A Blog about Nothing

Who has time to blog anymore?

2012-01-18T16:10:00.001-08:00

I mean what with facebook, pinterest, instagram, looking for stuff to buy on ksl, eating chocolate covered raisins, sitting on the couch, waiting for the snow to melt, wiping snotty noses, changing way too many diapers, oh yeah and being a perfect wife and mother. I mean between all those things, I'm really swamped. But we're still here making messes, fighting over cars, and cleaning up sweet potato stains on white onesies.

But really we are lucky to be happy and healthy. And every once in awhile, I mean a long while, the stars align and the boys play together and Jane giggles and plays with a toy. And every once in awhile our house stays clean for longer than 10 minutes (only if the kids are asleep) and I actually have dinner made before 7 pm (that one is really rare). And Christian and I stay awake for longer than ten minutes after the kids are in bed.

So I guess we are pretty lucky. Even living in complete chaos.

It's November

2011-11-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

And I'm grateful for her:

All ten pounds of this refluxing, squirming, screaming, colicky baby. But she's also the best smiler, giggler, and bubble blower. She's fun to hold, cuddle, and watch chic flicks with (high school musical is her fav). She loves her brothers, likes eating fingers (mine or hers), loves bath time and diaper changes. She doesn't seem to mind loud brothers having sword fights inches from her face or when mom vacuums. But she hates long car rides and getting her nose cleaned out. And also hates it when her two year old brother tries to pick her up by the feet and hand her to me ("Here, mommy").

She is really very sweet.

Happy Four Months, Janey!

My Son, The Chimney

2011-11-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

So things have really gone downhill at this household as far as Halloween is concerned. Ok, let's face it, as far as everything is concerned. And Halloween was no exception. This year, cj had been begging to be a chimney (or a roof) all month long. Huh?

cj: Mommy, can I be a chimney for Halloween? Would that be something interesting?
me: Sure, that would be really interesting.
cj: How about a leaf? Would that be interesting?
me: Yes, that would be interesting, too.
cj: No it wouldn't. A leaf is not interesting.
me: Oh.

So at about 6:00 on Halloween night we created this masterpiece. Ok, Christian created this masterpiece. CJ had also requested that Soren be a mountain, Jane be a pumpkin and I be a window. Next year, I guess.

Here are the highlights of the night:

Ok, so obviously the looks on everyone's faces when they saw cj's costume.
Spending a stressed hour getting cj's costume ready (that he'd insisted on all month) and then having him say: "Actually, I think I want to be a train."
Soren being a chimney sweep and not knowing that I painted his face. We had to shield him from mirrors the entire night.
Jane dressing up as....a baby. Not only did I not dress her up, I didn't even get a picture of her. Third child syndrome kicking in already. Sorry Jane.
Christian volunteering to stay home to pass out candy to the trick or treaters. When I got home, I found an empty bowl on the front porch and Christian comfortably watching a movie in the basement. He was "protecting Jane from the cold air" he says.
Getting called out by a three year old when I tried to sneak his candy. And then getting called out by the two year old, too. At least Jane can't talk yet.

It was a great night. I only wish more people would have given out milk duds. I love milk duds. I mean Soren loves them.

Lucky Thursday

2011-10-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Soren found his lucky pink binki at breakfast. And besides a trip to the hospital to x-ray cj's foot and Soren shoving quarters and nickels under the piano keys, and the boys spilling milk all over the floor, it was a really lucky day.

At least cj thought so because he got to wear his "Go Aggie" costume to the dr's.

And I thought so because cj's foot wasn't broken. So like I said, it was a pretty lucky day.

The Honeymoon is Over

2011-10-10T17:44:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the radio silence but we've been oh so busy. You know because we've been in our pajamas and cleaning up spit-up and stuff. And learning that some people probably shouldn't have three kids. At least this close together. Like I said we've been busy, alright? Geesh. So since you've been wondering, like really wondering what happened to us, here you go:

Lots of swimming:

Lots of Smiling:

Lots of not smiling:

Jane and Soren will be one year apart in school. Lucky Jane.

Lots of watching the garbage truck, our Wednesday ritual:

(We don't get out much)

Jane, coping with a houseful of boys:

Blessing Day:

And lots of girl bonding:

And lots of boy bonding/fend for yourself because mom is preoccupied:

Meet Baby Jane

2011-07-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

Things we like about Jane (so far)

she is a girl
she doesn't pee all over me when I change her diaper
she is very dramatic and particular about just about everything
she likes to play with cars and trucks (at least the boys seem to think so. They make a little pile of them for her to play with.)
she is so sweet
she loves listening to cj's lullabies (they go a little something like this: lullaby, lullaby, lullaby sung in a high-pitched whisper, and then repeat....for hours)
she doesn't mind when the boys ram their dump truck/cement truck/semi truck/fire truck into her bili-light bed
she loves sleeping with her momma

Like any good mom, I have taken ~~about three~~ tons of pictures of her with ~~my blurry camera phone~~ using professional equipment.

She really is so sweet. Even Soren agrees.

familyline.co

2011-06-22T12:41:00.001-07:00

Christian just launched this new website . It's a seven generation fan chart you can create of your family. They are really cool. We have given these enlarged and framed as presents to in-laws and parents and they all loved them. I figured if I posted this to all my wide, large, growing daily readership blog then maybe I could finally get one. Right Christian? We'll talk.

By the way, you know you live in Logan, ut when your 3 year old asks you on June 22nd with not a cloud in the sky and the sun blazing down if it is going to snow today. I told him it wouldn't but I'm still not holding my breath. We are starting to get used to it being always winter and never Christmas around these parts.

Our Summer, So Far

2011-06-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry we've been gone. We've been really busy. Spending about eight + hours a day in the bathroom. Who knew potty training was a full time job? Oh, I guess everyone who has kids. We are hanging in there. CJ is having no accidents (except for five in two hours when there is a babysitter....oops) but has a hard time with the "big messy" (coined by ceej). I'll just say we spent hours in the bathroom until both of us were crying (not soren, though. He was just screaming.) It was awesome.

Then we set up a chair in the bathroom with netflix and an ipad. And I am feeling less like a crazy, hysterical maniac. Thank you Backyardigans.

Soren has been a pretty good sport through all this. His hobbies are climbing on my lap and screaming for attention, pulling the flowers out of my pots with a huge grin on his face, riding his plasma car around the cul-de-sac over and over and over and over, and folding his arms and saying "amen" repeatedly while someone (usually cj) is praying. He likes to keep his prayers short.

Other than that, tball, swimming lessons, insisting that I turn on the sprinklers (but refusing to get anywhere near the water), lots of popsicles, and bike rides, we are just waiting ~~impatiently~~ extremely patiently for baby sister to get here. Wish us luck.

Last Tuesday

2011-05-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday the boys played together outside all morning. First the tramp, then the slide, then basketball, the slide, the tramp in that order. Then running down the hill and races and tripping on each other, mostly on purpose and lots of giggling. CJ helped me plant the geraniums, Soren ate some dirt. The boys rode bikes and then we went inside for some hot chocolate.

