Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Friends
I've been feelin' awfully nostalgic lately.
And not just 'cause I've been watching far too much of VH1's "I Love the Millenium" and "'80's One-Hit Wonders". Facebook is partly at fault, since it has wonderfully brought me back into contact with friends from years ago. Blogs and the internet spur on this desire in me to reach back and remember the people who've come and gone in my life.
Right now though, my nostalgia is mainly because I had the best time the other night hanging out with one of my best friends, Jessi. You know those friendships that just seem to continue on, span a decade or more, without a ton of effort on either of your parts. You know what I mean, the friendships where you wish you saw each other more, or talked more often, but it's solid despite the gaps. One of those pick-up-the-phone-and-easily-catch-up-and-enjoy-every-second-of-the-conversation kinda things. Jessi and I don't see each other nearly as often as we did in High School, where we nerdily spent many hours at the school (until janitors tried to kick us out) working on the High School newspaper in the journalism room, while eating Kraft Cheese and Crackers. Yet, she's one of the first people I think of when I have "I'm pregnant," "I'm hurting," "I'm celebrating," "I'm pissed," or "I'm happy," kinda news.
Jess and I got together a few nights ago, sitting in Village Inn for four hours, eating pie until well after 11:30PM. I think the waitresses hated us. My husband was starting to wonder if I'd been in an accident or had fled the state, leaving him with our two young children. Jessi and I could have talked all night, had it not been a school night for Jessi, an elementary school teacher, and I hadn't had a nursing baby at home. We caught up, we talked about the future, and we reminised. Oh, how I love to reminise. We were laughing and reminding and reliving so many experiences, relationships, jokes and stories that have come and gone, ebbed and flowed, made up the backbone of what is our friendship. It made me fondly look back at the things and people that have influenced me since high school, and even before that.
It made me want to throw a big reunion party, for all the people who were ever my friends. They wouldn't all know each other. We may not really even know each other anymore, but I'd like to say thanks to people who made a difference in my life. Were there for me. I could even say made me a better person, or influenced me for the better. Heck, I wouldn't have the deep love and appreciation for hockey, Jimmy Eat World, Wasatch Broiler, drive by stalking, purple eyeliner or Dylan McKay if it weren't for some of the best friends I could've had. Especially at those points in my life. The guest of honor would have to be Greg though, the best friend I could have ever hoped for. I might be a little embarassed though, when all my other 'best friends' throughout the years started to share their stories . . . . I don't think Greg's heard 'em all. Probably best if it stays that way. :-) You do and say some of the stupidest stuff around the people you love and trust the most. I mean really, one of the reasons to stay close to friends from days gone by is that anyone who's heard your unending and passionate list of reasons you and Kirk Cameron should be married, should be closely monitored. Some things shared between friends should be taken to the grave.
And not just 'cause I've been watching far too much of VH1's "I Love the Millenium" and "'80's One-Hit Wonders". Facebook is partly at fault, since it has wonderfully brought me back into contact with friends from years ago. Blogs and the internet spur on this desire in me to reach back and remember the people who've come and gone in my life.
Right now though, my nostalgia is mainly because I had the best time the other night hanging out with one of my best friends, Jessi. You know those friendships that just seem to continue on, span a decade or more, without a ton of effort on either of your parts. You know what I mean, the friendships where you wish you saw each other more, or talked more often, but it's solid despite the gaps. One of those pick-up-the-phone-and-easily-catch-up-and-enjoy-every-second-of-the-conversation kinda things. Jessi and I don't see each other nearly as often as we did in High School, where we nerdily spent many hours at the school (until janitors tried to kick us out) working on the High School newspaper in the journalism room, while eating Kraft Cheese and Crackers. Yet, she's one of the first people I think of when I have "I'm pregnant," "I'm hurting," "I'm celebrating," "I'm pissed," or "I'm happy," kinda news.
Jess and I got together a few nights ago, sitting in Village Inn for four hours, eating pie until well after 11:30PM. I think the waitresses hated us. My husband was starting to wonder if I'd been in an accident or had fled the state, leaving him with our two young children. Jessi and I could have talked all night, had it not been a school night for Jessi, an elementary school teacher, and I hadn't had a nursing baby at home. We caught up, we talked about the future, and we reminised. Oh, how I love to reminise. We were laughing and reminding and reliving so many experiences, relationships, jokes and stories that have come and gone, ebbed and flowed, made up the backbone of what is our friendship. It made me fondly look back at the things and people that have influenced me since high school, and even before that.
