The Island of Lost Maps by Miles Harvey

Here is another book review from a book I found fascinating.


"What a vapid job title our culture gives to those honorable laborers the ancient Egyptians and Sumerians variously called Learned Man of the Magic Library, Scribes of the Double House of Life, Mistresses of the House of Books, or Ordainers of the Universe. Librarian - that mouth-contorting, graceless grind of a word, that dry gulch in the dictionary between libido and licentious - it practically begs you to envision a stoop-shouldered loser, socks mismatched, eyes locked in a permanent squint from reading too much microfiche. If it were up to me, I would abolish the word entirely and turn back to the lexicological wisdom of the ancients, who saw librarians not as feeble sorters and shelvers but as heroic guardians. In Assyrian, Babylonian, and Egyptian cultures alike, those who toiled at the shelves were often bestowed with a proud, even soldierly, title: Keeper of the Books.

I think most librarians, especially rare book librarians, still secretly view themselves in this way. I met dozens of them as I retraced Bland's footsteps, and in the end I came to the conclusion that most view their work as what the scholar and novelist Umberto Eco, writing about librarians of an earlier age, called a 'war with the forces of oblivion.' I think they wage this war because, like the historian Barbara Tuchman, they believe that 'books are humanity in print' and that, as the Keepers of the Books, they are safeguarding not just pieces of paper but mortal flesh. The stakes are high: if they fail the past dies."

--Pages 113-114



"Yet I came to understand that, at its most fundamental level, a discovery has less to do with revelation than declaration. Just as the word explore comes from the Latin for "to cry out," discovery is the act of making known. Christopher Columbus was not the first to arrive in America: his genius was in introducing the New World to the old one." p 322

"Any attempt, whether in writing or mapping, to fit our three-dimensional world onto the flat page leads to distortions. some elements receive too much space, others too little; still others become warped almost beyond recognition." p 324

"Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain

I've been going through my old posts, and her is a review on a book I read. Interesting book.

• Culture of Character vs Culture of Personality was changed by 1920. When started following movie stars more. The "economy called for a new kind of man" (p 20), an extroverted one.
• Citizenship, duty, work, golden deeds, honor, reputation, morals, manners, integrity vs magnetic, fascinating, stunning, attractive, glowing, dominant, forceful, energetic. (p 23-24)
• "Though shyness per se was unacceptable, reserve was a mark of good breeding" (25) vs males and females that were too quiet were "homosexual" or "frigid". (25)

• Scientific study says that peer pressure can actually change our perceptions.
• A high-reactive child's ideal parent: someone who "can read your cues and respect your individuality; is warm and firm in placing demands on you without being harsh or hostile; promotes curiosity, academic achievement, delayed gratification, and self-control; and is not harsh, neglectful, or inconsistent". (p 113)  
• Evolutionary theory: Need both introverts and extroverts for a species to survive. (p147-149)
• "According to Free Trait Theory, we are born and culturally endowed with certain personality traits- introversion, for example - but we can and do act out of character in the service of 'core personal projects'." (p 209). "To thine own self be true", as Shakespeare advised. Make sure that carve out "restorative niches", no matter what personality type you are. (p 265)

According to the lists in the book, I am a little more introverted than extroverted, and am equally motivated by rewards and threats .

Jenna Turns Three!

Jenna is now a big girl- three years old! She is quite the talker and though she has her moments, she is a good toddler. Her birthday party was a bear theme. Enjoy!

At three years Jenna will say:
"wink, wink" - oink, oink
"No promise" - No problem (aka, I was glad I could help)
"No, thank you!" - When she didn't want something to happen.

"Ohh, I see!"

"I'm very busy"

"I'm not little, I'm a big sister"

She will talk through her animals if she has a question. She will also have that friend oink, be it a blanket or a piece of cheese.

She loves Winnie the Pooh, Super Why, Dinosaur Train and Daniel Tiger. She also likes "The Fox and the Hound".

Aimee at Home: The First Few Days

Steve went to church on Sunday. While he was gone, Aimee and I had a photo shoot. This is one of the first times that she was awake and happy.

Aimee was almost born on the 4th of July, so I decided to give her a 4th of July shoot. The skirt I made myself. 

She actually doesn't really like pacifiers very much. I am surprised she took this one for about 2 minutes.

I also love purple. The "socks" Marianne got Aimee are to die for!

Breastfeeding is going well (so far) and I am really glad that she is sleeping at night. Steve has been so helpful!


Jenna is coming home today from an extended stay with Grandma and Grandpa. I can't wait to see my little Bear! I am sure that it is going to be an adjustment having both, but I will have help for the next three weeks.

Aimee Marie Hamm's Birth Story

On the morning of July 2, 2014 (Wednesday), I wanted to have a fun time with my little Jenna (age 2 1/2 yrs). We went outside, blew bubbles, played with chalk and then around 11 I proposed playing with balls. Jenna was so excited about this and got me the balls herself. I got up with her and kicked a few balls around and did a little bit of bouncing/jogging. Not much really. Around noon, I had a few contractions, but they weren't very often, much like the ones on Sunday, June 29th. I was rather annoyed with them by that point, so I ignored them.

