Simplicity needed

What an unexpected week this has shaped up to be. But first, let me say that I could listen to conference a dozen more times and still feel overwhelmed by the amount of messages that were exactly the things that I needed to hear. Fresh air, all of it. Isn't it amazing that our leaders can prepare thoughts for the whole world that seem like they were meant specifically for us? It's nice to know that we are all in this together. I have to speak in sacrament on Elder Uchedorf's talk. I was moved by his challenge to simplify/prioritize, in order to return back to nailing down the fundamentals in life; to feel accomplished and satisfied without the need for all of the distractions. He quoted good old Leonardo DaVinci by saying, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Love it. It's going on the wall, mormon vinyl style.

I'll be needing to take his advice to heart if I want to get along with myself for the next 7 days. Brad just left town for a hunting trip with all the boys in my family. Thanks dad. Can't wait to see my state when Brad next walks back through that door! Let's shoot for sane.

So Austin is now 3 1/2 months old, and he has the sweetest little disposition. He loves, loves, loves being talked to by his brother and dad. He despises his carseat. He soaks through size 1 diapers in no time at all. He has lost all of his hair on top in a matter of 3 days. He goes crazy in the bath, dancing and kicking until he's exhausted. He has thrush for the 4th time, and a nasty cold. I did not know that newborns could get sick. So sad! He definitely likes his momma, and loves to eat (hence the weighing in at 14 pounds). He doesn't like to eat from his momma, so I pump because he won't settle down to nurse. I've been tempted to throw the towel in on nursing, but I haven't dared yet. Good thing, because an allergist in Vegas gave Aussie a RAST test yesterday and discovered that he is allergic to milk and eggs. So he wouldn't be able to tolerate formula anyway, unless it were the $40/can of stinky Elecare. The EGG issue sure sheds some light on the discomfort that seems separate from his reflux. I eat 3 eggs every day. So HOPEFULLY, no more eggs will mean a lot less screaming and stinky gas from Austin. Poor baby tries so hard to be smiley and sweet, but he just has a really hard time with his food. I feel hopeful for continued improvement. His cute sounds and giggles make the rest seem not so bad :-)

One more thing that is worth journaling: I feel like I am in the movie, 'Arachanaphobia". The rains have literally driven the creatures to our home. We have found atleast 10 scorpions inside the house and in the courtyard this past week. Three of them have been the length of my hand. I"M NOT EXAGGERATING. Wait, this gets better. I went to take Max out today, and there was a big juicy scorpion by the front door, and he likes to try to attack them. So I took him out through the garage instead. I walk into the garage, and what do I see but a TARANTULA, also the size of my hand. Really?? I didn't know that we lived in Tarantula land. So I throw a box over it, get over the shock, and take him down the sidewalk just in time to meet an even bigger tarantula. Needless to say, we went back inside. Oh, and my girlfriend got bit by a rattlesnake on their Sunday walk this past weekend. Ya gotta love the desert.