Nothing really new....
Adam and I had the babysitter come back last night and went to dinner and a movie as a couple!
Dinner was good... Movie was great (Pirates 3 anyone?) except that a REALLY annoying former student sat right in front of me with his detestable dad who thinks I suck. Sounds like a good combo for date night huh? I of course turned my back and rummaged in my purse as the lights came on and Adam told me when they were gone. I don't think they really noticed me since it was already dark when they entered... I HOPE they didn't notice me anyway... no one burst my bubble OK?
Today, a lot of laundry and packing. We are heading off tomorrow for a week in Tennessee with my parents, sister, and her boyfriend. My parents rented a house on a lake near Knoxville. The kids will be thrilled. I will be mostly thrilled... I'm hoping to gain a little alone time from all the live-in, free, babysitters next week! I only dread the 9 hour drive with the kids.... well, 9 hours driving + multiple potty/movement/food stops + lose an hour in the time change. We hope to make it to the house by around 6 EST if we leave our house around 5 CST!
I might have Internet access there, but I don't plan on updating my blog! SO THERE! But seriously... one of my 3 readers will be with me and the rest of you will just have to wait.
Luv ya anyway and Happy Independence Day!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
And then the angels sang!
People, I hired a babysitter! Well, actually 2 because they are sisters and both were available and I didn't want to pick between them.
This morning, I called the nice neighbor girls and asked them to come by this afternoon. Currently, they are at my house with my kids. I am at the library ALONE! (Yes, I could be doing this from home with the kids but I had to do some computer stuff that my new computer at home is not yet set up for and/or to dang slow!)
Faithful readers (Hello to the 3 of you!) will know that Adam is not working this summer and will wonder why he's not with the kids while I get things done... He's golfing... with his dad. Which he sprung on me in the middle of Brianna's birthday party last weekend so of course I couldn't say no. Despite the fact that we have 900 things to do before this coming weekend and one car is in the shop!
Brianna was so excited to have new people to play with that she didn't shut up the whole 15 minutes I was giving the girls the important info. She has already planned that they will play in her castle after lunch, and then dress up, and then read some books. Yes, I could have done that with her to, but, I don't. Because she is annoying!
Don't start throwing things at me yet! You did not misunderstand, I said that my 4 year old daughter was annoying. And it's true. But she's only annoying to me. She is in that phase where she tests every single boundary I have, and does it in the most obvious, look-at-me-while-I-break-every-rule-you-crazy-mommy kind of way. To the average outsider or family member, she is sweet as pie and cute as a bunny. To me, she is 4 going on 15! Moms out there... you understand right?
Anyway, I think I will hire a babysitter more often!
This morning, I called the nice neighbor girls and asked them to come by this afternoon. Currently, they are at my house with my kids. I am at the library ALONE! (Yes, I could be doing this from home with the kids but I had to do some computer stuff that my new computer at home is not yet set up for and/or to dang slow!)
Faithful readers (Hello to the 3 of you!) will know that Adam is not working this summer and will wonder why he's not with the kids while I get things done... He's golfing... with his dad. Which he sprung on me in the middle of Brianna's birthday party last weekend so of course I couldn't say no. Despite the fact that we have 900 things to do before this coming weekend and one car is in the shop!
Brianna was so excited to have new people to play with that she didn't shut up the whole 15 minutes I was giving the girls the important info. She has already planned that they will play in her castle after lunch, and then dress up, and then read some books. Yes, I could have done that with her to, but, I don't. Because she is annoying!
Don't start throwing things at me yet! You did not misunderstand, I said that my 4 year old daughter was annoying. And it's true. But she's only annoying to me. She is in that phase where she tests every single boundary I have, and does it in the most obvious, look-at-me-while-I-break-every-rule-you-crazy-mommy kind of way. To the average outsider or family member, she is sweet as pie and cute as a bunny. To me, she is 4 going on 15! Moms out there... you understand right?
Anyway, I think I will hire a babysitter more often!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Where does the time, and my brain, go?
If a few mere hours, my baby will be 4 years old. No longer a baby I guess, not even a toddler. She is a child, a little girl with a mind and opinions of her own.
