Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
American Cancer Society
I just wanted to embed a video about the American Cancer Society. What a great organization!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Affected
So I found this blog that I feel I must share with the world, or at least the small world reading this. Some of you may already know this guy's story, but if not, check out his blog here.
His name is Matt, a 30 year old computer guy living in LA, originally from the Twin Cities. His life has been turned upside down in both amazing and horrific ways. In March, his beautiful wife delivered their baby girl prematurely - though small, baby was and still is fine. The tragedy occurred the next day, as his wife was preparing to be wheeled down to the NICU to touch her baby for the first time. She felt lightheaded and collapsed, dying of a pulmonary embolism.
It's hard to even type that small synopsis of his story without feeling like I'm going to lose it. I don't know what it is about these people that have affected me so much. The mom was born in September 1977, just like me. They were both from Minnesota where Eric has family and has spent much of his time. They welcomed a baby daughter that they wanted so desperately. And the blood clot to her lung could've been a result of the five weeks of bedrest she had, followed by a C-section - and I've had two of those.
I don't know, it just seems so close to home for me. Then I get pissed at myself for not having this sympathy for other horrors happening around the world. I mean, if some dad were having to do it alone because his wife got shot in drive-by, for example, would I feel this pain for him? Or if a mother died in some suicide bombing somewhere across the globe, leaving behind her young daughter for someone else to raise? I mean it happens all the time. Is it possible to feel so deeply for something happening so out of your own world?
To watch the love of my life die in front of my eyes, oh Lord I can't even process it. And the thought of my little girls not knowing me, or so much worse, me not knowing them? Not ever touching their skin or seeing their smiles?
Please don't avoid his blog because it's a tear-fest. It is that, but so much more. He's a beautiful photographer and writer, open and emotional, raw but funny too. And the kid is the spitting image of her mom, which makes it even sweeter and more dear to see photos of them together. I just know in my heart that this little girl is going to have a happy and wonderful life, thanks to her sweet and doting dad.
Do yourself a favor (with Kleenex close by) and please check it out. I promise you will be glad you did. It has truly changed the way I look at my family.
on a lighter note, I despise the colors of my blog but can't figure out how to make it better. I may change the template all together. ugh. where's angela when you need her?
His name is Matt, a 30 year old computer guy living in LA, originally from the Twin Cities. His life has been turned upside down in both amazing and horrific ways. In March, his beautiful wife delivered their baby girl prematurely - though small, baby was and still is fine. The tragedy occurred the next day, as his wife was preparing to be wheeled down to the NICU to touch her baby for the first time. She felt lightheaded and collapsed, dying of a pulmonary embolism.
It's hard to even type that small synopsis of his story without feeling like I'm going to lose it. I don't know what it is about these people that have affected me so much. The mom was born in September 1977, just like me. They were both from Minnesota where Eric has family and has spent much of his time. They welcomed a baby daughter that they wanted so desperately. And the blood clot to her lung could've been a result of the five weeks of bedrest she had, followed by a C-section - and I've had two of those.
I don't know, it just seems so close to home for me. Then I get pissed at myself for not having this sympathy for other horrors happening around the world. I mean, if some dad were having to do it alone because his wife got shot in drive-by, for example, would I feel this pain for him? Or if a mother died in some suicide bombing somewhere across the globe, leaving behind her young daughter for someone else to raise? I mean it happens all the time. Is it possible to feel so deeply for something happening so out of your own world?
To watch the love of my life die in front of my eyes, oh Lord I can't even process it. And the thought of my little girls not knowing me, or so much worse, me not knowing them? Not ever touching their skin or seeing their smiles?
Please don't avoid his blog because it's a tear-fest. It is that, but so much more. He's a beautiful photographer and writer, open and emotional, raw but funny too. And the kid is the spitting image of her mom, which makes it even sweeter and more dear to see photos of them together. I just know in my heart that this little girl is going to have a happy and wonderful life, thanks to her sweet and doting dad.
Do yourself a favor (with Kleenex close by) and please check it out. I promise you will be glad you did. It has truly changed the way I look at my family.
on a lighter note, I despise the colors of my blog but can't figure out how to make it better. I may change the template all together. ugh. where's angela when you need her?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Glass is Half Full Again
It's amazing what stepping out of the whirlwind of work can do. It took over two weeks for me (Eric) to decompress from my trip to the surface and not get the bends.
There were some therapeutic moments that helped make everything better:
- Walking on the beach with Meg and Stella.
- Cooking dinner with Marian.
- Playing a round of bridge with the ladies at Figure 8.
- Just "bumming" around downtown Wilmington.
- Eating crabcakes, shrimp, Indochine (a Wilmington Thai restaurant), and other great stuff.
- Amstel Light and Sarinac Variety Pack. Nice blend!
- Reading back issues of Inc. Magazine. This is a lot more fun than you'd think.
- Sunrises and good coffee (yes, I'm drinking -some- coffee again, for anyone who has followed that bit of saga).
- Driving through Huntsville at midnight. Oddly satisfying.
- Samuel Smith Oatmeal Porter with my brother, Wade.
- A walk around the old neighborhood with my sister, Katy, and her husband, Chris.
- Going to church with my dad and seeing an old friend.
Through it all was the woman of my dreams. I think I would enjoy a vacation to Hades so long as Marian could be with me.
It was quite warm on this trip, but not THAT bad.
There were some therapeutic moments that helped make everything better:
- Walking on the beach with Meg and Stella.
- Cooking dinner with Marian.
- Playing a round of bridge with the ladies at Figure 8.
- Just "bumming" around downtown Wilmington.
- Eating crabcakes, shrimp, Indochine (a Wilmington Thai restaurant), and other great stuff.
- Amstel Light and Sarinac Variety Pack. Nice blend!
- Reading back issues of Inc. Magazine. This is a lot more fun than you'd think.