It made me want to throw a big reunion party, for all the people who were ever my friends. They wouldn't all know each other. We may not really even know each other anymore, but I'd like to say thanks to people who made a difference in my life. Were there for me. I could even say made me a better person, or influenced me for the better. Heck, I wouldn't have the deep love and appreciation for hockey, Jimmy Eat World, Wasatch Broiler, drive by stalking, purple eyeliner or Dylan McKay if it weren't for some of the best friends I could've had. Especially at those points in my life. The guest of honor would have to be Greg though, the best friend I could have ever hoped for. I might be a little embarassed though, when all my other 'best friends' throughout the years started to share their stories . . . . I don't think Greg's heard 'em all. Probably best if it stays that way. :-) You do and say some of the stupidest stuff around the people you love and trust the most. I mean really, one of the reasons to stay close to friends from days gone by is that anyone who's heard your unending and passionate list of reasons you and Kirk Cameron should be married, should be closely monitored. Some things shared between friends should be taken to the grave.
Duck FYI
The ducks at Gardner Village, where our pictures were taken, are just super chill. Almost too much so . . . the overfed fowls completely ignore poor Annie when we come with bread, it's only the little sparrows up in the tree who react to bread being tossed out. The ducks just stare at you like, "yeah, been there, done that," and don't move. They're fat, lazy, domesticated birds and apparently they let toddlers just walk right up to them without so much as a look up. So yep, real ducks in Annie's pictures.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Family Portaits
So, trying to choose my favorites among so many amazing photos was tough. So I just decided to go the easy route and post like forty of them. If you have slow internet, my apologies. It couldn't be helped. :-)
Thanks again to Gianne, who was freakishly amazing! I can't even begin to describe how much I love all these (and the hundreds of other) pictures!
http://giannesnowphotography.blogspot.com/
Thanks again to Gianne, who was freakishly amazing! I can't even begin to describe how much I love all these (and the hundreds of other) pictures!
http://giannesnowphotography.blogspot.com/
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Prepare Yourself for the Cutest Pictures in the History of Mankind . . .
We got the CD from our family portraits back today! Unfortunately, my computer is stupid (or, its operator is, since I've known it's been having issues with the CD drive for a good 8 months now, and yet have done nothing to repair it) and it won't recognize the CD our amazing photographer Gianne gave us today. I'm currently downloading the CD onto Greg's (ancient) laptop, then transferring them to our external hard drive, then will copy 'em over to my computer and post 'em online . . . but in the meantime (near eternity), I'm linking y'all over to see some of the cute newest additions to Gianne's blog of my adorable family . . .
http://giannesnowphotography.blogspot.com/2009/04/johnsons.html
Oh, side note: General Conference left me with one very amazing message that changed how the rest of my day went (which consisted of shopping) . . . the three most important words in marriage, "I love you." Four most important, "We can't afford it." I'm proud to announce that even with an additional 30% off discount on any Kohl's purchase, I refrained from buying any new toys, clothes or things for the house. Despite seeing things I liked that were ALREADY 80% off, then with the additional 30% off basically making 'em nearly free, I still didn't buy anything, 'cause we don't need any more possessions. See how useful General Conference messages are in our day to day lives? :-)
(Um, in the interest of full disclosure though, I did find the bedspread of my dreams already 60% off, and talked my Mom into buying it for my birthday. But still, I didn't spend any of our money! I just made other people spend theirs! I don't know if this makes me very smart, or very evil. Either way, I'm getting a new bedspread!)
http://giannesnowphotography.blogspot.com/2009/04/johnsons.html
Oh, side note: General Conference left me with one very amazing message that changed how the rest of my day went (which consisted of shopping) . . . the three most important words in marriage, "I love you." Four most important, "We can't afford it." I'm proud to announce that even with an additional 30% off discount on any Kohl's purchase, I refrained from buying any new toys, clothes or things for the house. Despite seeing things I liked that were ALREADY 80% off, then with the additional 30% off basically making 'em nearly free, I still didn't buy anything, 'cause we don't need any more possessions. See how useful General Conference messages are in our day to day lives? :-)
(Um, in the interest of full disclosure though, I did find the bedspread of my dreams already 60% off, and talked my Mom into buying it for my birthday. But still, I didn't spend any of our money! I just made other people spend theirs! I don't know if this makes me very smart, or very evil. Either way, I'm getting a new bedspread!)
Yay! Milestone!
Ellie took her first step today. One solid good step, then she dived the rest of the distance between her and Mommy. Good start though!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Humbler Still . . .
As an update to my last post about Annie praying, I thought I should add her comment from tonight at family prayer:
Greg: "OK Annie, are you going to say prayer tonight?"
Annie: "Um, I've already said two really good prayers, I think Mom should say it tonight."
Greg: "OK Annie, are you going to say prayer tonight?"
Annie: "Um, I've already said two really good prayers, I think Mom should say it tonight."
