my awesome husband

Last week I overheard my husband on the phone, after which he admittedly denied. So, as we discussed it, it became apparent that he had something up his sleeve. It is hard to know that, and not know what it is! But I tried trickery, and schmoozing, and just old fashioned talk it out of him, but got nothing. So...I waited.

On Friday afternoon I got an email saying that maybe we shouldn't do pizza for dinner after all. I knew something fishy was going on! Then at 5:30 he pulled up with a BABYSITTER! I was literally in gym pants and a t-shirt, and my hair in a weird ponytail. It was so fun! So I went upstairs and changed, and he explained everything, and then we went out! We ate at a Chinese buffet, which I thought was all we were doing, but then we went to a movie also. We saw 21 with Kevin Spady, which was pretty good. It was really fun to be out, as a surprise, and be out of the house after 9:30, together. It was so fun. It was just a blast to not know what he was planning, and to have such a good time. He rocks, doesn't he?

Then we did errands on Saturday. We had a fire that night and watched two episodes of Lost.

On Sunday we got some paint, and painted our living room, and most of the upstairs loft area. It was my first time painting, so I had to have a few lessons. Jesse, however, is a painting pro, and did awesome. He trimmed at least half of the downstairs area while I gave Emma a bath, then had some ice cream and talked on the phone while she played until bed. I know, my part is rough. He doesn't even need tape to trim! I'm pretty lucky, I tell you. We had fun though, and we are really happy with the color. The kitchen is next. It is going to be a much bigger job, but will be so cool when it is done.

catch up...

On our way to South Dakota, we stopped at a Walmart near Vermillion to stretch our legs. Emma was pretty happy about it. She loves to shop, what can I say?






My tomato plants are doing well, I transplanted them this weekend.




This is a box that I got from a used furniture store. I painted in white and am going to stencil something on. I am also going to see if I can get someone to make a lid for it.

The adventures of Wed, March 19th

This is the tree in backyard.

that had some

issues with the rain. It's

kind of scary that it was

dead enough to fall

without wind or a severe

storm, just rain!

This morning was bath day, so we got all the stuff ready. I always put everything you need on the toilet, like clothes. Emma is in this stage of loving to throw stuff, or put stuff in, or take it out. So, lo and behold, I wasn't paying attention, and look over, and there are her clean clothes, in the bathtub! She looks very pleased, doesn't she?

She had a good bath though...she likes to share her duck. Ahh....

So we have a very happy and clean baby. :)

Pictures

This is an outfit that Aunt Leah got Emma. Uncle Ben, as well as Jesse, think that it looks like a ninja outfit. And, apparently so do I when I wear this black ensemble. So, here is Ninja Emma sneaking up on Ninja Anne. I didn't see it coming...
















She loves the scooter ride...
































Chilling in the new car seat. This is comfort.
















Kind of looks like I am interrupting her reading time, pardon me.

Emma steps

Last week Emma took a few good steps, on a couple different occasions. Yesterday she took a few more. She will also walk with only one of my hands, rather than two. Sometimes she gets in a hurry and reaches up for my other one, and she looks at me with this look like, come one, we have to go. All these firsts, so exciting. But they also bring an end to something, they replace the way you have been doing it. So when she walks, there will be one last time when she needs me to help her. And when she eats by herself with a spoon, I'll give her one last bite. It's the way it must be, the design of life constitutes change, it happens all the time. Even the most miraculous design has some bittersweet points in it. This is the best time, she is so sweet, and concerned about people she knows, she wants to play with us and give us things and laugh with us. She wants us to follow her, to not walk away, to just be with her. It's innocence. It's a different love then you find other places, she doesn't have the emotional ability to understand why she loves, but she does. Obviously some of it is getting fed and cared for, but she is pretty attached too.

She is also playing with corn starch that spilled this morning.

Ahhh....the life of a baby.

Our backyard looks like a swamp, and the neighbor's tree had a big piece fall off. It rained all day yesterday, almost like Seattle! It will be nice when the sun comes out and it really dries up back there, and we can walk on the grass without sinking.