- Sunrises and good coffee (yes, I'm drinking -some- coffee again, for anyone who has followed that bit of saga).
- Driving through Huntsville at midnight. Oddly satisfying.
- Samuel Smith Oatmeal Porter with my brother, Wade.
- A walk around the old neighborhood with my sister, Katy, and her husband, Chris.
- Going to church with my dad and seeing an old friend.
Through it all was the woman of my dreams. I think I would enjoy a vacation to Hades so long as Marian could be with me.
It was quite warm on this trip, but not THAT bad.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Traveling with the Kids
What's up strangers! This post is perfect for us because we have been traveling a lot the last month - one of my many excuses as to why I haven't blogged. This idea stems from my girl Erin's Mama Monday blog series. And if you go to her site, scroll down to the post that precedes her Mama Monday post to check out two beautiful pics of our girls. OK, traveling...
1) The last two trips we've taken (Wilmington and Alabama) we've put the girls to bed in the car and driven at night. Why didn't we think of this before? I think I feared the worst - getting them all off their schedule, them not going to bed when we finally arrived, etc. Let me tell you, it's the way to go. The worst part is US getting tired, but they both zonked out pretty well considering they're not in their comfy beds. And for this heat-hating mama, it was a lot cooler too.
2) I let Stella pack a toy box (canvas storage thing) full of stuff for she and Meg and it goes between them in the backseat. Tons of books, flash cards, her favorite stuffed animals, whatever will fit in there she can take. She can reach it and she's content with everything in there b/c she packed it herself.
3) Snacks. Granola bars, raisins, yogurt pretzels, fruit, juice boxes, water bottles, etc. The usual with maybe a few treats tossed in.
4) Tons of stops. If you do have to go during the day, you just have to be flexible. When we came back from Wilmington to the mountains, we stopped at a mall with a huge play area and food court where she could move. We stayed for two freaking hours. Of course I was ready to pull my hair out but it did make for a better second leg. That said, our nightime trip to the beach took about 7 hours. When we returned in the daytime, it took about 10. Somebody shoot me.
5) DVD player. We take it but don't bring it out unless we really need it. Out of the 30 plus hours we've spent in the car in the last few weeks, Stella watched one movie the whole time. The Aristocats - her favorite - and I must say I love it too. Anyway, she usually does pretty well but we certainly are not above using it when it will really make the trip more bearable.
Really, Stella for the most part is a kid who just loves to go places. We've had some great times over the past month together as a family just road trippin it. But I'm glad to be home.
Soon, pics from our beach trip and more updates...tired but happy around here.
Bye!
1) The last two trips we've taken (Wilmington and Alabama) we've put the girls to bed in the car and driven at night. Why didn't we think of this before? I think I feared the worst - getting them all off their schedule, them not going to bed when we finally arrived, etc. Let me tell you, it's the way to go. The worst part is US getting tired, but they both zonked out pretty well considering they're not in their comfy beds. And for this heat-hating mama, it was a lot cooler too.
2) I let Stella pack a toy box (canvas storage thing) full of stuff for she and Meg and it goes between them in the backseat. Tons of books, flash cards, her favorite stuffed animals, whatever will fit in there she can take. She can reach it and she's content with everything in there b/c she packed it herself.
3) Snacks. Granola bars, raisins, yogurt pretzels, fruit, juice boxes, water bottles, etc. The usual with maybe a few treats tossed in.
4) Tons of stops. If you do have to go during the day, you just have to be flexible. When we came back from Wilmington to the mountains, we stopped at a mall with a huge play area and food court where she could move. We stayed for two freaking hours. Of course I was ready to pull my hair out but it did make for a better second leg. That said, our nightime trip to the beach took about 7 hours. When we returned in the daytime, it took about 10. Somebody shoot me.
5) DVD player. We take it but don't bring it out unless we really need it. Out of the 30 plus hours we've spent in the car in the last few weeks, Stella watched one movie the whole time. The Aristocats - her favorite - and I must say I love it too. Anyway, she usually does pretty well but we certainly are not above using it when it will really make the trip more bearable.
Really, Stella for the most part is a kid who just loves to go places. We've had some great times over the past month together as a family just road trippin it. But I'm glad to be home.
Soon, pics from our beach trip and more updates...tired but happy around here.
Bye!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ten Months Old!
Meggles turned 10 months old on Tuesday. And here she is!
Also, go check out my friend Angela's blog. She's got a great contest going on, so go see what it's all about.
Life is good here...Eric's off to Chicago tomorrow to attend his friend Jason's wedding. Jason was a groomsman in our wedding, and he and his partner Ed are having a commitment ceremony on Saturday. So Eric's gonna head up there to film and be a part of such a special occasion.
The girls and I will just hang around this weekend and prepare for Daddy's return on Father's Day. His gift - a requested dinner of beer, shrimp po boys, and strawberry pie. Seriously, yum.
I'm tired, it's late but I did want to post a few new photos of our little love, Miss Meg.
Have a great Father's Day weekend!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Ten on Wednesday
Hi long lost readers of this lame blog. Life's been busy and I've been lazy, hence no posts for a while. But I'm back, people, I'm back. At least for tonight.
1. We've realized that Stella is allergic to sunscreen, or at least every kind that we've tried. For the longest time we thought she had fifth's disease (also known as slapped-cheek disease), a viral infection in which the face literally looks like it's had the crap slapped out of it. Basically, say 4-5 hours after we apply sunscreen, her cheeks, nose and forehead, and sometimes chest and arms, turn very red, almost purple, and they are hot and itchy. It's totally gone within 24 hours. Weird, huh? Any suggestions out there for sunscreens that may not do this to my kid?
2. We had to cancel our trip to Eric's folks house, which also meant cancelling our photo shoot with Erin, b/c aforementioned child had a nasty cold that lasted way too long. Don't even get me started on how disappointed I was, I mean still am.
3. Business is up a little around here which means family morale is too. Check out this link to learn about what Eric's been swamped with lately.
4. I am so stoked about my new diaper bag. I have had the same one since Stella was born and that ratty thing was filthy, had holes in it and other repulsive substances floating throughout its interior. And this one looks a lot cooler too.
5. I cannot seem to get motivated to knock things off my long-standing list. Things like backing up my photos onto disks. Getting a Goodwill pile together. Etc, etc, etc. There's so much other things have to happen in a given day that those things get put to the wayside. I need a pep talk.
6. Meg has two teeth now. She loves to eat, clap, squeal, give slobbery kisses, reach for everything she shouldn't, and of course play with her big sis. Oh, and she's still needy as hell and doesn't like me to walk away from her for a second.
7. Our CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) program started up a few weeks ago. This is the 3rd year we've done it and are loving it just as much this year. Basic idea is in exchange for us purchasing a share of the farm, we get a box of fresh produce, grown locally, once a week at the local market. Our farmers are from Hot Springs, NC - they left their corporate America computer programming jobs to buy a farm in the mountains and have never looked back. Read about them here. I love stuff like this.
8. I'm back on Weight Watchers hard core after taking a break for a good month. Why Lord did I do that? Now five pounds heavier than I was 3 weeks ago, I'm re-committing myself to it. My goal was to be at my highschool weight by Meg's first birthday, August 10th. I think I can come close. I know that I can, actually, it just takes discipline. I know this program works for me b/c I've done it before...
9. I found a freaking 12 pack of Saranac Pale Ale for $5.99 today at our local nasty discount mart. Why did I find that on the day I re-committed myself to my diet? I didn't drink any today, though Eric drank two, that jerk.
10. Here are some new photos of our baby girl. Almost 10 months old. She is so loved around here.
Look, she's reaching out for you to hold her. I told you she wants to be held all the time. She's even reaching out to cyberspace for some lovin.
OK, I'm getting delirious and less funny as I type. Goodnight everyone!
1. We've realized that Stella is allergic to sunscreen, or at least every kind that we've tried. For the longest time we thought she had fifth's disease (also known as slapped-cheek disease), a viral infection in which the face literally looks like it's had the crap slapped out of it. Basically, say 4-5 hours after we apply sunscreen, her cheeks, nose and forehead, and sometimes chest and arms, turn very red, almost purple, and they are hot and itchy. It's totally gone within 24 hours. Weird, huh? Any suggestions out there for sunscreens that may not do this to my kid?
2. We had to cancel our trip to Eric's folks house, which also meant cancelling our photo shoot with Erin, b/c aforementioned child had a nasty cold that lasted way too long. Don't even get me started on how disappointed I was, I mean still am.
3. Business is up a little around here which means family morale is too. Check out this link to learn about what Eric's been swamped with lately.
4. I am so stoked about my new diaper bag. I have had the same one since Stella was born and that ratty thing was filthy, had holes in it and other repulsive substances floating throughout its interior. And this one looks a lot cooler too.
5. I cannot seem to get motivated to knock things off my long-standing list. Things like backing up my photos onto disks. Getting a Goodwill pile together. Etc, etc, etc. There's so much other things have to happen in a given day that those things get put to the wayside. I need a pep talk.
6. Meg has two teeth now. She loves to eat, clap, squeal, give slobbery kisses, reach for everything she shouldn't, and of course play with her big sis. Oh, and she's still needy as hell and doesn't like me to walk away from her for a second.
7. Our CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) program started up a few weeks ago. This is the 3rd year we've done it and are loving it just as much this year. Basic idea is in exchange for us purchasing a share of the farm, we get a box of fresh produce, grown locally, once a week at the local market. Our farmers are from Hot Springs, NC - they left their corporate America computer programming jobs to buy a farm in the mountains and have never looked back. Read about them here. I love stuff like this.
8. I'm back on Weight Watchers hard core after taking a break for a good month. Why Lord did I do that? Now five pounds heavier than I was 3 weeks ago, I'm re-committing myself to it. My goal was to be at my highschool weight by Meg's first birthday, August 10th. I think I can come close. I know that I can, actually, it just takes discipline. I know this program works for me b/c I've done it before...
9. I found a freaking 12 pack of Saranac Pale Ale for $5.99 today at our local nasty discount mart. Why did I find that on the day I re-committed myself to my diet? I didn't drink any today, though Eric drank two, that jerk.
10. Here are some new photos of our baby girl. Almost 10 months old. She is so loved around here.
Look, she's reaching out for you to hold her. I told you she wants to be held all the time. She's even reaching out to cyberspace for some lovin.
OK, I'm getting delirious and less funny as I type. Goodnight everyone!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Jessica Alba Stares at Me
Every now and then there's a SPAM subject line that cracks me up. Is it possible that someone can be a stalker while being simultaneously paranoid that the stalkee is stalking right back? "Jessica, stop staring at me! Go get your own star obsession!"
What if stars hired paparazzi to photograph the paparazzi, following them in their personal lives and making them living hells? Why not?
Marian, it's okay to blog about how crummy you feel.
Fortunately, while Marian was blogging I was at Eaglenest Entertainment about a mile away filming Percy Sledge. Percy is from Leighton, Alabama, about 12 miles from where I grew up in Florence. He gave a great concert, and I highly recommend you take the leap and hear him tonight (Saturday). He's great! We were able to talk a little bit after the show and he told me that his boyhood home (and his grandmother's) burned down recently, stymieing his plans to create a museum to his music.
He also reminded me that when a man loves a woman, he lets her sleep in on a Saturday!
What if stars hired paparazzi to photograph the paparazzi, following them in their personal lives and making them living hells? Why not?
Marian, it's okay to blog about how crummy you feel.
