1. I organize everything in my closet by color.
2. My toenails are painted year round and it annoys me when other's aren't. Nothing is as nasty as naked toes.
3. The Backyardigans is my favorite kid's TV show.
4. When I finally got to see Dirty Dancing, my mom sat me down beforehand and told me that "real dancers don't dress like that."
5. I love to cook for people who love food.
6. I want to see every part of the world.
7. I love to read chick-lit.
8. My husband is the best person I know.
9. My kids are my best accomplishment.
10. I like to be known as "the funny one."
11. I've been self conscious in a bathing suit my entire life, even when I had a fantastic body.
12. I'm not a good listener. I try to be and I'm always interested, but I suck at it.
13. I rarely say sorry first, although I'm getting better at it.
14. Someone has actually said to me "if I catch you again, you'll spend the night in jail."
15. I am proud to have a college degree in Early Childhood Education.
16. I love being at the ocean, on the lake, or in the river but am completely afraid of water.
17. Music is playing in my house 90% of the time.
18. My friends mean the world to me.
19. I love Christmas time.
20. I hate having things on my kitchen counters.
21. When my mom or in-laws are around, I turn into a lazy beast. I let them do way more than I should like an ungrateful turd.
22. I would love to own a home decor store when all of my kids are in school.
23. For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted four kids but the thought of having another one makes me want to staple my head to the carpet.
24. I secretly take credit for everyone's blogs, except my sis-in-laws, who started hers before me.
25. I love having the house that everyone gathers at.
26. I love Dr. Pepper.
27. I'm not a good baker. Yeast puzzles me still.
28. I love being 31.
29. I wish I looked better with longer hair.
30. My brain is full of useless information.
31. My arms hyperextend and it freaks people out.
32. Without being too obvious, I always try to color coordinate my kids church clothes.
33. I always play music during mealtime. The sounds of others eating drives me insane.
34. I studied ballet for 15 years and was quite good.
35. I love to go camping.
36. I need constant praise. Isn't that horrible? Too bad it's true.
37. My dear friend Kelly and I have known each other for 28 years. She has literally been with me through everything.
38. I would love to be a Labor & Delivery nurse.
39. I love to watch cooking shows and try out new recipes.
40. I used to cry all the time and now I rarely do.
41. I love to ride on ferries.
42. I want to be able to say I've run a marathon without having to actually do it.
43. I love working with the YW.
44. I'm slightly obsessed with my new house but try not to talk about it too much.
45. I like being alone.
46. I love a good road trip.
47. I love to go to the movies.
48. The Cheesecake Factory is my favorite restaurant.
49. I wear way too much pink but actually look better in red.
50. I hate paying for things like good shampoo and skin cleanser although I know I have to now that I'm "in my thirties."
51. I was always afraid of getting in trouble when I was younger and so I rarely did.
52. When I watch Hannah do ballet, I find myself missing it so much that it makes me ache a little.
53. My greatest fear (other than the bridge thing) is that one of my children will get sick.
54. I love BBQ food-potato salad, watermelon, the whole lot.
55. I crave something chocolate everyday. Not just sweet, but chocolate.
56. I want to go see Oprah.
57. I'm trying to come up with a cause for this year to rival last year's baby blanket challenge. (Aren't you excited?)
58. I'm not nearly as confident as people think.
59. I got my period and glasses at the same time.
60. I met a boy on a trip once who wanted to pay for me to stay with him and his family for another few weeks.
61. I've been lucky enough to travel to New York, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, Florida, Nova Scotia, Boston, California, and Las Vegas.
62. I was born in California and have only lived there and here.
63. I could buy something off of any page in a Pottery Barn catalog.
64. I want to commit to another triathlon this year but am a little leary after last year.
65. Spencer's heart amazes me.
66. Hannah's passion inspires me.
67. Sienna's spirit uplifts me.
68. I always tell people I'll call them back and rarely do.
69. I hate talking on the phone.
70. I can waste hours at a time on the Behr Premium Paint website.
71. I talk to my mom at least once a day.
72. I was completely overwhelmed when I visited the house where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women.
73. I'm afraid of everything.
74. I was completely spoiled as a child and try not to act like it now.
75. When the song "Baby Got Back" came out, everyone asked me to say the beginning part because "I sounded just like her." Oh my gosh, Becky....
76. I hate to sweep the kitchen floor.
77. I love to be at the ocean, building sand castles with my family or sitting back and watching everything go by.
78. I love Orange Chicken from Panda Express.
79. I love to play Domino's.
80. I can't wait to go to Europe with Brad.
81. I love having a dog around.
82. I'm trying to grow pretty nails but it's not working as well as I want.
83. I think I have mom hair and it freaks me out.
84. I hope my kids are as lucky to find a partner that fits them as well as mine fits me.
85. I LOVE brocolli and artichokes, but only with mayo which is why I rarely eat them.
86. I don't make my kids do as many chores as I should.
87. I love having the laundry baskets empty.
88. I need to learn to say "no" more.
89. I cook a well balanced meal almost every night.
90. I usually have guests in my house to stay once or twice a month.
91. I love Pero at bedtime when my kids are asleep.
92. I expect too much from Spencer.
93. I get frustrated with people who don't use punctuation, or who use it poorly, and so to overcompensate, I use way too many commas.
94. I rarely feel pretty.
95. I'm proud of my recent weight loss and finally feel confident that I can lose the rest.
96. I have more friends than any one person should be blessed with.
97. I want to learn more about the US government.
98. I am amazed at the life I have been given.
99. I am thankful for the way I was raised.
100. I'm excited to see what's to come.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The Wrong Side Of The Bed And Everything That Follows
Today started like most others except that when Sienna woke up at 6 am (unusually early for her) I was NOT in the middle of a workout but rather in the middle of my bed, snoozing away. Knowing that Brad didn't have to be to school until 10 this morning thanks to finals, I gave myself permission to sleep longer than normal which seems fine in theory but in reality was really just the first misstep in the crazy day that was to come.
At 7, the phone rang to reveal my friend Tracy asking me to watch her daughter since her regular daycare provider had just called in between episodes of spewing into the toilet, and while I hesitated for a moment (slightly bothered that I wouldn't be able to walk at the mall with an extra kid) I said no problem as I set an extra place at the table for breakfast.
I ran upstairs to shower and when I returned, Brad told me he was headed to the gym. A perfectly okay thing to do, I know, but since my brain was already in todays-gonna-suck mode, I was annoyed. I told him, rather snippily, to be back by 8:30 so I could take the boys to school since the addition of an extra kid meant I didn't have room for everyone in my van. He was back at 8:33. But whatever.
After dropping Spence at school and then the girls at preschool, I went back home so Brad could leave. That left me with Sienna, Aidan and Megan. Thinking that this would be a good time to sweep and mop the kitchen floor, I bundled them all up and sent them in the backyard. I was almost done with everything and taking a quick potty break when I heard all three of them. Inside. In the kitchen. In muddy shoes. On the floor I had just mopped. But whatever. I shooed them back outside and re-did the floors. Hooray for me.
Once the floor was dry and the kids were back inside, I started putting all of the chairs back in the kitchen. Since Sienna has opted for sitting at the table now instead of her high chair, I busied myself re-attaching her booster seat to the chair with a bungee cord. (I know. The seat should have it's own leash to attach it to a chair and it did, three children ago, but it doesn't anymore.) Wanting to get the bungee cord nice and tight, I pulled on one side and fastened it underneath the chair where it held for a moment until it let go with such force that it FREAKED ME OUT and then WHACKED ME IN THE FACE.
Now, as most of you know, I don't have much feeling in my chin and lower lip thanks to jaw reconstruction surgery in high school, but I FELT THIS. Thawack, right into the bottom left side of my face. And it wasn't just the hook part of the cord that got me but the whole coiled up part leading to the hook. You know, the stuff all wrapped in wire? Awesome.
I was determined not to cry since but it hurt so bad. I tried to busy myself with something else. I started reorganizng the pantry and when I finished it, I slammed the door shut in retaliation for my facial wound only to slam the door on my finger. My middle finger. Of my left hand. With impressive force.
Oddly, I was relieved that it was the middle finger on my left hand because I had recently injured the middle finger of my right hand and I wanted to even things out. I don't think this one will require the splint, darn it, but it hurt. Like way bad.
Brad called at 2:30 and instead of telling me that he was on his way home, he informed me that he was headed to a meeting he just found out about and would see me at 5. Totally awesome.