A couple hours later, I took CJ to the doctor's for a consultation to get his tonsils out. Just a short appt, we thought. Two hours later, CJ was getting a CAT scan and in surgery prep to drain an infected lymph node. And what we thought was an overnight surgery quickly (or slowly) turned into a four day hospital stay complete with all the hospital luxuries like those giant mugs with a straw and little pebble ice and....well, those were about the only luxuries, I guess.

But somehow, the week that may have been the hardest in my life, was somehow also one of the best. Some things I never want to forget:

Visits from family and friends
Flowers and packages sent
Phone calls and text messages
Priesthood blessings
Late night milkshake deliveries
Reading, reading, reading to CJ in bed
Watching Thomas the Train over and over and over and over (ok, not really grateful for that one)
Spending our four year anniversary in the hospital and eating a delicious dinner of salmon, sweet potatoes, fresh green beans, watermelon and cheesecake--all made by my mother in law (yum)
Having my mom just happen to pop in at every meal time with something delicious
Watching grandparents squeeze into a tiny hospital bed to read to their grandson...and watching him smile for the first time in days
Laying in bed and singing lullabies or telling stories
CJ telling me, "I'm not sick anymore, Mommy. I don't need any more medicine. I'm all better now."
Knowing that Soren was giggling and happy and getting love and attention from family
Having CJ win over every nurse on every shift
Watching CJ politely scream "NO THANK YOU!!!!" every time he was poked or pricked
Soren coming to visit and destroying everything in the room while CJ just giggles
Realizing just how important my family is to me
Having Christian there and his support the entire time
Leaving the hospital with CJ still needing to be carried and cuddled and tightly clutching his blanket to running in the backyard as soon as we got home and insisting on jumping on the tramp and going down the slide

We are healthy and happy and back home. And (fingers crossed) hours away from getting CJ's stitches and PICC line out.

For Hire

2011-05-05T20:40:00.001-07:00

Yes, and it's about time. CJ started working his first job about a month ago--feeding the chickens while Isaac and Elise were on the beach in California getting sunburns and eating grapes straight off the vine. Oh and did I mention that it snowed here?

But anyway, someone still had to take care of the chickens. And cj did a pretty good job. Soren did alright, too. Except he still calls the chicken "doggies". Cj liked everything about the job except for finding chicken poop on rocks (he still talks about this) and gathering eggs. So that left the job to me. Have you ever walked in on a chicken laying an egg? I have about ten times now. Awkward. I swear those chicken coups need an "occupied" sign.

His favorite part? Posing for pictures with one or two hands raised and mowing the lawn. He did that free of charge. Of course the whole thing was free of charge, so that was just an extra extra, I guess.

He did such a good job that he got hired the next week by Nana. Bringing in the mail and newspapers in exchange for treats and toys from the dollar store. She paid him too well. Now every time we go to her house, he asks if he can bring in the mail and get a package.

By now, I think we are ready for an early retirement.

Unless you have a job in mind?

Still Waiting...

2011-04-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

So you know how the trick to potty training is waiting until your kid is "ready" and then the monkey somehow potty trains himself? You've heard that before, right? Because so far I've been working really hard on the hands off approach. And it hasn't quite paid off. Yet. I'm willing to give it another 6-12 years, but it would be nice to close things up before then.

Don't get me wrong, I've done some potty-training before. Mostly nieces and dogs. I'm not going to say that either one of those was a blast. My mom said she just sent us all to Grandma's for the week and we came back magically and perfectly potty-trained.

Do I have any takers on that?

Anyone?

And if he came back perfectly obedient but still as funny that would be awesome. Preferably without tantrums, too.

And please don't tell me that I have to buy a little mini-potty in order to be successful because, come on, those things are gross.

And it would be great if you could also make it stop snowing. It is April, after all.

Really, anyone?

Mom?

Some Things

2011-03-31T13:43:00.001-07:00

That made me smile today:

This:

Being outside
Being outside without boots, coats, gloves, hats, snow pants, snowshoes, etc.
Cj: "Mommy, do you remember when Soren spilled his cup of water and he lost his privileges? Do you remember that?"
Seeing an 80+ year old man wearing a long-sleeved flannel shirt and an ear flap hat playing basketball in his driveway....not making a shot or two, but doing lay-ups and drills. Because, why not?
Cj and I planning our practical jokes for tomorrow (don't tell Christian)
Taking off jackets at the park
Hearing Soren sing to himself in the car
Cj: "Mommy, do you remember when we were at Sam's Club and I played a joke on Soren?" Me: "No. What joke did you play on him?" Cj: "A red one."
Cj telling Soren to stop talking to him. Me telling Cj to go somewhere else if he doesn't want to listen to Soren. Cj calmly gathering up all his toys, carrying them in his shirt, and walking slowly and deliberately down the hall and into my bedroom and shutting the door. Without saying a word. Oh. Guess he was serious.
The sun
Another good forecast tomorrow

Did I mention we are ready for spring?

He is Three.

2011-03-23T15:33:00.000-07:00

And where is the birthday cake? Haven't got to that yet. Or ever. Really, we pulled into the garage at 10:00 the night before and I realized that I had one present and no wrapping paper. Oops.

So I pulled a Dona. I woke up early bought four thousand balloons, wrapping paper, tissue paper, last minute lame gifts, and strawberries and whipped cream (for pancakes). Got home and made a huge sign, hung streamers from the ceiling, tied balloons everywhere, and flipped a few pancakes. All before cj woke up. Awesome, right? When cj rolled out of bed and saw it all, he crumpled into a heap on the floor and started crying. A little much, I guess. Should've listened to Christian.

And he was too excited to play with the present his friend gave him the day before to a) open his presents from us or b) eat any made-from-scratch pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream that I slaved over. Oh well, Christian and I had an awesome breakfast.

What else? That night we were too busy for birthday cake--mostly because we decided to go to a movie twenty minutes after it started. And then eat at the "purple grape restaurant" (Olive Garden) where cj stared open-mouthed at the people sitting behind us the whole time (they loved that, I'm sure). And then we had to put the boys to bed before 7. So no time for cake. Isn't it great being 3?

Oh, cj's favorite part of the day? The thirty minutes we spent bundled up at the park, shown in the picture. Not sure why he's raising his arm. For some reason, he thinks that's an integral part of picture taking. Proof:

And about 300 more pictures just like this on my phone if you're interested. You are, right?

Right?

So Far Today...

2011-03-09T13:14:00.000-08:00

CJ's breakfast menu: "Cheerios with milk, regular milk in a cup with a lid, and a pickle." I never was able to open the pickle jar. Soren's menu: Whatever is in mom's bowl. And a cookie.

We played with cars, trains, cars, and trains again. And then the airplanes.

CJ and Soren played with cleaning chemicals from under the sink and condiments from the fridge, using them as "guys". A lot like this.

I changed three dirty diapers.

I stubbed my toe on the dump truck four times.

Soren hid my earrings twice.

I ate two cookies.

The boys demanded lunch at 10:30.

I changed my clothes four times.

We were much too busy for baths.