Some days I am amazed by the clarity of thought with which she can tell a story, or remember some event that I'd never have thought important, or with how much love and caring she can show to us and especially to her little brother. And then, not a full 5 minutes later, I am amazed at the teenage attitude and stubborn streak that never fail to have me gritting my teeth and saying things like; "Because I said so" or the all time favorite "Just Because!"
Tonight after an especially trying trip to K-mart, I decided that I needed a quiet moment with her. I didn't want either of us to start her birthday in the morning by being irritated with each other. We pulled out her baby book. We looked at pictures and I told her some of my favorite little stories from when she was a newborn. We compared her foot now, to the little footprint the hospital made for us the day she was born. We measured how tall she was now, and then I showed her how big she was when she was born. I was a little choked up and surprised to find that I had forgotten some of the details of her birth... when did I start feeling pains, when did we get to the hospital, what exact time was she born. Those are crucial statistics and I already need a book to remind me after 4 short years.
She was only interested in turning the pages by herself and getting the tape measure off the counter. BY HERSELF, NO, I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO HELP! She didn't care that I couldn't remember that she was born at 9:58am. She only wanted to stay up 5 more minutes and practice sticking out her tongue like her 3 month picture.
I miss my baby, I'm a little unsure about this little girl, but I can't wait to see my daughter grow more each year. Happy Birthday Brianna, I love you!
Some days I am amazed by the clarity of thought with which she can tell a story, or remember some event that I'd never have thought important, or with how much love and caring she can show to us and especially to her little brother. And then, not a full 5 minutes later, I am amazed at the teenage attitude and stubborn streak that never fail to have me gritting my teeth and saying things like; "Because I said so" or the all time favorite "Just Because!"
Tonight after an especially trying trip to K-mart, I decided that I needed a quiet moment with her. I didn't want either of us to start her birthday in the morning by being irritated with each other. We pulled out her baby book. We looked at pictures and I told her some of my favorite little stories from when she was a newborn. We compared her foot now, to the little footprint the hospital made for us the day she was born. We measured how tall she was now, and then I showed her how big she was when she was born. I was a little choked up and surprised to find that I had forgotten some of the details of her birth... when did I start feeling pains, when did we get to the hospital, what exact time was she born. Those are crucial statistics and I already need a book to remind me after 4 short years.
She was only interested in turning the pages by herself and getting the tape measure off the counter. BY HERSELF, NO, I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO HELP! She didn't care that I couldn't remember that she was born at 9:58am. She only wanted to stay up 5 more minutes and practice sticking out her tongue like her 3 month picture.
I miss my baby, I'm a little unsure about this little girl, but I can't wait to see my daughter grow more each year. Happy Birthday Brianna, I love you!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Update
1. Computer Hard Drive was FRIED and we couldn't even use the little magic disk so....
2. Bought new computer! Nice HP notebook however....
3. Am waiting for Best Buy to set it up and then....
4. Will have to wait for new AOL CD or decide on new Internet server then...
5. Will have to upload/set-up etc.
We will still be limited by stubborn husband and his refusal to upgrade to ANYTHING but dial-up Internet. However, we will be back on-line and our marriage may be saved! (In the case that I don't get around to a post about that, let me just say, I didn't realize how much personal time I got when Adam was on the Internet instead of making me work!)
I may be back sooner than I thought! But don't hold your breath, because, this is me, I never posted all that much to start with!
2. Bought new computer! Nice HP notebook however....
3. Am waiting for Best Buy to set it up and then....
4. Will have to wait for new AOL CD or decide on new Internet server then...
5. Will have to upload/set-up etc.
We will still be limited by stubborn husband and his refusal to upgrade to ANYTHING but dial-up Internet. However, we will be back on-line and our marriage may be saved! (In the case that I don't get around to a post about that, let me just say, I didn't realize how much personal time I got when Adam was on the Internet instead of making me work!)
I may be back sooner than I thought! But don't hold your breath, because, this is me, I never posted all that much to start with!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Farewell, for now!
Well, this is good bye for now!
School is over for summer! I will be enjoying days at home with the kids and Adam... or I will be trying to endure spending the next 80 or so days (24 hours a day) with my husband and children... it depends on you point of view...
And in a further note... I think we may have killed our home computer! We haven't had reliable Internet access there for some time and now every time we turn on the computer, we can't even get to a workable screen. We get a message that basically says... you fried your system Jerk! (or something like that...)
