yay curtains!

You may remember this post about trying to find curtains for our room. Since then I've had no luck finding curtains that I liked for our room, until today that is! I stopped in Target this morning to return something and thought I check the curtain aisle really quick before I left. There were a few different styles that I liked, but these Threshold Botanical panels just seemed to be calling out to me. I had to get them and take them home and see how they looked.

I'm so happy with how they look in our room! The only problem is that they only had two panels, so I need to get two more for the other window. Eventually I want to get some light bamboo roll-up blinds to go behind the curtains, but the vertical blinds will have to do for now. What do you think?

I really love the floral-ish pattern and think it adds color and detail to our room that was seriously lacking before. I still can't decide if I'm one-hundred-and-ten percent in love with them, but I'm at least ninety percent so that's pretty good I think:) They look a lot better in person than they do in my iPhone pictures too. Any thoughts? I think the pattern is the type that you'd either hate or love but I have always like floral fabrics for blankets and curtains - I think they're really homey and comfy.

not into it

I had some great thoughts and ideas that I couldn't wait to share here after I put Riggs to bed, but for like the 10th night in a row, he's not going to sleep without a fight. This is so hard! He's never, ever done this before. He's always been so good at going to sleep. Since he's slept in his own room (around 8 months) he takes a bath, reads a book, prayers, then he nurses and I put him down in his crib and he goes to sleep. So easy! I never minded when he woke up in the night as much because it was so easy for him to go back down to sleep.

For the last week, he's been having the hardest time going to sleep. And it doesn't seem to matter when we put him down either. Usually he goes to be between 7 and 8, but even when it's earlier or later he's just not falling asleep and ends up crying until Steve or I go in his room to a) give him back his lovey that he's thrown or b) nurse him and put him down again. It's just so incredibly frustrating to me - makes me crazy!

One or two nights of it here and there I wouldn't mind as much, but it's just so so so discouraging and maddening to me when it happens this often because I feel like he's making a habit of it! And the only alternative would be to let him just cry and cry until he cries himself to sleep, which I don't feel comfortable with. We've never let him cry it out, and I don't want to start now. The sound of him crying incessantly is something I can only handle for about 15 minutes tops before I lose my mind. So anyway long story short, I'm not into writing much else tonight. :(

We actually did have a really good day today too, so it's extra sad that the day is ending so poorly. I went for a run with my new shoes, and was pretty happy with the way the Nike+ worked. The mileage was accurate too - I purposefully ran a certain loop that I know the exact mileage of so that I could test how accurate the Nike+ system really was.

So weird question, does anybody else turn completely beet red when you run? I always have and it doesn't seem to matter how long or intense the run is either. It's so annoying, I look super flushed for like, 30 minutes or more. I guess it really happens anytime I get my heart rate up, like when we climb the Butte I noticed it happened too.

Speaking of climbing the Butte, it's becoming sort of a regular thing for us. It's great that it's so close, and it really is just so beautiful up there. We like giving Tutka lots of exercise too, and he just loves running up and down the steep slope. We went last night for a late evening hike/climb and it was just lovely.

Tutka gets pretty muddy/dusty (depending on the condition of the trail) when we go so we always take him to the river for a little bit of fetch before we go home. I really love where we live, being so close to so many fun outdoor things to do. I can only imagine that it will be even more fun as Riggs gets older and can enjoy everything too!

Sorry for the downer post, hope your evening has been a little more peaceful than mine. At least Monday is almost over, right?

our Saturday

I just love Saturdays. Especially when it's sunny out and when I get an early, productive start. I met Sarah at Edge Fitness again this morning for a class, and even though I thought I was going to die (seriously so tough), it's a great way to start the day. After class I stopped to get some new running shoes with Nike+ - I can't wait to go try them out tomorrow! I walked around a bit in the house to see how the system worked, pretty sure Steve thought I was crazy when he saw me walking back and forth for like five minutes straight lol. Riggs loved the shoes too ('shoe' is one of his favorite words right now so he loves any chance to say it over and over haha) and he kept trying to put them on.

When I got home we had a hearty breakfast, waffles with maple syrup and some sausage for the guys. I love big breakfasts, I think breakfast is definitely my favorite meal of the day by far. I'm such a snacker the rest of the day that I rarely have a real appetite for a big dinner.

Steve and I hung out in the sunny yard while Riggs napped, I painted my nails and he schemed about deck plans. Then when Riggy woke up, he played outside too for a while before we all headed in for a lazy afternoon. 

