural, or cesarian birth.)

The End of an Era

My parents put my childhood home up for sale. 

I have been having mixed emotions about it. Initially it's breaking my heart, all of my memories are wrapped up in that house so obviously those will be sold with the house. 
(That's not how it works?) 

I always had the thought growing up, If they ever sell this house, I will buy it. I KNOW I'm not the only one who has thought this about their parents house. Well now the time is here, the house went up for sale and sadly it's not in my budget to purchase it. 

Lame.

Obviously there has been some mourning, but the more logical side of me totally understands why they would sell. 

Empty nesters don't need an 8,000sq ft house.

Well I am here to announce, the house has SOLD! 

It's been a huge blessing and everything fell into place the way we have all been praying it would for months.

Aren't you so happy for my parents? 

But don't you still feel kind of sorry for me? :)

We fare thee well, dear house, we considered you part of the family. 

You indeed made it home.

Earth Baby

Or a  green tomato baby.

Bridget's favorite thing to do is to pull herself up next to the garden making sure she is completely immersed in vines and leafs, eat some dirt and pick herself a few unripe tomatoes to gnaw on.

She would do it all day, if I let her. 

Some days I do.

Our box garden is right out our front door. So I'll leave the front door open while I clean the kitchen and let her play in the dirt. 

I have had two different neighbors come "rescue" her from "escaping" and eating "stuff she's not supposed to." 

 "April?!" (standing in my door jamb holding a mud smeared Bridget)

"Hi! How are you?

"Bridget got out of the house and was eating the green tomatoes, I took it away from her."

"Oh no! Thank you! I don't know how that happened.... silly girl."

I somehow forget to tell them she eats at least one green tomato a day. When I say eat I mean she takes a few chunks out.

I used to be a bit more paranoid with what she put in her mouth, but it was exhausting. 

Now my philosophy is: 

"As long as it won't kill her and I don't have to call poison control." 
Besides it's good to try new flavors... don't want to raise a picky eater, someone who just wants to eat edible things.

p.s. when she is in the garden I check on her about every 90 seconds. 

Max Zipline

Remember how I told you guys that August was a busy month.

 It was. 

It also included two, yes that's right TWO trips on Max Zipline!

It is seriously so much fun!!! 

It's this big zipline tour in Provo canyon. 

You go from one zipline to the next (5 total) so you get one thrill after another. It actually takes an hour to an hour and a half to do the whole zipline. 

We went with all of our friends when we were on our love trip. We had such a blast that two weeks later we went with all of my family. 

 It is so safe, they have a great, advanced, state of the art harnesses and breaking system, designed by the owner. 

Prices are $59.99 but they have deals going on all the time. "Like" their facebook page to get in on the deals or contests they offer.

It's totally safe for kids. 

My nieces and nephews went as tandem riders, the youngest being 2 1/2-years-old. (you can see it in the video above). Smaller or younger than that they won't allow.

Be sure to tip your guide at the end. They do such a great job!

I highly recommend Max Zipline. 

If you live in the area or traveling to Utah any time seriously check it out, it's an adventure you will never forget.

Call or email: 801-960-3113 info@maxzipline.com 

to make your reservation or ask any questions.

Yeah Baby!

I spent the weekend at my Doula training. I can't even tell you how incredibly excited I am. It was the most educational, informative (not the same thing as educational), nurturing experience of my life. 

And now I am ready to be your Doula!

In fact I need to attend and assist two more births for my certification. If you are pregnant and due in the next several months and would like me to be your doula for free! And you preferrably live in Utah or Salt Lake Counties. Please contact me: aprilallyear365@gmail.com
(Also note that once I have my two guinea pigs :) I will still have significantly discounted rates for the next little while so please contact me!)

It does not matter if you are planning a natural non-medicated birth or an epidural, or a planned c-section. I am there to give you physical, emotional, and informational support throughout your entire labor and delivery. When you are in labor you are in an intensely vulnerable state (Even if your legs are numb) and having another person to be your advocate, someone to make sure you are being taken care of is such an wonderful thing.

Ultimately, I am there to help you and your spouse have a Positive birth experience, no matter the circumstances, expected or unexpected.

I have to say, I just plain love women! There is such a deep connection and bond I find with ladies, I find kindred spirits in so many different lovely women all the time.

I feel so lucky.

p.s. I am in the process of creating a website that will have information on my Doula and Hypnobirthing services along with education about herbs for the health of you and your children. That way those who don't want to read about it on this blog won't feel bombarded. 

This will continue to be a light-hearted lifestyle blog.

Thank you for reading my friends, I really do appreciate you sticking with me. 

Let's Talk about Poop

In particular, baby poop.

Don't worry I don't have any graphic pictures.

We have been traveling a lot, and I don't know about you but I tend to get backed up when I travel. 

Apparently so does Bridget. 

Generally Bridge has been a good pooper, but lately she started pooping rocks (Not literally). The poor girl works so hard to get those solid little stools out.

I figured when we got back home things would regulate back out, that didn't necessarily happen.

I was trying so many things to try and soften things out, I was giving her more and more water, lots of vitamins and minerals,  trying different foods. 

Then I got wise, on accident because I am so smart. I am trying to eat healthier so I started making steel cut oats for breakfast. Oh man it's so good. The very first day we had oats for breakfast Bridget pooped the nice pasty poop 3 times! 

You mean to say fiber helps you poop?..... duh! 

I don't know about you guys but sometimes I complicate things that don't need to be complicated at all. I do this all the time, not just with parenting. 

For some reason I don't think of the simple solutions, because I can't possibly be healed just by looking at the snake on Moses's staff. 

Too easy.

Now lets talk about these steel cut oats. 

They are so yummy and incredibly good for you. 

I put it in my rice cooker to soak overnight, just plug it in and keep it on warm NOT cook.  

In the morning it is perfect and ready to eat:

I add peaches and cream. 

(Am I the only one who can't get enough peaches? Hands down my favorite fruit.)

You could put apples or any berries, so good.

Bridget gobbles it up! And she poops 3-4 times everyday. Sure we go through a lot of diapers but we celebrate bowel movements around here, so we couldn't be happier!

The Last has Returned

My baby brother, Russell, has returned home from his mission in Colombia! 

He and I are exactly 5 years and 1 day apart. 

(He totally ruined my 5th birthday party by being born.... I have since forgiven him.)

My family, the Steeds, are super close. We all really like each other. And with us all living different places when we get together it's basically a non-stop party.

It is especially fun to have Doug and Russ back together, they are best friends and brothers and it's been 4 years since they were separated. 

Aren't they adorable?

And having four older sisters there isn't much about girls they don't know, which means they will be fantastic husbands. But currently they are both single... wink, wink.

Speaking of Doug, he made a couple of videos in anticipation for Russell's return, please enjoy: