Book Lover

Sometimes you find those books that really make you feel something. You can actually feel the story in your soul and the people seem to really come to life and you feel as if you've known them your whole life.

I love happy discoveries like that. Reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was a happy discovery.

It's even better when the author herself writes something that you had thought to yourself in the past. LIKE READING YOUR OWN THOUGHTS. Spooky. But cool spooky :)

"Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers."

I honestly believe that.

My favorite baby gift so far has been this little onesie. (Thanks again Faith!)


I really hope that our little guy is a reader. The world is a much more interesting and magical place when you love to read.

Two-Year Mark

On September 28, 2007 we were joined as a familial unit, and that was the best day of our lives.

Two years later we are still enjoying the fun of being the Brittons!

We were going to celebrate by doing some low-key, albeit important things. Instead, we got the sickness.

The sickness was rough. We didn't enjoy it. At first we thought it was just me getting food poisoning or something pregnancy related. Once Rich also got the sickness we realized that this was no food poisoning. However, in the meantime we did babysit Brad and Jo's kids, thoroughly ensuring that they could get our germs. (I'm still crossing my fingers they don't get sick! Mainly bc Addie ended that night with black eye from an unfortunate slide trick. So really, Rich and I are going to be great parents--we spread germs willy-nilly and give children horrible wounds.) The sickness was such that Rich and I were pretty useless for most of the week. I was useless from the beginning toward the end, and Rich was useless from the middle to the end. I recovered by getting the freezer corn done and the very ripe pears bottled. Rich recovered by sleeping for 13 hours straight from Friday night to Saturday morning. He didn't have to go to the bathroom once. He's so lucky.

Due to the 13-hour sleep, and the sickness, we didn't make it to the temple on Saturday morning like we had planned. We wanted to go to the temple and celebrate our special day by being where our marriage all began. Since the temple is closed on Monday we thought Saturday would substitute. Instead, we went tonight. I'm so glad that we've gone to the temple both anniversaries so far. I hope that's a tradition we continue because what better place to be than the temple to think about our life together? I'm grateful for the blessings of the temple and for the opportunity that we have to be sealed together for eternity. Because I don't want to be with anyone but Rich for forever!

We decided we would go out for ice cream after the temple. I picked Leatherby's! Then I found a coupon in the mail for a buy one get one half off at Coldstone. So we went there. Nothing like couponing on your anniversary!

On our actual anniversary day we were planning on just going to a nicer dinner--one that didn't include a dollar menu or an Hot-n-Ready pizza. Instead, back in August, we got sucked into buying something at Costco that we didn't know we really, really needed, that is much larger than a regular purchase, but that was at an incredible deal (essentially like every trip to Costco).

I had actually been coveting one of these pictures of the Salt Lake Temple for ages and when I saw them at the local Costco, I begged Rich to spend all our monies on a picture. We agreed that this purchase would count as our anniversary and maybe some of Christmas. So, instead of going to dinner on Monday, I decided I would make a nicer meal. Then the meal got downgraded to a crock pot meal. Then I ended up pulling a lasagna from the freezer that I'd saved from earlier in the summer. We are high class. And romantic.

I love Rich very much and (cliche) can't believe it's already been two years. It hasn't been a two years free of frustrations and learning experiences, but it has been a perfect two years because we've grown closer together, loved each other more, and helped each other become better people. In our third year we'll have have many more adventures, and we can't wait!


We really like each other.

Da Bumps

I decided I should post some baby bump pics so I could remember my largeness. And, so when in a few months I'm even larger, I can look at these pictures and remember the good old days of being only 5 months pregnant.

23 weeks. This was an accidental baby bump pic while in Times Square.
[I look amazing.]

I love the juxtaposition of me and the naked underwear model in the background.
There is something remarkably different about our two bellies. . .

I feel like I had that "you popped out" moment in the past few weeks or so and actually look pregnant. And though I'm not as big as I thought I would be at this point, I'm okay with that. Grateful, would be the word. I'm also okay with the fact that I have to wear nylons to work everyday because they hold in my belly even more throughout the day. Nylons are not completely evil!

Here I am with my current belly (almost 25 weeks). I love it.

I love knowing that inside that belly (the belly that also freaks me out bc omgosh I have never weighed so much) is a baby boy! I've been able to feel the little Britton a lot more, and Rich is able to feel him, too. I adore having those moments

Baby miracles!

Really Important Post About Waffles

I sort of love having breakfast for dinner. It's comforting, and it's easy (I'm a little lazy right now in the dinner-making category). And our recent brinner (breakfast for dinner) was perfect for a stormy--seemed just like fall--night. Pumpkin seems to make you feel right at home.