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Humility is a Virtue
I don't typically make it a habit of blogging during dinner, but I had to hurry upstairs and write down Annie's prayer tonight before I forgot what she said. Greg asked if she wanted to say the blessing on the food tonight, and she agreed that not only would she say the prayer tonight, but she also reminded us , "I said a really good prayer last night too."
So, given her excellent track record of prayers, she happily started praying, "Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for this day. Thank you for pizza. Thank you for Annie, and Ellie, and Daddy and Mommy. Thank you for other people. This is a really good prayer too . . . "
So, given her excellent track record of prayers, she happily started praying, "Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for this day. Thank you for pizza. Thank you for Annie, and Ellie, and Daddy and Mommy. Thank you for other people. This is a really good prayer too . . . "
Feeling Accomplished
While 'enjoying' Annie's I-don't-want-to-go-to-sleep-meltdown of historic proportions last night, I turned on the vacuum (to drown out the screaming), and got almost every square inch of my house vacuumed last night. All my dishes done. Laundry is caught up, even folded and put away. Then this morning I shampooed my carpets on the entire top floor. I've even windexed the patio door, and using lots of hot, soapy water, cleaned out the disgusting dirt-filled track the patio door slides in. And all this before our 10:30AM "Mom & Me Group" began.
Sure, I haven't done my hair or makeup yet today, but even that's not gonna drag me down today!
(While carpet shampooing, Annie and Ellie 'helped' by cleaning the bathroom floor. It was so freakin' cute . . . Annie was taking a rag and a little bucket of water and washing the walls and floors, all the while, trying to 'instruct' Ellie to do the same. Ellie basically sat there, looking cute, while chewing on a (clean) wet rag. It makes me happily look forward to the day I can have them help me with truly productive things, like loading the dishwasher!)
Sure, I haven't done my hair or makeup yet today, but even that's not gonna drag me down today!
(While carpet shampooing, Annie and Ellie 'helped' by cleaning the bathroom floor. It was so freakin' cute . . . Annie was taking a rag and a little bucket of water and washing the walls and floors, all the while, trying to 'instruct' Ellie to do the same. Ellie basically sat there, looking cute, while chewing on a (clean) wet rag. It makes me happily look forward to the day I can have them help me with truly productive things, like loading the dishwasher!)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Phone Conversationalist
Annie on the phone with my Mom after having tried a few other numbers unsuccessfully, "Yeah, I called you, because I called Nina (Talina) and Star, and they weren't available."
Proper Hydration
So, Annie's been weird about drinking water lately. She doesn't seem to want to drink anything, and I'm concerned she's not getting enough liquids. Greg and I try to point out how important drinking water is, how it cleans out our bodies and helps us to be healthy (all while not pushing it to much, 'cause remember, this is my stubborn child . . . I'm afraid she'd stop drinking altogether if she realized this was really bugging me.)
We bought her her own little 'water cooler/dispenser' thing, so she can get her own drinks out of it, and that's worked somewhat, giving her independent side the autonomy it so desires.
Something is sinking in though, 'cause I'm sitting here watching her fill up a little medicine syringe with water and 'encouraging' her little sister to get enough water. "Ellie," she sternly lectures, "if you don't drink enough water, your pee will be REALLY yellow like mine. Almost brown in the mornings." He he. This is what I get for trying to explain cause and effect relationships to my two year old.
She's having some trouble getting her little sister to stay still while she's trying to 'administer' her doses of H2O. "Stop doing that Ellie!" she exclaims as Ellie tosses her head away, thus spilling some water, "You're making me nervous!" Ha.
The one phrase we're noticing a lot from Annie lately is, "I didn't know that." (Or, "I never knew that," or "I didn't know that before.") Whether she actually knew the piece of information or not, she happily exclaims her 'just figured it out' status. I think I hear this about 5 times a day.
We bought her her own little 'water cooler/dispenser' thing, so she can get her own drinks out of it, and that's worked somewhat, giving her independent side the autonomy it so desires.
Something is sinking in though, 'cause I'm sitting here watching her fill up a little medicine syringe with water and 'encouraging' her little sister to get enough water. "Ellie," she sternly lectures, "if you don't drink enough water, your pee will be REALLY yellow like mine. Almost brown in the mornings." He he. This is what I get for trying to explain cause and effect relationships to my two year old.
She's having some trouble getting her little sister to stay still while she's trying to 'administer' her doses of H2O. "Stop doing that Ellie!" she exclaims as Ellie tosses her head away, thus spilling some water, "You're making me nervous!" Ha.