We are traveling to South Dakota this weekend. It will be fun. We are taking the van, so that should make it really comfortable. Now all I need is a tv in there, and I'll be set ;) Ok, maybe not, but it does feel long! I am going to splurge and get a couple magazines, that always makes it fun. I can't read in the car, but magazines don't bother me. It's not so much constant reading, more looking and flipping. It will be a nice long weekend, so we're excited.

I never know what to title these...

Today is Monday. I didn't move very quickly in the morning. Emma woke up at six, so we tag teamed, Jess changed her diaper and I got a bottle. She never really went back to sleep. So that felt early to me. Let's be real people, that was early for me.



We got a car seat over the weekend and installed it last night. It never goes as fast as I think it will. But, we did it! And we don't have to mess with it for 15 more pounds.



Emma ate really well today, so I am excited. There are days when she eats bread, popcorn, cheese, and that may be it. But she had oatmeal, yogurt, over half an orange, pear, peas, chicken, and bread. Oh, and cheese. So I feel like we achieved something.



I went to the gym and walked. My two favorite ladies in the babysitting room are leaving, so I am sad about that. It's so hard to leave your kids somewhere, and when they can't talk and tell you that the lady sat me down and didn't pay any attention to me, you wonder if the lady just sat her down and didn't pay any attention to her. But in most cases it's fine.


I am on a smoothie kick the last few days. I don't remember what I used the blender for when I got it out a few weeks ago, but I have used it several times in the last few days. I went to Sonic last week, and thought that I should try to make a smoothie at home. So I did, and they are really good, just as good as the Sonic one, if not better. Tonight I was decadent and put a scoop of ice cream in, and it was delicious. Mmmm. But the others have been yogurt, a banana, ice and a little milk if needed. Walla. Smoothie extraordinaire.

Friday~

I am supposed to be doing homework. I am thinking about my answer. ;)

Today I took the van to get new tires and an alignment. It took a long time, but it was really worth it. I have never had a such a drastic different in the way a vehicle drives. They showed me a diagram of the tires before the alignment, and they were all going in different directions, so no wonder it drove so bad. I think the mileage should improve some also, so all in all a good day, if you don't mind dropping a chunk of change at Tires Plus. But these things need to be done, and we shouldn't have to put tires on either vehicle for a long time. I walked around Target to pass the time. I only had the stroller, so couldn't get everything I wanted. I actually had to put a canister set down, and few minutes later I saw an employee picking it up to return to it's correct spot. I was kind of embarrassed. But Emma was walking behind the stroller and they belonged on the other side of the store. Sorry Target employee, I'll do better next time.

Picture time...

Tuesday it was really nice out. Emma was going to have some chex, but then she was really interested in my orange. I gave her a little piece, but she didn't want that. She wanted the half. So I let her, and she did pretty well. I think she liked biting and chewing.





She sat on my lap, so I was doing some no aim action...it took a few tries.

Then we went to the flat area, and she "drove" her new little car around. She really likes it. She zips around pretty well. It's fun outside because she has to work a little. It went well. In a few minutes though, she had a total meltdown, the cause is still unknown.

This is the first ultrasound picture, at eight weeks. It's kind of blobby, but the clump is baby, and the left side is the head. The black is just extra space in the "baby room". The heart was strong, and everything was developing normally.

And this is 16 weeks, from yesterday. I went for a regular checkup, and my doctor was doing a c-section and they didn't know how long she would be gone. They thought I could just reschedule for my next appointment. I asked if we could just listen to the heart. I get so worried, and this time in particular because you don't feel a lot of movement yet, and you go a month between checkups. So they just did an ultrasound. The heartbeat was good, and everything looks good. It is a profile picture, with baby looking up, the head on the left, with a big belly. And the placenta looks huge to me! But they didn't act concerned so I'm sure it's fine.

But the exciting part was they were able to tell gender! I wasn't expecting it, so there was no anticipation at all. It was just as exciting and intense and magical as the first time. It was sad because Jess wasn't there, but I showed him right away and we got to be excited together. It's amazing. It makes it so real, this connection is so much stronger. Now that I have found out a couple times, I don't think I will ever be able to wait. And, for me, (everyone is different and this may not be so) I don't feel at all like I am losing out somehow by not waiting, like it is taking away a surprise, or that it isn't supposed to be this way. It is just this moment when you have a mini meeting of your little baby, and you just can't wait to have the full meeting. To hold, to rock, to feed, to dress, to pass off to daddy, he he. And, you know me, blubbery Anne, I cried, of course. They go from this little grain of rice to an Emma, who scoots up the stairs in a flash if you let your guard down.

So, it's been a good week.

Oh, do you want to know what it is?

Ok, so the second post of the day.

We did our own taxes! Yea! We were both a little sceptical, (one more than the other) because we got so much paperwork in the mail. We had forms that we had no idea what to do with. But we went to the free website, which actually costs 14 bucks, and it was really easy! So we just saved a boat load of money! It feels really good to do something yourself that someone else was going to charge you for. So, we spent pretty much our whole evening doing them, and Jess has to go back to the office to print some stuff, but they are done!

I highly recommend it. We just googled free taxes and found it. Good luck~

I met a lady recently through I group I am in, and she shared with us that her father was sick. He had cancer, and they were hoping he would get well enough to receive chemo, and prolong his life a year or more. She spoke of him with such love, such genuine care, that one could not help but be moved. This gentle soul that she prayed for, and asked us to pray for, was unable to overcome the physical battle, and passed away on Sunday. I did not know him, I never met him. I barely know her, but for some reason I am really touched by them. Isn't it funny how that happens? I read the on-line journal of his sickness, and just cried. He was giving, and funny, and courageous. He didn't want his family to have to make hard medical decisions, he made them himself. He didn't want his family to go through what he was, he was glad it was him. It seems so sudden, he got sick, and he just couldn't get well.

Today is a quiet day for me. I prayed, I read scripture for today, I am just thinking. It is so cliche to say that life is short, and that we should be thankful for each day, but it is cliche because it is so so true. Life is delicate. We can't really shape it, we try, but it's not our job. Courage is necessary to trust that your life if full, no matter the length. Prayer is needed to ensure that you give of yourself what is asked, no matter how hard. Humility is needed to forgive and to love, no matter the circumstance. These are all things I strive for. Sometimes I need to really give myself a reality check, it is so easy to get caught up in this worldly world. To want a better this, a new that, more of whatever, less of the bothersome. But I am reminded through this beautiful life and this touching relationship that this lady is so gracious to allow me to glimpse, that these things are not important. If it isn't going to matter on that day, I need to let go of it today.

There are things I wish were different. I could spend a lot of time wishing, couldn't we all? There is a lot that will never be different, and things that will never be the same. Our life evolves, moves, changes, we grow. I pray that God allow me to be strong where I am and in who I am, I pray that I love those around me as I should, I pray that on this day, I appreciate all I have, and that on the day when that changes, I am able to celebrate the joy through the grief, as this family is demonstrating so well.

Tonight is the last book/bible study that I attend through the mom's group I am a part of. It is such a fun group of ladies. The book was about Lent, and she has such awesome perspective. She had three sons, all who died tragic deaths. The last few chapters is about love, and about the joy and hope we have, even during the hour of sorrow, the cruxifiction. It is really moving. It can really be applied to our life, even when it is so so sad, there is hope and joy and promises that are for us. It's really awesome. Not the most uplifting all the time, but really good.

I was ambitious and cleaned our bathroom today. It was kind of gross. It's bad when you notice how dirty it is, and you know that if you see that, everything else is gross too. So, it's clean now! I think the bathroom is my favorite room to clean. It feels so sanitary and good to be in when you are done, and it usually needs it the most, and it lasts for awhile. There is nothing like getting ready, brushing your teeth, perfecting your hair, in a clean bathroom.

Tonight I think Jess is having noodles and broccoli, and I was going to have a burrito. But then I saw the yummy soup, so I might have a turkey sandwich (is it bad to have two in a day?) and soup. I am telling you, turkey, mustard and pickles is the best thing out there people. MMMMM!!!

I borrowed our neighbors jump start box. You don't need another car, you just hook it up. We must have a pretty good battery. It started right up. We may get one of the boxes. It would be nice to have if you needed it, and it is about 60 bucks, which really isn't bad. I am waiting patiently for our manual so I can figure out how to override the dumb feature the does not allow it to shift when the battery dies. So don't worry people, no one can steal your car if your battery dies! I don't understand all the logic that goes into these things, it just doesn't make sense to me.

I am getting tires tomorrow. I think that Emma and I may walk to Sonic, because Jess isn't going to be home for lunch. So it should work out great. We are spending 350 dollars, what's 8 more for lunch? It kind of hurts to have all these big expenses at once. It feels like we are spending more than we are saving. But, when you buy a new vehicle, that is what happens, I guess. And when the tax system is so complicated and goofy that a typical family has to pay someone as much as it would cost for new tires to do their taxes, it adds up.

I realize that Emma and I only have five months or so to hang out together. We have these tender moments that I am so going to miss. I know I am not going to look back and wish it were different that it is, just like having one baby, but there is still something that is never going to be the same. It's probably better that way, she needs to learn to be patient, to share, to not freak out when she is ticked off. I think I am going to have to find a good strong willed child book, because we are convinced that is what has been served to us. Maybe we're wrong, but it sure feels like we aren't. She is this happy little girl, but not very tolerable to other people's ideas at time. And she definitely will let you know. The arched back, the flailing on the ground, the attempts to convince you something is killing her ever so slowly. Strong willed, I'd say.

Supper time, supper time, sup sup supper time.

This weekend has been nice. Last weekend Jess didn't get home until late Sat night, so it was nice to have him here the whole time. Last night we had a Lost marathon, we watched four episodes. It was fun. The night before we started the first Lord of the Rings movie. I think I will like them. I read The Hobbit and really liked it, and then started the first book. I stalled at about half way through, maybe a little more. It is good, just really slow.

I am craving V8. I have had two glasses so far, and could easily have another. That is an ok indulgence though, right?

Our van has a dead battery. There is a feature, that we don't know how to override because we are waiting for our manual, that does not allow it to shift out of park when the key doesn't come on. So we can't jump it because it is in the garage. We looked at the jump starter kit that doesn't need another car. I would probably like on of those anyway, someday, but I don't know if we'll get one quite yet. Our manual should be here soon, then we can figure out the override.

Sunday's are always sad. I always look forward to vacations when I get him home more.

Nothing to exciting~my second trimester weird dreams had started. The other night I dreamt about my blog, and someone was instructing me on it. One of the comments was about length, apparently it was too long! Well then!

Today~

7:45 ish- up and at em'. Emma says, "I'm hungry!" So I get her up, and her diaper has leaked and she is wet. I change her clothes, which usually waits until at least after her bottle, then we head downstairs to get a bottle ready. Back upstairs and I get dressed, back downstairs for breakfast. We got to hang out with Jess for a few minutes before he leaves. That was nice.

8:30- bath #1. I was in a hurry because there were fireplace people coming to clean our fireplace. I got soap in Emma's eyes, and she cried :( So it didn't go well, but she was clean, so that was good.

9:20- the neighbor stops by to see if the fireplace people had been here yet, because he wasn't home. He had called to see if they could do ours first because he wasn't going to be there for awhile. Emma was asleep. They hadn't, we talked for a few minutes, he left.

9:45- fireplace people arrive. It reminded me of a modern day Mary Poppins. They were much cleaner though. I talked with the landlady. There is a cracked something, so we can't burn more fires until it gets fixed. That may be 2009. I like the landlady, but the best future prediction if past behavior, and her track record isn't great. No fire tonight. I told her we were going to have a fire tonight, and she says, "Is it your anniversary?" She is funny. No, just Friday! Everybody left.

10:30-Walmart calls to say that the tires we ordered were on back order for two months. oi, or however you spell that Norwegian word. Ok, I'll deal with that later, or Monday.

