Sunday, December 28, 2008

Addictions

I am glad to say that I find myself to be fairly vice free. It's a nice thing, not being addicted to alcohol or tobacco or whatever, you know? Not only would that be really annoying, it would also cost a lot of money, and I'd much rather spend my resources in other places. But as with most things, there is an exception... Hello, my name is Laura and I'm a read-a-holic.

Seriously, I don't read novels hardly at all, not because I don't like to read, but because I like to read too much. A couple weeks ago, I found myself in a bit of pickle. You see, everyone I know has been reading those darn Twilight books. I, being very rebellious in nature, promised myself that I would never read them simply because everyone else did and that's a sure fire way to make me not want to do something (I know, it's immature and I need to get over it). Then that stupid movie came out and more and more people started talking about them. Several of the blogs that I read posted about the books and everyone was saying how bad they were and they weren't worth all attention. I guess it was a classic case of any publicity is good publicity because as soon as everyone was talking about how bad they were, I HAD to see if they were really that bad, so when I was in line at the Wal-Mart and staring me down was a paperback copy of the Twilight for a mere $7.48, I was compelled to buy it. I had to teach Sunday School that week and knowing my nature to read too much, I decided to save it until my lesson was over. I picked it up that Sunday and started to read... and read and read and read. I couldn't stop! And when that book was over, I had to pick up the next one and the after that and the one after that. Truth be told, I read all four of those books in 7 days. I figure that's got to be somewhere around 2500 pages. Don't get me wrong, they were all an easy read, but it still takes a certain amount of time to read that many pages and I DO have 3 small children that require almost constant attention.

So, since I read them all so quickly, one would think that I was really into them, right? See that's where the addiction comes in. They weren't that great. I read them, and I was entertained, but I found them to be quite shallow and even annoying at times. The worst part was Bella, who didn't seem to be special in any way shape or form and I couldn't figure out why everyone was all worked up over her. Even though I didn't particularly enjoy them, I was compelled to read them. The house work didn't get done (ok it never actually gets done) I stayed up way too late reading, I ignored my children and was frustrated when anything got in the way of me reading. I can't stop. I hate picking up the book to read and I hate putting it back down. I hate myself for making myself sick with sleep deprivation because I'm reading, I hate myself for trying to force my children into watching 8 straight hours of movies so that they will leave me alone, I hate it all, but if there is a story to be told, I HAVE to get to the end of it. I'm like an unstoppable force of nature.

And of course, since I read the books, I had to go see the movie (which was WAY worse than the book and Bella was even less special and a lot more annoying than she was in the book, I don't think she smiled once and I don't think she and Edward even liked eachother all that much, let alone were willing to die for eachother) and since they are sure to make more mediocre movies, I'll have to go see those too. This is why I don't read.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Jane Stringham: Dancing Machine

Today was Jane's winter dance recital. Last year, the dance recitals were SUCH an ordeal and so expensive and on a Saturday and just an all around pain. She is taking dance with a couple of friends at a much more relaxed studio this year and their recital included a red, black or green outfit and me showing up the last 15 minutes of class. I didn't have to go anywhere special or buy a costume or watch 50 other classes dance when really all I want to see is my child. It was awesome.




I hope that Jane keeps taking ballet. Doesn't she just look like she should be a ballerina? We are hoping to take to her see her cousin perform in the Nutcracker next weekend. I think she'll love it.



And here are the dancing friends, Eva, Abby and Jane.

Charlie, I Love You

Working on 3 months and he's a smiling machine. Of course, I can't ever get one on camera because you have to look at him to get him to smile, it's a little frustrating. He started laughing today when I played the ever so popular baby game "arms in the air" with him. It's fairly simple, you just take their arms and pull them over their heads. Babies love it.







and I love him.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Be Prepared

Fact: I am no Boy Scout. I've got some serious issues with being prepared and I'm working on them. It isn't that I don't want to be, it's just that being prepared requires forethought, of which I have little. The worst of the worst for me is Sunday dinner. Every Sunday we are totally scrounging because I never have the forethought to get to the store the night before and get what I need, as was the case this morning. I went through a new cookbook that I got this weekend and realized that I had pretty much everything that I needed to make bar-b-que beef sandwiches, other than the hamburger buns. I thought that I didn't have buns, but I DID have what I needed to make them and so I decided that even though I've only made one or two previous attempts and making bread (wherein we ended up with something that resembled a rock more closely than an loaf of bread) I would give it a try. Jane and I did it together and we had a lot of fun! We made everything completely by hand including the mixing and the kneading and everything. I would have used my KitchenAid, had I been able to find my bread hook. I decided that I must never have had one until Brent reminded me that yes I did have one and don't I remember how he used to use it all the time to pretend like he was Captain Hook. No, Brent, I did NOT remember that. I must have managed to block it out. Anyway, we made one loaf of french bread and the rest into rolls. We ate the rolls, but I made Brent photograph Jane and me and our triumph over the cursed rock bread...



