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November 28, 2010
I'm not sure Cole was really helping me put the lights on the tree or not. I kept finding him tangled in them as I was stringing them through the branches or tugging at them once I got them on the tree. Needless to say it was a very long process to finally get the tree decorated.
November 27, 2010
With a stack of Christmas boxes almost to the ceiling, you'd think I'd have gotten more out than just the nativity. But it was all I could squeeze in with piles of laundry to do before heading to Logan for a basketball game.
My nativity is always the first thing that goes up each year. I love it. My Mom and Dad gave it to me for Christmas one year and my Dad even made the stable for it. Jeff dubs it the "garage." I just need the goat and the set is complete... hint hint! Pearl was very excited to see the nativity and wanted to play with all the animals and the "baby's mommy." And as he does every year, Jeff reminds me that everyone, including the animals, went to see the baby Jesus... NOT us. We battle back and forth turning all the animals, wise men, and shepards towards Jesus (Jeff) and then facing outwards so they look nice (me). Before I had even set one thing up he was telling Pearl how important it was that all the sheep be able to see the baby Jesus.
Well, you know what? After eight years I finally gave in, or more likely I get it. After all, He is the reason for the season.
November 26, 2010
I was supposed to be recovering from my first-ever Black Friday shopping spree today (Santa needed a single toy picked up from Target this morning) but instead I was running back and forth to the bathroom courtesy of whatever was bugging Cole a few days ago. I felt horrible.... like I just might have ruined Christmas for a very excited three-year-old. But I was even more afraid of being the worst mom ever because I had promised to take Pearl on a "girl date... no boys... kneener kneener" as she said while shaking her bum at Jeff and Cole, to see Tangled today. Jeff tried to brace Pearl for the bad news that I was too sick to go but luckily we made it. Of course there was a slight fit when we couldn't get tickets to the show we wanted and had to wait another three hours to go but it was worth it. Tangled - or as Pearl calls it "Rahunzel" was super cute. The music was beautiful and both Pearl and I are now desiring long, golden, magic hair.
Too bad Cole wasn't as excited to do "man stuff" with his dad as us girls were though.
November 25, 2010
I thought about posting something Thanksgiving-ish but that will have to wait for my other blog. Today's post belongs to my kitty, KC. She doesn't live with me anymore, well rather I don't live with her anymore. I'm pretty sure she never recovered when "her girl," as my mom says moved away.
I got KC the summer we moved into our house. Her mom belonged to the previous home owners and one day she wandered back "home" pregnant. She had a litter of kittens in our basement window sill under our deck. We watched the whole birthing process from the comfort of our recliners and as gross as it may sound, it was actually amazing to watch. Then we got to watch those stray kittens grow up, playing and batting at the window, meowing, and trying to climb out of there. We'd sneak them in through the window to play with them. KC was one of two kittens who never found a home so my parents said I could keep her. She was so shy and sweet with the loudest purr. She slept at the foot of my bed. I taught her how to fetch a ball. She'd bring me tokens of her love... live mice and dump them in my window sill where they'd, terrified beyond belief, try to escape by climbing the screen. I'll spare you the details of what happened to them next but it was gross to listen to. She loved to be brushed, had the softest fur, and a cold, wet nose that was always ready to greet me when I got home.
KC isn't going to be around too much longer... she's almost 18 and my parents are getting new carpet for Christmas with no kitty dander in it if you catch my drift.
So today I said goodbye to one sweet, special friend.
November 24, 2010
Cole starting fussing about 11 pm tonight so Jeff went in to see what was wrong. The next thing I know he's running out of his room, headed straight for the bathroom. Then the smell hit.
Barf and lots of it.
Jeff took the 11 pm - 2 am shift then it was mine turn. I always feel so helpless when my babies get a stomach bug. And this one had made the rounds through the daycare so I know he got it there. Yet another reason why working sucks sometimes. Cole was a trooper though. He only cried after he would throw up... too bad the barf bucket doesn't do much good at this age, although I tried aiming him towards it to save on laundry the next day.
Oh and update on the puking... Cole was good enough to make it to Thanksgiving dinner (thank goodness because it's the day Jeff looks forward to the most each year) but then I got whatever was bugging him and was up all Thanksgiving night sick. So much for helping Santa out with some 4 am Black Friday shopping.