Fortunately, while Marian was blogging I was at Eaglenest Entertainment about a mile away filming Percy Sledge. Percy is from Leighton, Alabama, about 12 miles from where I grew up in Florence. He gave a great concert, and I highly recommend you take the leap and hear him tonight (Saturday). He's great! We were able to talk a little bit after the show and he told me that his boyhood home (and his grandmother's) burned down recently, stymieing his plans to create a museum to his music.He also reminded me that when a man loves a woman, he lets her sleep in on a Saturday!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Fri. night blues
Am I Debbie Downer or what?
I'm feeling low for two, no three, reasons right now. The first is simply me being a baby because I don't feel so well. Scratchy throat, achy, and just so freaking exhausted. I mean, why am I so tired, seriously. Do I have chronic fatigue syndrome? Any hour of the day I could go lie down and just pass out. It may have to do with my 5:15 am waking baby, even though Eric usually gets up with her and distracts her until the first number on the clock is a six so he can bring her to me to nurse. Opening your eyes before six am is pure torture, isn't it?
It also has to do with the fact that I'm still nursing Meg, and I'm quite frankly kind of over it. I know that sounds so horrible mom, but the fact is at this point it's more of a routine than a real nutritional benefit for her. She loves people food and can drink from a cup pretty well. And for me, until I'm completely done with nursing, I don't truly feel back to myself again. I guess I'm just ready to feel normal again.
Second reason I'm down is that two of our best friends are moving. First are Jeff and Laura, who sold their house for CASH in two weeks and are leaving in a month to travel the world. I know, poor guys. We are so excited for them, maybe envious is more like it, but they've become good friends here, and we really hate to see them go.
Also, Tracy and Ben and their kids Noa and Eli are leaving in a month, and this one sucks too. We hang out with them a lot - our kids play together so well and the adults do too - so it's going to be very strange to not have them to call. I don't even want to think about it.
And then, the third and most significant reason that I'm feeling sad tonight is because we lost a friend a few days ago. He was 35 and our dentist, and he died in a motorcycle accident. We went to his funeral yesterday - he leaves behind a wife and four year old son...he was an awesome dentist and just so full of life, funny and fun too. I remember him having to leave quickly after cleaning Eric's teeth once b/c he had to get to a Beastie Boys concert. Of course that made me love him.
So there, what a great way to start off your weekend...seriously, I do hope everyone has a great holiday weekend! That's it from here...oh, go give a shout out to my best friend at her new blog site here.
Bye!
I'm feeling low for two, no three, reasons right now. The first is simply me being a baby because I don't feel so well. Scratchy throat, achy, and just so freaking exhausted. I mean, why am I so tired, seriously. Do I have chronic fatigue syndrome? Any hour of the day I could go lie down and just pass out. It may have to do with my 5:15 am waking baby, even though Eric usually gets up with her and distracts her until the first number on the clock is a six so he can bring her to me to nurse. Opening your eyes before six am is pure torture, isn't it?
It also has to do with the fact that I'm still nursing Meg, and I'm quite frankly kind of over it. I know that sounds so horrible mom, but the fact is at this point it's more of a routine than a real nutritional benefit for her. She loves people food and can drink from a cup pretty well. And for me, until I'm completely done with nursing, I don't truly feel back to myself again. I guess I'm just ready to feel normal again.
Second reason I'm down is that two of our best friends are moving. First are Jeff and Laura, who sold their house for CASH in two weeks and are leaving in a month to travel the world. I know, poor guys. We are so excited for them, maybe envious is more like it, but they've become good friends here, and we really hate to see them go.
Also, Tracy and Ben and their kids Noa and Eli are leaving in a month, and this one sucks too. We hang out with them a lot - our kids play together so well and the adults do too - so it's going to be very strange to not have them to call. I don't even want to think about it.
And then, the third and most significant reason that I'm feeling sad tonight is because we lost a friend a few days ago. He was 35 and our dentist, and he died in a motorcycle accident. We went to his funeral yesterday - he leaves behind a wife and four year old son...he was an awesome dentist and just so full of life, funny and fun too. I remember him having to leave quickly after cleaning Eric's teeth once b/c he had to get to a Beastie Boys concert. Of course that made me love him.
So there, what a great way to start off your weekend...seriously, I do hope everyone has a great holiday weekend! That's it from here...oh, go give a shout out to my best friend at her new blog site here.
Bye!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
No excuses
I mean, I could think of some excuses for not blogging, but they wouldn't sound very believable...but somebody give me props for doing it now.
Life around here has been stressful lately, because our life and our business are really one in the same. Gosh there are so many great things about being your own boss - flexibility, not having to answer to anyone, satisfaction that all this hard work is a good investment. I believe that there are more plusses than minuses to this whole thing, for sure. The highs are really high.
Which in turns means the lows are really low. The economy is having a negative effect on every business out there. People just aren't spending money like they have been - us included - but that means that we're not doing as much work as we'd like. We have tons of prospects, just not too many that have actually signed on the dotted line.
This has been such a roller coaster for us. Since we came back from Peace Corps five years ago, we've yet to feel truly secure in our professions, and adding two kids to the mix doesn't exactly make things easier. That said, we're still surviving, and I am thankful for a husband that wants this to work so badly so we can have the quality of life that we want. Which is time together and with the girls, with a little money for the occasional Chick Fil-A sandwich that we crave on road trips.
Now kid updates: Stella is really asserting her independence lately, and she's become sort of sassy. This is not cute, people. Like when I say, "Stella, don't talk to me like that," she'll say, "Don't talk to ME like that." What do I do with this? Part of me wants to laugh and part of me wants to slap her. Of course I try not to do either.
Meg is 9 months old and screaming in her crib as I type this. Oh well. She has one tooth, smiles a lot, and has no interest whatsoever in crawling. She still likes to be held ALOT but has warmed up to strangers talking to her now.
We're headed to Eric's parents house in a few weeks for a visit and to have our family photographed by Erin. So excited about that!
OK, must tend to the needy hussy now. Hope all of you are well.