11:25-after consulting with an expert, I learn that you can put a few seeds in each pot, so I begin my planting. I don't get very far, about one and a half planters, and Emma gets up.

11:40-bottled and jacketed, we head out to the consignment sale! I have no cash so I head to the bank. I pull up to the atm, and remember that I don't ever carry that card on me, so I back up and pull into the first lane. Well, I tried. The van action is a little different than the grand prix action, so I was like an old lady who could drive, I kept doing a curb check with the back right, and the wall was in front of me on the left, and there was a pole on the right I would hit, and do some major damage, if I just went over the curb. So it took several tries, and I finally got to the window. I was slightly embarrassed, but I blame it on the van, and hope the lady forgets about it? She totally won't, I remember what you say about the people who do that in the drive through. You laugh, sorry people, it's true. And they don't have many customers, so when you are one in fifty, and do something memorable, they are going to remember. Oh well.

11:45-I'm off

11:50-where in the heck am I?

12:15-oh yes, not the convention center, the trade center! whoops. I made it though. It was much bigger than the one in the fall, or maybe it was just organized better. There was a lot to look at. I saw a great changing table, but it was kind of pricey. I may swing by on Sun for the half price sale to see if it is still there, I would pay half of what they wanted. I got the baby a few things, she doesn't need a lot, including...




a swimming suit! It was kind of fun. I think she will really like the pool. Now, we just need to find a pool! lol. The hotels this summer will have one, and for three bucks, if she only wears it twice, I'm not that worried.

12:45-I am checking out, call Jess, he is not home anymore, so I don't see him for lunch. That always makes the day seem longer. :( So, I'm a little bummed. But I got a cute pair of maternity capri's, so I'm excited. My husband is not a huge pair of capri's, but maybe pregnant carpi's will strike him better. Strike him more? He will think they are more striking? Anyway, I got them, and a riding toy for outside for the Emmster, and a couple of decorations, and a few clothes. I was hoping to score a moby wrap, but if anyone would be crazy enough to get rid of theirs, I'm sure it was gone at the presale last night.

1 something-home. hungry. lunch time.

2 something-dishes, finished my planting. Emma is so good. She didn't even fuss at the sale, and she played by herself while I planted. I was standing there, and my mommy radar kicked in and I walked to check on her, and lo and behold, she was on step five. She loves the steps. I need to do better at closing the baby gate on the bottom, because she scoots up in a flash. Other than that, she did really well. So then we played, I had an apple and we watched a little people's court. I thought she had sat in a puddle that was from me planting, but then I noticed that it wasn't drying very fast. Then, a few minutes later, I noticed there was another wet spot on the other leg. Hmmm....so we should change. I smelled, and it definitely wasn't water. So upstairs we go. She must have had something that didn't agree with her, because it wasn't a wet diaper. So, bath #2. This time she got to play for a long time. She put the washcloth in the measuring cup for me, and I dumped it out. She then learned that the duck bubbles when she puts it under water, and squirts when she has it out of the water. Ten minutes right there. So, she stands up, and I ask, "all done?", and she agrees. Out she comes. I wrap her in her towel and we watch the water drain. She has a diaper rash from pre-bath #2 diaper, and it's good to let it air out a little. So I put some lotion on her and let her walk around the bathroom. It's not the first time I let her. Just for a few minutes to air out. The thought enters my mind, that she could pee and wouldn't that be the icing on the cake? The thought is in the process of exiting my mind, and the cake is being frosted. So I grab toilet paper, and start mopping. She has this look like she might be in trouble, but doesn't know for sure. Of course she isn't. She really can't control that very well. (Don't get me started about signs and pots people, they are babies!) So it was time to put the diaper on. We are both tired people. So I dress her in another outfit, it seems to early for pj's, and lay her down for a mininap, and I grab a glass of diet pepsi, and hope to gain some energy for the home stretch. It doesn't seem like a big day, I certainly didn't do a lot of running, but something has made it seem eventful and long. Maybe because it's Friday. The current time is 4:15. I have stuff I could be doing. But the dishes are done, the kid is clean, our laundry is caught up and the bed is made. So this is some me time. The me time is running out though, so I better call a couple of tire places and look for bf goodrich 250/65/16 traction ta tires.