Since Brad was going to be home, I had to do some fast thinking about ballet arrangements. I really didn't want to try and entertain Sienna, Spencer and now Quentin (whom I was also watching after school) at ballet, so after phone calls and carseat swaps, all three girls (Hannah, Nadia and Megan) were headed to ballet with Melanie while I kept Spencer, Sienna, Quentin and Aidan. Totally freaking awesome.
Once I got the boys settled playing Gameboy, I thought I'd get started on dinner. It was about 4:15, AKA Sienna's witching hour, so I tried to distract her with songs and music while I cooked. She started doing her fun grunt/howl/moan sound which I ingnored like any good mother. I turned to look at her just as the first of her projectile vomit hit the floor. The kitchen floor. The already mopped twice today kitchen floor. And crappy mom that I am, that's the thought I had. Not why is my child throwing up? Not is she okay? Just oh goody, get to mop again. I hate myself.
At about this time, I started thinking of all the things I could do tonight since Tracy, when asking me to watch Megan, had promised me that she would take all the kids so I could get out for a bit. I was very excited about this idea. All the way until it didn't happen.
As I finished getting all five kids eating dinner, Tracy came in from her appointment. We chatted for a few minutes and I offered her dinner which she took. Brad came and went, I cleaned up and then Tracy and the kids left, without paying me for the daycare and more importantly, without taking my kids with her. I don't really blame her. I know she'll pay me (she said so as she left) and she seemed too distracted to be bothered with my kids. No problem. It's totally fine. Totally, freakingly, awesomely FINE. At least I know she's good for it.
So here I am now, with a quiet house. A clean house, especially the kitchen floor. Sleeping children. All the good things in the world, right at my fingertips. To bad I'm too exhausted to enjoy any of it.
At 7, the phone rang to reveal my friend Tracy asking me to watch her daughter since her regular daycare provider had just called in between episodes of spewing into the toilet, and while I hesitated for a moment (slightly bothered that I wouldn't be able to walk at the mall with an extra kid) I said no problem as I set an extra place at the table for breakfast.
I ran upstairs to shower and when I returned, Brad told me he was headed to the gym. A perfectly okay thing to do, I know, but since my brain was already in todays-gonna-suck mode, I was annoyed. I told him, rather snippily, to be back by 8:30 so I could take the boys to school since the addition of an extra kid meant I didn't have room for everyone in my van. He was back at 8:33. But whatever.
After dropping Spence at school and then the girls at preschool, I went back home so Brad could leave. That left me with Sienna, Aidan and Megan. Thinking that this would be a good time to sweep and mop the kitchen floor, I bundled them all up and sent them in the backyard. I was almost done with everything and taking a quick potty break when I heard all three of them. Inside. In the kitchen. In muddy shoes. On the floor I had just mopped. But whatever. I shooed them back outside and re-did the floors. Hooray for me.
Once the floor was dry and the kids were back inside, I started putting all of the chairs back in the kitchen. Since Sienna has opted for sitting at the table now instead of her high chair, I busied myself re-attaching her booster seat to the chair with a bungee cord. (I know. The seat should have it's own leash to attach it to a chair and it did, three children ago, but it doesn't anymore.) Wanting to get the bungee cord nice and tight, I pulled on one side and fastened it underneath the chair where it held for a moment until it let go with such force that it FREAKED ME OUT and then WHACKED ME IN THE FACE.
Now, as most of you know, I don't have much feeling in my chin and lower lip thanks to jaw reconstruction surgery in high school, but I FELT THIS. Thawack, right into the bottom left side of my face. And it wasn't just the hook part of the cord that got me but the whole coiled up part leading to the hook. You know, the stuff all wrapped in wire? Awesome.
I was determined not to cry since but it hurt so bad. I tried to busy myself with something else. I started reorganizng the pantry and when I finished it, I slammed the door shut in retaliation for my facial wound only to slam the door on my finger. My middle finger. Of my left hand. With impressive force.
Oddly, I was relieved that it was the middle finger on my left hand because I had recently injured the middle finger of my right hand and I wanted to even things out. I don't think this one will require the splint, darn it, but it hurt. Like way bad.
Brad called at 2:30 and instead of telling me that he was on his way home, he informed me that he was headed to a meeting he just found out about and would see me at 5. Totally awesome.
