Can you believe there's a Layton baby that's not blond? I just assumed the Layton family carried some suped up Danish hair gene evolved over time to keep natural blonds on Earth. Billy Brimhall, however, has disproved my theory. I guess my mousy brown genes are just easily pushed around. Anyway, Billy brought his parents over to visit this past weekend. I've been waiting for Melissa to post some of the pics she took down on the Riverwalk on her blog so I could steal them, but obviously, she's being a slacker (and I didn't have my camera). But we had a good time and can't wait to see everyone in AZ for Christmas!

Bryan: I think you should always keep your fingernails long.

Natalie: You think? (thinking: I do have pretty great hands. My fingers are a little jacked up from being jammed by so many volleyball related incidents, but my fingers are long and thin, with deep nailbeds and thick nails. Yes, I should keep my fingernails long. It's so nice that he noticed!)

Bryan: Yeah, it's so much easier to get Maya's boogers out that way.

Alright all of you cousins and friends who have recently moved. . .if you want a Christmas card from the Layton clan (and you know you do :), I'll need you send me an updated address. Please?

To natalielayton at gmail dot com.

Thank You!!!

My Christmas Miracle!

I'm still not exactly sure what happened here. It's all a blur. On a whim this morning I set up my black backdrop in a last ditch effort to get a Christmas portrait of Maya for the grandparents. Maya is notoriously pointed about not having the big huge black thing pointed at her face. She doesn't so much mind the point and shoot, but she doesn't do the camera I worked my heinie off for and spent a small fortune on. So, understandably, I wasn't too optimistic. I did have a new trick up my sleeve, however, in the form of a snot green harmonica purchased at Target for $2.50. I played like a fool and hoped something would come out in focus. Because she stood still for a few precious minutes. And looked at me. And smiled a real smile. It's not the most inventive portrait, but it's so her. And I love it. It's a Christmas miracle!

I told myself I would take pictures today, when everyone was dolled up for church. I opted instead for a nap. Tomorrow.

Not relevant to the statement above, but last night I dreamed that at five and half months pregnant, I single-handedly thwarted a terrorist attempt to obtain DNA samples of former BYU athletes that would be used to create a super army meant to destroy all that was good and decent in the world.

Whew, that was quite the run-on sentence.

I even demonstrated my final take down move for Bryan earlier today. He was impressed. He should be. It was awesome.

Just an average night in the Layton house:

8:30 pm - Put Maya to bed

10:00 pm - Around the time Maya finally falls asleep

11:00 pm - Bryan and I go to bed

12:30 am - Bathroom

1:50 am - Bathroom

2:37 am - Maya wakes and starts singing and/or re-enacting a scene from an animated movie.

3:15 am - Wake up to hear Maya playing with her Tad/Leapfrog talking doll thingie (imagine how you would react being jarred from sleep by a strange, high pitched voice coming from your child's room in the middle of the night).

4:00 am - Bryan is breathing on my face. It takes a couple of minutes to turn over and find a comfortable position for me, my aching hips, and my heavy baby.

4:42 am - Escort Maya and the book she's clutching back to bed. Get her a drink. Bathroom.

5:20 am - Escort Maya back to bed who obviously thinks that it must be morning by now.

6:15 am - Bryan's alarm. Silent prayer that he doesn't wake Maya back up.

7:40 - Finally light outside. Up for good.

Seriously? I am a simple person. I don't spend excessive amounts of money on clothes or accessories. I don't need the latest thing, or to be in the spotlight. But I'll tell you what I do need. Sleep! Blessed, glorious, elusive sleep. Everyone says that you won't get much sleep for a few months after a baby is born. It's been nearly three years. Without sleep. I'm only asking for a few months. To rest before it starts all over again. Is that too much to ask?

Decode Your Craving

Well apparently, this Bridget Doherty lady has me all figured out. At least according to Bryan. He was reading this article explaining why people crave different snacks and how it relates to your personality, and when he read the section on those who crave salty and sweet snacks he slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "That's my Natalie!". Here's a synopsis:

When you crave sweet and salty

What it says about you: You're a loner, but a whiz, too. According to Hirsch's data, people who think a potato chip dipped in chocolate sauce is a match made in sensory heaven tend to be creative but private, to the point that they appear standoffish.

Flattering, eh? Everyone loves to hear the word "loner" in their personality description. It makes me sound like the Unibomber. But I guess if I look at myself objectively I do have the tendency to hold people at arms length. And find myself to be excellent company; but that's none of your business. I'm obviously a whiz. . .by jove! I think she's got something!

Now where did I stash those Sea Salt Caramels?

Everyone's got one, right? A photo of what happens when an unsupervised little girl gets a hold of mom's make-up? She's watched her mom spend all this time applying the stuff and wants to try it out herself, usually with comic results.