We took Christian lunch at his office. CJ strolled in, took off his shoes and socks, blew faces on the clean windows, and kept calling the ping pong table a foosball table. They love him there.

Soren went everywhere with a pink binki (how did we end up with a pink binki, anyway?)

CJ told me that Soren needed to give him his binki.

CJ decided that today was a perfect day for riding bikes. Soren agreed.

I decided that today was a perfect day for having pancakes for dinner.

So far, the day is looking good.

What We Talk About

2011-03-01T16:11:00.000-08:00

I realized in the car today that I had just heard these words come out of my mouth: No, we don't use our fingers to pick our nose. We wait until we get home to get a tissue. And then we can pick our nose. With a tissue. Because if we use our fingers, that's kinda gross.

Pretty enlightening? I think I was mostly concerned that this conversation seemed completely normal to me until I thought about it. I did get an English degree, after all. My life wasn't so different then. I talked about Chaucer, William Blake, and Emily Dickinson. Today I taught my three year old how to use a tissue, made a boat out of popsicle sticks and found out that my one year old has an ear infection (again!). But who's complaining? William Blake is pretty boring, anyway.

And Cj hasn't ask me to write a 10+ page paper with annotated bibliography explaining the theory behind potty-training. At least not yet, anyway. But I'm not holding my breath.

But at least it's March. Things are looking up.

World Record

2011-02-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure we were going for the world record for the oldest binki-sleeping chidl. But when it's time to move on, it's time to move on. And mostly we knew it was time to move on when I was missing Soren's binki one day and looked everywhere for it and finally gave him CJ's binki in desperation and then a few hours later found Soren's binki.

Oh yeah, and I found it when I was changing Soren's diaper. And it was in the diaper. And it was a dirty diaper. A Dirty, dirty diaper (in case you were wondering). That's sort of when I knew it was time to move on.

So here's what happened:

Easy enough? I don't think I need to tell anyone that he wasn't as excited about three minutes later when it was time for bed. "Where's my binki?" Yeah, he didn't get it. And still doesn't.

Naptime and bedtime used to be so pleasant around here. I feel like I am just now entering the world of parenting. And I really only have one response to that:

help. please.

It's Been Awhile

2011-02-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

I could probably tell you all the lame reasons why I haven't been blogging lately. But don't worry, I won't.

I have been thinking a lot about the night Soren was born. My mom came over to stay with cj, who was fast asleep. I remember trying to decide if my pajamas were cute enough to wear (they weren't but I wore them anyway). And I remember pulling on my boots (on the wrong feet) and stumbling to the car. Then getting to the hospital, settling in (read: epidural) and turning on the tv. Christian turned to a show called My Three Sons. I had never seen it before and I don't really remember the show (something about some sons...probably three of them). I remember watching it and thinking it was ironic because I was about to give birth to a son. And then I remember thinking that it would be perfect if it was my third son. And then I remember thinking that it was some sort of omen.

So imagine my surprise when I went to the dr's today and found out I am going to have a girl.

Best Mom/Wife Award

2010-12-17T10:49:00.001-08:00

Yes, I've ~~nominated myself~~ been nominated by tons of people for this award. Here's why:

It was Soren's birthday yesterday and Christian's today.

Oh by the way:

I didn't make the cakes. My friend did. I was planning on throwing together some burnt cupcakes from a box with store-bought frosting. She insisted.
I "wrapped" Christian's present by hiding it behind my back.
I sent Christian in the middle of the night (on his birthday) to get medicine for CJ.
I found out today at Soren's one year appt that he has pink eye and an ear infection (would explain the screaming). I thought we were there for a well-check.

So yeah, where do I pick up my award?

Overheard the other night...

2010-12-15T10:56:00.001-08:00

Christian: Isn't mommy pretty?
CJ: No, she's not pretty.
She's not beautiful.
(long awkward pause)
She's a good mommy.

Oh, Ok. Ummm...thanks? This honesty thing is getting a little ridiculous. About four or five times a day, CJ will walk in the room all casual with his hands in his pocket, "Hey Mommy, I hit Soren." The best is when he gives ALL the details, "Mommy, I pushed Soren on the bed and hit him and he fell off the bed and then he started crying."

So the question is: When can/should I teach my child my child to lie?

In Case I Forget Again...

2010-12-02T12:59:00.000-08:00

To Daisy: Remember when I was probably ten and you graduated from high school and all your friends were looking at what a boy wrote in your yearbook and I wanted to see it and you told me I could read it when I was twenty? Well, I guess you were hoping I'd forget, and I almost did, but I'm ready to see it now.

To Isaac: Remember when we were walking to elementary school together and I was probably in 1st grade and you were in 5th? You told me that if I carried your backpack home, you'd pay me $2. Then when we got home, you told me you'd leave me the money in your will. Just making sure you plan on holding your end of the bargain.

And another thing, Isaac, remember all those times growing up when you teased me and I told you that someday you would regret it because I would tell the girl you wanted to marry all about it and that after I told her she wouldn't want to marry you? I forgot to do that. But in the end I'm glad because I like Elise and I'm glad she married you. But I still don't want you to forget about the $2.

That's all.

Two Tired Boys + Lazy Mom

2010-11-03T13:13:00.001-07:00

Equals bad Halloween photos:

Here's Bob the Builder and Soren (a dump truck). I wasn't quite sure if I was in the picture or not. Darn, looks like I am.

But I have to admit that this holiday is sort of growing on me. I'm not saying that cj liked his costume or wore it for more than thirty seconds, but it's still growing on me. In a candy, hot chocolate, movies (not really scary ones, more like Charlie Brown ones) in the comforts of your own home kind of way. Not as much in the cold, rainy, door-to-door trick or treating kind of way. Luckily, cj takes after his mom. We went to one house, his cousins, where they gave him a pile of full-size candy bars. He knew when he had a good thing. With Snickers' juice dribbling down his chin, he was ready to call it quits.

I did make the boys these Halloween shirts:

Oh yes, they were a hit. I made them Halloween morning and forced my kids into them for thirty minutes. Somehow, they already made their way to the DI pile. But they were cute anyway. Just not sure I should have made them Oct 30th.

It's not my Fault I'm so Lazy

2010-11-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

What do you expect? They've been playing like this for the last half hour:

You can see the reaction I get when I attempt any sort of contact. "Go away, Mommy." Looks like it's back to Tetris for me.

Ever Since I Cleaned the Toy Room...

2010-10-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been a lot cleaner in the basement. But his alternative:

He takes these "guys" everywhere. The other day I found them shoved in the bookcase in his bedroom. I think he was taking them to school.

Wonder what he'll play with when I clean out the fridge. Not that it'll happen any time soon.

How many times

2010-09-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

do you think it will take for me to watch where I park the shopping cart while loading the car with groceries so that I don't look back and see my kids rolling down the parking lot at breakneck speed and have to chase after them screaming like a crazy lady while they look back at me and grin?

I'm hoping no more than two. Because that might be bad.

I swear they need parking brakes on those things.

Why is Parenting so Easy?