And just so you know, when I say lazy, I really mean it. I spent at least three hours laying on our sheepskin rug with a pillow from our room and my favorite wool blanket watching Say Yes to the Dress, Atlanta. I have been obsessed with wedding stuff lately, it's so weird! I want to buy bridal magazines and go try on dresses and make all the plans - I think I'm going crazy. It's probably because of all the pins I've been looking at, it's just not fair that I got married before Pinterest. 

All you girls who've had Pinterest when you got married or who will in the future, you'd better appreciate it! ;)

precious nicu newborn pictures

In February one of my very good friends had her baby four weeks early, and her sweet baby girl ended up staying in the NICU for about one month. It was obviously a pretty stressful and emotional time for the little family, and I wanted to help out in any way I could. I'm not an amazing photographer by any means but I do love to take pictures, especially of babies and kids and families. I figured it would probably be really nice to have some pictures of little baby Lyla while she was still so new, and even though the setting wasn't ideal, it is part of her history was nice to capture what life was like during those first few weeks.

I hope you enjoy the pictures, I loved taking them and think they turned out so beautiful. I only wish that I would have had my new camera back then so that they would have been a bit less grainy.

To see more pictures of Lyla check out her official newborn shoot from Relic Photographic, here. They are so beautiful, Hanna does such an amazing job.

first bike ride of 2013

Today we went for our first family bike ride of 2013! And for once all the pictures are of me and Riggs, instead of them all being of Steve. In fact, I didn't even get one single picture of Steve the entire ride, but he was there, I promise!

It was a sunny and somewhat gusty day, but we had fun anyway. Riggs loved it, he was happy the entire time, pointing at things and smiling and jabbering on to himself in his little bike buggy. We have a Burley Bee bike trailer and I love it so much. It's so lightweight and I barely notice it back there - it's so easy to maneuver and it seems really comfortable for Riggs too.

One great thing about where we live is the paved bike bath that goes from the main intersection in our little community all the way (about 7 miles I think) to Palmer. Last summer I rode my bike to Palmer regularly to get the mail and get groceries at Fred Meyer. This summer I'm sure we'll do the same thing, especially since Riggs still seems to enjoy it so much.

I'll leave you with this cute comparison of Riggy from nearly a year ago versus now:

some changes

We sold our couch yesterday. I'm so happy to be done with the whole selling process, yet a little sad about saying goodbye. I really loved that couch, but it just didn't turn out to be exactly what we needed. It's the couch I brought my little Riggy home to, so that's probably what makes me the most sad.

I don't think we're going to get a replacement for a few months (there's other big purchases that need to come first) and for now our three little chairs in a row will work just fine. But you can bet I have something picked out for when we do decide to get a new couch!

I'm leaning heavily towards the Vreta Sofa and Armchair/footrest. I love the simplicity and comfort that these pieces exude (at least to me) and we aren't really interested in anything but leather. I really like the white color, it would just go so well with the rest of the living room. I worry a little bit about getting such a light colored couch, but that's what is so nice about leather! Any thoughts? Also any experiences with the Vreta series would be appreciated! We would have to ship it to AK so we want to be sure it's worth it:)

PS the sun is out again and I just love it!

healthy turmeric fried rice

I love food that is simple, satisfying and super healthy all at the same time. This healthy recipe for fried rice with turmeric and onion is just that. Fried rice is always satisfying for me, I love the texture of the rice mixed with the egg and veggies. But I'm pretty sure it's not the most healthy thing ever, especially when doused in oils and high-sodium soy sauce (we're not big soy people around our house, this is why).

I'm always looking for a way to use up day-old rice, and fried rice is the perfect solution. We add turmeric to our rice (about 1 tsp per cup of dry rice) because it looks nice and turmeric is an exceptionally healthy spice that we try to include daily in our diet if possible.

the health benefits of turmeric 

source

• used in food and medicine for centuries, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it an effective preventative agent against a wide-range of diseases. 
• "Curcumin seems to delay liver damage that can eventually lead to cirrhosis, according to preliminary experimental research at the Medical University Graz in Austria.
• Kansas State University research found that adding certain spices, including turmeric, can reduce the levels of heterocyclic amines -- carcinogenic compounds that are formed when meats are barbecued, boiled or fried -- by up to 40 percent.
• Rodent studies at the University of Texas indicate that curcumin inhibits the growth of a skin cancer, melanoma and also slows the spread of breast cancer into the lungs.
• Researchers from the University of South Dakota have found that pretreatment with curcumin makes cancer cells more vulnerable to chemo and radiotherapy.
• Epidemiologists have hypothesized that the turmeric that is part of daily curries eaten in India may help explain the low rate of Alzheimer's disease in that country. Among people aged 70 to 79, the rate is less than one-quarter that of the United States."

