Niran Ready for Adventures

We've taken some cute pictures of Niran ready to head out and I thought I'd share them with you.

This is Niran stylin' for our friend's Christmas party. Look at those nifty shoes and that sweet hat!

Niran doesn't look happy in this shot and it might be because it was the 5th picture or so. My camera refused to focus. But those ears sure are sweet.

Dad, Niran and I decided to go for a walk on one of the beautiful days last week. Instead of having Niran sit in his carseat and miss most of the scenery we put him in the stroller like a big boy. He enjoyed. The next day when just Niran and I went out, he fell asleep and Iwas easily able to lay down the back and let him sleep comfortably.

Final Christmas Gifts

As I've already mentioned, we used the last of our Christmas money to buy a new table that would be more suitable for children. Not only our's but nieces and nephews as well. Well, that wasn't the last of the money. We turned right around and sold our old table for $25 less than we purchased it new 4 years ago. Now, I know it's kind of a mean thing to do, but all the tables of the same style were selling for the same if not more on Craigslist and I even reupholstered the chairs.

Anyway, with this second batch of money, which I still think is related to Christmas money, it's just been recycled, we purchased ourselves two new phones. And not just any phones, they are T-Mobile's new G1. Their number 1 phone right now. This phone is comparable to the I-Phone. Some of our friends, who own I-Phones thinking this phone could possibly be better than the I-Phone. I think they're trying to maintain loyalty. We were looking at other phones, but this one has some more features on it that I was looking for in a phone. Dusty mostly like it because it was nicer than his old phone and you could download apps.

Here's a picture of our phones. We're purchasing covers for them making mine pink or blue, still undecided and Dusty's will be a gray. We couldn't buy the phones in those colors :o(

First Project of the Year Complete!

I finished reupholstering our old dining room table and it is now posted for sale on craigslist. It went smoothly considering I've never attempted such a task. Dusty did have to help get the cushoins back on and ended doing all four chairs while I fed Niran, but I'm sure with a little more time and some persistance I would have done that as well.

Old chair covers

New chair covers

Remaining Projects:

*New Glider Cushions...yup, still haven't gotten this done, but it's next

*Niran's Scrapbook

*Our Scrapbook

*Plan a Wedding

Curiosity May Have Killed the Cat, But Not Baby Niran

Well, Niran sure is growing up before our eyes. He can now follow objects, reach for his toys, pick items up and fall for Dad's bribes. I'll start at the beginning.


We've been enjoying watching Niran attempt to sit up, which is adding a bit of worry and attentiveness to our days. Niran will lean forward and sit for a short time by himself and then he'll continue forward until he folds himself like a taco. This is fine as long as we're right there to unfold him We can no longer just let him hang out on his boppy without extra measures, like making sure he's leaning far enough back that he can't get himself to lean forward. This made me want to find a good seat for him so I won't be so paranoid. I started looking for a chair called a Bumbo. They aren't hard to find, they're just not cheap. Well, I had mention I was looking for one on Craigslist, but they were all so far away or the ones that were close we pink or purple. I don't want Niran getting a complex. Luckily our friends, Josh and Mindy, gave us their Bumbo aka Niran's Throne. Niran just loves it, he's so proud he can sit up like a big boy. Now I need to track down a tray so he can put his toys on it. He's content until he drops a toy between his feet where he can no longer reach it, but everywhere we've gone has been sold out. If you would like to know what a Bumbo is, it is the blue thing he is sitting on. It's supposed to help babies learn to sit up. Most parents start using it around 2 months, we waited until Niran said he was ready. I kind of wish we would have started sooner. Maybe with the next one.



Next Niran has been following objects for awhile now, but it's more fun now that he'll smile at them. He knows exactly where to find Dad whether it is in his chair or his side of the bed. If he can find him then he'll stare at him a second and smile or laugh even when Dad isn't looking at him. It's quite cute.

Niran is also playing with toys a lot more. Especially the frog Nana Farmer gave him for Christmas (the one he's holding in the picture above). He loves holding it and using it as a teether and then throwing it. Usually he only throws it down by his feet so then he can pick it up with his feet until he's ready to reach for it with his hands. On the rare occassion he'll start fussing and it's because he's thrown his toy on the ground.

