baby baubles?

My sister gave me a beautiful necklace at my baby shower with Jonah's birthstone. I love it. Josh loves when I wear it. We both love anything that reminds us of our little boy. Considering how much I love my necklace, it might seem contradictory that I am so offended by the idea of a "push present"--a gift for the new mom presented after birth. This article suggests jewelery or a Louis Vuitton diaper bag. Bleh.

Josh took off work and stayed with me in the hospital during my recovery, even though I wanted the room at 60 degrees and he had a crummy chair to sleep in. Quintin brought me half melted chocolate milkshakes in the hospital to replace my yucky meals. Those "push presents" were more meaningful to me because I didn't demand them.

change

Emily writes about the search for home when you no longer have one, not really. Quindi writes about change and holding on to impossible dreams. Not to mention the dream team torn apart. Sometimes, it's more than I can read with dry eyes even though I'm well rested and fed (hunger and exhaustion often lead to tears around here, and I'm not just talking about Jonah). Instead of coming up with anything certain, I just have more questions.

How is it possible to want to be 10 years younger again at the same time as loving my life now? Why does running make it easier to run, and why do I always forget? Why was I so driven to get out of school but now I miss the it enough to want to go back? How can I wish I was still at home sitting in the basement with Q while I tip toe into Jonah's room to peek at my miracle? Why do I fear seeing my parents grow old but look forward to it myself? How is it that yesterday I realized the joy of having a sister in a new way and today want things back the way they were with my brother? Is this why we have the word poignant?

It's enough to make me want to bury myself in a good book. But then Stephanie says she's reading Gone with the Wind again. Definitely not the kind of book I mean, seeing as it makes me cry too. No book has ever made me cry like that one, for some of the same reasons I'm crying today. Why can't things stay the way they were? What's a woman to do? Instead, I think I'll go do the dishes. It was a hard thing for me to pinpoint, but I finally got it. If I keep my house clean, it improves the mood of the world. My world anyway.

lights and sirens

Yesterday, we went to CG to see the grandparents. Josh's dad had to work, so we went by the station and Jonah took his first ride in the fire truck!

There was an air show at the airport (where the fire station is located) and Josh and I took a helicopter ride. It was amazing. So amazing, in fact, that Josh wants a helicopter for Christmas. Right after the yacht, of course.

unplug the iron! grrrr...

I asked Josh what I should call this post. Blame him.

Quiero leer.

Attention friends that read Spanish: please help. I would like some suggestions of good books to read. While I do have a special place in my heart for Borges, it can be current and fluffy too. For example, I was reading Harry Potter in Spanish the other day. It's not quite the same, though, since I know it was written in English. I checked out the Isabel Allende section at the library but wasn't sure what to grab. Any suggestions? Please let me know.

As mentioned above, I was reading Harry Potter in Spanish to Jonah (he fell asleep on page 3, so I guess I was really reading it to myself) and learned that to say "the Potters" as in "they didn't want anyone to know they were related to the Potters" you say "los Potters." In case you were wondering, that's where I got the title of the blog- Los Mays. I think it's cool. I tried saying "thes Mays" but it doesn't work as well.

And because the grandparents don't like any post that does not include a picture of the baby, here he is in all his 5-month glory:

What's that? He has a huge face? Yes, well, I just love those cheeks.

Attention dog owners

I would just like to announce that the Old Navy website has a new link. Dog.

brown + green = what?

Josh's dad has this amazing garden. I'm talking AMAZING. My parents have also turned their backyard into quite an oasis, but it has been a long time coming. My dad jokes that I've inherited his brown thumb. As we try to cultivate our own yard, we are hoping the green thumb genes come through.

Here is the plot before:
After planting some flowers:
Then the next day, the flowers died!Well, not quite died, but close.

We've since planted veggies in the back (no sprouts yet) and stopped our flowers from dying completely. They're still a little droopy, but I'm hoping love will perk them back up again. My grandmother taught me how to make snapdragons "talk" and they have been a favorite ever since. Hear that, flowers? You're my favorite! Please live!

can you sleep like a chicken?