Since Brad was going to be home, I had to do some fast thinking about ballet arrangements. I really didn't want to try and entertain Sienna, Spencer and now Quentin (whom I was also watching after school) at ballet, so after phone calls and carseat swaps, all three girls (Hannah, Nadia and Megan) were headed to ballet with Melanie while I kept Spencer, Sienna, Quentin and Aidan. Totally freaking awesome.
Once I got the boys settled playing Gameboy, I thought I'd get started on dinner. It was about 4:15, AKA Sienna's witching hour, so I tried to distract her with songs and music while I cooked. She started doing her fun grunt/howl/moan sound which I ingnored like any good mother. I turned to look at her just as the first of her projectile vomit hit the floor. The kitchen floor. The already mopped twice today kitchen floor. And crappy mom that I am, that's the thought I had. Not why is my child throwing up? Not is she okay? Just oh goody, get to mop again. I hate myself.
At about this time, I started thinking of all the things I could do tonight since Tracy, when asking me to watch Megan, had promised me that she would take all the kids so I could get out for a bit. I was very excited about this idea. All the way until it didn't happen.
As I finished getting all five kids eating dinner, Tracy came in from her appointment. We chatted for a few minutes and I offered her dinner which she took. Brad came and went, I cleaned up and then Tracy and the kids left, without paying me for the daycare and more importantly, without taking my kids with her. I don't really blame her. I know she'll pay me (she said so as she left) and she seemed too distracted to be bothered with my kids. No problem. It's totally fine. Totally, freakingly, awesomely FINE. At least I know she's good for it.
So here I am now, with a quiet house. A clean house, especially the kitchen floor. Sleeping children. All the good things in the world, right at my fingertips. To bad I'm too exhausted to enjoy any of it.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Service With A Smile
What is it with kids and macaroni and cheese? I offered it up for lunch today and you would have thought I had just promised them all a day with Mickey Mouse. They went nuts! Really, for mac & cheese? I think the manufacturers must lace it with heroin in order to ensure that all kids become instantly addicted.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Shake It Like A Polaroid Picture
Over New Year's weekend, three of my girlfriends and their families came and stayed for a few days, something we do every holiday season. We had a blast as usual and on New Year's Eve, we found ourselves reminiscing about old times, great memories and our friendship which so far has endured 16 years. As the clocked ticked closer to midnight, we started to get a little tired so I turned on some music in hopes of getting everyone going again.
Brad and I each have playlists on the XBox and as we went through mine, we discovered (or rather I discovered since my girlfriends already knew and constantly tease me about it) that I have the most mellow, most calming, most 84-year-old taste in music! Every song that came on was some slightly different version of the previous one and the music was having the opposite effect of what I hoped for; it was putting us asleep faster than it was waking us up. Pathetic!
After they had all left, I emailed them and asked them for some upbeat workout songs, songs that we used to listen to in high school that always made us want to dance and sing. They sent me some great ones, which I have since added to my collection, but I'm wondering what kind of music gets you all going? Send me your favorites so I can liven up my playlist again.
Brad and I each have playlists on the XBox and as we went through mine, we discovered (or rather I discovered since my girlfriends already knew and constantly tease me about it) that I have the most mellow, most calming, most 84-year-old taste in music! Every song that came on was some slightly different version of the previous one and the music was having the opposite effect of what I hoped for; it was putting us asleep faster than it was waking us up. Pathetic!
After they had all left, I emailed them and asked them for some upbeat workout songs, songs that we used to listen to in high school that always made us want to dance and sing. They sent me some great ones, which I have since added to my collection, but I'm wondering what kind of music gets you all going? Send me your favorites so I can liven up my playlist again.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
For You Know Who
My girlfriend Erica, who admitted at Christmas that she never reads my blog because she's "just too busy" suddenly has found time to check in on my life. While I'm excited she's made time for me, she is now making demands on how frequently I update the blog and this has caused me to come up with absolutely nothing to say.