Niran is also exploring his body. He's discovered his finger and he likes that much better than his thumb. He can suck and reach far enough to the sides to chew on it right where his teeth are coming in. He enjoys sticking his tongue out, usually for no real good reason. I think Dad's trying to teach him how to stick it out at people.

Last week, while we were at the mall he discovered his hand for the first time. We were walking into the elevator and he put his hand up in front of his face and spotted it. He looked at it confused for a moment and when we started laughing he looked at us and laughed too. It was funny. Later in the evening while we were playing on the couch he finally reached his foot. He's been working on it for awhile, just hasn't been able to reach it. He really loves his feet and feeling new things with them. I don't usually keep socks on him unless they are really needed. He seems to enjoy bare feet.



He's also trying to figure out how to roll. He hasn't gotten his feet to come with him. When he plays on his playmat now, he'll usually spin around it at least once before he done playing. I'll have to take pictures some time to show the progression.

Finally, it comes to Dad request for a solid from Niran. Most people know "solids" as favors, but in the McKay Hansen and Dusty McSpadden universe they are known as solids. Dusty first requested that I give him a foot massage...while I was eating lunch. Of course I said no, but Dusty really wanting a foot massage looked to his son and offered him a quarter for a foot massage. First Niran just sat there staring at him. So, Dad carried on with life put his feet up on the couch and relaxed while watching TV. Before we knew it Niran had discovered Dad's foot and began his foot massage...actually it was more like a big toe massage. Niran thought it was funny as did we, so I grabbed the picture and got Niran some proof he gave Dad a foot massage and earned himself a shiny quarter, which goes straight to savings for college!

Our New Dining Room Table

We have been wanting a new table pretty much since we bought our glass table in Tucson.

After we got it home we really didn't care for it. It's not that it's a bad table, we just quickly realized it wasn't our style. And it was a pain to clean. We used it a lot in Tucson, but once we got to Chandler we used it for special occasions. Actually the only time I remember using it was when we had a double date with some friends. Other than that it's held our Christmas tree and I've done sewing projects on it. When we were getting ready to move into the house I was on Craigslist every morning looking for the table that Dusty and I were always talking about getting. This was the table we wanted for the family. Enough chairs for all us plus if the kids had friends over. I found our dream table many, many times at very good prices. I was just never quite fast enough and they were always sold before I could call. I never gave up even when the economy dropped and the prices started climbing I was always hoping I'd find that perfect table. Well, I decided with the last of our Christmas money I would try again. I spent 4 days on craigslist checking post every 30-60 minutes hoping to be the first to catch a good deal. In those 4 days I found 5 tables, one that wasn't our dream table but that was more in our budget and 3 that were our dream table minus the bench (which we could buy later) and one that had the bench. The catch was it was above what we wanted to spend. So we sat down and discussed it. If we got one of the three that did not have a been we would have to go out and eventually buy one which would put us well above the budget on the table or we could buy the one with the bench down and just be slightly over our budget. So it was decided we'd get the more expensive one and never worry about the table again. Now the hard part. Was I in time to get this table. I wasn't receiving phone calls or emails for any of the tables. Right about 11 pm Saturday night I had given up hope. I even went downstairs and said I don't know how Brandi can get good deals on there. I never can. I sat on the couch pouting while playing my DS, but once I was bored with that I was back upstairs checking my e-mail. I had to messages about two different tables. One of those was for the table that we really wanted! I wrote down phone numbers so I could make calls first thing in the morning and went to bed happy.

First thing Sunday morning as I was going to make my phone calls I received a call on a table. It was the cheapest one and I decided to go take a peak at it. Not what we were looking for...ever! So I called the one that didn't have the bench and told him I would pass, still slightly worried something would happen. Next I called about that dream table and set up a time to go see it. Dusty, Niran and I packed ourselves in McKay's truck and began our trip across town to look at it. I got us lost, I misunderstood directions, but when we got there Dusty and I fell in love with what we saw. It was exactly what we wanted in every way. We looked it over to check the condition and then quickly settled the transaction. We loaded the it in the back of the truck and giggled like school girls all the way home. While I made dinner Dusty set up the table. It was beautiful in every way. This is the table we're going to have for a long time. The only way we see ourselves getting a new one is if Niran puts a chainsaw to it. Of course that would never happen because he's going to be a perfect little boy :o) Niran enjoys the table as well. We can't wait for all those family meals!

