What to say?

I've been wracking my head trying to think what to post about. Since I can't think of anything I'll just post what's been happening.

We had a pretty good Thanksgiving break. Most of it was spent sitting around. The sun was out, but it was freezing so we didn't get out too much. Thanksgiving dinner was at Aunt J's. I didn't go out shopping on black Friday. I always check the ads, but nothing interests me. Most deals seem to be on cheap brands that I wouldn't want anyway. I did order the kid's razors off of Target.com for Christmas.

I've decided to revamp presents for the kids. Usually they get one main present then a bunch of little presents. I'm going to cut down on the little presents. Typically they are junk that either doesn't retain interest or falls apart too fast. I also ask myself the following question "Will this toy get played with beyond the first day?". This means I have to think a little harder, but it will hopefully mean we have less junk sitting around collecting dust.

P is doing really well. She is on the residual end of her first cold. It was pretty minor. She didn't eat very well, but she still slept well. I'm starting to get resigned to the fact that I will never have a big chunky baby. I did shave P's hair awhile back so here is a picture of it for posterity.


All of our non-tree Christmas decorations are up. I'm starting to wish we had outdoor lights. Maybe I'll get some this year. We'll probably get our tree this weekend. Last year we couldn't get a tree because of vacation so this year I was seriously considering an artificial tree. I've managed to fight off that impulse though. I need the fresh pine smell of a real tree.

Binkers

I finally decided it is time to wean L from his binkies. He only gets them when he is in bed right now. He's not too happy about it, but he is coping. Today he found a better way to cope. I keep a nuk binky in the baby toys and he found it. Keep in mind that his regular binky is the green soothie.

Genes, What Good Are They?

We were watching home movies of the kids trying to do my exercise video the other day. That reminded me of my coordination issues. J dies laughing whenever I try to do that video. There is one move where you are supposed to raise one arm while kicking out the opposite leg. I concentrate really hard, but I'll still lift the same leg as the arm I'm raising. At least J enjoys it.

Problems like this are why I hate dancing. I was never comfortable at dances. I had a boyfriend at BYU that did DJing for a side job. He would get so frustrated with me because I refused to dance. When we broke up I was sort of relieved that I wouldn't have to go to dances anymore. Maybe someday someone will invent an implant that will give me rhythm. Luckily J doesn't care if we dance. Not that there are many opportunities for it now. I think our Stake has an adult dance maybe once every couple of years.

Blog Names

This is Jacob J.

Am I the only one who thinks we need better kid names than one letter? Here are my suggestions, feel free to make your own in the comments:

E: Princess
B: Batman
L: Loudmouth
P: Pooper

What do you think, would you rather hear about Loudmouth talking on the phone with himself, or L (which always confuses me if you pronouce it in your head when you read it) talking to himself? Any better suggestions for kid blog names?

I'm really boring...

but my sister tagged me so now I'll share seven "interesting" things with you.

1. I have a major in geology and have regretted it every day since. I guess that is a little harsh. I just fell into the major and if you know my personality you will understand why I stuck with it. In hindsight I wish I had done accounting or computer science, but what's past is past. I still managed to do well with the geology and there were a lot of aspects I enjoyed. I have many fond memories of field trips in Southern Utah and the Bahamas (yes, the islands in the Atlantic).

2. Through concentration, I can raise and lower my cholesterol at will.

3. I enjoy having breakfast in bed. I like waking up to the smell of bacon, sue me. And since I don't have a butler, I have to do it myself. So, most nights before I go to bed, I will lay six strips of bacon out on my George Foreman grill. Then I go to sleep. When I wake up, I plug in the grill. I go back to sleep again. Then I wake up to the smell of crackling bacon. It is delicious, it's good for me, it's the perfect way to start the day.

4. I never even knew who my parents *were*. A couple years ago my birth mother found me and she told me - I was 'special'. And through her I met my real father - great news, right? Well, he pretended to love me just long enough to steal my kidney because he had to have a transplant! And then he dropped me back in the world like a piece of trash just like he did on the day I was born.

5. I was shunned from the age of 4 until my 6th birthday, for not saving the excess oil from a can of tuna.

6. When I was in college, I fell in love, and I got married. It lasted six months. Thyroid cancer metastasized to his brain. There was nothing they could do. I was 21, and I watched my husband die.