Life around here has been stressful lately, because our life and our business are really one in the same. Gosh there are so many great things about being your own boss - flexibility, not having to answer to anyone, satisfaction that all this hard work is a good investment. I believe that there are more plusses than minuses to this whole thing, for sure. The highs are really high.
Which in turns means the lows are really low. The economy is having a negative effect on every business out there. People just aren't spending money like they have been - us included - but that means that we're not doing as much work as we'd like. We have tons of prospects, just not too many that have actually signed on the dotted line.
This has been such a roller coaster for us. Since we came back from Peace Corps five years ago, we've yet to feel truly secure in our professions, and adding two kids to the mix doesn't exactly make things easier. That said, we're still surviving, and I am thankful for a husband that wants this to work so badly so we can have the quality of life that we want. Which is time together and with the girls, with a little money for the occasional Chick Fil-A sandwich that we crave on road trips.
Now kid updates: Stella is really asserting her independence lately, and she's become sort of sassy. This is not cute, people. Like when I say, "Stella, don't talk to me like that," she'll say, "Don't talk to ME like that." What do I do with this? Part of me wants to laugh and part of me wants to slap her. Of course I try not to do either.
Meg is 9 months old and screaming in her crib as I type this. Oh well. She has one tooth, smiles a lot, and has no interest whatsoever in crawling. She still likes to be held ALOT but has warmed up to strangers talking to her now.
We're headed to Eric's parents house in a few weeks for a visit and to have our family photographed by Erin. So excited about that!
OK, must tend to the needy hussy now. Hope all of you are well.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Just following orders
OK, this post is a shout out to our two dear friends. James has been giving me a hard time about not sticking to my Ten on Tuesday ritual - and he's right. I've been super lazy about blogging. Funny thing is I hold such a double standard with the whole blogging thing. I get mad at everyone else who doesn't update their blogs regularly, but it's fine to let mine go.
And our girl Angela pegged me to do this list thingy, so here's a combo deal for you guys - and anyone else who may be reading.
So Here's Ten on Tuesday, with the first six points being the "Six Uninteresting Things About Me" that Angela requested. These should be good.
1. I hate peas. This stems from the repulsive casserole my mom used to force me to eat when I was a kid. I can't even call it a casserole. It was canned Le Seuer peas stirred up with some undiluted mushroom soup, baked. That's it, people. I would cry, literally, when I saw mom take those silver cans out of the cabinet. Ugh. It still makes my stomach turn.
2. I have broken two bones in my life, and both injuries happened right before dance recitals. Once in preschool - an ankle bone, and once in middle school - a foot bone. I was the kid in the audience wearing the cast. Twice.
3. My middle name is Fuller. I was named after a Dr. Fuller, who had a son named Lyndon Fuller. Dr. Fuller named his son Lyndon after President Lyndon Johnson. Story was that Dr. Fuller and Lyndon Johnson were college roommates in TX. Now as I type that, I'm not sure if I believe it. But it's what I've been told my whole life.
4. I minored in African American studies at UNC. And majored in journalism. Now I wipe butts and cook macaroni and cheese for a living. I wouldn't have it any other way.
5. I have an extra bone on the back of my head. I think I had a cyst on top of the extra bone, and a plastic surgeon removed that when I was little, but of course the bone remained. I remember having to get x-rays and other tests run when I was a kid to make sure it was nothing. Was this one too much information?
6. I can't believe it's true, but I want another baby. Truly.
And now, four other just as uninteresting things going on with us:
7. We're taking two trips this month to visit family. One to Eastern NC to visit my family, and one to Ala. to visit Eric's family. I don't even want to think about what we'll spend on gas.
8. Stella's first end of year preschool performance is Thursday night. She's been practicing her songs for us, and one of them is about a paw paw patch. We didn't even know what paw paws were. We looked them up on Wikipedia.
9. It's supposed to frost tonight in these mountains. Thanks, it's the end of April.
10. Our lovable, but off-color neighbor, came over for dinner tonight. It's always an experience hanging out with him.
And here are a few photos of our growing girls, by far the most interesting thing on this post tonight!
And our girl Angela pegged me to do this list thingy, so here's a combo deal for you guys - and anyone else who may be reading.
So Here's Ten on Tuesday, with the first six points being the "Six Uninteresting Things About Me" that Angela requested. These should be good.
1. I hate peas. This stems from the repulsive casserole my mom used to force me to eat when I was a kid. I can't even call it a casserole. It was canned Le Seuer peas stirred up with some undiluted mushroom soup, baked. That's it, people. I would cry, literally, when I saw mom take those silver cans out of the cabinet. Ugh. It still makes my stomach turn.
2. I have broken two bones in my life, and both injuries happened right before dance recitals. Once in preschool - an ankle bone, and once in middle school - a foot bone. I was the kid in the audience wearing the cast. Twice.
3. My middle name is Fuller. I was named after a Dr. Fuller, who had a son named Lyndon Fuller. Dr. Fuller named his son Lyndon after President Lyndon Johnson. Story was that Dr. Fuller and Lyndon Johnson were college roommates in TX. Now as I type that, I'm not sure if I believe it. But it's what I've been told my whole life.
4. I minored in African American studies at UNC. And majored in journalism. Now I wipe butts and cook macaroni and cheese for a living. I wouldn't have it any other way.
5. I have an extra bone on the back of my head. I think I had a cyst on top of the extra bone, and a plastic surgeon removed that when I was little, but of course the bone remained. I remember having to get x-rays and other tests run when I was a kid to make sure it was nothing. Was this one too much information?
6. I can't believe it's true, but I want another baby. Truly.
And now, four other just as uninteresting things going on with us:
7. We're taking two trips this month to visit family. One to Eastern NC to visit my family, and one to Ala. to visit Eric's family. I don't even want to think about what we'll spend on gas.