The one phrase we're noticing a lot from Annie lately is, "I didn't know that." (Or, "I never knew that," or "I didn't know that before.") Whether she actually knew the piece of information or not, she happily exclaims her 'just figured it out' status. I think I hear this about 5 times a day.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Ellie Updates
I think we finally have a tooth coming in on Ellie . . . which made her scream uncontrollably most of the morning, and the entire time I was out visiting teaching (making me acutely aware that if the woman had had a blog, my screaming child and I would surely shown up on it as examples of how 'not to visit teach' on it.)
I saw two little bumps where a bottom tooth should be coming in, I swear it, but now they're gone. Greg probably thinks I'm making up this 'alleged tooth', as well as our daughter's hysterical theatrics, since she's always on such good behavior (and tylenol) when he gets home.
Ellie is also now finally crawling around like a crazy baby . . . making me, of course, wonder why I was so anxious for her to be mobile. Don't get me wrong, I love watching her explore and develop and I think it's amazing that she can now get to a toy that she wants and it doesn't require any effort on my part . . . but I am now having to vacuum twice as often since she has the baby/puppy ability of finding even the smallest piece of trash or discarded food on the floor, and have to make sure all of Annie's non-baby-appropriate toys aren't anywhere within swallowing distance (obviously this was never an issue with the first child), and make sure she doesn't crawl anywhere dangerous in say, the 20 seconds I try and run in to use the restroom. Thinking about locking her in the closet. I'm pretty sure that'd work.
I saw two little bumps where a bottom tooth should be coming in, I swear it, but now they're gone. Greg probably thinks I'm making up this 'alleged tooth', as well as our daughter's hysterical theatrics, since she's always on such good behavior (and tylenol) when he gets home.
Ellie is also now finally crawling around like a crazy baby . . . making me, of course, wonder why I was so anxious for her to be mobile. Don't get me wrong, I love watching her explore and develop and I think it's amazing that she can now get to a toy that she wants and it doesn't require any effort on my part . . . but I am now having to vacuum twice as often since she has the baby/puppy ability of finding even the smallest piece of trash or discarded food on the floor, and have to make sure all of Annie's non-baby-appropriate toys aren't anywhere within swallowing distance (obviously this was never an issue with the first child), and make sure she doesn't crawl anywhere dangerous in say, the 20 seconds I try and run in to use the restroom. Thinking about locking her in the closet. I'm pretty sure that'd work.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Because I Apparently Never Want to Get My Dishes Done . . .
I started playing around with the online makeover tool, again. This time taking every suggestion they made for the 'Make Up Artist' looks. Make Up Artists apparently use a lot more green eyeshadow than I do.
And I tried some 'fun, new' hair colors and styles . . .
And I tried some 'fun, new' hair colors and styles . . .
Keen Grasp of the Obvious
Annie this morning was happily playing with a Disney toy she received yesterday from Grandma Ruth (who, along with Aunt Andrea, went to Disneyland last week). Looking at some of the pictures on the packaging, Annie was happily singing her own made up song, "Mickey Mouse. Minnie Mouse. Mickey Mouse. Minnie Mouse. Mickey Mouse. Min . . . HEY MOM! They're both mouses! I 'ever noticed that before!" This is probably one of those 'you had to be there' kinda stories, but it was hilarious!
The toy that Annie is so infatuated with (would hardly stop playing long enough to eat dinner last night, or breakfast this morning, it is just that cool) is a Cinderella fashion set . . .
A little plastic Cinderella with all kinds of little plastic accessories . . . I think Greg and I have done nothing but help change Cinderella's dress since she got it yesterday afternoon. I've never seen her quite so taken by a toy before. Anyway. Yesterday, she had me help get Cinderella all dressed in her blue ball gown, complete with dramatic blue cloak. She happily snatched her away from me the moment the last accessory was in place, and starting making 'whooshing' noises as she flew Cinderella around her grandparent's frontroom, while happily shouting, "Fly Cinderelly, fly! Cinderelly to the rescue!" What else would a princess do when equipped with not one, but TWO, capes in her accessory set? She then explained to her Dad, "I have to make 'air' noises [the whoosing] or she nan't fly." So that's how it works.
Ellie has made it her life's mission to consume at least one of those teeny tiny princess shoes when I'm not looking, but so far we've all been diligent, and at last count we're only missing one teeny tiny accessory, and we're 90% sure it was just dropped at Grandma's, not eaten by Ellie.