Adam spent the better part of 4 hours on the phone with the helpful Utah Dell boys on Sunday and they have mailed us a magic disk that will erase everything we've ever done to the computer in last ditch hopes that this will save the thing! They say our operating system is corrupt or some other lofty computer jargon like that. I picture the computer laying on the operating table, with some doctor massaging it's heart and asking for everyone to clear!
On the upside, if it dies, we will be saving up all summer and looking for deals on a new computer. Yeah! (said dripping with sarcasm and a slight frown over all the dinners out she will sacrifice to pay for said computer)
On the real upside, I am hoping to convince Adam to take this opportunity to upgrade to wireless cable Internet and a laptop! Wish me luck!
SO- Enough said... I will try and get back to you all from the library or my in-laws...
Love!
and have a great summer!
Jo
School is over for summer! I will be enjoying days at home with the kids and Adam... or I will be trying to endure spending the next 80 or so days (24 hours a day) with my husband and children... it depends on you point of view...
And in a further note... I think we may have killed our home computer! We haven't had reliable Internet access there for some time and now every time we turn on the computer, we can't even get to a workable screen. We get a message that basically says... you fried your system Jerk! (or something like that...)
Adam spent the better part of 4 hours on the phone with the helpful Utah Dell boys on Sunday and they have mailed us a magic disk that will erase everything we've ever done to the computer in last ditch hopes that this will save the thing! They say our operating system is corrupt or some other lofty computer jargon like that. I picture the computer laying on the operating table, with some doctor massaging it's heart and asking for everyone to clear!
On the upside, if it dies, we will be saving up all summer and looking for deals on a new computer. Yeah! (said dripping with sarcasm and a slight frown over all the dinners out she will sacrifice to pay for said computer)
On the real upside, I am hoping to convince Adam to take this opportunity to upgrade to wireless cable Internet and a laptop! Wish me luck!
SO- Enough said... I will try and get back to you all from the library or my in-laws...
Love!
and have a great summer!
Jo
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tag, I'm it!
Jamie tagged me for this meme....
She seems to think that I have all sorts of time on my hands since the school year is ending and I have a student teacher teaching my classes. She must not have noticed the severe lack of blogging due to the severe neuroticness of ME! I have been more busy now then ever before... AND I 'M NOT EVEN DOING MY OWN JOB!
Anyway... on with the meme....
3 things that scare me:
1. The death of close family
2. Spiders
3. people not thinking I'm smart and capable
3 people who make me laugh:
1. DH Adam
2. "The Kids" aka DD Brianna and DS Grant
3. my coworker and friend; Stephanie
3 things I love:
1. My Family
2. My Job (most days)
3. TV
3 things I hate/severely dislike:
1. reality TV
2. worrying about money around Tax time
3. having nothing to do (see comments above)
3 things I don't understand:
1. insensitive people
2. war
3. runny noses in kids
3 things on my desk:
1. Diet Coke
2. a To-Do pile
3. lots of pens, markers, highlighters, etc in quick reach.
3 things I'm doing right now:
1. Blogging
2. Listening to my student teacher and the class
3. wishing I had some chocolate
3 things I want to do before I die:
1. Travel
2. Be a Principal
3. hold political office?
3 things I can do well:
1. Teach
2. Have Babies
3. listen
3 things I can't do well:
1. talk on the phone and watch TV
2. be blunt
3. dislike you
3 things I think you should listen to:
1. your mother
2. small children
3. yourself
3 things I think you should never listen to:
1. People who don't know you well but give you advice
2. Internet medical info
3. People who are famous but haven't done anything worthy
3 things I'd like to learn
1. how to be blunt and nice at the same time
2. how to keep my house cleaner
3. How to get rich without trying
3 favorite foods:
1. Chocolate
2. pasta
3. peanut butter
3 shows I watched as a kid:
1. Smurfs
2. Solid Gold
3. Days of our Lives
3 things I regret:
1. debt before my marriage
2. not working harder at my early career
3. my own laziness
3 people I tag:
(This was the hardest because I don't have many blogging friends. I'm more of a reader than a chatter...)
1. Janet because I love reading more about my newest friends!
2-6. Stephanie, Heather, Jenny, Min, and Kate at Mama Drama. Because they are SO much fun!
She seems to think that I have all sorts of time on my hands since the school year is ending and I have a student teacher teaching my classes. She must not have noticed the severe lack of blogging due to the severe neuroticness of ME! I have been more busy now then ever before... AND I 'M NOT EVEN DOING MY OWN JOB!
Anyway... on with the meme....
3 things that scare me:
1. The death of close family
2. Spiders
3. people not thinking I'm smart and capable
3 people who make me laugh:
1. DH Adam
2. "The Kids" aka DD Brianna and DS Grant
3. my coworker and friend; Stephanie
3 things I love:
1. My Family
2. My Job (most days)
3. TV
3 things I hate/severely dislike:
1. reality TV
2. worrying about money around Tax time
3. having nothing to do (see comments above)
3 things I don't understand:
1. insensitive people
2. war
3. runny noses in kids
3 things on my desk:
1. Diet Coke
2. a To-Do pile
3. lots of pens, markers, highlighters, etc in quick reach.
3 things I'm doing right now:
1. Blogging
2. Listening to my student teacher and the class
3. wishing I had some chocolate
3 things I want to do before I die:
1. Travel
2. Be a Principal
3. hold political office?
3 things I can do well:
1. Teach
2. Have Babies
3. listen
3 things I can't do well:
1. talk on the phone and watch TV
2. be blunt
3. dislike you
3 things I think you should listen to:
1. your mother
2. small children
3. yourself
3 things I think you should never listen to:
1. People who don't know you well but give you advice
2. Internet medical info
3. People who are famous but haven't done anything worthy
3 things I'd like to learn
1. how to be blunt and nice at the same time
2. how to keep my house cleaner
3. How to get rich without trying
3 favorite foods:
1. Chocolate
2. pasta
3. peanut butter
3 shows I watched as a kid:
1. Smurfs
2. Solid Gold
3. Days of our Lives
3 things I regret:
1. debt before my marriage
2. not working harder at my early career
3. my own laziness
3 people I tag:
(This was the hardest because I don't have many blogging friends. I'm more of a reader than a chatter...)
1. Janet because I love reading more about my newest friends!
2-6. Stephanie, Heather, Jenny, Min, and Kate at Mama Drama. Because they are SO much fun!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
SOOOO cute!
I found a great product when I was reading Dancing Through today.
Tutu Fantasy is having a contest! I LOVE contests!
But regardless of if I win or not, I think this might be a great gift for my niece for her birthday next month. She LOVES ballet class and LOVES dressing up... what could be better?
And I might get this one for Brianna!
Tutu Fantasy is having a contest! I LOVE contests!
But regardless of if I win or not, I think this might be a great gift for my niece for her birthday next month. She LOVES ballet class and LOVES dressing up... what could be better?
And I might get this one for Brianna!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Panic attack subsiding...
One of my favorite bloggers... Jenny over at Mama Drama... posted this post today.
Now, I love Jenny's posts and this one is no different. It is worded wonderfully and I can completely picture what she is saying. Therefore, the gratuitous scary picture is not needed. Seriously, I think I may have just died a little looking at that picture.
If you didn't know this about me... I am TERRIFIED of spiders. I currently have a pair of shoes sitting in the garage that I may never wear again because since they have been in said garage for several days, I am just sure that some family of spiders has made a home of them. I do a double take every time I pass the nail that has popped out of the wall in the office. I swear I just saw it moving and it will chase me down now.
Now, I love Jenny's posts and this one is no different. It is worded wonderfully and I can completely picture what she is saying. Therefore, the gratuitous scary picture is not needed. Seriously, I think I may have just died a little looking at that picture.
If you didn't know this about me... I am TERRIFIED of spiders. I currently have a pair of shoes sitting in the garage that I may never wear again because since they have been in said garage for several days, I am just sure that some family of spiders has made a home of them. I do a double take every time I pass the nail that has popped out of the wall in the office. I swear I just saw it moving and it will chase me down now.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
I probably shouldn't laugh
I have been silently worrying for weeks (OK- maybe months) about Grant and his lack of words. He says Car, Ball, Cow, Meow, and Dada fairly regularly... but not Mama, eat, drink, etc... words that you would think he would actually need.
The past week or so has shown a good change in his language skills. He has added cracker, milk, and every mother's favorite... No.