Sorry about Jane's face, the other photo was really blurry... focus on the bread. Doesn't it look pretty? Truth be told, it tasted quite a bit like flour which may have had something to do with the fact that Jane was in charge of measuring the flour, but it was a good try. I intend to keep working at it until I get it right. I figure that making bread by hand has got to be a good skill to develop as it will enable me to be more prepared, right?

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Water Stand

Jane finally got a long overdue playdate with her friend, Caitlin. They don't live in our neighborhood and I'm a total bum about inviting friends over, so it was a big deal for Jane. They are really cute together and get along so well, these girls are little partners in crime :) They are almost exactly the same size, which is also cute to me and Caitlin actually put on all Jane's clothes yesterday to go play outside.

Anyway, yesterday they ran upstairs and told me about their plan to have "water stand."

"Water stand? What's a water stand?"

Apparently a water stand is "when they go outside with all their tables and stuff and they give water to people who need it and want to pay them for it... you know, like they do with lemonade."

I guess we didn't have any lemonade. When I went downstairs to see what all their "stuff" consisted of, I was so amused that I grabbed the camera to document it.





In preparation for the water stand, they basically climbed into the cabinets and unloaded every plate, cup and bowl they could find, as well as every piece of cutlery in the house. They bust me up. I made them put most everything back where it came from and sent them in the back yard with some paper cups and large cup of water, which seemed to satisfy them.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

The Love/Hate relationship

Lizzy and Ben have been together literally almost every day since Lizzy was born. For this reason, they love each other. They are always so excited to see each other and often, they like to give each other hugs and kisses and play nice. 'Lizzy' was one of Ben's first words, if not the first. Lizzy copies everything that Ben does, she's a bit of a sheep that way.



Unfortunately, they are both entering the terrible twos a little early. Most of the words we hear out of their mouths are "NO!" and "MINE!" I would say that about %75 of the time they are together, they are clutching the same toy and screaming at the top of their lungs. Leslie and I are fairly close to inseparable these days, which means that we have to endure a lot of screaming. For some reason, the farm animals were the big favorite today and were of varying degrees of desirability. 'Moo' was by far the favorite, followed by 'Neigh' and then Sheep. It was an intense toddler battle and since I tried really hard to get some footage of the carnage, I thought I'd share the wealth...

If you choose to watch this, I'd turn the volume way down.





Seriously, we listen to this for hours a day. I would say that this particular fight lasted for a good half an hour, probably longer. We just mostly laughed at them and I followed them around with the camera because some day, I want to show them how ridiculous they were.




I never want twins.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Feeling Thankful

So, this post is annoying for two reasons. One, It doesn't have any pictures and I've posted like 5 times without pictures. I know you all miss looking at my kids. Two, it's after Thanksgiving and I'm doing a "thankful" post. In all fairness, I really am feeling thankful. "Why?" you ask? I will tell you...

Brent had to go into work today and missed church because he was there all afternoon. Normally, this isn't the kind of thing that I would be feeling thankful for, but it reminded me of something. As our bishop said to me today "At least he's not unloading boxes of hamburger at a McDonald's" This is VERY true. We had been accustomed to him missing lots of church and working really weird shifts at all hours of the night and day, not to mention the countless calls waking me up in the middle of the night because someone didn't show up for their shift. Since he started working at Stampin' Up! we haven't received a single call that woke us up and this is the first Sunday he's ever had to work. For that, I am extremely thankful.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Gotta love the O.G.

Fact: I am a girl.
Fact: I live in Utah

Based on these 2 facts, I'm all but required to enjoy the classic soup, salad and breadsticks from Olive Garden. Problem is that I don't enjoy standing in line for an hour on any given weeknight to eat soup, salad and breadsticks. Seriously, it's good, but is it really THAT good?