8. Stella's first end of year preschool performance is Thursday night. She's been practicing her songs for us, and one of them is about a paw paw patch. We didn't even know what paw paws were. We looked them up on Wikipedia.
9. It's supposed to frost tonight in these mountains. Thanks, it's the end of April.
10. Our lovable, but off-color neighbor, came over for dinner tonight. It's always an experience hanging out with him.
And here are a few photos of our growing girls, by far the most interesting thing on this post tonight!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Our Meg, the EIGHT month old!
Eight whole months since Meggles came - so cliche, but I swear I cannot believe it. I mean, an eight month old baby is a bonafide, sitting-up, laughing, TV commercial-esque baby. Let me see if I can describe Meg for all of you who haven't met her yet:
*We thought early on that she would be a chill, laid back child. Wrong we were. This baby makes her presence known, not only with her teradactyl squeals and sounds, but now she wants to be looked at and engaged constantly. Let's just say I think she's a bit on the high maintenance side.
*There is nothing she loves more than being outside, and she loves riding in the stroller. Which is great for this mama who needs the exercise anyway.
*She doesn't like her booster seat at all and sometimes will sit in her Bumbo seat to eat. She prefers to sit on our laps while we feed her table food. It is so inefficient, messy and annoying. And she swats her arms so hard that she slaps the food right out of the spoon and onto everything. I hate feeding time.
*She has this bald spot on the back of her head that is SO bald that it looks like we shave it every night. Nary a hair is on that spot of her precious scalp.
*She doesn't like peaches or potatoes.
*She also doesn't like other people very much. If we're out somewhere and someone talks to her, there's a good 60% chance that she'll burst into tears. It makes it worse when I laugh at how absurd that is.
*She can sit up by herself and seems so much happier. Just to be able to reach for toys, play with her sister a little more, and get lots of applause for doing so.
*She also has more nicknames than any other baby on earth. Some include Meggle, Meggles, Meggie Sneggie, Meggie Bells, Meggies Bellsies, Schnookum, Bean Sprout, Beanie, and Boo Boo.
I can't imagine our family without that little lamb chop. To us, she is just about the most adorable thing on the planet. We love you more every day, little Meggie Sneggie.
Here she is with her look-alike pop:
And here she's sporting that intense brown-eyed Larson glare with added smirk. I think the smirk might be from my side of the family.
Happy Eight months, little bit! (oh yeah, that's another one)
*We thought early on that she would be a chill, laid back child. Wrong we were. This baby makes her presence known, not only with her teradactyl squeals and sounds, but now she wants to be looked at and engaged constantly. Let's just say I think she's a bit on the high maintenance side.
*There is nothing she loves more than being outside, and she loves riding in the stroller. Which is great for this mama who needs the exercise anyway.
*She doesn't like her booster seat at all and sometimes will sit in her Bumbo seat to eat. She prefers to sit on our laps while we feed her table food. It is so inefficient, messy and annoying. And she swats her arms so hard that she slaps the food right out of the spoon and onto everything. I hate feeding time.
*She has this bald spot on the back of her head that is SO bald that it looks like we shave it every night. Nary a hair is on that spot of her precious scalp.
*She doesn't like peaches or potatoes.
*She also doesn't like other people very much. If we're out somewhere and someone talks to her, there's a good 60% chance that she'll burst into tears. It makes it worse when I laugh at how absurd that is.
*She can sit up by herself and seems so much happier. Just to be able to reach for toys, play with her sister a little more, and get lots of applause for doing so.
*She also has more nicknames than any other baby on earth. Some include Meggle, Meggles, Meggie Sneggie, Meggie Bells, Meggies Bellsies, Schnookum, Bean Sprout, Beanie, and Boo Boo.
I can't imagine our family without that little lamb chop. To us, she is just about the most adorable thing on the planet. We love you more every day, little Meggie Sneggie.
Here she is with her look-alike pop:
And here she's sporting that intense brown-eyed Larson glare with added smirk. I think the smirk might be from my side of the family.
Happy Eight months, little bit! (oh yeah, that's another one)
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Ten on Tuesday
It is a beautiful day in the NC mountains so this post should be, for the most part, uplifting and positive...
1. We are part of a program here called Parents as Teachers, or PAT. It's a free service through a local child abuse prevention agency that sends someone into your home monthly to essentially help and support you as a parent. Our assigned coordinator, Kim, brings homemade games and toys, hand-outs on child development, books, etc. that are age appropriate for Stella and Meg. Needless to say, she's become a favorite around here. And she's coming in just a few hours.
2. We had a picnic today at a beautiful field with some friends. Stella ran what seemed like miles through the grass. And Meg just sat on the blanket with us playing with toys. Is there anything cuter than a baby sitting on a quilt in the sunshine? Surprise Surprise, I forgot my camera.
3. I've slacked off on my Weight Watchers but am still proud to say I've lost 23 pounds. I now have motivation to lose the extra 15 b/c our dear friend Erin is photographing our family at the end of May. And you know I want to look back at those and think that I looked like a hot mom.
4. Eric is working hard as usual for the business. He's frustrated b/c he's quoted a lot of jobs but many haven't come through yet. The state of the economy is hurting everyone, small businesses like ours too. I am so proud of what he has built in just 3 1/2 years, literally from scratch and with no business experience. If anybody can make it succeed, he can.
5. Ugh, I just lost all interest in finishing this list. Why do I have adult onset ADD? I'm not even kidding.
6. I will leave you with a photo of our new niece, Lily Therese Jones. Thanks, Melissa, for taking these precious photos. Hope you don't mind if I posted them!
Have a good week people!
1. We are part of a program here called Parents as Teachers, or PAT. It's a free service through a local child abuse prevention agency that sends someone into your home monthly to essentially help and support you as a parent. Our assigned coordinator, Kim, brings homemade games and toys, hand-outs on child development, books, etc. that are age appropriate for Stella and Meg. Needless to say, she's become a favorite around here. And she's coming in just a few hours.