That's right... last night... my precious baby boy said No for the first time! Except he doesn't just say no... he mimics the way Brianna says No when she's trying to keep him from stealing her toys! It starts really slow with a drawn out "N" sound and ends in a quick "O".
nnnnnnnNNNNNNNO!
I couldn't help cracking up! He says it just like Bri... and even makes the same little mad face! It never failed to make me laugh last night... and again this morning. I'm going to have quite a spitfire on my hands!
This may be my first attempt at recording, and uploading video... I just have to figure out the digital video part of my camera... and then actually get him to do it... and then upload it properly... By the time I do all that, he'll be talking in sentences!
The past week or so has shown a good change in his language skills. He has added cracker, milk, and every mother's favorite... No.
That's right... last night... my precious baby boy said No for the first time! Except he doesn't just say no... he mimics the way Brianna says No when she's trying to keep him from stealing her toys! It starts really slow with a drawn out "N" sound and ends in a quick "O".
nnnnnnnNNNNNNNO!
I couldn't help cracking up! He says it just like Bri... and even makes the same little mad face! It never failed to make me laugh last night... and again this morning. I'm going to have quite a spitfire on my hands!
This may be my first attempt at recording, and uploading video... I just have to figure out the digital video part of my camera... and then actually get him to do it... and then upload it properly... By the time I do all that, he'll be talking in sentences!
Monday, May 07, 2007
And I love him anyway!
This weekend, my parents took the kids!! BOTH KIDS! for a whole 28 hours... not that I was counting or anything.
It was really nice having some time to ourselves. Even if we did spend the majority of that time doing manual labor. We ran errands with out tears. We worked in the garden without having to watch who was running in the street. We went out to dinner without rushing. We watched a movie with profanity. We slept in... until we just couldn't sleep anymore. We ate breakfast and simultaneously read the paper. We went for a walk without a stroller. And then... the best part... we went our separate ways! Adam went golfing with his dad and brother, I went to get a long overdue haircut and highlights.
By the time the kids came home on Sunday, we were ready for them.
It was so much fun to walk through the door and see little Grant light up... and lift up his little arms... and run toward me.... and call me "Dada".
That's right, my son calls his mother Dada... If you have a problem with that... Just don't tell me. OK- maybe I do have a little problem with this new development. Maybe I would like him to call me Mama. But maybe I will pretend not to notice and just enjoy his heart wrenching hugs and his big sloppy kisses and know that he loves me, no matter what name he uses.
It was really nice having some time to ourselves. Even if we did spend the majority of that time doing manual labor. We ran errands with out tears. We worked in the garden without having to watch who was running in the street. We went out to dinner without rushing. We watched a movie with profanity. We slept in... until we just couldn't sleep anymore. We ate breakfast and simultaneously read the paper. We went for a walk without a stroller. And then... the best part... we went our separate ways! Adam went golfing with his dad and brother, I went to get a long overdue haircut and highlights.
By the time the kids came home on Sunday, we were ready for them.
It was so much fun to walk through the door and see little Grant light up... and lift up his little arms... and run toward me.... and call me "Dada".
That's right, my son calls his mother Dada... If you have a problem with that... Just don't tell me. OK- maybe I do have a little problem with this new development. Maybe I would like him to call me Mama. But maybe I will pretend not to notice and just enjoy his heart wrenching hugs and his big sloppy kisses and know that he loves me, no matter what name he uses.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Am I evil?
Is it wrong to think my own children are annoying?
Bri talks non-stop and usually in a "lovely" little whine. She is going through a very selfish phase and wants to be in my lap or next to me every time Grant is in the same place. She loves school as evidenced by the fact that she asks to go there during the weekend... but every evening when I ask her how school was; she only tells me bad things. Dylan hit me, Dylan bit Stacy, Arjun didn't share, I didn't get to play on the 'puter (Computer), etc. etc. etc. She actually has a hard time answering me when I ask her about good things that happened today.
Grant hasn't been feeling well this week. We've changing a LOT of dirty diapers and he has the killer diaper rash to prove it. Except now the Dr says that is doesn't sound like a true diaper rash, it sounds like a yeast rash and I actually had to go to the drugstore to buy Monistat for my sons butt! What a week! As a result of all this; he is clearly uncomfortable, often doesn't even want to sit down on his "ouchy tushy" and really wants to be held... A LOT!!!!! He won't eat properly and shakes his head No to everything but Ritz crackers and the Wiggles. Ugh.