Now that we have gotten past that big purchase we have more to take care of from most important to least:

1. Wedding - Yes, I'm ready to start planning the wedding. To get it rolling I'm going to the bridal show this weekend with the future sis-in-law

2. Highchair for Niran - okay this doesn't count because my mom gave us check to get purchase one, we just have to go down and purchase it.

3. Niran's bedroom items: Bedding, mobile, lamp, etc. I want it before he outgrows his room.

4. New cell phone - My cell phone is trying dye again. Last time when it started acting up it took a month to be completely nonfunctional. Once it completely dies I'll need a brand new one so I'm trying to look at my options now. It would be nice to get Dusty a decent phone as well since is the cheapest I could find at the time. Once that one is dead as well we won't have a warranty to cover a new one.

5. Vacuum cleaner - our's is terrible and leaves a funky smell, but it does the job until we can afford a good one.

6. Laptop - My laptop that I use specifically for school died about a year ago. It was nice to have to take to school and would be handy for days Niran wants someone sitting next to him and when I need to get stuff done.

7. Stainless steel cookware - this is what Dusty wants in his kitchen.

8. Bedroom furniture - We'll get this when we have a house of our own so we can make sure it fits.

9. Couches - again we'll wait until we're in our own house.

Granted 7, 8, and 9 are after we move into our own home we actually don't have a whole lot to get through

The Last of Niran's Gummy Smile

Enjoy that sweet, gummy smile for soon it shall have a single tooth added to it. Niran has been very fussy the past couple of days and Dad asked if I'd checked his gums recently. I did yesterday but didn't notice anything. After tonight, I'm very unsure how I didn't notice anything. Tonight's check showed a tooth just about to break through. It also helped to understand my frustration with him drooling the past couple of weeks, his rufusal to eat and fussing the last couple of days as well as the chewing on his hand and binky every chance he got. I still can't believe it, at three months he's going to have his first tooth. It seems so unreal, I'm going to miss that gummy smile.

*Update: Niran actually has two teeth coming in. He's doing good as long there's lots of cuddle time and between Dad, Aunt Brandi and me, he's getting plenty!

Christmas and New Year's Rolled into One

I never filled anyone in on the happenings of Christmas and New Year's since we were sick and just too busy. Christmas came and went with all of us not feeling so hot. Dad had the worst of it, which I'm glad it wasn't Niran or me. Selfish, I know, but Niran being sick would just be rough and trying to feed Niran during the night when I wasn't feeling so hot was rough enough for me.

At least while Dad was sick I simply had to care for two crying boys.

We celebrated our Christmas early since we headed up to Globe Christmas Eve.

Niran got a new frog that he loves holding and chewing. Nana and Grandpa Ron made a great choice. Grandma Jane got him a soft book and two jars to hold that first missing tooth and his first curl. Pretty could ideas. Grandma Kim made Niran and quilt, it's had plenty of use already by all three of us!

In Globe, Niran was able to meet some new family members and shocked others at how much he has grown. He was a great baby until later in the evening when Aunt Brandi was the only who could get the tears to stop. As soon as we got home around 8, he was his happy little self again. I think he just wanted to be back in his home. It was just too cold in Globe for him.

New Year's Eve was enjoyable as well. Our friends came out to our house so that we could put Niran to bed on time. The boys played Risk and they fit two games in between 8 and midnight! And no it is not impossible. Our friend brought over his new edition of Risk which does have a shorter version. If I remember correctly they said they beat their first game in 30-45 minutes. At midnight we had a sparkling peach toast and then the boys came up with the brilliant idea of setting off firecrackers in the backyard. Actually, the brilliant idea was Dusty setting them off. He started out with a couple of loud quick ones and I have no idea what they are called and then after the neighbors finish setting off their firecrackers Dusty set off a full string of blackcats. The video is below. I will tell you it was loud and bright, with plenty of debris hitting at least Ryan and I while Dusty hid behind us laughing like a goofball. Yes, I was a human shield for him. No wonder he wants to marry me! What was left was a good laugh and a lot of paper to clean up the next morning. As for the sleeping baby who was in the room only about 10-15 feet away...he slept through it all. All the noise he endured while I was pregnant and since we brought him home has paid off.

Well, that about finishes off 2008 for us. We hope 2009 starts off with the same bang our's did!

Happy New Year!