Last week, I was craving me some minestrone from the O.G. and Leslie and I were thinking that it shouldn't been all that hard to make ourselves. With the help from our mom, we found a recipe that is almost exactly the same and every bit as delicious. We had to modify it a little to make it just right. My mom wrote about it on her blog, but I'll post the recipe since she didn't feel like she knew the ingredients well enough to do so.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup finely minced celery
  • 1 cup finely minced onion
  • 1 cup finely minced carrot
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • can of cut green beans
  • can of light kidney beans
  • can of dark kidney beans
  • can of chick peas
  • 3/4 cup sliced carrot
  • 3/4 cup coarsely chopped onion
  • 3/4 cup sliced celery
  • 3/4 cup chopped bell pepper
  • 1 cup small shell macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons parsley
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • pepper
  • parmesan cheese
  • 3 quarts of vegetable broth
  • I also added probably around half a tspn of garlic salt and thyme
  • 2 cans of italian style tomatoes
  • some frozen spinach (however much you like)

Directions

1. Saute the minced onion, celery and carrots in a VERY large soup pot with the butter until very brown.

2. Add the vegetable broth (we used boullion and water)

3. throw in all the cans of everything - we drained everything but the tomatoes - and the seasonings (that is add, everything but the pasta and the spinach)

4. We cooked it for probably about an hour, until the carrots were tender (they take forever) About 20 minutes before you are ready to serve it, add the spinach and pasta

Now, I'm not great at following recipes, so mine was more like a chopped up carrot, 2 sticks of celery, half a bell pepper, half a box of pasta, you get the picture. Ultimately, soup is really forgiving, so it's just a matter of how much you like certain ingredients.

We served it with garlic bread and parmesan cheese and it was awesome! The boys liked it, the kids liked it, it is probably the best soup I've ever had and we made it ourselves! It was such a proud day.

If you make it, let me know how it turns out since I'm totally obsessed with this soup at the moment and I want everyone to love it as much as me.

Friday, November 28, 2008

So THAT'S what those big parking lots are for

I went shopping this morning. It was a sight to behold, something that I couldn't possibly have been prepared for. You see, I've never been much of a Black Friday shopper mostly because my mom wasn't. For my entire childhood and through college, we spent every Thanksgiving with my dad's family in Kelseyville, a tiny town in northern California with a population that must be in the hundreds. There weren't a whole lot of door busters there. We have been spending Thanksgiving closer to home for the last few years and so last year, I thought I'd check out this whole early morning shopping thing. I set my alarm and was prepared to go. When my alarm went off the next morning, it was WAY to early and I slept in for another hour or so and then headed out without any real design or place to go. I mostly just wanted to see what it was all about. I don't think that I bought anything at all.

This year, I was determined. I made my mom drive around to several stores yesterday looking for a newspaper to make sure I had the ads. I had everything mapped out and I was going to be there at 5:00 AM to make sure that I got a particular gift for Jane. The alarm went off, I got up, got dressed, fed the baby and got to the store before they opened. It was a lot of work for nothing. There must have been like 5 Leapsters in the store because by the time I even got back there, they were all gone. These people are die hard, I totally underestimated the determination of an indivual looking for a good deal. Now, it's not even 7:00 and I am left with no Leapster, a massive headache, a stomach ache from eating a greezy (and delicious) hashbrown from McDonald's WAY too early in the morning and the prospect of my kids waking up at any moment. On the bright side, I did get a bunch of half priced socks, which is a lot more rewarding than I had anticipated. I'm not sure I'll be doing this again next year. Oh who am I kidding? Next year, I'll just have to get up at 3:00.

...and Lizzy's awake.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Because I Love You

I have had several people ask me for hair clips for Christmas presents and I'm sorry that I've been a bum and haven't responded much. I have been doing these local art and gift shows this fall and I've been working to get ready for those. That and I'm a total space cadet and I just forget to respond to things. I've decided that when I finish with my shows, I'm going to list what I haven't sold to my friends and family at deeply discounted prices. My last boutique is on December 9th and I'll try to get things listed right away. If you need something before that, let me know and I'll do what I can.

I'm planning to set up a private blog and post pictures of all the clips available. It will all be first come first serve, so you'll have to post to let me know to reserve it for you. If you live far away, I'll only charge exact shipping and if you live close, you can come pick them up.

Even if we aren't BFFs (it makes me so happy that I just said that), if you like me enough to take the time the read my blog, you are invited to check out the sale blog :) Send me your email address and I'll send you an invite.

Until then, you can check out my etsy store (link is on the sidebar) to see the kinds of things that I make. Unless I'm ridiculously successful, I think there will be lots of cute clips to choose from.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

All my children


Today is a gorgeous fall day here. I took the camera outside to get some cute pictures of the kids.