At work things should be super easy. Note the careful use of SHOULD BE. The year is ending, lots of fun activities are getting started, and I have a student teacher so I don't even have to work all day! But here's the problem. My student teacher is awful. Her English language skills are questionable, her classroom management is non-existent, and her lessons barely teach anything. I am trying to help, I have done a lot of good things with her, she doesn't listen. She thinks she knows EVERYTHING and gets very defensive when people give her suggestions. She is barely on time each day, often arrives unprepared, and then blows out of here right at the end of the day.
Lord... what a complainer I am today.
I should be planning a fabulous weekend... Girls night out tonight and a weekend without the kids! (No, I'm not killing them or selling them, Grandma actually begged to take them!) I need to find a good mood quick! Maybe I'll see if anyone is selling one on e-bay....
Bri talks non-stop and usually in a "lovely" little whine. She is going through a very selfish phase and wants to be in my lap or next to me every time Grant is in the same place. She loves school as evidenced by the fact that she asks to go there during the weekend... but every evening when I ask her how school was; she only tells me bad things. Dylan hit me, Dylan bit Stacy, Arjun didn't share, I didn't get to play on the 'puter (Computer), etc. etc. etc. She actually has a hard time answering me when I ask her about good things that happened today.
Grant hasn't been feeling well this week. We've changing a LOT of dirty diapers and he has the killer diaper rash to prove it. Except now the Dr says that is doesn't sound like a true diaper rash, it sounds like a yeast rash and I actually had to go to the drugstore to buy Monistat for my sons butt! What a week! As a result of all this; he is clearly uncomfortable, often doesn't even want to sit down on his "ouchy tushy" and really wants to be held... A LOT!!!!! He won't eat properly and shakes his head No to everything but Ritz crackers and the Wiggles. Ugh.
At work things should be super easy. Note the careful use of SHOULD BE. The year is ending, lots of fun activities are getting started, and I have a student teacher so I don't even have to work all day! But here's the problem. My student teacher is awful. Her English language skills are questionable, her classroom management is non-existent, and her lessons barely teach anything. I am trying to help, I have done a lot of good things with her, she doesn't listen. She thinks she knows EVERYTHING and gets very defensive when people give her suggestions. She is barely on time each day, often arrives unprepared, and then blows out of here right at the end of the day.
Lord... what a complainer I am today.
I should be planning a fabulous weekend... Girls night out tonight and a weekend without the kids! (No, I'm not killing them or selling them, Grandma actually begged to take them!) I need to find a good mood quick! Maybe I'll see if anyone is selling one on e-bay....
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
My life is painfully NORMAL!!!
I have been trying to get better about posting... and finding nothing of interest to post.
I got some medical test results done... everything is normal, my cholesterol is actually great, and something called albumin in my blood is low but not dangerously so. The test showed that I need to work on my eating habits and loose some weight but a trained chimp could have told me that.
Grant is getting another tooth but I can't tell which one yet. He is up to a whopping 12 teeth now, we are expecting 8 more sometime in the next year or so. My guess is they will show up in groups of 2 or 3 about every 3 months, because, if nothing else, my son is "regular" in his every bodily function and behavior.
Brianna is talking up a storm and asks "Why" about EVERYTHING! This is not really of note though because she is 3 and 3 is the age of annoying and why! She says cute things, but nothing that cute. The most noticeable thing lately is that she repeats things.... apparently, I must say "Okey doke?" a LOT. She says it now but she says "obe dobe".
See... if your still reading... thanks.... what a load of nothing that turned out to be!
I got some medical test results done... everything is normal, my cholesterol is actually great, and something called albumin in my blood is low but not dangerously so. The test showed that I need to work on my eating habits and loose some weight but a trained chimp could have told me that.
Grant is getting another tooth but I can't tell which one yet. He is up to a whopping 12 teeth now, we are expecting 8 more sometime in the next year or so. My guess is they will show up in groups of 2 or 3 about every 3 months, because, if nothing else, my son is "regular" in his every bodily function and behavior.