To keep you all busy while I get my mind working again, I found this fun little game to play to waste time. I don't know if it's true or not, but it's apparently a test given to Air Force pilots. They have to be able to do it for 2 minutes or more. My best score is 23 seconds....Brad's is 25. Have fun but watch the clock...it's strangely addicting.
http://tinyurl.com/56t9u
To keep you all busy while I get my mind working again, I found this fun little game to play to waste time. I don't know if it's true or not, but it's apparently a test given to Air Force pilots. They have to be able to do it for 2 minutes or more. My best score is 23 seconds....Brad's is 25. Have fun but watch the clock...it's strangely addicting.
http://tinyurl.com/56t9u
Thursday, January 11, 2007
If Only I Were Jamaican, I Would Have Beaded It
Last weekend Brad and I spent most of our time at Home Depot since the store is closing and everything was 40-60% off. We were able to get some great deals on things for the new house which was awesome but it meant dealing with tons and tons of people. Brad and I are pretty good in mobs of people and we were doing just fine. Since we had some time to kill in the checkout line, I ran to the back of the store to go to the bathroom.
As I stood at the sink washing my hands, I audibly gasped at my reflection in the mirror. I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't looking my best but that's not what actually bothered me. The sight I saw was far beyond my poor choice in clothing. There, perched along my upper lip, were the darkest, longest, grossest black hairs you have ever seen. It looked like a catepillar had taken up residence on my face and I wanted to die.
I've always known I was a hairy girl. I'm Portugese for goodness sakes (not Puerto Rican.) It comes with the territory. But I've always thought I had a pretty good handle on it. I WAS SO WRONG.
I literally shielded my face as I made my way up to the front of the store as waves of panic hit me. Suddenly, I was THAT GIRL. You know THAT GIRL, the one in high school that everyone spoke about in hushed tones because she resembled a wholly mammoth and no one wanted to tell her. That was me. Mammoth face, out in flourescent lighting everywhere, for the past 31 years looking like Chewbaca's lost little sister.
Thankfully, Megan was watching our kids and when we got to her house, I told her to immediately plug in her wax because we had some serious work to do. She thankfully agreed to help my fur face and we got to work.
You wouldn't think that something like waxing would normally be all that funny, but I think what ensued may have been the hardest Megan and I have ever laughed in our lives. She started with my brows, routinely making comments like "wow, I've never seen so much dark hair before," and "we'll have to go over everything twice because there's just SO MUCH HAIR." While completely mortified, I still found it funny and we laughed and laughed. When she got to my upper lip, she commented on my whiskers (oh no she di'nt!) and I think she had to do the whole thing two or three times. Horrifying, but well worth it.
So here I am now, walking around fuzz free and feeling a whole lot better about myself. As I've thought over the last few days about my previously hairy self, one thought has returned to me time and time again: HOW COME NONE OF YOU EVER TOLD ME?????? This is the kind of thing a girl has got to know. It's not like I had a booger in my nose which is still embarrassing but easily taken care of (btw, thanks for the heads up the other day Heather.) We have got to stick together on this stuff ladies. Seriously. What's funny now is that all of you smooth faced girls are just heading into your follicularly challenged years and when you all start growing a 'stach, my lips will be sealed. For at least 31 years....
As I stood at the sink washing my hands, I audibly gasped at my reflection in the mirror. I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't looking my best but that's not what actually bothered me. The sight I saw was far beyond my poor choice in clothing. There, perched along my upper lip, were the darkest, longest, grossest black hairs you have ever seen. It looked like a catepillar had taken up residence on my face and I wanted to die.
I've always known I was a hairy girl. I'm Portugese for goodness sakes (not Puerto Rican.) It comes with the territory. But I've always thought I had a pretty good handle on it. I WAS SO WRONG.
I literally shielded my face as I made my way up to the front of the store as waves of panic hit me. Suddenly, I was THAT GIRL. You know THAT GIRL, the one in high school that everyone spoke about in hushed tones because she resembled a wholly mammoth and no one wanted to tell her. That was me. Mammoth face, out in flourescent lighting everywhere, for the past 31 years looking like Chewbaca's lost little sister.
Thankfully, Megan was watching our kids and when we got to her house, I told her to immediately plug in her wax because we had some serious work to do. She thankfully agreed to help my fur face and we got to work.
You wouldn't think that something like waxing would normally be all that funny, but I think what ensued may have been the hardest Megan and I have ever laughed in our lives. She started with my brows, routinely making comments like "wow, I've never seen so much dark hair before," and "we'll have to go over everything twice because there's just SO MUCH HAIR." While completely mortified, I still found it funny and we laughed and laughed. When she got to my upper lip, she commented on my whiskers (oh no she di'nt!) and I think she had to do the whole thing two or three times. Horrifying, but well worth it.
