Saddles, T-squares, and Sippy Cups

of motherhood that frustrates me the most is getting sick. I mean, I guess I expected to have to deal with the meltdowns in the middle of the grocery store, taking care of sick kids, and cleaning up all kinds of icky messes. The one thing I never really thought about beforehand was the complete inconvenience of being sick and having kids. The show must go on whether you want it to or not.

So, I would like a pause button. I could use this to stop my kids in their tracks and take a break, take a much needed nap, or whatever else I might need while I am sick. Anyone know where I can find one?

I love the Olympics. As a little girl I remember watching, and as so many other young girls do, dreamt of being a gymnast in the Olympics. That soon morphed into dreaming of being an athlete in one of the equestrian events. This was slightly more realistic since I actually rode horses. I have never even done a somersault in a gym before!

I was pretty happy to actually see some of the equestrian events thanks to cable. They never make it into prime time programming. Go figure. (I mean really, they are running incredibly fast, but does watching a marathon have anything for excitement on a horse and rider galloping down a cross country course flying over jumps that are taller and wider than the horse? Check out what I mean here.)

Women's Beach Volleyball also held me on the couch past my bedtime more than once!

A few other favorite memories of the Olympics, some a little surprising: I waited with bated breath, like everyone else as Michael Phelps became the first Michael Phelps, not the second Mark Spitz. I was excited for him, certainly, but my favorite part was his excitement of getting a Ravens jersey (courtesy of the Raven's owner) just after being awarded one of his gold medals. When he returned to the ready room he entered to a chorus of 'let's see it' and proudly held up the jersey. Too funny. And his cute, wonderfully supportive mother (who reminds me of Paula Dean) getting a great thrill out of having her picture taken with some of the NBA stars who had come to watch her son swim!

And watching the Chinese divers sweep all the diving events. They were poetry in motion! And it was watching them that made me think that maybe not all of my Olympic dreams were shot.



What do you think? Too much splash on the entry? Will I look like Paula Dean in 20 years?

Just some things I want to remember about Noah.

1. ChuggatOOT - game of pumping his legs and chugging like a train
2. Twinkie, twinkie, little star -Twinkle, twinkle, little star
3. Nonny-Mommy
4. chockeymilk - chocolate milk
5. semee truck - semi truck
6. treazh book - treasure book meaning gold plates

This morning he got out the laminated cards that my SIL made with family pictures (great-grandma, grandparents, children, their spouses and the then 16 cousins) for a memory game. We have only played a matching game with them but I always say the name of each person hoping that he will be more familiar with the family when we get together.

It must be working since he held up a card and said 'Wuke', and he was RIGHT! Wow! I said, "yep that is Luke and that he is Ava's brother, can you find a picture of Ava?" He quickly picks up a card and shows it to me and he is right again! I ask "Who else do you know?" and he picks up another and says 'Chandra and Paul', he is right again and once again reminding me that he picks up on a whole lot more than I give him credit for!

I am taking a moment to brag on my husband, Chris. I often complain that he works and travels too much but mixed in with all of that there is a good deal of the p-word...pride. He does work hard and expects a lot from himself. He consistently delivers too.

A case in point: SURF mentoring. For the past few months Chris has had the added responsibility of mentoring an undergraduate doing a research fellowship program. This ended up taking a good portion of each day as he was determined to really help his student, answer his questions, direct his work towards completion, and make sure he had an overall positive experience. Chris helped him prepare for meetings with Monika, presentations with corporate VIPs and poster presentations for the SURF program itself. The student that Chris mentored was the only one who completed his project (in the lab) and as a reflection of his impressiveness, was offered a position in Monika's lab after he graduates in December.


This student rightly attributed a lot (I would say all but I suppose the kid did do some of the work) of his success to Chris and nominated him for grad student mentor of the summer. Chris was selected and received this handy dandy award and a monetary prize.

It is always nice to have some one acknowledge a job well done, effort put forth and time spent. So this posting is just a small pat on the back, Chris, for all that you do! I am so proud of you!

Ian hit 6 months on the 28th of July. After visiting the doctor for a well child check up we found out that we have a special baby. He shrinks! Either that or we measured wrong last month. He measured 27 1/2 inches long and weighs 19 lbs and 14 oz putting him in the 75th to 90th percentile for weight and height.


Items of note for the last month include the following:

1. He has improved his sitting skills.


2. Made no noticeable improvements on his solid food eating skills. He isn't even usually willing to open his mouth, let alone keep it in there!


3. Made great progress on a couple of teeth. The two bottom teeth made an appearance together and are now just working on becoming picture perfect.


4. Decided that his bed is the BEST place to sleep. There are pros and cons to this. He fights falling asleep in my arms and then only takes about a 20 minute cat nap. In his bed he will stay quiet, happy and or asleep for an hour to an hour and half.