Brianna is talking up a storm and asks "Why" about EVERYTHING! This is not really of note though because she is 3 and 3 is the age of annoying and why! She says cute things, but nothing that cute. The most noticeable thing lately is that she repeats things.... apparently, I must say "Okey doke?" a LOT. She says it now but she says "obe dobe".
See... if your still reading... thanks.... what a load of nothing that turned out to be!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
My brain is a steel sieve
A while ago, I read an article. No, of course I don't remember where or when.
Wait... don't leave yet... it gets better....
The article claimed that researchers had developed a theory about parental attachment with infants. The researchers had investigated especially the attachment of fathers and come to the following conclusion:
From birth to approx. age 3 ALL children are genetically programed to look more like their fathers than their mothers. The research went on to hypothesize that in the pre-paternity test world (and maybe the pre-monogamy days) that men needed proof that a child was theirs. therefore, all babies look more like their fathers at early ages to "prove" to the daddy that he should bother to bond with this baby.
What do you think?
Did you look like your dad when you were young?
What about your kids?.....
I know that both of my children look WAY more like my husband than me right now. It might be too late to save Bri, but I still have hope for Grant. ;-)
Wait... don't leave yet... it gets better....
The article claimed that researchers had developed a theory about parental attachment with infants. The researchers had investigated especially the attachment of fathers and come to the following conclusion:
From birth to approx. age 3 ALL children are genetically programed to look more like their fathers than their mothers. The research went on to hypothesize that in the pre-paternity test world (and maybe the pre-monogamy days) that men needed proof that a child was theirs. therefore, all babies look more like their fathers at early ages to "prove" to the daddy that he should bother to bond with this baby.
What do you think?
Did you look like your dad when you were young?
What about your kids?.....
I know that both of my children look WAY more like my husband than me right now. It might be too late to save Bri, but I still have hope for Grant. ;-)
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
When in Doubt...
Post Pictures!
Brianna with her bangs cut by mommy!
Grant before his first haircut:
Grant after his first haircut:
Mommys worst picture of kids ever!
Brianna with her bangs cut by mommy!
Grant before his first haircut:
Grant after his first haircut:
Mommys worst picture of kids ever!
Monday, April 16, 2007
more about me
I know, I have been just awful about posting for MONTHS now! I can only say that work has been forced to take precedence. I am very proud of all the work I did in this time but miss my slow lazy days when I had time to update and read blogs.
Well, that time is here again and it's better than ever! I have a student teacher working with me this quarter and starting Thursday... She takes over all teaching and planning and grading and phone calls! I love it!
In the meantime, I have planned a few posts that will be coming soon.
For today: here is a little interview chain idea that Jamie took from Whoorl who took it from someone else... don't you love the blog world?
ANYWAY... Jamie's questions to me:
1. If you chose to max out your credit cards, at which store would you do so?
I could not just choose one store! I would need something for me, somethings for the kids, maybe a little something for Adam, lots of fun stuff for the house.... I guess if I had to pick one store it might be like Target because who can resist tons of cool stuff for cheap?
2. Facial hair on men: yeah, or nay?
I do sort of like facial hair on men, some men. I like beards on older men like my dad... if they can keep it trim and neat; no crazy-bum looking- Santa Claus beards! I do like my hubby with a little facial hair; I think he looks more mature. But again- I hate it if it looks scruffy!
3. What is your favorite winter sport?
Is drinking hot chocolate a sport?
4. Who is more annoying – Carson Daly or Ryan Seacrest?
I am not really annoyed by either. I try to avoid them both at all costs which is not hard since I am so hopelessly out of the cool 20-something zone! I only get to watch shows that come on after 8 pm or have some tie to cartoons! Show me cartoon versions of each one and then I'll vote!
5. Do you believe in heaven?
I think I do.... I mean I want to.... I mean yes. (sort of).
I am a very conflicted person religiously. On one hand I grew up with a strong Christian background and never questioned it. But I teach various religions for a living. I teach that one religion isn't right and another isn't wrong. That puts some of my earlier religious education into severe questioning. And if I question one thing, do I have to question it all?
Well, that time is here again and it's better than ever! I have a student teacher working with me this quarter and starting Thursday... She takes over all teaching and planning and grading and phone calls! I love it!
In the meantime, I have planned a few posts that will be coming soon.
For today: here is a little interview chain idea that Jamie took from Whoorl who took it from someone else... don't you love the blog world?
