Righters' Writings

So here I am at Myrtle Beach with my little family and some in-laws, reading over AJ's research paper so he can turn it in. We start discussing some of the analysis methods, as we are wont to do, and he asks how one would . . .blah, blah, I just realized most of you don't care at all . . . then I said, "Well, as we used to say at the ol' BYU, 'There's only one parametrist, the rest of us are statisticians.'" AJ was holding little baby E and started saying variations of the word parametrist, including pajama-trist, and E's favorite, patramitrist. Every time AJ said it, he got this big fat baby grin on his face, so AJ kept saying it. Our baby definitely wants to be a patramitrist when he grows up.
And that's how nerdy we get on vacation.

By age two, say the experts, your child should be putting together two words in a meaningful sentence. The example given is usually "Mommy go." My boy H is not quite 20 months and he formed his first sentence this morning. Before I tell you what it is, you should know he didn't walk until 17 months. So I'm not just bragging about his advancements. We all got stuff we're working on.
"I poopy!"

Today I was at the doctors and of course they weighed me. We don't have a scale at home, so I'm always curious. Of course in the last few years, my curiousity extends to my boys, too. So I asked if I could weigh myself holding E and then not. He is 12 1/2 pounds! At only 7.5 weeks!


Here's my trick: everytime E screams and I can't figure it out, I feed him. This baby screams a lot. Therefore, I get to eat all the Thanksgiving leftovers I can cram in my piehole. Bless his little heart.

There is only one thing from AJ's childhood he absolutely insists on carrying with him through life: his mother's cranberry relish. I said okay, and then I tried it. Friends, he is not amiss. It's good. Put it on your turkey. Put it on your turkey sandwiches. Get a spoon and eat it out of the bowl - AJ does. It's easy to make and oh, so good. Make it tonight so you can have it for your feast tomorrow. Or, if you're a Stewart, make it tomorrow for your feast on Thanksgiving Day, Observed.

1 bag of fresh cranberries (1 lb). Rinse and chuck any mushy ones.
Blend with one apple (cored) and one orange (peel optional).
Add sugar to taste, about 1/4 - 1/2 cup.

Best if fridged overnight.

Bonus: If you have this on your table, you won't struggle for something to be thankful for when everyone is going around the table. (You know, when family and friends and all the easy blessings are taken.)

I like these things. I like talking about myself. And I like posting frequently, and this is an easy way to do it.


TAG #1

Favorite Person (outside family): Hm. Natalie, I guess
Favorite Food: Goodberry's Frozen Custard. Can't get enough of it.
Quirks about you: Sincere over-enthusiasm
Any regrets in this life: I made fun of AJ's dancing once and now he won't dance.
Favorite Charity/Cause: church
Favorite Blog: my own. I like to look back.
Something You Can't Get Enough of: Being around family. And did I mention Goodberry's?
Worst Job You've Ever Had: Telemarketing for less than a month and I hated every minute of it.
What Job Would You Pay NOT to Have: sewage pipe cleaner
Guilty Pleasure: spider solitaire. I am ashamed. But I'm also really good at it,
Got Any Confessions: no
If you had $1000 to spend on yourself, how would you spend it?: fly my family home for the holidays, or whenever
Favorite Thing About Your House: that it's mine
One Thing You are Bad at: answering my phone/checking voicemails
If You Could Change One Thing About Your Circumstances, what would it be?: AJ would have a career and I'd be retired
Who would you like to meet someday: all sorts of people! I mean, who knew how much conversation I would get out of one little meeting with Malcolm Jamaal Warner 15 years ago?
Who is Your Real Life Hero?: my mom
What is the hardest part of your job?: feeling guilty when I want to do things for myself
When are you most relaxed?: in the shower when AJ is home to watch the kids
What can you not live without?: my family
Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? Haven't read it, but it's true for me. Some bloggers blog with purpose
Why do you blog? keep in touch with family & friends
Who are you tagging? anyone who wants to do it


TAG #2

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. not sleeping enough (ooh, will I never change??)
2. lamenting the loss of my bff Matt to marriage
3. switching majors from math to the one true major: statistics
4. living at the Glenwood with Nats and Amy and Nats and Amy
5. working at Goodies Galore, probably my most satisfying job to date

5 things on my "to-do" list today:
1. laundry (check)
2. vacuum (check)
3. nap (check!)
4. make dinner
5. go to bed at a decent hour

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. ice cream
2. cheese & crackers
3. popcorn
4. brownies/cookies
5. chocolate

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. visit family and friends
2. pay off mortgage and the little bills
3. retire (this one should have been 1st)
4. invest in microeconomic endeavors
5. buy bedroom furniture
wait - only 5!? I got tons more!