I couldn't decide which picture of Jane to post, so you all get 2. She is technically sick with strep throat, but don't tell her that. She had a fever and rash yesterday and even though the nurse at our pediatrician's office did everything she could to discourage me from taking her in, I insisted because I was sure she had strep. I always enjoy being right, so I derived a great deal of satisfaction out of it, but at the same time, I feel bad that she's sick. At least there's something we can do about it.



Lizzy is talking so much all of a sudden! It just clicked in her head and now she's a little chatterbox. Some of the things she says are "lolli" which means candy, "zizzy" for Lizzy, she still calls Charlie "baby" and also says "Lilly" which is the name of a little girl her age in our ward. Funny thing is that she pronounces her words very meticulously making sure she gets her Ls and Ts right, with the exception of Zizzy. I don't get it.

The rash around her mouth is from eating cat food, which she is obviously allergic to. Why does she insist on eating cat food?



Ok, so Charlie isnow about 8 weeks old and already wearing 3 month clothes, he's growing like mad. He continues to be the sweetest little guy I've ever met. He's starting to coo and smile, this is the age that it gets really satisfying to have a baby.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

For something so small...

...they sure do require a lot of things. My latest purchase (with the help of my mom and her mad Craigslist skills) is this portable swing. The big one is so big and heavy and stationary, as opposed to this nice, small portable one.



Ok, this post might be more of an opportunity to post a picture of my little man. Seriously though, isn't he so handsome? (this is where you are supposed to post a comment about how right I am and he IS so handsome)



This one made me laugh. He looks like he's trying to be such a tough guy. I love Charlie.

Just a Thought

Is it just me, or does it seems as though once a child is aware enough that they hide when they mess their diaper (I'm trying to be gentle with my language here) they should be able to use a freaking toilet?



I sure would like to stop buying diapers for this one. Unfortunately, that day is still probably several months away. Until then, enjoy your time under the desk or behind the couch or wherever you think we don't know what you're doing.


Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Silly Lizzy

Winter is not good for eczema. Poor Lizzy has been miserable lately and I've been trying so hard to keep her comfortable, but she still scratches and claws. Thank goodness it's cold enough to justify the bunny bags again. I have to put them on her during her naps too because she'll claw herself to bits if I don't. A while ago I went to pick her up out of bed after changing her into jammies and leaving her pants lying next to her and this is what I found...



She really likes to get dressed.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Oh the weather outside is frightful

It has begun. Good morning winter.



Why does my neighborhood get SO MUCH SNOW?! Things I love about where I live: everything except the snow.



At least I have my fire... and my family room is still clean from the party on Sunday, so I decided to take a picture to show everyone how awesome it is. Brent and our friend Jaime, with his mad skills, worked on the wainscoting all week to get it done before we had family over for Charlie's blessing and I love it. I have a painting ordered for over the fireplace and it still needs some more decor (read: a new light fixture), but it will be fabulous.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Bath time

I was running a bath for Jane this evening and had to run into my room for something while the water was still going. I was seriously gone for just a minute and when I returned to the bathroom, I found this...



No wonder Jane was yelling so loud at me! "Get her out, Mom! Her pants are sucking up all the water!" I hadn't realized that Lizzy was also in need of a bath. Seriously, I can't describe in words how much this girl amuses me. Even when she does things that should make me insane, I just laugh.

Ok Lizzy, you win.


Good Times on Halloween

So, my camera is broken, which I don't REALLY mind in some ways because I hate my camera, but I don't have money to replace it, so it's also a drag. In the meantime, my mom forgot her camera here for the week, so I at least have that to document our lives until she returns. I made Cameron take pictures of my kids on Halloween so that we could prove that we dressed our kids up all cute like.



Lizzy was practically born wearing hand me downs. Jane sported this adorable costume when she was this small. Here's a picture of Jane, she was cute too and don't the girls look a lot alike?






This blurry photo is Jane in her kitty cat get up, in case you can't tell what it is. I tried to get her to let me put whiskers on her or something, but she would have none of it.



Charlie wore his costume for about 10 minutes and was in tears the entire time, so I just took it off. Poor baby. He was also lucky enough to get Jane's hand me down sweet pea costume. Aren't he and Leslie cute?



They really did go Trick-or-Treating. I have a photo to prove it. Brent was mad that we made them take the babies our before it got dark, they went out again later as well. Cameron had never been out with Brent on Halloween before, so he had no idea what he was in for. Brent is die hard. He gets the kids all organized in lines in an effort to maximize the number of houses (and candy) they are able to hit before the night is over. Is it bad that he still uses his children to get candy for himself?