2010-09-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

Like today when I was really busy sitting on the couch and I told cj to take a nap. And he got his binki, closed the blinds in his room, got a chair to turn on the fan in the bathroom, closed his door, climbed into bed, pulled down the covers, moved his extra pillows and stuffed animals and was half asleep by the time Soren and I got around to checking on him.

And like the other morning when I was running on the treadmill. He woke up, walked into the kitchen, saw a pie sitting on the counter, moved a chair over, took out a spoon, and was up to his elbows in pie when Christian walked through the door and asked, "Want some pie, Da da?"

Apparently, this kid requires no supervision. None. Except for when he puts blankets and pillows over Soren's face, spills 50 pound bags of flour, plays with Christian's razors, uses markers, types on computers, eats whole packages of gum, and leaves trails of play-doh all over the house.

Yeah, but parenting is so easy. Really.

Happy Birthday To Me

2010-07-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

I had a great birthday yesterday. The boys made me breakfast. On the menu: swedish fish and frosted flakes. Yum.

It was a perfect day filled with laundry, messy diapers and a date with Christian. I can't believe I'm 26. And I thought 25 sounded old. Geesh.

We've Been SOOOO Busy

2010-07-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

I mean really busy:
eating ice cream cones, popsicles, watermelon, blowing bubbles, laying on the grass, sitting on the grass, reading books on the grass, sitting on lawn chairs that are sitting on the grass, roasting marshmallows, building fires, attending family reunions, staying in our pajamas too long, watering the garden, playing at the park, complaining about how hot it is, and blogging while the two year old walks over and says "Mommy, I need a diaper change". Like I said, really busy.

It Really Does Fly

2010-06-29T17:06:00.001-07:00

The dude is in a high chair now. Seriously, where does the time go?

CJ ate cheerios in it this morning (minus the tray). Can't wait until Soren's dunking his head in the cereal bowl. It's only a matter of time.

Is it weird that the two year old drools more than the six month old? Is that normal? Anyone?

Don't Do This:

2010-06-11T13:08:00.001-07:00

No, really. It looks fun, but don't. Especially don't do this trying to get your kid out of the candy aisle at the store--even if you are holding the baby. In fact, refrain from yanking your kid around by the arm several times a day. Because eventually he is going to cry for a half hour straight before you realize you just pulled his arm out of the socket. And then you'll have to call the doctor's office and say something like, "This is really embarrassing, but...."

Yes, I'm learning a lot about parenting lately. I'm realizing it's something I'm really good at. CJ is good at recognizing it, too. Every time we go by the spot, he is good to tell me, "Look mommy. CJ fall out of the stroller. Look!" (He is safely buckled now). And on the way home from the doctor's office today, I got this a few times "Mommy pulled CJ's arm." Thanks a lot Ceej. That'll be a great quote for the police report.

Fortunately, CJ is now in one piece. Give me a call if you need tips on popping a shoulder or two back in. I'm an expert.

Who Even Eats Rice Cereal, Anyway?

2010-06-07T13:09:00.001-07:00

Not this kid. Thanks, Aunt Emily.

We just had the best week in California with Emily's family. Seriously, the best. In a lazy kind of way. Highlights:

$15 pool from Wal-Mart, Little Tikes slide, and a hose. CJ was in heaven. Except that he was scared of the pool and the slide. And he really only liked the hose if he was holding it.
Chasing chickens around the yard.
Golf Cart rides.
Homemade waffle cones. Yummy.
Pretty much every meal Emily made. She's an awesome cook.
Sleeping in. Oh wait, my kids woke up before six everyday. Nevermind.
Seeing Wicked in San Francisco with Christian. Our best date yet.
Watching Emily clean the house, sew tableclothes, a patchwork quilt, and make homemade scones and chocolate chip cookies. All in the same week.
Feeling good about being lazy compared to Emily.
Watching CJ get along with his cousins.
Watching CJ not get along with his cousins.
Soren's big smiles and giggles.
CJ following Dustin around.
In 'n Out
Soren's first bottle
Emily's shower. Not the baby kind or wedding kind where you get presents but the water kind. It has temperature control and like five different shower heads.
Canyon's baptism

Thanks, Emily and Dustin. We had an awesome trip.

Look, Mommy. Airplane.

2010-05-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

Said to Christian and me about forty times a day. He doesn't always have dirt and marshmallows on his mouth when he says it, though.

What That Noise Probably Means

2010-05-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

When you are on a run pushing your kids in the stroller and you hear a big thump, you should probably turn around. Because you might find one of your kids (the older one) flat on his back in the middle of the road. He probably leaned out too far looking at the canal, or the birds, or the flagpole. Maybe you shouldn't point that stuff out to him anymore.

In fact, you might want to buckle in both kids next time--not just the baby. Or at least tell the two year old to sit down.

Or at the very least, look back when you hear the thump. You wouldn't want to keep running without noticing. People driving by will look at you weird. Plus, it's not very safe.

A Miracle

2010-05-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

This is what's going down at my house right now:

Four sleeping babies.

Maybe next I'll try tackling our nation's health care reform. Should be a little bit easier.

Happy Cinco De Mayo to You

2010-05-06T12:04:00.001-07:00

I don't mean to brag, but I was the person who eventually broke it.

cj and his bouquet of suckers. I don't think he knew that the other stuff was candy.

And in other news, do you want to know something that will make your heart break? I mean really break (besides seeing snow out your window in May)? Watching a five month old baby throw up buckets. Poor Soren. So sad. Let's hope this is the 24 hour bug--not the 7 day bug.

Help.

2010-04-21T20:40:00.001-07:00

says Soren. But deep down he likes the attention.

My Sister, My Hero

2010-04-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

I usually try to brag as much as I can, but really I can only get so far without lying. Until I realized that I could write about my sister* instead.

Seriously, Daisy is so awesome. Here is one reason why. She is doing an Ironman Triathlon in 15 days. IRONMAN!!!!!!! 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. Yes, Daisy, you motivate me to drag myself out of bed in the morning and run (term used loosely) about 1.62 miles. And really, Daisy, I did think of you yesterday while I was eating my butter pecan ice cream cone.

Not to mention that Daisy has four beautiful girls, a mediocre husband, teaches preschool, reads 14,098 books a week, selflessly donates plasma, is the best lactation resource, and always has time to talk on the phone to her little sister. Thanks, Dais, you're the best.

Can't wait to cheer you on. From the sidelines. Yes, safely from the sidelines.

*So I could brag all about Emily, too. See here, here and here. But that'll have to wait until later.

CJ's Favorite Part of Baby Animals Days

2010-04-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

Train:

Rocks:

Nevermind the candy cannon, baby bears, baby goats, chicks, sheep, baby everything that you can hold in your hand and pet and squeeze. Nevermind the sheep shearing demonstration, corn dogs and chocolate milk (ok, actually the chocolate milk was a big hit, too) and the tepees. Mostly, we were about rocks and trains.

First Ever Annual Artic Easter Egg Hunt

2010-04-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Let's hope this is the first and last.

How CJ Saw Sea World

2010-04-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

And the beach, San Diego, and just about every where else we went.