5 places I've lived:
1. Cleveland Heights, OH
2. Raleigh, NC
3. Provo, Utah
4. San Bernardino, CA
5. Kennewick, WA

5 jobs I've had:
1. mother
2. biostatistician
3. TA, CA, & intern
4. deli girl
5. cigarette buyer

5 people I tag:
no can do. Clearly I'm a rule violator.


Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog.

Lately H seems to be loving his little brother more and more. He's soft with him and giggles at him and puts his plug in over and over again. It's a big relief to me.

It's a little long, but don't worry, H got bored of it before I did.

Yes, you read that right. I was out with my boys the other day, and we were doing great. We went to Mama's Didneyland: Target. H got popcorn, I got a Dr. Pepper, E was in the sling. We wandered and enjoyed ourselves for the better part of an hour. I was on top of the world.

Then we needed to stop by a nearby shoe store to make the quickest of all quick returns. I got the closest parking place to the door. I was confident, even cocky at this point. Hubris. Always the hero's downfall. I decided we could make do without the sling. I first got H out, then went around to get E out, instructing my little toddler to hold onto my leg. He didn't want to. Huh.

So I'm juggling a baby, a box of shoes, and my purse with a toddler swinging from it when the sweet old lady offers her assistance. Oh, that that were the worst of it.

Once in the store I'm back on my own. Did I mention that E was screaming his fool head off? H starts pulling down display shoes. Anyway, since I have to type this one-handed, I'll end with the positive note of: I was able to keep my son from shoplifting a lone pink slipper. We made it back to the car safely somehow and I will never be so cocky again.
The End.My friend took this. I know, awww, right?

The E was born 10-10-08 at 10:29am EST. He was 8 lbs 10 oz and 21.5 inches. The H went to see him today and really couldn't care less, especially with all the fancy hospital equipment around... Emily is doing great!

Tomorrow is Baby Brother's birthday. We waited, but I'm just not progressing, and it looks like he will be sunny-side up like H was, probably due to my pelvis shape or something, so I'm having a c-section tomorrow. Don't make me feel like crap for not being able to have a baby. I wish it could be otherwise, too, but this is how things are.
Here's a photo of H at Karen's slumber party themed 30th birthday celebration.

Here are H and Baby Leah looking pretty forlorn behind the baby gate. Ha ha, suckers.

About a month ago I had put on this fabulous dress and I said "Hey, AJ! From the front in this dress you can hardly tell I'm pregnant! It's just when I turn to the side . . ." and as I turned to the side, H said "Ball! Ball!" Thanks, Son.




Here's my boy last Halloween. Cute lil stinker, isn't he? This year, I already have the stuff for pirate, but he's got that cute new toddler swagger, so maybe cowboy. I think I'll let my mom or Ann & Dean help with that, though, since I'm due in 2 freaking days and I ought to just sit down for a minute.

200 Haves and Have Nots: A way to journal some things you have done or not done in your life. All you have to do is copy the list and bold what you have done.

1. Touched an iceberg

2. Slept under the stars

3. Been a part of a hockey fight

4. Changed a baby's diaper

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Swam with wild dolphins

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a tarantula

10. Said "I love you" and meant it

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise

15. Seen the Northern Lights

16. Gone to a huge sports game

17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables

19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Bet on a winning horse

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Taken an ice cold bath

28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Ridden a roller coaster

31. Hit a home run

32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking

33. Adopted an accent for fun

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment

36. Loved your job 90% of the time

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Watched wild whales

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach

41. Gone sky diving

42. Visited Ireland

43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited India

45. Bench-pressed your own weight

46. Milked a cow

47. Alphabetized your personal files

48. Ever worn a superhero costume

49. Sung karaoke

50. Lounged around in bed all day

51. Gone scuba diving

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Done something you should regret, but don't

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Been in a movie

60. Gone without food for 3 days

61. Made cookies from scratch

62. Won first prize in a costume contest

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Been in a combat zone

65. Spoken more than one language fluently

66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone

67. Bounced a check

68. Read - and understood - your credit report

69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy

70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did

71. Called or written your Congress person

72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over

73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

74. Helped (watched) an animal give birth

75. Been fired or laid off from a job

76. Won money

77. Broken a bone

78. Ridden a motorcycle

79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph

80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing

82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days

83. Eaten sushi

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read The Bible cover to cover