But I'm really not much of an example; I don't wear much make-up and have never really cared enough to learn how to do it properly. Which is probably why Maya seemed to think it appropriate to concentrate her stolen time applying blush up and down her nose.

(I wish you could see the make-up better in this picture. It really was awesome!)

20 Week Ultrasound

Yesterday morning the fam headed to my twenty week ultrasound to catch a glimpse of Steve-io. We pass the temple on the way there. I reminded Maya of the name and showed her the yellow man on top named Angel Moroni while we were stopped at a light. I was feeling pretty good about my parenting skills at the moment, helping fulfil the plan of happiness and all by raising up a righteous generation. . .so I started singing I Love to See the Temple. She listened for a minute, then said, "Ssshhh Mommy. Stop singing!". I paused, confused, when a horrible noise started coming from her carseat. It took me awhile to realize she was "speaking whale", like Dori on Finding Nemo. In response to my singing. Should I take this personally?

Anyway, the moment passed and we continued to the doctors office. Maya freaked out the entire time. She recognized the examination rooms and was sure at some point she would get a shot. Her only consolation came from a tangerine dum dum and watching videos of herself on Dad's blackberry. It was a little hard to concentrate, with Maya screeching and all, but the new baby is looking good; definitely a boy. And a kicker. A 6'7", 130 lb. soccer player.

Christmas Stickers

I had these printed up to stick on my poster tubes and to close the envelopes for my Christmas cards this year. But I had to print a thousand to get a decent price. And I'm only using about 150, this year at least. If anyone wants some, the printing costs end up being about 5 cents a piece. I'm at the post office all the time, so if you're far away, just add 88 cents (the cost of 2 stamps) to the total and I'll send them off to you ASAP. Just leave me a comment or shoot me an email. Oh, and they are the size of a business card.

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Giveaway

I haven't posted in awhile, I have a bunch to blog about. And I will, after Young Women in Excellence is squared away Wednesday (I'm doing the slideshow and I've never used this new CS4 Premier Pro before. It keeps crashing on me and eliciting all sorts of colorful language).

Anyway, I want to enter the TodaysMama giveaway. Because it's awesome. And because Provo Craft makes some cool stuff. That I need. And now you get to know all sorts of fun things about me. Win/win.

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

What are 5 items on your holiday wish list:

1. My 2 year old to be interested in the potty. In any way, shape, or form.
2. New hardwood to replace the yucky carpeting on the main level of my house.
3. Amazon gift cards
4. A happy and. . .
5. Healthy holiday season! (Is that cheating?)
   

Handmade Gift I want to Tackle:

1. Patchwork Quilt
   

Favorite Handmade Gift I have received:

1. Jean quilts. So warm and awesome for outdoor activities.

Best Christmas Gift I Received as a Child:

1. Love and Support :)

What Items are at the Top of Your Kids Wish List:

1. If I were being honest, Maya would be happiest with potato chips. Sad, I know. She's getting a sock monkey and some Christmas pajamas.
   

Favorite Holiday Food:

1. My mother-in-laws homemade candy. And freshly squeezed orange juice.
   

What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays:

1. It's a secret. I don't want anyone reading this blog to have their surprise ruined.

Favorite Holiday Movie:

1. A Christmas Story. Of course!

Favorite Holiday Song:

1. Mo-Tab Hymns

Favorite Holiday Pastime:

1. Spending time with family
   

Lamest Halloween Photos Ever

. . .I know. . .

It can make your day when your daughter comes up to you, strokes the side of your face and says, "so pretty, Mommy".

At least, until a few hours later when gardening in the backyard and you see her stroking a pile of dirt, also telling it how "pretty" it is.

It's On

I'll share a little known fact about Bryan. He is an infomercial junkie. He doesn't actually go so far as to buy anything, but he seems to find some sort of entertainment factor in them. When we were first married it wasn't at all uncommon to come home to him watching a Ronco demonstration or musing about how useful that vacuum hair cutter would be. So when I saw the Topsy Turvy on sale at the local grocery store, I knew Bryan would be excited to finally realize his long anticipated "tomato off" infomercial dream. The one where he and I compete by seeing which tomato growing method yields the tastiest fruit. He insists my traditional tomato growing ways are archaic and I must utilize the latest technology "as seen on tv".

Now I'll share a little known fact about myself. I'm weirdly competitive about inconsequential contests. I think it's because I no longer compete athletically and I need an outlet. Whatever the reason, I have every intention of burying Bryan in this competition. I won't lie, sometimes it's hard for me to "remember" to water the topsy turvy, but I do, because my honest victory will yield the sweetest fruit of all.