November 23, 2010
The media sure makes a hype out of nothing. HELLO! We live in Utah! It snows here.
"Blizzard of 2010," yeah right. Sure the winds were howling, it's sub-zero temperatures out there, and I'm not complaining one bit about the Governor graciously giving me two hours of administrative leave today so I could get home before it hit, but really.
November 22, 2010
I found this note stuck to the board at daycare today. No further explanation needed.
November 21, 2010
I've been neglecting my blog lately because of this.
Four years in the making and I'm still not done with Pearl's Christmas stocking. My excuses? Year one, I had a newborn (Pearl) that took up all my time and energy. Year two, my comprehensive exam to get my Masters degree. Year three, pregnant and barfing. And this year... I screwed up and centered the entire project wrong in year one. I've been agonizing over it for weeks, trying to decide if I should unpick the entire design and start over or try and adjust the pattern. I went with adjusting the pattern and hoping it doesn't look too retarded. Good thing I finished Jeff's stocking long before kids.
November 20, 2010
Yesterday my little brother turned 16. Crazy.
Kurtis is such a good kid. I love him. Seriously, he is so sweet to everyone, he rocks at lacrosse, he's funny, and he loves his family as crazy as we are. He's subjected to all of our inappropriate conversations - most of the time in front of his friends too-, complaining, and knows more about woman issues than any 16 year old boy should thanks to me, my mom, and sister. And yet, he still hangs out with us.
I have a hard time thinking he is really 16. I remember Kurtis as a five-year-old who liked Pokeman. My first year of college, I used to take him to class with me while my mom was at work. He'd come to my sociology class and Institute. Then we'd head over to the student center for a Marv&Joe and then visit my Dad at his office. I tried to avoid talking much in Institute, even though our neighbor was the teacher, so you can imagine how horrified I was when my teacher Bro. Merrill asked our class if anyone had anything to share (as he did at the beginning of every class) and Kurtis raised his hand. He then proceeded to tell the class his favorite joke. "Why didn't the pirate go to the movie? Because it was rated ARRHHHHH!" Everyone laughed... and even I chuckled. I'll never forget it. And Kurtis will never hear the end of it either.
And if you're wondering... yes that is a chocolate chip cookie with 16 candles in it. I made an entire batch just for Kurt. My dad was a little upset with me that I almost burned the house down over it but I wasn't going to let this momentous birthday pass us by without a funny "cake" and birthday song.
November 19, 2010
I'm beginning to wonder if Cole will have a serious identity crisis when he's older... all because of that hair.
That floppy mop of his needed SERIOUS help. It was getting so long that it was starting to look like a bad comb over instead of his signature "surfer dude" look. So we headed to Cookie Cutters for a trim. TRIM, I said. I like it long on top, short on the sides. Not, I repeat, NOT a buzz cut! Honestly! When I told the girl I wanted it long, like a long fohawk, I didn't expect to see her start whacking it all off. It's about as long as it was when he was born and drastically shorter than his signature do. Pearl's hair on the other hand was left a lot longer than I had wanted. Apparently she got my kids mixed up during the whole process. Granted Cole was screaming bloody murder because 15 minutes prior he had gotten five shots at his well child appointment but still. Now I've got to answer to everyone's questioning as to why we cut his hair. Seriously, for the past three days I've done nothing but repeat the following to everyone at church, work, and daycare... it's getting old.
"Yes, we cut his hair."
"Yes, I know it's short."
"No, it's not his first hair cut."
"And yes, I know he looks just like Jeff."
Ok so maybe the truth is, I'm the one having the identity crisis.
November 18, 2010
This little bum is six months old today.
I can't believe it.
I love all his chubby leg rolls, dimpled hands, love handles, budda belly, and wrinkly bum.
I'm in awe at all he can do and all that he has learned in just a few months.
He melts my heart every time I see that wild-needs-a-haircut-really-bad blond hair and cute grin or hear him yell "ahhhh" at me.
My baby is growing up... way, way too fast.
November 17, 2010
The Aggies played BYU tonight and since we don't have cable, Jeff hooked up the computer to the TV so we could watch the game. Pearl was pumped at the idea. She put on her "Logan" shirt, plopped right down on Jeff's lap, and gave him a "knuckles" in eager anticipation. She's almost as big of an Aggie fan as her Dad. Almost.