86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about

87. Gotten someone fired for their actions

88. Gone back to school

89. Changed your name

90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands

91. Eaten fried green tomatoes

92. Read The Iliad

93. Taught yourself an art from scratch

94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt

96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language

97. Been elected to public office

98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream

99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you

101. Had a booth at a street fair

102. Dyed your hair

103. Been a DJ

104. Rocked a baby to sleep

105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours

106. Raked your carpet

107. Brought out the best in people

108. Brought out the worst in people

109. Worn a mood ring

110. Ridden a horse

111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap

112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe

113. Buried a child

114. Gone to a Broadway play

115. Been inside the pyramids

116. Shot a basketball into a basket

117. Danced at a disco

118. Played in a band(orchestra)

119. Shot a bird

120. Gone to an arboretum

121. Tutored someone

122. Ridden a train

123. Brought an old fad back into style

124. Eaten caviar

125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need

126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant

127. Published a book

128. Pieced a quilt

129. Lived in an historic place

130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage

131. Asked for a raise

132. Made a hole-in-one

133. Gone kayaking in the ocean

134. Gone roller skating

135. Run a marathon

136. Learned to surf

137. Invented something

138. Flown first class

139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite

140. Flown in a helicopter

141. Visited Africa

142. Sang a solo

143. Gone spelunking

144. Learned how to take a compliment

145. Written a love-story

146. Seen Michelangelo’s David

147. Had your portrait painted

148. Written a fan letter

149. Spent the night in something haunted

150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane

151. Ran away

152. Learned to juggle

153. Been a boss

154. Sat on a jury

155. Lied about your weight

156. Gone on a diet

157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget

158. Written a poem not for school

159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box

160. Gotten food poisoning

161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission

162. Gone deep-sea fishing

163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks

164. Gone to the opera

165. Gotten a letter from someone famous

166. Worn knickers

167. Ridden in a limousine

168. Attended the Olympics

169. Can hula or waltz

170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books

171. Been stuck in an elevator

172. Had a revelatory dream

173. Thought you might crash in an airplane

174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert

175. Saved someone’s life

176. Eaten raw whale

177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint

178. Laughed till your side hurt

179. Straddled the equator

180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing

181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival

182. Sent a message in a bottle

183. Spent the night in a hostel

184. Been a cashier

185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

186. Joined a union

187. Donated blood or plasma

188. Built a campfire

189. Kept a blog

190. Had hives

191. Worn custom made shoes or boots

192. Made a PowerPoint presentation

193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course

194. Served at a soup kitchen

195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube

196. Know CPR

197. Ridden in or owned a convertible

198. Found a long lost friend

199. Helped solve a crime

200. Commented on a stranger's blog

First, I'd like to thank Emily for 300 wonderful posts. The 300th came with the last post, dated Sept 15th. Feel free to send gifts.

Second, I was sitting in the dining room preparing my lecture for the Public Speaking course that I teach today and I could hear that the H was upstairs fussing and doing his best not to nap. It turns out the reason that he didn't want to nap was that he was poopy. So being the very responsible mother that she is, she took him into our office area where we currently have the changing table to change him. From where I was, this is what I heard - Emily: "H you're little butt crack is red." I guess we left him up there a little too long. The H then said, "CRACK!" For little guy that only knows about 10 words, I guess I'm a bit concerned that is one of them. Just think, 10% of the English words he knows describe his butt. I wonder if that number will change as he gets older.

PS - to all you picture lovers out there - we just got a new video camera yesterday and it's pretty sweet. So you'll see some good shots in the future. I'm sure you understand why I didn't add one for today's post...

Here's the deal: I'm full term. In theory, this baby could show up any day. (Realistically, H was late enough for an induction, so I'm not holding my breath right now.) We have been informed by the nice doctor and tech that we will be having a boy. We have a short list for names, but I'm still open to suggestions and now here's the opportunity that I wish everyone would ask of me. I love naming people and pets and things and personalizing it to that family, and I don't know why it is so much harder for me.

Since H's name is old-fashioned, unusual, and personally meaningful to us, I sure would like those qualities in his little brother's name. I don't know if I want to share the short list with you, because I don't want to stamp down any ideas before they form. On the other hand, it's easier to get a feel for how people name if you know some they already like. Okay, here are some names both AJ and I like. Gosh. Twist my arm, why don'tcha? Jonas, Gideon, and Sebastian.

What else you got?

H loves wearing shoes, I think mostly because it means we're going out. But he also just loves shoes. One of his favorite activities is to take all the shoes out of the shoe bucket and line them up. We couldn't be prouder.

Please ignore the ground-in goldfish crackers. I swear I vacuum about every day, but I can't make every photo look like we don't love in filth. Truth tends to rear its ugly head when I'm behind the camera.