Yesterday Emma slept for three hours in the morning, and I kept her up in the afternoon so we could get a bedtime established. The night before she just wasn't tired and stayed up until past eight, but the week before she went to bed before six. So we are looking for a little bit of consistency. It worked really well. She was happy, and she and Jess hung out until bedtime, and she went without a peep. She didn't wake up at all during the night either! Yeah!! Usually she yells, and I think it is because she is awake and wants to get up. But she went until almost seven, so I gave her a bottle and really hoped she would hang out for a half hour or so. But she didn't get up until ten! So, I don't know if she will take a nap at all today, and it will be interesting to see what it does for her bedtime. I have heard to never wake a sleeping baby, but she is less of a baby, and I don't think it would be terrible to wake her in the morning, and then let her take a nap. I am thinking that may work better, but for now I am letting her be in charge.

Yesterday evening I bumped the letter bus, and the lady came on to tell us about "v" and what it "says". It was hilarious. It's hard to convey a tune, but the other 25 letters are totally normal, and then there is v. It sounds, um, almost inappropriate! Like this lady is in a bar or something. It is pretty funny.

I need to make some phone calls today, and get some appointments set. Ugh. I don't know why it seems like a big deal, it isn't!

I really want to do more things together, on the weekends. We do everything together, but not a lot of entertainment. So next weekend we may try to go to a WWI museum downtown and get something to eat. It is easier to take Emma these days, so I am looking forward to that. This weekend we are going to the mall, not all that exciting, to get Jess measured for his tux. Woo-woo! We also have to look for witch socks from the wizard of oz...and shoes, from the wizard of oz. They are doing a video or something at Jess's office, it sounds fun.

So I am trying to find a balance of fun and relaxing. I think we relax a lot, which I really like, but it is nice to go do new things together, once in awhile. And there should be plenty of fun this to see downtown when the weather gets warm. And it will be easier with one than with two.

I really like Les Miserab. (sp) I am on page 50 something, so only 1500 more to go, but it is such a good story so far.

Emma is really too tall for under the table, but she really likes it, but she bumps her head, then gets frustrated. Well kid, I hate to tell you, but you are just going to keep growing!

Dishes time!

So I am one of those sneaky parents who gets their kids to eat veggies. Emma will eat them, off of a spoon, with macaroni. But, if she looks close and realizes it's a carrot, she will balk, so you have to add one noodle in front of the carrot, and then it is fine. Today she attempted to eat with a spoon, and it went ok considering it was the first time. She isn't really motivated to do it by herself yet. I am. So I need to push myself to have her try several times a day.

It's funny that sometimes you think you are over something and you really aren't. How the simplest thoughts or actions get you all wound up over something. I think being humble is so so so hard. I want to be, I really do. But it is really hard to let something go. When someone has offended you and doesn't apologize, it's hard to forgive them. They don't always know, that is true, and those are so much easier to get over. But when they do, and then they don't, then you can't. Grace is vital in growing in virtue. I realized I need to really find verses and use them. I need to realize that I am not the most important person in the world. And I am offended, and probably have good reason to be, but so what? Get over it. Hurt feelings are not, contrary to popular opinion, that big of a deal. Easy to tell yourself, hard to learn.

I got some flower seeds and pots yesterday. I may be taking on a few too many things, but we'll see. They won't really take a lot of time, once I get them started. I wish I could actually put them in the ground, but may have to rely on pots. Maybe I can find a bunch at garage sales.

She acts so strange when she is tired. Her attention span dwindles at an alarming rate. And she talks a lot.

I believe we are having fish for supper. And some vegetable medley. Mmm...

Then I need to work on some school stuff and plant some flowers. I really need to figure out how many seeds to put in one pot. Sounds dumb, I know, but this is my first attempt at starting from seeds.

my first day in the blog world

So...here I am! It's kind of exciting.