2. We had a picnic today at a beautiful field with some friends. Stella ran what seemed like miles through the grass. And Meg just sat on the blanket with us playing with toys. Is there anything cuter than a baby sitting on a quilt in the sunshine? Surprise Surprise, I forgot my camera.
3. I've slacked off on my Weight Watchers but am still proud to say I've lost 23 pounds. I now have motivation to lose the extra 15 b/c our dear friend Erin is photographing our family at the end of May. And you know I want to look back at those and think that I looked like a hot mom.
4. Eric is working hard as usual for the business. He's frustrated b/c he's quoted a lot of jobs but many haven't come through yet. The state of the economy is hurting everyone, small businesses like ours too. I am so proud of what he has built in just 3 1/2 years, literally from scratch and with no business experience. If anybody can make it succeed, he can.
5. Ugh, I just lost all interest in finishing this list. Why do I have adult onset ADD? I'm not even kidding.
6. I will leave you with a photo of our new niece, Lily Therese Jones. Thanks, Melissa, for taking these precious photos. Hope you don't mind if I posted them!
Have a good week people!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Family addition
Our new niece has arrived! Lily Therese Jones was born today, April 5, at 1:51 a.m. She weighed 6 lbs 12 oz. Check out her blog for photos and to leave her a congratulations message. What a beautiful baby girl! We love you already, baby Lily. And of course your big bro too!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
A New Blog on Our List
Check out our friend Gracie's blog on our list of favorites. Gracie unicycled from coast-to-coast a couple years ago and became the youngest woman ever to do so (she had just graduated from Duke). She stayed overnight at our place and we thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with the buffest woman on Planet Earth! A record of her trip is at onewheelforlife.blogspot.com. On both blogs she has some amazing photos of Out West - some of the best I've ever seen.
Something you might not know about unicycling -- there are no brakes and you can't let off the pedals to coast. That means to slow on a downhill you have to apply to the speeding-up pedals firm resistance with your knees. Try this on a bicycle. It's not easy!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter in the mountains
Our Easter weekend was great! Took the girls to an Easter Egg Hunt last week, in 48 degree drizzle. Stella of course only wanted pink and purple eggs (gag me! where did I get this girly child?), and Meg was pissed that she didn't get any. See?
Here's me and the gals. Sometimes I still can't believe I'm a mom. It's a combined feeling of, "I cannot be grown up and mature enough to be doing this," with "Did Eric and I actually create these little people that happen to be adorable too?"
Speaking of Eric, this month marks 10 years that we had our blind date. I would've never in a million years guessed that I would marry that guy. Especially since HE came to take ME out to lunch, but his ghetto-mobile was having problems, so he asked if we could take my car. Well, I had to run up ahead and chuck my pack of Camel Lights under the seat b/c I didn't want him to know I smoked. Then he ragged on my UNC sticker and I abruptly gave him an F*** you. So it wasn't exactly love at first sight. But he is the love of my life, of that I'm sure.
Here's one last photo of Meg and Stells in the bath. Meg has realized that her big sister is the end all be all in her life. She absolutely adores her, and she has one squeal that she reserves only for Stella. It is hysterical.
That's it from here, people. Oh, one last funny thing. We visited a church on Easter and it was the first time Stella had sat through a church service. She was good as three year olds go, quiet and fairly still. But in the middle of the service, she whispers to me, "Why did Aunt B and Uncle Pat's dog poop in the house?" I fell out. One, because here we are learning about Jesus rising from the grave and she says that. Two, that poop incident happened literally 1 1/2 years ago. My whole body was shaking I was laughing so hard.
Hope you got a giggle out of that. Peace out!
Here's me and the gals. Sometimes I still can't believe I'm a mom. It's a combined feeling of, "I cannot be grown up and mature enough to be doing this," with "Did Eric and I actually create these little people that happen to be adorable too?"
Speaking of Eric, this month marks 10 years that we had our blind date. I would've never in a million years guessed that I would marry that guy. Especially since HE came to take ME out to lunch, but his ghetto-mobile was having problems, so he asked if we could take my car. Well, I had to run up ahead and chuck my pack of Camel Lights under the seat b/c I didn't want him to know I smoked. Then he ragged on my UNC sticker and I abruptly gave him an F*** you. So it wasn't exactly love at first sight. But he is the love of my life, of that I'm sure.
Here's one last photo of Meg and Stells in the bath. Meg has realized that her big sister is the end all be all in her life. She absolutely adores her, and she has one squeal that she reserves only for Stella. It is hysterical.
That's it from here, people. Oh, one last funny thing. We visited a church on Easter and it was the first time Stella had sat through a church service. She was good as three year olds go, quiet and fairly still. But in the middle of the service, she whispers to me, "Why did Aunt B and Uncle Pat's dog poop in the house?" I fell out. One, because here we are learning about Jesus rising from the grave and she says that. Two, that poop incident happened literally 1 1/2 years ago. My whole body was shaking I was laughing so hard.
Hope you got a giggle out of that. Peace out!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Weekend Wrap-up
Aunt Katy and Uncle Chris came from Birmingham this weekend, and we had so much fun! Stella was totally attached to both of them, to the point that even when Katy needed to pee, she would cry and want to talk to her through the closed door. I know growing up I had close relationships with some of my aunts and uncles and am so thankful for that now. I can already tell these are two of her favorite people on earth.
And here is our muffin chop button nose love muffin, Meg. Can you tell by those names that I love her just a little bit? Seven months old already. She has FINALLY decided to stop being a needy hussy and has now turned into a squealing, laughing precious baby girl. We have to post a video of her making her noises. She is the noisiest baby I've ever been around, truly. Unless she is sleeping, she is grunting, squealing, or sounding like some other barnyard animal.
This one makes me die laughing. This is Stella playing hide and seek with me. Some hiding place, huh?
Happy St. Paddy's Day tomorrow!