Ellie has a love/hate relationship with one of the other souveniers the girls were spoiled with. Grandpa K.C. got a Shamu Cup with a straw for the girls, and Annie thought it was OK, but it was no Cinderella Fashion Set, so she lost interest pretty quick. Ellie though, she's in love with all things 'beverage container', so this was like Christmas. She giggles and dives for it and jams the straw in her mouth (then she nearly punctures the back of her throat, cries in sheer agony for a bit, then forgets the pain and suddenly notices a really cool whale cup with a straw in it and dives for it and giggles), and then she starts to suck. And suck. And suck. And although she doesn't seem to have problems with any other straw/cup container we own, this one seems to be her evil nemesis, 'cause the poor kid cannot seem to get any liquid out. And you better believe that pisses her off. But then she's just so excited, giggling and babbling, to be holding a cup at all (it's like the holy grail of big girl items, so to speak), that she seems thrilled to just be in possession of such a prize. Of course, then she tries to suck . . .
The toy that Annie is so infatuated with (would hardly stop playing long enough to eat dinner last night, or breakfast this morning, it is just that cool) is a Cinderella fashion set . . .
A little plastic Cinderella with all kinds of little plastic accessories . . . I think Greg and I have done nothing but help change Cinderella's dress since she got it yesterday afternoon. I've never seen her quite so taken by a toy before. Anyway. Yesterday, she had me help get Cinderella all dressed in her blue ball gown, complete with dramatic blue cloak. She happily snatched her away from me the moment the last accessory was in place, and starting making 'whooshing' noises as she flew Cinderella around her grandparent's frontroom, while happily shouting, "Fly Cinderelly, fly! Cinderelly to the rescue!" What else would a princess do when equipped with not one, but TWO, capes in her accessory set? She then explained to her Dad, "I have to make 'air' noises [the whoosing] or she nan't fly." So that's how it works. Ellie has made it her life's mission to consume at least one of those teeny tiny princess shoes when I'm not looking, but so far we've all been diligent, and at last count we're only missing one teeny tiny accessory, and we're 90% sure it was just dropped at Grandma's, not eaten by Ellie.
Ellie has a love/hate relationship with one of the other souveniers the girls were spoiled with. Grandpa K.C. got a Shamu Cup with a straw for the girls, and Annie thought it was OK, but it was no Cinderella Fashion Set, so she lost interest pretty quick. Ellie though, she's in love with all things 'beverage container', so this was like Christmas. She giggles and dives for it and jams the straw in her mouth (then she nearly punctures the back of her throat, cries in sheer agony for a bit, then forgets the pain and suddenly notices a really cool whale cup with a straw in it and dives for it and giggles), and then she starts to suck. And suck. And suck. And although she doesn't seem to have problems with any other straw/cup container we own, this one seems to be her evil nemesis, 'cause the poor kid cannot seem to get any liquid out. And you better believe that pisses her off. But then she's just so excited, giggling and babbling, to be holding a cup at all (it's like the holy grail of big girl items, so to speak), that she seems thrilled to just be in possession of such a prize. Of course, then she tries to suck . . .
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Turning 30 This Year
So, I've been thinking a lot about turning thirty this year. I don't find it depressing, upsetting or sad . . . just kinda surreal :-)
Although this realization of my impending thirties has made me acutely aware that I should probably stop using a baby wipe to wash my face on the random nights I think to remove my makeup. I'm gonna end up with wrinkly, damaged skin and it'll be all my fault. So, this has prompted me to start a 'beauty regimen.' I bought some Olay stuff earlier this year. I used some Loreal stuff I liked. I decided to give the Mary Kay TimeWise line a whirl, which is what I'm using now. So far I'm liking it. Even more now that I found they have a "Virtual Makeover" tool that is so much fun I may not go downstairs and get my dishes done this evening.
As fun as putting crazy color eye shadows on my virtual face was (the colorful lipstick options just looked ridiculous), I found the hair style thing way more fun than the make up capabilities . . . although it makes me a little sad I can't grow my hair out (my hair grows to my shoulders and stops. I have NEVER had it longer than that in my entire life.)
Any favorites? :-)
So, make up and skin care lines . . . what do you use? Anything specific? Or do you have an entire drawer full of random stuff (including dozens of samples from the "What a Woman Wants" fair) that you randomly pull stuff out of and slather on your face, hoping it isn't expired or doesn't cause adverse skin reactions? Or is that just me?
Edited to add: Greg was watching me upload the pictures, when he commented, "You really should grow your hair long like that." Yeah, thanks dude. You know, for reminding me how much you prefer long hair to short when we've discussed at length (so to speak) that my hair won't grow out. Wanna tell me how much more attractive blue eyes are then brown?