And this picture is here just because it's awesome. Lizzy and the stink eye. I love my girl.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Attention family and friends

We are planning to bless Charlie next Sunday, Nov. 2nd. This is a good step for us since we put off Lizzy's for like 4 months. I have a lesson that I have to teach after sacrament meeting, so I'm planning to send uninterested parties to or house while I do that and then have a late lunch/early dinner at 3:30-4:00ish. We'd love to invite anyone interested in coming, assuming that I have actually met you in real life and you aren't someone like me, who reads random peoples' blogs (I flatter myself that I would be that interesting). In that case, I'm not sure you're invited, but if I've met you in real life, we really would love to have you come. Just let me know and I'll send you the details.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Success!

I know that I haven't been my usual post-happy self lately. I believe it to be largely related to Charlie. He's started to become a little more high maintenance than I would prefer. He seems to have something wrong with his tummy, I don't know if it is bubbles or reflux or what, but he always wants to be held and bounced and cuddled. He really is just the sweetest thing and he doesn't really cry, he's just fussy, which means that I generally only have one hand free... and typing with one hand takes a really long time! Today, I finally got new batteries in the swing and you know what?




He loves it! Hooray! I get my life back! No more sitting and bouncing the bouncy chair with my foot for hours. No more carrying him around the house in the baby sling. I'm not sure what took me so long to get the batteries for it, perhaps I've just been in denial over everything, but whatever, he loves the swing! Jane lived most of the first few months of her life in this swing. Johnny B called it her "mechanical mommy" because I just pawned her off to the swing's care most days. Lizzy didn't like it, it was a total disappointment, but Charlie and the swing seem to be a match made in heaven. Today, I'd like to thank the genius that came up with the mechanical baby swing.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Tagaroo


I was tagged by my friend, Kriss. You are supposed to open your tenth folder of photos and click on the eighth photo in the folder. This is what was in mine. Sorry it's so creepy.



Believe it or not, that is actually Jane. It was just minutes after she was born and Brent is holding his first child. I love how suspicious she is of Brent. It's awesome. Just be glad we landed on this one instead of one of the notorious "alien baby" photos that I wish didn't exist. You would all be scarred for life.

Now I get to tag people, but the people I usually tag never do it so I am tagging any of my cousins that read this or their wives. There are enough of you that at least a couple should do it, right?

One year older and wiser too

This week was my birthday. I'm old. Not as old as a lot of you :) but old none the less. Jane seems to think I'm practically on my death bed. It was a good day and preceding weekend that included a new fancy coat, a date with my husband, Rainbow Chip cake, homemade potroast, more pumpkin picking, a delicious lunch at Red Lobster (yummmmm... biscuits), dinner with friends and this morning, breakfast with friends for me and another friend with a birthday this week. Why do you eat so much when it's your birthday? Maybe it's just me. Food is good.
I thought I'd share the photos that we got at the second pumpkin patch we've visited this year. I know, we go to a lot of pumpkin patches, but it's a great place to keep your kids entertained and aren't the photos with the pumpkins so charming?







It was pretty cold, so it was a quick trip, but our mission was accomplished.


Ben was there too as well as Charlie and I. He was covered under a heavy blanket in his car seat and I was behind the camera. Hooray for birthdays in October. It really is my favorite month, for lots of reasons.

Monday, October 13, 2008

I am the fire starter

Fact: Brent and I love fires, and not the "flip a switch insta-fire" but actual wood that is burning. For my part, I think its my parent's fault. They had a wood burning stove built into the home that we grew up in (in LAS VEGAS) and kept the fires going most of those bitter 50 degree winter months. It seemed really cold when we were growing up. Now Brent and I have an insert in our fireplace that acts like a stove and we use it to heat our house in the winter. The only problem is that wood up here is really expensive, so we regularly make trips down to Summit to get (mooch) wood from my dad. My dad really likes firewood too. So this last weekend we went down to relaxing Summit to visit my parents and get some wood and have a nice time, generally. Here are a few photos from the trip.



There are several fruit trees that my Uncle Alma planted years and years ago that have, by default, ended up on my parents' property. They really can't take credit for the delicious apples and cherries, but we're glad they're there.



If Grandma is around, this is generally how you find Lizzy... holding on to her and refusing to let go. Lizzy made her first trip to nursery in the Summit ward. It was deluxe.