Last week we dressed up H in some of his dad's old duds. This adorable denim suit is fresh from the late 70s. He got so many compliments at church. Here he is letting us know that it's time for family prayer. That kid seriously loves to pray. As long as it doesn't go over about a minute.
Here he is asleep with puppy on his head. Looking at it reminds me how much he loves his belly and my belly. I think AJ's belly weirds him out though because it isn't big and round and hairless like ours. But belly definitely wins for favorite body part.

H's vocabulary is growing like crazy, too. The other day I was feeding Baby Leah a bottle and as I tipped her back her feet went up in the air. I said "H, isn't this funny? Baby Leah's feet are in the air!" and he responded by reaching over to her foot and saying "Tickle, tickle!" Still can't say "Thank you," or "Mother, I'd appreciate a diaper change right now and I'm in the mood to eat spaghetti for lunch," but I"m confident we'll get there. Tomorrow. j/k.

I know I have a cushy life. Sure, I got problems. We all do. But this post is more of a count your material blessings deal. There are 2 main reasons this week I consider my life luxurious.

Is it the solid gold minivan, you wonder? The huge garden tub in the master bathroom? The fresh vegetables from the garden for which AJ does all the weeding & maintenance? The ceiling fans in nearly every room? These are all excellent guesses, but you're wrong. Dead wrong.

A while back I was getting H ready for the tub I think, and I tried to use the toilet to hoist my big pregnant self off the bathroom floor. I broke it. The toilet seat. For the next few weeks I dealt with a shamefully broken toilet seat. Number one reason I feel like my life is fancy-pants fabulous is that AJ installed a brand new $12 toilet seat. It's a dream come true.

As you may know, I'm ridiculously pregnant these days. I have a minor history of insomnia, and this giant active fetus isn't really doing his part to lull me to sleep each night. I've been taking 50mg of benadryl at night for ages now, but lately it just isn't cutting it at all. I mentioned this to my OB/GYN, and she prescribed me a little something that starts with an Am and ends in a Bien. That there is reason number two that my life rules. Half of a teeny tablet knocks me out for the night. Okay, and makes me a smidgen groggy through the morning, but I'm cutting down to 1/3 a pill.

What brings the luxury to your life?

I adore my son. He is the joy of my life.

On non-T-days (MWF) our little friend Baby Leah comes and plays with us. Since she was born last Christmas she and H have been hanging out like siblings. They spend a LOT of time together, they share clothes sometimes (in emergencies or for humor), they play with each other's toys, and sleep at each other's houses.

Recently, however, H has developed a new attitude. A hateful, jealous attitude. Baby Leah may not touch his toys. Baby Leah may not touch her toys. If Baby Leah is on Mama's lap, so must he be. Folks, my lap is shrinking by the day! He's crabby and mean and snatchy and screamy. I mean, he's still fun and sweet and cute and gleeful, but this jealousy kind of freaks me out. I know it's a stage. It's always a stage, good or bad. My fear is that Baby Brover is coming along soon, and he'll be able to defend himself less than Baby Leah can. AND he'll need a lot more of my attention than Baby Leah does. This could get ugly.

On the other hand, H now quacks when he sees a picture of a duck. It's the funniest thing ever. We tried to capture it on video this morning unsuccessfully. It's not your typical Quack, Quack.

In other news
I really dig our farmer's market. I love that my boy and I can get all sorts of free samples of fruit to stuff in our faces, and that the prices and freshness are so insanely superior to the grocery store.

Also, I really have a teeny crush on Obama, and McCain scares me. That being said, I want you to read Meesh's husband's summary of Obama's acceptance speech at the DNC last week. It's a treasure.

17

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating

Things are getting better with the sleeping. I incorporated a lot of y'all's suggestions. We cut out the afternoon nap and he's catching on and taking good morning naps. We stuff him to the gills (as much as he'll let us) within an hour of bedtime. We started a little later and are easing back into our wonderful 7:30. I picked Twinkle, Twinkle to be our sleepy song. I miss the variety I used to sing, but I can sing those other songs any old time to him.

For Karin's sanity, I'm including another walking video for her boys. If you've had enough of a toddler walking, you can skip it. Sorry about the angle.

Usually H won't play the body part identification game unless he's really in the mood, but since he was contained and the camera was on, I think we got lucky.

Remember how I've mentioned briefly about H going on a sleep strike? I need solutions. Fast. Here's what he did last night:

• Put him to bed at 7:30 as usual. Cried and screamed and carried on until about 9:45. Fell asleep.
• He awoke at 4am. After continuous hollering and crying, AJ went in to him at 5am. At 6am he went back to sleep. At that point I couldn't sleep so I got up and got ready and I went back to bed at 7:30 hoping he had a few more hours in him.
• He got up for permanents at 8am.