So here I am now, walking around fuzz free and feeling a whole lot better about myself. As I've thought over the last few days about my previously hairy self, one thought has returned to me time and time again: HOW COME NONE OF YOU EVER TOLD ME?????? This is the kind of thing a girl has got to know. It's not like I had a booger in my nose which is still embarrassing but easily taken care of (btw, thanks for the heads up the other day Heather.) We have got to stick together on this stuff ladies. Seriously. What's funny now is that all of you smooth faced girls are just heading into your follicularly challenged years and when you all start growing a 'stach, my lips will be sealed. For at least 31 years....
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Just When I Thought I Had Her Figured Out
Sienna has taken to very annoying routine during dinnertime and it usually ends with her on my lap eating off my plate, something I am not too fond of. She'll sit in her high chair for as long as she can possibly stand it, somewhere between three and four minutes on average, and then Brad gets her down. She promplty walks around the table to my side and starts climbing up my legs. We've been trying to break her of this for several weeks now to no avail.
Last night, Brad decides to turn on the TV in desperation and for once I give up my arguments of why that's a horrible idea. I told him to turn on some music or something soothing and he chooses EquatorHD, mainly because it's in HD. I think the poor man would watch a root canal in HD if given the chance. Last night's show was on the lemurs of Madagascar and Sienna was instantly transfixed. She ran to her high chair and climbed back in and sat, silently, for 17 minutes. I was SHOCKED! I don't think she has sat still for that long EVER. She loved every minute of it and we ended up having a good conversation with the other two about lemurs.
Tonight was no different than any other, except that instead of letting Sienna down, Brad turned on the TV again and she was once again entranced, this time by the rainforests of Guyanna. It's completely bizaare to me and goes directly against my no TV at dinner rule, but I've really enjoyed eating my food while it's still hot and without her paws all over it. At least it's educational....
Maybe when she finally decides to talk, she'll tell us all about her thoughts on water preservation in third world countries....
Last night, Brad decides to turn on the TV in desperation and for once I give up my arguments of why that's a horrible idea. I told him to turn on some music or something soothing and he chooses EquatorHD, mainly because it's in HD. I think the poor man would watch a root canal in HD if given the chance. Last night's show was on the lemurs of Madagascar and Sienna was instantly transfixed. She ran to her high chair and climbed back in and sat, silently, for 17 minutes. I was SHOCKED! I don't think she has sat still for that long EVER. She loved every minute of it and we ended up having a good conversation with the other two about lemurs.
Tonight was no different than any other, except that instead of letting Sienna down, Brad turned on the TV again and she was once again entranced, this time by the rainforests of Guyanna. It's completely bizaare to me and goes directly against my no TV at dinner rule, but I've really enjoyed eating my food while it's still hot and without her paws all over it. At least it's educational....
Maybe when she finally decides to talk, she'll tell us all about her thoughts on water preservation in third world countries....
Friday, January 05, 2007
Hannah Johnson, Ph.D In Drama
A Day In The Life Of Hannah
Act I
Scene I
Setting: Hannah, while crying uncontrollably, is trying to situate herself in her carseat.
Me: "Hannah, do you even know why you're crying?"
Hannah: (in between heavy sobs) "I'm crying because I'm mad."
Me: "And why are you mad?"
Hannah: "I'm mad because I'm sad."
Me: "And why are you sad?"
Hannah: "I'm mad because I'm sad and I'm sad because I'm mad." (Guttural crying continues)
Me: "Righty-o. Let me know how that goes."
Act I
Scene I
Setting: Hannah, while crying uncontrollably, is trying to situate herself in her carseat.
Me: "Hannah, do you even know why you're crying?"
Hannah: (in between heavy sobs) "I'm crying because I'm mad."
Me: "And why are you mad?"
Hannah: "I'm mad because I'm sad."
Me: "And why are you sad?"
Hannah: "I'm mad because I'm sad and I'm sad because I'm mad." (Guttural crying continues)
Me: "Righty-o. Let me know how that goes."