I really didn't think I would ever do this. I am not that techie, and I didn't know if I could figure this out or have any time to use it. But, I don't think you have to be that techie, I did figure it out, and if I put my addiction to day time court t.v. on hold, I do have time! Who knew.

I like to write. I have these thoughts sometimes, about how fun it would be to say this, or create a fun piece about this. I am not saying I am great at it, but I do think it is a hobby I would like, and I have recently been lamenting about how I need a hobby.

I also was hesitant because I didn't, and still don't, think that there were enough people that would actually read anything I wrote. I thought I would spend all this time giving updates and pouring my soul into this and it wouldn't matter to anyone. Then I had an amazing revelation. Well, it was kind of evolutionary. Who cares? This season of lent has helped me to see that I am supposed to be living for myself and my family, in a sense. That doesn't mean to be self centered or self serving, just that it is ok to be alone sometimes, it is ok to be quiet, and it is ok if you do things just for you. Read, write, whatever. So if this never gets read, or it gets read once a year, it can still have the same value for me. I think I have spent a lot of my life looking to other people for fulfillment, or for entertainment, or to vent frustrations, or to complain, or to be inspired. I don't think getting any of that is a bad thing, but I don't think it is the number one place. God has to be ahead of people, and as much as I realized this, I didn't see the little ways I was doing the opposite. You have to be ahead of people. Not that I am this big people pleaser or giver, but I can learn to entertain myself, to calm myself down, and be excited...by myself.

That got kind of long, excuse me, I'm growing here!

So I bathed the babe today, and realized that this may be the first bath she has had since the inevitable poop in the bathtub incident. It was a little scary, I am not going to lie. I realized it might be happening, and I took a moment to gain my composure and create an action plan, which involved lifting her out of the bath and holding her above a more appropriate place to do her business (which is an obvious plan, I know, but in the moment of sheer panic mode, ok, maybe just oh my goodness this is really happening mode, I had to work it out in my mind) it was done. Hmm...now I have a naked, confused baby and a bathtub full of water, with something foreign that should definitely never be in a bathtub. So I dealt with it, and seriously, it wasn't that bad. Not nearly as bad as you think it is going to be. When it is your child, the grossest things are just not that gross. A phenomenon that I can assure you contributes greatly to the continuing of procreation. Without it, there would be a lot more single child homes out there! Today went much more smoothly. Nothing but soap and toys lingering.

I crossed a threshold in my life on Saturday. I bought a bird feeder, for myself. I guess I am not a young and hip chick anymore, (maybe I was never that hip) I am a stay at home mom who wants to watch birds. But, I thought, who wants to be young and hip anyway? It just means wearing makeup that is most likely never as flattering as we think it is, wearing clothes that cost too much and don't hold a candle to lounge pants and a t-shirt, and spending your weeks staying up too late and spending too much money. So, bird feeder lifestyle, you aren't so bad. I put it up in the only good tree in the back, which is about 90-94% dead, and reached as far as I could to tie it up with the piece of duct tape I fashioned into a rope, and when I walked back to look at it from a distance, realized that I can't reach very high. It is in the third branch from the ground, so maybe, maybe, a third of the way up. But there was a red cardinal, or a red bird, and a blue bird, and something that I really think is a mourning dove that has visited. So, I deem is a success regardless.

I woke up early today, and actually got out of bed. There are things to do, life to live, blogs to start, apparently. It feels good to push yourself just a little, although I will never reveal just what time my feet hit the floor! The Emster was happy, she ate some cheerios, had a piece of toast and played very nicely while I listened to NPR.

I also made a pot of chili. I used our blender to puree one can of beans, if you haven't tried it, it is so good, and I couldn't find our blender. I was kind of irritated. Why, I just used it two years ago, where could I have put it? But, no worries, it was found. And it worked just like it did the first time, which was the last time we used it.

So I should post pictures, I know that makes this more exciting. I really need to catch up with mine, get some printed and deleted from my camera.

How does one end a blog entry? I am new at this, so my creativity and lack or experience may not impress anyone.

That's all for now....

Off to stir the chili...

Oh look, there is a bird...not really though