And this is how Soren saw it:

from the stroller, car seat, or lying on his back in the shade at the beach. Sorry buddy. He still seemed to enjoy it.

I'm not sure why we are glad to be home. It's 30 degrees outside and I think there is at least four feet of new snow on the ground. CJ keeps telling me how much he loves the snow. "Look at the snow, mommy. Lots and lots of snow!" I haven't yet told him that the snow is the reason we can't go to the park, jump on the tramp, or take more than the mandatory three steps form our house to the car. I guess one of us should be happy about it.

We did have the time of our lives in San Diego with Megan and Jon and Christian's parents. Highlights: Feeding dolphins, the beach, playing in the "sandy", Soren waking up for his ritual scream fest at two in the morning and Christian and I taking turns with him outside the hotel or in the car, the beach, flip flops, shorts, sunburns, penguins, Shamu, trip to the temple, playing in the ocean, CJ throwing up in the hotel dining area (frosted flakes, if you're curious), the beach, being away from the snow, 13 hour car ride, and a DVD player in the car (thanks mom and dad).

Hope to see you soon, San Diego.

Us at the Park

2010-03-23T14:43:00.001-07:00

Yes, we are wearing our winter clothes. We didn't last long. Good thing we leave for San Diego tomorrow. The snow better be gone when we get back.

How Do They Know?

2010-03-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

How do little boys know to throw rocks? Seriously? Who teaches them this stuff? CJ, Soren and I went on a walk the other day, averaging a block an hour. Really. We went three blocks and were gone three hours. I wish I could say we kept it together all three of those hours. One of us was ready for a nap. And the kids started to get ornery, too.

Back to Where We Started

2010-03-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

A little more of this. Hoping to ease our way off the porch by mid-July. If all the snow has melted by then.

I Hope You Like the Snow

2010-02-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

We don't seem to mind it too much.

The Blessing

2010-02-08T13:34:00.001-08:00

Elizah and Soren

We blessed Soren yesterday. Everything went perfectly. Soren was lucky to share the day with his cousin Elizah, born three weeks before him. She lives in the same ward so we had a dual blessing and dinner after for the families. The best part about it: it wasn't at my house. The second best part about it: brownies, cookies, and those really good butterscotch peanut buttery rice crispy treats.

I know everyone says this, but it really feels like yesterday that we blessed cj. I will probably be saying the same thing at their missionary farewells. We are grateful for our two boys. They are both funny and messy in all the right ways (except for when they're messy in the wrong ways).

Soren on his blessing day, cj on his. Soren is huge.

This About Sums It Up

2010-02-03T13:02:00.001-08:00

This picture:

Soren is slowly warming up to us. Very slowly. I can't really figure out what he doesn't like about us yet. But we like him. Especially cj. Lately his favorite is giving knuckles to Soren. Come on, who doesn't like to pound it? Apparently, Soren.

How Easy Are Triplets?

2010-01-28T14:19:00.000-08:00

So easy. I even had cj running around too. Piece of cake. Any one have kids they want me to raise?

Who Needs A Maid?

2010-01-13T14:47:00.000-08:00

Things cj has put away today:

My cell phone: under his bed
Chocolate syrup from the fridge: Kitchen cupboard
Unopened mail, including medical bills: garbage
Socks: garbage
Toys: under my bed
His toothbrush: down the stairs
Soren's used diapers: bathroom floor
Toy cars: dirty clothes hamper
Dry Erase Markers: in the treadmill

Luckily, Soren and my wallet are still were I left them last. For now.

My Two Sons

2010-01-04T15:51:00.000-08:00

We are really warming up to Soren. CJ especially. He has been a great help--always throwing diapers at Soren; poking his ears, eyes, feet; sticking Soren's nose cleaner in his mouth; telling me when baby Soren is awake, sleeping, crying, sad; putting pillows on his face; playing ring around the rosies right next to his head; mimicking Soren's cries, and mostly giving Soren hugs and saying, "Ahh....that's so nice." Really, a great helper. I'm not saying I'd leave the two in a room alone together, but we are making progress. They are great buddies already. I'm sure Soren will feel the same when he knows cj exists.

And yes, I did bribe cj with a treat to get this footage.

Merry Christmas, From Soren

2009-12-21T15:06:00.001-08:00

Consider this our Christmas card this year.

It's My Due Date, and I'll Cry if I Want To

2009-12-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

To all the mothers who have their babies early:

You don't really know what it's like to be pregnant. Sorry.

Now, I think I'll go make myself some hot cocoa and watch a Christmas movie with CJ.

Sign of OCD?

2009-12-03T13:49:00.000-08:00

He gets it from his dad, I swear

Someone should probably tell him that's not where empty wrappers go anyway.

Pure Bliss.

2009-11-12T13:53:00.001-08:00

For three reasons, really.

1) I just got back in sweats and a sweatshirt after being in "real" clothes. I made it until lunchtime, ok.

2) We fixed our water/ice maker on our fridge after being out of order for a year. This was the real reason I bought this house, so moving here has finally paid off.

3) Just got a netflix in the mail today. It looks like Date Night has come a little early this week. Hope Christian won't mind if I stay in my sweats.

This is Kermit.

2009-11-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

I think it's good to have family traditions for every holiday. Or at least the really big holidays like Halloween and Flag Day. Our family tradition is for Christian to get sick and for cj and me to have dinner at my in-laws. True to tradition, Christian insisted on getting the Swine Flu this year. Poor guy.

We still had fun and cj went trick or treating at one house, his cousins. One mini butterfinger was enough for that kid. I unwrapped it, handed it to him, and no exaggeration I looked back three seconds later and the candy bar was gone. Just a little bit of chocolate drool sliding down his chin and a big grin. Nice.

As expected, cj refused to wear his Kermit hat. No surprise there. I think I tricked him into wearing it for twenty seconds at one point, but without any camera footage. Oh well. Next year.

The Best Thing I've Taught My Son

2009-10-12T09:45:00.000-07:00

Besides folding his arm during prayers is that yogurt is ice cream. You should see how excited he gets when I grab a Yoplait from the fridge. He starts chanting--"ICE CREAM, ICE CREAM!" It's the best.

I think I'll start telling him that the library is Disneyland.

Seriously, The Best

2009-09-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant with cj, I watched my sister Daisy's kids for two weeks. Besides a trip to the ER and a few crying sessions in the closet, it was a great experience for me. The best part definitely was sweet little Maggie (sorry Parly, Clayre, Kate). She was 18 months and so cute. I honestly got homesick for her when we went back home. I remember Daisy telling me that it would be hard having a baby after seeing how cute a toddler is.