I went on a spree last week looking at all the pumpkin recipes I could find. (That pumpkin cupcake from Magnolia really got me in the fall mood and made me NEED some pumpkin stuff!) Anyway, when I found a recipe for pumpkin waffles on Smitten Kitchen (whom I love), I knew I needed to make them. They were good enough to blog about--mainly to remind myself to make these again, and soon.

These waffles were a little more intense than I thought, but only because I didn't look to see that I would be needing to dirty three bowls. In reality, they were pretty easy to make. So don't let the three-bowl thing scare you. I added more cinnamon and cloves than called for, and I added some nutmeg for good measure. I used some pumpkin puree that I had saved in the freezer, so I think that may have been why I needed more flavoring. Or I just really like a lot of spices.

Also, if I were to make them again for just the two of us I would half the recipe. I didn't realize how many waffles it would make. And as Rich is not a fan of the reheating of waffles, we had them for dinner two nights in a row. Thank goodness the batter kept in the fridge overnight. I was worried. But we seem to be alive still and the waffles tasted as good the second night.

Pumpkin Waffles from Smitten Kitchen
Adapted from several sources

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
4 large eggs, separated
2 cups well-shaken buttermilk [I didn't have any at home, so I made my own by adding lemon juice, perhaps these would be even better with real buttermilk?]
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin [again, I used pumpkin puree]
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted [I used salted bc that's how I roll. I like salt.]

Vegetable oil for brushing waffle iron or cooking spray

Accompaniment: warm pure maple syrup [we used buttermilk vanilla and store-bought maple]

Preheat oven to 250°F and preheat waffle iron. [I didn't use the oven--too much effort]

Sift together flour, brown sugar, baking powder and soda, salt, and spices.

Whisk egg yolks in a large bowl with buttermilk, pumpkin, and butter until smooth. Whisk in dry ingredients just until smooth.

In a mixing bowl with a whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites until they hold soft peaks. Fold them gently into the waffle batter, until just combined.

Brush waffle iron lightly with oil and spoon batter (about 2 cups for four 4-inch Belgian waffles) into waffle iron, spreading quickly. Cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Transfer waffles to rack in oven to keep warm and crisp. Make more waffles in same manner.

Final Day!

Tuesday was our last day in the city. Our flight wasn't until later that evening, so we had enough time to get some more sight seeing in. First we headed to the Statue of Liberty.

I highly recommend going first thing in the morning. Fewer lines and you get it out of the way! However, the water at the pier was very, very choppy. Apparently 400 years ago Henry Hudson "discovered" (explored) the Hudson River area. Thus, navies from several countries decided to honor this feat by having a naval parade (and probably caused the choppiness).

This also meant that we had to stay at the dock for awhile. Thank you Henry Hudson. We were on a tight schedule, but I guess history should be celebrated. Pregnancy+really tired+no breakfast+choppy water=unhappy me. But I lived. By using the backpack as a pillow and laying down on Rich's lap. Like a 5 year old.

We finally made it to the monument, where we enjoyed ourselves and took pics and walked quickly to ensure we saw everything. I thought I was in pretty good shape for a pregnant person, but walking up those steps reminded me that my lung capacity could stand to increase some. [There are pictures of me. They're on Rich's camera.]

Again, the weather this day was great, a bit more humid, but still pretty mild and wonderful. We decided against exploring Ellis Island. Another trip! Plus, Rich told me he had a pretty good idea what it was all about from the movie Hitch. So, thank you Will Smith, for teaching my husband about immigrants.

After getting back to Manhattan, we walked over to the Financial District, took our bull pictures, saw Wall Street and the NYSE, and bought a new power tie for Rich. Then we headed up to City Hall Park and the Brooklyn Bridge.

We booked it across the bridge, snapping pics as we went, and made it to Brooklyn!

Then we had a wonderful pizza at Grimaldi's. I love their pizza.

I know some people think it's not that great, but I do. I love, love, love it! And apparently Rich and I are pigs since we ate an entire large pizza between the two of us in approximately 30 minutes. New York pizza is amazing.

We headed down to the pier to take pics and to get some ice cream from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. So much food in such a short amount of time.

I love this picture. Rich looks so cute. And he's smiling his normal smile. Love him!!

After this was a subway trip back to Manhattan and to the Cambridge offices. I wanted to drop in and say hello to my old boss. I love Scott. I should have taken a picture with him. But, oh well. I will remember him and his cuteness. We visited for a bit and caught up, then Rich and I did more walking, stopping occasionally along Canal Street, but generally making our way up to Washington Square park and the NYU bookstore.

I decided my souvenir needed to be an NYU hoodie since I'd meant to buy one long ago but never did. And the bookstore employees took pity on me and my pregnancy and let me use the employee only restroom. Heart them!