Remember how this pregnancy has made me all forgetful and stuff? This whole no sleep thing isn't helping. I don't want to rely on benadryl. His runny nose is all but dried up today anyway.

We went with the cry it out method at 11 months. I finally gave in when the first trimester was kicking my pants. It only took a few days and he slept like a pro until recently. But this is not nearly so smooth. I'm wondering if he's too old for it now.

I love H with all my heart. He is the cutest and sweetest boy ever. I have to remind myself of that today though. As far as truly important things in this life go, I subscribe to all the classics, but Sleep is definitely on the list. I want to be a nice girl and a good mom and I can't do it without sleep. Please help.

There was a Righter Family Reunion last weekend in central Pennsylvania. For AJ's grandpa and siblings, and their descendants. One might think that having a 16 month-old and a 7 month pregnant cranky wife AJ would say, gosh, let's go next year. No Way!! He had his heart set, and I could've begged off, what with the giant fetus and all, but I could just see AJ driving down the road, desperately throwing crackers at a very fussy H in the back, plus, the thought of my boys taking off without me didn't sit right. So we loaded up and went.

There was one little point where I believe our marriage was threatened by the lack of suitable motels at a very ungodly hour, but we pulled through. Also, that 16 month-old of ours decided to go back on his sleep strike (wish he could tell us what he was protesting and we would make public policy or send money to Darfur or whatever it would take). On to the fun:

We had an extra day, so we went to Hershey, PA. We toured the factory, had an amazing ice cream sundae, and skipped the amusement park because AJ thought it would be really lame for H and me to watch him go on every ride. Probably a good decision. Although I'm sure that H and I would have enjoyed another sundae and been fine. We also went to a really fun 3D show (H's first) and here's a phone shot of my boys just before we went in. Sadly it's the only pic we have, since we forgot our camera at home. Whoops.

We went to dinner that night with our favorite Righter cousin, Janyth, and her 2 year old, since she couldn't make it to the reunion the next day.

The reunion itself was a lot more pleasant than I would've imagined. We didn't have any interactions with anyone unpleasant, and I"m afraid you'd have to call for me to go into any more detail on that. This is the world wide web, after all. I met AJ's grandpa for the first time, and H really seemed to take a shining to him. H did have a bit of difficulty with Uncle Bruce (my fave), I think because it was his first mustache experience. I met AJ's cousin Little David and family, and a whole lot of family that AJ had never met or didn't remember meeting since he was so little. I figured out most people's names and connection to us. Totally impressed my husband with that. Ye-ah.

On the way back we stopped in Virginia to hang out with our dear friend Rachel. She is a gem. Meet Rachel if you get the chance.

I was able to capture this footage today. Enjoy!

Yesterday H and I got home from the doctors and had celebratory brownies with chopped up rolos inside. Why? Because I'm on disability for the rest of my pregnancy! Don't worry, the fetus is fine, and I'm about as fine as you can be when you're disabled. But now I finally get to be a mom for a few months! Yay!

And to answer your questions - it is the Dukes of Hazzard lunchbox I've had for years and years.

This is the look I got for not giving him the camera after he walked all the way over to get it. Of course, he wouldn't walk again until I put the camera away.

It was a little too tricky for me to get a good shot of the love he has for Puppy.

His least favorite house rule (at least today) is plugs only in bed and at church. It's like pulling teeth to convince him to leave his plug in the crib, but when he does, he always tosses it in with great gusto, so I always cheer him on.

Favorite hygiene activities include brushing his hair, brushing his teeth, and taking a bath or shower. Least favorite: diaper changes. By a landslide.


H's favorite noise to make is a high pitched squeal. Mama's least favorite noise he makes is a high pitched squeal. Mama's favorite noises H makes include all identifiable words (especially 'Mama') and when he is babbling to his toys or books or himself, and that pleasantly surprised "mmMM!" whenever you give him something, well, pleasantly surprising.


H's favorite word and snack is "cracker," particularly of the goldfish variety.


I'm trying hard to think of his funny habits. But really, he does change every day. For the last little while he likes it when I put a little lotion on my hands and then rub it into his hands or face or whatever. Today I put lotion on my ever-expanding belly, and he decided that was The Thing To Do. He kept handing me the little lotion bottle and pulling my clothes away from my belly. For 20 minutes. Folks, I was surprised at how many times a person can put lotion on in 20 minutes. It turns out 20 minutes can be an eternity.