ANYWAY... Jamie's questions to me:
1. If you chose to max out your credit cards, at which store would you do so?
I could not just choose one store! I would need something for me, somethings for the kids, maybe a little something for Adam, lots of fun stuff for the house.... I guess if I had to pick one store it might be like Target because who can resist tons of cool stuff for cheap?
2. Facial hair on men: yeah, or nay?
I do sort of like facial hair on men, some men. I like beards on older men like my dad... if they can keep it trim and neat; no crazy-bum looking- Santa Claus beards! I do like my hubby with a little facial hair; I think he looks more mature. But again- I hate it if it looks scruffy!
3. What is your favorite winter sport?
Is drinking hot chocolate a sport?
4. Who is more annoying – Carson Daly or Ryan Seacrest?
I am not really annoyed by either. I try to avoid them both at all costs which is not hard since I am so hopelessly out of the cool 20-something zone! I only get to watch shows that come on after 8 pm or have some tie to cartoons! Show me cartoon versions of each one and then I'll vote!
5. Do you believe in heaven?
I think I do.... I mean I want to.... I mean yes. (sort of).
I am a very conflicted person religiously. On one hand I grew up with a strong Christian background and never questioned it. But I teach various religions for a living. I teach that one religion isn't right and another isn't wrong. That puts some of my earlier religious education into severe questioning. And if I question one thing, do I have to question it all?
Monday, April 09, 2007
Easter Pics
As always, Jamie is SOOOOO much better about posting pictures of my kids than I am!
Check them out...
Check them out...
Monday, April 02, 2007
I saw a famous person!
I am pretty sure I saw Randy Spelling downtown Chicago this weekend. His hair is longer now but I totally recognized the eyes and the stare! He was just walking down Ohio St, towards Michigan Ave around 1pm... I thought I handled it pretty well... I just walked backwards for about a block (looking at the back of his head) telling Adam that I was sure I knew that guy from a boy band or something. I wish I had looked more closely at who he was with but it was really fast!
In other news, I may actually have time to start posting again!
YEAH!
oh yeah... only 46 more work days till summer break!
(feel free to hate me now)
:-)
In other news, I may actually have time to start posting again!
YEAH!
oh yeah... only 46 more work days till summer break!
(feel free to hate me now)
:-)
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Of COURSE I have better things to do.... But....
A Meme I stole from Jamie:
(I am disappointed to find a distinct lack of Nora Roberts or Julie Garwood....)
And... I must note.... that I read many of these books while taking a "blow off class" called, Independent Literature, my senior year of high school. Thank you evil witch teacher for making us read the classics!
Look at the list of books below.
• Bold the ones you’ve read.
• Italicize the ones you want to
• Don't do anything to the ones that you aren’t interested in.
1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMavrier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down (Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)
(I am disappointed to find a distinct lack of Nora Roberts or Julie Garwood....)
And... I must note.... that I read many of these books while taking a "blow off class" called, Independent Literature, my senior year of high school. Thank you evil witch teacher for making us read the classics!
Look at the list of books below.
• Bold the ones you’ve read.
• Italicize the ones you want to
• Don't do anything to the ones that you aren’t interested in.
1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMavrier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down (Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)
Monday, March 12, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
first haircut!
This weekend, Grant got his first hair cut. In all the process was a little sad because we loved his curls. Even now, 2 days later, I kind of do a double-take! I love his new do too but...
Before:
Note the Afro-like quality of the curls. My dear husband lovingly calls this "Jew-Hair". He's allowed to say that because he is Jewish and is the proud owner of similar curls!
(also a great picture of Brianna's hair and why mommy will no longer be cutting hair!)
During:
At this point we are all in Wiggle induced comas! BUT- no one is crying...
After:
My clean-cut little man is born, and LOVING the carousel ride as a reward! Mommy is only crying a little now.
Before:
Note the Afro-like quality of the curls. My dear husband lovingly calls this "Jew-Hair". He's allowed to say that because he is Jewish and is the proud owner of similar curls!
(also a great picture of Brianna's hair and why mommy will no longer be cutting hair!)
During:
At this point we are all in Wiggle induced comas! BUT- no one is crying...
After:
My clean-cut little man is born, and LOVING the carousel ride as a reward! Mommy is only crying a little now.
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