We didn't get to explore my old neighborhood because we were short on time, but Rich told me he didn't even care! Rude! Next visit I'll make him understand the East Village love. We did, however, have time to go up to the Strand and peruse the $1 book carts. Really, it wouldn't be a New York trip if I didn't buy some $1 books. I didn't find any super amazing treasures this time, but I did find some picks that I'm sure will make me happy.

Making our way back to the PATH to get to Jersey City and our bags, I realized that our route was perfectly aligned to stop at Murray's Bagels one more time! I didn't even plan it. It was destiny. The NY gods knew I needed the bagels. So we got our dozen. And I smiled.

Then to Jersey City and then back into the city to catch the subway to JFK. Our whole trip was perfect until reaching JFK. I hate the Delta. So much. I thought about writing a strongly worded letter to the people who schedule the baggage drop desk for all Delta flights and ask them rhetorically why, WHY IN THE WORLD THEY ONLY SCHEDULED ONE PERSON TO WORK THE DESK. But I've decided against it. Mainly because I'm pretty sure the guy in front of us will write a letter that's strong enough for all of us. He threatened to sue the desk worker. And though, I kind of hate her too, his letter will most likely get the point across. I will also probably get over the disapointment of having to throw away my brand new pretty bottle of hair product that I had to take through security because Delta wouldn't check our bags. At least the TSA guys commiserated with me. They hate Delta too.

The end! Our trip was great! We spent too much money, mainly on food, but it was a wonderful trip for us to take, and I'm so glad that we were there for Meryl's wedding and that I got to reunite with all the girls I used to work with at Cambridge. I hope to get Rich back to the city someday. Hopefully soon! Because I already need more pizza and bagels.

Day 4

Day four needed some serious sleeping in! We then packed up and headed back to Jersey City. Rich and I wanted to get some more touristy stuff in, so after a quick lunch we headed into the city.We first went to Central Park. I love the park. It's so great. And I constantly get lost on all the pathways, but it's okay. You always discover something fun, and you forget you're in the city. I just love all the different areas of Central Park.

We were thinking of doing a carriage ride, but instead saved our money and just wandered around and at one point relaxed on the lawn for a bit just hanging out and chatting. It was a great way to spend a few hours. And I have to mention at this point that the weather during our whole trip was amazing. I was nervous it was still going to be hot and humid, but we were pleasantly surprised and had mild weather the entire time. It felt like fall weather, and since fall is my favorite time in the city, I couldn't have been happier.

After Central Park we walked down 5th Avenue and saw all the fancy stores we will never shop at! We found our way down to Rockefeller Center and snapped pics there.

We also found the Magnolia Bakery that's there now. My pumpkin cupcake was freaking amazing. I want to try to duplicate it at home! After our sugar fix, we headed up to Top of the Rock.

Annalisa had told me that Top of the Rock was better than the Empire State Building just because you could see more and then take pics of the ESB. Plus, the lines were shorter. I couldn't agree more.

I'm not sure if I ever want to go back to the ESB after going to TotR. There was no waiting, no giant crowds, you could see the whole city, and it didn't seem so commercialized. I'm really glad we decided to get tickets to go up and see everything.

After taking many pictures on top of the building, we headed over to the Stage Deli. The Stage Deli is a Millett family tradition. My dad first discovered the place when he was in NY on business, then he took my mom, then the kids when we went as a family. Wendi and Erik even went there on their trip together--though Erik being a super saver back then didn't eat anything and made Wendi order the cheapest thing on the menu, the egg salad sandwich. Erik did take me back there when I lived in NY, and he let me get whatever sandwich I wanted, and he even ordered food for himself this time :) Anyway, I figured Rich needed to be included in the Millett family fun. Oh how I adore the pastrami. It was so warm and wonderful. Mmmmm. [Imagine my giant sandwich, bc the picture Rich took of me did not meet blog post standards.]

After this we took our tourist pictures by the Late Show sign and headed home. We were tired, and my feet needed a break!

Day 3

Day three of the trip was the wedding! I was so glad when Meryl let me know a year ago when she was getting married so I could plan for the trip and so we could save our money. I was honored to be invited, and it was so wonderful to be there for Meryl and Evan's big day.

Faith, Rich, and I were pretty worn out by this point, so we took the morning pretty easy. We got some great sandwiches at one of the cute surrounding towns and just relaxed before we needed to get ready for the evening.

After getting all gussied up, we headed out. We met up with Pooja, another former co-worker, and her boyfriend Robin at the wedding. I'd never met Robin, so it was great to get to know him.


The ceremony was first, and Meryl was a gorgeous bride. Honestly, I can't get over how fabulous her dress was. She looked AMAZING. And her dress really seemed to be made for her. It fit so well. The ceremony was wonderful.