Other things H loves include bouncing, going outside, shoes for me and shoes for you (I'm not kidding, he LOVES wearing shoes, and if I'm on the couch in socks he will bring my garden flip-flops to me and put them on me.), cherry tomatoes - especially if he gets to pick them himself, both repetition and variety in story hour(s) (And I have told him I can only read one at a time, so he just keeps switching it up), oh, and his favorite page of the ABC book is H. Not kidding.

Anyway, I'd love it if we could have a summary of your kids at their current age. You know, in case you can't come up with anything you'd rather blog about.

Some of you may recall my last post about customer service - it wasn't very positive. In the interest of fairness, let me tell you about an uber-positive experience I had yesterday...

You guys, Vicky won! She's the winner. And she has pretty pictures & funny stuff on her blog. You should go look. Don't get all bitter because you lost, because all of you are now getting a runners-up prize. It's this link. Pretty great, huh?

And if you're wondering how I selected a winner, I'll tell you. I didn't go through and look for the most clever or useful comment. I didn't pick someone that would be really easy to buy for. I didn't choose someone local so I could hand-deliver it. I used a random number generator! What else did you expect from me?

I'm a winner. No, really, that's not just positive affirmation that my shrink has me tell myself. I actually WON. I participated in a Pay It Forward Contest hosted by Swistle. I won on Blondie's blog!This is what I got! A cute little jacket for H, a hat for me that looks good on me, and a reusable shopping bag that folds up little and zips around itself - it fits in my purse! We used it last night! Thanks, Blondie!

Now here comes the Pay it Forward Part. You leave a comment, and you get a chance to win a prize from me, with the caveat that you do the same thing on your blog. If you have no blog, you can just give a present to somebody in real life.

To qualify for the prize, you must answer this question in your comment:
What is/are your favorite thing(s) about the town/area you currently live in?

I don't know yet what the prize will be, I want to tailor it to your preferences. Good luck!

This morning AJ said, "It's quarter to 8," and I responded, "But I don't want to go to work today! Ugh, fine. Please remember the car seat."
So he switched the car seat over to our little car, I got up and got ready, and as soon as H got up, we hustled out the door. No, almost. what really happened is I told H "Drink your milk and I'll load up the car." I grabbed the diaper bag and looked for my purse on the hook I always hang it, but my purse wasn't there. So I thought. And thought.
Then I remembered that last night we ran some errands as a family in the minivan and one of the cool features of the minivan is the center console, which folds down. So I had placed my purse under the console, because then it couldn't be seen from outside and I didn't have to haul it around. And I left it there. And AJ had already left for work. In the minivan. So I had no phone, no keys, no driver license, no money. Staying and enjoying the day with my son crossed my mind, but so did the ensuing meeting with my manager if I failed to tell her I wasn't coming in.
Anyway, I was able to contact AJ, and he told me where the spare key to the car was. I was running late, obviously, by this point, and I was hungry. I ate 2 of H's animal crackers and grabbed the change jar on top of the fridge (per AJ's suggestion).
That's it. That's all I left home with: a spare key and a pickle jar of change. And the baby, of course, safely in his car seat.
I dropped off H and went to work. I had to go in the main entrance and be allowed in by security because of my lack of badge. I borrowed my work-husband's badge to go to the cafetorium for some breakfast. After I had ordered my omelet, I looked over and discovered there weren't any chocolate milks in the fridge. I do not eat eggs without chocolate milk. I went to the cashier with a desperately pregnant look on my face and asked "Is there any chocolate milk somewhere else?" Sure enough, there was. He went and got it and I was so grateful, even if the people trying to pay for their breakfasts weren't as grateful.
Then Shaun the Griller finished my delicious omelet, and I went to pay. With change from a pickle jar. Poor cashier. He's a sweet fella, I should have tipped him.
For lunch I met the Yeagleys and babies for sushi. It was great, and Karen covered me. We should never have taken those 22 years off. Coming back, I bypassed security and knocked on my work-husband's window cube so he would let me in. He told me to earlier, but I still felt pretty lame. I think next time I'll continue to go through security. Except that this will never happen again.
Lastly, I am nearly out of gas. Rather, my car is. I think I can make it to Karen's then home, but I do still have plenty in that pickle jar. And if they want to charge me over $4/gallon, then they can be ready to take pennies & nickles, because I'm saving the quarters for the cafetorium, vending machines, and AJ's gumball habit.
The End.