Thursday, January 04, 2007
2007...Here We Come
The new year is taking shape nicely at the Johnson home. Here's what we're up to:
Sienna, AKA THE MUTE, has suddenly taken to a pacifier at the ripe old age of 17 months. It is a completely bizarre development to me but one that I am appreciating for all the wrong reasons. It quiets her when she's trying to tell me something through her regular series of grunts and whistles and gets frustrated; it slows her down when she's itching for bedtime but I'm trying to stall her just a few more minutes; and it gives her something to do in the car when I tire of her slightly annoying high-pitched rendition of "Elmo's World." Sure, it would have been handy when she was a newborn but I'll take what I can get. She has also followed in her big sister's footsteps and declared dancing to be her favorite pastime. We're slightly concerned about her form as she looks exactly like a miniature Elaine from Seinfield when she moves but it is so much fun to watch. All that coupled with her penchant to throw herself into downward facing dog whenever she gets mad makes for one entertaining Squishy.
Spencer, in all his earnest perfection, has become a Gameboy addict thanks to Santa Claus but has enough self-awareness to comment to me this morning "mom, I think you should put my Gameboy up to charge for a few days because I really need to get my homework done after school today." Seriously, enough said.
Hannah, in an attempt to be my very best friend, has decided that the best way to show her love and affection for me is to follow me around, hug my leg and whine like a lost and malnourished dog. She sounds EXACTLY like Hershey did as a pup and even though her sounds drive me bonkers, I can't help but laugh. She is also becoming the second best bike-riding kid in our family and loves every minute of it. In addition, she loved being the "little kid helper" this past weekend when all of my friends came to town with their babies. It was really sweet to watch. I take back every comment I ever made about her wanting to put a hit out on Sienna.
Brad is still relishing his title of Superior Husband of the Galaxy thanks to his Christmas offerings. He went back to work on Tuesday after a two week break but took Wednesday as a mental health day because he was afraid he might kill his entire 7th period. Hopefully things are going better today.
As for me, I am plugging along. Since my house is finally rid of company and holiday goodies, I have rededicated myself to continued weight loss and improved health. I'm a wee bit ovewhelmed at the process of readying this house for sale but I feel so blessed to be given the challenge. What a horrible problem to have, right? I also plan to get back to blogging on a somewhat regular basis which I'm sure you're all thrilled about.
All in all, life is good here on Johnson Lane. I hope your New Year is off to a similar start.
Sienna, AKA THE MUTE, has suddenly taken to a pacifier at the ripe old age of 17 months. It is a completely bizarre development to me but one that I am appreciating for all the wrong reasons. It quiets her when she's trying to tell me something through her regular series of grunts and whistles and gets frustrated; it slows her down when she's itching for bedtime but I'm trying to stall her just a few more minutes; and it gives her something to do in the car when I tire of her slightly annoying high-pitched rendition of "Elmo's World." Sure, it would have been handy when she was a newborn but I'll take what I can get. She has also followed in her big sister's footsteps and declared dancing to be her favorite pastime. We're slightly concerned about her form as she looks exactly like a miniature Elaine from Seinfield when she moves but it is so much fun to watch. All that coupled with her penchant to throw herself into downward facing dog whenever she gets mad makes for one entertaining Squishy.
Spencer, in all his earnest perfection, has become a Gameboy addict thanks to Santa Claus but has enough self-awareness to comment to me this morning "mom, I think you should put my Gameboy up to charge for a few days because I really need to get my homework done after school today." Seriously, enough said.
Hannah, in an attempt to be my very best friend, has decided that the best way to show her love and affection for me is to follow me around, hug my leg and whine like a lost and malnourished dog. She sounds EXACTLY like Hershey did as a pup and even though her sounds drive me bonkers, I can't help but laugh. She is also becoming the second best bike-riding kid in our family and loves every minute of it. In addition, she loved being the "little kid helper" this past weekend when all of my friends came to town with their babies. It was really sweet to watch. I take back every comment I ever made about her wanting to put a hit out on Sienna.
Brad is still relishing his title of Superior Husband of the Galaxy thanks to his Christmas offerings. He went back to work on Tuesday after a two week break but took Wednesday as a mental health day because he was afraid he might kill his entire 7th period. Hopefully things are going better today.
As for me, I am plugging along. Since my house is finally rid of company and holiday goodies, I have rededicated myself to continued weight loss and improved health. I'm a wee bit ovewhelmed at the process of readying this house for sale but I feel so blessed to be given the challenge. What a horrible problem to have, right? I also plan to get back to blogging on a somewhat regular basis which I'm sure you're all thrilled about.
All in all, life is good here on Johnson Lane. I hope your New Year is off to a similar start.
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