We then headed for cocktail hour. There was so much food! Seriously, cocktail hour could have provided all the food I would have needed for the evening! It was insane. After this we went into find our table and the food never stopped coming.

Meryl and Evan danced their first dance to Michael Buble's "Everything." And they did such a great job! They did the rumba and looked so cute together.

Then was the hora and the carrying the bride and groom and their parents in the chairs. It was really a party! I was laughing so hard at how the guys had a hard time getting Evan up, but Meryl almost got thrown out of the chair! The rest of the evening was spent dancing, eating, visiting, and eating more! It really was a great night and a wonderful party. I'm so happy for Meryl and Evan!

After the wedding we went back to the hotel again for some more visiting and hanging out. It was a late night, but completely worth it. I'm so glad that Rich and I were able to go out for the wedding!

NY Day 2

Our second day in New York was actually spent in New Jersey. Faith lives in Jersey City, and since we needed to drive out to the wedding that night, we just stayed near her apartment. We got bagels again--from a new place--but still amazing. Then I went with Faith and one of her neighbors to get manicures and pedicures! Loved this. I really need to do this more often. And since pregnancy is making my nails pretty, and I'm being really good and not biting my nails, it was totally worth the manicure. And the pedicure was heavenly.

Following the girl time, Faith, Rich, and I headed out for our short drive to the country of New Jersey to get ready for the rehearsal dinner. We scored an invite so I could visit with Meryl more before her big day. Faith's godmother lives only 20 minutes from where the wedding and dinner were being held. It was a perfectly lovely location. I loved all the greenery and the house we stayed in was amazing. Tom and Ann were wonderful hosts, and I'm so glad I finally got to meet the godmother I've heard so much about. Plus, we didn't have to pay for hotel rooms!

The rehearsal dinner gave us a reason to dress us all nicely.

We are cute! Kind of. Pregnancy pics of me are not always great.

Meryl and Evan are cuter!

It was so exciting to see Meryl and to meet Evan. The dinner was at this family style Italian place that was really good. And they had the BYU game on at the bar, so Rich could keep us updated on the score.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel that the wedding party was staying at to hang out at the hotel bar, and to watch BYU beat Oklahoma! I'll admit, I didn't believe BYU would win. I'd told Rich this. He was a believer though. And I was very happy to be proven wrong.

After celebrating the win, we headed back to the house to sleep more!

They Went to New York

Meryl got married! Evan got married, too. Congrats to them! I was so excited that Rich and I were able to be there for this big day, and even more excited that it meant a trip to New York to see friends and eat bagels!

Faith was wonderful and let us stay at her place and gave us free reign to come and go as we pleased. She picked us up at the airport super late at night, so she gets double gold stars for that, she drove us to the wedding in New Jersey, and she was just generally an amazing hostess. It was fun to spend time with the girls I worked with while at Cambridge.

I'll start with day one (I'll be including details no one but us cares about. Enjoy!):

Friday was our super tourist day, and our only full day in the city, so we took advantage of this by maiming our feet, ensuring that we almost died of dehydration, and panicking when there wasn't a bathroom close.

First we headed to Murray's Bagels, or otherwise known as Bagel Heaven. Seriously. We brought home a dozen bagels and a tub of scallion cream cheese. I could probably live on nothing but NY poppy seed bagels with scallion cream cheese. After I got my cream cheese high, we headed up to the Upper West Side to visit Annalisa. We love her. And her new baby. And her mom. I was so happy to see Annalisa again after a year, and meeting her new son was so much fun. He really is a doll and he is the only one I would want to be the first recipient of the homemade baby blocks. He already loves them. He told me. After catching up and enjoying each other's company, Rich and I headed out for our walking adventure.

We met Faith at Shake Shack for lunch [a common theme throughout the trip will be food--and how our sightseeing consisted of restaurants that were near famous landmarks].

We waited in the longest line. I've never waited that long at the Shake Shack. But it was worth it!

This is us enjoying one of the best burgers in the city.

This is us eating fries.

I made the mistake of not getting fries once, because the time before they had been soggy, but then I tried some of Faith's. They were decidedly not soggy this time. And then I ate all of her fries. I'm such a good lunch companion.

After this adventure we headed back to Times Square to take our obligatory pictures.

We then took the subway out to Flushing for the U.S. Open! Rich was excited when he realized we would be in New York as the same time as the Open.

We got to see Venus Williams and Rafael Nadal play. It was really great to be there (I'd been before, but still, great), and though I was done with the sitting before Nadal's match ended, we got to see pretty much everything we needed to.

We also took our picture by this giant globe that the aliens tried to blow up once. Apparently they didn't do a very good job.

Or it's a really good hologram.

Then we rode back to Faith's. And got there very late. And very tired. But very happy.