Around 1:55pm I decided to count the contractions and they were 3 to 5 minutes apart and lasted approximately 50 seconds. I waited about an hour and called Steve. While I was waiting for him to drive the 30 minute commute to reach me, my dad called. The contractions weren't bad and since I didn't know if they were going to last, I didn't tell him about them. While I spoke to him, I did laundry. Steve was home from work by 3:15pm. By then, Jenna had almost been asleep for 2 hours. We woke her up and left for the long drive (45 minutes) to Clovis.

We got to the hospital by 4:15pm and I think I was finally in a room by 6:30.

I wanted to have an all natural birth (I'm glad I didn't!) but I realized that it probably wasn't smart, so I got an epidural. Not sure the time on this. 9ish?

I kept changing sides on which I labored. The doctor was supposed to come in to break my water around 11pm, but she was in the OR doing a c-section. At around 11:45pm, when I was moving from my left to my right side, my water broke! I had a lot of amniotic fluid (level 23) and it was a mess to clean but luckily the nurse was there and was able to get it cleaned up for me. She checked and I was 6 centimeters dilated.

At 1am the nurse checked again and I was 8 centimeters dilated.

Around 1:25am, I started shaking really badly. A nurse confirmed that I was at 10 centimeters. I would know that a contraction was about to start because I would get back pain and start to shake. The nurse said that I needed to wait to push until the doctor and my nurse could get there, since they were both in the OR. I thought, "Forget that!", but I didn't want to deliver without the doctor so I did small pushes to relieve the pain.

I wasn't supposed to have any liquid in case they had to operate, but Steve snuck me ice chips.

My nurse finally came to my room around 1:50am and she coached me through long pushes.

Around 2:30am the doctor came and I wasn't quite close enough so she left.

At 2:40am I was a lot closer so the doctor was fetched. She helped me push through a few contractions and checked to see if the baby was face up (she was). This was the reason I had the c-section last time and when she told me that I might have another c-section, I was motivated to push harder. At this point everyone was telling me to push hard. I tried to push as hard as I could. I would literally fall asleep between contractions. What a feeling! The doctor also said that I might want an episiotomy and rather than risk tearing, I took it!

I had Aimee at 2:58am. I could tell when Aimee's head was out. Getting her body out was so easy! Also, as soon as I got her out, the shaking was gone. I found out later that I had some kind of infection and got a fever of 102. Aimee also had a little fever, but that calmed down soon.

Compared to having Jenna, this recovery has been so much better! I can walk around now and get out of bed. I can actually live life a little! Don't get me wrong, I am still in pain and a of course sleep deprived, but I feel so much better! Aimee is eating and sleeping better than Jenna did too.

What I love about this delivery:
1) I went into labor on my own.
2) My water broke its own.
3) I had a vaginal delivery. I had a successful VBAC!!!!

Steve had given me a Priesthood blessing and I knew that God would help me. I said so many prayers and they helped to comfort me. Hurrah for modern medicine too!

Our sweet angel

She loves being held by Daddy

Jenna loves to hold Aimee too

Our hospital gifts

Baby Shower for Aimee

I wanted to have a baby shower for Aimee, in part to celebrate her and in part to educate people in Lemoore on where I live. (And to party!!!)

I was going to do it all myself, but Tiffany Escalante volunteered to do games and Marianne volunteered to do the food. I did house cleaning and decorations. I decided I wanted a yellow and white/duck theme.

Duck decorations

So people could know gender and due date without asking.

The food! Oh, I did cookies and brownies. 

The party! Steve said, "You know, we could hang streamers from the top of the stairs". And they looked wonderful!

An icebreaker activity of decorating bibs.

There were four little babies (though one slept the whole time). Jenna is helping this three month old. Giving him blankets and toys. A proud momma moment.

The party favors Marianne made.

All of the gifts Aimee got! Ugh, picture is blurry!

Nesting With A Vengeance

Since moving into our home around February 17 we have sure been busy! I can't believe that we have been here almost four months. Amid all of the deep cleaning, unpacking and furniture buying and selling I have been nesting with a vengeance!

First I had to set up Jenna's new space:

For Jenna's room. I may make one for Aimee. (Idea via Pinterst)

Also for Jenna's room. Took forever! (Idea via Pinterst)

Then I had to make a spot for Aimee:

A wallflower - Pintrest win!

Butterfly mobile - Another Pinterest win!

We are having another girl, but in the summer and not the winter. So I wanted to make some clothes for her.

Small skirts. Cost about $5.

I made 14 crockpot freezer meals and froze them. We caved and bought a large freezer for the garage.

Freezer meals! I hope they are yummy.

 I also need some new toys to occupy Jenna with. So I spent some time making 20 busybags. I hope they work!

And all of the other projects that I am not going to do when she comes. Including:

• Catching up on scrapbooking. So far this has been the last half of 2011, 2012 and I've printed the pictures for 2013. 
• Making pillow covers for the living room. 
• Making a sewing cover for my sewing machine. 
• Repainting Jenna's play table. 
• Deep cleaning the house!