Just giving you a hard time, hon. You know I love you and totally forgive any dumb thing you say that you immediately wish you could take back. (After I've mentioned it a few times, used it against you and pouted for a awhile.) ;-)
Although this realization of my impending thirties has made me acutely aware that I should probably stop using a baby wipe to wash my face on the random nights I think to remove my makeup. I'm gonna end up with wrinkly, damaged skin and it'll be all my fault. So, this has prompted me to start a 'beauty regimen.' I bought some Olay stuff earlier this year. I used some Loreal stuff I liked. I decided to give the Mary Kay TimeWise line a whirl, which is what I'm using now. So far I'm liking it. Even more now that I found they have a "Virtual Makeover" tool that is so much fun I may not go downstairs and get my dishes done this evening.
As fun as putting crazy color eye shadows on my virtual face was (the colorful lipstick options just looked ridiculous), I found the hair style thing way more fun than the make up capabilities . . . although it makes me a little sad I can't grow my hair out (my hair grows to my shoulders and stops. I have NEVER had it longer than that in my entire life.)
Any favorites? :-)
So, make up and skin care lines . . . what do you use? Anything specific? Or do you have an entire drawer full of random stuff (including dozens of samples from the "What a Woman Wants" fair) that you randomly pull stuff out of and slather on your face, hoping it isn't expired or doesn't cause adverse skin reactions? Or is that just me?
Edited to add: Greg was watching me upload the pictures, when he commented, "You really should grow your hair long like that." Yeah, thanks dude. You know, for reminding me how much you prefer long hair to short when we've discussed at length (so to speak) that my hair won't grow out. Wanna tell me how much more attractive blue eyes are then brown?
Just giving you a hard time, hon. You know I love you and totally forgive any dumb thing you say that you immediately wish you could take back. (After I've mentioned it a few times, used it against you and pouted for a awhile.) ;-)
Time for a Date Night . . .
Greg and I have a $25 gift card to Chili's (most of our dates are paid for by gift cards we get as either gifts, reward programs on our Visa, or from his work), and Greg really wanted the family to go out to dinner last night. I was less than enthusiastic. The last two times we've taken the girls out to dinner, I've come home a complete bundle of nerves. They're both really pretty good kids, not yelling or throwing breadsticks at people in restaurants or anything. But when we're there it feels like I'm on high alert. There's trying to keep Ellie from getting fussy (she's awfully impatient). Then just keeping Ellie fed, while keeping the sizzling fajita platter out of reach, the water where it can't be pulled off the table, the black beans where she can't stick her little fist in them . . . it's a full time job. I barely have time to feed myself. I'm also trying to make sure Annie's eating more than tortilla chips.
Greg, on the otherhand, seems to enjoy eating out so much and all I can figure is we're experiencing the event much, much differently. I'm experiencing it as the Mom. Last time we went, right as we were getting ready to leave (in the snow), Annie accidently knocked an entire glass of water on the two of us. Ice water. In my lap. I had to walk out of Chili's looking like I'd peed my pants.
So when Greg asked last night if I thought we should go to Chili's for dinner, my response was along the lines of, "Well, we could do that . . . or we could just stay home and stick red hot pokers in our eyes and save on gas." My suggestion was we leave the kids with a sitter today and go without them. I for one, will probably enjoy my food a lot more that way!
Ellie's given up on babbling or vocalizing in cute baby tones . . . she now just grunts and growls at us. And she finds it hilarious. It's this really deep growl, and you'd never believe it's coming from such a cute, delicate little girl. I was on the phone with my Mom the other day when Ellie was doing it, and she asked, "What is that?!" She was pretty shocked when it turned out to be Ellie . . . I think she thought our disposal was having problems or something. The main exception to this is when she calls out, "Mommommom!" while crying, just to make me feel bad. It's kinda mind blowing we're getting so close to this kid actually being able to communicate (and walk, and do all those other things my baby should be too little to do!)
Greg, on the otherhand, seems to enjoy eating out so much and all I can figure is we're experiencing the event much, much differently. I'm experiencing it as the Mom. Last time we went, right as we were getting ready to leave (in the snow), Annie accidently knocked an entire glass of water on the two of us. Ice water. In my lap. I had to walk out of Chili's looking like I'd peed my pants.
So when Greg asked last night if I thought we should go to Chili's for dinner, my response was along the lines of, "Well, we could do that . . . or we could just stay home and stick red hot pokers in our eyes and save on gas." My suggestion was we leave the kids with a sitter today and go without them. I for one, will probably enjoy my food a lot more that way!
Ellie's given up on babbling or vocalizing in cute baby tones . . . she now just grunts and growls at us. And she finds it hilarious. It's this really deep growl, and you'd never believe it's coming from such a cute, delicate little girl. I was on the phone with my Mom the other day when Ellie was doing it, and she asked, "What is that?!" She was pretty shocked when it turned out to be Ellie . . . I think she thought our disposal was having problems or something. The main exception to this is when she calls out, "Mommommom!" while crying, just to make me feel bad. It's kinda mind blowing we're getting so close to this kid actually being able to communicate (and walk, and do all those other things my baby should be too little to do!)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Classic Pictures
To go along with my last post talking about Classic Skating . . . here's the pictures I just downloaded from my camera of our outing there yesterday . . .