November 16, 2010
Today was the annual Thanksgiving Feast at the kids' daycare. And the first year that Pearl has actually worn her festive hat... although I'm not sure it's politically correct to have "Indian Pearl" written across the front of it. The food, well, it sucks. It sort of reminds me of "Grandparents Day" at my elementary school where you got to have lunch with your grandparents. My school always served the same thing year after year. It was by far the grossest lunch on the menu - these nasty french dipped sandwiches (trust me, they weren't real meat), cold carrots, milk, and six tator tots, yes six. One year they actually took back two tots from my grandpa's tray... needless to say that was the last year my grandparents came for the event.
But it makes Pearl so happy to have lunch with her Dad. I don't think she cares if I'm there or not seeing as how we go to work together anyway. And Cole was super happy to see Daddy in the middle of the day! In fact, he was so excited that he stole Jeff's roll, utensils, and nearly knocked over his water. Seriously, Cole stuffed half of Jeff's roll in his mouth before we knew he had it in his hands.
November 15, 2010
I seem to recall a similar scene with Pearl. Only she was a few months older and instead of being slobbering all over the back of the chair like Cole, she squawked and yelled at us. I begged Jeff to take some pictures of Cole standing up on the chair during dinner because it reminded me of how funny Pearl was as a baby. Boy am I glad we got video and photos of Pearl doing this same thing otherwise this seemingly routine incident tonight might have just slipped by.
November 14, 2010
I swear I took a picture of something today. But I can't find anything! So you get a picture of Cole from yesterday... in his warm, fleece jammies. Sigh. I wish they made them for mommies.
November 13, 2010
I can't believe I forgot BOTH cameras today! AHHHH! Cole's first Aggie basketball game and I leave the nice camera and the back up camera at home. So there's no picture until I can get it off of my father-in-law's camera, which he so kindly let me take to the game to document this epic moment in Cole's life. Too bad Cole didn't seem to understand the glory of it all... he wanted to be in bed instead of cheering at the Spectrum. He better learn quick to enjoy the games or it's going to be one very long season.
Oh, and the Aggies won over Weber State! Go Aggies!
November 12, 2010
When I asked Pearl what she wanted for lunch she told me she wanted a sandwich with butter, cheese, meat, and salad on it. So I handed her this nice sandwich, went on making mine, and then turned around to see her picking everything off the bread. I admit my initial thought was to scream at her because I figured she had changed her mind and was only going to eat the meat. When I asked her what she was doing, she said she wanted to eat it like this. And eat she did. She gobbled up every last piece of meat, cheese, spinach leaf, and bread... well minus the crust and then asked for another one. She wasn't too happy though when I grabbed the camera to take a picture of her version of a sandwich.
Storm, Yosemite Valley, California, 1938
Photograph by Ansel Adams
©2010 The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust.
November 11, 2010
Since I had the day off for Veterans Day (thank you all military families), Jeff decided to take the day off too... for a day of family fun, he said. Usually that means we spend all of Jeff's money (and spend his $$$ we did)! We decided to venture up to Park City for some shopping and culture. Jeff said since we'd end up spending all our money buying new clothes for our children who keep growing, that we should get to do something fun for just us adults. So we went to the Kimball Art Center to see an exhibit showcasing some of Ansel Adam's early photography work. It was really cool. Jeff and I both admire his work... did you know he was also thinking of becoming a concert pianist? Lived in Yosemite National Park for 10 years? Took a picture of the Manti, UT temple? The pictures were really gorgeous. Pearl spent her time at the exhibit taking pictures of the pictures. It was pretty funny to watch... a little annoying too because she wanted a picture of every single one in there. She was actually really good, didn't break anything, and seemed to enjoy our time being "cultured."
But then again, we did bribe her with going to eat lunch at McDonald's if she was good.