And of course we went to two trips out of state and had a few in-state vacations.We have one more trip to Oakland. Almost done!

San Antonio, TX

From May 10-18 we traveled to or were in San Antonio, Texas, visiting Matt and Sally Hamm who generously opened up their home to us. We had a great time. I feel like I did everything "Texas" that I wanted to do. Among the things we did:

• Two step country dancing (my pregnant body still tells me that doing this at 34 weeks may not have been a good idea)
• Ate BBQ
• Ate Mexican Food (including breakfast tacos - yum!)
• Attended a rodeo in the middle of nowhere (and got stuck in the mud!)
• Visited the Alamo
• Went to church and talked with people who said "ya'll"
• Survived an intense thunder/lightening storm. 
• Fed lots of animals, including: 
• Birds
• Ducks
• Geese
• Peacocks
• Ostrich
• Deer*
• Large rams/antelope/goats*
• Buffalo*

 *We fed by hand. The others had their food tossed to them!

• Drove by the LDS San Antonio Temple
• Visited the Institute of Texan Cultures, the Quadrangle on Fort Sam Houston Base, the Japanese Gardens, the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, Sea World and of course took the boat tour of "The Riverwalk".
• Pet an armadillo.

On the way home, United was desperate to bump a few people and we ended up getting $1,200 in airplane credits and we only lost 2 hours. I hope that will get us somewhere tropical!

Here are our adventures in pictures:

Woven owl basket at Institute for Texan Cultures

Feeding a buffalo!

Sea World whale show

At the Japanese Gardens

Walking with a peacock at the Quadrangle

A view on the Riverwalk

Easter 2014

We celebrated Easter with some new friends in our ward. The Escalantes hosted and we had a good time. Jenna found a lot of eggs. Then she unpacked them and repacked them. Of course she got to eat a few!

Unpacking the first one. A full basket!

Opening her eggs - too excited to sit!

Getting ready to re-pack her eggs.

Then we had Easter at Grandma and Grandpa Hamm's house.

Finding the first egg.



Gathering more... 

Eating chocolate!

My only regret with Easter this year was that we didn't focus more on the true meaning of Easter. We were so worn out after the Fresno reception, recovering from our trip to Utah, feeding the missionaries, having friends (old Deloitte co-workers) to dinner and Stake Conference. Next year...

Aunt Lizzy & Uncle Nate's Wedding

The second week of April we took a long road trip (12 hours!) to Utah to see Beth and Nate get hitched in the Salt Lake Temple. We had so much fun! We stayed with family one night, friends another night and new extended family the night after. Each experience was unique and we were grateful for all of the hospitality we received. By the time we got home Saturday night, we had driven for at least 31 hours. Jenna was a dream. And she even slept!

From SLC to Boise

Of course we prepared for our trip. Here is Jenna trying on her dress. She would not let me get a picture of the back.

From the left: Great Uncle Larry, Jenna, Olivia, Uncle Andy carrying baby Jack (from Jenna's perspective). People often thought Olivia and Jenna were sisters, which is so funny because none of us are related by blood.

The Hamm clan.

A little tired.

Talking with Aunt Lizzy.

Jenna got scared!

Congrats Beth and Nate! We wish you the best for your first year together!

January 2014

We sold our house on Cedar in December and the day after Christmas we moved in with my in-laws. They were so good to have us! As of today (February 12), we are still here, but hope to move out by the weekend. This weekend would be a good time to move because it is a three day weekend.

So we have lived in limbo a little bit. I have recently started crafting and will try to remember to take pictures and post what I have done.

But that doesn't mean we haven't had fun! In the last 6 weeks we have:

--Celebrated Steve's birthday (Dec 24), Suzanne's birthday (Jan 30) and our anniversary (Dec 29).

--Officially found out that we are having another girl in June (I am currently about 21 weeks):

--We went on a few play dates. Jenna really liked going to the park and feeding the ducks as well as going to the fish hatchery and feeding the fish. ("Jump, fish!")

--On January 25 we went to the Santa Anita racetrack and watched the horse races. Steve's boss breeds racehorses (among other things) and they had nice area reserved with a catered lunch that was accessible to the racetrack. It was fun to watch the horses run. And now whenever Jenna sees a horse (or a picture of one) she says: "Running horses, zoom!". Someone even placed a bet for us! (We didn't ask her, and no, we didn't win anything.)

--On February 11 Jenna got her first haircut! (I have cut her bangs, but I am not counting that.) She did a good job, though I am certain the Mickey show helped.

Coming up soon is Valentine's Day and moving. I am a little anxious to get things set up and comfortable in our new place. Then in March is Steve's little sister's endowment and bridal shower, April is going to her wedding and seeing "Wicked", May we will go to Texas to see his twin brother and his wife and in June (I am putting my money on early July), we will add to the family. Yikes! No wonder I haven't been sleeping. This year is already packed and it isn't even the middle of February!