I hate to admit this, and I don't very often, but Daisy was right. Sure, I didn't realize it when cj was born. He was sort of cute in a newborn, helpless way. He even got cuter as time went on, and I'm sure there were a couple times around the year mark that I actually convinced myself that he was cute. But now we have finally hit the best age: 18 months. Seriously. Here's why:

Still slurps his milk out of his cereal bowl even though he knows what a spoon is for
Says, "Hi guys" when he walks into a room, "Oh shoot" when he drops something and "Ew stinky" when you smell his feet (and yes, they really do stink)
Knows the names of all his stuffed animals and says hi to them: Larry, Gertie, George, Fred, Alligator
Is old enough to go to nursery--enough said
Is too young to be embarrassed by his parents
Is too young to talk back
Takes a three + hour nap
Runs in place really all the time and says "Whoa.....fast!!!!"
Sings the Dora songs and wears a backpack around the house
Is always working on projects, useful things, like loading the dishwasher, moving everything out of the bathroom drawers, taking all the clothes out of my dresser, taking all the books off the shelves, and getting peanut butter and other sticky stuff on my white bedspread

He's been a pretty decent kid. I'm glad to have him around.

Train Rides, Caramel Apples, and Raffle Tickets

2009-09-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

I tell you one thing, Apple Days is really starting to grow on me. Maybe because I was, to put it nicely, not asked to be part of the Cutest Baby Contest Committee this year. But something about train rides, a performance by River Heights' own Jumprope Team, and cotton candy just feels right. CJ loved the whole thing, especially eating candy from the parade for lunch and a bag of Doritos for dinner. Although he would've been content to sit in the sand volleyball pit the entire night, we forked out the big bucks for a couple of train rides and a few pushes on the park swing.

And the famous raffle tickets? We didn't fare quite as well this year, probably because we didn't buy any raffle tickets. But Isaac did great. Again. Five bucks on raffle tickets goes a long way in River Heights. He didn't win the bike this year, but he did come away with $20 to the local Bridal Boutique and a few other equally useful prizes. We're already looking forward to next year.

Here's the footage from the train ride. Excuse the annoying mom yelling in the background. I think she was near tears. She was excited, ok, it's her first kid and it's his first train ride.

Porch Sitter

2009-09-08T11:41:00.001-07:00

This is how cj likes to spend his time outside--sitting on the porch. For the life of me, I can't get him to come out and play. He'll last about three minutes in the sun, then go back and situate himself comfortably right next to the door, just hanging out. We've had some good times on the porch this summer. I'm a little sad to see it end.

Date Night

2009-09-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

Oh date nights, how I've missed you. I've always known that our date nights would be a little casual. When your culminating proposal date consists of getting hot chocolate twice and going for a muddy walk in below freezing temperatures, you may question what the married date nights are going to look like. On one hand, you really can only go up from there, right?

Nice try. First, in Christian's defense, I have to say that we have had some pretty good date nights. Casual? Yes. Cheap? Of course. But we had some good Hot and Readys in the park (really romantic) and Pita Pits up Green Canyon (supplemented with potato chips from my parents' cupboard). We brought cj along because, let's face it, it's easier than getting a babysitter and he's pretty funny to watch eat, anyway. I was actually feeling good about the whole thing. The dates weren't the most consistent or planned out, but we'd gotten somewhere. I had finally convinced Christian that me making dinner and us watching a movie in bed wasn't technically a date night. Yes, I felt good about that. Until last week. Last week my brother Marty took his wife on a date, an actual date. It included food, activities, and a babysitter. What's more, I think they even left the house.

We've got some real shaping up to do. It's ok. I have a plan. Tonight after I make pancakes for dinner, we are definitely going to Maverick to get frozen yogurt. And maybe even a red box, too.

Beach Sand Tastes Better

2009-08-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

CJ enjoyed our family outing to California. And why wouldn't he? He got to play with actual toys instead of me handing him something out of the junk drawer. Whenever I didn't know where he was, which was often (come on, how does one person keep track of FIVE kids? Sorry, Em I'm not that good), I would find him drawing on the chalkboard or downstairs in Canyon's room playing legos.

But most of all, CJ loved the beach. He loved everything about it but the water.

It was tough coming back.

No Potty Training for Me, Thanks

2009-08-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

Christian and I are watching my sister Emily's kids for the week. It's almost like a vacation: beautiful home, sweet kids, beach trips, swimming and all in Northern California. There's just one sort of messy catch. Jane, Emily's youngest, is potty trained, according to Emily. But it's Day 2 and we are on our second clean up of the messy kind and countless of the not as messy kind. I've spent about half my time here in the bathroom. I'm starting to wonder if Emily was hoping to come home to a real potty trained 2 year old--not the fake kind. I'll tell you one thing, it has sure made me appreciate diapers. I've never been so happy to change CJ's diapers, truly a joy. It's making me rethink potty training entirely. I think I'll start working on that in another few years. Do Kindergarten teachers change diapers? First grade? Just wondering.

Advantages of Losing Your Cell Phone

2009-08-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

No pesky alarm to wake me up
I can sit easy at church or the movies when a cell phone starts ringing. In fact, I can even give a, "Can you believe these people?" look.
Finally an excuse for not returning phone calls or text messages (you reading this Heather?)
Yet another thing I borrow from my parents multiple times a day--their home phone (weird that they started locking their doors)
Drastic drop in our cell phone bill
Using a pay phone. Yes, they still exist. They may be a little less sanitary and a little more pricey but a nice temporary substitute.
My son no longer holds everything to his ear and says, "Hi"

It has been so nice being stranded all day, and I know Christian has really enjoyed being my personal secretary. Too bad I can't pay him. Honestly, I don't know how I survived with a cell phone. It's a new trend. Try it. Now living without a computer, that I wouldn't dare try.

I know, I know

2009-07-29T08:04:00.001-07:00

Enough videos. But here is cj's first slip 'n slide. He cried for about fifteen minutes afterward, but I think deep down he really liked it.

Don't worry, I made other parents send their one year olds down first to make sure it was safe.

By the Way

2009-07-27T07:47:00.001-07:00

It's gotten worse. Notice the untouched drink to his right.

Oh Boy!

2009-07-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

When you can make them this cute, why not have another one, right?

Feeling Lazy

2009-07-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

Reading Little House on the Prairie does that to you. I'm halfway through Farmer's Boy and occasionally, I sit back and sigh thinking of simpler days where you cut bricks of ice from the pond for the ice house and woke up early to milk cows by hand. (Way easier than a freezer or a gallon of milk from the store.)

Then I read the breakfast menu and reality sort of slaps me in the face. The menu: oatmeal (with thick cream and maple sugar), fried potatoes, golden buckwheat cakes, sausages, gravy, butter, maple syrup, preserves, jams, jellies, doughnuts, and a spicy apple pie. For breakfast. Breakfast! That's the meal where I can, with one eye still closed, pour myself, Christian, and cj a fresh bowl of cheerios.

Next comes the "sack" lunch: bread and butter, sausage, doughnuts, apples, and "four delicious apple-turnovers, their plump crusts filled with melting slices of apple and spicy brown juice." I hate to remind anyone what Christian's prepared lunch looks like. Let's just say it begins and ends with a peanut butter sandwich.

Dinner is, well, three times what breakfast was and covers about four pages of the book. Needless to say, they don't eat Hot and Readys on the Prairie. And the pantry is full, not of pretzels and fiber one bars, but of yellow cheeses, large brown cakes of maple sugar, crusty loaves of fresh-baked bread, four large cakes, and a whole shelf of pies. All baked without a Kitchen Aid.