It's not the state motto. Yet.
As many of you know, we moved here with nothing but high hopes. We had no jobs, no place to live, all we had was some long lost friends that we hoped would still be friends a few decades later. (They are. They're the best.)
We left jobs and friends and family and insurance while I was 3 months pregnant (were we crazy??) because NC sounded like a nice place.
With my skillz & degreez, I had no trouble getting a job. A pretty great job. AJ was able to contribute monetarily as well, even though he wanted with all his big soft heart to get out of construction. Then he got into the graduate program of his choice. We had a FABULOUS baby. If you don't know our little H yet, you should. He is a delight to raise. We bought a house. Decided to have another baby. But this is all old news. What I'm about to tell you is also old news, but only to us, because we've been neglecting you a little, Internet.

AJ got his dream internship for the summer. A big, nationwide company with a successful local regional office has taken him on because the company would like some corporate restructuring. Not personnel changes, per se, but changes in corporate policy regarding . . .dum-da-da-DUM! customer service! Which we all know from AJ's earlier experiences is a very important issue to him! Better even is that this is the sort of thing he wants to do for a career. AND even after having done it for several weeks now, he STILL wants to have it as a career. He's working with executives and lower-downs assessing stuff and developing stuff, and hopefully someday implementing stuff. He is In His Element.

PLUS! - they may keep him on part time during the school year and then possibly hire him for that career deal after he graduates in May. Oh, be still my heart. It's our every dream come true. Okay, well, we still lack the whole family nearby issue, but what kind of a whiner would bring that up in a post this happy and hopeful and optimistic? (Maybe just a pregnant one who misses her mama. Quit hassling me about it.)

Please play with me!

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

(I got this from Lisa, who was my dear neighbor in early college.)

For example, flicking somebody, or throwing little things at them is not funny. It is obnoxious. Repeatedly making comments that some wonderfully patient person has explained is disrespectful is, well, disrespectful.
I hope this story is an exception.
Yesterday I saw Joe in the hall at work. Hey Joe. He's not in my department, he works somewhere down the hall, but we always say hey & chat for a bit when we see each other. So we're chatting, and he asked how much longer I have to go. I look at him, completely deadpan, and say, "I don't know what you're talking about." As his face falls, I giggle and say, "Just kidding! 3 more months!" And then Joe tells me a story about how he did that before only it didn't work out so well. He was shopping and was making conversation with the woman in line by him, he asked when she was due, and whoops. He ended up leaving the line, returning his item to the shelf, and getting out of there as fast as he could. Poor Joe.
But was I too jerky? Did I cross the line? I don't want to be the oblivious jerk. If I'm unkind, I want to know about it. Tell me, Internet, and be honest.

The other day I decided that H and I would work on his spoon skillz. I would help him get the chili on the spoon, and he did a really great job of getting it to his mouth. After a few bites I stopped paying close attention. Here is the cuteness that ensued:

Dinnertime was immediately followed by bath time that evening.

Okay, the day after we got home from Colorado, AJ and I were carpooling and he picked me up from work and the car was acting up. Then it just stopped. On the freeway. Conveniently by the airport, though. So we walked in the nasty heat to the car rental area. We asked around and called around and the cheapest we could get was $70/day. Are you kidding me?
So we called Karen, (who also had been watching H that day), and she picked us up and we went car shopping.
Next day, I get on priceline.com and got a rental car for $19/day. We car shop that evening as well.
And the next day.
Finally, on Friday, AJ and I found our dream car. Surprisingly, it's not a Delorian. It's a Honda Odyssey. Certified used, and solid gold.

I never saw myself as the minivan type. You know, with mompants and sippy cups everywhere. A little frumpy, maybe, wearing curlers to the grocery store at 2pm. (And I apologize to the minivan moms that I know - I really never thought of YOU in this way.)
AJ, on the other hand, has long considered minivans to be at the same cool-level as The Batmobile. No, seriously.
But I have come around. I love this new car of mine. You will, too, when I come to pick you up from the airport and all your luggage fits so easily and you have complete rear A/C control and plenty of cup holders and sliding doors that open on their own (on your command, of course).

I was floored to see how accurate this was.

Emily took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Desires a tranquil, peaceful state of harmony offe..." Click here to read the rest of the results.

We love to travel, but with costs going up as well as family size going up and sleep for (almost) toddlers going down, we may never leave home again. This may have been our last hurrah.

My work generally lets us have one professional conference a year. I decided to choose the one in Fort Collins, CO because the conference looked interesting, and because AJ's family is there.

The conference was very interesting, and H got in lots of grandma time, so the trip was a smashing success. My conference ended Friday, so Saturday we all spent together and we decided to go to the Denver Zoo. It was great. H liked animals that he recognized from his books (like Zaza the Zebra) and he loved animals that moved a lot that you can see up close, like fish and sea lions and gorillas and such. Fortunately for Karin, we got a few pictures before the battery died.