7. I have a sick sense of humor, I can belch louder than my husband and I think it is funnier than he does.

Cutie Patootie

Phone

L was playing with the phone today and here is his conversation:

Hello it’s me Joe.
Is it raining?
Yea it’s raining.
Why is it raining?
It is raining.
Why is it raining?
It is dark in here.
It’s E and B.
I think…

When Cats Attack

A Strike on My Habits

Four years ago if you asked me how much tv I watched, my answer would have been not much. Then came 24 and Lost. I started watching both after their first seasons and was instantly hooked. Since then I've added quite a few shows to my repertoire: Heroes, Journeyman, House, Bionic Woman, Life, The Office and Moonlight. Some are not so great, ie Bionic Woman, but it is something to look forward to after a long day. Plus the convenience of a DVR makes it all the more enjoyable.

Last night I figured out what role the writer's strike is going to play in my life. Unless they resolve talks soon my shows will dry up within a couple of weeks. The Office is already on reruns. Talk shows were the first to be affected which is why it took me awhile to catch on. 24 and Lost will probably have to delay their seasons because of the strike.

Which leads me to how I feel about all this. My first reaction was anger at these selfish writers. My second reaction was how selfish am I? These are just tv shows, but for the writers it is a matter of just compensation. I'm not a huge fan of unions, but I do understand that is the system they have to work with. Hopefully the producers will cave soon, particularly as most people polled are rooting for the writers.

Biking and Shopping Galore

I finally decided 10 years without a bike was long enough. I've been riding Jacob's bike around for a few days, but it really doesn't fit me well. So, I bought myself a Schwinn at Costco today. The kids and I inaugurated it with a bike ride around town. I've forgotten how fun it is. Eventually I'll get a trailer so I can haul L and P around. E has been so thoroughly indoctrinated into bike helmets that she keeps pestering me about getting one. I am planning on getting one, but it is interesting how worried she is.

B bought himself a remote control car today with all his accumulated birthday money. I was planning on getting one for him eventually so I'm glad he was able to get one. They're having a pretty good time with it in the garage right now.

We probably spent a good 5 hours shopping today. Towards the end of it L was getting pretty whiny. I said "stop whining L" and he said "I'm not whining" (in a whining voice). The lady next to us thought it was pretty hilarious.

I bought L a Fisher Price Smart Cycle for his birthday. They had a demo setup at ToysRUs and the kids had a great time with it. It will be really nice for wintertime when they can't get out and run around as much.

During all this shopping J had a great time playing with P. He did a photo session with her. I'll post the pictures later. He got a couple of super cute ones.

Our Growing Kids

P and B had their checkups today. B's 6 year and P's 2 month. B is 46lbs and 44 1/2in. P is 11lb2oz and 22 1/2in. Both are doing great so nothing major to report. We are starting to move P off of the hypoallergenic formula. I just started this morning and so far so good. We at least know she doesn't have an immediate onset. Time will tell if it is slow onset. If she starts smelling like the mudpots at Yellowstone then we'll know she still has a problem.

I really like the kid's new doctor. It is at the same clinic so we still get all the benefits of weekend hours along with a Dr. that actually listens and believes me. Of course, now that it is easier to get reflux meds, P doesn't have reflux. What a good baby.

Tonight we are watching Spiderman III for family movie night. B is pretty excited.

I've been playing wall ball with the kids the last couple days. It is fun! It reminds me alot of four square except less coordination is required, hence it is easier for me. I've been playing with E because she wants to improve. Practice makes better.

Trouble

So, this morning I'm upstairs giving P her bottle. I hear this loud crash below me, but no crying so assume L is okay. When I came down I asked him if he fell. He said yes, then, "I squished the tomato". I was able to salvage one last tomato off our tomato plant yesterday and he squished it. Luckily he did it in the garage and not on the carpet. That child needs to spend more time listening to the angel on his right and less to the devil on his left.

Talk Talk

Super Optimus Man

B has been wanting an Optimus Prime head for a long time and his wished was fulfilled yesterday. He looks pretty hilarious with it on. It's always hectic on Halloween with his birthday. It was pretty low key this year though since we had his b-day party on Saturday. He thought he didn't have to go to school since it was his birthday. He was pretty upset when he found out that wasn't true. L was having a hard time understanding that it wasn't his birthday. We only had one incident of premature present opening from him.

The kids had their traditional birthday happy meal for dinner then it was off to trick or treating. First was trunk or treat at the church and then a token circuit of a neighborhood. They always get so much loot from the trunk or treat it is not worth it to spend much time knocking doors. Typically it is freezing Halloween night, but last night was pretty decent for once. I had bought hand warmers just in case. I guess we'll save them for next year or the end of the world.



When the kids got back B opened presents and the kids ate ice cream. Gotta love that Tillamook ice cream.