Don't even get me started on Ma's Spring Cleaning. It's a touchy subject for me.

Where Does He Learn This Stuff?

2009-06-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Seriously?

Still Here

2009-05-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

To all my faithful readers (you are still reading, right mom?), yes, we are here. Just haven't had a lot to write about. And still don't. We haven't really been busy, just enjoying summer. Highlights:

Barbecues
Watermelon
Aggie ice cream
Swings
Morning runs (ok, jogs....ok, walks)
Books on hold at the library
Watching our garden sprout up (still a miracle to me)
Popsicles
Hiking
Watermelon
CJ in shorts and flip flops
Blankets on the grass

Yes, we are enjoying summer. And it hasn't even started yet.

Our Garden

2009-04-14T10:02:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Isaac and Elise, CJ got to ride in a golf cart and a wheelbarrow yesterday. Oh yeah, and they helped us get our garden ready. CJ is already going to be a great helper. He ate three mouthfuls of dirt. Now if we can just get him to eat weeds.

Baby Animals Day

2009-04-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

It was a real hit for the babies.

An Easier Way to Read: YouTube

2009-04-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

I found an alphabet book at Border's yesterday that I really wanted to get for me...I mean cj. I was having a hard time explaining it to Christian so I googled it, and there it was on youtube. Pretty cool. Now, I can watch it any time I want. I just saved myself $20.

Do You Have Your Child on a Regular Exercise Routine?

2009-04-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

If not, you should reconsider.

We do about twenty minutes on the treadmill, twenty on the stairs. And you were wondering how cj keeps his trim figure.

Sweat, Blood, and Tears--Literally

2009-03-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness that's over. There were a few sketchy parts there at the end, so don't look too closely. In fact, try not to look at all. I've put it in cj's room and am finally starting to get used to it. We're ready for a new project....in about another year.

CJ was always SO happy to watch me work.

A Couple Things

2009-03-30T07:16:00.001-07:00

My day so far:
1. It snowed. Lots. And will again this week.
2. I finally untangled cj's seat belt. It had been twisted and tangled about thirty times and was a pain to buckle. Five minutes well spent. Very satisfying.
3. I dropped my cell phone into our FULL blue recycle bin. Somehow it weaseled its way to the bottom. Luckily, Christian fished it out for me. That's what husbands are for I guess. I have rededicated myself to more thoroughly rinse our aluminum cans from now on. Gross.

I love Mondays. Seriously, I do.

Last Week at the Park

2009-03-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

Now there's snow on the ground. It was fun while it lasted.

Birthday Hangover

2009-03-19T09:20:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was CJ's first birthday and he slept until 9:30 this morning. 9:30. Ever since he turned one, he's been so LAZY. I'm not sure why he was so tired. We didn't even celebrate his birthday yesterday. That's coming tonight. We did give CJ the best birthday present ever. A walk outside. It felt good to be outside again. The snow is melting and things are looking up.

A year ago today:

It has been a great year.

What Happens Inside a Sewing Machine (for Isaac)

2009-03-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

Every Day is Library Day

2009-03-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

Growing up we always went through our weekly agenda at Family Home Evening. Everyone else had soccer games, swim meets, dates, parties. I always had two things: library day and show and tell day. It was the same every week. Everyone else was in high school. I was in elementary school. My siblings mocked me then, but I think my life has come full circle. I'm back to library days.

First, I miss the Salt Lake City Library. So very, very much. I miss five floors of beautiful, wonderful books from floor to ceiling. I miss abusing my employee card with limitless checkouts and zero late fines. I miss the children's department with picture books, chapter books, board books as far as the eye can see. And movies. Oh yes, movies. Sometimes when I come across an obscure book, I look longingly at Salt Lake's online catalog and find six copies at five different locations. Sigh.

Having said that, Logan Library has been good to me. I have daily contact. Daily. I have utilized their facilities to full capacity. I have about 20 checkouts at a time--all with different due dates: picture books, sewing books, cooking books, "regular" books, dvds. I have at least that many on hold. A couple processing through inter-library loan. And I have made a few requests. One being a European Union flag (Who knew you could check out flags?)

So I have no complaints. Yesterday was a library day for us. And with any luck, today will be one, too.

Things I No Longer Take for Granted

2009-03-07T11:12:00.001-08:00

Add this to the list: Garage doors that open and close. Right now we have one that closes. And stays closed. I remember when it closed AND opened. Those were good days.

Lately, Our Favorites

2009-03-04T07:24:00.000-08:00

Book: Since CJ was born, we have read Peter Pan, Watership Down, Wind in the Willows, Winnie-the-Pooh, Stuart Little. He hates it all. His favorite book BY FAR is this 2 in. x 2 in. book called Things We Wear. The "book" has ten words in it, including the word "blouse" and "swimsuit", followed by a picture of a speedo. Weird book. But whenever I pick it up, he starts clapping and giggling.

Toy: It's a toss-up between the diaper caddy filled with lotions and medicines and pulling on heavy bookcases. That and doors. I'm trying to figure out how to wrap one of those for a cheap birthday present. I'm still working on it.

Pastime: Eating. For both of us.

As you can see, we have been up to A LOT lately and have had NO time for blogging. We'll get on that again.

I stink at Blogging

2009-03-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

Lately, I really do. But here is my 6th picture from my 6th folder. Pretty boring. It is a little ironic that the person who tagged me (Megan) is in the picture. Nice.

White Shirts, Snow and Blisters

2009-02-18T08:27:00.000-08:00

It snowed yesterday. A lot. A snowstorm in December is listen to Christmas music and drink hot chocolate kind of cozy. A snowstorm in mid-February is mildly depressing. So we spent the day ironing 12 of Christian's white shirts. Really, 12. I scorched two of them and got blisters on my hand. Blisters from ironing? I used to get blisters from things like running marathons and hiking mountains, but in mid-February I get blisters from ironing.

Oh well. Back to the shirts. At least I have calluses now.

My Valentine

2009-02-16T07:43:00.001-08:00

Christian had to share me this year.

Broccoli: Something to Clap About

2009-01-22T11:06:00.000-08:00

Why not?

Of course, just about everything is clapworthy these days.

Sorry, Larry

2009-01-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

He may never be the same again.
Before Dryer:

After Dryer:

Fortunately, CJ hasn't noticed a difference yet.

Calling in Sick

2009-01-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

That's what CJ and I are doing today. I'm feeling fine but CJ has the croup. He is finally tucked into his crib after a sleepless, barking night, so things are looking up.

Our plan for today: nap, eat applesauce, watch movies, read, and nap--all in our pajamas, of course. It should be a good day.

A Litte New Years Cheer

2009-01-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

I love writing New Year's Resolutions. Yes, writing them. There is nothing I love more than sitting back with a cup of hot chocolate (whipped cream on top) watching the snow fall and imagine ways I could be a better person. I write them down of course, and then sigh, finish my hot chocolate and go to bed. I've been thinking about some of my past New Year's Resolutions. One year: "Learn how to write left-handed". After about 20 minutes of practice over the entire year, I never did get it down. Another year: "Learn about the U.S. presidents, in great detail". I watched half a documentary and read a children's book. I still want to do that one again, sometime. Maybe next year.