And here is our muffin chop button nose love muffin, Meg. Can you tell by those names that I love her just a little bit? Seven months old already. She has FINALLY decided to stop being a needy hussy and has now turned into a squealing, laughing precious baby girl. We have to post a video of her making her noises. She is the noisiest baby I've ever been around, truly. Unless she is sleeping, she is grunting, squealing, or sounding like some other barnyard animal.
This one makes me die laughing. This is Stella playing hide and seek with me. Some hiding place, huh?
Happy St. Paddy's Day tomorrow!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
This Tuesday's Five
Hello everyone. Don't be haters, I'm busy AND too lazy to blog by the end of the day. But I'm here now, so all 7 of you who read this blog can now read about our exciting lives.
1. My almost-here niece Lily is doing just fine - still in utero, thank goodness. Her mom is past the 36 week mark, so all looks good. Now that I know she's fine, I want to see her so badly! And I miss her big brother too.
2. Simon Cowell is sexy. I don't care how hateful he is, he is still sexy. I know American Idol comes up every time I do this list, but it comes on on Tuesday.
3. Has anyone heard of this airline Skybus? They operate through mostly smaller airports, and one of their hubs is in Greensboro, NC. Their fares are cheap in general, but they also have this special offer where they have 10 seats on every flight that are only $10 a piece. No kidding. From Greensboro to California, $10 one way.
4. Eric's sister and her husband are coming on Thursday. I love when they come because it doesn't feel like guests are here. They're washing dishes, bathing the kids, giving me time to nap, and Chris has even been known to go on runs with me and Eric. Separately of course, because Eric and I can't run together, because HE's made it clear that he doesn't want to have to wait up for me.
5. I just changed the title of this post to Five instead of Ten because I can't think of anything else to tell you. Other than Meggle turned 7 months old yesterday.
Have a good week, everyone!
1. My almost-here niece Lily is doing just fine - still in utero, thank goodness. Her mom is past the 36 week mark, so all looks good. Now that I know she's fine, I want to see her so badly! And I miss her big brother too.
2. Simon Cowell is sexy. I don't care how hateful he is, he is still sexy. I know American Idol comes up every time I do this list, but it comes on on Tuesday.
3. Has anyone heard of this airline Skybus? They operate through mostly smaller airports, and one of their hubs is in Greensboro, NC. Their fares are cheap in general, but they also have this special offer where they have 10 seats on every flight that are only $10 a piece. No kidding. From Greensboro to California, $10 one way.
4. Eric's sister and her husband are coming on Thursday. I love when they come because it doesn't feel like guests are here. They're washing dishes, bathing the kids, giving me time to nap, and Chris has even been known to go on runs with me and Eric. Separately of course, because Eric and I can't run together, because HE's made it clear that he doesn't want to have to wait up for me.
5. I just changed the title of this post to Five instead of Ten because I can't think of anything else to tell you. Other than Meggle turned 7 months old yesterday.
Have a good week, everyone!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Once was blind, now she can...
See.
Well, she wasn't blind, but she IS very far-sighted. So here she is, at her four-eyed best.
She has been such an amazing sport about it. Her glasses case is a little pink purse that she carries around - good work marketing folks - and she even has a little cloth that she cleans the glasses with when they're dirty. Doc said she has to wear them all the time for now, but she may grow out of it in a few years.
Moments like this in parenthood make me realize how lucky we are. Of course when I saw her with those glasses on I started to cry, but it wasn't out of sadness. It was a combination of "she looks so grown up" with thankfulness that we have access to and are able to provide her with the help she needs to be able to see. You know there are kids all over the world who have this same problem that just have to live with it.
And here is Eric and his mini-me. Stella and I came back from a walk today and found them just hangin on the couch watching NCAA basketball. Meg has finally warmed up to her dad and is now totally in love with him.
We had an awesome weekend. Weather was beautiful, we spent tons of time outside. We found a trail at the local community college that was perfect length for Stella to walk and Meg to ride in the backpack. We also rented March of the Penguins (is it just me, or was it sweet and weird at the same time?) and just had a great family weekend.
I have tears rolling down my cheeks right now watching freaking Extreme Home Makeover Edition. Gotta go wipe my nose now.
Have a great week!
p.s. please say a little prayer for my soon-to-arrive niece, Lily. Looks like she may come in the next two weeks, which will still put her born about a month before her due date. My sister in law goes back to the doctor on Tuesday to check on things. Love you little Lily!
Well, she wasn't blind, but she IS very far-sighted. So here she is, at her four-eyed best.
She has been such an amazing sport about it. Her glasses case is a little pink purse that she carries around - good work marketing folks - and she even has a little cloth that she cleans the glasses with when they're dirty. Doc said she has to wear them all the time for now, but she may grow out of it in a few years.
Moments like this in parenthood make me realize how lucky we are. Of course when I saw her with those glasses on I started to cry, but it wasn't out of sadness. It was a combination of "she looks so grown up" with thankfulness that we have access to and are able to provide her with the help she needs to be able to see. You know there are kids all over the world who have this same problem that just have to live with it.
And here is Eric and his mini-me. Stella and I came back from a walk today and found them just hangin on the couch watching NCAA basketball. Meg has finally warmed up to her dad and is now totally in love with him.
We had an awesome weekend. Weather was beautiful, we spent tons of time outside. We found a trail at the local community college that was perfect length for Stella to walk and Meg to ride in the backpack. We also rented March of the Penguins (is it just me, or was it sweet and weird at the same time?) and just had a great family weekend.
I have tears rolling down my cheeks right now watching freaking Extreme Home Makeover Edition. Gotta go wipe my nose now.
Have a great week!
p.s. please say a little prayer for my soon-to-arrive niece, Lily. Looks like she may come in the next two weeks, which will still put her born about a month before her due date. My sister in law goes back to the doctor on Tuesday to check on things. Love you little Lily!
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