You gotta admit the teeth only add to his bald-headed, pointy-eared charm.


He's still not too fond of rolling over, but he loves to work on his abs with some mad crunches.
(Look at those scrumptious thighs!)



Chad and I have always loved babies in their exersaucers. They concentrate so hard on the grabbing and chewing and bouncing, rotating around and around to make sure every toy (and their onesie) is covered in drool. This is their work, and they work hard at it. Ollie has been taking his chores very seriously.


Well, you know how it goes - time flies by way too quickly with a baby. He is changing. He gave up his binkie a month ago. He learned to say "DAH!" last week and just yesterday he started making this brand new noise all the time - an extended grunt that seems to only serve to get everyone's attention. He is constantly craning his neck to look at something that has caught his attention. You notice all these little things as a mom and think you will always be able to recall them, but you never truly do. I just want to freeze him for awhile so I can memorize every precious dimple on him, remember the way he moves, and continue breathing in his delicious baby breath.

He had his first solids today - the sweet baby breath will soon be gone.

I'm not the only mom who swoops in for a sniff every time her baby yawns am I?

With some Christmas money from my parents, we decided to get a family membership to Riverbanks Zoo down in Columbia. We made a day of it of it last Saturday and had a great time. It was so nice to have a stress-free day out as a family.

Picture this:

It is the summer of 1999 and I am a freshman at BYU, sitting in the computer lab on the ground floor of the library. We are talking the old library, my friends. Remember it? A young man sits down next to me. I barely notice and am quite surprised when he starts up a conversation with me. We aren't talking one-word-answers-type-of-conversation. I realize that there is actually a hint of flirtation on his end of it. Hmmmm. I size him up. Cute in a 1990 Bayside High type of way. Floppy blond hair, blue eyes, definitely from Utah. Not my type, but I'm open-minded, right? He asks me what I am working on, which happens to be a paper for my dance class. Aren't I cute and feminine?

And then it happens - the event you envision happening the day you receive your acceptance letter from BYU.

The RM I met five minutes ago asks if I would like to go out sometime.

I say sure.....he gets my number......

And never calls.

WHAT-EVER!

Fast forward to fall semester. It is a misty early morning and I am walking to an 8 am Spanish class (8 AM?! Yes, I was young and stupid). I am headed towards Maiser Hill and right as I walk towards the doughy morning aroma of Brick Oven, I see Mr. Blondie, the very one who never called. He is across the street from me, and I have no fear of him recognizing me. I always remember people and they never remember me. Plus if he did recognize me, he wouldn't want to be seen, right?

The unthinkable happens and he calls my name and crosses the street to come chat me up.

At this point I become very aware of the fact that I have no make-up on, several blemishes, and my greasy hair pulled back. Stupid early morning class. If I am going to run into the guy who never called I want to look hot and adorable all at once (take that, lame-o!), not unwashed and matted (whew, thank goodness I fed that number to my dog).

He walks with me and chats away like it hasn't been a month and half since we last (and first) talked, and I start to wonder if maybe he had just previously lost my number or something and actually is interested. I quickly figure out a way to tell.

We are about to reach the corner of campus where you have a choice to go up a very steep group of stairs that takes you straight up to the edge of campus or a gradual ramp which will take you further in. Either way can take you to any building that you might need. Almost everyone chooses the ramp. I usually do.

He asks which way I go, and I point towards the steep stairs, testing to see if, in his interest of maintaining contact, he will choose the same way. I picture him trudging up the stairs next to me and breathlessly asking for my number again at the top.

What is his response?

Oh, I take the ramp. See you later.

The stairs were especially steep that day.

.................................................................................................

He was the only stranger who has ever come close to hitting on me (and at this point I think he did it on a dare). It hasn't happened since. Now, I know that any time I am in public now I usually have a couple of drooling rug rats hanging off me. And sure, my usual choice of attire - the fuzzy hooded black sweater that is somewhat reminiscent of an ape costume- isn't exactly screaming for that kind of attention.

But not even one measly "How you doing?" from the homeless-looking guy at the gas station?

Let me tell you ladies, your husband can be the most attractive man in the world (and mine is), and that'll still keep you humble.

Weave raw bacon together, add italian sausage and cooked bacon on top

I made myself some brownies last night. I told myself that it was my one last naughty treat to end the three-day-lack-of-sleep-induced-binge that I had been on.

Then this morning I was holding Oliver about half an hour after he awoke and he suddenly threw his snotty nose on my shoulder and started his sick whimper back up. I thought to myself, "Oh, one more day of this, huh?"

And this is what I had for breakfast:

And the scraps of Gabe's bagel (with cream cheese. Shhh, don't tell Ollie).

Maybe tomorrow.

Pay it Forward
The Rules
1. Be one of the first Three (3) bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me.
2. Winners, you must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift for the first 3 bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your three Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love!

I won on Kari's blog - no link because it is private.

(Those of you who know me well are probably wondering what in the heck I will send the winners. So am I my friends, so am I. Should be entertaining.)

Last Friday we went to Colin's school to celebrate Chinese New Year. When we first got there, we were waiting for more parents to show up so the teacher had the kids play some games in Chinese. I always love to see that - little kids running around, laughing and shouting in a language that isn't their primary one. So fun! I just sit there thinking, "We are so lucky to be able to be a part of this!" Then we had a huge lunch with fried rice, dumplings, sesame chicken and fresh fruit. Gabe got to sit with Colin at his desk to eat and he seemed very proud.

After the lunch is was time for the entertainment. Each class had a dance, song or skit to perform. Having worked in dance classes for kids this age, I have to say that what they did was quite impressive. I could tell the teachers and kids worked long and hard on it.


At the end of their dance. The kids were so sweet, standing there accepting their applause.

Colin snuck a little wave in. Cutie.