This year is different, though. This year I am following through. Last night Christian and I wrote some New Year's Resolutions--four each in different categories. My resolution for knowledge: "Reupholster a chair". I've had this on my "to do" list for almost two years but have gotten nowhere. I shouldn't say nowhere. I've checked out books from the library, even read some, browsed sewing stores, and even bought the fabric twice. I think I maybe even googled int once. Somehow the chair is still sitting in CJ's bedroom. Any advice? I'm counting on all you seamstresses out there to help: Julene, Mom, Emily, Ashlie, Bonnie, Tori, Erma? Anyone up for the challenge?

Mostly I think my best shot is to get Elise involved in this. Elise? Ready to provide everything for this project, too?

How to Give Your Husband a Birthday that Money Can't Buy

2008-12-18T10:30:00.001-08:00

Breakfast: Find some eggs in your fridge ("borrowed" from my mom earlier in the week) and Gristmill bread (a present from your visiting teachers) and make scrambled eggs and toast.

Presents: 1) a headlamp (his dad gave to him a couple weeks ago. But I hid and wrapped). 2) a used whiteboard and markers for home office. This was probably the best gift because Christian really wanted one, and my mom had an old one she was throwing away. 3) a framed photo for his office. This one was a close call. We had an old frame I could use, but I realized I would have to pay for the photo to be printed (about 30 cents). I finally opted to go for it--even though it would be spending money. When I went to pick up the photo, the clerk told me my order had been paid for already. A Christmas miracle? Maybe not a miracle but to this day (one day later) I don't know how my 30 cent photo got paid for.

Lunch: Generously offer to meet your husband at his mom's house.

Dinner: at home, of course

Birthday cake?: almost. I had some leftover cupcakes from my Activity Day girls.

All in all, I think it was a perfect day. Right, Christian?

I know It's In Here Somewhere

2008-12-15T08:36:00.000-08:00

I've caught CJ like this a few times. I'm not exactly sure what he's looking for, but I'll hear him talking to himself and rummaging around. Maybe he just needs some alone time.

So This is Christmas

2008-12-09T08:32:00.001-08:00

I have to admit that you won't hear me complaining about radio stations playing Christmas songs too early or people jumping the gun with their Christmas lights. I really like it. But if I was feeling pressure last year to decorate and start Christmas traditions, I'm definitely feeling it this year. I mean I have a child this year--a child who cares only about applesauce and pieces of bread, but still a child. So I dug up the Gene Autry Christmas CD and convinced Christian to help decorate our house right after Thanksgiving. It took us three minutes. Maybe less. That was with me stealing a few things from my mom's house. But things are looking up this year. I've already watched Holiday Inn and White Christmas, and it's only the 9th. So Merry Christmas.

My New Work Space

2008-12-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

You'll notice the shattered screen on the right connected to a second monitor. It sure takes the mobility out of a laptop, you know having two screens and all, but it works so I'm not complaining. If you want to know what happened, just ask Christian if the back of a couch is a good place to put a laptop. We love our new set-up. We just miss our kitchen table a little bit.

What Happens When Your Computer Screen Shatters Into Tiny Unrecognizable Pieces?

2008-11-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

A lot less blogging time. A lot less.

Robin Hood and Little John

2008-11-04T07:35:00.001-08:00

Down to the Wire

2008-10-29T07:52:00.001-07:00

I'm still trying to figure out what CJ is going to be. I've narrowed it down to two:

Peter Pan

Or Robin Hood.

If I'm going to make this intricate costume out of clothes cj already has and green felt found in my parent's garage, I'm going to need to get started. Besides the costume, I'm going to have to teach CJ how to hold out his arms either pointing up (Robin Hood) or pointing down (Peter Pan). So who's it going to be?

This Year's Feature Film

2008-10-27T09:13:00.001-07:00

I've never been a horror movie kind of person. I think the scariest movie I ever watched was It. I watched it in 5th grade in the middle of the day with two friends. We turned all the lights off in my basement. When it got too scary, we turned it off and walked to Burger King to take a littlte break. It was pretty scary. Since then, I sort of swore myself off scary movies. But around Halloween time, I always like to watch a good old scary movie. Last Halloween, Christian and I watched Spellbound--an Alfred Hitchcock we got from the library. It was pretty classic--the perfect combination of intense music and insanity all in black and white. I made Christian put in a Disney movie after. Later that year we watched Vertigo, another Hitchcock. Halfway through I went to the bathroom and never came back. After that things really went downhill. I'm not sure if it is my maturing age (I am 24, after all) or motherhood, but I can't stomach anything these days. Proof: All of a sudden, Phantom of the Opera and Jane Eyre are too scary, and I won't even touch Poirot these days.

Unfortunately, I just can't let the tradition die. It's Halloween, after all. So I'm still looking for this year's scary movie. I have a couple ideas already: Sleeping Beauty (if I fastforward through the "touch the spindle" scene) or Winnie-the-Pooh (has that scary honey pot dream scene that might have just the right touch). I can't help but think an animated movie might not be scary enough. At least for Christian, anyway. Any suggestions?

Want to be Mad?

2008-10-22T14:49:00.001-07:00

Annoyed, frustrated, upset, or angry at a book, characters, or author. Then try this one.

Or actually don't. Don't try this one. Read something else instead. Something like this:

Uncle JD's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-10-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

I'd like to say when it comes to food he takes after his dad, but let's face it he takes after both of us. This kid's got no chance. By the way, JD, we're ready for some more cookies. This time CJ wants a plate all to himself.

Nice Try

2008-10-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

I guess CJ got too hot during his nap. He didn't quite get his shirt off, though. Either too hot or just sick of sleeping in a wet shirt. Maybe if he didn't slobber so much. I'm hoping he'll get sick of sleeping in a wet diaper and decide to change that. I'll give him some time.

Not Too Sweet. Not Too Sour. Just a Little Too Pink.

2008-10-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Elise and I made pink applesauce. CJ was a good sport. He kicked back and watched most the time and slept the rest. Elise and I have decided to dedicate one day a week to a project. So far Elise has provided: ideas, recipes, all the canning equipment, peaches to can, tomatoes to can salsa, herbs from her garden, apples from her tree farm, applesauce equipment, knowledge, and experience. I provided everything else. Elise is lucky to have me.

Start 'Em Young

2008-10-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

The girls: smiling at the camera
The boys: watching football
Their dads would be so proud.

Yeah, yeah

2008-09-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

3 Joys
1. Peaches and icecream (or mostly just icecream)
2. CJ's dinosaur pajamas
3. Sweats

3 Fears
1. Spiders
2. Big spiders
3. Medium-sized spiders

3 Irritations
1. Slow computers
2. Broken sewing machines
3. Running out of icecream (or just running in general)

3 Facts
1. I taste baby food (so far: green beans, sweet potatoes, applesauce)
2. CJ thinks the word "cereal" is hilarious (seriously)
3. Watching the Cosby show is becoming my nightly ritual