November 10, 2010
I don't know if it's Pearl's personality, my lack of teaching ability (or probably lack of patience), or Pearl's age but she has the hardest time letting us teach her anything! She's in this "I can't do it!" phase and tells us this 50 times a day. It gets really frustrating to see her think she can't do something and subsequently not try at all... and not let us help her learn how to do anything. But Jeff is determined to teach that kid how to use the computer the right way. He's been practicing with her and since he is her BFF, she seems to enjoy their computer time together. They play all kinds of games on pbskids.org... building sand castles with Curious George and finding geckos with the Cat in the Hat. Tonight they busted out the laptop in the TV room to show off her skills. I was quite impressed with how well she is doing using the mouse. She's got the clicking part down and is getting a lot better maneuvering the mouse around the screen. They had a lot of fun together. I'm sure glad Jeff has the patient to teach her how to use the computer.... just one more difference between her generation and mine because I think the first time I used a computer was in 3rd grade!
November 9, 2010
One of the hazards of picking Pearl up from daycare is her constant pleading to either go see Missi, our secretary who has a candy dish stocked and ready for Pearl's sweet tooth, or to go to the cafeteria for a treat. I try hard to tell Pearl she needs to pick a healthy treat but seeing as how our healthy choices are pretty limited, the best I can hope for is that she'll ration half of her treat for another day. Pearl loves, loves, loves going to the cafeteria together! I wish I could describe how she says cafeteria because her little voice and pronunciation is so stinkin' cute. Today's choice was a bag of Cheetos. I hate it when she picks Cheetos because inevitably something in the truck turns orange. When we got home though, Pearl proudly declared that she had sucked all the orange off her fingers... and guess, what? She really did. I was impressed. Then she said she wanted to save some of her Cheetos for tomorrow. Yeah! But the funniest part about this decision was where she saved them. I walked into the kitchen to find a bag of Cheetos hung from the refrigerator with a magnetic chip clip. Pretty ingenious and pretty funny! That kid never ceases to amaze me with the things she comes up with.
November 8, 2010
My kids don't like bottles or binkies. I don't get it. Both have sucked on their fingers though - Pearl sucked her thumb and Cole seems delighted to chomp his gums on anything he can shove in his mouth. I like to tease him with his "binks" because he bites down on it while I wiggle it in his mouth, making this little squeaky noise. It's funny. But tonight he figured out how to get his thumb in his binkie. He seemed pretty proud of himself until he got frustrated that it wouldn't come off when he tried to grab another toy.
November 7, 2010
Apparently we partied too hard yesterday because this morning I woke up sick. Nauseous... NO I AM NOT PREGNANT... lightheaded, and achy... I mean bone achy, ouching, horrible hurting. Not to mention the pounding headache all day and did I mention the feeling that I could puke at any second? So the care of my two children while I slept all day long, minus getting up to nurse Cole, was left to Jeff. He did amazing. No one fought, yelled, or had to go to timeout (we won't mention the timeouts prior to church). Cole ate cereal like a champ and was happy as could be playing with Dad all day. Everyone was happy, played nicely together, and Jeff even made dinner for Monday. Things ran MUCH smoother than when I'm around.
I think I just might be sick more often.
November 6, 2010
You know you are getting old when your little brother turns 28. Sheesh.
To celebrate, all my siblings minus Kurtis, went to dinner. But that was after a full day of football at two different universities. Jeff, being the loyal Aggie he is, drove to Logan for a victory. Jesse, Emily, Kimmy, and Nick went to the highly anticipated UofU/TCU game and got their "a**$* handed to them," as Jeff said. I'm not sure where this sudden red blood comes from but I guess it's to teach them a lesson and cheer for blue next time. The kidlets (Pearl, Cole, and Ruby) and I stayed home and made pizza, played outside, had a tea party, and decorated birthday cupcakes while everyone was at the games. I figured babysitting Ruby and making some lame cupcakes was the least I could do for my bro.
Happy Birthday Jesse!
November 5, 2010
My good friend Libbey, she's more like an angel on earth, invited us to the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum today. I was a bit hesitant since we've been sick the past week and she's got a new baby but Jeff told me this morning on his way out the door "to go and do something fun with Pearl." So we did. Pearl had a great time running around from the construction zone to the house to the grocery store and farm. But her favorite by far was the bird nest. She even convinced me to put Cole in there with her... which lasted about 3.5 seconds before she decided to run off without him. Thank heavens chaos reigns supreme in that place because there was no way Cole and I could keep up with her and Libbey's boy Jacob. I must admit I was a bit perplexed by all the moms there decked out in their finest attire and makeup. I kept thinking, man I am THE frumpiest mom in this entire place! Seriously, is that what SAHMs do? Get all dolled up to go out of the house. I guess since I dress up to go to work, Fridays are my dress down days. But no matter, Pearl had fun, got her wiggles out, and came home tired enough to actually take a nap!