My big, strong Charlie. He went to the doctor yesterday and has already gained a pound and grown over an inch.



My dad always carved pumpkins with us growing up and I loved it. Looks like my girls love it too.





And a couple snow pictures for my dad. It was a great weekend to be in Summit, even with the snow since, of course, there was a nice, warm fire inside.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Good Thursday

After an unsuccessful attempt to get Ben and Lizzy to take naps this afternoon, Leslie and I decided to just get the kids out if the house. There is a fun pumpkin patch not too far from my house that a friend of mine turned me on to and we thought that it would be a good place to let the kids work out their baby fury instead of taking it out on us or (more likely) each other. Ben struggled a little with all the Halloween decor, he doesn't have what you'd call "nerves of steel," but all in all it was quite amusing and it made me feel like a pretty good mom taking my kids on an outing like that.



I tried to get a photo of me and my kids, but they move so fast!





I got my photos from Charlie's newborn photo shoot by Brooke of Oliverminie J. Photography. She does such a great job and I had to post a couple of my favorites.



She managed to capture one of us where we all look decent. I LOVE this photo...



and my girls love their little brother.





And of course, Charlie. (Can I say that the more I call him Charlie, the more I like the name. It really makes me happy to have a son named Charlie.) I'm a huge fan of my swaddling blankets (click here) that we got for him. It makes it so easy to turn him into a little mummy before bedtime and he sleeps so much better all swaddled up, and it makes a cute photo to boot. Ah, so many good things on a good Thursday.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

My Favorite Ragamuffin



I try so hard to keep her cute. Honestly I do. She's just determined to make it look like I don't. Oh Lizzy Boo. Click on the photo to enlarge it and get the life like effect.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Living the good life

So... conference was good this weekend, right? I mean, I don't really know since my children successfully prevented me from paying attention to more than about 20% the 8 hours available to me. Next time, we're going to have to come up with something else to keep them occupied. I'm thinking a padded, sound proof room and a strong lock. I enjoyed what I heard, though, and walked away from the weekend feeling uplifted.

I wish that I had more to blog about, but alas, I don't. At this point, my days basically consist of

feeding the baby,
changing a diaper or two or three,
yelling at the girls,
changing a diaper,
feeding the baby,
loading up the children in the car and trying to save my sanity by getting out of the house,
yelling at the girls at the store,
yelling at the girls in the car,
changing a diaper,
feeding the baby,
feeding the baby and,
feeding the baby

oh, and I often try to fit in a good cry in my disastrous house before bed. Then I feed the baby.

All in all, I'm very happy. A wee bit unstable, but happy. I appreciated the reminders from conference about "enjoying the journey" since I have a tendency to allow myself to suffer through things instead. Funny though, how loving someone (or my whole family) can make you happy, isn't it?



Oh, I adore him in his little monkey suit.



He kinda looks like he's got 'monkey paws' in his monkey suit. Ah, the terrifying monkey paws, I remember you well.
Now, I'm going to go watch Dancing with the Stars in an effort to annoy my husband into allowing me to get cable. (I think it's working)

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Vice Presidential Debate

Jane and I have been watching the debate tonight. Poor girl is being exposed to more serious matters than she should be thinking about. These are a couple of her thoughts as we've been watching...

"Mom, I heard a big word on TV. It was Al-Qaida. What's an Al-Qaida?"

"Mom, where is Israel? Can we go there?" (after I try to explain why we can't visit Israel)
"It's a good thing we live here, huh? I want to go there when they stop fighting."

"I want to be Jane McCain, is that so funny?"

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

about a week


So it's been a little more than a week since Charlie was born and I thought I'd post a couple of photos of him. I didn't have a clean "boy" blanket this morning, so he ended up in a girl one. It was just a matter of time.





Is it just me, or does he just look like a boy wrapped in a girl blanket? Of course, my photos can't compete with with Brooke's...



She took photos for us yesterday and already posted some previews for me. Thank you so much Brooke! I'm sure I'll be showing you all more later. She spent all morning with my 3 kids and Ben tearing apart her house while her little girl slept. It really wasn't fair of us to do that to her.

Charlie is about the sweetest thing in the world (knock on wood). He's still really sleepy and sleeps through the night pretty well. He'll sometimes want to eat once or twice, but he goes back down. He rarely cries unless he needs something and just makes me happy every day. I'm getting to the point that I'm trying to pull it together and start functioning like a normal human being for the first time all year, just with a lot more time spent at home. Loading up 3 kids and taking them anywhere is a lot of work!