Just before we left on our trip (more to come on that soon), I was tossing a nasty diaper in the outside trash and I happened to look over into our large, fabulous, thriving garden.Yes, that's a bunny there amongst the carrots. I thought it was cute and I ran in to get a picture, then I told it to get out of my carrots, but to help him/herself to rosemary (we've got way more than even an Italian restaurant could use).

Point of the title? Ask my old roommate Meesh about how cute I used to think bunnies were. She had a pet rabbit for her classroom, and I couldn't even handle it being in the cage in the apartment when I was home. Extreme fear of wittow bunny wabbits. Seriously. Maybe it started with those Bunnicula books I used to read. But then why am I still scared of squirrels?

Ain't they gorgeous? Merlot on the top, toast on the bottom, with white trim.
We have since purchased some nice white curtains & rods, but have yet to put them up.

Also, our doors need painting before we rehang them. Whatever. After primer and 4, yes, FOUR coats of paint on top, AJ can take as much time as he needs to get those doors up.
Bonus shot: my pregnant belly. You're welcome.

And of course, extra thanks to Liz & Reed for their painting help and expertise.

Yesterday, I called a company who I'd rather not name specifically because up until now, they've actually been ok, since I've only dealt with a computer and fit into the mold of the customer they hope to have. I can't say the experience was pleasant. After that experience, I decided that the next time I reach a call center, the following disclaimer might be nice:


Hello and thanks for calling XYZ company. As you can tell, I am not from the United States and therefore not only will you experience the frustration of the initial problem you contacted us about, but you will have frustration from a language barrier as well as differences in perspective. Not only will you deal with these issues, but I am also mired in bureaucracy and can make no replies other than what the computer prompts me to say because I was not trained to properly listen to your request or to resolve it on the off chance that we actually transcend the cultural and language barriers between us. Oh yes, and thank you for holding for 25 minutes and selecting from the endless computer prompts while we told you your call is important to us, as considering everything I just mentioned any idiot can tell that your call is actually a nuisance we'd rather not deal with because it costs the company money and we have yet to realize that losing customers actually costs us more than good customer service. Now, how can I assist you, if you're still dense enough to believe that telling me what is going on will actually help you? Oh, one other thing, let me take a moment to access your account, may I please have every personal detail that you can think of so I can use this information for identity theft purposes? I know you've already entered your 16 digit account number, zip code and said your mother's maiden name 4 times since you reached our automated answering service, but I have no access whatsoever to the information you entered. By the way, if you don't like the level of service I am providing, please note that I will do everything in my power to avoid connecting you to someone who will help. Even if I do try, you will probably be cut off in the process because we hope that will be frustrating enough that you will not call back.

At this point, I probably would hang up and find another way to deal with it.

8 things I'm passionate about:
AJ
H
this week’s baby (Dabnis)
the gospel
personal responsibility
flossing
statistical integrity
food

8 books I have read recently:
The Baby Name Wizard
Go Dog, Go
Uglies
Pretties
Specials
Extras
How Green was my Valley
Eclipse

8 things I often say:
H! no, no!
cracker!
I love you
I’m starving
This one really is my favorite.
That's crazy-talk
Your mom!
Fabulous.

8 things I look for in a friend:
common ground
easy conversation
sense of humor
likes me
doesn't mind a little noise
empathy
balance
size 8 shoe (j/k!)

8 things I want to do before I die:
birth this baby already
retire
raise my childrens right
serve a mission with AJ
learn to sew
love the people I have a hard time loving
a pull-up
cut AJ's hair
(This list was a lot longer 10 years ago. Guess I already did that other stuff?)

8 things I have learned this past year:
If you cry in your manager's office enough, you may just score a new manager.
An effective way to show that you're done with a meal is throwing your food on the floor and/or smearing it in your hair.
I'm politically pliable.
Owning a vacuum doesn't make you an adult, choosing to listen to talk radio makes you an adult.
I have great soil. Really great.
Just because something worked for you before doesn't mean it will continue to work for you in all sorts of situations.
Just because something isn't working doesn't mean it will never work. Pick & choose what deserves persistence.
The ASL sign for "pasta" is wiggling your hands in the air about head height and having a really overjoyed look on your face.

I'm still catching up a bit. Last week, AJ (with some help) painted our bedroom. It's gorgeous. I'll put in pictures when I get the chance/remember. But during that time, our bed was up against a wall in another room. AJ slept on the couch downstairs and H and I shared a room, since we have a spare twin in there.