We hit the arcade first, and Annie LOVED riding in this jeep, and in the "Roller Coaster Simulator" . . . I think this is a good sign for Disneyland!
Annie LOVED roller skating (the strap-on-over-your-shoes kinda skates, that you basically walk in, not skate . . . either way, she loved it!) When she saw the rink, with the lights and disco ball going, she went over and sat on the bench. I asked, "Annie, what are you doing sitting there?" "I'm waiting for the show to start!" she exclaimed. So imagine how excited she was when she found out she actually got to go play on the rink!
Here's Ellie . . . super happy 'cause I'd just let her basically eat her own body weight in pizza.
That's Annie, up top in the black shirt . . . she was like a inflatable-scaling-monkey! It was amazing for a kid who just mastered stairs and ladders like a year ago! It was slightly nerve wracking for me to watch her scale some of the near vertical surfaces, but she loved it.
Annie and I running down our 'lane' . . . I was snapped back a split second later!
You can only play that hard for so long before the toddler ends up in timeout or in tears. Or in our case, both. We left right after this.
We hit the arcade first, and Annie LOVED riding in this jeep, and in the "Roller Coaster Simulator" . . . I think this is a good sign for Disneyland!
Annie LOVED roller skating (the strap-on-over-your-shoes kinda skates, that you basically walk in, not skate . . . either way, she loved it!) When she saw the rink, with the lights and disco ball going, she went over and sat on the bench. I asked, "Annie, what are you doing sitting there?" "I'm waiting for the show to start!" she exclaimed. So imagine how excited she was when she found out she actually got to go play on the rink!
Here's Ellie . . . super happy 'cause I'd just let her basically eat her own body weight in pizza.
That's Annie, up top in the black shirt . . . she was like a inflatable-scaling-monkey! It was amazing for a kid who just mastered stairs and ladders like a year ago! It was slightly nerve wracking for me to watch her scale some of the near vertical surfaces, but she loved it.
Annie and I running down our 'lane' . . . I was snapped back a split second later!
You can only play that hard for so long before the toddler ends up in timeout or in tears. Or in our case, both. We left right after this.
Completely Random Thoughts & Classic Skating
I'm having a very productive morning. Both girls ate breakfast, we got that cleaned up, dishes done, frontroom cleaned, bedrooms vacuumed, we're all dressed, a new load of laundry's started, my hair and make up are done, and we're totally ready for our "Mom & Me" group that starts in 45 minutes. Boo yah.
Just one of the many, many things that amaze me about my husband: each and every time Greg changes the laundry, he remembers to clean out the lint trap. He's amazing.
Ellie's found my weak spot (one of many): she now cries out "Mommommommom!" from her crib when I put her down for a nap. I'm a sucker for this and fall for it about half the time and go and pick her up and cuddle her.
Classic Skating is every bit as cool now as it was when I was 12 (arguably more so, since it has huge bouncy houses, inflatable slides and obstacle courses and a jungle with vine swings.) Still has the same awesome neon swirl carpet though. I'm realizing now I have many memories that go back to this place. It was where I first saw the "I'm Fat" music video by Weird Al. (I have no idea why that's such a vivid memory.) We went there a lot, and it was one of the few places I ever saw music videos, as we never had MTV growing up. We also saw a concert there , I think the girl's name was Lisa something, where we got super cool plastic charms . . . I think my sister was rockin' a side ponytail, and we both were wearing two pair of socks (alternating colors), and neon clothing (possibly even the long knit shirts, a pair of leggings, and multiple knit belts.) Ah, good times. Horribly ugly, fashion-victimizing times. Did I ever tell you my sister and I took skating lessons for more than one summer? I rocked. I could do that thing where you crouched down and skated with one foot sticking straight out in front of you while squatting. Why that is cool, I don't know, I was just that good. I think I would promptly fall over if put me in skates now.
Fast forward a dozen years or so, and Classic Skating was the first place I ever held Greg's hand. While skating to a slow song during the 'couples-only skate.' With the lights dimmed.
At a singles ward activity.