November 4, 2010
After Cole's ear infection, pink eye, and cough it was bound to happen.
It's my turn to be sick.
After a few days of misery, I finally went in to the doctor. Diagnosis... sinus infection (which is draining into my throat causing it to feel like it's swelling shut) and an ear infection. Being sick wasn't so bad before kids. You could stay home and sleep all day but now it really sucks. Here's hoping my $35 nose steroids and amoxicillin helps because I've got a bad feeling this is going to be one long cold and flu season.
November 3, 2010
My kids sure love their dad. Cole squawks, yells, and giggles the second Jeff walks through the door. And Pearl is usually screeching, "My best friend!" while attempting to hug/tackle him to the floor. But the thing they love the most when Daddy comes home is playing the "sock game.". Basically what happens is one or both of them are plopped on the bed while Jeff changes out of his work clothes. Jeff then takes his socks off and proceeds to throw his socks at their faces. They love it. They'll giggle and giggle for a half hour throwing socks back and forth to each other (usually hitting me a few times too). I personally don't understand the excitement of getting hit with a stinky, sweaty sock over and over and over again. But then again, I'm not a kid.
November 2, 2010
Fulfilling my patriotic duty and privilege, I voted today... not that it matters much who I actually vote for in this state. Ok, so I really just wanted the sticker. I can't think of any other event in our country where millions of adults would proudly wear a sticker all day long.
When I graduated high school I told my local paper that I wanted to be President of the United States someday. I really believed it. But now I'm not so sure I could take the political back-biting, dishonesty, deal-cutting nonsense that goes on. Sad too because I think I'd be a great President.
November 1, 2010
I used to wear my glasses a lot but it seems like the only time I wear them now is when one of three scenarios happens.
1. I've run out of contact solution.
2. I've been sick.
3. I've been crying a lot.
All three apply today. And yesterday. And the day before that.
October 31, 2010
I guess you could say I'm a bit of a Halloween scrooge in some regards. I didn't dress up. I didn't dress Cole up (but he did have a Halloween shirt). And we didn't get around to carving pumpkins. But Pearl didn't seem to mind when I asked her if she wanted to paint our pumpkins instead... even if it was just a ploy to keep her occupied for a few minutes today. I'll tell ya what, painting them is sure a heck of a lot easier and less messy than carving them!
October 30, 2010
It was Ruby-juby's birthday party today. She turned the big 4... well, tomorrow she will! Being a Halloween baby, my sister-in-law decided to have a party complete with costumes. Cole and I came as germs but no one bought that idea. There was a HOTTIE Raggedy Ann, some guy from GI Joe that I'm sue I'm going to get grief over not remembering his actual name, two die-hard Ute fans, two construction workers, two witches, two pirates, Bat Man, a kimono lady, Tigger, Vampire-ess, Iron Man, and Jessie the Cowgirl.
We had soup, cupcakes and ice cream, played pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, and broke open a pumpkin pinata. And oh my were there a ton of presents!
Neither Iron Man (aka the birthday girl) or Jessie wanted their picture taken. So this is the best you get. But hey, at least her finger isn't actually in her nose.
October 29, 2010
With all the chaos that ensues with 60+ kids freshly awake from their naps and way too many eager parents trying to get them to cooperate and put on Halloween costumes for the annual Daycare Halloween Parade, this is about as good of a picture as can be expected. Seriously, the decibel level in that place could break glass with screaming kids who've waited all day to get candy and screaming kids who suddenly have had enough of Halloween and just want out of there. But it's proof that I got there on time with a sick baby (pink eye and ear infection) and me running on about three hours of sleep. Shockingly, Pearl didn't want any candy and kept throwing it back at my coworkers as we crammed into the hallways of my building parading off costumes and kids. I think she must have felt a little claustrophobic, I know I was! What she did want was to find Woody the Cowboy... aka Miles... after all you can't have a Jessie the Cowgirl without him!
October 28, 2010
I knew there was a bottle of pizza sauce already opened somewhere in the fridge. Too bad I didn't find it until AFTER I made dinner.
November 28, 2010