Jonah has started sleeping on his stomach. It might be that he has figured out if he turns his head it is more comfortable than laying with his face smushed into the ground. I don't think he has figured out comfort completely, though.
We try to straighten his arms out, but he won't have it.

testing 1, 2, 3

I got bored with our blog, but I don't have time to create a new design. So this time I just used one from Leelou Blogs. It doesn't hurt that the design is named Kimber! However, the text is a little hard to read. What do you think?

Uh...under construction. Maybe done tomorrow.

with a face like that

Some days are easier than others. During the Relief Society broadcast, Elder Uchtdorf's talk lifted my spirits. Last weekend, conference filled me up more. Even with all of that, sometimes I need a pick-me-up. When we were in junior high (and beyond) Katie, Erin, and I painted our toenails red for a boost of confidence. In college, calling home to talk to someone off campus did the trick. A few award-winning children's books cheered me up after Jonah was born and I was too tired to see straight. I have some CD's I love for cleaning house or boosting spirits. Anna-Lisa introduced me to Mala Gente (by Juanes) for a dance and sing along purge. Right now, this is my desktop picture:


It's big and close and Josh laughs at it, but he's so happy and innocent, it works for me.

in another life

Ever wondered what life would be like if you had a different name? My parents were going to name me Ashley and Josh's parents were going to name him Christopher Cody. Well, that and Aubrey Jo (hehe). Because I don't want to do anything productive, I have come up with our names in another life. Josh is first.

1. Rock Star name: Sassy Taurus & Little Girl Taurus (first pet + current car)
2. Gangster name*: Butter Pecan Snickerdoodle & Rocky Road Chocolate Chip (favorite ice cream + favorite cookie)
3. Detective name: Green Gila Monster & Purple Dog (favorite color + favorite animal)
4. Soap Opera name: Ryan Chandler & Roxanne Chandler (middle name + city where you were born)
5. Star Wars name: May-Jo & May-Ki (first 3 letters of your last name + first 2 letters of your first)
6. Superhero name: The Orange Juice & The Red Ice Water ("The" + 2nd favorite color + favorite drink)
7. Nascar name: Dennis Richard & Thurman Karl (grandfathers' first names)
8. TV Weatherman name: Mayhugh Madrid & Volz Vancouver (5th grade teacher's last name + major city starting with the same letter)
9. Hippy name**: Waffle Sauguaro & Waffle Birch (what you ate for breakfast + favorite tree)
10. Rock band name***: The Camping Rains & The Reading Monsoons ("The" + favorite hobby + favorite weather element)

* Doesn't sound very gangster to me
** There is some debate in the house whether or not a Saguaro is a tree
*** Where was this when we needed a name in Ohio?

Brandon's fiesta

Yesterday was Brandon's 26th birthday and we celebrated at his house yesterday afternoon. Everyone who couldn't refuse (by this I mean dogs and children) wore party hats. Jonah wasn't too sure about his at first, but he warmed up to it eventually:But Tabasco (ok, her name is really Nevaska) loved hers:
Oh, what's that? You think there should be some pictures of the birthday boy instead of the baby? Fine.
All in all, it was a great time. The weather has been wonderful and cool enough in the evenings to really enjoy being outside, which we were. I think this weather calls for some homemade ice cream. All in favor?

the grass is always greener

...on your back. Or is that on your stomach? Jonah rolled over today for the first time! Then he cried because he was on his stomach, which he hates. I guess life gets harder and harder.

BYU mint brownie recipe

I was never a fan of the BYU mint brownie (more because I don't always like the mint/chocolate combo and I really don't like icing on my brownies) but many of my friends adore them. So, it is with you in mind that I pass on the BYU mint brownie recipe! This link was provided by the BYU alumni association email. Happy baking!

Now, if anyone knows the recipe to their peanut butter cup ice cream or why the rice krispie treats are so perfectly gooey, I'd be standing in line for that.