I was bitter. :-)
It felt forced, and a bunch of people were watching and suddenly very aware that we were a verging couple, and I had to answer approximately 350 questions about it the next day, and we'd never even been on a date yet. Greg and I had just played cards the night before at my house, and for the first time, really got our flirt on. When he left, all of my friends were saying all kinds of dumb, cheesy things about chemistry, sparks and the like. It was pretty clear right then that something was happening between the two of us. And the next night our ward's Family Home Evening activity was going skating. So, I called Jessi, begging her to come with us so I could get a not-in-the-singles-ward point of view. Upon meeting him, and seeing his obvious infactuation with yours truly, Jessi highly approved . . . and mildly chewed me out for my cluelessness, when I responded to him asking me to attend a fraternity thing with him by saying, "Oh, that would be cool, but I'm going to California with Nate and Rob." I was instructed not to mention vacationing with other boys when the boy who currently liked me was asking me to hang out. Check. Anyway, we were skating and the lights dimmed and they did the whole, "Grab your partner or clear the floor," thing they do at cheesy skating rinks, and Greg grabbed my hand before I could skate off quick enough. :-) The whole time I was thinking, "This isn't how we're supposed to hold hands for the first time . . . now I'll never know when it would've happened in our relationship if left up to its own devices." Dude, I stressed about stupid stuff. I was married to him like 9 months later anyway, so it seems really dumb in hindsight.
Fast forward another 5 years, and I'm running around like a crazy person on inflatable toys after a two year old, with a 10 month old in hand. I marveled at how fearless Annie was, climbing up nearly vertical walls to get to steep, tall slides that she'd just come flying down. I learned an important lesson though. Do not, under any circumstances, use your elbows to try and slow yourself down while going down the slide with the baby . . . you will have no skin left on said elbows, and it burns like no other.
Ellie's found my weak spot (one of many): she now cries out "Mommommommom!" from her crib when I put her down for a nap. I'm a sucker for this and fall for it about half the time and go and pick her up and cuddle her.
Classic Skating is every bit as cool now as it was when I was 12 (arguably more so, since it has huge bouncy houses, inflatable slides and obstacle courses and a jungle with vine swings.) Still has the same awesome neon swirl carpet though. I'm realizing now I have many memories that go back to this place. It was where I first saw the "I'm Fat" music video by Weird Al. (I have no idea why that's such a vivid memory.) We went there a lot, and it was one of the few places I ever saw music videos, as we never had MTV growing up. We also saw a concert there , I think the girl's name was Lisa something, where we got super cool plastic charms . . . I think my sister was rockin' a side ponytail, and we both were wearing two pair of socks (alternating colors), and neon clothing (possibly even the long knit shirts, a pair of leggings, and multiple knit belts.) Ah, good times. Horribly ugly, fashion-victimizing times. Did I ever tell you my sister and I took skating lessons for more than one summer? I rocked. I could do that thing where you crouched down and skated with one foot sticking straight out in front of you while squatting. Why that is cool, I don't know, I was just that good. I think I would promptly fall over if put me in skates now.
Fast forward a dozen years or so, and Classic Skating was the first place I ever held Greg's hand. While skating to a slow song during the 'couples-only skate.' With the lights dimmed.
At a singles ward activity.
I was bitter. :-)
It felt forced, and a bunch of people were watching and suddenly very aware that we were a verging couple, and I had to answer approximately 350 questions about it the next day, and we'd never even been on a date yet. Greg and I had just played cards the night before at my house, and for the first time, really got our flirt on. When he left, all of my friends were saying all kinds of dumb, cheesy things about chemistry, sparks and the like. It was pretty clear right then that something was happening between the two of us. And the next night our ward's Family Home Evening activity was going skating. So, I called Jessi, begging her to come with us so I could get a not-in-the-singles-ward point of view. Upon meeting him, and seeing his obvious infactuation with yours truly, Jessi highly approved . . . and mildly chewed me out for my cluelessness, when I responded to him asking me to attend a fraternity thing with him by saying, "Oh, that would be cool, but I'm going to California with Nate and Rob." I was instructed not to mention vacationing with other boys when the boy who currently liked me was asking me to hang out. Check. Anyway, we were skating and the lights dimmed and they did the whole, "Grab your partner or clear the floor," thing they do at cheesy skating rinks, and Greg grabbed my hand before I could skate off quick enough. :-) The whole time I was thinking, "This isn't how we're supposed to hold hands for the first time . . . now I'll never know when it would've happened in our relationship if left up to its own devices." Dude, I stressed about stupid stuff. I was married to him like 9 months later anyway, so it seems really dumb in hindsight.
Fast forward another 5 years, and I'm running around like a crazy person on inflatable toys after a two year old, with a 10 month old in hand. I marveled at how fearless Annie was, climbing up nearly vertical walls to get to steep, tall slides that she'd just come flying down. I learned an important lesson though. Do not, under any circumstances, use your elbows to try and slow yourself down while going down the slide with the baby . . . you will have no skin left on said elbows, and it burns like no other.
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