We also try to include onion nearly everyday because it's an inexpensive way to add flavor and onions have a myriad of amazing health benefits as well. Onions (and garlic) have components in them that are thought to lower your risk of cancer and heart disease.

Last night we had some left over rice and I needed to make something quick for Riggs to eat for dinner (Steve and I were having pizza but apparently Riggs doesn't like pizza - what a weirdo). I slapped some coconut oil in the frying pan, and scrambled an egg, then added the rice and some frozen organic peas to the mix. I let it all warm up and added about 1 tablespoon of Braggs Liquid Aminos (some of the only soy we eat, and it's non-GMO and organic) for some flavor. I chopped up some green onions and sprinkled them on top of the fried rice mixture after I had put it on a plate for Riggs. He loved it! And I was happy to have something so easy and healthy to feed him that was using up leftovers too.

Fried Rice with Turmeric and Onion

2 T & 1 tsp organic unrefined coconut oil, separated
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4-1 cup cooked rice (day old rice works best)
1/4 cup frozen organic peas
1 tsp turmeric (if you didn't include it when cooking your rice)
1 T Braggs Liquid Aminos
chopped green onion to taste

add enough oil to your frying pan/skillet to cover the entire surface, about 11tsp.
scramble the egg then add the rice and peas. stir in the rest of the coconut oil. stir until hot all the way through and then add the turmeric (if needed) and the Braggs. Add green onion and enjoy!

randomness on my half-birthday

It's my half-birthday today.

It's okay if you didn't remember;)

Six months ago, I turned 26 and six months from now I'll turn 27...scary (especially for my parents haha love you mom&dad)

Today I thought I'd share 13 random things about me to celebrate my half-birthday. I picked 13 because it's half my age and it's early and I don't think I could come up with much more than 13 things.

.............................................................................

#1

we eat ice cream all.the.time yet we don't have an ice cream scoop. now that's just crazy. every time I go to my parents and use their pampered chef scoop I think, "I'm so getting one of these" except then I never do. I guess I figure the harder I have to work to dig out the ice cream with a regular spoon the less I'll end up eating in the end or something like that;)

#2

I've lived in Anchorage, Homer, and Palmer but I've never lived anywhere outside of Alaska.

#3

water is pretty much the only thing I ever drink. I love it and I don't understand when people having problems drinking enough water. I've never liked coffee and I don't really drink tea or hot cocoa or chai or any warm drinks because they make me feel really full and they make me overheat and get sweaty. 

#4

I hate being sweaty. unless I'm purposefully doing something that I expect to get sweaty doing, like running or cleaning (you don't get sweaty when you clean? somethings wrong with you).

#5

when I was a kid I wanted to be a hermit and live in a small cabin in England with my little sister. we worked it out so we could have all the books we wanted and lots of food too.

anytime I'm annoyed by vast hoards of people I think about this and wish I could beam myself to that imaginary hermit cabin.

#6

I wish everyday that Hogwarts was a real place and that I could go there.

#7

I've never read the Twilight Series and never will.

sorry not sorry.

#8

I love food, a lot.

my mom always makes fun of me because when I was a kid I'd ask what was for dinner while we were at the table eating lunch.

#9

I had short hair until I started growing it out when I was 13.

people regularly mistook me for a boy.

it was awful and probably why you'll never see me with short hair ever again.

in case you're wondering that's not a random boy in the picture with the blue shirt.

that's me.

yeah.

#10

I stayed up way too late last night and now I'm really tired

#11

I always have bruises all over my legs. probably because I'm so clumsy and bump into everything and fall a lot.

#12

when I was a kid I wanted glasses really bad. so I told my mom I was having a hard time seeing stuff and she took me to the eye doctor and I tried to read the chart bad enough to convince them that I needed glasses. it didn't work though, the eye doctor saw right through me.

#13

I've never broken a single bone. hopefully I never will.

Obviously, I'm a pretty boring person so if you're still reading this that's pretty impressive. Happy Tuesday!